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October 31, 2016

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2016-Oct-31 (PDF)

L023 - Mon 31 Oct 2016 / Lun 31 oct 2016

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 31 October 2016 Lundi 31 octobre 2016

Introduction of Visitors

Consideration of bills

Visitors

Margaret Birch

Oral Questions

Hydro rates

Correctional services

Ontario Place

Electronic health information

Correctional services

Nursing home deaths

Treaties recognition

Manufacturing jobs

Correctional services

Equal opportunity

Youth employment

Post-secondary education

Environmental protection

Hydro rates

Paul Demers

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

School closures

Adam Capay

Post-secondary education

Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival

Positive Voice

Ossington Pentecostal Church

Remembrance Day

Moose management

Joseph Galluzzo

Visitors

Petitions

Alzheimer’s disease

Privatization of public assets

GO Transit

Hydro rates

Privatization of public assets

Lung health

Hydro rates

Child care

Home inspection industry

Highway ramps

Logements pour personnes âgées

Privatization of public assets

Employment standards

Orders of the Day

Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne les élections

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Later this week, the House will be paying tribute to a deceased former member, John Ferris. I would ask that the House have his memory in mind during prayers.

Please join me in prayer.

Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

Mrs. Gila Martow: I’m very excited to welcome my friends Willem Hart and Ari Moghimi, two volunteers from Thornhill. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: I’d like to introduce former Barrie MPP and Attorney General George Taylor, who is sitting in the—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We thank him.

Further introductions?

Mr. John Fraser: The family of page Olivier Bélanger will be in the gallery today. They’re from Ottawa. I’d like to welcome Denise and Sylvain Bélanger as well as Julien Bélanger.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I’d like to welcome this morning Nancy and Allan Lawton. They are the grandparents of our page from Windsor–Tecumseh, Elisabeth Lawton. Nancy and Allan are here from London. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: It gives me great pleasure this morning to introduce the grandmother of the page from Davenport. Page Bianca Morelli is visited here today at Queen’s Park by her grandmother Judy Morelli. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Soo Wong: I just noticed a former colleague and a good friend is here joining us. The former member from Vaughan, Mario Racco, welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: I have a group that is making its way to the House. It includes Haldie Wickie, Shawn Rouse, Karrie Mercier, Dorothy Matute, Enrique Matute, Ann Marie Tulett, Sarah O’Melia Muylaert, Trish McAuliffe, Nancy Brissett, Curtis Coates, Peter Bergmanis, Donna Metcalf-Woo, William “Charlie” Courneyea, Charlene Avon and Natalie Mehra. They are from the Ontario Health Coalition and they are making their way to the House. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Consideration of bills

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you, and welcome. Further introductions?

The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on a point of order; sorry. We’ll come back.

Hon. Laura Albanese: I seek unanimous consent to move a motion without notice regarding bills standing in the name of the Attorney General.

I move that, notwithstanding standing order 71(d), bills currently standing—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. You don’t get to move it until you get permission.

The minister is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed. Minister?

Hon. Laura Albanese: Thank you. I move that, notwithstanding standing order 71(d), bills currently standing in the name of the Attorney General may be considered in the House and in committee at the same time.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Ms. Albanese seeks unanimous concept to move forward a motion that, notwithstanding standing order 71(d), bills currently standing in the name of the Attorney General may be considered in the House and in committee at the same time. Do we agree? Agreed.

Motion agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Another point of order.

Hon. Laura Albanese: Point of order, Mr. Speaker: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to recognize the former member of provincial Parliament from Scarborough East.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I am going to ask you to delay that unanimous consent until I finish introductions. We’re not quite done yet.

The member from Scarborough–Rouge River.

Visitors

Mr. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: I’m very happy to welcome the students from my riding. They are from C.D. Farquharson junior public school, grade 5. The teacher is Ms. Sara Uddin. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Brad Duguid: The previous member sparked me to remember that there are students here from Knob Hill school in Scarborough as well. I just met them earlier: some of the brightest young people I’ve ever seen. I want to welcome them here as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further introductions? Seeing none, we have with us today in the Speaker’s gallery guests from the Ohio Legislative Service Commission fellowship program. Please join me in welcoming them as they spend the next few days learning about the Ontario Legislature and politics. Welcome. We’re glad you’re with us.

I understand that one of them is taking political science. I’m not sure where that’s coming from.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery today, I have the honour of introducing Margaret Birch, the first woman in the history of Ontario to be appointed to cabinet. Ms. Birch served in the 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd Parliaments. With Ms. Birch this morning is her family: Randy, Jane, Dan, Jennifer, Meaghan, Roberto, Sarah and Paul.

They are also joined—and today I am going to loosen my rules about introducing former members because it was happening. In this case, there are so many here, we are just simply going to say “welcome” to all of the former MPPs who are here with us to celebrate Ms. Birch. Thank you all for being here. Ms. Birch, thank you; it’s an honour to be here with you.

I would now like to recognize a point of order from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Margaret Birch

Hon. Laura Albanese: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to recognize the former member of provincial Parliament from Scarborough East and first female cabinet minister in Ontario, Ms. Margaret Birch, with a representative from each caucus speaking for up to five minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Ms. Albanese seeks unanimous consent to pay tribute. Do we agree? Agreed.

The member from London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: Of all the milestones over the last century that have advanced Ontario women’s participation in political life, three in particular stand out. In 1917, Ontario women secured the right to vote in provincial elections. In 1943, the first women MPPs were elected to the Ontario Legislature. And in 1972, Margaret Birch, the gracious and remarkable woman we are honouring today, took her seat around the cabinet table, becoming the first woman in Ontario to participate directly in government decision-making as a member of the executive council.

For all of us in this House, but especially for women, Margaret Birch is one of those on whose shoulders we stand: an inspiring trailblazer, a dedicated advocate and a tireless public servant whose name will forever be inscribed in the history books of our province.

Margaret’s story began in southwestern Ontario. Born and raised in Leamington, Margaret was forced to quit school at the age of 12 to help care for her younger siblings after her father grew ill. By the age of 16, she was working for $3 a day as a tobacco picker. She later moved on to the job of quality control at the Heinz plant, where she oversaw the labelling of ketchup bottles.

Her future legacy as a barrier-breaker and change-maker in Ontario politics was presaged by the early grit, tenacity and determination she displayed throughout those challenging early years.

In many ways, Margaret’s path to elected office is typical of many women’s entry into public life. She became involved in her community, she saw a problem and she wanted to fix it.

After moving to Scarborough with her husband, newspaper editor Guy Birch, and their two children, Margaret began volunteering at the local hospital where she experienced first-hand the impact on patients and families when health care needs were not being met.

In 1962, she took her first run for office at the municipal level with a platform focused on bringing more hospital beds to Scarborough. Although she did not win that election, she succeeded in getting approval for a new hospital and was invited to sit on the hospital’s board of governors. Of all of her achievements, it is her role as a founding member of Scarborough Centenary Hospital, now part of the Rouge Valley Health System, that she is most proud. When the hospital expanded in 1986, the Margaret Birch Wing was officially opened to honour this important contribution.

With her intelligence, commitment and passion for health care, she was a natural choice to chair the Scarborough Board of Health in 1963. Four years later, she joined the mental health council, travelling across the province to review mental health services.

Shortly after being named Scarborough’s citizen of the year in 1970, she was approached about running in the 1971 Ontario election, and she put her name on the ballot as the Progressive Conservative candidate in Scarborough East.

It’s difficult to imagine what it must have been like for Margaret as one of only two women out of the 121 MPPs who were elected that year. But with her usual energy and aplomb, she set to work as a backbench MPP.

One year later, on September 28, 1972, she was appointed Minister without Portfolio by Premier Bill Davis. Although this barrier had been broken at the federal level some 15 years earlier, Bill Davis deserves much credit for a decision that was not without controversy. Not only did he appoint Margaret to cabinet, he quickly promoted her to the position of Provincial Secretary for Social Development. For the next nine years, she served as a super minister, responsible for the coordination of services across six different ministries involving health care, social services and education.

The door to the cabinet room wasn’t the only door that Margaret opened during her time at Queen’s Park. Told that she could not attend a political speech at the downtown Toronto Albany Club because female members were not permitted, Margaret complained to the Premier: “If I’m good enough to sit in this cabinet with all these men,” she said, “surely I’m good enough to be a member of the Albany Club.” Premier Davis agreed, and Margaret Birch became the first female member of that once-male bastion.

During her 14 years in government, Margaret advanced policy to improve the lives of women, youth and seniors. Her passion and some of her most effective advocacy, however, was for veterans and people living with mental illness. She frequently toured facilities and came up with programming alternatives that reduced isolation.

Not only was she a pioneer in her achievements in the Legislature, she was also a pioneer in the field of mental health. She fought tirelessly for less institutionalized models of care.

Margaret’s efforts and success demonstrated to Ontarians that the opinions and contributions of women matter, and that better decisions are made when women are involved in making them. She opened the door to opportunity for all of the women sitting in this Legislature now and in the future.

Margaret, on behalf of the Ontario NDP caucus, I am honoured to pay tribute to you today. We thank you for your leadership in paving the way for women’s participation in the political decision-making processes that affect them, their communities and their families, and for inspiring us to continue breaking barriers until women’s full equality is achieved.

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

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It is such an honour to rise today and pay tribute to Margaret Birch, who broke barriers for women in politics as Ontario’s first female cabinet minister. It’s such an honour to have you here with us, Mrs. Birch. Thank you very much for being here. She’s here to receive the Distinguished Service Award from the Ontario Association of Former Parliamentarians. I could not agree more with their choice, and I know that that is the sentiment in the Legislature.

Margaret’s story, some of which you have heard, is a testament to the power and importance of having women actively engaged in politics.

Les réalisations de Margaret à

titre de députée et de ministre nous montrent ce que nous pouvons accomplir lorsqu’un plus grand nombre de femmes entrent dans la vie publique.

Margaret was first elected as the MPP for Scarborough East in 1971. That’s an election I remember well. The voting age in Ontario was lowered from 21 to 18 that year. I turned 18 that year, so I couldn’t wait to get out to vote for the very first time.

I also remember that Margaret was one of only two women in her party’s caucus. But Margaret was not intimidated. This is a woman who had faced uphill battles from an early age. At 12, as we have heard, she left school in Leamington to take care of her five younger siblings so that their mother could work while their father battled cancer. At 16, she helped to support her family by working in the tobacco fields of southwestern Ontario, earning $3 a day for literally back-breaking work.

