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March 9, 2009

39th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2009-Mar-09 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 9 March 2009 Lundi 9 mars 2009

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

SMALL BUSINESS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

NUCLEAR ENERGY

PUBLIC TRANSIT

NUCLEAR ENERGY

PROPERTY TAXATION /

IMPÔTS FONCIERS

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

SMALL BUSINESS

ABORIGINAL LAND CLAIMS

HEALTH CARE

LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD

OF ONTARIO

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

MINE TO MACE PROJECT

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM FUNDING

WORLD KIDNEY DAY

TOWN OF CALEDON

WARKWORTH MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

HOSPITAL SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL CANCER

RESEARCH CENTRE

JACOB MCGAVIN

JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE

DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT /

RENDEMENT SCOLAIRE

RECHERCHE ET INNOVATION /

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

PETITIONS

ROUTE 17

ROAD SAFETY

TUITION

LUPUS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

PROPERTY TAXATION

SALES TAX

HOSPITAL FUNDING

PROPERTY TAXATION

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY FRANCHISE

HOSPITAL SERVICES

HOSPITAL FUNDING

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GREEN ENERGY AND GREEN

ECONOMY ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 SUR L'ÉNERGIE VERTE

ET L'ÉCONOMIE VERTE

ROYAL ASSENT /

SANCTION ROYALE

GREEN ENERGY AND GREEN

ECONOMY ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 SUR L'ÉNERGIE VERTE

ET L'ÉCONOMIE VERTE

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Good morning. Please remain standing for the Lord's Prayer, followed by the non-denominational prayer.

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mrs. Julia Munro: I would ask the members of the House to help me in welcoming friends and family of page Rachel Trow: Lois Fallis, Glenna Phair, Taylor Lipsett, Dylan Trow, Phil Trow, Betty Fallis-Trow, Alison Gold, Megan Gold, Ryan Gold, Josh Carr and Murray Fallis. Welcome to the Legislature.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): On behalf of the member from Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound and page Reed Bell, we would like to welcome his grandmother, Doreen Bell, and his grandfather, Bob Bell. They'll be here this morning in the west members' gallery. Welcome to Queen's Park.

On behalf of page Emily Wilson and the member from Wellington—Halton Hills, I would like to welcome her nana, Ellen Dolan, and her uncle, Kevin Dolan, sitting in the west members' gallery.

Also, some guests of mine: Sharon and David Pell, from Fingal, and Foti Karkavilas, from Montreal, in the public gallery. Welcome to Queen's Park.

There being no further introductions, it is now time for oral questions.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: My question is to the Premier. Whenever the Premier talks of economics these days, he's sure to use the word "global." It's a see-through attempt to shift the blame, a tactic that the Premier has honed to a fine art. Of course the recession is global; everyone knows that. But that doesn't mean the Premier is powerless. He needs to take some responsibility.

BC, Alberta, PEI and Newfoundland are all faring better than Ontario, and economists predict that they will recover quickly. Meanwhile, we have lost almost 300,000 manufacturing jobs while the Premier has sat on his hands. This has been happening since 2004, and yet he has shown no urgency and no recognition of the seriousness of this issue. His lack of foresight has left us unprepared and led us to a deeper recession than we might otherwise have expected.

Premier, why are you satisfied with being last place in Canada?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: As usual, I welcome the question, and as usual, I differ with the

interpretation of the facts and the nature of the cause of the challenge before us. I agree with my colleague insofar as he recognizes that the recession is worldwide, but I disagree with his inference that somehow it started here at Queen's Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

We've been doing a number of things for many years to lend further strength to the Ontario economy. It's just that we fail to receive the support from the opposition as we pursue those important initiatives.

For example, back in 2006, our budget was principally focused on investing heavily in infrastructure. We have hundreds of projects under way right now creating thousands and thousands of jobs right now, when we need them. It would have been nice to have the support of the opposition at that point in time, but fortunately we moved ahead notwithstanding, in the interests of the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: It's that kind of empty rhetoric that has led Ontario into have-not status. The fact is that the Premier squandered the good times, and in so doing has left us unprepared for the bad times. He raised taxes to record levels, levels that would make Bob Rae blush. He spent wildly and recklessly, including $1 million to the Toronto Cricket Club. He dismissed us when we warned him that there was a looming recession and called us pessimists. And he spoke about a "small contraction"—a small contraction indeed. "This too shall pass," he said.

When the rest of Canada turns the economic corner, Ontario will still be struggling with the recession, because even now you won't take the necessary steps to ease the transition. Premier, are you frozen in fear, or are you stumped as to what to do?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Again, Speaker, I appreciate the observations, but I disagree with him. The official opposition has for some time now said that they are very concerned about the size of the deficit that we are projecting. But I want you to understand some of the demands that they have been putting forward, notwithstanding their concerns about the deficit.

We've been keeping track of their questions since we returned to the House. They have asked, so far, 25 "spend" questions. They are asking that we spend more on everything from an airport to adult literacy programs, a lumber mill, MRI machines, a bridge, several questions on hospitals and mental health. These are all good issues. They are very debatable and important concerns advanced on behalf of their constituents. But you can't have it both ways. You can't say we have to cut public services and invest in them at the same time.

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

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: The Liberal plan is simply not working. I wonder if the 1,500 recently laid-off steelworkers in Hamilton think your plan is working. I wonder if the 1,200 recently laid-off workers at Chrysler in Windsor think your plan is working. I wonder if the unemployed miners and workers in Sudbury think your plan is working.

It seems to me that the only people convinced this plan is working are the Liberal lapdogs that sit behind the Premier in this House, yet the stubborn Premier refuses to change course. Premier, are you ready to take ownership of the state of Ontario's economy? Are you willing to accept some blame for all these job losses? If not, Premier, why are you still leading this province?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We take full responsibility for pursuing initiatives on behalf of the people of Ontario.

In particular, my colleague mentions that families are suffering as a result of job losses. That is absolutely true. Perhaps they are possessed of some special magic over there that would prevent any of that from happening anywhere in the province of Ontario, but we on this side of the House are not. We have to deal with reality.

We are going to continue to pursue our five-point plan. One of the most important aspects of that plan is to develop the skills and strengths of our workforce, and I'm happy that today we will be announcing that once again we have increased the high school graduation rate. It has gone from—

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It was 75% last year; it's 77% this year. It was 68% in 2003.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: —68% to 77%, which means we are having many thousands more young people graduating from high school every year.

SMALL BUSINESS

Mr. Tim Hudak: A question to the Premier: Your outdated tax-and-spend policies have brought Ontario to have-not status and chased some 300,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs from our province.

According to the Ontario Real Estate Association, your mandatory energy audit will have serious implications for small business in the province of Ontario. In fact, OREA says, "Energy audits and corresponding retrofits will hurt the competitiveness of Ontario business at a time when they can least afford it." This act will increase energy rates and it will cause problems for small business with the mandatory audits. Isn't this just kicking small business when they're already facing a downturn?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Hon. George Smitherman: I want to say to the honourable member, I'd be very happy, as I said to the critic from that party on matters of energy, to discuss any items in the proposed Green Energy Act on which they might have suggestions for amendment. But I want to make it very clear that the mandatory home energy audits would apply only to single-family residences, and therefore small businesses would not be implicated by any such audit.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: To the Premier on his job-killing policies: Not only are they facing new energy audits, but small businesses in the agriculture and landscaping industries say your pesticide ban is going to kill jobs this summer. Landscape Ontario says that more than 20,000 lawn care jobs are in jeopardy and lack of a phase-in will have serious economic consequences. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture says that 40,000 farming families and sale of their products will suffer from an already unwarranted negative impact brought about by this bill.

Why are you pushing forward these unwarranted, job-killing regulations during this unprecedented economic crisis?

Hon. George Smitherman: At the beginning of the honourable member's supplementary, he repeated what he had suggested in his earlier question, even though in a very, very clear way, I indicated to the honourable member that the information that he was presenting was not consistent with the plan. Accordingly, I would like to reiterate to the honourable member that energy audits are for homes and not for small businesses. More to the point, they are actually an opportunity to enhance the understanding of the circumstances related to energy use in the home.

We think also that on the idea of retrofit, there are examples for people, with support from the government, to be investing in bringing their homes forward to a lower overall energy use which actually can impact their operational costs. So we do see advantages associated with it, and we would very much welcome sitting down with the honourable member to brief him on those things or discuss other matters related to this bill with the critic of that party.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: I think the minister knows that those are the quotes from the Ontario Real Estate Association. So we're jamming up, under Dalton McGuinty, the real estate market.

Your pesticides bill coming down this summer is going to chase out 20,000 lawn care jobs and impact on small businesses and agriculture. The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services, ACSESS, said about your temp agency bill, Bill 139, "Some of the new rules ... will significantly damage an industry employing 300,000 people a year in the province of Ontario." They add, "The new legislation will create unfair and more onerous employer obligations for staffing services industry employers in Ontario compared to any other industry or geographic sector in North America."

You're attacking small business with higher energy rates, you're attacking small business with new pesticide regulations. Isn't it time to give small businesses a break in Ontario so they can create some private sector jobs again?

Hon. George Smitherman: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Peter Fonseca: What I say to the member opposite is that this government wants to ensure that we protect our most vulnerable workers. I say to that member, you should speak to the member from Sarnia from your party, because here's what he had to say. He said, "In general, we are" very "supportive of the government's efforts to offer protection to workers in temporary agencies.... I would have to wonder why the government would announce changes to the regulations today, December 9, that don't come into effect until January 2," 2009. Actually, that member wanted us to move even quicker, I say to the member.

But here's what we are doing: We're making sure that these vulnerable workers are not treated unfairly, that they're not prevented from accessing permanent jobs. We think this is good for our economy. Eleven per cent of the workforce today works in temp work; we want to—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question. The leader of the third party.

Applause.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: To the Premier: I've spent the last six months travelling the province of Ontario. I've met thousands of workers who have lost their jobs at the pulp and paper mill in Kenora, the auto plant in Windsor, the parts factory in Mississauga and the steel mill in Hamilton. Premier, these workers and their families are scared. They've worked hard, but now they worry about keeping a roof over their heads and food on the table. With all the tools this government has at hand and at its disposal, how could the Premier let this happen?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I welcome the question from the newly elected leader of the NDP. I know she recognizes what a wonderful honour it is to serve as leader of her party, and I wish her the very best.

With respect to the question, I know that the honourable member also recognizes the worldwide nature of this particular economic challenge, and I know she will want to cast her mind back to the things we have done and continue to do, as a government, both in anticipation of and in the face of this particular recession.

