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May 2, 2006

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2006-May-02 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 2 May 2006 Mardi 2 mai 2006

WEARING OF PINS

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

DALTON FAMILY

RENEWABILITY ENERGY INC.

FOREST INDUSTRY

GREATER TORONTO

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

FORT ERIE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN

NORTHERN ONTARIO

CITY OF NORTH BAY

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION WEEK /

SEMAINE DE L'ÉDUCATION

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED /

SERVICES AUX PERSONNES AYANT

UNE DÉFICIENCE INTELLECTUELLE

MINING INDUSTRY

EDUCATION WEEK

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

MINING INDUSTRY

EDUCATION WEEK

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

VISITOR

SEXUAL ASSAULT

PREVENTION MONTH

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

CLASS SIZE

TAXATION

HOSPITAL SECURITY

LONG-TERM CARE

COMMITTEE WITNESSES

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

EDUCATION

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

COMPOSTING FACILITY

HOSPICE CARE

LABOUR DISPUTE

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

PETITIONS

LONG-TERM CARE

BORDER SECURITY

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

MACULAR DEGENERATION

HIGHWAY 26

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

LONG-TERM CARE

ORDERS OF THE DAY

BUDGET MEASURES ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006

SUR LES MESURES BUDGÉTAIRES

PROVINCIAL PARKS AND

CONSERVATION RESERVES ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 SUR LES PARCS

PROVINCIAUX ET LES RÉSERVES

DE CONSERVATION

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

WEARING OF PINS

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): The Daisy of Hope campaign was initiated by Nova Vita domestic violence program services in Brantford in 1999. The

campaign slogan states, "Buy a daisy and help us help abused women and their children. Because a life without violence is the only life to live."

Speaker, I seek unanimous consent in this province-wide campaign to wear the Daisy of Hope for the month of May.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Levac has asked for unanimous consent to wear the Daisy of Hope for the month of May. Agreed?

Agreed.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): As my esteemed colleague from Simcoe-Grey pointed out on March 28, 2006, Markdale is still

underserviced when it comes to the number of doctors in the area. They are also waiting to hear from the Minister of Health, who in a meeting on November 16, 2005, promised to make a decision on

whether the new hospital will get a planning and design grant.

Centre Grey hospital in Markdale has been described as aging and functionally obsolete. Without major repairs, it may only last two or three more years. Four --

count them: four -- accreditation surveys have recommended its replacement.

In 2002, Grey county approved the use of five acres of land on the site of the existing Grey Gables seniors' centre. The proposed new hospital will be connected

to Grey Gables and will also include a medical centre. Not only have four of the lower-tier municipalities united to commit $2 million to the building campaign, but Grey county has pledged $1

million to the project, subject to provincial government approval. The Centre Grey General Hospital Foundation has succeeded in raising over its targeted $12 million.

What this community would like as a first step is approval to proceed with functional planning for Centre Grey hospital services and work toward integrating with

the long-term-care services at Grey Gables.

While I appreciate that Ministers Caplan and Smitherman met with me and Jim Wilson and several hospital officials, this hospital was not mentioned in the budget,

and the community would like to move ahead. Over 20,000 residents are served by Centre Grey, the only hospital between Owen Sound and Orangeville on the Highway 10 corridor.

I urge the minister: Revisit this important issue now.

DALTON FAMILY

Ms. Judy Marsales (Hamilton West): I rise in the House today to welcome Mr. William Peat, accompanying Mr. Brett Dalton's grade 9 class, who are

visiting us today from Hillfield Strathallan College in Hamilton. Hillfield Strathallan College has a history that dates back four schools and five proud generations, commencing in 1901.

Brett Dalton, the teacher, is the grandson of Colonel Charles Osborne Dalton. On April 22, 2006, the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada officially opened the Dalton

Armoury in Scarborough in memory of his grandfather and his uncle, Colonel Elliot Dalton.

The Dalton brothers, known as Mark I and Mark II, stormed Juno Beach in Normandy on D-Day in 1944. Colonel Charles Dalton led "B" company on D-Day, landing on

the beaches under heavy gunfire. Colonel Elliot Dalton led the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada's "A" company on a successful attack. He advanced his unit through the town of Bernières-sur-Mer,

driving the enemy away. The Dalton brothers were leaders, and their fighting took them through Normandy into northern France.

I would like to offer my congratulations on the regiment's expansion and the establishment of the Dalton Armoury, and applaud the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada on

their 146th birthday. Please join me in celebrating the Dalton family for their courage, leadership and dedication to Ontario and Canada.

The Dalton family tradition continues as Brett teaches leadership to these fine high school students from Hillfield Strathallan College. This wonderful school

strives to develop a well-balanced student. Hillfield Strathallan College celebrates academic excellence, promotes community responsibility and encourages athletic prowess as well as maintaining a

respect for history, thus leading us all to a successful world future. Welcome to all of you; I'm very proud of you.

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I wonder if I could ask the members for unanimous consent to defer for just five

minutes my statement recognizing some folks gathering in the gallery, who are not quite here yet.

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

RENEWABILITY ENERGY INC.

Mr. John Milloy (Kitchener Centre): Last week, Waterloo region was once again the site of a major announcement concerning renewable energy. I

had the pleasure of attending an event with Ontario's Minister of Energy, the Honourable Donna Cansfield, and noted environmentalist David Suzuki, where it was announced that an energy-saving

technology called the Power-Pipe had been recommended by EnerQuality's technical committee.

The Power-Pipe, developed by RenewABILITY Energy Inc., has received approval for inclusion in the Energy Star technical specifications for new homes. The

Power-Pipe is a drain-water heat-recovery system that recycles waste heat from warm drain water before it leaves the home.

Approximately 90% of the energy used to heat water goes down the sewer. The Power-Pipe recycles this energy, saving up to 40% on hot-water heating bills, the

second-largest energy demand in the average house.

The technology is very affordable, having a payback period of only two to six years. The Power-Pipe will also reduce peak load electricity demand in homes with

electric water heating and allow off-peak water heating only, which fits very well with time-of-use electricity metering. It's easy to install, requires no maintenance, will last more than 50 years

and increases water-heating capacity.

I want to congratulate CEO Gerald Van Decker and the entire team at RenewABILITY Energy Inc., as well as Corey McBurney, director of operations at EnerQuality

Corp., and Hans Schreff of London Hydro, who announced the Power-Pipe retrofit initiative that will take place in the city of London. Their ingenuity, creativity and vision are helping to secure

Ontario's energy and environmental future.

As David Suzuki said of the announcement, "This announcement highlights the advances that can be made when Canadians are focused on efficiency. The Power-Pipe

will help reduce associated greenhouse gas emissions and the need for producing more electricity."

FOREST INDUSTRY

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I rise in the House yet again to talk about more job losses in northern Ontario. As everybody knows,

early last week Tembec announced an indefinite shutdown of the mill in Smooth Rock Falls. This equates to the sole employer in a community possibly shutting its doors and the entire community being

without an employer. But it doesn't end there. The repercussions of this will affect jobs in Timmins and in places like Hearst; as we know, the forestry industry is an integrated industry. Shutting

down a kraft mill means that a sawmill somewhere is not going to have a market to sell wood chips. People like Lecours Lumber in Hearst are faced with the possibility of losing 250 jobs in that

community if they're not able to secure a place to sell their wood chips, or the Tembec mill in Timmins, with over 150 employees, plus the staff.

I say to this government, you guys have been sitting back, talking a good line about what you want to do for the north. All I can tell you is, it ain't working.

We're losing jobs by the thousands, and if this government doesn't wake up soon, there ain't gonna be nobody left in northern Ontario to shut off the lights. We need you guys to wake up, to work

with us in northern Ontario to resolve this issue.

Last point: If you think the deal on the softwood lumber industry has done anything to help us, you should be talking to sawmill operators today. They are livid.

They feel that the Stephen Harper government has sold them down the road in accepting a deal that at the end of the day is nothing more than saying that the NAFTA ruling and our position on it were

wrong.

GREATER TORONTO

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): It appears from just a cursory review of the media recently on the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority that it's

certainly not up to the job. In fact, there's been a lot of fanfare, but the Toronto Star, one of the sources of information for the Liberal Party, is saying very clearly, in my view, "In the 2003

election, Premier Dalton promised to deliver such an agency, one with `the clout and resources to tackle gridlock' across greater Toronto....

"Sadly, this new authority has no clout and few resources."

So there you have it from their own briefing notes, the Toronto Star. Again today the Toronto Star is up to the task. They know that this particular authority is

a shell. It has nothing but the outcome of delay added when you look at the governance model.

Even Mayor Dave Ryan from Pickering, the former seat of Wayne Arthurs, is quick to respond to this. He says that the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority has

no power, no authority and no resources. So there you are, Minister. There's a big job ahead of you. But he does make a very thoughtful suggestion, and I want comment on what he is saying. He is

saying, "Don't forget, as you've done in the recent budget, that Durham region has over 500,000 people, and much of the planning that needs to be done seems to ignore that." I think all of the

regions are in for a great shock, when you look beyond the announcement of the bill that there's some authority. There's anything but authority in this bill.

I contest the minister to step up to the plate and do the right thing.

GRAPE AND WINE INDUSTRY

Mr. Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls): Last month's provincial budget provided $5 million in support to the Ontario grape and wine industry,

beneficial to my riding of Niagara Falls. In two of the last three years, the grape industry was ruined by extremely cold temperatures, resulting in hardship for the industry. Our government

recognized the problem and moved to provide support for grape growers, the wine council and small and medium VQA wineries in Ontario.

I have received many letters, two of which I would like to read extracts from.

Jeff Aubry of Coyote's Run Estates winery wrote to me: "I wanted to convey my thanks for supporting the small and medium VQA wineries in Ontario. I can assure

you the recent government grants, though unexpected, were warmly received. I have used the funds granted to Coyote's Run to purchase a rotary drum filter, an expensive high-tech piece of equipment

that will boost the productivity of my operation and help protect my business in the event of another short crop."

Also, Linda Franklin, president of the Wine Council of Ontario, and Norm Beal, chair, wrote to me: "We are writing to thank you on behalf of the entire wine

industry for your support and advocacy over the past few months. That advocacy has had a clear and important effect ... on the issues facing the wine industry. That support ... will provide

critical help to the many wineries that were in real need after four difficult years." They conclude by saying, "Thank you again for all your efforts on our behalf, and for the important signal to

our industry that your efforts produced in the 2006 budget."

