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October 17, 2006

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2006-Oct-17 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 17 October 2006 Mardi 17 octobre 2006

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

AWARENESS MONTH

HOSPITAL SERVICES

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

POVERTY

TEENAGERS IN ACTION

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

MEDICAL DEVICES CANADA

JOSH KLUKIE

MARK WILSON

VISITORS

WEARING OF PINS

VISITORS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TRANSCANADA HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT ACT

(HIGHWAY 17), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006

SUR L'AMÉLIORATION DE L'AUTOROUTE TRANSCANADIENNE (ROUTE 17)

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AMENDMENT ACT (RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR

LES NORMES D'EMPLOI (AUGMENTATION DU SALAIRE MINIMUM)

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

VISITORS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

UNEMPLOYMENT

POVERTY

ONTARIO ECONOMY

MINIMUM WAGE

STUDENTS' ASSEMBLY ON ELECTORAL REFORM /

ASSEMBLÉE DES ÉTUDIANTS SUR

LA RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

EDUCATION FUNDING

DISABILITY BENEFITS

NORTHERN EDUCATION FUNDING

TOBACCO ADVERTISING

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

TRANSIT FUNDING

PETITIONS

LANDFILL

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

SCHOOL FACILITIES

LANDFILL

PROPERTY RIGHTS

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

HIGHWAY 35

HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

DRUG LEGISLATION

IDENTITY THEFT

MACULAR DEGENERATION

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LONG-TERM CARE HOMES ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 SUR LES FOYERS DE SOINS DE LONGUE DURÉE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME

AWARENESS MONTH

Mrs. Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax): I rise today in the Legislature to recognize October as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month, and this past October 15 as International Infant Loss

Day. Sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, is the unexpected death of an apparently healthy baby that remains a mystery after a complete investigation and autopsy.

Let me begin by speaking on behalf of all honourable members in this Legislature as I offer my deepest condolences to every family that has undergone the tragic ordeal of suddenly losing an infant.

Today I would also like to recognize the work of the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths, a wonderful organization composed of nearly 1,000 volunteers devoted to solving the mystery of sudden

infant deaths by funding various research projects through Dr. Sydney Segal research grants. The organization is also committed to providing emotional support for families affected by SIDS, offers public education and awareness programs about

issues relating to infant deaths, advises new or expectant mothers about the latest prenatal health advice and education and, most recently, has expanded its mandate to include all sudden, unexplained or unexpected infant deaths. These volunteers

are to be applauded for their hard work and commitment.

Unfortunately, I must also thank them for the work they will continue to do in the future. We must remember that with the help of organizations like the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths,

although we're still looking for answers, hopefully those answers will be found very soon.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): Recently, the Hanover and District Hospital averted closing its emergency room thanks to a very innovative strategy by Minister Smitherman's health ministry.

Alongside the Professional Association of Interns and Residents of Ontario and the Ontario Medical Association, a made-in-Ontario solution was born by bringing in a new group of doctors, third-year interns, to cover the emergency room. We support

the use of these highly trained and enthusiastic residents in our province's emergency rooms. Third-year residents are licensed and they can practise in areas like intensive care units and ERs. Second-year residents could also work in ERs under a

very limited licensure.

We call on the med school deans to support this plan. Everybody wins with this strategy as the community continues to get high-quality health care close to home and our residents are able to get the experience

they need to become even better doctors.

The doctor shortage caused by the previous government won't be solved overnight. But by tapping into this pool of skilled doctors, hospitals like Hanover and District Hospital can continue to provide care to the

community, close to home, and all the people of Ontario will benefit with this program.

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): Yesterday, after flipping through a partisan government brochure touting the Liberal education plan, I waited for the Premier to announce his character

education initiative.

When asked when this program was going to be put in place, he was non-committal; so was his education minister, who said, "Some time in the next couple of years." What a strong, character-filled response.

When asked about the standoff in Caledonia and the fact that the Premier is on record as saying it will be cleared up this winter, the response was, "Negotiations are under way." So much for leading by example

in the character department.

Snow flew here at Queen's Park the other day. Is the Premier waiting for the winter equinox or the start of Australian winter? Delay after delay, dithering after dithering, Ontario never gets a firm date for

action from this Liberal government, and it's starting to wear thin. Whether it's character education, Caledonia, surgical wait times, property taxes or the municipal review, there is always a commitment but never, never a follow-through.

Ontario families can't pay their bills "some time in the next few months," and they can't put food on the table just when they get around to it.

Saying anything because they can and because it's convenient is wrong. No firm timelines, no real commitments and no real results is not acceptable to the people of Ontario.

POVERTY

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): Imagine trying to raise a family on less than $10 an hour. That's the troubling reality for 37% of working women who lead single-parent families. One in five

Ontario women is living in poverty. Many are socially isolated as well. The statistic is a provincial shame. Still, I don't see governments -- particularly the McGuinty government here in Ontario -- being leaders in the fight to change conditions

that keep women and their children in poverty.

More than a decade ago, governments pledged to eradicate child poverty. So why has the problem grown worse?

In my community of Hamilton East, immigrant women, senior women, women receiving social assistance, women employed doing minimum-wage and part-time work grapple with difficult questions such as: Do I pay the

rent or put food on the table? Do I pay the hydro bill or buy winter clothing for the kids? How can I keep my job without affordable child care? Will I lose my home because I can't pay the property taxes?

Every day in some Ontario community, a woman is breaking from the pressure, strain and hopelessness of living in poverty.

The McGuinty Liberals pretend they are taking action that is making a difference. If they were serious about it, they would immediately end the clawback of the national child benefit supplement, build the 20,000

affordable housing units the McGuinty government promised, ensure equal employment opportunities and equal pay, invest their promised $300 million in affordable child care funding that never materialized, reform pension laws so more women in

part-time and contract work have pensions, and take action on property taxes rather than waiting years and years.

Ending poverty among women benefits us all. For example, poverty is strongly linked to children's poor scholastic opportunities. It's time to end poverty in Ontario.

TEENAGERS IN ACTION

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn (Oakville): I rise in the House today to congratulate and draw attention to a wonderful organization in my community of Oakville. The Oakville Teenagers in Action is a

non-profit group that is driven by young citizens from Oakville.

Last year, they raised enough money to help build a school in a village in Sierra Leone, in Africa. This year, they are raising money to help build a well in the same village. The group not only generated

corporate support, but they asked each Oakville teenager to pitch in with a $5 donation.

I hope to have here in the Legislature a little bit later some members from that organization. At that time, I will be introducing and welcoming Fiona Burgess, the director, and Hina Parmar, who works with

Fiona.

I'd also like to specifically thank all the school volunteer coordinators and the group as a whole. Having spent some time in Africa myself, I know all too well the need for assistance on that continent. What

these young people are doing is something we should all be doing ourselves. They're making a fundamental difference in the lives of people who really, really need help.

Again, my thanks and congratulations to the Oakville Teenagers in Action. I know all of us in this House hope they keep up the good work.

SMALL BUSINESS WEEK

Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): I rise today to salute the thousands of entrepreneurs in Ontario because it is, after all, Small Business Week in Ontario, but the Minister of Small Business has yet

to rise in the House to acknowledge this fact. Yesterday we heard from the government's Minister of Culture on library week and we heard from the Minister of Citizenship on Citizenship Week, both very noteworthy events. I would only think the

Minister of Small Business would also wish to enlighten this House on the importance of Small Business Week.

This government continued to ignore the issues faced by small business. I suppose it wouldn't go over well for the Minister of Small Business to actually admit that his government's punitive taxation, regulation

and energy policies continue to hurt small businesses in Ontario. This government has its head in the sand. The latest Royal Bank economic forecast has Ontario in last place -- last place. Ontario is the caboose of Canada's economic engine. The

Royal Bank's economic provincial outlook assesses the provinces according to a number of economic indicators, all of which have continued to be negatively affected by the McGuinty government's policy of higher taxation and broken promises.

Perhaps we are better off not to have heard from the government on the occasion of Small Business Week here in Ontario. We are all growing weary of their policy of saying anything to get elected. In the case of

Small Business Week, it would seem that the government has stuck to an old adage: If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all.

MEDICAL DEVICES CANADA

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): It's with great pleasure that I rise in the House today and offer words of welcome to representatives of MEDEC, the national industry association

representing Canada's medical device and diagnostic companies. Representatives from the association and 16 member companies are here today to promote innovations in medical device technologies, as well as the good work this important sector does

in our communities across the country.

Through their strong and valued partnership with health care professionals, patients, hospitals and governments across the country, MEDEC members are key drivers of innovation aimed at improving health outcomes

and the quality of life for patients in Ontario and across the country.

innovative and safe medical device technologies can advance health care, and how the medical device industry can contribute to enhancements in quality and delivery of care and a robust economy.

MEDEC will be hosting a reception in the legislative dining room today from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., where political and public policy-makers will have further opportunities to speak directly with company

representatives from across Ontario and take a look at just some of these important technologies. I'd encourage all members to attend.

I'd like once again to extend a warm welcome to MEDEC and their member companies represented here today. I wish them a very successful day at the Ontario Legislature.

JOSH KLUKIE

Mr. Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): Last week in Thunder Bay, Private Josh Klukie, a dedicated Canadian Forces member serving in Afghanistan, was put to rest in a touching service

which celebrated a life that ended too early. Words of solace seem impossible at times like this, but it is nonetheless vital that we try to pay tribute to this special young man who was so devoted to the mission for which he gave his life.

Speaking yesterday with his mother, Carol, I was struck by how, despite her immense grief, she was intensely proud of Josh and how important it was for her to convey that pride to all those people who have supported her and her sons David and

Daniel since that tragic day.

Mrs. Klukie revealed how lost Josh was when his beloved father passed away seven years ago and how he struggled to find his way for some time afterward. But she then described how he blossomed when he joined the

military and went on to serve in Afghanistan. He firmly believed in the goals of the Canadian mission and knew he was making a difference. He is no longer with us, but his contribution to peace and his joy for life will never be forgotten.

Josh is the third Canadian soldier with Thunder Bay roots who has lost his life in Afghanistan. Corporal Anthony Boneca, the beloved son of Antonio and Shirley Boneca, was tragically struck down during combat

this past July. He was buried with full military honours in Thunder Bay. This past April, Private Robert Costall, who spent his formative years in Thunder Bay, also lost his life,.

