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April 4, 2007

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2007-Apr-04 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Wednesday 4 April 2007 Mercredi 4 avril 2007

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

ROBOTICS COMPETITION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

RIDING OF ANCASTER–DUNDAS—FLAMBOROUGH—ALDERSHOT

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

ONTARIO ARTISTS

ONTARIO BUDGET

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ONTARIO CLIMATE CHANGE ACT, 2007 /

LOI DE 2007 SUR LES CHANGEMENTS

CLIMATIQUES EN ONTARIO

VISITORS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

HEALTHIER SCHOOLS STRATEGY /

STRATÉGIE VISANT

DES ÉCOLES PLUS SAINES

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

HEALTHIER SCHOOLS STRATEGY

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

AGRICULTURAL FUNDING

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

SMITHS FALLS ECONOMY

EDUCATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

CLIMATE CHANGE

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

HAMILTON SPECIALTY BAR

TRANSPORTATION

VISITORS

PETITIONS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

GRAVESITES OF FORMER PREMIERS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

CAFETERIA FOOD GUIDELINES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

OPPOSITION DAY

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Victoria—Brock): Hundreds of millions of dollars potentially stolen from people who were the legitimate winners of lotteries; a minister who follows a "don't ask, don't tell" policy when it comes to his job of overseeing Ontario Lottery and Gaming; and a scathing report from the Ombudsman that details shocking practices that have undermined public confidence in the integrity of the lottery system: Everyone in Ontario sees this as a scandalous problem, everyone except the Premier of Ontario, who views it as a communications problem.

Rather than taking action to address insider fraud, this government ignored all the evidence and instead concentrated on a communications strategy. Four key advisers to the Premier were involved in an attempt to spin the scandal by trying to discredit the CBC report. That didn't work, so the next move was to pay off the OLG CEO with a $720,000 severance package and offer him up as a scapegoat. The Premier's latest communications strategy—laying the blame on Ontario's retailers yesterday—is a new low for this government and an insult to the thousands of honest people working in convenience stores across Ontario.

The constant refusals to answer questions on who knew what and when in the Premier's office and in the minister's office demonstrate that the McGuinty government can't be trusted to get to the bottom of this scandal. What are you hiding from over there? Stop the communications strategies of laying blame on everyone except the Premier and the minister responsible. If you have nothing to hide, open up the investigation to include the offices of the Premier and the minister.

ROBOTICS COMPETITION

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): Again, it's a proud moment for the folks in Nipissing. Last Thursday, March 29, I had the pleasure of meeting with the Near North Student Robotics Initiative team as they competed in the greater Toronto regionals for the FIRST Robotics competition. I'd like to congratulate the students on being recognized as regional finalists in the Toronto competition, as well as for winning the highest honour, the Regional Chairman's Award, the week before in Waterloo, which allows them to advance to the world championships in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Regional Chairman's Award, which is the competition's most prestigious honour, honours the team judged to have created the best partnership effort among team participants and to have best exemplified the true meaning of FIRST: inspiring greater levels of respect and honour for science and technology.

Near North Student Robotics Initiative team members are drawn from six schools in the Nipissing district. However, the students emphasize that the NNSRI is not just their team, but the community's team. Well, the whole community of Nipissing is very proud of the following students: Will Allen, Hafize Artan, Stephanie Boden, Michelle Bos, Jerri Clout, Spencer Elliott, Graham Fraser, Martin Gagné, Wesley Groom, Jessica Groom, Lauren Isenegger, Tyler Langlois, Melissa Laplante, Kevin Miller, Emma Mossington, Andrew Taylor, Brad Wilson, and their team captain, George Wang.

I also want to thank for their tireless efforts their mentors: Nancy Dewar-Stenning, Nadia Gagné, John Groom, Jennifer Medd, Gerry St. Denis, John Aquino and Brad Stenning.

Our team has done us incredibly proud, and as they do their local fundraising getting ready for Atlanta and their last-minute preparations, I want to tell our northern ambassadors: Way to go, and all the best in Atlanta.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean—Carleton): I want to know when the Dalton McGuinty government is finally going to take responsibility for the Lottogate scandal it created. Ticket buyers have been ripped off by the millions. The public has lost confidence in the system, and the minister for the OLG wants to duck his head in the sand. He wants to pretend he knows nothing of the scandal, he wants the mess to go away, and the Premier is just sitting by doing nothing.

