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April 30, 2012

40th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2012-Apr-30 (PDF)

L044 - Mon 30 Apr 2012 / Lun 30 avr 2012

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 30 April 2012 Lundi 30 avril 2012

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER FOR KITCHENER–WATERLOO

ELIZABETH WITMER

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

JOB CREATION

JOB CREATION

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

HOME CARE

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

PEST CONTROL

WATER QUALITY

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FALUN DAFA

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING

PICKERING SOCCER CLUB

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

ONTARIO NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

ELIZABETH WITMER

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT

(FAIRNESS FOR EMPLOYEES), 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR

LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

(ÉQUITÉ À L’ÉGARD DES EMPLOYÉ

S) PETITIONS

WIND TURBINES

LONG-TERM CARE

MARKDALE HOSPITAL

ONTARIO NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

DOG OWNERSHIP

WIND TURBINES

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

RENEWABLE ENERGY

HYDRO RATES

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

WIND TURBINES

CELLULAR TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

ORDERS OF THE DAY

AMBULANCE AMENDMENT ACT

(AIR AMBULANCES), 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR LES AMBULANCES

(SERVICES D’AMBULANCE AÉRIENS)

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Ms. Laurie Scott: I’d pleased to introduce Andrea Roberts and her daughter Emily, who are here today from Haliburton county. They’re spending the day with their MPP. Welcome to the Legislature. And also—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Another?

Ms. Laurie Scott: I’m sorry, but yes. From Nature Conservancy of Canada, we have Erica Thompson, program manager from Georgian Bay-Huronia, and Kristyn Ferguson, stewardship coordinator.

Mrs. Teresa Piruzza: Good morning, Speaker. This morning, I’d like to welcome Mohammed Fazle Baki and Fouzia Baki, who are here visiting from Windsor because their son, Shaumik Baki, is page captain today. Welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Haliburton–Mississippi Mills.

Mr. Jack MacLaren: Carleton–Mississippi Mills, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Carleton–Mississippi Mills.

Mr. Jack MacLaren: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a guest this morning, Jesse Waslowski, who is a volunteer and is going to be working in my office to try to put conservatism into our office.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Niagara Falls.

Mr. Kim Craitor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I couldn’t hear you back here. It’s a little too noisy in the House.

I’m really honoured to introduce some special guests who are here. First, from the city of Niagara Falls, I have my good friend the mayor of Niagara Falls, Jim Diodati. Welcome, Jim. He brought some of the key executives with him. We have Ken Todd, who is the CAO from the city of Niagara Falls. Welcome, Ken. We have Serge Felicetti, who is the director of business development for the city of Niagara Falls. The last person and the most important person I want to introduce is my new executive director from my office in Niagara Falls, Michelle Tavano.

Mr. Frank Klees: I’m pleased to welcome to Queen’s Park two guests: Michelle Watt, a student at Stuart Scott Public School in Newmarket; and her brother Robert Watt, who is a third-year University of Toronto student, studying history and political science. He’s going to take one of our jobs away one of these days, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Hopefully not mine.

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: Good morning. I’m thrilled that today, joining us today from the city of Pickering to accept a youth friendly community award, gold status—I’d like to welcome and congratulate Jody Morris, Jesse St. Amant, Heather Butler, Karina Clendenning, Sarah Pizzale and Caitlin Kirouac. Welcome to Queen’s Park. Thank you, and congratulations.

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: I take this opportunity to welcome to the Legislature of Ontario the legendary Canadian jockey Sandy Hawley, who will be here today to talk with members representing Woodbine Entertainment Group and telling the Legislature about developments that they look forward to. I invite all members of the Legislature to the dining room for a reception today.

Mr. Reza Moridi: It’s my pleasure to welcome Winnie Wales and Peter Wales of Richmond Hill to the Ontario Legislature.

Mr. Joe Dickson: It’s my pleasure it introduce the grade 5 and grade 6 classes from Alexander Graham Bell Public School, joining us this morning with teachers Mrs. Francis and Mrs. Whitehead.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I also want to welcome the two special guests from the Nature Conservancy of Canada: Kristyn Ferguson, stewardship coordinator for Ontario; and Erica Thompson, program manager with Georgian Bay-Huronia. Welcome. It’s good to have you here today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m very pleased that the murmuring that’s been going on is not actually heckling, but I do want to reinforce the welcome, in case anyone didn’t hear it in the House. We welcome you all.

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER FOR KITCHENER–WATERLOO

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I have a special announcement to make for the members of this House. I beg to inform the House that a vacancy has occurred in the membership of the House for the reason of the resignation of Elizabeth Witmer as member of the electoral district of Kitchener–Waterloo, effective the 27th day of April, 2012.

Accordingly, my warrant has been issued to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of a writ for a by-election.

ELIZABETH WITMER

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition on a point order.

Mr. Tim Hudak: On a point of order, Speaker: Given your announcement today about the resignation of the member for Kitchener–Waterloo, I would like to seek unanimous consent for each of the parties to take a few moments to pay tribute to Elizabeth Witmer, her incredible 32 years plus of public service and her historic impact in the province of Ontario as Deputy Premier and cabinet minister—

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition has sought unanimous consent. Is it the consent of the House? Do you agree? Agreed.

Leader.

Mr. Tim Hudak: I know Elizabeth Witmer is joining us in the gallery here today. I’m going to have some brief comments. I’ve made public statements, and I know Elizabeth and I will continue to work together going forward.

I remember not too long ago, in 1995, as a newly elected MPP for the riding of Niagara South, 27 years of age, I sat in that back corner back there. In fact, it was such a far back corner, they don’t even have it these days. I’d watch, as a new member—so excited to be here—the front bench that were part of Mike Harris’s team that turned our province around.

In those early days, there was no doubt a lot of focus and a lot of pushback from special interests who didn’t believe in the path we were taking. I saw in Elizabeth Witmer, as labour minister, somebody who stood in her place, a woman of conviction, a woman of great integrity and a woman who was a steady hand during a very turbulent time and helped change labour laws, made good on promises in the Common Sense Revolution, and who stood above those here in the Legislature with her stalwart leadership.

Not too long after that, she was made the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. As a—what was I at the time?—29-year old, I was asked by Premier Harris to take on the role of parliamentary assistant and became sort of her right hand. What better place, I could not imagine, to learn than next to Elizabeth Witmer what it meant to take on leadership roles, what it meant to carry through on a mandate, what it meant to wade through complex issues and make good for the province of Ontario.

Another thing Elizabeth Witmer taught me at an early age is to never, ever forget the people who sent you to Queen’s Park, to work hard for the riding and the people who sent you there.

Because of her mentorship, her guidance, her leadership, I had the chance, then, to serve with her at cabinet. It has been an enormous pleasure, as Leader of the Opposition, to work with her as my caucus chair, my health critic, and to continue to learn from Elizabeth.

In fact, we had a couple of conversations this weekend, emotional conversations, because the truth is, I’m sad to see her go. I’m thrilled with the new position that she has taken on. I think she’s the right person for that job. But when you lose somebody in the family, particularly somebody who has been close and has played such an important role in helping not only me but a lot of us along our way, I can say how deeply we will miss Elizabeth Witmer on this side of Legislature.

Her record is well known, Speaker. I know my colleagues in the opposite parties will highlight some of this too. But as labour minister, health minister, environment minister, education minister, she was given all the tough jobs during some very difficult times. Her accomplishments are a legend. As Minister of Health: 20,000 new long-term-care beds; bringing in family health teams; Telehealth. Her work with the nurses has been copied not only across Canada but internationally, the nursing protocol. The Alzheimer’s strategy—the list goes on and on.

Also, Speaker, she was the first woman to serve as Deputy Premier of the province of Ontario, and now, also, the longest-serving woman MPP in the entire history of the province of Ontario.

Among all this, I think, in my talks with Elizabeth, she’ll say that her greatest accomplishment is being a loving and dedicated mother to her two kids, Scott and Sarah; and her husband, Cam. And despite a

schedule that you could not believe, in those roles every night, she made sure she made the commute back at night and then early in the morning to spend the time that she could with her family.

To you, Elizabeth Witmer, I say thank you. You’ve made an incredible impact on our party and the province of Ontario. If we had a hall of fame here in the Ontario Legislature, you’d be an inductee today.

I want to say, too, on behalf of the Ontario PC Party and our members across the province, we will be eternally grateful to Elizabeth Witmer for her leadership, her dedication, her guidance and the incredible service to our party, to our province and to the good people of Kitchener–Waterloo.

I’ll miss you very much; we’ll miss you very much. I wish you every success—because I know you always deliver—in your future endeavours. Thank you very much, Elizabeth Witmer.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I too want to join all of our colleagues in this House to pay tribute to the member from Kitchener–Waterloo. Elizabeth Witmer’s distinguished track record is well known to all of us. Her length of service, the offices she has held, and her achievements are, in a word, impressive.

But I want to speak to something I’ve seen from my vantage point here on the other side of the House, and that is Liz’s genuine desire to serve. For nearly 22 years in this place, Liz has been reminding us that politics is fundamentally about public service. She’s the real McCoy, and her community knows that. For five successive elections, the people of Kitchener–Waterloo kept returning Ms.

Witmer to this House—much to my party’s chagrin—and that is surely because they see in their community what we can all see here: the genuine article; a politician with a heart for public service; a leader who cares for those around her; a dedicated, passionate, articulate, thoughtful representative of her community; someone who embodies the very best traditions of our democracy; someone who always listens to the other side; a powerful champion of the cause she has embraced on behalf of Ontarians.

Perhaps what is most impressive, Mr. Speaker, is that Liz has never lost her idealism. I think we all understand that politics at the beginning of the 21st century can be a corrosive environment, but Liz has never stopped believing in the ability of people to come together and build something better for all of us. Liz’s good example reminds me of the words spoken by US congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith, who once said, “My creed is that public service must be more than doing a job efficiently and honestly.

It must be a complete dedication to the people ... with full recognition that every human being is entitled to courtesy and consideration, that constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought ... that honour is to be earned but not bought.”

Mr. Speaker, on behalf my party and on behalf the people of Ontario, I want to thank Liz for her record of public service in this House, in government and in her community. We wish you and your family the very best in the future, and if I may, hartelijk bedankt.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of the third party.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Elizabeth Witmer leaves this Legislature after having served diligently for just over two decades. It’s not easy being a woman in politics. Any woman in this place could tell you so. But Liz has been tough and true in the many roles she has had here, and she deserves our respect.

