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October 5, 2009

39th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2009-Oct-05 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 5 October 2009 Lundi 5 octobre 2009

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

AGENCY SPENDING

ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION

TAXATION

AGENCY SPENDING

AGENCY SPENDING

TAXATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY AND

GAMING CORP.

WASTE DISPOSAL

EASTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION

NORTHERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

AIR QUALITY

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

WIREMOLD/LEGRAND

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

FLU IMMUNIZATION

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

TAXATION

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ANIMAL HEALTH ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 SUR LA SANTÉ ANIMALE

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ANIMAL HEALTH

ACCESSIBILITÉ POUR LES

PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

TEACHERS /

ENSEIGNANTS ET ENSEIGNANTES

ANIMAL HEALTH

TEACHERS

ANIMAL HEALTH

TEACHERS

MURRAY GAUNT

PETITIONS

TAXATION

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

HOSPITAL FUNDING

CHILD CARE

DENTAL CARE

HOSPITAL FUNDING

TAXATION

PARENTING EDUCATION

HOSPITAL FUNDING

LONG-TERM CARE

TAXATION

ORDERS OF THE DAY

TIME ALLOCATION

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

AND SAFETY AMENDMENT ACT

(VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT

IN THE WORKPLACE), 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SANTÉ ET LA SÉCURITÉ

AU TRAVAIL (VIOLENCE ET

HARCÈLEMENT AU TRAVAIL)

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Good morning. Please remain standing for the Lord's Prayer, followed by a moment of silence, of inner thought and personal reflection.

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Charles Sousa: In the Legislative Assembly to-day we have a group of students from Forest Avenue Public School, with their teacher. They're from grade 5 and they should be with us momentarily. I welcome them to the House.

Hon. Christopher Bentley: Joining us in the Legislature will be Doug Alexander from the great and glorious community of London.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): On behalf of the member for Etobicoke–Lakeshore and page Carlos Fiel, we'd like to welcome his mother Maria Fiel, his grandmother Cecilia Fiel, his aunt Corito Fiel, and a friend, Cathy Narduzzi, to the members' east gallery today. Welcome to Queen's Park.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question is for the Deputy Premier. This is National Family Week, and Ontario families are working harder today but are losing ground. Statistics Canada data shows that household incomes have remained flat since 2003, when Dalton McGuinty took office. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. tells us that the cost of mortgages and housing has gone up 40% over that time period, while the city of Toronto study found the cost of feeding the kids is up 15%.

To the Deputy Premier: How much harder do Ontario families have to work just to stay afloat?

Hon. George Smitherman: To the finance minister.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: There's no doubt that the situation in the world economy has caused difficulties for families. Unemployment is far too high, here and around the Western world.

I would advocate and argue to the Leader of the Opposition that our party's investments in education, our party's investments in health care and in a cleaner environment, and our party's investments in a range of other initiatives are designed to help Ontarians and Ontario get through these challenging and difficult times. There's no doubt there's more work that needs to be done, and this government is committed to working with our federal partners and members of the IMF and the G20 to invest in stimulus and job opportunities so that all Ontarians can prosper when the downturn in the world economy occurs.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: Let me be clear: Incomes have been flatlined since 2003, since the McGuinty government took office. Ontario families are paying more today but are losing ground since 2003. What mortgages and other essentials don't eat up of people's paycheques, provincial taxes and fees brought in by the McGuinty Liberals sure will. In the budgets passed since Dalton McGuinty became Premier, a typical middle-class Ontario family is paying 8% more of their income in provincial taxes. That includes, of course, the health tax that Dalton McGuinty said he wouldn't bring in, but he did.

So, back to the finance minister: How much do you think Ontarians should have to pay in order to just stand still?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The Leader of the Opposition doesn't put the full case, and I would dispute his figures. In fact, up until this year, Ontario experienced considerable growth in incomes, considerable growth in the economy, until the bottom fell out in the world economy—as it has affected many jurisdictions.

Our investments in education, our investments in health care, our tax cuts, our elimination of the capital tax, the income tax cuts that are part of this year's budget—the overall management of the government's finances has experienced difficulty as a result of the downturn in the economy. But we will continue to make investments in infrastructure, continue to reform our tax system with tax cuts, where appropriate, to ensure that Ontario comes out of this bigger and stronger than when it went into it.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Again, I say to the finance minister that these are Statistics Canada and CMHC figures. When you crunch all the numbers from StatsCan and CMHC and others, a typical middle-class Ontario family now works a startling 25 extra days just to afford cost-of-living increases since Dalton McGuinty took office—in the city of Toronto, 29 extra days—and Premier McGuinty's response is to hammer them with another sales tax increase.

I say to the finance minister, are 25 days enough? How much more time do you want people to give up with their own families just to pay for your record deficits and tax increases?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I don't think anybody can rely on the number the Leader of the Opposition put forward. It's not based on fact. It's not based on any reality. It's based on an outdated ideology that says you should cut taxes, close hospitals, close schools, lay off teachers, lay off public servants, cut transfers to municipalities, not invest in the environment, not work to help the auto industry through a difficult time. Our government rejects that philosophy.

Our government takes a balanced approach, investing in the elements of the economy that are most important to Ontarians—investing in education, investing in health care, investing in a better environment—and reforming the tax so that we have a more effective and efficient and competitive tax system, with tax cuts for low-income Ontarians and others, that will make this economy bigger, better and stronger when we come out of the world downturn.

AGENCY SPENDING

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the finance minister: It seems clear that during the summer of scandal, the McGuinty government philosophy was to help their Liberal friends while working families fell farther and farther behind. Steve Mahoney, former Ontario Liberal MPP and now chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, has managed to turn a part-time appointment into a full-time job with good pay and perks. Last Thursday, the labour minister let slip that his friend returned $14,759 in previously approved expenses.

Ontario families will be interested to know if Mahoney did this before or after the PC freedom-of-information request on his expenses. When will Minister Fonseca table the records for these returned expenses here in the Legislature?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Peter Fonseca: I say to the member opposite that there is an expectation by this government, by this Premier and especially by the public that all government agencies, the WSIB included, adhere to strict, prudent and responsible expense policies.

I can tell the member that the WSIB and all the Ministry of Labour agencies, boards and commissions are working very hard to ensure that they are in compliance with the new rules that have been set by the Premier.

The WSIB chair has given me assurances that they understand the new rules that are in place, and that expenses that were allowed under the old policy in the past are no longer allowed today. The WSIB is working hard to protect workers, to lower injury rates and to reach out to their stakeholders.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: Let me pursue the Minister of Labour about his so-called proven expense policies. Another member of the Liberal family had a hand in helping Steve Mahoney help himself to the hard-earned money of Ontario taxpayers. Freedom-of-information records reveal that, since April 2007, Steve Mahoney's expenses received sign-off by none other than Patrick Dillon, who sits on the WSIB. Dillon, of course, the spokesperson for the Working Families Coalition, a front created to circumvent campaign spending rules and spend millions of dollars to advance the Liberal election campaign—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I just ask the honourable member to withdraw.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Withdraw which part?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The comment that he just made.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Well, I'll withdraw it, Speaker.

Dillon, of course, the spokesperson for the Working Families Coalition that spent millions of dollars to advance the Liberal election fortunes.

To the minister: Why the oversight of Mahoney's expenses from another unelected, unaccountable member of the McGuinty Liberal family?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: The member continues with his political rhetoric, but as I've said, the WSIB and their officials have changed past policies. They know that some of those past policies are no longer acceptable. There are new rules in place.

Furthermore, this member knows full well that the government has changed some of our policies. All OPS employees today at our largest agencies will receive online mandatory expense training. Expenses for all OPS senior management, cabinet ministers, political staff and senior executives at Ontario's largest agencies will be posted online for the first time. And, going forward, all expenses will be reviewed by the Integrity Commissioner for approval.

Times have changed and, certainly, expenses that may have been acceptable in the past—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Tim Hudak: I wonder if now the minister is finally going to take the pen away from Patrick Dillon, the head of the Liberal-aligned Working Families Coalition, on signing off on expenses.

I say to the minister that what Ontario taxpayers are seeing here is very clear. If you're a Liberal-connected friend, like Steve Mahoney, you get $140,000 a year, a part-time job and special treatment and expense sign-offs from another Liberal friend, but if you're an average, hard-working member of the middle class, you get nothing. Ontario taxpayers deserve better.

Why are you making Ontario families work harder? Why are you making them give up 25 days more a year just to tread water in order to pay for the benefits of your Liberal friends?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: The official opposition seems confused on this issue. The leader sent a pat-on-the-back letter to Chair Mahoney on September 1, and it says, "On behalf of all members of the PC caucus I thank you for the work that you do," signed by Tim Hudak.

The deputy leader, last week, was asked if the chair should resign. The deputy leader said she didn't know, and the labour critic clearly last week, with his antics in this House, shows that he's in complete disagreement with his leader.

I ask, who's in charge over there? Is the leadership battle still on?

ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Acting Premier. A news report today states that cabinet ministers approved a $30-million—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Please continue.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I'll take it from the top, Speaker, if you don't mind.

My question is to the Acting Premier. A news report today states that cabinet ministers approved a $30-million untendered contract to IBM and that this was opposed by the eHealth CEO, the Deputy Minister of Health and the assistant deputy minister. Can the Acting Premier confirm that he approved this contract against the advice of his senior bureaucrats?

Hon. George Smitherman: By way of supplementary, I'll ask the Minister of Health to address this question. But as the honourable member has spoken to the role that I may or may not have played as a member of Management Board, I can tell the honourable member that while she reads it is as if this has been reported only as of today, this is of course a matter that was under discussion here last Thursday and last Friday.

In the course of serving on Management Board, items come forward from various ministries. I haven't checked the record to see whether I was actually at the meeting in question. But to the direct nature of the question at hand from the honourable member, no such protestations about the issuance of such contracts were made known to me.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The IBM contract is not the only example of this government's addiction to insider contracting. In 2006, while the Acting Premier was the Minister of Health, 295 consultants were working on the eHealth program, with only five ministry employees. One employee even quit on a Friday to take a job as a consultant the following Monday. Can the Acting Premier confirm any of these allegations?

Hon. George Smitherman: To the Minister of Health.

Hon. David Caplan: These allegations, I don't know based on what—but I can tell the member, in answer to her earlier question, that the first contract was sole-sourced. There was only one legitimate provider of the service. That was IBM, the original designer of the OHIP mainframe and of the database. The health registration system is one of the largest in the world, and uses IBM mainframe technology and database software. This has been the case through your government, through the PCs and through this government as well.

The contract was awarded to IBM in order to leverage the existing registered persons and provider databases in the OHIP system. IBM was the only provider that could have the systems be interoperable.