But the people of Ontario have a right to know. They have a right to know why the minister refuses to accept responsibility for this scandal. They have a right to know why senior members of the minister's staff knew for at least one year about the lottery fraud and why the minister did nothing about it. They want to know why from the summer of 2005 to the spring of 2006 OLG was changing their insider-win policies so there would be no investigation into the fraudulent wins. And the public has a right to know why a top adviser to the minister, now his chief of staff, was aware of inside wins but the minister was supposedly unaware.

The public has a right to know why Liberal insiders, Liberal spinners and Liberal campaigners were meeting with the OLG. The public has a right to know why the Premier thinks this scandal, this corruption, this Lottogate should be swept under the rug and why the minister should remain in cabinet even though he has lost the confidence of this House and—

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Members' statements.

RIDING OF ANCASTER—DUNDAS—FLAMBOROUGH—ALDERSHOT

Mr. Ted McMeekin (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot): I have long believed that to be an effective member of the provincial Legislature, you have to "think sync," that you need to be in sync with the people you purport to represent, and on those occasions when you are not in sync, you need to be really committed to having dialogue with your constituents so as to ascertain how best to proceed.

In our riding, we do something somewhat different. We call it deliberative democracy. I've created, with the help of some well-meaning constituents, a series of advisory groups in the riding. We have a group on education, one on the environment, one on services to seniors, one on small business, and either I or a senior member of my staff attend every meeting of the Hamilton-Wentworth Federation of Agriculture to keep abreast of agricultural issues.

I can say quite candidly that while there are a number of good ideas that emanate from any one of the members here, probably 90% of the creative entrepreneurial ideas that come my way and that I get to share with my colleagues and try to move forward with come from people in my riding.

So I want to thank Anne Thomson in particular, who chairs our education group, John MacLennan for his great efforts with the environmental group, and all of the seniors and business people who contribute so consistently. We have over 600 citizens involved in offering their MPP advice. It helps me to do a better job.

I also want to take my last few seconds to say thanks to Dr. Mel Hawkrigg and his spouse, Marilyn, who for a number of years have served as chancellor and assistant to the chancellor of my alma mater, McMaster. They have done a great job. They are a great credit to the community, and I just want to say thanks to both of them.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): On behalf of John Tory and the Progressive Conservative caucus, I would like to applaud the move yesterday by OPP Commissioner Julian Fantino requesting that the Toronto Police Service conduct an independent review of all matters relating to the potential conflict of interest posed by the secondment of a former OPP officer as a vice-president of corporate security for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.

This announcement by Commissioner Fantino came during the lead-off speech by PC House leader and former Solicitor General Bob Runciman on Bill 103, the Independent Police Review Act. During his speech, Mr. Runciman indicated that the Ontario Provincial Police had been placed in the very difficult position of policing their own. Commissioner Fantino indicated, "To ensure there is no perceived or real conflict of interest, the OPP will no longer provide a seconded officer to the OLG."

Our caucus would encourage the Toronto Police Service to extend their probe into the offices of the Premier and the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal and their attempts to cover up Lottogate before it became public. Our caucus is still calling for the scandal-torn Liberals to call an independent investigator to review the whole scratch-and-lose scandal.

The citizens of Ontario demand accountability and transparency from their government. They demand that the Premier and the ministers of the crown be responsible and ethical in their handling of tax dollars. To date, all we have seen is a government desperately trying to spin and cover up a scandal. The one ray of hope is the leadership shown by Commissioner Julian Fantino—

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Members' statements?

ONTARIO ARTISTS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale—High Park): The McGuinty government promised status-of-the-artist legislation back in 2003. Instead, artists in Ontario get the first weekend in June as Celebrate the Artist Weekend in their so-called artist act. ACTRA and other workers asked for protection for child performers, an income-averaging tax system, and support for housing for aging artists. Instead, they received a Celebrate the Artist Weekend. The Fashion Design Council of Canada asked that fashion design be considered part of a cultured Ontario. Instead, they received—guess what?—Celebrate the Artist Weekend.

