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June 11, 2012

40th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2012-Jun-11 (PDF)

L064 - Mon 11 Jun 2012 / Lun 11 jun 2012

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 11 June 2012 Lundi 11 juin 2012

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

SPEAKER’S WARRANT

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

ONTARIO ECONOMY

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

FAMILY HEALTH TEAMS

EDUCATION

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

WOMEN’S SHELTER

CONDOMINIUM LEGISLATION

ASSISTANCE TO FLOOD VICTIMS

JOB CREATION

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

ROSY RHUBARB FESTIVAL

PETER VOYNOVICH

FRIENDS FOR LIFE /

AMIES POUR LA VIE

WORLD UNIVERSITY

ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

AJAX HOME WEEK

CITY OF KITCHENER

PROLUCID TECHNOLOGIES

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

ANNUAL REPORT,

INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

ORDER OF BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PROTECTING EMPLOYEES’

TIPS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR LA PROTECTION

DU POURBOIRE DES EMPLOYÉS

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CREDIT

SCORING BAN ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012

INTERDISANT LE RECOURS

AU POINTAGE DE CRÉDIT

POUR L’ASSURANCE

PROPRIÉTAIRE OCCUPANT

MOTIONS

ORDER OF BUSINESS

PETITIONS

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

CYCLING

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

RADIATION SAFETY

KIDNEY DISEASE

WIND TURBINES

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

RADON

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

GREY BRUCE HEALTH UNIT

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFICE

INDOOR TANNING EQUIPMENT

RADIATION SAFETY

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORDER OF BUSINESS

COUTU GOLD MINES

LIMITED ACT, 2012

COUTU GOLD MINES

LIMITED ACT, 2012

MASTER’S COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

ACT (TAX RELIEF), 2012

MASTER’S COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

ACT (TAX RELIEF), 2012

HILI ENTERPRISES LTD. ACT, 2012

HILI ENTERPRISES LTD. ACT, 2012

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

L’hon. Madeleine Meilleur: Monsieur le Président, j’aimerais présenter aujourd’hui ma filleule, ma nièce, Marie-Christine Chartrand et son amie Tiphaine Dereyen : my goddaughter, Marie-Christine Chartrand, and her friend Tiphaine DeReyen.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’d like to welcome Rachel Chertkoff, Alex Rotman and Danielle Arje from the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee, or CJPAC. I’m pleased that they’re here with us this morning to watch question period.

Mr. Reza Moridi: It’s my pleasure to introduce the parents of page Angela Feng—her mother, Julie Song, and her father, Alex Feng—and her grandmother, Wong Shu Lan. Please join me in welcoming them to the House today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We welcome our guests. Further introductions?

M me France Gélinas: They’re on their way here, but I would like to introduce to this House Mrs. Natalie Mehra, who is with the Ontario Health Coalition; Mr. Peter Clutterbuck, who is from the Social Planning Network of Ontario; as well as Adrienne Silnicki, from the Council of Canadians, and their supporters who came to see question period this morning.

Mr. Reza Moridi: It is my pleasure to introduce and welcome my intern, Najva Amin, sitting in the members’ gallery.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On behalf of the member from Scarborough Southwest, in the public gallery we have Mohammad Quader, here to see his daughter, page Tameem Quader, in action. We welcome them to Queen’s Park.

Last call for introductions.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Last call? I’ve heard that before.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): You’ve been there?

SPEAKER’S WARRANT

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that I have laid upon the table a copy of my warrant, issued in accordance with the adoption of the House on June 7 of the report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts respecting testimony of Dr. Chris Mazza, which was delivered in person, on my order, by the Sergeant-at-Arms on June 8, 2012.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question to the Premier: Premier, eight months ago, in the election, Ontario families sent us here with a very clear message. They want to see us focused on private sector job creation and reining in public spending to balance the books in our province.

The problem is, you didn’t seem to get that message. After eight months, what should be up is down, and what should be down is up. The deficit is up, spending is up, taxes are up, and what should be up—jobs—are actually down in our province. Clearly, Premier, doesn’t this indicate we’re on the wrong path? Why didn’t you get that message eight months ago?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I’m pleased to take the question. Obviously, I take issue with my honourable colleague’s perspective on this. The fact of the matter is that jobs overall are up. The trend is moving in the right direction. We have created 320,000 new jobs since the recession. March and April were particularly good: We created 70,000 new jobs. May was not as promising.

I think Ontarians understand that we are plugged into the global economy and that there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty. When bad things happen over there, there are in fact reverberations that are felt here. I know that Ontarians understand that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: I think the Premier used the expression, “The train is moving in the right direction.” We’re worried that when it enters the province of Ontario, it becomes derailed. It becomes derailed by higher taxes in this budget, by higher energy rates and just more and more red tape that has become this thicket that anybody has to hack through with a machete to try to get anything done in this province when they have the audacity to try create jobs.

Premier, the other provinces actually added 32,000 full-time jobs last month, despite international uncertainty. The provinces added 32,000 jobs, while our province actually lost 31,000 full-time jobs this past month.

Premier, isn’t that an indication that you’re on the wrong path and instead you should adopt our PC ideas that are pro-jobs and pro-growth and will turn Ontario’s economy around?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, my honourable colleague is always interested in comparing Ontario to the other provinces, and I think there’s probably a little bit of merit in that, but not too much. The fact of the matter is that we each have our own different economic strengths, and our responsibility is to play to those strengths. If you have a resource-based economy, the fact of the matter is, there’s a tremendous global demand for resources, and it makes it a little bit different for us as a province which still places a great deal of emphasis on manufacturing.

Having said that, Speaker, we know that one of the most important things that we can do to be competitive in the global economy is to invest in the skills and education of our people. That’s why I’m so very concerned that my honourable colleague would eliminate our 30%-off tuition grant, which is going to give families a $1,700 credit this year for university and an $800 credit this year for college, which is exactly what they need.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: It is amazing, Speaker, that every time we ask the Premier about private sector job creation and every time we ask about balancing the books, he comes up with new ideas for new spending in the province that we simply cannot afford.

The Premier says that sometimes we compare ourselves with other provinces. I think we should. In fact, Speaker, we should be number one, and the other nine behind us. That’s my mission, and we won’t stop until Ontario is number one in job creation again.

Premier, on Friday, we actually lost 31,000 full-time jobs. The other nine provinces added on 32,000 full-time jobs. You talked about the train moving in the right direction; Ontario has moved from being the engine of Confederation to the caboose. It’s time for a change in direction, one focused like a laser on private sector job creation: our plan to make energy affordable; to lower taxes, not increase them; and to get our fiscal house in order. This is the path to prosperity in our province, Premier. Won’t you accept the ideas we’ve put on the table?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: No, Speaker. I appreciate the ideas, but I’ll tell you why I can’t accept them. My honourable colleague is proposing that they cut corporate taxes at this point in time when we can’t afford to do so. Over the course of three years, that costs $1.5 billion. They also want to go ahead and cut the business education tax. Over the course of three years, that’s $300 million. They want to maintain in place the racetrack subsidy. Over the course of three years, that’s over $1 billion. When you add those three measures together, they cost $2.8 billion. My honourable colleague wants to spend $2.8 billion in those areas.

He’s going to have to take the money out of our schools and out of our health care, Speaker. We believe that at the same time that we take measures to grow our economy, we’ve got to protect our schools and we’ve got to protect health care for Ontario families. I think that’s a balanced approach.

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the Premier on jobs and the economy and the lack of any kind of response from the Premier on what has become a jobs crisis in this province: Again, Premier, we lost jobs last month while the rest of Canada gained.

Since the election eight months ago, we actually have lost private sector jobs, while we’ve increased the size and cost of government under this Premier by almost 300,000 positions. We’ve lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs and added 300,000 to the government payroll. It is simply not sustainable.

Only this Premier would argue that in the midst of a job crisis, when we’re losing good full-time, good middle-class jobs—what’s his solution? Increasing taxes on job creators, increasing taxes on innovators. It’s the wrong approach, sir. We need one that says, “We’ll get behind the private sector economy to grow again, that the train will be strong in the province of Ontario. We’ll be number one in Confederation again, not at the back of the pack.”

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Mr. Speaker, I think I should take the opportunity to come to the rescue of truth, which is becoming a big casualty here.

I want to say that since the recession, Ontario has created 320,000 new jobs, which is more than any other province. My honourable colleague says that we want to increase taxes. I’m not sure where he’s coming from in that regard. We have cut corporate taxes several times. We’ve eliminated capital taxes. We have reduced small business taxes. We’ve eliminated tens of thousands of regulatory burdens. We’ve done a lot to ensure that our businesses are on a competitive floor with respect to the rest of the country and, indeed, in the global economy.

So I’d say to my honourable colleague, as he moves forward, he should keep in mind the reality of what we’ve done here in Ontario to support businesses.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: I think the Premier would probably benefit from an injection of that reality that he talks so much about.

Two Fridays ago, we lost 2,000 good middle-class jobs at GM. The Equinox and the Impala, which had been made in Ontario, now will shift production across the border to the States—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Mr. Tim Hudak: —31,000 full-time jobs in our province. The middle class, that has been the source of security and the strength of our province, is becoming hollowed out. Their incomes are falling behind inflation.

Clearly, Speaker, we need a change of course that says it does count where Ontario ranks among the provinces. We should be number one, the best place in this entire country, to find a good job, to start a business, to see it grow. All the Premier does, in the face of the job losses: another panel, another study; he kicks the can down the road.

We say, kick that can no more. Get down to work. Create jobs with a bold plan to grow our economy and get the private sector moving again.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: If only rhetoric could do it all for us, Speaker.

The good news is, in many ways, that Ontarians understand the global economy. They understand there’s a lot of uncertainty out there; they understand that has a consequence on us in here. They understand that while we can’t guarantee our children jobs for life, they also understand that those jobs that are hardest for us to lose are those jobs requiring the highest levels of skills and education, which is why we’re moving ahead with our 30%-off tuition grant. This year, this September, it means a $1,700 credit for families sending a child to university and $800 for a student who’s going to college.

I say to my honourable colleague, there really are no simple answers, but we know one thing for sure: You can never go wrong by investing in skills and education, investing in our families.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: The Premier seems to imply that those who worked at GM and lost their jobs, those who worked at Caterpillar and lost their jobs, those who worked at Xstrata in Timmins who lost their jobs, those who worked at—

Mr. John Yakabuski: Timken.

Mr. Tim Hudak: —Timken and lost their jobs, the list goes on and on—his question seems to imply that they weren’t skilled workers. They are highly skilled workers—and the types of jobs that built our province, that made our middle class secure and the engine of consumption, not just for Ontario but for Canada. The Premier seems to shrug them off and dismiss them.

