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May 3, 2004

38th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2004-May-03 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 3 May 2004 Lundi 3 mai 2004

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ONTARIO POLICE MEMORIAL

NORTH BAY CHIEF OF POLICE

WATER QUALITY

SAUGEEN CHILDREN'S CHORUS

ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED

SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

WATER QUALITY

PEEL REGION SCIENCE FAIR

COMMON SENSE REVOLUTION

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION REFORM

SEXUAL ASSAULT

PREVENTION MONTH

ORAL QUESTIONS

PUBLIC SECTOR COMPENSATION

REPORT ON CAMPAIGN COMMITMENTS

ELECTRICITY SECTOR REFORMS

EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITIES

ENERGY CONSERVATION

TVONTARIO

GASOLINE PRICES

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

EDUCATION ISSUES

WATER QUALITY

AUTISM TREATMENT

TAXATION

PETITIONS

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL PARKWAY

TAXATION

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

ONTARIO BUDGET

TILLSONBURG DISTRICT

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

ONTARIO BUDGET

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

LANDFILL

MINIMUM WAGE

GO TRANSIT SERVICE

FIRE PROTECTION SERVICES

MINIMUM WAGE

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ADAMS MINE LAKE ACT, 2004 /

LOI DE 2004

SUR LE LAC DE LA MINE ADAMS

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ONTARIO POLICE MEMORIAL

Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): Yesterday I had the honour of attending the ceremony of remembrance held at the Ontario Police Memorial here

at Queen's Park. The names of Constable Philip Shrive of the Renfrew OPP and Constable John Flagg of the Kingston OPP, were added to the wall of honour. Both of these officers lost their lives in

the line of duty in the year 2003.

There were four officers from the 1920s whose names were added as well: Evariste Laframboise, from Essex county; William McGillivary, of the Toronto department

of highways; Andrew McKay, of the Newmarket department of highways; and Fred Bingley, of the Hagersville department of highways.

There are 231 names of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty on the wall of honour. I'd like to thank the Ontario Police Memorial Foundation,

under the leadership of president Richard Houston and his board of directors, for the excellent work they do in organizing the ceremony of remembrance.

I was pleased to see Chief Julian Fantino of the Toronto Police Service attend the ceremony as well. I would like to compliment Chief Fantino, who has shown

incredible leadership during difficult times for his police service. I'd also like to extend the support of our caucus to the Toronto Police Service and the Toronto Police Services Board for the

professionalism they have shown over the past few months and during these very difficult times. We thank all police officers, past and present, for making Ontario a province of law and order and

for keeping our citizens safe and secure.

NORTH BAY CHIEF OF POLICE

Ms Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): Today I rise to acknowledge the service of a great citizen of North Bay. On Friday 30 April, Chief George

Berrigan officially retired as the chief of police of the North Bay police department. Chief Berrigan has served our community for 15 years as chief and 32 years on our police force. He leaves

behind an incredible legacy.

We were fortunate enough to have Chief Julian Fantino, of the Toronto police department, speak at the change-of-command ceremony. He too noted that this was a

momentous occasion for our community and spoke eloquently on policing in Ontario. I'd like to thank the chief of police for Toronto for coming to North Bay for our occasion.

Chief George Berrigan is being replaced by our new chief of police, Paul Cook. Paul is a 22-year veteran of the North Bay police force and has been deputy chief

of the force since 1999.

I was privileged enough to attend Chief Berrigan's retirement party on Thursday, where hundreds of residents and police officers from North Bay and the

surrounding area attended to celebrate Chief Berrigan's outstanding career.

I want to take this opportunity to wish him and his wife, Liz, a very happy retirement as he begins that retirement today. As well, I would like to wish our new

chief of police, Paul Cook, and our new deputy chief, Al Jackson, all the best as they take on their new responsibilities. I have had the opportunity to work with Chief Paul Cook in the past and I

know we will continue to have an excellent relationship.

Mr Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge these two outstanding citizens in our community, and I'd like to take this opportunity today to say to

George Berrigan: Happy first day of retirement.

WATER QUALITY

Mr Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I rise today to share a letter I recently received from a small rural church in my riding of Parry

Sound-Muskoka that serves 40 to 45 families year-round. They have just been told about water regulation 170/03. The church has already installed a UV light and filtration system, and the water is

checked monthly for coliform and E coli. The results have always been 0/0.

The church was advised that the initial cost to comply with the regulation would be a minimum of $6,100, as well as ongoing costs for maintenance. The testing

alone will be $15 a week. The church is already struggling to meet its financial obligations, and the additional burden of water testing will make it extremely difficult to keep their doors open.

Is this really the intent of the water regulations? Surely not.

This church is not alone. I have heard from campgrounds, community centres, daycare centres and other small businesses on this issue. Last week, I attended the

Parry Sound Municipal Association meeting and heard from many others. Many small businesses in my beautiful riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka run their own water systems and will be hit hard by these

new regulations. Justice O'Connor recommended that the province provide financial support where approved systems are not economically viable for owners. To date, there has been no commitment from

the Minister of the Environment to assist rural communities. I encourage the Minister of the Environment to delay enforcement of regulation 170/03 until appropriate funding can be provided.

SAUGEEN CHILDREN'S CHORUS

Mrs Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): On the first day of May, young voices were heard in song throughout Ontario. It was my pleasure to attend a

concert given by Saugeen Children's Chorus in Kincardine on Saturday night. In Kincardine and other communities throughout Ontario, young people were singing together in unison.

Saugeen Children's Chorus is comprised of 33 children, and they are led by director Henriette Blom. Saugeen Children's Chorus is a part of the Ontario Sings

program, and their mission statement is to enhance the cultural, social and economic well-being of communities in Ontario through the magic of youth choral singing. The group is comprised of both

boys and girls, ages nine through 18. The group was formed 18 years ago and has toured Europe. During the month of May, they will travel to Montreal to perform with four other children's

choirs.

Singing in a choir not only provides pleasure in itself, but the positive impact certainly has been noted by the children. Choral singers are far more likely to

be involved in charity work and are more aware of other people's experiences throughout life. They believe their singing is a way of giving back to their communities.

I wish to congratulate these young people and all those involved with Ontario Sings, especially the Saugeen Children's Chorus. It was a wonderful evening.

ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISABLED

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): This last week, we saw a whole group of people who arrived from various parts of the province, including

some who had walked all the way from Sarnia, to protest our treatment of the disabled.

We know that the disabled are amongst the poorest in our province. We know that many of them subsist on a meagre $930 a month with which to feed and clothe and

house themselves. We know that they have not had a raise in eight years. And we know that they are limited, where they are able to find some form of employment, to only a paltry $160 of extra money

that they might earn. We know that that is compounded by a lack of affordable housing and that the social agencies that serve many of them also have not had any raises in years and years and

years.

Against that backdrop, we can only say we are thankful today for the very meagre and small announcement being made federally and provincially for some $20

million to help get the disabled into the workforce. That is, though, a very small amount of money to the some 90,000 to 100,000 people in this province who are disabled, many of whom are in

receipt of ODSP.

There are other things this government should be doing. We should be passing a real Ontarians with Disabilities Act, we should put real teeth into the building

code, we should allow earnings of up to $600 a month for those who are able to work and we should of course increase the amount of money to people who have not had a raise for eight years.

SOUTH ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Mr Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga): I rise today to inform all members of the House that May is South Asian Heritage Month. The month of

May is significant because it was on May 5, 1838, that the first South Asian immigrants arrived in our wonderful country.

The first South Asians to set foot on Canadian soil were Sikh soldiers serving in the British army. The Sikh lancers and infantry travelled by train from

Montreal to Vancouver on their way back to India, after taking

part in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897.

While most South Asians came to Canada directly from Asia, many came from places such as Kenya, South Africa, Singapore, Fiji, the United Kingdom, Trinidad and

Tobago, Guyana and many other countries.

Today, South Asians make up approximately 7% of Ontario's population and are proud to draw upon their heritage and traditions while contributing to many aspects

of culture, commerce and public service across our province.

Ontario's South Asian community provides a living social, political and economic link between our province and many countries around the world. It is my

privilege and honour as a South Asian to join with all members in recognizing May as South Asian Heritage Month. It is my hope that we use this opportunity to enhance our understanding and

appreciation of our rich culture, heritage and traditions as we work toward making Ontario and Canada the best places in the world to live, work and raise our families.

WATER QUALITY

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to rise in the House to discuss the concerns of many volunteers in my riding of Durham. These good

citizens keep our community halls, arenas, churches and other facilities in the area operating. Community groups are concerned over meeting the new regulations on maintaining and supplying water to

these buildings. Regulation 170/03 requires community facilities on private wells to meet new guidelines on treating water and maintaining their private water supplies.

A number of issues have been drawn to my attention by my constituents, including Glenn Larmer of Blackstock, Jim Ambrose of Zion United Church, Jane Smith of

Tyrone, and Paul McIntyre of Maple Grove United Church, just to name a few.

Complying with regulation 170/03 will mean major expenses for community organizations. I am advised that one church in my riding has an estimate of $5,000 to

provide the water treatment system necessary to meet the new regulation, plus another $3,000 annually to maintain and monitor the system. Some of these quotes have been much higher. This is but one

example of the challenges occurring in villages and hamlets across Durham riding and in many parts of Ontario not served by municipal water supplies.

There are several issues the volunteers want to raise. First, they want to point out that there have not been previous complaints with respect to water supplies

for which they are responsible. They've had tests with no adverse effects. Second, they note that they face costs that are very much higher for volunteer organizations, with no assistance.

Churches, community halls and arenas are the heart and soul of communities across my riding of Durham and Ontario. They are generally maintained and operated by

volunteers who take pride in ensuring that these buildings meet the health standards. It may be that Ontario needs to meet with these groups to seek alternatives. I ask the minister to pay

attention and to slow down on the regulation.

PEEL REGION SCIENCE FAIR

Mr Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): As this is Education Week in Ontario, I'm pleased to make this statement about the April 15 Peel Region

Science Fair held at the University of Toronto, Mississauga campus. The science fair showcased the work of students from schools throughout Peel region. The student projects spanned the physical,

mathematical, environmental, life, health and applied sciences. The topics ranged from purifying proteins in search of diabetes biomarkers to determining the optimal conditions for curling

hair.

Each year, more than 250,000 students in Ontario compete in local science and technology fairs. Only the best projects from each region are able to move on. This

year, Peel region will send six winners to join the other regional winners and represent Ontario at the Canada-wide science fair to be held in St John's, Newfoundland.

