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June 21, 2006

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2006-Jun-21 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Wednesday 21 June 2006 Mercredi 21 juin 2006

MEMBERS' EXPENDITURES

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DRINKING AND DRIVING

O'DOWDA DONATION

CORPORATE TAX

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

FÊTE DE LA SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE

BEACHES INTERNATIONAL

JAZZ FESTIVAL

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

HOSPICE CARE

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON ESTIMATES

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

MPPS PENSION ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 SUR LE RÉGIME

DE RETRAITE DES DÉPUTÉS

VISITORS

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL

HOUSE SITTINGS

PREMIER'S COMMENTS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

JOURNÉE NATIONALE DES AUTOCHTONES /

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

ÉDUCATION POSTSECONDAIRE

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

LE SOMMET AIR PUR DE 2006 /

SHARED AIR SUMMIT 2006

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

SHARED AIR SUMMIT 2006

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

ÉDUCATION POSTSECONDAIRE

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

FIRST NATIONS

CANCER TREATMENT

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

PROTECTION FOR FARM WORKERS

ONTARIO FARMERS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

NIPISSING UNIVERSITY

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

PETITIONS

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CHILD PROTECTION

WORKPLACE SAFETY

SCHOOL FACILITIES

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

RECYCLING

ENERGY SUPPLY

RECYCLING

IDENTITY THEFT

LONG-TERM CARE

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

RECYCLING

ORDERS OF THE DAY

EDUCATION STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT

(LEARNING TO AGE 18), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE L'ÉDUCATION

(APPRENTISSAGE JUSQU'À L'ÂGE

DE 18 ANS)

INCOME TAX AMENDMENT ACT

(ONTARIO HOME ELECTRICITY

RELIEF), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 MODIFIANT LA LOI DE

L'IMPÔT SUR LE REVENU (AIDE AU

TITRE DES FACTURES D'ÉLECTRICITÉ

RÉSIDENTIELLE DE L'ONTARIO)

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' EXPENDITURES

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that I have today laid upon the table the individual members' expenditures for

the fiscal year 2005-06.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DRINKING AND DRIVING

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): First, I would like to wish everyone a happy and safe first day of summer, but I also remind people during the summer

to drive safely and operate safely on your holidays. With increased traffic and construction under way, there is a great need to keep alert and to stay safe. Of course, if you drink, the rule is,

you don't drive.

While individuals drivers must take responsibility to keep Ontario's roads safe, there is also an obligation on the part of this government. I support MADD

Canada's campaign for prompt action on reviewing and improving Ontario's impaired-driving laws.

On June 7, MADD Canada expressed its hope that the new Minister of Transportation, Donna Cansfield, would develop policies and legislation to reduce the number

of persons killed as a result of drunk driving. Unfortunately, this spring, MADD Canada warned that up to 75% of Ontario's suspended drivers continue to drive on Ontario's roads. MADD warned that

the number of legally impaired, fatally injured drivers rose between 2002 and 2003, the last year for which data is available.

MADD Canada is advocating provincial policies such as a zero blood alcohol restriction for all drivers under age 21, more rigorous enforcement of laws on all

underage drinking, and greater authority for police in enforcing the drunk-driving laws.

I urge this House to support this criticism and to support MADD Canada in their demonstrated and real leadership to protect the public interest. Also, to quote

from their release, "We have not seen any real action by the Ontario government on the impaired driving files since 1997." We look to have more action. I wish everyone safe and happy motoring this

summer.

O'DOWDA DONATION

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): I am pleased to tell the House about a very generous donation. The O'Dowda family gave a gift of $1 million

to the cancer facility at London Health Sciences Centre. The donation will be used to develop the Gerald C. Baines Centre for Translational Cancer Research. The centre will bring clinicians and

scientists together and increase their ability to do clinical trials to evaluate new therapies.

I was present at the event in which Rob O'Dowda presented the family's gift to the London Health Sciences Centre. The O'Dowda family was inspired to provide the

donation by a $1-million gift from another donor two years earlier. I hope that the generous donation of the O'Dowda family will inspire many more families and individuals to donate whatever they

can to a worthy cause such as cancer research and treatment. It's through generous donations such as the large donation from the O'Dowda family, and also the many small donations given each year by

thousands of Ontarians, that research into the causes and possible cure for cancer will be found. I want to thank the O'Dowda family for their generous gift that will help make a significant

difference in the lives of those living with cancer.

CORPORATE TAX

Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): Ontario's high corporate tax rate is killing investment in Ontario. The C.D. Howe Institute reports that Ontario has

the most burdensome business taxes in Canada. Needless to say, when it comes to business investment, Ontario is on the wrong track to improve its competitive position. In fact, Ontario's current

corporate tax rate is the highest among 36 industrial countries, at 42.2%. A look at Ontario's place among its fellow provinces in key industries confirms this: Ontario's taxes are the highest in

the manufacturing sector, the forestry sector, the communications sector and the aggregate sector. Ontario's taxes are second-highest in construction, transportation and storage and utilities.

The Liberal government's tax structure in Ontario is based against corporate growth and investment. The C.D. Howe Institute reports that all is not lost. The

government can alleviate the tax burden on Ontario's businesses if they move more quickly to phase out capital tax, reform the provincial sales tax to avoid taxing business inputs and reduce the

corporate tax rate. One does not have to look too far to see the effects of Dalton McGuinty's tax regime. Plant closures and layoffs stain the landscape in Ontario. You'd be hard-pressed to find

one member in this Legislature who hasn't had a layoff or a plant closure notice in his or her riding since the Liberals took power in 2003. Three years into its mandate, I have to wonder when

exactly this government plans to put business investment in Ontario back on the right track.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Tony C. Wong (Markham): I rise in the House to spread the good news that the future is bright for Markham residents and commuters because of

the McGuinty government's plan to make commuting easier. The good news is that our government is adding 700 parking spaces at GO stations in my riding of Markham and in the nearby communities of

Aurora and Bradford to make room for commuters. Slated for completion in December 2006, these parking lot expansions will allow Markham commuters to get out of their cars and on the GO train

faster. Another 300 to 400 spaces will be added by spring 2007 on newly purchased property at Unionville station.

Additionally, we are investing $3.4 billion over five years in our southern Ontario highways program to help move people and goods faster, create jobs and enrich

a growing economy. For residents and commuters in Markham, our southern Ontario highways program will mean less time spent in the traffic and more time to spend with family and friends.

Quick, reliable and safe transportation is vital to the economic success and quality of life for families in Markham and across Ontario. Our transit initiatives

are helping make these possible.

I'm proud to be part of a government that is investing in our highways and public transit because, in the end, we're investing in Ontario's greatest asset, our

people.

FÊTE DE LA SAINT-JEAN-BAPTISTE

M. Jean-Marc Lalonde (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell): Le 24 juin, c'est la fête de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste. C'est une fête universelle

pour tous les francophones, mais ici en Ontario, c'est une fête qui symbolise notre grand patrimoine franco-ontarien.

Nous sommes plus de 550 000 francophones en Ontario, la plus nombreuse population francophone hors Québec au Canada. Nous avons même notre propre

drapeau. En effet, le 21 juin 2001, mon projet de loi demandant la proclamation du drapeau franco-ontarien comme étant un emblème officiel de la communauté francophone de l'Ontario

fut accepté. Ce fut un grand moment pour tous les Franco-Ontariennes et Franco-Ontariens.

d'Embrun, qui fêtera le dimanche 25 juin le 150 e anniversaire de la paroisse Saint-Jacques. Un grand défilé marquera l'occasion.

La Saint-Jean-Baptiste est une fête de fierté pour nous tous en Ontario car notre héritage francophone enrichit celui de toute la province.

Bonne Saint-Jean, monsieur le Président, et à vous tous, francophones et francophiles.

BEACHES INTERNATIONAL

JAZZ FESTIVAL

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I rise today, as I try to do at least once a year, to talk about the annual Beaches International Jazz

Festival. This year is the 18th annual festival, and every year it just seems to get better and better. I ask people to come out and not only discover Toronto's best-kept secret, which is our beach

and Queen Street, which, according to TVO, is the number one street in larger cities in all of Ontario, but also to come out and see some of Canada's best jazz performers. It is without a doubt the

largest street party that spans over three days in all of Ontario.

From July 21 to 23, there is PartyGras at the Distillery District. From July 24 to 26 is the Toronto Dominion Canada Trust workshop and lecture on jazz. July 26

is the Ovation of Jazz, which takes place at the Balmy Beach canoe club down at the foot of Beech Avenue. It's $75 for anyone who wants to attend, and tickets are available through Toronto East

General Hospital. July 27 to 29 is the StreetFest. There are 40 bands this year, and they will be playing each one of those three nights from 7 to 11 o'clock. July 28 and 29, at Kew Gardens, they

play from 12 to 6. The headliner this year on Saturday is Café Cubano, and on Sunday, Hilario Duran.

I give kudos to everyone involved, especially Lido Chilelli, his hundreds of volunteers, the musicians and, most of all, the neighbours who help make it all

happen.

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): The land dispute at Caledonia-Six Nations has reached 114 days. The barricades are still up at

Dalton Creek Estates. Repeatedly, I've informed this Legislature about the chaos, the mayhem, the violence that has impacted people on all sides. This is a political dispute and a legal dispute,

but let's not forget one group of people who have had no say in this: the children.

I'm reading e-mails written by children from area schools. One says, "Maybe if you see it through a kid's eyes, you'll understand more.... I have not been able

to go to school." Another reads, "As soon as they hear something bad is going to happen, they freak and send me inside."

Premier McGuinty has repeatedly turned a blind eye and a deaf ear. I ask the Premier, what does he have to say to some of these young people? They made the trip

to Toronto today. Some are in the visitors' gallery behind me. Toronto should be a place to visit and have fun for these children.

Children should be concerned with what they're going to do in their summer holidays. They should be talking about swimming and family vacation. However, in

Premier McGuinty's new Ontario, children are worried and scared. I'm sorry and sad to say that this could be the worst summer ever for the children of Caledonia.

HOSPICE CARE

Ms. Jennifer F. Mossop (Stoney Creek): We all have something in common in this room: We all came into this world, and we're all going to go out

of it, and there's not a lot of comfort level with the latter. We try to avoid it, prevent it, delay it, deny it, but the fact of the matter is that we're all heading out of this world one way or

another. Most of us have a vision of doing so at an advanced age after a fulfilling life, at home with our loved ones with minimal fuss or care, nothing too invasive, a time to let go of the

physical, which has all been spent, and focus on the emotional and the spiritual.

