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November 29, 2005

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Nov-29 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 29 November 2005 Mardi 29 novembre 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

TORNADOES

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

RESEARCH AWARDS

TAXATION

NORM MCINTOSH

OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE

YORK REGIONAL POLICE

YOUTHLINK

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ELECTORAL REFORM

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING /

FINANCEMENT DES UNIVERSITÉS

ET COLLÈGES

QUALITÉ DE L'EAU /

WATER QUALITY

CULTURAL FUNDING /

SUBVENTIONS CULTURELLES

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING

WATER QUALITY

CULTURAL FUNDING

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE

CULTURAL FUNDING

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

TAXATION

POLICE OFFICERS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM

SECURITIES INDUSTRY

TAXATION

CLEANUP OF BROWNFIELDS

OBSTETRICAL CARE

AUTISM TREATMENT

ANTI-TOBACCO ADVERTISING

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

HYDRO RATES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

EDUCATION

PETITIONS

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CANCER TREATMENT

JUSTICE SYSTEM

MANDATORY RETIREMENT

ANTI-TOBACCO LEGISLATION

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED

PROPERTY TAXATION

MACULAR DEGENERATION

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CELL PHONES

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER

FOR WHITBY-AJAX

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM INTEGRATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'INTÉGRATION DU SYSTÈME DE SANTÉ LOCAL

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

TORNADOES

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): Today I am standing up once again on behalf of the townships of Centre Wellington and Mapleton, the county

of Wellington and the Grand River Conservation Authority to demand additional financial assistance from the government to help with the losses we have incurred as a result of the August

tornadoes.

In this House, I have characterized the amount of provincial assistance announced to date as insufficient. Here is what Centre Wellington township's mayor, Russ

Spicer, now says of the government: "I am requesting that you reconsider the financial burden that must be borne by Centre Wellington and its six municipal partners, which were included in our

original submission to you." Mayor Spicer has correctly complained about the fact that the Minister of Municipal Affairs has arbitrarily reduced our grants by 4% of the municipalities' "taxation

for own purposes," which cuts Centre Wellington's allotment by a whopping $234,000.

In 2004, this government boasted about its generosity to the city of Peterborough when it granted over $20 million to help that community respond to a flooding

disaster. But did they cut back Peterborough's grant by 4% of its "taxation for own purposes"? No, they did not.

Clearly, the minister has discretionary power to determine the dollar figure of a special assistance grant. If the minister fails to increase tornado assistance

to the communities in Waterloo-Wellington, then his treatment of my municipalities will be nothing short of mean and miserly.

Again I call upon the Minister of Municipal Affairs to meet with officials from the townships, the county and the GRCA and give them the financial assistance and

respect they need and deserve.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): Today I would like to tell you about the fact that the holiday season has come to Nipissing. The holiday

spirit is alive and well in the district of Nipissing and particularly in the communities of North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan.

Last Sunday, thousands of North Bay residents, young and old, enjoyed the Disney Santa Claus parade. The crowd was entertained by 45 floats. I would like to

thank the downtown improvement area for hosting the mayor; our federal member of Parliament, Anthony Rota; and I on their It's a Small World float. Thanks to Jeff Serran, Pat Kenzie Diegel and the

students at E.W. Norman Public School, with their teacher Betty Brown, for organizing and decorating such a fabulous float.

This past Friday, we celebrated the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree in North Bay, and the downtown merchants hosted thousands of visitors at the downtown

Christmas walk. My constituency office was delighted to host hundreds of constituents with hot drinks and Christmas cookies and festive music. It was a real community celebration.

Congratulations again to Jeff and all the downtown merchants. What a way to welcome the holiday season to our area.

This Friday, December 2, the town of Mattawa will be hosting its twilight Santa Claus parade. I want to thank the Mattawa volunteer firefighters for taking care

of me on Friday and making this parade possible.

The town of Powassan began its Dickens Christmas celebration this past weekend, and I will be enjoying the Dickens country craft fair this coming Saturday. There

will also be church teas, singalongs and a big skating party.

Congratulations to all the organizers who ensure that the residents of Nipissing celebrate a very festive holiday season.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): Yesterday we learned that the McGuinty Liberal government is crippling physiotherapy care to seniors

and disabled persons. Despite the promises of "enhancing physiotherapy services for highest-need Ontarians," the McGuinty government has cut funding to OHIP-funded physiotherapy for seniors and

disabled persons, leaving thousands of Ontario long-term-care residents cut off from further OHIP-funded physiotherapy this year.

The government has cut the overall budget from approximately $75 million at the end of 2004 to approximately $52 million this fiscal year. Decreased access to

physiotherapy treatment for seniors and disabled persons: It has been lowered from the annual maximum of 150 treatments to 100. Also, they are now saying that they are going to further cut the

funding level for long-term-care residents in 2006, and they are proposing to pay for an average of only 49 treatments per bed in long-term-care homes.

The government is doing by stealth now what it did not do overtly in April. First, they delisted optometry services. They're going to be delisting chiropractic

services. We now know that the physiotherapy cuts are causing hardship for the most vulnerable people -- our seniors and the disabled.

RESEARCH AWARDS

Ms. Deborah Matthews (London North Centre): I'm delighted to tell you about the McGuinty government's continued commitment to research and

innovation in this province. Under the new early researcher award program, our government is providing $6.4 million to universities across the province to assist gifted researchers and their teams

of students on some innovative new research projects.

In my riding of London North Centre, $900,000 has been allocated to researchers at the University of Western Ontario. I'd like to tell you a little bit about one

of the researchers.

One researcher who will benefit is Dr. Kristy Tiampo. Dr. Tiampo is leading a team that will compile data on small earthquakes and changes in the earth's

surface. Using powerful computers, this team will develop a large-scale model of fault lines. Using the data they've found, they'll be able to get an indication of when and where earthquakes are

likely and how strong they might be. The findings from this project will improve the ability to forecast earthquakes worldwide, saving countless lives.

Some other researchers receiving awards are Dr. Donglin Bai, Dr. Brian Corneil, Dr. Frederick Dick, Dr. Kathleen Hill, Dr. Wei-Ping Min, Dr. Xingfu Zou,

Dr. Richard Rozmahel and Dr. Juan-Luis Suarez.

I would like to congratulate all these recipients from the University of Western Ontario on their excellent work.

Investments like this reaffirm the importance our government places on strengthening Ontario as a leading innovation-based economy and society.

TAXATION

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): In the 2003 election, Premier McGuinty signed a pledge not to raise taxes and to abide by the Taxpayer Protection

Act. We all know the Liberals broke their promise in about six months, instituting the largest tax hike in Ontario's history, known as the health tax. Now they want to break their promise again by

eliminating any requirement for the people to be consulted if the province allows a municipality to charge a new tax.

What does this mean for taxpayers? If the McGuinty Liberals let municipalities charge you a sales tax, you will have no say. If they allow a local income tax,

you will have no say. If they allow any other kind of new tax, people across Ontario will have no say.

Ontarians are already upset at rising income taxes, property taxes and hydro rates. They don't want any more taxes from any level of government. We all know that

this bill is a leadup to giving new taxing powers to the city of Toronto. This government should be on notice that our party will continue to stand up for the taxpayers of Toronto and the taxpayers

of Ontario. They are already paying too much.

NORM MCINTOSH

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): Last Tuesday night I was thrilled to be present to see Norm McIntosh, a music teacher from my riding, win

MusiCan's music teacher of the year award. The award is a new initiative of CARAS, the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. It pays tribute to dedicated music teachers across Canada,

but recognizes one in particular who has positively influenced his or her students, advanced music in the community, and who exemplifies MusiCan's mandate to enlighten, empower and elevate.

The new award is sponsored by the legendary rock band the Rolling Stones. After Norm McIntosh, the Stones were the highlight last Tuesday night, with their video

congratulating Norm on his work and wishing him well in the future.

Norm McIntosh is a fabulous music teacher and a great believer in young people. Twenty-six years ago, when he started teaching music at Confederation high school

in Val Caron, he was told, "Make it work, or there will be no music in the school." With 24 students and a very small array of instruments, he created the school's first rock band.

The music program grew, so did the band, and both followed him to whatever school he went. Now back at Confederation, he has 150 students in the music program, a

touring rock band called Evolutionary, a full stage crew and, as of this year, students recording in a new, professionally soundproofed music room.

Everything Norm has done has been about the kids, supporting and promoting their love of music and their performing, recording and technical talents.

Congratulations to Mr. Mac, who so clearly deserves this award, and many, many thanks for making such a difference in the lives of these young people.

OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): I'm pleased to rise in this House and announce that our city, including my riding of

Ottawa-Orléans, has received funding for 95 new positions for police officers. There will be 55 new positions, including 18 in areas that support the province's six targeted priority areas and

37 to support community policing. We're also receiving retroactive funding for 40 existing positions, of which 35 will be in areas that support the province's six targeted high-priority areas, two

will be in an area that promotes efficiency in the justice system and three will support community policing. There will also be two additional case managers.

Improving efficiency in the justice system has been the goal of the Ottawa Police Service for the past two years. The additional funding for these 95 positions

will further increase community safety by putting new officers on the street and by targeting specific areas of concern. With the addition of the new case managers, there will be improved

resolution rates and we'll have more management on criminal files. As well, we'll have more officers on the streets.

To quote our very own police chief, Vince Bevan, "We could not be more delighted with this announcement by the provincial government. For years," under a

previous government, "our service did not receive its fair share of provincial funding. This announcement rights those past wrongs. Today we can all say that the city of Ottawa received its fair

share. We can now move forward and manage our growth in a proactive way that responds to a clear and growing community need in Ottawa."

Clearly, our police organizations are in favour of this change. We're proud that these new officers will soon be patrolling our streets, ensuring that our

communities are safe.

YORK REGIONAL POLICE

Mr. Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): Yesterday, along with York Regional Police Chief Armand LaBarge, Police Services Board Chair David Barrow and

Regional Chair Bill Fisch, I announced that the York Regional Police force will receive 100 officers as a result of the McGuinty government decision to put 1,000 officers on the streets. In the 905

region, 281 officers have been allocated. The Toronto police board received 250 officers.

