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December 21, 1999

37th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcript 1999-Dec-21 vol. A (PDF)

L032A - Tue 21 Dec 1999 / Mar 21 déc 1999

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

WINE INDUSTRY

HIGHWAY 3 BYPASS

NORTHERN ECONOMY

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

MINE RESCUE WORKERS

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WESTERN ONTARIO

ONTARIO ECONOMY

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENT ACT (PARTISAN SIGNS), 1999 / LOI DE 1999 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR L'AMÉNAGEMENT DES VOIES PUBLIQUES ET DES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN (PANNEAUX À CARACTÈRE POLITIQUE)

TORONTO WATERFRONT FAIR HOUSING ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR L'ÉQUITÉ EN MATIÈRE DE LOGEMENT DANS LE SECTEUR RIVERAIN DE TORONTO

MINE RESCUE PERSONNEL LONG SERVICE AWARDS ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR LES RÉCOMPENSES POUR LONGS ÉTATS DE SERVICE DÉCERNÉES AU PERSONNEL DE SAUVETAGE DANS LES MINES

SUPPLY ACT, 1999 / LOI DE CRÉDITS DE 1999

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

FEDERAL TAXATION

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

DEFERRED VOTES

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA HEART INSTITUTE ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR L'INSTITUT DE CARDIOLOGIE DE L'UNIVERSITÉ D'OTTAWA

MEMBER'S PRIVILEGE

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIONAL UNITY

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

EMERGENCY SERVICES

HEALTH CARE

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

PREMIER'S ATTENDANCE

MINING INDUSTRY

NATIVE YOUTH SUICIDE

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION CENTRES

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

VOLUNTEER SCREENING

PETITIONS

BRONTE CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

FOREST ACCESS ROUTES

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

KARLA HOMOLKA

MATERS MORTGAGES

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

MARRIAGE

MEDICAL LABORATORIES

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

ORDERS OF THE DAY

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

PREMIER'S ATTENDANCE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Mr Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): At a time when everyone must surely agree that a healthy environment may indeed be the key to our future survival on the planet, I was very concerned to learn recently that the Ministry of Education is planning to remove environmental sciences from the secondary school curriculum.

In that we've been told that the final decisions for the grade 11-12 curriculum guidelines will be made by February of next year, I wanted to use this opportunity today to urge the Minister of Education to reverse that decision before it's too late, hopefully because she is able to recognize the dire implications of its removal from the curriculum.

The fight to retain environmental sciences is being led by Dr Tom Puk from the faculty of education at Lakehead University and the outdoor recreation, parks and tourism students at Lakehead. But make no mistake about it: This is a province-wide concern as York University, the University of Toronto and the University of Western Ontario are campaigning equally hard to get the minister's attention.

Minister, you met with Dr Puk last month and indicated that you understood his concerns. You also said that just because draft guidelines had been released, that didn't mean that changes couldn't be made. I hope that you'll be true to your word. At a time when government is decreasing its focus on education about the environment, one can only see the removal of environmental sciences from the high school curriculum as a drastic step backwards.

Without a healthy environment, we have nothing. Without clean air and water and soil, we have nothing. Please listen to those concerns and put environmental sciences back on the high school curriculum. It must be done. You're the one who can do it. Please listen to those concerns and fix the problem.

WINE INDUSTRY

Mr Brian Coburn (Carleton-Gloucester): It's my pleasure to speak to you about a constituent of mine who has received allocades on the world stage. Orazio La Manna, along with four others, make up Canada's Olympic culinary team, which has just arrived home from the World Culinary Salon Championship in Switzerland with three gold medals, placing the team in the top five internationally. Ontario wines were used in this year's winning dessert, a testament to this province's status as a world-class wine producing region.

My colleagues from Erie-Lincoln and Niagara Falls can attest to the overwhelming importance of Ontario's wine producers to our economy. In fact, every $10 million in wine sales translates into $14.8 million in economic activity in Ontario. Almost 5,000 people are directly employed in the wine industry, mostly in the Niagara region. As well, approximately 400,000 people visited wineries in Ontario in 1999.

Our province is home to some of the top wine labels in the world, including Inniskillin ice wine, used in the team's winning dessert entry, the first such wine in Canada to receive the prestigious VQA label.

I join with my constituents in Carleton-Gloucester to wish Mr La Manna and his teammates all the best in their upcoming competitions.

I take this opportunity to extend to my colleagues in this place, and all Ontarians, best wishes for a joyous holiday season, where they can enjoy the camaraderie and good fellowship of family and friends.

HIGHWAY 3 BYPASS

Mr Bruce Crozier (Essex): My statement is to the Minister of Transportation. Two weeks ago the Highway 3 bypass was finally opened around Leamington. Within hours of the extension's opening, my constituency office began receiving calls about the dangers of this stretch of highway. The two biggest problems are the stops to County Road 34 and County Road 31. The day after this stretch of highway was opened, the local OPP issued a warning for motorists to take extra precautions at these two intersections.

On December 9, I wrote to your office asking that you address these problems and requesting copies of safety and engineering studies done prior to the opening. To date I've heard nothing. The only action I've seen to address these problems are large traffic cones which have been placed to close off the right-hand turn lanes at County Road 34. This has caused even more problems. Large trucks, which the bypass was built to accommodate, now have a hard time turning the corners. The traffic problems are now worse than they were before. I wrote to your office again last week to get action on this issue but have still heard nothing.

There's no excuse for these problems. This is a brand new stretch of highway that should not have been opened until it was safe. It has only been due to the caution of the drivers that a major accident has been avoided. Don't wait until that happens before you act.

Minister, you must undertake a review that will lead to the installation of fully functional traffic signals at these dangerous intersections. There's no reason for delay.

NORTHERN ECONOMY

Mr Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): The air is crisp and Santa's sleigh is soon to be lifting off, but you know, in life there's no such thing as a 10. There are not the perfect parents, although we try; there's not the perfect child, and sometimes they are very trying; there's not the perfect spouse or the perfect employer or the perfect employee, but maybe some are just closer to a 10 than others. The reality is that people are just doing the best they can, and the province is getting better.

Canada's jobless rate plunged to an 18-year low in November. The growing Canadian economy created 89,000 full-time jobs last month, dropping the national employment rate down to 6.9%. However, in northeastern Ontario the unemployment rate continues to tumble. The North Bay and area labour market bulletin states that the unemployment rate in the region is 7.1%.

Last year at this time the northeastern unemployment rate was 10.4%. In northern Ontario, employment opportunities have improved with the creation of nearly 14,000 jobs in the first half of 1999. Over 2,200 jobs were created for engineers, scientists, computer programmers and technicians in northern industry.

Remember, there's no such thing as a 10, or in this case a zero, but we all are trying to do the best we can.

In closing, I'd just like to say merry Christmas to all and the best of the new millennium.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mrs Lyn McLeod (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): Two of the most critical health care issues this fall have been the closure of emergency rooms and the shortage of physicians. The Harris government has refused to take absolutely essential action on either issue.

Yesterday's emergency room announcement was a repackaging of what didn't work last spring. The government still refuses to reopen the acute care beds it has closed.

But when it comes to the shortage of physicians, there has been no action at all.

Last summer, with 87 communities designated as underserviced for family doctors, the minister promised to act. She appointed a fact-finder, Dr McKendry, who was to report by the end of September. It is now the end of December and still no report, at least no report released. The minister promised that when the report was released she would set up an expert panel to make recommendations to deal with the shortage. No report, no expert panel, no solutions, no action.

We said that the Harris government was stalling for time last summer, but we had no idea they would still be totally silent five months later. In the meantime, there are now 99 communities underserviced for family doctors and 25% of the people in this province have no family doctor.

There is real urgency here. There should be an immediate commitment to increase medical school spaces this fall. There should be an immediate expansion of the number of residency spaces for foreign-trained physicians.

It is past time. It is time for this government to release the McKendry report and get on with what so obviously must be done to deal with the shortage of physicians.

MINE RESCUE WORKERS

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): For almost 50 years Ontario mine rescue personnel have played a vital role in mine safety in Ontario.

These individuals are on call 24 hours daily to rescue miners who are trapped or injured and to extinguish fires in mining operations both on the surface and underground. Mine rescue personnel are trained in the use of specialized equipment, especially that which allows them to work in confined spaces underground. They receive ongoing training in first aid, fire suppression and other life-saving skills, and they must complete mandatory hours of service annually in order to remain certified. The Ontario mine rescue organization is recognized nationally and internationally for its high standards, its expertise and its success in responding to mine disasters and emergency situations.

It is time to publicly recognize the commitment, courage and dedication of Ontario's mine rescue staff. In that regard, I will be introducing a private member's bill to recognize the long service of these individuals. Specifically, those achieving 20 or more years of service will receive a long-standing service award to acknowledge their enormous contribution in the protection and rescue of miners in Ontario. The award would be presented by the province's senior mine rescue officer at the annual Ontario Mine Rescue Competition, which incidentally will be held in Sudbury in June 2000.

I trust all members will support the establishment of a long-service award for Ontario mine rescue personnel, to acknowledge and commend these individuals for their outstanding public service.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mrs Brenda Elliott (Guelph-Wellington): Last Thursday I had the privilege of attending the tender-signing ceremony at St Joseph's Hospital and Home in my riding of Guelph-Wellington.

This $21.7-million project is part of a total $69-million commitment from the Mike Harris government and has been a long time in coming. The former Liberal government promised to address the health care needs of Guelph. They even held a groundbreaking. Caucus infighting ensued and nothing happened. The NDP had five years to build hospitals in my riding and again did nothing. I'm proud to say that after all those empty promises, it's our government that has come through with real dollars for a real hospital.

The St Joseph's 225-bed, long-term-care facility is scheduled for completion by the fall of 2001 and complements the General acute care, which construction is now underway.

We understood in our community that restructuring had to come from within. Thanks go to Sister Margaret Myatt, Rita Soluk, board chair Agnes Gelb and former board chair Simon Liebowitz, who have worked so co-operatively to bring this to fruition. Everyone at St Joe's is very excited about their new facility and about this increased opportunity to provide better health care for our constituents in Guelph-Wellington.

By building this long-awaited long-term-care facility and acute care hospital, our government has once again shown that the Mike Harris government keeps its promises and that we are investing heavily in high-quality health care for Ontario.

CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF WESTERN ONTARIO

Mrs Sandra Pupatello (Windsor West): I'd like to address today an issue that is happening at the children's hospital in London. I'd particularly like the members for London-Fanshawe, London North Centre and London West to take note. I'll be spending some time during our intersession in the London area, and I expect the members from that area to take note and get to work first.

Dr Tim Frewen, the chief of that hospital, was very specific when he said that in March last year the Minister of Health made an announcement about what they were going to do as a government to help these children's services in this hospital, particularly the need for paediatric neurosurgeons, but the resources have not followed the announcement. So just be on notice. Our Liberal Party will be at work in the London area and I expect the local MPPs to take note and get to work first. Call Dr Tim Frewen. His number is 685-8500. Call him today.