The 2006 budget was a win for the grape growers, a win for the vintners and a win for the consumers of 100% Ontario-grown VQA wines.

FORT ERIE PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): I thank my colleagues for their indulgence, because I wanted to welcome the Fort Erie Progressive Conservative

Association of Women, their guests and particularly their president, Alma Sullivan, to the Legislature here today.

This is the longest-running PC women's association in Ontario, founded in 1939. Its members are hard-working, community-minded women who are dedicated to

electing Conservative parliamentarians both to the provincial and the federal government, and like members benefit from all three parties, are dedicated and very active in their community to

service groups, church groups and groups like the hospital auxiliary, the public library, literacy programs etc. They have successfully elected numerous Conservative members of Parliament over the

course of their history, including the Honourable Rob Nicholson, the federal member for Niagara Falls, former Erie MP Girve Fretz and former Niagara Falls MP Joe Hueglin. Heck, if they can get me

elected, they can get anybody in the Fort Erie area elected.

Very importantly, too, they provide a John Diefenbaker Scholarship for graduating high school students from the town of Fort Erie. It rewards students who have

an average of over 80% in history and who volunteer on a campaign or are involved in student government or other acts of civic activity.

I want to thank the members of the Fort Erie Progressive Conservative Association of Women for their hard work and their dedication to a civic community, and I

hope they have a wonderful day here at Queen's Park.

NORTHERN ONTARIO

Mr. Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): It was much appreciated last week that Premier McGuinty made a trip to northwestern Ontario,

his second stop in our area in less than two months. At a time when our economy continues to struggle, particularly with the challenges in the forestry sector, the good news the Premier brought

regarding funding for the cardiac and cancer research centre was, as you can imagine, very well received.

We are also grateful that the Premier, as Minister of Research and Innovation, is taking a personal interest in the molecular DNA research lab, which will need

substantial provincial and federal support to be successful. Those of us who support this venture believe that this will be the basis for the new economy in northwestern Ontario. We are determined

to see it move forward.

It was also encouraging to have the Premier confirm his interest in exploring the possibility of regionally-based energy pricing in northwestern Ontario. This is

a concept that no other government has remotely broached, and it is reassuring to know that it remains an area of great interest to the Premier.

I was particularly pleased to learn that consultation on this subject will be held in the northwest later this summer. Frankly, the people who understand best

how this could work are not at Queen's Park; indeed they are residents and business people from the northwest. The fact that they will have a chance to make a strong case for regional pricing is

good news for those of us who support this concept.

All in all, it was a great trip by the Premier, where the people in northwestern Ontario got to see up close the commitment he and our government have to working

with, and improving the lives of, all the residents in our part of the province.

CITY OF NORTH BAY

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): North Bay taxpayers woke up to good news this morning. At last night's council meeting, it was announced that

the city would be cutting its tax hike in half. This announcement is in good part a result of the McGuinty government's most recent budget and all the investments the provincial government is

making in North Bay.

As North Bay taxpayers know, the federal and provincial governments are providing North Bay with $30 million through phase one of COMRIF for our water treatment

plant. That was the single largest COMRIF grant in phase one in the province. The city of North Bay is also receiving an extra $4 million from the northern Ontario heritage fund towards the city's

one-third share of the plant, for a total of $19 million invested in the plant, and we should see shovels in the ground shortly.

The city has also received $3.4 million in this year's provincial budget for roads and bridges, money that the city wasn't expecting. In addition, the city has

received an extra $1 million towards this year's operating or capital budget.

The city is receiving $900,000 this year in gas tax money to pay for the construction of our transit terminal on Oak Street and for the operation of our transit

system. And the city received approximately $160,000 in surplus funding from our local DSSAB because of the recent provincial uploading of land ambulance service costs.

This is just a short list of some of the investments the provincial government is making in North Bay that have led to the good news for city taxpayers. I am

proud of the McGuinty government's investments that we've made in the city of North Bay directly, in our waterfront, in Canadore College, Nipissing University, the North Bay Regional Health Centre,

the children's treatment centre and the continued four-laning of Highway 11. The taxpayers of North Bay are benefiting directly from our McGuinty government investments.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

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

order, in addition to its regularly scheduled meeting times, the House shall meet on Wednesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for the purpose of considering the following private members' public

bills:

Bill 94,

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to community involvement --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): You need to ask for unanimous consent to move this motion. Does Mr. Bradley have unanimous consent to make

a motion without notice? Agreed.

Hon. Mr. Bradley: Thank you. I will move that motion, now that I have permission of the House.

I move that notwithstanding any standing order, in addition to its regularly scheduled meeting times, the House shall meet on Wednesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to

12 p.m. for the purpose of considering the following private members' public bills:

Bill 94,

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to community involvement activity hours and board support, standing in the name of Mr. Klees;

Bill 95,

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to providing information to student employees

about employment rights, standing in the name of Ms. Horwath;

Bill 96,

An Act to amend the Education Act, standing in the name of Ms. Wynne; and

That these private members' public bills shall be considered pursuant to standing order 96 where applicable, with the time divided equally between the three;

and

That the order for consideration of the bills shall be determined by a ballot conducted by the Clerk of the House; and

That Ms. Horwath shall retain her place in the order of precedence for private members' public business.

The Speaker: Mr. Bradley has moved that notwithstanding any standing any order, in addition to its regularly scheduled meeting times, the

House shall meet on Wednesday, May 10, from 9 a.m. --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Dispense?

Interjection: No.

The Speaker: -- to 12 p.m. for the purpose of considering the following private members' public bills:

Bill 94,

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to community involvement activity hours and board support, standing in the name of Mr. Klees;

Bill 95,

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and the Occupational Health and Safety Act with respect to providing information to student

employees about employment rights, standing in the name of Ms. Horwath;

Bill 96,

An Act to amend the Education Act, standing in the name of Ms. Wynne; and

That these private members' public bills shall be considered pursuant to standing order 96 where applicable, with the time divided equally between the three;

and

That the order for consideration of the bills shall be determined by a ballot conducted by the Clerk of the House; and

That Ms. Horwath shall retain her place in the order of precedence for private members' public business.

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

Motions?

Hon. Mr. Bradley: A very important motion. I know that the member for Niagara Centre didn't want me to miss this motion, so here it is. At the

request -- no, I won't say "At the request of the member for Niagara Centre."

I move that, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2006, for the purpose of considering

government business.

The Speaker: Mr. Bradley has moved government notice of motion number 122. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All in favour will say "aye."

All opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1354 to 1359.

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

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Balkissoon, Bas

Barrett, Toby

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chudleigh, Ted

Craitor, Kim

Crozier, Bruce

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jeffrey, Linda

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

MacLeod, Lisa

Marsales, Judy

Martiniuk, Gerry

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Parsons, Ernie

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Scott, Laurie

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Murdoch, Bill

Prue, Michael

Tabuns, Peter

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 74; the nays are 7.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION WEEK /

SEMAINE DE L'ÉDUCATION

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): As this is Education Week in Ontario, it gives me great pleasure to

update this House on our goal of building opportunity by making public education the very best education. I know that the Minister of Education will be participating in a host of events celebrating

public education this week in Ontario, and that she too will be making an important statement in this House tomorrow, so I wanted to make the following clear in my capacity as Premier in a

government which is passionate about pursuing opportunities for our children through public education.

Every Ontarian needs and deserves the opportunity to succeed, and in today's world, the ladder of opportunity starts with a great elementary and secondary

education. Making publicly funded education the best education is essential to building a bright and promising future for all Ontarians. For one thing, the best education will give us the best

workforce. In a world where up to 70% of new jobs demand some form of post-secondary education, giving our children the best education possible through our publicly funded system should be seen for

what it is: Ontario's new economic advantage.

But learning, of course, is about more than just jobs, important as they are. It's also about the transmission of values and civility from one generation to

the next. It's how we build a well-rounded society, form the best citizens and nurture our democracy. That great Irish poet William Butler Yeats once said, "Education is not the filling of a pail,

but the lighting of a fire." For too many students in Ontario recently, that fire had gone out.

When we took office two and half years ago, our once-proud public education system was caught in a slide.

Il n'y a pas si longtemps, un trop grand nombre d'élèves en Ontario avaient perdu cette flamme. Quand nous sommes arrivés au pouvoir il y a deux

ans et demi, notre système d'éducation avait cessé de faire notre fierté et il traversait une sombre période.

Many families with the means were choosing private schools over public education, a stunning number of our young people were not finishing school and even the

most remarkable of success stories were overshadowed by news of sliding morale, crumbling schools, lost programs and deep division.

In the last 30 months, working with our education partners -- the families, students, parents and educators with a direct stake in the system -- we have not

only stopped the slide; we have turned the corner. That's good news, because in the end this isn't really about us in this place. It's about Ontario families out there who want the best education

for their children, and we are firmly on their side.

After two and a half years, there is peace and stability in our schools. There are thousands of new teachers and up to a million new textbooks. Student

achievement is up. Test scores in reading, writing and math are up. Our dropout rate is coming down. Older schools are being repaired; new ones are being built. Our most successful schools are

sharing their best practices. Our struggling schools and our struggling students are getting the support they need to succeed. Schools are safer and students, all in all, have a better shot at

success.

We have, of course, much more work to do together towards our goal of excellence for all, but after two and a half years, let's pause this week to celebrate

the tremendous progress that we have made and thank those who are truly responsible.

Je disais que nous avons encore beaucoup de travail à accomplir ensemble pour atteindre notre objectif d'excellence pour tous et toutes. Mais après

deux ans et demi, prenons un moment cette semaine pour célébrer l'immense progrès que nous avons accompli et remercier ceux et celles qui en sont les maîtres d'oeuvre.

So let's thank all those hard-working, dedicated principals, teachers and education assistants who never gave up hope even when reasons for hope were in short

supply. Let's thank the students who are making the most of this opportunity to realize their potential. Let's thank their parents, families and mentors for all their help and their praise, and all

their late nights at the homework table. Let's thank as well 12.5 million Ontarians whose continued abundant goodwill and support is essential to allowing our young people to succeed.

Let's use this week to focus on the work ahead, to maintain the momentum we will need to reach our goals in reading, writing and math; the momentum we will

need to build a truly great economy that boasts the best-educated, most highly skilled workforce in the world; and the momentum to build a truly civil society that respects our diversity and

honours shared values.

Great education can do all of that. Public education, at its very best, is worthy of our noblest aspirations when it comes to building a strong economy and a

strong and caring society. Public education, at its very best, is worthy of the dreams that we dream for our children and our grandchildren.