With the surge in gang violence that has troubled our cities since the summer, it is obvious that we need more officers. Our government has responded to this

need with a number of initiatives; notably, the gun amnesty program, the guns and gangs task force, and by fulfilling its commitment to put 1,000 officers on the streets.

While much of the gun violence has occurred in Toronto, the 905 region is not immune to crime. Gun violence is not the only problem plaguing our cities. Our

communities are also dealing with marijuana growing operations, illegal drug use and illicit massage parlours. A boost to police forces will help to catch the people responsible for these crimes so

that the people of Ontario can feel safer in their communities.

I commend our government for moving swiftly to put these officers on the street and for investing in the safety of our communities.

YOUTHLINK

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): I rise today to congratulate Youthlink, a successful youth counselling agency located in my

riding of Scarborough Southwest. Youthlink has recently been awarded grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation totalling $225,000 for renovation completion of their main building on Warden Avenue

and for program support.

Youthlink was created in downtown Toronto in 1914 under the name Big Sister Counselling Service, offering a wide range of programs for young women. The agency

eventually began offering services to both women and men, and -- due to lack of services, increased poverty and the growing youth population of Scarborough -- moved to its current location in

Scarborough Southwest about two and a half years ago to better serve its core constituencies.

It is agencies like Youthlink that contribute to youth making positive life choices. Youthlink does this by identifying and reducing barriers to

self-sufficiency, healthy sustenance and constructive behaviour and by helping youth help themselves.

Youthlink has grown into a diverse multiple-service agency. In 2004-05 alone, Youthlink assisted 491 individuals with counselling services, 605 individuals with

community outreach services, and 5,180 individuals with inner-city street outreach services. Further, Youthlink is equipped to deliver service to Caribbean, Sri Lankan, Indo-Canadian and Cantonese

clients.

Again I congratulate Youthlink on receiving needed funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation so that they can continue serving my constituents and young

residents across the city.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

SELECT COMMITTEE ON

ELECTORAL REFORM

Ms. Caroline Di Cocco (Sarnia-Lambton): I beg leave to present a report on electoral reform from the select committee on electoral reform and

move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Ms. Di Cocco: I'm pleased to report to the House that the select committee on electoral reform has tabled its report.

First of all, I want to thank Larry Johnston, the researcher, and Anne Stokes, the clerk, for all of their work, as well as the committee members for their

valuable discussion and contribution to the process.

The report looked at various electoral systems and the current system. The systems we looked at were STV, MMP and the AV system. It based its analysis on actual

systems, not theoretical ones. We found that no system is a panacea to addressing voter turnout, youth engagement and gender representation. We also found that each jurisdiction has local, cultural

and jurisdictional uniqueness that varies each system. Electoral reform must also take into consideration the Legislature, the parties, and the values of stable government. We looked at BC and

other areas to learn from their experiences.

I'm pleased that we were able to table the report today. Hopefully, it will be valuable reading for all.

The Deputy Speaker: Does the member wish to make a motion?

Ms. Di Cocco: I move adjournment of the debate.

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

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING /

FINANCEMENT DES UNIVERSITÉS

ET COLLÈGES

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): Today is an important day for colleges and universities in Ontario.

I am pleased to tell the House that this morning our government announced the first allocation in its new quality improvement fund. It is a fund set up to promote excellence at our post-secondary

institutions.

Grâce aux fonds pour l'amélioration de la qualité, le gouvernement mettra plus de $ 211 millions à la disposition des collèges et

des universités pour qu'ils puissent prendre des mesures immédiates et mesurables pour améliorer la qualité. Il s'agit d'un nouveau financement de plus de $ 211 millions,

qui est disponible cette année.

Through the quality improvement fund, the government will make more than $211 million available for colleges and universities so they can take immediate,

measurable steps to improve quality. That is more than $211 million in new money, and it is available for this year. It is a tangible sign of our government's commitment that students in Ontario

will get the very best education possible. This fund is part of a 14% increase in operating grants to colleges and universities this year under Reaching Higher, our plan to rebuild the foundations

for learning by investing $6.2 billion in post-secondary education.

How will students see their education improve by the quality improvement fund? Today, the Premier, myself and the MPP for Don Valley West visited the Glendon

campus of York University. York is receiving $9.8 million from the quality improvement fund. It is using the money to hire 50 more full-time faculty. This will improve student-teacher ratios, allow

about, and are considered for, financial assistance. It is using the money to help students with special needs: More staff and technological resources will be made available for testing and exam

requirements to make sure everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. And it is using the money to support its unique character: One of York's specialties is interdisciplinary programs. Over 20

faculty will be hired for these programs.

In the coming weeks, I expect many more allocations from the quality improvement fund to be announced. These allocations will draw upon three different pools

in the fund to target specific needs. First, there is the advancing quality fund. It will support hiring new faculty and support staff, acquiring additional learning resources for students and

developing better student supports. Next, there is a supporting excellence fund. It will support each institution as it works to achieve excellence in its particular area of specialty or fulfill

its unique mission. Finally, there is the change fund. It will support cross-institutional or system-wide improvements.

There is another important aspect of the quality improvement fund. So far I've spoken only of inputs and desired goals. We're investing more than $211 million

to improve quality for students. How will we know if the results are being obtained? How can we be sure that every dollar results in quality improvement for students and that the money is well

used? Prior to the release of these funds, each institution will sign an accountability agreement with the government. These agreements will set out how the money is to be spent and what the

anticipated results will be. This government is committed to working with publicly funded colleges and universities to achieve results for taxpayer dollars. Achieving accountability requires clear

roles, responsibilities and expectations. Results, to be meaningful, must be measurable. In short, we want to make sure that every dollar flows to the benefit of students.

These agreements will also encourage our post-secondary institutions to strive for excellence and sharpen their focus on quality. Study after study has found

that education is the key to future prosperity, both for the individual and society as a whole. Indeed, virtually every job created today requires some level of education or training beyond that of

high school. For that reason our government is determined, through the Reaching Higher plan, to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to get the education they need to succeed. The quality

improvement fund will help ensure that higher education in Ontario is the very best possible.

QUALITÉ DE L'EAU /

WATER QUALITY

L'hon. David Ramsay (ministre des Richesses naturelles, ministre délégué aux Affaires autochtones): Je suis heureux de prendre

la parole aujourd'hui pour informer les députés que ce matin, la ministre Broten et moi-même avons annoncé un investissement provincial considérable dans le cadre de la

protection des sources d'eau.

This investment is part of the McGuinty government's ongoing efforts to ensure a safe, reliable supply of drinking water for all of the people of Ontario.

Tous les habitants de l'Ontario ont droit à une eau propre. Nous avons tous et toutes la responsabilité de la protéger.

Protecting water at the source is the first step in making sure Ontarians can turn on their taps with confidence.

This morning, we announced that the government is providing grants and funding totalling more than $67 million to conservation authorities and municipalities

to ensure that local communities have the science, knowledge and capability they need to protect their drinking water sources. This investment will help municipalities and others map watersheds,

analyze water quality and quantity in watersheds and identify potential threats; enable municipalities to assess threats to drinking water sources; and ensure that conservation authorities have the

staff, resources and information necessary to continue to work with local communities in developing source water protection plans.

Last year, through similar initiatives with municipalities and conservation authorities, the McGuinty government began to lay the foundation for strong and

effective source water protection across the province. The further investment we are making today will build on that foundation and ultimately build Ontario's overall capacity to better understand

and manage our source water resources.

Our government understands that to keep our drinking water clean, we need to keep pollution from seeping into our streams, lakes and rivers. This investment

will help us strengthen the prevention component of what Justice Dennis O'Connor calls a "multi-barrier approach" to clean water protection.

The first barrier is to protect contamination at the source, which requires the kind of local water protection planning capability we are supporting with

today's announcement. Over the past two years, this government has made excellent progress putting a number of other barriers in place. We've set tough training requirements for those who operate

municipal water systems; we've hired more inspectors; we've increased the frequency of inspections for municipal water systems and the labs that test our drinking water; and we've introduced

environmental penalties, along with a community cleanup fund to guard against industrial spills affecting drinking water and the environment.

The McGuinty government knows that ensuring a safe, reliable water supply for the people of Ontario is an obligation, not an option. Minister Broten and I

continue to work with the municipalities and conservation authorities to meet that obligation and to support our government's goals of a cleaner environment, healthy, prosperous communities and a

better future for all Ontarians. Merci.

CULTURAL FUNDING /

SUBVENTIONS CULTURELLES

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Culture, minister responsible for francophone affairs): Ontario's cultural and entertainment industries

have become world leaders in a broad range of sectors, including television production and children's literature. They employ more than 45,000 people and contribute over $7.7 billion per year to

Ontario's economy. They promote our identity as a people and a province, celebrating our achievements and reflecting our values.

Ontario has the vision, talent, expertise and determination required to produce international hits. Take the example of the Degrassi series of TV shows. I

recently had the opportunity to visit the Degrassi set upon the occasion of their 25th anniversary. Starting with The Kids of Degrassi Street through to its latest incarnation, Degrassi: The Next

Generation, this series has been honoured with two international Emmys, 14 Gemini Awards, two Prix Jeunesses, as well as other honours at festivals around the world. Degrassi: The Next Generation

is so popular that when an episode dealing frankly with the issue of teenage pregnancy and abortion was prevented from airing on US networks, thousands of young American fans signed petitions to

protest the decision.

As Linda Schuyler, the series executive producer and a former high school teacher herself, has said, "If they're talking about it in the schoolyard, we should

be able to talk about it on television." People have been talking about Degrassi for 25 years now, and the show is more popular than ever.

Linda Schuyler is with us today, accompanied by her father. Please stand up.

To mark this 25th anniversary, I would like to greet her and to extend our most sincere congratulations to her, her partner, Stephen Stohn, and her all-Ontario

crew.

Merci, Linda, et bravo pour les succès.

Notre gouvernement prend des mesures pour renforcer les six secteurs des industries culturelles et des divertissements en augmentant les crédits

d'impôt. Il s'agit de la production cinématographique et télévisuelle; de l'édition de livres et de revues; de l'animation et des effets spéciaux informatiques; des

médias interactifs numériques; et de l'enregistrement sonore.

