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November 28, 2016

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2016-Nov-28 (PDF)

L035 - Mon 28 Nov 2016 / Lun 28 nov 2016

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 28 November 2016 Lundi 28 novembre 2016

Introduction of member for Ottawa–Vanier

Introduction of Visitors

Deb Stark

Wearing of scarves

Ottawa Redblacks

Visitor

Oral Questions

Hydro rates

Highway tolls

Mercury poisoning

By-election in Sudbury

Highway tolls

Poverty

Violence against women

Hospital services

Hospital services

Health care funding

Privatization of public assets

Energy policies

Infrastructure program funding

Hydro rates

School closures

Visitors

Janet McKenzie

Members’ Statements

Impaired drivers

Craft distilleries

YMCA Peace Medal Awards

Refugees

Hydro rates

Anti-bullying initiatives

Education funding

Member’s comments

Osteoporosis

Private members’ public business

Introduction of Bills

Pathways to Post-secondary Excellence Act (Post-secondary Educational Report), 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur les voies de l’excellence au niveau postsecondaire (rapport sur l’enseignement postsecondaire)

Petitions

Energy contracts

Komoka Provincial Park

School closures

Hospital funding

Hydro rates

Child care

Family Responsibility Office

Domestic violence and sexual violence

Hydro rates

Soins de longue durée

Consumer protection

Natural gas

Orders of the Day

Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016 / Loi de 2016 visant à favoriser l’essor de l’Ontario pour tous (mesures budgétaires)

Burden Reduction Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur l’allègement du fardeau réglementaire

Putting Consumers First Act (Consumer Protection Statute Law Amendment), 2016 / Loi de 2016 donnant la priorité aux consommateurs (modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne la protection du consommateur)

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Please join me in prayer.

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I have provided a moment for everyone to settle in. We have an official situation.

Mr. Jim Wilson: We’re on warnings already?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No. I’ll give us time.

Introduction of member for Ottawa–Vanier

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that the Clerk has received from the Chief Electoral Officer and laid upon the table a certificate of the by-election of the electoral district of Ottawa–Vanier.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): I have a letter bearing today’s date and addressed to me which reads as follows:

“A writ of election dated the 19th day of October, 2016, was issued by the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of the province of Ontario, and was addressed to Rachel Crête, returning officer for the electoral district of Ottawa–Vanier, for the election of a member to represent the said electoral district of Ottawa–Vanier in the Legislative Assembly of this province in the room of Madeleine Meilleur who, since her election as representative of the said electoral district of Ottawa–Vanier, has resigned her seat.

This is to certify that, a poll having been granted and held in Ottawa–Vanier on the 17th day of November, 2016, Nathalie Des Rosiers has been returned as duly elected as appears by the return of the said writ of election dated the 24th day of November, 2016, which is now lodged of record in my office.”

The letter is signed by Greg Essensa, Chief Electoral Officer.

M me Des Rosiers was escorted into the House by Ms. Matthews and Mrs. Albanese.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I have the honour to present to you and to the House Nathalie Des Rosiers, member-elect for the electoral district of Ottawa–Vanier, who has taken the oath and signed the roll and now claims the right to take her seat.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let the honourable member take her seat.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Steve Clark: Speaker, I want to introduce to you, and through you to the members of the Legislative Assembly, a constituent from my riding of Leeds–Grenville. I would like to introduce Charlene Catchpole, who is the executive director of Leeds and Grenville Interval House. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Carolyn Stewart, the executive director of the Ontario Association of Food Banks, is here today to introduce her Hunger Report. We’re joined in the members’ gallery by Erin Fotheringham, who is the manager of operations and public education with the Ontario Association of Food Banks. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Granville Anderson: I would like to introduce Bill Gartland, director of education at the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, as well as chairperson Brent Laton. This morning we had a very productive discussion surrounding education in Ontario. I would like to extend a very warm welcome to them here at Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It’s obvious quite a few people want to introduce. I’m going to remind you again: just the introductions, please.

Mrs. Julia Munro: Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome and have you help me welcome Mary Watson and Muriel Leggett, who are visiting from my riding of York north—sorry, York–Simcoe.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That makes me feel better.

M me France Gélinas: It is my great pleasure to introduce Natalie Mehra, the executive director of the Ontario Health Coalition, as well as a youth coalition from the OHA from Durham. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: We’re very fortunate to have members of the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses with us in the House this morning: Charlene Catchpole, chair and executive director of Leeds and Grenville Interval House, as well as other members of the OAITH executive; Marlene Ham, provincial coordinator of OAITH; and executive directors and staff from violence-against-women shelters from across the province.

I invite all members to join OAITH on the main staircase for a photo following question period, as well as the OAITH lunchtime reception.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I would like to welcome, in the west members’ gallery, visitors from the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce—Shirley de Silva, Michael Kooy, Peter Smith and Monica Shepley—visiting Queen’s Park today.

Hon. Jeff Leal: I actually have two this morning, but I’d like to do this one first, Mr. Speaker.

In the members’ east gallery, I would like to welcome members of the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition to the House: Eric Schwindt from Ontario Pork; Matt Bowman, Beef Farmers of Ontario; Robert Scott from the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency; and Judy Dirksen from the Veal Farmers of Ontario.

I would like to also recognize Amy Cronin of Ontario Pork, whose son, Liam Cronin, is today’s page captain. And, of course, OASC has a reception this evening in room 228 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Mr. John Yakabuski: I would like to introduce, from my hometown of Barry’s Bay and Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, Maddison Bloskie, who is visiting us today. Maddison’s grandmother, Greta, was my grade 1 teacher.

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: I would like to welcome to the gallery today Pam Havery, the executive director of Interval House Kingston. Welcome.

Hon. Charles Sousa: I’d like to introduce the executive director of Interim Place, Sharon Floyd—Interim Place is a strong, outstanding community advocacy centre in our community—as well as Virginia Hughes, Susan McColl and Ruth Gade, who are joining us in the Legislature today.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’d like to welcome my wife, Kate Bartz, to Queen’s Park today, as well as Corey Allison from the Women’s Rural Resource Centre in Strathroy. Thank you.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: I’d like to introduce someone from my hometown, Mayor Jim Watson, who is here today. He’s mayor of the Grey Cup champion Ottawa Redblacks, and he’s here representing that great team and that great victory yesterday. He’s also a former cabinet minister and MPP in my own riding, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Yeah, thanks. Thanks a lot.

Mr. Yvan Baker: I’m pleased to welcome to Queen’s Park today the Canadian Exchange Traded Fund Association. I’m pleased to welcome a number of individuals: their chair Atul Tiwari, Pat Dunwoody, Voula Moran, John DeGoey, Ray Dragnus, Thomas Tyson, Yves Rebetez and Ron Ross. I’d like to encourage everyone to attend their reception, which is happening at 5 p.m. in room 230 today.

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: It’s my pleasure to welcome to the members’ east gallery, from Women’s Habitat in Etobicoke–Lakeshore to mark this day to prevent violence against women, executive director Silvia Samsa and Kathleen Howie and Sojie Tate.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Today I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park Lynda Muir, the outgoing executive director of the Women And Children’s Shelter of Barrie, and her successor, Teresa MacLennan.

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: I would like to welcome Victoria and Patricia Mink to the Legislature today. Welcome.

Hon. Liz Sandals: I’d like to welcome Sly Castaldi from Guelph, who is the executive director of Women in Crisis Guelph–Wellington.

Deb Stark

Hon. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, I would ask you for a little bit of latitude when I make this last introduction.

In our members’ east gallery today, I’d like to recognize one of the most remarkable people I’ve come across during my time in public life. I’d like to welcome the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Dr. Deb Stark, who is joining us here today in the members’ gallery.

Deputy Stark announced this summer that she would be embarking on the next exciting

chapter of her life: retirement with her husband, Howard. I’m delighted that she is joining us today in the House.

Deb Stark is a mentor and a trailblazer for women in the agricultural sector. From her thoughtful leadership to her innate sense of teamwork, Deb serves as an inspiration to everyone around her.

I want to take this opportunity to wish Deb all the best in her retirement and congratulate her on her outstanding achievements in over 30 years with the Ontario public service. Thank you, Deb. If we could all rise for Dr. Deb Stark.

Applause.

Wearing of scarves

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent that members be permitted to wear purple scarves to raise awareness of woman abuse in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Social Services is seeking unanimous consent to wear the purple scarves. Do we agree? Obviously. Thank you.

Ottawa Redblacks

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: To follow the Minister of Infrastructure, yesterday was a significant day for the people of Nepean, the people of Ottawa and all of eastern Ontario as the Grey Cup champion, the Redblacks, hailed from our home city of Ottawa. They did us very proud.

With that, I’d like to seek unanimous consent that this House congratulate the Redblacks, and that those of us from Ottawa who may or may not have a jersey be able to wear that today in the presence of our mayor and former mayor.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nepean–Carleton is seeking unanimous consent to congratulate the Ottawa Redblacks and to wear jerseys if they’re available. Do we agree? Agreed.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): As it is the tradition of the Speaker to introduce former members, I shall endeavour to do so, even though someone stole my thunder: the member from Ottawa West–Nepean in the 38th and 39th Parliaments, Mayor Jim Watson. Welcome, Jim.

Oral Questions

Hydro rates

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Minister of Energy. This morning, the Ontario Association of Food Banks released their annual Hunger Report. This year, it included a special feature called “Shedding Light on Energy Poverty in Ontario.” The report notes that “Ontario’s hydro rates are rising faster than any other province in Canada, or even the United States,” and an 8% government rebate isn’t stopping that. The report goes on to say, “Ontario’s food banks are seeing an increase in the number of clients who say that they simply cannot keep up with their rising hydro bills.” I fear this trend will only continue under these Liberal policies.

Given this astonishing report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks, their annual Hunger Report, my question to the Minister of Energy is, what will this government finally do to help?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I know the Ontario Association of Food Banks is an important partner, and they do extremely important work right across our great province. I know the Minister of Housing and poverty reduction will want to comment on this later.

Our government is committed to combatting poverty and food insecurity, and that’s why we’ve invested $5 billion in affordable housing since 2003 and we’ve raised the minimum wage. And we’ve done more. But I get that there are families in this province that are vulnerable and are continuing to struggle. That’s why we want to ensure that we make this access to our clean and reliable electricity system also affordable. We introduced the OESP program back in January. That will provide up to $600 on bill rebates for many of these families, and $900 for seniors. There’s also the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. There are many programs out there, and I know we’ve got more that we need to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again, to the Minister of Energy directly: The Minister of Energy mentioned the Low-Income Energy Assistance Program. Well, the report actually referenced that. It says that it is insufficient: “To put this simply—if you are a single person working full-time for minimum wage ... you are not eligible for LEAP in a rural area.” And where are the highest number of hydro customers struggling with their bills? It’s in rural Ontario, and they’re not eligible.

