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April 9, 2018

41st Parliament, 3rd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2018-Apr-09 (PDF)

L009 - Mon 9 Apr 2018 / Lun 9 avr 2018

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 9 April 2018 Lundi 9 avril 2018

Introduction of Visitors

Accident in Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Oral Questions

Executive compensation

Provincial debt

Dental care

Dental care

Teachers’ collective bargaining

Hospital funding

Public libraries

Member’s comments

Dental care

Broadband infrastructure

Fire safety

Environmental protection

Indigenous children and youth

Hospital funding

Consumer protection

Notices of dissatisfaction

Speaker’s birthday

Members’ Statements

Hockey

Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Rick Lund

Accident in Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Oncology Nursing Day

Organ and tissue donation

Ontario budget

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Use of prop in the House

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Introduction of Bills

Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 sur le Jour commémoratif du massacre de Nanjing

Petitions

Fish and wildlife management

Mental health services

Health care funding

Bombardier lands

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Mental health services

Correctional services

Animal protection

Accident benefits

Injured workers

Government services

Orders of the Day

Pay Transparency Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 sur la transparence salariale

Correctional Services Transformation Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 sur la transformation des services correctionnels

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): This being the first sitting Monday of the month, I ask everyone to please join in the singing of the Canadian national anthem.

Singing of O Canada.

Introduction of Visitors

Hon. Bill Mauro: I’d like to welcome four students from the Ontario Medical Students Association—I’ll be meeting with them this afternoon: Josée Malette from Thunder Bay, Northern Ontario School of Medicine; Grace Zhao from the University of Toronto; Mallory Jackman from London, University of Western Ontario; and Alexandra Kilian from Hamilton, McMaster.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: For Cindy Forster, MPP for Welland, I would like to introduce page Amelia Wendling and her father, Kevin Wendling. He will be here in the gallery this morning. Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Nathalie Des Rosiers: I’d like to introduce some students from the Ontario Medical Students Association—I will be meeting with them this afternoon: Sam Seyedin, who lives in the beautiful riding of Ottawa–Vanier; Julia Shen, who studies at the University of Ottawa; Maham Bushra; and Andy Zeng.

Hon. Marie-France Lalonde: It gives me great pleasure to welcome the mother of one of our employees, one of my staff in our office: Madame Vesna Milevska, who is here this morning watching question period. We welcome her to Queen’s Park.

Mr. James J. Bradley: I’d like to welcome today to the Legislative Assembly Julien Lu, Andréanne Chaumont, Jonathan Tebbi and Jamie Riggs, medical students who I’ll be meeting with later today.

Mr. Granville Anderson: I’d like to welcome Sophie Hamilton, who is starting today as a legislative page from my great riding of Durham.

Also, I’d like to welcome another constituent of mine, Charlotte Fuller, who is here today with the Ontario Medical Students Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

M me Gila Martow: Je veux donner un très grand accueil à Peter Hominuk et aussi Carol Jolin de « mon assemblée ». La fille de Peter, Émilie Hominuk, est une page avec nous. Alors, bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

M me France Gélinas: Moi aussi, j’aimerais souligner la présence de Peter Hominuk, Carol Jolin et Stewart Kiff, qui sont ici dans la galerie aujourd’hui pour l’annonce du premier conseil des gouverneurs de l’université franco. Bienvenue.

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: I would like to welcome the Ontario medical students from my riding of Kingston and the Islands: Julia Lew, Lia Mesbah-Oskui and Avrilynn Ding. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’m happy to introduce my Girls’ Government group from Vista Hills Public School: teacher Ms. Kristin Rahian, and students Jolie Diederik, Shengyu Gao, Tulja Gobburu, Mitraa Nazikar, Amelia Smith, Izzy St. Pierre, Kate Woo, Michelle Xu and Zillin Ye—you can see this is a very multicultural school, right, Mr. Speaker?

I’m also happy to introduce Iris Bednarski from Kitchener Collegiate Institute, who is also joining us today, and Carly Pettinger, my constituency assistant from Waterloo.

Lastly, I would like to introduce the folks from the University of Waterloo Federation of Students: Andrew Clubine, Hannah Beckett, Jennifer Chen and Maya Venters. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: It gives me great pleasure to introduce this morning a number of grade 10 and 11 international students from Bloor Collegiate Institute in my riding of Davenport, and to welcome their teachers, Matthew Douglas and Fatima Zahid. Welcome to Queen’s Park, students.

Hon. Charles Sousa: It gives me great pleasure to introduce Sheila Carneiro and her daughter, Claudia. They’re here to support the Interim Place women’s shelter in south Mississauga. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Ça me fait bien plaisir d’accueillir en Chambre, à

titre de députée d’Ottawa–Orléans, un page qu’on a ici, Maxime Dufault, qui va partager le temps avec nous dans les prochaines semaines, et aussi son papa, François Dufault, qui est dans la galerie. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

Hon. Daiene Vernile: I’m delighted to welcome to Queen’s Park today the family of Colin Robinson, who is serving as our page captain. We have joining us his mother, Brooke Robinson, and sister Taylor Robinson. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’d also like to welcome Andrew Clubine to Queen’s Park, who, in addition to being involved with the University of Waterloo Feds, is also the president of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I too want to welcome all of the students who are visiting us here today from the Ontario Medical Students Association, in particular the students I will be meeting with this afternoon: Adrina Zhong, Judy Truong, Lia Mesbah-Oskui, who lives in my riding of Davenport, and Priya Dhir, who goes to school in Davenport. Welcome to the students.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Écoutez, ce matin, tel que mentionné, on a nommé le premier conseil des gouverneurs. J’aimerais reconnaître la présence, dans la galerie, des jeunes de la FESFO qui sont avec nous, et aussi de l’AFO. On a mentionné leurs noms. Je les félicite et je les remercie beaucoup de leur engagement communautaire.

Accident in Humboldt, Saskatchewan

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Premier on a point of order.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Point of order, Mr. Speaker: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence before question period as a sign of this House’s condolences for the victims of the devastating Humboldt Broncos bus crash in Saskatchewan this weekend.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Premier is seeking unanimous consent for a moment’s silence. Do we agree? Agreed.

I would ask everyone in the House to please rise to observe a moment of silence in respect of the deceased.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

Oral Questions

Executive compensation

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

Premier, one of these CEO salaries is not like the others:

—Manitoba Hydro, $466,000;

—SaskPower, $481,000;

—BC Hydro, $489,000;

—Quebec hydro, $543,000;

—Hydro One, $6.2 million.

Mr. Speaker, how does the Premier justify her “Six Million Dollar Man”?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: It is very important that we acknowledge and recognize that executive salaries are high compared to the vast majority of Ontario salaries, and we remain committed to Hydro One’s regulation, accountability and transparency through our government’s involvement as a majority shareholder. That said, Hydro One is now a publicly traded company, not a government entity.

Hydro One also reports that 80% of the company’s CEO compensation is paid out only if aggressive performance targets are met, targets that lead to more affordable bills for customers.

Since broadening the ownership of Hydro One, the company’s leadership has already made $114 million in savings for their customers. These significant savings have been realized through enhancements to customer service and the company’s commitment to lowering costs for the ratepayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Premier: Last year was a windfall for Hydro One execs. The millionaires’ club is a sight to behold:

—the president and CEO, Mayo Schmidt, $6.2 million, and that’s after an increase, just this year alone, of $1.7 million;

—the former CFO, $1.2 million;

—the senior vice-president and acting CFO, just under $1 million.

The COO made $2.1 million, one executive vice-president made $2 million, and another, $1.9 million.

This is outrageous, Speaker. They all make more money than the CEOs of any other hydro company.

While the average family struggles to make ends meet, how does the Premier justify paying her millionaires’ club?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Once again, Hydro One’s rates continue to be set by the Ontario Energy Board, and when taking this into consideration—the board is the energy sector’s independent regulator, with a mandate to protect the province’s electricity consumers, and it continues to deliver on its mandate. For instance, last fall, the board capped the portion of executive compensation at Hydro One for electricity customers. They’re required to fund that at 10% of base salaries, saving ratepayers $30 million over this year and next.

We understand that affordability is critical for families and businesses, which is why we launched the fair hydro plan, which reduced rates by 25%, on average, for all residential customers and as many as half a million small businesses and farms.

Once again, it is important to emphasize that this salary is only paid if aggressive performance targets are met, targets that lead to more affordable bills for ratepayers.

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

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Premier: I can’t believe this government is defending this. The Premier once said, “Any decision of that ... magnitude would require a two-thirds majority of the Hydro One board of directors, which means that having 40% ownership protects us.” She added, “With 40% ownership of the board, that would require that the people of Ontario have a say.”

She went one step further, Speaker, and said, “Will there be the ability of the government to retain control over major decisions because of that 40% ownership? Yes, Mr. Speaker.” That means, Speaker, the Premier is responsible for these outrageous salaries. How can the Premier be trusted when she is signing off on the $6-million salary?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Once again, we recognize that these executive salaries are high compared to the vast majority of Ontario salaries, and we remain committed to Hydro One’s regulation and accountability and transparency through our government’s involvement as a majority shareholder, Mr. Speaker.

But let’s look at what the opposition is claiming. They’re claiming they’re concerned about lowering electricity bills, but when it came time for them to take action, what did they do? They voted against the fair hydro plan. Now, because they don’t support fighting climate change, they’ll have to cut billions in programs that Ontarians count on every single day. They’ll have to cut programs like free child care, like OHIP+, like free tuition or dental and prescription coverage.

Unlike their half-baked scheme, Ontarians know that we have a plan to increase fairness and create more opportunity. We’ll continue to do that for the people of Ontario. We’ll continue to act to make sure we’ve got their best interests at heart.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): In this round of questions, you’ve asked me to put warnings on, and I shall. We’re in warnings.

New question.

Provincial debt

Mr. Victor Fedeli: My question is for the Premier. The member from Mississauga–Streetsville is proud of this government’s debt. He specifically said, “We have tripled”—referring to the debt—“and we’re proud of it....”

The people of Ontario want to know if the Premier shares these sentiments. Mr. Speaker, is the Premier proud that she has saddled our grandchildren with her debt?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Speaker, let me just talk about the plan that we have been implementing and that we are going to continue to build on as we bring our budget forward.

What we know is that there are people across this province, whether it’s a family with a teenager who’s looking for mental health challenges—and I know that the Girls’ Government group is going to be talking about mental health today—whether it’s a young mom who wants to get back into work but can’t find child care that she can afford, or whether it’s someone working in a minimum wage job who, today, has more money in his pocket—

Mr. John Yakabuski: Mayo Schmidt isn’t in a minimum wage job.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke is warned.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —because minimum wage is now $14 an hour and will go to $15 an hour. Those are the people we are fighting for, Mr. Speaker. That is the care we know is needed in this province, and that is what we are proud of.

