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May 7, 2013

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2013-May-07 (PDF)

L037 - Tue 7 May 2013 / Mar 7 mai 2013

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 7 May 2013 Mardi 7 mai 2013

ORDERS OF THE DAY

2013 ONTARIO BUDGET

WEARING OF RIBBONS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

POWER PLANTS

POWER PLANTS

POWER PLANTS

POWER PLANTS

POWER PLANTS

POWER PLANTS

TRANSPORTATION

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

CANCER TREATMENT

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

MANUFACTURING JOBS

CASINOS

CHILDREN’S MENTAL

HEALTH SERVICES

LOW WATER LEVELS

TENANT PROTECTION

VISITOR

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

BROCKVILLE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

MOTHER’S DAY

CONCOURS ACTIFS ET FIERS

ACTON TOWN HALL

NURSES

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

WASAGA BEACH LIONS

AND LIONESS CLUBS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

UNLAWFULLY POSSESSED HANDGUNS

IN VEHICLES ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LES ARMES DE POING

ILLÉGALES DANS LES VÉHICULES

WORKPLACE SAFETY

AND INSURANCE

AMENDMENT ACT (POST-TRAUMATIC

STRESS DISORDER), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SÉCURITÉ PROFESSIONNELLE

ET L’ASSURANCE CONTRE

LES ACCIDENTS DU TRAVAIL

(TROUBLE DE STRESS

POST-TRAUMATIQUE)

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

NURSING WEEK

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

NURSING WEEK

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

NURSING WEEK

PETITIONS

WIND TURBINES

LONG-TERM CARE

ELECTORAL BOUNDARIES

AIR QUALITY

HYDRO RATES

HOSPITAL FUNDING

HYDRO RATES

HOSPITAL SERVICES

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

WIND TURBINES

WIND TURBINES

ORDERS OF THE DAY

PROSPEROUS AND FAIR ONTARIO ACT

(BUDGET MEASURES), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 POUR UN ONTARIO

PROSPÈRE ET ÉQUITABLE

(MESURES BUDGÉTAIRES)

CORRECTION OF RECORD

The House met at 0900.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Please join me in prayer.

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

2013 ONTARIO BUDGET

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 6, 2013, on the motion that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further debate?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s my pleasure to rise today and begin the New Democrat debate on the budget motion that was brought forward last week.

I want to start by framing my discussion with a little bit about myself, to be honest with you. I’m a daughter of an auto worker. My family depended on a steady paycheque to put food on our table and to keep a roof over our head. I’m proud of where I come from, but I also know that times are changing in this province.

We face new challenges. Some people think that meeting these challenges means letting people fall behind. I’ve seen what happens, though, when a breadwinner suddenly loses a good job, and I’ve met families across this province who are facing some pretty tough decisions these days: Do we sign the little one up for hockey or do we pay the electricity bill? Do we pay for piano lessons or do we insure the car? Over half of Ontarians say that they struggle to pay the bills and if they miss just one paycheque they don’t know if they’ll be able to make it.

Economists tell us that household debt and economic insecurity are a drag on the economy. They tell us that the growing economic gap that’s squeezing families out of the middle class is squeezing momentum out of our economic growth. But it doesn’t take an economist to convince me or to convince my New Democratic caucus that it’s people who are the economy in this province. So if our economy is going to work, families need to be looking to the future with some confidence. That means we need to focus not just on economic growth but on growth that creates good jobs and real investment in Ontario.

You know, our province has depended on manufacturing for decades, but global forces are putting pressure on that sector in North America and across Europe, and of course Ontario is caught in that situation as well. But we face added hurdles in this province. We have the highest electricity rates in the country, and I dare say in the entirety of North America. That’s what Ontario faces.

You know, I have to say that it’s no myth that Ontario has lost far too many manufacturing jobs. Over the last eight years in Ontario, 30% of manufacturing jobs have disappeared, and these were exactly the kinds of jobs that fueled our economy, the kinds of jobs with pensions, the kinds of jobs with health benefits and the kinds of jobs with wages that paid almost $25 an hour.

Over the last decade, governments have focused their efforts on improving productivity investment. This is one of the things that we’ve heard from governments both federal and provincial: Productivity investment is the focus. We have to get more productivity investment in our nation and in our province. But instead of improving, productivity has actually slowed down. The growth in productivity is going in the opposite direction, and investment as a share of GDP in this province has declined steadily—not just since the recession, not just since 2008, but for at least the last decade.

This is having a real impact on the business climate, but it’s also having a real impact on the everyday people who make this province work day in and day out.

Now, some of my friends, particularly in the Conservative benches, believe that the way to deal with this is to start driving down wages, to try to take a path like states in the US. They think that the best thing for Ontario to do is to become the next Alabama. I know that the race to the bottom, and New Democrats know that the race to the bottom, is not a path for prosperity for the province of Ontario. In fact, the provinces that are outperforming us right now didn’t do it by driving down wages, and they didn’t do it by closing hospital beds and hospitals the way the Liberals are doing here in Ontario.

They didn’t do it by slashing strategic supports for businesses that rely on those supports to succeed. They did it by working with job creators and incentivizing job creation.

I know that not everyone will agree with me, but across-the-board reductions—cuts—in corporate taxes are not producing the results that we need in Ontario. The evidence is very clear. So whether your ideological perspective, being a Liberal or a Conservative, is that corporate tax reductions actually bring results, the evidence is clear that that simply is not the case. It’s a failed direction that has been followed perilously by Liberal government after Liberal government after Conservative government after Liberal government. It does not work, Speaker. It is failing the people of this province.

If we’re going to embrace opportunity for the future of the people of this province, then we need to do things differently. We need to do better for them, Speaker. So what New Democrats have been doing is putting forward some positive ideas to achieve just that. As I mentioned at the beginning of my remarks, we know that the government brought their budget forward last week in terms of their motion, and now we have an important decision to make.

But New Democrats have been pretty clear: We want to see a balanced approach with a budget that’s accountable to people, a budget that tackles people’s concerns about creating jobs and growing our economy while helping them in their daily lives and balancing the books in a balanced way.

We’ve worked hard to put the issues that matter to people on the agenda, and we put some very simple, affordable proposals forward—ideas that would make small but very real differences for people. People told us they were worried about youth unemployment. They want to see young people finding good jobs and new careers, not waiting in their parents’ basements until they’re 30 years old to try to find a job. I have a son who’s 20, Speaker; that makes me very worried as a mom, I have to tell you. So what did we do? We put our First Start plan together—a modest incentive to encourage companies that were ready to put young people to work.

People told us that they were worried about home care for their aging parents and loved ones. Some seniors are waiting as long as 262 days in this province to get the home care that they need. That is not acceptable, Speaker, and we know that depending on the region in which you live in this province, it will determine how long you’re waiting for home care services. So what did we do?

We proposed a modest investment to ensure that everyone approved for home care gets a guarantee that they’ll receive it in five days and that real, immediate focus is put on getting rid of the 6,100-person-long waiting list for home care in this province, which is a tragedy for the people who are still on that list to this day.

Speaker, people told us that they couldn’t keep up with the cost of living. Ontario drivers pay the highest auto insurance rates in the entire country despite reforms that have dramatically reduced people’s benefits and put more money in the pockets of the insurance companies in the province. So what did we do? We came up with a proposal that very clearly says it is achievable and the responsible thing to do—it’s the fair and balanced thing to do—to actually bring the rates of Ontario drivers’ insurance down by 15%.

For us, it makes more sense than to put it in the pockets of insurance companies, because in the pockets of the people of this province their lives become better and more affordable. That’s why we have that as one of our requests for the budget.

People told us that they want the budget to be fair; they want the budget to be balanced. They’re tired of seeing their money spent by the Liberal government year after year after year without any guidelines, without any outcomes, without any clear results. We proposed eliminating some tax measures that weren’t clearly linked to creating jobs or increasing Ontario’s productivity so we could focus on measures that work. We also proposed cost-saving measures like bulk purchasing to achieve effectiveness. Speaker, the tragedy of it all is that not a single one of these ideas was actually taken up by the Liberals in their budget as they read it last week.

People told us they were tired of being ignored by governments that seemed more concerned with themselves, more concerned with their own political skin, with their own political opportunity, with their own political well-being than they were with everyday people, than they were with the people who elected them. So we put the people’s issues on the agenda. Now is the important part, because we want to see accountable results. That’s the least that the people of this province deserve, for a change.

Our budget proposals were designed to make life better for the people who make our province work, but they also aimed to rebuild the trust with the public. We made it clear that Ontario should go no deeper into debt, and in fact didn’t need to had our proposals been implemented as we set them out.

So now we’re hearing from Ontarians. We’ve been hearing from them for the last couple of days. There is no doubt that people are concerned that Ms. Wynne and her Liberal government have not learned the lessons of their government’s billion-dollar eHealth scandal, the $700-million scandal at Ornge, the half-billion-dollar gas plant scandal—they have not learned their lessons. People need to know that the government will be investing public dollars wisely, carefully, smartly, and with the people as a priority. They need to know that in tough economic times every single dollar is being put to good use.

Now, as a New Democrat, I have lots of positive examples to look to where my party in government has actually led the way in that regard. New Democrat governments have run fewer deficit budgets than any other political party across this country. We have done better than the Liberals and we have done better than the Conservatives, and we have run smaller deficits as a ratio to GDP when they’ve had to be run. We’ve achieved these results by taking a balanced approach and looking carefully at our respective provinces’ revenues and expenditures.

The results we delivered in the last budget took some positive steps towards that very same type of goal. We didn’t get everything we wanted last year but we got good results. We got good, concrete results that moved us closer to our deficit reduction goals and made people’s lives better in Ontario.

So now we’re looking to this budget and we’re asking the people of this province, what’s the best way to keep moving toward this goal? We want to hear from people from all walks of life about some important issues. How can we make the budget more accountable to Ontarians and make government more transparent? What kind of cost-saving measures do people want to see so that we can balance our budget without deep and harmful cuts? What are realistic and affordable ways that we can fund transportation infrastructure and transit?

What guarantees do people think are important so that when the government makes a promise, we can make sure that they actually keep that promise? Are there ways to ensure that the budget is fair to everyone in the province, so that a family looking for home care in Chatham–Kent gets the same outcome as a family in Toronto or a family in Kenora, London, Windsor, Sault Ste. Marie or Peterborough?

We actually know that our province can’t succeed over time while under the burden of a huge debt, but we know also that how we tackle that problem is extremely important. Much of the deficit that we’re currently running may have been necessary to protect good jobs, or to protect some jobs, during the economic downturn. But now we need a responsible long-term plan to get back into balance, one that doesn’t put an already shaky economic recovery at risk or put more pressure on households that are already feeling the squeeze.

