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May 29, 2007

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2007-May-29 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 29 May 2007 Mardi 29 mai 2007

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

SLEEPING GIANT LANDMARK

MANUFACTURING JOBS

HUNTER'S SYNDROME

HUMAN RIGHTS NORTHWEST

SMITHS FALLS ECONOMY

ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTS CANADA

ÉCOLE CATHOLIQUE JEANNE SAUVÉ /

JEANNE SAUVÉ CATHOLIC SCHOOL

NURSES

VISITORS

RELEASE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

716056 ONTARIO LIMITED ACT, 2007

ST. ANDREW'S UNITED CHURCH (TORONTO) ACT, 2007

CONRAD BLACK EXECUTIVE

COMPENSATION ABUSE ACT, 2007 /

LOI CONRAD BLACK DE 2007 SUR

L'INDEMNISATION ABUSIVE DES

MEMBRES DE LA DIRECTION

VISITORS

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND /

FONDS COLLECTIVITÉS ACTIVES

CONSUMER PROTECTION

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND

CONSUMER PROTECTION

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

CONSUMER PROTECTION

DEFERRED VOTES

SAFER ROADS FOR

A SAFER ONTARIO ACT, 2007 /

LOI DE 2007 VISANT À CRÉER

DES ROUTES PLUS SÉCURITAIRES

POUR UN ONTARIO PLUS SÛR

ORAL QUESTIONS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

CHILD CARE

MANUFACTURING JOBS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

NURSES

MANUFACTURING JOBS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND

MANUFACTURING JOBS

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS

PETITIONS

POPE JOHN PAUL II

SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

REGULATION OF ZOOS

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

COURT SUPPORT STAFF

OPPOSITION DAY

MANUFACTURING JOBS

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I rise in the House because of the loss of 137,000 well-paying Ontario manufacturing jobs under this government's watch.

In a riding with a proud tradition of employment and innovation and the auto sector, Durham residents are deeply concerned. CAW local president Chris Buckley has said that 21% of manufacturing jobs in the Oshawa area alone have disappeared. This is a loss of over 7,000 good-paying jobs.

Durham residents have raised the awareness about job loss this past Sunday with a rally in Oshawa. More than 38,000 attended a similar rally in Windsor as well.

The loss of manufacturing jobs affects communities and families across Ontario. Families and businesses are concerned over this government's lack of a plan and lack of leadership on an important economic issue. They know that McGuinty's high spending is chasing jobs and families out of Ontario. They're looking for Dalton McGuinty's government to act now, before it's too late.

The evidence is clear: Dana Corp. lost 80 jobs in December 2005 and, later, 537 jobs in December, 100 jobs in August 2006 and 90 additional jobs in September 2006. Dura Corp. as well had 280 job losses in August 2006 and 356 in April 2007. GM has lost over 1,000 jobs, Ford over 1,000 and Chrysler over 1,000–

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

SLEEPING GIANT LANDMARK

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay—Atikokan): The CBC is searching for the Seven Wonders of Canada and has short-listed 52 nominees, including a magnificent one from Thunder Bay that has my enthusiastic vote.

The Sibley Peninsula, or the Sleeping Giant, as it's known in Thunder Bay, is a natural rock peninsula in the shape of a giant sleeping person. The peninsula is a beautiful place to explore, with Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, the mountain trails and Silver Islet being three of many places to visit. The rock juts into Lake Superior and frames Thunder Bay.

There are many stories around this landmark. One Ojibway legend identifies the giant as Nanabijou, who turned to stone when the secret location of a rich silver mine, now known as Silver Islet, was disclosed to settlers.

It is a most incredible sight. Majestic and mysterious, it brings a sense of peace to those who view it. This land is truly a wonder. The Sleeping Giant represents a calmness which most of us could use in our lives today.

As Thunder Bay's Eric Vander Wal, one of the CBC viewers who nominated the Sleeping Giant, said, "When viewed across Thunder Bay, the figure of a man stretched across the horizon is unmistakable: a man who has protected the voyagers en route to Fort William, or the sailors and salties bearing Canada's bread basket grain from Prince Arthur's Landing. Whether hiking through the cool air under the boreal forests, swimming in the waters that lap at its shores or climbing across his chest, the Sleeping Giant offers a majesty greater than any mountain pass or ocean vista. And surely must be counted among Canada's great natural wonders."

I agree and urge one and all to vote on the CBC website by the May 31 deadline to ensure that Thunder Bay's Sleeping Giant takes its rightful place as one of Canada's seven wonders.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo—Wellington): Sylvia Jones in Dufferin-Caledon, Michael Harris in Kitchener-Conestoga, and John Rutherford in Perth-Wellington, as well as the rest of John Tory's team, understand that we need to do more to protect our manufacturing jobs.

Two years ago this very week, I tabled a motion in this House which called upon the finance committee to begin public hearings on the competitiveness of our manufacturing industries. I was motivated to bring this forward because I was concerned that without immediate provincial government action, we would lose many manufacturing jobs. I envisioned that these hearings could take place in the summer of 2005, leading to an action plan that would protect those good-paying jobs for Ontario families.

My resolution had the express support of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, Canada's Chemical Producers, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Employers' Advocacy Council, the Ontario Real Estate Association, and the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce.

While the McGuinty Liberal government dithered on this emerging crisis, Ontario has lost more than 137,000 manufacturing jobs since 2005. Last month alone, the Ontario economy hemorrhaged 13,000 factory jobs. These statistics are not just cold numbers; they are people who've lost good jobs, and most are unlikely to find similar work which pays as well as the jobs they've lost. We're talking about families who are facing severe hardship because of this government's policy of sticking its collective head in the sand and ignoring prudent warnings that our caucus brought into this House two years ago and have been raising ever since.

This afternoon the House should stand united in support of opposition day motion 5. Let's not wait until October to send a signal to the world that Ontario is open for business—

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Members' statements?

HUNTER'S SYNDROME

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): Andrew Lanese is a 10-year-old boy who lives down in Fonthill with his folks, Nick and Sonia. Andrew is one of less than 24 people in this country who suffers from Hunter's syndrome. What that has meant is that he has suffered a dramatic regression in mental capacity as a result of this rare genetic disorder.

There was no hope for kids like Andrew or their families until 2006, when the US Food and Drug Administration approved a drug called Elaprase. Elaprase is an enzyme replacement therapy that improves the quality of life for people like Andrew suffering from Hunter's syndrome. It's not available in Canada, so the Lanese family applied to the Health Canada special access program. Health Canada considers the drug appropriate enough to authorize its use here in Canada, but it's very expensive. And here's the Catch-22: Health Canada authorizes its use in Canada; OHIP in Ontario won't pay for the drug and the treatments. And we're talking about hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, of dollars.

This isn't opening floodgates. As I told you, less than 24 people in this whole country are suffering from this rare disorder. I'm calling upon this government to give Andrew some hope for the rest of his life by permitting payment by OHIP for this treatment.

HUMAN RIGHTS NORTHWEST

Mr. Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay—Superior North): I'm pleased to have the opportunity today to inform the Legislature about a new organization in my community, one that promotes a vision where all people with developmental challenges are treated equally, given the opportunity to live a self-chosen life and, as a result, enjoy inclusion in society.

Human Rights Northwest consists of family members, advocates, staff workers and members from the community, especially those knowledgeable in rights issues. Its mission is to provide rights protection to persons with developmental challenges, supported by agencies within the jurisdiction of their mandate.

It is often said that a society is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. Certainly Human Rights Northwest is there to test that standard, and I for one am grateful for their existence. As the brother of a man with developmental challenges, one who is strongly supported by Community Living Thunder Bay, I am deeply conscious of the value of this newly formed organization. Recently, I attended a supper hosted by Human Rights Northwest—an opportunity, as I saw it, to better understand the goals of the group and to offer my support.

Our thanks should go to Mel and Edna Hogan, the driving force behind this group, and all of the people who are working with them. Congratulations as well to my friend Reggie Duncan, who faces his daily challenges with a spirit that lifts the heart. Reggie provided the music that evening and is keen to offer his services across the community.

So hats off to the people behind this great movement in our community. And if I may end my statement with a commercial plug: Please check out Rockin' Reggie's DJ Productions.

SMITHS FALLS ECONOMY

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark—Carleton): I rise today on behalf 9,200 people at Smiths Falls, a town where more than 1,500 people will be losing their jobs by the end of 2009. In the last budget, the McGuinty government announced the redevelopment of the local hospital. Unfortunately, despite highlighting this project in the budget, the McGuinty government has not been in touch with local officials to get anything started. They're ready to put the tender out and nothing has happened since the budget. This adds insult to injury.

When the McGuinty government announced the accelerated closing of the Rideau Regional Centre by 2009, they promised to help the community adapt to the economic impact of the closure, but no help has come forward. In February, Hershey's announced that its plant would be closing. Since then, Premier Dalton McGuinty has yet to visit Smiths Falls to offer his support to the community. Our leader, John Tory, and the leader of the third party, Howard Hampton, both have visited Smiths Falls. In addition to the 1,500 people who have lost their jobs, about 100 people who work at OPP's eastern regional headquarters, located on the same grounds as the RRC, don't know what's going to happen to them.

Does the McGuinty government care at all? Why don't they help? Does the McGuinty government have any heart at all? Smiths Falls and many manufacturing towns like it need some gleam of hope. We've got to help these towns out.

ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTS CANADA

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London—Fanshawe): I rise in the House today to congratulate the London area Scouts on their wonderful event on Saturday, May 26, the celebration of Scouts Canada's centennial anniversary. This event was a true reflection of the wonderful work that Scouts Canada has done within communities across London, Ontario and Canada for 100 years.

It's amazing to know that the principles that Lord Baden-Powell instilled in youth a century ago continue to inspire Scouts Canada's great organization. The principles of scouting are a combination of personal challenges, outdoor activities and service to communities as well as teaching individual responsibility. I believe that these are important principles that our youth, adolescents and adults should have.

I know Scouts has brought friendship, fun and adventure to my riding of London—Fanshawe. Whether it be through their programs for youth, adolescents or adults, Scouts Canada is an organization that brings people together and creates lifelong friendships.

The celebration on Saturday was a wonderful chance for me to see firsthand the family-like community that Scouts Canada creates wherever it goes. Scouts Canada has made, and continues to make, real contributions in creating a better world for all of to us to live.

I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Scouts organization for their generosity and dedication and to wish volunteers, members, leaders and their families all the best on the special occasion of the Scouts centennial celebration.

ÉCOLE CATHOLIQUE JEANNE SAUVÉ /

JEANNE SAUVÉ CATHOLIC SCHOOL

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome the grade 7 class of Jeanne Sauvé Catholic school from my hometown of Stratford, and in particular I'd like to welcome my youngest son, Breen, and all of his classmates: Welcome to the Legislature.

