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May 26, 2003

37th Parliament, 4th Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2003-May-26 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 26 May 2003 Lundi 26 mai 2003

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

SUDBURY REGIONAL HOSPITAL

KITCHENER RANGERS

VISITORS

RENDERING INDUSTRY

PHARMACISTS

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

SECRETS OF RADAR MUSEUM

LIBERAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS

ST JOSEPH'S AT FLEMING

VISITORS

NOTICE OF REASONED AMENDMENT

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

VISITOR

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

VISITORS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

AMENDMENT ACT

(WORKPLACE VIOLENCE), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ

AU TRAVAIL (VIOLENCE AU TRAVAIL)

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR

EQUITY IN EDUCATION ACT

(BUDGET MEASURES), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003

SUR LES BONS CHOIX POUR L'ÉQUITÉ

EN MATIÈRE D'ÉDUCATION

(MESURES BUDGÉTAIRES)

CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE ACT, 2003

MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP

AND CULTURE AMENDMENT ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LE MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES

CIVIQUES ET CULTURELLES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

AMENDMENT ACT

(SEXUAL HARASSMENT), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ

AU TRAVAIL (HARCÈLEMENT SEXUEL)

TOMMY DOUGLAS ACT

(PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS), 2003 /

LOI TOMMY DOUGLAS DE 2003

SUR LA DÉCLARATION

DES DROITS DES PATIENTS

RURAL RED TAPE

REDUCTION ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 VISANT À RÉDUIRE

LES FORMALITÉS ADMINISTRATIVES

RELATIVES AUX AFFAIRES RURALES

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF ONTARIO ACT, 2003

VISITORS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PRIVATE MEMBERS'

PUBLIC BUSINESS

ORAL QUESTIONS

SARS

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

PENSION PLAN

FRAUD INVESTIGATION

SARS

PICKERING NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

PICKERING NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

LABOUR RELATIONS

LAYOFFS

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

COST OF ELECTRICAL POWER /

COÛT DE L'ÉLECTRICITÉ

PEMBROKE JAIL

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

PETITIONS

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

HIGHWAY 69

ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

MINIMUM WAGE

GOLF COURSE ASSESSMENT

HOME CARE

GARDE D'ENFANTS

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

MINIMUM WAGE

HIGHWAY SAFETY

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

ORDERS OF THE DAY

2003 ONTARIO BUDGET

Monday 26 May 2003 Lundi 26 mai 2003

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

SUDBURY REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): Today I plead with the Harris-Eves government to please fund our stalled hospital construction project. It has

been too long now since the government abdicated its responsibilities to fund this project.

What is more devastating to our community is that this project is now starting to hurt the economy of Sudbury. The government's inaction is hurting our doctor

recruitment program. The government's inaction is undermining our hope about a northern Ontario medical school starting on time. And it's not me saying this; it's people in Sudbury. It's the

Greater Sudbury Development Corp who is saying that it's hurting the economy. Doctor retention and recruitment is paramount in importance to our community, and it continues to be hurt by this

government's inaction.

Today, on behalf of all the people in Sudbury who have signed the "Ernie Pay Up" postcard campaign -- these are the postcards I received on Friday from my

office. Literally thousands of people have signed the postcards, sent letters, signed petitions. They want this government to begin living up to its responsibilities and fund the Sudbury Regional

Hospital construction project.

KITCHENER RANGERS

Mr Wayne Wettlaufer (Kitchener Centre): The Kitchener Rangers are the Memorial Cup champions. The Kitchener Rangers are an integral part of our

community, and it gives me great pleasure to stand here in the Ontario Legislature to recognize this team for their triumphant effort and achievements this season. It is a great pleasure for us all

to witness these young leaders in their sport and community, working diligently to achieve success. The amount of heart and determination they showed is profound.

These young men work tirelessly to accomplish their goals, to ultimately be drafted by the National Hockey League. Yet while they strive for excellence, they do

an incredible service for their community. When these young men reach their goals, they will continue to support the people and the city that believed in them and helped them fulfill their

dreams.

Because the Kitchener Rangers were so successful in the OHL season and playoffs, an incredible energy can be felt throughout all of Kitchener. It instills pride

within our city, accompanied by a fellowship among hockey fans. Yet this does not exclude the rest of Kitchener's residents, because when an important part of our city is successful, the entire

community benefits. The Kitchener Rangers going all the way is not only great for the team and for our city; it also shows the rest of the hockey world that Kitchener produces champions and

leaders.

The Kitchener Rangers set a fine example of what my community strives to be, and I am proud to recognize them here today: captain and Memorial Cup MVP Derek Roy;

Eminger, Richards, Halkidis, Benoit, Campbell, Dickie, Eason, Kanko, O'Nabigon, DiRienzo, Smith, Grennier, Keefe, Boucher, Clarkson, McGrath and Martynowski; general manager and coach Peter De

Boer; assistant coach Steve Spott; and announcers Don Cameron and Gary Doyle.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Just while we're on sports themes, as the member will know, I won a Memorial Cup -- that's what this ring is -- and

was most valuable goaltender in the Memorial Cup.

Interjection.

The Speaker: The member for Sudbury should know. We beat Sudbury in an eight-game series, though.

Just very quickly, I did want to introduce a couple of people in the Speaker's gallery along that theme. With us today is Mr Bob Tindall, who was the scout for

the Boston Bruins and who decided to draft me. Bob, surprisingly enough, kept his job with the Bruins for many years even after drafting me. He's joined by Mr Greg Harrison, who does the masks for

all the goaltenders. Without him, I would have no teeth today.

Please welcome our honoured guests.

Hon Chris Stockwell (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: We all congratulate the Kitchener

Rangers, and we know that when you were playing hockey back in the 1960s, it was tougher then too.

The Speaker: We also know I wasn't that good; that's why I'm here. But enough of the fun.

RENDERING INDUSTRY

Mr Steve Peters (Elgin-Middlesex-London): I rise today to once again bring attention to the very serious crisis in the dead-stock removal and

rendering industry. My colleague from Chatham-Kent Essex brought this to the minister's attention last week, yet the chaos continues and worsens. Twelve thousand metric tonnes of dead animal stock,

remnants from slaughter and restaurant grease per week are produced in this province, and 40% to 60% of that is exported to the U.S., yet the border is closed.

A local producer from my riding called Oxford Dead Stock to have a dead sow removed. This is the message that was on the answering machine: "Due to the outbreak

of BSE, we have lost our dead animal byproducts market. The plant is closed and there will be no service pickups. We are asking the producers to call the Ontario Ministry of Agricultural and Food,

your MP and your commodity groups, because they did not listen to us. The more voices that are heard, the better. Hopefully they can resolve this and we can get back to service as soon as

possible."

This has the potential to become a public health crisis. These animals must be picked up. Thousands of carcasses cannot be left on our farms to rot. If they are

not picked up, you have to do something with them. Methods of illegal disposal have serious implications to our environment and our water. The agriculture minister must show leadership now and deal

with this in a very public manner, including a viable option and action plan for our livestock producers. I call on the minister to let everyone in the industry know what exactly you are going to

do about this and when you are going to do something about this.

PHARMACISTS

Mr Cameron Jackson (Burlington): Ontario pharmacists are highly educated health professionals. They are the drug experts. However, pharmacists

are not recognized and utilized to their fullest capabilities.

The Ontario drug benefits program is the fastest-growing expense in the health care budget, increasing an alarming 11% last year. Pharmacists have the unique

ability to help manage rising drug costs by making sure patients are on appropriate drugs and using them accurately. After all, the number one reason for seniors to be admitted to hospital in this

province is because of an adverse reaction to a doctor-prescribed drug.

Health experts like Romanow and Kirby have recognized the need to invest in pharmacists as a tool to improve health care. Other provinces recognize that

pharmacists provide cognitive services, but unfortunately Ontario pharmacists are still waiting. Our government has excluded the Ontario Pharmacists' Association from its review of drug

utilization. For the past several years, drug manufacturers have been raising their prices beyond what is legislatively permitted. Therefore, pharmacists have seen their cost recovery erode,

leaving them less time to spend with their patients. Pharmacists have not seen a fee increase in this province for 13 years, and currently they are paid $6.47 to dispense drugs in the ODB. Yet a

study shows that their real costs are $10.68.

Quality health care depends on acknowledging the work of these vital health care professionals, and begins with treating pharmacists with respect.

day or evening school.

There have been cuts to these programs since 1991, and especially in the year 2001-02. In fact, there has been a reduction of over $3 million. The effect of this

reduction is going to be tremendous. It will have grave consequences for thousands of these newcomers. This will affect their adaptation, integration and job readiness. How will these students be

able to get jobs in this province if they don't adequately learn how to speak the language of the country?

Secondly, what about those adult learners, mainly parents, who have come to this country trying to get jobs as well? How will they get jobs if they don't speak

the language?

We know they will not be able to get even a caretaker's job, when they're trained to be doctors, lawyers and accountants. They will not even be able to speak the

language properly.

What we're asking today is for the Minister of Citizenship to talk to the Minister of Education to increase the funding for these classes.

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): This morning, I, along with my NDP colleagues, joined hundreds of teachers who have been locked out of

their classrooms in Toronto. That means 69,000 students have been locked out, too. Let me be clear: these teachers are not on strike. They want to go back to their classrooms and continue with the

negotiations. They are bitterly disappointed that the Tories are using them and our children as pre-election pawns to bolster their election platform.

The NDP has a solution that could unlock those doors tomorrow. It's a simple process that has worked very effectively in two recent strikes. The first step is

the appointment of a mediator-arbitrator to facilitate a new contract. Choosing a mediator-arbitrator from a list of three names acceptable to the both the board and the Ontario Elementary Catholic

Teachers' Association is the best way to proceed. It has been used successfully before, at the advice of the NDP, in Simcoe-Muskoka and in the city of Toronto workers' strike. You'll all remember

that.

Secondly, the Conservatives must delete the contentious second part of this back-to-work legislation, which is the first step toward their strike-ban platform

promise. The NDP cannot and will not support legislation that attacks teachers and continues this war in our schools that started way back with John Snobelen.

NDP House leader Peter Kormos tabled an amendment today to the Conservative back-to-work legislation. Support this amendment and get these kids back in the

classroom.

SECRETS OF RADAR MUSEUM

Mr Bob Wood (London West): I rise today to tell the Legislature about a new museum, called the Radar Museum, which had its grand opening and

ribbon-cutting in London on Saturday, May 24, 2003.

The Clinton area was used as a training station for British radar technicians during the World War II. The British needed a lot of technicians and asked Canada

to train some of its own young men. Thirteen of our Canadian universities agreed to do so, and 6,000 young Canadians were trained as radar mechanics. The grads were either shipped off to work on

aircraft in England or kept on for further training at Clinton.

One of the driving forces behind the Radar Museum in London, Fred Bates, was one of nine from a group of 500 who were commissioned. After helping to install four

out of eight radar advance systems in Canada, Mr. Bates was finally shipped to England, where he became involved with the Royal Air Force.

Radar technicians were sworn to secrecy during the war, and this oath was not lifted by the British government until 1990. This meant that radar technicians

could then share with the world the history of radar.

