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May 10, 2012

40th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2012-May-10 (PDF)

L051 - Thu 10 May 2012 / Jeu 10 mai 2012

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 10 May 2012 Jeudi 10 mai 2012

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

MINING INDUSTRY

MINING INDUSTRY

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

MINING INDUSTRY

MINING INDUSTRY

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

CHILDREN’S

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

CONCUSSIONS

ROAD SAFETY

MINING INDUSTRY

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

ONTARIO NORTHLAND

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

PESTICIDES

MEMBERS’ BIRTHDAYS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

GARTH WEBB

ONTARIO NORTHLAND

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

JAMIESON LABORATORIES

ORCHARDS

YWCA HAMILTON WOMEN

OF DISTINCTION AWARDS

HUMBER RIVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

PHENYLKETONURIA

PARRY SOUND SALVATION ARMY

PRIVATE MEMBERS’

PUBLIC BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PKU AWARENESS MONTH ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR LE MOIS

DE LA SENSIBILISATION

À LA PHÉNYLCÉTONURIE

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

EDUCATION WEEK /

SEMAINE DE L’ÉDUCATION

PETITIONS

WATER QUALITY

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

TOURISM

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

HORSE RACING INDUSTRY

DOG OWNERSHIP

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

AIR-RAIL LINK

CELLULAR TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT

RURAL SCHOOLS

PRIVATE MEMBERS’

PUBLIC BUSINESS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

AMENDMENT ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR LES ESPÈCES

EN VOIE DE DISPARITION

TOBY’S ACT (RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

BECAUSE OF GENDER IDENTITY

OR GENDER EXPRESSION), 2012 /

LOI TOBY DE 2012 SUR LE DROIT

À L’ABSENCE DE DISCRIMINATION

ET DE HARCÈLEMENT FONDÉS

SUR L’IDENTITÉ

OU L’EXPRESSION SEXUELLES

PROPERTY OWNERS’

PROTECTION ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR LA PROTECTION

DES PROPRIÉTAIRES FONCIERS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

AMENDMENT ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR LES ESPÈCES

EN VOIE DE DISPARITION

TOBY’S ACT (RIGHT TO BE FREE FROM

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

BECAUSE OF GENDER IDENTITY

OR GENDER EXPRESSION), 2012 /

LOI TOBY DE 2012 SUR LE DROIT

À L’ABSENCE DE DISCRIMINATION

ET DE HARCÈLEMENT FONDÉS

SUR L’IDENTITÉ

OU L’EXPRESSION SEXUELLES

PROPERTY OWNERS’

PROTECTION ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR LA PROTECTION

DES PROPRIÉTAIRES FONCIERS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

AMENDMENT ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 MODIFIANT

LA

LOI SUR LES ESPÈCES

EN VOIE DE DISPARITION

ORDERS OF THE DAY

STRONG ACTION FOR ONTARIO ACT

(BUDGET MEASURES), 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 SUR UNE ACTION

ÉNERGIQUE POUR L’ONTARIO

(MESURES BUDGÉTAIRES)

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2012 /

LOI DE 2012 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

Resuming the debate adjourned on May 2, 2012, on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 11,

An Act respecting the continuation and establishment of development funds in order to promote regional economic development in eastern and southwestern Ontario / Projet de loi 11, Loi concernant la prorogation et la création de fonds de développement pour promouvoir le développement économique régional dans l’Est et le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario.

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

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you very much, Speaker. It’s always nice to arrive here early in the morning and speak for an hour on such an important issue. I’m proud to rise on behalf of the PC caucus, our party, to offer feedback and comments on Bill 11.

I’m also speaking to this bill as a third-generation small business owner from southwestern Ontario. I can assure you that southwestern Ontario business people aren’t looking for grants. I would say with certainty that most business people in southwestern Ontario, eastern Ontario and across the province are really concerned about affordable hydro more than anything right now. I’ll speak a little bit later about a business in my riding—they employ 75 hard-working people in southwestern Ontario—that announced last week that they’re closing their retail operation. Hydro is running between $18,000 and $20,000 a month, and three years ago it was about half of that.

With the recent news of Ontario’s credit rating being downgraded from AA1 to AA2, I, along with the rest of Ontario, am extremely disappointed and concerned by the downgrade. For several weeks, all that we have heard from the party opposite, the government, is that the proposed budget is good for Ontario and that this budget will bring Ontario back to prosperity. Ontario has once again been tricked by Dwight Duncan, Dalton McGuinty and the government. It look less than a week for credit agencies to state their objections to the proposed budget.

The response to the budget that we have seen from credit agencies just goes to show how flawed this government’s budget really is. The truth is that the budget is not good for Ontario, and everyone except the Liberal government is taking note of that. The government’s budget has failed, and no matter how many times the finance minister says the budget is just what Ontario needs, it will not change the reality that Ontario is headed towards economic failure.

Our province was once the economic engine of Canada. Now, the debt in this province is so high that its credit scores have been downgraded. We have said over and over again, many times, that the Liberal government must stop spending. The province’s bank account is empty and now the province’s credit score has been downgraded. It’s unacceptable. Dalton McGuinty has been trusted with the finances of the people of Ontario—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): May I remind the member that we don’t refer to people’s names; we refer to their title or their riding. This is the second time you have done it in the last couple of minutes, so whoever is your speechwriter—you might want to go through your notes to make sure you’re correct.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you, Speaker.

All the Premier has done for the last nine years is spend. If nothing is done to address the government’s spending, Ontario’s destination is no longer prosperity. Ontario, as Don Drummond has noted, is on the road to a $30-billion deficit. Ontario’s credit downgrade by Moody’s Investors Service is a major blow to Ontario and to Canada, I would say. It raises the spectre of a spike in borrowing costs that could derail what’s left of this budget and divert precious dollars from health care and education into the pockets of international investors. I’m not comfortable padding the pockets of international investors with taxpayer dollars.

There seems to be a lack of understanding regarding the reality of Ontario. The Liberal government is not even taking a credit downgrade seriously. I would also note the finance minister’s inappropriate attempt to joke about the situation when it was announced. The finance minister seems to have a delusional sense of optimism that is not rooted in economic reality.

Of course, Speaker, I’m making reference to the third credit rating report that was released a few weeks ago by DBRS, where the finance minister said that Ontario is “two out of three—that’s better than Ted Williams.” The finance minister and the Premier need someone to sit down with them and explain to them this is no laughing matter.

The entire PC caucus, along with our leader, Tim Hudak, have tried to tell the Liberal government over and over again, and they just don’t get it. They’re listening to no one. Even the credit agencies don’t seem to be taken seriously by the Premier or the Minister of Finance. Let me read from its statement, as reported recently in the Globe and Mail: “Limiting debt growth will be very challenging and require a ‘significant pickup in fiscal resolve.’”

If only this government had listened to the Auditor General, to their own hand-picked economist, Don Drummond, to the Conference Board of Canada, to Moody’s last December, and of course to the PC caucus, we would have stood here celebrating a continued stable credit rating. Instead, all Ontarians should be concerned about what could happen next. An erosion of Ontario’s credit rating will almost certainly drive up borrowing costs for the province.

A mere 1% increase in borrowing costs would cost the Ontario treasury $500 million. Of course, that’s enough to buy 250,000 MRI exams. I know that there are many people across Ontario waiting for an MRI exam, and because of the Premier and the finance minister’s poor fiscal management, the people in Ontario who need MRIs desperately will continue to have to wait. In short, it’s time for new ideas, and a new team with the courage to make them a reality. We’ve got some tough decisions to make, but time is running out. The longer we wait, the larger our debt becomes.

Speaker, I am frustrated. Bill 11 is proposing more government spending. I don’t understand why we’re still here in this House debating about more spending. Maybe the Premier knows something we don’t know. Clearly, the Liberal caucus has not been reading the newspapers. Spending must be addressed. Tough decisions have to be made. If you keep ignoring the bills, they simply keep going up.

Since being elected, I have spoken with members of the community, business and government leaders throughout Lambton–Kent–Middlesex and throughout the province. I meet regularly with small businesses, entrepreneurs, major corporations, large, small and medium-size employers. I meet with education and development heads and I meet with regular, everyday people, whether they’re farmers, retirees, shift workers or the unemployed.

I meet with people of all political stripes, even Liberals and people who support the third party, and of course I meet with many Conservatives, and people of all political stripes are telling me constantly that things in Ontario have to change. They told me that Ontario needs to take a new course and needs to go in a completely different direction. Over the past couple of months, the people have told me that they don’t want more of the same and that they don’t want to keep going down the same path, down the same road that we are currently heading.

I don’t know what we have to do to convince the government of this. We keep telling them that they need to address spending and Ontario needs to change. It seems that the Liberal government is asleep at the wheel here, Speaker.

It is a great privilege for me to speak so early here today, as I said in my opening, and to clearly state to this government some of the many flaws with its current approach, including this very bill, Bill 11.

With everything I’ve heard since the budget from the community, from locally elected officials and municipal government, indeed from the government’s own consultant, Don Drummond, and now from the credit agencies, I’m more certain than ever that things need to change and that it is time to adopt some of the straightforward and common sense principles being put forward by the Ontario PC caucus and by our leader, Tim Hudak.

Since 2003, this government tells us they have worked closely with the business community and regional economic development partners to attract new development and investment, and to create jobs for Ontario families. The government has also told the people of Ontario that they have partnered with companies that are making investments in Ontario and creating jobs.

As you will know, under the current Liberal government, Ontario has lost over 300,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs. At one point, we were losing 100 jobs per hour in Ontario—some pretty scary stuff. Over 550,000 Ontario men and women remain out of work. This, of course, is contributing to Ontario’s jobless rate, which has remained well above the national average for well over five years. Those are some heavy numbers here, first thing in the morning, so let me distill it down for my friends on the government side.

For over five years now, Ontario’s jobless rate has remained above the national average for the entire country, Speaker, for all of Canada. That’s right. The current government has especially been failing the people of Ontario who are looking for work for well over five years. Worse than average: That’s nothing to be proud of.

Unfortunately, I constantly see examples of unemployment in my riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. As you know, Speaker, southwestern Ontario and my riding have been especially hard hit with the downturn in the manufacturing sector. My constituents are coming to me every day asking why the Liberal government is doing nothing to repair the economy and nothing to help turn things around and help them, hard-working men and women, get back to work. Unfortunately, this is not an overstatement.

Let’s go back just over the past several months, perhaps to the October 6, 2011, election. Since then, this government, the Liberal government, has not done one thing—nothing. They haven’t brought forward any ideas on how to create meaningful jobs in my riding, in southwestern Ontario, eastern Ontario or throughout the province. Now the people of Ontario are going to have to pay increased interest rates on the province’s debt because this Premier, this government, didn’t listen. But who are we kidding? He isn’t paying for it, so he clearly isn’t concerned with it.

I come from a small business background, Speaker, and I learned very young from working in the family business that you can’t spend your way to prosperity. It just doesn’t work. We have seen unprecedented government spending from the current government, and we have also seen Ontario’s economy struggle like never before. The Liberal government has proven time and time again that their spending system does not work.

