role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

April 4, 2005

38th Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Apr-04 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 4 April 2005 Lundi 4 avril 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

RIDEAU REGIONAL CENTRE

BURNHAMTHORPE PUBLIC SCHOOL

HYDRO ONE

EDUCATION FUNDING

LISTOWEL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

NORTHERN COLLEGES

AND UNIVERSITIES

AGNES JACKS

BUCHENWALD

WATER SUPPLY

VISITORS

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

POPE JOHN PAUL II /

LE PAPE JEAN-PAUL II

SPEAKER'S RULING

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

AUTISM TREATMENT

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

AUTISM TREATMENT

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

TEACHER TESTING

AUTISM TREATMENT

WATER QUALITY

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

AUTISM TREATMENT

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

PETITIONS

STUDENT SAFETY

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR

THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

TENANT PROTECTION

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

HOSPITAL SERVICES

ONTARIO FARMERS

REFUNDABLE CONTAINERS

ONTARIO FARMERS

TENANT PROTECTION

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

ORDERS OF THE DAY

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY AND

SUPPORT ARREARS ENFORCEMENT

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES OBLIGATIONS FAMILIALES

ET L'EXÉCUTION DES ARRIÉRÉS

D'ALIMENTS

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

RIDEAU REGIONAL CENTRE

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): I rise today to draw the attention of all members of this House to the plight that will be faced by

the residents of Rideau Regional Centre and their families when that Smiths Falls facility is closed.

I have received petitions from the families of RRC residents, and each petition is accompanied by the story of an individual for whom RRC has been home. One

constituent wrote that their son will be moved out of RRC in September 2006. This man has lived at RRC for 45 years. Another letter from a widower and a veteran says that his son will be moved out

of the centre, which has been his home for 50 years.

Many of these elderly parents can't physically care for their adult children themselves, and they are afraid that the move from RRC will hurt their children both

physically and emotionally. These people are frightened about what will happen to their severely disabled adult children, and they have petitioned this Legislature to keep the Rideau Regional

Centre open.

I will be introducing petitions containing 6,500 signatures. I trust that members of this House, and particularly the Minister of Community and Social Services,

will heed this cry for help from the friends and families of some of Ontario's most vulnerable citizens.

BURNHAMTHORPE PUBLIC SCHOOL

Mr. Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East): I rise in the House today to acknowledge an outstanding school in my riding of Mississauga East.

In a recent Toronto Star article, Burnhamthorpe Public School was cited as a school that is "exceeding expectations" in standardized testing. Students at

Burnhamthorpe are consistently scoring above the provincial average, with over 75% of students scoring in the top two levels of reading, writing and math.

Judy Fatum, the principal at Burnhamthorpe, cites the continued hard work of the school's 28 teachers and many volunteers as the key reason behind the school's

success. She outlined that the focus at the school is not just on improving test scores. Instead, the school uses a holistic approach to learning, encouraging students to participate in the arts

and extracurricular activities and involving parents and the community in the learning process. It is believed that this approach to teaching, one that actively involves parents and focuses on

well-rounded students, results in better learning and thus higher test scores.

It is the goal of this government to see outcomes like those of Burnhamthorpe Public School occur province-wide. I would like to congratulate the students,

faculty, volunteers and parents at Burnhamthorpe Public School on their achievements. This government is working hard to ensure that schools have the resources they need so that those successes can

become reality, not only at Burnhamthorpe Public School but across the province.

HYDRO ONE

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I rise in the House today to try to shed some light on a very dark issue facing Ontario taxpayers. The recently

released public sector disclosure list revealed some very troubling facts about Ontario's provincial hydro sector. The total payroll in the hydro sector went from $58.8 million in 1996 to $743.2

million in 2004. That's an increase of more than 1,000%; yes, I said 1,000%. Minister of Energy, is that what you mean when you tell the people of Ontario and the consumers that they must pay the

true cost of power? Does the true cost of power include these enormous salaries of Hydro's executives?

I, along with many Ontarians, am also concerned about the salary paid to Hydro One's president and CEO, Tom Parkinson. Tom Parkinson tops the Ontario salary

disclosure earnings list with $1 million. He received a 35% increase from the previous year. This is simply not justifiable. There are, of course, Mr. Parkinson's helicopter rides with the minister

to his Muskoka cottage and the taxpayer-funded trip for his wife to accompany him on business conferences.

Minister, how can you raise electricity rates and hit the consumers directly in the pocketbook while at the same time allowing such expenses to take place at

Hydro One? Your government preaches about a conservation culture. How about starting to conserve by taking control of the enormous salaries in Ontario's hydroelectric sector?

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): People for Education did their annual report, and it revealed some troubling news. I want to read and

highlight some of those issues.

"

(2) Families are being asked to pay ever-higher student fees. The average activity fee, which covers athletic equipment, lab materials and student council

operations, rose to $30.60 this year, but some schools charge as much as $180.

"Further, parents and students are still expected to raise funds for everything from classroom supplies to musical instruments."

On small schools, the report says, "As temporary grants for declining enrolment diminish and student-to-staff ratios drop below the levels set in the funding

formula, school boards will be forced to reduce expenses by cutting staff for programs and/or closing small schools."

The Toronto Parent Network did their annual review this year. They said that 16% of the schools reported exposed asbestos in their schools, 33% of the schools

reviewed reported signs of mould, 10% reported vermin and 90% required building maintenance.

This is from a government that worries about curriculum casualties. We know that the dropout rate hit 29% last year, higher than the previous year. Thank God

we've got a government that is worried about curriculum casualties -- all these problems and these failures due to the government, which really cares about kids. Things are not what they seem. Foul

is fair and fair is foul.

LISTOWEL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): I rise today to share with all members a good-news announcement made last week in my riding of

Perth-Middlesex. On Friday I was pleased to announce, on behalf of the McGuinty government and the Honourable George Smitherman, our Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, $7.8 million in capital

funding to help the Listowel Memorial Hospital continue moving forward with its redevelopment project.

The new provincial funding will help the Listowel Memorial Hospital construct new areas for diagnostic imaging and surgical suites and redevelop its emergency

and outpatient services departments. This redevelopment is the first phase of a 20-year plan to modernize the hospital. Most importantly, this support will provide the people of North Perth with

enhanced access to quality health care for many years to come in state-of-the-art hospital facilities.

This announcement was part of a $184-million contribution toward total capital project costs for specific hospitals across Ontario. No doubt our government is

responding to the present and future needs of all Ontarians.

On a personal note, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Margret Comack, the CEO of Listowel Memorial Hospital; Kerry Blagrave, board chair; Dr. Barry

Neable, chief of staff; Ed Hollinger, mayor of North Perth, and his council; and most importantly, those North Perth residents who depend on Listowel Memorial. Without their fundraising efforts and

dedication, their capital project would never have come to fruition.

Finally, I want to publicly invite the Premier and the minister to visit North Perth on September 20, 2005, for the opening day of the 2005 International Plowing

Match and to participate in the planned official sod-turning ceremony at the Listowel Memorial Hospital.

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): Last week in this House, my good friend the Liberal member for Prince Edward-Hastings brought up the

important issue of the fiscal imbalance. I want to join that member, and all members, in condemning the inaction of federal Liberal MPs from Ontario. Their job is to stand up and represent the

hard-working taxpayers of Ontario. Ontario taxpayers strongly support the long-standing tradition of playing an important role in national unity by supporting other areas of the country, because

that's what it means to be a Canadian.

The Liberal government of Paul Martin has some explaining to do. How can Immigration Minister Joe Volpe think it's acceptable to provide only $800 of support for

immigrants arriving at Toronto's Pearson airport, when immigrants arriving in Montreal's Trudeau airport get $3,800 in federal support? What about health care, where Ontario receives the

second-lowest amount per capita in Canada?

People in Ontario are asking where their tax dollars are going. Canadians are shocked to learn that they're going to support systemic corruption in the federal

Liberal Party. Day after day, Justice Gomery is hearing the sordid details of how taxpayers have been patronized, taken for granted and really used in an irresponsible way.

While a publication ban has prevented Ontario taxpayers from learning some of the sordid details, let me tell you that the stench of the scandal can be smelled

right across this country. Every dollar diverted to the corrupt federal Liberals and their greedy friends through the sponsorship program is a dollar stolen from Ontario hospitals. It has got to

stop, and we're going to work on this side of the House to make sure it does.

NORTHERN COLLEGES

AND UNIVERSITIES

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): The recently released Rae review supports what many institutions already know about the importance of

post-secondary education and the funding inequities that have existed in our colleges and universities for far too long. Nowhere are these funding inequities more severe than in our northern

colleges and universities.

In spite of this challenge, northern institutions like Confederation College and Lakehead University continue to play a pivotal role in the education of our

young adults. Lindsay Farrell is a graduate student at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, enrolled in the master of biology program. Our university's ability to offer this graduate program has

provided an opportunity to a female aboriginal student that she possibly would not have had, had this program not existed in Thunder Bay.

We need to ensure that the new government funding for graduate growth and research is shared equitably across all Ontario universities so that young people like

Lindsay Farrell can be supported, educated and employed in Thunder Bay if our northern communities are to grow and flourish. We need to do all we can to retain students like Lindsay, who, by the

way, was one of a small number of students in Canada to receive an NSERC post-graduate scholarship award in the hard sciences.

In the north, we need to be innovative. Confederation College serves 34 municipalities and 67 First Nations communities. They are working on an innovative

community-based project to deliver a four-year bachelor of science nursing degree program in four rural towns in northwestern Ontario, a program that, if successful, would be the first of its kind

for the bachelor of science in Canada.

This is the kind of innovation and equity that we must strive for in post-secondary education, and northern institutions like Lakehead and Confederation College

are leading the way.

AGNES JACKS

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): This weekend, the residents of North Bay and area lost a great member of our community. Agnes Jacks was a very

special lady. She was known as Canada's ringette ambassador. Her husband, Sam Jacks, invented the sport in 1963 in North Bay when he was the city's recreation director.

Together, the two promoted ringette and youth participation in sports in northern Ontario and around the world.

Sam and Agnes had three sons; the girls who played ringette in our community became their daughters. Sam and Agnes believed that there was little for girls to do

in winter months, especially for those who couldn't afford figure skating or who weren't inclined. Using broken hockey sticks and broomball handles and various types of rings, they developed

ringette.

Growing up in North Bay, I always heard the ringette scores, together with the hockey scores, on the radio in the morning. I thought everyone around the world

played ringette. And thanks to Agnes and her dedication to the sport, they do. She travelled to Sweden, Finland, Russia and France to promote the game. In Ontario alone, over 13,000 players enjoy

ringette. There are 80 local associations. It is played in every province and territory in Canada, and across the country, over 50,000 people participate as players, coaches, officials and

volunteers. That is quite a legacy.