On a personal note, I want to thank her for having encouraged me as I sought the leadership of my party a couple of years ago. Notwithstanding our differing political perspectives, she has on occasion remarked since then on the work that I’m doing in the role, and I have been very, very appreciative of her comments and her encouragement over the years. Liz has done her best to show that you can actually reach across the aisle and achieve things together. In fact, I believe that her work around the bullying issue in schools was an example of just that.

Applause.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Liz served her constituents with honour and, I’m sure, earned their gratitude, which I’m sure is why they continued to return her to this place election after election after election. Although we might not have seen eye to eye on many issues in the past, Elizabeth Witmer demonstrates that you can still have respect for people and earn their respect, even when your opinions are opposite.

It’s interesting, Speaker, that on Saturday night I was at the BBPA—Black Business and Professional Association—gala. They had a wonderful evening. I happened to be sitting for a little while with John Tory, the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, and we were chatting about Liz and the work that she’s done; chatting about the example she set with the RNAO, for example, an organization that, for lots of reasons, she could have had differences with, having served as Minister of Health during tough times.

But that organization had a lot of respect for her because of the dedication she showed to their issues and the commitment she showed to working with them over many, many years. In fact, they made her a lifetime member of that organization. I think that shows the kind of person that Liz is, in terms of her being able to work with other people, regardless of if there are differences and difficulties.

I think it’s true to say that Elizabeth always understood that strong convictions, in fact, make for healthy debate. We’ve had our differences in the past, and I don’t expect that to change much as she heads up the WSIB in her new role. But on behalf of New Democrats, I want to sincerely thank her and her family, because you never spend time here—you never serve here—without some sacrifices made by your family as well. On behalf of New Democrats, I want to thank Elizabeth and her family for having taken on a job over the last couple of decades that is often a thankless job. Thank you, Liz.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): As the Speaker, it is convention that I don’t participate in the applause or any of the demonstrations whatsoever, but please, be assured of my internal heart beating for you, Liz.

I also want to thank all the members for their kind and very generous words in a tribute, and I’m also told, and I understand that as a tribute to Liz Witmer, there will be no heckling today.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All right; I tried. I tried.

It is now time for oral questions.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

Mr. Tim Hudak: A question to the Premier: Last week’s credit rating actions, the downgrades, were a direct result of every decision that you have made since the election. Since election night, you’ve added billions of dollars in new spending, you’ve rejected the Drummond report out of hand, and you actually brought in a budget that increased spending and increased taxes, and then signed a deal to make both matters worse.

Premier, in the assembly, at every step of the way, we warned you; you were warned largely in the public. We urged you to change course, we opposed your spending, and we told you it had to be done. But you ignored us and you ignored your critics and you thought you knew better, but now everyone knows you were wrong. Moody’s downgrade—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Question?

Mr. Tim Hudak: —credit watch, Premier.

Will you stand up today in your place and tell the credit agencies and tell the public who pay the bills that you finally got the message?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I appreciate the question received from my honourable colleague, and I would encourage him, Speaker, to take a good, close look at the reports produced by the three credit rating agencies late last week. Among other things, they make it very clear that they are in fact supportive of the targets that we have in place. They are supportive of the economic assumptions that we have adopted, but they have, in truth, expressed a concern about our capacity to deliver on that plan. Specifically, Speaker, they say they have concerns about the capacity of a minority government, without the support of the opposition party, to deliver on some aggressive and ambitious targets.

It’s exactly what we’ll continue to say. We want to assure Ontarians we’ll do everything in our power to achieve those targets.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: What a shameful answer by the Premier of the province of Ontario, at a time that we’ve had the first downgrade since the Bob Rae era, now happening under the Liberals. Under a PC government, Speaker, we had nine consecutive upgrades—faith in our management of the economy.

But Premier, how can you sugar-coat this? How can you say, don’t worry; be happy? Are you that dramatically out of touch that a downgrade by Moody’s, that a negative watch by S&P, is somehow good news? This is on your back. You have made mistake after mistake after mistake since the election, and now we’re paying the price. Premier, you put Ontario in a debt spiral. Now it’s time to stand up and get counted. Premier, what are you going to do to get Ontario out of this financial mess that you put us in?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, again, I would encourage my honourable colleague to actually read the reports, because I think he’d find them enlightening. The credit rating agencies make it perfectly clear that they are very supportive of the targets that we’ve adopted. They are supportive of the economic assumptions that we have made. They express concerns about the ability of our minority government to deliver on our plan. They are concerned about the—

Interjection: Obstruction.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: —obstructionist approach brought by the opposition. They’re well aware that in the lead-up to our budget, and subsequent to the presentation of the budget, we could not count on the official opposition to participate in any constructive way so that we could come together to ensure that we might deliver on those targets. That’s the real—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Answer.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: —expressed by our credit rating agencies, and I’d ask my honourable colleague to take that into account.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: Here’s the problem: What the Premier is saying he knows is not accurate. It’s not what’s in the report. The report says, Premier, that you have had a downgrade. You have had a negative outlook. You have played with fire and now the people of Ontario are getting burned because you couldn’t manage the resources for the province of Ontario. You kicked the can down the road for seven months. You had the Drummond report and you tossed it aside. This is on your back, sir. You have us on the wrong path. You’ve made mistake after mistake after mistake, and now it’s going to cost us more to pay for his borrowing, Speaker.

It’s time to chart a new course, to reverse direction, to reduce spending, to grow the economy. That’s the path forward, Premier. Why don’t you get the message that was sent to you loud and clear with the downgrade last week? Families do. When will you get a clue as to what’s happening in the finances of our great province?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. We have a situation again where somebody is asking the question and there’s heckling coming on that side, and somebody answering with heckling coming on that side. I’m going to start going into individual names now.

Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I guess, I say to my honourable colleague, we’re going to have to agree to disagree on this. Again, I would encourage my honourable colleague to actually read the reports, because I found them to be very helpful.

I’ll say it again, Speaker: What the credit rating agencies are saying is that they support our targets, they support our economic assumptions, but they have concerns about our capacity as a minority government to deliver on that.

I’ll quote from the Dominion Bond Rating Service. It says the following: “DBRS cautions that this is dependent on the province achieving its fiscal targets, which entail considerable execution risk, especially given the constraints of a minority government.”

Undoubtedly, the credit rating agencies have looked at the behaviour of the opposition party just a few weeks ago and their refusal to find any grounds on which we might cooperate to deliver on our very ambitious plan. I can understand they have a concern in that regard. We will not let the people on this side of the House down—we’ll not let them down, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for Nepean–Carleton will come to order.

New question.

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the Premier: Premier, this crisis is yours. This was born out of your inability to make the tough decisions to get the finances under control, to grow the economy. For seven months, sir, you did nothing but sit on your hands. You kicked the can down the road over and over again, and it’s some can: a $30-billion deficit. And now Ontario families are left holding the bag for your managerial incompetence and your refusal to get a grip on the finances of the province.

Sir, you have put us in a debt spiral. Things are happening fast and you don’t seem to have a clue about what’s happening around you. Will you chart a new course? Will you head in the right direction: reduce spending and grow the economy? That’s our path forward. Otherwise, it’s further downhill with the McGuinty Liberals.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Premier?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Prince Edward–Hastings, come to order.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: As they say, Speaker, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

The leader of the official opposition brings his stock approach to this challenge before us. He offers criticism, unvarnished, but he offers no productive process whereby we might come together and ensure that we deliver together when it comes to the plan that we put in place.

Again, Speaker, the credit rating agencies say they are supportive of our plan, they are supportive our targets, they are supportive of our economic assumptions, but they are concerned that, given the minority status of our government and the failure of the opposition to co-operate in any productive way, we can’t deliver. We’ll do everything we can on this side of the House to deliver on our targets.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: Sadly, Speaker, the Premier seems to be so deep in his bunker mentality that he has no clue what’s happening around him—no clue what’s happened to the province’s finances—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Peterborough, come to order.

Mr. Tim Hudak: —the first downgrade from Moody’s. S&P put us on negative outlook in December and Moody’s put us on negative outlook, and you looked the other way. You shrugged your shoulders. In 2009, two downgrades.

Premier, you’re taking us down the wrong track. It is reckless; it is irresponsible. I sat down with you on November 8, I gave you our plan: a mandatory public sector wage freeze; reductions in spending, not increases; a real fix to our broken arbitration system; an end to corporate welfare. You said no. I said we’ll get downgraded. You said you didn’t believe me.

Premier, you were wrong, and now we’re paying the price. Will you finally get a grip, realize that you’ve put us in a debt spiral, reverse course, grow the economy, cut spending? Otherwise, Premier, I fear the impact that your recklessness will cause the finances of—

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

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Again, I say to my honourable colleague, we are open and waiting and available. If he has any kind of a constructive proposal that will help us deliver on our plan, which has been supported by our credit rating agencies, then we are all ears. But to this point in time, my honourable colleague has chosen the obstructionist approach, the sit-on-your-hands approach, the do-nothing approach, the negative, ring-the-bells approach, which I don’t think uphold the public interest.

I want to assure the people of Ontario once again, we will do everything in our power to deliver on our plan, and, again, we invite the opposition to find some opportunity to act in a proactive, positive and progressive way to ensure that we uphold the public interest together.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: I’m going to try to bring the Premier to the fiscal realities of the province. The person who got Ontario downgraded was Dalton McGuinty. I wonder how the Premier feels to be the first Premier since Bob Rae to see these downgrades in the provincial finances. I’m going to add, Speaker, Ontario is the only province to face that downgrade. It didn’t happen to any of the other nine provinces. The Premier has put us in the league of beleaguered economies like Italy, Spain and Greece. That’s the path he has us on.

Premier, it’s time to put on the brakes, time to reverse course and time to understand the debt spiral you put us into. Will you do the right thing: Reduce spending, not increase it; grow the economy, don’t phase out jobs; reverse course now, Premier and follow our recommended path before it’s too late and families pay the price? Premier, will you get a grip on reality and move us in the right direction in the province of—

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

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I would argue that just as obstructionism is irresponsible, so is talking down our economy. To somehow compare the Ontario economy, with its fundamental strengths, with its incredible resilience, to some of those less fortunate economies in Europe, again, I would argue, Speaker, is absolutely irresponsible. I believe we have a shared responsibility to champion the Ontario economy and to champion the plan that we put before the people of Ontario.

So again, I invite my honourable colleague at some point in time to stop sitting on his hands and to find a way to come together with this government so that on behalf of the people of Ontario, people we are here to represent, we can deliver on a solid plan of action.

JOB CREATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. The government’s budget launched a plan to merge all of the business support programs. My question is a simple one: Besides putting all of these programs under a single roof, has anything else really actually changed?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I thank my colleague for her question. I think she knows—I think she’s very much aware—that, in fact, we are going to put together a jobs and prosperity council. That council will have as its membership representatives of the labour sector, the private sector. We’re going to seek the advice of economists, academics and, of course, government members and opposition members themselves.

