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March 17, 2008

39th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2008-Mar-17 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 17 March 2008 Lundi 17 mars 2008

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CURLING TEAMS

LONG-TERM CARE

RENEWABLE ENERGY

MANUFACTURING JOBS

PESTICIDES

INTERNATIONAL

MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

LOW-INCOME ONTARIANS

NEXT GENERATION OF JOBS FUND

VISITORS

VISITOR

BOARD OF INTERNAL ECONOMY

TABLING OF SESSIONAL PAPERS

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON ESTIMATES

VISITOR

VISITORS

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CANADIAN MASS TRANSIT

VEHICLES ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008

SUR LES VÉHICULES DE TRANSPORT

EN COMMUN CANADIENS

WASTE DISPOSAL SITE 41

IN THE TOWNSHIP OF TINY ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR LE LIEU 41

D'ÉLIMINATION DE DÉCHETS

DANS LE CANTON DE TINY

CHILDREN'S LAW REFORM

AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT

LA LOI PORTANT RÉFORME

DU DROIT DE L'ENFANCE

MADE IN ONTARIO ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR L'IDENTIFICATION

DES PRODUITS FAITS EN ONTARIO

MOTIONS

PRIVATE MEMBERS' PUBLIC BUSINESS

CONDUCT OF HOUSE PROCEEDINGS

ORAL QUESTIONS

TAXATION

ONTARIO ECONOMY

MANUFACTURING JOBS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

TAXATION

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS

MACULAR DEGENERATION

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS

POVERTY

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS

LONG-TERM CARE

GREENBELT

ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS

PETITIONS

HIGHWAY SAFETY

PESTICIDES

DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY

LORD'S PRAYER

CONTAMINATED PROPERTY

PUBLIC WASHROOMS

LORD'S PRAYER

HOME CARE

HOSPITAL FUNDING

GO TRANSIT

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

LORD'S PRAYER

HOSPITAL FUNDING

ORDERS OF THE DAY

THRONE SPEECH DEBATE /

DÉBAT SUR LE DISCOURS DU TRÔNE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CURLING TEAMS

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Members' statements. The member for Simcoe North.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and welcome back, everyone.

I wanted to make a statement today on some really great people, and that is the curling teams of Sherry Middaugh, the Ontario women's curling champion, and the men's curling champion from Ontario, Glenn Howard's team of Richard Hart, Brent Laing and Craig Savill. As many of you sports fans might have known, Glenn just barely lost the Canadian title last night. Both he and Sherry are from my riding, and they both curl out of the Coldwater and District Curling Club.

But what is really important about this statement today is the kind of people that Glenn and Sherry and their teammates are. I want to tell you about two things in particular, one being a couple of fundraising events they've had this year. Sherry took

part in a major fundraiser earlier in the month. At the Coldwater curling club, Curl for the Cure raised over $25,000 on a four-sheet ice surface in one day, and Sherry lent her name to that. As well, both Sherry and Wayne Middaugh and their teammates, and Glenn Howard, have a project each year that they work on for the Huronia Hospitals Foundation called Curl with the Pros. This year, they raised about $16,000 towards the Huronia Hospitals Foundation fundraising campaign.

I want to congratulate them on a great season, but more importantly, I want to congratulate them on the great people they are for our community.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Timmins—James Bay.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: No, no, I'm just—go around.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Newmarket—Aurora.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Frank Klees: I'm calling on the Minister of Health to ensure that residents in long-term-care homes in Aurora, in Newmarket and around this province receive the quality of care that they deserve. He can do that by prioritizing our seniors and people with disabilities who are residents of long-term-care homes in his government's upcoming budget.

At a recent round-table discussion at the Aurora Resthaven long-term-care home, I heard from residents, family members and staff that the services and quality of care that can be provided at current funding levels are unacceptable. Edith Schultz, Resthaven's administrator, pointed out that cost increases have outstripped funding increases for four straight years.

I was presented with thousands of postcards, gathered at a number of long-term-care homes, including Southlake Village in Newmarket, the Willows in Aurora, and the King City Lodge. I will be sending them across to the minister. They are signed by residents, their families and staff, and ask that the government provide the $513 million of additional funding to provide the additional staff and supplies necessary to ensure an adequate level of care and quality of life for residents. That is $18.75 for each of the residents of long-term-care homes in our province.

We will be interested to see where our long-term-care residents are on this government's list of priorities when the Minister of Finance tables his budget.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Mr. Charles Sousa: I rise in the House today to speak about the McGuinty government's success when it comes to recognizing the importance of renewable energy. It is a key component to build a cleaner, sustainable energy future for Ontario. Thanks to this government's concern for the environment, Ontario is now a leader for wind power in Canada. We are building a clean and green energy future that supports a healthy electricity system and a healthy environment. We are on track to double the amount of energy we generate from renewables within the next 20 years.

The McGuinty government knows that investing in renewables benefits the environment and the economy. Our government's energy program includes a culture of conservation. We will continue down the path to a cleaner environment while ensuring that the lights stay on.

Protecting our environment is a chief concern for the people of Mississauga South. On February 27 of this year, Mississauga city council voted unanimously to oppose the construction of a new gas-fired plant in Lakeview and to redevelop this waterfront site. The residents of Lakeview and Mississauga South have served our province for nearly 40 years by hosting a dirty coal plant. This resolution is an important step towards the goal of protecting and revitalizing Mississauga's lakefront.

I extend my congratulations to the residents and to council on this historic decision and to the McGuinty government for its landmark renewable energy plan.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: An Ode for Ontario:

I rise today to speak in verse

Of a new, imposed provincial curse

So excuse me if my words are terse

But the situation's getting worse.

In this, the former industrial core

Where once we heard a mighty roar

Echoing from the factory floor

Silence looms; they work no more.

Hundreds of thousands of jobs disappear

And the Premier says, "There's nothing to fear.

"Simply find a new career

"In the business or the service sphere.

"Now you may have to move away

"Go back to school by night or day

"And take a hefty cut in pay

"But otherwise, you'll be okay."

And as workers despair, investors leave

With little reason to hope or believe

That the Liberal government will ever achieve

Any kind of fiscal reprieve.

Economists, you know they back us

In our plan to sever taxes

But the Premier and his crew relaxes

They'd rather grind partisan axes.

The economy has run amok

And the worker is the sitting duck.

But who's to blame for such bad luck?

The Premier? No, he'll pass the buck.

"Blame Ottawa, blame Flaherty,

"Blame China's new economy,

"Blame western Canada," says he.

"Blame anyone, but don't blame me!"

PESTICIDES

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Timmins—James Bay.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It is my turn this time, so thank you for recognizing me.

Originally from the city of Timmins but now Ottawa, Joel Theriault has travelled all the way from Ottawa to bring petitions here to the Legislature that I will be presenting a little bit later. They have to do with the banning of pesticides and herbicides used on people's lawns. The petition is fairly substantial. We've got signatures from people from across Ontario; I believe there are some 2,000-plus signatures. So I first of all want to say to Joel: a job well done. That's what we call democracy in action.

The issue here is a very simple one. There are better ways to control what is on the lawns that people don't want. You don't necessarily have to have herbicides to deal with it. There are natural products that could be used. In fact, if you take a look at the province of Quebec, we all know that the province of Quebec has been way ahead of Ontario and way ahead of the rest of Canada when it comes to dealing with this type of situation by way of legislation.

As I said, later on this afternoon I'll be tabling this petition on behalf of Joel. I would like to acknowledge Joel, who is in the gallery today, if he wants to stand up. If members want to take the time to go and talk to him, please do so. He has a lot to tell you and would appreciate your support.

INTERNATIONAL

MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY

Mr. Reza Moridi: In 1999, initiated by a Canadian organization called Mother Language Lovers of the World and supported by the government of Bangladesh, UNESCO proclaimed February 21 as International Mother Language Day.

This day aims at promoting linguistic diversity, multilingual education and awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions based on understanding, tolerance and dialogue.

There are about 7,000 languages spoken in the world. It is estimated that within a few generations more than 50% of these languages may disappear.

Ontario is proud to be home to people from 200 different ethnic origins who speak more than 150 different languages. Every group is making contributions to the cultural and economic development of Ontario. Here in Ontario, diversity is our strength. Diversity contributes to our competitive advantage in the global economy.

The General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed the year 2008 as the International Year of Language. This is a great year and a great place to celebrate linguistic diversity and multilingualism.

Dhonno Baad. Sagolun. Mamnoon. Do jeh. Dan-yabad. Shukriya. Shie Shie. Arigato. Grazie. Danke. Merci. Thank you.

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Ms. Leeanna Pendergast: Our government knows that students with the highest level of education have the best chance to succeed. That's why we're investing in more opportunities, more assistance and greater quality for post-secondary institutions.

Under the $6.2-billion Reaching Higher plan, the McGuinty government has invested in more opportunities, more assistance and greater quality. In fact, this is the largest multi-year investment in post-secondary education and enhanced skills training in 40 years.

The Reaching Higher plan has been a success for students in Ontario. As an educator and administrator, I have seen first-hand the successes in the riding of Kitchener—Conestoga, in the three townships of Woolwich, Wilmot and Wellesley and in the two universities, Wilfrid Laurier University and Waterloo. Record numbers of students are finding opportunities in the province's colleges and universities: 100,000 more since the McGuinty government started in 2003—a 25% increase.

Where the previous Conservative government cut funding from colleges and universities, the McGuinty Liberals increased funding to $4.2 billion in 2007-08. This is proof positive that the McGuinty government's Reaching Higher plan is helping our students not only to succeed but to excel.

LOW-INCOME ONTARIANS

Mrs. Liz Sandals: It is with great pleasure that I rise in the House today to speak to what the McGuinty government is doing to support low-income families in Ontario. It's no secret that in order to have a strong economy it is critical that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

Just today, our government announced an investment of $135 million over three years in a dental plan for low-income families, providing prevention and treatment services through public health units and community health centres. We will double our investment in the student nutrition program with $32 million over three years. This allows for an expansion of existing programs that currently provide healthy snacks and meals to over 400,000 kids across Ontario. Now we can reach even more than that.

We will invest $100 million to assist with repairs to 4,000 affordable housing units. Further, Ontario municipalities will also now be able to get up to $500 million in low-cost loans from the Ontario Strategic Infrastructure Financing Authority to repair affordable housing. These investments complement others that this government has made in terms of continually increasing the minimum wage and in introducing the Ontario child benefit.

The keyword here is "invest." This government invests in Ontarians because it is Ontarians who will keep our province and its economy strong into the 21st century.