It will come as no surprise to hear that as an adult Margaret was not just helping to improve the lives of her family members; she was helping to improve the lives of people across her community. While Margaret and her husband, Guy Birch, raised their son and daughter in Scarborough, she began volunteering at the local hospital. She worked her way up to become the chair of the Scarborough board of health. In 1970, she was recognized as Scarborough’s Citizen of the Year. A cabinet minister from the PC party took that opportunity to phone and encourage her to run provincially, and she literally answered the call.

Once elected, Margaret took that passion for young people and health care and turned it into concrete changes in the province—positive changes in people’s lives. In her first year on the job, she helped to create a summer jobs program for youth, long before there was a children and youth services ministry. In 1972, she was named Minister without Portfolio, becoming the first female cabinet minister in Ontario’s history. She seized that opportunity to bring her lifelong interest in children and health issues directly to the cabinet table.

Margaret toured health care facilities. She met with patients. She learned more about problems, like the problems of overcrowding that were in those facilities at the time. She visited mental health institutions at a time when they were still deeply, deeply stigmatized. She was instrumental in the creation of the Assistive Devices Program, which is still in place to this day, which helps children with mobility issues get the walkers, braces and wheelchairs that they require. It began with children, but I believe that at the time Margaret and Dennis Timbrell said, “It will start with children, but soon everyone will have those services.”

As has already been said, she broke barriers in the Legislature but in society as well. I’m going to tell the same story that was told by my colleague, but I just want to read from Steve Paikin’s great new book on William Grenville Davis. I’ll just read the story about the Albany Club because I think it’s one where we can all get a sense of the grit and the feistiness of Margaret Birch:

“But breaking the gender barrier in cabinet wasn’t Birch’s only claim to fame. At this point in its history the downtown Toronto haunt for Conservatives for nearly a century, the Albany Club, still only permitted male members. The federal PC leader, Robert Stanfield, was about to make a guest appearance at the club, and Birch wanted to go. But, of course, that wasn’t permitted. Birch approached the Premier to discuss the issue.

“‘If I’m good enough to sit in this cabinet with all these men, surely I’m good enough to be a member of the Albany Club,’ she told the Premier.

“‘You’re right,’ Davis answered. ‘We’ll work on that.’

“And that’s how Margaret Birch also became one of the first three female members of the Albany Club. Her proposer was none other than the 18th Premier of Ontario.” Kudos to Margaret Birch, and to Bill Davis, quite frankly, Mr. Speaker.

I deeply believe that we need to have more women actively engaged in politics, and Margaret proves exactly why it’s so important. Women need a seat at the table because they make a difference at the table, and that difference makes a difference in society.

I want to express my deepest thanks to Margaret Birch today for answering the call in 1970 and paving the way for more women—including me and all of the women in this Legislature—to enter public life. We would not be where we are without you.

Women now make up 40% of Ontario’s cabinet. We’re having open and productive conversations about issues like the gender wage gap and combating sexual violence. Child care and education are, and have been, in the spotlight for years, and this is because of women like Margaret. Ontario is lucky to have such a remarkable woman in our history books, and we’re all humbled to have you here with us today. Thank you so much.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further tribute.

Ms. Laurie Scott: I am pleased to stand here today on behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus to honour an incredible woman and political trailblazer in our province, the honourable Margaret Birch.

In preparing to deliver this tribute, I had a chance to speak with many of Margaret’s friends and supporters who were unanimous in their admiration for her. She is a person I have come to admire a great deal. Every one of the people I talked to described Margaret as having an exceptional character and as one of the nicest people you would ever meet.

She was also known for her elegance. In fact, during her first provincial election campaign 45 years ago, she famously handed out the first ever oval-shaped campaign button in order to accommodate her trademark hairstyle in the picture. Her sense of style also extended to her campaign office, which was appropriately decorated with birch trees.

On October 21, 1971, Margaret Birch was elected as the Progressive Conservative representative for the riding of Scarborough East. She arrived at Queen’s Park determined to make a difference, and her slogan in that campaign had been, “Margaret Birch cares.” It would come to perfectly sum up her long and successful career both inside and outside of politics.

In 1972, Premier Bill Davis would make history by appointing Margaret to cabinet, making her Ontario’s first ever female cabinet minister. As a newly elected Premier, appointing women to cabinet was something that he was determined to do. In Margaret Birch, Premier Davis found a serious candidate.

Many of those who knew her well described her as being a level-headed professional, using terms like “on an even keel” and “serene.” Premier Davis further described her as someone who displayed a strong sense of loyalty, great integrity and genuine interest in other people. These characteristics make her a role model for all Ontarians to follow today and into the future.

Although initially appointed Minister without Portfolio responsible for youth, she was very soon given significantly expanded responsibilities as Provincial Secretary for Social Development, which was a super ministry—one of only three—responsible for a broad array of social policy areas.

Margaret took public service seriously and was not afraid to face challenges or to take stands on difficult issues. She worked hard to deliver meaningful results to the people of Ontario, and her success and effectiveness as a minister made her indispensable to the government, so much so that even as she planned her departure from politics in 1981, she was asked by Premier Davis to stay a while longer in order to help organize Ontario’s bicentennial. As with all things she undertook, she delivered. The bicentennial was described as a well-articulated retrospective celebration, and it was a fitting note on which to end her amazing political career.

Of course, the Margaret Birch story doesn’t end here. When Margaret left Queen’s Park in 1985, she continued to pursue her passion for service. As a dedicated resident of Scarborough, she was also proud to be honoured by the Centenary hospital in 1986, which named a wing of the hospital after her. This was in recognition of both her achievements at Queen’s Park and for her contributions as chair of the Scarborough Board of Health, where she had served for eight years prior to her election in 1971. Specifically, she had been instrumental in choosing the site of the hospital, now a key part of the Rouge Valley Health System.

If I could add a

chapter to the Albany Club story: One of my first events as an MPP in Toronto was with Margaret Birch at the Albany Club.

She still likes to drive and recently passed her driving test with flying colours. Not so long ago, Margaret’s son had to call her friend’s house at 11 o’clock at night to see if his mother was still there, and she was.

One more anecdote comes from Bill Davis’s book launch, which she attended. She arrived at the event stylish as ever, back straight, in high heels, and expressed her surprise at how old her former caucus colleagues seemed to be. Mr. Davis, on that night, pointed out that even though Margaret is now 95 years old, she looks and acts more like 55. So I guess 95 is the new 55.

Speaker, next year we mark the 100th anniversary of women in Ontario having gained the right to vote. In Margaret Birch, we have a living example of what women have been able to achieve in Ontario, so it is appropriate that the Ontario Association of Former Parliamentarians has chosen to honour her this year. We can be very proud of her legacy as the first female Ontario cabinet minister. We also admire her grace and poise in her post-political life.

Let me close by thanking Margaret Birch for her important contributions to our province and her family for encouraging her and sharing her with us.

Margaret, we are grateful for your work and wish you continued health in the near future.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I would like to thank all the members for their thoughtful and very kind comments in this tribute. I would also like to find out who the Premier voted for when she turned 18. I’m not quite sure whether or not Margaret got your vote.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It’s a secret ballot.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It’s a secret ballot, so we’ll never know.

I would also like to ask, one time, as I was not able to mention every single one of them, could the former MPPs please rise and receive our recognition.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): But I’m not going to mention specifically the member from Brant. I can’t do that.

That brings me to my final comment, and that is, the Former Parliamentarians deserve a great deal of credit for the creation of the Distinguished Service Award, along with the work that they do in the province in educating people in a non-partisan way. So I want to remind all members that at 11:30 today in room 228, the final investiture of Margaret is taking place. I want to thank them for the good work that they do in our province.

It is time for question period.

Oral Questions

Hydro rates

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is to the Premier. Liberal energy policies have been an absolute disaster. Last week, we learned that Northland Power was awarded nearly $95 million from the Ontario Electricity Financial Corp. I thought that might finally be the end of Liberal energy scandals, but according to public accounts, that was just a portion of a much larger $179-million lawsuit the OEFC lost. Another $84 million gone, just like that, because of Liberal government incompetence.

Speaker, can the Premier tell us when this newest scandal will show up on our electricity bills and how much it will cost Ontario families?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the House will want to know that the member opposite is talking about contracts that were signed in 1998 by the PC government, and in 2012, our government amended a regulation to lower electricity costs for large industrial consumers, so we were working to lower costs that the former government had negotiated. Certain non-utility generators disagreed. They disagreed and took legal action.

I know the Minister of Energy will want to talk to the specifics, but I think we just need to understand that what we were trying to do was to reduce the costs on large industrial users. We were dealing with contracts that had been signed by the previous government in 1998.

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

Mr. John Yakabuski: The Liberals can spin it any way they want. Ratepayers are being stuck with the bill of your incompetence. Let’s do a quick recap.

On Thursday, October 13, the Liberals lost a $28-million lawsuit to Windstream Energy for a project—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We’re going to get on this early.

Mr. John Yakabuski: —for a project that hasn’t been built. Next, on October 18, it was revealed that the Liberals spent $12 million on consultants and advertising instead of rate relief for low-income Ontarians. Then, on October 25, the IESO revealed an $81-million Liberal accounting error and asked for that back through electricity bills.

Further, we find that the Liberals lost a $179-million court case to several energy producers. In just two weeks, the Liberals lost $300 million with nothing to show for it. Can the Premier explain who will be paying for this latest Liberal energy scandal?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m very pleased to rise and put the facts out on the table for the honourable member. As mentioned by the Premier, these were electricity contracts that were signed in the 1990s, specifically in 1998, by that party when they were in government.

In 2012, our government amended a regulation to lower electricity costs for large industrial consumers. Certain non-utility generators disagreed and took legal action. Now we’ve sought leave to appeal before the Supreme Court of Canada and we’re challenging this decision. As the legal process is ongoing, I cannot comment further on the specifics of that case.

But when it comes to actually having a plan—which they don’t, Mr. Speaker—we announced this morning more audits and retrofits to help families save money. That’s what we do on this side of the House: We try and do our best to make sure that we save families money.

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

Mr. John Yakabuski: I wonder what the people of Ontario think of that statement, that this government is saving them money.

In just two weeks, under this government, Ontario families and seniors are on the hook for another $300 million in scandal, waste and mismanagement. I repeat: In two weeks, the Liberals spent $300 million and Ontario ratepayers have absolutely nothing to show for it except higher energy bills.

Speaker, I’m not looking at five, 10 or 15 years in the past. I’m just talking about the last two weeks. How much higher can Ontario electricity bills go? Again, I say to the Premier, because of this $300 million wasted in only the last two weeks, how much higher will Ontario ratepayers’ hydro bills go?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m very pleased to stand up and say that in the last two weeks we passed legislation in this House that’s actually going to save families 8% on their hydro bills, starting January 1. For those who are in rural or remote areas, they will see their bills reduced by 20%. Then, of course, for small businesses, they’ll see that 8% as well. We’re actually doing a lot on this side of the House to ensure that we can help families save money.