One year ago, the Minister of Finance and I jointly announced a $48-million enhancement to film and television tax credits. Industry sources have reported that

this helped to boost production activity over the past year. Film and television production in Ontario generates $2 billion per year and employs 20,000 people.

The 2005 budget features enhanced tax credits for interactive digital media, including computer animation, book publishing and sound recording, as well as a

$10-million strategic investment in the Canadian Film Centre for new programs.

Les industries culturelles et des divertissements de l'Ontario améliorent notre qualité de vie et véhiculent nos histoires et nos idées

auprès d'un public mondial. Ces activités méritent que le gouvernement les soutienne. Les mesures que prend notre gouvernement témoignent de son engagement envers le

développement culturel de l'Ontario et des industries qui sont le fruit de nos activités.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): What we don't do as often as we

should is to recognize the good work done on behalf of Ontarians and improvements in customer service. Today I'm very pleased to have the opportunity to tell the House about the great work that is

happening at the Family Responsibility Office.

Shortly after our government took office, I took a drive up to FRO, and what I saw really took me by surprise. The systems there were downright antiquated

compared to what we see in most businesses today. I remember in particular that it was such a paper-based system that the staff actually wore white gloves to protect their hands from all the paper

cuts from managing, handling and re-handling paper. To this day, I have a pair of those white gloves in my desk drawer to remind me of how things used to be.

In February 2004, we announced initiatives aimed at improving services at FRO to help families get the support they are entitled to. Last week I had another

opportunity to visit FRO and talk to the people who are making such a difference in the lives of their clients. Each week since February 2004, the customer service unit has diverted up to 3,500

calls from enforcement agents so that these agents can focus on enforcement instead of routine questions. Taking the less complex calls away from the enforcement staff has shown impressive results:

The FRO handled over 600,000 calls between April 2004 and March 2005, more than a 70% increase from the same period two years ago; average call centre wait times have decreased from 13 minutes to

eight minutes; and there has been a 75% increase in the number of callers who are able to get through on their first attempt.

We know we have miles to go, but I want to say a very heartfelt thank you to the people at FRO who work so diligently.

Customer service has also been improved thanks to more than 180,000 personal ID numbers that have been issued to clients to help them access their case

information through the automated phone system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since February 2005, clients have been able to get information on the last five payments made to their case. You

can't do that at your own bank machine.

An arrears file review project was launched in November 2004, with an ambitious goal: cleaning up almost 39,000 cases representing $639 million in arrears.

Since that time, 23,500 of these cases have been reviewed, $13 million has been collected on cases where no money was ever received prior to the arrears file review, and there has been a

$41-million arrears collection.

Then there's my personal favourite: the trace-and-locate initiative, or, as I've been known to call it, CSI Downsview. FRO's ability to track down defaulting

payers has significantly improved thanks to this team's success in using every available resource to track down obsolete addresses and phone numbers and keep payers' information in our database

current. Trace-and-locate exceeded everyone's expectations, handling more than 2,500 pieces of mail each month, and had a search success rate of over 55%. As a result of this team's effort we've

been able to tighten up enforcement and collection and are better able to help more payers meet their support obligations.

How about that credit bureau initiative? This is where we said, "Who would have thought that simply letting people know they were going to be reported to the

credit bureau would result in over $157 million collected?" And that's just since January 2004. Way to go, FRO. Overall, FRO's collections have gone up 3% in 2004-05 over the previous year, and the

compliance rate -- those are the cases that are in good standing -- is at 68%. That is a big hand that goes to FRO for such a tremendous job.

The great work that's happening at FRO is being praised by clients across my ministry. It's also being recognized for excellence in customer service and client

satisfaction, receiving a bronze award at this year's Public Sector Quality Fair. We went there specifically to say "congratulations" for that bronze award.

We'll continue to build on the successes I've already told you about. We're well on our way to moving to a brand new, proactive case management approach at the

FRO, and we're bringing in technology to support it. This is technology that will finally bring FRO into the modern era -- no more white gloves, no more pre-Industrial Revolution technology. Thanks

to the support of this House and, may I say, supported by all members of this House, our new legislation is going to help us strengthen the FRO's enforcement powers, make further improvements so

that the FRO works as efficiently as possible, and help make the system fairer for the parents who do honour their obligations and responsibilities to their families.

I want to recognize the hard work of all the staff at FRO, because these successes are the product of their hard work. Recently, FRO came together to create a

vision statement that will guide their work into the future. It says, "Our vision is to work together with our clients and partners to ensure support responsibilities are met. We do this by

developing constructive relationships, addressing challenges and treating everyone with fairness and respect."

As my office has moved forward to contact all the members' offices here in all the 103 ridings, we have also heard from your staff, who have told us that the

calls to your offices are down. The calls we are still getting have become quite complicated, which tells us that there is more work for us to do. But I can say, on behalf of all members of this

House, how proud I am, through the directorship of Sharon van Son, of all the staff people at FRO, many of whom may be here watching today, because we want to say thank you, something that we don't

do nearly enough with our civil service. We have tremendous staff; we can show great progress. Thanks to the support of this House and the Premier and the budget process, we are able to go even

further to helping parents meet their obligations and taking care of their families. On behalf of all members of this House, thank you to the people at FRO.

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): I thought that today the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities would have announced the agreement

with the off-campus work for international --

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Order. There are a lot of conversations going on around. It's difficult for me to hear.

Member for Burlington.

Mr. Jackson: -- would have announced part of the off-campus work for international students, but then when I read the federal government's

press release today it says, "Implementation of this program will begin once federal government funding is approved." Seven months ago, the minister was in this legislative chamber announcing the

quality improvement funds. We now find that it's taken him seven months to pull this together, and we still do not have the details of your agreements.

It's a matter of record, Minister, that your predecessor cancelled the multi-year faculty renewal funding that the previous government had approved and

budgeted and had begun flowing. The fact is that she surrendered her cabinet post in favour of your being there, but the truth is that you haven't provided it for the last two years, and now, with

four months left in this fiscal year -- you've passed the September window for hiring new faculty; you're going to pass the window for faculty renewal for the second semester -- we'll be fortunate

if we can get this money out the door in such a short time.

WATER QUALITY

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): In the short time I have to respond to the Minister of Natural Resources' announcement of $67 million

for water assistance with technical studies to assist municipalities, I would say that part of that announcement was $51 million over five years. I wish they'd just stick to the next two years,

because beyond that, hopefully there's going to be a change of government.

I would like to point out that certainly the quality of our water is so important to all of us, and it's very important for me, representing a riding like

Parry Sound-Muskoka, where our very quality of life is connected to the quality of our water. We have had problems in recent years -- this year, with Three Mile Lake, and in other years on Georgian

Bay with Sturgeon Bay.

I would say that the municipalities I've talked to would like to see more assistance from the Minister of the Environment in particular. They feel frustrated

that they don't get assistance when they're actively trying to do something to improve the water quality.

If I have a suggestion for the Minister of the Environment, it would be that they become more proactively involved in developing new septic systems that make

new technologies available for people to use, and approve new technologies so that we can use those technologies to protect our lakes.

CULTURAL FUNDING

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): First of all, in commenting on the minister's statement today, I want to recognize the many talented people we

have in the province, and the opportunity to be able to flourish in the province through the very many areas we have. I'd certainly like to recognize Linda Schuyler as well, and appreciate the long

history and the success of the Degrassi heritage, I'd almost say.

In the comments the minister made, she referred to the fact that it was a year ago that she was able to join the Minister of Finance and make an announcement

with regard to film tax credits. I'd remind the minister that that came after our leader, John Tory, pushed the government to act. You may recall that the then Minister of Finance said he didn't

want to participate in the unhealthy bidding war, upping and upping tax credits. Our leader then called a news conference with members of the film industry to demand action from the Liberal

government, and demanded that the Liberals keep their promise to increase film tax credits. So I certainly think that while we recognize the importance of enhancing the tax credits, let it be known

that it was at some instigation on this side of the House.

FAMILY RESPONSIBILITY OFFICE

Mr. Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge): I never thought I'd see the day when Minister Pupatello would boast about a 68% compliance rate. That mark

wouldn't get you into any university in Ontario. Imagine boasting about 32% of spouses and children waiting for their support and never receiving it. I would suggest that you leave your white

gloves in your desk, roll up your sleeves, get them dirty and get helping these vulnerable lives.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): I'd like some order. I'd like to hear what the members are saying, and I'm not getting much

co-operation on it.

We'll all listen to the member for Beaches-East York.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): For more than 20 years, before I became an elected public official full-time, I, too, was a public

employee. What I learned in all that time being a public employee is that when the public employees did good work, when they showed initiative, when they really got things going, it was the

politicians who stood up and tried to take the kudos.

I salute the public employees who have done a remarkable job here, but I have to tell you that they have sometimes done so with the very lack of commitment

that this Legislature has given them.

I'd like to look at some of the statistics here. The average call centre wait times have decreased by some 40%. That's fine, but the waiting time is still far

too long. If we are committed to the public, that waiting time should be zero, not just down 40%. There should be no waiting time.

It says here that there has been a 75% increase in the number of callers who are eligible to get through on their first attempt. Since we go back to that time

when less than 10% could get through on their first attempt, I can only assume now that 15% are getting through on their first attempt, which means that most people -- the overwhelming majority --

cannot get through to this line in spite of the improvements.

Last but not least, it says that the arrears file review project was launched in November, 2004, cleaning up 39,000 cases. But I want to tell you, of the

39,000 cases, only 23,500 have been reviewed, which means that 15,500 cases are sitting there and haven't even been opened more than a year later.

I want to tell you that I salute the people who work there. They need more resources. If the minister truly believes that these people have done such a

tremendous job, just think how much more money and resources and how many more public employees, dedicated as they are, could really improve this situation and have the people of Ontario proud of

it.

CULTURAL FUNDING

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): The Minister of Culture states, "Ontario's cultural and entertainment industries enhance our quality

of life and bring our stories and perspectives to a global audience." No disagreement. Then she says, "The measures which our government is undertaking demonstrate its commitment to Ontario's

cultural development and the industries our creativity has spawned."