Interjections.

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

Supplementary.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Premier: What we do know is that this government has put our province’s future in doubt. In no way at all is tripling the debt a responsible thing to do. Ontario has the highest debt of any province or state on the entire planet, Speaker. This is crowding out the services we all depend on, like health care and education, which is why this Premier fired 1,600 nurses and closed 600 schools—more than any other government in the history of our province. This debt is putting an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren. The government’s debt is the reason they cut services, instead of caring about families.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I know that the member opposite knows that we’ve built 800 schools, and he knows that we’ve renovated another 780.

The reality is that if we do not make these investments in people, then we will be in a situation where our economy will not continue to grow.

We have balanced the budget this year. We’ve made investments in infrastructure across the province. And we know that at this moment what is needed in Ontario is an investment in people—an investment in their care, an investment in giving them the tools so that they can care for themselves and they can care for their families.

Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is standing up for a party that has promised that they will cut billions out of education, billions out of health care and billions out of services to people in this province. That’s not our plan—

Interjections.

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

The member from Nepean–Carleton is warned.

And I do know that someone in a certain area did say something unparliamentary. If I actually knew exactly who it was, I’d ask them to withdraw.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m not playing.

Final supplementary.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Premier: Well, the people are disappointed that making up stories for political gain seems to be the new approach of the Premier.

Quite frankly, we are shocked that this Premier is defending the member from Mississauga–Streetsville. What else does she defend from this member? He has advocated for higher taxes on hard-working families. On his website, the member from Mississauga–Streetsville called on the federal government to raise the GST by 1%. He wrote: “The feds” should “restore one percentage point of the GST, removed during the previous decade, raising it to 6%....” Mr. Speaker, does the Premier support the member’s statement on new taxes as well? Is she going to be calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to raise the GST?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I invite the member opposite to read our budget, Mr. Speaker. I invite the member opposite to look at the policies that we’re putting in place. I invite the member opposite to talk to the people in his community who are looking for child care, who are looking for mental health services—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for Leeds–Grenville is warned.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —and who are working at minimum wage. I invite the member opposite to talk to those people and ask them their thoughts on getting more support.

Mr. Speaker, we know that this party is capable of cutting billions out of the public service, out of education, out of health care. They’ve done it before, and they would do it again. We’re not going to stand for that.

Interjections.

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Children and Youth Services is warned.

New question.

Dental care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my question is for the Premier.

The Premier seems to think that children’s dental care costs $50 a year, because that’s how much is in her Liberal budget to look after kids’ teeth. I haven’t heard of many dentists’ offices that will clean a child’s teeth, do an X-ray, a checkup, maybe fill a cavity for 50 bucks. If she has, I know a lot of parents will want that phone number.

Does the Premier know any dentist who will actually look after a child’s teeth for 50 bucks, and will she give out that telephone number to the parents of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I actually have no quarrel with the leader of the third party that there needs to be support for families in this province for dental care and pharmacare. We recognize that. We put in place OHIP+. And for years, we’ve been working on the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, on expanding it.

There are 450,000 kids who access important dental services through the Healthy Smiles Ontario program, so this is not a new issue for us. This is something that we have been working on, that we recognize needs more work.

I’m very happy that the leader of the third party is now coming onside and is concerned about this.

We will continue to work with the dentists and with the community to find ways of supporting. But this money that is in our budget, Mr. Speaker, will help families to access more support for their kids.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, Hamilton’s medical officer of health says that 42% of grade 2 students in Hamilton have tooth decay. Fifty bucks per child won’t fix that—and neither has this Liberal government’s Healthy Smiles Ontario program. Promising to send voters a $50 cheque isn’t a dental plan. It looks more like vote buying.

The Liberals have ignored people’s—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader will withdraw.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Withdraw, Speaker.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Promising to send voters a $50 cheque isn’t a dental plan. The voters can decide for themselves exactly what it is.

The Liberals have ignored people’s dental care needs for 15 years. Is this Liberal Premier trying to get votes or trying to get kids to the dentist?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I said, for a number of years, we have been putting more supports in place for Healthy Smiles Ontario, all of which improvements the leader and her party have voted against. Let’s just be clear about what this program is. There would be reimbursements of up to a maximum of $400 per single person, $600 per couple and $700 for a family of four with two children.

Mr. Speaker, I know that it is not all that is needed. I know that there’s more that needs to be done. We will continue to find ways to support families as they look for care for their kids. But we’re also putting in place free preschool child care. We’re expanding the free tuition program. It is not in isolation that we are putting these programs in place. We understand that people need support. Putting some dental care and pharmacare in place is part of that, but it’s part of a much bigger package of support that we recognize families need across the province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Premier doesn’t actually have a plan to ensure that children in Ontario can see a dentist. That’s obvious.

Doug Ford and the Conservatives would be even worse, quite frankly. The solution to a bad choice isn’t picking something worse.

New Democrats will ensure that every child in Ontario can see a dentist no matter where they live or how much money their parents earn.

Why doesn’t the Premier believe in universal access to dental care, Speaker?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I believe in universal access. The leader of the third party talks about universal access, and yet the small plan for pharmacare that she put forward would only have covered 110 prescription medications. Our program, which is universal for all children from their birth till their 25th birthday—and next year for seniors—will cover all 4,400 medications.

So we come at this from a different angle, but I believe that we both understand that were we to build a medicare system today, pharmacare and dental care would be part of that. Unfortunately, we can’t roll the clock back to 1969, and so we are building in those supports. But do I believe that they need to be broader and they need to be national? Absolutely. I will continue to fight for that.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Maybe she should roll the clock back to 2003. They could have got started back then.

Perhaps we should have a Premier who understands what the word “universality” means.

Dental care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my next question is to the Premier. Last week, I met Garry in Oshawa, who told me about having to pull his own tooth because he couldn’t afford the dental work. He has a hole in his mouth now and can only chew on the left side of his mouth. Worse than pulling his own tooth was having to leave the dentist’s office with his son, unable to afford the filling and knowing that his child would have to wait months in pain until he could afford the dental filling—a delay that made the cavity worse, made the pain worse and made the work more expensive. This should not be happening in Ontario.

For 15 years, the Liberals didn’t help Garry or his son or many, many families like them, and their dental scheme still wouldn’t. Why not?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care is going to want to comment, but we have not waited until now to address this issue. The leader of the third party would perpetuate that, but that is not true. We have been building the Healthy Smiles Ontario program. We recognize that there is a huge challenge for families across the province. This budget introduces a benefit, a new Ontario Drug and Dental Program. It will reimburse families up to $700 for a family, a couple with two children. We’ve also committed to extending public dental programs to low-income adults by 2025.

We recognize that there is a problem. We have been working to solve it. We will continue to work to solve it. This is not a new issue, even though the leader of the third party has come to this issue of late. We have been working to find solutions. We’ve been working with the dental community. We will continue to do that. In the interim, we are putting this program in place.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, I guess the Premier forgot about the other question, when I talked about the 42% of grade 2 students with dental decay. That shows you how ineffective their Healthy Smiles program has been.

Jordan Dottori is studying to be a social worker in Sarnia. She wants to make Ontario a better place for people. She is lucky to have some dental coverage at school, but it’s only $500, which she splits between her care and the care of her son. Last week, she found out that she is going to need $1,200 worth of work to fix an abscessed tooth. Even with her insurance and with the Premier’s plan, Jordan would be out of pocket, so she can’t afford to get her abscess done.

Jordan needs full dental coverage. Jordan’s son needs full dental coverage. Why doesn’t the Premier get that?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Certainly our government recognizes the importance of good oral health care for the people in this province. That’s precisely why we have, through the years that we’ve been in government, been expanding our programs in this regard.

The Premier has mentioned the Healthy Smiles program. This has expanded coverage, and now covers some 470,000 children across this province for important dental services. It includes free preventive, routine and emergency dental services for children and youth from low-income households across the province, and there is no limit to our funding for the Healthy Smiles program. We work with dentists to ensure that every single eligible child has the necessary services available. And of course, with our budget, we have extended this coverage to vulnerable people in a case where they do not have any extended health benefits themselves.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I believe in universal health care. The Premier and her government have spent 15 years overcrowding hospitals.

I believe in pharmacare for everyone. The Premier is picking and choosing who she thinks will help her win an election.

I believe everyone should be able to see a dentist. The Premier wants to pay for only half of a child’s filling.

Why doesn’t the Premier believe in health and dental care for everyone?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Of course, we didn’t pick which drugs to cover in our OHIP+ coverage. We cover all the drugs under the Ontario Drug Benefit plan, those that are deemed eligible for that plan.

And of course, we have been providing dental care in many different ways to vulnerable people in Ontario. Our government does provide dental benefits for individuals receiving income support under the Ontario Disability Support Program. For those who are on Ontario Works, they also may receive dental coverage when in need of emergency dental care or to help them get back on their feet and participate in employment assistance activities.

We have taken many steps to improve dental care in this province, and our budget takes it to the next level. People will be receiving up to 80% of eligible expenditures to a certain limit. It’s an excellent step forward.

Teachers’ collective bargaining

Sam Hammond, president of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, called the payment “outrageous.” He went on to say, “Is this a way for the Liberals to reward their political allies and retaliate against ETFO and others for successfully challenging the government’s violation of our charter rights?”

Does the Liberal government share the concerns of Ontario’s major teachers’ unions?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Education.

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: I’m pleased to rise and speak about this very important issue, and to create some clarity about what’s going on. First of all, I want to make sure that the member opposite understands that the Superior Court directed all parties to work together to reach a resolution on remedy, and so they directed all of us to do that. I’m pleased to say that we have reached agreements with the OSSTF, OPSEU, CUPE and Unifor.

In addition to this, this is also about mitigating further risks and further constitutional challenges, so we are moving forward by ensuring that our school systems continue to run smoothly without disruptions. What we’re doing is proactively moving forward with further settlements and agreements with associations to ensure that we are resolving any grievances that may be out there, and ensuring that we are preparing for the future.

I’m happy to answer more.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the Premier: A $31-million payout a month before the election is rightly raising some eyebrows and concerns. Whether it’s school closures, violence in the classrooms or the mental health crisis in elementary and secondary schools, the Liberal government only seems to care about education when it helps their political self-interest.

Speaker, is the Liberal government trying to buy support a month before the election?

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

Mr. Lorne Coe: Withdraw, Speaker.

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

Minister?

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: Again, I want to point out that the Superior Court directed all parties to work together to reach a resolution on remedy, so we have moved forward with agreements with the OSSTF, OPSEU, CUPE and Unifor.

And now we have ongoing discussions with five different groups. As you heard, we just settled with OECTA. We’re also looking at five other groups, including AEFO, OCEW and principals, to just name a few.