NEXT GENERATION OF JOBS FUND

Mr. Bruce Crozier: It's with pleasure that I rise in the House today to highlight the government's exciting Next Generation of Jobs Fund, an initiative that will propel the Ontario economy forward. The fund is a five-year, $1.15-billion strategy that will help innovative companies grow and create well-paying, sustainable jobs for today's workforce and for the next generation of Ontario's highly skilled workers. The fact is that the world needs green products, efficient technologies, health cures and treatments. Ontario has the strengths in these areas, and we can and we will create jobs right here in Ontario. The Next Generation of Jobs Fund will help do this.

For a company to receive funding from this fund, they must be able to demonstrate that their company will:

—secure good jobs for Ontarians;

—use or develop innovative technologies, processes and/or materials;

—help establish Ontario as a global leader in an emerging market;

—build on their existing Ontario base or create new expertise and research in commercialization;

—reduce greenhouse gas emissions in target sectors; and

—create synergies among researchers, business people and entrepreneurs.

Ontario's Next Generation of Jobs Fund will fund companies that make everything from car parts to advanced health products to Academy Award-winning special effects technologies. As the Minister of Economic Development and Trade has said, we are "sending the message to companies around the world that if you've got a product that will grow your business and"—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

VISITORS

Mr. Peter Tabuns: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: It's my pleasure to note in attendance today Bruce Hefler, Ana Szado and Luke Hefler, the family of a new page, Ela Hefler. Thank you for coming, and welcome to the Legislature.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Welcome to Queen's Park.

VISITOR

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would like to draw the members' attention to the east members' gallery. There's a young lady there; her name is Leah Jefferson, a third-year political science major from the University of Akron, Ohio. She is here as part of the Legislative Assembly intern program.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Welcome.

BOARD OF INTERNAL ECONOMY

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I beg to inform the House that I have laid upon the table a copy of an order in council appointing the following members as commissioners to the Board of Internal Economy:

—the Speaker, who shall be Chair;

—the Honourable Christopher Bentley, the Honourable Brad Duguid, the Honourable Monique Smith, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council from among the members of the executive council;

—Wayne Arthurs, MPP, appointed by the caucus of the government;

—Robert Runciman, MPP, appointed by the caucus of the official opposition;

—Gilles Bisson, MPP, appointed by the caucus of the New Democratic Party.

TABLING OF SESSIONAL PAPERS

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following reports were tabled:

—on January 21, 2008, the 2007 annual report of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth;

—on January 21, 2008, the Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy report entitled We are your Sons and Daughters: The Child Advocate's Report on the Quality of Care of Three Children's Aid Societies;

—on February 14, 2008, the Integrity Commissioner report pursuant to

section 30 of the Members' Integrity Act, 1994, concerning the request of the member for Welland regarding the member for Algoma—Manitoulin, Michael A. Brown;

—on February 26, 2008, the Ombudsman Ontario report entitled A Test of Wills: Investigation into Legal Aid Ontario's Role in the Funding of the Criminal Defence of Richard Wills.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Mr. Pat Hoy: I beg leave to present a report on the pre-budget consultation 2008 from the standing committee on finance and economic affairs and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Pat Hoy: I would simply move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker: Mr. Hoy moves adjournment of the debate. 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 1351 to 1356.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Mr. Hoy has moved adjournment of the debate.

All those in favour will please rise and remain standing to be counted.

All those opposed will please rise.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 63; the nays are 32.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I declare the motion carried.

Debate adjourned.

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I beg leave to present a report on Hydro One Inc.'s—acquisition of goods and services from the standing committee on public accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Mr. Sterling presents the committee's report and moves the adoption of its recommendations.

Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: As Chairman of the public accounts committee of this Legislature, it's my privilege to table reports of the committee. The four reports I'm tabling today refer to work done by the committee prior to the provincial election in October. The committee considers parts of the Auditor General's annual report, asks for reports from ministries regarding what they are doing to improve on what the Auditor General observed, and criticizes and makes recommendations. The committee has great confidence in and works well with our present Auditor General, James McCarter. These four reports refer to sections of the Auditor General's 2006 report.

The committee has worked in a constructive and co-operative fashion over the past four years. We have been greatly assisted by two excellent, long-serving researchers, Elaine Campbell and Ray McLellan. They are now serving in other capacities in this Legislature, and on behalf of the public accounts committee I want to thank them for their past excellent work.

I would be remiss in not recognizing two former MPPs, members of provincial Parliament, who served on the committee for long periods of time in their parliamentary careers. They are Shelley Martel of the New Democratic Party from Nickel Belt and Richard Patten from the Liberal Party from Ottawa Centre. Both of these individuals worked very hard and carried out their duties with integrity and diligence. As a result, I know that the citizens of Ontario have benefited from their participation greatly, and I want to thank them.

This report of the committee makes recommendations on how to improve the procurement policies and practices of Hydro One and asks them to report back to the committee on their progress.

I move adjournment of the debate.

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

Debate adjourned.

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I beg leave to present a report on the Ontario Realty Corp.'s real estate and accommodation services from the standing committee on public accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: This second report of the public accounts committee deals with the Ontario Realty Corp.'s real estate and accommodation services. The Auditor General wanted to be certain that the public's interests were being protected when properties were being leased or sold. The committee made five recommendations to improve the accountability, as well as drawing attention to the need to recognize the significance of the community in the disposition process.

I move adjournment of this debate.

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

Debate adjourned.

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I beg leave to present a report on community colleges' acquisition of goods and services from the standing committee on public accounts, and I move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Mr. Sterling moves adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I have more.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): My apologies. The member for a brief statement.

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'll be brief, but not that brief.

This third report I'm introducing assesses the purchasing policies of community colleges. The committee was generally satisfied that the community colleges were responding positively and meeting the deficiencies outlined by the Auditor General's report of 2006, and the committee believes that the community colleges are on the right track to improving their procurement policies.

I move adjournment of the debate.

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

Debate adjourned.

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I beg leave to present a report on school boards and their practices regarding the acquisition of goods and services from the standing committee on public accounts and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: This last report of the public accounts committee deals with the acquisition of goods and services by both public and Catholic school boards, all 72 of them. This was the first time the Auditor General had undertaken a value-for-money audit under his now wider jurisdiction to look at school boards. He recognized that there were wide discrepancies in how money was being spent and accounted for in the use of purchasing cards by school boards.

As Chair of the public accounts committee, I contacted and corresponded with the director and chair of each of the 72 district school boards in our province, asking them to post on their websites four relevant policies to deal with expenditure controls. As a result, as of July last year, 56 of the 72 boards had complied. We look forward to all 72 boards complying, and the public accounts committee will be asking them to do so.

I move adjournment of this debate.

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

Debate adjourned.

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON ESTIMATES

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Pursuant to standing order 62(c), the supplementary estimates 2007-08 of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities, and the Ministry of Transportation before the standing committee on estimates are reported back to the House as they were not selected by the committee for consideration and are deemed to be received and concurred in.

Report deemed adopted.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I would just like to take this opportunity to recognize Virginia MacLeod. Virginia is the mother of Lisa MacLeod and she is here for the first time, visiting from Nova Scotia. Welcome, Mrs. MacLeod.

VISITORS

Hon. George Smitherman: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I thought that members might wish to join with me in congratulating Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Tilley, who has been serving the Salvation Army since 1952 and at this Legislature often for about 11 or 12 years. He'll soon be retiring and giving way to Captain Brenda Murray, who joins us as well in the east members' gallery.

BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Hon. James J. Bradley: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I know all members of the Legislature would want to join me in congratulating the Brock Badgers, who won the Canadian university men's basketball championship in Ottawa this weekend by defeating the Acadia Axemen by a score of 64 to 61.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

CANADIAN MASS TRANSIT

VEHICLES ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008

SUR LES VÉHICULES DE TRANSPORT

EN COMMUN CANADIENS

Mr. Bisson moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 31,

An Act to promote the purchase of Canadian mass transit vehicles / Projet de loi 31, Loi favorisant l'achat de véhicules de transport en commun canadiens.

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

First reading agreed to.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: This bill sets out requirements for municipalities and regional transit authorities when purchasing mass transit vehicles with funds received from the province. Municipalities and regional transit authorities must give preference to mass transit vehicles whose final assembly is done in Ontario and where at least 50% of the total dollar value of the contract to purchase these vehicles is attributed to parts and labour originating in Canada. Et je demande aux députés de lire ce projet de loi et de nous donner ce support jeudi, quand ça vient au débat.

WASTE DISPOSAL SITE 41

IN THE TOWNSHIP OF TINY ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR LE LIEU 41

D'ÉLIMINATION DE DÉCHETS

DANS LE CANTON DE TINY

Mr. Dunlop moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 32,

An Act to prevent the disposal of waste at Site 41 in the Township of Tiny / Projet de loi 32, Loi visant à empêcher l'élimination de déchets sur le lieu 41 dans le canton de Tiny.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

First reading agreed to.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: My private member's bill, Waste Disposal Site 41 in the Township of Tiny Act, parallels Bill 49, the Adams Mine Lake Act, that this House passed in the previous Parliament. The horrible tragedy at Walkerton and the recommendations of Justice Dennis O'Connor from the Walkerton inquiry should have taught all Ontarians and the Minister of the Environment lessons that we cannot ignore. I would appreciate the support of all members of this House as this bill proceeds.

CHILDREN'S LAW REFORM

AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT

LA LOI PORTANT RÉFORME

DU DROIT DE L'ENFANCE

Mr. Craitor moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 33,

An Act to amend the Children's Law Reform Act / Projet de loi 33, Loi modifiant la Loi portant réforme du droit de l'enfance.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Member for a short statement.

Mr. Kim Craitor: Shortly after I was elected as a provincial member of Parliament for the riding of Niagara Falls in 2003, I was approached by a number of grandparents at my office. These were grandparents who were concerned, who were caring and who had difficulty in securing legal access through the courts to their grandchildren. Since then, I've received over 2,000 e-mails, 4,000 petitions and hundreds of letters and personal contacts with loving grandparents who find themselves in this tragic situation.

I'm pleased to introduce for the third time—and perhaps lucky for the third time—a bill that would give recognition to the rights of grandparents, where, in the opinion of the courts, it would be in the best interests of the child to ensure they have access to visit their grandparents. My proposed legislation, if passed, will amend the Children's Law Reform Act to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their grandparents.

MADE IN ONTARIO ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR L'IDENTIFICATION

DES PRODUITS FAITS EN ONTARIO

Mr. Levac moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 34,

An Act to require merchandise that is manufactured in Ontario to be identified as such / Projet de loi 34, Loi exigeant que les marchandises fabriquées en Ontario soient identifiées comme telles.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Member for a short statement.

Mr. Dave Levac: This bill requires retailers to identify merchandise that is manufactured in Ontario. Its purpose will be to allow the showcasing of our high-quality made-in-Ontario goods and help identify and possibly encourage consumers to purchase Ontario-manufactured products in retail stores across the province. This bill could contribute to the growth of consumer loyalty towards Ontario-manufactured products and strengthen our manufacturing industry.

