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

December 4, 2014

41st Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2014-Dec-04 (PDF)

L038 - Thu 4 Dec 2014 / Jeu 4 déc 2014

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 4 December 2014 Jeudi 4 décembre 2014

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Ontario Immigration Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur l’immigration en Ontario

Introduction of Visitors

Wearing of buttons

Anniversary of Montreal massacre

Oral Questions

Social Assistance Management System

Social Assistance Management System

Automotive industry

Executive compensation

Government accountability

Consumer protection

Equal opportunity

Social Assistance Management System

Long-term care

Volunteers

Municipalities

Children’s services

Violence against women

Fire safety

Notice of dissatisfaction

Visitors

Deferred Votes

Security for Courts, Electricity Generating Facilities and Nuclear Facilities Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur la sécurité des tribunaux, des centrales électriques et des installations nucléaires

Visitors

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Jean Béliveau

Bella Leach

Babcock and Wilcox

Terry Sanderson

Arts education

Immigrant services

Wildlife Conservation Day

Milton Soccer Academy

Papal awards

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Social Policy

Order of business

Introduction of Bills

Bandit Taxi Cab Safety and Enforcement Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur les taxis pirates (sécurité et exécution)

Petitions

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Employment standards

Credit unions

Hospital funding

Social assistance

Credit unions

Lyme disease

Lyme disease

Wind turbines

Alzheimer’s disease

Coal-fired generating stations

Alzheimer’s disease

Visitors

Statements by the Ministry and Responses

International Volunteer Day

Violence against women

Violence against women

International Volunteer Day

Violence against women

International Volunteer Day

Private Members’ Public Business

Commercial fill

Respecting Private Property Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur le respect de la propriété privée

Municipal Amendment Act (Election of Chair of York Region), 2014 / Loi de 2014 modifiant la

Loi sur les municipalités (élection du président de la région de York)

Commercial fill

Respecting Private Property Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur le respect de la propriété privée

Municipal Amendment Act (Election of Chair of York Region), 2014 / Loi de 2014 modifiant la

Loi sur les municipalités (élection du président de la région de York)

Royal assent / Sanction royale

Orders of the Day

Agriculture Insurance Act (Amending the Crop Insurance Act, 1996), 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur l’assurance agricole (modifiant la Loi de 1996 sur l’assurance-récolte)

The House met at 0900.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Let us pray.

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Ontario Immigration Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur l’immigration en Ontario

Mr. Chan moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 49,

An Act with respect to immigration to Ontario and a related amendment to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 / Projet de loi 49, Loi portant sur l’immigration en Ontario et apportant une modification connexe à la Loi de 1991 sur les professions de la santé réglementées.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Minister.

Hon. Michael Chan: Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with my parliamentary assistant, the member for Davenport.

Today is quite a day for me, beginning this debate. Previously, this was a bill that was introduced by the MPP from Don Valley East. The former minister introduced a very similar bill, but that was not able to pass because of the election. I just want to thank him for his wonderful work. He did tremendous work and lots of preparation—basically made my life a bit easier.

Immigration is a big file in my ministry. It’s quite dear to me because I am a first-generation immigrant. Immigration is a file of great significance. People say Ontario is a land of immigrants; in fact, it is. People say Ontario is filled by migrants; in fact, it is. As remarked on by our Premier many, many times, other than the aboriginal people, we are all migrants who came to this great land at one point in time; in fact, we are.

As recently as this Monday, Speaker, I had a conversation with the consul general of Korea; as a matter of fact, he was here yesterday sitting in the Speaker’s gallery. He told me that he was so amazed by the fact that more than half the population of Toronto were not born in Toronto; they were born outside of Toronto. He was very amazed by the fact that we came from more than 200 countries, speaking more than 130 languages. We are truly the face of the world.

Leaving one’s hometown, travelling afar, some perhaps thousands and thousands of kilometres to a new land, is not a light-hearted decision; it’s difficult. Needless to say, there are many challenges, obstacles, difficulties, barriers—you name it.

Over the years, we have heard many immigrant stories—many. Some of them may be good; some are bad; some can be ugly. Just like the western movie with Clint Eastwood: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. But one thing is for sure: There are never-ending immigrant stories. I would say that every immigrant has his or her own story. Being a first-generation immigrant, I too have a story to tell. I came here quite a while ago. I came here 45 years ago now. I came in September, 1969, in the fall. I was a young man, full of energy, perhaps full of great expectation.

Mr. Han Dong: You’re still young.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you for saying that, that I’m still young. I appreciate that.

So I thought, “Chinatown is always around. Why don’t you go and talk to those Canadian Chinese?” But I still had the problem, because I spoke a different dialect. The Chinese community at the time spoke something that I did not understand. So when they talked to me in their Chinese dialect, I would move these; when I talked to them, they would return the favour, do the same thing like this. So I really had a problem. I could not talk to people.

In November 1969, I was lucky enough to find a job. It was, I would say, a perfect job—a bit humbling. I found a job working in a Chinese food takeout restaurant. It’s still there; it’s still operating. It’s at the corner of Martin Grove and Burnhamthorpe in Etobicoke Centre. That’s the riding there. It’s at the northeast corner of Martin Grove and Burnhamthorpe. The name is Far East Chinese Food. The job was quite simple. I learned the job working in the basement. Speaker, you may like Chinese food, right? Chinese food is famous for those egg rolls.

I was the one down in the basement mixing the plum sauce powder with some water in a little cup and putting a lid on it so that you can really enjoy your egg roll.

Hon. Jeff Leal: What about fortune cookies?

Hon. Michael Chan: I wasn’t the one doing that.

People say, “I don’t like Chinese food,” but you may like hot dogs. Right? You like hot dogs. In order to have a good hot dog, you need mustard. I was the one down in the basement mixing the mustard powder with water, putting it in a little cup and putting a lid on top of that; so, no meal without mustard.

It was a really simple job, but a perfect job for me because I was working alone down in that basement and I didn’t have to talk to anyone. It was really wonderful that I did not have to talk to anybody. I worked down there for about three months.

Then I kind of won the lottery; I hit the jackpot. I had a big promotion. It was really a tremendous promotion. The boss promoted me from the basement to the ground floor. That was my promotion. From that point, I was able to move on.

To me, Ontario is really a land of opportunity, hope and, perhaps, glory. I consider myself very lucky: lucky enough to come to Ontario, lucky enough to crawl out of a basement, lucky enough to own a business, lucky enough to raise a family and lucky enough, today, to stand in the House as MPP representing the people of Markham–Unionville and be a minister of the crown in this beautiful province we call Ontario.

So much for my little story; I had better get back to the debate on Bill 49.

Hon. Jeff Leal: Keep going, Michael. Keep going.

Hon. Michael Chan: Actually, I have two immigrant stories. This is the lesser of the evils. I also have one that is quite telling, but I will reserve that for another day.

Speaker, Bill 49 is very important for newcomers and for employers. It’s vitally important for Ontario. Ontario has relied upon immigrants from its earliest beginning. We continue to do so today. Ontario is the number one destination for newcomers to Canada. We receive more immigrants than the combined total of all the provinces and territories west of us.

That’s all good, but we need to make some changes so that immigration continues to work for us long into the future. Our population is aging, birth rates remain low and baby boomers are leaving the workforce in increasing numbers. We need to ensure that Ontario businesses have the skilled workers they need to stay competitive in today’s global economy.

Over the next 10 years, there will be more than 2.5 million job openings, the majority high-skilled. Our homegrown talent in Ontario will not be able to meet this demand alone. Newcomers already make up 30% of our workforce right now. We will need more skilled immigrants to help us fill those jobs and keep the economy growing.

An important part of Ontario’s economy is trade. This is one of many areas where our diversity is a huge strength. Newcomers bring international connections and networks that drive economic growth. The more immigrants we have, the more we can tap into new markets; and the more we trade, the more jobs we create. It’s as simple as that. This natural connection between trade and immigration is why the Premier appointed me as Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. On these two fronts—trade and building a skilled workforce—Bill 49 is very important to our future.

Two years ago this month, our government announced Ontario’s first-ever immigration strategy. Bill 49 is the logical next step. If passed, Ontario will be only the second province or territory in the country to have its own immigration legislation.

The other day, the member from Windsor–Tecumseh—I call him Mr. Good Morning—gave incorrect information on this score. It is important to be accurate in the information we share with the people of Ontario, so let me repeat: Ontario is only the second province in the country, after Quebec, to introduce immigration legislation.

Bill 49, if passed, would help us achieve three goals. First, it would make possible a stronger immigration partnership between Ontario and the federal government in the areas of recruitment, selection and admission of skilled immigrants. Let me speak to this for a moment. For some time, Ontario has been asking for more say and control over who comes here. We believe Ontario is in the best position to know its labour force needs. Our government is continually working with employers and different communities to assess these needs, yet federal policies have a very real impact on who is allowed to come to Ontario.

Federal decisions over the decade have reduced the proportion of economic immigrants coming to Ontario to 46%. Other provinces on average receive 65%. This imbalance has hurt our economy, and because Ontario is the engine of growth in Canada, this imbalance has hurt the nation’s economy.

The second goal is to strengthen our immigration strategy to raise the economic immigrants total to 70%. So we must start now. It has been my pleasure to meet with Ontario employers around the province at the annual forum called the Minister’s Employers Table. Our employers know what is at stake and their interest is high in making our immigration system work better. I am encouraged by the willingness of our employers to work with our government to get this right. Where we need to do a better job and where Bill 49 is going to help us is in attracting a higher share of economic-class immigrants.

If passed, the bill will improve the accountability, transparency and management of our provincial nominee program. We are counting on the PNP to help us attract more skilled workers in Ontario. The PNP is an important program for Ontario and will become even more so in the future. Some 97% of PNP nominees remain in Ontario. Our provincial nominee program is helping Ontario employers attract and retain the skills they need for today’s knowledge-based economy. Our goal is to work with the federal government to expand this program even further.

More than 100,000 newcomers arrive in Ontario every year. Bill 49 affirms our strong commitment to settlement programs that help newcomers integrate into our economy and society and contribute to Ontario. Our government has invested more than $900 million since 2003 doing exactly that: on bridging training, on language training and other important settlement assistance that helps newcomers succeed.

The third goal of Bill 49 is to help strengthen our ongoing efforts to reduce fraud and detect misrepresentation. It would help protect the integrity of our immigrant selection program and improve accountability.