Premier, a dose of reality has hit those families real hard. And that’s just the start of the 300,000 jobs we’ve lost in manufacturing, the 30,000 jobs last month. The Premier says this is mere rhetoric.

These are bold ideas that have made Ontario strong in the past—tried and true Conservative ideals that will turn our province around and make Canada strong at the same time. Sir, put that rhetoric into action, and I promise you, Ontario will lead Canada again. We’ll do it. Why won’t you?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Did we convince you yet?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Not there yet, Speaker. I give my honourable colleague credit for trying, but I have yet to be convinced, and I think, more importantly, Ontarians have yet to be convinced.

Again, Speaker, since the recession we’ve created some 320,000 new jobs, more than any other province.

I remind my honourable colleague, when it came to putting in place a difficult and challenging political and economic measure, adopting the HST, my honourable colleague stood against that. That was something that business demanded that we put in place in Ontario. When the auto sector said, “You’ve got to lend us a hand. There are 400,000 jobs at stake. Work with the federal government, work with the Obama administration. Come to the support of the auto sector,” my honourable colleague opposite said no to that.

Business knows that when push comes to shove, we are in their corner, but we do it in a balanced way that also protects our schools and protects our health care for our families.

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Mr. Michael Prue: My question is to the Premier. Half a decade ago, the government established a new system for Ontario’s air ambulance system. At the time, this was a stand-alone private company. Ornge would be freed from government oversight, as was said, and provide better service at less cost. Does the Premier think the public got good value for its money from Ornge?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Health.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you for the question. I think everyone in this House knows there were some challenges at Ornge. That is why we have changed the structure and strengthened oversight. One missing piece is, of course, Bill 50, which is before this House and that I’m hoping will be supported by the members opposite.

Ornge transports close to 20,000 patients every year. They do an extraordinary job getting people to the care they need. Just yesterday there were 37 patients transferred by Ornge; there were 30 inter-facility transfers, four by land; seven pediatric patients were transported. This is about getting people to the care they need as quickly as possible.

While we know there are things that need to change at Ornge, they are changing, and I’m very proud of the progress.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Prue: People who watched as well-connected insiders wasted millions of dollars at Ornge are worried about this government’s plans. Under the 300-page omnibus bill, the government will, and I’m quoting here Ontario’s Ombudsman, “smooth the way for the government to further relieve itself of service administration through a variety of means, including designating delegated administrative authorities, and entering other delegation arrangements.” The Ombudsman goes on to note, “One has only to think of the raging Ornge scandal to grasp that private players administering public services do not always share or respect public sector values.”

Has the government not learned anything from the mess at Ornge?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: This government is looking at a variety of methods to get better value for our dollar to ensure that services are better delivered. The member opposite overlooked the fact that air ambulance services used to be privately delivered in Ontario. We’ve had some challenges that the Minister of Health has moved to correct.

We will continue to find better value for Ontarians across a range of services. Teranet is a good example of a very successful venture in that way.

It is about getting back to balance, and our commitment is to invest in health care and education. Those are this government’s priorities as we deal with the question of better taxpayer value for all Ontarians.

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

Mr. Michael Prue: In October, Ontarians elected a minority government to work together to tackle their challenges. More decisions in secret, less accountability, and new eHealths and Ornges are not what they had in mind. Is the government ready to heed the advice of independent legislative officers like Ontario’s Ombudsman and amend their 300-page omnibus bill to ensure that the public is protected from another Ornge debacle?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: In the case of ServiceOntario, I think two thirds of its services are already privately delivered, and they’re well delivered privately. The member opposite neglects to share with the House that there is a substantial investment needed in new technology: new computers, new systems of delivering traditional government services. Frankly, given our priorities in health and education, rather than spend that money on computers for ServiceOntario we prefer to invest in health and education as we invite the private sector to deliver the last one third of those services.

It is about priorities. This government will continue to have education and health care as its focus. We will continue to look at value for taxpayers. As we do that, we will look at alternative service delivery models.

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Minister of Finance. We all know that Ontario families pay the highest auto insurance in the country, but what we don’t know is—in 2010 the government promised reforms to make auto insurance more affordable. The rates keep rising instead. Can the minister tell us where all the savings went?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The member opposite neglected to mention in his question that in the first quarter of this year, auto insurance rates declined—again, Mr. Speaker. I know he didn’t say that. He neglected to say that the rate of increase in auto insurance premiums, under this government, is much lower than the previous government’s and much lower than the government before that.

There is always more to do, Mr. Speaker. We have our task force on fraud. We are looking forward to getting their report back so that we can better manage all insurance costs. There’s always more to do. Our record speaks for itself. Rates have come down—or grown, excuse me, at a lower rate than inflation, and certainly much lower than they did under previous governments of all political stripes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Mr. Speaker, what the minister fails to acknowledge is that, over the past nine years of Liberal rule, insurance rates have gone up by 26%. In fact, the reduction that the minister is talking about was 0.18%—not even 0.2% of a reduction.

A document obtained from FSCO, the government agency that regulates auto insurance, has some startling news. In 2010, it cost the insurance industry $765 per vehicle to cover the cost of accident benefits. But after the government’s dramatic statutory accident benefit cuts, costs fell dramatically to $300 per vehicle.

The costs of doing business went down, but the product keeps increasing in terms of its cost. Can the minister explain why drivers are paying more than ever and how that’s a success story?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: In fact, the rate of increase in insurance has been the lowest under any government. The member opposite and the NDP have brought forward a plan. They want to emulate California, Mr. Speaker. They want to have the highest insurance premiums, on average, in North America. They want people in northern Ontario with good driving records to subsidize people in the greater Toronto area who have bad driving records. They don’t want to listen to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. They don’t want to listen to the Ontario Provincial Police Association.

They don’t want to listen to a variety of other stakeholders that have rejected their sky-high auto insurance bill, which will leave families right across the province paying more while you subsidize people whose driving records are bad. We simply don’t agree.

Our record speaks for itself, and we’re going to continue to work to keep auto insurance premiums down for all Ontarians.

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

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: I agree with the Minister of Finance. The Liberal government’s record speaks for itself: the highest auto insurance rates in the country and an increase of 26% while they were in rule. The record speaks for itself.

Insurance firms making record profits have seen their medical costs go down by 50%, but drivers’ rates are still going up, year after year. Is the minister ready to admit that his reforms have been a bust and work with us to make a real plan to make driving insurance more affordable here in Ontario?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The NDP’s sky-high auto premiums for Ontario bill won’t work. It is about good drivers with good driving records subsidizing bad drivers with bad driving records. Don’t take my word for it. Listen to the people that came to your committee: Mothers Against Drunk Drivers, the Ontario Provincial Police Association.

All the members in northern Ontario in the NDP caucus should speak up for their constituents and say no to your plan to drive northern Ontario insurance rates up by 30% to 34%. They will drive insurance premiums up in southwestern Ontario and in eastern Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, Ontarians recognize that this plan that we’ve laid out has kept the rate of growth in premiums lower than most other jurisdictions and that we have a better public safety record, and they reject your plan to raise—

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

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Minister of Health. It’s apparent that the rot is just as deep at the executive offices of the Ministry of Health as it was at Ornge.

We have it on good authority that just days ago, the director of the emergency health services branch wanted to issue two director’s orders against Ornge for its continued non-compliance with safety standards: one for violations of documentation standards, and the second for recurring incidences of single-staffing medics that put patients at risk. Assistant Deputy Minister Patricia Li ordered the emergency health services branch not to issue those orders.

What possible explanation does the minister have for a senior ministry official to direct the director of the emergency health services branch not to issue orders against Ornge?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: The member opposite is notorious for his lack of credibility. He drops particular half-truths—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I had said before we left for the weekend last weekend that I was concerned about some of the accusations that are being thrown to each member personally. I would like you to keep that in mind.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: What I can tell you is that the emergency health services branch is providing very strong oversight at Ornge. Our new performance agreement at Ornge, in fact, is working. Those changes were necessary changes, they were recommended by the Auditor General, and we are implementing every one of the Auditor General’s recommendations.

In addition, we do have legislation before this House that I would very much like to see passed.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: Minister, we have it on very good authority that the director of the emergency health services branch wrote those two orders and wanted to issue them against Ornge. The director had an express direction from the assistant deputy minister not to issue those orders against Ornge.

The minister can speak as much as she wants to about my lack of credibility. I would like to hear from the minister: Does she even know about this? If not, what does that say about her competence and her credibility?

Interjections.

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

Stop the clock, please.

My comments were based on individuals that I’ve been hearing inside of heckling and also in questioning. I continue to say two wrongs do not make a right. Please keep your comments at a professional level about the issue. It would be very helpful in this House.

Minister?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, Speaker, it has become very clear that good news at Ornge is bad news for the member from Newmarket–Aurora, so we’ve got some very good news at Ornge. We’ve got 10 more paramedics working than we did a year ago. We’ve got a virtually full-time complement, 98%, of the fixed-wing pilots. By July we’ll be at 95% of helicopter pilots. These are issues the member has raised; these are issues that have been addressed.

Speaker, we continue to strengthen the leadership. Bruce Farr—I know the member from Newmarket–Aurora questions his credentials, but he has very strong credentials. Robert Giguere: special adviser on aviation, a long history in aviation, worked as a pilot, senior executive positions at Air Canada; he’s an independent aviation consultant. We’ve also added Wayne Howard as vice-president of finance.

Things are moving forward at Ornge and I’m very, very pleased with the progress they’re making.

FAMILY HEALTH TEAMS

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est également pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée.

This weekend, the health minister’s family health team model was in the news, with allegations that the ministry is allowing unspent funds to remain with the organizations rather than recoup those funds, as would usually be the case. It was also in the news because whistle-blowers had alerted her ministry of problems and then they were let go, with no intervention from her ministry.

Can the minister explain why her government is so eager to introduce new ideas but so unwilling to provide the oversight necessary to make sure that it is working properly and using its funds properly?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, we are very, very pleased and excited, in fact, about the family health teams that are now operating right across this province: 200 family health teams that are serving 2.8 million Ontarians. Over 600,000 of those people did not have a family doctor before the institution of family health teams.

We do take our oversight responsibilities extremely seriously, though. That’s why every family health team does have someone in the ministry who reviews, line by line, their expenditures and does that reconciliation. Since 2005-06, we have recovered $121 million of unspent funds from family health teams. Indeed, we do have a process in place—and the member opposite is aware of this—where we do conduct audits. I’ll speak more to that in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Right now, Ontarians are little bit leery, and they’re getting sick and tired of a government that is all too willing to shell out hundreds of millions of dollars for health care services but does not seem to bother to properly monitor or to properly oversee, which we all know is a core function of the government—oversight. Yet today, it doesn’t seem like it is being done.

