Ontario Hansard — 14 December 2017 (41st Parliament, 2nd Session)
2017-12-14
Ontario — Debates (Hansard)
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December 14, 2017
41st Parliament, 2nd Session
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Hansard Transcripts 2017-Dec-14 (PDF)
L137 - Thu 14 Dec 2017 / Jeu 14 déc 2017
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO
ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO
Thursday 14 December 2017 Jeudi 14 décembre 2017
Orders of the Day
Order of business
James Guy Limited Act, 2017
James Guy Limited Act, 2017
Silver Merle Corporation Act, 2017
Silver Merle Corporation Act, 2017
Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation Act, 2017
Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation Act, 2017
1428501 Ontario Limited Act, 2017
1428501 Ontario Limited Act, 2017
Beechwood Cemetery Company Act, 2017
Beechwood Cemetery Company Act, 2017
1701423 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
1701423 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
1729293 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
1729293 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Jetterance Canada Limited, 2017
Jetterance Canada Limited, 2017
J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited Act, 2017
J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Streetwise Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Streetwise Holdings Limited Act, 2017
608524 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
608524 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Introduction of Visitors
Oral Questions
Government’s record
Energy policies
Hospital funding
Hospital funding
Government’s record
Energy policies
Pharmacare
Government’s record
Children’s mental health services
International trade
Wind turbines
School facilities
Public transit
Ring of Fire
Komoka Provincial Park
Land use planning
Visitors
Member for Parkdale–High Park
Correction of record
Visitors
Deferred Votes
Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017 / Loi de 2017 pour un Ontario plus fort et plus juste (mesures budgétaires)
Royal assent / Sanction royale
Legislative pages
Season’s greetings
Introduction of Visitors
Members’ Statements
Wiarton
Events in London West
Season’s greetings
Barbara Woodman
Winter highway maintenance
Holiday open house
Rohingya Muslims
Elevator maintenance
Business Achievement Awards
Introduction of Bills
Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2017 / Loi Rowan de 2017 sur la sécurité en matière de commotions cérébrales
Statements by the Ministry and Responses
Agri-food industry
Petitions
Alzheimer’s disease
Public transit
Columbus Centre
Lyme disease
Dental care
Charitable gaming
Energy policies
Air quality
Gasoline prices
GO Transit
Private Members’ Public Business
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Compassionate Care Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur les soins de compassion
Fairness in Petroleum Products Pricing Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur l’équité en matière d’établissement du prix des produits pétroliers
Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder
Compassionate Care Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur les soins de compassion
Fairness in Petroleum Products Pricing Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur l’équité en matière d’établissement du prix des produits pétroliers
Season’s greetings
The House met at 0900.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Please join me in prayer.
Prayers.
Orders of the Day
Order of business
Hon. Michael Chan: I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private bills.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The minister is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.
Minister.
Hon. Michael Chan: I move that the orders for second and third reading of the following private bills shall be called consecutively and the questions on the motions for second and third reading of the bills be put immediately without debate: Bills Pr68, Pr69, Pr70, Pr71, Pr72, Pr73, Pr74, Pr75, Pr76, Pr77, Pr78; and
That Madame Gélinas may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr69 on behalf of Ms. Forster; and
That Mr. Crack may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr70 on behalf of Mr. Bradley; and
That Mr. Crack may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr72 on behalf of Madame Des Rosiers; and
That Mr. Crack may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr75 on behalf of Ms. Wong; and
That Mr. Crack may move the motions for second and third reading of Bill Pr76 on behalf of Mrs. Mangat.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Chan has moved that the orders for and third reading of the following private bills shall be called consecutively and the questions on the motions for second and third reading of the bills be put immediately without debate: Bills Pr68, Pr69, Pr70, Pr71, Pr72—
M me France Gélinas: Dispense.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Dispense.
Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Motion agreed to.
James Guy Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Bailey moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr68,
An Act to revive James Guy Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
James Guy Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Bailey moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr68,
An Act to revive James Guy Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
Silver Merle Corporation Act, 2017
Madame Gélinas, on behalf of Ms. Forster, moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr69,
An Act to revive Silver Merle Corporation.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
Silver Merle Corporation Act, 2017
Madame Gélinas, on behalf of Ms. Forster, moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr69,
An Act to revive Silver Merle Corporation.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Mr. Bradley, moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr70,
An Act to revive Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Mr. Bradley, moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr70,
An Act to revive Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
1428501 Ontario Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Rinaldi moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr71,
An Act to Revive 1428501 Ontario Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
1428501 Ontario Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Rinaldi moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr71,
An Act to Revive 1428501 Ontario Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
Beechwood Cemetery Company Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Madame Des Rosiers, moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr72,
An Act respecting the Beechwood Cemetery Company.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
Beechwood Cemetery Company Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Madame Des Rosiers, moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr72,
An Act respecting the Beechwood Cemetery Company.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
1701423 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mr. Coe moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr73,
An Act to revive 1701423 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
1701423 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mr. Coe moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr73,
An Act to revive 1701423 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
1729293 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mrs. Martins moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr74,
An Act to revive 1729293 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
1729293 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mrs. Martins moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr74,
An Act to revive 1729293 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
Jetterance Canada Limited, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Ms. Wong, moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr75,
An Act to revive Jetterance Canada Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
Jetterance Canada Limited, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Ms. Wong, moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr75,
An Act to revive Jetterance Canada Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Mrs. Mangat, moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr76,
An Act to revive J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Crack, on behalf of Mrs. Mangat, moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr76,
An Act to revive J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
Streetwise Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Rinaldi moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr77,
An Act to revive Streetwise Holdings Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
Streetwise Holdings Limited Act, 2017
Mr. Rinaldi moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr77,
An Act to revive Streetwise Holdings Limited.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
608524 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mr. Crack moved second reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr78,
An Act to revive 608524 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Second reading agreed to.
608524 Ontario Inc. Act, 2017
Mr. Crack moved third reading of the following bill:
Bill Pr78,
An Act to revive 608524 Ontario Inc.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Orders of the day? I recognize the President of the Treasury Board.
Hon. Liz Sandals: No further business.
The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The government has indicated no further business. We will recess the House until 10:30 this morning.
The House recessed from 0917 to 1030.
Introduction of Visitors
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Colleagues, it’s time for introductions. I would like to start off by introducing a former member from York South in the 33rd, 34th, 35th and 36th Parliaments, the Premier of the province of Ontario from 1990 to 1995 and a former MP, the Honourable Bob Rae.
Mr. Norm Miller: I would like to introduce my legislative intern, Kassandra Loewen, who is in the members’ west gallery. I just want to say that Kassandra has done an outstanding job as my intern. She helped out with my private member’s bill and could not have done a better job. Unfortunately, I lose her for the second half of the session.
Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Speaker, I’m wishing you all the best in the holiday season, and to everyone in the House.
Today I would like to welcome my wonderful constituency assistants, Jeanne Harris, Ashleigh Latham and Brian MacKay. We have the best team in Ontario in our office.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I just want to make sure that we do justice to those people we’re introducing. Thank you.
Mr. Patrick Brown: I would like to recognize, from Simcoe North, the mother of page captain Abby Goneau, Kathy Goneau, who is here today, and her aunt Celeste Blackmore.
I also want to recognize—I see in the gallery one of my former teachers from St. Mike’s high school, Mr. David Fischer, whose daughter is a page here. He was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had, and I just wanted to recognize him.
Hon. Jeff Leal: In the members’ east gallery today, I would like to introduce my constituent team from Peterborough: Matt Stoeckle, my executive assistant, and my constituency assistants, Andrew Bolton, Nate Lajoie and Sierra Paschalis. Welcome to Queen’s Park, folks.
Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: I, too, would like to extend my appreciation to the Ontario legislative intern that I’ve had the pleasure of working with this past fall. Dani is coming down and she will be sitting in the members’ gallery momentarily.
L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: J’ai plusieurs invités ici avec moi à l’Assemblée, donc si vous me permettez : nous avons ici M me Bernadette Sarazin, porte-parole du Mouvement #OttawaBilingue, ville bilingue; Pablo Alejandro, étudiant et président de la FESFO; Lucien Bradet, Mouvement #OttawaBilingue; Carol Jolin, président de l’AFO; et aussi, de mon bureau de circonscription, Anick Tremblay, qui est avec nous.
Mr. John Fraser: In the members’ east gallery today, I’d like to introduce two wonderful members of my staff who spend their days helping people: Fatuma Hussein and Carolyn Kropp.
M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: J’aimerais accueillir Camille Marcil et Sarah Laliberté de mon bureau de circonscription encore aujourd’hui. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.
Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: I have two sets of introductions today. I’d like to welcome my senior policy adviser, James McLean, who is here today with his family: his son, Jake, and his mother, Karen. Welcome to Queen’s Park.
I also want to welcome my constituency team, who are here. Here today are Meghan Sinclair, Nicole Mills, Josh Houle and David Brechin. Welcome to Queen’s Park.
Mr. Granville Anderson: I would like to welcome my wonderful staff from my constituency office: Cassy Azubuike, Laura Barrett, Kaitlin Jingco and Alanna Myles. They are in the west gallery. Welcome.
Hon. David Zimmer: I would like to inform the House that this morning Minister Brad Duguid was made a member of the Order of the Bear. He was granted that membership by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in recognition of his efforts to reduce red tape. This is what’s important: He is only the seventh Canadian to receive this award, and the very first minister in Canada to receive the award.
Hon. Deborah Matthews: I am absolutely delighted that there are people here who have been real champions and pioneers when it comes to indigenous institutes. They’re here to watch the passage, we hope, of a bill. We have adviser and former Premier Bob Rae; the chair of the Aboriginal Institutes Consortium, Rosie Mosquito; from Six Nations Polytechnic, Rebecca Jamieson; from the First Nations Technical Institute, Suzanne Brant, Adam Hopkins and Keith Williams; and, from the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council, Laurie Robinson. Welcome and congratulations to all.
Mr. Joe Dickson: I would like to welcome to the members’ gallery in the Legislature the family of Ajax page Emma Fischer, who is sitting right at your right footstep, Mr. Speaker. Here this morning to show their support are her father, David Fischer, her mother, Kavita Fischer, and brother, Christian Fischer. Unfortunately, her two sisters, Sarah and Sophia, are doing exams. Let’s welcome them to Queen’s Park.
At the same time, I’d like to introduce Victoria Topalovich. She is one of our key coordinating specialists at the Ajax–Pickering constituency office. She, amongst others, will be here in the galleries this morning.
Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Please welcome Jeannette Chau, who is the manager of the government liaison program for Professional Engineers Ontario.
A special happy Hanukkah to our good friend Howard Brown.
Hon. Mitzie Hunter: This morning I’m very pleased to welcome 24 grade 10 students from West Hill Collegiate in my great riding of Scarborough–Guildwood. I’m happy to welcome their teacher, Permell Ashby. You will note that this is the third group of students from West Hill that has visited in the last week.
Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’d like to welcome my hard-working constituency staff. Tamara Arthur and Mike Ferguson are both here today to watch question period.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): One more introduction: Speaking of hard-working staff, in the Speaker’s gallery today are two students from Queen’s University that I had the pleasure of having as my student interns. Kaitlyn and Chayce, thank you very much for the work that you’ve done over the summer. Welcome.
The leader of the third party on a point of order.
Ms. Andrea Horwath: I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the immediate second and third reading passage of Bill 188 to ban the use of prepaid hydro meters in Ontario.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of the third party is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? I heard a no.
Oral Questions
Government’s record
Mr. Patrick Brown: To the Premier:
’Twas the last question period before Christmas
when all through the House,
The ministers were retiring,
but scandals they couldn’t do without.
They see the waste highlighted
by the auditor with care.
Will the Premier admit her hydro plan is unfair?
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please.
Start the clock. Premier?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Well, Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of the question, I want to wish everyone in this House a very happy holiday and merry Christmas. To all the people of the province at this time of year: Whether it’s Hanukkah, whether it’s Christmas or a celebration of lights, the celebration of light in darkness is really important. I hope everyone has an opportunity to spend some time with the people they love the most.
Now, in response to the verse from across the way, I will just say that our plan to help people with their electricity costs, our plan to make the system more fair for people in urban centres and in rural centres is just that: It is fair, and it means that people are seeing an average of a 25% reduction in their hydro bills.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock.
Ms. Laurie Scott: Back to the Premier:
The ministers have briefing books, reading with dread,
While visions of scandal dance through their heads.
The Premier envisions ways the opposition she’ll trap.
Why won’t she close the education skills gap?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: In terms of education in this province, today we’re celebrating the move towards recognizing, supporting and funding the aboriginal technical institutes. We have students in this province who are enjoying free tuition. We are putting into our curriculum experiential learning and working with unions and working with business, working with corporations, to provide learning opportunities for young people. We have put in place more supports for young people to get jobs and support employers to hire young people. In fact, education is a priority for this government. It always has been.
It is why we see companies coming to this province: because of our highly skilled workforce.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary? The member from Nepean–Carleton.
Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Out on the lawn
there arose such a clatter,
Members sprang from their chairs
to see what’s the matter.
Away to the chamber they ran in a flash.
Will the Treasury stop paying for partisan ads
with taxpayer cash?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I have some editors and critics here, Mr. Speaker—the verse from the other side.
As the member knows, this is the only province in the country, the only government in Canada that has in place rules around advertising that we have put in place because of egregious breaches of partisanship in the past. We’re very, very committed to that. We have rules in place about partisan advertising, and those will stay in place. We are the first government to put those in place, and we believe that it’s important that government advertising not be partisan. That’s why those rules are in place.
Energy policies
Mr. Victor Fedeli: To the Premier:
The families were nestled, ice cold, in their beds,
While 12% more hydro cuts danced in their heads.
They prayed for relief from cold and from cough.
Can you please, Premier, promise ...
you won’t cut their hydro off?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: In keeping with the Christmas theme: It’s only that party that’s talking about coal, which is something that Santa gives to naughty people. It’s that side that’s getting all the coal this year, Mr. Speaker, especially when you look at our hydro plan. Our hydro plan gives a 25% reduction on all bills for families and as many as half a million small businesses and farms.
Now in their people’s garnishee—thank you to the MPP for Ancaster for that—they’re now sneakily including our own platform in their bill. So what is it, Mr. Speaker? Are they sticking with coal or do they want to stick with green?
On this side of the House, we’re sticking with green. We want to ensure that our system is clean, reliable and green so that we can continue to breathe clean air, not coal, like that they’re putting in everyone’s stocking.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please.
Supplementary? The member from Elgin–Middlesex–London.
Mr. Jeff Yurek: So the Minister of Energy rises
to spin in QP,
People are asking for relief, we all hear the pleas,
But instead, the minister rises and spins with a bluster,
Again, will they give 12% off bills?
is the question we muster.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We’re actually giving 25% off. That’s something that they voted against. So they can bluster and moan all they would like, but we’re making sure that we’re helping families in this province. We’re making sure that, at the end of the year, people have seen a lower hydro bill—not like what they did, where they vote against it every single time. They vote against making sure that we have a clean system. They vote against that we give people a reduction.
When you look at their plan, even the independent energy analysts are saying that all of these new costs will put pressure on making sure that we can continue to invest in hospitals, invest in schools and invest in roads.
Building this province up is what we have been doing. We will make sure that we can do this with a clean, reliable and affordable electricity system.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary? The member from Dufferin–Caledon.
Ms. Sylvia Jones: Now, energy, environment
and the Minister of Finance,
Even infrastructure, ec dev,
and the member from Brant,
Around the caucus room they say,
Will you introduce long-lasting energy relief today?
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We introduced long-lasting energy reductions in July. They’re now talking about doing something that will not reduce anybody’s bills; it’s actually going to make it more difficult for people.
At the end of the day, when you’re talking about $12 billion in cuts—$12 billion in cuts. What are they going to cut? Which programs? When it’s talking about energy, are they going to cut the Ontario Electricity Support Program, which helps low-income individuals? Are they going to cut the First Nations delivery—
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s enough.
Wrap up, please.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Are they going to cut the First Nations delivery tax credit? You know what, Mr. Speaker? We’ve seen this before. Just like in the Harris years, they’re going to cut and slash everything. That’s what they’re known for. We can guarantee that.
Hospital funding
Ms. Andrea Horwath: I want to start by, on behalf of Ontario’s New Democrats, wishing everyone the best of the holiday season and a merry Christmas, and urging people to remember those in our communities who are struggling.
My question is for the Premier. For more than a year, I’ve been hearing the heartbreaking stories of Ontario families who are being forced to receive their medical care in public hallways and storage closets and shower rooms inside our overcrowded hospitals. And for more than a year, this Premier has said that everything is fine, and she and her health minister have accused anyone criticizing them of fearmongering. But just yesterday, the Ontario Hospital Association said that our hospital system is indeed on the brink of crisis.
When will this Premier finally admit that the hallway medicine crisis in Ontario hospitals isn’t fearmongering, that it’s what patients across this province are experiencing each and every day?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We have been very clear on this side of the House that we recognize that there is more that needs to be done in health care. Consistently, every year, we have made changes. We have increased funding. So to suggest that somehow we’ve been complacent and have not recognized that there are challenges is just not the case. It’s not true. We have demonstrated that concern by, in our last budget, increasing funding to hospitals by $500 million. We have demonstrated that commitment by, in recent weeks, working to solve the problem of the surge of need because of the flu season, opening beds and making sure that that capacity is expanded.
On this side of the House, we are consistently looking for solutions, working with organizations like the Ontario Hospital Association, working with nurses and working with doctors. To suggest that we’ve been complacent is just not accurate.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, they haven’t been complacent; they’ve brought hallway medicine to Ontario. That’s what they did. Doctors, nurses, patients and families have been pushing the Premier and her minister to take action on the overcrowding crisis at every opportunity.
It’s not a surge, Speaker. Beginning in May 2016, we started to release evidence of severe overcrowding in hospitals such as Toronto’s SickKids, London Health Sciences, Hamilton Health Sciences, the Sault Area Hospital, Peterborough hospital, Scarborough, Ottawa Hospital, Thunder Bay’s hospital, Sudbury’s, Brantford General, Etobicoke General and of course Brampton Civic, and many, many more.
After more than a year of hearing just how bad this crisis is, why is the Premier still ignoring it?
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please.
Premier?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Putting $500 million into the budget is not ignoring the problem. We are absolutely clear, Mr. Speaker, that there needs to be continued support and increased support for the health care system. That’s why a 3% increase to hospitals across the board in the budget was what we put forward.
So, again, to suggest that we are not working to solve challenges, to suggest that we don’t recognize that hospitals need support, that long-term care needs support, that home care needs support, that mental health needs support—we have added support, added money, in each one of those areas, and we will continue to do so.
We recognize that health care is a cornerstone of how we see ourselves in this province and how we see ourselves in this country. Our publicly funded health care system is essential, and we will continue to support it. We will continue to increase support as the need increases.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary?
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, this Premier shorted the OHA ask in the current budget by $300 million. That’s what she did. Just yesterday, we released information showing that St. Joe’s hospital in Hamilton reached the dangerously high occupancy level of 139% in August of this year. The hospital has anywhere between five and 31 people waiting in the emergency room every day for an inpatient bed. The Premier’s solution for St. Joe’s hospital in Hamilton: 24 temporary beds.
It would be laughable if it wasn’t so terribly wrong for patients who need a proper hospital bed, not a stretcher against a wall without a call button, without privacy and without the decency and the dignity that people deserve in hospital.
When will this government actually get it together and start fixing the problems they created in our hospital system?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
Hon. Eric Hoskins: Well, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the Christmas and holiday spirit from the PC Party.
I think it’s important that we recognize the quality of the health care system we have in this province. When we look at hospital mortality rates, when we look at cancer outcomes and when we look at avoidable deaths from health outcomes compared to other provinces, compared to other developed countries, Ontario outperforms all other provinces and is close to the top of the OECD.
In fact, we have the lowest rate of potential years of life lost in Canada. We have the best five-year survival rates for prostate, breast, colorectal and lung cancers in Canada. Our mortality rate for these same four cancers is among the best in the world. We need to be proud of the outcomes that we’ve achieved collectively as a province and a society, Mr. Speaker.
Hospital funding
Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. You know what we have in this province? We have the lowest number of beds per capita in hospitals. We have the lowest funding per patient in hospitals in our country. That’s what we have after 14 years of Liberal government. Between April 2016 and April 2017, we should all remember that Brampton Civic Hospital treated 4,352 patients in the hallways, Speaker.
The facility was overcrowded the day it opened. The Premier’s complete lack of understanding about the needs of this fast-growing community is absolutely shocking. It mirrors her complete lack of compassion about the overcrowding and hallway medicine crisis that she created all across Ontario.
Does this Premier really not get it, Speaker, or is properly funding hospitals simply not a priority?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.
Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, as we approach this holiday season, I want to specifically recognize and acknowledge our health care workers across this province: our health care planners, our doctors, our nurses, the front-line workers, the administrators and the support workers, who are doing an exceptional job in this health care system.
That exceptional job is reflected in the results that we’re seeing. We have the second-best rate to access to a family doctor in the country. We have the second-best survival rate for breast cancer in the entire OECD. We need to be proud of that.
Mr. Speaker, the Fraser Institute reported just last week that Ontario has the best wait times in the entire country. We have wait times that are four weeks better than the second-best province. That’s thanks to our hard-working health workers. Thank you for that investment.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, yesterday I visited the Hospital for Sick Children right here in Toronto. It’s a world-class hospital, an incredible provincial asset, and home to incredible professionals who provide life-saving care to tiny little babies. But even at a prestigious hospital like SickKids, they are struggling with overcrowding and with funding that just isn’t keeping up. When I was there talking to moms and nurses and other health care providers, the neonatal intensive care unit was at 114% occupancy.
