role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

November 28, 2011

40th Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2011-Nov-28 (PDF)

L005 - Mon 28 Nov 2011 / Lun 28 nov 2011

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 28 November 2011 Lundi 28 novembre 2011

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

MANUFACTURING JOBS

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

PUBLIC TRANSIT

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

POWER PLANTS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

HYDRO TRANSMISSION

BICYCLE SAFETY

HOSPITALS

SKILLED TRADES

CREMATORIUM

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

VISITORS

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

CHICKEN INDUSTRY

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

TERRY FOX PUBLIC SCHOOL

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

OCULARISTS

MARLIES KLEKNER-ALT

DOROTHY KEW

CHICKEN INDUSTRY

EVELYN MASSON

TABLING OF SESSIONAL PAPERS

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR L’AMÉNAGEMENT

DES VOIES PUBLIQUES

ET DES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN

LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

DEMOCRACY ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LA DÉMOCRATIE

AU SEIN DES MUNICIPALITÉS LOCALES

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF HOUSE OFFICERS

PETITIONS

EASTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

CREMATORIA

WIND TURBINES

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

RENEWABLE ENERGY

WIND TURBINES

WIND TURBINES

RURAL SCHOOLS

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

WIND TURBINES

HYDRO DAM

CORRECTION OF RECORD

ORDERS OF THE DAY

THRONE SPEECH DEBATE /

DÉBAT SUR LE DISCOURS DU TRÔNE

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let us pray.

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Please join me in a moment of silence for reflection.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise to welcome the chicken industry’s Team Ontario representatives of the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors, who are here with us today.

Tim Hudak and I are looking forward to meeting with them this afternoon. I hope all members will take advantage of the opportunity to learn more about Ontario’s chicken industry and enjoy some chicken wings during their reception this evening in the legislative dining room. We welcome you there too, Mr. Speaker.

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

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I am delighted to introduce Derek Thompson. Derek is a GO Transit customer service ambassador. On September 7, Derek saved a life by using an automated defibrillator on a rider who had gone into cardiac arrest. Please welcome Derek Thompson.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: We have the Nature Conservancy Canada holding a reception this morning in committee room 230, immediately following question period. We have a number of their key people here. I want to introduce them: Margaret Kelch, chair of Nature Conservancy Ontario; James Duncan, the Ontario vice-president; and board members Gary Goldberg, Garry Innanen and Ted Ecclestone.

I certainly want to invite members to enjoy some food, and learn about the good work that Nature Conservancy Ontario and Canada is doing in ridings across the province to help protect and nurture Ontario’s natural treasures. Also, they can pick up a nice, free 12-inch white pine, which I know all members will want to get.

Please welcome the members of Nature Conservancy Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further introductions? The member from Scarborough–Agincourt.

Ms. Soo Wong: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your recent election.

Today, I have guests coming from the Terry Fox Public School junior choir, who will be singing in the corridor around 12:15. I would encourage all members to take the time to watch them, because they will be doing an amazing performance.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: I’m pleased to add my additional greeting this morning to Team Ontario. As you know, Mr. Speaker, Ontario is the largest processor and consumer of chicken in the country, and our government is very, very proud to support them.

So this morning, I want to introduce everybody, but I do want to introduce—and it’s an interesting occasion, because this morning we have both the chicken farmers and the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors working in tandem.

The chairman of the chicken farmers, Murray Booy, is here—Murray, welcome—and Reg Cliche, the chairman of the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors. Welcome to you and all your colleagues. Thank you very much for being here.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I’m very pleased to introduce a good friend and the president and vice-chancellor of Lakehead University, Dr. Brian Stevenson. Welcome, Brian.

Of course, as everybody knows, Lakehead University will be the site of the first law school ever in northern Ontario and the first one in Ontario in 43 years.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Welcome.

ORAL QUESTIONS

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Mr. Tim Hudak: Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Acting Premier.

Acting Premier, you have a spending crisis in the province of Ontario. In fact, if there was a ministry of interest payments, it would be the third-largest ministry in all of government, just behind health and education.

Minister, it’s time to take action today to rein in the runaway costs of the McGuinty government. Don’t you think it reasonable—I’ll ask you again—to extend your public sector wage freeze from simply putting it on non-union employees and, making it fair for everyone, make sure we spread it out to all public sector employees? If we want to preserve public services for generations to come, isn’t this an important and fair step to take today?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: First, I would characterize the fact that we have managed to keep the deficit coming down in each of the last two years as an important achievement, Mr. Speaker. Last year the deficit figure came in, as a result of some one-time transfers, better than had been anticipated, but we are still right on target with what we laid out two years ago in the 2010 budget. Compare that, for instance, with the federal government, who announced last week that they are now extending their date to balance, Mr. Speaker.

Governments in the western—and by the way, my guess is that they’re going to extend it another year, because their numbers, according to the Parliamentary Budget Office, just don’t work up.

Mr. Speaker, we are going to work with the public and broader public sectors, with management, with unions and, most importantly, with the people of Ontario as we move back to budget.

What I can say to the Leader of the Opposition is that we will reject the types of practices that he had when he was part of a government that slashed and burned and undermined confidence—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: Thank you, Speaker. I think in making his comparisons, the minister should be accurate: The federal deficit is actually heading down, while the deficit of the province of Ontario is actually heading up.

Interjection.

Mr. Tim Hudak: The minister shakes his head. We were here last Wednesday when you indicated the deficit was $14 billion last year, and now it’s over $16 billion this year. That’s up in the province of Ontario, when families want it to go down.

Let me give you another angle here, Minister: Statistics Canada came out, at the end of the week, and said that for the first time ever, wages in Saskatchewan are higher than wages in Ontario. In fact, under the McGuinty government this past year, wages have gone down for private sector workers in the province of Ontario. So Minister, if private sector workers are seeing their wages go down, isn’t it fair and reasonable that public sector workers should have their wages frozen to help us balance the books?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, the provincial economy is experiencing growth again this year. In fact, the deficit is coming down. It’s down from a high of $24.7 billion. So what the Leader of the Opposition says is factually incorrect. He’s right: The deficit last year came in lower than had been anticipated as a result of one-time transactions; for instance, Mr. Speaker, we helped Chrysler and General Motors and kept 400,000 people working.

You know, Mr. Speaker, there are enormous challenges in the economy today, both nationally and provincially. Saskatchewan is benefiting, obviously, from the potash industry and natural gas. I think if we look at things realistically, we might also want to take into account that this year Ontario’s eighth grade students are leading the country in math and writing.

Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of difficult choices ahead. I look forward to working with the leader of the opposition using facts—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: I would expect that those grade 8 students would know that the deficit went up from $14 billion to $16 billion. They would know that’s actually an increase, to say the least, Minister of Finance.

Minister, let’s get back to the facts of the matter here. Statistics Canada said something very alarming this past week, and I’ll repeat it for you: Ontario’s wages actually went down by 1.3% compared to last year. In fact, only Ontario and Nova Scotia, of all the provinces, saw their pay packets decrease. Families are struggling to make ends meet, Minister, but you’re seeing public sector agreements that are way out of line with what families are able to pay.

So let me appeal to your sense of fairness. Since every dollar the government spends was earned by a hard-working taxpayer, if they’re actually seeing less in their pockets, isn’t it just fair and reasonable to have a public sector wage freeze to help us balance the books in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the hard-working doctors in this province, the hard-working teachers, the hard-working public servants who are employed throughout Ontario and spending their wages in our communities. In many of our communities, the public and broader public sectors remain the largest employers.

I won’t participate in the exercise the member opposite wants to, and that is to scapegoat public servants and others as a result of the current economic situation.

Mr. Speaker, we will be continuing to move forward as we plan for the next budget. I look forward to the input of the official opposition and the third party, but I think what is important is that we all need to work together. To that extent, I would agree with the member opposite. We are all going to have difficult choices to make, and I look forward, as we move forward, to working together with all Ontarians.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the Acting Premier on the same topic of the necessity of a public sector wage freeze—as other provinces have brought in, as President Obama has brought in for his national government workers, as Prime Minister Cameron has brought in to the United Kingdom. Certainly, as a son of teachers, I’m proud to say that we appreciate the hard work of our public servants in the province of Ontario. But it seems, though, Speaker, that when it comes to the McGuinty Liberals, they only seem to appreciate the members of the Working Families Coalition, who spent some $9 million in negative attack ads. I guess that’s the quid pro quo; that’s the “I rub your back, you’ll rub mine.”

But if you truly don’t want to divide Ontarians, if you truly feel like you should treat everybody equally, then let me ask you again: If you believe in this principle of equality, why do you have one policy for non-union workers and a completely different policy for union workers? Shouldn’t it be the same? Minister, won’t you do the right thing and bring in a public sector wage freeze to ensure we get spending under control?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Speaker, we will continue to make the choices that are important to move Ontario forward. I’m glad to hear the leader of the third party acknowledge his support for our teachers—and I take it now that they’re advocating a wage freeze for both the public and broader public sectors, which they have conveniently not been clear about in this discussion to date.

There’s no doubt, Mr. Speaker, there are difficult choices. We’ve made some over the last few years. It wasn’t easy. When we were called upon by the IMF to invest 2% to 3% of GDP into stimulus at the time of the downturn. Those weren’t easy choices. It wasn’t easy when we decided to move forward with our tax plan for jobs and growth, which is being hailed right across the country in terms of its effectiveness in making us an efficient tax jurisdiction. We’ll continue to work together with all Ontarians, Mr. Speaker—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: You know, Speaker, the Acting Premier says that they need to make difficult choices. The problem is, among the choices you continue to pick “none of the above.” That’s why we’re now in a $16-billion hole this year, a deeper hole than we were in last year, and Premier McGuinty will actually double the size of the debt in the province of Ontario in his term of office.

That means every dollar we pay to debt interest could have been money to go to health care, it could have been money to help in the classroom, it could have been money to invest in roads and bridges, but now it’s going increasingly into interest on the debt. You have to start saying no, once in a while. You have to draw the line somewhere, and you have to make decisions based on an essential principle of fairness.

Minister, if families in the private sector have seen their wages decline, if seniors and retirees are basically seeing their pensions frozen, isn’t it fair and reasonable to ensure that public sector wages are similarly frozen so we can get the books back in balance in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: When this government moved to reduce the price of generic drugs, that leader and his party sided with the big drug companies. That was half a billion dollars, Mr. Speaker.