According to the report, insufficient rebates and inaccessible aid programs do nothing for struggling families. So the minister has just raised a program that has been highlighted in the report as being insufficient. What are you actually going to do to help families?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: The programs that we’ve brought forward are helping families. We’ve helped over 145,000 families get on the OESP program. We want to see over 300,000 families get on this program, but unfortunately, on that side of the House, they’re not promoting it the way they should to ensure we can get every family on it as we can. We’ve got many, many programs that are out there. The 8%—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Finish, please.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: The 8% rebate that we talked about in the speech from the throne will help five million families, farms and small businesses right across the province. The RRRP program is going to help over 330,000 families.

We know we’ve got more to do, and that’s something that the Premier has tasked me with since June. I will continue to work on ways. If it’s 50 cents or $50, we—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Final supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Minister of Energy: He referenced this time the OESP program, the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Well, that was also referenced in the food banks’ Hunger Report. It said that “this program too is arguably insufficient....

“With the cost of hydro reaching unprecedented heights, a credit between $30 to $50 per month is not enough to ease the burden already placed on low-income households.”

That’s a direct quote from the report.

These programs aren’t reaching people. I don’t need Liberal spin. I don’t need Liberal talking points. I don’t need you to say that it’s someone else’s problem or it’s the opposition’s fault for not promoting it. Give me a break. You blew the program on Liberal consultants.

Families are struggling. People can’t afford their bills, and this Minister of Energy doesn’t care. I don’t want spin. When will you help families?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please.

Minister.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m actually very pleased of a party that is actually helping families. We’re the party that raised the minimum wage and didn’t freeze it. It helps thousands and thousands of families across the province.

We had to rebuild the electricity system that they left in tatters and that was affecting every family and business across this province—

Mr. John Yakabuski: Did you realize it’s our fault? My God, we’re going to have to apologize like the Premier.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke.

Finish, please.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Children and Youth Services, second time.

Mr. John Yakabuski: It’s in my office, Michael. Take a hike.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew, second time. If you’re not getting the message, we’ll go to warnings.

Carry on.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We’ve brought forward many programs that are helping families, but we recognize that more needs to be done and that’s what we continue to do. We’re bringing forward a plan that will continue to help families with what we have.

On that side of the House, they have no plans, and they could care less about the programs that are out there that are helping—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

New question.

Highway tolls

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, since I can’t get an answer on hydro, let’s try something new. My question is for the Minister of Finance.

Life is already too expensive in Ontario. We have hydro rates going up, new government fees and taxes, all too high. Families are hurting, and the Liberals just can’t do anything to help. Instead, they’re doing the opposite.

Right now, we’ve heard that the Liberals have given permission to the city of Toronto to charge tolls on the DVP and the Gardiner. Two dollars every trip may not sound like a lot, but it could be thousands of dollars out of the pockets of commuters each year.

Mr. Speaker, a direct question to the Minister of Finance: Is it true that the Liberals are giving the city of Toronto permission to toll the DVP and the Gardiner?

Hon. Charles Sousa: I appreciate the question from the Leader of the Opposition, who knows all too well how important it is for us to invest in infrastructure, I believe.

I believe he also appreciates how important it is to make life easier for the people of Ontario. Now he’s asking about the people of Toronto and in the surrounding areas, where congestion is creating quite a bit of havoc, and we all know that.

That’s why we’re taking the steps necessary to invest in transit, to invest in the infrastructure necessary to improve everyday life and to ensure that we get products to market more quickly and ensure that we get people and families to and from home more safely.

The city of Toronto has put forward some suggestions and some requests. They’re going to have it before council, and they’ll have to debate the merits of those proposals. I would think the member opposite, who has a close affiliation to the leader—a past leader of the Conservative Party, no less—would have some ongoing dialogue with him as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Back to the Minister of Finance: Someone the Minister Finance has a close association with, the mayor of Mississauga, has a few thoughts on these Liberal tolls.

According to the mayor of Mississauga, these road tolls will affect the residents in Mississauga and all over the 905. Mayor Crombie said to “understand the ramifications of these actions on business and tourism” affecting Mississauga, not to mention the daily ramifications on commuters. These attacks on 905 commuters must stop.

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is offside with his own mayor of Mississauga. If you won’t do it for commuters, will the Minister of Finance do it for Bonnie and stop these Liberal tolls?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, there is as much traffic leaving the city of Toronto into the 905 and into Mississauga as there is going the other way. We recognize how important it is for us to make it fair and improve congestion in the system, so that everybody gets to and from work more quickly and more safely.

The member opposite also talks about toll roads. He talks a lot about how maybe it shouldn’t be the case. Yet when we had an opportunity to have an outstanding highway system, which was the 407, they sold it for a song, Mr. Speaker. They gave it away, and now we’re losing billions annually to a foreign consortium.

That’s not what we’re going to do here. We’re going to ensure that we proceed carefully and ensure that we have the best interests of the people of Ontario in mind.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Start the clock.

Final supplementary.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister of Finance: This answer, going back 21 years, when I wasn’t even old enough to vote—what I want is a real answer on the tolls.

Why are they giving the city of Toronto permission to toll the Gardiner and the DVP? They didn’t campaign on it in 2014. When they said they wanted to invest in infrastructure, they did not go to the people and say, “Let us toll the DVP and the Gardiner.” The reality is, they’ve had 13 years to invest in infrastructure.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Education, second time.

Mr. Patrick Brown: They’ve had 13 years to invest in public transit. They haven’t done anything.

Now their solution is to tax people more. Their solution is to toll the DVP and the Gardiner. It’s not the right thing for commuters. It’s not the right thing for the city of Toronto. It’s not the right thing for the 905 mayors. You tell me one mayor in the 905 who supports this attack on commuters—just one.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please. Thank you.

Minister?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, there have been tremendous amounts of investments by this government—historic investments never before made—in order to provide for greater infrastructure and greater public transit. We’re committing $160 billion over the next 12 years in infrastructure—$30 billion just in transit.

We take pride in enabling that to happen, recognizing that although he wasn’t born, or maybe he doesn’t remember, it was the mandate of that government not to build transit. Had we taken that effort then, we would have had a better opportunity today. So we’ll do our part to invest in transit.

Mr. Speaker, it also begs the question: What is their plan? Because they haven’t provided any solutions whatsoever on how to fund it and when they would build. They are sitting on their hands. They’re putting their heads in the sand.

We’re going to do what’s necessary to provide for transit and then make the investments that are necessary.

Mercury poisoning

Instead, the government indicates that there is money for testing the water, but there isn’t actually a plan to clean up the mercury which has been poisoning people and the fish in the river for more than 50 years.

Will the government put a commitment to clean up the mercury in writing?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I do want to, first of all, welcome the new member to this Legislature. Welcome.

The issue that the member opposite has raised is a very serious issue. I really want to emphasize that we are listening with and working with Grassy Narrows First Nation. We take those concerns very, very seriously. We are committed to working with them on this issue. We are committed to working with the federal government on this issue.

I have to say that, given the historical contamination of the river system, officials have worked with the community to provide information on the safe consumption of local fish. The ministry also continues to provide an alternative supply of safe fish to eat, free of charge to the community.

Speaker, there are options there. Dredging can make the problem worse. We are absolutely committed to doing the right—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Mr. Speaker, that was a very disappointing answer. There was no commitment in that answer to cleaning up the river.

People in Grassy Narrows have been living with mercury poisoning for more than 50 years. The impacts are devastating. People lose their vision, they lose their hearing, they lose their balance and their ability to speak. Something has to be done.

After 50 years of uncertainty, the people of Grassy Narrows deserve a clear answer. Can the Acting Premier give a date when the cleanup will begin and when they plan on finishing this cleanup?

Mr. James J. Bradley: What did Howard Hampton do?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Chief government whip, second time.

Minister?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I want to be very clear that the Premier and I, who have both visited Grassy Narrows, have committed, not to a vague commitment, but to a very specific commitment. Dr. Rudd—we financed through the First Nations under the leadership of Chief Fobister—undertook a study. He did not say, “Go in and remove the methylmercury right away.” What he proposed was over half a dozen different possible measures.

We are now doing exactly what the chief and the First Nations band council wanted and Dr. Rudd wanted, which is $600,000 worth of research looking at which measures may work and which ones could cause further problems, to put options before the community, which is what everybody in Grassy Narrows would like to see happen.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: The government has been studying mercury contamination in Grassy Narrows for generations. Cabinet has had a plan to clean up on the table since 1984. It’s time to act, plain and simple. There’s no time for further studies. We need to act. We need a plan that will actually clean up the river.

Chief Fobister of the Grassy Narrows First Nation has asked the Premier to put a promise in writing, “so that we can know it is real.” They don’t believe that this government is actually going to follow through on anything.

The Premier is back from Asia on December 2. Will she meet with Chief Fobister and put a promise to clean up the river in writing so the people have some confidence that this government will actually do something?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: It would be an interesting question to ask the member opposite exactly what measures his party thinks should be implemented ahead of completing the work plan—which will actually tell us which measures may work, which ones won’t and what the risks are associated with that.

It is not simply a matter of going in and cleaning up methylmercury and being able to take it out in a week. This will involve probably months and maybe years of work to identify.

It is already under way. Scientists have been out there with First Nation leadership on the river every week since Minister Zimmer and I were there. Letters have gone back and agreements have been signed. I’ve got one right here, where we agreed to do exactly this. We spent a day.

I’d like to know why the NDP sleepwalked through five years, when they knew this was a problem when they were in government, and they didn’t even have a conversation with the First Nations for five years—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

New question.

By-election in Sudbury

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Acting Premier. On Thursday, 24 Liberal MPPs stood up and voted for a bill that would make it illegal for someone to accept a bribe in exchange to run for office. Can the Acting Premier tell us why the Liberal government thinks it’s okay that the Minister of Energy is accused of accepting a bribe when they think that very behaviour should be illegal?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, we will allow this bill to proceed through the normal process. It’s a question that is directly related to a case that is before the courts. It is the responsibility of this government to ensure that we don’t influence the outcome of that case in any way. It’s inappropriate for any member of this Legislature to comment, question or speculate on any matter of this case, including the legislation.

On this side of the House, we respect the courts and the sub judice rule. The member opposite, as deputy leader of the third party, is fully aware of the procedures of this House. He is a lawyer. He knows how the law works, Speaker. We do not make up legislation on the fly without analysis or to score cheap political points.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: The government has the ability to weigh in on what’s appropriate or not appropriate in terms of behaviour. That doesn’t require the government to weigh in on the specifics of this case. Ten members of cabinet voted, also, to make sure that it should be an offence, that it should be illegal to accept a bribe. They voted to say that what their colleague is alleged by a federal prosecutor to have done should be illegal.