Having said that, we have made significant strides to increase accountability. There are new procurement rules. We are curtailing unnecessary expense claims and additional mechanisms for accountability and transparency which have not been in place—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Acting Premier, Minister of Finance and other cabinet ministers approved a $30-million untendered contract. That's a fact. They stood by as insiders picked up lucrative consulting gigs and engaged in practices which they are now admitting, and this minister just said it himself, would not be allowed today. Why did the CEO and chair of the board of eHealth lose their jobs while every member of the McGuinty cabinet has held on to theirs?

Hon. David Caplan: In fact, the rules were followed as they have been in place under all previous governments. The rationale for sole-source contracts are potentially twofold. One is when there is an urgency in place or when there is one vendor or one individual with expertise in that particular area. That was the case in this situation, where it was a program designed to be able to interoperate with the existing OHIP system, which had been in fact designed, developed and delivered by IBM. The suggestion that IBM is somehow some government insider, frankly, is ludicrous.

This is a company which has a long history and was, as I said, the original designer of the mainframe and the original designer of the database, systems which served Ontarians well over decades and will continue for many more years.

TAXATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: To the Acting Premier: The Liberals' unfair tax grab not only makes life more expensive for Ontarians, it will also make it harder to find a job in this province. A study commissioned by the chamber of commerce concluded that harmonization will slow employment growth by as much as 40,000 jobs a year. Does the Acting Premier have any evidence that this study is wrong, or is he ready to admit that the unfair tax scheme and the HST is a job killer?

Hon. George Smitherman: The Minister of Finance.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The HST and the tax cuts that go with it are designed specifically to create jobs and will do just that over time.

The leader of the third party takes the chamber of commerce report out of context and doesn't read the rest of the report. In addition, I would point out to her even more recent information that was made available from the Toronto Dominion bank on September 18. It says: "In order for businesses to generate an increase in demand for their products they will have to pass those savings on to customers. This in turn should help spur business investment, employment and income growth."

This is the right policy—the HST with the tax cuts—that will help this economy once we get out of this downturn. It will help create jobs in manufacturing, the forestry sector and indeed right across all sectors of the Ontario economy.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The chamber's study is very clear: As many as 40,000 more Ontarians will remain unemployed under the HST scheme. But they're not the only ones reaching this conclusion. In a different report, the C.D. Howe Institute also concludes that the harmonized sales tax will slow employment growth by nearly 40,000 jobs a year. Can the Acting Premier produce a single study that shows the McGuinty harmonization scheme won't lead to higher unemployment?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Again, the NDP leader takes that out of context and completely out of order. The C.D. Howe Institute, the TD Bank, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce—

Interjection: Hugh Mackenzie.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: —Hugh Mackenzie, the Ontario Labour Federation all talk about this policy as being the right policy to create jobs. I remind her as well that the Ontario forestry industry has said the same thing. The Ontario manufacturers have said the same thing.

That member and her colleagues may not want to help fix this economy. We are doing this to create jobs, to improve incomes and make Ontario more competitive going into the future.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, me and my colleagues know exactly who we stand up for in the province, and that's the people of Ontario.

In the middle of a very serious recession, people expect their government to protect jobs and to make life more affordable. Instead, the McGuinty government is ignoring them and making an unfair tax on every single person in this province, a scheme that's going to make life much more difficult and much less affordable and kill 40,000 jobs. That's 40,000 Ontarians, 40,000 families that are not going to be able to come home with a paycheque as a result of this harebrained scheme. Will the Acting Premier produce some kind of evidence that this scheme is not going to make life harder for a whole lot more Ontarians?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Indeed, we have produced a good deal of evidence. I've referred the member opposite to that. But I am glad to hear that she's now renouncing the request her predecessor made for us to raise the PST.

You know, here are some other—I mean, I'm glad she is concerned about tax increases. They raised personal income taxes on the poor in Ontario by $500 million when they were in office. On the contrary, Hugh Mackenzie—and I know Mr. Mackenzie is—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Hamilton East.

Interjection.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: —briefing the member for Hamilton Centre and her colleagues that they're missing the boat on this issue.

This plan is about lowering taxes for low-income Ontarians. This plan is about creating jobs. This plan is about a brighter future for Ontarians with modest incomes. It's a plan; it's the right plan. That party has no plan, no ideas. It's tied to yesterday. We'll continue to move forward—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

AGENCY SPENDING

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: My question is for the Minister of Tourism. Why did the McGuinty Liberals hand out an untendered contract, worth multi-millions, to a US company to run the Maid of the Mist for the next 25 years?

Hon. Monique M. Smith: The member would be aware that the Maid of the Mist contract has been the topic of some discussion, and that one of the former members of the board of the Niagara Parks Commission made a reference to the Integrity Commissioner, who reported in the spring and found that there was no wrongdoing on behalf of the Niagara Parks Commission. However, she did recommend that they review that decision, and they have recently reviewed that decision. They have confirmed their decision to issue the contract to the Maid of the Mist Corp. and they are presenting that decision to my ministry.

I believe we received their documents at the ministry last week and I look forward to hearing. My ministry will be doing an analysis and will be providing me with advice as to whether or not it should be brought forward to cabinet.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: Again, as the minister knows, a contract of this size and duration must be approved by cabinet. Apparently, cabinet is about to give this multi-million-dollar, 25-year contract the green light despite Premier McGuinty's edict against untendered contracts. We haven't heard anything different. It may have something to do with a fellow by the name of Bob Lopinski, a lobbyist for the US company and former director of issues management for Premier McGuinty.

My question is: Are close members of the Liberal family like Bob Lopinski exempt from the so-called ban on untendered contracts? Is that the deal over there?

Hon. Monique M. Smith: Unlike my colleagues on the other side of the House, this Ontario government is committed to openness, transparency and accountability.

The Niagara Parks Commission has reviewed its decision on the lease, taking into consideration, as we advised it to do, the audit, guidelines on revenue-generating opportunities, leading agency governance practices and expressions of interest related to boat tourism attractions. This was in line with the recommendations made by both the Integrity Commissioner and myself as I asked them to review this decision.

As I said to the member's previous question, the decision of the parks commission has been presented to the ministry. My ministry is in the process of reviewing that and doing the due diligence. No decision has been made; no proposal has been made to cabinet as of this date. Again, I would just clarify for the member this is, in fact, a lease and not a contract and that we are continuing to look at their decision and—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

AGENCY SPENDING

Mr. Paul Miller: My question is to the Minister of Labour. Stories are abounding about the excessive expenditures of the WSIB chair—not only his apparent abuse of public money, but doing this while enjoying a triple-dipping income.

When is this minister going to rein in this high-flying WSIB chair?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: I thank the member for the opportunity to say that the WSIB recognizes that the environment has changed. The WSIB expense policies were reviewed two years ago, and at that time certain expense practices were deemed unacceptable. Certain expenses that may have been acceptable at that time are no longer acceptable today. On an ongoing basis, all expenses will be reviewed by the Integrity Commissioner and must meet approval by the Integrity Commissioner.

This government has taken more steps towards accountability and transparency to further protect the taxpayers' dollars, and this government has made changes to policies that former governments deemed acceptable.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Paul Miller: Johnny-come-lately, I guess. I've raised many serious concerns about the management of the WSIB under this chair. I've asked for his resignation I don't know how many times after his mismanagement of the experience rating file and the excessive wait times for injured workers to have their claims satisfactorily settled. Now we know why these problems are so rampant: Rather than doing his job, Mr. Mahoney is expensing alcohol while dining at high-end restaurants. He even admitted to this and he admitted to the wrong.

This government was quick to fire a woman whose expenses were questioned, but why won't they fire their WSIB good old boy?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: WSIB Chair Mahoney takes his role and responsibility as the chair of the WSIB very seriously. He works with advocates, injured workers and stakeholders to lower injury rates and to ensure that Ontario workers are protected in the workplace.

One of the member's colleagues, the member from Parkdale—High Park, has had the opportunity to sit down with Chair Mahoney. Also, we just heard there was a letter sent by the official opposition to Chair Mahoney—a pat on the back letter saying he's doing a great job. It said, "On behalf of all the members of the PC caucus, I thank you for the good work that you do."

I ask the member to have the common courtesy to contact the chair, sit down with the chair and get your facts right.

TAXATION

Mr. David Zimmer: My question is for the Minister of Revenue. The real estate industry plays a huge role here in the city of Toronto, especially in Willowdale. We've all seen a number of letters to the various editors of the newspapers from the real estate sector, questioning the harmonized sales tax. The real estate industry in Ontario employs 33,000 people in Toronto alone, and the finance and real estate industries together employ over 400,000 people across Ontario.

I've been speaking to my constituents in the real estate sector. They're concerned about implementation of the HST and what it's going to mean for them. Minister, what's the effect of the HST on the real estate sector?

Hon. John Wilkinson: I want to thank my friend for the question. It's important that we have an economy that's growing and generating jobs. I talked to my friends in the real estate industry, and what they tell me is, they would rather sell houses in a market where people are buying and selling because they're creating wealth, than be in a market where they're buying and selling because people are losing their homes because they've lost their jobs.

The single most important thing that we can do, I say to the member, is to ensure that we have a vibrant economy and so harmonizing our sales tax and accompanying that with significant tax savings, some $15 billion over the next three years for people and business, is all about making sure we have people getting back to work.

I want to thank the real estate agents in the province of Ontario, who make a vital contribution to our economy, but I know that they're looking at the bigger question as well. We need to get the rate of unemployment down in this province, we need to be generating wealth, and we know that the real estate agents will play their part. Overall, the sector will see a substantial reduction—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. David Zimmer: There's a lot of misinformation floating around about the HST. In fact, there's a great deal of support for this in the business sector—because it makes Ontario more competitive, it creates jobs. Michael Smart's study on the effect the HST had on the Atlantic provinces revealed that harmonization led to consumer price reductions and increased business investment. One hundred and thirty countries have harmonized their HST. Supporters of HST in Ontario include the TD Bank, the C.D. Howe Institute, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Association of Food Banks and the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association.

Minister, will the HST make Ontario more competitive and create jobs? Who do we believe on this? Those who are misinformed, or institutions like the TD Bank and others that I've just named, which are operating in a very competitive—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. John Wilkinson: I come to this place after being in business for some 20 years, and I understand the demands of the marketplace. I say to our business leaders particularly, as many more look at this, that it is very important for them to understand both sides of the equation. Yes, we are going to modernize our tax system and drag it out of the 20th century and modernize it, but as well, at the same time, we're taking all of that money and we're substantially reducing income taxes for small business, for business and for people.

For every $3 of tax cuts, two of those dollars go to individuals and one goes to business. It's all about ensuring that our economy can compete and win in the 21st century. That is what is going to lead to more jobs, and if we don't help people get back to work, of course, it takes all of our vital services and puts them at risk. That's why it's important. On this side of the House, we've made a difficult but a very deliberate decision about what we believe is required to ensure that Ontario comes out of this recession stronger than ever.