We only need to look at what’s happening in current economic debate about the fallacy of the things that happened in Europe, and we’re watching those communities fall apart, those nations fall apart, because of the action that they took on ill-advised advice that was more based on ideology than facts, Speaker.

There’s no doubt—I don’t think anybody in this chamber, anybody in this province, believes that we are not still in challenging times. But I believe there is hope too. I’m not offering easy solutions. I’m not promising quick fixes, because reckless, short-term thinking is not the way to improve our economy. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m not afraid—or embarrassed, for that matter—to take advice from the very good people who make this province work day in and day out.

You know what, Speaker? I’m committed to building wealth for Ontario and for every Ontarian. I’m listening. New Democrats are listening. We owe it to our kids. We owe it to our families. We owe it to each other to make sure that we create a shared prosperity in this province, a prosperity that every Ontarian can share in. That should be our goal. That is certainly the goal of New Democrats, on this side of the House.

But we are only going to be able to do that if the people are able to rebuild their trust with government. We believe that by showing them that governments can be held to account, that governments, if not naturally—because that’s obviously a problem with the Liberals—can in some ways structurally be forced to respect their dollars and be held accountable for their dollars, then we can actually begin to rebuild that trust, and that’s the very least that Ontarians deserve.

So, over the next while, Speaker, that’s what we’re doing. We’re working with Ontarians to make sure they know that there’s at least one party that understands not how fed up they are with the behaviour of the Liberal government, and that we’re actually putting some things forward to try to make it different and make it better, instead of just washing our hands and walking away. We don’t know where that’s going to end up; we’re going to find out in the next little while.

New Democrats came here under the minority situation with clear marching orders from the people of this province. Those marching orders were, “Go there and get some results for us. Get some things done for the people of Ontario.” That’s what we did in the last budget; that’s what we’re attempting to do with this budget. We’ll see over the next little while how well we’re able to keep the government to account, because it’s not good enough just to pay lip service to the proposals that New Democrats put forward.

We want real results. We want real action. We know that’s what Ontarians want, and that’s what Ontarians deserve. Our job, Speaker, is to try to make that happen for Ontarians, and we’re going to do our damnedest to do exactly that.

I move adjournment of the debate, Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Julia Munro): We have moved adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Julia Munro): Orders of the day?

Hon. John Milloy: No further business, Madam Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mrs. Julia Munro): This House stands recessed until 10:30.

The House recessed from 0920 to 1030.

WEARING OF RIBBONS

Mr. Joe Dickson: I believe we have unanimous consent that all members be permitted to wear ribbons in recognition of the International Awareness Day for myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Unanimous consent was asked, to wear the ribbons. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: I also believe we have unanimous consent that all members be permitted to wear ribbons in recognition of Child and Youth Mental Health Week today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We’ve been asked for unanimous consent to wear the ribbon. Agreed? Agreed.

It is now time for introduction of guests.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I’d like to welcome Tracey, Leonard and Sarah Starrett from Whitby. They’re the parents and sister of page Daniel Starrett, who is page captain today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Today is World Asthma Day, and I’m delighted to introduce George Habib from the Ontario Lung Association, Chris Markham from Ophea, and Rob Oliphant from the Asthma Society of Canada.

Mr. Steve Clark: I know there are a number of folks in the galleries today representing their local ME association. I’d like to recognize the Brockville ME Association president, Shirley Michael, and all of the members. Although they’re not here today, they’re with us in spirit.

Mr. Kim Craitor: I happened to look to my right here, in the members’ gallery, and I want to recognize some people from the Niagara region. Maybe they’ve already been introduced yesterday, but I’m going to introduce them again today. That’s the regional chair, Gary Burroughs, who was also the Lord Mayor of Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake at one time; and my friend Councillor Barbara Greenwood is here as well. To everyone else who is up there: Welcome.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I’d like to welcome the member from Newmarket–Aurora here this morning. I know he had a very difficult evening last night. But take it from me, as a team member from the Ottawa Senators: When you’re ahead 2-1 in a series, it feels really good, and when you’re behind 2-1 in a series, I can only imagine how hurtful that is, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let’s save those until after introduction of guests, and I promise to give the member from Newmarket–Aurora equal time.

Hon. David Zimmer: I’m very happy to introduce three summer interns in my office, the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs. They’re three university students: Alia Hussain, Galen Harris and Cecily McKnight. They are really looking forward to delving into all of the issues that we’re dealing with at aboriginal affairs. So welcome.

Hon. James J. Bradley: Some may have been introduced already, but I want to make sure there’s a complete list. Niagara region is here for its special week at Queen’s Park, and among those who are here today—

Interjections.

Hon. James J. Bradley: —despite the heckling from the other side, I will still introduce them—are Regional Chair Gary Burroughs, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn, Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati, Councillor David Barrick, Councillor Brian Baty, Councillor Barbara Greenwood, Councillor Bruce Timms, CAO Mike Trojan, Ken Brothers, Debbie Elliott, Patrick Robson, Diane Simsovic and Matt Robinson. They’re all with us today. Welcome.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d like to introduce Sandra Gibbons, who is a constituent of mine visiting today. She had a media advisory day with the Lung Association about making our schools safer for children with asthma.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This is Nursing Week, and today is Registered Practical Nurses Day here at Queen’s Park. We’ve got a number of RPNs here with SEIU: Joanne Kilmartin, Christine Peacock, Mary Lee Turcotte, Roudlyn Henry, Kim MacDougall, Anna Maria Makris, Kelly Brew, Jackie Weller, Laurann Edwards, Dernell George, Evelyn Belchoir and Mena Amrith. Please, I know you all want to welcome the RPNs to Queen’s Park today.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I want to introduce one of our summer interns at the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines, Alexandra Sherwin, who is joining us for a great summer of work. Alexandra, welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Newmarket–Aurora on a point of order.

Mr. Frank Klees: I want to express my appreciation to my colleague the member from Nepean–Carleton. What I want to remind her of, and all of the Senators fans here—I think there are two of them—is that it’s not how you start out; it’s how you end up. The Toronto Maple Leafs are pacing themselves. We want this to be a long series and a successful one.

M me France Gélinas: We have representatives from SEIU today. They represent over 45,000 workers. Some 8,000 of them are registered practical nurses, and quite a few of them are here with us today.

The first thing I want to say is, we have this tiny, weeny little issue that some of them are wearing their scrubs because they came from work. The Sergeant-at-Arms won’t let them come in because they’re wearing scrubs. I would ask for unanimous consent to let the nurses come in in their nursing uniforms.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m going to come back to the member from Timmins–James Bay. I believe it was a point of order—or introduction?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): One moment.

I do have a comment on this particular issue before I ask for the unanimous consent. There are rules that this House has about the wearing of any kind of identifiable uniform or issue. I’ve instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms, when groups book lobby days, that they will be receiving a one-page outline of the rules of this House. Regrettably, undue pressure is being put on the Sergeant-at-Arms for following the rules.

Interjection: I love the Sergeant-at-Arms.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): You’d better.

I am asking all members to co-operate with what the rules are. If they do bring individuals or guests, I’m reminding them to follow the rules: that this House be not used as a place of protest inside while we’re doing it; and that, in the future, a one-page outline will be provided to all lobby days and all groups and individuals who plan to be here about what they can and can’t wear.

Now I will deal in respect to the request for unanimous consent. The member from Nickel Belt has asked for unanimous consent for the practical nurses to wear their scrubs, as they have been arriving from work. Do we agree? Agreed. Thank you.

The member from Timmins–James Bay—

M me France Gélinas: I wasn’t done.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): You weren’t done. You were asking for unanimous consent. That usually shuts you down. Are you introducing another guest?

M me France Gélinas: Well, I wanted to introduce them. I was not allowed to introduce them because they were not allowed in. But now they will be making their way in, and I will introduce them.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Proceed.

M me France Gélinas: Thank you so much for your great indulgence toward me, Mr. Speaker. Here we go. They should be making their way in as I speak.

We have Joanne Kilmartin, Mary Lee Turcotte, Kim MacDougall, Roudlyn Henry, Anna Maria Makris, Kelly Brew, Laurann Edwards, Mena Amrith, Dernell George, Jackie Weller, Christine Peacock and Evelyn Belchoir. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Timmins–James Bay on a point of order, or an introduction?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Point of order, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know what all this fuss about Ottawa and Toronto is. I’m a Montreal fan, and all I have to say is: Go, Habs, go.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): As the member may know what my position is, it’s not a point of order, but thank you.

ORAL QUESTIONS

POWER PLANTS

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is to the Premier. Just one week ago, we heard some damning testimony from the Ontario Power Authority’s CEO, Colin Andersen. In his testimony, he stated that everyone, including you, knew that the cost to cancel the Oakville power plant was far higher than the $40 million that your Liberal government claimed.

Premier, unlike the NDP, we’re here to hold you accountable with respect to these decisions. When did you know that the cost was far higher than $40 million, and will you finally apologize to taxpayers for not letting them know what you knew when you knew it?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I did appear before the committee for an hour and a half. I answered all of the questions. I said that I was going to do that. I followed through and I have done everything in my power to make sure that all of the information, all of the documents were available, and that the committee had the scope to be able to ask the questions that it needed to ask.

I want to be very clear that I take full responsibility now for putting in place a plan that will improve the siting of large energy infrastructure in the future. We made an announcement yesterday: We’re going to work to develop a new regional energy planning process. There will be the components of strong public consultation, formal municipal input, a better decision-making process. That’s what we need to take from this exercise.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: Well, Premier, over the past few days you’ve been asked on multiple television and radio shows to apologize for spending more than $600 million to cancel gas plants. You were even pushed by Matt Galloway on Metro Morning to apologize; you refused. Premier, hard-working Ontarians deserve accountability. They deserve to know that every one of their tax dollars is treated with respect and not indifference. We won’t be sidetracked by a couple of splashy expenditures. We will do what the people of Ontario have elected us to do, and that is to hold you accountable.