Just two weeks ago, Agnes was in Pembroke for the Ontario provincial championships. She attended in her wheelchair, where she officiated over the opening

ceremonies and was cheered by thousands. In 2002, for all her good work, Agnes was awarded the Order of Canada.

Agnes died over the weekend. She was 81 years old. She leaves behind three sons, her 11 grandchildren and a legion of fans, friends and girls whose lives she

changed because of her encouragement, her passion and her enthusiasm.

BUCHENWALD

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): This weekend marks the 60th anniversary of the liberation of Buchenwald, one of the Nazi

concentration camps where many atrocities took place during the Second World War. This coming weekend, men and women from around the globe are reuniting at Buchenwald to thank their liberators, to

come to terms with what they suffered and to pay homage to those who didn't survive. We must remember them.

While we are all familiar with the horrors of the Holocaust, many of us are unaware of the direct connection the Buchenwald camp has to Ontario. One hundred and

sixty-eight airman from the Allied forces were sent there, through unfortunate circumstances, instead of to POW camps. Among them were 11 Ontarians, one being Edward Carter-Edwards, father of one

of my constituents, Dennis Carter-Edwards. Edward and all these airmen witnessed the senseless slaughter of those the Nazis considered undesirable. They were forced to live in unimaginable squalor,

doing slave labour under the threat of execution.

Let no one deny that these events happened; we have living citizens from our province who witnessed them and bear the scars of them. Let none of us forget what

happened, and do our part to be aware of the atrocities happening today.

Let us also follow the example of men like Ed Carter-Edwards and let go of resentments from the past. Despite what he endured, he bears no malice to the German

people. He taught his son not to hold children accountable for the sins of their fathers. Now, Edward's grandson speaks German and has many friends in that country.

What these 11 Ontarians endured, none of us here can imagine. It is our duty as Ontarians to remember what they sacrificed and what they witnessed and, above

all, to set an example for the world, showing that it is possible to let go of the past, to embrace one's enemies and, united, to build toward the future.

WATER SUPPLY

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I have a very important announcement. As members may have heard, there has been a water main break in the

vicinity of Queen's Park. All occupants of the precinct have been advised not to drink the tap water until further notice.

I want to assure all members and staff that the water in your glasses today is bottled, with no ice.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): We have with us in the Speaker's gallery the Michigan state legislators participating in the legislative

exchange program of the Midwestern Legislative Conference. They are Senator Patricia Birkholz and Representative Dan Acciavatti. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guests.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): I move that, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from

6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, 2005, for the purpose of considering government business.

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

All those in favour, please say "aye."

All those against, please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1349 to 1354.

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

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Cordiano, Joseph

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Flaherty, Jim

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jackson, Cameron

Jeffrey, Linda

Kennedy, Gerard

Klees, Frank

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Parsons, Ernie

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Sterling, Norman W.

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Prue, Michael

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 70; the nays are 6.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

Hon. Joseph Cordiano (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): I have some important news about protecting safety in Ontario.

Applause.

Hon. Mr. Cordiano: Thank you. Does this mean you'll be asking me more questions in the House?

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): I'll ask you just as many as you ask me.

Hon. Mr. Cordiano: OK.

This morning, our government announced that the province's 9,000 lottery terminals will join Ontario's Amber Alert child abduction warning system. When a child

is abducted and the OPP issues an Amber Alert, thousands more Ontarians will be aware and vigilant.

As the minister responsible for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., I am very proud that Ontario is the first Canadian province to harness the power of its

lottery network in this way. This initiative has the potential to save a child's life.

Let me explain to the House why our lottery retailers are such strong partners to the police and to other members of Ontario's Amber Alert program: If you want

to get vital information to the masses, and do it fast, lottery terminal screens are a great tool. These screens are in places we go to every day: convenience stores, gas stations, mall kiosks,

supermarkets and newsstands. Lottery tickets are sold in some of Ontario's busiest places. It doesn't matter whether you play lotteries or not, these screens are part of our everyday lives. If a

child has been taken, there will be 9,000 more chances that Ontarians are going to know about it.

We all know that when a child has been abducted, every second counts. Ontario's lottery network will get Amber Alerts out there, and fast. That means that when

the alert is called, marketing messages normally seen on the screens will be replaced by vital Amber Alert information.

Mr. Speaker, imagine that you or any member of this House is out and about on the day an Amber Alert breaks. The information you see on a lottery screen may

trigger a memory, something you saw -- a vehicle, a person, a child -- something that didn't look quite right. It may be the key piece of information that helps the police find a child before it's

too late, and there's nothing more important than that.

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): I'm happy to report to the House that tomorrow morning, Ontario

will have a new and powerful tool to help find an abducted child. Earlier today, the Premier, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade and I launched an important addition to the Amber Alert

system in Ontario. At 6 o'clock tomorrow morning, all of Ontario's 9,000 retail lottery terminals will have the capability to alert the public through the Amber Alert system that a child has

been abducted.

Amber Alert is a warning system that quickly notifies the public of a missing or abducted child under 18 years of age who is in imminent danger. There must

also be enough descriptive information about the child, the abductor and/or the suspect's vehicle to make police believe that an immediate alert will help locate the child.

Amber Alert is a partnership among the Ontario government, police services and the media. The Amber Alert system currently uses the Ministry of

Transportation's electronic highway signs to notify the public with time-critical information about an abducted child, his or her abductor, and/or suspect vehicles. In addition, radio and

television stations interrupt regular programming to broadcast information. The addition of the lottery terminals to Ontario's Amber Alert system is the largest expansion to the program since it

was launched two years ago, and it will improve the safety of Ontario communities.

When a child is abducted, every minute counts. Police believe that the first two to five hours of an abduction are the most crucial. It's absolutely vital to

the search and the investigation that critical information about the missing child be relayed to the public as quickly as possible. The public can play a significant role in the safe rescue of an

abducted child.

There have been three Amber Alerts issued in Ontario since it was launched. The addition of 9,000 lottery terminals is important to the Amber Alert network.

It's also a symbol of the desire of people and organizations in our community to be involved and to make their own contributions to stronger, safer communities.

This is just the latest initiative by the McGuinty government to help protect our children from predators. We have taken measures to educate them about the

dangers of Internet luring and to combat child pornography through innovative and interactive software called CYBERCOPS to educate grades 7 and 8 children on the dangers of the Internet. We've

earmarked up to $5 million in funding to support a strategy being developed by the OPP and the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police to combat luring and child pornography on the Internet. What's

more, last year we announced an additional $1 million for the OPP's child porn section, called Project P, that will provide more staff, help acquire technology and specialized training, and

develop public education materials. Project P is a leader in the fight against the growing problem of child sexual exploitation.

We are also supporting a two-year pilot project with the Toronto Police Service to keep closer tabs on convicted sex offenders. The $700,000 infusion from the

victims' justice fund will allow police in Toronto to dedicate more officers to track convicted sex offenders and ensure that addresses supplied by about 1,000 convicted sex offenders are correct.

We want to ensure that all Ontario communities and police services have the resources they need to protect our children.

The addition of 9,000 retail lottery terminals to the Amber Alert system is just the latest tool we are giving communities and the police to improve their

ongoing efforts to protect our children.

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Agriculture and Food): Last Tuesday, I was pleased to announce that the McGuinty government will provide $79

million in new funding under the market revenue program, on top of the $88 million delivered in March to help our hard-pressed grains and oilseeds farmers with the spring planting.

This past Friday, I was pleased to share with them even more good news for Ontario farmers, news that will help simplify paperwork for them and the businesses

that they support. Thanks to the positive collaboration with my ministry, the Ministry of Finance and farm organizations, Ontario producers will now be able to use their general farm organization

identification cards to receive retail sales tax exemptions when buying equipment and supplies for their businesses.

This will give Ontario farmers greater freedom of movement and choice when shopping for goods, services and insurance for their business, since the card they

already carry in their pockets will be proof of their exemption status. It's a good example of how our government is working closely with farm organizations and responding to their needs. Any

farmer who belongs to a general farm organization in Ontario will be eligible to obtain the retail tax exemption at the point of purchase simply by showing their current farm organization ID

cards.

Those who are not members will still be able to receive the exemption, either by using a purchase exemption certificate or by applying to the Ministry of

Finance for a refund.

I want to thank my colleague Minister Greg Sorbara and his staff for working with our ministry and stakeholders to streamline the process to effect this most

important change.

The McGuinty government recognizes that primary producers feed the province on a number of levels. They work hard to produce agri-food products that are second

to none and have built Ontario's reputation as a reliable, safe and high-quality supplier. They also support a wide variety of businesses whose bottom lines depend on the success of a farmer's

operation. These farms and businesses provide an important economic lifeline to our rural communities, and our government is there to help because when our farm families prosper and our rural

communities prosper, the economy of Ontario prospers as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Responses?

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I'm pleased today to respond to the statements by Ministers Kwinter and Cordiano. To begin with, we in the

Progressive Conservative caucus support any initiative that would help protect the children in Ontario, and I thank the minister for that announcement.

As you're probably aware, this is an expansion of the program introduced by the Honourable Bob Runciman on June 23, 2003. Mr. Runciman announced this in

conjunction with the province of Quebec at that time, and it's ironic that Minister Runciman was actually in Union Station this morning on his way back from his riding and many people thought he

was there to make the announcement once again.

The minister has mentioned on a couple of occasions a number of announcements they've made to help children: $700,000 in the victims' justice fund, another $5

million in the victims' justice fund. You will probably remember that they were embarrassed into announcing the first $700,000 so that the Toronto Police Services could actually dedicate officers

to that particular program.

I was also hoping this morning -- when I saw that the two ministers were actually making an announcement -- that it was an announcement that would see the

Windsor casino project cancelled, that $400 million that was going to go to complimentary rooms for American visitors. I hoped that money would be put toward the additional 1,000 police officers

this government promised in their pre-election platform.

Again, I do want to say on behalf of our caucus that anything that will help the children in Ontario, anything that will help safety in our communities and all

the different organizations across this great province, we need to invest in. I heard both of the ministers speak. I'm not sure what this is actually costing. I don't know if there is even a cost

to it, or if it's something they've downloaded to another body. But at the same time, if it protects children, we on this side of the House are supportive of it.

I just want to add one other thing: As this is coming from the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, I was wondering if there's any way that the

identification or the Amber Alert program could be expanded to our racetracks -- I mean the terminals at the racetracks where you actually see the betting and that. Could we see the Amber Alert

program put there? That's a suggestion I would like to make.

