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May 14, 2001

37th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2001-May-14 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 14 May 2001 Lundi 14 mai 2001

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NORTHERN ECONOMY

GERRY O'CONNOR

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

CONTROL OF SMOKING

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

DATE RAPE DRUGS

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

CONTROL OF SMOKING

IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN AWARDS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AMENDMENT ACT (DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED), 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 MODIFIANT

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(CONDUITE PENDANT UNE SUSPENSION)

INQUIRY INTO POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

OF SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST MINORS

IN THE CORNWALL AREA ACT, 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 PRÉVOYANT UNE ENQUÊTE

SUR LES ENQUÊTES POLICIÈRES

RELATIVES AUX PLAINTES DE MAUVAIS

TRAITEMENTS D'ORDRE SEXUEL

INFLIGÉS À DES MINEURS

DANS LA RÉGION DE CORNWALL

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AMENDMENT ACT

(CELLULAR PHONES), 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 MODIFIANT

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(TÉLÉPHONES CELLULAIRES)

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

POLICE WEEK

CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

POLICE WEEK

CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

POLICE WEEK

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

EDUCATION FUNDING

HYDRO RATES

EDUCATION FUNDING

SEAT BELTS

AND CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS

EDUCATION FUNDING

NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND

HÔPITAL MONTFORT /

MONTFORT HOSPITAL

EDUCATION FUNDING

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS'

SURVIVOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND

IPPERWASH PROVINCIAL PARK

GOVERNMENT USE OF

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

WALKERTON TRAGEDY

PETITIONS

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

ELECTRICITY GENERATING STATION

HEALTH CARE

SAFE DRINKING WATER LEGISLATION

DIABETES TREATMENT

WATER EXTRACTION

PROTECTION OF MINORS

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

PROTECTION OF MINORS

HEALTH CARE

PROTECTION DES MINEURS

OPPOSITION DAY

IPPERWASH PROVINCIAL PARK

Monday 14 May 2001 Lundi 14 mai 2001

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NORTHERN ECONOMY

Mr David Ramsay (Timiskaming-Cochrane): Returning to northern Ontario on the weekend, northerners were asking me what was in the Harris budget

for them. "Absolutely nothing," I had to say; in fact, that the Harris government totally ignored northern Ontario.

Alarming in its absence was any mention at all of any improvements in the northern Ontario health travel grant that my colleagues Rick Bartolucci, Mike Brown,

Mike Gravelle, Lyn McLeod and myself have been working on for the last two years to try to get some equality between how you benefit southern Ontario cancer patients who have to travel versus

northern Ontario cancer patients. It's a shame that wasn't addressed last week in that budget.

Another slap in the face to northern Ontarians is the 10% cut in highway construction. Not only do we have the most roads in Ontario up north, and it's vital for

us to get to our jobs because we have to travel far, but they are in bad condition because of the severe weather we have in northern Ontario. In a slowing economy we also depend on the boost it

gives the economy when we get good road construction contracts throughout the north. But what do we see? Cuts, in a climate of ever-escalating gas tax revenues. The money is there, folks.

The other thing is the heritage fund, with $157 million sitting there unspent. We're not asking for new money. We're just saying, "Invest the money that you

allocated last year into the north so it can be invested in northern Ontario so we can prosper." That money is there for a very definite purpose -- to compensate for the resources that leave the

north -- and you're just sitting on it. So get that money invested into northern Ontario.

GERRY O'CONNOR

WATER TREATMENT PLANT

Mr Doug Galt (Northumberland): I rise in the House today to announce the wonderful work that has been done in Belleville at the Gerry O'Connor

Water Treatment Plant. Hardworking groups across Ontario, such as the Belleville Utilities Commission, are working to ensure that the quality of drinking water meets the highest standards.

There has been a tremendous amount of work done to preserve the original style of the plant and also to upgrade the facility. The plant is the first in Canada to

use dissolved air flotation technology in the pre-treatment process. Using innovative technology shows the commitment that Ontario has toward the environment.

Launching Operation Clean Water last August was done to ensure that there was safe drinking water across Ontario by creating high standards, frequent testing,

prompt reporting and tough penalties. Our commitment to drinking water has allowed my government to contribute more than $8 million toward this project and increase its size by more than 50%.

I would like to commend everyone involved in this project: the utilities commission, the municipality, the consulting engineer and the contractors.

I invite all those who can attend to join me in celebrating the official opening of the Gerry O'Connor Water Treatment Plant in Belleville, on Tuesday, May 15,

at 3 pm. It's located at 2 Sidney Street.

CONTROL OF SMOKING

Mr Ted McMeekin (Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot): I want to lend my voice today to the urgent need for this government to act to develop

a province-wide no-smoking policy in public spaces, one that levels the playing field while being fair to everyone.

Surely the time has come for the province to get their heads out of the sand and show some real leadership on this important health issue. The province has the

authority under the Smoking in the Workplace Act and the Tobacco Control Act to champion this cause, but so far all we've heard from this government is that it's a municipal responsibility.

Frankly, that's not good enough.

By comparison, our neighbours to the south of us have in 48 of 52 states now acted to place restrictions on smoking through statewide legislation. These laws

range from simple limited restrictions such as designated areas to laws that limit or ban altogether smoking in public places. Whenever a particular state has decided upon a single standard, that

standard is then applied to all municipalities.

In my riding, virtually every health professional and health association and business leader is telling me it's time to take strong action on the impact of

second-hand smoke. Recently, the mayors of Hamilton and Burlington have reiterated their desire to see province-wide standards. So too has the Hamilton and District Chamber of Commerce, and even

the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, representing 159,000 small businesses. They want this government to establish a province-wide standard, and they want this to happen now.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Mrs Tina R. Molinari (Thornhill): This morning, Premier Harris, along with Ministers Young and Jackson, honoured 13 Holocaust survivors for

their contributions to Ontario. These individuals overcame unbelievable adversity and sorrow to achieve great things for their families and communities. We honour and celebrate the lives and

successes of Ontarians who built our communities and gave hope to others. The experiences that they have endured can only inspire heartfelt admiration and respect for the Jewish community and its

strength.

But today is not only a day to recognize the dark side of the human spirit; we must also celebrate the strength of those who left the Holocaust with nothing: no

home, no hope, and in many cases no family. Despite this, they persevered. They started their lives anew. And what lives! Ontario's history is filled with that of people who contributed to family,

to friends and to their communities, people who found inner strength to combat adversity and to make Ontario the great, inclusive, tolerant province we have today.

The Holocaust was truly one of the darkest periods in human history. Millions of people were persecuted for no reason other than their religious or political

beliefs. It is vital that we recognize and remember the victims and the survivors of this terrible event. We must never forget.

DATE RAPE DRUGS

Mr Michael Bryant (St Paul's): It was with some sadness that I saw that the victims' rights pioneer organization CAVEAT is ceasing its

operations effective May 31. The Ontario Liberal caucus, and I know this whole House, salutes CAVEAT and all their efforts, and in particular their president, Priscilla de Villiers. CAVEAT, as I

said, has done so much for victims' rights in the province of Ontario, including recently their final report, Vision: Action Today for a Safer Tomorrow.

They made two recommendations on date rape drugs. They recommended that every man and woman have the right to be tested for date rape drugs if that's a test that

they seek, and that the government do everything it can to try and prevent and crack down on the high incidence of date rape drugs, particularly since it would appear that about one in four sexual

assaults involves date rape drugs, but at the same time less than 10% of these victims are turning to the police. That means that 90% of them have no access to these tests.

That's why I've introduced into the Legislature, Mr Speaker, a resolution which I'll not read in its entirety right now, but

be it resolved that every person in

the province of Ontario ought to have the right to be tested for date rape drugs. That's not the way it is right now in the province of Ontario. I think that's wrong, and I'm calling upon the

Attorney General today to reverse the government's policy and to provide every Ontarian the ability to be tested for date rape drugs.

Why? We can be tested for our cholesterol count. We can be tested for just about anything. This government wants to drug-test welfare recipients. Surely a man or

woman can find out what's been done to their body the night after a sexual assault by being tested for date rape drugs.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Ms Frances Lankin (Beaches-East York): I'm pleased to have an opportunity to reflect on a couple of events I attended last week. This is a

little bit like a day in the life of an MPP.

It was a bit of a spiritual day. Many of the colleagues here in the House attended at the Ontario prayer breakfast last week, and I was there. We were, I think,

all delighted to have the opportunity to hear Millard Fullard, the founder of Habitat for Humanity, who was the guest speaker at the Ontario prayer breakfast. Inspirational, no doubt. An amazing

life story. A man who became a millionaire before the age of 30, he and his wife made life choices to give that all away and to dedicate themselves to a larger purpose. They founded Habitat for

Humanity and believe that the issue of housing for all of God's children is critically important. It's now an amazing organization in countries around the world.

But later that day, the spiritual moment actually had a chance to grow bigger in my heart. That's when I attended the groundbreaking for the latest Habitat for

Humanity project, which is taking place in the riding of Beaches-East York in the city of Toronto. It is the most aggressive and largest Habitat for Humanity project in North America. Normally they

build single homes. In this case, they are building a five-unit townhouse plus a wheelchair-accessible detached bungalow.

The families were there. The corporate sponsors were there. The mentoring family partners were there. It was amazing. Millard Fullard was there. It was a day

when the community came together, when our hearts were open and filled with joy. I look forward to welcoming those new residents into the riding of Beaches-East York.

TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

Mr R. Gary Stewart (Peterborough): I rise today to commemorate the first anniversary of the unknown soldier being brought home to Canada in May

2000. The remains of an unidentified Canadian soldier who died in the First World War were repatriated from France and with great ceremony were buried in a special tomb in front of the National War

Memorial in Ottawa.

The Royal Canadian Legion developed the idea as a millennium project, and it was taken up by the Canadian government under the lead of Veterans Affairs

Canada.

The tomb of the unknown soldier has been created to honour the more than 116,000 Canadians who have sacrificed their lives in the cause of peace and freedom.

Furthermore, the unknown soldier represents all Canadians, whether they be navy, army, air force or merchant marine, who died or may die for their country in all conflicts past, present and

future.

The tomb of the unknown soldier is now the focal point of commemoration for all memorial events at the National War Memorial. It is a memorial in Canada for

Canadians. The tomb is a fitting way to honour the sacrifices on which our freedoms were built.

Let all members of this House remember the contribution made to Canada by our veterans.

CONTROL OF SMOKING

Mrs Lyn McLeod (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): More than 70 volunteers from not-for-profit associations are at Queen's Park today to demand action on

anti-smoking initiatives. These are people who have been working tirelessly to build awareness of the health effects of both smoking and second-hand smoke, and they are getting frustrated at the

lack of response from government.

The Harris government has all but ignored the two-year-old recommendations of its own expert panel on tobacco. The Premier said in March that he was committed to

a strong tobacco control strategy, but his commitment clearly didn't include any funding in last week's budget. The budget did show that the increased federal taxes on tobacco were bringing another

$175 million into Ontario, but not a cent of that is being directed to new anti-smoking initiatives.