That spirit is alive and well in Ontario, thanks to Ontario's end-of-life strategy taking root now: $115 million for palliative home care and the creation of a

network of 30 residential hospices across this province, home-like sanctuaries where people can go when home is no longer practical and hospital is not desirable, a place where the necessary

supports and care are there and the family can be relieved to focus on the farewell.

In Grimsby, I attended the dedication ceremony for the west Niagara hospice. After many years of work, Dr. Denise Marshall is seeing her dream become a

realization, thanks to all the donors, including the McNally family, who are opening their wallets to help build McNally House.

In Hamilton just last week, over 100 people gathered at the home of Iris Berryman, the retired teacher who donated her property for the new Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice.

Dr. Bob and his wife, Mildred, both in their mid-90s, celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary putting a shovel in the ground for the realization of a dream.

Hospice care makes sense. It makes soul sense.

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East): Success in our cities: I want to highlight the major accomplishments that have occurred in both my riding

of Mississauga East and in Ontario as a whole, due to the key initiatives taken by the McGuinty government.

In terms of investing in our schools, we are providing $4 billion for construction, repair and renewal, while close to $100 million is going to schools in the

Peel region.

In terms of health care, we have provided $2.4 billion in new funding for hospitals since we have been elected, as well as focused on decreasing wait times and

increasing access to key procedures.

In Mississauga, the government has invested $43 million for our hospitals, and has also helped Mississaugans get the treatment they need faster.

As part of our record investments in transportation, Mississauga has been given $65 million for designated bus lanes as well as funding for upgrades to the

surrounding highways.

From the results of the last election, it is clear that the Tories were not responsive to the needs of Mississaugans. I have heard nothing but accolades by our

Mayor McCallion and city councillors about our government. Obviously, our government has stayed consistent in its pledge to help the development and growth of our cities. I am proud to say that

Mississauga has been able to benefit from the steadfast commitment of this government to Ontarians.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON ESTIMATES

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on estimates.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Mr. Todd Decker): Ms. Horwath from the standing committee on estimates presents the committee's report as follows:

Pursuant to standing order 60(a), the following estimates (2006-07) are reported back to the House as they were not previously selected by the committee for

consideration:

Office of the Assembly,

Office of the Auditor General,

Office of the Chief Election Officer, and

Ombudsman Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Pursuant to standing order 60(b), the report of the committee is deemed to be received and the estimates of

the offices named therein as not being selected for consideration by the committee are deemed to be concurred in.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

MPPS PENSION ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 SUR LE RÉGIME

DE RETRAITE DES DÉPUTÉS

Mr. Sterling moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 132,

An Act to include members of the Legislative Assembly in the public service pension plan and to make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi

132, Loi visant à faire participer les députés à l'Assemblée législative au Régime de retraite des fonctionnaires et à apporter des modifications connexes

à d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the motion carry?

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

The motion is carried.

The member may wish to make a brief statement.

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): On the heels of the Integrity Commissioner's report yesterday, I'm introducing a bill that would give

MPPs cannot properly protect their families without access to a pension plan. Many former MPPs have found difficulty in re-establishing themselves after

leaving the Legislature, having lost some of their skills while serving here.

This legislation also improves severance payments to bring them into line with employment practices in the private sector.

The Integrity Commissioner pointed out the problem yesterday in his report, when he said it is "in the broader public interest that all members receive

reasonable compensation for their work in public life. Absent reasonable compensation, the integrity of the institution to which" members "all belong is compromised by the devaluation of the work

they do."

This bill is very, very modest in its scope. In all likelihood it will be ruled out of order because it has some money implications. Only one person can

address this issue in this Legislature, and that is the Premier of Ontario. I ask him not to follow the example of his predecessors and to uphold the integrity of this institution by being fair to

its members and their families.

VISITORS

Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to introduce Mr. and Mrs. Pong, who are the parents of our wonderful

page Clarence, who comes from the great town of Milton, Ontario. Welcome to the Legislature.

MOTIONS

APPOINTMENT OF AUDITOR GENERAL

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I seek unanimous consent to move a

motion without notice concerning the appointment of the Auditor General.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Bradley seeks unanimous consent to move a motion without notice concerning the appointment of the

Auditor General. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Mr. Bradley: I move that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

"To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

"We, Her Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, now assembled, request the appointment of Jim McCarter

And, that the address be engrossed and presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council by the Speaker.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I move that pursuant to standing order

9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, 2006, for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1355 to 1400.

The Speaker: Mr. Bradley has moved government notice of motion number 177.

All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Barrett, Toby

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Colle, Mike

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Martiniuk, Gerry

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sterling, Norman W.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Prue, Michael

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 51; the nays are 5.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

PREMIER'S COMMENTS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): On Tuesday, June 6, the member for Leeds-Grenville, Mr. Runciman, raised a point of order under standing

order 23(

g) relating to the sub judice rule. The sub judice rule refers to the practice that the House should not discuss matters that are pending or currently before a court of law for

adjudication.

Standing order 23(

g) states:

"In debate, a member shall be called to order by the Speaker if he or she:

"Refers to any matter that is the subject of a proceeding

"(

i) that is pending in a court or before a judge for judicial determination, or

"(ii) that is before any quasi-judicial body constituted by the House or by or under the authority of

an act of the Legislature,

"where it is shown to the satisfaction of the Speaker that further reference would create a real and substantial danger of prejudice to the proceeding."

In his point of order, the member for Leeds-Grenville asserted that the Premier had offended the sub judice rule while answering a question on the topic of the

ongoing land dispute in Caledonia. Specifically, the member stated that the Premier's comments had the potential to prejudice the Ipperwash inquiry currently being conducted by the Honourable

Sidney Linden.

The member for Niagara Centre, Mr. Kormos, and the Attorney General, Mr. Bryant, also made contributions on this point of order.

Let me spend a bit of time talking about sub judice. Translated literally from the Latin, sub judice means "under judgment," and while it is a parliamentary

convention, in Ontario it is also a specific rule which entered our standing orders in 1970, and was modified to the current version in 1978. This convention exists as an acknowledgement that it is

in the public interest, and in the interest of the administration of justice, broadly interpreted, that the Legislative Assembly will voluntarily refrain from debating or discussing matters before

courts of law or largely similar judicial bodies.

The principle of the separation of powers in our system acts to ensure that the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government operate

independently. The Legislature should never discuss matters before the courts when doing so could undermine the work of the court, the rights of any individual to due process in a neutral

environment, or when unproven allegations may irrevocably damage personal reputations.

As the presiding official in this place, it falls upon the Speaker to exercise his or her discretion whether or not to impose restraint upon the assembly when,

in a situation of the type I just described, it appears to the Speaker that members may be venturing too far in their remarks.

The Speaker, however, has two other major considerations in mind when sub judice arises: first, the fundamental parliamentary privilege of freedom of speech

and, second, the practical limitations on his ability to be fully aware of every matter before the courts. Let me address each of these important factors.

Freedom of speech is one of the most important and useful privileges enjoyed by members of the Legislative Assembly. The Bill of Rights of 1688 first declared

this privilege, and Canadian Legislatures, even before Confederation, likewise claimed it. It was formally conveyed to the Parliament of Canada in the Constitution Act, 1867, and the provinces of

Canada have since aggressively and successfully continued to claim this privilege. It is the basic building block of this Legislature.

The Speaker, therefore, has a solemn obligation to uphold the right of every member to speak freely in this place, and would only reluctantly interfere in a

debate in certain circumstances. One of these is when matters being discussed fall under the sub judice rule. However, in the absence of a blatant and obvious transgression of the sub judice

convention, the Speaker will instead err on the side of the right of members to debate and consider important public issues in the Legislature.

Marleau and Montpetit's House of Commons Procedure and Practice, at page 537, in a reference to the first report of the House of Commons special committee on

the rights and immunities of members, explains this application of the sub judice convention as follows:

"... when there is doubt in the mind of the Chair, a presumption should exist in favour of allowing debate and against the application of the convention."

On the second matter of knowledge of matters before the courts, as numerous of my predecessors in this chair have stated, members can surely appreciate the

difficulty the Speaker has, as he cannot be fully aware of every matter before every judicial body. Moreover, standing order 23(

g) directs the Speaker to interfere in debate only when he or she is

satisfied that continued reference to the specific matter may tend to prejudice the relevant proceeding. This is extremely difficult for a Speaker to gauge.

The specific case at hand refers to comments made during question period, and here again the authorities in our practice are instructive.

The voluntary nature of the sub judice convention means that every member must be careful to refrain from making comments in debate, motions or questions.

In debate, this self-regulation is essential. In oral question period, Speakers largely rely upon the ministers to whom questions are addressed to decide if

further discussion of the matter might prejudice a matter before a court, or other judicial or quasi-judicial body, or tribunal. And while ministers have every right to decline to answer a question

which in their view rubs up against the sub judice convention, members in framing questions must also be cognizant of their responsibility in this regard.

Indeed, the very posing of a question may cross the sub judice line, but the conundrum for all is that, regardless of the subsequent actions of the Speaker or

anyone else, the damage has already been done.

In the specific case at hand, I have reviewed the Hansard exchange from June 6 between the member for Leeds-Grenville and the Premier. Beyond subjective

inferences which a reader might draw from them -- which is well beyond the concern of the Speaker -- I do not find any of the comments go so far as to concern me with regard to sub judice.

I will end by noting again that the sub judice convention relies for its effectiveness upon the goodwill of all members in voluntarily refraining from

discussing matters before the courts or judicial bodies. I think it is worth reminding members that extreme caution should always be the order of the day whenever such matters arise as a topic of

discussion in this chamber.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

JOURNÉE NATIONALE DES AUTOCHTONES /

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

L'hon. David Ramsay (ministre des Ressources naturelles, ministre délégué aux Affaires autochtones): C'est aujourd'hui la

Journée nationale des autochtones, et je suis très heureux de saluer, en cette importante journée, les Premières nations, les Inuit et les Métis de l'Ontario.

Today is National Aboriginal Day, and it is a pleasure for me to rise in the House and extend my best wishes to all First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples

living in Ontario on this important day.

Today is a special day for me, as it is the first time I am able to rise in the House on National Aboriginal Day as the minister responsible for aboriginal

affairs, and acknowledge the significant contribution that aboriginal peoples have made, and continue to make, to Ontario and to Canada.

It is important that all Ontarians recognize these contributions, particularly when we are hearing stories on a daily basis about the situation at Caledonia.

Aboriginal peoples across our province have been dealing with difficult situations for centuries. The situation at Caledonia is only the most recent example.

Given these current events, it is important that we take time to reflect on the positive role that First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples play in this

province.

