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April 12, 2017

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2017-Apr-12 (PDF)

L068 - Wed 12 Apr 2017 / Mer 12 avr 2017

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Wednesday 12 April 2017 Mercredi 12 avril 2017

Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 contre la traite de personnes

Introduction of Visitors

Oral Questions

Ontario budget

Ontario budget

Tenant protection

Hydro rates

Autism treatment

Executive compensation

Energy polices

Provincial debt

Child care

Anti-bullying initiatives

Wind turbines

Autism treatment

Municipal funding

Personal support workers

Visitors

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Elaine McClintock

Poverty

Riding of Durham

Wildlife conservation

Belle River Nobles

Mental health services

FIRST Team 1305

Quebec mosque shooting

Kent Cobras

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Introduction of Bills

Registered Professional Planners Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur les urbanistes certifiés

Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur le Mois du patrimoine coréen

Motions

Private members’ public business

Committee sittings

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Anniversary of women’s right to vote

Correction of record

Petitions

Government advertising

Student loans

Elevator maintenance

Government advertising

Municipal restructuring

GO Transit

Hydro rates

Personal support workers

Elevator maintenance

Taxation

Child care

Primary health care

Energy contracts

Opposition Day

Provincial debt

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 contre la traite de personnes

Resuming the debate adjourned on April 5, 2017, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 96,

An Act to enact the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Act, 2017 and the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017 / Projet de loi 96, Loi édictant la Loi de 2017 sur la Journée de sensibilisation à la traite de personnes et la Loi de 2017 sur la prévention de la traite de personnes et les recours en la matière.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further debate? Government House leader and Attorney General.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Thank you very much, Speaker, for recognizing me to speak on Bill 96, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. I’m honoured to speak on this very important bill.

Let me start first just by saying happy International Day of Pink to everyone and those who are listening. Speaker, I noticed that you should have worn your pink tabs. Apparently you’re not allowed to, but I see a lot of our members are wearing pink. This is an important day to show solidarity and stand against any and all forms of bullying. That’s what the International Day of Pink is about.

I want to thank all the incredible champions, activists and advocates out there in our respective communities who work every single day in making sure that our schools are free of the scourge of bullying. We’re taking proactive steps to make sure that our kids are safe at all times. I particularly want to give a shout-out to Jeremy Dias in my community of Ottawa Centre and the Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity, previously known as Jer’s Vision, for their hard work in making our schools a safe space for everyone.

Speaking of building safe communities, speaking of the importance of making sure that all individuals in communities are free from victimization, it’s really humbling for me to speak about the crime of human trafficking. It’s a deplorable crime, a crime that we as a society, we as legislators, should never accept. That’s why I’m really proud that our government—with the assistance of a lot of people, a lot of advocates, activists and members of this Legislature from all sides—is debating the Anti-Human Trafficking Act.

I want to acknowledge the hard work of many members in this House. I will start by thanking the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock for her advocacy on this very important issue. I know she brought a private member’s bill, and many of the elements of her private member’s bill are reflected in this bill.

We also, as a government, worked on the issue in terms of developing an anti-human trafficking strategy in my role previously. As the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, I was very actively involved in development, along with my predecessor, Madeleine Meilleur, who was the Attorney General at that time. The member from Pickering–Scarborough East, who is now the Minister of Government and Consumer Services, in her role as the minister responsible for women’s issues of course played a very proactive role.

And the member from Oak Ridges–Markham, who is the Minister of Community and Social Services, was very engaged, because that is where the anti-human trafficking coordination office is located. Jennifer Richardson, who is the coordinator, is based out of the Ministry of Community and Social Services.

I know now that the member from Ottawa–Orléans, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, remains very active in the implementation of the strategy because community safety is a big element of it. The member from Ottawa–Vanier, who is the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of the Status of Women, along with the member from Mississauga–Erindale, are very active also in the implementation and the carriage of this very important bill so that we create the very important legal threshold with regard to combatting human trafficking.

As I said earlier, human trafficking in all its forms is absolutely unacceptable. It targets the most vulnerable among us: indigenous people, young women, at-risk youth, youth in care, migrant workers and persons with mental health and addiction issues.

I know that it comes as a surprise to many people that Ontario is unfortunately a major centre for human trafficking in Canada, accounting for roughly 65% of police-reported cases nationally—a record we should definitely not be proud of. It is unacceptable that this disgraceful practice is happening in our own communities, and it needs to stop.

Last year, the government launched Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking. We have invested $72 million in an initiative aimed at improving access to services for human trafficking survivors, as well as efforts to improve the way our justice sector deals with these crimes. Drawing on feedback from experts and community partners, as well as successful projects from other Canadian jurisdictions, the new strategy focuses on four areas of action:

(1) Prevention and community supports to increase awareness and understanding of the causes of human trafficking. This includes improving community services like housing, mental health services, trauma counselling and job training to help get survivors back on their feet;

(2) Enhance justice sector initiatives that will support effective intelligence-gathering and identification, investigation and prosecution of human trafficking;

(3) Indigenous-led approaches that will support culturally relevant services and responses, designed, developed and delivered jointly with indigenous partners; and

(4) Provincial coordination and leadership, including the development of a Provincial Anti-Human Trafficking Coordination Office to help improve collaboration across the law enforcement, justice, social, health, education and child welfare sectors.

This is a very comprehensive strategy that does not just focus on an enforcement-based model. That’s part of it, and it’s an important part of it, but it takes a much more holistic approach, where our effort has been to ensure that we focus on prevention and supports for the victims and service providers. They are our key allies and partners.

I know that all of the members who I mentioned earlier had an opportunity to talk to a lot of the service providers and get their feedback. That’s why this has been such a great collaborative effort, working along with the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock. She helped me set some meetings as well, where I had the opportunity to talk to people, which I thank her for.

They all told us that we really need to empower service providers, because they are in the community, they have the context, and they know what the survivors and victims need and how best to provide services for them. This strategy—a huge component is to make sure that we invest in prevention and we invest in appropriate services to be provided in the communities.

Justice sector initiatives are important, and the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and Attorney General’s office are our key partners in providing those initiatives, be it boosting up intelligence services so they have dedicated individuals dealing with human trafficking, making sure that we build capacity at the OPP—a dedicated task force to deal with human trafficking so that there could be more collaboration across all police services and sharing of information—or within my ministry, Speaker, and I’ll speak to it a little bit in detail; and making sure that we have resource capacity built as well with training for our prosecutors to deal with this very important issue.

Of course, indigenous people are a very important component. Data and evidence shows us that, unfortunately, indigenous women are very susceptible to human trafficking, so we need to ensure that we have an indigenous-led approach to dealing with the issue around human trafficking, and work with our indigenous service providers, partners and peoples to provide those services.

One of the key things we heard in our consultation, which is part of the strategy, is lack of coordination. This is a vile crime. It’s a crime that is very much tied in with organized crime. There are drugs involved, there are guns involved, and then there are victims of human trafficking. The best way to do this, given that our province is quite large, is making sure that’s there an enhanced level of coordination, that there is a central nucleus, a meeting point where all these efforts could be best sequenced, and hence the creation of provincial coordination and leadership.

Having somebody like Jennifer Richardson, who brings a tremendous amount of experience in dealing with this area—it’s definitely a leadership role that Ontario is presenting to the country in how to deal with this issue.

I’m really proud of the strategy. It’s a comprehensive strategy, and this legislation is very much part of that strategy, from the perspective of legal tools that are required to enable the work that is outlined in the strategy.

Speaker, with your permission, I would like now to tell you a bit more about what we are doing at the Ministry of the Attorney General to support this change. First of all, we are boosting our community- and court-based supports to help survivors navigate the system and an enhanced, coordinated prosecution model to prevent traffickers from exploiting more victims. Survivors deserve a streamlined, accessible and holistic approach to recover and rebuild their lives, and that is our goal.

Details on investment in specific programs include enhanced funding by $6.65 million over four years to 47 community-based service partners delivering the Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario program to provide better supports for victims of human trafficking. We’ve expanded the Victim/Witness Assistance Program to hire a specialized human trafficking victim service worker in Newmarket. In addition, two workers will be hired in Brampton and Toronto. We are expanding the Victim Quick Response Program by $1.93 million over four years to allow victims of human trafficking to access new benefits such as tattoo removal, replacement of government documents, and recovery in a trauma-informed facility.

Speaker, we are also working to strengthen human trafficking investigations and prosecutions. To do this, we are creating a dedicated provincial human trafficking prosecution team that will ensure the provincial coordination of an enhanced prosecutorial model across Ontario, one that will work collaboratively with police and Victim/Witness Assistance Program staff. That addition of a provincial human trafficking prosecution team is a very important aspect in our response at the Ministry of the Attorney General to deal with the issue around successful prosecution of human trafficking.

Speaker, I would be remiss if I did not share with the House the news that we received yesterday from southwest Ontario. Huge credit goes to our police services for the incredible work they’ve done. Four police forces, led by London Police Service, targeted human trafficking and prostitution in Project Equinox. It was a six-month investigation into human trafficking and prostitution in southwestern Ontario that led to 78 arrests, which is amazing and really put a harsh spotlight on a problem gripping this region.

Thirty-five men trying to buy sex were swept up in the London police-led probe; 129 charges were laid, including four for human trafficking. This just goes to show what coordination can do. Credit goes to our police services and all the social agencies and service providers who have worked together for such a long period of time in making this happen. This is real success. This is how we will combat human trafficking.

What we need to make sure of is that, as these charges are laid, there is successful prosecution of those charges as well. That’s why our human trafficking prosecution team is so important in this entire endeavour. It’s one thing for the police to do their hard work and put an end to these rings, but it is also important that we have successful prosecution of the charges that are laid. Again, I think it’s a moment to be proud of. Imagine how many victims, current and in the future, have been saved as a result of this good work in southwestern Ontario.

Speaker, if I could just speak briefly on Bill 96 from my perspective as the Attorney General: I am very proud of this bill. My ministry played a major role in preparing the bill, along with the Ministry of the Status of Women. If passed, the bill will help to protect Ontarians from human trafficking, hold traffickers accountable for their crimes, and raise awareness.

The Anti-Human Trafficking Act, 2017, would create two statutes: The Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017, and the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Act, 2017. These schedules, if passed, would allow individuals to apply for restraining orders against human traffickers. Civil restraining orders are an important tool that human trafficking victims can use to keep themselves safe. These restraining orders would be effective for up to a year and be renewable for as many times as needed. There would be no age restriction as to who can apply for these orders.

Also, in certain circumstances, they would be obtainable without notice to the alleged trafficker. The restraining orders would be enforceable by the police, and breaches would be prosecuted criminally.