Since the election, we have seen a troubling trend, which is a continued flow of companies closing shop and those good jobs leaving Ontario. As I said early on, in my riding last week, 75 jobs were lost as a retail store announced that it was closing. On another note, a couple of months ago, a business in my riding, another retail operation that employs 65 people, told me that their hydro bill is up $8,000 year over year. These added costs are decimating the province. Hydro is the number one issue.

In my portfolio of economic development, I hear, time and time again, that this is by far the number one concern businesses are faced with in the province. Why is this government not taking responsibility for the loss of these jobs?

Mr. Speaker, I think the Liberal government is confused. I think the Liberal government is limping from one crisis to the next without any real plan, without any clue as to how to solve the problems facing our economy, the problems their government has caused and even worsened with their lack of decisive action.

It is time that the Premier took responsibility for this province’s job losses. This Premier needs to fix the disaster that he himself has created. For a long time now, the Ontario PC caucus and our leader have been fighting to stop the damage and stop the madness of the Liberal government. We’ve been fighting to stop the chaos resulting from almost nine years of his unsustainable spending increase after spending increase—eight years of rapid growth in the size of government and eight years of structural deficits compounding on themselves.

Indeed, the last eight or nine years has brought skyrocketing increases in the government’s overall expenditures. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you, but did you know that our spending is up over $20 billion since the recession? Speaker: $20 billion. Coming, again, from a family business, it is my experience that things should work opposite of that. That is, when money gets tight, spending decreases and savings must be found, but apparently not so for this government.

The problem, of course, is that someone needs to pay for all of this spending, and that someone is you and me, Speaker, and the hard-working families across the province of Ontario, who are struggling to make ends meet. It’s the taxpayers, the small businesses, the farmers, the truck drivers, the store owners and factory workers who have to pay for this Premier’s reckless spending spree.

However, we also know that their incomes haven’t kept pace with the rapid increase in spending coming from this government. Ontario incomes and incomes for folks in my riding have basically stagnated since this government came to office way back in 2003. While public sector salaries have grown, private sector salaries have remained stagnant. Government spending is at an all-time high, as is Ontario’s debt. The current government spending plan is not working for Ontario. We have seen Ontario’s economy steadily declining over the last eight years. Coinciding with this decline has been a constant increase in government spending.

I think that the record speaks for itself: The spending plan that this government insists on is not working: Nine years and only negative results is enough evidence for Ontario. The process and the priorities must change. While Ontario’s incomes have remained the same, the cost of government has grown substantially and enormously, to the point that the Premier had to call in outside help to come in and review the books and help determine where things went off the tracks.

Again, let’s remember back just seven months ago to the election campaign in the lead-up to the October 6 election, Mr. Speaker. I’m sure you can remember, as I can, when this Premier and this government boasted of being a steady hand in times of economic uncertainty. When the Premier asked the Ontario public to trust him once again—and the public had their day and responded by yanking the Liberal mandate and electing a stronger opposition and sending a minority government back to Toronto—since that day, we have had report after report rejecting the current path and rejecting the current government.

Think back just over the past number of months: We’ve had the damning report from the Auditor General—the independent officer of this House—a non-partisan report that slammed this government in so many areas for mismanagement and waste.

Interjection.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Speaker, I must pause just for a second to say that I must be touching a nerve on the other side of the House this morning. I know hearing reality first thing in the morning is a painful exercise, especially when Ontario is facing a $30-billion deficit and a debt that possibly could be heading toward $411 billion.

The downgrade of Ontario’s credit could be just the tip of the iceberg if this government doesn’t change direction. The simple fact is that we would not be in the situation we are in, with high unemployment, ridiculous energy prices, skyrocketing debt and an uncontrollable deficit, if it were not for the Liberal government, this government’s total mismanagement of Ontario’s economy. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for this government’s addiction to spending, their uncontrollable spending.

The Drummond report is a scathing report card on our province’s well-being, our current direction in leadership, and it’s an eye-opener that we need to start doing business differently; that this government and future governments need to start doing business differently. We simply cannot continue down this current path. We cannot proceed with the same failed approaches like Bill 11, which is another $160 million in spending at a time when our deficit is a billion dollars higher than it was last year.

Don Drummond clearly states that it is time for new ideas and new approaches to how our government operates. His approximately 700 pages are a road map. But the document also provides proof of a very serious spending crisis, a crisis far worse than we imagined, far worse than we ever thought and certainly worse than this Premier has ever acknowledged. Now the credit agencies, as I’ve said a few times, are telling us that the spending must stop, because Ontario’s credit has been downgraded.

I am pleased to urge and challenge this government to do what everyone is saying: Take the tough medicine that the doctor has prescribed and start making changes to the way you run your government and this province. But you know what, Mr. Speaker? Nothing I’ve seen with this government since the election gives me hope that they will, or even can, act upon certain recommendations. It’s no secret: Ontarians have very little faith in this government to cut spending and reduce the overall size and cost of government—it’s in the Liberals’ DNA.

What we need is an immediate action plan from this government to clean up the mess, the mess that they themselves created, the mess that they themselves have allowed to grow faster, grow untamed and grow unmanned, but I’m sure that’s not what we’re going to get.

We’re here today debating Bill 11, part of the same tired and washed-up approach that got us into this problem in the first place. Our party and our leader understand what Ontario needs to get back on the road to recovery. Indeed, I’ve called on this Premier to throw a quarantine around Ontario’s economic purse. That’s right: no more new spending promises, no new uncosted and one-off spending and no more growth in the size and cost of government.

So, here we are with Bill 11, and instead of trying to protect the jobs we currently have, the Liberal government is using taxpayers’ dollars to create a new stimulus program, more corporate handouts and a pork project known as the southwestern development fund.

Here’s the funny thing, Speaker: For all of the recommendations and warnings that the province has been receiving, they’re still not listening. Nobody in this government is listening. Indeed, Don Drummond, like Roger Martin before him, has stated that it’s time to get Ontario out of the corporate subsidy business and out of the business of giving unnecessary subsidies to all businesses.

Bill 11 is a $160-million temporary band-aid approach to job creation that will not create long-term economic growth. Why is the government trying to create new jobs with taxpayer dollars while allowing current full-time jobs to leave our province? It makes no sense.

This government is currently handing out $3.5 billion per year in corporate subsidies—$3.5 billion was in this year’s budget. It’s no way to create jobs, and it just keeps adding to the deficit and to the debt. We have a $16-billion deficit. As I said a few minutes ago, that’s $1 billion higher than it was last year. This is irresponsible, it’s reckless and it’s not sustainable. It has to stop. This out-of-control spending is troubling and upsetting.

What is more troubling is that not only does the current government do nothing to keep current jobs in Ontario, but they do nothing, period, when it comes to job creation. They simply spend money blindly and aimlessly—just spend, spend, spend. Speaker, consider this: Under this government, some programs are actually handing out $300,000 per job. I’m not sure if the members on the opposite side of the House actually are reviewing the corporate subsidies from the Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation, but there’s one company, for example, that received $1.5 million to create five jobs.

There are many, many examples of companies getting $300,000 per job. That’s not sound economic policy.

An interesting fact is that despite difficult economic circumstances, Ontario has seen some modest growth in the construction industry. I recently met with the CFIB and the WSIB to discuss the increasing regulation that the construction industry is experiencing. The funny thing is that this government’s solution to growth seems to be to increase regulation, at least according to these industry leaders.

On January 1, Bill 119 came into effect, a bill that requires companies who employ construction workers to pay for the mandatory insurance that can only be done through the WSIB. On average, this change alone will cost each business an additional $11,000 per year in insurance premiums. That’s a tax grab, Speaker, and of course, we know that this government loves to tax and spend. Prior to Bill 119, construction companies were free to get private insurance that often included more comprehensive coverage at a better price than the WSIB is providing.

This new regulation will cost one of the few growing industries in Ontario more money. It’s a tax on an industry that has actually weathered the storm fairly well.

As a result, employers will have to make cuts in order to accommodate this new expense, cuts that will come in the form, sadly, of lost jobs—another example of the Liberal government’s job creation program. It seems to always have an adverse effect on job creation.

Once again, why is the Ontario government increasing regulation on one of the few growing industries in the province? It doesn’t make any sense, and it shows a government that is again limping from one problem to the next. Is the goal to have fewer jobs and to stop economic growth? I know that a lot of business people in the province ask me that, with a puzzled look on their faces. It seems that this Premier’s government thinks as much. At least, that is where they’re leading us to. These regulations are costing Ontario workers their jobs. Why is the Liberal government increasing taxes on one of the few growing industries in Ontario, on top of more regulations?

I was recently contacted by a constituent who was voicing his concern about regulations and the crippling effect they were having on his business. Brian MacKenzie, who is the operations manager at McRobert Fuels, is currently frustrated with the unnecessary red tape in Ontario. His plant’s operations have been temporarily shut down because the Ontario government is not certifying enough engineers to perform routine safety checks at the plant—safety checks that this government—

Interjections.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: No—safety checks that this government actually requires. He is also frustrated because, according to industry regulations, there are several people who must perform these safety checks separately from others. Why can’t one certified individual perform these checks? Why is the current Liberal government not ensuring that there are enough certified engineers to perform these routine checks or, better yet, just having one person do them?

Instead of blowing money on another wasteful bureaucracy, we have a company that has to shut down operations, we have people who want to work and we have people in Ontario who want to be certified. Why is nothing being done to streamline regulations and eliminate red tape so that the people of Ontario can get back to work?

It would seem that the McGuinty government is so out of touch, so out to lunch, and they just don’t get it. That’s right; it’s still early morning, but the Liberals are already out to lunch, and of course the people stuck paying the tab are the taxpayers in my riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex and throughout the entire province of Ontario.

The solution for Ontario’s job crisis is not more spending and more regulations. It is certainly not passing Bill 11 here today, the government’s $160-million bill. Current overregulation and government spending is crippling Ontario’s economy and destroying jobs. More spending in the form of this bill will only add to the problem and compound the disaster we are currently facing. Under Dalton McGuinty, Ontario’s debt has doubled. It may hit $400 billion—

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Again, I remind the member we don’t refer to members of the House by their first name or last name. I’d ask you to stick to titles or a riding.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you again, Speaker, for the friendly reminder.

Under this government, it’s worth repeating again that Ontario’s debt has doubled and will hit $411 billion in five years, by 2017, if left unchecked. Our deficit will be a crippling $30 billion in those same five years.

There are no more questions. The report card is in. This Premier and this government have a spending problem and, for some reason, the Liberals keep telling us that continuing to spend more money will improve jobs and improve the economy. It isn’t working. They’ve been telling us this for the last nine years, and their government’s approach is not working. What don’t they understand? Did they not read some of the reports that have come forward this year, since the election? Do they not think that the credit agencies know what they’re talking about?