He has spoken to you through the newspapers, which is most unfortunate, that a local doctor needs to take this kind of means to call the government to account on promises it made well before the last election.

What we have now is a hospital that serves a catchment basin from Owen Sound through to Windsor, so hundreds and hundreds of children are served by this hospital in London which is now dealing with a significant shortage of specialists to deal with very serious problems. As Dr Frewen says, "The time is now to act on behalf of our children."

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr Doug Galt (Northumberland): Every Tory in On-Tory-o likes Christmas a lot, but the Grinches who live on the other side of this House do not. The Grinches don't like Christmas. No one quite knows why. It could be that their heads are not screwed on just right or maybe their shoes are too tight. I think the reason the Grinches don't like Christmas is because in On-Tory-o all the stores and shopping malls are full. They're filled with happy people spending their hard-earned money on gifts and spending less on taxes. The Grinches shiver when they see this. They love high taxes. They don't like tax cuts at all.

They stare down from their dark, dreary caves with sour Grinchy frowns and think of ways to make lives miserable for all the happy Tories.

The Grinches don't want to see the boys and girls receiving gifts. Why, yes, the Grinches can't stand gift-giving, because they think they could spend our money better. They just take the gifts away from the young girls and boys, and this is such an awful thing to do. Shame on them.

Even though the Grinches have been naughty and selfish, they'll get a tax cut too instead of a piece of coal. But even if that doesn't make them happy, we can rest assured that many people are appreciative of the political stability, financial security and justice that Ontario provides.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT AMENDMENT ACT (PARTISAN SIGNS), 1999 / LOI DE 1999 MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR L'AMÉNAGEMENT DES VOIES PUBLIQUES ET DES TRANSPORTS EN COMMUN (PANNEAUX À CARACTÈRE POLITIQUE)

Mr Gravelle moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 44,

An Act to amend the Public Transportation and Highway Improvement Act to prohibit partisan highway signs / Projet de loi 44, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'aménagement des voies publiques et des transports en commun de façon à interdire les panneaux routiers à caractère politique.

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

The member, for a short explanation.

Mr Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay-Superior North): We on this side of the House have been concerned for some time about this government's willingness to use public money to buy advertisements that are essentially partisan in nature. My leader, Dalton McGuinty, introduced Bill 17 earlier this session to deal with partisan government advertising on radio, TV or in print. What my bill does is ban the signs that are appearing with more and more frequency on provincial highways, advertising "Your Ontario Tax Dollars at Work," signed Premier Mike Harris.

My bill will prohibit the Minister of Transportation from issuing to the crown a permit to display a sign, notice or advertising device near provincial highways if it contains the name or image of a member of the executive council or a member of the Legislative Assembly or a partisan message.

I'd like to seek unanimous consent to receive second reading on this bill today.

The Speaker: The member has asked for unanimous consent. Is there unanimous consent? I heard a no.

TORONTO WATERFRONT FAIR HOUSING ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR L'ÉQUITÉ EN MATIÈRE DE LOGEMENT DANS LE SECTEUR RIVERAIN DE TORONTO

Mr Hampton moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 45,

An Act to provide for affordable housing on the Toronto waterfront and on the site of the XXIX Summer Olympics / Projet de loi 45, Loi assurant la création de logements à prix abordable dans le secteur riverain de Toronto et sur l'emplacement des XXIX e Jeux olympiques d'été.

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

The member, for a short explanation.

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): The bill requires every Olympic Games residence to be converted to non-profit housing after the games end, if the International Olympic Committee decides to hold the Olympic Games in the city of Toronto.

The bill requires at least 25% of the housing built on the Toronto waterfront after the bill comes into force to be affordable housing.

The bill requires the Minister of Finance to consider funding the construction of non-profit housing near the Toronto waterfront in an amount equal to the price of any crown land on the waterfront sold to a person who is not a public authority. No order of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing made under the Planning Act applies to the Toronto waterfront unless the order is approved by a bylaw made by the council of the city of Toronto.

FAIRNESS FOR TAXPAYERS BILL, THE MORE DAYS IN THE HOUSE FOR THE PREMIER AND FEWER CHEAP PHOTO OPS ACT

Mr Phillips moved first reading of the following bill:

The fairness for taxpayers bill, the more days in the House for the Premier and fewer cheap photo ops act.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker: I didn't hear a no.

The member, for a short explanation.

Mr Gerry Phillips (Scarborough-Agincourt): Thank you, Speaker.

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I can assure you that I did say-

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I listened carefully. I did not hear a no on that one, and I was listening carefully. I did not hear a no, and I'm not trying to play the games. I did not hear a no.

Same point of order?

Ms Marilyn Mushinski (Scarborough Centre): On the same point of order, Mr Speaker: I heard at least three noes from this side.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I did not hear a no.

The member for a short explanation.

Mr Phillips: The act would require the Premier to attend question period more frequently-

Interjection.

The Speaker: I have ruled. I did not hear a no. Is it the same point of order?

Hon Al Palladini (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): On the same point of order, Mr Speaker: This is the first time in this Legislature that I have stood up on a point of order in the four and a half years I have been here, and I would appreciate it if you would hear it.

With all due respect, as usual, the members of the opposition make a lot of noise. I know my distinguished colleague next to me did say no. I will not lie in this Legislature.

The Speaker: I understand, but I did not hear a no, and I'm not kidding around with this. I did not hear a no.

The member, for a short explanation.

Mr Phillips: This bill would require the Premier to attend question period more frequently than has been the case over the past several years. Within 60 days of the act receiving royal assent, the Premier has to improve his question period attendance. The staff of the Premier must also prepare an annual report indicating a substantial reduction in cheap photo ops. Failure to comply would result in a strongly worded letter from the Lieutenant Governor.

Hon Cameron Jackson (Minister of Tourism): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: It is very clear, from a previous Speaker's ruling, that no bill can within its content raise in question the attendance in this House of any member. The regulations are very clear, and I would ask you to rule that the bill be out of order.

The Speaker: I haven't had a chance to look at the bill and read the bill, so I have no way of knowing. I will look at it at that time.

MINE RESCUE PERSONNEL LONG SERVICE AWARDS ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR LES RÉCOMPENSES POUR LONGS ÉTATS DE SERVICE DÉCERNÉES AU PERSONNEL DE SAUVETAGE DANS LES MINES

Ms Martel moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 47,

An Act to provide for the recognition of the long service of mine rescue personnel / Projet de loi 47, Loi prévoyant la reconnaissance des longs états de service du personnel de sauvetage dans les mines.

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

The member, for a short explanation.

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): The members of the Ontario mine rescue staff respond when a miner is trapped or injured or if a fire breaks out in a mine underground or on the surface. These highly trained expert personnel play a vital role in maintaining the safety of Ontario mines and miners. It's important to recognize the many years of service given by the members of the Ontario mine rescue organization. To that end, the bill authorizes a person specified as the awards officer to issue long-service awards to persons involved in the provision of mine service rescue.

SUPPLY ACT, 1999 / LOI DE CRÉDITS DE 1999

Mr Sterling, on behalf of Mr Eves, moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 48,

An Act to authorize the payment of certain amounts for the Public Service for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2000 / Projet de loi 48, Loi autorisant le paiement de certaines sommes destinées à la fonction publique pour l'exercice se terminant le 31 mars 2000.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

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

All those opposed will please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1357 to 1402.

The Speaker: Mr Sterling has moved first reading of

An Act to authorize the payment of certain amounts for the Public Service for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Baird, John R.

Barrett, Toby

Beaubien, Marcel

Chudleigh, Ted

Clark, Brad

Clement, Tony

Coburn, Brian

Cunningham, Dianne

DeFaria, Carl

Dunlop, Garfield

Ecker, Janet

Elliott, Brenda

Flaherty, Jim

Galt, Doug

Gill, Raminder

Guzzo, Garry J.

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Michael D.

Hodgson, Chris

Hudak, Tim

Jackson, Cameron

Johns, Helen

Johnson, Bert

Kells, Morley

Klees, Frank

Marland, Margaret

Martiniuk, Gerry

Maves, Bart

Mazzilli, Frank

Molinari, Tina R.

Munro, Julia

Murdoch, Bill

Mushinski, Marilyn

Newman, Dan

O'Toole, John

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Palladini, Al

Runciman, Robert W.

Sampson, Rob

Skarica, Toni

Snobelen, John

Spina, Joseph

Sterling, Norman W.

Stewart, R. Gary

Stockwell, Chris

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tilson, David

Tsubouchi, David H.

Turnbull, David

Wettlaufer, Wayne

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wood, Bob

Young, David

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

Nays

Agostino, Dominic

Bartolucci, Rick

Bountrogianni, Marie

Boyer, Claudette

Bradley, James J.

Brown, Michael A.

Caplan, David

Cleary, John C.

Colle, Mike

Conway, Sean G.

Curling, Alvin

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duncan, Dwight

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Levac, David

McGuinty, Dalton

McLeod, Lyn

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Sergio, Mario

Smitherman, George

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 55; the nays are 29.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader): I move that pursuant to standing order 9(c)(ii), the House shall meet from 6:45 pm to midnight on Tuesday, December 21, 1999, for the purpose of considering government business.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

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

All those opposed will please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

I declare the motion carried.

FEDERAL TAXATION

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader): Mr Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to move a motion calling on the federal government to reverse its decision to increase job-killing payroll taxes planned for January 1, 2000, and to instead reduce EI premiums in order to put money back into the hands of hard-working Ontarians and that the question on the motion be put immediately.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Is there unanimous consent? I heard some noes.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Ms Marilyn Churley (Broadview-Greenwood): I would like to ask for unanimous consent to debate my resolution that the Legislature order the general government committee to reconvene to reconsider the appointment of the Environmental Commissioner and that the question on this motion be put now.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Unanimous consent? I heard a no.

DEFERRED VOTES

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA HEART INSTITUTE ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR L'INSTITUT DE CARDIOLOGIE DE L'UNIVERSITÉ D'OTTAWA

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 39,

An Act respecting the University of Ottawa Heart Institute / Projet de loi 39, Loi concernant l'Institut de cardiologie de l'Université d'Ottawa.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1409 to 1414.

The Speaker: Mr Newman has moved second reading of Bill 39. All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Agostino, Dominic

Arnott, Ted

Baird, John R.

Barrett, Toby

Bartolucci, Rick

Beaubien, Marcel

Bountrogianni, Marie

Boyer, Claudette

Bradley, James J.

Brown, Michael A.

Caplan, David

Christopherson, David

Chudleigh, Ted

Churley, Marilyn

Clark, Brad

Cleary, John C.

Clement, Tony

Coburn, Brian

Colle, Mike

Conway, Sean G.

Cunningham, Dianne

Curling, Alvin

DeFaria, Carl

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Ecker, Janet

Elliott, Brenda

Flaherty, Jim

Galt, Doug

Gerretsen, John

Gill, Raminder

Gravelle, Michael

Guzzo, Garry J.