The bill also makes it easier for survivors of human trafficking to get compensation from those who traffic them. It will allow survivors of human trafficking to more easily and more effectively sue their traffickers to get compensation for the harm done to them.

The bill also proclaims February 22 of each year as Human Trafficking Awareness Day in Ontario. I think we all recognize that we can raise the profile and awareness of this issue and mobilize public opinion to banish it from our society forever. February 22 coincides with the day in 2007 on which the House of Commons of Canada passed a motion condemning the trafficking of women and children across international borders for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

Also as part of the bill, we announced that the province will be strengthening existing regulations by expanding the list of recipients that may be eligible to receive grants under the Civil Remedies Act of 2001 to include community organizations. This has been asked for for some time by community organizations. Up to now, only police services could get that funding for crime prevention. Now, we can really get these dollars extended to our community organizations who work on the front lines to provide these important services and work in collaboration with our police services from a service delivery and prevention perspective.

Speaker, also, by way of regulation as part of this package we’ve expanded the list of Criminal Code offences under the Victims’ Bill of Rights of 1995 regulation to include human trafficking offences. This will allow human trafficking survivors to sue for emotional distress.

These are all very important changes. If you take this bill and combine it with Ontario’s Strategy to End Human Trafficking and with the will of this House to stand resolute against this deplorable crime and with the efforts of our police services and of our community service providers in Ontario—I stand here very proudly to say that all of us are playing our role to put an end to human trafficking in Ontario. The fact that we are the largest jurisdiction in Canada to see this crime deserves and requires exactly that kind of effort in this House and outside this Legislature so that human trafficking is put to an end.

This is a notice. We are serving a notice on all of those criminals out there who prey on the vulnerable women, who prey on vulnerable children in our neighbourhoods, that we will not tolerate you. We will put an end to this deplorable crime, and we will come after you with all our might—with our laws, our police services and tools that are available to us—to put an end to this deplorable crime because in this society, in this day and age, we’re building a society that is inclusive, a society that respects all, a society that gives our women and our children an opportunity to succeed.

We will not let them be prey to these kinds of deplorable crimes—and for that, a notice to them that we are all working together. We are not divided on partisan lines. We are not divided on arguing about whether this is a good thing or the right thing to do. Our police services are united. They are coordinated. They’re working together. They’re sharing their information, not only in Ontario, but across the country and internationally. With that resolve and with that commitment, we will help improve the lives of so many survivors in our province. That is our commitment to them; that is our devotion to them.

I’m really proud of this Legislature for the collective effort that we have put into this work. Hopefully, we will read more stories like the Project Equinox story, where our police are able to put an end to these gangs in our cities and towns where they’re preying on vulnerable women and children.

I thank the members for their support on this bill. I’m confident this bill will move forward to committee very soon, where we can hear from survivors and service providers—and then bring it back for third reading and get it passed, hopefully with the support of this Legislature, before the end of the spring session.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: It’s an honour to be able to stand and speak to this legislation. I want to commend this government for taking action on this important file, and I wish to thank the Attorney General for his heartfelt and passionate speech.

I especially want to thank the member on this side of the aisle from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock for her excellent, excellent work on this issue. Thank you.

This bill, Bill 96, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, enacts the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Act, 2017, and the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017. This is a measure that is long overdue. The reality is that here in Canada the problem of human trafficking, especially human sex trafficking, is growing, and it’s a problem that’s endemic. Across the globe, there are 45.8 million victims of human trafficking, an illicit industry that is worth $150 billion.

Mr. Speaker, this is an industry that is behind closed doors, that is preying on the most vulnerable. Every community, including my own, is and can be impacted by human sex trafficking, but youth, victims of abuse, indigenous people and the LGBTQ community are disproportionately impacted by this trafficking.

I’m very pleased that the member opposite is bringing forward something that shows the compassion the people of Ontario have for those who are impacted in very vulnerable situations by those who would prey on them: by street gangs, by predators and those who have no respect for the dignity and worth of every human life.

We see across this province, unfortunately, that we are a hotbed and a hub for human trafficking. I’m glad that our province is taking a demonstrable and real step—not just a symbolic step, but a very real step that will have an impact on people’s lives in meaningful ways.

I hope that we can pass this quickly and implement it as soon as possible.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments?

Mr. Todd Smith: It is an honour and a pleasure to join the debate this morning on Bill 96, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act. I again, as well, want to commend the government for listening and acting on this as quickly as we possibly can. I think the story from London this week demonstrates that we need to act quickly, that we need to get this legislation in place as quickly as possible.

When you see the kind of police work that’s going on to end this—a six-month investigation involving four different police services down in the London area, with Woodstock, Stratford and Strathroy involved in laying over a hundred charges against men who are involved in the human trafficking and sex trade in the London area—it shows you that this is happening right under our noses, particularly in that area along the 401 corridor.

I know that my colleague from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, who worked so passionately on this topic with her private member’s bill, Saving the Girl Next Door, over the last year and a bit, has travelled all along that 401 corridor and other parts of Ontario talking about the need for legislation now to stop this heinous crime that’s occurring in our communities.

She was in Belleville just a couple of weeks ago for a human trafficking forum. I know she was in her own community a week before that, and she has been right across the province, as I say.

We need to end this now. Our youngest kids in our school system—and I can’t believe it—kids that are younger than my own daughters are being taken as hostages, and men are making millions and millions of dollars on the backs of these young women. We have to act now. I know that the government is intent on doing that. I appreciate the fact that they are. Let’s get it done as quickly as possible. We can save the girl next door and we can save young women all across Ontario if we get this done now.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: C’est vraiment un plaisir pour moi de vous adresser aujourd’hui et, je crois, de renforcer un petit peu ce qui a été dit.

I was on the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment with the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, and we saw her passion. Certainly, this was mentioned during our committee. I want to say thank you for your advocacy on this file.

I’m also very proud to see that we are having this discussion today as a government, in, I would say, an almost non-partisan approach because we see the risk, the danger, almost the epidemic that’s happening here in Ontario. We are strongly willing to make efforts to combat human trafficking.

I want to commend the officers who led to this wonderful “Four Police Forces Led by London’s Targeted Human Trafficking and Prostitution in Project Equinox.” I want to say thank you for their efforts. This was a good-news story, I think, for all of us yesterday, and we applaud them.

I also want to bring forward, as our broader strategy for anti-human trafficking, that there is a call for proposals, because one aspect of the importance is not only the prosecution, but the survivors. I want to reiterate to all of you the fact that we are also looking for and seeking applicants for a new fund to help survivors of human trafficking. It’s a three-year fund that will enhance services across Ontario. We’re asking everyone and organizations that can help survivors to move their name and to put their project forward so that we can have more projects in our pipeline.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments? The Attorney General.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I want to thank the member from Niagara West–Glanbrook, the member from Prince Edward–Hastings and the member from Ottawa–Orléans, who is also the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, for their comments and for reaffirming our collective resolve that we will not tolerate this crime, that we will do everything in our power to put an end to it. We are doing exactly this. These are meaningful steps that we are taking to address the challenge of human trafficking.

I say this: I think this session of the Legislature has been remarkable—this Parliament, I might say—with the work that has been done on the anti-human trafficking strategy and the work happening on the It’s Never Okay campaign to put an end to sexual violence and harassment. We are really, really putting our collective effort in building an inclusive economy, something the Premier speaks so often about, where everyone has a chance to succeed, where we’re not leaving anybody behind and where we are creating opportunities for women, for indigenous people, for people coming from diverse backgrounds—an opportunity to succeed.

In order for us to create an economy of the 21st century and in order to ensure that everybody participates in the well-being and prosperity of our province, we have to build an inclusive economy where we all are contributing to the future direction of our province.

As we celebrate 150 years of Ontario since Confederation, that will be the hallmark for the next 150 years or so. I’m very proud of the work that is happening in this Legislature. I’m proud of all the members working on Bill 96, and I look forward to its speedy passage in this House.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The Attorney General has two more minutes.

Further debate? Last call: Further debate?

Ms. Naidoo-Harris has moved second reading of Bill 96,

An Act to enact the Human Trafficking Awareness Day Act, 2017 and the Prevention of and Remedies for Human Trafficking Act, 2017. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Shall the bill be ordered for third reading?

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Tonia Grannum): Sorry. Carried?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Shall the bill be ordered for third reading?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: To a committee? The Standing Committee on Social Policy.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Agreed? Carried.

That was a very confusing effort.

Orders of the day.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, we request adjournment of the House—

Interjections.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Sorry, a recess.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Why do I always get the doozies? Okay.

The Attorney General has moved the recess of the House. This House is now recessed until 10:30 this morning.

The House recessed from 0932 to 1030.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I suspect that because of the special guests that we have, we may want to introduce them as individuals from your riding. That will be your choice. What I would like to do is announce that now, and then let you choose whether or not we want to spend more time introducing every single student or every single individual that’s here. I’ll go by your desire. So if you stand, I’ll acknowledge you.

We have with us in the Speaker’s gallery today 77 young women from across the province to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. There will be an all-member photo on the grand staircase with the participants directly following question period. I invite all of you to join us in this historic photo.

Please join me in welcoming and saying thank you to the young women that are here today.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): With that said, I am now prepared to entertain introduction of guests.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: I echo your welcome and I would warmly like to add my welcome specifically to Shannon Edwards, representing Huron–Bruce.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: As part of today’s A Remarkable Assembly, I am pleased to welcome a remarkable woman from Oshawa, Ashley Noble, here to the Legislature.

Mr. Bob Delaney: On behalf of page captain Ethan Hann, who is from my neighbourhood in Mississauga–Streetsville, I am pleased to welcome in the members’ east gallery this morning his mom, Kelley Anstey; his father, Ken Hann; his aunt Jane Rogers; and his cousin Tristan Rogers. Please welcome them to the assembly this morning.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to welcome Jenna Simpson from the town of Petrolia to A Remarkable Assembly.

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: On this auspicious day, it is also Girls’ Government Day. I want to welcome Girls’ Government here to Queen’s Park. From Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School we’ve got teacher Cherie Carter, Catherine Jaworksy, Mercy Sang, Sophie Rashid-Cocker, Claire Broderick, Ruby Gore, Hannah Lang, Harriet and Stella Fisher and their mother, Joanne Fisher. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Today, I would like to welcome, from my riding of Barrie, Hunter Markle, vice-president, external and equity, with the Georgian College Students’ Association. Welcome.

Mrs. Gila Martow: I’m happy to welcome, from my riding, Sarah Navy, who is very involved in politics, as well as Nancy Coldham, who also works very hard with the Equal Voice group. Thank you and welcome.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I’d like to welcome my constituency assistant Corinne Allsop here today. She’s one of your guests with A Remarkable Assembly. Welcome, Corinne.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Please help me welcome, in the east members’ gallery, my fantastic, hard-working chief of staff, Cristina Taglione, as well as Lenni Eubanks from our communications branch, who is attending question period for the first time.