ONTARIO LOTTERY AND

GAMING CORP.

Mr. Peter Shurman: My question is for the finance minister. A pattern has developed where the McGuinty Liberals will say anything to change the channel. The finance minister knows that no one has been talking about closing casinos. What we've been talking about is how to make the casinos in your portfolio do what they are supposed to do and what you claimed they would do: add to the revenue of the province, and not just the revenue of the minister's riding. Other OLG casinos are profitable. What is the Minister of Finance's plan to make the Windsor casino profitable? Do you even have one?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: I'm glad that the member clarified what he said on Friday. In fact, the reason we made the investment we did four years ago was to ensure that that casino could continue to compete in a very competitive marketplace in that region. There's no doubt that the gaming industry across North America is down considerably: large publicly traded companies, as well as the publicly owned casinos.

Overall, we will continue to work with the OLG. That investment we made in a convention centre and in a major entertainment facility, which are second to none and compete very effectively against the four casinos in Detroit, was precisely what was needed most, precisely what was recommended by the OLG, and precisely what was recommended by people in the gaming industry to ensure the ongoing—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Shurman: Again for the minister: It appears that in Ontario the answer to, "How does one start a small business?" appears to be, "Start a large one and let Minister Duncan and the Liberal family run it."

Minister Duncan budgeted $400 million to expand it and spent $430 million instead. He added an unbudgeted $80 million for a power plant. The agency he oversees is throwing another $200 million in to keep the casino running. This is the same minister who plans the budget for the province of Ontario. How much more should Ontario taxpayers spend so that you can try to make sure that Windsor—Tecumseh stays in the Liberal family?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The casino initiative in Windsor was begun under the New Democrats and was advanced under the Conservative government. We made the kind of investment that's important to help maintain the competitive position of that casino relative to the Detroit casinos that have opened in the last six years.

There's no doubt that the tourism industry in Ontario has seen a downturn as a result of a number of factors, which I reviewed with the member in previous questions. But the investment we made was precisely the investment that was called for by the industry. It was precisely the investment that was recommended by the board at that time. It was precisely what was needed to ensure the ongoing competitiveness of that casino, which has yielded a net profit of in excess of a billion dollars to this province since its opening in 1996.

WASTE DISPOSAL

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My question is to the Minister of the Environment. Last month, Simcoe county cancelled its plans to build a dump at site 41 in the face of widespread community opposition and growing evidence of damage to the water table, but the provincial government certificate of approval for the site has not been withdrawn. Residents are concerned that the council may in fact sell that site to a private dump operator. Will the minister put an end to the dump at site 41 once and for all by revoking the certificate of approval?

Hon. John Gerretsen: First of all, as the member well knows, the decision to have a landfill site anywhere starts and is initiated by the local council or, in this case, the county council, and they did that a number of years ago.

I can tell him, from all of the various discussions that I've had with my ministry officials who have been involved ever since the site was first approved, that from a scientific viewpoint there was absolutely nothing wrong with respect to the landfill being there.

Interjections.

Hon. John Gerretsen: Well, that's the best advice that we were able to deal with from a ministry viewpoint.

The council has decided not to proceed with their project, which is their decision, and we certainly agree with that decision as far as their being the right authority to deal with that particular matter is concerned.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Yes, obviously a supplementary.

Come on. I mean, have you been reading what's out there in the public domain about that site? I was there with you in front of the Ministry of the Environment building when the citizens brought in those bottles of contaminated water. Have you sent people out to check what happened after the excavation started? We've got a problem here. We've got a county that spent millions of dollars on this dump. There are substantial questions about the threat to an aquifer in this province. You are just sitting there not taking the action that has to be taken.

You should be committing money to that county so it can reduce waste, so it does not have to have this landfill. You need to revoke this certificate of approval. Are you going to do that?

Hon. John Gerretsen: First of all, this government is very proud of the actions that we have taken with respect to waste diversion in the province of Ontario. We have started a municipal hazardous waste collection site. We are taking action with respect to the collection of electronic waste. We are taking action with respect to composting. We have put a document out there which calls for zero waste. And yes, we want to go toward zero waste in this province.

But in the meantime, until we actually get there, landfills are necessary, and it is the obligation and responsibility of the Ministry of the Environment to make sure that those sites are scientifically sound. This particular site, from a scientific viewpoint and from a ministry viewpoint over the last number of years, is a scientifically sound site.

EASTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Phil McNeely: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. On August 31 of this year, I had the privilege of make an announcement about an eastern Ontario development fund grant to a firm called Canadian Hydro Components in the beautiful town of Almonte, Ontario. This very successful Ontario-based business produces turbines and other equipment for use in small to medium-sized hydroelectric generating projects.

The firm is investing over $1 million to upgrade its facilities and purchase new equipment, which will allow it to access new markets and create 10 new jobs over the next five years. Ontario's contribution of $159,000 through the eastern Ontario development fund was a vital component of moving this expansion forward. CHC's president had strong words of praise for the Ontario government for its work in helping to create green jobs, in this case through the eastern Ontario development fund.

Would the minister please let the members of this Legislature and Ontarians know if there have been similar success stories and what kind of employment is being generated by—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello: I'm happy to speak of the success of the eastern Ontario development fund. As you know, we launched this a year and a half or so ago, and it's very important to show that the Ontario government can also help small town Ontario, in particular eastern Ontario, which faces some chronic issues, with assisting business to move forward. Even in these economically challenged times, we have had $11.3 million out the door to small business in eastern Ontario, and that $11.3 million leveraged over $72 million being invested in these small and medium-sized businesses.

For example, Laflèche Environmental in Moose Creek: They were able to create 10 additional jobs with funding that we provided of $531,000; 10 jobs, that's really important to a town like Moose Creek. Mariposa Dairy, in Lindsay, was able to create 11 new jobs over two years with assistance of $172,000—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Phil McNeely: I thank the minister for that explanation and encourage her to continue supporting the EODF, which creates so many jobs in eastern Ontario.

Minister, Ontario is changing, and job creation in my area of the province, especially in smaller communities, is vitally important.

Historically, Canadian Hydro Components has been working with an excellent staff of highly skilled people to deliver turbines and turbine maintenance, mainly in the United States and Europe. They have made major investments in equipment and facilities and are looking to expand into new markets, including in Ontario, which would create new jobs. Minister, additional business for Canadian Hydro Components would be good for Almonte, for Ontario and for our government as an investor in their capacity.

Would you please let us know what this government and your ministry is doing to create additional business opportunities, and by extension, jobs, for companies like CHC in the global market and right here in Ontario?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello: I know that many companies, including CHC, are taking advantage now of the globally competitive tax policy that we've initiated, especially over the course of the last three years.

In addition, we've had other funds where we've reached out to partner with business. Often they've heard of the Next Generation of Jobs Fund, the advanced manufacturing investment strategy and this eastern Ontario development fund, a great success story for eastern Ontario.

They are making use of the kinds of business mission opportunities that we provide to get them export locations for their products. This particular company, CHC, is also taking advantage of Ontario becoming known as the green province thanks to the Green Energy Act, where we're out there selling Ontario as a green location. It provides a market right in our backyard for companies like CHC and, in addition, lets others know that our products are available to the world. That's the kind of work that we're doing at our ministry.

ELECTRONIC HEALTH INFORMATION

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is to the Minister of Health. Over the weekend, we've had the opportunity to learn more about the forthcoming Auditor General's report. During the summer of scandal, the Premier and his ministers were saying that they were innocent third parties to the contracting at eHealth. Then last week, the Minister of Health changed his story, saying the Management Board's awarding of a $30 million untendered contract to IBM was given to maintain consistency with the OHIP program. In fact, we've heard a variation of that theme again today.

Sarah Kramer made a statement over the weekend saying that she warned your government that the untendered IBM contract was ill advised. Minister, you threw Sarah Kramer under the bus in order to avoid your ministry's accountability for this fiasco. Why did you say this was a decision of eHealth, when it was not?

Hon. David Caplan: Nothing could be further from the truth. I'm not going to comment on Ms. Kramer, but I can tell you that a number of individuals have weighed in with their accounts about what happened at eHealth. The one I want to hear from most is an independent officer of this Legislature, the member referred to in her question, and that's the Auditor General. That's why I contacted the auditor. We got him in. We've asked him to issue his report as quickly as possible, and I believe that he will be doing so on Wednesday. That's why I've taken these concerns very seriously and have taken swift action to ensure that we're using taxpayer dollars in the most prudent fashion.

The member talks—

Interjection.

Hon. David Caplan: Well, I hear the member from Leeds—Grenville. In fact, the auditor's report will be subject to public account scrutiny of all members of this Legislature, as he well knows. Of course, that's the kind of openness that members on this side of the House have had and will continue to have, in contrast to what we've seen on the other side, and I'll be able to share examples—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mrs. Christine Elliott: The facts here are very simple. One untendered contract worth $30 million was given by this government against advice, but cabinet ministers and the McGuinty government went ahead and made the decision anyway. This was not a decision of the arm's-length agency of eHealth. This lands right on the McGuinty government's doorstep. The finger pointing ends here. Minister, will you do the right thing and step down today?

Hon. David Caplan: The facts are quite contrary to what the member says. In fact, there is a long history with sole-sourcing in the province of Ontario—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Minister?

Hon. David Caplan: The Ontario Conservative Party, in 1999 to 2003: $1.5 million in sole-source contracts to IBM. In fact, in the spring of 2000 Ms. Witmer, then-Minister of Health, awarded a $100,000 sole-source contract to Glen Wright, then the chair of the WSIB. In fact, the Auditor General made several comments back in his 2002 report about the practices—

Mr. John Yakabuski: But not the $30 million.

Interjection.

Hon. David Caplan: Well, the member opposite says—for Smart Systems, an IT sole-source contract for $12.7 million; Integrated Services for Children Information System, IT sole-source contracts for $8.5 million.

I say to the member opposite, talk to your leader, who was there at the time, and talk to the members opposite who are also colleagues. These were the practices that were in place—practices, in fact, that have been ended under this government. I'm quite—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

NORTHERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Acting Premier. There's a jobs crisis in northern Ontario, and this government doesn't know what to do about it.

Example one: In Sault Ste. Marie, StatsCan reports that EI benefits have risen a whopping 80% in the last year alone, and in the greater Sudbury region there were an astounding 152% more people collecting EI than a year before.

How many more jobs need to be lost before this government finally comes up with a jobs plan for northern Ontario?

Hon. George Smitherman: By way of supplementary, I think the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry will want to speak about some particular initiatives. But I do want to say to the honourable member that in a variety of ways our government has been very proactive at making investments in northern Ontario that are designed both to affect short-term employment and to be beneficial longer-term.