Why has this Premier driven Ontario’s incredible hospitals, like SickKids, into an underfunding and overcrowding crisis that’s hurting patients and families each and every day?
Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, we know that there is more work to be done and that there are further investments to be made. That’s why, as the Premier referenced, half a billion dollars in this year’s budget and half a billion dollars in last year’s budget—an additional $100 million this fall was invested into our hospitals, resulting in the creation of 1,200 new acute care beds, the equivalent of six community hospitals, and other important investments like the 125 individuals who, up till last week, resided in Toronto and GTA hospitals but didn’t need to be there.
Now they’re in a rehabilitation environment, an environment which reactivates them, at the Finch site of the former Humber River Hospital. We’re doing approximately 600 of those rehabilitation investments to make sure that we’re investing where our hospitals, their CEOs, their leadership, and the Ontario Hospital Association tell us we need to make those investments.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary?
Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, SickKids hospital started yesterday with 337 patients, but they’re only budgeted for 288 patients. That’s what the overcrowding crisis looks like just down the street from here.
There are six babies—and all those babies have families, so six families shoved together in a single room. Nurses are almost tripping over the equipment because there isn’t enough space. There’s also red tape that’s taped on the floor around the babies’ areas where there should be walls to prevent the spread of infection.
SickKids is an incredible hospital—there is no doubt about it—but it has been starved of operating funding by this Premier and her government. The Premier’s temporary beds aren’t the real answer because SickKids hospital is literally so full it has run out of room. When will this Premier do the right thing: make sure hospitals can keep up with growth, and fund the capital infrastructure expansion that SickKids hospital needs right now?
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Thank you.
Minister?
Hon. Eric Hoskins: I will agree with this one point, Mr. Speaker: that SickKids is a world-class hospital.
We increased their budget this year alone by $9 million. We’ve added neonatal intensive care units to SickKids hospital this year. We gave them a planning grant so we could plan for future capacity and we could make those necessary investments so it can continue to deliver that high-quality, world-class care. Those are the investments that we’re making in every hospital right across this province.
I’ll end by saying that we value and deeply appreciate the work of the Ontario Hospital Association and the leadership across our hospitals and across our health care system, from the front-line worker to the CEO and everybody in between, and the volunteers who make our health care system great. We value their investments, their commitment, their passion and their compassion, which I think we especially remember at this time of year.
Government’s record
Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Premier.
Sadly, this Christmas, we have really bad news:
Santa’s elves and his reindeer
can’t work all night through.
With so little time and joyful children at stake,
Will you give Santa an exemption to Bill 148?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Labour.
Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: There’s going to be a lot of very happy families this Christmas, because their mothers and their fathers will be earning more money. These are people who have been earning $11.60 an hour, trying to raise families, trying to buy food, trying to buy Christmas presents, trying to buy a Christmas tree. All the normal things that we want for each and every one of our families are contained in Bill 148. Everything we try to do for the people we care about when we work and come home is in Bill 148, and the grinches across the aisle voted against it.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Thank you.
Supplementary? The member from Prince Edward–Hastings.
Mr. Todd Smith: Speaker, Santa will know
who’s been naughty and nice,
Of course, he has his list, and he’s checking it twice.
The bad ones get coal,
but I’m told last year he missed ya,
But this year he won’t;
will he get his coal from Avista?
Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Minister of Energy.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere we go. You look in Ontario, you’ve got clean air, you’ve got clean electricity—I can’t make it rhyme, Mr. Speaker. I was trying; I’m sorry. That’s all I had.
But really, at the end of the day, Hydro One has been working hard in this province to be a better-run company, and they’re doing just that. Winter disconnections have ended. They’re going to continue to work hard to continue to be a better company.
What we’ve done through our fair hydro plan is allow them to give a reduction to all of their customers in rural and northern parts of our province of anywhere between 40% and 50%. That is good news, because that is more money in the pockets of these people. Like the Minister of Labour said earlier, they can do other things with that, like maybe buy more Christmas presents for their kids.
Energy policies
Ms. Sarah Campbell: My question is to the Premier. Hydro bills have gone up 300% under this Liberal government, and families across northwestern Ontario are paying the price for decades of hydro privatization under this government and under the Conservatives before them. Now we’ve learned that Dryden regional hospital’s hydro bills have increased by a staggering 44% in just five years. The hospital is doing everything that it can to conserve energy. They’ve made significant investments in retrofits, yet their bills continue to soar.
Why is this Premier letting down the people of northwestern Ontario and forcing our hospitals to take money out of front-line care just to cover their soaring hydro bills?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We’ve actually worked hard with Hydro One, which is in that area, to reduce bills for all residential customers between 40% and 50%. When I was in Atikokan, early on that agency, that entity, said that the bills in that community have been reduced between 34% and 40%. We’re going to continue to work with these types of companies to bring forward this type of relief.
When it comes to hospitals, they have also been utilizing many of the programs that we have put in place, working with their LDCs, and have seen significant savings that they are now able to put back into care. Many of these hospitals are talking about the impact that the electricity has on their overall costs; it’s only 1%.
We’ve got programs in place that will continue to help these institutions and the residents of the province.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Ms. Sarah Campbell: Northern hospitals and northern families need a Premier who cares about making life more affordable and stopping the cuts to our front-line health care, but this Premier keeps letting northwestern Ontario down. Dryden regional hospital is suffering from sky-high hydro costs because of the privatization of our hydro system by Liberals and Conservatives alike.
Our hospital is not getting the relief that it needs, so they’ve come up with a capital plan that would allow the hospital to go off the grid. Yet, this government refuses to deliver the funding they need to implement that plan. Why is this Premier delivering one disappointment after another to the people who need health care and who also need to be able to pay their hydro bills all across northwestern Ontario?
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Again, since coming into office, we’ve increased hospital funding by 54%, allowing us to treat more patients and provide better care and reduce wait times to some of the shortest in the country. The reality is that hospitals spend 1.6% on average of their total operating budgets on hydro. Also, Mr. Speaker, we just invested $50 million in over 100 hospitals to make sure that can help them retrofit to reduce their bills even more.
That means that well over 90% of the hospital budgets goes towards the rest: hiring nurses and doctors, keeping wait times low and ensuring patients have access to the high-quality services that they need. When it comes to action, when it comes to making sure that we’re helping hospitals, we’re helping individuals, we’re helping families right across this province; we’re doing it with health care and we’re doing the same with electricity.
Pharmacare
Mrs. Cristina Martins: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Our government has made a significant investment in the drug benefits received by seniors in recent years and continues to provide one of the most generous programs for seniors in Canada, and the seniors in my riding of Davenport are grateful for this.
As part of the 2017 budget, our government is giving children and youth a better start in life by moving to make prescription medications free. I know the minister, at several times, has spoken about how this step in providing free access to prescription medications for all Ontario’s children and youth is just the first step towards a full provincial pharmacare program.
Could the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care update the House on the status of OHIP+ ahead of its official launch next month?
Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, I have to say, I am so proud—so proud of this Premier for her leadership, nationally and in this province, on the issue of pharmacare. It is true; we’re only weeks away from the biggest advancement of medicare in this province in generations. There are only a few short weeks to go until 4,400 drugs become absolutely free for everyone in Ontario aged 24 and under through OHIP+.
Last week, we officially launched a new website where people can go and search for their medications and see that they will be available free of charge. It’s important to stress that OHIP+ will cover every single drug on Ontario’s formulary: asthma inhalers, EpiPens, diabetes test strips, oral contraceptives, cancer drugs and drugs for rare diseases.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mrs. Cristina Martins: Thank you, Minister. I, too, am also proud to be part of a team that has worked to make this historic advancement in medicare, and want to thank you and our Premier for your leadership as we move to a full provincial pharmacare program. I have no doubt that this new program will improve access to prescription medications for more than four million children and young people and will help many families to afford the medications their children need to stay healthy.
Hon. Eric Hoskins: The reality of the Ontario drug formulary is that it will offer, through OHIP+, more independence, more opportunity and more health for our children and youth. Diabetes test strips and insulin for low-income families struggling to pay the bills every week will save them thousands of dollars each year. Birth control for the 22-year-old young woman at college pursuing a degree—January 1 is going to be a historic day for Ontario, not just for the four million children and youth who will be receiving those drugs absolutely free of charge.
I want to say again just how proud I am of this Premier, this team and this government for the leadership that has been demonstrated. This is absolutely a first, and a major leap forward. We are 100% committed to continue working with the federal government for a national pharmacare program so these benefits can be extended to all Canadians.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please.
New question.
Government’s record
Mr. Steve Clark: My question is to the Premier.
The voters are skeptical; that is no lie,
But we have to reflect and ask ourselves why.
From this side of the aisle, it’s plain to see.
Premier, will you be accountable and sign the People’s Guarantee?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.
Hon. Brad Duguid: ’Tis the last question period
before Christmas
And I must say, with much passion,
We will bring in a minimum wage of $15,
With or without your attention.
We will lower energy rates,
We will create jobs as well.
This Christmas will be great for Ontario,
We’re working to make things swell.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please.
Supplementary? The member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.
Mr. Bill Walker: To the Premier:
In question period, politicians, they go back and forth
When people want change for taxes
and support for the north.
So I’ll ask again, because no answer was found:
Will you sign the People’s Guarantee
when I sit down?
Hon. Brad Duguid: To the Minister of Finance.
Hon. Charles Sousa: The halls of the Legislature are haunted by the ghosts of Christmas past. They bring to us today the likeness of the miser Ebenezer Scrooge from across the aisle: they who have wanted to make cuts to supporting our families, to deny the gifts of our province’s prosperity, to share for all.
On this side of the aisle, we thank the Premier and the jolly red grandmothers of Ontario, who, like Santa Claus, care for all of our children.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please.
New question.
Children’s mental health services
Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Premier. Earlier this week, my constituent Ida Harry shared with me the heartbreaking experiences she has endured while trying to get help for her 12-year-old son, who lives and struggles with serious mental health challenges. Ida’s son has been on wait-list after wait-list. He has waited for psychologists, waited for beds in support centres and waited in hospitals.
Ida wrote to me: “Our children are victims of the province’s neglect to provide adequate mental health care for our youth. I implore the province and its officials to do something now before it’s too late.”
On Tuesday, my NDP colleague from Hamilton Mountain introduced a motion that urges the government to eliminate mental health wait-lists for children and youth. Will the Premier listen to Ida and the thousands of families like her, eliminate the wait-lists and do something now, before it’s too late for Ida’s son and others like him?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Children and Youth Services.
Hon. Michael Coteau: I want to thank the member for the question. I want everyone here in the Legislature and across the province to know that we’re working hard to transform the system that is built for young people to get the best possible services necessary.
We recognize we need to do more as a government, as the people of Ontario, to deliver better services to young people, and we’ve been looking for ways to transform the system. The Moving on Mental Health strategy that we put forward a few years ago—and we backed that up initially with a $100-million investment—has gone a long way, but it’s brought us to a point now where we do have lead agencies across the province.