Premier, as leader of the province, don’t you owe taxpayers an apology, or will you continue to put party ahead of province?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I respect—I absolutely respect—the role of the opposition and its responsibility to push government, to ask difficult questions and to force open difficult issues. I have not been resistant to that. I have opened up the process. I have been very open and transparent about making sure that all documentation—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Stormont, come to order.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —be made available, by making sure that there was a process in place. Remember, Mr. Speaker, we suggested a select committee.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Oxford, come to order.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We suggested that the mandate of the justice committee be broadened so that all questions could be asked. I have said repeatedly that I regret that the decisions were not made differently. I regret that the upfront process was not better and that the decision was made to locate the gas plants in that place in the first place. We need a better process going forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: Premier, it’s pretty clear that you don’t really think you owe us anything on this side of the House, but I think that at a cost of $600 million—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Government House leader, come to order.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: —taxpayers deserve an apology from you. They’ve paid enough for it. You are the leader of the Liberal Party. You’re also the leader of this province. Isn’t it time to act with leadership and take ownership of this decision? Premier, you’ve been asked in committee, you’ve been asked in this House multiple times, but still you continue to dodge the question, so I’m going to ask you—and Ontarians deserve an answer to this—will you finally apologize to the taxpayers of Ontario for the $600 million that you spent to save a few Liberal seats?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Well, I think the member opposite actually hit on something very important when she raised the issue of ownership. I have taken ownership of this issue. I have said clearly that our government—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member for Northumberland, come to order.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —implemented a decision that was agreed to by all of the parties, but we took the responsibility to implement that decision.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Your timing was awful; the member from Northumberland, come to order. Just as I got it quiet—that’s timing. Everyone else, just kind of bring it down.

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I take responsibility for a process that was not right. I take responsibility for putting in place a new process. I regret that the process was what it was, I wish that we had not been in this situation, but my responsibility is to the people of Ontario. The opposition has a role in forcing open those issues, and we’ve been working with them.

We’re going to develop a new regional energy policy: strong public consultation, formal municipal input, better decision-making—the right location at the beginning—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —OPA and IESO to report—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. New question.

POWER PLANTS

Mr. Victor Fedeli: My question this morning is for the Premier. Premier, Dalton McGuinty followed the same dodge-and-weave approach at the justice committee this morning in an attempt to do what he’s always done, and that is to put the Liberal Party’s interests ahead of the interests of the people. He failed to be forthright to the same question that you, Premier, failed to answer 32 times last week: When did you know that the Oakville gas plant cancellation was more than $40 million? We have sworn testimony from several witnesses, including Colin Andersen of the Ontario Power Authority, who swore everybody in the government knew it was more than $40 million.

Premier, you had eight cabinet interactions with these gas plant deals. We know you know the answer. When did you know the Oakville cancellation cost was more than $40 million?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the government House leader is going to want to speak to the details of the committee interaction today.

But I will just say that I appeared at committee; I answered the questions that I was asked. I was there for an hour and a half, and I answered every question that was asked of me. I told the members of the committee what I know, and thereby doing, the people of Ontario know what I knew and when I knew it.

I have been clear that what we need to do now is, we need to make sure this doesn’t happen again, that we have a better process going forward for locating and siting these large infrastructure projects. That’s what the process is about. That is the process we are developing: regional energy plans. That is why the IESO and the OPA will report by August 1 on that new process that will have strong municipal input and a strong consultative component.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Just a reminder before you ask your supplementary: I remind all members that any member in this House is to be referred to either by their riding or their title.

Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Well, that’s not quite accurate, Premier. I asked you, and the member from Nepean–Carleton asked you, 32 different times, when you knew. We still have not received that answer from you.

But your predecessor told the justice committee this morning that he had no limit to the cost he was willing to spend to cancel these power plants. He tried to insist he didn’t know anything about the costs of the Oakville and Mississauga cancellations when documents showed he knew everything, and in fact his staff actually negotiated with the Oakville proponent. Documents show there were government-instructed counter-offers over three times. Several witnesses have testified to the buckets of costs that were well known.

Premier, I ask you again, who knew? The answer we got from Colin Andersen was everybody. I’ll ask you, tell us the date when you knew the Oakville cancellation was more than $40 million.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I can’t help but comment how amusing it is that we’re having a discussion here today about various witnesses in front of the committee, including the current Premier, the former Premier, two former Ministers of Energy who have come forward, and yet we still await to hear from the Progressive Conservative Party. We await the testimony of the—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): This is getting ridiculous. I’m getting heckling from the person on the side who’s giving the answer. So, please, control yourselves—and the same thing on the other side.

Carry on.

Hon. John Milloy: We’re awaiting to hear from the Leader of the Opposition about his costing, about his analysis, about his—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And I’ll ask the member from Stormont to come to order. You got me up. That means something.

Carry on.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, we want to hear from the Leader of the Opposition about his analysis, about his costing while he went out, starred in a YouTube video surrounded by adoring candidates and told people that if he was elected Premier, it would be “Done, done, done.”

We have been forthcoming on this side. Perhaps the honourable member, in his supplementary, will talk about when the Leader of the Opposition and when various PC candidates will—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Final supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: I’m glad you are amused, House leader. Unfortunately, the taxpayers of Ontario are not amused with your $585-million bill.

Premier, you said these gas plant cancellations were political decisions. Basically, you and your former leader rolled the dice in order to win a majority government, trying to win those five seats, which you ended up winning. Sadly, it did not give you the majority government. You’re one seat shy, which is why the PC—

Interjections.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Sadly for you; luckily for the province of Ontario and the taxpayers. That’s why our party and the NDP have the majority in the committees. That’s why we actually have these hearings today.

In 2011, Dalton McGuinty was Premier and you were vice-chair of the campaign. You signed off on the cabinet minutes for this Oakville deal. Your government can’t be trusted, Premier. Will you call our confidence motion to the floor for a vote?

Hon. John Milloy: Let’s remind everyone who Geoff Janoscik is. He was the Progressive Conservative candidate in Mississauga South—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nepean–Carleton—again, it’s a timing thing—come to order.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Timing is everything.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No. No other words said. Thank you. On both sides.

Please finish.

Hon. John Milloy: He sent out thousands of robocalls to the citizens of Mississauga South saying the only way to cancel the gas plant was to vote for Tim Hudak and the Progressive Conservatives. We have called him before the committee several times and he has told the Clerk to stop calling him.

Let’s talk about Mary Anne DeMonte-Whelan, who put out this brochure to thousands of people in his riding saying, “The only party that will stop the Sherway power plant is the Ontario PC Party. On October 6, vote Ontario PC.” She agreed to come to the committee and at the last minute suspiciously declined and has refused to appear yet. Mr. Speaker, I could go on—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. No, you won’t. New question.

POWER PLANTS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. In tough times, people need to know that public dollars are being managed responsibly and well. As we look at the budget proposed by this government, those questions are more important than ever, especially when we consider the hundreds of millions of dollars Liberals spent cancelling private power deals in Oakville and Mississauga. Can the Premier tell us whether the government knew what the cost would be when cancelling those private power deals or whether they just didn’t care?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Thank you very much. Again, I have gone before committee and I have answered the questions that were asked of me. The reality is, the relocation of these large infrastructure projects was going to cost money. It’s unfortunate and I have said I regret that, but the reality is that every party in this House believed that those gas plants should not be located in those places. All of the candidates were campaigning in that community on cancelling those gas plants.

So it’s true: We implemented that decision. We took the responsibility to implement a decision that everyone in this House agreed to. It’s unfortunate that there wasn’t a better process in place. Our responsibility is to make sure that, going forward, we have a better process so we will not be in this position again.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I want to ask the Premier a question that her predecessor refused to answer this morning: Was there any limit to what the government was prepared to spend?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Thank you very much. You know, I understand that the leader of the third party wants the answers to these questions, but we have provided the answers. We made a decision that the gas plants needed to be relocated. We then had to enter into a negotiation, and that was what was undertaken, because it was the right decision to move those gas plants. The people in the communities made it very clear. It was politicians who decided that we would respond and that we would move those gas plants, as both opposition parties agreed to. We implemented that decision. There was a cost attached to it. We need a better process going forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, no matter how much the Premier refuses to acknowledge it, I was actually asking a question. How much would it cost before we were prepared to actually tear up any contracts?

But you know what? The government signed the contracts. They knew what was in those contracts. The government had some of the highest-paid legal advice going. They knew what the cost would be. The last Premier knew that the cost was going to be high, and this Premier knew as well that it was going to be high, but at every stage of the process the Liberal government has done everything they could to hide the real cost and the details from the public who would be paying the bills.

Is the Premier not only ready, finally, to apologize but to even go one better, Speaker, and acknowledge that this government has failed to make transparent and accountable decisions and that this needs to change for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, the leader of the New Democratic Party can’t have it both ways. Her candidates were out in both Oakville and Mississauga, talking about the opposition to the power plant. Let me quote from what was said in front of the justice committee.

Frank Clegg, chairman for Citizens for Clean Air: “We met with all the parties and all the candidates and were given commitments by every candidate in the Oakville area that they would support cancelling the plant.”

He went on to say, “C4CA was very pleased that all parties publicly committed to stop the construction of the proposed Oakville plant....”

Let me tell you about Greg Rohn, Coalition of Homeowners for Intelligent Power. He told the justice committee, yes, “The NDP were against the plant....”

Mayor Hazel McCallion, Mr. Speaker, someone I wouldn’t want to mess with: She said, “The impression that was certainly given beyond a doubt … I think all parties would have cancelled it; there’s no question about it.”

Mr. Speaker, the Progressive Conservative Party, the New Democratic Party, the Liberal Party—we all had the exact same position.

POWER PLANTS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is for the Premier, Speaker. The Premier knows these are tough times. People need to know that their money is actually being spent in a way that is responsible and that is accountable. Instead, they see the government waste half a billion dollars on gas plants in Oakville and Mississauga, and watched as one Premier after another tried to prevent them from seeing these costs, tried to hide those costs from them.

New Democrats think the budget needs some accountability, because the people are tired of seeing scarce dollars spent as if it’s the personal bankroll of the governing party. Does the Premier understand why people deserve to see more accountability in their government?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I just really have to disagree with the premise of the question in the sense that since I have been in this office, I have done everything in my power to open up this process and to allow for the questions to be asked and answered and for documentation to be available.

I wrote to the AG, the Auditor General, on Oakville, to look at the Oakville situation. He agreed to do that. I immediately called the House back. We struck committees. We expanded the scope of the committee, because the way the questions were being asked, they were very narrow, and I thought that the committee needed to be able to look at the whole situation. We offered documents from across government. I appeared at the committee. The committee has been meeting since February and has heard from 25 witnesses.

I have done everything possible to open up this process and to be accountable to the people of Ontario, Mr. Speaker. That is my responsibility, and more than that, I take responsibility for a better process going forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: There’s one thing that the Premier misses, and that’s the fact that the people actually want answers: not just the process to get there, but the actual answers.

Today the former Premier testified at the justice committee, the Premier who famously said, “On the matter of the cost, Speaker, it’s $40 million … we’ve nailed that down.” But of course, that wasn’t even close to accurate.

Does the Premier understand that a justifiably skeptical public wants to see a government that’s accountable to them when it comes to public money?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yes, Mr. Speaker, I absolutely do understand that. I understand that, and that is the reason that when I came into this office, I said the process needed to be opened up so that answers could be found. I am as frustrated as the leader of the third party that the numbers have changed, that it has been very difficult in this complex issue to nail down numbers.