Instead of things getting better through government stimulus programs, the debt has doubled and Ontario’s jobs crisis keeps getting worse. This government’s spending plan is not working. The Ontario PC Party has a plan—our leader has a plan—for economic growth and job creation, and the best part about our plan is that it doesn’t come with a billion-dollar price tag.

Talking about a billion dollars, this government is famous for billion-dollar boondoggles and billion-dollar giveaways to their friends. We had the billion-dollar eHealth scandal. We likely have a billion-dollar screw-up in Mississauga, a billion-dollar mess in Oakville and, of course, we are faced with the Ornge scandal here this year. Of course, it’s one issue I’m hearing about in my riding time and time again.

People understand that this is the most scandalous government in the province’s history. I’ll tell you, Speaker, things need to change. We need to have the all-party committee to look into this mess at Ornge. So, until we get that, I’m going to move adjournment of the debate.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): The member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex has moved adjournment of the debate. Shall the motion carry?

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

All those against the motion, please say “nay.”

I believe the nays have it.

Call in the members. This will be a 30-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 0931 to 1001.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): I’d ask the members to take their seats, please.

The member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex has moved adjournment of the debate.

All those in favour, please stand and remain standing.

Those opposed, please stand and remain standing.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 19; the nays are 32.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): I declare the motion lost.

The member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you, Speaker. It would sure be nice to get the select committee on Ornge set up, when we’re talking a billion-dollar boondoggle again by this government.

Of course, we’re here, again resuming discussion on Bill 11. I must remind members, especially on the government side if they don’t know this, that this is a bill that’s calling for another $160 million in spending—$160 million, when this government has created a $16-billion deficit.

Just to remind members of the House—it’s nice to see some members on the opposite side here to listen to debate on Bill 11. As I said before the recess, the government is handing out, in some circumstances—in many circumstances—$300,000 per job in corporate subsidies. I cited a company that received $1.5 million to create five jobs. This isn’t economic policy; this is what you call a slush fund, a Liberal government slush fund. Of course, this is the track record of this government since it was elected in 2003.

Corporate welfare was virtually eliminated when they took office, and of course, in this year’s budget alone, corporate subsidies are hitting $3.5 billion. It’s no way to create sustainable jobs when Ontario has a jobs crisis, with 550,000 people out of work, and a debt crisis. Even Don Drummond said the debt, without substantial change, is going to hit $411 billion.

It is no secret that the global economy remains fragile, and the road to economic growth will be challenging in the current economic climate. The debt crisis in Europe, the slow economic recovery in the United States and increased competition from low-cost jurisdictions continue to impact on our economy. But we are forgetting some minor details with all of this. The rising deficit and the doubling of Ontario’s debt started long before the global economic crisis. The recession hit everyone, but this Premier simply has been pursuing the wrong economic policies here in Ontario.

The only person who should be blamed for Ontario’s economic situation, Speaker, is this Premier. The Premier has been given advice from experts across the province about how to improve Ontario’s economic situation, as has the Minister of Finance. We keep seeing the same thing: Time and time again, this government refuses to listen.

The Premier needs to swallow his pride and take responsibility for his reckless spending. Government spending cannot be what drives the economy, and that is why corporate subsidies, like in Bill 11, are unnecessary and unproductive.

As I told you earlier, as a small business person myself, from southwestern Ontario, and someone who employs well over 60 people at our family business, I can tell you that local businesses are suffering and are being left with no choice, in a lot of cases, but to leave this province due to the economic climate that has been created here—the climate that this government has created.

You see, under this Premier and under this government, we have seen skyrocketing energy rates, increased red tape, increased government bureaucracy and an ineffective and antique apprenticeship system. This is why we have a jobs crisis in the province of Ontario.

Under this Premier and this government, hydro rates have increased eight times since 2003 by a total of 84% or a whopping 150% for families with smart meters. Despite promising Ontario families that his expensive energy experiments and Green Energy Act would only raise rates by 1%, the Premier now admits that the hydro bills will rise 46% by 2015.

I can tell you, Speaker, in talking to many people in southwestern Ontario, in particular people in London and in particular speaking to families in London West, they’re really concerned about their future hydro bills; they’re concerned about how they’re going to continue living in their house. Again, it’s the number one issue no matter what government members opposite say. The number one issue that any business talks about, whether they’re from Stratford, London, Windsor or Toronto, is hydro bills.

Even the Ontario Energy Board acknowledged that this Premier’s energy experiments were behind the latest hydro increase when they said new forms of power generation, as a result of this government’s Green Energy Act, are costing more to produce.

Speaker, how are small businesses supposed to survive in this province? The increase in hydro rates is unacceptable and is crippling Ontario’s economy. You and I know that the price of hydro is an economic essential that can help drive the economy forward. I believe policy should be focused on creating an efficient supply of power at affordable prices—affordability being the key.

Ontario’s economic policy has to have a plan for economic development, and the current structure needs to change. According to the Ministry of Energy, electricity prices in this province will double over the next two decades, while the US energy information agency actually projects electricity prices in the United States will decrease over the same time period. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to start a business, where would you choose? I ask that question: Where would you choose?

In my portfolio, as economic development critic, it’s one of the things that entrepreneurs and innovators are telling me, that they’re looking elsewhere because of the direction that this Premier and this government are taking Ontario down.

Every jurisdiction we’re competing with for jobs and investment is after the same thing: a reliable and diversified supply of power at the lowest cost. Currently, as I said, Ontario doesn’t have this. Under the current structure, we are seeing businesses leave Ontario and relocate to a more affordable location. The skyrocketing hydro rates in Ontario are driving business out of Ontario, for good in a lot of cases. It is simply not affordable to operate, in many circumstances, in Ontario.

If the government continues on its current path, London Economics International estimates Ontario will have the absolute highest electricity prices in all of Canada by 2015. I know the businesses I talk to in London, Strathroy, Wallaceburg, Chatham and across southwestern Ontario, in particular, again, the businesses in London West, are deeply concerned about the direction that the Minister of Energy is taking the province down.

The system isn’t working. The Auditor General, Moody’s investment services, the Conference Board of Canada, the people of Ontario, the official opposition here at Queen’s Park—and now Ontario’s credit has been downgraded by Moody’s. After all this, the Premier refuses to listen and refuses to budge.

Going back to regulations, one of the concerns I keep hearing is that regulations need to be stable in this province. If hydro prices are competitive and regulations are stable, Ontario will attract investment to the province. If there’s not competition and prices continue to skyrocket on the electricity front, then we’re going to see more and more jobs being lost in the province.

Here in Ontario, we require good home heating at a fair and reasonable price. In order to restore Ontario as an economic leader and to repair the economy, hydro rates must change; affordability, again, has to come back to this province. Once we have re-established this level playing field, then the best way to attract new investment is with a stable regulatory environment where everyone knows the rules of the game, and they only change in predictable ways.

Overregulation must be eliminated and the economy allowed to operate through a free enterprise system. It is unfair that the rules of the game are constantly changing, and because Ontario lacks stability, business owners are not willing to operate here and, in a lot of cases, are leaving, sadly, one by one.

The approaches taken by the current government signal that the Premier and this government have no long-term vision or plan to get there. It sends a wrong message to investors and developers, small businesses and families alike. The result is that the cost of operation in Ontario is simply unaffordable for families or for businesses. It’s not the role of the government to micromanage every sector of the economy. I know that a lot of people say, and I tend to agree, that we’re living in a nanny state under this Premier. It’s, again, not the role of the government to micromanage every sector of our economy.

The current government is micromanaging the economy over and over again from its seat here in downtown Toronto. Instead, it is the role of the government to create the right conditions for investment and job creation, and then stay out of the way of business affairs. The Premier of Ontario needs to change the current conditions and help better the economy in the province. Ontario must be favourable again for business operations.

It is about time that the current McGuinty government addresses the economic climate and makes the necessary changes to help repair Ontario’s economy for good. This government is so focused on the here and now that it has failed to establish a long-term plan that will help make Ontario’s economy a leader in Canada again. We face a growing deficit that is double the size—actually that’s triple the size now—of all of the other Canadian provinces combined. We’re just heading down the wrong path.

Even through our darkest days, Ontario’s tremendous potential has always been there. It’s not too late to take a different path to restore Ontario as an economic leader in Canada again. That means creating the conditions for new growth, new investment and new jobs. But here we are today, continuing down the same path as before, blindly throwing money at problems in the hopes that some of it sticks. But this very approach is how we’ve ended up in the situation we are now in, with hundreds of thousands of people unemployed.

It’s really very simple, Speaker: This government has a spending problem, and spending more money when you’re in a debt crisis is a bad decision. Thank you.

Third reading debate deemed adjourned.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bas Balkissoon): Seeing the time on the clock, this House now stands recessed until 10:30 a.m.

The House recessed from 1014 to 1030.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’d like to welcome to the Ontario Legislature today a group representing Jamieson vitamins. Jamieson vitamins is an Ontario-based company and has been in business for the past 90 years.

I would also like to welcome students from the Croton Christian School, who will be joining us momentarily—and also a shout-out to former page and family friend Anthony Boland in the gallery today.

Hon. Christopher Bentley: I’d like us to welcome Jennifer Ballagh from London West. She’s a director with CanPKU, which is an organization dedicated to providing news, information and support to families with rare inherited metabolic disorders.

Mrs. Julia Munro: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park today Kelli Gibney, a constituent of mine who is here with the delegation from the PKU Awareness Day. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Teresa Piruzza: As you can see, we have a number of students in the gallery today. They’re here for the College Student Alliance conference. There are three of them here representing St. Clair College, so I need to give them special recognition. We have Keri Bagley, who’s the president; Kate Isley, who’s the internal vice-president; and Kyle Pilon, the external vice-president. Thank you for coming, and thank you for your leadership at the college level.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: I would like to introduce a friend of mine from North Bay, young Ishmael Van Der Rassel, who is here touring Queen’s Park.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I know I took my Jamieson vitamin C this morning, and I hope you did too. I’m very pleased to welcome the representatives from Jamieson Laboratories here today—they’re celebrating their 90th year in business—the president and CEO, Vic Neufeld; senior vice-president, Frank Lucchetta; vice-president, sales, Bill Tyler; director of sales, Rob Ricci; director of marketing, Jillian Mariani; brand manager, Tracey Mazza; head of corporate affairs and media relations, Paula Prociuk Blacklock. Congratulations on this remarkable milestone, on behalf of all of us at Queen’s Park.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature the Cedarvale Christian School, from Harriston, Ontario: the grade 7 and 8 class and their teacher, Anthony Horst.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I’d like to welcome Brian Costantini, president of the College Student Alliance. As you can see in the gallery today, 85 college students from across Ontario are here for the College Student Alliance May Changeover conference taking place in Toronto from May 8 to 13. They are one of the biggest reasons we have a tuition reduction. I want to thank them for all their work in policy innovation.