Hampton, Howard

Hardeman, Ernie

Harris, Michael D.

Hodgson, Chris

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jackson, Cameron

Johns, Helen

Johnson, Bert

Kells, Morley

Klees, Frank

Kormos, Peter

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Lankin, Frances

Levac, David

Marchese, Rosario

Marland, Margaret

Martel, Shelley

Martiniuk, Gerry

Maves, Bart

Mazzilli, Frank

McGuinty, Dalton

McLeod, Lyn

Molinari, Tina R.

Munro, Julia

Murdoch, Bill

Mushinski, Marilyn

Newman, Dan

O'Toole, John

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Palladini, Al

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Ramsay, David

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sampson, Rob

Sergio, Mario

Skarica, Toni

Smitherman, George

Snobelen, John

Spina, Joseph

Sterling, Norman W.

Stewart, R. Gary

Stockwell, Chris

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tilson, David

Tsubouchi, David H.

Turnbull, David

Wettlaufer, Wayne

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wood, Bob

Young, David

Clerk of the House (Mr Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 93; the nays are 0.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? Agreed?

All those in favour will please say "aye."

All those opposed will please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

MEMBER'S PRIVILEGE

Ms Marilyn Churley (Broadview-Greenwood): Mr Speaker, I rise on a point of privilege and, as required under standing order 21(c), have given you the appropriate notice.

Yesterday I rose on a point of order and directed your attention to a letter from the member for Halton North to the three House leaders. Later you agreed with me that this matter is better as a point of privilege, and it is with that advice that I rise today.

For your consideration, I have attached a copy of the letter from the member for Halton North to my notice of this point of privilege.

At the outset I want to point out why this letter is a matter for you to deal with in this House. According to Maingot in Parliamentary Privilege in Canada, "If one member speaking outside the House reflects improperly on the conduct of another member's parliamentary activities and the matter is raised as a matter of privilege in the House, the Speaker certainly has jurisdiction to examine those same words and determine if there is a prima facie case of privilege or contempt of the House."

Mr Speaker, this letter attacks my integrity as a member of this Legislature and it makes allegations concerning my conduct and my character. Allow me to briefly outline why this is the case.

The letter states that the concern surrounding the appointment of the Environmental Commissioner, a friend of the Premier's, has been created from, and I quote from the letter, the "unprecedented and utterly inappropriate disclosure of information (much of it inaccurate) regarding the committee's review process by one of the committee members, Marilyn Churley."

It goes on to outline how I voted, who my preferred candidate was, and even how other members of the committee voted. It states, and I quote again from the letter, "Mr Miller received very high or the highest rankings...from every MPP, regardless of political stripe (with the exception of Ms Churley), up to the final selection process."

The member from Halton North actually reveals how various members of the committee voted, while attacking my character.

Finally, I would suggest that the tone of the letter is intimidating and threatening. The member for Halton North writes that he hopes that the three House leaders will "extract from Ms Churley the apology that Mr Miller deserves." I find the use of the word "extract" offensive and suggesting intimidation. The Oxford dictionary defines the word "extract" as "remove or take out especially by effort or force."

Again, according to Maingot:

"Members are entitled to go about their parliamentary business undisturbed. The assaulting, menacing or insulting a member on the floor of the House or when he is coming or going to or from the House, or on account of his behaviour during a proceeding in Parliament is a violation of the rights of Parliament. Any form of intimidation of a person for or on account of his behaviour during a proceeding in Parliament would amount to contempt."

Mr Speaker, I could also spend some time here today outlining the inaccuracies with the letter, like the fact that the government House leader had originally offered to have a fair, non-partisan process by having one member per party on the committee, but that was later withdrawn by the government for a government majority. But I will not take the time now to get into that.

In closing, Mr Speaker, I am asking you to rule on this, and in doing so, should you find that I have a question of privilege, I am prepared to move the necessary motion to refer the matter to the standing committee on the Legislative Assembly. Thank you for this opportunity, Mr Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): I want to thank the member for giving me advance notice.

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader): I find it a bit ironic that the member opposite who is raising this point of privilege was the first member to divulge the committee's business, which was highly confidential. She was the one who brought forward the names of various candidates and made them public before the committee reported to the House. She not only made it public by talking about it, but she held a press conference to break this particular news. We find this absolutely without ground with regard to her raising this point of privilege. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black.

Yesterday also in this House the same member impugned one of the candidates by calling that candidate a lapdog. She also impugned all of the members of the committee of the Legislature who had participated in this process by slandering them with regard to their choice in this whole process.

I don't find this funny, as she does. This is a serious process. This has been a public process, more public than the previous process under the NDP government of 1994, and we are proud of the work the committee did in this regard.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member come to order, please. Order, everybody. We're coming to the end of the session; there's no need for tempers to get riled. I thank the member for giving me advance notice. I will reserve judgment on that.

Mr Dwight Duncan (Windsor-St Clair): On a point of order, Speaker: On another question, later today, in an attempt to get the Premier's friend appointed Environmental Commissioner, the government has indicated to the official opposition that we will be debating government motion number 30 in the afternoon session with respect to that appointment. A number of procedural questions, I believe, are going to require your ruling.

First of all, is it appropriate that this motion could be heard twice in one calendar day? It's the view of the official opposition that this motion is a substantive motion and it ought to be treated the way a bill is and therefore we cannot hear it both in the afternoon and in the evening session.

We don't know yet whether the government will call it in the evening session, but it has been indicated to us by the government House leader's office that in fact that is a possibility. That is the first point of order: Will we be able to debate this motion twice in one calendar day?

The second one is problematic as well and will require your ruling, and we hope that you would be available, if not to rule on it now, then today. The government will have to bring a motion of closure in order to deal with this today if that is the government's direction. It would be the opinion of the official opposition that a motion to force closure today would be premature, and not enough time would have been spent by this Legislature in debating the appointment of the commissioner.

It is also the view of the official opposition that the time spent in committee ought not to be considered as part of that time to consider the appointment.

Sir, you will be called at some point today to make these rulings. I wanted to give you that notification now in order that the Premier's friend not be jammed through as Environmental Commissioner.

The Speaker: I thank the member for letting me know. As you know, depending on what the government calls, I can't rule on something until it does happen, but I assure the members that I will be here for the amount of time it takes, all day and all evening. As long as you're here, I'm here to hear those point of order. I thank you for the advance notice.

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): I would just ask unanimous consent of the House to pass second and third reading of Bill 16, my bill on gasoline prices.

The Speaker: Is there unanimous consent? I heard a no.

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIONAL UNITY

Mr Dalton McGuinty (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. I think I should begin by marking this momentous and extraordinary occasion by welcoming the Premier to the Ontario Legislature. Welcome.

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader): The member failed to follow your instructions, Mr Speaker, and I would ask you to advise.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): It was borderline. He was welcoming him, but I asked all members, and you know I've said this before: We cannot talk about when members are here. There have been occasions when some members have been here. I've also watched on occasion when government members have been here, and it could have referred to opposition.

Mrs Sandra Pupatello (Windsor West): It's a good thing there's a nameplate on the desk.

The Speaker: The member for Windsor West come to order, please. I would ask all members not to try and be cute with borderline remarks and not refer to when members are there.

Mr Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I'm sure you would want to know that the former member for Cochrane North, Len Wood, is visiting here today. Would you like to give him a welcome?

The Speaker: Welcome, the former member.

Mr McGuinty: Premier, I have a question for you regarding your absence in the national debate on the Prime Minister's clarity bill. You will know that this bill sets out the rules that Quebec separatists are going to have to follow, should they decide to break away from Canada. In keeping with the Supreme Court of Canada's ruling, the legislation calls for a clear majority on a clear question.

Thoughtful Canadian leaders from coast to coast have offered their opinion or commentary on this bill. All you have offered thus far is a deafening silence. Premier, on behalf of Ontario's 11 million citizens, can you tell us what the position of the government of Ontario is on the Prime Minister's clarity bill?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): I am surprised that, given the flip-flops and lack of interest in job creation in the business of this Legislature, now you also want to use this Legislature to debate federal legislation. I've indicated that it's entirely appropriate for the Prime Minister in the federal Parliament to respond to the court ruling with the piece of legislation. I've indicated that is their domain. As you know, just like the mayor of the city or of the province of Toronto, whichever it is from time to time, we're good friends and we support one another, just as I support the Prime Minister.

Mr McGuinty: This surely is eminently newsworthy. The Premier has nothing to say about a federal initiative. He has never shown any reluctance, any hesitation whatsoever in the past either to pass judgment or to offer criticism when it comes to the federal government. But suddenly he is absolutely silent. He is terrified of this issue.

Premier, you and your predecessors have been commissioned by history to play a leadership role when it comes to the continuing evolution of our country. You have a responsibility to stand up for Ontario and to stand up for Canada. You cannot shrink from this issue. Leadership is not an option here. Where do you stand when it comes to the new rules being put forward by the Primer Minister of Canada?

Hon Mr Harris: I think I've made it very clear where I stand, and our leadership in national unity is one of making this province and this country so prosperous-

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member for Windsor-St Clair come to order. I cannot hear the Premier's answer. I need to hear the answers of members and I will not put up with shouting across at each other, and that goes for both sides.

Hon Mr Harris: I think the members opposite will know-

Interjection.

The Speaker: Premier, sit down. This is the member's last warning. The member for Windsor-St Clair, his last warning. Two seconds after I sit down, I do not appreciate it when you yell across. The last warning for the member for Windsor-St Clair.

Hon Mr Harris: I think the members opposite from all parties know, and the public of Ontario knows very well, the leadership role Ontario has played under previous premiers. When there have been constitutional challenges, they've been able to do so, I might add-premiers Robarts and Davis, premiers Rae and Peterson-by maintaining a positive dialogue with all premiers in the country and the Prime Minister by sticking within their jurisdiction.

We, though, have taken an additional role, as you know, the leadership role in the Calgary declaration. That, combined with making this country the most dynamic, economically desirable country in the world in which to live, I would suggest is a contributing factor for separatism anywhere in the country being at an all-time low.

Mr McGuinty: Premier, if you think there is some kind of economic lever that you or anybody else might pull that's going to induce Lucien Bouchard into embracing Canada, you've got another think coming.

You are no longer, sir, a school board trustee. You are no longer a backbencher. You are now the Premier of Ontario. That is an important job. One of the important responsibilities that comes with that is to understand Ontario's place in Confederation, to understand Ontario's place when it comes to lending continuing shape to the country of Canada.

Hon Mr Harris: I think it's been eminently clear that since our election and our leadership by the members on this side of the House, the unity of Canada has never been in a stronger position. Those seeking to destroy this country, to separate this country, have in fact been very supportive of the agenda put forward by the province of Ontario. They were supportive of the leadership we took in the Calgary declaration. They are supportive of the positions we have taken to make this country the most desirable in the world in which to live.