Just this morning, we were talking about helping families fight climate change and reduce their energy bills at the same time: a rebate program that’s going to help an additional 37,000 homeowners who can get this energy audit that will cost them $500. They get that money back, and they can save up to $2,000 to help pay for these retrofits.

This is another program of many that we have which will actually help families. We’re very proud on this side of the House of the programs we’re putting forward that are helping Ontarians each and every day.

Correctional services

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Premier. Ontario’s corrections system has strict policies regarding the reports that must be filed when an individual is held in segregation. Corrections staff conduct reviews every five days. After 30 days, a more thorough report is sent directly to the desk of the assistant deputy minister for institutional services. In Adam Capay’s case, this would have happened at least 50 times. According to human rights lawyer Paul Champ, after 60 days, a report goes directly to the minister.

Speaker, justice delayed is justice denied. How long was the Premier going to allow Adam Capay to remain in segregation, putting justice at risk?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the minister will want to comment. I have said a number of times that this is an unacceptable situation in Ontario. I’ve been very clear about that. The issue points to some very serious challenges—and problems, quite frankly—that we face in the province.

First of all, too many First Nations youth are not getting the supports that they need in their communities. We’ve been very open and frank about that, and we’re working to put those supports in place. We are collectively—and I would say collectively across the province—failing some of those young people. We need to make sure that we work much harder to put supports in place.

Secondly, we recognize that we need to see faster access to justice. We understand that. In the interim, as we work to put those changes in place, there needs to be a transformation of the system. We have changed the rules around segregation and we have committed to doing a review starting with the issue of segregation.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Back to the Premier: If, after 60 days, the minister responsible receives a warning, that means that both the Attorney General and the Minister of Community Safety received 25 different warnings about Adam Capay. Twenty-five times the ministers were told that a man was being held in segregation without trial. Twenty-five times these two ministers ignored those warnings and allowed justice to be delayed.

Mr. Speaker, why did the ministers ignore 25 separate warnings as Adam Capay went without justice?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. David Orazietti: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. As I said last week, and as I can continue to add to this discussion, we are committed to a full review of Ontario’s correctional system. We will be announcing a review very shortly.

I am aware of Mr. Capay’s circumstances, obviously. As you know, last week he was moved to a different cell and has access to a day room, phone, TV and shower facilities, as well.

The characterization by the member opposite—what I would say is that there’s regular reporting. The circumstances with respect to segregation in the province of Ontario are the following: There are about 8,000 individuals in custody at any given point in Ontario. About 7%, or 560 to about 600 individuals on any given day, are in segregation. Every day, nurses see—

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

Mr. Rick Nicholls: Mr. Capay was moved because of renovations.

While the Attorney General was on tour of the Thunder Bay Jail, union president Mike Lundy specifically pointed out Adam Capay and told the minister that he’d been in segregation going on four years. Conveniently, the Attorney General can’t seem to recall that. Mike Lundy responded by saying, “That’s unfortunate, because I saw the look on his face that day.”

So not only was the AG told personally; his office would have received nearly 25 warnings while he was minister. Now, because the minister ignored Mike Lundy and ignored the warnings, charges are at risk of being dropped. Speaker, again, justice delayed is justice denied. How could the Premier allow her ministers to keep a man in solitary confinement for four years without trial?

Hon. David Orazietti: As I was saying, on any given day, these are the numbers in Ontario’s correctional institutions. Every day, individuals are seen by nurses to ensure that they are receiving the supports that they need.

With respect to the time taken for Mr. Capay to come to trial, the Attorney General, I think, made it quite clear that on the part of the government and the crown, we will do everything we can to expedite individuals’ access to justice and ensure they get to trial in a speedy way. But the member also knows there are other reasons for the delay that may be beyond the government’s control.

More broadly, we’re committed to a full review. I’m very concerned about the conditions of segregation across the province in the sense that we are doing everything we can to improve the conditions that anyone will experience if they’re in custody and, for their safety and the safety of others in the institution, need to be in segregation—and only as a last resort.

Ontario Place

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Premier. During the 2014 provincial election, Premier Wynne held a media availability at Ontario Place where she said, “Our waterfront should be for all to enjoy.” I want to know from the Premier: Does she still believe that today?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Absolutely, Mr. Speaker. I absolutely do believe that. I know that the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport is going to want to speak to the supplementary, because I believe the member opposite is going to talk about how we may be moving away from that position, but we are not.

We believe that Ontario Place and the property there, the trail that is being completed, is exactly that. It is there for everyone to enjoy, and we want Ontario Place and that property to continue to be, and to be once again, a vibrant part of the city and a marker of the greatness and vibrancy of this province. That is our goal and that’s what we’re working on right now.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Again, back to the Premier: Over two years ago during that campaign, the Premier jogged into Ontario Place to declare that her government would not be selling off Ontario Place land. She noted that condos, like the ones proposed by the government advisory panel led by John Tory, were off the table. The Premier said, “Selling land to a private developer may be an option for others, but it is not our choice.”

But the Premier has quietly put into her new omnibus bill changes that make it possible to do just that: to sell off Ontario Place lands to private interests. Is this another broken promise to Ontarians? Is the Premier going to sell Ontario Place?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Eleanor McMahon: I’m delighted today stand in the House, and I want to thank the honourable member for her question. We share, she and I, a passion for vibrant communities that are bicycle- and walk-friendly. We also share a common passion for green spaces.

To build on the Premier’s comments, that’s exactly what we’re doing with Ontario Place. We’re moving forward with a vision to revitalize Ontario Place into a vibrant waterfront destination that engages residents and visitors of all ages. Our proposal builds on the vision and guiding principles from the minister’s advisory panel in 2012 that the member referred to, to create a destination that’s open year-round and offers public access to the waterfront. That’s very important, Speaker. Ontario Place is remaining in the hands of Ontarians. We worked very hard on this vision, and I want to mention that and underscore that today.

The amendments—I’ll just touch on them—that the member opposite refers to would actually improve the Ontario Place Corporation Act to better support our vision and make it easier to do business—

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

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Back to the Premier: The Premier’s omnibus Burden Reduction Act expands the purpose of Ontario Place to enable a possible change in focus from a public to a commercial operation. Ontarians want to know why the Premier thinks it is necessary for the Ontario Place Corp. to be empowered to sell off land.

I ask the Premier again, why is it necessary to make these changes? What is she planning for Ontario Place? Are a casino or condos back as options? Are they or not?

Hon. Eleanor McMahon: I’m happy to build on the question that I started earlier. Just to clarify, it’s very important that the House and all Ontarians understand very clearly that what the member opposite is contending is absolutely false.

The proposed changes that we’re talking about would lower the cost and complexity of transactions for the government, Ontario Place Corp. and third party businesses interested in investing in Ontario Place, and would support ongoing revitalization work, including the development of a culture hub on the west island and a celebration hub on the east common.

We have a long-term vision for Ontario Place—let me talk about that, if I may—that includes more green space and areas for cultural activities. We hope all Ontarians will join us for an important Grey Cup celebration that will be taking place later this month where we can celebrate the complexity of the Grey Cup and the passion that it brings to all Ontarians, because that’s what Ontario Place is all about.

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

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

New question.

Electronic health information

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Premier. Minister Hoskins has tasked the Premier’s privatization specialist, Mr. Ed Clark, with determining the value of Ontario’s eHealth assets.

According to the provincial eHealth records asset inventory found on the eHealth website, there are 73 electronic health assets in Ontario. These include eClaims, the New Drug Funding Program claims management system, and the subscription management service, which allows providers to specify how they would like to receive health information, by email or SMS or cell.

My question to the Premier is simple today: Will all 73 electronic health assets be subject to Mr. Clark’s review and potential privatization?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care is going to want to comment in the supplementary, but let me just say once again we are not selling eHealth and we are not selling patient information, Mr. Speaker. The reality is, we know that eHealth’s mandate expires in 2017 and it’s responsible to look at what has been accomplished and what the next steps are.

But I want to make a link between the two questions that we have heard from the NDP this morning. Both those questions are underpinned by a lack of understanding of how important it is that government work with the rest of society, that we work with businesses. The issue around Ontario Place: Having connections with business at Ontario Place will make it a vibrant place. Already there are partnerships in place on that property.

Mr. Speaker, it is incumbent upon government to find ways to deliver the best service to people in this province, and that means we have to acknowledge that working with business is part of that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Catherine Fife: Well, let me draw the link for the Premier. The link from this side of the House, as we see your work, is that you put private interests ahead of the public services in this province consistently. You can see why people would be concerned about privatizing eHealth assets, both strategic and tactical. They determine the health—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Economic Development and Growth, come to order.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’ll wait long enough.

Please finish.

Ms. Catherine Fife: People deserve to feel secure that their private health information will not be sold off to the highest bidder. This government has a very poor track record on keeping personal information secure. People want to know that when they need medical advice or treatment, what they say and what goes into their health records will stay between them and their doctor, not a private company.

If all 73 assets are being valued by Mr. Clark, will the Premier guarantee, right here and right now, that none will be privatized, sold off or contracted out?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Of course I can provide that assurance. I’m becoming a little concerned that the third party is beginning to sow the seeds of fear among Ontarians, that somehow they think there’s an effort under way that will compromise the integrity of their health records. It couldn’t be further from the truth, Mr. Speaker. In fact, last week I had the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Clark. We had a very good conversation. We made it absolutely clear that the intention, which he shares, is that we’re going to look at the remarkable progress that has been attained with eHealth over the past decade.

We’re going to look at those successes and how we may actually continue to make improvements. None of that involves any possibility whatsoever with regard to privatization of that system or people’s personal health records. We continue to have confidence in eHealth. We want to build a stronger eHealth system for our health care providers and for Ontarians.

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: People in this province are very afraid. They are afraid to open their hydro bills, because you said that you wouldn’t sell it off and you did. The Premier must understand why it is so hard to believe her when she says that her government is not selling eHealth. That’s exactly what she said to me in this chamber on Hydro One, and we all know how that turned out. It is hard for Ontarians to trust the Premier this time when, last time, she said one thing and then she did the exact opposite.

Mr. Speaker, why should we believe the Premier or this Minister of Health when they say that the 73 eHealth assets are not for sale or available to the highest bidder?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, we are not selling eHealth, but it’s interesting because it is the member opposite, when we reflect back to the 2014 election, who talked about finding $600 million if the NDP were to be elected into government. It was part of a CBC interview that she did.

Of course, their platform was silent on exactly where that $600 million would come from. In fact, the member opposite who just stood up said that the NDP’s proposed new accountability minister would look to find efficiencies to find that $600 million in health and post-secondary education. When she was asked, she would say, “I would go first to health” to find that $600 million.