National Aboriginal Day is a day for Ontarians to learn more about the rich culture and history of aboriginal peoples in Ontario. Aboriginal peoples have

always been a diverse and vital presence in the culture and social fabric of our province. This important day provides an opportunity for us to acknowledge with gratitude the unique contributions

of First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples to Ontario and to Canada.

Cultural workshops and other activities in aboriginal communities help Ontarians gain a better understanding of aboriginal peoples and cultures in Ontario.

J'encourage les Ontariens à participer aux nombreuses activités culturelles organisées par les organisations des Premières nations et des

Métis partout dans la province à l'occasion de la Journée nationale des autochtones. Dans ma propre circonscription de Timiskaming-Cochrane, par exemple, un barbecue est

organisé à New Liskeard à l'occasion de cette journée spéciale.

I encourage Ontarians to take

part in many cultural events hosted by First Nation and Metis organizations across Ontario to celebrate National Aboriginal Day.

In my own riding of Timiskaming-Cochrane, for example, an Aboriginal Day barbecue is being held in New Liskeard.

I am very pleased to tell the House that I had the pleasure of celebrating National Aboriginal Day yesterday with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the

Honourable James K. Bartleman. It was an event to highlight the Lieutenant Governor's aboriginal summer literacy camps. In addition to the support for the literacy programs of our government, he

recognizes the unique needs of aboriginal children and youth.

Last year, the McGuinty government launched its New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs. At the heart of our new approach is the recognition that we must create a

better future for aboriginal children and youth. We are committed to ensuring improved opportunities and a better way of life for First Nation and Metis communities across Ontario.

Last November, I had the pleasure of joining the Premier and aboriginal leaders from Ontario to represent Ontario at the first ministers' meeting in Kelowna.

This was an historic event, where Premiers from all the provinces and territories, the Prime Minister of Canada and First Nations, Metis and Inuit leaders worked together to find solutions for

closing the socio-economic gap that exists between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities.

The McGuinty government continues to support the principles behind the Kelowna accord and will continue to push the federal government to meet its funding

commitment.

In March this year, the McGuinty government, with 49 chiefs of treaties 5 and 9, launched a process to establish a Northern Table to help bring greater

economic opportunity to aboriginal communities in the north. Establishing the Northern Table will fulfill one of Ontario's key commitments under the New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs.

The goal of the Northern Table is to ensure the active participation of First Nations in establishing a viable economic base in Ontario's far north. Once

established, the Northern Table would enhance First Nations' participation in the benefits of resource development and boost the long-term sustainability of the northern economy. It will build on

our government's current initiatives, programs and services. It will be a true partnership that, over time, will include other First Nations across the north.

Later this month, I will be travelling to Big Trout Lake First Nation for the annual Chiefs of Ontario summer meeting. The meeting will provide an opportunity

to discuss progress in a number of key initiatives of the new approach since its launch last year. It will also provide an opportunity for the McGuinty government to renew our commitment to

strengthening relations with First Nations leaders.

The McGuinty government has shown that it is listening to the concerns of First Nations and Metis people, and we will work together on our shared priorities

and goals. We will be working towards building trust and understanding. What binds us together is our common humanity. The McGuinty government is committed to working with First Nations and Metis

leaders and the federal government to make a real difference and to achieve real results in improving the lives of aboriginal peoples.

Please join me in showing our appreciation for First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples on National Aboriginal Day. Thank you. Meegwetch.

ÉDUCATION POSTSECONDAIRE

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

L'hon. Christopher Bentley (ministre de la Formation et des Collèges et Universités): Le gouvernement McGuinty a pris l'engagement

de faire en sorte que toutes les personnes de l'Ontario aient la possibilité de poursuivre des études postsecondaires ou une formation professionnelle. Nous savons que nous

réaliserons seulement notre potentiel en tant que province lorsque chaque Ontarienne et Ontarien pourra réaliser son propre potentiel.

C'est la raison pour laquelle nous faisons un investissement historique de 6,2 $ milliards, le plus important investissement en 40 ans, dans le cadre du

plan Vers des résultats supérieurs, afin d'améliorer l'accès à une éducation postsecondaire de qualité.

Last year, 16,700 French-speaking students were enrolled in post-secondary education in Ontario, more than 12,300 in our bilingual universities and close to

4,400 in two French-language colleges.

There are special challenges in providing high-quality programs in French. It can, for example, be more costly to both develop and deliver these programs.

Our government's Reaching Higher plan committed $10.2 million in 2005-06, rising to $55 million by 2009-10, to help post-secondary institutions deliver

programs that will improve access to and success in post-secondary education for four groups of students: francophones, aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and those who would be the

first in their family to attend college or university.

In January, our government established an advisory committee on French-language post-secondary education. This committee provides ongoing strategic advice to

the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on how to improve the participation in and success of francophone students in French-language post-secondary education and skills training.

I am pleased to tell the honourable members of this House that the McGuinty government has acted quickly on the initial advice we received from this committee

by expanding support for French-language students to ensure they have the opportunity to study in their own language at post-secondary institutions. We've already made a $3.5-million investment in

2005-06 to support greater access for francophone students by expanding programming at Ontario's French-language colleges and bilingual universities and increasing student supports to improve

student success.

This morning I visited the University of Ottawa, where this funding is being used to develop honours programs in life sciences by offering new third- and

fourth-year courses in French to complement existing first- and second-year courses. I was joined there this morning by the minister responsible for francophone affairs. The university is also

developing an innovative immersion program for improving second-language proficiency that will help students who want to teach a second language improve their skills and be better qualified to

enter the job market. La Cité collégiale is recruiting more full-time students and providing increased support to both faculty and students. They're also improving the quality and

diversity of French-language programs and expanding links to universities and school boards.

Collège Boréal is enhancing support services for students, including counselling and mentoring, and technological support to improve access to

programs and courses through distance education to the college's 25 video conferencing sites.

Francophone access funding will help Laurentian University and its affiliate the University of Sudbury to offer a greater variety of French-language courses

and to develop new third- and fourth-year science courses in French, again to complement existing programming so that these degrees can be studied entirely in French.

Hearst College is increasing the number of French-language courses it offers, emphasizing teachable subjects to help increase the supply of francophone

teachers. Glendon College at York University is using the investment to increase enrolment in French-language courses and programs and to offer better quality student services.

There was a second initiative I announced today, and that relates to enhancing the quality of French-language programming at our bilingual universities. The

McGuinty government is committing $4.7 million in 2006-07 to enhance the quality of French-language programming in Ontario's bilingual universities. This funding will go to help our bilingual

universities hire new francophone faculty, provide more academic resources, and improve the francophone student experience by increasing opportunities for student-faculty engagement.

Through this initiative, the University of Ottawa will receive $3 million in increased support this year, Laurentian University is receiving $1 million,

Glendon College at York will receive almost $500,000, and Hearst College will receive $98,000 to enhance French-language program quality. In total, this investment is $8.2 million to expand access

to and improve the quality of Ontario's French-language colleges and bilingual universities and their program offerings.

Our support for French-language post-secondary education will increase in the next four years. We know that enhancing French-language services will go a long

way toward helping francophone students achieve their post-secondary goals. We are encouraging all Ontarians to pursue higher education and enhanced skills training so they are prepared for the

jobs of the future. We know that a highly educated workforce is necessary to meet our goals for economic growth and prosperity in the future. We can only meet these goals if every Ontarian meets

their full potential. These investments to support French-language education will help achieve that potential.

LE SOMMET AIR PUR DE 2006 /

SHARED AIR SUMMIT 2006

L'hon. Laurel C. Broten (ministre de l'Environnement): L'année dernière, le premier ministre de l'Ontario et moi-même avons

coprésidé le premier Sommet air pur, et je sais bien qu'un bon nombre des députés ici présents ont participé à ce sommet. Aujourd'hui, j'ai le plaisir d'annoncer

que le deuxième Sommet air pur aura lieu le 26 juin ici à Toronto.

Last year, the Premier and I co-hosted the first Shared Air Summit, and I know many of the honourable members of this House attended the summit. I'm pleased to

announce that next Monday, June 26, the second Shared Air Summit will take place here in Toronto.

We've got an impressive lineup of speakers. A committed and passionate environmental leader who spent decades championing the cause of clean air, land and

water, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry will be speaking at the summit via live satellite. Dr. Roberta Bondar, neurologist, astronaut, acclaimed photographer and dedicated environmentalist who

inspires young people to protect the planet she so strikingly documented from space; Claude Béchard, Quebec's Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, who is leading the

province's fight against climate change; and Olympic silver medalist and clean air champion Sara Renner will all be addressing the summit.

This summit was created by the Premier because our government is serious about protecting people's health and improving the air we all breathe. Our government

is committed to making Ontario a North American leader in clean air and climate change initiatives. The Shared Air Summit 2006 provides an excellent venue to forge effective partnerships and build

on the momentum we established last year. Leading international experts will bring us up-to-date with the latest research on transboundary air pollution, environmental health and climate change.

We'll learn from each other's successes and develop strategies to protect the air here at home, across our borders and around the world. This summit clearly demonstrates that Ontario is a hub for

ideas, innovation and solutions.

Nous découvrirons nos réussites respectives et nous élaborerons des stratégies pour protéger l'air au niveau local, au-delà des

frontières et dans le monde entier.

Ce sommet démontre clairement que l'Ontario est un centre où prime l'innovation et où l'on génère des idées et des solutions.

Smog, air pollution and climate change are the most critical environmental issues of our time. They need to be at the forefront of public discourse. The

science is clear: Air pollution is inflicting serious damage in Ontario, and the effects of climate change are being felt around the world. Air pollution causes almost $10 billion in damage to our

province. More than $6.5 billion of that is in health costs, and more than half of that comes from transboundary air pollution. The result is thousands of deaths, illnesses and hospitalizations.

But these are not just numbers. Each of these statistics represents an all-too-often nameless, faceless person who has suffered the effects of smog and air pollution.

As the mother of two baby boys, I think of their future. We all want our children to grow up with quality of life that is, at the very least, as good as ours.

I ask the same questions you do. Will my boys be able to breathe healthy air? Will they be able to enjoy the outdoors every day during the summer? Will they grow up in a world where climate change

is no longer a global threat? The answers to these questions must be a resounding yes. We owe it to every Ontarian.