Like the other Canadian soldiers who have perished during this mission, our Thunder Bay heroes will be remembered always as brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, but also as vibrant young

men with once limitless futures who leave behind many heartbroken family members and friends who, like us, shall never forget them.

MARK WILSON

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): I am speaking today on a sad note. Yesterday, I attended the funeral of fallen soldier Mark Andrew Wilson. Mark was a soldier with the Petawawa-based Royal

Canadian Dragoons. Wilson was 39 years old. He was killed Saturday, October 7, 2006, when his armoured vehicle was hit by a bomb west of Kandahar, Afghanistan.

Mark lived in Sudbury with his wife and their two sons. Mark is also survived by his loving twin brother, his sister and his parents who reside in London, where Mark grew up. Wilson's family wants him to be

remembered as a brave soldier, an avid outdoorsman and a loving father.

I would like to take this time to extend my deepest condolences to Mark's family and express to them how grateful we are for the sacrifice Mark made throughout his service in the Canadian Army. I would also like

to take this time to acknowledge and send my condolences to the other 41 Canadian families who have lost a loved one in Afghanistan.

Mr. Speaker, I ask, on behalf of my colleague from Thunder Bay and myself, that each and every one of us take a moment to pay our respects to all of our fallen Canadian soldiers.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Ramal has asked for unanimous consent to pause for a moment of remembrance. Agreed? Agreed.

The House observed a moment's silence.

The Speaker: Thank you.

VISITORS

Mr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: With your kind permission, I want to introduce a visitor from Punjab, India: Sant Baba Balbir Singh. He has

been a community social worker, well recognized by the President of India.

Accompanying him are some of my constituents: Sukhbir Nijjar, who is a host of the Punjabi television program Watno Dur, and Harpreet Singh, Nachattar Singh, Paramjit Deol, Hakam Singh, Sukha Bhopal and Tarsem

Singh. I want to welcome them to Queen's Park.

WEARING OF PINS

Mrs. Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I seek unanimous consent for all members of this Legislature to wear the baby's breath pin for SIDS awareness, in

recognition of October being SIDS Awareness Month.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mrs. Elliott has asked for unanimous consent to wear the baby's breath pin. Agreed? Agreed.

VISITORS

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn (Oakville): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to the House, from the organization Oakville Teenagers in Action, Ms. Fiona

Burgess and Ms. Hina Parmar, and their families. They built a school in Sierra Leone and travelled again this year to help those in Africa who are far less fortunate than us.

If the House would recognize them, it would be appreciated.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TRANSCANADA HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT ACT

(HIGHWAY 17), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006

SUR L'AMÉLIORATION DE L'AUTOROUTE TRANSCANADIENNE (ROUTE 17)

Mr. Orazietti moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 149,

An Act respecting the improvement of Highway 17, part of the TransCanada Highway / Projet de loi 149, Loi ayant trait à l'amélioration de la route 17, qui fait

partie de l'autoroute

transcanadienne.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member may wish to make a brief statement.

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): The bill proposes federal-provincial discussions for the development of a plan for the improvement of the Highway 17 portion of the Trans-Canada Highway

to enhance the regional economy and improve public safety. The bill identifies several ways in which to improve Highway 17, including, but not limited to, increased passing lanes, paved shoulders, rest stops and widening to four lanes. I hope this

bill will have the support of the entire House, as it will greatly benefit all northern communities and businesses as well as the economy of the entire province.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS AMENDMENT ACT (RAISING THE MINIMUM WAGE), 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR

LES NORMES D'EMPLOI (AUGMENTATION DU SALAIRE MINIMUM)

Ms. DiNovo moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 150,

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 / Projet de loi 150, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d'emploi.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member may wish to make a brief statement.

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park): It has been said that we can't afford in this province a minimum wage of $10 an hour. I maintain, and so does the New Democratic Party, that we can't

afford not to have a minimum wage of $10 an hour. One in six of our children lives in poverty and 13,500 children use food banks in the GTA. This bill will primarily affect the lives of women and children in our province. It is our moral and

ethical responsibility to enact this bill.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I move that, pursuant to standing order 9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to

9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1353 to 1358.

The Speaker: All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Balkissoon, Bas

Barrett, Toby

Bentley, Christopher

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Colle, Mike

Crozier, Bruce

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Elliott, Christine

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jeffrey, Linda

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Mitchell, Carol

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Parsons, Ernie

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Qaadri, Shafiq

Ramal, Khalil

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Scott, Laurie

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sterling, Norman W.

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

The Speaker: All those opposed will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

DiNovo, Cheri

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Martel, Shelley

Murdoch, Bill

Prue, Michael

Tabuns, Peter

Yakabuski, John

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 60; the nays are 9.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

VISITORS

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): On point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm sure all members of the Legislature would like to join me in welcoming the parents and family of page Stephen

McGuire from Smiths Falls. Stephen is the grandson of a former MPP, Leo Jordan, who represented Lanark-Renfrew. In our audience we have Michael, Stephen's father; Helen, Stephen's mother; and, most importantly, young Shamus. To all of you,

welcome.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship): I am pleased to inform the Legislature about an important investment that furthers the McGuinty government's support

for youth entrepreneurship in Ontario.

Small business and entrepreneurship is the foundation of our economy. The 340,000 small businesses operating across the province employ over half of Ontario's workforce and create valuable jobs for Ontario

workers.

The Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship understands that small business growth brings economic prosperity to communities across the province. For this prosperity to continue, our youth must be able

to fill and exceed our roles as future business leaders.

I am proud to announce that the government of Ontario has provided the Canadian Youth Business Foundation with over $1 million -- actually, the amount is $1.7 million -- to ensure that our young entrepreneurs

will be able to get their businesses off the ground and products to market faster.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation supports youth entrepreneurship across the province -- young entrepreneurs like Chris, who I had the pleasure of meeting this morning. Chris runs a company called

JobLoft.com. JobLoft.com is an online job board where employers in the retail, food services and hospitality industries can advertise vacant job positions they wish to fill. JobLoft allows people seeking work to search for jobs by entering their

postal code to view nearby job postings using Google map software. Chris plans to expand his business and enter the US market in the near future.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation helped bring Chris's dream from the drawing board to the market, as it does for so many aspiring entrepreneurs. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is one of our key

partners, and it works with other partners like 19 small business enterprise centres and volunteer business mentors to make it easier for our young entrepreneurs to give life to their ideas. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation provides this

program to youths throughout Ontario, ensuring that every young person with an entrepreneurial spirit has the opportunity to potentially benefit from its services.

The funding provided to the Canadian Youth Business Foundation will be used to give qualifying young entrepreneurs repayable loans, allowing them to have the financial support that is needed to launch a

business. Canadian Youth Business Foundation volunteers will mentor the new businesses during their initial stages, ensuring a successful start-up phase.

An investment in entrepreneurship is an investment in a better quality of life for many Ontarians. The Canadian Youth Business Foundation estimates that this funding will create over 2,500 jobs and generate

$50 million in gross revenue over the next four years. I am pleased that our next generation of entrepreneurs is contributing to the strength of Ontario's economy at such an early age.

My ministry also understands that it is important for Ontario's entrepreneurs to build international relationships so that they may prosper in the global economy. That's why we are developing a pilot project

that will give post-secondary students the opportunity to travel abroad and experience how international businesses operate and learn why Ontario's role in the global marketplace is critical to our prosperity.

There are hundreds of young entrepreneurs nurturing exciting new ideas that have the potential to help our economy prosper, but without money or business expertise, some of these ideas may never see the light

of day. That's why the government of Ontario launched its $46-million market readiness program. It provides entrepreneurs with the money they need to bring their ideas from the drawing board to the market.

The McGuinty government champions the entrepreneurial spirit that drives our economy forward. Since May of this year, my ministry has worked hard to promote youth entrepreneurship across the province. We

invested over $1 million in the Summer Company program and had a record number of 370 students accepted. Eight hundred fifty students participated in the Ontario secondary school business plan competition in 2006, the highest number to date, and

we will be announcing the winners of the competition next month. The success of our programs shows that entrepreneurship is alive and well in Ontario.

The government of Ontario recently signed an agreement with the federal government to set a new standard for business income tax collection in the province. The new agreement provides business owners with one

set of rules to follow, a single tax form to complete, and the CRA as the single point of contact when submitting their tax information. This new system will allow entrepreneurs to save time and money so they can focus on more important issues,

like growing their own business.

Our government's investment in the Canadian Youth Business Foundation provides more opportunities for Ontario's future business leaders to turn their ideas into real enterprises. We are very proud to support

the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. After all, an investment in our youth is an investment in a better future for all of us.

As I said on October 3, 2006, in the Legislature, we have lots to celebrate in Ontario, and during October we are celebrating Salute to Small Business Month. We want to recognize the outstanding contributions

small business owners and entrepreneurs make every day in our province.

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): I can't control my enthusiasm. Stop.

Hon. Mr. Takhar: The member from Niagara's enthusiasm is always out of control.

Our government is celebrating the spirit of Ontario's 340,000 small and medium-sized business and youth entrepreneurs and their success. We want all small business owners and operators to feel proud of what

they do. I encourage everyone to support small businesses and young entrepreneurs.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I rise in the House today to talk about an important matter for all Ontarians: the safety of our children.

Earlier today, I joined the Ontario School Bus Association at Princess Margaret public school in Etobicoke to mark School Bus Safety Week, which runs until October 20.

About 800,000 children ride a school bus every weekday in Ontario, and now they are even safer than they were before. According to the latest Ontario Road Safety Annual Report, ORSAR, for the second year in a

row Ontario has the safest roads in North America.

Fewer children aged 9 or under were killed or injured on Ontario roads in 2004; we hope one day that will be zero. The report also shows a 13.3% drop in the number of pedestrian fatalities compared to the year

before.

These statistics are important, because about 70% of school-vehicle-related deaths happen while students are crossing the street or getting on and off the bus. The McGuinty government has made the safety of

children a priority, with legislation in 2004 to improve school bus safety and, in 2005, to crack down on speeders and those who ignore the rules at crosswalks and school crossings.

We required new safety features on buses, including an arm at the front of new buses to prevent children from walking out in front of the vehicle where the driver can't see them. The owner of any vehicle that

illegally passes a school bus now faces charges, regardless of who is driving at the time. We require decals on the back of every school bus reminding other drivers of the $2,000 fine for illegally passing a stopped school bus. We have increased

the fines for speeding from 30 to 34 kilometres over the speed limit and added three demerit points for those who endanger pedestrians at crosswalks.