That’s what we face from that party opposite, and that’s the sort of fear they’re sowing on eHealth across this province. It’s irresponsible.

Correctional services

Mr. Randy Hillier: My question is to the Premier. In January of this year, I met and spoke with Minister Naqvi while he was Minister of Community Safety, as well as with Attorney General Meilleur, to discuss many of the failings in our justice and corrections systems. I made a point of speaking with both ministers on the critical need for the sharing of information and the lack of coordination between the two ministries.

Now we find out that as we spoke, both Minister Naqvi and then-Minister Meilleur knew of Adam Capay and the horrible abuse of process that he was being subjected to. We also now know that neither of the ministers did anything about it.

Why have the Premier and her ministers denied Mr. Capay his right to a fair and expeditious hearing, and why are they adamant on denying him his day in court?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. David Orazietti: We’re all very acutely aware of the challenges of getting to court. I think the Attorney General has been very, very clear on this particular situation. He indicated last week that the charges are extremely serious but that the crown is doing everything in its power to ensure that there is a speedy trial not only for Mr. Capay but for anybody who is in custody and remand, waiting to be tried in Ontario. So we’re working on that.

As I understand, as well, we will continue to do everything we can with respect to individuals being held in our institutions, whether they be in the general population or in segregation, to ensure that the conditions in which they are placed are appropriate and meet all of the appropriate standards.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Again to the Premier: At that January meeting, I took the ministers at their word. They both seemed genuinely sincere and recognized the flaws and failings in both our prison and justice systems and they conveyed to me that it was a priority for them to fix. Now we realize nothing has been done, just like the other 43% of all criminal cases that are stayed or withdrawn before trial.

In an email to the Globe and Mail, the Attorney General said we must “ensure that we don’t influence the outcome of that prosecution in any way.” Speaker, the outcome has been influenced. Mr. Capay has been denied due process.

I want to know: Is our justice system being used to punish, to coerce and to beat people into submission, rather than to seek justice?

Hon. David Orazietti: Speaker, The accusations the individual is making are completely inappropriate. I can’t speak specifically to an individual’s case with the detail around their particular circumstances, but what I can say is that on this side of the House, our government is doing everything we can to ensure speedy trials and access to justice.

I know the Attorney General is working very hard, and the Attorney General will want to speak to this issue as well. They have added additional resources for the ability to be able to testify through video and other technology supports in our court systems—to continue to help to make investments and support speedy access to trial.

As I have indicated, as well, there are many reasons why an individual may be delayed in getting to court. But on this side of the House, the crown will do everything it can to ensure a speedy and expeditious trial.

Nursing home deaths

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la première ministre.

The Chief Coroner for Ontario has just issued his annual report on deaths in our long-term-care homes. This year, the report looks at 35 such deaths, including nine tragic homicides in our nursing homes. He makes 54 recommendations to prevent future deaths and homicides. He recommends provincial standards for dementia care, including appropriate staffing levels 24/7. He recommends one-on-one care for some residents with dementia and better mental health care for all seniors. He recommends a concrete plan to address resident-to-resident violence.

Will the Premier implement the coroner’s recommendations to improve the safety and care of the residents of our long-term-care homes?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: We obviously always take the reports coming from the coroner very, very seriously. I look forward to reading his report in its entirety and looking at the recommendations, particularly, obviously, including those that were referenced. Just based on what I’ve heard, we’re already implementing and moving in the direction of some of the recommendations that the coroner has pointed to.

With regard to more supports in long-term-care homes for individuals suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer’s, we’re now providing more than $50 million a year. We added $10 million a year just in the most recent budget for behavioural supports in our long-term-care homes—specialized individuals who can provide the necessary support, who are trained to provide that support.

Of course, we are doing many other aspects that I know will be consistent with the recommendations of the coroner, and I’ll speak to those in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

M me France Gélinas: It’s hard to believe what the minister just said, that he takes the recommendations seriously, because the coroner is forced to repeat recommendations year after year because they are not being acted upon. In 2014, the chief coroner recommended that the government develop a concrete plan to address resident-on-resident violence. In 2015, the coroner made the same recommendation. In 2016, the chief coroner has just repeated the exact same recommendation yet again.

Every residentof long-term-care homes should be safe. Every worker in our long-term-care homes should be safe. That’s the bottom line. That’s what the chief coroner tells them to do.

When will the government act on the chief coroner’s recommendations to improve safety and oversight of all of our long-term-care residents? Because you know what, Speaker? From where I’m sitting right now, it looks like they don’t care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, we are making changes and improvements all the time with regard to the safety and security of Ontarians in long-term-care homes. Through a variety of ways, just since 2008, we have funded an additional 2,500 personal support workers and 2,100 nurses who are now working in our long-term-care homes.

The behavioural supports that I talked about: We have a specialized program which involves nurse practitioners—the highest level of training among our nurses in long-term-care homes. We’ve doubled our funding since coming into office in terms of the support that we’re providing. And we are constantly looking at ways that we can provide additional care, as well as continuing to ensure the safety and security of our nurses.

Again, I’ll be looking at the coroner’s report and the recommendations in some detail.

Treaties recognition

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

Our great province is made up of 46 treaties and other agreements with indigenous peoples, setting out the rights, responsibilities and relationships of First Nations, the federal government and Ontario.

Last May, the Premier apologized for Ontario’s role in the legacy of residential schools and affirmed our government’s commitment to reconciliation with our indigenous peoples. As part of that we announced, through the Journey Together, initiatives to revitalize treaty relationships and promote public awareness of treaties.

Can the minister please tell us more about what the government is doing to broaden public understanding of the importance of treaties?

Hon. David Zimmer: Speaker, last May I tabled legislation in this House to declare the first full week of November every year as Treaties Recognition Week. Thanks to the support it received from all three parties, next week we’ll celebrate the first annual Treaties Recognition Week in Ontario. In doing so, we are taking very important steps towards reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

To support treaties week, we’ve asked indigenous partners to identify speakers to visit schools and libraries across Ontario to share their perspectives on treaties. There are more than 50 different events happening throughout the province, and I encourage all members and the public to join me and others and take

part in an event in their local community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: It’s wonderful to hear that by celebrating Treaties Recognition Week, we’re creating opportunities for Ontarians of all ages, especially students, to learn about the importance of treaties and our shared history with indigenous peoples. This supports and sustains our government’s efforts to achieve reconciliation.

The minister mentioned that our government is helping schools plan activities during the week to enable teachers to incorporate treaties into their lesson plans. I note that we’ve also committed to incorporating treaties into the education curriculum, and I can attest that schools in Etobicoke–Lakeshore proudly display the treaty map in every school.

Can the minister please elaborate on the initiatives our government is taking to promote a broader understanding of treaties in schools?

Hon. David Zimmer: Minister of Education.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to thank the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore for this very important question.

We believe that all students, both indigenous and non-indigenous, are enriched by learning about the histories, cultures, contributions and perspectives of First Nations, Métis people and Inuit in Canada. That’s why we’re working with indigenous partners to enhance the Ontario curriculum to incorporate mandatory learning about residential schools, the legacy of colonialism and the rights and responsibilities we all have to each other as treaty people.

To mark Treaties Recognition Week, educators will have access to online resources to help teach students about treaties and how they are relevant today. We have also asked indigenous partners to identify speakers who could go into Ontario schools and share their perspective on treaties.

We’re committed to working with indigenous partners on this shared path to support reconciliation. I thank all members for supporting Treaties Recognition Week.

Manufacturing jobs

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question today is for the Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Over the last several weeks, I have questioned the minister about the plight of small manufacturers struggling with expensive energy bills. He responded by talking about the taxpayer money his government has handed out to some of the biggest companies in North America.

With a provincial debt that recently blew past $300 billion, the minister can’t possibly intend to subsidize our entire economy into prosperity. Although they are unable to donate at the same level, small companies are facing the same obstacles as large multinationals: incredibly high energy costs, incoming cap-and-trade and onerous regulations.

Speaker, can the minister explain why his government thinks corporate grants to the largest companies—by invitation only—is a better plan for our economy than creating a level playing field where businesses of all sizes can be competitive and succeed?

Hon. Brad Duguid: I want to thank the member for the question because I really do appreciate the opportunity to respond to it.

Since 2004, we’ve invested over $1.7 billion in supports for business—$1. 7 billion that we’ve invested. Some $16 billion has been added to our economy as a result of those investments; 70,000 jobs have been created or retained. Oshawa exists because of these—

Interjections.

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

Finish, please.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I know the member and his leader do not support our auto sector. I know that their preference would have been to see that auto sector wither and die. They said that, Mr. Speaker, so it’s absolutely true: They would have let those plants close.

Well, Mr. Speaker, we’re not going to let those plants close. We’re going to partner with our auto sector. We’re going to partner with the manufacturers. We’re going to reduce regulatory burdens for our businesses. We’re going to maintain a competitive environment for investment and we’re going to keep—

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

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Back to the minister: Small-sized companies are describing this government’s policies as “death by a thousand cuts.” Some 80% of manufacturers in this province employ 50 people or less. They can’t afford to lobby this government, and they don’t have the resources to deal with all the problems this government throws at them.

Speaker, one company I spoke with was told they would need to spend over $60,000 to evaluate their plant emissions, and then freeze operations for three years while they waited for the ministry to review the report. If they needed to make changes to operations within that time, they were told by this government that they should just hire a lawyer.

Minister, the first step to finding a solution is admitting that you have a problem. When will the minister finally acknowledge that this government is placing an unreasonable burden on small- and medium-sized businesses? Or will he continue to insist that he knows more about the business of these companies than the owners do?

Hon. Brad Duguid: This government has been passionately tackling that regulatory burden that the member correctly refers to. We do need to continue to reduce regulatory burden. We’ll ask the member opposite and other members of the Legislature. We’re open to their feedback.

We work very closely with our business community on this. What have we achieved so far? Some 80,000 regulatory burdens have been reduced or eliminated between 2008 and 2010. In a recent report, $88 million has been saved for businesses. That’s 2.8 million hours on the job that we’ve saved for our small businesses because of Open for Business.

But there’s more work to do. That’s why we set up our Red Tape Challenge, so we can reach out in particular to small- and medium-sized businesses, and 25% to 26% of the respondents to that have been those small businesses that we’re targeting.

Do we have more work to do? Yes we do, and—

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

Correctional services

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Premier. This province’s justice system is in a mess. This province has been under 13 years of Liberal rule, and for four of those years, Mr. Adam Capay has spent his time in custody in solitary confinement with 24-hours-a-day artificial light. This is simply appalling.

