role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

December 5, 2005

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Dec-05 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 5 December 2005 Lundi 5 décembre 2005

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBER FOR

SCARBOROUGH-ROUGE RIVER

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY

ALLAN WATERS

GOLDEN HAWKS FOOTBALL TEAM

DAVID HILLEN

FERRIS LIONS CLUB

GEORGE PETRUNAS

VOLUNTEERS

CITY OF CORNWALL

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

VISITORS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CLEAN WATER ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'EAU SAINE

MOTIONS

CONSIDERATION OF BILL 16

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

WATER QUALITY /

QUALITÉ DE L'EAU

HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES

TEAM ONTARIO /

ÉQUIPE ONTARIO

HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES

TEAM ONTARIO

WATER QUALITY

TEAM ONTARIO

WATER QUALITY

ORAL QUESTIONS

VIOLENT CRIME

AGRICULTURE FUNDING

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

AUTISM TREATMENT

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

HOSPITAL FUNDING

PUBLIC HEALTH

GRIDLOCK

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND

WATER QUALITY

VISITORS

PETITIONS

CANCER TREATMENT

DIABETES TREATMENT

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CANCER TREATMENT

BROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

MACULAR DEGENERATION

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

PROSTATE CANCER

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CANCER TREATMENT

DIABETES TREATMENT

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM

INTEGRATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'INTÉGRATION

DU SYSTÈME DE SANTÉ LOCAL

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBER FOR

SCARBOROUGH-ROUGE RIVER

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that the Clerk has received from the Chief Election Officer and laid upon the

table a certificate of the by-election in the electoral district of Scarborough-Rouge River.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers):

"Mr. Claude DesRosiers

"Clerk of the Legislative Assembly

"Room 104

"Legislative Building

"Queen's Park

"Toronto, Ontario

"M7A 1A2

"Dear Mr. DesRosiers:

"A writ of election dated the 26th day of October, 2005, was issued by the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of the province of Ontario, and was addressed to George

Tang, returning officer for the electoral district of Scarborough-Rouge River, for the election of a member to represent the said electoral district of Scarborough-Rouge River in the Legislative

Assembly of this province in the room of Alvin Curling who since his election as representative of the said electoral district of Scarborough-Rouge River has resigned his seat. This is to certify

that, a poll having been granted and held in Scarborough-Rouge River on the 24th day of November, 2005, Bas Balkissoon has been returned as duly elected as appears by the return of the said writ of

election, dated on the second of December, 2005, which is now lodged of record in my office.

"John L. Hollins

"Chief Election Officer

"Toronto, December 5, 2005."

Mr. Balkissoon was escorted into the chamber by Mr. McGuinty and Mr. Bradley.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Speaker, I have the honour to present to you and the House Bas Balkissoon,

member-elect for the electoral district of Scarborough-Rouge River, who has taken the oath and signed the roll and now claims the right to take his seat.

The Speaker: Let the honourable member take his seat.

Applause.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NUCLEAR POWER FACILITY

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): The citizens of my riding of Durham and Clarington are riding a roller coaster of speculation about possible

expansion of the Darlington nuclear generating station.

First, there was a Broadcast News report on December 1 that said there's word the inaugural groundbreaking for "an expansion of the Darlington nuclear site"

could start very soon. However, a report in Clarington This Week on November 25 quoted an energy ministry spokesperson as saying, "It's premature to assume there will be a new nuclear plant, let

alone where it will be." In another

article on December 1, Clarington Mayor John Mutton was quoted as saying, "(More reactors) in Durham region will be the single most prolific economic development

Durham region has seen for some time."

Many of us had hoped that the future of Darlington's new reactor would be clarified when the OPA report was made public on December 1. However, now we learn that

the supply mix report from the OPA will be delayed until December 9.

I hope the speculation about the nuclear station proves to be true. Our community is the powerhouse of Ontario. We have a skilled workforce, a viable site and a

growing educational resource for the energy sector at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

Durham region and Clarington council have both passed support for the capacity expansion at Darlington. However, our community needs a more definitive response

from this government. We're asking the Premier for certainty and leadership on this and a number of issues. Please provide a clear timeline for announcements on the future of Darlington. This will

ensure everyone is kept informed and in the loop. I'm simply asking for clarification on an important issue for my riding under this government and that it's seen to be forthcoming.

ALLAN WATERS

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I would like to commemorate the passing of a true pioneer in the Canadian broadcasting industry, Allan Waters. I

hear he died peacefully in his sleep in the hospital on Saturday morning, surrounded by family, including his wife of more than 50 years, Marjorie.

Allan Waters was a trailblazer in the broadcast industry. Waters began his broadcasting career in 1954 when he bought 1050 CHUM in Toronto, which went on to

become Canada's first Top 40 radio station. He was on the CHUM board of directors until October, after half a century in the broadcasting industry. He also served as chairman and president of CHUM

until 2002.

This past half-century has brought many innovations in broadcasting and the popular media. From the original radio shows like The Shadow, which aired until 1954,

to the ever-popular Hockey Night in Canada and now on to the Internet, the format of broadcasting has evolved with the times with people like Allan Waters at the helm. Allan not only embraced the

radical changes and innovations in media over the past half-century; he led them. He was at the forefront when he took CHUM from radio to TV, then into specialty channels.

Needless to say, his great success has been admired by many, if not most of all by his son Jim, who is now the chairman of CHUM.

GOLDEN HAWKS FOOTBALL TEAM

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): Today is a proud and happy day in my community of Kitchener-Waterloo as residents savour Saturday's

victory for our Golden Hawks. I want to extend on behalf of the province our sincere congratulations to the Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks football team, who won the 2005 Vanier Cup this

past Saturday at Ivor Wynne stadium in Hamilton.

Saturday's game marked the first match-up in history between the Golden Hawks and the Saskatchewan Huskies, and the Hawks defeated the Huskies 24-23 in what can

only be called a very, very thrilling game. With Saskatchewan up 23-15 in the fourth quarter, Laurier scored a touchdown with only two minutes and 53 seconds left, cutting Saskatchewan's lead to

only 23-21. And with only 19 seconds left, the Golden Hawks booted a 32-yard field goal, sealing Laurier's victory.

I want to congratulate the Golden Hawks quarterback, Ryan Pyear, who was named most valuable player and who completed 20 of 30 passes for 254 yards and three

touchdowns in Saturday's game.

The game was a great end to a great season. Laurier went into the Vanier Cup game having won all 11 of its games and has now ended the season undefeated. This

victory is proof that hard work, practice, persistence and teamwork do pay off. So on behalf of everyone, I say congratulations to our Golden Hawks on a great season.

DAVID HILLEN

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): The city of Hamilton lost a legend last week. Hamilton champion David Hillen passed away at the age of 64 on

November 26. A city builder, teacher, mentor and communicator extraordinaire, David was a beloved member of our community. His regular columns in the Hamilton Spectator consistently extolled the

virtues of our city, especially Hamilton's downtown, where David and his wife, Janet, made their home. On behalf of this Legislature, I extend our condolences to Janet and family.

writer, he engaged us with his gift of words and delighted us with his talents.

As a role model and volunteer, he was a champion of bringing people together and undertaking important community projects like the "Cannon-Can" Street

beautification project. I'll never forget the day he approached me with this great idea to metamorphose this residential pocket of a largely industrial-type

section of street into an oasis of

greenery and blooms. He managed to pull together the volunteers, the donations of plants and materials, and the goodwill and spirit. I took care of making sure the city was a partner.

That first summer, the weather was perfect, and the project was a great success. If in the summer you drive down Cannon Street in Hamilton between Mary and

Catherine and see an oasis, you'll know it was David's doing.

David always drew out the best in people. The passion he had for the downtown and its wonderfully diverse and complex neighbourhoods was something that made us

quick allies and friends.

A passionate community and family man, David Hillen will be greatly missed. I am proud to have known and worked with David as a friend and colleague. Our city is

much better for having been touched by this wise and gentle man.

FERRIS LIONS CLUB

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): On this, the International Day of the Volunteer, I'm pleased to advise the House that on Saturday, November

26, I was delighted to join members of the Ferris Lions Club and other local Lions Club members as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Ferris Lions Club.

President Don Beddage welcomed members from our entire district as we celebrated 50 years of community service. This club has contributed tremendously to our

community and internationally by providing bursaries to our high school students, funding to our Girl Guides and Boy Scouts, and by their focused attention to eye care, both locally and

internationally.

Recently, this club partnered with another club in Sri Lanka in an effort to help with tsunami relief. The Ferris club raised $50,000 in our community, and with

those funds has sponsored the construction of 10 family homes in Sri Lanka. The 10th is being completed as I speak. What a great way to celebrate their 50th anniversary.

At the celebration on the 26th, Dr. Yosh Kamachi received the Helen Keller Award for his untiring service and for living the Lions' creed: service to others.

As well, the Lions who were gathered were advised that the area Lions Clubs had so far raised $180,000 toward their $250,000 commitment to the new North Bay

Regional Health Centre, which should have shovels in the ground this spring.

Congrats to Lion Don, Lion Yosh and all the Ferris Lions for all your hard work and community service to our area, our province and around the world over the

last 50 years, and here's to 50 more.

GEORGE PETRUNAS

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): It is with great sadness that I rise in the House today to pay tribute to my friend George Petrunas of

Burlington, who passed away at the age 50 on Thursday, after waging a courageous 10-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer.

Those of us who were privileged to know George appreciated him greatly for the kind-hearted gentleman, loving husband and adoring father that he was. A tireless

volunteer, he gave so much of himself to his community, especially through his participation on the St. Mark's school parent council, and to thousands of young people as a convenor and coach for

the Burlington youth soccer club and MBAB basketball. His team members always looked to George for the tremendous example of the great sportsman and dedicated citizen that he set for them and for

which they will always remember him.

When George was diagnosed with cancer, he responded to it as only George knew how: He was going to fight it every step of the way. And fight it he did, as the

editor of the multiple myeloma newsletter and as an active lobbyist for coverage of the cancer-fighting drug Velcade under the Ontario drug benefit program. In September, with his strength failing,

George insisted I bring him to Queen's Park to attend a meeting on Velcade coverage. Toward that end, George wanted this drug to be available to all suffering from multiple myeloma in our

province.

On behalf of my leader, John Tory, and all members of the PC caucus, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to George's wife, Lidia, his children, Michael

and Amanda, and his many relatives and friends at this difficult time. May God rest the soul of a great and beloved man who was also a courageous hero to all of us whose lives were enriched for

having known him as our friend.