The purpose of that will help us better understand the strengths and challenges associated with the Ontario economy today and where it is that, working together, we can apply our collective muscle to ensure that we encounter still more success tomorrow. I invite my honourable colleague to provide us with any advice in this regard that she may care to offer.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, there’s over half a million people out of work in this province, and they’re very worried. They’re worried that they’re not going to be able to find a job, and they’re worried that their government isn’t making the decisions that are going to help them find a job.

Is this government actually re-evaluating the support they provide to business and looking at ways to improve it, or are they merely slapping a new label on the same old methods that have left many, many people looking for work in this province?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, again, I want to remind my honourable colleague that the budget itself commits us to 170,000 jobs. I’ll remind my honourable colleague as well of our recent record when it comes to job creation in Ontario. We created 46,000 jobs last month—that’s 56% of all new jobs created in Canada during the course of the past month; and since the depths of the recession, we’ve created some 350,000 new jobs here in Ontario—that’s more jobs created in Ontario than the nine other provinces combined.

So I’d say to my honourable colleague that she does have good reason to be more optimistic about the path that we’re on at the very present time.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, the Drummond report recommended moving away from a focus on jobs, and people have told this government to reject that approach. It’s not clear to people who are looking for work, however, exactly what approach this government is actually taking.

Does the government have any record whatsoever of the companies that have received money in the last year, and whether or not they’re actually creating jobs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I’m sure we do. One of the reasons we want to move ahead with our new southwestern Ontario economic development fund is to ensure that we can build on the successes that we’ve enjoyed together. It is modelled, in large part, after the northern Ontario heritage fund, the eastern Ontario economic development fund, where we’ve seen some tremendous returns on the relatively modest investments we’ve made with public dollars, in terms of the jobs that we’ve been creating.

Again, we’re open to any advice that my honourable colleague may have to offer in that regard, but I don’t want her to underestimate our continuing commitment to do everything we can, in concert with the private sector, to create more jobs here in Ontario.

JOB CREATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Premier. For years, this government, just like the Harper government in Ottawa, has followed a strategy of no-strings-attached corporate tax giveaways, and as a result, we have less money to help the people that are hit hardest by this recession. The HST and corporate tax cuts haven’t created the 600,000 jobs that were promised.

Is the government’s new fund going to put a real focus on jobs, or are we going to see the same old strategy simply recycled?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Well, Speaker, on the matter of the HST , the last figures that I saw demonstrated that there has been a dramatic new investment in technology and productivity-enhancing equipment here and among Ontario businesses. In fact, our pace of investment in those areas greatly outpaces the rest of the country, so I think we are, in fact, seeing a positive benefit in that regard. We remain one of the most attractive places in North America for the world to invest in.

Again, I say to my honourable colleague that we are open to new ideas, but I’m not prepared to throw out the baby with the bathwater. We are going to re-examine all of the economic development policies and funds that we had in place in the past that were being delivered through a variety of ministries, through a variety of different programs. We think that we owe it to Ontarians to better consolidate and lend focus to ensure that we’re achieving more productivity and more jobs.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It wasn’t so long ago that this Premier was lamenting the lack of investment in Ontario, so I guess he can’t have it both ways.

What I know is that people are really worried. They’re worried about jobs, and they think it’s time for a new plan—one that focuses on working with the companies that create the jobs, not the ones that shift the jobs away, which this government has been doing far too often.

We proposed a job creation tax credit to give companies that are creating real jobs the advantage. Is this government ready to move forward with positive ideas like this one, or are we going to see more of the same old ideas that simply aren’t working, Speaker?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I know that my honourable colleague has in fact raised this very proposal with me. She’s raised it publicly. We’ve undertaken to have the jobs and prosperity council give it some very serious consideration. We’re all looking for that which works best.

The fact of the matter is, this economy continues to grow. We continue to create jobs. We have learned, just recently, that we now have the largest mining sector in all of North America. We had our very best year ever just last year.

We’re building on the growing strength of our auto sector. We’re proud, as a government, that at a time of great challenge we came together on behalf of the people of Ontario and extended a hand to the auto sector. They have now repaid the loans that we sent to them, they’re creating more jobs, and they’re once again leading in North America.

So again I say to my honourable colleague, we have some challenges but there again are good reasons for us to be optimistic.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, celebrating the mining sector while at the same time slapping northerners with the loss of the ONTC is a pretty serious situation here in Ontario.

In communities across Ontario, people want to see solutions that actually work for them for a change, and instead, what do they see? They see tax giveaways to companies that lay people off. They see vital infrastructure like Ontario Northland given away in a fire sale, while companies that create good jobs keep leaving.

When is this government going to abandon the same old plans and start looking for some new ideas to get people back to work?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I will always acknowledge that there is always room for progress, but again, let’s consider some of the facts. Last month we created 46,000 new jobs in Ontario—56% of all new jobs created in Canada. We’ve created over 350,000 jobs since the depths of the recession. That’s more jobs than the nine other provinces combined. The mining sector is booming. Our TV and film sector is booming. When it comes to biotech, we are booming in Ontario. When it comes to digital media, we are booming in Ontario.

There are good reasons for us to be optimistic. I look forward to working with my honourable colleague as we lend shape to the jobs and prosperity council and a new jobs and prosperity fund so that together we can use our monies, our precious taxpayer dollars, in the smartest ways possible.

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

Mr. Peter Shurman: My question is to the Minister of Finance. Last week, one rating agency gave Ontario a negative outlook and another actually downgraded Ontario’s credit rating. I read that report. Moody’s said, “Expense growth targets appear particularly ambitious in light of growth in expenses averaging 7% annually in the five years to 2011-12.”

Funny, Minister: That line is almost a direct quote from me, speaking in this House on numerous occasions about the unsustainability of your unchecked spending. Translation: You’re making promises you can’t keep, and you’re writing cheques you can’t cash. We’ve been telling you that very thing for years. Now that Ontario is facing interest hikes that would make your latest budget obsolete, are you finally ready to listen?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite neglected to read down to the next paragraph, where Moody’s also said that “Moody’s recognizes that the province has laid out an ambitious fiscal plan to return to fiscal balance.” He also ignored the parts in Moody’s report that said the following: that we have a very high level of debt affordability, a high degree of fiscal flexibility, a large and diversified economy and a broad and productive tax base.

In fact, we have laid out a plan that all three agencies have accepted and acknowledged the difficulties in achieving. They have called on this Legislature to make it work, to work together.

One of the great risks out there, among others, is this Legislature. I ask the member opposite: Do what the third party did. Work with this government to get us back to balance.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Shurman: Yes, you’ve laid out a plan, and no, we don’t believe it. For years, we’ve been telling you to curb your spending. Months ago, we stood in this House and warned that if you didn’t start paying attention, and if you don’t get your financial house in order, Ontario will pay a high price for your incompetence.

You didn’t listen. You thought you knew better. You have proven that Liberals have great difficulty accepting a simple if-then logic statement. That’s why we couldn’t have any meaningful discussions with you. Are you now ready to admit that you should have listened to us while you had the chance?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, let me quote a few others from outside of here. Here’s a quote: “The key message from the agencies late last year was that they wanted a clear and credible medium-term plan as to how the ... government would balance its finances. And the government did that,” said Craig Alexander, chief economist, TD Bank.

Another quote: “We’re inclined to view the budget plan and the government’s initial progress on the deficit reduction as sufficient to put off additional negative pressure on the province’s credit rating for now.” That’s Warren Lovely of CIBC World Markets.

Another quote: “McGuinty must not deviate from the path set out in his budget, including curtailing labour costs. For the good of all Ontarians, the opposition ought not to act as stumbling blocks.” That is a stumbling block on the other side, Mr. Speaker. They refuse to work with the government. They refuse to co-operate. Later today, the bells will continue to ring, Mr. Speaker. Let’s make this minority Parliament work—

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

GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Minister of Finance. On Friday, the Minister of Finance wrote, “Elizabeth Witmer [is] a great choice for the WSIB. Her legislation ... gave rise to its current structure and name.”

But back when that very legislation was proposed, the same minister, the then Liberal labour critic, called it “an attack on working people,” “mean-spirited,” “kicking sand in the face of working people,” and said, “The government ought to withdraw this bill.”

Has the minister had a conversion of some sort, or is there something the government wants to explain to us ?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I’d like to again salute Elizabeth Witmer for her outstanding contribution to public life in Ontario for very many years. In fact, the member is not reflecting what I said. What I said, in fact, is accurate, that the name of the WSIB—and by the way, it was designed to move away from a sexually biased name to a more inclusive name. We changed the name and set up the current structure. Unfortunately, it didn’t repeal the cuts to benefits that the NDP government had put in four years earlier, including the formula that continued to restrict benefits to those disabled. So you can’t have it both ways, I say—

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

Mr. Taras Natyshak: To quote the Premier from his earlier statement, “The more things change, the more they stay the same around here.”

There’s no doubt the former member knows the WSIB file, but over here, we have some serious differences of opinion about how to handle it. Injured workers and their families have one important question: Did the Premier appoint Ms. Witmer based on her vision for the WSIB, or are they so desperate for a majority government they’re ready to play politics with this appointment?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: It’s unfortunate the member would denigrate a member with an outstanding track record. It really is, to question her integrity. It contradicts what the leader of his party said.

I want to salute Elizabeth Witmer—listen, I disagreed with Elizabeth Witmer on many, many issues, but she has been an outstanding servant of the people of Ontario for more than 30 years. She has served in government, in opposition, with honesty and integrity and credibility. She brings good reflection on all of us in public life and in this House.

I want to again commend the leader of the third party at least for acknowledging her enormous contributions.

Leave this nonsense at home. I’m delighted she has taken on the job she has. We have a lot of work to do to build on our record to date. I’m glad—

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

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I’ve got a question today for the Minister of Education. Minister, as you know, bullying is an issue that everyone in this province identifies with. We all know someone in this House who has suffered profound and long-lasting effects as a result of bullying. As parents in the province of Ontario, it’s an issue that’s especially important to everyone.

That’s why I’m so disappointed that Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, has stalled in second reading debate. The opposition has chosen to continuously delay debate on legislation that’s going to help kids in Ontario schools. You’re running out of time to have Bill 13 in place in classrooms when kids return to school this September.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: What are you doing to make sure that this legislation gets into our schools by September?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: I’d like to take the opportunity to recognize the former member of Kitchener–Waterloo. She was a strong voice in this House and she was well regarded by all parties for her dedication to the province and to her constituents.