Why? Because we want to mitigate the risk of further constitutional challenges. Mr. Speaker, this is called doing our due diligence, ensuring that the school system is there, is strong and is working for all parties and everyone there, to ensure that our children do get the best-quality education they can.

The parties are at the various bargaining tables and have different priorities in their negotiations, and so it takes time to ensure that we are doing everything we can to reach agreements with all of these various pieces and all of these various associations. But we are doing our best to ensure that we are doing what needs to get done.

Hospital funding

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour la première ministre. Speaker, ask any nurse, any health care professional, any physician or any families who need health care and they will tell you there is a crisis of hallway medicine and overcrowding inside Ontario’s hospitals. Under this Premier’s watch, hospitals have been forced to cut beds, cut nurses and cut care year after year, making wait times longer for people who need that care. But instead of fixing the problem with a plan to end hallway medicine and fund hospitals properly every year, the Premier is disappointing people once again.

New Democrats have a plan to end hallway medicine. Why doesn’t this government?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Minister of Health.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Of course, this really goes to the heart of our budget proposals, which I’m sure the member opposite is aware of. We have invested each and every year in our hospitals.

In this year, in particular—if the opposition parties might actually read our budget and perhaps pass it with us—we are proposing an additional investment of $822 million for Ontario’s publicly funded hospitals; this is a 4.6% overall increase. It will increase capacity, it will decrease wait times and it will improve access to care for families across Ontario. It means 26,000 additional MRI operating hours, 14,000 more surgical and medical procedures, and 3,000 more cardiac procedures. Of course, in many other areas also, our capacity will be increased through this major investment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: For four straight years, the Premier froze hospital budgets, meaning deep cuts to the care that people count on.

Now, patients are being treated in hallways. Emergency room wait times have hit record highs. Hospitals from London to Toronto, Ottawa to Sudbury, Thunder Bay and beyond are all dangerously overcrowded, but instead of fixing the problem, this Premier is leaving the hospital sector in the dark, without a long-term plan to end hallway medicine once and for all.

Why is this government letting people down and refusing to fix the crisis inside our hospitals that this Liberal government’s cuts created?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: In the last week I’ve had the opportunity to visit many hospitals across this province. I have been hearing from hospital CEOs and from board members what exactly our investments are going to mean. They are receiving it extremely positively.

They know perfectly well that we have made investments each and every year of additional capacity to our hospitals. Last year, it was some $500 million to hospitals. And then, of course, in the fall, because of the poor flu season and some particular circumstances, we added capacity across the continuum of care by adding 1,200 hospital beds and another 800 spaces in the community for patient care across the province. That was equivalent to six new medium-sized hospitals.

I’d be really curious to know if the third party’s plan coming up, when we finally hear it, would again cut 9,645 beds, as they did in the past.

Public libraries

Mrs. Cristina Martins: My question this morning is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Speaker, libraries support children learning, provide resources for students and newcomers and help small businesses and entrepreneurs. They play a valuable role in communities across the province, whether they are urban, rural or indigenous. I know how important the Perth/Dupont, Bloor/Gladstone and Dufferin/St. Clair libraries are in my riding of Davenport.

Mr. Speaker, through to you to the minister, can you tell the members of this House more about how important libraries are in our communities?

Hon. Daiene Vernile: I want to thank the member for Davenport for that important question. Under this government’s culture strategy, we made a pledge to continue to support services like libraries that boost the quality of life in all our communities. More funding is going to ensure that libraries across the province can continue to respond to the needs of residents.

Speaker, on this side of the House we’re always looking for ways to ensure that libraries have the supports in place that they need to thrive. By way of comparison, the party opposite does not mention the word culture even once in its election platform.

More troubling, the Leader of the Opposition vowed to close libraries during his time as a Toronto councillor. He said that he would close a library in his riding in “a heartbeat,” and even went so far as to suggest that there are more libraries than Tim Hortons in his riding, which was an exaggeration that proved to be false.

Speaker, our government remains committed to supporting essential hubs like libraries that do connect people—

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

Mrs. Cristina Martins: Thank you to the minister for that response. Libraries are indeed the pillars of knowledge in our cities, towns and local communities. Not only are they a resource to grab your favourite literary titles, but they are an integral tool when it comes to supporting our educational institutions. As a mom of two young boys, I know first-hand how important libraries are to support school projects.

The services that libraries provide help to expand the knowledge and insight of the communities that they service and are meant to connect people to the resources in a way that is easily accessible and efficient.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on the funding available to libraries announced in this year’s budget?

Hon. Daiene Vernile: Thank you to the member for that question. I, too, as a mother of three, spend many hours in our local public library.

The member noted that libraries are a vehicle to spread knowledge within our local communities and that’s why I’m proud to say that our government is making the most significant investment in public libraries in a generation. We are investing $79 million more into public libraries, including $51 million over three years in annual increases and $28 million over three years to launch a province-wide digital public library. This investment is going to help public libraries reduce costs of accessing digital content such as e-books and films, and give public library users across Ontario access to digital content. This is especially important in rural and remote areas.

I want to thank the Ontario Library Association and the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries for their strong advocacy for public libraries right across the province of Ontario.

Member’s comments

Mr. Randy Hillier: My question is to the Acting Premier. Yesterday morning, the member from Ancaster–Dundas–Flamborough–Westdale made a serious accusation. He accused Doug Ford of “deliberately” breaking the law. It was then retweeted by former-journalist-turned-Liberal-shill Ashley Csanady from the Premier’s office.

Not only is the accusation egregious and false, the law they are accusing the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of breaking does not even exist. This is quite literally false news. It is reprehensible yet unsurprising that a former minister of this government and the Premier’s office would have such a distorted view of the laws in Ontario.

Will the Acting Premier apologize on behalf of the Premier’s office and the member for spreading such willful misrepresentations?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member makes reference to a situation—I believe it’s the fact that the opposition haven’t really presented their plan, and they have a plan but they haven’t costed it. What they have—they had a plan that they then threw away.

I think the real question that’s being asked by the people of Ontario is: What’s your plan? How is it going to be costed? What are the effects it’s going to have on the people of Ontario? What are the cuts that they’re making? People want to know.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Again, back to the Acting Premier: The member from Ancaster-Dundas made a false statement. There was no response. I asked for an apology.

Now, maybe as a former minister and in that role he became accustomed to engaging and spreading false news; however, the facts do matter. The facts clearly show that—

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

I was lenient for a certain amount of time, but now you continue to repeat yourself under the premise of a falsehood. So would you please withdraw and stay away from it?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Withdraw.

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

Mr. Randy Hillier: In a time when so much information we read on the Internet must be questioned and researched, the Premier’s office should not be engaging in those sorts of activities. It’s unacceptable, it’s inappropriate and it’s intolerable that the former minister is both ignorant of the laws and the facts.

Mr. Speaker, I didn’t hear an apology or an answer to my first question. Will this Liberal government apologize for spreading bull?

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

Mr. Randy Hillier: Withdraw.

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

Hon. Charles Sousa: Again, Mr. Speaker, the member opposite makes reference to the fact that their leader is making bumper sticker slogans and is not substantiating it with any real fact or determination. They had a plan. They costed the plan. We know the plan is about $16 billion in the red. Come forward and tell the people of Ontario what’s in your plan.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Prince Edward–Hastings is warned.

New question.

Dental care

Mr. John Vanthof: My question is to the Minister of Health. Donna Quehe gave me a call in my constituency office last week. We’ve been dealing with Donna’s issues since 2016; we wrote a letter to the previous minister. She has TM joint disorder. That has to do with the joint in your lower jaw. It’s a really grey area between OHIP and dental care. This lady has been fighting this for 20 years. It’s gotten to the point where she needs to have her joints replaced.

Why she called is not so much for herself but for others, because if she could have had a dental care program, some of her problems would have been fixed.

What is $400 going to do for Donna Quehe?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Well, certainly, we understand that there are many dental conditions that can be very troublesome. The one the member alluded to is temporomandibular joint pain. Certainly my heart goes out to the individual who is clearly suffering. Whatever my ministry can do to assist in any way, we’ll certainly pursue—

Interjections.

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

Hon. Helena Jaczek: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do recognize that dental care is extremely important. It’s an important aspect of people’s overall health, and that’s precisely why, in this budget, we have made a proposal to improve coverage for those without a dental plan. There are other avenues for people to pursue. In this particular case, I will certainly take this case back.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. New question. The member from Kingston and the Islands.

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: Mr. Speaker, my question is for—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Sorry, I apologize. Supplementary?

Mr. John Vanthof: Thank you for the answer, Minister, but that doesn’t help people like Donna. If Donna had had access to a dental program 15 years ago, she would still be a functioning part of this society. This might not be totally disabling for everyone, but in this case it was totally disabling. And coming from northern Ontario, a lot of times you don’t even qualify for northern health travel grants.

People need dental coverage so that their life isn’t ruined. Why did this government refuse to implement full dental coverage 15 years ago, and why does it continue to refuse to do so now?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I’ve been here for 10 years and I don’t remember the third party ever raising this issue over those years until extremely recently. Of course, this is precisely why we have introduced our new Ontario drug and dental program. I’m hoping the parties opposite will support it because we are taking the next step to ensure that everyone in Ontario has access to the help that they need, no matter how old they are, what they do for a living or even where they live. Obviously, we care deeply about the health status of northern Ontarians.

This is part of our plan to support care and opportunity and make life more affordable for Ontarians, and so, as the member opposite is very clear, I’m sure, we are offering $400 for a single individual, $600 for a couple and $750 for a family of four. This is an excellent step forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I apologize to the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane for missing his rotation.

New question.

Broadband infrastructure

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure. This year’s budget outlined a bold, progressive plan for care and opportunity in Ontario. It includes investments in the services people need and deserve, like pharmacare, child care and mental health. But it also includes historic investments in the infrastructure that people need to live the best lives possible and to fully participate in our economy, no matter what part of Ontario they call home.

I’m particularly excited about the government’s latest commitment to broadband infrastructure which was featured in our budget. Providing access to fast, reliable Internet isn’t just good for the economy; it enhances quality of life. It means students can complete their homework online, small businesses can make their goods available to a wider audience, and people can connect with loved ones in distant communities.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please tell us about the broadband investment announced in the budget?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Thanks to the member from Kingston and the Islands for the question. Speaker, infrastructure is much more than bricks and mortar; it is also fibre optic cable connecting our rural and northern communities to high-speed Internet. To participate in the changing global economy, people need fast, reliable Internet as an essential service. That is why our government has already invested $530 million in digital infrastructure since 2007. This includes $90 million for the southwest, over $62 million for northern First Nations communities and $130 million for R&D for new 5G networking.

On top of that, our budget includes an additional $500 million for improved broadband, bringing our total commitment to over $1 billion.