As an example, you've got an unprecedented amount of hospital construction going on, in Sioux Lookout, in Sault Ste. Marie, in Sudbury and in North Bay, just as some examples.

The initiatives with respect to green energy in our transmission directive are about making substantial investments in transmission in northern Ontario that will allow for much greater harnessing of natural resources in northern Ontario to the benefit of all Ontarians.

With respect to the opportunities for northerners to be involved in that kind of economic development opportunity, we've enhanced funding for the northern Ontario heritage fund to be a participant in initiatives that can enhance employment. These are amongst a suite of things that we're doing to—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Even Thunder Bay has seen EI claims increase by 42%, and that's with the benefit of the recent TTC streetcar and subway train contracts. It'll get even worse, though, if the federal government agrees to the deal with the US government that would effectively forbid a buy-Ontario policy. The north and, in fact, all of Ontario is going to suffer. With so much at stake, why isn't the McGuinty government opposing any trade deal that prevents local tax dollars from being used to create good-paying jobs here in Ontario?

Hon. George Smitherman: The Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: We are very, very proud of the job creation policies that our government has brought forward. Minister Smitherman mentioned the northern Ontario heritage fund. We have retained over 12,000 jobs in northern Ontario over the last six years through the heritage fund, increasing the funding from $60 million to $70 million, now to $80 million—an economic development fund that makes a difference.

In terms of our highway construction in northern Ontario—record-breaking investments every single year: $648 million this year, with expanded job opportunities in light of that as well.

In terms of our forestry sector, a wonderful announcement a couple of weeks ago in terms of the forest sector prosperity fund and the heritage fund, bringing the Popsicle stick capital of the world to Thunder Bay. A very exciting thing—Global Sticks coming to Thunder Bay.

These are great opportunities that we are seeing brought forward and many other opportunities that are coming as a result of our new, modernized Mining Act. We're very excited about the opportunities that will bring as well. So, indeed, jobs—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr. Mike Colle: It's to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Each year, the first Monday in October is marked as World Habitat Day, a United Nations-sponsored initiative organized by the UN human settlements program. At the global celebration of World Habitat Day, the World Habitat Awards will be presented.

I understand that the awards were first created over 20 years ago to recognize groups that combat homelessness and poverty. This year, an Ontario organization has been nominated for this prestigious award. Would the minister tell the House which Ontario organization has been nominated by the United Nations for this award?

Hon. Jim Watson: I thank the honourable member from Eglinton—Lawrence. I'm very proud of the work being done by Home Ownership Alternatives Non-Profit Corp. This organization is a non-profit corporation that provides financing to develop affordable housing in the province of Ontario. They use a range of financial mechanisms to enable low- and moderate-income Ontarians to become homeowners.

To date, they have supported 11 affordable housing projects that are providing close to 2,400 families with a home. Home Ownership Alternatives is one of the many partners that my ministry and the province of Ontario are working with to meet the affordable housing demands in Ontario.

I'm very proud of the work they are doing. I congratulate them on being recognized as a finalist for the World Habitat Awards. I look forward to cheering them on this evening.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Mike Colle: Great organizations like Home Ownership Alternatives, which is in Ontario, and many non-profit housing organizations across the city of Toronto in my riding are asking: Did you succeed in finally getting the federal government to the table to be a partner in building affordable housing in the city of Toronto and in cities across this province, because there are over 50,000 people waiting for this housing? It would also create jobs because many people are coming to my door looking for jobs in construction. Have you done your job? Have you succeeded in getting the federal government to the table and building some housing in this province?

Hon. Jim Watson: I'm pleased to report that I have succeeded and the federal government is back in the housing business.

Minister Duncan and Premier McGuinty put $622 million in the last provincial budget; the federal government is matching that money. We have $1.2 billion to spend in the next two years. That will provide 4,500 new affordable housing units in the province, and 50,000 housing units will be renovated and retrofitted. To date, $172 million has been approved, and $76.5 million was announced this summer through our quick starts program.

As you also know, we are putting money into housing repairs. Twenty-one million dollars has been committed to date, and with this investment, as the member asked about job creation—because housing construction creates a lot of jobs—we estimate that 23,000 Ontarians will be put back to work on building houses for the people of this province.

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My question is for the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Minister, 36 of the 51 children's aid societies across Ontario have filed

section 14 requests asking for a ministerial review of their budget. They know they cannot fulfill their legislated mandate with the budget cuts your ministry is forcing halfway through their fiscal year.

Minister, in this National Family Week, how do you explain the fact that there have never, ever before been so many requests for

section 14 reviews?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I welcome the question from the member opposite. CASs are so important to all of us. The sustainability of CASs is critical. The kids that the CASs serve and protect are our greatest responsibility.

Having said that, there has been unsustainable growth in spending at CASs. Over the last 10 years, spending has almost tripled: It's gone from about $500 million to $1.4 billion. We have been working with CASs for the past several years. Last year we made it very clear that there would be no end-of-year funding for them. We've reiterated that this year. We actually have $30 million more in this year's budget than in last year's budget. The difference is that we are not going to be able to do the end-of-year top-ups that they have become—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: The minister's words do not match her action. You know full well that the services the children's aid societies provide are mandated by legislation. They have a legislative responsibility to protect children in jeopardy. Your cuts will mean reductions in front-line staff.

Minister, what services are you recommending being cut to protect the vulnerable children in Ontario?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: First, let me say I'm happy that the party opposite is focused on this issue, because it's a very important issue. As I said earlier, our budget this year is $30 million more than our last year's budget. The difference is that we are not going to be providing the end-of-year funding.

The question is about the mandate, and I think you've raised a really important question. That's why we're moving forward with a commission that will actually look at what is driving the costs: Why is it costing so much more to deliver service? We know that this is a very important responsibility of government, but there are things that CASs do that are actually not part of their legislative mandate. It's very important that every CAS look very hard at the range of services they provide and make sure they can meet their budget this year.

AIR QUALITY

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I have a question again for the Minister of the Environment. Thousands of Toronto residents and Toronto's medical officer of health are vehemently opposed to the government's plan to use archaic and polluting diesel trains along the congested Georgetown South rail corridor. People fear for their own and their children's health.

Can the minister explain how the proposed diesel trains will impact levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxide and fine particles?

Hon. John Gerretsen: As the member well knows, a decision has to be made within the next little while with respect to the environmental assessment that has been provided by Metrolinx in this area. Until that happens, I simply will not respond to his particular question.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: The answers keep getting weaker. In an e-mail to the ministry on September 11, McCormick Rankin consultants concluded that the diesel trains to the airport will increase foreign particle emissions three times and nitrogen oxide emissions tenfold over car transport. That's an astoundingly dirty installation.

While the government studies the electrification of the Georgetown South corridor, it's allowing diesel trains to the airport that will harm the health of tens of thousands of Toronto families living next to the line. Why won't the government at least wait for the results of its own study before saying yes to dirty diesel trains?

Hon. John Gerretsen: As the member well knows, this government has been actively involved in the last four or five years in making sure that as much transit is put into operation as soon as possible so we can take the cars off the road, which will lead to a healthier environment for the people of Ontario. That is precisely what all of these various transit projects are about. That's precisely why this government has invested literally billions of dollars: to make sure that people have an alternative to driving their car in and out of, particularly, the GTA area.

We're dealing with these issues. We need more transit, and everything that we do within the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Transportation is to make sure that the people of Ontario have a cleaner environment than they had before. That's why we need more transit on the road, as much as possible.

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: My question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Canadians' values are well-known across the world. Our commitments to equality and multiculturalism have become symbols of our country. However, what alarms me is that newcomers who have become Canadian citizens and require federal government services are unable to access them. Could I ask the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to tell us what we are doing to ensure newcomer Ontarians who are Canadian citizens do not find themselves in this very difficult circumstance?

Hon. Michael Chan: The member from Hamilton Mountain raises a very important issue. Citizenship should not be a barrier to obtaining newcomer services. That certainly is not the case with provincially funded services here in Ontario, but the eligibility criteria the federal government applies to its programs is of grave concern to me, in particular the fact that newcomers who become Canadian citizens are unable to access services funded through the Canada-Ontario immigration agreement, worth $920 million. Much-needed services should be included through this funding.

I'm committed to finding a fair solution for Ontarians through negotiations with the federal government.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: Thank you, Minister. I'd like to, in my supplementary, ask the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration: As the daughter of Greek immigrants, I know how challenging it can be to start a new life in a new country. When Ontarians are not able to access the services that they need, it impacts the entire community. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration: What are the plans to improve this system that is clearly not working for newcomers in Ontario?

Hon. Michael Chan: There are certainly steps we can take to enhance support for Ontario newcomers. My ministry works closely with partners who are responsible for delivering these much-needed services in our community. We have been much more adaptive in meeting the needs of our partners and the needs of those who need the services. This is why we are asking for full control of the fund; namely, devolution: to better help newcomers. We are asking the federal government for the same arrangement that BC, Manitoba and Quebec have had for years.

We are committed to helping our newcomers during these challenging times because we know that when newcomers smile, Ontario smiles.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The time for question period has ended. There being no deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1133 to 1300.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

WIREMOLD/LEGRAND

Mr. Ted Arnott: Last Tuesday, I learned that Legrand Canada Inc. had decided to permanently close its manufacturing facility in Fergus, a plant known locally as the Wiremold factory. This means at least 53 employees could soon lose their jobs through no fault of their own. For all of them, it's devastating news.

For years, Wiremold/Legrand has excelled in manufacturing flexible wire and cable management solutions, including perimeter raceways, infloor, overhead, open space and point-of-use systems. Critical to Wiremold's success has been its lean manufacturing principles and specialized custom work. On Thursday, I saw this in practice when I toured the plant and met with some of the staff. That very afternoon, I e-mailed the Ministers of Economic Development, Labour and Training to seek their help. Today, I once again call upon the government to do whatever it can to help those affected.

It's time for this government to take seriously our province's economic competitiveness, over the short term and the long term.

Since 2005, I've been calling upon the McGuinty government to hold hearings on the competitiveness of our manufacturing sector. They refused to do that. Their economic negligence has come at a very high price. If only they'd listened, maybe this province would be in better shape; maybe we wouldn't have lost 330,000 manufacturing jobs since this government took office in 2003.

I know that workers at Wiremold, like others in Wellington—Halton Hills and across Ontario, can compete with the best and win. Again, I call upon this government to help make—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Mr. Bob Delaney: Since 2003, Ontario has strengthened our vital public services, reduced class sizes, improved health care, cut business and personal taxes and helped ensure that Ontarians are better off now than they were six years ago.