I can only say that we can never have too much promotion of Ontario-manufactured goods. We have had many successes such as Foodland Ontario and the Ontario domestic wine industry.

MOTIONS

PRIVATE MEMBERS' PUBLIC BUSINESS

Hon. Michael Bryant: Speaker, I'm seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private members' public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Michael Bryant: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 96(d), the following change be made to the ballot list of private members' public business:

Mr. Hardeman and Mr. Yakabuski exchange places in order of precedence such that Mr. Hardeman assumes ballot item 37 and Mr. Yakabuski assumes ballot item 17; Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Mauro exchange places in order of precedence such that Mr. Ramsay assumes ballot item 65 and Mr. Mauro assumes ballot item 9; Ms. Aggelonitis and Ms. Broten exchange places in order of precedence such that Ms. Aggelonitis assumes ballot item 12 and Ms. Broten assumes ballot item 5; and that, notwithstanding standing order 96(g), the requirement for notice be waived with respect to ballot items 5 through 8.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The government House leader moves that, notwithstanding standing order 96(d), the following changes as proposed to the ballot list of private members' public business be approved.

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

Agreed to.

CONDUCT OF HOUSE PROCEEDINGS

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Before we proceed with question period, I would like to briefly say a few words about the conduct of business in the House. During the December sitting period, I had the opportunity to scrutinize proceedings perhaps more carefully than I have in the past, and from a more central vantage point. I observed at least occasional confusion about some of our proceedings, and I thought it would help to clarify those from time to time.

Question period provides an opportunity for all members of the Legislature to ask questions on matters of government policy. It is a time-honoured procedure used in Parliament to allow the legislative branch to hold the executive to account. I would ask that members keep this in mind when their colleagues are answering and asking questions, and afford them the respect that they and we all deserve. The use of moderate language and limited interjections is advised. If I can't hear the question or the answer, it is quite likely that you can't either. That means that it is too noisy in this place and I will find it necessary to interrupt and restore order.

While I know that it is not a practice that comes naturally to most of us, speaking in the third person can go a long way in improving the atmosphere in here. If honourable members speak through the Chair rather than directly to each other, it has the effect of reducing the likelihood of personal attacks during heated exchanges. Finger pointing and direct confrontational language never fail to diminish the dignity of this chamber.

In keeping with the practice established by Speakers before me, I will be mindful of the clock, specifically the time taken up with each individual question and answer. When 10 seconds remain in the allocated time, I will call for the question or the answer to be completed, as the case may be. This should not be seen as an opportunity to turn away from the Chair in an attempt to eke out extra time, but rather as a warning that it is time to wrap up.

With respect to the introduction of bills, I believe there may be some misconception about what is permitted in the statement that can be made to coincide with that proceeding. At the introduction and first reading stage, the sponsor of the bill is permitted to make a brief statement of purpose. This is a statement that indicates what the bill is to do. It does not go into further explanation about why it is being introduced, the impact it will potentially have, or how the party across the way should have introduced it themselves.

The bill is being presented to the House for the first time, and, as a courtesy, the sponsor is identifying its purpose. It is not intended to be debate; it is intended to be brief. It seems to me that, in general purpose, most bills can be easily explained in 30 seconds or less. Anything more than that is likely better suited to a member's statement or the eventual debate of the bill itself.

These are but two areas in which I believe there is room for improved performance in this place. I hope that all honourable members will continue to keep the principles of accepted parliamentary conduct in mind as we carry out the business of this House over the spring sitting.

I'd just remind the members that often we have grade 5 students who like to visit Queen's Park and remember the wonderful things that we all try to teach students in school, so keep that in the back of your mind as well as you are answering or asking that question: How we act in here is what they take back to their classrooms.

ORAL QUESTIONS

TAXATION

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: A happy St. Paddy's day to all. My question is for the Premier. Premier, Ontario was once the economic engine of this country, but under your government it has become one of the slowest-growing provinces in Canada, with reported growth below the national average since 2005 and the longest string of underperformance in 30 years. Don Drummond of the TD Bank, who I believe was an adviser to your government in the past, has said that the current tax levels in Ontario stick out like a sore thumb—his words—compared to the rest of Canada. But it doesn't have to be this way. Ontario has options.

It has a chance with the upcoming budget to start to repair the damage done over the last four years.

Will you, Premier, commit today to reducing the marginal tax rate on new business investment to bring it in line with other provinces like Saskatchewan, Alberta, B.C. and Quebec?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I thank the honourable member for his question. I've been looking forward to this opportunity for us to discuss at some length the different philosophy embraced by the Conservative Party, apparently endorsed by the federal government of the day.

We believe it takes more than just cuts to business taxes in order to ensure that we grow our economy at the beginning of the 21st century in a knowledge-based, globalized economy. That's why, in addition to cutting business taxes—and the member opposite knows that we have recently eliminated capital taxes for manufacturers in the forestry sector, for example—we're also investing heavily in infrastructure. We're supporting innovation. We're investing heavily in the development of the skills and education of our people.

We also believe in entering into strategic partnerships with business to help them grow stronger. That, to my way of thinking, constitutes an intelligent, thoughtful plan to grow the economy.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: The federal Minister of Finance's concerns are real; he's genuinely concerned about this once-great province slipping into have-not status under your leadership. The capital tax should be gone today, and it would have been if this government hadn't abandoned the plans put in place by the previous Progressive Conservative government. Under the Liberals, this tax will remain in place for the next two years. That's a clear example of why, after almost five years of Liberal inaction, Ontario now finds itself almost dead last in the country for economic growth. The government's on the wrong track. Ontario's going one way and the rest of Canada in another.

Premier, will the upcoming budget correct your government's mistakes and eliminate the capital tax for all business immediately?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think it would be helpful to all of us to cast our minds back to the consequences of a dangerous and reckless obsession with tax cuts. Again, that was embraced by the Conservatives when they were in government. They left us with a $5.6-billion deficit. They closed our hospitals. They declared war on public education. They fired nurses by the thousands. They fired water inspectors.

We're not going to pursue that particular path. Ontarians have said no to that particular approach. We are investing in our schools. We are investing in the skills and education of our people. We are investing in our health care system. We are investing in infrastructure. We are investing in partnerships with the business community. That, again, to my way of thinking at the beginning of the 21st century, is how to grow the Ontario economy.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: The former government created over a million new jobs in this province and took hundreds of thousands of people off of welfare. We want to compare your government to another—I think it's more analogous to the Bob Rae government going down the same path. What this government doesn't understand is that they're sacrificing short-term gain for long-term pain. Slower economic growth means less money to fund the very programs you're talking about protecting. In order to prevent a decline in program funding, the government must act to reduce levels of taxation.

Rather than throwing a few lifelines to select companies, making corporate and small business tax rates competitive keeps all businesses afloat. That's the best way to protect health, education and social program funding.

Premier, is your government going to get us back on track by eliminating the capital tax for all business and reducing the overall tax burden for all business in this province?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I just don't recall the Conservatives campaigning on this particular platform. They're obviously taking their leadership cues from elsewhere these days.

The Conservatives don't like to be reminded of this, but the fact of the matter is that when they embraced that dangerous and reckless obsession with tax cuts—and it has some simplicity to it, and a certain degree of elegance: Tax cuts create jobs. But what the Conservatives didn't tell us was that tax cuts resulted in closed hospitals; resulted in poor-quality health care for the people of Ontario; it resulted in a tax to our system of public education; it resulted in a loss of our capacity to monitor the safety of our environment and it resulted in a $5.6-billion deficit.

During the last four years-plus, we have 450,000 net new jobs in the province of Ontario as a result of our economic policy. We intend to keep moving forward.

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: To the Premier again—and it's clear that the Premier is operating the Ontario economy on a failed ideology and a wing and a prayer, and he wants to get rid of the prayer.

Last year, for the first time since the 1991 recession, Ontario's economic growth was the slowest in Canada. All five major banks rank Ontario ninth out of 10 provinces for economic growth this year. Private sector job growth is the slowest in Canada.

Premier, how many more statistics are needed to convince you that your wrong-track economic policies over the last five and a half years simply aren't working?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Let me speak to a very specific case. In Belleville just a couple of weeks ago—I was there with the Minister of Agriculture and we had the opportunity to attend the official opening of a new Kellogg's plant. It's the first one located in North America in the past 20 years. I spoke with the gentleman there and I said, "Why did you choose Belleville?

Why did you choose Ontario?" He said there were three things in particular: (1) because of the quality of our agricultural products; (2) because of the quality of our workforce, the skilled labour; and (3) because we came to the table prepared to compete with US governors, Republican and Democrat alike, with $9.7 million by way of a five-year, interest-free loan.

The quality of our workforce, the quality of our agricultural product and the fact that we have a government that is prepared to partner with business when it makes sense to do so: That's the reason Kellogg's came to Ontario; that's the reason we have 100 more jobs there today; that's the reason I have confidence in the Ontario economy.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: I think the old saying "More nerve than a canal horse" applies to that response.

Clearly, the statistics I cited earlier weren't enough. I'll give you some more. Disposable incomes in Ontario are among the slowest-growing in the country and this year will again trail the national average. The number of single people on welfare is almost 103,000. That's an 11% increase since September 2003. Since January 2005, we've lost over 180,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs; last year alone, it was 64,000.

The path to redemption, the road to rebuilding, is clear: Lower taxes, cut red tape, secure an affordable, reliable energy supply and you will turn the economy around. Why do you persist in ignoring the obvious?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I just don't and I can't share the negative, pessimistic outlook of the opposition. As a result of our auto sector strategy, we landed $7 billion in new investment in Ontario and over 7,000 jobs. Our advanced manufacturing strategy, by putting forward $500 million—I think we've used up some $180 million of that so far—has landed over $800 million in new investments, and we have some 3,800 new jobs to speak of. Again, when it comes to the forestry sector, we put over $1 billion in place as a strategy to work through this time of global competition and low prices.

What the leader of the official opposition refuses to acknowledge is that when he's talking about cutting taxes, he's also saying, "Let's cut services that people have to be able to count on." I am not prepared to close hospitals; I am not prepared to cut funding for our textbooks; I am not prepared to cut jobs in the province of Ontario, including those of the people who happen to inspect our water supply.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: The "Don't worry, be happy" riff is growing a little tiresome. In fact, in some communities it's downright offensive; those communities have lost thousands and hundreds of manufacturing jobs.

The Premier is sticking his head in the sand. In 2007, Ontario reported a net loss of over 36,000 people to other provinces, almost 15,000 in the third quarter alone. That's the biggest out-migration in the province's history, yet he's over there singing, "Don't worry, be happy."