If they think it should be illegal to accept a bribe in exchange for running for office, then why is the government still allowing the Minister of Energy to remain in cabinet?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I think there are questions that need answers. Let me pose one of those questions. It was widely reported that the member for Bramalea–Gore–Malton was considering leaving the Ontario Legislature to run for the federal leadership, Speaker. There was broad speculation—and more than speculation—that this was under consideration, and then all of a sudden, in some unexplained turn of events, the member from Bramalea–Gore–Malton landed on the front bench as deputy leader of the NDP party. I don’t know how that happened. It’s a bit of a mystery. We sure would love to have some light shone on that particular turn of events.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: People across this province expect and believe they need a government that has integrity. They want to have faith in their government. But what they see is a cabinet minister and Liberal MPPs voting to say that it’s illegal to accept a bribe, at the same time as they have a sitting member who is accused of the very same actions. He is the alleged recipient of a bribe. He’s directly involved in this matter, directly related to what the members and the cabinet ministers of this government voted to make illegal.

To maintain integrity, there’s only one option: The minister should step aside. What we’re asking the government to do is, to maintain faith in this government, to maintain the integrity of the government, the Liberal government must act.

Will they ask the Minister of Energy to step aside, pending the outcome of these allegations?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, maybe we need to have another walk down memory lane here. Let’s go back to 2013, where another mysterious turn of events happened. The NDP decided that Adam Giambrone should be their candidate even though he was, in fact, in charge of the nomination process in that particular riding and there were, of course, other candidates running. So he was parachuted into the riding, and the party hierarchy allegedly stacked the nomination meeting. That was with the apparent backing of the NDP leader, the party brass.

Giambrone decided that he would like the nomination even though riding association insiders confessed he was not well known to them. So I do think that there are some questions that need answers, and only the NDP can provide answers to those questions, Speaker.

Highway tolls

Mr. Michael Harris: My question is to the Deputy Premier. The Ontario Liberals can’t seem to stop finding new ways for the hands of the government to dig deeper into the pockets of motorists. Whether it’s for licence fee increases, peeling plates, the transport minister’s HOT-lane bling, or allowing photo radar anywhere a municipality chooses, motorists are paying the price for the Ontario Liberals’ war on the car. And so when it comes to paying road tolls for the privilege of driving on roads we’ve already paid for, Ontario motorists know it’s time to slam on the brakes.

Speaker, questions surrounding the introduction of tolls on the DVP and Gardiner provide an opportunity to draw a line in the road and stop the government’s use of motorists as cash cows.

Can the Deputy Premier tell us if her government will say no to the Gardiner/DVP road toll cash grab?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, I do listen to not just this set of questions, but other questions that have come from the opposition, and I’m always asking myself, “I wonder what their plan is.” We do not have any idea what their plan is.

What I can tell you, Speaker, is that investments in infrastructure are important investments. We know, when they were in office, they did not make any investments in infrastructure. We’re doing something different, and the city of Toronto must make investments in their infrastructure as well.

So we do understand. Governments have to make difficult decisions. We do understand that road tolls are the subject of conversation in Toronto. If the city of Toronto comes forward with ideas that are backed by their council, then of course we’ll take a look at that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Harris: Well, our first plan will be not to waste billions like you have. You take the prize for that one.

Forcing people to spend more on roads they’ve already paid for is highway robbery, plain and simple, especially since the Conference Board of Canada told us that GTHA motorists already pay 100% of area road costs. New road tolls on the Gardiner and DVP mean that they would be paying more than 100%. In fact, a recent CAA report indicates that policy-makers have many tools at hand, and should make road pricing a last resort.

With 905 residents already paying full costs for GTHA roads, can the Deputy Premier explain why her government is refusing to speak out against this last-resort cash grab on the Gardiner and the DVP?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This government has made investment in infrastructure a very, very high priority. We are working to build Ontario up. We’re working with our partners across the province to invest in projects that reduce traffic congestion, that get people home to their kids more quickly. I think that’s a priority everyone shares.

The difference, though, between them and us is that we know how we’re doing that. So let’s talk of some investments that we’re making in Toronto: $3.7 billion for GO RER that forms the foundation for John Tory’s SmartTrack program; another $10 billion for Toronto’s LRT projects; the Scarborough subway; the Toronto York-Spadina subway extension; and we’ve also increased our gas tax contribution to the city year over year. Last year, it was $169 million for transit. Speaker, we’re investing.

Poverty

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Earlier today, I bumped into the new member from Ottawa–Vanier in the hallway.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Who for, please?

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I welcomed her to Queen’s Park. I would like to do so again on behalf of us all.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: My question is for the Acting Premier. Ontario’s food banks are feeding more than 335,000 people a month, Acting Premier—good morning, by the way.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Good morning.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: That’s more than when the recession first hit eight years ago. This year’s Hunger Report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks shows that the rapidly increasing cost of hydro is making it even harder for people to put food on their table. In fact, Ontario’s food banks say the rising cost of hydro is having a direct and devastating impact in the lives of struggling Ontarians.

When will this government do the right thing and stop the privatization of Hydro One and stop pushing people across Ontario into energy poverty?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Housing and poverty reduction.

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the member opposite for such an important question. I would also like to thank the Ontario Association of Food Banks for their report and for the helpful recommendations contained in it. I’m pleased that the association recognized the efforts that the province has undertaken on housing and the basic income pilot.

We’ve seen in a number of reports that food bank usage has actually decreased between 2015 and 2016. The Ontario Association of Food Banks report, however, reminds us that food bank usage has not returned to a pre-recession level, right?

This is one of the reasons that Premier Wynne has instructed me to develop a food security strategy. It’s going to focus on improving access to nutritious food across Ontario. We know that there’s more to do, and we’re going to continue to build on our progress to improve the everyday lives of Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Interesting spin, Speaker.

Hydro rates are out of control. You’re pushing families and seniors into poverty. Since 2008, there’s been a 23% increase in the number of seniors relying on food banks. This government just isn’t doing enough to help people who are struggling and falling further behind on their hydro bills. The Hunger Report, Minister, says: “The help that currently exists from the provincial government is not comprehensive or inclusive enough for the majority of Ontario families struggling to make ends meet.”

When will this government take real action to get hydro rates under control, stop pushing people into poverty and stop any further sell-off of Hydro One?

Mr. Chris Ballard: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: First off, as we are all aware in this House, the broadening of Hydro One does not have an impact on the rates. The OEB sets the rates, and that’s been very clear.

But what I do understand is that families are suffering. I do understand that there are vulnerable families out there that do have a hard time paying their bills. I get that. When I was part of the United Way, even back in 2003, there were programs in place—to help the food banks, to help the United Way, to help the Red Cross—by places like Union Gas and other electricity utilities to help families pay their bill. But we get that there are still families having difficulty. That’s why we brought forward the OESP program, the Ontario Electricity Support Program. That will actually help seniors with up to $75 if they heat their homes with electricity.

There are many things we have out there, and there are many things that we will continue to do.

Violence against women

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: My question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services. Today we are pleased to have the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses with us in the Legislature. The OAITH is a coalition of first-stage emergency shelters, second-stage housing and community-based organizations who work tirelessly every day to end violence against women. I’m proud of the tireless work being done by Kingston Interval House in my riding, and I want to acknowledge once again Pam Havery, the executive director, for her work and steadfast commitment to women’s safety.

We know that the prevalence is staggering and that one in three women has experienced some form of violence in their lives. We know that women will return to their violators eight times before being free.

Can the minister please inform the House of the important work that OAITH does to support victims of family violence, and how the ministry supports them in this?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Thank you to the member from Kingston and the Islands for the question and for her advocacy on this important issue.

The work of OAITH and VAW shelters and agencies touches thousands of women and children, and makes the lives of those they serve better. Every November, OAITH launches their Wrapped in Courage campaign to increase awareness of women abuse in Ontario. I know I speak for all members in the House when I say that we are extremely proud to be wearing this purple scarf to let women and their children know that they are not alone.

In July of this year, I was pleased to announce $100,000 in funding to OAITH, to help deliver training to the violence-against-women sector across the province. The training will include online resources and modules that cover a broad range of issues, including domestic and sexual violence. This will ensure that workers in the field are able to provide even better service.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: Thank you to the minister for her answer. Clearly this government recognizes the great work organizations such as OAITH do in our province.

Speaker, unfortunately the members in this House are well aware that violence against women remains prevalent in our society. More than 10,000 women and over 6,900 of their children were served by an emergency shelter last year. Violence against women affects us all, not just the women who are the victims; it’s their children, their families and also their communities.

Our government has increased spending on programs to reduce violence against women by over 60% since 2003. However, we know there is more work to be done. The province has initiated several other programs such as the It’s Never Okay action plan, which aims to stop sexual violence against women in Ontario. Women deserve to live in an Ontario free from violence. Could the minister please outline how we continue to support OAITH and the violence-against-women sector?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I’m proud to say that my ministry invests $147 million every year to support the violence-against-women sector. Some of these investments include:

—$1 million to the Rural Realities Fund to help rural, remote and northern agencies develop local solutions that address the unique challenges in serving their communities;

—$1.5 million in aboriginal-designed-and-delivered community services, including the development of an expanded province-wide counselling help line for aboriginal women; and

—$17 million over three years through the Ministry of Housing for a portable housing benefit pilot which will support up to 3,000 survivors of domestic violence across 22 municipalities.

I’d like to thank OAITH and all the shelter EDs and staff with us here today. Your work makes a real difference in the lives of women and their children who have experienced domestic violence.

Mr. Speaker, let’s make this a transformative time for women in Ontario and build a safer future for every woman and girl in this province.

Hospital services

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is for the Minister of Health. Last week, Ottawa patients, health care professionals and community leaders were shocked and very disappointed to learn that the unelected National Capital Commission overturned an eight-year decision by the Ottawa Hospital to rebuild across the street on the experimental farm.

Instead of keeping the Civic Campus and the heart institute together, the NCC picked the sixth-ranked Tunney’s Pasture location, which isn’t as accessible for patients and ambulances, will cost more because it will require demolishing existing buildings, and it will inevitably delay the much-needed rebuilding.

My question to the minister is, will he intervene with the federal government and demand that Ottawa patients come first in order that the Ottawa Hospital build on the appropriate site, its preferred site, across from the Civic Campus as it stands?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question. I also appreciate the fact that the member acknowledged that it is a federal issue in terms of the ultimate decision with regard to the siting of the new Civic hospital.

What I’m proud of, however, is that there has been a significant community process and engagement of the residents who could potentially be impacted, of those who benefit from the services that are provided at the current hospital, and of those who have legitimate concerns with regards to the siting or the possible options for the siting of the hospital.

