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June 1, 2004

38th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2004-Jun-01 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 1 June 2004 Mardi 1 er juin 2004

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ALMEDA BROWN

ONTARIO BUDGET

INJURED WORKERS

KIDS' FISHING DAY

BRAMPTON

ONTARIO BUDGET

WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH CENTRE

ONTARIO BUDGET

HEALTH CARE

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

AND SOCIAL POLICY

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ELECTION STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES ÉLECTIONS

GARETH RODGERS ACT

FOR SPORT PARACHUTING

(FREEFALLING REGULATION), 2004 /

LOI GARETH RODGERS DE 2004

SUR LE PARACHUTISME SPORTIF (RÉGLEMENTATION DU SAUT

SANS SOUTIEN)

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

AND SECURITY GUARDS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES ENQUÊTEURS PRIVÉS

ET LES GARDIENS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ELECTORAL REFORM /

RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

PLANNING REFORM

ELECTORAL REFORM

PLANNING REFORM

ELECTORAL REFORM /

RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

PLANNING REFORM

SENIORS' MONTH

HANSARD REPORTING SERVICE

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH PREMIUMS

TAXATION

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

PENSION PLANS

NORTHERN HEALTH SERVICES

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

WORKPLACE SAFETY

BUDGET SECURITY

WATER QUALITY

CLASS SIZE

BUDGET SECURITY

ORDERS OF THE DAY

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC STATUTE

LAW AMENDMENT ACT

(CHILD AND YOUTH SAFETY), 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT

DES LOIS EN CE QUI CONCERNE

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(SÉCURITÉ DES ENFANTS

ET DES JEUNES)

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ALMEDA BROWN

Mr Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I rise to recognize Almeda Brown, who has joined us here today with family and friends in the members'

west gallery. Mrs Brown is here from Port Carling, in my beautiful riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka, to receive the Ontario Senior Achievement Award. This award is presented to 20 individuals annually

as a way to recognize and honour outstanding seniors who, after age 65, have made significant contributions to their communities. Mrs Brown has done just that.

Since the 1930s, she has been a vital part of her community, dedicating endless time and energy to the service of those around her. Throughout this time, she has

volunteered extensively with organizations such as the Royal Canadian Legion, the Port Carling United Church Women's Auxiliary and the Sanford Women's Institute, with which she has been involved

for over 65 years. On top of all this, she and her late husband raised nine children, and she is presently a grandmother to 16 and great-grandmother to 22. I had the pleasure of attending her 90th

birthday last September.

I'd like to quote from the letter nominating Mrs Brown: "If a person's true wealth is the good she does in the world, then Almeda Brown is a very rich woman

indeed."

Therefore, in celebration of today being the first day of Seniors' Month, I would like to congratulate and thank Mrs Almeda Brown for all the service she has

volunteered throughout her life. She has helped many, and stands as an example for all of us.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): Well, that's hard to follow. That's a real hard act to follow.

As we all know in this Legislature, we had an opportunity last week to be back home in our ridings, what we call constituency week. It gave us all an opportunity

to go back and get connected with the people who voted us in here at Queen's Park.

I know it was a particularly difficult week for Liberals going back home, because I've got to say, did I hear it, as I was out door-knocking on behalf of our

federal campaign and talking to people generally. Boy, oh boy, it's not a popular day to be a Liberal. Between broken promises and that budget, when it comes to the delisting of health care

services and a new tax where people are having to pay even more money off their hard-earned paycheques, it's got to be tough being a Liberal. I just want you to know my heart goes out to you. It

really does. I want you to know, on behalf of the New Democratic Party of Ontario, we feel for you, but you set up your own problem.

Anyway, the other opportunity we had during the week was to meet with many of the people in the First Nations communities up on James Bay and into Ogoki. I just

want to say to the government in passing, and we're going to have an opportunity to talk about this later -- it's the whole issue of capital funding. We know that the provincial government is

talking about a $300-million fund, with another $300 million to be added by the federal government, for municipal infrastructure, but we cannot forget our First Nations communities.

There are desperate needs in our First Nations communities in order to make sure that they build their infrastructure. The federal Liberal government has fallen

down on the job. Let not this provincial Liberal government fall down on the job of supporting our First Nations communities.

INJURED WORKERS

Mr Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): Today is Injured Workers' Day. Over 300,000 workers are injured every year while on the job, and almost

100,000 of them were injured severely enough that they had to take time off work. They are workers: the people who build our vehicles, grow our food, build our homes and sell us goods and services

every day. Without them, the economy would grind to a halt. They are the lifeblood of our economy.

We must continue to do more to ensure the safety of workers in Ontario. So I am happy to see our government renewing its commitment to enforcing the Employment

Standards Act. Fair workplaces are safer workplaces. Educating and training workers and cracking down on bad employers through enforcement, and even prosecution where necessary, are important steps

on the road to safer workplaces.

There are too many people injured at work. And sadly for some, prevention comes too late. In 2002, traumatic accidents took the lives of 110 workers in Ontario.

We honour those who have been injured at work today. On Thursday, we in this House will have a chance to honour the memory of those who lost their lives at work when we debate my private member's

bill to erect a memorial to workers killed on the job.

KIDS' FISHING DAY

Mr Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the participants and everyone who volunteered at our fourth annual

Kids' Fishing Day event that took place this past weekend at the Heber Down Conservation Area. The event was both rewarding and fun-filled for the children and adults alike and attracted over 1,000

participants to come and enjoy the great outdoors.

The event could not have taken place without tremendous help from numerous organizations, including the South Central Ontario Big Game Association, the Pickering

Rod and Gun Club, the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto Sportsman's Show, Orono Fish and Hunt Club, Ontario Out of Doors Magazine, Eastview

Boys and Girls Club, the Bait Association of Ontario, Oshawa Community Health Centre, Metro East Anglers, the YWCA and Simcoe Hall Settlement House, who all contributed time and effort to the great

success of the event.

This was a great opportunity for kids who usually don't have the chance to go fishing to learn about fishing and nature and have fun discovering the outdoors at

the same time. Rods, reels and bait, as well as lunch, were provided. The children also enjoyed demonstrations by the Ministry of Natural Resources, dog-handling exhibits, fly casting, nature

hikes, face painting, as well as a special appearance by Percy the Perch. Buses were arranged to pick up kids at several locations throughout Oshawa.

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, including Norm Monaghan, Vern Mason, Peter Dickson, Dan McWilliams and all the local groups and

organizations for their support, along with the dedicated volunteers who made this event so special.

Finally, I'd like to thank all the parents and the kids, who had such a rewarding experience, and invite them all back again next year for the event. I should

also say that there are still several hundred one- to four-pound rainbow trout waiting to be caught.

BRAMPTON

Mr Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): "Brampton has an unusually large, attractive and urban core. Brampton makes a deliberate

effort to retain its immigrants, attaching them firmly to the community by its quality of life, its schools and its opportunities. Brampton has one of the lowest crime rates in Canada, and it may

be one of the country's most cosmopolitan and economically sophisticated communities." These are the words of this country's most respected urban planner, Jane Jacobs.

I would like to take this opportunity to salute both Ms Jacobs and my home community. As a tireless advocate of community development, Ms Jacobs's recent Toronto

Star

article singled out Brampton as an example of the beauty that can be found in our suburban communities across the province.

Ms Jacobs's

article also serves as a warning that issues like traffic congestion, a lack of green space and the hollowing out of our respective urban cores can

threaten the very social fabric that binds us together. I and the people of my riding are pleased with our government's budget commitments to inject much-needed infrastructure and transportation

funds into my long-overlooked community, which respects Ms Jacobs's vision of urban development. Brampton is an excellent place to live.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): It has been said that Helen of Troy had the face that launched a thousand ships. On May 18,

Dalton McGuinty and Greg Sorbara presented a budget that could sink them -- "them" being their federal Liberal cousins. The anger being directed at this government over their exercise in deception

is unprecedented in political history. This could well be the first time that a provincial budget brings down a federal government. In Paul Martin's campaign, Dalton McGuinty is about as welcome as

a root canal. Dalton McGuinty's own backbenchers are trying to separate themselves from this betrayal of their own election promises. As I travelled last week through my riding of

Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, the words I heard over and over again were: "Those no-good" -- insert a word here that rhymes with tires -- "should be booted out of office immediately. They made all of

these promises and never intended to keep them."

It's no wonder that people are cynical about politicians and politics. Mr McGuinty himself said that Paul Martin's own election promises are just made in the

heat of the battle. Is this where we've gotten to? Say anything just to get elected? Oh, pardon me; that already happened last October 2. The people are seething at the McGuinty Liberals over their

litany of broken promises. On June 28, they will take their disgust out on the Martin Liberals, but don't be too smug, Dalton. Your day will come, too.

WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH CENTRE

Mrs Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre): I rise today to commemorate the hard work of a dedicated group of volunteers: the volunteer board of

directors of the William Osler Health Centre. The members of the board have dedicated their time and energy to the construction of a new hospital, all while making tough, necessary decisions in the

operation of three separate campuses.

In a speech to the Ontario Hospital Association on November 5, 2003, the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, called on hospitals to open

lines of communication with their local MPPs, saying, "If we are to succeed, all MPPs must be better informed on health care issues." The board has embraced this request.

As well, I wish to make special mention of the president and CEO of William Osler, Mr Bob Bell. I'm pleased to report to this House that Mr Bell has gone above

and beyond the minister's request. Mr Bell takes time out of his

schedule at least once a week to call my office to keep me updated on issues at this hospital. His dedication is beyond

question.

When the doors at Brampton's new hospital open, it will be due to the unwavering commitment of this government, Mr Bell, the staff of William Osler and the

volunteer board of directors. For this, the people of Brampton Centre are very grateful.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): I'm pleased with Minister Sorbara's first budget, especially the attention given to health, education and public

transportation. I believe the increase of $2.6 billion for education, $2.2 billion for health and two cents a litre of the existing gas that will be given to municipalities is the first step in the

right direction.

Last week, during constituency week, I met with taxpayers and school and hospital officials in my riding of Thornhill who were extremely optimistic about the

budget's commitment to health, education and public transportation.

I strongly believe in public transportation, because it will minimize air pollution, which causes respiratory and other health problems. More public

transportation means less gridlock. Our economy loses billions of dollars each year due to gridlock.

I am extremely pleased that the budget includes money for an environmental assessment of the Spadina-York subway extension to reach the region of York. A subway

to York University will make it more accessible for students so that they can spend more time in the classrooms and libraries and at home. Moreover, a subway extension to York University will

create substantial economic stimulus in and around the corridors of the campus. There will be a greater supply of high-density residential and new businesses on the abundant underdeveloped lands

that lie there today.

I am excited to be part of a government that addresses the core needs of our citizens and is not afraid of taking the necessary measures to improve the standard

of living of our great province.