We continue to invest heavily in infrastructure, and that creates jobs right now as we need them; we continue to cut business taxes to enhance the competitiveness of Ontario businesses; we continue to strengthen our workforce; we continue to create new job training opportunities for people who have lost their jobs; and we continue to form partnerships with businesses and workers so that we can move forward together.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: These Ontario workers and their families know very well that we are in the midst of a terrible recession, and they are prepared to make the necessary sacrifices and do their part. In fact, we just have to look at the 10,000 General Motors workers and what they're doing. They're accepting frozen wages, reducing their pensions and getting fewer benefits. Before flowing more money, though, they want to know, will this government demand the same sacrifices from the high-flying corporate executives who got us into this mess in the first place?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The leader of the NDP raises a very important subject, which is the future of the auto sector in the province of Ontario. There is much at stake here. We understand that it is a fully integrated North American industry. We know that we have to move closely with initiatives pursued by Washington. We are, at present, working with the federal government and negotiating with GM and Chrysler in particular. We understand there are 400,000 jobs at stake in the province of Ontario; it's a powerful contributor to our gross domestic product. We will continue to pursue those initiatives.

I'm pleased to hear of the news that came from the CAW workers. We have always known, not withstanding commentary to the contrary, that they would be making concessions. We are pleased to hear they made those concessions, and we think that facilitates us reaching a final conclusion with the auto sector.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I think everybody would agree that that financial assistance needs to flow, but we need to know that there are going to be strings attached to that assistance. Jobs have to stay in this province. The government has failed in the past on those kinds of guarantees. Why should the workers and their families trust you now to get it right?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I would argue that Canadian auto workers—workers in the sector broadly, beyond the manufacturers—understand that we've been in their corner for five years now. Working together, we've now succeeded in becoming the single largest auto producer in North America. We are proud of that achievement. I think they also recognize that we have, by means of partnerships with various manufacturers, secured new plants and new jobs. They also understand that the future of the auto sector is going to look a little bit smaller here in Ontario, as it is across North America.

Our commitment is to preserve our share of that sector and do everything we can to build a solid foundation so that we can launch a brighter and stronger future on a go-forward basis.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Back to the Premier: You need to look no further than Stelco in Hamilton, my own hometown. It received $150 million just three years ago, and it issued 2,100 pink slips last week. There were no job guarantees then. Will there be job guarantees? That's what we want to know: Will there be job guarantees the next time that money flows?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We will do everything we can to lend as much security, stability and guarantee to jobs, but I can't say for certain that we can enter into arrangements that will absolutely guarantee that we will have a certain number of jobs on a permanent basis; that's just not the world that we live in. I note that when it comes to the steel industry, there has been a dramatic drop in global demand for that. They have experienced closures in Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota.

What I can say is that we bring tremendous goodwill, determination and an earnest desire to find ways to build a stronger steel sector for the future. We understand the angst and pain that those families are experiencing at present. I know it's particularly pronounced in this member's community, but we will continue to work with them.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The world we live in is one where real people, real families, real communities are experiencing a severe impact. A typical steelworker's salary at US Steel's Hamilton plant: about $65,000—$1,250 or so a week. That pays for mortgages, that pays for a roof over the heads of families, that pays for kids to go to school.

When you forked over $150 million three years ago, how could you possibly have given the company a free hand to wreak havoc on our community?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: That money, as I recall, was for assisting with pensions and pension protection. We thought that was important, and that's why we pursued those negotiations.

I know that people in Hamilton are a little concerned these days about their future. I want to assure them that I have spoken with the mayor and that he has expressed to me some of his concerns and some of the support that he's looking for; we're carefully considering that, and we will build on our record of support for Hamilton. It is there for people to see. We've always found a way to lend assistance to the people of Hamilton. I believe that Hamilton has a bright future, built on its single strongest asset: its people.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I'm simply sharing with the Premier the voices that I've heard over the last six months during the leadership race, the voices of hard-working women and men who believe that if government is going to dole out our money, it should go to protecting and creating jobs right here, not elsewhere. Above all, the voices said to me, "When you return to Queen's Park, ask the government, 'When 300,000 good-paying jobs disappeared and countless pensions were threatened, where was our government here in Ontario when we needed it?'"

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I want to remind my honourable colleague that when it comes to Stelco, we provided money on behalf of Ontario taxpayers in support of those pensions. I want to also remind my honourable colleague that in her new capacity, she inherits a legacy that comes with her party. I want to remind the leader that the NDP brought in a rule that exempted Stelco from making—

Interjections.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The NDP changed the rule so that Stelco was no longer required to pay into its pension plan. It was considered too big to fail. It was at real risk, and that's why, on behalf of Ontario taxpayers, we made that contribution. But they got into that trouble because they changed—

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

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: My question is to the Premier. Premier, as you prepare to hand out millions of dollars in taxpayers' money to the auto companies, there is a worry, especially amongst our caucus, that this bailout will not come with conditions. After all, your government is not known for its careful handling in the spending of other people's money, and you can read into that the Toronto Cricket club and their $1-million gift.

Premier, can you tell us today what conditions will accompany the taxpayers' support of the auto industry, and will that hard-earned taxpayer money be protected in your deals?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Economic Development.

Hon. Michael Bryant: Yes. The conditions are that the industry and the companies are viable. They have to establish that they're viable. Secondly, the agreement has to be in the taxpayers' interests, and that's going to include a footprint—a level of production—in the province of Ontario. From the beginning, that's the position of Canada and Ontario, and it will continue to be.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: Minister, that's rather a vague answer. It would be nice to have some specifics. How are you going to protect the taxpayers' money? You didn't do a very good job protecting it when you handed out $1 million to the cricket club. For instance, have you indicated that the legacy funds may also be on the table and some of those costs will be covered by the people of Ontario? Is that true? Will this bailout include pension support?

Hon. Michael Bryant: The member talks about the investments the government has made, and I note that he didn't complain when the government made a loan commitment of $10 million to Roxul Inc. in Milton in the member's riding, in addition to the literally hundreds of millions of dollars that have been invested directly in companies either by way of loans or by way of grants in all circumstances involving a wide array of conditions to ensure that the dollars that are being invested are accountable and in the best interests of taxpayers.

I say to the member as well: This was a member who, time and time again, stood up and said, "Boy, those unions. They'd better be making some concessions. I'm worried about that." Time after time, the Premier of Ontario and this government said that we were confident the CAW would do that, and that's exactly what the CAW did.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member for Toronto—Danforth.

Applause.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: You're a kind group. George, you, too.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Question?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker, for your indulgence.

To the Minister of Energy: Minister, recently you admitted that the final cost of nuclear mega-projects "very rarely looks like the price we talked about at the beginning." You said, "Prices go up. Yes, prices go up. These projects tend to get more expensive over time." It's an understatement, but still you said that.

You must know, Minister, that every nuclear plant in Ontario has gone over budget. You must also know that every Ontario household is spending about $100 a year to cover the debt from reactors built over 30 years ago. So why are you about to saddle Ontarians with yet another huge nuclear tab?

Hon. George Smitherman: I do want to say to my constituent that we congratulate him on his run for the leadership. I can only say, as a Torontonian, that I continue to be disappointed that the front row of the NDP benches doesn't seem to be a place where Torontonians can ever be situated.

On the matter at hand, with respect to—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member for Kenora—Rainy River.

Mr. Howard Hampton: Mr. Speaker, I'm overcome.

Hon. George Smitherman: That's putting it lightly.

To the honourable member's question, I think it would be helpful if, in his question, he also acknowledged that today in the province of Ontario just about 50% of all the electricity that we're gaining benefit from is emission-free nuclear power. We think that since Ontario has, for about 40 years, been relying substantially on nuclear power, we should make sure as we go forward that we have a good fleet. Therefore, we're looking for opportunities to renew the nuclear fleet in the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I don't know which diversion to go after, George, but I'll go with a third question.

As the minister knows, nuclear energy is not reliable; seven reactors were shut down in 1998 alone. He knows there's no safe way to store nuclear waste for a million years.

There have been reports that the Ontario government might buy shares in Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. as a way of covering cost overruns for new nuclear plants. Will the minister today promise Ontarians that the government of Ontario will not take a stake in AECL and will not dump a single penny from billion-dollar cost overruns onto the taxpayer or the ratepayer? Will you make that commitment today?

Hon. George Smitherman: I do want to say to my honourable friend that the commitment we have on behalf of the ratepayers and the taxpayers in the province of Ontario, associated with what is admittedly a very large procurement, is to do our very best to create a circumstance where the vendors are under pressure to offer us their best deal.

We are evaluating bids that have come in from three companies which wish to provide for the province of Ontario two new nuclear reactors, which will be situated at Darlington and operated by Ontario Power Generation.

Over the next several months, through very serious negotiation, we will land on a preferred proponent for the purpose of these projects to be located at Darlington.

PUBLIC TRANSIT

Mr. Khalil Ramal: My question today is for the Minister of Transportation. A top priority for our government is to get people out of their single-occupied cars and onto public transit. We have seen this with the Metrolinx regional transportation plan for the greater Toronto area and Hamilton, we have seen it with the Ontario bus replacement program for municipalities across the province and we have seen it with gas tax funding.

I am pleased with this government commitment to funding public transit through initiatives such as gas tax funding. In my riding, London—Fanshawe, and I am sure it's the same in many ridings across the province of Ontario, public transit investments such as gas tax funding will allow us to spend less time waiting for transit, provide more accessible transit and enjoy increased levels of service.

On Friday, London saw an additional $9.5 million in gas tax funding for this year—

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

Hon. James J. Bradley: Good question. I'd like to thank the member for that question.

This past Friday, the province announced funding allocations for the fifth year of the gas tax program—$321 million is being distributed to 89 transit systems, serving 111 communities across the province.

The city of London did in fact receive more than $9.5 million in gas tax funding, bringing the total gas tax funding shared with London to almost $39 million since our government initiated the program in 2004.

In the past, the gas tax funding for London has meant: a new terminal at Fanshawe College, increases in service hours, new service areas, the implementation of smart bus technology and purchasing two expansion buses.

I look forward to seeing how this year's funding will help London and communities—

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

Mr. Khalil Ramal: I appreciate the minister's answer, and I also look forward to the improvements that will be made to London's bus transit system because of this gas tax funding.

Minister, I know that not only London received funding. Another 110 municipalities received the same funding. Minister, this funding is going to go to additional expenses for the bus terminals and to increase the hours. This investment will allow London transit to expand their services for the people of London and surrounding area.

Minister, I want to ask you a question. This investment is not just about the municipalities which have—

Interjections.

Mr. Khalil Ramal: Those people, Mr. Speaker—

Interjection: I didn't do nothing. I'm sitting here. What are you looking at me for?

Mr. Khalil Ramal: Those people do not believe in public transit. Anyway, can you tell me, Minister, what you have for the people who have a transit system?

