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June 10, 2013

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2013-Jun-10 (PDF)

L052 - Mon 10 Jun 2013 / Lun 10 jun 2013

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 10 June 2013 Lundi 10 juin 2013

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

LONG-TERM CARE

LONG-TERM CARE

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

TEACHER TRAINING

LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

MUNICIPAL PLANNING

VISITORS

CORRECTION OF RECORD

VISITOR

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DR. LAURENCE HEWICK

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

SENIORS

ROTARY CLUB OF COBOURG

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

3018 ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY

CADET CORPS

FIESTA WEEK

ALL-INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION /

PARTICIPATION INCLUSIVE

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

CORRECTION OF RECORD

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TOWING INDUSTRY ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR L’INDUSTRIE

DU REMORQUAGE

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT (BARGAINING UNITS

AND CERTIFICATION

OF TRADE UNIONS), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

(UNITÉS DE NÉGOCIATION

ET ACCRÉDITATION DES SYNDICATS)

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

PORTUGUESE HISTORY

AND HERITAGE MONTH

PETITIONS

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

WIND TURBINES

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

LYME DISEASE

CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES

WORKPLACE INSURANCE

HIGHWAY 66

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

DRUG PLANS

LYME DISEASE

CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

ORDERS OF THE DAY

STRONGER PROTECTION

FOR ONTARIO CONSUMERS ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 RENFORÇANT

LA PROTECTION

DU CONSOMMATEUR ONTARIEN

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I want to recognize Tom Hawkins, who came from North Bay today for my unanimous consent motion to have second and third reading of the Hawkins Gignac Act. The bill is named after his brother’s family, who perished from carbon monoxide, and I hope that today he will see the Legislature do the right thing and move it forward.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I am very happy to welcome my family, who are visiting Queen’s Park: my parents, Anwar and Qaisar Naqvi; my sister, Elia Naqvi; and most importantly, visiting for the first time, my nephew and niece, Darius and Larisa Faizani. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: I want to introduce my legislative assistant, who is just starting today. His name is Adrian Macaulay. I want to welcome him to be able to observe question period today.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’d like to introduce, from my constituency office, John McHughan, my constituency assistant; he’s in the members’ gallery. With him is Emily Philp-Tsujiuchi, my intern student and a former legislative page, who is doing a fabulous job in my constituency office. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Steven Del Duca: It’s my pleasure to recognize my executive assistant, Taleen Balian, who is here with us in the members’ gallery. Taleen has been working with me over the last nine months since, I first arrived here. I wanted to thank her for all of her outstanding work; I sincerely appreciate it. I’m delighted that she finally escaped from my office to come over here and watch question period live.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Northumberland–Quinte West.

Mr. Rob E. Milligan: Mr. Speaker, I thought you would—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I start fresh every day.

Mr. Rob E. Milligan: It’s a great pleasure to introduce to the chamber today my sister-in-law, Ms. Jodi Milligan. Thank you very much for coming, Jodi.

Mr. Michael Mantha: Our office has always functioned well when we have a good balance with volunteers, and I want to introduce Arashyot Kang, who has been volunteering at my office. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: I’d like to introduce Kevin and Kiera Maloney, who are visiting here today from the city of Brampton. He was a successful bidder on the Rotary “Day with the MPP.” Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Jonah Schein: I’d like to welcome Max Gross to the chamber. He’s a member of our riding association, one of our best canvassers and hardest-working volunteers. Welcome, Max.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further introductions?

On behalf of the Minister of Finance for page Melanie Forbes: her father, Scott Forbes, and sister Kayla Forbes are here, along with Melanie’s class from Tecumseh Public School, who will be visiting in the gallery this morning. Welcome to our guests.

It is now time for question period. The member from Oxford.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Mr. Speaker, I rise to seek unanimous consent. Given that life-saving Bill 77 has been introduced five times, has passed second reading three times and has been through committee, I seek unanimous consent that

An Act to amend the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 to provide safety requirements related to the presence of unsafe levels of carbon monoxide on premises now be ordered for second and third reading and the question be put immediately without further debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m going to assume that that was not for question period, and it was a point of order seeking unanimous consent, so I won’t stand down any questions.

The member from Oxford is seeking unanimous consent for second and third reading of his bill. Do we have an agreement? Agreed? I heard a no. Thank you.

Given my earlier comment, I would ask the clock to be reset, please.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Mr. Hawkins, I’m so terribly sorry that you had to witness that this morning.

Premier, on September 25, the day after the first documents were released, I spent 20 minutes showing this Legislature that pages were missing—nothing from the Premier, barely anything from the energy minister.

The leader of the NDP spoke next and added, “There’s no correspondence from the Premier’s office,” followed by, “There’s a surprising lack of correspondence from ... the energy minister.”

At one point that day, Premier, you stood up and interjected into your House leader’s comments, “And they have the documents.”

You were a sitting cabinet minister at the time. You told fellow legislators that we had all the documents. It’s right here in the Hansard, Speaker, the 25th of September.

Will you apologize to this Legislature for telling us one thing when you knew all along that it was false?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I believe the member opposite knows very well that I have gone before committee and I have answered all the questions that were asked of me. I have said from the moment that I came into this job that I was going to be working to provide all the information that had been asked for, because I was clear that there was information that had been asked for that had not been provided, and that has now happened. That’s why I asked the Auditor General to look at the Oakville situation.

That’s why we worked to broaden the mandate of the committee so that all of the questions that were being asked could get answers and that all the documents would be turned over. That’s what we’ve been engaged in for the past number of months.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: For quite some time, Premier, you’ve been getting away with saying we had “all the documents,” and, in fact, you would not answer all the questions at the justice committee. It took the privacy commissioner to prove what we’ve been saying all along: “There was a culture of avoiding the creation of written documentation on the gas plants issue.”

So now you’re still carrying that on by using secret Gmail accounts to circumvent the laws of this Legislature. Premier, is there anything you won’t do to keep your gas plants scandal from the taxpayers?

Last week, I stood here and asked you to call in the OPP to investigate this theft. You would not do that, so we had to. We need you to come clean, Premier. Will you now direct your staff to fully co-operate with the OPP investigation, and will you demand that the stolen documents and USB drives be turned over to the police?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I have said, we will co-operate with whatever questions are asked of us; we have done that, Mr. Speaker. If the member opposite remembers, the requests last year were for energy documents only. That has been broadened, and all of the documents that have been asked for—130,000 documents we have turned over; 30,000 documents from my office—have been turned over.

The privacy commissioner has made recommendations; she has written a report. I have said that I agree with her conclusions and that changes need to be made. We are working with the privacy commissioner’s office as we speak.

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

Mr. Rob Leone: The Premier has no problems taking her staff to the woodshed for spaghetti-strapped tops but can’t be bothered to ask them to return stolen property.

The privacy commissioner says deleted documents wiped clean from computers may still exist on USB drives. This is stolen property. Staffers and ministers of the crown continue to obfuscate in committee. They say, “I don’t know anything,” until you can prove otherwise. That’s completely unacceptable.

Premier, when will Ontarians finally get some honesty from your scandal-plagued government?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, let me just say that in every aspect of this job I am working to make sure we have the professionalism that is required and expected of us as government.

I will say to the member opposite that the privacy commissioner has written a report; she has made recommendations. I agree with her conclusions that there need to be changes. In fact, we have proactively taken steps to put in place a protocol that is different than was here before. We have put training in place. We made sure that staff understand that the retention of documents is important and which documents have to be retained. We will continue to work with the privacy commissioner to make the changes that she has recommended.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Rob Leone: The privacy commissioner has tabled a report in this Legislature called Deleting Accountability. This now is the label of the Liberal Party and speaks to the culture of the Liberal Party.

Mr. Speaker, this all started in the estimates committee back on May 16 of last year, when we asked for the production of documents. It has been a year—two Premiers equally complicit in this scandal. You’ve lost an energy minister, you’ve lost a Premier and you took forever to apologize. All the while, the leader of the third party gases up your getaway car.

You weren’t willing to hand over documents a year ago when we asked. We all know how that turned out. Premier, will you now hand over those stolen documents on USB keys?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’ll just go over what has happened. I came into this office. I said during the leadership, Mr. Speaker, that we were going to provide as much information as we were asked for and we were going to work to open up the process. That’s what I’ve done.

I asked the Auditor General, on my own accord, to look at the Oakville situation. We immediately called the House back. We expanded the scope of the committee. I appeared at the committee. We have turned over documents. We’ve put in place a different protocol around retention of documents. I am doing everything I can to make sure that every question that is asked gets an answer and that all the documents that are relevant that have been asked for are turned over. We will continue to behave in that manner.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary. The member from Prince Edward–Hastings.

Mr. Todd Smith: To the Premier: On Friday, Ontarians were shown exactly how far this government has sunk. In spite of evidence that senior Liberals had broken the law, you refused to call in the OPP. So the Ontario PCs wrote to the OPP commissioner, Chris Lewis, to get to the bottom of the biggest scandal in Ontario’s history.

In spite of your shallow pleas that you’ve been trying to be transparent, it’s been clear all along that you’re more interested in protecting the Liberal Party than the people of Ontario. Just because the Liberals’ NDP farm team is willing to support that kind of behaviour doesn’t mean that we in this party will.

Premier, you resisted bringing in the OPP, but now they’re coming after you. How much more evidence of senior Liberals breaking the law has to come to light before you actually come clean with the people of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Just let me say that I have done everything in my power, since I have been in this office, to make sure that all of the information was available.

I have said, Mr. Speaker, that the original decision to site the gas plants where they were sited did not have a good process up front. There should have been a better process in the initial stages, so that a different decision could have been made. I have said that repeatedly, and we are working to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.

On the issue of the documents, again I agree with the conclusions of the privacy commissioner, that this should not have happened, that emails should not have been deleted. We will work with the privacy commissioner to ensure that a better protocol is in place going forward and that the changes that need to be made are made.

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

Mr. Todd Smith: We’re not interested in hearing about the emails and documents that were turned over. We’re more interested in hearing about the questions you refused to answer in committee. You didn’t answer 32 questions that were put to you by my colleagues. Perhaps you’re covering something up. Thirty-two times you didn’t have an answer—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. The member will withdraw.

Mr. Todd Smith: Withdraw, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Carry on.

Mr. Todd Smith: The former Premier likewise refused to actually answer questions in the Legislature, and on Friday, he insulted the intelligence of Ontarians by pretending that he had no idea what was happening in his office as this scandal unfolded.