Before she resigned her position she had a private member’s bill, Bill 14, that was also on anti-bullying efforts. Like Mrs. Witmer, the government believes in putting kids first. That’s why I worked hard with Mrs. Witmer to incorporate the best ideas from Bill 14 into Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act. Late last week, on the John Tory show on Friday, Mrs. Witmer acknowledged this work. She talked about the Accepting Schools Act, Bill 13—that it would be amended to include Bill 14. She said that she was confident Ontario would pass strong anti-bullying legislation.

I’m calling on the members opposite to work with us, to move Bill 13 out of second reading debate so that the legislation can be amended and passed in time so that it can be in schools this September.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Thank you, Minister. It’s a pleasure to hear that there is some collaboration that is taking place on this issue.

My own constituents have clearly expressed to me that they expect to see this government put aside politics when the well-being of our kids is at stake. One of my constituents sent this message to me. It said, “Bullying is a big problem in schools, and there is no room for partisan politics on this” issue.

I couldn’t agree more, Speaker, and that’s why I have another question for the minister. What are the next steps for Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, to get it into our schools for this September?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: I know that the member has been present during much of the debate on the Accepting Schools Act. That’s because we’ve had a lot of debate on the Accepting Schools Act. It has been debated for second reading for almost 17 hours, but the PC Party has chosen to delay the debate 10 times; 10 times we have listened to the bells ring instead of moving this bill to committee so that we can focus on the best interests of our kids. We can move amendments to Bill 13 once we get to committee.

There are good ideas in Bill 14. I reiterate my commitment to make this bill the strongest bill possible, but we cannot take those steps as a Legislature unless we stop the game-playing, we stop the bell-ringing and we get Bill 13 to committee.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mr. Frank Klees: To the Minister of Health: Despite promises for strengthened accountability, oversight and transparency at Ornge, the Minister of Health continues to defend this organization. Can the minister explain why, in her new legislation that she puts forward as this new strengthening of accountability and giving of transparency, she is shutting out the Ombudsman from investigating Ornge and she is protecting them from freedom-of-information requests? I’d like to know from the minister how she qualifies that as transparency.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This legislation, Bill 50, that I have introduced, does complete the job of responding to the Auditor General’s recommendations. It protects whistle-blowers. It allows the government to change the performance agreement at any time. It allows us to put in a supervisor or an investigator—a right we have in hospitals but did not have in Ornge.

This is important legislation, and I’m asking the member opposite, if he really wants strengthened oversight at Ornge, then quit the games that you’re playing. Let’s get to work; let’s get this bill to committee. But we can’t get this bill to committee because you insist on ringing the bells every day.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: Speaker, we’ll continue to ring the bells until she wakes up.

What I want to know from this minister is why she considers giving the Ombudsman access to Ornge playing games? I’d like to know why she thinks giving access to freedom-of-information requests is playing games. I want to know from this minister why she and her government continue to ring this organization with defence rather than insisting that we have full scrutiny of everything that’s going on there. Why?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Health?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I want to tell the member opposite that we are open to suggestions from opposition to make this legislation stronger.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: As I say, we are open to amendments, but we have to get it past second reading first before we can have that important conversation at committee. The members opposite are obstructing the work of the Legislature. They insist on ringing the bells; we want to get to work. We’ve got important work to do at Ornge and in other parts of government, but as long as they continue to obstruct progress in this Legislature, we’re going to have a very difficult time getting our work done.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le premier ministre. Last week, we learned that the Premier’s former chief of staff and current campaign manager, Don Guy, billed Ornge for $125,000 for “professional services.” When did the Premier first learn that his campaign strategist, Don Guy, was working for Ornge?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. John Milloy: I think members of the House are aware, but I think, once in a while, it’s important to remind members that the public accounts committee, a standing committee of this Legislature, is seized with the Ornge issue. I checked this morning: The public accounts committee, on this issue alone, has sat for over 15 hours, and 22 witnesses have appeared so far.

They have a robust list of witnesses appearing this week, which includes Patricia Volker, board member of Ornge; David Caplan, a former Minister of Health and of course a former member of this Legislature; Kelly Mitchell, a former Ornge lobbyist and a prominent Conservative; Flavio Volpe, former chief of staff to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade; Steve Farquhar, VP operations of Ornge; the chief accountant for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; and Mr. Guy himself will also be present there. It’s an opportunity to ask questions such as the ones raised today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: I have no idea what that had to with my question, but back to the Premier: The Premier knows Don Guy very well. The two have been described in newspaper articles as being “joined at the hip.” Some say that despite leaving the Premier’s office, Mr. Guy still has a say in how the Premier’s office is run. Mr. Guy’s last bill of $17,000 was to one of Ornge’s for-profit companies. That was on December 17, 2011, right when Ornge’s high-flying executives started making the front page of the papers. Mr. Guy did not take the cash. Was it because the Liberal Party’s campaign chair knew this government was doing something they shouldn’t be doing?

Hon. John Milloy: I don’t think any member of this House appreciates these sorts of drive-by smears. The fact of the matter is, the public accounts committee is seized with this matter. It’s a standing committee of this Legislature. The Auditor General reports to the Legislature through the public accounts committee. They’re in the process of examining the Ornge situation.

There is a long list of witnesses who are appearing, including Don Guy, who will be appearing Wednesday, and there will be an opportunity for members of this Legislature to ask questions, to continue their investigation into Ornge, something which complements the work that’s been done by the Auditor General, which complements the good measures that have been taken by the Minister of Health.

I would also remind members that we have a piece of legislation before this House, which, if it finally ever did make it through second reading to committee, would be another opportunity to take a look at the Ornge situation.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mr. David Zimmer: My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. For the past several weeks I’ve been sitting on public accounts, dealing with the Ornge business. Seven years ago, Ornge was created after a previous Auditor General’s report said there were problems with Ontario’s air ambulance. It wasn’t serving Ontarians effectively. The then Auditor General said that a central coordinating agency was needed to improve air ambulance service in Ontario. That’s why Ornge was created.

Sadly, Speaker, and troubling, significant issues arose on the watch of the former leadership of Ornge. The CEO and the board of directors let Ontarians down. They created a complex web of private companies, they avoided credibility, and they enriched themselves.

What are you doing to right the ship at Ornge? Are those reforms going to take root?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you to the member from Willowdale for—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member for Lanark.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Lanark is now warned.

Minister.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you, Speaker. I’d like to thank the member for the question and also for his excellent work at the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

We have taken concrete and substantive actions to address issues at Ornge. We now have a stronger performance agreement in place. We have a new board of directors, new senior leadership, and the OPP has been called in. The private entities that Ornge’s former leadership had created are being wound down, and Ornge is now focusing on providing quality air ambulance service to the people of Ontario.

And I have introduced Bill 50, Speaker. I had an opportunity to speak to that last week. Not only is the official opposition going to block the legislation, they say they’re going to vote against Bill 50.

This side of the House is focused on—

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

Mr. David Zimmer: Speaker, Ontarians entrust government with the responsibility of governing. Ornge was created to improve air ambulance services in Ontario, and there is a role for all members of this Legislature to be a part of that solution and those reforms, whether they’re Liberals, Progressive Conservatives or NDPers. This includes work by all party members on committees and on debates, especially on the committee work. This means working together on government legislation to improve accountability and transparency at Ornge.

Minister, what can we do as legislators, whether we’re Liberals, Conservatives, or NDPers, to help you reform Ornge?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thanks for the question. There is, unfortunately, a trend emerging from the opposition. It is clear that they were absent without leadership on the budget, Speaker, and it is now clear that they are absent without leadership on legislation. They are playing games with—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m going to take this moment to remind the members, when answering questions, we’re doing so on government policy.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: We have introduced new legislation that will bring enhanced transparency and enhanced accountability to Ornge.

The members opposite have chosen to ring the bells. They have chosen to play political games, Speaker. We’ve got work to do, and we need some co-operation from the party opposite to get the work done.

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question is for the Premier. Today, Premier, you’re closing slots at Fort Erie, the slots at Hiawatha and at Windsor Raceway, mothballing hundreds of jobs and putting families into distress.

Earlier this month, the MPP from Niagara Falls was to hand-deliver to you a proposal on behalf of the town of Fort Erie and the Fort Erie Live Racing Consortium. These organizations want to take over and operate the slots facility instead of closing it, saving approximately 300 jobs at Fort Erie’s largest employer.

Premier, did Kim Craitor even bother showing you the proposal? Did you consider it? And why will you not give the private sector a chance?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A reminder for everyone, including those who use first names or whatever, that we refer to everyone by their title or by their seat.

Premier.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, earlier in question period, the opposition said we should follow Drummond. We are closing those slots, getting rid of it. That was one of Drummond’s recommendations. You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say, “Do Drummond” and do as the Conservative finance critic did and call the Drummond report a sham the day it was introduced.

There are difficult choices to be made. The $345-million-a-year subsidy to horse racing across Ontario is not a good use of public tax dollars, Mr. Speaker. It is the right move to make. Our priorities remain health care and education. We are going to move forward on those files as we move back to balance.

Mr. Speaker, these choices are difficult, but they’re important for a better future for all Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Back to the Premier: Your recent budget will single-handedly close the slots at the Fort Erie Race Track, putting 300 people out of work and closing the single largest employer in Fort Erie; likewise in Sarnia, another 140 jobs out the door, and 210 more in Windsor, all with the passing of your budget—over 500 families thrown into disruption and chaos, joining the over 600,000 Ontario men and women already out of work in Dalton McGuinty’s Ontario.

Premier, why did you force your MPPs from Windsor West and Niagara Falls to vote against their constituents and vote against keeping jobs in their communities by forcing them to support your job-killing budget?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, in fact, the member for Niagara Falls met with both the Premier and I with respect to that proposal, so the premise of your question is wrong. In fact, this government’s priorities remain the economy, health care and education.

The member opposite voted against his constituents when he voted against the southwestern Ontario economic development fund. We choose to invest in health care: in Windsor, Sarnia and Fort Erie, more than 80 new doctors in eight years—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound is now warned.

Minister?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: —since 2003, 375 new teachers in Windsor, 201 in Sarnia, 382 in Fort Erie. Health care and education are the priorities. It’s a difficult choice, Mr. Speaker. You can’t continue to subsidize the international horse racing industry.

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Mr. Paul Miller: My question is to the finance minister. The budget bill sets out a rather disturbing process that screams Ornge all over again. The bill would establish a legal framework for the privatization of ServiceOntario, a framework that would allow an unaccountable, privatized, public-private system which the minister can hide behind.