Mike Harris wants to talk about the soaring costs of health care, but he's apparently not interested in preventing illness. Smoking results in a cost to the

health care system of $1.1 billion annually while the treatment of smoking-related illnesses consumes a million hospital days a year. Smoking is implicated in 12,000 deaths annually, many times

greater than the number of deaths from traffic accidents, suicides, homicides and AIDS combined. No wonder the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Lung Association, the Ontario Cancer Society and the

Ontario Medical Association are distressed that the government's talk is so much louder than its actions. It's not surprising that the Ontario Campaign for Action on Tobacco has given the Harris

government failing grades on its tobacco control report card.

We know the Ministry of Health wants action. We know proposals for action were sent to the cabinet late last year. We know they've gone nowhere, buried somewhere

under the $2.2 billion in corporate tax cuts that show this government's real priority. The Harris government has $175 million in increased tobacco taxation. Let them use it to reduce deaths from

smoking rather than siphon it off to the benefit of their big business friends.

IN CELEBRATION OF WOMEN AWARDS

Mrs Julia Munro (York North): On May 5, York region held a banquet called In Celebration of Women in support of the Ontario breast cancer

screening program at the Southlake Regional Health Centre.

The celebration, the creation of Diane Humeniuk, York regional councillor for Newmarket, recognized the achievements of women in York region, including my riding

of York North, by giving out 36 awards to women who have done outstanding work in their communities. Those awards were based on their impact, longevity, quality and other acknowledgements for their

contributions. Categories included education, environment, native women leadership and humanitarian awards.

The festive evening ended with the highest honour, the Woman of the Year Award. I would like to congratulate the winner, Anne Pegg, for her remarkable 40 years

of volunteering in Georgina. Her credits include 38 years in the Sutton Agricultural Society, the Red Barn Theatre and the Georgina Citizen of the Year Award for 2000. Congratulations to Anne and

to all award recipients.

I would like to conclude with a quote by Peggy Anderson which captures the spirit of great women and the In Celebration of Women banquet: "Great women are not

considered so because of personal achievements but for the effect their efforts have had on the lives of countless others. From daring feats of bravery to the understated ways of a compassionate

heart, great women possess a common strength of character. Through their passion and persistence, they have advanced womanhood and the world."

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AMENDMENT ACT (DRIVING WHILE SUSPENDED), 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 MODIFIANT

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(CONDUITE PENDANT UNE SUSPENSION)

Mr Bartolucci moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 47,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to increase the penalties for driving with a suspended licence / Projet de loi 47, Loi modifiant le Code de la

route pour accroître les peines pour conduite pendant une suspension de permis.

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

The member for a short statement.

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): The bill increases the penalty and the period of licence suspension to be imposed when a person is convicted more

than once of certain offences under the Criminal Code set out in

section 41 of the Highway Traffic Act.

It also increases the period of licence suspension to be imposed under

section 42 when a person is convicted more than once of operating a motor vehicle, vessel

or aircraft or any railway equipment in Canada while disqualified from doing so, contrary to subsection 259(4) of the Criminal Code; or is convicted more than once of prescribed offences under a

law of a state of the United States.

A vehicle used in the commission of an offence must be seized and sold if the owner's licence is suspended more than once under

section 41 or 42. The judge or

court may also be satisfied that the person convicted owned the vehicle at the time of the offence and still owns the vehicle. If not, the person convicted is subject to a fine equal to the value

of the vehicle used in the commission of the offence. In either case, the proceeds may be used to finance programs that, in the opinion of the Attorney General, promote safe driving, such as

MADD.

INQUIRY INTO POLICE INVESTIGATIONS

OF SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST MINORS

IN THE CORNWALL AREA ACT, 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 PRÉVOYANT UNE ENQUÊTE

SUR LES ENQUÊTES POLICIÈRES

RELATIVES AUX PLAINTES DE MAUVAIS

TRAITEMENTS D'ORDRE SEXUEL

INFLIGÉS À DES MINEURS

DANS LA RÉGION DE CORNWALL

Mr Guzzo moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 48,

An Act to establish a commission of inquiry to inquire into the investigations by police forces into sexual abuse against minors in the Cornwall area /

Projet de loi 48, Loi visant à créer une commission chargée d'enquêter sur les enquêtes menées par des corps de police sur les plaintes de mauvais traitements d'ordre

sexuel infligés à des mineurs dans la région de Cornwall.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): The member for a short statement?

Mr Garry J. Guzzo (Ottawa West-Nepean): The best medical evidence available indicates that pedophilia cannot be cured. This bill does not

concern itself with punishment or retribution. This bill speaks to the issue of protection of young people in eastern Ontario, particularly in the Cornwall area, and particularly those who, as I

speak, remain under the influence and direction of known pedophiles.

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: In view of the seriousness of this issue, I would ask for unanimous

consent that we pass second and third readings of Mr Guzzo's bill.

The Speaker: Is there unanimous consent? I'm afraid I heard some noes.

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AMENDMENT ACT

(CELLULAR PHONES), 2001 /

LOI DE 2001 MODIFIANT

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(TÉLÉPHONES CELLULAIRES)

Mr O'Toole moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 49,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit the use of phones and other equipment while driving on a highway / Projet de loi 49, Loi modifiant

le Code de la route pour interdire l'utilisation de téléphones et d'autres équipements pendant la conduite sur une voie publique.

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

The member for a short statement?

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): All police associations have written that the number one rule in safe driving is to limit distractions and keep both

hands on the wheel.

Just recently, a police report in Durham reported that "At approximately 4:05 pm on Monday, May 7, 2001, a fatal motor vehicle collision involving a pickup

truck and CP freight train occurred on Brock Road North in the city of Pickering."

To quote police, "Driver inattention is believed to have caused this collision. Police have learned that Mr Schewe was talking on a cellular telephone at the

moment of impact."

In light of recent incidents on Ontario roadways and the success of the Ontario Provincial Police Operation Distraction, it is clear that the use of hand-held

cellphones and communication devices interferes with the safe operation of motor vehicles.

This bill would amend the Highway Traffic Act to prohibit the use of hand-held cellphones and other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle.

Specific exemptions are provided for emergencies.

The bill further legislates the reporting of motor vehicle accidents caused by the use of hand-held communication devices.

This bill promotes safe transportation on our Ontario highways.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Education, Government House Leader): I move that, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet

tonight, Monday, May 14, 2001, from 6:45 pm to 9:30 pm for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour of the motion will please say "aye."

All those opposed will please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1354 to 1359.

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

Ayes

Clark, Brad

Clement, Tony

Coburn, Brian

Cunningham, Dianne

Dunlop, Garfield

Ecker, Janet

Elliott, Brenda

Galt, Doug

Gill, Raminder

Guzzo, Garry J.

Hardeman, Ernie

Jackson, Cameron

Johns, Helen

Johnson, Bert

Klees, Frank

Maves, Bart

Mazzilli, Frank

Miller, Norm

Molinari, Tina R.

Munro, Julia

Mushinski, Marilyn

Newman, Dan

O'Toole, John

Runciman, Robert W.

Sampson, Rob

Snobelen, John

Spina, Joseph

Stewart, R. Gary

Stockwell, Chris

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tilson, David

Tsubouchi, David H.

Turnbull, David

Wettlaufer, Wayne

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wood, Bob

Young, David

The Speaker: All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Agostino, Dominic

Bartolucci, Rick

Bisson, Gilles

Boyer, Claudette

Bradley, James J.

Brown, Michael A.

Bryant, Michael

Caplan, David

Churley, Marilyn

Colle, Mike

Conway, Sean G.

Crozier, Bruce

Curling, Alvin

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duncan, Dwight

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Kormos, Peter

Kwinter, Monte

Lankin, Frances

Levac, David

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

McLeod, Lyn

McMeekin, Ted

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Ramsay, David

Sergio, Mario

Smitherman, George

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 37; the nays are 32.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Because it is Police Week, I am asking for unanimous consent to have second and

third reading of Bill 22,

An Act to protect Children involved in Prostitution, as we all know it would help the police in carrying out their duties.

The Speaker: Is there unanimous consent? I heard some noes.

Mr Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: Given that it is Police Week, I ask for unanimous consent for second and

third reading of Bill 23,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to require a driver's licence to be suspended if a motor vehicle is used when purchasing sexual services from a child.

The Speaker: Is there unanimous consent? I heard some noes.

Mr Bartolucci: On a point of order, Speaker: Because it is Police Week, I would ask for unanimous consent for second and third reading of Bill

24,

An Act to amend the Municipal Act with respect to adult entertainment parlours, which would help the police immeasurably in the execution of their duties.

The Speaker: Is there unanimous consent? I heard some noes.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

POLICE WEEK

Hon David Turnbull (Solicitor General): Earlier this afternoon I joined with police and municipal representatives at the Toronto Police

Service headquarters to launch Police Week in Ontario.

This year, the policing community in Ontario is celebrating Police Week from May 13 to May 19. This week provides the residents of Ontario with an opportunity

to express their gratitude to the men and women who work to make our streets and communities safe.

I invite all members of the Legislature to join with me in recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by municipal and provincial police officers across

Ontario.

On May 6, I had the honour to participate in the province's second annual remembrance ceremony at the Ontario Police Memorial here at Queen's Park. It was a

moving ceremony, attended by the Lieutenant Governor, Premier Harris and the families and colleagues of fallen officers. The remembrance ceremony provides an opportunity to remember those brave

officers who have given their lives while serving the people of Ontario. The memorial and indeed the Police Week itself give us an opportunity to express our gratitude for the contributions made by

the province's police services, both past and present. We know that sometimes in fulfilling their duties, police can face great danger. As community members, it's important that we have the

opportunity to show our respect and gratitude to those officers and their families who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

A year ago, the memorial was unveiled and the first annual service for fallen officers was held. At that time 200 names were inscribed on the wall. This

special observance will continue each year on the first Sunday of May. This year we proudly, yet sadly, add the names of 11 officers to the memorial, including Sergeant Margaret Eve who made the

ultimate sacrifice last June. The other 10 officers who were identified for the memorial service served as recently as 1986 and as long ago as 1893. Let us pray we won't have to add any more names

to the memorial when we gather together next spring.

Families in Ontario have a right to feel safe in their communities. This sense of safety is dependent on the work of our police services. Every day, police

officers are on our streets and our highways preventing crime, apprehending criminals and assisting victims. At the memorial, we remember those who have given their lives for us.

It's also important this week and throughout the year to pause and pay special tribute to the more than 20,000 police officers currently serving across the

province. They have made a personal commitment to make our communities safe, and they put their lives on the line every time they report for duty.

While police officers are hard at work on the front lines, our government has made a commitment to provide them with the tools that they need to fight crime.

We have enacted Christopher's Law, establishing Canada's first sex offender registry; the Safe Streets Act, stopping aggressive panhandling; the Sergeant Rick McDonald Memorial Act, introducing

stiff new penalties for drivers fleeing police; and the Imitation Fire Arms Regulations Act, restricting the sale and purchase of imitation firearms in the province. In addition, last week's budget

allocated $6 million to specialized and legal resources to fight organized crime.