To sum up, Bill 49 would be a beginning, not an end. It is a necessary first step Ontario must take if we are to attract more skilled immigrants to drive our economy and keep Ontario strong. So I ask this House to give speedy approval to Bill 49 and allow Ontario to begin charting more of our own course to ensure we have the skilled workers to keep us strong and globally competitive. We want immigrants to come here and plant deep roots, build strong communities and become great citizens. Because when newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds. Thank you very much.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Davenport.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: Thank you, Minister. It’s been a pleasure working with you and being your parliamentary assistant. Thank you for sharing your story as an immigrant to this country and to this province.

Mr. Speaker, before I begin I just wanted to make note that I will be sharing my time with the member from Etobicoke Centre.

I’m pleased to join the debate on Bill 49, a bill to establish the Ontario Immigration Act. Ontario is only the second province in Canada to bring forward immigration legislation, and I’m very proud of our government’s leadership in this area. Last week, the member from Windsor–Tecumseh stated incorrectly that Ontario is the last province to bring forward its own immigration legislation. It’s a basic point of fact that Ontario is the second province, after Quebec, to introduce its own immigration legislation. I want to set this record straight at the outset, because Ontarians deserve clarity and accuracy. They do not deserve to be misled.

As the minister stated, this bill is very important for newcomers and for employers, and it’s vitally important for Ontario. In fact, just last week I was in Windsor meeting with employers and talking about immigration, and those employers urged our government to continue playing a leadership role.

I have one more point of accuracy before I move on. Despite comments to the contrary in this House last week, Ontario remains the number one destination for newcomers to Canada. The sky-is-falling scenarios from the other side of the House just don’t add up. In fact, Ontario receives more immigrants than the combined total of all the provinces and territories west of here.

More importantly, passing Bill 49 would make Ontario more competitive by drawing on the talents of every Ontarian and attracting the world’s best and brightest. Our success in immigration policy, of course, relies on effective co-operation with the federal government. The bottom line is that we want to work with Ottawa to ensure that the right numbers of immigrants with the right skill sets come to Ontario to support our economic growth, which in turn supports Canada’s prosperity.

The proposed immigration legislation would help us do just that. The stakes are high. We have to ensure that we are meeting demographic challenges and attracting the skilled and talented newcomers who help grow our local economies. In my remarks today, I’d like to focus on the economic contributions newcomers make to Ontario and how these contributions are needed today more than ever.

First, I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the deep and enduring contributions newcomers have made to the quality of life we enjoy today. At every stage of Ontario’s history, newcomers offered skills, knowledge, optimism and hard work that advanced our economy and enriched our communities. Speaker, looking around this House here today, I see many members who, like myself, are children of immigrants or immigrants themselves. We can all personally identify with and attest to the struggle to get established in a new country, to learn new customs and a new language, to open a bank account, find a house and pick a school.

Our family arrived in Toronto from Portugal in 1970 and settled in the riding of Davenport. I went straight into kindergarten and began the process of adaptation. Most newcomers will tell you it’s easier for children to adapt. My father attended ESL classes—and thank goodness they were available. But I’m grateful to my parents for giving me the opportunity to grow up in Canada and to be here today in this House.

These are the experiences newcomers share with each other and help each other with. Immigrants chose Ontario because there was economic opportunity and the freedom to pursue it. Those contributions from immigrants in turn made the economy even stronger and broadened opportunity for the newcomers who followed. This is how immigration has traditionally worked in Ontario, but we cannot take it for granted. As the global economy continues to struggle, and as Ontario industries face global competition, we are counting on newcomers today more than ever before.

We know that newcomers today are finding it harder to become established compared to previous generations of newcomers. At the same time, Ontario is facing competition from other countries that also want to attract skilled, bright and entrepreneurial immigrants. The Ontario Immigration Act would position Ontario for success in this global economic environment.

As we all know, talent is the most sought-after commodity in today’s economy. Entrepreneurial spirit, cultural knowledge and creative thinking make economies more innovative and creative. Newcomers have a strong commitment to education. Three out of every four newcomers arrive with at least one post-secondary degree. Newcomers bring innovative ideas and unique perspectives; they make valuable contributions to emerging industries like information technology, engineering and bioscience.

It’s worth noting that a recent study by the Partnership for a New American Economy found that seven of the most valuable brands in the world, including Apple, Google, AT&T and IBM, come from companies founded by immigrants or the children of immigrants.

We’ve seen similar successes here in Ontario: Plastic Mobile, the firm where the previous version of this bill was announced last winter, is a good example of an innovative, leading-edge firm founded by immigrants and employing dozens of Ontarians. Many successful firms in Ontario are founded by immigrants. They are doing innovative work in creating jobs and wealth for Ontario.

We also know that, to a large degree, economic success for Ontario comes down to trade; that’s the foundation of our success. In the global economy, Ontario’s cultural diversity gives us a clear edge. Ontarians come from more than 200 countries and speak about 200 languages. Our diversity helps Ontario companies understand new markets and recognize opportunities.

As we all know, we need more small and medium-sized companies exporting beyond North America. That’s what our government’s Going Global Trade Strategy is all about. Our effort to tap into new markets is greatly enhanced by people who speak different languages, have international networks and understand different business cultures. The personal knowledge and contacts of newcomers can make those markets a little less intimidating, and thanks to our diversity, people in those markets become more familiar with Ontario. When we take trade missions to other parts of the world, we’re in a position to tell people that we have welcomed their country’s contributions to Ontario society.

I give credit to our Premier, who realized the natural connection between immigration and international trade when she appointed my colleague, the member from Markham, as minister last June. She said to the minister: “Take Ontario’s diversity to the next level. Help our newcomers build these connections to their former homelands in a way that benefits everyone.” We saw what success in this area looks like with the fantastic results of the China trade mission in October. Almost 2,000 new jobs will be created in Ontario thanks to the strong and enduring connections between China and Ontario.

Of course, it’s about more than just trade. With an aging population, low birth rates and retiring baby boomers, we are counting on skilled immigrants to continue helping to meet future labour needs. Our success in utilizing the skills and talents of newcomers will largely determine whether Ontario reaches its full economic potential. The Conference Board of Canada tells us that the cost of underutilizing the skills of internationally trained individuals is about $3.4 billion to $5 billion in lost productivity.

That means that if we want immigrants to choose Ontario, we have to help them settle and succeed as quickly as possible, and our government is doing exactly that. We’ve invested more than $900 million since 2003 to integrate newcomers into our society and economy. But we need to do more, and in a planned, strategic way. That’s why Ontario now has an immigration strategy and a proposed new Ontario Immigration Act.

As part of this effort, we’ve been working to engage employers more closely in immigration matters and diversity. That’s because it is ultimately employers who give newcomers their first job. I believe that more employers are realizing that a diverse workplace is an advantage in today’s global economy. Our employers know what is at stake, and their interest is high in making our immigration system work better. In other words, we must make sure newcomers know that we are not starting from scratch, that the welcome mat has been out for a long time and that we are already a very diverse society.

Speaker, it has been my pleasure to meet with Ontario employers this fall in Windsor and Oakville at an annual forum called the Minister’s Employers Table. These round tables are organized by our colleagues at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and I want to thank the chamber for its vision and leadership in this area. The Minister’s Employers Table sessions are a part of Ontario’s immigration strategy.

Last year’s sessions focused on immigrant selection. They introduced employers to the federal government’s Express Entry application management system, to be implemented next year.

This year’s sessions are focusing on labour market needs at the local level, and some key themes are already emerging from this year’s tables. Employers are telling me that immigration is fundamental to Ontario’s economic prosperity. They understand that Ontario must meet the demographic challenges of low birth rates with more immigration. One participant noted that immigration is an investment in our economic future.

They also realize that helping newcomers succeed in the labour market is a joint government/employer responsibility. Employers understand that they have a role to play in immigrant success and want to partner more with government and other agencies in this area.

Employers also believe that Ontario must continue to position itself as a top international destination for skilled immigrants. Simply put, success breeds success. We must build on our well-earned and well-deserved reputation as a diverse and tolerant society to attract more skilled workers. Our brand must be as a top international destination for global talent.

Employers also stressed the importance of soft skills like language and communications to a newcomer’s overall success. While hard skills are often what initially attract employers to a job candidate, employers cite soft skills as fundamental to success on the job. Multiple participants praised existing government programs that have helped immigrants refine their occupation-related language training and skills.

I had the chance to see the fantastic newcomers settlement programs first-hand while I was representing the ministry at the employers tables. In Windsor, I had the opportunity to tour the Centre for Skills Development and Training, the training centre in Burlington, and the Halton Multicultural Council. I also met with instructors and students at the Mason Educational Centre and the Collège Boréal campus in Windsor.

It’s because of hopeful and optimistic stories like that that our government is bringing forward Bill 49. It’s why we support the various on-the-ground agencies that help our newcomers build the soft skills that allow them to offer employers a complete package and get started on the road to success.

In his remarks, I heard the minister say that Ontario employers, communities and our government are in the best position to decide our labour market needs in this province. What we are realizing is that there are several different labour markets in Ontario. We need to listen to employers and educators and workers and newcomers in those communities to fine-tune our immigration selection and recruitment to meet their needs.

It is impossible for someone in Ottawa to be any closer to the ground than we are here. Here’s our issue: We have the knowledge, but we don’t always have the control to get the skilled newcomers we need and want. That’s why we need to make immigration a top priority in this Legislature, as our government is doing by introducing the Ontario Immigration Act. If passed, Ontario would be only the second province or territory in the country to have its own immigration legislation. It would also enable Ontario to welcome more highly skilled immigrants to help meet our future labour market needs.

The legislative proposals would also strengthen our very successful immigrant selection program, the provincial nominee program, and enable it to keep Ontario growing and keep Ontario strong. Around 97% of nominees remain in Ontario. Our view is that when something is working, we need more of it, not less of it, so we’re going to maximize the value of PNP to our economy.

The legislation would, if passed, demonstrate Ontario’s leadership in immigration and position Ontario to take advantage of proposed federal program changes in the selection of economic immigrants scheduled for early 2015. This would include increased employer participation in immigrant selection, a key concern for businesses. If passed, the legislation would respond to labour market needs by expressly allowing the minister to set immigration targets in policy for provincially selected immigrants.

The minister talked about fraud. Bill 49 recognizes that fraud is a two-way street. The system needs to be protected against fraudulent applications, and potential newcomers need to be protected from unscrupulous operators. Bill 49 acts against both. Having a robust compliance and enforcement regime will help to protect applicants and deter abuses of their trust by predatory representatives; ensure that perpetrators of program fraud cannot profit from the system; and give Ontario’s immigration officers greater ability to catch misrepresentation and go after those who take advantage of immigrants and the system.

We are committed to respecting the principles upon which the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act is based. We have collaborated closely with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner regarding collection, use and disclosure of personal information under the proposed immigration legislation. We want to ensure that we strike the right balance between the need to use information we collect under our selection programs and the need to protect applicants’ privacy.