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED /

SERVICES AUX PERSONNES AYANT

UNE DÉFICIENCE INTELLECTUELLE

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): I rise today to tell this

House about some important commitments our government is making to build a better future for Ontarians with a developmental disability.

Je suis fière de vous parler aujourd'hui d'un investissement historique dans les services aux personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle.

In September 2004, our government announced a major investment in Ontario's developmental services sector: a $110-million investment to strengthen

community-based services and greatly increase the number of residential spaces in our communities as we closed remaining institutions for people with developmental disabilities.

Since that time, our commitment to this sector has grown significantly. We invested in the province's first community network of specialized care for

individuals who have very high care needs. We announced the Home of Your Own initiative, which is creating hundreds more residential spaces across Ontario for adults with a developmental

disability. We created our passport program, giving young adults with a developmental disability critical supports as they make the transition from school to adulthood.

Today I am proud to announce that the Ontario budget for 2006-07 includes the largest single-year increase in funding for Ontario's developmental services

sector, an increase of nearly $84 million that brings our government's four-year commitment to a record $276 million.

Lors de ma visite ce matin au centre CORE, j'ai annoncé la plus importante augmentation annuelle de financement pour le secteur des services aux personnes

ayant une déficience intellectuelle : une augmentation de près de 84 $ millions qui porte l'engagement de notre gouvernement au montant record de 276 $ millions.

But what's more important than the funding is what it will do to strengthen services for people with developmental disabilities.

This year's funding increase alone will support approximately 900 more young adults in our passport program, help approximately 3,150 more families care for

their family members at home through our special services at home program, create more than 200 new residential spaces in communities across Ontario, provide permanent funding to help agencies

provide long-term residential care for approximately 250 people and, finally, help more than 370 community agencies address salary and other operating costs. These are investments not just in

services and supports but in the people and families who use these supports and in the people who provide them.

Ces investissements ne représentent qu'une

partie de notre plan, qui consiste à mettre sur pied des mécanismes de soutien plus forts pour les

personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle. Nous travaillons ardemment à la transformation du secteur avec le réseau communautaire et associatif.

These investments are part of a plan to transform the developmental services sector. The members of this House may remember that in September 2004 our

government also launched a major policy review of Ontario's developmental services sector. We did this because we knew that our developmental services system was at a turning point.

À mesure que notre société évolue et favorise l'intégration, les attentes des personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle

évoluent également pour ce qui concerne les types de soins et de soutiens qu'elles veulent et dont elles ont besoin.

Aujourd'hui, elles veulent un système dans lequel les personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle sont intégrées à tous les aspects

de la société : établissements scolaires, programmes communautaires et population active. Leurs familles veulent davantage de choix et de souplesse pour se procurer les soutiens

et les services dont elles ont besoin pour s'occuper de leurs membres chez elles.

We knew that we needed to step up and create a new plan for our developmental services sector that would make it easier for families to find services and

supports, bring increased fairness and consistency to the way supports are delivered and give individuals and families the choice and flexibility they want to better meet their needs -- a plan for

a fair, accessible and sustainable developmental services system and a plan that will help us achieve the vision of a more inclusive Ontario.

Today I was proud to release Opportunities and Action: Transforming Supports in Ontario for People Who Have a Developmental Disability. This document outlines

the plan that our government believes will help us achieve our vision. Our plan is based on six important principles:

-- citizenship for people with a developmental disability;

-- fairness and equity in the support they receive;

-- safety and security, so that people have the appropriate supervision, balanced by privacy and self-determination;

-- accountability for the service that people receive; and

-- sustainability, because we must use our resources wisely so that they are available for future generations.

And to deliver on our vision, our plan proposes some key directions for our developmental services system.

We encourage the members of this House to share Opportunities and Action with everyone in their community who has an interest in supports for people who have a

developmental disability. Ask them to read it and give us their input and advice so that together we can create long-term solutions that will make it easier for families to get services, increase

fairness and consistency in the delivery of supports, and give individuals greater choice and flexibility.

Ensemble, nous avons une possibilité de renforcer les mécanismes de soutien communautaire afin qu'ils soient durables pour les générations

à venir, et afin qu'ils aident les milliers de personnes ayant une déficience intellectuelle à s'épanouir et à participer pleinement à la vie de leurs

collectivités.

I will be awaiting your comments and suggestions.

In closing, I wanted to pay tribute to the former Minister of Community and Social Services for all the good work she did.

MINING INDUSTRY

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): I'm very pleased to rise in the House today to inform members of a

significant anniversary that we are commemorating in the colourful history of mining in Ontario. It will be my honour on Thursday this week to help officially launch Sudbury Mining Week and a

publication commemorating the 150th anniversary of the discovery of minerals in that geological marvel of the world known as the Sudbury Basin. Sudbury Mining Week is part of a province-wide

celebration of the mining industry.

One hundred and fifty years ago, Albert Salter, a provincial land surveyor, observed significant compass deflections while laying out a line near present-day

Sudbury. Analysis of rock samples revealed nickel, copper and iron. This was the first indication of the Sudbury region's mineral wealth. Years later, the deposit was rediscovered and it became the

Creighton mine, one of the world's leading nickel producers. Today, we know the basin to be one of the greatest repositories of nickel, copper and platinum group ores.

The discovery of minerals set off a chain reaction of engineering, logistical and metallurgical challenges. Finding, extracting, smelting and refining the

complex mineral ores was not easy then, and it isn't easy now. Meeting those challenges calls upon courage. It calls upon perseverance. It calls upon ingenuity. For over a century, courage,

perseverance and ingenuity have led to the development of new mining methods, pioneering technologies and innovative processes.

What is now abundantly clear is that while minerals may be the natural resource, our real endowment lies in the imagination and the will of people developing

that resource. Built to address local circumstances, newly developed high-tech solutions are finding applications in mining operations and other industries around the world, and the world is

beating a path to Ontario's door. We have a critical mass of mining expertise that is expanding and building upon itself. That is why our government provided $10 million to help Laurentian

University establish a new Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation at its Sudbury campus. The centre will harness the skills of the best and the brightest in industry, universities, colleges and

research centres across the country and around the world. It will keep us on the leading edge of mining innovation.

The McGuinty government believes in the potential of this sector, and we are acting to ensure that it thrives now and well into the future. For example, we

recently launched Ontario's first minerals development strategy, which will enhance the mineral sector's global competitiveness while opening new opportunities for all Ontarians. We are investing

$15 million over three years for geological mapping in the far north, we are providing one-stop Internet access to potential mining-related services and we are maintaining a very favourable tax

system and business climate.

Ontario Mining Week celebrates an industry that saw the value of the total mineral production rise to more than $7.2 billion. It celebrates an industry that is

considered a global leader in all aspects of mineral development, including financing, much of which takes place right here in Toronto, the mining finance capital of the world. It celebrates an

industry that continues reinvesting in the exploration and development of new mineral deposits, including Ontario's first diamond mine on the James Bay coast.

Moreover, we are advancing growth in our mineral sector in collaboration with our stakeholders in the mineral development sector. With that in mind, I'd like

to inform the House that today is Meet the Miners Day at Queen's Park. Senior mining industry representatives will meet with cabinet ministers, MPPs, political staff and senior public servants to

continue building our dialogue and to help politicians gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the vital role of mining.

The message I will be bringing is that as far as the McGuinty government is concerned, the mining industry is critical to building a strong and prosperous

economy so that we can help ensure our people enjoy a quality of life that is second to none.

In the gallery today, we have representatives from the mining industry. I'd ask them to stand, and could we recognize them.

Applause.

Hon. Mr. Bartolucci: I look forward to everyone meeting the miners tonight.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I wish to bring to the attention of the House that we have a former member, the member for

Victoria-Haliburton and, latterly, Haliburton-Victoria-Brock, in the 35th, 36th and 37th Parliaments, the Honourable Chris Hodgson.

It's now time for responses.

EDUCATION WEEK

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): I'm pleased to respond to the Premier's statement on Education Week. On behalf of the official opposition, we

certainly want to acknowledge the contribution of the teaching profession to education in this province, and we want to acknowledge the work of everyone involved in the education system, those on

administrative staff and support workers.

This week has been set aside to honour and recognize all those who work within Ontario's education system, and we join in acknowledging the dedication of all

who contribute to the acquiring of knowledge, the building of character and the development of responsible citizens. This includes teachers, principals, administrative and support staff, and

parents who must always be embraced as key partners in education.

In keeping with the theme of Education Week, we must also acknowledge the significant contribution to our province that is made through the province's

independent and faith-based schools. Just as Ontario's Catholic schools celebrate the unique and distinct contribution that Catholic education makes to Ontario's education system, we cannot ignore

the petitioning of those who are calling on this Legislature to treat all faith-based schools in Ontario fairly and equitably and without religious discrimination to ensure that indeed we make

every student count.

The Premier stated in his remarks that every Ontarian needs and deserves the opportunity to succeed. I would hope the Premier includes, in his definition of

every Ontarian, all Ontarians and every student in this province. I would hope that includes the thousands of students, their parents, the teachers and support staff who attend, support, teach and

work in the independent and faith-based schools in our province.

I would also hope the Premier includes, in his definition of Ontarians who deserve the opportunity to succeed, autistic children, who continue to be left

behind by our education system that falls shamefully short of meeting their most basic needs.

It is our hope that this Education Week will serve to focus our attention on all Ontarians who have the right, as we all firmly believe, to the opportunity to

succeed in this great province.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge): I'm here to reply to the statement of the minister. I had looked forward to this announcement. I was hoping

that the needs of the developmentally handicapped community would finally be met. Instead of that, I was most disappointed when I heard government by announcement once again: more promises to be

broken.

More than three quarters of the platitudes we heard dealt with the budget. It was a repeat of the budget speech. I sat here and listened to the budget speech,

and it was here again. There is still no plan. There is still no action. There are still no standards or timelines available to this community in need.

Dalton McGuinty wrote to David Lepofsky, who was then chair of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee. He asked that the new act should include

timelines and standards for effective enforcement. Nowhere has the minister indicated a plan containing any timelines or any standards, two of the essential parts of any plan. This is just another

broken promise.

What you should be addressing is the real need of this community. You should not be closing more facilities: the Huronia Regional Centre, the Southwestern

Regional Centre or Rideau Regional Centre. Please, Madam Minister, come up with a plan to help these people.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): I'd like to say that mining is the lifeblood of Ontario's north. It's great to see that the current

government is continuing the practice of the previous government of geological mapping to help out the mining sector. I certainly hope that they continue on. On behalf of John Tory and the PC

caucus, we all appreciate and recognize the miners coming forward and recognize their hard work and dedication.