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: I’m pleased to be able to stand in the Legislature today and welcome, from my riding, five remarkable women: Courtney Aucoin, Kailene Jackson, Nicole Scime, Karen Shedden and, last but not least, Keri Ludwig. Welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to welcome Kennedy Graydon and Haley Clarke on their remarkable journey here today.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’m delighted to introduce and welcome Francesca Cesario, who is here in the gallery, from my riding of Vaughan.

Ms. Laurie Scott: I would like to welcome, for A Remarkable Assembly, from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock, Victoria Hawley, Sadie-Jane Hickson and Sierra Ret.

I also recognize a great group of schoolgirls from the Trillium Lakelands District School Board’s Archie Stouffer Elementary School, J.D. Hodgson Elementary, Ridgewood Public School and Central Senior School. I welcome them and their teachers.

I also welcome the Trent Conservatives in the gallery.

Ms. Catherine Fife: It’s my pleasure to welcome my Girls’ Government group from the great riding of Waterloo today: 10 young women from Our Lady of Lourdes elementary school who are here—Jayden Lajeunesse, Hannah Raymond, Grace Jackson, Mary Quinton, Brigitte Fitzsimmons, Anabella Kurniawan, Abigail Burzese, Lena Koller, Mary Ella Sehl and Sophie Smith—and their amazing teachers, Mrs. Kristina Somerton and Ms. Barb Weber. Welcome to Queen’s Park today.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: From London North Centre, I welcome Maryam Jaberi and Akuah Frempong. We’re delighted to have you here.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Please join me in welcoming, from Dufferin–Caledon, Rebecca Warrian and Brittney Reinhart. Welcome.

Mr. Wayne Gates: As part of A Remarkable Assembly, I’d like to welcome Jodey Martin from Niagara Falls.

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: I would like to welcome future leaders from Kingston and the Islands, Carling Counter and Hannah Jensen.

I would also like to welcome to the gallery one of Ontario’s most esteemed master philosophers/drystone wallers Augustus Butterfield.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’m proud to welcome Elisa Hollingsworth to Queen’s Park today. She’s from Watford, Ontario, here on behalf of A Remarkable Assembly.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I’d like to welcome Linda Davis. I’m sure she’s here for the women’s 100th vote. She’s with the BPW group.

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: I’d like to welcome all of the young women and girls here today as part of Girls’ Government and also here to celebrate the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I’d like to welcome Rachel Henderson from Stratford and Raven Lovering from St. Marys.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I would like to also welcome Julia Cluett-McCullough from Waterloo, as part of A Remarkable Assembly. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Julia.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: It is a remarkable day here today at Queen’s Park, where we’re celebrating 100 years of women’s right to vote in Ontario.

With that, I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park all of the women and young girls celebrating with us here today—in particular, Kripa Sekhar from the South Asian Women’s Centre and Areeba Tabasson, a high school student from Loretto College School in my riding, in Davenport. Welcome.

Mr. Ted Arnott: I’m very pleased to welcome Chelsea Montgomery, who is here as part of the group for the A Remarkable Assembly celebration. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Speaker, somewhere up in your gallery, in the Speaker’s gallery, is Braydn Ross from Oakville. Please welcome her to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’m proud to welcome today to the Legislature Luis David Lopez Guzman, Lazaro David Lopez Garcia and Aida Paulina Guzman Salazar. A couple of them are visiting us from Mexico.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I want to welcome Alana Couvrette, who is part of the delegation on the 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote. I’ve known Alana for a long time. I used to be a neighbour to her family in Ottawa. I’m very proud of all of her achievements.

Mr. Todd Smith: I would like to welcome Emily Nash from Prince Edward–Hastings for A Remarkable Assembly, and also a long-time friend, Kirsten Walker Clayton, who is here with her daughter Reagan this morning. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Daiene Vernile: I’m delighted to welcome to the Legislature for the 100 years of women’s right to vote—from Kitchener Centre, we have Kelly Harris and Lana Mutlak, who works in my constituency office. Welcome.

Mr. Lorne Coe: I’d like to welcome Kiana Bonnick and Cristina Mazza from the town of Whitby. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Bob Delaney: On behalf of the member for Eglinton–Lawrence, I’m pleased to welcome guests of page Aidan Ang: his mother, Marianne Hu; his father, Alex Ang; and his grandparents Monica and Richard Hu. They’re in the east members’ gallery this morning.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to take the time to welcome, from my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood, Rachel Heineman, who is here for Girls’ Government and A Remarkable Assembly.

I want to welcome all of the young women who are here today.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I have several girls here today for A Remarkable Assembly. I would like to recognize Alana Couvrette. We also have with us, from Ottawa, Susan Corell, Wendy Liao, Amrit Nannan, Kayla Maria Rolland, Madeleine Tater, and Shawna White. I want to welcome them here to A Remarkable Assembly.

One hundred years ago, women like me and women like you couldn’t be here at this assembly, and now we have made great change—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It’s not a statement.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I want to congratulate all of you for being here today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I will make a statement. I’m sure my colleagues understand that nothing like this happens without an awful lot of hard work, so I want to, again, bring attention and huge thanks to the staff of the protocol office, led by Debi LaMantia and her team, for putting a great event together. Thank you to the staff—of course, always under the watchful eye of the Clerk.

It is time for question period.

Oral Questions

Ontario budget

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Deputy Premier. While we don’t have a budget date yet, we expect the budget to come sometime soon. The PC caucus is expecting to see some key planks in this budget, so I will lay them out. The government’s mismanagement of its finances has resulted in two credit downgrades and debt-servicing costs of over $11 billion annually. The province now spends more on interest than on post-secondary education, community safety and five other ministries combined.

Mr. Speaker, because of this mismanagement, the government must take action. Will this budget begin the process of paying down debt and include a long-term plan to get Ontario’s debt under control?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I think it’s important people understand that when the recession hit in 2008-09, we—

Mr. Steve Clark: Where’s Charles?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Leeds–Grenville knows better, and I expect better.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me.

Deputy Premier.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, we made a very deliberate decision that we were not going to slash and burn. We were not going to fire 100,000 workers. We were going to support the continued growth of this province. We made a deliberate choice to invest in infrastructure, and we are seeing the consequences of that very deliberate decision.

Some people advocated that we cut our way to balance. Our decision was to invest and grow our way to balance, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Deputy Premier: Clearly no answer on getting Ontario’s out-of-control debt—they seem to be satisfied with the fact we’re the most indebted subnational government in the world.

Another budget ask we have of the government is—and I’m sure the government appreciates that millions of Ontarians are struggling with their hydro bills, from unaffordable hydro rates. This government’s proposed hydro scheme does nothing but add billions of dollars to the debt, more in future costs on Ontarians’ backs for hydro. The budget must take action. Rather than just borrowing, we’d actually like to see some structural changes.

Mr. Speaker, will this budget include an announcement that the Liberals will stop signing bad contracts for energy we do not need, and stop the fire sale of Hydro One?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m pleased to rise and talk about Ontario’s Fair Hydro Plan and what we’ve done to take costs out of the system.

One of the first things that I did, Mr. Speaker, when I became Minister of Energy—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Okay. Next time I stand we’re going to go to warnings.

And you can have a perplexed look on your face all you want.

Carry on, Minister.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. One of the very first things that I was able to do as Minister of Energy was put a suspension on the LRP II, which was something that saved ratepayers billions of dollars.

Again, we brought forward the fair hydro plan that is going to save ratepayers up to, on average, 25%, which is something that all families across the province are looking forward to.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Deputy Premier: The question was on stopping the signing of these bad contracts. There was no response.

No matter how many times the minister repeats himself, borrowing $25 billion to pay in interest is not a real plan if you don’t deal with the structural issues.

Since I can’t get an answer on debt or hydro, I’ll try a third budget ask, and that’s on the housing affordability crisis that this government has created. They decided to sit on their hands and collect the taxes and reap the benefits of an out-of-control housing market. Their careless decision to wait until the last moment has resulted in an unprecedented inability for families in Toronto and the GTA and Ontario to afford homes. This budget must take action.

My question to the Deputy Premier—hopefully I can get an answer this time—is: Will this budget slash red tape to increase the housing supply in Ontario?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: To the Minister of Housing.

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the Leader of the Opposition for the question about housing affordability, which of course is on the tip of everyone’s tongue these days. We certainly understand the growing concern across the GTHA regarding the booming housing market, which I can say is feeling pressured in part because of the fantastic economy that this province has created. There are about 100,000 people flocking to the GTHA every year because they’re coming here for jobs and a wonderful quality of life. That has put pressure on the economy.

Later today, we’ll be meeting with mayors from across the GTHA to understand and continue the dialogue with them about what tools they need to address housing affordability.

Ontario budget

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is to the Deputy Premier. The government, when it comes to debt—no plan; when it comes to hydro relief—no plan; and when it comes to housing—no plan. So—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): As promised, we’re in warnings.

Continue.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, to the Deputy Premier: Clearly the government is uncomfortable in trying to answer their own record.

Since we can’t get an answer on debt, hydro or housing, I’m going to ask another question—that needs to be in this budget. The government’s current cap-and-trade scheme is little more than a tax grab disguised as an effort to address climate change. A big cash grab: $1.9 billion. The current system is not only a cash grab; it’s driving business out of Ontario. It is subsidizing business in California and Quebec at the expense of hard-working Ontario businesses.

If this government is serious about protecting jobs in Ontario, it will make sure that cap-and-trade is not a cash grab; that it’s revenue-neutral. Can we get a commitment from this government that in this budget it will ensure there is no cash grab and the money will go back to Ontarians?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: The Leader of the Opposition is such an entertaining gentleman; I have to give him credit. I’m trying to square this, Mr. Speaker. Maybe you could help me, because you’ve been watching this for a long time. He wants to increase the price from $18 a tonne to $74 a tonne. That would jump gas prices by 16 cents. I’ve raised this with him, and I think he’s an honest gentleman. He has read David Sawyer’s work on what a BC tax would look like. Could he please explain to us how he would justify, in today’s competitive economic environment, how that makes any sense at all?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question was on returning the funds to Ontarians from this $1.9-billion cash grab. Instead, I get numbers out of thin air—but I’m not surprised from a minister that actually wanted to ban natural gas in Ontario, a government that is so out of touch.