I have asked the Ministry of Transportation to review if there is a need for seat belts on school buses. There is a wide variance of opinion on the topic, and the Ministry of Transportation is gathering as

much information as it can to see if the current policy needs to be changed.

School buses travel nearly two million kilometres every school day in Ontario. School Safety Bus Week is an important public education tool to remind drivers of the importance of safety around our schools,

around our school buses and, of course, around our children.

Our government works closely with safety partners such as the school boards across the province, the Ontario School Bus Association, the Ontario Safety League and others to make sure everyone in Ontario knows

how important it is to drive with caution near school buses and school zones.

We also work with the school boards across the province to educate children about safety. I spent my morning with Buster the School Bus, where we looked at all the challenges that children face dealing with

getting on and off the bus and being safe. It's important for them to look both ways before crossing the street and getting on and off that school bus. So we're doing what we can to keep children safe on school buses and also wherever they travel

in Ontario.

I know all members will want to join me in supporting School Bus Safety Week. I'd like to take just a moment to say a very special thank you to the school bus drivers who, every day, work to ensure that our

children are delivered to school and from school to their home or place of pickup safely. They are truly remarkable people who, at times, have to be everything from an educator, a teacher, to a disciplinarian, a social worker and maybe even a

nurse. We are indeed fortunate to have these folks who work within the school bus association and the systems on behalf of all our children in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Responses?

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Mr. Ted Chudleigh (Halton): Supporting an organization like the Canadian Youth Business Foundation is the least this government could do, and what a great organization it is. It is, after all,

this government's policies of broken promises, high costs and saying anything to get elected that most hinder small business success in Ontario.

Perhaps the government should take a page from the CYBF book and look at how they can better help small businesses to succeed instead of crushing them with punitive regulations, high energy prices and unfair

property, income and business taxes. Any small business success story in Ontario is well received. However, this government is so lacking in stories of its own that it is forced to look to the non-profit, charitable sector in order to find an

example of how to help small businesses succeed in our province.

I refer to the World's Finest Chocolate Factory, the Prescott Shirt Co., Curwood Packaging, Winpack Technologies, Blue Mountain Pottery, Trent Rubber, Glenoit, Glis, Bazaar and Novelty, Rheem Canada, and

Harrowsmith cheese -- all companies that have ceased to exist in Ontario. If only the new ministry dedicated solely to small business and entrepreneurship in Ontario was as effective as CYBF, then small businesses in Ontario would have a true

public sector resource to rely upon instead of the stories that we hear about the closing of manufacturing plants in Ontario and the demise of the manufacturing jobs, the backbone of Ontario's economy.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): On behalf of the John Tory opposition party, we're certainly in support of recognizing the important work and important role of the school bus operators and drivers.

We do extend our thanks to them.

In following up on the theme today of "Cross With Care," certainly it is good advice to drivers because, as you know, the Highway Traffic Act has recently been changed to include a fine of $2,000 and the

potential of six demerit points.

As of September 1, 2005, owners of vehicles may be charged if their vehicle passes a school bus illegally while it is stopped with its warning lights flashing. They should also be aware that the bus driver has

the ability to write down the licence plate number and report that to the police, and a fine will ensue.

I spoke with Rick Donaldson of the Ontario School Bus Association. He points out that, indeed, over 800,000 children are transported each day on 16,000 school buses. Importantly, Transport Canada research

shows that on a per passenger, per kilometre basis, the occupants of school buses are 16 times more likely to be injured in road collisions than the occupants of any other vehicles. This statistic is alarming, and I think the minister should

respond with some sort of action plan.

Importantly, yesterday, you talked about the seat belt issue, and you brought something forward. Minister, you said this morning that you would have MTO officials review the need for seat belts on school

buses. Contradicting that, just after you said that, Dalton, the Premier, said today, before going into caucus, "It's in fact safer for children not to have seat belts." So it seems there's some confusion for any strategy on that side of the

House, but one thing that is clear is we on this side would give the school bus operators the resources they need to do the job safely.

I know most members here have met with their school boards, and the top three issues they brought to our attention were the reduction in funding for autism, the reduction in funding for school bus operations

and the resources for special education generally. So school buses aren't being given the tools to do the job safely.

I would only say that school bus safety is important for students, but each of us has an important responsibility, whether it's the parent, the students themselves, the bus operator or indeed, the education

community.

I want to conclude with some advice to the Minister of Education. This is a part of the plan that you could simply bring in to play: funding the school bus association appropriately. You know that's an issue.

You know it's appropriate to the theme today of School Bus Safety Week, "Cross With Care." I'm looking for some sort of strategy or some kind of consistent response from the McGuinty government. It seems they have a lot of pleasant tone but very

little substance in any of their commitments here today.

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park): Certainly small business is the engine of our economy, both in Ontario and in Canada. I had the pleasure of running my own small business for over seven

years and being in corporate life for many more years than that, so I speak with some experience.

I'm looking at the Canadian Youth Business Foundation, and I'm concerned a little that this is just a mere beginning. It's a mere beginning in terms of what we need to do for this group of young people between

18 and 34.

First of all, we should know that this group, among all groups, suffers one of the highest levels of unemployment -- that is partly due to the policies of our government -- and also, they suffer the burden of

student loan debt to a greater degree now than ever in Ontario.

When we look at what the Canadian Youth Business Foundation actually does for them, what we really see is a mentorship program and an opportunity to get yet another loan. This is a loan program through the

CIBC that gives them prime plus 2%. That's what it is. Certainly, we require far more for our young people than a mentorship program and another loan program that they may not be able to pay back, because we know that most first business attempts

tend to fail. That's the reality of small business. So, really, what we're doing here is saddling our young people with yet another debt -- a $7,000 to $15,000 debt -- added to their student loan debt, which they will accrue as well.

We in the New Democratic Party would like to see some real progress on this. We would like to see grants, not loans.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY WEEK

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth): I rise to respond to the Minister of Transportation. We in the NDP welcome all initiatives that improve school bus safety. Unfortunately, in the past it

has been the practice of the McGuinty government to introduce new safety requirements without providing support to the school boards so they can afford to actually implement them as they are meant to be implemented.

Imposing new costs without changes to the school funding formula hits school boards and school bus operators. When we fail to address the need for increased transportation funding under the school funding

formula, we download the cost of safety onto the school boards and the school bus operators. That's a problem for schools and school boards across this province.

In opposition, the McGuinty Liberals said they would implement the recommendations of the Rozanski report. Those recommendations with respect to transportation funding have been sitting there for over three

years now and no mandate for reform is in sight.

Underfunding of school bus operators, of school bus transportation, is not the road to safer buses. Operators need to have the necessary funding to implement higher standards and to attract safe drivers. The

reform of school bus funding, school transportation, is just one more area where the Liberals promised to act while they were in opposition, yet have done nothing while in government.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. It seems that every day Ontarians wake up to see more headlines about troubles in our economy. Here is just a sample:

"Ontario on Brink of 2006 Recession" -- that's from the National Post.

Interjections.

Mr. Tory: If you don't like that one: "Growth Outlook Places Ontario Last" -- Toronto Star, October 14; "Sorbara's Prophecy of Doom is Coming True" -- Globe and Mail, October 14; "Ontario's

Jobless Rate Rises" -- Toronto Star, October 7; "Calgary Could Take City's" -- Toronto's -- "Title as Economic Capital" -- National Post, October 17.

A recent report from the Royal Bank of Canada says Ontario will "narrowly avoid a recession." We're ranked 10th out of 10 provinces for economic growth this year. Growth has, for all intents and purposes,

stagnated.

Premier, you've seen this coming. You've had the time and the money to conceive of multi-million dollar advertising campaigns to tell us all how good things are. Where is the plan to deal with the economy?

Where is the plan to deal with the job losses we've seen in this province, a plan that you said would be coming forward? Where is it?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Again, I'm not inclined to be pessimistic, as the leader of the official opposition is. I'm very optimistic about the

economy, and particularly the ability of Ontarians and Ontario entrepreneurs to manage their way.

The leader of the official opposition asks me what we have been doing to strengthen the economy. I will tell you that we have been doing all the things we need to do. We're investing in the education and

skills of our people. We're investing in the health of our people. We are also working very well with both labour and business. Whether we're talking about the auto sector, advanced manufacturing, forestry or agriculture, we're doing all the kinds

of things we need to do. In addition to that, we have a $30-billion infrastructure plan.

When you hear from economists -- and I have heard from many -- they tell us that you've got to invest in your people, you've got to invest in your infrastructure, and you've got to find ways to work with

business and labour. We're doing those very things.

Mr. Tory: We'll concede there's an initiative to do with the auto industry, but when it comes to the rest of it, whether it's forestry or other manufacturing, there is no plan; that is a fact.

There is no plan in this province; there is no strategy. In fact, your reaction throughout, when we have confronted you with news of this crisis affecting thousands and thousands of Ontarians, has been to belittle it. At one time, in November

2005, you called it "a little bit of contraction." Your former parliamentary assistant, Tony Wong, who rushed for the exit, called communities that were upset about job losses "crybabies." The member for Guelph-Wellington, sitting beside you

today, said about job losses in her community that they did prove that the government legislation to reduce smoking was at least working.

Premier, 100,000 manufacturing jobs lost since 2005 is not a little bit of contraction; predictions of 50,000 more manufacturing jobs to be lost is not a little bit of contraction. Ontarians deserve a serious

plan. Where is a comprehensive plan from your government on the economy and job losses?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I hope the international investment community is not listening to the leader of the official opposition, because I'm not sure there is any more effective spokesperson in all

the province when it comes to talking down the Ontario economy. He's very effective in that regard.

We consider it our responsibility to continue to work, with a sense of optimism, with labour and with business. The leader of the official opposition doesn't like to hear this, but the fact of the matter is

that while it's true we've lost some jobs during the course of the past few years, overall we've gained 254,000 net new jobs.

Again, we've got a great plan in place. We're always looking for more opportunities. I know that my new Minister of Economic Development and Trade has some announcements in the wings. I know the leader of the

official opposition looks forward to those with great impatience, but again, we are optimistic about the economy. We will continue to work with both business and labour.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: The McGuinty government has more things in the wings and in the pipeline and on the way and all that sort of thing, but the fact is, while you have things in the wings and on the way

and in the pipeline, last month 34,000 jobs were lost in this province. The TD Bank says any results in the auto sector are what they call a temporary reprieve. The CIBC says Ontario is a graveyard for manufacturing jobs. That's not a politician

or the Leader of the Opposition speaking; these are some of the leading banks and financial institutions in this country.