VOLUNTEERS

Mr. Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): As we approach a holiday season that is renowned for family time and joy, we need to recognize that

for many in our community, this is a time of challenges and stress. Christmas can be perhaps the most difficult season for many.

As I think of my community, there are families that will not have the capability of buying toys for their children. Volunteers from the firefighters, Belleville

professional firefighters, have come forward and run a toy drive each year to address those needs.

There are children in our community who do not have winter clothing. Volunteers from the police and the media have come forward and purchased clothing each year,

with support from the public.

There are individuals who will spend Christmas Day alone, perhaps in their home with no family. A number of churches -- the Salvation Army -- volunteers there

have sponsored dinners on Christmas Day to ensure that these citizens are not only fed but have fellowship with others.

There is a shortage of food in some homes. Volunteers who operate a food bank on a year-round basis ensure that people in our community have food to eat.

For those who have lost a loved one over the past years, this can be a very, very difficult time of year. Yet, there are those in our community who provide

counselling and support through this very difficult season.

There are those who want to party but want to do it in a safe way. Volunteers operate Operation Red Nose to ensure that everyone in our community remains safe

during the season.

On this, the International Day of the Volunteer, on behalf of this Legislature, I would like to thank the volunteers in my community and in this province for the

difference they make. I cannot imagine our province without them.

CITY OF CORNWALL

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): Last evening, I attended a special event in the city of Cornwall. The dramatic reading of

CBC Radio's A Christmas Carol performed by the St. John's Presbyterian Church was a tremendous success. I congratulate producer Kathleen Hay, director Ron Sullivan and all the performers and

volunteers who dedicated their time and energy to provide this delightful event to the people of Cornwall and area; an event whose proceeds supported the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation.

I also wish to extend my pride in the people of Cornwall. Despite the hard times they are facing, they embraced this community event, filling the church to

capacity. With this and similar actions, the people of this city are voicing their message that the spirit of community and co-operation that has always been the hallmark of Cornwall will go

on.

I thank this government for its commitment to support the city in this. As Kelly Egan, a reporter from the Ottawa Citizen familiar with Cornwall, wrote in an

article on Sunday: "Cornwall is a cool place. I don't care what anybody says ... the loss of 900 jobs ... will not kill the city, for Cornwall is too resilient. It is, if you will, unkillable." He

is right. Egan also said, "There is something so Canadian about Cornwall," in reference to its prominent bilingualism, the diverse makeup of its population and the forces that have moved its

economy. He is right in this as well. The people of Cornwall reflect the identity of this country in all its glory and spirit.

It is with absolute certainty that I tell this House that the spirit of Cornwall, much like the spirit of Christmas in Dickens's tale, will never die.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): I rise in the House today to recognize the provincial and federal Liberals, as well as the Canadian

employers, who have been successful in reducing Canada's unemployment rate, which dropped to a 30-year low this month. The unemployment rate now sits at 6.4%, with 30,600 new jobs created across

the country. This month, full-time employment rose by 50,200, providing meaningful, quality employment to Ontarians and Canadians alike. In manufacturing, 6,800 net new jobs were created. As Buzz

Hargrove said on the weekend, "If you look at the record, and every Canadian should agree, this government, this minority government, deserves to go back to Ottawa with even bigger numbers." As a

member of provincial Parliament in Ontario, I agree with Mr. Hargrove.

The rising value of our dollar and global competition will continue to affect our manufacturing sector. In anticipation of these fluctuations, our province and

our country will continue to make strategic investments like those made in our automotive sector in order to maintain our economic strength.

We all sympathize with those who have lost their jobs in the automotive and forestry industries due to the effects of globalization and cheap labour. In order

to show our support, we must all work together in Ontario and in Canada to share our wealth with those who have suffered losses. Finally, we must support efforts to lower the $23-billion gap so

that Ontarians can continue to contribute to a strong Canada.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): . With us today in the Speaker's gallery are visiting parliamentary interns from Ottawa. We have: Joshua

Bates, Maxime Bernard, Jordan Hatton, Marion Laurence, Francesca Reinhardt and Shannon Wells. Welcome.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CLEAN WATER ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'EAU SAINE

Ms. Broten moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 43,

An Act to protect existing and future sources of drinking water and to make complementary and other amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 43, Loi

visant à protéger les sources existantes et futures d'eau potable et à apporter des modifications complémentaires et autres à d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Does the minister have a brief statement?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I'll make a statement during ministerial statements.

MOTIONS

CONSIDERATION OF BILL 16

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): Speaker, I believe we have unanimous

consent to move a motion without notice.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Mr. Bradley: I move that the November 28, 2005, order of the House referring Bill 16,

An Act respecting the Duffins Rouge Agricultural

Preserve, to the standing committee on general government be discharged and that the bill be referred instead to the standing committee on the Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I move that, pursuant to standing

order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2005, for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Bradley has moved government notice of motion number 47. Is it the pleasure of the House that the

motion carry?

All in favour will say "aye."

All opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it. Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1357 to 1402.

The Speaker: All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Balkissoon, Bas

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jackson, Cameron

Jeffrey, Linda

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

O'Toole, John

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sterling, Norman W.

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

The Speaker: All those opposed will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Hampton, Howard

Horwath, Andrea

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Prue, Michael

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 68; the nays are 5.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

WATER QUALITY /

QUALITÉ DE L'EAU

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I am pleased to stand before my colleagues, in particular Minister Dombrowsky, my

predecessor, all of our special guests in the visitors' gallery, among them Peter Krause, chair of Conservation Ontario, and Bruce Davidson, vice-chair of Concerned Walkerton Citizens, and the many

others too numerous to name to make an announcement we consider historic. It concerns our drinking water, an invaluable asset of our province.

In Ontario, we are blessed with an abundance of drinking water. From the Great Lakes to the Thames River, Lake Nipissing to the Kawarthas, the Bay of Quinte to

the St. Lawrence, and streaming through the rivers and aquifers that run beneath us, it's a priceless resource, from its source to our tap.

Today, our government is taking decisive action to protect the sources of our shared water, because in doing so we protect the health of our families, the

quality of life in our communities, and ultimately our future prosperity and environment.

Aujourd'hui, notre gouvernement prend une mesure décisive pour protéger les sources de l'eau que nous partageons parce qu'en ce faisant, nous

protégeons la santé de nos familles, la qualité de vie de nos collectivités et, en fin de compte, notre prospérité future et notre environnement.

Today we are entering a new era of source water protection. I am proud to tell you that today our government has introduced the Clean Water Act, unprecedented

legislation that would set above all else the concept of prevention as the first principle in the safeguarding of the province's drinking water.

If passed, the Clean Water Act would empower each of us to protect our drinking water sources in watersheds across Ontario, including the Great Lakes. It is

time for Ontario to establish itself as the leader in the protection and delivery of clean, safe drinking water. Today we are doing just that by creating the most comprehensive system in Canada,

designed to preserve our most precious natural resource.

Everyone has a right to clean water, and we all have a responsibility to protect it, but trust is where it all begins and ends. We must be able to trust the

water that comes out of our taps; we must be able to trust the source.

What happens when this trust is lost? None of us can or should forget Walkerton. At the same time, those painful memories must serve to ensure that our

province meets and exceeds a standard of measure second to none. Today and into the future, Ontarians should be fully confident that their water is reliable, clean and healthy.

We took very seriously the recommendations of Justice Dennis O'Connor. We learned fundamentally that prevention is key. To protect, we must prevent. Justice

O'Connor called it the first barrier in a multi-barrier system of drinking water protections. Our government is implementing all of Justice O'Connor's recommendations.

Our government is taking action because it is the right thing to do. We have taken action to improve how water in Ontario is treated, how water systems

operators are trained and how water systems are inspected. We have introduced environmental penalties and a community cleanup fund to guard against industrial spills affecting drinking water.

The Clean Water Act, if passed, would be the most vital link in the chain of safeguards protecting our water from source to tap. The legislation would require

plans to protect drinking water in watersheds across Ontario. The Clean Water Act would ensure that our approach to water protection is based on good science, greater vigilance and more

foresight.

La

Loi sur l'eau saine apportera l'assurance que notre approche de la protection de l'eau se base sur des données scientifiques solides, une vigilance et

une prévoyance accrues.

For the first time, we will know where our sources are, how much there is, and what threats endanger it.

Here's how the Clean Water Act would work. It would require municipalities and conservation authorities to form committees to develop source protection plans.

These plans would scrutinize any activity that could potentially threaten the quality or quantity of water and take action to reduce or eliminate that threat. Source protection committees would

consult with municipalities and stakeholders in the affected area and publish their proposed plans. These proposed plans would be submitted by the local source protection authority to my office,

along with any comments received during consultation. Public consultation is central to this legislation. If amendments are required to fortify the effectiveness of a given plan in addressing a

threat to water quality, my office would have that authority.

Our legislation would provide an extra level of protection as well. If local authorities become aware of a discharge that could result in an imminent water

health hazard, my ministry would be notified. These immediate actions would prevent serious contamination of drinking water.

This legislation covers more than just those parts of Ontario that have a conservation authority. Municipalities would be able to enter into an agreement with

my office if they choose to prepare a source protection plan in an area that is not under conservation authority jurisdiction. The act would also empower local authorities to take preventive

measures before threats to water can develop into real problems. This means not only threats originating within a community, but also those outside its boundaries.

This is critical to our success. We can no longer expect that water can be managed by many separate plans that don't align. Threats to our water do not respect

boundaries, and neither should our response. The Clean Water Act is a new and innovative approach that would count the public as full participants. It would ensure that entire communities would

work together to find strategies to protect the quantity and quality of their drinking water.

If passed, the Clean Water Act will support the implementation of no less than 22 recommendations of the Walkerton inquiry.

Si elle est votée, la Loi de 2005 sur l'eau saine appuiera la mise en oeuvre de pas moins que 22 recommandations du rapport d'enquête sur

Walkerton.

It will increase municipalities' ability to protect their own water supply. It will give the public better information about threats to drinking water and how

they will be assessed. Most importantly, it will prevent our water supplies from getting contaminated in the first place. After all, water that starts clean stays clean. We believe the people of

Ontario deserve nothing less. They deserve a sustainable supply of clean, safe drinking water. They deserve the knowledge that our most valuable resource is protected no matter what the source.

This is the commitment of our government. This is why we need the Clean Water Act.

HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Let me start by welcoming the member for Scarborough-Rouge River to this House.

