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March 24, 2014

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2014-Mar-24 (PDF)

L116 - Mon 24 Mar 2014 / Lun 24 mar 2014

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 24 March 2014 Lundi 24 mars 2014

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO BUDGET

PAN AM GAMES

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

HEALTH CARE

GREEN POWER GENERATION

ENERGY POLICIES

BLOOD DONATION

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

PAN AM GAMES

DISTRACTED DRIVING

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

MINING INDUSTRY

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

EVENTS IN TECUMSEH

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

KEMPTVILLE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION

GO TRANSIT

DISASTER RELIEF

GREENBELT

ONTARIO FARMERS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC SECTOR AND MPP

ACCOUNTABILITY

AND TRANSPARENCY ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 SUR

LA RESPONSABILISATION

ET LA TRANSPARENCE DU SECTEUR

PUBLIC ET DES DÉPUTÉS

MOTIONS

SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ PUBLIC BUSINESS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

PETITIONS

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

GASOLINE PRICES

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

LYME DISEASE

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

FIREFIGHTERS

SENIOR CITIZENS’ HOUSING

OPPOSITION DAY

JOB CREATION

ORDERS OF THE DAY

VOLUNTARY BLOOD

DONATIONS ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 SUR LE DON

DE SANG VOLONTAIRE

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It’s my pleasure today to introduce in this assembly my daughter’s first babysitter, who has now gone on to become a University of Guelph student. She’s from Ottawa West–Nepean. Alanna Fernet is here today. I chose to embarrass her.

Mr. Rick Bartolucci: It’s my pleasure to introduce the member from York Centre, who turned 83 on Saturday. Congratulations and happy birthday to Monte Kwinter.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: It’s my pleasure today to welcome a constituent of mine from Windsor: Kelly Timm, who is in the gallery today. She is the proud mother of my legislative assistant, Denny Timm, who has joined her for question period this morning.

Mr. Mike Colle: Mazel to my colleague Monte Kwinter on his birthday.

Welcome to CJPAC senior fellow Samuel Mosonyi, CJPAC representatives, the University of Guelph Political Science Society, and all the university students who are here today from Guelph to see question period and participate in the CJPAC political engagement revolving tables lunch. Welcome.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: I’d like to introduce to you today, in the members’ gallery, Kathy Inch, Lynda Murphy, Cynthia Stagg and Kailin Ambrose. They’re all here from the Ontario Hairstylists Association. Welcome, girls.

Mr. Paul Miller: I’d like to introduce my EA, Margo Duncan, who’s sitting up here today. It was her 65th birthday yesterday. I also informed her that she can’t retire till she’s 67.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I’d like all members of the Legislature to welcome the heart and soul of my Thunder Bay–Superior North constituency office: Crystal Caputo, who is here today with her husband, Frank Caputo. Welcome, Crystal and Frank.

Mr. Rob Leone: I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Maitland Hudak to this world, who was born yesterday morning. To the Hudak family, I wish Deb, Tim and Miller all the best, as well, in welcoming Maitland.

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to congratulate our page captain today, Callista Laffrenier. Her proud parents are here, Karen and Ken, and her sister Caralynn. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: Page Isabella O’Brien, who’s from my riding, has a family friend, Mark William, who is visiting from Sydney, Australia, and has come in today to watch her in action. I’d like to welcome him.

Mrs. Gila Martow: Mr. Speaker, it’s my pleasure to introduce my son Josh. He’s number two of four kids. Josh, stand up and wave.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Josh, you’d better do what your mother tells you. Sorry; I couldn’t resist.

The Minister of Education.

Hon. Liz Sandals: As was noted, we have quite a group from the University of Guelph here today. The event is co-hosted by the University of Guelph Political Science Society and the Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee at the University of Guelph, and it just happens to include a number of members of the University of Guelph Young Liberals: Frank Tersigni, Andrew Quinn, Andrew Gurpat, Musa Mansuar, Steven Inglis and Duncan Tilford. Hi, guys.

Ms. Laurie Scott: I’d like to introduce the family members of the page captain today, Megan Barkey. She attends McCaskill’s Mills Public School in Cannington. We have family members Dave Barkey, Angelie Barkey—mom and dad—and we have grandparents Dorothy and Edwin Barkey, and I think sister Meredith is here, too. Give us a wave over there. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’m delighted to welcome Paul Geukers today to the Legislature. He was a successful bidder in an auction in support of London Health Sciences Centre. Welcome, Paul.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Visiting here for page Divya Dey, on behalf of the member from Etobicoke Centre, are mother Dia Dey and grandmother Indira Dutta. Welcome and thank you for joining us at Queen’s Park.

We have with us today in the Speaker’s gallery 23 teachers from across the province participating in our inaugural Legislative Assembly of Ontario Teachers’ Forum, where workshops are held for teachers to provide more background on how the Legislature works to their students. Please welcome, with me, our teachers. Thank you very much for our first forum.

I welcome everyone to Queen’s Park.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr. Victor Fedeli: My questions are for the Acting Premier. Over the weekend, we heard from a Liberal Party that is dangerously out of touch with reality. Your Premier claimed to offer “safe hands.” Well, those safe hands have delivered one million Ontarians into unemployment.

Interjection.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Yes, you can clap for that.

Those safe hands signed a cabinet document to pay $1.1 billion to cancel the gas plants, and she’s clearly using those safe hands to cover her eyes if she can’t see the damage the Liberals have done to the province of Ontario. That’s why we put forward a motion calling for the Liberals to table a budget by March 31.

Will you support our motion, or will you continue your budget shell game, which we exposed last week?

Interjections.

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Statements only if I ask for them, please.

Deputy Premier.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I really do want to start by welcoming Maitland Hutton Hudak to the world. We’re very proud to welcome this newest Ontarian. Congratulations to Tim and Deb.

I’m afraid, Speaker, that what we’re witness to here is just another gimmick. I guess we’re becoming used to seeing this kind of gimmick from the PCs, especially given that every single budget that they introduced was delivered in May or June. The Leader of the Opposition sat and applauded each one of those budgets, even the one that was not delivered here in the Legislature.

We will be coming forward with a budget shortly. It will be an aspirational plan. It will also be a realistic and practical plan—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That will do.

Wrap up, please.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, it’s a plan that will create security and opportunity for Ontarians. We’re not about slashing and burning on the backs of the middle class.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Yes, we heard last week what “aspirational” means: You aspire to have a great budget; you just don’t know how to get there. Is that your idea of governing?

Your minister stands here telling us you’ve created 400,000 jobs, yet your own documents show us, “There are fewer jobs relative to our population—and more unemployed.”

These are the facts you don’t want us to see. You get caught, and your plan is to distract from the fact that you have no plan for the 600,000 men and women who woke up this morning without a job. This is the latest example of the Liberals putting their priorities ahead of the needs of the people of Ontario.

It’s obvious you don’t have a real jobs plan, so use ours. If you choose not to act at all, stand up and face a confidence vote.

Interjections.

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Northumberland–Quinte West will come to order.

Hon. David Zimmer: Get out of the way, Vic.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Aboriginal Affairs will come to order.

Minister.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: What I have been able to glean from the jobs plan of the party opposite is their plan to cut jobs, to slash jobs, to fire nurses, to fire educational workers. That is their plan. It’s not about creating jobs; it’s about slashing and cutting.

I can tell you that the radical ideas proposed by the party opposite will hurt our hospitals. It will cut home care to our seniors. It would be on the backs of the middle class, Speaker. That’s their position. It is definitely not our position.

Our position is about building our future. It’s about supporting the wonderful people we have in Ontario. I’m proud of our plan, and I’m afraid of theirs.

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

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Well, you can aspire all you want. I’ll pass that message on to the 40 nurses you fired in North Bay already.

Last week, I exposed the $4.5-billion gap in your budget. Your Premier tried to explain it away by pointing to a potential $5-billion revenue shortfall in last fall’s economic statement. But that gap was from new spending, and I’m not talking about last fall. I’m talking about what you knew and what you said half a year earlier.

In March, you were told by the Ministry of Finance that you were “not on track to meet the 2012 budget deficit targets.” Then you went out one month later and told the bond-rating agencies, “The government is on track to meet the budget deficit targets outlined in the 2012 budget.”

Why did you tell everybody one thing last March when you knew the complete opposite to be true?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the member opposite took six months to read something that we already put out in the public realm. He is only now citing information that is in fact, as he has just stated, very old. Of course, it’s important and prudent for any Minister of Finance or any government to react and recalibrate their spending appropriately to the conditions that are facing them, and that’s exactly what we’ve done.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex will withdraw.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’ll withdraw.

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

Hon. Charles Sousa: We’ve taken the steps necessary to control and be disciplined in our spending. We’re the only government that actually cut spending year over year. Ontario is the lowest-cost government in Canada because of the steps and initiatives that we’ve taken.

Members opposite are only playing slogans and gimmicks, and they are politics of division. They’re creating fear and they are hurting the recovery of this province by the antics that they play. We won’t stand for that. The people of Ontario deserve better. That is why we’re taking the steps that we are to protect their interests.

PAN AM GAMES

Mr. Rod Jackson: My question is to the minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan Am Games. These games have a higher turnover than your Liberal caucus. This Pan Am Friday, we learned you fired two more TO2015 executives, but you replaced them with a McGuinty staffer renowned for scandal-hopping and six-figure salaries. Neala Barton shows up in gas plants, Premier Redford scandals and now Pan Am.

You’re in trouble, Minister. You’re in big trouble. Tell us how much the soft landings for your disgraced executives have cost, plus Neala Barton’s homecoming? How much will it all cost Ontario taxpayers?

Interjections.

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

The minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you for the question. A new day, a new attack on the Pan Am Games by the member opposite.

TO2015 is working in coordination with the federal government and 15 municipalities to deliver the best games ever for the Pan and Parapan American Games. Part of TO2015’s mandate is to ensure an efficient and effective delivery of the games. That includes staffing, streamlining and organizational changes as deemed appropriate.

Staffing decisions are made by the CEO of TO2015. The organizing committee is shifting from the planning stage into the operational stage in the leadup to the games. Recent changes in the management structure were made by the CEO to reflect this new phase.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rod Jackson: Let’s be clear, Minister: This is not an attack on the Pan Am Games; it’s an indictment of your mismanagement of the Pan Am Games. The minister should start handing out medals to executives who actually make it to the end of the games. It’s the taxpayers who have to pay for the endless TO2015 personnel mistakes. We pay for the sunshine list salaries. We pay for the teas, pets and parking. We pay their showing-up-for-work bonuses. We pay for their golden parachutes when they’re fired, and now we pay for Neala Barton’s Liberal Party loyalty.