Can the minister assure Ontarians that her family health team model is not yet another idea turned sour because the government did not bother to follow the money to demand accountability?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I know that the member opposite is very familiar with the success of family health teams. Tens of thousands of people in her own riding are benefiting from family health teams.

Do we have important responsibilities for oversight? Absolutely. We take that very seriously. Indeed, the Mel Lloyd family health team in Shelburne has been subject to a ministry audit because concerns were raised by the community, and we have acted on those concerns.

This is an important part of moving forward with the transformation of health care. We need to focus on wellness. We need to get people the care they need before they get so sick that they have to go to hospital. Family health teams are a wonderful addition to health care in this province.

EDUCATION

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: My question this morning is for the Minister of Education.

Minister, we all know that schools suffered in Ontario under the last government. The good news is under our government, we opened 500 schools and we hired 13,000 teachers. The PC Party closed 400 schools; 15,000 teacher jobs were lost.

In the last eight years, we have brought the graduation rate up by 14% in this province. I have seen these results in my riding of Pickering–Scarborough East: at Dunbarton High School, St. Mary’s collegiate and—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: Under the last government, only 68% of graduates were getting through high school. Will the minister tell this House about programs that help more students in Ontario graduate?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: I want to thank the member from Pickering–Scarborough East for her advocacy for her community when it comes to education.

This morning, the Premier and I had a chance to visit Weston Collegiate with the member from York South–Weston. There, we had a chance to speak directly with our Ontario high school students, many of whom are benefiting from a new and ever-expanding program called the specialist high-skills major program. Six years ago, that program had only 500 students in it. Next year, we will have 38,000 students who benefit from that.

In September, there will be more than 1,500 specialist high-skills major programs in 670 high schools across Ontario, an increase from 1,300 programs this year. What that program does is it gives students the ability to acquire a specialized, career-focused education, it gives them a chance to get specially recognized certification and training, and opens the doors for them to see what career path they might want in the future.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Tracy MacCharles: Thanks to the minister for her answer. Last week, CBC News reported on the success of this very program at Lester B. Pearson high school. The high school students will be graduating this year, many with the specialist high-skills major in health care.

I’d like to quote the report from CBC: “Experience in health care and a competitive edge in post-secondary school education is what these 27 students” at Lester B. Pearson “have gained through their specialist program.”

Minister, I know how important education is to my constituents in Pickering–Scarborough East and everyone in Ontario, and I look forward to attending some graduation ceremonies this month at my local high schools. Speaker, through you to the minister, what else are we doing to help Ontario students graduate?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: Innovation in education and listening to our students about what they need to succeed is what’s helping us ensure that more students will graduate.

I’m so proud that we now have 93,000 more students who have graduated. That really puts those students on a much better career path and much better life trajectory for the future.

Specialist high-skills major programs, like other programs such as expanded co-op credits, the dual credit program—all of those programs are helping students get the experience that they need so that they can be successful in school, so that they can ensure that they find a pathway for their future. That’s why we’re so focused, Speaker, on ensuring that we continue to put significant investments in our schools, we continue to innovate, and we continue to put Ontario students first.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question today is for the Minister of Health. Does this sound familiar: “Hospital Loses Faith in Ornge”? Well, it should sound familiar because it’s a Windsor Star headline to an

article where the Windsor Regional Hospital CEO says, “‘Things have not changed at Ornge. Whatever cultural issues are going on in that organization, things have not changed.”

The minister has stood in her place saying she has fixed the problems at Ornge, but it’s undeniable: The minister and the McGuinty government have failed. But they no longer need to take our word for it. The question is, will they now take the word of a hospital CEO right in the backyard of Dwight Duncan?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A reminder for the member: We refer to all members by their riding or their title. Thank you.

Minister.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, if the member opposite is genuine in his wish to improve care at Ornge, he would stop blocking Bill 50 and get that legislation passed. I do not understand why the party opposite continues to raise concerns but refuses to be part of the solution. We are making important progress at Ornge, there is no question about that, but we do need to get Bill 50 passed to ensure that there is oversight by legislation of Ornge. As I say, it is unconscionable, frankly, that they can complain but they refuse to be part of the solution; in fact, they block the solution.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I honestly don’t know how this minister sleeps at night.

Again, to the minister: We now know of yet another situation under your so-called new leadership. In April, Ornge dispatched a crew to Windsor Regional Hospital for a critical patient but didn’t send enough paramedics. Disgusted and frantic at the incompetence, the CEO of the hospital paid $500 cash out of his own pocket to pay for a taxi to send a nurse along with the air ambulance to fill in for the lack of paramedics. Is this her idea of cleaning up the mess at Ornge?

The Windsor Star now says, “The Ornge ambulance crisis has become a full-blown scandal, and the Liberal government can no longer deny it.”

Minister, with a full-blown scandal under your leadership, why don’t you do us all a favour, including Dwight Duncan, and resign immediately?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Be seated, please. Stop the clock. The first time was a warning. The second time was defiance.

Minister.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: There is significant improvement happening at Ornge. Are we all the way there yet? No, we are not. But we’ve added significantly to the strength of the Ornge team by adding—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew is warned.

Stop the clock. I also have another point to make. I find it interesting that more and more members are taking to using their earpieces to hear. That is not a good sign.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And I don’t need any other comment when I’m standing.

Please finish, Minister.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, yes, we’ve got very good news at Ornge. I know that good news at Ornge is bad news for the opposition, but it’s good news for the people of Ontario. We’ve got 10 more paramedics working. We’ve got more pilots working. We’ve got new senior management on board. We know the member opposite is opposed to the Ontario southwestern economic development fund; he has voted against that. Is he also opposed to Bill 50? I’m going to ask him, if you really want to be part of the solution, let’s work together. Why don’t you take on the job in your caucus of getting your caucus supporting Bill 50?

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Mr. Michael Prue: My question, again, is to the Premier. Today I will be reintroducing my bill to ban owners and managers from taking their employees’ hard-earned tips. This problem was growing in 2010 when the bill was first introduced and when it passed second reading, but for thousands of servers this unfair practice continues, in some cases costing them more than ever before. Speaker, does the Premier agree that tips should go to the hard-working bartenders, servers and dishwashers across Ontario and not to their bosses?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: I want to thank the member for the question. I know he has been a champion on this issue for a long time. We know that waiters and waitresses and bartenders across Ontario are the front line of a successful hospitality sector in Ontario, and we know that these young men and women often do a great job and work very hard to earn a decent living. At many establishments, servers share some of their tips with the bussers and the hosts and other service support staff. Those tip-sharing agreements are up to the management of each establishment.

The service sector is very competitive and the managers and the owners understand that their success depends on a service staff that is competent, caring and suitably compensated. We’re certainly aware that the tip-out issue is a contentious issue within the hospitality industry, and we welcome the debate on the topic.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Prue: I think the honourable minister is mistaking tip-outs for tip-sharing, and there is a fundamental difference between them. Most people don’t even know that when they leave a tip, the owners of some restaurants and bars take a cut. Some owners take it all. But now we have a chance in this minority Parliament to see to it that restaurant and bar owners and managers be banned from taking their employees’ tip money. We have a chance to finally give those workers the protection they so deserve. Will the government support my efforts to make sure all of the tips go to the people they are meant for, the hard-working employees?

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: Again, I thank the member for his advocacy on this issue and I look forward to his introducing this bill. If any service staff have labour-related issues or feel that they’re being treated unfairly by their employer, I would encourage them to call the Ministry of Labour’s employment standards office for assistance. We care deeply about the workers and we want to ensure that employee rights are protected under the Employment Standards Act, because we understand how important these men and women are to our hospitality sector across Ontario.

We know that they’re the front line of that industry and it’s an important economic development opportunity for Ontario, so I look forward to discussing the issue and I thank the member for his advocacy on this issue.

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

Mr. Jeff Leal: My tough and thorough question this morning is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister, last week you announced the creation of a panel to consult with the horse racing industry and that transition at the end of the slots-at-racetracks program. This is of great interest to the horse people in my riding who I met this past weekend. I’ve spoken to many of them since the announcement of the end of the slots-at-racetracks program, and I know that you’ve been speaking with horse people right across this great province. Mr. Speaker, could the minister please inform this House of the members and the mandate of this panel?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member from Peterborough, an unabashed advocate of moving forward with consultations to help the horse racing industry transition from the slots-at-racetracks program to a more sustainable, self-sufficient model.

The consultations are being led by a panel of three former cabinet ministers: former NDP Minister of Agriculture Elmer Buchanan, former Progressive Conservative Minister John Snobelen, and my former colleague John Wilkinson. The panel will work with the industry to develop a vision for the horse racing future, provide recommendations to the government on how to allocate transition funding, and advise on the modernization of other industry revenue sources to assist the industry in becoming self-sufficient. I look forward to the report.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Jeff Leal: I want to thank the minister for that detailed answer.

The members of the panel and its mandate have been subject to much discussion amongst the horse racing industry since last week’s announcement. Having received $3.7 billion through the slots-at-racetracks program through the OLG since 1998, the industry will have to engage with the panel on a new business model that is self-sustaining, moving forward.

I have spoken to many people at Kawartha Downs in my riding who believe that there is a positive future for this industry, and they want us to sit down with the industry and get a positive plan going forward. Could the minister please elaborate on the transition program for the industry announced with this panel?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: First, I want to say that I know the horse racing industry will survive, but I’d also like to see it thrive. Program decisions will be made based on the recommendations of the panel, and we need to let them do their work. Many people in the horse racing industry want to work to help shape the future of that industry. They will be an important part of the process.

We know that the slots-at-racetracks program is ending at the end of next year. The future for the industry is one that doesn’t rely on government support. So we’ve asked the panel to work with the industry and to advise us how to get there.

Speaker, I’m not going to prejudge what they come in with, but I do know that if you want to predict your future, you’ve got to be about creating it.

WOMEN’S SHELTER

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Premier. I need, and so does our city, your urgent action by Thursday. That’s when the board of directors at Nelson House is expected to shut down the women’s shelter for good. This move has already displaced 15 at-risk women and their children with few crisis supports, with the exception of Ontario Works. Sadly, we know that a split second can mean the difference for those women and their children.

These 15 beds are part of a larger problem in Ottawa. In 2009, it was found that over 3,000 women were turned away from crisis shelters in our city. That’s basically one in every six women. At Nelson House, it was far higher—one in every 11.

The chair of Nelson House has cited a government risk assessment that said the agency was at high risk. Premier, did your government commission the study? Have you or any of your ministers seen it, and will you commit to reviewing it today before it’s too late and those beds are closed for good?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. John Milloy: I think all members are concerned with the potential permanent closure of Nelson House. Just to bring members up to speed, as the member alluded to, there has been a temporary closure of the facility. I want to assure her, and assure all members, that the ministry has worked to make sure all residents at Nelson House have been transitioned to safe accommodations. The crisis line which has been operated by Nelson House has been transferred to ensure that women in crisis are supported.