HEALTH CARE

Mr Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is the largest hospital in northwestern Ontario. With 375

beds, a regional cancer centre, mental health services and a very busy emergency department, this hospital is critical to delivering quality health care to northern Ontarians. It serves an area

larger than all of southern Ontario, with a population of 275,000 people.

That is why my constituents were so pleased yesterday when Premier McGuinty announced that the Ontario government will cover an unprecedented 80% of eligible

capital costs for the new Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

The McGuinty government is committed to delivering health care results. That means shorter wait times, better access to doctors and nurses, and substantial

improvements in long-term care.

The new regional cancer centre in Thunder Bay will provide better access to cancer care for northern Ontarians by doubling the number of annual radiation and

chemotherapy treatments provided by 2010. This is great news for residents of Thunder Bay and across northern Ontario.

This, along with the Liberal government's support for our northern medical school, will help build a state-of-the-art health care system in the north, where

doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are able to provide the quality of care that people deserve.

Together with our budget commitment to provide free immunizations for our children, expanded home care and improved long-term care for our frail and elderly,

this investment will help Ontario become a leader in publicly funded health care once again.

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): I'd like you all to pay special attention to what I've got to say now. I want you all to join me in welcoming a

group of legislative pages to serve in the first session of the 38th Parliament: Meghan Allerton from Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound; Jason Andary from Chatham-Kent-Essex; Taisa Dackiw from

Etobicoke-Lakeshore; Bradley Emerson from Mississauga South; Jaimie Franks from Mississauga West; Jordana Gilroy from York West; Jessica Guthrie from Niagara Centre; Brendan Hamilton from Thunder

Bay-Superior North; Malakai Rose Kirkpatrick from Haliburton-Victoria-Brock; Eric Koehn from Markham; Branndyce-Leigh Little from Kingston and the Islands; Jeongho Peter Lyu from Oak Ridges; Logan

Maines from Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington; Jessica Mair from Hamilton East; Ian McKellar from Kitchener-Waterloo; Cameron McMeekin from Hamilton Mountain; Samuel Merrifield from Nickel

Belt; Emily Morin from Nipissing; Andrew Naismith from Thornhill; Dylan Robertson from Pickering-Ajax-Uxbridge; Vivienne Steele from Sault Ste Marie; and Olivia Whetung Cole from

Guelph-Wellington.

Let's join in welcoming them to serve our Parliament.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE

AND SOCIAL POLICY

Mr Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on justice and social policy and move its adoption.

Clerk at the Table (Mr Todd Decker): Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

services de santé, édictant une nouvelle loi relative à l'accessibilité aux services de santé et abrogeant la

Loi sur l'accessibilité aux services de santé,

prévoyant l'imputabilité du secteur des services de santé et modifiant la

Loi sur l'assurance-santé.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Shall the report be received and adopted?

All those in favour, please say "aye."

All those against, say "nay."

I think the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1351 to 1356.

The Speaker: All those in favour, please rise.

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Brown, Michael A.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Orazietti, David

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sorbara, Greg

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

The Speaker: All those opposed, please rise and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Baird, John R.

Chudleigh, Ted

Churley, Marilyn

Dunlop, Garfield

Hardeman, Ernie

Horwath, Andrea

Jackson, Cameron

Klees, Frank

Marchese, Rosario

Miller, Norm

Murdoch, Bill

O'Toole, John

Prue, Michael

Tascona, Joseph N.

Witmer, Elizabeth

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 58; the nays are 15.

The Speaker: The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ELECTION STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE LES ÉLECTIONS

Mr Bryant moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 86,

An Act to amend the Election Act, the Election Finances Act, the Legislative Assembly Act and the Representation Act, 1996 to provide for provincial

general elections at intervals of approximately four years, to govern the timing of writs, close of nominations and polling day, to make modifications relating to the electoral readjustment

process, and to make technical amendments / Projet de loi 86, Loi modifiant la Loi électorale, la

Loi sur le financement des élections, la

Loi sur l'Assemblée législative

et la Loi de 1996 sur la représentation électorale en vue de prévoir la tenue des élections générales provinciales à intervalles d'environ quatre ans, de

régir le calendrier relatif à l'émission des décrets, à la clôture du dépôt des déclarations de candidature et au jour du scrutin, et d'apporter des

modifications au processus de révision électorale ainsi que des modifications de forme.

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

Hon Michael Bryant (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): I'll make a

statement during ministers' statements.

GARETH RODGERS ACT

FOR SPORT PARACHUTING

(FREEFALLING REGULATION), 2004 /

LOI GARETH RODGERS DE 2004

SUR LE PARACHUTISME SPORTIF (RÉGLEMENTATION DU SAUT

SANS SOUTIEN)

Mr Tascona moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 87,

An Act in memory of Gareth Rodgers to regulate freefalling / Projet de loi 87, Loi à la mémoire de Gareth Rodgers pour réglementer

le saut sans soutien.

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

Mr Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): The bill enacts and act to regulate persons who participate in free-falling and promote public

safety.

PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS

AND SECURITY GUARDS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES ENQUÊTEURS PRIVÉS

ET LES GARDIENS

Mr Dunlop moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 88,

An Act to amend the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act / Projet de loi 88, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les enquêteurs privés et

les gardiens.

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

Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): If passed, this legislation will make the most significant changes to the operation of the private security

industry since the first bill was introduced over 35 years ago.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ELECTORAL REFORM /

RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Last fall, our government was elected to deliver real, positive change.

Since then, we've taken action on our commitments by introducing a progressive legislative agenda in this House. One of the cornerstones of that agenda is strengthening our democracy, and our

government is making progress.

We have introduced legislation that would eliminate the waste of taxpayers' dollars on partisan, self-promotional government advertising.

We have given every government MPP a seat on powerful cabinet committees that help set policy, and we have appointed Ontario's first minister responsible for

democratic renewal. But more is needed to restore people's faith in our democracy.

In the first 100 years of Ontario's history, about two thirds of registered voters regularly went to the polls. In the last four elections, that number has

declined steadily from 64% in 1990 to 57% last fall.

Près de un Ontarien sur deux ne voit pas l'utilité de se rendre aux urnes. Certains d'entre eux ont perdu toute illusion quant aux processus.

D'autres adoptent une attitude cynique. La seule façon d'inverser cette tendance est d'engager nos citoyens. Il faut montrer à ceux qui ont perdu toute illusion et qui font preuve de

cynisme que le gouvernement peut changer. Il faut montrer aux jeunes gens en particulier pourquoi il est important de voter.

We need to get more Ontarians to the polls on election day. Voting in an election should be easy so that as many of us as possible can participate, as

citizens, in choosing our representatives.

The parliamentary system based on the Westminster model has served us well. We respect this parliamentary tradition, including the tradition of change that is

built into our system. Indeed, the ability to change and adapt is what keeps our system so strong. So it would be foolish to limit ourselves to 19th-century methods to deal with 21st-century

challenges. Change is what keeps our democracy vibrant and vital, and change is what we are introducing today.

The decision of when to call an election has always rested with the Premier of this province. It allows the government to call an election when it feels it can

win. It serves no one but the governing party. It's a perk of being in power, and it ignores the most important members of any democracy: its citizens. That's why our system needs to change. That's

why today we're embracing the change that is central to our democracy by introducing legislation to fix the dates of elections in Ontario.

We're pleased to introduce the Election Statute Law Amendment Act, 2004. If passed, it would make election day in this province the first Thursday in October,

every four years, starting in 2007. It will mean that the date of the next election will be October 4, 2007.

Les élections sont des événements démocratiques qui appartiennent à nous tous. Elles n'appartiennent pas au parti au pouvoir qui

pourrait ainsi les manipuler à son propre avantage.

Elections don't belong to Premiers to use as they see fit for their own political agenda. Elections belong to all of us, as citizens, and we have a right to

know when they will be held, so that we can plan effectively and participate fully. Elections belong to all political parties, so that all of us are on an equal footing and can compete for office

fairly. They belong to Elections Ontario, so it can plan efficiently for upcoming elections. They belong to public servants, so that the important work they do to deliver and continuously improve

public services can proceed efficiently, without the disruption of snap election calls or the delays of calls postponed.

Elections belong to anyone who wants to run for office or work in a campaign, so they can get their personal and professional lives in order, and that way they

will be able to more fully participate in our democratic process. Elections belong to each and every one of us as citizens, so that we can put aside some time every four years to think about the

direction of our province and its government and to talk to our friends, families, neighbours and co-workers about what needs to be done and who is best suited to do it.

This is how government should work in the 21st century. This is how it will work in Ontario from now on. Never again will a governing party be able to

manipulate the date of an election to serve its own interests.

Le premier ministre n'aura plus jamais la capacité de fixer les dates des élections en fonction de leur caractère opportun d'un point de vue

politique.

Never again will a Premier have the ability to set election dates when it is politically opportune for the government. I, as Premier, am forever renouncing

this right. I am doing it for one reason and one reason only: because it's the right thing to do.

This is an important step toward strengthening democracy in our province. It's part of our government's agenda to modernize Ontario's democratic institutions,

to engage the people of this province in the most ambitious democratic renewal process in our history, to get more Ontarians participating in the democratic process, to make government in Ontario

work for the people of Ontario.

Hon Michael Bryant (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): It is my honour

to rise today with the Premier of Ontario to introduce this bill and support this historic step in the renewal of democracy in our province.

With the introduction of this bill, our government is continuing the important work of restoring public faith in Ontario's democracy and in its democratic

institutions. Governments of all stripes have long played games with election dates, and it's time for that to come to an end. Creating certainty around election timing will bolster economic

certainty, public confidence in elections and the ability of government to govern effectively. Setting election dates in a four-year cycle may not be in the political interest of the incumbent

governing party, but it is most definitely in the public interest, and it is in the public interest that this government is acting on this important commitment.

There was a time when the sovereign literally and formally determined an election date. Since Confederation, that prerogative vested in a first minister. This

first minister is relinquishing that privilege and opportunity. This first minister, this Premier, is saying that forever-more the Legislature will determine the date, fix the date on a four-year

cycle, and this Premier has given up that "divine right" to set elections. That is leadership.

Over the coming months, we'll be working to ensure that more people, particularly young people, vote during elections, get engaged in their communities and

participate in the democratic process. We'll be leading an open debate on improvements to our electoral process, leading to a referendum on electoral reform. We'll be asking citizens to make

recommendations on how we fund political campaigns so that money has less influence on politics. We'll be encouraging more transparency and openness in how and where tax dollars are spent by

ensuring that the public interest is front and centre.

This is the most ambitious democratic renewal agenda since Confederation, right here in the province of Ontario, and I'm proud to be a part of it.

PLANNING REFORM

Hon John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): This morning at a special Canadian Urban

Institute meeting, I had an opportunity to share our government's progress as we move forward on a planning reform agenda.