Minister, this is shamefully unethical at best. Will you step down and take responsibility for once?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you again for the question. The member opposite’s allegations have no credibility. Allow me to give you some examples, Speaker. He told the public he did not know—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, come to order.

Hon. Michael Chan: —that the total of the village wasn’t in the $1.4-billion budget. The Toronto Star and the Toronto Sun reported in 2009 that the village cost is outside the TO2015 budget.

Speaker, he says he’s a human resources expert, but he has not heard of a completion incentive program. He claims security is going to cost $1 billion, which is wrong. He claimed Mr. Troop’s severance was going to be over $1 million, which is wrong again. He publicly claimed that our PASO reception in October was five times the actual cost.

Speaker, we are planning the best games ever—

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

Mr. Rod Jackson: Minister, just so you know, people are watching, so it’s about time you started giving some real answers here. At this rate, sadly, you’ll be the only one left standing at the end of this. In the end, not even your new communications VP will save you.

Just so you know, Minister, you hired the only person in Canada who was press secretary to McGuinty and Redford the night they resigned. She’s also credited for creating a tanning bed issue to detract from the gas plant scandal. Taxpayers should not be paying Liberals a premium for spinning scrutiny away from the Pan Am Games mismanagement. Pan Am is not in safe hands, Minister; neither are you, Neala Barton, by the way.

Minister, since you won’t resign, do you think you should be the next one fired for the blatant patronage appointment of Neala Barton?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you very much again for the question. What people are watching every day is the constant attack of the Pan Am Games by the member opposite.

TO2015 has a mandate to ensure an efficient and effective delivery of the games that includes staffing, streamlining and organizational changes—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Prince Edward–Hastings, come to order.

Hon. Michael Chan: This was a decision made by the CEO of TO2015. The member opposite—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, come to order.

Hon. Michael Chan: —continually play politics is an awful shame. The member opposite does not want these games. The member opposite constantly—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Cambridge, come to order.

Hon. Michael Chan: —the Pan Am Games. All he’s interested in doing is tearing down the games. This is his contribution to the games: to continually badmouth them and embarrass our province to the rest of the world. Shame on you.

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Acting Premier. After months of insisting that she was the new leader of a different government, the Premier confirmed this weekend that her backroom advisers have talked her into something different. She’s no longer going to promise change; she’s going to offer Ontario another dose of Dalton McGuinty and proudly defend the Liberal status quo. For people worried about jobs, that means more of the same approach that’s left us with unemployment that is above the national average. Does the Acting Premier really think that this is good enough?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I can tell you that our Premier is demonstrating change every single day. And I do have to say, in reference to our gathering this past weekend: It was an extraordinarily positive, upbeat event. People from across the province are delighted to be supporting such a strong leader.

She has laid out very carefully our six-point plan to create jobs, to have a strong economy. She makes a very clear point that having a strong economy is essential to having a fair society, and that’s exactly why she is continuing to plow forward on the issues that the member opposite used to raise.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Before I begin the next part of my question, I also want to congratulate, on behalf of New Democrats, Tim Hudak and Deb Hutton on the birth of their child.

Applause.

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Thank you very much.

Now that the Premier has rediscovered her inner McGuinty, she’s spinning the same numbers as he did, and they’re just about as convincing.

Here are the facts that keep Ontario families nervous: 300,000 manufacturing jobs lost over the last decade; the highest hydro and auto insurance rates in Canada; and an unemployment rate that’s still above the national average.

Does the Premier really think it’s okay to simply praise the McGuinty record and say, “Steady as she goes”?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, Speaker, I have to say that it’s pretty clear that the NDP is a party without a plan. There is no plan. There is no plan for pension security, there is no plan for the minimum wage, and the plan they’re putting forward when it comes to the job creator tax credit is simply an unrealistic, impractical plan that would not have the impact that they claim.

I think our plan is clear. It’s practical, it’s achievable and it’s exactly what the province needs right now.

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

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: The Premier talks about the steady hands she shared with Dalton McGuinty. Let’s talk about over a decade of Liberal rule and what those hands have brought us. Those Liberal hands signed million-dollar bonus cheques at hydro; those Liberal hands gave a thumbs-up to a billion-dollar payout to move a gas plant and to drive up hydro; those Liberal hands waved goodbye to 300,000 manufacturing jobs over the last decade; and those Liberal hands gave big breaks to auto insurance companies while leaving drivers with skyrocketing bills.

People are hoping for a little better. Why is the Premier suddenly so determined to become Dalton McGuinty 2.0?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, we’ve created almost 450,000 full-time jobs since the bottom of the recession.

But I have to disagree with the Minister of Health on this, because the NDP does have a jobs plan, and it’s to get $2 billion—that’s what finance estimates this will cost—for their job creator tax credit, which has been discredited by the Obama administration, by Democrats and Republicans alike. In the United States, they’ve found that 92% of the jobs created through this scheme would have been created anyway, and it has been found that it would be subject to abuse, and difficult to administer. So they have a plan.

Unfortunately, it’s a plan that’s going to cost—you haven’t costed it out, so I’m going to cost it out for you—$2 billion annually, and it’s not going to work. You are going to give money to businesses that are already, quite frankly, creating jobs in the province.

HEALTH CARE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. Today, the minister was commenting on the possible merger of the hospitals in the Scarborough area. In the Toronto Star, she admitted that hospitals and our entire health care system are facing pressure to make cuts.

She also admitted: “We can’t provide the home care we want for seniors,” and that plans for more housing for people with mental health problems will also be delayed. Can the minister explain what she meant by that?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: What I can tell you is that our action plan for health care is being implemented across the province. It is resulting in better value for money in our health care system and, most importantly, it’s resulting in more people getting the right care at the right time and in the right place.

When it comes to hospital mergers, we are not forcing hospitals to merge, but it’s certainly clear that there are some advantages—if hospital boards decide that that’s the direction they want to go—to merge, to integrate services, to provide higher quality of care in their community. The hospital boards are exploring this. We’re there to support them if indeed they decide to move forward with it.

But my goal remains clear: We must do better when it comes to mental health. We must do better when it comes to improving access to home care. We’ve still got work to do, and we’re nicely on that path.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: When Ontarians hear that their Minister of Health is searching every corner of our health care system to find savings, they want to know that their front-line health services that they depend on will be protected. And when the minister makes comments about not being able to provide home care or mental health, the concern turns to fear.

In the coming weeks, will Ontarians be learning about promises that the government made but will now be broken?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: It’s unfortunate that the member opposite is taking this quote out of context. What I said was, because the federal government has cut their funding to the province, that will create real pressures for us here in Ontario. We are committed to continuing our progress on mental health and on care at home, but if the federal government does not accept its responsibility and withdraws funding from Ontario, that creates real problems for us. So I would ask the member opposite to join us in our fight with Ottawa. Perhaps she could speak to her federal colleagues to raise this issue, and to stand up for Ontario.

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

M me France Gélinas: Ontarians understand better than anyone that in tough economic times every health care dollar must be spent carefully and wisely. That is why the government’s choice to encourage such things as private schemes in health care, cuts to nursing services or their refusal to cap CEO salaries makes no sense to them.

Will the minister come clean with Ontarians about whether her comments are actually warning signs of the budget to come?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Let me underline that we are implementing our action plan for health care. It means more care for people in their own homes. It means better supports for people facing mental health challenges. Could we move more quickly with federal support? Absolutely. Am I signalling any cutbacks? No, I am not. You can rest assured.

I want to also underline that 20,500 more nurses are working today than 10 years ago. Let me repeat that: 20,500 more nurses are working now than 10 years ago, 4,000 more this year than last year. We are shifting. We are not cutting.

GREEN POWER GENERATION

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Acting Premier. It’s an accepted fact in Ontario today that the Green Energy Act has been an abysmal failure. But don’t take my word for it. Take the 81 municipalities that have declared themselves not willing hosts; or the Auditor General, who said that for every job the Green Energy Act creates, four are lost; or the energy minister himself, who said that he spent $20 billion to produce 1.1% of power.

But the final nail in the coffin comes today as we do not meet our WTO obligations for international law because of your government’s domestic content rules and your generous subsidies. We will not meet international law obligations today, Speaker, even though they have known about it for four years. They have been told to correct it in the last year.

We want to know on this side—enough is enough—will the minister cut our losses with this Green Energy Act and finally repeal it?

Interjections.

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

Deputy Premier?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: We have already taken the preliminary steps to ensure that Ontario is in compliance with the WTO ruling. If passed, Bill 153 would complete that process and would save Ontario ratepayers $1.9 billion.

I think it’s important that we take a look at what the PC energy plan is. It’s a very, very frightening plan: $35 billion would go back to ratepayers under this plan. It would add a massive cost to energy bills—$35 billion—cost Ontario jobs and drive away potential investment. They want to cancel $20-billion worth of unconnected clean energy projects, putting ratepayers on the hook for cancellation costs. That’s $20 billion. Another $15 billion they want to spend on new nuclear that we don’t need and that will send rates sky high. I think they need to look again.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I appreciate that the Acting Premier isn’t abreast of the file that she’s carrying today on behalf of the energy minister, but I’m wondering: Does she want to create a trade war in Ontario that is going to create more job losses in our province and come at a significant disadvantage to Ontario commodities?

I also wonder if the Deputy Premier is excited about damaging Canada’s international reputation with the World Trade Organization. As I stated, the government has known for four years that they were breaking international law. They have known for a year now that they had to redress this and they had to become compliant by March 24, 2014, which is today. So if the compelling evidence of job losses, municipal unrest and their plan just not working doesn’t influence them to do the right thing and cut the Green Energy Act loose, then perhaps complying with international law will do that.

I’ll ask again: Will the Liberals do the right thing? Will they break with the Green Energy Act? Will they repeal it—

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

Interjections.

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

Deputy Premier?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I believe the member opposite already knows, but I need to remind her, that the domestic requirements in the FIT program were always intended to be temporary while our Ontario industry was established. Now I’m very pleased that Ontario’s clean energy manufacturing sector is best in class. We’re able to compete on a global level, and I’m seeing that happening in my own community in London.

She should also know, if she doesn’t already, that at least 85% of Ontario’s domestic clean energy jobs will not be impacted by the reduction of domestic content rules. What these changes do is, they continue our government’s commitment to clean, affordable energy, in stark contrast to the PC plan. I’ll quote the member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. He had this to say last January: “We’ve been clear that we will not be going ahead with however many projects are left.… clearly there will be a cost associated with that....

“I guess we’re not going to know the entire extent”—unless—“we form government….”

Speaker, it’s reckless. It’s ridiculous.

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. Peter Tabuns: To the Acting Premier: On this side of the House, we’ve been clear on the sort of changes that we need to see. We can start by fixing the mess in our electricity system.