Artists everywhere asked that the recommendations of the status-of-the-artist report finally be delivered after months of delay and finally be implemented. Instead, they received a Celebrate the Artist Weekend. There will be no real celebration until we have meaningful status-of-the-artist legislation out of the McGuinty Liberal government.

ONTARIO BUDGET

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): Residents in my community of Sault Ste. Marie are reacting very positively to a recently announced balanced budget. We are investing $2.1 billion in the new Ontario child benefit that will help nearly 1.3 million children. We're also investing $43 million to helpful fulfill our commitment to hire an additional 8,000 nurses in Ontario, and we added an additional $135 million to further reduce wait times.

We're investing $780 million in education to support Ontario's students, and we have continued our five-year, $30-billion Renew Ontario program with a further $5.9 billion for transit, highways, energy, hospitals, schools and rural infrastructure. In this budget, we have initiated a $540-million business education tax reduction, stabilized the municipal property assessment system, and accelerated the elimination of the capital tax to encourage more business investment in Ontario.

Our plan is working, and as a result, we have 327,000 net new jobs in Ontario. In Sault Ste. Marie, health care and education and other important provincial services continue to improve.

In my community, we can't afford to go back to the irresponsible financial mismanagement of the province by the past two governments. The NDP ran four straight deficits of over $10 billion a year, while the Conservatives tried to hide a $5.5-billion deficit. We have a balanced budget, and we're continuing to deliver positive results for all Ontarians, results that we can be proud of.

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh): The role of upper government is to provide municipal government with the tools needed to provide for the residents of communities. This means helping municipalities deliver the services people deserve at a manageable taxation level. After a decade of neglect, this is a role that the people of my riding of Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh were unaccustomed to the province playing. Since 2003, that has changed.

For the first time in a long time, the government of Ontario is producing results for communities like Cornwall, Winchester and Morrisburg. We have finally moved on important projects for our hospitals in Cornwall and Winchester, a new wastewater treatment facility in Morrisburg and substantial funding for infrastructure rehabilitation throughout the united counties.

Strategic investments by the province have allowed Cornwall to move on important projects while also ensuring that taxes for the people of the city will only increase slightly—a major change from the last government, under which communities in Ontario were forced to increase taxes and cut services to manage downloaded responsibilities.

Through careful, thoughtful funding, the McGuinty government has allowed for the reconstruction of Brookdale Avenue and roads and bridges throughout the riding, thanks to Move Ontario funding. It also facilitated development in Cornwall's downtown core, improved delivery of health care and education and provided discretionary funds for the city to use to best serve its citizens.

This is responsible government. We are working with Ontario municipalities to ensure that the citizens of this great province have the best possible outcomes.

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron—Bruce): I rise in the House today as a reminder that the McGuinty Liberals are delivering open, transparent and accountable government.

While the member opposite talks a lot about ministerial responsibility and integrity, his actions seem to conflict with his rhetoric. I would like to remind members of this Legislature where that member really stands. Ontarians remember his failure to reprimand a member of his caucus for making derogatory remarks about a female MP. That party also hid a $5.5-billion budget deficit that was delivered in an auto plant. Where is the integrity in that?

The McGuinty Liberals are delivering open, transparent, accountable government through expanding salary disclosure mechanisms and giving new powers to the Auditor General, amongst other things.

And good government means delivering results: 9.7 million patient days saved because of reductions in wait times; 92% of primary classes have 23 or fewer students; and close to 4,900 new staff to the long-term-care home sector.

If the members opposite want to be accountable to Ontarians, then why do they want to take public school funding and put it into private schools? Or why do they want to take $2.5 billion out of health care, which is vital for the well-being of all Ontarians?