In light of the disturbing abuses of public funds and the complete lack of transparency at Ornge in the fiasco, why is this minister, this government, heading down the same path with ServiceOntario as it did with Ornge?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: In fact, Mr. Speaker, this initiative actually goes back to the 2011 budget. We began that to look at the best possible service delivery for Ontarians. We want to build on our success. Remember the 30 days or it’s free on birth certificates, which we’ve done.

We took ServiceOntario, put it into one unit and increased efficiency—almost doubled efficiency. We looked at it more carefully, and like jurisdictions around the world, we’re moving to an alternate financing proposal to see what can happen.

The member is not accurate when he says the bill contemplates an identical situation to Ornge. That’s simply factually not correct. Those decisions haven’t been taken, and we look forward to working with the third party to implement this.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Paul Miller: Speaker, the new piece of legislation opens the door to privatization of ServiceOntario and any other services provided by the Ministry of Government Services. Despite the comments from the government that letting Ornge go down this path was a big mistake, it seems perfectly willing to replicate it. The bill allows the government to enter into service agreements with any—I repeat, Speaker, any—corporation to provide public services, and allows for-profit partnerships.

Can the minister explain why he introduced legislation that replicates many of the failures of the Ornge legal framework?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: It’s all about improving the quality of service to Ontarians. You know, the ServiceOntario offices that are open around the province—

Interjection.

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

Minister?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Speaker, the ServiceOntario offices that are around the province are serving people well. We still have more to do. For instance, there are still a number of services—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Attorney General will come to order.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: There are still a number of services that could be offered online that are not being offered online. There’s an investment of some $1.3 billion in order to purchase the needed computer equipment. We’d like to work with the private sector to bring those services online, to bring that technology online. That will help improve service for average Ontarians and reduce wait times for things like birth certificates and health cards. We think it’s the right direction to go in and a very affordable way to do it.

HOME CARE

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: My question is for the Minister of Finance. The seniors I talk to in Pickering–Scarborough East tell me that they want our government to do everything we possibly can to help them stay in their homes for as long as possible. I am pleased that Bill 2, the healthy homes tax credit, is a bill that helps do just that. This bill will provide a tax credit of up to $1,500 a year to eligible seniors, as well as their caregivers, who make necessary retrofits to keep seniors at home longer.

Unfortunately, while sitting as a committee member on the Standing Committee for Finance and Economic Affairs just last Thursday, I witnessed first-hand how the PCs are using delay tactics to stop Bill 2 from moving forward. Speaker, while I understand that we may not always agree, this should not stop us from implementing important bills. Can the Minister of Finance please explain why we need to pass Bill 2?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, when you listen to those bells ringing, we’re reminded that the bill will keep seniors safer in their homes longer. When those bells ring, we’re reminded that our desire to relieve the pressure on long-term-care costs gets longer and the wait time longer. Every time those bells ring, the opposition is trying to prevent the creation of 10,500 jobs that would result from this legislation. When they ring the bells, they are deliberately undermining our ability to support almost $800 million in home renovation activity.

The Conservatives are absent without leadership. They’re blocking important legislation that will serve our seniors—

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

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: Thank you, Minister. I ran to become an MPP because I wanted to help implement good public policy, and this bill helps Ontario seniors make a better place to live, work and retire. I can’t comprehend why the PCs are stalling on this. It’s unfortunate that it’s only the Liberals and the NDP who find the strategy of ringing bells offensive.

However, during committee last Thursday, I sat across from your critic, who also sounded frustrated and acknowledged that delaying procedures—and I quote from the member for Thornhill: “Every single piece of legislation that’s out there has been delayed. Nothing has come back to the House since we were elected last October 6. I’m not happy about that nor am I proud....” I’m glad to hear that.

Can the minister please further explain to the House why we need to work together to support Bill 2 to happen?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I thank the member for her question and for her hard work in trying to get Bill 2 passed.

Here’s what others say about the healthy homes renovation tax credit:

“Policies such as that would make it easier for seniors to remain at home.” That’s from Susan Eng, the vice-president of CARP. Every time the bells ring, the Tories are telling her, “We don’t care what you say.”

Paul Golini, the chairman of the Building Industry and Land Development Association, says:

“Residential renovation is essential to our region’s economic stability and prosperity because it creates jobs while improving the existing housing stock for years to come ... 165,800 jobs in new home construction and renovation in 2011, making it one of the largest employers in the region.”

The Tories are telling him and his organization, “We don’t care what you say.”

Mr. Speaker, we want to get this bill passed. It’s about better lives for our seniors. It’s about making this Legislature work. The Tories are absent without leadership. We’ll stand with Ontarians to pass—

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

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: My question is for the Minister of Consumer Services. Ontario needs a real strategy for jobs and growth. Small business owners want to do their part, but often they can’t, all because of provincial red tape.

My constituents Alan Mailloux and Barbara McMahon know all about that. They operate the Downie Street Bakehouse in Stratford. They invested good money in high-quality used ovens. Their ovens are safe, in everyone’s opinion—except the TSSA, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority. To get their oven certified for use, the TSSA made a host of—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Peterborough is now warned.

Carry on.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: To get their oven certified for use, the TSSA made a host of unreasonable demands. They even demanded that someone from the oven’s American manufacturer come up to Stratford and inspect the ovens—all at the Mailloux’s expense.

My question is this: Does that seem reasonable to the minister, or is it just more Liberal red tape?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: Mr. Speaker, first let me assure the member opposite that public safety is, indeed, the government’s first priority—a very important concern for the government of the province of Ontario.

The Technical Standards and Safety Authority, TSSA, administers the Technical Standards and Safety Act and its regulations on behalf of the government. In 2009, the act was amended to strengthen the accountability and transparency of the TSSA by providing the minister with the power to appoint the chair and vice-chair of the TSSA board of directors, establishing a legislative authority to guide the focus of the TSSA—

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

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Mr. Speaker, the minister is accountable for the TSSA. That’s why I wrote her on behalf of the Downie Street Bakehouse. That was a month ago, and I’ve yet to see her response. This isn’t about safety. Alan and Barbara spent a lot of time and energy following the TSSA process to have their ovens certified for use. But the TSSA’s demands were unreasonable and excessive. They left Alan and Barbara with no choice but to go $20,000 in debt just to buy new, lower-grade ovens. That’s unacceptable to Alan and Barbara and to me.

My question to the minister: Can she name even one regulation that the McGuinty government has eliminated which actually made it easier to run a small business in Ontario?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: Mr. Speaker, I would like to assure the member opposite how important it is to the province of Ontario and to this government to have all the small businesses in the province operating as efficiently and effectively as possible.

This is a very specific issue and a very specific case that the member opposite brings to my attention. I certainly would look into this particular issue if he brings it to my attention. I undertake to further follow up with the member on it.

While I cannot address specific cases, I certainly can look into the issue that the member raises, and I can assure the member how important it is for the businesses to continue—

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

PEST CONTROL

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Minister of Health. Early last year, the McGuinty government, with a great deal of fanfare, announced $5 million to tackle the spread of bedbugs. Now the government has quietly ended this program and also—quite frankly, shamefully—cancelled the community start-up and maintenance benefit, which helped people living on social assistance pay the cost of replacing bedbug-infested mattresses and furniture.

Do these cuts mean the McGuinty government thinks that the bedbug crisis has been solved?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Let me start by saying I can only imagine what it would be like to live with an infestation of bedbugs, Speaker. No one should have to live with that, and that is it why last year, we provided one-time funding—extraordinary one-time funding—of $5 million to help our public health units deal with this issue. I want to say thank you to the member from Eglinton–Lawrence, who worked very hard to raise this issue and to actually drive this change.

We have offered Toronto Public Health an additional three nurses to handle the bedbug issues. Unfortunately, Speaker, that money has not flowed because they have not added additional nurses. I want to reiterate that that money is available. It is ready to flow if and when they add those additional nurses.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: That’s not what we’re hearing from the Metro Toronto federation of tenants or from the local health units. They’re hearing that they need the money, and they need it now. Ontario families continue to struggle with this problem of bedbugs everywhere, not just in Toronto: its health effects, ruined furniture, and unaffordable for most people pest removal costs.

Meanwhile, the McGuinty government is abandoning support for effective local public health programs that help people deal with bedbugs; this is what they’re telling us.

I would ask the health minister to direct her opinions and her comments to those who need it most, those people who are struggling with bedbugs. I would welcome her at any time; we have many apartments in Parkdale that struggle with this problem too. She could stay for a night and find out what it’s like.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, as I said, last year we were in a position to flow $5 million to public health units; $1.2 million of that did go to Toronto Public Health. We’ve also offered funding for new nurses, if and when Toronto Public Health adds nurses to their complement.

I want to work together. I want to work with the member opposite to find a solution. The city of Toronto is, of course, running a substantial surplus this year. We, sadly, are not in that position. We will work together, though, for the benefit of the people who are fighting this infestation.

WATER QUALITY

Ms. Soo Wong: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Clean water is crucial for our well-being. Conserving our water supplies and protecting our water quality are essential to ensuring the health of our families, our communities and our economy.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of the Environment: Please explain to us what Ontario is doing to promote innovation and growth of our water sector and encourage conservation.

Hon. James J. Bradley: First of all, it’s an excellent question. As members of the House may know, through the Water Opportunities and Water Conservation Act—a key part of our Open Ontario plan—we are driving innovation, creating economic opportunities and promoting water conservation. I think the Conservatives voted against that act.

Innovative Ontario companies are already leading the way, employing 22,000 people in the clean water sector. We want to help foster new and innovative water technologies, services and practices, and encourage people to use water more efficiently. The 2011 Ontario budget outlined the water strategy and announced funding of $30 million over three years for community demonstration programs, municipal water sustainability planning, and to support education and public awareness of water conservation. This is real progress.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1152 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: I just want to introduce Crystal Lee, who’s here visiting from Toronto—actually, Toronto–Danforth—just to see the Legislature in action.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Introduction of guests? Members’ statements? The member from Durham.

Mr. John O’Toole: Thank you. I attended an event this afternoon with Playworks, and I was very impressed that Mayor Dave Ryan was there as well as Mayor Pat Perkins—Mayor Dave Ryan of Pickering and Pat Perkins of Whitby. Thank you for the work you do with our youth in the community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That was an introduction.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We’ll reset the clock. That was an introduction.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FALUN DAFA

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington.

Mr. Randy Hillier: Thank you very much, Speaker, for getting that so nice and clear as well.

It’s my pleasure and I’m proud today to congratulate practitioners of Falun Dafa worldwide. On May 13, 2012, it will be the 20th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi.

When Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced Falun Dafa, his intent was to encourage people to be truthful, compassionate and forbearing. Members of the Falun Dafa community hold these truths dear.