The executive committee membership is meeting on June 14 to consider the board’s recommendations to close permanently. This is an independent institution that has that authority. MCSS officials will attend this meeting to address the ministry’s expectations and requirements regarding the risks they identify over the shelter’s governance and management problems. Obviously, based on the decision that the board makes, we will work very closely to address the results.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Back to the Premier: There’s no question that community and social services has a major stake in the game. So do virtually several other government departments.

One of the problems with what’s happening at Nelson House is the mixed messages coming from the chair and effectively repeated today. Speculation is running rampant because the chair has cited a government risk assessment study. She has said repeatedly that the financial situation was becoming “more desperate by the month,” and she cited lack of managerial support.

The truth is, the management board at Nelson House hasn’t been forthcoming, and it will have ripple effects throughout our entire community. Without transparency, the public simply doesn’t know what’s wrong so that we can help.

Will you commit today, Premier, to intervene so our community can get those 15 crisis beds for women and children up and running today?

Hon. John Milloy: I know the member would never want to leave the impression—Nelson House is an independent body which contracts with the Ministry of Community and Social Services. The decision that they will reach on the 14th, this Thursday, is based on discussions they’re going to have internally.

I want to reiterate that if they do decide on Thursday to wind down their operations, MCSS will continue to work with the community at large to make sure that the transition, those 15 beds that would be closed down—that the community will have the capacity to deal with women who are in crisis.

As I said in my earlier answer, we have worked to make sure that the 15 women who were there have been dealt with in the community, and we’re going to continue to work with Nelson House and the community at large.

CONDOMINIUM LEGISLATION

Mr. Rosario Marchese: My question is to the Premier. Speaker, the Premier said today that instead of moving forward with my bill to give condo owners more protection, he’s conducting a condo review, which, according to rumours, may drag on for 18 months. Condo owners don’t want to wait two more years for better protections. Why is the Premier stalling on badly needed changes?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Consumer Services.

Hon. Margarett R. Best: It’s my pleasure to respond to the concern that the member raised. It’s a very important question for us, because we know that in Ontario, 525,000 condominium units are in the province, and the rate is growing very rapidly.

The condominium market in Ontario has changed dramatically since the Condominium Act came into force over a decade ago. We are in fact taking steps to modernize the condominium market here and the act. This review that we’re doing will directly engage the entire condominium community—owners, residents, developers and property managers—to identify a comprehensive set of issues and bring long-term solutions to the ever-changing market.

We will continue to work with all the consumers in the province of Ontario to ensure that we get this right.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rosario Marchese: The minister is telling us things that I have been telling you for four years. This condo bill has not been updated for 15 years. I’ve been saying that for four years. We know that there are over 1.3 million condo owners.

I want to say to the Premier, you’re looking for my advice, so here it is. Let’s not draw this out for years. Condo owners have been telling me for five years they need licensed property managers, a quick and affordable way to resolve disputes, and better protections against shoddy construction. Is the Premier ready to move ahead with my proposed update of condo rules, or is he going to wait two more long years?

Hon. Margarett R. Best: I thank the honourable member for his good intentions. Certainly, we want to work in collaboration with the members, Mr. Speaker. We will consider the proposals that he has made and how they will affect condominium owners and other stakeholders.

It is important for us to ensure that we get it right. This is an ever-changing marketplace. We want to make sure that when we get to the end of this with the review, we will have the right bill and we will ensure that the consumers are protected. We are looking at consumer protection for buyers, condominium finances, reserve fund management, condominium boards of governance; we’re looking at the expertise and accreditation of condominium managers, at dispute resolution.

This is a very important engagement process. We want to ensure that this Condominium Act—which, by the way, has been in place for approximately 11 years, not 15 years—is going to be the right act when we get to the end of this.

ASSISTANCE TO FLOOD VICTIMS

Mr. Bill Mauro: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I also want to thank Premier McGuinty and Finance Minister Duncan for their support and assistance with Friday’s $16-million announcement in Thunder Bay for flood relief for my communities of Conmee, Oliver Paipoonge and the city of Thunder Bay.

In spite of this great news, there are still those that are trying to convey an impression somehow that our government was slow in responding. Either they don’t understand the process or they’re pretending that they don’t understand the process. In fact, Speaker, it’s quite the opposite. Our turnaround time on response to this flooding crisis in three communities in my riding was incredibly quick, and it’s primarily a function of information that’s required back from the three affected municipalities.

Can the minister please explain to the people in my riding the process for declaring a disaster area and the timelines associated with the announcement?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I want to thank the members from Thunder Bay–Atikokan and Thunder Bay–Superior North for their advocacy for the community. I want to also thank everybody on the ground—all the emergency services, municipal officials, community organizations and local volunteers—for all of their hard work in Thunder Bay, Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge, the three affected communities.

When we received the resolution from Thunder Bay city council asking the province to declare the city a disaster area, we then worked with the municipalities to get assessments in place and have people on the ground to gather the information necessary. We got that information last Thursday. On Friday—so, 24 hours later—I was happy to visit Thunder Bay with both Bill Mauro and Michael Gravelle to inform the community that we’d be able to commit up to $16 million to help Thunder Bay, Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge to get back on the ground.

The volunteers like Michelle Likun on Spofford Street and 87-year-old Helen, who came out to speak to me—all of those people have been involved in getting the community back on its feet.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Bill Mauro: Minister, thank you for the response. You’re right: The residents appreciate the efforts of the responders, ministry officials, the voluntary orgs and everybody who has helped to deal with this challenge.

While the residents are very appreciative of the $16 million that we’ve put forward to reduce the burden significantly on the taxpayers of Thunder Bay, there are still some questions that remain on what is considered to be one of the biggest floods in Ontario’s history.

My question is: Does the federal government have a role in helping the people in Thunder Bay, in Conmee and in Oliver Paipoonge? Can the minister please explain if there’s any possibility that the federal government once in a while will show up in Thunder Bay and provide some assistance to my communities in Thunder Bay, Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge?

Interjections.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: You know, from the noise on the other side of the House, you would think that this was a party opposite that doesn’t believe that government levels should work together. We actually believe that governments should work together.

The up to $16 million that we are talking about is from ODRAP, which is Ontario disaster relief. But what is also in place is that there’s federal government disaster financial assistance. There are strict criteria that have to be reached, that have to be met.

What would have to happen is, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing would have to apply for funding on behalf of the province. For the province to become eligible, Ontario—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s enough.

Carry on.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Ontario would have to spend $1 per capita. That means that, based on—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m not appreciative of the member from Dufferin–Caledon, as soon as I sit down—actually, I wasn’t even quite sat in my seat, to start.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No, no. This is not the moment to try to challenge me to do anything else, but to focus on what I’m talking about.

Minister.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It’s a bit bizarre that the party opposite wouldn’t want to hear what other assistance Thunder Bay, Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge could get.

Based on 2011 population data, that would mean Ontario would have to invest $13.3 million in recovery efforts and then we could apply for federal funding on behalf of Thunder Bay and the surrounding areas. So we’re going to be paying attention and we’re going to monitor the situation closely because we think we should apply if there’s that possibility, and I think the party opposite should agree with that.

JOB CREATION

Mr. Jeff Yurek: My question is to the Premier. Premier, last month, Ontario lost 31,000 full-time jobs, and May was the 65th consecutive month that Ontario has lagged Canada in job creation. The Premier has failed to take action on Ontario’s jobs crisis and instead struck yet another panel to talk about it.

Last Friday, the Premier announced that CAW economist Jim Stanford would be sitting on this panel—the same Jim Stanford who has a

chapter in his book entitled “Replacing Capitalism?” Will this Premier explain why he has made Jim Stanford his jobs adviser?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Mr. Speaker, I think Jim Stanford is a great Canadian who has a lot to offer this country. I may not agree with him, but you know what? Stop trashing good citizens of this province and country who dedicate and volunteer their service. I’m proud that John Snobelen is helping us with the horse racing industry. I’m proud that Jake Epp is the chair of Ontario Power Generation.

You know what? Instead of that negative attacking of Ontarians, vote for the southwest Ontario economic development fund today. Let’s work together to create jobs. Let’s stop name-calling and let’s stop demonizing the people who we don’t agree with. Let’s work together for a better future for all Ontarians. Doing that will pass the southwest economic development fund. Thank God people like Jim have stood up in support of that—

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

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Back to the Premier: If you want to stop trashing Ontarians, stop trashing the doctors. Stop trashing the Ontario horse racing industry. Stop trashing Ontario breeders.

Mr. Speaker, the Liberals clearly have no plan to tackle Ontario’s jobs crisis. They brought in CAW economist Jim Stanford to advise on jobs—a man, in his book, who condemns “the continuing, scandalous failure of capitalism.” Does this Premier accept Jim Stanford’s position on capitalism? If not, why has the Premier brought in Jim Stanford as a jobs adviser?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The member’s constituents who work for and in the auto sector ought to be listening very carefully.

Mr. Speaker, it is about respect. We all work together in this province. Our jobs and growth council is composed of people from all walks of life. We have the head of a bank; a union economist; we have a number of people from the manufacturing sector. These are all people who want to give back to their province and their country. We think that’s important. In fact—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. That’s been said twice, and the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound will withdraw.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No, you stand and withdraw.

Mr. Bill Walker: I withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: These people are all volunteering.

I’d like to thank John Tory, the former leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, for working with us on Ontario Place.

Mr. Speaker, we can all work together. That kind of attitude sets Ontario back. We’re prepared to work with all Ontarians for a better future for Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question. The member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. Paul Miller: Thank you, Speaker.

Interruption.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. I’m going to ask that security clear that now.

Interruption.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On this side, as well.

The member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.

Mr. Paul Miller: I always get screwed on question 6.

Speaker, my question is to the health minister. Mike Pidberezny is a constituent of mine, a father, a husband, a Hamilton police officer for 29 years. Mike was diagnosed with kidney cancer in January of this year. His team of experts at the renowned Juravinski Cancer Centre have recommended interleukin 2 as the only effective means of treatment for a sustainable remission. Mike has been told he is an ideal candidate for this treatment. Unfortunately, this treatment is no longer available in Ontario, even though it continues to be funded in other provinces. Mike has applied for out-of-province coverage, but the ministry is unwilling to foot the bill.

Speaker, why is this government denying patients in Ontario access to treatments that doctors and other provinces continue to endorse? Minister, will you help Mike?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: The member opposite knows that these decisions are made by independent experts who are extremely knowledgeable about health care, about drugs, about what is available in Ontario and about what is not available in Ontario.