I wondered whether the minister might want to comment on the fact that their government -- her ministry -- is forced to sustain a 7% cut. Given your commitment

to Ontario's cultural development and given all that blah, blah, blah about how important you think that is, did you ever bother to fight the cuts that you have sustained in your ministry, and how

do the 7% cuts in your ministry help to sustain cultural development in our province? It's a question to think about.

UNIVERSITY AND COLLEGE FUNDING

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): Mr. Bentley made an announcement today. It was clearly pointed out that the $200 million will only

flow once the federal government funding is approved. It makes it appear that they're putting in their own money and that this money will flow immediately, only to discover that the money will only

flow once the federal government gives it the money. How strong is the provincial desire and commitment to put in its own money to bring about the kind of quality that we're all looking for at the

post-secondary level?

It reminds me of the $6.2-billion promise this government is making around the improvements they want to make in the post-secondary sector. The $6.2 billion

will only arrive by 2009-10. Very little is front-loaded; most of it is back-loaded, and it's back-loaded in a year where this government may or may not get elected. How can they make a promise

about something that reaches beyond their own mandate?

Quite frankly, I am getting tired of Liberal governments, federal and provincial, making big announcements about dollars to support our institutions. They are

not dollars within their own mandate, but expended beyond their mandate. I've got to tell you that it's tiring me, it's tiring some of your Liberal staff and it's tiring a whole lot of Ontarians

who are sick and tired of it. If you want to make a commitment around post-secondary education, make your commitment for this year and for the next, and only up to the point that you're elected.

Don't give me any money beyond that mandate, because we don't know whether that money will flow. We don't even know whether you're going to get elected. So I'm getting awfully tired of your

announcements.

VISITORS

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm very proud of my page from Burlington, Katherine Wilson, who led your

procession today. As page captain, she follows in the footsteps of her sister Lauren, and is joined in the Legislature today by her parents, Rick and Susan Wilson, and by her grandparents, Bill and

Bette Wilson. Please welcome them.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): That's not a point of order, but we certainly welcome you.

ORAL QUESTIONS

TAXATION

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. On September 11, 2003, you signed the following pledge: "I, Dalton

McGuinty, leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario, promise ... that I will not raise taxes or implement" any "new taxes without the explicit consent of Ontario voters...." Further, "I promise to

abide by the Taxpayer Protection and Balanced Budget Act." Premier, why did you sign this pledge?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I can only divine from that question that what the leader of the official

opposition is getting at is the Respect for Municipalities Act, and in particular our party's and our government's support for the city of Toronto. I assume that's what he's getting at.

There is no doubt about it: We are strongly in favour of doing everything we reasonably can to put the city of Toronto on a stronger footing, because we

understand on this side of the House that a strong Toronto makes for a stronger Ontario. The leader of the official opposition may not be in favour of that. He may choose to disregard that

reality.

We are working hard, and I'm proud to say we're working well with the city of Toronto. We've had in place a process that has been very effective. It has

culminated in a very substantive report, which we're now carefully considering. Shortly, we'll be introducing new legislation that will have the effect of putting the city of Toronto on a stronger

footing.

Mr. Tory: Of course we all support the need for a strong Toronto, but that was not the question.

You have introduced, at the last minute, your so-called Respect for Municipalities Act, which really should be called the disrespect for municipal taxpayers

act, and you are removing, through that bill, one important test that was to precede the introduction of new taxing powers given by the provincial government. You supported that test in writing

when you said you would support the Taxpayer Protection Act.

Your new bill will give to municipalities the right to raise taxes on top of the $2,000 in new taxes and charges and fees and hydro bills that have been

brought in by the McGuinty Liberal government. When I asked about this issue two week ago, your minister refused to rule out any municipal tax hikes on your watch, and we now see why. Are you

prepared to look taxpayers in the eye, then, and say that you were wrong to sign the Taxpayer Protection Act pledge in 2003? Were you wrong to do that?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It is hard to determine just on which side of the City of Toronto Act Mr. Tory stands, because he's not prepared to do what

is absolutely essential to recognize their distinction as a mature, responsible level of government that we're prepared to work with and put on a stronger footing. He's not prepared to recognize

that, although on May 7, 2004, he said the following: "We have to re-examine completely the relationship between the municipal and provincial government to give city governments more latitude to

raise some of their own revenue if they choose to do so."

I agree with the statement made by Mr. Tory then. Perhaps he would stand up and tell us why he has now decided that he's not prepared to support the city of

Toronto in putting that city on a stronger footing for the benefit of all Ontarians.

Mr. Tory: The question was why you signed the Taxpayer Protection Act, saying that you would submit any proposed new taxation power to a

referendum before it was done -- why you did that. The question was not whether or not I supported the reform of the relationship between Toronto and the provincial government.

At least one city councillor in Toronto has talked, even today, about raising taxes for people in this city thanks to the powers you're giving to them. He had

this to say: "I've never been worried at being first at the trough," and, "If you can afford to drive a car, you can afford an extra five bucks or so" -- in taxes -- "to go to public transit."

This bill was introduced in a hurry, your people are telling us you want to get it through in a hurry, and you're about to strip away something you signed up

for, which was to give individual taxpayers the right to have their say before you gave this power to municipalities. I'm only asking if you're prepared to take away the meaning of your own

signature. Would you at least guarantee some hearings so people could come and be heard on this piece of legislation and on what you are doing, which goes back on what you signed?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I would ask the leader of the official opposition to reflect upon the conversation he would have had with Mayor Miller,

wherein he indicated he would be supporting the new City of Toronto Act. He might want to give some thought to that. But in case he's forgotten, I'll quote from a letter that Mr. Miller sent to me.

He said, "Toronto's fiscal sustainability is in part related to the new revenue tools at its disposal. It would be regrettable indeed if a bold, visionary initiative of your government is hamstrung

by the ongoing impact of the actions of the previous government. I would like to encourage the provincial government to take action to eliminate the impediment to reform of Ontario's enabling

legislation and future option for Toronto's overall fiscal framework."

I say to the leader of the official opposition that he cannot have it both ways. We've decided to do what is essential to ensure that the city of Toronto is

put on a stronger financial footing. We're prepared to do that because we believe in Toronto and we believe that a stronger Toronto makes for a stronger Ontario.

POLICE OFFICERS

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): That was a lecture from the master of having it both ways who signed the Taxpayer Protection

Act.

Again to the Premier: Why has your government been steadily cutting back on enrolment at the Ontario Police College since you took office?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The Minister of Community Safety.

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): The Ontario Police College has the capacity to take in new

recruits, and they have not been cutting back on it. They have been taking them in as they come. Not only have we not been cutting back but, in anticipation of the 400 officers who are going to be

hired between September 23 and March 31, 2006, we asked the police college to hold open spaces so those particular officers in fact can get in and we can get them out on the streets as soon as

possible.

Mr. Tory: That's very interesting. Let's look at the facts. According to the registrar of the Ontario Police College, the facility that trains

the new officers, in 2003, 1,113 new recruits were trained. In your first full year in office, that number dropped to 954. This year the number has dropped again, to 906 in the training program.

That is a 19% reduction. The Ontario Police College has a capacity, as you well know, of 1,440 training spots. They've had that capacity since the previous government doubled the number back in

1997. If you are really as serious about putting more police officers on the streets to fight violent crime as you say you are, why have you allowed a 19% reduction in those spaces at that college

to take place on your watch?

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: The Leader of the Opposition raises issues he truly doesn't understand. Just so you will know, we do not have any control

over what officers are sent to the police college. The police services hire recruits and send them there. In some years they don't hire as many, and in other years they hire more.

What we have done as a result of our initiative to put 1,000 police officers on to the streets of Ontario during our mandate is to make sure we've accommodated

those who have already been hired, to get into the police college. We specifically made sure spaces would be available for them. That is just the way the system works. We do not determine who goes

to the police college; the police services themselves send their recruits to the police college.

Mr. Tory: The minister well knows that people can't attend the college if there are no spots for them there, and I can tell you what I do

understand: that there's a 19% reduction in the number of spots at the police college.

The story only gets worse: I have a memo sent by your assistant deputy minister notifying all chiefs of police of a 40% increase for the cost of basic

constable training at this college. If you were committed to getting these 1,000 police officers on the streets by, say, the end of 2006 instead of at the end of 2007, because they are needed now

in communities across this province, then you would deal with this 19% reduction that you have brought about in the enrolment there and you would deal with the 40% fee increase you have imposed on

the police services of this province.

My question is, will you guarantee that the Ontario Police College will operate at capacity this year to get your police officers on the street by the fall of

2006 instead of by the fall of 2007, as you announced?

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: The Leader of the Opposition contradicts himself. He says they have capacity, and he says that capacity is not filled. Then

he says, "Can you guarantee that there will be capacity?" Which way does it go?

The other thing you should know -- and if you do your homework, you might find out -- is that there used to be no charge at all for recruits to go to the

police college. Your government -- the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, when they were the government -- instituted the first fees for officers going to the police college.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. On Saturday, November 26, the Oxford Health Coalition held a

community-wide plebiscite asking citizens in Woodstock and surrounding communities if they wanted a new hospital that is 100% publicly owned, publicly operated, publicly funded and not-for-profit.

Over 7,000 people voted, and 97% said yes to a real public hospital and no to the profit-driven, privately financed P3 hospital of the McGuinty government.

My question is, will you listen to the people of Woodstock and the surrounding communities?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I want to lend some comfort and reassurance to those people who may have

voted on this particular matter and let them know that we are absolutely committed -- in fact, as much as they are -- to ensuring that our new hospitals are publicly owned, publicly controlled and

publicly accountable; we're absolutely determined. I would encourage my friend opposite to pass that information along so that these people may have their concerns allayed.

The fact of the matter is that we are doing exactly what Ontarians want us to do. They want to get their hospitals built as quickly as they can. They

understand that in many instances we're talking about plant that is 40 years old. They want us to take advantage of every possible opportunity by way of financing to get those hospitals up and

running, but they want us to ensure that those hospitals remain publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable, and that is what we will do.