Displays of their equipment were sent from England and toured Canada, and finally ended up in the Radome Museum in Clinton, Ontario. About three years ago, the

Clinton museum closed and all the display material was put in storage. Mr Bates, with the aid of about 50 volunteers, found a spot to house the displays in the former Huron pavilion situated on the

Parkwood Hospital grounds in London, and with a lot of hard work put the displays back together again to form the Secrets of Radar Museum.

I know that all members of this House will join with me in congratulating Mr Bates and his group of hard-working volunteers on the opening of their museum and

thank them for bringing back a colourful and important part of Canadian history for all to see and enjoy.

LIBERAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTIONS

Mr Dwight Duncan (Windsor-St Clair): Last week my leader, Dalton McGuinty, did something no other party in Ontario history has done. He put

every single one of our promises before a forensic auditor and two senior economists to ensure that they were affordable and realistic. A forensic auditor, Jack Marmer, spent 70 hours combing

through our spending commitments. Two senior economists, Warren Jestin of Scotiabank and David Hall of Vista, reviewed our expenditure and revenue projections. They agree that our plan is prudent

and fiscally responsible.

On Thursday, we put forward the results of our financial plan for Ontario. It shows that, unlike the Tories or NDP, we're committed to balancing our budgets and

making promises we can keep. Dalton McGuinty's plan improves health care and education while balancing the budget and holding the line on taxes.

We challenge the other parties to put their platforms through the same kind of scrutiny. Independent analysts say Ernie Eves is running a deficit. The DBRS says

the Eves Magna budget shows a deficit of $1.9 billion. The TD Bank found the Tory budget is hiding a real deficit of $2 billion this year. Standard and Poor's says that they have inflated asset

sales numbers and are inconsistent with the stated objectives to take the necessary steps to balance the budget.

Only Dalton McGuinty and the Ontario Liberals offer real change. Choose change. Choose responsible government you can trust for a change.

ST JOSEPH'S AT FLEMING

Mr R. Gary Stewart (Peterborough): A very unique and innovative facility is under construction in my riding of Peterborough. St Joseph's at

Fleming is a 200-bed, state-of-the-art long-term-care facility containing the Institute for Healthy Aging. It is being built on the campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College. This long-term-care

facility is the first of its kind in Canada to be built on the campus of a learning institution. It will set the standard for compassionate care and innovation.

The building was designed to exceed many Ministry of Health standards and will have the look and feel not of an institution, but of a living accommodation. Each

of the eight resident home areas will accommodate 25 residents to encourage smaller, less alarming social groups.

St Joseph's at Fleming will provide special communal spaces, including living rooms, multipurpose activity rooms, a chapel and auditorium, a 50-seat classroom,

as well as a greenhouse and fully contained courtyard gardens that will provide residents with access to nature while remaining secure. The Fleming child care centre and healthy aging research lab

will also be housed in the facility.

This is indeed an amazing project that will not only provide four-generation interaction, but also a rich learning environment for students from Fleming.

Students participating in over 20 different programs, from nursing, massage therapy and early childhood education to culinary arts, recreation and information systems, will have the opportunity to

gain valuable, hands-on practical experience at this new facility.

VISITORS

Mr David Caplan (Don Valley East): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I know all members will want to join with me in welcoming students from

Dallington Public School who have joined us here in the gallery today.

NOTICE OF REASONED AMENDMENT

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I beg to inform the House that pursuant to standing order 69(c), the House leader of the third party, the member

Association and the Toronto Catholic District School Board and to amend the Education Act and the Provincial Schools Negotiations Act.

The order for second reading may therefore not be called today.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

Mr Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): I beg leave to present the first report, 2003, of the standing committee on regulations and private

bills.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr Marchese: It's not necessary, Speaker. Thank you.

VISITOR

Mr Raminder Gill (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): I'd like to welcome Mr Satnam Singh Kainth, in the members' gallery, former leader of the

opposition, Punjab legislative assembly, and former member of Parliament, India.

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

The Speaker: Just before we continue, I would ask all members to join me in welcoming our group of pages.

With us today we have Ryan Baulke from Simcoe-Grey; Tyler Goettl from London-Fanshawe; Caitlyn Hanley from Brant; Roisin Hartnett from Oakville, and she's

joined by her dog, Penny; Spencer Henderson from Northumberland; Kelan Jylha from York North; Kaitlynne-Rae Landry from Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot; Timothy Lewis from Don Valley East;

Joshua Man from Whitby-Ajax; Lucas Mol from Oxford; Sabrina Nanji from Brampton Centre; Mario Nucci from Thunder Bay-Atikokan; Robyn Perritt from Peterborough; Bridget Schrempf from Bruce-Grey-Owen

Sound; Nicolas Seguin from Windsor West; Brittany Shaw from Kitchener Centre; Jenna Sheppard from Oshawa; Kristian Sistilli Mandarano from St Paul's; Bryant Smith from Leeds-Grenville; Sarah

Splinter from Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington; and Aja Sutton from Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant.

Please join me in welcoming our new set of pages.

VISITORS

Hon David H. Tsubouchi (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, Minister of Culture): I'd like to welcome two guests of mine today, two

bright young men from Markham, my hometown: Simon Plashkes, who just graduated from IT at Ryerson, and Mark Cotterill, who is a future filmmaker.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

AMENDMENT ACT

(WORKPLACE VIOLENCE), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ

AU TRAVAIL (VIOLENCE AU TRAVAIL)

Mr Bartolucci moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 51,

An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to acts of workplace violence / Projet de loi 51, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la

santé et la sécurité au travail en matière d'actes de violence au travail.

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

The member for a short statement?

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): This bill amends the Occupational Health and Safety Act to impose duties on employers, supervisors and workers

with respect to acts of workplace violence which are defined to be acts of physical or psychological violence that persons commit in the workplace.

LABOUR RELATIONS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES RELATIONS DE TRAVAIL

Mr Kormos moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 52,

An Act to amend the Labour Relations Act, 1995 / Projet de loi 52, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1995 sur les relations de travail.

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

All those in favour will please say "aye."

All those opposed will please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

The member for a short statement?

Mr Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): The purpose of this bill is to restore the provisions that were incorporated into the Labour Relations Act

by the Labour Relations and Employment Statute Law Amendment Act, 1992, and subsequently repealed by the Labour Relations Act, 1995. The purpose of the provisions being restored is to prevent an

employer from replacing striking or locked-out employees with replacement workers, scabs, a term that is defined in the bill. The bill allows replacement workers or scabs to be used only in

emergencies. This restores anti-scab legislation to this province, restoring labour peace.

THE RIGHT CHOICES FOR

EQUITY IN EDUCATION ACT

(BUDGET MEASURES), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003

SUR LES BONS CHOIX POUR L'ÉQUITÉ

EN MATIÈRE D'ÉDUCATION

(MESURES BUDGÉTAIRES)

Mrs Ecker moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 53,

An Act respecting the equity in education tax credit / Projet de loi 53, Loi concernant le crédit d'impôt pour l'équité en

matière d'éducation.

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

All those in favour will please say "aye."

All those opposed will please 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 1356 to 1401 .

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

Ayes

Baird, John R.

Beaubien, Marcel

Chudleigh, Ted

Clark, Brad

Clement, Tony

Coburn, Brian

Cunningham, Dianne

DeFaria, Carl

Dunlop, Garfield

Ecker, Janet

Elliott, Brenda

Eves, Ernie

Flaherty, Jim

Galt, Doug

Gilchrist, Steve

Gill, Raminder

Hardeman, Ernie

Hudak, Tim

Jackson, Cameron

Johns, Helen

Johnson, Bert

Kells, Morley

Klees, Frank

Martiniuk, Gerry

Maves, Bart

Mazzilli, Frank

McDonald, AL

Miller, Norm

Molinari, Tina R.

Mushinski, Marilyn

Newman, Dan

O'Toole, John

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Runciman, Robert W.

Sampson, Rob

Sterling, Norman W.

Stewart, R. Gary

Stockwell, Chris

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tsubouchi, David H.

Turnbull, David

Wettlaufer, Wayne

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wood, Bob

Young, David

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

Nays

Agostino, Dominic

Bartolucci, Rick

Bisson, Gilles

Bountrogianni, Marie

Boyer, Claudette

Bradley, James J.

Brown, Michael A.

Bryant, Michael

Caplan, David

Churley, Marilyn

Conway, Sean G.

Cordiano, Joseph

Curling, Alvin

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duncan, Dwight

Gravelle, Michael

Hampton, Howard

Hoy, Pat

Kennedy, Gerard

Kormos, Peter

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Levac, David

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

McMeekin, Ted

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Prue, Michael

Pupatello, Sandra

Ramsay, David

Ruprecht, Tony

Sergio, Mario

Smitherman, George

Sorbara, Greg

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 45; the nays are 38.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

The minister for a short statement?

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Finance): No.

The Speaker: Thank you.

CANTERBURY UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE ACT, 2003

Ms Pupatello moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr16,

An Act respecting Canterbury University College.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

MINISTRY OF CITIZENSHIP

AND CULTURE AMENDMENT ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LE MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES

CIVIQUES ET CULTURELLES

Mr Beaubien moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 54,

An Act to amend the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act / Projet de loi 54, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur le ministère des Affaires civiques et

culturelles.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member for a short statement?

Mr Marcel Beaubien (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex): The bill amends the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture Act to require the ministry to establish

a program to provide information upon request to a municipality or a charitable institution about constructing a memorial to honour persons who are or were residents of Ontario and who served in

the armed services of Canada in any wars outside Canada during the 20th century. If a body constructs such a memorial, the ministry is required to remit the scroll of recognition to those persons

whom the memorial honours and whom the ministry considers to come within the description of persons who may properly be honoured.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

AMENDMENT ACT

(SEXUAL HARASSMENT), 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ

AU TRAVAIL (HARCÈLEMENT SEXUEL)

Mr Hoy moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 55,

An Act to amend the Occupational Health and Safety Act to protect workers from sexual harassment in the workplace / Projet de loi 55, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la santé et la sécurité au travail pour protéger les travailleurs contre le harcèlement sexuel dans le lieu de travail.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member for a short statement?

Mr Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): I introduce this bill in memory of Theresa Vince. This bill would amend the Occupational Health and Safety

Act to require employers to protect workers from workplace-related sexual harassment, to give workers the right to refuse to work in certain circumstances after a sexual harassment has occurred, to

require an investigation of allegations of workplace-related sexual harassment, and to require employers to take steps to prevent further occurrences of workplace-related sexual harassment.

TOMMY DOUGLAS ACT

(PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS), 2003 /

LOI TOMMY DOUGLAS DE 2003

SUR LA DÉCLARATION

DES DROITS DES PATIENTS

Ms Martel moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 56,

An Act to promote patients' rights and to increase accountability in Ontario's health care system / Projet de loi 56, Loi visant à promouvoir les

droits des patients et à accroître l'obligation de rendre des comptes dans le système de soins de santé de l'Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member for a short statement?

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): The bill codifies the rights of residents of Ontario to receive health care services in the form of a

patients' bill of rights. The bill provides for the appointment of a health care standards commissioner, an officer of the Legislature, who will perform functions such as participating in the

setting of health care standards and the development of complaints procedures, monitoring health care standards and making recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and to the

Legislature.