Welcome.

I rise in the House today with great news for commuters. High-occupancy vehicle lanes, normally known as HOV lanes, are about to open for the first time on two

Ontario highways: 403 and 404. We all know that during rush hour, traffic is often backed up on some of the busiest commuter routes, but many vehicles carry only one person: the driver. Imagine how

much faster carpoolers would move if some of those people doubled or tripled up. HOV lanes will do that.

Our government is the first in Ontario's history to deliver HOV lanes, and we are proud of that fact. Only vehicles carrying at least two people or buses will

be allowed in these lanes. That means that commuters who carpool or use public transit will save time by passing congestion in the general lanes of traffic.

We are doing everything we can to make public transit and carpooling a better option for people. It's simple: The more people who leave their cars at home, the

fewer cars we will see on the road. That means we are making better use of our road space. That means cleaner air in our communities. And when traffic moves faster, our goods can get to market on

time.

HOV lanes have been in use in other jurisdictions for about 30 years now. We have used that experience in designing Ontario's HOV lanes.

Our government invested a record $1.2 billion in highways in the last budget, but in the GTA, we cannot simply build our way out of traffic congestion. We must

make better use of the roadways we've already got and encourage more people to use public transit.

For example, during the morning rush hour, about 7,000 vehicles an hour travel on Highway 403. Most of them carry just one person, the driver. That means about

20,000 empty seats. One bus can take as many as 57 cars off the road. HOV lanes will ease congestion by moving more people in fewer vehicles. Once people start to see that HOV lanes are less

congested and move faster than the regular lanes of traffic, they will start forming car pools or make the move to public transit.

HOV lanes are an important part of our government's plan to invest in a reliable, efficient infrastructure and strengthen Ontario's economy. My understanding

is that today the CBC conducted a quick poll, and 90%-plus of the people who responded to the survey gave their support to the HOV lane concept.

Some $1.2 trillion worth of goods are carried on Ontario's highways every year. We simply must do what we can to keep these goods moving.

HOV lanes will help to improve the quality of life of Ontarians by getting people to their destination and to their families faster. A safe and efficient

transportation network is not only key to our prosperity; it's crucial to our quality of life. I know all members will agree that HOV lanes will benefit Ontario's greatest asset: our people.

TEAM ONTARIO /

ÉQUIPE ONTARIO

Hon. Jim Watson (Minister of Health Promotion): Today, I had the pleasure of hosting, along with Premier Dalton McGuinty and my parliamentary

assistant, Peter Fonseca, a reception honouring the great achievements of Team Ontario. In attendance at the reception were athletes, coaches and managers who did this province proud by winning the

Canada Games flag, earning a total of 158 medals at the Canada Summer Games in Regina this past August. I was especially pleased that the parents, friends and supporters of our Team Ontario

athletes were at the reception to celebrate achievement of these fine ambassadors for our province.

I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the Team Ontario athletes, and the artists, coaches, managers, parents and supporters who attended the reception and

are here with us in the gallery. I'd ask that they stand or wave and be acknowledged up there and up there and up there.

Many of them were not able to come with us to the Legislature, but we had close to 200 people at the reception in the Macdonald Block, and it was great to see

a number of people. Let me point out a couple: Evan Lewis, who was our flag bearer at the opening ceremonies and did us very, very proud -- thank you, Evan, for being here -- and our youngest

athlete, Isaiah Christophe, who was 11 years old and who participated and came in fifth in wheelchair sports. Isaiah is right up there as well.

In fact, this is the ninth time that Team Ontario has brought home the summer games champion flag, an outstanding achievement that we're very proud of. Our

athletes won 63 gold medals, 45 silver medals and 50 bronze medals, for a whopping 158 medals. That's something we can be very proud of. That total medal count included Team Ontario's double gold

in basketball, the men for the third time and the women for the first time.

Le gouvernement McGuinty, par l'intermédiaire du ministère de la Promotion de la santé, investit dans le sport amateur, car nous sommes

conscients du rôle important que joue le sport dans nos collectivités et de sa contribution à la santé physique et mentale de la population.

This year, our government is allocating $12.7 million for amateur sport. This represents an increase of more than $2 million over last year's funding and a 61%

increase in funding since 2001-02. This investment sends a clear signal to the athletic community that we are back in the business of supporting amateur sport. In fact, Chris Rudge, the CEO and

secretary general of the Canadian Olympic Committee, noted that Ontario's "Liberal government has made some refreshing commitments to recognize the important role of sport and physical activity in

promoting a healthier Ontario."

Part of this renewed commitment came two weeks ago, in a federal-provincial bilateral agreement I signed in Ottawa. The Sport for More program will provide

$6.1 million over the next four years to physical activity programs aimed at children, youth, low-income families, minorities, women, aboriginal communities and the disabled with more opportunities

to participate in sports. We will continue to work with our provincial and multi-sport organizations to develop our athletes from the playground to the podium, and provide resources and training

opportunities to coaches and sport leaders.

Nous voulons rendre l'activité physique agréable et accessible à tous. Je suis fier des mesures que prend ce gouvernement pour augmenter la

pratique des sports amateurs dans l'ensemble de la province, mais nous sommes conscients qu'il reste encore beaucoup de travail à accomplir.

These athletes in the gallery and those who were with us at the Macdonald Block, their coaches, their managers as well and those who could not be with us today

have all made us very proud of our province and of our young people. At an early age, these young people and their supporters dedicated themselves to the pursuit of high-level physical performance

and excellence. They are here today as role models to all of us and champions in their own right.

I want to take a moment to congratulate Dr. Gene Sutton, a constituent of my friend Mr. McMeekin who is the chef de mission, and all the volunteers. You know

and the athletes themselves know that we couldn't have the success of capturing the Canada Games flag and the medals around these young people's necks if it weren't for the volunteers and parents

who get up early in the morning to bring their kids to swimming practice, skating, baseball or sailing. The parents are an important, integral part of the support system of our athletes.

I was very proud on that day in Regina when I took the salute for the Canada Games flag for Ontario. I want to thank these athletes, these young people. At the

reception today, Premier McGuinty encouraged them to go into schools, Boys and Girls Clubs and the Y to talk to young people; inspire them about physical fitness, about eating well and about living

healthy and active lives. These young people with us today are great role models for future generations. I wish these athletes, their coaches, their trainers and the artists who played an important

part in the artistic component of the Canada Games the very best. We look forward to the Canada Winter Games in two years' time, which will be taking place in Whitehorse, and wish those young

athletes the very best as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Responses?

HIGH-OCCUPANCY VEHICLE LANES

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): It's a pleasure to respond to the Minister of Transportation today, and I would put clearly on the record that the

opposition is in support of the entire concept of high-occupancy vehicle lanes. In fact, you might say it's the first admission by this government of the real underlying problem here of gridlock.

That's really the problem. It impacts on our environment and on our economy, and some would say it's too little, too late.

I also want to draw to the minister's attention, and indeed to members' attention, that it was Frank Klees in 2003, as then-Minister of Transportation, who

introduced the smart transportation bill, which not only included conceptual and policy decisions to allow high occupancy, but indeed committed capital funding to begin the rapid bus routes as well

as the expansion of the lanes necessary. We support the whole idea; it's simply the right thing to do.

I want members to recognize that there will be some implementation issues that need to be monitored and fine-tuned. I'm disappointed, Minister, because there's

no room here for innovation. Think of the motorcycles and the contribution they could make. You have dismissed the option of vehicles that are highly fuel efficient.

Mr Speaker, there are other issues in other jurisdictions that you may be aware of. The incidence of accidents in these lanes is well known: as much as a 58%

increase in some jurisdictions. There needs to be enforcement and monitoring of these issues.

I also draw to your attention the issue of the points and the fine: $500 is fairly expensive on the way through as you implement a program. I think you need to

monitor that carefully and make sure you don't penalize drivers. How are they going to intercede when there is an incident in one of those lanes -- for vehicle or police enforcement issues --

stopping the progress? Gridlock is going to take all of us working together.

What I find more troubling is that in most Liberal announcements the devil is in the details. We are in support, but we want it monitored going forward.

TEAM ONTARIO

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): I would like to add our congratulations to Team Ontario athletes for their performance in the last

Canada Summer Games. It's hard to think about summer games at this time of the year.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): In response to the Minister of the Environment's report, and in the absence of our critic, we do not

find it surprising that this act is introduced today, given that the Auditor General will be reporting to the Legislature tomorrow and that at this time in 2004 the auditor was very critical of

this government's performance in creating a groundwater management strategy. That's in the auditor's report of 2004, for members who would like to read it.

Notwithstanding that, we are proud of the work we did to respond to Justice O'Connor's recommendations when we were in government, having implemented 50 of his

recommendations while we were there. This government has responded to 10 more of those recommendations, according to the Web site of the Ministry of the Environment this morning, and we read in

this report that 22 more will be answered.

This act is wide-ranging in scope. It takes away from municipalities certain planning powers and devolves them on appointed committees, whose chairs are

appointed by the Minister of the Environment -- the provincial government. It will be interesting to see what the response of our municipalities across Ontario will be when they react to the fact

that the province is taking away from them primary governance with regard to the whole Planning Act process. The act clearly says that this committee and the plan they present will have precedence

over zoning bylaws and official plans of the municipalities.

More importantly, though, this whole notion of water source protection and planning to protect our water sources across the province is being devolved on to

municipalities' shoulders. This act doesn't point out where the resources, with regard to making these plans, will come from for the costs, which will be very, very high in determining what the

technical capabilities of the land are and what the resources will be.

We will read and debate this act because it's a very, very important subject, not only for the government but for all members of this Legislature.

TEAM ONTARIO

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): On behalf of the New Democratic Party, I want to add my voice in congratulating those Team Ontario members

for their accomplishment at the 2005 Canada Summer Games.

As one who regrettably always hoped to have more athletic ability than I ever did, I'm always a little bit jealous but also very moved by the dedication,

perseverance and, above all, the ability of our athletes, both those who went and won medals and those who went and were able to participate. We congratulate all of them. After all, it really is

the skill, talent, ability and dedication of those athletes that resulted in the tremendous success Ontario had. That's the success we're celebrating today, and it is in very large part due to

their dedication, skill and commitment.