Mr. Hampton: This is Dalton McGuinty a couple of years ago. You referred to P3 -- private financing, profit-driven -- hospitals as "creeping

privatization of health care." You said, "I stand against the Americanization of our hospitals." You said that "private, American-style, two-tier health care" will result. The people in Oxford

county know that.

But I want to ask you about the people of North Bay, 9,000 of whom voted in the North Bay Health Coalition's hospital plebiscite. Again, 97% of voters said

they want a real public hospital, not the private financing, profit-driven hospital of the McGuinty government. They know, as you used to say, that this leads to two-tier health care. If you won't

listen to the people of Oxford county, will you at least listen to the people of North Bay?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: My response to the people of North Bay is the same as to the community raised earlier by the leader of the NDP. I know he

wants to fan the flames and foment discontent, but the fact of the matter is that we are very much committed to ensuring we are building new hospitals in Ontario. My friend opposite may not see

that as an important issue, but we see it as a very important issue. We do intend to take advantage, where it makes sense to do so, of private capital, but the important thing is -- because that

helps us achieve a public end, which is a new, publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable hospital. Our objective remains the same, but the problem is that the leader of the NDP

fails to understand that we've got a responsibility to take advantage of any new opportunities, including the teachers' pension plan, for example, that they want to invest by way of financier for

these kinds of new hospitals. But, again, they will be publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable.

Mr. Hampton: I swear I heard Ernie Eves answer that last question. In fact, you know that the former Conservative Minister of Health, when he

looks at the McGuinty private financing model, says, "Well, that's exactly the same as the Conservative private hospital financing model."

I want to ask the Premier about the Niagara Health Coalition's plebiscite, where more than 12,000 people voted and 98% said yes to a real public hospital and

no to the Ernie Eves private financing, profit-driven P3 hospital, and no to the Dalton McGuinty private financing, profit-driven P3 hospital. Premier, will you listen to the people of Niagara, who

want a publicly funded, publicly operated and publicly administered public hospital like Dalton McGuinty promised?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I've had the good fortune of visiting Niagara region recently, and I can tell you that the people there are absolutely

overflowing with enthusiasm for their new hospital, their new regional cancer centre. They are looking for us to proceed as quickly as we possibly can. And I can tell you that they are more and

more enthusiastic as they understand more and more that we're talking here about a hospital that's going to serve the needs of the people of the community and, more than just that, it's a hospital

that is publicly owned, publicly controlled and publicly accountable. That's exactly what the people Niagara are looking for, and that's what they're getting.

WITNESS PROTECTION PROGRAM

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): I have a question for the Premier. Premier, Todd Petahtegoose provided Ontario's police with critical

evidence and information around 10 gangster and biker murders. He testified for the crown at the murder trial of Satan's Choice president Michael Dubé. He did this because he was assured by

the ministry of the Attorney General and the police that he, his wife and 13-year-old daughter would be safe in the province's witness protection program. But now your ministry has decided that, as

of November 30, Mr. Petahtegoose, his wife and his 13-year-old daughter are going to be dumped, they're going to be turfed and they're going to be tossed aside, no longer a part of the witness

protection program and left to fend for themselves. They are sitting not in the chamber because of security, but behind that wall in the members' lounge, watching you on television. Tell them that

they will not be abandoned on November 30 by you and your government.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I refer this to the Attorney General.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General): The member knows that he is referring to a matter involving a civil claim that is currently before the

court, so I can't comment on that claim.

Secondly, I'm sure all members understand and accept that, due to the confidential nature of the witness protection program, we never, ever comment publicly on

matters relating to its administration. We neither deny nor acknowledge who is participating in the protection program. We do that to protect the witnesses who are involved and the important

confidence that they vested in the state.

Mr. Kormos: The point, Minister: You've already, in writing, told Mr. Petahtegoose and his family that they're no longer going to be

protected. I wrote to you on November 17 this year, telling you that this matter was occurring on November 30 and that it was critical. Mr. Petahtegoose's life is in danger. You see, outlaw bikers

don't take kindly to being informed on or to being testified against in murder trials.

Minister, after months of violence and murder here in Toronto and your frequent references to the witness protection program and how you're going to use it to

encourage witnesses to come forth, how does your abandonment of Todd Petahtegoose and his family reassure any other witness that you're going to secure their safety?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: I have utmost confidence that police officers who assist protected witnesses appreciate the difficult situations these

witnesses are encountering. I seriously question the judgment of identifying the location and identity of people who are participating in the witness protection program, so I am simply not going to

entertain debate on this particular issue any further, in the name of the witness protection program and the safety it provides to the many courageous people who participate in it.

Mr. Kormos: Minister, your witness protection program promised Todd Petahtegoose and his family new identities, medical coverage, health

cards, a safe place to live and an allowance to do that with. You have delivered none of that, and now you have turned Mr. Petahtegoose and his family loose with no protection. I say to you,

Minister, that it's incumbent upon you to stand up, here and now, and tell this Legislature and that family that you will reverse the decision of your ministry that directed Mr. Petahtegoose that

he is going to be relieved of any support from Ontario's witness protection program as of November 30. That's your responsibility.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: Again, I've said that on the particular matter the member is referring to, we just simply do not get into the identity of the

people or the details of the witness protection agreement that's been entered into.

I will say that the witness protection program generally in the province of Ontario, which is the oldest witness protection program and the largest witness

protection program in the country, has recently been expanded to not only deal with very serious matters involving entire identity and location changes, but also to improve short-term protection to

make it more responsive for those people who want to participate in a criminal investigation but don't necessarily want to undertake the very significant changes that can happen under the witness

protection program. We're also removing significant barriers and much of the red tape involved in obtaining a new identity and expediting admission to the program.

Again, I have full confidence that the police officers and the witness protection program itself are operating exactly as they should be.

SECURITIES INDUSTRY

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question for the Minister of Government Services pertaining to the Securities Act: Minister, as you know, when

insider trading occurs, insiders get rich and retail investors like seniors and working families suffer harm. There's increasing concern and speculation surrounding highly unusual trading activity

related to Finance Minister Goodale's announcement with respect to income trusts. Under

section 3.8 of the Securities Act, you have the authority to request information from the OSC on matters

regarding their activities. What contact has your ministry had with the OSC to ensure the government of Ontario is taking this issue seriously?

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Minister of Government Services): The member and the public should be aware that the Ontario Securities Commission is an

organization that's well regarded and very well run that clearly has the responsibility for monitoring the markets -- this is their job -- to make sure that nothing untoward or unfair has gone on.

This is why we have them. The last thing, in my opinion, that we want to do is have any political interference in that. I strongly recommend that this is a matter that is legitimately before the

Ontario Securities Commission. It should be a matter that they handle. They do a fine job for us. I would suggest that we should not entertain any suggestion of any political interference in the

operation of it. It is a matter to be left to them.

Mr. Hudak: With respect to the minister, we are seeing no evidence that the province of Ontario has shown concern over the serious and growing

allegations of insider trading. The minister well knows there is a significant spike in trading around income trusts. Some high dividend-paying stocks like BCE had their biggest gain in four years.

You, sir, have the responsibility, ultimately, of maintaining the integrity of Ontario's markets for our investors, like seniors and working families. There is concern that has been expressed about

previous cases like Placer Dome, Hollinger and the Rankin case that were referred to the OSC from outside jurisdictions. Sure, these allegations today are serious. I know they do involve the

federal Liberal finance minister, and that is why we should go beyond caution to ensure that integrity in the markets is maintained.

Minister, you also have

section 15 of the act that enables you to order an investigation. Will you utilize the Securities Act to make sure this issue is

addressed immediately?

Hon. Mr. Phillips: You are treading on very dangerous ground here if you are suggesting that the government of the day should be telling the

Ontario Securities Commission what cases they should investigate and, dare I say, what cases they shouldn't investigate. You should be aware that that power has not been used for decades, for good

reason: The Ontario government, I think of all political stripes, has said that the Ontario Securities Commission's reputation is at stake. We should do nothing that would indicate that they are

responding to political pressure.

I would strongly advise the Conservative Party to be careful on this question. The securities commission has the responsibility for this. They monitor the

markets, they do their job, and they should not be subject to the kind of political pressure that you are suggesting we should influence here. So I would say to the public that we have this

organization, well run and well regarded, that monitors the market. They will do their job. If anything untoward happened, they would take the appropriate action. And we should leave it there and

not be exerting political pressure on that organization.

TAXATION

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Premier. Sadly, yesterday I watched as you broke another election promise. After

promising to abide by the provisions of the Taxpayer Protection Act, you broke your promise and raised taxes by $2.4 billion. Now you have broken that same promise by giving authority to

municipalities to levy taxes. I'm not going to cast any aspersions on that, because maybe they need to. But my question to you is very simple: Will you admit today that you have no intention

whatsoever of honouring your signature to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation?

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

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): I must admit I find this question rather puzzling from an individual in this

House who served as a mayor of parts of this municipality, in East York, at one point in time. He well knows that in the 21st century we are in now, it's absolutely essential that municipalities,

including the city of Toronto -- and most of all, the city of Toronto, which, after all, is the economic engine of this province -- have the capacity and the ability to look after their own

affairs. That's what we are trying to accomplish with the City of Toronto Act.

The mayor has asked for these powers. AMO has endorsed these kinds of powers. The task force that was set up between the ministry and the staff at city hall

asked for these powers. The external review board that the mayor set up to give him advice has asked for these powers. We think this is the right thing to do, and if the member doesn't like it,

then maybe he should say why he's against the city of Toronto having the types of powers it needs to function properly in the 21st century.

Mr. Prue: What this member doesn't like is your party and your leader trying to have it two ways: signing the Taxpayer Protection Act and then

doing something to the opposite. You have to choose which side you are on. You can't be part of this and then part of that; you have to be one or the other. You can't have a happy, smiling face

with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and a happy, smiling face with the mayor.