The McGuinty Liberals are working hard to ensure fair, accountable and good government. We are delivering that and making sure that Ontarians have the tools to succeed.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated April 4, 2007, of the standing committee on government agencies. Pursuant to standing order 106(e)(9), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ONTARIO CLIMATE CHANGE ACT, 2007 /

LOI DE 2007 SUR LES CHANGEMENTS

CLIMATIQUES EN ONTARIO

Mr. Bisson moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 200,

An Act to provide for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario / Projet de loi 200, Loi prévoyant la réduction des émissions de gaz à effet de serre en Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

The member may wish to make a brief statement.

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins—Baie James): Comme on le sait en Ontario, comme partout dans le nord de l'Amérique du nord, on reconnaît de plus en plus que notre environnement commence à diminuer quand ça vient aux gaz à effet de serre. En Ontario c'est un problème, mais spécifiquement c'est un problème au nord de l'Ontario. On voit justement que le changement de climat au nord, et spécialement dans la région que je représente, a des effets négatifs sur l'environnement. C'est pour cette raison-là qu'on veut proposer ce projet de loi.

The act, simply put, would make the minister responsible for putting in place a plan to reduce greenhouse gases, starting in 2008 and up to 2020, by up to 25% from 1990 levels. In addition, this particular bill would give the Environmental Commissioner the ability to review the work that the minister has or has not done and to make sure that the work set out in this bill actually gets done. I think it's high time that we pass this bill.

VISITORS

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to introduce to you in the members' gallery today Kim Leblanc and her son Matt, who have joined us here for question period. I want to welcome them to Queen's Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): We have with us in the Speaker's gallery some of the 2007 recipients of the internationally recognized Ordre de la Pléiade award. These men and women will be honoured today by the Ontario branch for the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie for their outstanding contributions to French-speaking communities in the province. The ceremony will be held in the Lieutenant Governor's suite in the presence of the Honourable James Bartleman, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, later this afternoon.

The recipients of this prestigious award for 2007 are: Yvan Brousseau, Omer Cantin, Mariette Carrier-Fraser, Jean Comtois, Claude DesRosiers, Joffre Victor Dupuis, Katch Koch and Normand Labrie. Please join me in welcoming our guests.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): Last August, I had the opportunity to tour the Vineland Research Station and help to celebrate its 100 years of impressive contributions to the community and to the province.

The months leading up to that celebration were spent by the community discussing the future. A strong voice emerged in support of revitalizing agri-food research at Vineland, a voice that our government answered by appointing the Vineland Renaissance Advisory Panel and asking them to develop a business case for the future of this research station. This panel was chaired by Donald Ziraldo, and he, along with the panel members, developed a compelling vision for the future. Their report pointed to the need for collaboration and partnerships among a broad range of government, academic and industry organizations.

I want to thank Donald and the panel members—James Farrar, Dr. Cal Stiller and Jamie Warner—for their outstanding efforts. They worked very hard on tight timelines to deliver their findings.

We have listened to these findings. We understand how important promoting a culture of new ideas and new discoveries is to the future of our great agri-food industry and the quality of life in Ontario, and we welcome partnerships that will keep this industry ahead of the curve.

Together, our federal and provincial governments are taking the first step to create a vital hub for horticultural science and innovation in Vineland by making it a model for research facilities elsewhere in the province, and indeed in the country.

Yesterday, I returned to the Vineland Research Station with Dean Allison, representing the federal government, and my colleagues Minister Jim Bradley and Jennifer Mossop to share some good news. That news was a provincial investment of $12.5 million in the new Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. That investment was made along with a federal contribution of $15.5 million that will be invested over the next five years for this centre.

This total federal-provincial investment of $28 million will support research and revitalization projects at Vineland. This news was enthusiastically received by about 100 members of the community. It serves as a strong base that is already attracting additional funding support from other organizations and individuals, such as Flowers Canada, the Niagara Peninsula Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association and Donald Ziraldo.

Together, we are working to plant the seeds of success for Vineland and for horticultural research across the province. We anticipate the future with renewed enthusiasm and look forward to building a continued legacy of growth and success.

As a next step, I want to tell you that both levels of government will explore additional means to support the activities of this new centre, where we can optimize our investments in land, facilities and ongoing support for horticultural research. We are committed to working with industry to bolster ongoing support for the centre.