I'd also like to applaud the students of Jeanne Sauvé for their participation in the Ministry of Education's healthy schools program. One of the many schools to take up the government's challenge, the students at Jeanne Sauvé are leading the way. Students, teachers, principals, parents and community partners are all involved in the effort. Students at Jeanne Sauvé will be serving as youth health ambassadors, planning a healthy eating workshop to present to each class.

NURSES

Mr. Brad Duguid (Scarborough Centre): I rise today to speak of something of great importance to all Ontarians: health care and nurses. The McGuinty government takes pride in our front-line health care workers. We've fulfilled our commitment in hiring 8,000 new nurses and in fact will surpass that target. We have invested in equipment such as bed lifts to help, literally, take the strain off our nurses, and most recently we've announced new nurses grad guarantees that will ensure full-time employment to graduating nurses.

We've made progress, but the Tories want to take us back. Don't just take my word for it. Today in the National Post, the Ontario Nurses' Association noted their concern on the Tories plan, where they stated unequivocally that they do not support Mr. Tory's approach. The Ontario Nurses' Association is referring to last week's announcement of John Tory's health care agenda, where they tried to slip this health care agenda under the radar in a low-profile event, hoping no one would notice.

The Tory health care agenda is a blueprint for taking us back: back to the days of cuts, back to the days of damage, back to the days of neglect. Don't just take my word for that either. The Toronto Star, the Globe and Mail, the Sudbury Star, the Cornwall Standard Freeholder, the Owen Sound Sun Times and the Orillia Packet and Times have now all questioned Mr. Tory's health care agenda with headlines such as, "Promise Hard to Accept," "Unhealthy Calculations," and "Tory's Stand on Health Tax Wrong-headed."

I know my constituents stand by the progress we've made in health care in our community. We won't let Mr. Tory take us back.

VISITORS

Mr. Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward—Hastings): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would like to welcome Carson Cross, his daughter Chelsea and his son Alex to the Legislature. Carson is a Belleville professional firefighter who also owns his own fire truck, though that's not yet a job requirement in the city of Belleville. Carson uses the trucks for charity, for children's events, for anything to support the community, and I applaud him in being here today.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches—East York): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I rise today to introduce and welcome supporters of my new private member's bill. Those people being present are: Stan Buell, president of the Small Investor Protection Association; Art Field, president of the National Pensioners and Senior Citizens Federation; Judy Muzzi, past president of the United Senior Citizens of Ontario; and Pamela Reeve, a member of the investor advisory committee of the Ontario Securities Commission. They are here to see the Legislature in its full flower. Welcome.

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm asking members of the Legislature to welcome Annette Mayes, the mother of page Brianna Mayes, along with Pauline Montminy, the aunt of Brianna Mayes, who is the page captain today.

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay—Atikokan): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would like to welcome to the Legislature today, sitting in the members' east gallery, visiting from Atikokan, Lisa and Jolene Beauregard.

RELEASE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that pursuant to

section 28 of the Auditor General Act, I have today laid upon the table the audited financial statements of the Office of the Auditor General for the year ended March 31, 2006.

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg the indulgence of the House to permit the pages to assemble for introduction.

First off, we have Rebecca Alter from Don Valley West, Elizabeth Amos from Mississauga Centre, Elizabeth Arif from Thunder Bay—Atikokan, Liam Brown from Etobicoke—Lakeshore, Darren Cole from Toronto—Danforth, Justine Fletcher from Haliburton—Victoria—Brock, Faith Fraser from Nickel Belt, Laura Fluegel from Sarnia—Lambton, Joel Gamble from Scarborough—Agincourt, Stefan Gemnay from Kitchener—Waterloo, Grant Goldberg from York Centre, Jacqueline Janas from Hamilton Mountain, Joe Kyte from Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, Brianna Mayes from Niagara Centre, Shea McConkey from Brant, Spencer McInnis from Chatham—Kent—Essex, Andrew McIntyre from Ottawa—Orléans, Hannah Nicholls-Harrison from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, Justin Stevenson from Essex, Katie Toogood from York North, Colin Tufts from Halton and Graham Tunmer from Niagara Falls.

Please help me welcome our new pages.

Applause.

The Speaker: Back to work.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on general government and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Lisa Freedman): Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

Bill 212,

An Act to amend the Education Act in respect of behaviour, discipline and safety / Projet de loi 212, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'éducation en ce qui concerne le comportement, la discipline et la sécurité.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Pursuant to the order of the House dated May 1, 2007, the bill—

Interjection.

The Speaker: I'm sorry? The bill is ordered for third reading.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Mr. Ted McMeekin (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot): My apologies, Speaker. I thought you were going to forget one of the most important standing committees; they're all important.

I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on the Legislative Assembly and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Lisa Freedman): Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

Bill 218,

An Act to amend the Election Act and the Election Finances Act and make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 218, Loi modifiant la Loi électorale et la

Loi sur le financement des élections et apportant des modifications connexes à d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Pursuant to the standing orders, this bill is ordered for third reading.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

716056 ONTARIO LIMITED ACT, 2007

Mr. Miller moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr36,

An Act to revive 716056 Ontario Limited.

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

ST. ANDREW'S UNITED CHURCH (TORONTO) ACT, 2007

Mr. Zimmer moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr37,

An Act respecting St. Andrew's Congregation of The United Church of Canada at Toronto.

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

CONRAD BLACK EXECUTIVE

COMPENSATION ABUSE ACT, 2007 /

LOI CONRAD BLACK DE 2007 SUR

L'INDEMNISATION ABUSIVE DES

MEMBRES DE LA DIRECTION

Mr. Prue moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 230,

An Act to amend the Business Corporations Act to provide protections against executive compensation abuse / Projet de loi 230, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les sociétés par actions afin de prévoir des protections contre l'indemnisation abusive des membres de la direction.

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

The member may wish to make a brief statement.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches—East York): The Business Corporations Act, also called the Conrad Black act in short, is amended to add provisions respecting compensation of executives. Provisions are added requiring that a vote on executive compensation be held at every annual meeting of shareholders of a company that offers securities to the public. The act is also amended to provide that if certain executives do not meet any job performance standards to which their compensation is related, they must pay back a portion of that compensation.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I'd like to inform the House and the members that we have with us today in the Speaker's gallery a delegation from Westminster, the United Kingdom. We have Austin Mitchell, Ann Cryer, Jeffrey Ennis, Roger Godsiff and Lord Rogan. Please help me welcome our guests.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne (Minister of Education): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to draw the attention of the House to the family of Rebecca Alter, one of our pages from Don Valley West. Matthew Alter, Simone Alter, Ethan Alter, Daniel Alter, Gerald Gold and Helen Bustillo join us in the gallery. Welcome.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I definitely have a motion, a long-awaited, long-anticipated motion. I move that, notwithstanding any other order of the House, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2007, for the purpose of considering government business.

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

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1358 to 1403.

The Speaker: Order. Members please take their seats.

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

Ayes

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

Nays

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 53; the nays are 15.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND /

FONDS COLLECTIVITÉS ACTIVES

Hon. Jim Watson (Minister of Health Promotion): Our government is committed to providing Ontarians with access to sport and recreation activities regardless of their age, ability or income. The communities in action fund is a part of our physical activities strategy which aims to increase the level of physical activity among Ontarians so that by the year 2010, 55% of Ontarians are physically active enough to benefit their health. It is estimated that physical inactivity in our health care system costs billions of dollars.

The CIAF is working in our communities to provide access to sport, recreation and physical activity programs for Ontarians who otherwise may not have a chance to participate. Part of the program's mandate is to support at-risk youth, and to support them where it matters most: in their own communities. We are working to keep kids safe and ensure that positive options are available after school.

Dans les trois dernières années du gouvernement McGuinty, les subventions du fonds collectivités actives ont permis de financer un large éventail de programmes; par exemple, des programmes destinés aux autochtones, des programmes d'activités physiques pour les aînés et les programmes de sports habituels comme le basket-ball, le « soccer », la natation et le cyclisme, de même que d'autres sports et activités moins courants comme la pratique de la planche à roulette et le tai-chi.

In the first three years, approximately 548 local and provincial organizations received funding, and these grants have helped approximately one million Ontarians of all ages and backgrounds to get active. Now, for a fourth year, the communities in action fund is helping even more Ontarians to get active.

I'm pleased to note that last week we announced funding to 14 provincial and over 200 local organizations who are receiving communities in action fund grants. Thanks to an additional allocation of $2.5 million from the provincial budget in March, the fund for 2007-08 becomes a $7.5-million program.

That means we have reopened the application process so that we can provide funding to even more organizations that will create and enhance new opportunities for physical activity, community sport and recreation. These additional funds will help to address the annual oversubscription rate of approximately $10 million in demand. With this year's investment, the McGuinty government has invested over $23 million in local and provincial organizations across Ontario through this important program.

Two weeks ago, I met with several grant recipient organizations at First Avenue school with my colleague Richard Patten, and my parliamentary assistant, Peter Fonseca, met with others in Toronto. Recipients in attendance included:

—The Ontario division of the Canadian Association for Disabled Skiing. Their grant will provide training to volunteer instructors to help in their adaptive ski program and expand it to six ski resorts throughout central and western Ontario.

—International Fun and Team Athletics Canada Inc. received a grant to implement their youth soccer skills and fitness programs in schools, clubs and communities for over 25,000 children across the province.

—Clean Air Champions are implementing the Clean Air Achievers and Stepping Ahead programs. Clean Air Achievers is a program that targets students in grades 7, 8 and 9 to adopt practices and lifestyles that enhance both environmental and personal health. The program explores transportation choices and the resulting impacts on air quality, climate change and health. Students achieve measurable results to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing active transportation and influencing others to become more physically active.

—The Cycle Alliance of Ontario received a grant to implement a program in 26 communities across Ontario. KidFit will work to get more elementary school children active by encouraging them to ride their bikes to school.

—The Ontario Minor Roller Hockey Association will be using the grant they are receiving to implement Getting Girls in the Game. This program will help to introduce 500 girls in southern Ontario to the sport of roller hockey.

—Parks and Recreation Ontario is receiving two grants. The first grant will be used to develop a community volunteer enhancement and engagement strategy to provide increased support for volunteers and volunteerism. With their second grant, PRO plans to replicate a study that was done in 1996 about the benefits of community recreation and parks services in Ontario. This will allow for a comparison over time related to changes in leisure attitudes, as well as perceived benefits of parks, recreation and physical activity.

—York University's school of kinesiology and health science is receiving a grant that will enable them to provide higher levels of physical activity among ethnically diverse groups by providing additional resources and training new community change agents.

Our investments in these organizations help them to provide critical programming to children and youth, to aboriginal communities, to low-income families, to older adults, to visible ethnic minorities, to people with disabilities and to all Ontarians. We want to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to keep fit.

