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November 16, 2005

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Nov-16 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Wednesday 16 November 2005 Mercredi 16 novembre 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

WATERLOO-WELLINGTON TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

IN WATERLOO REGION

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

HEALTH CARE

CAMPBELLFORD CHOCOLATE FACTORY

PARAMEDIC SERVICES

PROVINCIAL DEFICIT

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

SCHOOL SAFETY

HYDRO RATES

SCHOOL BOARDS

NURSES

HOSPITAL FUNDING

SCHOOL CLOSURES

EATING DISORDERS

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

CORN PRODUCERS

HOSPITAL SERVICES

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

WATER QUALITY

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

PETITIONS

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

GASOLINE PRICES

CASINO WINDSOR

MACULAR DEGENERATION

ONTARIO FARMERS

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

GASOLINE PRICES

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

AUTISM TREATMENT

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

ORDERS OF THE DAY

DUFFINS ROUGE AGRICULTURAL

PRESERVE ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR LA RÉSERVE

AGRICOLE DE DUFFINS-ROUGE

ENDING MANDATORY RETIREMENT

STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

POUR ÉLIMINER LA RETRAITE

OBLIGATOIRE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

WATERLOO-WELLINGTON TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): Our Waterloo-Wellington transportation action plan is comprised of some of the top transportation

priorities of our municipalities in Waterloo-Wellington.

Upgrading Highway 6 from Mount Forest to Fergus is a crucial part of that plan. According to the Wellington Advertiser, that part of Highway 6 has recently been

nominated as one of the Municipal Roads Coalition's worst roads in Ontario. If the minister ever travelled through my riding, he would find that the condition of this road is deplorable. When will

he take action to give final approval to the building of a safer, modern Highway 6?

The action plan also calls for a new four-lane Highway 7 from Kitchener to Guelph. I used that highway on Sunday afternoon, and I continue to hear from

constituents who believe that congestion on it makes it a very dangerous route. As the minister stalls and sputters on the immediate need for a new Highway 7, his indecision stifles economic

development and represents a huge safety issue for people travelling in and through Waterloo-Wellington.

Another key project of our action plan is the region of Waterloo's light rail transit initiative. I encourage the government to support this to the greatest

extent possible. As recently written in a Kitchener-Waterloo Record editorial, "All the evidence points toward the need for better public transit services in the future, particularly in large urban

areas, which is what Waterloo region is rapidly becoming."

We are now past the mid-term point of the McGuinty Liberal government. I have been advocating for these transportation projects since the very day after the 2003

election. My constituents have waited long enough for this government --

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

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

IN WATERLOO REGION

Mr. John Milloy (Kitchener Centre): I'm pleased to rise today and highlight some of the leading-edge research and innovation taking place both

in my riding and throughout Waterloo region. The past few weeks have certainly been exciting and have reaffirmed the role the region plays in the future of the province.

My community boasts a number of outstanding research facilities, including the Centre for International Governance Innovation, or CIGI, as it's known. Since

2001, CIGI has been working to create a Canadian-based research institute of international significance on the issue of international governance.

During the weekend of October 21 to 24, CIGI hosted its first major international conference in Waterloo region. This year's theme was international governance

innovation. I was honoured to attend and to introduce the Premier at the gala -- he attended it in his role as Minister of Research and Innovation -- as well as accompany him on a tour of another

outstanding facility in Waterloo region, the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

Following the conference, on October 28 the government reaffirmed the value of research in our region by investing over $6 million for 35 local projects at the

University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University. This allocation under the Ontario research fund was part of a $48-million investment to support 312 projects across Ontario.

Already the newly created Ministry of Research and Innovation has illustrated this government's commitment to strengthening Ontario as a leading economy and

society. I believe that Waterloo region serves as a perfect example of how an area's economic advantage and culture of innovation can be fostered by supporting its research infrastructure.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): I'm pleased today to recognize World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day. COPD is a disease

that affects the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada, and approximately 15% of all smokers will develop it in their lifetime. It is also a disease that affects

particularly women, and COPD kills more women each year than breast cancer. Due to the irreversible nature of tobacco-induced lung damage, COPD is the only common cause of death that continues to

rise in North America.

In addition to the human toll, tobacco-related diseases such as COPD cost the Ontario economy more than $1.7 billion in health care and account for close to one

million hospital days each year.

It is important that screening for COPD be encouraged among those with a history of smoking, especially women over the age of 40, as they are particularly

vulnerable. Prevention is key to dealing with COPD and it is important to educate people about the harmful effects of tobacco.

Our party takes COPD seriously. We need to continue to invest in order to ensure that Ontario scores well in making sure we prevent COPD.

HEALTH CARE

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): I rise today to congratulate our government on its recent announcements that deliver on our

commitment to publicly funded health care in Ontario.

Only a publicly funded health care system can add six new tests to the newborn screening program. Once the expansion of this program is completed, Ontario will

test for 27 rare medical conditions.

Only a publicly funded health care system can expand primary care, especially in communities where individuals face linguistic, geographic or socio-economic

barriers.

As part of its recent announcement, our government is supporting several new CHCs, or community health centres, including one in Malvern, and eight new CHC

satellite locations in Toronto's priority neighbourhoods identified in the city of Toronto's Strong Neighbourhoods report.

Only a publicly funded health care system can create and support a province-wide wait times information Web site so that Ontarians can know the wait times for

specific procedures in their community. This Web site will enable patients and their primary care providers to access potentially faster service if it is available. By the end of next year, a

single province-wide information system will be available in about 50 hospitals representing 80% of the total volume of key services.

Unfortunately, these investments and priority programs will not be available if we follow the opposition's plan to cut $2.4 billion from the health care budget

and allow more private sector involvement in the health care system.

Through our government's recent announcements, and those to come in the coming months, we are demonstrating our commitment to publicly funded, publicly owned and

publicly controlled health care in Ontario.

CAMPBELLFORD CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): Last week, the town of Campbellford was hit with the terrible news that its largest employer, the

World's Finest Chocolate factory, was closing and moving jobs to the United States.

The shutdown of manufacturing is scheduled for March 31 of next year and will affect 125 full-time employees, many of them single moms. This is a devastating

blow to Campbellford and the municipality of Trent Hills, and the provincial government should be moving quickly to provide assistance.

As of today, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is nowhere to be seen. The owner of the factory is committed to making every effort to secure a new

owner-operator, and the government should be providing all assistance possible to aid that cause.

We know Ontario has lost 42,000 manufacturing jobs over the past year. We don't want the jobs in Campbellford to be just another addition to this alarming

statistic. The chocolate factory is a first-rate facility with a trained and dedicated workforce.

Alternatives to closure are out there. I urge the Minister of Economic Development and Trade to get engaged now and help save these jobs.

Mr. Lou Rinaldi (Northumberland): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Just to correct the statement --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): You can only correct your own statement.

PARAMEDIC SERVICES

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): First of all, I want to rise today about a situation that's happening up in Hearst and Kapuskasing that I

think the Minister of Health and the Premier should know about. We're going to be in the position soon this spring, if nothing changes, of losing paramedic services in the communities of Hearst and

Kapuskasing.

Let me explain. We currently have full coverage in both communities. The district service board, the area service board of Cochrane, has been wanting the

government to move on this particular initiative of making sure that when ambulances were downloaded to municipalities, 50-cent dollars went with that service to ensure that full services are

offered across the district: 50% from the province and 50% from the municipalities, as collected by the DSSAB.

What has happened over a period of time is that that 50-cent dollar is no longer a 50-cent dollar. I understand from talking to Steve Trinier and Dave Landers

from the DSSAB that where they're at is that less than 40-cent dollars are now coming from the provincial government as a result of inflation. As costs have increased for ambulance services because

of heat, gas, hydro, wages and all that, the DSSABs find themselves paying a larger and larger burden of the cost of delivering ambulance services. As a result of that, the district service board

will be meeting tomorrow night to decide the fate of ambulance services in the communities of Hearst and Kapuskasing.

I'm here in this Legislature today to say to the Minister of Health, the Premier, if he were here -- I know he's doing important business at this point -- and

the Acting Premier that we need to make sure the government stays on course of what they promised in the last election: to make sure that 50-cent dollars are delivered to the DSSABs so that the

ambulance service stays in place.

If the decision tomorrow night is in the negative, it would mean that the communities of Hearst and Kapuskasing would lose coverage when it comes to ambulance

services, and the citizens of those communities would enjoy much less service than anywhere else. As their local representative, I want --

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

PROVINCIAL DEFICIT

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): I found it ironic when I read that the official opposition has added to their Web site a

meter supposedly marking the money that average Ontarians pay out of pocket for the great services this government provides. The meter includes gas prices, which are not determined by the province.

Perhaps snow removal costs will be figured in over the coming months as well.

Why ironic? The main reason this government has had to secure more funds is to manage the incredible debt load it inherited from the opposition when they were in

power.

The role of the government is to provide services and sustainability to the people it represents, while ensuring that future considerations are accounted for.

The last Tory government managed to eliminate, weaken and download services provided by the government while creating a ballooning deficit that has burdened this province and hampered its ability

to plan for the future.

I am proud to be part of a government that, unlike its predecessor, puts the interests of Ontarians first. This means cutting a $5.6-billion deficit down to just

$1.4 billion, it means reduced wait times in key areas of health care, it means more money for students, and less labour strife. The list goes on.

Every service cut by the Tories has blossomed under the McGuinty Liberals. With this government, Ontarians know that every dollar paid in taxes goes right back

to them through improved health care, education and economic opportunities. In fact, I would like to see a meter that tracks quality of life for average Ontarians. I can guarantee that such a meter

would show a meteoric rise over the last two years.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): On Wednesday of last week, I had the pleasure and honour of attending two affordable housing ground-breaking ceremonies

in my riding of Brant: one in the city of Brantford and the other in the town of Paris, inside of Brant. I commend the province and its commitment to get back into the affordable housing business

after almost a decade-long hiatus. I would also like to thank the McGuinty government for its commitment to provide over $300 million of affordable housing in this province.