Interjections.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: We have continued to make the right choices. We want to make sure that as we move forward and we get back to balance, we create a more efficient and fair broader public sector. These are difficult choices. When given a chance, that leader—his party—chose the big drug companies and rejected Ontario’s citizens. We stand with the people of Ontario, not the big drug companies.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: At a time when we have a serious debt crisis in the province of Ontario, Ontario families expect a serious answer and a serious plan from the Minister of Finance, not the silly answer he just gave there, Speaker.

It’s a very straight proposition. StatsCanada sadly reports that Ontario saw its wages decline last year. The province had always been the engine of Confederation; the best place, actually, to get a good job and raise your family. Under this government, we’re one of only two provinces that have gone backward. We need to fix that. We need good private sector jobs in our province, but we also need to catch up, to get the books back in order; otherwise, future services will be jeopardized.

So, Minister, at a time when families have had to cut back and seniors have had to make do on fixed incomes, why are you giving big increases to the unions that financed your campaign? Isn’t it time to bring in a public sector wage freeze across the board that’s fair and reasonable?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, we on this side of the House think the generic drug policy and access to generic drugs at a reasonable price is a very serious issue. I shouldn’t be surprised at that callous comment the Leader of the Opposition made.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order, please.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: We have taken decisive steps to move forward. What I can tell the Leader of the Opposition is, there is more work to be done, not just in this budget but over the next five years as we move back to balance, and as we retool the public and broader public sectors to better serve people, but most importantly to preserve access to the best health care and education systems in the world.

I am proud that every credit rating agency has maintained our credit rating through this downturn. I’m proud of what Forbes magazine and others have said about the competitiveness. Most of all, I’m proud to be an Ontarian, proud of the strength of our economy and proud of our leading role in the Canadian economy.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Deputy Premier. What kind of message does paying Don Drummond $1,500 a day send to families and public service workers?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, we engaged Mr. Drummond last spring to give us good advice. We see this expenditure as an important investment. We think it makes good sense to get that kind of advice from somebody who has had experience in the private sector and experience in the public sector as a former senior official at the federal Department of Finance. At the end of the day, we think that’s money well spent. We think it’s important to have that kind of advice.

There are three other members of that commission, all from the Ontario broader public sector, who are providing not only good advice to the government but to the Legislature as we move forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Fifteen hundred dollars a day is eight times the pay of an average worker in this province and nearly 20 times the pay of somebody who is making minimum wage. How can the Deputy Premier expect everyday people to believe this province is actually in tough times when he’s cutting huge cheques to the very person who’s drawing up the plans for the belt-tightening?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, I read the leader’s comments earlier today so I did a little bit of research and found out that her office and party operation cost the taxpayers $2,700 a day. I think your supporters think that’s money that’s well spent.

You may want to make fun of Mr. Drummond, you may not want to invite good advice, but when you look at those kinds of numbers, everything’s got to be kept in its proper perspective. We welcome Mr. Drummond’s work. He’s being appropriately compensated for the work. That work will help inform the decisions that this Legislature takes moving forward.

I would invite the leader of the third party to take his advice seriously. There will be things I’m sure she doesn’t support. Hopefully some things she will. We look forward to receiving the report of the commission. It could turn out to be one of the most important commissions ever engaged by this province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Hospital CEOs or consultants leading a commission can rest easy that their pay and bonuses are going to be secure. And of course, Bay Street bankers know that their corporate tax giveaways aren’t going anywhere.

Why is it that the only people being asked to make sacrifices are those who can least afford them right now?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, I was quite pleased on November 17 when the leader of the third party said, “My meeting with Mr. Drummond, I found it a very productive conversation.” I would invite her to work with us. I mean, you can take these numbers and manipulate them to make it look like nobody’s hurting more than the people she pretends to speak to.

Mr. Drummond’s work is important. The people who are giving us advice, all three other members of the commission, are people who are thoughtful, who understand the importance of the work we’re doing.

I look forward to her continuing to engage in this conversation. I think the money is well spent. I look forward to the commission report, I look forward to a legislative committee responding to it, and I hope we’ll be able to find some areas where we can agree to move forward together.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Acting Premier. The Premier is in London today making new promises about jobs. Can the Acting Premier tell us what happened to the $7 million the government gave to Global Sticks Inc.?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: To the Minister of Economic Development and Research.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I assume this is going to be an ongoing tirade we’re going to hear from the leader of the third party every couple of weeks when a company has some challenges, a company that we may have had some involvement with in terms of trying to help them create jobs.

The fact is, the dollars we invest, whether it be in research and innovation companies, whether it be in some of our regional economic development funds, whether it be in some of our funds to try to attract investment to Ontario—some of those companies may not fare that well. The majority of those companies fare very well; the majority of those companies create jobs.

It takes a little bit of courage for a government to make these kinds of investments, but we’re going to stand up for Ontario companies. We’re going to stand by the job creation that’s being created.

My question for the leader of the third party is, does she have the intestinal fortitude to support these kinds of investments?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, with very much fanfare the government gave Global Sticks $7 million in grants and promised 130 permanent jobs. Instead, it closed its doors and some of the workers are saying they haven’t even been paid. Navistar in Chatham received a grant of over $30 million, only to shed 1,000 jobs away. Silicon Knights in St. Catharines received a grant of $2.5 million and just slashed their workforce by half.

Why is it that money that’s supposed to be creating jobs is getting handed to companies that are laying people off?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Judging by that question, I can see what the NDP strategy for job creation is in this province and it’s to do nothing—just leave those companies hanging out to dry, just leave the workers and the potential to work in partnership with the private sector, to build jobs in this province—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order, please.

Hon. Brad Duguid: —just leave them out there unemployed.

We’re not going to do that. We’re investing in the fundamentals to build a strong economy. That includes partnerships with private sector companies to build up our economic prospects to create jobs; it includes building a strong education system; it includes investing in infrastructure; it includes investing in a competitive tax environment.

What we’re doing in this province is investing in the fundamentals to build a strong economy. It’s obvious the NDP aren’t up to that job. Mr. Speaker. We’re determined to get that job done.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Premier’s very, very good at promising jobs and he’s even better at handing money away with no strings attached, but the only people who seem to have a job guarantee around here are the people who are paid to set up the photo ops for the Premier as he travels the province.

What job guarantees are being demanded in exchange for the millions that this government is giving away?

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’m really pleased to be able to share with the leader of the third party that the Premier is in London today making a very important announcement, because southwestern Ontario—particularly London, but southwestern Ontario in general—has had some challenging times. The Premier is there to tell the people of southwestern Ontario, the workers of southwestern Ontario, that we’re going to stand with them, because as our economy improves here throughout Ontario, we want to make sure that southwestern Ontario and eastern Ontario are benefiting from that growth. There is not a

part in this province that we don’t care about.

So I’ll be looking to the leader of the third party to see if she really cares about workers in the coming weeks; to see if she’s going to support our efforts to help grow the economy in southwestern Ontario, to help grow the economy in eastern Ontario, to continue to invest in our projects that are growing the economy in northern Ontario and to help invest in workers and jobs right across this province.

GOVERNMENT SPENDING

Mr. Peter Shurman: Speaker, I’d like to ask the Premier a question but he doesn’t seem to think it’s necessary to be here—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member does know better, and I would ask all members to remember that we do not do that here in the House—

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Speaker—

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

I would wish that everyone would abide by that long-standing tradition that we do not mention anyone’s absence, because sometimes it may back up and bite you. I would respectfully request also that when somebody does ask a question, you use your inside voices.

The member from Thornhill.

Mr. Peter Shurman: Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance.

During the recent recession, families and businesses all took a hit. They dealt with layoffs, they dealt with lower pay, they dealt with anxiety about their future—they still are. In other words, the private sector made sacrifices and difficult choices to make it through these turbulent times. Minister, is it not fair and is it not reasonable to ask government workers to do the same and forgo a raise this time around?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Speaker, in fact, the broader public sector has been reduced in size. Wage settlements relative to the private sector are actually now lower in collective bargaining environments.

There’s no question that many people have had to deal with the consequences of the downturn. That’s why we’re focused on job creation. That’s why we are focused on getting back to balance and why we’re focused on making sure that government provides programs and services more efficiently and effectively.

We took the first steps in our 2010 budget; we did more in the 2011 budget. I say to the member opposite and his colleagues: We will be moving forward again in the next budget. I look forward to his input and I look forward to the input of the caucus opposite, as well as of the Drummond commission and, indeed, of all Ontarians.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Shurman: Minister, all we’re asking for is that government employees do what the private sector has done: to recognize the $16-billion deficit we’re facing and temporarily forgo getting another raise.

Unless strong action is taken on the deficit, all of the things we truly need and value, like health care and education, will be put at risk, and you know this. That’s why we think it is fair and reasonable to ask government workers to forgo a raise. Why will you not do the same?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Again, in the public and broader public sectors we’ve seen reductions in the number of employees. We’ve seen the rates of settlement come down quite dramatically.

The member opposite is right: We did freeze the non-bargained sector. There will need to be more things done, I suspect, as we move into the future. We are committed to doing that with the ultimate goal of protecting and enhancing those vital public services that are so important to all Ontarians: education and health care.

We’ve created, I think, the most efficient, effective tax system in North America. We need to do the same thing on the expenditure side, because we, on this side of the House, are absolutely dedicated to ensuring that the gains we’ve made in education and health care since that party was thrown out of office aren’t lost as a result of bad decisions made in haste.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Mr. Jonah Schein: To the Minister of Municipal Affairs: The Toronto Transit Commission is proposing to reduce services to over 60 streetcar and bus routes, starting in January, while hiking fares by another 10 cents. Service cuts will hit some of Toronto’s busiest routes, including the Dufferin bus and the Queen streetcar.

Will the minister work with Toronto to find a way to prevent these cuts, or will she stand by while transit users pay more and wait longer for buses and streetcars in our city?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Welcome to the Legislature. It’s great to have you here.

I just want to say that what we will do is we will continue to invest billions of dollars building transit in Toronto. We are going to continue to complete the air-rail link from Pearson to Union Station. We are going to invest in the Eglinton-Scarborough cross-town line. That is under way right now. And we are going to complete the extension of the Spadina expressway up into York region by 2015.