Bill 49 is the right bill at the right time for Ontario. Most importantly, it recognizes the long history of immigration to the province and creates a framework for implementing the province’s immigration vision.

Ontario competes with other places that are trying to create the best jobs, welcome skilled people and attract new industries. To meet this challenge, our government is creating the conditions for growth. We have competitive corporate tax rates, among the lowest in North America. We offer attractive R&D incentives, among the best in the G7. We have a workforce that’s among the most highly skilled and educated in the OECD. Yet our most valuable asset is the skills of our people.

It is an encouraging sign for our economy that so many highly educated newcomers choose Ontario, but we need to work to ensure they can contribute to the fullest. It’s important to remember that many newcomers left home, family and friends abroad. Others had opportunities to go elsewhere. They chose us. We need to do our best for them as they integrate, find jobs and build a good life. When newcomers achieve their dreams for a better life in Ontario, their success makes life better for all Ontarians.

Ontario has found strength in diversity. It’s who we are: a diverse and welcoming province; a dynamic, growing, sustainable, knowledge-driven economy; a place with the highest quality of life and people determined to keep making that quality of life even better. By passing Bill 49 into law, Ontario can strengthen our reputation as a place where people of all backgrounds can prosper, and we can support strong and diverse communities that nurture the best immigrants and the best citizens, because when newcomers succeed, Ontario succeeds.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Etobicoke Centre.

Mr. Yvan Baker: It’s a privilege to be able to speak to this bill and to share my time with the member for Davenport.

I wanted to speak to this bill because this bill has a very personal connection to me personally, and a personal connection to, I think, a lot of people in my community of Etobicoke Centre. My grandfather immigrated to Canada in the late 1940s from post-World War II Germany. At that time, he applied to come to Canada because he knew—or he had heard—that jobs were available here, that there was an opportunity for him to build a life for himself and his family. In fact, he came by himself and spent two years living here before my grandmother was able to join him with her children, my mother.

When he was applying, they asked a number of questions, and some of the questions that my grandfather told me that they asked him were pretty basic things. They asked things like, “Can you work? Are you healthy? Are you strong? Can you do manual labour?” Those are the kinds of questions that were being asked at the time. And when my grandfather came, sure enough, he applied those skills; he applied that willingness to work and that motivation to some very, very labour-intensive work. He worked for Ontario Hydro building some of the hydro power lines that we have in our province. He eventually was able to get a job at Canada Post and worked for Canada Post for many years before retiring.

The reason I think this story is important is because, like so many immigrants, he came to this country believing that there was opportunity here—knowing that there was opportunity here. Canada facilitated that opportunity by making sure that they were attracting the kinds of people that Canada needed to make this country great. We need to continue to do that, and I think that what this bill does is it helps to ensure that we will continue to do that. We, of course, need the help of our federal partners, the federal government, but I think it takes important steps to make sure that we can do a better job of doing that.

Since my grandfather’s day of immigrating to Canada, the global economy has changed. The nature of the labour market has changed; it has become more global. When I think of the immigrants of today—recently I met someone who is working as a doctor for my GP who came to Canada from the Soviet Union and who had full medical qualifications. She spent a tremendous number of years and effort trying to gain medical qualification here in Ontario. Initially, when she came, she thought that process would be much easier. Unfortunately, it took her many, many years. The unfortunate

part is that she discovered this only upon arriving in Canada.

Hon. Liz Sandals: That’s the problem.

Mr. Yvan Baker: Exactly. That’s the problem, exactly, as the minister’s saying. People come to Canada thinking that they’ll have that job, just like my grandfather thought he would have that job. My grandfather got that job; the immigrants of today deserve the same.

Once in a while, when I take a taxi to events in my community, for example, I meet drivers who are qualified in many different fields who came to Canada thinking they’d be able to work in that field, and now they can’t. We need to do better by those folks. They’ve come here to build this country, and they deserve better. And we deserve better. Making sure that immigrants to our country come to Canada knowing what to expect will not only ensure that they live a better quality of life—that in itself is a good reason to take these steps—but it will also ensure that we all live a better quality of life.

When I think about our economy, we have shortages—yes, we have unemployment, and we need to tackle those issues, but we also have a lot of small businesses that are looking for workers in skilled fields, and we’re not able to fill those vacancies. There are a lot of folks from around the world who could help us do that, and we need to help make sure that happens. We all benefit from this.

There’s a couple of things in this bill that I would like to highlight that I think are important. One is that we are going to be able, through this legislation, to accelerate the recognition of credentials for folks who are applying. That’s going to allow people who are being accepted to know faster that they’ve been accepted and allow those folks who aren’t going to be accepted to work in their fields to be declined more quickly so that they have the information before them to make a decision as to whether they want to come or not. That’s the first thing.

The second thing is, provisions have been put into this bill to clamp down on fraud. There are so many people who come to this country with great hope and with great optimism. Unfortunately, in some cases, they are made promises by folks about services that will be offered to help them settle here, about jobs that they will get when they come here, and that never comes to fruition. This bill will allow the government to institute fines; it will allow criminal charges to be imposed on folks who abuse that trust. I think that’s critically important so that people applying to Canada, applying to come to Ontario, will have faith that they will be treated as they should be.

I think the last thing I would just mention quickly is we need to make sure that our federal government is working with us on this. Ontario understands the local economy; we understand the local conditions here and what the labour market demands are. It’s really important that the federal government partner with us to make sure that we can better meet the demands of the labour market here.

When my grandfather came to Canada, the system that recognized his credentials, the system that recognized his experience and what he could bring to Canada, was there to ensure that it matched the labour market needs of the day. We need to do well by those people applying to Canada today, just as we did by my grandfather. Let’s make sure that we attract the folks, that we give folks the information they need to know whether they’ll be able to work in their chosen field or not.

We’re going to accelerate that process, and we’re going to work with our federal partners to make sure that we do well by those people who want to come to Canada and help build this country and make it better, and those people who want to come to Canada to help build this country, to make it better for all of us in all 107 ridings around this province.

I think this is an important bill. It takes important steps to make sure we accelerate the recognition of credentials, that we clamp down on fraud and that we work even more effectively with our federal partners to make sure that we attract the kinds of folks who can build this country and do well by them. I hope we can enjoy the support of members from across the aisle as well.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Questions and comments?

Mrs. Julia Munro: I’m pleased to offer a few comments in regard to the bill. One of the things that I certainly want to recognize is the value that the speakers have made with regard to the value of immigration.

Regardless of whether you came in the last 10 months or the last 200 years, the motives have very often been exactly the same thing: It was a better way of life, there was a greater economic opportunity, and the fundamentals of democratic society, the stability that goes with democratic society, is certainly an attraction as well.

One of the things that is really important as we pursue 21st-century immigration is to look at the kinds of balance. The speakers have talked about the economic influence, and obviously that’s an important one, but we have to always consider how we’re going to create the right balance.

I recognized in the remarks a moment ago the fact that we have people without jobs and jobs without people. When we have that kind of data available to us, I think it just makes it that much more important to understand the mechanics of immigration and the kinds of benefits, both for the community at large but also the people coming.

One of the things that I’ve always felt was most unfortunate was some kind of message that people would get in their own home country: “You can be this when you come to Canada,” and they discover that, no, they can’t.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Questions and comments?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, this is the first opportunity I’ll have, as the critic of citizenship and immigration, to stand up in my role to discuss this bill and give my questions and comments to the minister.

I understand that the Auditor General is doing her annual report, and that will be released next week on Tuesday. But I was able to obtain a couple of highlights of some of the things she’s going to chat about. One thing I’m particularly interested in looking into, and what her remarks are going to be on, is the provincial nominee program and how that’s working—how that’s working now, and then comparing it to the kinds of changes that are in this bill that are, hopefully, going to make it better and improve it.

As the member from York Simcoe said, managing the expectations of someone who wants to come to another country, whether it’s Canada or Ontario or another province, is something that has to be very thoughtful and streamlined, because we don’t want to have that reputation of asking people to come, and then they arrive and, sure enough, it’s not what they signed up for. Then, you know, they could feel trapped here, and they’ve left their home country. So there are a lot of socio-economic concerns when you apply for something and it doesn’t come out to what you expect. It’s a life-changing experience, as we’ve heard from many members.

The other thing I want to address is the fact—and I’d like to talk about this later on if I have the opportunity— that we’re gathering information and collecting information and we’re supposed to use it appropriately. I understand they consulted with the Information and Privacy Commissioner, so that’s interesting, and I’ll make some comments on that later. But the information piece and how we’re going to use it is something of interest to myself, and I’ll pursue that later on. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Newmarket–Aurora.

Mr. Chris Ballard: I’m delighted to be able to speak for a couple of minutes to this very important bill. Someone said to me once, and I think it’s very true for virtually all of us, that we are all immigrants to this place. We all have immigrant stories. My own story starts on my father’s side, with my grandparents leaving England after World War I, when there wasn’t much opportunity for them. They had a brother here in Canada who suggested that this was the land of milk and honey. They sold everything, bought passage, shipped everything they owned here, brought their children here and landed just in time for the Great Depression of 1929.

There was no social safety net in those days, and a job that had been promised to my grandfather as supervisor of maintenance for TTC, of course, had disappeared. So the first 10 years for them was very difficult. I grew up listening to the stories of my grandparents talking about how hard it was to be an immigrant to this great country but also how glad they were that they stuck it out and stayed, because it gave their children and their grandchildren a fantastic opportunity to grow and to thrive.

Of course, coming from Aurora myself, we have one of the greatest, I think, successful immigrant stories in the form of Frank Stronach, who founded Magna International. The headquarters is still in Aurora, providing a lot of wealth and a lot of jobs for people in Canada.

I’m very excited by Bill 49. I think, from a high level, just the fact that the vision and the objectives that it will set, if passed, for immigration to Ontario is very, very important for the success of people coming to this great province. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Questions and comments?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I’m pleased to rise to provide some feedback and comments to the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade and the members for Davenport and Etobicoke Centre: excellent stories. I don’t think that any of us can say we’re not an immigrant; it’s a matter of when we became an immigrant to Canada and Ontario.

I do want to comment on one of the points that the minister raised: his request for a speedy approval to Bill 49 from the opposition. It can’t be reinforced enough that it’s not up to us to have speedy or slow approvals of legislation. The government House leader—that would be the Liberal House leader—chooses which items we are going to debate in this chamber. It is the Liberal House leader who puts forward the motions for closures. So whether or not a speedy passage can occur with Bill 49 very much depends on the individual who sits at the corner of your front bench.