We’re reorganizing the way service delivery is being delivered on the ground, and I’m working with the Minister of Health to look for ways to further enhance youth mental health here in the province of Ontario, because we want young people to get the service that they deserve when they need it.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Back to the Premier: On Tuesday, my colleague from Hamilton Mountain also raised the issue of youth suicides. She highlighted that the majority of people who are treated in emergency rooms after a suicide attempt are not getting the follow-ups with necessary supports.
This certainly has been the case with Ida and her son. When Ida’s son attempted suicide, they went to the emergency room, where they waited for six hours before speaking with a medical student and a counsellor. After that, they were sent home. They have made numerous trips to the hospital but have not received the support they need.
Speaker, Ida asked me in her letter, “Does my son need to be on his deathbed to get any help?” Will the Premier answer that question for Ida?
Hon. Michael Coteau: My heart goes out to all the families in Ontario that have young people who struggle with mental health.
Over the last 20 years—even, in fact, over the last decade—what we’ve seen with mental health challenges here in the province of Ontario is a huge growth. We think that’s partially because of the stigma that’s been removed from mental health. We’ve been working hard as a government to let people know that if they need services, they should go forward and get those services.
We have 130,000 young people here in the province of Ontario who access services today. We know that more is needed, and that’s why we continue to invest. We’ve invested in 72 school boards to bring in mental health leaders in all of our school boards across the province. We’ve provided funding to hire 770 additional community mental health workers across the province. We’ll continue to do more to make sure young people get the help that they deserve.
International trade
Mr. Han Dong: While the Conservatives are entertaining us with their newfound talent, I have a real policy question for the Minister of International Trade.
Speaker, attracting international investment and helping business compete on a global scale is part of Ontario’s plan to create opportunity and fairness for workers, businesses and the people of this great province.
The House has seen the great work that the Ministry of International Trade has done so far in promoting Ontario globally. I know that during these trade missions, business-to-business communication is integral. I also know that there is time for the minister to speak to each business and learn about their goals internationally. Each interaction works to promote Ontario as a great place to do business, visit and discover.
As the trade mission to China and Vietnam concluded last week, could the minister share with this House more exciting deals signed—
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.
Minister?
Hon. Michael Chan: I want to thank the member for Trinity–Spadina for asking the question.
Ontario’s plan to diversify trade is key to our continuous economic growth. It is important to remember that trade does not only involve goods. Services such as health care, education and tourism, are vital to trade. Trade missions provide Ontario the unique opportunity to showcase our province’s leading industries—in this case, tourism.
As a leader in global talent, with a GDP growth rate higher than any other G7 country and a diminishing small-business tax rate, Ontario has much to offer. That is why, in partnership with Tourism Toronto, Amway China has selected Toronto to host their 25th anniversary leadership conference in Ontario. This is an incredible opportunity for Ontario, and I would be delighted if the member from Burlington could speak more to this.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Han Dong: I want to thank the minister for the response. Thanks in part to the investments that this government has made to our tourism ministry, the sector has been a key economic driver in the province. I know Toronto has competed with some of the biggest destinations in the world for the Amway China bid, and it’s very exciting to have been selected. I know many of them will be visiting my downtown riding of Trinity–Spadina.
By choosing Ontario to host their 25th anniversary leadership seminar, Amway China is giving a nod to Toronto as a world-class city. It also further demonstrates that Ontario is a competitive destination for significant conventions. National and international conventions continue to be a major economic driver in Ontario, and we look forward to welcoming Amway China in 2020.
Speaker, can the minister speak to the benefits that this international leadership conference will provide?
Hon. Michael Chan: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
Hon. Eleanor McMahon: Thank you to the member for this excellent question. The news about Amway China 2020 is a direct result of our government’s strategic framework for tourism. I want to thank Minister Chan, and Johanne Bélanger and her team at Tourism Toronto, as without their excellent collaboration and efforts this would not have happened. We know, Speaker, that tourism is a vital economic driver for Ontario, supporting 380,000 jobs and generating over $32 billion to our economy.
China is Ontario’s second-largest contributor of tourism spending, with over half a billion dollars coming from over 200,000 tourists, so attracting international leadership events like Amway China’s 25th-anniversary leadership seminar is great news. It showcases Ontario as a world-class tourism destination while promoting investment opportunities, and it will welcome over 10,000 distributors to Toronto, generating an estimated $80 million in revenue and tourism spending from Toronto to Niagara Falls.
Speaker, we are delighted to welcome Amway China 2020 to Toronto and very excited about what this is going to do for our economy.
Wind turbines
Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: My question is for the Premier:
Wind turbines still go up against a town’s will,
Just like the Grinch ignoring councils,
this gives Liberals a thrill,
They swear that the turbines are all science-based.
But will she admit real noise pollution proves
that’s just not the case?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.
Hon. Brad Duguid: ’Tis the session before Christmas
And I note with much joy,
The kids in our land
Will enjoy plenty a toy.
Our unemployment rate
Is the lowest in years.
This Christmas we may
Even enjoy a few beers—
from grocery stores, nonetheless.
And so we wish you all
The best of the season,
And hope that next year
The opposition will engage with more reason.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Rick Nicholls: “Wind turbines must go,”
but the Liberals ignore
The demands of the people, as they loudly implore.
In the Alley of Carnage, the snow piles so high,
But the need for a barrier will they always deny?
Hon. Brad Duguid: It’s still the session
before Christmas
And it’s almost done.
It’s nice to spend time in this House
And even have fun.
We may be opposed to many an issue,
But when we leave this place
Rest assured,
We will miss you.
Let us focus this session
On those that are in need,
And let us work together
So Ontario can still lead.
School facilities
Mr. Wayne Gates: My question is to the Premier. As the Premier knows, Parliament Oak School, the jewel of Niagara-on-the-Lake’s old town, was closed. Now the community is rallying together again to save Parliament Oak. This time they’re fighting to keep the school in the old town and turn it into a community hub that gives back to the residents for generations to come. I fully support these efforts.
However, DSBN has rejected an offer over the asking price in the town to buy the school, which would keep it in community hands. The town previously gave this same building to the board for free. They rejected the work done by the community to keep Parliament Oak where it is and ensure it gives back to the community. Will the Premier intervene today and ask DSBN to reconsider selling Parliament Oak School to the town, so it can be used as a community hub for the town?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: The Minister of Education.
Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to thank the member opposite for his question. I’ve been almost in daily dialogue with him about this particular issue. I know that he is well aware that my ministry and I are also well aware of the conversations that are happening between the school board and the town. I sent a letter, in fact, to the school board, expressing the desire for them to work together with the town, in the spirit of how do we look at the community needs in this instance and support the notion of a community hub.
Our government has a stated policy. We have funding behind it to support community hubs across this province, because we know how vital these public locations are to communities. In this instance, we are encouraging the school board to work together with the town.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Wayne Gates: Again to the Premier: According to the Education Act, the minister has the power to regulate the sale or lease of school sites. We know that Niagara-on-the-Lake has already endured the closing of Parliament Oak school. We have many community organizations that have come to the table and supported this, including Lord Mayor Pat Darte, the town council and all of the residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake.
Given that information, will the Premier stand with the town council of Niagara-on-the-Lake and the community and help us save Parliament Oak so it will remain in the old town for years to come?
Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I am very supportive of any solution that allows the use of this property for community use. That’s why we have a stated policy to support community hubs. That’s why we’ve been working together with the school board and the town to really encourage them to talk together to find a solution that best supports the local community, and that’s exactly what is happening.
There is, of course, a process for the disposition of properties. My understanding is that the school board has followed that particular process. But this is about what is the best resolution for the local community, and that is what we are focused on. That’s why we’re working to bring those two parties together—the school board and the town—to talk about how we resolve this for the best use for the community itself, and we support that process.
Public transit
Mr. Arthur Potts: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. In keeping with the holiday spirit, children across the province are very excited about the next few days and the next few weeks: time off from school, presents under the tree—they have a lot to look forward to.
But they’re not the only ones who are excited about the great things that are coming. Commuters across the GTA will soon be receiving a very early Christmas present—or let’s call it a sixth-day-of-Hanukkah present. The present is a first edition as well; it is unlike anything the region has seen before. The best part: After years of planning and building, we only have to wait a few more days. Would the minister please provide more information on what this present is, what makes it so unique, and why commuters in the GTA can’t wait to open it on December 17?
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I want to begin, of course, by thanking the member from Beaches–East York for being such a strong advocate for transit here in the GTA.
That member is absolutely correct: Commuters in this region will be receiving one of the best Christmas, or holiday, gifts I can think of that a government can offer them: a new option for commuters to get from point A to point B. This coming Sunday, December 17, the Toronto-York Spadina subway extension will see its first day of revenue service. In just three days, that is, commuters will have the opportunity to hop on board the first new subway extension in the GTA to open up in 15 years.
This, of course, will be the first subway to cross regional boundaries. By hopping on board the Line 1 extension, commuters will be able to move between the 416 and the 905 for a single fare. And come this January, thanks to this provincial government, that fare will be only $1.50 if you’re hopping on to the TTC from GO or the Union Pearson Express.
Tomorrow we’ll be having a very exciting celebration with representatives from all levels of government to mark this wonderful occasion.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Mr. Arthur Potts: I want to thank the minister not only for his answer but for this great gift our government is giving to the people of the GTA.
I have no doubt that tomorrow will be an incredibly exciting day and that the first ride on Sunday morning will be something for all of us to remember.
On this side of the House, we know that the reasons to invest in transit are absolutely clear: It helps ease congestion, it promotes a better quality of life and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, it gives companies yet another good reason to invest in Ontario, and it saves commuters money. It is clear that the TYSSE, an $870-million investment made by our government, will support all of these important outcomes, and that will make it money that has been very well spent.
Speaker, I know this is just one of the very many transit projects that are going on in Ontario. Would the minister please provide us with more information and greater details on what else commuters in the region can expect to see in the years to come thanks to our government’s historic investments in transit?
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member for his follow-up question. Of course he is right; the Line 1 extension to York University and York region is one part of the integrated transit map that we are building. We’re talking about GO regional express rail, the Eglinton Crosstown, the Finch West LRT, the Hurontario and Hamilton LRTs, extending GO train service to Niagara, extending GO train service to Bowmanville, and doing so much more right across this entire region.
But coming back to the Line 1 subway extension that opens up for service this Sunday: The first train will leave the 905, will leave the city of Vaughan, at 7:57 a.m. I’ll be on that train with my daughters, Talia and Grace. I strongly urge every single member here, regardless of where you live, to come down to the GTA and hop on that first train. It truly is a day for transit celebration in the GTA.
Ring of Fire
Mr. Ross Romano: This is for the Premier:
Now, we may not be the North Pole,
but we are on the way there,
A no man’s land we are not,
but the Liberals just don’t care.
A great opportunity exists, with many jobs for hire,
Why do they refuse to develop the Ring of Fire?