In western Mississauga, there is no more visible indicator of that progress than the construction activity at Credit Valley Hospital's phase two expansion. It began in the spring of 2007 and is due for completion in less than two years. In fact, the first complex continuing care patients will occupy Credit Valley beds during 2010. The three construction cranes on the site are now down to one. The project employs about 230 GTA trades at any given time. As is normal in Mississauga, construction of phase two's A and H blocks are on time and within budget.

When phase two is complete in 2011, it will give western Mississauga 273,000 square feet of new hospital construction and 70,000 square feet of renovated space. It will add 79 new beds to the hospital, double the number of labour and delivery rooms to 15, expand cancer treatment resources to include a new high-dose radiation therapy suite, and provide more capacity for neonatal care, increased diagnostic services and an expanded laboratory.

All of us in Mississauga are proud of the progress and pleased to have played a

part in it.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I'm pleased today to rise to mark the start of the 11th annual Ontario Agriculture Week. This is a great time to recognize the contributions that the agriculture industry makes to our province. Farmers are the stewards of our land. They are the backbone of our rural communities. We depend on them to put food on our table each and every day.

Agriculture week is also a good time to take stock of the state of the industry. Many farmers in Ontario are in trouble. Pig farmers are losing their farms and they cannot get the support they need from this government. We are getting calls from grape growers who are stuck with the grapes in the fields that they cannot sell. The latest blow is that this government negotiated away farmers' point-of-sale exemption. Not only will farm families have to pay 8% more on items that they use every day, but farmers will now have to pay PST on many farm costs and then wait to get their money back from the government.

Ontario needs a strong agriculture industry. The people of Ontario are doing their part by trying to buy local, and I encourage them to continue to look for the product of Ontario labels when buying food and ask grocers if they don't see it on the shelf.

Now is the time for the government to do its part to ensure a strong agriculture industry. Our government must do more than sing about the great things that grow in Ontario; it must support the farmers with some real action.

FLU IMMUNIZATION

Mr. Eric Hoskins: Many residents of St. Paul's have asked me about the upcoming flu season and H1N1 and how they might best protect themselves and their families from infection. As their MPP but also as a public health specialist, I've been advising them of the following:

The McGuinty government wants to prepare all Ontarians for the upcoming flu season, which experts agree will be a different flu season than in previous years. With the emergence of the H1N1 virus in Ontario, two separate vaccines will be made available this fall. The flu vaccines will be rolled out sequentially with the traditional seasonal vaccine being available later this month for those 65 years of age and over and for those living in long-term-care facilities. This will be followed by the H1N1 vaccine.

Once the H1N1 vaccine rollout is complete, all Ontarians who choose to can get the regular seasonal flu vaccine. This sequential rollout will get the vaccine to those most susceptible first and keep all Ontarians healthy.

In addition to vaccination, we should all continue to follow good hygienic practices to prevent the spread of influenza. Proper handwashing is one of the most important ways to protect yourself and eliminate the spread of flu. Hand sanitizers are also very effective. So wash your hands and wash them often.

We encourage all Ontarians to be proactive when it comes to their health. We in the McGuinty government will continue to work hard to ensure access to quality health services, preventing illness and providing a high quality of life for all.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: I'm pleased to rise and make a few comments on this 11th annual Ontario Agriculture Week, and I'd like to specifically go back to August 30 when I held my second biennial farm family appreciation day at the Vasey ballpark. This is an opportunity that I have every two years to work with all the different farmers in Simcoe county and have sponsors come in and help us appreciate the work they do.

I want to thank, in particular, Huron Tractor, Richards Farm Equipment, Tom Smith Country Chev-Olds, the Sarjeant Co. Ltd., Cardinal Farm Supply, the Co-operators, Shaws Catering and Bill Hills Kawartha ice cream, Truact construction, Morris Shelswell and Sons construction, Lake Country Animal Nutrition and Mariposa Homes.

We had a very successful event. Over 300 people came to the farm family appreciation day at the large ballpark in the area where my colleague Sylvia Jones was raised. We had a wonderful time, but the whole fact is, we don't do enough in this province to appreciate the work that the agricultural community does. Over 300 people attended this function on August 30, and I just want to thank all those people who came and all those sponsors who helped me put on that particular event. It was a lot of work, but we had a lot of fun and showed that we in Simcoe county appreciate the fine work the farmers do.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Dave Levac: The director of development services with the county of Brant, Dave Johnston, summed it up best when he said, "Private sector, alongside ... government support are a necessary component that fits in the economic engine that drives a community's economy."

The riding of Brant, alongside many communities across Ontario, has been hit hard by the world-wide economic downturn. Although it may seem that our future comes across as uncertain, a recent accord signed between the elected council of the Six Nations of the Grand River and the county of Brant, the Six Nations County of Brant green energy economic accord, will, no doubt, re-instill investor confidence in the great riding of Brant and help lead to a brighter future.

Together in equal partnership, respect and friendship, the Six Nations of the Grand River and the county of Brant have committed themselves to reverse past differences and lead by example to get Brant's economic engine roaring again.

I want to personally congratulate Mr. Ron Eddy, the mayor, a former member, and Chief Bill Montour. Their leadership has already attracted private investor interest domestically and, just as importantly, internationally. I stand before the House and commit myself to ensuring that our government do all it can to work with these partners, to help them secure new and sustainable jobs that will carry Brant well into the future, and this is specific to creating green jobs.

I want to thank the staff of both of those governments, and I ask the government to help as a partner.

ALGOMA UNIVERSITY

Mr. David Orazietti: All members of this House know that Ontario universities are among the best in the world, and I'm very pleased with our government's latest initiative, to improve higher education at Algoma University in my riding of Sault Ste. Marie. In this competitive global economy, giving the students the skills and training to succeed in the knowledge-based economy closer to home builds stronger communities and a stronger economy. With increased financial support from the Ontario government, Algoma University will continue to grow in its mandate as Ontario's 19th independent degree-granting institution.

Our government has recently provided over $4 million in funding to Algoma University, in addition to the regular operating expenses, to ensure that all students have improved access to post-secondary education programs, particularly those in remote and aboriginal communities. This funding will help the school hire new instructors and attract more students by expanding its programming to include four-year degree programs in biology, geography and mathematics.

Last month I had the privilege to participate in a groundbreaking for Algoma University's new Biosciences and Technology Convergence Centre, which is presently under construction, with $8 million in support from our government. The new centre will further enhance the research capacity of Algoma, provide local students with state-of-the-art learning and stimulate Sault Ste. Marie's economy by creating 160 new jobs. The support is another important step in developing a northern research hub and producing skills-based jobs closer to home.

This investment in Algoma University is part of our government's commitment to students pursuing higher education right across the province. While there is more to do, we will continue to work to ensure that the students have the skills they need.

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

Mr. Howard Hampton: The McGuinty government has begun to place severe cuts on the budgets of children's aid societies across this province and it's having a devastating effect.

I'll give you one example: the Rainy River children's aid society, in my constituency. Their blended funding rate is $39 per child in care. That compares to a provincial average of $79 per child in care, but the minister has just cut their budget by $600,000. On a total budget of $3 million a year, a cut of $600,000 means they either have to close their office in Fort Frances or close their office in Atikokan. What happens to the kids in those communities when those services aren't available in the community?

To give another example, Tikinagan is a native child and family service provider in the far north. Tikinagan is struggling with what's happening in the community of Pikangikum, where over 400 of the 800 children are not in school, children as young as six and seven years old are sniffing gasoline, and there are over 160 children in the community who have been placed in protection. Tikinagan is stressed beyond belief. What does the McGuinty government do to Tikinagan? They cut their budget by $2.1 million as they struggle to provide protection to these children who desperately need help and desperately need protection.

The McGuinty government has got to recognize that—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

TAXATION

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: Ontarians continue to read about the impacts of the current economic uncertainty. While the worst may indeed be over, the McGuinty government's bold tax reform package will make Ontario more competitive, providing the highly-skilled jobs Ontario workers deserve.

The TD Bank, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Daily Bread Food Bank have applauded this move. They recognize the permanent tax cuts for 93% of Ontario taxpayers, transitional cheques for families and individuals and the introduction of the Ontario sales tax credit will make Ontario families stronger and our businesses more prosperous.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture says the HST is good for farmers and that the leader of the official opposition has it wrong. For weeks now he has railed against this package, politicizing the issue and only telling half the story. You would think that anyone who felt this strongly would say that they are willing to repeal it. Yet, ironically, he refuses to take a stand. He avoids the issue despite repeated media questions and increasing support for the tax reforms from the communities. His silence speak volumes.

I think all Ontarians deserve to know where the Leader of the Opposition stands and they deserve to hear the whole story about how their family will benefit from these tax reforms. We on this side of the House know it's the right plan and we'll continue to work hard.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Mr. Pat Hoy: I beg leave to present a report from the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Tonia Grannum): Mr. Hoy from Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs presents the committee's report as follows, and moves its adoption:

Your committee begs to report the following bill without amendment:

Bill 201,

An Act to provide for review of expenses in the public sector / Projet de loi 201, Loi prévoyant l'examen des dépenses dans le secteur public.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Shall the report be received and adopted?

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1315 to 1320.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recorded by the Clerk.

Ayes

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): All those opposed?

Nays

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 44; the nays are 13.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I declare the motion carried.

Report adopted.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Pursuant to the order of the House dated September 30, 2009, the bill is ordered for third reading.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ANIMAL HEALTH ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 SUR LA SANTÉ ANIMALE

Mrs. Dombrowsky moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 204,

An Act to protect animal health and to amend and repeal other Acts / Projet de loi 204, Loi protégeant la santé animale et modifiant et abrogeant d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The minister for a short statement.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I'll be making my statement during ministerial statements.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ANIMAL HEALTH

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I just introduced for first reading the proposed Animal Health Act, 2009. If passed, this bill would improve Ontario's capacity to protect both animal and human health, address livestock diseases and respond to emergency situations related to animal health.

Ontario's livestock and poultry sectors generate more than $4.45 billion in farm gate economic activity. These sectors are vital parts of Ontario's economic prosperity. That is why this government, since coming to office, has been working to support Ontario's agri—food sector. We established the Office of the Chief Veterinarian for Ontario, we've invested in the University of Guelph's Animal Health Laboratory and we have consulted with industry partners on how we can continue to build this industry.

We looked at similar jurisdictions in Canada and the United States, and found similar legislation present in all those jurisdictions. I'm pleased that we have with us today in the gallery representatives from our stakeholder organizations. We have Gord Coukell, chair of the Ontario Livestock and Poultry Council; Dr. Jennifer Day, president-elect of the Ontario Veterinarian Medical Association; as well as Dr. Deb Stark, an assistant deputy minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. She is also the chief veterinarian for Ontario.