Since I can’t get an answer on that, I will try another tack, and that is on school closures. Maybe the government can do something in this budget if they’re ignoring all the other issues. We have schools across Ontario—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Can you relate it to the first question, please?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, my question—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. I’m listening to the

preamble. I’m encouraging the member to make sure that it’s related to the first question about climate change.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Speaker, my first question was the budget ask and my supplementary is a budget ask.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: I want a commitment from this government that we’re going to stop seeing these school closures. I want to see a moratorium on the school closures we’re seeing across this province. Too many towns, too many communities and too many parts of this province are having their communities ripped apart by these 600 potential school closures.

The government is saying that it’s not happening, but you can’t go to a community in Ontario and not see a school that’s being closed.

My question is this: Can I get a commitment, Mr. Speaker, from the government that they will put a moratorium on these reckless school closures?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Minister of Education, Speaker.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: It’s my pleasure to rise in the House today to talk about what we are doing for schools in Ontario—because, on this side of the House, we believe in publicly funded education.

Since 2003, we have built 810 new schools and we have extended 780 significantly by renovation.

We know that investing in our students is the best investment that we can make in this province, and that’s why we have increased the funding consistently for schools.

In the member’s own riding, we have built 11 new schools since 2003.

I want to remind this House that these investments in education—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): In an odd comment—I would like to hear the minister’s answer, but I can’t hear it from your own side.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: Mr. Speaker, these investments we’re making in education are leading to results: 85.5% of our students are now graduating high school, as opposed to only 68% in 2003.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A reference to budget spending would be the best way to answer. Final supplementary, please.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, I want to continue with my budget ask of this government. Since I could not get an answer—a commitment from the government on school closures—let me try one more question to the Deputy Premier on the upcoming budget.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Liz Sandals: When we faced the recession, we set out a very responsible approach to how we would deal with the budget. We’re continuing to invest, including in 11 schools in your riding, to connect it to the last question—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Through the Chair, please.

Hon. Liz Sandals: But we also know that we needed to get to balance. We committed that we would have a balanced budget in the spring of 2017. We will have a balanced budget in spring 2017; 100% certain. We’re able to do that because Ontario’s economy has been growing. Because of our investment strategy, because of our job creation strategy, Ontario’s economy is growing. Ontario’s economy has been leading Canada. So we will have a balanced budget this spring.

Tenant protection

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, my question is to the Acting Premier. The cost of housing is reaching ridiculous heights in Toronto and in cities across Ontario. Last week, the Premier and her Liberal Party had a chance to help out renters facing unfair rent hikes by unscrupulous landlords, but she didn’t take it. The Premier is meeting with GTHA mayors today to talk about housing affordability. Will she be telling those mayors that she will actually be closing the 1991 rent control loophole?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Housing.

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the member of the third party for that really important question. I’ll say again—the Premier has said it many times and I’ve said it many times in this House—that it is absolutely unacceptable that so many Ontarians are faced with housing costs that are rising so dramatically.

That’s why we are in the process of developing that plan to address unfair rises in rental costs. In the coming weeks, we will be rolling out very substantive rent control reform in Ontario. I’ve said it before, I’m happy to stand here and say it again today: Our plan is going to include a broad package of change that will help protect tenants.

One of the reasons that I could not support the member’s bill that was tabled a couple weeks ago was simply that it didn’t do enough. We will do more.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I take that as a no, and I go on to my next question.

While the Premier dithers on rent controls, 31 seniors in Sault Ste. Marie are facing a 31% increase in their rent. These seniors are living on a fixed income, and a 31% rent increase on top of their soaring hydro bills may mean that a number of them will lose their homes.

Will the Acting Premier promise these seniors that any rent control or housing reform that is brought in will be retroactive so they can hold onto their homes?

Hon. Chris Ballard: It’s always good to continue on with the dialogue. Just before I carry on, I want to highlight a few of the things that this government has done to take action. We’ve worked on secondary suites with our municipal partners to make those easier. We’ve passed inclusionary zoning legislation. We have frozen the municipal property tax on apartment buildings. We’ve doubled the maximum refund for first-time homebuyers. We’re continuing to collect data.

This week, the leader of the third party told media—when she was being interviewed she was asked whether her party’s rent control legislation does enough to protect renters and she said, “Absolutely not.” I agree with her on that. It doesn’t go far enough.

That answer just isn’t good enough. It makes me wonder where this back-of-the-napkin proposal by the NDP will leave the one million Ontarians who already have rent control—

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Well, dialogue is not a bad thing, but action is what’s really needed here—action.

Ontarians aren’t impressed by photo ops of the Premier with GTHA mayors. Renters need action and they need it now. While the Premier sits on the sidelines, unscrupulous landlords in Toronto are taking advantage of this moment and in some cases doubling rents for people who can least afford it.

Since the Premier refuses to close the 1991 rent loophole now, will she do it retroactively to protect people who are facing economic eviction because of unscrupulous landlords?

Hon. Chris Ballard: I will say that I didn’t think the NDP would oppose the Premier meeting with our municipal leaders from across the GTHA, but it sounds to me as if they don’t think that’s a good idea, that we shouldn’t be continuing the dialogue with our municipal partners.

Making sure—

Mr. Paul Miller: Oh, yes, a little more dialogue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It may indeed be the Chair.

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you, Speaker. I’ll carry on.

On this side of the House we think it’s really important to build those relationships with our municipal partners and with our federal partners. When it comes to the important issue of housing affordability, it’s absolutely untenable that people face the issues they have with their rising rent.

Again, we are going to have solutions that take—

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker. As you’re well aware, photo ops are not a substitute for action. They are not.

Hydro rates

Mr. Peter Tabuns: The Premier is out of touch with what the people of Ontario need. Gail, a single—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Question.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Sorry. To the Acting Premier. Thank you, Speaker.

Gail, a single mom from Muskoka, wrote to the NDP to tell us she’d lost her home because her hydro bills were so high. She got behind; she just couldn’t catch up. Does the Acting Premier think that someone like Gail should be punished for not being able to afford the soaring hydro bills that have come with 14 years of Liberal rule?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Once again, I’m pleased to rise and talk about our fair hydro plan, because it is concerning when we do hear about individuals in this province, Mr. Speaker, that did have a hard time and are having a hard time paying their electricity bill. That’s why we acted, like we did with the fair hydro plan. We did bring forward the 8% reduction and the changes to the RRRP back in the fall economic statement. We recognized that, while that did help many, there were others that actually needed more support.

That’s what the fair hydro plan will do, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to provide 25% reduction, on average, to families right across the province. If individuals are Hydro One R1 or R2 customers, they can see a 40% to 50% reduction, and if they’re in any of the low-income brackets, there are many programs in place that will continue to help them, and I hope that they actually apply for these.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Again to the Acting Premier: Gail’s home in Muskoka was 1,600 square feet. She and her kids now live with her sister in Halton Hills, in a bigger home. But Gail’s sister’s hydro bills, at her sister’s home, are lower than Gail’s were because Gail had to pay rural delivery charges.

When will the Liberal government finally bring forward this plan they talk about, talk about, talk about? When will they finally bring it forward to deal with the mess in the hydro system, to deal with unfair rural hydro delivery rates?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I hope the honourable member listened to my last answer because I said we’re actually bringing down distribution costs for six utilities plus all Hydro One customers in R1 and R2 designations, Mr. Speaker. They’re going to see a 40% to 50% reduction. That’s dramatic. That is part of our fair hydro plan. It is something that we’re acting on, unlike their plan that doesn’t even talk about low-income individuals until the last page.

We’re making sure that we’re acting. We’re helping all families in this province, with a special emphasis: We are putting special emphasis on helping those families that are in the rural or northern parts of our province because we recognize that they were paying a higher share of the bill, especially when it came to distribution costs. That’s why we’re seeing reductions of 40% to 50% on their bills.

Hopefully, Mr. Speaker, when that bill comes forward, they will vote for it.

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Well, you can talk about a bill forever, but you’re not introducing it and we aren’t seeing the action.

Gail wants to know from the Liberals: “How will rural Ontario promote business development and population growth,” with hydro costs being difficult or impossible to afford?

I’d like to know what the Premier’s plan is, too, since her press releases and the publicly funded radio ads are pretty short on specifics.

When, when, when will the Premier and her party deal with the unfair delivery charges that Ontario rural families and businesses are dealing with just because they’re outside of cities?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: The summer, summer, summer is the time we will actually have that in place, Mr. Speaker.

But let’s talk about being short on details—and that’s their pamphlet on dealing with electricity. They rely on vague principles and this yet-to-be-determined expert panel that will sit down and actually find some savings. Apparently they’re basing these on calculations that are pie-in-the-sky, with negotiations with the federal government. I asked before how those negotiations are going. They actually have no idea on how to take off one cent from bills.

We are actually making sure we’re taking off 25%, and when it comes to rural and northern Ontario, we’re acting with a 40% to 50% reduction, Mr. Speaker. We take no lessons from that party.

Autism treatment

Mrs. Gila Martow: My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Many families of kids with autism spectrum disorder are back at Queen’s Park today. They’re disappointed, worried and upset that your government does not focus on their concerns and help Ontario residents with autism reach their full potential.

Chrissy Levesque is here with Larz, her seven-year-old son. Larz finally started IBI therapy a year ago, after this government kept him on a waiting list for four long years. Chrissy feels caught between what the ministry tells her Larz deserves and what her regional office is willing to give.

Mr. Speaker, has the minister drafted a proper standard of care for children with autism spectrum disorder, with strict guidelines for regional providers?

Hon. Michael Coteau: I’d like to welcome the mother and the young man here to the Legislature today, and I thank the member opposite for the question.

The member opposite knows that we put a plan in place last year and we cut the transition by half. So we’re going to implement that plan to start in June 2017, a year earlier than we initially planned. This plan is going to create 16,000 new spaces across the province of Ontario, increase the amount of ABA during the transition period and ultimately reduce wait times to six months or less.

Mr. Speaker, there has been a huge transition when it comes to young people with autism in the province of Ontario, and this government is committed to making sure we put in place the right plan that works for families.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Gila Martow: I would remind the minister that there are 21,000 children on the wait-list already, and that keeps growing.

Mr. Speaker, the minister has sent a letter to our families promising inclusion for all ages in autism therapy. In contrast, the minister’s lead agencies are claiming that no children over five will qualify for the more intensive, or enhanced, ABA therapy in the new Ontario Autism Program. The families don’t want inclusion to mean just some kind of therapy for all ages; they want comparable therapy for all ages.

Will the minister please tell us if his mandate for inclusion in autism therapy will ensure that all children get the autism therapy they need?

Hon. Michael Coteau: I want to remind the member opposite of a few things. Number one, this is the largest investment in autism in the history of this country.