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Just like how we can rhyme off the reindeer, I am very happy to rhyme off all of the investments that we make in northern Ontario. Let’s just talk about Sault Ste. Marie, this year: $2 million for the Institute for the Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship, $750,000 for the Child and Family Centre at Sault College, $900,000 for the Waterfront and Tennis Centre, and NOHFC is supporting the expansion of the ARCH hospice with a $1-million investment.
It just goes on and on, Mr. Speaker, ensuring the investments that we’re making in northern Ontario, all the way from making sure we’re four-laning Highway 69, making our roads safer with a $173-million investment in that—we’re more than happy to talk about northern Ontario, because it’s this government that is making those investments.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Leeds–Grenville.
Mr. Steve Clark: Back to the Premier:
Now, Speaker, we had some fun today
with our question,
After all, everyone has had a very busy session,
So I want to end here with levity
and with something light:
Will the Premier join us,
Wish happy holidays, Merry Christmas
and to all a good night?
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I do also want to take the opportunity to wish everyone happy holidays, a merry Christmas and a celebration of life, whatever you celebrate during this season.
I also think it’s a good opportunity for us to acknowledge one MPP who won’t be back here come next year: Cheri DiNovo, the MPP from Parkdale–High Park. I want to thank you for your service.
Applause.
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: With that, Mr. Speaker, I’m sure we’ll see her around this place in the very near future. Merry Christmas, everyone. Have a great holiday season.
Komoka Provincial Park
Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Speaker, 16 months ago, this Liberal government decided to impose parking fees for the use of Komoka Provincial Park, a park that was free for Londoners to use for decades and is much loved by the estimated 100,000 people who used to visit each year.
One of my constituents, Bill Boswell, was recently informed by the park superintendent that a total of $67,000 has been collected in parking fees. Assuming two people per car with each car paying for just one hour of parking, this translates into 25,000 visitors over 16 months—a drop in attendance of more than 75%.
Speaker, does the minister think that a paltry $67,000 was worth depriving tens of thousands of Londoners, including seniors, people struggling with mental health issues, and others on low or fixed incomes from the benefits of using this park?
Hon. Kathryn McGarry: Thank you very much to the member opposite for the question today.
Speaker, I want to start out about how Ontario Parks funds its management programs. All of the programs that are offered by our Ontario parks—and there are 340 of them in the province of Ontario, not all with services—are funded through gate receipts. All of the programs, all of the trails, all of the infrastructure that Ontario Parks manages, all of the staff and all of the facilities that our visitors to our parks enjoy are paid for through the special purpose account.
I know that there have been many users of Komoka park. It was unfortunate that we needed to move forward with another way of recouping some of the services that we’ve paid for at that park—including new washroom facilities, new lighting, new parking lot facilities that the users have been asking for.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Ms. Peggy Sattler: Speaker, 75,000 Londoners are no longer using this park.
Again to the minister: The fees of $5.25 an hour or $14.50 a day were imposed without any real consultation and with paving as the only justification. Since the fees were introduced in August 2016, thousands of Londoners have signed my petition calling for the removal of the fees.
The park is really only accessible by car, and the data confirms that the fees are creating huge barriers to access. They are preventing Londoners from reaping the benefits of the enhanced physical and mental well-being that comes with access to the natural environment.
Will the minister do the right thing and remove the parking fees from Komoka Provincial Park?
Hon. Kathryn McGarry: Again, what I would like to say to everybody in this House is that all of the incredible services that our Ontario parks provide for the people of Ontario, all of the staff who provide the resources that people enjoy when they visit the parks, are paid for by gate receipts.
It’s also worth noting to the member opposite that each Ontario provincial park has its own management plan, and that management plan is set in progress for many years. I don’t have the authority to do that; it is the provincial parks and their management staff that step forward.
What I can say to everybody in this House is that we have an incredible opportunity in our province to enjoy many parks, some with services, some without. Many visitors come to Ontario specifically to see the parks.
I want to thank everybody who works in our Ontario—
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. New question.
Land use planning
Ms. Ann Hoggarth: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.
On Tuesday, new legislation was passed titled the Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017. As members of the House know from debating this legislation, this bill provides important updates to our current land use planning system as well as our conservation authorities, giving more opportunities for Ontarians to have their voices heard.
What some people might not know is just how important our conservation authorities are to us here in the province. Some 90% of Ontarians live in a watershed managed by a conservation authority.
Therefore, my question to the minister is, can you tell me what changes this legislation will bring to Ontario’s very important conservation authorities and how these changes will benefit the people of Ontario?
Hon. Kathryn McGarry: Thank you very much to the hard-working member from Barrie for that question, and thank you again for giving me the opportunity to talk about our great new legislation, which I’m very proud of.
I know just how important this new act is to so many communities around Ontario, as I see first-hand the great work that the Grand River Conservation Authority does in my own community of Grand River and Waterloo region—and Brantford, I might add, Speaker.
By modernizing the Conservation Authorities Act, we’ve delivered some real benefits to the people of Ontario—benefits like stronger oversight and accountability for conservation authority decision-making; more clarity and consistency in the services that conservation authorities provide; and increased public engagement in conservation authorities to ensure the people have a voice in their local conservation authorities. These important changes are necessary to ensure the environment will be there for years to come.
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good break.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?
Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Thank you to the minister for that answer. When changes to the Ontario Municipal Board were proposed last year, the government held 12 town halls across the province to get feedback from the people of Ontario. Through those town halls, we heard opinions from Windsor to Ottawa, from the GTA to Thunder Bay, and many members held town halls in their own ridings. People told us that too often the OMB doesn’t consider local perspectives when it makes decisions, that too many decisions went to the board and that the process was complicated for community groups. We heard that people want more say in how their communities are developed.
Through Bill 139, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Attorney General proposed legislation that would overhaul the OMB and replace it with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. Bill 139 received royal assent this week.
My question for the minister is: Does Bill 139 respond to the concerns we heard during consultation?
Hon. Kathryn McGarry: Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Hon. Bill Mauro: Thanks to the member for the question.
In years recently passed,
Planning was not fine,
So our government decided to table Bill 139.
We consulted, we discussed
and we went to committee.
Bill 139, artificially delayed, what a pity!
But persevere we did, knowing what was at stake,
And progress, although slow, indeed we did make.
With the help of MNRF and the AG,
Our ministry was diligent, the results plain to see!
Bill 139 has received royal assent,
The will of the opposition tattered and bent!
Because in the end it was plain for all to see:
Respect and deference for local decision-making
is the right place to be!
Visitors
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We do have a few points of order that have been signified, and I will get to those in a moment.
But first, I would like to take a moment to introduce a former twin dean of the House, the member from Carleton–Grenville in the 31st, 32nd,and 33rd Parliaments; Carleton in the 34th, 35th and 36th Parliaments; Lanark–Carleton in the 37th and 38th Parliaments; and Carleton–Mississippi Mills in the 39th Parliament, Mr. Norm Sterling.
Also in the House—he had to leave—was Mr. Gerard Kennedy from York South in the 36th Parliament and Parkdale–High Park in the 37th and 38th Parliaments.
As I sat in my chair to hear members speak,
I could tell that the spirit had taken hold with a squeak.
When you awake from home tomorrow morning,
Know that you will have a smile on your face—
it will be without a warning.
To ensure that I do get home with a smile, my wife is in the gallery, Rosemarie.
Member for Parkdale–High Park
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’d like to recognize the leader of the third party on a point of order.
Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s actually my privilege to rise on a point of order, considering that this is the last day in the Legislature for the member for Parkdale–High Park, Cheri DiNovo. As leader of Ontario’s NDP, I want to just take a quick moment to thank Cheri for all the work that she’s done after many years of being a member in this Legislature.
I think we would all agree that her work, particularly on LGBTQ issues, is unparalleled in any legislative chamber across our country. I believe that without that work, without Cheri being here, that work wouldn’t have ever been done, from Toby’s Law right up until the passing of the Trans Day of Remembrance just the other day, her work on first responders and PTSD presumptive legislation, her work on anti-poverty issues and social justice. It has been an amazing, amazing journey.
Cheri is a passionate, committed woman who really does care about the well-being of everyday folks, and she has put her heart and soul into her work here in the Legislature. I know that her next journey at the church that she is going back to—as she says, her “best love”—will also continue that amazing work and passion.
Cheri, on behalf of Ontario’s New Democrats, thank you so much for your service here in the Legislature.
Applause.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Premier on the same point of order.
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yes, the same point of order, Mr. Speaker: I just want to add my voice of thanks to Cheri DiNovo for all the work that she has done for the people of Ontario and for the people of Parkdale–High Park. We could always count on Cheri to ask questions and to raise issues that were of serious importance to the people of this province and to her community, and so we’re very grateful to her for that.
I will just say, as a fellow member of the United Church, often we are asked within the United Church about how we are living our faith. I just want to say that Cheri DiNovo, without bells and whistles and without flaunting liturgy, lives her faith. She brings her consciousness of poverty and of the needs of people to this place. She has always done that, and I wish her all the very best in the next phase of her life.
Applause.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nepean–Carleton on the same point of order.
Ms. Lisa MacLeod: To my dear friend Cheri DiNovo: I’m really going to miss you. We’ve been friends for the past 10 years, sort of an odd couple, but we have had an enduring friendship that I believe will last long past the time you leave here and when you go back to the cloth.
A lot of people probably don’t know that we were elected in by-elections in the same year. I’ve got a bit more seniority; it’s starting to show in the grey hair I have on my head. But we’ve developed a friendship and we have a number of mutual friends. Every sitting we would have an opportunity to go out for dinner and put politics aside, and just talk about some of the issues that deal with our families.
We also had an opportunity to go to Taiwan together. It was a very exciting trip that the member took with the members from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke and Leeds–Grenville and the former members from Beaches–East York and Trinity–Spadina, I believe. It was there, overseas, that we put partisanship aside and we were Ontarians and Canadians first. Anybody who’s ever taken a trip like that with their colleagues—it really seems to unite our core values as Canadians. We certainly got to share that.
I’m going to tell a little bit of a tale out of school. During that trip we wrote a song and we would sing it. Cheri decided, when we got back from that trip, that it would be fun to invite me, Steve and John to the caucus party at the end of the year for the New Democrats. Cheri, of course, knows a lot of talented musicians. She told her caucus that she had a band coming. Her caucus thought it was the Barenaked Ladies. I think they were shocked when one by one we came down the staircase and they saw these three Tories standing in Cheri DiNovo’s living room to sing a very-off-key song. But you know what?
John Yakabuski knows 6,000 songs right up here, so it was really good. We came down and we had this song, and it was our group that came back together again. It was the three of us as well as three New Democratic members, and we sang for the caucus. They still laugh about it. Taras and I were talking about it last week—I apologize for using the member’s name, Speaker. But we came down, and they actually said we were better than the Barenaked Ladies. I can’t tell you the song because it was at the expense of the governing party. I don’t think they would be surprised.