I'm very excited about the potential of the new centre. It will have the capacity to serve as a major contributor to Ontario's horticulture sector. This is great news for our agri-food sector, great news for the Niagara region and great news for the people of Ontario.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I rise in the House today to tell you about our government's public transit improvements to better serve the people of Hamilton.

Since we took office nearly four years ago, the province has invested $1.8 billion in GO Transit to benefit riders in Hamilton and the GTA, including $457 million this year.

Tomorrow, I will be in Hamilton to open a new GO bus terminal at McMaster University, in which we've invested $750,000.

Since 2004, we have helped GO Transit serve new riders by opening four new train stations, including East Gwillimbury, Mount Pleasant, Kennedy and the Milliken station . We opened a new GO bus terminal at the Square One shopping mall in Mississauga.

We're also expanding capacity. We have purchased 70 new bi-level railcars that can carry seven million more passengers per year, 27 more powerful and fuel-efficient locomotives, 144 new accessible buses, 12 double-decker buses, and we have added 500 new bus trips per day.

We've also added 6,000 new parking spaces across the GO Transit system to take the cars off the road every workday.

Since 2003, this government has also invested $42 million to improve municipal transit in Hamilton.

Applause.

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: Hamilton has its own cheering section.

Just yesterday, Hamilton took delivery of 12 new hybrid buses. These were partially funded by the province. It's another example of working together with the municipalities.

We've delivered on our commitment to pump a share of the provincial gas tax into public transit right across this province.

On October 1, 2006, we increased funding to two cents for every litre of gasoline sold in Ontario, and this year alone we are giving municipalities $313 million in gas tax funding. So what does that mean? It means expanded service, and it means many new, more comfortable and accessible buses right across Ontario.

By September 2007, the city of Hamilton will have received almost $26 million in gas tax funding from the province since 2004.

In addition, the McGuinty government has provided Hamilton with $14.3 million to replace transit vehicles. We've committed $2.2 million to help replace vehicles this year and over $520,000 to expand transit. I'm pleased to say that these investments are paying off.

Hamilton's transit ridership increased by 2.7% from 2003 to 2005. So what does that mean? It means 570,000 more passenger trips, and what that means is 475,000 fewer car trips each year in and around Hamilton.

Getting more people out of their cars and on to public transit means we're all breathing cleaner air, burning less fuel and reducing gridlock.

Improving public transit is one part of this government's efforts to create what we call a more sustainable transportation system.

A milestone in this effort, of course, was creating the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority. This agency will develop an integrated plan for local transit, GO Transit and major roads in Hamilton and the greater Toronto area.

We want to give riders the convenience of using one fare card to travel across 10 different transit systems from Hamilton to Durham—each region—by developing the GTA fare card.

To create a cleaner environment, the Ministry of Transportation will host a leading-edge forum this year, the first of its kind in the history of this province, to explore new transportation technologies and share ideas from around the world on how to make the transportation sector in this province more sustainable—the first sustainable transportation summit in the history of this province.

I'm proud that our commitment to public transit is making a difference for the people who live and work in Hamilton and for all the people who live and work in this province.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Hon. Caroline Di Cocco (Minister of Culture): I'm pleased to rise in the House today to recognize the importance arts and culture play in building quality of place and economic development in our communities.

Here in Ontario, some amazing things are happening in the cultural sector, thanks to the remarkably talented people in Ontario.

I am proud of what this government has done in support of our arts and cultural sector, and in recognizing our artists in our 2007-08 budget.

We have made unwavering commitments to all of our artists through our support of the Ontario Arts Council, which will receive an increase of $15 million in annual funding by 2009-10, representing a 38% increase.

In 2005-06, the Ontario Arts Council provided $35.7 million to nearly 1,300 individual artists and 836 organizations in 253 communities across Ontario.

In addition to increased funding, and to recognize the contributions that arts and culture make to Ontario's economy and quality of life, our government has introduced new legislation, the proposed Status of Ontario Artists Act. Should this pass, it would be an important first step in our plan to continually improve the environment our artists live and work in.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of announcing that the Ontario Trillium Foundation will receive an increase of $20 million in funding, phased in over three years. This organization provides approximately 1,500 grants per year to not-for-profit and charitable organizations.