I extend the Legislature's thanks to all the teachers from across Peel region who spent months working with and encouraging the students. Building science

awareness and skills are the seeds of our scientific future here in Ontario. Those seeds are germinating in the minds of this young generation of scientists, engineers and technologists.

Thanks to the committee members, especially Margaret Ramsay, for organizing a successful fair. Six students will represent Peel region, and we all hope Canada's

winning entry will come from Team Ontario. I know they will make Ontario proud.

COMMON SENSE REVOLUTION

Mr Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): I'm happy to rise in the House and point out an important anniversary to the people of this province

and to many of the members here today. It was on this day 10 years ago in the Harbour Castle hotel in Toronto that the then leader of the third party, Mike Harris, launched what would become the

most important economic document in this province in the past 50 years: the Common Sense Revolution.

In front of our caucus, about 200 well-wishers and the assembled Queen's Park media, Mike unveiled our party's road to election. It promised to create 750,000

new jobs, to lower people's personal income taxes by 30% and to balance the provincial budget, all within our first four years in office.

I'll quote from Bill Walker of the Toronto Star from that day:

"Under a sweeping economic blueprint to be unveiled today, the Tory leader says his `Common Sense Revolution' would perform radical surgery on Ontario's fiscal

policy to create jobs through reliance on the private sector rather than government."

What's more, the Common Sense Revolution said that not only would we make those promises to Ontarians but also we would keep them once we were in office.

We ushered in a new era in Ontario politics which established a benchmark for governments across Canada and throughout North America that lower taxes and

controlled spending create a strong economic climate. We achieved the goals we set out for the people. We saw over 750,000 jobs created in our first term, we cut personal income tax by more than

30% and we balanced the budget. We did all that while inheriting a deficit from the NDP of almost --

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Thank you.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): I move government notice of motion 64:

That, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(ii), the House shall meet from 6:45 pm to 12 midnight on Monday, May 3, 2004, for the purpose of considering government

business.

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

All those in favour of the motion, say "aye."

All those against?

I think the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1348 to 1353.

The Speaker: Mr Duncan has moved government motion number 64. All those in favour, please rise to be counted.

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Broten, Laurel C.

Brown, Michael A.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Flaherty, Jim

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jeffrey, Linda

Kennedy, Gerard

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Martiniuk, Gerry

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Scott, Laurie

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

The Speaker: All those against, please rise.

Nays

Hampton, Howard

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Prue, Michael

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 73; the nays are 5.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION REFORM

Hon Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I rise today in the House, as we begin Education Week around the province, to elaborate on the

government's plan for public education. Premier Dalton McGuinty has clearly stated that he is committed to making improvements in public education a centrepiece in our government's mandate. We know

that if we get public education right, we get the best citizens and the best workforce, as strong a society as possible, and the most prosperous economy.

But Ontario hasn't been getting it right, not for many years now. We have had a good public education system in this province, but we've let it slide.

Mr John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): The former government did bad. You guys did good.

Hon Mr Kennedy: The member opposite agrees. We've let it slide to the point where many families are choosing private schools over public

education. The number of children attending private schools in this province has increased by 40% in the last eight years.

We have let it slide to the point where a steady number of young people either drop out of school or decide to stop learning; 50% of the kids in grade 9 in

1999 are predicted to either not graduate or to stop their education immediately after grade 12. Some will return to school later, but the fact remains that half of them get out of school as soon

as they can or as soon as high school is over. That simply isn't acceptable in the world that Ontarians have to compete in today.

Last year -- and the member opposite knows this full well -- Ontarians told us to stop the slide in public education. What is at stake over the next four

years, we believe, is the future of public education. Quite frankly, our parents and our grandparents did a better job of ensuring that their children had the education they needed for their times.

Speaking as a member of a generation who had education handed to them on a silver platter, I believe that in turn, unfortunately, we have taken education for granted. That has to stop here and

today.

I am asking all the members of this Legislature and all Ontarians to join us in rising to meet the challenge before us. Here is what success for students means

to the McGuinty government:

It starts with the simple idea that every student can learn.

Every student should come to school ready to learn.

Every student should learn in a school that is properly funded and in good repair.

Every student should be able to read, write, do math and comprehend at a high level by the age of 12 as the necessary foundation for later educational and

social choices.

Every student should have significant exposure to music and the arts.

Every student should enjoy regular physical activity, appreciate a healthy lifestyle and have access to a full range of extracurricular activities.

Every student should be safe and feel safe in the school and in the schoolyard.

Every student should receive a positive outcome from publicly funded education, whether that be an apprenticeship, a job placement that teaches real skills, or

admission to college or university.

Every student should reach the highest level of achievement that his or her ability and willingness to work hard will permit.

Every student should know, finally, how to think for himself or herself, appreciate the rights and obligations of good citizenship and learn about character

values.

Getting there, realizing these goals, will take leadership, unrelenting commitment, time and sacrifice.

What I want to say from this government is that those are not simply parts of a far-off vision for us. Those are action steps that have to be taken in our

schools, and each one will be attended by a very specific strategy which will engage many members of this House.

We know, as we stand here today in Education Week, that it can be done. There are people elsewhere who might say these things are too difficult, but we say

it's happening right now in a number of communities, in a number of schools, with the commitment of parents, teachers and the education support workers we have in place. They're overcoming a lot of

barriers from the last few years. But it is not happening where it needs to be, which is in every single school in every community across this province.

Excellence in education, to mean anything, has to be for all the students in the province if we are to move ahead. Where do we start? We begin at a critical

junction in a child's life, at the age of 12. If, by age 12, students become convinced that they cannot read, write, do math and comprehend at a high level, they're starting to decide whether or

not school is for them. They're thinking that dropping out might be the cool thing to do, that it might be the only thing to do, because by that time they've become frustrated. They sit there on

the precipice of adulthood, they're leaving childhood behind, and if they haven't had a positive education experience, if we're not prepared to invest our energy to see that that happens, then life

decisions are slipping away from them -- not just for academics, but we know increasingly in a social and job sense as well it's being determined right there before they themselves can truly

comprehend it.

There was a StatsCan study released last month which concluded that teens who begin high school with weaker literacy skills are less likely to complete high

school. It may be stating the obvious, but here is a legacy item associated with the last number of years that all people have to contend with.

Dr Alan King, who was engaged three years ago by the previous government, tells us that not 25%, but likely 30%, of those students who began grade 9 in Ontario

in 1999, the double-cohort year -- and all of us were so concerned that the double-cohort get into college or university. It didn't seem to be well planned for, that those kids would miss out, and

left behind are a large number of students who didn't even get their diplomas; there are 40,000 to 48,000 kids in Ontario today who are predicted not to have a high school diploma.

Mr Baird: You'll just give them one.

Hon Mr Kennedy: Meanwhile, 60% of all new jobs are going to require some form of post-secondary education.

I hear the member opposite make fun of that; I hear the member make light of that. I say to him that we're going to do everything possible to help these

teenagers succeed. We're going to do that with much intervention and assistance to recognize that these kids are not standard. It was possible for a previous government and a previous cabinet to

sit there and receive the two previous King reports and not respond. But truly, as much as we want these better outcomes for those students, those selfsame students who are struggling out there now

and some, sadly, who may yet come behind them, the best way to help all of our students is to ensure a high level of literacy and numeracy at an earlier age, at age 12. This means more than the

basic ability to read, write and do arithmetic. It means a growing capacity, through the elementary and secondary years, to understand information from a variety of sources and interpret it across

a variety of disciplines. Our goal is to ensure that every student in Ontario is able to do this by age 12.

The province-wide test results for 2002-03 revealed that 50% of grade 3 students met the standards for reading, just 56% met the standard for writing, and 57%

for math. In grade 6, the results indicate that 56% were at the provincial standard for reading, 53% for writing, and the same 53% for math. Almost half of our students are not meeting the

standard. While much was done in the past -- in fact, 200 million taxpayer dollars were spent by a previous government to measure performance -- very little, almost nothing, was done to help

students to be better at that performance. We say that we are committed to fulfill our duty to help all of our students to do better. And we, unlike previous governments, are going to measure our

progress. We say that by 2008, 75% of students will reach that provincial standard in province-wide reading, writing and math.

Unlocking the potential of our children and our youth means unlocking the potential of the education system and everyone in it. Here are some of the main

elements of our plan to do just that:

We will reduce class sizes in the early years, from junior kindergarten to grade 3.

We are committed to a cap on class size of 20 students by the end of the government's mandate.

We will be announcing the details of our plan to cap class sizes later this month, and we will begin working to reduce class sizes in Ontario this

September.

Strong development in the early years is crucial. To get to the goal we have of endowing an education advantage on kids by the time they're 12, we have to be

working at the earliest age possible. We will amend the curriculum to put a focus on reading, writing and math at a high level. We'll include a dedicated literacy hour and math time each day to

provide the necessary learning intensity.

For the first time, every elementary school will have four specially trained JK to grade 6 lead teachers, two each in literacy and numeracy. They will be

skilled in the best practices and the most effective techniques, and have time available to assist other teachers. These lead teachers will be available in all 4,000 elementary schools beginning

this fall.

We have already launched a pilot project in April in Toronto that will see 10,000 struggling students in grades 1 to 5 get extra help from tutors before

school, during lunch and after school. These very same students will also, for the first time, have an opportunity to attend literacy and numeracy camps in the summer so they can retain what they

have gained from the extra help they are getting.

Earlier we provided every board in this province in this school year its share of $112 million in new resources to help children who were struggling the most.

When we find an innovation that works anywhere in this province to help our students do better, we will make it available to every school and school board.

There is, as well, going to be a new relationship between boards and schools and government. Educators will be free to share ideas instead of shuffling paper,

as they were too often asked to do in the past. Starting in the next school year, we will use test scores and real knowledge of the individual challenges that schools face to target resources on

struggling schools and give principals the tools they need to work together.

We are creating a new Ontario literacy and numeracy secretariat that will ensure that schools, teachers and, most importantly, students are getting the

supports they need when they need them. We are setting up the literacy and numeracy secretariat this month in the Ministry of Education.

We will provide parents with additional resources to encourage and support early reading at home, and we will create an atmosphere of peace and stability in

our schools. But we can only achieve what we want to achieve -- what we must achieve -- in terms of the goals we have set before us if we find the capacity in this province to work together.

As the Premier stated in his remarks last week, there are now three new Rs in education in Ontario: respect, responsibility and results. We will unabashedly,

without apology, respect principals, teachers, education workers and trustees and the work they do on behalf of our children.

This government will assume its responsibility to lead. If things are not working, you will get a new education minister. You won't get somebody new to blame

instead, as you did in the past. We can, and will, working together with our schools, parents and students, produce results. Results, as Dr Rozanski points out, cost money. There will be increased

funding in the upcoming budget and in the budgets that follow, because education is a top priority for our government, for our economy and for our society.