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): First of all, on behalf of New Democrats and our leader, Howard Hampton, I would like to welcome all

those from the mining industry here.

I worked underground. I worked as an active participant in the mining industry. I've been underground at 8,100 of the McIntyre mine, the Timmins property, the

Aunor, the Delnite, and I've got to tell you, you don't look like anybody I saw underground back then. You're looking a lot cleaner than I was, because I'll tell you, after a day's work I was

pretty dirty.

People need to understand just how technical and advanced that industry is. When we talk about mining, we're talking about high-tech jobs, we're talking about

high-paying jobs, and that money stays in our community. We say, on behalf of New Democrats, it's nice to see that base metal prices are up and it's nice to see that gold prices are up. I went to

the PDAC meeting in Timmins a little while back, and everybody was in a good mood. What a nice change. Welcome.

EDUCATION WEEK

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): On behalf of New Democrats, I say that teachers are responsible for the intellectual, and yes,

emotional development of our young kids and young children. I want to say that as a result of this, they are important workers and deserve our respect and support. Is this peace and stability that

the Liberal government is giving us giving what we want? I want to look at a long list of things the government is doing that I don't believe give us what we need.

On the capital expenditure side: Less than 20% of the capital needs identified in 2002-03 have been addressed. At this rate, it could take the government four

to six years to actually reach the spending levels they have announced.

On deficit budgets: All boards have deficits, and all boards cut programs to create the illusion that the books are balanced. The funding model is inadequate,

it's flawed, and it still needs to be repaired. And yes, the Liberals are still using the flawed Conservative funding formula.

On special education: All boards are taking money from other programs to pay for special education, according to the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School

Board investigators. That is the new normal in Ontario education.

supported adequately, then classroom teachers have to spend a disproportionate amount of time assisting those students. It also increases the likelihood of students becoming disconnected from

learning and from Canadian society as a whole.

On curriculum: Despite the fact that music, physical ed., and visual and dramatic arts are all mandatory subjects in the elementary curriculum, there is

presently no funding specifically designated in the education funding formula for teachers in these subjects.

On class size: We're concerned that the government is talking about average class sizes instead of caps.

On test scores: The government results will continue to be manipulated to produce whatever results the government wants.

We thank educators and parents, and we affirm and confirm that teachers deserve more support than they are currently being given.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): In response to the Minister of Community and Social Services, for two years in this House we have

listened as members of this House have stood with petitions. They have stood on all sides of the House with thousands of signatures, demanding to know what this government is doing. The families of

the people in the regional centres have been forced into the courts. They have been forced to fight through the legal system in order to protect their loved ones. Today we have seen that there are

no new plans for the regional centres. Today we have seen that there are no real plans for community services to take their place at the time those regional centres may be closed.

I can only quote from a document I got today from Dr. Lyz Sayer, who I think says it best:

"It is the most contrived propaganda I have seen. Read between the lines to see there is no legislation that says the government has to support the disabled."

Read between the lines to see that "we're getting out of the business of housing the disabled." Read between the lines to see that "individualized funding is the best ... this will undermine the

whole infrastructure of not only

schedule 1 facilities but all the group homes and agencies. The latter don't have enough money now, and it looks like they'll get less in the future."

She goes on to say, "I went to one consultation and was appalled at how it was set up to only discuss and report on what they wanted...." It concludes, "and

none of the discussion my group had about facilities was recorded."

That's the reality of what's happening here: People want to be heard; they have not been heard. The announcement today is more announcement upon

re-announcement of a government that has no plan.

VISITOR

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I

would like to call to your attention and the attention of members of the House the presence in the lower east gallery of Sarah Chown, who is a university student and the granddaughter of the former

mayor of the city of St. Catharines, Mac Chown.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

PREVENTION MONTH

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The Minister of Education.

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): And minister responsible for women's issues; thanks so

much. I would like to ask for unanimous consent today so that all parties may address Sexual Assault Prevention Month.

The Speaker: Ms. Pupatello has asked for unanimous consent for all parties to speak for up to five minutes to recognize Sexual Assault

Prevention Month. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: May is Sexual Assault Prevention Month in Ontario. This is a time for all of us to renew our commitment to ending the

sexual violence that devastates the lives of far too many women and girls in Ontario. It's a time for us to move from a focus on intervention after the violence has occurred to a focus on

preventing violence from happening in the first place, changing the attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate it. We hope that is a signal and a message we have repeated often in this House.

Our government is helping vulnerable women by improving supports for victims of sexual assault. Victims have the right to receive timely and effective

treatment. Last year, we implemented the first funding increase to our sexual assault centres in 13 years. We're providing a total of $12.5 million annually so that sexual assault victims get the

community supports they need. I'm pleased to say that, in addition, we made a special one-time investment earlier this year of $1.3 million for enhancements in sexual assault agencies across

Ontario. And I always thank the Attorney General of Ontario for working in tandem with our offices to assist in this sector.

A real improvement depends on much more than funding. Solving the problem depends on not just supporting the victims but on preventing them from being

victimized in the first place. We really do need to change attitudes and behaviours on individual and societal levels. We need to teach our children about the importance of healthy, equal

relationships. If boys grow up knowing they need to respect women and girls, if girls grow up with the confidence that they can stand up for themselves and others, if all children grow up believing

in and practising gender equality, we're going to make great progress in eradicating the power imbalance that's always at the root of sexual assault. Each of us has a role to play in this, from

parents to teachers, neighbours and friends. We have a role to play in modelling respectful behaviour toward women and children.

I'd also like to mention the daisy campaign, which today we've already asked permission to wear in the House. I hope that all of us will take time to wear this

daisy throughout this month. Nova Vita, the shelter in Brantford, of which our own member Dave Levac has been a long-time supporter, does some tremendous work. They actually began this daisy

campaign to help promote the notion that all of us have to be a part of the solution. We congratulate volunteers like the board that leads Nova Vita, because there are so many organizations with an

equal amount of passion in this area throughout Ontario. These pins help us recognize the incredible work of women's shelters across the province. Let's proudly wear the pin as a sign of all our

resolve to keep working together to eliminate all forms of violence against women. Let's not rest until this task is done.

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): I'm pleased to be able to speak on behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus in recognizing Sexual Assault

Prevention Month in Ontario. This month has been recognized in Ontario since 1988, and it's a way to create public awareness of sexual assault and to improve the prevention of violence against

women and children.

All parties in this House are committed to ending violence of all kinds. We must provide strong leadership to ensure that women and children have the support

they need and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes. We must ensure that public education teaches the important lesson that violence must stop, that it has a devastating

impact on women's lives and the lives of our children, our families, our communities and our country.

The cost in dollars and cents is minor compared to the incalculable costs of damage to human dignity and self-esteem. For women who have suffered the pain,

whose potential has been destroyed, whose spirits have been crushed, we must commit ourselves to preventing the violence. Crisis intervention workers, front-line workers in shelters, police and

health workers can all attest to the damaging effect this has on our neighbourhoods and our communities. The effects of this violence are both long-term and far-reaching.

Each one of us, individually and together, must take responsibility and must continue to work to build safe homes, safe communities and safe workplaces. Sexual

assault can take place between intimates, dating partners, friends, acquaintances or strangers. Rapes committed by acquaintances of the victims are the most common form of sexual assault.

Unfortunately, sexual assaults occur much more frequently than we know, because they are not always reported. More than one third of Canadian women report

having had at least one experience of sexual assault since the age of 16. Victimization surveys suggest that only 10% of women -- or fewer -- who are sexually assaulted report these assaults to the

police. In cases reported to police, 80% of sexual assault victims knew the accused. They were friends, acquaintances or family members. Children and young people under the age of 17 account for

61% of sexual assault cases reported to police. About three quarters of these victims were girls, and more than two thirds of these girls were between 11 and 17 years of age.

These statistics are indeed chilling. They must spur us to continue to take action to fight the crime of sexual assault. As legislators, we must do our part,

along with the courts, law enforcement, social agencies and individual citizens. In my own riding of York North, I would like to acknowledge the work of the York region abuse program in Newmarket,

which offers hope and healing to people of all ages affected by childhood sexual abuse.

Sexual assault is a crime. It is not simply something undesirable or unfortunate; it is a violation of the rights of women and girls, as citizens, to feel

secure in their homes, workplaces, in public, at school. It must be stopped.

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): I'm pleased to rise to take note of Sexual Assault Prevention Month on behalf of New Democrats here in the

Legislature today.

The statistics on sexual assault are stark: Two out of three women have experienced sexual assault; 38% of sexually assaulted women were assaulted by their

husbands, common-law partners or boyfriends; four out of five female undergraduates surveyed at Canadian universities said they had been victims of violence in a dating relationship; 29% reported

incidents of sexual assault; 22% of women who have been victims never tell anyone.

Ontario sexual assault centres are still recovering from the 5% cut to their operating budgets a few years ago.

We need to see real action on changing laws to better protect women and avert potential tragedies. We'd like to see more done in the schools to combat sexual

assault and date rape. That problem is largely hidden, as few of these crimes are actually reported. According to Statistics Canada, only 6% of all sexual assaults are reported to police. Only 1%

of women who have been sexually assaulted by an acquaintance report the incident to police. In Canada in 1998, 82.6% of victims in reported cases of sexual assault were women; 98% of the accused

were men.

Men who commit sexual assault come from every economic, ethnic, racial, age and social group. Men who commit sexual assault can be doctors, teachers,

employers, co-workers, lawyers, husbands, student colleagues or relatives of the women they assault. Here's another troubling statistic: In a recent survey on date rape, 60% of Canadian college-age

males indicated that they would commit sexual assault if they were certain they would not get caught.

Girls and young women between the ages of 16 and 21 are at the highest risk of being sexually assaulted. In 70% of the reported cases of sexual assault, the

victim knew the accused, and 62% of the victims were under the age of 18. If they are sexually assaulted, it will most likely be by a boy or a man who is a friend, a family member or someone else

they know -- probably not by a stranger.

Part of this month is about communicating the risks and repercussions of sexual assault. It's also about making sure that girls and women know unconditionally

that as a society, as women and as men, we will not, do not and can never condone this behaviour, and we will stand by them. They must report, but we must be there to support them throughout their

experience with the justice system and throughout their ongoing time of healing after that, through supporting the women's centres and the sexual assault centres across the province that they will

turn to for help.