As you know, our government is committed to making the real, positive change that will lead to a strong and prosperous Ontario, now and in the future. We are

moving ahead in numerous ways to accomplish this goal. Planning reform is one key factor. We all know the importance of good planning. Through it we're able to develop safe, liveable

neighbourhoods, reduce urban sprawl and protect our green spaces, target investment in infrastructure, ease the flow of traffic and so much more.

Good planning allows us to meet the needs of a growing population. It helps Ontarians gain opportunities to create a quality of life that is second to none. It

is clearly necessary to building the strong communities, competitive economy and healthy environment we all want. Our government's planning reform proposals would ensure balance and fairness as we

move forward.

Our agenda for planning reform is in keeping with our government's visionary response to growth management in this province. The need for action is clear. In

the last 15 years, the Toronto-Hamilton area has become one of the fastest-growing regions in North America. In the last 10 years, we've added more people and more new jobs than the rest of Ontario

combined. This economic growth and opportunity are expected to attract 3.5 million more people by the year 2031.

Our government welcomes this growth. We know it's vital for new business, new jobs and new opportunities, but we also know it will put immense pressure on our

land, air and infrastructure. For the sake of our quality of life, our economy, our environment and our children's children, we must put in place a well-thought-out plan to accommodate this

growth.

Our government is moving forward on this in a proactive, disciplined way. Spearheaded by my colleague David Caplan, the Golden Horseshoe growth management plan

will be a guide to resolving growth issues over the next 30 years. It is currently being developed co-operatively among ministries and with the input of experts and stakeholders.

It will provide direction for provincial and municipal decision-making on growth issues all across the Golden Horseshoe. The growth management plan will

identify the areas we need to protect and encourage growth in those areas that can best accommodate it. It will help us support that growth with infrastructure investments, safe management of our

drinking water and wastewater, protection of our parklands and more.

It will pay just as much attention to the economy. It will identify areas where new population and economic growth will be encouraged, and will help ensure the

efficient movement of goods and services across the region. This bold new plan will pull together all the various strings of growth: planning; infrastructure; transportation and transit;

residential and employment lands; farmlands; and every other aspect. Through it, our government will share our overarching vision for a strong Ontario.

We are already moving forward in priority areas. In December, as you know, I introduced legislation that, if passed, would be the first step to creating a

permanent greenbelt of protected land stretching from Niagara Falls to Rice Lake near Cobourg. The Greenbelt Task Force, chaired by Burlington Mayor Rob MacIsaac, is currently consulting on key

parts of the study area that should be protected, including agricultural lands.

We have committed to establishing the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority to coordinate both transportation and transit needs. Of course, our proposals

for planning reform would discourage sprawl and promote intensification, protect natural heritage features and watersheds, promote mixed-use development that results in real neighbourhoods and give

Ontarians a meaningful voice in the way their communities grow and prosper.

This morning I was pleased to announce the launch of an in-depth consultation on planning reform. Starting today, and over the next three months, our

government will be consulting on Planning Act reform, which will build on the Strong Communities (Planning Amendment) Act I introduced last December, as well as on revised policies in the

provincial policy statement and ideas for reforming the Ontario Municipal Board.

How do these three pieces fit together? The provincial policy statement sets out the province's overall vision of growth and prosperity. It's where our

government will define the priorities that we've all agreed upon, as well as the direction we all want Ontario to go.

Our goal is to have a provincial policy statement that effectively balances the needs of the economy, the environment and our communities. For example, the

draft statement recognizes the importance of intensification and brownfields redevelopment, and states that municipalities should permit or facilitate all forms of redevelopment and plan

infrastructure to support priority growth areas. Fundamentally, our government wants the new policy statement to lay the groundwork for wise decision-making and to provide the certainty that has

been lacking with regard to where development should go and what must be protected.

Our Planning Act legislation is all about implementation. If passed, municipalities will be given the authority to make the changes they need to build their

communities within the scope of our vision. You'll recall the legislation would introduce municipal leaders' ability to make the best choices for their constituents. It will also ensure planning

decisions have to "be consistent with" the provincial policy statement, and not just "have regard to" it.

The OMB, as you know, is the appeal body. The OMB was created in 1897, and while Ontario is now a very different place, the basic mandate and functions of the

board have remained the same for more than a century. This has led to some tough questions from the public and councils over the years, and our government is now working to address them through

consultation.

We will look at such diverse issues as the public's ability to participate at OMB hearings. How can the public be better informed about the process at the OMB?

Board member qualifications and their length of tenure will be studied. What can the board be doing to promote greater consistency in its decision-making process? Should the OMB's ability to

substitute its decision for that of an elected council be modified or curtailed? We will look into the scope of matters which can be appealed to the OMB. Should the OMB continue to conduct de novo

hearings looking at the full merits of a planning matter or be an appeal body based solely on matters that were brought before council at the time that it made its decision? Should we look at the

breadth of the OMB mandate, which goes from the most complex development projects to the construction of your neighbour's deck, and whether that mandate is appropriate?

We look forward to receiving the input and opinions of experts, stakeholders and citizens on all of these issues at 13 public information sessions or directly

to the ministry by letter or e-mail by August 31, 2004.

Ontarians are recognizing, as our government has also recognized, that the way we live tomorrow depends upon the way in which we plan and grow today. Policies

such as growth management, a strong provincial policy statement, Planning Act reform and greenbelt protection will give us the balance we need for a healthy environment and a vibrant economy.

Together, we will build the strong communities that will provide Ontarians, now and in the future, with a quality of life that is second to none.

ELECTORAL REFORM

Mr Ernie Eves (Leader of the Opposition): To the government members, the Premier and the Attorney General in particular: You talk about real,

positive change in the first line of the Premier's statement today. What we've got from this government in seven-plus months is partisan, negative political bafflegab and spin. And you wonder why

voters are cynical and disillusioned.

You promised 231 things that you knew you couldn't possibly deliver on. You might have talked about them today.

You promised a referendum. If you raised taxes for any reason whatsoever, you promised a referendum. I'm surprised the Premier isn't standing in his place

today announcing the date of the referendum.

Is it any wonder that 55% of Ontarians do not believe a single word this Premier says, with good reason to be disillusioned over the phony promises they made

in last October's election? It's a good thing for you that the next one won't happen for another four years, because if you had the guts to put it on the line before then, you wouldn't be sitting

over there.

Mr Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): I think the government is ahead of itself here today. They are talking about a vote four years

down the road, when they should be calling one today.

One measure of political credibility is the extent to which elected leaders keep the commitments they make in seeking public office. The Premier has broken his

promise of a referendum before he would raise taxes. He is out of touch with the people of Ontario, who are saying and feeling, in communities across the province, that they're angry over tax hikes

and the delisting of health care services in your budget. They feel betrayed by your repeated broken promises. If you'd only get outside of your bubble, you'd know they want to vote today, not four

years down the road.

You promised a referendum. You and your Attorney General have a fundamental responsibility to obey the law of the land. Your legislation is nothing more than

tinkering around the edges -- a step toward the Americanization of our electoral process. It will do nothing to increase the number of people who vote, and it will do nothing to address the

cynicism your government has created as a result of your broken promises. You betrayed the people of Ontario in your budget. You promised to hold the line on taxes and improve health care, but what

did you do in the budget? You dramatically raised taxes and reduced access to health care by delisting needed services.

I see that you have adopted the date of October 4, 2007, called for in our critic's Bill 51, the Fixed Dates for Elections Act, 2004. In that bill, the member

for Lanark-Carleton also included the need for a double majority before a non-confidence motion will lead to a provincial election. I hope this is something you have included in the bill. The

member for Lanark-Carleton put in this bill a clause to ensure that a majority of the Legislature and a majority of the opposition supported any non-confidence motion that led to an election. This

is important, because it would prevent a government from playing fast and loose with the rules, engineering a vote with the majority.

But again, the people of Ontario want to vote now. You promised a referendum if you increased taxes. It's a betrayal of the public trust that you are standing

here today and not announcing a referendum date. You have failed to find ways to ensure that citizens are satisfied with the politicians they have elected, and you have failed with respect to the

process to elect the politicians. Today's announcement won't do anything for democratic renewal. You must make good on your referendum promise. The people of Ontario deserve no less. Call a

referendum today.

PLANNING REFORM

Mr Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): In response to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the minister spoke for 10 minutes and said nothing.

The minister is insulting every property owner in Ontario. He's insulting anyone who is in the development business. He's insulting every municipality. He's insulting every builder. The fact of the

matter is that, through Bill 26, what this minister is really doing is politicizing the planning process. He is politicizing the Ontario Municipal Board. He and his government want to take back

into the corridors of Queen's Park and into the cabinet room the decisions that should be made by an arm's-length, quasi-judicial organization such as the Ontario Municipal Board.

No one in this province believes a word that any minister in that government says. People in this province know that they cannot trust one word that comes out

of the mouth of this Premier or out of any of the ministers. It is an unfortunate day in Ontario when even statements by ministers are held up as something not to be believed.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order. I'm having difficulty hearing the members of the opposition. The reason I'm having difficulty hearing

the opposition is that the government side keeps shouting. I'm going to have the third party respond now, and I'd like a bit more co-operation.

ELECTORAL REFORM /

RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): First of all, let me say to the government that New Democrats support the announcement today to moving

to fixed election dates. I say to some of my colleagues and friends in the media, no more winning bottles of wine from me on those bets. I always get the date wrong for when the election is going

to be called. Now we know what we'll be doing on October 4, 2007.

Having said that, I do have to say to the government today that I've got your democratic renewal document here from the election. Where's the announcement

today on your consultation and referendum on how we vote -- proportional representation?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): It's coming.

Ms Churley: He says it's coming, but we were expecting it today. Tighter spending limits, mandatory public hearings for all legislation -- we

are looking forward to moving on that agenda, because it's very important. In fact, the archaic system that we have today -- first past the post -- no longer works for today's global economy and

today's society. We need to make those changes.

But most of all, why did the Liberals increase public cynicism by making promises they knew they couldn't keep? It's going to be that much harder now to pull

people back and make this democratic renewal package that you want to bring forward relevant to people. But I'll tell you one promise you're going to inadvertently keep: You will get a higher vote

out by at least 10%. People are so mad that they're going to come out in droves to throw you out of office on October 4, 2007. That's how you'll increase the vote by at least 10% or a whole lot

more.

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James): La dernière élection, ce gouvernement libéral nous a dit, « Voyons; choisissez

un changement. » Le seul choix que vous avez fait jusqu'à date est de briser vos promesses électorales que vous avez faites à la population ontarienne. Jusqu'à date,

vous avez augmenté les taxes des citoyennes et des citoyens de cette province, quelque chose que vous aviez promis de ne pas faire. Vous avez choisi d'ôter du système de santé

les chiropracteurs et les oculistes, quelque chose que vous aviez promis de ne pas faire.