We took the first step when this government kept its promise to cancel the private school tax credit. We ensured that millions of dollars that should be

invested in public schools were not sent to private schools instead. We know, however, that much more needs to be done. We want to persuade parents that publicly funded education is the best

education in every way for their children. Our job is to make the case for public education day in and day out, to make every week in Ontario Education Week, to make every week in the next four

years one where education receives our focused attention.

Together we can bestow a real education advantage on our kids. And I say to all Ontarians: Your public educaion needs -- demands -- your support. It is our

duty, not just in this House as legislators, but as parents, grandarents and ordinary citizens.

In this province, in this country, we define people not by where they came from but by where they're going, and education is what helps them get there. That

has taken too much difficulty in recent years. I say to this House, let's seize what is a critical juncture in our history, a time when we recognize a problem and when the capacity is there to do

something about it. Public education may be on the line, but on this side of the House we recognize the responsibility to respond.

We ask everyone in the House who hasn't done so to visit your local school and, better yet, to get involved in its success. We say to the people out there,

seize this chance. It may be one of our last chances to shape the society we want and the good citizens and skilled workers that we want our children to be. We do this by making public education

the best education, by dedicating ourselves to success for every one of our students.

The public education that we know deep down is needed in Ontario today, that will be as good a preparation for our students, for our youth, as anywhere in the

world, is ours in this House to deliver in the years coming up.

Mr Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): [Inaudible] The questions were great too. They were asking about public life and politics.

Unfortunately, some of the questions were about broken promises and integrity. It was one of the few times I was pleased to be in opposition, because I didn't have to answer those questions on

behalf of the government, specifically the broken promises with respect to education.

Education is, to the opposition, about parents and students in our schools. It isn't about big government. It isn't about big school boards. It isn't about

large unions either, whether they're teachers' unions or other unions. We brought in important reforms that were necessary in Ontario dealing with curriculum, dealing with standards -- standards

for teachers' continuing learning, standards for students in the province of Ontario, and a standardized report card. The reason for these reforms was that it was necessary so our young people

would have the opportunities and be prepared for the opportunities that are going to come their way in this great province of Ontario. The report card in particular was important to parents, so

that parents would know how their children are doing in the schools and take remedial action when required.

Now we're six months into a new government -- a government that promised peace and stability in the schools, a government that promised they would help

children with special needs the most -- and this morning we have a strike in our provincial schools by 240 teachers responsible for teaching some of the most vulnerable people in the province of

Ontario. So much for that commitment from the Liberal government to the people of Ontario.

So much for the commitment with respect to continuing education, the professional learning program for teachers. This Minister of Education got up in December

-- there's no legislation before the House, by the way, but he has said, I guess, that there will be legislation -- and said that he would discontinue the professional learning program for

teachers. What profession in the province of Ontario does not have a continuing education program? Engineers, lawyers, physicians -- everyone is responsible for staying up to date. We live in a

learning society. Of course we want our teachers to continue their education throughout their teaching career, and most teachers do. The concern, of course, is with the relatively small percentage

of teachers who do not. It should not be a question of roulette, with parents having to guess which teachers have had continuing education, which ones have stayed up to date. The people of Ontario,

the parents and the students, are entitled to be assured that all teachers are continuing with their professional learning programs, not to mention the waste of the cancellation of the program --

about $600,000 at least in lost leasing costs alone.

The Premier says he stakes his reputation on education. The people of Ontario want to try to save his reputation. They don't want him to waste $1.63 billion on

a dumb hard cap for K through grade 3. It takes away discretion from principals. The Liberals said in the election campaign that you would listen.

Interjection.

Mr Flaherty: Mr Bartolucci knows; he was a principal. Why don't you listen to the principals across the province of Ontario, who will say, "We

need discretion in the local schools"? Why do you try to run the education system from Queen's Park? Why don't you run it in the local schools? Let the principals have the say that they need, the

discretion that they need in Ontario, and to use all of that money -- $1.63 billion; that's the amount of money we need to implement the Rozanski report.

That was another promise, that they would implement the Rozanski report. But no, they're going to use the $1.6 billion for a dumb hard cap, which will mean

split classes; it will mean children back out in the schoolyard in portables. It will mean the money won't be there for the Rozanski reforms; it won't be there for the higher grades. The money

won't be there for literacy training, numeracy training, and computer skills that our young people need. Those are important for parents and teachers across the province of Ontario, all of those

literacy issues.

In today's world, education isn't something off in a corner. Education is absolutely fundamental for the future of the province of Ontario. Our young people

need those opportunities. They don't need ideology with hard caps and teachers' unions. What they need is a commitment to parents and their children and education in the province of Ontario.

Mr Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): It appears to me that the Minister of Education always appears to be defining the problem or redefining

the problem and gives the sense that he is constantly in opposition and not in government. I want to review some of the things that he is not doing to let the public know that I don't believe they

are meeting the challenge that they're putting to Ontarians.

First of all, boards are in the dark. Students and teachers and boards have been waiting for months to hear about funding so they can plan for the following

year, and they still don't have a clue what they're going to get or when they're going to get it. It'll be late in May when the boards have a sense of what they are going to get, instead of months

ago so that they could properly plan.

Number two, I remember this minister talking about kids at risk and fighting the loss of youth counsellors at the Toronto Board of Education, youth counsellors

who dealt with kids who were in trouble. They are gone. Haven't heard a word from this minister about whether or not he's going to replace the youth counsellors, those who deal with kids at risk:

the ones who would be leaving school, the ones who would be in trouble of surviving their academic years.

I remember this minister talking about curriculum casualties and how kids could not wait. When in opposition, he believed strongly that thousands of students

were dropping out like flies and that we needed to act immediately to deal with the curriculum casualties. We have him in government; we haven't heard a peep about how he is going to deal with

those curriculum casualties. Not yet, at least, but maybe it's coming.

We haven't heard about Dr Rozanski, why the minister mentions Dr Rozanski in passing and says, "Yes, we need to inject funding," but there's no mention of

commitment to Rozanski or the implementation of Rozanski.

Interjection.

Mr Marchese: The minister nods and says "Yes." Well, I didn't hear him say anything about it.

We know there are $674 million in catch-up money to make up for seven years without increases to cover inflation; $375 million to cover the backlog in

secondary schools; $42 million for textbooks and classroom supplies; a new funding formula for transportation, including $40 million in new funding and a separate funding policy for the

transportation of special education students -- not a peep about that.

Let's go further. School closures: A couple of months ago, the minister says, he had imposed a moratorium on closures. Lo and behold, we are hearing that

schools are closing and/or will be closed. So much for the moratorium that this minister has imposed.

We're talking about the loss of education assistants --

Interjections.

Mr Marchese: -- listen to this, Jen; this is for you as well -- the loss of education assistants, the loss of librarians, the need for

guidance counsellors, caretaker numbers that have been halved by the previous government, the need for art and music teachers -- not a peep from this government about how they're going to replace

those vital, essential teacher services. Not a peep. And the funding formula: God bless, maybe it's coming at the end of May, but I haven't heard a thing from this minister about that.

I went to the Premier's remarks on school capping. I didn't hear a commitment from the Premier saying that classes will be capped in grade 3, grade 2 or grade

1 starting this September. What we heard is this: They're going to reduce class size. My feeling is they're going to reduce class sizes in some of the schools where there are inordinate numbers of

students in some classes, and that's the extent of what we're going to get for this coming September. "And in the following years," this government says, "we are committed to capping." I can't wait

to see whether that commitment is coming, because I don't think it is.

The Premier also said that people are going to have to make sacrifices. "We're going to put more money in education" -- we don't even know what that means --

"and we're going to have to take some money from other programs." No new money, and he said he's going to take money from other programs and put it in education. We don't even know what we're going

to get for education.

I've got to tell you, Premier and minister, I am profoundly worried about all this blah, blah, blah that we're getting from you -- feel-good politics and

that's all we're getting. I celebrate Education Week. I celebrate the educators for the work they do, the real heroes in our school system, yes. But your statement today, Mr Sorbara and company and

others, gives me nothing to celebrate.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

PREVENTION MONTH

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Speaker: I believe we have unanimous consent for all

parties to speak for up to five minutes to recognize Sexual Assault Prevention Month.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Do we have unanimous consent? Agreed.

Hon Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): May is Sexual Assault Prevention

Month in Ontario. Ontario first declared Sexual Assault Prevention Month in 1988. Sixteen years later we still recognize Sexual Assault Prevention Month in this month of May. Sixteen years later

sexual violence is still a serious problem in our society and still dramatically changes the lives of girls and women who are victimized by this crime. Sixteen years later we are still not speaking

openly about this in our communities. And that's why this year's theme, Sexual Violence: Let's Talk About It, focuses on public education and promoting dialogue. It's why I stand here before you

today with regard to this critical issue.

Sexual violence has long been shrouded in secrecy. It's an uncomfortable topic of discussion but, simply put, we must talk about it. We must take

responsibility for addressing this issue in all the ways that we can, in all the ridings that we come from. We must educate ourselves and those around us about sexual violence, examine societal

attitudes, and challenge the assumptions and myths about sexual violence. We have to speak out against this problem. It's only when we start to talk about it that we can start working on solutions.

By talking about it we can educate ourselves and others and put to bed these myths about sexual violence, focusing on the facts -- facts, frankly, that should inspire action; facts that are both

astounding and appalling.

More than one-third of Canadian women report that they have experienced sexual violence. An estimated 572,000 women in Canada are sexually assaulted in one

year alone. That's more than one per minute. Young women are at the highest risk of sexual violence. Women are more than twice as likely to be sexually assaulted by someone they know than by a

stranger. According to a StatsCan survey, fewer than 10% of sexual assaults are reported to police. We can only imagine what the levels truly are.

These statistics are shocking. Many are speechless when they hear about these numbers, and yet we must talk about them if we're going to try to put an end to

all forms of sexual violence. Raising awareness of violence against women is a priority for the McGuinty government. Sexual violence has no place in our communities and no place in our homes. We

have to work together to stop it from happening.

On April 6, we took, as a government, some dramatic steps forward in announcing steps to reduce violence against women. Our first steps on domestic violence

include $3.5 million for second-stage housing that supports women and children escaping abusive relationships; a pilot project to train police officers, crown attorneys and others working in the

criminal justice system to better assess the risks for abusive situations; almost $5 million in a four-year public education and awareness campaign, targeting children and youth, that's aimed at

mobilizing communities across Ontario to break the cycle of violence; and a provincial conference on domestic violence that will allow community leaders, experts and service providers to share

their best practices. These early actions are just the first initiatives to be implemented as part of our longer-term multi-ministry approach to a domestic violence plan.

