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July 16, 2014

41st Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2014-Jul-16 (PDF)

L009 - Wed 16 Jul 2014 / Mer 16 jui 2014

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Wednesday 16 July 2014 Mercredi 16 juillet 2014

ORDERS OF THE DAY

2014 Ontario budget

Introduction of Visitors

Oral Questions

Privatization of public services

Public transit

Privatization of public services

Ontario budget

Correctional services

Automobile insurance

Affordable housing

Services for the developmentally disabled

Pension plans

Public transit

Manufacturing jobs

Public transit

Aboriginal economic development

Skilled trades

Workplace safety

Visitors

Deferred Votes

2014 Ontario budget

Members’ Statements

Lyme disease

Member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek

Waterloo Regional Police Service

Wheatley Fish Festival

Essex Memorial Spitfire group

Anna Desmarais

Health care

BIG on Bloor Festival

Boots and Hearts Music Festival

Introduction of Bills

Christmas Tree Day Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur le Jour de l’arbre de Noël

Protecting Child Performers Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur la protection des enfants artistes

Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014 / Loi de 2014 sur l’amélioration du lieu de travail au service d’une économie plus forte

Ombudsman Amendment Act (Investigation of Health Care Services), 2014 / Loi de 2014 modifiant la

Loi sur l’ombudsman (enquêtes sur les services de soins de santé)

Motions

Committee membership and sittings

Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Private members’ public business

Petitions

Ontario College of Trades

Ontario Ranger Program

LCBO outlet

Diagnostic services

Physiotherapy services

Government services

Credit unions

Gasoline prices

Lyme disease

Off-road vehicles

Credit unions

Dental care

Tire disposal

Orders of the Day

Building Opportunity and Securing Our Future Act (Budget Measures), 2014 / Loi de 2014 ouvrant des perspectives et assurant notre avenir (mesures budgétaires)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

2014 Ontario budget

Resuming the debate adjourned on July 15, 2014, on the motion that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

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

Ms. Catherine Fife: It is a pleasure for me to stand up to discuss the budget motion and pull back the layers on this budget. I think it’s important to acknowledge that all of us in this House want the best for Ontario. We have a shared purpose and a shared responsibility to build up this province. We have very different ideas of how to do that, though. I think that that is very clear when you do a further examination of the budget that was put forward by the Liberal government.

My role as finance critic and as critic for the Treasury Board is unique. I have to tell you I’m already really enjoying it, and it’s going to be especially interesting for me to follow the minister of savings, otherwise known as the President of the Treasury Board, to see where this government is looking to find savings and find efficiencies, and, quite honestly, to make sure that those findings don’t hurt the people of this province.

I think if you have an open mind, if you look at this budget in its fullness, you will see that it is not the path to actually build up this province. In fact, after year one and after some 70 promises, you will see, as anybody would if they looked on page 244, it clearly indicates that there will be a 6% cut to program spending. This is indeed of great concern to us on this side of the House, especially because the government has not been fully clear on where those cuts will happen, which programs will be cut and who will be most affected.

I also think it’s important for us to have an honest conversation about what the purpose of a budget is. There are some people who feel strongly that budgets are actually moral documents: They tell the story of our priorities; they tell the story of our values and of our principles; they indicate, or they should reflect, the priorities of the people we serve. I think that for a lot of people, actually, a lot of citizens, this is the time when they pay the closest attention to government. Sometimes there’s a lot of noise, especially around an election.

There was a lot of rhetoric, there was a lot of noise around the election this time, and I think right now they’re actually just getting their first look, their first real look, at the facts of this budget. I think they will see that their priorities around job creation, around affordability, around fairness and around justice are not reflected in this budget.

I also think it’s really important to acknowledge that fear was a dominant emotion. Actually, I want to commend the interim leader of the PC caucus for being up front and stating what happened and what their role was in the derailment, if you will, of this election. Certainly, as I knocked on the 12,000 doors, I heard very strongly that fear was the dominant emotion, and it’s a very powerful emotion. I want to put that on the record.

When you look at this budget, though, you can see that affordability is truly not a priority, that fairness is not a priority. Certainly, once you move past year one—because it’s important to acknowledge that there was an extra $3.4 billion in promises contained within this budget over the 2013 one. We’re going to have to see how that plays itself out, because we know there has not been a full costing of those promises.

I do think, though, as I mentioned, the 6% reduction in program spending, as listed on page 244 of this budget, is a huge red flag, and it should have been a red flag during the election. It should have been a red flag for some of our stakeholders and some of our partners, because there is truly a lack of clarity as to which ministries are going to be hit the hardest.

Now, to be clear, the government has said that they’re not going to go near education or health care, although during the election I heard very loudly at the doorstep, as I know a lot of my colleagues did, that there is duplication in health care—in the LHINs, in the CCACs, in the administrations of the hospitals. When you have duplication, you obviously have a level of inefficiency, and I think that does not serve the people in our health care system the best. We highlighted that, and it has not been reflected in the budget.

The role of the finance critic—I’ve been talking to a lot of former finance critics and finance ministers and I’ve been reaching out to sort of find out how this role can be effective in a majority government, because I think it’s really important to acknowledge that the terms of engagement, if you will, have changed drastically. I was thinking about this last night, and I strongly believe that minority governments can work for the people of this province; I do. As we negotiated through several budgets over the last two or three years—more like two years—we secured some concessions.

But the ironic part about those concessions or those negotiations, where we tried to bring the priorities of people to the budget discussion, to the table, was that those concessions were not honoured. So it’s hard to imagine how the 70 promises that are contained within this budget are actually going to be honoured, when we couldn’t hold the Liberal government to account for the three election promises.

Most recently, it was just yesterday that the government had to acknowledge that you are not within even a quick grasp or sight of a 15% reduction in auto insurance. In fact, you’re quite far from that goal. Five-day home care, for instance, was something that I felt we all really cared about. Those goals were not kept, for sure.

And of course the famous Financial Accountability Office: It took nine and a half months to start that process. I cannot wait to get that FAO up and running. It did pass in this Legislature by all parties; it had all-party support. You’ll remember, Mr. Speaker, that it took three members from every party, and we had to find consensus on who that FAO would be. I look forward to the next phase of finding an FAO, because I think if you look at the business practices that are currently here in the province of Ontario, you will agree—the MaRS building, for example; that’s just one of the most recent examples.

We could talk for the entire 20 minutes about the poor business decisions of this government. I think there has never been a more important or relevant or needed time for a Financial Accountability Officer to be an official officer of this Legislature to ensure that, in a majority setting, we ensure that the taxpayers and the citizens of this province are best served through those expenditures.

I do want to say, though, this new relationship is—I think there’s still potential here; I really do. There are a number of issues that, of course, we are going to push back on, like the full sale of public assets. This is a huge concern for us, and the more we talk about it, actually, in the province of Ontario—it is a shared concern for the people of this province as well.

We also, of course, are very concerned about job creation in the province of Ontario, because this is a revenue stream that we need. People want to get back to work in the province of Ontario. I have to tell you that this budget doesn’t have any new ideas around job creation; this is a huge concern. I raised this in question period the other day when the new job numbers came out—which people are discounting on that side of the House, but they seem very real on this side of the House, and I know they seem very real for the people of the province of Ontario.

People want to make sure that they’re going to get good value going forward. We do get good value, for instance, from the LCBO. It generates $1.77 billion for this province, and it’s a good public asset. Those are good jobs. I think that any proposal to sell off those assets is a huge concern for us as a party.

We also, obviously, have concerns about how this public pension plan has rolled out in the province of Ontario. You will see that it’s not in this budget. You will see that the focus has been, first and foremost, for a private pension plan. That is the priority. I think that our leader yesterday said it best; she said it’s banks before people. If there is a genuine interest in a public pension plan, why not put that first and foremost, if that really was a priority? It was a really good sound bite, I have to admit.

It was a good sound bite, and there was lots of spin around it, but if the government plans to move forward with a Harper-style private pension plan this fall—clearly, that is the priority. Actions speak louder than a headline or some spin going forward.

Another reason why we really think that financial accountability is important—and that is the lens that I’m going to be seeing this budget through—is that the government plans to deliver more projects through the alternative financing model, the AFP, or P3s, where we have not seen good value for the people of this province.

Interjection.

Ms. Catherine Fife: No; you transfer the risks, but the people of the province still pay the price at the end of the day. So the government was going to continue to deliver more projects through a public-private partnership model. The province is even proceeding with a new courthouse in Milton using the AFP model.

I think there’s some responsibility to actually listen to some of the feedback from those financial models that have played themselves out in the province of Ontario. They haven’t served the people well, because you haven’t put the appropriate accountability measures in place to make sure that people get the true value, and that quality value as well.

On job creation—my former critic portfolio was in economic development—I have to tell you that the Liberal policies, as they stand, of no-strings-attached corporate giveaways have failed to create jobs. We actually know this; we have the numbers to prove it. Last month, of course, the 34,000 people who lost their jobs—and the minister recommended that they take some happy pills and have a more positive outlook, as if that’s going to create jobs.

It was really a flippant moment—because language can be so important—that was quite disrespectful for the people who find themselves more and more so in a situation of precarious part-time contract work, which is the new reality for the people of this province, especially for the youth in Ontario.

We have one of the highest youth unemployment rates in Canada. It cannot be denied, which is why we brought the youth employment strategy to the last budget to open those doors to incentivize the hiring of youth in the province of Ontario so that they could actually get some experience going forward.

You know that we favour, on this side of the House, targeted tax credits because when you are acknowledging that small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of our economy—and they are crying out for a partner in the province of Ontario. They are asking for some support. They are facing some of the highest hydro rates, which are driving jobs out of the province of Ontario. We are losing those good jobs that small and medium-sized enterprises actually create on the ground. Those are real jobs. They are not no-strings-attached corporate giveaways, which hold jobs here that were already going to be held here.

I really strongly believe that the corporate tax giveaways to large businesses actually have proven to not be very effective. I think when the government plays such a strong role in picking and choosing winners—this high-tech company or this research company; they are the favourite for the province of Ontario—I truly believe that that disincentivizes further investment by other companies, and we have some experience with this. Obviously, I think that that’s not going to work and I think that we have some fairly good research and evidence to prove that it’s not going to work.

I have this little sticky here, from the throne speech, as it relates to this budget motion—in the throne speech it said, we will use “evidence before ideology and choose partnership over partisanship.” Yet, you can see that this is actually already not being played out with some integrity, if you will, as the budget is presented. It’s the same budget. It was the same budget we couldn’t support back in May. There’s still no plan to reduce hydro rates. There are still no new ideas for jobs. There’s no end to corporate tax giveaways that reward companies that actually ship jobs overseas; they don’t hold them here.