First the Human Rights Commissioner, and now other constitutional and human rights experts have said that these conditions amount to the international definition of torture—torture, Mr. Speaker. How can the Premier and the minister be okay with that?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I have said repeatedly in this House and outside of this House that the situation is unacceptable, that the status quo is unacceptable, which is why we are making changes. We have already made changes in terms of the weekly reviews, in terms of the number of days in segregation. It’s unacceptable.

We have challenges in the corrections service that must be addressed. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services has it as part of his mandate to tackle those, including doing a review specifically of the issues surrounding segregation.

I know the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services will want to speak in the supplementary, but I just want to be clear that the status quo is not acceptable. We have been making changes, but there is more that we have to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Saying that it’s unacceptable without doing anything is meaningless. Without any real action, it’s meaningless. What makes it worse is that Mr. Capay wasn’t moved out of solitary confinement for compassionate grounds. It was because of a renovation.

The protocols are very clear. The minister on the file will receive a report on the isolation of Mr. Capay at least 25 times over four years. That’s 25 times receiving a report. The question is, what did those reports say about the conditions of Mr. Capay and what did the minister do about those conditions?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Community Services and Correctional—

Hon. David Orazietti: I appreciate the question—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me. Can I finish introducing you first before you start?

Hon. David Orazietti: I’m sorry.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. David Orazietti: Sorry, Speaker. Thank you.

To the member opposite: We take these issues very, very seriously. The conditions that have been identified and brought to my attention are unacceptable in Ontario. We are working to do everything we can to immediately address issues of segregation that do not meet standards that we all expect.

The use of segregation in Ontario facilities has been a long-standing practice, decades and decades old. All governments in this Legislature, all parties, know that at times, when they were in government, the use of segregation has been a practice that has been used. We want to make sure that the conditions that anyone is in while in segregation are appropriate and are fitting.

We are committing to a full, independent review of segregation. Just last week I announced other changes to segregation that will help to improve the conditions of anyone in segregation in Ontario.

Equal opportunity

Mrs. Cristina Martins: My question is to the minister responsible for women’s issues. This month was Women’s History Month, a time when we recognize the important role women have played in our rich history, the amazing triumphs we have made and the many obstacles we have overcome to achieve equality. I am honoured every day to serve as the first elected female MPP in the riding of Davenport under the first female Premier of Ontario, Kathleen Wynne. I want to thank Margaret Birch, who joins us here today, for paving the way for women in politics.

I know we have made great progress for the empowerment and representation of women in leadership roles, but there is still more work that can be done. Mr. Speaker, could the minister please share with the House the hard work being done to increase the representation of women in leadership positions in this province?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I want to thank the member from Davenport for this very important question. Earlier this month, of course, we celebrated Persons Day, marking the milestone of women’s history where women finally got recognized as persons under the law, allowing women to sit in the Canadian senate. But almost 100 years later, Speaker, women continue to fight for equal representation across the world. Our government is a leader on this front and we’ve taken strong action to further empower women and increase the number of women in leadership roles.

We’re encouraging businesses to set targets of 30% women on their boards of directors. Just this morning, the Minister of Finance and I met with our women in business steering committee. We have set a clear target of 40% of women in all provincial agencies and public entities by 2019.

Our Premier, of course, is leading by example by naming her cabinet of 40% women earlier this year. Increasing the number of women in boards and senior management positions is good for the economy, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I would like to thank the minister for her answer. I am proud of Ontario’s leadership and recognize the important work being done to shatter the glass ceiling for women leaders in Ontario.

The gender wage gap has been in the media quite a bit recently, and it seems like global progress on closing the gap is not as fast as we had hoped. While I find this global trend concerning, I know that Ontario is taking great efforts to close the gender wage gap at a much faster rate. Mr. Speaker, could the minister share with the House what leadership our government is taking to continue the narrowing of the gender wage gap in Ontario?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Again, I want to thank the member for the question. Our government is indeed taking strong action to promote gender equality and close the gender wage gap. Our gender wage gap steering committee’s report made a number of recommendations on how to do this. Minister Flynn—the Minister of Labour—and I are taking action. To this end, we are making the OPS, Ontario Public Service, salary range data available by gender. We’re ensuring that a gender lens is brought to the development of all government policies and programs to further promote the empowerment of women in every government decision.

The wage difference between men and women in the Ontario Public Service was down to 12% in 2015, from 16.5% in 2008. While this shows there’s still much more work to be done, it also shows the work we are doing is making a difference and that we’re moving forward to an Ontario where women and men are paid equally.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know the Minister of Education is going to want to comment, but I want to tell the member opposite that I had the opportunity to meet with David Lepofsky, actually, and with the minister responsible for people with disabilities. We had a very good conversation about the education standard.

As the member will know—or may not know—there is a health standard that is being developed right now. That was one of the things that the AODA had been advocating up until this time. As I say, we had a very good conversation about the education standard.

I know that the Minister of Education and the minister responsible for people with disabilities are having a conversation about how we might move forward with that. I appreciate the question from the member opposite.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

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

Youth employment

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Premier. Recently, the federal Liberal finance minister told a room full of Ontario party faithful that the future of work in this country under his watch is to be precarious, part-time, temporary and without guarantees or benefits—what a pep talk. The Prime Minister then repeated the very same sentiment, as has the Premier’s privacy czar and principal adviser, Ed Clark. Don’t plan on good-paying jobs with a stable future is what they’re saying to young people entering the workforce. Does the Premier agree with this sentiment?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: On this side of the House what we are working on is actually working with businesses and working with communities to create those well-paying jobs. We’re seeing investment in this province, whether it’s in the auto sector, whether it’s in aerospace or whether it’s agri-food. We are seeing investments and an expansion of businesses that is creating jobs.

There is a global reality that the nature of work has changed. That is a reality.

I’m not going to judge the comments of either the federal finance minister or the Prime Minister, but what I know is that what our government is doing is we’re working with businesses. We’re creating jobs together and we, as a government, are creating the conditions that allow those businesses to thrive.

Ontario is one of the leading economies in the country in terms of job creation and growth. That’s something to be proud of. I hope the member opposite feels the same way.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Durham and the member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, come to order.

Supplementary, please.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Here’s the reality: Youth unemployment has stayed at record highs, as high as 17% in some areas. Young people at the start of their working lives want to be able to afford and pay their bills, pay their rent, and they need relief from their student loans to be able to plan for their future.

Does the Premier agree with her federal cousins and Ed Clark that young Ontarians should just get used to precarious employment?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: What we agree with is the need to ensure that we’re preparing Ontario’s youth and Ontario’s economy to take on a fiercely competitive, fast, disrupting global economy. We’ve got to do the work to get there because we have a responsibility, and so do the members opposite, to pass an economy on to the next generation that we can be proud to pass on to that next generation.

Yes, we have a lot of work to do to get there, and we’re determined to do that. Putting our heads in the sand and pretending that the world isn’t changing is going to do a disservice to every young boy and girl, man and woman in this province.

We’re going to take on that global economy. We’re going to make sure that Ontario is leading the disruption rather than being swept up in it. We’re determined to get that done because we’re going to pass on to the next generation a strong economy so that we can be proud of the fact that we’ve done them justice.

Post-secondary education

Ms. Harinder Malhi: My question is for the Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development. Last week, I was proud to celebrate with you when you announced the second round of calls for proposals for major capacity expansion, calling for two new post-secondary sites, one in Milton and one in my hometown of Brampton.

This presents an excellent opportunity for a university to partner with a college, the community and businesses to bring further innovation and benefits to Peel and Halton regions. Can the minister tell us more about this exciting call for proposals and when we can expect to know more about these post-secondary sites?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you to the member from Brampton–Springdale for this really important question.

If we want to have innovative and top-notch graduates leading our province, then we need to provide innovative, top-notch environments where students can learn. That’s what our government has been working on.

In May of last year, we announced a new York University-Seneca College campus in Markham. Last week, we announced that we’re moving forward with two new post-secondary sites in Brampton and in Milton. We’ll launch a formal call for proposals in January 2017, and we’ll announce the successful bids by the fall of 2017. We’re investing up to $180 million to create these post-secondary sites. We’re very excited about how they’ll improve not only those two communities, but the province as a whole.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Thank you to the minister for her answer. We know that Brampton and Milton are two of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario, and we can expect great young talent to continue to emerge from those areas. That’s why I was encouraged to see that this call for proposals has a specific focus on programs in science, technology, arts and mathematics, or as you called it, STEAM disciplines.

Can the minister tell us more about what we are seeking for these post-secondary sites?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, we recently received some excellent advice from the Premier’s Highly Skilled Workforce Expert Panel, led by former member Sean Conway, on how to prepare for a more technology and knowledge-based economy. It was important to us that our second call for proposals for capacity expansion aligned with their advice. That’s why we’re looking for projects that provide students with high-quality academic research, experiential learning and entrepreneurship opportunities they need to prepare themselves for the technology and knowledge-based jobs of today and tomorrow.

We’ll succeed when we all work together. That’s why we’re expecting universities to work with college partnerships, with businesses and with local communities in Brampton and Milton to develop innovative proposals for these new sites. We’re looking forward to seeing those proposals as they come forward, and we’ll work with them to make sure we get the very, very best new opportunities in Brampton and in Milton.

Environmental protection

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: My question is for the Premier. Last week, the Environmental Commissioner released her annual report, where she highlighted the fact that the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change has not completed Environmental Bill of Rights reviews going back as far as 2009. Not only that, she noted that even when MOECC completes environmental reviews, the department does not deliver on the commitments it makes. For example, just this past August, Ontarians were not informed when raw sewage was dumped into the Toronto harbour again, for the second summer in a row, despite the government’s assurances the public would be informed.

The Environmental Commissioner says it’s going to take time for this ministry to earn Ontarians’ trust when it comes to respecting and protecting the environment. Premier, when will your minister commit to taking real action when it comes to protecting the environmental rights of Ontarians?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of the Environment and Climate Change.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I think the member opposite knows—I guess she wasn’t at the press conference where the Environmental Commissioner actually complimented the ministry on the amazing progress that it has made. In fact, 525 of those files were closed in the last year, which is a record, I think, in the history of the province. We’re down from well over—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. The member asked the question. I think she should try to listen to the answer.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No other comments are necessary, thank you.

Minister?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: —which I think is just about a record for this ministry in catching up. We’re about 200 behind right now, which is about the best it’s been.

The second thing is that we have posted, as the member opposite would know, a complete review of the EBR. Right now, we are working broadly with business and communities to update what has been some of Canada’s most groundbreaking legislation in environmental rights.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Perhaps the minister hasn’t even looked at the report title. It’s called Small Steps.