I believe all of this should be happening throughout the year. Unfortunately, school is not the happy, safe place for many students that people might like to

think it is. For some, school are the place where bullying, racism and sexist violence is taking place. That's why all of us supported the Miss G project when it came here not too long ago, having

women's studies and women's issues built into the secondary school curriculum. Seeing that the Minister of Education is also the minister responsible for women's issues, I look forward to hearing

her announce the mandated women's studies course in Ontario high schools at some point. That's one of the ways we can create a culture of respect for women, by taking their concerns and

contributions seriously and giving them the permanent profile they deserve.

Sexual assault centres in Ontario, like the one in Hamilton and area, very much need additional funding to work with women from our diverse communities,

reaching out in their own languages to help them deal with sexual abuse and assault. Hamilton is the third-largest immigrant-receiving community in Canada. We need to remove some of the financial

barriers that prevent cities like mine from offering services to their diverse communities.

Governments can't do enough and aren't doing enough on this priority file, but I know that today we're all recommitting to making sure that we increase the

interest and the attention we pay to this most serious issue. It's our children, it's our daughters, it's our nieces, and it's our nephews and our sons whom this issue deals with every single day,

in our communities, in our schools, in our workplaces, in our dances and in places where young people gather. It's unacceptable.

We know that women's groups have long called for more action. We know that coroner's juries have long called for more action. I'm pleased to be here today,

knowing that every one of the members sitting in this Legislature is committed to ending sexual violence in Ontario.

VISITORS

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I rise to note that Grand Chief Stan Louttit of Mushkegowuk tribal

council is here among us in the east gallery, and somewhere behind him is Chief Leo Friday from the community of Kashechewan.

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

ORAL QUESTIONS

CLASS SIZE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. You've had a lot to say about the impact of large class sizes on the

quality of education. We see evidence emerging now in many places suggesting that the result of your government's policies is much larger class sizes in grades 4 to 8, and things like the

elimination of music rooms and people being put into basement classrooms. What do you propose to do about these exploding class sizes in grades 4 to 8 that are happening on your watch? How does

this qualify as turning the corner, to use the words you used in your statement today, for those kids and those families who are in these exploding classes in the upper grades?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm glad to receive the question. We are very much committed to our plan

to get class sizes down in the early years, from JK through to grade 3. The reason we're doing that is because we think it's really important, particularly in those tender years, to ensure that

children have more individual attention so that they can get the necessary support to develop better success, not only during those years but we have learned that if children can experience real

success in those years, they are more likely to continue to experience that throughout their learning, through the rest of elementary school, secondary education, training, college and university.

That's why we are so focused on that.

To respond directly to the leader of the official opposition, we are getting those class sizes down by providing new teachers in those particular years. This

is not something that's coming at the expense of classes and class sizes in the rest of our elementary and secondary schools. We are very much devoted to doing this in a way that does not

compromise the quality of education in the other years.

Mr. Tory: An article, for example, in the National Post this morning confirms what many people have been saying. I ran into it at the door

with a teacher in the Danforth by-election, who said, "There's absolutely no question." She talked about her own experience, where the class sizes in the upper grades of her school are going

up.

We have a letter from a Toronto father by the name of Steve -- he didn't want his last name used in the House. He's written to us about his daughter going into

grade 6 this year. He says there will be a combined grades 5 and 6 class with 36 kids per class, plus an additional three to four special-needs kids for half the day. As a result, his daughter will

be sharing a class with 40 other students. So we've got this bulking up of the upper grades because of, or connected to, or unconnected to -- but the bottom line is it's going on -- your policies

of your government.

Do you believe it is fair to have average smaller class sizes -- and, of course, you always use that word "average" -- in the lower grades and achieve that by

punishing the students in the higher grades by having their class sizes going up and up and up? Do you think that's fair? Is that what you intended with this policy?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, we're not talking about averages in this government. That's something that was part of the lexicon under the

previous government. We're talking about a cap of 20% on class sizes from JK to grade 3. Some 70% of our students are now in smaller classes. We have hired 2,400 new teachers so far to get the

class sizes down. This is all about reducing class sizes in a way that does not compromise class size or the quality of education we're delivering throughout the rest of publicly funded

education.

This is an important initiative on our part. It has to do with ensuring that children in the early years -- from the ages of four through to eight, I believe

it is, in grade 3 -- have the opportunities they need to get individual attention so that they can succeed, especially when it comes to reading, writing and mathematics. This is not without its

challenges, but we are determined to get the job done, and we're proud of the success we've made so far.

Mr. Tory: The question I asked, of course, was about the upper years and the fact that you are indeed robbing Peter to pay Paul here. You are

achieving whatever you are achieving, average or otherwise, in terms of class sizes in the lower grades at the expense of those in the upper grades.

We see two things: One is the classes being cannibalized in the lower grades, where we have people now studying in basement classrooms where the teacher is

barely able to stand up. We have music rooms being taken away so that those classes can be put there. Then we have the other question, which is what is the use of having a student in grade 3 at a

low class size when what happens the next year is it's okay for them to go to a class of 40 students and that's suddenly all right for those kids in grade 4?

We asked your Minister of Education about this in estimates -- what the facts are and what is going on in grades 4 through 8 -- and she refused to answer. I'm

asking you, why are you insisting on massively forcing up the size of classes for grades 4 to 8? Why are you massively forcing up the class size in those upper grades?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I think this is one those opportunities where it is worthwhile for members of this House and Ontarians to compare and

contrast. Under the previous administration, they closed 503 public schools while 266 private schools opened up. We lost 24 million learning days as a result of the bickering and fighting. Some

430,000 high school students were deprived of an entire year of extracurricular activities. Test scores were stagnant and special-education students were largely ignored.

Let's see what's happened on our watch. Test scores are up. There are more books in our school libraries. More special-ed kids are getting the help they need,

and we've hired, in both the elementary and secondary panels, 4,300 more teachers. Class sizes are coming down in the early grades. Dropout rates are coming down. Peace and stability are back.

Arts, music and phys. ed.classes are back in. Guidance counsellors are back in. Student success teachers are in. Lead teachers in literacy and numeracy in our elementary schools are there for

the first time. I ask Ontarians --

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

Mr. Tory: No answer on the question of exploding class sizes for grades 4 through 8, no answer whatsoever. Many other --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

TAXATION

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is again to the Premier. People who go to a bar to buy a drink presently pay the 7% GST,

probably soon to be lowered, and a 10% provincial beverage tax. So the day after people sent you, with their income tax returns, hundreds of dollars in the McGuinty health tax that you said you

would never bring in, if they wanted to go and have a drink to revive themselves from tax fatigue, you are now proposing in your legislation to add one more tax.

Can you confirm that the city of Toronto act enables the city to bring in yet another tax on drinks, that in addition to the GST, in addition to the 10%

provincial beverage tax, you're going to allow another tax to be brought in by another level of government to tax a drink that a person might want to go and have?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Well, let me say that the Conservative Party and the government party

have a different perspective on whether or not we can trust the people of Toronto to do what is right for the people of Toronto. The leader of the official opposition is saying that they are not to

be trusted, that we have no idea what they're going to do, that they constitute a real risk to themselves.

We have brought forward legislation which recognizes that the people of Toronto, through their duly elected representatives, have certain rights that ought to

be recognized and respected. This fundamentally, from my perspective, boils down to whether or not this government has confidence in the people of Toronto to do what is right for the city of

Toronto. We on this side of the House have that confidence.

Mr. Tory: What the Leader of the Opposition is actually saying, I say to the Premier, is that people are paying enough tax, including on a

drink. When they go to try and have a drink, or when tourists try to come and patronize our tourist and beverage establishments in Ontario, they are paying enough tax. That's what I'm saying.

I've heard from a great many people, as we have as members of the Legislature, people coming in here and giving us presentations on this bill that suggest that

you should have addressed and should be addressing the provincial-municipal fiscal imbalance first; then, second, when it comes to the city of Toronto, asking if they might do a value-for-money

audit of all the money they're presently taking in from taxpayers before you look at any new powers to tax drinks or anything else.

Would you consider putting aside these proposed powers to tax drinks and various other things until you have first addressed the provincial-municipal fiscal

imbalance and until you've asked for a value-for-money audit of the city government, before you go having people raise taxes again? Will you do that?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I am not prepared to do that, but I think there's another interesting opportunity today to compare the financial position

which the new Conservative federal government has inherited and the one that we inherited here at Queen's Park. Prime Minister Harper has been the beneficiary of good fiscal management, so he's

swimming in cash. We were the beneficiaries of bad fiscal management, so we were drowning in deficit. If we had the opportunity to do so, we would proceed quickly to reverse the download that was

imposed on Ontario municipalities by the previous government, but we're not in that position. We will continue to work with Ontario municipalities in a thoughtful and responsible way, working

together so that we might overcome the challenges created by the previous Ontario Conservative government.

Mr. Tory: This, of course, coming from the man who has taken in $6 billion in extra revenue from hard-working taxpayers and is still running a

deficit of $2.5 billion. There's good fiscal management for you.

This legislation, I say to the Premier, would allow the city to tax at will. They could tax anything from drinks to hotel rooms to theatre tickets. With

struggling US tourism numbers and the dollar now at 90 cents, many people feel this will drown our hospitality industry and make it even tougher for them to keep the jobs that they have.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The Minister of Health needs to come to order.

The Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: My question to the Premier is this: It's going to destroy and make even more difficult jobs in the hospitality industry, make it

tougher for them to stay in business. Can you confirm that this power to tax drinks that's contained in the city of Toronto act will be a part of the new Municipal Act as well, so it will go

province-wide and make life difficult not just for tourism operators, not just for taxpayers, not just for visitors to Toronto, but for visitors everywhere in the province, tourism operators and

bar operators everywhere? Are you going to take it province-wide in the Municipal Act? Will you confirm that?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It's pretty hard to figure out where my honourable colleague is coming from. First, he says that the people of Toronto

cannot be trusted, and I'm trying to figure out whether he's running against me or Mayor Miller these days. He says the people of Toronto can't be trusted because they're going to make the wrong

decision when it comes to accessing new taxation authority. Then he's asking me if I might ensure that all Ontarians have access to that same authority so that the ne'er-do-wells who apparently

populate municipal councils throughout the province will also foist this upon their constituents.