I might add that our position on the specific motion you mentioned is one that is 100% supported by the Leader of the Opposition in Quebec, the honourable Jean Charest, with whom we consult on a regular basis. Had you taken the opportunity to consult with other leaders across the country, you would know that your positions are generally out to lunch and divisive.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Mr Dalton McGuinty (Leader of the Opposition): I have another question, also for the Premier. Later today your government is going to bring forward a motion to hire a man named Gord Miller to be Ontario's new Environmental Commissioner. I want to read to you from the job description of the Environmental Commissioner. It says: "The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario is an independent officer of the Legislative Assembly. The Environmental Commissioner reports to the Legislative Assembly, not to a political party or to a ministry."

Certainly one of the most important qualifications of any candidate for this job, Premier, has to be their independence from government and from partisan politics. Before the Legislature debates your government's motion this afternoon, can you explain to us how it is that your personal friend, your federal riding president and a two-time Tory candidate can possibly be considered either independent or non-partisan?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): Let me say that I have been in this Legislature now for over 18 years and I have seen very partisan members of this Legislature, some who had campaigned on many occasions, some on three occasions, members of the New Democratic Party and of the Liberal Party, who had been very partisan and campaigned and then sought election to a non-partisan role, that of being Speaker of the Legislature. I have found the people we have elected very capable, should they have the expertise required to do that.

I say to you that the member you have brought forward has been proven to be eminently qualified in the area of the environment. I think that has been paramount to him in his application for this position. I have found nobody in the whole province who does not think he is eminently qualified for this position.

Mr McGuinty: It's always fun watching the Premier defend the indefensible. Premier, this man's credentials are absolutely impeccable when it comes to his blue-blooded Tory lineage. That's where his credentials happen to be impeccable. I know you are deeply embarrassed when it comes to your government's environmental record. You have taken us from first place in North America to the point where we now hold the dubious distinction of occupying the second-worst position in North America.

I know you hate the Environmental Commissioner's report as much as Bob Rae hated the provincial credit rating he received, which by the way you have done no better on. But your embarrassment doesn't give you the right to appoint the equivalent of Sergeant Schulz to the position of Environmental Commissioner. Premier, why don't you understand that Ontarians don't want someone who'll say yes to you; they want someone who'll say yes to the environment?

Hon Mr Harris: I'm sorry, I don't know if that reference means you believe he was a member of the Nazi Party. I'm not quite sure what you're putting forward in the Legislature here. I can tell you this, that your tone, your rhetoric, your allegations are inappropriate, unbecoming of a member of this Legislature, let alone a leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition.

Mr McGuinty: I, Premier, am going to take lessons from you about arrogance? Give me a break. They're entering you in the Guinness-

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. Member take his seat. Come to order. Minister of Education, come to order. Member for Beaches-East York, come to order, please. Thank you. Leader of the official opposition.

Mr McGuinty: Premier, we feel there are some things, just a few things, that should require all-party support, and one of those things happens to be the appointment of our environmental watchdog, somebody who will be absolutely scrupulous, who will operate at arm's length and who will without hesitation at any time criticize the government for failing to respect environmental laws, for failing to uphold the environment in Ontario. That's what I happen to believe when it comes to the appointment of the Environmental Commissioner.

My question for you, Premier, is why is it that you stand in support of a man who has impeccable blue-blooded Tory lineage when it comes to an important decision on which your government has failed so miserably for so long?

Interjections.

The Speaker: Premier take his seat. Come to order.

Hon Mr Harris: First of all, I want to say that I agree entirely with the member that nobody can teach you anything new about arrogance, and I accept that. I think you have clearly demonstrated that in taking your party to the depths of gutter politics, unlike we've ever seen in this Legislature.

Second, with reference to the member, I am shocked you would think that somebody of blue-blooded Tory lineage would not be absolutely the best person to protect the environment in this province. For you to imply otherwise is to say that if you live in North Bay-of which more than half the people continually vote for Mike Harris and support Mike Harris, happy to shake his hand-then you're not eligible for a job in the province; that if you vote Tory or if you are a Tory, somehow or other you're not eligible-

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Member for Windsor West, come to order.

New question, the leader of the third party.

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. I want to read for you a quotation from the Environmental Commissioner's background paper, which states: "Independence is a vital feature of the Environmental Commissioner's effectiveness. ... In particular, the position is independent from the party in power."

Gord Miller ran as a Conservative candidate in 1995 on the Common Sense Revolution, which didn't even mention the word "environment." In 1997 he was the Conservative candidate in your own riding, and until four days ago he was the president of the Conservative riding association in your own riding.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Minister of Transportation, come to order. Member for Windsor West.

The leader of the third party.

Mr Hampton: I want to quote for the Premier again: "In particular, the position is independent from the party in power." This gentleman doesn't just hold a Conservative card; until four days ago he was running the Conservative party in your home town. How can that individual be independent from you, the party in power?

Hon Mr Harris: This is the same method that was used to select the first Environmental Commissioner. All applicants applied on the basis of their qualifications. Nobody put forward the individual's name from my office, from my caucus, from the PC Party, and the human resources department deemed him eminently qualified, as did the committee. I would say he will be certainly truly independent, just as David Cooke is at the EIC and Floyd Laughren at the OEB.

Mr Hampton: Premier, the problem you have is that the Environmental Commissioner's job is quite a different job. The Environmental Commissioner's job is to hold you accountable, to hold your government accountable for the environmental mistakes it makes.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Member, take his seat. Come to order. Government benches, please come to order so I can hear the question.

Leader of the third party.

Mr Hampton: I know your members don't like these questions, but I want to quote for you

section 7.2 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario:

"The high conflict of interest threshold is more stringent for offices of the provincial Legislature, such as the Environmental Commissioner, which performs an independent review of the provincial government.

"ECO employees must not participate in activities that might identify them as members or supporters of a political party.

"The following are examples of prohibited political activities:" president of riding association.

Premier, if the employees of the commissioner can't have political affiliation, how can the commissioner himself be your good buddy and president of your riding association?

Hon Mr Harris: First of all, the applicant has never been president of my riding association, and obviously if he becomes the commissioner he will not be eligible to be president of any riding association, even yours.

But I might say that there is a party-probably the topmost non-partisan job is secretary of cabinet-which upon taking office took their campaign manager and stuck him in as secretary of cabinet of the civil service of this province. You, sir, are in no position, nor is your party in any position to lecture anybody about partisan appointments.

Mr Hampton: Premier, the problem you have is this: This job of Environmental Commissioner is supposed to be the critic of your government. The head of the public service is supposed to ensure that the public service works for your government. That's the problem you've got.

Until four days ago he was the president of the Conservative federal riding association in your hometown. He didn't appreciate the conflict of interest until my colleague Marilyn Churley pointed it out to him. He didn't resign until it was pointed out to him that it was a conflict. It's impossible for Gord Miller to be seen by the public as independent of you or your government.

Premier, will you urge the committee to go back and find an Environmental Commissioner who isn't the president of your riding association, who hasn't been your federal candidate, who hasn't been a provincial candidate and who wasn't tied to you until four days ago? Will you do that?

Hon Mr Harris: Let me just repeat for the record that Mr Miller has never been president of my riding association and I don't know why the member keeps bringing that up when he knows it's blatantly untrue. He has been president of another riding association of which from time to time I have been a member as well. Nonetheless, we're talking about the future. Certainly the human resources department and all of those involved in the environment have said that this is a gentleman who is eminently qualified.

Listen, we are a party which, even when they are still active members of the party, does encourage dissent. We have many members who don't hesitate to criticize their own government. The members for Wentworth-Burlington and Stoney Creek are good examples of that, something we encourage in our party. Your two parties have whipped this co-operation and forced votes out of your parties. Ours is a party that has never done that. In fact, we encourage this kind of debate.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Ms Frances Lankin (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Minister of Health. Yesterday you made an announcement to temporarily ease the emergency room situation in Toronto. After weeks of you and the Premier denying the existence of a crisis, it was a relief to see that you're finally admitting you have botched health restructuring.

In response to your announcement, however, Frank Bagatto, CEO of Hotel Dieu Hospital in Windsor, had this to say: "Once again, if you have a crisis in Toronto, it's resolved. If there's a crisis outside of Toronto, it's not resolved. The gap is widening."

You see, Minister, his hospital can't just put patients on redirect who can't come into the emergency room, because they don't have enough money to treat them there. You closed two of the four ERs before you put the community investment and capital investment in place. You forced that hospital to go $8 million in debt in order to meet community needs and to deal with the additional emergency patients.

You like to talk about past governments and past headlines. Look at the headlines from the last month around emergency rooms that are about to explode like powder kegs in Niagara, Halton, Oakville, Kingston, Kitchener-Waterloo, Sault Ste Marie, Hamilton.

Minister, you've given a temporary fix to Toronto but you've done nothing in that announcement to address the emergency room problem that is exploding all around the province. What are you going to do for critically ill patients who need emergency services outside of Toronto?

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): As the member knows, we have certainly expressed our concern about the emergency room pressures on an ongoing basis. We've set up the task force and we already have put forward $225 million to ensure that those pressures can be met across the province. We also released a further $90 million to help with pressures across the province, and prior to the announcement yesterday we further made available $97 million to fast-track the construction of approximately 56 emergency rooms across the province.

The member knows that we continue to take steps forward in order to ensure that the pressures throughout Ontario are met. The member also knows that this is an ongoing problem, not only for Ontario but certainly, as was pointed out to us yesterday by Dr McCutcheon, this is a problem in Ireland, it is a problem in all of North America and-

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. I'm afraid the minister's time is up. Final supplementary.

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton West): Minister, the fact that you've put a bit of a Band-Aid to the Toronto situation shows that you're dealing with PR but not adequately dealing with the ER crisis that exists, certainly in Hamilton. We've been raising with you for months now the implications of allowing, and the necessity of, the $40-million shortfall in the Hamilton Health Sciences Corp budget. We have told you that our emergency rooms are bursting at the seams.

This morning in the Hamilton Spectator there was a front-page story about Mr Allan Boudreau who's now in a hallway as part of the new policy they've had to implement. He may indeed have liver cancer and yet he is stuck in a hallway, and you respond to our emergency room crisis by throwing a few bucks around in Toronto, recognizing that not even that's enough.

Tell us today what you're going to do to fix the mess that you have created in Hamilton, in Toronto and across the province, and tell us how you're going to stop having patients that possibly have cancer being stuck out in a hallway.

Hon Mrs Witmer: The member from the third party knows that they were the ones who didn't deal with this issue of emergency room pressures. In fact, they were the party that did not construct one single long-term-care bed. We went through 10 years of no long-term-care beds in this province. You were also the party of social contract who reduced hospital funding throughout Ontario. We are the party that has put forward $90 million in order to deal with the transitional issues related to emergency rooms, and yesterday we put further steps in place. We have identified and are responding to the pressures in all parts of the province.

Hon Chris Stockwell (Minister of Labour): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I just wanted to say that a testament, I guess, to our whip's ability is sitting in the west gallery of the government's gallery, Mr Ron Johnson, the previous member for Brantford.

The Speaker: I thank the member. Just so they know, so we don't do it doing during question period, I had it to do after question period so we don't take time.