I also want to thank very much the parents who support their children in their athletic efforts. This comes in the form of very significant financial support

from time to time, as they pay to try and meet those dreams, including the cost of equipment, coaching, skills etc. There's a very significant time commitment for parents who are driving their

children to practices early in the morning, at night and on weekends, to meets and competitions, sometimes very far from home. And there's tremendous emotional support that parents provide to their

children, not only when they are winning, but when they are struggling to keep everything together -- their education commitments, their athletic commitments etc. -- and they are struggling to meet

that next milestone.

I also want to thank all those coaches and managers who work with young people to help them pursue their goals. It's their encouragement, their patience and

their sharing of their own skills that is instrumental in providing young athletes with the best possible opportunity to excel in their fields.

In closing, on behalf of all New Democrats, our congratulations to these members. We wish all of them the best in their pursuit of their next athletic

goal.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I'm happy to stand today and to talk in, I guess, my first critic's job for the Minister of the

Environment. We are very pleased to see this legislation, and I want to commend her for bringing it forward, but I also want to remember my former colleague from Toronto−Danforth, who

championed this cause for so many years in this House.

It's a good thing to see, but there are three things that I want the minister to take heed of.

The first one is that the five-year development plan might simply be too long. We do not want to see this process take five years because, quite frankly, it

need not take that long. There is much already in place, there is expertise in place, and I would suggest that a three-year period would be much better, and that's what we will be trying to do in

committee.

The second thing is to check to ensure that the legislation proposes to take immediate action with respect to high-risk activities and uses, until source water

protection plans are developed and implemented. That needs to be done, and it needs to be the cornerstone of this particular piece of legislation.

The legislation must also apply charges or levies to water-taking activities, with the revenue from those charges being entirely allocated to the source

protection system. This is what Mr. McGuinty in fact promised in the lead-up to the election. I'd like to quote some of what he said:

"We will stop allowing companies to raid our precious water supplies.

"Companies that want to take oil from the ground or trees from the forest have to pay for that privilege. The quantity of resource they can extract or harvest

is regulated in line with provincial needs and environmental protection.

"But when companies want to bottle our water or export it as part of other products, the Harris-Eves government gives it to them free and without any

consideration of the impact on local aquifers.

"One company alone wants to ship more water out of Ontario annually in the form of industrial slurry than the entire country exports in all beverages.

"We will end this reckless giveaway."

I would think that this needs to be included in the legislation as well.

Thirdly, we need to properly fund municipalities. There is nothing that I have seen in this legislation, the minister's speech today or the briefing that I was

given an hour or so ago that indicates at all that the municipalities will have the wherewithal, the financial incentives, to put this kind of process in place. Sure, it will be possible for large

cities to find the money, although they too are hurting, but it will be nearly impossible for many smaller towns and cities to have the necessary expertise or funding to do so.

Last but not least, I think we need to talk about the McGuinty government's very sorry record when it comes to the environment to date. We need to talk about

the big pipe. We need to talk about the road through Pine Valley bisecting Boyd park. We need to talk about the Milton quarry extension, which is under active consideration. Those are things that

need to be addressed equally and seriously in this House.

ORAL QUESTIONS

VIOLENT CRIME

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. Today's papers are again filled with news of yet another shooting,

yet another murder due to illegal guns. This time, a 20-year-old man is charged with the second-degree murder of a car salesman. What's particularly offensive about this case is that the accused

was on bail, having already been charged with gun crimes.

Premier, given our repeated calls and your recent comments in which you said you were in favour of tougher sentencing and more stringent bail restrictions,

especially for those crimes involving a gun, what kind of a system do we have that could allow this man out on bail on gun charges less than a month ago, only to see him charged with murder a few

weeks later? What kind of system is that?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I appreciate the question. I want to begin by offering my condolences to

the family and friends of the individual who lost his life during the course of this past weekend, yet another in a series of very unfortunate tragedies occurring within this community.

The member raises a very good point, and will understand that criminal law falls entirely within the purview of the federal government. We look forward to the

federal government moving ahead, after the election, with commitments made by at least two parties at this point in time with respect to toughening up provisions relating to gun-related

offences.

Mr. Tory: The police report from the accused's first arrest on November 5, exactly a month ago today, included the following charges: carrying

a concealed weapon, unauthorized possession of a firearm, possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition, possession of a firearm obtained by crime, assault on a police officer and escaping

lawful custody. The accused, it is said, was in possession of a loaded 45-calibre semi-automatic gun that had one live round of ammunition in its chamber, with the hammer cocked, ready to be fired

-- this from the police report.

Premier, can you confirm that the crown opposed bail in this case and, in the absence of the much-discussed legislation from Ottawa, that the Attorney General

has indeed issued a directive to all of Ontario's crowns to oppose bail in all cases involving guns?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The Attorney General can speak to this.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General): I know the member wouldn't want to politicize the position taken in court by crown counsel; I know

that isn't his intention. I can assure the member that the practice and policy of crowns on all matters involving alleged gun crimes is not only to ensure that we prosecute them to the full, but

indeed that we try to ensure that people who ought to be detained are detained.

I can tell you as well that our government -- Ontario -- was front and centre in the federal-provincial-territorial justice ministers' meeting to try to make

changes to the bail rules such that you would have a reverse onus for bail on crimes involving guns. It is something the federal government indicated they were going to be pursuing after the

election.

Mr. Tory: Of course my question was meant to deal with the meantime and was fairly simple as to whether or not the crown had opposed bail in

this case, but I'm sure that will be revealed very shortly.

Premier, the final supplementary: Each day that passes, more tragedy and more loss of life takes place, as you've said, and I think it's fair to say as well

that confidence in our justice system erodes. In view of the minimal impact of the minimal measures taken to date, are you willing to consider appointing an Ontario crime reduction commissioner to

get all the governments and all the police services working together with the crowns and with the court administration to see if we can finally do something to break the back of this epidemic that

is affecting so many communities across Ontario and causing so much loss of life and so much tragedy? Would you consider that suggestion?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: Because the question was referred here, it's going to have to stay here. The member may wish to take it up in additional

questions.

It think it's important for the member and the House to know that last week the Premier met with the chief of police for Toronto, Ontario Provincial Police

Commissioner Gwen Boniface and the chief prosecutor for the province. The purpose was to find out what more we can be doing to do what the member is talking about, in the sense that we are trying

to get every part of the justice system together; in addition to the work that the Premier and his parliamentary assistant Caroline Di Cocco are doing to deal with prevention issues, enforcement

issues, to see what more we can do in addition to the changes we made with the guns and gangs task force and a number of other initiatives I won't be able to address in the time I have. The Premier

has directly engaged himself in this very important issue. I can say it was a very productive and hopeful meeting, and we hope to be making even more changes in the days to come.

AGRICULTURE FUNDING

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is again to the Premier. According to a recent Statistics Canada report, farm incomes in

Ontario during your first year in office were 72% below the average for the past five years. Nationally, those numbers tell a far different story: Farmers saw a decline in incomes of only 3.5%

during that period.

Premier, what specific action is your government taking to address the farm income crisis that is affecting so many farmers, so many families and so many

communities across Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I think it's important for the people of Ontario to know that our

government has signed the agriculture policy framework with the federal government that has enabled this government to access some $1.7 billion in agriculture subsidies. We also recognize that we

have encountered a rather unusual time in terms of agriculture crises with BSE, and with grains and oilseeds prices that have been unusually low.

We continue to work with our agriculture stakeholders to identify, number one, with the federal government where the CAIS program is not working well. We are

committed to ensuring that for the second round of the agriculture policy framework their concerns and these issues are in fact considered, so as we move forward we will have a safety net program

that will meet the needs of our agriculture producers in this province.

Mr. Tory: Let's discuss one of those examples of working with the stakeholders you talk about. Last week, we saw reports of farmers in eastern

Ontario -- in fact, farmers from the minister's own riding -- who were shocked to learn that they were entitled to zero dollars in insurance payouts for the year's unusually hot and dry growing

season, which resulted in a poor crop. You've almost acknowledged as much in your answer.

According to an Environment Canada rainwater collection site in Centreville, there were only 143 millimetres of rain in parts of Lennox and Addington county

this past summer. Yet Agricorp, your government's crop insurance company, claims that over 250 millimetres of rain fell, thus making the farmers ineligible for payouts under the insurance

program.

Premier -- and through you to the minister, if it's been referred -- farmers pay into this insurance program to cover exactly this kind of situation: poor

weather conditions that lead to below-average crops. Your insurance arm is quibbling over rain while the farmers struggle. What kind of work is that with stakeholders, and what are you going to do

to see that farmers get the help they deserve at a time when it's been an unusually dry summer?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: It's an important question, and I would like to say to the Leader of the Opposition that the Ministry of Agriculture and

Food, because these concerns have come to light, has held public meetings in those areas where there have been problems. We have informed those producers that have purchased insurance that would

say that this program is not working for them, and particularly this year when they need it the most, when they say they would not have received the rainfall to produce the crop that they need to

feed their animals. We have shared with them, number one, that going forward we want to look at the program to see what will make it work better, and we've also asked them to write to us so that we

can assess those situations where they believe that in fact they do deserve a payout and one is not forthcoming.

Mr. Tory: Your meetings and your letters aren't going to put food on the table or help them pay the loans back to the banks.

Here's what one farmer from your own riding had to say, and I'll quote from his comments in the Kingston Whig-Standard: "This is the worst year I've ever had

in 22 years on this farm. I have to pay $15,000 on hay right now and everybody's in the same boat. And then they're trying to tell us that they're going to fix the program. What does that do for us

now? Absolutely nothing. [It's] like taking insurance out on your car and the only place you can get coverage is if you get hit in Toronto, not Kingston."

These farmers are appealing the decision of your corporation, but according to the Whig-Standard, members of the appeal board have let it be known to the farm

community that 2005 is a write-off. So much for the farmers. Is the best you've got to tell the farmers of this province, "Better luck next year"? Is that the best you can do with your letters and

your meetings? When are you going to do something for them?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I would say that it's absolutely irresponsible for the member of the opposition to suggest that when there is an appeal

underway, they've already determined what the outcome of that appeal is. There is an appeal process. Farmers have been encouraged to bring their issues to that body and that is what they are doing.

I'm happy that they are, and I can assure them that they will have fair consideration at that appeal board and they should not be listening to this kind of fearmongering and suggestion that their

important issues are not being considered fairly by the appeal board.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I have a question to the Premier. Does the Premier think it's appropriate for the McGuinty government

to pay back a high-ranking Liberal insider by giving a company he's lobbying for billions of dollars in government contracts?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I very much look forward to receiving the supplementary, when I'm sure

the member opposite will want to provide us with greater detail.