Mr. Speaker, at this time, I want to thank the minister once again, and I want to thank you for the opportunity to stand and speak.

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I am greatly disappointed, as I speak to the minister's announcement. According to StatsCan, farmers in Ontario

are facing a $229-million collective loss this year, compared to a $1-billion net gain for farmers in the rest of Canada. That's a loss six times as large as it was last year, and the minister's

answer is that farmers can now go out and make purchases with the money they haven't got, and instead of signing for them, they can use a card they've had for years and years as members of a farm

organization and have their taxes exempted. Isn't that wonderful? Minister, they can't afford to buy anything, so it's not a matter of how they get their taxes back. That's the problem.

The other part of the announcement -- again, this is the fourth time the minister has made this announcement -- is the $79 million going to the grain and

oilseed industry, a short-term, band-aid solution. The minister knows full well that that accommodates paying 40% of the farmers' entitlement in this program. The farmers were not cheering when

this announcement was made; they were wondering where the other 60% was going to come from. It seems that the McGuinty government was quick in cancelling provincial support for farmers but seems

very, very slow in putting any program back.

The minister also knows that this is a short-term solution. This is for last year's crop, to help farmers pay last year's bills. Unless there is some type of

program put in place for these farmers, there will not be any money available for them at the banks because they cannot show a cash flow from planting the crops this spring to getting enough back

in the fall to pay for planting those crops. The minister needs to move forward and put that program in place.

I was going to say that maybe it's because the government found itself short of money, but I noticed, as my colleague mentioned, that the $400 million is still

there for building a new casino hotel. But there is only $79 million available for our farmers.

I would just like to point out the last comment that the minister made: "These farms and businesses provide an important economic lifeline for our rural

communities." I wholeheartedly agree with that. Our government is there to help, but obviously the help is nowhere near sufficient. If our farm families prosper, Ontario prospers. I want to tell

you that this is the worst situation our farmers and rural Ontarians have ever seen themselves in. If that's what's happening to our farmers, that's what's happening in rural Ontario, and that's

something the minister should deal with.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I want to respond to another non-announcement from the Minister of Agriculture. Every day the

problems which farmers face grow more serious in the province, and every day, virtually, the McGuinty government makes another announcement which dabbles at the edges, which reannounces something

that was announced months ago and does nothing to address the serious farm crisis. While Ontario's agricultural communities remain in crisis, we hear of yet another band-aid solution. Farmers need

to see a cost-of-production formula. They need to see a plan. Ontario farmers continue to compete against farmers in the United States and Quebec, who have a cost-of-production formula.

Now, what is interesting is that while the minister continues to make these reactive, band-aid, short-term announcements and the farm crisis gets worse, every

once in a while, I look at what Premier McGuinty had to say during the election, because then it seemed as if he had a plan. In fact, he couldn't talk about it enough. What did he say? He said,

before the election, that this was a government that was going to double corn production. He said that their ethanol strategy would use Ontario corn and that Ontario corn producers would be in an

excellent position. What has happened? The ethanol plants aren't using Ontario corn; the ethanol plants are bringing in corn from Ohio and Michigan -- subsidized corn. So I wonder what happened to

that plan.

I know that just recently the minister was out there talking with some farmers, and he said the government was going to ensure that we were using their corn to

produce Ontario ethanol. I say to the minister, where is your announcement? You have been telling farmers this. Where is your plan? Where is your announcement to deal with the longer-term issues,

the longer-term plan that farmers need to see?

Before the election, the Premier and his minister talked a lot about a biodiesel strategy and promoted that as a plan for farmers. We're now getting into the

end of your second year as government and we still haven't seen a biodiesel strategy. As I say, we hear announcements about every four or five weeks that amount to a band-aid, but all that you

promised before the election, you somehow now try to avoid. You try to avoid talking about it. You try to avoid doing anything about it. You try to avoid even acknowledging that you said it.

I just want to raise some other things. We know that Ontario farmers are being hammered by the BSE crisis; they are being hammered by low commodity prices. We

know how other jurisdictions have responded. We know that Quebec actually has a cost-of-production formula. We know that in the United States, whether they call it a cost-of-production formula or

not, it amounts to a cost-of-production formula. We know that in other provinces they are implementing aspects of a cost-of-production formula. Where is the cost-of-production formula in

Ontario?

This is what I think farmers find so peculiar about this government. Before the election, Premier McGuinty and many of his ministers talked as if they had a

plan for agriculture. They talked about a competitive industry for the long term, a plan to ensure a competitive industry for the long term. What is lacking now is any plan, any strategy. That's

why farmers are becoming particularly cynical about a Minister of Agriculture who comes here every week and reannounces what he announced last week or reannounces what he announced two weeks ago,

and yet in terms of farmers who are losing their livelihood, losing the family farm, losing virtually everything they've invested their lives in, this government has no plan, no strategy, no idea

where it's going. That simply cannot continue to be the case in Ontario.

POPE JOHN PAUL II /

LE PAPE JEAN-PAUL II

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

party to speak for up to five minutes in memory of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

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

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I rise to pay tribute to the remarkable life of His Holiness Pope John

Paul II, whose death Saturday in Rome has elicited world-wide grief, mourning and remembrance.

Over the weekend, Ontarians joined the world in honouring a man who touched so many people and whose influence was felt far beyond the Roman Catholic Church.

All of us, spiritual and non-spiritual, were able to recognize that a great voice has been silenced: a voice that spoke out and was heard by millions around the world, a voice in the name of peace

and humanitarianism.

As the world reflects on the legacy of John Paul II, it recalls a man whose primary message was the essential dignity of the individual.

Il croyait que chacun de nous était unique, que nous étions dotés de dons et de talents spéciaux, et que tous les humains avaient

fondamentalement droit à la justice, à la liberté et aux droits de la personne.

He believed that each of us is unique, that we are each endowed with special gifts and talents and that all humans are entitled to justice, freedom and basic

human rights.

This is all the more impressive when one realizes that the Pope's bedrock beliefs were formed in an era when his Polish homeland was in the grip of

totalitarian regimes that practised exactly the opposite. But then adversity, and not good fortune, has always been a better guide to character, particularly in our leaders, and John Paul emerged

from the turmoil of 20th-century Poland a true leader.

As Ontarians, we're thankful for the two occasions that His Holiness visited us here. In 1984, he instantly connected with our province's youth, native peoples

and the culture of our bustling cities. When he returned in 2002 for World Youth Day, he told a huge crowd of young people that the world needed them, that it needed their hope, their joy and their

talents: a simple message and a powerful one. It's not something that our young people hear every day.

In his later years, His Holiness was exemplary in his perseverance and commitment to his faith. His leadership and wisdom seemed only more authentic when

combined with increasing physical frailty. He inspired those among us of a certain age who daily live with bright minds but failing bodies. His message throughout was consistent: There is dignity

in all human endeavour, no matter the age or physical ability.

On behalf of the government of Ontario, I express our deepest sympathies to Catholics in Ontario who have lost their spiritual father, and I join with the

world community in mourning an exceptional humanitarian and a champion of world peace.

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): I want to pay tribute, on behalf of our caucus and on behalf of the Ontario Progressive Conservative

Party, to the life of Pope John Paul II on the occasion of his passing. We are all deeply saddened by the loss of this extraordinary Pope, John Paul II. While he will be missed by many, our

thoughts in particular go out to the members of the Roman Catholic faith here in Ontario and around the world.

While the world mourns its loss, our minds cannot help but move away from sadness and to the great joy and blessings that His Holiness left behind during what

was truly a remarkable life. He will be remembered as one of the great figures of our time, helping to reshape the 20th century in a new light: the light of peace and justice and of freedom.

To the millions of people trapped behind the Iron Curtain in his native Poland, he will be remembered as a liberator, as the light of hope that gave them the

courage to step out of the darkness into solidarity and eventually into freedom. I'm sure the sadness we all feel is magnified many times over in Poland itself and here in our own Polish community

in Ontario. We extend our sympathies as well to our friends in the Polish community who share citizenship with us but also share Polish roots with John Paul II.

To the millions more born into communism and slavery and despair throughout other parts of eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, people who can now experience

some of the freedom that we often take for granted, he will be remembered as among those who helped tip the world's balance away from tyranny.

Over the past 26 years, the world has been shaped by his advocacy for human rights and by his dignity. He touched many lives in many countries, gaining the

well-earned title of the most travelled Pope in history. He came to Canada three times as Pope: in 1984 and 1987, and of course most recently, as the Premier mentioned, in 2002. Personally, I

remember the 1984 visit the best, perhaps because it was the first and certainly because I had the opportunity of meeting him. Perhaps Mr. Chrétien put it best when he said, "When you were

talking with him, you knew you were talking to a very exceptional person."

The 1984 tour was remarkable not only because of its 12-day duration, but also because it touched so many parts of our collective identity. He spent time with

our First Nations then, as in 1987, and he reminded us in 1984 that it was "truly the hour for Canadians to heal all divisions that have developed over the centuries between the original peoples

and the newcomers to this continent." This was typical of the kind of bridge-building that he tried to do, bridge-building of his own as head of the Roman Catholic Church and bridge-building that

went well beyond that role.

Il y a beaucoup de travail à faire ici, et il reste avec nous et son successeur à continuer les efforts de rapprochement et à commencer ce qu'on

doit commencer.

Much work remains to be done here, and it will fall to us and to his eventual successor to finish bridges partially built and to embark upon those not yet

started.

I saw the 2002 visit more through television, and I was struck, as we all were, by the extraordinary inspiration he provided to the hundreds of thousands of

young people in an age when we read of a supposed decline in spiritual commitment. During that tour, he described Canada as a "free, democratic and caring society, one that is recognized throughout

the world as a champion of human rights and human dignity."

I would suggest that the Pope was not only showing us that he understood those foundation values that are so important to our sense of nationhood and our sense

of Canadian citizenship, but also reminding us that there is no room for complacency in maintaining what he called "an extraordinarily rich humanism" that has evolved here in Canada.

The Holy Father touched the lives of virtually all Ontarians in many different ways, and that is why we honour him in this chamber today.

This champion of peace and of freedom and of justice and of dignity may have left us, but the example of his life will live on, inspiring us to do better, to

stand by our principles and to do whatever we can to make the world a better place for all of its inhabitants.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): On behalf of Ontario New Democrats, I want to express our sympathy to those who grieve the death of

His Holiness Pope John Paul II. Pope John Paul II touched many people by his life, by his work and by his example.