But at the same time, I don’t think that the people of Ontario would want us not to talk about how to move forward, how to put a better process in place, how to make sure that we get a budget passed that actually will deal with some of the things that are affecting their everyday lives: making sure that youth unemployment strategy is in place; making sure that we are going to be able to invest in the roads and bridges in their communities so companies will come to their communities; making sure that we’re putting the business supports in place so manufacturing can flourish and we can bring business to the province.

I think that some of the issues—many of the issues—the leader of the third party has raised are addressed in our budget, and I hope she will work with us.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, there’s one thing the Premier fails to recognize, Speaker, and that is people want their government to treat them with respect and their money with prudence—that’s all they want. But then they see their government waste half a billion dollars on gas plants just to put a few Liberal Party members first.

They expect their government to be fiscally responsible so that we can afford to put families first, not Liberals. But instead, they see a government that barely paid lip service to closing brand new tax loopholes that will cost Ontarians $1.3 billion, not just once but every single year.

Will the Premier admit that her budget falls badly short on accountability and transparency?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I really believe the people of Mississauga and Oakville deserve to have a voice in this. I know that there have been voices raised on this. They were very concerned about the location of those gas plants and their representatives raised those issues over and over again and made it clear that it was not a good idea for those gas plants to be located there, which is why candidates from all three parties were campaigning and saying that all three parties were committed to relocating those gas plants.

I have the deepest of respect for the people of Ontario and I have the deepest of respect for the people who live in all of the communities in Ontario. That’s why we acted on the promise that had been made by all three parties. That’s why we’ve written a budget that focuses on getting people jobs and helping them in their everyday lives. I hope the third party will work with us on that.

POWER PLANTS

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: To the Premier: Earlier this morning, Dalton McGuinty appeared before committee and said—I withdraw, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Old habit.

The member from Ottawa South testified at committee and said it was the “right thing to do” to cancel those power plants in the middle of an election. You admitted last week that it was a political decision, so we can only conclude it was the right thing to do politically for the Liberal Party of Ontario.

Earlier today he also refused to acknowledge how much was too much in order to cancel those power plants and save those seats. We don’t know: $1 billion, $2 billion, $3 billion—he wouldn’t say.

We also know that Shelly Jamieson, JoAnne Butler, Colin Andersen, David Livingston and David Lindsay all said that you knew from the outset how much this was.

Are you refusing to tell the assembly what you knew and when you knew it, in terms of those costs, because you are afraid that your caucus and you will be—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I went before committee; I told the committee what I know. I know the government House leader is going to want to speak to the details of the committee actions. But Mr. Speaker, I’m not afraid. I was not afraid to go to committee. I was not afraid to say what I knew. I believe categorically that the decision that was made was in the best interest of the people of Mississauga and the people of Oakville, and we need a better process going forward.

On the issue of the political decision, I have said quite clearly that it was a decision that was made by politicians, and it was a decision that was going to be made by Liberal politicians or Conservative politicians or NDP politicians. That is the extent to which it was a political decision. We all agreed those gas plants should be relocated. We implemented that decision, and I’ve been very open about that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: With all due respect, Premier, I don’t want to hear from the government House leader. You own this. You were the campaign chair for the Liberal Party. You signed the memorandum to cabinet. You are now the Premier of Ontario. You knew the true cost and you have not told this assembly what that true cost is despite my colleague from Nipissing and I asking you 32 times in committee, asking you exactly what those other testimonies said you knew. You knew from the outset it was over $40 million. You made this decision to save seats, including the finance minister who sits beside you.

Our question back to you, Premier, not to the government House leader: Are you withholding what you knew and when you knew it because your caucus, your cabinet and yourself would all be held in contempt?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Be seated, please.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Thornhill, come to order. The member from Whitby–Oshawa, the member who’s not in her seat, come to order. The member from—and I’ll go through, and the next time I’m throwing out. If you’re testing my resolve, I’ll win.

Carry on.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I’m not surprised that the honourable member—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Renfrew, come to order. Last time.

Hon. John Milloy: I’m not surprised that the honourable member doesn’t want to hear from me because, unfortunately, I remind her of something, and that is the fact that her party aggressively campaigned against those plants and said that if they formed government, they would cancel it.

Geoff Janoscik, their candidate who will not appear in front of committee, told Mississauga News that only Conservative leader Tim Hudak will cancel the Eastern Power gas plant slated to be built on Loreland Ave. He tweeted, “An Ontario PC govt will stop the plant for good.” Mr. Speaker, he was involved in sending out thousands and thousands of robocalls and, my understanding is, helped greet the Leader of the Opposition as he toured the site and said that if he became Premier it would be “done, done, done.”

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): You don’t know when, but you’ll be surprised.

New question.

POWER PLANTS

Mr. Peter Tabuns: To the Premier: Premier, real leadership means asking tough questions, being accountable. Why didn’t the Premier ever ask her predecessor how much it cost to cancel the Oakville and Mississauga gas plants when she was on the campaign as co-chair, when she was signing cabinet documents or when she became Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think that is a legitimate and a good question. The reality is that there were negotiations that went on. It was a confidential negotiation, it was a business process, and as we have seen, there were not firm numbers available. We relied on the information that was given to us through the Ministry of Energy that came to them through the OPA. That is the reality. That is what I said at committee because that is the truth. We dealt with the numbers that were given us.

I think what’s extremely important is, we put in place a better process going forward. We’re proposing an improved regional planning process that would lead to better placement of these large pieces of energy infrastructure going forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, the Liberal scandal over the cancellation of the gas plants caused the last Premier to lose his job, along with that of the Minister of Energy. Ontarians expect accountability, yet the former and current Premiers both say they never talked about costs, no matter that she was the co-chair of the election committee, the Liberal campaign, and she signed cabinet documents authorizing expenditure of funds, or when she was appointed Premier.

Ignoring these problems doesn’t mean they’re going to go away. Is that the sort of leadership we should expect?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: The question of establishing costs has been a challenge from the beginning. I think everyone would agree with that.

The important point here, the important date, is September 24, 2012. On September 24, 2012, the OPA filed a 216-page contract which set out the sunk costs and set out a formula in terms of calculating the costs.

It’s important to know that a couple of weeks ago, when the CEO of the Ontario Power Authority was here before committee, he came with two different costs. He also had provided a third different cost about two or three weeks earlier, and the opposition in that particular committee meeting had a fourth cost. We had the Auditor General—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you.

New question.

TRANSPORTATION

Ms. Dipika Damerla: My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation. As we all know, our government tabled a budget last week, a budget that’s a road map to not just a prosperous Ontario but also a fair Ontario.

Speaker, I have to tell you this: I actually looked up the titles of the past 17 budgets, and never does the word—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s enough.

Ms. Dipika Damerla: Speaker, I was just mentioning that I actually took the trouble to look at the titles of the last 17 budgets, and this is the first time the word “fair” or a word like “fair” pops up, a testimony to the values of this Premier and this government, and I’m very proud to be part of that.

Coming back to the question, I know that the budget speaks a lot about transit, and I just wanted the minister to speak in particular—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I guess you asked for it. The member from Northumberland–Quinte West is warned.

Carry on.

Ms. Dipika Damerla: Minister, if you could speak to the particulars of the transit plan in this budget. Thank you.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: We are right now increasing our investments in transit over the next three years. We are starting this year with $3.5 billion—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Leeds–Grenville, come to order.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: —next year it grows to $4 billion, and just over $4 billion in 2015-16.

We’re doing this for a very good reason, because Ontarians need to get to work, they need to get home, young people need to get to jobs, and transit is critical for that. So we see—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, come to order. The member from Huron, come to order.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: —$400 million going into the brand new beautiful subway cars operating in downtown Toronto; $600 million on Ottawa’s LRT, a really remarkable investment; in Kitchener–Waterloo, $300 million in that community’s remarkable RT, plus—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The test was put and I’m putting it. The member from Northumberland–Quinte West is named. If you guys haven’t got the idea that I’m not happy right now, you’d better get it.

Mr. Milligan was escorted from the chamber.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Finish you’re answer, please.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

We have $870 million right now in a trust, the MoveOntario trust, which is building the largest expansion of our subway system in decades.

This is resulting in 30,000 jobs for Ontarians across the province, which is a remarkable investment and a great return on investment in transit and employment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Dipika Damerla: Thank you, Minister, for that update on transit. I know that the constituents of Mississauga East–Cooksville will be very pleased to hear about our continued commitment to transit.

But the reality is that if you live in Mississauga, not everybody can take transit. A lot of my constituents do take the highway, so I also wanted to get an update on what this government and what our infrastructure plan has in store when it comes to our highways.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: The member, who has been such a great advocate for transit and transportation investment, is quite right, and there are synergies between the two. We are adding 16,000 new parking spaces on our GO lines, so if you are on your way into town and you’re in traffic, you can jump onto a GO service as well.

But specifically on highways, we are widening key sections of Highway 401 in the GTHA and Highway 417 in Ottawa, Highways 11 and 17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon, and the rather remarkable Herb Grey Parkway getting ready for the new bridge crossing in Windsor, which is critical to trade development. We have improvements to Highway 17 in Renfrew county, the 401 in Northumberland county and Highway 66 in northeastern Ontario. Finally, we have the planned extension of Highway 427 to Major Mackenzie in York region and new HOV lanes on sections of Highways 401, 404, 410 and 427.

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Premier. Last week in the justice committee, you refused to answer the question as to when you knew that the cancellation of the Oakville gas plant would be exceeding $40 million. In fact, you refused to answer that question no less than 32 times—this in spite of the fact that seven witnesses, including the OPA’s CEO, Colin Andersen, testified under oath that you and all of your cabinet knew all along that the cost would exceed $40 million.

A recent poll found that a large majority of Ontarians believe that your government has not been truthful about the cost of the Oakville plant cancellation and relocation that you’ve provided to the public. Premier, your credibility is in tatters. There’s only one thing left to do: Call a want of confidence motion so that this assembly can decide on your fate.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I have said many times, I went to committee; I answered the questions that were put to me; I told the committee everything that I knew. That is part of my attempt to be as open as possible and to provide the answers and the documentation that were being asked for.

Mr. Speaker, in terms of the confidence motion, we have a very large confidence issue before this House right now, and that is the budget. The budget speaks to the need to address issues that affect people’s everyday lives. It speaks to the need to put in place the conditions to create jobs, to work with business, to make sure that young people have an opportunity to have a placement or a co-op or an internship so that they can have an opportunity to get into the workplace, because youth unemployment is an issue that we need to deal with. Those are the things that I believe we need to be dealing with right now.

I hope the member opposite is going to read the budget and that he may consider supporting us.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: I hardly think a budget co-written by you and the NDP is a confidence issue.