Now, I asked you about a resolution passed in this House with the support of many of your members -- in fact, unanimously on all sides -- calling on your government to introduce a comprehensive plan

immediately to deal with these job losses and to bolster the economy. When will you keep your word, respect the wishes of the members of this House and bring forward a comprehensive plan? We're not looking for it to be in the pipeline or in the

works or on the way; we're looking for help for these people now.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Let me tell you about some of the things we're doing in addition to generating growth by working with business and with labour. We have, as my friend opposite will know, led

the first Ontario government to enter into a labour market development agreement with the federal government that will transfer existing programs to the province and give us more say over those programs, to use them in the way that best serves the

needs of Ontarians.

But here is an important issue: I also entered into an agreement with then Prime Minister Martin for a labour market partnership agreement that would bring $314 million annually to expand and enhance our

labour market programs. That was part of the McGuinty-Martin agreement. The federal Conservative government has yet to flow one single penny of that money. I ask the leader of the official opposition to pick up the phone, phone Prime Minister

Harper and tell him to send us the $314 million that will help Ontarians who are caught in this economy and losing their jobs.

UNEMPLOYMENT

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier again. Your governing strategy has been clear from the beginning: It's to blame anybody you can and not accept any

responsibility; it's to make wild promises; it's to break those promises and lurch from crisis to crisis. It's how you've handled the emergency room crisis, it's how you've handled energy, it's how you've handled Caledonia, it's how you've handled

everything.

There's a crisis today in Sarnia, where 380 jobs have been lost at Dow Chemical; Stratford losing 280 jobs at Dura Automotive; St. Marys, 100 jobs at Dana Corp. The people in Sarnia, Stratford and St. Marys

are wondering why you won't listen to the Legislature, including your own McGuinty Liberal members who voted to bring forward a comprehensive plan immediately to help these communities and these families that are losing jobs. Why won't you bring

forward a plan to help these communities and the tens of thousands of people who have lost their jobs? Why won't you do it? Where is the plan?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm more than pleased to join the debate on this very specific issue. The leader of the official opposition asks me what

are we going to do to ensure that we provide all the necessary supports and assistance to Ontarians who lose their jobs as a result of dislocation in this economy.

As I say, on behalf of a government that has done this for the very first time, we have entered into a labour market development agreement with the federal government -- never been done -- that will give us

control over those federal monies so that we can deploy them in a way that best meets our particular needs. But there's the outstanding matter of a labour market partnership agreement I signed with Prime Minister Martin. He said, "I'll send you

$314 million so you can use that to enhance your programs."

I say again to the leader of the official opposition: Ontarians want to know on whose side he's on. Is he on Prime Minister Harper's side or is he on the side of the people of Ontario who have lost their

jobs?

Mr. Tory: Again no answer from the Premier. What the people of Ontario do know is that there were more people unemployed in this province in September of this year than compared to September

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): We just can't keep doing this. I need be able to hear the Leader of the Opposition place his question. The Premier needs to be able to hear the question

also. It can't happen if everyone else is speaking at the same time.

Mr. Tory: The people of Ontario do know that there were more people unemployed in this province in September of this year than September of last year. They know that our unemployment rate is

above the national average for only the second time in 30 years. That includes 110 people in St. Thomas who were laid off last month by Sterling Truck. Another 500 will lose their jobs in the spring of 2007. AFG laid off another 250 people.

They don't want rhetoric. They don't want multi-million dollar taxpayer-financed advertising propaganda. They don't want your new government logo. They don't want you to say whatever it is you think will help

you to win an election. They don't want you blaming anybody else. They want you to stand up in your place and take some responsibility for the fact that your members voted with us when we moved a resolution calling for a comprehensive plan to help

the communities and people who have been losing their jobs.

Where is that plan? It's your plan. Your people voted for it. The people of Ontario, thousands of them, are waiting. Where is the plan?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition has had two opportunities now, and I'll give him a third. One of the things that we're asking the federal government to do is to fund

an agreement that the Prime Minister specifically said he would honour within the context of the last campaign. He said in writing to me that he would honour the Canada-Ontario agreement. Part and parcel of that agreement is $314 million to be

delivered to the people of Ontario so that we can better enhance and support their employment dislocation program. What the people of Ontario now want to know is whether or not Mr. John Tory stands with the federal government in Ottawa or stands

with the people of Ontario and their province at Queen's Park.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Tory: I am the one who is here asking questions on behalf of the people of Ontario today, and you are the one who is adopting your usual strategy of dither, deny, deflect, blame anybody

and don't accept any responsibility. The results are that the people --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Final supplementary?

Mr. Tory: The people who are losing their jobs, thanks to the inaction of the McGuinty government, are the very people who need the support systems that your government has also ignored and

for which they're here protesting today. Your dithering, denials and deflections are no help to the people of Chatham, for example, who are staring at 500 job losses next month, thanks to layoffs at International Truck. They're no help to people

across the north, who are seeing communities hollowed out, houses being stripped entirely of their value and thousands and thousands of people losing their jobs while you plan your next self-congratulatory ad campaign.

People want to know where the plan is. It was a plan that 31 of your MPPs voted for in December of last year, a comprehensive plan to be brought forward immediately to deal with jobs and the economy. Where is

your plan that your people voted for and that you said you'd bring forward? Are you going to keep your promise, or is this one going to go the way of so many others and be broken?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Let me tell you just a little bit about the program that we have in place, a rapid re-employment program. We issue a call within one hour of getting news about a company

that's going down; we send notice to the company and the union by way of a phone call. We've expanded our Job Connect program to include counselling and job advice, and we've added training and academic possibilities at our colleges. But just

think of what we could do with 314 million more dollars.

We've been the first government to enter into a labour market development agreement with the federal government. But I ask the leader of the official opposition --

Interjections.

The Speaker: I remind members that I also need to be able to hear the Premier respond to the question.

Premier.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: On behalf of all Ontarians, who have some middling interest in what it is that weighs heavily in the mind of the leader of the official opposition, what they want to know

is, whose side is he on? They feel they're owed $314 million for this new labour market program. They know that the people on this side of the House support them in their quest to get that money. What they really want to know is, is Mr. Tory on

their side or is he on Prime Minister Harper's side?

POVERTY

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. In May, the United Nations released a report on poverty in Ontario and Canada. The report says that too many aboriginal

people, too many African Canadians, too many immigrants, too many youth, too many women, too many single moms with kids and too many of our disabled are living in poverty. But instead of addressing poverty in Ontario, the McGuinty government is

spending millions of dollars of public money on self-serving ads to promote itself.

Premier, today is the United Nations' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Why is the McGuinty government wasting millions of dollars on TV ads promoting itself and telling the people everything

is okay in Ontario when one in seven Ontarians live in poverty?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): There's an important, substantive issue here, but first of all let me say -- as the leader of the NDP knows, even though he

voted against the legislation -- that there's a new law on the books in Ontario that says all the advertising has to be vetted by the Provincial Auditor. He voted against that, but we thought it was a good law and we will continue to respect that

law.

Let me say something about the issue of poverty. Without a doubt, there is more work to be done in that regard and, we will not rest until we've done as much as we possibly can to help provide better supports

to people who are affected by poverty in Ontario.

An important question is whether we're making progress, and I think by any objective measure we are. We are building 15,000 new affordable housing units. We have an agreement with the federal government and

our municipal partners: 15,000 new affordable housing units, and we're going to provide 5,000 rent supplements. We provided a 5% increase for our homelessness programs and emergency shelters. We have free vaccinations for children: Over one

million children have received vaccinations. That saves families up to $600 per child.

Those may not be the kinds of things that the leader of the NDP thinks constitute progress, but we think we're moving in the right direction.

Mr. Hampton: I think what we just heard is that you think it's a good idea to spend millions of dollars of public money promoting your government while people live in poverty.

You talk about objective measures. Under the McGuinty government, one in four workers in this province still falls below the poverty line. They work every day, but at the end of the month they still fall below

the poverty line, under your government. Low-wage work, temporary work and on-call work is increasingly the economic reality for new immigrants, for women, for workers of colour and even for young graduates trying to pay off their student debts.

These jobs mean people fall below the poverty line, Premier.

My question again: Instead of spending millions of dollars of public money promoting yourself, why don't you invest some of that money to try to make life better for the thousands of families living below the

poverty line?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Something else the leader of the NDP is uncomfortable acknowledging is that we've increased the minimum wage three times now on our way to $8 per hour. Also, 84,000 more

children are being served through our student nutrition programs. We're the first province in Canada to fund insulin pumps for children. We have doubled our child care investment. We are waiving cost-sharing on new child care funding, which saved

municipalities $140 million over four years. By the end of this year, we will have created 15,000 new child care spaces.

All of those speak to our continuing commitment as a government to help Ontarians who are less fortunate and who are in need of a bit of assistance, and we are proud to provide it.

Mr. Hampton: The Premier talks about child care spaces. You haven't invested one cent of provincial money in child care. That's all federal money that's created child care spaces.

Premier, it takes a split second to fall into poverty. You lose a good manufacturing job, you get sick or you're injured or you lose your home because you can't pay the escalating property taxes. You have to

quit work because there aren't enough child care spaces.

Premier, under your government -- the McGuinty government -- 118,000 good-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost, and many of those families are now struggling in poverty. The Royal Bank says Ontario's

economy is dead last in Canada.

I say again, Premier: With the situation this serious, why are you spending millions of dollars of public money on television ads to promote your government while so many people live in poverty and many more

are falling into poverty?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, as the leader of the NDP knows, even though it's a law that he voted against, all government advertising now, for the first time in Ontario -- and I believe the first

time in Canada -- is subject to approval by the Provincial Auditor.

Let me tell you about some of the other things we've done to help our most vulnerable: We're investing $276 million in new places to live and for supports and services for Ontarians with a developmental

disability. We've put in place a $100 monthly work-related benefit for ODSP recipients, to help with extra costs relating to work -- in particular, transportation. We're investing $28.2 million to help universities and colleges provide services

for students with disabilities. In post-secondary education, as the leader of the NDP well knows, we've brought back provincial grants. Some 60,000 students from our poorest families in Ontario, this September, are receiving outright grants; they

don't have to pay us back. Again, I think there is more to do, but I also think it's fair to say we're making some real progress.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): New question.