The investments in transit in Toronto are unprecedented. More funding, more capital dollars have gone into Toronto to build transit now than for a generation. I think the member opposite needs to understand that members of your party have stood in opposition to those investments over and over and over again, which is a travesty, really, coming from the NDP. So we will continue—

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

Mr. Jonah Schein: Back to the Minister of Municipal Affairs: Everyone loses when public transit service is cut. Riders wait longer, traffic is worse for motorists and children and seniors breathe more pollution.

Speaker, the provincial government used to fund half of the operating costs for the TTC, and today its support has dropped to one third of that level. Why won’t the ministry commit to work with the city of Toronto and to find a joint solution to avoid these harmful transit cuts?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think, Mr. Speaker—the city of Toronto is going to work out its budget issues. We are going to watch that budget process unfold.

But the credibility gap between what this party has advocated for, in terms of keeping more cars on the road, not taking cars off the road, not investing in transit, not putting people in trains, not making sure that people can get out of their cars and get into transit—because the reality is, the city of Toronto would never have been able to invest in those transit builds if the province hadn’t stepped up to the plate.

I fully expected when we did that that the NDP would be there with us, shoulder to shoulder, supporting those investments. To my surprise, they were not there. As a Toronto citizen, it shocks me that they were not more supportive of those investments.

So, we’re going to continue those builds. We’re going to make sure that there is more transit in Toronto so people in Toronto can get out of their cars and get on transit, in spite of what the NDP—

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

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

Mr. Yasir Naqvi: My question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Speaker, as you know, Ottawa Centre is home to many new immigrants. We, in my community, are very proud to welcome people from all different parts of the world, who contribute both economically and socially to our community.

Speaker, I can tell you as an immigrant myself that it is a daunting challenge for newcomers to integrate economically and socially in our communities, and we have to collectively do our utmost best to ensure that our newcomers get the opportunities that they so much deserve, so that they can benefit our communities.

Many settlement agencies in my riding of Ottawa Centre do excellent work in providing front-line services for those communities. We were really concerned when we saw the federal government cutting $31 million unilaterally from Ontario. I want to know from the minister how it’s going to affect Ontarians.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Thank you to the member for Ottawa Centre for the question. He has been a real champion for newcomers, and we appreciate all you’ve done.

For the second year in a row, the federal government is cutting funding to Ontario’s newcomers. This decrease of $31 million will hit newcomers in this province especially hard at a time when many of them are looking for work. As a result, tens of thousands of new Ontarians will lose access to the vital services they need to succeed and contribute to our economy.

The federal government has cut Ontario’s settlement funding by over $75 million in the last two years. These cuts also come in the wake of not living up to their promised funding under the Canada-Ontario immigration agreement, which shortchanges Ontario’s newcomers by over $200 million.

Ontario remains the number one destination for immigrants coming to Canada. We take 42% of immigrants and make up only 39% of the population. These unfair cut will deny thousands of newcomers access to services—

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

Mr. Yasir Naqvi: Through you, Speaker, thanks to the minister for the answer.

These cuts in funding are going to significantly impact agencies like the Catholic Immigration Centre, OCISO, and many more in my community of Ottawa and Ottawa Centre tremendously. It’s going to impact our newcomers, and it’s going to deny them opportunities, especially in these tough economic times.

Speaker, what we need is a stable, sustainable agreement from the federal government with the province of Ontario so that we can continue to provide these very important settlement services for our newcomers. Newcomers who come to Ontario deserve equal treatment from the federal government.

Minister, if a new agreement is so critical to the integration and success of our newcomers, what is the status of negotiating a new agreement with the federal government?

Hon. Charles Sousa: I absolutely agree with the member. The bottom line is that the federal government needs to come to the table to negotiate a new agreement. We need a fair deal like that which they have with BC, Manitoba and Quebec.

More than 40% of all immigrants to Canada choose Ontario as their home, and thousands more want to come to this province, but federal selection programs don’t respond to Ontario’s labour market needs. We need the federal government to maintain current funding levels in order to make sure new immigrants can find good-paying jobs in Ontario.

Immigration is a shared responsibility, and the federal government is not living up to its commitments. Thousands of people destined for Ontario are stuck in huge application backlogs that force many to wait as much as seven years before they can set foot in our province. We cannot continue to allow the federal government to unilaterally determine such an important part of Ontario’s economic recovery and its economic future.

Immigrants are—

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

POWER PLANTS

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Premier. This past weekend we learned that 11 employees of Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering plant were fired for alleged violations of the company’s code of conduct. However, OPG has refused to disclose the nature of the alleged offences, only saying the firings were a result of the potential violation of the code of conduct.

Speaker, the code covers ethical business practices, conflicts of interest and managing sensitive information of the nuclear power plant.

Deputy Premier, will you lift the shroud of secrecy that seems to prevail in your government and press OPG to reveal the nature of the violation that resulted in this mass dismissal?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, the situation is a human relations matter; it may still be subject to litigation.

What I can say is this: that the employees were found in breach of the code of conduct; the member has already described what those breaches were. I am assured that in no way was this related to safety at all. These matters are being appropriately dealt with by the staff and board at Ontario Power Generation. Beyond being able to assure the member that no safety issues were involved, because of the potential for litigation, it would not be appropriate to comment beyond that at this point in time.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, first we’re not allowed to know the cost of the Oakville power plant, then we’re kept in the dark about the cost to cancel the Mississauga power plant, and now the public isn’t being told the whole story about the mass firing of employees at the Pickering nuclear plant. Certainly, any conduct that would result in dismissal at a nuclear facility is of grave concern to the public, and they have a right to know.

Deputy Premier, when are you going to change this culture of secrecy that prevails in your government and give Ontarians the information they have a right to know regarding these violations?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The member is new, Mr. Speaker, but let me remind him about a little history of transparency at Ontario Power Generation. The government that preceded us refused to make OPG subject to freedom of information. When we did that, we found out a lot of really interesting things—untendered contracts and hundreds of thousands of dollars going to former staff members of the government of the day. There were all kinds of hidden things. They had booths at the Air Canada Centre—it was appalling.

I’m glad we brought freedom of information to OPG and Hydro One. I even remember that the former CEO of Hydro One, under their government, had a yacht.

Interjection.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I can’t recall what it was called.

We brought freedom of information. I can assure the people of Ontario that the code covers a wide range of staff behaviour—

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

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Acting Premier. The slowdown has hit London hard—some 25 now out of work and an unemployment rate over 9%, well above the provincial average. Windsor’s unemployment rate is back over 10%.

Today, the Premier is unveiling a new economic development fund. How can—

Interjection.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Here’s my question: How can families in London, Windsor and the region be sure that this is about creating and protecting jobs over the long run and not just another McGuinty-style photo op?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, I’m proud that the Premier of Ontario is in London today and I’m proud that my colleague will be introducing legislation later this week. I look forward to your support.

It’s interesting, Mr. Speaker: The member’s leader got up a couple of questions ago and asked us why we were helping companies. Now, she’s getting up and saying we should be helping companies. There’s no question that some of those investments don’t work out, no question about that. But I think of Ford, Chrysler and General Motors in my community that benefited from this government’s help and the federal government’s help. Your party did not support that.

We’ll continue to work with London, with Windsor, with rural southwestern Ontario and with Kitchener-Waterloo to help transition back to a prosperous and growing economy. That’s what we’ve been doing, that’s our obligation as a government, and I’m glad to hear you’re going to support the bill when it’s introduced later this week.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: This government has a bad track record on this file. When the forestry sector was in trouble up north they announced $500 million in assistance, but they left half of it in the bank account. In the southwest, Navistar took millions of dollars from the province, but it shut its doors and headed to the States.

Will the minister assure southwestern Ontario families that any funding announcements will come with long-term job guarantees?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: What I can say to the member opposite is I look forward to her voting in favour of the bill that will create the southwestern Ontario economic development corporation.

I can also tell her that I’m proud of the work our members have done throughout the southwest in helping the auto sector come back, Mr. Speaker. It has not been easy; I agree. My community led unemployment in this country for a very long time, but it is coming back. It’s coming back in part because we stepped up to the plate with Chrysler and with General Motors. It’s coming back because we stepped up with the auto parts manufacturers. It’s coming back because we’ve reduced the taxes on these companies that hire people so that we can have a more competitive tax system.

I’m delighted the NDP is supporting our initiative. We look forward to their vote later this week—

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

ABORIGINAL EDUCATION

Mrs. Liz Sandals: My question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, I know that Ontario has a world-class education system, I know that this government has made unprecedented investments in the future of the province by focusing on strong schools, and today we learned that our kids are leading the country in math, reading and science. But, Minister, not all Ontario kids have access to the same education. There have been recent media reports which detail the poor state of education for many First Nations students, and this is not a new issue. The problems are chronic and the problems are complex.

I’m sure we all agree that every Ontario kid deserves access to the same learning experience. Minister, can you tell the House what you’re doing to make sure that First Nations kids—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Minister of Education?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: Thank you very much, and I want to thank the member for Guelph for her advocacy in ensuring that Ontario schools are inclusive and to help us in the work that we’ve done to ensure all of our students succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I had a chance, a week or so ago, to go to an amazing conference called Circle of Light. At that conference we talked about the province’s aboriginal education, which includes support for our First Nations junior and senior alternative school, where we’ve worked with the OFIFC to ensure that native friendship centres can offer some really amazing alternative education. We’ve integrated First Nations content into the curriculum, with consultation far and wide across the province. We’ve increased targeted funding as well.

But Speaker, the issue remains that we can do our

part in the province, but the federal government has responsibility for schools that are on-reserve. And so I stand very much in support of my Premier, who’s asking for a first ministers’ meeting when it comes to aboriginal education. Speaker, we are prepared to do our part, but—

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

Mrs. Liz Sandals: Thank you, Minister. You spoke about federal funding for reserve schools. Speaker, it has recently been reported in the media that the federal government funds aboriginal students on-reserve at least $2,000 to $3,000 less per student than Ontario funds students attending schools off-reserve. This is a situation that fundamentally disadvantages First Nation youth who attend reserve schools. To quote the Premier, “We have a moral obligation to ensure that every child growing up in this province has all the opportunities they need....”

Speaker, through you to the minister, what are the impediments for ensuring that aboriginal children on-reserve receive the same quality education as the rest of the kids in Ontario?

Interjections.