Premier, the obstructionist tactics by you and your Liberal Party are now well established. Your former staff have been shown to have a selective memory. Your government denies unequivocal evidence contained in released documents. Your government claims that sworn testimony by witnesses in committee is false. It is clear that your government will do anything to avoid coming clean and allowing the truth to get out. You’re afraid to face the truth.

I don’t know how any member of this House can prop up this government in good conscience.

I ask you again, Premier: Will you today call on this assembly to debate our want of confidence motion so this issue can be dealt with once and for all?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Be seated, please. Be seated, please. Thank you.

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Afraid to face the truth? This is the Premier who, when she took over the office, asked the Auditor General to look into the matter and offered a select committee, which they rejected. She offered a complete document search across government. They rejected it.

If we want to talk about the truth, let’s talk about Geoff Janoscik. Where is he? Why will he not appear in front of the committee?

Let’s talk about Mary Anne DeMonte-Whelan. Why will she not appear in front of the committee and talk about her brochure that said, “The only party that will stop the Sherway power plant is the Ontario PC Party”?

And what about the leader of the Progressive Conservatives, who keeps saying he may show up at committee—maybe the 7th, but no; maybe the 14th, if it fits his schedule?

Mr. Speaker, when asked, the Premier was there, and the Leader of the Opposition should offer the same respect to this Legislature and to this committee.

CANCER TREATMENT

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée.

Speaker, yesterday the committee heard from Medbuy, the company that contracted the outsourcing of the diluted chemo drugs. Their testimony was in stark contrast to that of Marchese, the supplier of the diluted chemo drugs. But all Ontario patients see is a lot of finger pointing, but none of the accountability, none of the oversight that they know is needed.

Will the minister admit that her office stood back and did nothing while oversight of our health care system vanished?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I completely reject that notion.

I can tell you that we have one of the finest cancer care systems in the world. The member opposite has acknowledged that. We have an excellent cancer care system with very strong oversight, but we have learned that it was not perfect. We have learned that there are steps that need to be taken and that are being taken to be able to give the assurance to patients that when their doctor orders a drug, they get exactly that drug in exactly the concentration that was ordered.

That work is ongoing as we speak. We aren’t wasting time. We’re moving forward, fixing that issue.

We’re also looking forward to the committee report and the report of Dr. Jake Thiessen, who is looking at the safety of the entire cancer drug supply chain.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: The minister has done nothing while outsourcing grew and, with it, the risk of errors. I asked Medbuy yesterday what they had done to mitigate that higher level of risk. Their answer was really clear: nothing. It’s not their job. It’s the Ministry of Health’s job to provide oversight and accountability.

The truth is, they failed in their primary responsibility. Does the minister agree that it is time to adopt better measures of accountability and oversight so that Ontario’s patients can start to rebuild their faith and trust in our health care system?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, you can rest assured that I am as committed to resolving this issue as anyone. It is people in London—in my community—who have been impacted by this, and other communities as well. I think everyone in London either knows someone or knows someone who knows someone who was impacted by this. We must pay attention; we must make the changes that will strengthen our system further, and that’s exactly the work that Dr. Jake Thiessen is doing right now.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Ms. Soo Wong: My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Ontario has emerged as the largest live music market in both Canada and North America. It is a business that generates $455 million in revenues and contributes $252 million annually to the national economy.

To ensure that we truly become a world leader, constituents in my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt have asked, what is the government doing to coordinate live music marketing and promotions planning? They want to know how Ontario is leveraging existing resources and creating opportunities to promote music while utilizing online resources.

Speaker, through you to the minister, what is the government doing to actively position Ontario as a global destination for live music and music tourism?

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you for the question. I want to thank the member from Scarborough–Agincourt for asking.

Ontario’s entertainment and creative industries support 300,000 jobs, generating $20 billion for our economy. This is why, in our recent budget, we have committed to providing $45 million in grants over three years, starting this year, for a new Ontario Music Fund. The fund will support Ontario’s live music, positioning the province as a leading place to perform and record music.

In addition, our government is providing over $5 million through Celebrate Ontario to host music festivals and events throughout the year. Through this funding, combined with our new Ontario Music Fund, we are strengthening Ontario’s position on the map as a premier destination for live performances.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Soo Wong: This news is music to my ears. I want to thank the minister for his leadership in ensuring that we turn up the volume on the world stage and bring Canadian recordings to a global audience. There’s no doubt that the government’s budgetary commitments will sharpen our competitive edge to make Ontario a global music capital.

The culture sector overall certainly plays a key role in driving an innovative, creative economy here in Ontario, and it contributes more than $20 billion annually to that economy. I know that in my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt, hundreds of youths perform, create and seek out opportunities in the city and across Ontario.

Speaker, through you to the minister, what is the government doing to invest in the creative talents we so proudly possess in Ontario?

Hon. Michael Chan: In addition to the $45-million Ontario Music Fund, we will also be providing $8 million to support Massey Hall’s revitalization. The renewal—

Applause.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you. The renewal of this iconic landmark will allow Massey Hall to continue to contribute to the growth of Ontario’s performing arts scene as a fully functional modern venue. As well, our government will provide funding of $9 million over three years to support the Canadian Film Centre, supporting educational programs for advanced film, television and new media.

Ontario’s cultural scene is an incubator of great talent. This is why we will continue to invest and make our province a creative hub and a world-class destination. The bottom line is creating jobs and strengthening our economy.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question today is for the Premier. Premier, within 72 hours of releasing your big-spending, job-killing budget, two major manufacturing companies shut down their Ontario plants. Waterloo Furniture in Kitchener is relocating to Michigan, putting more than 230 people out of work, while heavy equipment giant Caterpillar is closing yet another Ontario factory, this time in Toronto, and throwing an additional 330 workers out of a job.

It is clear that Ontario’s manufacturing sector no longer has confidence in the McGuinty-Wynne-Horwath government. Premier, will you explain how this House can have confidence in your government when your lack of leadership is driving away business and costing us Ontario jobs?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Be seated, please.

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Of course, it is truly unfortunate and very upsetting to hear whenever a company chooses to close or relocate its business. We’re obviously very concerned about the well-being of the workers and their families and are working hard with them—not only my ministry but the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. In fact, through our rapid re-employment and training services, within an hour of us being notified—one hour of being notified of a plant or facility closure—training, colleges and universities actually reaches out to the employer, as well as to the union.

They’ve done so in both cases, both here in Toronto with Caterpillar and with Knape and Vogt in Kitchener.

In the supplementary, because I don’t want the viewers, let alone the opposition, not to be aware of the important things we’re doing, I’ll speak to that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Back to the Premier: What is sad is the reality that is facing the province of Ontario, and that is that we have nearly 600,000 men and women out of work and an unemployment rate of 7.7%. Even worse, Ontario’s unemployment rate has been above the national average for 75 consecutive months.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Eglinton–Lawrence, come to order.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: With Ontario’s interest payments set to rise to over $14.5 billion per year, it is no—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop, please. While I was telling him to come to order, he was still barking. So, the member from Eglinton–Lawrence, come to order.

Carry on.

Mr. Paul Miller: Oh.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, I don’t need your help on that one.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: With Ontario’s interest payments set to rise to over $14.5 billion per year, it is no wonder that manufacturing companies are fleeing from Ontario’s huge debt, layers of red tape and Liberal gas plant scandals.

Premier, when will you admit that you and your government are not equipped to address the jobs and debt crisis in this province and, in fact, no longer hold the confidence of this House?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Well, Mr. Speaker, I still can’t understand why the member opposite continues to beat down our businesses and manufacturers across this province.

Since the bottom of the recession, we’ve created nearly 400,000 new jobs. We brought back all of the jobs that were lost and then 50% more, including 50,000 just last year. In fact, in the auto sector just last month they had the best April since 2008. Manufacturing in February has gone up as well across the country, led by Ontario. In fact, in February it was four times the census estimate, and most of that actually has been through production.

We’re working hard. I hope the member opposite sees in the budget and will support the efforts that we’re making: $295 million for youth employment; we’ve continued, for an additional three years, the accelerated capital cost allowance, which has been very well received by manufacturers—it’s estimated at $250 million; and we’ve increased the threshold for the employer health tax. These are the measures that Ontarians want that support our businesses.

CASINOS

Mr. Taras Natyshak: My question is to the Premier. As racetracks across Ontario close down and thousands of related jobs are lost in rural Ontario, this government is trying to reshuffle the decks and devise a special casino hosting deal for Toronto. Now, the Doug Ford booster club to the extreme right of me are evidently big fans of downtown Doug’s Toronto casino plan. Premier, I want to know if you are, too.

Will the Premier finally show her cards on the new casino formula and come clean to Ontarians about how much she’s anteing up to convince Toronto to host a downtown casino?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, let me be clear yet again. We are treating the entire province equally. We are not making a special deal for Toronto or any other region. We recognize the importance of the OLG. We all appreciate the transformational changes necessary to accommodate better value for these investments.

We also know that there’s a lot of money at stake to support hospitals and education and our social programs. So we will continue to do what’s right for the people of Ontario, and we’re not giving any special favours to any region.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Rural Ontario is being dealt a massive blow with the decision to cancel the Slots at Racetracks Program. Thousands of jobs are being lost across the province due to the cancellation of this program—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Dufferin–Caledon, come to order.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: —and thousands more will be lost in the near future.

Premier, this isn’t penny pinochle in Grandma’s parlour. Ontarians have a right to know if their government is playing a backroom deal for big stakes. Why is this Premier seriously—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Is there any doubt that I have to mention that I could go again?

Please finish.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Why is this Premier seriously considering a hosting option favouring Toronto over all other communities?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The whole premise around the transformational change of the OLG is in fact to secure more jobs, support the industry and support those communities that are affected. What we want is to resolve and actually further the situation in those border towns that are being affected negatively at this point.

So I thought, and I would believe, that all members of the House would support the initiatives that we’re doing to try to protect those communities and to ensure that people who are affected are better served. We will continue to do that, but no region is going to have a special deal, no region at all.

CHILDREN’S MENTAL

HEALTH SERVICES

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I’ve got a question this morning for the Minister of Children and Youth Services. We’re all aware in this House that this is Child and Youth Mental Health Week across the country. Today, almost one in five children suffer from a mental health illness. Approximately 70% of all mental health illnesses begin in childhood. We’re all aware of the importance of providing our children and youth with the right supports when it comes to their mental health. In my own community of Oakville, this is a concern I hear often from my constituents.

Would the minister please tell us and the House what we are doing in this year’s budget to ensure that the mental health specifically of Ontario’s children and youth is being looked after?

Interjections.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Anybody going to answer that?

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: I am. I’m waiting. It’s all right; go ahead.

Interjections.