Mr. Bob Delaney: Speaker, please welcome, in the members’ east gallery, the following people who are here at the Legislature to speak with members about PKU awareness: Paola Galvalisi; Cristian Baigorria, Candelaria Baigorria, Trinidad Baigorria and Bautista Baigorria. The Baigorria family has travelled here today from Mississauga–Streetsville. Also, please welcome John Adams, Dr. William Hanley, Rod Elliot and Megan Boyle. We have previously recognized Kelli Gibney and Jennifer Ballagh. Thank you, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I think we’d all like to welcome representatives from Community Living Toronto, who are at the Legislature today for their annual Appetite for Awareness lunch. All members are invited to stop by room 212A between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to say hello, pick up a delicious box lunch and give their best to Community Living Toronto.

Hon. Margarett R. Best: Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to welcome some family members of page Constantine Ttofas, from the riding of Scarborough–Guildwood, to the Legislature. Today we have his mom, Angela Ttofas; his uncle, Sam Mandrozos; and his grandmother, Helen Ttofas. Welcome to the Legislature.

Mr. Michael Coteau: We’re joined here today by staff and students from Redemption Reintegration Services. It’s a great organization that’s sustained by the Youth Challenge Fund. The RSS links young people with education, health, employment and housing. On behalf of all of my colleagues here in the Ontario Legislative Assembly, I’d like to welcome them here today.

Mr. Mike Colle: On behalf of the member from Vaughan–King–Aurora—

Mr. Greg Sorbara: Just Vaughan.

Mr. Mike Colle: —Vaughan and myself, I’d like to welcome the vice-president of sales with Jamieson Laboratories, Rob Ricci, who played for the St. Michael’s Buzzers and went on to the play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team. Welcome, Rob.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): In the Speaker’s gallery today, all the way from Germany, we have joining us Olivia Linden and Daniella Schiffer; and from the great riding of Brant, their great aunt and relatives, the former MPP for Brantford in the 34th Parliament, Mr. Dave Neumann, and his wife, Elfrieda. Welcome.

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I want to take a moment to clarify the disposition of standing order 37(

a) and specifically the clause relating to the requirement that questions are to be urgent or of public importance.

I think all members would acknowledge that the language used in this particular standing order is somewhat subjective. As my predecessor in this chair once observed, “One man’s pothole is another man’s crater.” It is simply not possible for the Speaker to establish a weighted hierarchy of the content of questions asked in this House.

Many years ago, every question had to be vetted in advance by the Speaker. I respectfully submit that this House is not interested in going back to that practice. Indeed, when it comes to content, frequently a question asked on the government side may be on exactly the same topic as one previously asked by the opposition, and still the Speaker is hectored—to you and I, heckled—over the application of standing order 37(a).

This is not a new challenge for a Speaker. To quote from Speaker Turner in 1982, “If I were to apply standing order 27(a)”—now 37(a)—“in its strictest sense, there would be very few questions allowed in this House. Based on tradition and precedent and historic reference, if you will, the people on this side of the House have as much right to ask a question as people” on this side of the House.

I cannot apply the standards of questioning to the government members that I do not apply to the opposition members. Going forward, I would ask all members on both sides to demonstrate some respect for the right of every private member to ask questions of the executive branch, and I thank you for that understanding.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr. Peter Shurman: My question is for the Premier. For months, Premier, Tim Hudak, myself and other members of the Progressive Conservative caucus of Ontario have stood in this Legislature and urged you to implement a mandatory public sector wage freeze, and on every occasion, you have refused. You hid behind every excuse in the book. We told you that without a legislated wage freeze, your budget couldn’t hope to put Ontario back on the path to recovery. You rejected our recommendation time and time again.

Premier, have you finally seen the light? Do you finally understand that you need to legislate the wage freeze for Ontario’s public service? And will you, right now, declare your support for our bill that will seek to do exactly that?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I’m delighted to receive the question and to join this, I think, very important debate yet again. I want to restate as well that the official opposition and our government, I believe, share the same objective: We need to demonstrate restraint when it comes to public sector compensation. Where we differ is in terms of how we are going to get there.

I will once again draw to my honourable colleague’s attention the fact that their approach was duly considered by all the other provinces that are running deficits—and there are eight others—as well as the federal government, and they rejected that approach. In fact, the federal government has legislated a 1.5% pay hike. So I’d again recommend to my honourable colleague that while we share the same objective, it’s important that we put in place a process that will prove to be effective, and that’s why we’re pursuing the approach that we’re taking.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Shurman: You can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth, Premier, and you’re doing it again. Either you are with us and support a mandatory wage freeze, or you choose to continue to dig Ontario’s finances into a deeper hole. You have spent two years dancing around this issue and it’s time to finally declare your intentions and commit to a plan. Will you cut the talking points out for once, and will you tell this House that you will vote for our legislation?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I would caution the member on using language that may be tiptoeing towards saying something that he can’t say directly.

Premier.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, again, I can’t agree with my honourable colleague. I look forward to seeing the particular legislation, but I am assuming it’s going to be informed by the approach that they’ve articulated in this House, and we can’t support that.

I will say to my honourable colleague—I’ll refer him once again to page 70 of our budget, which says as follows: “The fiscal plan provides no funding for incremental compensation increases for new collective agreements.” We couldn’t be more explicit in terms of the approach that we’re going to bring.

To get there, we feel duty bound to engage our collective bargaining partners in the public sector in the process. We need to sit down with them. We need to negotiate. We need to bargain fairly and firmly. We’ve also made it perfectly clear that if we cannot achieve the objectives stated in the budget, then we will take necessary measures in this very Legislature. I think we couldn’t be more explicit than that, Speaker.

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

Mr. Peter Shurman: When our leader, Tim Hudak, met with you in November, Premier, he urged you to implement a wage freeze. You rejected that idea. When I met with your finance minister, I urged him to implement a wage freeze. He rejected the idea. Now, a few months later, you claim to have found religion and you’re musing about wage freezes. When are you going to finally decide whether you’re coming or going?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think I’ve addressed this a number of times. But here’s another issue I’d like to throw into the mix, if you will. I’m concerned that the official opposition is rejecting some of the choices that we’ve made to find savings as part of our budget. They want to protect a subsidy for racetrack owners that’s $335 million every year. They want to cut corporate income taxes at a time when we can’t afford to—that’s $845 million every year. They don’t want to make any changes to the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission—that’s $135 million every year.

They want to keep old jails open, which we can’t afford to do. That costs us $137 million every year. They want to make more cuts to business education taxes at a time when we can’t afford to. That’s $300 million every year. When we add up what it is that they want to do, it’s costing us $2.1 billion on an annual basis. We can’t afford to do that.

ONTARIO PUBLIC SERVICE

Mr. Peter Shurman: Back to the Premier: Yesterday our deputy leader presented you with legal arguments that proved you can legislate a wage freeze today. So the court ruling excuse is out the window. Nobody in this building believes your press, nobody, perhaps, except you. Premier, stop talking out of both sides of your mouth. Take a position. Are you ready to concede—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member, I had cautioned you. Now I am asking you to withdraw.

Mr. Peter Shurman: I withdraw.

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

Mr. Peter Shurman: Premier, are you ready to concede that we had the right idea all along about a legislated wage freeze?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: We will never concede our duty to act responsibly. What we have laid out is a plan. It was laid out in the budget. We are approaching it through the mechanisms available to us that will withstand court challenge, based on legal advice, based on what other provinces have done, based on court rulings in other provinces.

In order to achieve the goal that we both agree on, we believe and have solid advice to the effect that this is the appropriate path to ensure that we’re able to meet those targets that we’ve already established in the budget.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Shurman: Minister, here is what happened since Tim Hudak’s meeting with the Premier and my meeting with you. Moody’s gave Ontario a negative outlook. That was a warning; you didn’t listen. S&P gave Ontario a negative outlook; you still didn’t listen. Moody’s downgraded Ontario’s credit rating. You made excuses for your failures, and your own economist, Don Drummond, warned you that Ontario faces a $30-billion deficit and a $400-billion total in debt, yet you brought in a budget with billions more in spending and you refused to implement a wage freeze. With that key cost-cutting measure missing from your budget, is it any wonder we refused to support your budget motion?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Again, I would emphasize to the opposition that in order to achieve the targets that we’ve laid out, we are following a course of action. I’ll remind him, as I reminded their deputy leader yesterday, that in British Columbia the government lost a case that cost them $80 million. I think there were 8,000-or-so workers. We’re talking about 1.2 million workers. We have to respect not only the collective bargaining process but the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the right of people to organize and bargain collectively.

I believe, working together, we can achieve these objectives that are laid out in the budget as we move to preserve and enhance our education and health care systems, which are vital to a strong and vibrant economy in the future.

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

Mr. Peter Shurman: Speaker, I’m trying very hard to get a direct answer. Minister, when will you be direct with this House and with Ontarians who are watching you right now? When?

You opposed the legislated wage freeze in October, in November, in December and every day since, until about two days ago. You refuse to listen to us and you reject our recommendations. Everyone here knows it. We were there; you were absent. Now you’re squirming because you’re caught between that rock and a hard place, between the need to prevent complete disaster and alienating your union pals. Make the right decision for once and be direct. Support our private member’s bill that reflects our position on the need for a legislated wage freeze, a position that we have held from the very beginning. Will you vote with us in support of that bill?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: No, we won’t support that bill, because it won’t work. It is a political document that’s designed to undermine good working relationships in the public and broader public sectors. The plan we’ve laid out, in fact, is the one that will allow us to achieve the budgetary objectives we’ve set out.

We are less interested in demonizing public servants and others, as the opposition is, than we are in working with everyone in Ontario to move back to balance, to make the investments that are necessary to improve our health and education systems and build that better economy for the future.

Mr. Speaker, to be clear and unequivocal: Their plan won’t work. It’s a failed document and we won’t support it.

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. Yesterday’s announcement of a planned refinery in the riding of Nickel Belt proves that Ontario has the skilled workforce and the ability to process natural resources and create prosperity and good jobs right here in Ontario. Unfortunately, Speaker, we have a long way to go to make those jobs a reality. Yesterday, the government told us they still didn’t know whether they plan to allow resources from the Ring of Fire to be exported overseas for processing. Do they know now?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I’m pleased to take the question, but first of all, I think we can and should all join in celebrating an extraordinary new investment in northern Ontario. This is the first proposal for development in the largest mining find in Canada in some 100 years. We’re talking of billions of dollars, thousands of jobs and the generation of wealth that will benefit families in northern Ontario for decades to come. I think it’s great news.

I think our shared responsibility now is to do everything we can to maximize those benefits so that they benefit northerners, First Nations and Ontario generally. I’m feeling very optimistic. I’m looking forward to any positive, constructive suggestions that come from either opposition party in this regard.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: People hoping for good, sustainable jobs think that this is a pretty important detail: whether or not the materials are going to be exported somewhere else to be processed. The government needs to do a much better job at answering them. They’re counting their chickens before they hatch, by the looks of it.

In testimony at the federal Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Cliffs’ senior vice-president said this: “Our proposed project includes exporting approximately 40% of the product produced on site.” They’ll need an exemption under the Mining Act to do that. Does the Premier plan on giving them the exemption?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, it is no secret; my honourable colleague has been consistent in this regard. She believes that we should put up walls around the province of Ontario. We live in a global economy. We can compete with the best in the world, and we can win. We have the biggest mining sector now in North America. I’m talking exploration, I’m talking production, and when it coming to financing, Speaker, it’s the biggest in the world.