He was the first Pope to visit Canada, not once but three times. His visits were met with huge crowds in 1984, in 1987 and most recently in 2002, when he

visited Toronto for World Youth Day. He holds a very special place in the hearts of the Polish-Canadian community, who hold a very deep affection for their countryman.

Pope John Paul was an inspiration to millions around the world. From his earliest days in Poland he worked for peace. In the early 1980s he stood shoulder to

shoulder with shipyard workers in the Solidarity struggle. His support for the Solidarity movement has been credited with beginning the process of the democratization of eastern Europe and

precipitating the end of the Cold War. He was a vocal opponent of the war in Iraq. He advocated peaceful resolution to conflict above all else. He worked to forge new relationships with the world's

other faith communities. When he came to Canada, he said he came to rebuild a bridge with Canada's First Nations. He was the first Pope to visit a mosque. His apology to the Jewish community over

past misdeeds of the Roman Catholic church was an important step forward.

Today, as people around the world grieve, we reflect on the legacy of John Paul II. The legacy has many aspects. Most are positive; others are more

controversial. The most enduring aspects of John Paul's legacies are his strength and his humanity: the strength he showed through eight decades of life -- a life, in many cases, of hardship -- in

one of the longest papal reigns ever; and a sense of humanity that could bring the faithful to tears with a smile, a gesture or sometimes just a touch.

We will remember Pope John Paul II with admiration and respect -- admiration and respect for someone who has made an incredible contribution.

To all of those who grieve, on behalf of New Democrats, know that are you in our thoughts and our prayers.

The Speaker: Would all members and guests please rise to observe a moment of silence in respect to the passing of Pope John Paul II.

The House observed a moment's silence.

SPEAKER'S RULING

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): On Tuesday, March 29, 2005, the member for Simcoe North, Mr. Dunlop, rose on a question of privilege

concerning the circumstances surrounding a public announcement by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Mr. Kwinter, on March 22, 2005. According to the member, only

government members received advance notice of the announcement, and the ministry ignored or rebuffed opposition requests for information about the announcement, contrary to the custom and tradition

of the House.

I have had an opportunity to review the Hansard for that day, together with our precedents and the relevant parliamentary authorities. Our precedents indicate

that although the Speaker has a duty to preserve members' rights to seek information under the standing orders, there are limits to the Speaker's authority. For example, on October 9, 1997, on page

801 of the Journals of that day, Speaker Stockwell made the following remarks concerning ministry financial information that was released to opposition members only after it had been released to

government members and the media:

"I appreciate that the member would have preferred that all members could have received the information at the same time. However, the Speaker cannot require

the government to release such information -- or to release it at a certain time. There is nothing in our rules or our practice that would permit the Speaker to control the dissemination of that

kind of information. It is clear from any number of previous Speakers' rulings that these types of situations do not amount to a prima facie case of privilege."

I agree with this review, and find therefore that a prima facie case of privilege has not been established. In closing, I want to thank the member for Simcoe

North for raising this concern.

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. In your first budget, presented last May, you laid out five areas

where your government would reduce wait times over the term of your government. Of course, to measure if wait times are falling, you have to know what they are to begin with. As of today, since I'm

sure you're managing these things carefully, can you tell us what the average wait time is for patients who are waiting to receive an MRI, a hip or knee replacement, radiation therapy, cataract

surgery or cardiac care?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I'm pleased to be able to speak to this issue. We are, in fact, for the

first time ever in the history of the province, collecting baseline data in those areas. But specifically, when it comes to hip and knee replacement surgeries, cancer surgeries, cardiac procedures

and cataract procedures, we're putting in place a Web site that will ultimately enable all Ontarians to have access to this information for the very first time.

Mr. Tory: The people of Ontario want to be able to measure actual results now. Last fall, your own wait times expert, Dr. Alan Hudson, said

that you won't be able to measure wait times until the end of next year, 2006, at the earliest. Yet, if we look at Cancer Care Ontario's Web site and the Ontario Joint Replacement Registry, we see

that somehow they are able to measure some wait times. Why can't patients in Ontario have access to your wait times information, as you promised, for another year and a half? Why can Cancer Care

Ontario do it and not your government?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: For eight years, under the Conservative government, they did not measure such things. So it takes a bit of time. I'm glad

that they are eagerly awaiting this information in public policy in the province of Ontario, and we're proud to be putting it in place.

I can tell you about some of the advances that we have already made: We paid for 1,680 more hip and knee replacement surgeries this year than last, 1,700 more

cancer surgeries, 7,800 more cardiac procedures and 2,000 more cataract procedures. So, yes, we've increased the number of procedures, and we continue to work to put in place for the first time

ever in the province of Ontario a wait-list strategy, complete with a Web site which will give access to all Ontarians when it comes to knowing exactly where we stand on these kind of things.

Mr. Tory: I'll tell you, the real innovation around here would be if we got some actual results.

Today, the Canadian Medical Association has released an interim report calling for governments to institute benchmark wait times for the very same five areas

that your government has referenced. According to Cancer Care Ontario, patients wait an average of 9.9 weeks at the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre for radiation therapy for the treatment of

breast cancer. They wait 8.6 weeks in Hamilton and 10.8 weeks at Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto. The Canadian Medical Association says patients should wait no more than 10 days.

Premier, can you guarantee that by the end of your mandate, patients will not wait longer than the 10 days for treatment for breast cancer that the Canadian

Medical Association recommends: yes or no?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We look forward to moving down this path, which no government in the history of this province has ever taken before. We

appreciate the good advice and recommendations from the Canadian Medical Association.

Let me tell you once again, Speaker -- this may not be what they want to hear -- that we are actually making progress in this area: 1,680 more hip and knee

replacement surgeries this past year, 1,700 more cancer surgeries, 7,800 more cardiac procedures and 2,000 more cataract procedures. To put it another way, we have taken 1,680 people who were on

the hip and knee replacement list off that list, and 1,700 people on the cancer surgery list off that list. We've taken 7,800 patients waiting for cardiac procedures off that list and have given

them those procedures. And when it comes to cataract procedures, we've taken 2,000 people off that list and given them the procedures.

We are moving forward. Shortly, as I say, we'll have in place a complete Web site which will enable Ontarians for the first time ever to have full access to

this very kind of information.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): New question.

Mr. Tory: I say to the Premier that you can't possibly know whether you're moving forward if you don't have the basic information you need to

manage the health care system in this province.

The Canadian Medical Association states that cataract surgery should be completed within four months. Today's Globe and Mail quotes Arlene Silver of Toronto,

who has had to wait for 13 months just to find out when she will be scheduled for surgery. It will take her a total of three years to have both eyes completed in terms of the surgery.

Premier, will you guarantee that by the end of your mandate you will abide by the Canadian Medical Association guidelines of four months for cataract surgery:

yes or no?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I really wish that we had started from a stronger beginning position, but we followed eight years of Tory legacy when it

comes to health care. You'll recall that during that period of time we went from 63 underserviced communities to 142. This is a former government that spent $400 million to fire thousands of nurses

and that compared them to Hula Hoop workers. They cut more than half a billion dollars over two years from our hospitals. That was the starting point, the crumbling foundation, on which we were

left to build.

We've been investing significantly more. As I say, for the first time ever in the history of this province, we have decided to put in place a wait-list

strategy. We'll have a specific Web site that will give all Ontarians access to that information. It takes a bit of time to collect that information.

One thing we will not do is take $2.4 billion out of the system, as the honourable member opposite is determined to do.

The Speaker: Supplementary.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): I say to the Premier, apparently his first objective was to fire an additional 757 nurses, so he feels

the previous government didn't do enough in this area.

Premier, I've asked a number of times for you to tell us how you would reduce wait times. I asked you on February 21. We asked you on December 14 and we asked

you on November 22 what wait times currently are and when patients in Ontario can expect to see some meaningful reductions.

Today's report by the Canadian Medical Association lays out benchmark times suggested by the experts on the front lines: the doctors themselves. Do you think

the Canadian Medical Association benchmarks are reasonable: yes or no?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, it's interesting to learn of their new-found infatuation with wait times. We ask ourselves here on this side of the

House, where was that interest, let alone infatuation, with reducing wait times during their eight years as a government? It simply was not an issue. It was not even worthy of consideration. They

were devoted then to taking money out of the system, to firing nurses, to shutting down hospitals and to waging war with everyone in the public service, including those who find themselves in the

health care system.

Now we have a leader of the party who is committed and absolutely determined to take $2.4 billion out of our health care system. So I ask him and the member

opposite, what do you honestly think that is going to do when it comes to wait times in Ontario? I can tell you it is going to drive wait times up. We're going in one direction to get wait times

down; they want to go in the other.

Mr. Baird: I say to the Premier that if he visited the Queensway Carleton Hospital, if he visited the Ottawa Hospital, they'll say that our

former government is the one that was able to deliver for those hospitals, unlike the Liberal representation from members opposite since he became Premier. Your own wait times expert, Dr. Alan

Hudson, said last year that it would be till the end --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I'm trying to hear the member from Nepean-Carleton, and the government side seems to be shouting. The member from

Nepean-Carleton.

Mr. Baird: Your own wait times expert, Dr. Alan Hudson, said last year that you're only going to begin to be able to measure wait times at the

end of 2006.

Premier, it was your promise to reduce wait times in five areas. Now you're quickly approaching the halfway point of your mandate and apparently you have no

idea how long the lines are in the first place -- 18 long months and still you have no answers. When will you report to this House and to patients right across the province what the current wait

times are so they can measure your performance in this important priority for their families?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I ask the good people of Ontario to compare and contrast. During their eight years, we went from 63 underserviced

communities to 142. They spent $400 million to fire thousands of nurses. They cut more than half a billion dollars over two years from our hospitals. They closed 28 hospitals. They closed 5,000

beds. We've invested more than $3 billion more in health care. We've put in place funding to hire 3,000 more nurses. We have put in place the funding to benefit 21,000 more patients who need home

care in their homes. We have for the first time ever committed ourselves to reducing wait times in important areas like cataract, cancer, cardiac, hips and knees and MRIs and CTs. No government

ever before has decided to take that on. Is it easy? Absolutely not. But I can tell you -- compare and contrast -- we are for getting wait times down; they want to take $2.4 billion out of health

care in Ontario.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. During the election, you promised to extend IBI autism treatment to

children over age six. In fact, I can quote you. You said, "I ... believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children over six is unfair and discriminatory." And you

said, "The Ontario Liberals support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six." But after the election, you broke your promise and denied autism treatment to children over six. Now the

Superior Court of Ontario has ruled that your denial of autism treatment violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Premier, those children and their parents are here today. You promised autism treatment, IBI treatment. How can you now justify dragging them back through the

court system again while you appeal a court decision that says you're violating the Charter of Rights and breaking your own promise? Tell them how you justify that.

