It is time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of His Majesty's Royal Opportunity. Thank you. Good morning, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Any disillusion of Peel region will require serious thought and care from this government. There are a lot of moving parts and billions of dollars are at stake for taxpayers in Brampton, in Mississauga and in Caledon. But as we've seen, whether it's with Bill 23 or the cancellation of Peel chair elections or the ending of regional planning responsibilities, this Premier has a record of imposing sudden, massive changes on municipalities without consultation or careful review, leaving municipalities and taxpayers to deal with the resulting chaos. How can the people of Peel trust the Premier to get this right? And to reply, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I disagree with the leader of the opposition. The Premier has been clear on this issue and what our shared intentions are. We're committed to working with all of our municipal partners to ensure that they have both the tools and the autonomy to deliver efficient and effective services to their constituents. This is an issue that's long been discussed within Peel region. As I said earlier, the Premier has been very clear on his intentions and will have more to say later in the day, Speaker. A supplementary question. Well, Speaker, back to the Premier. Last week we reminded the Premier and the Minister of Municipal Affairs of their promise to make municipalities whole for revenue losses that were caused by Bill 23. We told them that Brampton would need to raise taxes by 80%. 80% to cover these losses. Now they're worried about losing as much as a billion dollars in infrastructure. But the Minister seems to forget all about his promise to make municipalities whole. The Premier even compared Peel municipalities to beggars seeking a handout. How can Peel residents have any confidence in this restructuring process when the Premier and the Minister have shown them such disrespect? Thank you very much. Speaker, the region of Peel has some of the largest and fastest growing communities in our province. We have been very clear that we will continue to work with them. We recently appointed an auditor for all four Peel communities with a very clear vision that we want to set those municipalities up for success. All three of the municipalities, Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon all are part of our expansion of strong mayor powers. All of them have been very, very clear back to us. They've committed to our housing targets, and they're ready for success. And the final supplementary. I encourage the Minister to go listen to the people of Brampton. Their municipality is indeed growing at an extraordinary rate. But time and time again this government makes Bramptonians many promises but delivers nothing but half measures. I get why people are worried about this government's latest plan. They deserve better. In 2019, the government announced a regional government review. Three months of consultations, and the review received over 8,500 written submissions, but then the government suddenly dropped the whole idea. The report and the recommendations have been kept secret ever since. Just so Peel residents and other Ontarians have access to all the relevant information, will the Premier order the release of the 2019 report? Harrison Housing. Well, thanks, Speaker. You know one thing that the Leader of the Opposition didn't talk about? The results of last year's election. Right now, all of those seats in Peel Region are government seats. The opposition, you know, let's face it, there's a bit of revisionist history over on the ventures over there. We will continue to work with our outstanding Peel Region MPPs and the government. We'll continue to work with our three great mayors and those great councils in Caledon, Brampton and Mississauga, and we want to give a clear message to the people who live in Peel Region. No matter whether you live in Caledon or Brampton or Mississauga, we want to ensure that the process results in those same online services that those people expect today and they'll expect in the future. One more question. Once again, the Leader of the Opposition. Before I go to my next question, let me just say, I wonder how those people in Brampton are going to feel next election when their taxes have gone up 80% under this government. Order. Order. Order. Order. Order. On the side, come to order. On September 15, 2022, a company controlled by Michael Rice of the Rice Group bought 687 acres of protected farmland in King Township. Less than two months later, the government announced that this property would be removed from the green belt. But now we've learned that Mr. Rice discussed the development of this land with King Township and Southlake health officials in June before he bought the land and perhaps even as early as January of last year. It makes no sense for Mr. Rice to propose the development of protected green belt land. He did not even own yet, unless, and my question is to the Premier, did someone in the government tip him off about the green belt plan? Shocking, Mr. Speaker, that somebody was talking about building a new hospital in York Region, the new Southlake hospital. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we were actually talking about building a new Southlake hospital before the last election. Yes, Mr. Speaker. It's been no secret. We've never made a secret of the fact that the people of York Region, especially Southlake, needed to be rebuilt. I just don't understand how it is that the leader of the opposition is not aware of this because we've not tried to hide the fact. In fact, we went into an election telling the people of the province of Ontario that we were going to make $50 billion worth of investments in health care because we had to rebuild a health care system that was left so sorely lacking by the Liberal and NDP Coalition, which ignored health care for 15 years. It is no secret, but welcome to the party. Perhaps now you will consider voting in favour of this massive investment now that it is no longer a secret to supplementary questions. Speaker, it's not about what this government says is going to be built or not. It's about who has access to this government to get these favourites. That's what this is about. Clearly, before that June meeting, Luca Bucci, the Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, left the ministry and took a job as the new CEO of the Ontario Homebuilders Association. The President of the OHBA at the time was Bob Schickendanz, whose company owned the King Township property that would then be sold to Michael Rice on September 15th, and then removed from the green belt less than two months later. Follow along here, Speaker. Did Mr. Bucci or any other government official know about any of the green belt removals prior to September 15th, 2022? Mr. Speaker, as important it is that you follow along. I think it's very clear that the people of Ontario followed along in the last election, right? She says it's not important about what gets built and what doesn't get built in the province of Ontario. Well, I disagree. It actually is important what gets built and what doesn't get built because under the Liberal and NDP Coalition, nothing got built, Mr. Speaker. That's why our hospitals were crumbling. That's why we didn't have subways for over 30 years. There was a delegation here from Great Britain. They managed to get subways built in London. We had to wait 30 years for Toronto for Minister of Transportation. This Premier, they got subways built in Ontario. So I would say to the leader of the opposition, it does matter what gets built and what gets built and what is not built. And under this government, things get built and when they're in charge, nothing happens. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. Back to the Premier. The Conservatives' narrative is totally off here. They better get their stories straight. Last week, the Narwhal reported that officials in the Premier's office were where changes to the Green Belt as early as August. And Michael Rice was pitching a development proposal for his soon-to-be-acquired Green Belt land as early as June or maybe even January of last year. The timeline here doesn't make any sense. Why did the Premier and the Minister tell the Integrity Commissioner that they only knew about the Green Belt removal scheme in November when the Premier's inner circle clearly knew long before then? Thank you. The opposition suggests that the narrative is off. I suggest that it is the leader of the opposition, the NDP, who haven't got on with the narrative. We went to the people of the province of Ontario and said that we were going to continue to build prosperity in the province of Ontario by building roads, highways, new long-term care, by investing in our auto sector, by bringing jobs back to the province of Ontario, and what we have seen is record growth in the province of Ontario. This is an opposition party that went to the people with the message that she's delivering now and the people of the province of Ontario massively turned their back on that particular party, Mr. Speaker. In fact, they returned the Progressive Conservative Party with a larger majority than when we left. They reduced the opposition by 10 seats. This is a leader of the opposition who ran unopposed for the leadership because nobody else wanted to lead the party, Mr. Speaker. I think we got the narrative right, the economy is showing that we're getting it right, and the people of the province of Ontario... Order. Order. Order. Order. Start the clock. The next question, the member for Kiwetnaw. Miigwe, it's a speaker. My question is to the Premier. Speaker, the leadership and the members from the Ojibwe's of Garden River First Nation traveled here today to enforce a long overdue promise of the 1850 Treaty to their people that that treaty promised them land that Ontario and Canada took back for mining, timber, and farming. Mr. Speaker, will this government honour the 1850 Treaty and give back the land Ontario owes to Garden River First Nation? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for the question and let me too welcome the delegation, the chiefs, and the entire members of the community that have come here. We have, I think, a very good tradition of working with Indigenous partners to ensure that, in fact, I think this government has secured more agreements than any other government in the past. But that doesn't suggest that the work is done by any account, Mr. Speaker. I know this is something that is before the courts right now and as you can appreciate, Mr. Speaker, when something is before the courts, there's very little more that we can say on the matter, but the Premier has said, as the minister has said, we remain committed to working with Indigenous partners to not only settle land claims across the province of Ontario, but ensuring that Indigenous communities participate in the economic growth because they are the leaders that will help us shape Ontario of the future, Mr. Speaker. There's such an important part of it. We owe them that, Mr. Speaker, and I know that they are as excited to work with us as we are to work with them. Can that answer your question? We need to start talking about self-determination. We need to start talking about self-governance. We need to start talking about treaties. Honour the treaties. Speaker, First Nations and Ontario are partners in the development of this province. We know that. You know that. The future prosperity for all of us depends on implementing the spirit and intent of the treaties. Again, the prosperity of Northern Ontario depends on the respect of those treaties. Does Ontario agree that this means respect for the environment, so any agreed upon development in the north can happen sustainably, responsibly, and with the full involvement and the full consent of First Nations? Thank you, Speaker. A really good question from the member, and I think he hits nail on the head in a lot of respects. I don't think we need to start working with First Nations. We need to continue working with First Nations. I think he's highlighted it on many occasions as have our partners, Speaker, that this is a partnership. This is a nation-to-nation discussion, Speaker. First Nations are, in many respects, not only our partners, but they are our teachers when it comes to how we can ensure the economic prosperity not only of Northern Ontario, but of all of Ontario. So we will continue to work with our partners, not only the First Nations community, but across the province of Ontario to ensure that as the economic riches of the north, which have become so important in the economic development, not only of Southern Ontario, but all of Canada, that it is those relationships that we have with First Nations community to help guide us and help lead us the way to that economic prosperity that is so important to all Ontarians. The member for Grantford Grant. Thank you, Speaker. First Nations for the Minister of Finance. Much like the rest of the world, Ontario is experiencing the effects of global economic uncertainty. Ongoing supply chain disruptions, inflation, and increased interest rates have created financial pressures for people across Ontario. Individuals, families, and businesses are looking to our government for help during these challenging times to provide them with much needed support so that life is more affordable. We need to see that our government is continuing to focus on legislation, investments, and other initiatives that will provide real relief financially, and that our government has a strong plan for the future. Speaker, can the Minister please explain how our government is continuing to work on behalf of Ontarians during these challenging economic times? Thank you. To apply the Minister of Finance. Well, thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the terrific member for that question. You know, Mr. Speaker, the people of Ontario re-elected our government with a plan to get it done, to keep costs down and to support the people of Ontario while getting roads and hospitals, schools, and infrastructure built that Ontario needs. We have a responsible plan to ensure that the promise remains on a strong and steady economic path forward. In fact, Mr. Speaker, I was very pleased to see that Moody's, the credit rating agency, has recently changed Ontario's credit from stable to positive. Mr. Speaker, this reflects our government's commitment to prudent responsible fiscal management and a strong economy. We have laid a strong foundation on which we will continue to build Ontario. Supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you, Minister, for that response. It is great to hear that our government is consistently introducing measures that will put money back into the pockets of taxpayers and is building up Ontario's future with infrastructure and investments that will benefit everyone. That said, the people of Ontario expect that their government will continue to look for more ways to reduce costs so that life is more affordable. Unlike the previous Liberal government that was out of touch with the people of Ontario, our government must remain committed to focusing on issues that will help to improve everyday life. Speaker, can the minister please explain how the priorities in the 2023 budget will help to make life more affordable for the people of Ontario? Thank you. Mr. Finance. Thank you again, Mr. Speaker, and thank you again to the member for that question. You know, Mr. Speaker, we are making transit more affordable by eliminating double fares for most local transits, services in the Greater Golden Horse Shoe Area when communities are also using go transit services. Mr. Speaker, for low-income seniors in Ontario, these in certain times are even more challenging. That is why we are temporarily doubling the guaranteed annual income system, also known as GAINS, those payments until December of 2023. And, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, we are proposing to expand that GAINS program starting in 2024 to 100,000 additional seniors eligible for the program that increase in recipients and do justice benefits so they can deal with inflation. This all builds on our previous measures, including cutting the gas and fuel tax until December 2023 and eliminating license plate. Thank you. The next question, the member for Windsor West. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Residents of Windsor Essex are deeply concerned to know that numerous Code Red and Code Blacks have been declared due to shortages of available ambulances and this government's continued systemic underfunding of health care in Ontario. From 2021 to 2022, there was an alarming increase of 4,833 Code Red minutes. Three months into this year, Windsor Essex is at nearly 900 Code Red minutes plus another 2,257 Code Black minutes. This is the dangerous reality in Windsor Essex and this government continues to fail to address it. Speaker, will the Premier commit today to addressing this disturbing reality and ensure residents in my community have access to timely emergency services when they need it? And to apply the Parliamentary System to Minister of Health, Member Craig Lawrence. Thank you, Member opposite for the question. Our government knows that the status quo is not working and that is why we've been making all the changes we have, why we introduced the Your Health Act and why we've got the largest Health Human Resource Recruitment Retention and Training Initiative in Ontario's history to address any concerns such as the ones the Member opposite has mentioned. And recently, in fact, this Tuesday, our Minister of Health and our Minister of Colleges and Universities were in Owen Sound to announce training programs, learning stay programs to ensure 2,500 post-secondary students in nursing, paramedic and medical laboratory technology students would get training covered by the government and what we're doing is making sure that those programs are available. This is building on programs that we announced in March of 2022. And we think that this is part of the solution to make sure that we have the Health Human Resource and make sure that the emergency rooms are operating. Your supplementary question. Thank you, Speaker. The Mayor and Council of Essex passed a motion this week and have written a letter to the Premier calling for immediate action for our region. Mayor Bondi said, and I quote, we implore the authorities to imply an immediate and comprehensive review of our hospital offload delays and staffing crisis in our front line. Ambulance offload processes and hospital volumes are merely two contributing factors. If nothing tangible is done, local families risk experiencing catastrophic consequences, end quote. Speaker, will the Premier immediately address the concerns of the Essex Council and the alarming healthcare crisis we're experiencing across Windsor Essex with the increasing Code Reds and Code Blacks? Absolutely. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our government is taking action to ensure on terms of access to the care they need and when it comes to the ambulance offload delays we have a many-step process we put in place. We're returning ambulances to communities faster through the dedicated offload nursing program. We've increased ambulance availability by about 600,000 hours with that program. We're providing timely and appropriate care in community through the expansion of our 9-1-1 options. We're investing in new technologies through the Central Ambulance Communications Centre and we're doing all these things to make sure and also helping with transport of non-medically for medically stable patients so they don't have to use ambulances and we're maximizing, as I said, our health human resource capacity. Speaker, this year we've increased dedicated offload funding to over $23 million for 27 municipalities and that's seven additional municipalities receiving that funding for the first time. We're going to continue to make sure that our ambulances can be in the community, not waiting in hospitals and that our emergency rooms are well stacked. Question, the member for Brampton North. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Associate Minister of Transportation. Many commuters and families, myself included, and my riding at Brampton North rely on the GO Train Network to get to downtown Toronto and to travel across the rest of the GTA. Those same commuters and families were left behind when the previous Liberal government broke their promises on GO Transit Service. Because of their failed leadership, our government inherited a transit system that was outdated and in need of many improvements. That's why our government must build transit infrastructure that will improve travel, create local jobs, and boost our economy. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please explain how our government is bringing fast and convenient GO Transit services for the people in my riding and across Ontario? Good. The Associate Minister of Transportation. Thank you, Speaker. A Bodala Badia question from the member this morning. Shukriya Badia. Speaker, make no mistake, we're building the GO Network after the Liberals failed to do so. Last week, I joined the Premier and Minister Maul Rooney to announce we recently finished building terrific new infrastructure improvements at Bramley GO and Brampton. These fantastic enhancements include a brand-new accessible station building, a spacious parking garage with over 2,000 parking spaces, and tremendous bus-related infrastructure with a whopping 18 new bus platforms so riders can get off Bramley GO and connect to local Brampton transit with ease. Our upgrades are making Bramley GO an essential hub for 12,200 daily riders that it will have in 20 years' time. Speaker, unlike the opposition who failed to expand the GO Network and build transit of any meaningful way, this government is getting it done for commuters in Ontario. Thank you, Speaker. And it's great to see how our government is improving the GO Transit Network as it will help to better connect people and communities. A new and improved Bramley GO Station will offer riders better and more convenient service. The people of Ontario are looking forward to a modernized GO Transit system that will meet our transit needs for years to come. Our government must continue to build Ontario by delivering on our commitment to bring relief and new opportunities to transit users. Speaker, can the Associate Minister please elaborate on the progress our government is making on expanding the GO Transit Network to get it done for commuters all across our province? The Associate Minister of Transportation. Speaker, let's be clear. This government is taking the biggest transit expansion plan in history at 70 and a half billion dollars and making it a reality for the commuters in this price. This includes the GO expansion program, the member from Waterloo, Heckels, but votes against two-way all-day GO in her own riding after asking it for it for decades. But, Speaker, we continue. Order. Mr. Speaker, is the floor. Thank you, Speaker. Despite the heckling of the opposition who opposes transit even in their own riding, we're getting it done. For example, Millicon GO train