Hon. James J. Bradley: The McGuinty government has delivered on its commitment to use gas tax revenues as a source of long-term sustainable funding for public transit.

Since 2004, we have committed over $1.3 billion in gas tax funding to Ontario municipalities. Ridership increases show our investments are working. We have seen an increase of 102 million passenger trips, removing 85 million car trips from our roads.

For those municipalities without transit systems, we are committed to supporting municipal road and bridges projects. Since 2003, the government has provided $2.3 million in funding to support bridge and road projects across the province. That includes a $400-million road and bridge fund announced in the 2008 budget and the $1.1 billion announced under the Investing in Ontario Act in August 2008 for municipal infrastructure that can be used for roads, bridges, transit and other—

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

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Premier. Premier, earlier, in your answer to the third party leader, you mentioned preserving the jobs in Ontario's share in our auto sector.

Premier, the bids are in for new build nuclear in Ontario. What's left now is your decision on who will build those new reactors at Darlington. Considering that Ontario is bleeding jobs daily and you have repeatedly said that we are in extraordinary times, what is your plan to ensure that the almost 40,000 jobs, mostly in Ontario, associated with nuclear research, development and build are not lost if our own homegrown bidder, Atomic Energy of Canada, is not awarded the contract?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Hon. George Smitherman: The honourable member's question is designed to make a mockery of a fair and competitive process over the most expensive item that you can procure in a province. So I just want to say to the honourable member that while he's a booster for one of the three bidders in particular, our process has been run with a very, very strenuous focus on extracting for the people of the province of Ontario the very best arrangement.

We have three quality bidders who are bringing their proposals to us in seeking to supply us with two new nuclear reactors. As we move forward to entering into a contract with one of those individual companies, it will be focused on the very best arrangements for the people of Ontario, which of course includes price, productivity and economic impact here in the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: The Premier likes to talk about the new economy and how it will create the jobs Ontario needs. Well, I have news for you, Premier: Nuclear new build, here and around the world—here and around the world—and the research and development it requires, is an integral part of the new economy.

If you agree that not building our own Canadian-designed and -built reactors here will make building elsewhere unlikely, I ask you again, what is your plan to ensure that these jobs don't go the way of hundreds of thousands of others under your leadership?

Hon. George Smitherman: As a component of the measurement of which of these proponents we will seek to be in contract with, we have established, in the very mechanisms and nature of the bid, opportunities for a company to earn points associated with the economic impact that they will have here in the province of Ontario.

We acknowledge, of course, that there has been a domestic industry for some time, and the province of Ontario has been their very best customer for a long time. But there are competitive technologies, and we think it's important, since it is such a substantial procurement—because it is for a 50- or 60-year lifeline—that we make a decision on the basis of what is the best price and what is the best productivity associated with the technology on offer. But economic development and the impact it has here in the province of Ontario is one essential component of all bids that are being evaluated at the present time.

PROPERTY TAXATION /

IMPÔTS FONCIERS

Mr. Gilles Bisson: You're seeing team NDP in action here today, and I'm proud to say that we're one team, one family, all together.

I've got to say, I've got a question for the Minister of Municipal Affairs over there. It would seem that a number of people, not only in the city of Timmins but across the province, are pretty upset with what's happening with their tax bills this year. In our community, the city of Timmins, they've had to increase the taxes by 3.5%. But because of the flawed municipal assessment system, we're seeing people with far more than that. In fact I've got a constituent who has been on my doorstep, and at the doorstep of the municipality, knocking daily, because his taxes are going up by 13.5% this year alone.

My question to you is, do you think that's fair, and what are you going to do about fixing it?

Hon. Jim Watson: Let me thank the honourable member for the question. It gives me an opportunity, once again, to talk about some of the positive investments the McGuinty government has made in communities like Timmins. Let me quote the mayor of Timmins, who said, "This Liberal government has been very good to municipalities. They realize the shortfalls we have in infrastructure."

As a result of investments that we've made in Timmins—for instance, $380,000 in the fall economic statement for transit and transportation in Timmins; they received more than $600,000 in gas tax revenue from the McGuinty government. We have also invested $850,000 in 2005-06 and 2006-07 as a result of infrastructure investments.

This government takes seriously the partnership that we have made and signed on the dotted line with the municipal sector, and we look forward to working with them in the future to ensure that the taxes are kept low—

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

M. Gilles Bisson: Mais, monsieur le ministre, écoutez. La population n'est pas contente. La question devient que cet individu-là a besoin de payer plus d'impôts cette année à cause du système que vous avez en place. Il veut savoir ce que vous autres, le gouvernement, allez faire pour réparer la situation.

Ce n'est pas juste que ces personnes-là, comme mille autres personnes à travers Timmins et autres cités à travers cette province, ont des augmentations de 13 %, 15 % et 20 %. Je vous demande encore : êtes-vous préparé à faire quelque chose pour que ce monde-là puisse avoir de la justesse et ne paie pas plus de 3,5 %, comme toutes les autres personnes ont eu ?

Let me just remind the honourable member about a couple of things. We brought in a seniors' property tax grant to help those individuals who are on fixed income, representing low-income seniors. The NDP voted against that particular aspect, and I don't know why. I don't know why the NDP continues to vote against positive, progressive measures that this government has brought forward.

We're particularly proud of the fact that we have brought forward a series of infrastructure programs to reduce the burden on property taxpayers in communities like Timmins. Under the MIII program, the people of Timmins received $7.2 million last year alone. That frees up additional revenue so that the municipality can put it into their priority projects and keep taxes at a lower rate.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

March 11 to 17 is Canadian Agricultural Safety Week. An average of 22 people die each year in farm-related incidents. All members of this House agree that just one death is too many and that our government should work with our partners to ensure the safety of our farmers and our farm workers.

The theme of this year's Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, as determined by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, is personal protective equipment. This week reminds us how important it is that we seek continued improvement in our farm safety record year after year. All members of this House know there is much work to be done to ensure the safety of farmers and farm workers across this province.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister, what kinds of initiatives are being undertaken by her ministry and our partners in the agricultural sector that—

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

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: It is an important question, because farm safety is a very important issue, certainly in rural Ontario and for my constituents.

Our government is very pleased to work with the Farm Safety Association. Their mandate is to reduce the occurrence of workplace injuries on Ontario farms. My ministry has been working with the Farm Safety Association for over 10 years now to fund safety projects targeting farm families, youth and older workers alike. My ministry is pleased to provide this association with $120,000 annually to support a number of projects.

The farm accident rescue program is one of those, where they specifically train volunteer firefighters in rural communities in terms of how to deal safely with incidents that occur on farms—a very, very important program. Also, the farm accident rescue program—

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

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: All around Ontario, farmers are very hard at work, working to put food on their tables and on our tables. But we all know that working on the farm can be dangerous. Many of my constituents in my riding certainly are farmers, and they know first-hand about the hazards that face them each and every day.

Minister, can you tell them what your ministry is doing to improve their health and safety at their workplace?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: To the Minister of Labour.

Hon. Peter Fonseca: I want to thank the member for the question and the opportunity to share what my ministry is doing in this area.

The health and safety of Ontario workers, including our agricultural workers, is our number one priority, so we've extended the Occupational Health and Safety Act to cover farming operations. Since 2006, farm workers have had the same rights as other workers, including the right to know about workplace hazards, the right to participate in workplace health and safety decisions, and the right to refuse unsafe work. This is helping to reduce farming injuries and fatalities, lessening human suffering and reducing economic costs. This is strengthening our economy.

We will continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the WSIB, the Labour Issues Coordinating Committee and the Farm Safety Association to help improve—

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

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is for the Premier. On November 27 of last year, following the announcement that 850 employees would lose their jobs as a result of a Magna plant shutdown, I called on the Premier to specifically undertake to ensure that his government would make resources available to the local communities for the retraining of these employees. Could the Premier tell us what specific plans since that appeal to him in November have been made to ensure that those programs are in place for these employees who will lose their jobs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. John Milloy: I think all members of the House are always concerned with news of a layoff. Within one hour of hearing news of a layoff, I can assure the member that officials with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities are in touch with the workers, perhaps through their union or other organization, with the company involved and other players, to offer support that's needed and to make sure that workers are aware of what services are available through Employment Ontario, such as training and retraining. In many cases, we work to set up an action centre which allows workers to come together and receive peer support and a network and a pathway into Employment Ontario services.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Hon. John Milloy: I'm very happy to look into the specific case that he is talking about and provide specifics, but in general, I think the member should be aware that through Employment Ontario, we treat about 900,000 individuals who come forward every year. There is a wide variety of programs available for those individuals, everything from job search to resumé-writing through to short-term and long-term retraining.

One of the angles that we pursue when it comes to retraining is offering individuals the opportunity for literacy and numeracy upgrading, an ability to get their basic skills up to speed so they can enter training and retraining programs. We've seen a success through the rapid re-employment and training service—as I say, the team that goes through that I referenced in my first answer. We've helped over 57,000 people in the last year. Over the last eight months, over 16,000 people have come forward for specific training opportunities—

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

SMALL BUSINESS

Mr. Michael Prue: My question is to the Minister of Finance. Queen Street East in the Beach was named by TVO as the best Main Street to shop in all of Ontario. Sadly, many merchants in my riding are hurting. They are finding it tough to weather this recession. As reported in today's Toronto Star, some have unfortunately had to shut the doors and put the padlock on.

Why has this government turned its back on small business people and local economies by not providing leadership and help during these tough times?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: First of all, let me congratulate the member and the new leader of the third party on a successful weekend. In the immortal words of Don Corleone to a new rival gang leader, "As long as your interests and mine don't conflict, I wish you well."

To respond to the member's very serious question, we have taken a number of steps to address—and let's not pretend that any single policy initiative is going to relieve the crisis that's going on in the world economy. We've reduced the business education tax, first of all. Last year, we raised the threshold for the small business tax rate on corporate tax to the highest in Canada. Those were two important initiatives that were applauded by the small business community. We will continue to work with them through this—

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

Mr. Michael Prue: These are very nice words that I've heard today, but the Queen Street merchants live, play and work in our community. They drive our local economy. Property taxes are driving them into bankruptcy. Small merchants pay more, regardless of their actual incomes and ability to pay.

Why won't this government implement a progressive property taxation system that is fair for small business owners by linking it to their revenues instead of forcing more of them to close up shop and board up the best Main Street in all of Ontario?

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Our government has also undertaken a number of initiatives to upload costs from municipalities to help with the pressures associated with property taxes. Those include a range of things from public transit up through court security and social services.

I would remind the member, just as he voted against the business education tax reduction and just as he voted against raising the ceiling on small business income for tax purposes, he voted against those initiatives.