Aujourd'hui, vous venez ici -- « On a besoin de la bonne nouvelle. » Comme ma collègue, je dis que oui, on est en faveur de votre

proposition. Mais il faut garder très clairement dans l'esprit ce que le gouvernement fait, et regarder d'une manière très concrète comment ils seront capables de contourner

l'opinion publique que ce gouvernement a formée jusqu'à date en brisant ses promesses. Je dis à ce point-ci, le seul choix que le public va maintenant avoir avec ce gouvernement est

quand on peut chasser ces libéraux de l'office de l'Ontario.

PLANNING REFORM

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My comments are directed to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I looked at this when I got it

today; there are three of these papers. There is the Ontario Municipal Board planning reform initiatives, the provincial policy statement draft policies planning reform initiatives, and the

Planning Act reform and implementation tools planning reform initiatives, all of which, with the greatest of respect, are consultation papers. They're consultation papers about things you should

already know. You should already know what is happening out there, because I have heard many of you talk for so many years, when you sat on this side of the House, about what was wrong with the

Ontario Municipal Board and the planning process. Instead, you've issued these, and all they are are open-ended questions. They're open-ended questions that give absolutely no direction to anyone

reading them, as to where you are intending to take this province, so that they can intelligently answer those questions.

There are no policy initiatives. There are literally no directions. You should be providing leadership. That is one of the things that government should do:

provide leadership and not go out and ask questions to answers you already know. You should be going to the public to say how they will be able to participate. You should be going out to the public

to tell them how you can make the decisions of the Ontario Municipal Board consistent, not inconsistent the way they are written now. You have to go out to the public and tell them how you are

going to scope the basis of appeal, which you're not doing here. You're merely asking them whether it should be scoped. You should already know the answers to that.

You've even asked the arcane questions of whether or not the appeals should be de novo hearings or whether they should be based on what has already been put

there. We're saying that it should be an appeal. It should be an appeal straight out, an appeal on the information that has already been provided. There's no sense starting again. You already know

that, and this is a sham.

SENIORS' MONTH

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

party to speak for up to five minutes in recognition of seniors' awareness month.

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

Hon John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): I am very pleased to speak as the minister

responsible for seniors because, as you know, June is Seniors' Month, a celebration of this province's more than 1.5 million seniors, and a time to recognize the contributions that older Ontarians

make to communities across the province.

This year's theme is, "Active Living: Active in Body, Mind and Spirit," and it is a theme that was clearly embodied by the seniors I met this morning. Earlier

today, His Honour Lieutenant Governor John Bartleman and I participated in the Ontario Senior Achievement Award, when 21 outstanding Ontario seniors were recognized. These men and women were

recognized for their contributions in the areas of arts and literature; environment and science; preservation of history; community service; fitness, recreation and sport; volunteerism; education;

and humanitarian activities.

This year's award winners range in age from 69 to 95. Five are 90 years old or older. Each of the award winners is an excellent example of this year's theme of

active living. They are an inspiration not only to other seniors but to all Ontarians. Their actions have enriched their communities and the lives of so many other people.

I encourage all members in the House to participate in as many Seniors' Month activities as possible in their communities. Better yet, I encourage them to

organize activities themselves. The theme, "Active Living: Active in Body, Mind and Spirit," reminds us that regardless of one's ability we can all become more active in our communities with

encouragement and support. When a person is active physically, emotionally, intellectually or spiritually, he or she is engaged and involved.

This year's theme also reminds us that when community members are healthy it has a positive impact on our community. Active living promotes good health, making

for healthier Ontarians in a healthier Ontario.

Ontario seniors deserve to live safely, with dignity and as independently as possible with the supports they need. They have given their best to our province,

and they deserve the best we can give back to them. This government's recently announced budget proposed a number of initiatives that will benefit seniors. They include an investment of $88 million

in this year alone to expand home care, allowing individuals to remain in their own home environment as long as possible, and this will rise to $448 million over the course of the government's

mandate; an additional $406 million of an investment in long-term-care facilities this year alone, which will improve the safety and quality of care provided to residents and fund the opening of

3,760 new beds announced by the previous government. As well, the government intends to enhance the Ontario property tax credit program, increasing the maximum benefit for property and sales tax

credits for seniors from $1,000 to $1,125.

Seniors have contributed to the safety and prosperity of this province, and they deserve to know about the programs and services in place to support them. One

way of finding out about those programs and services is through public education and awareness events such as seniors' seminars. Seniors' Month provides an excellent opportunity to host a seniors'

seminar. Seminars are available on a number of different topics, from investment fraud protection to safe medication use. To make arrangements for a seniors' seminar in your own communities, all

members may contact the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat. The seminars are provided for seniors with valuable information on healthy aging and healthy lifestyles.

Seniors are increasingly connected to the Internet. Growing numbers of seniors, their families and caregivers are turning to the Internet for their information

needs. That's why we've made a guide to programs and services in Ontario available on-line and in print. It is available in 10 different languages. Information from a variety of service providers

and levels of government is listed in this useful guide, of which more than 100,000 copies have already been distributed to date.

This year's Seniors' Month also coincides with a very important anniversary. This marks the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the battle of Normandy. The

province's official commemorative ceremony will take place at Queen's Park on June 6 at 4 o'clock. We have received an overwhelming response from veterans to attend the ceremony. We anticipate a

large public turnout as well.

Ontario seniors have contributed to the growth, prosperity and safety of this province. For that, all Ontarians owe them a debt of gratitude.

Mr Cameron Jackson (Burlington): I'm very pleased and proud to respond on this special occasion, Seniors' Month, on behalf of the Progressive

Conservative caucus and on behalf of, quite frankly, our government over the past eight years and their record in recognition of the changing landscape of our province that has been enriched by the

growth of the number of senior citizens.

There are almost 1.6 million seniors in our province. By the year 2016, there'll be more seniors living in our province than children under the age of 14. By

2026, there'll be three million seniors -- double the number. That is wonderful news for our province: an enriched demographic that our party recognized nine years ago when we had the

responsibility to form a government. I was very pleased during that period of time to have been the minister responsible for seniors for five years and to sign on as a provincial signatory to

Canada's national framework on aging, which set out the principles of dignity, independence, participation, fairness and security.

Our government was ably assisted by some very important organizations that should be mentioned on this day; in particular, the United Senior Citizens of

Ontario, the Canadian Snowbird Association, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and, of course, the Royal Canadian Legion, all working closely with our government in terms of developing a

whole range of outstanding programs.

Today, it is fair to say that, of all Canadians, Ontarians enjoy the best of what any government can provide and a society can support within our nation here

in our province. We were fortunate to be able to invest $1.6 billion, the largest long-term-care commitment of 20,000 new beds in North American history. It has never been duplicated by any other

government: 16,000 older nursing homes torn down and completely rebuilt to the most modern standards in the world; $700 million in community care access, pushing us from fifth position to number

one position, not only in Canada but across North America in terms of access to community care and community supports.

Our Alzheimer's strategy took four years to develop with an almost $70 million investment, the first of its kind in North America. Today, five years later, not

one province or one state in the United States has come close to trying to duplicate the effort that this province has put in and is continuing to put in under the new government.

We have the portability of our drug benefits that we can be thankful for.

We have the elder abuse strategy, the first of its kind in the world, and Dr Elizabeth Podnieks should be commended. She delivered to the United Nations

conference in Spain, to a standing ovation, that finally one jurisdiction in the world had a structured program involving all aspects of safety and security for our seniors.

The Memory Project to acknowledge our veterans was developed; our seniors' safe medication program -- critically important, and I'm pleased to hear today that

the minister is allowing that to continue. Ontario's seniors are the most overmedicated people on the face of the Earth. The average senior in this province is taking 12 to 16 drugs every single

day of their lives. We're spending $2 billion outside of hospitals on medication. This is an incredible issue. I wish that our government had started, and I hope that some government will start,

providing prescribing guidelines to better protect seniors in this province.

There are other issues, and we need to listen to our seniors. That's how we can learn from the advice they can give us. But they are concerned, because today

many of them have spent their life savings protecting their largest investment, their home. They're house-rich but they're income-poor, and they're struggling to survive and stay in their home.

This is a major issue, Minister, and one that has to be addressed. We believe strongly in property tax relief under the education envelope. That's not going to happen with your government. Hydro

relief is another issue, because they are just not able to cope. The privatization of health care services, whether it's chiropractic, physio or optometry -- all of these issues are causing seniors

concern about their future and their health needs. Prostate cancer tests are still being paid for. I raised on May 10 that zoledronic acid injections for palliative care for cancer patients were

withdrawn by your government several months ago.

James Harrington, a retired OPP officer who was sexually assaulted by his case worker who was assisting him from a CCAC, has passed away. We need to change the

Criminal Code to ensure that there can be a voice for seniors who die before the three years when their court cases can come forward.

There are many things we could still be doing to ensure that Ontario continues to be the greatest place in the world for us to celebrate the lives of our

seniors.

Ms Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): I'm very pleased and proud to be able to respond on the auspicious occasion of Seniors' Month on behalf of

the third party. I want to say that seniors, we all know, are women and men who built our cities, built our towns and built our communities over the past decades in this province. In fact, they

have been the architects of our very quality of life, our way of life in Ontario.

It's the quality of life we currently enjoy that we owe to the seniors of Ontario. It's that quality of life that the seniors of Canada have given us. These

people have been the volunteers who have built our communities, who have built faith communities, who have helped in our recreation centres, in our clubs, who have helped with young people in

tutoring for educational purposes. They are the people who are the very backbone of our families, our communities, our small businesses and our local organizations.

But I'm concerned, because I also know that these seniors, for the most part, are people on fixed incomes. These are people who are going to be affected very

negatively by the policies of this government. They are people who are going to have their quality of life eroded with health premiums they can't afford. They are going to have problems because,

basically, there are issues like pensions that this government refuses to address.

For example, there are opportunities here to show seniors how much we respect their contributions, and those opportunities will come in the form of things like

guaranteed pension fund increases that this government could bring forward today to honour seniors. They could increase up to $2,500 the guaranteed pension fund for seniors, but I don't see that

happening and I'm wondering why.

They could also be very well honoured by having changes and reforms to our pension system that allow pensions to be fully portable for seniors, not only

existing seniors but all of us who will eventually be seniors in this province. That's progressive legislation that will really affect the quality of life of our seniors and will help them to know

we really do mean what we say when we say we value the contribution of seniors.

Instead, what we have is a budget that came down that has nothing in it really for seniors. There is a pittance of contributions to affordable housing. We know

that seniors are among the poorest in our province. In fact, women who are seniors are disproportionately represented in the ranks of the poor in this province. We don't see anything coming forward

in regard to addressing the issues of affordable housing that would help those seniors to have a decent quality of life in this province.