Let me say that we start from a different premise on this side of the House. We think that the overwhelming majority of people in this province want their

elected representatives to do, and that indeed those elected representatives want to do, the right thing for their people. I have confidence that municipal councils, whether here in Toronto or

elsewhere in Ontario, will carefully consider the issues before them and make the appropriate decisions that serve the best interests of the people they are privileged to represent. They see things

differently. We're quite positive when it comes to these things.

HOSPITAL SECURITY

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. Expectant moms and dads across Ontario are worried about a recent

attempted baby abduction at a Toronto hospital. Two women posing as volunteers walked into the maternity ward of Humber River Regional Hospital, snatched a baby, left the hospital and got away.

Police and security officials were later able to make an arrest. Premier, how could this have happened at an Ontario hospital and what is the McGuinty government prepared to do to make sure it

doesn't happen again?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): It is of course an important question to Ontarians, and I had the chance to

speak with the media about it a day or two ago. Ontario's hospitals, 152 of them in more than 200 locations across Ontario, are quite unique,. They have been built differently, they've emerged

differently and each one of them has community-based governance, which includes the responsibilities associated with the operation and provision of security. Accordingly, the primary responsibility

here rests with the local hospital.

Our responsibilities are to work with them, to support them, to be of assistance and guidance. Accordingly, we've been working through the Ontario Hospital

Association to lend any assistance to any Ontario hospitals that may feel the need to have their programs reviewed. The primary responsibility lands in each local community, where professional

hospital administrators and a board that reflects the local community take responsibility for these actions. At the ministry, we take responsibility for working in support of them. These are the

steps we've taken, and we'll always be there at their side to lend assistance when required.

Mr. Hampton: After the attempted abduction, Global television sent three reporters to three different hospitals to investigate what was

happening. In each case, the reporters got into wards and very close to recently born children. I suspect the parents of infants in this province want to know that something real and concrete is

going to be done about this. Can you tell us what specific steps and additional resources the McGuinty government is prepared to make available to hospitals to ensure this doesn't happen again?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: On the issue of additional resources, the budget of the Minister of Finance has provided about 600 million additional

dollars to Ontario's hospitals. This is to support the priorities that they determine. We're all concerned with the circumstances that arose, both the original circumstance at Humber River Regional

and those other occurrences. Accordingly, hospitals across Ontario will be -- must be -- reviewing their procedures to ensure the safety of patients who are there. Different hospitals in Ontario

have already implemented much more onerous, if you will, security provisions. We're looking to the Ontario Hospital Association to share best practices with any hospitals that may require

assistance.

I accept the honourable member's point that it's appropriate that everybody who has the obligation, responsibility and privilege of running a hospital in

Ontario do so in a fashion that affords the greatest degree of protection possible for our patients. Accordingly, it's appropriate to expect that across the health care system people are reviewing

their procedures. As I said in my earlier answer, the ministry stands alongside them as a partner, willing to assist as required, and in our partnership with the OHA as well.

Mr. Hampton: I think that if you are parents of a newborn, the prospect of having your infant child abducted has to be just about the worst

nightmare someone could have. There are a couple of things the McGuinty government could do. You promised 8,000 new, additional nurses. You're not there yet. In fact, you're not even close. That's

one thing: Ensure there are more caregivers in our hospitals to look after patients, especially patients like these who can't look after themselves.

Some hospitals have been able to afford electronic warning systems, where if someone tries to snatch an infant child, an alarm goes off and the doors lock. Is

the McGuinty government prepared to ensure that both of those things happen in our hospitals to ensure that no parents have to face this kind of terrible situation?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I would happily remind the honourable member that he perhaps should appropriately preface his questions about nurses by a

candid acknowledgement that during the time he had the privilege of serving, 2,944 fewer nurses found employment in Ontario. And according to Doris Grinspun, the executive director of the

Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, we've brought at least 4,500 nurses to the fore in practice in the province of Ontario. This is something that we should be proud of.

I do feel very much like it's appropriate to ask each and every hospital to take responsibility for appropriate security provisions in their hospital. They're

very, very different across the province of Ontario. There is no one-size solution. As I've said twice now, it's our responsibility to work alongside our partner hospitals, to use the Ontario

Hospital Association to assist in the dissemination of best practices, to lend any assistance that's required to any hospital that feels that its procedures might be inadequate. And of course,

based on the circumstances, everybody would appropriately be reviewing those procedures to make sure those little itty-bitty babies entrusted to our care --

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

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Premier, Adeline Levine is a 91-year-old senior. She lives at Fairhaven long-term-care home in

Peterborough. Yesterday, her meal plan at the home consisted of cereal in the morning, soup for lunch, and for dinner, a chicken leg with red cabbage. Our seniors deserve dignity, but under your

government the daily food budget for seniors in long-term-care homes has been frozen at $5.34 a day. That's less than the $10 a day a prisoner incarcerated in an Ontario jail receives. Premier,

when are you going to keep your promises so that seniors living in long-term-care homes can eat healthy food?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Of course we take very, very seriously the responsibilities of providing very

good quality long-term care to our residents. There are 618 long-term-care homes in Ontario that are providing care to approximately 75,000 of our most vulnerable citizens. Accordingly, our

government has invested an additional $740 million in the operation of long-term care since our government has enjoyed the privilege of being government in Ontario.

Obviously, we make sure that professional services associated with long-term care, such as diet, are appropriate for patients. If there are concerns in an

individual case with respect to the quality of service, we've worked very hard to create a 1-800 action line that is responded to immediately. I think that we have a lot of confidence in the people

who are running long-term-care homes to provide appropriately, and look forward to offering more information in supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, Adeline Levine is the president of the Fairhaven resident and family advisory council. She's not alone in objecting to

the food. She and 1,000 other seniors at Fairhaven signed a petition asking you for $2 more per day for food. To quote her, "At least give us a fresh tomato. Celery. Anything." But your government

responded by actually freezing the budget for seniors in long-term-care homes in Ontario. The budget is the same this year as it was last year.

Premier, seniors deserve dignity. When are you going to listen to seniors like Adeline Levine?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member's interest in the issue does not forgive the inaccuracies in his question. There has been an

increase in the provision of support for long-term-care homes in each and every year that our government has had the privilege of being in government, and that pattern shall be expected to

continue. The only thing that has been frozen for residents in the long-term-care sector has been increased copayments. I'm very proud that we've worked hard to fulfill the commitment that we made

to residents in long-term care, not to mention the first increase in the comfort allowance in something like two decades.

We are very pleased to acknowledge the necessity of providing a very high standard of care in our long-term-care homes. We believe that is the case across

Ontario. In those circumstances where residents feel that the quality of care is inappropriate, we work very hard to make sure that, through our action line, any concerns are appropriately

investigated and that that is done in a timely way.

I will look very hard for the opportunity to work with the people from Fairhaven and other long-term-care homes to see what we might be able to do to address

the concerns that have been brought forward, because the only appropriate standard in long-term care is a very high standard.

Mr. Hampton: I want you to notice what the Minister of Health tried to pass off as an answer. He said, yes, there's been an increase in

personal care and support of $2.33 a day, and he tried to get people to believe that that was an increase in the food budget. In fact, it's not. The food budget has been flatlined at $5.34 a

day.

Sandra More has a family member in the special care unit at Fairhaven long-term-care home in Peterborough. She says the food situation at Fairhaven is

desperate: " ... residents sitting in soiled diapers, snacks consisting of sugary cookies and drinks made from artificial juice crystals. In three years, I have never seen a piece of

fruit, a container of yogurt or any food being offered as a snack that had any nutritional value."

Seniors deserve dignity. In a year when the McGuinty government had $3 billion of additional windfall revenue, why is the food budget for Ontario's seniors

frozen at $5.34 --

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

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: If the honourable member is interested at all in accuracy, he'll read back his second question and my answer and he'll

see that it is me who is working on a consistent basis.

I want to say that it is in recognition --

Mr. Hampton: Try that outside, George.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Did you say, "Take it outside"?

It is interesting to note that the honourable member, who has associated with his reputation in government only cuts, can't even acknowledge that in a year we

made a 5.8% investment in the area with respect to long-term care.

Of course, we're obviously very oriented in a fashion to address the concerns that come from family, resident councils and residents themselves. Accordingly,

as I said in my earlier answer, I'll look to address the circumstances that have been brought forward at Fairhaven and encourage people who are experiencing circumstances that they don't find

satisfactory in the long-term-care sector to take advantage of the 1-800 action line, which is responded to very promptly and where we seek to get to the bottom of issues that are brought

forward.

COMMITTEE WITNESSES

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): To the Minister of Education: During estimates committee on Tuesday, April 25, I requested that the chair and

the executive director of the Ontario College of Teachers be requested to attend the committee and be available to respond to specific questions relating to the administration and operations of the

college. Can you confirm for us today that these individuals have in fact been invited, that they will be attending and that they will be authorized by you to answer specific questions at the

committee? Would you do that for us?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): As the member opposite knows, he made quite an

extensive list of individuals he'd like to have appear before the estimates committee. We've certainly had this list, and we would have appreciated having it sooner -- for example, when you knew

you would call this ministry, a week could have been better used. There are individuals who are out of town, but we're endeavouring to put everyone you've asked for before estimates. We actually

have so much good news that we would like you to extend the hours of estimates specifically for the Ministry of Education.

Interjections.

Mr. Klees: It may be a joke to the minister that the estimates committee is a place for her to parade good-news stories. The purpose for

estimates is for the official opposition and the third party to determine whether or not these agencies and commissions, and the government itself, are in fact accountable. It's for that reason

that we've asked for these people to attend.

I want to ask the minister again: Will these people who have been requested to attend consider it the priority that they should, and will they be authorized by

you, as minister, to specifically answer questions? That's my question to you.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I have to tell the member opposite this: We have endeavoured to put everyone that you've asked for before you at estimates

committee. But you've made it very apparent, including the leader of your party, that while we are giving all of the answers as they're tabled in estimates -- you can look at all of the budget

numbers -- you simply don't like the answers that you're hearing, because the contrast between our government in education and your government in education couldn't be more striking. We are

investing $2 billion in this education system since 2003. We have thousands more teachers there to support pupils in the classroom. We are helping build a system based on quality for the first

time, receiving challenges because we dare the community to talk about quality in education. I'll see you at estimates this afternoon and continue to table more good news about this government on

education.

Interjections.

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

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): A question for the Premier: Since the early 1990s, it has been the policy of successive Ontario

governments to use best efforts to ensure that rail transit cars for the operations of Ontario cities -- urban transit systems in Ontario cities -- would be built in Thunder Bay. The strategy has

been to ensure that Ontario taxpayers' money is used to create jobs in Ontario, is used to create economic activity in Ontario and is used to create a sustainable industry in Ontario.