The bill establishes whistle-blower protection for the employees of providers of health care services, and the bill requires conspicuous posting of copies of

the patients' bill of rights and the whistle-blower protection provisions.

RURAL RED TAPE

REDUCTION ACT, 2003 /

LOI DE 2003 VISANT À RÉDUIRE

LES FORMALITÉS ADMINISTRATIVES

RELATIVES AUX AFFAIRES RURALES

Mr Hardeman moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 57,

An Act to reduce red tape with respect to rural and other matters / Projet de loi 57, Loi visant à réduire les formalités

administratives relatives aux affaires rurales et à d'autres questions.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The minister for a short statement?

Hon Ernie Hardeman (Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): No. Ministers' statements, Speaker.

SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANTS OF ONTARIO ACT, 2003

Mr Gill moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr6,

An Act respecting the Society of Professional Accountants of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member for a short statement?

Mr Raminder Gill (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): No, thank you, Mr Speaker.

The Speaker: It's a private bill.

VISITORS

Hon Jerry J. Ouellette (Minister of Natural Resources): On a point of order, Speaker: I ask all members to join me in welcoming a class of

students, Mr Gainy and Madam Pat from Monsignor Pereyma from my riding of Oshawa.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Finance): Earlier today, I introduced The Right Choices for Equity in Education Act. It is legislation that

supports parents' educational choices through the equity in education tax credit. The Premier announced on March 20 our intention to restore the original

schedule for the delivery of the equity in

education tax credit, and today's legislation, if passed, would do so.

In 2002, the tax credit reimbursed 10% of the first $7,000 of tuition fees, for a maximum tax credit of $700 per child. We are proposing to accelerate the tax

credit to a maximum of 20% of tuition for each child in 2003, 30% in 2004, 40% for 2005, and 50% for 2006 and beyond. This credit will assist those parents who choose an education for their child

that may better reflect their religious or cultural heritage or that may respond better to their child's special needs.

There were more than 580 independent schools that qualified for the equity in education tax credit in 2002. They include Montessori schools, faith-based

schools, Waldorf schools, innovative teaching schools and those that provide specific instruction for students with certain disabilities.

With this additional support came requirements for additional accountability to parents. To qualify for the tax credit, independent schools already must do a

criminal reference check upon hiring all employees who come into contact with children and provide full disclosure about the contents of their academic program and the achievements expected at the

end of each program. Those offering Ontario secondary school diplomas must adhere to Ontario's secondary school curriculum standards.

We will also pass regulations to require independent schools to assess student achievement in the core subjects of reading, writing, and mathematics and to

share that assessment with parents. Many schools already do this, but this additional requirement will ensure that all parents have the information they require to judge the performance of their

child's school.

We will also require that each school verify the status of instructors who are or have been registered with the Ontario College of Teachers and share that

information with parents as well.

Independent schools will also be required to tell parents and guardians where to obtain important consumer protection information.

I believe that one of the most important tasks of any government is to provide a strong public education system for our children, and our government has done

this under the leadership of former Premier Harris and now Premier Eves. We have set higher standards through more rigorous curriculum, and we have implemented standardized testing so we can ensure

our children are learning what they need to achieve their potential to succeed. We've created report cards that parents can understand. We've established standards for the professional development

and performance appraisal of teachers in the classroom.

As he promised in his leadership campaign, Premier Eves has also increased resources for textbooks and has expanded programs like early reading and early

math.

We have also substantially increased our investments in public education since we came into office. In 1995, education spending was $12.9 billion. With our

budget this spring, we have increased our investments in our schools to $15.3 billion for this coming school year.

What's more, we've provided school boards with multi-year funding commitments to support better planning and more accountability to taxpayers and parents and

to support long-term collective agreements for teachers.

That commitment to higher standards in public education and increased investments is not diminished by the government's recognition and willingness to support

those parents who wish to choose another educational path for their child.

I know the Leader of the Opposition does not accept that parents should have a right to choose, and that he will take away the support for families who may

wish to educate their children according to their religious or cultural beliefs.

On this side of the House, we do not believe that the government knows best when it comes to making educational choices for one's child. That is the

responsibility of parents. Our job, as government, is to continue to build a strong public education system that provides our students with the tools they need to succeed and to support parents in

the choices they make for their children.

I welcome the support from the members opposite.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Hon Ernie Hardeman (Associate Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): I'm pleased this afternoon to introduce the Rural Red Tape Reduction

Act, 2003. As the members may recall, this bill was originally introduced last December 11. In March of this year, the session was prorogued before the bill had an opportunity to move through the

legislative process. It is my honour and privilege to reintroduce it in the House today.

Government red tape is a drag on the economy. International and national economic development organizations say that it is a key factor limiting

competitiveness, investment and job creation. Our government has long recognized this fact, and we have consistently recognized that removing red tape is an effective way of promoting economic

development.

The Rural Red Tape Reduction Act, 2003, if passed, would encourage economic growth, improve the environment for investment, reduce red tape and remove barriers

to job growth in rural Ontario.

This bill amends a number of pieces of legislation. The amendments respond to issues and problems identified by rural businesses during consultation over the

past four years. For example, the Rural Red Tape Reduction Act, 2003, includes measures to enhance self-governance for veterinarians. It includes measures to remove burdens placed on farm implement

dealers, distributors and manufacturers and the farm communities they serve. It also includes amendments to the Co-operative Corporations Act that, if passed, would help improve the administration

of cooperatives.

This government recognizes the regional diversity of Ontario's communities and their important contributions to the province's prosperity. Our government's

commitment to economic development in Ontario's rural communities is well documented. We've earmarked $400 million for rural Ontario infrastructure to the Ontario small town and rural development

initiative, or OSTAR. To date, we've invested in 82 projects under the rural economic development, OSTAR RED, program, which are generating $427 million in new rural economic activity.

We've been piloting resource jump teams to help communities address locally identified challenges. We've developed the business retention and expansion tool

kit to help communities retain local jobs.

We've set up a Web-based tool to help communities get the information they need to plan their economic futures. It's called rural economic development data and

intelligence, or REDDI. Recently, we launched COBRA, or Connect Ontario: Broadband Regional Access, which will bring high-speed telecommunications to businesses in northern and rural

communities.

In the April 30 throne speech, we committed to unveiling a comprehensive rural strategy aimed at addressing the concerns raised by people living in rural

communities. In that throne speech, we also pledged more than $1.6 billion to help build the infrastructure rural communities need to support a growing economy.

The Rural Red Tape Reduction Act is part of a red tape reduction plan that will also address Ontario regulations, programs and policies that affect the people

of rural Ontario. The Rural Red Tape Reduction Act, 2003, is a demonstration of our commitment to building sustainable businesses and stronger rural communities. Thank you very much, Mr Speaker,

for allowing me a few moments to explain it to you.

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

Hon Tim Hudak (Minister of Consumer and Business Services): I am pleased that the Ernie Eves government is introducing proposed legislation as

part of the Rural Red Tape Reduction Act that would amend the Liquor Control Act and make our domestic wine industry even more competitive.

This government is committed to strengthening the competitiveness of our domestic wine industry, creating jobs and further developing Ontario's growing

reputation for our premium wines. This proposed amendment will cut red tape and give VQA wineries the ability to partner together to promote VQA wines. As you know, VQA wine is made from 100%

Ontario grapes and meets the highest possible standards.

I'm very proud of the work the Ernie Eves government has done to this date in promoting Ontario's VQA wines. I'm happy to say that through the efforts of this

government, the LCBO and the grape and wine industry have been able to grow the VQA wine category. In fact, VQA wine sales have grown by more than 20% since last year through the LCBO and we are

confident the proposed amendment will further grow our grape and wine industry, which means more jobs in agriculture, more investment in agri-tourism and agribusiness in rural Ontario.

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

Mr Gerry Phillips (Scarborough-Agincourt): I want to respond to the Minister of Finance's comments on the funding for private schools and to

say that indeed my leader and our party are against it, and the reason is spelled out by the minister herself in a letter to the United Nations, where she outlined the government's own major

concerns about proceeding down this road of funding private schools.

Here's what she said, among other things: "Extending funding to private schools would result in fragmentation of the education system in Ontario and undermine

the goal of universal access to education." That's what Minister Ecker said less than three years ago in response to the very proposal she's bringing forward.

The then Premier wrote a very strongly worded letter. Among other things, he said, "Proceeding with this plan would remove from our existing public education

system at least $300 million per year, with some estimates as high as $700 million."

Then-Premier Harris said this: "Obviously such an action would run directly counter to Ontario's longstanding commitment to public education." Premier Harris,

in a letter dated January 18, 2000, called this plan that the minister introduced today "a crusade to fragment and weaken our public education system in Ontario." Then-Premier Harris called it a

crusade to fragment and weaken our public education system. That's what he said less than three years ago. The then Minister of Education spelled out clearly her strong, strong objections to

proceeding with the very bill that she introduced today.

So I say to the public of Ontario, this is what the campaign will be all about, among other things. We will quote the then Minister of Education specifically

spelling out grave concerns about proceeding down this route. The then Premier called it a crusade to fragment and weaken the public education system, and you have the nerve today, on the eve of an

election, to bring this in for purely political reasons and against the public education system.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mr Steve Peters (Elgin-Middlesex-London): It's nice to see this bill in front of us again. Certainly there are aspects to this piece of

legislation that are most important and most welcome in the rural community in Ontario, but the delay that this government continues to impose -- I look at the Farm Implements Act changes that are

being made. The member for Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant had a private member's bill in December 2001, and yet here we are a year and a half later, and farm implement dealers all across this province are

waiting for this legislation. It's dilly-dallying. You've talked about a commitment to rural Ontario, but you put rural Ontario on the backburner in dealing with this private member's bill.

You talk about the Nutrient Management Act changes. The loopholes that this government left in place were oversight at best. Now this government is doing its

best to try and undertake damage control to fix the Nutrient Management Act. We supported

section 60 of the Nutrient Management Act, which called for province-wide standards to end the patchwork of

municipal bylaws. Yet when the legislation was passed, you left that loophole in place. Hopefully, with this legislation, if it does pass and the House doesn't prorogue because of an election, it

can get through and this loophole can be closed.

Hopefully the Minister of Agriculture can explain to the agricultural community, with the phase-in not taking place until 2008, what is going to prevent

municipalities from putting the screws to those farmers on category 1 to 3 farms. How is she going to ensure that municipalities aren't going to try and skirt the Nutrient Management Act and the

Planning Act to try and hamper individual farmers who want to make improvements to their agricultural operations, even though things are going to be put back until the year 2008? You have to look

at, for example, the cattle industry in this province. Less than 1% of the farms in the cattle industry are currently protected by the proposed changes to the Nutrient Management Act. What is the

minister going to do to ensure that municipalities aren't getting in the way of farmers who want to make new investments?

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

Mr Steve Peters (Elgin-Middlesex-London): We'll talk about the LCBO for a second. Remember what the last part of LCBO is: it is Ontario. Yet

LCBO has consistently delisted international-award-winning VQA wines, wines delisted over and over again. We should be putting Ontario first and not allowing the LCBO to leave Ontario grape growers

and wineries in the lurch.