station has a fine new East platform and a south tunnel for riders. Speaker, that's not the only enhancement we're bringing. We're also bringing enhancements such as a second track and platform, canopies and integrated shelters, a renovated existing platform and two brand new pedestrian tunnels with elevator, Speaker. It's not just about expanding the grid. It's about making it more affordable. It's about making the rider experience more enjoyable. Speaker, this government is getting it done for commuters in this price. The next question. The member for Nickel Belt. Thank you, Mr. President. My question for the Minister of Health. My question for the Minister of Health. As a very hard time meeting, it's 24 hours a day, seven days a week obligation to their emergency department. They serve many seniors, many amish and Mennonites families who do not drive. They know vulnerable people are dependent upon them. Chelsea's hospital face human resources shortages. They need more resources. They need this Minister's help. Hospitals are the biggest responsibility of a Minister of Health. We all know that the Minister is all in when it comes to helping investor build our private clinics that we don't need. But the people of Chelsea who are here today wants to know what this Minister is going to do to help public hospital like Chelsea who is struggling right now. And to respond, the Minister of Colleges and Universities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for the question. It's very interesting. Every day you're all talk, talk, talk about more doctors and nurses. But every time you have to vote, it's no, no, no. Every one of you voted last week against adding additional nurses, PSWs, doctors to the system. This week I was with the Minister of Health where we kipped off the announcement for the Learn and Stay Grant, which will actually affect your community through Cadrian College and through Laurentian University. We've already seen 1,300 students registered for this program. So amazing to see that nurses you know you vote against Bill 60, but you have a chance today to stand up and vote for the budget. Which will again include more doctors and nurses. So I ask you today to stand up and vote and support the budget so we can see more health human resources added to the system. It's going to remind the members to please make their comments through the chair, not directly across the floor of those. Start the clock. Supplementary question, the member for Ottawa's Centre. Thank you, Speaker. One of the questions back to the Health Minister, was whether the hospital was closed last Saturday when a nurse had to call in sick. That meant one less OR for major trauma incidents in our city. But you know what was open last Saturday? The for-profit corporation that's been operating at the Riverside campus of the Ottawa hospital and poaching nurses from our existing hospital infrastructure. Now this minister and this government I'm going to assume is going to assist. There's no link between these things. We have a president of the nurses at the Ottawa hospital, Rachel Muir, who says there is. So Speaker, will today be the day finally that this government comes to grips with this obsession of for-profit health care and how it is hurting our hospitals? The member for Niagara West will come to order. Minister of Colleges and Universities can reply. Thank you to the member again for the question. And we're talking about health human resources and including adding additional health human resources. More doctors. The member for Kitchener's Centre will come to order. The member for Kitchener Conestoga will come to order. I think he knows what he said. Minister of Colleges and Universities. Thank you Mr. Speaker. We're talking about adding additional health human resources to the field. More doctors, more nurses, more PSWs and yet every opportunity, we bring forward the opposition, Liberals and NDPs vote against these every single time. We have record numbers of students right now who are wanting to become nurses. We're adding incentives like the new learn and stay program. Investments in hospitals, long-term care centres, students want to join the health sector and yet every opportunity that comes before you, you vote it down. You talk about wanting more doctors and nurses and yet every time there's no no no. Today we vote for Budget 2023 and I hope that all members in this House stand and support adding additional health human resources. Once again, stop the call please. One more time. I'll remind the members to make their comments through the chair, not directly across the floor of the House. Will I say it again? The member for Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke will come to order. Start the clock. The next question. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, earlier this year the emergency room in Chesley, Ontario had its hours limited from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Chesley residents who have emergencies outside of bankers hours according to this government they're just out of luck. Coupled with our family doctor shortage Ontarians are left with fewer and fewer options and residents of Chesley are understandably angry. Last month hundreds of Chesley residents protested the ER's extended closures even organizing the petition that will be read in the record later today. Mr. Speaker, the people of Chesley have had enough of this government's inaction as the province's health care crisis sweeps through their community. Will the Premier drop his appeal to Bill 124, address the staffing crisis adequately fund our hospitals and keep emergency rooms open across Ontario? Mr. Speaker, honestly it's bad enough when the NDP asked questions because they held the balance of power but the Liberals were actually in power for 15 years across the province of Ontario and what did they do? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Now when the NDP were in power they reduced the acute care beds in our hospitals down to 18,000. They took thousands of beds offline. The Liberals then doubled down but then they went even further they actually cut the health care spending across the province of Ontario while they were in power and while there was a federal government, a conservative government that was increasing funding by 6% a year to health care. That is the record of the Liberals. The Liberals helped bring this province to its knees. They underfunded small hospitals across the province of Ontario and now this member has the nerve to get up and say, do something about it? Well we are. We started making investments not only in our small and medium hospitals but by rebuilding them and by bringing thousands of additional health care workers on. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Well you know what this government has done? This government has ensured that the ER and Alexandria has been closed 38 times from last year to this year. The government has ensured that the ER and Perth was closed for three straight weeks last July. They ensured that the emergency room at the hospital was closed for three straight weeks last July. They continued to blame others after five years in office having not actually accomplished a whole heck of a lot. The health care crisis in Chesley is not a one-off. It is merely the tip of the iceberg. Unless this government changes course it will happen again and again and again. Mr. Speaker, for the people in Chesley without a family doctor who can't drive a half an hour attack and need emergency room access, Mr. Speaker, what does the Premier recommend they do in a medical emergency? The province of Ontario did the right thing in 2018 when they elected a conservative government to fix the bungling of 15 years of Liberals. How dare this member get up and talk about small town Ontario? This is a member whose government closed schools in small town Ontario. This is a member whose government starved in a small town Ontario hospital to death, Mr. Speaker, so that they could take funding from small town Ontario and put it into hospitals in their own writings. They closed down acute care beds. They laid off nurses. They didn't build long-term care, Mr. Speaker. That is the record of the Liberal Party. What have we done? You want to know what we've done? We're building 50 brand new hospitals across the province of Ontario. We're expanding them. The small town Ontario said it is absolutely incredible that for 15 years they starved you. We took their budgets and we equaled them to what is happening in big Ontario urban communities. We're hiring more doctors with more medical schools. The government side will come to order. The next question, the member for Scarborough aging court. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Red Tape Reduction. After 15 years of previous Liberal government, Ontario was left with the highest regulatory burden in the country. Companies found themselves tangled up in endless and complicated regulations. What's worse is that under the watch of the Liberals, more than 300,000 manufacturing jobs were backed up and left Ontario. That's why in 2018 Ontario's entrusted our government to clean up the mass that was left behind. The people of our province expect that our government will implement measures that will pave the way for better services and make it easier for businesses to invest in Ontario. Minister, please share some of the steps our government has taken to make businesses more competitive in Ontario. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member from Scarborough aging court for that important question. We all know the previous Liberal government supported by the NDP obviously spent 15 years creating unnecessary burden for people in the province of Ontario. As a matter of fact there is no budget regulatory burden in the country when we took over in 2018 but what have we done since 2018 we brought forward 10 different pieces of legislation in this house to help reduce that regulatory burden. 10 pieces of legislation that have helped reduce over 16,000 different red taper requirements that Ontarians and businesses have to face in our province and we continuously encourage of Ontarians and businesses to bring forward ideas that we can work on and make life easier for everyone, Mr. Speaker. I also want to point out that we have not to date received a single idea from the members of opposite Mr. Speaker simply because I don't think they care about red taper. Thank you, Minister Speaker. It is always good news for the people of Ontario when our government is streamlining the process by getting rid of outdated and unnecessary regulations. Our government continues to prove that there are innovative solutions that save people and businesses time and money. To date the work of Ministry of Red Tape reduction has saved businesses nearly $700 million in annual compliances costs. However, our government must continue to look for more opportunities to reduce regulatory burdens to make it easier for Ontarians to access services. Speaker, can the minister please share how our government's latest red taper reduction bill will do more to make life easier for people and businesses in Ontario? Mr. Red Tape Reduction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member for being here. I was proud to introduce our 10th red tape production called the Red Tape Stronger Economy Act. If passed, of course it will help get broadband built faster across our province in various communities. It will help businesses and non-profit organisations adopt digital meetings and other virtual practices. It will protect electricity rate of fines imposed on utility companies, Mr. Speaker. Those are just few of the highlights from the latest bill that we have before the House. In fact, I'm proud to say that this was the largest piece of legislation that our government has brought in so far in this session, Mr. Speaker. Why? Because we understand unnecessary burden, unnecessary red tape is holding our economy, holding our economy, and we will continue to work hard each and every day to eliminate those unnecessary barriers, Mr. Speaker. Next question, the member for London Fanshawe. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. This week the FAO report confirmed what experts have been mourning the government for about some time. The implementation of the $10 a day childcare program is under threat because of low pay and low income. The FAO only stays in the childcare sector for just three years. Does the government's plan include creating not-for-profit spaces with good paying jobs? Mr. Speaker, the greatest single threat to affordable childcare is the ideological aversion of new democrats and liberals that would have opposed 30% of childcare operators for being in the deal because you oppose the inclusion of ideology instead of practical reductions and savings for working people in the province of Ontario. This Premier got a deal done, not any deal, a better deal with a billion more dollars on the table and extra year funding guarantees and yes, Mr. Speaker, a commitment to increase wages for the very workers who make a difference in our childcare centres. Mr. Speaker, we're increasing wages by a dollar per hour per year. We instituted for the first time a dollar per year to go even further. Let's work together to make childcare affordable. This year, the average rate went from $46 a day on average to $23 a day, 50% saving, a major step forward. Let's do this for families in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, the FAO estimates that over 220,000 additional spaces will be required to fulfill the demand for a $10 childcare worker. With 16,000 childcare workers needing to be hired by 2026 in order to meet the demand, early childcare educators are leaving the field faster than they can be trained. We've been urging the government to create an early years and childcare workforce advisory commission. Will the government commit today to prioritizing a $10 a day childcare and make sure that childcare is a career that we can do. I appreciate the question, members opposite, we can agree that ECs play a critical role. It is a profession that is worth entering with great opportunity. Of course, while we're increasing their wages and strengthening the supports we're providing for the workers, we're also putting an emphasis on reduction in fees and increase of access. Mr. Speaker, under the former Liberal government, one of the legacies of childcare fees for working parents, it became a choice of staying home or working in undermined labour market participation of women in the economy. We're finally getting this done, but we stood up to the federal government for a better deal that includes more affordability, more spaces and more federal investment. Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to stand with those workers, stand with families, reduce fees, and work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Ontario's greenhouse grown fruit, vegetables and flowers account for a significant contribution to Ontario's agri-food sector. Through implementing new technology and innovation within the sector, Ontario's greenhouse continue to be at the forefront of the agri-food sector. Consistent, reliable, premium quality infrastructure, a global leader and a universally trusted brand of choice. The economic activity generated by Ontario's greenhouse alone contributes to more than $2.3 billion to Ontario's GDP and have created over 28,000 jobs. Can the Minister share what the government is doing to support the growth of this important agri-food business? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the MPP from Peterborough because this is something we need to celebrate. It's really important that people across Ontario understand that Ontario's greenhouse vegetable sector and fresh flower sector actually represent over 81% of Canada's total greenhouse vegetable exports. 81% of exports. We are a food power house in Canada, and we're working with the sector for an all government approach to make sure that the right supports are in place. For example, we continue to work with the greenhouse sector and introduce programs like the Grow Ontario Marketing Initiative to help grow markets, not only in Ontario, but around the world. We're working with our colleagues to reduce red tape, introduce research initiatives, and we're working with greenhouses to ensure that when international conditions, for instance, the HEPA filter system that we introduced, the list goes on and on, but the important part is the... Supplementary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week we welcomed the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to this house. Greenhouse grown flowers generate more than $900 million in farm gate sales in 2021, and continue to innovate to grow greenhouses. The partnership between the Ontario chapter of Flowers Canada and the Ontario greenhouse vegetable growers represented by Toga, yes, it's true, we had a Toga event, is a formidable economic powerhouse with the ability to truly strengthen Ontario's economy. Toga's members are protecting crops and flowers from environmental extremes, preserving and recirculating water and nutrients, and growing greenhouses around to ensure that we have safe, local, fresh food supply throughout the year. Can the minister elaborate on how this government is supporting the desire to increase exports of our fresh products? Thank you very much, Speaker. I want to touch on the fresh flower market here in Ontario, and thank you to the member opposite from Peterborough for recognizing the Toga party that was held here, because the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance is so much to celebrate. In fact, I was speaking to one grower that specializes in fresh flowers, and I want to quote something that he shared. They had a really good market leading up to Mother's Day, and not only in Ontario did they satisfy demand across the province, but he also stated that $1 million worth of flowers growing in Ontario was sold into the U.S. market, and I know the finance minister will appreciate this, because selling those flowers was translated into $1.35 million returning to Ontario so that we can continue to build Ontario, invest in our greenhouse business, and most importantly, continue to grow good Ontario jobs. And Speaker, that's exactly why we stand with the members of the Ontario Greenhouse Alliance and farmers across this province to meet market challenges and to help them realize growth opportunities. Thank you. Number four, Niagara Falls. Thank you. My question is to the Premier. The Fortary Race Track will have their 126th opening day next Tuesday. Right now, they're under attack. After reaching an impasse in their attempt to resolve ongoing issues, the Fortary Race Track filed agreements with the Canadian Trade Commission for targeted anti-competition behaviour by Woodbine. Woodbine has enforced a strict cross-stabling policy and routinely running B-level races as an A-level track at the expense of the Fortary Race Track. Speaker, will the government step in and have Woodbine end this behaviour to ensure to ensure the future of the Fortary Track? Thank you. Minister of Finance. Well, thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member opposite for that question, that very important question. And as the member opposite knows, there has been a complaint filed that he just referenced in front of the competition Bureau, so I can't get into specifics and comment in detailed fashion on that, but I will say this and I think the member opposite knows this, that the previous government was willing and prepared to allow for the collapse of the horse racing industry caused the potential loss of 23,000 jobs and 27,000 dead horses Mr. Speaker. So we are supporting the horse racing industry Mr. Speaker. In fact, during the pandemic we negotiated terms to have a long-term funding agreement to provide additional support through a very challenging time for the industry and this will give the industry time to recover Mr. Speaker and preserve local employment to enter 15 race tracks until 2026. Supplementary? Back to the Premier. Woodbine has been granted tens of million dollars from taxpayers in purse money by this government yet they continue to take action which is directly harming the Fordyre race track. Woodbine refuses to work proactively with Fordyre in the scheduling of the Prince of Wales race tracks which would allow both triple crown races to be highlighted and well attended in the province. Thrillbred tracks in Ontario should be working together. Woodbine is doing the opposite. Speaker, I ask the government to do the right thing. Support horse racing in this province and rein in this behaviour by Woodbine and Mr. Jim Lawson the CEO. Thank you. Mr. Speaker our government really understands the important role that horse racing industry provides to many of our communities across Ontario. In fact, a few of my colleagues who were around in opposition at the time, you fought for the horse racing industry. You stepped up for all those jobs in many communities around Ontario and Mr. Speaker in fact did the member opposites own writing if it weren't for the tireless work that my colleagues on this side of the house and then the middle over there there they are. That would be countless jobs that were lost countless communities that would have suffered Mr. Speaker. We stand with the horse racing industry and continue to support the horse racing industry so thank you for your support and that's all I have to say. Next question my question is for the minister of public and business service delivery Ontario knows that technology is evolving, improving and changing faster than ever before. In many ways it can often seem like the changes are happening more quickly than what the people and business can keep up with. For individual families workers and businesses who wish to access online services that technology need to be convenient and reliable. It is important and necessary that Ontario keep pace with new technology so that businesses can remain competitive and people can access the information services that they need. Speaker can the minister please explain what our government is doing to ensure that Ontario adapt up to date digital technology. Thank you. Minister of public and business service delivery Thank you very much Mr Speaker and thank you to the member from Markham Townhill for his question. The position of this government is very clear as both Premier Ford and Minister of Finance have said it on numerous occasions we cannot afford to be an offline government in an online world. This mindset is driving change and innovation in government and it's helping us adopt cutting edge technologies like the cloud by moving away from old outdated tech and towards the cloud. Speaker we are making the services that Ontarians count on more reliable more affordable and above all else safer than ever before. Speaker I'm also very proud to say that our province is not is a leader not only in Canada but in North America as well and around the world as well. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Mr Speaker Thank you Minister for that response. It is a reality that cloud technology experience in tremendous growth. The minister explained that cloud technology will provide an added message of safety. While this good news report from the media about security breaches, leak information and identity theft from computer hackers. The safety and security of personal information is an important and serious issue. The people of Ontario need to be confident that our government can ensure that provincial services and agencies have strong cyber security measures in place. Mr Speaker can the minister explain how our government is implementing technology that will safeguard the personal information for all Ontario. Thank you Mr Speaker. Thank you very much Speaker and again thanks to the member for his question. Speaker as the member just mentioned in his first question, technology is evolving very quickly. Unfortunately this also means bad actors who want to steal Ontario's personal information in place to inflict damage and disrupt services. Speaker that is why our government is never letting its guard down and the added benefit of cloud technology means that we can keep Ontarians safe thanks to the improved stability, reliability and security that this new technology brings. Speaker as Ontario's economy and population continue to grow under our government. The need for us to keep up the pace grows as well and under this Premier and this government we are delivering digital transformation for a smarter more modern and efficient government that serves people and businesses of our great province. Thank you Speaker. My constituent Robert is on ODSB and was faced with an impossible choice at Walmart to buy diabetic socks or food. Every diabetic knows that proper socks prevent ulcers, infections and ultimately amputations. So Robert's choice was really about going hungry or potentially losing his toes or feet. 85% of diabetic amputations are preventable with proper care. ODSB is legislated poverty as we all know. Low rates means that Robert is an expert at stretching a dime into a dollar but still it isn't enough. When will the premier listen to experts and double ODSB to lift people with disabilities out of poverty and to save people like Robert from losing his limbs? Thank you very much Speaker and I thank the Honourable Member for the question. I just want to remind every single Ontario of the decisions that have been made by this government. We have made the largest increase to ODSB rate in decades. We have increased the income threshold from $200 to $1000 so that more Ontarians can keep more money in their pockets. Mr Speaker, every single decision that we've made, you'll hear time and time again the members from opposite both parties talk about affordability for Ontarians yet when it comes to actually supporting and doing something about it they vote against it Mr Speaker. It's always when the lights are on the cameras rolling they'll say one thing but when it comes to action Mr Speaker this is the lights, camera no action party Mr Speaker. We will stand up for every single Ontarian Mr Speaker. We will make sure that no one is left behind in this province. That now means Mr Speaker the NDP has to stand up and tell the people of this province why they continue to vote against it in a single manner. Supplementary question? Thank you Speaker over a million Ontarians are being left behind by this government living on ODSB and that number continues to grow. As reflected in their flawed budget this government's minuscule changes to ODSB is not enough simply not enough. When Robert is choosing between food and medical necessities that tells me it's not enough. ODSB barely covers a few pairs of socks a year. I don't know about the premier but I need to change my socks daily. Why does this government sell people living with ODSB by insisting that they get a job? Even as the ODSB application process tells them to describe their disability in detail. Why? Mr Speaker and I thank the honourable colleague again for the follow up. Again I just want to remind the member here is what they voted against the increase to support for Ontarians on the ODSB the largest increase in decades they voted against it. Aligning it to inflation which as of July 1st will further increase for Ontarians they voted against it. The $200 limit which was increased to $1000 so that more Ontarians who can and are able to work can get out there and earn more Mr Speaker. What did they do? They voted against it. Again every single measure that this finance minister has put forward not just in this recent budget not in the fall economic statement the budget before that every single measure that we put forward is more affordable for Ontarians the NDP votes again. They'll say one thing here on the House but all is sure Ontarians you have nothing to worry about. This side of the House and the majority will continue to Thank you Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Energy. Earlier this week the minister responded to some questions about all the work that our government is doing in continuing to support the provinces economic growth through these include investments in the electric vehicle and EV battery manufacturing industries particularly with the new Volkswagen Gigafactory to be built in St. Thomas. The minister was asked about the capacity of our current energy grid and its sustainability for the long term and I'm pleased to hear in his response that our government is addressing the Ontario's energy infrastructure needs through a number of different measures including the Ontario's competitive procurements. Speaker will the minister please provide additional information about Ontario's competitive procurement process for our energy grid system. Speaker I want to start by answering this question by saying I want to correct my record because on Monday I talked about the Oneida project which was the largest battery storage project in Canada but on Tuesday that all changed Mr. Speaker we're going to have a larger battery storage project in Haggersville and the second largest is actually going to be in that member's riding in Greater Napa-nee Mr. Speaker so we're continuing to add clean generation to our system as a result of the ISO's competitive procurement that came out on Tuesday we learned that 740 megawatts of new energy storage generation is going to be available to our province Mr. Speaker that's enough to power a city the size of London and it's a 400% increase in clean energy storage no not not London England but London Ontario Finance Minister I should point that out with the folks from London this is great news as our province continues to see record multi-billion dollar investments Mr. Speaker and we build 1.5 million homes over the next decade we're going to need the power thank you very much question period has concluded


Hey everybody, this is Brian, and welcome to the 58th Qt tutorial with C++ and GUI programming. I'm sorry, we're not going to do any programming this video, I refuse, I'm just kidding. No, I've been asked a few questions by about three dozen people saying, Brian, what books have you read to learn Qt? They're finding it difficult and challenging to learn Qt, and they kind of wanted my input on some books, so here we go. The search of amazon.com for Qt reveals a lot of books out there, a lot of books, although granted not all these are books about Qt. There is of course the official book, let me just open that up here. C++ GUI programming with Qt 4, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall, this, I thought it was a very good book, let me show you the cover here, I thought it was a good book. It's kind of choppy and hard to follow in some places, especially if you're new to programming. They use little code snippets from actual working code, which is good, but if you just pick up the book and start reading it, you're like, what is this guy talking about? The authors, Jasmine and Mark, are probably on a different level than most of us, and they know this inside now, so just my personal opinion, don't take this personally Mark or Jasmine. Your book is very good, but in some spots it left me really scratching my head wondering what was going on, and I had to kind of go back and reread it just to figure out what was going on because at times I didn't have the source code in front of me. Very excellent book though, I would definitely recommend buying this. On that note, the advanced book I am just starting to read right now, and it is very good. I've learned a lot from this book just from the first two chapters, but it is advanced, so don't rush out and buy it unless you've covered the basics here. Once again, it kind of has the same writing style as the other book, meaning that you're going to have to have the actual source code, and it's in the book it tells you where to download the source code, but you're going to need the source code in front of you to actually kind of understand what they're saying, otherwise you're going to just look at a little snippet of code and not really know what in the world's going on. Another book that I bought was the Foundations of Cute Development, and this book, I have to say, surprised me. This was a very, very good book. I would highly recommend this, especially if you're a beginner, because it walks you through, go away Amazon, it walks you through everything, start to finish, and I found it very helpful. It also comes with source code that you can download off the web, but the writing style of this book really agreed with me. He covered things in depth, not just using little snippets of code, but actually explaining why, and that's something as beginners we tend to really crave, and the experts seem to take for granted is why things work, why do you do it a certain way, and that's something the author really hits right on the head. Another book, let me see if I can find it, it's the art of, there it is, the book of Cute 4 Art of Building Cute Applications. This book was recommended to me, and admittedly, I didn't really get into it that much. I don't really know why. It's certainly nothing wrong with the book itself. I think it's just because by the time I actually got around to picking up this book, I had read, you know, three plus other books. So I'd recommend you go out there and when in doubt, you know, always read the customer reviews, whether you're on Amazon or Barnes & Nobles, or wherever you buy books from, but just skimming through this book, it seemed like it was very good, but I can't give you my personal opinion of it. That being said, let me close the window here. When in doubt, just flip into Cute Creator and type in whatever you're looking for, so we'll say like QSound, I was reading about that today.  So a lot of people say you don't actually need to buy a book, or you don't need specialized training, or you don't need videos on YouTube to learn and keep programming, but if you're like me, the more sources you have to learn from, the better, so this is Brian. I hope you found this educational and entertaining, and thank you for watching, and keep up with that feedback. I really enjoy hearing from you guys.


When we love, we try to show our love by keeping track of things. My kids show their love for me all the time. Mwah! I have three children and they're calling me all the time. I also show my love for them by trying to keep track. In fact, it's very human to try to keep track of each other. That's why we have disciplines to show how we love God because keeping track and being mindful of God is one of the ways we do. We have to be in practice. But when God loves us, God loves us by being the friend who we can call at any time during the day and that relationship is the same because the love is the relationship and the relationship is not about keeping track. It's about knowing the person and that kind of love is amazing.