There has been a recommendation put forward by the National Capital Commission—that’s all it is at this point; it is a recommendation following a process that they led. It’s now up to the federal government and the federal cabinet to review that recommendation along with other considerations and make an ultimate decision.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: The hospital rebuild will be funded by the provincial government. You are the major stakeholder. In fact, my constituents are major stakeholders as well, and they expect that you will follow what the Ottawa Hospital has recommended, which is the site at the experimental farm directly across the street.

The only Ottawa residents on the NCC—there are only three of them—did not support the change to Tunney’s Pasture. The president and CEO of the hospital, Dr. Jack Kitts, does not support the new site; former mayors Jackie Holzman and Jim Durrell oppose the move; and former CEO Ray Hession has opposed the move.

The physicians and community leaders I have spoken to over the weekend resoundingly reject the interference of where our hospital should be located. The choice by the local health care experts is the experimental farm in Ottawa across the street from the existing hospital and from the heart institute. It’s accessible, it’s the right size and it’s closer to shovel-ready.

Will the minister be on the side of Ottawa patients and against the federal government’s recommendation and build that hospital on the preferred site?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’m definitely on the side of patients with regards to the provision of health care services in the province of Ontario. The member does know, of course, that the hospital has a community board, which is representative of the community that benefits from that service as well as those who are residents there. My understanding is that the board is meeting tonight. They have not yet made a determination or recommendation based on this information that came last week from the National Capital Commission.

I think it’s appropriate that we not insert ourselves in a community process aimed at siting a hospital within a jurisdiction. No more than with the Windsor hospital as well: There has been a long consultation process with regard to the siting of that hospital as well. I think the three members who represent that jurisdiction in Windsor would agree with me when I say that it’s important that we let the community, in a community-led process, with appropriate safeguards, decide where they believe the best siting should be.

Hospital services

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is to the Acting Premier. My community is reeling from this government’s decision to pull $20 million more from health care in my community by saddling local hospitals with the cost of a forced merger of Ajax-Pickering hospital with Lakeridge Health. That will mean fewer hospital beds, fewer nurses, longer wait times and more cuts to patient care.

Thousands in my community have signed a petition calling on the minister to reconsider this decision, but instead of listening, the minister is plowing ahead.

How does this government expect our local hospitals to find $20 million to pay for this forced merger without cutting patient care?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’m very proud of the work that has been done over the past year, or year and a half, by community members right across Scarborough and across Durham as well. I referenced last week, I think, the $20-million investment in the Scarborough Hospital, and the $10-million investment, I believe, for a new emergency hospital at Rouge Valley.

When it comes to Ajax-Pickering, just last week I made the announcement that, quite the opposite of decreasing services, I provided guarantees in terms of the sustainability of the services that are there, like the shoulder program. I actually announced that there would be 20 new mental health in-patient beds at Ajax-Pickering hospital. Those beds that were taken away previously are coming back to Ajax-Pickering.

I also indicated that the name of the hospital is going to represent the local community. Those investments that they’ve made in assets, and that the foundation has generated the funds for, all of those things are going to continue and the services are going to continue to improve.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: The minister is talking about community and has talked about consulting with the community, yet the community doesn’t feel like they’ve been consulted at all. In fact, members of the community are here today to make their voices heard.

Last week, the minister quietly signed the integration order for the merger, something he neglected to mention when I asked him during question period that same day. Did it slip his mind, or is it just another example of how this government has tried to ram this through as quickly and as quietly as possible?

This is death by a thousand cuts, or, really, it’s more like death by almost 20 million cuts. Will the minister please listen to my community and prevent the damage he could be doing to our local hospitals?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I hardly see how issuing a press release announcing the integration is doing it quietly, Mr. Speaker, because that’s what I did when I announced the 20 new in-patient beds, and when I talked about the importance of sustaining the services that are there.

I think the member opposite needs to speak to the community and the representatives of the community, including the Friends of Ajax/Pickering Hospital, who I met with two weeks ago, who I spoke to again last week as well, and who are very satisfied with the approach that we’re taking and in agreement with the safeguards and the measures that took place.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: If she would stop talking and actually listen to my response, Mr. Speaker, she would understand that the community actually is confident that the steps that we’re taking are going to preserve and in fact enhance the services at that important local community hospital.

Health care funding

Mr. Arthur Potts: My question is also to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. This is a question that I know is of intense interest to our new member from Ottawa–Vanier.

Speaker, if I could just take a moment to note: Not only was our new member dean of a prestigious law school, but she also is sporting her Order of Canada. Now, that’s the kind of candidate we can attract to this side of the House.

My question concerns health care, Speaker. Providing Ontarians with timely health care is of course extraordinarily important. Just last week in Beaches–East York, I was able to make an announcement for almost a million new dollars to the Toronto East Health Network to assist with local health care.

I know the minister was in the Ottawa region last month to make a very important announcement, Speaker. I would wonder if the minister could update this House on the investments that we’re making to improve access to care for patients in eastern Ontario.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Thank you to the member for this very important question, and for giving me the opportunity to talk about a great project that’s now under way at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital.

In fact, a few weeks ago, I was in Carleton Place with my colleague across the Legislature the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington. I want to commend him for his hard work and advocacy on behalf of that hospital. Together, we were able to announce that we’re building a brand new emergency department at Carleton Place hospital, a new project that’s going to be comprised of a 9,000-square-foot addition to the hospital. It will reduce wait times and improve care for patients and their families in eastern Ontario.

While visiting Carleton Place, I had the privilege of meeting with many patients and the hard-working health care professionals of Carleton Place. I know that these individuals, as well as the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, are excited about this opportunity to grow their hospital and improve health care at that hospital.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Arthur Potts: Thank you to the minister for these incredible initiatives in eastern Ontario, and indeed for the hard work he is doing to modernize health care in the province of Ontario. It’s great to hear of these significant investments the government is making right across our province.

I know our government is making reducing the time we spend in Ontario emergency rooms a priority. I also know that we have seen positive results since our government implemented the Wait Time Strategy. The Wait Time Alliance, the Canadian Institute for Health Information and the Fraser Institute have all found year over year that Ontarians have entirely better access to care in this province. And since 2008, Ontario hospitals have been able to decrease the time spent in emergency rooms by almost 16%.

Speaker, will the minister please inform all the House what other investments we are making at Carleton Place hospital and what it will mean for patients in eastern Ontario?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, this is, I think, a great example of legislators working together. Again, I want to give credit to the member from Lanark because he advocated strongly. He brought the mayor to see me and speak about the needs of the hospital as well, and we worked together over a reasonably short period of time, I would say, to actually arrive at the stage where the government is investing almost $9 million to redevelop that emergency department at Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital.

It’s going to have a big impact with enhancing the ability of individuals to get timely care through their emergency, providing a large number of diagnostic, technological and therapeutic tasks. This new emergency department will ensure that even more patients are able to receive emergency health services where they need them and when they need them, and the project will result in expanded services which are better for the local community.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Todd Smith: My question is for the Minister of Finance this morning.

I would like to quote a former member of the Legislature who said on Thursday that selling a major electricity utility wasn’t necessary to build infrastructure in the city of Toronto. Mayor John Tory said, “The city is the sole shareholder of Toronto Hydro, and that is an investment I take seriously.” That’s more seriously, apparently, than the Premier of Ontario took her obligation to Hydro One customers.

Speaker, now that the mayor of Toronto has admitted that privatization isn’t the right way to go, will the minister stop the fire sale of Hydro One shares?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Speaker, the broadening of that ownership—we’ve now had two tranches. It has been highly successful—anything but a fire sale—because we’re receiving a lot more than was ever anticipated, and unlike what they did opposite, giving away the 407 all in one swoop, without an ability for the market to respond, taking the full risk and without the control measures necessary to control the pricing. All of that has been done. It’s being done in a gradual way. Greater receipts have been now afforded to the province. We are still the largest shareholder, and will always continue to be.

We’re investing dollar for dollar in new infrastructure, in new transit and in the ability to be more competitive long-term. The returns that we’re going to be getting will be and are much higher than it was when we held Hydro One in its traditional way.

So we’re going to invest and we’re going to ensure that more money is made for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Todd Smith: Speaker, unfortunately nobody believes what the member is saying, and this is one of the members who cost us over $1 billion in the gas plant scandal.

Over 80% of people in central Toronto oppose the sale of Hydro One. That’s over 80%. The members on the government side should actually listen to that number. It’s massive. The people of Toronto overwhelmingly opposed selling Toronto Hydro. The city council overwhelmingly opposed selling Toronto Hydro.

Hydro rates are the number one issue for all Ontarians, regardless of where they live.

Why is it that the mayor of Toronto is capable of listening to constituents when it comes to keeping hydro in public hands, but this government continues to ignore the will of the people of Ontario?

Speaker, will the minister simply admit that the mayor is right and stop the further fire sale of Hydro One?

Hon. Charles Sousa: We’re making $4 billion in that transaction, all of which is going to the Trillium Trust to ensure it gets reinvested. Mr. Speaker, it’s evident that a dollar invested in these infrastructure projects provides $4 in the long term. That’s essentially what is happening here. The additional $5 billion from that transaction is going to pay down debt.

As we proceed forward, we’re going to create more revenue, and at the same time—this must be reaffirmed—we will always retain 40% ownership of Hydro One. We will always have that opportunity for improving those dividends and making certain that the company operates more efficiently, more effectively, and produces greater results for the people of Ontario.

As a further note, there are 72 competitors competing with Hydro One. It’s essential for everyone to acknowledge that the more we put this in perspective, the greater the competitiveness—and the nature of Hydro One.

The OEB, which is the one that controls the pricing, did not increase pricing last quarter, Mr. Speaker.

Energy policies

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Energy.

There is a newspaper report today showing that food bank use is soaring because families can’t afford to pay their hydro bill and their grocery bill.

This past summer, the Minister of Energy refused to call energy poverty a crisis, even though 60,000 Ontario families have had their hydro cut off. We can expect the number of disconnections to soar next spring, when Hydro One will resume cutting off families who can’t pay their bills.

The United Way of Bruce Grey has called for a moratorium on hydro disconnections in Ontario. Will the minister agree to this moratorium?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I know there are families out there who are having difficulty, Mr. Speaker, when it comes to electricity. It’s important that vulnerable customers have the resources to help avoid the disconnection. That’s why we’ve overseen enhanced consumer protection rules, including requiring a 10-day advance notice of disconnection, with accompanying resources that will go with this notice, to help customers in arrears. We also have that right now; we’ve given those powers to the OEB.

We do have a bill in front of the House right now, Bill 27, that I do hope they will all support—even unanimously support—that will ensure that there will be no disconnections during the winter months. That is in front of the House right now. I hope all parties will support that because we do recognize that more work needs to be done, and that’s what we’re continuing to do, Mr. Speaker.