Under the community policing partnership program, we have allocated funding to add 1,000 net new front-line police officers in the province. Through the

Partners Against Crime program, we have invested $967,000 from the proceeds of crime to fund aircraft projects in four police services, and the government has invested $5 million to upgrade DNA lab

facilities to reduce turnaround time of results.

With the support of thousands of police officers across the province and in partnership with other stakeholders, we are winning the battle against crime. I

know that all members in this House join me in sending a message of appreciation to police officers across the province. I call on all members of the House to join me in saluting Ontario's police

services.

CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Last week I addressed the Legislature in relation to a potential Creutzfeldt-Jakob

disease matter at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. I can report to the House that a risk assessment was conducted and shared with ministry staff, local medical officers of health, Health

Canada, hospitals in Windsor and London, other scientific experts and the public. I know that all members of the House are pleased with the outcome of this assessment.

The neurosurgical instruments used at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor are no longer being used. I am advised that other surgical instruments that were

routinely sterilized and used in the hospital between March 13 and May 11 are considered to be at extremely low risk for contamination.

I wish to advise the Legislature that Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor may experience some financial pressures related to replacing surgical equipment. I

would like to assure the Legislature at this time that my ministry is working to assess the needs of the hospital and will provide the required financial assistance to maintain quality patient

services.

POLICE WEEK

Mr Dave Levac (Brant): Today we mark the beginning of Police Week. I am honoured to speak on behalf of Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal

caucus.

From yesterday, May 13, until Sunday, May 19, the citizens and the communities across the province are being invited to make themselves more aware of the

services provided by Ontario police, services that are sometimes unfortunately taken for granted until an emergency arises and we call upon these brave men and women to assist.

Our police officers also act in a proactive way.

We also need to take this time to reflect on the tremendous job that men and women in uniform do, day in and day out, protecting our communities and keeping

our hard-working families safe.

I was also honoured to be present and to represent the Liberal caucus at the remembrance ceremony. This ceremony is out of respect for the families as well as

the fallen officers. To them we offer our heartfelt thanks, our gratitude and our prayers.

In the provincial Legislature, Police Week is a time to reflect to make sure that we, as elected officials, are providing support to those on the front lines

when it comes to giving them the tools that are needed to do their job.

Today, the Solicitor General handed over a cheque to the Toronto police chief in order to hire more front-line officers. This is a start to regain losses.

However, this is not keeping up with the number of police officers retiring, and therefore the number of police on the front line is actually decreasing. In fact, there are 400 fewer officers on

the streets of Toronto today than there were in 1992.

Recent Statistics Canada figures show that actual police officers on the street between 1995 and 2000 are down 2.3% per capita in the province of Ontario.

Both Project P and our anti-organized-crime units are woefully underresourced and need the provincial government to support them in this very important work.

Fourteen members of Project P to wipe out pornography in the entire province of Ontario is not good enough.

In addition, the families of police officers need this government's support by protecting them from organized crime. That is why I have introduced the

Protecting the Privacy of Criminal Justice Personnel Act. Police officers must be free to do their job without fear of reprisal or intimidation directed at their families as well as themselves.

In conclusion, I congratulate the police of Ontario for the job that they do during this week and every week of the year. Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal

caucus appreciate it. We all appreciate it. Municipalities appreciate it. We deserve to have the best possible protection for the citizens and the hard-working people of Ontario.

Let's make sure they have the tools to do the job that they need to do.

CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB DISEASE

Mr Bruce Crozier (Essex): On behalf of my colleagues from Windsor West, Windsor-St Clair, Dalton McGuinty and the Liberal caucus, I am pleased

to respond to the comments of the Minister of Health with regard to the potential Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease matter at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor.

I am particularly pleased today that the minister has assured us that his staff is working to assess the needs of the hospital and will provide the required

financial assistance to maintain quality patient services, as suggested by my colleague from Windsor-St Clair last week.

I would also like to reiterate how we appreciate the minister having kept us advised of this situation -- those being the residents of Windsor-Essex county,

and the province, for that matter -- and the assistance and professional way that everyone involved in this has worked: the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit; Mr Frank Bagatto, the CEO of the

Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital; the surgical and nursing staff. All of the professional people involved in this have worked together to assure the residents of Windsor-Essex county, and indeed those of

the province, of the seriousness of the situation and yet how there was really, because of procedures taken, a minimal cause for concern in the end.

Last but not least, our prayers and our thoughts are with the patient who initially was affected by this issue and anyone who in the meantime may have suffered

any stress. To all those involved, I think everybody worked in a professional, sincere and compassionate manner, and we appreciate that very much.

Ms Frances Lankin (Beaches-East York): I have two brief comments in response to the Minister of Health. First, today he made a commitment to

provide the required financial assistance to maintain quality patient services at Hotel-Dieu Grace Hospital in Windsor. We hope that translates into the actual cost of purchasing the new equipment

and that there won't be a system of haggling here. Those are not the words he used, and we'd like some assurances on that.

Second, last week I raised the general policy question with respect to the increasing trend of hospitals using shared services, in this case equipment. We're

glad the risk assessment shows that the risk is less than it might have been. I've asked him to clarify for this House what the ministry's policy is with respect to that. I would hope the next time

he rises on this that he will respond to that point.

POLICE WEEK

Mr Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): New Democrats are pleased to join in this message of pride for our police here in Ontario as we commence

Police Week in this province.

We want police officers in communities across this province to understand the high regard in which we hold police officers, and I'm pleased to join with the

Solicitor General in speaking to those police officers, their families and the communities they serve in indicating very clearly that the people, the residents, the citizenry of our communities

value their police highly.

But I regret the Solicitor General's rather partisan ending to his comments, because I would ask the Solicitor General and, quite frankly, police officers in

this province to take note of the fact that while we supported with enthusiasm Christopher's Law, the New Democratic Party moved amendments that would have toughened Christopher's Law to ensure

that all sex offenders in the province would be included in that registry, not just the selected range of sex offenders that the government proposed. You see, the government voted down the NDP

amendments that would have improved the effectiveness of Christopher's Law.

New Democrats tried to strengthen the Sergeant Rick McDonald Memorial Act, again with tougher penalties, the same sort of penalties that police officers have

been asking for, but the government voted down those amendments moved by the New Democrats that would have toughened the Sergeant Rick McDonald Memorial Act.

New Democrats tried to toughen up the Imitation Firearms Regulation Act, but the government wouldn't support us in our efforts to make that law tougher; in

fact, the government did no more than adopt the Liberal bill, which has loopholes so big you can drive a truck through them and has imitation toy firearms still in proliferation across this

province, in the hands not only of criminals but of children as well. Again, that was contrary to what police officers wanted and asked for.

New Democrats are proud to stand with the cops of this province, the women and men who in every community, big and small, not only, as the Solicitor General

would say, are sometimes exposed to grave danger, but I suggest to you are oftentimes exposed to great danger. If we're going to pay tribute to our cops, let's make sure that as a Parliament -- and

I tell this government to ensure that it fulfills its responsibility to ensure that police forces are properly staffed, because we've seen a reduction in the number of police per capita in this

province since the election of the Mike Harris government.

I put it to this government, the Mike Harris Tories, that it's incumbent upon them to ensure that police forces have adequate resources, that they have the

technology and the tools to enable them to do their job, because police are under great pressure from the community. In any democratic society, as in ours, police are held to high standards, and

the police understand that, but when the police officers of our communities aren't given the tools and the resources to do their jobs effectively, one has to understand the frustration, the

incredible lack of morale that permeates many police forces, and the frustration that those police officers feel.

I suggest to this Solicitor General that he may never have visited communities like Fort Albany or Attawapiskat, Ogaki or Peawanuck. I joined my colleague the

member from Timmins-James Bay there last year, and I saw native policing services, NAPS, not only with broken tools but with no tools, one-person police forces, boats without motors, snowmobiles

without motors. We're talking about one-person police forces that are called upon to protect their communities, to investigate and assist in the prosecution of crime. This government won't even

give them justices of the peace to enable them to access arrest warrants and detention orders.

This government, I put to you, has not been a friend of police officers or of safer communities in this province. It certainly has been an outright foe of the

north and those native communities that rely upon this government to resource and staff their native policing services.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Hon Cameron Jackson (Minister of Citizenship, minister responsible for seniors): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I believe I have unanimous

consent to do an all-party statement on Yom HaShoah.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is there unanimous consent? Agreed.

Hon Mr Jackson: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I'm pleased to join all members of the House in recognizing Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial

Day. It is a day when the Jewish community all over the world lights candles to honour the people who survived the Holocaust, those monstrous events of the Second World War that have scarred

humankind for all time.

This government proclaimed Bill 66 in 1998,

an act that provides a day in each year to honour Holocaust survivors. I'd like to thank the member for Halton.

Ontario is the first government outside of Israel to have recognized this important day in history. The date is determined annually by the Jewish lunar calendar, which occurred this year on April

This morning, I had the privilege of hosting, along with our Premier and my colleague the Honourable David Young, the government's commemoration of Yom HaShoah

by honouring 13 Holocaust survivors. This event was also made possible by the ongoing efforts of the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem. The Israeli Knesset established Yad Vashem, the Holocaust

Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, in 1953, and it functions as a living memorial museum. It stands as a repository of the documented history of one of the 20th century's most tragic

events. Not only our Premier but former Premier Bob Rae and I believe Monte Kwinter in the House have all had occasion to visit this hallowed ground.

Earlier today, in a ceremony that was touching and inspirational and enriched by the pride of families and friends, we presented from the people of Ontario

scrolls to these 13 remarkable survivors to mark this important day. Many of the honourees and their families stayed for lunch, and some are still here in the gallery with us today. We are all

enriched by your contribution to this province. Most of you arrived here with little more than your indomitable spirit. You worked, established businesses and raised your families in a new world, a

world free from fear and free from tyranny.

At this morning's ceremony, I outlined a

summary of each individual, their astonishing lives, their heroic stories and their accomplishments. Their stories

touched our hearts profoundly. Your stories represent courage, dignity and faith and an overwhelming determination to conquer the evil you faced day by day, moment by moment, in those dark

times.

Some of you were small children when your lives were snatched up by oppressors, some of you were young adults, but all of you were victims of unspeakable

crimes and all of you miraculously triumphed.

These special honourees are in the House with us, and I'd like to read into the record of this Legislature for our history the names of each of these

courageous people: Leo and Sarah Beliak, Jenny Eisenstein, Cantor Morris Goldlust, Saul Ihilchik, Elias Kleimer, Theodore Libfeld, who is honoured posthumously by his wife, Lorraine, Andy

Lichtenberg, George Metz, Faye Schulman, Fela Shapiro, Irving Stal and Sam Weisberg.