This bill provides measures that would reduce the potential impacts associated with animal diseases by giving us improved prevention and control tools. If passed, this legislation would require the reporting of certain animal diseases to the Chief Veterinarian of Ontario. It would also enable the use of quarantine orders, surveillance zones and animal health control area orders. This would help control the spread of any detected diseases or hazards.

We know that protecting our food animals can help us better protect our people. We know that having healthy animals is the first step to having quality food products. The proposed legislation would enable us to proactively identify and respond to animal diseases.

Traceability is an important tool for food safety and animal health. Traceability systems provide us with the means to track the movement of food animals and food products. If passed, the legislation would also support a future traceability framework for the quick identification and control of disease and food safety hazards.

If this bill passes, we plan to establish an industry advisory committee to work with us on the development of future regulations, including those around traceability.

This proposed legislation would help protect our animals against disease, make our agriculture food sector more competitive and also contribute to the good health of all Ontarians. It would provide protections that we need for a healthy economy, healthy animals and healthy Ontarians.

ACCESSIBILITÉ POUR LES

PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur: I am pleased to speak today during Customer Service Week in Canada. Across the country, the focus is on raising awareness of customer service and the vital role it plays within an organization.

Trop souvent, des obstacles empêchent des personnes qui ont un handicap à se prévaloir des services dont ils ont besoin et qui leur sont dus.

La Semaine du service à la clientèle est le moment idéal pour réfléchir aux différentes façons qui nous permettent de mieux servir ses clients, peu importe leur capacité ou leur handicap. Un service à la clientèle accessible repose sur une communication claire et respectueuse avec la personne qui a un handicap : être attentif aux besoins du client et y répondre promptement. Le service accessible commence avec ces simples mots : « Comment puis-je vous aider ?»

I encourage everyone to visit accesson.ca to learn how to do just that.

De fait, rendre un service accessible à tous peut avoir des répercussions très favorables sur les profits d'une entreprise, en plus d'augmenter sa clientèle. On vous félicitera pour vos efforts et pour l'amélioration de vos services.

The results include increased customer satisfaction, more return customers and the ability to tap into people with disabilities' annual spending power of more than $25 billion and growing. Those are results no one can afford to ignore.

TEACHERS /

ENSEIGNANTS ET ENSEIGNANTES

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Today I rise in the House to celebrate the many achievements and qualities of the people who work in Ontario's schools and school boards. Today is World Teachers' Day, a time for each of us to reflect on the positive impact educators and support staff have made on our lives and the lives of the roughly two million students in Ontario's 4,900 publicly funded schools.

Chaque jour, du son de la première cloche au retour à la maison, nos éducatrices et éducateurs s'emploient à atteindre un objectif : fournir à nos enfants une éducation de premier ordre. Aujourd'hui, je souhaite les remercier de leurs efforts et de leurs réalisations dans la poursuite de cet objectif.

To those who inspire students to engage in the arts, reading, math, science and athletics, I say thank you. To those who make a classroom a window onto the world, connecting lesson plans to real-world issues, I say thank you.

I just came back from the We Day celebration at the ACC. There are teachers there with their students who are connecting what the Free the Children foundation is doing with the issues in their own communities.

And to those who help our young people overcome challenges both academic and non-academic, I say thank you.

C'est parce que vous interpellez le cœur et l'intelligence de chaque élève que les jeunes acquièrent la confiance pour poursuivre leurs rêves. C'est grâce à vous que le public fait confiance à nos écoles et qu'elles sont un lieu d'accueil et de mobilisation communautaire. Par votre professionnalisme, vous créez un milieu idéal pour la croissance et l'épanouissement de nos enfants.

You challenge them to learn to the best of their ability and help them overcome obstacles to their success. You push them to their limits and, in turn, teach them that there is no limit to their potential. For your efforts, you are remembered by students and parents for your passionate pursuit of excellence in education.

Rien ne définit mieux le système d'éducation public de l'Ontario que les témoignages de ceux qui le fréquentent au quotidien.

I regularly speak to students and parents from across the province. They are excited that student achievement in literacy and numeracy is on the rise, struggling students are being supported like never before and more students are graduating from high school.

C'est au personnel de nos écoles et de nos conseils scolaires que nous devons ces réussites. C'est un honneur de continuer à travailler en partenariat avec eux dans la quête de l'excellence en éducation.

Each year, the Premier's Awards for Teaching Excellence recognizes outstanding educators and support staff in publicly funded schools. Since the awards began in 2006, thousands of educators and support staff have been nominated for their great work. With nominations now open for the 2010 awards, we will look forward to many more stories from across the province about board and school staff who motivate students to achieve success.

I'm sure that each and every one of us remembers an educator who has made a difference in our lives, whether it was one who inspired us or challenged us, who pushed us, who helped us to be who we are today, and we are in part what we are because of that educator. So I encourage everyone to nominate an extraordinary educator, support staff or school board staff person today.

Nous avons fait d'importants investissements dans nos écoles, des bâtiments aux ressources en passant par de nouveaux programmes et des classes plus petites. Mais ce sont le dévouement et l'engagement du personnel de nos écoles et de nos conseils scolaires qui transforment ces investissements en résultats concrets, et les résultats sont remarquables.

It is the people who make the difference in our schools and in our school boards. World Teachers' Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these achievements and recognize those who have helped accomplish them. Once again, to the educators and support staff across the province, you have my sincere gratitude and my heartfelt thanks.

Merci beaucoup. Thank you. Meegwetch.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Responses?

ANIMAL HEALTH

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Just a few words in response to the minister's introduction of the animal health legislation. I want to thank all the stakeholders, many of whom are here in the gallery today, who have worked on this issue for many years. They provided me with comments on the draft legislation and raised a number of concerns that we will be looking for to ensure that they have been addressed in this legislation.

Food safety is the number one priority, but we need to make sure that legislation and regulations are based on real science, not political science. I'm looking forward to reading this bill in detail to ensure that it accurately accomplishes the goal that the minister set out without simply tying farmers up in red tape or leaving the details to the regulations that will be set much later.

This bill once again has the potential of being the McGuinty government's downloading costs on farmers without providing the needed support. The ministry says that they have a food safety fund. We know that there is no money in there this year, and farmers are being told to not even bother applying, and we know that there are many farmers in Ontario who simply can't afford another cost. This government needs to make sure that funding for these projects is available and that it is there when the farmers are being told to implement the changes, not five years down the road.

With that, I have other colleagues who want to comment on the other ministers' statements.

TEACHERS

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: It is with great pleasure that I rise today on behalf of our leader and our PC caucus to pay tribute to our teachers as we celebrate World Teachers' Day. To recognize the commitment and the dedication of Ontario's hard-working teachers, I was pleased as Minister of Education in 2002 to put forward the proclamation that established October 5 as teachers' day in Ontario.

World Teachers' Day offers us the opportunity to reflect on the importance of teaching and the outstanding contributions of our teachers, and reminds us of the very vital role that teachers play in motivating, inspiring and challenging young minds. This year we are focused on the need to invest in teachers. Yes, we ask teachers to equip our students with the knowledge they need to succeed in today's competitive global economy. We ask them to help our children develop the self-esteem and confidence they need to become responsible and productive citizens. We ask our teachers to inspire our children with a love of lifelong learning.

In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to continuing my visits across the province to consult with our teachers to ensure that they have all the tools they need to help each and every student achieve their full potential.

In conclusion, again, on behalf of our leader and caucus, I say thank you, a deep thank you, to all Ontario teachers for their hard work, their dedication and their commitment to our students.

I fully support the intent to break down barriers for Ontarians with disabilities, but we also need action and support. Words do not mean anything unless they have action attached to them.

ANIMAL HEALTH

Mr. Howard Hampton: On behalf of New Democrats, we welcome the Animal Health Act of 2009. There are a number of issues that need to be addressed, and legislatively, this bill looks as if it may address some of them. However, the big issue, I believe, for farmers and the big issue for the system in terms of health safety is: How and who will pay for the enforcement? Minus a strategy by the government to pay for this enforcement, not much will happen. Assessing farmers to pay for this enforcement would simply not work. Farmers are already hard-pressed from one end of Ontario to another.

So I look forward to seeing the government's strategy to, in fact, pay for the kind of enforcement which really must accompany this bill if it is to be effective in terms of promoting food safety and in terms of accomplishing the other things that we need to look after.

Mr. Michael Prue: I am pleased to rise on the occasion of Customer Service Week. This government has a responsibility to provide timely, efficient and respectful services to the people of Ontario, and that goes double when servicing people with disabilities. Many Ontarians with disabilities, through no fault of their own, depend for their very survival on financial and other supports from government. Hundreds of thousands of people in this province struggle daily to make ends meet for themselves and for their families.

The last thing they need is to experience inadequate or poor treatment in their interactions with government representatives. Yet too many Ontarians do feel misunderstood and mistreated by the government, which all too often does not provide the resources necessary to provide a proper interaction.

One of the most common concerns given to me during our party's poverty consultation last summer was people's feeling of being mistrusted, dismissed and even punished when accessing government services. A big part of the problem is that government workers in this area are overburdened with large caseloads, and they have to administer a system that is inherently judgmental and punitive, including the clawback when anyone with a disability goes out and finds a part-time job.

The social assistance system is long overdue for change. A review of the social service assistance act was promised by this government almost 10 months ago. If this government is really committed to customer service, we need to see some movement on this sooner rather than later.

TEACHERS

Mr. Rosario Marchese: On this World Teachers' Day, I want, on behalf of New Democrats, to acknowledge the great job that educators do and to honour their dedication. Our public education system has countless success stories, and I congratulate the Toronto Star for having documented very well many of those success stories in the weekend paper.

Teachers and education workers are not only responsible for the curriculum, but they're also called on to be counsellors, therapists, policemen and policewomen and even, on a regular basis, substitute parents. It is a complex and sometimes impossible job, and teachers have always done and will continue to do more than is asked of them

But I want to remind the minister and the government that they can't do this job alone. The government must listen to the teachers and other education workers in the system, including the many parents who speak about the need to invest in a system that is based on the needs of our students and not just the number of students who are in our educational system. When I speak about that, I think about so many special education children who desperately need support and are not getting it, and so many of our children in our school system who have mental health issues who are not getting the support they need.

Ontario teachers and education workers are dedicated to the development and well-being of the total child. On this World Teachers' Day, it is my hope that the government will match the dedication of those teachers with the support that is desperately needed.

MURRAY GAUNT

Hon. Monique M. Smith: I believe we have unanimous consent that up to five minutes be allotted to each party to speak in remembrance of the late Murray Gaunt.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Agreed? Agreed.

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: Murray Gaunt: son, student, farmer, husband, dad, grandfather, broadcaster and, of course, MPP.

I have stood before this House on a sadder occasion to inform you of the death of Murray Gaunt. Today, it is my honour to speak to the House about Murray Gaunt.