In addition, as part of its education efforts on violence against women prevention, the Ontario Women's Directorate has a popular Web portal for youth. It

includes a resource on sexual violence called "Let's Talk About It." It provides teens with a wealth of information on sexual violence, including tips on prevention and whom to call for help. The

portal also includes a resource for teens on sexual harassment called "Harassment Hurts."

Sexual violence is preventable. It doesn't have to be the fate of so many women and girls. That's why part of our large public education campaign will focus on

healthy relationships, so we can break that cycle. By talking about sexual violence -- getting teens, parents in our communities and people talking to each other -- we can create this positive

shift in thinking. Through this public education campaign about healthy relationships, we can help to create and maintain a society where sexual violence has no place, and through campaigns such as

Sexual Assault Prevention Month, we're doing more than just talking about sexual violence; we're going to do something about it.

I'd like to draw your attention to another important initiative that also coincides with Sexual Assault Prevention Month: the Daisy of Hope campaign. It was

started in 1999 by Brantford's Nova Vita Women's Services and is dedicated to ending violence in Ontario. It also promotes violence-free living. May I please ask the House for permission so all of

us may don our daisy symbolizing the Daisy of Hope campaign?

The Speaker: The minister has asked for unanimous consent to wear this tag. Agreed? Agreed.

Responses?

Ms Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): Sexual Assault Prevention Month has been recognized in Ontario since 1988. It's a way to create

public awareness of sexual assault and improve the prevention of violence against women.

Statistics show that women between the ages of 12 and 24 are at a greater risk of sexual assault than any other age group. Only a small percentage of sexual

assaults are reported to police, and in approximately 70% of reported cases the victim knew the assailant. These findings are troubling. They suggest that before adulthood, many women may

experience sexual assault and many will likely suffer in silence. This is simply unacceptable.

The consequences and cost of this violence to women themselves, to their children and to our economies in terms of medical, psychological and economic impacts

are high: an estimated $4.2 billion.

Our government was committed to helping prevent domestic violence and made substantial improvements to Ontario's system of supports for victims. The

Eves-Harris government committed more resources to address violence against women since taking office than any previous government; in fact, expenditures have increased by about 70% since 1995.

One year ago, our government announced its commitment to victims of domestic violence with more than $1.2 million in funding for Shelternet, an innovative Web

site that links women to shelters across Canada, providing information to women seeking to leave abusive relationships. Supporting Shelternet was part of our government's comprehensive approach

that focuses on protection and prosecution, support for victims, and prevention and education.

On September 5, 2002, our government announced $21.4 million in new initiatives over three years to support victims and hold abusers accountable, another

important step forward in our government's approach to addressing domestic violence in Ontario.

Violence against women is unacceptable. Let's hope that the new Liberal government is as serious about being tough on crime as our government.

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): On behalf of the New Democratic Party, it's a privilege for me to stand today to acknowledge that May is

Sexual Assault Prevention Month. It gives all of us an opportunity to reflect on some very shocking statistics involving sexual assaults, some of which you've heard, and I'll repeat them again: 38%

of women were assaulted by their partners; 93% of sexual assault victims never report the assaults to the police; 50% of females, and 38% of children, have experienced at least one unwanted sexual

act.

On this day, we should also have some renewed resolve to get to the bottom of this very serious issue of sexual assault and take the steps that government must

to eliminate these vicious crimes. In that regard, I believe the Liberal government must do some of the following:

(1) Restore the 5% cut to sexual assault centres implemented by the Conservative government in 1995.

(2) Implement all the recommendations from the Arlene May and Gillian Hadley coroner's inquests. In that regard, let me deal with three:

First, you could provide counselling for child witnesses within the shelter system.

Second, you could model all new women's and children's services based on existing models, like shelters.

Third, you could do what Provincial Auditor recommended in 1998, when he reviewed the violence-against-women program in the Ministry of Community and Social

Services.

He said the following about a full review of the shelter system: "The 1998 coroner's report on the inquest into the deaths of Arlene May and Randy Iles

recommended that the ministry review its funding for shelters for abused women and their children. In 1999, in response to the coroner's recommendation, the ministry indicated that assuming the

municipal share of per diems and block funding shelters after January 1, 1998, was sufficient to address the recommendation. However, based on our work, it is clear that the ministry's current

method of funding does not ensure appropriate and equitable funding for shelters that is linked to an assessed level of demand and to services provided in the respective communities."

The auditor went on to say that a full review of shelter funding was desperately needed because it was clear that the ministry, through its funding, could not

even provide enough funding to ensure that core services were being provided in shelters across the province. The auditor said in his report: "Prior to 1995, the ministry defined the core services

to be provided by VAW shelters as: shelter and safety; crisis intervention, counselling and support to women and their children; administration; children's support worker; emergency transportation;

and crisis telephone services." These were the core services shelters were supposed to deliver.

I quote from the report: "Although the ministry is still committed to the provision of these core services, the ministry acknowledges that due to funding

constraints, some shelters may not be able to provide all of them any more ... the ministry has no method in place to determine to what extent these services were or were not being provided."

That's why during the committee's deliberations I recommended that we have the ministry provide a full review of the shelter system and the shelter subsidy,

but I couldn't get the majority of the government to agree to that at the time. The best I could do was to get two recommendations approved. It said the following: "That the ministry define the

core services that all shelters must provide and ensure that they are adequately funded.... That the ministry develop a policy to clarify the services a shelter does and does not offer in

consultation with OAITH." I say to the minister and the government, a full review of funding for shelters is needed now, more than ever before, and you should undertake it.

(3) We need to appropriately fund women's services and women's community services. We know that most women will never use the court system because they don't

want to be victimized twice. OAITH, in a very powerful report that it released a couple of years ago, called Ten Years from Montreal: Still Working for Change, pointed out how many women will never

use the court system.

If you want to help women and children flee from abuse, you need to support community-based women's organizations. You need to, for example, fund the

equivalent of at least one additional women's direct service community support worker and one additional child and youth support worker in each shelter. That recommendation came out of OAITH's

reports.

This government needs to fund affordable housing. This government needs to have a livable minimum wage so women and children can flee from their abusers. There

is a lot of work to be done. I look to the budget to see that response.

ORAL QUESTIONS

PUBLIC SECTOR COMPENSATION

Mr Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): My question is for the Acting Premier. According to your government's Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review,

revenue is projected to increase by $4.1 billion annually going forward, but the cost of your promises far exceeds this sum. The hard class cap alone is $1.63 billion. More teachers, more

teacher-librarians, child care assistants, expanding MRIs, CTs, all of these various promises -- you've already spent in excess of $3 billion of new money in the province of Ontario.

You know that 80% of the revenue is transferred. The operating expense of government is transferred to transfer agencies, and 70% of that goes for salaries,

wages and human resource costs. The Premier himself has said, "I'm asking our public sector partners to be reasonable and responsible at the bargaining table."

In your Economic Outlook, you said the only sustainable approach is to keep spending in line with income. Now, I'm assuming there's a government plan here. My

question is: What is your plan to handle public sector wages in Ontario?

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): I'll refer that to the Minister of Finance.

Hon Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance): Let's begin with something that we're not going to do. We are not, under any circumstances, ever going

to consider the funding of private schools in the way in which that gentleman did when he was finance minister, I tell my friend from Whitby-Ajax.

He suggests, quite rightly, that about 75% to 80% of all the revenues that we take in as a government goes through the government in the form of salaries and

wages for the hard-working women and men within the Ontario government and within the broader public sector that delivers services as wide-ranging as health care facilities or environmental

controls in the far part of the north. I simply say to him that we do have a plan to be able to finance the services that we committed to, and those plans will be more detailed in the budget. I

invite him to be here on May 18.

Mr Flaherty: I won't get into the exaggeration by the government of the cost of the private school tax credit. They're about 20 degrees off on

that.

It was not a rhetorical question, though, and I say to the Minister of Finance, I didn't expect a rhetorical answer. It's quite a serious question.

When you say you're going to balance the budget, when you promise the people of Ontario you're going to balance the budget, and when most of the operating

funds go for public sector salaries and wages in the province, when you know that and you say, Minister of Finance, the Honourable Greg Sorbara, which you said in your economic statement just a few

months ago, "So we are asking our partners in health care, in education and in the rest of the broader public sector to temper their requests for more," and when the Premier talks about it and when

we hear from some hospitals that they are being asked to hold down their expenses to 1% to 1.5%, that tells us that your plan will lead to wage controls in the province of Ontario.

What is your plan? Come clean with the people of Ontario. How are we going to balance the budget with public sector wages?

Hon Mr Sorbara: That sounds to me a little bit like scaremongering, if you want to know the truth. I stand behind the statements I made in the

fall economic statement. We have sent a message to all those who share in the tax revenues that we are looking toward moderation. My friend the Chair of Management Board has said on a number of

occasions that we will honour the collective bargaining process, and I want to tell my friend from Whitby-Ajax that I do not take his question as a rhetorical question. I understand where he's

coming from, and I simply want to tell him that we are prepared to enter into those negotiations as contracts become open for negotiation.

Mr Flaherty: You've been the Minister of Finance for more than six months now. You know the financial situation in the province of Ontario.

You know that there has to be restraint, but you go and negotiate a collective agreement with the community college teachers that, in effect, is in excess of 4% per annum. You know that the economy

in the province is not predicted to grow at anywhere near that. What that says to the people of Ontario is that you are intentionally running a deficit this year, that you are not going to address

the serious issue of restraint.

You are sending a message. What is the message that you are sending? What is the plan so that you can keep your promise to balance the budget in Ontario?

Hon Mr Sorbara: I want to tell my friend, in terms of messages, that our message will not be the unrealistic, unfunded, nonsensical message

that that party brought to the people of Ontario on October 2. I want to say to him, yes, I have been Minister of Finance for more than six months now and I understand the financial circumstances

that this province finds itself in. I understand that those circumstances arise from eight years of what I described back then as mismanagement and misrepresentation. It's our job to turn that

around now.

Mr Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think there was a word that was quite unparliamentary in that

response.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): If you find it unparliamentary, would you withdraw?

Hon Mr Sorbara: Certainly if there was anything unparliamentary, I would withdraw that, sir.

REPORT ON CAMPAIGN COMMITMENTS

Mr John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): My question is to the Acting Premier. Since coming to office six short months ago, you have done three

things. First, you've broken nearly every campaign promise you made. Second, you've brought in the biggest tax increase in Ontario history. Third, you've announced $3 billion in increased and new

spending for the province of Ontario. The real source of Ontario's fiscal woes is you and your government and the reckless campaign promises that you made to get elected.