I’m very proud of the coverage that we do offer. We’re always looking at ways to make it better. I think the member opposite knows that we are absolutely committed to doing what’s right for Ontario patients.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no deferred votes. Therefore, this House sits recessed until this afternoon at 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1137 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Mike Colle: I’m here to introduce some of our friendly members of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. We have Dave Elliott, who’s also president of Elliott Insurance; Arthur Lofsky, who’s in charge of government relations from the Insurance Brokers Association; we’ve got John McClelland, who’s also with the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario; and a very special person, a good friend of mine who is the president-elect of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario, Debbie Thompson. Welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We welcome our guests to the House. Further introduction of guests?

There being no further introductions, it is now time for members’ statements.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

ROSY RHUBARB FESTIVAL

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from—let me get this—Elgin–Middlesex–London. I trip on that one all the time.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: That’s right—a tongue twister. Thank you, Speaker.

This past weekend was the 20th anniversary of Rosy Rhubarb Festival in Shedden, Ontario. Twenty years ago, a small group of people gathered together with an idea to promote the small rural community of Shedden, Ontario, and also raise some money for a new community complex.

Gary Carr, one of the initiators of the fundraising idea, also masqueraded as Rosy Rhubarb. Gary passed away in December 1996, and the organizing committee decided no one else could do the job the way Gary did, and retired his costume. But the spirit of Rosy Rhubarb lives on. Every year, on the second weekend in June, they celebrate the plant that put their village on the map. Gardens are lush with ripe rhubarb waiting to be turned into tasty treats for friends, families and visitors. Only the best pies, tarts and cakes make it into the annual rhubarb bakeoff.

The winning entries are auctioned off on the Friday night of the festival, kicking off a weekend of fun, community spirit and fundraising.

To date, the Rosy Rhubarb Festival, an alcohol-free event, has raised more than $800,000. The Rosy Rhubarb Festival is organized and run entirely by volunteers from the community. Special thanks to Jean and Ralph Palmer, Lorne Spicer, and chairman Keith Orchard for their continued service to this event and community.

I wanted to share the excitement of this rural festival. I have brought strawberry-rhubarb pie for the PC, NDP and Liberal caucuses. Remember to think of Rosy when you enjoy your pie.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I hope the member doesn’t forget the Speaker, either.

PETER VOYNOVICH

Ms. Cindy Forster: Mr. Speaker, on May 29, 2012, the community of Welland lost a 39-year veteran professional firefighter. Peter Voynovich, age 60, was laid to rest with a funeral and honour guard befitting a wonderful and kind husband, father, friend and devoted firefighter. Hundreds of firefighters from across the province attended to pay their respects. Welland’s fire chief, Denys Prevost, described him as an expert at his work.

Peter and his wife, Connie, faced many health challenges over the last few years, but lived each day with hope and enthusiasm. Peter’s spirit was an inspiration for all who met him. Peter’s passing was a line-of-duty death because of colon cancer that he valiantly fought for five years and that was related to his career.

In June 2007, the province moved on presumptive legislation for firefighters, allowing injured workers’ benefits for them and their families. Unfortunately, Ontario has fallen behind other provinces who have broadened their scopes for protections for firefighters for other cancers and recently have recognized post-traumatic stress disorder.

Regrettably, over the last five years, firefighters have lost their lives in the line of duty and have gone to their graves and are not recognized in Ontario, to the detriment of their families.

For Peter’s family, his wife, Connie, and sons, Joshua, Matthew and Peter, let’s do the right thing. Let’s expand our scope and let’s protect firefighters like Peter from work-related illnesses.

FRIENDS FOR LIFE /

AMIES POUR LA VIE

Mr. Grant Crack: I’d like to take a moment to speak about one of the great groups in my riding of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell that supports the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s Run for the Cure. The fundraising team is called Friends for Life, or Amies pour la vie.

Friends for Life was formed in 2010 by Marie-Claire Ivanski, Ginette Rivet, a breast cancer survivor, and Lorraine Dicaire. They formed their own team after seeing the difference the breakfast made to survivors in terms of support and the importance of money raised for research and awareness.

The 2013 team has added two new dynamic members, Diane Bourdeau, the 2012 breast cancer breakfast guest of honour and breast cancer survivor, and Nicole Gosselin-Séguin, whose mother-in-law, Jacynthe Séguin, passed away from breast cancer at the age of 57. It was her death that inspired Friends for Life to fight their fight.

Une femme sur neuf est susceptible de développer un cancer du sein au cours de sa vie, et ce, chez les femmes au-dessus de l’âge de 20 ans.

The Friends for Life mission is to raise important dollars for funding research, education and awareness programs, and reducing the stigma of breast cancer. It is also building a network of support in our communities for our breast cancer survivors, to give hope for tomorrow by standing united today.

La mission des Amies pour la vie est aussi de créer un réseau d’appui dans nos communautés pour nos survivantes du cancer du sein et d’offrir de l’espoir pour demain en s’entraidant aujourd’hui.

Friends for Life has many fundraising activities, including an annual fundraising breakfast, a trip to Quebec City draw, a candlelighting ceremony, a Victorian tea and a garden tour on June 23, and a bingo in October later this year.

Speaker, I’m very proud of this local initiative. I congratulate Friends for Life and wish them all the very best in their future endeavours and their hard work. Congratulations. Félicitations.

WORLD UNIVERSITY

ARCHERY CHAMPIONSHIP

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’m pleased to share with the Ontario Legislature today my congratulations to a constituent of mine, Nathan Urquhart, who will be flying to Madrid on July 1 to represent Canada at the ninth annual World University Archery Championship. This is Nathan’s first major archery competition, and I have heard that he’s extremely excited and honoured to have this opportunity.

Nathan will be representing Canada and the world at the world championship, along with four teammates who are from Alberta and Ottawa.

This is a big sacrifice for these athletes, as this is an athlete-funded event. I know that they have worked long and hard and made some significant sacrifices to get to this championship. I admire their hard work and dedication to their sport.

I want to wish Nathan and his teammates the best of luck at the World University Archery Championship and offer our congratulations for achieving this great honour.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

M me France Gélinas: There are 19 families in and around Nickel Belt who have lost loved ones or suffered adverse events while Ornge was involved. The weight of the doubt, that maybe things could have gone differently, wears very heavily on their shoulders. For some, it’s almost too much to bear.

Those people deserve an independent third party to investigate their complaints, to help them turn the page, lift the weight that doubts have put on their shoulders and find closure. They deserve Ombudsman oversight.

The Minister of Health has put in front of this House Bill 50,

An Act to amend the Ambulance Act with respect to air ambulance services. She wants to make sure that what happened at Ornge—the debacle—never happens again. Yet Bill 50 does not include Ombudsman oversight.

We will all win when people confronted with adverse health events or families who have lost a loved one can have their complaints investigated by an independent and impartial third party.

After everything we’ve heard about Ornge, from the $1.4-million salary to the private loans and the web of for-profit companies feeding off public funds, the people of Ontario deserve Ombudsman oversight.

Will the Minister of Health agree to amend the bill to show compassion for the families affected and caught in the middle of this mess and give the Ombudsman the right to investigate their complaints?

AJAX HOME WEEK

Mr. Joe Dickson: I’d like to let everybody know about the great 42nd annual Ajax Home Week, which commences today, Monday, June 11.

There’s an Albion Amusements carnival all week at Zellers. The Legion is open all day to all residents. They don’t have to be members.

The town unfolds hospitality. Tonight, there is Lions Pasta Night. On Tuesday, there’s the free Ajax Seniors Day at the Legion. You don’t even have to be a member. You’re covered, including your meal.

There’s free swimming at the McLean centre from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, which I sponsor. On Wednesday, we have Scrambles 8th Annual Home Week barbecue that goes all day. We also have the Ajax Home Week Peace and Community Harmony Concert at the McLean Centre. It’s free of charge. St. Louis Bar and Grill—prizes for the winners. I better hurry up.

Ajax Home Week Auction at the Legion on Thursday. St. Timothy’s Presbyterian Church barbecue.

Friday—pre-parade events. There’s entertainment from 6 to 9 at Durham Centre. A free community barbecue; again, it’s my MPP office. We served 1,600 people last year. The Home Week parade: We kick off the summer at Finn McCool’s lobster fest that night. Saturday is the Salvation Army’s soaker fest.

But the big day is Sunday, June 17. It’s waterfront day, it’s Father’s Day, and the whole family is welcome. Most of the day is free at the waterfront. There’s a classic car show at Finn McCool’s. There are crafters. There’s fun in the sun, with six different children’s rides, all free for the family. The police helicopter from Durham region drops in, and it goes on and on.

I’m going to have to pull the plug on it, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I think so.

Mr. Joe Dickson: But there are the largest fireworks in all of Durham region on the Sunday night—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Glad to hear it.

Mr. Joe Dickson: —starting at dusk, at 10 p.m.

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

Mr. Joe Dickson: And thank you, Mr. Speaker, for your—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member pulled his own plug. Thank you very much.

CITY OF KITCHENER

Mr. Michael Harris: Yesterday marked Kitchener’s 100th anniversary as a city. Thousands of proud residents joined together on Sunday to remember our community’s past, celebrate our heritage and look forward to our future.

Kitchener’s story began in 1852, when new settlers from Germany and across Europe founded a small rural community in southern Ontario. Over the next 60 years, they worked together to build up the local economy and attract new residents to what had become an industrial hub for a provincial economy.

In 1912, Kitchener, then called Berlin, became a city which more than 15,000 people called home. Since then, Kitchener’s population has grown rapidly, attracting people from all different backgrounds and cultures.

In fact, new Canadians make up a quarter of Kitchener’s population, which is now more than 200,000. These newcomers to Kitchener have done so much to contribute to our community, whether it’s by educating residents about their cultures or by opening up successful new businesses. Their strong and unwavering work ethic reflects the long-standing reputation of our community. Not even the Great Depression or the recessions of the 1980s or 1990s, as well as the financial crisis of 2008, could break our community’s resolve. We have always found a way to bounce back, succeed and evolve.

Manufacturing continues to be a staple of the local economy, but Kitchener has also developed as a vital part of Canada’s renowned research and innovation capital.

The last 100 years have been nothing short of amazing, and I’m sure, if the past is any guide, Kitchener has an exciting and promising future in store.

PROLUCID TECHNOLOGIES

Ms. Dipika Damerla: Mississauga, like countless communities across Ontario, began life as a farming community. In particular, specifically, it was apple orchards that were original economy of Mississauga. Even today, we have a lot of names that celebrate that heritage. In my riding, we have names like Golden Orchard, Orchard Street, Applewood etc.