That’s why we prefer the targeted tax credit, because if you’re investing in innovation, investing in research and investing in capital, those jobs are staying here. It’s a direct relationship and it’s a very accountable relationship that businesses have with their government. It has worked very well in Manitoba. It has worked very well in Quebec.

In the spirit of a new sort of legislative session, I would have thought that there was a possibility that perhaps you would look at other options, because what you are doing is not working, and we need it to work. We need people to get back to work. We need Ontario to be a destination for investment. We need to start creating things and making things. The serious gap between the commercialization of research from our academic institutions into advanced manufacturing—this is a huge window of opportunity for us. We have small examples of where it is working.

So why not use those examples, build on that success—those small examples of success—and duplicate it across the province, instead of these innovative incentive clusters that are on the books right now?

I think that there’s a lot of hard work in front of us. If this government truly wants to partner in this work, then we have to be really clear. We need to know where the cuts are going to happen; we need to know how those cuts are going to impact the people of this province.

It’s encouraging, somewhat, to see the media finally catch on to this. There are some media outlets that have not, but yesterday’s Globe and Mail editorial cites, “Ontario’s Budget: On Second Thought, This Might Hurt.” We know it’s going to hurt, because we know there are ministries that are not in the exempt line for the 6% project cuts, which we actually predict are going to be—if you’re flatlining program spending, you’re actually talking about cutting.

When you are flatlining hospital funding, when those hospitals have already identified that they have a proven, evidence-based rationale for increased spending and you just flatline it, that essentially is a cut. It is a cut, and it’s hurting those hospitals. It’s forcing them to make cuts, I think, that are not in the best interests of patient care.

The most interesting thing about the editorial from the Globe and Mail is that they say, “The actual budget, the Liberal government’s multi-year spending plan, is an austerity budget.” We have been talking about this for a long time. We did see it for what it was. We called the government on that and we said we could not support it. Of course, there was a lack of confidence on our part to see that budget—we did not want to see that budget come into play.

We still don’t want to see it come into play, because we don’t believe that you’re going to follow through on those 70 promises and those 50 new spending priorities, because you haven’t identified clear revenue streams, except for the one-time sale of public assets, which you’ve identified to be around $3.15 billion. It’s one time; it is one time.

I had a financial briefing yesterday—excellent people from multiple ministries. I want to thank the Minister of Finance for helping to set that up for me. When you go through this budget line by line, when you pull back the layers, you see it for what it is. I think it’s going to be a wake-up call for many people in this province. I think you’re going to see this government start to apologize and backtrack very quickly, because those financial streams, those revenue streams, will not flow.

When you see the closure of child care facilities, for instance, even though you cite huge dollars that are going to child care, when on the ground child care centres are closing—we will be bringing those stories to this Legislature. I think that is essentially the job of the finance critic: to follow the money, peel back the layers, ensure that the people of this province see this budget for what it is and ensure that, if there is an opportunity to mitigate that damage, to protect those front-line services, then we play that role—and we have played that role very well for a long time.

I just want to summarize the editorial from the Globe. It says, “Over the past few months, the Liberal Party has been a bit like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. One wrote the budget. The other won the election. Which one will govern?” I think we know the answer to that. On this side of the House, we were very clear about where your real priorities are. We’re going to hold you to account, because that’s what the people of this province told us to do.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments?

Mr. Arthur Potts: I’m delighted that the member from Kitchener–Waterloo had an opportunity today, and I guess partly yesterday, to do an analysis of the budget and to make her criticisms of it. What astounds me, however, is this is not the criticism of the budget we were hearing during the course of the campaign, when her party was out there talking about austerity measures, which were completely different and completely off-topic.

I want to remind the members of this House—I mean, the finance critic for the third party came and participated in government hearings across the province. Your party was very active in creating this budget; we saw repeatedly that it’s a budget that we thought your party would be absolutely supportive of all the way down the line. For you to come out now and start criticizing the budget that your party helped create I find somewhat surprising.

We talked about the wholesale sale of assets—well, that’s just not on the table, and I think the members know that. There are some assets, like General Motors shares. Why does the third party think we need to continue to hold General Motors shares? We should unlock the value of that asset and put it towards more constructive things, like the infrastructure that we want to build—the infrastructure contained in our $29-billion infrastructure-building project, which will invest in hospitals, bridges, roads and transportation, $15 billion of which is in the GTA. It strikes me as odd that the member would be so critical.

You also talked about the financing models—the AFP model. In my own neighbourhood, Bridgepoint Health is a fantastic institution—built on time, built on budget—opening up now and serving the members of my community of Beaches–East York, but also Toronto–Danforth, where it’s actually situated.

It strikes me as disingenuous that you can now be criticizing the budget that you helped create. This is a budget which is full of good things, like support for personal support workers. I know that in your heart you believe you can support this, and we urge you to support this budget when it finally comes to a vote.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Thank you. I’d just remind the member that some of those words are borderline—you know which one; it starts with a D—so be careful in the future.

Mr. Arthur Potts: I apologize.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Thank you.

Questions and comments?

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: It’s my pleasure to stand and reflect on the comments that we heard from the finance critic from the third party. She introduced a whole array of issues that this budget brings to the table, and I’d like to reflect on a couple of things.

In particular, she touched on the redundancy and the layers of spending in the health field. It made me think of a meeting that I had just last week with the Bluewater family health team. They’re concerned. They are striving to meet the health needs of their community, and they were really proud to have a nurse practitioner in rural Ontario, in their small community.

But what is happening is, on the other side of the health field fence, CCACs throughout my riding—and, I’m sure, across Ontario—are cherry-picking and plucking nurse practitioners out of family health teams with richer benefits and opportunities on the other side of the proverbial fence, as I mentioned. This is leaving communities in dire straits in terms of health care. That’s one issue that we can hopefully continue to address.

A second thing that was brought up during the member’s comments is the concern over job loss. Yes, we agree. The month of June was pretty dire in Ontario, with the loss of 34,000 jobs.

I reflect on the comments that she shared with regard to the mandatory Ontario Retirement Pension Plan. For goodness’ sake, we’re going to lose more jobs. When I was door-knocking and mainstreeting during the recent campaign, small businesses were saying, “We cannot afford any more job taxes.” In essence, this mandatory pension plan, where they’re going to have to pay over and above what they already do for this pension, is going to cause them to hire fewer people.

This budget is going to be voted against by my party, and I’m proud to do that.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments? The member from Niagara Falls.

Mr. Wayne Gates: Good morning, Speaker. How are you?

We’ve been hearing very clearly over the last couple of days, during question period, about how we can’t go back to 1996 when it comes to manufacturing jobs—

Interjection: To 1976.

Mr. Wayne Gates: —or 1976. But think about what you’re saying there. Every country in the world is investing in manufacturing. Every country in the world wants manufacturing in their country; it doesn’t matter which one it is.

If you take a look at the auto sector, which is very important to the overall Canadian economy, particularly in Ontario: In Niagara, where I’m from, General Motors, for the first time in 25 years, hired people at the plant. This summer, they hired students for the first time in 20 years. So, there’s an opportunity in manufacturing to not only keep manufacturing in Ontario, but also to grow and to hire our young people.

When you talk about the Liberal colleague who talked about keeping the General Motors shares—why would we sell those shares? I’ll be very clear about why you don’t sell the shares: Because if you have some shares in the company, you then have some control over keeping them in the province of Ontario. When you get rid of those shares, you have absolutely no say in keeping that. If you talk to the auto sector, they’ll tell you the same thing. People who have sat and talked to your people over there—that’s absolutely correct.

When you take a look at manufacturing in my area, SpencerARL, which is a new company, a new manufacturer that came into Niagara Falls, the first manufacturer in over 20 years to come into that community, they started with 11 people. They’re now up to 300. So there are opportunities for manufacturers. I say to my colleagues on the other side, don’t give up on manufacturing.

When you talk about the LCBO—my colleague in front of me here talked about $1.77 billion in profit. Where does that profit go? It goes into our—

Interjection.

Mr. Wayne Gates: I’ll finish this up when I do another hit.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Thank you.

Questions and comments?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much. I hope you’re doing fine today—as well as the member from Niagara Falls, I know, asked that question.

I had the opportunity to listen to the member from Kitchener’s remarks this morning. This is the second or third opportunity I’ve had over the last couple of days, both on debate of the throne speech and debate of the budget, to listen to members from both opposition parties talk about the lessons they’ve drawn from the recent consultation that we all had with the people of Ontario. The thing that strikes me—in fact, the thing that astounds me—is the amnesia that seems to have settled in on both opposition benches with respect to the very clear message that we all received from the people of Ontario.

I think, first of all, it was very clear that the people across this province want this Legislature to work together, to work as hard as we can to make crucial investments in areas like transportation and transit to build Ontario up and to move the province forward; to make sure that our economy remains prosperous; to make sure that everyone has a decent opportunity, an equitable opportunity at a better life for themselves, for their children and for their grandchildren.

Over the last number of days, I’ve heard members from both parties on the opposition benches talk about what they claim to have heard or what they say they’ve heard throughout the consultation with the people, where, apparently, everything that we put forward with respect to building the province up runs contrary to what they heard in their communities.

Most evidence that we see through that exercise in democracy would perhaps suggest that that’s not exactly the lesson that should be drawn from that consultation, but I think it is important, as others have said, as the member from Beaches–East York said when he spoke, that we find a way to work together.

Of course, we all agree on the need for a Financial Accountability Officer. That’s why I was so proud to work so hard with the member from Kitchener and the former member from Durham on trying to fill that position. It is unfortunate that both opposition parties thought that it was more important to obstruct those efforts instead of moving forward, and we see evidence in the response from the people of Ontario respecting their tactics.

I hope we’ll be able to move forward in a more positive way.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The member from Kitchener–Waterloo has two minutes to respond.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the members from Beaches–East York, Dufferin–Caledon, Niagara Falls and the Minister of Transportation for your feedback on the comments I made around the budget motion.

The member from Beaches–East York: It’s interesting, because I did go around the province and listen, through the finance committee, to people and their concerns—the lived experiences of the people in this province. There is a serious disconnect from that lived experience to what’s contained in this budget; I can tell you that first-hand.

Just a small example: when the Liberal government went out of the business of doing group homes for those who have adult children with developmental issues. You went out of that business almost five years ago with no foreseeable plan to bridge that transition gap. In the budget, it says another $810 million, which is an amazing amount of money—don’t get me wrong—but the plan around that $810 million is wrong-headed. The people have already waited five or six years for housing. They’re going to wait another four years. This is the time period where those adult parents have to take their adult children and commit them to state-organized institutions.

I really think that it is about priorities. Budgets are about priorities. When we looked at this priority, we did not see the people’s needs reflected in it. A budget should reflect the needs of the people of the province that we are serving. It should not serve our own purposes.

