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November 25, 2013

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2013-Nov-25 (PDF)

L089 - Mon 25 Nov 2013 / Lun 25 nov 2013

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 25 November 2013 Lundi 25 novembre 2013

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

WEARING OF RIBBONS

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

JOB CREATION

JOB CREATION

MINING INDUSTRY

MINING INDUSTRY

JOB CREATION

JOB CREATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

MANUFACTURING JOBS

CHILD CARE CENTRES

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

JOB CREATION

RETIREMENT HOMES

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

TEACHERS

HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

TEACHERS

POLAR SPLASH

BRUCE HOUSE

BRUCE POWER

CENTRE 55

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

EMILY MACDONALD

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

ENERGY POLICIES

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CAPPING TOP PUBLIC SECTOR

SALARIES ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LE PLAFONNEMENT

DES HAUTS TRAITEMENTS

DU SECTEUR PUBLIC

PAVED SHOULDER CONSTRUCTION

AND BICYCLING ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA CONSTRUCTION

D’ACCOTEMENTS STABILISÉS

ET LA CIRCULATION DES BICYCLETTES

ENDING COAL FOR

CLEANER AIR ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR

L’ABANDON DU CHARBON

POUR UN AIR PLUS PROPRE

TARION ACCOUNTABILITY

AND OVERSIGHT ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR

LA RESPONSABILISATION

ET LA SURVEILLANCE DE TARION

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

DIABETES

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

DIABETES

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

DIABETES

PETITIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

MINIMUM WAGE

EDUCATION FUNDING

CANCER TREATMENT

LONG-TERM CARE

AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY

CANCER TREATMENT

MINIMUM WAGE

POWER PLANTS

REPLACEMENT WORKERS

POWER PLANTS

DOG OWNERSHIP

MARKDALE HOSPITAL

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

OPPOSITION DAY

HOSPITAL FUNDING

ORDERS OF THE DAY

SCHOOL BOARDS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA NÉGOCIATION COLLECTIVE DANS LES CONSEILS SCOLAIRES

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Rick Nicholls: It is my pleasure this morning to introduce Darlene Smith-Kling, who is president of the Chatham Kent Women’s Centre board of directors, and five of her other colleagues, who are not here yet, but I will mention them: Laurie Willick, Lisa Christian, Darlinys Diaz Pages, Patrizia Zonta and Melissa Bolanos. Welcome them to our Legislature.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I’d like to introduce my guests today. They were here in my office, and we had a very informed meeting about the Canadian Diabetes Association. I’d like to welcome Celso Oliveira, Kerry Bruder and Suneel Mehra. Welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. Grant Crack: It gives me great pleasure today to introduce and welcome the chair of Flowers Canada, Mr. Gerard Schouwenaar, who is here with his sons, Karl and Jake, today. Welcome.

Mr. Michael Harris: I’d like to introduce a good friend of mine, Trevor Dick from the Ottawa Valley. He will be joining us today on the Legiskaters hockey team. We’re looking for a W today. Welcome, Trevor, to the Legislature.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: It’s my pleasure to welcome Don Taylor, who’s the chair of the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers. Speaker, as all honourable members know, one of the most favourite words around the Legislature this time of year is “TOGA,” and not in the Greco-Roman frat house tradition. It’s The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance, who is here today to deliver some wonderful, fresh poinsettias to celebrate the season and to honour greenhouse growers in Ontario.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I’d like to welcome The Ontario Greenhouse Alliance to the Legislature today. In the gallery, among others, is the chair, Jan VanderHout. They are a great organization, and I’m happy to see them here again today. I hope all the members will take the time to talk to them at their reception in room 228 following question period. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature today Gerry Marshall of the town of Penetanguishene. With him is Candice Moreau. She’s the coordinator of the 2015 400th-anniversary-of-Champlain commemoration.

Ms. Cindy Forster: I’d like to welcome Wayne Gates. He’s the president of—I think it’s still Local 199 Unifor, formerly CAW. Welcome, Wayne—oh, and a councillor from Niagara Falls as well.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature a constituent of mine, Jason McComb, who is raising awareness of homelessness, walking from St. Thomas to Ottawa. He’s in Toronto today to say hello.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’d like to extend a warm welcome to the family of page Zachary Piette. His mother, Suzanne Piette; his grandmother, Jackie Powell; his grandfather, Harry Powell; and his sister, Katie Piette, have all joined us today in the gallery. Welcome.

Mr. Todd Smith: On behalf of my colleague the member from Burlington, I’d like to welcome Diane Beaulieu and Trisha Porter from the Halton women’s shelter in Burlington to the Legislature today.

Mr. Jack MacLaren: Mr. Speaker, I’d like to introduce my brother, Jim MacLaren, who is here from Calgary. He was looking for business opportunities in Ontario. He finds energy too expensive, so he’s going back to Alberta.

Mr. Steve Clark: I know that members have been meeting this morning, and throughout the day, with folks from the Canadian Diabetes Association. I want to acknowledge and welcome Christine Albee, who is the director of government relations and advocacy for Ontario. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Just before I go to the Minister of Children and Youth Services for a point of order, a gentle reminder that we are to introduce people only. That is the best way to do things.

Introduction of guests?

Hon. Liz Sandals: I’d like to introduce Sly Castaldi, who is the executive director of Guelph-Wellington Women in Crisis. I believe she’s on her way in in a few minutes.

WEARING OF RIBBONS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Children and Youth Services on a point of order.

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: On a point of order, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent that all members be permitted to wear white ribbons today in support of ending violence against women.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Children and Youth Services is requesting unanimous consent to wear the white ribbons. Do we agree? Agreed.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Another point of order: the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: Actually, an introduction, if I may: As you’ve heard, there are a number of individuals who are going to be around today from interval and transition houses across the province. I’d like to welcome Susan Young, the executive director of the association, as well as Thom Rolfe, the executive director of Hiatus House, who will be joining us today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We welcome all our guests.

ORAL QUESTIONS

JOB CREATION

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question is to the Minister of Finance. Minister, about two months ago, I sat down with Premier Wynne, and we agreed to clear the decks of legislation, because she said that was standing in the way of putting forward a jobs plan.

Now, two months later, we see no jobs plan, but we saw significant layoffs, like 800 jobs permanently lost at Heinz in Leamington, 170 jobs at CCL in Penetanguishene, in Simcoe, and abandonment of the Ring of Fire project. You know, I hate to say this, but I regret trusting the Premier to put forward that jobs plan. I guess I should know by now not to trust Liberals, but the greater regret I have is the fact that people have now lost their jobs—38,000 manufacturing jobs since she became Premier.

So let me ask you this: We’ve got two weeks left in the session. Are we finally going to see your jobs plan, or are we going to see more jobs leave the province of Ontario?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: I appreciate the question from the Leader of the Opposition, because it’s high time that that side of the House supports small business by supporting the act we provided, and that’s being stalled by that member and his party.

We have a three-part jobs plan. If you read the fall economic statement, it talks about what it is we’re doing to create those jobs. As a result of—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I guess just asking for a blanket order does not suffice, so I will return to people’s ridings.

Carry on.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

As a result of the jobs plan we have, and that we’ve been pursuing over the last number of years, we’ve made strategic investments in our province to withstand the recession, and we’ve weathered it better than most jurisdictions around the world, and here in North America, for that matter.

The member opposite should embrace the strong fundamentals that exist in Ontario and the hard-working families and businesses that invest in this province. We will continue to support them, and so should you.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: You know, Speaker, sometimes I worry that the finance minister is little more than a nice suit, a nice smile and a briefing book. He seems to have no depth of understanding on this issue. No wonder we’re in deep trouble.

Minister, you say your Bill 105 would have saved jobs at Heinz and CCL. I will remind you that you’re actually increasing taxes for medium and large employers if the payroll is more than $5 million. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t Bill 105 actually have increased taxes on companies the size of Heinz and CCL? Do you know your own legislation?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Well, there you have it, Mr. Speaker: The member opposite does not want to support an exemption to the employer health tax that will save 90% of all small businesses in this province not to be paying that tax. Ninety per cent of businesses in Ontario would be exempt from that tax. The member opposite is now saying he wouldn’t support that initiative. Sixty thousand more small businesses would be exempt as a result of these initiatives.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Renfrew, come to order.

Hon. Charles Sousa: It’s true, Mr. Speaker, that—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Nepean–Carleton, come to order.

Hon. Charles Sousa: —will paid by big corporations. I’ve spoken to some of those corporations that see no problem whatsoever in supporting these initiatives. You should be supporting it as well.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: Well, I guess the minister didn’t have a briefing note on that topic. You know that your bill actually increases taxes. Let’s think of some of the losses that, sadly, we’ve seen: CCL, Kellogg’s, John Deere, Heinz, Cat. All of those would have had a tax increase in Bill 105.

So, Minister, I’m going to ask you to move beyond the briefing notes and actually answer from the heart. I’ve got a plan that will actually get hydro rates under control so that businesses will invest again in our province. I’ve got a plan to get taxes down to encourage investment in a new machine and a new product line and hire men and women again. I’ve got a plan to clear aside the red tape, the hassle, the runaround to reduce the regulatory burden by at least a third.

I’ve got a plan to put people into good jobs they can count on: middle-class comfort and security, permanent jobs, not temporary job to temporary job. I’ve got a plan, so let’s get going. All I’m asking you is, where the hell is yours?

Interjections.

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

I would ask the leader to withdraw.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Withdraw.

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

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite wants us to speak from the heart. I can tell you this: The plan that’s being provided and proposed by the member opposite is a slash-and-burn policy that’s going to create havoc and make it very difficult for our economy to grow and, more importantly, to sustain those businesses.

The member opposite makes claims about increased taxes. The fact of the matter is: Supporting small businesses—in the end, the net result is that it’s not fully offset. We do recognize that we need to create more jobs and build our economy.

This is their plan, Mr. Speaker: Their plan calls to fire 10,000 education workers. Their plan calls to fire 2,000 health care workers. Their plan will cancel infrastructure projects across the province. They will drive down wages with their harmful right-to-work-less legislation. Their plan is to fight.

JOB CREATION

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the finance minister. I mean, what a pathetic answer from the finance minister. Three chances to tell us what his plan is, or at least when it’s forthcoming. I take part of the blame myself. I did trust you. I trusted the Premier to bring forward a jobs plan when I said I would clear the decks. But let me tell you what’s happened since. So 800 men and women lose their jobs in Leamington, Ontario. Heinz ketchup, that was made in Ontario for 100 years, will now be made in the United States of America. This is devastating to those communities. We saw CCL on Friday laying off, closing down, 170 jobs in Penetanguishene. The Ring of Fire is gone.