Je tiens à féliciter ces organismes sans but lucratif—nos partenaires en sport, en activité physique, en loisirs et en santé. Nous devons continuer à collaborer avec ces organismes par l'intermédiaire de programmes tels que le fonds collectivités actives.

In conclusion, I am pleased that the McGuinty government has increased funding to the 2007-08 communities in action fund program, and I want to inform all members that new applications are now being accepted for a second wave of funding. Please encourage your local organizations to apply by June 15. Application instructions can be found on my ministry's website, which is www.mhp.gov.on.ca.

Our investment in community organizations like those funded by the communities in action fund will enable the Ontario government to make significant progress towards the goal of a healthier Ontario.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Minister of Government Services): I'm pleased to update the House on another important step this government is taking to provide the best possible consumer protection. We have now set the date, and as of October 1, 2007, cash-equivalent gift cards will never expire. This change will make Ontario the first province in Canada—the first province—to eliminate expiry dates on cash-equivalent gift cards. Consumers told us they wanted clear rules surrounding gift cards and gift certificates. We have listened, and we are delivering.

This is an issue of fairness. When people buy or receive a cash-equivalent gift card, they think they are getting just that: cash. And I'll give you an example. If you find a $20 bill in a jacket you haven't worn for a while, it's still worth $20, even if you find it two or three years later. No one would say to you, "I'm sorry; that's an old $20 bill and there's an expiry date." That's why we're taking these measures. It just makes sense. No one should lose money just because they haven't had a chance to spend it or because they haven't found something they want to buy yet. That is why we are doing this.

On October 1, 2007, this law will ban expiry dates on gift cards and also eliminate the fees, such as dormancy fees or activation fees, which erode the value of the card over time.

This is a law whose time has clearly come. Gift cards are, as we all know, a major part now of the retail economy and they're here to stay. Virtually every major Canadian retailer offers a gift card, and they have become commonplace for shoppers. I might add that roughly 80% still have an expiry date on them. We're going to fix that.

Sales of gift cards in Ontario have risen significantly in the last few years to become a multi-billion dollar industry. To make sure Ontario has the best protection for consumers, we are continuing to work with stakeholders on shopping mall cards. Mall cards, things like an Eaton Centre card, will still be covered and will not be allowed to have an expiry date. However, these cards can temporarily maintain their current fee structure while we work with them to examine options on how best to regulate these types of cards. This will allow more time to develop an approach that strikes the right balance for consumers and business.

One exception I must point out to the expiry date ban is prepaid phone cards. The reason is, they are federally regulated and Ontario's new law cannot cover them. They will continue to exist under the rules as they now are.

I want to emphasize that these changes which the McGuinty government is bringing in are fair to consumers and, I might add, fair to business. In moving forward with our changes, we have had support from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Consumers Council of Canada and the Retail Council of Canada. Their input has been invaluable on this process and I would like to thank all of them for their insight.

These provisions are part of a series of measures that make Ontario a leader in consumer protection. We're proud of this standing and we are continuing to work hard to ensure that consumers and businesses alike benefit. When Ontarians buy a gift card on or after October 1, 2007, they will have peace of mind, knowing that the card will always be as good as the day they bought it.

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I rise in the House today to tell you that my ministry is hosting the first-ever sustainable transportation conference, TransForum, the first of its kind in 90 years, to help create a cleaner environment. As I said, this has never been done in the province before in its history.

TransForum began yesterday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. It's being attended by leading thinkers in the field of transportation from across North America and Europe. We're showcasing the latest research and the latest technology that will help us build a world-class transportation system. We're drawing out the best thinkers and we're seeking innovative ideas that we can implement right here in Ontario.

Our government is committed to building a more sustainable transportation system that supports the needs of today while protecting the environment for future generations. We are working to reduce traffic congestion, smog and greenhouse gas emissions, and TransForum is a key step. As we all know, our roads and our highways are busy, and often they are gridlocked, which costs our economy billions of dollars every year. There are health costs associated with pollution generated by idling cars and trucks on our highways. And let's not forget the social costs.

This government does not want people spending hours in their cars, simply because that's time they'll never get to spend with their children, their friends or their spouses. Around the world, standards of living are partly measured by the degree to which citizens can get around, and we must think to the future. Over the next 25 years, here in Ontario's greater Golden Horseshoe, we are expecting another 3.8 million people. That means we must act today for a better tomorrow.

This government believes that a sustainable transportation system must balance all transportation modes, including air, rail, road, marine and public transit. We need to make the connection to fuse modes of transportation. We can't build a system in isolation.

In the interests of sustainability, we are also shifting the focus away from creating more highways to using our highways better. High-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes, are a big part of that. We've invested over $127 million to build the first provincial HOV lanes on Highway 403 and Highway 404—both are southbound—to reduce emissions by encouraging car pooling and transit use.

Last Thursday, I announced our province's ambitious plan to create a connected HOV lane network. We're adding over 450 kilometres of new HOV lanes on the 400 series highways in the greater Golden Horseshoe.

I'm proud to say we've also looked in our own backyard. My ministry is working to make its operations more sustainable by converting all of the Ministry of Transportation traffic signals to high-efficiency LED lamps and saving enough energy to continuously light almost 12,000 100-watt light bulbs for one year; making 100% of all reclaimed pavement available to ministry contractors who repair and build roads across Ontario; and we have converted the Fort Erie truck inspection station building to solar power to help reduce energy consumption.

But more than anything, public transit is the cornerstone of a sustainable transportation system. GO Transit has become the backbone of an inter-regional transit system in the greater Toronto area and Hamilton. It served over 48 million riders in 2006-07. I was honoured to be part of GO's 40th anniversary celebrations last week. Since 2003, we have invested almost $1.8 billion in GO Transit, including $457 million this year alone, making GO a better service for its commuters. These investments have made more frequent, comfortable and reliable service, provided by cleaner-burning buses and locomotives, a reality.

We're also making transit more convenient by partnering with nine municipal transit agencies in the greater Toronto area and Hamilton to deliver a single fare collection system.

We've delivered on our commitment to pump a share of the provincial gas tax into public transit right across this province. This year we are giving municipalities $313 million in gas tax funding. That means expanded service and many new, more comfortable and accessible buses right across Ontario.

We're encouraging commuters to choose transit by providing $1.6 billion in gas tax funding by 2010 to municipalities for public transit.

I'm pleased and delighted to say that these investments are paying off. Since 2003, municipal ridership in Ontario has increased by over 65 million passenger trips, in essence removing 54 million car trips from our roadways. GO Transit has increased about 10% over the last few years, or 4.4 million more passenger trips. Total GO ridership this year is expected to be around 51 million people.

Getting more people out of their cars and onto public transit means, in the end, we're all breathing cleaner air, we're burning less fuel and we are reducing gridlock. In short, TransForum, the convention, will help us change the way we think about transportation as we move forward to create a better future. It's about innovation; it's about managing transportation challenges, but managing them strategically. I'm very excited about this groundbreaking conference and look forward to taking what we learn and making transportation in Ontario better for future generations to come.

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark—Carleton): I'd like to respond to the minister responsible for Liberal promotion. He spoke today about the communities in action fund giving out approximately $7.5 million per year. I congratulate all of the groups that received funding under this particular program. But it's only the Liberal government that could create two agencies to do essentially the same thing: the Trillium Foundation and the communities in action fund. The Trillium fund gives out over $100 million a year, save and except for the first year, when this government cut them back $5 million from that $100 million.

Why wouldn't you give the $7.5 million to the Trillium Foundation to increase their funding capabilities to $107.5 million? The same groups would receive the same amount of money, but the administration would be much less.

I'll tell you the reason why this doesn't happen: because the photo ops are not nearly as good for the government under the Trillium Foundation as they are under the communities in action fund. If a Trillium Foundation grant is given in my riding, I am called to appear when the presentation is made, as is each member in each riding. When a communities in action fund grant is given, I'm not given the same courtesy as an opposition member and called.

Therefore, a member of the government shows up in my riding, giving an amount of funding to a group in my riding—double administration, less fairness with regard to MPPs and courtesy to all members of this Legislature, whether they're on the government side or the opposition side.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Mr. Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford): I respond to Minister Phillips's statement on gift card expiry dates. The only expiry date Ontarians are interested in is October 10, the date when the McGuinty Liberals will be turfed from office as a result of their dismal record and John Tory elected Premier.

The McGuinty Liberals have record high job losses in the manufacturing sector. Some 38,000 people gathered in Windsor on Sunday demanding a job strategy from their failed MPPs, Duncan and Pupatello; the McGuinty Liberals' failed record on the environment—broken promises on discontinuing coal emissions and removing lead from our water; and the McGuinty Liberals' granddaddy of all broken promises, increasing taxes by imposing the health tax on the hard-working men and women in this province.

The expiry date for the McGuinty Liberals of October 10 could not come sooner for Ontarians. On October 10, John Tory will be Ontario's next Premier.

TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm responding—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. The Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Order. Minister of Economic Development and Trade, I will not warn you again.

Member for Durham.

Mr. O'Toole: I'm responding to the Minister of Transportation on her sustainable transportation plan. Quite frankly, it's hard to know where to start. When I look at it, I say that they have no plan right from the beginning.

Aside from the promise to roll back tolls on Highway 407 in their election document, it took 299 days for to us get the information, and yet they spent tonnes of money in legal fees and never solved the problem. Ask yourselves the questions.

They have no plan to deal with gridlock or congestion. In fact, if you look at the most recent response to the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, it's another failed plan, providing no funding. It indeed is stuck in gridlock.

I have moved an amendment to Bill 203, which will be voted on later today—in fact, it should be renamed the Frank Klees Road Safety Bill, because all of the legislation in Bill 203 comes from the former Minister of Transportation, Frank Klees. Quite frankly, I have yet to find a real plan from this government, to not just deal with gridlock, but when you look at the broad issues facing the economy, much of it's to do with the slow and grinding pace on our highways. The Windsor border issue is still outstanding. The 407 east expansion, the most important aspect of transportation for Durham—nothing's happening.

It's clear that they need to consult with experts, and one of those experts would be John Tory. We've had around-the-province consultations on gridlock.

I can tell you that this government is a failed government when it comes to having a plan. When you look at the roadways, when you look at the sight of the roadways, when you look at the plan, the HOV lanes that were talked about last week—

The Speaker: Thank you. Responses?

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto—Danforth): I rise to respond to the comments from the Minister of Transportation. The minister gamely continues to go on talking about sustainable transportation, but I think we need to look at some recent developments.

Applause.

Mr. Tabuns: I always take that as a sign that they're in trouble, but keep going.