Our government is on the side of Ontario families who want to protect the health of their families, who will not rest until Ontario has the best-protected air

in the world. This is why earlier this week we announced our investment of more than $480,000 in the science of clean air and climate change. It's why we recently announced that we are moving

forward on new or updated standards for 15 harmful air pollutants. It's why we've approved the next stage of Ottawa's plans to build a rapid transit system to help get cars off the road, improve

air quality and reduce emissions that contribute to smog and climate change. And it's why our government is firmly committed to closing coal-fired energy plants and moving forward with clean,

renewable energy.

I've been proud to take Ontario's record of accomplishment to Washington to work with our US partners to reduce transboundary pollution that threatens

communities on both sides of the border.

Protecting air quality and fighting climate change are among the defining challenges of our time. In the words of former US Vice-President Al Gore, we face "a

generational mission." The Shared Air Summit 2006 provides an important forum to talk about the mission -- to raise awareness, build partnerships and trigger collective action. By working together,

we will create a healthier, stronger future for Ontario and for our world.

I call on all members of the Legislature to join me on Monday, June 26, for the Shared Air Summit 2006.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Responses?

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I'm very pleased to add my thoughts to those of other members of the House on this, the 10th

anniversary of National Aboriginal Day.

Today, across this province and across our great country, First Nations, Inuit and Metis people celebrate their cultures, heritage and accomplishments. It is

important to recognize the distinct nature of each of our founding cultures if we are to understand their unique and individual contribution to our history.

Recent events at Six Nations-Caledonia underline the need for greater appreciation, awareness and co-operation between and among our communities.

As politicians, we must lead by example, and it is imperative that we improve our own understanding of aboriginal communities by actively participating in

celebrations. I myself have had an opportunity to attend First Nations and Metis celebrations, as have some of my colleagues. There are celebrations today taking place in communities across the

province. For instance, in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, the Moon River Metis Council is holding an Aboriginal Day celebration at Muskoka Heritage Place in Huntsville. In the neighbouring

riding of Simcoe North, MPP Garfield Dunlop is participating in the official opening ceremony of the new Beausoleil First Nation community, sports and recreation centre on Christian Island.

National Aboriginal Day is an opportunity for greater awareness of the contributions of the aboriginal community. Today's celebration of aboriginal values --

wisdom, truth, honesty, respect, bravery and humility -- helps to underline the values our cultures share.

I hope all Ontarians take this opportunity to build bridges and strengthen ties between our communities.

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): In response to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities' announcement today, we were pleased with the

announcement -- to hear that the government is finally beginning to pay attention to the needs of the francophone community in Ontario. After years of fighting the initiative of the former

Conservative government to support learning opportunities within this valued segment of our population, the government is finally coming around to our point of view.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order.

The member for Oak Ridges.

Mr. Klees: Thank you, Speaker.

We were disappointed, however, to see that this was just another reannouncement, another photo op to divert attention from the fact that this government is

really doing nothing. The minister is the first to admit that this money is not new, that it was in fact part of an announcement made last year. I think the people of Ontario are getting tired of

this government's tactic of announcing and reannouncing programs. If the general public doesn't catch on, we know the stakeholders are, and they're getting tired of it as well.

SHARED AIR SUMMIT 2006

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): I rise today to comment on the Minister of the Environment's statement. It's nice that you're

having this Shared Air Summit occurring next week. It's always valuable to have the opportunity to talk with the parties about issues that affect us across the border. But your government continues

to import dirty US power, and your new energy policy will mean we'll have to continue to do that for the foreseeable future. But the present Liberal government has never shied away from making an

unrealistic promise.

Surprisingly, to the people across, it was my colleague Elizabeth Witmer and our government that made the decision to close the Lakeview plant in Mississauga

in 2001. In the future, please feel free to credit Mrs. Witmer and the Conservative government when you go around flaunting your 33% decrease in toxic emissions.

Unfortunately, your air pollution strategies have about as much credibility as your 2003 election platform. The truth is that while you were out there smiling

for the Lakeview photo op, you were still importing power from dirty, coal-fired plants in the United States.

I quote Minister Broten from June 7, 2006: "Transboundary air pollution is responsible for more than half of our smog. It alone costs $5.2 billion every year

and causes more than 2,700 premature deaths." But while you're making a speech, your government is still contributing to transborder air pollution by purchasing power from the States.

This is the most convoluted, backward air pollution reduction strategy I have ever heard of. Surely you're not going to flaunt this well-thought-out strategy

internationally. We will be a laughingstock. Your efforts are true Liberal "someday" policies: Someday we will affect climate change; someday we will reduce air pollution --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Responses?

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): It's very puzzling that a Minister of the Environment who has been busy undermining Ontario's

fundamental environmental laws would want to speak about climate change today, one week after the McGuinty government broke their promise to close Ontario's coal-fired plants, the source of 50% of

all the greenhouse gas emissions in the province.

As we've pointed out a number of times, the McGuinty government has no climate change plan. The David Suzuki Foundation emphasized this point last year in

their report, All Over the Map, and the Suzuki report was issued before Dalton McGuinty acknowledged he was going to break his promise to close down coal.

Just last week, the Sierra Club of Canada issued their annual Rio Report Card, which grades federal and provincial governments on environmental issues,

including climate change. And what was the McGuinty government's mark on the climate change report? "F" for failure. Only one other province got an "F", and that was Alberta, but the McGuinty

government has the nerve to stand up and lecture others about climate change.

The Sierra Club states in their report from last week: "The original commitment to shut down coal-fired power by 2007 was a significant factor in the McGuinty

government winning the 2003 provincial election. This embarrassing policy retreat has numerous negative aspects.... Ontario's annual death count from air pollution is unlikely to be reduced from

the annual figure of 5,800 premature deaths as reported by the Ontario Medical Association."

Having shelved 50% of the emission reductions that the McGuinty government promised but failed to deliver leaves their Kyoto commitment up in smoke. In the

process, the McGuinty Liberals have made Ontario the scourge of the country in terms of combating climate change. We know the Minister of the Environment is failing to protect the environment on

many fronts. Unfortunately for Ontarians, action on climate change has now become another of the mounting McGuinty government failures.

NATIONAL ABORIGINAL DAY

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I want to say just a few words in honour of National Aboriginal Day. Across Canada and across

Ontario, aboriginal people are celebrating their contributions, cultures and struggles for self-determination, for vibrant languages and cultures and for healthy, thriving lands and

communities.

Today, I especially want to honour the people from Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug community, who have walked 2,000 kilometres here to Queen's Park to protest

against the activities of the McGuinty government -- a McGuinty government which continues to permit and encourage mining exploration on their traditional lands despite the fact that the people of

Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug have said to the McGuinty government that they do not want mining activity and mining exploration at this time.

I want to salute the walkers from KI for their courage and their determination, and I say to the McGuinty government that it is time for you to keep your

promises to First Nations.

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I too want to take an opportunity to signal that this is an important day to all First Nations

residents of the province of Ontario. Unfortunately, far too often they've been disappointed by this government, as they have been for many, many years, when it comes to living up to basic treaty

rights and treating those communities with dignity. We have seen example after example where First Nations have been left behind to live in Third World conditions, where governments have decided to

do nothing to advance their needs as a community. I say, on behalf of the communities I represent and that other members represent, that we need to take those issues seriously, we need to put our

dollars where our mouth is and we need to make sure that we fund the needs of those communities.

We also say to this government, in the wake of what's going on in Caledonia, that they waited too long to deal with this particular issue, and as a result of

that, this issue has gotten way out of hand. The government would have done better to listen to what people were saying in the local community before all of this blew up into what it is now, and

maybe we would not be where we are.

ÉDUCATION POSTSECONDAIRE

FRENCH-LANGUAGE

POST-SECONDARY EDUCATION

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James): Sur la question du Collège Boréal, je dis au ministre que vous avez une chance aujourd'hui de

faire quelque chose sur le bord de la programmation. On vous dit que c'est un pas positif, mais on vous rappelle que vous avez des responsabilités envers les fonds capitaux. On vous demande de

finalement financer le Collège Boréal, qui peut faire --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you.

VISITORS

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I wish to ask all members of the assembly to join me in

welcoming two busloads of residents who have come to Queen's Park from Caledonia.

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to ask all members to help me welcome the family of page Evan Dailey

-- Tim, Elizabeth and Evan's brother, Cameron -- here in the visitors' gallery today.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I ask all members to welcome the people of Kitchenuhmaykoosib

Inninuwug who have walked 2,000 kilometres to be here: Mark Anderson, Wally Moskotaywamen, Dylan Morris, Fred Sainnawap, Rene Begg and Dustin Quequish.

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. Today, the people of Caledonia -- and some are still here in the

House with us this afternoon -- decided to pay you a visit, the mountain coming to McGuinty, as it were. The people here tell us that they've come to ask for your help. For months on end, they have

lived in fear in their own communities and even in their own homes. The lawlessness that has taken place on and off now for more than 110 days has left them in a very dire state, and they feel

there is no one looking out for their safety and that of their families. They quite frankly feel abandoned.

A week after you set conditions, and then abandoned them in large measure, five of the seven people with outstanding arrest warrants remain at large, including

one individual with attempt murder, forcible confinement and assaulting police officer charges levied against him, among other things. The land you're trying to buy continues to be occupied, with

no end in sight. What do you have to say to these people who have come here to ask for your help?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I was very pleased to have the opportunity earlier today to meet with

representatives of Caledonia, as were my Ministers Ramsay and Cordiano, who had the opportunity to meet with representatives last evening. They have agreed to meet on a weekly basis with

representatives to ensure that we are completely in the loop, and I think just as important, that they're in the loop as well with respect to our activities.

Progress has been slow, but it is undeniable. We have brought barricades down. We have reached an agreement with the local developer to purchase the disputed

land. We have recently invested $1 million more in relief for local businesses, bringing the total to $1.7 million. The community liaison table is again meeting today, as well as the main table. I

am also pleased that a second arrest was made earlier today, and I understand that the police are continuing to pursue the necessary --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Tory: It really sums it all up, that just about a year after the letter you received warning you about this, more than 100 days after the

occupation began and weeks after we started asking when ministers might sit down with these people and communicate with them on a regular basis, now -- more than 100 days later -- you're starting

weekly meetings. Better late than never, but it sure would have been better if they had started a lot earlier than now.

Premier, I ask you this: How do you think the people of Caledonia feel when they read articles, like the one in today's Toronto Star, about the lack of law and

order in Caledonia and the powerless OPP officers who have apparently been ordered to stand down in many of the instances we've seen? We have a quote in the Star from an OPP officer, who, for

reasons we would all understand, remained anonymous, but who told the Star, "There were physical assaults taking place in front of you and you can't do anything about it. The OPP is a joke in terms

of Caledonia." What do you have to say to people about this and about what the police officers have clearly --

The Speaker: The question has been asked.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It may be that the leader of the official opposition is somehow privy to insider information with respect to what

directives have been issued by the higher-ups in the OPP to the police, but that's not information that we have. He keeps making constant references to a state of lawlessness. If there is advice or

information that he has regarding policing activities at Caledonia, then we would greatly appreciate it if he would share that advice, those recommendations he has for the police, here with this

Legislature.