So when Leamington lost that environment, that job creation dynamo in Heinz, what was your response? You brought forward legislation to ban smoking on patios. When we lost the Ring of Fire project, what was your response? To get Al Gore to pat you on the back for the very same policies that drove hydro rates through the roof. When are you going to bring forward a plan, or is it simply time to change the team that leads, to put forward a jobs plan that will put men and women back into good-paying jobs—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Minister of Finance?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, our plan has been clearly laid out in our fall economic statement. Unlike the member opposite, we believe that we need to make those investments in our people. We recognize there’s a skills shortage among certain sectors of our economy that we have attracted. We need to fill them. That’s why we need to invest in them. We also recognize that we need to invest in modern infrastructure. Those strategic initiatives will enable us to have a 100,000 more new jobs in the province. And we will also do everything possible to maintain a dynamic business climate by maintaining our tax systems low relative to the other jurisdictions around North America and the world.

The fact of the matter is there is investment coming to Ontario. The fact of the matter is we have over 470,000 net new jobs since the recession. The fact of the matter is the initiatives that we’ve taken are working, and the member opposite doesn’t see the need to make those investments, and that’s worrisome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: Well, I’m not going to argue that the finance minister has added 300,000 jobs to the government payroll. I just think we need a healthy, thriving private sector to rebuild our middle class, and if people are working, they pay taxes to support health and education.

The problem is—and I believe you’ve got this in your briefing binder somewhere—we’ve lost 38,000 manufacturing jobs under Premier Wynne alone. We’ve lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs under the McGuinty-Wynne government. This is our middle class. I remember growing up in the north end of Fort Erie on Lindbergh Drive. Most of the moms and dads and my friends worked at the factory; they worked at the plant and built our middle class. It was the backbone of communities that I call home. You’ve broken that backbone. You hollowed out our manufacturing sector and you haven’t got a clue how to turn it around.

We do: Get energy rates under control. Get taxes down. Clear aside the regulatory barriers. Modernize our labour laws.

We’ve got a plan for 300,000 manufacturing jobs to rebuild our communities. I ask you, why don’t you?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, this is not about more government. In fact, our government has been scaling down the size of government. It’s about more opportunity—opportunity that the opposition member is trying to take away. That is their claim to their purpose: Take it away, while some of the other members of the House want to just give it away.

We have to be cognizant and balanced in our approach. Here, I’ll read something that a member of the Conservative Party, who was the leader of that party, says. He says, “There are business people who will say the last thing we need right now is a sort of war between the unions and businesses or the government in an economy that is just slowly recovering.

I happen to believe they are right, and I don’t think it’s constructive right now.” He says further, “I think it’s probably the wrong thing to be advocating, and I don’t even think it’s going to be that good for the economy.” That’s John Tory, who opposes individuals who want to fight unions, Mr. Speaker. We have to work collaboratively, in partnership.

Interjections.

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

Be seated, please. Be seated, please.

Final supplementary.

Mr. Tim Hudak: I pointed out in my opening question that two months ago, I put my trust in Premier Wynne and the Liberals to bring forward a jobs plan. Two months later, we’ve lost more jobs, and it seems like daily there’s sad news across our province of more layoffs. And after five questions, Speaker, the finance minister does nothing but play silly games. He has not brought forward any kind of jobs plan, and I fear that he won’t as we head into the Christmas break in three weeks’ time.

When we look at your legislative agenda, you’ve found importance in who can access a tanning bed. You’ve found importance around water cooler salesmen. You’ve found importance in whether you can smoke on a patio or not. My priority is jobs, getting our economy moving again and getting hydro rates under control.

So is this the extent of your legislative agenda? And if it is, let me ask you, which one of those bills—the tanning beds, the smoking legislation or the one on water heaters—which one of those would have made Cliffs and the Ring of Fire a reality to fire up our economy? Which one of your plans would have helped bring good, well-paying jobs to northern Ontario, southern Ontario and to the oil sands in the province of Ontario when it comes to job creation?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, let me respond by advising the member, who obviously hasn’t read the fall economic statement, or the budget previously, that we have a three-point plan to invest in people by creating a youth jobs strategy. That’s $275 million for 30,000 more jobs. We are advocating for our seniors and our consumers by fighting for their protection. We’re investing $35 billion over the next three years by building infrastructure. We’re bringing forward green bonds and a new Trillium Trust. We’re promoting our AFP process. We’re investing in our electricity grid that they neglected for so many years, so that we can be competitive.

We are investing in our business climate. We’re cutting taxes on small business, and we’ve brought forward legislation this fall, Bill 105, that will help small businesses. You now are saying that you’re not supporting it. Say that to your business people and—how they feel that the opposition, who claim to fight for small business, is now creating and stalling its ability.

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Acting Premier. People worried about finding good jobs in this province were dismayed to see yet another company walk away from Ontario last week. Can the Acting Premier tell us what deal the government made with Cliffs Natural Resources and whether the government held up their end of that deal, Speaker?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the opportunities in the Ring of Fire and in our mineral deposits in the Far North are tremendous, and we will continue to support and do everything possible to invest in that initiative.

There are a number of proponents that are continuing to be interested in the development of the Ring of Fire. We are going to continue to do what’s necessary, and we have established a development corporation to that effect. We have a number of proponents, and we’re asking the federal government to partner in these initiatives, as they should, the same way they’ve done it for Alberta and for New Brunswick and Newfoundland. We have to make certain that we invest in those initiatives, and we will, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, in May 2012, the finance minister confirmed that the Ontario government had reached an initial agreement or a term sheet with Cliffs regarding plans to process chromite in Capreol. Will the Acting Premier make that agreement public today?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the proponent that has been involved in the negotiation—there have been others—has made their decision. It’s going to be continuing. As a government, we’ll continue to seek the best value for Ontarians. We’re asking the federal government to partner with us. We want to ensure that we do the smelting and the fabricating of the mineral resources, so we can produce stainless steel here in Ontario. All of this is part of our ability to take advantage of the Far North.

We also want to be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the First Nations and the aboriginal peoples who are affected by this initiative. That’s why we also need the federal government to partner with us.

We’ll continue to drive forward. We’ll continue to look at what’s necessary to provide for an all-weather road and a spine to the north, to enable that development, Mr. Speaker. We’ll continue to do our part.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, in May 2012, the government reached a term sheet with Cliffs Natural Resources. The question I’m asking is, can the Acting Premier at least—if they’re not going to tell us what that term sheet said, if they’re not going to make that term sheet public, can they at least tell us whether or not they actually kept their side of the agreement or were there terms that the government actually failed to meet?

Hon. Charles Sousa: There are ongoing discussions with the proponent and others. We will continue to do what’s necessary. The member opposite knows full well the sensitivities around these discussions and these negotiations.

We have always stated that the federal government needs to partner in these initiatives. There are billions of dollars of opportunity available to us. The feds have not come forward with support for Ontario, which we need in order to take advantage of these mineral deposits.

We will continue to do our part, as I’ve stated already, and I’m optimistic that the opportunities continue to exist, because there is so much more interest still available to the area. We’ll try to develop it as best we can.

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Acting Premier. Transportation infrastructure is a huge challenge for bringing jobs to the Ring of Fire. Can the Acting Premier confirm that the government signed a commitment around creating a road and, if so, what was that commitment?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The development of the Ring of Fire is going to require a lot of input from the federal partners, from the aboriginal and First Nations people and from the areas that are implicated—the municipalities. We recognize that an all-weather road is going to be necessary to make it so.

There is also going to be a lot of work in regard to energy submissions, and we will continue to do that, but we’re having those discussions. In order for us to develop that, we need to have a partnership with the federal government as well.

We’ll continue to do our part. We’ve invested, and we’ve actually started to highlight what’s necessary. The proponents recognize the potential; we will do our best to ensure that it’s developed.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: People across Ontario were promised thousands of jobs—those were this Liberal government’s words, “thousands of jobs”—but when it comes to actually showing the public what the government did or didn’t do to deliver on that promise, we can’t get a straight answer.

It’s been clear that the Liberals have failed to put in place the framework needed to take advantage of the Ring of Fire. Whether it’s energy, roads or helping First Nations find common ground with business, the government has failed on every single count. All the while, Liberal ministers were holding press conferences and claiming that everything was just fine.

Why can’t the Acting Premier share some basic information about agreements the government signed on behalf of the people of Ontario?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Our government is moving forward with development of the Ring of Fire. We are continuing to do that. We have put forward a development corporation. We have discussions that are being made with First Nations, the Métis nations and the aboriginal people. We had discussions with various proponents, not just one.

We are trying to persuade the federal government of the importance of this development, just as it’s been important for the development of other regions of Canada, like Alberta, Newfoundland and New Brunswick. Ontario deserves the same degree of attention and investment, because there are $60 billion of opportunity, not only for Ontario, but for all of Canada.

The member opposite is asking us to provide and divulge sensitive commercial negotiations. That’s improper, and that is exactly why they would put it at risk. We will not put our province at risk in these discussions. We’re going to do everything necessary to move forward with the Ring of Fire.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: We know that Cliffs is only one of several companies interested in the Ring of Fire, but now people are wondering how many other companies are having the same kind of trouble with the Liberals that drove away Cliffs.

There aren’t just mining jobs in northern Ontario that are at stake here. There is the potential for processing jobs and refining jobs that could mean jobs in Sudbury, jobs in Hamilton and jobs in Thunder Bay, but that requires a plan.

The government won’t share the details of their bungled deal with Cliffs. Can the Acting Premier tell us his plan to work with other companies in the Ring of Fire, so that maybe Ontario can realize some of those jobs that the government likes to carp about?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, it is essential that we take the opportunities that exist in the Far North in a very pragmatic and strategic way. We’ve established a development corporation to look into the best way to provide value for Ontario. We’ve had ongoing discussions with a number of proponents. We are doing exactly what is necessary to provide for the smelting and the processing here in Ontario. We recognize the obvious that she is proposing. What’s not so obvious is getting to that opportunity in a very essential strategic and pragmatic way for Ontario.

We need the federal government to partner with us on these initiatives as well. I reaffirm the importance of that region to all of Canada as well as Ontario. We need to move forward in partnership on this issue.

JOB CREATION

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Good morning. My question is for the Acting Premier. We have cleared the legislative decks so you can finally bring out your plan to create and stimulate the economy. Instead, what do we get? A 1-800 number for pets and a new no-smoking policy.

High taxes, mounds of red tape and triple hydro rates do not provide an open-for-business climate. Your lack of vision and hope has sent Ontario businesses packing. Xstrata Copper, Caterpillar, US Steel, Heinz, and now Cliffs Natural Resources pulling out of the greatest opportunity in a generation, the Ring of Fire—all gone.

Will you finally admit that you’re taking us down the wrong path and adopt the PC Party plan to bring jobs and wealth back to the province of Ontario?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member opposite wants to give the impression that the people of Ontario and all the businesses that continue to invest in Ontario, the work that is being done to promote our economic recovery, which, by the way, exceeds all other jurisdictions around the world, including North America—he’s putting them down. Our people are working hard. We are trying to partner as much as we can to promote that economic growth.