I will be speaking very briefly later on to the Ontario Immigration Act and will cover off some of the points that we would like to make sure are part of the public debate that must occur when we have new pieces of legislation coming forward. But I think it was important for clarity to remind people that it is not a matter for the opposition to hold up or in fact speed up legislation through this legislative chamber; that lies solely and wholly with the government members and most particularly the House leader. Thank you.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you. I now recognize the minister for two minutes on his response.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a good day today. I heard from my PA from Davenport, the MPP from Etobicoke Centre, the MPP from York–Simcoe, the MPP from Dufferin–Caledon and also the MPP from London–Fanshawe. I think there is a common consensus about newcomers, about immigrants, that we all recognize that they’re here and it is very important that they are here.

I heard some stories about your grandfather, which is also fantastic. We all had a story to tell. I had mine. I had two, by the way. I have spoken on one. The other one will be coming up, maybe, another day, but that one is quite a bit tougher than the one I mentioned.

Anyhow, I think Bill 49—again, allow me to repeat that it’s going to do three things over there. One is to strengthen the communication between Ontario and the federal government. I think this is critically important because they are the ones who actually assess people, the incoming, and also outgoing as well. Strengthening that communication relationship, a line that we can talk, I think is very, very important.

Also, the streams of immigrants coming over here, too, the skilled workers: Definitely, we need those skilled workers, but perhaps lower-skilled or unskilled workers we should be looking into, too, because I keep hearing other provinces, like Alberta, perhaps Saskatchewan—they talk about the lower-skilled workers as well. So those are the communications that we should really strengthen and get the input back to the federal government.

I see the clock is running out, so I’m going to sit down here and continue the debate.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Further debate?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, I ask for unanimous consent to stand down the hour lead from our critic.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Dufferin–Caledon has requested that their lead be stood down. Agreed? Agreed.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: It’s a pleasure to rise on behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus to speak to Bill 49,

An Act with respect to immigration to Ontario and a related amendment to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991.

I again want to remind everyone, although it’s pretty obvious to most of us here, that of course we are all immigrants. It is strictly a matter of what year we came. My family would have been called today economic refugees, because the country that we were leaving was in dire circumstances. I jokingly say they ran out of food so we came to Canada.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Jokingly, but that’s what happened.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: That’s exactly what happened. I think you can probably figure out where from the Isles we came.

Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to speak on Bill 49. This bill is actually a reintroduction in the Ontario Legislature. It was previously called Bill 161 and was introduced by the current Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and minister responsible for the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. Bill 161, of course, died on the order paper when the government called the election in June.

I want to highlight the fact that our federal counterparts have made multiple extensive changes to the immigration system here in Canada over the last decade, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the provincial nominee program, to name two. In addition, our federal counterparts plan to introduce the expression-of-interest immigration reforms to make the immigration system more responsive to labour market demands.

The EOI or expression of interest “will provide governments and Canadian employers access to skilled foreign workers and expedite their entry into Canada for jobs that aren’t being filled by people already” living “in Canada.” The EOI will also “complement the provincial nominee program which will continue to be a key mechanism to allow provinces, territories, and employers to meet regional labour market needs. Almost 41,000 provincial nominees (including their spouses and dependants) were admitted to Canada through the PNP in 2012, up from approximately 3,500 in 2006.”

The provincial nominee program, as stated on the ministry’s website, is “an immigration program through which Ontario nominates individuals and their families for permanent resident status based on a pre-approved job offer in the province.” I think this is important to mention because of its integral role in our immigration policy.

It’s also important to talk about the immigration policy of other jurisdictions. Of course, the most obvious and cited example is Quebec’s immigration policy. As a result of the 1991 Canada-Quebec Accord, Quebec fully assumed responsibility for establishing immigration levels and for the selection and integration of immigrants. In areas under its responsibility, Quebec develops its own policies and programs, legislates, regulates and sets its own standards.

In contrast, Ontario’s immigration policy is tied to that of the federal government. Media focus has been on Ontario taking a Quebec-style approach to immigration.

I want to mention some important statistics about immigration in our province and other jurisdictions. The federal government recently released immigration stats for last year. What they also provided was a table of statistics from 2004 through to and including 2013 on the amount of permanent residents in each province and territory.

There are three categories that make up the definition of a permanent resident. Permanent residents are based on foreign nationals sponsored by close relatives or family members in Canada, and include spouses and partners, dependent children, parents and grandparents. Permanent residents are also based on economic immigrants, who are people selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy, including skilled workers, business immigrants, provincial and territorial nominees and live-in caregivers.

In addition, permanent residents are based on refugees, which include government-assisted refugees, privately sponsored refugees, refugees landed in Canada and dependants of refugees landed in Canada who were living abroad.

The number of permanent residents is quite startling. Newfoundland and Labrador saw their permanent resident number nearly double from 2004 to 2013. Prince Edward Island’s permanent resident number tripled. Nova Scotia’s increased by almost 1,000. New Brunswick’s increased by more than 1,000. Quebec’s number increased during the same time frame. Manitoba’s almost doubled. Saskatchewan’s number increased from roughly 1,000 to 10,000 during the same time frame.

Only two provinces’ permanent resident numbers decreased. They are British Columbia and right here in Ontario. I don’t think it takes too much to make a connection between the economy of Ontario currently and in the last number of years compared to other parts of Canada. In the time from 2004 to 2013, Ontario has lost 25,000 permanent residents.

Interjections.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Perhaps the minister needs to listen more and talk less.

What is also sad is the fact that in the breakdown of regions within our province, only four regions saw increases in their permanent resident numbers. This is quite sad.

If we are to further break down these statistics, things get even more dire. If we are to just look at how many of those permanent residents are economic immigrants, which this bill focuses on, the numbers get worse. For example, the number of economic immigrants in Ontario in 2004 was 67,602. In 2013, that number significantly declined: It was 47,623. That’s a 20,000-person drop. I consider that disappointing to say the least.

Let’s compare these numbers to the western provinces where we continue hearing stories about them taking away our Ontario-trained skilled workers. Manitoba, in 2003, had 4,999 economic immigrants; that number grew to 9,602 in 2013. That means it almost doubled, for those who can’t do the numbers. Saskatchewan had a meagre 883 economic immigrants in 2004. In 2013, they had a whopping total of 8,812. That is an astonishing increase for Saskatchewan. In 2004, Alberta had 8,742 economic immigrants. In 2013, they had 22,645 economic immigrants.

There’s another interesting statistic. TD Economics performed a study looking into interprovincial migration. This bill is obviously referencing immigration from outside Canada into Canada, but I think this stat paints more of a complete picture. TD Economics performed a study looking into interprovincial migration, and guess what? Ontario lost roughly 18,000 individuals to other provinces in 2012. Alberta gained roughly 47,000 individuals from other provinces. Saskatchewan gained another 2,500 individuals from other provinces. The proof is in the pudding. Economics absolutely plays a crucial

part in why these two provinces have gained so many individuals from other provinces across Canada.

The study by TD Economics states, “Drawing Canadians to their province is not a new phenomenon for these two prairie provinces. Saskatchewan has been a net beneficiary from interprovincial flows since 2007, while Alberta has not experienced a net loss since 1994. Both provinces have posted the strongest recovery since the recession and exhibit the tightest labour markets, so it is no surprise that they demonstrate the strongest lure for other Canadians. The unemployment rates in these provinces are the lowest in Canada and act a signal to potential entrance to their labour force. Further, real per capita incomes are higher in both provinces relative to the rest of Canada.”

The study’s sum-up of these two provinces was, “Alberta and Saskatchewan are likely to continue to lead the pack in terms of net inflows of migrants across Canada and within Canada, as both resource-rich provincial economies are expected to outperform the rest of Canada.”

This government cannot continue to ignore the importance of having a strong economy. In 2012, the Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants produced a survey on the services aiding immigrants in Ontario. In it, there are some facts that bear out what we’ve been discussing here. Some 80% of new Canadians in Ontario stay in their first city of residence. However, of the 20% who relocate from their first city of residence, the largest percentage do so because they’re seeking better employment opportunities—not a surprise to you, I’m sure, Speaker.

I think the numbers speak for themselves. Here in Ontario, the opportunities simply don’t exist that once did. Our attraction to immigrants and migrants and our economic success are linked together, whether you like it or not.

If we want to stop our population from leaving our province, then we must return to being the economic engine of Canada. But as long as our economy is controlled by a government that is not keeping its eye on the ball, I have little confidence that we will ever return to our once-proud status as the economic engine of Canada.

When we were prosperous, not so long ago, we were attracting more new Canadians to Ontario. The finance minister’s own numbers bear this out. From 1997 until approximately 2002, this province experienced one of the greatest booms in immigration that we’ve seen in the last 40 years. It also happened to coincide with one of the greatest periods of economic prosperity this province has seen in that same time frame. It was a time when the Progressive Conservative government created a million jobs in Ontario. No wonder we continue to hear stories of individuals leaving our province to go west.

The worst part of it is it’s skilled young workers who are leaving our province. As noted in the study when they say that “migrants tend to be younger, well-educated and highly skilled,” we’re losing the cream of the crop, Speaker.

I also want to mention one more interesting finding from the TD Economics study. They said, “As populations permanently move to different regions, their tax revenues that follow them can be counted on to bolster their new government coffers.”

The reason I wanted to mention this is because, as we heard during the recent fall economic statement this fall, this government reported that their revenue projections were off by half a billion dollars and resulted in lower projections for the next three years. I’m not saying that this is the reason for this massive miscalculation. But I do think it is something worth looking at more closely.

This government has mismanaged our province’s immigration policy for a decade, when it could have been working with the federal government to ensure Ontario’s economic needs were met by new Canadians.

In regard to the provincial nominee program in Ontario, many of Ontario’s nominees leave Ontario for the western provinces after a number of years because of Ontario’s poor economic climate. As a result, Ontario’s allotment of spots remains stuck at 2,500,

whereas Alberta and Saskatchewan have 5,000 spots available.

Minister, if the truth hurts, you’d better listen to it.

The government has brought forward this legislation because the federal government forced their hand with the introduction of the 2015 expression-of-interest policy.

Let’s take a moment to discuss what this bill will do.

Bill 49 will allow the Lieutenant Governor in Council, through regulation, to create a registry for employers to select foreign nationals who have been selected for a selection process. We’re back to that old “by regulation” trick again, where we won’t be participating in any kind of public debate or discussion on which employers, which parts of the economy, need the assistance and will benefit from new immigration.

An employer who wants to participate in a selection program must sign up for the newly created registry, unless stated in the regulations.