We’ve actually got programs out there to help—the OESP program, the LEAP program—but there is more to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, the Premier has finally acknowledged that soaring hydro prices are a “mistake.” But the minister refuses to do anything to correct that mistake. He won’t halt the sale of Hydro One even though we know that privatization is going to drive prices up even further. He won’t direct the Ontario Energy Board to put the interests of consumers ahead of the private investors who will benefit from that privatization. Will he at least agree to a moratorium on hydro disconnections?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: As I said, there is legislation in front of the House right now that I hope they will actually support, Mr. Speaker. We would even take unanimous consent on it—Bill 27—that will actually put a moratorium on disconnects during the winter months. We’ve got that, plus we’ve got the 10-day notice. There are many, many things that this government has done to ensure that we actually help families who are struggling. We know there is more to do and we’ve been doing that.

When it comes to looking at the announcements that we’ve made just in the last two months, our government has put significant efforts in to ensure that electricity rates are kept affordable.

We will continue to work hard. If it’s 50 cents in savings or it’s $50 in savings, we will look at all aspects that we can do to help families, because we understand that the OESP program is there as a program, the LEAP program is there as a program, but there is more to do.

Infrastructure program funding

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: My question is to the Minister of Infrastructure. Minister, infrastructure is relied upon by millions of Ontarians for everything from transportation to clean, safe drinking water. Our government is building Ontario up for people in every corner of the province by making an historic investment in public infrastructure—a multi-billion dollar job-creating program that the opposition opposes.

I know that positive partnerships between business and government are key to delivering larger projects, including in my riding of Barrie, where the expansion of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre resulted in the opening of a new cancer centre with space to serve 2,000 patients annually. I know that the minister oversees Infrastructure Ontario, the agency tasked with managing infrastructure projects all across Ontario, which is doing great work on behalf of the people of the province.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister, could he please elaborate on the effectiveness of Infrastructure Ontario’s efforts to build bridges between business and government?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: I thank the member for the question. She is correct. Our government is making the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history, including in each single riding of the opposition. The member knows that the opposition has no credible plan to build the infrastructure Ontarians need. In fact, the Leader of the Opposition was a member of a Conservative government whose anemic investments contributed to the infrastructure deficit we suffer today. We invest double the amount in infrastructure that the opposition leader did for all of Canada.

We want to be sure projects are delivered on time and on budget. The largest projects are delivered through a made-in-Ontario model called alternative financing and procurement. AFP has a track record of success. Some 98% of the first 45 projects were completed on budget, Mr. Speaker, and AFP is a success story that has saved the people of Ontario $6 billion.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Thanks to the minister for his response. I’m glad to hear that Infrastructure Ontario is diligently supporting our government’s commitment to create jobs and stimulate growth. I know that ridings across this province, including many ridings represented by the members opposite, will benefit from $160 billion our government is investing in schools, hospitals and rapid transit.

With much more to be built, that investment will continue creating jobs and stimulating growth well into the future. That means our government will continue delivering good jobs for Ontarians in every corner of this province from Windsor to Waterloo to North Bay. Even if the opposition is opposed to the plan and projects, they create jobs.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister, could he please elaborate on what the future holds for the alternative financing and procurement model?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Our government is announcing more important infrastructure projects every month. Infrastructure Ontario just released its annual Market Update, outlining upcoming projects that include hospitals, courthouses and rapid transit, much of which will be built using our AFP public-private partnership model. These projects represent $11.8 billion in investments, in addition to $32 billion already invested in past projects.

The third party is ideologically opposed to P3s, Mr. Speaker. The third party can disagree but the facts are clear: AFP is a successful procurement model with broad support, not just in this government, but among the NDP’s base, including trade unions who work on P3 projects and many union pension plans who invest heavily in P3 programs. Their friends are investing in triple Ps and the AFP model, in hospitals and all kinds of other infrastructure.

Hydro rates

Mr. Bill Walker: To the Deputy Premier. Hydro hikes have trapped the public institutions into a Catch-22: Either cut services, or they run deficits. Meaford hospital is the most recent one to face the brutal consequences of hydro hikes. Either they shut down the emergency room or run a deficit to cover utility hikes.

Just to be clear, no emergency services means longer travel times for critically ill patients, it means patients have to wait longer and get sicker, and, frankly, it could mean the difference between life and death. This is wrong, and another mistake by the Premier. Sadly, it is why no leader in the history of the province has lost the confidence of the people so quickly and by so much as the Premier.

My question is this: Has the Premier gotten so tired and so out of touch that she won’t commit to stopping the sale of Hydro One, another mistake, before it does any more damage to the health of Ontarians?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Deputy Premier is not available. Would you like to refer your question to somebody else?

Mr. Bill Walker: I’ll go to finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member opposite makes reference to the integrity of the leader of this party and this government, and the Premier of Ontario, who has taken every step necessary to make decisions in the best interests of the people of Ontario.

I take great pride and value in the work that she has been doing, recognizing that we need to take a balanced approach to invest in our economy, invest in the people of Ontario, invest in their skills and training, investing in infrastructure so that we have a more competitive economy, and making certain that our dynamic business climate attracts even more investments from around the world. That’s why we have become one of the top destinations for foreign direct investment, and more importantly—

Mr. Paul Miller: Samsung’s going to do pretty good.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Finish, please.

Hon. Charles Sousa: More importantly, Mr. Speaker, she takes every necessary step to create a fair society where no one is left behind, to ensure those most vulnerable are given the supports most necessary. Unlike that party opposite, she supports more minimum wage—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Supplementary?

Mr. Bill Walker: Back to the finance minister. I respectfully remind you, sir, and all of your colleagues that Ontarians don’t approve of your government’s hydro policies. In fact, they feel they’re at war with you over it.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): To the Chair, please.

Mr. Bill Walker: Again, Mr. Speaker, hospitals are getting walloped by hydro hikes and patients’ lives are being put at risk. First the hydro hikes were dictating how many surgeries would be cancelled, and now they’re dictating emergency room closures and access. This is wrong, Mr. Speaker, and another mistake.

We want to know, since the finance minister won’t stop the fire sale of Hydro One, how is he going to fix the mess that he and his government have created and ensure hospitals can provide the care people expect and deserve?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Indeed, this side of the House made the necessary investments to make our grid more competitive and more secure. We invested billions in more transmission, in new production facilities, and became emissions-free. Ninety-three per cent of emissions in this province are free of carbon. That means we’ve had no more smog days—zero last year. We’ll continue to take those steps.

At the same time, jurisdictions around the province of Ontario are going to now have to make those investments, which we have made. While we’re doing these, we’re taking the necessary steps to provide programs to alleviate and support those hydro costs and rates, as we do with our programs, as we’ve just done in our throne speech, to reduce 8% of the provincial portion of the HST that is coming out and by reducing the debt retirement charge, a charge which was a legacy of that government on that side of the House, so that we could make it more affordable for the people of Ontario.

We know there is more to be done. We are taking those steps. Meantime, we’ve got clean air and we have integrity in our system.

School closures

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Acting Premier. In Markdale, the closure of Beavercrest Community elementary school would devastate the community and hinder economic growth in the area. Chapman’s went so far as to offer to buy the school. Even the mayor of Grey Highlands offered to offset deficit spending.

Hundreds more schools like Beavercrest may be on the chopping block, schools like Queen Victoria, Hugh Beaton and Prince Edward in Windsor. Rather than providing community schools with the resources to stay open, this government is cutting rural grants, eliminating base top-up funding and grossly underfunding renewal needs.

If business, local politicians, students and families can see the value of schools like Beavercrest and those in my community, then why doesn’t this government?

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to thank the member opposite for this question. Mr. Speaker, what was their plan for education? Their plan for education, in fact, was to implement a $600-million cut—

Hon. Jeff Leal: Wow, $600 million.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: A $600-million cut, Speaker. So when it comes to our investments in education, we have increased the budget for education since 2003 by 59%. We have ensured that—

Hon. Jeff Leal: They would have taken a chainsaw to the budget, a chainsaw.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: We have ensured that we make considerations for rural schools, $199 million more for rural schools, taking into consideration the unique factors that exist. We’re working with our local communities. We’re working with our local school boards to ensure that they meet the education needs of the children of this province.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Kitchener–Waterloo on a point of order.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I just wanted to welcome my friend Kiki Bamberger to Queen’s Park for the first time.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And the cascade begins. Minister of Labour.

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Speaker, on a point of order. I just looked up in the stands in the gallery and noticed Diane Beaulieu is here from Halton Women’s Place. Please welcome her to Queen’s Park.

Janet McKenzie

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Windsor–Tecumseh.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I know that we all know Janet in the gift shop. She’s retiring. At 1 o’clock today in room 228, there’s a reception.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Is that your new seat? If you have a point of order, it needs to be made from your seat.

Mr. Paul Miller: Okay.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Any others? There being no deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1150 to 1300.

Members’ Statements

Impaired drivers

Mr. Michael Harris: Just yesterday, MADD Canada’s Waterloo region

chapter launched their annual Project Red Ribbon campaign to raise awareness about impaired driving during the holiday season. While I would like to spend my time telling you about motorists’ dedication to the elimination of impaired driving here in Ontario, a shockingly sad fatal accident on Highway 7/8 last night reminds us all how far we have to go.

The same day that MADD Waterloo launched Project Red Ribbon, a 29-year-old mother from London was killed and her two-month-old sent to hospital in critical condition following a crash with an impaired driver in my community.

It’s heartbreaking and it begs the question as to what more we have to do to get drunk drivers off our roads. The fact is, the threat of serious fines and suspensions are failing to prevent tragic, preventable accidents that are claiming innocent victims, tearing families apart and allowing perpetrators to walk away.

While our thoughts go out to the family and all families who have had to endure the inescapable lifelong impacts of fatal impaired collisions, we ask that more be done to get the message through. Impaired driving is unacceptable in our society and in our province—period—and I look forward to any further direction we can take to drive that message home before any more lives are lost.

Again, I thank MADD Waterloo region and all the chapters for their Project Red Ribbon campaign, and I thank our officers for their holiday RIDE checks. I remain dedicated to further steps to ensure that the heartbreaks tied to impaired driving no longer take their tragic toll on the people here in the province of Ontario.

Craft distilleries

Ms. Catherine Fife: I rise today to speak about Ontario’s craft distilleries, a small, new and, until now, growing sector of Ontario’s beverage alcohol sector. Two weeks ago, the Minister of Finance delivered his fall economic statement in this House. Two days later the Liberal government tabled Bill 70; the next day I received a briefing on the bill. That whole week, not one person in the government mentioned that this year’s fall economic statement will mean the end of Ontario’s craft distilleries.

The Ontario Craft Distillers Association noticed the changes in

schedule 1 of Bill 70, and they responded. From the OCDA press release dated November 18: “Ontario’s ... Dispiriting Distillery Tax Deals Major Blow to Home-Grown Small Batch Spirits....