Their answer? Cut everything, slash it all, take it away; because they don’t believe in investing in our people, investing in infrastructure and supporting businesses. That is not deserving of their approach; it is of ours. We believe in the people of Ontario and in the business of Ontario. That’s why we’ll invest in them and that’s why we’ll take these initiatives to support them.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Acting Premier, it’s not as if these jobs that are leaving Ontario are disappearing completely; they’re just disappearing from Ontario. They’ve been resurfacing elsewhere. Xstrata Copper, 672 jobs resurfaced in the province of Quebec; Caterpillar has resurfaced in Indiana; Heinz in Ohio. Will you wake up over there? The jobs and investment are fleeing Ontario. The business world is sending you a very clear message: Stop blaming it on the recession. The other provinces have recovered, the US is in recovery, and now these guys are eating our lunch. Don’t you think you’ve created enough jobs for the United States?

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me. I’m not seeking quiet for the member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke to add his two cents’ worth; he does that enough. Thank you.

Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member opposite suggests that we should wake up. I would say to him, wake up and recognize the importance that Ontario has made and done for the people and for the businesses of Ontario. We’ve actually exceeded those very jurisdictions that he’s just talked about, and we’ll continue to do that.

My question to him, however, is, why are you not supporting small businesses with the bill that we brought forward to support them? You’re holding that up. They are creating uncertainty, and that hurts small businesses. That’s creating more red tape. This is about cutting their taxes, so wake up and support small businesses.

JOB CREATION

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Speaker, 740 people will be out of work in Leamington and 46 area tomato growers will lose a significant contract because of this government’s inaction on preserving and protecting Ontario jobs, inaction on reducing industrial hydro rates, inaction on creating real incentives for capital investment and inaction on training. The list of what this government hasn’t done to create and preserve jobs is endless. When is this government going to get serious about preserving good-paying jobs that are the lifeblood of Ontario?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: We are working to create jobs in this province. The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and the Eastern Ontario Development Fund alone have created and retained more than 22,000 jobs since their creation.

Our youth jobs initiative, the youth employment fund, which is an employer incentive, has already resulted, in just a couple of months, in more than 3,000 placements for young people in this province.

There’s our investment with the Ford Motor Company as well, just a couple of months ago. A $70-million investment by the province along with the federal government is creating and retaining almost 3,000 jobs at that location.

In fact, our auto sector is having the best year on record in terms of sales in Canada. We’ve created in the auto sector, Mr. Speaker, about 15,000 net new jobs since the bottom of the recession and, of course, that’s part of the nearly 500,000 jobs—not in the public sector, as the PCs would like to say: 100% of those jobs are full-time jobs, and 80% of those jobs are in the private sector.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: The words “too little, too late” come to mind when I listen to the minister’s response. Three hundred thousand manufacturing jobs have been lost while this government has been sitting idly by, rather than getting industrial electricity costs under control. For years, one jurisdiction after another has implemented targeted tax credits for investment, training and job creation while this government has done absolutely nothing.

The Premier’s admission that more job losses are coming is extremely worrying for people across Ontario. When is this government going to table a real job-creation plan to begin to make up for the 300,000—300,000—good-paying jobs that have left this province under their watch?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: The member opposite focuses on the 300,000 job losses in the manufacturing sector over the last decade. We believe in our manufacturing sector. We believe in the nearly one million people who are working in that sector today. It’s a different sector, Mr. Speaker; it’s changing. We know that the global circumstances are challenging, and we’re adapting to those circumstances as well.

The Premier, the member from Windsor West and myself were in Leamington on Friday. We met with the local leadership, business leaders and union representatives of the individuals involved, to work with them to develop a plan to hopefully save that opportunity that is so important for that community in Leamington. So we are investing in our communities.

I think it’s important that all of us in this Legislature not denigrate our manufacturing sector but speak about the possibilities and the opportunities and the expansion that is taking place. We look for ways to continue to help, including improving and increasing their trade overseas.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: This morning I’ve got a question for the Attorney General. In September, the minister announced that a tentative settlement had been reached in the Huronia Regional Centre class action. Some of the former residents of Huronia would like to access their files so they can apply under the settlement.

Would the minister please tell the House how these former residents may be able to get access to the files they need?

Hon. John Gerretsen: Speaker, as you know, we’ve reached a tentative settlement that we hope will be finalized on December 3. It’s before the courts right now, and we believe that the settlement is a fair and reasonable one for all concerned.

We have acted to ensure that the residents of Huronia will have access to their files as soon as possible. As a matter of fact, I’ve strongly directed my ministry officials to work with the Ministry of Community and Social Services to make sure that those records will be available to those individuals, who have suffered enough in their lives. Speaker, that’s happening as we speak. Those directions were given some time ago. I know there’s some concern about that, but we will make sure that every resident will get the access to the records that they want.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I thank the Attorney General for that answer, obviously. But Mr. Speaker, I understand that this settlement is going to go before the courts on December 3 for the court’s approval. I know that former residents of Huronia want access to their personal information and files as quickly as possible.

Those seeking their information sometimes don’t seem to know where to go and are being told their files may be kept in different parts, in different ministries, of the government. This, to me, seems to be pretty unfair. It seems to be unduly complicated, and it makes life very difficult for these residents.

Speaker, would the minister please tell us, when will the former residents be able to begin to access their files?

Hon. John Gerretsen: First of all, the former residents have to be an integral part of the settlement process. It’s absolutely necessary.

They have one contact that they can make through the Ministry of Community and Social Services. They can contact Cate Parker at 416-327-6101 for assistance in accessing their records. Those records will be made available without any fees being charged at all. They are entitled to their records. Instructions have been given that those records be handed over to those residents.

We are doing whatever we can in order to make sure that the tentative settlement that was reached in September is finalized on December 3, because this case will be a template with respect to the other similar settlements that we hope to arrange with respect to Southwestern Regional and Rideau Regional. These people have a right to know and have a right to access to their records.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Acting Premier. Last week, the Premier visited Leamington after Heinz announced it would be closing a plant. The Premier announced a small amount of money with no plan. In fact, she made an announcement in Windsor before telling the people of Leamington. I know the Premier doesn’t know much about rural Ontario, but Windsor is almost an hour from Leamington.

The Premier’s visit has done little to reassure the thousands of workers and growers and all of the families affected by the closure. One warehouse operator told me that he’ll lose over $1 million because of the closure.

When I invited the Premier to Leamington in an open letter, I thought she was going to meet with the real people affected by Heinz leaving town. Instead, she staged a photo op with dignitaries.

Will the Premier apologize for last Friday’s photo op, and apologize to the people of Leamington for Liberal policies that are devastating my rural town?

Interjections.

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

Hon. Charles Sousa: The Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, I can’t believe what I’m hearing from the member opposite. I’ll tell you why: Last week, when I became aware that the Premier and I—and, obviously, the member from Windsor West—would be meeting with the good people of Leamington, with the political leadership, with the union representatives and with business people on the farm side and the non-farm supply chain, I immediately went to the member opposite and invited him to that meeting.

That meeting that he attended was obviously important enough to him to attend, and now he’s describing it as a photo op. He was happy to be part of that photo op, that meeting which was so important, to announce Communities in Transition funds, which is a first step—that first $200,000—so we could collectively develop a plan for that community so they could see their way forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Again, to the Acting Premier: The impact that the closure will have on Leamington’s economy is massive, but nowhere close to the pain being felt by the families of Heinz employees. In Leamington, it’s common for many generations of families to have worked for Heinz. Retired employees collecting their pensions from Heinz are worried about what happens next. Folks who were about to retire are worried about their future. Leamington’s young people who were just starting their careers or saving up for school will be forced to look elsewhere. Families are scared, and they’re pulling up roots and leaving Ontario.

You owe them an apology. Acting Premier, will you and the Premier apologize for crushing the hopes of Leamington’s young people and for driving families away from Ontario?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: On this side, we’re not going to apologize for working hard on behalf of the people of Leamington. We expect that the member opposite will apologize for that comment. He knows completely well that, before that announcement was made, I was on the phone with the mayor of Leamington; I’ve spoken with him numerous times. My staff have been in touch with the member opposite probably on a daily basis. That meeting last Friday was so important to the people of Leamington.

We need to take the politics out of this. We need to make sure that we’re providing everything we can for the people of Leamington. I know how devastating it is to that local community, not just for the workers at that factory but for the entire community. The people who work on the farms and in supply are part of that supply chain—and the non-farm people.

I’m committed to doing everything humanly possible to help those people, and I expect the member opposite to do the same.

Interjections.

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

CHILD CARE CENTRES

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is to the Minister of Education. Unlicensed daycare inspections in Ontario have revealed a troubling number of violations: children sleeping in damp, airless rooms in soggy bedding or sitting in broken, unsanitary high chairs. What’s worse, on November 13, there was another reported death of a nine-month-old toddler in an unlicensed daycare in Markham. This death, along with the death of Eva Ravikovich in Vaughan this year and the many others before her, are a troubling example of the policy this government is following in regard to unlicensed daycares.

Inspecting only when there’s a complaint is too late and is resulting in tragic deaths. When will the minister act and provide some oversight of unlicensed daycares in Ontario so that parents can be sure that when they send their children to daycare that day, they will be well cared for?

Hon. Liz Sandals: I don’t think we’ve had a question since the unfortunate death of the little baby girl. I can’t think of anything more devastating than to lose an infant, so our hearts go out to the parents in this circumstance. In that particular case, I understand that the police automatically investigate whenever there is an infant death. My Ministry of Education officials have been working with the police and the coroner’s office in that investigation. We have no further information. Obviously it is a matter that’s actively under investigation to try and determine the cause of death. But we certainly do look forward to tabling new legislation which will—

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

Miss Monique Taylor: Back to the Minister of Education: There were 300 complaints to your ministry about unlicensed child care in the year before two-year-old Eva Ravikovich died in an illegal home daycare that was found to be filthy and overcrowded in Vaughan last July. You admitted that your ministry had not followed up on all complaints and now, while the Ombudsman is conducting an investigation into these serious allegations, another death of an innocent child.

The time to act is now. Will you, as the minister responsible for these children, bring oversight to unlicensed daycares in Ontario instead of ignoring complaints?

Hon. Liz Sandals: We have worked with our complaints people since then in terms of improving responsiveness to complaints. In fact, we are in the process of setting up a dedicated enforcement team to deal with the complaints to make sure that there is consistency and quick response in terms of reacting to the complaints.