Welcome to ExchangeForMedia.com. With me today is one of the most accomplished digital minds of Indian, of digital industry, Mr. Harish Thibriwala, CEO Miram India. Thank you, Harish, for joining us. My pleasure. Harish, you have come out with this very interesting report on Martik, a much awaited report, because you know, Martik is the buzzword right now everyone is talking about. So, you know, I got to see the report and there were some questions I wanted to ask you in detail. Like your report says Indian marketers are still lagging behind global average figures when it comes to spending on Martik. So, you know, what are some of the roadblocks that you see? Yeah, I think the biggest roadblock we see is that we have been kind of behind the Martik curve, you know, compared to the US markets by at least a couple of years. And we are seeing that curve kind of getting bridged at this point of time. One challenge is being able to implement projects very, very successfully and show quick ROI, which becomes like a matter of concern for a whole bunch of marketers before they start making those investments. But over the last couple of years, you have seen lots of good cases, which are beginning to show marketers ROI and putting them on the track to kind of make more Martik investments. I won't say Indian Martik marketers are behind in terms of making investments. I see more of an opportunity, you know, if you look at global numbers, maybe 25% of all marketing expense go into Martik. In India, right now we are maybe around 15%. So to me, that is the kind of headroom for growth that the Martik industry has as far as India is concerned. It also says that, you know, 57% of companies as right now are Martik explorers. And what are these categories, you know, which have shown interest in market, which sectors were the first ones to come and adopt it? Yeah, yeah. So that's an interesting question, you know, when we started doing these reports a few years back, it was a question of, do you understand Martik or do you not understand Martik? That was like the first report that we did. And when we do the same report like a couple of years back, we started seeing people that become Martik heroes. There were people that adopted Martik, they were making a lot of investments, and they were seeing value of investments. Now when we are doing the report, we find one more cohort. This is a cohort that has taken up on Martik. They've made some investments, they're seeing value, and now they want to scale up the investments. So this really is the category of explorers. No, by category, I meant, which is it FMCG, is it coming from auto? Which sectors are more interested in exploring Martik? Yeah. So the sectors we are seeing right now, one is the retail sector, that is the real estate sector. These kind of sectors which have been little slow to take on Martik, but they're beginning to see benefit of the Martik investments, and these are going to be driving growth in the next few years to come. I think some of the sectors which are still not open to experimenting, which you have categorized as stagnants or laggards. Yeah. So we see CPG for example, that is that is way behind the curve. We see media as a sector which is way behind the curve. These guys have still not got on very, very actively to Martik. So your report also says that perhaps for the first time, sales too has become one of the key objectives achieved by Martik in last few years. So how do you explain that? Yeah. I think the role of a marketer is changing from being like a pure marketer, who could say that, you know, after every dollar I spend, I don't know which one creates value to which one doesn't create value, to actually becoming a, what shall I say, cost seller along with the sales person to be sure you can deliver value. And Martik in early days was purely about building customer experience and engagement. But now more and more investments are in the direction of how can I get value, how can I see ROI, how can I actually give an uplift on sales that is happening. So the conversation is changing from purely building the brand to actually generating sales for me. So you yourself mentioned, you know, for marketers every dollar matters. So, you know, one big challenge that we have heard of in last few years is that for marketers to prove the ROI of your tech staff internally because it's an expensive investment. How do you think they can overcome this? Yeah, yeah. So I think Martik fits in brilliantly to be able to answer an ROI question because you're able to track everything right from where the money was spent. And once the money was spent, what did the consumer do at an individual consumer level? How much time did the person spend on my website? Was a lead form filled? Was a purchase done? If a purchase was done, am I able to upsell? Am I able to cross sell? Am I able to sell something else? Or with the help of that customer, I'm able to get more customers. You can track this completely into an almost to a dollar value. Just to give an example, there's a very leading global shoe brand that we kind of work with. And we set up the solution for them a few months back. And in the last three months, we have shown them almost like a 30% uplift on sales, simply because of a Martik solution. And what does the Martik solution do? It allows you to understand past buying behavior. It allows you to create cohorts based on the behavior. It allows you to send the right message to the right customer at the right time. You just do that and you start seeing better response coming. What we need to realize is that just like as brands are looking for customers, customers are also looking for brands. We just need to get the right messaging to the right person at the right time, which Martik enables you to do. And once you do that, the marriage between the brand and the customer happens. What is your strategy to convert Martik's stagnants or laggards into explorers? I think more and more of thought leadership is required. More and more of conversation around ROI is required. They need to feel inspired by these kind of case studies, where they understand that the investment they are making is a positive ROI investment for them. Second, they need to understand the investment they are making will give them results in a quick timeframe. I mean, nobody has the patience to wait for three years to start seeing results. So we need to start creating smaller, minimum viable product, being able to implement it quickly, be able to show value, and keep moving up the curve. We need to get to the concept of agile marketing. And how soon do you think results can be noticed? For a whole lot of clients, from the day the stack goes live, we are able to actually start showing results maybe from the 4th or 5th month onwards. 4th and 5th month onwards. Now, why has Martik become even more important in a cookie-less world? In a cookie-less world, you don't have access to third-party cookies. Basically, you need to find a way to create your own data and create your own first-party cookies. That is where Martik starts becoming important. Brands who never bothered about capturing customer data, now are wondering how can we profile data, how can we capture data, how can we make sense of the data, and how can we personalize our communication. Not only communication that goes on email and SMS, but also communication on my website. If somebody has come to my website, engaged with me, done something, the same person comes back. Can I continue the journey with that person? It becomes very important for me to be able to drop cookies on the browser of the customer and to be able to use a Martik stack to be sure I can continue the conversation with the person. My own customers, my own data is becoming far more valuable and Martik helps you mine the data as well as use the data. Everyone is these days talking about Web 3. What in fact will advent of Web 3 have on Martik? Yeah, so Web 3 basically, Web 3s are very fancy word, but to me it's basically the web of identity. Web 1 was more in terms of the web of information where you would give information. Web 2 became a web of transaction, very good conduct transaction. Today, all of us are concerned about our identity. Web 3 actually allows you to control our own identity at a consumer level. And once that happened, Martik becomes even more important for you. We're able to speak to each customer one on one and be able to unlock the identity and be sure that you're able to deliver the right message to the right person at the right time. So before I conclude, if I have to ask you one piece of advice that you would like to give a marketer who's already into technology, what will be that? I think we need to continue investing in technology in a big fashion. The days come where a good creative writing on top of a great technology actually creates the best message for a customer. B, we need to look at Martik's solution not purely from a communication perspective. You know, when people talk of advertising or marketing, they talk about what can I do on Facebook? What can I do on Twitter? But to me, it is really about identifying every single consumer touch point for that particular brand. And are you able to digitize the touch point to create a great consumer experience? You know, for example, I walk into a hotel, why is the reception required at all? Can I not just get a digital key on my phone and directly walk up to my room? Now, Martik can enable you to do that. If I'm in the hotel room and I've set the temperature to 25 degrees, how can I ensure that every time I check into the hotel, anywhere in the world, the temperature is still 25 degrees. Technology allows you to retain the information in the database. I think one of the hotels has already done it. Absolutely. Somebody cited this example. Absolutely. So the idea is that as a marketer, how can I identify every digital touch point and convert it into a great consumer experience? If the experience is good, that will create brand loyalty. It's not the big ads alone that create brand loyalty. It's actually the great experience and Martik plays a huge role in providing those consumer experiences. Harish, we wish you all the best and thank you so much for speaking to Exchange Familia. Thank you. Thanks, Nazia. Thanks for having me.