I say to my honourable colleague that we cannot put up walls. We cannot say to those people who are sending their raw materials here that we’re no longer going to process those here, and we cannot say to proponents such as Cliffs that there’s no way that they can send any of those materials to other parts of the world outside of Ontario to process. That is to ignore the reality of a globalized economy. I’m confident at the end of the day that this is a net positive proposal for northern Ontario and Ontario generally.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Premier is absolutely right: I have been consistent; New Democrats have been consistent. We believe our natural resources should be putting Ontarians back to work.

Our natural resources are a gift, and we have to use them wisely. People in Ontario, whether they’re from the north or anywhere else, want to see those resources used to create good, sustainable, value-added jobs, not shipped away to create jobs overseas and products that we then buy back at twice the price.

For people looking for work, for communities that need development, these are not minor details. Does the Premier plan to grant an exemption to allow the resources to be shipped away for processing? And if he doesn’t know yet, when is he going to know?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I remind my honourable colleague that we’re building the processing plant here as part of this proposal. I will also remind her that we are presently processing minerals in Ontario that are coming from four other provinces and also coming in from the US, Peru, Chile and Australia.

The Falconbridge smelter in Sudbury processes less than 30% of Ontario content. Cameco in Blind River and Port Hope processes uranium that comes from Saskatchewan. Handy & Harman in Etobicoke imports two thirds of their precious metals from outside the province. Johnson Matthey Ltd., with plants across the provinces, processes about 90% foreign content. In my hometown of Ottawa, the Royal Canadian Mint takes in two thirds of their content from outside the province of Ontario. This is how we create jobs for Ontarians here in Ontario.

Interjections.

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

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier.

The Ring of Fire is not going to work unless it moves ahead with the support and partnership of First Nations. Now, despite this government’s promises of a relationship of respect, First Nations affected by the development weren’t even told about the government’s announcement until the night before.

Will the Premier explain why First Nations were left out of discussions until the last minute. Is that what he considers to be respectful?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I appreciate the question from the member opposite because it gives me an opportunity to talk about the supports that are already in place. The reason I went to Thunder Bay yesterday with the Minister of Natural Resources was to talk with the First Nations about how we’re going to move forward.

There was a business decision that was made; that’s true. That business decision was not discussed in public. There have been a lot of informal conversations. But what I said yesterday and what is the truth is that the formal conversations with First Nations begin now. All of the supports that need to be in place, that’s the conversation we need to have now. It was not possible to have that conversation surrounding the business issue. And yes, we called the night before, we talked to a number of the chiefs to let them know so they wouldn’t read about it in the newspaper because the business decision had been that under the radar.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: That’s respectful, Speaker; so that they don’t have to read it in a newspaper. I’m sure Sonny Gagnon from Aroland made you know very well how respectful—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Peterborough and the Minister of Economic Development, come to order.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The First Nations people who live near the Ring of Fire want to share in the jobs, in the wealth and the prosperity that the opportunity brings, Speaker. Leaving them out of the loop during months and months of discussion only raises the risk of drawn-out disputes and delays. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose called it “a classic example of development going ahead without adequate consultation.”

Is the Premier concerned that his government is off to a pretty bad start with the Ring of Fire?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: You know, Mr. Speaker, one of the first trips I made when I was appointed to this position was to Webequie, which, as the member opposite may know, is one of the communities that is closest to the Ring of Fire. I had conversations with the leadership there. I know absolutely clearly that training opportunities and economic development opportunities, as well as social supports, need to be in place.

I had a conversation with Deputy Grand Chief Terry Waboose yesterday and I said to him that what is extremely important is that we don’t undermine the opportunity that the Ring of Fire presents; that we understand that the children who live in all of the communities in the north need to be able to benefit. If we spend the next six months undermining and drawing lines in the sand and creating conflict, then those children will not benefit from the economic development of the Ring of Fire.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, saying a lot is not the same as listening a lot, and that’s what this government needs to learn.

There is a lot of real opportunity here to bring hope to communities that are struggling with severe joblessness and poverty. But if that’s going to happen, development has to bring jobs, education and revenue-sharing. So far, First Nations have seen very little in terms of commitments from this government.

Is the Premier finally ready to roll up his sleeves and work respectfully with First Nations communities?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think it is critical that we recognize exactly what’s happened here. The Webequie First Nation’s statement yesterday said, “Webequie First Nation acknowledges Ontario’s commitment to support the directly impacted First Nations and to engage the federal government in the trilateral process. It is important for all levels of government, including local impacted First Nations governments, to work together towards a co-operative framework.” That’s what the Webequie First Nation said yesterday.

I will be the first to admit, Mr. Speaker, that there are needs in our First Nations communities, that there have to be supports in place. We’ve been putting $8 million a year into the Ring of Fire communities to begin to support and prepare for the Ring of Fire.

If we do not take our responsibilities seriously to help communities come together and work together on this file, then the Ring of Fire will not benefit the children who need to benefit. So I call on the party opposite to work with us to that end.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Minister of Health. Here’s what happens when you put people in charge of an air ambulance service who know nothing about it: Rather than instill confidence in the public and in the front-line staff, you undermine them.

Yesterday, the news was that the Ornge CEO and the minister both embarrassed themselves with defensive excuses for the inability of Ornge once again to respond to an emergency.

The emergency call came in to Ornge at 6:44 a.m. We were told that the incoming crew was not available until 7:15 because of Transport Canada’s duty day restrictions.

Apparently the minister and Mr. McKerlie didn’t think to ask why the night shift crew that was scheduled to be on duty until 7 o’clock didn’t respond to the call.

A simple question, and so I will ask the question: Minister, where was that crew that was scheduled to be on duty until 7? Why didn’t they respond?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, the member opposite is referring to a tragic motor vehicle accident. My heart goes out to the family. I can only imagine how difficult this is for them. The family has asked that this issue not be politicized, and I intend to respect that.

What I can tell you, Speaker, is that we will learn any lessons that are to be learned from this incident. Yesterday morning, I spoke to Dr. Barry McLellan, who is on the board of Ornge. He is the CEO at Sunnybrook hospital. He is an expert in patient safety, and I have asked him to ensure that a full investigation is done and that any lessons that are to be learned from this incident are, in fact, implemented.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: Now we have to ask the question why the new CEO and the minister insisted on continuing with the implementation of the failed Mazza plan to take on total responsibility for the operation of the helicopter fleet.

Mr. McKerlie was warned that the Ornge organization did not have either the staff or the capacity or the experience to take over that operation. He was warned that Ornge would face a staffing shortage. He was urged to extend the existing agreement with Canadian Helicopters while Ornge was going through this transition. CHL has all of the pilots and all of the maintenance necessary. In fact, CHL would have had to pay a major penalty had it failed to respond to yesterday’s emergency.

Why did the minister and Mr. McKerlie insist on recklessly pursuing the Mazza plan? That is why we’re in the situation that we’re in. That’s why we’re understaffed. Why did they insist—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Minister of Health.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I think that it’s important that we actually let a review of this incident happen. I think that it would be a mistake for anyone in this House to jump to conclusions about what actually happened. I think we have to let the process unfold. I can assure you that my ministry officials are asking a series of questions about the incident. The coroner has been informed of this incident, and the coroner will make a determination about whether or not he in fact wants to do an inquest.

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Sarah Campbell: My question is to the Premier. Yesterday, First Nations communities expressed their strong disappointment that they only heard about the Cliffs announcement at the last minute rather than being invited to the table months ago to work on a path forward.

Here is Minister Wynne’s explanation for the process: “I think people will have to speak to Cliffs about that because they set the parameters of the discussion.”

Premier, this is your responsibility. Stop trying to pass the buck. Why won’t you consult with First Nations communities about development in the north?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: The reality is, we have ongoing consultation and dialogue with our First Nations communities. One of the most important announcements yesterday was the framework for future consultation with our First Nations. They told us that regional infrastructure supports were necessary for that framework consultation. We listened. They told us that social supports were necessary for that framework consultation. We listened. They told us that regional and environmental impacts were very important to the framework discussion. We listened. They told us that resource benefit sharing must be on the table. We listened.

This is what the Wahnapitae First Nation chief said: that the Cliffs announcement means Wahnapitae First Nation—

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

Ms. Sarah Campbell: Back to the Premier: This government has made a much-awaited announcement that was negotiated behind closed doors, without any job, education and revenue-sharing guarantees, and without consultation. After ignoring First Nations for months, this government made an 11th hour effort to divide and conquer by negotiating with only some of the First Nations communities, and even then it failed to provide guarantees.

The Ring of Fire will only be successful if it works for families in the north. After leaving First Nations out of the process at the start, why should First Nations trust the Premier that real, meaningful consultation will take place now?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Real, meaningful consultation took place in the past; real, meaningful consultation is taking place now; and real and meaningful consultation will take place in the future.

You know what else they said? They said that they want to establish a protocol by which our federal government becomes engaged. They want a tripartite arrangement and agreement for discussion. We agree with that.

They said that they want to have the benefits of the Ring of Fire development through resource revenue-sharing. We said that we would enter into those discussions.

They want meaningful jobs from the Ring of Fire development. We guaranteed, through our involvement, that we would provide the supports necessary to ensure that they’re ready for these very, very important, well-paying, long-lasting jobs.

The reality is, we will continue to consult and dialogue with our First Nations communities, because we understand that in order for the Ring of Fire to maximize its benefits, it must maximize the potential for each and every person in Ontario.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mr. David Orazietti: My question is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. As a northerner, I’m very pleased with yesterday’s announcement regarding Cliffs Natural Resources’ intention to spend approximately $3.35 billion in Ontario to move forward on its chromite project in the Ring of Fire. Cliffs announced their plans to build an all-weather road and mine in the northwest, as well as a processing facility in Sudbury.

We’ve heard some criticism regarding the location of jobs. We’ve heard the opposition calling for details regarding the government’s intended commitments. Minister, how does this important announcement reinforce the progress that we’re making on our northern growth plan, and can you provide us with more specific details on the project?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: A very, very important question, Speaker. Yesterday’s announcement is great news for Ontario, it’s great news for—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Not acceptable.

Minister.

Hon. John Gerretsen: You guys can’t accept good news.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: As the Attorney General says, the opposition cannot accept good news. But let me continue this good news. This announcement yesterday was great news for Ontario, great news for our northern communities and great news for our First Nations. This $3.3-billion investment in Ontario, predominantly in northern Ontario, in fact aligns perfectly with the northern growth plan.

The northern growth plan talks about the future of job creation. It talks about the future of the developing sustainable opportunities. This is what this Ring of Fire announcement yesterday was all about: job creation, inclusive opportunity and the ability to sustain and grow northern Ontario over the next 30 years.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. David Orazietti: Minister, as you’re aware, the Ring of Fire represents one of the most significant mineral deposits Ontario has seen in over a century, with multi-generational mineral production opportunities on a scale similar to historic world-class mining areas in communities such as Timmins, Sudbury, Kirkland Lake and Red Lake.