EDUCATION TAX CREDIT

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): First I want to respond to the Conservatives' announcement yet again today that they want to spend

more money to entice parents to take their children out of public schools and send them to private schools. That's really what was announced here today.

I want everyone to note that the private school tax credit will now, as envisioned, cover tuition fees of up to $7,000 a year. I wonder how many working

parents across this province could ever afford $7,000 per child in tuition fees. This clearly isn't aimed at the majority of people in Ontario. This is clearly aimed at people who already have

sizable incomes and who want other people to pay to send their children to a private school. That is the long and the short of it. This is all about continuing to underfund the public school in my

neighbourhood, the public schools in our neighbourhoods, while the Conservatives say to people, "Oh, if you don't like the public school anymore because we've underfunded it, here's some money.

Send your child to a private school."

I want people across Ontario to know what New Democrats think about that. New Democrats believe that if someone wants to send their child to a private school,

that is a private decision. You pay for it yourself. Don't ask the public to fund your private school.

On this occasion, I think it's worthwhile noting some other quotations about this issue. I've been puzzled by the fact that I've found all these references to

the Liberal position. For example, Michael Bryant, Liberal energy critic, says on this issue of public funds for private schools, the private school tax credit, "I can't suck and blow on this. I've

got to support it. It's a step in the direction of equity. So I support that."

Or Monte Kwinter, the Liberal critic for enterprise and opportunity: "I've always supported full funding for faith-based schools. There should be some

recognition in the provincial tax regime. I'm personally delighted that that's happened. I don't think anyone accepts the argument that Catholic schools should be funded and others not."

Dalton McGuinty: "I have said in the past that there is a fairness issue here regarding the funding of independent schools, and that is something we

recognize."

I understand where the Conservatives are on this. You want public funds for private schools. I'm hard-pressed to figure out where the Liberals are. They seem

to be in two positions at the same time.

RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I note that the government has also introduced another rural red tape bill. I just want to remind

people across Ontario: remember when the Conservatives cut the Ministry of the Environment? They cut all the water inspectors from the Ministry of the Environment. Go back and check the record.

They said that was doing away with red tape. Remember when the Conservatives downloaded responsibility for protecting water systems on to municipalities? They said that was cutting red tape.

Remember when the Conservatives basically opened the door to the factory farms, which created such a problem in terms of water quality in rural Ontario? The Conservatives said that was cutting red

tape.

I think people better look very carefully when the Conservatives talk about cutting red tape. What we've experienced so far is that that means cutting health

protection, it means cutting environmental protection and it means downloading more costs and more responsibilities on to local municipalities.

I think what this bill is really all about is that the Conservatives don't want anyone to notice their record in rural Ontario. They don't want people to

notice that more and more communities in rural Ontario can't get a family doctor and have chronic shortages of nurses. They don't want people to notice that this government has closed school after

school after school in rural Ontario. They don't want people to notice that this is a government that closed agricultural office after agricultural office in rural Ontario. They don't want people

to notice that land ambulances were downloaded on to rural municipalities that don't have the funding to cover land ambulances, and yet the province says, "You're on your own."

This is about covering up your record, and it won't work.

PRIVATE MEMBERS'

PUBLIC BUSINESS

Hon Chris Stockwell (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice

regarding private members' public business.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is there unanimous consent? Agreed.

Hon Mr Stockwell: I move that notwithstanding standing order 96(d), the following changes be made to the ballot list for private members'

public business: Mr Cordiano and Mr Bradley exchange places in order of precedence, such that Mr Cordiano assumes ballot item 16 and Mr Bradley moves up and assumes ballot item 13.

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

ORAL QUESTIONS

SARS

Ms Sandra Pupatello (Windsor West): My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, it has been more than two months since SARS hit

Ontario. In that time, it wasn't until hundreds of part-time nurses could not safely report to work because of the outbreak that you finally realized we had a problem with nurses working part-time

and not enough nurses working full-time. You said that one of the things we need to do in the "new normal" of health care is to have more full-time nurses. Everyone recalls the statement: "I'm

surprised by how many part-time nurses we have."

Minister, can you tell us -- this House, the people of Ontario and specifically the nurses -- what you have done in this last month to ensure that we have more

full time-nurses working in Ontario today?

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I hope the honourable member is not suggesting that we have nothing to learn from

infection control procedures and the impact of those on the health care system. If the honourable member has all of the answers, perhaps she would like to share some of them with the rest of the

House.

In the meantime, we feel that we do have things to learn and we feel that it is important to listen to our excellent nurses in the field, our wonderful

physicians, our epidemiologists, our public health officials. We are doing so through the expert panel which was announced, I believe, about 10 days ago, because that will be an important means by

which we understand exactly what went right and what can be improved upon as a result of the SARS outbreak.

From my perspective, this is an ongoing process. There are things we can learn and there are things we can do.

Ms Pupatello: What we need is not just talk but action.

What you said after SARS hit Ontario was that you were surprised at how many nurses are working part-time. You said you didn't realize how many were working

part-time. What we realize, because of the outbreak and our ability to respond to it, is that we have to have more full-time nurses, which nurses have been telling you for eight years. After eight

years of watching $400 million being spent to fire nurses; watching them travel to the United States to work, especially in border communities; watching nurses work two and three part-time jobs

just to make a living, we realize we have a problem.

Our greatest fear today is that we are going to become complacent, that we will just have words and no action. Unfortunately, the new normal is becoming the

status quo, so don't suggest today that you are going to wait for some long review before we actually get moving on hiring full-time nurses.

Minister, we need an answer. In this last month, what have you specifically done to make sure we are hiring full-time nurses, not part-time?

Hon Mr Clement: The honourable member might be aware that in the last month we have had a debate about the budget in this Legislature, a

budget which continues our previous commitments for new nurses in the province of Ontario. To date, we've invested $800 million of public money for new nursing positions. We expect to graduate over

8,000 nurses in the province over the next three years. We will create 750 new nurse practitioner positions by 2005, and 117 of those will begin practising this spring. We are the first province to

create a chief nursing officer and the nursing secretariat. The honourable member was around when I announced to the RNAO and the RPNAO that we have a new-hire in that position, which was taken

very, very positively by the nursing profession. If the honourable member wants action, on this side of House we have excelled in action.

Ms Pupatello: Minister, here is the problem with your words. You've been saying the same thing for eight years, and what we have today,

because of all the talk over the last eight years, is too many part-time nurses and not enough full-time nurses. Every time you attend a nurses' function, they tell you the same thing: we have too

many part-time and not enough full-time. SARS gave us the reality check. In the new normal that is now, we understand, becoming the status quo, part-time nurses just can't take care of these issues

as well. We need to move them to full-time.

We have a plan to hire 8,000 nurses, and we are telling the people how we are paying for that. You have yet to do it. You have made the same announcements for

the last eight years, and today in Ontario we have part-time nursing. Even the nurses told you they needed full-time nurses. After eight years of telling you, you said, "I'm surprised how many

part-time nurses we have."

Minister, we don't want talk. We want action. It's going to take a Dalton McGuinty government, an Ontario Liberal government, to bring full-time nurses to

Ontario.

Hon Mr Clement: There are so many ways that I could reply to that. It's clear that a Dalton McGuinty government would raise taxes by $5

in those institutions. It's quite apparent that Dalton McGuinty doesn't want more access to diagnostic services. All of that is clear.

All I can tell the honourable member is that in the last five to seven years we have acted. That is why there are more than 12,000 new nursing positions in the

province of Ontario, funded directly by the province to ensure that our nursing profession gets the support it needs from the government. We are proud of that record.

So our talk is more than talk. It's actually action, and it's action we're most proud of.

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTE

Mr Gerard Kennedy (Parkdale-High Park): I have a question for the Premier. I want to speak to you about your responsibility as leader of this

province toward the children in the Catholic school board in Toronto. Seven days ago you took 69,000 children in that school board hostage to your political agenda. You appeared personally in

expensive TV ads promoting your policy on the same day that the board did a phony lockout of those students.

Since that time, Premier, did you pick up the phone and try and solve that strike? No. Instead you brought a bill into this House that you knew would keep this

stunt going; a bill that would poison relations in those schools, that would let those kids down.

We have three arbitrators who are agreeable to all sides. We have been working through the weekend to get both sides to talk to each other. We asked your

representative, Mr Giorno, whether he would work this weekend or whether anyone from your office would, and nothing happened.

You know your bill will poison the atmosphere for students. How do you explain this to the parents and the people of Toronto, Mr Premier? Why don't you want a

peaceful solution?

Hon Ernie Eves (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): We have always said that the best way of resolving these disputes is through

negotiations and both parties being at the bargaining table. We have indicated that to both parties. But ultimately, at the end of the day, the responsibility lies with them.

For our part, we are putting students first. There is a piece of legislation before this House that your friends over here are using procedural motions to try

and delay and that you have voted against. There is nothing in that legislation that doesn't put students first.

Mr Kennedy: A few years ago, there was an Ernie Eves who took 35 hours to keep the people in his riding talking when there was a dispute, an

Ernie Eves [failure of sound system] -- you have to have a right to strike. Now we have you making these 69,000 kids hostage to your political agenda.

Why don't you instead admit that your agenda is about turmoil? The Premier has not provided any constructive assistance to end the lockout of the students

that's taking place in Toronto. Instead, we have a government prepared to play games with these students' education.

So I'm going to ask you again, Mr Premier: are you prepared to pick up the phone, roll up your sleeves and do something constructive to end this lockout and

not make them wait till next week, potentially, to have that happen?

Hon Mr Eves: Mr Speaker, through you to the honourable member: (

a) we've already done that; (

b) there's nothing in the bill before the House

that talks about taking away anything. What we're talking about is putting students first in this province.

The honourable member will know that the bill that's before the House calls for a mediator and an arbitrator to resolve this dispute. It says that the person

must have knowledge of educational matters. It says that they must have knowledge of arbitration and mediation proceedings.

Which one of the five things does the honourable member disagree with? Do you not agree that teachers should be fully completing report cards with comments and

grades? Do you not believe that teachers should be administering tests? Do you not believe that teachers should be meeting with parents at parent-teacher meetings? Do you not agree with maintaining

co-operative education placements as part of a teacher's duties? Do you not agree that teachers should be participating in graduation events? Which one of those do you not agree with?

Mr Kennedy: I guess we don't have the Ernie Eves who worked for 35 hours to try and get his people together. That was a long time ago,

apparently. We don't have a Premier prepared to put the 69,000 kids in the Toronto board ahead of his political interests. We have a very simple and easy test for you.

Mr Premier, if you're prepared to do your job on behalf of those 69,000 kids, then agree right now that the three House leaders can meet and hammer out a deal

that will protect the interests of both sides and put those 69,000 kids back to school tomorrow. End the lockout. If the Premier doesn't do that, your actions will speak for you.

Hon Mr Eves: The honourable members on that side of the House can solve this problem and put those 69,000 kids first by voting for the bill.