My riding of Brant is reaping the direct benefits from this commitment. In Brantford, the province has committed over $800,000 in partnership with the federal

government to help support a $7.5-million construction project which will create 27 new affordable housing units, while in Paris, over $600,000 has been committed to help build 24 apartments in a

project worth $2.4 million.

But more important than the details and the figures of these projects is the government's commitment to people. There are some who simply say that this is not

the responsibility of the province, but I would say that it is always our responsibility to assist those in need and to help provide an improved quality of life for every resident of Ontario. This

is exactly what these announcements accomplish for those residents of Brant who are in need of this program and affordable housing.

My congratulations are offered to all of the partners: the private partners and the municipal partners, particularly the municipal staff of both Brantford and

Brant who came up with these creative ways to provide our citizens with the housing they so desperately need and that has been absent for 10 years.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE

PULMONARY DISEASE

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North): I rise today to commemorate World COPD Day: chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. This is currently the

fourth leading cause of death in Canada. As a doctor, I can attest to the fact that this is a devastating lung disease that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. People with this condition

have difficulty performing even simple tasks like walking up stairs, because they struggle for every breath.

Every day in Ontario, 115 people are actually diagnosed with this condition and admitted to hospital. In fact, COPD is ranked the fifth major cause of

hospitalization: higher than schizophrenia, diabetes, and lung and throat cancer. Currently, there are an estimated 270,000 diagnosed patients in Ontario, and it's estimated that an equal number

remain undiagnosed.

Yet the face of COPD is changing. It is no longer the face only of an elderly man, but also of a middle-aged woman. I'd like to acknowledge patients diagnosed

with COPD who very graciously volunteered their time to join us in the gallery today.

Today, the Lung Association is active and has just released a national report card on COPD which still shows, unfortunately, a dismal public awareness of this

disease, despite its significant challenges. Further details on this report card will be outlined today at a reception hosted by the Lung Association from 5 to 7 p.m., and I would encourage all of

my colleagues to join us, because when you can't breathe, nothing else matters.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on regulations and private bills and move

its adoption.

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

Bill 58,

An Act to amend the Safe Streets Act, 1999 and the Highway Traffic Act to recognize the fund-raising activities of legitimate charities and non-profit

organizations / Projet de loi 58, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1999 sur la sécurité dans les rues et le Code de la route pour reconnaître les activités de financement des organismes

de bienfaisance légitimes et organismes sans but lucratif, the title of which is amended to read "An Act to amend the Safe Streets Act, 1999 and the Highway Traffic Act to recognize the

fund-raising activities of registered charities / Loi modifiant la Loi de 1999 sur la sécurité dans les rues et le Code de la route pour reconnaître les activités de financement

des organismes de bienfaisance enregistrés."

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed.

The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

Ms. Churley: I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on regulations and private bills and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table: Your committee recommends that Bill 137,

An Act to amend the Income Tax Act to provide for a tax credit for expenses

incurred in using public transit, be not reported.

The Speaker: Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed.

Ms. Churley: I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on regulations and private bills and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table: Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

Bill 153,

An Act in memory of Jay Lawrence and Bart Mackey to amend the Highway Traffic Act / Projet de loi 153, Loi modifiant le Code de la route à

la mémoire de Jay Lawrence et Bart Mackey.

The Speaker: Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed.

The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated

November 16, 2005, of the standing committee on government agencies. Pursuant to standing order 106(e)9, the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

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

order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, 2005, for the purpose of considering government business.

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

All in favour will say "aye."

All opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1352 to 1357.

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

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Colle, Mike

Craitor, Kim

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jackson, Cameron

Klees, Frank

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Parsons, Ernie

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Ramal, Khalil

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Takhar, Harinder S.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Churley, Marilyn

Hardeman, Ernie

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Murdoch, Bill

Prue, Michael

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 60; the nays are 9.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Earlier this morning I had the privilege of participating in an announcement

at the medical sciences building at the University of Toronto, not far from this Legislature. We announced another important step in the ongoing process we have undertaken to improve the quality of

patient care in this province.

Allow me to share this good news with you, Mr. Speaker, and with my colleagues. I was at the University of Toronto, and the honourable member from

Toronto-Danforth and the honourable member from Kitchener-Waterloo, Elizabeth Witmer, were both there, at the announcement that our government is investing $10 million in new clinical simulation

equipment for Ontario's nursing schools.

As many members of this chamber will recall, there was a time when the province of Ontario was not a great place in which to be a nurse. Our province suffered

from a nursing shortage. There was inadequate recruitment and retention of nurses, and those nurses who did work here were forced to endure poor working conditions and a government that treated

them with a lack of respect. We're changing that.

This government recognizes that nurses are valuable professionals and a vital part of our health care system. We have set out to fix the problems confronting

Ontario's nurses, and we have made significant progress. Today's announcement represents one more part of this effort. And as we make this a better health care system for nurses, we are, of course,

making it a better health care system for patients.

The $10 million we announced today to enable nursing schools to buy clinical simulation equipment builds on last year's investment of $10 million, bringing the

total to $20 million. This investment will provide nursing students with opportunities for hands-on practice in simulated situations at state-of-the-art facilities throughout the province: clinical

simulators designed to replicate the symptoms and behaviour of real patients and to react to treatment just as a real patient would. This sophisticated equipment will enable nursing students to

receive training that is unparalleled; training that will, without question, make them more effective when they begin their clinical work.

Last year's $10-million first wave of investment went to 17 nursing schools. Today, we invested in 12 schools of nursing: at Ryerson University, the Humber

Institute of Technology, the University of Windsor, McMaster University, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, Collège Boréal, Cambrian College, St. Lawrence College, Trent University, Brock

University and Georgian College.

Each school will receive between $355,000 and $1.8 million. A further $2.9 million will be invested to create clinical centres of excellence in areas

including northern nursing education, rural nursing education and aboriginal nursing education.

This investment is one more part of our government's comprehensive nursing strategy, which aims to improve employment opportunities and enhance working

conditions for nurses and nursing students throughout this great and vast province.

We have made remarkable progress in other areas as well. We have already created more than 3,000 new nursing jobs. We're working toward a goal of 70% of

Ontario nurses working full-time, and we're well on our way to reaching that goal. According to the College of Nurses, we have already advanced from 51% two years ago to 59% in 2005. And we've

provided nearly $100 million to hospitals and long-term-care homes for the purchase of patient and resident lifting equipment, including 11,000 bed lifts last year alone.

I could go on; don't try me. I'm just kidding. My real message is this: We know that nurses are the heart of our health care system, combining experience,

knowledge, skill and compassion, and that's how this government will treat them. More nurses mean more patients receiving the care they need, and better trained nurses mean better patient care.

We're making the necessary investments to ensure that this is the reality. The winners, of course, are the people of Ontario.

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): I am delighted to rise in the House today to inform members that Ontario's

mineral sector is enjoying a boom the likes of which we have not seen since the 1980s, and our status as the world leader in mineral exploration and development is secure.

Three new mines have opened in the last two years, and the ascent of exploration spending to more than $300 million has made Ontario the leading jurisdiction

in Canada and a major player in the world.

In 2004, the value of mining shares trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange was over US$140 billion, and Ontario's mineral production was valued at $7.2 billion,

almost one third of Canada's mining wealth. Commodity prices are at record highs, and opportunities to grow and prosper abound.

As a result, the industry is looking for sustainable ways to maximize value. For example, Inco Ltd. recently made a bid to purchase Falconbridge in an effort

to strengthen its competitive position globally. Clearly, we are watching with interest as this transaction and others in the mining industry unfold.

Our government is keenly aware of this sector's tremendous potential, and we are working with our stakeholders in the mining industry to ensure that Ontario

remains a global leader. This includes investing $15 million over three years to undertake geological mapping to help unlock the mineral potential in parts of the far north. It also includes the

work of the Ontario Mineral Industry Cluster Council, which is gathering insights and views of stakeholders and identifying opportunities to enhance competitiveness, innovation and investment in

Ontario's mineral sector. Our government is also assisting producers by investing in research into deep mining capabilities which will help extend the life of existing mines.

Gold remains the primary target for exploration in the province, but there is greater diversity of metals being sought, including platinum/palladium and

diamonds. Considerable diamond exploration activity is taking place across the province, particularly in the James Bay lowland, Wawa, and Timmins-Kirkland Lake areas.

In fact, I am very pleased to report that there has been great progress in the realization of Ontario's first diamond mine, the Victor mine, located 90

kilometres west of the community of Attawapiskat on the coast of James Bay. De Beers Canada recently announced that they have received environmental approval for the Victor mine and are now in the

permitting stage. In addition, the Attawapiskat First Nation, together with De Beers, announced the signing of an impact benefit agreement. De Beers anticipates that when the Victor mine goes into

production in 2008, it expects to produce six million carats of diamonds during its lifespan. The diamond mine would employ about 600 people during construction and 375 during production. De Beers

also anticipates that during its lifespan, this project could create a $6.7-billion ripple effect through the provincial economy.

I am sure that I speak for all members in this House when I commend De Beers and the Attawapiskat First Nation for creating a tremendous economic opportunity

for the Attawapiskat community and its people based on a relationship of mutual trust. This relationship exemplifies the power of co-operation. It is my sincere hope that other opportunities for

aboriginal communities to benefit from mineral development can be realized as well.

The economic benefits of mineral production are taking root throughout the entire province, but particularly in northern Ontario. Our government will continue

to work diligently to promote mineral development in Ontario. We will continue promoting the sustainability of the mining sector in Ontario. And we will continue building on our status as a world

leader in mineral exploration and development.