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: I’d like to thank the member from Oakville for bringing up this very important issue today, especially this week. Later today I will be delivering a statement on how mental health issues affect our families and communities, and also on how this government has made providing the right support a top priority.

I’m extremely proud that in this year’s budget, funding for the Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy is increasing to $93 million annually. This budget’s investment is necessary to give young people the essential supports they need. The investment in this budget will help to deliver services when and where children and youth need them.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Thank you to the minister for that answer. I’m glad to hear this government has made a strong commitment in this budget to the mental health of children and youth in Ontario, because it’s sorely needed.

I know that in my community of Oakville, front-line mental health services and programs that are available to young people can make a huge difference in their daily lives. Those services that are able to engage youth can make a big impact in the path that they decide to take and on the road to their recovery. Helping young people realize they’re not alone can literally, in this case, mean the difference between life and death. The question is, what is the government doing to ensure that more front-line services will be available to all of Ontario’s youth?

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: Our government has made progress on our Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. In the last year, my ministry has made significant investments to ensure that all children and youth have timely access to front-line services. So 456 new mental health workers were placed in communities across the province to go along with 144 new mental health nurses in schools.

I have been to some of these centres that provide the services. I have talked to these workers. These services work and are needed in our schools. As well, my ministry is hiring 80 new aboriginal mental health and addiction workers for high-needs aboriginal communities.

Our investments will help over 35,000 young people across the province. We are proud of these achievements, and through this year’s budget, we will continue to move forward.

LOW WATER LEVELS

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment. Minister, I hope you’re aware of the dire problems facing marinas and other small businesses in Georgian Bay. Because of declining water levels in the upper Great Lakes, marinas and other businesses have had to spend tens of millions of dollars of their own money dredging the bay in order to be open for this summer season.

Sturgeon Point Marina in Wasaga Beach, for example, has spent $130,000 on dredging and has an annual additional business loss of $20,000 because of the low water level.

Without the dredging, hundreds of people will be without work and the tourism industry will suffer.

Minister, with your responsibilities in economic development and employment, how will you assist these marinas and other small businesses?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Minister of Natural Resources.

Hon. David Orazietti: I want to thank the member opposite for the question. Obviously, this is an issue that’s top of mind for all of us in the province.

As you’re aware, the IJC has recently released a report with respect to the changing water levels and the challenges that we are facing. There are a number of factors causing this. There are obviously some effects that individuals and businesses are facing in the Georgian Bay area. I will tell you that this Friday I will be with the Premier and a number of other ministers at the FONOM conference. I know we’ll be hearing first-hand about those particular challenges.

At the Ministry of Natural Resources, we’re going to do everything we can to accelerate the dredging permits that are going to be requested, because we know that there’s a finite period of time that this needs to be done in to ensure that these businesses can operate.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary, the member from Simcoe North.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: I’d like the Minister of Economic Development to actually answer this because it’s a job creation question.

Minister, the low water levels on Georgian Bay have become a natural disaster that could possibly impact thousands of tourism jobs. Marinas have had to spend millions of dollars, dollars that they do not have, just to open for this season.

Clearly, we have seen millions of dollars spent by your government on power plant closures and a dysfunctional regional tourism organization.

Georgian Bay marinas and other businesses need your help so these jobs can be saved.

The state of Michigan has a program, and the cheques are being sent out. When can Ontario marinas expect the same treatment as the marinas in Michigan?

Hon. David Orazietti: Again, Speaker, I want to thank the members opposite for raising this very, very important issue. On this side of the House, we’re also very concerned about the low water levels and the potential negative impact that it’s having in our communities and with respect to our businesses and our industries.

The Minister of Tourism, I know, has spoken to me about this issue. The Minister of Municipal Affairs is also very concerned about this.

We are going to be in the area for the FONOM conference this week, and I’m happy to engage with those individuals bringing that to our attention.

I have had some conversation with individuals and organizations with respect to dredging and ensuring that they have the opportunity to get their tourist operations moving so that those businesses can put people to work. We are very concerned about that. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure that process takes place effectively and that those businesses can get the support that they need.

TENANT PROTECTION

Mr. Jonah Schein: My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Speaker, yesterday I met with constituents of Davenport who are paying the price for a gaping loophole in Ontario’s rent control law. Like tens of thousands of other tenants across Ontario, these people live in rental units built after 1991, which means they are not covered by rent increase guidelines in the Residential Tenancies Act. As a result, these tenants face large and often arbitrary rent increases that are simply not affordable.

Will the minister commit to close this outdated loophole which exempts these rental units from rent control?

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: I really want to thank the member for the question. This is certainly an important issue, and our government has consistently shown a commitment to protecting tenants across Ontario.

The Residential Tenancies Act from 2006 provides tenants and landlords with strong, balanced protection, while fostering a robust rental housing market. Though rental buildings built or first occupied after November 1991 are exempt from most rent caps under the Residential Tenancies Act, these tenants are not without protection.

We understand how important stability in rental prices is for tenants. That’s why the Residential Tenancies Act still only allows for one increase per year, requiring a 90-day written notice to tenants of all rental residences.

We also established the Landlord and Tenant Board that will act as an independent body that works with the authority to adjudicate disputes between landlords and tenants.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Jonah Schein: With all due respect, that’s not the issue. This loophole serves no purpose; it has to be closed. It’s created a two-tier rental market in Ontario. It has left almost 60,000 Ontario tenant households vulnerable, with no rent control. Tenants in Ontario, including many people who rent condos, face uncertainty and financial hardship. So when will the minister acknowledge this unfairness and protect all tenants in Ontario from this loophole?

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: Speaker, as I was saying, this Landlord and Tenant Board—a tenant can take the landlord to court, and certainly if the maintenance standards aren’t being met or if the landlord needs to make repairs. We also eliminated automatic evictions, allowing all tenants who face eviction an opportunity to get a fair hearing, because we think that’s important. We think it’s important to balance protection of tenants with the encouragement of building new rental opportunities.

Certainly, we want to make sure that tenants have safe and affordable housing, and we know that the city of Toronto is preparing a report on this issue. We look forward to hearing ideas from the opposition as well as other stakeholders about making residential tenancies affordable, and we want to work with them as well as the Residential Tenancies Act. We want to seek consultation of people who are affected by legislation that affects them in a negative way.

So I appreciate the question.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration on a point of order.

Hon. Michael Coteau: I just want to take a moment to recognize Rosemary Sadlier from the Ontario Black History Society, who is in the west gallery here today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. We welcome our guest.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1141 to 1500.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Joe Dickson: I’d like to welcome the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario, the MEAO, represented by Denise Magi, vice-president, Keith Deviney, president, and the other MEAO board of directors, who are here with us this afternoon.

I would also like to mention that they will be available this afternoon, after 4:15, in the members’ lounge downstairs, and they invite absolutely everyone to come and meet with them.

Interjections.

Mr. Joe Dickson: Sorry?

Interjection: The dining room.

Mr. Joe Dickson: Sorry. I said the members’ meeting room; I meant the members’ dining room.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I appreciate the Attorney General heckling you to tell you the right room.

Mr. Joe Dickson: I always obey the voice of a gentleman with authority, Mr. Speaker, such as yourself or the Attorney General.

We certainly welcome all members there after 4:15 today. Thank you kindly.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Introduction of guests.

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: We have three guests in the House today from Children’s Mental Health Ontario: Christine Pelletier, Margo Warren and Sibel Cicek. I welcome them to the House this afternoon as I do the statement on Children’s Mental Health Week.

M me France Gélinas: It’s also my pleasure to introduce many representatives from the myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities communities. They are here at Queen’s Park to teach and educate us on those different diseases. I also encourage everybody to go down to the dining room at 4 o’clock, where they will be welcoming MPPs.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

BROCKVILLE COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

Mr. Steve Clark: I’m proud today to recognize a remarkable milestone being celebrated this month in my riding where Brockville Collegiate Institute will mark its 125th anniversary.

I want to thank Alex Hodgkinson, a grade 12 student at BCI and a hard-working volunteer in my office, for her help with this statement.

Brockville Collegiate Institute, or BCI, has been providing students with a world-class education since its doors first opened in 1889. In the 125 years since, BCI graduates have gone on to be leaders in all walks of life.

I want to extend a warm welcome to Red Rams alumni, former teachers and support staff returning May 24 to 26 for a great celebration with today’s students and staff.

Event co-chairs John Cristello and Cheryl Donovan, and their dedicated organizing committee, have planned a fantastic weekend of events celebrating what BCI has always been about—community.

Indeed, this has become a truly Brockville event as residents and the local business community have pitched in because they understand how much BCI means to our city.

I’m pleased that all funds raised at events will go to the BCI 125 Celebration Trust Fund to help students explore opportunities in academics, athletics and the arts.

Speaker, after 125 years, education in general and BCI in particular have seen many, many changes, but there’s one constant in the halls at BCI: a commitment by staff and students to live up to their motto: “Excellence in Athletics, Arts and Academics.”

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member might realize there’s another BCI, in Brantford, that is almost as old. We share a commonality with BCI.

Mr. Todd Smith: And Belleville too.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Belleville and Brockville.

MOTHER’S DAY

Miss Monique Taylor: This past weekend, I hosted a Mother’s Day tea in my riding of Hamilton Mountain. I was joined by women from all walks of life. The ethnic diversity in that room was inspiring. It was inspiring because mothers came together. We shared stories, wisdom, proud moments and unsure times. It was an opportunity for us to get together and celebrate what it truly means to be a mother.

We also discussed the trying times and the issues that we face. As women and as mothers we are faced by many challenges and barriers. I have met women who are working hard to achieve an education while raising a child and going to work. I have met with women who have been on the wait-list for child care for many months—years, some of them. I have met with women who continue to face violence against women. I have met with women who are finding it very difficult to access supports for their children with disabilities.

But there is optimism, Mr. Speaker. By working together as women and as mothers, we can overcome these obstacles. In advance of Mother’s Day this weekend, I would like to wish my mother, as well as all mothers across this province, a very happy Mother’s Day.

CONCOURS ACTIFS ET FIERS

M. Phil McNeely: Le 26 avril dernier j’ai assisté, en compagnie de ma collègue, la ministre de la francophonie, Madeleine Meilleur, à un événement tout à fait particulier à l’École élémentaire publique Jeanne-Sauvé d’Orléans : la course des corridors. Pour cette journée toute spéciale, chaque classe d’élèves a fait du jogging d’un bout à l’autre des corridors de l’école.

Cette activité est un prélude au projet Lève-toi et bouge, où les élèves et les parents pourront accumuler des cubes énergie à chaque 15 minutes d’activité physique réalisée entre le 29 avril et le 27 mai.

J’aimerais féliciter le directeur de l’école Jeanne-Sauvé, M. André Larouche, et son équipe pour avoir soumis un si beau projet au concours Actifs et fiers et pour avoir reçu la bannière de bronze.