I have to repeat my question to you: Do you admit that you were wrong in signing to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, and do you promise not to abide by what

you promised them in September 2003?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: I think the much more relevant question is whether or not that member over there, as a representative here in the city of

Toronto, supports the people of Toronto and supports the city of Toronto in wanting a new City of Toronto Act. That's what it's all about in the long run. The people of Toronto want to know where

you stand as their representative in this city as to whether or not you believe that the city of Toronto should have more powers, both at the fiscal end and at the legislative end, in order to

restructure itself --

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Order. Minister, thank you. I would like to hear the reply as well as the question, so it will be

helpful if you'll do that.

CLEANUP OF BROWNFIELDS

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I want to raise the issue of brownfields with you. I

know you are well aware of the difficulties created in my riding by these challenging and sometimes orphaned sites. Property values in neighbouring areas are diminished and these sites are often

targets of dangerous acts of vandalism. Neighbouring residents face an increased risk of crime and negative health and environmental impacts. Clearly, this is an economic issue as well as a health

and safety one, and something most certainly needs to be done. Unfortunately, the city of Brantford and municipalities across this province are the ones left to initiate and cover the costs of the

cleanup or the destruction of those abandoned buildings that are left on the site.

Minister, I know our government takes this issue very seriously. Can you please tell us what your plan is to help us clean up those brownfields once and for

all?

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): Let me first of all congratulate the member for being so consistent on the

redevelopment of brownfields. He has brought this issue to the foreground over at least the last couple of years.

We all know there are brownfield sites in all our communities, basically abandoned industrial sites, that have in many cases lain vacant for the last 50 years.

It is through initiatives like the provincial policy statement, the greenbelt and the growth plan that our government has demonstrated the important role that brownfield development can play in

preventing sprawl and preserving green space while addressing our growth management challenges.

Last year, in October, the Ministry of Finance introduced a brownfield incentive program that allows municipalities to give municipal property tax assistance

for the purposes of redeveloping these sites. Our ministry is taking the lead in coordinating the brownfield initiatives for this government. We meet monthly in order to develop a one-window

approach so that we can finally start dealing with something that has been ignored by governments in the past, and that's the redevelopment of the brownfields.

Mr. Levac: Thank you very much, Minister. You're getting there. We've got some more work to do. I know you acknowledge that it's a very

important issue in all of our municipalities. In the platform you and I both ran on, we said we wanted to develop brownfields. I'm pleased to see that we've got these acts so far and the commitment

to continue to do more.

Our Places to Grow strategy, through managed growth in the greater Golden Horseshoe, shows Brantford as one of those growth notes. I know our commitment to

cleaning up the brownfields will play an integral

part in assisting my community to grow, as it will others. Brantford has put in the business case of working together with the federal, provincial

and municipal governments. In my view, Brantford has been ahead of the game on brownfield redevelopment, but we need your help.

Minister, could you outline for the House some of the benefits to municipalities of having a brownfield strategy and how the McGuinty government might get us

there, because we desperately need this help?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: I can tell the member that not only am I getting it but our government is getting it, because we absolutely have to do

something about brownfields. They represent an opportunity for neighbourhood revitalization; the creation of jobs and housing, quite often in the downtowns of our communities; the enhancement of

public health and safety through the cleanup of contaminants; and strengthening the municipal property tax base, which is extremely important as well. They also provide a unique opportunity for

intensification, something that our government has identified as a priority, as we expect an additional four million people to settle in this province over the next 30 years.

Our government is currently in the midst of developing a work plan that will tackle some of the barriers to brownfield development dealing with liability and

taxation issues. The end result will be that municipalities will be able to take advantages of the results of our consultation. It's certainly this government's hope that a brownfield strategy that

will look after all of these sites will be developed and --

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The question has been answered. I might say that I have the time well under control and I don't need

any help from the opposition.

OBSTETRICAL CARE

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is for the Minister of Health. Three general practitioners working out of the

Pembroke Regional Hospital have recently announced they will no longer deliver babies after December 15 if the unacceptable situation they find themselves in is not addressed. Under your watch, the

Pembroke Regional Hospital, which delivers between 600 and 700 babies a year, is down to one obstetrician. This minister is forcing some people in my riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke to travel

as much as 250 kilometres to Ottawa while in labour to have their baby delivered. Is this reduction in services to rural Ontarians what they can expect? Even in spite of your punitive health tax,

is this what they can expect in Dalton McGuinty's Ontario?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): One really has to question the tone of a member whose riding itself has been

the recipient of a wide variety of community-based investments, with several quotes littering my House book -- positive quotes -- from the honourable member about our government. Why is it that he

comes to Queen's Park and says one thing, but when he's in his riding with me, he says such very nice and positive things? I just don't understand it.

On the issue at hand, which is a very serious one, obviously there has been a real trend away from the provision of obstetric services. Fewer doctors all the

time have been inclined to provide these services, and it does create a particular challenge in smaller communities. I don't think it's an acceptable circumstance by any stretch that people should

have to travel this distance.

I'll undertake to work with the honourable member and our local health integration network and the leadership of the Ottawa Hospital, which plays a crucial

backup role for higher-risk births, to see what can be done about this. I know the Ottawa Hospital has been very helpful in stabilizing a program at Winchester hospital and --

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): The answer has been given.

Mr. Yakabuski: The minister has indicated I'm a very good host when ministers visit my riding. I'm in his riding now. I expect to be treated

well here.

Minister, a lot can go wrong in a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Ottawa while someone is pregnant and ready to deliver a baby. A lot can go wrong in the middle

of winter, in freezing temperatures in my riding of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. It is not good enough to talk about nice things we say about what you're doing in my riding. We appreciate any help

we get. However, this is a serious situation. I would ask that you would address this before we read about some terrible event in the newspaper because there was a terrible tragedy between, say,

Whitney and Ottawa because obstetrics were not being provided at the Pembroke Regional Hospital. You're the minister. You must address this. Do so.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: It's fine and dandy for the honourable member to stand across the way and point his finger and pretend that local

hospitals don't have any role and responsibility related to the provision of care in their communities. The only problem with the strategy is that it's not true.

The circumstances are clear: Pembroke Regional Hospital has received more than $16 million in additional funding from our government since it came to office.

But I have undertaken with the honourable member to work with him on this issue, which has only just come to my attention a few minutes ago. I agree that it's a serious one. I said in my earlier

answer that I think that is a very long stretch to be dealing with. Accordingly, I will work with the honourable member to have this addressed. I've already indicated to him that I think the Ottawa

Hospital, which plays such a critical role for backup, particularly as it relates to higher-risk births, can be helpful. I'll be relying on their good offices to assist us in addressing the

situation, which I think all members very clearly would agree is a serious one. I will undertake it on that basis.

AUTISM TREATMENT

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a question to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. In 2004-05, your ministry allocated $55.9

million to the preschool intervention program for children with autism. The program pays for IBI treatment for children with autism. Given the wait list for IBI treatment, how is it that in

2004-05, $2.7 million from this program was not spent by your ministry and was directed to child welfare instead?

Hon. Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Children and Youth Services): I'm happy to address the question, even though I know that the member

knows the answer. The reality is that those dollars, while originally allocated to support teachers for the provision of consultants in the schools, were not spent on that because there weren't

enough consultants to allocate those funds to. The dollars instead were assigned to child welfare, because I think you would want to agree that the importance of protection of our kids, whether

they be in special-needs programs, whether they be in schools or whether they be in our child protection system, should be a priority for all of us.

Ms. Martel: If I might, Minister, the information you've provided to the House is not correct. The allocation of $55.9 million was for the

preschool program -- the very program that pays for IBI treatment for autistic children aged two to five. This has nothing to do with the hiring of consultants for something else.

At the same time as the ministry was sending autism treatment money somewhere else, there were 287 children waiting to be assessed to see if they would qualify

for IBI treatment. There were 399 children who had already qualified for treatment who were languishing on a list, waiting for treatment to begin. Hundreds of parents faced, and continue to face,

financial ruin, trying to pay for IBI out of their own pockets while you diverted $2.7 million of treatment money somewhere else.

I ask you again, Minister: When there were 399 autistic children on a waiting list praying for treatment, how could you ever have diverted $2.7 million

somewhere else?

Interjection.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Just before you get up, Minister, would the member from Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke please be a little

more discreet?

Minister.

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: The member knows that our government is committed to not just caring for all kids who have autism spectrum disorder, but

we are also committed to increasing the capacity of the continuum services that we have to support these children and families. We have introduced a new college-level program which will graduate,

starting next year, 100 additional therapists for this program, and by the year 2008 there will be 200 more therapists enrolled in this program.

We know there's a lot more to be done. We would like to assess everyone and treat everyone quickly. We have improved the assessment time and we're working now

on improving the time it takes to get these kids into therapy, and we will continue to do so.

ANTI-TOBACCO ADVERTISING

Ms. Caroline Di Cocco (Sarnia-Lambton): My question is to the Minister of Health Promotion. Last week, the Centre for Addiction and Mental

Health released results of the 2005 Ontario student drug use survey. Results showed that the prevalence of students smoking in grades 7 to 12 is at its lowest rate since 1977: 14%. However, in this

same report, 57% of students indicated that it would be easy or very easy to get cigarettes. Minister, how does our smoke-free Ontario campaign address this issue of access and the problem of youth

smoking?

Hon. Jim Watson (Minister of Health Promotion): I'm very proud of the McGuinty government's record on this issue and the decisions we have

made to discourage young people from starting to smoke or help them to quit smoking, in particular our award-winning Web site, which just won two more awards last week. Stupid.ca, which is an

innovative, interactive site that has been designed by and for students, had received in the last year 842,000 visits, which is a record for this kind of site.

Also as part of our $50-million smoke-free Ontario campaign, we have allocated $5.6 million for youth-oriented programs such as the Youth Action Alliance.

I also want to commend the member from Ottawa-Orléans for being very involved with the exposé program in Ottawa that was started by the public health

unit.

These youth-oriented programs that have been designed by young people, for young people and supported by our government are going to have a wonderful impact to

encourage more and more people not to smoke in the first place.

Ms. Di Cocco: Last week, Premier Dalton McGuinty received the smoke-free award, presented jointly by the Association of Local Public Health

Agencies and the Ontario Public Health Association. The award recognizes the commitment by the Premier and this government toward a healthier, smoke-free Ontario.