Mr. Tory: I have been very pleased to share with the Premier advice with respect to the role he could play in asking all sides, all corners of

this community, to come in and be told by him that lawlessness will not be tolerated and that negotiations will not continue in the event we see this continued lawlessness in this community. I was

simply quoting an OPP officer, who, for obvious reasons, remained anonymous. And he talked not to me; he talked to the Toronto Star, so you should take that up with them if you think they

manufactured that quote.

Your whole approach on this, whether it's the weekly meetings we hear about today or anything else, has been to wait as long as you can, do as little as you

can, show weak leadership and hope the whole thing goes away. Even your compensation package to business is out of touch. You have offered business owners a small amount -- one of them claims to

have lost, by himself, $100,000 since this began -- and yet you can come up with a sum in the millions you won't tell us about to buy the land.

When will the people of Caledonia, from all corners, expect to see you stand up and speak up for the rule of law applying to all people at all times --

Interjection.

The Speaker: The Minister of Health will come to order. Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Apparently the leader of the official opposition has some particular advice or recommendations, which he is not prepared to

share with us, for the police. I appreciate that my friend likes to quote unnamed sources, but here's somebody who is prepared to admit to who they are. He's president of the Ontario Provincial

Police Association, Karl Walsh. He is quoted recently in a Christina Blizzard column: "Walsh says he appreciated the government's hands-off approach to policing in Caledonia and says the opposition

... should stop playing politics with the standoff." That comes from the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association.

I would ask that the leader of the official opposition kindly take into regard the advice of the president of the Ontario Provincial Police Association, who

says that he is playing politics with the standoff.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Tory: I have a new question for the Premier. I will tell him now that I will continue to stand up here, day after day, as long as we're

here, and, when we're not here, I'll stand up elsewhere and put the questions to you --

Interjections.

The Speaker: I need to be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition ask the question. He's the only person who has the floor.

The Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: You would prefer that nobody asked you any questions about this whatsoever, including the one I'm going to ask you now about the

cost of the land that you are buying in Caledonia.

Today, you've repeatedly refused to tell the taxpayers how much money you're going to pay for this land. Today, there seems to be some confusion as to whether

the deal that you announced last Friday with such fanfare is a binding agreement with a price or something much less, which you exaggerated for political purposes. Is there, in fact, a binding

agreement which has been concluded and executed, and if there is one, will you tell the taxpayers what the price is that was paid for the land? Stop hiding behind excuses and be straight with them

about their own money.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: There is, in fact, a binding agreement to purchase the land, but the leader of the official opposition has a hard time

accepting good news and signs of real progress.

We've got the Argyle Street barricades down. We've got the Highway 6 barricades down. We have, in fact, reached an agreement with the local developer to

purchase the disputed lands. We have invested close to $2 million now in additional supports for the communities. We have put in place a community liaison table, which is meeting as we speak,

and specifically, today, they're talking about developing guidelines for a relief program for residents in the houses that are directly affected by this situation. Last week, there was the arrest

of one individual. Just today, there was an arrest of a second individual. The main table is also meeting today to find out how we can best address the longer-term issues.

The leader of the official opposition has difficulty accepting it, but there is some good news here.

Mr. Tory: What I have more trouble accepting is that there are five out of seven people who have arrest warrants sworn out for serious matters

still at large. The land is still occupied. The barricades there are still up, and perhaps most important of all, the people who are here today, in many cases, because they told me and I'm sure

they told you, they are afraid to be in their own homes in the province of Ontario. They're worried about what's going to happen when the schools are out this week and their kids are on summer

holidays. So, yes, there may be some good news, but there are a lot of things left to be done in this whole thing.

We're told that one of your pieces of good news about the land transfer -- and I think we'll have to see about that when we actually have the details, if we

ever get them -- may take six months to conclude, so that could mean six more months of disruption on the part of people in this community. The chaos would continue. On top of that, of course, you

refuse to tell us the price. Can you tell us: What is the timetable for this land to change hands? Can you guarantee people from all corners of this community that this land deal you're in the

middle of doing, without a price apparently, will be concluded --

The Speaker: The question has been asked.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We will continue to discuss this with the vendors of the land.

Let me tell you a little bit more about what informs our thinking and inspires our efforts in this regard. This development company, the principals of which

are two brothers from the community of Caledonia, is caught up in a situation which is entirely not of their making. We feel a responsibility to help them in this regard to ensure that they do not

suffer financial losses, because if we were to do nothing, they would suffer very significant financial losses. So we feel this sense of responsibility. We are sitting down with these developers

and making sure that they do not suffer financial hardship as a result of circumstances which are entirely beyond their control.

Mr. Tory: The Premier told the House earlier that there is a binding agreement in place. As he would know -- he's a lawyer -- a binding

agreement will have in it a purchase price and a closing date. You've repeatedly refused, and I ask you one more time, to tell us what the purchase price is and to abandon these flimsy excuses

you're using not to tell us how much taxpayers' money is involved. Tell us, then, what the closing date is as well. And while you're at it, perhaps you could tell us what the total cost of this

fiasco is going to be, because there are estimates now circulating to the effect that the total cost will exceed $100 million, including the cost of the land, the cost of the policing, the cost of

the compensation, and all the other costs. If that's not the right number, tell us what the right number is, tell us the price of the land, and tell us the closing date in the binding agreement you

said you've signed.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The Leader of the Opposition is, if nothing else, colourful and inventive. I have no idea whatsoever, and I would speculate

that neither does he, with respect to this $100-million figure he has just floated.

We will continue to work with the community. We will do everything we possibly can to resolve this in a manner that is peaceful. I think the leader of the

official opposition has now made it perfectly clear that his preference would be that we had not entered into negotiations with the developers, that we had allowed them to flounder and suffer

serious financial hardship. That's the approach he would bring. We bring a different approach on this side of the House. We feel a sense of responsibility to sit down with the community, to sit

down with the developers in particular, and to ensure they do not suffer financial hardship.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Minister, you are a lawyer, your ministry employs

a whack of lawyers, and at the cabinet table you are surrounded by lawyers, so surely you can answer this straightforward question: Under Ontario law, when are you supposed to notify the public

about any changes to environmental regulations: (

a) before your government passes the regulation into law, or (

b) after the fact, as you have done with your secret regulation that exempts your

$40-billion nuclear mega scheme from a thorough, proper and effective provincial environmental assessment? Which is the correct answer?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I know the leader of the third party would prefer to tie up the OPA's IPSP in a

never-ending process, which would see not a single new windmill built, no small hydro dams, no biomass facilities built for years and years to come, because that is the legacy that his government

left.

Ontarians are telling us that it's time to get on with addressing the electricity needs of this province, and to do so in a manner that benefits the

environment. Our record to date speaks volumes. We have already signed contracts for 1,300 megawatts from wind, landfill methane and biogas, another 660 megawatts from small hydro, and 4,375

megawatts from natural gas. I will continue to advocate for increased use of cleaner electricity such as solar, small hydro, natural gas and biomass, and we will tackle the challenges facing our

province and deliver a clean --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Hampton: I'm shocked. Despite the fact she's a lawyer and she's surrounded by lawyers, the minister couldn't answer the question, or

should I say, wouldn't answer the question. The correct answer is (a), you're supposed to notify the public. But you simply overlooked that part of Ontario law.

It's your responsibility to stand up for the environment. You failed to do that. It's your responsibility to make sure Ontario's environmental laws are

respected and observed. You failed to do that. It's not your job to rubber-stamp $40-billion nuclear mega schemes by putting out a secret regulation exempting them from an environmental assessment.

But what's even more bizarre is that after you recognize your mistake, you try a silly public relations move, like asking people for their comments after you've already passed the regulation in

secret.

I have a simple question for you, Minister: Why didn't you post your regulation to exempt the McGuinty government nuclear mega scheme before you passed it, as

required by Ontario law?

Hon. Ms. Broten: It's the leader of the third party's job to criticize and it is my privileged position to represent the interests of

Ontarians.

Let me tell you what we have done since we became government. Since we've come to office, OPG's emissions of CO 2 have been reduced by 15%,

NO X have been reduced by 34%, SO 2 has been reduced by 28%, and mercury has been reduced by 33%.

We are not stopping there. We've also taken actions to reduce the volume of vehicle traffic on our roads by investing $838 million in public transit in the GTA

alone, create a 1.8-million-acre greenbelt to limit urban growth, double the retail tax rebate, require 5% ethanol content in gasoline by 2007 -- and the list goes on. Our commitment stands: We

will replace Ontario's health-threatening, coal-burning generating stations with cleaner sources of electricity, despite --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, here is your record: You secretly exempt Dalton McGuinty's $40-billion nuclear mega scheme from a proper and thorough

Ontario environmental assessment. When the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario says that you are breaking Ontario law and trying to duck accountability to the people of Ontario, you simply deny

it. Then, when things get too hot, you, after the fact, say to people, "Give us your comments on the regulation even though we're not going to change the regulation."

Again, Minister, you're supposed to stand up for the environment. You're supposed to ensure that Ontario's environmental laws are observed; you're not supposed

to be the one breaking them. When are you going to resign, Minister?

Hon. Ms. Broten: The leader of the third party wants to argue process. He is from a party of convenience. It's convenient to raise the

concerns with respect to the EA process and the IPSP now, but it's the very same approach and decision we made with the coal replacement plan, and he did not have any concerns at that time.

We want what Ontarians want: a healthier environment for our kids to grow up in. We want to get rid of health-threatening coal burning in this province, and we

are not going to let the third party's selfish politics threaten our kids' health. That's my commitment to the people of Ontario: to move us forward as part of a government that is going to build

clean, green electricity as we move forward. That's what our commitment is to the people of this province.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Hampton: My question is to the Premier. In 1975, Ontario became a national leader by bringing in a visionary Environmental Assessment Act.

In 1993, Ontario was an environmental leader again, with a visionary Environmental Bill of Rights. Both laws were designed to make sure that important government decisions that can affect the

environment and affect the economy and affect society aren't made in secret. They're designed to ensure that these decisions are debated in front of the people of Ontario.