We are also in the process of setting up a website so that parents can check and see, when they are considering a child care provider, if there is any record of complaint against that particular provider—substantiated complaints. In the interim, parents can call the Ministry of Education and check and see, if they’re considering a private home daycare provider, whether there have been any—

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

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: I am pleased to rise in the House today. My question is for the minister responsible for women’s issues.

Violence against women is a serious issue that does not discriminate. Its victims can be poor or rich, educated or not, of any background. Intimate partner violence has been consistently identified as one of the most common forms of violence against women. Sadly, Statistics Canada indicates that over 6% of Ontario women have experienced domestic violence in the past five years.

It’s important in my community of Scarborough–Guildwood and across Ontario that the government continues to play an active role in preventing violence against women. Can the minister inform the House what this government has done to raise awareness and prevent violence against women?

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: I’d like to thank the member from Scarborough–Guildwood for her question and her advocacy on this important issue, one that we all know is still a timely issue that we continue to be engaged in.

Mr. Speaker, today marks the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. I’d like to thank all the members in the House for wearing white ribbons and showing their support for this important day.

Our government believes it is every woman’s fundamental right to live safely and securely in her home and community, and we’ve backed up that belief with programs and policies aimed at ending violence against women. Our Domestic Violence Action Plan has raised awareness and strengthened both supports to victims and the justice system’s response to these acts. Our Sexual Violence Action Plan works with community organizations to implement public education and training initiatives aimed at ending sexual violence. These important initiatives demonstrate our government’s continuing commitment towards preventing women’s abuse.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. I’m also pleased and would like to thank all members for wearing the white ribbons in a show of support for ending violence against women, and hopefully it spawns conversations that this must stop.

I’m pleased to hear that our government has taken action to prevent domestic and sexual violence against women. I know that these initiatives are having a positive impact on our local communities. Unfortunately, these acts of violence still do occur. When they do, women need to know that there are supports available to help them in their time of need. Our government has an important role to play in supporting and providing supports for abused women, with adequate levels of support. Minister, what is our government doing to support women who have been victims of violence?

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: Thank you, again. Speaker, we have taken action to strengthen support for women who are victims of violence. Since 2003, we have increased funding by 48% for community services that help victims of domestic violence. The funding has helped serve close to 12,000 women and 8,000 children in emergency shelters just last year.

We also continue to fund a program that provides employment training for abused and at-risk women. We know that economic security is closely tied to a woman’s ability to leave an abusive partner. Since 2005, 1,800 women have built new lives for themselves and their families through this training. We’ve provided training to over 30,000 front-line workers to teach them how to recognize the signs of domestic violence.

We know there’s more work to be done, Speaker. We remain committed to this issue, to working with our communities, our agencies and our employers to ensure that women remain safe.

JOB CREATION

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: My question today is for the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment. On Friday, we learned that CCL Container in Penetanguishene is closing its doors and heading to Mexico—170 more manufacturing jobs lost here in Ontario. It must be difficult for you to stand here every day and attempt to defend a government that only creates jobs in the public sector. Minister, we have to stop the exodus of good manufacturing and mining jobs to our southern neighbours. It’s that simple.

So my question, Minister, is, when will you think outside the box and create policies that will actually create employment in the private sector? When will you listen to Tim Hudak and the PC caucus and listen to our policies?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. With regards to CCL, of course, this is very difficult and unfortunate news for the workers and the families that are affected by these layoffs. It always is, Mr.

Speaker, and I think we should remember that if there’s ever a time that we should be non-partisan and make efforts to ensure that we do everything possible for these workers, including through my colleague the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, to provide job search and retraining opportunities for people across the province who unfortunately do lose their jobs—we need to invest in that. Obviously, we need to continue to do everything that we can to promote manufacturing in this province.

I remind people in this Legislature that there are roughly 800,000 people who are employed in manufacturing, and there are many cases where expansion is taking place and job creation is taking place. And that’s contributing, in part, to the 500,000 full-time—80% of them in the private sector—jobs that we’ve created since the bottom of the recession.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Minister, maybe you can explain that answer to the mayor of the town of Penetanguishene, who’s here today, and to the 170 families that won’t have a very merry Christmas this year.

Ridiculous hydro rates, along with the global adjustment, excessive red tape and regulations in your environment and labour ministries, and a new boondoggle called the College of Trades are driving jobs and families away from our province. They should rename your ministry “the ministry of job losses and job creation in Mexico and the USA.”

So it’s another 170 jobs going to Mexico. Can you explain to the House today why any private sector company would ever set up in Ontario with your dismal policies?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: The difference between this side of the House and that, the official opposition, is that we don’t denigrate our manufacturers and the employees who work with them. We believe in supporting them. In fact, the policy of the PC Party back in 2008 was not to support the auto sector. If the PC Party had had their way those years ago, we wouldn’t have GM and we wouldn’t have Chrysler in this province at all.

The response and the policy of the PC Party a year ago, when we voted to create the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which together with the Eastern Ontario Development Fund has created and retained 22,000 jobs—that party opposite voted against it. The party opposite also voted against our $300-million youth jobs strategy, which has placed 3,000 people in jobs already.

So, Mr. Speaker, I’m not taking any lessons from the party opposite. Their policy is not to support our manufacturers and not to support our employers.

Interjections.

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

RETIREMENT HOMES

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the minister responsible for seniors. In 2010, the Liberal government assured Ontarians that their regulatory scheme for retirement homes would finally offer the protection that seniors desperately need. Yet instead of moving forward with a strong system of protection, the government chose to bring forward a regulatory system that was filled with loopholes and problems. Seniors like those who are living at the In Touch retirement home continue to be the ones paying the price for this lack of oversight, as the Toronto Star continues to document.

Will the minister finally take action to protect these seniors?

Hon. Mario Sergio: Let me thank the member for her question. Let me say this: Every senior in Ontario deserves to be living with dignity and respect in a safe and secure environment. That is why the province of Ontario was the first one to regulate every retirement home in Ontario. As of today, within some 700 retirement homes, 689 are already within the law. They are operating with the proper licence.

Let me say that the In Touch residential home was living completely out of touch. We have taken all the necessary action within the guidelines—the standards—of the Retirement Homes Act. We have been on top of this house continually. That is why the tribunal agreed with us to take away the licence from this particular house.

It is our belief—it is mine; it is the one of this government—that every senior in Ontario deserves the best, and we are doing the very best because every house is being regulated.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: This government isn’t doing their very best, and they are out of touch when it comes to seniors’ issues.

The Toronto Star has been raising alarm bells about the fact that even when a retirement home operator loses its licence, there is still nothing in the legislation that allows follow-up of this order or a smooth transfer of residents to a better home. The Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority registrar, Mary Beth Valentine, is quoted in the Star saying, “There is a clear problem with the legislation in that it does not require (follow-up) and it does put us in a more difficult situation.”

Does the minister have a plan to protect these vulnerable seniors, or will he allow them to languish in unsafe conditions or even face homelessness?

Hon. Mario Sergio: It is very sad that after everything we have done for our seniors, with the legislation that we have introduced and passed—we were the first province to introduce legislation to combat elder abuse. We have instituted a zero policy. We have approved and installed in every retirement home the residents’ bill of rights. It is very sad. That is why the tribunal has agreed with us and this shows—Speaker, it’s sending a very strong and direct message to every member of the House and to every retirement home out there that our system and our laws are working, and that is why we are here today: to protect our seniors.

I will continue to take a look at the present legislation. It may not be the best in the world, but let me remind the member and every member of this House that it’s very fresh. It has been in operation for merely one year, and we have come a long way in providing our seniors with the best protection there is. We are very proud and I’m very proud that we’ll continue to provide the best care for our seniors—

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

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Ms. Soo Wong: My question is for the Minister of Government Services. Modern technology makes it possible to share ideas and information faster than ever before. In my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt, I regularly hear from residents talking about the need for governments to engage with the public in entirely new and more meaningful ways. It’s my understanding that improving citizens’ engagement and increasing dialogue with Ontario residents is a priority for this government.

In October, the Premier and the Minister of Government Services announced our Open Government Initiative. As part of this initiative, the engagement team will be travelling Ontario and hearing from citizens.

Speaker, through you to the minister, can he describe the engagement process, some of the places the team will be visiting and the work that has been done to date by the team?

Hon. John Milloy: I thank the member for her question. It is very important that we look at new ways of engaging Ontarians on many of the challenges that are facing our province.

As members know, through the Premier, we invited renowned experts and innovative thinkers to be part of the Open Government engagement team. The team members were chosen because of their individual expertise and talent. They are engaging with the public in a variety of ways, including using digital tools and traditional face-to-face town hall meetings around the province.

In fact, one of these meetings is being held today at Ryerson University here in Toronto. The Open Government engagement team will meet in the Digital Media Zone from 6 to 9 p.m. People can register for the event at opengov@ontario.ca or they can just show up. These consultations will help inform the team’s report, which will include recommendations for the implementation of Open Government initiatives in Ontario, and we hope to make the report public next spring.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Soo Wong: I thank the minister for that response. It looks like Ontario is embracing Open Government. This will mean that our government will be more responsive and accessible to the people of this province. I know that across the province, residents are pleased to see government being more open, accessible and responsive.

I understand that the Open Government engagement team is made up of leading thinkers, innovators and members of the tech community. Speaker, through you to the minister, can he share with the House the credentials of the engagement team members?

Hon. John Milloy: We have a very talented group, including Dr. Don Lenihan; he’s the chair of the team. He’s an internationally recognized expert on democracy and public engagement, accountability and service delivery. He is an adviser and educator to senior public servants and a prolific author.

Another member, Leslie Church, leads global communications and public affairs for Google Canada.

David Eaves, another member, works with companies and government on strategy and innovation. He has been invited to speak to or consult for organizations like Code for America, the White House Presidential Innovation Fellows, and the World Bank.

Of course, members will know Norm Sterling, a former member of this Legislature, a cabinet minister and someone who is intimately involved in the development of our province’s access to information system.

Ray Sharma, another member, is the founder and president of XMG Studio Inc., Canada’s largest independent mobile games developer. I don’t have time here to describe all the members of the team, but I think you get the flavour of who’s on that team. We look forward to their work and their report.

TEACHERS

Mr. Rob Leone: My question is for the Minister of Education. While the NDP continues to stand behind the Premier’s wrong-headed approach to teacher hiring, the PCs stand alone in wanting a fair and transparent process that ensures that principals can hire the best teachers for our students.

One principal from Sudbury says the following: “I’ve had to hire people that I would have otherwise not selected. I’ve missed out on the chance to bring first-rate people in because they don’t sit in the ‘top five’ eligible candidates list. We’re a small board, so word gets around quickly as to who is a five-star candidate and who is not. I find it counter-intuitive that we would accept any policy that would inhibit us from putting who we assess to be the best possible candidate in front of students.” This is from a principal in Sudbury.

Can the Minister of Education tell Ontario principals why she does not trust them to put the best teachers in front of our students?