Ontario's museums are another important part of Ontario's culture. We are increasing funding to the community museum operating grants program by $2.3 million, to approximately $5 million. This program assists 180 museums across Ontario.

We're also assisting communities through the arts endowment fund. This fund matches dollars raised from private donors by arts organizations. I'm particularly pleased that in the 2007 budget we announced an investment of $10 million for the arts endowment fund.

As a government, we realize the importance of our cultural industries. The Ontario Media Development Corp., the lead agency supporting and strengthening Ontario's cultural industries, including magazine and book publishing, sound recording, film and television, and interactive digital media, will receive another $5 million in one-time funding.

In total, this current budget, if passed, will provide an additional $76.5 million to our arts and culture sector for 2007-08. This is on top of the $6.8 million recently provided to rural communities for arts and culture projects through this government's fall economic stimulus package.

Our government recognizes that our entertainment and creative industries are one of three of Ontario's economic sectors expected to experience the most rapid growth in the next 20 years. That is why we have invested $152 million and land valued at $31 million to seven projects in downtown Toronto venues—projects that people call Ontario's cultural renaissance. This cultural renaissance breeds new life into Toronto as a cultural tourism destination. The Ontario government has also invested $25 million in the development of the Toronto International Film Festival's new centre.

By supporting arts and culture, we are investing in the future prosperity of the province. I am proud of the leadership our government is showing in recognizing our artists and our cultural and heritage sectors. But although we are extremely proud of our achievements, we also understand that there is much more that needs to be done.

HEALTHIER SCHOOLS STRATEGY /

STRATÉGIE VISANT

DES ÉCOLES PLUS SAINES

Hon. Jim Watson (Minister of Health Promotion): On December 11, 2006, our great education minister, Kathleen Wynne, and I, issued a healthy schools challenge to every school in the province as part of the new healthy schools recognition program. We challenged schools across the province to partner with their school community to do at least one more thing to make their students and schools healthier in the 2006-07 school year.

I am pleased to give you an update on the success of the program so far. The deadline for making a pledge and accepting the challenge is April 15 of this year, and I want to encourage all Ontario schools to act now so they can be recognized for their efforts. I'm proud to report that hundreds of schools and over half of the Ontario school boards have already accepted the McGuinty government's healthy schools challenge. All of these schools have pledged to do something that will make their school environment healthier.

Il conviendrait de féliciter chaque école qui a répondu au défi, pour son engagement envers la santé de ses étudiants.

À

titre de ministre de la Promotion de la santé, un aspect qui préoccupe particulièrement mon ministère est d'aider les gens à faire des choix éclairés et positifs quant à une alimentation saine et une vie active.

According to the recent report, Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, released by the federal standing committee on health at the House of Commons, a supportive school environment can contribute to reduced rates of overweight and obese children. We all know that teachers, parents, staff and community partners play an important role in helping students make positive choices, and we understand that all of them are involved in this very important effort.

By educating kids and providing them with the right tools, they will become great champions for good health. Just as kids taught their parents about the benefits of recycling and the dangers of smoking, they can use their persuasive talents to encourage moms and dads to make healthier choices.

I want to take a moment to outline some of the great initiatives I've heard about so far across our province. Elementary school students in Cornwall, for instance, are participating in a new healthy breakfast club. An elementary school in Windsor now enjoys a lunch hour fitness program. Students at a secondary school in Orillia founded Students Helping Students, to help raise funds to purchase healthy lunches for fellow students in need.

These are just a few examples of the exciting initiatives around the healthy eating and physical activity plan. But the program goes well beyond that. The healthy schools recognition program is based on a comprehensive approach to health.

I want to take a moment to thank one of my parliamentary assistants, Peter Fonseca, whose idea it was to bring this kind of initiative to the fore. We thank Peter very, very much. It looks at all factors that contribute to the overall health of students, from healthy eating and physical activity to mental health and bullying prevention.

To help schools understand the kinds of activities they could undertake to become healthier, the Ministry of Education consulted with experts from the education and health promotion sectors to develop the foundation for a healthy school framework. This framework is an important tool, because it integrates existing practices and evidence of what works. It's posted on the healthy schools

section of Minister Wynne's website.