US jurisdictions are literally taking our electricity at a third of the cost that we pay to generate it and using the subsidy to lure our manufacturing to the United States. To add insult to injury, municipalities in upstate New York are now targeting business in Ontario with a promise of lower electricity rates.

Why is the Acting Premier defending the same McGuinty Liberal status quo that’s driving up electricity prices and driving business out of Ontario?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Just as an aside, Speaker, last year our exporting of electricity actually reduced costs to consumers by $300 million. The NDP wants to put us out of that business; that is a reckless approach.

We are, though, very concerned about hydro costs for small businesses. This is a serious issue and it’s one we’re taking seriously and appropriately. We are saving businesses money on hydro bills.

As of 2013, under the industrial electricity incentive, eligible companies qualify for electricity rates that are among the lowest in North America. In exchange for creating new jobs and bringing new investment to the province, the industrial conservation initiative is helping large consumers save on costs by incenting them to shift their electricity consumption to off-peak hours. Speaker, it’s working.

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

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I could go on.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Ontarians paid $1 billion for that $300 million worth of electricity we sold.

Families and businesses across Ontario have been saying that skyrocketing hydro bills are making it harder than ever to meet their budget and making it harder for Ontario businesses to grow.

We’ve put forward a practical solution. Manitoba and Quebec sell their electricity into the same US markets as we do for 50% more. That’s because they cut out the middle man and sign long-term contracts that get the best export price.

The Acting Premier and her energy minister are defending a status quo that is sending discount power to the United States while our bills are expected to go up another 40%. Does the Acting Premier see a problem with this, or does she think things are perfectly fine?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, of course our concern for people who are paying high energy prices is real, because their problems are real, and that’s why we’ve taken action to reduce the price.

The NDP has one plank and one plank only that I’ve been able to find on their energy plan, and that’s $100 off. The National Post said that that proposal “veers straight into crazy talk.” It shows that the NDP does not have a realistic plan. When it comes to exports, the National Post says, “Those who claim that Ontario subsidizes electricity exports fail to understand both basic economics and how the Ontario electricity sector actually works.”

We agree that this is a challenge for people. We know that; we hear that; we feel it. We have a plan to address it. The NDP simply does not.

BLOOD DONATION

Ms. Soo Wong: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Ontarians all remember the tainted blood scandals of the 1980s. About 30,000 Canadians were infected with HIV- and hepatitis C-tainted blood and blood products. Thousands also died.

Since then, maintaining the integrity of our blood system has been of utmost importance to all Canadians. That system is built around voluntary donations, and yet a private, for-profit company is setting up clinics in Ontario where people will be paid for donating blood plasma.

Speaker, through you to the minister: Can she please inform the House of what she’s doing to address this threat to our blood system?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thanks to the member from Scarborough–Agincourt for this important, very timely question. I know many Ontarians are deeply concerned that a private, for-profit company plans to pay blood plasma donors and sell that plasma to an international market.

I wrote to the federal Minister of Health a year ago to express those concerns, and unfortunately, Health Canada has been unwilling to take leadership on this issue, so our government is. As a first step, we’ve enacted regulatory changes that would prohibit any licensed lab or specimen collection centre from paying for blood or plasma donations.

Last week, I introduced legislation that would, if passed, go a step further by making it an offence to offer to pay donors for blood or for individuals to accept payment. This is an important piece of legislation, Speaker. I understand the members on both sides support it. I really am calling on both parties to commit to passing this legislation as soon as possible.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Soo Wong: Thank you to the minister. I’m pleased to hear that our government is addressing this serious health issue. However, media reports indicate that one of the clinics opened up last week and has been accepting donors. Not only does this action undermine Ontarians’ confidence in the integrity of our national blood and blood product system, it also poses a real health risk to the system.

Speaker, through you to the minister: Can she please also inform the House how she plans to stop this clinic from paying donors for blood plasma?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I have been very clear with the operators of this clinic from day one that what they proposed is unacceptable and that they would require a licence to operate in Ontario. I did not, I would not, I will not approve a licence for any lab or clinic that would undermine our voluntary blood donor system. The operators opened their clinic anyway.

Last week, we sent in observers to monitor the clinic’s activities. Based on what they found, we have investigated an inspection of the facility. If the company chooses to undertake activities governed by the Laboratory and Specimen Collection Centre Licensing Act without a licence, I will take every action necessary to ensure they comply with the law. To ensure that paid donations do not undermine our voluntary donation system, we must pass Bill 178 as quickly as possible. Again, I’m calling on all members: Please do not hold up this bill.

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question this morning is to the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, you will know that London and area have been hard hit with recent plant closings announced at Heinz, Kellogg’s, Worthington Cylinders and Wescast Industries. In fact, a recent Ivey School of Business report says that London has lost one third of its manufacturing jobs in the last eight years.

However, despite the ongoing job losses, we also know that London police wage hikes have outpaced inflation by 32% over the past decade and two thirds of London’s professional firefighters are now making more than $100,000 per year.

Deputy Premier, with literally thousands and thousands of jobs being lost in the city of London, why do you think these pay increases for police and firefighters are sustainable for taxpayers who pay the bills?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I really want to speak to the economic situation in southwestern Ontario that the member opposite referred to, and I tell you, I have had the great pleasure of attending events where new investors are coming to southwestern Ontario, hiring people who otherwise would not have had that opportunity. This is happening through the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund which, shockingly, the member opposite voted against. These are investments that are making a difference.

I will refer the supplementary, Speaker, but I do want an answer from the member opposite: Why didn’t you support your own community? Why didn’t you support businesses in your own riding to create the jobs we so desperately need?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Mr. Speaker, that was quite an answer, but back to the Deputy Premier. Deputy Premier, only about half of the working-age population in the city of London even has a full-time job, yet London’s police and fire departments continue to add more and more employees to the list of those earning over $100,000 per year. London’s sunshine list shows 239 London professional firefighters are now making over $100,000 per year. That’s more than double the number a year ago.

This is unsustainable. There are hundreds of public sector employees in the city of London who are now making over $100,000 per year, including 107 different city hall managers, 192 police officers and 239 firefighters.

Deputy Premier, with so many London residents currently out of work, will your government answer our PC call and immediately implement an across-the-board two-year public sector wage freeze and fix Ontario’s broken arbitration system?

Interjections.

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

Deputy Premier?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I don’t know what the member opposite is referring to, but we on this side of the House are grateful for the work that our first responders do every single day. We are thankful to our police officers. We are thankful to our firefighters. We are thankful to our paramedics and to every single public servant who continues to serve our hard-working Ontarians.

Speaker, this is coming from a party that wants to fire teachers, that wants to fire nurses in the future, just like they have done in the past, under the government of Mike Harris. We reject and refuse that proposition.

We also reject the proposition of right-to-work-for-less types of policies that are going to drive wages down and that are going to result in a loss of benefits for hard-working Ontarians and a loss of jobs. That is not the direction we want to go in Ontario, and we refuse that notion.

PAN AM GAMES

Mr. Paul Miller: My question is to the minister responsible for the Pan/Parapan American Games.

Speaker, the first casualty of Pan Am TO2015 was Ian Troop, CEO, who got an extraordinary severance. Now we have the firing of two more TO2015 executives, presumably with yet another set of fat-cat severances. These recent firings expose the dangerous instability at TO2015.

With such extraordinary instability at the helm of the TO2015 Parapan Games, how can Ontarians have the assurance that we will be ready and on budget for the games?

Hon. Michael Chan: Speaker, all the capital costs and also the capital for the Pan Am Games are on budget, under budget—and on time.

I just want to make sure the member opposite knows this is a change in the management team at TO2015. The decision was made by the CEO, Mr. Rafi. The organizing committee’s mandate is to ensure an effective and efficient games delivery. I am confident in Mr. Rafi’s decisions to streamline the organization as he sees fit.

To date, the committee has been able to bring in all capital projects on budget. They are all going to be completed well before the games next year. Their performance so far has been great.

I look forward to more updates on the games’ progress.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Paul Miller: I hear they want to aspire, but with answers like that, you might expire.

Ontarians are quite concerned about the one degree of separation between the board, the cabinet minister and the new CEO of TO2015. Now the appointment of Neala Barton, yet another well-known, connected Liberal insider, is drawing a lot more concern. Couple these disturbing connections with their possible sweetheart severance deals, with the serious concerns about rising security costs and the lack of transportation plans, and it’s no wonder Ontarians are worried.

Speaker, will this minister finally clear up the murky mess that bubbles to the surface almost weekly at TO2015, or will this chaos continue?

Hon. Michael Chan: The member opposite talked about the management of the games. Let’s talk about the management of the games, Speaker. The management of the organizing committee has most recently found savings of $49 million. The operating budget now decreased from $1.441 billion to $1.392 billion. The management of the games is effective and cost-saving.

I am confident that Mr. Rafi’s decision is for the good of TO2015 and the games.

Again, all the members opposite are interested in is tearing down the games in any way possible. They do not want the games to come to Toronto. They do not want the games to come to Ontario. They do not want our athletes to live their dream to compete in the games. They can continue to badmouth the games, but we are preparing for the best games ever.

DISTRACTED DRIVING

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: My question is for the Minister of Transportation.

Recently, I introduced Bill 116, the Manoranjana Kanagasabapathy Act. This was legislation dedicated in honour of a resident who was killed by a distracted driver.

In recent years, our government introduced distracted driving laws to keep drivers safe. However, distracted driving is still a major issue on our roads.

Mr. Speaker, I was pleased to see the Minister of Transportation introduce stricter laws last week with Bill 173. Through you to the Minister: Can you please explain the enhancement to distracted driving laws that you introduced in Bill 173?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: As a matter of fact, the bill that was introduced last week was really the work of the member for Scarborough–Rouge River. I’ll talk about this a little later. It was one of four private members’ bills that found expression in this. I want to thank him for his leadership and his concern for public safety, because all Ontarians are benefiting from this legislation, which we hope will see passage in the House soon.

This law will allow justices to increase fines. We’re setting a minimum of $300 to a maximum of $1,000, as the member asked for. He also lobbied very heavily that demerit points should be increased. As of matter of fact, the MPP for Scarborough–Rouge River suggested that three demerit points, as with impaired driving, should also be—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Answer.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I’m happy to report to him that his effort has been successful and those will be the actions taken by the government.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: Thank you to the minister for that answer. I know for a fact that most Ontarians are supportive of the measures to make roads safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike. Yet we still see way too many drivers taking risks and still using hand-held devices while driving.