The proposal he puts forward will not help small business on Queen Street. He may think it does, and I'm sure he conveys that with great sincerity. The measures we've taken are the best measures in these times. I wish he would have supported them at the time.

ABORIGINAL LAND CLAIMS

Mrs. Maria Van Bommel: My question is for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Minister, you and I had the pleasure of visiting the community of Kettle and Stony Point last month in my riding of Lambton—Kent—Middlesex. While you were there, you were able to see how far that community has come since the tragic events of 1995.

During our visit, we discussed the fact that the Ipperwash resolution table is developing an interim plan with the local community to determine how the land and Ipperwash park will be used and managed until the transfer of the park is complete. The return of Ipperwash park to the First Nations, of course, is just one of the recommendations coming out of the Ipperwash inquiry that your ministry is working on.

Your ministry is also acting on Justice Linden's recommendations for land claims reform. Minister, can you tell us about some of the steps that your ministry is taking to improve that process?

Hon. Brad Duguid: I want to begin by thanking the member for joining me on my recent visit to Kettle and Stony Point First Nation. But more than that, I want to thank the member for her leadership in her local community. This member really gets it when it comes to the need to build bridges between First Nations communities and surrounding communities, and she's working very hard in her riding to make sure that is done. That is in the interests of the First Nations communities and it's in the interests of all communities in this province, so I thank her for her local leadership in that respect.

The member is quite right. We're working very hard to implement the Ipperwash inquiry report, including, of course, the creation of the first stand-alone Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in the history of the province of Ontario. We're also bringing in changes to speed up the land claims process. We're doing this not only because we know it's our obligation to—

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

Mrs. Maria Van Bommel: Clearly, your ministry is working hard to implement these reforms, but First Nations' capacity to effectively participate in claim negotiations is essential in achieving settlements. That includes having the tools to assist these communities with the claim submission process. Minister, I've heard you talk about how you think settling more land claims will have a positive impact on the social and economic well-being of all residents in Ontario. Can you explain what you meant by this, and how settling a First Nations claim might have a positive impact on other Ontarians?

Hon. Brad Duguid: That's a very good question because there's absolutely no doubt at all that settling these land claims will have a positive effect not only in First Nation communities but right across this province.

Negotiated settlements result in a much more enduring solution for all parties. They strengthen the relationship between aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities by clarifying rights and obligations of First Nations through negotiations. Uncertainty is also reduced. What this does is it attracts more private investment, which is something we all need to attract to First Nation communities and certainly to all communities across this province.

This is our opportunity to build stronger First Nation communities. It's our opportunity to close some of those gaps that exist between First Nations' quality of life and the quality of life enjoyed by other Ontarians. I thank the member for her question. Again, I thank her for her leadership in her own—

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

HEALTH CARE

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, last May I asked the previous Minister of Health about the movement of in-patient mental health beds from Rouge Valley Ajax hospital to Scarborough Centenary and quoted the psychiatrists at that hospital, who said, "It is our strong opinion that the elimination of the acute care beds will compromise the quality and safety of care for those seriously ill patients."

I was told by the previous Minister of Health not to worry; everything would result in enhanced patient care and that a psychiatric intensive care unit would be constructed at Scarborough Centenary. I recently visited that site and there is no intensive care psychiatric unit on that floor. There are 40 patients on the floor, many of whom are a danger to themselves and others.

Minister, why won't you release the rest of the growth-based funding to the Central East LHIN so they can construct this much-needed unit?

Hon. David Caplan: I want to thank the member very much for the question because in fact our government is the first which recognized the growth pressures in the province of Ontario, where previously, I would say to the member opposite, her colleagues, when they were on this side of the House, did not recognize those kind of factors when it came to health care spending.

In the last budget, my colleague the Minister of Finance outlined $120 million over the course of three years to be able to provide—I can assure the member that, in the first year, $30 million did flow to local health integration networks to be allocated to hospitals to recognize the growth pressures, as the member just recognized.

While I can't speak to the March 26 budget, I can tell you that our government continues to recognize growth and the growth needs that exist out there. We will continue to recognize the unique characteristics of a very high-growth community like Durham, as the member does represent, in meeting their needs as we do right around the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mrs. Christine Elliott: This is an urgent situation. As a result of your government's failure to construct this psychiatric intensive care unit, not only are patients at risk; now so are staff. In late January, two nurses were viciously attacked by a patient on the psychiatric floor and both sustained serious head injuries, including a fractured jaw and facial lacerations.

Minister, the nurse-to-patient ratio at this hospital is one to eight. I'm told that the ratio at Rouge Valley Ajax is one to five. This is not safe for anyone, Minister. What are you going to do to fix this situation to ensure the safety of both patients and staff?

Hon. David Caplan: In fact, there has been considerable work which has taken place. I do acknowledge, as the member has pointed out, that nursing and provision of care in our health care system is, at times, a dangerous job. They are working under difficult circumstances. That's why we are driving out healthy work environments. That's why we have nurse team leaders. That's why, for example, for needle-stick injuries, bed lifts or a host of areas we are working in the Ministry of Health with my colleague the Minister of Labour to ensure a safe workplace for the people within the health care system.

I want to assure the member that we are connecting and have connected with nursing leadership to ensure that we have the resources in place, the expertise in place and the supports in place that will be able to support. I don't want to recognize that these will never be issues—we know that they will be on an ongoing basis—but I want to assure the member that we will be there to continue to support our nurses as they move forward to provide outstanding care.

LIQUOR CONTROL BOARD

OF ONTARIO

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le premier ministre. The LCBO, an agency of this government, actively promotes the use of alcohol. Meanwhile, a new landmark study found that even one or two drinks of alcohol a day significantly increases the risk of breast cancer to the tune of 12% and rectal and liver cancer to the tune of 24% among women. The Ministry of Health foots the bill for alcohol consumption in Ontario to the tune of $1 billion a year. How can the Premier justify spending millions of dollars on advertising to promote alcohol use when we know that it will turn out costing the health care system billions of dollars?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the finance minister.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: Indeed we do own the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, and I want to remind the member that we still have something called "social reference pricing," which builds in—in fact, the minimum price of beer is the most recent example of that policy in force. The LCBO profits are, in turn, directed into the consolidated revenue funds of the government, which help to fund initiatives like the health care treatment that's associated with any range of challenging medical conditions.

The study the member references indeed reminds us of the importance of understanding the consequence of the use of alcohol, and I believe that the system we've developed for the distribution of alcohol is the best system available to governments of all political stripes.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Well, the reality is that the McGuinty government is actually seeking to increase alcohol use in Ontario. Between 2005 and 2006, the last figures available, the LCBO doubled its spending on advertising. I'm sure that everybody has seen the glossy promotional material that is put out by the LCBO to encourage people in Ontario to consume more alcohol, and it is under the McGuinty government's watch that the LCBO wants to further increase their sales by 30%. This is their objective: 30% more sales.

When will the Premier stop standing idly by while the government promotes health-damaging alcohol use? As the Minister of Finance says, it's a money loser: The money you bring in does not cover the health care costs.

Hon. Dwight Duncan: The LCBO does promote the wine industry in Niagara, for instance, and I'm surprised the member from Welland wouldn't have asked his colleague to acknowledge that.

I ran the largest alcohol and drug recovery program in this country for almost eight years. What I can tell you is that the responsible pricing that is built into the publicly owned LCBO remains, in our view, the proper way of the distribution of alcohol here in Ontario. I would remind the member opposite that even if the LCBO were to do no advertising at all, the advertising of the big beer companies, the big liquor companies and the big wine companies from outside the province would overwhelm us in any event. So we do want to continue—the member from Welland—to promote the Niagara wine and grape industry.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Research and Innovation. Minister, in the town of Stirling, a company, Stonehedge, is driving clean technology forward and capturing global investment.

Stonehedge is quickly becoming a pre-eminent hemp biorefinery in North America, and they're doing it through respect for both the environment and the individual by promoting a safe workplace where employees can develop their capability and go through education and skills development; excellence in personal and corporate performance to meet or exceed their customer needs at every opportunity; teamwork in all endeavours that foster an atmosphere for continued improvement; innovation and technical superiority, and as a chosen core, competitiveness.

The question to you, Minister: What is the Ministry of Research and Innovation doing to help foster the growth of innovative companies such as Stonehedge?

Hon. John Wilkinson: I want to thank my good friend for the question. I was pleased to join the MPP for Northumberland—Quinte West as Stonehedge announced it will receive a $2-million investment by a group of international investors from the United Kingdom. Starting in spring 2009, Stonehedge expects to build a new biorefining facility in eastern Ontario that will employ up to 27 people by 2011. The company expects to produce more than $17 million per year in renewable hemp fibre, wood-like chips and pellets, as well as matting and seed products.

Ontario, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Eastern Lake Ontario Regional Innovation Network, which is funded by my ministry, has been providing Stonehedge with advice, expertise and support in building international partnerships.

Ontario is well positioned to develop innovative solutions in this area. The province has a wealth of renewable carbon, and companies such as Stonehedge are proving that the world is looking for the innovative processes and services that we are developing.

MINE TO MACE PROJECT

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Just to remind the members, the diamond cutting for the new mace has begun. The diamond cutter was ill, but he has begun work today, and it's a very interesting process. Just outside the Speaker's office in one of the heritage rooms the work has begun.

There being no deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1136 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Reza Moridi: I'm delighted to welcome the deputy mayor of the town of Richmond Hill, Brenda Hogg, and the chair of the Richmond Hill Women's International Day, Angel Freedman, to the House.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM FUNDING

Mr. Ted Arnott: The residents of the town of Erin and the township of Centre Wellington are fuming because these communities' Building Canada fund applications were turned down in the most recent round. We are demanding that the Minister of Infrastructure provide a complete explanation for his government's failure to deliver results in these communities.

In the case of the town of Erin, the council was applying for funding to replace a bridge that has been deemed structurally inadequate and unsafe. The town council and staff made a strong case with a detailed and compelling proposal establishing the need for provincial funding. The tax base of this small rural municipality is inadequate to pay for all of their infrastructure needs, so they need help from the provincial government.

In the case of Centre Wellington township, a strong application was made to help finance the Elora waste water treatment plant upgrades. Again, they were turned down without a meaningful explanation as to why.

In my almost 19 years in this Legislature, I have consistently stood for generous financial assistance from the provincial government to small and rural communities. Their infrastructure projects must be a high priority—especially now, in this time of extreme economic challenge. I call upon the Minister of Infrastructure to review the Building Canada fund criteria, give priority consideration in future rounds to communities shut out in the last round and announce that he will begin to share the provincial gas tax with all municipalities, large and small, as he should, as the federal government does.