This is great news for the entire region, and as I understand, the development will generate long-term economic benefits throughout the north, such as the building of roads, transportation improvements and new infrastructure. Ontarians understand that it’s important to ensure we do everything possible to maximize the use of our natural resources, which includes creating important value-added jobs.

However, over the past several months, the NDP have been calling for a short-sighted processing plan for Ontario ore. Minister, can you please share with us further details regarding processing arrangements, and if in fact you would consider this proposal?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Part of the mining cycle is ensuring that processing takes place. For months, the NDP said that our processing facility would be going outside of Ontario for a variety of factors; the reality is, this government made this processing facility happen right here in northern Ontario.

What the NDP fails to realize in their short-sighted policy is that we’re in a global economy. If, in fact, we were to build barriers or walls around Ontario, jobs in Nickel Belt would be lost; 70% of Xstrata’s processing at their smelter takes place from matte brought in from outside of Ontario. In Algoma–Manitoulin, the chemical facility would be laying off, because they import material, uranium material, from Saskatchewan.

The reality is, you can’t build walls around Ontario. It doesn’t work to sustain opportunity for Ontario.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is for the Minister of Health. This government is keen to blame the Ornge scandal on so-called rogue operators, but the troubling events that have transpired at Ornge have happened for one reason only: The Minister of Health failed to uphold the responsibilities of her office. She repeatedly ignored warning after warning about corrupt practices and policies that put patients’ lives at risk. The minister has failed to provide oversight, and patients are paying the price.

The Auditor General’s report cited 21 cases of compromised patient safety. Minister, are these 21 incidents being investigated and, if so, will you make the results public?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: What I can tell the member opposite and the people of this province is that patient safety is the highest priority for the leadership at Ornge. The new oversight and the new transparency at Ornge will make it very clear to the public about those improvements.

I’m urging the member opposite to actually acknowledge the importance of Bill 50, to support Bill 50, which will entrench in law the kind of transparency and oversight that is required. In our hospitals, we’ve seen the difference it makes when we report to the public on safety indicators. We want to bring that same rigour to Ornge.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Christine Elliott: The actions of this government and this minister have been too little, too late. In order to restore public confidence in Ornge, a full public investigation is required, but this government is determined to keep sweeping this under the rug. After the minister stood in this House and agreed to a select committee on Ornge, she and her government have stonewalled the will of this Legislature.

When Progressive Conservative staff contacted the minister’s office to inquire about the 13 confirmed investigations of compromised patient safety conducted by your ministry, your staff advised us that this information was only available under a freedom-of-information request.

I ask the minister, why are you so insistent to block every effort to get to the bottom of this scandal? Why aren’t you doing everything you can to restore public confidence in Ornge?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: There has been a significant focus on the goings-on at Ornge, and I think the changes that have come into effect as a result of that are absolutely the changes that are needed.

The Auditor General did a very good job revealing practices at Ornge that were completely unacceptable. As a result of that, we have entirely new leadership, a completely new board, including the resignation of one Kelly Mitchell, who I think you probably are familiar with. I understand he has actually donated to your campaigns in the past. He is no longer on the board at Ornge. There is new leadership and a renewed rigour and a renewed commitment to patient safety.

On our side of the House, we have a new performance agreement. We have referred the incidents to the OPP.

AIR AMBULANCE SERVICE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. In 2009, Chris Mazza’s salary disappeared from the sunshine list. Yesterday, the director of legal services told the committee for public accounts that if the salary of the CEO of a publicly funded company disappeared from the sunshine list, it would raise flags. New Democrats raised this issue back in 2010. Not only did it raise flags for the NDP, but it also would have raised flags for the Ministry of Finance. So how is it that somehow it escaped the Minister of Health completely?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: As I was just saying, there has been a focus on Ornge, and I think it’s a healthy focus, because it has shone the light on practices that were completely unacceptable.

We have taken very aggressive steps, as the member from Newmarket–Aurora has said, to fix the problems at Ornge. Now I’m very pleased to say that we have a new performance agreement in place, Speaker. We have legislation before this House. I am very hopeful that members of both opposition parties will, in fact, support Bill 50, amendments to the Ambulance Act, that will provide significantly more oversight and transparency.

We do want Ornge to have the rigour that we have in our hospitals. I do want to have the power that, in future, if the need arises—and I hope it doesn’t—we have the ability to put in a supervisor.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Yesterday a former executive of Ornge, Mr. Rick Potter, testified that through his entire tenure with Ornge, he was paid by the not-for-profit side of Ornge, yet his salary also disappeared after 2009. In fact, he said that it was corporate policy not to disclose salaries, in spite of the fact that he was paid by a not-for-profit agency directly funded by the Ministry of Health.

Now the ministry can’t blame that Ornge was transferring funds to the for-profit, because it was not the case. For the missing salaries information, people would say that should have raised flags. Will she admit that the reason nothing was done is because she failed in her duty of oversight of Ornge?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, quite the contrary. When I became aware of the issues at Ornge, I took very quick action and very strong action. The member opposite is referring to the committee that is now under way that has been going on now for many weeks.

I was happy to have had the opportunity to appear before the committee, as have people like Lynne Golding. We know now that Guy Giorno and Lynne Golding, two very prominent Conservatives, were the ones who set up this salary deal to hide salaries from the sunshine list. They also hid information from the Auditor General.

These are serious issues, and I’m very happy that the OPP is investigating allegations at Ornge.

CHILDREN’S

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: My question is for the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Many young people, in fact approximately one in five, are dealing with mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, mood disorders, schizophrenia and eating disorders.

I am proud that mental health, particularly children’s mental health, has become such an important priority. I think we can all agree that when we provide children and families with the supports they need, they have the opportunity to succeed.

As a member who served on the Select Committee on Mental Health and Addictions, I’d ask the minister to outline what positive steps this government has taken to provide mental health supports to the children and youth of Ontario.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I thank the member from Scarborough–Rouge River for the question. Mr. Speaker, I’d like to start by recognizing that this week is Children’s Mental Health Week and to thank everyone who has worked so hard to raise awareness and decrease the stigma associated with mental illness.

I also want to thank Margaret McCain, the former Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, who, a couple of weeks ago, donated $10 million to child and youth mental health services at CAMH here in Toronto—the largest donation of its kind in Canada.

Yesterday, I visited Associated Youth Services of Peel to see first-hand how our government is building a mental health system that delivers the services our children and youth need, when they need it and as close to home as possible. Thanks to our government’s comprehensive mental health and addictions strategy, Peel now has 48 new child and youth mental health workers.

I’m proud of our government’s continued investment in children’s mental health.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: Thank you, Minister. I’m pleased to hear that our government has taken concrete action to support the children’s mental health system in this province. Great strides have been made in awareness and stigma reduction, but there is still work to be done.

Mr. Speaker, it is our shared responsibility—government, community partners and private sector alike—to help bring about a brighter future for all children who struggle with mental health challenges. I ask the minister: What is being done across Ontario to help fulfill the vision of creating a more coordinated and responsive mental health system that helps children and youth get the help they need when they need it?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: To the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I say thank you to the member from Scarborough–Rouge River for highlighting this very, very important issue.

Schools are often the place where a young person with mental health needs is identified. That’s why I’m very pleased that 400 child and youth mental health workers have been hired to work with students in schools, mental health agencies and courts to address mental health issues.

It’s also why I’m very pleased that 144 new mental health and addictions nurses are being hired to work with schools to help students with mild-to-complex mental health or substance abuse problems. I’m very proud that my ministry is able to support these new nurses. It’s means that 20,000 more kids will get access to the care that they need.

CONCUSSIONS

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: My question on kids’ safety is for the Minister of Education. Minister, you have a new bill dealing with concussions, and that’s a good thing. Many here would know that I coach kids’ hockey, as many do, and we see a problem: that high school hockey is not governed by the rules found in Hockey Canada that govern virtually all other hockey in Canada. As such, there is no checking-to-the-head penalty found in high school hockey as is found in all other youth sports in Canada.

Locally, during a high school game in Oshawa, it got out of hand. My son’s best friend, Evan Way, took a debilitating check from behind that broke his leg, possibly ending his hockey life. The main reason it all occurred was because high school refs are not governed by Hockey Canada and do not have the same strict guidelines and oversight found in all other hockey that is governed by Hockey Canada—as such, allowing checks to the head.

Minister, can you commit to review high school hockey or other high school sports to minimize concussions and, quite frankly, work with those organizations that are already doing so through officials in their systems?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: I really want to thank the member opposite for his question, for his involvement with sports and for raising this important issue. We are very much committed to ensuring that we take steps in this province to ensure that all of our students are safe and protected and that we do everything that we can to prevent concussions.

Yes, I’m proud to have brought in the concussion prevention act and that we continue to do work. We’ve actually already begun to meet and consider the best advice from experts on concussion protocols and what that should be. The conversations are ongoing. I invite the member opposite to give us his best advice. I invite everyone in this Legislature to give us their best advice, because we want to make sure that our students are safe and protected in schools. We will take the leadership role when it comes to concussions in Ontario. So, thank you for that advice.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: Minister, although teachers do require a background check, because there is no governing of high school hockey by Hockey Canada, there is no background check for all officials or non-teaching volunteers involved in high school hockey and other sports. Minister, can you commit to review guidelines found by organizations like Hockey Canada to protect our kids not only from concussions but also ensuring that those people working with our youth should be allowed to work with Ontario’s future, our youth?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten: Again, thank you very much to the member opposite. I know that he has been a strong proponent of reference checks for those who work with our young people in coaching activities. It has been something that is an issue that I have worked on also for many years.

What I will say is that right now all board employees and employees of organizations that provide services to boards must have a criminal reference check. Almost all of our boards also have the requirement that any other individual have a criminal reference check. So if there is a vacuum in that, if there is a place that we need to take a look at, we certainly will do that.

Again, I am encouraged by this co-operative approach. I hope that this will mean that we can work in co-operation, especially when it comes to our children’s benefit, and that we will perhaps hear less bell-ringing in this Legislature and more co-operative questions that help us protect our kids.

ROAD SAFETY

Mr. Jonah Schein: This question is for the Premier. Last Sunday afternoon, Premier, Barrie Conrod, a 52-year-old from Waterloo, was out for a bike ride with his wife. He was struck from behind by an SUV, and he was killed. I know that our hearts and condolences go out to Barrie’s wife and to his family, but as legislators we must do more. We must make our streets safer for cyclists. We know how: It means investing in bike lanes, in paved shoulders and bike paths on Ontario’s roads and highways. The government has a draft cycling strategy that proposes to do just that. My question is: When will it release the strategy?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I welcome the question. First of all, on behalf of all of us in this Legislature, I extend my sympathies to the family and friends affected by this very unfortunate incident. I think we all sense a shared responsibility as well to find a way to ensure that we can strike some kind of a happy balance when it comes to vehicles on our roads and people who choose to bicycle. We’d all like to live in a province where we have struck that balance and people feel that they can get out on a road and travel safely on their bicycle.