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

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): I support the initiative undertaken today in order that we can better prepare our nurses for work

on the front line. In fact, I'm very pleased that this government continues to build upon the initiatives that we undertook when we set up the nursing task force in 1998 to address the concerns of

the nursing profession. At that time, we committed to creating 12,000 new positions, which we did. We committed to investing in education for nurses, which we did. We supported nurse scientists to

conduct research, which we did. We created 106 nurse practitioner positions and provided funding for an aggressive retention and recruitment strategy, which we now see is bearing fruit.

However, I do take exception with the commitment that has been made by this government regarding their pledge to hire 8,000 new nurses, because we know that

despite the fact that this government continues to indicate that they have now increased the number of new nursing positions to 3,000, that indeed does not coincide with reality. In fact, we

learned during the health estimates that many of those positions are part-time and three- to six-month contract positions. Also, in talking to the representatives of the nursing profession, they

continue to tell us that the real numbers are closer to 1,000 new positions.

We also know that this government actually set aside $91 million to fire 757 nurses last year. So on the one hand, they say they are going to hire 8,000 more;

on the other hand, they hand out $91 million in order to fire 757 nurses. I think it's important to keep this in mind. In fact, last month RNAO said that the number of RNs working in Ontario is not

even keeping pace with the province's population growth. CIHI's 2004 report, Workforce Trends of Registered Nurses in Canada, revealed that Ontario's RN workforce increased by only 1.1% in 2003-04,

from 85,000 to 86,000, while the province's population grew by 1.2% over the same period. The reality is that the growth in our workforce is not keeping pace, so this government is not living up to

the promises it made to the people of Ontario.

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): It's my pleasure to respond to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. I remember just a few

short years ago when Ontario was rated the number one place in the world to invest in mining, under the PC government.

I had the pleasure of touring the new Falconbridge Nickel Rim mine with our leader, John Tory, last year. There is tremendous investment going on there -- over

$400 million in capital investment and $900 million in benefits -- without government handouts, and with tremendous benefits for the south as well, I might add, when you see all the equipment

that's going into that mine. I had the pleasure of touring the Copper Cliff Inco mine as well.

I'm very pleased that the new De Beers diamond mine in Attawapiskat is moving along and is going to be a huge benefit to the aboriginal community there. But I

cannot help but think that a large part of the reason why that mine has been successful is the past PC government. I'm sure De Beers was taking advantage of the remote mines 10-year tax exemption

and the reduced tax rate to encourage mining development in the remotest parts of the province that was put in by the PC government. There's a whole list of other very good initiatives that were

put in by our government at the time, like reducing the mining tax rate by 50%, providing a reduction of corporate income tax rates for resource companies -- it's too long a list for me to go

through the whole of it -- and $29 million for Operation Treasure Hunt, a geoscience initiative to ensure high-quality geological data availability.

I opened the Lac des Iles North American Palladium mine, north of Thunder Bay, as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Northern Development and

Mines, and I'm unhappy to see, in recent press clippings, that North American Palladium has laid off 60 people because of the energy policies of this government. I also note that the mining

industry is concerned with your Bill 11 and the size of buffers around parks and how that will affect mining claims and the mining industry. I hope you'll look at that.

CLINICAL SIMULATION EQUIPMENT

FOR NURSES

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): Speaking of nurses, the Ontario Nurses' Association president was at Queen's Park this morning to

participate in a press conference concerning Ontario health care workers. Linda Haslam-Stroud expressed her serious concerns regarding the situation facing Ontario nurses. She left no doubt in

anyone's mind that front-line nurses have not seen any significant improvement in their workplaces under this Liberal government. I want to quote directly from what Ms. Haslam-Stroud said this

morning:

"I want to speak today about the impact of not enough nurses on patient care, on the health and safety of nurses who provide that care and on keeping our

nurses in the profession.

"Every day nurses in Ontario face difficult conditions in their workplace: too few qualified front-line staff caring for sicker patients, with fewer resources.

This is happening in our hospitals, in our nursing homes and in the community....

"We all know that the current government came to power in this province promising to hire 8,000 new nurses.

"While the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has made a series of one-time funding announcements for nurses, and the government says it has hired more

nurses, our nurses have not seen any significant improvements on the front lines in our workplaces.

"Neither the patients nor the nurses in nursing homes, emergency rooms, home care and public health units have seen more nurses to help them with excessive

workloads.

"The government says it has created more than 3,000 full-time nursing positions. But a closer look reveals that 1,000 of these are three-month temporary

contract positions in hospitals.... too few nurses and poor working conditions are burning out our profession and putting quality patient care in jeopardy.

"We as nurses cannot triage or reassess patients in the emergency department in accordance with the standards and more importantly in accordance with our

patients' needs.

"We do not have enough staff to appropriately plan our patients' discharges so that they receive the follow-up in the community that they require and

deserve.

"Public health nurses are striving each and every day to provide preventive care to the community. This includes our preparation for the upcoming flu pandemic.

Our nurses tell me that they are not even able to provide minimal care for mandatory programs in public health, never mind trying to be proactive in assisting with prevention of disease.

"Our long-term-care nurses are left trying to coordinate and plan care for over 100 residents at a time....

"Ontario's lack of nurses not only means stressed-out, burned-out nurses, it means that when Ontarians need quality care, it is being compromised.

"In a province like Ontario, it's a disgrace that the nurse-to-patient ratio has fallen to the second lowest in the entire country."

When she was asked at the press conference how many new, full-time nurses she thought had been created by the Liberal government, the president of ONA said the

following, and I quote:

"We believe that there's probably less than 1,000 new positions that have been created, and that's not net, because we also have the layoffs taking place in

the hospital sector."

I believe the comments that were made by the president today tell the real story of nurses in Ontario, and it's time this government started dealing with those

challenges.

MINERAL EXPLORATION

AND PRODUCTION

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): Well, well: The Liberal government is standing up trying to take credit for the Victor mine and De

Beers up in Attawapiskat. I've got to say, that's a little bit beyond the pale. If there has been an impact benefit agreement signed between the community of Attawapiskat and De Beers, this

government should take no credit. All the credit has to be given to the local community and Chief Mike Carpenter and his band council, along with those who negotiated very painfully over the last

five years to come to an IBA.

For the government to stand up in this House today and say, "Oh, look at us. Look what we've done for the community of Attawapiskat in getting a diamond mine,"

I remind you that the diamonds were there for thousands of years before the Liberals ever became a government. I remind you that the mine was found a long time ago. I remind you that the

Conservatives were in power when they started doing some exploration. In fact, New Democrats were there, and here we are today. If any credit is given, it has to be given to Attawapiskat.

To my friend the Minister of Mines, if you want to do something useful, talk to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities to provide the funding

necessary to provide training dollars for the community of Attawapiskat to give the local people an opportunity to train for the jobs that will be created at that mine site. As it is now, the

danger is that we will start a mine, which is a good thing, but the local community will not benefit to the degree that it should. Finally, what we need is a provincial government that's engaged,

that says to the community of Attawapiskat, "We are prepared to put in dollars to do training so that your local citizens can benefit from the jobs of the Victor project."

VISITORS

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker:

I'm very happy to present to the members of this House today some tremendous guests who are here visiting from Italy. We have the mayor of Alcamo, Giacomo Scala; a councillor from that same town,

Fabrizio Riolo; and accompanying them from Windsor are Joe Vesco, Isidoro Faraci and Mario Mannina. Welcome to Queen's Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): That, of course, is not a point of order, but welcome.

ORAL QUESTIONS

GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): My question is for the Acting Premier. In principle, do you support the idea that an advertising

firm with close ties to the government should receive a $6.2-million increase in government business in one year?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I would look forward to perhaps a little more information coming from

the honourable member in his supplementary.

Mr. Runciman: I thought I provided a pretty clear question. But in any event, the year you came to office, the company that created your

Liberal "I won't raise your taxes" ads during the last election campaign did $99,900 worth of work for your government. According to the public accounts you tabled this year, that very same

Liberal-friendly advertising firm won contracts totalling an incredible $6,319,000 during your first full year in office. That's an increase of over $6.2 million to a firm whose chief creative

officer has publicly fawned over one Dalton McGuinty. Acting Premier, what is your explanation for a Liberal-friendly advertising firm getting a $6.2-million increase in Liberal government business

in just one year?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: The Minister of Government Services will respond to that.

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Minister of Government Services): I make the assumption that all the rules were followed here. I make the assumption that

we have a process in place where advertising agencies are selected to be on what's called the vendor-of-record list. It is a transparent process that evaluates them on the basis of objective

analysis, and advertising agencies are then required to compete for the business. I just make the assumption that this agency competed fairly and equitably and was selected on the basis of merit.

That is exactly what I think the public would expect, and that's exactly what I suspect took place here. If you have any evidence to the contrary, I'd certainly like to hear it.

Mr. Runciman: Assumptions can be dangerous. Let me see now: A Liberal-friendly advertising firm gets large Liberal government contracts. Now,

where have we heard that before?

To the minister: You can immediately dispel the very bad impression this $6.3-million contract to a Liberal-friendly firm leaves, especially in the post-Gomery

era. Will you now agree to respect hard-earned tax dollars, as you promised during the campaign, and immediately release all tenders received for the advertising business, release all records

associated with the $6.3 million of work that was done by this Liberal-friendly ad firm, and release all detailed contracts won by this firm since the public accounts were tabled? Will you do

that?

Hon. Mr. Phillips: Again, although I'm not sure which firm he's referring to, I gather that the firm has been on the vendor-of-record list for

some considerable period of time, under the previous government and under our government. It's an agency that, I gather, earned the right to be on that vendor-of-record list. There is a process in

place that ensures there is a fair and equitable selection of these agencies. This agency, I gather, followed that, and I'm sure the member would not want to imply anything other than that. As I

say, this is an agency that was on the same list that you had before. It went through a process for selection that was fair and transparent, and the facts will show that. I think this agency has

earned the right to do this business.

REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): My question is to the Minister of Transportation. On May 26 of this year, almost six months ago, the opposition

submitted a freedom-of-information request for your

schedule from January 1, 2004, forward. It has now been six months and that request has yet to be fulfilled. Minister, as you know, under the

freedom of information act, those are to be processed within 30 days. You said at committee that you had nothing to hide. If this is so, why six months of delay in releasing something as simple as

your personal schedule?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): I'm sure they followed the process to request the freedom-of-information request. That

request didn't come to me. A minister is not supposed to interfere in a freedom-of-information request, so I haven't done it. They should keep following the process and they will get the

information they need.

Mr. Hudak: Minister, unfortunately that is not the only example of some kind of obstruction at the Ministry of Transportation. On June 15 of

this year we submitted another FOI request for a copy of your cellphone bills and telephone bills belonging to you and your ministerial staff. This letter also included a request for e-mails from

the minister's office to the Chalmers Group or its affiliated companies. The Chalmers Group is of course your company, which is supposedly held in a blind trust. It is now five months later,

Minister. We have not yet received the response to our simple requests.

Minister, we ask you to dislodge whatever obstruction is taking place and ask you to very kindly facilitate this request and respond immediately.

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I can answer this question, even though they asked before. If they have followed the proper process to request further

information, they should follow the same process to follow up if they haven't received the information. I cannot interfere. I do not interfere in these affairs so I have no information on it.

Mr. Hudak: Well, the usual process of the Minister of Transportation appears to be stonewalling. There is an unfortunate pattern that is

developing in here. As you know, Minister, you've been under investigation by the Integrity Commissioner for some five months. Your own Premier has publicly admonished you for serious lapses in

judgment. There is an unfortunate coincidence regarding a $200,000 fundraiser with limousine drivers and subsequent legislation brought before the assembly to benefit the same.

Minister, I ask that you begin to clear the air and the cloud surrounding your conduct. Will you end the obstruction immediately and kindly release those FOIs

that are five months and six months overdue?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: Big talk about integrity in this Legislature from Conservatives, who have members running for the federal party who are

actually showing signs but are still being paid by the Ontario taxpayers. That's the question they are raising here? I have said I have never, ever raised --

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I have never interfered in anything. They have requested their request and they should continue to do that.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Acting Premier: Students, parents and teachers want to know when we're going to see a real

plan for school safety from the McGuinty government. Two years ago, your own Human Rights Commissioner called on the McGuinty government to fully fund alternative programs for all suspended and

expelled students, instead of throwing those kids on to the streets where they really get into trouble. He called on you to restore youth outreach workers and guidance counsellors fired from

Toronto schools, because they are the most effective at rooting out and preventing bullying. Two years later, the McGuinty government has done nothing. Acting Premier, when are we going to see some

real action from the McGuinty government against bullying in our schools?

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

member -- perhaps he was not made aware that the minister, this very morning, has launched our government's bullying prevention program. This is the first time --

Interjection.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: Yes, he has. This is the first time in the history of the province that the government will be responsible for

establishing a province-wide program, working with school boards, to identify the causes of bullying and how bullying can be prevented in our schools. I believe that the minister has been acting

very responsibly. He is working with school boards to identify what the issues are and how they can be mitigated so that the incidences of bullying are reduced in our schools.

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): Something the NDP did not do.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: Absolutely.

Mr. Hampton: Your so-called plan this morning amounts to $1,500 a high school. That's it. You can't even buy a pop machine for $1,500.

Here's the reality: The Human Rights Commissioner called on you to do something two years ago. Since then, you've dithered, you've delayed on changes to the

so-called Safe Schools Act and you've dithered and delayed on an anti-bullying plan. For two years, parents have waited for a comprehensive plan, one that gives principals the resources and tools

to identify and work with problem kids and one which would allow them to put the outreach workers and the guidance counsellors back into the schools where they can do some good preventive work.

I say again: Don't tell us about $1,500 per high school. When are we going to see a real plan? When are we going to see the outreach workers and the guidance

counsellors back in the high schools where they can do the job?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I'm happy that I have this opportunity to correct the information that's been presented by the honourable member,

because in fact the announcement today represents a $23-million investment to reduce the rate of bullying and to change attitudes around bullying. It includes $1 million to the Kids Help Phone

line. We're expanding that service to a 24-hour service across the province. We are establishing a provincial registry of bullying prevention programs so that schools can learn best practices from

each other. There will be up to $2,000 available to every school for staff training and resources to create an in-house safe school team. In addition to that, there is a $1-million grant made

available for high-challenged schools with additional challenges. Those are the accurate dollars that are being made available with the minister's announcement today to prevent bullying in our

schools.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, you neglected to point out that it's $23-million spread over three years, which works out to about $7 million a year.

Divide by the number of high schools and this won't even replace the pop machine. That's the McGuinty government's plan. You've had two years. Two years ago the Human Rights Commissioner said there

was a serious problem here. Two years ago, the Human Rights Commissioner identified many of the elements that needed to be put in place to address it.

What do we get today? Fifteen hundred dollars per high school. That won't even hire one week's worth of contract work, never mind the outreach workers and the

guidance counsellors who are supposed to be there to do the effective job.

Minister, it may have been a photo op today, but it's not a plan. When are we going to see the plan? When are we going to see the resources? When are we going

to see the outreach --

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

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: It most definitely is a plan, and in my previous response I identified the various areas where we are prepared to invest

and support local schools for bullying prevention programs.

I would also remind the honourable member that this government has directed an additional $355 million to school boards to assist them in the hiring of

specialized teachers, which would include guidance counsellors.

Finally, I would like to remind the honourable member that when I was a school board trustee and you were the government, you cut funds to schools and we had

to make cuts in the very areas that today you are saying are so important. I suggest that the honourable member might just reflect on his own record, look at what we're doing and recognize that

there are going to be some additional resources to prevent bullying in our schools.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Energy. On Monday I asked you to order Ontario Power Generation to

roll out a rebate to hard-pressed electricity consumers and businesses. In response to my question, you stated that there was no room to rebate the summer bonus bucks that OPG pocketed over this

record-breaking summer. Minister, is that still your position today?

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Energy): I thank the member for the question yet again. Of the $181 million, 5% is the investment income

retained at Ontario Power Generation Inc., and the remainder goes to pay down the stranded debt. Over and above that, OPG has both regulated and unregulated assets. On the unregulated assets, any

dollars that are made over 4.7 cents as a revenue ceiling go back to the consumers in Ontario. Consumers such as small businesses and homeowners receive a portion, and 15% to 20% of the $847

million is rebated to the industrial sector.

Mr. Hampton: We've had a chance to go through the regulations again, and once again you're confused on the facts. Ontario Power Generation

receives significant revenues from unregulated assets like coal generation and natural gas generation solely because of the summer's record-breaking heat and record-breaking electricity prices.

These are summer bonus bucks that the McGuinty government can use to provide relief for ordinary families, businesses and industries that are getting hammered on their hydro bills. Will you order

OPG to roll out a rebate and return the summer bonus bucks to the people and the industries that need it?

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: I will state again: On the unregulated assets, anything above the 4.7-cent-a-kilowatt threshold will be rebated to the

consumers. Currently, that's estimated at over $800 million, and 15% to 20% of that portion goes to large industrial consumers. The rest goes back to small businesses and regular consumers.

Mr. Hampton: Here's the reality, Minister: Ordinary people in communities like Dryden, in my constituency, could use those summer bonus bucks

that the McGuinty government is pocketing and do a lot more with them. Since the McGuinty government came to office and implemented your policy of driving electricity rates through the roof, the

community of Dryden has lost 420 forestry jobs, including 40 announced this week at Weyerhaeuser's pulp and paper mill. The people in Dryden and the people like them paying the price for your hydro

rate hikes across Ontario could use those summer bonus bucks that OPG collected in order to put people back to work, in order to save pretty important industries.

The fact of the matter is, there's a whole lot of money that OPG collected this summer that could be returned to industries, to businesses and consumers. The

only thing stopping them is that the McGuinty government doesn't have the political will or desire to do it --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question has been asked. Minister of Energy.

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: To the member, maybe I could just use this quote: "Industrial energy price subsidization can be attractive in theory, but

tricky in practice.... I think it far better to work with industry to lower its energy costs through greater efficiency, not through a scheme of subsidized rates." Public Power, page 251.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is to the Acting Premier. Here is what the Minister of Education admitted yesterday in estimates

committee: that he authorized the transfer of $80 million to school boards for which his ministry issued no guidelines of accountability; that those funds will be paid out to teacher unions and the

unions for school boards support workers; and that those unions would make payments to their members through a process that is left totally up to them. He also admitted that he had no control over

the qualifying or approval process for those payments. Finally, he admitted there was only one reason for that $80-million payment, and that was to entice teacher and support worker unions to sign

four-year contracts.

Were you and your cabinet colleagues aware that there was no accountability for that $80 million, and will you today commit that there will be a full

accounting for every one of those tax dollars spent?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I would remind the honourable member that when transfers from the

province of Ontario are made to school boards, they are disbursed by school boards. School boards are subject to audits that are published in newspapers. So I would suggest that school boards are

very accountable for how they spend their money. To suggest that dollars are transferred and there's no accounting for it would not be accurate, in my opinion.

Mr. Klees: I'm going to ask the Acting Premier to read Hansard of yesterday's estimates committee, because she's wrong. The fact of the matter

is, the minister admitted that not only do school boards not know, because it's strictly the unions who will have control over this money; he also confirmed that if they don't transfer all the

money to their members, they get to keep the balance and spend it as they will. For $80 million, not one new textbook; not one new position for an autistic child; not one new service in the

education field.

Minister, will you commit today to an external audit of that 80 million of taxpayers' dollars that effectively has become a slush fund in the school boards of

this province? Will you make that commitment to an external audit of the $80 million?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: Again, it's very unfortunate that the pattern of the opposition is to continue to bash teachers. There would appear to

be no trust in the expertise of the professionals that we have in our schools who have given so generously of themselves. They've spent their own money on supplies. They certainly did that under

your government. What I am prepared to say to the honourable member is that the funds that have been transferred to school boards will be audited.