We have serious concerns with our home care in Hamilton. Our CCAC has been into all kinds of cutbacks, all kinds of restrictions, yet it's going to be another

year before this province will help the city of Hamilton in regard to the home care problems we are having in helping our seniors maintain their stability and quality of life. As a member of city

council, I fought very desperately year after year in our budgets to make sure we didn't cut back on home care, even though it was a provincial responsibility.

The poverty of seniors is staggering. The lack of anything in this budget is frightening, and yet we're all standing here saying we honour our seniors. Quite

frankly, I do honour our seniors, but when they are facing hydro increases that are untenable, when their cars are parked because they can no longer afford insurance premiums, when their property

taxes are going over the roof, that is not the kind of action that indicates we support our seniors.

What I can say about our seniors, though, is that my experience is that seniors are a very interesting group of people because they like to take people at

their word. They're kind of traditionalists in that way. They take people at their word. They believe in the integrity of a handshake, in the integrity of a promise. Boy, are our seniors

disappointed by the broken promises of this government in the last budget they just tabled.

HANSARD REPORTING SERVICE

Mr Cameron Jackson (Burlington): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: In accordance with the standing orders, this is the first opportunity I've

had to raise a question with respect to an item that appears in the Hansard of May 20, as I was not in the House yesterday.

Briefly, I wish to have the Speaker investigate the degree to which statements made in the House can be altered on their way to Hansard and find their way in

the final version. In particular, I would like to draw your attention to page 2390 from Hansard on May 20. I asked a question of the minister responsible for municipal affairs and seniors. In his

response, clearly we understood that it was a misstatement that he said, "Under our budget nothing could be further from the truth." It was recalled by many people. It is on the tape. The actual

reference in Hansard has been changed to, "What the member is suggesting couldn't be further from the truth."

I would simply ask, Mr Speaker, if you could advise the House of the changes in the ability for members to change what is put in Hansard, because my

understanding is, those rules are far tighter than what would appear in this documentation I share with you today. I would ask the Speaker to look into the matter. Thank you.

The Speaker: Thank you for bringing that to our attention. I will take that under advisement and respond to that.

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH PREMIUMS

Mr Ernie Eves (Leader of the Opposition): Premier, last week, the Prime Minister said that when you make a promise -- or 231 of them, for that

matter -- you should not break them, and that he would not break faith with the people of the province of Ontario as you did, nor should elected members over-promise. Will you now do the right

thing and cancel your punitive health tax and re-list essential public services in health care that you have delisted, or don't you think you've helped Stephen Harper quite enough yet?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I am very proud to report to the leader of the official opposition and

to the people of Ontario that we are doing the right thing. We've introduced a brand new piece of legislation, the Fiscal Transparency and Accountability Act, and it will ensure that no government

ever again can go into an election while at the same time hiding the truth from the people of Ontario when it comes to the state of the government's finances.

Mr Eves: When told that Mr Martin had promised $9 billion-plus for the health care system in Canada, and asked if he would then cancel

his health tax, the Premier's response was: "We've got a campaign promise made in the thick of a campaign. Let's wait to see what the outcome of the campaign is so we can better determine exactly

what we're going to end up with." What are we to infer from that, Mr Premier: You don't believe Paul Martin, and the $9 billion is not coming, or you think Paul Martin's going to lose the election,

and therefore you're not counting on the $9 billion?

Hon Mr McGuinty: One thing that I can say without hesitation when it comes to Prime Minister Paul Martin is that he is not hiding a $6-billion

deficit from the people of Canada, unlike what happened before.

Mr Eves: Then why don't you trust him?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order. Final supplementary.

Mr Eves: I say to the Minister of Health, my cheque for $76,000 was paid, which is more than I can say for the current Treasurer. If you want

to start talking about cheques, let's have it with interest for about five years.

Here's another quote of yours, Mr Premier: "I gave the Prime Minister a heads-up -- no doubt about it -- with respect to the challenge that the budget would

present and the fact that it would contain a health care premium." Mr Premier, do you think it's appropriate for you to breach the principle of budget confidentiality to give someone a political

heads-up? Laugh all you want.

Hon Mr McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon Mr McGuinty: The Leader of the Opposition embraces an outdated policy that says that in each and every instance it is the responsibility

government to advance the cause of the people of Ontario.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): I recently spoke to a single mother living in Barrhaven in my constituency, and she wanted me to ask you a

question. She says that, after paying her rent, after paying her car payment and insurance, after paying her taxes and after feeding and clothing her two children, she just doesn't have the $600 to

pay for your new health tax. Where is she supposed to get the money to pay for that?

Hon Mr McGuinty: I think that the constituent whom the member opposite makes reference to is entitled to know a few things about what happened

when the Tories put out their first budget in this Legislature. Let's remember -- this from the member opposite who now champions the cause of the disadvantaged -- in the Tories' first government

they reduced welfare by 21.6%, they eliminated second-stage housing for women who found themselves in desperate circumstances, they fired one third of the Ministry of the Environment staff and

slashed the budget by 42%. This now from the member opposite, who pretends to champion the public interest and, in particular, the disadvantaged.

Mr Baird: Premier, that's going to be cold comfort to my constituent.

I want to come back to this question. This constituent of mine is working hard. She's playing by the rules, like many other working families in Ontario --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Could I have some order, please. Thank you. Member from Nepean-Carleton.

Mr Baird: That's certainly cold comfort to my constituent, a single mother who, after paying the rent, after paying her car and insurance

bills, after providing for her family, just doesn't have the money to pay for this tax. So I want to ask you very directly, Premier: Where is this single mother in my constituency to find $600

after paying her taxes and paying all the bills? Where is she to find that money, Premier?

Hon Mr McGuinty: The member opposite simply doesn't want to acknowledge the assistance we're providing to his constituent and many others like

her throughout the province. In particular, we are, for the first time in our province, going to fund an immunization program that puts us at the top when it comes to provinces and territories.

We're going to fund inoculations against meningitis, pneumococcal disease and chickenpox. For one child alone that will save parents $600. We happen to believe that investing in that kind of

program in the interests of Ontario children is the right thing to do. Apparently, the member opposite is against us funding immunization programs for children in the province of Ontario.

Mr Baird: Premier, you said, not more than five weeks ago, and I'm going to quote, "Well, what we've said all along, and I'm very clear about

this, is that we're not going to raise taxes." You said that on April 24. What people in Ontario want to know is, why didn't you go to Paul Martin, the man who cut $25 billion out of our nation's

health care system, before you picked the pockets of working families in Ontario? What my constituents want to know is why the federal government wasn't called to task for their health care cuts?

You see, Premier, in the federal election campaign going on, for Liberal MPPs in Ontario your budget is a weapon of mass political destruction. Why won't you go to Paul Martin and say you want him

to put the money back that he stole from Ontario hospitals, that he took from Ontario nurses, before you go after working families in south Nepean and across Ontario? Why don't you do that?

Hon Mr McGuinty: The Tory deficit is an example --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Would you allow the Premier to respond, please?

Interjections.

The Speaker: Government House leader, could I ask you to come to order, please?

Hon Mr McGuinty: Some people will say anything to try to get in on the federal election news, but we've got some good news here. We look

forward to talking about it a lot more in the months to come.

Because of our budget and the difficult choices that we have made -- and, yes, we are enlisting the people of Ontario in improving the quality of their health

care services -- these are just some of the things we'll be able to do for the people of Ontario: 36,000 more cardiac procedures; 2,300 more joint replacements; 9,000 more cataract surgeries; 8,000

more full-time nursing positions; 150 family health teams. We think that is a worthwhile investment on behalf of the people of Ontario.

Applause.

The Speaker: Order. I find that the disruption on each side has robbed others of their questions. I also think that standing up and applauding

deprives others of asking questions.

TAXATION

Mr Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I hope to tone this down a little, but I do have a very serious question about the budget. My question is

to the Premier. There is a rebellion across this province, quite literally, of people who are upset about the tax grab from your budget. They are furious at the unfairness, where a middle-income

person pays up to 16% extra of their taxes, while a bank executive who earns over $200,000 pays less than a 3% increase in theirs. They're furious that the capital tax on banks and other large

corporations is going away, that they're getting a break, while they are forced to dig deeper and deeper into their pockets.

Why don't you just come out and admit to seniors and working families that they are going to be out of pocket $200, $300, $500, up to $1,000 because you chose

to side with the banks and the wealthy, and not with them?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): It's passing strange that the member opposite raises a question about

the profits being generated by corporations, yet he voted against our decision to roll back corporate taxes in the province of Ontario.

The member opposite and the opposition parties are apparently opposed to our budget. I'm just trying to figure out which part of our budget they're opposed to.

Are they opposed to the additional cardiac procedures? Are they opposed to additional joint replacements? Are they opposed to more cataract surgeries? Are they opposed to lower class sizes? Are

they opposed to 1,000 new teachers? Are they opposed to lead teachers for literacy and numeracy in our classrooms? We think, when the real story gets out to the people of Ontario, they will embrace

this budget and the improvements in health care and education that will flow from this.

Mr Prue: We, on this side of the House, don't believe you any more than the people of Ontario believe you outside this House. Will you just

admit who wins and who loses in your budget? We put it to you that people lose and the corporations win. This is a grossly unfair budget, when a bank clerk will pay $450 in new taxes and the bank

for whom she works -- the bank of Montreal made $602 million in profit in this past quarter -- gets further big-time tax cuts. My question to you: In the most important decision of your young

government, in the seven or eight months you've been here, you have sided with the banks and against seniors and working families. Why did you do that?

Hon Mr McGuinty: Again, this was from a member belonging to a party that chose to vote against our decision to roll back corporate tax cuts.

But I want to remind the member opposite of something about the first NDP government budget. In that particular budget, the then-NDP government decided they were going to hike gas taxes by 3.4

cents a litre. I ask the member opposite, is that progressive? Does that help our most disadvantaged who are struggling to make ends meet? We think not.

What we have done instead is that we have increased welfare rates in the province of Ontario. We've increased rates for people who find themselves on

disability. We are helping people out when it comes to managing their rent responsibilities. We're doing all kinds of things to improve the quality of public education and the quality of public

health care. These may not be easy decisions, but I can tell you they are the right decisions.

Mr Prue: With the greatest of respect, it doesn't take great leadership to go after the poor. Workers and the poor across this province know

they have been the subject of a tax grab. They know that a worker earning $45,000 will pay an additional 1.25% in taxes this year. They know that an executive earning $500,000 will pay only 0.18%

on that same tax bill.

We are asking you to simply do the right thing. You've said so many times "the right thing and the fair thing." We're asking you to finally do it, to rescind

your health tax and make those who can afford to pay it actually be responsible to pay it.