Anyway, again, back to the Premier: Her government is not respecting Ontarians’ environmental rights and ignores complaints registered on the EBR, the only avenue that people have to register their concerns. The ministry has not cleared its backlog. For goodness’ sakes, the environmental registry itself is so far behind that it still runs on DOS. How archaic is that, Speaker?

Just recently, a freedom-of-information request to the Ministry of the Environment revealed there is a backlog of 2,700 files regarding unresolved noise complaints related to industrial wind turbines from over the last 10 years. When will this Premier put Ontarians first and finally commit to ensuring that all complaints registered on the EBR are respected and responded to?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I did just close by saying that we are now out consulting on a complete revision of the EBR. And actually, the member opposite is wrong. The EBR does not run on DOS and hasn’t run on DOS for a long time. Just in the last year made a major investment in the information technology. And as she knows, because I know she watches our procurement, we are now making another major investment in the ministry’s information technology and rewriting and redesigning the EBR.

I don’t know why she didn’t ask that question a year ago or two years ago, or why it always takes the Environmental Commissioner to do the member’s job for her. But I do want to point out the zero waste bill, Bill 151, and the cap-and-trade climate change bill, the Great Lakes Protection Act, work on pesticides and work on groundwater—I don’t think there have been two years where we’ve done this kind of work since Jim Bradley was the environment minister. This has been a very busy—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Now the member is getting testy.

New question.

Hydro rates

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Premier. Earlier this year we learned that enrolment for the Ontario Electricity Support Program was only 25% of eligible families. Now we have found that the government has excluded even more low-income families by refusing to grant enrolment for anyone living in a unit that is not individually metered.

I have seniors on low fixed incomes calling my office and telling me they are struggling with increased hydro costs. They don’t qualify for OESP because their building’s hydro bill is split among residents. They are living in energy poverty. They are struggling with high, rising hydro costs and they are below the income cut-off.

The Ontario Electricity Support Program excludes so many people, including seniors and others living on fixed incomes. When will the government fix the OESP to ensure that all low-income families can benefit?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I thank the honourable member for the question. I know there are some specifics that she brought up. While I can’t speak to the specifics, what I can talk about is the OESP and the great work that it’s been doing since it started—it’ll be 11 months tomorrow.

This program is getting about 14,000 families and seniors applying for this program. We do want to see more families on this program, and that’s why we continue to spend money on advertising. It’s a great program for it, and that’s why we’re making sure that we send more of these brochures to the opposition offices, to make sure that they can talk to their constituents about it because $45 a month, for some families, goes a long way. For seniors and those families who heat their homes with electricity, they can apply and get up to $75, and that’s something we’re happy to see.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There being no deferred votes, this House stands—one moment, please.

Paul Demers

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order. The member from Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: Je crois que nous avons le consentement unanime pour observer une minute de silence à la mémoire du chanteur Paul Demers, qui a marqué la culture franco-ontarienne et a inspiré un peuple à prendre notre place.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member is seeking unanimous consent for a moment of silence. Do we agree? Agreed.

Please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Merci beaucoup.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1202 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mrs. Gila Martow: I’m very pleased to welcome once again my friends and premier volunteers from Thornhill, Ari Moghimi and Willem Hart, as well as my niece Ella Gladstone Martin, who is on her way here right now.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Welcome.

It’s now time for members’ statements.

Members’ Statements

School closures

Mr. Steve Clark: I rise in support of parents, students and rural communities in a desperate fight to save their schools. Ten schools in Leeds–Grenville are among 29 identified for closure by the Upper Canada District School Board. Hundreds more are at risk in communities across Ontario. This is not just about saving individual schools. It’s a fight for the future of rural education and the ability of students to learn close to where they live.

Last week, I wrote the Minister of Education and called on her to do two things: Restore the top-up funding they cut to put so many schools on the chopping block and suspend the rigged process this government manipulated to allow boards to fast-track closures. I’ve also asked the Upper Canada trustees to support my request by resolution and to suspend their accommodation review.

I will not allow this government to sit on the sidelines as communities are thrown into turmoil. No one disputes the need to discuss the future of education in a time of declining enrolment but we demand a fair process. Let’s take the target off schools and work with parents, boards, municipalities and MPPs from all parties to develop a long-term solution.

If this government chooses to sit back and allow these schools to close, it will be too late. If they value rural education, they must act now. Thousands of parents and students await a response.

Adam Capay

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Few things and issues have galvanized Ontarians like the plight of the young indigenous inmate Adam Capay. Adam, 23 years old, has been in solitary confinement in an Ontario provincial prison for four years. He is housed alone in a basement at the end of a long corridor in a cell sheathed in Plexiglas. The lights are on 24 hours a day. They found him, in fact, to have memory, orientation and speech problems brought on by his prison conditions—prison conditions, by the way, that are considered torture by the UN and others.

He is also legally innocent. He was charged with first degree murder in 2012 but he has not been tried. The Supreme Court of Canada says that any delay between the laying of charges and the completion of trial longer than 30 months is a violation of an accused person’s charter right to be tried within a reasonable time. He’s been held without trial for 52 months.

We give thanks to the prison guard who brought his plight to the attention of Ontario’s chief human rights commissioner, but it shouldn’t have to take that. This is egregious. This makes us look terrible on a world stage. This is terrible, and the public demand is that the inhuman treatment of him—that he be released from solitary and given medical care by the end of this week, not just for an interim period, and that those who allowed this to happen be held to account.

Post-secondary education

Mrs. Amrit Mangat: I’m pleased to share with this House much-anticipated and exciting news. On October 26, the constituents of my great riding of Mississauga–Brampton South and surrounding communities learned that our government will be bringing a university-led post-secondary site to Brampton. This initiative by our government is significant as it will pave the way for coming generations toward a better and brighter future through higher learning.

The institution’s main focus will be on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. As Ontario moves towards a technology- and knowledge-based economy, this institution will prepare students for jobs of today and jobs of tomorrow and offer them opportunities for training and skills development needed for leading sectors of our economy. This institution will also address the needs of an underserved but fast-growing population area and ensure that students find more educational opportunities closer to home.

Bramptonians are excited about our government’s initiative towards building dynamic and vibrant communities, and great places to live, work and study.

Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival

Mr. Bill Walker: I rise today to offer congratulations and appreciation to Marilyn Morris, her organizing committee and volunteers who ensured that the 20th annual Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival was a huge success in my riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Three hundred scarecrows took to the streets on September 30 in celebration of the fall harvest. The town was decorated to the nines, with scarecrows hanging from every streetlight and pole in the community. The OPP Golden Helmets motorcycle riders even had scarecrows adorning their bikes during their performance.

Since its inception in 1996, this family event has become a popular destination for locals and tourists, and has received both community and provincial awards ranking as one of Ontario’s top events. All the hard work and dedication by the organizers and hundreds of volunteers, the generosity of sponsors and the enthusiasm of the entire community is the reason why the Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival has earned this recognition over the past 20 years.

In 2002, the scarecrow invasion tried to challenge the record for most scarecrows in the Guinness Book of World Records. Meaford created 2,211 scarecrows, but the record was not achieved. Now in its 20th year, the invasion has 300 volunteers dedicating over 3,000 hours.

I would also like to pay special tribute to a Meaford businessman who was honoured for his role in starting the scarecrow invasion 20 years ago. George Potopnyk was one of the 60 to 70 guests attending the 20th anniversary of the Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival in the gallery of Meaford Hall. I invite the House to join me in congratulating Marilyn Morris, George Potopnyk and the entire Meaford community for ensuring the Meaford Scarecrow Invasion and Family Festival achieved top honours, and wish them much continued success.

Positive Voice

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I’m honoured to speak today about a pilot project happening in my riding. The program is called Positive Voice, and it has been organized by the staff at the Nokee Kwe employment and education centre in London–Fanshawe.

The main philosophy of the program aims to provide a safe space for the mentorship and empowerment of urban aboriginal women. The organizers achieve this through assisting aboriginal women in developing positive life narratives and positive community connections through the use of media and technologies. The program helps to empower women participants as they transition into different educational or employment opportunities.

I recently visited the centre and attended one of their sessions. I was immediately impressed and captivated by the women I met and the enormous impact the program has on their lives. The women I met came from different places and backgrounds. They ranged in age from their early twenties to their fifties. They had all overcome their own individual adversities, but they all shared a common goal to succeed in the next

chapter of their lives. It was clear this new program was helping them to do just that.

I would like to commend Nokee Kwe and the organizers of the Positive Voice program for providing women the opportunity to share their stories, develop their skills and find the confidence in their ability to succeed.

Ossington Pentecostal Church

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I rise today to extend my congratulations and best wishes to Ossington Pentecostal Church from my riding of Davenport. They’ll be celebrating their 60th anniversary this weekend. In particular I would like to congratulate the congregation, who will be holding a fantastic celebration with a mass and a reception.

Ossington Pentecostal Church is a member of the Canadian Assemblies of God, and are a biblically centred congregation of believers who come from a wide variety of nationalities and cultures, yet they all share one thing in common: They worship Jesus Christ.

The founding congregation of the Ossington Pentecostal Church was a part of the first Italian work in 1922 that was called the Assemblea Cristiana under the combined leadership of Reverend Ferdinando Zaffuto and Reverend Luigi Ippolito. In 1956, a group from Assemblea Cristiana built and established the church that exists today located at 686 Ossington Avenue.

In February 2003, Reverend David Quackenbush joined Ossington Pentecostal Church to shepherd the congregation.

Today, all sorts of people join this church in prayer on Sundays. Currently, the facility is undergoing renovations to accommodate and better service the members of the community.

As the member of provincial Parliament for Davenport, I’m privileged to represent a number of very active and engaged constituents, including the religious community of Ossington Pentecostal Church. I want to thank them and the congregation for their commitment to our community.

Remembrance Day

Mrs. Gila Martow: We’re all wearing our poppies today. It’s so wonderful to see. Remembrance Day is next week. It’s a sad and solemn time, but it really brings communities together.

I want to read a poem. Actually, it’s a song, but I’m going to spare you my singing voice. I know we’re not allowed to sing here, Mr. Speaker. It’s by my niece Ella Gladstone Martin, and it’s called Don’t Let Me Be Forgotten.

Poppies don’t grow on hidden graves.

Am I only worth something when I can be brave?

We can’t surrender, Lest we regret.

We must remember lest we forget.

Don’t let me be forgotten

Don’t let me fall behind

’Cause there’s no runnin’ from the battle Waging inside my mind

These wounds take time to heal, Before my scars can just scab and peel

Don’t ask me why I do not know

It’s much too soon to say goodbye

But you just stand there and watch me go

Don’t let me be forgotten

Don’t let me fall behind

’Cause there’s no runnin’ from the battle Waging inside my mind

I put you first, now aren’t I worth just a bit of your time?