I just wanted to say that one of the things that the Premier and the leader of the third party talked about is the humanity of this woman, this wonderful MPP, who has—right up until the last week that she served here—passed a private member’s bill that I was proud to co-sponsor. So to you, my friend, I look forward to seeing you grace these halls as a clergyperson, but also as a friend to every member here.
To that, I want to conclude by wishing her a merry Christmas as well as to all my colleagues.
Applause.
Correction of record
Hon. Glenn Thibeault: My point of order is a little less formal. I need to correct my record. Earlier, I said that hospitals are receiving $50 million in funding for energy retrofit upgrades; I should have said that the number is actually $64 million.
I also would like to introduce Jeremy Dunton from my constituency office.
Visitors
Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I will just take this opportunity to introduce Priyanka Nasta, who is from my constituency office, here today.
L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Écoutez, j’ai mentionné tout à l’heure le conseil de planification avec les noms, mais je voudrais juste les reconnaître.
Je vous ai tous mentionnés, mais vous n’étiez pas ici. Donc, merci, merci pour le beau travail.
Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’m delighted to introduce a couple of individuals who work in my constituency office: Francesca Cesario and Alessia Ricciuti, who are in the west gallery. I believe we are also joined by York University student Marzie Aghdaee.
Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I also want to welcome and introduce very hard-working staff from my community office. Please welcome Jessica Dawson, Terri-Lynne Robinson and Chantalle Aubertin to Queen’s Park.
Mr. Toby Barrett: A minor point of order—something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m out of water. Apologies to good King Wenceslas: “Hither, page, and stand by me.”
Mr. Arthur Potts: I wanted to also welcome Mr. Fischer—who taught my chief of staff, Dave Bellmore—and Dave’s son, Clarke. I wanted to welcome him to Queen’s Park.
Hon. Charles Sousa: I just saw, behind me, my constituency office, who are here. They’ve been doing an excellent job in Mississauga South: Brenda Armstrong, Kevin Draper and Lucas Alves. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and thank you for all you do.
Deferred Votes
Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017 / Loi de 2017 pour un Ontario plus fort et plus juste (mesures budgétaires)
Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of the following bill:
Bill 177,
An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Projet de loi 177, Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We do have a vote, and we don’t want to keep the Lieutenant Governor waiting, although the democracy of old said that they had to wait. Anyway, we do have something else to do after, so please stay by after the Lieutenant Governor is finished. I would appreciate it very much.
Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.
The division bells rang from 1153 to 1158.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All members, please take your seats.
On December 13, 2017, Mr. Del Duca moved third reading of Bill 177,
An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes.
All those in favour, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.
Ayes
Albanese, Laura
Anderson, Granville
Baker, Yvan
Ballard, Chris
Berardinetti, Lorenzo
Bradley, James J.
Chan, Michael
Chiarelli, Bob
Colle, Mike
Coteau, Michael
Crack, Grant
Damerla, Dipika
Del Duca, Steven
Des Rosiers, Nathalie
Dhillon, Vic
Dickson, Joe
Dong, Han
Duguid, Brad
Flynn, Kevin Daniel
Fraser, John
Hoggarth, Ann
Hoskins, Eric
Hunter, Mitzie
Jaczek, Helena
Kiwala, Sophie
Lalonde, Marie-France
Leal, Jeff
Malhi, Harinder
Mangat, Amrit
Martins, Cristina
Matthews, Deborah
Mauro, Bill
McGarry, Kathryn
McMahon, Eleanor
Milczyn, Peter Z.
Moridi, Reza
Naidoo-Harris, Indira
Naqvi, Yasir
Potts, Arthur
Rinaldi, Lou
Sandals, Liz
Sousa, Charles
Takhar, Harinder S.
Thibeault, Glenn
Vernile, Daiene
Wong, Soo
Wynne, Kathleen O.
Zimmer, David
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.
Nays
Armstrong, Teresa J.
Arnott, Ted
Bailey, Robert
Barrett, Toby
Bisson, Gilles
Campbell, Sarah
Cho, Raymond Sung Joon
Clark, Steve
Coe, Lorne
DiNovo, Cheri
Fedeli, Victor
Fife, Catherine
French, Jennifer K.
Gates, Wayne
Gélinas, France
Gretzky, Lisa
Hardeman, Ernie
Hatfield, Percy
Horwath, Andrea
Jones, Sylvia
MacLeod, Lisa
Mantha, Michael
McNaughton, Monte
Miller, Norm
Natyshak, Taras
Nicholls, Rick
Oosterhoff, Sam
Pettapiece, Randy
Romano, Ross
Sattler, Peggy
Scott, Laurie
Smith, Todd
Thompson, Lisa M.
Vanthof, John
Walker, Bill
Yakabuski, John
Yurek, Jeff
The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 48; the nays are 37.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I declare the motion carried.
Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.
Third reading agreed to.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Government House leader?
Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Her Honour awaits.
Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario entered the chamber of the Legislative Assembly and took her seat upon the throne.
Royal assent / Sanction royale
Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell (Lieutenant Governor): Pray be seated.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): May it please Your Honour, the Legislative Assembly of the province has, at its present meetings thereof, passed certain bills to which, in the name of and on behalf of the said Legislative Assembly, I respectfully request Your Honour’s assent.
The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Trevor Day): The following are the titles of the bills to which Your Honour’s assent is prayed:
An Act to proclaim the month of November Lebanese Heritage Month / Loi proclamant le mois de novembre Mois du patrimoine libanais.
An Act to establish the Lung Health Advisory Council and develop a provincial action plan respecting lung disease / Loi créant le Conseil consultatif de la maladie pulmonaire et visant l’élaboration d’un plan d’action provincial à l’égard des maladies pulmonaires.
An Act to proclaim the Trans Day of Remembrance / Loi proclamant la Journée du souvenir trans.
An Act to proclaim Ontario Craft Beer Week / Loi proclamant la Semaine de la bière artisanale en Ontario.
An Act to proclaim Korean Heritage Month / Loi proclamant le Mois du patrimoine coréen.
An Act to proclaim Lawren Harris Day / Loi proclamant le Jour de Lawren Harris.
An Act to amend or repeal various Acts and to enact three new Acts with respect to the construction of new homes and ticket sales for events / Loi modifiant ou abrogeant diverses lois et édictant trois nouvelles lois en ce qui concerne la construction de logements neufs et la vente de billets d’événements.
An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.
An Act to revive James Guy Limited.
An Act to revive Silver Merle Corporation.
An Act to revive Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation.
An Act to Revive 1428501 Ontario Limited.
An Act respecting the Beechwood Cemetery Company.
An Act to revive 1701423 Ontario Inc.
An Act to revive 1729293 Ontario Inc.
An Act to revive Jetterance Canada Limited.
An Act to revive J. Van Elsen Holdings Limited.
An Act to revive Streetwise Holdings Limited.
An Act to revive 608524 Ontario Inc.
The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): In the name of Her Majesty, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor doth assent to these bills.
Au nom de Sa Majesté, Son Honneur la lieutenante-gouverneure sanctionne ces projets de loi.
Hon. Elizabeth Dowdeswell (Lieutenant Governor): Mr. Speaker, if I may: This has been a long, busy and memorable year as we have all commemorated and celebrated Ontario and Canada 150. I thank you for your contribution to all of those events.
It is a time to wish all of you a happy Christmas, happy holidays, a wonderful time with your family and friends, and a nice break. May I also wish all of you, each and every member, a year ahead of good health, happiness and peace. Thank you.
Her Honour was then pleased to retire.
Legislative pages
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t know how to bring sad news. It always has been difficult for me. But I have to announce to the House that this is the last day for this set of pages.
Interjections.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We want to thank them for their wonderful contribution to this lovely place, and wish them a merry Christmas.
Applause.
Season’s greetings
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I would ask your indulgence. I want to thank all of you. I know how hard you work. Not a lot of people know how hard you work, but I do. I want to thank every member and all of your families for the wonderful work that you do, not just here, but in the communities. As this is my last Christmas as Speaker and as MPP, I offer you my commitment to continue to spread the word of how hard you work and the job you do, seven days a week.
On behalf of my wife, who is here, and my family, I wish you a merry Christmas.
Applause.
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, a point of order.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Premier on a point of order.
Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know I speak on behalf of all of the members of the Legislature: I want to thank you because we know how hard you work, because we make you work that hard. We wish you a very merry Christmas and a great holiday.
Applause.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.
On a personal note, I want to echo the very kind words that were spoken about my friend Rev. Dr. Cheri Di Novo.
As you continue your journey, thank you for the passion that you’ve given all of us. Thank you for showing that people count. I appreciate you.
Applause.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There being no further deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.
The House recessed from 1212 to 1300.
Introduction of Visitors
Ms.
Sophie Kiwala: I would like to extend a warm welcome to those who are here to support the motion that I will be bringing forward today: Rob More and Len Whalen from Kingston FASD parent support group and Lanark, Leeds and Grenville FASD support group; Brian Philcox, chairman of FASworld Canada; Mark Courtepatte, co-chair of Hamilton FASD Parents and Caregivers Support Group; Savanna Pietrantonio and her beautiful service dog, Sasha; Valerie Temple, clinical psychologist at Surrey Place Centre; Mary Ann Bunkowsky, FASD parent advocate from Hamilton FASD; Karen Huber, chair of the Waterloo Region FASD Action Group; Mary Cunningham from KWC FASD Consulting; Sharron Richards and Mary Hutchings, FASD-ONE; Kaitlyn McLachlan, Vanesa Hrvatin, Larry Byrne and others who are watching from home—thank you for joining us; Cheryl Neave and Tracey Ashby from FASD-ONE, chair and vice-chair, respectively; De-Ann DeGraaf and Lisa Picano, co-facilitators of FASD Connection Peel; the Physicians of Ontario Neurodevelopmental Advocacy steering committee; Brenda Pinkus; and Terressa Finley.
Thank you all for coming to Queen’s Park.
Mr. Bill Walker: Speaker, I’d like to ask for a point of order.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order, the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.
Mr. Bill Walker: Yesterday, during my question, I believe I inadvertently made a comment about 80%; it should have actually been 20% that I referenced. I just wanted to change my record.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Absolutely. All members are allowed to correct their record. I like the way in which you did it because it was to the point.
The member from Nepean–Carleton.
Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Today I have my constituent Gordon Stringer joining me. He’s in the dining room right now—I left him so I could introduce him—but he’ll be up here in a few minutes. I just wanted to welcome him to the Legislative Assembly, and to also acknowledge the work the minister is doing in terms of introducing that law later today.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Parkdale–High Park.
Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, by the way, for your kind words this morning.
I would like to introduce a number of seniors and their allies who are here. They’re here for the petition that’s going to ask for free transportation for seniors in Toronto and for those on social assistance. We’ve got Joseph Marando, Baohai Want, Xiaoping Zu, Natalis Wong, Raquel Amarna Moscote, Maria Gomez, Andrew Ngoc, Jaime Oskam and Jamyang Dolma.
Also, they’ll be joined shortly by Lisa Druchok and Carly Jones from my constituency office.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Welcome.