Murray was the type of man who cared about the people he served. We may well assume that I'm speaking about his constituents. The list of those he served, or in fact the beginning of his service, did not commence when he became MPP for Huron—Bruce.

Murray was born on June 4, 1935. His parents were Andrew Gaunt and Matilda Sherwood. They were farmers in West Wawanosh in Huron county. Murray attended a two-room schoolhouse that he walked to every day—a walk that was two miles from his family farm. Murray had lots of time to think about and consider what his future would hold as he travelled the forested roads and snow-covered fields that would always be his home.

Murray went on to Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph, returning to Huron to begin what he envisioned would be a career in poultry farming. Owen Roberts, a teacher of agricultural communications at the University of Guelph, speaks of his return to the farm in these words:

"The move home was carefully orchestrated by his dad, who wanted him there, but figured some carrot was necessary to entice his highly educated Aggie son away from Guelph's bright lights.

"The allure? Turkeys."

In two years, Murray had turned his fledgling flock into 15,000 strong. Hard work was not foreign to Murray, and his vision of what could be became a reality.

CKNX, a CBC affiliate in Wingham in the 1960s, soon approached Murray to become a farm broadcaster. This was not a job he had sought. He considered the possibilities, and soon, after a successful audition, he went on air.

His work before his life in politics would set a course to transform news media information about agricultural reporting and communications. Murray soon realized that in this role he served a broad and diverse community of people who worked in agriculture or in fields that were related to agriculture.

In his work with CKNX, Murray had the opportunity to interview the then-sitting member, John Hanna. In fact, he had interviewed Mr. Hanna the day before he suddenly passed away. The sad passing of Mr. Hanna necessitated a by-election and the Liberal Association of Huron-Bruce approached Murray to consider running.

In 1962, he was elected, and thus began 19 years of tireless and dedicated service to his constituents in Huron—Bruce. In that term of 19 years, he changed the image and reality of what agriculture in Ontario was. He shaped what we know to be agriculture in our province today.

The Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame inducted Murray as a member in 2005. They noted his support for the capital grant programs for farmers in the 1960s; the 1966 Milk Act, which led to the establishment of the milk marketing board and the creation of other supply management boards such as the Ontario Egg Producers' Marketing Board and the chicken producers' marketing board.

Reg Cressman, secretary-treasurer of the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame, spoke of Murray using these words: "I had the pleasure of working with Murray on voluntary boards and he had the capacity to imagine possibilities, see farther over the horizon than most of us and recruit people to get things done."

Perhaps all of those walks past the fields of Huron began a contemplation process that never stopped throughout his life.

Jack Riddell, former MPP for Huron—Bruce and Minister of Agriculture, said Murray was a good listener, known for acting on personal complaints and issues brought to him by constituents. "He considered constituency work important and he spent as much time in the riding as he could."

But his service did not detract from his family. Jack Riddell went on to say that politics can be rough on families because it takes you away from family life, adding, "Murray never let politics become more important than his family."

In fact, I am sure if you could ask Murray what his most important accomplishment was, he would say that it was his family, who are all here today in the Legislature: his loving wife, Pat; his son, Stephen, and his wife, Judith, and their children, Andrew, Christine, Adam and Caleb; his daughter, Stephanie, her husband, Jeff, and their children, Kaitlin, Josh, Emily, Hannah and Noah. Welcome.

Murray was a good listener. His personality was vibrant and always cheerful, and I can tell you his laugh was so contagious. It has been said that Murray was a parliamentarian respected by both government and opposition benches alike. Personally, I am beyond honoured to have considered Murray a mentor and a friend for my time in politics.

To Pat, Stephen, Stephanie and family: Thank you for sharing this wonderful man with the rest of us for so many years, and thank you for being here today with your family and friends to show our gratitude for the gifts of Murray Gaunt.

Mr. Norm Miller: It is my pleasure and honour to deliver the tribute to my friend Murray Gaunt on behalf of the official opposition. I would like to begin by welcoming Murray's family to Queen's Park. They're in the members' east gallery.

My personal connection to the Gaunt family came about indirectly through politics: My father, Frank, and Murray both served in the Legislature at the same time. Frank talked Murray into taking his young family—Pat, and their children, Stephen and Stephanie—to my past business, Patterson-Kaye Lodge located on Lake Muskoka, for their summer vacation. That was in the early 1970s. The Gaunt family continued to visit annually for many years, and then returned for many visits with even greater numbers as Stephen and Stephanie married and brought along their young families.

So from that initial sales pitch from my father, which I believe included an MPP discount, they came to our lodge for over 30 years.

I got to know Murray well over that time, and I considered him a friend, and I know that my father greatly valued the friendship of Murray and the Gaunt family. My father would always stop by the lodge to visit when the Gaunts were there and, if possible, arrange a golf game. It was always a pleasure to host Murray and his wonderful family at the lodge. They are such fine people. It was always fun having the Gaunts around. Murray would banter with me on the issues of the day, and the conversation was always punctuated with his trademark laugh.

In fact, I attended Murray's funeral this past spring, and they played a video clip of Murray in his job post-politics, as a reporter. He was conducting a TV interview of a very young-looking Minister of Agriculture, David Ramsay. They played take after take, with Murray laughing heartily as he tried to ask serious agricultural questions but stumbled on some of the lines.

I had many conversations with Murray over current issues and always felt he was really a PC at heart. In fact, in researching some of Murray's past that I was unfamiliar with, I learned that his father, Andrew, was a strong Liberal, but his mother, Matilda Sherwood, was noted as a strong Conservative. I always felt Murray was recruited by the Liberals at a very young age from the radio station he worked at, before he had determined what his politics were.

Regardless, he was a superb MPP who looked after the interests of his riding from 1962 to 1981. He won elections with huge pluralities, as his constituents recognized his excellent work. When I was considering running for the PC nomination for Parry Sound—Muskoka in February 2001, I called one past MPP to seek his advice: Murray Gaunt. Murray was single when first elected and married and raised his family while in office. Murray gave me good advice on the real life of an MPP.

Murray lived a full and active life. He once said, "We can look back with fondness but never let your memories of the past cloud the promise of the future."

He grew up on Hi-Hill Farm near Lucknow, ran his own turkey farm and had a very successful career as a journalist covering agricultural affairs before and after politics. He was inducted into the Ontario Agricultural Hall of Fame in 2005. He gave back to the community as a long-time member of the Wingham Lions Club and through many other committees and boards. His faith was also very important to him. Murray lived life with zest and energy, whether playing tennis, working on a project or spending time with his nine wonderful grandchildren.

Murray Andrew Gaunt was a man of integrity. He will be missed by all those people, like me, who had the good fortune of knowing him. But the spirit of Murray Gaunt will live on in his children and his grandchildren.

Mr. Michael Prue: It is indeed an honour for me to rise on behalf of the New Democratic Party and talk about Murray Gaunt and the nearly 20 years he served in this Legislature from 1962 to 1981. Although I don't ever remember actually meeting him, those were many of the formative years when I often came across from the University of Toronto and sat up in the gallery and watched the Legislature; watched the giants of that time, of which he was one; watched how they conducted themselves in this House; and watched very often and listened to the words of wisdom as they talked about the people who they represented.

He was a man who stood out in his commitment to the people that he came here to serve. Murray understood that what was done in this House had to reflect the needs of the people in the towns, the hamlets and the communities he was sent to represent. He was a person who totally and completely understood his constituents. At first glance, this may seem to be a simple concept, perhaps even trite. But this is a concept, I think, that is lost in these days in the hustle and bustle of the Legislature. Murray never lost it once.

From the farm to the broadcast booth to the Legislature, Murray served the people of his community with distinction. Upon his passing, the Goderich Signal-Star lauded him as "the ultimate ambassador of rural Ontario," who "put the interests of others ahead of his own ambition.... He was a man of integrity and a man of his word."

As I said, I don't have any personal anecdotes or accounts of Murray's time here at Queen's Park, but it's clear that the name of Murray Gaunt is synonymous with Ontario agriculture. From his early life on the family farm to his days in the broadcast booth, Murray's life and the many accolades listed by my colleagues from Huron—Bruce and Parry Sound—Muskoka serve as a testament to his commitment to the success of Ontario's agricultural community.

Here today to mark this special occasion is Murray's family: His wife, Pat, their two children and their families are in the gallery. On behalf of the Ontario New Democratic Party, I welcome you here this afternoon. Regardless of the side of the aisle that we as members sit on, we know that our success both here and in our constituencies is largely due to the support and the sacrifices made by our families and those who love us. Today's tribute to Murray is equally applicable to the family members present. Thank you for sharing Murray with your community. Thank you for sharing him with this Legislature and the people of Ontario and for the investment made possible by your generosity.

While Murray leaves us an incredible legacy in Huron—Bruce, a part of the country I have come to love very much, and as a champion of Ontario's farming community, his enduring significance lies in the words of the CKNX radio tribute remembering him as a true leader, role model, mentor and cherished friend. Thank you, Murray, for your commitment to your community, to this Legislature and to the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I'd ask everyone to rise as we observe a moment of silence in honour and respect of former member Murray Gaunt.

The House observed a moment's silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I will ensure that copies of the Hansard are sent to you, Mrs. Gaunt, and your family as a remembrance of your visit to Queen's Park today. Thank you.

PETITIONS

TAXATION

Mrs. Joyce Savoline: "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas residents in Burlington do not want the McGuinty 13% sales tax, which will raise the cost of goods and services they use every day; and

"Whereas the McGuinty 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for gasoline for their cars, heat, telephone, cable and Internet services for their homes, and will be applied to home sales over $400,000; and

"Whereas the McGuinty 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for meals under $4, haircuts, funeral services, gym memberships, newspapers, and lawyer and accountant fees; and

"Whereas the blended sales tax grab will affect everyone in this province: seniors, students, families and low-income Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty Liberal government not increase taxes for Ontario families."

I agree with this petition and I will give it to page Chantelle with my signature affixed.

DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

M me France Gélinas: I'm glad to present a petition from the people of Nipissing to request PET scans in northeastern Ontario. It goes as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Ontario government is making PET scanning a publicly insured health service; and

"Whereas by October 2009, insured PET scans will be performed in Ottawa, London, Toronto, Hamilton and Thunder Bay; and

"Whereas the city of Greater Sudbury is a hub for health care in northeastern Ontario, with the Sudbury Regional Hospital, its regional cancer program and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine;

"We petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to make PET scans available through the Sudbury Regional Hospital, thereby serving and providing equitable access to the citizens of northeastern Ontario."