Premier, senior Liberals have already broken the law, and your appearance at committee has set the example for what the Liberal standard of co-operation is. Is this the kind of co-operation that the Ontario Provincial Police can expect, or will your government obstruct yet another investigation?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I answered under oath at the committee. I answered every question that was asked of me, and I gave the information that I had. I cannot help it if the member opposite didn’t like the answers, didn’t understand the answers or was looking for a different answer. I gave the answers that were true. I gave the answers with the information that I had.

I will continue to do that whenever I am asked. We will co-operate as questions are asked. We will provide the information that is requested.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. Does the Premier believe that ministers of the crown are responsible for the actions of their staff?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yes, I absolutely do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Craig MacLennan, the chief of staff to two Ministers of Energy, told Ontarians that he routinely erased emails, destroyed all his emails. One of those former energy ministers, the member for Scarborough Centre, still sits in cabinet. Has the Premier asked this minister why his staff were destroying information that belonged to the public?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think what the privacy commissioner’s report has underlined is that there were protocols and practices in place that need to be changed, that should not have been in place. I have acknowledged that. I have said that I agree with the privacy commissioner, that those protocols were not the right ones. In fact, since we’ve been in office, there has been a different protocol in place. We will continue to work with the privacy commissioner to ensure that the changes that need to be made are made.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The question was whether or not the Premier had asked her minister about whether he approved staff destroying records. The former Premier, the member for Ottawa South, sits on the government front bench as well. He’s a member of the Liberal caucus that this Premier leads. In fact, she proudly sat in his cabinet. Has the Premier discussed the destruction of records with the member for Ottawa South, and if not, why not?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I have made it very clear to all of the members of my caucus and cabinet what the rules are, how we’re going to proceed, what the protocols are. The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities appeared before committee, answered the questions that he was asked vis-à-vis his time as Minister of Energy. He’s been there and answered those questions. He and all the members of my caucus and cabinet know what the rules are, and we will be following those protocols.

Again I say, I agree with the conclusions of the privacy commissioner, that the retention of information is very important and that there are changes that need to be made. We are working with her office, Mr. Speaker.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is to the Premier. As the Premier knows, a sitting member can actually decline to testify before a committee. New Democrats are asking that the member for Ottawa South come to the justice committee to testify about why his staff were destroying information that belongs to Ontarians. Will the Premier ensure that this member of her Liberal caucus comes and testifies at committee?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know there are a number of people who’ve been asked to come before or come again before the committee.

I can’t speak to the scheduling issues that any of those people would have, but I certainly encourage anyone who is asked to come and speak to the committee, that they do that.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A couple of conversations going on between parties—please stop.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The member for Ottawa South seems to be blaming his staff for the destruction of information that belongs to the public. I think Ontarians want to know why the member himself isn’t taking any responsibility. Does the Premier think it’s acceptable for this member of her caucus to try to avoid responsibility and blame everything on staff?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Well, I would suggest that none of the members who have been called are avoiding anything. The member for Ottawa South has appeared before the committee, and as I say, there are a number of people who have been asked to come or come again to the committee. I don’t know what their scheduling issues are, but I certainly encourage them to do so, to come forward.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Ever since the Liberals first made their cynical play to cancel private power deals in Mississauga and Oakville, they’ve scrambled to cover the facts. But no matter how hard they try, the picture is becoming clearer and clearer by the day. We’re seeing a lot of finger pointing and a lot of—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That will do. Allow the question to be put.

Leader.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: We’re seeing a lot of finger pointing and a lot of blame on that side of the House, but the buck stops with the Premier, the leader of the Liberal Party. Is she going to keep playing the blame game, Speaker, pointing fingers at staff who have departed? Or is she going to take the necessary steps needed to get the answers that people deserve?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: With all due respect, I believe I have taken responsibility. I believe I have said that those original decisions were not made in a context that was appropriate, that there should have been a better process.

I’ll remind the leader of the third party that, once again, we all agreed in this House that those decisions to site those gas plants were not the right decisions and that they should be changed, and we all said that that should happen. We implemented the decision; we made that move.

But I have said repeatedly and I have said that it was unacceptable that we didn’t have a better process up front. So I take responsibility. And further, in terms of providing the information, as I say, we have done everything possible since I’ve been in this office to provide the information that has been asked for. We will continue to do so

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question for the Premier: Premier, so far you have shown a complete lack of leadership on your government’s scandalous handling of the gas plant cancellations. For months, you’ve continued to insist that all of the documents have been released, even after our party revealed that there were huge gaps in that disclosure. We now know that at least five senior Liberal staff had their correspondence illegally wiped clean. And how have you responded? “Well, okay, we got caught this time. We’ll have to be more careful the next time.” No one will be forced to resign. If you have your way, there will be no consequences whatsoever.

The PC Party was forced to call in the OPP after you refused. Will you at least instruct your staff to disclose exactly what went on in your office and to fully co-operate with the OPP investigation?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Let me remind the honourable member about the leadership that the Premier has taken on this file. When she assumed the office as Premier, one of her first actions was to ask the Auditor General to look into the Oakville situation, and we expect his report later this summer.

It was this Premier who offered, although rejected, a select committee to the opposition, and instead, when they decided to go on a witch hunt over a former member, it was this Premier that offered to widen the scope of the committee and in fact, again, although rejected by the opposition, to do a government-wide search for documents. In total, to date we have given the committee some 130,000 documents, including 30,000 documents from the Premier’s office. The Premier herself—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew asked the question; I’m sure he wants to hear the answer. And, member from Prince Edward–Hastings, if you were in your seat, I would say be quiet. Now I’ll say it anyway.

Wrap up, please.

Hon. John Milloy: The Premier herself has appeared in front of the committee and answered every single question. Other ministers have gone forward. Mr. Speaker, this Premier has shown incredible leadership on this file.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Back to the Premier: Let’s put this into context. A sitting President of the United States was forced to resign and senior staff went to prison when caught in a clear attempt to eliminate records and deny access to the truth—you’ll remember Watergate. That’s exactly the situation we have here: an attempt by the Liberal Party to deny the people of Ontario access to the truth, and at least $600 million of their money is gone.

How does the Premier respond? She’s implementing a summer dress code. While the Premier worries about violations of her dress code, the people of Ontario are more worried about violations of the Criminal Code in your office.

Will you finally come clean and instruct your staff to reveal exactly what went on in your office, when these two gas plants were cancelled, and fully co-operate with any OPP investigation?

Interjections.

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

Government House leader?

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I know that the official opposition is taking advice from Republican strategists, but I think maybe we should put this in a bit of context. We are talking about a decision to cancel gas plants that was supported by every party in this House.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. I also remind all members that you reference someone by their title or by their riding.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, we’re talking about a decision that was aggressively supported by the party opposite, although they’re not interested in answering any questions about that. The fact of the matter is, as I outlined, that when the Premier assumed her role, she was the one who asked the Auditor General to look at the Oakville situation. She is the one who has broadened the scope of the committee and provided it with witnesses—herself, other senior ministers—and 130,000 documents.

LONG-TERM CARE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. Today the Minister of Health announced a new deadline for resident quality inspections of long-term-care homes. I feel like I’m having a really bad case of déjà vu all over again, because the same minister made the same announcement in 2010.

Speaker, all of last week this minister denied that she had failed. Will the minister finally admit today that she has ignored her own legislation?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To be clear, Speaker, we have met the legislated requirements to have an inspection in long-term-care homes every year, but we have not met the commitment we made to residents of long-term care to do a thorough resident quality inspection every year. Today, I renewed our commitment to that. I announced that we will be hiring about 100 more inspectors, which more than doubles the number of inspectors, because we think residents of long-term care deserve to have the confidence that they are receiving the highest-quality standard of care in our long-term-care homes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Last week, the minister argued with my leader that the inspections were being done. We’re talking about a huge credibility deficit here, Mr. Speaker. Today, she gave herself a new deadline to do the resident quality inspections because she failed to meet the last deadline.

Can the minister give me, and every other Ontarian who wants our long-term-care homes to be safe, a reason why we should believe her at her word this time?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: In 2010, we passed legislation that significantly strengthens our long-term-care homes—the quality of care in those homes, including more rigorous inspection.

Speaker, I think it’s fair to say that as we have implemented this new regime of inspection, we were not appropriately staffed. We needed more inspectors, and that’s why I am so very pleased that today I announced we are making that investment. As I said earlier, we owe it to the residents of long-term care to ensure that they have those inspections that will lead to higher quality care.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Grant Crack: My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Many Ontarians have loved ones in long-term-care homes. Their safety and the quality of their care are of utmost importance to all Ontarians. The Ministry of Health plays an important role at ensuring long-term-care homes provide the quality of care our parents and grandparents deserve.

Given the recent news, many in my riding are concerned that the ministry could be doing more inspections of long-term-care homes. What is the minister doing to address these concerns?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you to the member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell for this question and for his strong advocacy for seniors in his riding and across the province.

In 2010, we passed strong legislation setting very high quality standards. In fact I’m unaware of any jurisdiction that has higher standards than right here in Ontario. It includes a rigorous inspection regime, but there is more that we need to do. I acknowledge that.

I was very pleased this morning to renew that commitment to the residents of long-term-care homes and their loved ones that we will do a proactive, unannounced Resident Quality Inspection annually. By the end of 2014, we will have completed a new baseline RQI for every home in this province and annually thereafter.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Grant Crack: Thank you, Minister. This is good news for all of us who have loved ones in long-term care. Comprehensive, unannounced inspections are important to ensure long-term-care homes are protecting their residents and providing a high standard of care. But I’m sure there’s more to be done.

Could the minister speak about what else she’s doing to ensure residents of long-term-care homes are getting the best possible care?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: We’ve come a long way to improve care and ensure safety for our loved ones in long-term-care homes. We’ve got more than 10,000 people working in long-term-care homes. Our 2010 legislation means that long-term-care homes must report critical incidents. Inspection reports are posted online. Residents First is a wonderful quality improvement initiative. It provides long-term-care home staff with the knowledge and skills they need to provide safer, more effective and more responsive care.

Very innovative and successful work is being done through Behavioural Supports Ontario to help staff care for people with behavioural challenges, very often dementia. We’re working to implement the recommendations of the long-term-care task force.

There is a change of culture in our long-term-care homes. It is very positive, and I’m glad today we were able to further strengthen oversight in our long-term-care homes.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Ted Arnott: My question is for the Premier. To quote Sir Walter Scott, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive.” Last week the government learned that they cannot deceive the privacy commissioner; soon they will find that they cannot deceive the Ontario Provincial Police.