But over the years, Mississauga’s economy has obviously evolved and diversified and prospered, because like most successful communities, that’s what you have to do: Reinvent yourself over and over again.

I’ve always wondered how this reinvention takes place. How do you go from a community that has been farming orchards to aviation manufacturing? How does that happen? I got a peek into that last Thursday when I visited a company called Prolucid Technologies. I was there to announce, and I’m really proud to say, that we just gave them a grant of $887,000. What they’re going to do with that is create eight new jobs—not just any jobs, but the kind of jobs that Mississauga and Ontario and Canada need to have a prosperous future.

Prolucid is involved in the smart grid. It’s going to smarten up our electricity grid. What does that mean? The best way it was explained to me was that Prolucid is going to do for Ontario’s electricity grid what smart phones did for cellphones.

I am so proud to have this little jewel in my riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I very much appreciate the opportunity today to rise in support of the independent school bus industry. I know that several of my colleagues have spoken out in support of small and rural independent school bus operators throughout Ontario.

On April 27, the Minister of Education received a letter from the school bus industry, asking for clarification on non-negotiated fixed-fee contracts, to see if they were actually a form of competitive procurement that complies with the BPS procurement directive. They further asked the minister if school boards and consortia would have an answer in time to plan for the 2013 competitive procurement deadline.

As you can understand, Speaker, these small, independent school bus operators require a answer from this government. However, they are still waiting.

In the past, I’ve asked the Minister of Education to release the Coulter Osborne report. When it was finally released, we learned that there were some key recommendations, including that further study was needed to ensure that the government was moving in the right direction for this particular industry, and that an independent third party conduct a review of the procurement process. One can speculate that he did not believe this government was up to the challenge and had the confidence in them to conduct the review properly themselves.

It appears to the school bus industry and to the opposition that the Minister of Education has ignored these recommendations, and that is unfortunate. I can assure you, Speaker, that members on this side of the House will continue to stand up for independent school bus operators because, I must say, they’re an important part of rural and small town Ontario because they know our children and our children know them.

ANNUAL REPORT,

INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that I have today laid upon the table the 2011-12 annual report of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario.

ORDER OF BUSINESS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I also beg to inform the House that, pursuant to

section (

a) of the order of the House passed on May 31, 2012, the House leaders have indicated in writing to the Clerk of the House that the following two private members’ public bills have been selected: Bill 8,

An Act respecting an underground infrastructure notification system for Ontario, and Bill 33,

An Act to amend the Human Rights Code with respect to gender identity and gender expression.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PROTECTING EMPLOYEES’

TIPS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR LA PROTECTION

DU POURBOIRE DES EMPLOYÉS

Mr. Prue moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 107,

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 with respect to tips and other gratuities / Projet de loi 107, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi en ce qui concerne les pourboires et autres gratifications.

Mr. Prue moved first reading of the following bill:

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. Michael Prue: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The bill prohibits employers from taking any portion of an employee’s tips or other gratuities: simple as that.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE CREDIT

SCORING BAN ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012

INTERDISANT LE RECOURS

AU POINTAGE DE CRÉDIT

POUR L’ASSURANCE

PROPRIÉTAIRE OCCUPANT

Mr. Colle moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 108,

An Act to amend the Insurance Act to ban the use of credit history and ratings in respect of homeowners and other personal property insurance / Projet de loi 108, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les assurances en vue d’interdire le recours aux antécédents en matière de crédit et aux cotes de solvabilité relativement à l’assurance propriétaire occupant et à d’autres types d’assurance de biens meubles.

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. Mike Colle: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The bill, if passed, will prohibit insurers from using, in respect of personal property insurance, a person’s credit history or rating as grounds for the following: (1) declining to issue, terminate or refusing to renew a contract, or refusing to provide or continue any coverage or endorsement in respect of a contract; and (2) classifying risk in the determination of rates for the coverage of a category of insurance.

In other words, we banned credit scoring for auto; now it’s about time we banned it for home insurance to protect consumers.

MOTIONS

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move a motion without notice concerning the order passed by the House on May 31, 2012.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader seeks unanimous consent to introduce a motion without notice. Agreed? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: I move that, notwithstanding

section (a), private members’ public bills, of the order passed by the House on May 31, 2012, the requirement that the order for third reading of Bill 8,

An Act respecting an underground infrastructure notification system for Ontario, be discharged and that the bill be recommitted to the Standing Committee on General Government be waived, and that Bill 8 remain ordered for third reading; and

That the order for third reading of Bill 8,

An Act respecting an underground infrastructure notification system for Ontario, may be called during morning orders of the day on Thursday, June 14, 2012.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader has moved this motion. Are we in agreement? Agreed? Agreed.

Motion agreed to.

PETITIONS

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I received this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario through the Honourable Bob Chiarelli and the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur.

“Whereas the Ontario horse racing and breeding industry generates $2 billion of economic activity, mostly in rural Ontario;

“Whereas more than 60,000 Ontarians are employed by the ... horse racing and breeding industry;

“Whereas 20% of the funds generated by the OLG slots-at-racetracks program is reinvested in racetracks and the horse racing and breeding industry, while 75% is returned to the government of Ontario;

“Whereas the OLG slots-at-racetracks program generates $1.3 billion a year for health care and other spending, making it the most profitable form of gaming in the” entire “province for OLG;

“Whereas the government has announced plans to cancel the slots-at-racetracks program, a decision that will cost the government $1.1 billion a year and threatens more than 60,000 jobs;

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

“Call on the Ontario government to:

“(1) protect the $1.1 billion of revenue the government received annually because of the OLG slots-at-racetracks program;

“(2) direct OLG to honour the contracts with racetracks and protect the horse racing and breeding industry by continuing the OLG slots-at-racetracks revenue-sharing program.”

I support the members of Nepean–Carleton who signed this, and I will sign and affix my signature as well, and present it to Anthonie.

CYCLING

Mr. Jonah Schein: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas 28% of Ontario adults regularly cycle and over 50% of children cycle either daily or weekly;

“Whereas a cycling fatality occurs every month in Ontario and thousands of cyclists are injured each month;

“Whereas Ontario is lagging behind provinces like British Columbia and Quebec that have invested $31 million and $200 million respectively in cycling infrastructure;

“Whereas investing in cycling infrastructure in Ontario will create jobs and benefit the economy, reduce traffic congestion and pollution, protect those sharing the road, encourage active transportation and improve public health;

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

“That the province of Ontario release a comprehensive bicycling strategy for Ontario that facilitates the development of policy and legislation relating to bicycling in Ontario. This policy would include dedicated funding to match municipal investments in cycling infrastructure, education initiatives to raise awareness about the rights and responsibilities of all road users, and a review and update of provincial legislation, including the Highway Traffic Act and Planning Act, to ensure roadways are safe for all users;

“That the strategy set provincial targets and timelines for increasing the number of people who commute by bike and cycle recreationally.”

Speaker, I approve of this petition. I’ll affix my name to it and give it to page Kendra.

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

Mr. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, I’m very pleased today to present a petition on behalf of Mary Grant from Kitchener, Ontario. She lives on Vanier Drive. I know she was out over the weekend celebrating Kitchener’s 100th anniversary. I want to thank her for this wonderful petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas all Ontario students have the right to a school environment where they feel safe, welcome and respected;

“Whereas school boards must take preventative measures against bullies and issue tougher consequences for those who participate in bullying;

“Whereas creating a safe and positive learning environment is an essential part of helping students succeed in school;

“Whereas all schools should support students who want to lead activities that promote acceptance and respect for all, including a group named a gay-straight alliance;

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

“That Bill 13, the Accepting Schools Act, 2012, be adopted so that students across Ontario are protected from the harmful effects of bullying and given every opportunity to succeed in school.”

I will affix my signature to it and give it to page Katie.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I’d like to remind the members that they can offer a brief

summary of their petitions, if they’d like to expedite this.

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

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

“Whereas the horse racing industry employs approximately 60,000 people, creates $1.5 billion in wages and $2 billion in recurring expenditures annually; and

“Whereas the partnership that was created between government and the horse breeding and racing industry has been a model arrangement and is heralded throughout North America, with 75% of revenues going to the provincial government to fund important programs like health care and education, 5% to the municipalities and only 20% goes back to the horse business; and

“Whereas the horse business is a significant source of revenue for the farming community and rural municipalities;

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

“That the Ministry of Finance continue the revenue-sharing partnership with the horse racing industry for the benefit of Ontario’s agricultural and rural economies.”

I support this petition, will affix my name and send it with page Annaleise to the clerks’ desk.

RADIATION SAFETY

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from all over Ontario.

“Whereas there are risks inherent in the use of ionizing, magnetic and other radiations in medical diagnostic and radiation therapy procedures; and

“Whereas the main piece of legislation governing these activities, the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (HARPA), dates from the 1980s; and

“Whereas neither the legislation nor the regulations established under the act have kept pace with the explosion in imaging examinations, including image-guided procedures used in cardiology, radiation therapy, ultrasound, orthopaedics etc.;

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

“That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care establish, as soon as possible, a committee consisting of experts to review the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (1990) and its regulations and make recommendations on how to modernize this act to bring it up to 21st-century standards, so that it becomes responsive to the safety of patients and the public and covers all forms of radiation that are currently used in the health care sector for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.”

I support this recommendation, Mr. Speaker, will affix my name to it and ask page Colin to bring it to you.

KIDNEY DISEASE

Mr. Jeff Leal: I’m delighted today to present a petition on behalf of Vera Hicks, who’s from Little Britain, Ontario—a great community.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“We, the undersigned residents of Ontario, Canada, draw the attention of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to the following:

“Whereas kidney disease is a huge and growing problem in Canada;

“Whereas real progress is being made in various ways of preventing and coping with kidney disease, in particular the development of a bioartificial kidney;

“We, the undersigned, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to make research funding available for the explicit purpose of conducting bioartificial kidney research as an extension to the research being successfully conducted at several centres in the United States.”

I agree with this petition, will affix my signature and give it to page Kyra.

WIND TURBINES

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

“Whereas industrial wind turbine developments have raised concerns among citizens over health, safety and property values; and

“Whereas the Green Energy Act allows wind turbine developments to bypass meaningful public input and municipal approvals;

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

“That the Ministry of the Environment revise the Green Energy Act to allow full public input and municipal approvals on all industrial wind farm developments; and

“That the Minister of the Environment conduct a thorough scientific study on the health and environmental impacts of industrial wind turbines.”

I agree with this petition. I will be signing it and giving it off to page Anthonie.