I’d like the minister to speak to what other changes are included in Bill 173 that will aim to keep drivers, cyclists and pedestrians safe, and also why we should all work together to get this piece of legislation passed as soon as possible.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Well, the reasons are pretty significant. Distracted driving now exceeds drunken driving as the leading cause of accidents in Ontario. Just this past year, we have seen 78 deaths from distracted driving. That compares with 57 deaths from impaired driving and 44 deaths from speeding—almost twice as many as from speeding. This has become the biggest serious killer of people on our roads.

But we need passage of this bill. We tried to do it. The other measures actually reflect the work of other members. I want do want to just again thank the member for Simcoe North, who did the “move and pull over” to end fatalities and make the roads safer; the member for Parry Sound–Muskoka on shoulders and cycling; and the member for Parkdale–High Park for the one-metre rule. I think this is our bill as a House and I hope it will pass—

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

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for Minister of Transportation as well. Minister, during the break you visited my riding and met with a delegation in the county of Renfrew to discuss the four-laning of Highway 17 through to Renfrew. The implication you made coming out of that meeting was that somehow this project is being held up because of a lack of support from opposition and from myself as the local representative.

Minister, I’ve been committed to this project since you were still the mayor of Winnipeg. Successive transportation ministers have complimented me on my advocacy. In fact, you did so yourself last fall in a meeting with county officials and myself.

Minister, I say it’s a priority. You say it’s a priority. Why don’t you exercise the power that you have, stop passing the buck and ensure that this is in the next five-year transportation plan? Will you do it?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: In fact, I did commend the member for his advocacy when I was in his constituency. What I said was this: The first phase of this project, which just opened in November 2012 all the way to Arnprior, has shown our commitment. I know the member advocated for it as well. That was $75 million that this government committed to twinning that highway.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Minister, you always seem to have someone else to blame. One minute it’s us, the opposition; the next minute, it’s the federal government. As far as the federal government is concerned, that would be helpful. However, you don’t seem to need their help in implementing a pension plan that is going to take tens of billions of dollars out of our economy each and every year. As far as the opposition is concerned, you seem to think that we’re the ones—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Finance, come to order.

Mr. John Yakabuski: —that control the decision on whether this moves forward or not. You didn’t—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Finance.

Mr. John Yakabuski: —consult us with your eHealth scandal—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): In case he didn’t hear me while he was yelling, the Minister of Finance will come to order.

Finish, please.

Mr. John Yakabuski: You didn’t consult us with your eHealth scandal. You didn’t consult us when you implemented the HST. You didn’t consult us about the $1-billion power plant cancellation project.

If you want my commitment, it has been there for 10 years. Here it is once again: I’m absolutely, totally committed to this. Are you? Because as Mr. Firestone says, this is where the rubber meets the road.

Interjections.

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

Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: What I was trying to invite was a partnership with the member of the opposition to try and get Ms. Gallant to the table—his federal member.

I’m going to say this very slowly so I’m understood. This government, the government of Kathleen Wynne, has spent $75 million already twinning that highway to Arnprior. We are working to fund it all the way to Renfrew and eventually to Pembroke. We spend $3 billion a year on highways. We’re not making excuses. When the member opposite was in government, their entire budget for everything was $1.4 billion. Our entire budget for everything is $14 billion.

Next year, the federal government will only spend $73 million for water, sewers, schools, roads and highways. That will not even extend the highway to Renfrew. We need them to be serious partners; they are not.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Mr. Michael Prue: My question is to the Minister of Tourism. Minister, last week I raised a very distressing issue in the Legislature. The biggest jazz festival in the entire province learned that it did not qualify for a Celebrate Ontario grant for this year, 2014. Lido Chilleli of the Beaches Jazz Festival said that without this money—which they have received, by the way, for the last seven years—drastic musical cuts will have to be made. Both the Premier and the Minister of Economic Development assured me that they would look into this wrong-headed decision.

My question to you, Minister: Will the minister do the right thing and reverse the devastating cut to the Beaches Jazz Festival funding?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you for the question. The member knows that last week I actually walked across the floor and told him that I have outreached to the organization regarding this particular funding. The program Celebrate Ontario is a competitive program, and the funding is exhausted, but we do have other programs in my ministry. That’s what we are prepared to talk to the organization about, so that we can come up with ways and means to help them. I have advised the member opposite. I’m surprised that he brought up the question today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Prue: I brought the question up because if they don’t know what funding they have by the end of this month, they’re going to have to cancel three of the four stages. That’s why I’m asking today.

The Beaches Jazz Festival is open and accessible to everyone. It is free to the public. It supports young and emerging musical talent, and it is world-renowned.

OVO Fest, which is taking place in Toronto on August 3 and 4, reportedly sold $9 million worth of tickets in 48 hours, but your ministry gave them $300,000. Even the tiny Markham Jazz Festival in your own riding is receiving the grant. Music festivals across the province are getting help from Celebrate Ontario, but the biggest, the best and free of charge, a showcase for new talent, is receiving nothing from Ontario. Will this minister reverse this direction, support the Beaches Jazz Festival and do it today before the event is cancelled?

Interjection: There are a lot of festivals across the province.

Hon. Michael Chan: You’re right. Thank you very much for the question. I just heard my honourable colleague say there are a lot of festivals and events happening every year in Ontario, and our Celebrate Ontario program is a highly competitive program. This year we received 441 applications requesting more than $34 million in funding. As you know, Speaker, the funding available is about $20 million.

Of the 229 successful applicants, 129—more than half—were in both opposition and third party ridings. To say the program plays favourites is simply ridiculous. It’s time for the member opposite to stop playing politics with Ontario’s wonderful festivals and events; he insults all the applicants and the organizations.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mr. Phil McNeely: My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. As a member from Ottawa, I understand the importance of mining, not just for the north but for the entire province. In 2013, the value of mineral production in Ontario was $9.8 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2009. This industry has an economic impact on the entire province. That is an increase of over 50%—I think 57%—in only four years.

I’m proud of our government’s success in helping to foster this important industry. For instance, Ontario is among the top 10 mineral investment jurisdictions in the world. As a result, 24 new mines have opened here over the last 10 years; that’s more than anywhere else in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Northern Development and Mines please educate this House on any new Ontario mine openings?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I thank the member for the question. He’s certainly right; the mining industry has enormous benefits for the entire province, certainly not just northern Ontario. When a new mine opens, it has an immensely positive impact on the regional economy, and every community surrounding it shares in those benefits.

That’s why, certainly, Premier Wynne and I were so pleased to be up in Greater Sudbury on February 21 at the official opening of the Totten mine, Vale’s first new mine in the Sudbury basin in over 40 years. We were joined by a number of other members of the Legislature as well because it’s such a huge event. The project itself created over 500 construction jobs, and now is employing over 200 area residents. This is a great story and really a positive piece of news.

It’s worth talking about the safety record as well, may I say, of this mine. During construction it was exemplary, achieving over one million person hours without a lost-time injury. Just a great project, Mr. Speaker—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Phil McNeely: I would like to thank the minister for that update, and he is right: Totten’s employment and safety record is impressive. I’m very pleased to hear about both the economic benefit and the safety record of this new Vale mine.

I note that this government and the minister are also concerned with community engagement and environmental effects of the mining industry. That is why our government has modernized our legislation so that First Nations consultation is one of the first steps in the mining sequence.

Since the beginning of the Abandoned Mines Rehabilitation Program, Ontario has undertaken rehabilitation of 80 mines, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: How are community engagement and environmental protections ensured in the operations of the new mines in Ontario?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: Again, I thank the member for Ottawa–Orléans for the question. It really is an example of how the mining industry has changed so immensely. That mine is demonstrating leadership in both community engagement and environmental stewardship. They’ve utilized some of the best technology automation and environmental management in the mining industry. Totten mine is one of the most environmentally friendly mines in the province.

I want to congratulate Vale, obviously, but also Chief Paul Eshkakogan, I believe is how you pronounce it, from the Sagamok Anishnawbek First Nations for signing an impact benefit agreement. This is, again, proactive and a beneficial type of community engagement very much supporting the approach taken by our government when we modernized the Mining Act. First Nations and aboriginal consultation is one of the first steps in the mining sequence. This is a tremendous project with great economic and social benefits, and one we should all be very proud of.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: My question today is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Minister, today we have in the member’s gallery a young hairstylist by the name of Kailin Ambrose. Kailin finished her hairstylist apprenticeship and she has a loyal group of customers who believe she is an excellent hairstylist. Repeatedly, she has tried unsuccessfully to pass the written exam. She has tried the exam six times and has spent over $800, without success. She is now classified as a journeyperson candidate.

On April 8, the first anniversary of your boondoggle Ontario College of Trades, her time is up. She either passes the exam or, according to a letter signed by your five directors—and I have a copy right here—she no longer can practise hairdressing. In other words, she’s out of work.

There are another 4,300 apprenticeship candidates like Kailin, according to the Ontario College of Trades website. Minister, are you prepared to see this tragedy happen to so many people just because they have trouble passing a written exam? Minister, let’s bring some common sense to this place. Tell Kailin that she can continue working and building a career for herself—

Interjections.

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

Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, through you to the hairstylists who are here today: Welcome to Queen’s Park. Thank you for being here. I’m delighted you’re here, because it gives me an opportunity, through the Speaker, to address this issue with you and compare our approach to the approach opposite.

We believe in you as skilled tradespeople who are more than capable of making decisions for yourselves. The decisions governing your sector ought not to be made by politicians, like they want to do, but be made by the sector itself, by tradespeople in a forum of self-government.

We believe that hairdressers, hairstylists and all tradespeople deserve to be protected. They’ve gone to school. They’ve gone through apprenticeships. They deserve to have their jobs protected from the underground economy, which is what the College of Trades does.

That party over there does not believe in that. We’ll continue to stand up for skilled tradespeople in this—

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

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Isn’t that some answer? Isn’t that pathetic? With Kailin today are other hairstylists and business people who have started the Ontario Hairstylists Association. They have also started the Cut the Salon Tax campaign. Every hair salon in Ontario is going to hear about Cut the Salon Tax. You can be sure that’s going to happen, because they’re going to get to you through this Ontario College of Trades.

The one thing we’ve got going for us is that we’re not puppets here on this side of the House for Pat Dillon and the Working Families Coalition, like that crew over there. We can’t take this any longer. The people of Ontario deserve better than people like that representing them on cabinet. I will never be a puppet for a Pat Dillon type of person. You are. Explain yourself, why you’re not a Pat Dillon puppet.

Interjections.

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

Minister.

Hon. Brad Duguid: What we’re going to do is continue to work with tradespeople across this province to ensure that they can have their own voice, so decisions that impact their trades are not made in smoky backrooms—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. The member from Simcoe North asked the question, and I think you want to hear the answer. If you don’t want to hear the answer—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t want anyone speaking while I’m speaking.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Oakville, I don’t need your support.