For the first time in 30 years, our unemployment rate exceeded the national average. According again to Mr. Drummond, your friend at TD Bank, Ontario's subpar economic performance brings us closer to being federal-handout status; in other words, a have-not province.

Premier, how much further are we going to slide? How much longer are you going to keep us on the wrong track before you start to show some leadership with respect to our economy?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Let me remind the opposition in the House generally of our five-point plan to grow this economy. First of all, we are in fact reducing business taxes, and the member is aware of that. In particular, we've eliminated the capital tax for manufacturing and the forestry sector, and we cut it by 21% retroactively for all other Ontario businesses.

We're investing $60 billion over 10 years in infrastructure. That's roads, bridges, hospitals, schools and the like. That creates jobs in the short term and enhances our productivity in the long term.

We're supporting innovation and good, high-paying jobs in the future. We're helping creative Ontarians turn their ideas into Ontario jobs.

We're also partnering with business. I know the leader of the official opposition does not believe in that, but we think it's really important to help businesses which are prepared to make an additional investment to ensure that we get them on their feet and in the race.

Last, but certainly foremost, we are investing in the skills and education of our people. We have 100,000 more young people in colleges and universities today than we did back in 2003. That is real progress.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Howard Hampton: My question is for the Premier. Over 200,000 good manufacturing jobs and over 10,000 good forest sector jobs have been lost under the McGuinty government. New Democrats have outlined a job stimulus strategy that has been praised by economists, labour leaders, business leaders and workers.

My question is this: In the March 25 budget, is the McGuinty government going to take action on a job stimulus plan, or will it continue to allow thousands of good manufacturing jobs to disappear in Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We're very much looking forward to presenting our budget in this House and to continuing to find ways to address some of our economic challenges. I think the leader of the NDP understands that when it comes to things like the value of the Canadian dollar, the price of oil, the faltering US economy and the impact of globalization generally, those are factors over which we do not have control. But we do have control over the level of our taxation, for example. That's why we continue to cut our business taxes. We do have control over the level of investment we make in our people.

That's why we continue to invest heavily in skills and education. We have control over the level of investment in infrastructure. That's why, for example, we have a 10-year, $60-billion investment-in-infrastructure plan. That's the largest of its kind ever. We are creating over 100,000 jobs with that investment alone.

So yes, I very much look forward to presenting the budget in this House. My Minister of Finance will be doing that. We look forward, in that document, to addressing in a further way some of the economic challenges before us at this time.

Mr. Howard Hampton: I think what I heard was the Premier looking for excuses. The issue is manufacturing jobs. Ontario is the manufacturing heartland of Canada, and Ontario is losing manufacturing jobs at an alarming rate. The Premier refers to everything other than manufacturing. The fact is, other provinces are taking action. Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec have all implemented manufacturing investment tax credits to sustain manufacturing jobs in those provinces.

My question is this: In this government's March 25 budget, will working people see action on a refundable manufacturing investment tax credit to sustain manufacturing jobs or not?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The leader of the NDP likes to claim that we are not doing anything to support manufacturing, but he's just not prepared to acknowledge what we are in fact doing.

Again, in our fall economic statement there was a $1.3-billion tax cut. That included the elimination of capital taxes for manufacturing and forestry in particular. We're also going to support the federal government's initiative when it comes to dealing with the capital cost allowance so we can continue to accelerate that. That's something that helps manufacturers as well. We're also continuing to reduce business education taxes in the province of Ontario. That is also an initiative which the NDP voted against.

The leader of the NDP does not support our plan to assist the auto sector in the province of Ontario, which landed $7 billion worth of new investment and 7,000 jobs. We have not had support either for our advanced manufacturing strategy, which has landed $850 million in new investments so far. So it's one thing for the leader of the NDP to claim we are not doing anything for manufacturing, but the record actually tells another story.

Mr. Howard Hampton: Oh, I think your record tells a story. Since your much-ballyhooed advanced manufacturing strategy was announced almost a year ago, another 50,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared. I heard banks, insurance companies and oil companies say they liked the reduction in the capital tax because they raked in billions, but in fact, manufacturers who are not making any money got very little benefit from those measures.

The reality is this: Today the Toronto Stock Exchange has dropped another 400 points, thousands of people are losing their jobs every week, and people are increasingly worried. Provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec have taken action. My question is this: Is the McGuinty government going to take specific action in the form of a refundable manufacturing investment tax credit, or are we going to see the loss of thousands more manufacturing jobs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think for Ontarians generally and families in particular, the question that weighs on their minds is, "What is the responsible thing to do in the circumstances? What is the right thing to do in the circumstances?" They know that we don't have control in this Legislature—notwithstanding claims to the contrary from my friends opposite—over the value of the dollar, the price of oil or what's happening to the US economy. But we do have control over the investments we make in the skills and education of our people.

That's why we will continue to make those investments, and this budget will reflect that. We do have control over the investments we make in the quality of the health care available to all our families, whether they are employed or not, and that's why we will continue to invest in the health care system. We do have control over the level of investment we make in infrastructure, and when we build roads and bridges, not only does that enhance our productivity in the long term, but it creates hundreds of thousands of jobs in the short term. Those are the kinds of things that Ontario families expect of us.

Those are the kinds of things that we will continue to do.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Howard Hampton: The Premier seems to want to talk about everything other than the loss of manufacturing jobs, but that is the issue, Premier: the alarming loss of over 200,000 manufacturing jobs in a province which is based upon manufacturing.

Last Thursday I was in Thunder Bay, where the workers at the Bombardier transit manufacturing plant are still trying to understand why the McGuinty government scrapped this province's Buy Ontario program in 2005. On Thursday, Mr. Bisson's Buy Ontario public transit bill will be debated and voted on. My question is this: Will the Premier guarantee the quick passage of our Buy Ontario bill to help secure the jobs of those workers at the Bombardier plant in Thunder Bay?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Again, I thank the member opposite for his question. I assume that's the same Bombardier plant that I visited when I was in Thunder Bay, and I can tell you that the greatest concern that was raised with me at that time was the absence of the NDP leader's support for our plan to build a new subway here in Toronto, that those cars wouldn't be made in that plant.

I've said this, and I know the leader of the NDP understands this, as does his colleague: I think it's really important for us as a government to ensure, as much as reasonably possible, as we invest billions of dollars in new infrastructure, and public transit in particular, that that translates, again as much as reasonably possible, into Ontario jobs. We are carefully considering that, we'll take a look at Mr. Bisson's proposal, and we look forward to making an announcement shortly on that particular matter.

Mr. Howard Hampton: Those workers in Thunder Bay understand that a new subway line in Toronto means nothing if you continue your policy of saying that the transit equipment can be purchased from Mexico, China or anywhere else. What they want to see is a Buy Ontario policy.

Last week I was also in Hamilton, the heart of industrial Ontario, where an astonishing 30% of Hamilton's manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the last four years under the McGuinty government. That's $1.1 billion of wages taken out of the Hamilton economy. My question is: In the March 25 budget, will the McGuinty government commit to investing the $350-million federal vulnerable-communities money in hard-hit communities like Hamilton, or are they going to continue to be ignored by the McGuinty government?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I would appreciate any pressure whatsoever that the leader of the NDP could bring to bear on the federal government. They have talked about this particular money, but it has yet to flow, and the sooner we can receive it, the more good we can do with it.

With respect to our support for Hamilton, again, the leader of the NDP does in fact know that we worked with Stelco to the tune of $150 million to participate in its restructuring process. We've given a loan to Dofasco to help reduce the company's production costs and increase its competitiveness. Hamilton will benefit from the government's plan to cut business education tax rates by $540 million. When fully implemented, Hamilton businesses will benefit by close to $9 million annually. We are pleased and proud of the fact that we have been able to work with people in Hamilton, as we are with other communities right across the province.

The fact of the matter is that we remain the second-largest manufacturing centre in North America, right after California, and we look forward to continuing to work with the manufacturing sector to ensure that they have a bright and promising future.

Mr. Howard Hampton: The Premier may want to try to ignore it, but your government has received about $800 million in various labour market development funds from the federal government already. Communities like Hamilton, where literally 30% of the manufacturing jobs have disappeared, are wondering when they are going to see some action from the McGuinty government on these issues.

But it's not just Hamilton. Windsor has watched the loss of literally 30% of their manufacturing jobs. It is a community that is desperately in need of an aggressive, targeted, refundable tax credit such as Quebec has, Manitoba has, Saskatchewan has and New Democrats advocate. My question is this, once again: Will the people of Windsor see an investment of those federal funds? Will the working people of Windsor see a refundable manufacturing investment tax credit so that we can hopefully sustain some of the manufacturing jobs there? What will we see on March 25, Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We have been proud to invest close to $1.5 billion in the city of Windsor in the last four years; that ranges from everything from new infrastructure to a new casino, a new satellite medical school, including a number of partnerships with the Detroit Three. None of those were supported, by the way, by the leader of the NDP. He voted against those. I'm afraid to think of what would have happened to Windsor had we not been there working with the community through these various support initiatives.

We continue to look forward to working with the city of Windsor, the city of Cornwall, the city of Hamilton, the folks in the northwest, northeast, eastern Ontario—any particular community in this province. We've continued to maintain that the best way for us to move forward is not through a reckless cutting of corporate taxes on corporations which happen to be profitable, but rather to invest in our five-point plan.

TAXATION

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question is to the Premier. Premier, in your first four budgets you pursued an outdated economic policy of high business tax rates, personal income tax increases, more red tape, higher energy prices and a whopping 43% increase in government spending. The results, Premier, are in. The manufacturing sector in Ontario has always been a powerful job creator in Canada until Dalton McGuinty came along. Some 180,000 high-paying manufacturing jobs have left the province of Ontario. Premier, as you may know, if you combine all of the manufacturing job losses in all of the other provinces, Ontario's manufacturing job losses still exceed that total.

Members of the finance committee from the opposition have put forward plans to reduce the tax and red tape burden. Will you ensure that your fifth budget does include that central policy to create jobs in Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Over the last four years this government has eliminated a $5.6-billion structural deficit. It's eliminated a deficit in health care by investing in over 100 new hospital projects in Ontario. We have hired more than 8,000 new nurses. We have hired 2,500 teachers. And while doing that, we have cut the business taxes that the business community told us to cut.

This government's record is one of job growth since taking office. This government's record is one of responding to those sectors that have faced difficulties and responding to those families that have faced difficulties. Overall, there have been 456,000 net new high-paying jobs in Ontario since we came to office, and we will continue to work with those sectors and families that are facing difficulties as a result of world economic conditions today while we invest in health, education, infrastructure and a healthier business climate for all Ontarians.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Let me say that again: Ontario has lost more manufacturing jobs under the Dalton McGuinty government than all of the other provinces combined. When it comes to the manufacturing sector, capital expenditure has decreased by $745 million since 2003—an actual decrease in investment and businesses. And sadly, Ontario is the only province in Canada to have experienced a decline in manufacturing sales since 2003—a $1.8-billion decline in manufacturing sales.