Number two, we’ve increased our diagnostic hubs here in the province of Ontario. A couple of weeks ago we made that announcement. We’re creating 16,000 new spots. We’ve cut our IBI wait-list by almost half in the last several months.

I want to remind the member opposite of something that I think is very important: We’re working on research. We’re looking for ways to ensure that young people get the resources they need.

And I’ll remind the member opposite that when her leader was in Ottawa and had an opportunity to vote for a national plan for autism, he voted against it.

Executive compensation

Mr. John Vanthof: My question is to the Acting Premier.

This morning, we learned that executives at the Canadian Hearing Society, which is funded by the Ontario government, received massive raises at the same time that their employees are walking the picket line because they haven’t had a pay increase in four years. That is shameful.

Even worse is the fact that the organization’s vice-president was able to avoid having his massive pay raise put on the sunshine list because he chose to be paid as a consultant.

Can the Acting Premier tell us how many more consultants are being paid high salaries with public money while keeping themselves off the sunshine list?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Liz Sandals: First of all, let me say that the individual’s salary has been given to any member of the opposition and any member of the media who has asked for it.

With respect to the sunshine list, when you’re dealing with tens of thousands of records, every year there will be a few that are missed. Sometimes it’s a clerical error. Sometimes when we track it down, we’ve got an agency that actually didn’t submit the records on time to be included in the list. But what we always do in a circumstance like that, as we did in this circumstance, is, we make the information available to anyone who asks and then we publish an addendum which has all the information that was missed. We will do that again this year. It will be printed in the addendum.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Vanthof: One of the biggest issues is these people are giving themselves raises while the people who actually help deaf, challenged people are out on the picket lines, unable to do their jobs.

Transparency is vital to good government. We all know that. Ontarians need to be able to trust things like the sunshine list.

Can the Acting Premier clarify just how many executives are receiving salaries of more than $100,000 but didn’t show up on the sunshine list this year or last year or the year before? Please make that public.

Hon. Liz Sandals: As I just told you, if you wanted to have the answer for last year, you would go and look at last year’s addendum. I’m sorry; I don’t have that in front of me.

As long as the sunshine list has existed, there has always been an addendum. Many years, it has not been published until the fall. This year, we’re actually going to publish a preliminary addendum in the spring, and then, if there’s still anybody that’s missing—because as I said in the first answer, sometimes we find there’s an agency that’s just totally missing and we have to chase. But we’ll get those clerical errors out there in an early addendum this spring, and if there’s anything we still missed, it will be in an addendum in the fall.

Energy polices

Ms. Daiene Vernile: My question is for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

This weekend, Ontario is going to celebrate its three-year anniversary of the phase-out of coal-fired power plants. This move was the single largest greenhouse gas reduction initiative completed in North America.

The elimination of coal plants has been a major factor in improving the quality of the air that we breathe. Thanks to clean air and clean energy, Ontario has saved more than $4 billion in annual health and environmental costs. The 2016 Toronto’s Vital Signs report shows premature deaths and hospitalizations as a result of air pollution have dropped by 23% and 41% respectively since 2004. We’ve also seen the number of smog days drop from 53 in 2005 to zero in 2015.

Speaker, could the minister please explain how the elimination of coal-fired plants puts Ontario in a competitive position?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: It’s really nice—at least I know I’ll get a supplemental on this one.

The electricity we consume every day is already largely carbon-free thanks in part to the early action that was taken by my friends at the Ministry of Energy. To put that into terms, that’s a drop from 35 million tonnes in 2005 to only seven million tonnes in 2015, making it the largest greenhouse gas reduction ever in North American history. We, as Ontarians, should be very proud of that.

Finally, the other thing is, our coal plants were our largest source of methylmercury and a number of other contaminants. The overall health of the environment and ecosystems and the restorative impact of those closures continue to benefit Ontarians today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Daiene Vernile: I’d like to thank the minister for his answer. The impact of Ontario’s leadership on our environment and our health is remarkable.

As the minister mentioned, eliminating coal as a source of generating electricity was a bold step. Such a large-scale shift away from pollution generation is unprecedented, and so Ontario had to carve its own path to build a cleaner generation. Today, the province’s electricity generation is 90% emissions-free.

Along the way, Ontario has built a strong industry in nuclear and renewable energy.

Speaker, could the minister please give us an update on the state of electricity generation in the province since we eliminated coal?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: To the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I would like to thank both the minister for his previous answer and, of course, the member for that question.

I know we’ve recognized that the transition off of coal and the rebuilding of our electricity system over the last decade put a strain on Ontarians’ electricity costs. The fair hydro plan is addressing this by providing 25% off, on average, from electricity bills.

Meanwhile, as the member noted, we can be proud that our commitment to eliminating dirty coal has created new industries in our province, renewable industries that we know the official opposition doesn’t support—and, of course, the nuclear industry, which supports tens of thousands of jobs in our province. Refurbishment of our nuclear plants will support even more. Right now, I’m happy to report that OPG’s refurbishment of Darlington is both ahead of

schedule and under budget.

Provincial debt

Mr. Victor Fedeli: My question is for the Minister of Finance. The government’s mismanagement has resulted in the debt climbing to over $308 billion. That leaves taxpayers on the hook for over $11 billion in interest each year. The Auditor General tells us this debt is crowding out the services people need. We see this government closing schools and hospital beds, firing front-line health care workers and nurses.

The finance minister says he will present a balanced budget. Sadly, this will only be an artificially balanced budget using the fire sale of assets and reserve funds.

My question for the minister: Does he really think the people of Ontario will be fooled into thinking the budget is actually balanced?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member opposite made some interesting points, and I want to reiterate them. We did choose to invest in the people of Ontario. We did choose to invest in infrastructure. We did choose to stimulate our economy and grow. And yes, we are balancing the budget this year, next year and the year after that.

When he talks about debt, he misses the point completely. We have an accumulating deficit to GDP the same today as it was 25 years ago. His leader made and agreed and voted for the largest deficit in Canada’s history of $55 billion. They raised debt and doubled it in the national—well, by $144 billion in accumulated deficits. That’s what he put forward for Canada.

Our debt to GDP is falling. It’s improving and we are coming into balance. We’re working for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the minister: I think he missed some of the points that I made, so let me expand on them.

In my hometown of North Bay, you fired 350 front-line health care workers, including 100 nurses; 30 to 40 more will be fired this month. You closed 60 beds at our brand new hospital. It’s because of your constant waste, mismanagement and scandal that—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t need an armchair quarterback at this moment. But I also ask the members, while the question is being put—I’m ready to get on them and then hear heckling on that side. It’s the same thing on both sides, so let’s just relax. And by the way, we’re on warnings.

Please finish.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Their constant waste, mismanagement and scandals have resulted in the people of Ontario paying more and getting less. Whether you’re a family or a business, life in Ontario has increasingly become unaffordable. Businesses continue to flee the province, unable to keep up with the hydro rates, the cap-and-trade grab and the red tape.

Does the minister truly believe an artificially balanced budget is going to help anyone?

Hon. Charles Sousa: They know a lot about artificial balances, Mr. Speaker. I think they only balanced four times all the time the Harris government was in power. The last one was bogus. It wasn’t even balanced.

Furthermore, he makes reference to the cost of debt. During their time, it cost 15.4 cents for every revenue dollar raised to cover their debt. Today it’s 8.4 cents because we’re locking in low interest rates and we’re investing. He and his party wanted to make across-the-board cuts as a solution to battling the deficit. We chose otherwise. We chose to invest in the things that matter to people. We chose not to put anybody in harm’s way. We chose to grow the economy. It’s working. We’re balancing this year. We’re balancing next year and the year after that.

Interjections.

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

New question.

Child care

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Acting Premier. Today we are marking the 100th anniversary of some women getting the right to vote here in Ontario. A century ago, women formally entered public life in this province.

But yesterday, the women of Ontario were reminded in a report that the gender wage gap is still 30% and has barely changed in 30 years. We have been waiting, we are still waiting, but we aren’t going to wait anymore.

Ontario needs to ensure that women are equal partners in our economy. That means access to affordable, high-quality, not-for-profit child care. Do the Acting Premier and this government get that?

Interjections.

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

Deputy Premier.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of the Status of Women.

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: I want to thank the member opposite for the question.

Yes, absolutely, we know there’s a gender wage gap, because after all, we looked at the recommendations that came up from the steering committee. The number one and number two recommendations were about an investment in child care. Our Premier made sure that there was a minister responsible for early years and child care. We committed to doubling the number of spaces that are out there. We’re looking forward to transforming the way we’re delivering child care in this province.

In addition, we’re increasing the number of women on boards. We’re making sure that—the first jurisdiction to introduce comply-or-explain rules. We’ve got a government target of 40% for women on provincial agencies, and we have a business target of 30%.

So we’re already moving on so many things. I’m so glad that they are finally—

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: Speaker, we know what needs to be done to empower women in Ontario. Right now this province does not have a child care strategy. We do not have a child care system, and we have been waiting for 14 years.

The first recommendation from our own Ministry of Labour’s report from the Gender Wage Gap Strategy committee reads “The government should immediately commit to developing an early child care system” which is “high quality, affordable, accessible, publicly funded and geared to income, with sufficient spaces to meet the needs of Ontario families.”

We know that every dollar invested in child care leads to $2.47 in benefit to the Ontario economy due to the increase in working hours and wages of women.

When will this government make sure that women in Ontario can fully participate in the economy by developing a comprehensive child care strategy? You have not shown it. You have a credibility issue on this issue. Show us the plan.

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: You know, Speaker, I am so pleased to answer this question, because actually I think it’s kind of a friendly question.

First of all, when it comes to affordable, quality, responsive and accessible child—

Ms. Catherine Fife: Not-for-profit.

Mr. Paul Miller: Not-for-profit.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister.

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: All of those pieces were actually included in our workbook. Just so you know, I went out on consultations across the province, spoke to people—thousands of people, actually, both online and directly. I went to more than 20 cities and centres in our province, and we took that workbook with us. The member opposite was actually at some of those consultations, so she’s very aware that when it comes to affordable, quality, responsive, accessible child care, we put those ideas on the table. And now she’s telling me that those are her ideas and we should be acting on them. We—

Interjections.

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

Anti-bullying initiatives

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: My question is for the Minister of Education.

Minister, as you know, today we recognize the International Day of Pink, a day where we recognize the anti-bullying initiative that began in Nova Scotia after a grade 9 student was bullied in his school for wearing pink. Two students who witnessed the incident bought pink shirts to stand united with the student against bullying.

Students, educators and people throughout my riding of Kingston and the Islands are uniting today to celebrate diversity. I know that Youth 2 Kingston, or Y2K, the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston, Girls Inc. etc. have worked diligently to educate and create positive attitudes and anti-bullying spaces. It’s important that we continue to stand together and create awareness not only today but every single day.