NURSES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Health. This morning, you visited a school of nursing and held a

photo op with some dummies. Now, according to the Canadian Press, the Ontario Nurses' Association, after watching this performance, suggested, "You are the dummy." They say that instead of holding

photo ops with dummies, you should keep your promise to hire more nurses. In fact, the president of the Ontario Nurses' Association, Linda Haslam-Stroud, says, "The nurses on the front line have

not seen any significant improvements in our workplace life." Minister, when is the McGuinty government going to hire the 8,000 new nurses you promised?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): In a place where you can't say "rascal," I'll be careful about how I respond

to the honourable member. I do want to say that a note was passed to me in the Legislature that Linda Haslam-Stroud, the president of ONA, with whom I have a good working relationship and meet very

regularly, called my office to indicate that the CP story is an erroneous one.

On the issue of our investment in clinical simulation equipment, I think it's very disheartening that a nursing union, the Ontario Federation of Labour, would

seek to criticize one element of an investment in overall nursing strategy for their own purposes. It's obvious the clinical simulation equipment is a very good idea as it relates to enhancing the

quality of the education process for our nursing students, who will soon be on the front lines delivering important care to Ontarians.

Mr. Hampton: Well, the nurses want to know about new nurses.

Imagine this situation, Minister: You're hit by a car. You rush to the emergency room. Your leg is broken. You're bleeding. You need help. The admitting clerk

at the ER says, "You have a choice: a nurse or one of George Smitherman's dummies." I don't know about you, Minister, but I pick the nurse.

Linda Haslam-Stroud, the president of the Ontario Nurses' Association, says that "less than 1,000 new (nursing) positions ... have been created, and that's not

net, because we also have the layoffs taking place in the hospital sector." So I ask the question again: When is the McGuinty government going to keep its promise to hire the 8,000 new additional

nurses?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: With your five-year record in government, which included the overall net loss of thousands of registered nurses in this

province, you, sir, are a bit of a piece of work, as has been well identified in the estimates process. From correspondence from my ministry to the health critic of that honourable member's party,

he knows and she knows that through our investments in long-term care, home care, public health, community-based mental health and hospitals, we have created and funded more than 3,052 new nursing

positions in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Stop the clock. I just want to remind members that we need to be careful with our language. In both the

supplementary and the response, we were getting very close to the edge. So as we go forward, let's remember that this is a place where all members deserve respect.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Ms. Judy Marsales (Hamilton West): My question is for the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. In May of this year, you announced ReNew

Ontario, a five-year, $30-billion plan for infrastructure investment. ReNew Ontario is a welcome and ambitious plan. It does not merely focus on the present, but realizes the importance of planning

for the future of the province.

With that in mind, ReNew Ontario takes a strategic approach to planning for the growth of the province and ensuring that the government is concentrating its

investments in areas Ontarians have said are their priorities, namely, health care, education and economic prosperity. This government clearly understands that investing in health is a particular

priority for Ontarians, and has major investments in health care totalling over $5 billion over the next five years.

Minister, can you please give us the details of these announcements and how this will help better the lives and health care for the people of Hamilton West and

the province as a whole?

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Deputy Government House Leader): I want to thank the member from Hamilton West

for the question. By the year 2010, Ontario and its partners will invest more than $5 billion to modernize health care facilities, to reduce wait times, to provide better services in high-growth

areas and to modernize our older hospitals. This investment plan is the single largest expansion of public hospitals in well over a generation.

Recently, two weeks ago, I was in Hamilton where we announced -- the members were there -- over $400 million worth of expansion and redevelopment projects for

St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Hamilton Health Sciences centre.

By providing the infrastructure Ontarians need, our government is determined to ensure that the people of Ontario receive the best and the most modern health

care services they want and deserve.

Ms. Marsales: May I first and foremost say thank you on behalf of Hamilton West. Ontarians in my riding will be pleased to know that this

Some of my constituents have also been inquiring as to the details of how the projects will be funded. Funding is always a major concern for many of the

taxpayers of Ontario, and they would like to know their tax dollars are providing them with the best possible solution at the most efficient price. It is my understanding that, combined with the

traditional style of financing, there will also be some hospital infrastructure that will be built through alternative financing and procurement.

To assist the constituents in Hamilton West and the people of Ontario, can you please help them understand how the province will use this innovative financing

tool to help provide more public hospitals and other infrastructure investments in Ontario?

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question has been asked. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Caplan: Not only that, Speaker, but an excellent question, because our government is adopting a new, made-in-Ontario approach to

infrastructure financing. It's called alternative finance procurement. We are determined to find and attract new sources of financing for Ontario's public infrastructure, to manage it in a fair,

transparent and accountable manner in support of community growth and economic expansion.

Private sector financing is not just about additional investment in public services; it's about leveraging private sector investors' discipline and expertise

to ensure projects are delivered on time and on budget. AFP strategies, unlike the previous government's models, do not involve privatization of public assets. Talk of privatization, in fact, would

be misleading. No matter who builds or finances public infrastructure in Ontario, our government has made it clear that hospitals and schools will be publicly owned, publicly controlled and at all

times publicly accountable.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I note the Minister of Education isn't here, so I'll direct the question to the Acting Premier. Minister, about two

years ago, your government announced a moratorium on school closures in Ontario until 2004. At that time you said, "Short-term financial considerations have played too large a role in decisions to

close schools. In fact, some of the most successful schools in the province in terms of literacy and numeracy testing results have closed."

Ontario does indeed have many outstanding rural schools where students not only learn and have a great opportunity for education, but also learn the value of

being part of a small community. In my riding, the parents and friends of Hampton Junior Public School are working to keep their local school open. They point to many advantages and the results of

the EQAO tests. Minister, what steps are you prepared to take to ensure that no viable school is closed on your watch?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I must say that I would like to remind the honourable member that

from 1996 to 2003, Ontario boards were forced to close 503 schools. That's an average of 64 schools a year. I would say to the honourable member that the record of this government and our

commitment and investment to protect small and rural schools has been significant. Also, with respect to our investments around good schools --

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): Oh, it's the bad schools we're closing.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: It was the honourable member who brought into the question the results of EQAO tests, so I'm simply making our

commitment to keeping good schools open at $50 million --

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

Mr. O'Toole: Minister, it's you who promised not to close rural schools, and small communities, as you know, are dependent on that. Your Good

Places to Learn funding is dividing my community and potentially affecting the quality programs in three local schools that I'm speaking about. Enniskillen, Hampton Junior Public School and M.J.

Hobbs offer excellent programs today.

Minister, this is really the question: This community and the board are asking you or members of staff to meet with them to resolve the problem of the best use

of this Good Places to Learn funding of $421,000 and give the boards the respect and flexibility they need to make the decisions, not the handcuffs you've put around the grant. Will you commit

today to ensure that you communicate with not just the board but the community on the allocation of the Good Places to Learn grant, how it affects the quality of education --

The Speaker: Thank you. The question has been asked.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: Our government is very committed to working with school boards. I think we have clearly demonstrated our respect for the

locally elected representatives who manage the school systems across Ontario. We have committed $4 billion to help school boards across the province repair schools that had been neglected by the

previous government, in addition to all the other resources that have been made available, particularly in rural communities, for small schools so that those community hubs can continue to be

viable within those communities. I would suggest that the honourable member look at the record, look at our commitment and look at the investment of this government in protecting education right

across the province. Large schools, small schools, rural schools, schools in your community: we are prepared to work with boards to ensure that good schools continue to be viable.

EATING DISORDERS

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): My question is to the Minister of Health. On October 24, Joanne Curran wrote to you on behalf of advocacy

organizations which deal with eating disorders. She raised serious concerns regarding the three- to five-month waiting list for assessments at eating disorder programs, deficits facing the

programs, the closure of the entire outpatient program and parts of the day treatment program at Toronto General Hospital, and the long waiting list for specialized residential care. She urged

money for the ministry-funded programs so that they can at least operate at year 2000 service levels and money for in-patient services to treat the most medically compromised patients.

Minister, when will your government provide funding to deal with these serious gaps in services for those who suffer from eating disorders?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The answer is, quite shortly. I had an opportunity in the same time frame to

meet with that organization. What we're seeking to do at the end of each year is take a look at what expenses we made with respect to out-of-country coverage and use all those dollars as

reinvestments in our own Ontario system. We gave an indication to them at that meeting -- in fact, I asked them for some advice about the best way to proceed in terms of that reinvestment.

I'm operating by memory here. I could undertake later on in the day to give the honourable member a better time frame in terms of when we're going to be able

to move forward, but "very shortly" is the language that is most operable at the moment.

Ms. Martel: What is most alarming about the whole situation is the huge increase in the number of patients being sent from Ontario out of

country because they can't get the treatment here.

Sheena's Place in Toronto got information from your ministry that showed that the number of patients who were treated in the US rose from five in 2000-01 to 51

in 2004-05. The cost over the same period to send patients to the US went from $503,000 to $5.6 million. Most alarming was that 21 of the 51 patients who were sent to the US for treatment in

2004-05 had already been treated in the US in 2003-04.

Minister, we spent $5.6 million to treat eating-disorder patients outside of the country last year. Will you invest that money, and more, to make sure that our

young people can get the treatment they need here at home?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: It's always interesting in this place when people stick with their supplementary that was written, even when they got

information in the answer.

I think I demonstrated by memory that I'm pretty aware of the circumstances. We're interested in being able to provide more of this service in the province. In

some cases, we have service capacity that's easier to ignite, to enhance. In some cases, it does require specific training. As an example, we're working very hard to create more capacity in Ontario

for gastric bypass surgery, which is another example of an area where we've been sending a lot of people out of jurisdiction. But it will take us a little bit of time working with health care

organizations to enhance our capacity to do so.

I think the honourable member will be pleased that we're proceeding in a fashion which is that at the end of each year we take a look at what out-of-country

dollars we've made and seek to make those appropriate investments to enhance our capacities here in Ontario.