J’aimerais aussi remercier les élèves et les parents présents pour leur accueil chaleureux. Quelle belle initiative de l’école Jeanne-Sauvé afin de promouvoir l’exercice et de trouver des façons originales de faire bouger nos jeunes. Ce sont des enfants débordant d’énergie que j’ai rencontrés vendredi dernier, et nous connaissons tous le lien étroit entre l’exercice et la bonne santé.

Les représentants du Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario—M me Édith Dumont, directrice; Stéphane Vachon; et Georges Orfali—étaient tous présents pour féliciter et encourager les élèves pour leur implication et leur participation à la course des corridors.

ACTON TOWN HALL

Mr. Ted Arnott: It has always been worth the drive to Acton, but now there’s yet another very good reason to visit that community. On Sunday afternoon, I joined MP Michael Chong and members of the Halton Hills town council at the official opening of Citizens’ Hall at the Acton Town Hall Centre. Through a unique grassroots effort based on community spirit and partnership, the Acton town hall, built in the late 19th century, was saved from demolition and lovingly restored.

Located at the corner of Bower and Willow, the Acton Town Hall Centre has become a majestic addition to the province’s stock of heritage properties. In this, the 21st century, it’ll be used for all manner of community events—everything you could possibly imagine.

As the MPP for Wellington–Halton Hills, I want to express my thanks to all who were involved in this outstanding community project. I must begin with the members of Heritage Acton, whose vision and dedication were the driving force behind the project. The Rotary Club of Acton has been a great supporter as well, along with the town of Halton Hills and many generous businesses and individuals.

In addition, the Trillium Foundation contributed $150,000 to install an elevator, ensuring that the second floor will be accessible to all. We are very grateful for this grant, made possible through one of the province of Ontario’s best programs, which I have always supported.

But Heritage Acton continues to raise money. I have supported them in their fundraising efforts and I wish them well as they continue in this important endeavour.

I would like to invite all members—indeed, everyone listening—to come to Wellington–Halton Hills and see what community spirit in action is all about.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank the member from Wellington–Halton Hills for his statement, as I said it without my toggle switch on, so I needed to put it on the record. So thank you for your statement.

NURSES

Ms. Soo Wong: Seeing this is Nursing Week, I’d like to take this time to recognize the hard-working and dedicated registered practical nurses in the province of Ontario.

In my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt, registered practical nurses make a difference in the lives of constituents every day. They work in our hospitals, long-term-care facilities and in our homes. Nurses are there when we need them most.

One of the RPNs who I’d like to recognize today is Kathleen Samuels. Kathleen has worked for a nursing agency in my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt for over 10 years. She works in a long-term-care setting and acute-care setting, and Kathleen is well respected by her peers and her patients.

As someone who has worked in the health care field as a front-line public health nurse, administrator, hospital policy-maker as well as a teacher, I have witnessed first-hand the need to employ RPNs in their full scope of practice. Doing so will allow Ontario hospitals to more effectively deal with the nursing home shortage facing our health care system and will also allow for the reduction in overtime and agency nurses.

RPNs visiting the Legislature today have been involved in effective care shifting that is assisting Ontario hospitals in maximizing their budgets.

I’d like to say thank you to all the RPNs in attendance today, as well as the over 40,000 RPNs across the province who are essential to the front-line delivery of quality health care in Ontario.

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Mr. Michael Harris: Today I am pleased to mark the 11th anniversary of Asian Heritage Month, a time for us to reflect on our Asian history and relations here in Canada and around the world.

Right here in Ontario, Asian Canadians have shown leadership by opening businesses, creating good-paying jobs, taking on active roles in the community and sharing their rich culture through their traditions, arts and cuisine.

It’s important that we recognize the contributions that Asian Canadians have made in our communities, both economically and culturally, which have helped us to develop a prosperous and diverse society.

I welcome all Ontarians to take

part in Asian Heritage Month in their own communities. In fact, in my riding of Kitchener–Conestoga, the Waterloo Region Museum is hosting the Hmong exhibit, which shines light on the history of refugees from Vietnam, Thailand and China. These immigrants have made our region their home, contributing to a vibrant Ontario all of us enjoy.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the Korean War and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Canada and the Republic of Korea. In honour of these two important milestones, Prime Minister Stephen Harper themed this year’s Asian Heritage Month the Year of Korea in Canada.

With over 1.8 million Ontarians having Asian descent, we should use this month of May not only to reflect on their past achievements, but also to look ahead to the future as we continue to build and develop our great province together.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

M me France Gélinas: On April 18, the Minister of Health stated that there would be some changes to the way physiotherapy would be funded in this province. As per the minister, the funds would go to local health integration networks and community care access centres across the province, rather than to the designated physiotherapy clinics.

We have not heard much since April 18, and a lot of people are wondering, what is the plan moving forward? The changes are said to be positive. The health care dollars would be better spent delivering patients in-home care. The new system will provide better value for money and access to services in more communities.

If this is the case, then why do we have people from across this province calling us because they are afraid that they’re actually going to lose a service that they are depending on? I think it is partly because you have not shared the plan with the rest of the people of Ontario. They kind of have to trust you, and right now we’re dealing with a little bit of a deficit in that department.

Our office is receiving calls from long-term-care facilities, people in retirement homes, patients, nurses and physiotherapists—they all want to know: Will you be able to guarantee access to the people who presently receive physiotherapy services so that the gains that they’re making in mobility, in balance and in strength will continue to happen?

MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

Mr. Joe Dickson: The Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario, the MEAO, is a registered Ontario charity and a volunteer-operated organization which was founded in 1990. MEAO is a place of information, support, awareness and education for people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis—sometimes known as chronic fatigue syndrome—fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities. There are over 500,000 people in Ontario, as per the Community Health Survey of 2010, living with one or more of these chronic, debilitating and often disabling illnesses.

The symptoms of these illnesses often overlap and are very complicated. Patients with these illnesses often despair for lack of treatment options. Funding of these illnesses is almost non-existent, and the MEAO is actively advocating to help secure the funds needed for diagnosis, treatment, research and community support for all three illnesses.

May 12 is known as International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. Today, on May 7, 2013, MEAO is having an awareness event here at Queen’s Park once again, and it advocates on behalf of all Ontarians who have more than one or just one of these illnesses. We will see each of you members, we hope, in the members’ dining room from 4:15 p.m. today. Thank you kindly.

WASAGA BEACH LIONS

AND LIONESS CLUBS

Mr. Jim Wilson: I’m pleased to rise in the House today to recognize the Wasaga Beach Lions and Lioness Clubs on the 50th and 35th anniversaries of their respective charters. For both of these organizations, service to the community began decades ago and has only grown since.

In 1963, Reverend Donald French formed a group of businessmen as a means to increase church membership. From there, the Wasaga-Oakview Lions Club was born. Since its inception, it has contributed more than $2 million to our community and international causes worldwide.

Following that, in 1978, Sid Taylor, the then-president of the Lions Club, sponsored a club for wives of Lions members that was termed “Lionettes” but has since been renamed the Wasaga Beach Lioness Club. Together, these organizations have contributed significantly to the betterment of every aspect of our community and play an important

part in our region’s history.

One of their first donations was an ambulance to the town of Wasaga Beach. They funded the construction of our local Wasaga Stars Arena. They contributed to the development of our library, to our local RecPlex, to parks and bus shelters, and also to the Small Fry club, which preceded kindergarten in the province of Ontario.

True to their slogan, they “Have Fun while Helping Others,” and without question, they have left an indelible mark on our community, with a lasting effect for generations to come. As MPP for Simcoe–Grey, I could not be more proud of the membership of our local Lions and Lioness Clubs, and I would like to thank them for their tremendous contributions to our community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their statements.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

UNLAWFULLY POSSESSED HANDGUNS

IN VEHICLES ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LES ARMES DE POING

ILLÉGALES DANS LES VÉHICULES

Mr. Colle moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 66,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act and the Civil Remedies Act, 2001 to promote public safety and suppress conditions leading to crime by prohibiting driving on the highway in a motor vehicle in which there is an unlawfully possessed handgun / Projet de loi 66, Loi modifiant le Code de la route et la Loi de 2001 sur les recours civils afin de promouvoir la sécurité publique et d’éliminer les conditions engendrant le crime en interdisant la conduite sur la voie publique d’un véhicule automobile dans lequel se trouve une arme de poing dont la possession est illégale.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for a short statement.

Mr. Mike Colle: Mr. Speaker, as you know, there is a constant flood of smuggled handguns into Ontario that is endangering the lives of regular citizens and our front-line police officers because these gunmen find it too easy to ride around city streets with unlawful guns in their cars. It’s about time we did something about it.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

AND INSURANCE

AMENDMENT ACT (POST-TRAUMATIC

STRESS DISORDER), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SÉCURITÉ PROFESSIONNELLE

ET L’ASSURANCE CONTRE

LES ACCIDENTS DU TRAVAIL

(TROUBLE DE STRESS

POST-TRAUMATIQUE)

Ms. DiNovo moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 67,

An Act to amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997 with respect to post-traumatic stress disorder / Projet de loi 67, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1997 sur la sécurité professionnelle et l’assurance contre les accidents du travail relativement au trouble de stress post-traumatique.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for a short statement.

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: This will be the fourth time for this bill. It says that the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, is amended to create a rebuttable presumption relating to post-traumatic stress disorder affecting emergency response workers. Subsection 15.3(1) defines “emergency response worker” to mean a firefighter, paramedic or police officer. Subsection 15.3 states that if an emergency response worker suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, the disorder is presumed to be an occupational disease that occurred due to the employment as an emergency response worker unless the contrary is shown.

The bill sets up procedural and transitional rules governing claims to which a presumption applies.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

Hon. Teresa Piruzza: I rise in the House today in recognition of Children’s Mental Health Week in Ontario, being observed this week. This is an opportunity each year to increase the awareness of mental health and its signs and to decrease the stigma associated with mental illness. It’s also a time to increase our understanding of the help that is available for those with mental health issues and their families.

I can tell you from personal experience that parenting is both rewarding and challenging. I have met parents who are raising children with mental health issues, and I’ve learned about the hurdles that they have to overcome every day for things that other parents may take for granted, so I absolutely commend all those mothers and fathers for all that they do for their children.

There was a time when the topic of mental health was not only considered taboo, but the help and support needed either did not exist or was not accessible. Individuals and families affected by mental health issues suffered alone and in silence.

Today, because of broad efforts by community members, organizations and governments, we are becoming increasingly more aware of mental health issues. I’d like to take a moment to recognize our partners from Children’s Mental Health Ontario, who are with us here today. We welcome you to the Legislature. Thank you for providing us with the green ribbons that members are wearing to commemorate Children’s Mental Health Week.