Interjection.

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

Finish, please.

Hon. Brad Duguid: The difference between us and them is that we believe skilled tradespeople in this province—

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: You’re bought and paid for.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. The member from Simcoe North will withdraw.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Absolutely not. I will never withdraw for a comment like that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Simcoe North will withdraw.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Simcoe North is named.

Mr. Dunlop was escorted from the chamber.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order, please. While there was noise, the member from Simcoe North was named.

You have 10 seconds.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to continue to stand up for tradespeople across this province. We’re going to continue to ensure that those hard-working people go through apprenticeships and that they’re going to be protected from the underground economy. We’re going to stand up for consumers. We believe that they can govern themselves—

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

SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Miss Monique Taylor: My question is to the Minister of Community and Social Services. Cameron Laflamme is a young man with autism who lives in Hamilton with his parents, Marilyn and Serge. He attends an excellent high school program that meets his needs and allows his parents to work. But at the end of June, Cameron will be aged out of school. He could attend a day program, but his family barely receives one third of the cost of this program.

The family doesn’t need a spot on the Passport funding wait-list; they need increased support. Will the minister commit to providing Cameron with the support he needs before the end of the school year?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: As the member opposite surely knows, I am not in a position, personally or legally, to get into answering specific questions about specific cases. I would suggest to the member opposite that if she would like to sit down with me and talk about her situation, or with my parliamentary assistant—I don’t know if this is the same situation you were talking about—we’d be delighted to have that conversation and to see not only what might be provided, but also to bring the member up to speed in terms of how she accesses services on behalf of her constituents.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: Back to the minister: No, Minister, it’s not the same case. It’s a different case, as there is a different case happening every day.

Better supports for persons with disabilities and their families are desperately needed. Waiting lists are not the answer. No one can put their life on hold while they’re waiting for a decision from this ministry. Every young person will be aged out of school. Developmental services knows exactly when this is going to happen, and they should be prepared. Yet this transition continues to occur and throws families into turmoil.

Speaker, to the minister: Instead of properly supporting persons with developmental disabilities as their needs change, why does this government choose to leave Ontario families in the lurch and force them to fight for more support?

Hon. Ted McMeekin: I don’t disagree with much of what the member opposite has said. We all have a responsibility in this place to put in place supports for those in our developmental services sector and their families who are having challenges.

The member opposite did speak with me in passing about a specific case last week, which I assured her we would work on. She hasn’t spoken to me about this, unfortunately, until just now. If she would like to do that, I would be pleased to offer whatever help I can.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1142 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: I ask all the members of the House to join me in welcoming my special guest today, Ms. Jeeti Singh, who is a businesswoman and a philanthropist from the city of Mississauga. Please join me in welcoming her.

Mr. Bob Delaney: Speaker, it’s my pleasure and privilege to introduce some very special people. I would like, on behalf of our page Zohaib Aslam, to introduce his mom, Naila Qazi. Now this is especially important, because they are from Mississauga and Mrs. Qazi has had a daughter, Sherry, who has also served here as page. So let’s definitely welcome the mother of not one, but two pages.

And while I have the floor, it is also my pleasure to reintroduce one of our legislative interns, Matthew Lo from Ohio, who has come back to once again to watch the genteel behaviour here on the floor of the Ontario Legislature.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: One of the most common problems I hear about from my constituents is their difficulty in finding a family physician. Last week in the Legislature, the Minister of Health stated that “We now have 5,000 more doctors working in Ontario than just a decade ago,” and that “doctors are going where they’re needed....” Well, Speaker, that’s not the reality of what we see in Perth–Wellington. Many times I have spoken up for my constituents who do not have a family doctor. I have written letters to the Minister of Health, I have raised it in the House and I have met with local doctors, health care professionals and recruiters.

In response to these concerns the minister has painted a rosy picture, listing various programs and ratios of practising physicians to residents. For those who are without a family doctor and have been waiting on the government’s Health Care Connect list for over a year, the minister’s response is of little consolation. Constituents who have been forced to wait in the emergency room to have prescriptions filled or to speak with a physician about a routine issue have told me that there are simply not enough doctors accepting patients to meet our local demand.

I wrote to the minister last week, pushing her to come through for my constituents without a family doctor. I look forward to her prompt reply.

EVENTS IN TECUMSEH

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Festivals and Events Ontario came up with a new award. It’s called Best Festival City. I’m so proud that the town of Tecumseh has won the inaugural recognition for communities with fewer than 200,000 people. Our Tecumseh Corn Festival and our BIA Art of Eating festival put us to the top of the list. The award salutes the many hours of time that our volunteers put in to provide a quality festival experience for residents and visitors.

I wish to salute the countless volunteers and their organizing committees. These community champions include Deputy Mayor Cheryl Hardcastle, Councillor Joe Bachetti and BIA Chair Susan Tope. The award recognizes the “best in community leadership and festival and event partnerships”. Congratulations to each and every member of town council, and indeed every town employee, who played a role in making these events the great success that they’ve come to be. And it wouldn’t be possible without the support of a motivated business community.

Way to go, Tecumseh, on this best festival award, and to the larger population winner, the city of Ottawa, kudos on your accomplishments as well.

I was presented, on Friday, with two great pieces of photography by a young Tecumseh teenager, Jesse Hebert. Jesse was the winner of Kevin O’Leary’s Future Dragon Fund contest for his photographic skills. I’m very proud to showcase his work here at Queen’s Park and back home in my constituency office.

Thank you, Jesse, and thank you, Speaker, for allowing me the time to brag about the great things going on in the town of Tecumseh.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): My absolute pleasure.

GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ms. Soo Wong: I’m pleased to rise to recognize today as Greek Independence Day. Greek independence was declared March 25, 1821. Commemoration of this date is important for its historical significance. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Greece’s political and cultural contributions to the world. After all, this is the country that gave us democracy and the Olympic Games.

It is also a perfect time to celebrate significant contributions that Greek Canadians have made to Ontario. Ontario has a vibrant Greek community. For example, yesterday there was a great parade on Toronto’s Danforth. I was proud to walk alongside Toronto Councillor Mary Fragedakis, Trustee Sam Sotiropoulos, Consul General of Greece Dimitris Azemopoulos, His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto, and Andonis Artemakis, president of the Greek Community of Toronto.

Yesterday’s parade also brought back many wonderful childhood memories for me. My family immigrated to Canada, and we settled in Toronto–Danforth. As a newcomer to Canada, I remember being fascinated by the Greek cultures on the Danforth, a street with so much cultural and economic significance for our province. It was fun to visit many shops, especially eating my first souvlaki.

I’ve always felt that cultural diversity is what makes Ontario such a great place to live, play and work.

As we celebrate Greece’s proud history, we also celebrate what makes Ontario so great. Zito É Ellas; Zito to Ontario; Zito O Kanadas.

KEMPTVILLE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Mr. Rob E. Milligan: I rise today to address the concerns which many of my constituents have voiced over the impending closure of Kemptville campus. For decades, young people from my riding of Northumberland–Quinte West have travelled in droves to Kemptville and have brought that expertise back to the family farm. From my own experience working with these graduates, their education was second to none. Despite this, the McGuinty-Wynne government seems to think it’s okay to allow Kemptville campus to simply fade into our memories.

It’s yet another example of the mismanagement of the agricultural file by a part-time minister and further proof that just like her predecessor, Premier Wynne and her cabinet just don’t understand rural Ontario.

Just last week, my office received letter after letter from the Kemptville College Alumni board, including board president Ron Burgess, pleading with us to impose a two-year moratorium on this closure so local communities can make a solution. These alumni understand better than anyone the value and importance of maintaining this campus, and they’re coming to the PC Party for help because they know we understand rural Ontario.

I stand in the House today to implore the Minister of Agriculture to listen to the Kemptville College Alumni board and the thousands of rural Ontarians across this province who know that we cannot allow this campus to close. If she is not willing to put in full-time hours on the agricultural file, she should step down as minister and appoint someone who will, because the people of Northumberland–Quinte West and rural Ontario deserve better.

MAPLE SYRUP PRODUCTION

Mr. Michael Mantha: My favourite time of the year is upon us, and it’s not hockey playoff season; it’s actually maple syrup season. The sap that flows from sugar maples only does so for about six weeks a year.

I want to highlight a local producer: Doug Thompson of Thompson’s Maple Products on St. Joseph Island. Thompson and his partners have come up a wireless system that lets producers monitor their lines so they know exactly when and where a leak has sprung. Working closely with Algoma Business Computers, together they formed a company, Tap Track Technologies, and have designed a system to help producers avoid these problems. Thompson was presented with a Leaders in Innovation Award for new technologies.

The first two weeks of April, St. Joseph Island will be hosting their 47th Annual Maple Syrup Festival. The Royal Canadian Legion in Richards Landing will be serving an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast. Don’t miss it.

I want to encourage everyone to make the trip. Many local businesses and artists will be participating, and it’s a great place to pick up local crafts and local baked goods. The children’s library will also be hosting a fundraiser, and there will be plenty of used books for sale. So just stop in and grab a look.

In Algoma–Manitoulin, from St. Joseph across the North Shore to Manitoulin, many family farms open their sugar bushes and host adventures for their families to come out and enjoy the area and the many delicious maple syrup treats. Come on out and pan your plates and maybe you will find this gold nugget.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I saw nothing.

GO TRANSIT

Mr. Steven Del Duca: As always, it’s always a pleasure for me to rise and update the House regarding some interesting and important events that are happening or taking place in my riding, particularly when they mean there are more examples, like there were this morning, of our government making very important and meaningful investments in my community of Vaughan.

This morning, I was very happy to stand alongside my mayor, Maurizio Bevilacqua, and two members of our council, Sandra Racco and also Marilyn Iafrate, to announce that our government has decided to add significant service to the Barrie GO line.

Specifically, starting on April 5, GO Transit will extend one of the morning and one of the afternoon trains on the Barrie line from 10 to 12 cars. This will add an impressive 320 more seats per trip. In addition to that, as of June 28, there will also be two new weekday morning trains on the Barrie line from Maple to Union Station. In addition, we are reintroducing the weekend service during the summer months on this line, and we are also adding additional bus routes along the Barrie corridor as well.

Many, many residents in my community rely very much on the Barrie GO line, and I know that they’ll be delighted that this government continues to invest significantly in crucial public transit infrastructure, to the tune of more than $9 billion worth of investments in GO since 2003.

It is, as always, a pleasure for me to update the House on the things that are taking place in my wonderful community of Vaughan.