Mr. Hampton: Media reports indicate that Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. is lobbying for a multi-billion dollar contract to build two new nuclear

reactors at Darlington. On September 2, Atomic Energy of Canada hired a new lobbyist to influence government energy policy. Who is that new lobbyist? One David MacNaughton, Dalton McGuinty's former

principal secretary, the number two person in your office, Premier.

I ask you again, do you think it's appropriate for your government to pay back a high-ranking Liberal insider by giving a company he's lobbying for billions of

dollars in government contracts?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the NDP is somehow suggesting that the fact that Atomic Energy of Canada is looking to build more nuclear

plants in Ontario comes as some sort of a surprise. It does not. He's suggesting that the fact that Mr. MacNaughton is working on behalf of AECL is a surprise. That is not a surprise.

Another element of reality here that I will acquaint the leader of the NDP with is the fact that Mr. MacNaughton is prohibited from lobbying and interacting

with my office, and he has in fact not done so. He is abiding by the rules and regulations that govern his activities as a lobbyist connected with AECL.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, here's the reality: As the number two person in your office, the Minister of Energy used to report to him, the Minister

of Finance used to report to him, infrastructure renewal used to report to him. Anybody who might have anything to do with the awarding of this kind of contract used to report to him.

I just want to read from this: "His responsibilities as principal secretary included a particular emphasis on energy,..." So here's your right-hand person, who

while he was in your office dealt with energy. Now he's out there lobbying on behalf of a company, lobbying the very people who used to report to him, and you, Premier, seem to believe that's OK.

Will you table all of the documents that pertain to your government's planning around possible new nuclear reactors so we can see exactly who's getting what here?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The member will know that we have established the Ontario Power Authority, which has specific responsibility to provide our

government with unvarnished advice with respect to meeting our energy needs over the course of the coming years. We are very much looking forward to the release of that report, which we expect to

come out very shortly. When we have received that report, of course that report will be made public. We will take the time to carefully consider the advice found therein and then we will move

forward.

It's no secret that we are at least eight years late in this province when it comes to building new generating capacity. We have grabbed the bull by the horns.

We will make the necessary decisions. We will ensure that the people of Ontario, whether we're talking about hospitals, homeowners or industry, have an adequate supply of clean, safe

electricity.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, I want to quote you in a question: "Premier, you will be aware, as I am, that senior staffers are privy to highly

sensitive and confidential information. They not only know what you're going to do tomorrow, but they know what you're going to do next week and in many cases they know what the government is going

to do next month and even what it's going to do a year away. That information can be exceptionally valuable to people who want to do business with the government." You were the one who was calling

for tighter rules so this couldn't happen.

Here's the situation now: The person in your office to whom virtually all other political staffers reported, to whom even ministers reported, who had a special

emphasis on energy, is now out there lobbying on behalf of a specific company that hopes to get billions of dollars of government contracts. You used to say that this was not OK. Can you tell me

what changed such that, for Dalton McGuinty, it is now OK?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, just so that we have all the facts before us here, it's pretty clear. It is no secret that the Atomic Energy of

Canada folks want to build new nuclear plants in Ontario. That's hardly a secret. It's no secret that Mr. MacNaughton used to work for me. It's also not a secret that he is prohibited by way of the

rules governing former employees from lobbying my office.

I can also say that the additional new element here that the member is inquiring about is the fact that we have established the Ontario Power Authority. We are

placing our confidence in the Ontario Power Authority. We are going to take the necessary decisions to do whatever we have to do to ensure that the people of Ontario have a reliable supply of safe,

clean electricity.

Those are the facts. I know that the leader of the NDP would like to lend a different complexion to them, but the facts are pretty straightforward.

Mr. Hampton: Here are the facts, Premier: You used to go through the roof when the former Conservative government had this kind of insider

relationship --

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): No, that was me.

Mr. Hampton: And you too. But now, when it's your staffers, it's OK. You say that he's not lobbying your office. Well, in fact, he has an

accomplice, one Hillary Dawson. Hillary Dawson served as executive assistant to the Honourable David Caplan from 1997 to 2003. She is a well-known and well respected Liberal activist. She served

for six years in senior staff roles in the Ontario Liberal Party, and was considered one of the best organizers for the Premier. What's her role in this? She is Mr. MacNaughton's accomplice:

She lobbies your office.

I want to get this straight: Would it be your position that Mr. MacNaughton and Ms. Dawson don't talk? They're both lobbying for the same outfit, they're close

associates, but you say he's not lobbying your office?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The member, in part, makes reference to a very serious issue, and the issue is that we have to renew, refurbish or replace

some 25,000 megawatts of electricity over the course of the next 15 years, and we only have about 31,000 megawatts of installed capacity. That's a very serious issue. I can tell you that it's

something by which we are very much seized; it weighs heavily on our minds. We are considering all the options. We very much look forward to receiving the recommendation and the objective advice of

the Ontario Power Authority, and we will do what we think is in the greater public interest.

The member opposite may allege that somehow some people are exercising some kind of influence in my office, and I can tell you point-blank that that is not

true. We will do whatever is in the public interest.

Mr. Hampton: You promised to put the public interest ahead of rewarding political cronies; that's something you were very clear on. But for

someone looking at this from the outside, this looks exactly like the kind of thing that goes on with your federal cousins in Ottawa: looking after political cronies instead of looking after the

public interest. You also promised a full, open public debate on nuclear power, but what this looks like is an inside job. People who used to work in your office, people who used to work in other

cabinet ministers' offices, people who were directly responsible for the energy file are now out there lobbying on behalf of companies who expect to make billions of dollars, and Dalton McGuinty

says, "It's all OK."

What happened to your promise to protect the public interest? What happened to your promise about a full, open public debate about nuclear power? Did they lose

out to the money interests?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm not sure how much more I can add to the line of questioning being pursued by the leader of the NDP, but remind him that

the rules of conflict that were established were not created by ourselves. They are upheld by the conflict commissioner, who is an independent, objective third party who operates at arm's length

from the government. That is Mr. Justice Osborne's responsibility.

I can assure this House that Mr. MacNaughton has not contacted my office with respect to the future of nuclear power in Ontario, and I will reassure the leader

of the NDP, and more importantly the people of Ontario, that we are very much seized of this very important issue; that is, a shortage of generating capacity in Ontario. We very much look forward

to the independent report to be submitted by the Ontario Power Authority, and I can assure you we will act in the public interest.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is to the Premier. Families of autistic children from across the province gathered in front of the

Legislature today to send you a message. The message was that they're appealing to you to keep a promise you made to them and to hundreds of families across the province in September 2003 that if

you were elected Premier you would "support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six."

Some of those parents are here in the galleries today. Others are watching from across the province. They want to know from their Premier, first of all, will

you stand in your place and admit that you made that promise, and second, will you keep it?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Let me say that I'm very proud of the progress we've been able to make to

date with respect to increasing the number of services available for children with autism and their families. We have made this particular issue a priority since we first earned the privilege of

serving Ontarians as their government. We've increased investment so that we can reach more children; 36% more children are receiving service so far. We're hiring more therapists for younger

children. In fact, we hired 110 new therapists in the last year and we're now expanding capacity so that we can train more. Beyond that, we have created a new program for school-age children that

has been embraced by every school board. Teachers and education assistants have access to 170 new autism spectrum disorder consultants to help them support students in the classroom. We haven't

done as much as we would like, but I can tell you we are making progress and will continue to make progress to help out families with children who are affected by autism.

Mr. Klees: The Premier is not answering the question, which is to admit that he made the promise and commit that he would keep the promise.

Premier, you must realize that not only have you not kept your promise, but you've instructed your Attorney General to appeal a court decision that directs your Minister of Education to provide

treatment and support for autistic children. All the data you quote to us is not helping these parents in the gallery or the autistic children across the province who need help today.

Premier, will you stand in your place and tell these parents that you will first of all direct your Attorney General to cease and desist from this appeal, and

instruct your Minister of Education and your minister responsible for children to come to the support of these children, just as you promised?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: To the Attorney General.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General): I want to address the question about the appeal in a second, but I just want to make clear that this

Premier does not instruct any crown attorney or any Attorney General about the position we take before the courts. That is not an appropriate role to play, because that would be politicizing the

decisions made by the independent crowns and courts. I understand that members of the other side know that.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. The Attorney General.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: We are before the courts to defend the ability of this Legislature and the government to provide the best services we

possibly can for autistic children and their families, period. We say it is the government and the Legislature that are in the best position to provide those services, and not counsel and courts to

make those decisions on an individual basis. We feel that that is in the best interests of the public. We feel that is in the public interest. It was in the name of that, because we felt so

strongly about that issue, that not only did we appeal the decision but we took the extraordinary step of offering and paying for the costs of the appeal for the respondent families in advance of

the appeal taking place.

The Speaker: New question.

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have question to the Premier. Premier, your government is in court today trying to overturn Justice

Kiteley's decision on autism. Her decision made it clear that the government -- your government -- is discriminating against autistic children over six, and the Ministry of Education -- your

minister -- is violating the Education Act by refusing to put in place the supports that would allow children to learn in school.

Before the election, you said you would end the discrimination against autistic children over six, and you would work with school boards to ensure children

would get the treatment they need in schools. Why are you appealing a court decision that forces you to do exactly what you promised to do?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I've already indicated what we've done by way of improving services for families with children who have autism. But just so

Ontarians and the families themselves better understand the extent of our commitment with respect to assisting children with learning needs, Dr. Rozanski recommended that when it came to special

education funding, we should increase that funding by an additional $250 million. Our government said that that was not enough, and we've invested an additional $365 million in special education.

We are now investing $1.9 billion in special education in Ontario.

The fact is, 2.8% of Ontario school children are receiving high-needs services, which makes our jurisdiction, to our knowledge, the jurisdiction which does

more to help children with high needs than any other, as I say, of which we are aware.

Ms. Martel: You see, Premier, the parents of autistic children are questioning your commitment to their kids, because in the last election

this is what you promised: "I also believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children over six is unfair and discriminatory. The Ontario Liberals support extending

autism treatment beyond the age of six." Then you went on to promise to work with school boards so that autistic children could get the IBI treatment they need in school so they could truly

learn.

Justice Kiteley's decision would force you to do what you promised in the last election. Instead of doing what you promised to do, instead of responding

positively to that decision, you're using taxpayers' dollars to fight this decision, these parents and these children one more time in court.

No more excuses, Premier. When are you going to end your discrimination against these children, fund IBI in the schools, and ensure IBI treatment for all

autistic kids who need it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: To the Minister of Education.