The Premier would have us believe that she wants to restore transparency and provide access to all documents relating to the Oakville and Mississauga gas plants scandal. She has made that statement repeatedly, even though she knew full well that damning emails had been erased.

What is the Premier prepared to do to ensure that all current or former Liberal caucus and staffers fully comply with the OPP investigation?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Although all the world is a stage, it seems to me that this place is a place where we are not really engaged in theatre.

What I have said over and over again is that I have worked, since the day I got into this office, to make sure that every question that was asked and every document that was asked for received an answer and the document was provided.

We opened up the process. We made sure that the committee had the opportunity to ask a broad range of questions. We have complied and provided that information to the committee since I came into this office. I said during the leadership that that was exactly what we were going to do. That’s what we followed through on—

Interjection.

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

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —and we will continue to behave in that manner.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. The idea of asking somebody to come to order doesn’t mean that you get to finish the sentence; it means you just stop.

I also want to make a comment on what I heard. There’s a delicate balance between what one wants to say in this place and what we’re not supposed to say in this place. I think if you start down the road of leaving the listener with the impression that something is happening that’s unparliamentary in your language, that could be the case. So I’m going to caution all of us to try to avoid trying to say something you’re not supposed to say and say it a way that you can say it. I’ll leave it at that and let everybody just kind of digest that.

Supplementary, please.

Mr. Ted Arnott: Back to the Premier: As this House winds up its spring session, the pungent stench of scandal permeates this chamber. The Liberals and their NDP enablers will soon return to their ridings and they’ll discover that the people of Ontario have rendered their verdict.

The Liberal members comprise the government of Ontario. They are all responsible. By propping them up, the NDP are now culpable as well. The Liberals have been found in contempt of this House. The privacy commissioner says they broke the law. The OPP have begun their investigation. It’s time for this government to go.

Will they call our non-confidence motion for debate and a vote before this House adjourns for the summer?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: We have a committee of the Legislature which is looking into this matter. The Premier has outlined the steps that she has taken beyond that, including speaking with the Auditor General.

The report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner raised some troubling issues. The Premier has outlined the steps that we have taken to make sure that the rules as they exist are being properly adhered to by political staff, both in her office and across Queen’s Park.

At the same time, as I indicated last week, I will soon be sitting down with the Information and Privacy Commissioner to work with her in my capacity as Minister of Government Services, to see what steps can be taken to strengthen the act going forward, so that the information that she relayed in her report never happens again.

We have been taking proactive steps. We will continue to take those steps, and we will also allow the committee of this Legislature—

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

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Peter Tabuns: To the Premier: The former Premier’s chief of staff, principal secretary and energy adviser had their email accounts destroyed shortly after the Standing Committee on Justice Policy began asking for documents about the gas plants.

Who gave the order for this information to be destroyed?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Again, as I have said, we have changed the protocol in our office. There has been a training done. Again, the member is asking a question that needs to be asked of someone else. It’s very clear that we have put in place a protocol that emphasizes the importance of retention of documents. As I said, a training has been put in place.

As the House leader reinforced, he will be meeting with the privacy commissioner in his role as Minister of Government Services, so that we can make sure that whatever strengthening of the protocol needs to be in place is done.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, I believe the Premier has some responsibilities of her own to ask questions. It was one of your caucus members, the member for Ottawa South, who was in your seat when information was being deleted from government computers. The member for Ottawa South is a member of your caucus. Has the Premier asked him whether he gave the order to destroy information?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I’ve said previously, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities appeared before committee to answer questions about his time as Minister of Energy.

According to the protocol in place at the time, the email accounts of former government employees were deleted by IT staff periodically after the employees left. That protocol applied to all public servants. The chief administrative officer in each ministry approved the destruction of former employee email accounts, with the understanding that staff members had appropriately dealt with the records.

But that protocol has changed. We have changed that protocol. Since February we’ve taken steps to make sure that political staff are aware of their responsibilities. There has been mandatory training put in place, as I’ve said. We have changed the protocols around the retention of information.

TEACHER TRAINING

As we continue to roll out full-day kindergarten, we are providing our youngest learners with the best possible start, to help them succeed later in their education. But if we’re going to continue to provide our students with the skills they need to succeed, we need to ensure that our teachers are well trained for the classroom of today.

I understand that our government has made improvements to our teacher education program. Speaker, through you to the Minister of Education: Could the minister please inform this House what our government is doing to enhance our teacher education program in our post-secondary institutions?

Hon. Liz Sandals: Thank you to the member from Ottawa–Orléans for his continuing interest in education. Speaker, we know that for student achievement to improve we need to continue to provide our students with high-quality teachers. That’s why we are improving the way we train our teachers for the classroom.

Our new enhanced teacher education program will increase learning time for prospective teachers from two semesters to four. It will also double the amount of practical teaching days from 40 to 80 days. Students in the program will gain experience in areas including special education, mental health and incorporating technology into the classroom.

We also know that we have an oversupply of teachers in our province. As a result, we will be reducing our admission rate to the program by 50% so our teachers will have a better chance of being employed once they graduate. By making sure our teachers—

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

Mr. Phil McNeely: Thank you, Minister, for informing the House about the work our government is doing to provide our teachers with the skills they need to teach in our classrooms. It is great to hear that Ontario is modernizing teacher education to provide our students with the best possible education.

Minister, I expect these changes could impact some post-secondary institutions’ teacher education programs more than others. It could also impact resources that have been going to other programs within universities.

Can the minister inform the House about what the government is doing to ensure adequate funding for Ontario’s post-secondary teacher education system?

Hon. Liz Sandals: The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Our post-secondary partners have done a tremendous job adjusting to the challenges they have faced in the past. I agree that we’re calling on them again to be challenged and to adjust to some changes. I’m quite confident that they can do it. They’ll need to move very quickly to adjust to this new curriculum to implement it by 2015. This will be challenging for them, but I’m confident that they’ll do it.

They’ll also need to adjust to the decision to lower the funding assignment for teacher-ed seats. This won’t be easy, but I’m pleased to report that we’ll be working closely with impacted universities, and we’ll work with those severely impacted to help them through this period of adjustment.

Mr. Speaker, together we will continue to build on the work that this government has done to make Ontario a global leader in education. We’ll be working with those stakeholders to ensure that that work continues.

LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS

Mrs. Julia Munro: A question to the Premier: The Auditor General and now the privacy commissioner have provided scathing condemnation of the behaviour of your government and the government that you are now responsible for. In each of the cases where those officers of the assembly have, in great detail, enumerated your wrongdoings, you have thanked them for their advice.

My question is simple: How many more scandals before you finally take decisive action on their advice? When will you show some leadership?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I do thank the officers of the Legislature for their reports. They work hard, and they perform a very vital and important function. That is why I have said thank you to them and I have said, in this most recent instance of the privacy commissioner, that I agree with her conclusions. There are changes that need to be made, Mr. Speaker.

If we accept that somehow, at some point, there will be a static and perfect state of all of the processes around the Legislature, then I think we’re mistaken. The Legislature and the processes continue to evolve. That’s why it’s important to have the officers of the Legislature analyzing what’s happening and giving us recommendations.

So I do thank them. I agree with the conclusions of the privacy commissioner. In every case, we had either begun to take action before the report has come out, as in the case of the privacy commissioner, or we’re responding to recommendations in an active way.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Julia Munro: Well, the NDP has chosen to prop up the Wynne-Horwath government with the promise of a new financial officer, another voice responsible to the assembly. Are you going to thank him when he admonishes you, or are you going to provide real leadership and exercise some ministerial responsibility?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It’s interesting because underlying the member’s question is some kind of assumption that if everything were perfect you wouldn’t need to have these officers in place.

The point is that it’s important to have objective eyes looking at the procedures, looking at the processes, looking at government and providing advice. That is the point.

So, of course, when the new Financial Accountability—

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Of course, when the new officer is in place, we will work with him or her. We’ll make sure that we provide the information, and that we provide whatever information is necessary so that that officer can do the work that will then lead to productive recommendations. That is the point of having objective analysis of the actions of a government. I look forward to working with that person as we have worked with the other officers of the Legislature.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Premier. Windsor residents are concerned about a toxic powder called petroleum coke that’s been piled three storeys high, occupying an entire city block just across the river from Windsor. Pet coke has been called “dirtier than the dirtiest fuel.” Residents, tourists, and commercial and sport fishermen on both sides of the river are concerned about clouds of black dust blowing off the mounds that are left uncovered.

The Premier has known that Windsor residents and officials have been concerned about these open piles for some time, so why didn’t the Premier bring up pet coke at the recent meetings of Great Lakes governors?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of the Environment.

Hon. James J. Bradley: These matters are always raised with the appropriate authorities. The member would know that the government of Ontario has been very concerned about this and is taking all the action that would be appropriate. We are concerned when particularly items of this kind arise when the Americans are involved with it.

These matters are raised from time to time from the ministry staff to ministry staff. In our case it would be the Ministry of the Environment, and Environment Canada, in fact, would be involved as well. In the state of Michigan, I believe it would be called the Department of Natural Resources for the state of Michigan that would be involved in this.

So these matters have been raised. I thank the member for raising it in the House because it gives it even more of a profile now, and I think the need for the appropriate action to be taken by those who are responsible is quite evident to all who are concerned.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I appreciate the minister’s concern, but the government’s silence on this has been deafening.

Windsor residents know that wind and rain don’t know borders. They are concerned about what’s going to happen to the river Windsor shares with Detroit, when rainwater and mountains of pet coke, which is high in sulphur and high in heavy metals, run off into the river.

Windsor council, the local MP and Michigan state and federal elected officials have all raised concerns about the potential health and environmental danger of pet coke piles, but the Ontario government has been silent.

If the Premier has known that residents and local leaders have been concerned about the pet coke, then why hasn’t she taken any action to help resolve this problem?

Hon. James J. Bradley: I think the information that the member has provided is not accurate. It’s not his fault; he wouldn’t be aware of the fact that officials of the Ministry of the Environment have contacted their counterparts in Environment Canada, as this is an international situation that has arisen. Environment Canada and the International Joint Commission are the lead on this issue. As a ministry, we have offered to provide any assistance required to see this issue resolved. So in fact, we are working with Environment Canada on this issue, it being international.