It is through the work of individuals and agencies like Children’s Mental Health Ontario that many more people are talking more openly about mental health. And we need to continue to talk, as families, as friends, as colleagues in our communities, because not only will that fight the stigma associated with mental illness, it will help us find solutions for children and youth living with mental health issues and their families.

We need to talk about it because every young person in this province with mental health issues deserves the support and every opportunity we can provide to help them reach their full potential. That’s why I’m proud to be part of a government that introduced and continues to move forward with Ontario’s comprehensive Mental Health and Addiction Strategy.

In developing and implementing this strategy, we continue to work across government and with all our partners—including the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care, Education, and Training, Colleges and Universities—to create a system that delivers what young people need, when they need it, as close to home as possible. Our goal is simple: To create a more co-ordinated and responsive child and youth mental health system across the province.

Our strategy focuses on children and youth first because we know that one in five young people in Ontario today is dealing with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and eating disorders. We also know that 70% of mental health and addiction problems begin in childhood and adolescence. Early identification and intervention is key. It can put children and youth back on track, leading to better outcomes and improved school achievement.

That is why our government continues to strengthen our investments in child and youth mental health. New investments that began in 2011 will grow to $93 million annually at full implementation.

Our strategy is working. Already, approximately 35,000 more children and youth and their families are benefiting from quicker and easier access to mental health services and supports. These are being provided through over 770 new mental health workers in schools, communities and youth courts across the province.

Speaker, an unfortunate outcome of mental illness is sometimes suicide. That’s why our government is also focused on prevention and has engaged in dialogue with experts and those with lived experience of attempted suicide. Youth suicide prevention strategies are now integrated in community resources and training.

As we implement the strategy, we continue to work with our aboriginal partners and communities to provide culturally appropriate mental health services so aboriginal children and youth can reach their full potential. Our new investments include funding for more than 80 new aboriginal mental health and addiction workers in high-needs communities, which are expected to provide additional services to 4,000 more aboriginal children and youth each year.

We’ve come a long way in reducing the stigma related to mental illness and in supporting children, youth, and their families. We need to continue to work together with all our partners—those affected by mental illness and their families; agencies, organizations, clinicians and different levels of government—to keep the momentum going.

I want to thank all those who work with and on behalf of children and youth with mental health issues. Your compassion, your strength and your dedication are a powerful contribution to the children, youth and families you serve and the communities you live in. Thank you for your daily commitment, for caring, and for being part of the solution.

NURSING WEEK

Hon. Deborah Matthews: It is with great pleasure that I rise during National Nursing Week to acknowledge the enormous contributions of nurses to the health of the people of Ontario, and to thank them for that contribution. Without a doubt, Ontario’s health care system, of which we are so proud, simply wouldn’t provide the high quality of care that patients rely on if not for our nurses.

Nurses in Ontario work collaboratively each day using the best evidence available to guide their work. They work hard to improve the quality of patient care and focus on ways to improve the patient experience and patient outcomes.

For the last nine-plus years, this government’s commitment to Ontario nurses has been inspired by the same consistent commitment that nurses have shown and continue to show for their patients. Almost as soon as we took office, we began working to change the culture in health care.

Nurses are front-line partners in health care, and that’s why we’re committed to invest in them throughout their career. One of the ways we’ve accomplished this is through the Nursing Graduate Guarantee, which we launched in 2007. Since then, more than 14,300 nursing graduates have been connected with full-time nursing opportunities through that program.

Until now, the Nursing Graduate Guarantee has been available only to nurses who graduated here in Ontario. But yesterday, I was delighted to announce that we’re expanding the Nursing Graduate Guarantee initiative to allow nursing graduates educated elsewhere in Canada to participate. The expansion will support Canadian nursing graduates who choose Ontario as their preferred place of employment.

In addition, we’re creating a new initiative within the Nursing Graduate Guarantee to provide internationally educated nurses with support to transition to practise in Ontario’s health care system. That program is called the Nursing Career OrIENtation initiative and it will provide up to six months of funding to health care organizations to hire internationally educated nurses to participate in a hands-on orientation program. This program will help those internationally educated nurses who qualify to practise in Ontario to integrate more easily into our health care settings.

There’s more we can do to improve primary care delivery across the province and optimize the role of nurses within primary care. My ministry will be partnering with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario and the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario to provide funding to develop and disseminate two new initiatives.

First, we’re investing $100,000 for the online optimization of the Nursing Workforce in Primary Care Toolkit. This education suite will help employers to ensure that they’re using to the fullest extent possible the skills and knowledge of their RNs and RPNs to provide primary care services.

Second, we’re making a $100,000 investment for a Primary Care Nurse Education Fund for both RNs and RPNs to participate in primary care learning programs. This initiative will help nurses increase their knowledge and skills in primary care nursing so they can provide the best-possible care to the people of Ontario.

My deepest appreciation goes to the RNAO and RPNAO for their partnership and collaboration in making these two new programs possible for their members. These are just the latest investments we’ve made to support our nurses and allow them to practise to the full extent of their scope. I cannot think of a better theme for this year’s Nursing Week: Nursing, A Leading Force for Change.

We are working in partnership with nurses to bring about necessary and positive change in our health care system. Just last month, the Premier committed to help nurses deliver more services that will improve the care of their patients. Our government will work with the College of Nurses of Ontario to expand the scope of practice for registered nurses and registered practical nurses so they can dispense medication in specific circumstances; for example, when patients do not have quick access to a pharmacy.

We’re also working with the nursing community to identify additional opportunities to expand their scope of practice. Potential changes could include allowing registered nurses to prescribe certain medications and nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances.

Expanding nursing scope of practice helps to provide patients with access to the right care at the right time and in the right place. That’s the focus of our action plan for health care. Nurses can see first-hand better than anyone the need for transformation in our health care system. That’s why Ontario’s budget builds on our government’s commitment to shift care into the community and into people’s homes, in particular for seniors and people with complex conditions. We know that more care at home and in our community will make a real difference in people’s lives.

For example, we’re investing an additional $260 million this year into the community care sector. That includes home care for 46,000 more people, most of them seniors. Our investment will allow us to set a five-day home care wait time target for complex patients, starting from their community care access centre assessment. This will clearly mean a bigger role for RNs, RPNs and NPs.

Our government is committed to ensuring Ontario is the healthiest place to grow up and grow old. We’ve come a long way in making real, long-lasting changes to our health care system, but we still have work to do. It’s a source of real comfort to me as health minister that I can always count on the nurses of this province to do their part.

As well as acknowledging National Nursing Week, I’d like to note that this coming Sunday is International Nurses Day. On Sunday, I hope every one of my friends here in the chamber will spare a quick thought for the wonderful contribution of nurses all over the world and say a sincere thank you. I know I will.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It is now time for responses. The member from Barrie.

CHILDREN’S MENTAL HEALTH WEEK

Mr. Rod Jackson: This week is child and youth mental health week. It’s an honour to speak here today on the importance of bringing awareness to mental health, which is one of the most pressing issues faced by our children and youth today.

For too long, mental health has been treated as an afterthought in our health system, despite the fact that 10% to 20%, or 1.2 million children and youth, are affected by mental illness or disorder. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people, a scary fact. The total number of 12-to-19-year-olds in Canada at risk for developing depression is a staggering 3.2 million. The need for support and services to ensure good mental health is growing, as mental health problems are predicted to increase and become one of the five most common causes of morbidity, mortality and disability among young children.

It doesn’t have to be this way. It’s estimated that 70% of childhood mental health issues can be solved with early intervention and therapy, yet to receive treatment, children and youth face an average wait time of six to eight months, and only one in five children who need mental health services ever actually receive them—and those are just the ones that we know of.

Our children and youth, the future of Ontario, deserve much better. Mental health is an essential part of overall health. Like good physical health, good mental health enables children and youth to lead happy lives and grow up to be happy, healthy, productive adults. Mental health is more than just the absence of mental illness; it is a state of well-being. This is something every parent wants for their children, and something that every child and youth in our country deserves.

The PC Party of Ontario recognizes the importance of children and youth having good mental health, and has pledged to make mental health a priority. This month, actually, I am proud to have MPP Christine Elliott, our deputy leader and health and long-term-care critic, come to Barrie to host a round table with mental health service providers in my community.

I’d also like to mention quickly Terry Fox school in Barrie, which is just down the road from my house. It is holding a mental health awareness walk today. These students and staff should be commended for recognizing that child and youth mental health is such an important issue, and I commend them on their efforts in this regard.

NURSING WEEK

Mr. Bill Walker: On behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus, it is with great pleasure that I rise during international Nursing Week to acknowledge the great contributions nurses make every day to our health care system and to thank them for their invaluable knowledge, skills and compassion.

Nurses are often the first line of patient contact. They are the backbone of our system, and Ontario proudly has some of the best nurses in the world. So it is a fact beyond any doubt that our health care system would not be as respected and as strong if it wasn’t for every one of the 150,000-plus registered nurses, registered practical nurses, nurse practitioners and PSWs that work in our communities and care for our loved ones.

Nursing Week is also a time to celebrate the Ontario Nurses’ Association’s 40th anniversary. ONA represents 60,000 registered nurses and allied health professionals, as well as more than 14,000 nursing student affiliates providing care in hospitals, long-term facilities, public health community clinics and industry.

Yet I’m a little concerned that we’re praising nurses at the same time that the Liberal government is cutting nursing jobs. ONA members are gravely concerned about the impact on patient care following an announcement of an additional 25 full-time-equivalent RN cuts at the Ottawa Hospital. In January, as many as 90 nursing jobs were cut, representing a loss of almost 200,000 hours per year of nursing care at that hospital. Most recently, 15 registered nurses in Sarnia and 20 registered practical nurses in North Bay received layoff notices.

Statistics compiled by the College of Nurses of Ontario confirm this fact: The number of registered nurses fell by about 1,000 between 2010 and 2012. Ontario has nearly the lowest number of working registered nurses per capita of any province or territory in Canada.

This week, as many of us prepare to visit and witness first-hand the role of nurses in our ridings as part of the annual Take Your MPP to Work day, let’s remember that a viable health care system requires a diverse health care team of nurses. I hope that every one of us in this chamber will find our own way to recognize the contributions of nurses all over the world and say a sincere thank you.

I know from my own personal experience with the health care system, as executive director of a hospital foundation, as a father and also as a son, that nurses are vital to Ontario’s health care system. For all that excellent work they do for our loved ones each and every day, I thank you. Happy international Nursing Week.

That includes the very hard-working Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock MPP, Laurie Scott, and the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Madeleine Meilleur, the only two nurses in this Legislature, to my knowledge.

Interjection: Soo Wong.

Mr. Bill Walker: I can add Soo