DISASTER RELIEF

Ms. Laurie Scott: Last spring, my riding of Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock was one of the areas in Ontario that were hit the hardest by flooding. This resulted in a state of emergency being declared in parts of the city of Kawartha Lakes and Minden Hills. In particular, the Burnt River, Black River and Gull River were affected, and particularly the town of Minden was the most impacted.

It was heartbreaking to tour the areas and to see the number of residents whose homes and businesses and contents were damaged.

Despite these hardships, neighbours banded together in the weeks and months following the flood to assist one another with the cleanup and to rebuild their communities. In order to receive money from the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program, the communities affected were forced to fundraise. This is something that the people of Toronto did not have to do in the days following the ice storm this winter. Many small communities took on this challenge, hosting bake sales, BBQs, concerts, toonie miles, golf tournaments—whatever it took to raise money. Minden Hills raised a phenomenal $708,000.

But in the wake of this disaster, I filed a motion that the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing undertake a review of the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program to determine how it could better meet the needs of individuals, businesses and small municipalities who were impacted by disaster situations in Ontario.

Local municipalities have reworked their emergency plans and developed better communications plans.

The federal government, in its most recent budget, recognized the importance of developing a national standard of overland flood insurance. This would help correct the bizarre requirement that victims must fundraise before they are eligible to received disaster assistance as, in Ontario—this is the only province that has this precondition.

I know we have had a rough winter, and I just hope that the floods don’t come again.

GREENBELT

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: We pride ourselves on our people’s great capacity to develop areas which provide housing for our families and which drive our economic engine. However, Oakville residents agree that the pace of development must be controlled so that we never lose the great endowment that we have in the greenbelt area in the Golden Horseshoe.

When our party formed government, we recognized the great gift of nature that we had right on our doorstep, and we took action in securing nearly two million acres of green space that we now know as the greenbelt. This was done in spite of opposition by Tim Hudak and the Conservatives, who voted against the greenbelt twice, potentially robbing future generations of the farmlands, the wetlands and the forests that our province has to offer.

Today I stand with the people of the town of Oakville to ask our government to add the area around Fourteen Mile Creek in Oakville. I also ask that the provincially owned lands not be sold to the private sector but be preserved in public ownership instead.

My constituents recognize the value of green space in the region. They have identified these areas as very important for future Ontarians as a place to stand and grow. They know that, based on any analysis that could be brought forward, these lands would make a wonderful addition to the greenbelt, and I support them in that regard.

ONTARIO FARMERS

Mr. John O’Toole: I’d like to congratulate my constituents Charles Stevens, who was elected chair of the Ontario Apple Growers, as well as Cathy McKay, who was elected vice-chair. Charles, along with his wife, Judi, and daughter, Courtney, owns and operates Wilmot Orchards near Newcastle. They have over 80 acres of apples as well as a pick-your-own blueberry operation and the Appleberries Café.

The Stevens family has a long and distinguished history of leadership and innovation in the Durham agricultural industry. Long-time residents would certainly realize that Charles’s father and mother, Bob and Jean Stevens, were owners and operators of Glen Rae Dairy.

Ontario Apple Growers’ vice-chair, Cathy McKay, owns and operates a farm and orchard near Port Perry with her husband, Marvin. Their Nature’s Bounty pick-your-own farm has 20 different varieties of apples on approximately 14,000 trees. The McKays also raise decorative corn, squash and pumpkins, plus a herd of 40 sheep on their farm in the Oak Ridges moraine.

Mr. Speaker, Charles Stevens and Cathy McKay are representatives of the many leaders from the agriculture and agri-business sector who live and grow in Durham region. I urge all members to support local farms and local produce as we look forward to the 2014 growing season. Let’s raise a cheer for those who are growing the food that we eat.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their statements. I would offer another gentle reminder that we always use either the member’s title or their riding when making references to elected members in the House. I would thank you and urge you to co-operate with that request.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC SECTOR AND MPP

ACCOUNTABILITY

AND TRANSPARENCY ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 SUR

LA RESPONSABILISATION

ET LA TRANSPARENCE DU SECTEUR

PUBLIC ET DES DÉPUTÉS

Mr. Milloy moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 179,

An Act to promote public sector and MPP accountability and transparency by enacting the Broader Public Sector Executive Compensation Act, 2014 and amending various Acts / Projet de loi 179, Loi visant à promouvoir la responsabilisation et la transparence du secteur public et des députés par l’édiction de la Loi de 2014 sur la rémunération des cadres du secteur parapublic et la modification de diverses lois.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Hon. John Milloy: During ministerial statements, Mr. Speaker.

MOTIONS

SELECT COMMITTEE ON DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the Select Committee on Developmental Services.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Milloy is seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. John Milloy: I move that, notwithstanding the order of the House dated October 3, 2013, the Select Committee on Developmental Services shall present its final report no later than June 5, 2014.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Milloy moves that, notwithstanding the order of the House dated October 3, 2013, the Select Committee on Developmental Services shall present—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let me try that again. Mr. Milloy moves that, notwithstanding the order of the House dated October 3, 2013, the Select Committee on Developmental Services shall present its final report no later than June 5, 2014. Agreed? Agreed. The motion carries.

Motion agreed to.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the membership of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Milloy is seeking unanimous consent to move a motion without notice. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I move that the following change be made to the membership of the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills: Ms. Fife replaces Mr. Vanthof.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Agreed? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ PUBLIC BUSINESS

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. John Milloy: I move that, notwithstanding standing order 98(g), notice for ballot items 2 and 5 be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Hon. John Milloy: It’s a pleasure to rise today to speak about a piece of legislation that was just introduced several moments ago.

Since day one, our government has made openness and transparency a priority. As part of our Open Government plan, we’re taking further action to strengthen political accountability and make the business of government more transparent.

The proposed Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, would, if passed, build on the Premier’s commitment to lead the most open and transparent government in the country. The proposed bill, if passed, would further strengthen political accountability, open up the business of government and increase third-party oversight.

From legislating the public disclosure of expenses of our elected members to directly controlling executive pay in the broader public sector, to further strengthening our record-keeping obligations, to enhancing accountability in classified agencies and increasing oversight in broader public sector organizations, our government is serious about our commitment to open government.

I’m proud to stand in the House today to introduce a package of far-reaching measures that would, if passed, set a high standard for accountability and transparency in Ontario.

The proposed measures in this bill target three key areas: political accountability, oversight in the broader public sector, and transparency in classified agencies and the broader public sector.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would build on a number of measures our government has already taken, including the introduction of the Public Sector Expenses Review Act in 2009, which gives the Integrity Commissioner authority to review expense claims of Ontario’s17 largest classified agencies and four hydro organizations, and the Broader Public Sector Accountability Act, introduced in 2010, which sets out accountability measures for many broader public sector organizations.

Mr. Speaker, Ontario has a strong accountability framework in place for its elected members and public servants, and today we propose to set the bar higher. The proposed Public Sector and MPP Accountability and Transparency Act, 2014, would, if passed, make it mandatory for cabinet ministers, parliamentary assistants, opposition leaders and their staff to post their expense information online.

Currently, expense reporting is done on a voluntary basis. The Premier, our cabinet and staff have been complying with that spirit of transparency since April 1, 2010. By making this a legislative requirement, we would ensure the opposition would finally follow our lead.

This legislation, if passed, would require the Speaker to post online information respecting payments to all MPPs for expenses concerning out-of-riding travel, related hotel expenses, meals and hospitality expenses.

I would like to take this opportunity, if I may, Mr. Speaker, to acknowledge the member from Ottawa South, who is here beside me today, who has been championing transparency with respect to member expenses since he arrived at Queen’s Park last summer, and whose private member’s bill served as a blueprint for the measures that we’re introducing today.

I have also written to my counterparts in the opposition to seek their support in posting online the annual disclosure of MPP expenses, which is compiled and prepared by the Legislative Assembly.

Government MPPs are leading by example by voluntarily posting those expenses online on their individual websites. I strongly encourage my colleagues in the opposition to follow our lead. I think we can all agree, Mr. Speaker, that the people of Ontario deserve clear and easy access to the expenses of their elected representatives.

Our government takes our record-keeping obligations seriously. The Information and Privacy Commissioner has credited our government for implementing important record-keeping reforms and staff training. To date, we have acted on all of her non-legislative recommendations. We’re taking further action in this legislation, which would, if passed, implement three key legislative amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, known as FIPPA, and the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, known as MFIPPA.

The proposed bill would require all institutions subject to FIPPA and MFIPPA to securely retain records, prohibit the wilful destruction of records with the intent to deny access, and introduce a fine of up to $5,000 for the wilful destruction of records. The proposed bill would also empower the Integrity Commissioner to selectively review the expenses of executives in designated public bodies.

If passed, this legislation would be accompanied by changes to regulations made under the Public Sector Expense Review Act, 2009, so that all 197 classified agencies would be subject to the act. This would mean that the Integrity Commissioner would have the expanded scope to conduct expense reviews on all 197 classified agencies on a selected basis, in contrast to the current 17 classified agencies. The four hydro entities would continue to be covered.

Mr. Speaker, lobbying is an essential part of democracy, and we understand the important role that transparency plays in letting the people of Ontario know who is communicating with their government and for what purpose. We know that strengthening accountability in lobbying would help improve the information provided to the public, lobbyists and government.

If passed, this proposed bill would strengthen the Lobbyists Registration Act by providing the Integrity Commissioner with investigative powers, including the ability to prohibit individuals from lobbying for up to two years in the event of non-compliance. Enforcement provisions would include stiffer fines of up to $100,000.

It’s important to have a variety of expert perspectives and oversight, and our government is committed to strengthening that. If passed, the proposed bill would extend the Ontario Ombudsman’s role to include municipalities, school boards and universities. For municipalities, the Ontario Ombudsman would also be permitted to investigate requests from individuals regarding meetings of the municipalities that were closed to the public after an investigation has been conducted by a municipally appointed meeting investigator.

We are also proposing to appoint a new patient ombudsman to help people resolve complaints against public hospitals, long-term-care homes, and community care access centres. The patient ombudsman would have powers to investigate and make public reports like the Ontario Ombudsman, but would be dedicated to the health sector.

Furthermore, we are proposing to give the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth new investigative powers similar to those of the Ontario Ombudsman. The advocate would be able to investigate matters relating to children and youth involved in the child protection system, while putting the best interests of children and youth first.

Finally, the 2013 fall economic statement committed to controlling compensation for senior executives in the broader public sector, and today we are making good on that promise. Our government has the right plan to control executive compensation in the broader public sector. This legislation, if passed, would authorize the government to directly control the compensation of senior executives in the BPS by establishing compensation frameworks.

The provisions in this bill would give the government the right to access all compensation-related information, like contracts, so we can set compensation frameworks, including hard caps.