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: I have 1,000 petitions signed regarding auto insurance. It reads as follows:

“Whereas auto insurance rates are too high in the province of Ontario and continue to increase;

“Whereas families across the greater Toronto area ... are facing unfair insurance premiums that have more to do with where they live than their accident history or driving ability; and

“Whereas insurance premiums across the GTA differ by as much as 150% for drivers with the same driving record;

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

“That the Ontario Legislative Assembly undertake auto insurance reforms that protect consumers, ensuring that premiums are based on a fair assessment of a driver’s known ability and history, rather than unfairly targeting drivers on the basis of where they live.”

I support this petition, will affix my signature, and hand it to page Annaleise.

RADON

Ms. Dipika Damerla: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas radon is an inert gas formed by the radioactive decay of uranium-238, which is present in rocks and soils in the earth’s crust;

“Whereas there have been many studies linking radon gas as a cancer-causing agent;

“Whereas studies have covered various aspects of radon exposure as a prevalent carcinogen in various locations, the most predominant locations being” mines “and residential homes; and

“Whereas currently there is no regulation in Ontario that governs what is an acceptable level of radon in a public and/or private dwelling;

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

“To support private member’s Bill 36, introduced by Reza Moridi, MPP, Richmond Hill, on February 23, 2012, which would enact the Radon Awareness and Prevention Act, 2012, and amend the Building Code Act, 1992, with respect to radon.”

I present this petition to page Tameem.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. Peter Shurman: I have a petition here being read, actually, for the first time in the assembly. It’s from several hundred concerned citizens.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care unilaterally introduced cuts to funding for physician services and diagnostic testing; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has implemented these cuts without consulting the Ontario Medical Association; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has no alternative plan to ensure the standard of care for patients is uninterrupted; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has cut funding for ophthalmologists’ diagnostic equipment by up to 80%; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care prohibits individuals from paying privately for OHIP-funded tests; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has not given physicians the final funding amounts for services;

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

“To agree to meet and negotiate in good faith with the Ontario Medical Association; and

“To properly fund the health care system in Ontario, given that the population is increasing at approximately 1.2% annually; and

“To give the Ontario Medical Association the final funding amounts for services.”

I agree with this petition, will sign it and give it to page Sam.

GREY BRUCE HEALTH UNIT

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that came to me from the people of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. It reads as follows:

“Whereas residents of Bruce and Grey counties do not support the closure of the Walkerton office of the Grey Bruce Health Unit; and

“Whereas board of health members have not been consulted regarding the closure; and

“Whereas the Grey Bruce Health Unit administration has failed to release the cost-benefit analysis used to determine why the Walkerton office of the Grey Bruce Health Unit should be permanently closed;

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

“To direct the Grey Bruce Health Unit’s medical officer of health to keep the Walkerton office of the health unit open and fully operational.”

I will send this with Tameem.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Mr. Reza Moridi: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas currently the chair of the regional municipality of York is not an elected official and is appointed;

“Whereas currently the population of the regional municipality of York is approximately one million and forecasted to reach 1.5 million within the next 20 years;

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

“To support private member’s Bill 60, brought forward by Reza Moridi, MPP for Richmond Hill, which would amend the Municipal Act, 2001 to provide that the head of council of the regional municipality of York must be elected and may not be appointed.”

I fully agree with this petition, sign it and pass it on to page Andrew.

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM OFFICE

Mr. Jeff Yurek: To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the government of Ontario decided to close the Ontario Disability Support Program office in St. Thomas, an office which serves over 3,245 people of our most vulnerable population throughout St. Thomas and Elgin county;

“Whereas the government of Ontario made this decision without consultation;

“Whereas the majority of clients don’t have access to transportation to London to attend appointments with their caseworker, which may result in loss of benefits;

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

“That the Ministry of Community and Social Services consult with the city of St. Thomas and Elgin county to find a solution to keep the ODSP office open in St. Thomas.”

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

INDOOR TANNING EQUIPMENT

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Member for Peterborough.

Mr. Jeff Leal: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker—

M me France Gélinas: Hey, hey, hey.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): She’s right; she’s correct.

M me France Gélinas: It’s nice to see you’re looking at me.

“Whereas there is a growing body of evidence linking tanning bed use to increased cancer risk...; and

“Whereas many groups, including the Canadian Cancer Society and the Ontario Medical Association, support a ban on the use of indoor tanning equipment by youths under the age of 18; and

“Whereas the provinces of British Columbia and Nova Scotia have passed legislation banning youths from using indoor tanning equipment...; and

“Whereas there is broad public support in Ontario for increased regulation of the tanning industry, with 83% supporting a ban on indoor tanning for those under 18;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to enact legislation banning youths under the age of 18 from using indoor tanning equipment except in the case of medical need.”

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

RADIATION SAFETY

Mr. Joe Dickson: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (1990) is in serious need of modernization;

“Whereas the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (1990) is not in harmony with all the following acts, regulations, guidelines and codes: the Occupational Health and Safety Act of Ontario, the radiation protection regulations of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the safety codes of Health Canada and the radiation protection guidelines of the International Commission on Radiological Protection;

“Whereas dental hygienists need to be able to prescribe X-rays and to be designated as radiation protection officers in order to provide their clients with safe and convenient access to a medically necessary procedure, as is already the case in many comparable jurisdictions;

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

“To express support for the motion filed on April 17, 2012, by Reza Moridi, the member from Richmond Hill, that asks the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to establish a committee consisting of experts to review the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act (1990) and its regulations, make recommendations on how to modernize this act, and bring it to 21st-century standards, so that it becomes responsive to the safety of patients and the public and to include all forms of radiation that are currently used in the health care sector for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.”

I add my signature to this and will pass it to page Alexander.

OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I have a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the optical coherence test (OCT) is critical for the treatment of macular degeneration, glaucoma, vascular disease of the retina and diabetic macular edema; and

“Whereas the government has reduced funding for the OCT test; and

“Whereas the reduction of funding will result in loss of vision for many Ontarians;

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

“We urge our leaders to reverse the recent cuts in health care, and specifically to fund the OCT test at a level that will continue to give the best possible eye care for our population.”

I affix my signature, as I agree with this petition.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The time for petitions has expired. Again, I know there are a number of members who would have wanted to present petitions this afternoon. Had the members been willing to abbreviate their petitions, then everyone would have had a chance to present their petitions today. Given the fact that this is the last week of the spring sitting, I would encourage all members to endeavour to abbreviate their petitions if possible, so as to allow everybody to get their petitions in.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ORDER OF BUSINESS

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I believe that you will find we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private bills.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The government House leader is seeking the unanimous consent of the House to bring forward a motion with respect to private bills. Agreed? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I move that the orders for second and third reading of the following private bills shall be called consecutively, and that the questions on the motions for second and third reading of the bills be put immediately without debate:

Bill Pr1,

An Act to revive Coutu Gold Mines Limited;

Bill Pr3,

An Act respecting Master’s College and Seminary;

Bill Pr4,

An Act to revive Hili Enterprises Ltd.; and

That Mr. Leal, the member from Peterborough, may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr1 on behalf of Mr. Orazietti, the member from Sault Ste. Marie.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Milloy has moved that the orders for second and third reading of the following private bills shall be called consecutively, and that the questions on the motions for second—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Dispense? Dispense.

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

Motion agreed to.

COUTU GOLD MINES

LIMITED ACT, 2012

Mr. Leal, on behalf of Mr. Orazietti, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr1,

An Act to revive Coutu Gold Mines Limited.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

COUTU GOLD MINES

LIMITED ACT, 2012

Mr. Leal, on behalf of Mr. Orazietti, moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr1,

An Act to revive Coutu Gold Mines Limited.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

MASTER’S COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

ACT (TAX RELIEF), 2012

Mr. Leal moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr3,

An Act respecting Master’s College and Seminary.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

MASTER’S COLLEGE AND SEMINARY

ACT (TAX RELIEF), 2012

Mr. Leal moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr3,

An Act respecting Master’s College and Seminary.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

HILI ENTERPRISES LTD. ACT, 2012

Ms. Damerla moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr4,

An Act to revive Hili Enterprises Ltd.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

HILI ENTERPRISES LTD. ACT, 2012

Ms. Damerla moved third reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr4,

An Act to revive Hili Enterprises Ltd.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

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

Third reading agreed to.

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 10, 2012, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 11,

An Act respecting the continuation and establishment of development funds in order to promote regional economic development in eastern and southwestern Ontario / Projet de loi 11, Loi concernant la prorogation et la création de fonds de développement pour promouvoir le développement économique régional dans l’Est et le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario.

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

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’m happy to rise again to continue our opposition to Bill 11 and continue the debate on this bill.

We’ve been, on our side of the House, very clear and consistent on why we can’t spend an extra $160 million at this point in time. Bill 11 proposes $160 million in new spending at a time when Ontario has a deficit of $16 billion.

It’s ironic that across the globe recently, we’re seeing the trouble with Greece running into massive debt and deficits. On the weekend, Spain just got a bailout, in fact, of €100 billion. In Spain, we see unemployment at 25%. It’s the position of our party that, come hell or high water, we’re not going to allow Ontario to become a Greece or a Spain, and that’s the reason for our opposition to this bill, Bill 11. Ontario, under this government, is heading in the wrong direction: a deficit of $16 billion and a debt, according to Don Drummond, that could reach $411 billion by 2017-18.

We just saw the job numbers released last Friday. Ontario lost 31,000 full-time jobs in the month of May. I was at the press conference with the Minister of Economic Development and Innovation where he blamed the troubles in the United States for Ontario’s job woes. But it’s also ironic that companies are leaving Ontario. We saw General Motors in the last couple of weeks announce that they’re heading to Detroit and Tennessee. So the minister is blaming the United States for Ontario’s job losses, yet jobs are leaving Ontario for the United States.

The government is heading in the wrong direction here in Ontario, and we need a real jobs plan. That’s what we’ve been talking about consistently. Urgent action is needed. We need to create the environment for growth and for jobs to prosper, for businesses to prosper. What we don’t need is Bill 11, which is $160 million in more spending, in more corporate handouts. On a long-term basis, corporate handouts don’t work. They’re not sustainable.

We’re standing up for the taxpayers, here on this side of the House, in why we oppose Bill 11, and it’s really very simple: This government has a huge spending problem. Spending more money when you’re in debt, with a debt the size that Ontario faces, is a bad decision. It’s the wrong decision and it’s not going to help Ontario families get back to work.

For example, our party, our caucus, believes that the current apprenticeship system needs to change. The system is out of date and is not creating the jobs that Ontarians need. This would be one point that I’d like to make this afternoon: Instead of spending $160 million, let’s get the apprenticeship system reformed so we can create up to 200,000 jobs.