The International Joint Commission is involved in this issue at the present time, and our ministry has raised this issue. The member perhaps gave the impression this has not happened, but our ministry has, in fact, raised this issue with all the appropriate authorities.

We hope to see it resolved as quickly and as expeditiously as possible because we find the situation that exists to be unsatisfactory.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Ms. Helena Jaczek: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Many people are increasingly choosing to rent out their basement suite as an apartment. Whether the suite becomes a home to an elderly parent, a spot for a live-in caregiver, or an apartment that will provide additional income to help the family with the mortgage, these spaces provide families with the flexibility they need.

However, if these secondary suites are poorly designed, it can be quite dangerous, especially if they lack fire alarms, proper exits or adequate fire barriers.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please tell us what our government has done about these issues and how they will help assist Ontarians in finding practical housing options while ensuring the safety of all Ontarians?

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: I’d like to thank the member for the question. Our government understands that the residents of Ontario need flexible and affordable housing options, particularly as our population grows up and ages. Secondary suites such as basement apartments and granny flats provide an affordable housing option and a solution to our increasing population, our changing demographics and our aging communities. These spaces allow Ontarians to have a place for their elderly parents or extended families to live with them while allowing for independence and privacy.

It also gives elderly homeowners the ability to have their caregivers live with them, extending the time that they are able to stay in their homes.

These suites, whether they are newly built or have existed for years, must meet building and fire codes, providing safer housing options for Ontarians.

These are the solutions that Ontarians want and deserve, and that’s why our government made changes to the Planning Act to help increase the supply of this flexible housing.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Helena Jaczek: Thank you, Minister. It’s very heartening to hear what our government is doing to increase the number of affordable housing units in the province. But all of these additional suites could provide additional problems. In some communities, residents have expressed concerns about the impact of secondary suites on their neighbourhoods. They are worried that the increases in population will lead to increased demand on services such as schools, hospitals, public transit and even roads. This need for additional housing options needs to be balanced with the capacity of the municipal infrastructure that exists.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Can you tell us what consultation occurred with municipalities before we implemented these changes?

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: Again, I would like to thank the member for the question. As a former city councillor myself, I remember how in the past the relationship between the municipal government and the province was fraught with tension and mistrust. That’s why since 2003 I and this entire government have worked very hard to repair the relationship we have with municipalities. In fact, we signed an historic memorandum of understanding with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario in 2010 endorsing the principle of regular consultation.

On the issue of secondary suites, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing met with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the city of Toronto to work together before changes were made, because we knew that these changes would have an impact on municipalities.

Our government remains committed to continuing to work with our municipal partners in making these changes to help communities across Ontario address local housing issues in a way that respects local opinions and desires.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Mr. Rod Jackson: Speaker, my question is to the Premier. “I didn’t know” is literally becoming a cliché coined by the McGuinty-Wynne Liberals. The Liberals didn’t know how much the gas plant cancellations would cost taxpayers. The Liberals didn’t know about thousands and thousands of files received in document dump after document—

Interjections.

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

Member from Barrie.

Mr. Rod Jackson: I guess I hit a nerve.

Apparently, the Liberals didn’t know staffers were instructed to use Gmail accounts and delete email records free from public scrutiny.

There are only a few explanations for not knowing: ignorance, incompetence or moral bankruptcy. Premier, which one is it, or is it all of the above?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: It is this Premier who, upon assuming office, asked the Auditor General to look into the Oakville situation. It is this Premier who proposed a select committee of the Legislature to look into the gas plant situation, which was rejected by the opposition, but she still went ahead and talked about modifying, enlarging, the role of the committee, which was agreed to by the committee. It was this Premier who appeared in front of the committee. It has been under this Premier’s watch that 130,000 documents have come forward.

Yes, there is material in the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s report which needs to be responded to. This Premier has given me direction, as Minister of Government Services, that we work with her to see that the current rules are strengthened, Mr. Speaker, so the actions that she outlined never happen again.

This Premier has shown leadership in this regard, in making sure there is transparency when it comes to the gas plant issue—which, I remind the member again, his colleagues were out campaigning for—

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

Mr. Rod Jackson: The ridiculousness of this doesn’t even stop. It’s easy to open up the process, it’s easy to show leadership, after you’ve destroyed all the evidence that comes before it. Unfortunately, incompetence and malfeasance are not mutually exclusive. In fact, the Liberals have demonstrated the two are actually complementary to one other.

Last week marked the first time ever that an Ontario government has been investigated for two separate scandals by the OPP. Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner concluded record laws were in fact broken. The OPP’s elite anti-rackets squad has launched a probe into the latest scandal within a scandal—the destruction of information on the public record, and it seems that just about everyone’s ethics barometer is going off the scale, except for the McGuinty-Wynne-Horwath government.

Premier, the people of Ontario kind of got stuck with you, really. Will you let Ontarians decide if the Liberals are too incompetent or too corrupt to lead Ontario?

Hon. John Milloy: Speaker, there have been 130,000 pages of documents that have been put forward to the committee.

But let’s go back to first principles. In the last election, there was not one party that promised to cancel that gas plant, there were three that promised to cancel that gas plant. It was the leader of that member’s party who went on YouTube and said that if he was elected Premier, it would be “done, done, done.” It was the leader of that member’s party who went before committee and 28 times refused to talk about the costing and the research that had been undertaken by his party. It was the leader of his party who has been encouraging candidates to not appear in front of the committee to talk about their role in the gas plant cancellation.

I’m very proud of our Premier, who has been forthcoming, in terms of the actions she has taken and appearing in front of committee. It would be nice to see the same from that party across the way.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr. John Vanthof: My question is to the Minister of Health. SLAPP suits are on the rise in Ontario. These lawsuits are commonly used to intimidate people from participating in public debate. They are an affront to democracy.

Last week, the Attorney General introduced legislation in this House that is intended to curb this problem. If passed, it would fast-track these types of lawsuits so they would be heard within 60 days and dismissed if they were shown to be SLAPP.

It’s been much more than 60 days since the boards of the MICs Group of Health Services and the Anson General Hospital in Iroquois Falls have served nine members of the community with defamation lawsuits for standing up for what they believe.

Minister, do you support the anti-SLAPP legislation proposed by your government, and if so, why is your ministry still funding lawsuits against the people of Iroquois Falls?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I welcome the member’s advocacy for the hospitals in his community, and he and I have spoken on several occasions. As he knows, we are moving forward. Mr. Ron Gagnon is in there, trying to do what he can do to get the health care that people deserve in that community.

We will continue to work on this. Of course, I fully support the legislation that was introduced by the Attorney General just last week.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Vanthof: Once again to the Minister of Health: The LHIN has initiated a review of the hospital situation in Iroquois Falls. Your ministry has also appointed a special investigator to look at the governance of Anson General Hospital, and still these people are being sued.

People in the community are very concerned about the future of their hospital and as a result, when the hospital board announced it was reopening memberships to the local corporation, interest was understandably very high. Imagine the community’s surprise and outrage when over 200 people have had their membership applications refused, including long-term volunteers and past members.

Minister, can you tell me why Mrs. Gilda Shea, a pillar of the community and a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, is not welcome as a member of the Anson General Hospital?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur: Mr. Speaker, I’m replacing the AG today.

One of the great things about living in a fair and democratic society is that we can speak out on matters that are important to us. If passed, this legislation would protect citizens by allowing courts to quickly identify and deal with strategic lawsuits, including a fast-track review process which requires that requests to dismiss must be heard by the court within 60 days.

We have worked hard to develop a proposal that balances the protection of public participation and freedom of expression with the protection of reputation and economic interests.

This legislation provides a made-in-Ontario solution based on the consensus recommendation of an expert advisory panel and extensive stakeholder consultation to provide a faster, more efficient civil process—

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

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

Mr. Bob Delaney: This question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Minister, social entrepreneurship is a sustainable way to build a diverse and vibrant economy with opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds. The 2013-14 Ontario budget includes a strong plan to help people across the province, including the promotion of new and innovative business initiatives. In my reading of it, one of the key initiatives is promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, providing Ontario the ability to transform ideas into goods and services to compete in the global economy.

This is especially important for businesses owned by women and young people, and particularly by new graduates.

Would the minister update this House on what the province is doing to assist social entrepreneurship?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I thank the member from Mississauga–Streetsville for this question. Ontarians are global leaders when it comes to social enterprise. There are roughly 10,000 social enterprises currently operating in this province. For those who might not know what social enterprises are, they are both for-profit and not-for-profit entities that focus on pressing social issues and have as their aim community well-being.

To continue our commitment of supporting social enterprise in this province, last month we announced $600,000 in support of a new Catapult Microloan Fund, a partnership between the Centre for Social Innovation and a large group of private-sector stakeholders. This investment is going to help kick-start promising social enterprises with funding opportunities and mentorship services. This collaboration between government, businesses and not-for-profits is the first of its kind.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Bob Delaney: Young entrepreneurs, women and those new to Canada need those partnerships to be able to foster social enterprise in Ontario. Social entrepreneurs need access to the right funding opportunities. In fact, as we both know, there’s no more fatal weakness for a new business than undercapitalization.

It’s important that prosperous and fair societies can depend on a sustainable economy. Minister, please tell the House how pairing economic development and social impact will create economic and employment opportunities for young Ontarians.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: The Ontario government is focused on building both a prosperous economy and a fair society for all Ontarians. We believe that these two goals are not only complementary, but are interdependent. Many social entrepreneurs and innovative thinkers know that you can’t have one without the other.

Our younger generations are poised to make a difference in the world. That’s why the bridge to economic development for so many of them is guided by social impact for many young Ontarians.

Our government’s mandate reflects this kind of social responsibility. We’ve committed $295 million for our youth jobs strategy. Mr. Speaker, I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that of the 50,600 jobs created last month in this province, I’m proud to say that more than 20,000 of those are jobs for youth under the age of 25 years, dropping the unemployment rate by 1.1% for those same youth.

DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is for the Premier. On May 16, my private member’s resolution to establish a select committee to develop a comprehensive developmental services strategy was unanimously accepted in this Legislature, yet this committee has yet to be struck. There’s every indication that both the Liberals and the third party are balking at this, despite the unanimous consent.

Premier, this is of huge importance to people across this province. They are counting on us to help them. Will you stand up today and agree, right here, right now, to establish this committee so that it can start its work immediately?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: I certainly speak for members on this side of the House that we appreciated the motion that was brought forward and the member’s commitment to issues around developmental services. I think the honourable member is aware that that motion, the follow-up to that motion, is a matter that is discussed between House leaders, and there is a process to examine those types of requests and move forward. I would advise her, obviously, to work with her House leader, but certainly myself and the other House leaders will be meeting hopefully later today and—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew will come to order; that’s the last time I’m telling him.