Regrettably, not everyone in the world follows these principles. Members of the Falun Dafa have been subject to extreme persecution, with their life, liberty and property taken from them immorally.

Around the world, the Communist Chinese government has engaged in a systematic campaign of oppression and suppression. Apparatchiks of the Communist state are not confined to the PRC. They have even forced documentaries off the air here in Canada on CBC.

Members of the Falun Dafa community have been subject to arbitrary arrests, imprisonment, torture, organ harvesting and psychiatric abuse and execution.

I, for one, am thankful for my friends in the Falun Dafa, and I’m glad they do not receive that persecution here in Ontario.

I invite all members of the House to attend the Falun Dafa Association of Canada’s celebration on May 5 in Nathan Phillips Square at 11:30 a.m. here in Toronto.

NATIONAL DAY OF MOURNING

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Today, I want to use my time to reflect on April 28, the National Day of Mourning for persons killed, injured or made sick by the workplace.

Today, the commemoration of this date has spread to more than 80 countries around the world. In 200l, the International Labour Organization observed it as World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

Make no doubt that this is a global movement now. Let’s consider some key facts, as disturbing as they are.

On average, nearly four workers are killed in Canada on every working day; about a million more are injured every year. For every 16 workers in Canada, one of them will suffer an injury while at the workplace. Younger workers between the ages of 15 to 29 are at the highest risk.

Now, just imagine all of this happening in the world, including Canada: One person is killed on the job every 30 seconds. That means that by the time I’m done speaking, we will have lost another four people because of unsafe working conditions. This is an intolerable fact.

The government continues to dole out corporate tax cuts and asks nothing in return: no guarantee of jobs; no commitment of health and safety. Simply put, the relationship between people, government and business has come to be one-sided. It is no wonder that organized labour is coming under increasing attack.

PICKERING SOCCER CLUB

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: I’m very pleased to rise in the House today to acknowledge and applaud the Pickering Soccer Club and club head coach Tony La Ferrara for their exceptional support in helping put an end to bullying in our schools and our communities.

I had the pleasure of participating in their campaign kickoff just this last Friday, along with my colleague from Ajax–Pickering. It was a great success.

I’m pleased to be joined today in the House by Mayor David Ryan and members Gino Sgovio and Franco Taverna from the Pickering Soccer Club. So I welcome them.

While officiating weekly games on the soccer field throughout the city of Pickering this season, the referees wore a vest with the Stop Bullying Now logo clearly displayed to all spectators and players. This unique initiative has never been done before by any sports organization in Canada. Their important message will reach thousands of parents, players and community members over the course of the summer and is sure to be something to generate discussion and healthy dialogue between children and their parents.

I want to congratulate the Pickering Soccer Club for taking a major leadership role in helping make our kids feel safe and comfortable in our shared community. Welcome, folks, and thank you, Speaker.

ONTARIO PROVINCIAL POLICE

Ms. Laurie Scott: Last Thursday, I had the honour to represent the Legislature at a touching ceremony in Minden in my riding of Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock.

Under the Highway Memorials for Fallen Police Officers Act, three area bridges were dedicated to the memory of three local Ontario Provincial Police officers who gave their lives in the line of duty. These dedications were made in co-operation with the families of the deceased officers.

On December 11, 1968, Corporal James Smith and Detective Sergeant Lorne J. Chapitis were responding to a desperate call from a woman and her child who were being threatened by her husband. The officers approached the suspect and attempted to negotiate with him. Despite being unarmed, both officers were shot and killed by a high-powered rifle.

On July 3, 1993, Constable Richard Eric Nystedt was investigating another domestic dispute when the suspect attempted to escape into the woods. While pursuing the suspect, Officer Nystedt was stabbed from behind and bled to death before he could reach help.

I mentioned at the ceremony on Thursday that my father, Bill Scott, was the city federal member of Parliament when all three of these officers lost their lives in the line of duty. I remember the sadness we felt as a family and as a close community to all of those incidents.

The dedication at the three bridges will be a lasting reminder to the families of these men of the gratitude of the people of Ontario for the sacrifice they made. We are forever grateful to them.

ONTARIO NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Yet again, another example of how the McGuinty government is deciding they’re going to, as my friend says, whack northern Ontario.

We first saw it with their inactions and their feeble attempts to deal with the downfall of the forest industry, making a bad situation worse. Then we see them, on a whole bunch of other things, essentially groping around and trying to figure out how to respond to the issues in northern Ontario. Now it’s the ONTC.

All of us were back in our ridings this weekend, and it’s just palpable the anger that people have towards this government. I went to the 80th anniversary of the Croatian Hall in Schumacher, I went to the Day of Mourning, I went to a number of other events in the city of Timmins on the weekend, and just everywhere you went it was like, “Why is Dalton McGuinty doing it again?” And I have to say to them, “I really don’t know.”

“Why is it okay,” people ask, “that you’re able to provide an infrastructure in southern Ontario and, yes, subsidize it by way of GO Transit, by way of other means of transportation, but you can’t do it in northern Ontario?” And then we have cabinet ministers, as we hear now, who say that it’s $400 versus whatever. Well, you know what? It costs 10 times more to provide ambulance service in northern Ontario. It costs more money to run schools, it costs more money to run hospitals, but we do it. Why? Because it’s part of the basic infrastructure that people are entitled to.

So when we hear cabinet ministers talk about, “You can’t compare it to southern Ontario, because a subsidy in the south is not good in the north,” we just wonder where this government is coming from.

WOODBINE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: I use this opportunity to welcome the Woodbine Entertainment Group, who have come to Queen’s Park and will be in committee room 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., including an invitation to meet the legendary jockey Sandy Hawley.

Speaker, as you’ll know, Woodbine Entertainment has been a strong business and community partner in my riding, and their operations have, of course, made significant contributions to the government. OLG slots at Woodbine and Mohawk generate over $500 million annually for the government. It’s the number one lottery retailer in Ontario, the largest racetrack operator in Canada, and the engine that drives horse racing. It’s a highly regarded member of the international racing community. It directly employs 2,300 individuals and another 3,000 individuals work in the back stretches at their racetracks.

It’s been a strong community partner focusing on health care and youth, has donated approximately $6 million to community organizations, and their leadership has made a great deal of difference for the young folks in my riding. They’ve set up scholarships, summer camps, riding programs for the disabled and support for local women’s shelters. Last year, Woodbine employees spent almost 950 hours volunteering in the community.

The Rexdale community has very much benefited by their presence. Woodbine has invested over $375 million in racetrack and slot facilities. It actually hosts annually more folks then the Air Canada Centre or the Rogers Centre: seven million visitors annually.

I certainly support a new casino in Toronto at Woodbine, and welcome them today.

ONTARIO’S CREDIT RATING

Mr. Todd Smith: This is a very important issue in my community and many others. We’re facing a serious debt and deficit crisis in the province of Ontario. Our party has been warning the government for months to get its house in order. We warned that the budget wasn’t doing enough to meet Ontario’s debt and deficit challenges. We warned that equivocating on a wage freeze, as the government has, would be met with skepticism by the private sector.

Well, we got that private sector response loud and clear from Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s last week. In their review of Ontario’s credit outlook, S&P said, “We believe the province’s main credit challenges include its ... weak budgetary and debt metrics....”

Was the finance minister even humbled by this news of last week? No, he wasn’t. He said that he welcomed the news, of all things.

Under the finance minister’s watch, the deficit is 22% of operating revenues. The debt is 235% of revenues. He’s responsible for managing Ontario’s books. The finance minister, and the Premier this morning in question period too, seemed to be daring the credit agencies to further downgrade Ontario’s debt and put the finances of the province into even worse shape.

Mr. Speaker, imagine you’re a family with an income of about $50,000, like many in Prince Edward–Hastings. If you were the province of Ontario, you’d be $117,000 in debt today. You’d have to pay $11,000 in interest every year on that debt, and your current spending patterns would mean that, in two years, you’d be $140,000 in debt. Welcome to McGuinty and Duncan’s Ontario.

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

Mr. Monte Kwinter: Mr. Speaker, our government understands that education is the key to building a stronger economy for our sons and daughters.

In order to grow and learn, our children have to feel safe going to school every day. That’s why I’m proud to support Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act. We’re doing more than just telling bullied kids that it gets better; we’re working together to make it better now. For the first time ever, we’re defining bullying in legislation so that every student, teacher, principle and parent knows what we’re talking about when we say that bullying is not okay in our schools.

The McGuinty government knows it’s incumbent on each and every one of us inside the Legislature on both sides of the aisle and across the province to make sure that every Ontario student feels safe, included and welcome in our schools. We’re all committed to making things better for our children.

That’s why it’s vital that Bill 13 is passed quickly so that new protections to prevent bullying and protect kids from homophobia can get in schools in time for September. I call upon the official opposition to stop delaying the passage of this important legislation. Let’s work together to make sure kids who are being bullied get the help that they need.

ELIZABETH WITMER

Mr. Ted Arnott: In a political life, you meet thousands of people, and over a political lifetime, you may be lucky enough to develop a friendship with a very exceptional person who has inspired everyone around her with her passionate commitment to public service. Such a person is our colleague Elizabeth Witmer. I know I speak for her friends on all sides of the House when I say thank you to Elizabeth and wish her well as she assumes her new leadership responsibilities as chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board.

Last week, Elizabeth put her family first and decided that after 32 consecutive years serving the people of Ontario in elected office, the time had come for her to retire from the Legislature. What a career she’s had here: Deputy Premier, Minister of Health, Education, Environment and Labour—all the easy ones, as she once said. In opposition: deputy leader, House leader, caucus chair and critic of some of those same important responsibilities—all this after a decade on the Waterloo public school board, and half that time as board chair.

She was always a political trailblazer, demonstrating women are, in every measure, the equal of men when it comes to political leadership. She also leads this place having made Ontario history as the longest-serving woman MPP ever with an elegance, class and style rarely seen in politics.

Once recognized in the Toronto Star as the hardest-working MPP in the House, her work was also defined by her compassion for people and a practical, collaborative approach to getting things done. She would work across party lines and never let partisanship get in the way of accomplishing her goals and those of her community. She was never defined by her party, but, at its best, our party was defined by her.

She accomplished big things for Waterloo region, like the hospital improvements and support for the universities and college expansions, but she was never too busy to help anyone she could with their individual issues and problems. I think of the McFadyen family and their little son Isaac, who needed life-saving medication, and what she did to convince the government to do the right thing; and the way she championed the free flu shot, which has saved literally thousands of lives since she introduced it a decade ago; and the work she did with the registered nurses and all the health stakeholder groups whom she enjoyed working with so much.