When that Financial Accountability Officer is finally brought to this Legislature, because it will happen, I hope that that individual—because it has to be someone who understands not only the public sector, but who can do economic forecasting outside of this place, in the real world, in the private sector. There has to be a balance with that role. I look forward to working towards true financial accountability in this place, because quite honestly, it is desperately needed.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Further debate?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: It’s my honour to rise on behalf of the people of Chatham–Kent–Essex this morning to debate this budget. I was sent back to Queen’s Park for a second time with a simple to-do list, and it was simply to do this: Fight to keep taxes low, balance the books and bring good-paying jobs back to my riding. What this government has tabled is a budget that raises taxes, adds $12.5 billion in debt and continues the Liberal plan that is now seeing Ontario’s unemployment rate stay above the national for 90—that’s nine zero—consecutive months now. That goes against every pledge that I made to the people of my riding.

Supporting a budget that builds Ontario up on such shaky ground is something that I just cannot do. Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard a lot of analysis and commentary on this rehashed budget. It’s almost like refried beans. In the House, we’ve heard that the NDP describe it as a Trojan Horse. By the way, with this government’s destroying of the horse racing industry, a Trojan Horse might be the only horse left in Ontario.

Yesterday, the member from Haldimand–Norfolk described Ontario as being on the edge of an economic apocalypse, with the four horsemen being debt, deficit, energy rates and red tape. As scary as that imagery is, the numbers are much worse. Speaker, this budget continues right on the same track that has led Ontario to a provincial debt nearing $300 billion. This budget has brought about warnings from international credit rating agencies who are greatly concerned about the ability of the province to pay off its debt. But much more importantly than that, this budget does absolutely nothing to help the 34,000 people who lost their jobs in June to get back to work.

You know, Speaker, 34,000 lost jobs is more than the entire population of the town of Leamington in my great riding of Chatham–Kent–Essex. In just one month, that many people went to bed without knowing where they were going to go to work in the morning. Too many people in my riding are all too familiar with that feeling. Towns like Leamington have certainly had their share of job losses.

Thankfully, Leamington is starting to see brighter days ahead. Heinz is gone, and with that, 740 full-time jobs, 300 seasonal jobs, 46 growers. However, on the brighter side, a company called Highbury Canco have come to the rescue—partial rescue—of Leamington. They now will be starting—if they haven’t started yet, it will be sometime this month. They will be employing 250 full-time people, with some seasonal and a handful of growers. That’s not what it was, but it’s better than nothing. It’s a start.

As I’ve talked to many people, in the media and people in Leamington, those who are working for Highbury Canco, if they do a good job, eventually, perhaps more lines will go in. Putting in more lines means more employment for people. But right now, Speaker, there still remain 500 people in Leamington who are unemployed. They weren’t hired by Highbury Canco at this point in time. But 250 is a good start. It’s better than nothing. I think we just need to be grateful for what they have.

But, again, the people of Leamington are stronger than whatever challenges this Liberal government can throw their way, as is the rest of the great riding of Chatham–Kent–Essex.

Since this government came into power, embarrassingly and hurtfully I say that my riding has lost over 10,000 manufacturing jobs alone since 2003. What was once a big manufacturing boomtown is now empty buildings and call centres—and nothing against call centres. That’s something for the people, but it certainly isn’t what it was.

People in my riding have looked to this government to take bold action to bring businesses back by getting taxes and energy rates under control. Instead, this budget hikes taxes and drives energy rates even higher. I can only hope that with all the businesses leaving Ontario, it doesn’t amount to, “Last one to leave, please turn off the lights.”

Mr. Speaker, one of the focal points of this budget is the Ontario Registered Pension Plan. There have been many critics of this Liberal plan, including small businesses, who I have talked to, not only struggling with the high energy rates, but they’re also struggling with: What does this mean now? Everybody wants to make more money, but do you know what? If you don’t have the money coming in, the revenue coming in, you can’t have higher-paying jobs, because the bottom line is, businesses are not going to stay in business if that be the case.

These small businesses have gone on record and called this Ontario Registered Pension Plan nothing more than a payroll tax. People will end up with less take-home pay, plus businesses have to chip in and pay as well. I question who that’s really going to help in the long run. Small businesses in my riding are opposed to the plan because it will stretch out their already thin margins. There are local job creators of all sizes who tell me constantly that they can’t afford to pay skyrocketing energy rates, and that red tape is slowly suffocating their businesses.

Speaker, the Retail Council of Canada has stated that many of its members are very concerned about this Liberal pension plan. They’re concerned about being able to recoup the costs of this payroll tax without raising prices on consumers or being forced to lay off staff. To me, that is reverse thinking. You know what? They talk about wanting to create jobs—a valid point. But to cause penalties on the businesses who are then forced to lay people off, to me, is going in the opposite direction.

Ontario businesses, both large and small, have already started to brace for the impact of the Premier’s plan. It will result in job losses and higher prices for consumers, who are already having a hard time getting by. Not every business will be forced to pay prices or lay off employees, but many would. This is a huge cause for concern in Chatham–Kent–Essex while our local economy is hurting.

The ORPP, the Ontario Registered Pension Plan, does nothing for seniors; it’s not going to help them at all. Perhaps this government should teach students in school the value of a dollar and teach them how to save for their future, and then maybe a lot of people, years down the road, may not find themselves in such a financial crisis as they are right now.

Many constituents are having difficulty making ends meet. They were just hit with a municipal tax. The cost of keeping their houses cool this summer keeps rising. They can’t afford a policy that will make many of the products and services that they rely on more expensive.

People in my riding do not want to see a single job leave their communities. They’ve been through enough devastation. This proposal will push more jobs out of our economy—and again, we’re moving in the wrong direction. The cost of doing business here in the province of Ontario is far too high. Keeping jobs in my riding is the number one concern, and I cannot support a plan that would cause a reduction of jobs.

The Premier boasted the other day about going on a trip to China, presumably to talk with many of the businesses that have left the province under her party’s reign. Instead, I would suggest that she take a trip to the great riding of—yes—Chatham–Kent–Essex, and try to convince companies in my riding to stay in the province. Not only would that save several thousands of taxpayers’ dollars, but here’s an advantage and here’s a plus to her coming down to Chatham–Kent–Essex: Not only will she have a chance to talk to the businesses, but she’ll also have a chance to drive and see the massive wind turbines right beside the 401.

I’m pleased that this budget doesn’t raise taxes for all Ontarians, but I am disappointed that there are several tax hikes spread throughout the document. For many Ontarians whose children have moved west to find work, thanks to this budget it’s about to get even more expensive to go visit their kids. Let me explain. The budget will increase the tax on aviation fuel by nearly 150%, which then means that fares to go visit your children who have moved out west become even more expensive. The government’s plan to stop the flight of our labour force to western Canada is to make it too expensive to fly there.

Yesterday, the member from Elgin–Middlesex–London pointed out that for the first time in Ontario’s history, seniors are going to be forced to pay for a fishing licence. Come on, seriously? Certain members will have to pay to go fishing now, Mr. Speaker.

We’ve also noticed that many hospitals around the province are being forced to increase parking fees to raise more funds since the health care in Ontario is not getting money down to the front lines. These people are there to visit loved ones facing health challenges, and this government is reaching into their pockets. That’s absolutely shameful.

That’s the only plan that this government has when it comes to balancing the books: gouge the public wherever they can with fees, such as taxes, revenue tools, probably to cover up their “Oops” here and there, and of course, hopefully nobody notices—at least that’s what they hope.

Despite the fact that Ontario’s deficit will be larger than the combined deficits of the federal and all provincial governments, this Liberal government somehow claims to be the leanest in the country. Well, with job losses, unfortunately, perhaps Ontarians may become leaner because they can’t afford to live here any longer. Peter Epp, a journalist who is featured in papers throughout southwestern Ontario, hit the nail on the head with his column titled, “Low Spending or Not, Ontario Still Has a Deficit”:

“Advocates for Monday’s Ontario budget and for the government of Premier Kathleen Wynne have repeatedly stated that this province spends the least, on a per capita basis, of any other province in Canada.

“The statement is used mostly in response to criticism of the government’s spending, of its structural deficit, and of its debt.

“The argument follows that government spending in Ontario is efficient, the most efficient in Canada, and that there is no possible room for more efficiency.

“The point is acknowledged, but it fails to reach its intended target on several fronts.

“If Ontario’s spending [is] so well controlled and so efficient, why are we facing a $12.5-billion deficit for 2014-15, and why did we just absorb another $10-billion-plus deficit for 2013-14?

He goes on to say:

“It’s one thing to talk about per capita spending, but it’s another to talk about per capita revenue collecting.

“The fact the two sides aren’t matching is part of the reason for Ontario’s structural deficit.”

This government will continue repeating that Ontario is the province with the lowest spending per capita, but you will never hear them acknowledge that Ontario has the second-highest debt per capita in the entire country. The debt load on every man, woman and child in the province is over $20,000. That number is constantly increasing under this Liberal government.

Speaker, I will not stand for this government passing this ticking time bomb along to future generations, future generations including my children, my grandchildren and perhaps even my great-grandchildren—and yours, too, by the way. Governments will come and go, but our province’s debt will remain.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments?

Mr. Wayne Gates: Speaker, how are you?

I’ll continue on where I was. When it comes to the LCBO: $1.77 billion in profit, and that money goes to help health care and education. We’re now talking about maybe selling it off—or maybe not selling it off, but they certainly are talking about contracting out some of the functions. What contracting out means is job loss. In a province that has a crisis in employment, we’re looking at job loss for those workers, who, quite frankly, over a number of years, have helped create the success of the LCBO, have helped create the profits of the LCBO. Certainly, it’s something that I would not be in favour of, contracting out workers and having them lose their jobs under the LCBO.

The other thing that I took a look at in the comments that were made—we talked about having the best health care and the best education in the world. Yet, when I take a look at the schools in rural Ontario, in small towns, like Parliament Oak school in the old town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, why are we not looking at, instead of closing schools, trying to find ways to keep schools open in the old towns, and have partnerships, not with other boards, but have partnerships within the community with not-for-profits—a plan to make the heartbeat of your community be the school.

I can remember—I know a lot of people here might remember when they were young—I used to go after school to play basketball. I know people are saying, “Well, you’re not very tall.” But I did play basketball there. I played ball hockey. The school was where I went. I went during the day, I ran home and had my peanut butter and jam sandwich, and then I went back to the school.

So why do we not keep the schools open and make them the heart? We can do that by partnering with groups like not-for-profits in the old town. When we take a look at the old—

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Thank you.

Mr. Wayne Gates: I know. Sorry about that.

Mr. Bob Delaney: Does he have to withdraw the peanut butter?

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): No, he doesn’t have to withdraw the peanut butter. I like it.

The member from Cambridge.