Finish, please.

Hon. John Milloy: As I say, there is a process to examine these requests.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: With the greatest of respect to the House leader, that is complete and utter nonsense. This is not a partisan issue. This is not something that should be caught up with other House leaders’ issues. This is vitally important to people, and you know and I know—everyone in this House knows—those people desperately need our help. Do not do this. Please agree to strike this committee. We have spoken to the House leaders. This is nonsense. Do the right thing and establish this committee right now.

Interjections.

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

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: As a former Minister of Community and Social Services, I can talk about our government’s commitment to the developmental services sector—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Hon. John Milloy: —I can talk about the significant investments that have been made by this government and I can talk about our most recent budget—

Interjections.

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

Last time, the member from Prince Edward–Hastings, come to order or you are warned. The member from Prince Edward–Hastings is warned.

Carry on.

Hon. John Milloy: I can talk about our most recent budget and the investment of, I believe, 42 million additional dollars in the developmental services sector, a vote which is going to happen tomorrow afternoon. When it comes to special committees of this Legislature, there is a process for House leaders to take a look at those—

Interjections.

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

MUNICIPAL PLANNING

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. Minister, you will know, because I’ve talked to you on a number of occasions about this issue, the docks in Moosonee have been taken out of the river and they’ve been sold by the town of Moosonee. As a result of that, people have absolutely no way of being able to transfer from the water taxis on to the Moononee side of the river safely.

I’ve talked to you about the possibility of the province taking over the responsibility to maintain those docks in an ongoing way, and I would like to know if I can have your assurance now because the municipal council is meeting tonight and they need to know from you if we’re able to do this. If so, I think we can work this out.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I want to thank the member opposite for his very hard work on this file. I’m in total agreement. We are trying to find money right now in the ministry; as you know, the budget is tight. This is not a huge amount of money but it’s important. Any action by the town council to support this process to get the docks, which we have to retrieve, and to work with my ministry to do that would be most helpful, so I would strongly encourage them to support the initiative that you have been advocating.

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

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order from the Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’d just indulge the House—I’d like to introduce my mother, who is here, Pat Wynne, and my youngest sister, Marie Hodgson, and her friend Brenda Frey.

CORRECTION OF RECORD

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Toronto–Danforth, on a point of order.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: On a point of order: I need to correct the record. Earlier today, I asked a question of the Premier. I referred to the justice committee when I should have referred to estimates committee.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. The member is right with his point of order. All members have the right to correct their own record.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Education, on a point of order.

Hon. Liz Sandals: On a point of order: This seems to be mother morning. The mother of my chief of staff is here today, and I would like to welcome Rosario Guaristi.

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

The House recessed from 1140 to 1300.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DR. LAURENCE HEWICK

Mrs. Jane McKenna: Over the past 13 years, Burlington’s Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum has provided a unique forum for venture capital firms—176 so far—to present their companies to local investors and business service providers.

With innovation comes change. At a recent board meeting at the Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum, Dr. Laurence Hewick announced that he will be retiring as forum president at the end of this month. Dr. Hewick has served as Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum president for the past seven years and as a board member since the forum’s founding in 2000.

Dr. Hewick is also president of Hewick Research, a new venture capital firm specializing in angel capital and strategic consulting. He has worked throughout Europe to establish centres of entrepreneurial excellence and is a sought-after speaker on the topics of innovation and entrepreneurship.

In his work at the forum, Dr. Hewick has had a transformative impact on Burlington’s business culture. His passion has helped forge dynamic relationships between ideas, people and investors and drawn in forward-looking sponsors like Deloitte, TD Bank Financial Group, RockLinc Investment Partners and Venture Accelerator Partners.

Congratulations to Dr. Hewick and all at the Golden Horseshoe Venture Forum, and best wishes for his bright business future in his next chapter.

RECREATIONAL VEHICLES

Mr. John Vanthof: The all-terrain vehicle has become an integral part of life in rural and northern Ontario. The ATV is not only a work tool but is also used by many for recreational purposes.

In 2003, the Ontario government enacted legislation that allowed ATVs to drive on the shoulders of secondary provincial highways. This legislation has been very beneficial for residents of rural Ontario. Over the years, ATVs have evolved and many people now use UTVs instead. The main difference is that a utility vehicle has a steering wheel instead of handlebars and a bench seat instead of a seat straddling the gas tank. Many riders prefer UTVs because two people can ride comfortably on one machine. There is a problem, however. The legislation that allows ATVs to drive along provincial highways does not apply to UTVs.

People leaving home to get to bush trails are technically breaking the law. In many cases, police are turning a blind eye, but if there is a problem, someone will be caught in a bad situation. The same holds true for recreational vehicle rallies. Many participants use UTVs, which are legal on trails, but if the trail follows the shoulder of a road, they are not. This is causing confusion and potential problems.

It is time that the legislation governing the use of ATVs evolves along with the vehicle. There is currently a UTV pilot project in Quebec. Many workable stopgap measures have been suggested, like one-day permits for rallies or municipal control over their use, but the ideal solution would be to amend the provincial legislation so that both ATVs and UTVs are covered. I would urge the provincial government to work with us to reach that goal.

SENIORS

Mr. Bob Delaney: Seniors are the fastest-growing demographic in our western Mississauga neighbourhoods of Lisgar, Meadowvale and Streetsville. For every senior alive today, when we, the baby-boom generation, are ourselves mostly seniors, there will be two seniors.

Modern medicine allows us to live longer and lead more active lives than our parents or grandparents could ever imagine. A key part of a fulfilling and happy retirement is the ability to live in comfort and dignity in one’s own home as long as possible.

June is Seniors’ Month in Ontario, a great time for seniors to celebrate their life, their achievements and their legacy. Our seniors have worked hard and continue to contribute to their families and to their communities.

In this spirit, Mississauga ward 9 councillor Pat Saito and I will host the 2013 Seniors’ Info Fair. It will provide practical information on programs and services for seniors: health services, nutrition, at-home support for seniors, safety and much more.

The Seniors’ Info Fair will take place this coming Friday, June 14, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Village Room at the Meadowvale Community Centre, Glen Erin Drive, between Battleford Road and Aquitaine Avenue.

Come one, come all. We’ll see you all at the seniors’ fair this coming Friday.

ROTARY CLUB OF COBOURG

Mr. Rob E. Milligan: I’m honoured to rise in the House today and recognize a Rotary Club in my riding of Northumberland–Quinte West that we are all very proud of. The Rotary Club of Cobourg was established in 1921 and has more than tripled its membership since then. It has the impressive distinction of being one of the most active Rotary Clubs in the country.

The Rotary Club of Cobourg, from its very inception, became instrumental in improving the lives of citizens in my riding. Cobourg Rotary is an integral part of the community and is engaged in everything from assisting the poor and homeless to helping troubled youth.

Some of the notable recent achievements of the Cobourg Rotary Club include collecting $20,000 to give as a gift to the Crippled Children’s Treatment Centre in Peterborough and responding with a $15,000 donation to Cobourg’s Transition House’s urgent need to replace existing beds and mattresses.

In addition to this, they have continued funding a variety of post-secondary education programs and sponsoring local air cadet programs. The club has also given extensive financial support to several recreational centres in my riding.

One of the other achievements I would like to bring to the House’s attention is the major project that Rotary International has been involved in. This is the global eradication of polio, spearheaded by Cobourg’s own Dr. Robert Scott, who was recently honoured by Rotary International on his 80th birthday.

Thank you very much, Dr. Scott, for everything you’ve done, and thank you very much to the Rotary of Cobourg.

NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO

Ms. Sarah Campbell: As you know, I’m honoured to represent the riding of Kenora–Rainy River. In the northwest, we have much to be proud of. Our pristine lakes, forests and green spaces are the envy of many. Each year, thousands of people travel to our region for the opportunity to land the big fish or find the trophy buck that they’ll talk about for the rest of their lives. Thousands more people take to our forests, streams, rivers and lakes to enjoy fresh-air activities such as camping, kayaking and hiking or to take in the northern lights.

The experiences are as diverse as our communities. Whether they’re experiencing our rich culture at powwows across the northwest, celebrating the float planes that bring many to our region via Red Lake, enjoying the Bannock Bake-Off in Sioux Lookout—a personal favourite—taking

part in the International Tug of War in Fort Frances, or taking in Harbourfest in Kenora, the Trout Forest Music Festival in Ear Falls, MooseFest in Dryden, Railroad Daze in Rainy River or White Otter Days in Ignace, or one of the dozens of other festivals throughout the region, northwestern Ontario has something for everyone, and our hospitality is second to none. It’s why so many of my caucus colleagues constantly ask me, “When can we come up to your riding to do some great fishing?”

Speaker, we in the northwest are proud of what we have to offer, and I’d like to take this opportunity to formally invite everyone in this Legislature and across Ontario who might be watching this to come up to northwestern Ontario, experience it for themselves and see why those who come up once keep coming back.

3018 ROYAL CANADIAN ARMY

CADET CORPS

Mr. Phil McNeely: On June 2, I attended the annual ceremonial review of the 3018 Orléans Royal Canadian Army Cadets. This year’s review also marked the 25th anniversary of the 3018, which formed on September 8, 1987.

Awards and medals were presented as part of the celebration. Recipients were Corporal Connor Shand; Master Corporal Emileigh Binet; Sergeant Colvin Gallant; Warrant Officer Leandro Limaylla-Abad; Sergeant Matthew Gadde; Warrant Officer Ibrahim Al-Obedy; Master Corporal Jean-Luc Masse; Master Corporal Natasha Beaudoin; Marksman of the Year, Warrant Officer Samantha Bonacci; Sergeant Kyle Horne; and Warrant Officer Marc-Andre Binette. I’m proud to say that most of these cadets are students at Ottawa–Orléans high schools.

The corps has come a long way in the past few years, increasing its strength from 30 cadets in 2008 to 140 cadets today. In attendance at the cadet review were all four of the regional expeditions.

This summer, 80 cadets will participate in summer training at training locations in Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Yukon, and one lucky cadet will be travelling to Wales.

Much of the credit goes to the commanding officer, Major Tim McKee, and the training officer, Captain Cindy McKee, for building up this excellent cadet unit.