The Ministry of Finance predicts there are going to be over one million skilled-job vacancies by 2021, despite Ontario’s job crisis. We have a labour shortage. Modernizing Ontario’s apprenticeship system, as I said, would help create 200,000 skilled trades jobs over four years. This is good policy. Allowing employers to take on more apprentices, and giving more responsibility to colleges to match apprentices up with employers, would help more young people find skilled trades jobs. This would certainly help businesses and people unemployed in southwestern Ontario, and in eastern Ontario as well.

Our caucus would lower the apprenticeship ratio to 1 to 1 while delegating more responsibility to Ontario colleges, as I said, for matching apprentices with employers.

People want to work in the skilled trades, but this government once again is preventing job growth and economic growth from happening here in Ontario. In one simple, practical step, we can give 200,000 men and women employment opportunity, a good career in the skilled trades right here in the province of Ontario.

Imagine the impact this will have on new home construction, infrastructure maintenance and on industrial output. Imagine the jobs there if we had a government that would take our PC plan to create 200,000 jobs.

In most provinces around this great country, employers are allowed to hire one apprentice for every journeyman employed. In Ontario, some trades require as many as five journeyman to hire one apprentice, limiting the number of young people who can find work. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has said, “The sole limiting factor in our ability to train more apprentices is the journeyman/apprentice ratio requirements” in Ontario.

Ontario faces a big and growing jobs-training deficit, producing 46% fewer tradespeople per capita than in the rest of the country. Because of the Premier’s dismal record on creating apprenticeship positions, only one in four Ontario apprentices finishes their job training. Ontario will face up to one million skilled trades vacancies by 2021 without urgent action to reform an antiquated system. There are jobs that can be created with little to no cost, versus the approach we’re seeing by this government with Bill 11, which is another big spending bill. Why does the McGuinty government think that the only way to solve problems is to spend hard-earned taxpayers’ money?

Ontario is lagging behind the rest of the world as well. In the 1990s, Australia reformed its training system and the number of apprentices doubled between 1995 and 2000. The UK, France and Sweden have also increased their number of apprenticeship positions through similar reforms.

Speaker, this is an opportunity for this government, and they’re doing nothing to take advantage of this. Enough is enough. It’s time that the spending stops and the current structures that are in place are changed to encourage opportunities for people in Ontario.

And I hear, time and time again, from my constituents in Lambton–Kent-Middlesex that they don’t want a government that favours one region over another or one industry over another. Importantly, they want a change in direction: new thinking and new ideas coming from their government. But this Premier and this government just don’t get it.

It’s not just members of the opposition saying this, Speaker. As reported in the Ottawa Citizen on November 15, 2011, the recent Roger Martin report has asked that the government abandon “its policy of picking ‘winners and losers’ ... through subsidies to businesses.” This is a respected dean from the Rotman School of Management saying this.

Another interesting fact comes from a study done by the Fraser Institute which uncovers that government has spent a total of nearly $30 billion on corporate handouts. The money has been spent based on the promise that the economic state in Ontario will get better, and we all know that the state of the economy in Ontario is actually getting worse, thanks to the decisions made by this government.

It has been proven over and over again that the Premier’s spending legacy is not working. It has proven itself to be a complete and utter failure. The people of Ontario may sit back and ask, “How did this happen? How did the economic state of Ontario get so bad?” You see, Speaker, in Ontario, revenue is actually up $35 billion under this government, but spending is up $45 billion. This year alone, and currently, we’re spending nearly $2 million more each hour than we are taking in—$2 million of hard-earned taxpayers’ money is being spent more than what’s coming in on the revenue side.

The single biggest cost driver on the spending side is public sector compensation and the expansion of government. This is not what we stand for, and this is not affordable. It never was affordable, Speaker. That is why we have called—and my colleague from Elgin–Middlesex–London introduced a great piece of legislation calling for a public sector wage freeze, something that will save families over $2 billion in the next two years alone. Unfortunately, our leader, Tim Hudak, and our PC caucus were the only party in this House to support my fellow colleague’s bill from Elgin–Middlesex–London.

While a public sector wage freeze won’t turn our entire province around, it does signal that things are changing in Ontario and that we will not continue down our current path.

You see, what is affordable for Ontario families is creating an attractive environment to run a business, a place where costs are predictable and where small businesses and entrepreneurs can come and grow their businesses. I believe in a system of free enterprise, a system where people and businesses create jobs, not government.

Speaker, in Ontario, our revenue is at an all-time high, but it is uncontrolled spending on things like public sector compensation that’s the problem. The current government has not posed a single new idea for reining in spending. The Premier really only knows how to do one thing, and that’s spend. I guess another good proof point is the fact that when this Premier was elected and this government was elected in 2003, 20,000 employees in the public sector made over $100,000 a year. This year, that number is going to hit 80,000, so the size and cost of government has grown dramatically.

It’s a problem and why we have a $16-billion deficit and a debt that’s going to hit $411 billion if we continue down the same path.

So we have all of this spending going on, all of this debt and massive deficit, and we also have 600,000 people unemployed. It relates: If you have a massive debt and a massive deficit, you’re going to have fewer jobs in the province and more people unemployed. We’re seeing that across the globe right now.

I sometimes question and ask myself how can this government and their members sleep at night knowing that when it comes to the jobs crisis and the debt crisis in Ontario, they’re kicking the can down the road to the next generation. The reckless spending and inability to define priorities are at the root of the crisis we face today. The Premier has no idea what to do, so the Premier just keeps on spending, like Bill 11, hoping that something will work, something will stick and that something might change here in the province.

We can’t depend on much these days, but we can count on one thing, if given the chance under this Premier, and that is that spending will increase, the deficit will increase, jobs will continue to leave, and the people of Ontario will continue to suffer with higher taxes, higher hydro bills and skyrocketing debt levels.

Our position is quite clear: We can’t support additional spending without significant savings elsewhere. It’s as simple as that. We have to get our fundamentals right. We have to get our books back in balance, and that will lead to job creation in the province, especially in particular by getting the fundamentals of the economy right. Government can’t buy things that the public can’t afford. Families in Ontario understand this. Small businesses in Ontario certainly understand this. Our caucus, the PC caucus, members of our opposition, understand this.

To be clear, it’s not the government’s job to pick winners and losers amongst privately owned companies. Ontario families simply can’t afford these corporate subsidies any longer. It seems that the only people not to understand this are the members of the government.

Red tape and increased government spending are not helping our economy, either. Instead, we are seeing the debt rise daily. In Ontario we have hundreds of thousands of regulations that are really tying the hands of business owners. Business owners should have the time to dedicate their days to creating jobs in the province of Ontario, not dealing with red tape from some government inspector coming through the door.

The economy is getting worse and worse because the government is still spending. As I said, back to Friday’s announcement with 31,000 full-time jobs lost in the month of May because of this government, we’re heading on the wrong track and things every month seem to be getting a little worse. Our party has been clear that we don’t want Ontario to be the next Greece, the next Spain. We have to get our books back in order.

Speaker, as you know, myself and our leader and caucus strongly oppose corporate welfare. We strongly oppose government slush funds such as the one being proposed. We strongly believe that now is the time to reduce spending, not increase it. As I have stated here today, and as we have stated since the election, we can’t support additional spending without some cutbacks elsewhere.

It’s about having affordable energy—because that’s the one thing in my riding and as I tour the province that I hear in my portfolio as economic development and innovation critic: that hydro bills are killing jobs. I rose in the House a few weeks ago to deliver the bad news that the Sobeys grocery store in Wallaceburg is closing. It actually closed this week, I believe: 70 jobs gone in Wallaceburg, a hard-hit area of the province, in my riding. Time and time again, I hear about hydro bills going through the roof.

They’ve doubled, on average, over the last number of years under this government and are set to go up almost 50% over the next four or five years. It’s by far the number one job killer.

Again, we’re opposed to Bill 11. We’re opposed to $160 million in new spending when the deficit is skyrocketing, the debt is skyrocketing. We really want the government to listen to our caucus, to our leader, to get the fundamentals right, because that’s what we’re hearing as we travel the province.

With that, I will end and encourage all members here today to join with me in opposing bigger government and more spending, Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Mr. Rosario Marchese: I’ll have an opportunity in the next 10 minutes to do my lead on this bill, which will give us about an hour, and I will critique much of what the Conservatives stand for when I have that hour.

But I do want to thank the member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex for supporting the amendments that I introduced around Bill 11. This is one of the bills around which we were able to achieve amendments for the very first time. They are before us in this bill, and we could not have done it without the support of the Conservative members who were a part of that committee. Every now and then, you see, we can work together to make some changes. I’ll be able to speak to those amendments—because I suspect that while you may not agree with all of them, you did agree with the majority of them.

People deserve to know that New Democrats and Conservatives made those amendments together, with much resistance from the Liberal caucus on that committee. I’ll speak to that in about 10 minutes.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Mr. Grant Crack: It’s a pleasure for me today to speak on Bill 11, the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act. I can tell you, as a former mayor, that we have a number of businesses in my municipality and in my riding of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell that have benefited from this particular fund. In particular, Bentley Leathers, last fall, was a recipient of this, and they were able to expand their business and innovate.

I’m confused as to why the member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex and the Conservative Party are not in favour of this, because we’re doing what we can to create jobs in the province of Ontario. We get criticized when GM decides to move jobs elsewhere, but at the same time, I would suspect that they were looking for the government to prop them up as well, to keep those jobs.

This is a great bill—very well supported by the mayors and the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus in eastern Ontario, and it would certainly benefit those in southwest Ontario.

I’ve got a few seconds here. I just want to touch on a letter that Minister Duguid had sent to Mr. McNaughton. We’re looking for a response on this particular bill. The minister says: “I am writing you today to request that we allow debate to collapse before the Legislature adjourns on Monday to allow the legislation to be called for a final vote on Monday afternoon, which we would then ask be deferred until Tuesday, June 12, 2012, during deferred votes.”

We need to get this legislation passed. We’re looking for a good partnership, co-operation with the NDP to make sure that we can continue to create good jobs right across the province of Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Mr. Jim McDonell: I stand today to discuss this bill. I have a number of problems with it.

First of all, my colleague from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell talked about the eastern Ontario wardens supporting this, and they did, but it was not for this reason. The bill was to solve some of the inequities with eastern Ontario, some of the problems we have, the lack of assessment. We’re half the assessment, half the population that they are in western Ontario. Now they’ve taken this money that was assigned to our area and are spreading it around. It was an acknowledgment by the government that we had some competitive issues.

It’s interesting to hear some of the credit they’re taking today. We’re looking at an economy where we’re losing jobs to the US because we’re no longer competitive. We can’t go on spending money just because a pot of money is found. First of all, it was assigned for something else, and now it’s just going to be spread around.

The comment about maybe keeping GM here—that was a problem with not being competitive. Our hydro rates are the highest in North America. How do you expect companies that are looking aroun