Hon. Liz Sandals: We actually value our principals. Our principals are absolutely key to the education system. When principals are leading their schools, as you well know, Speaker, they are actually the key to turning around schools, to make sure that schools have a safe and accepting school climate. Absolutely, the work that our principals do in schools is key.

In fact, we have worked with our principals over the last six or eight months to come to agreements with our principals’ associations. We are currently doing a study with our principals on principal workload and professionalism. So we, in fact, have a very warm relationship with our principals.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rob Leone: Mr. Speaker, since the minister doesn’t think that principals are up to the job, she should listen to parents. One principal from Ottawa writes the following regarding regulation 274: “Parents are justifiably angry. They have no patience for the length of time it takes to fill a vacancy. HR cannot keep up with the demands this mandate puts on them.”

Minister, it might surprise you, but parents want to be able to have a say in which teachers are in front of their kids. The collective bargaining process that you have outlined in Bill 122 shuts out the concerns of parents. Parents know what’s best for their children, yet you’re not giving them an outlet to express their concerns through their MPPs.

This is not simply about your stance on regulation 274. It’s the message that your stance sends to parents, principals and new teachers alike. Minister, reconsider that stance. Repeal regulation 274, or the PC caucus has no reason to support Bill 122.

Hon. Liz Sandals: Now we get to the heart of the matter. We have the government opposite, or the party opposite, that’s on record as saying that they don’t want to work with unions, refusing to support collective bargaining legislation that will improve the relationship with both employer boards and unions. So we now get to the heart of it.

They’re hiding behind reg 274, which my critic says we snuck into legislation. Again, I think they have a challenge with reading, Speaker, because the legislation, which they supported, said that it would implement the MOU signed with OECTA, and if they had read the MOU that was signed with OECTA, they would have seen that it had the wording in reg 274 embedded in it. They voted for it.

HOME WARRANTY PROGRAM

Mr. Rosario Marchese: My question is to the Minister of Consumer Services. Most of the Tarion Warranty Corp.’s funding comes from Ontario’s homeowners, but Tarion does not answer to consumers; it answers to the developers it is supposed to regulate. Tarion spends consumer money on lawyers in order to fight consumers at the Licence Appeal Tribunal while protecting builders.

Tarion has a CEO, a COO and nine vice-presidents but, as far as we can tell, zero proper building inspectors. The average compensation at Tarion is over $100,000 per year, and Tarion even uses consumer enrolment fees to host an annual awards banquet that celebrates builders.

My question is, is Tarion another Ornge? If not, will the government make Tarion open up its books and prove it?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I thank the member opposite for the question. I just want to acknowledge, and I believe the member opposite knows, that Tarion has made substantial changes to its operations in consumer protection in recent years. But I do acknowledge there’s always room for improvement, and I expect Tarion to continue to look for ways to improve customer service.

It has committed to providing new ways to be transparent and increase the value of information that they provide. I have met with Tarion leadership. Speaker, it’s very important to note that very recently, Tarion made changes to its operations. In fact, it changed the board composition such that it’s now equal as to industry and consumer reps.

I’ll continue to work with Tarion very closely to make sure that they provide the best possible customer service to their clients, the people who are warrantied under this program.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rosario Marchese: The only change this government has made in 37 years, seven or eight years ago, was to add four appointees by the government. That’s the only change you made. Nothing else has happened. It’s still controlled by developers. Tarion is the only delegated authority with the power to create its own regulations without government approval—the only one.

The province forces homebuyers to buy warranty protection from Tarion but does nothing to ensure that consumers get value for their money. The Ontario Ombudsman cannot investigate Tarion, and the Auditor General cannot investigate Tarion. When will the minister reform Tarion into an agency that protects consumers instead of builders?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Speaker, my understanding is that when the NDP were in power, they did nothing to reform Tarion.

Let’s look at what this government has done to reform Tarion. We formed a new consumer advisory council; we created the role of the new homebuyer ombudsperson, to create an independent review for homeowners; and we made changes to the major structural defect warranty in the three-to-seven-year category.

The member knows that, as an independent, not-for-profit corporation that does not receive government funding—the new home warranty act does not provide the authority to request an audit. However, if this Legislature determines that the Auditor General should be asked to provide a third party audit of some kind, I will of course respect the will of the Legislature and I will fully welcome the recommendations of a report.

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

The House recessed from 1141 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Introduction of guests. Introduction of guests. Introduction of guests.

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I was stalling, hoping they would arrive. I have a group from my riding, from Forest Heights Collegiate, that is with us today at Queen’s Park. I met with them at lunchtime, and they’ll be joining us in the gallery any moment, so I’d like to welcome them to the Legislature.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

TEACHERS

Mr. Rob Leone: I want to take some time today to recognize three teachers from Waterloo region—one from my riding of Cambridge—who bravely stood up and did the right thing earlier this year.

When unions were demanding that their teachers strike and work to rule, these teachers chose to focus on what was best for the students. They chose to uphold the honour of their profession, rather than succumbing to the bullying tactics of so-called “solidarity.” At a time when bullying has become a focus of real concern in the province and in the country, these teachers chose to stand up to the intimidating forces around them and stand by the values of a profession in which they take pride.

Unfortunately, the union leadership did not see it that way. It was recently reported that these teachers would be punished through public shaming. If naming and shaming these teachers, who have the strength of character to stand for what’s right, isn’t bullying, I don’t know what is. What kind of lesson is this reaction teaching our kids who observe it?

Good teachers are so important to our education system in this province. We all know, as former students and as parents, how much of an impact good teaching can have on our lives and our futures. These Waterloo region teachers chose to be role models for their students, prioritizing learning in the classroom over political posturing, and for that, I want to sincerely thank them.

POLAR SPLASH

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I rise today to recognize a pretty cool event that took place in my hometown of Belle River over the weekend. The fifth annual Polar Splash took place at the Belle River Beach, proceeds benefitting the Community Support Centre and the Lakeshore Community Food Bank. Their mission is to give hope to each and every person affected by disability, unemployment or stress, to provide a wraparound approach to community care.

In 2009, the first annual Polar Splash dip took place. They raised $7,000. In 2010, as their clientele grew past Lakeshore and Essex, they expanded the community support to bring seniors together to share lunches and soup twice a week. In 2011, they celebrated 28 years by introducing a new program, including the rollout of a countywide dialysis transportation model. And in 2012, their hours of service went up 13,000 from the previous year, to over 53,000.

While other service groups’ budgets’ administrative costs go as high as 27%, Community Support Centre’s is around 4.1% of their budget, making them a tremendously effective deliverer of public service and support services in our community.

I want to thank and congratulate all the participants who took the brave dip into the frigid waters of Lake St. Clair—it was quite icy—and congratulate the organizers and committee members: Tracey Bailey, who is a good friend of mine; Rene G. Roy, who is a community leader; and Lyle Morris, who headed up the committee to organize it. It’s a great time, for a great cause, and I want to congratulate them.

BRUCE HOUSE

Mr. John Fraser: I’m pleased to rise today to recognize the 25th anniversary of Bruce House, an important organization in the riding of my colleague the member from Ottawa Centre. This is a remarkable organization that provides compassionate care and support to those living with HIV and AIDS in our community. Their work is based on the belief that everyone has the right to live and die with dignity.

Bruce House is led by Jay Koornstra, who took over as executive director in 2001. He’s well known in our Ottawa community as a long-time advocate for the LGBTQ community and a passionate supporter for those who have been affected by HIV and AIDS. He leads a caring and compassionate staff who work hard every day to make life a little easier for their patients.

Bruce House’s longevity is truly a testament to the kind of care they provide. This Saturday, November 25, they will celebrate this important milestone with a special evening of music and celebration, featuring the Capital Chordettes and the Ottawa Gay Men’s Chorus, at the Church of the Ascension in Ottawa.

Bruce House has helped to better the lives of patients living with HIV and AIDS in Ottawa and, in doing so, has created a more inclusive community that benefits us all.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the staff and their volunteers at Bruce House and thank them for all their hard work.

BRUCE POWER

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Today, I am pleased to stand and talk about some good job news in my riding of Huron–Bruce. Bruce Power is a public-private partnership that has their 2,300-acre nuclear generator site on the shores of Lake Huron in my riding.

On November 21, Waterstone Human Capital named Bruce Power as one of Canada’s most admired corporate cultures. Bruce Power was awarded the nomination to Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures under the Enterprise category. The company was recognized for corporate social responsibility, organizational performance, cultural alignment, and vision and leadership.

As their president and CEO, Duncan Hawthorne, proudly noted, Bruce Power was given this award because, over the company’s 12 years, they have created a workplace that not only strives to be a leader in the nuclear field but also focuses on safety, local communities and recognizing employees for great performances.

However, this award applauds more than just an excellent corporate culture. Bruce Power is an example of an outstanding public-private partnership. Public-private partnerships in energy sectors allow for stable, sustainable, long-term growth by bringing private sector expertise and efficiency into the industry.

Bruce Power’s public-private partnership model has secured $7 billion in private investments into public assets and enabled the company to thrive and Ontario to realize a stable, affordable source of energy.

This is great news. Congratulations to Bruce Power and its employees.

CENTRE 55

Mr. Michael Prue: I rise today to talk about Centre 55, which is a social support agency in the riding of Beaches–East York. Every year, they do such wonderful work around a whole broad range of issues, but I just want to talk about two of them.

This past Sunday was the Santa Claus parade that Centre 55 organized along Kingston Road. There were literally thousands upon thousands of kids out there, along with their families, to watch Santa and to get some of the treats that were being passed out.

But Centre 55 is really gearing up for what is called Share a Christmas. They have a mascot called Hamper the Reindeer, and they give out Christmas hampers to families in Beaches–East York that are in need.

Every year, hundreds of volunteers come together to sort the food and all of the goods that are being given away inside of the hampers. They even know if a family has a pet. There’s even a little something for each of the pets in the distribution.

Centre 55 is located at 97 Main Street. Their telephone number is 416-691-1113, extension 226. You can call Cameron, Evonne or Nancy. They’re looking for volunteers, and they’re going to have a delivery on December 22 to the families. Anyone who can give them support before that time is greatly needed.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I rise in the House today to congratulate the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a very successful season. Despite the unfortunate loss last night to a great team in Saskatchewan, the Ticats turned around their season, winning the last four games, and they made Ontario very proud by making it to the 101st Grey Cup. After upsetting the Argos last week, the declared underdogs won that game 36-24, claimed the Eastern Division title, and made it to the championship game.

This year, a team with 18 CFL rookies on the roster spent many hours commuting to and from a temporary stadium at the University of Guelph.

The Ticats came a long way, and overcame many odds and many injuries. In the first 40 years of the team’s history, they qualified for the playoffs every year, aside from three, and they won seven Grey Cup championships. In 1972, they made the list of being one of only four teams to claim that championship at home. Since 1990, the team has only qualified for the playoffs 10 times and won the Grey Cup once, in 1999.