The skills that cadets learn—teamwork, leadership, taking responsibility for others, self-discipline—will help them throughout their lives, whatever they decide to do.

I was proud to participate in the recognition of this excellent group of local cadets, and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the cadet corps on their astonishing success over the past 25 years.

FIESTA WEEK

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: On Sunday, June 16, Father’s Day, the community of Oshawa will kick off its 39th annual cultural festival known as Fiesta Week, with a parade of floats and marching bands, followed by the fiesta concert and six days of international pavilion displays.

Fiesta Week is best described as a taste of Durham, a week-long multicultural celebration that gives the residents of the region an opportunity to experience European, Asian and Caribbean cultures and foods without ever leaving our hometown.

In fact, Oshawa’s Fiesta Week has been voted one of Ontario’s top 100 festivals and events.

Fiesta Week brings the people of Oshawa together to celebrate and appreciate our city’s rich multicultural heritage. It provides over 100,000 people with an occasion to examine our community’s diverse culinary, dancing and musical talents from a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds.

Various cultural communities in Oshawa operate pavilions highlighting their respective cultures across the city, including Lviv, Dnipro, the Greek community, General Sikorski, Roma, Carib and Loreley, just to name a few.

The Oshawa Folk Arts Council is a voluntary, non-profit community organization that oversees all aspects of the annual Fiesta Week festivities. I’d like to personally thank and congratulate all the dedicated volunteers with the Oshawa Folk Arts Council who work diligently throughout the year to make Fiesta Week the great success it is. I am confident that 2013 will be no exception.

I would also like to thank all of the wonderful members of the cultural organizations for the many hours they contribute towards Fiesta Week.

Finally, I wish to invite all members of this House and everyone in Ontario to visit Oshawa and participate in one of Ontario’s premier summer festivals, Fiesta Week.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PARTICIPATION /

PARTICIPATION INCLUSIVE

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Speaker, from the heart, as the member of provincial Parliament for Etobicoke North, one of Canada’s most diverse ridings, I was disheartened, discouraged and dismayed to learn that a young Canadian boy in Quebec is being asked to choose between playing the sport he loves—soccer—and his religious observances.

Despite various attempts at setting back the clock, Canada is still the most diverse country in the world. This is increasing daily, and it’s something we are and should be proud of.

Members of the Sikh community are very prominent in my riding and have been part of Canada’s collective history since the early 1900s. More than 50% of Sikh Canadians call Ontario home. The community has actively contributed in all spheres of endeavour, serving in all spheres of public life, from police forces including the RCMP, our Armed Forces, and, of course, right here in this Legislature.

I stand with the parents in my community who want all children in Canada to have an equal opportunity for physical activity and sports. Sports not only keep our children healthy and active, but also build leadership and team-building. We break barriers when children build a sense of community with each other at a young age.

The aspiration for all-inclusive participation, irrespective of labels or descriptors, is something that I know, trust and expect all members of this Ontario Legislature to share in this, the so-called 21st century. Canada’s diversity is a source of strength and pride for all Canadians. All faiths and traditions deserve to be respected and understood.

La diversité du Canada est une source de fierté pour tous les Canadiens. Toutes les croyances et traditions méritent d’être respectées et comprises.

Danayvad. Thank you. Merci beaucoup.

AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: In February, at the age of 66, Alf Groves passed away after a three-year battle with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Formerly known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Every year more than 5,600 people are diagnosed with it. Alf was the husband of my sister Janet. He left behind three children and all his grandchildren.

Gary Fizell was a good friend of mine who died in 2009 after a 10-year battle with ALS. He was very active in our community and was a long-time coach of the Monkton Wildcats. When Gary’s health declined, the community came to his aid, raising money for a new home that could accommodate Gary. To this day, the community holds a fundraiser for ALS research in his honour.

ALS has also claimed the lives of Monkton dairy farmer Bill Mann and Pat MacKenzie, a retired high school teacher from Acton. He was the father-in-law of a good friend of mine.

And so this disease is very personal to me.

ALS was in the news again just this weekend when we learned that it claimed the life of former US ambassador to Canada Paul Cellucci.

June is ALS month. Across the country, groups and individuals are raising awareness of this terrible disease. ALS Canada is supporting their efforts. Here in Ontario, our communities are responding, bringing comfort and support to those who need it. In our towns and cities, people are responding to the need. I know all members will join me in thanking them. Through their efforts, we will find a cure. We must find a cure.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their statements.

CORRECTION OF RECORD

Mr. Paul Miller: Point of order, Speaker: To correct my record, last Thursday I missed introducing Mia Van Wyck-Smart and Elizabeth Van Wyck, who were two of the supporters here for the successful second reading of Bill 71, the Protecting Child Performers Act.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member is correct on a point of order that all members have an opportunity to correct their own record. I appreciate that.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TOWING INDUSTRY ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR L’INDUSTRIE

DU REMORQUAGE

Mr. Ouellette moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 93,

An Act to regulate the motor vehicle towing industry in Ontario / Projet de loi 93, Loi réglementant l’industrie du remorquage de véhicules automobiles en Ontario.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: The bill amends the Highway Traffic Act and enacts the Towing Industry Act, 2013.

An amendment to the Highway Traffic Act requires tow trucks driven on highways to have speed-limiting systems that are activated and functioning in accordance with the regulations made under the act.

The Towing Industry Act, 2013, provides for self-regulation within the towing industry in the public interest, which is managed by a board of directors made up of operators of towing businesses and tow truck drivers, who must register with the council in order to carry on a towing business or operate a tow truck. At least 40% of the directors are appointed from outside the industry to ensure the public interest is represented. The activities of the council are funded through fees established by the board.

A complaints/discipline procedure is provided, and registered persons are held accountable in the way they are providing towing services. Neither the crown nor municipalities may retain the services of a tow truck driver unless the driver furnishes proof of his or her registration with the council.

It is an offence for an operator of a towing business or a tow truck driver to accept a referral fee from a person who works on or repairs vehicles.

The board of the council is provided with regulation-making powers that are subject to the approval of the Ministry of Government Services.

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT (BARGAINING UNITS

AND CERTIFICATION

OF TRADE UNIONS), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

(UNITÉS DE NÉGOCIATION

ET ACCRÉDITATION DES SYNDICATS)

Mr. McDonell moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 94,

An Act to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 with respect to the determination of bargaining units and the certification of trade unions / Projet de loi 94, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail en ce qui concerne la détermination des unités de négociation et l’accréditation des syndicats.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Jim McDonell: The bill amends the Labour Relations Act, 1995. A trade union is no longer required to include a written description of the proposed bargaining unit. The unit then consists of the whole payroll.

The Ontario Labour Relations Board is required to hold a hearing when determining the size of the bargaining unit and whether to direct a representative vote, and cannot certify a union unless a representative vote is held. If the board determines that the employer has interfered improperly with a trade union, it will trigger a representative vote. The time limit for a vote is extended to 10 days.

The bill transfers the burden of proof to the complainant in any Ontario Labour Relations Board hearing or proceeding and provides the right to appeal a decision to the board or Divisional Court.

For construction bargaining units, the board is no longer permitted to refer to a geographic area and is not permitted to confine the unit to a particular work site or shift.

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move a motion without notice concerning the appointment of the Auditor General.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Milloy is seeking unanimous consent to move a motion. Agreed? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: I move that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

“To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

And that the address be engrossed and presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council by the Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Milloy moves an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

“To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

And that the address be engrossed and presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council by the Speaker.

Do we agree? Agreed. Carried.

Motion agreed to.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

PORTUGUESE HISTORY

AND HERITAGE MONTH

Hon. Charles Sousa: As a Canadian of Portuguese descent, I am pleased to celebrate June as Portuguese History and Heritage Month here in Ontario.

June 10 is Portugal Day. It also commemorates O Dia de Camões and celebrates the diaspora of Portuguese communities around the world.

This day marks the anniversary of the great Portuguese poet Luis de Camões, who died June 10, 1580. Luis de Camões wrote about the many adventures of Portuguese explorers who navigated the globe and were among the first to reach North America. Since the 15th century, Portuguese ships travelled to Newfoundland and Labrador and fished off the Grand Banks.

This is also a special year that marks the diamond jubilee anniversary of official migration of Portuguese to Canada. Sixty years ago, a small group of Portuguese immigrants arrived, on May 13, 1953, at Pier 21 in Halifax to find contract work. They were put on rail cars to the far reaches of the forests of BC and to the winter camps of Labrador. That initial arrival opened a wave of Portuguese workers and immigration into Canada. Hundreds of thousands of Portuguese sought opportunity, employment and a life free of political oppression.

Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to say that my father, Antonio Sousa, was one of those 69 men who arrived on that inaugural voyage, and he’s here today in the members’ gallery. My father is accompanied by my wife, Zenny, whose father came in 1956, also a pioneer in his own right during those years.

I’m very fortunate that my father chose Canada and I’m extremely grateful that Ontario accepted him. Today, more than 300,000 people of Portuguese descent live in Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, today Canada and Portugal share similar values that define our societies: freedom, human rights and democracy. Portuguese Canadians in Ontario have helped make our province culturally rich and more economically prosperous. Ontarians will be taking

part in many events and festivals to mark Portuguese History and Heritage Month this June. This included the Portugal Day parade yesterday, on Sunday, June 9. I was pleased to be joined by many colleagues and the Premier at this event, which is one of the largest festivals in Toronto.

Ontario’s diversity sets us apart in the world and makes it a place where people want to live, work and raise children.

Thank you to all and to everyone honouring the dynamic Portuguese diaspora of Ontario, and a special congratulations to the diamond jubilee pioneers as we raise the flag on the lawn of Queen’s Park this afternoon in their honour.

Colleagues, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, we’re pleased to join with the community in celebrating Portuguese History and Heritage Month here in Ontario. Thank you, and thank you, Mr. Sousa.

Remarks in Portuguese.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Statements by ministries?

It is now time for responses.

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: I’m pleased to respond to the minister’s comments, and I’d like to start by introducing Filomena da Silva, who is of Portuguese heritage. She is a stalwart of the PC support staff. When I first arrived here in 1995, Filomena was one of the first people to meet me. She sort of showed you the ropes as you got here, as to who you should know and who you should listen to, and, equally as important, who you shouldn’t listen to. So thank you for that, Filomena; it’s been a great 18 years.