It's both a contrast and puzzling that some members of this House are promoting smoking by supporting Mychoice.ca. I was surprised to find that a member of the

Conservative caucus came to my riding to chair a meeting for Mychoice.ca, which supports smoking. How is the medical and scientific community viewing our efforts to encourage smoking cessation,

which in turn will save lives?

Hon. Mr. Watson: I, too, was shocked when I read in the Sarnia Observer that a member of the Conservative Party was actually out chairing a

meeting of the pro-tobacco industry in Sarnia, Ontario. I would challenge the Leader of the Opposition to rein in the right-wing renegades in his caucus and tell them that it is not their

responsibility to be in the back pocket of the tobacco industry.

What a contrast between our leaders: Last week, our leader was honoured by the public health agencies for the work he's done for a smoke-free Ontario; the

leader of the Conservative Party allows members of his caucus to be pawns for big tobacco.

Last year in this province, 16,000 people died of respiratory diseases as a result of smoking -- 44 people a day. That party over there should be ashamed of

themselves. Exactly one half of them either didn't show up to vote for smoke-free or voted against it --

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Thank you. New question.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker: Order. Stop the clock for a second. Order. I'd like to hear the question.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): To the Minister of Agriculture: Minister, for months now you've claimed to be working with the

federal government on both CAIS and companion funding. We've seen billions of federal dollars promised but less than 120 million federal dollars for Ontario grain and oilseed farmers, nothing for

beef, nothing for tobacco and nothing for horticultural crops. Could you explain to the House, Minister, what went wrong?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I will say to the honourable member that while I am not in a position

to comment on the reason or the rationale that's behind any federal government announcement, I'm very happy to stand in my place today and say that the McGuinty government continues to work with

agriculture stakeholders in this province and with representatives from United Voice. We have made it very clear to them that we are prepared to consider their proposals to this government. They

have made it clear that they believe that the resolution to the very serious issues that you have identified requires a longer-term plan as well as a more comprehensive plan, and we will continue

to work with them.

There's no question that the federal announcement last week does require us to go back to that table and assess our options, but make no mistake: Our

government continues to be committed to the agriculture industry in the province of Ontario.

Mr. Barrett: Well, Minister, and I do quote from your government's speech from the throne: "Ontario is working with the federal government to

improve our system of safety nets." However, Ontario Federation of Agriculture president Ron Bonnett, United Voice, says, "This does not even begin to recognize the hurt experienced by Ontario

farmers."

Minister, is this the deal: 40% of less than $120 million for cash crop, 40% of nothing for beef, 40% of nothing for tobacco and 40% of nothing for

horticultural crops? Is this the deal, Minister? If not, what is the deal, or, as you say, are you just going to continue working with the federal government on this?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I think it's important to clarify that the comment Mr. Bonnett made was with respect to the announcement made last week

by the federal government. If the honourable member very carefully reviewed what United Voice has been saying about the work that they are doing with our government, he would find that the response

has been very positive and that they continue to look forward to working with us. We -- both United Voice representatives and this government -- recognize that if there is to be a meaningful,

long-term solution for agriculture issues, it is going to require the participation of all three.

The federal announcement last week, you would know -- I sent out a release -- was disappointing. It was not as comprehensive or as long-term as we had hoped.

We will continue to work with our agriculture stakeholders to have the federal government understand why it's in the better interests of this industry that those points are considered and

addressed.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question to the Premier. It is the McGuinty government's stated policy to remove the revenue cap

that applies to Ontario Power Generation's non-regulated assets at the end of this year -- a move that experts say would result in a drastic increase in hydro rates on April 1, 2006. On almost a

weekly basis, companies are making decisions to close paper mills and cut thousands of jobs because of your government's stated policy of removing the Ontario Power Generation revenue cap.

My question is this: Will you stop the loss of thousands more jobs, particularly in the pulp and paper sector, by announcing that you're going to keep the

revenue cap for at least two more years and stop another drastic increase in hydro rates?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The Minister of Energy.

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Energy): I thank the member for the question for the seventh time. I have been saying all along that we

are in discussions on this issue, and those discussions are ongoing. That's the answer.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, while you dither over there, here is the result: 525 jobs at Cascades in Thunder Bay last week; 40 jobs at Weyerhaeuser

the week before that; another six paper mills and, beyond that, some sawmills, with thousands of jobs at stake.

Companies are making decisions now, so I think it's time for the McGuinty government -- are you going to extend the revenue rate cap and save thousands of jobs

in vulnerable communities, or don't you give a damn? What's it going to be? If you're going to extend the rate cap, will you announce it now so that those jobs can be sustained and those companies

won't make decisions to close paper machines and lay off thousands more workers? What's the decision going to be?

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: I find it fascinating that this gentleman, whose party closed 14 sawmills, suddenly has a great conscience. As a matter

of fact, just recently Domtar closed a mill, and the mill was in Quebec. If you look at the reasons, they are: downward pressure on prices; growing fibre supply costs; yes, energy costs;

transportation costs; the strengthening of the Canadian dollar; and labour costs that exceed those of their competitors. That was in Quebec.

We are going to build new generation that has brought $3 billion worth of business into this province, we are maximizing our existing generation and

transmission, and we are creating a culture of conservation. Combined, we are making a difference in this province, unlike the government that cancelled all of those programs.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Ms. Judy Marsales (Hamilton West): My question is for the Minister of Labour. I know that the health and safety of Ontario workers is a top

priority. In fact, our government has demonstrated its commitment to the workers of this province by promising to hire 200 new occupational health and safety inspectors. Our government has

demonstrated leadership in working with Ontario's companies and Ontario workers to support their competitiveness in the global economy. The health and safety of Ontario workers is an important

component of our success in building the best workforce on the globe.

Our government has proven it believes in the importance of workplace safety by nearly doubling the number of inspectors. However, given that there are almost

300,000 workplace-related injuries every year, with about 100,000 serious enough to require people to miss work, the need to realize this promise is painfully evident. Minister, can you tell this

House when the government plans to achieve its promise to hire 200 new health and safety inspectors?

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): The health and safety of the workers in this province is the number one priority for the Ministry of

Labour, and I'm extremely proud of that. I'm extremely proud, too, that we've been able to move forward on the front of bringing new health and safety inspectors forward. When we took office, there

were 230 inspectors looking after health and safety in Ontario. We made a commitment to move forward and hire an additional 200.

I'm pleased to tell you that by the end of March 2006, we will have 430 health and safety inspectors in this province. Our goal is to ensure that Ontario

workplaces are the safest in the world. But more importantly, the initiative helps reduce unnecessary human suffering. To date, we've hired 131 of those 200 inspectors, and I would let everyone

know that the job advertisements have been placed to hire those additional 69, so that very soon -- as I say, by the end of March 2006 -- 200 additional inspectors --

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

Ms. Marsales: This is a proud achievement, and I'm certain my constituents and all of Ontario will be happy to hear that the government is

fulfilling its commitment to hire these 200 new health and safety inspectors. These injuries add costs to the Ontario economy. They place a substantial burden on Ontario's health care system.

Minister, I know that these occupational health and safety inspectors are well-trained, dedicated professionals. But could you tell us more about what the new

inspectors will do, and how bold investment will benefit Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Peters: I think we need to recognize that this is an investment in future prosperity here in the province of Ontario. As well,

business needs to look at this as an investment that's being made to help them reduce their costs. We have a very ambitious goal in place to reduce workplace injuries in this province by 20% by

2008, and we're well on our way to doing that. By reducing workplace injuries, we ensure that we have a more productive workforce, but as well, that saves business money. We need to ensure that we

find every way that we can to find savings for those businesses but, as well, protect the health and safety of our workers. So certainly one of our important focuses is on the enforcement of the

Occupational Health and Safety Act, because we want to make sure that we have quality, safe workplaces in this province. We want to work toward reducing work-related injuries, and deaths as

well.

Another important aspect, and something we all need to be conscious of, is the work that they're going to be doing in enforcing health and safety for our young

workers. These are our future, and we need to make sure they get started --

The Deputy Speaker: The question has been answered.

EDUCATION

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): My question is to the Premier. I would like to draw your attention to a looming crisis in our school education

system. I'm referring to an

article in the Toronto Star and other media that states that the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board has launched a public postcard campaign to pressure you,

Premier, to fix the $17-million shortfall in their budget. You would know that 80% of their budget is about wages and benefits. Annie Kidder, for example, from the advocacy group People for

Education, is quoted as saying, "There are few places left to borrow from and most boards have used up their reserves."

In the past, you've really had a secret dome agreement, the silence of the agreement that you've got with the boards, to not speak out that their financing

problems --

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

Mr. O'Toole: Minister, could you simply tell me today, and the Catholic board in Peel, what you're going to do about this current salary gap

you have with the educational system in Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The member opposite raises a real concern, and I know that the Minister

of Education is addressing this. I know that they're working with the board. My understanding is that the minister may even have made the agreement to meet with the board. But I know it's a real

issue. It's something where we will work with the board in order to find a way that we can together address this.

Mr. O'Toole: Thank you for that very cogent response, Premier. I'll just say, this is just one of many looming challenges that appears under a

mismanagement plan of Dalton McGuinty. You tried to build this era of confidence and cordiality, but I'm just going to mention a few more items that are looming crises in education. One is special

education; we've heard today from both opposition parties that special education is a challenge. Another one, Premier, is transportation. The shortfall in busing in education is another challenge,

but a new one has emerged. The Kawartha-Pine Ridge board, in Jeff Leal's riding, is experiencing a 23% increase in the cost of energy, a further deficit of $1.3 million.

Premier, just stand and tell the people of Ontario that you're going to fix it. Tell them how you're going to fix it and when you're going to fix it, because

this is affecting the safety and future of our children in this great province of Ontario.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: If there is one area in particular for which I feel a tremendous amount of pride in terms of the efforts made by our

government, it is in the area of education. There was an interesting report put out recently; in fact, they talked about it in today's paper. I had a copy of the report pulled for me. Interestingly

enough, it said, among some things, that 87% of parents are saying that reducing class sizes is an effective way to improve the quality of education. Seventy-four per cent of Ontarians gave our

public schools an A or B grade. The report in today's paper was that we were rated the highest in Canada, together with Alberta.