What I can do, on behalf of my colleague the Minister of Transportation, is undertake to the honourable gentlemen to inquire a bit more about the strategy so that we can make that public.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jonah Schein: Thank you, Premier, for that answer. I’ll direct this question to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: You can’t do that.

Mr. Jonah Schein: Sorry, back to the Premier, then. Ontario’s cycling policy is 20 years out of date. The government’s draft cycling strategy, which we’ve obtained through a freedom-of-information request, promises to match municipal investments in bike paths, in bike lanes and in paved shoulders. Quebec has invested in cycling infrastructure, but the Ontario government has delayed the release of this strategy, and there’s a concern that the government is going to backtrack now on the proposed funding that is committed and is required.

Will the Premier tell us when a cycling strategy will be released so roads can be made safer for cyclists and tragic deaths can be prevented?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think the member opposite knows that we have had a demand management transportation policy in place, where municipalities have been able to apply for funding to build infrastructure in their communities. I think the member opposite also knows that we began building paved shoulders on some of our road projects—on Highway 6, for example, and other projects around the province. Where there is enough tourism, where there’s a demand, we are building an extra metre on either side of the road, and the Share the Road signs are going up. So we’ve actually taken great strides in the last few years to make the roads of the province more cycle-friendly.

I know that the member opposite and we on this side have worked closely with Share the Road. Eleanor McMahon is a huge advocate for cycling in the province. We’ve looked at the Route Verte in Quebec, and we know that, ultimately, we would like to see that kind of network around the province. That work is ongoing in the ministry, and we thank the member for the question.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mr. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, my question this morning is for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Yesterday, Ministers Bartolucci, Gravelle and Wynne welcomed a significant announcement about thousands of jobs being created in northern Ontario. Given the global climate, this is outstanding news.

However, we’ve heard that some First Nation leaders are expressing concern about the lack of involvement in the decision-making process and development happening without the consent of First Nations communities. They want to be sure that they’re involved and have a say about what happens on their precious land.

Can the minister tell this House why this isn’t happening?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: There have been many conversations—informal conversations—over the past few years, and I want to clarify that the formal process begins now. There was a business decision that was made, and that business decision meant that the processor will be in the Sudbury area. I was in Thunder Bay to talk with the First Nations about beginning that formal process.

This is a huge opportunity for the whole north. We know that part of the potential success of this project is that we need to work with First Nations. What we’ve said is that we need to talk about economic development opportunities, supports, workforce readiness, skills and training. We need to talk about family wellness and well-being, including addiction treatment and access to health services. And we need to talk about education, skills and training. All of that is part of the conversation that begins now.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jeff Leal: That certainly was a detailed and comprehensive response.

The minister mentioned that now is the time to get this work started. We know that First Nations in northern Ontario want to be involved in this work and want to have a say so that they’re sure to benefit from this outstanding, once-in-a-generation opportunity.

Can the minister tell this House how we’re going to involve our First Nation partners so they can take advantage of all the benefits and opportunities that will become available with the announcement that was made yesterday?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As a start, what Ontario is proposing is that we set up a formal tripartite discussion with the federal government and with the First Nation communities to start to talk about those important industrial, environmental, and health and social supports that need to be in place.

But I want to make a bigger point here. This is a very important moment in Ontario’s history. When the history is written, what will it say? Will the history say that at this juncture, Ontario was not able to work with all of the parties, was not able to capitalize on this huge resource and bring everyone to the table—and First Nations must be at that table with us, making those decisions. Or will the history books say that we collectively devolved into partisan wrangling and were unable to capitalize for future generations? I hope that’s not the route that we choose.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Mr. Jeff Yurek: My question is to the Minister of Health. For the third time since 2006, Minister, your government has decreased the price of generic drugs. History will show that a reduction in the prices is actually increasing the shortages in availability of drugs.

For my first 11 years as a pharmacist, shortages were few and far between. But since 2006, shortages are a daily occurrence—shortages such as warfarin, a blood thinner that keeps people alive; amitriptyline, an antidepressant; primidone for epilepsy; and phenobarbital for epilepsy.

Minister, what also occurs here is that single-source drugs increase. You only have to look as far as Sandoz as to what occurs when there are too many single-source drugs on the market. When one little thing occurs, shortages drastically increase.

Minister, do you consider the aspect of people having the availability to access the drugs they need or do you just look at the bottom line?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, I’m a bit surprised, I must confess, to have this question from a member who actually owns a number of pharmacies in his community.

I do know, Speaker, that pharmacists were not happy with the changes we made to bring down the price of generic drugs, but I think that their warning that there would be closures of pharmacies, that people would not be able to access drugs, has actually not borne out to have happened. In fact, we’ve got more pharmacies in Ontario than we had before we took on the price of generic drugs.

The issue of shortages is an important one. I can tell the member opposite that the best information I have indicates that there is absolutely no relationship between drug shortages and the changes we’ve made to generic drugs. If he has information to the contrary, I’d be very interested in having him share that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Back to the minister. Minister, I’m proud to be a pharmacist and a health care professional, and my focus in life is the safety and the care of my patients.

Minister, you’ve announced that 10 of the drugs will have reductions, yet you haven’t taken into consideration how the list is going to be maintained and what happens when new drugs move onto the market that are going to be high-volume and high-cost. In fact, you’ve sprung this decision without consulting with the industry and without consulting with patients. Minister, can you tell your patients why you make such serious and drastic decisions without consulting with industry and the patients?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’m actually very proud of the changes that we have made to the pricing of generic drugs. We have saved $600 million per year as the result of the drug reforms.

For a representative from a party who is saying that we’re spending too much but then cannot support us as we actually make those tough decisions to bring down the price of generic drugs, I’m just a bit confused, Speaker.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of the Environment will withdraw.

Hon. James J. Bradley: I withdraw, yes.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me; stop the clock. He is right, but technically, quite frankly there is an order that allows someone to bring clarity to that question.

Minister of Health.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: As I say, I’m proud of the changes that we’ve made. I’m proud that we’ve been able to bring down the price of drugs not just for the government but for the public as well. These are important changes, and I will continue to drive the best value for health care dollars.

ONTARIO NORTHLAND

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Premier. Premier, a simple question: Does your government believe that all citizens of this province have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and would your government stand in the way of those rights at any time?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: This is a trick question.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Wait for the supplementary.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I don’t see it, but I sense that there’s a trap here, Speaker, and I look forward to the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Mr. Speaker, the trap happens to be how people in northern Ontario are feeling. Imagine how they felt yesterday when the Ministry of Transportation contacted the union and said that the Ministry of Transportation would be taking all of the signs off the highway on Highways 11 and 17 that are expressing their displeasure when it comes to the privatization of the ONTC.

So I ask you again: Does your government believe that the people of this province have the right to freedom of expression? If so, will you reverse that decision by the Ministry of Transportation?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I believe, and I stand to be corrected in this regard, that there are some very definitive signage policies with respect to locating signs on our highways. That has a lot to do with, of course, public safety and maintaining focus on the road ahead as opposed to signs on the side. I suspect that any decisions in that regard were founded entirely on public safety principles, and I will encourage my honourable colleague to understand that and to respect our shared responsibility to make sure that our roads are safe at all times.

PESTICIDES

Mr. Phil McNeely: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Our government is committed to protecting families and children through tough new laws, including a new toxics reduction strategy to reduce pollution and protect Ontarians from toxic chemicals. One such enforcement measure was the introduction of the cosmetic pesticides ban. It has been nearly three years since this ban came into effect in Ontario.

Speaker, through you, would the Minister of the Environment please provide the House with an update on the implementation of the cosmetic pesticides ban since it was introduced?

Hon. James J. Bradley: Mr. Speaker, to protect Ontario families and, indeed, to improve our environment, our government brought in the cosmetic pesticides ban, and that came into effect on April 22, 2009. It’s one of the toughest in the world.

It reduces the unnecessary risk of pesticides being used for cosmetic purposes. More than 90 pesticide ingredients are banned for cosmetic purposes. The ministry has visited over 1,100 retail pesticide vendors to conduct outreach and education and to assess compliance with the requirements of the ban since it was implemented.

Here’s an interesting fact: Since the ban come into effect, concentrations of pesticides in urban water streams have decreased about 80%.

We will continue to focus on outreach and education, helping Ontarians learn how to care for their lawns and gardens using greener products and practices.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Phil McNeely: I would like to thank the minister for his answer.

You know, we lost this ban of cosmetic use of pesticides when I was on council in the city of Ottawa—we lost the vote on that, and we worked hard to do it.

Reducing the use, creation and release of toxic substances into the environment is crucial to protecting the health of Ontarians, especially our children. I understand that the Ministry of the Environment has been working collaboratively on a reporting system under the Toxics Reduction Act whereby companies have to track the amount of toxics they use.

Through you, Speaker, I wonder if the minister could elaborate on this reporting system.

Hon. James J. Bradley: I’ll certainly be pleased to do so. One significant initiative our government has taken is, of course, the Toxics Reduction Act. The act protects the health of the people and the environment by reducing the use and emission of toxic substances. It also aims to foster innovations in green chemistry and green engineering to make manufacturing and mineral processing safer.

The act is the cornerstone of Ontario’s toxic reduction strategy, which is focused on managing and reducing the use and creation of toxic substances in order to protect the environment and human health, informing the public about toxics in their communities, and helping to ensure that Ontario is well positioned to compete in an emerging green global economy.

Since January 1, 2012, an anticipated 670 facilities are now subject to the act’s reporting on toxic reduction planning regulation—

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

MEMBERS’ BIRTHDAYS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order, member from Cambridge.

Mr. Rob Leone: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I beg the indulgence of the House as I wish our youngest member of caucus, the member for Kitchener–Conestoga, a happy birthday.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m sure we obviously all offer the member a happy birthday.

A point of order from the member from Parkdale–High Park.

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I tried to get him to stay, but he ran away. Anybody who sees one of our older members of caucus today, from Trinity–Spadina—he’s turning the new 40, let’s just say that. Please wish him a happy birthday when you see him in the hall.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I think there’s a magic moment in which all of us don’t want to keep track of our birthdays, but we’ll leave that alone for now.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands adjourned until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1140 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: It gives me great pleasure to introduce in the House today Daljeet Singh. He’s the chairman for Dharam Parchar Committee, which is with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee in New Delhi, India. Also with Mr. Daljeet Singh, we have Ranbir Singh, who is the director of United Sikhs; and a good friend of mine, Harbaljeet Singh. I’d like to welcome them all to the Legislature today.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We welcome our guests. Thank you for joining us.

Introduction of guests? The member from Durham.

Mr. John O’Toole: I’m anticipating that they will attend shortly. Arnold and Gail Kerry are constituents of mine. They’re here to pay respects to their grandson Brady, who’s one of the pages here. Brady is here and I’m sure he’s waiting for them.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. The member from Burlington.