The officials at the Ministry of Finance -- non-partisan, hard-working public servants -- have costed out your campaign promises and your campaign commitments.

They've produced a 60-page report which details just how much these commitments and these promises will cost. Will you now admit that you've got to release this report, or would you stand in your

place and explain to this House what you have to hide in not releasing this 60-page report? Will you do that, Acting Premier?

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): I refer that to the finance minister.

Hon Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance): I simply tell my friend, I have not seen the report. I'm not interested in the report. What I'm

interested in is, starting in our budget that we will present on May 18 -- don't you dare miss it; be here -- we are going to start to repair some of the damage that was done to this province over

the course of the past eight years.

I refer, my friend, to the damage in terms of our revenue base -- eroded beyond belief. The expenditures in the last years of their administration were taking

off like a rocket. That was not good public administration. That had to come to an end. It came to an end on October 2. Now, with the budget that we present, we are going to put ourselves on the

road to financial health again.

Mr Baird: I say to the Minister of Finance of this 60-page report that he and his team refuse to release, if he hasn't seen it, it's violating

some of the arguments that his lawyers are making right now in judicial proceedings for the opposition's attempt to get that report. That 60-page report, prepared by public servants, details the

real expense of his party's election campaign promises, where they were reckless and crazy and saying anything to get elected. You, sir, are making legal representations and representatives of you

personally are saying that this is a cabinet document. Your Premier says he hasn't seen it. Now we learn today that you haven't seen it.

If you haven't seen it, how can you possibly argue that it should be immune from the light of sunshine? How can you possibly argue that all members of this

House aren't entitled to find out what's in this report and that it might be the real source of Ontario's fiscal woes? It details how much you intended to spend and how much you are responsible

Interjections.

Hon Mr Sorbara: I simply told my blustery friend that I personally have not seen the report. I will tell him that there is a process that is

well established and is to be respected, and that process will unfold. But the fact is that that document, whatever is in it, does not deal with the situation that we inherited on October 2: a

deficit that rose to a breathtaking $5.6 billion in the final year of their administration and about $2.2 billion in additional risks in that year. I simply tell my friend that the process will be

respected. The important document that he should pay attention to is the budget that we will present in this Legislature on May 18, and I invite him to attend.

Mr Baird: I say to the minister opposite, the process that should be respected is our access-to-information laws where this report has been

deemed to be a public document and should be available to all members of the Legislature and to every single taxpayer in the province of Ontario. The reason we have a deficit in Ontario this coming

year is because you and your government made reckless and irresponsible promises to the people of the province of Ontario. Since you've been elected, all you've done --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order.

Mr Baird: The only thing you and your government have done since being elected is hide that 60-page report and raise taxes.

The worst tax increase that you instituted in your financial statement was your commitment to abolish the capital tax cut. Would you now admit that your plan

to reintroduce capital taxes in the province of Ontario is devastating to --

The Speaker: Thank you.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon Mr Sorbara: This stretches credibility even for my friend from Nepean-Carleton, whose blustery methods hide the fact that what he's

suggesting in this Legislature has no basis in fact.

I want to tell him, as calmly as I can, that the report that he is talking about was prepared by civil servants under the direction of the previous

administration. It is up to the privacy commissioner to determine whether or not it is appropriate to release, not me. We're going to respect that process, and I invite my friend from

Nepean-Carleton to respect it as well.

ELECTRICITY SECTOR REFORMS

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Energy. Last Friday, Brascan's chief executive officer -- Brascan

is a private power company -- said that he wants to buy more of Ontario Power Generation's publicly owned hydro generating stations, and he indicated that he believes you are willing to sell.

I understand why Brascan is so eager to buy. The former Conservative government practically gave away the four hydro generating stations on the Mississagi

River, stations that produce electricity for half a cent a kilowatt hour; then Brascan sells it for 5.7 cents a kilowatt hour, 10 times what it costs. It's a great deal for Brascan, a terrible deal

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order. The member for Nepean-Carleton, I would like to hear the member for Kenora-Rainy River. You keep

shouting across.

The member for Kenora-Rainy River.

Mr Hampton: That was a great deal for Brascan, but a terrible deal for Ontario electricity consumers. Minister, will you confirm today that

you will not sell any hydro generating stations to Brascan or any other private power company?

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): We will not sell off assets like the Tories did. We will also not jump into

the harmful policies of the Tories and the NDP. Our government is taking a balanced approach to energy policy, unlike the NDP, who insisted on cancelling all demand management-side programs.

We believe the reforms we've brought forward in the electricity sector are the right steps, taking a balanced approach to ensure that there is an adequate

supply of reliable hydroelectricity available to all Ontario consumers.

We already launched an RFP last week for 300 megawatts of renewable energy, the first time in Ontario's history, and soon we'll be launching an RFP for 2,500

megawatts of new electricity in this province to help address the problem that was left by previous governments.

Mr Hampton: It was an easy, simple question: Will the minister say definitively that the Liberal government will not sell off any hydro

generating stations to private power producers? During the election campaign, your Premier said he believed in public power. Well, Brascan has come calling, and I'm asking you, what's the answer?

Will you rule out the further sale of any hydro generating stations to Brascan and other private power producers? Whose side are you on: more money for Brascan, or ensuring affordable power for

consumers? What's the answer, Minister?

Hon Mr Duncan: The member can't take yes for an answer. We won't sell off assets the way the Tories did.

But let's see what this member had to say in other contexts. Who said, "There will be important roles for the private sector to play in the future of our

electricity system, as there always have been"? Howie Hampton said that. Who said, "I'm not ideologically opposed to private power any more than I'm opposed to private restaurants, clothing stores

or car dealerships"? Howie Hampton said that, and he published it in his book.

Who said, "Hydro is still too big and bureaucratic, and I'm sure could be made more efficient by injecting market principles deeper into the bowels of its

organization. How to do that without imperilling quality, reliability and public accountability is a great challenge. Simplistic, ideological solutions are to be avoided at all costs"? That was Bob

Rae, not Ernie Eves.

That member and his policies were rejected by the people of Ontario last fall. Dalton McGuinty and his government are taking reasonable steps to ensure that

adequate, fair and affordable electricity is available for all Ontarians.

The Speaker: New question.

EMPLOYER HEALTH TAX

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I think we know the answer: There are more sales of hydro generating stations coming.

My question is for the Minister of Finance. Last week, an Ontario court decided that Mike Harris's secret tax break for wealthy sports companies was OK. If you

allow Mike Harris's secret tax break to stand, it means an immediate loss for our health care system of at least $15 million, and it means that other sports teams like the Toronto Roadrunners, the

Hamilton Bulldogs and other corporations will be lining up to scheme about getting out of paying the employer health tax. Will you bring in legislation immediately that will put an end to Mike

Harris's secret tax break for his corporate friends?

Hon Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance): Actually I appreciate the question from my friend from Kenora-Rainy River, because it gives me an

opportunity to say in this House that, as a matter of policy, this government believes and will insist that the employer health tax be paid by all professional athletes in Ontario, working for

teams such as the Toronto Blue Jays. That's our policy. That's the policy of the government.

We are looking at the decision, and we are considering the possibility of appealing that decision. We are looking at the loophole that has been created by the

decision of Mr Justice Ted Matlow, and we are looking at the advisability of bringing forward legislation. I can tell you we're looking at a variety of different mechanisms, but the policy is

clear: That tax will apply to those players.

Mr Hampton: If the policy is clear, then it seems to me that all it would require is about a three-word amendment. As you know, this decision

turned on the definition of a permanent establishment. All you need to do is present legislation in this House that says that a baseball stadium in Texas, a hockey rink in Carolina or a basketball

court in New York City is not a permanent establishment in terms of the employer health tax. I tell you, Minister, that if you want to bring in that legislation, New Democrats will pass it

today.

I don't see why you have to go backwards and forwards on this. Are you going to bring in legislation? Are you going to send a clear and swift message not only

to professional sports teams but also to other corporations that this is not on and demonstrate that message with clear legislation now?

Hon Mr Sorbara: My goodness, when it comes to taxes, how the leader of the New Democratic Party loves to run to the front of the line. I'm

just not sure what part of "Yes, we are going to proceed" he doesn't like in my first answer.

We're looking at the decision. One model might be to appeal the decision, have the decision reversed, and then the matter will be cleared up for all time.

Another approach, as he suggests, is to bring forward legislation, and we're looking at that option as well.

All I can tell him is that we will not be moved by his puffery and his demand that we do so today. We have time to deal with this.

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

Mr Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): My question is for the Minister of Education, and it's about broken promises and vulnerable students in

Ontario. The promise made in education, among others, was, "We will bring peace and stability to our schools." That was by Mr McGuinty and the Liberals in the last election. Mr Kennedy, the current

Minister of Education, said on May 3, "Ontario students and the public education system as a whole deserve to have as much peace and stability as we can provide."

They've been the government for six months, and in the first test we have of this peace and stability, the most vulnerable students in Ontario, in the only

schools actually directly administered by the Minister of Education, are out of school today. There is a labour disruption; there is a strike by 240 teachers who teach deaf, blind and deaf-blind

students in the province. I'm asking the minister to explain to those students and their parents why this promise of peace and stability was broken with the most vulnerable students in Ontario.

Hon Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I would say first of all, about the situation in this province, that we'll do everything we can to

ensure peace and stability. We are not the party of the social contract or the party of Bill 160. We let local bargaining take place. We did find, for example, a way to make sure the process worked

better than it did under your government, quite frankly, in order to ensure that a lockout was cancelled and sanctions were lifted in Windsor today. Kids are in school in Windsor today.

I know that my colleague the Chair of Management Board, who is responsible for these negotiations, will similarly apply the same principles of fairness to

ensure there is bargaining, and also any reasonable effort this government can make to ensure this different environment actually comes about. We are cluttered by some of the old rules and

attitudes that the previous government engendered, but there will be a different day in education and students are indeed, in all cases, being put first.

Mr Flaherty: Actions speak louder than words. This is the first test, and the Minister of Education and his government have failed it. They

made another promise too when they went to the people of Ontario and asked for their votes. It was this: "We will help children who need help the most -- those with special needs" -- deaf, blind

and deaf-blind children in provincially administered schools.

You can blame Management Board if you want, Minister of Education. You took the responsibility to help children with special needs in particular in Ontario.

The chair of the negotiating team said, "For all their talk about education as this government's first priority, they had the opportunity to deliver this weekend and failed to do so. It is with

regret and frustration that these dedicated teachers begin job action today."