WORLD KIDNEY DAY

Mr. Charles Sousa: I rise in recognition that Thursday is World Kidney Day. As many of my colleagues in this Legislature know, March is Kidney Health Month and March 12 marks the fourth annual World Kidney Day.

World Kidney Day was conceived to raise awareness about the importance of kidney health, including proper screening, prevention and management, particularly in the context of chronic kidney disease, which is common, harmful and treatable.

The Kidney Foundation of Canada and other key organizations and partners in kidney care, including Baxter Canada in Mississauga, have issued a call to action to all Ontarians to measure, monitor and manage their blood pressure. As well, Ontarians are encouraged to speak with their health care providers about managing their kidney health, including the opportunity to be screened for chronic kidney disease.

This is important now more than ever because of the link between diabetes and kidney health. Diabetes is on the rise. It can compromise kidney function, resulting in chronic kidney disease and subsequently requiring dialysis care either in hospital or at home. Approximately 10,000 Ontarians receive dialysis care. Another 500,000 Ontarians are at risk of developing chronic kidney disease.

That's why our government has taken significant action to help people manage diabetes with the launch of the provincial diabetes strategy in July. It included a commitment to focus on improving access to care and management of chronic kidney disease and specifically access to home dialysis.

I would like to thank the Kidney Foundation of Canada and their partners for their commitment to improving the lives of Ontarians and continuing to advocate for improving access to kidney care, from prevention and screening to appropriate management of chronic kidney disease.

TOWN OF CALEDON

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I'm pleased to rise today to congratulate the town of Caledon in my riding of Dufferin—Caledon on being named the safest place to live in Canada for the second year in a row by Maclean's magazine in their annual report.

The "safest place to live" designation is based on per capita crime data from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics.

I'm very proud to represent a town such as Caledon, which takes pride in its people and its community.

I would like to acknowledge the Caledon detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and the volunteers on the Caledon policing advisory council for their efforts to keep our community safe. Congratulations on another great year to Caledon OPP detachment Commander Andy Karski and Mayor Marolyn Morrison. I thank you both for your hard work to make Caledon a safer place.

Hundreds of volunteer hours are put in every year by outstanding organizations like Citizens on Patrol, Youth Leadership and Road Watch. A price cannot be placed on your dedication to community safety.

Finally, I congratulate the residents of Caledon. It is your hard work and pride in your community that bring you the recognition you so deserve in making Caledon a safer community in which to live, work and raise a family.

WARKWORTH MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: I rise in the House today to invite all my colleagues here at Queen's Park to take a trip to my riding of Northumberland—Quinte West. The community of Warkworth will be hosting its 23rd annual Maple Syrup Festival this weekend, March 14 and 15.

There will be horse-drawn sleigh rides, syrup-making demonstrations, snowshoe races and taffy sampling. If square dancing and step dancing aren't your thing, then I bet that clogging will surely entertain you. As well, you will be entertained all weekend with old-time fiddling and country music.

The festival includes a variety of activities for the whole family, starting each day with a wonderful pancake and sausage breakfast. Free parking and shuttle buses are provided to transport you each day.

Did you know that maple trees are almost 40 years old before they can be tapped for syrup? Did you know that Ontario is the fourth-largest maple syrup producer in the world? Did you know that maple syrup is a good source of calcium, iron and thiamine?

This is only a sample of what you can learn if you join me at the Warkworth Maple Syrup Festival this weekend. I look forward to seeing you and I'll be there to welcome all the guests on Saturday morning.

Interjection: We'll be there.

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Thank you.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. John O'Toole: Many doctors and indeed their patients feel that our local hospitals are being threatened. Citizens in the riding of Durham are concerned over the future of their ER and other acute care services in Bowmanville, as well as the obstetrics services at Lakeridge Health Port Perry.

Recently I met with Dr. Tony Stone, Dr. Ben Fuller, Dr. Will Lottering and Dr. Ed Osborne to gain a better understanding of the needs and priorities in our Bowmanville hospital. Citizens are standing up for the Bowmanville hospital with thousands of petitions asking for the continuation of ER, general surgery and internal medicine. I've also met with Kevin Empey, the CEO of Lakeridge Health; and James Meloche of the Central East Local Health Integration Network.

This is a province-wide issue. It is a concern raised by the wardens of western Ontario, eastern Ontario and northern Ontario. The wardens want to ensure that all small community hospitals will continue to serve small and rural communities. The McGuinty government must do its part through fair funding of the GTA and 905 communities, especially growth communities, and the policies that recognize the important role of small hospitals.

I urge the members of the government and the opposition to support the Healthy Communities Initiative, which really amounts to making sure that each community gets the population-based funding that it is entitled to. We wouldn't have a problem if they would fund people fairly across the province of Ontario.

OCCUPATIONAL CANCER

RESEARCH CENTRE

Mrs. Laura Albanese: I rise in this House today to speak about the inception of the Occupational Cancer Research Centre, a collaborative partnership that has brought together labour, the business community, medical researchers and charitable organizations to collectively seek ways of studying and preventing occupational exposures that lead to cancer. The collective expertise of the centre is a testament to the hard work and coordination undertaken by the Canadian Cancer Society, Cancer Care Ontario, the WSIB and the United Steelworkers.

Together with the Minister of Labour, I had the pleasure of attending the opening of the centre last Thursday, where it was made clear by all presenters that combining their individual experiences in dealing with cancer-related issues is the best way to make progress.

I understand the need to maintain workplace safety. Through my constituency office in my riding in York South—Weston, I hear first-hand the experiences of our area's WSIB injured workers. For far too long, carcinogenic exposures have endangered and claimed the lives of countless men and women earning a living in Ontario. Setting up this research centre will combine the talents of professionals from all walks of life to tackle this complex disease and find creative ways of making Ontario's workplace sites the safest in the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who were involved in setting up the OCRC, and to wish them well as they begin this historic partnership.

JACOB MCGAVIN

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: It gives me great pleasure to rise in the House today to congratulate an outstanding young man from the riding of Huron—Bruce, Jacob McGavin. Jacob is one of the recipients of the 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award. The award, which is run through the Ontario Community Newspapers Association, recognizes outstanding youth who are making a difference in their communities. Jacob has made a remarkable effort to help children in his local community—the community being the world at large.

On his 12th birthday, Jacob founded Kids Care, a group of young teens striving to make a difference in poorer areas of the world and to improve child education. Under Jacob's guidance, the group has collected food for local food banks and has raised a significant amount of money to build a school in Africa.

Young people such as Jacob are a testament to positive changes that one civic-minded individual can bring about. Jacob has demonstrated great leadership, and I feel we are certainly in good hands with this province going forward into the future.

I ask this House to join me in congratulating the recipients of the 2008 Ontario Junior Citizen of the Year Award on their recent achievements. I also want to add that Jacob comes from a long line of community-minded people. Congratulations to his parents and his grandparents.

JOURNÉE INTERNATIONALE

DE LA FRANCOPHONIE

M me France Gélinas: J'aimerais souligner que le vendredi 20 mars prochain, 870 millions de personnes vont célébrer la Journée internationale de la francophonie. Nous fêtons cette journée en exprimant notre solidarité et notre désir de vivre ensemble, dans nos différences et notre diversité, partageant ainsi les valeurs de la francophonie.

Bonne Journée internationale de la francophonie à tout le monde; c'est le temps de célébrer. J'aimerais mentionner M. Jean-Charles Cachon de Sudbury, qui recevra l'insigne de chevalier dans l'ordre du mérite mercredi soir.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Mr. Reza Moridi: Sunday, March 8, was International Women's Day, a day that the town of Richmond Hill has proclaimed to commemorate the contributions of women to the community.

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the town of Richmond Hill's celebration of International Women's Day with my colleague Dr. Helena Jaczek, along with Deputy Mayor Brenda Hogg and International Women's Day chair Angel Freedman.

This annual celebration inspires women throughout the world, and recognizes and reflects upon the progress made to advance women's equality and women's achievements in today's society.

The day is an official holiday in many countries, and is observed by men giving the women in their lives—that is, mothers, wives, girlfriends, daughters, granddaughters and colleagues—flowers and small gifts.

The women's rights issue that has been brought forward this year is the ignorance of specific health care needs of women that have been insufficiently taken into account in war situations, where women are particularly at risk of rape and other forms of violence.

I would like to take this opportunity to ask all Ontarians to celebrate this day by pledging to stop the unlawful persecution of women by helping to increase the social awareness of the struggles of women worldwide.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

FINANCE AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Mr. Pat Hoy: I beg leave to present a report on pre-budget consultation 2009 from the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs and move the adoption of its recommendations.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Pat Hoy: Mr. Speaker, I move adjournment of the debate.

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

Debate adjourned.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT /

RENDEMENT SCOLAIRE

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think we all know that the future prosperity of Ontario relies on today's youth. They will be the innovators and leaders who will drive Ontario's economy, they are the citizens of tomorrow, and they will make this province a better place to live. So it is essential that they graduate high school and have successful careers and lives. To allow them to do so, we are providing them with a high-quality education that matches their skills, interests and ambitions.

In Ontario, we're fortunate to have exceptional and committed teachers, school administrators and support staff who are focused on reaching every student. In addition, the support that we received from parents, employers and community members to improve student achievement has been overwhelming.

Avec nos partenaires, nous avons été en mesure de concevoir et de mettre en place de nouveaux programmes qui suscitent la motivation des élèves du secondaire. Ce travail collectif d'amélioration du système d'éducation publique de l'Ontario rapport gros à nos élèves.

I'm proud to report that Ontario's high school graduation rate has increased for the fourth year in a row. It now stands at 77%, a significant increase from just 68% five years ago. What that means is that 36,000 additional students have graduated in Ontario since 2003-04. Another way of thinking about it is that 13,500 more Ontario students graduated in 2007-08 compared to 2003-04. These are very big numbers and they represent large efforts by everyone to reach out to struggling students and give them the support that they need.

Our government believes that a one-size-fits-all approach to education does not work. That's why we've introduced programs that allow students to customize their high school experience and make it more relevant. That includes specialist high-skills majors that are bundles of eight to 10 courses in a student's selected field such as information technology or hospitality. Our dual credit program allows students to participate in apprenticeship training and post-secondary courses while still in high school.

It's these types of new options that let students focus on a career path that matches their skills and interests. Working with our education partners, we've created a more engaging learning environment for students that better prepares them to pursue future opportunities beyond high school.

I have heard countless stories from students and teachers across the province on how these changes are making a true difference. For example, Jonathan Camiré from Ottawa had his sights set on a career in an orchestra after falling in love with the French horn. However, he found it hard to motivate himself in the classroom, in part because of a learning disability. The specialist high-skills major in arts and culture offered by Ä-cole secondaire catholique Béatrice—Desloges solved that problem.