Premier, if your $40-billion nuclear mega scheme plan is so good, why are you afraid to subject it to the level of scrutiny that previous Ontario governments

have maintained for decades: a thorough, proper and effective Ontario environmental assessment?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The fact is that this particular plan, and the work of this particular

plan, have been and will be subjected to an unprecedented level of opportunities for the public to comment and for a full and thorough environmental assessment to take place.

The leader of the NDP knows full well that every new generation facility in the province of Ontario will be subject to a full environmental assessment. He

would have us believe otherwise, but the fact is, there's a law in place that says you've got to do that. When it comes to nuclear generation, of course, there will be a federal environmental

assessment. But when it comes to anything else, whether it's a new gas-fired facility, wind turbines or expanded hydroelectric, that is subject to a provincial environmental assessment. So I don't

know where he's coming from when he would have Ontarians believe that there will not be a full environmental assessment, because the fact is, there will be. It's the law in Ontario.

Mr. Hampton: The only environmental assessment that will happen will be the very weak federal environmental assessment that your own Minister

of Energy says is inadequate, that your own Minister of Energy says needs to be improved and brought to a higher level.

The other thing you've tried to say is that you're going to turn responsibility for reviewing your nuclear mega scheme over to the Ontario Power Authority. Who

is there? Why, Jan Carr, your former fundraiser. Mr. Carr opposed the coal phase-out from day one, opposed any further investigation into cost overruns at the Pickering nuclear station and spent

his time during the last election gathering money for you on Bay Street.

Premier, can you explain to the people of Ontario how your former fundraiser, Jan Carr, will do a better job of protecting the environment and the public

interest than a thorough, proper and effective Ontario environmental assessment?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, every new generation project will become the subject of a full environmental assessment. The leader of the NDP

doesn't want to come to grips with that, but I think I have some sense of why it is that he wants to have the plan itself become the subject of an environmental assessment. That plan would be

modified and ideally improved every three years when it's subject to a review. If we were to put the plan itself and every review through a two-year environmental assessment, we would never, ever

make progress in Ontario when it comes to putting in place new generation. I think that lends us some real insight into why it is that the leader of the NDP is not prepared to accept that every

single project must be subject to an environmental assessment; rather, he would like to see the plan and every subsequent revision, modification and improvement also subject to an independent

environmental assessment, which will effectively grind all --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, you're wrong. I just want to see the McGuinty government observe the environmental protection laws of Ontario. That's

all I want to see. But what have we seen? We saw Dalton McGuinty promise to close coal plants -- didn't happen; up in smoke. You promised to freeze hydro rates -- increased those by 55%. Then you

promised to protect the environment. Now you've been caught in an unprecedented violation of Ontario's most important environmental laws and you're telling Ontarians to trust your former fundraiser

to protect the environment or trust a federal environmental assessment process that your own Minister of Energy says is weak and needs to be improved.

Premier, that's your record. Can you tell us why any sane, rational person in Ontario who has witnessed all of your broken promises would trust --

The Speaker: Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the NDP is nothing if not entertaining. But on this side of the House, we've got to take responsibility for

making sure we have in place a reliable supply of clean, safe, affordable electricity. We put forward a plan that we believe to be balanced and responsible. We are calling upon the Ontario Power

Authority now to move ahead with that plan. That will be subject to a number of reviews, including the fact that it has to be presented to the Ontario Energy Board, and every single new project --

and I know the leader of the NDP understands this but he fails to come to grips with it -- will become the subject of a full, complete, thorough environmental assessment. The leader of the NDP

doesn't want any new generation in the province of Ontario. We differ in that regard and we look forward to moving ahead.

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Premier: Today we talked to busloads of Caledonia residents and they have questions for

you. Premier, you can have a backyard barbeque. These people are frightened to go into their backyards. The barricades are still up. Five warrants are still outstanding. This morning, on the front

lawn, we heard that children are eating their lunches under their desks. Things are worse now than they were February 28, not better.

Their questions: Is it now government policy to negotiate from a position of weakness, no matter how many laws are broken? Secondly, why did you start talks

when your very own conditions have not been met?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I think as the member knows, my colleague Joe

Cordiano and I met with representatives of the alliance last night. We certainly heard first-hand much of what you've also been telling us in the House here. We're very sympathetic to the

disruption that has been caused to people's lives in Caledonia.

I want to inform the member that as we speak, Jane Stewart is in negotiations today and concentrating on the issue of disentanglement of people there. We

understand the activities on the occupied site are causing disruption to people's lives there. We don't want to see any of that intimidation that's going on and we are determined to put an end to

it. That's what Jane's job is this afternoon.

Mr. Barrett: Thank you, Minister. I continue my questions to the Premier. It may go back to you. I don't see the Premier now.

Two conditions were set for negotiations. Neither have been met. The barricades are still up. We're not seeing any co-operation in handing over the five

suspects.

On Monday, your Acting Premier said, "The barricades are down." Yesterday, your Premier cited "progress in getting barricades down," an admission by your

government that your Acting Premier was wrong. There's a reason for those signs outside this morning that say, "McGuinty sold Caledonia for 30 pieces of silver. How much is your town worth?"

Premier, your constant flip-flopping has put you in a position of weakness and it's clear you don't really mean what you say. If you can hear me, if you do

strike a deal, how will all sides know that you'll keep your word?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: The member likes to nitpick over wording and vocabulary.

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): No.

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: Well, he does. First of all, we had an occupation, and he knows that. The land was occupied. So we've always considered the

Douglas Creek property as an occupation. Then, when things went not the way we wanted and we saw some barricades set up -- the transportation corridors and the hydro corridor were barricaded -- we

talked about the barricades for all those transportation corridors and they are down. Now we're dealing with the occupation.

You've got to know -- and you understand with the arrests today -- we're making progress. Last week you were talking about seven defenders at large. Well, now

it's five. So we're making progress. You should be helping us and supporting us to make this progress. The police are doing their work. They are doing their job. There's co-operation between the

professional force on the reserve and the OPP, and the job is getting done. We're doing the job now.

FIRST NATIONS

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Acting Premier: The Mikisew decision of the Supreme Court of Canada last November clearly

requires governments to consult and accommodate First Nations prior to allowing resource development activities on First Nation traditional lands that could impact First Nation treaty rights. Yet

members of Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug are being forced to come here to protest and are being sued for $10 billion by a mineral exploration company, Platinex, because the McGuinty government

failed to fulfill its duty to consult and accommodate the First Nation.

My question is this: When will the McGuinty government live up to its constitutional and legal responsibilities and accommodate First Nation rights to

consultation and accommodation instead of forcing them into the courts?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): As a result of those Supreme Court decisions

cited by the leader of the third party, the government of Ontario took an internal exercise with all ministries, working with all the lawyers in all the ministries to bring an

interpretation

forward as to what the responsibilities resulting from this court decision would be with each ministry in its responsibility to consult with First Nations on all the various aspects involving

treaty and aboriginal rights.

We have completed that exercise internally and are about to engage the First Nations leadership in Ontario to get some agreement as to what those protocols

should be in all the areas that affect their lives. So what we want to do is get some agreement as to whatever the issue, whatever the project, so that we have a set of protocols established and

agreed to ahead of time, as that's the way we need to consult with First Nations people.

Mr. Hampton: I want to get this straight: You have a constitutional and legal responsibility recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada. You

now admit that you have not even produced yet the guidelines for consultation and accommodation, yet the McGuinty government gave a permit to the mining company to go into the traditional lands of

this First Nation. It sounds to me, by definition, like the McGuinty government is already in breach of its constitutional and legal responsibilities. As a result of that, though, the First Nation

has to pay the price: They're getting sued for $10 billion.

My question is this: After you finish with your speeches and your platitudes, when are you going to do something about your own breach of your constitutional

and legal responsibilities with respect to this and other First Nations?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I would say that we're not in breach at all, because we have the duty to consult on these protocols, and that's what we're

about to do. We're not about to just impose them upon First Nations and say, "This is now how we're going to consult in the future"; we are going to engage in a dialogue to make sure we are on the

right track and make sure they agree that these are the protocols we need to adopt.

That's what we're going to do: We're going to do that consultation with First Nations people instead of imposing it upon them, as this party would probably

want to do.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. This past August, my constituents in

Sault Ste. Marie heard the great news that they would be getting a new hospital as part of the ReNew Ontario program. This is so important for the people of the north because they have historically

had difficulty accessing health services.

Minister, when someone is diagnosed with cancer, getting access to treatment close to home so they can have support from their loved ones is crucial. How will

the Sault Area Hospital's expansion affect those who are in need of cancer treatment?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Through the incredibly impressive and aggressive advocacy of the honourable

member, it is true that we're moving forward with a long-awaited new hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, something that all members would know the community has been in need of for a long time.

One of those most novel elements of it, one that I think we should all celebrate, is that it addresses head-on the real challenges that people in the north

particularly face -- that is, with respect to travel distances. I'm very proud that the Sault Area Hospital will include a pilot radiation bunker. This will build on the skill set that's available

in Sudbury, which is already supporting cancer work in Sault Ste. Marie, but will enhance those services so as to provide care for people in a more timely and efficient manner.

It's all about wait times in a certain sense, but more particularly it's all about providing care closer to home. The best health care is that which you find

close to home. I'm proud that, as we move forward on the new Sault Area Hospital, that will include a pilot radiation bunker.

Mr. Orazietti: I want to thank Minister Smitherman on behalf of our community for his tremendous support in helping us to address Sault Ste.

Marie's health care needs.

Last month, Minister Caplan and Minister Gerretsen announced the renovation and expansion of the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario at Kingston General

Hospital. Terry Sullivan from Cancer Care Ontario said that more cancer centres have been built in the last two years than ever before in Ontario.

With the Cancer Centre of Southeastern Ontario slated to begin construction in 2008-09, can you elaborate on our progress to improve access to cancer

treatments across Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: One of the impressive results we're producing is, in a certain sense, based on an unfortunate circumstance, and that is

that too many in our communities are suffering from various forms of cancer. But we have been able to announce and to move forward with a very, very substantial rebuilding program and an additional

capacity program with respect to cancer. This is bringing new facilities, as I mentioned, to the Sault Area Hospital, to Niagara in the Niagara Health System in St. Catharines, to Newmarket at

Southlake hospital, to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, and expanded capacity at the Ottawa Hospital and Kingston General.

I'm pleased to say that in addition to the capital, as part of our local share announcement that came recently, our government will be covering 100% of the

costs for eligible new major radiation therapy equipment.

We're partners with these hospitals in our regional cancer system, which is designed to provide care in a timely way and close to home for individuals. We're

making sure that the government is resourcing these initiatives as part of our very ambitious program, ReNew Ontario, that is bringing Ontario's hospitals up to date.