Mr. Hampton: To the Premier: You want to talk about your record. You promised compassion for low-income Ontarians, but the reality is, when you factor in the cost of living, the lowest-income

Ontarians are actually worse off under your government than they were under the former government: Hydro rates have escalated by 55%; rents for lowest-income people haven't come down; the cost of heating has gone up.

Premier, you went on the attack when a former Conservative minister suggested that poor people should buy tuna in dented cans, but then your government cut sick people off their special diet supplement, and

you told someone with Lou Gehrig's disease to buy a blender.

Premier, the question again is this: What happened to your promise to help low-income and vulnerable Ontarians? Are they less important than the millions of dollars of public money you spend on TV ads to

promote yourself?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: To the Minister of Community and Social Services.

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): When parents succeed, children succeed. Since taking office, our government

has created 254,000 new jobs. In 2003, we inherited not only a fiscal deficit but a compassionate deficit. We are making good investments to help our most vulnerable families. We are investing, this year, $10.3 billion for family and social

services. We have increased the minimum wage two times, and we are in the process of increasing it for a third time. We are investing $40 million to improve the Family Responsibility Office, and we have invested $68 million for the domestic

violence action plan.

Mr. Hampton: It's no surprise that the Premier doesn't want to answer these questions, but this is another one of the Premier's promises: Three years ago, Premier, you made a promise to

171,000 of the poorest children in Ontario. You promised to stop clawing back the national child benefit supplement. You said, "The clawback is wrong, and we will end it." Then, you forgot all about it. As a result, over 178,000 of the poorest

kids in Ontario go without breakfast. They go, in some cases, without proper winter clothing. They go, in some cases, without a place to live. Today is the day for you to stand up and do something meaningful for the poorest people in Ontario.

I ask you, Premier: Will you end your waste of public money on those self-serving television ads and put the money into ending the national child benefit clawback?

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: Again, I'm going to reiterate what we have done for our children: Since we took office, we have increased social assistance by 5%. That party voted against it, I want to

remind everybody. What we have also done is made certain that all increases to the national child care benefit stay in the hands of the people who need it the most.

When we took office, we ended the clawback of national child benefit supplements going forward. This means that families with children in receipt of social assistance will have received an additional $56

million in supplements from the federal child benefit supplement. And the McGuinty Liberals have already created 14,000 new affordable child care spots. Is there more to do? Yes, there is more to do. We are making progress, and we will continue to

do more --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, here is your record: You promised 20,000 units of new affordable housing; in fact, your government has provided less than 10% of that. You promised $300 million of

provincial money for child care, but you failed to deliver on that too. You promised to stop taking federal money away from the poorest kids in Ontario, and you failed in that. And today, one in four Ontario workers continues to fall below the

poverty line.

Premier, I ask you again, when is the McGuinty government going to stop wasting millions of dollars of public money on your self-serving television ads promoting your government? When are you going to put some

money towards ending the national child benefit supplement clawback, so the poorest kids in Ontario can get back the money that belongs to them?

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: Again, I want to say to the leader of the third party that when we took office, we ended the clawback of the national child care benefit supplement going forward. We are

investing more and more every year for the children. We have invested in the school breakfast program; we have invested in the energy bank, so if a family cannot afford the increase in the electricity rate, we are there to help. I want to remind

the leader of the third party that when they were in power, one in five children in Ontario was on social assistance, so this is not a record that they want to talk about. It's not a record that we want to leave the province with, so we will

continue to work with investments in child care, investments in education, investments --

The Speaker: Thank you.

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): I have a question to the Premier. The same week that RBC Financial released its report saying that Ontario is dead last on growth, Niagara and Hamilton were again

hit with some bad news. Let me repeat that: Ontario is dead last in growth in this country. Ball Packaging in Burlington is set to close by the end of this year, eliminating 300 well-paying manufacturing jobs. That very same week, Maple Leaf Foods

announced it's planning to sell its pork processing plant in Burlington, threatening 1,200 well-paying manufacturing jobs.

Premier, you say, "Don't worry, be happy." On this side of the House, we say that there's a real, pressing and important issue for working families in the province of Ontario. Is it simply bad luck that

Ontario is dead last in growth? And if not, what exactly are you going to do about it?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Economic Development and Trade.

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Economic Development and Trade, minister responsible for women's issues): I want to say first off that this government is extremely concerned for anyone who

is facing a job loss. We individually and collectively have watched many cycles in this province, and we know that Ontario always comes back stronger. So let me say this in particular for the manufacturing sector, that we as a government are

extremely concerned about -- I want to say that this puts far more emphasis on what we are collectively doing to get every opportunity to help Ontario residents, including calling Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Now, I realize that your leader is

opposed to calling Stephen Harper to say, "Get us $314 million," which will go a long way to helping the people in your very riding. I want to know where you are on this. Are you prepared to push your leader to make every call imaginable to help

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. Supplementary.

Mr. Hudak: You've got to wonder where the heck the minister has been. She dismisses it as a cycle, that we'll come back strong. Well, Minister, we've got a hell of a long way to go, because in

Dalton McGuinty's Ontario we've hit rock bottom: dead last in economic growth.

Let me read you some of these jobs that you simply dismiss as part of a cycle: Ball Packaging in Burlington, 300 jobs; Ferranti-Packard in St. Catharines, 212 jobs; Bazaar and Novelty, St. Catharines; General

Motors, St. Catharines; Redpath Sugar; Automation Tooling Systems -- the list goes on and on. These are real, hard-working families in desperate times, and you say it's just a cycle.

Minister, stand in your place and tell us today, what is your plan? Will you finally admit that your high-energy, high-tax policy is chasing manufacturing jobs out of Ontario? Don't say it's a cycle; tell us

what you're going to do about it.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I could wish that this individual would expend the same amount of passion in speaking to his own leader about the role he could play with his former colleague, former boss,

with --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I need to be able to hear the minister respond.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: Here's what I want to say: This is a government that stands up for Ontario. This is a government that is determined to do everything we can in the face of significant

changes in the manufacturing sector, and to that end, that is unprecedented investment in post-secondary education, in infrastructure projects. In the next six years alone, $500 million just to construction. This is the kind of investment that we

are making in our province.

What I say to this individual now is, you save some of that passion for your federal colleagues, your former colleagues, and you tell them --

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister.

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Where's Jim Flaherty now?

The Speaker: Order. The Minister of Health will come to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order, member for Nepean-Carleton. I won't warn the Minister of Health again.

MINIMUM WAGE

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park): Today, I introduced a private member's bill that would raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour. Approximately 1.2 million workers in Ontario earn less than

$10 an hour. People working full time are still living below the poverty line.

Premier, a job should keep you out of poverty, not keep you in it. Your minimum wage is a poverty wage, not a living wage. Ontario's minimum wage is not fair, economically or ethically. It is not good for our

families, workers, business or our province's future.

Premier, will you stand up today and increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour for those millions of workers, most of whom are women, immigrants and single parents?

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

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): I want to thank the member for the question. I think the member, because she's new to this House, needs to have a little bit of a history lesson.

Remember that for nine years -- for nine years -- there was no increase in minimum wage. We followed a party that had no compassion for people in Ontario. But also, you represent a party that had no ability to manage.

What we have here is a party with compassion and a party with an ability to manage. When we took office, we made a commitment to bring in a balanced approach to dealing with the issue of the minimum wage. We

came forward with a balanced approach to phase in an increase in the minimum wage over a period of four years. On February 1, 2007, the minimum wage in Ontario will rise to $8 an hour, an approach that is fair and balanced, an approach that was

endorsed by the Toronto Star in an editorial in January 2006 --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you, Minister. Supplementary.

Ms. DiNovo: Actually, the Toronto Star called for a raise in the minimum wage to $10 an hour in their editorial very recently. But let's take the case of Maheswary, her last name is

Puvaneswaran, a mother of two. She's an example of McGuinty's poverty wage. This is a Tamil mother who works two low-wage cleaning jobs and earns just $12,000 a year. She would need to work 92 hours a week, over 18 hours a day, to lift her family

out of poverty on your minimum wage.

I point out that several G8 jurisdictions already have a higher minimum wage than $10 an hour, and numerous studies have shown that jobs do not vanish. In fact, it helps the economy.

So I ask again, for the poor of this province, for the one in six children who live in poverty, for the 13,500 children who use food banks in the GTA: Will you raise the minimum wage to $10 an hour?

Hon. Mr. Peters: The US minimum wage is US$5.15 an hour. As well, again I remind the member, we went through a period from 1995 to 2003, nine years, with no increase in a minimum wage.

On this side, though, we recognize that yes, we need to show compassion, we need to be concerned about the most vulnerable in our society. That's why we've taken a number of steps, whether it has been minimum

wage or dealing with better enforcement of Employment Standards Act regulations. But as well, we need to recognize that we need to keep the economy of this province moving. That's why we move forward with a balanced approach. We move forward with

a four-year plan to increase the minimum wage, recognizing that we have to bear in mind what the impact will be on the business community in this province. But $5.15 an hour in the US minimum wage, no increases in nine years --

The Speaker: Thank you. New question.

STUDENTS' ASSEMBLY ON ELECTORAL REFORM /

ASSEMBLÉE DES ÉTUDIANTS SUR

LA RÉFORME ÉLECTORALE

Mr. David Zimmer (Willowdale): My question is for the Minister of Democratic Renewal. Minister, I understand that recently you announced a Students' Assembly on Electoral Reform, which will

run in conjunction with the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform. This is a very important initiative. It will increase the interest of young Ontarians in our electoral system. Minister, could you tell us a little bit about how this students'

assembly is going to work?

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): I'd like to thank the member from Willowdale for his question. Through the

Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform, Ontarians have the opportunity to participate in a full and open debate on our electoral system. This was one of the reasons why it was important to extend the debate to the students of Ontario. Students are

now being given the opportunity to participate in one of the most important and exciting democratic renewal initiatives in our province's history.

This is an opportunity to listen to the future generation of voters. The Students' Assembly on Electoral Reform is a parallel citizens' assembly process for Ontario high school students. One hundred and three

students from across Ontario will be selected to participate in the assembly conference to be held in Deerhurst Resort, Muskoka, from November 15 to 19.

Pendant cette rencontre, les participants apprendront le fonctionnement de notre système électoral ainsi que celui des systèmes utilisés dans d'autres pays. Ils vont s'y pencher et

décider quel système représente mieux leurs idées et valeurs.