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I welcome this opportunity to remind the member opposite what she already knows, which is that

$140 million is being provided directly to assist 7,000 students in education over the age of six -- over the age of six. I'll say to the member opposite that we are working now with the school

boards to make sure that the assistance that's available is whatever is in the best educational interests of those students.

I say to the member opposite that she's aware of that. It's not politically convenient for her to acknowledge that, but it is important for the families and

the children in this province to understand that.

The Attorney General has made clear the public-interest reasons by which a legal decision is being made, but I can assure the member opposite that, quite

distinct from her government, quite distinct from the government that went before ours, we are working with families, working with schools to make sure that the best educational outcome will be

obtained.

Interjection.

Hon. Mr. Kennedy: And no amount of shouting, no amount of denial, no amount of misbehaviour on the part of the member opposite --

The Speaker: Thank you.

Interjection.

The Speaker: The member for Nickel Belt.

New question.

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Tony C. Wong (Markham): My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. I read an

article written by the member from

Halton in regard to our recent successful business mission to China. In the article, Mr. Chudleigh essentially said that we are wasting our time with China and that we should not promote Ontario as

a place for Chinese investment, especially in the auto sector.

I am curious to know why the Tories do not want Ontario to do business with China. Minister, can you comment on this, please?

Hon. Joseph Cordiano (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): This is an important question, because what we want to know is, is this the

official position of the Conservative Party of Ontario? Mr. Chudleigh, the member for Halton, seems to suggest that we should shut our borders to Chinese investment and ignore one of the

fastest-growing economies in the world. Can you imagine that?

I ask the leader of the official opposition to make it clear for the member for Halton that that's not his position, if indeed that is not his position,

because this government clearly welcomes foreign direct investment from China. In fact, we embrace it; we encourage it.

As you know, Ontario is made up of 500,000 Ontarians of Chinese descent, and their contacts to China are very important. We intend to utilize those contacts to

strengthen the ties that we have with China, and I hope that the Conservative Party supports this view.

Mr. Wong: Minister, it is disappointing to see that Mr. Tory and his party would want to close off Ontario's border to Chinese investment.

Since our government is keen on expanding our investment and trade with China, can you please tell us what Ontario's current relationship is with China?

Hon. Mr. Cordiano: China is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, and has now become Ontario's second-largest trading partner. In

the article, the member for Halton seems to suggest that we should ignore the half a billion dollars' worth of auto parts that are exported to China. He dismisses it, as if it were unimportant.

There was a survey conducted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada that said the top three industrial sectors of Chinese companies looking to invest in

Canada are looking at the automotive, food and beverage, mechanical and electrical sectors. These are important connections that we've made to China. We look to further expanding our relationship

with China -- two-way investment. We think it's very, very important. I wish the member would think that as well.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): My question is for the Minister of Health. The residents of Ajax-Pickering were surprised and

shocked to learn that as of December 14 the obstetric and pediatric services at the Rouge Valley Ajax-Pickering hospital in Durham region are going to be closed and moved to the Scarborough

Centenary site. This is despite your $2.4-billion tax hike and more federal funding. Health services in Ajax-Pickering are being cut.

I want to read you a quote, that "the agreement reached in the fall of 2004 between the federal government and the provinces, which provides an additional

$41.2 billion over 10 years ... should result in an improvement of local health care -- not further cuts to services." Minister, that's Liberal MP Dan McTeague, quoted in today's Sun in a letter

addressed to your Premier.

Minister, will you commit today to provide the funding to Ajax-Pickering hospital so that it can keep the obstetric and --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question has been asked.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I think the first thing I'll do is send Dan McTeague a letter and remind him

of the fact that the $41.2 billion is a grossed-up number that includes a significant outlay of equalization dollars to pretty well every other part of the country. Ontario's share of those

resources, regrettably, is a bit more limited.

On the issue of the change in the services, I think it's important to note that Ontario continues to have community-based governance. The board -- of which

Janet Ecker, as an example, is the vice-chair -- has made a decision to temporarily transfer a service from one hospital to another, citing safety reasons related probably very much to the fact

that while that honourable member served as health minister in this province, they didn't do a very effective job of producing more doctors.

I understand this to be temporary, but I agree and have conveyed to the mayors in the local communities that they should be raising this issue locally with

those at the Rouge Valley Health System.

Mrs. Witmer: This minister's continual blaming of another government does not sit well with people like expectant mother Danielle Deveaux. She

is nervous about what this service cut means for her. She will now have to travel 23 kilometres to the Centenary site, a hospital to which she has no connection.

I have received other e-mails from expectant mothers, including Kimberley Fenton, who lives in Durham and who has had no family doctor. She writes this: "I

called Oshawa General, and I do indeed need to see a new OB to deliver there. Only one is taking patients. I called Markham Stouffville Hospital to see what I needed to do to register. I was told

that they aren't taking any patients from other hospitals. So my question is `now what?' I don't want to change doctors after eight months, and I certainly think it's best to deliver in a hospital.

At this point I'm ... terrified."

Minister, will you ensure that people like Danielle and Kimberley will get the services they need --

The Speaker: The question's been asked. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member, I think, would be well placed to stand in her place and acknowledge that the issue is not, as she

pretended, about money. And frankly, this is a member of a party that, while in office, over two years cut hospital spending by $557 million.

The circumstances at Rouge Valley Health System are that since our government came to life, we've increased funding there by $25.5 million, just in this one

health care provider.

I agree with the honourable member and with the questions that are raised in those e-mails, which is why I ask, in an era where we support community-based

governance, why is it the honourable member's inclination to believe that every decision that has been taken has been taken here? It has not. It's been taken by people in the local community, who

presumably had some options in front of them, and they chose this one. As I've said to the mayors in those local communities and to the honourable members from those communities, they should be in

touch with their local hospital, which is governed by people from the community, because those are the people who made this decision.

Mrs. Witmer: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: The minister has repeatedly said --

The Speaker: No, that is not a point of order. You know it's not a point of order.

New question.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): A question to the Premier. Today, an investigation into the recent outbreak of legionnaires' disease

at Seven Oaks Home for the Aged in Toronto has revealed serious gaps in Ontario's public health system. An expert panel says that front-line health staff did the best they could under trying

circumstances, but they say the province's central public health laboratory is "severely underresourced." Seven public health units still don't have full-time public health officers. They say this

does not bode well for the province's ability to tackle future serious outbreaks.

Premier, 21 seniors died at Seven Oaks Home for the Aged. When are you going to start funding public health services adequately?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I appreciate again the opportunity to express the sentiments of the government

with respect to any of those who have lost their life in this circumstance. I think they are poorly served by the way the question is placed, in the sense that Dr. Walker's report, which did of

course comment on areas where we must do better -- we take those seriously, and we will -- also mentioned many, many areas of progress where investments in public health have served us well. I

believe the report was clear as well on the comments with respect to the public health lab: that it did not have an impact on those individuals, that the care they received was exemplary and was

appropriate in the circumstance. But the report did show us very many areas where we have been working hard but we have more progress to make, including and especially at our central public health

lab capacity. I can assure the honourable member, and all people of the province of Ontario, that our efforts to improve this circumstance will continue and will go forward in a very significant

way.

Mr. Hampton: Dr. Walker is very clear that the central public health lab is not up to standards and that that may have played a role here in

taking so long to determine what was going on. But he also points out that there are seven health units in this province who frankly really don't have anyone in charge. In Brant, Chatham-Kent,

Elgin, Haldimand, Lambton, Oxford, Simcoe, Muskoka and Timiskaming, there is no medical officer of health, despite your Premier's promise that full-time medical officers of health would be put in

place.

So I'm asking you again. Dr. Walker says that 21 people died here. What's it going to take before the McGuinty government lives up to its promise and

adequately funds public health protection?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I think a couple of points are very important to repeat. First, the honourable member has tried again to tie the

individuals who lost their lives to a slow response from the lab in terms of testing. But the report is very clear to say that the issue of care that was offered to those patients was not related

to the public health piece. It's not to explain away or to be satisfied that the tests look longer than they should, but it is to be very clear about this distinction that the honourable member is

unwilling to acknowledge.

To say we don't have anyone in charge in those areas is absolutely wrong. The question of full-time people is a serious one that we must address. The

honourable member makes this all about money, which is the NDP way. But the reality is that the circumstances that we face in terms of rebuilding the public health capacity relate very much more to

the fact that public health, over a period of a couple of decades, has been run down in our province. It has made filling these very important roles challenging.

We have more work to do. Under the leadership of Dr. Basrur, I feel very confident that the people of Ontario will see the progress that they very much desire

and deserve.

GRIDLOCK

Mr. Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Minister, all the honourable members in this House are

familiar with the congestion on our highways around the GTA. It is a growing concern. I have heard from countless constituents that the time spent battling congestion to and from work is negatively

affecting their quality of life. We also know that, in this era of just-in-time shipping and delivery, it's affecting our economic viability.

A few years ago, a study was done that concluded that we are wasting $2 billion a year in the GTA because of gridlock. What can I tell my constituents of

Thornhill and Concord that this government is doing to try and ease the congestion?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Let me thank the member from Thornhill, first, for asking this question. The problem

with congestion is a real, serious issue, especially in the urban areas. Let me tell you what our government is doing.

First, we are trying to promote public transit culture in this province and we are spending $800 million in order to encourage public transit. In addition to

that, we are also trying to make use of the maximum capacity on our roadways. I was very pleased this morning to make an announcement about the HOV lanes to address some of the issues that the

member is raising. We need to get our goods from one place to another quickly and efficiently, and HOV lanes will create more space on our highways so that we can move some of those goods. I will

be pleased to answer in further detail how the HOV lanes will address some of the congestion issues.

Mr. Racco: I certainly want to thank the minister for his leadership in introducing these new lanes. Ontario drivers have never had HOV lanes

on our highways.

I also wish the minister success in his dealings with the federal government and the city of Toronto in trying to get the subway to York University and

beyond.

Minister, can you please explain to the House how these lanes will reduce congestion, and if there are any restrictions on them?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I'm very proud of the fact that ours is the first government in Ontario that has introduced HOV lanes. This is not a new

concept. It has been around for 30 years, and we have learned from all over North America how to design them so that our HOV lanes work effectively.