“This bill demonstrates that the Liberal government doesn’t support the growth of small businesses or a healthy and competitive domestic market.”

Since then, distillers across the province have told me that if Bill 70 passes without amendment, they will be closing their doors. There are simple changes that this government could have made which would have allowed these small businesses, these entrepreneurs, to succeed. They asked for a graduated tax rate like the craft beer industry has: a lower rate for smaller producers. They asked for per-litre taxation, again like the beer industry has, so producers can invest in the quality of their product and are taxed on just what ends up in the bottles. Both of these requests were ignored.

These craft distillers deserve a fighting chance to be successful in the province of Ontario. Will this government listen?

YMCA Peace Medal Awards

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: It was my true honour to be able attend the 2016 YMCA Northumberland Peace Medal breakfast in Cobourg this past Wednesday. The YMCA Peace Medal is presented to an individual or group providing a model for how each of us can contribute to caring, community and peace.

For 28 years, the Northumberland YMCA has awarded medals to individuals and groups, youth and adults, for their efforts to change our community and our world through selfless action. YMCAs across Canada urge our communities to celebrate the local people who work to make a difference in the lives of others and who demonstrate how any one of us can make a meaningful contribution to peace, a better community and a better world.

A special recognition to Happy Mireault, an avid YMCA and community supporter who was honoured posthumously after she lost her battle with cancer in April of this year.

I want to personally thank these incredible individuals and so many other volunteers for giving of their time selflessly to make our community a better place to live, work and play.

Speaker, thank you. It was truly an honour to be there last Wednesday.

Refugees

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It’s my pleasure to be here today at the Ontario Legislature to talk about a wonderful initiative that occurred in my riding a week and a half ago in Nepean–Carleton. My daughter goes to Manordale Public School. Manordale Public School, in the last year, has welcomed 70 young Syrian refugees into their community. As a result, obviously, our community has welcomed the moms and the fathers, the aunts and the uncles and the grandparents of those families.

But it was the leadership of my friend Carol Miller and of the president of the Manordale-Woodvale Community Association, Myles Egli, who brought together a newcomers’ event just eight days ago with the city of Ottawa, with the Nepean, Rideau and Osgoode Community Resource Centre and with the Catholic immigration services of Ottawa, among others.

What I saw there was nothing short of wonderful: a big Canadian flag on a piece of cake that the kids were running to, very proud that they were able to have a piece of that. I also saw a young man, 14 years old. His name is Kalub Kearnan. When he found out that there was a newcomers’ event, he asked his father to clean his bike. He wanted to draw the bike for the Syrian refugee children in our community so that they would have something that they wouldn’t have had if they were in Syria, and still may not have had as they’ve made their new life in Canada.

Speaker, I was very proud to be part of that with councillors Michael Qaqish and Keith Egli. But I think it’s also important for us to recognize, as we welcome these young children into our communities, that we must have sufficient language services at our schools across Ontario. It’s something that I addressed at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board this past Friday and I wanted to reiterate on the floor of the Legislative Assembly here today.

Hydro rates

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It’s my pleasure to rise today on behalf of my constituents of Windsor West and continue to fight the high costs of hydro that are impacting so many in my community. For months, my constituents have written letters, signed petitions and even sent their hydro bills to the Premier and Minister of Energy in an effort to raise awareness and get relief from their ballooning hydro bills.

Businesses in my community are struggling to keep the lights on. For Kabab N’ Curry, a restaurant in Windsor’s downtown core, the lights may be off permanently if relief from skyrocketing hydro bills doesn’t come soon. Other area businesses have contacted me to tell me that the cost of hydro is their number one barrier to expansion, the number one barrier to bringing more jobs into my community.

Speaker, it’s not just businesses that are feeling the impact of ballooning hydro costs. Unfortunately, it’s often our most vulnerable citizens who are impacted by this government’s mismanagement of our energy system. Today, the Ontario Association of Food Banks released a report showing that the cost of electricity bills is making it more difficult for people who are already struggling to put food on the table. As for the government’s plan to provide an 8% rebate on hydro bills, well, to quote the OAFB: “It is still arguably insufficient for many food bank clients who are trying to cover $300-$700 in hydro bills each month.”

Ontario families need real relief from their hydro prices. Businesses need affordable energy to expand their operations and grow our economy. It’s time for this government to admit they’ve failed Ontario families, admit the sale of Hydro One was ill-conceived and work to provide relief for families across Ontario.

Anti-bullying initiatives

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Today I’m going to speak about an anti-bullying campaign that’s being hosted in Peel region by our local police and local educators. This is a campaign that they’ve now been hosting for five years, and it’s actually a contest. From now until April, high school students in Peel region will have an opportunity to submit posters and videos to this contest. The best thing about this contest is that they’re anti-cyber-bullying messages created for youth by youth.

This year’s theme is, “What If Everyone Did Something?” to stop cyberbullying. Winning entries in the annual contest will have their posters displayed on Mississauga and Brampton transit buses. The videos will be shown at our local Cineplex theatres. One winner is chosen from each school board for the poster category and for the video category for both Peel District School Board and Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board.

Last year, Kelly Tang from St. Marguerite D’youville, which is in my riding of Brampton–Springdale, was the poster winner. I look forward to winners from the Brampton community this year as well.

I encourage all the students in Peel region to participate in this great initiative. Bullying is an important issue, and if we can all work together and create and build awareness around this issue, I know that we can put an end to it. It’s so important that our schools are safe and inclusive for everyone.

Education funding

Mr. Todd Smith: There are days that I think if the government had set out with an agenda to throttle small rural communities, then they are most definitely succeeding. They’ve forced energy projects over their objections. They’ve allowed assessments on agricultural lands to get out of control. The broken funding formulas for health care are taking their toll on rural hospitals. They’ve privatized Hydro One, which distributes power to most of rural Ontario, which is going to leave rural users at the whim of fat-cat, Liberal Bay Street buddies. And now, they’re closing our schools.

This government has made it easier than ever to close schools in small, rural communities. Governments in Ontario have always believed that in order to get the complete experience at school, we didn’t want kids spending hours upon hours on school buses—every government except this one. They’ll tell you it’s declining enrolment: “We just can’t keep the schools open because there aren’t enough kids.” But between the 2013-14 and 2014-15 fiscal years, the cost of electricity at the Hastings and Prince Edward school board went from $1.8 million to $2.5 million.

That’s an increase of almost 40% in one year, and it’s all because this Liberal government and this Premier made it almost impossible to keep the lights on.

So if you’re worried that your school is going to close, like the people in Sophiasburgh in my riding are, don’t buy the line that it’s about enrolment. It’s not worth the paper it’s written on. It’s because the government made it impossible to keep the lights on. That’s why your kids are going to spend up to four hours a day on a school bus.

Member’s comments

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Salaam aleikom. Thank you very much, Speaker. On behalf of the entire Liberal caucus and our leader, Premier Kathleen Wynne, and as a proud member of the Muslim faith along with three other colleagues of mine, I was appalled to learn, unfortunately, of the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington’s support of Islamophobic rhetoric.

By retweeting a prejudiced tweet, Mr. Hillier once again highlighted the divisive position that stems from ignorance and fearmongering in a time when we need to uplift one another and encourage acceptance. I would strongly advise and implore and respectfully request my colleagues, as well as Ontarians broadly, to avoid “Trumpism north.”

We as Ontarians pride ourselves on the success of multiculturalism and celebrate our differences. That action that I just referenced was a direct attack on the values we fight so hard to uphold. There is a troubling and dangerous pattern that has emerged, which, of course, is targeting a particular community. We all remember, for example, the distasteful campaign launched by the federal Conservatives regarding “barbaric cultural practices.”

I happened to be in Washington, D.C., in August 2016, where I had the privilege and honour of meeting Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of Captain Humayun Khan, who died in Iraq. Their inclusivity, their celebration of life and their celebration of multiculturalism and diversity are things I think that we could emulate here in the province of Ontario.

Osteoporosis

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’m pleased to rise today to discuss Osteoporosis Month, which occurs through November.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition in which the bones become brittle and fragile from reduced density, typically as a result of hormonal changes or a deficiency in calcium or vitamin D. This bone fragility causes risk of broken bones or fractures, particularly in the hip, spine, wrist and shoulder. Osteoporosis can affect both males and females, young and old, exercising healthy lifestyles or not. What is most alarming is the fact that this loss of density can come without any warning signs.

Fractures alone from osteoporosis are more common than heart attacks, strokes and breast cancer combined. One in three women and one in five men will suffer from an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime.

This year, Osteoporosis Canada is encouraging Canadians to wear purple to help spread the awareness. They also encourage everyone to discuss the importance of nutrition and exercise, to know your risk of fracture and insist on assessment if you have a broken or fractured bone.

There’s no known cause for osteoporosis, but physicians and health care providers try to actively enforce a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D for Canadians to maintain healthy bones.

I’d like to take this opportunity to think Osteoporosis Canada for all the work they do to provide information and support to those living with osteoporosis. I would also like to thank the countless patients, volunteers and our health care professionals who actively raise awareness around the disease to help prevent and manage osteoporosis within our community.

Private members’ public business

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Timiskaming–Cochrane on a point of order.

Mr. John Vanthof: I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Timiskaming–Cochrane is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Mr. John Vanthof: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 98(g), notice for ballot items numbers 25, 27, 29, 33 and 36 be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Vanthof moves that, notwithstanding standing order 98(g), notice for ballot items 25, 27, 29, 33 and 36 be waived.

Do we agree? Agreed. Carried.

Motion agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Reports by committees? Last call for reports by committees.

Introduction of bills? Introduction of bills? Last call for introduction of bills.

Motions?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Oh, sorry. Well, yes, I did call for it three times. The member from Etobicoke Centre.

Introduction of Bills

Pathways to Post-secondary Excellence Act (Post-secondary Educational Report), 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur les voies de l’excellence au niveau postsecondaire (rapport sur l’enseignement postsecondaire)

Mr. Baker moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 76,

An Act to amend the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005 to require the Council to collect and publish information in respect of certain educational institutions / Projet de loi 76, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2005 sur le Conseil ontarien de la qualité de l’enseignement supérieur pour exiger que le Conseil recueille et publie des renseignements concernant certains établissements d’enseignement.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for a short statement.

Mr. Yvan Baker: This bill amends the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario Act, 2005, to require the government to collect and publish information about certain educational institutions, universities and colleges for the benefit of students, and this information must be collected every school year. The purpose of the information is to allow students to make more informed decisions about their post-secondary choices.