Mrs. Kathryn McGarry: I listened intently to the comments from the member from Chatham–Kent–Essex, as well as the member from Niagara Falls, as well as the rest of the debate that has happened this morning in this place.

I’m very supportive of this budget that went forward.

In Cambridge, it has been 71 years since a Liberal member was elected. It switched from Conservative to NDP, back to Conservative, back to NDP and back to Conservative.

The reason that I was elected by the constituents of Cambridge was really because I’m a health care representative with over 30 years of health care experience. It made sense to the community of Cambridge to elect a member with this long experience to help this place and the government make decisions on smart, strategic investments in health care, such as home care, bringing in better service provision at a lower cost, to make sure that we have the right care, at the right place, at the right time. I certainly stand behind our government’s commitment in this budget to continue its smart investment in home care.

I’ve heard discussion this morning about the CCACs, the LHINs, the difference in costs and some of the administration costs being the same. In fact, these two agencies operate quite independently of each other. As we know, the community care access centres provide services for folks at home and ensure that people in their homes have better health care at a lower cost, preventing them from getting into hospital.

I’m very supportive of this budget going forward. I know that the constituents in Cambridge elected me to ensure that this budget passes as is.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: I’m pleased to stand and reflect on the very relevant comments that we received from the member from Chatham–Kent–Essex.

First of all, I thought it was very astute of him to offer the Premier an opportunity to tour his riding, because I think it would behoove the entire Liberal government to go north of 7 and to get hit with realities. Time and again, I’m hearing from specific members implications or references that what we’re saying as being relevant in our ridings maybe are true or maybe not, and I find that absolutely—

Interjections.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Stop the clock. We’ve got a little trouble over here on the right side. I’ve got nine sidebars going on at once. If you want to have your little discussions, please go outside. I can’t hear the person speaking. Thank you.

Continue.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll repeat what I was saying. The fact is, I encourage this Liberal government to travel north of Highway 7 to get a real dose of reality, because I am very, very frustrated that we have arrogant members across the House who are implying that what is very real in our riding may be or may not be true. I think that’s absolutely disgraceful and an injustice.

We should be treating all of Ontario as equals. We cannot move forward economically if we don’t have a prosperous urban and a prosperous rural sector, and this government would be wise to pay heed to that, because we are losing jobs throughout Ontario. The member from Chatham–Kent–Essex talked about losing 10,000 jobs in his riding. My riding of Huron–Bruce is recognizing that as well.

When we meet with people, we hear about electricity rates over and over again, yet this budget that this Liberal government is so proud of—so proud of that they reintroduced the very same thing over again, so we’ve had to look at it twice—does nothing to help with the cost of electricity rates going through the roof. Manufacturers and homeowners deserve better. This government had better wise up.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Questions and comments?

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: I’d just like to build on what the member from Chatham–Kent–Essex was speaking about in our area—and I consider it a shared area, Windsor and Essex county: the closure of Heinz. I attended a vigil there. The closure of Heinz affected many in my riding, not just in the member for Chatham–Kent–Essex’s riding.

We have people leaving Windsor in record numbers because there aren’t good, secure jobs in our area. We have to look at the horse racing industry in my area. They decimated that industry. We’ve lost many key services in our area because of that industry being shut down.

We also have to look at health care in Windsor. We face incredibly long ER wait times. We have key services closed down on the weekends. Our cardiac care centre is closed down. If, heaven forbid, you have a cardiac emergency, you are shipped across the border for treatment or to London. That’s not acceptable in my area. This budget does not address those concerns in my area.

We also have to look at the services that they have threatened, and continue to threaten, to take away from us. In my area, there was a big concern about losing thoracic cancer surgeries and those being shipped to London. It was the community that rallied together in order to save those key services. Our community shouldn’t have to fight to keep those life-saving treatments in our area.

I can’t speak for all of Ontario, but in Windsor West, what my constituents were saying is that they do not support this budget. There are just not enough measures in it for the people in my riding.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The member from Chatham–Kent–Essex has two minutes.

Mr. Rick Nicholls: I’d like to thank the members from Niagara Falls, Windsor West, also the member from Cambridge—thank you—and, of course, from Huron–Bruce for their comments. I do appreciate and value their input. Unfortunately, I don’t agree with all the comments that were made, but that’s—welcome to this place.

We’ve often heard, Speaker, the old saying, “Go west, young man,” or now I guess they have to say, “Go west, young man; go west, young lady.” West, for me, is anything west of Yonge Street. Go west. Come down to my area: Chatham–Kent–Essex. See the turbines. Visit the empty buildings. That will be an eye-opener. That will be a shocker. We have over 500 industrial wind turbines. What are they doing down there other than being a distraction, devaluing property, increasing energy rates and creating health hazards, not only for people but also for animals and for birds and bats? It’s a mess down there.

The other concern that I have is the number of jobs that are leaving Chatham–Kent–Essex and the potential businesses that have already talked to me, saying, “Rick, if things don’t change with global adjustment, if we can’t get the energy rates under control, we’re going to have to turn out the lights, literally—lock the doors and leave.” I had one company say that the global adjustment is so high; it’s killing business so much. Some 55 jobs in my riding are sitting in limbo right now.

The other concern I have, Mr. Speaker, is the fact that our credit rating outlook doesn’t look very good at all. It has been lowered to negative, and my biggest concern is the fact that there could be a credit rating downgrade, which would, in fact—interest rates are at an all-time low, and a 1% increase in interest rates will drive up interest on our debt and deficit by over $500 million.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Further debate? Second call: Further debate? Last and final call: Further debate?

Hearing none, Mr. Sousa has moved, seconded by Ms. Wynne, that the House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard a “no.”

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Because it’s the morning session, seeing five members standing, this vote will be deferred until after question period.

Vote deferred.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Orders of the day? Government House leader?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I ask to adjourn the House.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): The government leader has moved to adjourn the House. Is it the pleasure of the—

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Recess, I mean, Speaker. Recess until question period.

Interjections.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Adjourn the House. We’re done.

Interjections.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Paul Miller): Okay. Seeing no further business, this House stands adjourned until 10:30 this morning.

The House recessed from 1000 to 1030.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Sylvia Jones: It’s my pleasure to introduce Evelyn Locke, who has joined us. She is the daughter of our chief of staff, Pina Martino.

Mr. Arthur Potts: I would like to introduce Denis Poulin and Karen Somerville, who are here from my neighbourhood. Welcome, and I hope you enjoy the proceedings.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Good morning. I would like to welcome Katherine Bowes, who is the mother of Ashley Bowes, our page from Oshawa. She’ll be in the public gallery this morning.

I would also like to introduce Donna Lajeunesse, who is a friend of mine visiting from Oshawa.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I would like to recognize our page captain today Stephanie Ttofas. Visiting her today are her parents, George and Angela; as well as her brother Constantine, who is a former page, I understand; and grandmother, Helen Ttofas. If you could stand and be recognized.

Mr. Granville Anderson: I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the mayor of Clarington, Mr. Adrian Foster; and Mr. Justin MacLean from my constituency office.

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: Good morning. It’s my pleasure to introduce Doris Ward in the gallery today. She has been a long-time resident of the riding, and not to be too biased, she has been supporting Liberal MPPs going back to 1958, when the member was Frank Drea. We finally won this seat in 2003, and she keeps reminding me I’m the first Liberal to represent that riding. She’s still working on campaigns in the future, already planning.

M me France Gélinas: I’m glad to introduce page captain Émilie Lebel, from Timmins–James Bay, and her aunt Debbie Dumaresq, who is here at Queen’s Park today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Oral Questions

Privatization of public services

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Premier. Premier, your finance minister says he wants to “optimize and maximize” public assets. But we both know that what he really means is creating Warren Buffett-style efficiencies.

That means streamlining, it means cost-cutting, and it means job losses. It means jobs are about to disappear at the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, Ontario Power Authority and Ontario Power Generation. Even Smokey Thomas, president of OPSEU, recognized that you can’t eliminate the deficit in three years without cutting services for the people of Ontario when he said, “With what they’re promising to spend and how they’re promising to control costs, the public service can only shrink.”

My question, Premier, is quite simple: How many liquor store employees, LCBO employees, Hydro One employees and OPG employees are about to lose their jobs?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Again, it’s an interesting situation when the party that ran on immediately cutting 100,000 jobs in Ontario is questioning us about that issue.

Mr. Speaker, let me just say the reason we have asked Ed Clark and his team to look at the assets that are owned by the people of Ontario is that we want to make sure they work to the optimal value, the optimal benefit for the people of Ontario.

I have said a number of times that had we had such a process in place, had the government of the day had such a process in place when they were looking at the 407, I believe there would not have been such a bad deal for the people of Ontario, because there are billions and billions of dollars of revenue that are lost to the people of Ontario in what was a public asset because of the arrangement. We’re not going to do that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jim Wilson: Again to the Premier: Here’s a chance to display some of that transparency and accountability you always talk about. Here’s a chance to tell the lenders and credit rating agencies exactly what you mean by “optimize” and “maximize.” Here’s a chance to tell employees at the LCBO, OPG and OPA just how many of their jobs are on the line.

Premier, why don’t you just be honest? Can you tell the people of Ontario how many jobs you intend to maximize out the door?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We have been very honest, and we are honestly concerned that the assets that are owned by the people of Ontario—that they be optimized, Mr. Speaker, and that those revenues and those assets work for the people of Ontario so we can reinvest in the infrastructure that is needed.

For example, selling the LCBO headquarters, selling that real estate, selling the GM shares to make sure that we have that money to put into a fund in order to build public transit: That’s responsible management of the assets of this province. To reinvest those dollars in infrastructure that is needed in 2014 is exactly what is at the core of our investment strategy around infrastructure.

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

Mr. Jim Wilson: I’ll try again, Mr. Speaker. Premier, you and your finance minister can speak in code all you want. You can talk about optimizing and maximizing, but we all know that you mean job losses. You’re simply not being honest with the people of Ontario.

If you are going to meet these deficit reduction targets you always talk about, there comes a point where the rubber meets the road, so I’ll ask you again, in this chamber, in front of your peers and for the benefit of viewers at home: How many people will be out of work by the time you finish selling off Ontario’s assets?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: The reality is that the people of Ontario rejected the proposal that was put forward by the member opposite and his team to cut and slash across government, to cut public services. What the member opposite didn’t talk about were the services that would have been cut as a result of the extreme and reckless plan they were putting forward. That plan was rejected, Mr. Speaker. Our plan is to invest in the people of this province, to invest in their talent and their skills.

I was just at a forum this morning with a visiting delegation from China. I was talking to a business owner who was setting up a research and development capacity here in Ontario. The reason for that is the talent and the skills of our people; he said that explicitly. Because of our educated workforce, they are locating here in Ontario.