We'd be happy to move the bill.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. This morning, people who were trying to find out how serious the

latest SARS outbreak is couldn't get answers because the public health units involved didn't have enough people to answer the phones. The reason they don't have enough people to answer the phones

is because -- here's their dilemma: Do they fight SARS? Do they fight West Nile? Do they look after tuberculosis? Do they do food inspections? That's the situation they're in. In fact, health units

are being forced to cannibalize one program today to fight another crisis out there that they weren't ready for. Dr Sheela Basrur has put it this way: "We would try to beg, borrow and steal staff

from other health units. It's like ripping the bandage off one wound to stop the bleeding of another."

Premier, is this what you call properly protecting the public health of the citizens of Ontario?

Hon Ernie Eves (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Minister of Health will respond very directly to the concern.

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I can certainly assure the honourable member that, as the Premier said over the

weekend, we are here as a government to help our public health officials, to help our doctors, nurses and other medical professionals to ensure that we fight the latest flare-up and that we get to

a better place as soon as possible.

I can tell the honourable member that it was an Ernie Eves government that announced we were going to have SWAT teams of dedicated public health officials

available in any situation where, if there was a surge of phone calls or a surge of investigations that have to take place in a short period of time, they have the necessary resources. This is a

commitment that the Ontario government has fulfilled, and we will continue to do so.

Mr Hampton: Oh, please. You make another announcement. The reality is they didn't have enough staff to answer the phones. The reality is that

when you talk to public health units out there, they will tell you that you haven't yet covered the money they spent to fight SARS in the initial outbreak. They have no idea if they're going to get

it. You made an announcement about West Nile; you tried to pretend that you were going to cover 100% of the costs of fighting West Nile. You read the fine print: yes, you covered the cost of the

larvicide, but the municipalities and the health units have to go out there and cover the cost for the staff to apply it. They have to do all the expensive stuff. That's what you're forcing them to

do. You're forcing them, day in and day out, to take staff from SARS to fight West Nile, to take staff from West Nile to fight SARS, to ignore things like food inspection or tuberculosis.

I ask you again, is that your definition of properly protecting the public health of the people of Ontario?

Hon Mr Clement: Mr Speaker, please allow me the opportunity to correct the record on several fronts here. First of all, it's our government

that made a comprehensive, unprecedented commitment of $33 million this year to fight the West Nile virus, 100% of the costs of covering the larviciding. So we are living up to the commitment for

the public health of Ontario.

I've been very clear: we have had an unprecedented situation. The Premier has made it crystal clear that our government stands side by side with public health

officials, side by side with hospitals and other aspects of the health care system, with our health care workers, to ensure that the resources are there, that our funding is there and, of course,

our expertise, as you know we have because we have some of the best experts in the world. That is the commitment of the Premier, that is the commitment of this government and we are following

through.

Mr Hampton: Minister, here's the record with respect to SARS: health units out there that have literally stretched themselves to the point of

exhaustion still don't know if they're going to get the money from you to cover that incredible expenditure. Here's your record on West Nile: last year, 17 people died and over 1,000 people became

very sick. Why? First of all, you cancelled the lab that would have helped to diagnose the problem with West Nile; you laid off the scientists; the labs you had available became backlogged; and

then you didn't get the samples to Winnipeg until January, February or March. That is your record. So I ask you again, Minister: when health units are overstretched, when they don't even have

enough people to answer the phone, is this your idea of properly protecting the public health of the people of Ontario?

Hon Mr Clement: The commitment of this government has been unprecedented. Last year, we were there in terms of the funding formula for the

West Nile virus. This year we've topped it up. We've made an absolute commitment for a made-in-Ontario solution to get the laboratory testing up to our standards so we don't have to rely on

Winnipeg when nine other provinces do.

Certainly our commitment is there. If the honourable member would take time to understand the dollars and cents and the commitment we've made historically, the

fact is that this has been an unprecedented year, but our support has been unprecedented as well. I don't know how more crystal clear the Premier of Ontario could be but to say we are going to be

there. We're going to be there financially, we're going to be there morally, we're going to be there in terms of our resources, we're going to be there in terms of our expertise. We have made that

commitment. The Premier has been crystal clear and we are proud of him.

PENSION PLAN

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Premier again: the minister says you'll be there, and you don't even have enough people to

answer the phones.

Last week, I brought to your attention the tragic story of the members of the Participating Co-operatives of Ontario trusteed pension plan. Their plan has been

fatally damaged by a complete breakdown in the regulation of pensions in this province. Also last week, the federal superintendent of financial institutions stated that 60 of the 370 defined

benefit pension plans that Ottawa regulates were on a watch list and were suffering from very serious underfunding problems.

Premier, your government is directly responsible for the regulation of 2,800 defined benefit pension plans and it is common knowledge that those plans are

being rocked by a three-year slide in the stock markets and your failure to regulate them properly. How many of the 2,800 defined pension plans that you are responsible for are in trouble, and when

are you going to tell the public that they're in trouble?

Hon Ernie Eves (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Minister of Finance will be happy to respond.

Hon Janet Ecker (Minister of Finance): The honourable member should be aware that protection of pension plans in this province is regulated

and that there are requirements for pension plans to file reports as to their financial status with the regulator. If there are problems, the regulator works with them to solve those problems.

Again, there are requirements for how much is required to be put into the fund to make sure it stays a viable financial entity. FSCO is doing its job.

Mr Hampton: It seems we have a Premier who wants to make the announcements but doesn't want to answer the questions.

Pension plans are under siege and you're doing nothing, just as you did nothing with the co-operatives of Ontario pension plan. Last Friday, three leading

pension consulting firms came to the very disturbing conclusion that private pension plans face a shortfall of $225 billion. That's roughly 20% of the national gross domestic product. One of the

authors of that report concluded, "Plans will be terminated. That's going to make the press. There's going to be a loss of confidence. Regulators are in a very tough spot."

Premier, people need reassurance that you have learned a lesson from the collapse of the Participating Co-operatives of Ontario trusteed pension plan. They

need to know that you are taking aggressive action to safeguard their hard-earned retirement savings.

You're responsible for ensuring the health of the vast majority of Ontario's employment pension plans. I ask you again, how many of Ontario's defined benefit

pension plans are in trouble because of serious underfunding and your government's failure to regulate them properly?

Hon Mrs Ecker: I don't think that scaremongering here is going to help the situation at all. There are requirements for pension plans to file

reports and to file the financial stability and status of that plan. Those are being adhered to. The regulator is working with pension plans. If there need to be adjustments, there are requirements

to do that. I think it also underlines the importance for employers and employees, when they are negotiating particular collective agreements, to be sensitive to the ups and downs of pension fund

financing.

To be very, very clear, the regulator adheres to the requirements in the legislation, there are reporting requirements, and they are required to top up when

that is required. We are watching that situation, monitoring and working with the pension plans to ensure that workers' pensions are protected.

FRAUD INVESTIGATION

Mr Dave Levac (Brant): My question is for the Minister of Public Safety and Security. On May 16, the Ontario Provincial Police charged a

senior official in your ministry with fraud. The charges were laid after a company that was bidding on a project in your ministry gave that employee a $110,000 personal mortgage. Neither you nor

the OPP have revealed the name of the company involved. What company provided that mortgage, and what project were they bidding on?

Hon Robert W. Runciman (Minister of Public Safety and Security): As the member opposite knows, there were charges laid and there is an

investigation underway. I don't think it would be appropriate to get into the details or the naming of individuals or perhaps even companies, but I will take the question as notice and determine

with the officials within the ministry if it is indeed appropriate to release the name of the company involved.

Mr Levac: Minister, the person charged by the OPP is responsible for the adult infrastructure renewal project in your ministry. In that role,

he would have overseen the construction and repairs of all of the province's jails and prisons.

I think it is incumbent upon you to release the name of the company that provided that mortgage, because you need to tell us whether or not they have been

disqualified from bidding on government work pending this investigation, whether or not they have any other government contracts, and whether or not those contracts themselves are being reviewed.

Would you do that for us, Minister?

Hon Mr Runciman: As I hope members would know, I have no reluctance with respect to making available whatever information is appropriate to be

made available, not just to this House but to the public at large. Once I have determined, with respect to the advice from the legal branch within the ministry and the Ministry of the Attorney

General, what is indeed appropriate in terms of the OPP as well, we will make whatever information is deemed to be appropriate public. There is no question about that.

SARS

Mr R. Gary Stewart (Peterborough): My question is for the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Brian Coburn, MPP for Ottawa-Orléans. Last

week you took

part in Molson Canada's $100,000 Happy Hour, intended to assist hospitality workers who have suffered financial loss as a result of SARS. It was a series of events held in Toronto in

an attempt to revitalize the city and get people out in the wake of recent challenges we have all faced. Minister, can you tell me what our government is doing to aid businesses and the people of

Toronto post SARS?

Hon Brian Coburn (Minister of Tourism and Recreation): I thank the hard-working member for Peterborough. I had, along with my parliamentary

assistant, Wayne Wettlaufer, who is --

Hon John R. Baird (Minister of Energy, Minister responsible for francophone affairs): He's a good man.

Hon Mr Coburn: Yes, he is a hard-working member as well.

We've been very active on this issue right from the outset. We're meeting with our tourism partners and stakeholders right across the industry and hearing

their advice and getting suggestions from them on how to combat this issue from a tourism perspective.

I co-hosted a federal-provincial meeting a little over a week ago here in Toronto where I met with my federal and provincial colleagues to discuss some of the

challenges we're facing right across the country as a result of SARS and how we can work together to combat these challenges.

As well, we were happy to see Premier Eves announce the $128-million aid initiative which passed through this Legislature unanimously a few weeks ago. This

package is aimed at rehabilitating Toronto and Ontario and our image in the eyes of the world. Furthermore, Minister Flaherty and I will be going out and meeting some of our counterparts in the

nearby states to share the message to come to Toronto, that --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I'm afraid the minister's time is up.

Mr Stewart: I'm pleased to hear how quickly our government responded to the needs of the city, as well as the rest of Ontario. I'm very

interested, as well, in the rest of Ontario.

It's also great to see how so many people are rallying around Toronto to give a hand and get this great city back on its feet, whether that be the partners at

Molson, the Mirvish family or the Blue Jays. I know we can all get through this if we continue to work together.

Minister, can you tell me more specifically how Premier Eves's $128-million announcement will be spent to assist Ontarians?

Hon Mr Coburn: Again, I thank the member for the question. The $128-million announcement is part of a two-year recovery plan to rebuild global

confidence in Toronto and Ontario as world-class travel destinations. Some $66.8 million will be identified and used in a multimedia approach to reassure residents and potential visitors to both

Toronto and Ontario that they are safe travel destinations and to convince travellers to come and experience Ontario this summer.

A long-term recovery campaign targeting Ontario residents, US border states and overseas markets will also be undertaken to rebuild Toronto as the primary

destination of choice for events, conventions and leisure travel. An intensive public relations campaign, including the mounting of several major events in the greater Toronto area to gain an

international profile and special marketing support for events such as the Molson Indy, which we announced this morning, Caribana, the Toronto International Film Festival and events right across

the province, will be part of that intensive marketing campaign for the summer season.