Okay, we are back, episode number two in one day. What's up everybody, Drew here from thatanxietyguide.com as with me, as always, Billy from Anxiety United in the UK. Hello. What's up, Bill? So we're gonna do, we're doing two in one day here for those of you who are noticing Billy's Yankee hat, New York Yankee hat, still on, not a week later. We're doing two in a row. We are doing the next in our little Anxiety 101 series. This is based on an article that I wrote many moons ago that I'll link in the video description or wherever you happen to be watching this, go read along with us. And we're just taking each segment of the article as we go and kind of tearing it apart, spending 15 to 30 minutes, kind of talking about each concept. And today we're gonna talk about the idea that there is really no comfortable way to effectively get out of this anxiety and panic situation. There's gonna be some discomfort involved. It's a sticking point for many people, would you agree? I would, I think you said it best on a video whenever it was a long time ago when you said that if you just sit and do nothing, it's not like a normal, like if you have the flu, you can sit, your body will adapt, it'll rid the virus and you will recover. But with this, if you sit and do nothing, you will get nothing. Yeah, yeah. And many times you'll make things worse. Yes, I have said there is no immune response to anxiety. Yeah, yeah. So let's start with that, that's really good. So there's no comfortable way. Let's say you do get the flu, you get sick, you get a stomach bug or something. The normal thing that we would do in those situations is we retreat, maybe you'll call into work and not go in or you stay from school or whatever it is.  I'm just gonna rest, I'm gonna lay on the sofa and watch TV or sleep or whatever it is. And you're gonna kind of recover because your body automatically, maybe you're taking a little medicine, but whatever there's an immune response, your body will get you past that. And then you're back in the game, right? But retreat and rest is absolutely the wrong way to deal with this, the wrong way to deal with this. That would seem the comfortable way. And I think that kind of segues us into this. That would seem the comfortable way. So if I'm afraid to be in the shopping mall or in my car, it's a whole lot more comfortable just to say, I just need to rest. You know, I need to be, I hear words like, you know what, let's just start ruffling feathers right from the get-go in this one.  Let's go with it, bring it. So, you know, I'm from New York, you got a Yankee hat on, we're gonna ruffle some feathers. So yeah, so I hear this all the time. I hear, be kind to yourself. Now that's not bad, that's not bad advice. We should always treat ourselves with respect, right? Be kind to ourselves, take it easy, take it slow, rest. Yeah, yeah. And the worst one, it's okay. Like, it's not effing okay. Yeah, yeah. Like, and we have to accept that. So, I'll throw this at you, you can ruffle some feathers on this too, but when I see those things. You're doing a good job. Hey, come on, you gotta get in there with me.  When I see those statements online, it kind of freaks me out a little bit and I wanna yell into the screen sometimes, like, no, it's not okay. And let's not misinterpret treat yourself kindly or treat yourself well. Like, the misinterpretation of that as it's okay that you can't drive, just hang out at home until you can. Yeah, yeah. It could not be more incorrect. And I think you'd probably agree that the reason why we fall into that trap is that just hang out at home until you're able to drive is the most comfortable thing to do. The longer that you leave it between attempting to do something the more difficult it gets. 100%, I mean, if I've spent a week at home, maybe I've got a bit of extra work on, I work from home. So if I don't leave the house for a week even if it's just to nip to the shop or whatever it is the next time that I do, there's definitely anxiety. There's definitely more apprehension before I even leave the house. It's not necessarily harder once I'm out but it's that building up that courage again. You feel like you've gotta just start generating the courage that you had to display that first time that you ever did it. Whereas at the moment, I'm going out of the house every day at the moment like numerous times to go and see my dad. And I'm not even thinking about leaving the house. It's not even a question. It's just a case of I've now got to go and I go and do it, I come back. And even if I feel like junk while I'm out it's not gonna stop me from doing it. It's just like, I'm in the routine, I guess. It's building positive memories, isn't it? Right, it is. And so there are times when you are out dealing with your dad's situation and now it's becoming easy and easy to get at the door obviously. It's a normal thing for you to do now. But even when you're out at times you may feel uncomfortable, right?  And the natural, let me look at what I wrote here. You know what? It's human instinct. We are creatures of comfort and safety. So we always want to go to a place of comfort and safety and a lower energy level. And we're trying to find that tranquility all the time. Some may argue that there are people among us, I might be one of them that thrive on chaos a little bit, like I do well in that situation. But generally speaking, we're gonna seek quiet and comfort and safety. So it's normal to do that. But in this situation, like Billy just illustrated, the longer you seek the comfortable route, the harder it becomes to actually get on a real route that will lead to some progress. And let's talk about some of the ways that we know people try and find comfortable ways to do it. We were talking a little bit before we went on the air here. And I wrote, don't waste your time or money on books, CDs, DVDs, or websites that claim to have a cure for panic attacks, unless you're willing to face your fear, head on as part of the process. I think the first time that I ever saw cognitive behavior therapy, I went there with the mindset that I'm gonna go here for eight weeks.  And that was the mindset that I had. And at the end of the eight weeks, I learned nothing and I just went home and just continued on the path of anxiety because I'd just gone in there expecting whatever somebody else was gonna fix this for me. That was the easy way. And that it would somehow be like, well, the doctor will fix this, the therapist is gonna fix it. That otherwise, what's the point of me going to see someone if I've gotta do the hard work? That's a good aside. That's the reality. Yeah, and that's expectations. The third time that I went, I knew a bit more about everything. I did use some of the stuff but it still didn't do a lot for me but I'd noticed that obviously I've gotta do the hard work and that's the pitfall of many, many people, I think. Maybe sometimes you'll go on a path and you'll start making progress but then it gets a bit hard because obviously your tolerance gets a bit more. You can do more, do more but there does come a point where it feels like I'm happy now. I can walk 300 yards, I can go to the shop, get my tea bags, that'll do. And then people switch off and I've done a victim of that many a time where I've reached that comfortable level and just thought, okay, this'll do, we'll stay here but it doesn't take long to slip back if you don't carry on. I think that's true for people like us. Whenever you're happy being comfortable we run the risk of sliding backwards to a certain extent, like you said. So yes, you've conquered this but I can get to the local shop, I can drive my kids to school, whatever it happens to be, I'm good now. And then when you start to rest and stop pushing as far as you can, yeah. I think you made a point in a video, a few videos back where you said if you include the bit I can do anything if or as long as, remember when you said that. So if you're still using that at the end then you're not any further forward than you were initially really. Okay. The fear is still there. That's true, I can do, right, I can do anything as long as I have so-and-so in the car with me or I have my mince or my pills, whatever it is. That's true. You may as well just not do anything if you ain't gonna do everything. So I think the key concept that we're just gonna hammer this again and again and again is like, you know. With me brofling feathers. Yeah, it's okay. But I don't, it's totally fine. I'm not somebody that does everything so I'm beating myself with the same stick. But in the end, I can do anything so long as.  The reason why you want that person or whatever the safety device is, mints, water, coloring book, your phone, whatever it happens to be, that that's your crutch, it makes you feel comfortable. Like that's safety. Like well, my phone will save me. I can call somebody. And you're trying to find a way to get away from being uncomfortable. And in the end, so the same thing with your first experience with cognitive behavior therapy, if you go in and say, okay, here's the deal. This is gonna be hard work and I am going to be freaking uncomfortable a lot while I do this. You know, the outcome is usually way better because when I hear people say that therapy doesn't work, that doesn't work, it doesn't work for me. Well, it usually doesn't work because of the expectation of comfort and safety. Like well, this will be easy and I won't have to do any hard work. So if you're really serious about moving forward in this, the first things that you're gonna have to deal with is the idea that I'm gonna be afraid and uncomfortable on purpose. And I'm gonna work hard. This is an active process that requires hard work, persistence and tenacity every single day and the willingness to intentionally make yourself uncomfortable. The goal. No, and you know what? And if you can't fully embrace that right now, I truly think that progress can be made but it's a tenuous progress.  There's nothing behind it. It's completely toothless. There's no real basis for any of this fear and I'm gonna put myself right in the middle of it intentionally so that I learn that through experience. And if we're not willing to do that, we're just sort of tilting it windmills in a lot of ways. Yeah, yeah. So the second time I ever had cognitive behavior therapy because I've had it three times via the NHS and the second time, I think we'd done like three sessions in the building, just sitting, talking. And then the next time that I went, I had a new therapist just for one session and she took me out of the building and it was in like the town and she wanted me to walk.  But we walked like maybe 100 yards and then we stopped and she said, right, I want this to become your safe place now. So we were sort of making me the safe place and then we'd expand a bit further and then I didn't go again because I freaked out so much. So that was me. I wasn't willing to be uncomfortable. I'm comfortable, right. You want to avoid it. Yeah, but the progress that I made on that one session, I did feel so much better. Yeah. And it made me think like, this is definitely the way. But I, and then when it came around to next week, it was like, I ain't doing that again. And that's where the bravery and the courage comes in. You've got to be willing to take those hits, haven't you? You do have to be willing to take those hits, but I think you would probably agree that the hit becomes easier to take every single time you do it. It does, it's just believing in yourself. Right. Even though the decrease in discomfort might be small each time, but every single time you confront that thing. So pick something that makes you uncomfortable today. If you're watching us right now, pick one thing that makes you really uncomfortable.  If that's what makes you uncomfortable, then resign yourself today to actually do that even just for 30 seconds. And it will be easier the second time you do it.  I don't care.  Who cares? But the point is put yourself in an uncomfortable situation.  