Speaker, if the Conservatives actually care for rural and northern Ontario, they will vote for these budget measures.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: Thank you to the minister for sharing some of the details on these essential investments. These projects referenced by the Minister of Infrastructure highlight the importance of expanding broadband in Ontario, and will further complement previous investments in broadband made by this government. I’m excited to hear that these projects have a particular focus on improving access to those living and working in rural, northern and indigenous communities in Ontario.

In addition to allowing rural Ontarians to fully participate in the 21st-century economy and access these basic services, accessible and affordable broadband is essential to the work that they do. Mr. Speaker, as you know, fast and reliable broadband access is a key ingredient to unlocking enormous economic potential in our rural communities.

Can the minister please tell us about how broadband investments benefit rural Ontario?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: To the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Hon. Jeff Leal: I do appreciate the investment. It will certainly help the wonderful residents of Kingston and the Islands. It helps families to stay in touch, connects small businesses to the world and allows rural communities to participate and compete in this economy.

Our government is very serious about getting Ontarians connected. That’s why we’re putting $71 million towards a $200-million broadband expansion, particularly to my good friends who run the Eastern Ontario Regional Network. Projects like these, of course, are going to help businesses.

Just last week, along with my colleague the Honourable Steven Del Duca, we were at the Canada Candy Company operation in beautiful Cobourg, Ontario. On the same day, we announced announcements at Armada Toolworks and Mariposa Dairy in the city of Kawartha Lakes.

Access to broadband has the potential to create and retain high-skilled jobs, increase productivity and promote innovation. It’s necessary for all industries to grow in the province of Ontario. This is an important corporate investment, not corporate welfare.

Fire safety

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: My question is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Last spring, I introduced a private member’s bill, the Rea and Walter Act. It is named in honour of two North Perth fire service members, Ken Rea and Ray Walter, who died battling a fire in March 2011. The bill would require buildings with truss and lightweight construction to display a decal that alerts firefighter ahead of time. This information is absolutely essential.

The Rea and Walter Act passed unanimously at second reading, but the bill died when this government, for political reasons, decided to prorogue the Legislature. To the minister: Now that I’ve mentioned the Rea and Walter Act, will she agree to fast-track it?

Hon. Marie-France Lalonde: First of all, I want to say thank you very much for the question and for the advocacy on this issue by the member opposite. We had a conversation, actually, once he introduced this private member’s bill. Certainly, as a member, he is always welcome to reintroduce that bill again in this session.

The safety of all of our first responders, our firefighters, is paramount. When I look at issues that have arisen over the years and the inquests, we have moved forward on creating an expert fire table that actually has reviewed the private member’s bill at that table, because what we want is to create a safer Ontario. Certainly, for us, moving forward is definitely to continue to work for that safety.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Back to the minister: The Rea and Walter Act responds to a real gap in firefighter safety. It could save lives as soon as it’s passed. I was grateful for the strong support that I received from local fire chiefs, the Ontario Association of Fire Chiefs and all parties in this Legislature.

I know that the government recently issued a bunch of regulatory changes under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, but they ignored the obvious: truss and lightweight identification. It’s time to take action. If the government doesn’t agree, why did they support the Rea and Walter Act at second reading, and when will they finally act on it?

Hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Again, Mr. Speaker, I very much appreciate the question. I know that many members in this House have worked hard, and it was the member who brought forward the private member’s bill. Certainly it is our hope that their work will not be lost.

We have proposed a comprehensive deal with the opposition parties to carry over all private members’ bills, but under the new management, the Conservatives have actually refused this agreement. I want to share that in the House, Mr. Speaker, because that means that the only way those bills can go forward is for them to be reintroduced. So if a deal could have been reached—we value all the efforts of our members to introduce.

Again, I’m very sorry that a deal could not be reached under your new leadership.

Environmental protection

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My question to the Acting Premier: In March, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority illegally approved a massive development that would pave over Paradise Beach-Island Grove, a provincially significant wetland. I say “illegally” because this development clearly violates the provincial policy statement which strictly prohibits such developments.

Will the Premier direct this rogue conservation authority to follow the law, stop this development and prevent the loss of this provincially significant wetland?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Hon. Nathalie Des Rosiers: Thank you for the question. Indeed, I think while the ministry administers the Conservation Authorities Act and its regulations, it does not really oversee the operational decisions of a conservation authority. However, we are looking into this particular file to see whether there is anything that has not been done properly. No approvals or permits are required from MNRF, from the ministry, for this proposal. We’ve already ascertained that.

We know that the conservation authority regulates wetlands under their development interference with wetlands and the regulation that’s appropriate. We are actually looking at whether there are things that can be done to see what has happened here. But up to now, we know we cannot interfere in operational decisions of the conservation authority.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Again to the Acting Premier: This isn’t the first time that a rogue conservation authority has run roughshod over the province’s laws to protect wetlands and natural heritage. My friend the member for Welland has warned about how the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority appears to be have been captured by private interests. The NDP tabled amendments to fix this problem when the government updated the Conservation Authorities Act. The government members voted down those amendments.

Why is the Premier allowing conservation authorities and developers to ignore her government’s own laws to protect wetlands and natural heritage?

Hon. Nathalie Des Rosiers: Thank you for the question. Obviously we’re continuing to look at what are the possible avenues but, as of now, we have ascertained that it’s an operational decision that they have made, and we are continuing to look to see the possible appeals that can be taken from that decision. That’s where we are as of now.

Certainly wetlands protection is immensely important for this government. We’ve continued to put forward really strong protections for wetlands. That’s what allows us to continue to preserve the natural heritage, and we will continue to do so.

Indigenous children and youth

Mr. Arthur Potts: My question is to the minister responsible for early years and child care. Speaker, I am very proud that our government is committed to ensuring families have access to quality and affordable child care all across our province. Our government has been a proud champion for Ontario families, taking strong action to transform the way child care is delivered in our province.

In my riding of Beaches–East York, I represent a diverse range of people, including a large number who identify as First Nations and Métis. Speaker, as you know, the parties opposite have yet to mention anything in their platforms about child care for those living in on-reserve communities, but creating cultural, diverse and relevant child care in early learning spaces positively impacts our youngest learners’ sense of self and will lead to better outcomes.

Speaker, will the minister responsible for early years and child care tell us what this government has been doing to meet the needs of indigenous families and children living on-reserve?

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: Thank you to the hard-working member from Beaches–East York for this very important question.

Ontario recognizes the value of culturally appropriate early years and child care programs in First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities. In fact, our government is committed to working closely with indigenous partners to support a strong early years and child care system for these communities.

In our recent budget, we announced an investment of $40 million over three years to support the expansion of licensed child care in First Nations communities. I think it’s amazing news. This funding will help build valuable supports for young First Nations kids, to help them get a strong start in life.

In addition, new capital funding will also be available to First Nations to support the construction or retrofit of new and existing child care facilities. This will help create valuable spaces.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Arthur Potts: I want to thank the minister for her response and for that great announcement, and the amazing transformational work that she is doing to reform daycare in the province.

I know that indigenous youth are among the fastest-growing population groups in Ontario and that they face significant outcome and achievement gaps. This commitment of over $40 million towards improving child care on reserves is a very significant program for children, families and communities. Child care is an integral part of parents’ economic empowerment, and research shows that children benefit significantly from access to high-quality child care, including improved education, health and employment outcomes.

Can the minister please tell us about how much more our government has been doing and the kind of incredible transformational work that we have been doing with indigenous partners to support a better, brighter and more prosperous future for our indigenous youth?

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation.

Hon. David Zimmer: This is a landmark commitment to expanding and improving child care on-reserve. It’s another demonstration of our government’s commitment to help indigenous children and youth grow up healthy and reach their full potential.

Our reconciliation action plan, The Journey Together, provides $250 million towards initiatives including recreation-based life-promotion programming for indigenous youth and other anti-racism projects.

Our $45-million OSAP overhaul—and this is very important—has driven a 35% increase in indigenous people receiving OSAP grants. Those people are now off to colleges and universities and can look forward to rewarding lives in this province.

Through our $222-million First Nations Health Action Plan, we are improving food security and mental health for indigenous youth.

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

Hon. David Zimmer: Speaker, it’s a shame—

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

New question.

Hospital funding

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: My question is to the Acting Premier. Families in my riding of Niagara West–Glanbrook are horrified by the hallway medicine of this government. After 15 years, families face longer wait times, more service cuts and less front-line workers.

I recently heard from Lane and Melissa Tadeson of Smithville. Their family has been plunged into a very dark time since September, when their son was diagnosed with PANDAS. Melissa says, “We have essentially been denied treatment in Ontario, despite living adjacent to one of the largest city centres in Canada, and have been forced to fly out of province to Alberta, to access treatment.”

Why is this government showing this lack of care to Lane, Melissa and their sick son?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Minister of Health.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I certainly would like to hear directly from the member opposite about this particular case, because in some cases there are potential solutions. Of course, our hearts go out to this family that is having some difficulty.

But this is precisely why we have made the deliberate choice to continue to invest in care for the people of Ontario, and so we’re investing more in health care and in hospitals. In particular, having visited a number in the last week or so and having seen the improvements that we’re making and the reduction in wait times that people are facing, I’m really encouraged that our investment is exactly what we need to do.

Of course, hospitals are just one part of the entire puzzle. We need more home care, mental health care, long-term care—all part of our health care system.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Sam Oosterhoff: My question is back to the Acting Premier.

I also spoke recently with Dr. Julian Owen, a physician from Grimsby, and he said that he and his colleagues are frustrated with this Liberal government’s approach to health care. He and physicians across the province feel like they are being treated unfairly. Throwing money at the problem doesn’t work when the government has created 15 years of structural issues. Julian said, “Front-line care providers don’t actually feel like their voices are heard. We aren’t being listened to, and we can’t trust any of the Liberals’ promises.”

Speaker, why won’t the Liberals actually listen to doctors like Julian and stop forcing them to practise hallway medicine?

Hon. Helena Jaczek: I’m surprised that the member opposite from that particular riding is raising the question of his local hospital; I understand that the Harris government was prepared to close that hospital.

Of course, I am really pleased that our government has continued to invest in health care across the spectrum. Of course, we value our health care professionals, including our physicians, but also all those hard-working nurses, the personal support workers. Each and every one of our health care professionals is—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Niagara West–Glanbrook is warned.

A wrap-up sentence, please.

Hon. Helena Jaczek: This is precisely why we’re increasing our health care spending by 5%, to improve the capacity in our world-class health care system.

Consumer protection

Mr. Wayne Gates: Speaker, my question is to the Acting Premier. Across this province, people are struggling to make ends meet. Some are forced to take on debt just to feed their families and keep a roof over their heads. This is where predatory payday loan stores find them and often take advantage. In some cases, these outlets charge annual fees of 390% on loans. Despite us repeatedly asking this government to intervene, they’ve done very little to address this issue. Cities like Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa are trying to curb payday lenders because they know that they prey on people who are experiencing hard times.