He took a bundle of eight courses in grades 11 and 12 that included a course about careers in the arts, in addition to at least one hands-on music course per semester. Then he found himself suddenly concentrating and participating more in school. So those courses allowed him to focus on what was going on in the rest of his courses. Last June, Jonathan successfully graduated from high school, and he plans to continue pursuing a career in music. His story is just one among thousands, and that's why we're committed to students' success.

Les élèves comme Jonathan méritent toutes les occasions d'atteindre leur plein potentiel. Notre gouvernement continuera d'aider davantage d'élèves à obtenir leur diplôme d'études secondaires.

We remain committed to raising the graduation rate even higher: to 85%. I'm certain we'll succeed because we have the support of wonderful educators, parents and community members. Together we'll ensure that Ontario has a bright, strong and vibrant economic future.

RECHERCHE ET INNOVATION /

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

L'hon. John Wilkinson: Je prends la parole aujourd'hui pour demander à tous les côtés de la Chambre de se joindre à moi pour célébrer la nouvelle d'une percée de la recherche menée en Ontario, la nouvelle que les expertes et experts appellent une « élégante découverte ».

Humanity hungers for cures for the diseases and injuries that plague us still. Today, with increasing confidence, we can imagine a world where we will unlock the power of our own bodies to cure diseases like diabetes, cancer, cystic fibrosis, kidney and heart disease and to reverse the devastation of injuries to the brain and spinal cord by repairing or even, one day, growing replacement organs and tissues derived from our very own cells.

We are on the cusp of a turning point in history. An organ damaged by disease or injury would no longer mean a death sentence or a lifelong disability. A person's own immune system wouldn't reject the new organ or tissue because they would not be foreign to our body because, instead, they would arise from our own body.

This is the promise of regenerative medicine. In my opinion, it will increasingly become part of our health care future because of stem cells, special cells found within our bodies that can and do turn themselves into any part of our bodies. Already, stem cells are being used in bone marrow transplants to treat leukemia, but the field is still in its infancy.

Due to the wise investments of successive governments, Ontario is known as a world leader in stem cell research. In fact, it was Ontario scientists Doctors Ernest McCulloch and James Till of the University of Toronto who discovered stem cells back in 1961. Ontario has built upon this discovery, developing a strong foundation in stem cell research, from Dr. Tony Pawson unlocking cell biology to Dr. John Dick discovering cancer stem cells to Dr. Janet Rossant developing induced pluripotent stem cells, and so many, many more in our province.

Now we have a major new breakthrough we can all be proud of. Dr. Andras Nagy, at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, has led a team of researchers who have found a new, safer way to create stem cells from the most ready and accessible of sources: our own skin cells. They've just published their findings in the internationally respected science journal Nature.

Let me give you an idea of how important their discovery is. Not only did our papers here cover this as a front-page story, but it was in the news in Washington and California and as far afield as Ireland, England and Japan. The discovery made by Dr. Nagy and his team represents an enormous contribution to the future of health science.

What's more, Dr. Nagy and his team are among the 10,000 scientists, clinical investigators and other researchers who make Ontario the largest hub of biomedical activity in Canada and the fourth-largest biomedical research centre in North America.

As part of this cluster, Ontario is supporting other exciting stem cell research initiatives. For example, we've committed some $357 million over five years to the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, which has made stem cell research a focal point of their work. Through the institute, we have invested $30 million to support the International Cancer Genome Consortium, through which scientists around the world are working together to unlock the genome of the 50 most common cancer tumours that plague humanity. It is knowledge that could lead to innovative new treatments or even cures. Ontario will serve as the world headquarters of this global effort.

Ontario has also been tasked to serve as the global data centre. In essence, we are creating the largest health informatics database in history.

Ontario can't fund research all alone. We need all levels of government to support our leading-edge researchers so that they can rise to the challenge of overcoming diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

La recherche et l'innovation font un élément vital du plan économique en cinq points de l'Ontario. Le premier ministre, M. McGuinty, a créé la ministère de la Recherche et de l'Innovation pour orienter l'engagement de notre gouvernement de sorte à faire de l'innovation l'élément moteur de l'économie de l'Ontario. Au

titre du programme d'innovation de l'Ontario de 3 $ milliards, nous créons un solide milieu pour l'innovation en Ontario. Nous appuyons des chercheurs et chercheuses de calibre mondial, ainsi que des industries et des compagnies qui jettent un pont entre l'innovation de l'Ontario et le marché mondial.

That means top researchers will stay in Ontario and breakthroughs like Dr. Nagy's will keep happening here and, as we have seen, history will continue to be made right here in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Responses?

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Mrs. Joyce Savoline: I'm happy to respond today in the House, first of all, to congratulate all the successful graduating classes of 2009 as they prepare for new and exciting careers in their lives; secondly, to reinforce the importance of identifying future opportunities for our students that fit with their skills and interest levels. Now, more than ever, we as elected representatives need to ensure that our students are completing their high school education.

We live in a global marketplace, and Ontario students should be positioned to be successful in that competitive arena. To date, our education system continues to be biased towards post-secondary education. We're edging further away from it, but we're still there. I believe in the value of post-secondary education, but we also need to realize that this is not the option for everyone. If a student feels that he or she is only staying in high school to continue on to post-secondary, and those are not their plans, we lose that student.

I would like to see a stronger focus on our skilled trades and apprenticeship programs and offer students more of an opportunity for alternate career paths. If we engage these students in high school and reinforce the importance of completing their high school education while offering them a career path that fits with their interests, then we can strengthen our graduation rates. We are still losing those students because they don't see the value of finishing their education.

Likewise, our students in high-risk areas need increased mentoring and support to assist them in fighting off the elements that would like to see them fail. We want to see them succeed. Perhaps if the Minister of Education supported projects like CARES that capture these students when they struggle inside our education system, then we could save more students who are caught in a cycle of poverty and crime. As a government, we need to be thinking outside of the box. The current mindset and approach is not reaching the students who fall outside of the ministry's model for education.

I am pleased to see that we are making strides with our graduation rates for those students who are already working within the system. However, I don't see the statistics for the graduation rates of our high-risk students who have already fallen between the cracks and who have the most to lose. It is these students who warrant the attention of this government if we are truly to make a difference.

In the future, I hope to see a broader perspective taken by our guidance counsellors and support staff in our high schools to realize that there are a variety of options that lead to a successful, productive life. Much more emphasis needs to be put on relieving students from feeling stigmatized if they don't pursue a university education.

Another statistic that is not revealed, and should be, is: How well prepared are our graduates as they transition from high school? Are they prepared to succeed in their careers, or are they part of a politically motivated agenda?

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Mr. Norm Miller: I'm pleased to have the opportunity to respond to the Minister of Research and Innovation on his statement to do with recognizing Ontario breakthroughs in stem cell research. Certainly, I would like to add my congratulations to Dr. Andras Nagy and his team at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute at Mount Sinai Hospital. It truly is exciting news, their recent breakthrough discovery, where they found a new way of creating stem cells using human skin to reprogram them into pluripotent stem cells, which are cells that can develop into most other cell types. As well,

whereas previously you had to use viruses to deliver the required genes, they now have a new method that doesn't require the use of viruses.

So this is truly exciting because of the difference this can make in the future for those people who suffer from spinal cord injury or macular degeneration or diabetes or Parkinson's disease. It gives hope for possible cures for those diseases and can really make a difference in the lives of the people who are affected.

I think, personally, of Aaron Lillie in Bracebridge, who was injured in a diving accident just last year and has a spinal cord injury. This sort of research and development gives a person like Aaron hope that in the future it may be applied to him. So I'm very pleased; it's exciting news. As well, of course, there are economic spinoffs from developments like this. I'm pleased to see Ontario leading the way in stem cell research, and I congratulate Dr. Nagy and his team.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This is a response to the Minister of Education's statement. It would be very comforting for us to just accept the numbers. But even if we were tempted to do that, the numbers still show that almost a quarter of students are not graduating. That's nothing to celebrate. You wanted a number, and now you have a number. But what does the number really mean? That's the important question.

Unfortunately, just like EQAO results, the government is more concerned with generating a politically useful number than ensuring that real achievement and future success of students is taking place. In order to pad the numbers, secondary school teachers have been put under extraordinary pressure to pass students, according to the OSSTF. This is not my information, this is the OSSTF, and I would think they would know.

Their Education Forum magazine says that teachers are feeling pressure to adjust failing marks. From the same article, teachers are concerned about a system that "allows late assignments to go unpenalized, plagiarized essays to be rewritten, absolute deadlines to be repeatedly extended, unsubmitted work to be accepted after the semester is over, and obvious failures to be overturned."

Is this something to celebrate in our education system, I ask, rather than creating the alternative programming and providing students with the support staff they need? Students at risk need many more opportunities. Educators are concerned that the government is in fact lowering the bar. Subject teachers, student success teachers and support staff work hard to meet the needs of all our students, particularly those students who are deemed at risk. It would be really easy for the educators in this province to line up and applaud these numbers and take credit; why wouldn't they take credit for what appears to be student success? But they are not doing that; they are doing the exact opposite.

Over the past year, the OSSTF has had serious concerns about what passes for student success in this province. An OSSTF work group on credit integrity felt it was essential to define real versus artificial student success.

The OSSTF has requested a couple of things: All credit courses should be taught by certified teachers; all marks, grades and credits should be true and accurate indicators of student achievement; the subject teacher shall be consulted when principals—not the teacher, but principals—are considering a mark change for a student.

When the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation feels that these things have to be put in writing, then we have a problem in this province, and it's a problem that will not go away simply because the government trots out some self-serving numbers. There are questions being asked, and while these questions are being asked, we have real concerns that your numbers may be less a measure of success and more a way of hiding failure.

These numbers announcements are not going to take the place of real alternative programs, adequate special education services, adult education spaces and more supports in the classroom. These are the important things we need to really change the education system in this province and ensure that it is student success we're focusing on, not government success, not government numbers games. That is not the way to make students succeed in this province.

You should stop playing the numbers game and make sure that Ontario's school boards have the resources they need to actually deliver real excellence in the education system in this province. That's what Ontarians expect, that's what parents expect and that is the very least, I would put to this minister, that students in secondary education in this province deserve.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Mr. Michael Prue: In response to the Minister of Research and Innovation, I stand here to applaud Dr. Nagy and the wonderful work that was done around the creation of stem cells. I applaud that research because I think this is the cutting edge of science, and it has been delayed far too long. I know there have been ethical issues in the past about where stem cells traditionally were received and how they were received, but this is an opportunity that he has brought forward in science to grow the stem cells from human skin.