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE

Mr. Tim Peterson (Mississauga South): My question is for the Minister of Labour, the Honourable Steve Peters. We know that looking after the

interests of families is a priority of this government. A case in point: Last year, this government enacted a very important initiative designated to assist working families caring for their dying

family members. The family medical leave entitlement allows workers to take up to eight weeks of job-protected leave to provide care or support to a gravely ill family member. Minister, can you

tell us what your ministry has done to raise awareness of this important option now available to Ontarians during a time of crisis?

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): I want to thank the honourable member for his question, because certainly looking after the interests

of families in this province is a priority for us in this government. The people of Ontario are our most precious resource. As well, we want to make sure our citizens understand that they need to

be there in times of family crisis, and it's vital that all Ontarians and all MPPs in this House promote the family medical leave.

Certainly, we have tried to do our part to make citizens aware. We've advertised in 21 different languages to make sure that that information gets out. We've

tough times during a family crisis. It's essential that all Ontarians know this right.

We are a compassionate government. I think we want to demonstrate that. We want to make sure that everyone in this House and across this province is aware of

this compassionate initiative.

Mr. Peterson: Minister, thank you for your answer. This valuable option now leaves workers one less thing to worry about during very difficult

times. We can understand the emotional, physical and often financial toll of caring for a gravely ill family member. Knowing that one's job is protected allows a caregiver to focus on what's

important during times of great emotional stress. It's evident that this government understands the importance of caring for the emotional as well as the physical health of its citizens. Minister,

can you tell this House more about the family medical leave awareness campaign, and was it a success?

Hon. Mr. Peters: We need to make sure that we're continually promoting this. I would ask that every MPP in this House -- it was supported in a

non-partisan manner -- continue to promote this.

Every Ontarian covered under the Employment Standards Act in this province is eligible for family medical leave. Our government wants to make sure that

everyone is aware of that right. We recognize that the direct cost of absenteeism to high levels of caregiver stress costs over 1 billion dollars a year in Canada, and the investment that is

being made to this is minimal compared to the rewards that are gained by this. We want to make sure that that message gets out. I reiterate, that's why we have brochures available in 10 languages,

have not already received this material, to please get in touch with our office and do their

part in spreading the message on this most important government initiative.

CORN PRODUCERS

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Minister of Agriculture: The Canadian International Trade Tribunal has indicated that the

subsidization and dumping of US corn has caused injury to our domestic industry. You knew a decision was coming. You know the possible impacts. I raised this with you five weeks ago. Two questions:

Where do you stand on the possibility of tariffs on US corn? Secondly, what action steps have you taken with all sectors involved to find solutions?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I think it's a very important issue. As the member has indicated,

there was a ruling announcement yesterday. This is part of a process that is underway that has been initiated by the corn producers, by the grains and oilseeds -- actually, Canadian corn producers

-- and it's something we have been paying very close attention to, but as you would appreciate, because it is a quasi-judicial process, it's not anything this government can become involved in

directly.

With respect to your comments around tariffs, our government has very serious concerns around tariffs. At the plowing match that was held in Listowel, the

Premier took the opportunity to meet with representatives from the agricultural community for over an hour and made it very clear that our government is going to push the federal government to deal

with the tariff issues, very strongly, at the World Trade Organization talks in Hong Kong.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Supplementary question.

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): Minister, with due respect, what we don't need is a narrative on process; we need leadership from the provincial

government on this important cause.

I recently wrote to Premier McGuinty on this topic. As you well know, farmers have been hit hard by low commodity prices, problems at the border and unfair

trade practices from competing jurisdictions. We are in a very unfortunate situation: that the lack of an effective support plan in Ontario for our corn producers puts them in a very difficult

situation, and then countervailing duties may result in the closure of Casco, including Casco in Port Colborne, a major provider. Minister, we need immediate leadership. Will you develop an

effective support plan to ensure that our corn producers prosper and to keep plants like Casco viable?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: Our government has been demonstrating leadership on this file, and if you had gone to meet with the grains and oilseeds

folks who were in this building yesterday, you would have heard them report that this government and this ministry have been talking with them. We have made it very clear. We are prepared to work

with them on a plan. They have identified the need to work with the federal government as well. I have given them my commitment that I'm very prepared to go with them to the federal government to

develop a plan that's going to assist them to deal with these issues for both the short term and the long term. That's the leadership of this government.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Last year, more than 95,000 patients went to Scarborough hospitals' emergency rooms, but the

Scarborough Health Coalition says their hospitals can't keep up. They say their community is suffering, and I want to quote them here, "from an acute shortage of anaesthesiologists, neurologists,

respirologists, operating room assistants and hospital-based pediatricians." Minister, Scarborough's hospital patients are being underserviced because of these shortages of health care providers.

Can you tell me when Scarborough is going to receive the health care providers, the health care workers, that the people in that community need and deserve?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The short answer is: with a few more years of progress to make up for the

efforts your party made while in office, which was to create this crisis of a shortage of doctors that we have. Because the sad reality is, for an honourable member who suffers from a poor memory,

that it was the party that he was part of, the government that he was part of, that reduced the size of medical schools in the province of Ontario. The party that preceded us in office left that in

place.

I'm pleased to say that we've opened a Northern Ontario Medical School and that we have enhanced the number of medical spots; that's ongoing at other places.

In addition, we have made billions of dollars of investments in health care. Scarborough hospitals have received additional new money each and every year that our party has been the government.

This will continue, as we have also delivered on the long-asked-for predictable, stable, multi-year funding.

There is more work to be done in Ontario, but we are making progress, making up for the time that was squandered while these parties were in office.

Mr. Hampton: I want to remind the minister that the McGuinty government is now into its third year, and doctors aren't the only ones missing

from Scarborough's health care system. The Ontario Federation of Labour released their report today, and their report says that all health care workers in Ontario are exhausted, understaffed, and

under pressure. And to quote them, "Right now, workers in emergency services, hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the aged, retirement homes, public health units, mental health and home care

can't," in many cases, "deliver quality care. There are just not enough of them left to do it." They are calling for an immediate moratorium on layoffs in hospitals. Will you do that, Minister?

Will you ensure that there are no more layoffs in Ontario's hospitals?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I'm in the circumstance of reminding the honourable member of the fact that in Ontario we have community-based governance

of our local hospitals. In fact, the vast majority of those who provide health care in the province of Ontario, as distinct from most other provinces, are under community-based governance. I can

confirm for the honourable member that there has been significant new employment in all reaches of the health care sector. That includes the acute care hospital sector.

But accordingly, in a system that is $33 billion large, there will be from time to time changes, alterations in program and plan, that affect some health care

providers. The honourable member's seizing of an interest in the status quo is interesting, especially given the record that his party played while in office.

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): Thank God we have a good economy, George.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: They, and especially the member from Trinity-Spadina, like to deny the role that they have played historically, but the

reality is that while they were in office, they closed thousands of hospital beds, they fired thousands of nurses, and they shut down medical schools. That is their legacy, Mr. Speaker. We're

working double time to make up for their squandering of it.

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources. As you know, November marks the beginning of deer

hunting season, and I would like to thank you for extending the season. But recently in my riding of Huron-Bruce, there have been numerous reports of collisions, vehicles that have been hitting

deer on all of our roads. Minister, what have you done to address the rising nuisance deer population?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'd like to thank the member for her concern

about this. As she would know, in her riding, deer-vehicle collisions are a serious threat to human life, as they are right across this province.

Number one, we've worked in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation to get better signage and better lighting on highways where there are heavy deer

populations. We're working with MTO also on fencing of main corridors where deer are crossing highways and creating a hazard. As the member has mentioned, we've also increased the harvesting

opportunities for hunters in Ontario. In some wildlife management units, theoretically now it is possible to harvest up to seven deer in areas of high population.

Mrs. Mitchell: Thank you, Minister. While we're on the topic of nuisance wildlife, I know you have heard the recent reports about bears

attacking people, some of which have ended in very tragic results. Moreover, I'm very certain you are aware that there have been an increasing number of sightings of bear in southern Ontario,

specifically in some of the more densely populated areas. What actions are being taken to control incidents like these?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I must say I'm very proud of our government's initiative last year, the bear wise program. It has been a great success. We

have a 24/7 toll-free call centre that received, last year, 14,500 calls, with our trained staff responding to over 9,000 of those calls. I think, very importantly, we've established protocol now

with police forces right across this province, both the OPP and municipal police forces in bear country. We've also hired 50 technical staff to deal with this and support the police in the high

season for nuisance bear activity. We basically have 40 agreements with municipalities with regard to this. I think it's proper to note that we've got $900,000 invested in more than 165 projects

involving prevention, education and awareness in the bear wise program to make sure that people understand how we can coexist with the bears.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Last week or the week before I brought you a

problem. The Ministry of the Environment had sent an order to the wrong people, to West Grey, when it should have gone to your ministry. At that point you said you didn't know anything about it,

that you would look into it immediately. That was over a week ago. I would just ask you today to tell the House what you looked into and when you are going to fix this river that is full of

fish.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'd like to refer that question to the

parliamentary assistant for the Minister of the Environment.

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): I thank the member for the question and his concern. The last time we spoke about the situation in

Neustadt, we talked about the fact that the Ministry of the Environment had issued a legally binding provincial order to the community to show us what steps they were taking to ensure that the

sewage lagoon would not fail. As members will recall, there is a study that was paid for by our ministry that showed, last year, that within five years there was a risk of that lagoon failing. We

were very clear about the need to do that. I can report that, subsequent to that, the Ministry of the Environment has stayed that provincial order so that we have an opportunity for our ministry,

and those who are concerned about this issue, particularly the municipality, to come together and try to find a resolution. I know it is important for all of us that this situation not be allowed

to continue. I know that when the member who asked the question was the --

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

Mr. Murdoch: Do you think we could get a minister who's responsible to answer this question? I'll go back to the Minister of Natural

Resources, who I understand is involved in rivers. If you're not doing that any more, maybe you could tell us in this House. There are fish in this river. There are peoples' lives that may be at

stake if this lagoon goes into this river. It is your river; it is your river that is moving closer to the lagoons. I would like an answer from the Minister of Natural Resources, who sits in this

House. I would hope you didn't mislead this House, but you said you would --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Stop the clock. Let's just choose different words.