The minister may establish a fee for employers to pay to sign up and participate in the newly created registry and selection process.

This part of the bill provides the minister with the power to use any information provided by the employer, given to the registry, to be used as deemed fit by the minister.

I want to say, Speaker, at this point, that I always get concerned when it’s governments picking and choosing. Historically—and I’m not picking on any political affiliation of a government—when governments get involved in picking and choosing who gets the additional immigration employees, we don’t do a very good job of it. It’s actually not our responsibility. When we try to do that, we can get caught.

The minister is also granted the power to distribute the information provided by the registered employers to other provinces, territories and the federal government, if it is deemed fit by the minister.

We’re giving a lot of power to one person.

The minister will also establish the conditions to sign up to the registry. The minister can also cancel the registration of an employer if the minister believes it gives incorrect information or does not comply with the conditions of the registry. The minister only has to provide a written letter to the employer of the cancellation. Where is the right of appeal there, Speaker?

This part of the bill was created to make the province compliant with the federal government’s 2015 expression-of-interest policy. In addition, it is also in keeping with the recommendation made by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to enable employers and immigration consultants to navigate the EOI system.

Another important part of Bill 49 is that it will establish a provincial immigration selection process, in keeping with the development of the 2015 expression-of-interest regulations.

This part of the bill acknowledges that this program can only take effect through an agreement with the federal government, as stated in the federal legislation, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, which authorizes the provincial government to create and/or continue a selection program. There are similar agreements in existence in provinces like Manitoba and British Columbia, while no such agreement currently exists in Ontario. As no agreement exists with the federal government, this provision is largely in anticipation of the federal government’s new immigration strategy in 2015. A selection program cannot exist if it is not authorized by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Another part of Bill 49 will create enforcement and compliance officers, to ensure employers and international job recruits are not providing false information. They will be able to access fines and penalties. This part of the bill is for fraud prevention purposes.

The ministry has suggested—sorry, Speaker. You look like you’re going to stop me.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you.

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): This House stands recessed until 10:30 a.m.

The House recessed from 1014 to 1030.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to introduce, in the public gallery, some constituents of mine: Elizabeth Davis-Dagg; and Selena Campbell, with her children LeRoy Campbell and Debbie Campbell. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It’s my pleasure to welcome to the Legislature the family of Bhutila Karpoche, who works in Cheri DiNovo’s office: Lobsang Chozin, Kari Khedup, Sonam Youngdon and Tenzin Dhakden. Welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. Granville Anderson: It’s my pleasure to introduce the mother of page Hannah Hamilton; her grandmother, Dianne Mott; her sister, Sophie Hamilton; and her brother, Jake Hamilton. Welcome.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It’s my pleasure today to introduce to this assembly two of my friends, Hanif Patni of Ottawa and Kristine Hubbard of Toronto. They’re not quite in the gallery at the moment, but they are here today to talk about passenger safety in taxicabs.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I rise on a point of order to seek unanimous consent that the orders for second reading and third reading of Bill 16,

An Act to proclaim Christmas Tree Day, be called immediately and the questions on the motions for second and third reading of the bill be put immediately without debate or amendment; and that the order of the House referring Bill 28,

An Act to proclaim the month of October as Hispanic Heritage Month, to the Standing Committee on Social Policy be discharged; and the order for third reading of the bill be called immediately, and that—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): I would say to the member that I’d like to finish introductions. If we could correct the clock in any way possible.

The Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Jeff Leal: It’s a real pleasure for me to introduce some folks in the members’ west gallery: Atul Swarup; his daughter, Lauren Van Leeuwen; and Sarah-Sophie Dahl, who is an exchange student from Denmark, here in Ontario with the Peterborough Rotary Club. It’s an opportunity for her to see question period and parliamentary democracy here in the province of Ontario.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I have a few introductions. Susie Matthias and Shelly Ireland from London, Ontario, are joining us today, and Judith Robert from Toronto.

I’d also like to welcome Smokey Thomas and Doug Evetts to the Legislature. Good morning.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to introduce some of my constituents: the mayor of French River, Claude Bouffard; Sébastien Goyer, the CEO of French River and my Liberal candidate in the last election; and Michelle Clark.

Hon. Mario Sergio: We have 43 students visiting the Legislature today from James Cardinal McGuigan Catholic High School with their teacher, Joseph Pulcini, the department head of Canadian and world studies. I would like to welcome them, and I hope that they will enjoy the day at Queen’s Park.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It’s my pleasure to introduce and welcome Warren “Smokey” Thomas, the president of OPSEU, as well as Doug Evetts, his assistant.

Mr. Harinder S. Takhar: I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the grade 10 students and staff from Erindale Secondary School. They are visiting the Legislature today. They’re not here yet, but they will be here soon.

Erindale Secondary School was a recent recipient of a 2013-14 Premier’s Award for Accepting Schools, so I want to congratulate them and welcome them to the Legislature as well.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I would like to introduce, in the press gallery here with us today, Isabel Alves, from Sol Português, a wonderful newspaper in my riding of Davenport. Welcome, Isabel.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I am delighted to welcome today two students who live in London West and attend Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School in London: Brienna French and Lena Gahwi, who are volunteering in my constituency office.

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: I would like to introduce Dann Michols, chair of the board of directors of one of the four UNESCO biosphere reserves in Ontario, the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Network; and Louise Mantha, his wife. She is on the board, responsible for the arts portfolio, and they are both involved in the Rotary. I applaud them for their wonderful volunteerism.

Rano Daoud is also sitting in our members’ gallery. He’s the president of the Frontenac provincial riding association. His wife, Stephanie, has just completed, half an hour ago, her last test to be a licensed and registered psychologist. They are both from my riding, and I welcome them warmly to the chamber.

Hon. Michael Coteau: Joining us from Don Valley East here today is Arnella Csongradi. Welcome to the Legislature.

Also joining us at the Legislature today are about 100 volunteers and the volunteer ambassador for the Pan/Parapan Am Games, Pinball Clemons, who is here today. I want to say thank you to the volunteers who are here supporting the Pan Am Games.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Joining us here today in the public gallery is a parent of Nick Zalewski, one of our pages: his mother, Catherine O’Halloran. Welcome.

Wearing of buttons

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Mr. Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to allow members to wear red rose buttons in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. December 6 marks 25 years since the 1989 murders of 14 young women at École Polytechnique de Montréal.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The Minister of Community and Social Services has requested unanimous consent to wear buttons. Agreed? Agreed.

Anniversary of Montreal massacre

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I seek unanimous consent for a moment of silence in commemoration of the Montreal massacre.

This Saturday actually marks the 25th anniversary of the murder of 14 women at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, and as the minister has mentioned, it also marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. In light of this, I think it’s appropriate for us to rise in this Legislature for a moment of silence and observance.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The leader of the third party has requested unanimous consent to recognize a moment of silence for the massacre in Montreal. Agreed? Agreed.

I’d ask everyone to rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: Point of order.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Point of order, the member for Davenport.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I seek unanimous consent to put a motion without notice for Bill 16 and Bill 28.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member has requested unanimous consent to put a motion on Bill 16 and Bill 28. Agreed? I heard a no.

Oral Questions

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development. I think I’ll ask to stand down the lead question until the minister arrives. Agreed?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The leader of the loyal opposition has requested to stand down his lead. I move to the leader of the third party.

Social Assistance Management System

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Acting Premier. The Liberals don’t seem to believe that people aren’t getting their money. The minister says she’s finding it difficult to validate these anecdotes. Here’s a validation for her: Leanne Chard’s son has a disability and he relies on ODSP to pay his bills. When his cheque didn’t arrive, Leanne looked into the issue. She was told her son was removed from the system and Leanne, as her son’s trustee, was also removed from the system. Leanne called the Liberal constituency office of her MPP and was given the cold shoulder.

Will the Liberals admit that these problems are real and actually start fixing them?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: As I think everyone in this House knows, we are doing the very important work of replacing an old, outdated system that did not serve clients well, nor was it the best system for the workers. As we’re in this transition period, I want to say thank you to those front-line workers who are working very, very hard to fix any problems as they arise. I also want people who are recipients of social assistance to know that we are absolutely committed to making sure they get the cheques that they are, in fact, entitled to.

I do want to comment: Additional staff have been sent to local offices; people are working around the clock to fix any problems, and we’ve had great success. In fact, within 24 hours, 99% of the overpayments were stopped or retracted. This is a system that has worked in Australia, the UK, New Zealand, Germany and New York City. I know the minister will want to address any supplementary questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Leanne’s son’s next cheque is actually due on December 22, and she’s worried that if there’s another round of problems there will be nobody for her to call over the holidays.

Can the Liberals guarantee that this problem is solved and that there won’t be any late cheques in December?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I want to reassure all members of this House that we take our jobs in the Ministry of Community and Social Services extremely seriously. The welfare of vulnerable people is our number one concern. I have been asking searching questions of my officials, I’ve been calling mayors; I want to hear about those vulnerable people who have, unfortunately, not received the appropriate payment to which they are entitled. It is this type of hands-on approach that I’m personally taking to this issue, and I want to hear everything that I need to hear in order to ensure that the December round of cheques is, in fact, successful.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The minister should tell her MPPs that she wants to hear the stories, because Leanne went to her MPP, a Liberal MPP, and was given the cold shoulder when her story was shared. The minister needs to actually tell her MPPs to do their job. Leanne is worried that her problem won’t be solved and, frankly, I am worried too.

Since this program launched, we’re told that nearly 10,000 separate incident reports have been created, and hundreds more are being created by the day—incident reports because there have been problems with the cheques. Now, that says to me that the problem still has not been fixed. Can the Liberals give any guarantees whatsoever to the thousands of vulnerable Ontarians who rely on ODSP and social assistance that their next cheques are actually going to be in the mail and delivered on time?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I do want to reassure the leader of the third party that we have put in a very strong support strategy for our front-line workers to troubleshoot issues that may be arising from the new system.

Since the SAMS launch, my ministry has also put in place dedicated phone lines and email addresses for areas that are particularly challenging for staff, so they have direct access to support staff. There are some 42 additional staff in the field. Any area office that is having specific differences, we will send committed individuals to that office. So anybody, in terms of our municipal partners, ODSP officers requesting that kind of additional support, they’re going to be getting that. We are, of course, in daily contact with all our partners. I’m getting reports on an ongoing basis in terms of the issues locally.

Again, we urge any person who has an issue with their payment to contact their caseworker, and we will make every effort to rectify the problem.