I'd like to point out that the word "shoah" is the Hebrew word for "whirlwind." It is used to describe the horrific deeds that swept across Europe against the

Jews. The tragic toll was six million souls -- and one million children -- a population more than half the size of our province. In addition to this devastating number were many others who were

targeted for their race, for their religion, their physical and their mental disabilities and for their sexual orientation. It is the fervent belief of the people of the world, however, that such a

whirlwind will never touch down again on any soil at any time.

In Ontario we take our freedom for granted because we have inherited this. But these 13 brave people we honour today lost their freedom and, horrifically, lost

most of their family members and many of their friends and neighbours for reasons that no rational mind can ever contemplate.

During those dreadful years, the courageous people who survived did so with superhuman inner strength. Valiantly, they summoned upon their own spirituality and

their innermost resources to survive. Though they had lost so much in a material sense -- their homes, their businesses and family treasures -- they lost something far more valuable: their

fundamental freedom to practise their religion, the freedom to live without fear of persecution.

We must never forget. We must be vigilant. We cannot lose sight of the fact for a moment that freedom is everyone's right, not a privilege for the selected

few.

The loss of freedom reminds us that we live in a community of many communities, in a diversely harmonious province, in a land where each and every one of us

enjoys the ultimate freedom: the freedom from tyranny and oppression.

This is ours to cherish: to be who we are, to practise our many religions, to live in harmony with our neighbours. These freedoms are such an integral part of

our lives we seldom think of them.

To our 13 honourees today, I want to say to them once more in the House that this government recognizes your profound sacrifice and is proud to honour you for

making a life in our province, for endowing your children and grandchildren with the legacy of your courage, and through you we all learn about tolerance and understanding and are reminded that we

must not overlook the wealth of Ontario's many cultures in our neighbourhoods, in our towns and in our cities. You represent to us in the strongest and most heartfelt manner that we cannot and will

not ever again forget.

The province of Ontario honours you 13 valued, special citizens. But in truth, you honour all Ontarians with your courage and your dignity.

Mr Monte Kwinter (York Centre): Today we commemorate Yom HaShoah, Vehagvurah, Holocaust Memorial Day. Ontario has the distinction of being the

first jurisdiction outside of Israel to pass

an act proclaiming Holocaust Memorial Day. This act also calls for the enhancement of Holocaust and anti-discrimination education which will enrich our

Ontario heritage and mosaic.

As we already heard at the ceremony this morning, in conjunction with Yad Vashem, we honoured and recognized 13 survivors of the Holocaust for the eighth time

in this Legislature. I want to use this opportunity to make it an educational experience for all of us and recount the story of Chiune Sugihara, one of the most important rescuers of Jews during

the Holocaust. An estimated 40,000 descendants of the Jewish refugees he saved are alive today because of his courageous actions.

The story of Chiune Sugihara is among the most remarkable to come out of the Second World War. In the fall of 1939, Chiune Sugihara was sent by the Japanese

government to Kaunas, now known as Kovno, in Lithuania. He was sent there to open a consulate.

By 1940, much of Europe had been conquered by the Nazis, who imposed increasingly harsh anti-Jewish measures. Many Polish Jews fled from Poland to Lithuania,

where Consul Sugihara was approached to help in a complicated plan to enable the Jews to flee the Nazi Holocaust. They told the Japanese diplomat that two Dutch colonies, Curaçao in the

Caribbean and Surinam in South America, did not require formal entrance visas for foreign travellers. To get to these Dutch colonies, however, one needed to travel through the Soviet Union and

Japan. Not only did Sugihara agree to help; he convinced the Soviet consul to issue transit visas as well. Three times, Sugihara wired Tokyo for permission to issue the visas. Three times he was

turned down.

He then had to make the most difficult decision of his professional and political life. That was to either obey his superiors or issue the visas. He chose on

his own to issue thousands of visas, and for a month he spent endless hours handwriting these visas.

After receiving their visas, thousands of Jews sailed to Kobe, Japan. Then most of the Jews went on to Shanghai, China, where they survived the war. I've had

the opportunity of visiting where they were in Shanghai. They established a total community there, and from there left to travel to the west years after the war.

After the war, when Mr Sugihara returned to Japan, he was unceremoniously dismissed from the diplomatic service. Once a rising star in the Japanese diplomatic

service, Sugihara's career as a diplomat was shattered. After the war, Mr Sugihara and his wife never spoke about their wartime deeds. Amazingly, it wasn't until 30 years later that many survivors

came forward to testify to Yad Vashem in Israel about Mr Sugihara's humanitarian initiative.

In 1985, Chiune Sugihara was recognized as "righteous among the nations" by the Yad Vashem Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem.

Notwithstanding that he knew it would destroy his career, Sugihara was asked why he did it. He replied that they were human beings and they needed help. "I'm

glad I found the strength to make the decision to give it to them."

Mr Sugihara joins many, like Oskar Schindler and Raoul Wallenberg, who went out of their way, at great risk to themselves, to show that they can set the

standard for man's humanity to man. It is that drive and that commitment that we must always remember so the world will never forget.

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Isaiah,

chapter 56, verse 5, says, "To them will I give in my House and within my walls a memorial ...

an everlasting name" -- a yad vashem -- "that shall not be cut off."

Isaiah's words call the world to remembrance of her fallen children, and we are honoured to have among us today a group of amazing men and women whose life

experiences have touched us all. By sharing their stories of suffering and survival with us, they honour those who died. We join with them in remembering. We must not let the horror of the

Holocaust be forgotten. Their testimony serves to remind all of us of our responsibility to ensure that death and suffering in our world comes to an end.

For over 40 years, beginning in 1955, the museum of Yad Vashem in Jerusalem has been collecting the names and biographical information of the over six million

Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust. Surviving family members and Jewish communities around the world have carried forward the work of remembering the names of those whose lives were so

brutally cut short. They understood that the victims of Hitler's orchestrated slaughter must not be relegated to mere statistics. Today, the lives of many Jews who died have been preserved in

permanent memory. Their identities echo through the Hall of Names, testifying to the horror and reminding us of our responsibility to never let it happen again.

Canadians have a close association with Yad Vashem in Jerusalem because Canadian architect Moshe Safdie contributed to its design. I'm told that he built the

entrance into the museum as a bridge to carry visitors from the everyday world into the sanctity of the memorial site, allowing people to mentally prepare themselves for the experience of

remembering.

Yad Vashem is relevant to all of us because its goal is to make people think. But thinking, indeed remembering, is not enough. It is our duty to all Holocaust

victims, living or dead, to bring about whatever justice can be served in the aftermath of this great human tragedy. As public figures, we must condemn those who would deny the suffering and murder

of millions. As legislators, we must relentlessly pursue war criminals living in our midst.

The western world learned a lesson from the terrible events of the Holocaust. We learned that freedom is tenuous. We learned that what happens in our

neighbour's backyard is our concern. We learned that we cannot turn our backs on our fellow human beings. In the wake of Naziism, countries across the globe joined forces against the scourge of

racism and tyranny.

In 1945, the United Nations declared the protection of human rights and freedoms an international responsibility. This translation of the fundamental

principles of life and liberty into international law was one of the greatest victories in the western world. This is a lesson we must continue to teach. We must be forever vigilant.

We know that our world remains a violent and oppressive place for too many people. Countries continue to sentence their citizens to death; military violence is

too often used against a country's own citizens; people still live in incredible poverty, without access to food and shelter; aboriginal people are refused title to their land; children are denied

access to education. One need not look far beyond our borders to find injustice. We know all too well that abuses of basic human rights happen here in Canada, one of the greatest countries on

earth.

Today we remember the sacrifices of those men and women who suffered and died during the blackest period of modern history, but this day serves to remind us

all of what they have accomplished. Today we remember our responsibilities to each other. Today is about recommitting ourselves to the task of making the world a safe place for everyone, no matter

their race, their religion, their gender or their age.

To those in the gallery with us, I want to tell you that I am both humbled and inspired by your courage. I think it is nearly impossible for any of us to fully

contemplate what you experienced in your young lives. Your will to survive, your strength and your commitment to your fellow human beings are truly remarkable. I thank you for turning your

tragedies and hardships into something positive. We all benefit from your contribution to making sure it never happens again.

Hon Mr Jackson: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I was hoping we would do a moment's silence.

The Speaker: Would all our friends and members please kindly rise for a moment of silence.

The House observed a moment's silence.

The Speaker: I thank all the members and our honoured guests as well.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Just before we begin question period, we have as guests some volunteers and staff from the Ontario Lung

Association, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario who are joining us here today for question period as well.

ORAL QUESTIONS

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Dalton McGuinty (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Minister of Education. I want to return to your

vouchers-for-private-schools program. Last week when I asked you to defend your proposal to take $500 million out of public education and invest that in private schools, I gave you six separate

opportunities to defend your policy, and you refused every opportunity. I want to try again.

Madam Minister, you have, through your government's policies, brought public education in Ontario to its knees. It is at risk. We have overcrowded classrooms.

programs.

Once again on behalf of Ontario's working families, why is it in their interests and in the interests of their children and in the interests of their

children's public education that you take $500 million and invest it in elite private schools like Upper Canada College?

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Education, Government House Leader): First of all, I would disagree with the honourable member. What we have done

with public education in this province is to bring it more accountability and more quality through a better, tougher, more rigorous curriculum, through standardized testing, through a whole range

of initiatives. Student testing, teacher testing, increased resources, all of those things have been done to increase and strengthen the public education system.

The budget is very clear that commitment to public education continues. We have made new investments. We will continue to make new investments. We will also

continue to move forward on the other promises and commitments we made to the parents, to hard-working families in Ontario, to make sure we have a results-based, excellent system that will give our

young people what they need to succeed.

Mr McGuinty: Madam Minister, I'm keeping count, and so are working families. I've put seven questions to you; I've asked you seven times over

to defend your policy about taking public money and putting it into private, elite schools like Upper Canada College, and you refuse, presumably because you cannot defend the indefensible.

Even the people who run the private schools think your private school vouchers will cause damage to our public schools. Listen to what Natalie Little, the head

of Bishop Strachan, had to say: "The Harris government has done the exact opposite of what we know works. Schools improve when you put resources into them. This could undermine the strength of our

future citizens. I don't think anyone has thought that through."

Madam Minister, our working families don't want you to abandon their children's public education. They want you to champion their children's public education.

They want you to commit yourself to improving public education for their children.

I ask you now for the eighth time, on behalf of Ontario's working families: why is it in the interests of our working families and their children and in the

interests of public education that you take $500 million and invest that in private, elite schools like Upper Canada College?

Hon Mrs Ecker: I would like to remind the honourable member that he might want to check his facts. Here we go; Liberal research again. No one

is advocating spending $500 million in elite private schools. Contrary to the Liberal Party, we have this very strange belief here that parental choice is very important, that the voice of parents

in education is very important.

I know you don't agree with that. I know you fought our education reforms in the public system to give our parents a stronger voice on school councils, to let

them have a say in safe schools policies, in turnaround plans for schools. We respect that parental choice. We also respect that parental choice of those parents who wish to have their children

educated in their culture or in their religion. I know the honourable member has said to the Jewish families and the Muslim families and the Christian families and the Hindu families and the Sikh

families that their choices don't matter to him. They do matter to this caucus.