Mrs. Jane McKenna: Mine aren’t here yet either, but I’d like to welcome, from Burlington, June Rutherford, David Love, Charmaine Love, Penny Millar and Cal Millar, who should be showing up any minute.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

GARTH WEBB

Mrs. Jane McKenna: Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise to mark the passing of one of my constituents earlier this week. Garth Webb, a D-Day veteran and true Canadian hero, died at Burlington’s Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at the age of 93. I would like to extend heartfelt condolences to his wife, Lisa Cooper, his family, and his friends.

Garth’s distinguished service to his country did not end on the battlefields of Europe. He went on to honour the memory of his countrymen as president and founder of the Juno Beach Centre in Normandy. Garth Webb came to that seaside town as a young man carrying the flame of freedom. He was a lieutenant with the 14th Field Regiment of the Royal Canadian Artillery when Canadian forces landed on D-Day, 1944.

More than half a century later, Garth was another sort of hero, the driving force behind the Juno Beach Centre project, which he championed right up to the opening on the 59th anniversary of D-Day.

The Juno Beach Centre is a place of living memory. It documents the war efforts made by all Canadians, civilian and military alike, at home and on the various front lines, during the Second World War.

Garth Webb’s funeral will be held this Saturday in Burlington. On the same day, people will gather at the Juno Beach Centre to say goodbye to this remarkable man.

Garth Webb’s bravery and leadership in peacetime, as in war, will forever stand as a testament to the towering character of his generation. He will be missed but will never be forgotten.

ONTARIO NORTHLAND

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Mr. John Vanthof: Mining is once again the driver of Ontario’s economy. In Timiskaming–Cochrane, companies like Kirkland Gold, AuRico and Detour are creating thousands of jobs and adding hundreds of millions of dollars to the province’s economy.

Forestry was also a booming industry, but booms once past are quickly forgotten, as are the people whose hard work made them happen, like seniors in Iroquois Falls, Kirkland Lake and Cochrane. In the mines and mills, their sweat built this province, but now, since the cancellation of the ONR passenger rail service, they will be left with no form of public transportation other than buses—maybe—to get to medical appointments or see their families.

Forgotten as well are the companies who use the freight side of the ONTC, companies like Kidd Creek, Resolute and Columbia. Their costs will rise, and the increased use of trucks will make our one two-lane highway even more treacherous.

Not only does the Liberal government believe that we do not deserve the same level of service as other Ontarians, but they are leaving us out of the loop completely regarding the destiny of our public transportation system. And now, MNDM and MTO have ordered the removal of signs protesting the sale of ONTC. Free speech is no longer allowed in the northern colonies.

The Premier needs to represent all Ontarians by including northerners in decisions that impact us, like the fate of our public transportation system. The north is more than gold and chromite. It is people who want to be proud Ontarians, not just a colony of the GTA and Bay Street.

JAMIESON LABORATORIES

Mrs. Teresa Piruzza: It is my pleasure today to rise to mark an important milestone for one of our most cherished corporate citizens. Today, Jamieson Laboratories, Canada’s oldest and largest vitamin and natural health products manufacturer, celebrates 90 years of innovation.

Opening in 1922 as North America’s first vitamin manufacturer, Jamieson cut its own path as a pioneer in the natural health care market.

The Jamieson name is also synonymous with integrity. The company’s Windsor-based production facilities adhere to the rigorous 360 Pure Promise, a guarantee that every single product passes a minimum of 360 quality assurance steps. Jamieson continuously exceeds the safety standards set by both Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration. Jamieson is also a successful global brand, distributing more than 200 products in over 50 countries.

Jamieson deserves recognition for something else as well: its environmental leadership. Through the Jamieson Cares initiative, the company has a list of impressive green achievements: partnering with Essex Regional Conservation Authority, reducing manufacturing-related energy, and providing $100,000 in grants to non-profit organizations to protect Canada’s wilderness.

Speaker, as Canada’s most trusted vitamin brand and a truly inspiring made-in-Ontario success story, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jamieson Laboratories on its 90th anniversary.

ORCHARDS

Mr. John O’Toole: I rise today to alert members to a potential crisis in the agricultural community. Members no doubt will be familiar with a recent media report of as high as an 80% loss in some orchard products this year. The problem has been a very warm, early spring, followed by a severe frost that killed the buds and the blooms.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve taken the time to speak to the growers in my riding of Durham. They are indeed leaders in the industry: Kirk Kemp and Mike Gibson of Algoma Orchards; Fred and Sandy Archibald of Archibald Orchards and Estate Winery; Irwin and Alissa Smith of Ocala Orchards Farm Winery; Charles and Judy Stevens of Wilmot Orchards; Ted, Paul and Tami Watson of Watson Farms; Walter and Colleen Pingle of Pingle Orchards and Gardens; James Stevenson and Catherine McKay of Nature’s Bounty; and William Hambly of Siloam Orchards.

As I said before, this is a very serious challenge. I have spoken to the Minister of Agriculture on this. I know that he’s aware of the issue, and I would only expect that he has an escape plan.

In the few seconds I have left, I also want to take time to say that this is Catholic Education Week in Ontario, from May 6 to May 11. The theme this year is Walking in the Light of Christ. I wish the Catholic school boards in Ontario best wishes in Catholic Education Week in Ontario.

YWCA HAMILTON WOMEN

OF DISTINCTION AWARDS

Miss Monique Taylor: I’m so proud and privileged to be able to stand on behalf of the women of distinction that happened in the Hamilton area last night: 60 women were nominated for their great community work in the service that they do in the city. It was the 36th annual Women of Distinction Awards held by the Hamilton YWCA. They put on a fabulous ceremony last night.

I would love to name the 10 women who were given the distinction award. It would be Lucene Charles, Jeanette Eby, Marni Flaherty, Loretta Hill-Finamore, Cheryl Jensen, Patricia Jordan, Mary Koziol, Jan Lukas, Krista Warnke and Lorna Zaremba. I congratulate these women for all of their great work, and I do congratulate all of the 60 nominees who were honoured to be just nominated for this position last night in Hamilton. I thank them for all the great work that they do in our community, because we know that without volunteers in our community, we would not get half the stuff done that needs to be done. So, congratulations to them all.

Thank you for giving me the time to speak on this matter today, Mr. Speaker.

HUMBER RIVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Mr. Mario Sergio: I’m proud to report that the new state-of-the-art and first fully digital hospital in North America, Ontario’s own Humber River Regional Hospital, is under construction and drawing praise and attention in our community and throughout the wider region.

I am proud to report to the House that the much-appreciated and most significant contribution to the Humber River Regional Hospital construction is from one of our own community’s most active and recognized businesses. A few days ago, the Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union stepped up with a $1-million contribution to the construction of our new hospital. This incredible response to the needs of our community by the Italian Canadian Savings and Credit Union reflects the generosity and community spirit of this young institution. Their contribution of $1 million represents IC Savings and Credit Union’s strong desire to be a partner with local groups and organizations.

To honour this most significant donation, Humber River Regional Hospital will name the emergency triage waiting area after IC Savings and Credit Union.

I send a heartfelt thanks to IC Savings and Credit Union and my congratulations to Humber River Regional Hospital. This speaks well for the community. I’m very happy, and I want to congratulate all of them involved.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS

Mr. Jim McDonell: Ontario’s success depends so much on the initiative and hard work of our citizens and their commitments to their communities.

Recently, I had the pleasure to attend awards ceremonies in South Stormont and South Glengarry where they honoured their residents for outstanding work in the community.

In South Stormont, Alan Jodoin was honoured with the 2011 Fran Laflamme Volunteer of the Year Award. Alan has contributed countless hours over the past three decades as part of the OPP auxiliary. I have seen him at most events I attend as he’s there to help out the community host their events.

In South Glengarry, the 2011 citizen of the year award was handed out to Rick and Lise Marvell. Although relatively new to our area, the two have had a huge impact on the community, always there when called upon. They’re members of the Williamstown Fair board, the oldest fair in Ontario and Canada, St. Mary’s Centre, Cornwall and Area New-Timers and much, much more.

In addition, South Glengarry also honoured—the youth merit award went to Kara Sinnott; entrepreneur of the year to the Village Diner; excellence in agriculture to Kerrydale Farms; community service award to Elisabeth and John Peters; business of the year to the Bob-T Tack Shop; and outstanding achievement award to the Quilt of Belonging.

These caring and energetic recipients are just a few of the many great examples of people who we see every day in communities across the province.

PHENYLKETONURIA

Mr. Bob Delaney: Phenylketonuria, commonly known as PKU, is a rare, inherited metabolic disease. People with PKU are missing an enzyme to break down protein in food, specifically one amino acid. Because this amino acid cannot be fully processed, it builds up in the blood and the excess amounts cross the blood-brain barrier. When this happens, brain damage and other neurological problems occur. The good new is that if caught early, people with PKU can live productive and fulfilling lives if they adhere to a special diet.

PKU affects about one baby in 12,000 in Canada. A baby with PKU does not show signs or symptoms until after irreversible harm has occurred.

Speaker, this is just one example of why Newborn Screening Ontario, Canada’s most comprehensive newborn screening program, is such an important part of our health care system. PKU is just one of 28 inherited, treatable diseases that Newborn Screening Ontario checks all newborn babies in Ontario for.

I’m very pleased that joining us in the Legislature today are representatives of CanPKU, including the Baigorria family from Mississauga–Streetsville, who are here to meet with members to raise awareness of this rare genetic disorder.

PARRY SOUND SALVATION ARMY

Mr. Norm Miller: Last Saturday, I had the privilege of celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Parry Sound Salvation Army at a dinner and gala concert held at the Parry Sound Pentecostal Tabernacle.

One hundred and twenty-five years is a long time to serve the community. In my job as MPP, I see first-hand the good work the Salvation Army does in our community to help those in need with food, shelter, gifts at Christmas and emotional support. Over 125 years, their mission has not changed and their value to the community has not wavered.

They are currently the largest non-governmental provider of social services in the west Parry Sound district, and they have just come through one of their busiest Christmas seasons on record.

I was hosted by Captain Peter van Duinen, corps officer of the Salvation Army’s Rainbow Country Church, and his spouse, Captain Leeann van Duinen. I also had the pleasure of meeting his parents, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Susan van Duinen, Ontario central east divisional commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Dirk van Duinen, area commander for the greater Toronto area; the event was very much a family affair. The van Duinens demonstrate a level of devotion to public service and charity that is deeply humbling.

Much has changed since 1887. The invaluable service that the Parry Sound Salvation Army provides to those in need has not. I congratulate and thank Captain van Duinen and the Parry Sound Salvation Army on this very special occasion.

PRIVATE MEMBERS’

PUBLIC BUSINESS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that, pursuant to standing order 98(c), a change has been made to the order of precedence on the ballot list for private members’ public business such that Mr. Milligan assumes ballot item number 51 and Mr. Nicholls assumes ballot item number 41, Mr. Barrett assumes ballet item number 46 and Mr. Pettapiece assumes ballot item number 54, and Mr. Yurek assu