The circumstances of her departure meant she was unable to say goodbye to us here in this chamber, but I know she would want me to extend her warmest wishes to everyone here: the staff of the Legislature, members of all three caucuses, everyone.

Having been privileged to serve with Elizabeth for the past 22 years, I’ve come to know her family, and I know how proud they are of all she has done. As a friend, I’m saddened by her departure, but I know that all of us here who admired her and the way she served Ontario are ready to accept the torch that she passes to us.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank the member for that statement, and I thank all members for their statements. I also did take an opportunity to send an email personally to Ms. Witmer.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I beg leave to present the first report 2012 from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Tabuns presents the committee’s report and moves the adoption of its recommendations. Does the member wish to make a short statement?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Just my thanks to the committee for the work they did on going through this material, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Tabuns moves adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: No—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Oh, you did not do that. That’s fine. No further action is required, then. Thank you.

Reports by committees?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let’s stop for a moment. The member does need to move adjournment of the debate.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I so move.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Tabuns has moved adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT

(FAIRNESS FOR EMPLOYEES), 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR

LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

(ÉQUITÉ À L’ÉGARD DES EMPLOYÉ

S) Mr. Natyshak moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 77,

An Act to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 with respect to enhancing fairness for employees / Projet de loi 77, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail en vue d’accroître l’équité à l’égard des employés.

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. Taras Natyshak: What this bill is about is very simple. We need a level playing field when it comes to labour relations in this province. Every Ontario worker deserves to be able to exercise their democratic rights without fear of reprisal, but current labour laws allow employers to bully, intimidate and fire employees without impunity. With the present labour laws, there’s no such thing as workplace democracy in Ontario. We desperately need to bring balance back to Ontario’s Labour Relations Act and give vulnerable workers the tools to lift themselves out of poverty.

Bringing fairness to the workplace is a big task, Mr. Speaker. What we have tried to do with the Fairness for Employees Act is to take a few modest, uncontroversial reforms that we think can easily be implemented with support from all parties and all parts of the labour movement and hopefully, the employer community as well. I urge everyone in the House to vote for this very practical, doable, modest set of reforms.

PETITIONS

WIND TURBINES

Mr. John O’Toole: It’s my pleasure to read a petition on behalf of my constituents in the riding of Durham, which reads as follows:

“Whereas there is a growing body of evidence confirming industrial wind development has serious adverse effects on host communities;

“Whereas over 135 people in Ontario have reported serious negative health effects from industrial wind development, and at least a dozen families have” had their homes bought out to silence them;

“Whereas Ontario’s Green Energy Act has ended local planning control by stripping municipal councils of their rights;

“Whereas 80 municipal councils, representing two million Ontarians, called on the government to put in place a full moratorium on industrial wind development until an independent epidemiological health study is completed, proper environmental regulations and protections are put in place, and local democracy is restored;

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

“Immediately put a moratorium on all industrial wind proposals; fund an independent epidemiological health study to develop safe setbacks; legislate those findings; develop stringent environmental protection standards for natural areas; and require all projects to comply with regulations based on science”—not politics—“and local planning.”

I’m pleased to sign and support this and present it to Dia, one of the pages here in her last week.

LONG-TERM CARE

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition from the good people of Nickel Belt, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas there are a growing number of reported cases of abuse, neglect and substandard care for our seniors in long-term-care homes; and

“Whereas people with complaints have limited options, and frequently don’t complain because they fear repercussions, which suggests too many seniors are being left in vulnerable situations without independent oversight; and

“Whereas Ontario is one of only two provinces in Canada where the Ombudsman does not have independent oversight of long-term-care homes. We need accountability, transparency and consistency in our long-term-care home system;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to expand the Ombudsman’s mandate to include Ontario’s long-term-care homes in order to protect our most vulnerable seniors.”

MARKDALE HOSPITAL

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

“Whereas Grey Bruce Health Services’ Markdale hospital is the only health care facility between Owen Sound and Orangeville on the Highway 10 corridor;

“Whereas the community of Markdale rallied to raise $13 million on the promise they would get a new state-of-the-art hospital in Markdale;

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

“That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announce as soon as possible its intended construction date for the new Markdale hospital and ensure that the care needs of the patients and families of our community are met in a timely manner.”

I support this petition. I’ll affix my name and I will send it with Ranbir to the clerks’ table. Thank you.

ONTARIO NORTHLAND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Mr. John Vanthof: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission provides services which are vital to the north’s economy; and

“Whereas it is a lifeline for the residents of northern communities who have no other source of public transportation; and

“Whereas the ONTC could be a vital link to the Ring of Fire;

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

“That the planned cancellation of the Northlander and the sale of the rest of the assets of the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission be halted immediately.”

I fully agree. I’ve signed this petition and will send it down with Talin.

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

Mr. Steve Clark: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, signed by a number of my constituents.

“Whereas the Ontario horse racing and breeding industry generates $2 billion of economic activity, mostly in rural Ontario;

“Whereas more than 60,000 Ontarians are employed by Ontario’s horse racing and breeding industry;

“Whereas 20% of the funds generated by the OLG slots-at-racetracks program is reinvested in racetracks and the horse racing and breeding industry, while 75% is returned to the government of Ontario;

“Whereas the OLG slots-at-racetracks program generates $1.1 billion a year for health care and other spending, making it the most profitable form of gaming in the province for OLG;

“Whereas the government has announced plans to cancel the slots-at-racetracks program, a decision that will cost the government $1.1 billion per year and threatens more than 60,000 jobs;

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

“Call on the government of Ontario to protect the $1.1 billion of revenue the government received annually because of the OLG slots-at-racetracks program; direct OLG to honour the contracts with racetracks and protect the horse racing and breeding industry by continuing the OLG slots-at-racetracks revenue-sharing program.”

I agree with the petition, will affix my signature and send it to the table with page Noah.

DOG OWNERSHIP

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: This is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas currently the law takes the onus off of owners that raise violent dogs by making it appear that violence is a matter of genetics; and

“Whereas the Dog Owners’ Liability Act does not clearly define a pit bull, nor is it enforced equally across the province, as pit bulls are not an acknowledged breed;

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

“That the Legislative Assembly passes Bill 16, Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, into law.”

I couldn’t agree more. I will sign this and give this to Manak to be presented to the desk.

WIND TURBINES

Mr. John O’Toole: I’m hoping that other people have constituents like mine who are interested in presenting views. It’s my duty and privilege to present them. It reads as follows:

“Whereas there is a growing body of evidence confirming industrial wind development has serious adverse effects on host communities;

“Whereas over 135 people in Ontario have reported serious negative health effects from industrial wind development, and at least a dozen families have” had their homes bought out to silence them;

“Whereas Ontario’s Green Energy Act has ended local planning control by stripping municipal councils of their rights;

“Whereas 80 municipal councils, representing two million Ontarians, called on the government to put in place a full moratorium on industrial wind development until an independent epidemiological health study is completed, proper environmental regulations and protections are put in place, and local democracy is restored;

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

“Immediately put a moratorium on all industrial wind proposals; fund an independent epidemiological health study to develop safe setbacks; legislate those findings; develop stringent environmental protection standards for natural areas; and require all projects to comply with regulations based on science”—not politics—“and local planning.”

I’m pleased to sign and support it and present it to Dia, one of the pages here that’s here for two more weeks.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition from the people of Sudbury and Nickel Belt, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas the Ontario government” has made PET “scanning a publicly insured health service available to cancer and cardiac patients...; and

“Whereas,” since October 2009, “insured PET scans” are performed “in Ottawa, London, Toronto, Hamilton and Thunder Bay; and

“Whereas the city of Greater Sudbury is a hub for health care in northeastern Ontario, with” Health Sciences North, “its regional cancer program and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine”;

They “petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to make PET scans available through” Health Sciences North, “thereby serving and providing equitable access to the citizens of northeastern Ontario.”

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

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Mr. Jeff Yurek: A petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the residents of Elgin–Middlesex–London are concerned about the sacrifice of 400 acres of prime agricultural land in the town of Belmont to the development of a solar farm despite the Green Energy Act’s prohibition of building on such high-grade agricultural land;

“Whereas the company First Solar claims their use of such valuable land is justified under the older renewable energy framework that was in place when the company received its OPA contracts;

“Whereas the government has grandfathered the project into the new Green Energy Act, thereby allowing the company to circumvent any municipal opinion and review;

“Whereas the government has effectively allowed this project to use favourable aspects of two separate regulatory frameworks while avoiding aspects of those same frameworks that are meant to protect one of Ontario’s most vital finite resources: its world-class agricultural land;

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

“To put a moratorium on the solar development in Belmont until the province decides by which set of regulations First Solar is to abide.”

I support this petition, sign it and hand it page Brady.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Michael Mantha: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario taxpayers have been paying over millions in extra charges on their hydro bills to help retire the debt. The amount collected to date as per the Auditor General’s report is $8.7 billion, but the amount owing was $7.8 billion;

“Whereas Ontario taxpayers are asking, where is the money being invested?

“Whereas Ontario taxpayers are asking why this was not addressed at the time the debt was paid;

“Whereas electrical rates have increased with the new creation of green energy coming online to include solar and wind, refurbishment of nuclear plants and deregulation of Hydro One;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows to obtain answers to the following questions:

“How much of the debt remains?

“When will it be eliminated from Ontario taxpayers’ hydro bills?”

I fully support this petition, and I will be presenting it to page Manak to bring it to the Chair.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Mr. Reza Moridi: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas currently the chair of the regional municipality of York is not an elected official and is appointed;

“Whereas currently the population of the regional municipality of York is approximately one million and forecasted to reach 1.5 million within the next 20 years;

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

“To support private member’s Bill 60, brought forward by Reza Moridi, MPP for Richmond Hill, which would amend the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide that the head of council of the regional municipality of York must be elected and may not be appointed.”

WIND TURBINES

Mr. Todd Smith: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas there is a growing body of evidence confirming industrial wind development has serious adverse effects on host communities;

“Whereas over 135 people in Ontario have reported serious negative health effects from industrial wind development, and” dozens of families “have been bought out of their homes;

“Whereas Ontario’s Green Energy Act has ended local planning control by stripping municipal councils of their rights;

“Whereas 80 municipal councils” and growing, representing more than “two million Ontarians, called on the government to put in place a full moratorium on industrial wind development until an independent epidemiological health study is completed, proper environmental regulations and protections are put in place, and local democracy is restored;

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

“Immediately put a moratorium on all industrial wind proposals; fund an independent epidemiological health study to develop safe setbacks; legislate those findings; develop stringent environmental protection standards for natural areas; and require all projects to comply with regulations based on science and local planning.”