Mr McGuinty: That was eight, and nine is on the way. The question again is very simple: why is it that you believe it's a good thing to take

$500 million in public dollars and invest that in private schools? That's the question.

This is what the Premier said during the last provincial election campaign. "We want a public education system that Ontario parents and families have so much

confidence in that they'll never want to send their children to any other private school or any other system." He went on to say, "When I was asked in one of the communities would I support their

call for a voucher system, I said no."

That was a very important campaign commitment. That was a very important campaign promise, and voters, working parents in particular, relied on that specific

campaign promise. Clearly, you've broken the promise; that is not an issue. So for the ninth time, on behalf of working families, tell us, why is it a good thing to take $500 million that could be

spent in public education for working families and their children and put it into elite private schools like Upper Canada College?

Hon Mrs Ecker: The honourable member can keep repeating this as long as he wants, but repeating it doesn't make it true. No one is investing

$500 million in this province in elite private schools -- period, end of story.

Do you know what? Also, to the honourable member, those commitments stand. We are working to make the public education system the best not only in this country

but around the world, so parents do not have to take their children anywhere else. They can have them in the public education system where they can benefit from the new curriculum, the standardized

tests, the teacher testing, the safe schools -- all those initiatives that this government promised, that this government is delivering on, and that that party over there fought every step of the

way.

You don't support any of the public education reforms we've brought in. You don't support parental choice. You don't put the facts on the table for the parents

so they can judge for themselves.

We stand by our commitments, as we said we would.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): New question.

Mr McGuinty: Minister, I've given you nine separate opportunities and you've turned all nine down.

You have now been visited by the aftermath of your policy. You have now come to understand, hopefully, that you have shown terrible judgment. You have made a

horrible miscalculation. Your plan to help parents and kids to elite private schools like Upper Canada College has been universally condemned.

Can you give us any glimmer of hope? Can you tell us that you are now prepared to reconsider this particular aspect of your policy where you're going to send

money to elite private schools? Can you tell us now? Because working parents are very upset by this policy. They want their tax dollars to go into their children's public schools. Can you tell us

that, at a minimum, their tax dollars won't go to elite private schools like Upper Canada College?

Hon Mrs Ecker: For the 10th time, I am not going to confirm something that the honourable member knows is not accurate.

First of all, of course this is a controversial move. I haven't met a change in education in my lifetime, put forward by any government, that hasn't met with

controversy. The difference between this government and the party across the way is that not only are we doing what we said we'd do, not only are we delivering on our quality reforms to public

education, but we have the courage to make changes, we have the courage to put those out, where the honourable member and his party members have been on both sides of every educational reform that

we have brought in.

Ontario's hard-working families want an education system that will give their children what their children need: the school up the street, the school in their

town. They want to know how well their school is doing. They want a good curriculum. They want good teachers. All of those are things that our government remains committed to doing. Putting more

money in the classroom: over $360 million, as the honourable --

The Speaker: Order. The minister's time is up. Supplementary?

Mr McGuinty: Madam Minister, bluster just isn't going to work this time. Ontario is very upset. This is a profound change in education policy.

You're talking upwards of $500 million. There is no separate bill here. There was no public consultation. There was no debate of any kind. In fact, during the course of the election, the Premier

specifically said he would never, ever do this. And now, apparently, Madam Minister, it is being done.

Maybe there are groups out there and individuals that we're not aware of, and I'm going to ask you now to put their names on the record. Could you please tell

us the names of groups or individuals who support a policy -- and listen to my question, please, Madam Minister, very carefully -- that would send public dollars to elite private schools like Upper

Canada College? Could I have the names, please, of organizations or groups or individuals?

Hon Mrs Ecker: First of all, I'd be very surprised if we would find anyone who would support taking money for elite private schools. What we

have lots of support for is supporting parental choice. The hard-working families out there that the honourable member likes to be so proud he defends, those hard-working families in ridings that

even some of your members try to represent, the Muslim families, the Christian families, the Sikh families, the Hindu families -- I like the way the honourable member tries to say that somehow or

other the Muslim school that's in my riding, that Jewish school that is in the riding of some of your own members, is some elite institution.

All he has to do is to turn around, look behind him at some of his own caucus members, at some of their own people in the ridings that they represent to find

many, many parents and groups who believe that parental choice is very important, whether they are in the public education system or whether they choose to --

The Speaker: Order. The minister's time is up. Final supplementary.

Mr McGuinty: I've given the minister 11 separate opportunities to defend her policy which would send public dollars to elite private schools

like Upper Canada College. She refuses to address that issue. I then asked her if she might give us a list of names of either individuals or organizations who support that specific policy, and

she's not able to produce a single one.

Let me tell you about that aspect of this policy. She can't produce any names of any individuals or organizations, because this has nothing to do with

fairness. It has everything to do with this government trying to reward its friends at the expense of Ontario's working families. That's what this policy is all about.

Madam Minister, rather than dance over, around, under and through this policy, why not admit what Ontarians have now come to understand --

Interjection.

The Speaker: Sorry to interrupt the leader of the official opposition. Stop the clock. The member for London-Fanshawe, please come to order.

It's like your microphone's on, you have such a loud voice. It's like you're two feet away. I would ask him to come to order, please.

Sorry for the interruption. The leader of the official opposition.

Mr McGuinty: Madam Minister, your motivation has become painfully transparent, and rather than dance around, over, under and through this

issue, why not be honest here today? Come clean and admit that your policy to send public dollars to elite private schools like Upper Canada College has nothing to do with fairness and everything

with looking after your friends.

Hon Mrs Ecker: Well, the honourable member really does pass belief here. First of all, if he wants to look for people who support tax credits

for independent schools for those hard-working Ontario families, he need go no further than the editorial pages of his favourite newspaper, the Toronto Star. He needs to go no further than the

editorial pages and the radio open-line shows across this province, where families are calling in and saying, yes, they do support this.

The other thing that is always interesting is, you know, when you have a caucus, as we do, of individuals who have children and grandchildren and brothers and

sisters and husbands and wives who are in the public school system, our commitment to the public system continues. The budget is very clear. Our policies are very clear. We will continue to do what

we told Ontario's hard-working families we would do: implement a more rigorous curriculum, bring in standardized testing to make sure our students are learning that curriculum, bring in a

comprehensive teacher-testing program to make sure that our teachers are as good as they can be. Those commitments stand, that education --

The Speaker: The minister's time is up. New question. The leader of the third party.

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier.

Premier, two years ago, during the election, I was in a leaders' debate with you where you berated Mr McGuinty for suggesting that he would consider public

funds, taxpayers' funds, for private schools. In fact I remember you saying over and over that you would never, never use taxpayers' money, public money, to fund private schools. Now you're

intending to use $3,500 a year to fund students attending private schools.

Premier, will you keep the promise you made during the election campaign? Will you ensure that public funds are not used to provide support to private

schools?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): I appreciate the question. I think the issue in the leaders' debate dealt with vouchers, which I spoke

against and said we were not in favour of vouchers.

You referenced the now leader of the official opposition. What I chastised him for at the same time was saying one thing to Jewish groups -- "Yes, I'm not

ideologically opposed to that" -- whatever the audience, he'd tell them what they wanted to hear. He was for it or against it, depending on whom he was talking to. That is typical, quite frankly,

of the Liberal leader.

Let me say to the member: you've been very clear that you are opposed. You are opposed to vouchers, you are opposed to tax credits, you are opposed to choice,

you are opposed to families getting any kind of tax break. You are opposed to all these things. I think you're wrong, and I think the voters have proven you are wrong, that they don't share your

view. On the other hand, you have at least been consistent and you say the same thing to the same audience. What I pointed out was that the leader of the official opposition says one thing to one

audience --

The Speaker: Order. The Premier's time is up.

Mr Hampton: Speaker, you're going to have to help us out here a bit, because between the Premier's flips and the Liberals' flops, I think a

lot of people in Ontario are getting confused. I heard the Premier say very clearly that as long as he was Premier, he would never use taxpayers' money, public money, to provide financial support

to private schools. Premier, you've broken your promise. Please give us an explanation for your incredible flip-flop on this, when you were so very clear during that election debate that it would

never happen as long as you were Premier of Ontario.

Hon Mr Harris: I said I was opposed to vouchers and I'm still opposed to vouchers and I remain opposed to vouchers. What I am in favour of,

though, is excellence in education. I'm in favour of choice, and I am in favour of particularly low- and modest-income Ontarians getting a very modest tax credit to encourage and support their

choice. These are parents who can't afford the luxury private schools you're talking about. These are parents, many of whom have scrimped and saved to send their children to the school of their

choice, in many cases religion-based schools. They do not have the same opportunities the Catholic religion-based schools have in our province. That's why many other provinces have supported, with

some varying degree, tax credits, not to schools, not to individual schools -- not vouchers -- but to parents to help them, particularly low- and middle-income Ontarians, be able to afford that

choice. We believe it's fair, we believe it's right --

The Speaker: Order. The Premier's time is up.

Mr Hampton: The Liberals can call it a voucher; you can call it a tax credit. It amounts to the same thing: you're going to take taxpayers'

money, public money, out of a public school system that isn't adequately funded now, and you're going to use it to provide funds for private schools. That much is clear.

Premier, what hurts so badly about this is, there are thousands of children out there in the public system who can't get special-education testing, never mind

special-education services. There is classroom after classroom that doesn't have a full set of textbooks. There are schools that are laying off teachers, laying off librarians, laying off music

teachers, that can't have a vice-principal or a principal, and you're going to take money and use it for private education. Between your flipping and the Liberal flopping, we have a hard time

telling the difference. But what we do know is that kids who need public education are going to suffer. Don't you think you could do more good using that money in the public system and let the

well-off do whatever they want? Don't you think that would be a better solution?

Hon Mr Harris: The first thing you have to understand is this: not one cent is coming from the public education system to support tax credits

for parents who choose to send their children to alternative schools. Secondly, this tax credit is a very modest amount of the additional costs these parents bear.

Many editorials, including the Welland paper, where your member was elected, and the Ottawa Citizen, have pointed out the unfairness. Many have pointed out the

inequity, many have pointed out that in a multicultural Ontario the opportunities for many new immigrants to this province and the affordability, particularly for low- and middle-income parents, is

not there.

So we made it very clear. This is a very modest step to provide tax credits to those parents, not to schools --

The Speaker: Order. The Premier's time is up.

HYDRO RATES

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Premier also: last Friday you announced a new $120-million-a-year charge on municipal

hydroelectric utilities that will take effect on October 1. You announced this new $120-million-a-year charge, and you said it will be used to pay down Hydro's debt. But last year your Minister of

Energy said that charges to pay down the debt were already included in people's hydro bills.

Premier, will you guarantee that this new $120-million-a-year charge will not result in people's electricity bills going up? Will you give that guarantee?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): I think the Minister of Energy can respond.