Mr. Zimmer: In your answer, Minister, you mentioned that all students will be able to learn and take

part in the process. Specifically, how can the students in my riding of Willowdale get

involved in this process if they're not chosen for the assembly? Can they still participate and voice their opinions? Finally, when the students do make a decision on their preferred electoral system, what will be done with that

recommendation?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: I encourage every student in Ontario to go to the students' assembly website at www.studentsassembly.ca. There are two ways for students to participate in this

program: individually or through their classrooms. Individual students can apply online until October 19 for selection as one of 103 participants in the students' assembly conference. High schools can also apply to receive curriculum materials.

These materials will enable classroom assemblies on electoral reform to be held between November 13 and December 14.

Once the classes have completed their work, students will vote online or through a students' assembly hotline for their preferred electoral system. Feedback from the students' assembly process and the

province-wide classroom vote will be compiled in a report that will be submitted to the Citizens' Assembly on Electoral Reform in February 2007. Engaging --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): To the Minister of Education, perhaps this quote will sound familiar to you: "If we cut $90 million from the system, it's going to be a bad scene in Toronto

schools. Public education in the city of Toronto as we've known it will be changed forever." You will probably recognize that that was Kathleen Wynne, trustee at the Toronto District School Board, who said that in 2002. I'm wondering what Kathleen

Wynne, the Minister of Education, says now to the recommendation to cut $84 million from the same school board. What do you say to that?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne (Minister of Education): What I say to that is there are more than $260 million more in that school board than there were when I was a school trustee. And what I say to

that is that there is a government working with that school board that believes in publicly funded education, in more teachers in the schools, in smaller class sizes, and that believes that all of those things, all of those resources, have the

effect -- and they are demonstrably having the effect -- of improving student achievement, of making the outcomes for students better, keeping students in school, making the graduation rates higher, because the money that goes into the system is

targeted to those things that parents are most concerned about.

Mr. Klees: My, what a difference an appointment to the ministry makes. Here is what your predecessor, the former Minister of Education, said in this House: "This government is not about

program cuts and we're not about to start now." That was your predecessor. Now you are all about cuts, because it's cuts to programs, cuts to facilities, cuts to staff, cuts totalling $84 million that you now are presiding over as Minister of

Education.

Ms. Wynne, what has happened in your transformation from trustee to Minister of Education? Have you lost faith in the education system?

Hon. Kathleen Wynne: I will not sink to the level of defending my record on publicly funded education and juxtaposing it with the record of the member opposite. There is nothing in my

background, there is nothing I have ever done, there is nothing I have ever said or will say that will undermine my commitment to publicly funded education. That is why I am proud to be part of this government. If the member opposite read the

report put out by Brian Cain and Joan Green, he would know that this report shows the way forward for a board that has challenges because of an amalgamation imposed on it by the previous government that it has not recovered from. This report shows

the way forward, without harming the classroom.

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Minister of Community and Social Services. Last week, I had a special diet client referred to me by a backbench Liberal MPP who

can't get the special diet supplement for his constituent. The MPP asked me to try; I might have more success.

Your first job as minister was to cut, worthy of Mike Harris. You slashed the average special diet allowance by 30%, over $50 a month, right out of the mouths of disabled people. The special diet is supposed

to help people get proper, nutritious food. Why are you forcing them to use food banks, which are ill-equipped for special-needs diets?

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): I appreciate the question and the concern of the member of the third

party.

Last year, we saw a dramatic increase in the number of people accessing the special diet allowance. This increase was a result of a certain advocacy group encouraging people to apply for a special diet

allowance whether or not they had a specific medical condition that required a special diet. The allowance has always been intended for people who require a special diet as a result of a medical condition. The member opposite knows that very well.

Any misuse of our social assistance programs jeopardizes those programs for everyone. So the need for a special diet must be confirmed by an approved health professional, and we have worked with health care professionals to draw a list of medical

conditions that need special diets.

Mr. Prue: Minister, you've forced people to go to the tribunal, where almost all of that is overturned. The fact remains that thousands of sick Ontarians have had a third of their food money

taken away from them. That's the reality of your policy. You did nothing for a man by the name of Brian Woods, even though we asked in this House many times, and you were shamed into reinstating the special diet for George Goodwin. You'll remember

him. He is the ALS patient who you told he could have no money and you gave him $75 to buy a food blender as a final payment. Can we add what you're saying today to the McGuinty poverty hall of fame; that is, your government's idea of healthy

eating is dented tuna mixed with a blender?

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: I'm very sorry to see a member of this House use a particular individual as a political football in this House. I want to assure the member of the third party that when

someone needs a special diet because of a medical condition, that person will receive the amount he or she needs for a special diet.

As an example, it was raised in the House at one point that someone with ALS was not receiving the special diet. This condition was reviewed by the expert committee and was added to the list. I wanted to say

to this House that everyone who has a medical condition that requires a special diet will get it.

NORTHERN EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): My question is to the Minister of Education. Education in the north is challenging for many reasons, but the McGuinty government knows there are unique

areas across the province, including northern boards, that are unable to thrive on a one-size-fits-all approach.

I recently met with directors of northern boards of education -- Northern Ontario Education Leaders, called NOEL -- who represent boards from a large area of northern Ontario. The directors were complimentary

towards our government for several initiatives, including primary class sizes, the hiring of new teachers and the turnaround teams that are up in the north helping to improve literacy and numeracy. They have, however, expressed concern over the

funding levels for this year. Can you please respond to their concerns with respect to funding?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne (Minister of Education): Thank you very much to the member for Thunder Bay-Atikokan. He, like so many members of our caucus, is very concerned about publicly funded

education. And I am well aware of the concerns of northern directors; in fact, I'm going to be meeting with some of those northern education leaders shortly.

Ministry staff have been in constant communication with boards in the north to discuss their concerns, and let me just say some of the improvements that we have put into northern boards. We've funded northern

students $2,500 more per pupil; that's a 30% increase since we've been in office. Northern boards are receiving $1.3 billion this year; that's an increase of $334 per pupil over last year even though enrolment has declined by 2.5%. The reality is,

we understand that the per pupil funding has to go up, even though declining enrolment takes place because of the lack of critical mass, small schools and large geographic distances.

Mr. Mauro: As you are aware, there was a report unveiled recently with several recommendations to help northern school boards, which are challenged by vast areas and declining enrolment. The

group is called People for Education. This report is calling into question resources that are going into northern boards.

Minister, as you've mentioned, our government has made significant investments in education in our three years in government. Can you please clarify for people in my riding, and in fact for many other northern

ridings, some of the issues raised in the report and what the northern boards can expect from our government in the coming months?

Hon. Ms. Wynne: One of the things that report says is that the average northern elementary school has 188 students, compared to an average enrolment of 356 in the rest of the province. One of

the things we did was to change the funding formula so that schools with 50 students or fewer actually would generate a principal and a secretary. We created a school foundation grant that specifically would deal with those smaller schools. So

that was something that was specifically targeted at one of the issues that northern boards deal with.

We've made further investments of $92 million in transportation and top-up funding of $44 million. But I think some of the program issues we've addressed are the most important. There's a special literacy and

numeracy project, and the focus of this project is to improve aboriginal student success through three areas. We know that aboriginal students are some of the students in the province who are struggling the most, we know we have to target funds at

those students, and that's some of the work we're doing. And I'm very proud of the success that we're seeing there.

TOBACCO ADVERTISING

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): My question is to the Premier. Recently, there's been much talk about your government's double standard with respect to the rule of law. With

respect to tobacco advertising, is there such a double standard, as alleged, within our province of Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'm sure the member is alluding to the difference between Ontario law applying to everything

within Ontario jurisdiction and the laws that apply to First Nation reserves, which are under the federal domain. I know our Minister of Health Promotion has been in contact with Ottawa about that. But I think the member understands that reserves

are different from the rest of the province.

Mr. Barrett: I'll go back to the Premier. Your Minister of Health Promotion was quoted as saying, "No one is above the law," in this case referring to Sean Penn lighting up at the Toronto

International Film Festival. For the last few years, driving along provincial Highway 6 between Hagersville and Caledonia, one sees tobacco advertising and billboards, many for brand names. Premier, why this double standard, something people can

see from a provincial highway? Sean Penn is not above the law. The question is, is your government content with all the tobacco signs along provincial Highway 6?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): Mr. Speaker, I refer the question to the Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I thank the member for the question. The signs along our highways actually do cause driver distraction, and at times may pose a safety

risk as well. Under the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act, it is illegal for parties other than the ministry to place signs on provincial highway rights of way. So the advertising signs on Highway 6 between Caledonia and

Hagersville are currently being removed, in accordance with normal ministry policy.

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Minister of Community and Social Services. I want to bring to your attention a case in my riding that I think clearly demonstrates

just how bad the policies of the OW office are when it comes to young people and poverty in general. A young woman in my riding, 14 years old, was sexually assaulted, raped, and as a result of that rape, gave birth to a young boy. She has now got

her life back together and is trying to return to high school so that she can provide for her son in years to come, and not have to rely on assistance or her parents to be able to survive.

She appeared before the OW office and was refused even an application form, because she was under 18. She was told that because of the Liberal McGuinty government policies, somebody under 18 years old can be

refused an application. Our office has since assisted her, but there are still more roadblocks in the way.

I want to ask you this question: You said earlier in this House that when parents succeed, children succeed. You tell me how that policy is going to help this young woman and her son to succeed.

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): I thank the member from the third party for this question. Yes, I understand

your concern about the policy. This is a very sound policy. But when someone comes for social assistance and wants to have the benefits apply to their case, the people are there to explain to them what is the process and what is not the process.

We know that for people under the age of 18, there are certain conditions attached to their receiving social assistance.

I cannot talk about individual cases, but I will say to you that if this person is not satisfied with the answer that she got, she can contest it; she can appeal it. So I would say to you --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you.

Mr. Bisson: How do you appeal when you can't even get the application? But we'll deal with that.

The condition is this: This young woman was raped and she's trying raise her son and get her life together. She'd constantly at our office because she's at wit's end. We've got an agreement for interim

assistance. The OW office wouldn't pay even after we won an interim assistance award. Now, to make matters worse, your ministry people, because of your policy, are telling the OW people that she now has to go after support from the father, who

raped her. You know what that means. This young woman is going to have to come in contact with the very person who raped her, and the OW office is saying, "This is a condition for you to receive assistance." Minister, that is unacceptable, and I

say it again: What are you going to do to fix this problem so young women like this don't have to be in the situation that she is in?