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: To the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I want to just acknowledge off the top that there are multiple issues with which we’re dealing. I hear the members across the floor talking about housing, and I want to say that there are long-term issues, which is why we have a technical team at Attawapiskat today, looking at and working with the federal technical folks to see what the short-term solutions can be. I’m happy to answer a question on that if it comes.

On the education issue, Mr. Speaker, I believe that the time has come that First Nations and aboriginal folks around the province, the federal government and the province, must work together. We must find a way to close the gap between the funding that’s provided for kids on-reserve and the funding off-reserve.

There is also a capital backlog. There are children on reserves in this province who have been waiting for schools for decades. We need the federal government to be at that table, to work with us and live up to their constitutional responsibilities while we work with—

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

HYDRO TRANSMISSION

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Deputy Premier. Your government’s speech from the throne made specific reference to the need to strengthen Ontario’s economy and create jobs. Why, then, are you allowing a project that would achieve these goals to languish? Failure to complete the Leamington transmission line project is jeopardizing planned greenhouse expansion that will bring over 1,000 permanent private sector jobs and over 2,000 temporary construction jobs to the town of Leamington. Will the Deputy Premier make a firm commitment today to ensure this project be given the green light to go forward?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, our government has made unprecedented investments in new transmission, including in the southwestern Ontario region. I’m delighted. Almost two weeks after this issue became known, I’ve had the opportunity to arrange meetings with the vegetable and greenhouse growers, as well as the town of Leamington. In spite of the fact that we’ve not heard from the opposition, I think we’re going to get this resolved in a very positive way for the people of Leamington, and indeed all of southwestern Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Mr. Speaker, the Deputy Premier and I apparently have a different view of handling the issue. I’ve already met with Mayor John Paterson and his councillors regarding this issue back on November 18, and they have serious concerns about this project moving forward.

Another meeting with the mayor and greenhouse officials is not what the people of Leamington need. What the people of Leamington need is for this project to be completed. The resulting proposed greenhouse expansions will increase sales by an estimated $158 million annually and allow for the continued growth of this sector. This project will create private sector jobs, increase investment in Ontario and strengthen a domestic industry. So I ask the Deputy Premier: When will the Leamington transmission line project start?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The member can’t seem to take yes for an answer, Mr. Speaker. I would remind the member that this process started in 2006. Your party opposed spending more money on hydro transmission. You opposed it in southwestern Ontario. The environmental assessment was completed in March 2010. We’re now ready to move to construction. Pat Hoy moved that along. He was an effective representative, and that’s why it’s there.

I say to the member: Thank you for your belated question. Thank you for your belated answer. I look forward to that line being built, because the greenhouse industry is one of the biggest and most interesting, and growing in Ontario. We’ll continue to work with them on all fronts, Mr. Speaker.

BICYCLE SAFETY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Transportation. On the morning of Monday, November 7, Jenna Morrison was riding her bike to pick up her five-year-old son Lucas at his school in west Toronto. She never made it.

Ontario needs a new provincial bike strategy to make cycling more safe in this province: The McGuinty government has been developing a strategy, apparently, for the last 18 months. My question to the minister is: Where is it?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Mr. Speaker, I thank the leader of the third party for the question. It’s indeed a very serious issue. I know that there have been a number of very serious fatalities in Canadian and Ontario cities over the last several months, including my city of Ottawa. Certainly, the Ontario coroner has indicated that he is intending to investigate further into this particular issue and indeed, there’s been a private member’s bill that has been introduced by Olivia Chow, the MP from Toronto, dealing with additional specifications for trucks.

A number of the fatalities have occurred as a result of individuals being forced into or under trucks for particular fatalities. So we are taking this issue very, very seriously, Mr. Speaker, and we’ll continue to follow the issue.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, it seems to me that you’re not taking something very, very seriously when over a year ago the draft plan, apparently, was available or was going to be released in months, and now over a year has gone by and we haven’t seen it. Some say that strategy was completed, in fact, nine months ago, and is sitting somewhere on a desk. When will the government finally actually show some urgency, show how serious this issue is, and release its strategy and get on with the actions that we can put in place here in Ontario to make cycling more safe for cyclists?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Mr. Speaker, the member will know that if you look at the official plan of virtually every community in Ontario, it is very, very strongly advocating additional cycling, and they’re building additional infrastructure for cyclists.

There are issues surrounding safety which have to be resolved, and the coroner has indicated that he is going to be looking into that. Quite frankly, as a result of the coroner’s action and as a result of Olivia Chow’s bill, I have indicated to my senior managers that we’re doing a complete review internally.

You might also know that the province funds and does an exceptional job in terms of educating the public and providing resources to municipalities for cycling and cycling safety across the province.

We will continue our investments, we will continue our diligence and we will work closely with the coroner moving forward on this issue, take it seriously—

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

Mr. Michael Coteau: Mr. Speaker, as the Ontario—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. First of all, I didn’t acknowledge you, and second of all, I saw somebody starting to move and I was waiting for them to finish standing, so we’ll just try to be fair around the clock when we do this.

I am going to recognize the member.

HOSPITALS

Mr. Rob Leone: Mr. Speaker, this question is to the health minister. Last Thursday, a historic motion passed in this House that requires the government to table a detailed plan that outlines the costs, a timeline for completion and how the government plans to pay for the construction and operation of all the hospital expansion projects promised before and during the 2011 Ontario general election. The Liberals voted against keeping their election promises. Will the Minister of Health stand up and tell Ontarians, especially residents of Cambridge and North Dumfries, whether the minister plans to table this detailed report to the Legislature by March 1, 2012?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I have to say that I was confused before, and now I’m even more confused. Let me make this very, very clear to the member from Cambridge and to the people of Cambridge: We are proceeding with a Cambridge hospital project and we are excited about it. Speaker, for the life of me, I do not understand why the member opposite is raising fear in his community about whether or not this project is a go. I’m going to be as clear as I can be: We are moving forward with the redevelopment at Cambridge Memorial Hospital.

Speaker, this man is from a party that, for years, put the brakes on hospital infrastructure. There were very, very few hospital infrastructure projects under their watch. We, on the other hand, are moving forward on projects across this province, including Cambridge.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rob Leone: Mr. Speaker, I understand why the minister is confused, because my motion doesn’t ask whether you’re going to build the hospital; it asks you to table the plans so that we can hold you accountable, something that you’ve failed to do. We want to know the timelines, the costs and when the projects are expected to be done. Will the minister stand up in this House today and table a detailed plan so that people know exactly what this government is going to do and when they’re going to do it, Mr. Speaker?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, Speaker, I’m going to give the member the benefit of the doubt because he is new to this place. The information is available. It’s online. All of the information about the projects is online on the Infrastructure Ontario website.

We are the only party who has released a comprehensive health care strategy. It also requires, Speaker, that we have a competitive process. For us to release how much money we’re going to spend on each of these projects will totally sour the competitive procurement approach. We do not release the cost of the projects before we have gone through that competitive procurement.

So there is significant information already online on the Infrastructure Ontario website, but we will not release the price tag, Speaker, because that would—

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

As I indicated to you from the very beginning, I will make mistakes. I made one today. I lost the rotation from the NDP. When the leader of the third party asked the last question, I went over to the Conservatives. I made a mistake. I should have gone over to this rotation, so I will now return to the Liberals.

Interjections.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: On a point of order—I’d ask you to stop the clock, Speaker.

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

The member for Timmins–James Bay.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: It’s clear that the member did not get up in time. You had recognized the member from the Conservative Party. That’s issue number one.

Interjections.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Let me make my point of order.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order, please.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: It’s a very short point of order, Mr. Speaker. There are two or three points to it.

First of all, you had recognized the Conservative member for the question. That means the next question has to go by rotation. If not, you skip us and we end up losing out on the question because the rotation will go back to the Conservatives.

The decision was made to go with the Conservative member. It is our question at this point, otherwise we are the ones losing the question, and that is not the way this should work.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On the same point of order?

Mr. Jim Wilson: I would agree. I appreciate the fact that you admitted the mistake. Our honourable member did get up first, so he did the right thing. But in fairness to the NDP, to the third party, I agree with the NDP House leader.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): So here’s how it’s going to play: The member was actually standing. I didn’t acknowledge him, and he continued his question. I acknowledged the member, so I thought I’d better finish that, come back to this member, and I will go immediately to the NDP.

SKILLED TRADES

Mr. Michael Coteau: My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Investing in Ontario’s students is the best way to ensure that our province builds long-term prosperity for Ontario families. This is absolutely the right choice for Ontario’s future.

Tradespeople are an important part of Ontario’s plan for growth. Here in Ontario, we need skilled people who will build facilities for our aging boomers. It is not just enough to speak about training more skilled doctors and nurses. Tradespeople are the foundation to our society. Innovative ideas can only be implemented with trade talents and skills that we groom in the people of Ontario. We can only compete with the world to build better tools, good machines and efficient buildings if we have the right mix of talent.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities: How is the minister going to make sure that we continue to encourage students in our province to join apprenticeship programs?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I’d like to congratulate my friend on his election. We are very, very lucky to have someone with such a lifetime of commitment to the field of education in this House.

Mr. Speaker, since 2003, we’ve added 120,000 apprenticeship seats. This year, we are on track for 29,000. That is twice the rate of apprenticeship creation of previous governments, which is an extraordinary accomplish in itself. We have given $12 million to colleges and $2 million to non-college training agencies for infrastructure, equipment and modernization to help them further accelerate apprenticeship creation in the province of Ontario.

We have an apprenticeship system that is responsive to current and emerging labour markets, and at our rate of growth, we are on track to meet and exceed the labour market shortfalls that have been projected, which is—

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

Mr. Michael Coteau: Mr. Speaker, our future generations need to understand the importance of skilled tradespeople. We need to teach our children that working in the trades really means that they are in a great job. We need builders who can build Ontario’s next best idea.

It is great to hear that our government is crafting opportunities for Ontario’s apprenticeships while boldly confronting the challenges of this economy. The Leader of the Opposition and his caucus colleagues have repeatedly stood in the way of improving our apprenticeship programs.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities: How is the minister going to make sure that the political interests of the parties opposite do not stand in the way of building a bright future for Ontario apprenticeship programs?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: The party opposite has been talking about apprenticeships and trades for about six months. They maybe should be apologizing because the party opposite reduced funding for apprenticeships by an amazing 73.4%, undermining and setting our apprenticeship and trades programs back decades. They couldn’t even generate 15,000 apprenticeships per year and had one of the worst records, and now put out press releases criticizing us. A little humility on the opposite side, Mr. Speaker, would help a lot.