Hon David Turnbull (Minister of Transportation): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think that there's a mistake been made because I was always looking for Mr Johnson and don't know if that's him.

HEALTH CARE

Mr Dalton McGuinty (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. I want to relate to you the story about an Ottawa woman. Her name is Lorraine Raymond. She's 63 years of age. She's worked hard all of her life outside the home in addition to raising a family. What happened to her should not happen to any Ontarian. She was diagnosed in September with breast cancer. They told her that it was very serious and that it was absolutely essential that she have both breasts removed.

She went for her surgery, which was scheduled for December 3 at the Ottawa Hospital, and when she got there she was told that there were no beds. The chief of staff for the Ottawa Hospital says, "In order to clear the emergency of patients, we moved them into surgery beds."

This woman was given two choices: Go home without the surgery and allow the cancer to grow inside her, or proceed with the surgery and go home without post-op care. Premier, what kind of choice is that to give a woman struggling with cancer?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): The Minister of Health can respond.

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): As the Leader of the Opposition knows, decisions such as those that you're referring to are clinical decisions. They are decisions that are made by medical professionals, and for any medical procedure it is the performing surgeon who determines whether the procedure should be performed on an outpatient or an in-patient basis. Obviously, we need to make sure that these remain clinical decisions. They are best made by the medical professionals.

Mr McGuinty: I phoned Mrs Raymond this morning and I asked her why she decided to proceed with the surgery on that day, December 3, even though there was no bed available for her post-op. She said to me on the telephone earlier today, "When you have cancer growing inside you, you don't want it to grow any more, so you take what you can get."

Minister, I want you to take your nose out of your book. I want you to consider carefully what we're talking about here. We're talking about a 63-year-old woman, a mother who had worked hard all her life, played by all the rules, and when it came time for her to get some health care, some good quality health care, you weren't there for her. You let her down. Will you stand up, Minister, and apologize to this woman for letting her and her family down?

Hon Mrs Witmer: Again I would say to the Leader of the Opposition that these are clinical decisions and they are best left to the medical professionals who have the expertise and not the opposition parties.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Mr Carl DeFaria (Mississauga East): My question is for the minister responsible for children. Minister, it is your responsibility to review programs that may have an impact on Ontario's children. Can you please tell this House what legislation, programs or policies the government has initiated for children over the session of this Parliament?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Will the member take his seat. Sorry to interrupt. I will not continue as long as members are arguing the last question. There is a new question from a new member. I would appreciate it if all members would give him the courtesy of listening to the question. Now I believe it is the minister's response.

Hon Margaret Marland (Minister without Portfolio [Children]): I'd like to thank the member for Mississauga East for this important question. In fact there are a number of new initiatives that our government has done with new programs for children in this session of Parliament.

First of all, in October I announced five demonstration projects which are the beginning of perhaps what will be one of the most important things that any government has ever done in this province for any children. The future of the children in this province will now be enhanced by the fact that we are the government that is focusing on the early years. These demonstration projects will show us, through the task group that will oversee this program introduction, how to do early child development and parenting centres to the greatest benefit of these children.

We also have a number of enhancements. The Minister of Finance has increased the Ontario child care supplement for working families. That is now $1,100 per-

The Speaker: Order. I'm afraid the minister's time is up.

Mr DeFaria: I understand that as minister responsible for children, your mandate includes children from birth to 18 years of age. What I want to know is what initiatives our government has undertaken specifically for youth during this legislative session. Minister, tell us what you have done so far for the youth of Ontario.

Hon Mrs Marland: We have also reintroduced Christopher's Law. When Christopher's Law is passed in this House, Ontario will be committed to having Canada's first sex offender registry. This will ensure the safety of all people, including children of all ages.

Last week I announced $11 million in new funding for children with special needs, $7 million for respite care, and $4 million for children's treatment centres. In November my colleagues the Minister of Education and the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities launched the Passport to Prosperity campaign to encourage employers to hire high school students and provide them with workplace experience.

Finally, another program of the many is LEAP. Through Learning, Earning and Parenting, our government is helping teen parents on welfare to finish high school-

The Speaker: The minister's time is up.

PREMIER'S ATTENDANCE

Mr George Smitherman (Toronto Centre-Rosedale): My question is to the Premier, who was with us just briefly. I'm wondering if he might make his way back. As a new member of the Legislature-I know that he'll be watching on TV-I am astonished by your disregard for this place. Like it or not, and you don't seem to, the Legislature-

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Could you just wait for a quick moment until the Premier makes his way back.

The member may continue.

Mr Smitherman: Mr Premier, I was saying that I was astonished by your disregard for the Ontario Legislature. Like it or not, and you don't seem to, this Legislature is the only place in the province where the representatives of all Ontarians can debate the most important issues of the day. We in the opposition, by popular vote, represent a majority of Ontarians, and question period is the only opportunity we have had to hold you directly accountable for the decisions you make.

Premier, you have had 30 opportunities to attend question period since the election and, disgracefully, you have been here just eight times, including today.

Interjections.

The Speaker: The member take his seat.

I was listening carefully, and when I'm shouting at the government members, that's when you sometimes miss it. I caught it at the end. The member will know, and I will say it very clearly: I ask him to withdraw that. We are not going to be referring here-if the government members wouldn't yell, I would be able to hear him. I ask the member to refrain from talking about it. I've asked all members very clearly on occasion not to do this, and they continue to do it. This is the last warning to everybody. I will not put up with anybody breaking the standing orders: Last warning to everybody in this House. If they do it again, they will be named.

Mr Smitherman: Mr Speaker, I'll withdraw that and rephrase my question to the Premier. I will ask it with respect to the job performance of Ontarians. I would ask the Premier, if someone shows up for work only once every fourth day, whether they should be able to keep their job.

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): No.

Mr Smitherman: Thank you. I've looked through some people who are working in various positions. In 1971 there was a gentleman holding a very important job in Ontario and he came to work 77% of the time. Another one in 1985 came to work over 80% of the time. One in 1990 came to work over 65% of the time.

Do you think, Premier, it would be appropriate for that person in his next job segment to get to work at least half of the time?

Hon Mr Harris: Let me assure you that I am at work 100% of the time, which is why this province has gone from 10th and last-

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon Mr Harris: It's why this province, after 10 years of being driven into the ground, after 10 years of Liberal and NDP government where we went from a proud province that held this country together, that led this country in jobs, in growth, in investments, had fallen down to this dismal 10th and last-place performance, now, because I'm on the job 100% or 200% of the time and because this caucus and this party is on the job 200% of the time, leads the country in job creation, in growth, in numbers of people-

The Speaker: Order. I'm afraid the Premier's time is up.

On a point of order, chief government whip.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I will say clearly that points of order had better be brief in question period, because I'm going to start to rule.

Hon Frank Klees (Minister without Portfolio): On behalf of my colleagues, I want to thank the member for Toronto Centre-Rosedale for that question.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mrs Brenda Elliott (Guelph-Wellington): My question today is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. As you know, the mining industry is a significant contributor to Ontario's wealth. Our colleague from Oshawa, in his member's statement today, indicated that the unemployment rate is dropping in the north. The strength of the mining industry is particularly important to the economic viability of the north, and many northern communities have been built on the prosperity of natural resources industries, particularly in mining.

I'd like to draw to the attention of the members of this House that mining is not restricted to northern Ontario. In my own city of Guelph, we have an active mine. Dolime operates a gypsum mine which is a significant contributor to our own local economy.

Minister, your ministry has announced an initiative called Operation Treasure Hunt in an effort to support the mineral industry. Could you please explain for the Legislature how Operation Treasure Hunt will trigger exploration and facilitate growth in the mineral sector of this province?

Hon Tim Hudak (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): I thank the member for Guelph-Wellington for that question. In fact, she's right: Mining is a very important part of the economy in northern Ontario and throughout the province as a whole, with some 35,000 jobs associated with the mining industry.

Because of the strength of the economy in Mike Harris's Ontario, revenues are up and we can afford to invest in programs like Operation Treasure Hunt, a two-year program, a $19-million investment into the latest geoscience and geochemical surveys. These data will help us set the targets for prospecting and developing in the future, with new information that will become available to help reduce the risk of exploration and to encourage prospecting and development across Ontario, and importantly in northern Ontario. This investment in the future of Ontario will help to revitalize the mining industry and keep it strong into the future.

Mrs Elliott: This sounds like a significant investment and hopefully will help create those 825,000 jobs that we promised in our Blueprint, building on the 610,000 that we've already accomplished in the province of Ontario.

You've indicated that this is one of the largest and most ambitious geoscience programs in Canada and that it will identify many new exploration targets by mapping out the geology. I'm concerned, Minister: Hasn't the province's geology already been mapped out? How will this differ from other, previous surveying initiatives?

Hon Mr Hudak: In fact, in Charlottetown at the mines ministers' conference a couple of months ago, I was able to boast about this record investment into geoscience and mapping in northern Ontario, which by far outshines any other investment in the past. Yes, there had been some mapping done in the past by previous governments, but nothing close to the $19-million investment under the Mike Harris government.

Not only is quantity important, but the quality of the information is going to be very important to the prospecting and development community. Not only will this information be available in the traditional maps, as the member said, but most importantly will be put on the Internet for 24-hour access, seven days a week internationally, as well as being available on CD-ROMs.

By using recent advances in technology, our government can help identify these targets for zinc, for platinum element groups, for gold, for copper and for nickel down the road to help create jobs in the province today as well as an investment in job creation in northern Ontario well into the future.

NATIVE YOUTH SUICIDE

Mr Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the minister responsible for community and social services. Two weeks ago in Thunder Bay there was a coroner's inquest into the very serious situation of youth suicides in remote northern First Nations, Nishnawbe-Aski First Nations. The coroner's jury made 41 recommendations. I want to read four that apply specifically to your government and your ministry:

"Develop, adopt and implement a comprehensive aboriginal mental health policy.

"Develop, adopt and implement a comprehensive aboriginal child welfare policy that includes a child welfare model that respects the unique needs of northern aboriginal children."

"The Ontario child welfare risk assessment should be modified to recognize suicide and substance abuse as risk factors ... .

"Comsoc should ensure that there is an adequate level of funding to Tikinagan Child and Family Services that would enable" them to protect children in need.

Minister, can you tell me how your ministry intends to respond to these very serious recommendations, and reply to the epidemic of youth suicides in northern First Nations?

Hon John R. Baird (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): Obviously when any child is experiencing these types of difficulties it's a tremendous concern for everyone in Ontario. I have seen the coroner's inquest report, the jury recommendations he spoke of pertaining to our ministry. Obviously they are ones we just received two weeks ago. We'll obviously take the time to reflect on them and look at what opportunities we can have to build on some the successes we've undertaken with respect to child welfare in northwestern Ontario, with our native population and indeed right across the province.

Child welfare and child protection have been tremendous priorities for this government. We've seen, since our election, dramatic increases in funding to help support these areas. We've undertaken a whole host of initiatives to try to back up that new funding to ensure we can provide the best possible services for children right across Ontario.