What we had in March were announcements of highway expansions and widenings, and those expansions, those widenings, were denounced by environmental speakers, environmental representatives in this province, because they know what those announcements mean: They mean more sprawl, more congestion and more paralysis. That is the direction this government is going in. That is the strategy this government has. There cannot be a sustainable transportation system if you continue to feed sprawl, and that's what those March announcements were about.

A few days ago, the minister announced a big expansion of high-occupancy vehicle lanes, between 2017 and 2031. That's a promise not for this election or the next election, but the one after that. In IT terms, it's vapourware; it's not even software.

Given that, one must note as well that the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, which was set up with great fanfare by this government to plan transportation, to plan transit, was quoted in the Star the other day. The headline: "Transit Czars Chafe at Queen's Park." All these wonderful folks who were brought in to plan transit and transportation weren't in the loop, weren't told a thing. The quote from the regional chair for Durham: "If they're going to spend all the money before we see it, I'd like to know what the plan is." Good quote, because he knows that, more than anything, what we have is GO Transit with a new board, a new title and a little decoration.

If this government is interested in real, sustainable transportation, the puffery has to end and we have to put real authority and resources into transit.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches—East York): In response to the Minister of Government Services: Another day, another feel-good announcement. Show empathy and do absolutely nothing, but promise that you might make some changes in the future.

I have some questions of the minister. Why do you have to examine the options that you're so proud of examining? Why do consumers who have paid cold, hard cash in good faith have to wait? What balance is needed to express the rights of consumers who have paid to the maximum the value of those cards? Would that the government could answer those questions instead of asking consumers to wait. Would that the government could act with such dispatch when something is really important.

As limited as the announcement is today, it pales in comparison to your do-nothing policy in terms of those people who have bought new homes. Look at the case of new homebuyers. Look at what you responded to yesterday in this very House. You are saying today that you want to protect people who have maybe put out $100 for a credit card, but you said yesterday that you want to do virtually nothing for those who have spent $300,000 or $400,000 or $500,000 in the purchase of a new home. Just as you're going to study this $100 problem, you're going to study the bigger one to death.

This is a study, in one case, of a procedure that needs no study at all, that people who have spent the $100 need to have that $100 protected. In the alternative, for those who have bought new homes you have chosen to do nothing, when what has happened to them cries out in the very strongest terms for redress.

This is a government that is hell-bent on making announcement after announcement to make people feel good, but a government that, at the same time, chooses to do absolutely nothing when, as a minister and as a government, you have the power to make the change. You have the power, and all you choose to do is to study it. All you choose is to obfuscate and to put off to another day what needs to be done here today. That is a government that has failed.

DEFERRED VOTES

SAFER ROADS FOR

A SAFER ONTARIO ACT, 2007 /

LOI DE 2007 VISANT À CRÉER

DES ROUTES PLUS SÉCURITAIRES

POUR UN ONTARIO PLUS SÛR

Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of Bill 203,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act and the Remedies for Organized Crime and Other Unlawful Activities Act, 2001 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 203, Loi modifiant le Code de la route et la Loi de 2001 sur les recours pour crime organisé et autres activités illégales et apportant des modifications corrélatives à d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1436 to 1441.

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

Ayes

The Speaker: Those opposed?

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 89; the nays are 0.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member for Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound.

Interjections.

The Speaker: We're wasting time. I can wait. Order.

It's now time for oral questions.

ORAL QUESTIONS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. At 10 after 1 this afternoon, a story appeared on the CP wire reporting that the Ford Motor Co. had closed its casting plant in Windsor today. Of course, that was announced some time ago, but 450 people in Windsor will not be going to work tomorrow morning.

Since the start of 2005, Ontario has lost 137,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, the Premier has remained idle on the sidelines.

Over a year ago, in December 2005, the Ontario Legislature called for the Premier to bring forward a comprehensive jobs plan. That call for a comprehensive jobs plan was supported by all parties. In fact, the expression in the resolution, which was voted on by Liberal MPPs as well as others, was very clear: It said, "a comprehensive action plan."

We've seen no leadership from the Premier whatsoever on this. My question is this: Why have we not seen the comprehensive jobs plan that Liberal MPPs and all others in this House voted for? Where is it?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm not sure that any government has done more for the auto sector in North America in the last four or five years than we have.

The Conservative Party opposed our half-billion-dollar plan. They said that it was inappropriate for us to partner with the private sector. They effectively said that we should allow the forces of creative destruction to kind of play themselves out. We decided on a different approach. We invested half a billion dollars, and with that we leveraged $7 billion worth of new investment in the auto sector. That has been successful, so much so that for the first time since the invention of the car, we are the number one auto producer in North America, and we've earned that distinction three years in a row now.

Mr. Tory: Perhaps the Premier would like to produce in the House the quote in which I've said, at any time, anything in opposition to the auto investment fund. Perhaps you could bring that here and share that with us. Maybe the Premier—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. I need to be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition place his question.

Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: I'm sure he has that quote handy and he could tell us when it was said.

Since the beginning of 2005, Ontario has lost 161 well-paying manufacturing jobs each and every day. Some of the Premier's own MPPs—the member for Brant, for instance—have called the recent job losses in his riding, at Blue Bird Corp. when it closes its doors, "tragic." The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has referred to the "economic devastation" in Cornwall. The Premier, meanwhile, has responded by calling these job losses "a little bit of contraction," and shrugging it off as a fact of life. We have not seen any leadership.

The member for Brant went on, correctly, to say that there are things the government can do to help plants stay open. He is right.

The question is, on the border, on taxes, on regulations, on a whole host of these fronts, when will we see a comprehensive jobs plan from the McGuinty government, as was voted on by this Legislature well over a year ago? When will we see it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We chose to stand up for the auto industry. The party opposite chose not to. They voted against our budget, which provided for a half-billion-dollar support package. But more than that, we also have in place over a billion dollars in support for the forestry industry, which is being challenged not just here in Ontario but indeed throughout North America. We have close to a billion dollars in support for the agriculture sector.

We have another half-billion-dollar plan in place to support advanced manufacturing to help that sector transition itself to a point where it's more competitive, more productive and more value-added by way of products. We are going to continue to provide supports to those sectors which come under challenge as the result of finding themselves, through no fault of their own, in an era of globalization. We know where we're going to get the kind of money we need to provide those supports on an ongoing basis. Mr.

Tory is telling us that he's going to take $2.5 billion out of health care, and on top of that, he's going to invest more in health care, and apparently he's going to put more into supports for manufacturing—

The Speaker: Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: The people will have their judgment from the man who said he was not going to raise taxes and brought in the biggest tax increase in the history of the province of Ontario. A lot of the people who have lost their jobs and a lot of people who are still working are finding it very hard indeed to make ends meet, with this man over there spending the money. We talked about a billion-dollar financial aid package for the forestry industry, one of the biggest flim-flam acts in the history of Ontario. Almost no one has taken it up because, when you talk to people over there, they don't need loan guarantees; they need real help. Of all the jobs that have been lost—

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): They're certainly not afraid of you, Lisa.

The Speaker: Minister of Labour, that's not helpful.

The Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: Thirteen thousand jobs were lost in April alone, and even when there's good news, like the Victor diamond mine, the Premier can't help but try and do that in by tripling the tax rate on diamonds. This is what they described as something they would normally experience in a Third World country. People look at this astonishing about-face and they rethink their own investments in Ontario, and that costs us jobs. The Premier's credibility is on the line here.

When will he decide to finally show some leadership and bring in a comprehensive jobs plan so we don't repeat the 13,000 jobs we lost in the month of April alone? When are we going to see the plan?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We've just had a little bit more insight into the thinking, or lack thereof, with respect to economic strategy. So the leader of the official opposition tells us that even though we're putting half a billion dollars into auto, that's not enough. He says that even though we're putting $1 billion into forestry, that is not enough. He's telling us that even though we're putting $1 billion to support agriculture, that's not enough. He says that even though we're putting $500 million into supporting advanced manufacturing, that is not enough.

He doesn't tell us where he's going to get the money to put more in there, but at the same time he stands up and says that, no, he's not prepared to support our plan to ensure that we receive reasonable revenues for mining of diamonds in the province of Ontario. So he's going to have to come clean and tell us how he's going to invest more than the $2 billion we have in place to support manufacturing in Ontario, and at the same time take $2.5 billion out of health care, and at the same time reduce our tax on diamond mining in Ontario.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Tory: My question is for the Premier. Let me say this to the Premier: You—

Interjections.

The Speaker: As soon as I sit down, the place just loses it. We don't need to do this. I need to be able to hear members both place their questions and respond to them.

The Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: Mr. Speaker, let me say this to the Premier. You don't look investors—people who are going to invest $1 billion in this province—in the eye and extol the virtues of our low tax rates and then turn around, months later, and triple that tax. You don't do it. It sends the wrong signals. They were the ones who said they felt like they were in a Third World country, not me.

Despite the investments that the Premier talks about in the auto sector, we've still lost 17,000 jobs in assembly and parts over the last two years. The C.D.

Howe Institute says the government has shown "little interest in improving business tax competitiveness." They say that we're "exceptional—in a bad sense ... with the most burdensome taxes in the country." The Premier tries to blame the global economy, but Richard Paton of the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association says, "governments are part of the problem." and "[R]unning after company executives after a plant-closing announcement is not the way to create industrial policy." That is why the Legislature said that we should have a comprehensive jobs plan. Your own MPPs voted for it.

I ask the Premier this: Why have we not seen the comprehensive jobs plan your own MPPs voted for?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: There is lots of good news in Ontario when it comes to economic growth. I know that the leader of the official opposition will, at some point, want to stand up and acknowledge that there are 320,000 net new jobs that have been created on our watch. That's entirely due to the entrepreneurialism, dedication, commitment, hard work and innovative capacity of the people of Ontario.

We have received, so far, 58 applications under our forestry sector package—58 applications which, if granted, would result in $1.2 billion of private sector investment in the province of Ontario. That would be on top of the $7 billion worth of new investment in our auto sector. So I'm just not as bleak, I'm just not as gloomy and I'm just not as pessimistic as the leader of the official opposition. In fact, I have every faith and confidence in this economy because I have every faith and confidence in the people of Ontario.

Mr. Tory: The problem when the Premier uses the numbers the way he does is that if you had talked not about the 320,000 net new jobs but added to that 135,000 jobs that were lost—if we still had those jobs, you'd be able to talk about 455,000 jobs to the better and you'd be able to talk about 135,000 families who would be working today, who are not working. We would be 135,000 jobs to the better—

Interjections.

The Speaker: Let's all just take a very deep breath. Remember why we're here. We need to show some respect for the place we're in and for other members and our traditions. Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: The fact is, the reason the Premier uses the net number is because there are 135,000 families minus their paycheques, minus their jobs today, who would be working. And so the situation is very simple: We have a government that has brought forward no plan when they voted for one. They've punitively increased taxes on a diamond industry investment, for example, that has created new jobs, something that the investor said they'd expect from a Third World government.