Social Assistance Management System

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is for the Acting Premier. Yesterday, we asked for the contract that the Liberals signed with IBM for the deeply flawed SAMS program, but we didn’t get it. So I’m going to try again. Will the Liberals release the contract with IBM that left people across Ontario without the social assistance and ODSP they rely on?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Again, clearly hearing the comments made yesterday, I think we’re all aware that there is a process in terms of document release. I have looked into this, and of course we wish to be open and transparent. So we are going to be following the type of process that is required in this type of contractual relationship between a private company and the government. There may be some proprietary commercially sensitive information in the contract. The process will be followed. If there is a formal document request, I certainly won’t interfere with that process.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The government confirmed that Ontario is getting private sector IT support for the massive problems with this SAMS program. When there’s a problem with the software, Ontarians deserve to know who is actually paying to fix it. Either IBM has to fix the problem or we’re paying out of pocket to fix their faulty product. Will the Liberals release the contract so we can see which one of these it is?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I have been informed that the issue of transition was addressed in the contract and that our private sector partners are covering all the costs of the transition support that is required for the front line through the requirements of the contract.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Liberals were warned that this computer system was not ready and would likely have massive problems. In fact, the people who warned them are right here in this House with us today. They ignored the advice, and now vulnerable Ontarians are the ones who are having to pay the price.

Ontarians have the right to know who is paying for that decision. Will the Deputy Premier, the minister responsible for transparency, live up to that mandate and actually release the contract?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Well, Mr. Speaker, I can simply repeat what I’ve said before. There’s a process in terms of release of this type of information. I will not interfere in any way with that process. I will encourage that process to take place. Clearly, this type of information may contain some commercially sensitive information, and I think everyone needs to respect that.

I want to just make it very clear that job one in our ministry is to ensure that all vulnerable people are appropriately taken care of—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Stop the clock. I’m trying my best to listen to the answer, but with the interruptions on my left, it’s a little difficult.

Mr. John Yakabuski: You’re not going to learn much from the answer.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, I don’t need your comments.

Minister?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I simply would like to reassure everyone yet again that our job is to ensure that cheques are delivered smoothly. Every effort is being taken to ensure that the next cheque run will go well. People are working constantly in this regard. We have the support of our private sector partners—IBM—in this endeavour, and we want to assure everyone that we are following due process.

Automotive industry

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. Ontario’s auto sector is the backbone of communities throughout our province. We all know the hard work and tremendous pride that auto workers put into their jobs. That’s why it’s so alarming to hear union and auto industry executives raise concerns about the troubled state of General Motors’ Canadian operations. Next year, for example, Chevrolet Camaro production stops in Oshawa altogether and will move to Lansing, Michigan. In 2016—just a year and a half from now—one of the two assembly plants in Oshawa is scheduled to close.

A shutdown of Oshawa would result in nearly 3,600 jobs lost. Minister, what action is your government taking to stop the shutdown of auto production in Oshawa, Ontario?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, let me tell you right off the bat what we’re not going to do—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Stop the clock. The members closest to me on my left: It’s very difficult for me to carry on if you keep trying to shout down the person who’s answering. Next time, you’ll be named.

Minister?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, let me tell you right off the bat what we’re not going to do. We’re not going to do what the PC Party did. At the earliest sign of trouble in the auto sector during the recession, they ran and hid. They failed to stand up for the auto sector.

We partnered with the federal government to make sure that GM is even here today, because had we not done that, had we taken the advice of the party opposite, we would not have an auto sector like we have today here in the province of Ontario—an auto sector that employs over 400,000 Ontarians.

The member raises some valid concerns. We are looking carefully at the future of GM in Oshawa. In my supplementary, I’ll talk a little bit more about the optimism of the new president of GM with regard to their investments in Ontario.

Mr. Jim Wilson: Minister, these aren’t meant to be hard-hitting partisan questions. This is meant to stand up for the hard-working men and women in our auto sector.

Other jurisdictions, as you know, are taking urgent action to strengthen their auto sectors for the 21st-century marketplace. In 2013, Michigan’s governor created the Michigan automotive office. This office is headed by an experienced industry professional who reports directly to the governor. That’s how seriously Michigan takes its auto industry, so it’s not surprising that Oshawa’s Chevrolet Camaro is moving to Lansing, Michigan.

The Michigan automotive office has issued a 30-year strategic plan to grow the state’s automotive industry base. Minister, I just ask you: Where is your long-term plan to grow Ontario’s automotive base?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, let me talk about the investments this government has made, over the objections of the party opposite, to grow our economic base in the auto sector: $800 million of investment we have invested in the last 10 years. We’ve gotten back $10 billion of investment made by auto companies here in the province of Ontario for investments that the party opposite refers to as “corporate welfare.”

Shame on you. Shame on the party opposite to get up today, a party that does not support any support that we’ve given to the auto sector, any support that we’ve given to the hard-working men and women—400,000 strong—who have jobs in this sector. Mr. Speaker, they’ve opposed us every step of the way.

We’ll continue to work with the auto sector in this province, we will continue to work with the companies, we will continue to make those important investments, and we will continue to have a strong auto sector here in the province of Ontario.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. Jim Wilson: Well, Mr. Speaker, the minister can be partisan and get in a bickering match with us, I suppose. That’s not going to help the workers who are depending on his government to do the right thing.

Obviously, what you’re doing isn’t working, Minister. GM is leaving. The plans are on the table. The warning signs are there. So what you’re doing isn’t working.

In Michigan, they don’t just throw billions of dollars after billions of dollars. They have a seven-point plan that doesn’t involve money. It involves marketing, strategic branding, talent development and attracting new talent, engineering networks, policy and legislative advice to the government, business development advice, working collaboratively with the government, capital attraction and development. These are things that don’t cost billions of dollars.

You raise electricity rates, slap on the red tape, put up the taxes and then throw in billions of dollars to correct your mistakes. It’s not working. When are you going to come up with a 30-year plan that works?

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Sit down, please.

Minister.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I know why the party opposite so admires the administration in Michigan: They’re a right-to-work state. That’s why they like the state of Michigan. You know what else, Mr. Speaker? They have an $8 minimum wage in Michigan. I know that party would love to bring our minimum wage down to $8, but get this, Mr. Speaker: They also have a lack of support for maternity leave in Michigan. That’s the kind of administration they want to run.

That’s not the kind of province we’re building here in Ontario. We support our auto workers, and we support our auto—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Sit down, please.

Minister.

Hon. Brad Duguid: We’ll continue to work in partnership with that sector. We’re going to continue to make investments like we made near his riding, in Alliston: a $857-million investment by Honda just a few weeks ago. We will—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Stop the clock. It doesn’t seem as though I’m getting through to some of you. On the government side, Minister of the Environment, you’re the loudest. I would ask you to keep it down.

New question.

Executive compensation

Mr. Bill Walker: My question is to the Minister of Health. Minister, your government has continuously promised to fix the troubled CCACs. We have heard repeatedly of the bloated CCAC CEO executive salaries, which cost us $3.5 million every year. All the while, there are cuts to home care services that are leaving our frail elderly people and people with disabilities in peril. The situation is truly appalling. Minister, can you tell this House how you are going to get these 14 CEO salaries under control so that money can be put back into front-line care?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Over the last number of years, we have been reducing the CCAC CEO salaries considerably. In 2007, they amounted to $5.6 million in total, and in 2012, they were down to $3.6 million. It’s not just the CEO salaries; as well, the proportion of the total CCAC expenses that goes to administrative costs has also declined significantly and is estimated at 4.4% in 2012-13. So they are coming down.

But we also have an important bill before the Legislature, Bill 8, which looks specifically and directly at the issue of executive compensation in the broader public sector. It’s actually going to pertain to our CCACs as well and the salaries of the CEOs and the senior staff there. It’s going to prescribe the parameters going forward in terms of the level of compensation that’s responsible.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Minister, once again, under your Liberal government, patients and front-line care are suffering because you refuse to take action. Why are you abdicating your oversight responsibilities and allowing these salaries to compromise front-line care?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’m taking my responsibility as Minister of Health very, very seriously. I appeal to the opposition—I suspect that we might have the support of the member opposite—to support and pass Bill 8, because that bill does precisely what the member opposite is asking for: It allows us to get access to that information and to prescribe, within certain parameters, what that executive compensation level should be, not just in our CCACs but across the broader public sector.

I look forward to the support of the member opposite. It’s an important bill. We’ve been debating it here in the Legislature. The sooner we get it passed, the sooner we’re going to be able to move further in the direction where we all agree we need to to control executive compensation.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

You use time allocation for lots of other things; why haven’t you used time allocation for this one, Minister? You’ve had weeks and numerous opportunities to do so, yet you continue to allow front-line care to suffer.

Minister, when are you actually going to take action to fix this problem?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: In fact, we have tabled legislation to do precisely what the member is asking for. It’s called Bill 8. In reference to time allocation, as well: We did, so there’s no excuse.

We have the opportunity in this Legislature, in a very short period of time, to pass this important legislation that will do what the member is asking: to provide those parameters, and the direction and the ability for every ministry in this government to oversee, be accountable for, provide direction to, create parameters for and control executive compensation in the broader public sector. I find it unbelievable that the member opposite didn’t know that that legislation already exists.

Government accountability

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Acting Premier. Your government used the dictatorial power of the majority to shut down the justice committee with respect to the inquiry into the gas plant fiasco, denying us the opportunity to interview such key witnesses as Laura Miller and Peter Faist.

But there’s another matter: Going into the election, there was an ongoing OPP criminal investigation into the deletion and destruction of documents within the Office of the Premier of Ontario.

Acting Premier, can you give us an update? Because since the election we’ve heard nothing. Can you give us an update, or have you asked the OPP for an update on that investigation into criminal activity in the Premier’s office?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Government House leader.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I thank the member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke for posing the question, and I want to thank the members of the justice committee, who have been working very hard in completing the work of the justice committee, as was committed by this government.

I’m confident that the members of the justice committee will continue to do the work, make sure that there is a report available based on all the testimonies and evidence that they have heard over the last almost three years, and be able to give recommendations to the government when it comes to the siting of large energy infrastructure projects. We look forward to the committee finishing their work.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Acting Premier, the people of Ontario want to know where this investigation is going. If you haven’t asked the OPP for an update, well, I have. I’ve written a letter to Detective Constable Duval, asking him for an update.

Look: I’d be the last one to ever accuse this government of doing something underhanded, but it might be a little more than coincidental that, since you got your majority, this OPP investigation has gone completely underground. We’re not hearing anything about the criminal investigation into the destruction and deletion of emails within the Office of the Premier of Ontario.

So I’m asking you today: Will you endeavour to get an update from the OPP as to where this criminal investigation is going? Because the people of Ontario want an answer.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Sit down, please.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): If everyone would notice, I am standing and you’re still carrying on.