Mr. Murdoch: I hope you wouldn't tell something in the House that isn't true, then. All I'm asking --

The Speaker: I need you to withdraw, and then we can go on.

Mr. Murdoch: OK, I'll withdraw that and try this a better way then. The minister last week told us that he would immediately get someone to

look at this problem and get back to us. That was over a week ago. Maybe the Minister of Municipal Affairs would like to get involved, but that's OK. But the minister did say that you would get

back to us -- that was over a week ago -- and that you would do something immediately. So I'm asking the minister to answer this question. He doesn't need to shove it on to somebody else.

The Speaker: I think the question has been asked. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I did it that very day. In fact, I prepared a letter, and that will be delivered to you today.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): Wow, what action. That was good.

My question is to the Minister of Community and Social Services. Last week, constituency week, I had an opportunity to meet with Jessica Bordeleau, a young

woman in Moonbeam, Ontario, who is both developmentally and physically challenged. She is a young woman who, past her school years, is now going to a sheltered workshop. As a result of the funding

envelope that that agency has, she is now able to go only on a half-time basis where she used to be full-time. The reason for that is there aren't enough dollars in the budget to allow the personal

care worker to give full-time services.

My question to you is simply this: Do you undertake today in this House to review this particular case in order to see if there is money within the budget of

the Ministry of Community and Social Services to increase the dollars to that agency so she can get full-time services?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): I appreciate the question. I would

like a little bit more information. There was a question in this House just a couple of weeks ago about an agency. I don't know if it's the same agency; it may be a different one. That kind of

detail would be good to have if we're going to investigate, so I would like some information. We have had issues, of course, as this member knows, certainly in this area. The result of that has

been a significant increase in funding.

From the sound of it, it's the area of the program where we've enhanced funding for people who age after 21, who are finished school and are in the community.

We're doing our very best for each stage of life for people with developmental disabilities. I'm very happy to look at details of this particular case so that we'll know. It may well be the same

agency that we spoke of a couple of weeks ago.

Mr. Bisson: It's not the same agency. It was the Association for Community Living on respite care two weeks ago in Timmins. This is the

Association for Community Living, Kapuskasing. What I'm being told by both agencies is that the money that you talk about, which is new money that's supposed to go to enhance services or at least

preserve services we've got, is not getting to them. What I'm being told is that the only money that they've got is the 1.5% that they got as part of their core funding increase. None of the other

money has reached these agencies. What they're telling me is that they're now in a position where they're having to ration services to the people they give services to because they don't have the

money to deal with the increased need.

So in this particular case, the Kapuskasing Access Better Living, this is a young woman in Moonbeam who needs to get out of the house on a full-time basis at

this sheltered workshop. What the agency needs is another full-time-equivalent personal care worker. So my question is, are you prepared today to review this case, in order to give that agency the

dollars they need to provide the services?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I think that this member knows that we've never refused to look at cases. We hope that we do extremely well with the

limited funding that we have. I'm very happy to see this as well. I can tell this member, who has watched the investments we've made very carefully, that we have done so much in the last couple of

years -- nearing $200 million of investment, and we are going to families for more funding for special services at home, for the Passport to Community Living for those who are over age 21; yes, to

agencies as well, with the 1.5% increase to their base budgets. We have done as much as we possibly can. We always hope to do more. We also hope that this member will give us additional information

for this particular case that he asks about.

PETITIONS

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Minister of Culture recently announced that there would be funding cuts totalling more than $1.2 million from Ontario public library services;

and

"Whereas over 69 million people visited public libraries in Ontario in 2003, with more than 100 million items circulating; and

"Whereas these cuts will impact you as a library user, resulting in delays in how often your library receives new books;

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

"That the Minister of Culture restore the cuts to funding for Ontario public library services so that our library can continue to promote literacy in our

community."

I want to thank the Collingwood Public Library for sending that petition to me. I support it, and I've signed it.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada,

raise their families, educate their children and pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professional and

managerial talent from practising the professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas Ontario, its businesses, its people and its institutions badly need the professional, managerial and technical skills that many newcomers to Canada

have and want to use;

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

"That the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the other institutions and agencies of and within the

government of Ontario, undertake specific and proactive measures to work with the bodies regulating access to Ontario's professions, trades and other occupations in order that newcomers to Canada

gain fair, timely and cost-effective access to certification and other measures that facilitate the entry, or re-entry, of skilled workers and professionals trained outside Canada into the Canadian

workforce."

I also affix my signature on this petition.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

I have also signed this.

GASOLINE PRICES

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition today to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, a petition from the people of Canada to the

federal and provincial governments of Canada on the reduction of gasoline taxes.

"Whereas the steep price of gasoline is seriously affecting the cost of living of the average Canadian and may soon have negative impacts on our provincial and

national economies; and

"Whereas the taxes collected by both the provincial and federal governments average 39% of the retail price per litre and are rapidly accruing as the price of

gasoline mounts; and

"Whereas these taxes collected on a litre of gasoline are being compounded through the GST being collected, not only in proportion to the base price of

gasoline, but also on the PST and the federal excise tax; and

"Whereas the citizens of Canada believe that their government should be limited to the amount of taxes collected at both levels of government when gasoline

was, on an average, 80 cents per litre;

"Be it resolved that the citizens of Canada demand that their national and provincial governments immediately roll back all taxes on gasoline to a rate

commensurate with an average retail price of 80 cents per litre and no further taxes be added to the price of gasoline for an indefinite period until such time as the populace is broadly consulted

on this issue."

CASINO WINDSOR

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): It's my pleasure to introduce a petition on behalf of my constituents in the riding of Durham.

"Whereas the province of Ontario has announced plans to spend $400 million on renovating the Windsor casino; and

"Whereas we believe health care, education and agriculture are among the many areas that have a higher priority than gambling; and

"Whereas the $400-million casino expenditure announced by the" -- Dalton McGuinty -- "government on February 15, 2005, is enough money to hire 3,600 full-time

nurses or 1,480 full-time doctors for two years or eliminate the projected deficit Ontario hospitals are facing this year;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, urge the McGuinty government not to gamble with the health of Ontario citizens. And we further urge the McGuinty government to

postpone the spending of $400 million on the Windsor casino and to invest this amount in the real priorities of Ontario's citizens, such as a healthy, vibrant and prosperous Ontario."

I'm pleased to support this on behalf of my constituents and present it to my page, Alex, who's going to take it to the table for approval.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I'm pleased to join my seatmate, the member for Niagara Falls, in this petition to the Legislative

Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration (wet) and there are other forms of macular

degeneration (dry) that are not covered,

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

"There are thousands of Ontarians who suffer from macular degeneration, resulting in loss of sight if treatment is not pursued. Treatment costs for this

disease are astronomical for most constituents and add a financial burden to their lives. Their only alternative is loss of sight. We believe the government of Ontario should cover treatment for

all forms of macular degeneration through the Ontario health insurance program."

I affix my signature to this, and ask page Andrew to carry it for me.

ONTARIO FARMERS

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): This petition is entitled "Farmers Feed Cities Day":

"Whereas the 60,000 farmers in Ontario are the foundation for 10.3% of provincial economic activity; and

"Whereas many citizens do not appreciate the role Ontario farmers play in putting food on their table; and

"Whereas the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is only 0.7% of the Ontario budget, despite Dalton McGuinty's promise to make OMAF a `lead

ministry';

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

"Declare the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving Day as `Farmers Feed Cities Day.'"

I support this initiative and affix my signature.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

meaningful lives within their community."

This petition is signed by a number of residents from Merlin, Chatham and Blenheim, and I too have signed the petition.

GASOLINE PRICES

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): I have a petition addressed to the Parliament of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the price of gas is reaching unacceptably high levels; and

"Whereas the provincial government, which collects 14.7 cents per litre gas tax, and the federal government, which collects 10 cents per litre gas tax, have

done nothing to protect consumers from high gas prices; and

"Whereas, since 1995, the federal government has imposed a deficit elimination tax, that being in the amount of 1.5 cents per litre, that cost taxpayers $700

million this year; and

"Whereas the federal government imposes 7% GST on the full price of gas, including all taxes, which is an extra tax on tax that cost taxpayers $500 million

this year;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario to call on Prime Minister Paul Martin to remove these extra $1.2 billion in federal gas taxes."

I'm pleased to affix my signature, and I hand this petition to page Cara.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada,

raise their families, educate their children and pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professionals and

managerial talent from practising the professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas Ontario, its businesses, its people and its institutions badly need the professional, managerial and technical skills that many newcomers to Canada

have and want to use;

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

"That the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and other institutions and agencies of and within the government

of Ontario, undertake specific and proactive measures to work with the bodies regulating access to Ontario's professions, trades and other occupations in order that newcomers to Canada gain fair,

timely and cost-effective access to certification and other measures that facilitate the entry, or re-entry, of skilled workers and professionals trained outside Canada into the Canadian

workforce."

I affix my name to this petition. I'm going to be giving it to Alexandre, our page.

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Sir Frederick Banting was the man who discovered insulin and was Canada's first Nobel Prize recipient; and

"Whereas this great Canadian's original homestead, located in the town of New Tecumseth, is deteriorating and in danger of destruction because of the inaction

of the Ontario Historical Society; and

"Whereas the town of New Tecumseth, under the leadership of Mayor Mike MacEachern and former Mayor Larry Keogh, has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement

with the Ontario Historical Society to use part of the land to educate the public about the historical significance of the work of Sir Frederick Banting;

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

"That the Minister of Culture and the Liberal government step in to ensure that the Banting homestead is kept in good repair and preserved for generations to

come."