The possibilities now are enormous and the ethical dilemma that many people may have had over the use of stem cells and stem cell research has now come full circle, and I think that it's a great day.

PETITIONS

ROUTE 17

M. Jean-Marc Lalonde: Cette pétition provient de la région de Glengarry—Prescott—Russell.

« À l'Assemblée législative de l'Ontario :

« Attendu que la route 17/174 a besoin d'être élargie à quatre voies, de la rue Trim à la route régionale Prescott-Russell 8 afin d'améliorer la sécurité routière;

« Attendu que la route 17/174 a été reconnue par le passé pour sa condition dangereuse ainsi que le taux d'accidents annuel notable;

« Attendu que cette route représente la principale voie d'accès à la capitale nationale pour la population ouvrière de Clarence-Rockland, Alfred et Plantagenet et Hawkesbury;

« Attendu que les comtés unis de Prescott-Russell ont manifesté leur intérêt à effectuer une étude environnementale destinée à l'agrandissement de la route 17/174 en passant une résolution au conseil;

« Attendu que la ville d'Ottawa a passé une résolution au conseil demandant soit à la province ou aux comtés unis de Prescott-Russell de prendre l'initiative de l'étude environnementale pour la route 17/174;

« Attendu que le gouvernement fédéral et le gouvernement provincial se sont tous deux engagés à fournir 40 $ millions pour l'élargissement de la route 17/174;

« Nous, soussignés, adressons à l'Assemblée législative de l'Ontario la pétition suivante :

« Nous demandons que les fonds nécessaires soient alloués aux comtés unis de Prescott-Russell afin de réaliser l'évaluation environnementale obligatoire à l'élargissement de la route 17/174 de deux à quatre voies, du chemin Trim à la route régionale Prescott-Russell 8. »

J'y ajoute ma signature.

ROAD SAFETY

Mr. John O'Toole: I'm pleased to present a petition from Jack Logan, Laura O'Neill, Joanne Ritchie, Jim Park and Scott Mooney, just to name a few of the people who have signed it. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the recently passed Bill 41 with regard to speed limiters on every truck was passed without considering the effects on traffic flow safety concerns and interstate trucking; and

"Whereas the speed of 105 kilometres per hour creates a dangerous situation on our 400-series highways with consideration to the average speed of traffic flow being 120 kilometres per hour;

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

"That the Legislature suspend the enforcement of the speed limiter law until the Legislature can review all studies conducted pertaining to the effect of this law on road safety; and

"That the Ontario speed limiter law be amended from 105 kilometres per hour to 120 kilometres per hour to remove the increased risk of collisions on our highways and to prevent infringement on interstate trucking out of province and out of country."

I'm pleased to present this petition in support and I present it to Tariq.

TUITION

M me France Gélinas: I have these multiple signatures on a petition given to me by a Mr. Eric Blondin from the Fédération canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants. They held a "freeze the fees," which is basically the students slept outside for two nights—48 hours—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): It's a petition, not a statement.

M me France Gélinas: —to present their petition to me. It reads as follows:

"Whereas undergraduate tuition fees in Ontario have increased by 195% since 1990 and are the third-highest in all of the provinces in Canada; and

"Whereas average student debt in Ontario has skyrocketed by 250% in the last 15 years to over $25,000 for four years of study; and

"Whereas international students pay three to four times more for the same education, and domestic students in professional programs such as law or medicine pay as much tuition as $20,000 per year; and

"Whereas 70% of new jobs require post-secondary education, and fees reduce the opportunity for many low- and middle-income families while magnifying barriers for aboriginal, rural, racialized and other marginalized students; and

"Whereas Ontario currently provides the lowest per capita funding for post-secondary education in Canada, while many countries fully fund higher education and charge little or no fees for college and university; and

"Whereas public opinion polls show that nearly three quarters of Ontarians think the government's Reaching Higher framework for tuition fee increases of 20% to 36% over four years is unfair;

"We petition the assembly as follows:

"

(1) Reduce tuition and ancillary fees annually for all students.

"

(2) Convert a portion of every student loan into a grant.

"

(3) Increase per student funding above the national average."

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

LUPUS

Mr. Bob Delaney: I'm pleased to support my seatmate, the member for Niagara Falls, with this petition that has been sent to the Legislative Assembly by Deb Duval of Nesbitt Drive in Sudbury. It's addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas systemic lupus erythematosus is under-recognized as a global health problem by the public, health professionals and governments, driving the need for greater awareness; and

"Whereas medical research on lupus and efforts to develop safer and more effective therapies for the disease are underfunded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and

"Whereas no new safe and effective drugs for lupus have been introduced in more than 40 years. Current drugs for lupus are very toxic and can cause other life-threatening health problems that can be worse than the primary disease;

"We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to assist financially with media campaigns to bring about knowledge of systemic lupus erythematosus and the signs and symptoms of this disease to all citizens of Ontario.

"We further petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to provide funding for research currently being undertaken in lupus clinics throughout Ontario."

On behalf of the member for Niagara Falls, I'm pleased to sign and support this petition and to ask page Emily to carry it for me.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition to do with the Burk's Falls health centre. It reads:

"Whereas the Burk's Falls and District Health Centre provides vital health services for residents of Burk's Falls and the Almaguin Highlands of all ages, as well as seasonal residents and tourists; and

"Whereas the health centre helps to reduce demand on the Huntsville hospital emergency room; and

"Whereas the operating budget for Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is insufficient to meet the growing demand for service in the communities of Muskoka—East Parry Sound; and

"Whereas budget pressures could jeopardize continued operation of the Burk's Falls health centre.

"Therefore 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, including those provided by the Burk's Falls health centre."

I support this petition.

PROPERTY TAXATION

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontarians are angry over the volatility of the MPAC tax assessment system, the near impossibility to predict one's assessment or to understand how it is arrived at, the patent unfairness of assessments and that the current system leaves many homeowners worried they may be forced to sell their homes; and

"Whereas changes are needed that will make Ontario's property tax system stable, understandable, fair, and sensitive to homeowners; and

"Whereas property assessments in Parkdale—High Park have risen between 28% and 45% between 2005 and 2008;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows: Support the 'freeze till sale' plan to bring fairness to Ontario's property tax system so that new assessments happen only at the time of sale and when a building permit is obtained for renovations totalling more than $40,000."

I couldn't agree more, affix my signature and give it to Reed to take down to the Clerk.

SALES TAX

Mr. Pat Hoy: "Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the auto industry in Ontario and throughout North America is experiencing a major restructuring; and

"Whereas the current economic crisis is affecting the auto manufacturers and the front-line dealerships throughout Ontario; and

"Whereas many potential automobile purchasers are having difficulty accessing credit even at current prices; and

"Whereas a three-month tax holiday of the GST and the PST on the purchase of new and used cars and trucks would stimulate auto sales;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the provincial and federal governments to implement a three-month tax holiday, and that the Ontario Minister of Finance include the PST holiday in the next provincial budget."

It's signed by a number of persons from Comber, Harrow, Chatham, Belle River and Tilbury, and I too have signed it.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole: I'm pleased to present a petition—thousands of them, I might add—from the community of Durham. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the municipality of Clarington passed resolution C-049-09 in support of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville; and

"Whereas area doctors, hospital staff and citizens have raised concerns that Bowmanville's hospital could turn into little more than a site to stabilize and transfer patients for treatment outside the municipality; and

"Whereas Clarington is a growing community of over 80,000 people"—soon to be home to the new nuclear reactors—"and

"Whereas we support the continuation of the Lakeridge Bowmanville site through access to on-site services, including emergency room, internal medicine and general surgery;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, request that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the McGuinty government take the necessary action to fund our hospital equitably and fairly. And furthermore, we request that the clinical services plan of the Central East Local Health Integrated Network address the need for the Bowmanville hospital to continue to offer a complete range of services appropriate for" a growing community in Durham region.

I'm pleased to sign and support this and present it to Andrej.

PROPERTY TAXATION

M me France Gélinas: J'ai cette pétition de M me Evelyn Dutrisac, conseillère de la ville du Grand Sudbury, et des membres du réseau d'action de son quartier. It reads as follows:

"Whereas 2009 is a reassessment year in the province of Ontario; and

"Whereas the assessments will be phased in over a four-year period from 2009 to 2012; and

"Whereas the assessed values for current value assessments collected as at January 1, 2008, were obtained during years of high real estate activity in the province of Ontario; and

"Whereas the downturn in the current global economic climate has greatly affected the real estate market, and subsequently, the assessed values in the province of Ontario...."

They ask the Legislative Assembly:

"That the Minister of Finance for the province of Ontario roll back assessed values to the base year of January 1, 2005."

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

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY FRANCHISE

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I've got a petition signed by people from Mount Hope, Milton, Hamilton, Burlington and Stoney Creek. It says:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has the highest average ticket revenue per game in the National Hockey League; and

"Whereas the Toronto Maple Leafs are ranked the most financially valuable team in the NHL; and

"Whereas many Hamilton and greater Toronto area hockey fans are unable to attend professional hockey games due to a lack of adequate ticket supply; and

"Whereas the Hamilton and greater Toronto area boast the biggest and best market in the world for hockey fans, with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment bringing approximately $2.4 billion to the local economy over 10 years; and

"Whereas a new franchise in the Hamilton and greater Toronto area is valued at $600 million by some economists; and

"Whereas competition in both business and sports is healthy for both the Hamilton and greater Toronto area economy and sports team performance; and

"Whereas despite having the most loyal fans in the world, the Toronto Maple Leafs have not won the Stanley Cup in over 40 years; and

"Whereas Hamilton and greater Toronto area fans deserve competitive professional hockey teams;

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

"To request that the government of the province of Ontario express its strong support to the board of governors of the National Hockey League for the relocation or expansion of a second NHL hockey team in the Hamilton and greater Toronto area in order to realize the economic advantages to the taxpayers of the province of Ontario and to provide healthy competition to the existing Toronto NHL franchise."

I agree with this petition, obviously, and will sign it and give it to Alexander to take down.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Milton District Hospital was designed to serve a population of 30,000" and the town of Milton is now home to more than 75,000 "people and is still growing rapidly; and

"Whereas the town of Milton is the fastest-growing town in Canada and was forced into that rate of growth by

an act of the Ontario Legislature called 'Places to Grow'; and

"Whereas the town of Milton is projected to have a population of 101,600 people in 2014, which is the earliest date an expansion could be completed; and

"Whereas the current Milton facility is too small to accommodate Milton's explosive growth and parts of the hospital prohibit the integration of new outpatient clinics and diagnostic technologies;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure take the necessary steps to ensure timely approval and construction of the expansion to Milton District Hospital."