Interruption.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): We welcome guests to Parliament, but we ask you not to participate by clapping or applauding in any way.

Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Attorney General, Speaker.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): I think it's

fair to say that every single member of provincial Parliament in this House has enormous concern and sympathy for the challenges facing autistic children and their families. We believe the

government of the day needs to have the flexibility to provide the kind of programs that will permit improvement in terms of the assistance to autistic children. We feel that it is for the

government in the Legislature to do that, and therefore we will continue to provide those improvements, provide that assistance. We will do that through the Legislature, we will do that through

government, and we will be appealing the decision on that basis.

Mr. Hampton: Apparently, the Premier finds it is easier to make promises than to keep those promises.

I just want to recite some of what Madam Justice Kiteley had to say. It's a very lengthy decision. It considered months of evidence; it looked at all of the

scientific evidence. This is what she has to say:

First of all, she says you are violating the constitutional rights of these autistic children. What's more, she says you are violating their "human dignity" by

denying them the treatment they need to cope and to thrive as individual human beings. In her decision, she calls your discrimination against autistic children "heartbreaking," and says that your

failure to live up to your responsibilities and your promise, Premier, to provide the help that they need, the help for these most vulnerable of Ontarians, "undermines the integrity" of your

government.

Premier, you found it easy to make promises before the election. Tell these children, these vulnerable children whose rights you are violating, why you're

going to drag them through the court again and defend your violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: This government feels that we are taking the approach that is in the best interests of all autistic children across the

province of Ontario. The Supreme Court of Canada held just last November that governments need the flexibility to design programs that are in the best interests of autistic children and that the

courts are not in a position to do that.

The question is, do we have courts determine a specific treatment, or do we have governments undertake programs that include a reduction of waiting lists for

assessment by more than 70%, that see 25% more children receiving IBI therapy under this government and that see a new program for all school-aged autistic children? This government has put in

place those programs. We feel that is the best approach. That's why we believe that the law of Canada has been ruled upon by the Supreme Court of Canada, and as a result we intend to appeal the

decision.

Mr. Hampton: The McGuinty government can make up all kinds of excuses now. Madam Justice Kiteley looked at the situation here in Ontario, she

looked at the situation under your government and she is very critical of everything you've tried to trot out as an excuse today.

She ruled that you are denying autistic children the treatment that they deserve after age six for no scientific reason. She said you're discriminating against

these children based on their age, with absolutely no justification for that discrimination, again contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. She said, "I find that the age cut-off reflects

and reinforces the stereotype that children with autism over age six are virtually unredeemable," and that "To deny the plaintiff children the opportunity to have [treatment] after the age of five

is to stereotype them, to prejudice them, and to create a disadvantage for them."

I say again to the Premier, who made the promise, tell these children now why you intend to defy this court, defy this well-considered judgment by this judge

and defy your own promise to these children.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: Madam Justice Kiteley also held that the preschool program for autistic children in Ontario today is exemplary. Over a

thousand children were on a waiting list for assessment a year ago. We've reduced that waiting list for assessment by more than 70%. We've increased the number of children in Ontario who are

receiving IBI treatment by 25%. We have programs that we are putting forward in schools that had never existed before in Ontario. We feel that that is in the best interests of all autistic children

in Ontario and their families. We feel that it is a dramatic improvement over the past government's performance, and we will continue in the courts to defend our ability to deliver those kinds of

programs so that we can provide more assistance to autistic children in the province.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Hampton: To the Premier: The Attorney General is trying to deflect this whole issue, trying to argue that it's something about

five-year-olds. No, Premier, this is about your promise. You said that ending IBI autism treatment at age six was discrimination. You said it was wrong; you said it was unfair. This is what Madam

Justice Kitely says: "Without IBI treatment, the plaintive children are deprived of the skills they need for full membership in the human community. That child's isolation from society and lack of

skills mean that she or he cannot participate in society and cannot exercise the rights and freedoms to which all Canadians are entitled." You see, Madam Justice Kitely agrees with you: It's

discrimination, it's not justified, it's wrong. All these children want, and all Madam Justice Kitely wants, is for you to do the right thing: Live up to your promise. Live up to what the

scientific evidence shows. Refuse the advice of your Attorney General and don't appeal this. Will you do that, Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: To the Attorney General, Speaker.

Hon. Michael Bryant: I'm surprised to hear that from a former Attorney General that he would ask for the politicization of a decision on a

particular appeal, that he would ask that we in fact should have politics that determine the position we take before the courts. Maybe that's what you did when you were Attorney General, but that's

not what we do in this government. We feel that we need to continue to do what --

Interjections.

Mr. Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): It's the government's decision, Mr. Speaker. He's misleading --

The Speaker: Order. I ask the member for Whitby-Ajax to withdraw that comment.

Mr. Flaherty: I withdraw it.

Hon. Michael Bryant: The question is whether or not -- as the Supreme Court of Canada held last November -- legislatures and government are in

the best position to design programs that are in the interests of autistic children, or whether the courts, based upon the evidence of particular litigants before them, are in fact in the best

position to do that. The court said that it's up to the government. The government is putting forward substantial improvements for preschool and school-aged autistic children, and that is what we

committed to do. We're providing those improvements. I will continue before the courts to defend the ability of this Legislature to conduct that kind of business that, again, we feel is in the best

interests of autistic children in Ontario.

Mr. Hampton: This is what Madam Justice Kitely had to say about some of these programs that the McGuinty government now wants to laud. Madam

Justice Kitely said, "The Minister [of Education's] duty is to ensure that appropriate special education programs and special education services are provided ... without payment of fees." She ruled

that the Minister of Education violated the Education Act, and said, "The minister failed" -- he failed -- "to respond to the needs of children with autism." He failed "to develop policy and give

direction to the school boards to ensure that ... IBI services were provided to children with autism in schools." He failed by creating "systemic barriers to children with autism accessing

learning." Just about everything you've tried to pronounce on here today Madam Justice Kitely considered here in Ontario, and she said you're violating the Charter of Rights and you're denying

these children the services they should receive in terms of equality of access.

When, Premier, are you going to live up to your promise and respect the Charter of Rights?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: No member of this House has a monopoly on compassion and sympathy for this particular issue, I say to the member. We in this

government are moving forward with substantial improvements and programs for the treatment of autistic children.

The legal issue that has just been articulated by the leader of the NDP has also been considered by the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of

Canada said last November, on the subject of the provision of specific treatment programs for autistic children, that it isn't for the courts to determine that; that the government and the

Legislature are in the best position to determine that. That's what this case is about.

We will stand behind our record in terms of the assistance, the lowering of waiting lists, the increased treatment of autistic children and the provision of

new programs that had never existed before through a public school system, and we'll continue before the courts to make sure that we have the flexibility to do that, because we believe that's in

the best interest of Ontario families.

Mr. Hampton: I want to speak about integrity. I want to speak about the integrity of someone who would write to the parent of an autistic

child and say, "I also believe that the lack of government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children over six is unfair and discriminatory. The Ontario Liberals support extending autism treatment

beyond the age of six." I want to ask about the integrity of someone who would say that during an election campaign to the mother of an autistic child and then, right after the election campaign,

deny that you said it, deny the service, and now, when the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario rules that are you discriminating against these children, try to run and hide from that. I want to

ask about the integrity of someone who does that.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: We have increased treatment by 25%. We have lowered waiting lists by more than 70%. We have provided new programs for all

school-aged autistic children. The purpose of that was to provide improvements. Our commitment was better public services, better services for autistic children, and that's what we are trying to do

in this government.

This case is before the courts. We are appealing the ability of the government to deliver upon its commitment to improve services for autistic children, and we

will continue to do that.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I seek your good judgment and clarification. I have here the Official

Report of Debates (Hansard), number 121, published under your name. It's with respect to the comments made earlier today. I would like to quote the government House Leader, on page 5854: "What's

different about what we're doing is that we're not trying to mislead people..." and the NDP member said, "The only thing that's been misleading is a Premier ..."

You ruled when the member for Whitby-Ajax used the word "misleading." Which is it today, sir? Which word --

The Speaker: Order. Sit down. That is not a point of order at this time.

Mr. Baird: It's not?

The Speaker: No.

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): I'm anxious to ask a question of the Premier. Today we learned in the Toronto Star that some Liberal

political staff members have been ordered by the Premier's office not to speak to reporters. Furthermore, it's my understanding that public servants in the Ministry of Health have been instructed

not to speak with opposition members of provincial Parliament, to refuse to answer our questions, and instead refer all inquiries from opposition MPPs to political staff in the minister's office.

Would the Premier not agree that this demonstrates that the government is becoming paranoid?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): No, I do not agree with that.

Mr. Arnott: On Tuesday, March 15, I was advised by the Minister of Health's MPP liaison that ministry public service staff are not permitted

to speak with MPPs. He verbally confirmed that there has been a directive issued to public servants forbidding communications with MPPs and requiring all contact to be channelled through political

staff.

This effort to marginalize opposition MPPs is highly offensive and outrageous, and is contemptuous of members of the Legislature who are responsible for

advocating on behalf of the constituents each of us represent. In turn, it also demonstrates a dismissive disregard for all of our constituents who elected us. This is also an insult to the

professional and independent public servants, who are being denied the trust and confidence they have earned by the positions they hold.

Will the Premier commit to looking into this matter and immediately rescind this autocratic dictate?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I recall a time when Minister Wilson, I think it was, threatened to fire any civil servant who talked to the opposition. I

recall those days. I am confident that we've come a long way since that point in time.

It is our intention, notwithstanding anything that anybody has put out there, to ensure that MPPs on either side of the House have access to the information

they need to carry out their responsibilities as representatives of their constituents.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a question to the Premier. I want you to meet some of the parents and children who are part of the

Wynberg and Deskin lawsuit. They're in the gallery today. They are Robyn and Simon Wynberg, Tammy Starr and Arthur Fleischmann, Perry Taylor, Richard Marcovitz and Sheila Laredo, Suzanne Wetzel,

Brenda Lumsden-Johanson, Maria Velasquez, Susan Elsworthy, Natoma Houston and Benjamin, and Cindy, Jordan and Anthony Faria. Eleven-year-old Anthony even testified in court about how IBI had helped

him.