What we need is leadership. We need a comprehensive plan. The Premier has failed to provide this in four years in office. He has failed to deliver real economic leadership. He has failed to deliver certainty and reliability to investors. When are we going to see a comprehensive jobs plan for the province of Ontario and some certainty and reliability from the Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I kind of visualize this dark cloud over the leader of the official opposition. He's subject to a constant downpour.

In addition to putting in place those billions of dollars worth of supports that are helping manufacturing, in particular, transition itself to a point where it's stronger, we've also done something else which is really important in the knowledge economy and in an era of globalization. This too was not supported by the official opposition. We've made a $6.2-billion investment in post-secondary education.

People around the world will tell you that if you truly want to be competitive, if you truly want to have in place an intelligent economic strategy, you have to develop your human capital; you have to invest in young people in particular. That's what we've done. I'm proud to report that there are 86,000 more young people in our colleges and universities today than there were just three and a half years ago.

Mr. Tory: If there are dark clouds anywhere, it is over the houses and the lives of 135,000 people who have lost their jobs on your watch, with no plan to make up for that. The Premier, I would suggest respectfully, is badly out of touch. He talks about exuberance in a part of the province where 7,000 jobs have been lost. He refers to "some challenges" facing manufacturing, when over 135,000 jobs have been lost.

The Premier triples taxes on our first-ever diamond mine and then wonders why investors say it might be our last. Mr. Paton says the parties—and he's referring to the political parties—should be working together to develop economic plans. The Legislature showed its ability to work together by voting 44 to 0 in favour of your government's bringing forward a comprehensive action plan on jobs. The Premier has rejected that and lives in an economic bubble of delusion. I only ask, why won't the Premier respect the wishes of the Legislature and bring forward a comprehensive job plan? When will we see it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition would have us believe that he brings some certain expertise when it comes to developing plans. I would ask you, Mr. Speaker, but more importantly the people of Ontario, to take even a cursory look at the recent health care plan put forward by my honourable colleague opposite. He tells us that he's going to invest ever more money in health care, while at the same time taking $2.5 billion out of health care. I think Houdini is alive and well and found in the person of the leader of the official opposition. There are many more tricks to come. We'll stay focused on the priorities of the people of Ontario.

The Speaker: Order. New question.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. Thousands of manufacturing and forest sector jobs have been lost across Ontario, and yet you're quoted as saying, "I don't believe we should stand in the way of the inevitable." Premier, in Windsor, Hamilton, Kitchener, Mississauga, Oshawa, Thunder Bay and other communities, literally thousands of Ontario working families have protested and demonstrated to call your attention to the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Whether it's at a manufacturing plant in Mississauga or people stopping traffic on Highway 11 between Hearst and Kapuskasing, they want to see some action from the McGuinty government. Tomorrow, thousands of workers will demonstrate in Ottawa.

My question is this: Does the Premier still believe the destruction of manufacturing jobs is inevitable? If not, where is the McGuinty government's plan to sustain and save manufacturing jobs in Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I know there was a demonstration held just this past weekend, I believe, and the Minister of Economic Development and Trade and the Minister of Energy were invited to participate in that demonstration. In fact, they were invited to stand at the front of this parade, which shows you the relationship we have with working people in the province of Ontario.

What they've urged us to do, and what I would urge my colleagues opposite to do, is in particular when it comes to forestry. We know how hard municipalities are working to attack that challenge. We know how much difficulty families have, grappling with the anxiety, pain and suffering associated with job loss. We know that we brought $1 billion to the table, but we still don't know when, and if, the federal government is going to come to the table and participate in a comprehensive national plan to lend more support to Canada's forestry sector.

Mr. Hampton: The Premier can try to find someone else to blame. The fact of the matter is that 52,000 manufacturing jobs have been lost in Ontario in the last year; 175,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared under the McGuinty government since August of 2004. That's over 15% of Ontario's manufacturing jobs, and they're not just numbers. These are workers and families that have lost their paycheque, their pension and their livelihood.

Premier, how many more manufacturing jobs have to be destroyed in Ontario before you stop looking for someone else to blame and you come up with an effective strategy to sustain and save manufacturing jobs in this province?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Only the NDP could argue that $3 billion represents nothing by way of commitment on the part of this government when it comes to supporting the manufacturing sector.

I know that among the other pieces of good news, the leader of the NDP is going to want to acknowledge our government's support by way of a grant of $22.5 million to Abitibi Consolidated for the installation of an $84-million biomass boiler at its Fort Frances complex. That may be easily dismissed by the leader of the NDP, but I know that the people of Fort Frances and I know that those families who are dependent for their livelihood on their employment at the Abitibi Consolidated plant there are very pleased that we have come to the table, that we're providing support by way of real dollars. We have every confidence that that plant is going to continue to grow and do well.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, the workers there want to know, when there's a 500-megawatt surplus of electricity in northwestern Ontario and when it's the lowest-cost generated electricity in the world, why they should be worrying. The reason they're worrying is because of the McGuinty government's wrong-headed policy of driving industrial hydro rates through the roof.

But that still misses the point, Premier. Today, Windsor is laying off—last day at the Ford Windsor casting plant—500 workers. Today, American Standard announced they're shutting down in Cambridge—another 60 workers. Yesterday, Kenora Forest Products announced they're shutting down for a month—another 100 workers.

I just ask the Premier again: If you don't have a plan to sustain and save manufacturing and forest sector jobs in Ontario, will you at least pass my jobs commissioner's bill so we will have an independent, credible body dedicated to sustaining jobs—

The Speaker: The question has been asked. Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It turns out there's a hidden agenda here.

You know, we have, in fairness to the leader of the NDP, taken a good look at the notion of a jobs commissioner. But I just don't think it lends any comfort, any substantive support, to families who are up against it at a time of real challenge for the manufacturing sector. We think that, instead, what we need to do is to continue to put in place the kinds of plans, the kinds of strategies and the kinds of serious dollars—I'm talking $3 billion so far to support auto and manufacturing and agriculture. We think those are the kinds of things that are of real value, of real significance and of real substance when it comes to those families.

We will continue to work with our communities. We will continue to work with industries of whatever nature in the manufacturing sector, and any others as well that might be challenged. We will continue to do the kinds of things that they tell us are meaningful to them, including the kinds of programs that we have already put in place.

CHILD CARE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): To the Premier: You talk about action. What we see is tens of thousands of jobs being lost virtually every month, and that's not action.

But yesterday, the Minister of Children and Youth Services was asked why the McGuinty government was trying to hide child care centre health and safety information from parents for two years. She held up this flimsy brochure and said it provided all the information parents needed. A few hours later, the minister admitted that child care health and safety information should be made available on a government website. But there's a catch: The website might not be up and running for four, five or six months. The Information and Privacy Commissioner said that parents should have this information now.

My question is this: Will the Premier ensure that this health and safety information on licensed child care centres is made available now, today, when parents need it, not five or six months from now?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm going to refer this to the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Children and Youth Services): Yesterday, I actually said that the website will be up in a few months, and it's been a reported commitment that it be up by the fall. The important thing is for us to get this right. My ministry knows that this is a very high priority for me, and if they can do it sooner than that, they will. But the important thing is that this site work properly so that parents can access the kind of information they require. This is not about doing a quick and dirty. This is about doing a comprehensive, helpful site of information.

It will be filled with all sorts of information that parents can access and that we can keep up to date. Parents are very interested in this kind of solution.

Mr. Hampton: The question still hasn't been answered. Why did the McGuinty government try to hide this information for two years, and why now do we see a website, but it won't be up and running for months? The Information and Privacy Commissioner said today that the McGuinty government is not living up to the Premier's promise "to provide more open and transparent government."

But the information is just part of it. The other

part is enforcement and follow-up. It takes this ministry months to follow up on issues of health and safety at child care centres. In Quebec, serious issues are followed up on in 24 hours.

Premier, four years ago, you promised $300 million of new provincial funding for child care. My question is this: Where is the new $300 million of provincial money for child care? Child care centres haven't seen it yet.

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: There are a few different parts to the leader of the third party's question. I would first like to address the matter of FOI requests. I'm really very pleased that the Information and Privacy Commissioner has rated my ministry's compliance at 95.5%. This is for 2006, and this result is up from 84.3% in 2005. We're going to work really hard to maintain this level and in fact improve upon it wherever possible. So this is proof from an independent officer of this Legislature that my ministry has never attempted to hide any information.

Mr. Hampton: The Toronto Star will be happy to know that apparently their exercise of having to battle with your ministry for two years was unnecessary. They'll be very happy to know that. But they also know that that is just not the case.

Now, under the McGuinty government, there is such a shortage of licensed, regulated child care spaces that parents of young children are forced to take whatever they can get. Nine out of 10 families looking for child care spaces can't find licensed, regulated child care, and those who do often can't afford the child care fees of $1,000 a month or more. It's not just the $300 million of new provincial funding that was promised by the Premier that is missing. The McGuinty government has received $160 million of federal money for child care.

My question: Why hasn't the McGuinty government invested that $160 million of federal money in licensed, regulated, non-profit child care?

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: I would also like to take this opportunity to remind the member that it was our government that created almost 15,000 new child care spaces last year, and in last year's budget we committed to sustain every single one of those new spaces.

I'm looking forward to disbursing a second batch of funding. For this fiscal year, already we have dispatched $25 million in new funding, as announced in our budget, and we're looking forward to allocating and informing municipalities as to how they will receive $97 million more very shortly.

I think it's also important for us to remember that it was the NDP government that actually cut child care spaces in this province.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): My question is to the Premier. Since January 2005, 137,000 Ontarians have lost their jobs in the manufacturing sector. This trend continued in April, as another 13,000 Ontarians lost their manufacturing jobs. The Premier has shown no leadership on this file. All we have seen from the Premier's office is dithering, deflecting and delaying. High levels of taxation, high levels of input costs and high levels of regulation are damaging Ontario's attractiveness to employers.

In December 2005, the Legislature voted unanimously for the government to come up with a comprehensive jobs plan. We continue to wait for the plan. Premier, when are you going to realize that the manufacturing sector in this province is in peril and bring forward that comprehensive job plan?

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

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Economic Development and Trade, minister responsible for women's issues): I'm very pleased to respond. There are many areas of Ontario that do have manufacturing at their very core. We know there are challenges there, and that's why we have partnered with all of those communities. We have, for these last three and a half years, come forward with very particular programs to partner with business, to bring investment and growth to that very manufacturing sector.

It is very important to note that the opposition parties did not support any of these initiatives. And so I need to ask you, as you lay out what your platform might be, which of these items would you not have invested in: The automotive investment strategy of $500 million or the advanced manufacturing program, another $500 million? What about the apprenticeship tax credit, which we've just extended to 2012? Which of those things would you not support? In fact, you voted against every single initiative that has partnered with the manufacturing sector.