It’s my pleasure to rise this afternoon and respond to the minister’s statement on Portuguese History and Heritage Month, as well as Portugal Day. Portugal Day is celebrated on the 10th of June each year by Portuguese citizens and emigrants throughout the world. The day commemorates the death of national literary icon Luís de Camões on June 10, 1580. Camões authored Portugal’s national poem celebrating Portuguese history and achievements, focusing mainly on the 16th-century Portuguese explorations which brought fame and fortune to the country.

Here in Toronto, over 300,000 Portuguese Canadians celebrate by holding a multitude of events. The week-long festival culminates with a Portugal Day parade on Dundas Street West and Little Portugal, where participants can be seen proudly waving flags, wearing traditional costumes, singing and dancing. The parade ends near Trinity Bellwoods Park, where concerts, cultural events and various other activities proceed to take place. The Portugal Day parade is Toronto’s third-largest street festival. Given the good judgment and keen weather sense of the Portuguese, they held that parade yesterday, not today.

The 2013 Portugal Day parade was held yesterday under beautiful sunny skies and attracted thousands of people. Mr. Gilberto Fernandes, director with the Portuguese Canadian History Project, describes the festival as a great opportunity for Portuguese immigrants and their descendants “to celebrate themselves, to replenish their sense of solidarity and identity and also introduce and display that identity in multiple ways to other Canadians.” I couldn’t agree with him more.

The long and proud tradition of hosting Portugal Day celebrations in Toronto dates back to 1966, when Father Alberto Cunha, then head of the Portuguese parish at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, started the historic tradition. The celebration saw thousands of people congregate in the Canadian National Exhibition Coliseum, now the Ricoh Coliseum, on the CNE grounds. Since that time, commemorations have grown over the years to become the largest public gathering of Portuguese immigrants in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, although many of the events planned have already passed for this year, I’m pleased to mention that earlier today the Portuguese flag was raised at Toronto city hall, and in just a few minutes’ time, the Portuguese flag will proudly fly on the front lawn here at Queen’s Park. In addition, Portugal Week events will conclude on Saturday, June 15, at Downsview Park with a performance by Shawn Desman.

It’s also important to note that this Legislature passed the Celebration of Portuguese Heritage Act back in 2001, which not only proclaimed June 10 as Portugal Day but also proclaimed the whole month of June as Portuguese History and Heritage Month. The act is very fitting and, when passed, marked the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Portuguese explorers in Canada, many of whom have since settled and made their homes in Canada.

Speaker, here in the official opposition, we are incredibly proud and honoured to pay tribute to the vast cultural, social and economic contributions that Portuguese Canadians have made to Ontario and to Canada. The spirit and values expressed by Portuguese Canadians is second to none, and has indeed enriched the quality of life in our province.

On behalf of our leader, Tim Hudak, and the entire PC caucus, we are extremely pleased to recognize Portuguese History and Heritage Month, Portugal Day, and pay tribute to all Portuguese Canadians.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Bom dia a todos. Good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. Today we are here to celebrate Portugal Day, along with marking June as Portuguese Heritage Month.

I am proud of my Portuguese heritage, and it is important to me and my family to see our culture not just represented but celebrated. In my riding of London–Fanshawe, we have an incredibly strong Portuguese community, and I am so grateful to represent them as the member of provincial Parliament.

Portuguese Heritage Month celebrates the extraordinary contributions of more than 400,000 Portuguese Canadians, and approximately 282,000 of us live here in Ontario. This past weekend in London, I celebrated with my family, friends and my community, with our own traditional barbecue of chicken and sardines, a flag-raising ceremony, accordion playing, soccer games and folk dancing.

Best of all, I was able to reconnect with my friends Tony Seara of the London Portugal News; Joe Tavares, president of the Portuguese Club; and Dominic Mendes, a long-time member of the Portuguese Club of London; and many other amazing people who make our Portuguese celebrations in London so friendly and inviting for everyone, regardless of their background.

Like many cultures, we struggle to keep our language and traditions alive and at the forefront for our children. There are more than 250 million Portuguese speakers worldwide, making it the fifth most-spoken language in the world, yet in Ontario, there are only 1,400 students who speak Portuguese as their mother tongue at home. This is why I’m so grateful for the work of the people like Tony, Joe and Dominic and others who help to make those connections for our children to our language and to our culture. For them, it’s more than soccer games and barbecues, and we are indebted to the people who live that notion fully.

Mr. Speaker, my people have long been known as world explorers who travelled the globe and also regularly to Canada during the 15th and 16th centuries. However, it was back in May 1953 when large numbers of Portuguese from Azores and Madeira fled political conflict and came to settle into the downtown core of Canada’s major cities like Toronto’s Portugal village, represented by my colleague Jonah Schein, in Davenport, and Rosario Marchese, in Trinity–Spadina. These immigrants had something in common; they left their homes to pursue a better life for their families. They came and thrived and they helped make this province great.

Their influence continues to this day, with notable Portuguese Canadians rising up from their efforts: people like Paul Ferreira, New Democratic Party member of provincial Parliament, MPP, for York South–Weston from February 2007 to October 2007; Ana Lopes, chair of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s board of directors, vice-chair of the CAMH Foundation’s board of directors; and Anthony De Sa, a Canadian novelist and short story writer. His debut short story collection, Barnacle Love, was a short-listed finalist for the 2008 Scotiabank Giller Prize and the 2009 Toronto Book Awards.

Mr. Speaker, today is Portugal Day, a day for celebrating another great Portuguese man who brought our history and culture alive through his words: Luís de Camões. Luis de Camões is considered Portugal’s greatest poet. His works have been compared to that of Shakespeare, Virgil and Dante. He is best remembered for his epic work The Lusiads. This is the day that marks the day of his death, but we also choose to celebrate it as Portugal’s national day, a day where we celebrate our unique contributions throughout the world and especially here in our new home.

PETITIONS

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mr. Rob Leone: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ministry of Health is planning on cutting physiotherapy services to seniors in long-term-care homes—from an estimated $110 million to $58.5 million; and

“Whereas with this change seniors will not receive the care they are currently entitled to through their current OHIP physiotherapy providers, who the government plans to delist from OHIP on August 1st, 2013; and

“Whereas the government has announced that the funding level, the number of treatments a resident could receive, has not been specified and will be reduced from a maximum of 150 visits/year to some unknown level, which means the hours of care and number of staff providing seniors with physiotherapy will also be significantly reduced as of August 1st, 2013; and

“Whereas our current OHIP physiotherapy providers have been providing seniors with individualized treatments for over 48 years, and these services have been proven to help seniors improve in their activities of daily living, mobility, pain and falls risk;

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

“To review and reverse this drastic cut of OHIP physiotherapy services to seniors, our most vulnerable population, and to continue with $110 million physiotherapy funding for seniors in long-term-care homes.”

Interjection.

Mr. Rob Leone: I recognize that the Minister of Health is heckling me during petitions. I’m pleased to sign these petitions and give them to page Alex.

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Mr. Michael Prue: I have a petition that reads as follows:

“Whereas Ontario also has the highest average premiums in Canada;

“Whereas auto insurance rates are regulated by the Ontario government through the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO);

“Whereas Ontario insurance reforms in 2010 are saving companies almost $2 billion in the value of ‘statutory’ accident payouts each year but the government is still allowing companies to increase drivers’ premiums;

“Whereas it is unfair for drivers to pay higher premiums when the industry is enjoying billions in savings each year;

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

“That the government direct the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) to bring the average Ontario auto insurance premium down by 15% by the end of 2013.”

It is signed by hundreds of people in the Peterborough area, and I’m pleased to affix my signature thereto and send it down with page Jeffrey.

WIND TURBINES

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

“Whereas residents of Ontario, mayors and councillors from more than 80 municipalities and Ontario’s largest farm organizations and rural stakeholders, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, seek an immediate moratorium on new wind development until an independent and comprehensive health study has determined that turbine noise is safe to human health; and

“Whereas the provincial Liberal government’s study back in 2011 failed to conclude anything more than that it needed to continue to study the turbine sound impacts; and

“Whereas the federal government is launching, through Health Canada, the first comprehensive study of health impacts of wind turbines;

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

“That the Liberal government follow the federal lead, accept the objective of the federal wind study, agree and accept that until the study is finished it will not approve any new wind turbine projects in Ontario, effective immediately.”

I support this petition, will affix my name and send it with page Simon to the Clerks’ desk. Thank you.

HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

Mr. Michael Mantha: I’m pleased to rise on behalf of the people of Algoma–Manitoulin, also throughout southern Ontario, who have benefited by having the Chi-Cheemaun run, to read:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ministry of Transportation designates specific highways for upgrading and resurfacing;

“Whereas Highway 551 has been designated for resurfacing in 2013-2015;

“Whereas Highway 551 is a tourist cycling destination and lack of paved shoulders pose significant risk for users;

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

“That the Ministry of Transportation include paved shoulders in order to make Highway 551 safer for all road users and to promote cycling as a healthy and environmentally friendly activity.”

I fully support this petition, and I will present it to page Alex to bring it down to the Clerks.

LYME DISEASE

Mr. Robert Bailey: This petition’s to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the tick-borne illness known as chronic Lyme disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the USA and Europe;

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000, edition of their professional journal that Lyme disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in southern Ontario;

“Whereas the Ontario public health system and the Ontario health insurance plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives at 45% to 95% of the time;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health to direct that the Ontario public health system and OHIP include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for acute and chronic Lyme diagnosis, to do everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.”

I agree with this petition, affix my signature and send it down with Jeffrey.

CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has approved a new funding formula within a fixed funding envelope for children’s aid societies which are mandated by legislation to provide child protection services;

“Whereas this new ‘fairer’ funding model has resulted in a $50.6-million funding shortfall for agencies across Ontario for 2013-14;

“Whereas due to inadequate funding and the introduction of ‘accountability measures’ which prevent agencies from running deficits, agencies will be forced to balance budgets by cutting staff and services;

“Whereas those services first cut will be services aimed at preventing abuse and neglect and supporting families, thereby allowing more families to remain intact and fewer children being brought into care, in addition to cuts to supports” for the foster family, “for foster parents, and other programs to support kids;

“Whereas chronic underfunding to the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society will result in cuts to the services as a result of cuts to staff, thereby jeopardizing the ability of the agency to meet its mandate to protect children;

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

“That the Ontario government fund [the] $50.6-million funding shortfall, fix the funding formula to ensure that agencies can maintain services including prevention services and put an immediate halt to staffing cuts that hurt services.”

I sign my name to this petition and give it to page Melanie to deliver.