Since this Legislature last met, we've seen Kitchener Frame lose 147 jobs, and CanGro in Niagara, citing the high costs of business in Ontario, has laid off hundreds. That's on top of something like 1,000 job losses at National Steel Car in Hamilton.

I say to the Minister: Clearly your outdated economic policies have harmed our economy. Will you reduce the tax and red tape burden in your budget next week?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: There's no doubt that the manufacturing sector is facing challenging times, and there's no doubt that it's affected Ontario the way it has because Ontario still is the manufacturing centre of Canada and the second-largest centre in North America. But I'll say this: We reject their philosophy of corporate tax cuts for profitable companies. That's not going to benefit a company that's going to lose money this year. That's why we focused on the capital tax. That's why we focused on the business education tax.

But more importantly, we've invested in highly skilled education for our workers so that they can transition to the new jobs. We're investing in a better health care system, we're investing in better schools, and we're investing in partnerships with the business community, with First Nations, and with others to ensure that all Ontarians can respond to the challenges in the economy and that we can all share the prosperity that we richly deserve.

This is still the best place in Canada to do business, it's the best place to invest, and we're proud of Ontarians and proud of our investments to assist this economy through challenging times.

ABORIGINAL RIGHTS

Mr. Howard Hampton: My question is to the Premier. This morning, an Ontario court sentenced Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug Chief Donny Morris and five other members of the First Nation to six months in jail. What is the substance of their offence? They went to court to defend their aboriginal rights after the McGuinty government failed to fulfill its constitutional duty to consult and accommodate the First Nation in terms of their rights and interests.

My question to the Premier is this: Is this the new relationship with First Nations that the McGuinty government boasts about—send First Nation leaders to jail when they defend First Nation rights and interests after the McGuinty government has failed to do so?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Hon. Michael Bryant: As I said before, we in this government believe that we are going to better the living conditions of First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. We're going to be able to create more jobs, we're going to be able to improve educational opportunities, and we're going to be able to improve the relationship between the First Nations government and the government of Ontario at the negotiating table, and not through the courts. That's why I was up in KI every month this year—I was there in January, February and March.

I felt confident that we were getting closer in terms of the arrangements that we were trying to create to rectify a situation that involved a company, Platinex, that admits now it got off to a terrible start with KI. I'm going to continue to work with KI to try to come up with a resolution that is acceptable to them.

Mr. Howard Hampton: It seems now that the McGuinty government is trying to cover their tracks after the fact. In 2006, Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug was granted an injunction against mineral exploration. In his decision, the trial judge referred to the McGuinty government's failure to meet its constitutional obligations to consult with and accommodate First Nation rights and interests.

I want to quote the trial judge: "Despite repeated judicial messages delivered over the course of 16 years, the evidentiary record available in this case sadly reveals that the provincial crown has not heard or comprehended this message and has failed in fulfilling this obligation." It's very clear: It's the McGuinty government that's failed.

My question to the Premier is this: Since your government has failed, when are the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and the Minister of Northern Development and Mines going to resign?

Hon. Michael Bryant: What is important here is to find a way in which KI can in fact work with a company to the betterment of their community. That is what Chief Morris, Sam McKay and council have said to me.

Interjections.

Hon. Michael Bryant: I'm trying to get the answer out, Speaker.

The finding today obviously is extremely disappointing. As I've said before and will say again, the way through this is not through selective readings of decisions; the way through this is not through litigation efforts; the way through this is to come to an agreement. The ultimate expression of consultation is in an agreement. The people of KI said to me, "Don't give up." I won't give up.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: My question is for the Minister of Health. Neovascular wet age-related macular degeneration is a degenerative condition affecting central vision in people typically aged 50 and over. A new drug called Lucentis works to maintain and even improve vision affected by wet AMD. Approximately 10,000 people are treated for wet AMD each year. In my riding alone, I received a petition with over 400 signatures, and last week the minister announced a plan to make Lucentis available to people who suffer from this condition.

Could the minister explain this plan to the House?

Hon. George Smitherman: I want to thank the honourable member from Hamilton Mountain for her question. Many in this House over the years have been in the circumstance where cases have been raised about our ability to provide support for people with age-related wet macular degeneration. I'm very pleased that we've added Lucentis to the Ontario drug formulary as a general benefit. What that means it that it is offered as a prescription at their discretion, without any prescribing guideline from Ontario's doctors.

Those who are on the Ontario drug benefit, which includes those 65 years of age or older, living in long-term-care homes, in special care residences and people receiving social assistance, will receive the benefit, and the Trillium drug plan—an initiative of Bob Rae—which provides for catastrophic support, would be available for other Ontarians who might be in a circumstance where the costs are too extraordinary. We anticipate that 10,000 individuals per year will benefit from the gift of prolonged sight or improved sight, at a cost over three years of approximately $100 million.

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: The government's plan is good news for Ontarians suffering from wet AMD. However, on Friday the media began to speculate that the government has restricted access to this drug to people who were diagnosed more than three months ago. Some people, including a member of this House, went as far as to suggest that the government was misleading Ontarians with the funding announcement because some people might be excluded. Minister, could you clarify for this House who will be eligible to receive government funding for Lucentis?

Hon. George Smitherman: Of course we're disappointed that any confusion might have arisen around this, but to describe it again, the drug is on the Ontario drug formulary as a general benefit. Those who would receive access would be those who are on the ODB, aged 65 and older, those living in long-term-care homes, special-care residents and people receiving social assistance. But because it's a general benefit and on the Ontario drug formulary, it means that the benefit of the Trillium drug plan, an initiative of Mr. Bob Rae, would be available to them to provide catastrophic support so as to protect people against having to pay too large a share of their income to provide for it.

I repeat again that such a general benefit, without any prescribing guidelines—a doctor can prescribe this. I regret that any confusion may have arisen. But we're pleased that 10,000 Ontarians per year will benefit from the gift of prolonged sight, and in some cases we're pleased that sight can also be regained. This is a $100-million investment over three years for the—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

GOVERNMENT INVESTMENTS

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Minister of Finance. The minister will know that federal Liberal finance critic John McCallum tabled a motion asking the House of Commons finance committee to hold public hearings to determine why non-bank asset-backed commercial paper was sold to Canadians. Specifically, his motion states that the hearing should determine "whether federal regulators and other stakeholders could have done a better job in anticipating the crisis and/or reducing its cost."

I would like to know whether Ontario's Minister of Finance agrees with his federal colleague Mr. McCallum that financial institutions whose investment decisions resulted in devastating losses to Canadians should be held accountable and whether the public is entitled to answers concerning the decisions that were made.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The asset-backed commercial paper issue and the state of the housing market in the US is manifesting itself in a variety of ways. For instance, a number of large Canadian institutions—the Caisse de dépôt, the Alberta treasury branches, CP Rail, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. and Canada Post—have all invested varying amounts of money in asset-backed commercial papers, as have some of the largest financial institutions in the United States, that have resulted in varying results for each of those individual organizations that have invested in these facilities which have proven to be problematic.

In terms of the future, in terms of where all of this is going, I don't think anybody has an answer right now. Of course, Ontario has been actively participating in the resolution of this from the Canadian perspective. In the context of the future, of the resolution of the challenges, we see even the Fed in the United States this weekend has responded to a particularly—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. Frank Klees: Mr. Speaker, I think you'll agree—because I did it through you—I asked a very specific question: Does the minister agree that the public deserves an answer? Mr. McCallum has all-party support for the hearings which will take place in April. The fact that the Ontario Financing Authority invested some $700 million of Ontario taxpayers' money, at a loss of over $100 million, perhaps more—we're interested whether this Minister of Finance would agree to have the Ontario Financing Authority answer to the finance committee of this House, to be accountable for their decisions and why they made an irresponsible and imprudent decision on behalf of taxpayers in this province.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Of course, through estimates, the opposition can call the Ministry of Finance, the Ontario Financing Authority. As I pointed out to the opposition in the winter session of the House, in fact the Auditor General has audited the books of the Ontario Financing Authority and found everything to be in order.

I would not like listeners to take away the position or the opinion based on the premise of the member's question that in fact the situation is as problematic here in Ontario as it is for other large organizations; that's simply not the case. The fact is, yes, through estimates committee, absolutely, the Auditor General has the ability to look at our books every year, and signed off on them in the past year. I imagine he'll be looking at them again this year. So there is accountability. There is transparency. The initiatives undertaken by the McGuinty government in the whole area of transparency and accountability have replaced the secrecy that went on here for—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): New question.

POVERTY

Mr. Michael Prue: My question is to the Premier. Today the Premier dished out more thin gruel to the poorest and neediest citizens of this province. He announced that the Liberals' affordable housing repair plan is a fraction of what the city of Toronto alone requires. He announced that their recycled dental care strategy has more nerve than a sore tooth. And now he adds insult to injury by expanding a poverty hotline to nowhere. Half of Ontario's poor will soon be able to discover that the housing, the money and the help they need simply do not exist. To the Premier: When will Ontarians see a real anti-poverty plan instead of the sham announcements of the last two days?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I'm glad to see the member opposite supporting our plan to reduce poverty in this province, but I can tell you one thing: We are not going to take the simplistic approach that the NDP has become famous for. We are going to take a thoughtful approach. Over the next several months, we are going to be developing a comprehensive property reduction strategy, complete with measures and timelines. We are going to be listening to people across the province, and we will be developing a strategy that will make a real difference in delivering better opportunities for people in this province.

Mr. Michael Prue: As I take that answer, it appears that you're going to phone up and you're going to find out that there's nothing available at all. Ontarians are hungry for a real poverty strategy, not a telephone to nowhere. That means real investments in building affordable housing. It means having a real living wage. It means ending the clawback. It means increasing social assistance rates for our poorest families. Instead of telling the poor to dial a hotline to nowhere, what will the McGuinty Liberals do to ensure that vulnerable Ontarians receive proper nutrition, shelter and health care now?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This government is an activist government. We have introduced the Ontario child benefit, which is going to be rolling out every month starting in July, which ends the clawback of the national child benefit supplement. It goes far beyond ending the clawback, and you know that. The minimum wage is going up at the end of this month to $8.75, on its way to $10.25.

This government isn't going to take lessons from you on what we need to be doing to reduce poverty. The housing people were asking for $30 million; Minister Watson today delivered $100 million.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mr. Pat Hoy: My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. This week, Canadian Agricultural Safety Week began. On average, 30 men, women and children in Ontario were fatally injured every year between 1990 and 2000, according to a report published by the Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program.