Hon Jim Wilson (Minister of Energy, Science and Technology): As I have explained to the honourable member on several occasions in the House,

yes, for years now a portion of people's electricity bills has been used to pay off Hydro debt. However, we've spent $2 billion on environmental improvements at Ontario Hydro over the last seven

years to help improve the air quality. It's a top priority with this government and a top priority with Ontario Power Generation. That was $2 billion less that could go toward the debt.

The auditor pointed out in a special report this January that we were off on our debt payments by $647 million. Therefore, yes, the money we've announced will

go toward paying off the debt.

Unlike any actions you took or that the Liberals took in office, we're responsible and we believe we should start paying down the $38 billion worth of debt

that's been left to us.

Mr Hampton: And would the minister guarantee that this new charge would not drive up people's hydroelectricity bills even more, and I take it

from the answer that it will.

Minister, earlier this spring you announced an 8% increase. So this $120-million charge is on top of the 8% you already announced. A year ago you were here and

said your sell-off of hydroelectricity in Ontario would result in lower prices, but now the bills keep going up and up and up.

Will you guarantee this will be the last increase that people will see in their hydro bills as a result of your dirty deal to sell off our hydroelectricity

system?

Hon Mr Wilson: There are a couple of important facts I'd like to point out. First of all, there is no automatic increase, and even if the

entire tax was passed on to customers it would be about $2 a month.

It's up to Floyd Laughren and the Ontario Energy Board and every municipality. Every municipal utility will have to apply to the Ontario Energy Board. Mr

Laughren may very well say to them, "You can surely find $2 a month in savings." He may very well say that, and the energy board has the authority to do that.

This government is looking for efficiencies. When I came into the office of energy minister, there were 303 municipal electrical utilities. Today there are 91

municipal electrical utilities. We know from those utilities that there are tremendous savings to be found.

Finally, unlike the NDP, who stole Hydro money away from the company --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Minister, you can't use that language. You'll have to withdraw it. Please withdraw it.

Hon Mr Wilson: I withdraw, Mr Speaker.

Unlike the NDP who failed to pay off any of Ontario Hydro's debt, unlike the Liberals who used Hydro money to spend on all kinds of other programs and didn't

pay off any debt --

The Speaker: The minister's time is up. New question.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Gerard Kennedy (Parkdale-High Park): I have a question for the Minister of Education. There was a time in this province when the Minister

of Education was the minister for public education. Minister, you will be remembered, however, as the minister of private education because you've ushered in a new tier of privileged learning, paid

for with public funds for the first time ever.

First you and your predecessors attacked public education. Some reasonable people thought it was just incompetence that you couldn't get schools to work

properly, but now it is very clear. Your new arrangement will give families, not only the ones who have kids in elite private schools now but those who send them there in the future, $3,500. Today,

you pay $6,800 for each child in the system. Will you agree that you will save $3,300 for every child you scare out of public education into your new publicly funded private schools?

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Education, Government House Leader): We are spending $13.8 billion on the public education system because we

think it is very important to make that investment in the public education system. We increased money to public education last year. We increased it again this year, over $360 million above and

beyond enrolment, because we know that is an important investment to make into our public education system.

The honourable member obviously hasn't talked to some of his caucus colleagues who actually support the move to respect parental choice. Michael Bryant said,

"I have to support this." Monte Kwinter said he supported this. There are other members in your party who support respecting parental choice. We've strengthened parental choice in the public

system. We've given them more say. We're giving them more choice. We respect parental choice in independent schools as well.

Mr Kennedy: Minister of Private Education, you should stop hiding behind it. You should admit it. You should be there saying you're proud of a

track record that has attacked people in public education, that has caused teacher shortages, that you would impose teacher tests, all manner of impositions on public schools, but you stand there

prepared to give public money to elite private schools that have to meet no conditions whatsoever.

You've had six years to create customers for private schools. That's what you've been doing. You've reduced public school funding by $918 per student out there

and you've given none of that money back. You didn't even give enough money this year for inflation and enrolment. It's been your plan, the plan of your government, to create the conditions where

kids in public education will be sent into private education, and now you've decided to pay for it. Will you agree today to withdraw your plan, to stop doing this ill-advised promotion of private

schools over our ability to provide public education excellence for all?

Hon Mrs Ecker: Again, the honourable member is wrong. There was $12.9 billion for public education in 1995; today there's going to be $13.8

billion. That is an increase above and beyond enrolment, investments that we think are important.

I know the Liberal Party is opposed to standardized tests. I know the Liberal Party is opposed to teacher testing. I know the Liberal Party is opposed to every

improvement in the public system we have put forward. But you know what? You might want to go to your union friends, the ones who caused the turmoil, the people who've taken away extracurricular

activities, the people who have done things to our students, to our hard-working teachers.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order.

Hon Mrs Ecker: You might want to go to them and say that is the biggest threat to public education --

The Speaker: Minister, take her seat.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Member for Windsor West, come to order, please. Sorry, Minister.

Hon Mrs Ecker: One of the biggest threats to public education today is those individuals who think that politics is acceptable --

The Speaker: Answer?

Hon Mrs Ecker: -- in the classroom. We do not agree. We have put forward more money and improvements in the public education system, and that

commitment does not --

The Speaker: Order. The minister's time is up.

SEAT BELTS

AND CHILDREN'S CAR SEATS

Ms Marilyn Mushinski (Scarborough Centre): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. On Saturday, April 28, a tragedy occurred that

shook the residents of my community. We were very saddened to learn that a 12-year-old Scarborough boy lost his life when his father's car spun out of control. He was not wearing his seat belt, but

his parents, brother and sister were and they sustained only minor injuries.

Minister, we know the fact is irrefutable: seat belts save lives. Could you please tell us in this House today what your ministry is doing to encourage drivers

and passengers to wear their seat belts?

Hon Brad Clark (Minister of Transportation): I thank my colleague from Scarborough Centre for the question. Any loss of life or injury through

the non-use of seat belts is indeed a tragedy, a tragedy that can be avoided.

This government recognizes the importance of promoting seat belt use, and that's why on April 14 I launched Ontario's spring seat belt campaign in conjunction

with police services and insurance industry representatives right across the province. The campaign was a two-week educational and enforcement campaign that focused on increasing public awareness

regarding seat belt usage. It included targeted police activities that complemented year-round enforcement efforts. This is a part of our government's commitment to build on our excellent safety

record.

It cannot be said enough that seat belts save lives. That's why initiatives such as our spring seat belt campaign go a long way to raise public awareness,

improve the protection of drivers and passengers, and ultimately save lives.

Ms Mushinski: Thank you for that response, Minister. Community safety is very important to both myself and of course the residents of my

riding of Scarborough Centre. Could you please inform this House about other ways that we can ensure that a tragedy like the one I expressed does not occur again?

Hon Mr Clark: I'd like to tell the House that another key component in this year's campaign was the Love Me -- Buckle Me Right Day. That took

part on April 21 at a child car safety inspection clinic in Stoney Creek. The inspection clinic was organized by the dedicated people of the Trauma Prevention Council as well as the Hamilton Police

Services and the OPP. More than 85 child seat inspection clinics across Ontario were held on Love Me -- Buckle Me Right Day to educate parents, caregivers about the proper use of child safety

seats. Ontario's seat belt wearing rate is 91%, making it the second highest in the country; however, there is still more for us to do, and the Ministry of Transportation will continue to strive to

make our seat belt wearing 100%.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Sean G. Conway (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is to the Minister of Education, and it concerns her government's new educational

tax credit for private schools.

Minister, I want to know in the clearest language that you can offer what specific standards, what specific criteria you and the Ontario Ministry of Education

will demand from these private elementary and secondary schools before students attending those private schools can qualify for the Ontario government's new educational tax credit.

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Education, Government House Leader): As the honourable member knows, there are currently rules around if they

want to offer the Ontario diploma, they must meet our curriculum standards. Many of them already do use some of our testing and some of our procedures. If there are policy changes that need to be

made around this particular implementation of the tax credit, in the consultations that we are doing we will certainly take a look at whether or not those steps are needed.

I think what is also important to note here is that we do respect parental choice; we do respect giving taxpayers back their money to do with it as they see

fit for their families. We do support giving parents more say and a voice in their children's education in the public system, and we do respect parents who might wish to make another choice, for

example, a religious school. We respect that parental choice as well.

Mr Conway: Let me be very clear in putting this question. Minister, we demand of our public schools that those public schools, for the public

grants they receive, must accept and implement the provincial curriculum. They must hire provincially certified teachers. They must accept provincial inspection of their schools. They must accept

rigorous and routine testing of their students.

Will you stand in your place today and tell the people of Ontario that you will accept nothing less than those standards of those private elementary and

secondary schools before they receive one cent of tax money under this new educational tax credit program of yours?

Hon Mrs Ecker: The honourable member, who I know knows his history, who I know knows a lot about education in this country, makes it sound

like no other government has ever provided money for independent schools, which is just simply not the case. Not only Quebec, not only Manitoba, not only Saskatchewan, not only British Columbia,

not only Alberta -- many provinces have already gone down the road, years ago in many cases, to provide funding for independent schools in their province. This is no different. We are doing it by

way of a tax credit, we're respecting parental choice, and we are continuing to fund the public education system far beyond enrolment because we believe it is a very important support for our

economic prosperity.

I agree with the honourable member that we do demand accountability. Even one of the heads of the teachers' union this week was acknowledging the

accountability we have in the public education system, because we want it to be as good as it can be, because we want it to do the job that our students need to have done for them in order to

succeed.

NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND

Mr Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): My question today is for my honourable colleague the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

During the course of the past week, I have heard back from some of my constituents in Parry Sound-Muskoka who have been listening to the media reports of the

recently announced budget. On Thursday, May 10, CBC Radio in Sudbury reported that the members of Nickel Belt and Sudbury, Shelley Martel and Rick Bartolucci, were shocked by the Mike Harris

government's alleged lack of commitment to the north.

Minister, could you tell my constituents and all members of this House today some of the major initiatives you are undertaking for northerners?

Hon Dan Newman (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): I would like to thank the member for Parry Sound-Muskoka for the question.

Let me assure you that the Mike Harris team recognizes that northern Ontario is a key part of the province's economy and we are strongly committed to the

north. That's why in the budget we doubled the northern Ontario heritage fund to $300 million over five years. In February, we relaunched the northern Ontario heritage fund. We revamped the program

to focus on five key priority areas for economic growth in the north: infrastructure, telecommunications, tourism, community foundations and strategic partnerships. As well as that, we've already

announced our first four flagship programs in support of northern health care, expanded cellular phone service, agriculture and trails.

The rejuvenated and expanded investment in the heritage fund is one of the major northern-focused initiatives taken by this government.

Mr Miller: Minister, thanks for your response. I'm sure my constituents in Parry Sound-Muskoka will be appreciate it. However, my constituents

have also brought to my attention that in the same media report from CBC Sudbury, the members for Sudbury and Nickel Belt claimed that the Mike Harris government took millions of dollars in

Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp funding from northerners. I find these allegations startling, given that I recall when the NDP took $60 million from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp just

before the 1995 election to make their books look better, and also that the Liberals allocated only $30 million a year toward the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp.