That’s the kind of investment we—

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

Public transit

Mr. Michael Harris: My question is to the Premier. Yesterday you told the CBC that you would be “adding more [GO] trains immediately to the Kitchener-Waterloo line.” That statement is a big departure from your GO announcement earlier this year, when you said that it would take until 2016 for you to deliver the trains you actually cut four years ago as transportation minister.

Premier, a simple question: Did you misspeak yesterday? Or have you learned from the error of your ways and now realize your decision to slash GO train expansion to KW should be corrected as soon as possible?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member from Kitchener for his question. This is the second opportunity that I’ve had, since becoming the Minister of Transportation, to stand in my place here in the House and respond to a question from that member regarding the crucial investments that we are making in his community and communities right across Ontario.

I’ll repeat today what I said on the occasion of responding to that first question, which is: This is one of the reasons that it’s extremely important for members of that caucus and that particular member to support the budget that we’ve reintroduced in this Legislature.

We are proposing, we are planning and we are committed to investing $29 billion in crucial public transit infrastructure, which will serve communities like Kitchener-Waterloo, and I know that that member will want to work with us, in particular our members from his region like the member from Kitchener Centre, to make sure that we implement a plan that makes sense for everybody living in his community and right across Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Michael Harris: I know that the new minister is keen, but these were the comments that were actually made by the Premier. So, Premier, I’ll ask you again. I know you’ve got a majority. You can ignore me, but not the constituents that I represent.

Premier, you doubled down yesterday on your commitment to build high-speed rail from London to Toronto, claiming you could deliver within a decade. Yet you continue to say you need until 2016 to add two GO trains to the Kitchener line that you actually cut as transportation minister. Premier, do you really expect Ontarians to believe that you can deliver high-speed rail in a decade when you say you need six years to add just two more GO trains to the Kitchener line?

Interjections.

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

Minister.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’m not quite sure how much clearer we can make this on this side of the House for the member opposite. Both with respect to the question around high-speed rail service and regarding the question of increasing GO service to his community, I just want to reiterate and try to make this as clear as I possibly can: Our government is committed to bringing full-day, two-way GO train service between the Waterloo region and the GTA. As we’ve said, this is a plan that’s going to take place over the next number of years.

The $29 billion that are included in our budget for these kinds of investments will help make sure that we can make this commitment become reality, and we are determined to make that the case.

I should mention, as we’ve said in the past, that by the end of 2016 Metrolinx will be adding four additional trains—two in the morning and two in the afternoon—to serve the Kitchener station.

It’s also important to note that since 2003, Ontario has invested $19.3 billion in public transit, specifically including $9.1 billion for GO service. I again call on that member to support our budget to help his community—

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

Mr. Michael Harris: Again, you just heard the minister say “2016,” but the Premier said yesterday that she’d add those immediately. Clearly, my constituents, and constituents across southwestern Ontario, actually deserve an answer on this.

Premier, yesterday you told the CBC in Kitchener-Waterloo that your transportation minister would release a third party report that you say backs up your claims about high-speed rail from London to Toronto. But just last week when I actually asked the minister in question period if he’d release the report, he refused.

Ontarians are finding it hard to believe that you have any evidence to support your high-speed rail project, especially when experts across the province have rejected the proposal, calling it a fantasy. Premier, if you really don’t have anything to hide, why don’t you just order your transportation minister to release that report today?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member opposite for that question again. In the interest of trying to provide clarity to that particular member, I am happy to work with him to provide him with a bit of a briefing on this issue outside of this Legislature. What I would say, though, is that it is important to recognize, as I said in the answer to the second question, that we have made significant investments in crucial public transit infrastructure over the last 11 years.

In fact, between 1999 and 2003, the PCs contributed nothing to GO Transit, leaving it to municipalities to carry the weight and the responsibility. I think what was abundantly clear in the course of this last election campaign was that the people of the Kitchener-Waterloo region, along with people right across this province of Ontario, understood the importance of the comprehensive and thoughtful plan that we are working to implement: $29 billion over the next 10 years, $14 billion for communities outside the GTHA, $15 billion for communities inside the GTHA. Get on board with our plan now.

Privatization of public services

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. Does the Premier think it was a mistake for the Harris Conservatives to sell off the 407?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yes, I do—the way it was done. The fact that there has been no long-term benefit to the people of Ontario from that decision that the previous government made was a mistake.

I have used the 407 and the lack of good process around that as an example of exactly why there needs to be a different process. That’s exactly why we have asked Ed Clark and his team to look at the assets owned by the people of Ontario: to optimize them and to make sure that there is ongoing benefit for the people of Ontario and the ability to reinvest in new infrastructure, which is needed now in 2014.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I didn’t get a clear answer to my question. Does the Premier think selling off valuable assets like the 407—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Order.

Please finish.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Does the Premier think selling off valuable assets like the 407, like OPG or like the LCBO is a good idea?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think I know where the member is going on this, Mr. Speaker. I think the leader of the third party is trying to suggest that that’s the agenda that we’re sneaking into the Legislature and into government.

It was a mistake to deal with the 407 in the way the Conservatives did. That is my opinion. I believe there could have been much better long-term benefit to the people of Ontario.

It is also a mistake for a government never to review assets, never to look at whether they are producing the maximum benefit for the people of Ontario. We’re not going to make that mistake; we’re not going to make either of those mistakes. We’re going to have a process that is responsible, that is prudent, that looks at those assets and makes sure that they are performing for the people of Ontario.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, nobody thinks the Liberals are sneaking anything anywhere. Her plan is based on $3.15 billion coming in the door from the sale of assets. It is clear as a bell in their budget. We know that, in the long term, these kinds of activities, these kinds of sell-offs, are a bad thing for the people of Ontario. It sets our province back. It cuts out sources of revenues. It leads to higher costs for the people of this province. So why does the Premier think that asset sales are okay as long as they do it the Liberal way?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: What I think is not just okay but responsible is that government look at the assets that are owned by the people of Ontario and that we make sure that, in 2014, those assets are working in the best way possible so that the investments that are needed now can be made.

It’s not our whole plan, but part of our plan is to ask Ed Clark and his team, who have expertise, to look at those assets and make sure they are working to the best advantage for the people of Ontario. That’s responsible. That’s what we’re doing. That’s not what the previous government did with the 407.

Ontario budget

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is for the Premier. Does the Premier think that Ontarians voted for austerity and cuts?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: What we know the people of Ontario did not vote for was a disparate, disconnected list of ideas that were basically based on our fiscal plan, didn’t hang together and had no coherence. So they didn’t vote for that. They did not vote for the leader of the third—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: The plan that we put forward was a plan that would build the province up. It’s a plan that was rooted in the budget that we introduced at the beginning of May, which would invest in the people of this province, in their talent and their skills; which is drawing investment from around the world; which would invest in the infrastructure that’s needed, whether it’s the roads and bridges in northern and rural Ontario or the transit in our urban centres; and which would set up an Ontario Retirement Pension Plan so that people would have retirement security. That’s what the plan is that we put forward. That’s the plan we are eager to implement.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, does the Premier think that Ontarians voted for the cost of everyday life to go up for them and their families?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, what we know is that if we do not have an economy that is thriving, then it will be very, very difficult for people to find jobs. It will be difficult for our children and our grandchildren to have retirement security. It will be extremely difficult to draw businesses to the province. So what we need to do is make sure that we make the right investments now; that we have the constraints in place so that we can eliminate the deficit by 2017-18. Making the investments in the province and making sure we don’t leave the most vulnerable behind—all of that is part of our plan.

That’s the plan we ran on, that’s the plan that we are eager to invest in, and that’s the plan that the people of Ontario voted for.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Liberals insist that their budget is progressive, but this is what people see: They see that yesterday the finance minister gave auto insurance companies another boost, while drivers continue to not see any savings. They see the Liberal plan will send hydro rates up by 42%, another skyrocketing increase over the next number of years. There is a chorus of growing acknowledgement that the job cuts that are hidden in this Trojan Horse budget will be significant. They see a Premier who can’t explain why she’s moving forward with asset sales when she used to oppose them.

People have some pretty simple questions about this Trojan Horse budget, and my question to the Premier is: Why will she not come clean with the people of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, there was a lot in that question. I’m just going to focus on the auto insurance.

The NDP heard this throughout the candidate—the leader of the third party’s candidate for Halton tweeted, “Just got my latest car [insurance] payment update [and] I’m paying $22 less a month!” That’s $260 less a year.

There has been, on average, more than a 5% reduction in auto insurance.

I think that the leader of the third party knows that what people see in our budget, many of them across the floor—

Interjection.

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

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —they see $2.5 million in a Jobs and Prosperity Fund; they see $130 billion in public infrastructure investments, $11.4 billion in hospital expansions, a made-in-Ontario retirement pension plan, an increase in the Ontario Child Benefit, an increase in social assistance benefits and $810 million for people with developmental disabilities. That’s all part of our plan.

Correctional services

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question. The member from Leeds–Grenville.

Mr. Steve Clark: Thank you very much, Speaker. Good morning. My question, through you, is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Minister, it has been seven years since Ashley Smith suffered her terrible death, and seven months since a coroner’s jury made recommendations so that this type of tragedy wouldn’t be repeated.

On May 1, the federal government partnered with the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group to fund a two-bed pilot project for mentally ill female offenders at the Brockville secure treatment unit in my riding. The partnership between the federal government and the hospital is because of this treatment model’s outstanding results with mentally ill male offenders.

Minister, you know there are far too many women like Ashley suffering in our Ontario jails. My question is, do you think you should deny them access to a program male offenders have been able to access since 2003 because of their gender?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I thank the member opposite for asking a very important question. I know it’s an issue that the member has spoken about in the past and has advocated for, and I know my predecessor, the Attorney General, has worked with the member opposite on this issue as well—and so do I. I continue to look into this matter. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with the CEO of the Royal Ottawa Hospital, which happens to be located in my community of Ottawa Centre.

Most recently, I had a brief conversation with the member opposite, and I look forward to continue working with him on this very important issue so that we are providing appropriate mental health treatment for all inmates within our detention system.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Steve Clark: Yes, you’re right, Minister. I have spoken to you and your predecessor about this.

In May, a spokesperson told Global News that your ministry “would be willing to review any proposal put forward by the federal government.” Well, your government has given me the same answer since 2010 and the federal government has stepped up, Minister. You’re wrong. The Attorney General is wrong. It’s time to drop the excuse that you can do nothing now that the feds are moving forward.

The good news is, you’ve got a great opportunity now to do the right thing. You know, Minister, the good work that the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group does with mentally ill patients. You know the good work that they do.