PICKERING NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

Mr Michael Bryant (St Paul's): My question is to the Minister of Energy. Minister, you and the Premier committed in November of last year to

hold an inquiry -- "investigation" was the word you used -- into the delays at Pickering and you promised you were going to start that within days. That was over half a year ago. It is now clear

that the government is not so much dragging its feet on the Pickering investigation but burying its head in the sand, unable to handle the truth as to the government's mismanagement on Pickering.

Will the government admit that it has absolutely no intentions of holding this Pickering investigation and that in fact, at least until the next election is called, we are not going to see an

investigation of Pickering at all.

Hon John R. Baird (Minister of Energy, Minister responsible for francophone affairs): The member opposite attributes words to me that simply

aren't the case. At no time have we ever used the word "inquiry," at no time have we ever used the word "investigation." What we have said is that a review is in order and that we'll appoint a

review. The answers to his two questions are no and no.

Mr Bryant: I know the government doesn't like to hold to its press releases but in your press release of November 11 it said

"investigation."

The point is that we need to get to the bottom of what happened in Pickering and people just don't believe you when you say you can't find somebody to head up

the inquiry. Everybody knows that the Provincial Auditor has said that he would do it. He looked into the success story at Bruce. He can surely look into the failure at Pickering. Everybody knows

there are people available who could head up this inquiry, investigation, review, whatever you want to call it. It doesn't take a nuclear physicist to look into this. It doesn't take a rocket

scientist to ask people why it is that something that was supposed to happen three years and $2.5 billion ago hasn't happened and continues not to happen to date.

I say it is clear the government decided that it didn't want to answer any more questions about what was going on in Pickering in November and so you set up

this charade to shield you from further questions by saying that an investigation-inquiry-review was coming, and you continue to split hairs.

Why will you just not admit that the government never had any intention of holding an investigation-review-inquiry into what happened at Pickering because the

government simply does not want to have any bad news about the way it mismanaged the Pickering disaster before or during or after the next election?

Hon Mr Baird: I take exception to the characterization the member opposite has used. There indeed have been some major problems, some major

concerns, both with respect to the timeline and with respect to costs at the Pickering nuclear station. We take those issues tremendously seriously and we will be coming forward in short order to

announce a review process. We think that's important, not just for the taxpayers, but also for future supply and what we can learn for reactors 1, 2 and 3.

I would take issue with another thing the member opposite said. He said that you don't need a nuclear physicist. I think we do need someone with a capacity to

look at nuclear technology and its application at the Pickering station. I think that would be wise and appropriate.

DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

Mr Raminder Gill (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): My question is to the Attorney General. Over the past few months, we've heard reports

stating that the federal government is set to introduce a bill that would lead to the decriminalization of marijuana. Let's make no mistake: this decision to decriminalize marijuana has

far-reaching consequences, and serious discussion must occur between Ottawa and the provinces over this proposed legislation.

In my riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale, many of my constituents are very concerned over Ottawa's proposal and have not yet been appeased by the

federal government's assurances to keep this dangerous drug out of the hands of children.

Even Anne McLellan, the federal health minister, has stated that marijuana "can lead to addiction, it can lead to all sorts of situations." She even admits

that there is a strong possibility that the usage of marijuana will increase if it's decriminalized.

Could you please explain some of the reasons that Ontario has strong hesitancies over Ottawa's plan to decriminalize marijuana?

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs): First of all, I find the federal Liberals' actions

surrounding their plans to decriminalize marijuana very disconcerting. While federal Justice Minister Cauchon has briefed US Attorney General John Ashcroft about Ottawa's plans, Ontario has yet to

be consulted properly, nor have we received any kind of indication of what the legislation is going to be about. As over $1 billion is traded between the US and Canada every day, Ontario has the

most to lose if the Americans decide to tighten their border due to their concerns over marijuana being smuggled into their country.

The US ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci, and John Walters, the director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, have even stated that

tighter border measures could occur. This could lead to a devastating effect on our economy.

I think the federal Liberals should focus on real issues important to Canadians about toughening our criminal laws, like our Youth Criminal Justice Act, and

improving our DNA --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): The Attorney General's time is up. Supplementary?

Mr Gill: I agree with the Attorney General that the decriminalization of marijuana could lead to tighter border controls. As many of my

constituents work at the DaimlerChrysler plant in Bramalea, there's a strong potential for job losses. I know none of the people in this House would wish that to happen. Speaking with my

constituents, they are more concerned about keeping our community safe and would prefer to see Ottawa crack down on crime against our children and have the federal Liberals implement a national sex

offender registry. Could you please explain the dangers if the federal Liberals decriminalize marijuana?

Hon Mr Sterling: There's a great deal of concern by our American friends with regard to the importing or the smuggling of marijuana across the

Canadian border.

People must be aware that today's marijuana, due to the technological advances in growing and cultivating including indoor hydroponics, is much more potent

than it was a couple of decades ago. THC, the psychotropic and addictive ingredient that makes the user high, is today 30 times more potent than it was during the 1980s. This can lead to

devastating effects, including increased addiction and other damaging health effects. In fact, marijuana is so addictive that the US drug czar John Walters stated on Canada AM on May 16 of this

year that teenagers in the United States seeking treatment for marijuana --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Sorry, Attorney General, the time is up.

PICKERING NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): After that, I have to ask another question of the Premier. Last week we learned once again that your

government is wrong when you say that the Pickering nuclear station would be producing power by the end of June. I think you knew this all along. That's why you're bringing dirty diesel generators

to people's neighbourhoods this spring. But on November 11, you said that you would hold an inquiry to find out why the Pickering nuclear station is three years late and $1.6 billion over budget.

Erik Peters, the Provincial Auditor -- you know him; he did the review of the Bruce nuclear station -- says he would relish the chance to lead the investigation. All you have to do, he says, is

pick up the phone and ask.

Premier, why haven't you picked up the phone and asked the Provincial Auditor to do the review of Pickering nuclear that you promised on November 11?

Hon Ernie Eves (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Minister of Energy has already responded to this question, but perhaps

the leader of the third party wasn't paying attention. There will be a review of Pickering. There will be some people on the review who actually have knowledge of nuclear operations and facilities

and their workings.

Mr Hampton: Premier, on November 11 you indicated that this was going to be part of the action plan with respect to hydroelectricity. That's

over 11 months ago. You're almost starting to sound like the Liberals on this issue.

I note on the Liberal Web site that the Liberals say, "Hydro's nuclear plants' performance and safety records have been dismal." But then the Liberal leader is

quoted as saying, after touring the Pickering nuclear station, that the nuclear record in Ontario has been by and large a very successful and solid record. Then he says he won't rule out more

expensive nuclear plants.

Premier, having two positions, like the Liberals, isn't going to save you here. Erik Peters's telephone number is 416-327-1325. He is the Provincial Auditor.

He already did the review of the Bruce nuclear facility. Why haven't you called him up already and asked him to do the review of the Pickering nuclear facility?

Hon Mr Eves: The leader of the third party seems to have the innate ability to offend almost every member of the House with one comment,

except for the eight around him, of course.

Having said that, we are going to have people on this review that have some knowledge of nuclear facilities and how they operate. This is not strictly a

bookkeeping or auditing review. It's a review with knowledge of the nuclear industry, and I would happen to agree that we do have, by and large, a great nuclear industry in the province of Ontario,

and it does generate a substantial part of hydroelectric power in this province.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Mrs Leona Dombrowsky (Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington): My question is for the Minister of Community, Family and Children's Services.

Minister, you know the Child and Family Services Act guarantees certain rights to children in care. A child has the right to be informed of their rights, such as internal complaints procedure, the

existence of the child advocate and rules for residential care. I have received two letters, including one from the former child advocate, indicating that your government is not providing this

essential rights information to children in care. Tragically, six children have died in residential care in the past six years, under your watch. Most recently, the inquest into the death of

Stephanie Jobin heard Judy Finlay, the current child advocate, testify that she had been unable to provide rights materials for the past three years. She indicated the materials were being withheld

and could not explain why. While your government is spending millions of dollars on partisan advertising, can you explain why you are not providing essential rights information --

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I'm afraid the member's time is up.

Hon Brenda Elliott (Minister of Community, Family and Children's Services): As you know, our government has taken a number of steps to make

sure children who are in a difficult situation receive the care they need, particularly through the children's aid society. We've worked hard to change the legislation so that not only would help

be provided for those children in the case of abuse but also in the case of neglect. It certainly would be our intention that every piece of information that appropriately should be provided to the

child would be given. If my colleague across the way wishes to speak to me specifically on this, I'd be pleased to do so.

Mrs Dombrowsky: Minister, six children have died and you've done nothing. You have legislated rights and you are ignoring them. You have been

informed and you have prevented the child advocate from doing her job.

Children in care need a government to protect them. They are entitled to posters, pamphlets and other printed materials that inform them of their rights, and

they're not getting them. I've spoken to the child advocate and she is the one who told me that she has, on three separate occasions, in three annual reports, indicated this fact to you. The office

of the children's advocate does not even have a Web site. She's not provided with this essential printed material to pass along to the children.

Minister, you are breaking your own law and children are not getting the rights information they are entitled to. Protect our children. Tell the people of

Ontario you will allow the children's advocate to do her job. Stand here today and tell her that she can provide rights information, establish a Web site and publish an annual report, which you've

prevented her from doing the last three years.

Hon Mrs Elliott: To my colleague across the way I say that it was our government that in 1999 introduced the fast-tracked information system.

This is an information system that allows children's aid societies to work together, to talk to each other about families who may have been involved with a family situation in another part of the

province. Over 1,900 new child protection workers have been hired under our government, an 86% increase since 1995. As of December 31, 2002, 7,700 children's aid society staff have been trained

under the Ontario child protection training program.

LABOUR RELATIONS

Ms Marilyn Mushinski (Scarborough Centre): My question is for the Minister of Labour. Minister, I've been reading a lot of media reports

lately suggesting that there are a number of teachers' collective bargaining concerns which are leading to a lot of classroom disruptions across Ontario. I'm wondering if you could bring us up to

date on this current situation.

Hon Brad Clark (Minister of Labour): There is a lot of erroneous information being circulated around the province. One of my ministry's

primary objectives is to promote harmonious labour relations. In 2002, that meant 96% of all labour disputes in Ontario were settled through mutual agreement, settled through collective bargaining,

and that's with the expert help of my conciliation mediators. What I can tell you right now is that we've had tremendous success in school boards across the province. Right now, 109 of 124

collective agreements in the education sector are in good standing. We have 15 schools that have yet to reach mutually agreeable settlements and 11 are working to rule. That means 450,000 kids are

not receiving the services they deserve, and one has been locked out, with 69,000. We believe it's always best for the two parties to settle their differences amicably at the bargaining table. Bill

28, the bill that we introduced in this House, will actually do that. If the member opposite read the bill he would notice that it will allow them to settle the agreement mutually between

themselves. It will stop the lockout and it will prevent work-to-rule campaigns. It puts 69,000 kids first. I ask the opposition to stop stalling this bill and put the kids back in school, where

they deserve to be.

Ms Mushinski: Thank you for that response, Minister. I'm sure you're aware that the children of the Toronto Catholic District School Board,

including those in my great riding of Scarborough Centre, have been unable to attend school for more than a week now. Can you please tell me what our government has done to get our kids back to

school?