Mr Hampton: In fact the recommendations I read to you are not new recommendations. They were made two weeks ago, but these same issues were raised by me on behalf of the deputy grand chief of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation last January, where we were debating the Child and Family Services Act. The grand chief put on record, as you are aware, that the First Nation child welfare agencies were not adequately consulted by the government. The aboriginal representatives who attended a four-hour session in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to discuss the legislative initiatives, were told that was the consultation.

While it may be accurate to say that stakeholders in urban settings agree that this is good legislation and provide overwhelming support for the bill, this is not the case for First Nations agencies. First Nation agencies, they point out, need a system that is aboriginal specific; need to recognize the uniqueness of aboriginal communities, the unique challenges, the lack of mental health resources.

These issues were raised a year ago. Your government has done nothing. What are you going to do and when will you recognize that one size does not fit all, that what works in downtown Toronto will not work in remote aboriginal communities that don't have access to mental health services? That's what they're asking you for.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. I'm afraid the member's time is up. Minister.

Hon Mr Baird: Our top priority is the safety and security of every child in this province. I certainly want to agree with the member opposite that we can't take a cookie cutter approach, that there has to be a solution to help contribute to improved child protection, child safety, that reflect traditional aboriginal values, that reflect the geography of this province. Obviously no amount of children at risk is acceptable to this government.

We're committed to continue to work with aboriginal children's aid societies on these issues and how we can best use the new funding, the new tools, the new legislation brought forward by this government, to build on the consultations that I know my predecessor had with representatives of this community to ensure we can deliver the best possible services.

I think we've made great progress in recent years. We have more work to do and will continue to work on that.

ONTARIO DISABILITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Mr Steve Peters (Elgin-Middlesex-London): My question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services. The Social Benefits Tribunal is the final court of appeal for people you deny social assistance to. Last week your tribunal held hearings in the city of St Thomas, and they were held in the boardroom of a local hotel. Several persons with disabilities were scheduled to attend the ODSP hearings. They included persons with mobility impairments. Mark Chambers attended those hearings. He has chronic hepatitis C. It leaves him unable to work and has badly restricted his mobility. Despite this, Mr Chambers has been denied ODSP coverage. Your ministry says he is not sufficiently disabled.

Minister, there is no elevator, there are no stairs and the boardroom is on the second floor. Last week Mr Chambers had to crawl up a flight of stairs to prove he's disabled enough to collect the ODSP. These hearings were with persons with disabilities. Do you not have a policy on this? Is your ministry that incompetent? Do they not check and see if a hotel room is accessible to hold these ODSP hearings?

Hon John R. Baird (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for francophone affairs): I want at the outset to correct the honourable member. This government doesn't deny social assistance or income support to people. We have a very clear set of principles and these are undertaken not at the political level. I think it would be inappropriate if I let that remark stand.

Obviously the adjudication and the appeal process was undertaken by the Social Assistance Review Board and its successor, the tribunal. They make a whole host of these decisions. If the honourable member wants me to stand in my place and defend the disabled not being able to have access to these hearings, I'm not prepared to do so. I will take the issue back to the chair of the tribunal.

Mr Peters: Minister, there is really no excuse for what happened and what your staff did last week. I'd like you to know that Mark Chambers has been home in bed since last week. He's still recovering from the treatment he received. This is a sick man who has been treated like dirt.

I'd like to let you in on a little secret. It wasn't incompetence that led to this tragedy; it was cruelty. It was cold-hearted mean-spiritedness. It was nastiness that would rival Ebenezer Scrooge at his worst.

The staff at this hotel knew the boardroom was not accessible. They were surprised that anyone would want to book a room for persons with disabilities. The minister's staff was told that there were no elevators, that there were only stairs. They were told the site was inaccessible, but this room was booked anyway. The staff of the ministry purposely made this person crawl up a flight of stairs to beg for his disability pension. Minister Scrooge, can you explain why your staff purposely made this man crawl up a flight of stairs?

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. Member, please withdraw that.

Mr Peters: Speaker, I withdraw that. Minister Baird.

Hon Mr Baird: I want to again correct the record. My staff does not undertake these arrangements. They are undertaken by an arm's-length body which operates independently from government.

I think we can all from time to time get carried away with ourselves, but for the member opposite to suggest that this government would purposely have hearings on a second floor so a disabled individual can't get their appeal quite frankly is offensive and it doesn't serve the people of Ontario. It puzzles me why the member opposite would get in his car from St Thomas and come down here and spread that kind of drivel.

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION CENTRES

Mr Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): My question is for the Chair of Management Board. Recently a government information centre was established in my riding of Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford. Since this is a new customer service initiative in Ontario, can you tell me how this will help improve customer service and what types of services my constituents can access at the centre today?

Hon Chris Hodgson (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): I think the member for Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford has a very good question, and I'm pleased to give an answer to that.

It's part of the ongoing commitment of the Mike Harris government to get better value for taxpayers' dollars and at the same time improve the service the public receives. These government information centres are designed to provide one-stop shopping to the people of Ontario to get information they need, when they need it, in a timely fashion.

Some of the examples of initiatives that have been undertaken by empowering the front-line counter workers to come up with ideas on how to improve customer service involve practices such as the lost-wallet program. In the past if you lost your wallet, you might have to go to three or four different government offices, you might have to phone four or five different numbers. Now it's one-stop shopping. You pick up a package and replace all the things that were lost in your wallet.

Mr Tascona: The services have been very well received in my riding. I'd just like to ask you, now that they've been up and running for about six months, can you tell me if there are any new services that my constituents can look forward to having available at the Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford government information centre?

Hon Mr Hodgson: At the government information centre in Barrie, the front-line staff have been very creative. One of the most commonly asked questions that they've dealt with is around employment and employment opportunities, so they've put together a package for people who are looking for work. They then come in and with one-stop shopping get all the application forms.

I know that every member of this House would be interested in improving customer service. That's why the Liberals are listening so attentively to all these improvements that have taken place under the Mike Harris government in the last four to five years.

When people approach 65 they need numerous forms. Now, for the first time, you can get that in one-stop shopping, in one kit, to do all the things that people want.

These are just some small steps on the road to improving government and making it work for the people.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): I have a question for the Premier. Both of us have been in this House for somewhere around 20 years, you almost two decades, myself a little over. We've seen many appointments made by government, some of them that you and I would agree are better than others. I think we recognize that a government wants to place in positions where it's implementing its policy people who are in tune with the thinking of that government.

But there are certain places, such as the Ombudsman, the Integrity Commissioner, the Provincial Auditor, the Information and Privacy Commissioner and, of course, the Environmental Commissioner, that require a person who has the confidence of all members of the House, who is seen to be completely independent, objective and impartial when being a watchdog for a government.

Premier, would you now, upon reconsideration, withdraw from consideration the name of Gordon Miller for this position? Mr Miller may well be reasonable to appoint to another position where you're implementing government policy, but where you need a watchdog, where you need a person who has to be totally objective, would you now consider withdrawing the nomination of Mr Miller for that position and perhaps consider him for some other position?

Hon Michael D. Harris (Premier): Were I to interfere with this appointment and the process agreed to by all three parties, you or the NDP would be the first to say this is an appointment that is being made under an approved process agreed to by all three parties in the Legislative Assembly and the Premier and the executive office and the cabinet ought to have nothing to do with it.

Now you are asking me to personally intervene and get involved in this appointment. No, I do not plan to overrule an all-party committee of this Legislature that has made this appointment on the basis of ability to do the job. I have every confidence, because I do actually happen to know the individual, that he is an environmentalist, he cares about the environment. He'll be just as impartial as Gilles Morin on the Ontario Highway Transport Board or Bernie Grandmaître now on the Assessment Review Board or Frank Miclash on the Social Benefits Tribunal.

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton West): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I know you would want to know that's not quite accurate. We were given no choice on the process.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): That is not a point of order.

Mr Bradley: Premier, if you were to have your party or your government or members of the Legislature appoint Mr Miller to any one of the positions you just mentioned, where three other members were appointed, I would say you'd be quite legitimate in that particular appointment.

What we have here is something entirely different. This is going to tarnish the office of the commissioner simply because you have a person who a lot of people will perceive, and I think even some Conservatives are going to perceive, is not going to be entirely objective. You have a chance to change that. You have a chance to appoint Mr Miller to another position. He may well be qualified for a position where you're implementing government policy, but we're talking about a watchdog for the government.

If this Legislature is to function as it should, if we're to have that true independence, if we're to have the integrity of that office, it's essential that a person of that nature have the support of everyone, as does, for instance, the Ombudsman, who I believe is going to be appointed by the government. Premier, would you not reconsider, in the interests of the environment and the interests of all members of this Legislature?

Hon Mr Harris: The Ombudsman was appointed under the exact same process, and to ask me now to interfere in that process which has made a number of good appointments, including the Ombudsman-but now what you want is to say that this independent, arm's-length process, away from the Premier, away from the cabinet, "is OK as long as we agree, but we now want the right, after having reviewed, to ask questions like party preference," which none of our members asked, which wasn't on the application, which nobody knew anything about. The guy got there on his own through the human resources branch. Now you want to bring partisanship into it. Shame on you.

Mr Dwight Duncan (Windsor-St Clair): On a point of order, Speaker: On the question of the process surrounding this recommendation, first of all, the process was not agreed to by the parties; it was imposed. Number two-

The Speaker: That's not a point of order.

VOLUNTEER SCREENING

Mr Bert Johnson (Perth-Middlesex): My question is to the Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. The riding of Perth-Middlesex has a strong history of people working together. Recently, a fire ripped through the downtown of Listowel. Everyone worked together to help put out the fire and now they continue to help each other in rebuilding the downtown core.

Helping people in need is something that I find comes naturally to the people of Perth-Middlesex. I believe this strong spirit-

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Gary Carr): Order. I can't hear the member asking the question. I would appreciate it if you would allow the member to put the question. I'm sorry for the interruption.

Mr Johnson: I believe this strong spirit has made my riding the best in Ontario. This spirit has also created a number of volunteer organizations that have helped countless people with their difficulties as well as to improve the area as a whole.

There have been a number of stories in the news recently that have raised concerns about the safety of volunteers and the people they serve. While I know that most volunteers have hearts of gold, a few do abuse our trust. Minister, can you tell us what steps your ministry has taken to help protect our most vulnerable citizens?

Hon Helen Johns (Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, minister responsible for seniors and women): I thank the member for the question, and let me say that I know he's very concerned not only about his community of Listowel but the whole area he is so fortunate to represent.

The premise of the question is that we all share concerns about vulnerable people. We all share concerns about our children, our parents who are seniors, and vulnerable people within our community. We need to ensure that these people get services and are allowed to be in the community without fear of harm and without fear for their safety.

What we have done is we have tried in the ministry to make sure there's a screening process available that's not being recreated in every situation. We at the ministry have entered into a three-year initiative which prioritizes screening initiatives and puts in $2.1 million to promote the benefits of screening to voluntary organizations. I think this will help every community across the province and ensure that volunteers and the people they take care of are well taken care of.