Explain to those teachers, those vulnerable students and those parents why you broke a second promise, the promise to the special-needs students of the

province, and what you're going to do to fix it.

Hon Mr Kennedy: I understand that today there likely will be some frustration on the part of the people involved in this particular

discussion. But even the most frustrated teacher in this local of the Ontario secondary school association will not mistake what is said by the member of the House for genuine concern for the

public teachers in this province. They will understand the difference.

We have an unfortunate situation that emerged his morning in our provincial schools. The deaf, the blind-deaf, the severely disabled kids, are in school today

and the member opposite should not infer otherwise. There is a tremendous amount of commitment and concern for the staff in the schools and the staff that are trying to conclude the bargaining.

I stand here ready to accept the honourable member's intervention on behalf of the federation. I should let him know that the Chair of Management Board will

apply all diligent efforts to bring this to a successful conclusion.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mr Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I have a question for the Minister of Labour. Minister, you've said repeatedly that the health and safety

of Ontario workers is your number one priority. I understand the ministry is revising the way it handles cases where workers refuse work because it's dangerous. Please tell me what changes have

been adopted and how these changes will affect workplace health and safety in Ontario.

Hon Christopher Bentley (Minister of Labour): The member for Mississauga West raises a very important point. It arises from a policy change

that the previous government instituted in 2001. This is the context: Last year, over 300,000 people were injured on worksites. Our priority as a government is to make safer and healthier

worksites. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act there is the right to refuse unsafe work.

What should happen in situations where a worker believes that there is unsafe work? Immediately speak to the employer. If it can be resolved at the worksite

immediately, that's the best step. If it can't, what happens next is that the Ministry of Labour is contacted. The previous administration allowed Ministry of Labour inspectors to resolve these

unsafe work issues over the telephone. That, in many cases, was far from satisfactory. We have changed that. We now indicate that where it cannot be resolved over the phone, a Ministry of Labour

inspector will attend at the worksite to protect workers in Ontario.

Mr Delaney: Having our inspectors on site to conduct inspections and promote healthy and safe workplaces will make a difference. Please tell

me how this shift in policy fits within the ministry's broader health and safety enforcement strategy.

Hon Mr Bentley: This gives me an opportunity to say that our new policy with respect to workplace inspection of unsafe work issues not only

will protect workers in Ontario, but it fits within the broader context. And that broader context, as I've spoken about before in this House, is a context in which we've launched the minister's

health and safety action groups to bring best practices and make them apply throughout workplaces in Ontario to make them safer.

It fits within the context where we recently announced a new process for updating occupational exposure limits much. These are the exposure limits for

potentially hazardous substances in the workplace. It used to be that they were only periodically revised. In fact, in one case they weren't revised from 1986 until 2000 -- a period of 14 years. We

have now instituted a process where these limits will be revised at least once a year, and often more often than that, so that the workers of Ontario benefit from the best scientific and medical

evidence --

Interjection.

Hon Mr Bentley: -- as I am sure the member for the NDP opposite would want to have us do.

ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITIES

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Minister, you will recall the electricity blackout that

affected the northeast United States and Ontario last August 14, 2003. This unfortunate event left some 50 million people in the dark. You might also recall two things: First, every independent

report on this important event exonerated Ontario from any cause. Second, our leader, Ernie Eves, made a commitment to assist our community with the costs of police, fire, health and other

costs.

Minister, can you clearly admit today that this is another broken Liberal promise? As you know, you turned your back and cancelled the assistance to our

municipal partners. Is this not just another broken Liberal promise?

Hon John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): I thank the member opposite for the

question. He is quite correct that Mr Eves promised money sometime in August of last year to the various municipalities that were affected by the blackout. However, what he failed to do, and they

were the government at the time, was set up any program or any application deadlines. What's most important, he failed to put any money aside to fund this particular program.

We realize the difficulty that some of our municipalities had as a result of the blackout. However, there was absolutely no money allocated by the former

government. It was a promise that was made by that government, and they, as usual, broke their promise.

Mr O'Toole: Clearly, the minister doesn't want to own up to his responsibilities. They like to comment routinely on the bogus budget, but this

is just one more example where you cannot have it both ways. You can't have it both ways, Minister, because you admit here today that the bogus budget you continue to quote is simply wrong. You

know it's wrong. You know it's less than that. Minister, you turn your back -- not only turn the lights out, but put our municipalities in the red. You're breaking another promise to the municipal

partners that you're supposed to be representing.

Hon Mr Gerretsen: I certainly agree with one thing the member said, and that was that last year's budget in the Magna workshop was a bogus

budget. As a matter of fact, as we well know, it was such a bogus budget that when we took office on October 23, we were in debt to the tune of $5.6 billion for one year, and there may have been

another $2 billion there in additional debts and responsibilities.

The point is simply this: We sympathize with our municipalities. There was never a commitment given by this government. The only commitment given was by that

government, without any kind of funding or mechanism put in place to make it happen.

If there was any bogus budget, it was delivered by that government last year at the Magna Corp plant.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Mr Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): My question is to the Minister of Energy. Friday, April 23, was Conservation Day in Ontario, and I had the

pleasure of visiting a company in my Thornhill riding that produces energy-conserving devices such as smart meters. These smart meters allow energy consumers to easily and accurately monitor and

control consumption under the tiered rate structure.

I understand that our government is trying to build a culture of conservation in our province so that Ontarians spend less on energy and rely less on polluting

energy sources such as coal while preventing the potential of more dangerous power blackouts, as we did experience under the Tory government. Minister, what is your ministry doing to encourage the

use of energy-conserving devices such as smart meters by homeowners and businesses?

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): On April 19 of this year, Premier McGuinty announced the most broad-ranging

and sweeping energy conservation program in the history of Ontario. At that time, we announced our intention to put smart meters into every Ontario home by 2010, with an interim target of 800,000

meters in place by 2007.

We've also given the Ontario Energy Board clear direction and authority to establish rates with more flexible pricing to allow Ontarians to save money if they

consume electricity in off-peak hours. We'll be working with the Ontario Energy Board to develop and implement requirements for the installation of smart meters in homes and smaller businesses.

Large consumers already have interval meters, a type of smart meter. We'll allow local distribution companies to begin investing approximately a quarter of a billion dollars, the largest investment

in conservation in the history of the province.

This government is moving fast and solidly to build and improve a conservation culture in the province of Ontario.

Mr Racco: Minister, thank you for taking the issue very seriously and sending this important message to the people of Ontario. This issue is

very important to the people of Thornhill, not only from a quality-of-life standpoint but also economically, because conserving energy will give Ontarians an extra economic advantage in our very

competitive global economy. Inevitably, a culture of conservation will bring about significant positive spinoffs such as new jobs in new sectors of the economy, a cleaner environment and more money

for the people of Ontario, ultimately improving the standard of living for all of us.

In my riding, construction of new homes and buildings continues at a rapid pace. Minister, in keeping with our energy conservation mandate, what initiatives is

your ministry undertaking to ensure we have high energy efficiency standards in our homes and buildings?

Hon Mr Duncan: The energy efficiency provisions of the Ontario building code are among the strongest in Canada. However, this does not mean

that we shouldn't do more.

Ontario's Energy Efficiency Act was the first in Canada. It was passed in this Legislature in 1987. It sets minimum efficiency levels for over 50 products,

including the major energy consumers found in the home. This does not mean we are resting on our laurels. We are always working to improve our standards.

On March 26 this year, I announced the latest regulation under the Energy Efficiency Act, setting tough new standards for nine products, which will increase

energy conservation, help the environment and result in savings for consumers. Rest assured that unlike previous governments -- the NDP, who cancelled all demand-side management programs in

Ontario; and the Conservatives, who thought demand management conservation was a joke -- the McGuinty government is leading the way on conservation not only in Ontario but also in terms of the

world.

TVONTARIO

Mr Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. As you well know, TVOntario

provides high-quality educational programming that is linked to the curriculum and is commercial-free. You know that. I have travelled to many cities, gathering support to prevent the sale of TVO,

and many citizens told me they don't want a sell-off. They also don't understand why you are discussing a sell-off. When the Conservatives were trying to sell it off in the early period -- 1997,

1998 and 1999 -- Mr McGuinty said, "The debate is over." Minister, will you tell the people of Ontario that the debate is really over and that you won't sell TVO?

Hon Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): I do know that the member from Trinity-Spadina is a great fan of

Polkaroo, but you know, there's a lot more to TVOntario than Polkaroo. Independent learning for 24,000 students who can qualify for high school diplomas and independent learning opportunities for

apprentices are just examples of the richness of the educational programming for TVOntario. I guess the member is not comfortable with the fact that we have asked the people of Ontario to share

with us what they think about a number of things. I also understand that the member is not even happy that we engaged a highly regarded and respected research organization. So I guess there's no

telling what we can say to appease the member.

Mr Marchese: Minister, I really think you must stop playing peekaboo with Polkaroo. I tell you that it's impossible for TVO to continue its

fundraising efforts and conduct normal operations with this threat of a sell-off hanging over its head. If this is a trial balloon you're holding, all you have to do is shoot it down, admit you

made a mistake and what I consider to be a political blunder. Can you assure us that TVO will remain public and that it will continue to provide children and adults with the excellent educational

programs you were talking about?

Hon Mrs Chambers: Again, I will say to the member from Trinity-Spadina that we are proud of our government's interest in hearing from everyone

in Ontario, even the member from Trinity-Spadina. When he asked me that question last week and I answered him, I thought he was listening. If this is another one of those pre-budget consultation

questions, I guess he'll have to wait until May 18, just like everybody else.

GASOLINE PRICES

Mr Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. When you were in opposition, you said

the following -- and I quote from Hansard in 1997: "Gas prices all over Ontario continue to be too high and the government of Mike Harris is doing nothing about it. The Liberals have given the

Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations a solution, but we see no action from the Mike Harris government." Well, Minister, now you are the government and the minister charged with looking out

for northern interests. Why are we experienceing record-high gas prices in Parry Sound and all over the north? My constituents and northerners across the province want to know what your solution

is.

Hon Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): That's a very good question. I think there isn't a person across the country

who wouldn't agree that it is a good question.

This is a very, very complex issue. There is no simple solution to it. But let me tell you, there are concerns -- I think there are implications

internationally -- with regard to the amount of barrels that are produced on a daily basis. There is concern that there will be a reduction in the amount of barrels that are produced. Certainly it

is very important that we make sure everyone is aware of the acute concern not only of the people of northern Ontario, but the concern that the people of Ontario have with gas prices.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Supplementary?