Hon Mr Clark: We introduced a bill in the House called the Back to School (Toronto Catholic Elementary) and Education and Provincial Schools

Negotiations Amendment Act. The opposition voted against the bill. This bill would put 69,000 students back in school; it would stop the lockout; it would prevent work-to-rule from happening in

that school board. It would allow the school board and the union to work together to solve their differences, and it gives them ample opportunity to do that; it does that. A lost day of instruction

is a lost opportunity for success. I'm calling on the opposition, specifically the third party, to stop stalling this bill. They should be calling the member for Toronto-Danforth at 416-325-3250.

Her fax number is 416-325-3252. Tell them to stop stalling the bill. Let's get the kids back in school now.

LAYOFFS

Mr Michael A. Brown (Algoma-Manitoulin): I have a question for the Minister of Natural Resources. On Friday, 280 workers at the Domtar

softwood lumber mill in White River were told that they would be laid off for a period of at least six months and possibly a year. This is the primary employer in a community of only 1,000 people.

They'll be joining approximately 100 workers that were laid off on Thursday by Weyerhaeuser in Chapleau. They will be joining the 150 workers at Dubreuilville who are presently laid off, together

with the workers at Tembec operations in Kirkland Lake and Cochrane. We'll have over 500 workers laid off in the constituency. The primary cause of the layoffs are the softening market conditions,

the increasing Canadian dollar and the softwood lumber dispute. Minister, we have people at risk and we have communities at risk. What are you doing about it?

Hon Jerry J. Ouellette (Minister of Natural Resources): The softwood lumber issue is a very serious one. I've met with the players, both with

the major players you've mentioned but also with a lot of the minor players within the industry. What we're trying to do is -- hold fast is what I'm asked to do by all these industries. They want

to make sure that the 27% countervailing duties do not continue. One of the difficulties is that other jurisdictions, such as BC, appear to be breaking from that trend. Although the federal

government has the lead in negotiations, we are still trying to stand fast in support of all those industries. Those workers in the province of Ontario are very important to us and we want to keep

those mills operating. We've been making sure that the wood flows and all the fibre flows through all those mills continue on to keep as many people working as possible.

Mr Brown: Well, that's cold comfort. I understand that the forest industry, Ontario and Canada, are on the same page on this issue. However,

the workers in the communities cannot be cannon fodder in this battle over a trade dispute. We have people in communities all across northern Ontario who will be impacted by these specific

closures. Whether they be pulp and paper mills or the local grocery store, they are going to feel significant impacts. I ask you on behalf of all the people of northern Ontario to come to the table

with your colleague the Minister of Northern Development and Mines to see that significant measures are taken to protect these communities and workers from a dispute that I'm sure will be solved in

the long term, but in the short term is causing huge difficulties to my constituents.

Hon Mr Ouellette: I know there is a lot of impact on the other players in the industry as well. For those who don't understand, with a

softwood lumber mill, the residual fibre that's remaining will go to a pulp and paper one or to the other companies that produce goods in the fibre industry. What we've been able to do is ensure

that those fibre flows to the other mills are continuing on. This is a very serious issue. We have to look at the long term with this. We've been working with the industries and we've been making

sure that the other mills, such as the pulp and paper mills, continue to operate to keep those workers working in northern Ontario.

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT

Mr AL McDonald (Nipissing): My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources. Minister, I'd like to talk about Lake Nipissing. Lake

Nipissing, as you know, is a billion-dollar asset for the north and is enjoyed by thousands. Five per cent of all fishing in Ontario takes place in Lake Nipissing. That's why proper census

information is crucial to assessing the health and management of fish populations in the lake.

I was concerned earlier this month when a request was made by a local group of resource-based stakeholders for $30,000 to conduct a spring creel survey and the

full amount was not initially granted. Your ministry did offer a third of the cost of the project. I asked your ministry to find a solution, and I'm pleased to say today that additional funds have

been allocated to the project. Minister, could you reconfirm this to the people of Nipissing and let them know about the future years?

Hon Jerry J. Ouellette (Minister of Natural Resources): I'd like to thank the hard-working member for Nipissing for the question. Lake

Nipissing is very important to us. As mentioned, it represents 5% of the recreational fishing industry in the province of Ontario. As well, it provides thousands upon thousands of hours of

recreational activity both in boating and of course fishing, as mentioned. This is very important to us. That's why I'm happy to inform the member and the House that the full $30,000 will go to

Lake Nipissing Partners in Conservation for the spring fish survey.

Mr McDonald: The people of Ontario, and especially the north, do realize how great a job the MNR does for our fisheries.

It's my understanding that the funding is one of many that your ministry has provided for Ontario recently. Could you please inform us today what other

projects your ministry is involved in to protect and enhance the fisheries in Ontario?

Hon Mr Ouellette: I was very happy to announce last month that the province, through Ontario's Living Legacy program, is spending more than $1

million for 78 projects to protect and enhance wildlife and fish opportunities across the province, including, of course, Lake Nipissing.

Our goal is to protect and enhance while at the same time improving our recreational opportunities. We want to give everyone the chance to enjoy the great

natural resources we have here in Ontario. As a matter of fact, over the past four years, Ontario's Living Legacy has contributed some $16 million to more than 800 fish and wildlife projects all

across the province, for now and future generations to enjoy.

COST OF ELECTRICAL POWER /

COÛT DE L'ÉLECTRICITÉ

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James): Ma question est pour le ministre de l'Énergie. Ministre, on sait que depuis que vous avez ouvert

le marché à l'hydro dans la province de l'Ontario, on a vu les primes de l'électricité monter d'une manière exorbitante. Vous avez essayé de nombreuses fois d'expier

le problème, mais il semble que le problème persiste encore.

J'ai M. Joseph Bergeron, une personne âgée qui demeure à Kapuskasing qui, en commun avec beaucoup de monde à travers le nord de l'Ontario,

a reçu sa facture de l'électricité cette année. J'ai pris le temps de comparer cette facture avec celle de l'année passée. Pour le mois de janvier l'année

passée, ce M. Bergeron et sa femme, qui sont chauffés électriquement, ont payé 552,13 $ pour l'électricité. Cette année, avec l'augmentation, on est rendu

à un total de 968,28 $. C'est 300 $ de plus qu'ils ont payé l'année passée. Ce monde-là ne peuvent pas payer leur facture. L'électricité pourrait

être fermée. Qu'est-ce que vous allez faire pour expier le problème?

L'hon John R. Baird (ministre de l'Énergie et ministre délégué aux Affaires francophones): On a fait un plan d'action le

11 novembre dernier pour assister les gens avec les taux d'électricité qui sont très hauts. On a retourné les prix de l'électricité à ceux au début de

l'ouverture du marché, le 1 er mai dans ce cas-là.

Je veux dire aussi que ce janvier était le plus froid janvier dans l'histoire de la province. On a utilisé plus d'énergie dans cette province

dans le mois de janvier qu'en aucun mois dans l'histoire de la province, parce qu'il faisait très froid. Il y a eu un grand taux dans le prix du gaz naturel qui a bien sûr affecté

aussi les consommateurs dans la province.

Mr Bisson: Back to the minister. It doesn't cut it when you look at the utilization of electricity for consumption. In Mr Bergeron's case,

it's virtually the same as it was last year; just a little bit higher, about 10%. It doesn't add up to the over $300 that he got.

I have another example -- I've got a number of these from small businesses across the riding -- and this one here is from a small grocery store. In December

2001, they paid $1,600 for electricity; in January 2002, $1,677; in February 2002, $1,500. Hold on to your socks, Minister: in February of this year, $3,816. They can't afford to keep the doors

open at these type of rate increases. This, despite your cap. Clearly, the cap is not working.

Minister, the question is simple: what are you going to do to help seniors and small businesses across this province, which are being whacked by your

deregulation?

Hon Mr Baird: We did take some very unprecedented measures to return the price of electricity back to what it was the day before the market

opening. I wish the member opposite had had an equal concern with the effect of charges on ratepayers when he was in government, when we saw unprecedented tax increases on small businesses,

unprecedented tax increases on seniors. I wish the member opposite had taken just as much interest in the rising costs on small businesses and seniors at that point.

We were pleased to bring forward legislation in Bill 210 to deal with this in a fundamental way. I would remind the member opposite that he and his party said

no. They said no to protecting small business; they said no to protecting seniors, and when we've come forward with a plan to reduce the property taxes of seniors, what did this member say again?

No: no tax relief for seniors who worked hard their entire life and contributed enough. He and his party said no to a tax cut for seniors. Maybe he should go back to the drawing board and look

again.

PEMBROKE JAIL

Mr Sean G. Conway (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is to the Minister of Public Safety and Security, Mr Runciman. You will know, and

do know very well, the concern in the upper Ottawa Valley about the future of the provincial jail at Pembroke, which was announced for closure some years ago. People in my constituency have noted

that in recent weeks correctional facilities at Niagara, Brantford, Chatham, Owen Sound and Fort Frances have been given a reprieve for the foreseeable future.

Minister, could you please tell me and, more importantly, the staff, the bar and the people of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke what your plans are for providing a

very high level of correctional service to the people of the upper Ottawa Valley, and specifically the immediate and intermediate future plans for the Pembroke Jail?

Hon Robert W. Runciman (Minister of Public Safety and Security): I appreciate the member's interest in this subject. He and I have spoken to

this issue on a number of occasions and I have received delegations from the riding who have a clear interest with respect to retaining a facility within the riding. That's quite understandable.

We've worked with the mayor of the municipality, who, I'm assuming, with the staff developed a proposal which was reviewed. The costs at that point with the initial submission indicated that there

were no cost savings to be achieved.

At that point I asked people, including the member opposite, to work with the county to see if there was a way of drawing the country into a joint submission

including the city and the county that would in some way enable us to see this project go forward.

Mr Conway: Many of those discussions have been ongoing, and you're right to point to them. But since we last chatted, a couple of things have

become clear. The reprieve that I mentioned was in fact granted to five other provincial jails slated to close: in Niagara, Brantford, Chatham, Owen Sound and Fort Frances. So the people in

Pembroke are saying, "If it's good enough for those five locations, what can we expect?"

Moreover, in recent months it's becoming very clear that there are serious overcrowding issues at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre which was, under the

original plan, the primary location for the Renfrew county folks who would require correctional services.

Again, my question is, particularly on behalf of the many men and women who work at the Pembroke Jail, their families, all of the inmates, the municipal

leadership and the business community, all of whom have a vital public and economic interest in this issue, what can you specifically tell those people about your government's plans over the next

couple of years for the Pembroke Jail? Will it continue indefinitely into the future until there is an alternate scheme, or are you in fact now going to indicate that the original plan was a bad

plan and the people of the upper Ottawa Valley are entitled to provincially owned and operated correctional facilities in Pembroke?

Hon Mr Runciman: I recognize the importance of that facility in the community and the importance to the employees who are currently working

there and the economic impact it has on the community as well. I have publicly indicated, and I've indicated to the member opposite on a number of occasions, that if we can do something for the

community in order to retain this facility, I want to make it happen. I come from a small community, as does the member opposite, and I know how important this kind of institution can be. I don't

want to scoop myself, but there are plans in the works for an announcement which will give, I think, some degree of comfort, and we're hoping to be able to make that announcement within the next

week.