Mr Johnson: Minister-

The Speaker: No. I'm sorry, member; the time is up.

Ms Marilyn Churley (Broadview-Greenwood): On a point of order, Speaker: In view of the fact that it appears the government is trying to get out of here tonight-we will do everything we can to fight that; and no pressure on you, Speaker, just a question-I'm just wondering when you might be ruling on my point of privilege.

The Speaker: I won't be able to give you a time. I will attempt to do it as fast as I can, as I usually do.

PETITIONS

BRONTE CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK

Mr David Ramsay (Timiskaming-Cochrane): Mr Speaker, I have a petition here that I know will be of particular interest to you as it's signed by over 5,000 people about a project in Oakville, by many of your constituents.

"To the Ontario Legislative Assembly:

"With respect to proposed current and future development of Bronte Creek Provincial Park as outlined in the Bronte Creek management plan dated March 27, 1998, we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

"That the planning and development of the eastern portion of Bronte Creek Provincial Park that calls for establishment and construction of 400 campsites be terminated immediately;

"That any current and future development planned for Bronte Creek Provincial Park be strictly limited to the western portion of the park where an infrastructure already exists;

"That the eastern portion of the park and the Bronte Creek Valley be protected from any and all future development of any kind whatsoever and be maintained in posterity as a wholly natural parcel of land."

I affix my signature to this.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Ms Marilyn Churley (Broadview-Greenwood): I have a petition which reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the first Environmental Commissioner appointed under the NDP's Environmental Bill of Rights, Eva Ligeti, courageously documented the Harris government's attack on environmental protection in Ontario; and

"Whereas the Harris government refused to reappoint Ms Ligeti, instead choosing a close political ally of the Premier to fill the position; and

"Whereas Ontario needs the Environmental Commissioner to serve as a tenacious watchdog on the government; and

"Whereas the former Conservative riding association president in the Premier's riding accepted thousands of dollars in political donations when he ran for the Mike Harris Tories from Falconbridge Ltd, Mallette Lumber, Timmins Forest Products, Abitibi-Price, Millson Forestry Service, Columbia Forest Products, Grant Lumber, Erocon Waste Management, Timmins Logging Inc, Westland Logging and Gaetan Levesque Logging; and

"Whereas, given the candidate's strong personal ties to the Premier of Ontario, the candidate cannot be trusted to protect Ontario's environment;

"We, the undersigned, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reject the nomination of Gord Miller as Environmental Commissioner, and to choose instead a highly qualified candidate with no political ties to the current government."

I proudly affix my signature to this petition.

The Acting Speaker (Mr Tony Martin): Further petitions. The member for Durham.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Mr John O'Toole (Durham): It's my privilege to present a petition on behalf of the agricultural community of my riding of Durham.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the agriculture industry in the regional municipality of Durham and in the province of Ontario is a major contributor to the economy; and

"Whereas fertile agricultural land is a non-renewable resource that, as it is taken out of production and paved over, is lost as an attribute to society forever;

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

"That in regard to the proposed routing of Highway 407 east of Brock Road to Highways 115/35 the current study area not be closed, that a straight-line approach be considered, that the least impact on fertile agricultural land be considered equally with other properties and that the utilization of exhausted aggregate areas be considered in the routing."

I'm pleased to support this and will bring it directly to the attention of the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Transportation.

FOREST ACCESS ROUTES

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the forest access road commonly known as MacKelcan Road in the region of Sudbury is slated for closure by the Ministry of Natural Resources; and

"Whereas in the case of a major forest fire, MacKelcan Road currently serves as the only escape route for some 160 cottage owners and permanent residents located southeast of Wahnapitae Lake; and

"Whereas MNR uses this access road for firefighting in a large area north and east of Wahnapitae Lake; and

"Whereas MacKelcan Road is also used by tourist travel for the purpose of fishing, hunting, trapping, camping, sightseeing, as well as a canoe route access; and

"Whereas MNR proposes to close this access road as a tradeoff for the construction of a bridge leading to another forest access route; and

"Whereas we are vehemently opposed to the proposed closure of this road because we feel it will negatively impact our way of life as well as our safety;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ensure that the government does not close MacKelcan Road and that it take immediate action to enter into discussions with the residents involved in order to ensure this road is kept open."

This petition is signed by 1,453 people, and I affix my name to it.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the first Environmental Commissioner appointed under the NDP's Environmental Bill of Rights, Eva Ligeti, courageously documented the Harris government's attack on environmental protection in Ontario; and

"Whereas the Harris government refused to reappoint Ms Ligeti, instead choosing a close political ally of the Premier to fill the position; and

"Whereas Ontario needs the Environmental Commissioner to serve as a tenacious watchdog on the government; and

"Whereas the former Conservative riding association president in the Premier's riding accepted thousands of dollars in political donations when he ran for the Mike Harris Tories from Falconbridge Ltd, Mallette Lumber, Timmins Forest Products, Abitibi-Price, Millson Forestry Service, Columbia Forest Products, Grant Lumber, Erocon Waste Management, Timmins Logging Inc, Westland Logging and Gaetan Levesque Logging; and

"Whereas, given the candidate's strong personal ties to the Premier of Ontario, the candidate cannot be trusted to protect Ontario's environment;

"We, the undersigned, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reject the nomination of Gord Miller as Environmental Commissioner, and to choose instead a highly qualified candidate with no political ties to the current government."

I would agree with the petitioners. I've affixed my signature to this.

KARLA HOMOLKA

Ms Marilyn Mushinski (Scarborough Centre): This is a continuation of the petition that I have been submitting to the Legislative Assembly for the last few weeks, and it deals with Karla Homolka:

"Whereas Karla Homolka and Paul Bernardo were responsible for terrorizing entire communities in southern Ontario; and

"Whereas the Ontario government of the day made a deal with the devil with Karla Homolka resulting in a sentence that does not truly make her pay for her crimes; and

"Whereas our communities have not yet fully recovered from the trauma and sadness caused by Karla Homolka; and"-

Interjection.

Ms Mushinski: It is not a laughing matter.

"Whereas Karla Homolka believes that she should be entitled to passes to leave prison with an escort; and

"Whereas the people of Ontario believe that criminals should be forced to serve sentences that reflect the seriousness of their crimes;

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

"That the government of Ontario will:

"Do everything within its power to ensure that Karla Homolka serves her full sentence;

"Continue to reform parole and make it more difficult for serious offenders to return to our streets;

"Fight the federal government's plan to release up to 1,600 more convicted criminals on to Ontario streets; and

"Ensure that the Ontario government's sex offender registry is functioning as quickly as possible."

I'm pleased to sign my signature to this petition.

MATERS MORTGAGES

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): My petition reads as follows:

"Whereas Maters Mortgages investors have battled for a decade to receive compensation for their losses, which were incurred as a result of overzealous action on the part of an official in the Ministry of Financial Institutions, as was proven recently in a parallel criminal case;

"Whereas Maters Mortgages investors believe that their civil action against the government of Ontario has been unduly and unnecessarily delayed in the courts by legal representatives acting for the government of Ontario;

"Whereas the new investors' committee of Maters Mortgages has requested that legal representatives of the government of Ontario meet with legal representatives of Maters Mortgages investors to discuss the possibility of reaching an out-of-court settlement of the investors' civil case against the Ontario government;

"Whereas many Maters Mortgages investors are senior citizens who placed their life savings in these investments and have suffered from extreme stress and financial hardship and continue to do so;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to encourage the government of Ontario to take immediate action to appoint a case manager to expedite the case involving the class civil action of the representatives of Maters Mortgages investors against the government of Ontario.

"Further, we petition the Legislative Assembly to urge the government of Ontario to engage immediately in serious discussions with legal representatives of Maters Mortgages investors with a view to reaching a fair out-of-court settlement with the investors and urge the government to instruct its legal representatives to cease any and all legal activity designed to prolong the duration of the case."

I affix my signature as I'm in agreement with the petition.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton West): I have further petitions from the United Auto Workers, sent to me by Cathy Walker, their director of occupational health and safety, signed by hundreds of auto workers from London, St Thomas, Hamilton, Strathroy. The petition reads as follows:

"Whereas this year 130,000 Canadians will contract cancer and there are at minimum 17 funerals every day for Canadian workers who died from cancer caused by workplace exposure to cancer-causing substances (carcinogens); and

"Whereas the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all cancers have environmental causes and the International Labour Organization estimates that one million workers globally have cancer because of exposure at work to carcinogens; and

"Whereas most cancers can be beaten if government had the political will to make industry replace toxic substances with non-toxic substances; and

"Whereas very few health organizations study the link between occupations and cancer, even though more study of this link is an important step to defeating this dreadful disease;

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

"That it become a legal requirement that occupational history be recorded on a standard form when a patient presents at a physician for diagnosis or treatment of cancer and that the diagnosis and occupational history be forwarded to a central cancer registry for analysis as to the link between cancer and occupation."

My colleagues in the NDP caucus and I continue to support these petitioners.

MARRIAGE

Mr Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): This petition is sponsored by the Canada Family Action Coalition and signed by residents in my riding from Hagersville, Cayuga, Caledonia and Jarvis.

"Whereas the majority of Canadians believe that fundamental matters of social policy should be decided by elected members of Parliament and the legislatures, and not the unelected judiciary; and

"Whereas the Supreme Court of Canada in the M. and H. case has rejected biology, tradition and societal norms to redefine the term `spouse' to include the non-procreative partnerships of homosexual couples, and has effectively granted these relationships `equivalent-to-married' status; and

"Whereas the court's decision will devalue the institution of marriage, and it is the duty of the Legislature to ensure that marriage, as it has always been known and understood, be preserved and protected;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature to use all possible legislative and administrative measures, including invoking

section 33 of the charter (the `notwithstanding clause'), to preserve and protect the commonly understood, exclusive

definitions of `spouse,' `marriage' and `family' in all areas of provincial law."

I affix my signature to this petition.

MEDICAL LABORATORIES

Mr Monte Kwinter (York Centre): I have a petition to the Parliament of Ontario.

"Whereas the Ontario government has recently imposed a retroactive cap on revenue earned by medical laboratories for services provided under the health insurance plan; and

"Whereas the Ontario government has also required these businesses to refund revenue for services rendered in previous years where the amount of that amount revenue exceeds the retroactively imposed cap for those years; and

"Whereas this legislation amounts to expropriation of economic rights without adequate compensation or due process of law; and

"Whereas the greatest incentive to the provision of efficient and quality services and products by the private sector is competition and the ability to make a profit; and

"Whereas the removal of these incentives by government negatively affects all of society and particularly patients in need; and

"Whereas this type of legislation also unfairly discriminates against one sector of society;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario as follows:

"That adequate protection of property rights is needed to ensure that government cannot erode the property rights of certain sectors of society without fair compensation and due process of law."

I have affixed my signature to it.