For the past five years, these families have waged a court battle against the previous government and against your government to try to get the services their

children need. They've mortgaged or sold their homes, borrowed heavily from family members, held community fundraisers and faced financial ruin, all to try to pay for IBI for their children and the

legal costs to get what they need for their children. At long last, the court has ruled in their favour.

Premier, don't abuse these families any more. Do what you promised in the last election. Tell these children and these families you will not appeal this

decision. What's your answer, Premier?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Attorney General.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): I'm not sure

that this was a question, but obviously the government will continue to comply with the order that has been in place that will see the 30 families that are the subject of this particular action

continue to receive the treatment pursuant to the order. That will continue. If that was the member's question, then of course we will be complying with that order.

Ms. Martel: They were paying for the treatment long before Justice Kiteley finally had to rule your government in contempt and force payment

for treatment. That only happened in the last number of months, and you know it, Attorney General.

I want to remind the Premier, though, of the promise he made in the last election. He said, and I quote again, "I also believe that the lack of

government-funded IBI treatment for autistic children ... is unfair and discriminatory. The Ontario Liberals support extending autism treatment beyond the age of six."

Well, Justice Kiteley agrees with you, Premier. She found that the lack of IBI for children over six is discriminatory, has violated the constitutional rights

of autistic children and must end. The parents won, Premier. You lost, and your government should get over it. It would be unconscionable for you now to drag these parents and other parents through

the court one more time. Keep the promise you made during the election. Tell the parents you'll agree and respect this ruling. Tell them you'll provide the services their children and other

autistic children need. Will you do that today, Premier?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: There are, of course, a number of matters that are before the courts. It goes without saying that we will continue to take

the position that the Supreme Court of Canada has articulated, which is that governments and Legislatures should be in a position to fight for autistic children, not a judge with a particular case.

I would anticipate that if the result had been otherwise, the parties in this matter would have also appealed on the other side of this matter.

Our position has been that governments and the Legislature should have the --

Ms. Martel: It's shameful. Your position is absolutely --

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. Could I ask the member from Nickel Belt to come to order, please.

Ms. Martel: It is. It's unconscionable that you're going to drag these parents through the courts one more time.

The Speaker: Order.

Interjections.

The Speaker: I'm going to ask the member from Nickel Belt to come to order.

Ms. Martel: No, Speaker, I'm sorry. Shame on this whole government. They made promises to win the election that were good enough to get their

votes, and now, after the election, what do they do? Discrimination, one more time. How much taxpayers' money are you going to spend? What's wrong with you people? Look at yourselves in the mirror.

Look at them.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Could I ask members to respect the decorum of the House. Come to order so we can proceed with our question period.

Member from Nickel Belt, I've been very patient with you.

New question.

FARM RETAIL SALES TAX EXEMPTION

Mr. Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): My question is for the Minister of Agriculture and Food. There have been difficult times in the agriculture

sector. Many of my constituents have contacted me to share their personal hardships and to seek help from this government. I was pleased to hear at the beginning of last week that we're providing

support to the farmers of Chatham-Kent Essex through the additional $79 million to Ontario grain and oilseed farmers and $50 million under the tobacco community transition fund.

On Friday, you made yet another announcement that will certainly help to eliminate a process that has caused some stress for some farmers. Would you tell my

constituents what exactly the announcement of the point-of-sale retail sales tax exemption will mean for farmers in my area?

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Agriculture and Food): We are acting, and we listen to what general farm organizations have to say. This is a

commitment that we made in the 2004 budget. Through the Ministry of Finance, we're streamlining the process for farmers to receive their RST exemption on purchasing eligible farm-related goods,

services and insurance for their businesses. In order to simplify the process for obtaining point-of-sale RST exemption, Ontario producers will be allowed to use their general farm organization ID

cards in lieu of purchase exemption certificates.

I quote from the April 1, 2005, Ontario Federation of Agriculture press release: "We've been working with governments for five years to get this convenience

for its members." Unlike the previous government, which had deaf ears to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, we worked with them. We're not going make farmers wait any longer, like the previous

government did.

Mr. Hoy: This certainly is welcome news in the agricultural area. On behalf of my constituents in Chatham-Kent Essex, how exactly will this

work? Will vendors know that the general farm organization cards are all that is needed in order to get the exemption on agricultural items? And whom can they contact for more information about the

exemption?

Hon. Mr. Peters: The Ministry of Finance has sent out an information notice to all vendors across the province who are in the agribusiness

industry to make them aware. As well, all commercial farmers will be receiving notice of this initiative from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

At the time of purchase, the farmer would show his membership card from his general farm organization. The vendor would record that information and the number

printed on the card and exempt the farmer from paying retail sales tax. This applies to all purchases that are designated under the Retail Sales Act.

Where a farmer is not a member of a general farm organization, they can still participate in this program. They are still eligible for the sales tax exemption,

but there will be more paperwork involved. If they do need further information, please, to any farmer, don't hesitate to contact any one of us in this House as MPPs, or the Ministry of Finance

tax-back service.

TEACHER TESTING

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is to the Minister of Education. The credibility gap between your rhetoric about stability in

classrooms in this province and reality is continuing to grow. You cancelled a professional development program and replaced it with nothing. You introduced new bargaining rules, and you have

literally hundreds of thousands of children wondering what is happening in their classrooms. Strike action is escalating every day. Today you're chastised by the Ontario Superior Court for not

carrying out your responsibility as the Minister of Education toward autistic children.

In your March 24 letter, now you've given a free pass to literally thousands of graduates from faculties of education in this province who will not require a

qualifying test to teach in our classrooms. I ask the minister why he believes it's appropriate that teachers would move from graduating into the classrooms without qualifying tests in this

province. Is that his view of escalating the quality of teaching in our province?

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): It's always helpful to have the member opposite articulate problems, because he just reminds us

how far we've come from what was there before in terms of old attitudes.

Under the previous government, we lost one in three new teachers, at a cost every year of $30 million, because the environment was so poor, the training was so

insufficient and because, frankly, that government didn't appreciate good public services.

There had been a test that new teachers coming out of university had to write, which 99% of them passed. But that government was prepared, for political

reasons, to have $5 million to $6 million spent every year. We think it would be far better to provide an induction program for new teachers, that they go through that and then have an assessment

after they've been in a classroom, after we see how they're actually getting good at teaching.

The point of education on this side of the House is to provide better services to students, not better headlines, and not to attack teachers as you did,

ultimately so unsuccessfully, year after year after year.

Mr. Klees: Once again, obviously the word of this Premier means nothing. On Focus Ontario, here's what the Premier said: "I agree that

teachers should be tested. New teachers should be tested. I think that teachers should be tested as nothing more and nothing less than professionals." He goes on to say that, just like other

professionals, "They're all tested at the beginning of their professional careers in order to be admitted to the profession."

Now we have this minister saying, "Well, we'll admit all of them. We'll give them a pass so they can get into the classroom, and then at some point along the

way we'll find some way to figure out whether they qualify to be there."

Does he agree or does he not agree with his Premier that teachers, like every other professional, should be qualified before they enter the profession, and if

so, why didn't he get about the business of ensuring that there was a qualifying test? He has had 10 months to do it since he eliminated the existing test that was there. What has the minister been

doing for 10 months?

Hon. Mr. Kennedy: It's evident to many other people that what we've been doing is providing better education to students. That's what has

taken all of our attention. These power struggles that you want to perpetuate with teachers or school boards are not what get our attention.

There was an inconsistency. If you were trained outside the province of Ontario, you got to practise as a teacher for one year and then you went through an

assessment. All we're doing is putting all teachers on exactly the same footing. All teachers will have either an interim certificate, for those trained internationally, or a provisional

certificate, for those trained here. They will then go through, for the first time, we believe -- and we're taking the time to sit down and work out with the sector the details of an induction

program: support for them in their first year of teaching, additional training so they will be better teachers. At the end of that, there will be some form of assessment where we bring together

some way of making sure that their probation and the other measures they go through are there to support better teaching.

We make no apologies for that. Our emphasis is on students getting better teaching and better learning. We're working together with the entire education sector

to make that happen.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): Premier, when young Cameron Walsh down in Welland was diagnosed with autism, he was put on the waiting list

for government-funded IBI treatment. When he turned six, he still hadn't reached the head of the line, and he was told that he was no longer eligible. His parents, Leo and Sheri, purchased IBI

treatment at a cost of $2,800 a month, but the bank account finally ran dry. There's no more credit. They've literally used all of their credit, all of their credit cards, every available penny,

every bit of resources made available to them by relatives and raised during the course of fundraisers and their son now doesn't receive IBI. Of course, they believed you during the last election

campaign when you promised that their son Cameron would get IBI treatment.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Question?

Mr. Kormos: Why are you not prepared to keep your promise to Leo and Sheri Walsh and their boy Cameron?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): We have worked very tirelessly on

reducing the wait list for children so that they don't age out, so that they do get the IBI treatment they need under the age of six, and that has resulted in a 25% increased number of children who

are receiving IBI treatment.

As well, we worked very hard on the number of assessments for children awaiting IBI treatment. There is a 72% reduction in the wait list for assessments. We're

working as fast as we can. We understand this is very difficult for the families, but we are determined to help these families.

The Speaker: Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is again to the minister.

Madam Minister, you will remember that about two months ago I stood in this House and talked about Michelle Quance and her wonderful four-and-a-half-year-old

daughter Tennyson.

On this historic day, the day when the Ontario Superior Court has upheld and fortified the argument we have made so many times on this side of the House, that

the lack of IBI treatment for Ontario's autistic children is immoral, you also know it is unconstitutional and it is illegal.

Madam Minister, you will remember that Tennyson was diagnosed with autism last June and, since that time, her family has been forced to raise thousands of

dollars from their neighbours and to mortgage their house. You will know that the family is spending $6,600 a month trying to get that very same treatment that your government promised. I recently

found out that she's gone all the way from 10th on the list to second -- one space a month. Will you please tell this family, and all the other Ontario families with autistic children, that you can

and will set up their IBI treatments today, not next year, in line with what the court has said?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: We are working as quickly as possible. We've hired over a hundred new therapists in less than eight months to deal

with this crisis.

I agree with the member opposite that it is difficult for the parent of that four-year-old to wait. But as I know the honourable member understands, he would

not want any child to bump any other child on a wait list. That's not the solution. The solution is to build capacity so that we eliminate the wait list. That's what we're determined to do, and

we're well on track in meeting that goal.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): My question is to the Minister of the Environment. It goes without saying that water is

one of our most important resources. In the wake of the Walkerton disaster, we all know how fragile our sources of drinking water can be.