I fully support this petition, will affix my name to it and send it to the table with page Ava.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. I especially want to thank Judy Harris and Lynn Bourgeois of Georgetown for having sent it to me. It reads as follows:

"Whereas wait times for access to surgical procedures in the western GTA area served by the Mississauga Halton LHIN are growing despite the vigorous capital project activity at the hospitals within the Mississauga Halton LHIN boundaries; and

"Whereas 'day surgery' procedures could be performed in an off-site facility, thus greatly increasing the ability of surgeons to perform more procedures, alleviating wait times for patients and freeing up operating theatre space in hospitals for more complex procedures that may require post-operative intensive care unit support and a longer length of stay in hospital;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocate funds in its 2009-10 capital budget to begin planning and construction of an ambulatory surgery centre located in western Mississauga to serve the Mississauga-Halton area and enable greater access to 'day surgery' procedures that comprise about four fifths of all surgical procedures performed."

I'm pleased to sign and support this petition and to ask page Gordon to carry it for me.

CHILD CARE

Mr. John O'Toole: I have a petition to present on behalf of my constituents from the riding of Durham. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services, Madeleine Meilleur, has decided that grandparents caring for their grandchildren no longer qualify for temporary care assistance; and

"Whereas the removal of the temporary care assistance could mean that children will be forced into foster care; and

"Whereas the temporary care assistance amounted to $231 per month, much less than a foster family would receive to look after the same children if they were forced into foster care;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately reverse the decision to remove temporary care assistance for grandparents looking after their grandchildren."

I'm pleased to sign and support this and present it to Nicole, one the pages.

DENTAL CARE

Mr. Michael Prue: I have a petition that reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas $45 million a year for five years was promised for dental care for cash-poor people during the 2007 provincial election campaign, and the accumulated $135-million expenditure was approved in the 2008 provincial budget; and

"Whereas so far only $14 million has been released across Ontario, earmarked for children 14 to 17 years of age, and none assigned to helping seniors; and

"Whereas Peel region is spending $1.2 million annually from regional funds to help cash-poor seniors in need of dental treatment; and

"Whereas Peel region has a wait list of 3,000 cash-poor seniors needing dental care, and the wait list is growing by 75 seniors a week; and

"Whereas Peel region has 16,000 low-income seniors, many of whom would benefit from dental care which they cannot now afford;

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

"To release immediately the remaining portion of the $135 million for dental care among low-income families and apportion the money so that Peel region receives a fair share according to population and need."

It is signed by the residents of Peel region. I am in agreement and would affix my signature thereto and send it along with Jacquelyn.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Phil McNeely: "Petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly:

"Western Mississauga ambulatory surgery centre:

"Whereas wait times for access to surgical procedures in the western GTA area served by the Mississauga Halton LHIN are growing despite the ongoing capital project activity at the hospitals within the Mississauga Halton LHIN boundaries; and

"Whereas 'day surgery' procedures could better be performed in an off-site facility. An ambulatory surgery centre would greatly increase the ability of surgeons to perform more procedures, reduce wait times for patients and free up operating theatre space in hospitals for more complex procedures that may require post-operative intensive care unit support and a longer length of stay in hospital;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocate funds in its 2009-10 capital budget to begin planning and construction of an ambulatory surgery centre located in western Mississauga to serve the Mississauga-Halton area and enable greater access to 'day surgery' procedures that comprise about four fifths of all surgical procedures performed."

The petition is duly signed. I'll send this to you through Kingsong.

TAXATION

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I have a petition.

"Whereas residents in Dufferin—Caledon do not want a provincial harmonized sales tax (HST) that will raise the cost of goods and services they use every day; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for gasoline for their cars, heat, telephone, cable and Internet services for their homes, and will be applied to house sales over $400,000; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for meals under $4, haircuts, funeral services, gym memberships, newspapers, and lawyer and accountant fees; and

"Whereas the blended sales tax ... will affect everyone in the province: seniors, students, families and low-income Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty Liberal government not increase taxes for Ontario families."

I support this petition and am pleased to affix my name to it and give it to page David.

PARENTING EDUCATION

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have a petition that I would like to deliver on behalf of my seatmate, the very hard-working member for Niagara Falls. On his behalf, I'd like thank Marg Gierula and Vivian Russell of Beamsville for having collected the signatures on this petition. It reads as follows:

"Whereas effective parenting practices do not come instinctively and parenting is our most crucial social role, parenting and human development courses need to be taught to all secondary school students. Parenting education will: reduce teen pregnancies; reduce the rate of costly fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and increase the number of healthy pregnancies; reduce the number of costly social problems related to ineffective parenting practices; and improve the 'social fabric' of Ontario to create a more civil society.

Parenting education for students is considered to be socially valuable by a majority of adults of voting age and should be included as a mandatory credit course within the Ontario curriculum;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend the requirements for the Ontario secondary school diploma to include one senior level (grade 11 or 12) credit course in parenting education (students to select one of: living and working with children (HPW3C); parenting (HPC30); issues in human growth and development (HHG4M); parenting and human development (HPD4E) as a compulsory credit."

I'm pleased to sign this petition on behalf of the other signatories and to ask page Alyssa to carry it for me.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition to do with Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare. It reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas demand for health services is expected to continue to rise with a growing retirement population in Muskoka-East Parry Sound; and

"Whereas recent funding cuts include the loss of health care services at the Burk's Falls health centre, reductions in acute care beds at both hospitals and cuts to services such as physiotherapy; and

"Whereas the government is providing hospitals with funding increases of roughly 2%, but costs for health care salaries negotiated by the ministry and other fixed costs are increasing at a rate of 4% to 5% each year; and

"Whereas hospitals will face ongoing budget cuts as a result of insufficient funding by the province of Ontario, despite collecting $12 billion in health taxes from Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty government and Minister of Health provide adequate increases in the operating budget of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare to maintain current health services for the people of Muskoka-East Parry Sound and provide long-term-care beds for Muskoka-East Parry Sound."

I support this petition.

LONG-TERM CARE

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My petition is to the Parliament of Ontario.

"Whereas Ontarians who now live in long-term-care homes are increasingly older, frailer and have greater complex care needs;

"Whereas our elder parents, family and friends deserve to live with dignity and respect;

"Whereas the McGuinty Liberal government failed to revolutionize long-term care and broke its promise to seniors to provide $6,000 in personal care, per resident;

"Whereas five years of Liberal inaction has restricted Ontario's ability to meet the demands of our aging population;

"Whereas more than 24,000 Ontarians are currently waiting for an LTC bed;

"Whereas Ontario funds significantly less resident care than Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba and New Brunswick;

"Whereas dedicated LTC homes are short-staffed and have not been given resources to hire enough front-line workers to provide the level of care residents require;

"Whereas devoted LTC staff are burdened by cumbersome government regulations;

"Whereas some 35,000 seniors are living in LTC beds which do not meet more home-like design standards introduced in 1998 by the former PC government;

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

"That the McGuinty government must enhance long-term care by:

"—initiating a sector-wide staffing increase of 4,500 full-time positions within a year;

"—expediting the redevelopment of Ontario's 35,000 oldest long-term-care beds by providing adequate support and funding;

"—achieving an average of three worked hours of personal care, per day, within a year;

"—simplifying the regulations which govern nursing homes;

"—producing a comprehensive plan with benchmarks to reduce LTC wait lists of more than 24,000 people;

"—addressing inflationary pressures by adequately funding the increased operating costs of LTC homes."

I support this petition and affix my name to it.

TAXATION

Mr. John O'Toole: It's a pleasure to present another petition on behalf of—one of the petitioners is Pina Martino. It reads as follows:

"Whereas residents of Etobicoke do not want a provincial harmonized sales tax (HST) that will raise the cost of goods and services they use every day; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for gasoline for their cars, heat, telephone, cable and Internet services for their homes, and will be applied to house sales over $400,000; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for meals under $4, haircuts, funeral services, gym memberships, newspapers, and legal and accountant fees; and

"Whereas the blended sales tax grab will affect everyone in the province: seniors, students, families and low-income Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty … government not increase taxes for Ontario consumers."

I am pleased to sign and support this and present it to Ava, in her last week here in the Legislature.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

TIME ALLOCATION

Hon. Monique M. Smith: I move that, pursuant to standing order 47 and notwithstanding any other standing order or special order of the House relating to Bill 173,

An Act to amend the Mining Act, the Standing Committee on General Government be authorized to meet on Wednesday, October 7, during its regular meeting time for the purpose of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill; and

That the deadline for filing amendments to the bill with the clerk of the committee shall be noon on Wednesday, October 7, 2009. On that day, at no later than 5 p.m., those amendments which have not yet been moved shall be deemed to have been moved, and the chair of the committee shall interrupt the proceedings and shall, without further debate or amendment, put every question necessary to dispose of all remaining sections of the bill and any amendments thereto. The committee shall be authorized to meet beyond the normal hour of adjournment until completion of clause-by-clause consideration.

Any division required shall be deferred until all remaining questions have been put and taken in succession with one 20-minute waiting period allowed pursuant to standing order 129(a); and

That the committee shall report the bill to the House no later than Thursday, October 8, 2009. In the event that the committee fails to report the bill on that day, the bill shall be deemed to be passed by the committee and shall be deemed to be reported to and received by the House; and

That, upon receiving the report of the Standing Committee on General Government, the Speaker shall put the question for adoption of the report forthwith, and at such time the bill shall be ordered for third reading; and

That, on the day the order for third reading of the bill is called, one hour shall be allotted to the third reading stage of the bill, apportioned equally among the recognized parties. At the end of this time, the Speaker shall interrupt the proceedings and shall put every question necessary to dispose of this stage of the bill without further debate or amendment; and

That the vote on third reading may be deferred pursuant to standing order 28(h); and

That, in the case of any division relating to any proceedings on the bill, the division bell shall be limited to five minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Ms. Smith has moved government notice of motion number 139. Debate?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Once again, another time allocation motion, number 139.

Two years ago, the Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry launched this much-publicized bill to reform mining in Ontario. At the opening launch, he bent over backwards, telling everybody how he was going to listen to everyone, that all stakeholders would be heard, and that the process was to be open and transparent and would result in Mining Act reforms that would be balanced and bring Ontario into the 21st century.

Now we have a glimpse and a good look at what the Liberal vision is for Ontario in the 21st century: stifling discussion, killing debate and bringing in time allocation motions as the minister bends over backward from the criticisms of this bill. He did not listen. He did not consult. He created a circus of illusion with Bill 173. As people voice their opposition to this bill, he runs away from honest and open discussion to another time allocation motion. The whole process has been a sham.

The committee that has been hearing from people on Bill 173: Maybe I should just put a few facts on the table, put a few facts on the record so that the people of Ontario know what has been heard in those committee rooms.

Bill MacRae from the Porcupine Prospectors stated, "Extensive consultation did not happen," that it jeopardizes security of title, and that this act will harm small prospectors. That's what one of the prospectors' organizations said, and there has been opposition from all quarters on this bill. The Pic River First Nati