We know there are challenges, but in the words of Buzz Hargrove, Dalton McGuinty's government is the largest supporter, the greatest supporter of this sector in all of the—

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

Mr. Chudleigh: The empathy of the minister for the unemployed is duly noted.

The minister can try to pull the wool over the eyes of Ontarians all she likes, but even in the region represented by two of the top cabinet ministers, Liberal government policies are proving harmful. The fact of the matter is that Windsor has the highest level of unemployment in Ontario and needs help now. It's already too late for the workers at the Ford casting plant, 450 workers; the Ford Essex engine plant, 650 workers; Data Corp., 23 workers; Bernard Mould, 49 workers; Brahm Industries, 185 workers—all in Windsor.

We are still waiting for a comprehensive jobs plan. Ontarians are still waiting; people in Windsor are still waiting. When is the Liberal government going to produce the jobs plan this Legislature demanded unanimously back in December 2005?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I guess my question for the member opposite is, where were you when we tabled our budget to promote those very same companies? Where were you? Where were you this month when we were in Windsor opening the retraining centre for those very Ford workers that you speak about? Where were you on Sunday? Were you in Oshawa with the workers there? Were you in Windsor with the workers in Windsor? That's where we were this past Sunday. That's where we were in Kitchener—Waterloo. That's where we were in St. Thomas. We are walking with the workers, and you should remember those words.

I will tell you this: When you want to go to your workers, when you go to your community, I will stand side by side with the workers every time. They know that we're partnering with them to move them forward.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. New question?

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question, the member for Toronto Danforth.

Interjections.

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto—Danforth): It's always a pleasure to be greeted warmly by my friends in the chamber.

My question is for the Premier. For over 20 years, California has had community right-to-know laws that require companies to disclose to consumers carcinogens that are present in their product lines. If Bill 164 passes, Ontario will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to follow California's lead. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is a staunch proponent of community right to know. If Republican Governor Schwarzenegger believes people have a right to know what toxic products are in their daily purchases, does the Premier? If so, when will the McGuinty government call Bill 164 for third reading?

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Minister of Government Services): This bill, the public should be aware, is a private member's bill and has been to committee. There was a very good debate at the committee, which we all followed very closely.

I think the advice is that there is clearly a need for this information to be available. The issue at the committee, I think, was which level of government is best suited to provide it in the best possible way. I think there was a legitimate debate around whether one standard across the country is better—is that the most effective way to handle it?—or should each individual province have a different approach? I would say to the member that there was a legitimate debate on that at committee.

I, on behalf of the government, asked the federal government to update us on where they stand on their plans for this. It isn't a question of whether or not the information is available; it's whether it is best handled with one national standard or with each of the provinces, the territories and the federal government having—

The Speaker: Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Tabuns: Interesting. Leading environmental groups and health advocates like the Ontario College of Family Physicians and the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario support passage of this bill. In fact, the minister's own colleagues voted for it in committee. Passing Bill 164 is in keeping with a recommendation, which some 200 of the world's leading scientists just made, that governments need to invoke precautionary measures to reduce the exposure of expectant mothers and infants to toxins.

The Premier found time to give himself a $40,000 pay raise. In this case, the minister and the government are going to pass the buck to a federal government that they denounce on a regular basis. So again, the question I have for this government is, will this government bring forward Bill 164 for third reading or are they going to tell the Terminator that we terminated the right of access to information in this province?

Hon. Mr. Phillips: The Minister of the Environment wants to comment on this.

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I know my friend opposite understands the importance not only of his private member's bill with respect to notification but, more importantly, pollution reduction.

Let me tell you about the efforts we, as a government, have made to continue to update our standards so that we reduce the amount of pollution in our atmosphere. We have provided new and updated standards for 40 air pollutants, the biggest move on this file in 25 years. Our regulation 127 has incredibly strict standards with respect to the type of notification.

NURSES

Mrs. Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre): My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. During my time in office, one of the strongest advocates for our health care system has been nurses. In fact, the excellence of nursing care was demonstrated in Brampton on April 11 during the recent school bus tragedy on Highway 410.

In the past, nurses' contribution to our health care system was minimized, and we all suffered the consequences of that grievous mistake. I'm proud to report to the House that William Osler hospital has recently hired 78 more full-time nurses and 15 new grads to provide health care to my constituents. But there's more work to do.

Minister, the nursing profession is finally starting to recover from cuts in the 1990s, but thousands of nurses are set to retire in the coming years. How do you plan on meeting this looming crisis?

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I want to thank the honourable member and thank her especially for raising the cuts in the 1990s. These remain a very, very strong memory for nurses. Linda Haslam-Stroud, the president of the Ontario Nurses' Association, said in a letter to the National Post, "The current nursing shortage in Ontario lies with the previous provincial Conservative government's planning efforts, which resulted in thousands of nurses being laid off." She also questions the leader of the official opposition's promise to "respect" nurses by linking it to Mike Harris's comparison of nurses to hula hoops.

Our record on these matters with respect to nursing is clear. We fulfilled our commitment of 8,000 new nursing positions. Those are being fully funded and evolved in health care in Ontario, including, as an example, the 78 new full-time positions mentioned at the William Osler Health Centre—10% more nurses working full-time—and new initiatives at the nursing level to take the experience of our experienced nurses and put it to work in training the new ones, alongside efforts through 19,000 bed lifts to literally take the pressure off the backs of our nurses to sustain them longer in those important roles.

Mrs. Jeffrey: Minister, we've been in government for almost four years now, and you've just mentioned some of the key initiatives to keep nurses on the job longer. But I'm worried about the future and the huge demands that an aging baby boomer population will put on our health care system. We respect nurses, and we need to make nursing an attractive profession for the next generation. Otherwise, there won't be enough nurses to help us through what are frightening times, when we need both physical and emotional support. Minister, what initiatives are being put in place so that our young people consider the profession of nursing in the future?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: One of the things I have had the privilege to do is bring a much more strategic capacity to the Ministry of Health through the addition of an assistant deputy minister of health human resources, who also reports to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. One of the initiatives we've launched—really the only jurisdiction in the world—is with our new nursing grad guarantee. This is designed to make sure that our new nurses are quickly transitioned to full-time employment. It helps to keep them in Ontario.

Unlike the official opposition's health care agenda—that is, to spend money on private delivery—ours is to invest in our public health entities. From them, it's the same story, just from a different Tory in this case. The official opposition has demonstrated very, very clearly over the course of the last week that despite years on the job, the leader of the official opposition has no new ideas and instead used language in his document last week that resorts very much to that used during the Common Sense Revolution.

The reality in Ontario is that the knowledge base of nurses, who work in an evidence-based world—they remember very, very well the cuts perpetuated by the previous government.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie—Lincoln): I have a question for the Minister of Economic Development. Sadly, Niagara and Hamilton have become poster children for the massive manufacturing job losses in Dalton McGuinty's Ontario. Working families in Fort Erie, Niagara Falls and throughout the Niagara Peninsula are concerned about the growing list of manufacturing job losses in the region: Redpath Sugar, 20 jobs; Port Weller Dry Docks, 250 jobs gone; Dana auto parts, 537 jobs gone; GDX Automotive in Welland, 200 jobs gone. The minister says she's standing with those workers. She's spending a lot of time standing in unemployment lines in Dalton McGuinty's Ontario.

Minister, this House passed a resolution to call on you to bring forward a plan; a committee of your own members have called for that as well. Why do you dismiss that call of members of the assembly?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Economic Development and Trade, minister responsible for women's issues): I very much appreciate the opportunity to talk about what we are doing for our manufacturing sector. We have a delegation from California visiting us today, and they're facing the same challenges in manufacturing. We know that there are world issues, but the difference in Ontario is that we have taken steps to actually partner with our companies in Ontario. We partnered with the Big Five automotive companies, a move that you actually opposed.

So all of those steel companies that supply the steel for those cars, you opposed that move. As well, the advanced manufacturing strategy that has brought jobs and secured jobs to several plants around Ontario: This same member asking these questions opposed that move, even though what we need to do is break open new markets for the very same manufacturers that he—

The Speaker: Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Hudak: I'll tell you what we opposed. When Dalton McGuinty brought in the biggest tax hike in the history of the province, we opposed that. When Dalton McGuinty brought in policies to take electricity rates through the roof, we opposed those. When Dalton McGuinty brought in runaway spending in budget after budget, fuelled by higher taxes, we opposed that. You see the result: 140,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs gone in Dalton McGuinty's Ontario. People in Flamborough, people in Brantford and people in Stoney Creek want to know what you're going to do about Slater Steel losing 360 jobs; Stelco, 800 jobs; Hamilton Specialty Bar, 360 jobs; Rheem Canada,150 jobs, to name just some.

Minister, say to the fellow next to you, the Premier, who has ducked out on facing these issues, to get rid of that "Don't Worry, Be Happy" Bobby McFerrin tune, show some understanding for what these families are going through, and do something about the plight of manufacturing jobs.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: This is so surprising. This is the same opposition member who was at the cabinet table when the lights went out on all the manufacturers in this province. The largest blackout in our history was under that very same government, and now he purports to ask us what we're doing. Why would this same member vote against the decrease in taxes to business tabled in the very last budget—not three years ago; the very last budget? You voted against those tax decreases to the same businesses you purport to care for.

Are you going to stand and tell me that you oppose those Niagara companies, which are now bidding on and winning contracts in Alberta, seeking new opportunities? Is this the same member who opposes the Ontario suppliers that have now entered the Home Depot supply chain because of our activity with Home Depot? This is the kind of business activity that companies in Ontario need from their government—

The Speaker: Thank you. New question.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches—East York): In the absence of the Premier, my question is to the Minister of the Environment. Last Friday, Windsor mayor Eddie Francis was forced to declare a state of emergency when the Ministry of the Environment failed to respond to a toxic blaze that burned for three hours. The blaze on Friday is just another example of how the Ministry of the Environment is unable to protect the health and safety of residents when a toxic crisis hits because of staffing cuts.

Madam Minister, I have to ask you: Have you not got the Premier's ear? Why won't the Premier give the Minister of the Environment the funds to re-establish the capacity of the Ministry of the Environment in Windsor so that the mayor doesn't have to scramble to gather the critical environmental information he needs to protect his local residents and the firefighters who work for him?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): Let me assure my friend opposite that upon learning about the fire, ministry staff did promptly respond and attend at the fire scene to assess potential environmental concerns and determine appropriate next steps. Immediately, they responded and attended at the scene. The Windsor area office supervisor and the senior environmental officer were on the scene immediately, coordinating and working with fire officials.