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I have a question to the Minister of Natural Resources. I recently reviewed an

article by Andy Houser,

former MNR director of fish and wildlife, which appeared in this month's Ontario Out of Doors magazine. Mr. Houser comments extensively on the MNR's soon-to-be-released fishing regulations and the

20 newly created fish management zones. He says, "After weeks of painstaking review and meetings with the OFAH and my former employer, MNR, I can tell you that I believe the proposed new fisheries

regulations are fundamentally flawed. The new zones do not provide the necessary foundation for conserving Ontario's biodiversity related to fisheries and aquatic ecosystems." He suggests, "It is

time for the minister to direct his staff to go back to the drawing board."

Minister, given the far-reaching implications of the new fishing regulations, will you take the time to get this right and delay implementation of these new

regulations?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): This is why we're doing it, and we want to get

it right. Basically we had a fishing regulation book that was maybe six inches thick and nobody could understand it. It was very difficult to enforce, and we didn't actually think it really

protected the biodiversity of Ontario. What we wanted to do is to simplify that and to design some fish management units that were based on ecological reasons, considerations based on type of lake,

water temperature, climatic zones, so it was really based on the sustainability of that area.

It's science-based, and I think that's what's important. This is the first time this has really been done in Ontario. We think it's what is required in the

21st century to sustain our fishery, and I'm very proud of the accomplishment that we're about to launch.

Mr. Miller: Minister, your former MNR director describes your ministry's attempt to reduce the number of divisions from 37 to 20 new fisheries

management zones as "a major error in understanding and judgment," which will have the result of creating more exceptions instead of reducing the number from the now 2,900 exceptions. He says,

"They combine areas of vastly different geology, physiography and lake morphology; vastly different fish communities and community structure; and fisheries with vastly different pressures and

management objectives." Mr. Houser points out that, "The amalgamation defies logic and sound fisheries management."

Coupled with reductions in stocking programs, the new fishery regulations will have a significant negative impact on tourism and angling opportunities for

people across the province. Why are you rushing to implement the regulations, which clearly do not reflect sound conservation management? Why don't you take the time, take an extra year and get it

right?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: As the member knows, when we embark on such major changes like this, we obviously post all these recommendations for public

comment. You've just given me some public comment there that can be considered, just like the other recommendations we have received from our Environmental Bill of Rights posting. So we are looking

at all of that now and we are going to consider all this information, because we do want to get it right. I just want to assure the member that that's the ultimate goal here, to simplify the regs,

but to get it right so that we have a sustainable fishery in Ontario.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. In Thunder Bay, Bombardier has a world-class

factory for the manufacture of transit rail cars, subway cars and streetcars. The city of Toronto wants their new subway cars built in Thunder Bay because they're very satisfied with the quality

products produced by the workers at the Thunder Bay plant. The mayor of Toronto and the TTC commissioners of Toronto have taken a lot of heat for this decision because critics claim it would be

cheaper to build these subway cars in China.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Stop the clock. I need to be able to hear the leader of the third party ask his question.

The leader of the third party.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, the mayor of Toronto and the TTC commissioners have been standing up to sustain and maintain good manufacturing jobs at

the plant in Thunder Bay. Can you tell me why the McGuinty government hasn't been standing up to sustain and maintain those jobs in Thunder Bay?

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I thank the member for the question. The Toronto Transit Commission, or the TTC, is the

proponent involved with the transaction; it has nothing to do with the province. The province has absolutely no objection to municipalities engaging in whatever decisions they make. Obviously, we

would like to see that it is in the best interests of the taxpayers' dollars. There is nothing that prohibits municipalities from coming to the agreements they have come to. It is not in the

province's jurisdiction.

Mr. Hampton: So the mayor of Toronto is fighting to sustain jobs in Thunder Bay, the TTC commissioner is fighting to sustain good-quality

manufacturing jobs in Thunder Bay, but the McGuinty government doesn't care if these subway cars are made in China, the McGuinty government doesn't care if hundreds more people at the Bombardier

plant get laid off.

Provincial government money is going into the purchase of these subway cars. Provincial government money went into the purchase of the rail cars for the Ottawa

transit system. Some of those Thunder Bay workers would have paid taxes. Minister, do you really believe you don't have any responsibility to try to maintain and sustain good rail transit

manufacturing jobs in Ontario at the Thunder Bay plant?

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: I say to the member that the Premier, in fact, wrote to the mayor last year and indicated that he had absolutely no

objection to the decision that city council took. It is a responsibility between the two municipalities in terms of the agreement they have. It has nothing to do with the province. All we would ask

is that any decision be made in the best interests of the taxpayer and that there is value for money.

PROTECTION FOR FARM WORKERS

Mr. Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): My question is to the Minister of Labour. I understand that at the end of the month --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I need to be able to hear the member for Chatham-Kent Essex.

Mr. Hoy: Thank you, Speaker.

Minister, I understand that at the end of the month your ministry will bring about a very significant change that will impact farming in Ontario. This change

will affect all paid farm workers, including migrant farm workers.

We all appreciate the important role the agricultural sector plays in the economy of our province. However, it is widely recognized that working on a farm can

be dangerous. While fatality and injury rates in the agriculture sector have come down in recent years, the lost-time-injury rate remains high by comparison to other high-risk sectors.

Minister, can you now tell us what you are doing to protect the health and safety of our farm workers?

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): I want to thank the member, because he represents one of the most diverse agricultural ridings in this

province.

June 30 of this year will be an historic day in this province, because no government has ever moved forward in bringing agricultural operations under the

Occupational Health and Safety Act. That's something we should all be extremely proud of because we recognize that agricultural work can be extremely dangerous. It's high-risk, and we need to

ensure that farmers and employees of farms recognize the importance of working in a safe environment.

We know that this act is going to help reduce injuries to farmers and farm families. We are very proud of the fact that this was developed in consultation with

the agricultural community, and I want to thank the community for coming forward to ensure that this important initiative took place.

I think it's important -- my colleague on the other side raised this issue -- that this will apply to migrant workers as well. Over 16,000 workers come to

Ontario every year to assist in agricultural operations. They will now have the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions and, most

importantly, all farm workers who are paid will have the right to refuse --

The Speaker: Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Hoy: This is an important new regulation. I know that our government is committed to enhancing the health and safety of all Ontario

workers, and this initiative proves that commitment. I also know that this initiative will help the Ministry of Labour achieve its goal of reducing workplace injuries by 20% by the year 2008.

Minister, could you also tell us how you are going to let those who work on farms, and those who own and run farms, know what the new regulations mean and how

they will be enforced?

Hon. Mr. Peters: I think this clearly demonstrates how, as a government, we're moving forward in getting out of silo mentalities. We're

working very closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on this initiative. OMAFRA is playing a key role in helping to get out there and play an education role. As well, the

Ministry of Labour will be responsible for enforcement. I'm proud to say that we have 14 inspectors who have been specifically trained in some of the challenges that exist within agricultural

operations, including the very important area of biosecurity.

We've moved forward on a number of fronts, and this is going to be an ongoing process. We recognize the unique nature of agriculture, but at the same time we

recognize that it is incumbent on us as a government to work with the agricultural community to make sure that we look after our farm workers. I reiterate that, come June 30, all paid farm workers

in Ontario will have the same type of protection as is available to other workers in this province.

ONTARIO FARMERS

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. I was pleased yesterday

when you stood in the Legislature and expressed your concern that foreign countries have created an uneven playing field for farmers in Ontario. But the farming community and the Ontario Federation

of Agriculture have been calling on you for months to put a freeze on the BSE CAIS clawbacks, just as the federal government has done in provinces where they administer the stabilization program.

The inaction of your government is most definitely creating the uneven playing field for the farming community in Ontario.

My question is, when will you finally address the CAIS clawbacks with Ontario farmers and give them the even playing field with farmers across Canada that they

deserve?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I'm happy to have the opportunity to clarify for the honourable

member exactly what the clawback is about. When BSE occurred, money was advanced to certain farmers, and when the calculation was done it was realized that there was an overpayment. So farmers came

to our government and said, "Rather than do what other provinces that don't administer CAIS have done" -- they have employed collection agencies to go after their farmers for the overpayment. Our

farmers have said, "Please don't do that. When there is a payment due, simply deduct the amount owing from our payment that's going out." That is the agreement we have reached with our farmers.

When you talk about a level playing field and treating farmers in Ontario fairly, we have sat down and talked with them and that is what they have asked us to

consider. We think that is a great advantage --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Scott: It's the OFA that has requested this. The federal government has put a moratorium on this clawback because right now farmers are in

need; they can't pay the bills. So the OFA and farmers have asked, in this time of need, that that clawback be delayed, as the federal government has done.

Minister, will you commit today to put a hold on that clawback, because right now the farmers need the money? The federal government is part of that program,

and they have done that in the provinces where they administer the stabilization program.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I have had the opportunity to speak with the president of the OFA and to remind him that the arrangement we have in

place in Ontario is a result of requests from the farming community. This is what they wanted. They did not want collection agencies going after them.

In addition to that, the federal government has said they're going to suspend the requirement to pay interest until December of this year, while the province

of Ontario has not charged, does not now intend to nor will it charge interest on those overpayments. So we believe, as the farmers in Ontario believe, that they have negotiated a reasonable

agreement. If the honourable member wants to call my office and ask for a briefing on this, we would be very happy to provide it. We would have provided it to you before today so that you would

have had this information. When it comes to a level playing field, we believe the way we are working with farmers in Ontario is --

The Speaker: Thank you. New question?

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): A question to the Minister of the Environment: Minister, you know about the growing and unregulated sludge

dumped on agricultural land on Church Street in Fenwick. Your ministry hasn't tested the sludge, your ministry hasn't performed hydrological monitoring, both of which were recommended by your

expert panel that reported to you 18 months ago. Mayor Leavens of Pelham and folks down there want to meet with you. They're concerned about their environment. When are you going to meet with

Pelham's mayor and concerned residents?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I appreciate my friend opposite's advocacy on behalf of his community. Let me share with

this Legislature a little bit about the good work the Ministry of the Environment is doing as they continue to work with the folks in this community. The ministry staff have inspected the site 12

times since the beginning of May 2006, including once in the late evening and another time in the early morning, because we hear different information with respect to issues at different times of

day. The inspection on June 6 confirmed that the owner took steps to ensure surface water from the site was not migrating off the site. The ministry staff confirmed odour off-site on June 5 and

instructed the owner on June 6 to undertake measures to address the matter. The ministry staff are continuing to and will continue to respond to the public concerns and monitor the site

regularly.