Our partnerships with post-secondary education, business and unions, are creating an aggressive, fair-minded and balanced apprenticeship strategy—

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

CREMATORIUM

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Bramalea–Gore–Malton.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Good morning, Speaker. I’d like to congratulate you formally on your election.

My question is to the Minister of Health. Minister, there are strict regulations in place in Europe and in other jurisdictions in Canada regarding the siting of crematoriums, yet in Ontario these guidelines do not exist. In my riding, a new crematorium is being proposed in a high-density residential area in Malton.

My question to the minister is, will you support a review by the chief medical officer of Ontario to offer guidelines on where and how far the setback should be for crematoriums located in Ontario to assist all municipalities in making these guidelines to protect the health and environmental concerns of residents across Ontario?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Government Services.

Interjections.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’m sorry, Consumer Services.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: Mr. Speaker, I would first like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your election as Speaker of the House. I would also like to congratulate the member opposite as well on being in this House.

Certainly, we are aware, as a government, of the need for crematoriums in the province. The diversity of our province reflects this need. New legislation will allow us to locate crematoriums off cemetery lands. This legislation will take effect on July 1, 2012.

We are certainly very much aware that the Chief Medical Officer of Health is a respected expert in our province, and we are open to any advice or study from the Chief Medical Officer of Health.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Again, I ask the Minister to commit to having an independent assessment conducted by the chief medical officer of Ontario to ascertain whether or not there are health concerns and environmental impacts, and if there are, whether or not the government can take leadership on this issue to ensure that the concerns—and the health concerns particularly—of the residents of Ontario are protected.

We need the government to take leadership on this issue instead of downloading the decision-making on municipalities. Will you commit to an independent review by the chief medical officer?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: The municipal approval process involves notice to the public, and the decision of the municipality may be appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. Establishing a crematorium requires a director’s certificate of approval issued by the Ministry of the Environment. Evidence of municipal approval and approval from the Ministry of the Environment must be provided to the registrar of cemeteries before an application for a licence to operate the crematorium will be considered.

The Ontario government is committed to ensuring that laws affecting burial practices are respectful of Ontario’s cultural diversity while also preserving our environment and protecting the health of Ontarians.

Again, I would say to the member that I can assure him that we are open to any advice or study from the Chief Medical Officer of Health, and we will continue to understand the needs for us to be respectful of the concerns of area residents.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Thornhill.

Mr. Peter Shurman: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: This morning during question period, Minister Duncan claimed that the credit rating agencies have maintained Ontario’s credit ratings throughout this downturn, which is inaccurate. Two credit ratings agencies have recently—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s not a point of order, for a correction of the record, because the member knows that only members can correct their own record. Thank you.

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

Mr. John Yakabuski: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The same one or another one?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Another one.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Another point of order, member for—

Mr. John Yakabuski: Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke. Thank you very much.

Speaker, today in the House I heard a number of questions, particularly one to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, from two members. If I look in O’Brien and Bosc, in tabling questions—and I want to just get my glasses so I read it correctly, Mr. Speaker—they should be:

“—brief;

“—seek information; and

“—ask a question that is within the administrative responsibility of the government or of the individual minister addressed.

“Furthermore,” they should not:

“—be a statement, representation, argument, or an expression of opinion;

“—be hypothetical;

“—seek an opinion, either legal or otherwise.”

Speaker, I would put it to you that the matters that were brought up by the members of the government for their minister were well outside the bounds of the administrative capabilities not only of this minister but of this House. Federal decisions are not debatable in this House. We cannot change—we do not run the federal Parliament, and those kinds of questions should be ruled out of order as they’re nothing more than posturing. If they wish to discuss federal policy, then they should be discussing it with their federal Parliament, not in this House.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank the member for his point of order. Indeed, it is a point of order. I would also like to take this moment to remind all members that questions and answers are supposedly related to the direct business of this House.

That brings me up to my second point, other than what you’ve just said, and that is, we would all help ourselves if you direct the questions to the Speaker and your answers to the Speaker. That’s a time-tested process to bring the temperature down. So if you remember to ask the question to the Speaker and give your answer to the Speaker, that would be very helpful.

I thank the member for his point of order, and I remind the members to keep that in mind when they do pose their questions and when they give their answers.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are just a couple of items I wanted to cover.

First of all, I apologize to our guests, because I missed somebody: on behalf of the member for Pickering–Scarborough East, Hildegard and Werner Kinder, grandparents of Pickering–Scarborough East page Madeline Braney.

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member from Cambridge has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care concerning the hospital expansion projects. This matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m.

If there are no further—

Mr. Peter Shurman: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Just to correct the record here. On my original point of order, all I was seeking was a correction of the record on facts stated by the minister, so I believe that is a legitimate point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’ve already ruled on that. You can only correct your own statements in this House.

This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1144 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d like to introduce my guests this afternoon: my aunt and uncle, Sharon Aylsworth and John Barr; my brother, Joe Yurek; and my parents, Ed and Mary Yurek, coming down from St. Thomas.

Hon. John Gerretsen: I would like to introduce one of my constituency assistants from Kingston and the Islands, Lana Asal and her husband, Peter Knaack, who are here with us today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A most hearty welcome.

Ms. Soo Wong: Today, I would like to acknowledge the Terry Fox Public School junior choir, who, as many of you heard earlier in our corridor, sang a moving tribute in honour of our veterans and wonderful Christmas carols.

Located in my riding, Terry Fox Public School has a strong history of building a positive learning environment for students. Believing in the three As of education—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Introduction only.

Ms. Soo Wong: All right. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We welcome them here to the House.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

CHICKEN INDUSTRY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I rise today to recognize the contribution of our chicken industry in Ontario to our provincial economy.

Ontario is the largest producer and processor of chicken in Canada, responsible for approximately one third of all Canadian chicken production. We have over 1,000 chicken farmers and 19 commercial processing facilities. The Ontario chicken industry directly employs 5,000 Ontarians and many more indirectly in the transportation, food service and retail sectors. This industry is valued at over $630 million at the farm gate.

Today, Team Ontario—the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors—are here to update us on the state of the industry. The chicken farmers and processors launched the Team Ontario concept last year, and it’s working well.

I want to commend them for working together to strengthen the industry to ensure a great supply of quality chicken for Ontario. Together they have made progress in improving the allocation system and trying to ensure that the Ontario chicken industry can grow and prosper.

I want to thank the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and the Association of Ontario Chicken Processors for coming to Queen’s Park. Tim Hudak and I look forward to meeting with them this afternoon to reaffirm our commitment to supply management or orderly marketing and to hear more about their plans to continue to strengthen the industry.

I hope that all members will take the time and opportunity to learn about these plans and enjoy great Ontario chicken this evening in the legislative dining room.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity.

SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

Ms. Cindy Forster: MaryJane Huneault is a tenant of Canal View Homes, a non-profit housing development in Welland, which after 20 years recently lost the funding for its entire supportive housing program.

Before moving there, Mary Jane was in a cycle of homelessness with mental health issues, leading to frequent hospital admissions and inability to pay her bills.

In 2011, Canal View Homes lost $135,000 in funding compared to 2009. The caseworkers who supported at least 30 tenants at a cost of only $12 per day per tenant were terminated. The Niagara region is underfunded and underserviced for mental health and homelessness services.

Speaker, these are real people who need dependable, continuous social service support. Programs that are working and have proven track records of reducing hospital admissions, reducing shelter admissions and reducing police and ambulance visits should not be tendered like snow removal contracts.

As a resident of Canal View with access to caseworker support, MaryJane has not had a hospital admission in 17 years. She budgets her money. She pays her bills. She has food all month. Residents like MaryJane, though, were able to call upon their counsellors from day to day to manage their anxiety and challenges. Support like this has kept her healthy and off the streets. What happens to her now with the service cuts?

Minister of Municipal Affairs, your government must reinstate this much-needed funding to save lives and for our vulnerable citizens.

TERRY FOX PUBLIC SCHOOL

Ms. Soo Wong: Today, I would like to acknowledge the Terry Fox Public School’s junior choir—they’re sitting up there—who, as many of you heard earlier in our corridor, sang a moving tribute in honour of our veterans and wonderful Christmas carols.

Located in my riding, the Terry Fox Public School has a strong history of building a positive learning environment for students. Believing in the three As of education, the school encourages students to excel academically, athletically and artistically. The students participate in co-curricular sports teams, house leagues and ski trips. Their enthusiastic staff encourages their students to be involved in choir, strings and band, and clubs, including Young Women on the Move and the robotics clubs.

Last year, the junior choir participated in a choral project which allowed the students to practise with the composers from the Toronto Children’s Chorus.

Most importantly, the Terry Fox Public School believes its students should be involved in improving their community. Since 1986, their students have consistently raised funds for the Terry Fox Walkathon. Their school is also recognized as a certified gold ecoschool.

During his life, Terry Fox was a strong and determined individual. It is great to see the Terry Fox Public School live up to his legacy.

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Mr. Bill Walker: As a newly elected MPP, I am obligated to say that I am neither surprised nor shocked by the political gamesmanship that plays out daily on all sides of this House. However, I am frustrated by the lack of courage and compassion manifested by the opposite side of the House.

To me, one of the most disappointing attributes of this government is its appetite for secrecy—a government that keeps doors closed on openness, transparency and accountability; a government that denies the public any opportunity to be heard.

If it wasn’t so, this government wouldn’t be making a unilateral decision, without any proof, justification or dialogue, to shut down the jails in Owen Sound, Walkerton and Sarnia, and ultimately take 200 jobs and a combined payroll of $6 million out of Bruce and Grey.

Since day one, I’ve been calling on the responsible minister to do the right thing: to reverse her decision, pending a full public review, and to consult with the local stakeholders who would be adversely impacted by the closures. A decision of this magnitude that will affect 200 families must involve public input and must not be made as part of a quiet process among insiders.

The bottom line is, if this government doesn’t clean up its act and move to strengthen the tenets of democracy, like transparency and openness, their members will be sitting on this side of House by the end of the next provincial election.

Mr. Speaker, I again challenge this government and its minister to show integrity. Call off the jail closures now.