Speaker, can the minister tell this House how we ensure our students feel safe and respected at schools across our province?

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to thank the member from Kingston and the Islands for this wonderful question. It’s so great to see this movement, which started with students, that is having such an impact and a conversation around bullying in schools, and frankly in the community.

Our schools must be places where everyone—staff, students, parents and the community—feel welcome, feel safe and respected and accepted. That’s why I am proud of our Accepting Schools Act. The act is Canada’s most comprehensive anti-bullying legislation. As part of its definition of bullying, it also includes cyberbullying.

School safety has been a priority for this government from the beginning, and that’s why we require all school boards to have policies on bullying prevention and intervention.

This government has invested over $425 million in safe schools initiatives that are helping make Ontario’s schools some of the safest in the world.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: Thank you, Minister. We are extremely proud of the investments made towards educating not only our students, but parents and staff. I know that this will have an impact on the young women who are here with us today in the Speaker’s gallery, and I am sure they will appreciate the leadership that we have taken.

For the first time ever we have defined bullying in legislation so that every single student, teacher, principal and parent knows what we are talking about when we say bullying is not okay in our schools.

Minister, in 2015 you introduced the revised health and physical education curriculum to better reflect the advancement of technology making information readily available to students. Can you please tell us about the benefits of the revised curriculum and how it is helping our students navigate in today’s technology-driven world?

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I really want to thank the member for this supplementary question, because the reality is that we want our children to be safe and healthy while ensuring that they have access to accurate information.

We’ve updated our health and physical education curriculum so that students understand the importance of healthy relationships, having the confidence to say no, the safe use of technology and the Internet, and mental health. This curriculum now offers increased support, acceptance and visibility to LGBTQ and two-spirit children and youth.

We will continue to support our school boards as they work closely with parents to ensure that every student feels safe at school. We will continue to work with community partners to develop awareness campaigns for schools that provide skills for youth and educators to be effective, and engage role models and allies of our schools across Ontario.

Every student has the right to feel safe and accepted at school. If students don’t feel safe, they can’t learn.

Wind turbines

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. For two years, the Blacks and Stachuras in Huron–Bruce have suffered night and day from incessant noise associated with industrial wind turbines built around their homes. Just last week, to their relief, Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change testing proved that there were audible sounds and, possibly, tonal noises coming from the wind turbines that exceeded allowable sound level limits, according to regulation 09.

Finally, after years of feeling ignored by this government, and helpless to defend themselves because of their rights being stripped away, they believed a resolution was finally here. But do you know what they were told, Speaker? More testing needs to be done.

So I ask the minister, why should these families have to continue to suffer while waiting for more testing? Or is it that you need more time to devise a plan that ignores your own ministry’s research?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Mr. Speaker, an environment question from the party opposite—finally. Thank you.

The challenge here is that the law works. There are standards. When people call, I’m very proud of the officials. They respond quickly and they enforce the law. The law is being enforced here. If wind turbines or any other type of technology exceeds sound levels, we enforce the law.

I am happy to meet with the member opposite to review this case to make sure that the ministry is being diligent. No one should have to suffer noise or noise pollution from any source, and certainly not wind turbines in their community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Back to the minister: I look forward to that discussion because, once and for all, it’s time for this government to finally address noise concerns associated with industrial wind turbines. They can no longer ignore these hulking monoliths that serve as reminders of this Liberal government’s failed policies. The Minister of the Environment needs to accept the good work from his own staff and the concrete data that shows noise levels are above acceptable sound limits. I look forward to this discussion, and action needs to happen today.

Instead of protecting Liberal friends, will this minister take immediate action to protect the well-being of Ontario residents, immediately stop the turbines in question, acknowledge the test results from his own staff, and once and for all do right by the citizens of Ontario affected by industrial wind turbines?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: We are going to enforce the law to the full extent. We are not going to treat one group of proponents of a project or one community any lesser. There is a law. It is being enforced. If the member actually doesn’t think it’s being enforced, then she should raise that issue with me and I will review it with the deputy.

But Mr. Speaker, it’s passing strange to me that I never get a question—when they were in power—about mercury in Grassy Narrows. I never get a question about nuclear power. I never get a question about coal plant pollution. This party is just an anti—

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

Autism treatment

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is for the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Today we are joined by families and children living with autism. They will be rallying, once again, outside the Legislature at noon. They are here because they have been let down so many times before by this government, and unfortunately they see the writing on the wall for more of the same.

Despite the minister’s promises, newly diagnosed children five and over are still unable to access intensive treatments. The families of children who have been approved for treatment can’t access the funds when they need them. Will the minister tell families today that children five and over will receive the same intensive treatments that they need?

Hon. Michael Coteau: I want to thank the member for the question.

I’ve had this file for almost a year now. The one thing I can say is that when I meet with parents from across the province of Ontario, I’m constantly reminded of the challenges that they have as families, because some of the challenges that they go through are just so overwhelming for parents.

We have a Premier who is committed to making sure that we get this right. This is an issue that hasn’t just popped up overnight. This is an issue that has an historical context here in the province of Ontario. The Premier, people like myself and many members on this side of the House have been working on this issue at school boards, in our local communities and personally.

I want the member opposite to know—and I do believe that parents understand this—that there is a commitment by this government to make sure we get this right, because we cannot afford to get it wrong.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: Just yesterday I heard again from a mother of twins with autism, who is in a constant struggle to get funding she is entitled to and to be assured that the funding will continue. Because of her uncertainty, she has had to register them for school even though she knows that without intensive treatments, they will regress. Progress made in self-feeding and potty training will be lost. Behaviours like head-banging and eating anything in their grasp will return.

Right now, she will be out of pocket for more than $2,500 just for the month of May, money she does not have, because the ministry, for some reason, can’t get it together and get their approved money flowing.

Will the minister ensure that approved funding is available when it’s needed and that families get the information they need now?

Hon. Michael Coteau: The member opposite does know that money is flowing from the government to support families with children with autism. In fact, currently during the transition period, we put in the $10,000 allocation that can be reused. Almost 2,400 families currently are using that service, and some families over the last several months are at the seventh installment of this funding. So we’re talking about a $70,000 or $80,000 investment into their children over seven months.

We are committed to making sure that we get this right. We are committed to making sure that young people in the province of Ontario get the resources they need so they can reach their full potential. There is too much at stake, and this is a government that is committed to making sure that young children here in the province of Ontario are set up for success.

Municipal funding

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs.

The minister and I and many members of the Legislature started out at the municipal level of politics. We all know the critical role that those municipalities’ local governments play in Ontarians’ daily lives. They provide many front-line services, and they also provide critical local infrastructure, like the roads we drive on, the parks we play in, and the pipes and treatment facilities that keep our water clean.

I’m proud our government is making the largest infrastructure investment in schools, roads, hospitals, public transit and bridges in the province’s history. We’re investing in the people and communities that make Ontario strong. Our government is also providing predictable, ongoing support to municipalities through a number of programs.

Would the minister elaborate on what those programs are and how they benefit municipalities across Ontario?

Hon. Bill Mauro: I want to thank the member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore for the question.

As the Minister of Municipal Affairs, I take great pride in the relationship that we’ve established with the municipal sector over the years since coming into government in 2003, specifically through the AMO MOU round table. Through that venue and through programs in this government, we have increased significantly the financial assistance that flows to the municipal sector in Ontario.

When we came to government in 2003, that was somewhere in the neighbourhood of $1 billion. Today, the financial package that flows annually in support of our municipal sector in the province of Ontario is somewhere in the range of $4 billion, an increase of $3 billion—a fourfold increase.

I would say that if you are a municipal property taxpayer in the province of Ontario, our government has provided significant capacity and room for your municipal councillors to manage their budgets and provide their services to those constituents in a very affordable way.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: Thank you, Minister. I understand that these programs work together to benefit municipalities across Ontario. For example, the OMPF is now largely a northern and rural grant providing over 90% of its funding to northern and rural municipalities. Provincial transit funding to municipalities through the gas tax program benefits the nearly 100 municipalities in the province with public transit systems, and OCIF provides annual funding to small northern and rural municipalities.

But there has been a focus on funding for the city of Toronto in recent weeks. I understand programs like provincial uploads and gas tax provide significant ongoing support to the city, in addition to provincial funding for specific projects. Would the minister elaborate on some of the support the province has provided to the city of Toronto since we’ve come to office?

Hon. Bill Mauro: The member from Etobicoke–Lakeshore asks a great question, Speaker.

We recognize that the city of Toronto represents the fifth- or sixth-largest economy in Canada. As such, we recognize that it merits serious and specific attention.

In that vein, we have uploaded $530 million from the city of Toronto, as well as providing $170 million annually in gas tax funding, totalling about $1.9 billion in new revenues for the city of Toronto so far. As people will know, they’ve heard the Minister of Transportation announce that we will be doubling that gas tax funding so that on an annual basis the city of Toronto will be receiving $340 million, starting very soon.

In addition, examples of major infrastructure projects: $5.3 billion for the Eglinton Crosstown; $1.48 billion to extend the Bloor-Danforth subway line in Scarborough; and, actually, even in the member’s riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore, very recently the minister announced $50 million for the Kipling Mobility Hub in Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Speaker, these are just some of the examples of the amazing support we have provided financially to the city of Toronto.

Personal support workers

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Back in December 2016, the minister received a proposal from the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association requesting the right to become the provincial governing body of personal support workers. In their request, they highlighted the greater need and increased role of our hard-working PSWs.

Due to the increased need for home and community care, there are many more PSWs in today’s health care system—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It’s never too late to get a warning.

Mr. John Yakabuski: As I said, there are many more PSWs in today’s health care system than in years past. As such, it has become apparent that there is a great need for oversight, which includes a governing body that oversees the needs of PSWs and their responsibilities and, more importantly, the needs of their clients.

The minister has stated that he is supportive of a health care system that protects all patients and health care providers. Therefore, can he tell us when we can expect a response or action regarding this proposal?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question. The member opposite is correct that the ministry has received a proposal from the association representing our PSWs.

I think I speak for everyone in the Legislature that we have such great respect for the thousands upon thousands of PSWs who are working in every facet of our health care system. They are often our unsung heroes, doing incredibly important work of the highest quality, and I want to express my appreciation for that.

Part of that appreciation has been reflected in the fact that we have increased the minimum wage for our PSWs in this province by $4 an hour so that the minimum threshold for the minimum wage now stands at $16.50.

We are so invested in elevating this profession to where it should be to be recognized for the important work that they do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Back to the minister: The question wasn’t about wages.

The minister is well aware that the time to make decisions regarding health care is now; the system can’t wait any longer. With an aging population and our health care services being rationed, it is imperative that his government take action.