I approve of this petition. I'll sign my name to it and pass it to Jacob, my page.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have a petition addressed to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. It's been sent to me by Hongwei Zhao, of Britannia Road West in my own riding of Mississauga—Streetsville, and 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 2008-09 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 am pleased to sign and support this petition, and ask page Rachel to carry it for me.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GREEN ENERGY AND GREEN

ECONOMY ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 SUR L'ÉNERGIE VERTE

ET L'ÉCONOMIE VERTE

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 3, 2009, on the motion for second reading of Bill 150,

An Act to enact the Green Energy Act, 2009 and to build a green economy, to repeal the Energy Conservation Leadership Act, 2006 and the Energy Efficiency Act and to amend other statutes / Projet de loi 150, Loi édictant la Loi de 2009 sur l'énergie verte et visant à développer une économie verte, abrogeant la Loi de 2006 sur le leadership en matière de conservation de l'énergie et la

Loi sur le rendement énergétique et modifiant d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Further debate?

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: I'm very pleased today to have the opportunity to speak to Bill 150,

An Act to enact the Green Energy Act, 2009 and to build a green economy, to repeal the Energy Conservation Leadership Act, 2006 and the Energy Efficiency Act and to amend other statutes.

Today, as a member of Her Majesty's loyal opposition, it is my responsibility to point out the flaws and shortcomings in this legislation, and to speak on behalf of all Ontarians who have expressed concerns, asked questions and want to know that their concerns and questions will be addressed by this government.

Although I support green energy, I am concerned not only about the lack of detail in this bill, but also the details that may be buried in this bill and the haste to pass this bill by the government, without extensive consultation with stakeholders and the public.

If we take a look at the media, it's obvious there are concerns. From the Ottawa Citizen: "The Premier's new green energy plan is just a badly planned distraction from Ontario's worsening economic outlook." If we take a look at the National Post, "The Province's Green Energy Plan Is Turning Ontario into a Green Police State," and if we take a look at the Hamilton Spectator, "Green Audits Won't Work."

It's obvious: The public should be entitled to answers from this government.

I have to question whether this government, in bringing forward this bill and acting so hastily, has taken the time to ask the tough questions. I wonder whether they have done the necessary in-depth analysis about the impact and how they plan to implement this bill, or is this energy bill, as some suggest, more about the McGuinty government seeking to associate with the icon of appearing green?

We do know that Premier McGuinty so little understood Ontario energy needs that in the 2003 election he irresponsibly, without a plan, promised to close Ontario's coal-powered plants by 2007. To date, the only government to close a plant was our government when we closed Lakeview.

We also know that the Minister of Energy and the Premier have indicated they have no idea how the 50,000 jobs that they're promising will be created. But if they hearken back to the real world, Ontario, in January alone, lost 71,000 jobs.

We also know that the Minister of Energy and the Premier have no answers when it comes to targets, electrical rates or the cost of this plan for consumers and businesses. They seem to forget that the Ontario economy depends on a secure supply of affordable energy that will enable us to compete with our neighbouring American states. That is critical if we are to retain jobs in Ontario.

However, since I only have 10 minutes, let me put some concerns and unanswered questions about the bill on the table. I will not deal with the issue of the erosion of democratic rights or the loss of local participation in decisions that directly impact the communities affected by the act. I will not deal with the mandatory $300 energy audit, which must be reconsidered since it imposes another layer of bureaucracy that will cost homeowners money. Other people are doing that, and they will do so effectively.

I want to go back, again, to whether or not this government and this Premier asked the tough questions or did the necessary in-depth analysis about the impact of the changes proposed in this bill.

As health critic, I want to look first at the health risks of wind turbines. Bill 150 does not address health concerns. It is a bizarre omission. The health of Ontarians should surely be mainstreamed in all government policy decisions, particularly those where the potential impacts are either obvious or widely reported by independent professionals with expertise.

Let's take a look at what Dr. Nina Pierpont said: "I can tell you, definitely and unequivocally, that wind turbines of the size you are contemplating do, in fact, cause harm to human health when placed within two kilometres of peoples' homes." There is no peer-reviewed scientific report written by a certified clinician that disputes Dr. Pierpont's conclusions. Indeed, her research findings are supported by eminent research scientists, academics and medical bodies around the world, and I have the list here.

Extensive research on the health and safety effects of wind turbines confirms that noise from turbines can be heard up to two kilometres away and can induce sleep disturbance, depression, chronic stress, migraines, nausea and memory loss. Dr. Robert McMurtry, former dean of medicine at the University of Western Ontario, points out that the Ontario environment ministry's existing regulations regarding acceptable noise levels are flawed, as they fail to measure low-frequency noise. He states, "It is not possible to develop authoritative guidelines for setbacks of wind turbines if low-frequency noise is not taken into account."

So we have the Premier making pronouncements that there aren't any health concerns related to industrial wind turbines. However, in saying so, his pronouncement flies in the face of worldwide evidence to the contrary. The World Health Organization states: "It is important to promote the development and the application of health impact assessments in the energy field."

So I go back to where I started. Why has this government not taken action to ensure that the health concerns in this bill are addressed? Why are there no provincial standards for wind turbine setbacks? In Germany and Denmark, setback distances are typically between 1.5 and two kilometres. Would it not be negligent on the part of the government to proceed with the construction of industrial wind turbines without establishing setback standards based on a full epidemiological study of the health risks and the impacts as recommended by Dr. McMurtry, the former dean of medicine at the University of Western Ontario?

Another question that needs to be answered is whether wind power really is that green, or even a viable economic alternative to other renewable energy options. Has the McGuinty government examined the European experience, where wind power has been in existence for a decade or more? Unfortunately, the evidence is mounting that wind power has not delivered on its promise. We know that Denmark is the world's most wind-intensive nation, with more than 6,000 turbines generating 19% of its electricity.

But, apparently, not one fossil fuel power plant has closed, 50% more coal-generated electricity is needed to cover wind failings, pollution and carbon dioxide emissions rose 36% in 2006 alone, and Danish electricity costs are higher than in Ontario.

And what are the Danes saying about wind power now? "Windmills are a mistake and economically make no sense," says Niels Gram, Danish Federation of Industries. "Wind turbines do not reduce carbon dioxide emissions," says Flemming Nissen, head of Denmark's largest energy utility.

In fact, Der Spiegel, in Germany, says this about the German plants: Germany's "CO 2 emissions haven't been reduced by even a single gram," despite all their wind turbines. In fact, Germany has had to build many more coal- and gas-fired plants.

As you can see, when we take a look at this bill, there are many unanswered questions and concerns. Time does not allow for me to raise any more at this time, but I would recommend that this government go back and ask the tough questions that you have refused to ask thus far. Do the in-depth analysis of the health risks associated with wind turbine setbacks. Determine whether wind power is really that green or even a viable economical alternative to other options.

Unless and until those questions are answered and that analysis is completed, it would be irresponsible to support this bill. People in this province deserve answers. I trust that this government will take the time to get it right. I hope there will be extensive consultations and amendments.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Questions and comments?

Mr. Howard Hampton: I listened carefully to my colleague from the Conservative Party. I want to say that while I do not necessarily agree with everything she has said in her comments, she does raise some questions that the McGuinty Liberals are very reluctant to answer. She raises some questions that I think are very worrisome for individual homeowners and people who are thinking about residential electricity. She especially raises some very troublesome questions, I think, for the manufacturing sector.

One of the realities of Ontario's economy is that the manufacturing sector needs affordable electricity if they're going to continue to operate in Ontario. Indeed, I think we can already see some things happening: ZENN cars—electric cars. It's an Ontario company, but they have chosen to do their manufacturing in Quebec. Why have they chosen to do their manufacturing in Quebec? One of the reasons: affordable electricity.

Let me give you another example. This is office paper; hundreds of thousands of tonnes of office paper are utilized in Ontario virtually every week, but no office paper is produced in Ontario any longer. A company like Domtar has 10 mills—in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Quebec—but no longer produces office paper in Ontario. Why? The industrial hydro rate. And the government refuses to answer those questions.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Questions and comments?

Mr. Phil McNeely: I'm pleased to offer my comments on the member from Kitchener—Waterloo. One of the real issues behind this—there are many improvements in providing the proper electricity to our great province, but renewables and conservation are at the centre of this, and conservation is energy number one. We all know that. So this bill includes many things.

One of the things I'd like to talk about is local investments. Part of this bill will be community assistance facilitation, which will support community investments in providing small-scale grants in support of soft costs—engineering and legal—for renewables and conservation, and retrofits were part of that. We have certain initiatives in this bill that will have to be defined—the health concerns that this member has brought up—but that will be part of developing the regulations under this bill, so that has some time. It will be going to committee, and obviously it will have good input from around the table.

We're looking at really improving the conditions in Ontario to let the bio-gas energy come in, to let the wind energy to come in. One thing: Solar energy, all those flat roofs in a city like Toronto, has been mentioned by the minister a few times, and that is certainly energy that we can use and recoup efficiently in this province.

For many reasons, this bill, with the major investment in the grid and making that grid available, is getting us ready for five years or 10 years down the road when that grid will be needed for electric cars. This is a modern approach, this is a good approach, and this bill will do that.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Questions and comments?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It's my pleasure to address the comments made by our deputy leader, Mrs. Witmer, the member for Kitchener—Waterloo. I would remind this chamber that in 2001 it was under her leadership as Minister of Environment that an implementation plan was put forward to eliminate and close the only coal-fired plant in this province. It's a statistic and it's a fact that those opposite would like to forget. They don't like to talk about it much because, quite frankly, they failed to act on the environment and in our energy crisis since they've been elected.

This piece of legislation is very disconcerting. Not only are there plans that are unachievable and based on issues that we think are grabbed out of thin air—i.e. the jobs they believe they will create; it has serious economic and consumer-related challenges that have not been addressed by the McGuinty government.

A number of different statutes and acts will be amended as a result of this piece of legislation, and it is not clear to the official opposition that the ministers responsible for those pieces of legislation or those ministers whose portfolios will been impacted have been adequately briefed on the impacts. I can tell you that, in my 10 minutes that will be coming up in the next rotation, I will focus on some of the consumer protection issues that will arise. These are very serious concerns that we in the official opposition have.

That is why we asked this government to put this legislation before the people of Ontario before we had this debate. It is an omnibus bill and it needs to be treated as such.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Questions and comments?

Mr. Mike Colle: I think many of us and the member from Waterloo certainly forgets what happened on August 14, 2003. Fifty million people ended up with no lights, totally in the dark, and that was during the watch of her party because they weren't paying attention to energy. They weren't pay attention to transmission. They let things basically go to seed. They talk about the economic impact or the environmental impact: When you ignore something as fundamental as energy production, conservation and tr