I think we have gone a long way toward restoring confidence in public education. We've gone a long way toward helping all Ontarians understand that the single

most important way that we can improve our prospects for growth and prosperity so that we can improve the strength of our democracy, so that we can enrich the quality of enjoyment of individual

Ontarians' lives, is to continue to invest in and support --

The Deputy Speaker: Thank you. The time for oral questions has expired.

PETITIONS

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): I have a petition from people who want to save Rideau Regional Centre, which is a home to people

with developmental disabilities.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"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" -- 115 people -- "petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the government" of Ontario "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."

I have signed that. I'm in full support.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): On behalf of Howard Hampton, the member for Kenora-Rainy River, I present the following petition:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

Howard Hampton has signed this, and I affix my signature as well, with full support.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): "Whereas Ontario has an inconsistent policy for access to new cancer treatments while these drugs are under

review for funding; and

"Whereas cancer patients taking oral chemotherapy may apply for a

section 8 exception under the Ontario drug benefit plan, with no such exception policy in

place for intravenous cancer drugs administered in hospital; and

"Whereas this is an inequitable, inconsistent and unfair policy, creating two classes of cancer patients with further inequities on the basis of personal

wealth and the willingness of hospitals to risk budgetary deficits to provide new intravenous chemotherapy treatments; and

"Whereas cancer patients have the right to the most effective care recommended by their doctors;

"We, the undersigned" 850 "petition the Parliament of Ontario to provide immediate access to Velcade and other intravenous chemotherapy while these new cancer

drugs are under review and provide a consistent policy for access to new cancer treatments that enables oncologists to apply for exceptions to meet the needs of patients."

I add my signature to this petition.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Member for Durham.

JUSTICE SYSTEM

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): Thank you very much, Speaker, for the instant recognition.

"Whereas the Honourable Michael Bryant, Attorney General of Ontario, is elected to safeguard our justice system on behalf of the people of Ontario;

"Whereas the ministry of our Attorney General may not be aware of the serious and important issues facing individuals involved in areas of the justice system

even though the Attorney General's ministry is continually monitoring" the situation;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, ask the Honourable Michael Bryant, Attorney General, for his in-depth investigation of the Ontario judicial system and [to]

make the public aware of his findings immediately."

I am pleased to sign this, certainly on behalf of Bert Werry, being one of my constituents.

MANDATORY RETIREMENT

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): This petition is addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas existing legislation enforcing mandatory retirement is discriminatory; and

"Whereas it is the basic human right of Ontario citizens over the age of 65 to earn a living and contribute to society; and

"Whereas the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Yukon and the Northwest Territories have also abolished mandatory retirement in

various forms; and

"Whereas ending mandatory retirement is a viable means of boosting the Ontario labour force and accommodating the growing need for skilled workers;

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

"The Ontario government should act by abolishing mandatory retirement in the province of Ontario. This is best achieved by passing Bill 211,

An Act to amend

the Human Rights Code and certain other Acts to end mandatory retirement."

Since I agree, I'm delighted to sign my name to it.

ANTI-TOBACCO LEGISLATION

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): These people want more consultation on the Liberal Smoke-Free Ontario Act:

"Bill 164 Deserves Additional Hearings."

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (legislative committee on finance and economic affairs):

"Whereas House leaders negotiated four days of hearings on the Smoke-Free Ontario Act, but 225 people and organizations applied to testify; and

"Whereas 137 people/associations have not had an opportunity to testify; for example, Avondale Stores Ltd., Ontario Minister of Health, Imperial Tobacco,

Ontario medical officer of health, Taps Tavern, Toronto Councillor Frances Nunziata and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health;

"We, the undersigned, request that the Ontario government consult with the remaining 137 applicants and, subsequently, that this Legislative Assembly committee

hold additional hearings."

I agree with this and sign it.

SERVICES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DELAYED

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

This has been signed by several people from my constituency, and I have affixed my signature as well.

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have a petition here similar to the ones being read. I think it's because there are so many people in the

province who think this is such a critical issue.

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

I affix my signature, as I agree with the petition.

PROPERTY TAXATION

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I have a petition that reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas property assessment now occurs on an annual basis;

"Whereas the Mike Harris government created the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) to deflect criticism of property assessment methodology from

the province;

"Whereas the McGuinty Liberal government promised to create a fair and equitable system of assessment; and

"Whereas property values are not related to the cost of municipal services or to the ability of taxpayers to pay,

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario to immediately create a new system of property assessment that provides property and

business owners with fair and equitable assessments that are stable and transparent that a property owner will clearly be able to understand."

I'm in agreement and would affix my signature thereto.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls): My petition is addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration" known as wet; "there are other forms of

macular degeneration," known as dry, "that are not covered,

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

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

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

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

I'm pleased to sign my signature in support of this petition.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I have a petition to the Legislature of Ontario, and it reads:

"Whereas the $700,000 cut in funding to the Ontario Library Service budget ... will have a significant impact on the delivery of public library service across

the province in areas such as:

" -- reductions in the frequency of inter-library loan deliveries;

" -- reductions in the Southern Ontario Library Service's consultation services and the elimination of a number of staff positions;

" -- the elimination of province-wide research on library and socio-demographic trends that all libraries need for their own planning;

" -- the reduction of consortia/charitable purchasing, a service that provides economies-of-scale discounts to libraries on a variety of goods and services;

and

" -- a reduction in the amount of material that is translated for OLS French-language clients;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario as follows:

"To restore funding to the Ontario Library Service (OLS) in order to signal support for the Ontario public library system."

I support this petition.

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): A petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

government-operated services and other sectors;

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

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

live meaningful lives within their community."

CELL PHONES

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): It's my pleasure to read a second petition today on behalf of my constituents.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the safe operation of a motor vehicle requires the driver's undivided attention; and

"Whereas research has shown that the operation of devices such as cell phones detracts from a driver's ability to respond and concentrate on the task at hand;

and

"Whereas approximately 40 jurisdictions around the world have already passed legislation to restrict the use of cell phones while driving;

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

"That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario enact legislation to curtail the use of cellular telephones, as proposed in the private member's legislation

introduced by John O'Toole, MPP for Durham."

I'm pleased to present this to Alex and have the table enter this as a document.

RESIGNATION OF MEMBER

FOR WHITBY-AJAX

Mr. Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): On a point of privilege, Mr. Speaker: As you know, I intend to stand for election to the House of Commons in

my home riding of Whitby-Oshawa. It has been a privilege to serve the people of Whitby, Oshawa and Ajax here for more than 10 years. It's also a privilege to have been elected three times and to

leave this place voluntarily.

As required by law, in order to seek a seat in the House of Commons, I resign as the member of provincial Parliament for Whitby-Ajax.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): To the member for Whitby-Ajax, we accept your resignation and wish you well in any future

undertakings.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LOCAL HEALTH SYSTEM INTEGRATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'INTÉGRATION DU SYSTÈME DE SANTÉ LOCAL

Mr. Smitherman moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 36,

An Act to provide for the integration of the local system for the delivery of health services / Projet de loi 36, Loi prévoyant

l'intégration du système local de prestation des services de santé.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I recognize the Minister of Health for his leadoff speech.

Applause.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I always say that applause is to be earned, and accordingly I hope that my

colleagues are still clapping at the end of 30 minutes and that their enthusiasm doesn't wane, nor our government's enthusiasm to bring about sensible and long, overdue reform of our health care

system.

We're continuing, more than two years into our privileged run as the government in this province, to advance reforms that are challenging reforms, but they are

reforms that, at their very heart, have associated with them the necessity of delivering on the word "system."

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Excuse me, Mr. Speaker: Could I gain your assistance? It's a bit challenging to have this scrum in front of me.

Mr. Speaker, we have taken a further --

The Acting Speaker: Take your seat, if you wish.

The Minister of Health has the floor. I would ask all members to assist me in my responsibilities so I can hear him.

The Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

When our government came to office in this province more than two years ago, one of the things we sought to confront was the reality that in our province,

where we use the word "system," there is sometimes little evidence that in fact we have a system. Patients have expressed in a wide variety of ways the frustration that sometimes occurs for them as

they try to make their way from one part of our health care system to the other.

This conversation was often framed in the context of what was referred to as silos: this idea that one piece of the health care structure might work reasonably

well on its own. But as patients sought to make their way across what in health care we reform as continuity of care, there were challenges that they were forced to confront. Accordingly, we

thought it was important to do for Ontarians something that was, as I said a couple of times, long overdue. At the heart of it is the desire, in a certain sense, to give real life and meaning to

the word "system," and to give patients the opportunity to influence the way care evolves in their communities.

Ours is a government that, on very many occasions, has had the privilege of sharing with Ontarians a vision which is a made-in-Ontario vision. Every other

province in our country has moved forward with one form or another of what is often referred to as the regional coordination of health care delivery. We're moving forward in a way that is

deliberately different from other provinces. We're continuing with the tradition in Ontario of community-based governance, and in fact the principal theme of community-based governance is not only

supported in this legislation but it's dramatically advanced.

For people who are looking in from home, some of them will recall that an earlier Conservative government took community care access centres -- which had

evolved as a community-owned service, if you will, one that had local community governance -- and stripped that away by bringing those powers and responsibilities for community care access centres

right into the government, where the government was making all of the appointments with respect to that. We've sought to give strong assurances to the literally hundreds and hundreds of different

organizations, from hospitals to long-term-care homes, from community health centres to those 600 or so agencies that are delivering mental health and addiction services right there at the

community level, that a fundamental principle that we base our efforts on, this made-in-Ontario solution to the development and real life and meaning of the word "system," was founded on the

principle that community-based governance must be there. We're moving forward on that basis.

This piece of legislation, this Bill 36 that is before us, responds to the frustration of patients and it responds on, I think, some very sound, what I would

call common sense, principles. The principle that I think we all need to do a better job of accepting is that we're all in an environment with respect to health care. This is in a certain sense

some honest talk that maybe some people have ducked too often. But I believe it's f