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

Mrs Leona Dombrowsky (Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I wish to advise you of my dissatisfaction

with the response I received from the Minister of Community, Family and Children's Services and I would request a late show with that minister.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I would ask the member if she would make sure the table gets advisement of that as well.

PETITIONS

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas long-term-care facilities in this province are understaffed, underfunded and ignored by the current government;

"Whereas many residents of St Catharines and of other communities in Ontario are unable to find a family doctor as a result of the growing doctor shortage we

have experienced during the tenure of the Harris-Eves government;

"Whereas cancer patients in Ontario requiring radiation treatment face unacceptable delays and are often forced to travel to other jurisdictions to receive

medical attention;

"Whereas many prescription drugs which would help patients with a variety of medical conditions such as macular degeneration, multiple sclerosis, arthritis,

diabetes and heart failure are inadequately covered by OHIP;

"Whereas long waiting lists for diagnostic tests such as MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds are jeopardizing the health of many individuals already facing serious

illness;

"Whereas the Harris-Eves government has now spent well over $250 million on blatantly partisan government advertising in the form of glossy brochures and

television and radio ads;

"We, the undersigned, call upon the Conservative government of Ernie Eves to immediately end their abuse of public office and terminate any further expenditure

on political advertising and to invest this money into health and long-term care in the province."

I affix my signature. I'm in complete agreement, as I suspect you are.

MEDICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE

Mr Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): Joanne Duchesne and Linda Pilkington have provided me with petitions addressed to the Legislative Assembly

of Ontario.

"Whereas the OHIP

schedule of benefits is often unclear about its

definitions of good medical practice, causing problems for patients and their physicians;

"The medical review committee of the College of Physicians and Surgeons has been aggressively clawing back payments to hard-working, conscientious doctors and

thereby exacerbating physician shortages in the province;

"We, the undersigned, request the Minister of Health to suspend further reviews by the medical review committee pending a negotiated agreement of an

unambiguous

schedule of benefits with representatives of affected practising physicians."

That's signed by Lorraine Brown of Welland, Phyllis Repar of Fonthill and hundreds, indeed thousands, of others.

HIGHWAY 69

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): After another tragic weekend on Highway 69, I sadly have to read this petition into the record. This petition is

to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas modern highways are economic lifelines for the north; and

"Whereas the stretch of Highway 69 from Sudbury south to Parry Sound is a treacherous road with a trail of death and destruction; and

"Whereas the Harris-Eves government has shown gross irresponsibility in not four-laning the stretch of Highway 69 between Sudbury and Parry Sound; and

"Whereas immediate action is needed to prevent more needless loss of life; and

"Whereas it is the responsibility of" any "government to provide safe roads for its citizens, and the Harris-Eves government has failed to do so;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to urge the" Harris-Eves "government to begin construction

immediately and four-lane Highway 69 between Sudbury and Parry Sound so that the carnage on Death Road North will cease."

Of course, I affix my signature to this petition.

ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

Ms Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): This petition has been read many times. I have more signatures.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas in Ontario, adopted adults are denied a right available to non-adoptees, that is, the unrestricted right to identifying information concerning their

family of origin;

"Whereas Canada has ratified standards of civil and human rights in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the UN Declaration of Human Rights and the UN

Convention on the Rights of the Child;

"Whereas these rights are denied to persons affected by the secrecy provisions in the adoption sections of the Child and Family Services Act and other acts of

the province of Ontario;

"Whereas research in other jurisdictions has demonstrated that disclosure does not cause harm, that access to such information is beneficial to adult adoptees,

adoptive parents and birth parents, and that birth parents rarely requested or were promised anonymity;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario to enact revision of the Child and Family Services Act and other acts to permit adult adoptees

unrestricted access to full personal identifying birth information; permit birth parents, grandparents and siblings access to the adopted person's amended birth certificate when the adopted person

reaches age 18; permit adoptive parents unrestricted access to identifying birth information of their minor children; allow adopted persons and birth relatives to file a contact veto restricting

contact by the searching party; replace mandatory reunion counselling with optional counselling."

I affix my signature to this petition because, of course, I fully support it.

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Mr Ted McMeekin (Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Aldershot): To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Ministry of Transportation has designated certain routes for a proposed mid-peninsula highway, and the major proposed route would cut a swath

through the Niagara Escarpment, a UN-designated biosphere reserve;

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

"That the Legislative Assembly shall use its powers to ensure that there are no new cuts through the Niagara Escarpment to create a new highway and that the

Niagara Escarpment will be protected, as envisioned in the Niagara Escarpment plan, for both current and future generations."

I have affixed my signature to that.

MINIMUM WAGE

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I have here about 1,000 signature collected by a woman in my riding who went door to door to get this

particular petition signed. It reads as follows:

"To the Ontario provincial Legislature:

"Because the minimum wage has been frozen at $6.85 since 1995 despite increases in the cost of living; and

"Because a full-time worker earning the current minimum wage in a large city is $5,904 below the poverty line, and to reach the poverty line they would need"

to have at least an increase of $10 an hour;

"Because the minimum wage should provide people with an adequate standard of living;

"We demand that the Ontario government immediately increase the minimum wage to at least the poverty line...."

I sign the petition, as I'm fully in support of it.

GOLF COURSE ASSESSMENT

Mr Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): I continue to receive names on petitions entitled "Help Keep Greens Fees at a Reasonable Price."

These signatures come from Stark's Golf Course, Woodside Greens, Greens at Renton, Pine Valley, Burford, Norwich, Sundgren, Sandust, Delhi Golf and Country Club, and Lynn Meadows.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Municipal Property Assessment Corp, MPAC, has chosen an assessment process for golf courses not relative to the property assessment that increases

golf course property taxes unfairly;

"We, the undersigned, request the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to hold assessment values at last year's levels until a fairer method of assessment can be

developed and implemented or a reclassification of golf course properties can be made."

I fully support this petition and affix my signature.

HOME CARE

Mrs Leona Dombrowsky (Hastings-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas well-managed and adequately funded home care is a growing need in our community; and

"Whereas the provincial government has frozen community care access centre budgets, which has meant dramatic cuts to service agency funding and services to

vulnerable citizens, as well as shortened visits by front-line workers; and

"Whereas these dramatic cuts, combined with the increased complexity of care for those who do qualify for home care, has led to an impossible cost burden to

home care agencies; and

"Whereas the wages and benefits received by home care workers employed by home care agencies are well below the wages and benefits of workers doing comparable

jobs in institutional settings; and

"Whereas front-line staff are also required to subsidize the home care program in our community by being responsible for paying their own gas and for vehicle

maintenance; and

"Whereas other CCACs and CCAC-funded agencies across the province compensate their staff between 29 cents and 42.7 cents per kilometre; and

"Whereas CCAC-funded agency staff in our own community are paid 26 cents a kilometre...;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario ... to act now to increase funding to the CCAC of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and

Addington in order for it to adequately fund service agencies so they can fairly compensate front-line workers."

I am in full agreement and will happily sign my signature to this petition.

GARDE D'ENFANTS

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James): J'ai encore une pétition ici qui est soussignée par des citoyens de la ville de Timmins et

qui lit comme suit:

« Appuyons des garderies à 10 $ par jour: pétition à l'Assemblée législative de l'Ontario:

« Attendu que 70% des femmes de l'Ontario ayant des enfants de moins de 12 ans sont sur le marché du travail;

« Attendu que, elles et leurs familles ont absolument besoin de services de garde de qualité, sûrs et abordables;

« Attendu que l'étude sur la petite enfance réalisée pour le gouvernement conservateur par le D r Fraser Mustard et

l'honorable Margaret McCain a conclu que les services de garde de qualité favorisent un développement harmonieux des enfants; et

« Attendu que le gouvernement a réduit le financement pour les garderies réglementées plutôt que d'appuyer les familles

ontariennes en investissant dans l'apprentissage et les soins offerts aux jeunes enfants;

« Pour ces motifs nous, soussignés, demandons que le gouvernement de l'Ontario adopte le plan du NPD pour des espaces de garderie à

10 $ par jour, et qu'il commence par réduire la totalité des frais de garde pour les enfants de deux ans à cinq ans actuellement inscrits dans des garderies

réglementées; que le gouvernement alloue des capitaux permanents pour agrandir les garderies existantes et pour en construire de nouvelles; que le gouvernement finance l'équité

salariale pour le personnel, et qu'il crée de nouveaux espaces de garderies à 10 $ par jour dans cette province. »

Je soussigne cette pétition.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

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

"Whereas some motorists are recklessly endangering the lives of children by not obeying the highway traffic law requiring them to stop for school buses with

their warning lights activated;

"Whereas the current law has no teeth to protect the children who ride the school buses of Ontario, and who are at risk and their safety is in jeopardy;

"Whereas the current school bus law is difficult to enforce, since not only is the licence plate number required but positive identification of the driver and

vehicle as well, which makes it extremely difficult to obtain a conviction;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the measures contained in private member's Bill 112,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act to protect children while on school buses, presented by Pat

Hoy, MPP, Chatham-Kent Essex, be immediately enacted...." The bill received unanimous consent of all parties in the past.

"We ask for the support of all members of the Legislature."

MINIMUM WAGE

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I have yet again, in this case, about 3,000 or 4,000 signatures collected by Shirley Crispin of the city

of Timmins, who has actually gone door to door to have these petitions signed. My hat is off to her. Democracy in action is always a good thing. It reads as follows:

"To the Ontario provincial Legislature:

"Because the minimum wage has been frozen at $6.85 since 1995 despite increases in the cost of living; and

"Because a full-time worker earning the current minimum wage in a large city is $5,904 below the poverty line, and to reach the poverty line they would need an

hourly wage of at least $10;

"Because the minimum wage should provide people with an adequate standard of living;

"We demand that the Ontario government immediately increase the minimum wage to at least the poverty line -- that means $10 an hour -- and index it to the cost

of living."

I sign that petition.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

Mr Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): We have a major campaign to try to get advance warning lights on the Thunder Bay

Expressway.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Thunder Bay Expressway has been the scene of serious accidents in recent years; and

"Whereas as a result of strong lobbying by the community, including the OPP and Thunder Bay city council, a permanent advance warning light has been installed

at Balsam Street; and

"Whereas since the installation of this warning light there has been a major improvement to the safety of that intersection; and

"Whereas to further increase safety on the expressway, more warning lights are needed farther down the system; and

"Whereas the chief of the Thunder Bay city police and nine municipalities fully support the extension of advance warning lights across the entire Thunder Bay

Expressway system;

"Therefore, we the undersigned, in the interest of driving safety, petition the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Transportation and the government of

Ontario to immediately support the installation of a full set of advance warning lights across the entire route of the Thunder Bay Expressway."

I happily sign this. I'm very happy to pass it off to Mario Nucci, our new page from Thunder Bay. He comes from a great family in Thunder Bay. He spoke

brilliantly at his grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. Welcome, Mario. It's good to have you here.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): It's Shirley Crispin day. She was out signing more petitions over the last while, this time I'd say

about 3,000 to 4,000 signatures. This is a different petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows.

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

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

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

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