Government House leader.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I think it would be pretty polite and mild for me to say that the question from the member opposite is fairly absurd. I think he recognizes that there is a live police investigation that is under way and it would be highly inappropriate for any member of this House, especially members of the government, to be speaking about that police investigation. The member is a smart individual. He knows that very clearly. I think the question is highly inappropriate. Nor will we start engaging in the discussion around police investigations, because that is up to the OPP. They’re arm’s-length and independent from the government. We will let them finish their work.

Consumer protection

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Acting Premier. There’s a growing trend for charitable organizations to give out gift cards to clients to help them buy Christmas gifts and groceries for the holidays. Giving gift cards is a more dignified approach to helping these vulnerable people because they don’t have to line up at food banks or at Christmas hamper programs. But there is a grinch out there trying to steal Christmas. Money Mart has piloted an initiative in Hamilton whereby they will redeem these gift cards for cash but only at 50% of the card’s value.

Why does this government allow grinches like Money Mart to steal Christmas from our most vulnerable people in Ontario?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Hon. David Orazietti: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. As the member knows, there are a number of organizations in Ontario that have been regulated by our government. We’ve stepped up to enforce and increase regulations with these organizations. It is an ongoing challenge to ensure that the unscrupulous practices like you’re talking about are—that we ensure that these individuals are put out of business or that there are greater regulations. We’ve increased protections under the Consumer Protection Act. We’ve increased the fines, as well, for organizations and individuals who may conduct business like this.

As you are aware, our ministry did take very significant action to ensure that one of these organizations was put out of business because of their practices.

We are going to continue to be vigilant with respect to these organizations. We will continue to bring forward legislation and change regulations where necessary to ensure that these practices are dealt with.

I’d also indicate to this member that our government has eliminated the expiry dates on prepaid gift cards.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: This is just one of the many areas where we’ve seen time and time again that the Payday Loans Act needs to be tightened up.

Forcing individuals who are already under a great deal of stress during the holidays to pay this extraordinarily high rate for an exchange is simply disgusting. I think everyone in this House agrees that this type of scheme that takes advantage of people who are already so vulnerable, particularly at this time of year, is not acceptable.

Is the minister’s heart two sizes too small, that he won’t ban these exorbitantly high exchange rates that allow payday lenders to take advantage of people like this? Will the minister do something to address this problem so that it doesn’t happen?

Hon. David Orazietti: Absolutely. This is certainly not a partisan issue. I think we all agree that those individuals who are vulnerable and those individuals who may from time to time need to use these organizations to complete financial transactions—we want to ensure that they’re not taken advantage of.

We have a cap on the maximum allowable borrowing rates in Ontario, and they are in about the middle of the range across the country, as the member knows full well. We brought in regulations to tighten up payday lending and deal very aggressively with an organization in this province that was practising beyond the scope of their licence; in other words, taking advantage, quite frankly, of vulnerable residents in the province of Ontario.

We will be responding to this. If the member has any specific information, I would be happy to speak to him about that as we continue to enforce these regulations.

Equal opportunity

Ms. Eleanor McMahon: My question is for the Minister of Finance. On Tuesday you announced that there will be amendments made to Ontario securities laws with a goal of promoting greater representation of women on the boards of publicly traded companies.

My constituents in the riding of Burlington and, indeed, I’m certain all Ontarians are very pleased with this announcement. Studies have shown that greater gender diversity on corporate boards will promote stronger organizational health and improved innovation, leadership growth and performance.

Having been fortunate enough to hold multiple senior-level positions, including those on publicly traded companies, prior to becoming an MPP, I take pride in this measure that our government is implementing. Minister, could you please tell this House why you are taking this important step?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Thank you to the honourable member from Burlington for her very thoughtful question.

You know, Mr. Speaker, women make up 48% of the workforce and yet only account for 16% of board members. Through discussions and surveys conducted by the OSC, we’ve learned that 50% of responding companies have no women directors; moreover, women working at the remaining responding companies only account for 10% of women on senior levels. Further findings tell us that companies with a higher representation of women in executive-level positions experienced 35% higher return on equity and 34% higher total return to shareholders.

I agree with my caucus colleague that greater gender diversity promotes stronger organizational health, innovation, improved leadership and business performance. Mr. Speaker, that’s why we’re calling for this disclosure.

I think most of us in this House agree and recognize the great potential available for all of us by having more women in executive positions, and I am proud that we’re taking these steps.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Ms. Eleanor McMahon: Thank you to the minister for his response.

Research has indeed found that gender diversity in corporate leadership is linked to improved governance and stronger performance in both financial and non-financial measures. We know that increasing the number of women in corporate leadership is good for the economy and good for business. It’s also good for society. That’s why helping women reach their full potential by supporting women in leadership is part of this government’s commitment to creating a strong and fair Ontario.

The minister responsible for women’s issues has noted that this announcement is a critical step towards achieving gender equality across all sectors. Can the minister please tell us how these measures will serve to promote equality in leadership within the corporate world and beyond?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The minister responsible for women’s issues.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: As the Minister of Finance mentioned, women account for only 16% of members of Canada’s FP500 companies, and that hasn’t moved for a very, very long time. So when we tabled the 2013 Ontario budget, it included a commitment to broaden gender diversity in corporate leadership.

Last year, when we asked the Ontario Securities Commission to undertake the review and public consultation on this approach, we felt strongly that this was a policy that would encourage and support firms to increase the representation of women in corporate leadership.

What is quite remarkable and wonderful, Speaker, is that other Canadian regulators are now following Ontario’s lead to comply or explain and are coordinating efforts with our Ontario Securities Commission. I’m very excited about this announcement and the positive change our government’s action will take to bring corporate sector representation of women up higher.

Social Assistance Management System

Mr. Randy Hillier: Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services and outdated excuses. Minister, my office has been inundated—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Order.

I would say to the member that in this Legislature, we have always respected each other and respected their titles. I’d ask you to withdraw.

Mr. Randy Hillier: I withdraw.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you. Carry on.

Mr. Randy Hillier: Minister, my office has been inundated with calls this week after the problems with your new SAMS program were made public. These individuals have told us that the issues with the new software at Ontario Works and ODSP are far greater than your government is letting on.

We have obtained information that many front-line staff are taking stress leave, and, contrary to the earlier statements in the House, they’re not seeing additional staff. They are taking time off due to their inability to help their clients and they are frustrated at not being able to do their job properly.

Minister, how many workers at ODSP and Ontario Works have taken stress leave due to your little glitch?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Certainly I’m delighted to hear that the member opposite is suddenly so concerned about front-line workers. I’m sure that those front-line workers were under considerable distress when your government cut social assistance rates by some 22%.

The member will know that we are supporting in every way those front-line workers. We have put in place hotlines; we have supportive staff to help—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Order. The party that asks the question is the loudest. So obviously you don’t want the answer.

Minister?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I think we need to understand this is a new system. At the end of the day, it will make the system overall much, much better. Caseworkers will be able to spend more time with their clients. We know that they are concerned for their clients. We’re trying to support them in every way that we possibly can through the introduction of this new system.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Minister, at least the Premier has shown the decency to apologize to those who have been affected by these problems and not resorted to deflection in her responses, such as you have just done. It would be nice to see if you would show the same respect and courtesy to those employees.

Not only is the new software proving to be very problematic in the delivery of these services—it’s so stressful that workers are taking time off—but when workers are taking time off due to a broken system, who knows how many other people will be affected by the shortage of front-line caseworkers as a result?

Minister, will you demonstrate transparency, accountability and openness, and a genuine respect for the people of Ontario, and bring yourself and your staff back to the estimates committee? Really, let’s examine this little glitch in far greater detail, instead of just having deflection from this minister.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Of course, as I’ve said before, I truly apologize to those individuals who have suffered hardship through this new computer system. I am working constantly, in terms of hearing from the front lines what those issues are. My ministry is in constant communication with all 257 offices that have had to introduce this very large system.

Certainly, as we work towards the next pay run, and being mindful in fact that the vast majority—some 500,000 people—did receive their payments on time this last pay run, we want to make that 100% this next pay run. There’s no question about it. We are doing everything we can to ensure that that happens. We are offering support to front-line workers. We will be covering overtime costs for those workers, as I’ve assured many of my municipal colleagues. We want to get this right.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-term Care.

This Liberal government has promised again and again to fully inspect every long-term-care home by the end of this year. On April 15, the Deputy Premier said: “I stand by my earlier commitment that every long-term-care home in this province will have had that rigorous quality inspection by the end of this calendar year.” But now, with just days to go, it has been revealed that 60% of long-term-care homes still haven’t been inspected.

Why has this Liberal government broken its promise to protect seniors by failing to inspect each and every long-term-care home before the end of this year?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: To the Associate Minister of Health.

Hon. Dipika Damerla: I thank the member opposite for that question. It’s a very important question.

I want to reassure this House that, indeed, by the end of this month we would have scheduled every last inspection in the long-term-care homes—all 633—and we look forward to completing them very shortly in the new year.

Speaker, the main thing is the intent. If I may say this, the main thing here is we didn’t want to just do them for the sake of doing them; we wanted to make sure we got it right. So, yes, they will be completed by the middle of January, and they will all be scheduled by the end of this month.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Scheduling inspections by the end of the year is not the same as was originally promised by the Deputy Premier, who said that in this province we will have had the rigorous quality inspections by the end of this year. That’s a promise.

Speaker, it’s outrageous that this government has dropped the ball and failed to conduct a resident quality inspection in 60% of long-term-care homes. That means seniors and their families don’t have the protection this government promised.

But we know that when Liberals break a promise, they try to change the promise and hope no one notices. So on Tuesday—and it is apropos that the minister is responding to the supplementary—of this week, the associate minister backtracked as fast as she could and promised to

schedule every inspection by the end of the year. That’s a far cry from the Deputy Premier’s assurances that these inspections would be completed this year. I understand that there was an FOI, so maybe that’s why the backtracking this year.

Will the government own up to this broken promise and tell Ontarians that long-term-care residents’ homes will be inspected—and assure the families that 60% of homes will have been inspected by the end of this year?

Hon. Dipika Damerla: I guess the member opposite didn’t listen to my answer, because if she had listened to my answer—

Interjections.

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: Order.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: It’s unfortunate that we heard it.

Hon. Dipika Damerla: Well, there’s a difference between hearing and listening.

If you had just understood my answer—

Interjections.

Hon. Dipika Damerla: I just want to say that by the middle of January, every last inspection will be done. There’s a holiday season, and that is the reason. But the spirit is being respected.