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): Minister, that was then and this is now. Clearly, you never had an answer then, nor do you have an answer now,

unlike the member from Parry Sound-Muskoka, who has really stood up and listened to the people of Ontario, asking you a question to which you refuse to give an answer.

Minister, I can tell you that people from Durham, and in fact all over Ontario, love to travel to the north -- Science North, Dynamic Earth, just camping and

outdoor recreational opportunities. Can you assure the House today that you're not going to increase the price of gas with your new gas tax in your May 18 budget? You know that gas is an important

and expensive commodity for people that's going to restrict their travel not just to the north, but in the south of Ontario. Can you tell us categorically that you're not going to increase the

price of gas with your new gas tax in the province of Ontario?

Hon Mr Bartolucci: It is passing strange that the supplementary came from one of the gas-busters. Fourteen recommendations were made to the

previous government. I would like the member to stand and tell the House and the people of Ontario how many of those recommendations were acted upon. We understand that the gas fighter won't do

that, but it was only one. I want the people of Ontario to know that the previous government was the government that talked the talk but never walked the walk.

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Over the past decade, cities in

Ontario have been struggling with the financial and social implications downloaded to them by the past Tory government. As such, numerous cities, including Cornwall, the city in my riding of

Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh, have not been able to invest in much-needed downtown revitalization projects, leaving city centres a shell of what they were once were.

In Cornwall, the Heart of the City and La Renaissance projects are currently underway and are ambitious work plans which support and increase business,

increase residential housing and would lure people to the beautiful downtown areas of Cornwall. These projects will support the creation of an open-air market, study the feasibility of establishing

a factory outlet, proceed with brownfields redevelopment, redevelop the historic downtown and undertake a traffic study. However, the city is struggling with these projects as they move ahead due

to the lack of funds. Minister, what is your ministry doing to support cities with projects such as Cornwall's downtown revitalization projects?

Hon John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): I'd like to thank the member for the

question. I'd also like to indicate to him that I've met with Mayor Poirier a number of times, and he certainly put his case forward on behalf of his municipality quite strongly as well.

I think Cornwall has to be complimented, as do all the other small municipalities in Ontario, for trying to have their downtowns as vital as possible. We all

know that the vitality of our communities is determined by how the downtowns are developed.

I can tell the member that we are developing tools right now for municipalities to use themselves. We're also developing community development programs to make

sure the downtowns of smaller municipalities, and the rural areas, will remain as vital and strong as possible, because we believe in strong communities. That's what this is really all about.

Mr Brownell: Your work and open dialogue with municipalities and cities is appreciated. As a former municipal politician, I encourage that

dialogue.

Recently I met with municipal representatives from across my riding who have been dealing with infrastructure issues. Many of them are in need of much-needed

funding in order to update and renovate infrastructure projects such as water and waste water treatment facilities. In my home community of Long Sault, as an example, we have a massive water

treatment project currently underway, but there are similar projects required throughout my riding. As the OSTAR program has now ended and is no longer taking applications, what is our government

doing in order to supplement or replace this program?

Hon Mr Gerretsen: We recognize that municipalities, large and small, need help with their infrastructure. I know that my colleague the

Minister of Public Infrastructure, the Honourable David Caplan, is currently working extremely hard with the federal government, as we are with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, to come

up with the best possible plan, that will have input from all three levels of government, and more important, that will have funding from all three levels of government. Hopefully, a program like

that can be announced in the near future.

EDUCATION ISSUES

Ms Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): My question is for the Minister of Education. In my riding of Haliburton-Victoria-Brock, there

are approximately 150 students in the former townships of Carden and Dalton who for generations have taken their elementary and secondary school education with the Simcoe County District School

Board. The students and their families use the city of Orillia and the eastern Simcoe county as their community of interest.

Now, the Trillium Lakelands District School Board wants these Carden and Dalton students back in their schools. They have told these students that they will

have to attend schools located within the Trillium Lakelands boundaries, although these schools are much farther in distance from their homes than the Orillia-area schools.

I believe we need to put students first, the local, municipal and student school councils believe that we need to put students first, and their parents believe

that we need to put students first. Minister, will you put the students first and personally intervene to work with the boards so the children of Carden and Dalton can attend the schools of their

choice, the schools in the Simcoe system that were also their parents' and grandparents' choice?

Hon Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I will that we are in communication now with the board. We are looking into, not taking the

decision away from the board, but what the regulations are and so on that are being relied upon to make this decision. We do think that in all instances where the boards have discretionary power,

they should be looking out for the interests of students.

There is a difference of opinion about this at the current time, but at the same time we do think there may be a provincial role. I undertake to the member

opposite that we are exploring that now and will report back to her further on our success, in terms of both dialoguing with the board and looking at how provincial rules may have brought a part of

this situation about.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Supplementary?

Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): Ms Scott and I are both agreed that the students from Carden and Dalton are best served by the Simcoe

county board. In fact, the Simcoe county board has done a remarkable job of portable replacements over the last four years, in fact changing all of the schools in the township of Ramara -- Brechin,

Rama Central and Uptergrove -- to having beautiful new additions, which of course accommodate the kids from Carden and Dalton.

With a large financial investment -- it's about $5 million in these schools -- and I understand the pending regulatory change in the transportation segment of

the student-focus funding formula, can you assure us -- or I know you could give a partial answer there to the parents and students of Carden and Dalton -- and will you make the solution a

long-term solution, if you possibly can, by working with the boards? I believe in a solution that will allow Carden and Dalton students to attend Simcoe county schools for the foreseeable future

and many generations, if at all possible.

Hon Mr Kennedy: What I can say is that there is a need here to make sure there is some long-term stability. I would ascribe right away to that

part of the member's question.

We have a point of friction between two boards, essentially, and we want to play whatever constructive role we can. We don't intend to take final

decision-making power away from them, but we do see ways, and there are some changes that we think can perhaps ameliorate that, which could be announced in the weeks ahead. But again, I would say

that we're looking first of all to see where the provincial responsibility is and how this may be making this more complicated.

We have in some boards a larger issue around lower populations. We have a new policy coming forward, I'll say to the member opposite now, which puts more

emphasis on the academic value and performance of schools. And while this is a unique situation -- a border issue, if you like -- that principle will inform us as well in how we contribute to this

solution.

WATER QUALITY

Mr Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Great Lakes cities such as Chicago,

Detroit, Sault Ste Marie, Windsor and Toronto are members of the Great Lakes Cities Initiative. This initiative is a binational coalition of mayors and other local officials that works actively

with federal, state and provincial governments to advance the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes. What is your ministry doing to assist Ontario's Great Lakes cities in achieving the

goals of the Great Lakes Cities Initiative?

Hon Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of the Environment): With regard to the Great Lakes Cities Initiative, the work they are about is very

important, and Ontario also plays a role. I've been told that the province of Ontario shares more miles of Great Lakes shoreline than any other jurisdiction in North America, so we have a

leadership role to play.

this year and $50 million over the next few years -- to implement a plan to address the hot spots in the Great Lakes, and many of those hot spots are near some of the cities the honourable member

has mentioned. This investment will fund initiatives across Ontario to clean up the contaminated sediment in the Great Lakes. It will also increase the monitoring and reporting of water and

sediment quality, and will address, or look to address, a reduction in the pollutants that are found in the Great Lakes.

Mr Berardinetti: The residents in my riding of Scarborough Southwest will be happy to hear that.

I also want to ask a supplementary on a related matter, which has to do with the St Clair River and the recent spill that occurred there. Along with your

commitment to clean up the Great Lakes, what is your ministry doing to ensure that all of Ontario's lakes and rivers are protected?

Hon Mrs Dombrowsky: I'm very disturbed by the number of incidents that have occurred along the St Clair River. That is why I have established

the Industrial Pollution Action Team, made up of scientists and municipal representatives. I'm very pleased that Maria van Bommel, the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, is serving as the chair of

that important working group that will bring recommendations to this minister on how we can prevent those accidents from happening in the future.

This government has hired water inspectors. That's our commitment to improving water quality in Ontario. We have committed to implementing all of O'Connor's

recommendations. This year we initiated the white paper on source protection, and we're in the process of compiling all the very good information we've received from that initiative. In recent

weeks, you would know, I introduced the Adams Mine Lake Act, another action this government has taken to protect water in Ontario.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. I want to return to the promise your Premier

made to autistic children on September 17 when he said: "I also believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children over six is unfair and discriminatory. The Ontario

Liberals support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six. "

In the gallery today, I have Donna and Joshua Currie of Barrie. Joshua has autism. He's on a waiting list at Kinark, waiting for an assessment to determine the

severity of his autism and how much IBI he requires. He's been on the waiting list for two and a half years. In mid-April, Kinark told Donna that even if Joshua gets his assessment, he won't be

getting government-funded IBI treatment because he turns six on May 16. Minister, why are you breaking your promise to Joshua and to other children just like him?

Hon Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I thank the honourable member for

her question and for her commitment to this area, but I do want to reassure her that our government is supporting autistic children, from preschool right through to their school years. We are

doubling the amount of money we spend on autism.

I worked with children with autism throughout my career. I know the challenges that parents face. That is why I went out, didn't do anything impulsive, and

consulted with experts on our plan. We are going to be giving $30 million a year to the school system to train parents, teachers, educational assistants, speech and language pathologists and

behaviour strategists on ABA. That is what we were told is the correct way to approach this problem.

We will also be infusing money for more therapists in the system by having a one-year training program at two community colleges, rather than a two-week

training program, which is what the training is now for therapists, and we will be infusing $10 million more for IBI for children under the age of six.

Ms Martel: Minister, the question was, why are you breaking your promise to autistic children over the age of six, like Joshua? You see, he

needs IBI. His psychologist says he needs at least 30 to 40 hours of IBI every week. He's only getting 12. And the only reason he's getting 12 hours is that his mom, Donna, went out, pounded the

pavement, applied for grants, and got money from two groups in order to pay for the 12 hours a week.

Explain to me why in Ontario, in 2004, a mom has to go to President's Choice to get money for medically necessary treatment. Your Premier made a very specific

promise in the middle of an election to a mom with an autistic child. He said your government was going to end the discrimination against kids over the age of six. Why are you breaking that

promise?

Hon Mrs Bountrogianni: I thank the member for her question. We will be giving children and their parents and their teachers and their

educational assistants specific ABA training in the classroom. That is what we are told is the necessary route.

I want to also cite another parent of an eight-year-old with autism, who is a teacher in the Niagara school system. I have permission to use her name: Linda

Volpini. She agrees with us that every child with autism is unique and different in the range of their needs. Not every child requires the same type of treatment. I work with these children. They

require different types of treatment. That is why we will be offering ABA in the classroom. ABA is the umbrella which includes the very discrete kind of therapy that some children need, as well as

the more general consultation to the classroom that other children need.