In a recent report from the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, they indicated that despite all the improvements since Walkerton, industrial pollution remains a viable

hazard to our water supply. Between 2002 and 2003, there were 2,500 documented pollution violations by industry, including 2,300 water pollution violations. In 2003 alone, there were 102 illegal

spills of such substances as ammonia, arsenic and carcinogenic solvents into Ontario's water. More than five million litres of toxic material were illegally discharged, endangering wildlife and

people who depend on clean, drinkable water.

Minister, I know you take the safety of our water seriously and have implemented programs to protect it. Can you explain these programs to us?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of the Environment): I'm very proud to say that protecting our water is a priority for this government. I too

was very disturbed when I saw the report from the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, and I think it very accurately demonstrated that the previous government was, quite frankly, unwilling to deal with

nasty polluters.

After coming to office, very early in 2004 I deployed the Ministry of the Environment SWAT team to the Sarnia area, which was the site of many of these

incidences. I also implemented the industrial pollution action team. This was a team of local representatives and experts in science to provide me with recommendations on how, going forward, we can

prevent these events from happening. I'm very happy to say that that team has provided this ministry with a report and I look forward to developing an action plan to ensure that these events are

reduced and hopefully, ultimately, absolutely removed from this province.

Mr. Brownell: Thank you, Minister, for explaining the programs you have in store for keeping our water safe. I know you have worked hard on

this issue and you take water seriously.

While addressing that the state of the water is important, it does not completely solve the problem. Sierra Legal's research indicated that there were 21

companies with 10 or more violations of Ontario's water pollution laws. As long as companies feel they can get away with violating water pollution rules with little penalty, the problem will

persist. In my own riding of Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh, illegal emissions from industrial facilities have contributed to a buildup of mercury in the St. Lawrence river. Could you explain to

us what your ministry is doing to hold accountable those companies that would violate our laws and contaminate our waters?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: First, I would like to identify the environmental leaders program. That is a program that our ministry has set up where

we identify those industries that are leaders, that go above and beyond good environmental performance. Our government has also introduced Bill 133. That is a penalties bill that, if passed, would

require companies responsible for illegal spills to pay a penalty, and that penalty will go directly to a specific fund dedicated to compensating communities that have been impacted in a negative

way, whether they've had to purchase water or implement an alert system. Whatever expenses they might have incurred to manage a spill event, there will now, if this legislation is passed, be an

opportunity for communities to access that.

I'm very happy to say I've recently had a conversation with David Suzuki. He's very supportive of this legislation and believes that it's important that we

send a clear message that we intend to protect the water for the people of this province.

CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): My question is for the Minister of Citizenship responsible for disabled persons. In your last budget, your

government delisted physio, chiro and ophthalmology services in OHIP. Last week there was a news release announced by your government that you had made a mistake and you were reinstating

physiotherapy services for what are "the highest-need Ontarians." In particular, you referenced the Ontario disabilities support program.

As MPPs, all of us enjoy a benefits package that includes our physio and chiropractic coverage. This is a luxury that persons who are disabled don't enjoy. So

my question to you, why did you support the disabled community to reinstate medically necessary physiotherapy services, yet you refuse to stand up and support the disability community in order to

receive medically necessary chiropractic treatments?

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I support my colleague the

Minister of Health 100% with his redefinition of the physiotherapy listing. We will be assisting seniors 65 and over, all people age 19 and under, long-term-care residents of all ages, people of

all ages needing short-term physiotherapy, people of all ages requiring physiotherapy after overnight hospitalization and, to your question, people of all ages receiving physiotherapy who are

recipients of the Ontario disability support program, Ontario Works or family benefits. I have full confidence that my colleague the Minister of Health studied this issue, and I support all of his

decisions on this issue.

Mr. Jackson: It appears you continue to support discrimination against Ontario's disabled citizens. This government received over 600,000

petitions from persons seeking reinstatement of both physio and chiropractic services. Your own government's backgrounder describes how a 23-year-old woman on social assistance who hurt her back

will receive OHIP coverage for physiotherapy, but she cannot choose chiropractic services, even though the evidence is quite clear that her chiropractic treatment is both more cost-effective as a

treatment and more effective overall as a treatment. Even the WSIB has concluded that, with treatment, she can return to fully functioning in half the time and will be half as likely to have a

chronic condition.

My question is, when the evidence is abundantly clear that your decision on chiropractic continues to discriminate against persons with disabilities, when are

you going to actually sit down or get your government to sit down with the Ontario chiropractors' association, which they've been requesting for six months, in order to look at ways in which we can

end the discrimination against disabled persons who are seeking this medically necessary treatment in our province?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: Again, I support my colleague the Minister of Health and the government in the delisting of chiropractic and

optometry, and I do support my colleague in the physiotherapy relisting. He studied this and his ministry studied this, and I support his decision.

world, if it passes. I will take no lecture from the member opposite, given the weak bill his government brought in, in comparison to what we're bringing in, where we have people with disabilities

at the table developing standards that will be met, will be complied with, and if not, will be enforced by penalty.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): My question is for the Premier. I have a message from Dave and Cathy Davies of Hamilton East. They want

you to obey the court and end your discrimination against autistic children in Ontario aged six and over. The Davies want you to ensure that autistic children, regardless of their age, receive the

medically necessary IBI treatment they need. The Davies' son, Jordon, turns 13 in June. He was never able to access government-funded IBI. The court says today that you cannot legally deny Jordon

treatment any longer.

Will you look at these people here today, and will you tell Dave and Cathy Davies of Hamilton East that you will heed the court's decision? Will you listen to

the pleas from parents like Mr. and Mrs. Davies, or will you prolong the suffering of autistic children and their parents' anguish by depriving the children of the treatment they need to function

in life? Will you continue to force their parents into decisions about their care that no parent should be expected to make in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): We understand that this is a

difficult issue for the families. My colleague the Attorney General has already stated that he's appealed the decision. The government is reviewing the implications of the decision and what this

means to programming.

What we have done for the children under six is try to get, as much as possible, the IBI treatment for them so they can then generalize their skills when they

reach school age. I understand that this young person may not have received IBI because of his being 13 and it's a relatively new program. But what we had, even before our government, in Hamilton

-- I worked in the Hamilton board of education; I'm not sure which of the two boards of education the young person attends, but there are programs in both for children with autism. As well, we have

just instituted a new education program of resource people going into boards across the province, because, quite frankly, there were gaps --

Interjection.

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: I know the member from Nepean-Carleton knows there were gaps. In northern Ontario, for example, there was nobody

there. We have instituted a program that will begin to close those gaps across the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary.

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): Adam Shane of Mississauga is here today, and he needs intensive behavioural intervention in order to

attend school. His teacher, his special education teacher and his principal all agree that IBI therapists should be allowed into the classroom. The Peel District School Board said no; therefore he

cannot get IBI at school. At the same time, in September, Erin Oak, the centre for developmentally challenged children, gave Adam more hours of treatment but also changed their hours of operation.

So to access the additional treatment, his mother, Lynn, who's here today, has to pull him out of school two afternoons a week to attend Erin Oak.

In her ruling, Justice Kiteley said that you have failed to "develop policy and give direction to the school boards to ensure that ABA/IBI services are

provided to children with autism in schools."

Minister, when will you assume the responsibility and the social obligation you have as a government and ensure that Adam and other autistic children like him

receive the widely hailed IBI treatment in school?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: The Minister of Education.

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): We have in education right now an outlook on special-needs children; that is, $365 million

dollars in more resources, 65% more resources in the last two years. Children with recognized exceptionalities include almost 7,000 children with autism and spectrum disorder. We have around $130

million worth of services directed to those children today. Independent of what happens in terms of the courts, we are determined to provide the best educational services possible. We are in the

process of an overall review of special education right now and we are providing the additional resources right now, as we speak, into those schools.

It is our intention to provide for children with special needs in the province. We've been doing that in an accelerated fashion and we're going to continue to

do that, because we accept the responsibility we've always had.

AMBER ALERT

ON LOTTERY TERMINALS

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): My question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. The Amber Alert program is a very important

tool when a child is abducted. While it's unfortunate that we ever need to use it, it has proven to be very successful in the past. I'm happy to hear that we're expanding the program to reach more

people who might be able to help track down a missing child. Anything we can do to help abducted children and their families during this nightmare situation is positive.

Minister, as the father of a seven-year-old and a five-year-old, I want to thank you and ask what action you have taken on this issue.

Hon. Joseph Cordiano (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): I'd like to thank the member for Peterborough. This morning, the Premier

announced that Ontario's 9,000 lottery terminals would join Ontario's Amber Alert child abduction warning system. This is the first Canadian province to use its lottery network in this way. I'm

very proud of the fact that the Premier made that announcement this morning, because it will mean that everyone in the province will be more involved in trying to finding an abducted child. It

means that starting tomorrow, we will harness the power of Ontario's network of 9,000 lottery terminals to get the word out about an abducted child.

This is another way that the government is using its resources to make Ontario and Ontarians safer. This is a very good example of good government, and that's

what this government is all about.

Mr. Leal: To the Minister Community Safety and Correctional Services: The McGuinty government came to office with a commitment to build strong

and safe communities. Among the most important things we can do is to ensure the safety of our children. I know that, among other things, we're ready to take action on cyber-proofing our kids and

protecting them from Internet crimes, as well as appointing a safe schools action team to protect students in the classroom.

I was glad to hear that we're going to expand the Amber Alert program, which helps spread the word about children who have been abducted. Minister, can you

tell me what the expansion of the Amber Alert program means for abducted children and their families in Ontario?

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): I thank the member for the question. The expansion of the Amber

Alert is very important. The OPP --

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I just want to confirm -- I thought the last question was for the Minister for Economic Development and

Trade. You've got to put the question back to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade, please.

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, the Ontario Provincial Police have responsibility for initiating an Amber Alert.

The whole reason behind the Amber Alert program is to make sure that if there is information about an abduction -- the time to act has been determined to be between two and five hours. The only way

we can really get input from the public is to expand as much as we can the information we have on that particular abduction. In the past, we have been using the Ministry of Transportation signs on

the highways and we've been using the media -- television, cable and radio. Today we announced that we're expanding it by 9,000 outlets with lottery terminals. This means we will get the message

out to far more people and we'll be far more effective in trying to bring to a successful and safe conclusion the report of an abduction.

PETITIONS

STUDENT SAFETY

Mr. Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): I have a petition to the Legislature of Ontario.