Since this government’s inaction is forcing cities to protect their residents themselves from payday lenders, why won’t this government just step up and protect all Ontarians?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Minister of Government and Consumer Services.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Thanks to the member for the question. He’ll know that Bill 59, the Putting Consumers First Act, 2017, amends a number of provincial statutes relating to alternative financial services. It’s all about protecting consumers who use payday loans, alternative financial services. Through these amendments, we’ve made the rules stronger, we’ve reduced risk for consumers accessing these services, and we’ve reduced the cost of borrowing. The ministry consulted heavily with stakeholders, all kinds of groups that help inform the current direction we’ve taken. The regulations have been consulted on, as well. New rules come into force in July of this year.

We’re very happy that we’ve taken this action to protect consumers and respect businesses in our communities, as well.

Notices of dissatisfaction

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Acting Premier concerning incorrect news. This matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member from Perth–Wellington has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services concerning the Rea and Walter Act. This matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Speaker’s birthday

Mr. Arthur Potts: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Beaches–East York on a point of order.

Mr. Arthur Potts: It has come to my attention that the Speaker of this House celebrated a birthday on Saturday. I’d like us all to wish him a happy birthday.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Speaker of this House loves to be reminded of how old he is.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1144 to 1300.

Members’ Statements

Hockey

Mr. Monte McNaughton: The amazing thing about hockey in Canada is how it brings us together. It’s our shorthand. It’s an experience we all share, whether it’s shinny in the neighbourhood, early mornings at the arena or wearing jerseys the day of a big game.

And we don’t just come together over hockey for the big wins—the Olympic medals, underdog playoff runs or celebrating hometown all-stars. We come together in the hard times, as we have over the last few days after the tragic crash involving the Humboldt Broncos. Our nation’s hearts have broken for that team and their families. I don’t think they have been far from anyone’s mind since Friday.

We come together to support hockey in our local communities, to lift up the next generation. In my riding of Lambton–Kent–Middlesex, we have been celebrating the town of Lucan, which has been named Kraft Hockeyville 2018. It was amazing to see so many people, not just from Lucan but from Thorndale, Ilderton and many other Ontario small towns, rally together to support Lucan hockey. The arena is the heart of the town. It’s where friendships, character and love of our national game have been built for generations. Lucan’s rich hockey tradition has created incredible community spirit and pride.

I want to thank everyone who supported Lucan for Kraft Hockeyville 2018. I think it’s clearer now than ever why this is important and why we do these things. We support hockey because hockey supports us right back.

Leading Women, Leading Girls, Building Communities

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I had the honour of hosting a very special event in our riding. Every year, our province recognizes volunteers. One of the specific awards is for women and girls who are strengthening our communities through leadership. This year, we hosted our first annual Leading Women, Leading Girls awards ceremony at our downtown library.

It was a packed house, filled with recipients, their nominators, friends, family and community supporters. We recognized almost 20 women and girls who volunteer and contribute in many ways. We recognized youth, a pilot, a museum volunteer, Rotarians, safety advocates, service club members, artists and musicians, an indigenous truth-sharer, advocates against violence against women, cancer support givers, human rights activists, church and anti-poverty volunteers, and other committed leaders.

We began the night with inspiring words from Jacki Minicola, DRPS Det. Staff sergeant of the domestic violence unit, who does tremendous work with her team in our community. We appreciated her message of resiliency and strength.

As we saw showcased at the event, leadership looks different for everyone. Volunteers are the heart of a community, but often they are the hands. They are sometimes the front lines, but often in the background. They do the heavy lifting we may never see, which lightens the load for our friends and neighbours. They lift us up, and so it was my honour to return the favour at our awards ceremony.

I’d like to thank Felicio’s Cake Boutique, Berry Hill Food Co. and Dream Bloom for the delicious food and decorations. I’d also like to thank my staff for their work in making this first annual event so special.

I look forward to next year, when we can appreciate and recognize so many more leading women and girls who are making a difference and making strides in our community. Thank you and, again, congratulations.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Mr. Arthur Potts: I stand today to commemorate the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. In the early morning of April 9, 1917, Canadian soldiers stormed Vimy Ridge and took the land from the Germans. Together with the British corps, the Canadians captured more ground, prisoners and artillery pieces than any previous British offensive in the war. Canadians would act with courage throughout the battle, and four of our soldiers would earn the Victoria Cross, the highest medal of military valour.

Canada’s military achievements during the war raised our international stature and helped us earn a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles, which ended the First World War.

In France, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial honours those solders listed as “missing or presumed dead.”

I have a long family history of military service. My grandfather, Major General Arthur Edward Potts, served in both World War I and World War II. His regiment served at Vimy, but he missed the action, as he was recovering from shrapnel that he had sustained in an earlier battle. His five brothers also served in the Great War, but three didn’t make it.

His brother Joseph, a private in the 2nd Battalion, may have been at Vimy because he died April 10, 1917 and is buried in France. His brother Henry Potts, a 2nd lieutenant, died July 21, 1917, at the age of 29. And his brother Robert Potts, a 2nd lieutenant in the 25th Battalion, died March 24, 1918, and is buried in France.

So Grandpa and his regiment went to Vimy. I think it was a time when he considered that this was an important way that Canadians should be contributing to the service. My father and his five brothers and sisters also supported it.

Rick Lund

Mr. Norm Miller: As we celebrate Vimy Ridge Day, I rise to pay tribute to one of my constituents, Mr. Rick Lund of Parry Sound. Mr. Lund has been a teacher at Parry Sound high school for more than 20 years. It is particularly fitting to speak of Mr. Lund’s achievement today, on Vimy Ridge Day. Mr. Lund’s passion for preserving the memory of Canadians who fought for our country resulted in his receiving the Order of Parry Sound this past year.

Among his many roles as an educator, Mr. Lund accompanied 40 Parry Sound high school students to France last year to take

part in the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. He described the importance of that trip for him as the ceremony’s effect on his students. During the ceremony he witnessed the students’ emotional response and the moment when they realized that everything they have is because of the sacrifice of others.

Rick has also headed up a unique memorial project, the Community Remembrance Project in Parry Sound, which I spoke about in the House last November 1. Inspired by their trip to Vimy Ridge, Mr. Lund and the students launched a community-driven initiative to create banners with photos of local veterans to hang from lampposts around Parry Sound.

It is important we all remember the 100,000 Canadians who fought at Vimy Ridge 101 years ago today, the 3,598 who died at the battle of Vimy Ridge and the 7,004 who were wounded. I want to personally Mr. Lund for all that he has done to ensure today’s students remember the sacrifices of the past.

Accident in Humboldt, Saskatchewan

Mr. Wayne Gates: Showing respect and grieving with the community of Humboldt, last night we had the Falls lit up in yellow and green in remembrance of the Broncos, to honour those who lost their lives. It’s a sign to the community of Humboldt that we will never forget the coach, the assistant coach, the announcer, the 18-year-old stats keeper, the bus driver and the young players who were taken from us after this terrible accident.

I understand what Junior A players mean to a community. As someone who is a Junior A hockey fan, some of my happiest memories as a young kid were of Junior A games. I watched the players practise every day at 4 o’clock when I was 8 or 9 years old. The Junior A players even let me ride the bus with them as they played games across Ontario.

These young leaders were taken from us far too young. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain their loss has caused for the small town of less than 6,000 residents. This is a tragedy that has impacted the very fabric of their community and, quite frankly, all of Canada. We all know how important hockey is in our communities.

Tonight, I’m going back to Niagara to be with my community at our local Junior A game. We will grieve together for those 15 lost in this tragic accident. We’ll be having a moment of silence and collecting donations for the community.

I want the families, the friends and the community of Humboldt to know that we stand by you, we love you, we grieve beside you and we will never, ever forget you.

Oncology Nursing Day

Mr. John Fraser: Last Tuesday, April 3, marked the 15th anniversary of Oncology Nursing Day in Canada. Cancer does not discriminate. The disease affects people of all genders, age groups and walks of life. Two in five Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime.

Each year, Oncology Nursing Day brings together oncology nurses, health care professionals, government leaders, media and members of the public in collaborative activities to acknowledge the importance of oncology nursing.

Oncology nurses endeavour to educate the public in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Oncology nurses, in their respective practice settings, are involved through prevention, detection, treatment, rehabilitation or palliative care.

The Canadian association of oncology nurses is the national organization that supports Canadian nurses to advance oncology nursing excellence through practice, education, research and leadership, to the benefit of all Canadians.

I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all the oncology nurses in my hometown of Ottawa—indeed, in Ontario and across Canada. I want to thank you for being on the front lines of cancer treatment, care and research. There are countless stories of oncology nurses profoundly impacting the lives of Canadian cancer patients and their families. Again, I want to thank them for the important work that they do to support our families.

Organ and tissue donation

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Every April, Ontarians celebrate Be a Donor month to support organ and tissue donation awareness. This year, Trillium Gift of Life Network is asking all Ontarians to join Donor Nation because one donor can save eight lives and enhance the lives of 75 others.

Today, I’d like to recognize Joanna and Ryley Mitchell, constituents from my riding, who are the recipients of the Trillium Gift of Life Network Champion Award, which is given to Ontarians who have made a difference in organ donation and transplantation. Ryley received a heart transplant at the age of seven months, and she and her mother have dedicated the past 12 years to volunteering at awareness events and sharing their story with the media. Joanna sits on the executive committee of the Life Donation Awareness Association of Midwest Ontario, while Ryley regularly participates in the Canadian Transplant Games.

Ryley also donated her birthday presents to children at SickKids and often joins her mother at speaking events.

Thank you, Joanna and Ryley, for your contributions to organ and tissue donation awareness and for your involvement and leadership in our community.

Over 1,500 Ontarians are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, and every three days someone in Ontario dies while waiting.

This April, during Be a Donor month, please consider taking two minutes to register as an organ donor and tissue donor online at www.beadonor.ca and talk to your family about organ and tissue donation. By registering to become a donor, you can save or change someone’s life.

Ontario budget

Mr. James J. Bradley: Speaker, I was delighted to be in the House as the provincial budget was read, noting that since the recession Ontario’s economy has gained over 800,000 net new jobs and the unemployment rate has steadily declined to a 17-year low as of February 2018. Since 2014, Ontario’s economy has grown more than Canada’s and all other G7 countries.

Out of the budget came the fact that Ontario is planning to bring new weekday GO rail service between the future Confederation GO station and Hamilton and Niagara region, starting in 2021. And there was an announcement of 21 new long-term-care beds at Pleasant Manor in Virgil.