Petitions

Energy contracts

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To Premier Kathleen Wynne and the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas on September 27, 2016, Energy Minister Thibeault announced that because Ontario had sufficient supply of electricity to meet demands over the next decade, he was suspending the LRP-2 process; and

“Whereas in April of 2016, the IESO signed additional wind and solar projects under the LRP-1 procurement process; and

“Whereas the addition of these recently approved LRP-1 projects will add unnecessary costs to our already skyrocketing electricity bills; and

“Whereas one of these LRP-1 projects, the Strong Breeze Wind Project, was approved for the community of Dutton Dunwich; and

“Whereas the municipality of Dutton Dunwich had declared itself to be an unwilling host because 84% of its citizens declared in a referendum that they did not want industrial wind turbines;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“To give direction to the IESO to cancel LRP-1 contracts, specifically the Strong Breeze Wind Project in Dutton Dunwich.”

I agree with this petition and the 1,800 names that are on it.

Komoka Provincial Park

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition signed by hundreds of residents of London West, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas Komoka Provincial Park has long served residents and visitors to London, offering free access to beautiful views and numerous recreational hiking trails; and

“Whereas evidence has shown that access to the natural environment helps to reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and lower risks for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and cancer; and

“Whereas new parking fees ranging from $5.75 to $14.50 for daily use of Komoka Provincial Park have been imposed without consultation and without additional amenities to justify the new costs, appearing to be simply a cash grab by the Liberal government; and

“Whereas the lack of bike lanes and bus routes connecting Komoka Provincial Park to London, and the prohibition on roadside parking, requires almost all visitors to drive to the park and pay to park their vehicles; and

“Whereas the new fees are likely to decrease park visits with negative consequences for community health and well-being;

“Therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry eliminate the parking fees introduced in August 2016 to ensure that Komoka Provincial Park remains accessible to residents of the city of London and all Ontarians.”

I couldn’t agree more and I affix my signature and will give it to page Charlie to take to the table.

School closures

Mr. Bill Walker: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas under the current Pupil Accommodation Review Guidelines (PARG), one in eight Ontario schools is at risk of closure; and

“Whereas the value of a school to the local economy and community has been removed from the PARG; and

“Whereas the PARG outlines consultation requirements that are insufficient to allow for meaningful community involvement, including the establishment of community hubs; and

“Whereas school closures have a significant negative impact on families and their children, resulting in inequitable access to extracurricular activities and other essential school involvement, and after-school work opportunities;

“Whereas school closures have devastating impacts on the growth and overall viability of communities across Ontario, in particular self-sustaining agricultural communities;

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

“To place a moratorium on all school closures across Ontario and to suspend all pupil accommodation reviews until the PARG has been subject to a substantive review by an all-party committee that will examine the effects of extensive school closures on the health of our communities and children.”

I fully support this, affix my signature and send it with page Sage.

Hospital funding

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mr. Ernest Lefebvre from Onaping in my riding for this petition. It reads as follows:

“Nurses Know—Petition for Better Care.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas providing high-quality, universal, public health care is crucial for a fair and thriving Ontario; and

“Whereas years of underfunding have resulted in cuts to registered nurses (RNs) and hurt patient care; and

“Whereas, in 2015 alone, Ontario lost more than 1.5 million hours of RN care due to cuts; and

“Whereas procedures are being offloaded into private clinics not subject to hospital legislation;....

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Implement a moratorium on RN cuts;

“Commit to restoring hospital base operating funding to at least cover the costs of inflation and population growth;

“Create a fully-funded multi-year health human resources plan to bring Ontario’s ratio of registered nurses to population up to the national average;

“Ensure hospitals have enough resources to continue providing safe, quality and integrated care for clinical procedures and stop plans for moving such procedures into private, unaccountable clinics.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Victoria to bring it to the Clerk.

Hydro rates

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition with regard to electricity rates. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas over half of Ontarians’ power bills are regulatory and delivery charges and the global adjustment; and

“Whereas the global adjustment is a tangible measure of how much Ontario must overpay for unneeded wind and solar power, and the cost of offloading excess power to our neighbours at a loss; and

“Whereas the market rate for electricity, according to IESO data, has been less than three cents per kilowatt hour to date in 2016, yet the government’s lack of responsible science-based planning has not allowed these reductions to be passed on to Ontarians, resulting in electrical bills several times more than that amount; and

“Whereas the implementation of cap-and-trade will drive the cost of electricity even higher and deny Ontarians the option to choose affordable natural gas heating; and

“Whereas more and more Ontarians are being forced to cut down on essential expenses such as food and medicines in order to pay their increasingly unaffordable electricity bills; and

“Whereas the ill-conceived energy policies of this government that ignored the advice of independent experts and government agencies, such as the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the independent electrical system operator (IESO), and are not based on science have resulted in Ontarians’ electricity costs rising, despite lower natural gas costs and increased energy conservation in the province;

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

“To take immediate steps to reduce the total cost of electricity paid for by Ontarians, including costs associated with power consumed, the global adjustment, delivery charges, administrative charges, tax and any other charges added to Ontarians’ energy bills.”

I support this petition, have signed it and give it to page Kaitlyn.

Child care

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: I have a petition for a universal, high-quality child care system in Ontario. I’d like to thank Kim Gilbert from Windsor for signing the petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014, commits Ontario to ‘a system of responsive, safe, high-quality and accessible child care and early years programs and services that will support parents and families, and will contribute to the healthy development of children’;

“Whereas recent community opposition to Ontario’s child care regulation proposals indicates that a new direction for child care is necessary to address issues of access, quality, funding, system building, planning and workforce development;

“Whereas Ontario’s Gender Wage Gap Strategy consultation found ‘child care was the number one issue everywhere’ and ‘participants called for public funding and support that provides both adequate wages and affordable fees’;

“Whereas the federal government’s commitment to a National Early Learning and Child Care Framework provides an excellent opportunity for Ontario to take leadership and work collaboratively to move forward on developing a universal, high-quality, comprehensive child care system in Ontario;

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

“To undertake a transparent policy process with the clear goal of developing a universal early childhood education and child care system where all families can access quality child care programs; and

“To publicly declare their commitment to take leadership in developing a national child care plan with the federal government that adopts the principles of universality, high quality and comprehensiveness.”

I agree with this petition, will sign it and send it to the table with page Charlie.

Family Responsibility Office

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Family Responsibility Office (FRO) is outdated, ineffective and the provincial government needs to conduct a review of the entire system;

“Whereas many families are either paying too much in child support or receiving too little, due to the ineffectiveness of the system;

“Whereas families are forced to become their own caseworkers to investigate information that is required by the Family Responsibility Office before they can enforce action;

“Whereas many of the federal and provincial databases do not link up, causing misinformation which affects the money paid or owed in child support for many families;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“We call on the provincial government to strike an all-party supported select committee to conduct a review of the practices of the Family Responsibility Office to improve and streamline the collection of child support in the province of Ontario.”

I agree with this petition and affix my name to it.

Domestic violence and sexual violence

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition with signatures from across the province. It reads as follows:

“Whereas half of all Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, and approximately every six days a woman in Canada is killed by her intimate partner; and

“Whereas a 2014 national survey showed that Canadian workers who experience domestic violence often disclose the violence to a co-worker, and that the violence frequently follows the worker to work; and

“Whereas the experience of domestic violence and sexual violence can cause significant physical, mental, emotional and financial hardship for survivors, their families, and society as a whole; and

“Whereas Canadian employers lose $78 million annually due to domestic violence, and $18 million due to sexual violence, because of direct and indirect impacts that include distraction, decreased productivity, and absenteeism; and

“Whereas workers who experience domestic violence or sexual violence should not have to jeopardize their employment in order to seek medical attention, access counselling, relocate, or deal with police, lawyers or the courts; and

“Whereas the final report of the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment recommended that the Ontario government make education about domestic or intimate partner violence in the workplace mandatory for managers, supervisors, and workers;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Legislative Assembly pass Bill 26 to provide employees who have experienced domestic violence or sexual violence (or whose children have experienced domestic violence or sexual violence) with up to 10 days of paid leave, reasonable unpaid leave, and options for flexible work arrangements, and to require employers to provide mandatory workplace training about domestic violence and sexual violence.”

I fully support this petition and will give it to page Kaitlyn to take to the table after I affix my name.

Hydro rates

Mr. Bill Walker: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas household electricity bills have skyrocketed by 56% and electricity rates have tripled as a result of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Whereas the billion-dollar gas plants cancellation, wasteful and unaccountable spending at Ontario Power Generation and the unaffordable subsidies in the Green Energy Act will result in electricity bills climbing by another 35% by 2017 and 45% by 2020; and

“Whereas the Liberal government wasted $2 billion on the flawed smart meter program; and

“Whereas the recent implementation of the Ontario Electricity Support Program will see average household hydro bills increase an additional $137 per year starting in 2016; and

“Whereas the soaring cost of electricity is straining family budgets, and hurting the ability of manufacturers and small businesses in the province to compete and create new jobs; and

“Whereas home heating and electricity are a necessity for families in Ontario who cannot afford to continue footing the bill for the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To immediately implement policies ensuring Ontario’s power consumers, including families, farmers and employers, have affordable and reliable electricity.”

I fully support it, will affix my name and send it with page Henry.

Soins de longue durée

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais remercier M me Chantalle Thériault de Hanmer, dans Nickel Belt, pour avoir signé la pétition.

« Temps pour les soins :

« Attendu que des soins de qualité pour les 77 000 résidents des maisons de SLD est une priorité pour les familles de l’Ontario; et

« Attendu que le gouvernement provincial ne fournit pas un financement adéquat pour assurer un niveau de soins et de personnel dans les foyers de SLD afin de répondre à l’augmentation de l’acuité des résidents et du nombre croissant de résidents et résidentes ayant des comportements complexes; et

« Attendu que plusieurs enquêtes du coroner de l’Ontario sur les décès dans les maisons de SLD ont recommandé une augmentation des soins pour les résidents et des niveaux de personnel. Les études » démontrent un minimum de soins recommandés de 4,5 heures de soins par jour;

Ils demandent à l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario de :

« Modifier la

Loi sur les foyers de SLD (2007) pour un minimum de quatre heures par résident par jour, ajusté pour le niveau d’acuité et la répartition des cas. »

J’appuie cette pétition et je vais demander à Sage de l’amener à la table des greffiers.

Consumer protection

Mr. Grant Crack: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas payday loans are the most expensive source of credit in Canada and can create the risk of an additional financial burden for the 3% of Ontario households that borrow payday loans; and

“Whereas in Ontario a two-week payday loan carries an annualized interest rate of approximately 547.5%; and

“Whereas these loans are typically marketed to financially vulnerable consumers;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Mandate the Ontario government incrementally reduce the cost of borrowing a payday loan, first to $18 per $100 advanced in 2017 and then to $15 per $100 advanced in 2018.”

I agree with this petition. I affix my signature and give it to page Will.