Hon Mr McGuinty: The member opposite takes it upon himself to be a defender of our disadvantaged, as if somehow they have a monopoly when it

come to social consciousness in Ontario. This budget and steps we have taken to this point in time prior to the budget advance the cause of our least advantaged in the province a great deal.

On the matter of seniors alone, I can tell you that seniors, when we tell them that we are going to provide thousands more cardiac procedures, thousands more

hip and knee replacements, thousands more cataract surgeries and thousands more full-time nursing positions, that 100,000 more Ontarians are going to benefit from home care, that when we improve

the quality of care in our nursing homes for the 70,000 of our parents and grandparents who take up residence there and who are living out their lives there -- when they are made aware of those

investments we are making, I can tell you that they embrace the idea that for the first time in a long time they've got a government that is on the job and doing the right thing when it comes to

health care and education.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): I have a question for the Premier. We've discovered a dirty little secret buried in your bad-news

budget. Not only are you imposing an unfair health tax and not only are you delisting essential health services, but now we find that your budget makes it easier to delist drugs. That's right. Your

bill amends

section 20 of the Ontario Drug Benefit Act to allow the health minister to take drugs off the formulary without going to cabinet. Your minister will be able to wipe out people's access

to drugs behind closed doors. My question is, why are you making it easier to take away people's access to drugs?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I hope that the additional research dollars will be of some benefit,

sooner rather than later.

We made a very specific commitment during the campaign to accelerate the process by which we can introduce generic drugs on to the formulary. That is the sole

purpose of this provision as it's contained within the budget, to accelerate the introduction of generic drugs on to the formulary. That will save Ontario taxpayers money and provide good-quality

care to Ontarians.

Ms Churley: Premier, I believe what you can put on, you can also take off. If that's not the point, you can clarify that, but that's my

understanding from reading it. Apparently it wasn't enough to delist --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order. I'm just trying to get the House leader to be a little bit quieter so I can hear you.

Ms Churley: The public can hear me, Mr Speaker, and that's what counts here.

It wasn't enough to delist eye exams, chiropractic services and physiotherapy. Now you want to let the health minister delist prescription drugs that people

depend on, and you want to do it secretly, behind the closed doors of the health ministry, without so much as cabinet approval. Yet this change, interestingly enough, was accompanied by no

announcement. It wasn't even mentioned in the explanatory notes of the bill. Premier, tell us which drugs you're going to delist first. The people of Ontario deserve to know.

Hon Mr McGuinty: Again, I disagree entirely with the member opposite's version or

interpretation of this particular provision. One of the

things the Provincial Auditor referenced in the past was the fact that because it takes us so long to substitute a generic for a name brand drug, it's coming at great expense to the people of

Ontario. All we've done through this particular provision is enable the minister to fast-track the introduction of generics. That's what this is all about. There is no hidden agenda. There is

nothing that we're trying to do that is beyond that. It's simply to provide better-quality care at a faster pace for the people of Ontario. It's a good thing.

Ms Churley: Premier, if you can list with this amendment, you can delist. So here you are, bringing in a huge health tax on working people

after you wouldn't --

Interjections.

Ms Churley: Excuse me. Here you are bringing in a huge health tax on working people after saying you wouldn't. That was bad enough. You'd

think that delisting important health services was bad enough, but your secret plan to delist prescription drugs takes the cake. But that's the way you Liberals do things, isn't it? You claim to be

champions of health care, and you stand up there and say that today, but you're sneakily making it easier to take away their access to affordable prescription drugs. Yet again, another broken

Liberal promise.

Premier, for the sake of the people who depend on prescription drugs, will you commit today to delete this amendment so the health minister will not have free

rein to take drugs off the formulary, which is what this amendment will allow him to do?

Hon Mr McGuinty: There's an inability here to shift on the fly. The member opposite is just not prepared to accept my answer. I want to assure

her, but more importantly I want to assure the people she might have caused to worry today, that the purpose of this particular provision is simply to allow the Minister of Health to move more

quickly when it comes to introducing generics into the formulary. That is the beginning and the end of the purpose when it comes to this provision.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is to the Premier. Your reputation as someone who is untrustworthy is crossing provincial borders.

Yesterday, even the Prime Minister was asked by a high school student in Saskatoon how anyone could possibly believe him when people couldn't believe the Premier of Ontario in keeping his

promise.

But we don't have to look to Saskatoon and high school students; we just have to look at the Premier's own backbench for doubts about his credibility. On his

first day back in the riding following the budget, the member for Prince Edward-Hastings told CJBO Radio that he strongly disagreed with his own government's budget for delisting physiotherapy,

chiropractic and optometry services. That member, Mr Parsons, said that he would fight hard to ensure that these delistings were reinstated. I want to ask the Premier: Has Mr Parsons spoken to you

about this, and how will you respond to him?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): It's important to understand that in order for us to make important

investments in health care, we've had to call upon the people of Ontario to help us make those investments. We've also made some difficult decisions with respect to services we were already

delivering. But it's important to know what the truth is with respect to these. When it comes to optometry services, for example, we will continue to provide coverage for all Ontarians over the age

of 65 and under the age of 20. And all medically necessary eye examinations will continue to be covered, regardless of the patient's age.

Mr Klees: There's a rift in the Liberal caucus. The fact of the matter is that Mr Parsons made a very clear statement that he would take this

matter to the Premier. In fact, Mr Parsons --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order.

Mr Klees: It's not just Mr Parsons who's opposing the budget. Kim Craitor, the member for Niagara Centre, told the Niagara Falls Review that

he wanted to find some way to reverse that delisting as well. Both of these members -- certainly Mr Parsons said there will be public meetings and that he will personally undertake in those public

hearings to oppose those measures. I want to ask the Premier, who spoke about democratizing this place -- in fact, earlier on he said, "Let's wait to see when the people of Ontario get to

understand this budget" -- will you commit today to having public hearings on this budget and give Mr Parsons an opportunity to oppose this, as he said he would?

Mr Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): On a point of order, Speaker: I was actually there when I spoke, and I would be pleased to supply a

transcript. I did not say that.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Interjections.

Mr Klees: Now you're lying about that too.

Interjections.

The Speaker: We'll take a five-minute recess.

The House recessed from 1519 to 1524.

The Speaker: Just before the recess, the member from Oak Ridges commented on something unparliamentary. I would ask him to withdraw.

Mr Klees: I withdraw.

The Speaker: Thank you. Premier?

Hon Mr McGuinty: Speaker, I frankly can't recall what the question was. If the member wants to put it again --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member from the third party now, the member from Hamilton East. New question.

PENSION PLANS

Ms Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): My question is for the Premier. I represent a community where people are very worried about their pensions.

In fact, steelworkers in particular in Hamilton East are very worried about their pensions and whether they will be able to enjoy financially secure retirement. They're worried because Ontario

pension protection legislation is badly out of date and full of holes. In fact, the coverage provided by Ontario's pension benefits guarantee fund has not been updated since 1980 and now covers

only a small part of a typical monthly pension benefit.

Premier, will you act immediately to significantly increase the monthly pension benefit protected by the pension guarantee fund? Yes or no?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): First of all, let me take the opportunity, because it is my first

opportunity, to congratulate the member opposite and to welcome her to this Legislature. It is my sincere hope that she'll never lose her idealism.

Having said that, I'm sure the member will want to recognize that the challenges that are connected with people who are relying on pensions from Stelco

developed as a result of her party, in 1992, changing the Pension Benefits Act and exempting Stelco from the requirement they used to have to make ongoing contributions. The reason those pensioners

are at risk today is because of steps taken by the NDP government.

Ms Horwath: The people of Hamilton East didn't buy that argument several weeks ago; in fact, the people of Hamilton East sent a clear message

to your government on May 13. They expect their government to be at the table fighting for them, not rewriting history; not making excuses, passing the buck and breaking promises. In fact, they are

watching your government very closely on the security of their pensions. So I'm going ask you one more time, Mr Premier: Are you going to be a part of the solution and take action to protect

pensions, or are you going to sit this one out too?

Hon Mr McGuinty: Again, the member is going to have to, at some point in time, stop providing her idiosyncratic version of history here and

tell her constituents why they find themselves in this particular fix. They find themselves in this mess because of a misstep taken by the NDP government.

We are working with the workers and with the company itself. We've assigned an individual, Jim Arnett, whose responsibility is to report to us on an ongoing

basis. We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that we can provide assistance to those workers when called upon and support the company in any way we can. But what we will not do is take the

step that was taken by the NDP government in the past, which is to exempt companies when it comes to making their continuing contributions to pension plans.

NORTHERN HEALTH SERVICES

Mr Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): My question is to the Minister of Health. As you know, the residents of northern Ontario

face unique challenges in providing and accessing health care. Yesterday, you and the Premier joined people from across northwestern Ontario in celebrating the official opening of the new Thunder

Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and making an important announcement related to the hospital as well as another major announcement in Sudbury later in the day. There is no question that

hospital boards across the north work hard to raise their share of project costs from a much smaller resource pool, but at the same time, these northern hospitals, such as the ones in Thunder Bay

and Sudbury, largely because of the geographical realities in our part of the province, must provide a wide range of services to people from outlying communities, often living hundreds of

kilometres away. Minister, what assurances can you give to the residents of the north that the government of Ontario is paying attention to these very unique circumstances?

Hon George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Yesterday I was honoured to attend in northern Ontario, with the Premier, two

important announcements at the two regional hospitals that are the anchors of the health care system in northwestern and northeastern Ontario. We made an unprecedented funding arrangement, a

commitment on the part of the government to provide 80% of the capital costs of construction of the new facilities in each of those two communities. We did so because they play a unique role in the

delivery of health care in our province, unique because they're both regional trauma centres, because they're both regional cancer centres, because they're both the tertiary care centres for the

entire regions and because they're connected to the important Northern Ontario Medical School, which we're very proud to be moving forward on. We recognized that those communities and their tax

base are not capable of raising all the money necessary to provide services over that vast and remote area, so we moved forward.

Let me close by saying this is the kind of initiative that's made possible by a government which has made the difficult but necessary decision to make sure

that Ontarians have enough health care resources to build on the strengths of their health care system.

Mr Gravelle: Thank you very much, Minister and Premier. On behalf of the residents of northeastern and northwestern Ontario, we're very

grateful for this understanding of our needs. The members of my community and the region are very pleased that this government is willing to take the bold steps necessary to improve health care in

Ontario.

As you understand so well, northern Ontario has a variety of challenges with respect to health care. But there has been much talk about our health-first budget

and how it will affect Ontarians. My supplementary today is, how will our health-first budget affect people in the north?

Hon Mr Smitherman: The essential transformation in our health care budget is a drive to community, an investment in five significant areas of

community supports, all designed to divert traffic from our hospitals, which we all know have been asked to do too much over the last number of years.