If you give me your hand I will give you mine.

Don’t let me be forgotten, Don’t let me fall behind

’Cause there’s no runnin’ from the battle Waging inside my mind

So let’s all remember today and next week—hopefully, we’re going to be bringing forward this week to have Remembrance Week, as the schools and the Legions often do commemorate things for the whole week of Remembrance Day. Let’s remember. Let’s not forget. And let’s remember also what they were fighting for: our democracy.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): My compliments to your niece.

Moose management

Mr. John Vanthof: For the first time in my time in the Legislature I’m going to quote a Toronto Star headline: “Mighty Ontario Moose Need Our Help to Survive.”

As the representative of a people for whom moose hunting is part of our culture, I think moose hunters across the province—no one wants the long-term survival of the moose more than the population who have hunting as part of their heritage.

It’s not all the government’s fault, but there are some things that the government could do immediately to help with this. It is a crisis.

The first thing is adequately fund the MNR. In my part of the world, we have two conservation officers over 50 townships. You cannot manage a wildlife population when you’re spread so thin.

The MNR has to take steps to actually make accurate counts of the moose. In unit 28, the most heavily hunted area, there’s supposed to be a count every three years; they did it over five years. Again, this is a crisis. We need to spend the time and the money to do this right. All moose harvested should be reported, regardless of who harvests them.

There’s kind of a funny line in here. It says that in some parts of the province, moose used to be so plentiful that there are road signs warning against drivers hitting them. I can assure you there’s still moose because I hit one a month ago, and I’d like to thank Frank and Eveline Bourassa for saving the meat and for cooking me some great meat pies.

Joseph Galluzzo

Mr. Mike Colle: I rise today to give tribute to one of our long-time staff support workers who has worked here for 20 years: Joseph Galluzzo. I knew him when he used to own a grocery store at Scarlett Road and Eglinton. He did that with his brother for many years; then he came on here to work in the precinct properties branch. He is one of the many incredible, dedicated workers we have here who take care of our heating, our cleaning, our plumbing and our furniture removal and setup. We’ve got a real crew of dedicated, professional support staff here at Queen’s Park, and Joe has been one of them.

He has loved every day that he’s been here. As you run into Joe in the hallways, he’s always got a smile on his face; he’s always happy to work.

One thing I mention about Joe too is that he, along with the other staff workers here, do the same work as the staff support workers at city hall in Toronto down the road, yet they make $5 to $10 less an hour than people doing the same work down the street, and I think we should all be cognizant of that, especially the Board of Internal Economy. Sure, we’ve had a wage freeze here for seven years, but it’s not right to freeze the wages of the workers and the support staff. It’s about time we gave them a decent wage for the work they do, as the workers get down the street.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I have nothing but admiration for Joe, as well, and we wish him well in his retirement.

Visitors

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

Mr. Raymond Sung Joon Cho: I’m very, very happy to welcome students from my riding. They are grade 5, from C.D. Farquharson Junior Public School. I hope all the students have a great experience at the Ontario provincial Parliament, in the House.

Petitions

Alzheimer’s disease

Mrs. Gila Martow: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are progressive, degenerative diseases of the brain that cause thinking, memory and physical functioning to become seriously impaired;

“Whereas there is no known cause or cure for this devastating illness; and

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias also take their toll on hundreds of thousands of families and care partners; and

“Whereas Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affect more than 200,000 Ontarians today, with an annual total economic burden rising to $15.7 billion by 2020; and

“Whereas the cost related to the health care system is in the billions and only going to increase, at a time when our health care system is already facing enormous financial challenges; and

“Whereas there is work under way to address the need, but no coordinated or comprehensive approach to tackling the issues; and

“Whereas there is an urgent need to plan and raise awareness and understanding about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for the sake of improving the quality of life of the people it touches;

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

“To approve the development of a comprehensive Ontario dementia plan that would include the development of strategies in primary health care, in health promotion and prevention of illness, in community development, in building community capacity and care partner engagement, in caregiver support and investments in research.”

I’m pleased to sign and give this petition to the page.

Privatization of public assets

Miss Monique Taylor: I’m pleased to read this petition into the House. It reads:

“Hydro One Not for Sale!

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the provincial government is creating a privatization scheme that will lead to higher hydro rates, lower reliability, and hundreds of millions less for our schools, roads, and hospitals; and

“Whereas the privatization scheme will be particularly harmful to northern and First Nations communities; and

“Whereas the provincial government is creating this privatization scheme under a veil of secrecy that means Ontarians don’t have a say on a change that will affect their lives dramatically; and

“Whereas it is not too late to cancel the scheme;

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

“That the province of Ontario immediately cancel its scheme to privatize Ontario’s Hydro One.”

I couldn’t agree with this more, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to affix my name to it and give it to page Dylan to bring to the Clerk.

GO Transit

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I have a petition here that’s addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas Cambridge, Ontario, is a municipality of over 125,000 people, many of whom commute into the greater Toronto area daily;

“Whereas the current commuting options available for travel between the Waterloo region and the GTA are inefficient and time-consuming, as well as environmentally damaging;

“Whereas the residents of Cambridge and the Waterloo region believe that they would be well-served by commuter rail transit that connects the region to the Milton line, and that this infrastructure would have positive, tangible economic benefits to the province of Ontario;

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

“Direct crown agency Metrolinx to commission a feasibility study into building a rail line that connects the city of Cambridge to the GO train station in Milton, and to complete this study in a timely manner and communicate the results to the municipal government of Cambridge.”

I agree with this petition and will affix my name and send it to the table with page Elisabeth.

Hydro rates

Mr. Robert Bailey: I have a petition here that’s addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas there is a growing energy affordability crisis in Ontario; and

“Whereas the government’s proposed hydro rebate is a band-aid solution that’s simply too little, too late;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Liberal government to take immediate action to give the people of Ontario real relief from high energy bills.”

I agree with this petition and will affix my name to the same and send it down with Riya.

Privatization of public assets

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: “Hydro One Not for Sale! Say No to Privatization.

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the provincial government is creating a privatization scheme that will lead to higher hydro rates, lower reliability, and hundreds of millions less for our schools, roads, and hospitals; and

“Whereas the privatization scheme will be particularly harmful to northern and First Nations communities; and

“Whereas the provincial government is creating this privatization scheme under a veil of secrecy that means Ontarians don’t have a say on a change that will affect their lives dramatically; and

“Whereas it is not too late to cancel the scheme;

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

“That the province of Ontario immediately cancel its scheme to privatize Ontario’s Hydro One.”

I sign this petition and give it to page Bianca to deliver.

Lung health

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas lung disease affects 2.4 million people in the province of Ontario;

“Of the four chronic diseases responsible for 79% of deaths ... lung disease is the only one without a dedicated province-wide strategy;

“In the Ontario Lung Association report, Your Lungs, Your Life, it is estimated that lung disease currently costs the Ontario taxpayers more than $4 billion a year in direct and indirect health care costs, and that this figure is estimated to rise to more than $80 billion seven short years from now;

“One in five Ontario schoolchildren has asthma;

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

“To allow for deputations on MPP Kathryn McGarry’s private member’s bill, Bill 41, Lung Health Act, 2014, which establishes a lung health advisory council to make recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on lung health issues; and requires the minister to develop and implement an Ontario lung health action plan with respect to research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease; and

“Once debated at committee to expedite Bill 41, Lung Health Act, 2014, through the committee stage and back to the Legislature for third and final reading; and to immediately call for a vote on Bill 41 and to seek royal assent immediately upon its passage.”

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

Hydro rates

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I have an important petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas household electricity bills have skyrocketed by 56% and electricity rates have tripled as a result of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Whereas the billion-dollar gas plants cancellation, wasteful and unaccountable spending at Ontario Power Generation and the unaffordable subsidies in the Green Energy Act will result in electricity bills climbing by another 35% by 2017 and 45% by 2020; and

“Whereas the Liberal government wasted $2 billion on the flawed smart meter program; and

“Whereas the recent announcement to implement the Ontario Electricity Support Program will see average household hydro bills increase an additional $137 per year starting in 2016; and

“Whereas the soaring cost of electricity is straining family budgets, and hurting the ability of manufacturers and small businesses in the province to compete and create new jobs; and

“Whereas home heating and electricity are a necessity for families in Ontario who cannot afford to continue footing the bill for the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately implement policies ensuring Ontario’s power consumers, including families, farmers and employers, have affordable and reliable electricity.”

I affix my name to this petition.

Child care

M me France Gélinas: I’d like to thank my supporter Dorise Desrochers from Chelmsford in my riding for signing the petition from the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care. It reads as follows:

“Whereas the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 commits Ontario to ‘a system of responsive, safe, high-quality and accessible child care and early years programs and services that will support parents and families, and will contribute to the healthy development of children’;

“Whereas recent community opposition to Ontario’s child care regulation proposals indicates that a new direction for child care is necessary to address issues of access, quality, funding, system building, planning and workforce development;

“Whereas Ontario’s Gender Wage Gap Strategy consultation found ‘child care was the number one issue everywhere’ and ‘participants called for public funding and support that provides both adequate wages and affordable fees’;

“Whereas the federal government’s commitment to a National Early Learning and Child Care Framework provides an excellent opportunity for Ontario to take leadership and work collaboratively to move forward on developing a universal, high-quality, comprehensive child care system in Ontario;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To undertake a transparent policy process with the clear goal of developing a universal early childhood education and child care system where all families can access quality child care programs; and

“To publicly declare their commitment to take leadership in developing a national child care plan with the federal government that adopts the principles of universality, high-quality and comprehensiveness.”

I’m happy to support this petition, and I’ll ask page Cooper to bring it to the Clerk.

Home inspection industry

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I have a petition that’s addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the home inspector industry remains largely unregulated; and

“Whereas homeowners are increasingly reliant on home inspectors to make an educated home purchase; and

“Whereas the unregulated industry poses a risk to consumers;

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

“To protect consumers by regulating the home inspection industry and licensing home inspectors.”

I agree with this petition and will affix my name and send it to the table with page Dylan.

Highway ramps

Mrs. Julia Munro: My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury will continue to have robust growth of population and commercial activity in proximity to the Holland Marsh,” also known as Ontario’s salad bowl, “which consists of 7,000 acres of specialty crop area lands designated in the provincial Greenbelt Plan and is situated along the municipal boundary between King township and the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, as bisected by Highway 400;

“Whereas the Canal Road ramps at Highway 400 provide critical access for farm operations within the Holland Marsh allowing for efficient transport of produce to market, delivery of materials and equipment and patronage of on-farm commercial activities; and

“Whereas the loss of that critical access to Highway 400 may threaten the significant financial benefits that the Holland Marsh contributes to the Ontario economy;

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

“That the council of the corporation of the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury hereby advises the Honourable Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, that the town does not support the elimination of the Canal Road ramps at Highway 400, and further, that the town requests that the duration of the temporary closure of Canal Road between Wist Road and Davis Road be minimized to the greatest extent possible during the Highway 400/North Canal bridge replacement project.”