Natural gas

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: “Whereas 76% of homes in Ontario use natural gas for heat; and

“Whereas many more people would use natural gas if it were available to their community; and

“Whereas natural gas is a clean, reliable and affordable fuel source; and

“Whereas the Liberal government’s leaked climate change action plan shows the government is set to place an effective ban on natural gas heating for homes and small buildings built in 2030 or later; and

“Whereas household electricity bills have skyrocketed by 56% and electricity rates have tripled as a result of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the energy sector; and

“Whereas the conversion from natural gas to electric heating will cost each household approximately $4,500; and

“Whereas the cost to heat a home will increase around $3,000 a year with the use of electric heat; and

“Whereas home heating is a necessity for families who cannot afford to continue paying for the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately stop the government’s apparent intention to phase out, discourage and ban the use of natural gas to heat homes and buildings.”

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Unfortunately, that concludes the time we have available for petitions this afternoon.

Orders of the Day

Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act (Budget Measures), 2016 / Loi de 2016 visant à favoriser l’essor de l’Ontario pour tous (mesures budgétaires)

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 24, 2016, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 70,

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 70, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’m glad to participate in this debate and I’m glad you didn’t call the question, Mr. Speaker, because there are so many of us willing to speak. It’s unheard of that the government has already stopped debating—threw us for a loop there.

Considering Bill 70 is such an important act—it came out of the fall economic statement. Fall economic statements aren’t usually as large as this bill that they’ve brought forward. It’s quite an omnibus bill that is really sneaking through the Legislature. I think more people should be made aware of what is actually going on in this legislation before it comes to bear fruit.

Basically, Bill 70 is

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes. This act, the Building Ontario Up for Everyone Act, amends 27 statutes, enacts four new statutes and repeals three others. It’s unfortunate that the government has had to come with such a large omnibus bill at this point, because over the last 13 years we’ve totally seen how this government has made life harder and more unaffordable for all Ontarians.

This budget, unfortunately, is not going to do very much—or very little—to help the unaffordability of people living in this province. This bill is more of a distraction to look like this government is doing something when, at the same time, they are making life harder and harder.

Ontario will remain in a dire fiscal state, and people are going to find it harder and harder to make ends meet at the end of each month when their bills come due. Unfortunately, the government, under Premier Kathleen Wynne, has no plan to get their books back on track that doesn’t involve higher taxes, selling off our hydro, increasing hydro rates or cutting front-line health care services.

The fact that there was barely a mention of hydro rates in this government’s fall economic statement speaks volumes to the deaf ear that this government has given the people of Ontario, who have spoken out day in and day out with regard to the lack of policy and the high rates they are charged on their energy bills.

This bill, after amending 27 statutes, enacting four statutes and repealing three others, shouldn’t be needed if the government was in such a great financial state. But after debate so far, which the government is not speaking to, our heads are shaking. What are Ontarians to think of this province, which is way off track?

As I mentioned earlier, the economic statement made little mention of energy rates. Energy rates across this province are skyrocketing, and this government has done very little to deal with the outrageous hydro bills. Reports show that the wind turbines and solar panels that this government put so much emphasis on do not create or generate enough energy to sustain this province, and cause us to utilize more natural gas to make sure the baseline power is continued.

Mr. Speaker, we are already shipping the extra energy that the wind and solar are creating and we’re paying high exorbitant prices on down to the United States. We’ve become the economic driver of Michigan and Pennsylvania, and that’s unfortunate.

At the same time, this government continues to award contracts and wind energy to municipalities who are unwilling hosts. Today, I just delivered a petition of 1,800 signatures—which is probably close to 30% or 40% of the population in that area of the province—to this government, stating that the wind turbine contract that they awarded last March is not wanted.

The municipality themselves had reached out to the Minister of Energy last year, leading up to the awarding of the contract, and earlier this year, to tell them they were an unwilling host and did not want this project. It’s unfortunate, though, that the government refused to listen to the people of Dutton Dunwich, 84% of whom voted no in a referendum on this wind turbine.

Last week, the Premier apologized for her and her government’s actions on the energy file. It’s one thing to say you’re sorry; it’s another thing to follow through and show that you truly are sorry. The best way to do this would be to say to the people of Dutton Dunwich, “We are sorry. We have shot energy rates through the roof. We are sorry we didn’t listen to what the municipality wanted. We are sorry the people of Dutton Dunwich have to accept these wind turbines. We are going to cancel the project.” That’s what this government should be doing. There’s still time to do so.

There are “out” clauses in the contract that was signed in March that would get this government out of those contracts. Otherwise, from our calculations, over the lifespan of this contract it will cost the ratepayers $250 million. That’s more money that we cannot really justify expending on energy that we don’t need.

Small businesses in my riding, due to these energy rates, have seen their hydro go from $1,300 a month to $3,000 a month; and $2,000 of that bill is the global adjustment and delivery fees alone. People go, “What’s the global adjustment?” Well, the global adjustment is basically the difference it costs to make the energy rates and the amount that we’re paying the green energy companies for those wind and solar projects. In the original solar contracts we paid 80 cents a kilowatt hour.

So if it’s taking six or seven cents to make the energy, somewhere that amount has to be made up, and they make it up in the global adjustment, which we’re all paying. It’s either a line item—if we utilize enough energy, there is actually a global adjustment charge on our bill. If we’re not using a ton of energy, like the majority of us, it’s into our rates.

We were up in Kenora this past summer. There are two dams in Kenora that produce energy for pennies—one or two cents a kilowatt hour—that have shut down because of the contracts of the wind and solar this government has signed for 40 cents, 50 cents, 80 cents a kilowatt hour. But we’ve shut down the most renewable source of energy—water, which we built our province on. We’ve shut them down because we’ve created so many contracts of this high energy. This government has a deaf ear and a blind eye to what’s going on in the province.

There are just numerous, numerous articles in the newspapers, and numerous polls. Energy is the number one topic people are talking about, and I don’t think there’s anybody who is quite happy with the role this government has taken on. So it’s time that this government steps up. If they’re going to write an omnibus bill, why didn’t they at least do something for energy in this bill? Why won’t they step forward and do something for the people of Dutton Dunwich in my riding and say, “We’re listening; we’re going to shut down that wind contract that we signed”? Unfortunately, they’ve stopped doing so.

Mr. Speaker, in regard to health care, health care is really not mentioned in this omnibus bill. Right now in committee we have Bill 41, which will be going through the amendment process on Wednesday. It was quite interesting that, through all the deputations on Bill 41, we didn’t hear from one doctor or patient group who was consulted on this legislation. So, as I mentioned earlier about energy rates and the fact they’re not listening to people with regard to energy, they’re not listening to people with regard to health care. You just have to go back and look at how this government has mismanaged the health care sector: We’ve now started to ration health care throughout the province.

You see in your riding, Speaker, and probably in many of the ridings here, that when it comes to knee and hip surgeries, when the year starts, on April 1, by October they’re out of money. So if you need a hip or knee replaced, you’ve got to wait for the next fiscal year, which is why the wait-list continues to grow and grow and grow. In fact, we’ll see the Fraser report that they released last week showing that wait times are increasing.

The government over there will say, “We’re the best of all the provinces because the Fraser report has said so,” but if you look at the Commonwealth Fund, which the majority of people do when you compare countries, Canada is 12th on wait times. The States are ahead of us, Denmark, UK, Sweden—the countries that we look up to in the health care system. We’re last. If the government is happy with being the best of the worst, that’s up to them to do so, but it doesn’t benefit the patients in Ontario. We can do so much better. Unfortunately, the government is doing nothing with this bill. Bill 41 is also another bill that is out of touch.

Mr. Speaker, this government, over time, has had many experiments in the health care sector that have failed and cost Ontarians more money. Look at Ornge; the diabetes registry this government tried to create—20-some-odd-million dollars—they just cancelled it; the personal support worker, about $10 million gone; eHealth, we’re talking billions of dollars. We’re waiting on the Auditor General report that’s coming out; it’s going to shed some light on eHealth—however, billions of dollars of what we have to offer.

The CCACs and the LHINs: This government has truly mismanaged both of those. We saw that in the Auditor General’s report last year, stating that 39% of all the money going to the CCAC stays within the bureaucracy. We’ve seen the LHINs—with regard to the management of the LHINs, they’re unable to fully integrate health care. The Auditor General pointed out that they actually failed and didn’t come close to achieving their goals. Now the government is going to give them more power. Unfortunately, Bill 70 doesn’t really touch on health care.

Another item that people have been talking about or debating is, in Ontario—it affects a lot of people in this Legislature—600 schools are set to close under this government, mainly in rural Ontario. In my riding, we have a number of schools that will be closing, which is unfortunate.

I bring up Springfield in our riding. Springfield is a small, tight-knit community, way off into the east part of our county. That school is so integral to that part—I go to their Remembrance Day ceremony every year. It’s at 9:30, and the whole school comes down to the cenotaph. We have a great ceremony. Speaking with the municipal councillors there—who, by the way, weren’t consulted at all in this regard because the government has removed municipalities from having any sort of input into the closure of their own schools.

The municipality is quite favourable to working with the school board to keep this school open, and what they can do to rent it out at night, perhaps, or utilize it in order to keep it open. So we have the councillors ready to go. There’s the Springfield parents association, which has been created to help fight this situation. I respect those parents who are stepping forward, because they truly believe and the community truly believes that the school should remain open. But, under this government’s mismanagement, that school is set to close.

New Sarum, in my riding, is set to close as well. New Sarum is almost full. It’s not like it’s a school that’s dwindling down to low numbers. It’s unfortunate that they will close that. There’s a nice little community around there. The kids walk to school; they will now be bused, and who knows how long it will take them to go to wherever they may be?

They are looking at creating another school in the Belmont area. We need that school built because they’re going to close two other rural schools. Those kids in Westminster and South Dorchester will have the choice. If they don’t build the school in Belmont, those kids will be sent into London to school. Last year, the school board tried to send those kids—because there are no supports for rural schools anymore—to London for school. It was two years ago that the school board tried to send every child taking French immersion who lived west of St. Thomas to Strathroy to school, which is in a whole different county—45 minutes, at the closest range. We fought that.

So it’s not that this is a new problem going on in our school system where, in rural Ontario, the funding model doesn’t fit what is going on with the urban schools. We’ve asked the government to perhaps take a look at the funding formula to make a change. Bill 70 could have been a great place, with the release of the fall economic statement, to put this in there to help alleviate the pain, but instead, they didn’t.

My hope, going forward, is that the government allows school boards to work with municipalities and listen to the parents to see how we can keep these schools open, because when you shut down some of these schools in these smaller communities, that’s the end of the community. Schools are community-builders; they can also be community-destroyers, when you shut them down.

We’ve seen this bill come out, and there has been a lot of discussion ongoing. I went to the briefing the minister put on there, and it was quite interesting, the binder of information they’ve got. There’s