Farm safety is of significant interest to the constituents in my riding and the many farm families that reside in Chatham—Kent—Essex. The number of fatal injuries on farms has decreased on average over time, but there's much more work to be done. One fatal injury on a farm is one too many.

Minister, can you please tell us what kinds of initiatives your ministry has taken to make sure that farmers in my riding and across Ontario are safer?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: Thank you very much, Speaker, and to the member as well, a farmer himself who always brings excellent questions about the agriculture industry.

I'm very happy to say that Canadian Agricultural Safety Week does give us an opportunity to reflect on the hard work that has been done over the years to improve farm safety. My ministry provides $120,000 each year to the Farm Safety Association. The Farm Safety Association is the lead agency to promote farm health and safety. In partnership with OMAFRA, they are working on a number of projects. For example, they will publish safety articles in local farm publications right across Ontario. They will also deliver the farm accident rescue program.

This brings together rural volunteer fire departments and trains them in how they can, when they arrive at a fire on a farm, appropriately attack that. The Farm Safety Association has also piloted a play yard safety program in—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. Pat Hoy: Minister, as you would know, this is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week. On average, 115 people are killed and another 1,500 are seriously injured in farm-related incidents across Canada each and every year, according to the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.

Farm safety is an issue of concern to the residents of my riding. They want to know that this government is taking the issue seriously. Can you tell us what our government is doing to improve the safety of agricultural workers not only in my riding but across the province?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: The Minister of Labour.

Hon. Brad Duguid: May I extend—just taking a look at the name of the member from Chatham—Kent—Essex, even his riding sounds Irish—a happy St. Patrick's Day to the member.

Workplace health and safety on farms is an important issue to all involved in the farming sector. Given our government's demonstrated commitment to reducing workplace injuries, I can assure you that enhancing workplace health and safety in farming operations is a priority. That's why we've extended the Occupational Health and Safety Act to cover farming operations. Since June 2006, farm workers have had the rights other workers already have, including the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions and the right to refuse unsafe work.

This is helping to reduce farm injuries and fatalities, lessening human suffering, reducing economic costs and contributing to a stronger economy for the whole province.

We know there's more work to be done, but we're proud of what we've done so far in reducing workplace injuries.

DRUG TREATMENT PROGRAMS

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: This is to the Premier, also the MPP for Ottawa South.

The United Nations has rebuked our city, the city of Ottawa, for violating international drug treaties because of this government. The government has gone behind the city's back and funded a crack pipe program despite their protests. The Shepherds of Good Hope say needle distribution such as that funded by the provincial government is too dangerous. And today, an Ottawa Tim Hortons is considering removing its washroom to stop drugs from being shot up there.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman: I would like to thank the honourable member for her question. I note in her question and in some of her media comments and the correspondence she has written to me that she uses the words "philosophical" and "ideological," but in point of fact, our strategy is motivated by only one thing, which is to do our very best to limit the transmission of infectious diseases like hepatitis C and HIV, based on evidence. While she does quote the United Nations, they themselves are in conflict with the World Health Organization, which is part of the UN, who speak about the necessity of doing our very best for people who are addicted.

But I do agree with the honourable member that this is not one solution. It's one part of a continuum to engage people in the conversation and get them thinking about the things they can do to mitigate the risks to their health as we look, especially in the Ottawa community, to enhance our capacity for treatment. I will look forward very much to working with the honourable member as we seek to do that in response to the calls from that community.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate that the government has one side of the story, but they are long on the supply side of drug paraphernalia and short on the treatment side. Their spending priorities are all wrong.

Last week, this Liberal majority defeated my request for a drug rehab centre for youth in the city of Ottawa. Yet in today's Ottawa Citizen, the Minister of Municipal Affairs is onside with that as a priority. I need to know: Which is it? This government is all over the map. There is no balance. There is no acknowledgment that prevention and treatment of drug abuse should be our priority as a province. Will the Premier commit today to funding a drug treatment facility in the city of Ottawa so we can get the kids—your government has provided crack pipes to—off drugs, off the streets and on the right track?

Hon. George Smitherman: I think it's the honourable member who has a little bit of an ideological burr under her saddle. To put things in perspective, we're spending a relatively few number of dollars, several hundred thousand at the very most, on the distribution of products designed to prevent the spread of infection,

whereas we're spending hundreds of millions of dollars on our existing addiction treatment capacity.

But where I think the honourable member is especially not particularly up to date—I spent a lot of time in Ottawa talking to the media about this, and I was very clear to say that we're interested in working with the Ottawa community on enhancing the continuum and most certainly enhancing access to treatment, which in the very first answer I acknowledged was insufficient. My colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs has been working with the city of Ottawa on this.

We're expecting a report within a month or so, and I can tell the honourable member and all members of this House that it is most certainly the intention of our government to enhance treatment capacity for individuals in the Ottawa community and indeed in other parts of the province of Ontario.

LONG-TERM CARE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est également pour le ministère de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. Over a year ago Minister Smitherman said that a guaranteed minimum standard of care in nursing homes would treat people like—and he used the word "widgets." Then he flip-flopped and promised he would mandate a minimum standard of care by regulation instead of including it in Bill 140. I would like to know what his views are today.

Hon. George Smitherman: I do want to thank the honourable member for her question. I believe, though, she has misunderstood one part of it, and I'll attempt in the first answer to address that.

We're certainly the government that will be returning the minimum standards in the province of Ontario. But some people would like those minimums to pretend that every single resident in an Ontario long-term-care home requires exactly the same amount of care. My only point was to ensure that as we do move forward with the adoptions of standards we don't have a one-size-fits-all solution, because obviously some residents in long-term care will be requiring a higher degree of support. I can tell the honourable member that when her party was in office they had a standard which was not enforceable at 2.25 hours, and I'm very pleased—

Interjection.

Hon. George Smitherman: No, in an urban area, we walk. But I do want the honourable member to know that we're proud, through investments so far, that our hourly standards are at about 2.95 and that Shirlee Sharkey will be giving advice as to how we may make further investments, which is most certainly at the heart of our plan for long-term care.

M me France Gélinas: Minister, I remember your tears four years ago when you promised a revolution in long-term care. Then, over a year ago, you promised a guaranteed minimum standard of care. Instead, you reduced the serious problem of inadequate care to jokes about incontinence products. Minister, don't you think that our loved ones in long-term-care homes deserve a guaranteed minimum standard of 3.5 hours of hands-on care a day?

Hon. George Smitherman: On this matter, I have always been guided by the issue of dignity, which I experienced in the circumstances of the last seven and a half months of my father's life, when he was almost entirely dependent because a stroke had reduced him to the capacity to move his eyes. In the comments that I made about incontinence products, I most certainly did not trivialize the matter and I most certainly did not offer these as jokes.

While I may have made a mistake, and I apologized for it very clearly, for speaking about things that I was contemplating, to have a new honourable member question my sincerity on this point is rather disappointing. I'm privileged to be part of a government that since 2003 has invested 9.55 million additional annual hours of care in long-term care, and I'm ever so proud to be part of a government that intends to continue making investments to enhance the quality of care for our residents in long-term-care homes.

GREENBELT

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Today I've got a question for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. One of this government's major achievements in its previous term was protecting over 1.8 million acres in the greenbelt in the Oak Ridges moraine. I know that many of my constituents and, I'm sure, constituents throughout the province like to explore Ontario's vast agricultural land and the green space that was protected. My own community of Oakville has a history of protecting and promoting its green space, and I've consistently voted to protect and expand Oakville's precious green space.

Minister, you've recently announced that you are looking into actually expanding the greenbelt. Can you tell me when we might see some action on this very important file?

Hon. Jim Watson: Let me commend the member from Oakville, one of the most eloquent defenders of the environment in this Legislative Assembly, who has been supportive of the greenbelt since day one.

We're very proud of the greenbelt. It's 1.8 million acres of protected green space. It's good for agriculture, it's good for the economy and it's certainly good for the people of Ontario. On February 28, we celebrated the third anniversary of the greenbelt. This was an initiative that was in our 2003 platform. The vision, the guidance and the leadership of our Premier and my predecessor, the member from Kingston and the Islands, saw to it that we were protecting for generations to come this important natural asset.

I'm very pleased to report that we started the consultation process with municipalities so that in fact we can expand the greenbelt, because this government will never shrink the greenbelt.

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Thank you, Minister. That's excellent news for the people of Ontario and all of Oakville. I'm really pleased to see that we are moving forward on this commitment.

As I said, I know my own community, the town of Oakville, recently passed a resolution asking you if you will protect lands further in the north Oakville natural heritage system as well as natural conservation lands within the Oakville land assembly. I want to tell you that I support Oakville's resolution. I commend Mayor Burton and the Oakville council for taking action on this issue and hope to see more of it around the province. It's important, we all know, to protect Oakville and Ontario's green space for our children, grandchildren and future generations.

Minister, could you tell me today: From the application that you've received to date, will Oakville be considered for greenbelt expansion in this matter?

Hon. Jim Watson: I want to commend the town of Oakville and Mayor Burton, whom I had the opportunity to chat with at the Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt luncheon just a few weeks ago. Once the criteria and the process are finalized, we'll encourage Oakville and other communities to apply. I would urge all members of this House to go out and encourage their constituents to go out to the public consultation sessions we're holding across the province. The one on April 10 is taking place at the Ramada hotel in Guelph. It goes from 5:30 to 9. The information is available on the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website.

There are five consultations taking place across the province. We want to hear from the public, we want to hear from landowners and we want to hear from municipalities. We look forward to making announcements in the future to expand this very important natural asset, something we are all proud of.

How appropriate that on St. Patrick's Day I received a greenbelt question from a gentleman named Mr. Flynn.

ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: To the Minister of Agriculture and Food: In the fall economic statement, the Minister of Finance announced a program to help horticulture, beef and the pork industry get through tough times because of "higher input costs, the stronger Canadian dollar and lower market prices." But many young and expanding farmers are disqualified or receiving next to nothing. Payments to farmers were based on sales from 2000 to 2004, and if 50% of their income in 2005 and 2006 wasn't from pork or beef, they didn't qualify.

Ontario Pork tells us that many of these young and expanding farmers who had pork in 2007 are the ones with the greatest need. The Veyhof family in my riding are young farmers who are struggling to feed their four children and hold their farm. How do I explain to them that they aren't getting any help to get through these tough times, but their neighbour, who retired and got out of pigs two years ago, got a cheque for $80,000? Minister, how many retired people in Florida are getting—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I think it is important to make some very important clarifications with respect to this program. We had the opportunity to meet with the cattle producers and the pork producers, who explained to us the fact that over a number of years there's been significant hardship in their particular sectors and that this government had a role to play. Our government has stepped up to the plate. We have recognized that over a number of years, in the hog, cattle and horticulture sector, there has been serious hurt. That is why the dollars have flowed the way they have.