They discussed the situation with the fire chief and collectively agreed, based on the fact that the fire was nearly fully extinguished and the estimated response time of the ministry's specialized monitoring personnel—not those who were already on the scene and working closely with the fire chief—would take some time, that it would not be initiated. The fire department conducted air tests that indicated that the air quality in the community had essentially returned to normal. My ministry respected the decision of the local fire chief in that regard.

Mr. Prue: Notwithstanding the minister's answer, the reality is that there were not sufficient and adequate staff present at the time they were needed because of the staffing cuts and because you have not reinstated what the previous government did. The lack of the Ministry of the Environment's capacity is only one way the health and safety of Ontarians is being compromised by toxins in our air, water and soil.

Ontarians like the ones who live and work in the 600 properties affected by the toxic smoke from the blaze in Windsor currently don't have the right to know what chemicals in their neighbourhoods are posing a risk to their health. We in the NDP have proposed the Community Right to Know Act, which will give Ontarians that long-overdue right. Minister, when will you advocate to your government to help Ontarians protect themselves from toxic threats and pass Bill 164?

Hon. Ms. Broten: Let me go back to the circumstance in Windsor because I want to speak loudly and clearly and assure the community in Windsor that the Ministry of the Environment was on the scene immediately working with those experts on that scene to ensure that that community was safe and that the health and well-being of the community of Windsor was first and foremost in our minds. If there are things that we can do to work with the community of Windsor, as we have done with other communities across the province, to ensure that we can do better—we can always do better. We can always do more.

We are open to talking with the mayor. Already my colleagues from Windsor have raised with me whether or not there are opportunities for us to continue to expand our ability to respond.

But first and foremost, let me assure the community of Windsor that my primary responsibility and the ministry's primary responsibility is to ensure they are safe and their health and well-being are protected, and that's exactly what we did.

COMMUNITIES IN ACTION FUND

Mrs. Liz Sandals (Guelph—Wellington): My question is for the Minister of Health Promotion. Recently, I had the opportunity to announce $14,000 for Onward Willow Better Beginnings, Better Futures to fund its active outdoor program in my riding. This funding came thanks to your ministry's great program, the communities in action fund. I can't tell you how happy this group was to receive funding and recognition for their great work, certainly not like the negative reaction we heard from the member from Lanark—Carleton a while ago.

Onward Willow used a previous CIAF grant to fund an after-school recreation and homework program. This new CIAF grant will be used to start a summer activity program. CIAF grants are ensuring that kids whose parents may not be able to afford organized sports leagues can be physically active. The CIAF program is a great way for groups in my riding to help the community of Guelph get active.

I understand that on top of the $5 million in CIAF grants recently announced, there is an additional $2.5 million in funding for the program, thanks to the government's 2007 budget. Would the minister tell this House how groups in my riding can apply for this extra money?

Hon. Jim Watson (Minister of Health Promotion): I want to thank the honourable member for the good work she does to promote the communities in action fund. She's quite correct: Minister Sorbara in his budget a few months ago added $2.5 million. But a number of the stakeholders who have benefited from this program are very concerned about the Tory party plan to slash funding in health care under the guise of efficiency. Well, the last time we heard about Tory efficiency in health care, the government closed 28 hospitals; they fired 8,000 nurses.

In my hometown of Ottawa, we saw that so-called Tory efficiency agenda at work. They closed the Grace hospital. They closed the Riverside. They tried to close the CHEO cardiac unit and they tried to close the Montfort Hospital.

The Tory party can't have it both ways. What do they consider inefficiencies within the health care system? Is it programs like the communities in action fund? As the Toronto Star said the other day, John Tory wants to have his tax cuts and spend them too.

We stand by the people who promote fitness and physical activity in this province—

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

Mrs. Sandals: I'm very pleased that we are being able to extend the program, but I am worried about the cuts you're speaking about, Minister. I, however, look forward to helping my constituents apply for the second round of CIAF grants. I'm proud of the investment our government is making in the health and well-being of Ontarians. I know that in my riding we've received over $160,000 worth of CIAF grants—gone to groups like the Belwood Lodge and Camp, the city of Guelph, and the YM/YWCA of Guelph, all of which have created great new programs to keep our community active.

This shows our government's commitment to helping constituents stay healthy and active. But I also know that my constituents want more nurses and better health care. They want their government to provide the opportunity that helps them stay in shape. Recently, the members of the opposition have been suggesting a cut of $2.5 billion to health care in Ontario. I know your ministry has provided us with over $20 million in CIAF grants. What could these cuts that they're proposing mean to the CIAF grants?

Hon. Mr. Watson: I just don't know what the Leader of the Opposition categorizes as inefficiencies within the health care system. I don't know if the communities in action fund, which is very well received by community groups across the province—I don't think they'd consider it an inefficient program. I do know that, for instance, the Conservative Party is very unclear with respect to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act. Exactly one half of their caucus either voted against it or were not there for the vote in the first place.

The Progressive Conservative Party is quickly becoming the great oxymoron of our time, a bit like jumbo shrimp. You're either progressive or you're conservative. They're not very progressive when they go down the route of trying to shut down hospitals, fire nurses and put the boots to the sports and recreation community in the province, which has benefited so much from the communities in action fund.

In a rebuttal to the Premier last week, the Leader of the Opposition referred to the scandal-plagued former PC government when he said, "We know what happened to the previous government." Well, if he knows what happened—

The Speaker: Thank you. New question.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Victoria—Brock): My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Over 137,000 manufacturing job losses have happened under your watch. Some of those losses in Peterborough include the closure of MasterBrand Cabinets, National Grocers service and Transcontinental Best Book printing. The Premier has referred to these job losses as "hiccups" and "contractions," and another of your colleagues had the gall to refer to small communities affected by hard-hitting job losses as "crying babies."

Minister, when will you show respect for this Legislature and the members? When can communities like Peterborough expect to see the comprehensive job plan that members from all parties supported in this Legislature over 16 months ago?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Economic Development and Trade, minister responsible for women's issues): I appreciate the interest that this particular member is showing in those manufacturing losses. We understand the challenges that this sector is facing. In fact, this member knows—who has called my office to see all that we have done in interacting with companies the moment we understand that there may be an issue.

This member also knows full well that we are bringing a full-court press: If there is an opportunity to work with the company, we introduce them to our programming; we ask them if there is anything that we can do to help their workforce; if there is a shutdown, we introduce them immediately to our Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, which, on a regular basis, is on the site in that town literally the very next day.

In many instances, and this member will know full well, we have gone wherever that corporate headquarters has been to sit down and talk about what opportunities we have for our Ontario workers.

This member also needs to recognize that when it comes to supporting budgets—

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

Ms. Scott: Across Ontario we still see thousands of manufacturing jobs lost monthly. But don't take it from me. How about the Peterborough Examiner? Titles like, "Jobs are Melting Away" and "Area Communities Face Uncertain Future." The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says, "The McGuinty Liberals have greatly increased the regulation and red tape faced by small businesses."

When referring to the exorbitant job losses in small communities, an

article in the Peterborough Examiner states, "Stick a pin in a map of Ontario and you'll find a similar story just about everywhere."

Minister, you've broken countless promises. You've acted contrary to your own commitment by not honouring the resolution supported by members from all parties. My question to the minister is: Do you have any intention of honouring the job loss strategy plan? Do you still feel that over 137,000 job losses is a contraction? Do you still feel that our small communities that are suffering these job manufacturing losses are nothing more than crying babies? Do you still feel that way?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I need to understand how it is, based on this question, that this same member voted against the education property tax decrease by 40% in the very last budget. Is it this same member who voted against the last budget that we tabled for a writeoff on capital investments in two years? Is it this same member who voted against the automotive investment strategy, and in her very own riding there are companies that are part of the supply chain of our assemblers? Is it this same member who voted against the advanced automotive manufacturing strategy?

Please tell me that you are not the same person who has voted against every single initiative. And you have the gall to pretend to care—

The Speaker: Thank you. New question.

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): My question is for the minister responsible for native affairs. Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation has a $650,000 legal bill because it was forced to go to court to defend its constitutional and legal rights against a $10-billion lawsuit by a mining exploration company. The First Nation was forced to go to court to defend its rights because the McGuinty government failed to fulfill its constitutional obligations to consult with the First Nation before handing out mineral exploration permits to the mining company.

Since it was the failure of the McGuinty government to fulfill its constitutional obligations and consult with the First Nation about its rights and interests that forced the First Nation to go to court, will the McGuinty government do the right thing and pay the $650,000 legal bill, which rightfully belongs to the McGuinty government?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): Let's give him the direct answer right off the bat—the answer is no—and then let's talk about consultation and the attempt of the McGuinty government to engage First Nations of this province in a consultation exercise that we launched over a year ago.

We are working with the Chiefs of Ontario and other native organizations right across the province to get that engagement so that we can have a clear understanding of what our obligation is and what, in a sort of class sense, we'll be required to do in regard to consultation for each sort of government activity. I have worked with all my fellow ministers and have had them look at their ministries and at what their obligation is for all the activities they engage in, and we're actively pursuing that discussion with aboriginal people right across this province so that we'll have a clear-cut set of the consultation guidelines over the next year.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, you might want to read what the judge said about the McGuinty government when he handed down his judgment: "Despite repeated judicial messages delivered over the course of 16 years, the evidentiary record available in this case sadly reveals that the provincial crown"—the McGuinty government—"has not heard or comprehended this message and has failed in fulfilling this obligation."

"The Ontario government was not present ... and the evidentiary record indicates that it has been almost entirely absent from the consultation process" with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug.

"The crown (Ontario) ... [has] chosen to ignore ... the concerns and ignore the perspective of the First Nations band in question."

It's very clear, when you read the judge's decision, that the First Nation was forced to go to court to defend its rights because the McGuinty government failed.

This is a poor community. The unemployment rate is 85%. Don't you think it's fair that you finally meet your obligation and pay the legal bill instead of foisting it off on a poor—

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

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: Speaker, I refer the question to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): I wish the leader of the third party would quote from the May 22 decision. However, let me tell you that Ontario has consistently presented solutions that are fair and reasonable as a way to keep all parties in this case moving forward to a resolution. Justice Smith has now adopted some of these provisions and timelines in his latest decision.

Our immediate priority isn't about division, the way the third party's is. Ours is to meet the timelines for information disclosure and to ensure that both parties move on in a collaborative, constructive manner.

PETITIONS

POPE JOHN PAUL II

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): I have petitions here signed by Dr. Andrew Caruk from Kitchener and more than 1,250 others that read as follows:

"Petition to the Parliament of Ontario:

"Whereas the legacy of Pope John Paul II reflects his lifelong commitment to international understanding, peace and the defence of equality and human rights;

"Whereas his legacy has an all-embracing meaning that is particularly relevant to Canada's multi-faith and multicultural traditions;

"Whereas, as one of the great spiritual leaders of contemporary times, Pope John Paul II visited Ontario during his pontificate of more than 25 years and, on his visits, was enthusiastically greeted by Ontario's diverse religious and cultural communities;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario to grant speedy passage into law of the private member's bill by Oak Ridges MPP Frank Klees entitled

An Act to proclaim Pope John Paul II Day."