Making it to this year’s Grey Cup was a huge accomplishment, something we should all celebrate. We can’t wait for next year’s season, when the Ticats will be playing in the newly retrofitted stadium, Tim Hortons Field.

So congratulations, Ticats, on overcoming the odds and representing Ontario. They made us very proud.

EMILY MACDONALD

Mr. Jim McDonell: I’m pleased to rise today to honour a grand lady in my riding of Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry who was born on Gore Road south of Williamstown in 1904. Emily MacDonald, who lived in her own house on William Street in Williamstown until she was almost 105, celebrated her 109th birthday on November 5 at Maxville Manor, surrounded by friends and family.

Emily MacDonald was one of nine children and the second-eldest of two daughters born to noted Glengarry athlete John Kenneth Alexander MacDonald and Flora MacDonald, who were married in St. Raphael’s. Emily never married and stayed in Williamstown to care for her ailing mother, afterwards joining her brother in Connecticut and working there in the health care sector until 1970, when she returned to Williamstown.

Emily, who is as sharp as a tack, talks of many events and changes that have occurred over her long and rewarding life. She recalls the day her father went off to defend our country in the First World War and remembers how her mother cried over his departure.

After returning to Glengarry, Emily soon became involved in her parish, the Ladies’ Guild and other organizations, but always preferred to stay out of the limelight. I always remember Emily standing at the table at the parish supper, handing out food well into her 90s. She’s a great fan of Celtic and Scottish music, and loved to dance and garden, and still enjoys socializing, laughter and fun.

I certainly am honoured to have had Emily as a neighbour of mine, and I look forward to celebrating many more birthdays. Happy birthday, Emily.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Phil McNeely: I want to bring renewed attention and to call for greater action to be taken to protect our environment. Just last week, we heard that Canada ranked last on a list of the world’s 27 wealthiest countries for its environmental record. Another report ranked Canada’s federal efforts to tackle greenhouse gases 55th out of 58 countries, just barely ahead of Iran, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia.

This past year, carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere passed 400 parts per million. The CO 2 level continues to rise faster and faster. We cannot sit back and continue to emit greenhouse gases the way we do. It’s time all countries lowered their emissions. We must think of our children’s and our grandchildren’s future and that of our wonderful environment.

One of the most significant ways Ontario has reduced carbon emissions was our government’s decision to get out of coal. No other national or subnational government has taken as big a step as Ontario in reducing our collective carbon footprint. When Mr. Gore was here last week, he said that future generations will ask, “How did you find the moral courage to act against climate change?” And part of the answer will be: “Ontario and Ontarians led the way.”

Last month, this government passed my private member’s motion to implement home energy efficiency disclosures. In a few years, Ontario could have most of our homes energy-efficient. Home energy efficiency disclosures in Ontario will help to further reduce our carbon footprint by creating employment and saving Ontarians dollars.

It’s time the federal government follows Ontario’s lead on getting the rest of Canada out of coal and reducing our carbon footprint.

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. John O’Toole: On November 7, I had the opportunity to attend the fifth annual Clarington Energy Summit, hosted by Ontario Power Generation and the Clarington Board of Trade. Those community leaders in attendance learned more about the ongoing planning for the energy projects in Durham. Most importantly, we gained in-depth knowledge of the Darlington nuclear refurbishment project, and it’s my hope that this project goes ahead on time and on schedule.

However, the recent cancellation by Premier Wynne of the new build, which would have created thousands more jobs, was a very serious disappointment in the community. As well as providing safe, reliable and carbon-friendly energy, nuclear energy is very comparable on the positive side when compared to unreliable renewables.

Key energy companies were represented, featuring Dietmar Reiner, senior vice-president of nuclear refurbishment at OPG; Howard Titus, the facilities manager at Covanta Durham-York’s energy-from-waste project; Daniel Hoornweg, professor at UOIT and chief safety and risk officer for the province of Ontario at TSSA; as well as Amir Shalaby, who is the vice-president of power systems planning at the Ontario Power Association, whom I questioned on the new long-term energy plan: Why this cancellation at this time? Stephen Somerville, VP of Competitive Power Ventures, was another very admirable presenter.

Mr. Speaker, it’s very true that energy is the strength of Ontario; it’s also the strength of the economy. The plan they are on right now with this government is simply wrong. We’ve seen it with job losses throughout Ontario. They have—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I thank all members for their comments.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Standing order 63(

a) provides that “the Standing Committee on Estimates shall present one report with respect to all of the estimates and supplementary estimates considered pursuant to standing orders 60 and 62 no later than the third Thursday in November of each calendar year.”

The House not having received a report from the Standing Committee on Estimates for certain ministries and offices on Thursday, November 21, 2013, as required by the standing orders of this House, pursuant to standing order 63(b), the estimates before the committee of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Education; Ministry of Infrastructure; Ministry of Children and Youth Services; Office of Francophone Affairs; and Ministry of Consumer Services are deemed to be passed by the committee and are deemed to be reported to and received by the House.

Report deemed received.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CAPPING TOP PUBLIC SECTOR

SALARIES ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LE PLAFONNEMENT

DES HAUTS TRAITEMENTS

DU SECTEUR PUBLIC

Ms. Horwath moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 136,

An Act to cap the top public sector salaries / Projet de loi 136, Loi plafonnant les hauts traitements du secteur public.

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.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, once again I’m introducing a bill that enacts the Capping Top Public Sector Salaries Act, 2013. Under this act, a public sector employee’s salary shall not exceed the amount that is twice the Premier’s annual salary. Exceptions, of course, are provided for salaries that were established before the bill comes into force, because we don’t tear up contracts; for salaries that are established under collective agreements, because we don’t tear up those kinds of contracts either; and for salaries of employees that are prescribed by regulation for work of a scientific or technical nature.

This is several times now that I’ve introduced this concept, and I hope I can get Liberals and Conservatives to actually support it this time.

PAVED SHOULDER CONSTRUCTION

AND BICYCLING ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA CONSTRUCTION

D’ACCOTEMENTS STABILISÉS

ET LA CIRCULATION DES BICYCLETTES

Mr. Norm Miller moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 137,

An Act to amend the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act and the Highway Traffic Act to construct paved shoulders and permit bicycles to ride on them / Projet de loi 137, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l’aménagement des voies publiques et des transports en commun et le Code de la route pour construire des accotements stabilisés et permettre aux bicyclettes d’y circuler.

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. Norm Miller: The bill amends the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act to require the Minister of Transportation to construct paved shoulders on prescribed portions of the King’s highway. The minister is required to construct paved shoulders on prescribed portions of the King’s highway when there is a significant undertaking to repave or resurface that portion. However, the minister is not required to construct a paved shoulder where doing so would be impractical. These paved shoulders must be at least one metre wide and must be marked with a sign warning drivers to watch out and share the road with pedestrians and cyclists.

The bill also amends the Highway Traffic Act to allow bicycles to be ridden on paved shoulders.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me. In introduction of bills, I missed the last rotation. Minister of the Environment.

ENDING COAL FOR

CLEANER AIR ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR

L’ABANDON DU CHARBON

POUR UN AIR PLUS PROPRE

Mr. Bradley moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 138,

An Act to amend the Environmental Protection Act to require the cessation of coal use to generate electricity at generation facilities / Projet de loi 138, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la protection de l’environnement pour exiger la cessation de l’utilisation du charbon pour produire de l’électricité dans les installations de production.

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.

Hon. James J. Bradley: I’ll make my statement during the time allocated for ministerial statements.

TARION ACCOUNTABILITY

AND OVERSIGHT ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR

LA RESPONSABILISATION

ET LA SURVEILLANCE DE TARION

Mr. Marchese moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 139,

An Act to amend various Acts in respect of the corporation designated under the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act / Projet de loi 139, Loi modifiant diverses lois à l’égard de la société désignée en application de la

Loi sur le Régime de garanties des logements neufs de l’Ontario.

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. Rosario Marchese: The Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act is amended to provide that the minister responsible for that act shall appoint the majority of Tarion’s board members. The minister and Tarion are required to enter into an accountability agreement.

Tarion’s objects are extended to include serving as a consumer protection agency. Tarion is required to publish a directory of home builders on the Internet, and the directory must contain specified information about each builder’s performance.

The definition of “home” in the Ontario New Home Warranties Plan Act is amended to include units in conversion condominiums, and warranties in respect of specified matters related to condominiums are extended from one year to five years.

The Auditor General is given the authority to audit Tarion’s operations, and the Ombudsman Act is amended to permit the Ombudsman to conduct investigations in respect of Tarion.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

Hon. James J. Bradley: I’m standing today to strengthen this government’s commitment to fighting climate change and to protecting the environment and the health of the people of the province of Ontario. I have the honour of introducing legislation that, if passed, would ensure that the health and environmental benefits of prohibiting coal use in Ontario are protected by legislation.

Ontario’s phase-out of coal-fired electricity is the single largest greenhouse gas reduction initiative in all of North America. Ending coal use is a decisive step that has led former US vice-president Al Gore to call Ontario a world leader in fighting climate change. Ending coal in Ontario means we will all have cleaner air to breathe, while saving the people of Ontario $4.4 billion a year in health, financial and environmental costs.

As stewards of the environment and guardians of our province’s future, we believe that prohibiting coal use in Ontario is the right course to take. Ontario’s elimination of coal-fired electricity generation is equivalent to taking up to seven million cars off the road.

I’m proposing this legislation, the Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act, to ensure that once the power generating facilities at Atikokan, Lambton, Nanticoke and Thunder Bay stop burning coal, coal-fired generation in Ontario will remain a practice of the past.

This legislation would, if passed by the assembly, prohibit the use of coal at stand-alone generating facilities in Ontario after December 31, 2014, thereby preventing new stand-alone coal-fired generating facilities in Ontario. We have industrial facilities in Ontario that use coal for production purposes but not for the primary purpose of generating electricity. Facilities of this type would not be subject to the prohibition.

Other jurisdictions have also recognized the high environmental and health costs of coal-fired generation and are beginning to phase out coal use. At the recent COP 19 meetings in Warsaw, the United Kingdom and the United States announced their intention to stop funding coal projects in developing countries. The dirty coal era is coming to an end not only in Ontario; it is beginning to happen on a global scale.

Here in Ontario, we have taken the lead on ending coal-fired generation. Our actions and the actions of other governments are being taken because people’s health and the stability of our planet’s climate are in jeopardy.

Combating climate change is not an easy task. It has been called the defining issue of our time, and it threatens not only Ontario’s economy and growth but that of all nations. It is truly a global issue. Many of the recent weather events around the world are being attributed by scientists to a rise in ocean temperature, a direct result of too many greenhouse gases in our planet’s atmosphere.