So I’m asking you, will you commit today to bring the province to the table and finally move forward with a plan to treat mentally ill women offenders? They shouldn’t be in jail; they should be getting treatment. Minister, when will you come to the table?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Again, I thank the member opposite for his question, and I will restate that this is a very important issue. We need to make sure, Speaker, that we are treating all our inmates with fairness, with respect. They deserve the same access to supports as those in the community. I will continue, as the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, to work along with all members of this House to ensure that those types of services are presented for inmates in our custody.

Ontario now has 10 correctional facilities with mental health nurses on-site providing specialized services to inmates, and we are launching the forensic early intervention service at the Toronto South Detention Centre. It’s the first strategy of its kind in Canada. There’s a lot of work that is ongoing right now in our correctional facilities to ensure that inmates with mental health challenges are given proper treatment. I look forward to working with the member opposite to make sure that female inmates have fair and equal treatment available to them as well.

Automobile insurance

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Minister of Finance. Four years ago, the Liberal government put $2 billion into the pockets of the insurance industry. They slashed our benefits and it resulted in a cost saving to the insurance industry of $2 billion annually, yet drivers in Ontario are still paying the highest auto insurance in the entire country.

While they move so quickly to slash the benefits for drivers and they move so quickly to increase the profit to the insurance industry, why is it that the new plan announced yesterday by the Minister of Finance seeks again to put more money into the pockets of the insurance industry but drivers are still waiting to see any reduction in their insurance rates?

Hon. Charles Sousa: That’s an interesting question from a member across the way who says he’s advocating for lower rates, and yet, when we tried putting forward legislation last February, he found ways to stall it, delay it and force us to have to now reintroduce it after a forced election. Had it been done initially, it would have resulted in lower rates today.

We have been fighting for lowering insurance rates since 2003. We’ve taken measures in 2010 to provide for the anti-fraud task force. We’ve been going forward in 2011. We’ve had private members from our side of the House who have been advocating for the same, and we will continue to do that, obviously without their support because they voted against the very measures that would have reduced insurance rates by this point in time.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Mr. Speaker, the measures that the Minister of Finance is speaking about have no guarantee whatsoever of reducing insurance rates for drivers, but certainly will increase the profits for the insurance industry.

Now, when asked yesterday point blank, “Will this minister and will this government be able to reach their 8% target reduction by August?” the silence was deafening in the response by the Minister of Finance. Instead of guaranteeing that, yes, there will be reductions, the Minister of Finance said, “Shop around,” and maybe you can find them.

The budget is silent on any new measures to guarantee a reduction for drivers in Ontario. I have a very simple question for the Minister of Finance. It’s very clear that the Minister of Finance is not going to reach the August 8% reduction deadline. Will the minister commit to guaranteeing a reduction for drivers instead of continually putting more and more money in the pockets of the insurance industry?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, because of the measures that we’ve taken—because we have added more teeth to FSCO; because we’re adding dispute resolution system acceleration; because we’re looking after the towing industry; because we’re working with adjusters and appraisers to ensure that there’s a proper dispute mechanism and appeals process to provide for charges against those who may violate; because we’re attacking fraud, because we’re looking after the clinics that are doing it; because we’re reaching and doing everything we can to reduce the claim costs, which result in higher premiums, we have made measures to reduce premiums as well.

We have well over 14 insurance companies who have publicly filed a reduction in their rates by more than 10%, some as high as 14% and 15% already. We have publicized this. We have put them on the webpages. His own colleagues: They themselves have said that they’ve already received lower rates because they’ve taken the measures and because they made those calls.

We will act, obviously without their support because they voted against—

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

Affordable housing

Mrs. Laura Albanese: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Safe and affordable housing is an issue that affects all Ontarians, whether they live in my riding of York South–Weston, in Windsor or in Thunder Bay.

During the recent election, the need for our government to continue investing in affordable and social housing was an issue that was frequently brought to my attention. Last week, in the throne speech, our government committed to building a fairer and healthier province, and that means greater access to affordable housing.

The question I’m now being asked is how we are going to tackle this pressing need. Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Could he please explain what our government is doing and will do to ensure that we continue to invest in the vulnerable Ontarians who need greater access to safe and affordable housing?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: I want to thank the member from York South–Weston for her ongoing advocacy in this area.

We understand that long-term local solutions are really the only way to address the ongoing need to house vulnerable folk. That’s why our government is focusing on Ontario’s Housing First strategy. We’ve invested over $3 billion in affordable housing—more than any government before us.

In our throne speech, Mr. Speaker, our government committed to expanding the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative and investment in affordable housing programs. But it’s not an issue just for the province or municipalities. To be brutally frank, we need an ongoing federal partner that we can count on for a housing strategy.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Laura Albanese: Thank you to the minister for confirming our government’s commitment to social and affordable housing.

As you may know, the first co-operative housing building in the city of Toronto was built in my riding of York South–Weston, a residence called Beech Hall. However, Beech Hall is experiencing a crisis that it hasn’t seen the likes of since the 1970s, when the Toronto borough of York threatened to phase out this complex in favour of a new development.

The federal government till now has provided assistance to co-ops and housing providers through programs started in the 1970s and the 1980s. However, these agreements are expiring, and the date is quickly approaching where most of these contracts will be phased out.

Many residents of Beech Hall are calling on the federal government to maintain the existing housing stock. They believe that the federal government needs to come back to the table with long-term, stable sources of funding. Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Could he please explain what our government will do to ensure that the federal government maintains its funding?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: Our government certainly welcomed the March 2013 announcement by the federal government to renew the joint housing program for the next five years. That said, they also indicated that they’re about to get out of maintaining existing social housing stock, which causes us some real concern.

It remains a fact that the federal government’s contribution is going to be reducing, and reducing quickly, over the next 15 or 20 years. If we’re going to get on with the social and co-operative housing opportunities that are presented, which many stakeholders in Ontario have been able to avail themselves of, we are going to have to work together—the federal government, the provincial government and the municipal government. I hope the opposition and the third party will join us in our efforts and particularly with respect to putting pressure on the federal government.

Services for the developmentally disabled

Ms. Christine Elliott: My question is to the Premier. Elizabeth Mikelsons is a 24-year-old woman who is living with a very rare disease called spinocerebellar ataxia. This is a painful and disabling neurodegenerative disease which is ultimately terminal.

Elizabeth’s needs have recently become so significant that her family is not able to care for her anymore at home, given that she requires 24/7 assistance. Her family has finally found a place where she can live out her days in comfort and dignity. Although it’s very difficult to find a place that can accommodate her needs, her family has found such a place. It’s Sunbeam Lodge in Kitchener.

Yet, the Ministry of Community and Social Services refuses to fund the $40,500 it will cost to keep her there for six months, which is just a little over $200 a day, which will keep Elizabeth there for what might well be her last six months. Recently, her family was forced to resort to the Internet to essentially crowdfund the money that she needs.

Premier, on behalf of Elizabeth and her family, will you commit to funding her stay at Sunbeam Lodge so that she can live out her days in comfort and dignity?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Thank you to the member for Whitby–Oshawa for this question. Of course we cannot discuss any particular individual case because of issues of confidentiality. But as a government I know that we remain totally committed to supporting those with developmental disabilities and we are providing additional services.

We do take this issue incredibly seriously. I know the member opposite, from having worked with her previously on the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, is totally committed to issues around the vulnerable. I would just say to her that we also share that kind of commitment to what we are doing in the developmental disability community. We do believe very strongly that the families and the individuals need the type of support that perhaps we have heard about in this particular case and we’re committed to that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Christine Elliott: Well, I’d say to the minister this is a situation that really requires immediate attention. The answer that the family got back through your ministry is that the developmental services office is going to offer them some kind of respite or some kind of Passport funding, which we all know there isn’t any money for. This young person needs a place within the last six months. She has a—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Thank you.

Please finish.

Ms. Christine Elliott: We have no idea what the money that has been allocated in the budget is going to be used for. You have not been forthcoming on that. But this is a very specific case where this young woman needs your attention, and all we get is a process answer. Well, you can’t hide behind process on this. We all know that there is a way to do this if there is a will to do this.

Minister, will you please summon the will and find a way to fund this young woman’s stay at Sunbeam Lodge for what might be her last six months? Will you please do that?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Perhaps maybe we need an explanation of what exactly is in our budget for those with developmental disabilities. First of all, I think the member does know that Developmental Services Ontario offices work together with families to explore all possible solutions in the community. So in our upcoming budget we’re proud to be proposing an investment of $810 million over the next three years to significantly strengthen developmental services for people in Ontario. This is the single largest infusion of support to the sector in this province in history. And this proposed—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Please finish.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: This proposed additional funding would increase our government’s investment in developmental services to more than $2 billion in 2016-17. This means there will be support for an additional 1,400 people with urgent residential needs. It will eliminate wait-lists for 8,000 children—

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

Pension plans

Ms. Jennifer K. French: My question is for the Associate Minister of Finance. Pooled retirement pension plans are Stephen-Harper-approved plans that are good for banks. They are, however, a gamble for families.

The Liberals insist that their plan is progressive, but it is a plan that’s great for Bay Street but leaves Main Street falling behind.

Jim Leech is the head of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. He knows a thing or two about pensions. This is what Jim Leech had to say about the promise of these private pensions: “If markets have been bad, your retirement lifestyle will be” far less.

My question: Why is the Premier gambling on a Stephen-Harper-approved private pension scheme?

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I want to thank the member opposite for her question and congratulate her on her appointment as critic for pensions.

We know that this is a very important issue in Ontario, because our population is aging, and we have to prepare for the future. That is why, Speaker, we have proposed the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan, which is an opportunity for us to put away a little bit today for the retirement that is coming tomorrow.

Our Ontario Retirement Pension Plan is going to be providing pensions for those in the middle class who currently are without a workplace pension. It will be comparable to and, in fact, will work very well with voluntary plans like the PRPP, RRSPs and other means.

But what is important is that we plan now for what is inevitable in the future, which is an aging population. We know that we are not adequately covering three million people without a workplace-based pension.

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I am now moving to individual warnings. When I get quiet and somebody uses that opportunity to say something, I will get you.

Supplementary?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Like the budget, this pension plan is a Trojan Horse plan. The Premier’s rhetoric is all about a new public pension plan, but when you look inside, you find Stephen Harper’s private pensions. Stephen Harper likes this plan because it helps out banks, and the bank fees on these PRPPs can take a third out of your retirement savings. It’s just another way that Bay Street benefits and Main Street falls behind.

Again, why is the Premier’s pension plan putting banks ahead of people?

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: The fact of the matter is that we actually took our plans to voters in Ontario, and they have overwhelmingly confirmed that we have ensured that we’re taking care of people’s retirement futures. This is about building Ontario up.

You talk about what economists are saying. In fact, when we plan for the future and give people a predictable stream of income in their retirement years, this is good for our economy. It sustains our economies in cities and towns across this province.