The budget also reduces wait times by increasing hospital operating budgets across Ontario by some $822 million this year—making an additional $2.1-billion investment in mental health and addictions care; providing free preschool for children aged two-and-a-half until kindergarten, in addition to helping over 100,000 more children access licensed daycare over five years; expanding OHIP+ to include free prescriptions for everyone 65 and over, saving an average of $240 per person each year; introducing a new Ontario Drug and Dental Program; providing up to $750 to help seniors 75 and over with maintenance costs so they can continue to live comfortably at home; and, last but not least, having ODSP and OW payments increase 3% per year over the next—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Further members’ statements?

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Mr. Bill Walker: I’m honoured to rise in honour of recognizing the 101st anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and to sport the official Vimy tie in honour of all those brave heroes.

Last year I shared with the members in this House personal stories from my visit to France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

Vimy Ridge was fought in April 1917 and remains known as the first battle when the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought united for the first time and defined us as a country.

But having observed at Vimy last year the sight of so many Canadian Armed Forces boots—there were thousands of them dotted over the ridge—I was reminded why battles like Vimy that claim so many lives, including those from my riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, have had a profound impact on the way we as Canadians think about the sacrifices of those who gave their lives so we can enjoy peace, liberty, freedom and security today.

As I shared with the members last year, I was truly humbled to join with 25,000 fellow Canadians who paid homage to our forefathers’ contributions and brave sacrifices in the First World War, including those from my riding: Billy Bishop, his cousin William Allan Bishop, and Leslie Kyle Armstrong.

Billy Bishop’s cousin William Allan, who was three years older than Billy, enlisted in the 25th Battery in Toronto and was a gunner with the Canadian Field Artillery Regiment. He was killed in 1916 and commemorated at Vimy Ridge.

Leslie Kyle Armstrong served as a private with the 147th Grey Overseas Battalion. While he served at both Vimy and Passchendaele, he was wounded at Passchendaele and returned home to Owen Sound in 1918.

With Canadian soldiers—men and women—continuing to serve around the world, it is important to remember the past. I’m a believer that how we remember the past determines how we will shape our future.

Finally, I want to share a quote from the retired chief of defence and passionate patriot General Rick Hillier, who I believe captured our shared respect for the ultimate sacrifice our veterans made on our behalf: “Every Canadian should make this pilgrimage to Vimy to honour our valiant heroes and truly appreciate our history and how fortunate we are to be Canadians.”

I invite the members to join me in saluting every man and woman who wears our Armed Forces uniform. Lest we forget.

Use of prop in the House

Ms. Soo Wong: I’m seeking unanimous consent to have the bauhinia purple golden flower girl to be present when I re-table the Nanjing Massacre commemorative bill.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Scarborough–Agincourt is seeking unanimous consent to have flowers at her desk when she introduces a bill. Do we agree? Agreed.

Battle of Vimy Ridge

Mr. Arthur Potts: I believe we have unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in honour of Vimy Ridge and to wear commemorative pins to commemorate that occasion.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Beaches–East York is seeking unanimous consent for a moment of silence and to wear the pins that no one is wearing right now, because we wait until unanimous consent to wear them. We will now wear them. Do we agree? Agreed.

Could I ask everyone to please rise in the House to observe a moment of silence—yes, everyone in the House; thank you—for those who sacrificed their lives at Vimy Ridge and celebrate that anniversary?

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. God rest their souls.

You may now wear your pins.

Introduction of Bills

Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 sur le Jour commémoratif du massacre de Nanjing

Ms. Wong moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 36,

An Act to proclaim the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day / Projet de loi 36, Loi proclamant le Jour commémoratif du massacre de Nanjing.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Ms. Soo Wong: The bill proclaims December 13 in each year as Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day, if passed.

Petitions

Fish and wildlife management

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

“Whereas the government created a special-purpose account (SPA) in 1997;

“Whereas the SPA pools together all revenues from hunting and fishing licensing fees, fines and royalties. The funds in the SPA are legislated to be reinvested back into wildlife management to improve hunting and angling across the province;

“Whereas the government is refusing to release the details of the spending of the” special purpose account;

“Whereas a recently obtained report showed” special purpose account “expenditures from 2011-12 revealed expenditures (i.e. $69,000 spent to purchase and sell a house and $55,000 devoted to a psychologist) that are unrelated to wildlife management;

“Whereas in the past the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry has indicated that records for the SPA fund cannot be released as ‘they do not exist’;

“Whereas this is in direct contradiction to the Financial Administration Act that requires receipts and disbursement to be recorded for all special-purpose accounts;

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

“That in the name of accountability and transparency the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry direct the Auditor General to conduct a value-for-money audit of the SPA fund.”

I fully support, affix my name and send it with page Curtis.

Mental health services

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition in support of the recommendations that were brought to this House by the London West Girls’ Government. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas as many as one in five children and youth in Ontario will experience some form of mental health problem; and

“Whereas 70% of mental health problems start in childhood or adolescence; and

“Whereas significant mental health problems can and do occur in very young children, with 17% of children aged two to five meeting diagnostic criteria for mental health problems; and

“Whereas 73% of teachers agree that anxiety disorders among students are a pressing concern; and

“Whereas more than 12,000 children and youth in Ontario are currently waiting to access mental health services; and

“Whereas over the last 10 years there has been a 63% increase in emergency department visits and a 67% increase in hospitalizations for Ontario children and youth with mental health issues; and

“Whereas there is a chronic shortage of pediatric psychiatric services, with fewer than 100 child and youth psychiatrists for the entire province of Ontario; and

“Whereas suicide is the leading cause of non-accidental death for Canadian youth, with at least three young lives lost through suicide every week in Ontario...;

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

“That the Legislative Assembly direct the government of Ontario to implement a comprehensive strategy for reducing child and youth suicide, involving the Ministries of Education, Health and Long-Term Care, Children and Youth Services and any other relevant ministries, that is developed in close coordination with community suicide prevention planning.”

I fully support this petition, affix my name and will give it to page Stephanie to take to the table.

Health care funding

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition to do with health care in Parry Sound–Muskoka. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has been considering the future of the Huntsville District Memorial and South Muskoka Memorial hospitals since 2012; and

“Whereas accessible health care services are of critical importance to all Ontarians, including those living in rural areas; and

“Whereas patients currently travel significant distances to access acute in-patient care, emergency, diagnostic and surgical services at available at these hospitals; and

“Whereas the funding for small and medium-sized hospitals has not kept up with increasing costs including hydro rates and collective bargaining agreements made by the province; and

“Whereas the residents of Muskoka and surrounding areas feel that MAHC has not been listening to them; and

“Whereas the board of MAHC has yet to take the single-site proposal from 2015 off its books;

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

“That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario requests that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care ensures core hospital services are maintained at both Huntsville District Memorial Hospital and South Muskoka Memorial Hospital and ensures all small and medium-sized hospitals receive enough funding to maintain core services.”

I agree with this petition and give it to Maxime.

Bombardier lands

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mr. Brian McDonald from Hanmer in my riding for gathering the names on this petition. It reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Bombardier Inc. has indicated its intent to explore the sale of Bombardier-owned lands at Downsview;

“Whereas Bombardier is Toronto’s largest industrial employer and a source for good jobs in the GTA and across the province through the supply chain;

“Whereas the provincial government has invested heavily in developing an aerospace research hub on Downsview lands and included Bombardier as a key stakeholder;

“Whereas the provincial government has a vested interest in maintaining and growing the aerospace industry in Ontario; and

“Whereas actions by the Ontario government have implications for municipal decisions;”

They “petition the Legislative Assembly to refrain from taking any action that could ease the sale of Bombardier-owned and -occupied land at Downsview, Toronto.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Joseph to bring it to the Clerk.

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Mr. Arthur Potts: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas Orkambi was approved by Health Canada for use in cystic fibrosis ... patients with two copies of the F508del-CFTR mutation, aged 12 years and older;

“Whereas Orkambi is the first drug to treat the basic defect in the largest population of Canadians with cystic fibrosis. It can slow disease progression, allowing patients to live longer, healthier lives;

“Whereas CF specialists have established clinical criteria for Orkambi, including start and stop criteria; these specialists are best suited to manage access to medications in the treatment of CF patients;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to negotiate a fair price for Orkambi and to make it available through Ontario public drug programs for those who meet the conditions set by Health Canada and the clinical criteria established by Canadian CF clinicians.”

I agree with this petition. I will sign my name and leave it with page Madeline.

Mental health services

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas patients receiving psychotherapy treatment from a registered psychotherapist ... in private practice must pay HST on the fee charged;

“Whereas psychotherapy is a health service which, when provided within the scope of practice of members of any other regulated health profession (RHP), is HST exempt;

“Whereas the HST adds a financial barrier on top of the social and cultural stigma that can accompany mental illness;

“Whereas there is a federal government process that allows groups to request the removal of HST from services;

“Whereas there is confidence that the tax will eventually be removed by the federal government;

“Whereas political staff have advised that a delay of three years is to be expected;

“Whereas Ontario has in the past acted separately from the federal government to effectively remove the HST;

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

“Removal of HST on psychotherapy be incorporated as a piece of the overall effort to make mental health” services “as accessible as possible to the citizens of Ontario.”

I agree with the petition and put my signature on it.

Correctional services

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I have a petition to resolve the crisis in Ontario corrections.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government has faced serious criticism by OPSEU, offender advocacy groups, media, the general public, the Ombudsman, the Ontario Human Rights Commission, the MCSCS independent auditor (Mr. Howard Sapers) and the Auditor General as a result of significant deficiencies in the correctional system; and

“Whereas the rates of assaults on correctional workers continues to increase exponentially; and

“Whereas Ontario probation and parole officers have the highest workloads in the nation; and

“Whereas Ontario has one of the highest recidivism rates in Canada; and

“Whereas the current working conditions of correctional staff, coupled with the comparatively low rates of investment across Canada has resulted in difficulties with staff retention and recruitment;

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

“That the Ontario government significantly increase expenditures to resolve the crisis in corrections by hiring full-time correctional workers, increasing funding for adequate offender services and increasing investments to recruit and retain skilled professionals and reduce recidivism.”

Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this petition. I affix my name to it and send it with page Will.

Animal protection

Mr. Han Dong: I have a petition “That Animal Cruelty Legislation be Amended to Recognize the Plight of Kiska, Canada’s Last Remaining Captive Orca.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the government of Ontario, under the leadership of Premier Kathleen Wynne, has recognized, through clear scientific research, that Orcinus orca (further known as orca) are an extremely emotional, exceptionally intelligent, highly social, deep-diving and wide-ranging species that have no place residing in chlorinated concrete tanks; and

“Whereas because of these exceptional traits, the government of Ontario has acknowledged and since prohibited the further breeding and acquisition of orcas within the province; and

“Whereas the government of Ontario failed to include Kiska—Ontario’s, and in fact Canada’s, sole surviving captive orca—in the recent prohibition of orcas; and

“Whereas Kiska shares all these same traits as her wild counterparts, the very same traits the government has now recognized do not make appropriate candidates for captivity; and

“Whereas not recognizing the specific situation of Kiska in the prohibition makes no logical nor humane sense as she is the only captive orca in the entire world who is forced to reside in complete seclusion from any other marine mammal;

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

“That the current legislation (Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, RSO 1990, c. O.36) be amended to recognize and address the plight of Kiska (who resides at Marineland Canada in Niagara Falls, Ontario) based on her special circumstances as noted above.”