The proposed legislation also includes important enforcement and compliance measures. For instance, any elements of compensation in the new contracts that are found to be in excess of the framework would be deemed ineligible. Heads of organizations would be required to submit attestations confirming they are in compliance with the compensation frameworks.

Our government would also have the ability to audit any of these organizations to ensure that they are in compliance with these frameworks. Furthermore, employers would be required to repay any amount in excess of the amounts set out in the compensation framework while minimizing the impact on its services to the public.

Offence provisions have been created to address wilful noncompliance with attestation or audit requirements with fines on conviction of up to $5,000.

I’m very proud of the bill I’m presenting today, because it supports practices that would make our government even more accountable and transparent. These extensive accountability measures represent great strides. These measures, if passed, would help make Ontario one of the most accountable and transparent governments in the country. I urge all my colleagues in the House to support this very important legislation.

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

Mr. Douglas C. Holyday: I did have the opportunity to sit in the boardroom and review this matter just a few minutes ago. I guess a couple of things are troubling. One, there appears to be a lot of duplication of work that’s already in place. I note we’re going to have an ombudsman who’s going to review the city ombudsman. At the city of Toronto, the ombudsman’s office got to be a very expensive matter. If you look at the history, a resident has a complaint and they usually take it to staff. If they can’t get it resolved at staff, they go to their elected official. That fine; that’s what they’ve got them for.

If they can’t solve it with the elected official, they sometimes go to the mayor in the end. And if they can’t solve it there, we now have an ombudsman in the city of Toronto who is supposed to handle these problems. Now, if you can’t solve it there, you can come up to the province’s Ombudsman and they’ll take a whack at it for you. I just wonder, how many levels of service and bureaucracy are we going to create to handle this job?

I really have concern over the duplication, and I certainly have concern over the cost. I asked what the cost of all this would be, and there was no answer. There was absolutely no answer. No one could give you even a ballpark figure of what this is going to cost. But I know the way bureaucracy works. Once you start it, you can’t stop it, and the expense just goes up and up and up.

That’s the problem with what has confronted this government for 10 years that they have not been able to handle. They haven’t been able to control the costs. That’s why our debt has doubled, and that’s why our deficit is now close to $12 billion. That’s why, I think, 9% of our revenue costs go towards paying our debt. It’s because the people running the government haven’t learned to control their own expenditures. This is just another example of it. I’m concerned that we’re just going to be putting more taxpayers’ dollars that we can’t afford into something else. I think all that definitely has to be looked at.

As far as this government and openness and transparency, heaven knows—

Interjection.

Mr. Douglas C. Holyday: I heard laughter in the room, I guess, when that was mentioned. But the very reason for all this before us is the fact that, in the past, they haven’t been open and transparent. As a matter of fact, there’s a police investigation under way right now to find out what in the world they have done. The auditor had to get into the gas plant cancellation matter to see if he could figure out just what it cost us, because they weren’t open and transparent enough to tell us. It dragged on for over a year, maybe even two years.

So if we need openness and transparency, it’s because the government can’t control themselves. They can’t be open and transparent. Now they are trying to appear like they are by putting in these tougher controls to make it look like that’s what they really care about. But the best way to show what they really care about was by their actions, and by their own actions, they haven’t been open and transparent. I’m not sure whether they’re going to follow the new rules or not. I guess the biggest concern I really have is who is going to have the oversight of this government.

Mr. Rosario Marchese: I’m happy to have this opportunity to respond to the minister and to this bill. We only have five minutes today, but we will get an opportunity, I imagine, hopefully soon, to do a full hour, because we need so much time to talk about these things, as you might imagine.

I do have a different point of view, one that is radically different from the one presented by the Tories on this bill. But I do want to say that I am happy that the Liberals keep on taking many of our ideas while they attack them. It is a fascinating thing that I’ve got to deal with on a daily basis, because you constantly have ministers and the Premier attacking the NDP, and then you see our ideas reflected in your bills. And you wonder, “What’s going on here?” I’ve got to tell you, I get tired every now and then. I get tired of bringing the ideas out to you as you whack us each and every time on the very things you put in your bills. It’s exhausting; I just wanted to tell you that.

So the first point is—and I won’t be able to speak to all these items, because we just don’t have enough time—the broader public sector executive compensation act. It’s interesting. The New Democrats, as you know, Minister, have been trying to cap salaries of the big fat cats in the civil service in a way that would control the costs, because I’ve got to tell you, if we can’t find a civil servant who is willing to take 425,000 bucks as opposed to a million bucks, I say, “Send them out the door.” That’s what I say. Yet I can’t find one Liberal who will publicly say the same thing.

You’ve got an interesting thing here about the broader public sector executive compensation act, but what it does is, you’re going to compile information from sector to sector, ministry to ministry, organization to organization. You’re going to take a whole lot of time to compile all this information, and at the end of that—assuming there’s an end, because there must be, presumably after the election—then you will put forth some regulations that will deal with the issue of broader public sector executive compensation. God bless.

It sounds good that you put it on as the first item of debate, and we’ll have more time later on.

The other idea is having to do with Ombudsman oversight. You know, Minister, that this little guy here has been pushing for Ombudsman oversight over so many areas that he should be over, and you guys have been saying, “No, we don’t need it. We have oversight. We don’t need the poor, tired Ombudsman to have this power over these other bodies, because we have adequate oversight.” Do you remember that? Do you remember that?

Interjections.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I’m very sorry to have to interrupt the member for Trinity–Spadina, but the cacophony in the House means I have to. I would ask the House to come to order, and I’ll return to the member for Trinity–Spadina. I’ll give you a few extra seconds.

Mr. Rosario Marchese: Thank you, Speaker, for stopping the clock.

You’ll recall that each and every time—for the last eight years, I’ve been putting forth bills. Our leader, when she was but an ordinary MPP, had bills on Ombudsman oversight. My colleague Madame Gélinas has brought forth bills on this very same thing.

Today we have the minister saying, “Okay, we’re going to do some of that for you.” But why does it take eight years? Why do we have to get beaten up for eight years until you finally say okay?

We have Ombudsman oversight over the university sector, over school boards—something that I’ve been pushing for a long, long time—and over the municipal governments, and that’s all good.

On the other hand, there’s absolutely no mention that Fiona Crean, the ombudsman for the city of Toronto, has been doing a great job and that perhaps we might want to look at giving her a little more power to be able to do an even better job—there’s no recognition that she’s been doing that. We should recognize that Toronto, as the only city that has one, might consider some special attention. We’ll talk about that at another time.

The other issues that are not addressed by the Ombudsman are the following: amendments to the “excellent care” act, where they’re going to have a separate ombudsperson. Do we really need that? It’s like saying that the bankers need an ombudsman who comes out of the banking industry, which we have at the federal level. We’re going to have an ombudsperson who is going to dedicate his or her time just to health care, when our Ombudsman could do a brilliant job of having that oversight, and we’re passing that on.

I’ll have more time at the next opportunity.

PETITIONS

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

Mr. Rob E. Milligan: I have a petition here, and it reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the University of Guelph’s Kemptville and Alfred campuses are two of Ontario’s outstanding post-secondary agricultural schools; and

“Whereas these campuses have delivered specialized and high-quality programs to generations of students from agricultural communities across eastern Ontario and the future success of the region’s agri-food industry depends on continuing this strong partnership; and

“Whereas regional campuses like those in Kemptville and Alfred ensure the agri-food industry has access to the knowledge, research and innovation that are critical for Ontario to remain competitive in this rapidly changing sector;

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

“That Premier Wynne in her dual capacity as Minister of Agriculture and Food act immediately to reverse the University of Guelph’s short-sighted and unacceptable decision to close its Kemptville and Alfred campuses.”

I could not agree more with this petition and I’m willing to affix my name to it.

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

Mr. Michael Mantha: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas northern Ontario will suffer a huge loss of service as a result of government cuts to ServiceOntario counters;

“Whereas these cuts will have a negative impact on local businesses and local economies;

“Whereas northerners will now face challenges in accessing their birth certificates, health cards and licences;

“Whereas northern Ontario should not unfairly bear the brunt of decisions to slash operating budgets;

“Whereas, regardless of address, all Ontarians should be treated equally by their government;

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

“Review the decision to cut access to ServiceOntario for northerners, and provide northern Ontarians equal access to these services.”

I wholeheartedly agree with this petition and present it to page Calvin to bring it down to the Clerks.

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas virtually all Legislatures in Canada have fully embraced digital technologies;

“Whereas digital communications are now essential for members of Parliament to conduct their business, correspond with constituents, respond to stakeholders, stay in touch with staff, store data and information securely, keep ahead of the news cycle, and to remain current;

“Whereas progressive record keeping relies on cloud technology, remote access, real-time updates, multiple-point data entry, and broadband, wireless and satellite technologies;

“Whereas there is more to full exploitation of technology than having email;

“Whereas the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has been considering the value, utility and usage of digital devices within the legislative precinct and within the chamber of Parliament itself for several months;

“Whereas this consideration of digital empowerment of members continues to be unresolved, on hold, under consideration and the subject of repeated temporizing correspondence between decision-makers and interested parties;

“We, the undersigned, respectfully request all various decision-makers of the assembly and government to fully embrace digital technologies, empower members, acquire the optimal devices, maximize the many technology offerings and orchestrate a much-needed modernization of the conduct of parliamentary business for the eventual benefit of the people of Ontario ...

“In agreement whereof,” Speaker, I’m certainly supportive, will affix my signature, as I’m sure the opposition will, and send it to you via page Zohaib.

PHYSIOTHERAPY SERVICES

Mr. John O’Toole: “Whereas current OHIP legislation and policies prevent Ontario post-stroke patients between the ages of 20 and 64 from receiving additional one-on-one OHIP-funded physiotherapy; and

“Whereas these post-stroke patients deserve to be rehabilitated to their greatest ability possible to maybe return to work and become provincial income taxpayers again and productive citizens;

“Whereas current OHIP policies prevent Ontarians under age 65 and over the age of 20 from receiving additional OHIP-funded physiotherapy and rehabilitation after their initial stroke treatment; and

“Whereas these OHIP policies are discriminatory in nature, forcing university/college students and other Ontarians to wait until age 65 to receive more OHIP-funded physiotherapy;

“Whereas the lack of post-stroke physiotherapy offered to Ontarians between the ages of 20 and 64 is forcing these people to prematurely cash in their RRSPs and/or sell their” homes to raise money to fund therapy;

“Now therefore we, the undersigned, hereby respectfully petition the Ontario Legislature to introduce and pass amending legislation and new regulations to provide OHIP-funded post-stroke physiotherapy and treatment for all qualified post-stroke patients, thereby eliminating the discriminatory nature of current treatment practices.”