The OPSWA’s proposal is comprehensive and outlines the importance of safety, accountability, legitimacy, trust and oversight—things the government claims to uphold.

The minister has acknowledged the important and expanding roles of our PSWs in our health care system. How much longer will all PSWs have to wait for the validation they deserve?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: We as a government are validating our PSWs. We’ve created a $10-million annual fund for PSW training so that they can enhance their training. We’ve created a common curriculum and educational standard for our PSWs.

Last year alone, we added $80 million to home and community care, where many of our PSWs work, resulting in an additional 1.3 million hours of PSW work in our homes and communities. We’ve added 2,500 PSWs to our long-term-care homes since 2008.

We’re looking at this proposal. That aspect of regulation and oversight and really to give the respect and the elevation to the profession that it deserves is one important element of our stabilization strategy. We’re looking at their proposal, as we’re looking at other options.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Scarborough–Rouge River on a point of order.

Mr. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Earlier, we had most important visitors in the Speaker’s gallery, and I missed the opportunity to introduce the three delegates from the best community in the city of Toronto: Scarborough. Their names are Christina Beharry, Rachel Heineman and Carly Sahagian.

Hon. Bill Mauro: Speaker, if I could, I’ve just noticed in the members’ east lobby, from Thunder Bay, representing PARO enterprises, Ms. Rosalind Lockyer.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There being no deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1145 to 1500.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: I don’t see them in the members’ gallery yet, but, from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, Loretta Ryan is here to see me introduce a private member’s bill.

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

Members’ Statements

Elaine McClintock

Mr. Steve Clark: I rise with sadness to celebrate the life of Elaine McClintock, who passed away last week. Elaine left the world a much better place for her time in it. She cared for her community with the same passion and commitment she displayed in her nursing career.

Elaine volunteered for and helped lead many organizations, and all were made stronger by her involvement. She and John, her beloved husband of 58 years, founded the Leeds-Grenville

chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society in 1965. John suffered from MS and was blessed to have Elaine by his side. Together they raised hundreds of thousands for local support services and research.

The physical improvements to our community from their work are countless, but equally important is how they changed attitudes. They opened our eyes to the barriers, seen and unseen, that people with a disability face every day. That’s a tremendous legacy. Elaine is dearly missed by the many whose lives she made better.

Speaker, it was an honour to call Elaine a friend. Today I ask everyone to join me in celebrating this remarkable life and expressing condolences to John, their sons Mike and James, and the entire family.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Further members’ statements? The member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek. Wait a minute now. Let me ask a question. I’m just wondering if the member had a moment—okay, we’re good? Member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek.

Poverty

Mr. Paul Miller: Thank you, Speaker. The persistence of deep poverty in this province is a scandal. Low-income Ontarians are being crushed by hydro and rent increases. Working people can’t pull themselves out of poverty because they do not earn a living wage, and Ontario’s desperately low social assistance rates leave families hungry, under-housed and sick. One in five children in my city of Hamilton live in poverty. Some 80% of Hamilton’s 20,000 food bank users are spending half or more of their monthly income on rent, up from 49% just one year ago. These people are at extreme risk of homelessness.

We need more social and affordable housing. We need a $15 minimum wage, and we need social assistance rates that meet peoples’ basic needs. This is what Ontarians need from this budget. The time to act is now.

A year ago today, I introduced legislation to tie social assistance rates to the actual cost of living in different Ontario communities. Twice, my bill has passed second reading, and for the second time it is stalled waiting in committee. People across this province are asking the government to back Bill 6. When will the government act? The government must act now.

The minister responsible for the Poverty Reduction Strategy and 24 of his colleagues voted for Bill 6 at second reading in September. It is imperative that they back up their votes with real action. Get Bill 6 to committee hearings now. I must also add that the first time my bill went through, there were even more Liberals who stood up—including the Premier—backing this bill, but it’s still sitting in committee. Something’s wrong, Speaker.

Riding of Durham

Mr. Granville Anderson: This morning I had the pleasure of speaking at the Clarington Board of Trade, which is located in my riding of Durham. It was an honour to provide an update to my constituents on the projects that are underway in Durham, as well as answer any questions that they had.

Mr. Speaker, I was thrilled to share an update on the GO train eastward extension, something that I know my constituents are very excited about. I, too, am looking forward to this extension. It’s going to improve commutes, drive local economic development, and improve the quality of life for Durham residents.

I was also able to share how we will see the benefits of the $19-million investment toward the Greenhouse Competitiveness and Innovation Initiative right in our community. Agriculture is hugely important for Durham’s way of life, and the province’s greenhouse sector will be able to grow in size, innovation and productivity.

Among other project updates, I was able to also share how our government is investing $50 million into Ontario colleges. Our colleges—Durham College, specifically—provide students with fantastic learning experiences and job-ready skills, so it was a pleasure to be part of this investment announcement.

It’s always a pleasure to meet with my constituents and provide them with updates on how I’m serving the riding of Durham. Thank you again to the Clarington Board of Trade for having me this morning.

Wildlife conservation

Mr. Toby Barrett: Last weekend, I attended the annual meeting of the Long Point Waterfowlers’ Association held at Delta Waterfowl’s hunting heritage and conservation centre. It’s a former youth ranger station.

The Long Point waterfowlers co-manage public hunting in the provincial park. They put in hundreds of volunteer hours, coupled with significant public and private grants, improving wetlands in the park.

Delta Waterfowl is moving their Canadian headquarters to my riding, because Norfolk contains some of the best waterfowl habitat in North America.

At the former ranger station, Delta Waterfowl is hosting heritage hunt days for apprentice hunters. They’re hosting hunter safety courses and are looking at having students use the property. It’s all part of a significant and long tradition of wildlife conservation down in our area.

The concept of hunters supporting conservation isn’t unique. It’s the North American model of wildlife conservation. There are many success stories: the reintroduction of the wild turkey and elk, for example. The contributions of hunters to conservation: We’re now celebrating National Wildlife Week this week, a week that was to commemorate the birthday of Jack Miner, an internationally recognized conservationist and hunter.

Belle River Nobles

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I want to give a shout-out and congratulate the 2017 OFSAA boys’ hockey champions from Belle River, the Belle River Nobles, from my hometown. They are, between the pipes, Kagan Doherty, Patrick Timpany and Shane Laforest; the D-men are Dylan O’Neil, Nevon Novacco, Colton O’Brien and Davis Edmunds; the forwards, the grinders, are Owen Meyerink, Conor Dembinski, Andrew Thoms, Dawson O’Neil, Ryley Hammond, Isaac Herz, Drew Denomey, Colton Candido, Logan McFarlane, Eric LaRue, Cody McFarlane, Ryan Nicholson, Hunter Bailey, Keagan McGeen and Reiss Robinson.

Last month, they competed in the OFSAA championship in Fort Frances. By all accounts, it was an epic final game. They were seeded at fourth place. It was a Cinderella story, Speaker. They came up from nowhere. They came from behind to win in overtime. The Nobles scored with 77 seconds left in regulation time, and captain Cody McFarlane netted the only goal in the five-round shoot-out to give Belle River a 3-2 win over the number 3 seed, Hamilton’s St. Mary Crusaders, in the gold medal final. Speaker, a shout-out to Cody McFarlane, who’s obviously a sniper.

A shout-out to the coaches: Dave Bracken; Mike Smith, who’s my son’s coach this year—he did a great job; Justin Pinsonneault; and Austin Jennings.

And a special shout-out to Ray Bracken, who has been the spirit of hockey in Lakeshore and Belle River for many years—he was one of my coaches. He epitomizes coaching and volunteering. He’s an educator himself, and he’s the reason Belle River hockey has been so successful over so many years.

Great job. Way to represent, boys. Congratulations.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): For those old-timers out there, Foster Hewitt has nothing on you.

Laughter.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I appreciate that.

Mental health services

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: It is always a pleasure to rise in this House to share the great research and community initiatives taking place in my riding.

This past Friday, I was invited to visit the Queen’s psychology department by Dr. Christopher Bowie. I was thrilled to be joined as well by Dr. Sylvain Roy, the president of the Ontario Psychological Association, and the CEO, Jan Kasperski.

I had the pleasure of hearing from psychology students and several clinical psychologists working in the community. It was a great opportunity to discuss the work that is being done to address mental health in our community and across the province from the field’s leading experts and students.

Students, educators, researchers and legislators are working together to develop, through neuroscience, innovative, forward-thinking approaches to overcoming some of the challenges in areas such as child development, insomnia and depression. As a result, the team has made an incredible difference in our schools, our hospitals and even in our justice system. They’re passionate advocates who have earned a reputation for delivering high-quality care.

I appreciated the opportunity to see the next generation of clinical psychologists—the students—show that same level of community involvement as their mentors. Among the student projects that were presented, Queen’s students Jackie and Joyce organized the Got Your Back! initiative, which provides students experiencing mental health challenges with peer support while educating all students on campus about what they can do to support friends during periods of crisis.

As a huge advocate for mental health, I offer my warmest gratitude for your incredible work.

FIRST Team 1305

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Last week, Nipissing University hosted their fourth robotics competition, the For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, or FIRST, in North Bay. The event brought in 27 teams of talented individuals from high schools all across Ontario. Teams match up with some of the world’s most cutting-edge technology companies to build some truly amazing machines. In just six weeks, students put together robots designed to compete in high-intensity robotic sports. The competition tests team members’ intellect, creativity and overall strategy.

The FIRST organization inspires our youth to take an interest and pursue careers in science, technology and engineering. This year’s competition saw its fair share of impressive builds, but in the end, North Bay’s very own Team 1305 came out on top. This is the first time a team from North Bay has ever swept the competition. Their outstanding performance has earned them and their robot, entitled Clark, a spot at the Ontario district championship this coming weekend.

I wish them the best of luck and I hope to see Team 1305 and Clark at the world championships later this month.

Quebec mosque shooting

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Speaker, as you will recall, Canada also experienced an unfortunate event on January 29, 2017. There was a shooting of six individuals in the mosque at the Islamic Centre of Quebec in Quebec City. Six individuals lost their lives. I understand others were shot and injured, and 17 children were left fatherless because of that particular incident.

We will be welcoming tomorrow, in the Legislature of Ontario, the leadership of the Islamic Centre of Quebec, which will include Imam Hassan Guillet, who gave a Martin Luther King-level funeral oration to Canada; Mr. Al-Rawni, the president of Islamic Relief Canada; Dr. Benaissa, manager of Islamic Relief Canada for Quebec; and Mr. Yangui, president of the Islamic Centre of Quebec.