Minister, could you clarify for all the members of the House today what will happen to the money not spent last year by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund

Corp?

Hon Mr Newman: I would like to thank the member for Parry Sound-Muskoka for the opportunity to clarify for members of the House the question

of NOHFC funds that were underspent.

As I indicated in my previous response, the heritage fund was revamped to reflect the needs of northerners. There was a time when applications were not being

processed because we were revamping the fund to reflect the new priority areas. We are encouraging all eligible applicants to apply to the NOHFC.

Let me assure you that the money that was not spent last year will remain in the fund and will be allocated for projects in northern Ontario. Let me be clear

that not one dime of the money allocated in the budget for the NOHFC will go toward anything other than projects in northern Ontario.

HÔPITAL MONTFORT /

MONTFORT HOSPITAL

M. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River) : Ma question s'adresse au premier ministre. L'hôpital Montfort d'Ottawa, le seul hôpital

l'hôpital Montfort jouissait d'une protection constitutionnelle comme celle que la Charte des droits accorde dans le domaine scolaire aux minorités linguistiques partout au pays.

Monsieur le premier ministre, l'hôpital Montfort est une institution vitale pour la francophonie ontarienne. Allez-vous vous désister de cette cause

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): The Attorney General will answer this one.

Hon David Young (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs): The member opposite prefaced his question this afternoon by

acknowledging that in fact there is a case that is currently being argued in front of the Court of Appeal. It is a case of some importance, but as is the situation with any case that is in front of

the courts, we are not in a position to comment on it.

I will say this to you, though, Mr Speaker: the decision of the Divisional Court was a decision that raised a number of important constitutional issues. It

imposed what might be seen as a number of new and extended constitutional obligations. It is for that reason that it was the decision of this government to go forward and ask for the assistance of

the Court of Appeal, which we will have shortly, after the case has been argued.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Supplementary?

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James) : Monsieur le procureur, écoutez, c'est bien simple. Vous autres, vous ne voulez pas faire des

commentaires faisant affaire avec la cour, mais vous êtes très préparés à faire des commentaires quand ça vient à délaisser les francophones de

l'Ontario.

On vous demande la question encore. Vous avez une chance de dire aux francophones de la province, « Oui, on croit que les francophones doivent avoir

Je vous demande, êtes-vous préparé à vous désister de la cour d'appel que vous êtes allé en avant avec ?

Hon Mr Young: As I indicated a moment ago, we are not at this juncture permitted to discuss what is going on in front of the Court of Appeal.

It couldn't be any clearer. I think even in the supplementary question the member opposite acknowledged that there are restrictions as to what can be said in this assembly on this day dealing with

that issue.

But we have said as a government on numerous occasions that we remain committed to the provision of French-language services across this province, and we will

continue to provide those services as required, wherever and whenever they are required.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Sean G. Conway (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): In the absence of the Minister of Education, I want to ask a follow-up question to the Premier

about this educational tax credit for private schools.

Mr Premier, my question is essentially the one I asked moment ago. Let me make it very clear. Are you prepared to stand in your place today as the leader of

the government of Ontario and tell me, this Legislature and the province beyond that any private kindergarten, elementary or secondary school, in order to be approved for the educational tax

credit, must hire certified teachers?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): Those will be details to be worked out by the Minister of Education. Before any tax credit is made available,

those will be detailed. We'll be wanting to consult with you and get your opinion. We'll be wanting to consult with those parents whom the program is aimed at, and of course with those schools.

What of course we are most concerned about is that we have excellence in our education system. That excellence comes from qualified, good teachers. That

excellence comes from a curriculum that challenges our students. That excellence comes from choice. Those are the areas we're trying to address.

I am sure the member, who has long been a champion of separate school funding, for that choice for Catholic parents, will want to assist both me and the

minister and the government in implementing this fair policy.

Mr Conway: Your government talks a great deal about accountability for public funds. This is not a detail, Premier; this is a core issue for

the taxpayers and the students of Ontario.

Let me put the core question to you again. We insist that public schools, for the public monies they receive, accept public governance, certified teachers.

They must implement the provincial curriculum and they must be inspected.

Are you prepared to say today that before any private kindergarten, elementary or secondary school receives any of this tax credit money, they must accept the

same standards and the same criteria that the Ontario government imposes and demands of the public school system?

Hon Mr Harris: I appreciate that some in the Liberal caucus seem to be now for this policy and wish to provide assistance in making sure it's

applied fairly and appropriately.

I know the international standards are used in some of the public schools; for example, Harrison Public School, which works within the parameters of the

international curriculum, yet also meets the criteria of our curriculum and our standards and of course is funded. I'm assuming you are in favour of that as well.

So I welcome the member's input and advice, as I'm sure the minister does, as we work to implement a policy not only of fairness but a policy of choice

contributing to excellence in education, and most importantly a policy of benefit to the low- and middle-income hard-working families in this province.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICERS'

SURVIVOR SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Mr Raminder Gill (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): My question is for the Solicitor General. We have heard a lot today about Police Week and

the wonderful work of police officers. Public safety officers of all types go to work every day to protect us and to keep our communities safe. Sadly, sometimes they don't come back.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. Minister of Labour, your own member is asking a question and I can't hear him. You're shouting across.

Sorry for the interruption.

Mr Gill: Minister, can you tell us what our government is doing to help the families of fallen public safety officers?

Hon David Turnbull (Solicitor General): It's a very important question.

On July 24, 1997, our government launched the public safety officers' survivor scholarship fund. The fund provides grants for tuition and books for any course

of study leading to an undergraduate degree or diploma at any accredited Canadian university or college. To be eligible, the applicant must be the child or surviving spouse of a public safety

officer who was killed in the line of duty. Public safety officers, for the purpose of the scholarship fund, include all municipal, provincial or First Nations police officers as defined in the

Police Services Act; all firefighters, including both professionals and volunteers; all correctional officers, probation and parole officers; and youth workers, whether employed by the government

of Ontario or by an organization contracted to deliver such services.

Mr Gill: Minister, this program is just one way of paying tribute to those individuals who die keeping the rest of us safe. How many family

members have received grants through the public safety officers' survivor scholarship?

Hon Mr Turnbull: To date, 16 scholarship applicants have been received, with approximately $113,000 in scholarship funding. Of the 16

recipients, three were children of fallen firefighters, 12 were children of fallen police officers, and one was the spouse of a fallen police officer.

The scholarship recipients have attended a variety of educational programs, including engineering, business administration, psychology, kinesiology, registered

massage therapy, early childhood education and the correctional worker program. The government is exceedingly proud to offer this financial assistance to further the education of the family members

of fallen public safety officers. We want these family members to know how much we value and appreciate the ultimate sacrifice they made.

IPPERWASH PROVINCIAL PARK

Mr Gerry Phillips (Scarborough-Agincourt): My question is to the Premier and it has to do with the motion that we will vote on today at about

6 o'clock calling for a public inquiry into the shooting death of Dudley George.

There's an overwhelming amount of evidence, Premier, that suggests that what you said went on is contradicted by evidence elsewhere.

The latest contradiction was on December 20 here in the Legislature. You told the House you met with the OPP commissioner on September 6, the day of the

shooting. In fact, you said, "... I indicated quite freely five years ago...." In other words, around the shooting death you said publicly that you met with the OPP commissioner. I sent you two

letters asking you to show the proof of that. No response.

Amazingly, on May 2, you completely changed your story. You said you didn't meet with the commissioner that day, which was astonishing. You said you met with

other senior OPP officers. You said you met with Commissioner O'Grady about Ipperwash on a day after September 6. Commissioner O'Grady says he never met with you to discuss Ipperwash.

Will you finally do the right thing and approve the calling of a public inquiry in the shooting death at Ipperwash?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): The Attorney General can respond.

Hon David Young (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs): As the member opposite knows, there are still outstanding civil

matters before the courts. He is well aware of the fact that the issues that are being dealt with and that are being considered in that civil action are the very same issues that would be addressed

in any public inquiry.

We as a government have said repeatedly, the Premier said last week and I have said on numerous occasions that we will only consider other options once the

issues that are in front of the court at this time are dealt with.

Mr Phillips: That is unacceptable to the people of Ontario. That would be like saying that the only way to get at the truth at Walkerton would

be to ask the family of a victim, someone who died there, to fund the public inquiry.

The Premier has already spent almost $500,000 of taxpayers' money and there's another $500,000 spent by other cabinet ministers, $1 million in this civil case

fighting the George family. I will say to everyone in the province of Ontario that the George family is a family of extremely modest means, fighting this case against the government.

There is only one answer and that is a public inquiry where we will get at the truth, not a civil case funded by the George family. Furthermore, the civil case

will not get at some of the essential issues, the policy issues, what can be done to stop this from happening again. That will not be discussed in the civil case.

I say to you again, Premier, will you finally do the right thing, the decent thing for the people of Ontario, and agree to a public inquiry and stop putting

the George family through this terrible tragedy?

Hon Mr Young: As the member opposite is undoubtedly aware, it was the George family who initiated the civil action that is currently in front

of the courts. It was the George family who laid out the issues --

Interjections.

Mr Phillips: Because you wouldn't call a public inquiry. That's the only reason.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. Stop the clock. The member for Scarborough-Agincourt, please come to order.

The Attorney General.

Hon Mr Young: As I indicated a moment ago, it was in fact the George family who made a decision to initiate a civil action and did so. They

laid out the issues they wished to have the court examine, and those are the very issues that are being examined at this time.

In an effort to ensure that the examination is comprehensive, in an effort to ensure it is done in an expeditious fashion, we, the province, asked the court to

appoint a case manager. A judge has been appointed to ensure there is complete disclosure on all sides. I have confidence in the judiciary, and as this matter is presently before the courts, it is

indeed inappropriate to engage in a lengthy discussion in this assembly.

GOVERNMENT USE OF

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Mr Garry J. Guzzo (Ottawa West-Nepean): My question is for the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet. Our government has spoken a great deal

about the measures it is taking to bring the government into the 21st century and to meet the changing needs and expectations of the people of this province. In the Ottawa area, we believe this

should involve government embracing technology and the benefits it brings to the workplace. Technology allows government employees to do their work in a more efficient manner and ultimately helps

provide the taxpayers with greater value for their money.

Minister, could you bring this House up to date on what this government doing to ensure that technological resources are used in a prudent and effective manner

to meet the needs of Ontarians in the 21st?

Hon David H. Tsubouchi (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): It's clear that the member from Ottawa West-Nepean has the interests of his

area at heart, especially when he talks about high-tech. But this government is committed to achieving the best possible value for the tax dollar for the people of Ontario.

Interjection: That's old news.

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: I guess that's not new news here, but I think it's well worth repeating from time to time that this government is in favour

of giving the best value for the tax dollar to the people of Ontario.