I agree with this petition and will send it to the table with Noah.

M me France Gélinas: J’ai une pétition qui a été signée par des francophones de partout en Ontario :

Je suis en faveur de cette pétition, monsieur le Président. Je vais la signer et demander à page Vincent de l’amener à la table des greffiers.

CELLULAR TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I’ve got a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

“Whereas the operation of cellular commercial transmission equipment on new or existing cell towers has been proposed near residential areas in Oakville and other communities around the province; and

“Whereas Industry Canada has ultimate authority to approve the location of cellular communications transmission equipment under the federal Radiocommunication Act;

“Whereas the province of Ontario has no jurisdiction in the placement of cell communications equipment or services; and

“Whereas many area residents and local elected officials have expressed concerns with the location due to its proximity to residential areas;

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

I agree with this petition, Speaker, and will sign it and send it down with Gillian.

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

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

“Whereas the horse racing industry employs approximately 60,000 people, creates $1.5 billion in wages and $2 billion in recurring expenditures annually; and

“Whereas the partnership that was created between government and the horse breeding and racing industry has been a model arrangement and is heralded throughout North America, with 75% of revenues going to the provincial government to fund important programs like health care and education, 5% to the municipalities and only 20% goes back to the horse business; and

“Whereas the horse business is a significant source of revenue for the farming community and rural municipalities;

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

“That the Ministry of Finance continue the revenue-sharing partnership with the horse racing industry for the benefit of Ontario’s agricultural and rural economies.”

I support this petition. I’ll sign my name to it and I will send it with page Georgia to the table.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

AMBULANCE AMENDMENT ACT

(AIR AMBULANCES), 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR LES AMBULANCES

(SERVICES D’AMBULANCE AÉRIENS)

Resuming the debate adjourned on April 25, 2012, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 50,

An Act to amend the Ambulance Act with respect to air ambulance services / Projet de loi 50, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les ambulances en ce qui concerne les services d’ambulance aériens.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I’m advised that when we last debated second reading of Bill 50, the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound had the floor. He still has some time on the clock. I recognize the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Mr. Bill Walker: Thank you, Speaker. I’ll start off where I left off. Again, I just want to suggest that Bill 50 is nothing more than the McGuinty government’s attempt to divert attention away from its failure to take action against Ornge, despite repeated warnings of financial irregularities, bloated executive salaries, operational deficiencies and, worst of all, compromising patient care. The Minister of Health, the Minister of Finance and the Premier blindly defended an organization that was siphoning scarce health care dollars into a web of for-profit companies when questions were first raised here in this Legislature in April of last year.

Speaker, we don’t need more regulation and legislation. What we need is competent and responsible leadership. Both have been found wanting on the part of the Minister of Health and those responsible for oversight of our province’s air ambulance. The question we ask on behalf of Ontarians is: What has changed? Why should Ontarians believe that the same individuals who failed in their oversight responsibilities and allowed millions of scarce health care dollars to be wasted will do anything different? A piece of paper, a regulation, a legislation is not what’s needed, Speaker; it’s a change of approach.

Certainly we have no confidence that this new layer of legislation will do anything to restore confidence in what is an essential emergency health care service. Only competent leadership can bring about that confidence.

By bringing forward this meaningless bill and boasting that this will bring about the changes necessary to restore that confidence only confirms to us that the minister does not grasp the depth of the issues that are at the core of the problems at Ornge and that she and her government are more concerned about self-preservation than ensuring the integrity of one of our essential health care services.

The bill’s single biggest weakness is the so-called whistle-blower protection section, which fails to protect some of the very people who are in the best position to report fraud, waste, abuse and health and safety violations. Firstly, it fails by not providing across-the-board protection for whistle-blowers. Secondly, it fails by imposing limits on which individuals are protected and who they can approach with information.

So again I ask: Why should we believe anything will change? What is needed is a process that will not only safeguard the whistle-blower but will also instill confidence that their concerns will be taken seriously. The Ombudsman should be engaged to assist in developing that process and should be integral to a formalized whistle-blower reporting process if this is to have any meaningful effect.

I mentioned earlier about confidence. This layer of legislation is what we seem to be getting over and over. We add another rule, another layer of bureaucracy, another layer of wasted time and effort. What we need is significant change. We’ve had months and months where the minister could have stepped in and done something of a substantive nature to bring this about. By bringing forward this meaningless bill and boasting that this will bring about the changes, the minister just again exemplifies that she has missed the boat on this one. It’s too little, too late.

We keep hearing all the time, “We have to do better.” Why don’t we do better on the first iteration when we implement something? Why do we have to continually go back and revise and revamp and bring in a whole new slate of people and start the process all over? We need to move ahead.

We’ve asked again and again for a select committee to investigate Ornge, as was the will of this House and as was agreed to by the minister herself. We need to ensure that more witnesses are able to come forward with information and be allowed time to speak on their concerns. Only when we get this will we truly be able to get to the truth. As long as the government House leader refuses to respect the will of this Legislature to strike a select committee on Ornge, we will not get to the bottom of this scandal.

As mentioned a couple of times already in my remarks, this bill is nothing more than an attempt to divert attention away from the fact that the minister has had the power to appoint a supervisor and/or inspector from the very beginning of this Ornge saga. The minister had the power to intervene at Ornge under the original Ornge performance agreement, as well as the Independent Health Facilities Act.

Article 15 of the original performance agreement gave her powers of intervention. Why didn’t she show leadership? Why didn’t she step up with the legislation she already had and act, as opposed to introducing yet more paperwork, more endless bureaucracy and this administrative boondoggle?

It’s a shame that the Premier, the cabinet and Liberal MPPs are not as committed as we are to getting to the bottom of this scandal. Why don’t they want to find out what happened and ensure that those responsible are held accountable and, most importantly, determine what has to be done to restore confidence in our air ambulance service?

Speaker, that’s our objective, and we intend to get there. We owe it to the Ontario public. We owe it to the front-line staff of our air ambulance service, the paramedics, the pilots, the engineers, the dispatchers, the maintenance crews and the administrative staff who are dedicated to providing an essential health care service to the people of this province.

I want to assure those people that we will do everything in our power on this side of the House, on their behalf, to achieve that objective.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments.

M me France Gélinas: Mr. Speaker, it’s always a little bit odd when the lead starts the week preceding and then continues. Anyway, I was there when the member from Newmarket–Aurora started his lead, and I listened to the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound from beginning to end, the end being today.

I agree with lots of what they have put forward; things such as the expression that I think the member from Newmarket–Aurora used, “We shut the barn door once the horse had already left”—I think applies very well, in the sense that there is so much scrutiny on Ornge right now that the people in there wouldn’t dare raise a finger without making sure that it is in the protocol. To come out with this new legislation—some of it is very problematic to me and to us—after the scandal is already done, after the harm is already done, is very little consolation.

They talk about building confidence back into the system. This is something you hear the NDP talk about a lot. When we talk about health care, health care happens between individuals. That relationship between the care providers and the person receiving the care is at the core of confidence. Once you’ve lost this, you have lost the ability to deliver top-quality care, and this is a shame.

They talk about two glaring myths in this bill—that is, if you are serious that you want to give people transparency and accountability, then rather than inventing new powers, why don’t you use effective levers that we already have? Why don’t you give the Ombudsman oversight of air transportation, and why don’t you make this agency FOI-able?

I’ll have more to say soon.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments.

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: It’s a pleasure to add my comments to those of the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound and urge that the members of this House speak in support of Bill 50, or at the end of the day would be supportive of Bill 50, because I think it’s that step forward that we all need and a challenge that’s been placed before this House—where an organization does things that you would otherwise it did not do.

What we propose to do or what the bill proposes to do is that we’re able to appoint a supervisor and move in quickly. I think all members of this House would agree that that’s something that should be done. When a challenge faces any government at any time, you want to be able to move quickly. So the ability to put a special investigator in there or to put a supervisor, I think, is good, sound management and something that we should be promoting and should all be supporting.

We should also be allowed, at the provincial level, to give directives to the air ambulance service in the same way that we’ve all gotten used to doing at the hospitals. When things got out of hand a little bit at the hospitals in the past under any party, we’ve been able to move in and make changes. That’s what we’d like to see here.

I think any agency of the government that is operated on behalf of the government should have a level of accountability similar to what you would find in the private sector, for example, where there are performance measures, where there are standards that are put out there and the organization can then be held to account using those performance measures and standards as a bit of a guide.

I believe we also need to have a performance agreement with any agency that operates on behalf of the government, especially one such as Ornge or the air ambulance service that provides such a necessary and needed service to the people of the province of Ontario. We need to be clear, in that performance agreement, that responsibilities exist that are expected on behalf of the ministry and that will indeed be provided by the air ambulance service. By supporting Bill 50, you allow this to move forward to the committee stage. I’m sure there will be some further comments at that stage, but I think it’s important that we move to that stage.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Mr. John O’Toole: I do respect the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound as the critic for the health care file. I think he did a commendable job in terms of, I think, just telling it the way it is. He’s very good at that. In fact, he followed the remarks by Frank Klees, made earlier, where he said basically that the actions of Bill 50 are completely unnecessary; in fact, there are regulations, etc., under the current Ambulance Act to do the same thing. But this is really kind of a whitewash, trying to move forward and act like they’re doing something. I agree. That’s kind of the argument he put forward.

But I want to put one more thing on the table, too. We all get letters from frustrated civil servants, and I want to put on the record here one Julie Wood, who has written to members of our caucus and, I think, to the Premier as well, outlining some of the people who are in charge, not just at Ornge. Ron McKerlie is now in charge. He was the former super-deputy from, I think, government services. In one of these memos, he is criticized quite openly. I’ll put that on here, supporting that observation, except that others were saying—these are former civil servants. It looks like the blind leading the blind.

Why don’t they let the Ombudsman take care of this? What’s this special section? If you look at the first

section of the bill, it says, “The Lieutenant Governor in Council may appoint special investigators to investigate and report on the activities” to the minister. Why wouldn’t you just let the Ombudsman do it? If we really want it to be clear and open and transparent, what’s the problem with letting André Marin? He’s the king of all—he’d out you in five seconds.

Now the deal here is that there’s a lot of power to the minister. They have messed this file up so badly that Bill 50 is completely unwarranted.

Hon. John Gerretsen: Come on. Say something nice.

Mr. John O’Toole: Look, we’d like you to straighten out the mess. What we really want is a select committee on Ornge. That’s what we want. In that vein, I would like—oh, I ran out of time or I would have called for bells.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Mr. Jonah Schein: I listened carefully to the members from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, Nickel Belt, Oakville and Durham, and I’m happy to speak about G50 today. Clea