To follow, there is also held, by the Consulate General of Pakistan and His Excellency Imran Siddiqui, an exhibit of Islamic calligraphy which all members—and I think almost 300 members of the public—are scheduled to attend. I understand that the works of 40 artists will be displayed in rooms 228 and 230. The Premier of Ontario is scheduled to arrive at approximately 1:30 to 2 p.m., and I understand leaders from other parties and indeed all members of the Legislature are welcome.

Kent Cobras

Mr. Rick Nicholls: As the new official opposition critic for tourism, culture and sport, it’s my pleasure to highlight achievements in Ontario sports. In that spirit, I would like to congratulate the Kent Cobras, from my riding of Chatham–Kent–Essex, for winning the Ontario Minor Hockey Association bantam AE championship.

Kent won a hard-fought victory in Tilbury, tying the series at five points and sending the series back to Brampton, where the Cobras conquered the Brampton 45s in overtime to win the championship. This was a series they were not expected to win. The Brampton 45s are a powerhouse, but the Kent Cobras stepped onto the ice in Brampton’s championship-banner-filled barn and were not intimidated. After a Kent goal was disallowed, the team still trailed 2-1 with just six minutes to play.

Then, with 29 seconds left in the third period, Matthew Cunningham scored the tying goal to force overtime and, in true Cobra fashion, Dakota VanGoethem struck quickly, needing only 58 seconds to score the thrilling overtime winner. In the voice of Leafs’ radio play-by-play announcer Joe Bowen, “Holy Mackinaw! What a goal!”

I’d like to commend my neighbour and forward, Dylan Holly, for representing our street proudly this season. He will be the hottest road-hockey free agent on the block this summer.

Each and every Kent Cobra should be proud of their team’s accomplishment. Congratulations, Kent Cobras!

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you very much, Don Cherry.

I thank all members for their statements.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills

Mr. Ted McMeekin: I beg leave to present the first report 2017 from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

Report presented.

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

Mr. Ted McMeekin: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I would indeed.

I want to take a minute to thank the committee and support staff for all their hard work and diligence in preparing this thorough report. I know that all involved have put a great deal of time and effort into this, and it’s fantastic to see that it culminated in this very important document. It makes several important recommendations that will be key to our progress moving forward.

Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Tonia Grannum): Your committee begs to report the following bill, as amended:

Bill 84,

An Act to amend various Acts with respect to medical assistance in dying / Projet de loi 84, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne l’aide médicale à mourir.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed. Carried.

Report adopted.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

Introduction of Bills

Registered Professional Planners Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur les urbanistes certifiés

Mr. Milczyn moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 122,

An Act respecting the regulation of Registered Professional Planners / Projet de loi 122, Loi concernant la réglementation des urbanistes certifiés.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: This bill repeals the dated Ontario Professional Planners Institute Act, 1994, and enacts a newly updated and modern act called the Registered Professional Planners Act, 2017.

The new act continues the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, an organization that governs and regulates its members made up of urban, regional and rural planners from across Ontario.

The act safeguards consumer protection in the public interest and provides

definitions and title protection for professional planners. The act also provides a framework for membership, creates prohibitions and offences respecting designations, and sets out procedures for dealing with complaints against the institute.

Korean Heritage Month Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur le Mois du patrimoine coréen

Mr. Cho moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 123,

An Act to proclaim Korean Heritage Month / Projet de loi 123, Loi proclamant le Mois du patrimoine coréen.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: The bill proclaims the month of October in each year as Korean Heritage Month. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I love that. Thank you.

Motions

Private members’ public business

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 98(b), Mr. Kwinter and Mr. Bradley exchange places such that Mr. Bradley assumes ballot item number 56 and Mr. Kwinter assumes ballot item number 70; and that, notwithstanding standing order 98(g), notices for ballot items 52, 54 and 56 be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Naqvi moves that, notwithstanding standing order—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Dispense.

Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Committee sittings

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Government House leader.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly be authorized to meet from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. in addition to its regularly scheduled meeting times on Wednesday, May 10, 2017, for the purpose of public hearings on Bill 87,

An Act to implement health measures and measures relating to seniors by enacting, amending or repealing various statutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Naqvi moves that the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Dispense.

Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

Anniversary of women’s right to vote

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: It is my honour and pleasure to rise today as the very first Minister of the Status of Women in Ontario to recognize and celebrate an important historic milestone.

Today is the 100th anniversary of the extension of the first right to vote to women in Ontario. No question, it was an incredible, life-changing moment in time for so many in our province. One hundred years ago, on this very day, April 12, 1917, women in Ontario were granted the right to vote for the very first time. It was a historic and hard-won step towards promoting women’s rights and women’s political rights, one of many more to come. And it was the end of an era, and the beginning of another, where women had a political voice, a political say in the future of this province and in their lives.

Now, while this right came with the passage of a simple amendment—the Election Law Amendment Act of 1917—the making of this amendment was not so simple; in fact, far from it. It was the result of more than 50 years of tireless hard work and activism on the part of suffragists. Nothing has been the same since.

But, Speaker, it is important that while many women in Ontario were granted the right to vote, not all women in our province were celebrating 100 years ago. That’s because not all women gained their voting rights in 1917. No; in fact, many women were excluded at the time and denied a political voice.

Indigenous women and members of certain ethnic communities still did not have the right to vote. They were denied a political voice, and they didn’t count. The harsh reality is that had I been around on this day 100 years ago, I would have been one of the women who were not able to vote. So it’s important to remember and acknowledge those women who lived in this province and in this country at that time who continued to stand on the sidelines of democracy.

It’s also important to remember that women themselves were not considered equal on this day 100 years ago.

But let’s not forget, there was plenty to celebrate for many women. Women who were British subjects at least 21 years old and had lived in Canada for at least 12 months could now vote provincially, as well as those women who served in the military during World War I. These military women could also vote federally, but it would be another entire year before most Canadian women obtained the right to vote in federal elections.

Far from being universal, the history of women’s suffrage is marked by many small gains in this province over many, many years. It was absolutely a long, hard-fought battle, but it was an essential first step on the road to equality for Ontario women.

That’s essentially the story of women’s rights on so many levels over the years. In fact, it wasn’t until 1954 that women with what was then called “Indian status” were able to vote in Ontario provincial elections. That’s right: 1954. Even then, they weren’t allowed to vote in federal elections. That didn’t come for another six years, until 1960. Just think about that.

Speaker, we should also remember that not all women with the right to vote felt empowered to do so. Remember that when there are major strides in human rights, those rights can also sometimes be cloaked in fear and apprehension.

As I stand here today, the proud first minister of the new Ministry of the Status of Women in Ontario, I’m certain that 100 years ago, I would likely have not had the right to vote. But I can tell you that I am proud to take my place in this House here 100 years later.

As many of you know, I was born outside of Canada, in Durban, South Africa. My family left to escape the oppression of apartheid. The reality is that we did not have the right to vote. We came to Canada so we would have a political voice. So I know, personally, what it feels like to have made that political journey from no right to vote to being able to vote.

But we came to Canada to have a political voice. The reality is, 100 years ago, that likely wouldn’t have been the case. So think about it. Think about those women in 1917, women of various backgrounds and colours, and how they likely felt marginalized, disenfranchised or perhaps even just uncomfortable exercising their right to vote, even if they had the legal right to do so.

Today, women do have the right to vote. We have a voice, and we will be heard.

But there are many women who still feel like their voices aren’t being heard, that their opinions aren’t valued and that they are not truly part of the democratic process. That’s why we must continue to work towards full equality for all women across our province, across the country and around the world.

Speaker, the journey towards political equality in Ontario did not end on April 12, 1917. The lessons of the suffragists are still with us today. They taught us that action leads to change. They taught us that women matter. And they taught us that fairness and equality is absolutely worth fighting for. Together they launched a remarkable journey towards progress. They took an important first step on the path to full equality.

But the journey isn’t over and the work isn’t done. In 100 years, we have gone from gaining the right to vote to having a female Premier. We now have more female representatives in this Legislature than at any other time in our province’s history. All you have to do is look around the room during question period, and you’ll see what I mean.

We have a stand-alone Ministry for the Status of Women that has been built on more than 30 years of important work done by the Ontario Women’s Directorate.

Women have a voice—a strong, political voice. Women do not give ground on the rights they gained, and women are moving forward, marching by the thousands for change.

Speaker, there is something in the air again. The activism of the suffrage movement is still very much alive in the hearts and minds of women and girls in Ontario. As Ontario’s Minister of the Status of Women, I am here to say that we are here, we have a voice, and we will be heard.

This government is committed to carrying on the work to be done to ensure that women and girls are equal in every aspect of society. We’re committed, as a government, to promoting gender equality, to ending violence against women and empowering women economically. We want security and empowerment for every woman and girl in Ontario.

Speaker, we have absolutely come a long way in the past 100 years, and we will not lose sight of the work that must still be done for all women to achieve full societal, political and economic equality. It’s about fairness in our society, and it’s about building this province up for all of us. We are stronger as a province when our women and girls are fully empowered and able to achieve their full potential.

This is not about women’s rights. It’s not about girls’ rights. It’s about human rights and the rights of everyone in this province, and it’s about fairness. We are stronger as a province when our women and girls stand together and speak with loud, clear voices, and we are stronger on this day, the 100th anniversary of suffrage in Ontario. We stand together and say, “We count. We matter. We have a voice and we will be heard,” because when women succeed, we all succeed.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It is time for responses.

Ms. Laurie Scott: It gives me great pleasure to rise today on behalf of the PC Party of Ontario to speak about the 100th anniversary of the women’s vote in Ontario.

As part of today’s celebrations, we were lucky enough to have 77 young women leaders from across the province. They are spending the day at Queen’s Park for the Legislature’s A Remarkable Assembly, which celebrates the great achievements made by women in our province 100 years ago, and the many milestones since.

I was especially pleased to welcome the three young women who are from my riding—Victoria Hawley, Sadie-Jane Hickson and Sierra Ret—and also the 44 amazing young girls and their teachers from Trillium Lakelands District School Board who joined us for this historic day.

The history of women’s right to vote in Ontario is a history of women refusing to let their voices go unheard. It’s a story of women being told repeatedly that their ideas had no place in Parliament or in politics. But women refused to accept that. Instead, suffragists continued to engage with Parliament and with politicians, demanding the right to be heard. They petitioned Premier James Whitney and Prime Minister James Borden for the right to vote. They even spread their message in Washington, D.C., by joining a suffrage parade in the United States, all to prove that their vote and their voice counted.

On April 12, 1917, that effort paid off. Many Ontarian women finally gained the right to vote in Ontario. This was followed shortly by the Wartime Elections Act, which granted the right to vote to Canadian women in the armed forces and t