In areas where remoteness is such an issue, which are, of course, most prevalent in northern Ontario, it's increasingly clear that the direction we've taken,

the transformation agenda that we've fuelled as a government -- more resources for home care, for long-term care, for primary care reform, for public health that works, for mental health and

addiction treatment services. These five things combined fuel a transformation agenda that I like to call a drive to community to provide treatment for people in their homes, as close to home as

possible.

This is what our budget was all about, the transformation agenda that we're fuelling on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario and, I think, with a

special application in the most remote areas of our province, northern Ontario.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr Ernie Eves (Leader of the Opposition): It's amazing how quickly that hospital got built.

Mrs Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): That's right. That's a good hospital that we built.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order, Minister of Community and Social Services. That must be a good hospital.

The member for Kitchener-Waterloo.

Mrs Witmer: My question is for the Premier. For a government that claims on its Web site that it wants to focus on illness prevention and

health promotion, the shift that you've made and the elimination of OHIP coverage for eye exams is certainly a backward step. In fact, Judith Parks of the Ontario Association of Optometrists says

that without access to eye exams, which identify early warning signs of eye disease, "People will go blind that need not. The health and safety of our patients will suffer."

Premier, why are you putting the health and safety of patients at risk by introducing greater privatization and two-tier health care and delisting eye exams

for people between the ages of 21 to 64?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I know the Minister of Health would like to speak to this.

Hon George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I think it's important to note right off the bat that as a result of the

initiatives we've taken with respect to optometry, which no doubt are difficult decisions, Ontario is now aligned with all other provinces in our country. What we've done is reach out to protect

those who are most vulnerable by making sure that our seniors and young people have access to those services and that in any instance that is medically necessary there will be access to those

services.

There is absolutely no doubt that there were hard choices as a result of our budget, but what the honourable member doesn't speak to is the significant

$600-million investment over four years in primary care reform for those one million Ontarians who, as a result of your eight failed years, did not have a family doctor. We bring forward a model of

hope that has an interdisciplinary team approach of people working in partnership to make sure that those Ontarians, whom the member now has concern for, actually have access to the most essential

health services in this province.

Mrs Witmer: I would say to the Minister of Health that nobody believes you any more. This is the man who introduced a Commitment to the Future

of Medicare Act and is now decreasing access to health care services, not based on need on but people's ability to pay. You should be ashamed of yourself.

I'd like to read a letter from Kate MacNaughton. She says the "Ontario government's delisting of preventive and maintenance health services is about to hurt my

family.... We ... don't visit the dentist" because they can't afford it. Now, they're not going to be able to go and have eye exams.

The Speaker: Question.

Mrs Witmer: And she says, "Screening for glaucoma and detached retina is part of a general eye exam. We are not in a position to pay for

general eye exams so your legislation will put them out of our reach. As a result ... we face ... personal ramifications." They can't afford the huge bills. What do you say to people like Kate

MacNaughton?

Hon Mr Smitherman: I say to the honourable member that she ought to be ashamed. Let me quote Doris Grinspun: "I'm delighted with the focus on

health care and even more delighted with the focus on real transformation of the system" -- home health care, primary health care, long-term care and public health. The point simply is: 100 million

new dollars for community care; 406 million new dollars for long-term care; 600 million new dollars for primary care; 65 million new dollars for community-based mental health and addiction

supports; and a signature investment in public health that is the proactive kind of health care, the preventive kind of health care that Ontarians have been waiting for for a long time. One final

point --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. New question.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): I have a question for the Premier. Do you have a copy of your budget bill in your desk? If you do, I

would advise you to take it out and turn to page 13. I'm going to read to you what

section 20(1) of your budget bill says. The heading says "Delisting," and it's subsection 20(1): "The Lieutenant

Governor in Council or the minister may remove the designation of a drug product as a listed drug product even if none of the conditions prescribed under clause 18(1)(b.1) are breached." Premier,

could you comment on that

section that is headed by the word "Delisting?"

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Minister of Health.

Hon George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): As the Premier well said on this point earlier, the clear intent of this

section is to bring forward the gold standard for the province of Ontario on the fast-tracking of generics on to the formulary. We continue to rely, in this province, on the drug quality

therapeutic committee for any advice with respect to the delisting of products. I'm pleased to confirm for the member that the intent of this

section is for the fast-tracking of generics to make

sure that Ontarians have prompt access to these drugs and to the benefit of the taxpayers.

Ms Churley: I believe that the Premier and the Minister of Health owe the fine researchers in the NDP department an apology, because they got

this right. You're the ones who need researchers over there. You're getting

section 20(1) mixed up with

section 18, which is the

section the Premier so proudly displayed in here. That's the

section

that's in there to add drugs. Premier, you have, under

section 20 a specific clause that allows your Minister of Health to secretly delist drugs. Do you know why we're worried? Because he's in the

process of negotiating with the OMA right now.

I want to ask you again, which drugs are you planning to delist? Come clean with the people of Ontario today, and tell us.

Hon Mr Smitherman: I think the evidence is clear from a budget that increases by some $300 million the amount of money we're going to make

available for the provision of drugs in Ontario that our intent is only to enhance the quality of our drug formulary. In the initiative that we're involved in, the intent is absolutely clear. It is

the fast-tracking of generic drugs for the purpose of making sure that the government of Ontario takes advantage, at the earliest date possible, once the federal government has done their piece, to

make sure we've got those cheap drugs available as quickly as possible for the benefit of our health care system. That is the intent of the section.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Mr Jeff Leal (Peterborough): My question is for the Minister of Labour. I've heard from constituents in my riding who are concerned about

asbestos in construction workplaces. The health hazards associated with asbestos are far too familiar. Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres is known to cause respiratory conditions and various

forms of cancer. Employers have a responsibility under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect the health and safety of construction workers in Ontario. Minister, what are you going to do

to improve workplace safety and protect Ontario's construction workers from asbestos exposure?

Hon Christopher Bentley (Minister of Labour): The member for Peterborough asks a very important question. I'd like to thank him for his

tireless efforts in defence of workers, in defence of workplace safety.

First of all, the asbestos regulation covering workers in construction has not been updated for some time, unlike the general asbestos regulation. That

potentially means that the regulation does not reflect the best scientific and medical evidence. So what we're doing is two things. First of all, we are providing a notice advisory to all workers

in construction -- new construction and repair -- so they will be aware of some of the best scientific advances so that this summer, as they're working, they'll be protected. The second thing we're

doing, and this is important for the member to know, is asking for input on a draft new regulation so we can better update the regulation and make sure workers in Ontario working with asbestos in

construction are fully and properly protected.

Mr Leal: I'm pleased to hear you're addressing the serious problem of asbestos exposure on construction projects and in building and repair

operations. The statistics of workplace injuries are alarming. According to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, every week in Ontario 5,400 people suffer from preventable work-related injury,

including 1,800 injuries serious enough to make the workers miss time on the job. Three people suffer amputations, two people die from work-related injuries and four people die from occupational

illnesses. It is truly a shame that injury seems to be a consequence for so many people in our workforce. What is your ministry doing to protect workers from injury in the workplace?

Hon Mr Bentley: I thank the member for the supplementary. Once again, he's focusing on the number one priority of the Ministry of Labour,

which is to make sure our workplaces are as safe and healthy as anywhere in the world.

What are we doing? First of all, we're stepping up enforcement. We've hired 25 inspectors, and we're looking to see what else we can do. Second, we have ended

telephone-only inspections of workplace work refusals that the previous government instituted. We've ended that program. Third, we're working with farm groups, labour groups and the Ministry of

Agriculture to bring in health and safety regulations for the farm agriculture community in this province. Next, we have made the occupational health clinic in Sarnia a permanent member of the

OHCOW family, which will protect workers in that community. Finally, we have updated the occupational exposure limits to make sure all workers and workplaces in the province are fully and properly

protected.

BUDGET SECURITY

Mr Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): I have a question for the Premier. We know that the co-chair of the federal Liberal election

campaign, David Herle, provided your government with his taxpayer-funded advice on your recent budget. Your finance minister has indicated that Mr Herle, despite his advice to break your

no-tax-increase promise, was not provided with any budgetary details. This is in stark contrast to your public admission that you informed Liberal Prime Minister Martin of budget contents. Premier,

given parliamentary conventions surrounding budget secrecy, can you advise us what exceptions permitted you to give advance notice of budget contents to your Liberal cousin?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The leader of the official opposition raised this just a short while

ago. I answered it at that time, and my answer remains the same: We feel we have a responsibility to stay in touch with the federal government, of whatever political stripe, and we did that in that

particular case.

With respect to Mr Herle, there are a number of precedents for retaining people who provided the kind of assistance they did in that particular matter. I'm

quite prepared to provide those examples, taken from the previous government.

Mr Runciman: That's a clear violation of parliamentary convention in place since the 19th century, and it's clear that the government's

operating motto is one rule for the general public, another for your Liberal friends. Premier, if I can get a page, I'm going to send over a copy of the oath you swore when you became Premier. It

states, "I will respect as secret all matters that may be discussed by the executive council, and not disclose outside the council any facts pertaining to such matters."

Premier, you've proven your signature to be worthless. Does your admitted breach of your oath, as a member of the executive council, justify your stepping

aside from your responsibilities? You wouldn't accept this from any other member of the executive council; why would you live with it yourself? Will you step aside, following this breach of your

oath?

Hon Mr McGuinty: The member opposite now holds himself out as a champion of parliamentary tradition, and yet he belonged to a government that,

for the first time in the history of parliamentary tradition, introduced a budget in an auto parts factory. That's the kind of defence we have for parliamentary tradition. I will take no lectures,

when it comes to this gentleman, on the matter of parliamentary tradition.

WATER QUALITY

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Premier, and it's with regard to the new water regulations that are hurting, I

would say, thousands of small businesses across all of northern Ontario. I want to bring but one example before the House today.

I have a letter from a Mr Krupka, who is the owner of Notre Dame Trailer Park. He sends me this letter in order to outline what your new water regulations are

going to mean to him. He is looking at capital costs of $159,000 this year in order to bring the trailer park up to the standards of the new water regulation, with an additional cost of some

$26,000 per year of ongoing maintenance.

My question to you is simply this: What is your government going to do, either by way of regulation or funding, in order to deal with this so Mr Krupka is not

in the position of other small business owners in the north of having to close their businesses because they can't afford to do this?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Minister of the Environment.

Hon Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of the Environment): I'm happy again to have the opportunity to address this very important issue in the

Legislature. We've heard from people across the province of Ontario. We have listened to the people of Ontario, unlike the previous government, with respect to regulation 170.