As you know, the act to preserve the Banting homestead will be debated tomorrow morning during private members'. I've signed this petition, and I agree with

it.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): I have a petition, which is a shared petition, actually, with the member from Mississauga

East and the member for Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale. The petition read as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada,

raise their families, educate their children and pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professional and

managerial talent from practising the professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas Ontario, its businesses, its people and its institutions badly need the professional, managerial and technical skills that many newcomers to Canada

have and want to use;

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

"That the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the other institutions and agencies of and within the

government of Ontario, undertake specific and proactive measures to work with the bodies regulating access to Ontario's professions, trades and other occupations in order that newcomers to Canada

gain fair, timely and cost-effective access to certification and other measures that facilitate the entry, or re-entry, of skilled workers and professionals trained outside Canada into the Canadian

workforce."

I agree with the contents of this petition. I will sign it and hand it to page Adam, who is here beside me today.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas children with autism who have reached the age of six years are no longer being discharged from their preschool autism program; and

"Whereas these children should be getting the best special education possible in the form of applied behaviour analysis (ABA) within the school system; and

"Whereas there are approximately 700 preschool children with autism across Ontario who are required to wait indefinitely for placement in the program, and

there are also countless school-age children that are not receiving the support they require in the school system; and

"Whereas this situation has an impact on the families, extended families and friends of all of these children; and

"Whereas, as stated on the Web site for the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, `IBI can make a significant difference in the life of a child with autism.

Its objective is to decrease the frequency of challenging behaviours, build social skills and promote language development';

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to fund the treatment of IBI for all preschool children awaiting services. We also petition

the Legislature of Ontario to fund an education program in the form of ABA in the school system."

I affix my signature to this.

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Deputy Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I seek

unanimous consent to move a motion respecting the business of the House for this evening.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Michael Prue): Is there unanimous consent? Carried.

Hon. Mr. Caplan: I'm relieved, Speaker, because I move that, notwithstanding any standing order or the order of the House earlier today, the

House continue to meet beyond 6 of the clock for the purpose of completing consideration of the motion for second reading of Bill 211,

An Act to amend the Human Rights Code and certain other Acts

to end mandatory retirement, following which the Speaker shall adjourn the House until Thursday, November 17, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

The Acting Speaker: Mr. Caplan has moved -- and I'd better read it --

Interjection: Dispense.

The Acting Speaker: Dispense? OK. All those in favour? Carried.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

DUFFINS ROUGE AGRICULTURAL

PRESERVE ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR LA RÉSERVE

AGRICOLE DE DUFFINS-ROUGE

Mr. Ramsay moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 16,

An Act respecting the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve / Projet de loi 16, Loi concernant la Réserve agricole de Duffins-Rouge.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'm very pleased to move second reading of

Bill 16, the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Act. I'd like to notify the desk that I'll be sharing my time with the member from Sault Ste. Marie.

I'm very proud that this government is acting on its plan to conserve Ontario's prime agricultural land and to ensure that our communities are strong and

healthy for generations to come. If passed, this legislation would ensure that lands in the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve are set aside permanently for agricultural use.

When I introduced this bill, I briefly sketched the history of the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve, and today I'd like to review that history in a little

more detail. The Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve includes about 4,700 acres of prime agricultural lands in North Pickering. These lands are part of the larger area, close to 40,000 acres, that

was expropriated in the 1970s for a proposed airport. The preserved lands are high-quality farmlands. They have been recognized as prime agricultural areas and lands that qualify for restriction to

agricultural or farm-related uses under the region of Durham official plan, the provincial policy statement, the Greenbelt Act and the greenbelt plan.

In 1999, the province, the regional municipality of Durham and the former town of Pickering, now the city of Pickering, agreed to measures that would enable

the sale of land within the town of Pickering. The land to be sold was previously expropriated preserve land west of West Duffins Creek. With the agreement of Durham and Pickering, the province

sold the land to the original landowners or tenant farmers. As a condition of the sale, the purchasers of the land had to agree to an easement under the Conservation Land Act that would protect the

land for agricultural use in perpetuity.

Conservation easements are agreements that are placed on the title to a property that restrict certain uses or activities on lands. If the property is sold,

the conservation easement is carried over to the new owner. The conservation easements are an important tool for ensuring that natural heritage features on agricultural lands and private property

can be protected over the long term -- and I emphasize to the House: over the long term.

As part of the agreement with Durham region and the province, the town of Pickering was assigned the easements on the Duffins-Rouge properties. The easements

were established to protect the lands in perpetuity. As I've said before, as far as I'm concerned, "perpetuity" means forever. In fact, the price of the lands sold was based on the value of the

lands maintained for agricultural purposes. The province would not have sold these lands at farmland prices unless it intended them to be retained as farmlands.

The easements on the Duffins-Rouge lands were held by the city of Pickering for six years. But in March of this year, without consulting the province, the city

of Pickering removed the conservation easements from the titles of two thirds of the property sold by the province in the agricultural preserve. In April 2005, the province sent a letter from Gerry

Phillips, then the Chair of Management Board, to the city of Pickering. The letter expressed concern about the city's actions. A letter was also sent to the regional municipality of Durham in May.

These letters made the province's position very clear. They outlined Ontario's expectation that the city of Pickering and the region of Durham would honour their commitments to preserve the area

for agriculture.

In July 2005, Minister Caplan and myself wrote another letter that asked the city council of Pickering to live up to its agreement with the Ontario Realty

Corp. Pickering's response was that it could not reinstate the easements. This response does nothing to ensure the long-term protection of these important agricultural lands, protection the city

had agreed to. Instead, the city of Pickering has put the protection of the Duffins-Rouge lands at risk. Many of the properties that Ontario originally sold to local farmers have in fact now been

sold to land developers.

I'm pleased to say that the last two provincial governments both recognized the importance of the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve. They recognized that

conserving prime agricultural land is vital if we want to ensure that Ontario farmers can continue to grow the foods we need. As a result, although these farmlands were expropriated in the early

1970s, they have continued to be used for agriculture over the past 30 years. We must ensure these lands remain agricultural in perpetuity. This legislation will provide the long-term protection

these lands deserve.

This government is committed to protecting Ontario's natural heritage, preserving green space, planning intelligently for growth and contributing to a cleaner,

healthier, natural environment for the people of Ontario. We have acted on this commitment. In April 2004, I was very proud to announce the transfer of more than 1,400 hectares of provincial lands

for the expansion of the Rouge Park. With that transfer of land, Rouge Park became the largest natural park in an urban area in North America. Fifty square kilometres in area, home to hundreds of

plant species, some of them rare, important habitat for birds and other wildlife and an area rich in historic and culture significance -- all of this right on the doorstep of millions of

Ontarians.

My ministry remains committed to continuing its strong support and contribution to the Rouge Park as a key partner in the Rouge Park Alliance, a voluntary

partnership of governments and organizations that have worked together to create and expand Rouge Park.

Earlier this year, this government fulfilled its commitment to create a permanent and sustainable legacy for Ontarians by protecting a greenbelt in the Golden

Horseshoe, with the Rouge Park as a key component. By newly protecting one million acres of green space and farmland now, for a total of 1.8 million acres, we have ensured that future generations

will have natural areas to enjoy close to urban and suburban centres.

As part of our commitment, the government specifically named the Duffins-Rouge Agricultural Preserve as an important new area to be protected under the

greenbelt legislation. I'm pleased to say this government fulfilled its commitment and the task force's recommendation earlier this year when the Duffins-Rouge agricultural lands were included with

other agricultural lands in the greenbelt.

We are determined to ensure that the Duffins-Rouge lands are protected. This bill would ensure that the lands in Pickering are part of the legacy of green

space and farmland that we are conserving for generations to come.

Pickering's removal of the easements on the Duffins-Rouge lands has broader implications for the conservation community. Many members of that community are

very disturbed by these events. The fact that Pickering committed to holding these easements on the Duffins-Rouge land titles and then unilaterally dropped them has shaken the foundations of

conservation easements as a long-term tool for protecting lands.

The abandonment of the easements has undermined the efforts of land trusts that were reaching out to landowners. Land trusts have been promoting conservation

easements as permanent protection for the duration of an easement. Pickering's actions have put into question the legal integrity and long-term validity of conservation easements.

This government believes that easements must remain a valid tool for conservation. When we committed to creating a greenbelt, we proposed using a wide array of

creative solutions to protect lands from development. These included tax credits, land trusts, new park designations and conservation easements. The greenbelt task force also recommended that, to

ensure agricultural viability, the province promote the use of conservation easements on agricultural lands.

That's why Bill 16 would specifically amend the Conservation Land Act to make agricultural lands eligible for protection through conservation easements. These

amendments would also clarify the roles and responsibilities of the Minister of Natural Resources to ensure that the processes for amending or releasing easements are transparent and accountable.

This legislation would ensure that conservation easements remain an effective and legitimate tool to protect the public's long-term interests in conserving natural areas and agricultural lands. In

other words, if passed, this bill would be an important step forward in strengthening conservation easements in general.

All the parties in this Legislature have recognized that Ontario must protect lands with conservation values. In fact, a little over a year ago, the member

from Halton made a motion to establish a permanent land acquisition program to ensure the continued acquisition of environmentally sensitive lands. I am pleased to say that in August, Premier

McGuinty announced the natural spaces program. This program supports the efforts of private landowners to preserve and restore natural areas on their property. As part of the program, the Ministry

of Natural Resources made a $6-million grant to the Ontario heritage trust, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, to acquire and permanently secure significant natural heritage properties

across southern Ontario. I am proud that through the natural spaces program and other government initiatives, we are improving the quality of our air and water, protecting natural areas that are

home to a diverse range of native plants and animals, and keeping Ontario green and beautiful.

But acquiring natural heritage properties is only one of many ways to pr