I just want to tell the member that the HOV lanes are designed to move people around with two or more people in the car. It will help ease congestion this way,

because they can carry more people. At the same time, it will reduce the number of cars on the highway. In addition to that, it will improve the quality of life of people because there will be less

emissions, and it will also save people money. I feel the HOV lanes do all that. They will help us address the congestion issue but, at the same time, quality of life, and also provide savings to

the people of Ontario.

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): My question is to the Premier. Premier, you'll know that the Frederick Banting Homestead Preservation Act passed

unanimously in this place on November 17. The Sir Frederick Banting homestead and its buildings, the whole 100 acres, was bequeathed by Edward Banting some six years ago to the Ontario Historical

Society, and since that time, the Ontario Historical Society has presided over the deterioration of the buildings. In fact, the roof blew off three weeks ago, at the time we were passing the bill

in this Legislature.

If this bill is to go anywhere, Mr. Premier, it's going to need your support. The heritage act has been considered and dismissed by the local municipality. We

need to preserve the birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting, so I ask you, will you expedite public hearings and third reading of the bill, and will you do everything you can to help preserve this not

only provincially significant historical site, but nationally and internationally significant historical site?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Culture.

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Culture, minister responsible for francophone affairs): I want to thank my honourable colleague for his

interest in protecting the Banting farm's conservation. I can assure him that we are all very interested, and the parties are working together with the town of New Tecumseth and the Ontario

Historical Society. They are all working together, and we hope that there will be a resolution very soon.

Mr. Wilson: To the Premier: Those certainly aren't the facts at all. The last time the parties worked together was December of last year. The

parties haven't had a meeting in one year. We've tried to get them together. You dismissed the former deputy minister who was doing the negotiations, Terry Smith. She was doing an excellent job.

You've done nothing for the last year. I didn't want to bring forward a private member's bill in this regard, but I brought it forward because the Ontario Historical Society simply wants cash for

the property. They're not looking after the property.

Premier, my bill is the best way to preserve this property. There's some urgency to the matter, as the buildings are falling down. We want to make this a

diabetic camp for children. It's simple: Get up today, give your personal commitment, and then your minister will get off her duff and do what she has to do to help support the preservation of this

property. Why can't you, Premier, have a backbone, stand up and say you support Sir Frederick Banting, Canada's hero?

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: I'm pleased to see that the member is very interested in protecting this farm. When they were in power, they just did

nothing, you know. There was quite a lot of work done --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. Minister.

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: There were quite a few attempts to amend the Ontario Heritage Act, and nothing was done. When we came into power, we acted

on it and passed the amendment. The city of New Tecumseth has the power to protect the farm, and I am confident that both parties will be able to reach an agreement.

Mr. Wilson: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'll file the necessary papers, but I just want to express my --

The Speaker: This isn't the appropriate time to say that. New question.

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): This question is for the minister responsible for women's issues.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Stop the clock. Order. We had been doing reasonably well. I can wait, and will. Order.

Ms. Horwath: My question is for the minister responsible for women's issues. In December 2004, you announced a domestic violence action plan

and promised to end violence against women. Since then, 22 women in Ontario have been murdered by men with whom they were intimately involved.

Lori Dupont, a Windsor nurse, was murdered while at work, after seeking protection through the courts. She died after waiting eight months for her peace bond

application to be heard. Minister, why the deadly delay? When are you going bring in legal measures to protect women's safety in the workplace?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): I very much appreciate this, as we

come near the one-year anniversary of the Ontario Liberal government's tabling of the domestic violence action plan, the most comprehensive plan that Ontario has ever seen, with a $66-million

investment over this term, all to protect women. In particular, I want to say to the Dupont family, whom I had an opportunity to sit down with on Friday evening -- all the family, all of Lori's

family, so I could hear first-hand the kind of experiences they've had coping with their daughter's death, which is one of the greatest tragedies in Windsor's history. I can tell you that the

Dupont family knows that this government is committed today to protecting women and doing whatever we have to so that issues like this will never, never happen again.

Ms. Horwath: But Minister, when there's an eight-month delay in having a peace bond issued to protect a woman's life, when breaches of family

court restraining orders are not treated as enforceable criminal offences, when women are harassed and assaulted in their workplaces, then violence against women is still not being treated

seriously in this province. Your government is not doing enough, and that's common knowledge.

As NDP critic for women's issues, I'll be reintroducing our bill to protect women from harassment in the workplace. Will you and the McGuinty government commit

right now to support that bill?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: Since Lori's tragic death in Windsor, I can tell you this: The Attorney General has called an investigation; the coroner's

office is still looking into the circumstances to determine whether or not they will call an inquest. We are anxious for that. Not only does the Dupont family have questions around the death of

Lori, a death that should never have happened, but we in this House have questions. We want to know the circumstances that surrounded this absolute tragedy, the death of this young woman who left a

young girl motherless. We will not rest until we have those answers. We believe that these investigations may point to government needing to do more in the area of prevention, more in the area of

community supports, more in the area of justice, more in the area of training. Those, in fact, are the pillars of the domestic violence action plan.

NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. As you are well aware, tourism is a

$1.6-billion industry in northern Ontario. Last Friday, I was pleased to announce in Sault Ste. Marie, on your behalf, $350,000 for equipment and maintenance for Searchmont ski resort. Searchmont

is the only resort of its kind in northern Ontario and, as a result, represents an important segment of the winter tourism market in Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding area. Our investment in this

sector will assist in maintaining operations at Searchmont this winter and is another significant example of our government's commitment to the north.

Minister, it has been less than a year since you announced the six new Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. programs that will help revitalize the economy in

northern Ontario. Can you tell us how these new programs are working to improve the economy of the north?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): Before I answer the question, I do want to thank the member from Sault Ste.

Marie for his incredible advocacy for the people he represents.

The six new programs that northerners advised us to develop under the refocused northern Ontario heritage fund mandate have provided new opportunities for

northern Ontario youth, new opportunities for young northern entrepreneurs, new opportunities for northern business owners and new opportunities for northern communities and certainly the

public-private partnerships that have been developed.

There was a Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. board meeting on Friday, and I am pleased to say that from October 2003 to the present the Northern Ontario

Heritage Fund Corp. has approved $122 million toward 464 projects in northern Ontario, leveraging 406 additional --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. Orazietti: Thank you, Minister. Speaker, I want to commend the minister for his efforts and his advocacy for northern Ontario and for

helping to make a difference in Sault Ste. Marie, a riding that was certainly ignored by the past two governments for many years. As you know, the economy in Sault Ste. Marie and that of northern

Ontario has, in general, experienced significant challenges. In my community, like others, we're working to create a brighter future to retain our youth and to secure new job opportunities. Unlike

the previous two governments, we're listening to northerners and investing in programs and policies that they support. As a result, we've had some great local successes recently through the NOHFC

such as the Sutherland Group communications centre, the new melamine lamination plant and the wind-power training program at Sault college, as well as a number of other projects that we're working

on to make a reality in Sault Ste. Marie and northern Ontario. Minister, can you please tell us how many additional jobs our government has created through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Corp.?

Hon. Mr. Bartolucci: Our 2005 budget renewed our annual contribution of $60 million in support of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.

This represents the largest annual contribution to the north, through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp., ever, when you consider the new, redefined northern Ontario. I am pleased to say that

with this commitment our government will help create 2,929 jobs in the north. With the money approved, I also look forward to future announcements allocating these funds to important community

projects.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Last week, I had a chance to ask the Premier

this question, and he didn't seem to understand it and sent it on to the parliamentary assistant for environment. Of course, you know his answers are pretty disastrous, so I'd like to ask the

Minister of Natural Resources.

You sent me a letter a week ago. In the letter, it basically indicated that stream erosion was not in your mandate any more. I was wondering if you could

explain to the House when that was taken out of your ministry, that you didn't look after stream erosion.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'd like to commend the member for all the

work he has done. I have a series of his letters to the ministry, and I have a response back here that says, "I would suggest that the local conservation authority and your municipality consider

making a joint application for funding to the Ontario small town and rural development initiative (OSTAR)," and this was signed by the previous minister of the previous government, Jerry

Ouellette.

Mr. Murdoch: That isn't the question I asked the minister. If he can't answer the questions, why does he sit in here to get questions? This is

a problem we seem to have. If you'd only answer the question, we would get somewhere.

I agreed with you when you mentioned in your letter that conservation authorities were much better able to handle this than your ministry, but I think the

minister understands that conservation authorities get their money from the Ministry of Natural Resources. What I'd like him to commit to today, then, is: If the conservation authority, the Saugeen

conservation authority, applies for this project, will you finance them in doing this project?

Interjection.

Hon. David Ramsay: I certainly will, Mr. Whip.

What I want to say to the member is, as you know, you're getting a very consistent answer from me, as you got from your colleague the ex-Minister of Natural

Resources. What we're saying to the municipality, because this is an infrastructure issue, is that now you should be applying to the modern program we have today called COMRIF. We're asking the

municipality to do that. This is an infrastructure challenge and not a river challenge, as you want to keep saying.

I want to say to the member that you need to work with the local municipality to make sure that happens. You know that any sort of crisis is not imminent here;

we know the engineering studies have said that it's at least two years. We have lots of time to plan for this. We're saying that you should be applying now. Just like your minister said to you and

the municipality a couple of years ago, you should have been applying back there to the old OSTAR program.

Mr. Murdoch: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm not satisfied with that, so I will file --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): We will need the proper documentation.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Members, I would like to draw your attention to the members' east gallery, where we have a former member,

David Smith from Lambton, who served in the 33rd and 34th Parliaments. We also have Vince Kerrio, who was the member for Niagara Falls in the 30th through 34th Parliaments. Welcome, gentlemen.

PETITIONS

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): "Whereas Ontario has an inconsistent policy for access to new cancer treatments while these drugs are under

review for funding; and

"Whereas cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy may apply for a

section 8 exception under the Ontario drug benefit plan, with no such exception policy in

place for intravenous cancer drugs administered in hospital; and

"Whereas this is an inequitable, inconsistent and unfair policy, creating two classes of cancer patients with further inequities on the basis of personal

wealth and the willingness of hospitals to risk budgetary deficits to provide new intravenous chemotherapy treatments; and

"Whereas cancer patients have the right to the most effective care recommended by their doctors;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario to provide immediate access to Velcade and other intravenous chemotherapy while these new cancer drugs

are under review and provide a consistent policy for access to new cancer treatments that enables oncologists to apply for exceptions to meet the needs of" their "patients."

This has my signature of support.

DIABETES TREATMENT

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition today to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, primarily from the good citizens of Peterborough

riding but from some others across the province of Ontario.