I'm pleased to affix my signature as the proud proponent of this bill.

SOCIAL SERVICES FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. I would like to thank some of the staff at Catholic Family Services of Peel for having sent it to me. It's entitled "Fairness for Families in the 905 Belt" and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the population of the greater Toronto region will increase by an estimated four million more people in the next generation, with the bulk of that growth coming in the 905 belt of fast-growing cities located north, east and west of Metro Toronto; and

"Whereas these cities are already large and dynamic population units, with big-city issues and big-city needs, requiring big-city resources to implement big-city solutions to social issues and human services needs; and

"Whereas the 2007-08 Ontario budget proposes aggressive and badly needed increases in operating funding to build and strengthen capacity in developmental and social services agencies and to invest in helping the young, the weak, the needy and the vulnerable; and

"Whereas the social and human services sectors in the 905 belt have historically received per capital funding far below that of other regions despite facing far greater growth in the populations they serve, and this per capita funding gap has increased in the last four years;

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

"That the 2007-08 Ontario budget implementing measures to strengthen Ontario's families be passed without delay, and that the first priority for the allocation of new funding in meeting the government of Ontario's commitment to fairness for families flow to the social services agencies serving cities within the 905 belt, and that funding for programs to serve the 905 belt be allocated to established or growing agencies located within the 905 belt."

I support this petition. I affix my signature to it and I will ask page Andrew to carry it for me.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I am pleased to present a petition that reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the lung association's Women and COPD national report 2006 reveals that more than 425,000 Canadian women have been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and more than 4,300 will die of the disease this year; and

"Whereas the women and COPD national report indicates that since 2000, female mortality due to COPD has risen at double the rate of breast cancer;

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

"That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario support a call to action for early diagnosis and optimized management of COPD to reduce illness and suffering;

"That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario support the Ontario Lung Association's COPD advisory panel report to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care on the prevention and management of COPD in Ontario; and

"That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario endorse a comprehensive strategy to address COPD in this province."

I'm pleased to present this to Grant on behalf of the residents of the riding of Durham.

REGULATION OF ZOOS

Ms. Deborah Matthews (London North Centre): I have a petition here signed by literally hundreds and hundreds of people from across the province. It's a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

"Whereas Ontario has the weakest zoo laws in the country; and

"Whereas existing zoo regulations are vague, unenforceable and only apply to native wildlife; and

"Whereas there are no mandatory standards to ensure adequate care and housing for zoo animals or the health and safety of animals, zoo staff, the visiting public or neighbouring communities; and

"Whereas several people have been injured by captive wildlife, and zoo escapes are frequent in Ontario; and

"Whereas these same regulatory gaps were affirmed recently by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario in his annual report;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support MPP David Zimmer's bill, the Regulation of Zoos Act."

I'm happy to support this and attach my signature to it. I'm giving it to page Justin.

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound—Muskoka): I have a petition to do with the doctor shortage in Muskoka, with many signatures from the Gravenhurst area. It reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we, the undersigned, are very concerned about the doctor shortage in Muskoka;

"Whereas, without increased funding for the Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare Centre, the administration will not be able to keep it as a full-service hospital;

"Whereas, without a full-service hospital in our area, we will be unable to attract doctors; and

"Whereas Muskoka has a higher-than-average percentage of 'senior' citizens; it is of great concern that we attract more doctors."

I support this petition.

COURT SUPPORT STAFF

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): I have a petition signed by a number of court support staff in the Hamilton courthouses, and it reads as follows.

"Whereas 1,400 members of the Attorney General's court support staff who are working under the flexible, part-time (FPT) model, otherwise referred to as appendix 32 under a collective agreement between Management Board of Cabinet, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union negotiated in the spring of 2005, are working hundreds of hours per week in the service of the Attorney General for which they are not getting paid; and

"Whereas under the FPT agreement many court support staff are working as many as 20 hours or more per week for which payment is being withheld and will not be paid until months later, and

"Whereas when the makeup pay does eventually get paid, up to 50% may be lost to taxes because of the taxation year into which that payment may fall; and

"Whereas many of the Attorney General's court support staff who are being forced to work under these conditions are single mothers with fixed living expenses who incur employment-related expenses such as child care and travel costs for those hours that they are required to work but for which they are not getting paid; and

"Whereas in many cases these expenses are impossible to pay without the offsetting income which is being withheld by the Attorney General under the FPT agreement; and

"Whereas many of the Attorney General's court support staff have been left no other choice but to resign from these impossible working conditions and, in many cases, are being forced onto the welfare rolls by the very government for which they are providing hundreds of hours of work for which they are not being paid in a timely manner; and

"Whereas the FPT agreement which is causing such hardship for employees of the Attorney General was negotiated by and entered into between the Ministry of the Attorney General, Management Board of Cabinet and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; and

"Whereas the employees to whom this agreement applies insist that the terms of the agreement and their practical implications were not fully disclosed to them at the time the agreement was proposed for ratification; and

"Whereas the employees affected by this agreement have repeatedly appealed to OPSEU, the Attorney General and the Premier to point out the unfairness of being forced to work hundreds of hours without being paid for that work and the hardship this practice is causing in the lives of many employees, and

"Whereas repeated appeals to the Attorney General and to the Premier that they step in to ensure fair treatment of Attorney General employees are being ignored;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to call upon the Premier, the Attorney General and the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet to take whatever steps are necessary to change the offensive provisions of the FPT agreement as set out in appendix 32 and ensure that the Attorney General's court support staff receive fair treatment as employees of the government and that among other unfair provisions of the agreement, the practice of withholding pay for hours worked cease immediately."

I agree with this petition. I've signed it and send it to the table by way of a page whose name I can't see.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Pursuant to standing order 30(b), it now being past 4 p.m., I am now required to call orders of the day.

OPPOSITION DAY

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): I move that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that Ontario is facing a crisis when it comes to job losses;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that this crisis is evidenced by the following sampling of newspaper headlines:

"It's Tragic—It Really Is; MPP Concerned About Trend of Manufacturing Jobs Fleeing Area," Brantford Expositor, Thursday, May 10, 2007;

"MTD Plant Closes; Kitchener Loses 400 More Jobs," Kitchener-Waterloo Record, Saturday, May 12, 2007;

"Manufacturing Sector Suffers as Leaders Fiddle," Welland Tribune, Monday, April 16, 2007;

"Sweet Job Market Turning Sour," National Post, Tuesday, March 13, 2007;

"Ontario Fares Poorly in Employment Report," Toronto Star, Friday, January 26, 2007;

"Region Struck Hard by Manufacturing Job Losses," Ottawa Citizen, Friday, February 23, 2007;

"City Mill Faces Grim Outlook...," Hamilton Spectator, Wednesday, February 28, 2007;

"Nortel's Last Cuts May Be the Cruellest," Ottawa Citizen, Thursday, February 8, 2007;

"Abitibi to Shutter Fort William Mill," Toronto Star, February 21, 2007;

"Losses Called Long Term," Windsor Star, Thursday, February 15, 2007;

"One-Way Street Oil Riches Irresistible; For the First Time, Ontario Can't Make Up For the Loss of its Young People to Thriving Alberta," Toronto Star, Saturday, March 3, 2007;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that these headlines represent just a fraction of the 137,000 manufacturing jobs lost in this province since the start of 2005;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that 13,000 of these manufacturing jobs were lost in April 2007 alone;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that this is a situation that is untenable;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that, at a time when we are losing well-paying manufacturing jobs, policies like the job-killing diamond tax must be repealed;

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario recognize that the McGuinty Liberals have still failed to act on the motion introduced by the official opposition and passed by this House on December 8, 2005, calling for the creation of a comprehensive jobs plan; and

That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario call once again on the McGuinty Liberals to bring forward a comprehensive jobs plan to spur job creation throughout the province in general and in the manufacturing sector in particular.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Tory has moved opposition day number 5. I'm pleased to recognize the Leader of the Opposition for his leadoff speech.

Mr. Tory: I'm sorry in a way that we have to bring this same resolution, in effect, forward again, because at the end of the day, you would have thought when the House voted as it did in December 2005 that this would have resulted in our seeing a comprehensive jobs plan coming from this government.

The fact is, if you go back to December 2005, at that time the number all of us were using in this House, in discussing manufacturing job losses in the preceding one-year period—going back, I think, to November 2004—was 52,000, a little over 52,000 manufacturing jobs. So that prompted us, as well it should have, to bring forward a motion saying that we needed urgently a comprehensive jobs plan in Ontario to help address the concerns of those 52,000 families and many others who were obviously seen in jeopardy at that time.

Let me just read three quotes from that day in the Legislature from Liberal members who spoke at that time. The first was the Honourable Joe Cordiano, who has since resigned from this House—but he said, and I quote from Hansard: "So we've looked at a number of options with respect to a real economic development plan that is being considered and is taking shape." That's what he said in December 2005.

The member for Perth—Middlesex said in December 2005, in that debate in this House: "I also want to say quite clearly that when the opposition say we don't have a plan, it's merely because they can't read. They can't read our budget. Our budget is our plan. That is the government plan."

Then, of course, there was the member for Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge, Mr. Arthurs, who said: "We have a sound economic strategy, and the results are showing."

Well, that day, the House voted 44 to 0 in favour of our resolution from the Progressive Conservative Party calling for a comprehensive action plan on jobs—31 Liberal members of provincial Parliament voted in favour of that resolution. You have the quotes from Mr. Cordiano, Mr. Wilkinson and Mr. Arthurs, those three members of provincial Parliament, who all said, "We have a plan. It's going to come, or you've already seen it in the budget," and so on and so forth.

Well, what's happened since December 2005? Two things have happened. Many things have happened, but there are two things I want to draw attention to today. First, we have not seen any comprehensive jobs plan come forward from this government whatsoever, nothing that even resembles a plan.

But, secondly, and this is the real tragedy, the total of manufacturing jobs lost since the beginning of 2005 is now up to 135,000 manufacturing jobs lost; 135,000 families without a paycheque; 135,000 people without the dignity of a job; 135,000 people who might have expected, based on that debate, that because they are citizens who pay their taxes and live in Ontario, their government would be there for them. They have been deeply disappointed, let down at their moment of greatest need by the McGuinty government and by this Premier.

It's not just that we've seen poor, inadequate action from this government—we've seen some of that: poor, inadequate action. Their answer to 135,000 jobs lost: a manufacturers' council, which I'm sure is using some of those millions of dollars worth of hotel rooms this government is famous for using at the taxpayers' expense when hospital emergency rooms are in chaos, children with autism go without help and farmers struggle day after day. So I'm s