WORKPLACE INSURANCE

Mr. Jim McDonell: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas beginning 1 January 2013 WSIB was expanded to include groups of employers and principals who had previously been exempt from WSIB and had private insurance; and

“Whereas this new financial burden does nothing to improve worker safety and only drives up the cost of doing business in Ontario; and

“Whereas the chair of the WSIB—in committee meetings last year—admitted this will not help cover the accumulated WSIB debt, but” will only “make the problem worse by adding further liabilities;

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

“To repeal the statutory obligations created by Bill 119.”

I will be signing this.

HIGHWAY 66

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

“Whereas the Virginiatown residents that reside on 27th Street object to the proposed entrance identified for North Virginiatown in the realignment plains for Highway 66;

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

“That the main entrance to North Virginiatown be located on 25th Street since there is no residential activity and that the Minister of the Environment issue a

part II (bump up) for this project.”

I fully agree, sign my signature and give it to page Jessica.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Ministry of Health is planning to delist OHIP physiotherapy clinics as of August 1st, 2013, which represents cuts in physiotherapy services to seniors, children and people with disabilities who currently receive care at designated OHIP physiotherapy clinics; and

“Whereas people who are currently eligible for OHIP physiotherapy treatments can receive 100 treatments per year plus an additional 50 treatments annually if medically necessary. The proposed change will reduce the number of allowable treatments to 12 per year; while enhancing geographical access is positive, the actual physiotherapy that any individual receives will be greatly reduced; and

“Whereas the current OHIP physiotherapy providers have been providing seniors, children and people with disabilities with individualized treatments for over 48 years, and these services have been proven to help improve function, mobility, activities of daily living, pain, and falls risk;

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

“To review and reverse the decision to drastically cut OHIP physiotherapy services to our most vulnerable population—seniors, children and people with disabilities; and to maintain the policy that seniors, children and people with disabilities continue to receive up to 100 treatments per year at eligible clinics, with a mechanism to access an additional 50 treatments when medically necessary.”

I affix my signature in support.

DRUG PLANS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “Whereas the professional relationship a patient has with her or his pharmacist is fundamental to their care and patient choice underpins this relationship, drug plans that restrict this choice undermine this relationship and the patient care that is received;

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

“The government of Ontario shall enact and enforce legislation that prohibits any and all parties from creating and facilitating in any way drug plans that restrict patient choice of the pharmacy and pharmacist that best meets their health care needs. This includes, but is not limited to, prohibiting drug plans that provide discriminatory levels and types of reimbursement to pharmacies and pharmacists within Ontario.”

I sign this and give it to Christine to be delivered to the table.

LYME DISEASE

Mr. Steve Clark: “Whereas the tick-borne illness known as chronic Lyme disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the USA and Europe; and

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000, edition of their professional journal that Lyme disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in southern Ontario; and

“Whereas the Ontario public health system and the Ontario health insurance plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives 45% to 95% of the time;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to direct that the Ontario public health system and OHIP include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for acute and chronic Lyme disease in Ontario and to have everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.”

I’m pleased to affix my name to the petition and send it to the table with page Hannah.

CHILDREN’S AID SOCIETIES

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I’m pleased to present a petition on behalf of residents of Essex county that reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has approved a new funding formula within a fixed funding envelope for children’s aid societies which are mandated by legislation to provide child protection services;

“Whereas this new ‘fairer’ funding model has resulted in a $50.6-million funding shortfall for agencies across Ontario for 2013-14;

“Whereas due to inadequate funding and the introduction of ‘accountability measures’ which prevent agencies from running deficits, agencies will be forced to balance budgets by cutting staff and services;

“Whereas those services first cut will be services aimed at preventing abuse and neglect and supporting families, thereby allowing more families to remain intact and fewer children being brought into care, in addition to cuts to supports for foster parents, and other programs to support kids...;

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

“That the Ontario government fund $50.6-million funding shortfall, fix the funding formula to ensure that agencies can maintain services including prevention services and put an immediate halt to staffing cuts that hurt services.”

I agree with this petition, will affix my name to it and hand it to page Edgar to hand to the Clerk.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mr. Toby Barrett: This petition is titled “Restore Physiotherapy Services.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ministry of Health has eliminated non-hospital physiotherapy service from the Health Insurance Act; and

“Whereas this will drastically reduce the number of allowable treatments to 12 per year for people who are currently eligible for 100 treatments annually; and

“Whereas under the changes scheduled for August 1, the cost of visits under the CCAC (community care access centre) model will rise to $120 per visit, rather than the current fee of $12.20 per visit through OHIP physiotherapy providers; and

“Whereas funding for physiotherapy services to seniors in long-term-care homes would be cut by almost 50%, from an estimated $110 million per year to $58.5 million per year; and

“Whereas the removal of all non-hospital OHIP coverage for physiotherapy services in the community will contribute to a decline in overall health and independence for seniors, children under 19, ODSP recipients and post-hospital surgery patients;

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

“That the delisting of OHIP physiotherapy clinics as of August 1st not proceed and that the provincial government guarantee there will be no reduction in services currently available for seniors, children and youths, people with disabilities and all those who are currently eligible for OHIP-funded physiotherapy.”

I agree with this and sign it.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The time available for petitions has expired, and I’m sorry I wasn’t able to recognize everyone who brought a petition this afternoon.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

STRONGER PROTECTION

FOR ONTARIO CONSUMERS ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 RENFORÇANT

LA PROTECTION

DU CONSOMMATEUR ONTARIEN

Resuming the debate adjourned on June 6, 2013, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 55,

An Act to amend the Collection Agencies Act, the Consumer Protection Act, 2002 and the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002 and to make consequential amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 55, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les agences de recouvrement, la Loi de 2002 sur la protection du consommateur et la Loi de 2002 sur le courtage commercial et immobilier et apportant des modifications corrélatives à d’autres lois.

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

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’m pleased to rise and speak to Bill 55. I’ve been trying to get up and speak for the last couple of weeks, but I seem to run out of time before I get going.

There are three sections of this bill: the Collection Agencies Act, Consumer Protection Act, and Real Estate and Business Brokers Act. I think most of my comments will be on number two, the Consumer Protection Act, with regard to the sale of water heaters and giving that 20-day cooling-off period.

I do agree that there’s something wrong in the system that we need to take a look at, because if you look at most of our constituency offices, particularly mine, a number of calls coming through my office do in fact deal with people who have had trouble signing contracts at the door, in particular with water heaters, and then asking us to help remedy the situation.

I brought two cases that were in my office that I thought I’d just read about that are pretty interesting. One is Mr. X. I’ll use the name X because I wouldn’t want to use the real name. He’d like us to look into consumer issues with a particular company that was selling door to door. He says a rep came to his house telling him his water heater had to be replaced and that the current one was running through the flue but had to actually go through the chimney. He thought that he could just purchase the tank outright, but the rep went on to tell him about replacing the doors and windows to be more energy-efficient and that that would get him a return from the government for the investment.

When he replaced the doors and windows, he did receive a rebate of $4,800, which he tried to apply to the water tank purchase. The company then told him that he had to rent the tank for seven years at a cost of $139.99 a month and could purchase it at the end for $6,400, and that it could not be removed from the home because of depreciation. They recently told them it was $9,800. He asks, how does a heater cost up to $20,000 by the end of a seven-year term? He doesn’t think it’s right.

Another constituent of mine contacted—her mother had somebody at the door calling her. She has early-stage dementia, and before she knew it she had signed off on the contract.

So I think it’s particularly important that we do have this cooling-off period between 20 days, but I think the bill kind of missed the mark in the fact that we need to look at how they cancel the bill. What steps do they have to take to actually call and get someone on the phone to cancel the bill? Many of these clients have called the businesses to lodge a complaint or to try to terminate the contract and failed on all occasions because so many roadblocks had been put up in trying to cancel the contract.

So I think this bill would have helped consumers a lot better if the government took action to somehow make it easier for someone to cancel the contract instead of having to go through the various phone calls or letters to be sent in order to cancel the contract.

I spoke in a two-minute hit on this earlier. I mentioned the problem that I had cancelling my Bell TV contract when I had decided their services were no longer necessary in my house, and the fact that it took hours upon hours to actually get hold of someone, before they threw me all this information of extras, trying to keep me. I finally had to say, “No, enough is enough.” But I don’t think we need to be dealing with going through the hoops.

Somebody who signed a water heater contract, say, who maybe had dementia—for them, given the fact of having to make all those phone calls and trying their hardest, they’re most likely going to give up and just end up paying the bill. I think this is where this bill should have focused upon.

The other thing that would have made it easier is the enforcement of this bill. I don’t know how you’re going to have enforcement officers roaming the streets to ensure that these people aren’t knocking door to door to sign off the contracts. In fact, we could probably have an easier enforcement if we were monitoring the companies and how they respond to a cancelling of these bills.

So I think it’s very, very important that the government takes a look at this in committee when it reaches there and decides how we can actually look at helping people cancel their contract after 20 days.

The other

part in this bill: It mentions “direct agreement that requires the supplier to supply to the consumer a water heater or other goods or services that are prescribed” by the regulations. I’d like to know what those other goods or services are. I know they’re picking on water heater sales at this point but, I mean, we’ve had talk about vacuum sales—I don’t think there’s many going on any more—encyclopedia sales. We’ve got charities coming to the door. We’ve got Girl Guides. How far is this going to go with sales and not allowing people to go door to door, period? I don’t know if that’s the answer this Legislature wants to go, but I think that might be overshooting the goal.

The other point in here is that it also says the supplier can’t really supply the goods or service until that 20-day period is over, which brings to mind: What if your water heater died? You’ve had it in your house and you don’t want to buy a new one; you’d rather go to a rental system. Is there a place in this legislation that will allow them to override that 20-day waiting period, or do they have to go without hot water per se? I’d like that to be spelled out a little more in committee or in further debate as it comes up in this Legislature. I’m hoping there is some wiggle room in this bill so that we can deal with the little hiccups that occur in our day-to-day situations.

I’d like to just note that if this comes down to customer service—and I think that’s what we in this Legislature should be promoting throughout all business in Ontario. We seem to have stepped away from customer service, the old days of ma-and-pa shops out there that survived on customer service alone and not just basically on price. I think that maybe we need to somehow exemplify through the Ministry of Consumer Services promoting the fact that people should be looking at where the customer service comes from instead of just going with the lowest-cost provider when dealing with their personal purchases.

I come from an independent pharmacy, an