That is why they have been delivered the way they have to farmers who, over a number of years, have suffered losses.

I think the point that the honourable member wishes to make is important, when they suggest that there are no resources available for them. There is the Canada agricultural income stabilization program. They can apply for cash advances. There are interim payments. So our government is there on many levels, in many ways, to support the agriculture industry in the province of Ontario.

PETITIONS

HIGHWAY SAFETY

Mr. John O'Toole: I'm please to present a petition which reads as follows :

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas many vehicles on Highway 12 are continuing to travel at speeds exceeding the speed limit through the village of Greenbank;

"Whereas residents in the community are deeply concerned over the safety of pedestrians along this provincial highway in Greenbank because of the high speeds and volume of traffic;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request that the Ministry of Transportation proceed immediately with the following safety improvements:

"—repainting the crosswalk;

"—a new overhead flashing-light crosswalk sign;

"—the installation of flashing lights at the entrance and exit to the village of Greenbank to the north and to the south alerting drivers to the reduced speed; and

"—consideration for this area to be designated a community safety zone."

I present this on behalf of the constituents of the riding of Durham, and I'm pleased to sign it.

PESTICIDES

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I have here a whack of petitions, as we say in good anglais, signed by a number of people from across Ontario, over 4,000 signatures collected by Joel Theriault. It reads as follows—and I think I'll need probably two pages for all of this because it's kind of heavy:

"We, the undersigned, urge the government of Ontario to prohibit the use of chemical herbicides by the forestry industry, given:

"(1) the non-chemical alternatives which currently exist to meet vegetation management needs and which are in use in other parts of Canada, such as Quebec;

"(2) the firm stance against the non-essential use of these chemicals which has been taken by the medical community, having regard to human and environmental health. See www.domtar.org for additional information;

"(3) the significant possibility of violating the rights of all Canadians (especially resource-dependent aboriginal communities) to clean drinking water, edible plants, wildlife and fish;

"(4) the largely unfulfilled commitments already made by the federal government to reduce dependency on pesticides and herbicides. See http://nfsc.forest.ca/strategies/strategy5/html for additional information; and

"(5) the questionable performance of the federal government to regulate pesticides (including herbicides) for the health and safety of Canadians. 'The federal government does not have reliable, up-to-date information about pesticides that it needs to manage them effectively. It lacks significant information on the use of pesticides and exposure to them. Research on health impacts is very limited' (1.134 AG). 'Overall, we conclude that the federal government is not managing pesticides effectively' (AG 1.136).

I have three pages here to carry back all of these petitions put forward by Joel. I would give them to one, but I'm sure there would be something like a compensation claim coming.

DAVID DUNLAP OBSERVATORY

Mr. Reza Moridi: I present to you today about 2,000 signatures that were presented to me during the rally held at Queen's Park on January 16. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the David Dunlap Observatory in Richmond Hill is of historical and heritage significance;

"Whereas the land was donated in trust by the Dunlap family to the University of Toronto in 1935, and the pre-Confederation farmhouse is still standing;

"Whereas the observatory, featuring the largest optical telescope in Canada, has been the site of great scientific discoveries; it has been a place of learning not only for students of the University of Toronto, but for the general public as well;

"Whereas the observatory has been recently declared by the University of Toronto as 'surplus' to its academic needs and subject to sale for development;

"Whereas the observatory occupies an incredibly unique and beautiful 180 acres of green space, the largest such space in the town of Richmond Hill, with trees, birds, animals, plants, insects and butterflies in the middle of a rapidly urbanized area;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to protect such a property of historical, scientific and natural significance from being used as commercial development."

LORD'S PRAYER

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the current Liberal government is proposing to eliminate the Lord's Prayer from its place at the beginning of daily proceedings in the Legislature; and

"Whereas the recitation of the Lord's Prayer has been an integral part of our spiritual and parliamentary tradition since it was first established in 1793 under Lieutenant Governor Johns Graves Simcoe; and

"Whereas the Lord's Prayer's message is one of forgiveness, of providing for those in need of their 'daily bread' and of preserving us from the evils that we may fall into; it is a valuable guide and lesson for a chamber that is too often an arena for conflict; and

"Whereas recognizing the diversity of the people of Ontario should be an inclusive process, not one which excludes traditions such as the Lord's Prayer;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to preserve the daily recitation of the Lord's Prayer by the Speaker in the Legislature."

I affix my name in full support.

CONTAMINATED PROPERTY

Mr. Howard Hampton: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas in 2002, Hydro One Inc. accused Schmidt Flowers Ltd. of contaminating the Hydro One Dryden, Ontario, site with diesel fuel and threatened to make them liable for the cleanup;

"Whereas in June 2007, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment concluded that Hydro One Inc. contaminated its own Dryden, Ontario, site with diesel fuel spills from its own above ground diesel fuel tank;

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

"—to acknowledge the Ministry of the Environment's conclusion that Hydro One Inc. contaminated its own property;

"—to acknowledge that Hydro One Inc. wrongly accused Schmidt Flowers Ltd. of contaminating the Hydro One Dryden, Ontario, site with diesel fuel; and

"—to acknowledge that Hydro One Inc. should compensate Schmidt Flowers Ltd. for damages and costs incurred over the past five years."

This has been signed by literally hundreds of residents of the community of Dryden, Ontario, in my constituency, and I have affixed my signature as well.

PUBLIC WASHROOMS

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the Toronto and greater Toronto area has the highest rate of Crohn's and ulcerative colitis in Canada;

"Whereas this disease requires patients' fast access to public washrooms;

"Whereas there is a lack of public washrooms on the current TTC subway system and lack of access for these patients;

"Whereas the Ontario building code only requires the TTC to build public washrooms at the end-of-line stations; and

"Whereas the York subway line is about to be built with provincial dollars;

"We, the undersigned, therefore request the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to amend the Ontario building code to provide public washrooms at every station on the York subway line."

I agree with this petition, affix my signature to it, and give it to page Ramandeep, who is here with me today.

LORD'S PRAYER

Mr. Bill Murdoch: I have a petition sent to me from the Gentle Shepherd community church just outside of Flesherton.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the current Liberal government is proposing to eliminate the Lord's Prayer from daily proceedings in the Ontario Legislature; and

"Whereas the recitation of the Lord's Prayer has opened the Legislature every day since the 19th century;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, ask the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to preserve the daily recitation of the Lord's Prayer by the Speaker in the Legislature."

I have signed this.

HOME CARE

M me France Gélinas: I have a petition from the people of Sudbury and Nickel Belt.

"Whereas the Ontario government has continued the practice of competitive bidding for home care services; and

"Whereas the competitive bidding process has increased the privatization of Ontario's health care delivery, in direct violation of the Commitment to the Future of Medicare Act, 2004; and

"Whereas competitive bidding for home care services has decreased both the continuity and quality of care available to home care clients; and

"Whereas home care workers do not enjoy the same employment rights, such as successor rights, as all other Ontario workers have, which deprives them of termination rights, seniority rights and the right to move with their work when their employer agency loses a contract;

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

"We call on the government of Ontario:

"(1) to immediately stop the competitive bidding for home care services so home care clients can receive the continuity and quality of care they deserve; and

"(2) to extend successor rights under the Labour Relations Act to home care workers to ensure the home care sector is able to retain a workforce that is responsive to clients' needs."

I support this petition and I have affixed my signature. Thank you.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. It was sent to me by Harold Chambers and Wayne Sim, whom I'd like to thank. It reads as follows:

"Whereas wait times for access to surgical procedures in the western GTA area served by the Mississauga Halton LHIN are growing despite the vigorous capital project activity at the hospitals within the Mississauga Halton LHIN boundaries; and

"Whereas 'day surgery' procedures could be performed in an off-site facility, thus greatly increasing the ability of surgeons to perform more procedures, alleviating wait times for patients, and freeing up operating theatre space in hospitals for more complex procedures that may require post-operative intensive care unit support and a longer length of stay in hospital;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocate funds in its 2008-09 capital budget to begin planning and construction of an ambulatory surgery centre located in western Mississauga to serve the Mississauga-Halton area and enable greater access to 'day surgery' procedures that comprise about four fifths of all surgical procedures performed."

I thank those who signed the petition. I'm pleased to affix my signature and to ask page Alexander to carry it for me.

GO TRANSIT

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas GO Transit:

"—has been plagued with frequent service disruptions, often leading to trip cancellations and stranding passengers at GO stations;

"—has consistently shown poor on-time performance, which declines each year;

"—has blamed many of the disruptions on long-delayed construction projects it has recently undertaken;

"—has cited underfunding by previous under Ontario governments for delaying critical infrastructure improvements necessary to handle GO's growing passenger volumes;

"—fails to provide accurate information when major delays occur;

"—shows little regard for passengers' schedules or concerns; and

"—just approved a fare hike effective March 15, 2008, in spite of consistently poor performance and customer service;

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

"—to require GO Transit to provide a rebate on fares paid when GO Transit equipment failure, late arrival of equipment, staff shortage or rail congestion results in a cancellation of trains or a delay of more than 20 minutes to final destination;

"—better and more timely notification of transit cancellations, modifications and delays; and

"—More cars added to trains to ease the overcrowding. which causes safety concerns."

I agree with this petition and I'm pleased to add my signature.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Mr. Tony Ruprecht: I have a petition about good basic health care in Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the people of Ontario deserve a universal, high-quality public health care system; and

"Whereas numerous studies have shown that the best health care is that which is delivered close to home; and

"Whereas the McGuinty government is working to increase Ontarians' access to family doctors through the introduction of family health teams that allow doctors to serve their communities more effectively; and

"Whereas the McGuinty government has fulfilled its promise to create new family health teams to bring more doctors to more Ontario families;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the McGuinty government's efforts to improve access to family doctors through innovative programs like family health teams."

Since I support this petition, I'm delighted to sign my name to it.

LORD'S PRAYER

Mr. Jim Wilson: A petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Premier Dalton McGuinty has called on the Ontario Legislature to consider removing the Lord's Prayer from its daily proceedings; and

"Whereas the Lord's Prayer has been an integral part of our parliamentary heritage that was first established in 1793 under Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe; and

"Whereas the Lord's Prayer is today a significant part of the religious heritage of millions of Ontarians of culturally diverse backgrounds;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to continue its long-standing practice of using the Lord's Prayer as part of its daily proceedings."

I want to thank Bruce and Joy Osmond for sending these petitions to me.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mrs. Amrit Mangat: I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly received about the western Mississauga ambulatory surgery centre.