Volunteers

Mr. Joe Dickson: My question is for the Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade. Minister, today is International Volunteer Day, our annual opportunity to thank those who have donated their time in an effort to better their communities. Ontario depends on not-for-profit organizations and their volunteers to deliver vital services and build strong, inclusive communities.

In my riding of Ajax–Pickering, a large number of constituents rely on volunteer services for after-school programs, religious services, many athletic clubs and organizations, seniors’ programs and much more.

It is very important to my constituents, and all Ontarians, that volunteer programs like these are safeguarded. Could the minister tell us how the government of Ontario is supporting our volunteer initiatives across the province of Ontario?

Hon. Michael Chan: I want to thank the honourable member from Ajax–Pickering for asking the question.

Speaker, International Volunteer Day is a great opportunity to recognize and to say thank you to the dedicated volunteers who help make Ontario great. Our government supports a number of programs to help encourage and promote volunteerism in Ontario. We know it is equally important to support activities that broaden understanding about volunteering in Ontario.

That is why, as part of the province’s legacy plan for the Pan/Parapan American Games, our ministry will be working with the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network to create a certification program that recognizes skills acquired through a volunteer placement.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. Joe Dickson: Thank you to the minister for letting us know about absolutely everything, including how our government is encouraging volunteerism in our province.

I’m happy to hear that the Pan Am volunteers will receive certification for their hard work at the games. Over 10,000 athletes and officials from 41 countries will be coming to our province next summer, and the eyes of the world will be on Ontario. The volunteers will be the backbone of the games, instrumental to delivering successful games. Volunteering is going to be a great experience.

Volunteers will have the opportunity to make friends from around the world, learn new skills and make a positive impact on their communities. I’m happy to believe that their hard work will be recognized by an official certification.

Could the minister please tell the members of this House—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Thank you.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): There are several conversations going on in the House while the questions are being asked. I would ask those members to take it outside.

Minister?

Hon. Michael Chan: For the sake of absolutely everything, I want to refer it to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and also the minister responsible for the Pan and Parapan American Games.

Hon. Michael Coteau: I want to start by thanking the volunteers who are with us here today. I know when I thank them—

Applause.

Hon. Michael Coteau: One of the greatest legacies of these games is our volunteers and the skills that they’ll be able to acquire during the games. In fact, they’ll be able to take those skills and transfer them to other not-for-profit work, volunteerism and of course employment.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): I just want to remind the gallery: We do love you being here, but you’re not allowed to participate in the debate by cheering or clapping. I’d ask you to keep order.

Municipalities

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): New question, the member from—

Interjections: Elgin–Middlesex–London.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: You used to be the only one to get it right.

My question is to the Minister of Rural Affairs. Since being elected, I have continually heard from my rural municipal leaders about the challenges with the unpredictable and declining Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund. This year, my upper- and lower-tier municipalities will see a 20% cut in their OMPF funding for the upcoming year, money that could go to critical infrastructure projects.

I find it interesting that the government website states that the 2015 OMPF funding has been designed to increase targeted support to those municipalities with the most challenging fiscal circumstances. Southwold, in my riding, lost over 50% of their tax base when Ford closed, and as a result the local council has announced that taxes will rise by 45% over the next three years. However, their OMPF funding was also cut 20%.

Minister, how do you define “challenging fiscal circumstances”? Is it your plan to balance the budget on the backs of rural municipalities?

Hon. Jeff Leal: This is an interesting question. It’s interesting from the perspective of the party who downloaded, who had an exercise called Who Does What, which became the “Who got done in” exercise. Municipalities got done in; that’s the history of the party opposite.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Order.

Hon. Jeff Leal: Let me continue, Mr. Speaker. Through extensive consultation with ROMA, the Rural Ontario Municipal Association, and the Ontario municipal association, we’ve gone to a formula now of $15 billion, that provides a set amount every year to municipalities right across the province of Ontario. This is something that municipalities asked for; this is something that we deliver for municipalities. It makes sense. It’s a good program. It addresses critical infrastructure needs—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Answer.

Hon. Jeff Leal: —municipalities right across Ontario.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Minister, you’re talking about policies and decisions made over 15 years ago, and since then you’ve done nothing to correct them. It’s reflected in the election: We are the voice of rural Ontario, on this side of the House. You’ve got to start listening.

Your government has mismanaged taxpayers’ money for over a decade, and rural municipalities and their residents are paying for it. Under your government, my riding has lost over 6,000 manufacturing jobs and an enormous amount of tax base for my municipalities. Yet, your government continues to cut the OMPF funding.

My rural municipalities do not receive any of the gas tax money, but would like access to it in order to deal with their enormous infrastructure deficits. Rural municipalities in my riding would like to see a three-to-five year projection of their individual OMPF funding allocations so they can prepare their budgets accordingly.

Minister, you’re either not standing up for rural Ontario in cabinet or you’re being completely ignored. Which is it?

Hon. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, back in 2008, the then Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the wonderful mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, negotiated an unprecedented deal for uploading the services right across Ontario. The services that this party downloaded during their time in government effectively crippled municipal finances right across the province of Ontario.

Interjection.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, come to order.

Hon. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, our government has listened to municipalities through the 2015 program. We will continue to recognize the challenges of northern and rural municipalities, and better target those with challenging fiscal circumstances. That’s why this year the province will be providing $515 million to 388 municipalities across this province.

Our government has a record of helping municipalities right across Ontario, in comparison to the—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Sit down, please. The member for Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, you’re warned.

New question.

Children’s services

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Minister, this week, we heard yet another deeply disturbing story of a family being torn apart due to the inadequate developmental services available for children in Ontario. Nine-year-old Niko Leduc suffers from a severe case of reactive detachment disorder, which causes him to be extremely violent and act out self-destructively. Due to the extremely serious nature of his problems, there is nowhere even close to his Greater Sudbury home that can provide the intensive treatment he needs. Niko’s mother, Dr.

Nicole Desmarais, has been told that the only way her son can get the care he needs is by making him a crown ward.

Minister, do you believe taking this child away from his mother is an acceptable response to the plight of his family?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I want to thank the member opposite for the question. As she knows, I can’t discuss the specifics of cases, but I’m always happy to talk with her generally about what we’re doing both in developmental services for children and child welfare. On the developmental services front, there have been a number of investments made. In fact, an additional $5 million this year to reduce wait-lists—

Interjections.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: —$5 million this year, Speaker, to reduce wait-lists for different services, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy. These new investments will bring the total for children’s rehab services to $104 million.

Speaker, I know that the member opposite is very interested in the work of our children’s aid societies. They do an excellent job each and every day protecting the safety and security of our children, and I welcome further question in the supplementary.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: Speaker, first, I would like to remind this minister of a report from the Ombudsman, in May 2005, called Between a Rock and a Hard Place. Where are families supposed to go? This is absolutely unacceptable.

Niko is scheduled to come home tomorrow with absolutely no supports. This family is up against a brick wall now. Their son desperately needs specialized care, but he also relies on the loving attention of his mother.

If a child with a physical impairment required treatment, we wouldn’t dream of making that child a crown ward. Why is a child with mental health problems treated differently? Does the minister believe that children who need mental health treatment should be treated the same as children with physical health challenges and have the ongoing support of their family?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Speaker, I absolutely believe that children and youth with mental health issues should be treated in as timely and as accessible a way as other persons with illnesses and injuries. That’s why I recently announced the creation of 14 children’s mental health lead agencies across the province to coordinate those programs and services, so that families and children can go to one place to get the services in the community that they need.

We know that 70% of mental health issues start in childhood and adolescence. We know that one in five adults has a mental health issue. Our investments in our comprehensive mental health program are extensive—

Interjection.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Hamilton Mountain, come to order.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: —and the lead agencies I’ve announced are going to be coordinating that service, helping families navigate.

Next year, I will be announcing more lead agencies, for a total of 34 lead agencies across the province of Ontario.

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Stop the clock. Sit down, please.

Miss Monique Taylor: Shame on you. What if it was your child?

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Hamilton Mountain, you are now warned.

New question.

Violence against women

Mrs. Cristina Martins: My question is for the minister responsible for women’s issues. December 6 is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. This day was established by Canada’s Parliament in 1991 to ensure that Canadians would never forget the tragic deaths of 14 young women who were murdered at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal on December 6, 1989. As we mourn the loss of these women today, we are also reminded of all women and girls for whom violence and the threat of violence are daily realities.

Minister, the Premier has placed upon your directorate the responsibility for continuing the work of leading our government’s efforts to prevent gender-based violence, with the goal of an Ontario where all women live free from the threat, fear or experience of violence. What initiatives has your directorate implemented to raise awareness of violence against women, strengthen support for victims and focus on prevention?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I want to thank the member from Davenport for raising this very important issue and raising awareness on this important day. As I’ve talked about before in this House, our government has increased funding for community services that help deal with domestic violence. That increase has been 55% since 2003, and we actually began these investments at a time when the former government was cutting services, such as to women’s shelters. In 2013-14, we’re investing $142 million into these very important services.

I was with the Premier this morning to announce a package of initiatives to raise awareness of sexual violence and harassment; to enhance prevention initiatives to combat sexual discrimination, harassment and violence; and to improve support for victims of sexual assault and harassment. We remain very much committed to an Ontario free of domestic violence and sexual violence, because we believe that every woman has a right to feel safe and secure, wherever they may be.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Supplementary?

Mrs. Cristina Martins: Thank you, Minister. I think this government has demonstrated that women and their children in crisis are a priority. Recently, there has been a very bright light shone on the importance of supporting women suffering from abuse and harassment, but the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women reminds us that this is a difficult problem that has been troubling society and its victims for a very long time.

Constituents in my riding of Davenport and advocates have expressed interest in knowing exactly how the government is addressing the needs of women and children at risk. Minister, could you please explain what services and supports are available to women and their children suffering from threats of domestic violence and abuse?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: As recognized by the minister responsible for women’s issues, and through the leadership of our Premier, supporting women who have suffered from sexual and domestic violence is very important to our government. We fund over 200 agencies across the province dedicated to assisting women experiencing violence. In the last year, over 18,000 women and children were served at one of the 96 emergency shelters funded by the government.

Over 49,000 women and children visited one of the 177 government-funded counselling agencies that provide crisis/support counselling, sexual assault counselling and long-term therapeutic counselling. Over 55,000 calls from women in need were answered by one of the provincial crisis helplines that are available 24/7.

As we reflect on the unfortunate examples of domestic and sexual violence and from my conversations with the staff of these hard-working agencies, we understand the impact these support services can have on an individual’s life and the need for our work to continue.

Fire safety

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Fire Chief Cynthia Ross Tustin of the Essa fire department from my riding of Simcoe–Grey is Ontario’s leading voice in support of the rural residential spri