My question is, why has the McGuinty government abandoned that policy? Why are $200 million of Ontario taxpayers' money for city of Ottawa rail transit

vehicles being used to build those cars in California, rather than in Thunder Bay?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Actually, we are very proud of our investment in public transit. We have made a record

investment this year. We made a record investment last year. I'm very pleased to tell the honourable member that all the GO Transit contracts, in fact, went to Bombardier in Thunder Bay. The Ottawa

situation -- they went through a very fair and transparent process and, at the end of the day, they selected the trains that were most suitable to them in a very fair and transparent process. We

have worked very closely with Bombardier over a period of time, and we have met them several times and, as I understand, the plant has been quite busy.

Mr. Hampton: The question was, why has the McGuinty government abandoned a good policy which ensured that rail transit vehicles for urban

transit systems were built in Ontario by Ontario workers? Minister, you need to inform yourself. There are hundreds of workers laid off at that plant and hundreds more facing layoff. The strategy

was to ensure that Ontario taxpayers' money would build a good industry in Ontario, and Ontario benefited because the workers and the company paid property taxes, sales tax, income tax, corporate

taxes.

Can you tell the workers in Thunder Bay who are laid off, and the other workers who are facing layoff, why it's a good idea that $200 million of Ontario

taxpayers' money goes to California, while those Thunder Bay workers lose their jobs?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: The Minister of Public Infrastructure, please.

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Deputy Government House Leader): I'm delighted to take the question. It's

somewhat ironic that this is a member of a party who, when they were in government, sold the rolling stock of GO to a consortium in the Caribbean. So please, sir, I think we need some facts in this

matter.

There was, of course, an expired memorandum of understanding between the province of Ontario and Bombardier located in Thunder Bay. The city of Ottawa,

responsible for the O-Train project, of which we are a partner for funding purposes, is not bound by that agreement. They have gone through a fair, open and transparent tendering process and

invited all parties to come and bid. That is precisely what happened. In fact, the province is very supportive of the city of Ottawa undertaking this action. We are a funder to the tune of some

$200 million to expand light rail in Ontario. This is part of ReNew Ontario and Move Ontario, the McGuinty government's unprecedented investments in transit in this province.

EDUCATION

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): My question is for the Minister of Education. I know from both my career in teaching and

my role as a parent how important it is to engage parents in the education of their children. Studies have shown that increased parental involvement in education leads to improved student

achievement, reduced absenteeism, better behaviour and greater self-confidence for the students. In my riding of Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh, parents of students in Cornwall and Long Sault

attend Littératie familiale workshops, which focus on literacy development. These workshops show parents the kinds of books that will best help their children learn to love reading. Minister,

what other opportunities are there for parents to get involved in the education of their children?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): I applaud this member, not only for his question but

also for showing leadership in education. Our caucus is filled with a number of leaders in education, which I think helps us with good education policy. So congratulations to you.

I think he points out today a very integral part of what we are planning to do in tabling a parent initiative, a parent policy, that helps us reach out and

have more parents involved in our school system. I think he tables a very good example of why it matters in assisting with basics like literacy and numeracy and how parents really can help.

I'm going to suggest that a lot of the surveying that's been done recently tells us that about 16% of the parent population actually say they're involved in

the school system, yet if we were to ask parents, half of them at least would become involved if they were asked to be involved. That makes a challenge for us and for our partner school boards. We

need parent involvement and we want to do that the right way by extending and reaching a hand out to them and showing them how they can be involved in their child's life in school.

Mr. Brownell: Both during Education Week and throughout the rest of the year, I congratulate our province's teachers and school administrators

on the fine work they do in developing the young minds of the future, but I know they can't do it on their own. School councils are one of the best ways to get parental input and assistance in the

operations, events and concerns of our schools. These councils help to open the lines of communication between teachers and concerned parents. This communication and co-operation benefit students

in the end. I understand that, as a former teacher. Minister, can you tell this House what your ministry is doing to support the important work of school councils?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: Our new policy also includes a $5.2-million investment in parent engagement in our school system, and that matters for

absolutely every school in our communities across the province: $500 for every parent council, to assist them in being creative and engaging all of the parents of all of the children. It also

includes a $1-million grant that helps some boards, some schools, reach out to parents who perhaps need a little bit more help getting involved in their students' lives in the classroom. It also

talks about a near-million-dollar grant that is specifically for school boards to create parent involvement committees.

All of us need to be creative. We want parents involved. We want them involved in great ways that actually help their own children succeed in the school

system. We look forward to this kind of parent engagement. I thank the member opposite for showing so much leadership on this issue.

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Minister of Transportation: Last week I asked you questions about the detours around

Caledonia, provincial Highway 6, and you did not answer. You've had six days now to pull some information together. There have been reports of collisions on these back roads. Minister, will you

inform this House and the drivers in the Caledonia area what you're doing to facilitate the movement of vehicles, not only around the periphery of Caledonia but also within Caledonia?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): The minister of aboriginal affairs.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Under standing order 36(e), "A minister to whom an oral question

is directed may refer the question to another minister who is responsible for the subject matter to which the question relates." There is no relationship, Mr. Speaker. This was all dealing with

transportation issues, and the minister responsible should respond and comply with the standing orders.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): I would ask the Minister of Transportation if he could answer the question. No? Excuse me. I'll take

it under advisement.

I have to ask the Premier, in this case, whose responsibility this particular issue would be. If it is the responsibility of the minister of aboriginal

affairs, then he could answer it.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Speaker, I think, in fairness, there is some overlap in connection with

this matter, but if the question is related to Caledonia, the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, has principal responsibility for that file.

The Deputy Speaker: Then to the minister of aboriginal affairs.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I say to the

member that I understand, as we all do when we have responsibilities for our local constituencies, how disruptive this dispute obviously has been to your community and to people throughout your

riding. Believe me, this government is working day and night to work at resolving this conflict. As you know, we have asked former Premier David Peterson to come in, and he is in meetings as we

speak. He has been discussing all of this with all the principals in this dispute. I would assure the local member that the issue of the barricades on these road networks is his first job, his

primary concern, and that is what he's working towards: resolving that for you.

Mr. Barrett: My supplementary is to the Minister of Transportation. There's a big problem with travellers and tourists from outside the area.

As you can appreciate, they are having difficulties negotiating these roads across Haldimand county. I talked to representatives of the Port Dover Board of Trade and the Jarvis Board of Trade.

Turkey Point tourism is impacted. Hagersville tourism is impacted. Minister of Transportation, what specific measures will you launch to help our area throughout both Haldimand and Norfolk to

accommodate tourist traffic, cottagers and day trippers who go down to Lake Erie? This is your responsibility, Minister, and we ask for some leadership on this roads issue.

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: First of all, I want to say to the member that this is a temporary situation.

Mr. Barrett: Wrong minister.

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: If the member would listen to me, when it comes to the rerouting of traffic because of this type of temporary barricading,

the OPP obviously outlined and delineated where these detours are to run. The member also knows that our government has given assistance to the municipality directly to help them with this and many

of the other associated costs this dispute has caused them. I would say to the member, we are working with your community on this, on the issues of transportation, and the other disruptions that

have been caused by this dispute.

Mr. Barrett: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would request a late show response from the Minister of Transportation on the roads

issue.

The Deputy Speaker: You may file that at the appropriate time. New question.

COMPOSTING FACILITY

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Today the city of Guelph announced that it is

shutting its organic processing plant because your government refused to fund upgrades. Instead of focusing scarce resources on increasing its stellar 54% waste diversion rate, Guelph must now ship

its organic waste out of the city, perhaps even out of the province. Minister, will you agree today to provide the city of Guelph with the $2.5 million needed to rebuild its composting

facility?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I'm very pleased to have an opportunity to speak to the issues facing the community in

Guelph. I've had an opportunity to meet with the mayor and talk to her about the success of the wet-dry program, and I've indicated my support for the success of that program. But I'm sure the

member opposite does understand that the Ministry of the Environment is not a funding ministry for infrastructure projects. In the supplementary, I'll ask the Minister of Agriculture, Food and

Rural Affairs, who is responsible for the COMRIF program, which is the program that the community of Guelph applied to, to speak to the issues with respect to the application process under

COMRIF.

Mr. Tabuns: Unlike the McGuinty government, the city of Guelph is a leader in diverting waste from landfills. After viewing Guelph's waste

facility, your predecessor, Mrs. Dombrowsky, said, "Seeing your facility gives me the opportunity to say to those folks who are skeptical ... that I have been to Guelph and it is possible. I'm able

to say, `Look at what Guelph is doing.'"

Guelph needs $2.5 million to keep that facility open and to keep leading Ontario in waste management. When is your government going to cut the cheque to allow

that facility to continue operation?

Hon. Ms. Broten: To the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

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

House exactly what has happened with, the excellent facility that I toured when I was the Minister of the Environment. The city has made an application in intake 2 of the Canada-Ontario municipal

infrastructure program. That program is a jointly funded program, a federal-provincial-municipal partnership, and there is a joint secretariat that independently adjudicates the applications that

come in. The Guelph application was adjudicated. The criteria used are with respect to health and safety, with respect to value for dollar and with respect to provincial priority. Unfortunately,

because there were 366 applications, only 88 in round 2 were able to be accommodated with the dollars that were available. The project in Guelph did not receive its funding.

I would encourage the municipality of Guelph, which has been so forward-thinking with respect to managing these important environmental issues, to continue

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The question has been answered. New question.

HOSPICE CARE

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Your announcement yesterday of our

government's further expansion of home care, and our response to Elinor Caplan's review of home care, was something that means a lot to patients and personal support workers in my riding of

Perth-Middlesex. I want you to know just how important it has been for more of my constituents to be able to receive care in their homes rather than in a hospital. The hospitals in my riding

provides excellent care to my constituents, but some needs are better fulfilled at home and in the community, which leads me to end-of-life care.

I was reading through Cancer Care Ontario's cancer care quality index 2006 last week, and I was disturbed to read about the state of end-of-life care under the

previous Tory government. I read that home care services for end-of-life clients fell by 3%, that rates of ER visits went up by 4% and homes visits by doctors fell by 3%.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Question.

Mr. Wilkinson: It just gives me more of a perspective on our end-of-life strategy that we announced. Minister, could you give us an update on

that strategy?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): It was with tremendous pride last year that I had the opportunity to outline

our government's three-year, $115-million investment in end-of-life care. What we're seeking to do is have the best integrated plan in all of Canada to provide end-of-life care to our loved ones.