"Whereas the Ministry of Education has failed to ensure that students are protected from individuals whose past behaviours have directly harmed children;

and

"Whereas the Ministry of Education has chosen to ignore the children's aid society's recommendation that certain individuals not work with children; and

"Whereas the introduction of a `volunteer' into the school system must not be solely at the discretion of the principal; and

"Whereas the Liberal government promised to ensure that school boards provide strong local accountability and decision-making;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to amend the Education Act to place restrictions on the eligibility of persons who act as volunteers in

schools, and to include as a formal requirement that volunteers be subject to the approval of the school board and parent council."

I've signed my name.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Could I ask members to be just a bit quieter, please, so I can hear the petitions?

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): I appreciate this opportunity. This is a petition that is written to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas there is no established province-wide standard to deal with anaphylactic shock in Ontario schools; and

"Whereas there is no specific comment regarding anaphylactic shock in the Education Act; and

"Whereas anaphylactic shock is a serious concern that can result in life-or-death situations; and

"Whereas all students in Ontario have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community;

"Whereas all parents of anaphylactic students need to know that safety standards exist in all schools in Ontario;

"Therefore

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, demand that the McGuinty government support the passing of Bill 3,

An Act to protect anaphylactic students,

which requires that every school principal in Ontario establish a school anaphylactic plan."

I sign my name to this petition and hand it over to Zoé, our page.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR

THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): This is a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 6,500 people wanting to save the

Rideau Regional Centre in Smith Falls.

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government were elected based on their promise to rebuild public services in Ontario;

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services has announced plans to close the Rideau Regional Centre, home to people with developmental disabilities,

many of whom have multiple diagnoses and severe problems that cannot be met in the community;

"Whereas closing the Rideau Regional Centre will have a devastating impact on residents with developmental disabilities, their families, the developmental

services sector and the economies of the local communities;

"Whereas Ontario could use the professional staff and facilities of the Rideau Regional Centre to extend specialized services, support and professional

training to many more clients who live in the community, in partnership with families and community agencies;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the government to keep the Rideau Regional Centre open as a home for

people with developmental disabilities and to maintain it as a `centre of excellence' to provide specialized services and support to Ontarians with developmental needs, no matter where they

live."

As I said, that's 6,500 people from across Ontario who are looking out for our most vulnerable people, and they want the Rideau Regional Centre to stay

open.

TENANT PROTECTION

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I have a petition from the Dover Square Tenants Association on Rusholme Road, which reads as follows:

"Whereas the so-called Tenant Protection Act of the defeated Harris-Eves Tories has allowed landlords to increase rents well above the rate of inflation for

new and old tenants alike;

"Whereas the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal ... created by this act regularly awards major and permanent additional rent increases to landlords to pay for

required one-time improvements and temporary increases in utility costs, and this same act has given landlords wide-ranging powers to evict tenants; and

"Whereas our landlord, Sterling Karamar Property Management has applied to the Ontario Municipal Board ... to add a fourth high-rise unit to our compound in

order to circumvent city of Toronto restrictions on density and the city's opposition to its project;

"Whereas this project would lead to overcrowding in our densely populated community, reduce our precious green space, further drive up rents and do nothing to

solve the crisis in affordable rental housing;

"Whereas this project will drive away longer-term tenants partially shielded from the post-1998 Harris-Eves rent increases, thereby further reducing the number

of relatively affordable units in the city core; and

"Whereas before the October 2003 elections Premier McGuinty promised `real protection for tenants at all times' and a radical overhaul of the pro-developer

OMB; and

"Whereas our own MPP, Liberal Tony Ruprecht, called for a rent rollback ... at a public event in June 2003....

"We, the undersigned residents of Doversquare Apartments in Toronto, petition the Parliament of Ontario as follows:

"To institute a rent freeze until the exorbitant Tory guideline and above-guideline rent increases are wiped out by inflation;

"To abrogate the Harris-Eves `Tenant Protection Act' and draw up new landlord-tenant legislation which shuts down the notoriously pro-landlord ORHT...;

"To keep the McGuinty government to its promise of real changes at the OMB," the Ontario Municipal Board, "eliminating its bias toward wealthy developers and

enhancing the power of groups promoting affordable housing, sustainable neighbourhoods and tenant rights."

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I have a petition from the riding of Durham.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the federal Income Tax Act at present has a minimum amount of medical expenses for which a taxpayer is entitled to claim a non-refundable income tax

credit;

"Whereas the health and medical expenses of every citizen in the province of Ontario, great or small, affect their overall net income;

"Whereas the Ontario Liberal government moved in their 2004 budget on May 18, 2004, to delist publicly funded medical services such as chiropractic services,

optometry examinations, and" some "physiotherapy services;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the Income Tax Act remove the present minimum amount of medical expenses for which an Ontario taxpayer is entitled to claim a non-refundable income tax

credit."

I'm pleased to sign this. By the way, I have a private member's bill on this as well that I'd like the government to support.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition from the riding of Peterborough. It's an Ontario petition to stop private P3 hospitals.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas all hospitals since the inception of public medicare in Canada have been non-profit;

"Whereas `public-private partnership' (P3) hospitals turn over democratic community control to international investors, making a public service into a

commodity sold for profit;

"Whereas worldwide evidence is that private (P3) hospitals lead to doctor, nurse, staff and bed cuts in hospitals in order to make room for profit-taking,

consultant fees, higher borrowing costs and outrageous executive salaries;

"Whereas private (P3) hospitals hide information about the use of tax dollars by claiming `commercial secrecy' when they privatize public institutions;

"Whereas the higher costs, user fees, two-tier services and the culture of private (P3) hospitals risk the future sustainability of our public medicare

system;

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

"We call on the government of Ontario to

"

(1) Stop all current and future `public-private partnership' (P3) hospital deals and return full ownership, operation, management and delivery of hospital

services to non-profit hands, and

"

(2) Develop a plan to fund new hospitals through public finance, clearly excluding the privatization of hospital services."

I'll give it to Stephanie, our page here.

ONTARIO FARMERS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I'm pleased to be able to rise and read this petition into the record. It's from a lot of my rural

constituents.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas thousands of Ontario farmers and rural Ontarians have been forced to take their concerns directly to Queen's Park due to the lack of response from the

Dalton McGuinty government; and

"Whereas the Rural Revolution believes that rural Ontario is in crisis, and they will be demonstrating their resolve and determination at Queen's Park on March

"Therefore we, the undersigned, ask the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to deal with the serious issue of farm income as brought forward by the Rural

Revolution's resolutions to respect property and prosperity as follows:

"Resolution 4: Federal and provincial governments have created a bureaucratic environment that legalizes the theft of millions of dollars or rural business and

farm income. All money found to be removed from rural" Ontario "landowners, farmers and business shall be returned."

I affix my signature to the petition.

REFUNDABLE CONTAINERS

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I keep getting petitions regarding broken bottles and the recycling program. This is a very short petition. It

reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the Minister of the Environment:

"Whereas we find lots of pop cans and beer bottles in our parks plus children's playgrounds;

"Whereas it is therefore unsafe for our children to play in these parks and playgrounds;

"Whereas many of these bottles and cans are broken and mangled, therefore causing harm and danger to our children;

"Whereas Ontarians are dumping about a billion aluminum cans worth $27 million into landfill every year instead of recycling them;

"Whereas the undersigned want to see legislation passed to have deposits paid on cans and bottles, which would be returnable and therefore not found littering

our parks and streets;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, strongly urge and demand that the Ontario government institute a collection program that will include all pop drinks, Tetra Pak

juices and can containers to be refundable in order to reduce littering and protect our environment."

Since I agree with this petition 100%, I'm delighted to sign my name to it.

ONTARIO FARMERS

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I am the proud recipient of a number of petitions from the riding of Durham, and I'm pleased to present them on

their behalf. Let me get a new one here.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas thousands of Ontario farmers have been forced to take their concerns directly to Queen's Park because of a lack of response from the Dalton McGuinty

government to farm-related issues" -- the minister is here in the House today -- "and

"Whereas farming in Ontario is in crisis because of the impacts of BSE, unfair subsidies from other jurisdictions and bureaucratic/legislative burdens that

fail to understand the value of agriculture as a strategic industry; and

"Whereas the current prices for farm products do not allow for sustainable agriculture in Canada, with a 10.7% decline in the number of Canadian farms reported

between 1996 and 2001;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, ask" -- politely -- "the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to consult with Ontario farmers to develop a long-term strategy to

ensure the viability of agriculture in our province and to develop immediate short-term solutions, such as support for grain and oilseed producers, a workable production insurance program for

horticulture and a CAIS program that delivers real income support on a timely" and sustainable "basis."

I'm pleased to sign this on behalf of the farming community in the riding of Durham.

TENANT PROTECTION

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I have a petition here. It's about two and a half minutes long. It says:

"Whereas the so-called `Tenant Protection Act' of the defeated Harris-Eves Tories has allowed landlords to increase rents well above the rate of inflation for

new and old tenants alike;

"Whereas the Ontario Rental Housing Tribunal created by this act regularly awards major and permanent additional rent increases to landlords to pay for

required one-time improvements and temporary increases in utility costs and this same act has given landlords wide-ranging powers to evict tenants; and

"Whereas our landlord, Sterling Karamar Property Management, has applied to the Ontario Municipal Board to add a fourth high-rise unit to our compound, in

order to circumvent city of Toronto restrictions on density and the city's opposition to its project;

"Whereas the project" -- there are a lot of "whereases." I'll move on here. It says:

"We, the undersigned residents of Doversquare Apartments in Toronto, petition the Parliament of Ontario as follows." Now, this is interesting:

"To institute a new rent freeze until the exorbitant Tory guidelines and above-guideline rent increases are wiped out by" the Harris "inflation" -- excuse me,

"wiped out by inflation." I don't have my glasses. That's why I'm having a hard time.

"To abrogate the Harris-Eves `Tenant Protection Act' and draw up new landlord-tenant legislation which shuts down the notoriously pro-landlord OHRT and

reinstates real rent control, including the elimination of the Tory policy of `vacancy decontrol';

"To keep the McGuinty government to its promise of real changes at the OMB, eliminating its bias toward wealthy developers and enhancing the power of groups

promoting affordable housing, sustainable neighbourhoods and tenant rights."

I present that on behalf of those fine constituents from Dovercourt.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): This is what we call a doubleheader in one day. I'm pleased to present this on behalf of my constituents in the

riding of Durham. Dr. Farooq Khan sent me this.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the federal Income Tax Act at present has a minimum amount of medical expenses for which a taxpayer is entitled to claim a non-refundable income tax

credit" -- shameful.

"Whereas the health and medical expenses of every citizen in the province of Ontario, great or small, affect their overall net income;

"Whereas the Ontario Liberal government moved in their 2004 budget on May 18, 2004, to delist" curren