We are doing the smart thing by introducing the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan while ensuring that voluntary options are still available to people so that they can meet their retirement goals. That is the responsible and smart thing to do in terms of securing Ontario’s retirement future.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question. The member from Ottawa Centre.

Public transit

Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde: My question is to the Minister of Transportation.

Mr. Speaker, Ottawa is a world-class city. It is not only a great place to live, but also a destination for businesses and tourists. My constituents and those who visit the city are able to experience and appreciate so much of what the city has to offer.

Being a world-class city means we also need a world-class transit system. That is why, with the support of the Ontario government, Ottawa is building the Ottawa LRT system. This $2.1-billion Confederation Line is a solution for our transit needs. Not only that, but my constituents are thrilled that it will help promote the economy, culture and social benefits of the great city of Ottawa.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Can you please speak to the investments we’ve made so far in the LRT?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I want to begin by thanking the new member from Ottawa–Orléans for that fantastic question. Our government has also recognized the impact that the Ottawa LRT will have on the city of Ottawa. It is indeed a world-class city, a city whose population is expected to grow by 30% up until 2031, and public transportation is already nearing its capacity in the downtown core.

These are some of the reasons why, in 2009, our government committed up to $600 million toward stage 1 of the Ottawa LRT project. Thanks to the advocacy of all of the caucus members whom we have on this side from Ottawa, that is the single largest investment ever made to the city’s public transit system from the provincial government.

The LRT is something that all of our Ottawa caucus members have advocated for. Through them, the government has recognized the impact this would have on residents, tourists and business within that city. Construction began on the Confederation Line in April 2013, and the city of Ottawa projects that this project will create approximately 20,000 jobs.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): To correct my record—I apologize: the member from Ottawa–Orléans on a supplementary.

Mrs. Marie-France Lalonde: Merci, monsieur le Président, and thank you to the minister for his response. The benefits of the project to our city are vast, both socially and economically.

Ottawa’s prosperity depends on moving people more efficiently. The LRT will mean reliable commuting, lower emissions and quieter neighbourhoods, all while creating jobs. It is estimated that 67% of the residents of Ottawa will live within five kilometres of the LRT. I know we’re excited to see the completed LRT going down the road in 2018.

What’s even more encouraging to the people of Ottawa–Orléans and the rest of the city of Ottawa is that our government’s investments haven’t stopped here. Can the minister speak to what other investments the government of Ontario has made into the transportation infrastructure of Ottawa, and how my residents in Ottawa–Orléans have benefited from this government?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: Again I thank the member from Ottawa–Orléans for that fantastic follow-up. Easing congestion and helping commuters get home quicker is one of our government’s main objectives, and that’s why we’ve committed approximately $1.09 billion to support public transit in Ottawa since 2003. This includes $27 million for transit maintenance and approximately $314 million in gas tax funding.

Specifically as part of the Ottawa LRT agreement, we have also committed to widening Highway 417 between Nicholas Street and the Ottawa Road 174 split. This will help ensure that the Ottawa LRT is successful.

As the member knows—as every member knows—our budget includes our Moving Ontario Forward plan. This is a plan that would see a record investment of $29 billion to support transportation infrastructure: $15 billion within the GTHA and $14 billion for the rest of the province. Investments like these will help to boost our economy and break the congestion that is costing us billions of dollars a year.

Manufacturing jobs

Mr. Jim McDonell: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development. Since taking over government just 10 years ago, my riding of Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry has lost over 4,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs.

In just the past few months, three more companies have announced that they are closing their doors. American Standard, Canlyte Philips and Sensient BioPharma are consolidating their operations and moving almost 300 jobs to our US neighbours.

When will the minister realize that they need to tackle the out-of-control regulation, fees, taxation and hydro rates that are making our province uncompetitive and unattractive to businesses that are not receiving your government’s corporate giveaways?

Hon. Brad Duguid: No matter how hard the PCs try to spin it, no matter how hard they try to talk down Ontario’s economy, the fact of the matter is that it is a fact that we are up 460,000 net jobs since the recession.

If the member opposite really cared about jobs in this province, he’d be supporting the budget that we want to get moved forward this summer, before the House adjourns. If he was really concerned about jobs and the economy, he’d be supporting our $2.5-billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund that is designed to continue to attract investment into this province and that has made us number one in North America for foreign direct investment. That helps all sectors of our economy.

If he really cared about jobs in this province, he’d be supporting our budget, which invests $130 billion in infrastructure, creating and supporting up to 100,000 jobs every single year—

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

Mr. Jim McDonell: Back to the minister: Ontario’s unemployment rate has been above the national average for over 90 months. The government has managed to lose almost 50,000 private sector jobs last month alone. Our public services rely on a healthy private sector that generates wealth and prosperity, but this government seems bent on driving our private sector out of Ontario.

Minister, will you tackle the competitive issues that are forcing our private sector companies to move to neighbouring states and provinces, or will you stand idly by as our skilled workforce languishes in the unemployment line?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, we’ve just brought forward a budget that totally focuses on creating jobs and building a stronger economy. In stark contrast to that, you just fought an election on a platform that does nothing but kill jobs across this province. I’m not just talking about the 100,000 jobs you directly wanted to kill. I’m talking about the 500,000 jobs that you and your party would place at risk directly and indirectly in our auto sector.

I’m talking about the 50,000 jobs that we’re creating through our regional economic development funds and our partnerships with OpenText and other companies like Cisco—50,000 jobs under you that would be gone. I’m talking about the 30,000 clean energy jobs that you do not support and the clean energy economy that you would bring to an end.

Mr. Speaker, if you add it all up—they talked about a million jobs that they were going to bring in—they’d be putting a million jobs at risk.

Public transit

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: Speaker, my question is to the Premier.

A few days ago, Premier, you claimed that a high-speed rail link between London and Toronto was possible within a decade, and yet high-speed rail is mentioned nowhere in your budget—no timelines, no funding, nothing at all.

If the Premier really intends to build high-speed rail to London, why isn’t it mentioned anywhere in her budget?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member from London for that question.

Obviously, high-speed rail is very, very important to our government. It’s very important to the people of London, Kitchener-Waterloo and communities like Windsor and beyond. I think it’s important for everyone to understand that with almost $14 billion in new revenue tools that are provided for in the budget to fund transportation projects outside of the GTHA, the high-speed rail project is one of the ones that we plan to pursue to help create jobs and help boost the economy in the London area.

As you may know, the government has undertaken a pre-feasibility study—the Ministry of Transportation has done that work—and we are working hard to work with all partners, municipalities and everyone else in the system to develop an implementation plan that makes sense. This is why, as we’ve said throughout this week, throughout the budget debate, it’s very important for members, particularly from those communities that will benefit greatly from the investments we plan to make, to support our budget, work with us and get on with the projects.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: There is no funding for high-speed rail in the budget. It’s not even mentioned in your budget. In fact, the government has been silent on how it will pay for transportation priorities that are mentioned in the budget. The government has only found half the money needed to pay for existing transportation promises—not including the magical high-speed rail line. How will the government make up the difference? By selling public assets? By cutting programs?

Mr. Speaker, Ontarians deserve the truth. Will the Premier finally admit that she can’t keep her promises and that her government will deliver austerity, not high-speed rail?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member opposite again for that follow-up question.

I thought that I was fairly clear in my initial response regarding how very clearly our budget lays out a plan to make transportation and public transit investments right across the province of Ontario—$29 billion. I’ve said that repeatedly since having the chance to serve in this particular capacity. That includes close to $14 billion for transit and transportation infrastructure projects in areas outside of the GTHA, which would, of course, include the community of London. As I mentioned a second ago, the Ministry of Transportation has undertaken a pre-feasibility study. We are in the process of finalizing a business case and embarking on an environmental assessment.

I would ask the member opposite again to consider supporting the budget that we have introduced in this House. It includes the funding for $14 billion worth of projects which would benefit the people of London—

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

Hon. Steven Del Duca: You should support this project—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. When I stand, you sit.

New question.

Aboriginal economic development

Mr. Granville Anderson: My question is for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. This government has been investing in people, investing in infrastructure and supporting an innovative and dynamic business environment. We all recognize that strong and vibrant aboriginal communities strengthen Ontario culturally, socially and economically.

Minister, while we are making progress across many different areas, can you please elaborate on how we have been helping to improve and create greater economic opportunities with the aboriginal communities in Ontario?

Hon. David Zimmer: We are active on many fronts, creating opportunities for the private sector, First Nations and Métis communities to participate in a meaningful way in our plan to grow Ontario’s economy.

The 2014 budget, if passed, includes an Aboriginal Economic Development Fund, which includes an investment of $25 million over three years. The fund will support aboriginal communities in the development of long-term economic strategies. It will also provide grants for aboriginal businesses and fund province-wide regional skills training.

This government recognizes the importance of economic development for aboriginal communities and wants to see meaningful employment and business development for all aboriginal communities in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Granville Anderson: Thank you, Minister. This is great news. Obviously this is a great investment in helping people, communities and businesses to create a more robust business environment.

The Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program was announced as part of the 2009 budget as a way to both enhance aboriginal participation in Ontario infrastructure and encourage forays into renewable green energy.

Last week, I joined the minister in a meeting with Chief Marsden of Alderville First Nation near my riding of Durham to hear an update on the Alderville solar project. Thanks to the loan guarantee program, it is the province’s first ground-mounted solar farm wholly owned by a First Nation community.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister, what is Ontario doing to ensure that more communities can benefit from this program?

Hon. David Zimmer: The 2014 budget, if passed, would continue the Aboriginal Loan Guarantee Program which was launched in 2009 to facilitate aboriginal participation in renewable energy infrastructure projects.

To date, the program has leveraged significant investments, with $130 million in approved loan guarantees which have supported investments of eight communities, representing over 10,000 First Nations people, in four projects that have parlayed the investment into a total of $2.8 billion for the province.

I did have the pleasure last week to meet with Chief Marsden of Alderville First Nation, along with the member for Durham, and I’m happy to say one of the four projects includes the recently approved loan guarantee that will support a portion of the Alderville First Nation’s equity investment in the Alderville solar project, making it the first 100% aboriginal-owned solar project in Ontario.

The guarantee works to the benefit of all people—

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

Skilled trades

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: To the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities: Bernie Fishbein worked as an advocate for the electricians’ union, representing them in over 60 separate legal cases over the past 20 years. Despite this obvious conflict of interest, your College of Trades saw fit to appoint him as the chair of the electricians’ ratio review panel, where he went on to recommend the ratio proposed by the union that employed him for 20 years. Minister, it is unbelievable that you have accepted this conflict of interest and done nothing about it. Yesterday, the minister told the House he was going to appoint an adviser to review the boondoggle at the College of Trades.

In spite of his clear conflict of interest and in spite of an ongoing judicial review into his bias, Bernie Fishbein is apparently being considered for this job—a whole review of the College of Trades.