"Whereas wait times for access to surgical procedures in the western GTA area served by the Mississauga Halton LHIN are growing despite the vigorous capital project activity at the hospitals within the Mississauga Halton LHIN boundaries; and

"Whereas 'day surgery' procedures could be performed in an off-site facility, thus greatly increasing the ability of surgeons to perform more procedures, alleviating wait times for patients and freeing up operating theatre space in hospitals for more complex procedures that may require post-operative intensive care unit support and a longer length of stay in hospital;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocate funds in its 2008-09 capital budget to begin planning and construction of an ambulatory surgery centre located in western Mississauga to serve the Mississauga-Halton area and enable greater access to 'day surgery' procedures that comprise about four-fifths of all surgical procedures performed."

I am glad that the following people have signed.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

THRONE SPEECH DEBATE /

DÉBAT SUR LE DISCOURS DU TRÔNE

Resuming the debate adjourned on December 5, 2007, on the amendment to the motion for an address in reply to the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the session.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Further debate?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: It is of course a pleasure to address my first speech in the Legislature by responding to the throne speech. I understand that custom dictates I use a portion of my inaugural speech to describe who I am and how I am here representing the riding of Dufferin—Caledon. As with most stories, it is not a direct route.

I grew up on a family farm in north Simcoe—Tay township, actually, as my colleague from Simcoe North takes great delight in telling everyone. My mom and dad raised seven children. I suppose you could say it was during the Jones family dinners and negotiating use of the family car that I first practised my debating skills. Hopefully, those skills will serve me well in the coming years on the floor of this Legislature.

Dufferin—Caledon has been my home for 20-plus years. David and I have been lucky to work and live and raise our children in a community that has made us feel safe and has offered us economic opportunities. Many of you will know it for its rolling farmland and beautiful ski and trail systems like the Bruce Trail, but if you really want to know Dufferin—Caledon, you must know the people. We have an incredible cross-section of families who have been in the community for generations, to newcomers who have found a jewel and work hard to protect it.

I was nominated on January 13 last year. There were six candidates interested in becoming the Progressive Conservative candidate in Dufferin—Caledon. Paul Hong, Jim Wallace, Drew Brown, Lynne Moore, Nick Garisto and I all saw the opportunity to carry the PC banner in the October election as an opportunity not to be missed. It was an opportunity because, as many of you in this House know, we have had some rather special individuals representing Dufferin—Caledon over the years.

I've had the opportunity to work with and learn from three special MPPs. David Tilson gave me the opportunity to work with him as his executive assistant beginning in 1991. David, as many of you who served with him in this House will know, was a great teacher on the importance of working for your constituency. I will be forever grateful to him for the opportunity he gave me.

Ernie Eves also served the residents of Dufferin—Caledon and will be fondly remembered for moving forward two road bypass projects, in Orangeville and Bolton, that had been stalled for over 20 years. The Orangeville bypass is now built and has relieved much of the pressure to move vehicles through and around Orangeville. Bolton's bypass will assist our communities to move goods and services through the GTA more efficiently.

Finally, and most recently, John Tory was our member for two years. John learned a great deal about rural Ontario from farmers in Dufferin and Caledon. I was proud to be part of a team that worked with him when he was the member for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey.

Jennifer Walmsley, Bianca Lankheit and Kathy Boynton all worked hard to ensure that issues in the riding were dealt with quickly and efficiently. If you called with a problem in Dufferin, you had the best people to help you work through.

Over the course of that nomination over a year ago, 2,500 people took out Progressive Conservative memberships to participate in what I believe was the largest nomination across the province. Obviously, I was pleased to be chosen from the group of six to be the candidate of record for the Progressive Conservatives in Dufferin—Caledon.

I tell you this not to blow my horn but to reinforce that nominations are an important part of the process that brings us to this historic place. I'm confident that after a nomination race that spanned seven months and an election race that spanned 10 months, I've listened to thousands of people across Dufferin—Caledon tell me what is important to them and their families.

As a new member of the Legislative Assembly, I would never wish to suggest that the work done in this chamber is unimportant, but without the anchor of our ridings telling us what is important and what issues need to be dealt with by our governments, we would be poorly prepared to act appropriately. We risk becoming insulated from what is really important if we do not make the effort to connect and learn from people in our ridings.

I hope that this is an important consideration as the House leaders work together to make this place more family-friendly. Sitting Fridays, taking us away from the important work that occurs in our ridings, will not improve debate in this chamber. On the contrary, it may insulate us from the very people we need to hear from and listen to.

Today, in the beginning of what I expect will be a lengthy parliamentary session, we will have many opportunities to review, debate and, yes, disagree about proposed legislation. Let's also make sure that we are given the opportunity to discuss, listen and learn from the residents in our riding, who will ultimately be living with these decisions.

When we stop talking and start listening to the farmers who are struggling; business people who worry about the high dollar and lack of skilled workers; volunteer organizations who see where our legislation falls short in implementation; and out in the community when parents talk about their children's health and safety, it is then that I truly understand how important our role as lawmakers is.

During the orientation session, the Clerk and other staff who tried to prepare us for this role inside the chamber told us some of the history: how the eagle facing the opposition side represents the need to always be vigilant and the owl facing the government side, the need to listen. As difficult as that is, and particularly so when we have all been successful in a campaign where we carry our political stripes proudly, I know I have the responsibility to represent the entire riding.

As I begin my new career here and I listen to debates and review legislation that is brought forward by ministers and private members, I've made a commitment to the people of Dufferin—Caledon to review everything with the lens of, "Is it good for Dufferin—Caledon?" Unfortunately, political promises seem to mean less and less these days. Nonetheless, it is a commitment I've made to the people of Dufferin—Caledon and I intend to keep it.

It is through this lens that I must raise a number of concerns that I see with the throne speech of this government. Having just completed a large consultation process—you may know it better as an election campaign—I know that many of the issues raised during the election are being ignored by this government, issues such as our community hospital, Headwaters Health Care Centre. Headwaters hospital is funded at one of the lowest levels of all community hospitals across the province, and yet the community it serves is growing at a faster rate than many other parts of Ontario.

Headwaters's funding is falling behind because of the growth that Dufferin—Caledon is experiencing. This situation was verified in a recent government report prepared by the joint policy and planning committee, which reported that Headwaters's costs actually are 11% below the expected cost. In other words, our community hospital must make do with 11% less than other hospitals across Ontario. It's not fair to Headwaters or to the residents of Dufferin—Caledon.

All candidates agreed during the election that it is now time for health and social services funding to be based on growth and population, not historical data.

This funding shortfall translates into longer wait lines in the emergency department and more individuals leaving our community to seek care for themselves and their family. The throne speech sets out an objective "to help more Ontarians receive care closer to home," but without more support for our community hospital, the opposite will happen. More residents of Dufferin—Caledon will need to travel outside the community to receive the care they need. I was hopeful that the throne speech would talk about this important issue, but unfortunately it has been ignored.

During the provincial election, the Liberal Party committed to providing growth funding for the GTA/905 and Dufferin county areas. A PricewaterhouseCoopers report reveals the need is now, and yet the throne speech is silent on supporting the health and social services needs of high-growth communities such as Dufferin—Caledon.

Hospital funding is not the only health care issue facing my community. The Central West LHIN's plan—local health integration network—indicates our community has the lowest number of specialists, the lowest number of nurses and the second-lowest number of family physicians in the province.

A family doctor is the gatekeeper to all of the Liberals' primary health reforms. Many families in Dufferin—Caledon do not have a family doctor, and therefore they are shut out of the new family health team services referenced in the throne speech. Without a family doctor, our emergency rooms get overused and residents cannot access specialists. A comprehensive physician recruitment and retention strategy must be the government's priority, and yet no specific actions are mentioned in this throne speech.

In Dufferin—Caledon we are looking for some immediate relief with our transportation infrastructure. While we would love to see commuters be given more options than driving cars, in rural Ontario, roads and bridges are often our only option. Dufferin—Caledon cannot wait until 2020, and municipalities will continue to look to the province for help in repairing roads and bridges.

Perhaps if the government was willing to borrow an idea from our PC platform to spend Ontario's gas and fuel taxes on what they were intended for—our transportation infrastructure—we could stop the finger-pointing and get on with the job of fixing the problem. The solution is not to announce last-minute, end-of-year surplus bonuses.

Our municipal partners deserve more consideration than a promise that "if we have a surplus and if you apply on time, then you can try and grab some of the leftovers." It reminds me of something I was told at the ROMA conference last month: "As a municipality, I feel like a salivating dog waiting for a bone." Now we are expecting the municipalities to fight over the scraps as well. That's not good budgeting and it's not fair to our municipal partners and taxpayers.

The only mention of agriculture—a ministry I will be watching closely, not only because I still have a family member operating on the family farm but also because my friend Wayne Innis will demand that agriculture issues not be overlooked for another four years—in the throne speech is for a risk management program for grain and oilseed, which is long overdue. But how about looking at how to improve the agriculture sector so that Ontarians know the value of eating locally grown products? And, as important, stop regulating farmers out of business.

By the time we have convinced people to eat local, there won't be any farmers willing to produce anything to sell because of your constantly changing regulations that end up adding costs to their production without compensation.

The Progressive Conservative Party and our leader, John Tory, believe the state of the province's economy, especially its manufacturing sector, is far and away the number one priority facing the government and the Legislature. As my colleague from Niagara West—Glanbrook highlighted in our pre-budget consultation dissenting report, I can assure you that businesses in my community are very concerned about the impact of a strong Canadian dollar and slowing economy. Yet the throne speech offers no specific plan to support our manufacturing sector.

As lawmakers, we have a responsibility to work with our manufacturing partners and provide them with the tools to succeed. Businesses need a consistent environment in which to operate. They expect governments to look out for their interests and prepare for economic changes like skilled worker shortages, not implement onerous regulations with zero consultation, zero debate and, I would have to say, zero thought, like the February holiday.

If I can close with one comment, it's that we must do a better job of listening and learning from our constituents. There are so many talented, bright individuals out in our community getting down to business, making a difference in our lives. They have some incredible ideas on what needs to be done and where we need to focus our resources. Let's not limit ourselves to one ideological stand or become so narrow-minded in our deliberations that we forget whom we are here to serve.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Questions and comments?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I want to congratulate the member on what was by far one of the better speeches you hear at the beginning of a session. I thought the member brought some interesting points but was also quite eloquent in her own way. I'm sure that the voice she brings on behalf of her constituents to this Legislature is going to be appreciated by those people she represents.

I know she wanted to talk about a number of issues which I'll get a chance to talk about later, so I won't do that in my reply to her speech. But I want to just say a couple of things. I agree: When you look at what this government says in its throne speech and what it does by way of actions, either in the last term or this term, you have a bit of a hard time trying to juxtapose the two of them and marry them together, because the government has a habit of saying really nice things.

The government gets up, gives a throne speech, talks about what it is going to do, and we sit there and think, "Well, some of that ain't bad." They're going to declare war on poverty; they're going to declare war on unemployment; they're going to do the kinds of things that need to be done to protect the envi