I support this petition and I’ll sign it and give it to page Colin.

Accident benefits

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario Regulation 347/13 has made four changes to the Statutory Accident Benefits

Schedule (SABS), also known as Ontario Regulation 34/10 effective Feb 1, 2014. These regulations have considerably reduced the dollar amounts allocated for patients receiving assessments and treatment following a motor vehicle accident;

“Whereas the $3,500 minor injury guideline cap is an insufficient amount of funds provided, since assessments on all patients are required to ensure their safe ability in performing tasks associated with attendant care, housekeeping and caregiving. Furthermore repetitive muscular strain as a result of performing household tasks daily can lead to chronic long-term impairment. Accidental slips/falls due to dizziness/vertigo can result in further injuries involving fractures;

“Whereas this petition is to validate that the $3,500 minor injury guideline monetary fund is an insufficient amount to enable auto accident patients with soft tissue injury (WAD I/WAD II) to reach optimal recovery to their pre-accident status. Removing sections 18(1) and 18(2) from the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits

Schedule will enable the right efforts for accident victims with soft tissue injury to receive the adequate assessment and treatment required. In addition it will minimize the patient’s risks for further injury (chronic impairment, slips/falls, fractures) that are associated with performing attendant care, housekeeping/home maintenance, caregiving and functional tasks in their respective homes;

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

“To remove the minor injury guideline, sections 18(1) and 18(2) of the Ontario Statutory Accident Benefits

Schedule and incorporate rebuttal examination reports back into the system.”

Injured workers

Miss Monique Taylor: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario titled “Workers’ Comp Is a Right.

“Whereas about 200,000 to 300,000 people in Ontario are injured on the job every year;

“Whereas over a century ago, workers in Ontario who were injured on the job gave up the right to sue their employers, in exchange for a system that would provide them with just compensation;

“Whereas decades of cost-cutting have pushed injured workers into poverty and onto publicly funded social assistance programs, and have gradually curtailed the rights of injured workers;

“Whereas injured workers have the right to quality and timely medical care, compensation for lost wages, and protection from discrimination;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to change the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to accomplish the following for injured workers in Ontario:

“Eliminate the practice of ‘deeming’ or ‘determining,’ which bases compensation on phantom jobs that injured workers do not actually have;

“Ensure that the WSIB prioritizes and respects the medical opinions of the health care providers who treat the injured worker directly;

“Prevent compensation from being reduced or denied based on ‘pre-existing conditions’ that never affected the worker’s ability to function prior to the work injury.”

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

Government services

M me France Gélinas: I would like to thank Mr. Robert Spencer from Val Caron in my riding for this petition.

“Whereas Valley East’s privately operated ServiceOntario centre closed abruptly in January 2018; and

“Whereas the people of Valley East have the right to reliable business hours and reasonable wait times; and

“Whereas the people of Valley East pay the same provincial taxes as other Ontarians and have the right to equal services;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“That the Minister of Government and Consumer Services instruct ServiceOntario to immediately and permanently open and staff a public ServiceOntario centre in Valley East.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Stephanie to bring it to the Clerk.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time we have available for petitions.

Orders of the Day

Pay Transparency Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 sur la transparence salariale

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 29, 2018, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 3,

An Act respecting transparency of pay in employment / Projet de loi 3, Loi portant sur la transparence salariale.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Mr. Bill Walker: It’s a pleasure to stand today and speak to Bill 3,

An Act respecting transparency of pay in employment.

It’s interesting: The government says that this is important, but actions, as we all know, speak louder than words. This government could have done something about this any time in the past 15 years. Yet, just before an election—ironic how that happens with so many pieces of legislation coming forward in the eleventh hour just before an election.

Premier Wynne did identify this as an issue right away, and the government did a study into the gender wage gap in 2014. But they didn’t do anything with the recommendations until now, as I said, weeks before an election—four years. If they were truly sincere, if they were truly earnest about doing something to shorten the gap, make a difference and bring this up to par, they would have done it before now.

The Ontario Pay Equity Office has a budget of less than $3 million. This is the lowest in its 30-year history. Again, how much of a priority is it when you make it the lowest in history? There are only about 20 staff in the office, and a number of vacancies, at last count, in the government staff directory—a 20% vacancy rate. So again they talk “priority” and yet they don’t even fill the roles that are there—some of which, frankly, could be the people they want to give this gender equity to.

It creates the ability for the government to create a pay equity day through regulation. Why not actually create a pay equity day in the legislation? That’s one of the easiest things to do.

One of the things we see often now is that they’re putting a lot of things into regulation. It actually doesn’t have to come here before you, Mr. Speaker, and before us as the legislators—the democratically elected legislators—to come here and have proper debate. That concerns me in a significant way because we’re seeing more and more of those things. It’s interesting when you think of the title, “transparency,” and yet they’re doing a lot of things that aren’t even coming in front of the Legislature to be properly debated.

I take, as I’m sure all people in this House do, my responsibility very seriously to bring the views of my constituents—the people that we are democratically elected by—to come here and speak and bring those debate issues out so that we actually develop the best legislation: very clear, concise, good legislation that is actually going to serve all of the people of Ontario, not just a particular partisan need or the whim of a special-interest group. We want to make sure that we have the actual legislation debated properly so that we are moving forward.

Rather than being a complaints-driven process, this bill allows compliance officers to enter a business without a warrant—something this government seems to like to do. The recent changes to the conservation act also allowed warrantless entry. The government has increased warrantless entry in a number of pieces of legislation.

Mr. Speaker, again, they continue to assault—it’s almost like they’re against business, and particularly small business, when you see pieces of legislation like this. Yet again they’re doing things without consulting. They’re doing things that we wonder, “Is it really in the best interests of the people of Ontario?”

When I see things like “compliance officer”: With this government’s record over the last 15 years, what I see is yet another bureaucracy being built where people are coming in as police officers, in the mindset of, “We’re going to find fault with you. We’re going to find concerns and we’re going to fine you,” again putting more burden onto those businesses.

It really concerns me. I haven’t seen any numbers of how many compliance officers. I’ve seen no data that suggests how much they will spend on compliance officers. I think the people out there that are very concerned about the equity of dollars and value and remuneration would actually like to see that money spent on narrowing the gap in what those salaries are as opposed to spending more and more money on compliance officers, who, again, don’t even need a warrant. They can enter a business without a warrant.

It seems to be going the opposite way—and I think all people across the province want to ensure that we actually have the laws that govern all of us and ensure that we’re all treated in that same manner.

One of the things I hear across Ontario when I travel, whether it be in my critic portfolio or to another riding to get a perspective different from mine—I hear people saying: “We’re not properly consulted. We didn’t see this coming. The government didn’t sit with us and talk about it and make sure we understand it.” Either they go out and hire consultants and bring in a report and then, again, put in regulation—but they very rarely go to the front lines and talk to the people who are going to be most impacted. I’m certainly hearing that from businesses, over and over, as I’m sure you are in your riding, Mr.

Speaker—a lot of small businesses in the great riding of Wellington, which you represent.

The concern that I want to raise with this piece of legislation, again, is, if they’ve had that much time, if they’ve had 14 years to do this, and yet they haven’t actually gone out and done the consultation—they’re doing it at the eleventh hour, I trust, again, as an election ploy, that they’re bringing out a piece of legislation. People haven’t read the details. It sounds good. Why would anyone not want to support something like equity in legislation and remuneration? But at the end of the day, we want to make sure that it serves the people of Ontario properly.

Kathleen Wynne waited over 26 months—two-plus years—before creating the Gender Wage Gap Strategy Steering Committee in the spring of 2015. If it was truly a big issue, if it was truly a priority, they would have done that as soon as she found out about it. She wouldn’t have had to take that long to even strike a committee. They sat on their hands for two years after receiving the final report from the Gender Wage Gap Strategy Steering Committee in the spring of 2016 before tabling this piece of legislation. Again, Mr. Speaker, if it’s a priority, where was the urgency? Where was the reality of them wanting to do something very quickly?

For three fifths of the Liberals’ mandate, the last 10 years, the gender pay gap has remained unchanged. Now they’ve put forward this piece of legislation, which deals mostly with tracking outcomes rather than producing tangible results, as part of their cynical election ploy. This comes back to my concern about the compliance officers. If they’re truly doing it—why are we not driving this to show what the tangible results are, as opposed to more stats about how many are in non-compliance and that type of thing?

In my long-term-care critic role, I’ve found, as I’ve toured the province, a very significant shift. It used to be that the compliance officers would provide guidance. They would be more like a coach. They would go into a facility and meet with the management, and they would say, “Here are the things that you could be doing better.” They’d give them helpful tips. What I’m told is that the whole focus has shifted. Now it’s punitive: “We’re going to find you doing fault, and we’re going to fine you.”

The government has capped levels of funding for many years to our long-term-care facilities, making it doubly challenging for those operators to provide the proper care to the residents, which should be everyone’s biggest concern. Now they’re coming in and fining them, adding that financial burden to their operation already. If you’re putting more money into paying fines, you’re not putting it back into front-line care, the people who are there, the PSWs and registered nurses and registered practical nurses. All of the facilities are struggling with the challenge to have enough staffing resources.

Yet here we’re finding they’re coming in a compliance—and that’s the fear, and I draw the parallel to this piece of legislation, that that compliance officer is going to be punitive. They’re going into businesses looking for fault, as opposed to putting the money that you could be spending—and I think of many of the bureaucracies that they’ve created—the college of skilled trades, the apprenticeship program—what was that one called when they put the new college together? They sent 100 inspectors out there for the college of skilled trades, was it not?

They’re going out there fining fines and they’re looking for fault. Rather than finding ways to get more apprentices and more people working, they’re actually going in with that mindset of being very punitive. So I have a very big concern that this is a very similar situation, when I hear “compliance officer.” Why wouldn’t we call it a “compliance coach”?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: And then you wanted a dialogue.

Mr. Bill Walker: I would like dialogue, absolutely. I wanted to bring you into the discussion because you’re a very knowledgeable person from Elgin–Middlesex–London.

Mr. Speaker, so much of the substance of this act will be dealt with, as I said earlier, through regulation. It prevents members of the public from wholesomely debating it as it goes through the Legislature. We believe, in all cases, that something as significant as this, that they say is a priority—you would think they would want to have open dialogue, transparent dialogue and debate out in the community, certainly with the stakeholders first and foremost, and also here in the Legislature, to be debated by members of the Legislature, as opposed to allowing it to be done in the backrooms and forced on bodies that are not even aware of what’s going to be coming, the ramifications.