Mr. Arthur Potts: I want to introduce my legislative assistant, Steven Crombie, who’s here in the House. He does great work. He helped me with my member’s statement, and any errors in it will certainly be his.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s called throwing your staff under the bus.
Introductions? The member from Davenport.
Mrs. Cristina Martins: It gives me great pleasure to introduce someone I consider a friend, Nancy Coldham, who’s here in the gallery with us today; as well as Dr. James Hill from the Ontario Podiatric Medical Association, who is here to present me with an award on the passing of my private member’s bill, Putting Your Best Foot Forward. Welcome to Queen’s Park.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t wear stilettos; I promise.
Members’ Statements
Wiarton
Mr. Bill Walker: What an honour it is to rise today to pay tribute to the great people of Wiarton, whose vibrant community has been named as one of the top three happiest places in Canada by expedia.ca.
There were 765,000 Instagram posts about this thriving four-season community, according to blogger Carolyn Albee, who sorted through more than 100,000 conversations for hashtags like #cheerful, #blessed and #happy to find the happiest places in the country.
Apart from the fact that the town of Wiarton simply has it all—the towering bluffs of the Niagara Escarpment and views of Colpoy’s and Georgian Bay—Albee says that the Wiarton Willie Festival, Ontario’s biggest winter festival and, without a shadow of a doubt, a must-see prediction ceremony for every Ontarian and Canadian, is one reason people feel so good about Wiarton.
Wiarton ranked behind Canada’s surfing capital, Tofino, BC, and Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta, which was voted as the happiest place in the country. No other town or city in southwestern Ontario made the top 40 list by Expedia.
South Bruce Peninsula mayor Janice Jackson says that the only thing that surprised her was that Wiarton did not make top honours as number one. I have to concur with the mayor on that point, being a proud Wiartonian. I spent a lot of my life in Wiarton, as most people know.
As Wiarton is expecting record numbers of tourists in 2018, the community is abuzz with activities, including the completion of the new tourism centre in my hometown of Hepworth. So I invite all members and everyone listening to visit our little piece of heaven as early as February 2 for Groundhog Day and meet the late Wiarton Willie’s understudy, Wee Willie. Happy Wiarton.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That stuff writes itself.
Events in London West
Ms. Peggy Sattler: As London digs out from a walloping of snow this week, stories are being told of random acts of snow removal. Snow angels are appearing with shovels or snow blowers to assist seniors, persons with disabilities and people who just need a helping hand. London’s Snow Angels program, which matches volunteer shovellers with those who need assistance, started in 2015 through the efforts of Lincoln McCardle and the web firm Simalam. McCardle calls it an “experiment in kindness,” something that links into what people are already doing, and formalizes how Londoners help each other.
I can tell you, Speaker, Londoners are helping each other in extraordinary ways. When My Sisters’ Place, a day shelter for vulnerable women, faced an unexpected and costly sewage problem that could have forced the end of evening programming, word got out and dollars poured in, including $10,000 from the London Police Association and $77,000 from Shoppers Drug Mart. This month, an anonymous donor provided funding for five years of extended evening and weekend hours.
In October, Youth Opportunities Unlimited received the largest cash donation in its 35-year history to support an innovative housing-first project for youth, young mothers and mothers-to-be who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness. The YOU new addition will now be known as the Joan Smith Building for Youth, thanks to a generous $1-million donation from the Smith family.
Speaker, at this time of year, I want to commend the many, many Londoners who are finding ways to care for each other, financial or otherwise, and to help those in need.
Season’s greetings
Mr. Arthur Potts: In the spirit of the season:
Sung to the tune of Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
Well, the House will soon be rising,
And though it’s not surprising,
Members’ faces are all aglow,
Let it show, let it show, let it show.
The Premier is back from China,
And the economy, it couldn’t be finer,
Lots of deals and jobs will flow,
Let it grow, let it grow, let it grow.
The Tories have released a new scheme,
It follows a typical old theme,
$12 billion in cuts they show,
Just say no, just say no, just say no.
The third party is all a-fluster,
Their plan is full of bluster,
Selling Hydro was not their show,
So just let it go, let it go, let it go.
The Speaker can move with lightning,
Warnings can be quite frightening,
Decorum is what he knows,
Let him know, let him know, let him know.
Hillier is outside and vaping,
Young kids could be imitating,
He has nowhere else to go,
So let him blow, let him blow, let him blow.
And next year we’ll legally be smoking,
What Cheech and Chong were toking,
And watch our revenues grow,
Make it so, make it so, make it so.
Soon we’ll be in our ridings,
Bringing joy, true love and glad tidings,
For a white Christmas we’ll all want some snow,
So, Speaker, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We are invaded by the ghost of Rosario Marchese.
Barbara Woodman
Mr. Steve Clark: It’s with profound sadness that I rise to pay tribute to Barbara Woodman. Barbara died November 30 at age 70 from systemic scleroderma-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension. PAH is an aggressive lung disease and a common complication for scleroderma.
The disease took a terrible toll on Barbara. But, Speaker, she was a fighter against her illness and in challenging our health care system to do better.
Barbara wrote to me in October after the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care denied her request for the drug Uptravi for a second time. Her letter is featured in the winter issue of Scleroderma Canada magazine. I wrote to the minister and I’m devastated that Barbara died before our system could help.
I want to make it clear, Speaker, that I rise not to make this a partisan issue. That’s not what her husband of 48 years, Paul, her sons Scott and Brent and daughter Stephanie want. As Stephanie wrote, “We hope my mother’s story will help benefit others that are also sharing their plea for treatments not accessible to them through public funding in Ontario. For many suffering with this condition, these treatments are a matter of life or death.”
Speaker, no family should lose a loving wife, a mother and grandmother because a life-saving drug is too expensive. Barbara wanted our health care system to do better. I think we owe it to Barbara and the many Ontarians like her, whose tragic stories MPPs have shared too often, to create that system as their legacy.
Winter highway maintenance
Ms. Sarah Campbell: Ten days ago, northwestern Ontario was walloped with a winter storm that brought with it more than a foot of snow in some areas. While that may not be noteworthy in and of itself, what is remarkable is that 10 days later motorists are still grappling with the remnants of that storm on our highways.
Parts of the Trans-Canada Highway, our country’s main artery, still cannot be seen as it lies underneath layers of packed snow and glare ice in many areas across the northwest. This is despite the fact that the MTO deems it a class 2 highway, giving area contractors 16 hours to restore it to bare pavement. It appears as though these road-clearing standards mean little, if anything, to area contractors, as my offices are still inundated with complaints from northerners who are unnecessarily put at risk due to shoddy maintenance.
I have heard from seniors who have gone off the road, seasoned truck drivers who are unable to control their rigs and, quite alarmingly, from a father and infant who were trapped in their vehicle days after the storm ended.
The response from the MTO has been that there are “ongoing concerns” with Emcon and that financial non-conformance penalties have been issued. But that seems to have little effect on the condition of the roads and the resulting risks imposed on northerners who have no other transportation options. Northerners are tired of the same old tune each and every winter, and they want to know when this government will prioritize our highways and our safety.
Holiday open house
Mrs. Cristina Martins: This weekend, I had the privilege of hosting my fourth annual holiday open house to celebrate the close of another year with some great holiday treats and some festive holiday cheer. It gave me an opportunity to gather with many of the constituents from my riding of Davenport and many of the community organizations, and an opportunity to thank all of the organizations that serve Davenport for all of the work that they do and for everyone in the community who works every day to make our neighbourhoods stronger and more connected.
My open house was also an opportunity to welcome new art in my constituency office. This month, my constituency office is showcasing the work of local Davenport artists. I was lucky to get to show some pieces from Brian Rideout, who earlier this year won the Premier’s Award for Excellence in the Arts as emerging artist of the year.
As well, art was provided by seniors from the Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre, whose seniors’ art group received funding from the Seniors Community Grant. This fantastic initiative keeps seniors active and engaged through art classes. Davenport seniors produce truly magnificent works of art.
Both of these art showcases will be in my office until the end of the month of December.
Mr. Speaker, I’m so proud to represent Davenport because of all that our community offers and gives. It is such a vibrant, interesting and lively place.
As we are approaching the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a restful and happy holiday season and a healthy and safe new year.
Rohingya Muslims
Mr. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: Canada has been a world leader when it comes to defending human rights. Today in Myanmar, we are witnessing very gross human rights violations. The Myanmar army has worked in unison with the various extremist vigilantes to systematically target Muslim Rohingya civilians. Many were killed and raped. Villages were intentionally raided and burned. Any remaining villages have been denied access to vital supplies.
Since August 25, 645,000 people have fled Myanmar to Bangladesh, and 80,000-plus people are currently stuck in Myanmar, either internally displaced or in concentration camps. According to the secret agreement signed by Myanmar and Bangladesh, starting January 23, the Rohingya refugees can return to Myanmar.
It is obvious that the Rohingya refugees don’t trust that Myanmar would treat them any better than it has done in the last three months. The following needs to be done: Establish a safety zone managed by UN peacekeepers with a mandate to defend and protect the people under their jurisdiction; and review the honorary Canadian citizenship bestowed on Aung San Suu Kyi.
Elevator maintenance
Mr. Han Dong: Last April, I tabled Bill 109 to unanimous support here in this House. The Reliable Elevators Act, if passed, will regulate elevator repairs across Ontario.
This past Halloween, a major elevator company was fined $50,000 for five violations, including letting an unsafe elevator run in a Toronto condo. Prior to that, in January the same company was fined $375,000 for a potentially fatal safety law breach where a man was injured. At the College Park courthouse, escalators have been out for two years, forcing people with canes and strollers to climb two flights of stairs.
I’m grateful to Minister MacCharles and the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services for supporting this bill and to the Technical Standards and Safety Authority for commissioning a report on elevator reliability.
Speaker, with the rapid growth of super high-rises in Toronto, Ontario’s building code must be updated as well. This is more than just about mechanics, reliability and convenience; it’s a safety issue for at-risk people like seniors, who require regular transportation to and from their homes.
It’s also about our first responders getting to their jobs quickly and safely. It’s about one of our most-used vehicles functioning properly for those who live in vertical communities in Toronto.
Lastly, I want to wish everyone in the House merry Christmas and happy new year.
Business Achievement Awards
Mr. Lorne Coe: I rise this afternoon to highlight the 2017 recipients of the Business Achievement Awards provided by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce.
Since 1955, the chamber has honoured outstanding local businesses in the community that demonstrate a passion for excellence, commitment to community and entrepreneurial spirit. Many businesses in Whitby spend countless hours making their local community a better place, and these business awards are a way of recognizing those contributions.
The winners this year are the Brock Street Brewing Co.; Collins Barrow Durham; the Abilities Centre, which we well know; and Durham Escape Rooms. The businessperson of the year: John Draper from Together We Rock!
It’s crucial that we take the opportunity to celebrate local businesses, and I congratulate all the winners.