OCULARISTS

M me France Gélinas: Darren Hall, and his uncle before him, are ocularists. They have been coming to Sudbury for 33 years. Ocularists are the health specialists who make prosthetic eyes.

Many people in northeastern Ontario have lost an eye and need their services. That includes my 91-year-old father-in-law, who lost his eye in a mining accident years ago. That includes Maria Bordignon, one of the constituents in my riding, and hundreds more that need prosthetic eyes.

The government says that it’s looking for ways to save money. Well, here’s one: Pay your bills on time. The Assistive Devices program is so brutally slow, even with the new system, in making payments that Mr. Hall, the only ocularist practising in northeastern Ontario, has shut his doors on Sudbury clinics. Mr. Hall is fed up with waiting months and months for payments that are owed to him by the ADP. Now hundreds of people from northeastern Ontario must travel to Toronto, costing the Northern Health Travel Grant tens of thousands of dollars in travel and hotel costs.

The government says that it wants to balance its budget. Pay your bills on time. What we have now, Mr. Speaker, is a lose-lose-lose: a loss of services to northerners, a frustrated ocularist and hefty Northern Health Travel Grant bills.

This is not new. The NDP has raised the issue of late payment by ADP a number of times. Now, Mr. McGuinty, will you listen to a good idea that saves money and improves services?

MARLIES KLEKNER-ALT

M. Phil McNeely: C’est un honneur pour moi de souligner l’excellence et le talent d’une athlète de ma circonscription d’Ottawa–Orléans. Marlies Klekner-Alt, âgée de 17 ans et élève de 12 e année à l’École secondaire publique Louis-Riel d’Orléans, a reçu le prix prestigieux Helena Harbridge 2011, décerné par l’Association canadienne de golf junior.

Depuis 2006, le prix reconnaît l’esprit sportif, le dévouement et la contribution au golf d’une joueuse membre de l’Association canadienne de golf junior. Cette récompense est d’ailleurs nommée à la mémoire et aussi à l’image de la joueuse Helena Harbridge, décédée en 2006 lors de sa première année à l’université West Georgia.

Comme le mentionnait d’ailleurs la récipiendaire aux médias, « Ce prix est important pour moi car il fait la démonstration que le travail acharné et l’effort portent fruit ».

Marlies Klekner-Alt rejoindra sa soeur aînée sur l’équipe de golf de l’université Newman dès l’automne 2012. Elle est affiliée au Club de Golf Camelot et a été entraînée par Danielle Nadon, qui a d’ailleurs une école de golf à Orléans.

Alors, félicitations à cette grande athlète d’Orléans et tous mes voeux de succès pour une carrière florissante.

J’encourage donc tous les jeunes sportives et sportifs à persévérer et à poursuivre leur rêve.

DOROTHY KEW

Mrs. Jane McKenna: As MPPs, we are justifiably proud of the places we come from; the places we call home. We treasure the history of those places and the ways that our personal stories and those of our families and friends become part of a wonderful tapestry. Without that history and sense of place, we lose an important part of ourselves.

On that note, I rise today to salute the outstanding community work of one of my constituents, Dorothy Kew. Dorothy has just been named a recipient of a 2011 Ontario Senior Achievement Award for her three decades of service to the Mississauga library system, where she has been a passionate promoter of local heritage for over 20 years. She was also a powerful influence on the development and promotion of the groundbreaking Mississauga Historic Images Gallery.

Her dedication to community and family history is truly inspiring, and her story is a reminder of the many ways that Burlington shares its riches with the neighbourhood. Congratulations, Dorothy.

CHICKEN INDUSTRY

Mr. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise today to thank representatives for the Chicken Farmers of Ontario and chicken processors here today, working together as Team Ontario to come to Queen’s Park to host their annual chicken day.

Our chicken farmers and processors play very important roles in Ontario’s agriculture and food processing sectors. With more than 10,000 full-time jobs between the production, processing and direct input segments, the value chain is an economic generator measured in the billions of dollars.

I’m proud Ontario is the home to some of the world’s most delicious, safest and most nutritious chicken, and proud to support Ontario’s chicken farmers and processors. Nearly 40% of all chicken farms in Canada are located in Ontario, making Ontario the largest producer, processor and consumer of chicken in the country.

We also know that supply management plays an important role in the industry’s success. It brings stability to the industry, which is why our government is a strong, committed supporter of this system. I commend Team Ontario for their hard work. The leadership and support that these organizations provide is helping contribute to the future success of our agri-food industry and Ontario’s economy.

Our government is proud to support and celebrate the wonderful achievements of the chicken farmers and processors of Ontario and look forward to their continued success. We call on Prime Minister Stephen Harper to defend supply management in any future trade negotiations.

EVELYN MASSON

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Speaker, today I rise to recognize one of the great contributors to my riding of Nipissing and congratulate her on being named a recipient of the Ontario Senior Achievement Award.

Applause.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Yeah, you can clap.

Evelyn Masson—Evie, as she’s known to her family, friends and neighbours—has spent her lifetime volunteering in various capacities, even while working full-time and raising her three children.

Evie has always devoted her time to the betterment of individuals and her community as a whole, and remains committed to doing so today.

She is currently a member of the municipality of Callandar’s 125th anniversary committee and is actively involved in local council meetings. She continues to help raise funds for the Christmas cheer fund and the newly established Callander and District Food Bank.

Over the years, she has also given her valuable time to many other community organizations such as the M.T. Davidson School, the Callander museum board, and the Knox United Church board.

Evie has previously been recognized by the Ontario Heritage Foundation for her volunteer work and is a recipient of the Ontario horticultural society’s president’s award.

I look forward to honouring her when she receives her Ontario Senior Achievement Award in the music room of the office of the Lieutenant Governor on December 14.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank the members.

TABLING OF SESSIONAL PAPERS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that during the recess between the 39th and the 40th Parliaments, the following documents and papers respecting the Legislative Assembly were tabled:

—on June 14, 2011, the annual energy conservation progress report, 2010, volume 1, Managing a Complex Energy System, from the Environmental Commissioner;

—on June 21, 2011, the annual report 2010-11 from the Ombudsman;

—on June 23, 2011, the annual report 2010-11 from the Integrity Commissioner;

—on June 28, 2011, the review of the 2011 pre-election report on Ontario finances from the Auditor General;

—on July 6, 2011, the report concerning Randy Hillier, member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, from the Integrity Commissioner;

—on August 29, 2011, the 2009-10 annual report from the Chief Electoral Officer.

I further beg to inform the House that the Clerk has laid upon the table the roll of members elected at the general election of 2011.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I also beg to inform the House that, in accordance with standing order 117(c), the House leaders have selected in rounds the recognized parties from which the committee chairs shall be drawn.

Chairs shall be drawn from the caucus of the government for the following committees: the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs; the Standing Committee on Government Agencies; the Standing Committee on General Government; and the Standing Committee on Justice Policy.

Chairs shall be drawn from the caucus of the official opposition for the following committees: the Standing Committee on Public Accounts; the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly; the Standing Committee on Social Policy.

Chairs shall be drawn from the caucus of the third party for the following committees: the Standing Committee on Estimates; the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON ESTIMATES

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

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

The House not having received a report from the Standing Committee on Estimates for certain ministries and offices on Thursday, November 17, 2011, as required by the standing orders of this House, pursuant to standing order 63(b), the estimates before the committee of the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs; Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Ministry of the Attorney General; Cabinet Office; Ministry of Children and Youth Services; Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; Ministry of Community and Social Services; Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services; Ministry of Consumer Services; Ministry of Economic Development and Trade; Ministry of Energy; Ministry of Education; Ministry of the Environment; Ministry of Finance; Office of Francophone Affairs; Ministry of Government Services; Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care; Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport; Ministry of Infrastructure; Ministry of Labour; Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing; Ministry of Natural Resources; Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry; Office of the Premier; Ministry of Research and Innovation; Ministry of Revenue; Ministry of Tourism and Culture; Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Ministry of Transportation; Office of the Assembly; Office of the Auditor General; Office of the Chief Electoral Officer; and Ombudsman of Ontario are deemed to be passed by the committee and are deemed to be reported to and received by the House.

Pursuant to standing order 61(b), the estimates 2011-12 of these ministries and offices, not having been selected for consideration, are deemed to be received and concurred in.

Report deemed received.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT

AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR L’AMÉNAGEMENT

DES VOIES PUBLIQUES

ET DES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN

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

Bill 9,

An Act to amend the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act / Projet de loi 9, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l’aménagement des voies publiques et des transports en commun.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Norm Miller: The bill would designate provincial highways that, when they’re being rebuilt, it would require that a minimum of one metre of the shoulder of the highway be paved, with benefits of increased safety, improved health for Ontarians and lower maintenance costs for the highway.

LOCAL MUNICIPALITY

DEMOCRACY ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LA DÉMOCRATIE

AU SEIN DES MUNICIPALITÉS LOCALES

Mr. Smith moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 10,

An Act to amend the Green Energy Act, 2009 and the Planning Act / Projet de loi 10, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2009 sur l’énergie verte et la

Loi sur l’aménagement du territoire.

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. Todd Smith: The Green Energy Act, 2009, as it currently stands, overrides traditional municipal roles in regards to planning, restrictions and bylaws as they would usually pertain to green energy projects. It does that through

schedule K of the act, which amends the Planning Act.

The Planning Act is a tool that our municipalities utilize every day in their ability to draft plans, impose restrictions, enforce bylaws and exercise the same basic controls that municipalities would be free to exercise over other major industrial projects.

The Local Municipality Democracy Act, 2011, is a way for the province to right a wrong by changing the amendments made to the Planning Act by the Green Energy Act. By changing the Green Energy Act to give municipalities specific rights to enforce bylaws to protect the health and safety concerns presented by their citizens regarding these projects, we’re treating our municipal government as partners in our democracy.

More than 80 municipalities have already passed resolutions asking this Legislature for the restoration of local control for these projects. It’s time for us to do as parliamentarians should and represent the expressed views of our constituents.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): One reminder: We do try to describe the bill—what the content is—and you usually take that from the

preamble. If the

preamble is long, we would ask you to keep it as short as possible, please, with no comment,;just the content of the bill.

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF HOUSE OFFICERS

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding presiding officers.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Do we have unanimous consent? Agreed.