I ask the honourable member to be patient. Tomorrow, our working group for the two ministries, children and youth and education, are meeting for the first time

to plan the implementation of this program. I ask her to reserve judgment until those details are public.

TAXATION

Mr Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade: Minister, in 1995, the Interprovincial Lottery Corp

conducted a national survey of over 3,000 Canadians when Paul Martin was considering a tax on lottery winnings. The study found an expected 20% decrease in lottery purchases as a result. If you put

that across the gaming industry today, there will be a net loss to Ontario of $280 million from the McGuinty casino and bingo tax. Minister, in light of this, will you now rule out a tax on

lotteries and casinos, or do you have a study that proves the opposite?

Hon Joseph Cordiano (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): What I can tell the member opposite is that with respect to a variety of

views that have been put forward by various people in the public, this government is considering all of those views in terms of what we do when we move forward.

That's something you failed to do. You failed to consult with the public. You closed off all the options. You closed off any discussion. You closed off any

consideration for anything that was remotely different or provided some alternatives.

We, as a government, have decided very clearly that we're going to consult with the public, and we're not afraid to hear a variety of views. That's what this

process is all about. I say to the member opposite, decisions have not been made. We will take into consideration all the views that we've heard out there.

Mr Hudak: I'm surprised the minister responsible for promoting the industry would not rule this out or give his own -- I challenge you, in

your consultations, to give me the name of one person who supports this nutty idea of a lottery and casino tax. It reminds me of their plan to tax meals, the soup, salad and coffee tax that

McGuinty let sway in the breeze for about 10 days before he knocked it off. It's simply caused by their voracious appetite for tax dollars.

Minister, I did my own consultation at Uncle Sam's Bingo on Friday in Fort Erie. They're not receiving very well your idea to tax their winnings. In fact, the

McGuinty casino-and-bingo tax is bad news for jobs and bad news for local charities. Will you just fold your hand and admit that the casino tax is a bad bet?

Hon Mr Cordiano: I say again to the member opposite that we're not afraid to hear a variety of views. We canvassed all sorts of opinions,

unlike you, who cut yourselves off from the public. You didn't even listen. You never listened to anybody. You didn't listen to nurses when they told you there weren't enough nurses in hospitals.

You didn't listen to the people who warned you about possible problems with water inspection. You ignored all those things. You ignored everyone, because you had all the answers. You were afraid to

consult.

We've gone out and consulted with people. We've heard a variety of views. Nothing has been decided. Nothing is in and nothing is out, I say to the member.

We're going to consider all those views as we move forward in a rational, receptive way.

PETITIONS

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mrs Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas seniors and other qualified patients require the continued provision of physiotherapy services through

schedule 5 clinics to promote recovery from

medical conditions and continued mobility and good health;

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

"The patients of

schedule 5 physiotherapy clinics request the continued support of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for provision of OHIP-covered

physiotherapy treatment to qualified seniors and others in need of these vital health care procedures."

I have here the names of 2,500 people.

ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL PARKWAY

Mr Dave Levac (Brant): This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Alexander Graham Bell, renowned inventor of society-altering technological inventions, such as the telephone, greatly revolutionized the daily lives

of people in Ontario, Canada and the world; and

"Whereas Alexander Graham Bell's contributions to science, technology and society as a whole were in part developed and tested while he lived in Brantford,

Ontario; and

"Whereas Brantford lies at the heart of the

section of Highway 403 which runs from Woodstock to Burlington;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:" -- and Wayne Gretzky does support this petition --

"To adopt and pass into law Dave Levac's private member's bill, Bill 44, the Alexander Graham Bell Parkway Act, renaming Highway 403 between Woodstock and

Burlington as a tribute to this great inventor."

I affix my name to this petition and hand it to Sameer.

TAXATION

Mr Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): These petitions continue to come in -- just look at the numbers.

"Whereas every day, 1.5 million Ontarians, including seniors, health care workers and students, purchase a basic meal that costs less than $4; and

"Whereas a new 8% tax on such meals will disadvantage low-income Ontarians; and

"Whereas adding a tax for the first time on a glass of milk, a salad, a bowl of soup or a cup of coffee will affect a total of 1.5 million Ontarians each and

every day in restaurants and cafeterias across the province;

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

"Do not impose a new 8% tax on basic meals under $4."

I sign my name in agreement.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I have a petition signed by hundreds of individuals, which reads as follows:

"To the Ontario provincial Legislature:

"Because Ontario Works was slashed by 21.6% in 1995, and with the increases to the cost of living, that cut is worth nearly 40% today; and

"Because Ontario disability support program benefits have been frozen since 1993; and

"Because current social assistance rates do not allow recipients to meet their cost of living; and

"Because the people of Ontario deserve an adequate standard of living and are guaranteed such by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights; and

"Because the jury at the inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers recommended that social assistance rates be reviewed so that they reflect actual costs of

living;

"We demand that the Ontario government immediately increase social assistance rates to reflect the true cost of living. This means shelter allowances that are

based on the average local rents as calculated by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp and a basic needs allowance that is based on the nutritional food baskets prepared by local health units as

well as the calculations for the costs of household operation, household furnishings and equipment, clothing, transportation and health care as reported in Statistics Canada's Average Household

Expenditures."

I'm in agreement and attach my signature thereto.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I have a petition to the Parliament of Ontario which brings us back to an action of the former government.

"Whereas the parliamentary tradition in Ontario of presenting annual budgets in the House of the Legislative Assembly has existed for decades; and

"Whereas the previous government in 2003" --

Interjections.

Mr Ruprecht: That's right. You were in the previous government. He's heckling, Mr Speaker, but he was in the previous government. I remember

that.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Get on with the petition, please.

Mr Ruprecht:

Whereas they "showed disrespect for" --

Interjections.

Mr Ruprecht: Let me read the petition, please.

The Speaker: Order. The member for Davenport, could you just direct your petition to the Speaker and continue, please.

Mr Ruprecht: I know they don't want to hear this.

Mr Mike Colle (Eglinton-Lawrence): They're afraid of the petition. That's what it is.

Mr Ruprecht: That's right. They're afraid of the petition.

"Whereas the previous government in 2003 showed disrespect for our public institutions and the people of Ontario by presenting a budget inside a private,

for-profit auto parts factory; and

"Whereas the previous Speaker of the Legislative Assembly condemned the actions of his own party's government;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to uphold parliamentary tradition and hold a public presentation and debate of the 2004

budget, and every budget thereafter, by our publicly elected members of Parliament" inside this chamber.

I agree with this 100%. I have decided to put my name on the petition.

TILLSONBURG DISTRICT

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Mr Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have a petition here signed by in excess of 2,000 of my constituents and surrounding ridings.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital has asked for ministerial consent to make capital changes to its facility to accommodate the placement of a

satellite dialysis unit; and

"Whereas the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has already given approval for the unit and committed operational dollars to it; and

"Whereas the community has already raised the funds for the equipment needed;

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

"That the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care give his final approval of the capital request change from the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital

immediately, so those who are in need of these life-sustaining dialysis services can receive them locally, thereby enjoying a better quality of life without further delay."

I affix my signature to this petition, as I totally agree with it.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I have a petition that reads as follows:

"To the Ontario provincial Legislature:

"Because social assistance rates were slashed by 21.6% in 1995, and with the increase in the cost of living, that cut is worth about 34.4% today; and

"Because current social assistance rates do not allow recipients to meet their cost of living; and

"Because the people of Ontario deserve an adequate standard of living and are guaranteed such by the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights; and

"Because the jury at the inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers recommended that social assistance rates be reviewed so that they reflect actual costs of

living;

"We demand that the Ontario government immediately increase the shelter portion of Ontario Works and Ontario disability support program benefits to the average

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp rent levels and index social assistance to the cost of living."

I agree with this and affix my signature thereto.

MOTORCYCLE INSURANCE

Mr Lou Rinaldi (Northumberland): I have a petition from the members of the Quinte

chapter of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, along with

the motorcycle industry, and it reads:

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and are asking the new Liberal government of Ontario to enact policies that will make

motorcycle insurance affordable for Ontario motorcyclists and, thus, to protect the livelihood of thousands of Ontario workers."

I'm happy to affix my name to it.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): I have a petition actually much like that of the member for Davenport. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario,

"Whereas the parliamentary tradition in Ontario of presenting annual budgets in the House of the Legislative Assembly has existed for decades; and

"Whereas the previous Speaker of the Legislative Assembly criticized the actions of the Conservative Party and is now running as a candidate for the federal

Liberal Party; and

"Whereas the budget should be beyond reproach and should not be presented by a member of the executive council who has any perceived or real conflict;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ensure the budget is not read by a finance minister who is not under investigation by the

Ontario Securities Commission, the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or any other law enforcement agency."

I affix my signature in support.

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

Mr Tim Peterson (Mississauga South): I have a petition today that was collected by a very active lady in my riding, Elsie Rossi. She collected

over 1,350 signatures from seniors in Mississauga South that urge the government to not make any cuts to the senior services drug plan. I hereby submit this petition.

LANDFILL

Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the county of Simcoe proposes to construct a landfill at site 41 in the township of Tiny; and

"Whereas the county of Simcoe has received, over a period of time, the necessary approvals from the Ministry of the Environment to design and construct a

landfill at site 41; and

"Whereas, as part of the landfill planning process, peer reviews of site 41 identified over 200 recommendations for improvements to the design, most of which

are related to potential groundwater contamination; and

"Whereas the Minister of the Environment has on numerous occasions stated her passion for clean and safe water and the need for water source protection;

and

"Whereas the Minister of the Environment has indicated her intention to introduce legislation on water source protection, which is a final and key

recommendation to be implemented under Justice Dennis O'Connor's report on the Walkerton inquiry; and

"Whereas the Minister of the Environment has announced expert panels that will make recommendations to the minister on water source protection legislation;

and

"Whereas the Ministry of the Environment will now be responsible for policing nutrient management; and

"Whereas the citizens of Ontario will be expecting a standing committee of the Legislature to hold province-wide public hearings on water source protection

legislation;

"We, the undersigned, call upon the government of Ontario and the Ministry of the Environment to immediately place a moratorium on the development of site 41

until the water source protection legislation is implemented in Ontario. We believe the legislation will definitely affect the design of site 41 and the nearby water sources."

I'm pleased to sign my name to that as well.

MINIMUM WAGE

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I have another petition here today. It's to the Ontario Legislature and reads as follows:

"Because the minimum wage was frozen at $6.85 for almost nine years, despite significant increases to the cost of living; and

"Because the McGuinty L