Hon. Mrs. Meilleur: It's very disturbing, but I will say to you, we will discuss the case. I cannot discuss a case in this House. I'm not at liberty. The member of the opposite party knows

about it, so I will say to you, let's talk after question period, and let's hope that we will be able to resolve such a case.

TRANSIT FUNDING

Mr. Mario Sergio (York West): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Minister, as you know, congestion on Ontario's roads means less time spent with family and friends, and more

time stuck in traffic. The McGuinty government has made good on its commitment to invest two cents of every litre of gasoline sold in Ontario in the municipal transit systems. I know that in my riding of York West we can certainly appreciate how

congestion elongates the commute to and from work and schools. We, as other ridings do, have really come to value the contribution to public transit this government has made, through gas taxes but also through numerous other initiatives. Minister,

my question is this: What can the people of Ontario expect from the third year of the gas tax program?

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I thank the member for his question. It is absolutely true that we need to deal with the congestion that's occurring on our roads.

Movement of goods and services and people is as important to us as an integral, sustainable transportation plan, and that's what we've put forward with the gas tax. This year alone: $313 million to 102 municipalities. That will make it a

$700-million initiative over three years. I'm pleased to say that it's working: 19 million car trips off the road.

Mr. Sergio: I'm very grateful for the answer from the minister, and I also appreciate the amount of work and effort that she has indeed put in delivering that funding to the various

municipalities.

I also understand that the city of Toronto alone receives over 50% of the gas tax funding in Ontario. There has been a lot of discussion lately of the investment in Toronto's public transit system. Although

the dollars given to municipalities this year are impressive, Minister, I would like to know, in addition to this important funding, what does Ontario's largest city receive? Specifically, what is the province of Ontario doing for the city of

Toronto?

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: The first thing I'd like to say is that we're making up for a good number of years of neglect in the public transit system. I always said there was neglect in the energy

system, and there is incredible neglect within the transportation system. Some $1.6 billion will go to the Toronto Transit Commission over the next five years. In fact, 50% of the gas tax goes to the Toronto Transit Commission as well.

We are working with the federal government, with the city of Toronto and with this government to acknowledge and deal with the challenges that face the city of Toronto. But there is no question that $1.5

billion over five years is an extraordinary investment in the city of Toronto, dealing with their public transit issues. This government is committed to doing what that government didn't do.

PETITIONS

LANDFILL

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark-Carleton): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas there is currently a proposal to more than double the size of the Carp landfill in west Ottawa; and

"Whereas this site has been in operation for some 30 years and had been expected to close in 2010; and

"Whereas the surrounding community has grown rapidly for the past 10 years and is continuing to grow; and

"Whereas other options to an expanded landfill have yet to be considered; and

"Whereas the municipal councillors representing this area, Eli El-Chantiry ... and Peggy Feltmate, and the MPP, Norm Sterling, all oppose this expansion;

"We, the undersigned, support our local representatives and petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ensure the Minister of the Environment does not approve the expansion of the Carp" dump "and instead

finds other waste management alternatives."

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

"Access to Trades and Professions in Ontario

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada, raise their families, educate their children and

pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent, arbitrary and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professional and managerial talent from practising the

professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas action by Ontario's trades and professions could remove many such barriers, but Ontario's trades and professions have failed to recognize that such structural barriers exist, much less to take action

to remove them, and to provide fair, timely, transparent and cost-effective access to trades and professions for new Canadians trained outside Canada;

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

"That the Ontario Legislative Assembly urge the members of all parties to swiftly pass Bill 124, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, and to require Ontario's regulated professions and trades to

review and modify their procedures and qualification requirements to swiftly meet the needs of Ontario's employers, Ontario's newcomers and their own membership, all of whom desperately need the very skills new Canadians bring working for their

organizations, for their trades and professions, and for their families."

I agree with this petition, and will affix my signature to it.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the parents of St. Paul's elementary school in Alliston have raised many issues regarding the security, cleanliness and state of repair of their school; and

"Whereas a 2003 condition assessment completed by the Ontario government identified the need for $1.8 million in repairs to St. Paul's elementary school; and

"Whereas the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has approached the Ministry of Education with the intention of having the school deemed prohibitive to repair as they believe the school requires

$2.28 million in repairs, or 84% of the school replacement cost; and

"Whereas there are ongoing concerns with air quality, heating and ventilation, electrical, plumbing, lack of air conditioning and the overall structure of the building, including cracks from floor to ceiling,

to name a few;

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

"That the Minister of Education immediately deem St. Paul's elementary school prohibitive to repair, secure immediate funding and begin construction of a new facility so that the children of St. Paul's can be

educated in a facility that is secure and offers them the respect and dignity that they deserve."

I have signed this petition.

LANDFILL

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. I have 67 petitions here:

"Subject: Proposed expansion of the Navan Road landfill site in NDC," Notre Dame des Champs....

"I petition the Legislative Assembly to direct the Ministry of the Environment to defer finalizing the terms of reference for the Carp and Navan Road landfill expansions until the expedited review of the

revised and comprehensive waste management master plan is completed and available to all the concerned parties."

I will put my signature on it as well.

PROPERTY RIGHTS

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): Protection of property rights:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is silent on property rights; and

"Whereas the Alberta Bill of Rights specifically protects the right to the enjoyment of property; and

"Whereas the Quebec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms provides that `Every person has a right to the peaceful enjoyment and free disposition of his property, except to the extent provided by law'; and

"Whereas ownership rights should not be abridged or usurped without due process of law; and

"Whereas owners of all lands affected by expropriation should have the right to be included as parties to a required inquiry to consider the merits of the objectives of the expropriating authority; and

"Whereas the decision of an expropriating authority should be subject to a judicial review; and

"Whereas, subject to specific limitations of law, the right to peaceful enjoyment of one's land must be recognized by Ontario law;

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

"To pass Bill 57, the Land Rights and Responsibilities Act, 2006."

I support this petition and affix my name to it.

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

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

"Whereas the McGuinty government is committed to establishing measures that will break down barriers for Ontario newcomers; and

"Whereas these measures will ensure that the 34 regulatory professions in Ontario have admissions and application practices that are fair, clear and open; and

"Whereas these measures will include the establishment of a fairness commissioner and an access centre for internationally trained individuals; and

"Whereas, through providing a fair and equitable system, newcomers will be able to apply their global experience, which will not only be beneficial to their long-term career goals but also to the Ontario

economy as a whole;

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

"That all members of the House support the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, Bill 124, and work to ensure its prompt passage in the Ontario Legislature."

I agree with this petition. I affix my name to it and will send it with Stephen.

HIGHWAY 35

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): Petition:

"Highway 35 Four-Laning

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas modern highways are economic lifelines to communities across Ontario and crucial to the growth of Ontario's economy; and

"Whereas the Ministry of Transportation has been planning the expansion of Highway 35, and that expansion has been put on hold by the McGuinty government; and

"Whereas Highway 35 provides an important economic link in the overall transportation system -- carrying commuter, commercial and high tourist volumes to and from the Kawartha Lakes area and Haliburton;

and

"Whereas the final round of public consultation has just been rescheduled;

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

"That the Liberal government move swiftly to complete the four-laning of Highway 35 after the completion of the final public consultation."

I affix my signature to it and give it to page Patrick.

HEALTH CARE LEGISLATION

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the McGuinty government and the Ontario Medical Association plan to work together to ensure reliable coverage for emergency departments across the province, ensuring stable coverage to meet the needs

of Ontario patients;

"Whereas with the Long-Term Care Homes Act, the McGuinty government is pursuing new legislation that, if passed, will enhance the quality of life for residents of long-term-care homes by improving care;

"Whereas the McGuinty government has moved to regulate Chinese medicine in Ontario, protecting Ontarians who choose alternative health care and ensuring that traditional Chinese medicine is delivered by

practitioners with a high level of competence;

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

"To the support the McGuinty government's plans already in effect and to pass the above-mentioned suggested legislation as soon as possible so that health care can be improved for all Ontarians."

I agree with this, affix my signature to it and give to page Adam.

DRUG LEGISLATION

Mr. Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads as follows:

"Whereas the McGuinty government's Bill 102 introduces a significant degree of uncertainty for pharmacists and patients across Ontario; and

"Whereas the McGuinty government's Bill 102 could result in reduced services to patients resulting from fewer hours of pharmacy operations, fewer pharmacies stocking expensive drugs, unfair capping of claim

maximums, elimination of rebates and the permanent closing of some pharmacies; and

"Whereas the changes to the dispensing fees do not accurately reflect the true costs of safely dispensing drugs; and

"Whereas there is no protection afforded by Bill 102 to prevent future increases in drug prices where pharmacies are limited to the acquisition cost;

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

"That the McGuinty government withdraw or amend Bill 102 to ensure fairness to patients and pharmacies."

I support the petition and affix my signature.

IDENTITY THEFT

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I keep getting petitions from the Consumer Federation Canada in regard to identity theft. This reads as follows:

"To the Parliament of Ontario and the Minister of Government Services:

"Whereas identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in North America;

"Whereas confidential and private information is being stolen on a regular basis, affecting literally thousands of people;

"Whereas the cost of this crime exceeds billions of dollars;

"Whereas countless hours are wasted to restore one's good credit rating ;

"We, the undersigned, demand that Bill 38, which passed the second reading unanimously in the Ontario Legislature on December 8, 2005, be brought before committee and that the following issues be included for

consideration and debate:

"

(1) All consumer reports should be provided in a truncated (masked-out) form, protecting our vital private information such as SIN and credit card numbers.

"

(2) Should a credit bureau discover that there has been a breach of consumer information, the agency should immediately inform the victimized consumer.

"

(3) Credit bureaus should only report inquiries resulting out of actual applications for credit and for no other reasons.

"

(4) Credit bureaus should investigate any complaints within 30 days and correct or automatically delete any information found unconfirmed or inaccurate."