At the present time, we have delayed the requirement for those who would be affected on July 1 of this year, until December 31 of this year. In the meantime,

we are consulting with municipalities, we are consulting with campground associations, or associations representing campgrounds, trailer parks and so on, as well as the Ontario Medical Association,

to ensure that a new regimen that will, in fact, regulate water sources and trailer parks and other municipal sources of water in the province of Ontario will be able to provide safe water to the

people that they serve.

Mr Bisson: I wouldn't argue, as a New Democrat, for one second that we have to make sure we have safe water regulations for all Ontarians, but

it's the effect that it's having on small businesses. This particular business went to borrow money from the bank in order to buy equipment, to buy a backhoe to do maintenance within his trailer

park. He was told, and I quote from his letter: "I wanted to purchase a backhoe loader at a cost of $28,000 this year. The bank loans officer turned down the request for this purchase, as he

rationalized that although my revenue was higher, my expenses" this year, because of the regulation, when the regulation comes into place, would be higher.

You might have delayed it, but the business owners themselves are not able to borrow money because of the regulation that's still out there and looming over

their heads. Will you clarify this issue once and for all, so that small business owners in the north are not faced with what Mr Krupka is faced with; that is, an inability to borrow money from the

bank because of the impending costs the regulations have on their businesses?

Hon Mrs Dombrowsky: What has been committed to in this Legislature is that the Minister of the Environment will be working over the next

months, and in the fall we will be introducing a regulation that we believe will be more user-friendly and will also ensure the safety of water for the people of Ontario. In terms of telling him

what the costs are going to be, that is yet to be determined. We have yet to receive that input.

This government is about consulting with the people who will be impacted. We will be consulting with the Ontario Medical Association to ensure that in the

fall, when we bring in a new regulation or an improved regulation, it will be manageable for the people of Ontario so they can provide safe water to people in their community.

CLASS SIZE

Mrs Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): My question is for the Minister of Education. Our government was elected, and we are committed, to bring

about real, positive change to public education in Ontario. Parents, students and teachers in my riding of Huron-Bruce are very concerned about their schools and the quality of education they

receive.

Capping class sizes in the early grades is an issue that I know is very dear not only to our Premier's heart, but to yours, Minister, as well. Research has

shown that the benefits of a hard cap are many, and my constituents are very supportive of this policy. During the election, our government promised a hard cap of 20 students during the

all-important early grades. Can you tell us when you expect this hard cap to be implemented?

Hon Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I thank the member opposite. I know that she, like other members in this House, replaced members

who weren't concerned enough about how well students, particularly young students in our schools, would have a chance to go forward. I'm very pleased to report back to her, and through her to her

constituents, that our government is committing, over four years, $2.6 billion in new investment in education, $854 million in this year alone, because this is a government not afraid to make tough

choices on behalf of this province, kids who are lost in classrooms made too large by inattentive governments in the past -- in fact, governments for some time -- that did not give the advantage

that education in Ontario should have to offer.

I want to report to the member that reduction in class sizes will begin this September in schools and school boards all across this province. There will be

over 1,100 new teachers deployed in the primary division, paying the attention to students that wouldn't be given by the governments that preceded us.

Mrs Mitchell: Research has shown that children who learn in smaller classes in our early grades learn better and also develop better social

skills. All parents want to give their children the absolute best start. Many have said that capping class sizes is one way we can do that. Some parents in my riding are unclear about what the

benefits of our hard cap of 20 students from JK to grade 3 will be for our children. Minister, can you tell us what implications this cap will have on students later in their learning careers and

later in their lives?

Hon Mr Kennedy: Again, an excellent question, and excellent interest on the member's part, one that couldn't occur through previous

governments because they weren't focused on what will make a difference. Making sure that individualized attention happens to students, which we will bring to 20 by the end of our term, will make

sure they get their advantages recognized sooner, that they get individualized attention so their challenges are identified and dealt with at a time that is not only beneficial to them but most

economical for the system. It will make sure that parents aren't competing with as many sets of parents to do their job, which has to happen from the earliest time possible.

We find lower discipline problems, learning advantages and better performance on behalf of students.

Right now in this province, the legacy under the previous government -- 150,000 young primary children are in classes of 26 or more, where they don't even do

research because they know how hopeless it is for kids in those situations. It was ignored once by governments in the past. It was not seen to be a priority --

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Thank you.

BUDGET SECURITY

Mr Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): I'd like to go back to the Premier. A few years ago, the Premier was part of a group of baying hounds

calling for my resignation over the possible identification of a young offender in this Legislature. As he will recall, I did resign. Eight short months ago, Premier, you placed your hand on a

Bible and swore an oath to the people of Ontario. Part of that oath deals with secrecy of cabinet discussions.

What standard of integrity are you setting for the people of this province, for the people of this country, when you have, in effect, torn this thing up and

thrown it on the floor? What does the oath of allegiance mean? What does it mean to the other members of the executive council when you can simply deny it? Your signature doesn't mean anything. Now

the oath of allegiance with your hand on the Bible doesn't mean anything. Shameful.

Hon Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Speaker: Is it in order for documents to be thrown

around the Legislature? It seems to me that if there was a legitimate question, the opposition wouldn't have to engage in such childish stunts.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): That is not a point of order.

Premier?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I really do appreciate the dramatic flourish. I guess, from the member's

perspective, with any luck at all, it will get him on TV tonight. But I want to again make the point that we bring a decidedly different approach to our relationship to the federal government than

did the previous government. We happen to believe it's important to communicate from time to time with the federal government. We happen to believe it's important to lay down a good foundation, a

good relationship, so that we can work together in the interests of the people of Ontario. I will never apologize for working with this Prime Minister or any Prime Minister when it comes to

advancing the cause of the people of Ontario. And I can tell you something else --

Interjections.

Applause.

The Speaker: Order. I'm afraid that they have taken up your time with all the applause. That's the end of oral questions.

Mr Runciman: On a point of order, Speaker: I think there has been an effort here today, and I appreciate your comments earlier, to delay the

proceedings on the part of the government members. This is a continuing strategy. Mr Speaker, do you see what's happening here?

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I'd like to hear the member for Leeds-Grenville.

Mr Runciman: Thank you, Speaker. I appreciate your comments and I would ask of you, if there is interruption in the House, and it is a

judgment on your part -- obviously it's a judgment call on your part -- if it's being caused by the government members, I think the clock should be restored. If it's caused by us, we're penalizing

ourselves on this side of the House. But when they deliberately delay the proceedings, it's costing us. We only get one hour a day, and I implore you to make sure that we have every possible

opportunity. That's what democracy is all about.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I appreciate your comment, and you would have realized that all parties were extremely guilty today of shouting across and

not allowing me to conduct the question period in an orderly manner. It is that kind of interruption that caused that delay and the stretching of time. I hope that tomorrow --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. You can understand, from all this interruption, what really caused the disruptive behaviour in the House. I would appeal

to you all that you let us have a better question period tomorrow.

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I appreciate your comments, but I just want to add to this, because

quite frankly we, as New Democrats, have been quite restrained in the House for that very reason --

Interjections.

Mr Bisson: Wow, listen to the Liberals heckle again.

My point is this, Mr Speaker: We had five standing ovations on the part of the government today that in fact took away half a question from the opposition. I

add my voice that you don't allow that to happen, because it is not caused by the opposition side.

The Speaker: I thought I had taken care of that by asking for your co-operation tomorrow.

Interjection.

The Speaker: Order. I'm sure you appreciate that if you do co-operate tomorrow, we will not have this in the future.

Mr Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I'd like to point out that when the Premier sat down, there were two

seconds left and we should have had a supplementary. There were two seconds left --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. We're proceeding. Pursuant to standing order 30(b), I'm required to call orders of the day.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

HIGHWAY TRAFFIC STATUTE

LAW AMENDMENT ACT

(CHILD AND YOUTH SAFETY), 2004 /

LOI DE 2004 MODIFIANT

DES LOIS EN CE QUI CONCERNE

LE CODE DE LA ROUTE

(SÉCURITÉ DES ENFANTS

ET DES JEUNES)

Mr Takhar moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 73,

An Act to enhance the safety of children and youth on Ontario's roads / Projet de loi 73, Loi visant à accroître la sécurité des

enfants et des jeunes sur les routes de l'Ontario.

Hon Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Mr Speaker, I will be sharing this time with the member for Chatham-Essex-Kent, the

member for Guelph-Wellington and the member for Prince Edward-Hastings.

Every year, well over 100 children and youth die on our roads. In the five-year period ending in 2002, over 700 children and youth were killed in road

collisions. Over 76,000 children and youth were injured on our roads. That is more than all the seats in SkyDome. These numbers are nothing short of tragic. Although Ontario has the safest roads in

Canada, it is clear that more must be done.

I am very proud, on behalf of the government, to be moving forward a package of measures that will, in short, save children's lives. These measures will help

prevent our children from being hit by vehicles speeding recklessly and illegally past stopped school buses.

My colleague Pat Hoy, the member from Chatham-Kent-Essex, has earned the thanks and the admiration of this House for his years of determination and conviction

in bringing this particular measure to life. I thank him again today.

If passed, this bill will enact other measures to further protect children and youth on Ontario's roads: measures that will prevent children from being thrown

through car windshields; measures that will reverse the alarming rate of injury and death among novice drivers who travel with other teenagers in the car.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Take the word of parents from communities across the province who spoke out at events and in the media in support of

these measures. Take the word of the experts in the field who have come out in strong support of these proposed measures.

Valerie Lee, president of the Infant and Toddler Safety Association, responded to the booster seat and child care seat measures by saying, "We really need to

be doing this." Jack Smith of the Canada Safety Council said, "We believe it will make the roads safer for our children." Allyson Hewitt of Safe Kids Canada has also welcomed these measures. So

have the CAA and the OPP. The Ontario Medical Association also tells me that mandatory booster seats will save lives.

Members will have seen the media coverage today about a new report from Safe Kids Canada that makes a compelling case for booster seats. I welcome this report.

As TORONTO 1 reported yesterday, "Having a child in the back, strapped in a lap belt alone is not enough. In fact, a booster seat is crucial for their safety."

I'm sure that you, like me, were also moved by the tragic story on CityTV that told of the truly horrific injuries children suffer when they are not buckled up

in booster seats. Today's Toronto Star also gives a graphic description of how seatbelts can ride up and cut into a child's internal organs when they are not using a booster seat. Our measures will

prevent children in the future from sustaining these sorts of shocking injuries.

There is an unprecedented demand for us to move forward with these measures. There have been extensive calls in regional and national media for us to take this

action. The Daily Observer in Pembroke said, "The provincial government is to be commended for a tough new package of road safety measures.... If they help prevent at least one needless death, they

will be well worth it."

Currently, grandparents and babysitters are not required to buckle up kids. The St Catharines Standard described this fact as "a major safety loophole." They

commented that "it is a loophole the Ontario government wisely plans to seal."

When it comes to school bus measures, the support from the experts is just as strong and