Mr. Kormos: Minister, a drive-by does not constitute an inspection. The sludge mountain is growing on a daily basis. Your expert panel

identified this as high-risk material that should be subject at least to a certificate of approval. You're sitting on your hands while the folks down in Pelham and Fenwick are scared to all get-out

about their environment, their health, their water and your lack of action. Time is of the essence. The question, Minister: Please, when will you meet with Mayor Leavens and concerned citizens?

When will you meet with them?

Hon. Ms. Broten: As I said to my friend, ministry officials are active, and actively meeting with that community to address this very serious

issue. At the same time, the ministry is reviewing and examining the expert panel very closely to determine how best to implement the recommendations from that expert panel. We know this regulation

has been in place for a lengthy period of time and it is important that we review the science behind it, that we work hard, and in light of the panel's recommendations, that we bring forward

comments and concerns from the community. We care very much about the community in Pelham, and folks in my office are working very closely with that community. We look forward to tackling this

challenge together with the community of Pelham.

NIPISSING UNIVERSITY

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Yesterday the member for Burlington

made claims in this legislature that Nipissing University is reneging on offers to students accepted to the teaching program. As the member of provincial Parliament representing the riding of

Nipissing, I'm very proud of Nipissing University and the quality education it provides to students from across the province and across Canada. Its faculty of education is particularly renowned and

very popular. The graduates of this program are sought after by boards of education across the province, and in fact across the country.

The member for Burlington painted a very negative picture of Nipissing University. This is a university that was recently acknowledged by Maclean's magazine in

their university student edition as the number one university in student satisfaction in overall quality of education, and fully 85% of graduates surveyed responded that they would recommend

Nipissing University to their friends or family. Minister, can you provide some detail around the issue of acceptances to Nipissing University's faculty of education program?

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): I think the member from Nipissing is right to be proud of

Nipissing University. They provide an excellent education.

I think what the member from Burlington appeared to suggest yesterday was unfortunate. What happens in an application process is simply this: Universities send

out a lot of applications and they know they won't get back as many confirmed acceptances. What happened in this particular year is precisely because of Nipissing's reputation. More students

accepted a place in Nipissing's education program than have in the past, so they had an excess. Nipissing has confirmed with us that they will be providing a spot in their education program to

every single student who wishes to take it. They reminded the students that they also have an education program in Brantford --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

M me Smith: Comme vous le savez, l'éducation est très importante pour notre gouvernement.

Teaching is an important profession that's very well respected. I of course am very proud that so many students want to pursue this rewarding career at

Nipissing University.

Yesterday in the House, you referred to the fact that our government is continuing to fund an additional 1,000 spaces for students wishing to become teachers

in our province. Can you tell us more about this funding and how it will help our government achieve its commitment to improving education throughout the province?

Hon. Mr. Bentley: I'd be happy to. Several years ago, it was identified that we would need extra teachers to implement programs such as the

program of the McGuinty government and the Minister of Education to reduce class sizes in the lower grades. We have been funding an extra 1,000 teachers for each of the last three years, and this

will continue this September. Nipissing is one of the beneficiaries of that extra funding. That is a demonstration of our commitment to ensure that we have enough teachers.

I want to say a few more things about Nipissing University. Nipissing also has a teacher education program at Brantford. They've had that for years; in fact,

since 2002. What they have offered to students who live closer to Brantford is that they can get their teacher education closer to home, saving them money, with just as good an education. It's a

win for students and a win for the university. It's a good-news story all around.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is for the Minister of Energy. After doing nothing with regard to installing

emission controls on our coal-fired power plants for three years, we now hear from the Premier that it will take until 2008 for the OEB to approve your integrated power supply plan. Minister, have

you ordered Ontario Power Generation to immediately begin to install emission control systems, or will you turn your back on the environment just as you turned your back on the supply situation in

this province for three years?

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy): The orders were very clear. We've asked the power authority, first of all, to give us recommendations

on an orderly removal of coal. We continue to not believe in clean coal. We believe that coal-fired generation should be replaced in as predictable a time as possible. So that order is very clear

and very direct.

I'd also point out that I don't believe the Premier said that the report would come back in 2008; it's a little difficult to predict that. What I have said is

that we believe it will come back possibly in late 2007, but again, they haven't had a particularly good record in getting the facts accurately or properly.

I would suggest that we all ought to be committed to cleaning up the environment. I would suggest that it's highly appropriate. The orders we directed the OPA

to --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Yakabuski: In anticipation of your diatribe in your supplementary, I'm going to get ahead of you and let you know what you haven't done

about emissions in this province.

You're going to talk about Lakeview, which was closed by Elizabeth Witmer, by order: "On April 30, 2005, it must stop burning coal." Elizabeth Witmer ordered

that, not you. You had to follow the law or you would have had to change the law.

You're going to talk about emission reductions, which you have done nothing about in this province. All the emission reductions in this province have been as a

result of the closure of Lakeview, or OPG doing their due diligence and seeking the best efficiencies to operate those power plants.

Minister, for three years you did nothing to deal with the smog-contributing components of coal emissions in this province. Are you telling the people that

that is exactly what you'll be doing in the future?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: That's an interesting little story. The one thing the Tories forgot when they ordered the closure of Lakeview was to do the

transmission work that had to be done to accommodate it. So it was phony, absolutely phony.

Here's what the Tories did on coal-fired generation: nitrous oxide, from 1995 to 2003, a 25% increase. What happened under the Dalton McGuinty Liberal

government with nitrous oxide? Nitrous oxide was down. CO 2 : a 56% increase under the Tories, and a 15% decrease under McGuinty.

In short, everything that should have been up under the Tories was down; everything that should have been down was up.

Everything with the Liberals that should be up is up, and everything that should be down is down --

The Speaker: Thank you.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. It is now time for petitions.

PETITIONS

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to present a petition on behalf of my constituents in the riding of Durham.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas, without appropriate support, people who have an intellectual disability are often unable to participate effectively in community life and are

deprived of the benefits of society enjoyed by other citizens; and

"Whereas quality supports are dependent on the ability to attract and retain qualified workers; and

"Whereas the salaries of workers who provide community-based supports and services are up to 25% less than salaries paid to those doing the same work in

government-operated services and other sectors;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to address, as a priority, funding to community agencies in the developmental services

sector to address critical underfunding of staff salaries and ensure that people who have an intellectual disability continue to receive quality supports and services that they require in order to

live meaningful lives within their community."

I often think of the community nursing home in Millbrook and my mother-in-law, Madge Hall. I'm pleased to present this to Daniel.

CHILD PROTECTION

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS) predicted that by March 31, 2005, 53 children's aid societies throughout the province of

Ontario will have served approximately 31,000 children and their families who are not protected under the jurisdiction of Ontario's Ombudsman; and

"Whereas clients of children's aid societies often feel intimidated from completing complaints procedures out of fear of being labelled by child protection

professionals as `uncooperative' or `mentally unstable,' putting access to their families at risk; and

"Whereas a report titled Voices from Within: Youth Speak Out, written by the Office of Child and Family Service Advocacy, states that `complaint processes in

place through legislated requirements appear to have a built-in bias in favour of the caregiver' and where the report goes on to state that `often, each step up the complaints ladder seems to

simply legitimize the decision made by the person previously reviewing the complaint. There is a lack of independence and impartiality in reviewing complaints. Using the advocate to facilitate a

more unbiased review is often discouraged by staff'; and

"Whereas, on August 27, 1992, the standing committee on the Ombudsman heard from the Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies that, in their opinion,

the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman should not include their own member children's aid societies; and

"Whereas on November 4, 1992, the standing committee on the Ombudsman heard from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), which at the time had a

membership of 105,000, which supported the inclusion of children's aid societies within the Ombudsman's jurisdiction to help expose compromising gaps within child welfare services; and

"Whereas in 1988 and 1992, when reviews of the Ombudsman's jurisdiction over children's aid societies were previously conducted, no non-professional members of

the public presented their opinion on this issue compared to today, where the general public have much greater access to notices of committee hearings through the increased use of Internet and

e-mail, further enabling them to participate in such hearings;

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

"That the government of Ontario enact legislation giving the Ontario Ombudsman's office jurisdiction over all of Ontario's children's aid societies who are

licensed under the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services to provide child protection services in order to ensure that the most vulnerable citizens of Ontario are better protected through

an external, non-biased complaint review process."

I send it to the table via Hartford, the page.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Mr. David Zimmer (Willowdale): I have a petition on behalf of a number of my constituents in Willowdale. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we are concerned with the lack of workplace safety and protection for workers in Ontario,

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

"To review and amend the specifications of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to make it mandatory for all employers in Ontario to participate in and

contribute to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board."

I support this petition, I affix my signature and I deliver it to page Evan.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): I want to thank Milva Biffis and Gaynor MacLeary for sending me this petition.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the parents of St. Paul's elementary school in Alliston have raised many issues regarding the security, cleanliness and state of repair of their

school; and

"Whereas a 2003 condition assessment completed by the Ontario government identified the need for $1.8 million in repairs to St. Paul's elementary school;

and

"Whereas the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has approached the Ministry of Education with the intention of having the school deemed prohibitive

to repair as they believe the school requires $2.28 million in repairs, or 84% of the school replacement cost; and

"Whereas there are ongoing concerns with air quality, heating and ventilation, electrical, plumbing, lack of air conditioning and the overall structure of the

building, including cracks from floor to ceiling, to name a few;

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

"That the Minister of Education immediately deem St. Paul's elementary school prohibitive to repair, secure immediate funding and begin construction of a new

facility so that the children of St. Paul's can be educated in a facility that is secure and offers them the respect and dignity that they deserve."

I went to St. Paul's from kindergarten to grade 8, and my mother taught at this school for 33 years. I obviously agree with the petition.

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition today in support of the Honourable Minister Mike Colle in his role as Minister of Citizenship

and Immigration.

"In Support of Skilled Immigrants -- Bill 124

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the McGuinty government is committed to establishing measures that will break down barriers for Ontario newcomers; and

"Whereas these measures will ensure that the 34 regulatory professions in Ontario have admissions and application practices that are fair, clear and open;

and

"Whereas these measures will include the establishment of a fairness commissioner and an access centre for internationally trained individuals; and

"Whereas through providing a fair and equitable system, newcomers will be able to apply their global experience, which will not only be beneficial to their

long-term career goals but also to the Ontario economy as a whole;

"We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Legislature of Ontario as follows:

"That all members of the House support the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, Bill 124, and work to ensure its prompt passage in the Ontario

Legislature."

I support this petition and will affix my name to it.

RECYCLING

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have