You're gonna be afraid. You're gonna be uncomfortable. Expect all of those things to happen. Use your coping skills the best way you can. Ignore your symptoms. Let's try all the previous episodes together. And as you go, every single time you do that, you will be less uncomfortable. But if you're not willing to start being uncomfortable and afraid, then you got a long road time. What I was saying before, I don't know if people are thinking that I was saying, if you can't do anything, or if you can't do everything, don't do anything, I didn't mean that what I'm saying is, if you're still struggling to do something, then still work at doing whatever it is till you're completely free of it. So yes, the small steps are necessity. Necessary. Oh my God. They are necessary. And you know what? And do them. But if there comes a point where, as I was saying, if you get to something, I can do this as long as, then we need to work on that as well. So let's keep going. Don't get to a point, that's what I'm saying. Don't get to your shop and think that you've won. Keep going. Keep going. And I would say that's true. You know, when you get to the shop and you haven't been able to get there for a year, you've won in that moment.  But then understand that it only matters if you go home and then come back again two hours later. Or go to the next shop from there. So no one victory in this war, no one battle that you win wins the war. They all add up. Yeah, keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Right, so when you get to the point where you feel that you are now comfortable, that's usually a hint that says, there's something else I haven't tackled yet. And I will even say for me, and I am now years down the road from being in the worst place that I've ever been. And to the point where now I'm flying all over the place and I'm traveling on business, and I feel like I have gotten to the point where, yeah, sure I can do anything, then there's no as long as. Yeah, yeah. But even so, it's super easy, and I will tell you this, I did experience some very high anxiety two days ago. I had, it was some of the roughest panic that I have encountered in probably 15 years. And even for somebody like me who has come all the way down this road and is bold enough to think I have something to offer by making videos like this, even in my situation, yesterday was a struggle. Yesterday was uncomfortable because the old habits and the old responses are still there. So yesterday, even for me, not that I'm anything special, but people say, well, you must be cured. But even for me, you all think that I'm cured and I'm like better, I intentionally had to be very uncomfortable most of yesterday to make sure that that event did not represent a slight backwards for me. Yeah. So sadly for people like us, it may almost never be over, but I will tell you this, I don't even think about it anymore. Yesterday was tough, I'm all good today. So there was no comfortable way. There was no comfortable way. Like I really just wanted to like not leave my house yesterday. I really wanted to do that, but I made myself be very uncomfortable all day long yesterday. And by the end of the day, it was good again. So what am I saying here? So in the end, I can't say the word necessary for some reason. We're all good. I can't say numbness we were talking about. So in the end, when you accept that there's no comfortable way and you are willing to go down that road, what you are learning to do is not be afraid of your anxiety, your panic, your symptoms, your own body and mind anymore. And when you get to that point, and this is the biggest thing you have to do, that courage and accepting that you're gonna be uncomfortable, when you are no longer afraid of having a panic attack, you win. The war is over. You'll still have to mop up now and then, but that's where we're getting at. All of the blabbling that we're doing on YouTube and in my podcast and what you're doing, it all gets to that point. When you get to the point where right now you are not afraid of having the worst possible panic attack you can think of, who cares? It's like stubbing your toe. You win the war. And so let's start here with accepting that we're gonna be uncomfortable on the way to get there. But the reward is freaking enormous. It's crazy, because you don't really think of it like that when you're in the midst of it. Like you're worried about the symptoms, you're worried about going to the supermarket, you're worried about parents' evenings at school and stuff like that. But when it all boils down to it, that is exactly what it is.  That's what it all is about. The disorder is the modification of your lifestyle because you're afraid of how you might feel or what you might think. And when you aren't afraid of how you're gonna feel anymore. The annoying thing is it's not even how you will. It's how you might. And that's what... Exactly right. So you have to get to the point where you say, well, you know what? I'm going to my daughter's dance recital today and I may have like a massive panic attack while I'm sitting there, but I don't care. It isn't gonna matter to me. If I do, I do. If I don't, I love this, right? I love feeling like this.  So I know I feel like I'm all riled up on this topic, but it's a real thing. It's a real thing. And a pox. I've been through it. We were talking about this before we went live. A pox on anybody who's out there trying to take money from people to cure their panic in an easy way. Because it doesn't exist. In the end. You can't read a book and be okay. No, no. You can read a book and get a lot of good advice. Oh yeah, 100%. I've picked up things that I use. Yeah. Definitely, definitely. But nobody's gonna fix it but you in the end. So if you're looking for help and you're gonna spend your money on a website or a program or whatever, I actually wrote CDs and DVDs. How old is this article? But if you're gonna spend money on books, audio books or programs or whatever, if they aren't giving you work to do, and it doesn't involve facing your fear, if that program doesn't make you a little uncomfortable just reading about it, then it's not a good program. It's not a good program. And save your money and spend it on days out when you're feeling better. That's exactly right. That's a really good idea. Save it for putting gas in your car so you can drive yourself around. And in the end, what I'd probably say, because I talk about her all the time, at some point I'll finish my series with Holly on the Claire Weeks stuff, really and truly go get yourself anything that that woman ever wrote or said because she's just gonna lay it out there. It's flat out like, you know what, your legs are shaking but they're perfectly good.  And in the end, that is what she's advocating. And anybody else that has come after her, me included, we're just rehashing her stuff.  Guaranteed or your money back? Yeah, so this one isn't gonna be a half hour marathon. I guess it's 20 minutes of me ranting. So I appreciate you guys hanging in there with me. So I'm gonna wrap this one up, I think, by the way I ended that paragraph. And I say this one all the time. And I try and live this way too, is, and I even put it on italics, like go Drew, you have to be afraid before you cannot be afraid. And sorry, that's just the way it's gonna have to be. I would agree with that. If you're gonna do it, if it's gonna work, that's it, the only way. Yeah. And so that's the no comfortable way. You're gonna have to buy into that to go further. And sorry, can't get you around it. This is it. But you know what? Yeah, or you can be comfortable-ish. Ish, yes. I mean, yeah, because if you're honest, nobody's comfortable with sitting at home anyway. No, no. Either way. Yeah, we still get these uncomfortable feelings and sensations and so why not? Or do you want another good way to pick, I think to, and I never thought about this this way before, but you can either choose to be really like extremely uncomfortable for 40 minutes, or you can just be generally uneasy and unhappy and uncomfortable for the rest of your life. Which one is your opinion?  Even the house, I've known people who have gotten to the point where it's just the sofa is the only safe place. Even the kitchen is panic-inducing.  So ask yourself that. It's a different kind of uncomfortable. So the only way to create positive memories is to create positive memories. Right, exactly. You can't just wish it, we have to get out and do the work. And to me, it's just my own personal feeling and it's really worked for me.  Just two years down the road, still saying like, oh my God, when is this ever gonna get better? Well, it's not. I choose to not do the work. So those of you who hate me and Billy now or maybe just me, I don't know, I apologize, but I think it needs to be said. It's very rarely said. And you know what? I will say this also. If you're online and you're interacting with other people on Twitter or in forums or on websites, whatever it happens to be, take this philosophy of there's no comfortable way, understanding that you have to be afraid. You have to be willing to be uncomfortable. And how about like cheering each other on? So I started by ruffling feathers by saying it's not okay. So the next time somebody posts in your favorite forum that they skipped their daughter's dance recital or their son's Little League Baseball game or whatever it is and they're feeling horribly, do not respond with it's okay. Yeah, yeah. I would strongly suggest responding with like, okay, what are we gonna learn from this and how can we fix it? Like root each other on, be cheerleaders, be supportive, be encouraging, set examples, follow leads. If I didn't watch you walk to the freaking post box, however long ago that was, almost 10 years now, maybe I'm not standing here now. So you could not have asked for a better example of encouragement and cheerleading and like rooting each other on and not settling for like, that's okay dude, just sit inside for the next week. It's okay. Like no one ever said that in that little group. So there you go, rant over. Here endeth the lesson. That's it. As usual, you can find us. No, I feel that this would be the most helpful podcast yet, or video. It's tough love, what can I say? But truth hurts. Truth, the truth hurts sometimes. But I need to watch it back myself. Like I don't know whether people realize that I'm in the freaking boat with them. You know, I need to get out there. That's true. You know, I'm so restricted in the way that I live.  And that's uncomfortable, I would say. The way you're living right now might be physically comfortable when you're sitting there at your desk, but is it uncomfortable? Yeah, yeah. There's gotta be a level of discomfort with feeling restricted. Oh, I can do anything as long as. All right, there you go. Well, I think you're doing great the last, you know, you've had to deal with stuff. Yeah, yeah. You're just rolling with it. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. I love it. Yeah, so okay, we're gonna wrap this one up because now we're at 25 minutes so it is gonna be half hour rant. Anxietyunited.com. Yes, Anxietyunited.com or on YouTube. Just, there'll be links everywhere. If you have questions for me. We'll just say, if you click the subscribe button, watch the freaking videos, man. Ah, very good. I never do that. I know we're supposed to say that. Please like the videos and subscribe. I never say that. Yeah. No, I'd rather people didn't subscribe.  I get more subscribers than views. It doesn't make any sense. That's true. That's a good point. Please watch it twice. Just watch this one twice. And if there are comments and questions, throw them at us. You're gonna find me at thatanxietyguy.com or youtube.com slash thatanxietyguy. That is thatanxietyguy. All one word. Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, that's my website. So if you have questions or comments, bring them. We're getting great comments in a lot of times. I've been a little lax the last two weeks and getting back to them, but I try and answer all of them. I know Billy does too. I've been busy, but yeah, I do try. Yeah, yeah, so and it'll help because I think in the end, I know we've said this a few times. When we get through this article, we'll probably do like a Q and A. At least one or two Q and A. I think so, yeah, yeah. Yeah, it's gonna be good. So next time we're gonna talk about finding the root of the problem, which is helpful, but we'll talk about the difference between like laying on a sofa and talking about how your mom didn't hug you enough. And, you know, which is fine. We all need hugs, but finding the root of the problem, we're gonna talk about that next time and how that fits into our general strategy. It's been good. We're good? Oh yeah. All right, folks. Thanks for tuning in. We'll see you in the next one. Ta-da.