Making use of technology involves much more than computers, fax machines and e-mail in our offices. It involves projects such as those in the Ministry of

Natural Resources, where they have an on-line campsite reservation system, or the government of Ontario service kiosks, where you can renew driver's licence, among other services. Of course, each

ministry has its own Web site where people can access a wealth of information 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

But this is not all there is. We want to have several more internal initiatives where we can allocate resources properly -- we'll continue this discussion, I

see, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Supplementary.

Mr Guzzo: Mr Minister, I'm sure you're aware that the increased reliance on technology brings with it challenges to ensure that information is

secure and protected. All of us are interested in seeing that we use these tools to facilitate a flexible and dynamic civil service that delivers efficient services. But we also want these tools

used where we can be assured that the integrity and security of the system is maintained.

Minister, I'd like you to tell the House what our government is doing to ensure that integrity and security concerns are being met.

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: Certainly the security and integrity of our infrastructure is very important to us. It's a question I asked our government

officials. It's important for us, as we deliver more and more services to the public, to assure them it's being done in a very secure way.

Ontario is a world leader in this field. We have arrived there because of our coordinated approach to ensuring we address these issues. The measures we've

taken include implementing iSERV, a central unit responsible for both policy and operations to ensure the security of the government's information technology infrastructure; implementing an

information protection centre to proactively ensure the technical infrastructure is safe from corruption.

These types of improvements and these types of investments in security will continue. It's very important, as we move to the forefront of e-government, to

ensure the people of Ontario that measures to protect the security and integrity of our infrastructure in I and IT areas are certainly there.

WALKERTON TRAGEDY

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): A question for the Premier. May 20 is the first anniversary of the Walkerton tainted water tragedy.

This morning, I was astounded to hear the environment minister say that neither she nor you are planning to attend the commemorative events planned in Walkerton this Sunday to mark the first

anniversary of that tragic event. She also indicated you have no specific plans to mark that day. Can you tell me if this is true?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): I think the minister can respond.

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of the Environment): In response to the question, it's important to remember that Walkerton was a very sad and

unfortunate event, and particularly this week the thoughts of all those in this Legislature will be with the families and friends of those who have lost family members and who have suffered as a

result of that tragedy. I understand various community groups have organized events to mark the anniversary. Again, we certainly support those groups that have planned events in order to ensure it

is a time of remembrance for people in that particular community.

What our government has done is taken a leadership role. We are moving forward and we have introduced Operation Clean Water --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I'm afraid the minister's time is up. Supplementary.

Ms Churley: The Premier is gone, and the supplementary was to him.

When it comes to Walkerton, water and the environment, neglect seems to be your trademark, Minister. I am shocked that you're not going to be there on Sunday.

But let me make a suggestion to you.

Over five months ago, your Premier promised here in this House to our leader to provide funding for a comprehensive health study of the Walkerton community,

and that you would involve the community, the citizens, in the design of that study. You have done neither to date, five months later. May I suggest, Minister, that you go to Walkerton on Sunday

with the cheque in hand for that health study and the plan in hand for consultation with the community. That would be one positive way to help that community heal and commemorate that day.

Hon Mrs Witmer: I would refer the health study question to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I can assure this House that the government places the highest priority on ensuring

that Ontarians have access to safe drinking water. As the honourable member may know, on December 12 last year the Premier committed to undertake a health study in Walkerton. We are living up to

that promise. I can tell the honourable member that we have been working with the Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound board of health in developing the terms of reference for the health study. I can assure this

House that our commitment remains absolutely clear. We've heard the concerns raised by members of the Walkerton community about possible long-term health indications for those who are affected by

the E coli outbreak. We are taking action through this very comprehensive study that will be completed in a timely manner. Once we finalize the terms of reference with public input from the

local area, we will move ahead.

PETITIONS

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Mr Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): We're launching a very important petition campaign related to cost-of-living adjustment

needs for those who are living on Ontario disability support. The petition reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the recipients of benefits under the Ontario Disability Act have not received a cost-of-living increase since a $2.50 increase in 1987; and

"Whereas the cost of living in Ontario has increased in every one of the years since, especially for basic needs such as housing, food, utilities,

transportation, clothing and household goods; and

"Whereas disabled Ontarians are recognized under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997, and as such have the right to have their basic needs met,

including adequate housing, a proper and healthy diet, a bed that does not make them sicker and clothing that fits and is free of stains and holes; and

"Whereas their basic needs are no longer being met because the Ministry of Social Services has not increased the shelter and basic needs allowance of disabled

Ontarians eligible to receive benefits under the Ontario disability support program to reflect the increased costs of shelter and basic needs (and in fact have reduced these benefits for those

recipients who receive a disability benefit under the Canada pension plan); and

"Whereas a new Ontarians with Disabilities Act has yet to be introduced to help protect the thousands of vulnerable people in Ontario who are dependent on

others for their basic needs and care and who are eligible for benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program Act, 1997;

"Therefore we, the undersigned citizens of Ontario, request the Ontario Legislature to urge the government to respect their own definition of basic needs and

provide a cost-of-living increase to recipients of benefits through the Ontario Disability Support Program Act that is sufficient to cover the increased costs of their basic needs as of 2001

prices, and that this benefit not be reduced as a result of increases in the Canada pension plan benefit."

This was sent to me by Roslyn Bergman, with the Canadian Mental Health Association in Thunder Bay, who is helping lead this campaign. I have hundreds of

signatures here. There will be many, many more to come. I'm proud to sign it.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton West): Workers, their families and their unions continue to be concerned about exposure to carcinogens in

the workplace. To that end, I continue to receive petitions from the CAW, forwarded to me by Cathy Walker, their national director of health and safety. The petition reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas this year 130,000 Canadians will contract cancer and there are at minimum 17 funerals every day for Canadian workers who died from cancer caused by

workplace exposure to cancer-causing substances known as carcinogens; and

"Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all cancers have environmental causes and the International Labour Organization estimates that one

million workers globally have cancer because of exposure at work to carcinogens; and

"Whereas most cancers can be beaten if government had the political will to make industry replace toxic substances with non-toxic substances; and

"Whereas very few health organizations study the link between occupations and cancer, even though more study of this link is an important step to defeating

this dreadful disease;

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

"That it become a legal requirement that occupational history be recorded on a standard form when a patient presents at a physician for diagnosis or treatment

of cancer; and

"That the diagnosis and occupational history be forwarded to a central cancer registry for analysis as to the link between cancer and occupation."

On behalf of my NDP colleagues, I add my name to this petition.

ELECTRICITY GENERATING STATION

Mrs Margaret Marland (Mississauga South): I have not had the privilege of presenting a petition in this House for three and a half years, and

I'm very proud, now that I'm no longer a cabinet minister, I'm allowed to do this, and I'm also allowed to do it on behalf of the Speaker who, my honourable friend knows, is not able to present

petitions. So it is with pride that I present this petition on behalf of the Speaker and myself; it's from both of our residents on probably the most important issue that I've had to deal with in

my riding.

It's a petition to the Parliament of Ontario.

"Whereas Sithe Energies Canadian Development Ltd is actively pursuing the development of an 800 MW electricity generating facility;

"Whereas the 14-hectare parcel of land on which the station is proposed is located on the east side of Winston Churchill Boulevard in the Southdown industrial

district of Mississauga;

"Whereas Sithe has stated its commitment to an open dialogue with communities where it has a presence and to being responsive to the concerns of the same;

and

"Whereas the government of Ontario has a responsibility to ensure the safety of Ontario citizens and to determine how this facility will impact those who live

in its immediate, surrounding area,

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

"That the government of Ontario direct the Ministry of the Environment" -- and I'm happy to note that the Minister of the Environment is in the House at this

time -- "to undertake a formal environmental assessment of the Sithe project."

I'm very happy to add my name to this petition.

HEALTH CARE

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): My petition reads as follows; this is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we believe that universally accessible, publicly funded health care is sacred and must be protected;

"Whereas Mike Harris intends on turning his back on working families and transforming our system into an American-style, two-tier system, where only the rich

will get quality health care;

"Whereas we believe that Mike Harris had a secret agenda to promote two-tier health care in Ontario and now the secret is out,

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

"Do not turn your back on Ontario's working families. Fight Mike Harris's agenda to destroy medicare and fight his plan to create a two-tier health care

system."

I affix my signature, as I'm in complete agreement with this petition.

SAFE DRINKING WATER LEGISLATION

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): I have a petition which reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the people of Ontario have the right to receive clean and safe drinking water; and

"Whereas clean, safe drinking water is a basic human entitlement and essential for the protection of public health; and

"Whereas the people of Ontario have the right to receive accurate and immediate information about the quality of water; and

"Whereas Mike Harris and the government of Ontario have failed to protect the quality of drinking water in Ontario; and

"Whereas Mike Harris and the government of Ontario have failed to provide the necessary financial resources to the Ministry of the Environment; and

"Whereas the policies of Mike Harris and the government of Ontario have endangered the environment and the health of the citizens of Ontario,

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

"

(1) Immediately restore adequate funding and staffing to the Ministry of the Environment;

"

(2) Immediately pass into law ... the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2000."

I affix my signature to this petition, as I support it.

DIABETES TREATMENT

Ms Marilyn Mushinski (Scarborough Centre): I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that reads as follows:

"Whereas over 500,000 people in Ontario have diabetes; and

"Whereas to the expense of treating diabetes, many people cannot afford the ongoing expense of treating diabetes and if left untreated or improperly managed,

diabetes can lead to blindness, vascular disease, kidney disease, neuropathy and other problems; and

"Whereas today, more than ever before, people with diabetes can expect to live active, independent, and vital lives if they make a lifelong commitment to

careful management of the disease; and

"Whereas by providing the resources to successfully manage this disease, the government can ensure more efficient health care for people with diabetes at a

reduced cost to the health care system,

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

"That all diabetic supplies as prescribed by an endocrinologist be covered under the Ontario health insurance plan."

I am pleased to affix my signature to this petition.

WATER EXTRACTION

Mrs Leona Dombrowsky (Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington): To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we, the residents and cottagers of Bob's Lake, strenuously object to the permit issued by the Ministry of the Environment to OMYA Inc to remove 1.5

million litres of water per day from the Tay River without adequate assessment of the consequences and without adequate consultation with the public and those people and groups who have expertise

and interest; and

"Whereas it is our belief that this water-taking will drastically impact the environment and seriously affect the water levels in Bob's Lake and Christie

Lake;

"Whereas Bob's Lake and the Tay River watersheds are already highly stressed by the historic responsibility of Parks Canada to use Bob's Lake as a reservoir

for the Rideau Canal; and

"Whereas the movement of water from the lake through the watershed for navigation purposes in the canal provides sufficient stress and problems for the lake,

and this water-taking permit will only compound the stresses on the waterway;

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

"We request that this permit be rescinded until a comprehensive evaluation of the impact of water-taking by OMYA Inc on the environment, the water levels and

the water needs of these communities is complete. An independent non-partisan body should undertake this evaluation."

PROTECTION OF MINORS

Mr Bob Wood (London West): I have a petition signed by 336 people.

"Whereas children are being exposed to sexually explicit materials in many commercial establishments;

"Whereas ma