It’s very concerning, Mr. Speaker, again, that they are entering without a warrant. You would expect in any situation, I think, that people want to have some understanding that you’re coming in and going to be investigating.

Again, this gets back to the punitive mindset. If you were truly sincere in wanting to create a better system and more opportunity, you would actually want to have, as my colleague just said, open dialogue and consultation. You’d want to have that dialogue with the employers who drive our economy. If we don’t have employers, if we don’t have businesses, who works out there? Who then pays taxes, if they are not gainfully employed?

That’s the key that I see as different between the current Liberals’ governing and our governing. We want business to actually be the economic engine, which is where it should be. We shouldn’t be creating every single job within the government and building more bureaucracies, which are very costly. Again, if there’s value, we are fully supportive, but at the end of the day, we have to have a plan to understand what that value is. What is going to be the benefit to the people of Ontario who are paying the taxes on something like this?

It creates the groundwork for an Equal Pay Day on a specific annual date that will be determined through regulations. Again, they don’t even have that chosen. They can’t even put that out in clear, unambiguous terms: “Here’s where we’re going. We have a plan. It’s going to happen through consultation,” rather than them ramming things through, like I’ve seen so many times in my years here.

During Ontario’s Equal Pay Day last year, the 11th of April, 2017, the PC critic on women’s issues reminded the Minister of Labour that the Pay Equity Act was unanimously approved in the Legislature on the 15th of June, 1987. Interesting: Future Premier Mike Harris was the PC spokesperson who called for strong support of the Pay Equity Act in 1987.

Last spring, the PC caucus suggested the government work with the PCs and the NDP to create a special legislative committee that would sit over the spring and summer of 2017 to bring back to the Legislature—to the Legislature, not through regulation but through the Legislature—amendments to strengthen the Pay Equity Act so the Pay Equity Commission would have updated legislation and the financial resources to close the gender wage gap.

I think most of the people out there who are feeling that it’s not in the appropriate manner now would rather see money going into the actual pay equity and the ability for them to receive more than going into a whole bunch of compliance officers. Again, I repeat: I have no idea how many they’re going to have. I have no idea how big the structure to support that is. I have no idea how much money they’re going to spend on this bureaucracy to actually do compliance, as opposed to paying people money to narrow that gap.

Mr. Speaker, a government that can find $25 billion overnight to give a two-year hydro rebate—again, ironically, just before an election—can’t find money to narrow the wage gap. They found $4 billion that they moved off the books to say they balanced the budget, but they haven’t found any money. In this budget, they’re now going to find, through lending sources, $8 billion. I wonder how far $8 billion would have gone to narrow that wage gap. I have found it ironic, in my seven years here, that we continually find money for the things that are going to be serving the Liberals to get re-elected—

Mr. Jeff Yurek: And their friends.

Mr. Bill Walker: And their friends—as opposed to what’s good for Ontarians.

I’m not certain how people out there, whether it be people, again, in my long-term-care critic role—33,000 people on a wait-list, but they found no money until this year, ironically. They put 5,000 new beds into the system, or they’re suggesting they will. They also said they would redevelop 30,000 beds 15 years ago, and only about a third, if I’m kind, have even been started. Again, you said you were going to redo 30,000; you’re at about 10,000. You now, in an election year, say you’re going to build 5,000 more. Pardon me, Mr. Speaker, if I sound a little cynical that they are going to now find ways to do this in bringing it home and making sure that the legislation is enacted.

There are lots of promises, lots of headlines: “We will ... we shall ... we shall do better.” I think I’ve heard that probably a million times in this House: “We know we should do better. We know we can do better.” When am I going to see them do better? This is a prime example back to 1987: Mike Harris supported this, and now we’re in 2018 and they are just now making it the big priority that they say it has to be, Mr. Speaker.

The second committee met over the course of five days last autumn. However, their last meeting was in September 2017. So for something that you would think is a priority for, again, a government that likes to use the word “transparency” in almost every title they use, you would wonder: Why wasn’t something put out in October 2017 to say we’re going to address this? Why wouldn’t it have been totally costed out? They were talking this morning about some other issues, that things weren’t fully costed and weren’t fully detailed.

I’d like to suggest to them that it would be nice to see something as important as wage parity and wage equity fully costed out so that the people of Ontario understand, and particularly that those people expecting to be remunerated at that level would certainly be able to be compensated, and we know that the money’s there. They can’t just keep making wild promises, Mr. Speaker, without the reality of who’s going to pay for it.

We’ve got a new group of pages. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I hope you enjoy your stay here. But the sad

part is, Mr. Speaker, as you know as well as I, that every time they overspend, every time they go further down the road of debt, it’s this generation that’s going to pay for it. Right now, I wonder if any of these pages, in their studies coming here, know that the government of today has agreed to spend $1 billion on interest payments every single month—$1 billion. And that’s at the lowest interest rates we’ve ever had historically, and they continue to dig that debt hole. So by the time you are our age, and even a little before, you’re going to have challenges to be able to pay that.

What if those interest rates go up and that doubles? That’s one of the fears out there in the economic community, that interest rates will rise. They always cyclically do. What if that doubles? That would mean we’re spending $2 billion a month, Mr. Speaker. Do you think that wage equity gap is going to get narrowed if we start spending that kind of money on interest payments? I do not think so, and I don’t think that the people of Ontario think that either.

In a nutshell—I just want to review—according to the latest Statistics Canada data, women still earn between 78 cents and 97 cents to every dollar made by a man. The gap between how much women are paid and how much men are paid has only shrunk 10 cents since 1981. Yet this government again says over and over, “This is our priority.” It’s their priority because there’s an election coming on June 7. That’s why it is a priority, and I think they would all agree to that, although they probably won’t nod yes when I look across the aisle right now.

So, for 15 years, Mr. Speaker—15 years—this government, which again in the headlines says, “This is a priority and we want”—

Interjections.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you. The member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound has the floor.

Mr. Bill Walker: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

They’ve had 15 years to address systematic gender–based pay inequity and nothing—nothing—until now; and right before, as I continue to say, an election the Wynne Liberals are pretending to be champions of this issue after ignoring it for many, many years.

Now, with the election quickly approaching, they’ve put forward this legislation, but did they give it substance and will it do enough to close the gender pay gap? Will people in another four years be able to say, “Yes, it actually made the difference. It actually did get done”?

If we look at their track record, we were going to build a gas plant for $1.2 billion, but we didn’t ever build that gas plant, Mr. Speaker. They said they were going to have an eHealth system, and $8 billion later there was no eHealth system. They didn’t say they were actually going to sell Hydro One, a net revenue source for the province.

They didn’t say that at all before the last election but, ironically, they came out and also said, “With that sale we will balance the debt.” Now, just in this House a couple of weeks ago, we talked about the budget, and they’re now suggesting that for six years we’re going to be in a deficit situation again, although in the previous budget they said, “We’re going to balance for a number of years into the future.”

Mr. Speaker, I’m sorry to sound cynical, but that’s what the people in Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound and across the province are referring back to me, saying, “You need to hold them accountable. You need to make sure that when they make those promises, they don’t break them, that they don’t come back later and say, ‘Oh, we’re sorry. We know we should do better and we can do better.’”

We need to hold them to account. They use the word “transparency” even in the title of this equity legislation, although again it’s not even coming back to the Legislature. It’s going through regulations, so they can pretty much write it the way they want it.

I want to reiterate in my closing statement that I think when you use the word “transparency,” you should actually stand behind it and be held accountable. So let’s consider the record on accountability and transparency: $8 billion in eHealth; $1.1 billion for cancelling gas plants; $2 billion on smart meters that I haven’t heard one person in Ontario yet tell me they feel they’re smart meters; a $4.5-million salary for the CEO of Hydro One, and I believe that just went up. In fact, they gave him a raise just two weeks ago of $1.7 million extra, so he now makes $6.2 million.

The Minister of Energy said today, “That’s because he’s doing such a wonderful job and he has numbers to account”—well, I hope that it’s 20 times better than it was if he’s getting 20 times more than the Quebec CEO or the BC CEO.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: He got the bonus because he bought a coal plant.

Mr. Bill Walker: He bought a coal plant, yes. We hear all the time here, “We shut down coal,” although it was Elizabeth Witmer from our PC government many years ago who actually shut down the first and made the legislation to shut them down. Yet this government comes out and, with Ontario taxpayer money, actually buys a coal plant in the United States. I’m not certain, again, how transparent that was. I’m not certain if they ever campaigned suggesting they were going to do that.

I wonder how each of them, when they speak about coal plants, actually can stand here and not actually feel that they’re not being transparent and saying, “Oh, by the way, we bought a coal plant with your money.” I haven’t heard one of them agree and admit to that, Mr. Speaker.

Let’s not forget that they have tripled the debt, to $325 billion. So, back again to the pages in front of you, every single child in this country is born with $22,000 of debt, and that’s only getting higher. They’ve added another $8 billion in deficit this year. Those dollars could be going to all kinds of things like wage equity. They could be going to long-term care, they could be going to hospitals; they could be going to the less fortunate; and those in social and community services.

So I find it very interesting when we talk about pay transparency. Tell us how much you’ve set aside in the budget. Tell us when it will be done. Put it in black and white that if you do not achieve that goal, if you do not do it—because you haven’t in the last 15 years, even though you’ve said it’s a priority. In this election, I hope at least you’ll be honest with the people of Ontario.

You’ll put in black and white how much you’re budgeting, when it will be done, and if you don’t do it, then you will all resign because you were not transparent on something that you, again, are suggesting is absolutely a priority for your government—absolutely a priority—two months before the next election.

Let’s not forget what they’ve done for the last 15 years in regard to wage equity and truly making a difference in people’s paycheques. They’ve done absolutely zero, Mr. Speaker. At the end of the day, that’s unfortunate.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Questions and comments?

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I’m pleased to offer some thoughts on the remarks from the member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound. I found interesting his reference to the 1987 passage of the Pay Equity Act. Certainly, when the Conservatives were in office here in this province, they did not apparently believe that enforcing the Pay Equity Act was very important because, 10 years after the passage of that bill, the Conservatives reduced in half the budget for the Pay Equity Commission, from $6 million to $3 million. That legacy, that cut that was put in place in 1997, has continued all of these years under this Liberal government.

So I do agree with him that the Liberal government’s new-found commitment to addressing the gender wage gap is highly questionable when you look at that history of funding decisions absolutely flat-lining the budget of the Pay Equity Commission.

Speaker, we have to remember that pay transparency really is an enforcement tool to be able to know how well the Pay Equity Act is working. The problem with the legislation we have before us is that it applies to a sliver of the employees who are bound by pay equity legislation. The current Pay Equity Act applies to all employers in this provinc