We want to be able to do that in the hospital environment, of course, but in addition we believe that there are tremendous opportunities to do more of that service in the place where people would

most prefer to pass on, which is their home.

Our funding this year will see 1,100 additional people supported at home. We'll also see resources going to fund volunteer home hospices -- those are

volunteer-driven organizations that support people who are passing on in their homes -- and of course funding for 30 residential hospices over the next three years.

Our strategy in the province of Ontario is viewed by other jurisdictions across the land as a leading one. We work very hard to develop a coordinated approach.

I look forward to speaking more about residential hospices in my supplementary answer.

Mr. Wilkinson: Minister, that is impressive. The time people spend at the end of their lives, when they are dealing with a terminal illness,

is a time to reflect and a time to be amongst loved ones. It's a time that should be spent in comfort and dignity. There are times when government has the opportunity to really touch people's

lives, and I feel that this is one of them. I'd be very pleased to tell my constituents about this initiative.

I understand that you're especially proud of one component of our end-of-life strategy, and that is the residential hospice component. Can you tell me more

about what residential hospices will mean for Ontarians?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: When we had the privilege of speaking with other people about the network of residential hospices that we're building in

Ontario, they were very enthusiastic about it. For any of us who have worked with a local group supporting a residential hospice, we know that they have so much love on offer to our communities

that it's just one of the best investments we can make: to help to leverage love of community.

This year, four additional residential hospices will receive funding support. Those are the Hospice of Windsor and Essex County; Sakura House; VON Oxford,

which was been built with the benefit of assistance from Toyota; the Niagara Hospice; and the Dr. Bob Kemp Hospice. This is where I had the privilege of making an announcement earlier this year.

This is on top of hospices that we're already funding in Waterloo, Burlington, Oakville, Toronto, Richmond Hill, Ottawa, Brantford, Milton, and very recently Roger's House, which is open in

Ottawa.

Accordingly, we have a little more work to do. More hospices are coming to life across the province of Ontario. When this program matures in 2007-08, we'll

have 30 residential hospices providing love to people at the end of their lives.

LABOUR DISPUTE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. During the last election campaign you promised, "As the province's

largest employer, we will never use replacement workers.... A Dalton McGuinty government will lead by example by being an employer that respects employees." My question is, does the McGuinty

government stand by that commitment to not use scab labour?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Yes, we do.

Mr. Hampton: Since April 21, workers at the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board have been in a labour dispute with their employer. Twenty-odd

scabs -- you call them replacement workers -- have been hired by management to cross the picket line. Your government, the McGuinty government, appoints half the members of the board at the Ontario

teachers' pension plan. In fact, you have veto authority over the appointment of the chair.

Premier, can you tell me why the McGuinty government is breaking its commitment to these workers? Why are you encouraging the use of scab labour?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It's a bit of a stretch, frankly, on the part of the leader of the NDP. We don't run the pension plan. We continue to

honour our commitment not to use replacement workers as a government. This is a matter that the leader of the NDP may want to take up with the pension plan board itself.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. The recent announcement of the Greater Toronto

Transportation Authority has been great use for Ontarians. People across the greater Toronto area have seen success in our government's dedication to fighting gridlock in the growing 905 region.

This is no simple task, but it appears as though the GTTA promises to make the greater Toronto area more transit-friendly.

We all know that we have maintained your ministry's commitment to meeting the transit needs of the greater Toronto area. With the subway extension to my riding

of Thornhill and now the creation of the GTTA, it is clear that the McGuinty government is dedicated to providing real, positive change.

Minister, a recent newspaper headline asked, "GTTA Too Good to be True?" What are some of the positives that Ontarians can expect to see from the GTTA?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Congestion is the major issue in the GTA and the Hamilton area. It affects our quality

of life and it affects our environment. That's why our government has been making a record investment in transit and we are moving forward with the creation of the Greater Toronto Transportation

Authority.

The main function of the transportation authority will be to make sure that we have a long-term plan to address gridlock. We will also have a five-year capital

plan and a five-year operating plan as we move forward.

The other issue is that we need to keep our goods and people moving, and that's why this is an important initiative, not just in the greater Toronto area but

in the Hamilton area as well. We look forward to working on that.

Mr. Racco: Minister, my constituents certainly welcome the province's dedication to fighting gridlock in the region of York. As you know, the

chairman and mayor for the region of York were present at the announcement. The government's commitment to expand the subway into my riding of Thornhill is clearly building opportunity for everyone

in the greater Toronto area. It benefits Ontario, and more specifically the GTA, to expand the subway to the Vaughan Corporate Centre. From a financial standpoint, congestion is costing Ontarians

over $2 billion a year in economic loss. Not only will this extension allow thousands of people to travel easily, but it will also increase the standard of living in our great province.

Minister, considering that the city of Vaughan just yesterday released a study -- Julian Fantino is the chair -- where it proves that the biggest issues in

Vaughan are transportation, at 16%, and health, at 5%, and considering that with the extension to the Vaughan Corporate Centre --

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The question has been asked. Minister.

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I want to thank the member for asking his question. He has been a big advocate, actually, for the subway extension that we

are undertaking. This is the first-ever project that will cross municipal boundaries, so we want to thank him for his advocacy on that project as well.

The biggest issue here is congestion, which actually occurred because the previous government neglected funding for public transit for a very long time. I said

in my speech yesterday that in 1995 and 1996 we used to spend $660 million on public transit, and in 1999 and 2000 we were spending $68 million. Then it went down further to about $38 million.

That's why we see so much congestion and gridlock on our highways. But we need to keep our goods and people moving, and we are making the right investment and the right decisions.

MUNICIPAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): To the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing: You're probably aware of a rather big

article in the Toronto Star

this morning entitled, "Big-Box Showdown in Port Perry." In fact, it goes much further than that if you talk to the citizens of Port Perry; for instance, Doug Brown, who's with Shoppers Drug Mart,

and local teacher Michael Steele, as well as the BIA members generally on the main street.

The downtown businesses work very hard at being customer-friendly and innovative. I might say that the Canadian retailer of the year actually has a business on

the main street as well. They're concerned about the lack of any kind of direction in the context that we're in the middle of discussions of on Bill 51, which is a very tightly controlled Planning

Act regulation.

Minister, do you have any advice to share with the municipality with respect to the big box development and the impacts on rural, small-town Ontario?

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): I'd like to thank the member for this question. We view Bill 51, which is the

new Planning Act, as a very integral part of the overall development of this province. We feel it's a method whereby, in effect, councils will be given much greater authority as to what kind of

development they would like to see in their municipalities. It also gives them much greater control in a number of different ways they simply didn't have before. There's also, of course, the

provincial policy statement that is quite clear and direct as to where areas should grow, together with the growth plan that was announced by the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal.

We, on this side the House, take the planning of Ontario, both at the provincial level and at the local level, very seriously. I do not have any specific

advice for that particular situation. We in the ministry will certainly look at it, but we believe that Bill 51, together with the provincial policy statement, the greenbelt and the growth plan

will go a long way to deal with the pressures of development in this province.

Mr. O'Toole: Thank you for that rather uncomfortable response. I would say that most commenters on the bill, including our critic, have

suggested quite the opposite to what you've just suggested here today. What they've said is that you're uploading the power to the ministry and downloading the responsibility to the municipality.

But very specifically, it's not just this small town in Ontario; it's Clarington -- a lot of small towns are under the same pressure. They're going to consultants to look for advice. The advice is

on the amount of commercial space per population, and there's no way of challenging these things. However, in Bill 51, there is a provision under

section 2 that refers to the local appeal boards,

and it's to make and design sustainable communities, in the general word of

interpretation.

Minister, is there any mechanism by which the small businesses, the entrepreneurs of this province and of my community, can get the ministry or get someone to

pay attention, or do they have to go the route of the Ontario Municipal Board to resolve this small-town Ontario problem?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: As the member well knows, he's talking about a two-tier municipality. There are certain responsibilities at the upper

level, the region of Durham, and they will have to look at their official plan. The implementation of that is done through the official plan of the local municipality. Obviously, it's very

important for these two bodies to work together, together with the provincial policy statement that we've outlined. The new provisions in Bill 51 help this kind of situation. I would suggest to the

member that he talk to the local council and to the planning staff at the regional level, so that this kind of situation can be dealt with in a very efficient and correct fashion.

We believe Bill 51 is something that will help the people of Ontario, that will help the communities in Ontario with a greater variety of tools that are

required in the proper planning of our communities, which we all know is extremely important for the quality of life we all want to have in this province.

HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Minister of Transportation. You might know that a particular business in the city

of Timmins, called NorFab, has been working with your ministry for the better part of a year and a half now to get a permit for a highway entrance, something you would think is very simple in this

province: to be able to get a permit to move a business. What has happened in this particular case is that the ministry has put up so many roadblocks and so many obstructions that the person who is

trying to put the building in place has had to delay building the facility and has suffered a penalty from the company he was going to be working for, for $150,000, plus, he's had to spend $100,000

on legal fees and others to deal with getting your permit. He's now up to a $250,000 of additional costs to deal with the highway entrance. Your ministry staff are putting all kinds of conditions

on him. They're making it impossible for him to deal with it. I want to ask you today in this House, will you personally intervene with the ministry to make sure that Mr. Dutulion and NorFab do not

have to continue down the process that now has lasted more than year?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): The number one priority is the safety of the highway and the safety of the people who

drive on the highway. We are working very closely with the company -- I think it's NorFab, if I'm not wrong -- and we will make sure we continue to work closely with them to address some of their

issues regarding moving their business. The MTO staff, as far as I'm concerned, have been working very closely with them for the last few months.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The time for oral questions has expired.

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): I want to announce that, pursuant to standing order 37(a), the member for Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant has

given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs. This matter will be debated today at 6 p.m.

PETITIONS

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have a petition here sent to me by the good folks at the long-term-care facility in Tillsonburg.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas long-term-care funding levels are too low to enable homes to provide the care and services our aging seniors and parents who are residents of

long-term-care homes need, with the respect and dignity that they deserve; and

"Whereas, even with recent funding increases and a dedicated staff who do more than their best, there is still not enough time available to provide the care

residents need. For example, 10 minutes, and sometimes less, is simply not enough time to assist a resident to get up, dressed, to the bathroom and then to the dining room for breakfast; and

"Whereas those unacceptable care and service levels are now at risk of declining;

"We, the undersigned, who are members of family councils, residents' councils and/or s