To the minister: Will you be appointing this long-time paid advocate of the electricians’ union, Bernie Fishbein, to be your adviser for the planned review of the Ontario College of Trades?

Hon. Reza Moridi: I want to thank the member opposite for that question.

The College of Trades has been doing a great job since it started its operations just over a year ago. We created this college because we believe that the tradespeople there can decide on their own profession. That’s why we have created the College of Trades—and not only that, but to raise the profile of the tradespeople, because we believe that electricians, mechanics, other professionals and other tradespeople have the same rights as doctors, dentists, teachers and others to regulate their own profession. That’s why we created the College of Trades, and they have been doing a great job since they started their operation about a year ago.

In the past 14 or 15 months since their operation, they have reviewed 33 professions—33 trades—and they have reduced the ratios in 14 of them. I’ll address the question in the second part, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Well, you didn’t address the first part of the question.

First of all, let’s correct the record. Under Fishbein’s biased recommendation, Ontario raised apprenticeship ratios for the electrician trade from 3 to 1 to 6 to 1. That is more than double. They got exactly what the union wanted. Second, the College of Trades is a boondoggle. You have to know that no one likes it after all this.

Special interest groups are running the place. They are restricting competition and are raising the cost of hiring tradespeople for Ontario companies. Also, young Ontarians are in fact leaving to take apprenticeships in other provinces.

To the minister: Have you had any discussions with special interest groups regarding the appointment of this adviser, Mr. Bernie Fishbein, to the Ontario College of Trades? Minister, what deals have been made regarding Bernie Fishbein’s appointment?

Hon. Reza Moridi: The College of Trades, as I said, has been doing a great job. In relation to the conflict of interest—the member referring to it—the case is before the courts, so I’m not going to comment on that.

But since we created the College of Trades—for the past many, many years, when the member opposite’s party was in office, they never reviewed any single profession’s ratios; they never did it. But the College of Trades, within just 14, 15 months since its operation, reviewed the ratios in 33 professions, Mr. Speaker—33 trades—and they reduced the ratios in 14 of them. So they have been doing a great job.

This is the first time in the history of the province that we have a regulatory college for tradespeople. They actually love to have this college. They want to have the college; they want to decide on their own profession. That’s why we created the college, and tradespeople like the college, in contrast to what the member opposite is claiming.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question? The member from Algoma–Manitoulin.

Workplace safety

Mr. Michael Mantha: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning to you. My question is to the Minister of Labour.

Yesterday, the members of this Legislature rose for a moment of silence for a miner, Pascal Goulet, 38, leaving behind his spouse and two daughters, killed tragically last Thursday at his job at North American Palladium. Unfortunately, Mr. Goulet is the seventh miner killed on the job this year in Ontario.

One death is too many, but seven is an outrage. Miners and their families have a right to expect that they’ll come home safe at the end of their shift. What will this minister do today to ensure that not one more miner is killed in this province, and that their workplaces are safe?

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I do thank the honourable member for that very, very important question. I was saddened to hear of the incident, as all of us were around the House. My thoughts are with this person’s family and the colleagues that he was working with.

I understand that we have Ministry of Labour inspectors investigating on the site. The ministry’s priority in this regard is to ensure that the Occupational Health and Safety Act is followed and enforced. The investigation is ongoing, Speaker. As you know, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the specific circumstances related to this incident.

I will tell you, though, that this government is committed to protecting the health and safety of miners and all workers in Ontario. Right now, our Chief Prevention Officer is leading a comprehensive mining safety review. It’s got an external group of industry, labour and health and safety reps. It’s a year-long review. I look forward to those findings. And Speaker, to answer the question specifically, I look forward to acting upon those findings.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Essex.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Again to the Minister of labour: Last year, the Premier rejected an inquiry into mining deaths and instead chose to review health and safety. But at the very first public hearings, the government didn’t even advertise to invite participants. While we eagerly await the review’s findings, miners in this province continue to die.

Based on the Westray law and supported by the United Steelworkers, which represents miners across this country, Nova Scotia recently decided to create a special prosecutor to enforce workplace safety standards.

Will the minister act today on the appalling seven mining industry deaths this year and create a special prosecutor to enforce workplace safety standards in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: As the previous questioner noted, one death is too many. Seven is not good; one is not good.

Between March and June of this year, we’ve had 12 public consultation dates. We’ve been to Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, Red Lake, Marathon and London to ensure that the mining sector itself—safety representatives from labour and business—is able to provide input into the mining review.

This is a review that we intend on acting upon, obviously, once we’ve heard from everybody. Over 150 people to date have participated in these public meetings. We’ve got over 60 written submissions. We’re working very, very hard with the Chief Prevention Officer. As I said, Speaker, I look forward to the findings. When those findings are in, we intend to act upon those findings.

Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Finance, on a point of order.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Just on a point of order, Mr. Speaker: We have young people who participate in politics. It’s always nice to acknowledge interns who show up and want to do this. I’d like to acknowledge Aashish Oberor and Shaunt Tchakmak, who are here today as interns participating in the political process.

Deferred Votes

2014 Ontario budget

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We have a deferred vote on the motion that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

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

The division bells rang from 1137 to 1142.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Everyone take their seats, please.

On July 14, Mr. Sousa moved, seconded by Ms. Wynne, that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government. All those in favour of the motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Albanese, Laura

Anderson, Granville

Baker, Yvan

Balkissoon, Bas

Ballard, Chris

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Chan, Michael

Chiarelli, Bob

Colle, Mike

Coteau, Michael

Crack, Grant

Damerla, Dipika

Del Duca, Steven

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Dickson, Joe

Dong, Han

Duguid, Brad

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fraser, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoggarth, Ann

Hoskins, Eric

Hunter, Mitzie

Jaczek, Helena

Kiwala, Sophie

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Marie-France

Leal, Jeff

MacCharles, Tracy

Malhi, Harinder

Mangat, Amrit

Martins, Cristina

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGarry, Kathryn

McMahon, Eleanor

McMeekin, Ted

Meilleur, Madeleine

Milczyn, Peter Z.

Moridi, Reza

Murray, Glen R.

Naidoo-Harris, Indira

Naqvi, Yasir

Orazietti, David

Potts, Arthur

Qaadri, Shafiq

Rinaldi, Lou

Sandals, Liz

Sergio, Mario

Sousa, Charles

Takhar, Harinder S.

Vernile, Daiene

Wong, Soo

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Arnott, Ted

Barrett, Toby

Bisson, Gilles

Cimino, Joe

Clark, Steve

Dunlop, Garfield

Elliott, Christine

Fedeli, Victor

Fife, Catherine

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Gretzky, Lisa

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Michael

Hatfield, Percy

Horwath, Andrea

Jones, Sylvia

MacLeod, Lisa

Mantha, Michael

Martow, Gila

McDonell, Jim

Miller, Paul

Munro, Julia

Natyshak, Taras

Nicholls, Rick

Pettapiece, Randy

Sattler, Peggy

Singh, Jagmeet

Smith, Todd

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Thompson, Lisa M.

Walker, Bill

Wilson, Jim

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 57; the nays are 36.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I declare the motion carried.

Motion agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no further votes. This House stands recessed until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1146 to 1500.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Introduction of guests? Introduction of guests? Last—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All of these wonderful people who are in the gallery today, we welcome them all.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’ve done that in the past.

It’s now time for members’ statements.

Members’ Statements

Lyme disease

Ms. Laurie Scott: I rise on behalf of the growing number of people in my riding of Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock whose lives have been shattered by Lyme disease.

Like many MPPs, I’ve stood in this place to introduce petitions on behalf of the people I represent, pleading to the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care for us to do better for patients with Lyme disease.

This disease is increasingly endemic throughout Canada and is now on the rise in central Ontario, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in the Ontario public health system and through the Ontario Health Insurance Plan. This forces patients to seek testing procedures in the USA at a great financial cost.

I’ve heard many stories from constituents where stories range from anti, like from a person who, after five years of testing, was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease, but had to go to the US and have that test confirmed—she was able to receive some treatment in Ontario from an infectious disease specialist. The treatment was working, but the doctor said he had to cut her off, that his hands were tied, and he recommended that she had to go to British Columbia for treatment.

Our health care system can do better. People with Lyme disease are suffering. They have precious little time to be diagnosed and treated with effectiveness. So I take the time again to ask the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to take real action to help those suffering from Lyme disease.

Member for Hamilton East–Stoney Creek

Mr. Paul Miller: Speaker, I want to start off by thanking everyone who worked on my re-election campaign and those who gave their time, energy and money to all candidates. Without volunteers, none of us would be able to run our election campaigns. I congratulate you on your successful campaigns but, to be completely honest, there are some ridings that lost good, honest, hard-working, experienced MPPs, and to those constituents I express my heartfelt sorrow at your loss.

We will miss the wise counsel and depth of knowledge and commitment that this Legislature has lost with the departure of Michael Prue, Rosario Marchese and Jonah Schein.

I’m pleased to have been appointed again as third deputy speaker, a job that I found to be fulfilling and one that has expanded my knowledge of the Legislature and the traditions of this House.

As well as returning as third deputy speaker, I’m also returning as the NDP’s critic for tourism, culture and sport, and the Pan/Parapan Am Games. This portfolio is exciting, especially as we count down to the final year to the official opening to the games. Although I’m extremely excited that our many athletes will have the opportunity to wow us with their skills and athletic prowess, I will remain vigilant in my efforts to ensure that the games come in on time and on budget in safe venues.

Waterloo Regional Police Service

Ms. Daiene Vernile: This past April, Waterloo Regional Police Service said farewell to former chief of police Matt Torigian, when he announced that he’d be retiring after 29 years of service. While we in Waterloo region are sad to see him go, we’re proud that Mr. Torigian will continue to share his expertise with the people of Ontario as the new deputy minister for Community Safety and Correctional Services.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, I just ran into him in the hallway. He was sitting in front of the Premier’s office. He and I go back a long ways, when our kids were in elementary school together in Kitchener.

On behalf of the citizens of Waterloo region, I am pleased to rise in the Legislature today to offer congratulations to our newly appointed chief of police in Waterloo region, Mr. Bryan Larkin.

Chief Larkin started his distinguished career as a cadet in 1991 before becoming a constable with our local police force. From there he spent 20 years serving in a number of roles within the WRPS, including superintendent to divisional commander.

In 2011, Mr. Larkin joined the Guelph Police Service, serving first as deputy chief and then as chief of police for the past two years. Chief Larkin is returning home to Waterloo region, bringing with him a track record of exceptional commitment to public service and proven leadership.

I ask all members of the House to join me in congratulating Chief Larkin on his appointment as our new chief of police and wishing him all the best in this new role.

Wheatley Fish Festival

Mr. Rick Nicholls: I