Minister.

Hon. John Milloy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bas Balkissoon, member for the electoral district of Scarborough–Rouge River, be appointed Deputy Speaker and Chair of the Committee of the Whole House; that Ted Arnott, member for the electoral district of Wellington–Halton Hills, be appointed First Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House; that Julia Munro, member for the electoral district of York–Simcoe, be appointed Second Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House; and that Paul Miller, member for the electoral district of Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, be appointed Third Deputy Chair of the Committee of the Whole House.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Shall the motion carry? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

PETITIONS

EASTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Steve Clark: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Eastern Ontario Development Fund (EODF) was established by the Ontario government as a four-year, $80-million program to assist businesses in the creation of jobs and investment in new technologies, equipment or skills training;

“Whereas EODF has proven to be a valuable asset to assist eastern Ontario communities hard hit by the economic downturn in their efforts to attract and retain business and industry;

“Whereas during the recent provincial election, Premier Dalton McGuinty expressed a commitment to extend the four-year program beyond its March 2012 expiry date;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Minister of Economic Development and Innovation to recognize that the challenges facing businesses and industries in eastern Ontario when the program was created persist, and it is therefore critical for the EODF program to be extended beyond March 2012; and

“Further, that the minister convenes a meeting of eastern Ontario MPPs to seek their input into how the program can be adjusted to better meet its job creation objectives and to ensure it includes the appropriate accountability measures to protect the investment by taxpayers.”

I’ll affix my signature to the petition, Mr. Speaker, and send it to the table with Prakriti. Thank you.

CREMATORIA

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I’d like to introduce the concerned citizens of Malton who are present here today in the public gallery.

Applause.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: They’ve taken their time out from their busy

schedule to hear this petition. I have in my hand over 1,600 signatures that have been signed from residents in Ontario, primarily from Malton, but across Ontario. I’ll read the petition now.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas strict regulations on emissions of crematoria exist in Europe, and health experts have stated that crematoria should not be located in residential areas due to concerns about emissions of mercury, dioxins and other particulate matter;

“Whereas regulations under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, are silent on restrictions and leave municipalities without assistance in determining the health impacts of crematoriums in residential communities;

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

“Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health should immediately conduct a review of crematoriums, studying the health impacts, and make recommendations on minimum setbacks to ensure there are no health risks for neighbouring residential properties. Appropriate guidelines following this review should be included in the regulations coming into effect July 2012. A hold should be placed on the siting of new crematoriums in Ontario in order to protect residents from toxic exposure until the review is conducted and appropriate guidelines are set.”

I agree completely with this petition and I will affix my signature to it.

WIND TURBINES

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas municipalities have always had control over planning matters in their communities; and

“Whereas community consultation and engagement is essential for successful green energy projects; and

“Whereas local residents should be actively involved in all discussions about wind turbine projects in their community;

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

“That the Liberal government return planning power for renewable energy projects to municipalities and local residents.… ”

I support this petition and am pleased to affix my name to it.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

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

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

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

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

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

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask the nice page Prakriti to bring it to the Clerk. We’ll practise the name for the next time.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I know exactly what you’re saying, member.

Further petitions?

CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Speaker, I’d like to present this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas residents of Walkerton and surrounding areas do not support the closure of the Walkerton Jail; and

“Whereas the local stakeholders in Walkerton have not been consulted regarding this closure; and

“Whereas the McGuinty Liberal government has failed to release the cost-benefit analysis used to determine that the Walkerton Jail be ordered for closure; and

“Whereas the Auditor General stated in 2008 that the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services would be short 2,000 beds by 2011;

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

“That the Liberal government postpone the closure of the Walkerton Jail until the promised local stakeholder consultation has occurred and the cost-benefit analysis has been released.”

I support this petition and I affix my signature to it.

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

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

“Whereas the Ontario Ombudsman, who is an officer of the Legislature, is not allowed to provide trusted, independent investigations of complaints in the areas of hospitals, long-term-care homes, school boards, children’s aid societies and retirement homes; and

“Whereas Ontario is the only province in Canada not allowing their Ombudsman to investigate any of these areas; and

“Whereas people wronged by these institutions are left feeling helpless and most have nowhere else to turn for help to correct systemic issues;

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

“Grant the Ombudsman the power to investigate hospitals, long-term-care homes, school boards, children’s aid societies and retirement homes.”

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

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Mr. Jim Wilson: This petition ties in very well with the private member’s bill that my colleague from Prince Edward–Hastings just introduced into the House.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas” the McGuinty “Liberal government is forcing Ontario municipalities to build industrial wind and solar power generation facilities without any local say or local approval; and

“Whereas the” Liberal “government transferred decision-making power from elected municipal governments to unelected and unaccountable bureaucrats, who are accountable to no one; and

“Whereas the” Liberal “government has removed any kind of appeal process for municipalities or for people living in close proximity to these projects; and

“Whereas” the leader of Her Majesty’s official opposition, the member for Simcoe–Grey “and the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party have committed to restoring local decision-making powers and to building renewable energy projects only in places where they are welcomed, wanted and at prices Ontario families can afford;

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

“That the McGuinty” Liberal “government restore local decision-making powers for renewable energy projects and immediately stop forcing new industrial wind and solar developments on municipalities that have not approved them and whose citizens do not want them in their community.”

I agree with this petition and I will sign it. Thank you.

WIND TURBINES

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further petitions? The member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Huron.

Ms. Laurie Scott: Brock.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Brock.

Ms. Laurie Scott: That’s okay; it was close.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

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

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

I affix my signature to that, Mr. Speaker, as I agree, and I’ll give this to page Yousef.

WIND TURBINES

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Speaker, I have one last petition today.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the 200-foot-high CAW industrial wind turbine being built in the middle of Port Elgin residences and cottages does not comply with the provincial law requiring 550-metre setbacks (to preserve people’s health and safety); and

“Whereas it was rejected by the democratically elected municipality and local residents, who were not adequately informed about the project;

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

“To immediately halt construction of the turbine and require it to be moved to a site that does not violate provincial legislation as passed under the Green Energy Act in 2009. We also petition that area residents be adequately informed about the siting and not surprised by sudden construction of a wind turbine.”

I support this petition and affix my signature to it, and I’ll ask Christian to deliver it to the table.

RURAL SCHOOLS

Mr. Jim Wilson: “Petition to Save Duntroon Central Public School and All Other Rural Schools in Clearview Township.

“Whereas Duntroon Central Public School is an important part of Clearview township and the surrounding area; and

“Whereas Duntroon Central Public School is widely recognized for its high educational standards and intimate learning experience; and

“Whereas the frameworks of rural schools are different from urban schools and therefore deserve to be governed by a separate rural school policy; and

“Whereas Dalton McGuinty promised during the 2007 election that he would keep rural schools open when he declared that, ‘Rural schools help keep communities strong, which is why we’re not only committed to keeping them open—but strengthening them’; and

“Whereas Dalton McGuinty found $12 million to keep school swimming pools open in Toronto but hasn’t found any money to keep rural schools open in Simcoe–Grey;

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

“That Premier Dalton McGuinty and” his “Minister of Education support the citizens of Clearview township and suspend the Simcoe County District School Board ARC 2010:01 until the province develops a rural school policy that recognizes the value of schools in the rural communities of Ontario.”

Mr. Speaker, I agree with the petition.

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Highland Companies, an American company, wants to build a quarry in Melancthon township which is to be bigger than Niagara Falls. It will be the second-largest in North America. It will be built 200 feet below the water table of the headwaters that feed three major rivers. This will contaminate these rivers, which are a freshwater source for over one million people. Furthermore, the land that the quarry will be built on is some of the best farmland in Ontario. Over 50% of the GTA’s potatoes are grown on this soil.

The Highland Companies is under no obligation to fill in the quarry when they are finished. There is also no law stating that there must be an environmental assessment on the quarry site before it is built. This quarry will hurt the environment and affect many people, and therefore it must be stopped.

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

“To stop the development of the Melancthon quarry.”

It is signed by literally hundreds of people in my community.

WIND TURBINES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I sign this petition, support it and I’ll pass it on with Daniel.

HYDRO DAM

Mr. Norm Miller: Mr. Speaker, I have a petition with regard to Bala Falls, and it reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the McGuinty government permitted the release of crown lands to enable the development of a hydro dam in the heart of Bala without discussion or proper consultation with the municipality of the township of Muskoka Lakes, the district of Muskoka or the residents and businesses who would be directly affected; and

“Whereas the community is a tourism destination which is dependent upon Bala Falls as an attraction; and

“Whereas residents and business people alike are deeply concerned about the economic and environmental impact that the construction and operation of the dam will have on the community;

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

“That the McGuinty government and in particular the Minister of Natural Resources reverse the decision to release crown lands for a hydro dam in Bala Falls.”

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank the member. The time has now ended for petitions.

CORRECTION OF RECORD

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for London–Fanshawe, I believe, on a point of order.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, I want to correct my record from this morning’s question period. In my question to the Deputy Premier, I said, “Some 25 now out of work and an unemployment rate over 9%.” I meant to say, “Some 25,000 now out of work.” Thank you, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That is a point of order for correcting the record. Thank you.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

THRONE SPEECH DEBATE /

DÉBAT SUR LE DISCOURS DU TRÔNE

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 24, 2011, on the amendment to the motion for an address in reply to the speech of His Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the session.

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

Ms. Soo Wong: Today I will be splitting my time with the member for Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.

It is an honour to be standing here today to deliver my maiden speech in this Legislative Assembly. Historically, the maiden speech has provided new members with an opportunity to introduce themselves to their colleagues. Today I would like to tell you about myself, my values, my riding and how they connect with the speech from the throne.

First, I would like to recognize my predecessor, the Honourable Gerry Phillips, who represented the constituency of Scarborough–Agincourt for 24 years. During his tenure he served as the Minister of Citizenship, Minister of Energy and Minister of Government Services. He is respected in my riding, so much so that in the 2003 provincial election, Gerry won his seat by a margin of 61%.

As I begin to represent the constituents of Scarborough–Agincourt, I want to thank Gerry for serving his community and the constituents well. I hope, as a new member for the riding, I can live up to the standard he has set forth.

I also would like to congratulate the member for Brant on his recent election as the Speaker of the House. I know the Speaker will use his past experience as an educator in this House to ensure that we conduct our business in a respectful manner. Every day we are visited by schools, youth groups and choirs. Young people look to us to lead by example. I hope all members here will continue to commit to uphold this obligation.