I’m pleased to sign and support this on behalf of my constituents.

GASOLINE PRICES

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from Sheila David, the office manager at the MS Centre for Hope in Sudbury, and Brenda Salo from the Beaver Lake Club. It reads as follows:

“Whereas northern Ontario motorists continue to be subject to wild fluctuations in the price of gasoline; and

“Whereas the province could eliminate opportunistic price gouging and deliver fair, stable and predictable fuel prices; and

“Whereas five provinces and many US states already have some sort of gas-price regulation; and

“Whereas jurisdictions with gas-price regulation have seen an end to wild price fluctuations, a shrinking of price discrepancies between urban and rural communities and lower annualized gas prices;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: Mandate the Ontario Energy Board to monitor the price of gasoline across Ontario in order to reduce price volatility and unfair regional price differences while encouraging competition.”

There is, right now, a difference of 11 cents a litre between two communities 70 kilometres apart in Nickel Belt.

I support this petition and will ask Mustfah to bring it to the Clerk.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Mr. Jim Wilson: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas cystic fibrosis is a multi-system genetic disease primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system;

“Whereas one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis, making it the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults;

“Whereas there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but the drug Kalydeco is the first medication that has shown success in targeting the underlying genetic cause of cystic fibrosis for patients with the specific G551D mutation;

“Whereas this drug helps improve the function of the defective protein, leading to better lung function, weight gain, and lower sweat chloride levels and access to Kalydeco could lead to a healthier, longer life;

“Whereas Kalydeco has been approved by Health Canada, but the approximately $300,000 annual cost makes it an unaffordable treatment option for the overwhelming majority of Ontario families;

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

“That the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care take immediate action to expedite listing Kalydeco on the province’s drug formulary so this treatment is available to Ontario families.”

Mr. Speaker, I agree with this petition and I will sign it.

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

Miss Monique Taylor: I have another stack of petitions here—actually, 502 names—from across the province.

“Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario Ombudsman, who is an officer of the Legislature, is not allowed to provide trusted, independent investigations of complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas Ontario is the only province in Canada not allowing their Ombudsman to investigate complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas people who feel they have been wronged by the actions of children’s aid societies are left feeling helpless with nowhere else to turn for help to correct systemic issues;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to grant the Ombudsman the power to investigate children’s aid societies.”

I couldn’t agree with this more, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to sign my name to it and give it to page Jane to bring to the Clerk.

LYME DISEASE

Mr. Toby Barrett: “Whereas the tick-borne illness known as chronic Lyme disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the USA and Europe; and

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000, edition of their professional journal that Lyme disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in southern Ontario; and

“Whereas the Ontario public health system and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives at 45% to 95% of the time;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health to direct the Ontario public health system and OHIP to include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for acute and chronic Lyme diagnosis, to do everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.”

This is long overdue, Speaker, and I affix my signature along with these other ones.

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Mr. John Vanthof: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a motion was introduced at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads ‘that in the opinion of the House, the operation of off-road vehicles on highways under regulation 316/03 be changed to include side-by-side off-road vehicles, four-seat side-by-side vehicles, and two-up vehicles in order for them to be driven on highways under the same conditions as other off-road/all-terrain vehicles’;

“Whereas this motion was passed on November 7, 2013, to amend the Highway Traffic Act 316/03;

“Whereas the economic benefits will have positive impacts on ATV clubs, ATV manufacturers, dealers and rental shops, and will boost revenues to communities promoting this outdoor activity;

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

“We call on the Ministry of Transportation to implement this regulation immediately.”

I wholeheartedly agree and pass it down to Simon.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

Mr. Bill Walker: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s tradespeople are subject to stifling regulation and are compelled to pay membership fees to the unaccountable College of Trades; and

“Whereas these fees are a tax grab that drives down the wages of skilled tradespeople; and

“Whereas Ontario desperately needs a plan to solve our critical shortage of skilled tradespeople by encouraging our youth to enter the trades and attracting new tradespeople; and

“Whereas the current policies of the McGuinty/Wynne Liberal government only aggravate the looming skilled trades shortage in Ontario;

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

“To immediately disband the College of Trades, cease imposing needless membership fees and enact policies to attract young Ontarians into skilled trade careers.”

I support it and will send it with page Calvin, from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, to the Clerks’ desk.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from all over the northeast, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas the Ontario government” brought PET scanning into publicly insured health services “available to cancer and cardiac patients...; and

“Whereas” since “October 2009, insured PET scans” are “performed in Ottawa, London, Toronto, Hamilton and Thunder Bay; and

“Whereas the city of Greater Sudbury is a hub for health care in northeastern Ontario, with” Health Sciences North, “its regional cancer program and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to make PET scans available through” Health Sciences North “thereby serving and providing equitable access to the citizens of northeastern Ontario.”

We’ve waited a long time, Mr. Speaker. I will ask Milana to bring it to the Clerk.

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGES

Mr. Jim McDonell: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the University of Guelph’s Kemptville and Alfred campuses are two of Ontario’s outstanding post-secondary agricultural schools; and

“Whereas these campuses have delivered specialized and high-quality programs to generations of students from agricultural communities across eastern Ontario and the future success of the region’s agri-food industry depends on continuing this strong partnership; and

“Whereas regional campuses like those in Kemptville and Alfred ensure the agri-food industry has access to the knowledge, research and innovation that are critical for Ontario to remain competitive in this rapidly changing sector;

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

“That Premier Wynne in her dual capacity as Minister of Agriculture and Food act immediately to reverse the University of Guelph’s short-sighted and unacceptable decision to close its Kemptville and Alfred campuses.”

I agree with this and will be passing it off to page Jane.

FIREFIGHTERS

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that at comes from firefighters in and around the city of Greater Sudbury.

“Whereas firefighters are routinely exposed to burning chemicals and other toxins in the course of protecting the lives and property of fellow citizens; and

“Whereas even with the best respiratory practices and protective equipment, exposures will continue to occur due to absorption through the skin once a firefighter has become soaked during fire suppression activities; and

“Whereas epidemiological, medical and scientific studies conclusively demonstrate an increased rate of diseases such as cancer in firefighters versus the general population;”

They petition “the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

“Amend the regulations of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act (WSIA), 1997 to include cancer of the lungs, breasts, testicles, prostate, skin and multiple myeloma in presumptive legislation for occupational diseases related to firefighting.”

I fully support this petition. I will affix my name to it and ask Kathryn to bring it to the Clerk.

SENIOR CITIZENS’ HOUSING

Mr. Frank Klees: I have petitions here that are signed by hundreds of seniors and their families throughout York region. It reads as follows, and I do hope the Minister of Health is listening:

“Whereas the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) has changed its policy on how seniors living in supportive housing are served; and

“Whereas, due to this new policy of the Ontario government, seven senior homes in York region will be closing their on-site alternative community living programs on April 1, 2014, leaving 200 long-time residents living in these homes without the on-site continuous care they have been receiving from dedicated workers that have served them for years; and

“Whereas the on-site proactive and responsive care will now be replaced by a hub-and-spoke reactive care model relying on seniors themselves initiating calls for help that will have a response time of 15 minutes, at least, because the caregiver is not on-site but in a mobile unit and because this is unacceptable for seniors and residents who have for years relied on on-site staff to assist them with medical equipment, medical assistance, personal and other unanticipated needs; and

“Whereas the closure of the on-site care service will lead to inadequate care to meet the true needs of the seniors and residents and will result in undue hardship on residents and their families; and

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: That the Ontario government reverse its decision that is leading to the closure of the alternative community living programs in seven seniors’ and retirement homes in York region and that the government stop the transfer of on-site continuous and proactive care to a reactive call with 15 minutes’ delay for care that will lower the quality of life for seniors and residents in the seven affected homes.”

I’m pleased to affix my signature in support of this petition, and I do trust that the Minister of Health is taking note.

OPPOSITION DAY

JOB CREATION

Mr. Jim Wilson: I move that, in the opinion of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Ontario families need to see a long-term plan for more full-time jobs;

And that if the Liberal government has not tabled a budget or implemented the million jobs plan by the end of this fiscal year, the House leaders of the three recognized parties should

schedule a debate and vote on the motion of want of confidence number 2, appearing on the March 19, 2014, Orders and Notices paper, standing in the name of Jim Wilson, MPP, Simcoe–Grey, following routine proceedings on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. This is addressed to the Premier.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Mr. Wilson has moved opposition day motion number 3. I recognize the member for Simcoe–Grey for the leadoff in this debate.

Mr. Jim Wilson: This is certainly an attempt by our party to, first of all, ask the government, particularly Premier Wynne, who has no mandate directly from the people of Ontario—only from the Liberal Party of Ontario—if she feels she has the confidence of this House and therefore the confidence of the people of Ontario through this House, to put that to the test. She has been Premier for a little over a year and she has not been put to the test by this Legislature.

It is our parliamentary tradition that governments must hold the confidence of the Legislature at all times. We’ve had a long time since that has been put to the test. In fact, it was in the 2011 general election time that that would have been put to the test of the general public. Again, it has been over a year since Premier Wynne has been Premier of the province. We’re looking for the NDP to support us.

We need a jobs plan. So this motion today says that if you don’t put your budget forward—which we assume will hopefully be, finally after 11 years, a jobs plan for this province—by the end of this fiscal year, which is March 31, just coming up, then adopt the leader of the PC Party’s job plan, the million jobs bill that has been put forward by Mr. Hudak. Steal those ideas—five really good, solid points in that plan. We welcome the government to borrow and implement what’s needed for bringing jobs back to the province.

So we have a want-of-confidence motion that I have filed, the second one that we’ve filed since the 2011 election, calling on the government to implement Mr. Hudak’s jobs plan or bring forward a plan of their own. But there is a time frame here. You already, together with the NDP, were propped up just a few weeks ago, just before we went to the March break—by the NDP, when they propped you up in the supply motion, which means you’ve paid all the bills for the year coming, so you don’t actually have to bring forward a budget.

A nice parliamentary trick, but I bet the people back home, because they read the paper and see the media every day, think that you actually have to bring forward a budget. You don’t. You’ve got the bills paid because you were propped up, once again, just before the March break, by the NDP

Now today, we hope that the NDP won’t, once again, prop up this corrupt Liberal government.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I have to ask the member for Simcoe–Grey to withdraw his unparliamentary remark.

Mr. Jim Wilson: Yes, I will withdraw, Mr. Speaker, because I respect your ruling, but—okay, this wayward Liberal government. How many billion-dollar job scandals does one have to put up with and still expect to stay in government? The NDP seem to think that buying seats in the last election is morally right and fiscally responsible, for over a billion dollars—$1.1 billion