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"We are suggesting that all diabetic supplies as prescribed by an endocrinologist or medical doctor be covered under the Ontario health insurance plan.

"Diabetes costs Canadian taxpayers $13 billion a year and increasing! It is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in Canada. Many people with diabetes

cannot afford the ongoing expense of managing the disease. They cut corners to save money. They rip test strips in half, cut down on the number of times they test their blood and even reuse lancets

and needles. These cost-saving measures often have tumultuous and disastrous health consequences. Persons with diabetes need and deserve financial assistance to cope with the escalating cost of

managing diabetes.

"We think it is in all Ontario's and the government's best interest to support diabetics with the supplies that each individual needs to obtain optimum glucose

control. Good blood glucose control reduces or eliminates kidney failure by 50%, blindness by 76%, nerve damage by 60%, cardiac disease by 35% and even amputations. Just think of how many dollars

can be saved by the Ministry of Health if diabetics had a chance to gain optimum glucose control."

I'll attach my signature to this petition.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The member for Durham.

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd also like you in the future to recognize the member from Leeds-Grenville.

He's been waiting for weeks.

"Whereas, without appropriate support, people who have an intellectual disability are often unable to participate effectively in community life and are

deprived of the benefits of society enjoyed by other citizens; and

"Whereas quality supports are dependent on the ability to attract and retain qualified workers; and

"Whereas the salaries of workers who provide community-based supports and services are up to 25% less than salaries paid to those doing the same work in

government-operated services and other sectors;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to address, as a priority, funding to community agencies in the developmental services

sector to address critical underfunding of staff salaries and ensure that people who have an intellectual disability continue to receive quality supports and services that they require in order to

live meaningful lives within their community."

I'm pleased to sign this and pass it on to Andrew and to the table.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): This petition has over 900 signatures on it.

"According to the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, a mistake was made when Velcade was approved for use by a patient suffering from multiple

myeloma in May 2005.

"The government's review process has created a gap in care in Ontario for many people suffering from multiple myeloma. Velcade is available to patients in

every jurisdiction but Ontario, forcing many multiple myeloma patients to leave this province and seek treatment elsewhere.

"Please make Velcade available immediately to those patients who require the treatment while the product is under review by the Ministry of Health and

Long-Term Care."

I affix my signature to this petition.

BROCKVILLE GENERAL HOSPITAL

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): I have a petition signed by several hundred people.

"Whereas the Brockville General Hospital is the only primary care hospital in the Brockville area, and it is essential to maintain all current services;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Ontario Legislature as follows:

"Proposed cuts to the Brockville General Hospital budget would lead to room closures, staff reductions and the loss of lab services for outpatients. We are not

in favour of budget cuts to reduce or eliminate services at the Brockville General Hospital."

I'm affixing my signature in support of this petition.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas, without appropriate support, people who have an intellectual disability are often unable to participate effectively in community life and are

deprived of the benefits of society enjoyed by other citizens; and

"Whereas quality supports are dependent on the ability to attract and retain qualified workers; and

"Whereas the salaries of workers who provide community-based supports and services are up to 25% less than salaries paid to those doing the same work in

government-operated services and other sectors;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to address, as a priority, funding to community agencies in the developmental services

sector to address critical underfunding of staff salaries and ensure that people who have an intellectual disability continue to receive quality supports and services that they require in order to

live meaningful lives within their community."

I've affixed my signature to it.

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Sir Frederick Banting was the man who discovered insulin and was Canada's first Nobel Prize recipient; and

"Whereas this great Canadian's original homestead, located in the town of New Tecumseth, is deteriorating and in danger of destruction because of the inaction

of the Ontario Historical Society; and

"Whereas the town of New Tecumseth has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with the Ontario Historical Society to use part of the land to educate the

public about the historical significance of the work of Sir Frederick Banting;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the Minister of Culture endorse Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson's private member's bill entitled the Frederick Banting Homestead Preservation Act so that the

homestead is kept in good repair and preserved for generations to come."

I want to thank Mr. Bill Smith of Essa township for collecting the signatures on this petition.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Bas Balkissoon (Scarborough-Rouge River): I'm pleased to join my colleague from Niagara Falls with this petition.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration (wet), there are other forms of macular

degeneration (dry) that are not covered,

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"There are thousands of Ontarians who suffer from macular degeneration, resulting in loss of sight if treatment is not pursued. Treatment costs for this

disease are astronomical for most constituents and add a financial burden to their lives. Their only alternative is loss of sight. We believe the government of Ontario should cover treatment for

all forms of macular degeneration through the Ontario health insurance program."

I affix my signature in support of this petition.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I have a petition to the Legislature of Ontario and it reads:

"Whereas the $700,000 cut in funding to the Ontario Library Service (OLS) budget will have a significant impact on the delivery of public library service

across the province in areas such as:

" -- reductions in the frequency of inter-library loan deliveries;

" -- reductions in the Southern Ontario Library Service's consultation services and the elimination of a number of staff positions;

" -- the elimination of province-wide research on library and socio-demographic trends that all libraries need for their own planning;

" -- the reduction of consortia/charitable purchasing, a service that provides economies-of-scale discounts to libraries on a variety of goods and services;

and

" -- a reduction in the amount of material that is translated for OLS French-language clients;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario as follows:

"To restore funding to the Ontario Library Service (OLS) in order to signal support for the Ontario public library system."

I affix my signature to this petition.

PROSTATE CANCER

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): It's my pleasure to rise today in support of a petition drafted by my colleague from Niagara Falls. It's

to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan does not cover the cost of PSA," which is prostate-specific antigen testing, "as an early method of

detection for prostate cancer in men;

"Whereas mammogram tests for women are fully covered by the Ontario health insurance plan for early detection of breast cancer and PSA testing for men is only

covered once the physician suspects prostate cancer,

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"We support Bill 201. We believe PSA testing should be covered as an insured service by the Ontario health insurance" plan. "Prostate cancer is the most

commonly diagnosed cancer in Canadian men. At least one in every eight Canadian men is expected to develop the disease in their lifetime. Some five million Canadian men are currently at risk in

their prostate cancer risk years, which are between the ages of 45 and 70. For many seniors and low-income earners, the cost of the test would buy up to a week's worth of groceries for some

individuals."

It's my pleasure to sign this to show my support and to ask page David to carry it for me.

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): I'm pleased to bring forward a petition on behalf of my constituents like Debbie Edmunds from Fort Erie and

Bobbie Broughton from Port Colborne, which reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas, without appropriate support, people who have an intellectual disability are often unable to participate effectively in community life and are

deprived of the benefits of society enjoyed by other citizens; and

"Whereas quality supports are dependent on the ability to attract and retain qualified workers; and

"Whereas the salaries of workers who provide community-based supports and services are up to 25% less than salaries paid to those doing the same work in

government-operated services and other sectors;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to address, as a priority, funding to community agencies in the developmental services

sector to address critical underfunding of staff salaries and ensure that people who have an intellectual disability continue to receive quality supports and services that they require in order to

live meaningful lives within their community."

I affix my signature in support of my constituents.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): A petition to the Parliament of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario has an inconsistent policy for access to new cancer treatments while these drugs are under review for funding; and

"Whereas cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy can apply to the drug benefit plan for a

section 8 exception, giving them access to new cancer drugs that are

still under review, no such exception policy exists for intravenous cancer drugs that are administered in a hospital; and

"Whereas this is inequitable, inconsistent and unfair, creating two classes of cancer patients; and

"Whereas access to new intravenous chemotherapy is just as urgent as oral chemotherapy; and

"Whereas the lack of the exception policy for intravenous cancer drugs creates further inequities; and

"Whereas the first is directly related to personal wealth. Some cancer patients have the option of paying for treatment out of their own pockets. They may be

fortunate and have a private benefit plan that cover 50% to 100% of the drug costs; and

"Whereas the uninsured portion of the drug and the treatment administration plus months of potential accommodation and meal costs must, at great expense, be

paid by the patient, but many other patients without drug benefits must pay the total cost of their treatment; and

"Whereas families are being forced into debt or forced to sell their assets, homes, retirement funds or their children's education savings; and

"Whereas this is inequitable, inconsistent and definitely unfair; and

"Whereas the second inequity results from the willingness of individual hospitals to risk a budgetary deficit; and

"Whereas the decision to provide new intravenous chemotherapy treatments to cancer patients is now dependent on the financial ability of the treating facility;

and

"Whereas the availability of cancer treatment in Ontario is now inconsistent and inequitable; and

"Whereas cancer treatment in the province of Ontario should not be like this; and

"Whereas people who are battling cancer in a fight for their lives have the right to the best care available. Their treatment should not depend on the

availability of the benefit plan, their assets or where they live;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"Fill the gap in care by providing immediate access to Velcade and other intravenous chemotherapy while these new cancer drugs are under review and provide a

consistent policy for access to new cancer treatments allowing oncologists to apply for exceptions to meet human needs."

I affix my signature to this petition.

DIABETES TREATMENT

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"We are suggesting that all diabetic supplies as prescribed by an endocrinologist or medical doctor be covered under the Ontario health insurance plan.

"Diabetes costs Canadian taxpayers $13 billion a year and increasing! It is the leading cause of death and hospitalization in Canada. Many people with diabetes

cannot afford the ongoing expense of managing the disease. They cut corners to save money. They rip test strips in half, cut down on the number of times they test their blood and even reuse lancets

and needles. These cost-saving measures often have tumultuous and disastrous health consequences. Persons with diabetes need and deserve financial assistance to cope with the escalating cost of

managing diabetes.

"We think it is in all Ontario's and the government's best interest to support diabetics with the supplies that each individual needs to obtain optimum glucose

control. Good blood glucose control reduces or eliminates kidney failure by 50%, blindness by 76%, nerve damage by 60%, cardiac disease by 35% and even amputations. Just think of how many dollars

can be saved by the Ministry of Health if diabetics had a chance to gain optimum glucose control."

I'm very pleased to sign this and present it to Brenna to present to the table.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM

INTEGRATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'INTÉGRATION

DU SYSTÈME DE SANTÉ LOCAL

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 29, 2005, on the motion for second reading of Bill 36,

An Act to provide for the integration of the local system for

the delivery of health services / Projet de loi 36, Loi prévoyant l'intégration du système local de prestation des services de santé.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Further debate?

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): I'm very pleased to speak to

An Act to provide for the integration of the local system for the

delivery of health services. I think that as this government moves forward with the transformation of health care in this province, the