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton West): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that reads as follows:

"Whereas the first Environmental Commissioner appointed under the NDP's Environmental Bill of Rights, Eva Ligeti, courageously documented the Harris government's attack on environmental protection in Ontario; and

"Whereas the Harris government refused to reappoint Ms Ligeti, instead choosing a close political ally of the Premier to fill the position; and

"Whereas Ontario needs the Environmental Commissioner to serve as a tenacious watchdog on the government; and

"Whereas the former Conservative riding association president in the Premier's riding accepted thousands of dollars in political donations when he ran for the Mike Harris Tories from Falconbridge Ltd, Mallette Lumber, Timmins Forest Products, Abitibi-Price, Millson Forestry Service, Columbia Forest Products, Grant Lumber, Erocon Waste Management, Timmins Logging Inc, Westland Logging, and Gaetan Levesque Logging; and

"Whereas given the candidate's strong personal ties to the Premier of Ontario, the candidate cannot be trusted to protect Ontario's environment;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to reject the nomination of Gord Miller as Environmental Commissioner, and to choose instead a highly qualified candidate with no political ties to the current government."

I add my name to those petitioners who signed here.

Mr Michael A. Brown (Algoma-Manitoulin): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I need your advice. On Friday I received 400 millennium books at the Espanola High School. In doing so, the students presented me with a petition that cannot be certified. The reason it can't be certified is that it doesn't list their addresses in Espanola. I was wondering if I could have unanimous consent of the House to read this very short uncertified petition.

The Acting Speaker (Mr Tony Martin): Is there unanimous consent? Sorry, there's no unanimous consent.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

APPOINTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Government House Leader): I move that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

"To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

I want to share my time with Mr Chudleigh, Mr Dunlop, Mrs Munro and Mr Ouellette.

It's unfortunate that we were not able to get all-party agreement with regard to the appointment of this fine individual, a very talented man who has a great deal of experience to become the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario. We went through a very public process, as was promised last August, when Ms Ligeti's appointment-which was extended by three months during the election period-came to an end.

The Environmental Commissioner is appointed for a term of five years under the legislation. As we know, the first Environmental Commissioner's term came to an end, and we now have a new commissioner. In fact, when you look at the appointments of various commissioners, there are very few, if any, who have gone longer than the initial appointment. I think this is true of the Ombudsman, of the Information and Privacy Commissioner, and now is true with regard to the Environmental Commissioner.

No one can say, as I heard from opposition benches-who have tried to politicize this process from day one-that Ms Ligeti was fired. She was not fired. As was pointed out to her in a radio talk show which I listened to, her term came to an end. It was not the desire of the Legislative Assembly to reappoint her. That was not what the committee decided.

We committed ourselves to an open process, a process which included an advertisement in many of the major dailies asking for nominations, for people from across this province to put forward their names. We had a motion in this Legislature to refer this matter to the general government committee of this Legislature. That general government committee considered the various candidates and came back to us with the name of Mr Miller.

I have had the opportunity since that time to review Mr Miller's curriculum vitae. I want to point out to you that one of the great and thrilling parts of Mr Miller's candidacy as the Environmental Commissioner is the fact that he is not a lawyer. I, as you perhaps know, have both a scientific and a legal background. It has always been my feeling that the Environmental Commissioner need not be a lawyer, need not be involved in or thinking only about process and whether there are enough hearings there or whether there is enough process here or whatever.

I think we are going to be very pleased with Mr Miller, because he is a scientist and took a degree I believe in ecology, and therefore is going to have very valuable advice for the Minister of the Environment as to what his and the government's priorities should be with regard to actions taken by the Ministry of the Environment.

It's very easy to say to the Minister of the Environment, for instance, "Do all of these things: Fix this, fix that, fix this, fix that." Of course, fixing everything would take up all of the budget of the government of Ontario, not just a small part of it. We have other priorities as well. We have tried in the government to prioritize our expenditures so that you get the greatest impact.

The part that I am most encouraged with in regard to appointing a person of science is that he will be able to direct his staff in what are the first priorities or what should be the first priorities for the government of Ontario: Should they be dealing with toxins and furans in the air? Should they be dealing with acid rain? Should they be dealing with returned deposit bottles? Should they be dealing with recycling, composting or whatever?

What we really need is an Environmental Commissioner-I hope that Mr Miller, because of his scientific background, will be able to try to provide some guidance and help in terms of the Minister of the Environment in formulating the strategy as to where the resources, both money and people, should go.

I'm sure that those who participated in the general government committee, which chose this individual, will go deeper into the process. I want to make it clear that our party intends to talk about the process. We will not talk about individuals who were not chosen by the committee, but we will talk about the process that we went through.

We believe that it was a very fair process, that everyone who submitted a resumé to the human resources department of this Legislature was given an equal opportunity and that the committee acted in concert, in a rational and logical way, to choose those who they thought were qualified to have interviews, and that those interviews were undertaken in an even-handed manner with all the candidates.

I am disappointed that the opposition parties have made this a political issue. They have made this a political issue. Mr Miller freely admitted, when asked a question on his very first interview, whether he had party affiliation, and he said, "Yes, I do." He told the committee what that party affiliation was about and was most forthright in putting that forward. Notwithstanding that, the committee decided to call him back for a second interview and the committee has decided that he stood above all of the rest in terms of his qualifications to do this job.

It is difficult because we would like, in terms of this legislative chamber, to have unanimity when it comes to appointments. I remember when the former Environmental Commissioner was appointed. Quite frankly, our party had some uneasiness with that appointment at the time, but notwithstanding that uneasiness, we said: "It is better for us to give Ms Ligeti the opportunity to become the Environmental Commissioner. We believe her word, that she will act according to the act and in the best interests of the people of Ontario."

Unfortunately, in this legislative chamber recently we have seen extreme partisanship. Yesterday in this House we had a bill for the University of Ottawa Heart Institute in front of this Legislature, all parties agreeing to it, but when it came to voting in this Legislature on that bill, the opposition divided and wanted to vote on that particular bill, a tactic which, quite frankly, escapes me. I don't understand why they would bring forward a tactic like that with a bill of the Ottawa Heart Institute, led by the Liberal Party, when Mr Conway, the member for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, spoke in very glowing terms in favour of that bill.

I draw that to your attention, Mr Speaker, because of the extreme partisanship of the opposition. The opposition would not be pleased with the appointment of any Environmental Commissioner save and except if they picked one of their own, if they picked somebody who was a member of the NDP or the Liberal Party. That's what in fact they want. They didn't want to go-

Mr John Gerretsen (Kingston and the Islands): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think it's highly inappropriate for the government House leader to accuse the opposition of the tactics that they themselves are employing in getting the Environmental Commissioner-

The Acting Speaker (Mr Tony Martin): That's not a point of order. The government House leader.

Hon Mr Sterling: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. You know, they really hurt when they're caught in a situation where they want to pretend that they're in favour of certain things like a larger city of Ottawa and they get a choice in a bill and the bill includes a number of things, and they say: "I can't vote for this bill because I don't like one out of 20 things in the bill. Therefore I'm voting no." That is what we have seen in this Legislature, and we have seen the partisanship on the part of both of the opposition parties to extremes.

I want to say, as I did sit in opposition prior to 1995, during the period from 1985 to 1990, one of the great things about the leadership of Mike Harris and the Conservative caucus during that period of time was that we saw the forest and weren't blinded by the trees. Unfortunately, the opposition parties have not seen that, because they would have a great deal more credibility in this debate on the Environmental Commission if they had in fact supported the government on some of its legislative endeavours.

I'll tell you another thing. For instance, the police pursuits bill, which was passed last night in this Legislative, when it came to second reading-everybody in this Legislature, I believe, was in favour of the police pursuits bill. But what did they do when it came to second reading? The third party, the NDP, sent it out to a committee. Mr Speaker, I think you were involved in that particular committee. But when it got to the committee it lasted for five minutes, or 20 minutes or whatever it was, because nobody knew what to do in committee.

Interjections.

Hon Mr Sterling: The government didn't see any need to go to the committee. There were no amendments put forward in the committee. What happened when we got back in the Legislature and listened to the debate last night and yesterday afternoon is that we heard from the NDP that they did in fact have amendments but they didn't bring them to committee. Then they complain when they get back here that we didn't accept some kind of amendments to the police pursuits bill.

What I'm trying to point out by this is that I have seen over the last week, week and a half, and perhaps it goes back even earlier, the extreme partisanship on behalf of both of the opposition parties. I think it's a reflection on the opposition parties that they have not even tried to support this particular appointment.

When the Leader of the Opposition, Mr McGuinty, stands up in this Legislature and effectively says that Mr Miller, who has an excellent resumé, has an excellent background in the environment, is nothing more than a lapdog, I think that's scandalous. It's scandalous that he would-

Interjection.

Hon Mr Sterling: I hear Ms Martel saying the same thing, and I guess that reflects the attitude which the opposition bring to this very, very important place, the Legislature of Ontario.

We would like to see Mr Miller have an opportunity to really make the Environmental Commissioner and its position-

Mr Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): Norm, you don't know what you're talking about. Two amendments were moved in that committee. Your government defeated both of them. Get your facts straight.

The Acting Speaker: The member for Niagara Centre knows that that's out of order, that you're only allowed to heckle from your seat.

Hon Frank Klees (Minister without Portfolio): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I really would implore you to take much more serious action with the member who approached the speaker, the member who was in the middle of his speech. That kind of behaviour in this place should not be tolerated. I think simply to ask him to go back to his seat in no way is appropriate. I really implore you, on behalf of all of the members of this House, to take the appropriate action.

Mr Brad Clark (Stoney Creek): On the same point of order, Mr Speaker: The member should withdraw the comment. He shouted out right across the floor that it was a lie. Moreover, he approached the dais. It was an egregious error, and you shouldn't tolerate it. Mr Speaker, I urge you to take control of the House and sanction the member.

The Acting Speaker: I would ask the member, please, not to do that again and to stand corrected on having done that-it is not appropriate behaviour-and to withdraw the statement you made about the government lying. Would you do that? Will you withdraw the statement about the government?

Mr Kormos: Withdraw.

The Acting Speaker: Withdrawn.

Mr Kormos: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: The government House leader misstates the facts in a most obvious way when he suggests that no amendments were moved. He misstates the facts when he suggests that the committee meeting lasted only five minutes. He knows full well why a committee meeting was called for. His Solicitor General co-operated with it. He ought to get his facts straight before-

The Acting Speaker: The member knows that accusing a member of the House of misstating the facts is the same as saying that he lied. I would ask you to withdraw that, please.

Mr Kormos: Withdraw.

The Acting Speaker: Withdrawn.

Hon Mr Sterling: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I do want to say to the member opposite, notwithstanding his outrageous behaviour here this afternoon in the legislative chamber, coming across the chamber, which you know, Mr Speaker, does not lead to the best of relationships in here, that the fact of the matter is that I did confuse the police pursuits bill and the red tape bill, and I apologize to the member and the members of the Legislature. That was not the case with regard to the police pursuits bill. There we