It is this government’s commitment to fight climate change and to protect public health that has inspired us to introduce this bill. I encourage all members of this House to stand with us in supporting this proposed legislation.

DIABETES

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, November is Diabetes Awareness Month in Canada. This gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about diabetes and diabetes prevention in Ontario. It’s also an opportunity to thank the many health care providers who work tirelessly to provide high-quality care to people living with diabetes and pre-diabetes, and who help us deliver the Ontario diabetes strategy.

Later today, I’ll be attending the Queen’s Park reception hosted by the Canadian Diabetes Association, and I hope all MPPs are able to join us.

The Canadian Diabetes Association is a remarkable advocate for people with diabetes. They provide education to health care professionals, they support research, and they help translate that research into practical applications. I know that we have many representatives from the Canadian Diabetes Association in the chamber with us. Thank you to volunteers and staff at the Canadian Diabetes Association for all that you do.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause serious complications like blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and amputation, if not managed properly. The Canadian Diabetes Association estimates there are nearly 1.4 million people in Ontario who have been diagnosed with diabetes. That’s nearly 10% of the population. It represents some $5.6 billion in estimated direct and indirect costs to the health care system, and that number is growing rapidly. By 2020, it’s estimated that the number of people living with diabetes will reach almost two million, with an estimated cost of $7 billion to the health care system.

To date, there are no known ways to prevent type 1 diabetes; however, research is clear that for many people the risk of type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented through healthy eating, weight management and exercise.

Fortunately, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can be managed to result in better health outcomes. One way we’re helping to manage the disease is by funding insulin pumps. I’m proud to say that in 2006, Ontario became the first province to fully fund insulin pumps for children and youth with type 1 diabetes. The program was expanded to include adults with type 1 diabetes in September 2008. So far, the program has provided more than 15,000 Ontarians with funding for the purchase of insulin pumps and related supplies.

We also provide an annual grant to seniors who take insulin by injection, and under the Monitoring for Health Program administered by the Canadian Diabetes Association, Ontario residents receive funding for the equipment and supplies used to test blood glucose levels.

To improve health outcomes for people living with diabetes in Ontario, our government announced the Ontario Diabetes Strategy in 2008. Through this strategy, we’ve made investments aimed at reducing the risk and prevalence of diabetes, we’ve provided greater support to people to help manage their diabetes, and we’ve improved access to and the quality of diabetes services and care in Ontario.

I’m proud to say that the strategy has an impressive list of accomplishments. As of June 2010, 100% of Ontarians with diabetes who wished to have a primary care provider—a doctor or a nurse practitioner—now have one. We’ve established diabetes regional coordination centres in each of the 14 LHINs to coordinate diabetes services and foster the adoption of clinical best practices in diabetes management. We’ve provided diabetes self-management skills training to over 8,000 individuals and over 7,250 health care providers.

We’ve established six centres for complex diabetes care. They provide a one-stop shop for specialized patient-centred care and treatment for people with diabetes who have multiple medical conditions and complex health needs. Speaker, I’ve had the pleasure of visiting three of our centres for complex diabetes care, and I can tell you they are making a tremendous difference in the lives of those they serve.

And we’ve put in place community-based diabetes prevention initiatives that have reached more than 62,000 individuals who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

While we’ve come a long way, there’s still more we can and must do to help those affected by diabetes to lead healthier lives. Diabetes prevention and management are two of the most important components of diabetes care, and our government is committed to working on both those fronts to improve the health of Ontarians.

Our improvements to diabetes care align with all three pillars of our action plan for health care: We’re helping people with diabetes to live healthier lives to prevent or better manage diabetes; we’re making sure that those with diabetes have a primary care provider; and by funding specialized regional programs, we’re making sure that people get the right care at the right time and in the right place closer to home.

During Diabetes Awareness Month, let’s all be reminded of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, physical activity and the need to better manage our health if we live with diabetes so we can prevent or delay its serious consequences.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Statements by ministries? Last call for statements by ministries.

It is now time for responses.

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

Mr. Michael Harris: I’m pleased to rise today in response to the Ending Coal for Cleaner Air Act. As most Ontarians know, phasing out coal-powered electricity has been a commitment made by all three parties in this Legislature, starting with the regulation issued by our party, the PC Party, more than a decade ago to close down the Lakeview generating station.

Under the Liberals, however, progress on this file has moved quite slowly. Just consider the timing of what we’re discussing here today. The Liberals first promised they would shut down all the province’s coal plants by 2007—yes, 2007. But here we are: It’s 2013, and the job still won’t be done until the end of next year.

Our party has said from the start that all this file needs is leadership. But here we are addressing a bill that would seem to be nothing more than further Liberal greenwashing.

Let me tell you why that’s the case. At the government press conference with Al Gore last Thursday, the Premier said that legislation banning coal was necessary, yet she also admitted that this bill was a “symbolic move.” Here’s the problem: The people of Ontario do not expect their Premier to symbolize leadership; they expect their Premier to take a leadership role. That’s why I found it quite peculiar that the Premier said nothing about how the province could work with industry to reduce private sector coal use.

The government could easily move forward on this issue by allowing cement companies to use alternative fuels in their kilns, but we didn’t hear anything about that. We just watched the Premier pat herself on the back for a bill that she said will symbolize the government’s commitment to fight climate change.

Given the Premier’s rhetoric last week, it would seem that the Liberals are once again testing the waters on their job-killing cap-and-trade scheme. This time they’re trying to whip up support by tabling what the Premier has called symbolic legislation.

I am looking forward to reading the minister’s bill to see if he actually included anything in it other than symbolism.

DIABETES

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I’m really pleased to rise today to speak about Diabetes Awareness Month on behalf of the PC caucus. November, of course, marks Diabetes Awareness Month, and November 14 is World Diabetes Day.

In Canada there are roughly 2.6 million people living with diabetes, and it’s estimated that one in every 10 people around the world will have diabetes by 2035.

Diabetes can be controlled with proper education and management, but without the proper tools, serious and costly complications of diabetes are responsible for over 80% of diabetes health care costs.

We must ensure that people living with diabetes have the tools they need, like diabetic test strips, to be able to effectively manage their health. Cuts to these tools, such as this government has done by limiting test strips, hurt patients as well as creating more long-term costs to the system.

Ultimately, if diabetes goes undiagnosed, which often happens, or is poorly managed, blood glucose levels will remain elevated, which gradually damages organs and can cause other complications, like blindness. However, with proper management, diabetes does not have to be life-changing. Proper education, physical activity, nutrition, weight management, medication, lifestyle management and watching your blood pressure all help to reduce the risks of complications from diabetes.

Organizations like the Canadian Diabetes Association help patients learn to live with and manage their disease so they can live normal lives. The association provides important information and support services that help people to navigate diabetes.

The Canadian Diabetes Association has also created an online awareness campaign called Who Are You Fighting For?, which encourages individuals to share their diabetes story or stories of individuals that inspire them in the fight against diabetes. People can visit fightingdiabetes.ca to learn more.

In conclusion, I would like to thank those who are in the gallery today representing the Canadian Diabetes Association and thank all of your members for the important work that you do in our communities each and every day.

COAL-FIRED GENERATING STATIONS

Mr. Jonah Schein: I’d like to take the opportunity this afternoon to respond to the minister’s statement on ending coal for cleaner air. Today the minister has introduced a bill to ban the use of coal as a source of electricity. I would say that the people in this province expect us to be leaders when it comes to protecting our health and our environment, so it’s good news that this government says they will finally stop burning dirty coal for energy, 10 years after they first promised to shut down coal-fired power plants in Ontario.

The people of this province have paid a significant cost for the government’s failure to act sooner. According to the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, up to 250 deaths each year are directly related to burning coal. Our leading scientists, of course, continue to warn us that Ontario continues to fail to meet our commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

As we know, this government has mismanaged the energy file, and it’s not just a cost to our health and to our environment. We’ve also paid a considerable financial cost for this government’s poor energy choices. The decision to move the gas plants in Mississauga and Oakville—plants that were supposed to help facilitate the transition from coal to more renewable, sustainable energy sources—was a disaster, and these private power plant scandals cost the people of this province over a billion dollars.

This is money that should have been invested in renewable energy, in energy conservation, in public transit and in our health care system, but instead the government used a billion dollars of public money to save five Liberal seats.

Countless scandals and broken promises by this government have shaken the confidence of people across Ontario. So we will need to examine this rather thick bill very carefully to make sure that this legislation is effective and will meet the needs of the people of Ontario. Today’s bill aims to legislate existing policy, is my understanding. Given this government’s penchant to govern in secrecy behind closed doors, New Democrats welcome the opportunity to read this bill and to debate it publicly in our Legislature and to take steps to push for strong legislation in Ontario that protects our environment.

DIABETES

M me France Gélinas: It’s my pleasure to add my two cents on Diabetes Awareness Month, le Mois de la sensibilisation au diabète. That’s the month of November. November 14 was actually the international day for diabetes awareness, and the month of November is coming to an end.

First of all, I want to thank all of the volunteers from the Canadian Diabetes Association who are at Queen’s Park today. They are doing phenomenal work at educating people like me and all the MPPs in this House as well as the people we work with as to what it means to have diabetes and how we can improve the lives of people living with diabetes.

The statistics are horrendous: 1.4 million of us, 10% of the people of Ontario, have diabetes. If you come to some of the First Nations communities where I come from, multiply this by three and five times; rather than 10%, you’re talking about 30%. In some First Nations communities, 50% of the members are living with diagnosed diabetes.

We can do better. How do we do this? First of all, we’ll listen to the good advice of the Canadian Diabetes Association, which just did a ton of work to release their new clinical practice guidelines. Those guidelines are worth looking at. Go on their website. Whether you are someone living with diabetes or someone helping someone living with diabetes, go to guidelinesdiabetes.ca. It is a wealth of information. It is easy to use. It will make a difference.

The government has invested quite a bit in diabetes through the diabetes network and the diabetes strategy, but most of it has been focused on treating the disease once it already develops.

There is so much more we could do if we were to focus on prevention, on helping people to stay healthy, helping people in health promotion and disease prevention, because, as has been said before, if we can get people to eat healthy food, have a healthy weight and do a little bit of exercise, 90% of this 1.4 million who have type 2 diabetes would have a chance to be disease-free, because all of the horrific things we hear about diabetes, like amputations and blindness, are when the diabetes is poorly managed. We can do better. We can have interdisciplinary care.

We can follow the practice guidelines from the diabetes association, and we will all do better.

Today being November 25, I have to wish my husband a happy birthday.

PETITIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. John O’Toole: I’m pleased to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in the riding of Durham. It reads as follows:

“Whereas Hydro One Networks Inc. (Hydro One) is proposing construction of a new transformer station on a 100-acre site in Clarington, near the Oshawa-Clarington boundary;

“Whereas the site is on the Oak Ridges moraine/greenbelt;

“Whereas concerns have been raised” by citizens “about the environmental impacts of this development, including harm to wildlife as well as contamination of ponds, streams and the underground water supply;

“Whereas sites zoned for industrial and/or commercial use are the best locations for large electricity transformer stations,” perhaps at the one in Whitby;

“Whereas most, if not all, residents do not agree this project is needed and that, if proven to be necessary, it could be best accommodated at alternative locations such as Cherrywood or Wesleyville,” or Wilson Road;

“Therefore, we, the undersigned ask that the Ontario Legislature support the preservation of the Oak Ridges moraine, the greenbelt and the natural environment at this site. We also ask that the Ontario Legislature require the Clarington transformer station to be built at an alternative location zoned for an industrial facility and selected in accordance with the best planning principles” and after a full EA process.

I’m pleased to sign and support this and to present it to Maya Joy, one of the pages.

MINIMUM WAGE

Mr. Michael Prue: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that reads as follows:

“Whereas Ontario’s minimum wage has been frozen at $10.25 an hour since 2010, and some workers earn even less due to current exemptions in the Employment Standards Act; and

“Whereas full-time minimum wage workers are living at nearly 20% below the poverty line as measured by the Ontario government’s low-income measure (LIM); and

“Whereas minimum wage should, as a matter of principle, bring people working 35 hours per week above the poverty line; and

“Whereas an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $14 per hour would bring workers’ wages 10% above the LIM poverty line; and

“Whereas raising the minimum wage will benefit workers, local businesses and the economy by putting money in workers’ pockets to spend in their local community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately increase the minimum wage to $14 per hour for all workers and thereafter increase it annually by no less than the cost of living.”

I’m in agreement, affix my signature thereto, and send it down with page Marina.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Phil McNeely: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the current enrolment of Avalon Public School in Orléans is 732 students, with 11 portables onsite;

“Whereas under current projections, by 2014, enrolment in the Avalon Public School is forecast to be in the 900 range increasing to approximately 1,359 students by 2022;

“Whereas the issue of overcrowding and lack of space threatens the OCDSB’s ability to offer full-day kindergarten in Avalon under the Ministry of Education’s targets;

“Whereas the enrolment at Avalon Public School is expected to continue rising at a rate of 10% to 15% a year for the foreseeable future;

“Whereas the staff of the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, following an objective, evidence-based process, recommended Avalon PS II as its top priority for a new school, calling the need ‘urgent’;

“Whereas the board disregarded independent staff counsel and ranked the school from number 1 to number 7;

“We, the undersigned, call on the government of Ontario and the Ministry of Education to provide the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board with the necessary funding to build Avalon Public School II in the next round of capital projects.”

I support this petition and send it forward with Najat.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: I have a petition to the Parliament of Ontario:

“Whereas Kimm Fletcher, a mother of two diagnosed with brain cancer, has been prescribed with the drug Avastin to help prolong her life;

“Whereas the Ontario health ministry’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED) has indicated that the use of this drug is associated with higher, progression-free survival rates;

“Whereas this drug is not covered under OHIP—but is in other provincial jurisdictions;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario as follows:

“That the Ontario Parliament call on the Premier and her health minister to extend OHIP funding of the drug Avastin, so that Kimm Fletcher, and others like her, can have as much time to enjoy with her family as possible; and to tell the Wynne administration that ‘Our health care system includes Kimm Fletcher.’”

LONG-TERM CARE

M me France Gélinas: I have 647 names signed onto this petition that comes from all over the Niagara-Hamilton area.

“Whereas Ontario ranks ninth of 10 provinces in terms of the total per capita funding allocated to long-term care; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care data shows that there are more than 30,000 Ontarians waiting for long-term-care placements and wait-times have tripled since 2005; and

“Whereas there is a perpetual shortage of staff in long-term-care facilities and residents often wait an unreasonable length of time to receive care, e.g., to be attended to for toileting needs; to be fed; to receive a bath; for pain medication. Since 2008, funding for 2.8 paid hours of care per resident per day has been provided. In that budget year, a promise was made to increase this funding to 4.0 hours per resident per day by 2012. This has not been done; and

“Whereas the training of personal support workers is unregulated and insufficient to provide them with the skills and knowledge to assist residents who are being admitted with higher physical, psychological and emotional needs. Currently, training across the province is varied, inconsistent and under-regulated;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“(1) immediately increase the number of paid hours of nursing and personal care per resident per day to 4.0 hours (as promised in 2008);

“(2) develop a plan to phase in future increases so that the number of paid hours per resident per day of nursing and personal care is 5.0 hours by January 2015;

“(3) establish a licensing body, such as a college, that will develop a process of registration, accreditation and certification for all personal support workers.”

I’m happy to ask page Sarah to bring that to the Clerk.

AIR QUALITY

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: I have a petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s Drive Clean Program was implemented only as a temporary measure to reduce high levels of vehicle emissions and smog; and

“Whereas vehicle emissions have declined so significantly from 1998 to 2010 that they are no longer among the major domestic contributors of smog in Ontario; and

“Whereas the overwhelming majority of reductions in vehicle emissions is the result of factors other than Drive Clean, such as tighter manufacturing standards for emission-control technologies; and

“Whereas the current government has ignored advances in technology and introduced a new, computerized emissions test that is less reliable, and prone to error; and

“Whereas the Auditor General identified that Drive Clean has had little to no impact on the reduction of emissions in Ontario and that the program’s pass rate has exceeded 90% every year since 2004; and

“Whereas the Auditor General’s No. 1 recommendation is for the government to ‘formally evaluate the extent to which the Drive Clean program continues to be an effective initiative’;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to take immediate steps to begin phasing out the Drive Clean program.”

I affix my name in support.

AIR QUALITY

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas diesel trains are a health hazard for people who live near them;

“Whereas more toxic fumes will be created by the 400 daily trains than the car trips they are meant to replace;

“Whereas the planned air-rail link does not serve the communities through which it passes and will be priced beyond the reach of most commuters;

“Whereas all major cities in the world with train service between their downtown core and the airport use electric trains;

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

“That the province of Ontario stop building the air-rail link for diesel and move to electrify the route immediately;

“That the air-rail link be designed, operated and priced as an affordable transportation option between all points along its route.”

I certainly agree with this. I’ll sign it, along with the thousands of others, and give it to page Sarah to be delivered to the table.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Jim Wilson: “Whereas Kimm Fletcher, a mother of two diagnosed with brain cancer, has been prescribed with the drug Avastin to help prolong her life;

“Whereas the Ontario health ministry’s Committee to Evaluate Drugs (CED) has indicated that the use of this drug is associated with higher, progression-free survival rates;

“Whereas this drug is not covered under OHIP—but is in other provincial jurisdictions;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario as follows:

“That the Ontario Parliament call on the Premier and her health minister to extend OHIP funding of the drug Avastin, so that Kimm Fletcher, and others like her, can have as much time to enjoy with her family as possible; and to tell the Wynne administration that ‘Our health care system includes Kimm Fletcher.’”

I certainly agree with this petition. I will sign it.

MINIMUM WAGE

Ms. Cindy Forster: “Petition to raise the minimum wage:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s minimum wage has been frozen at $10.25 an hour since 2010, and some workers earn even less due to current exemptions in the Employment Standards Act; and

“Whereas full-time minimum wage workers are living at nearly 20% below the poverty line as measured by the Ontario government’s low-income measure (LIM); and

“Whereas minimum wage should, as a matter of principle, bring people working 35 hours per week above the poverty line; and

“Whereas an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $14 per hour would bring workers’ wages 10% above the LIM poverty line; and

“Whereas raising the minimum wage will benefit workers, local businesses and the economy by putting money in workers’ pockets to spend in their local community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately increase the minimum wage to $14 per hour for all workers and thereafter increase it annually by no less than the cost of living.”

I support this petition and will sign it and give it to page Arvind to bring to the table.

POWER PLANTS

Mr. Toby Barrett: I have a number of signatures on a petition titled “Stop the Gravy Train—Call an Election.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the current Liberal government has wasted $1.1 billion of taxpayers’—”

Interjections.

Mr. Toby Barrett: You don’t want to hear what people write on these petitions, by the way. I’d be glad to read it out.

“Whereas the current—”

Interjection: I think you should report that.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Well, it says here—this is from a constituent: “Let’s get rid of the corrupt McGuinty/Wynne impostors.” He should’ve put a—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I ask the member to withdraw the unparliamentary remark.

Mr. Toby Barrett: I withdraw on behalf of my constituent.

“Whereas the current Liberal government has wasted $1.1 billion of taxpayers’ dollars on cancelled gas plants; and

“Whereas the people in Ontario have lost confidence in the McGuinty/Wynne government;

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

“Request the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to call an election immediately.”

I agree with the sentiments in this petition.

REPLACEMENT WORKERS

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from northeastern Ontario:

“Whereas strikes and lockouts are rare: on average, 97% of collective agreements are negotiated without work disruption; and

“Whereas anti-temporary replacement workers laws have existed in Quebec since 1978; in British Columbia since 1993; and successive governments in those two provinces have never repealed those laws; and

“Whereas anti-temporary replacement workers legislation has reduced the length and divisiveness of labour disputes; and

“Whereas the use of temporary replacement workers during a strike or lockout is damaging to the social fabric of a community in the short and the long term as well as the well-being of its residents;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to enact legislation banning the use of temporary replacement workers during a strike or lockout.”

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

POWER PLANTS

Mr. Jim McDonell: I have a petition, and it’s labelled: “Stop the Gravy Train—Call an Election.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the current Liberal government has wasted $1.1 billion of taxpayers’ dollars on cancelled gas plants; and

“Whereas the people in Ontario have lost confidence in the McGuinty/Wynne government;

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

“Request the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario to call an election immediately.”

I agree with this and will be signing—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The member for Parkdale–High Park.

DOG OWNERSHIP

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas aggressive dogs are found among all breeds and mixed breeds; and

“Whereas breed-specific legislation has been shown to be” a cruel, “expensive and ineffective approach to dog bite prevention; and

“Whereas problem dog owners are best dealt with through education, training and legislation encouraging responsible behaviour;

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

“To repeal the breed-specific sections of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (2005) and any related acts, and to instead implement legislation that encourages responsible ownership of all dog breeds and types.”

On behalf of the over 1,000 dogs that have been euthanized because of the way they look, I’m going to sign this and give it to Arvind to be delivered to the table.

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 it, will sign it and pass it to page Julia.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from all over the northeast:

“Whereas the Ontario government has made ... (PET) scanning a publicly insured health service available to cancer and cardiac patients” under certain conditions; 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 the Sudbury Regional Hospital, its regional cancer program, and the Northern On