I’ve affixed my signature.

Logements pour personnes âgées

M. John Vanthof: « À l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario :

« Attendu que les personnes âgées habitant au deuxième étage de la Villa Aubin située au 145 rue Holditch à Sturgeon Falls Ontario doivent utiliser l’escalier afin d’accéder à leur appartement;

« Attendu que ces personnes âgées sont confrontées à des difficultés croissantes en ce qui a trait à l’usage de ces escaliers;

« Attendu que cet accès restreint pourrait entraîner des conséquences néfastes relatives aux soins de santé, telles que l’accès avec des brancards;

« Attendu que divers paliers gouvernementaux ont annoncé du financement pour des fins de rénovations/améliorations aux logements pour personnes âgées;

« Par conséquent, nous, les soussignés, pétitionnons l’Assemblée législative de l’Ontario comme suit :

« De charger le ministre des Affaires municipales et du Logement à travailler avec la Société de logement du district de Nipissing afin d’obtenir du financement pour l’installation d’un ascenseur dans ce, et autres bâtiments d’accès restreint pour personnes âgées. »

I wholeheartedly agree and send the petition down with page Cooper.

Privatization of public assets

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

“Whereas the current government under Premier Kathleen Wynne is calling for the sale of up to 60% of Hydro One shares into private ownership; and

“Whereas the decision to sell the public utility was made without any public input and the deal will continue to be done in complete secrecy; and

“Whereas the loss of majority ownership in Hydro One will force ratepayers to accept whatever changes the new owners decide, such as higher rates; and

“Whereas electricity rates are already sky-high and hurting family budgets as well as businesses; and

“Whereas ratepayers will never again have independent investigations of consumer complaints, such as the Ontario Ombudsman’s damning report on failed billing; and

“Whereas the people of Ontario are the true owners of Hydro One and they do not believe the fire sale of Hydro One is in their best interest;

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

“To protect Ontario ratepayers by stopping the sale of Hydro One.”

I fully support it, will affix my name and send it with page Riya.

Employment standards

Miss Monique Taylor: “Petition Supporting a $15 Minimum Wage.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a growing number of Ontarians are affected by the growth in low-wage, part-time, casual, temporary and insecure employment; and

“Whereas too many workers are unprotected by current minimum standards outlined in employment and labour laws; and

“Whereas the Ontario government is currently engaging in a public consultation to review and improve employment and labour laws in the province;

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

“Implement a minimum wage of $15 an hour.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this. I’m going to affix my name to it and give it to page Emily to bring to the Clerk.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Unfortunately, that concludes the time we have available for petitions this afternoon.

Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, on a point of order.

Hon. David Zimmer: Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to revert back to motions.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Zimmer is seeking unanimous consent of the House to revert back to motions. Agreed? I heard a “no.”

Orders of the Day

Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne les élections

Resuming the debate adjourned on October 27, 2016, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 45,

An Act to amend certain Acts with respect to provincial elections / Projet de loi 45, Loi visant à modifier certaines lois en ce qui concerne les élections provinciales.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Further debate? The member for Haldimand–Norfolk.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wish to ask for unanimous consent for the opposition to defer our lead.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Barrett is seeking unanimous consent of the House to allow the official opposition to defer their leadoff speech. Agreed? Agreed.

The member for Haldimand–Norfolk again.

Mr. Toby Barrett: I welcome the opportunity to present some of my thoughts here today about, as was mentioned, Bill 45. The

short title is Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016. I’d like to present some of my thoughts on voting machines, which is contained within this legislation. When I say “my thoughts”—and I think it goes without saying for all of us present in the chamber—I’m trying to present what I think people in my riding, for example, may be thinking. It’s always our challenge—what are the thoughts of 110,000 people? I have my own views. I do chat with people. I do hear a bit on the ground about voting machines and the potential advantages and disadvantages, potential for fraud.

There’s one key aspect, in my view, and I feel this applies to all of us here as elected representatives. I describe myself as an elected representative. There are other words for us, but I don’t commonly use them. I consider myself an elected representative. And what’s very, very important: As an elected representative, I have to represent the views of those who elected me—not only those who elected me but other people in the riding. Many people who come into our constit offices probably didn’t elect me—probably didn’t vote for me. I’ve observed that over the last 21 years or so.

But it’s our job to represent everyone, whether they vote for us or not, obviously. Hence, it’s so important, as elected representatives are chosen in the province of Ontario—two will be chosen in the coming weeks in by-elections. It’s so important that we have confidence in the integrity of the processes that are used in our parliamentary democracy to choose these people.

We live in what has been designed to be a fair and open democracy. I will quote the last phrase of the Speaker’s prayer: “where freedom prevails and justice rules.” That phrase is very important to me. I can tell you, over the last 10 years, that phrase is very important for people in Caledonia. I was with people from Caledonia on the weekend. All they asked for, over the last 10 years, was a system, a government, an environment for them where freedom prevails and justice rules.

It actually boiled down to core values. Really, all the people in Caledonia asked for was peace, order and good government. That’s all they wanted. They weren’t necessarily looking for government grants or things like that in the presence of what was a very significant crisis with respect to our various institutions of not only government but also, attendant to that, policing and the court system.

As we know, each morning we commence our deliberations by praying. It has been the case for centuries, as I understand, in our British system. We have more than one prayer. I mentioned the Speaker’s prayer.

Again, when I see clauses and sections in this legislation that talk about voting machines, it’s incumbent on all of us to ensure that if there is a new system brought in beyond the paper ballot, beyond the time-tested issue of scrutineers counting the paper, it would obviously be plugged into electricity. That voting system has to ensure that what will continue is an environment where freedom prevails and justice rules. Anything that compromises that—I wouldn’t favour this legislation if it opens up any possibility at all of fraud.

I think of the 110,000 people who live in my riding. We live along Lake Erie. Many people listen to radio coming out of Buffalo. We’ve always watched television coming out of Buffalo and Erie, Pennsylvania. In fact, when my children were born, my wife and I made a conscious decision. We didn’t want them growing up watching television, so we had a couple of very small TV sets with rabbit ears. Some of them were black and white. My kids hate black-and-white television. The rabbit ears really didn’t pick up much. We could get CHCH TV in Hamilton, and Erie, Pennsylvania, and that was about it.

As with many people in my riding, much of our information comes from US media. I get the impression that just about everybody in my riding is watching what is going on with the Republican, Democrat and other parties contest south of the border. They are hearing about the concerns with election fraud, the concerns around voting machines. The advice that is given out for people when they vote, because of this danger of fraud and somebody rigging the system—people are being encouraged in the United States and these various—and I find the American voting system so complicated. They seem to be voting for every Tom, Dick and Harry when they go into the booth, whatever they do.

I find it really takes me aback that people are being advised in the US elections coming up and in the advance polls—the vote-early system—to take a picture of their vote before they send it in, because there is a lack of trust. We can’t go down that road, courtesy of this legislation, if there’s any danger of that happening up here.

Obviously, we’ve got the freedom to vote for whoever we want in our free and democratic society. You can vote for a communist, you can vote for a capitalist or a socialist or a social libertarian or obviously a Liberal or a Conservative, or you don’t have to vote at all. The beauty of the system is that nobody is holding a gun to your head.

We have the freedom to vote in a secret ballot—I think that’s a fantastic invention—where only you and your God know what you did in that ballot booth or in those little cardboard three-fold systems. Once you walk in there, nobody is telling you how to vote—obviously not Big Brother, not your boss or your union boss or your husband or your wife or your kids. It’s a secret. You vote, and you put trust in a system with your single vote.

There is that—I guess it’s an old expression now—one man, one vote; now, one person, one vote. I guess we still can use the term “person”; that may change in the future as well. But you know that your vote will count. It will be counted and it will be tabulated and it will be scrutinized in a fair and neutral and objective manner.

Fraud has been present in our elections for as long as anybody can remember. We’ve had scrutineers for as long as you can remember. I can recall being a scrutineer—gosh, I don’t know—40 or 50 years ago, probably. A neutral, objective system: no hanky-panky, no jiggery pokery or manipulation of any kind by man or machine or some kind of computerized or mathematical algorithm. We must have confidence in our elections, Speaker.

As I mentioned, during the recent US contest and going back before what’s going on now, going back to the Democratic primaries, apparently there were noticeable differences—I think that’s another way of saying “irregularities”—between hand-counting and machine-counting. In Brooklyn—did I pronounce that correctly?

Interjection.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Yes. In Brooklyn, 120,000 voters were purged—up to 10% of the votes. It was felt that it could have changed the outcome. Clinton had inflated results; Sanders had suppressed results, as we’re told.

We’ve heard about manipulating, hacking, corruption through various election integrity groups. I can’t vouch for the integrity of these particular groups. We hear this on WikiLeaks and elsewhere. I’d like to hear this from the government. I would like to hear this kind of information from expert testimony on committee. I assume there are experts in Ontario. There seem to be an awful lot of experts in the United States. We could have some of these people—statisticians and other people that spend their life working on this kind of stuff, computer software programmers—testify before committee, probably through teleconference.

We hear about these disparities between exit polls and the tabulated results. We heard about this in New York and Arizona and California. The advice was and the message is about how crucial it is to have a paper trail, good old-fashioned paper, the kind of systems that are being used by good old-fashioned scrutineers, those people who volunteer, election after election—I can’t do that kind of work myself. I would rather be out and about running from door to door, which I actually have been doing up until about an hour and a half ago down in Niagara West–Glanbrook.

There’s a fellow running down there who has certainly motivated me to get down there and beat the bushes. Anyone else down there door-knocking?

Interjection.

Mr. Toby Barrett: If you’re going to comment, maybe get down there and door-knock as well.

Miss Monique Taylor: I will, on my own time.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Put your boots on the ground. Get involved. We’ve only got two weeks left.

Paper trails are very important; hand-counting is very important, as it always has been—and not doing an audit, not doing a kind of evaluation by running the ballots through another machine. No; count them. Have paper trails. Or maybe we’d have to rely on another backup—belt and suspenders—taking a photograph of everyone if there is going to be that much lack of trust in the system. Post-election audits are important, however this may be done.

I was reading, on the weekend, statisticians who look at these kinds of things. They say, “The data indicates the footprint of manipulation ... and calls into question the validity of the reported results.” That’s a long way of saying that it has been manipulated or has been rigged. Where does the future lie for our voting s