Since I agree with this petition 100%, I'm delighted to affix my signature to it.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in the elderly and is present in some form in 25% to 33% of seniors over the age of 75. AMD has two forms: the more common

`dry' type and the `wet' type. Although the wet type occurs in only 15% of AMD patients, these patients account for 90% of the legal blindness that occurs with AMD. The wet type is further subdivided into classic and occult subtypes, based on the

appearance of the AMD on special testing. Photodynamic therapy, a treatment where abnormal blood vessels are closed with a laser-activated chemical, has been shown to slow the progression of vision loss in both subtypes of wet AMD;

"Whereas OHIP has not extended coverage for photodynamic therapy to the occult subtype of wet AMD, despite there being substantial clinical evidence demonstrating the effectiveness of this treatment in

patients with either form of wet AMD. Untreated, these patients can expect a progression in their visual loss, with central blindness as the end result;

"Whereas affected patients are in a position where a proven treatment is available to help preserve their vision, but this treatment can only be accessed at their own personal expense. Treatment costs are

between $12,500 and $18,000 over an 18-month period. Many patients resign themselves to a continued worsening of their vision, as for them the treatment is financially unattainable. The resultant blindness in these patients manifests itself as

costs to society in other forms, such as an increased need for home care, missed time from work for family members providing care, and an increased rate of injuries such as hip fractures that can be directly attributable to their poor vision.

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to fund the treatment of the occult subtype of macular degeneration with photodynamic therapy for all patients awaiting this service."

I'll be happy sign to sign my name to that and give it to Julia.

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

Mr. Bas Balkissoon (Scarborough-Rouge River): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the McGuinty government is committed to establishing measures that will break down barriers for Ontario newcomers; and

"Whereas these measures will ensure that the 34 regulatory professions in Ontario have admissions and application practices that are fair, clear and open; and

"Whereas these measures will include the establishment of a fairness commissioner and an access centre for internationally trained individuals; and

"Whereas, through providing a fair and equitable system, newcomers will be able to apply their global experience, which will not only be beneficial to their long-term career goals but also to the Ontario

economy as a whole;

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

"That all members of the House support the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, Bill 124, and work to ensure its prompt passage in the Ontario Legislature."

I support this petition, and I'll be signing it.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

LONG-TERM CARE HOMES ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 SUR LES FOYERS DE SOINS DE LONGUE DURÉE

Mr. Smitherman moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 140,

An Act respecting long-term care homes / Projet de loi 140, Loi concernant les foyers de soins de longue durée.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): I assume the minister wants to lead off the debate. I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to say at the outset that I'll be sharing my time with the member

from Nipissing. But, with respect, the more appropriate way to say it is that I share my thanks with the member from Nipissing. It was, after all, when we arrived as a government, a circumstance that was of tremendous concern to us. We witnessed

on a seemingly daily basis a horrendous display of circumstances where our loved ones in long-term care in our province were not, quite frankly, being provided with the quality of care that our province ought to be in a position to deliver. That

was a call to action for us, and I'm very proud of the agenda that we have advanced in the three years since.

Our long-term-care system is large, and our long-term-care system is, of course, very essential. Every member here, and likely every family member in our province, is touched by the circumstances related to

the provision of care for 75,000 of our most vulnerable citizens. The obligation is upon us to well protect them and to ensure that the care they receive allows them to live out their days -- for many of them their final days -- in dignity. I'm

one who stands before you and before the people of the province of Ontario indicating that on the file we might call long-term care, we're very proud of the steps we've taken and the improvements that have been made. This piece of legislation is

one more piece in that overall comprehensive approach. We're the first to acknowledge, as well, that as is the case with virtually all elements of health care, there are very obvious needs and very obvious ways to move forward in terms of

enhancing the quality of care our loved ones deserve.

We said at the outset that we were calling for a revolution in long-term care, which speaks to the necessity of shifting, of altering the culture that is there in long-term care. One of the ways we sought to

convey this was to move away from the word "facility" and more towards the word "home," not simply as some kind of a branding exercise, but rather to have language which unlocks a better understanding for all of us of what the circumstances in

that home ought to be. A homelike environment, of course, conjures up a very different view than does the use of the word "facility." I'm prepared, and I have this conversation regularly with my mother, for a circumstance where at some point she

might need to find care, to find a home, in a long-term-care home. It is not too appealing in that conversation I might have with my mother that we use a word like "facility." It conjures up a cold, sterile institutional view.

We recognize that all across long-term care, those 75,000 vulnerable folks I spoke of are receiving care today, but way more importantly, they're receiving a beautiful contribution of love alongside that care.

I speak very often of the dedicated women and men who staff the front lines of health care; I usually talk about them as about 250,000 strong. I want to pay appropriate respect to the folks who provide that love and care on the front lines of

health care. All of us have seen circumstances in this place where we talk about those challenges in health care which we have yet to meet, but we can never lose sight of how much care we're providing in a good quality way, and how grateful we are

for the work that happens on the front line.

The fundamental principle of this bill is that we're talking about residents' homes. We want to bring back resident-centred care, starting with the arrival of a resident in a long-term-care home. We want to

make sure there's been a very adequate assessment done of the underlying circumstances that bring that individual to that long-term-care home. We want to ensure, and this legislation does it, that the principle of having a registered nurse on site

-- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year -- is fundamental, and you see that embedded here as a principle in this legislation.

We want to enhance, clarify and make very clear the rules that govern the use of restraints. A former member of this place who currently serves with distinction as the president of the United Way of Toronto,

Ms. Frances Lankin, brought to this Legislature and to people more generally a very high degree of awareness about the challenges of appropriately dealing with residents in our long-term-care homes and about the circumstances occurring too

frequently where they were being restrained in one fashion or another. We've sought in this legislation to create a very appropriate protocol that acknowledges, in some limited circumstances, that restraints may be an appropriate response, but

that they cannot be utilized without considering an appropriate protocol that protects the rights of our patients, that in the circumstance where a patient or a client is not able to communicate on their own behalf, there is an obligation that an

independent third person be involved in such a conversation. I use this as one example of where the detail in the legislation itself is a very direct build-out from the words spoken to my colleague Monique Smith as she travelled so extensively

around Ontario in preparation for her report, which has served so much as the foundation for this piece of legislation.

It is the package of protections associated with the policy of zero tolerance for abuse and neglect, combined with a 1-800 action line, which has proven itself very effective over the last two years since we

established it, to be responsive -- when I use the word "responsive," I mean quickly -- to circumstances where anyone makes a complaint or an allegation with respect to neglectful circumstances in long-term care. We have created the capacity --

we've had, I think, about 10,000 calls to date -- where we can take action very quickly, determine if there are risks for clients or for patients, and make the response that is appropriate for a jurisdiction like ours. Lest there be any doubt of

the sheer necessity that everyone -- workers, volunteers, administrators, family members and other residents; indeed, anyone who finds themselves in a long term care home. We need to turn all of those individuals on to the role of being

sentinels.

We will hear a lot in this debate about other models, about the nature of care. But we believe it's appropriate, and this legislation creates a very strong framework for this, that the onus is placed on all of

us, any of us who venture into long-term care. That's why we're so proud that long-promised and long-discussed whistle-blower protection is an element of this bill, that it makes clear that the onus is there, that we're all in it together with

respect to protecting against abuse and neglect, and that in those circumstances where people feel in their hearts that abuse or neglect is present, they're obligated to make us aware of it and they are protected against any reprisal that might

come subsequently.

This is a powerful package on behalf of the patients and clients in our long-term-care homes. We want to work to enhance the training, recognizing that the role of being a caregiver for people in long-term

care is such a precious role. It's one that cannot be taken lightly. The need is great. The people who are being dealt with in so many cases are quite significantly compromised, and, accordingly, we think it's important to have staff who are very

well trained. That is an element that is here in the bill.

We think it's important that family members and others have the opportunity to get some assistance in circumstances where the long-term-care system may not have worked well for their loved one. That's why the

capacity is there in the legislation to create the Office of the Long-Term Care Homes Resident and Family Adviser.

Mr. Speaker, I have the privilege of ceding the balance of my time to the member from Nipissing. I do so with a very strong degree of confidence in the work that we've been able to bring forward. The reality

is that this --

Mr. Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): We want more, George.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Well, the occasional member from Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford is moaning, about what I'm not quite sure.

The circumstances are clear: As a Minister of Health, I've had the privilege of working alongside and depending upon parliamentary assistants. On the issue of long-term care, Monique Smith has brought her

heart and her soul to this work on behalf of clients in the province of Ontario. In the presence of other members of the Legislature, I want to thank her for the work that she's done.

I want to tell all members, as this debate goes forward, as we have the opportunity to take this bill to committee -- which, of course, we will do, as we've done with every other significant piece of

legislation that our government has brought forward -- that we're excited about the debate; with the knowledge that there is, of course, more opportunity to enhance the quality of care in long-term care but at the same time mindful that our

investments to date, totalling about three quarters of a billion dollars, have produced more than 3,000 additional employees working inside long-term care, on the front line, in support of a group of people who we would all agree deserve that

support being offered and the very, very significant quantity of love that goes alongside the care. For all those that provide it, we thank them, and I thank you for the opportunity to participate in this debate.

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): It is indeed my privilege today to speak to Bill 140, our Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2006. As the minister mentioned, it has been long in the works, a topic of

much discussion, a topic of much consultation. It's my privilege today to speak about the bill and about some of the essences and important issues that we are dealing with in this bill.

Our act is the cornerstone of the government strategy to improve and strengthen care in our long-term-care homes. As you know, and as I think the minister mentioned, we have 618 homes across the province, with

some 75,000 people living in them. The average age in our homes is 83, and over 60% of our residents suffer from some form of Alzheimer's or dementia or mental disorder. So we have a very fragile population, one that needs a great deal of care and

needs to live with respect and dignity.

One of the things we've done since we came into power was to ensure that we introduced a number of initiatives that have strengthened the role of our front-line workers in our homes and have improved the

quality of life, I believe, for our residents across the province.

In 2003, just after we came into office, I was asked to do a review of long-term care. Many in this chamber have heard about my report, Commitment to Care, about the future of long-term care in the province.

That report, which I drafted over the winter months of 2004, involved visiting over 25 homes across the province. We visited homes unannounced and unaccompanied. We visited large homes, small homes, multicultural homes, charitable, not-for-profit,

municipal, rural and urban homes and we saw a variety of methods of care and levels of care. Most of our homes are very well run and our front-line workers are doing the best job that they possibly can. I salute every one of the front-line workers

out there who is giving their all to our seniors across the province.

Part of my review included an eight-hour shift in one of the long-term-care homes in my riding. I was privileged to follow one of my RNAs. It was an eye-opening experience and it was a great experience to see

first hand the care that they are giving to our seniors across the province.

Since my review, we've implemented a number of changes, including the 1-800 number where family, residents and concerned friends can lodge any complaints or concerns or ask any questions that they have about

long-term care.

We now have unannounced inspections, which I think are incredibly important