I want to acknowledge my riding association and executive members who are here today. They’re a dedicated group of individuals who continue to work hard for our community. I also want to thank the residents of Scarborough–Agincourt, who have trusted me to represent them and have expressed their confidence in the Liberal Party’s vision for Ontario.

I also want to thank all the young people who have worked on my campaign, young people like Tharani, Victor, Jenny, George and Akehil. These young people and many others were the lifeblood of my election campaign, and they will be the lifeblood of our province. Together, we got to know the people of Scarborough–Agincourt, their struggles, their challenges, their joys and their pride. Because of their help and inspiration, when I speak in this House, I speak for all those residents of Scarborough–Agincourt, and it is an honour to do so.

With this in mind, I must pass on a story that I heard many times while knocking on doors and talking with seniors. The seniors in my riding want to live an independent life in their homes for as long as they can. I’m very pleased that our government has taken a leadership role in ensuring our seniors can stay at home through the home renovation tax credit.

Mr. Speaker, I’m an immigrant, a registered nurse and an educator. To my knowledge, I’m the first female Chinese-Canadian MPP in this House. It is because of what I have learned from these experiences that I ran in October’s election and why I’m inspired to work for the people in my riding.

I was born in Hong Kong and came to Canada when I was eight years old. My parents faced many challenges, such as learning a new language and adapting to a new way of life. Myself, I had to adapt to a new school system and learn how to make new friends. Yet despite the many challenges our family faced in the early years, we always knew Canada and Ontario would always be the place of our new home.

My parents valued the importance of knowledge, duty, hard work and the need to help others. Hence, my sister, my brother and I have all pursued careers in health care. I’m here today because my parents have pushed me to learn. But I’m also here today because our public school education system provided me with opportunities to learn and to grow. In my high school years, I was the first female student council president and yearbook editor. I also had great high school teachers who encouraged and challenged me with many ideas and thought processes.

During my undergraduate days as a nursing student, I saw the challenges of many vulnerable patients and their families. I learned very early in nursing school of the need to advocate for children, youth, seniors, women and new Canadians. What I learned is that education is a key social determinant of health, for success and, most importantly, for opportunity, and it is an essential element of improving the lives of our new Canadians.

There are many other great schools just like David Lewis; for example, Agincourt Collegiate Institute, which will be celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2015. There is Kennedy Public School, which for the past seven years has been recognized and distinguished by the Fraser Institute for excelling in academic performance.

As you can tell, the schools in my riding are working hard to create new opportunities for our young people. It is therefore important that we support them in this endeavour.

For the past eight years this government has understood the need to build strong education systems. As a former school trustee, I have seen the positive results of the investments that have been made in our schools. For example, we know that when kids eat healthy, they have a better learning experience and will therefore have a better chance to succeed. That’s why I was very proud to see this government pass the Healthy Food for Healthy Schools Act.

The throne speech notes that this government will continue to invest in our education system. By 2014, 250,000 Ontario four- and five-year-olds will enrol in full-day kindergarten. Our government is creating 60,000 new spaces in our colleges and universities so an Ontario student who wants to go to college or university can do so. We will keep our post-secondary tuition affordable by reducing the tuition costs by 30% for families making less than $160,000 a year. With these investments in education, we will ensure students will be a part of the strongest and most educated workforce and will strengthen our economy.

My riding is not just known for its great schools. In fact, like all the ridings in our great province, my riding has great stories. What began as a farming community later developed as railways were constructed. Now, because of builders like Jean Kennedy Campbell, a matriarch of Scarborough–Agincourt who is here with us today, the riding has developed into a supportive and vibrant community.

My riding is home to many green spaces, such as Agincourt Community Centre, Stephen Leacock Community Centre, L’Amoreaux Community Recreation Centre and the Tam O’Shanter Golf Course. It is home to green eco-schools like the Dr. Norman Bethune Collegiate Institute, which was one of the first high schools in Toronto to receive a platinum eco-school certification.

The riding has also great libraries, like Bridlewood library, Agincourt library and Steeles library. Together with local youth, the residents of my riding have created one of the most successful community-based reading programs. On Saturdays, you will find me participating in our reading programs in one of our great libraries.

It is also a riding that looks after itself. For many years, the Agincourt Community Services Association has assisted those most in need by providing the food bank, job fairs and outreach.

Yet, the most important aspect of my riding is its diversity. My riding has young people, seniors, Chinese, South Asians, Koreans, Japanese, Tamils, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. Scarborough–Agincourt is also the first home of many new Canadians. That’s what is great about Scarborough–Agincourt. At a time when countries like the United Kingdom and Germany have called multiculturalism a failure, my riding, like so many others in Canada, has shown that we can move forward together to build a strong community that respects and embraces diversity.

I think that’s an important lesson for us as members of the Legislative Assembly. We have enormous challenges ahead of us: an uncertain global economy and climate change, to name a few. These challenges can only be met if we in this House move forward together and provide strong examples for our citizens to do the same.

Together, Scarborough–Agincourt has built a strong community, and I know we can do the same to build a stronger Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to conclude with a famous Buddhist quote, one which inspires me as the member for Scarborough–Agincourt: “Pay no attention to the faults of others, things done or left undone by others. Consider only what by oneself is done or left undone.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.

Mr. Grant Crack: Thank you, Mr. Acting Speaker. I’d like to congratulate the Speaker on his recent election. I wish him well and yourself well in the future and in your role. It’s an honour for me to be here today to deliver this inaugural address.

I’d like to thank the good people of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell for placing their confidence in me to serve and represent their interests here in this historic Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

J’aimerais remercier tous les concitoyens de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell pour m’avoir démontré leur confiance en m’élisant comme leur député pour représenter leurs intérêts ici à l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario.

I’d also like to thank all of my campaign team, who worked so hard on such short notice to ensure that Glengarry–Prescott–Russell remained red.

Je suis fier d’avoir été accordé le privilège de succéder au député sortant, M. Jean-Marc Lalonde, qui, pendant 16 ans, a été la voix de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell à Toronto.

I’m truly humbled at being given the privilege to succeed former MPP Jean-Marc Lalonde, who served our riding for 16 years. Mr. Lalonde worked tirelessly and selflessly to ensure that the needs of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell and eastern Ontario were taken into consideration during the decision-making process here at Queen’s Park.

Les résidents de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell et moi-même remercions M. Lalonde pour toutes ses années de travail acharné au sein du secteur public, et nous lui souhaitons bonheur et succès dans ses projets futurs.

I thank Mr. Lalonde, as do the residents of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, for his many years of dedicated public service, and we wish him well in his future endeavours.

Speaker, I’ve been fortunate to have been elected to public office on four different occasions, first as mayor of Alexandria, then North Glengarry.

Je suis très chanceux d’avoir été élu à quatre reprises et d’avoir servi en tant que maire pendant 11 ans. Je peux vous assurer que ce fut une expérience enrichissante. Être au service de ses concitoyens est un honneur et un privilège. L’électorat nous procure l’opportunité de représenter ses intérêts avec dévouement et intégrité.

Serving my constituents for 11 years as a local mayor has provided me with a wide range of experience in lower-tier and upper-tier municipal government. This experience has provided me with valuable insight regarding the importance of provincial and municipal government partnerships.

Our nine mayors—and I say “nine”—mayors and councillors in Glengarry–Prescott–Russell work hard to improve the quality of life in Ontario and in our region, and together, they are our front-line voices. Ensuring that the needs of our municipal partners are respected and understood is a priority for me.

This Liberal government’s commitment to upload provincial responsibilities that were recklessly downloaded by the previous Conservative government will help give our municipal partners the funds they need to invest in much-needed infrastructure projects in their communities. This commitment will allow them to maintain reasonable property tax rates, helping them to remain competitive in retaining and attracting new investments, including residential and commercial development.

Nous avons en main un plan qui procurera aux municipalités les outils nécessaires pour les aider à maintenir un taux raisonnable par rapport aux taxes foncières.

Speaker, I also look forward to working with all our community groups and organizations in Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, including our hard-working volunteers who dedicate so much of their time and knowledge to improving our quality of life and who make our communities so vibrant and strong.

Monsieur le Président, l’idée de travailler avec tous les groupes et les organisations de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, spécialement avec tous nos bénévoles, me motive énormément. Ces gens dévouent beaucoup de leur temps et de leurs connaissances afin d’améliorer la qualité de vie de tous et chacun. C’est ce qui rend nos communautés si fortes et vibrantes.

Speaker, Ontario is a great place to live, do business and raise a family. I was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, and moved to Alexandria in this great province of Ontario with my family in 1973. My parents, Wayne and Sylvia, although retired, are active in the local community and can be seen volunteering for the local hospital, supporting the local church, where my dad drives for the Canadian Cancer Society voluntarily.

I want to take this opportunity to thank them both for the unconditional love and support they have so generously given to me, my brother, Michael, and my sister, Shelley, throughout our lives. It is a combination of their morals and values that I bring to this assembly. I know that my parents are looking forward to benefiting from the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit so they can stay in their home as long as possible.

I’m also the proud father to a daughter, Chloe, who is 24, and my son, Calvin, who is 19. I’m also the proud stepfather to Leah, who is a wonderful seven-year-old girl.

My grandson Alexi will be four years old next month and he will benefit from an early start to his education when he attends this Liberal government’s initiative of full-day kindergarten next September.

I will also be enjoying the arrival of my granddaughter in March of next year, a second child to my daughter Chloe and her spouse, Pierre Paul.

Speaker, public service is rewarding but it also can be demanding. Without the support of our families, we’d be hard-pressed to accomplish the goals that we set out, to serve the people in our ridings and in all of Ontario.

That’s why I take this opportunity to thank my spouse, Kelly, for her continued support, her love, her patience, her understanding and her hard work in ensuring that things go well at home while I’m away on government business or representing our constituents throughout our vast riding of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell. She truly is the glue that holds us together and allows me to do the work that I am so passionate about and that I hold dear to my heart.

Like many ridings across Ontario, Glengarry–Prescott–Russell is unique. We are a mix of rural and urban, and close to 70% of our population is francophone.

Presque 70 % de notre population est francophone.

Our landscape is blessed with beautiful, quality farmland, including la forêt Larose an