I’d also like to take a moment this afternoon to congratulate Kathy Beattie from my constituency office, who was a recipient last week of the Paul Harris award. This is the highest award that a Rotarian can receive from their club, which in my case and her case is the Whitby Sunrise club. It acknowledges the outstanding contribution and exceptional service that Kathy has made to the Whitby community overall.
I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all the award recipients from the chamber but more importantly Kathy Beattie for the work she’s doing in building up the town of Whitby. “Service above self,” Speaker.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their statements.
Introduction of Bills
Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2017 / Loi Rowan de 2017 sur la sécurité en matière de commotions cérébrales
Ms. McMahon moved first reading of the following bill:
Bill 193,
An Act to enact Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2017 and to amend the Education Act / Projet de loi 193, Loi édictant la Loi Rowan de 2017 sur la sécurité en matière de commotions cérébrales et modifiant la
Loi sur l’éducation.
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.
Hon. Eleanor McMahon: Before I begin my remarks, I want to recognize the presence in the House today of Gordon Stringer, Rowan’s father. It is in her memory that we pass this legislation, in the hope that other parents like Gordon and Kathleen won’t have to suffer similar tragedies. Thank you.
If passed, Rowan’s Law (Concussion Safety), 2017, and amendments to the Education Act would provide the framework to govern concussion prevention, detection, management and awareness in amateur competitive sport and schools. If passed, this would require sport organizations and school boards to implement the following:
—an annual review of concussion awareness resources by athletes, parents/guardians of athletes under 18 years of age, coaches, and any other positions, such as officials, as prescribed by regulation;
—establish a removal-from-sport protocol for athletes suspected of having sustained a concussion;
—establish a return-to-sport protocol for athletes who have sustained a concussion or who are suspected of having sustained a concussion; and
—establish a concussion code of conduct.
The proposed legislation would also proclaim a Rowan’s Law Day, to be held every year on the last Wednesday of September, and require the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport to prepare and publish reports on the progress made in implementing recommendations set out in the report of the Rowan’s Law Advisory Committee.
Statements by the Ministry and Responses
Agri-food industry
Hon. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, to you, your wife and your family, I extend a merry Christmas and happy holidays.
It’s an honour to rise in the House today to acknowledge the over 800,000 hard-working Ontarians who wake up each and every day to work in our province’s innovative agri-food sector. The people who work in Ontario’s agri-food sector are innovative, passionate and, indeed, determined.
That passion was on display earlier this week when the Premier and I welcomed more than 100 representatives from across our province’s agri-food sector at the 13th Premier’s Agri-Food Summit. The theme of this year’s summit was “Growing Ontario’s Agri-Food Sector at Home and Abroad.” The summit reinforced how important two-way agri-food trade is between Ontario and the United States, and how our province is poised to become a global hub for agri-food research and innovation. The United Nations tells us that by the year 2050, there will be nine billion people in the world to feed.
We were delighted to welcome United States government representatives, and friends of mine, director Jamie Clover Adams from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and Russell Redding, the Secretary of Agriculture from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We also welcomed a very special guest, Canada’s deputy ambassador to the United States, Kirsten Hillman, to Toronto to participate in a panel discussion on two-way trade, where we’re continuing to foster our strong and productive trading relationship. We also extended an invitation to my colleagues from Haldimand–Norfolk and Timiskaming–Cochrane.
Our government recognized the work of local innovators whose ideas and passion are helping to grow and strengthen the province’s agri-food sector.
As we do every year, we also took the opportunity to recognize the many different ideas and innovations that begin on the farm, through the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence program. At the summit, we announced the top five recipients chosen from among this year’s 50 award-winning innovations. I’d like to share their stories with you.
The Premier and I were very pleased to present three Leaders in Innovation Awards at the summit. We recognized Paul Moyer of Moyer’s Apple Products for developing a new sanitizer for produce that is even more effective than water-based systems. This innovation takes cleaning to a higher level and positions Ontario as a leader in food safety technology.
We also recognized Jay Barnard of Freshwater Cuisine, from Ontario’s Kenora district. Freshwater Cuisine has helped reduce fish waste by creating new, tasty appetizers that incorporate all parts of freshwater fish. Over the past year, the business has established relationships with more than 50 harvesters in nearby First Nations communities, who supply them with 100% of the wild-caught fish.
Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to acknowledge this year’s third leader in innovation. Through his Fresh Air Media videos, Andrew Campbell is an inspiring young man on a mission to help urban populations learn more about where their food comes from and how it’s produced. By leveraging the power of modern technology, he is sparking important conversations on food production, animal welfare and environmental sustainability, and helping to establish trust from gate to plate.
I also had the pleasure of presenting the Minister’s Award to Peter Wheeler of SunPillar Inc./Two Bridges Vineyard, which is in beautiful Prince Edward county. Beekeepers will soon be buzzing about their new product that monitors bee health. Designed to fit in a commercial hive, Hive Health gives producers the essential information they need without having to disturb the bees. The sensors for this project can easily be adapted to monitor plants for growth and disease so that crop producers can also benefit from this innovative Ontario technology.
The Premier had the opportunity to present her award to Michael Curry and Ian Adamson of Greenbelt Microgreens. Greenbelt Microgreens has developed an eco-friendly process for growing organic microgreens such as lettuce, arugula and wheatgrass. They grow them year-round right in Ontario’s greenbelt. Today, the company has become the largest grower of organic microgreens in Canada, supplying fresh produce to hundreds of retailers, such as Longo’s, Sobeys and T&T Supermarket. This is a real home-grown success story.
Mr. Speaker, these are just a few stories that show us how great ideas are being generated by farmers and food processors. I want to thank each and every one of this year’s 50 award-winning innovators who are inspiring the next generation to be innovative and to drive our agri-food sector forward into the future. Congratulations on those achievements.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, as we wind down the year and look forward to celebrating the holidays with our families, I encourage everyone to support Ontario’s farmers and include local food, beverages and foliage in their festivities. I wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy holiday season.
The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Statements by ministries?
Therefore, it is time for responses.
Mr. Toby Barrett: “The Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence” has got a real nice ring to it and it’s a very important ceremony to pay tribute and to recognize those who are out there at the forefront.
As the minister mentioned, a major agenda this year was NAFTA, with presentations from deputy ambassador Kirsten Hillman, Michigan’s Clover Adams and Pennsylvania’s Russell Redding.
As we’re fully aware, the change in administration south of the border has really put us in Ontario and across Canada in a position where we’ve got to up our game. Last May, US trade representative Robert Lighthizer gave notice of intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement—NAFTA—with both Canada and Mexico. He cited outdated regulation and standards. He stressed the need for high-paying jobs in the United States.
President Trump has repeatedly stated he would tear up NAFTA. Such a move would require a sign-off from Congress; however, the President can unilaterally sign executive orders regarding tariffs.
Last spring, our federal government and many of the provinces scrambled to put together a bit of an effort to persuade US states and the Trump administration to leave Canada out of these protectionist measures, and we recognize the work of this Ontario government visiting many of the states that we work with and compete with.
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall offered up his explanation of the importance of the cross-border supply chains we benefit from: “Saskatchewan farmers buy John Deere tractors, made in Iowa, to harvest oats that are then sold to General Mills in Cedar Rapids, turned into Cheerios and exported back to Canada.” That’s how it works.
The US remains Ontario’s primary destination for international merchandise exports, representing over 80% of our provincial total. As part of Canada, we in Ontario are part of the largest trading relationship in the world. No other country buys more goods and services that are made in the USA than does Canada, to the tune of something like $322 billion a year, and through that—and this came up at the ceremony the other day—Canada supports nine million jobs in the United States.
NAFTA is not only about buying and selling, it’s also about co-operation and integration. The factories and the farms in both countries are linked through just-in-time supply chains that criss-cross the border. Investment, productivity and competitiveness in both countries are by and large supported by harmonized regulation and common rules.
I’ve attended, as has the minister, a number of meetings in the United States over the past year. I find state elected representatives, farmers and ranchers are with us. We’re of a like mind. They realize the importance of trade certainly in agri-food. Any growth in the agri-food economy in North America has been based on exports. That results in good-paying jobs.
Bear in mind, however, that we see the problems. We’ve lost on all sides of the border. We have lost hundreds of thousands of manufacturing jobs. We are competing with obviously much lower wages in countries like Mexico and China.
NAFTA negotiations started August 16. The uncertainty has been huge. It remains unknown where we’re going. I hope in a positive sense that it’s really a modernization of the agreement and, in my view, essentially moving free trade to a system of fair trade. Isn’t this really how our trade relationships are supposed to work? Trade dollars flow back and forth across the border, but in a balanced way and in a very fair way.
There are so many statistics on the trading relationships between Ontario and the various states across the union, and our trading relationship with Mexico. Trade is a good thing. Like they say, the only bad trade agreement is the one you’re not in.
Mr. John Vanthof: It’s always an honour to be able to stand in this House and speak on behalf of the residents of Timiskaming–Cochrane and my NDP colleagues in response to the minister on the agri-food summit and the Premier’s Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence
First, I’d like to say it’s our job to be critical of government policy, but it’s also our job to recognize when we can work together. I’d like to thank the minister for his invitation to the conference and for his invitation to many other things. We understand and he understands that in agriculture, although our benefit to the province is very large, our numbers are small and we need to work together, and I’d like to recognize the minister for that.
The focus of the conference and the focus of much of our thoughts on all sides of the House is trade. Often, throughout our history, we have had issues with our trading partners, and one of our most important trading partners is the United States of America. I think the biggest issue now, with the current administration, is the uncertainty of what their positions are. Having spoken to secretaries of agriculture in other states, they have the same issue, because both people at the farm level and people at the state level understand how important trade is.
From our side, we are all wanting to work together to ensure that we can come up with trade deals that not only benefit the farmers and the agri-food sector, but benefit all Ontarians and all Canadians. We continue to work together on that.
Furthermore, on the part about the award for agri-food innovation excellence, I’d like to thank and congratulate all the winners. I’d like to thank the Premier for doing this. But most of all, I think we need to recognize that at all levels of the agri-food sector—but specifically, because I’m a farmer, at the farm level—almost all farmers are innovators. That’s how we get innovation excellence, because they have to innovate on a constant basis to deal with nature, to deal with weather and to deal with political policy. They have to innovate and change their farming practices, and I think that’s one of the strengths.
At this time of year, I would really like to recognize—often we recognize essential services like police and firefighters, people who have to work during the Christmas season. I’d like to take a minute and recognize the people who work in the food sector, from the farmers to the processors to the retailers. But when you’re dealing specifically with livestock, you have to care for livestock 365 days a year.
This is our last day here until February. I’m sure I can speak for all legislators: We’re all looking very forward to not having to be here tomorrow. But when you’re a farmer, you don’t have that option, and that’s why they have to love their job, because they’re there every day.
I remember that the cows always had to be milked on Christmas day and New Year’s day. Even on larger operations, most times you’ll find it will be the farmer himself, because the people he works with, they want Christmas off. So they’re doing it themselves. I also know, from personal experience, that Christmas and New Year’s are the days that things are going to break on th