I want to take a moment to highlight a few of the other excellent initiatives that focus on areas of school health. In Sault Ste. Marie, one school has developed a body image program to focus on healthy growth and development. A school in Carleton Place is hosting an awareness week on substance use and abuse. A school in Ottawa is focusing on mental health, with a lunchtime club for students to encourage inclusion and peer support. A school in Cambridge is creating a logo and motto that will be visible in the school to affirm that it is a bully-free zone.

And in December, in my own riding at Frank Ryan Catholic Senior Elementary School, they pledged to create a supportive school environment by implementing an anti-bullying program called Creating a Culture of Respect.

This spring, we'll be asking all MPPs from this Legislature to present every school in their constituencies that accepted and reached the healthy school challenge with a pennant that can be displayed in their school, which will acknowledge their commitment to creating healthier schools for healthier Ontarians.

This is an important initiative. Schools are a key setting for promoting health in our province, and we have done much in the school setting: from the removal of junk food in vending machines to daily physical activity to creating a standard for nutritional guidelines for school cafeterias. But much more has to be done. We know that good health promotes better learning and that students, teachers and the broader community all benefit when children learn in a healthy environment. And we know that healthier schools also make an impact on student achievement. Students think and feel better when they're learning in a healthy environment.

In conclusion, I want to encourage every school in the province to accept our challenge and be part of the healthy schools recognition program. We all win when our children learn in a healthier school.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Responses?

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant): Well, kudos to Flowers Canada and Niagara fruit and vegetable growers for securing the federal-provincial dollars to create an ag innovation centre at Vineland. This was a photo op for some of the area politicians. I regret the MPP for Erie—Lincoln was not invited.

For five years now, there has been a funding request for an ag innovation centre at Simcoe, at the University of Guelph horticultural research station. As thousands of acres of tobacco exit the industry, we have to have that announcement immediately.

While in Vineland, Agriculture Minister Dombrowsky should have explained the $191-million cut in this year's anti-farmer budget. Last year, she spent $809 million on her ministry plus $278 million on assistance, totalling just under $1.1 billion. This year, she's spending $876 million on her ministry plus only $20 million on assistance. That totals $896 million, or $191 million less—no exit dollars for tobacco, no RMP dollars for cash crops, and $258 million less for farm safety net programs.

Yesterday's news release said, "Research and innovation are crucial to the future success of Ontario's agri-food sector." Well, minister, we take you at your word: $12.5 million is a start, and the research community and tobacco country and fruit and vegetable country to the west of Niagara look forward to an immediate green light for the Simcoe ag innovation centre.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to respond on behalf of the official opposition and our leader, John Tory. I'm actually cynical about any announcement or photo op by the McGuinty government. The current lottery scandal proves the McGuinty government can't even be trusted to give money away. If we can't count on them to run a lottery, how can we ever count on them to run a sophisticated transportation network?

Let's just look at one example of this government's dismal performance in the delivery of the transportation sector and the gridlock issue specifically. Let's look at how long it took to establish the Greater Toronto Transportation Authority. It's generally agreed that the GTTA is a priority for fighting gridlock with planning and providing some form of leadership. However, Dalton McGuinty's government announced the GTTA in three budgets, three throne speeches and other occasions, without delivering on the goods: No funding at this time. I would also have hoped that when the GTTA was finally approved last year, this government sprang into action. I don't think so.

The last thing I should say about the McGuinty government is that they make promises that they never intend to keep. Be careful of the transit issue, because this government will deliver nothing, but it will cost you more. The citizens of Ontario deserve more. Another Liberal photo op; more broken promises.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): I'm pleased to respond to the Minister of Culture on behalf of John Tory and the PC caucus. I think perhaps the question of looking at increasing grants is open to a certain amount of

interpretation, because last year the operating grant didn't even cover the insurance bill in one of my museums. So to suggest that there is increased money for museums, I certainly hope that it would look at some of the real issues that are in the area of operating museums.

The minister made reference to the introduction of the status-of-the-artist legislation. I think something that people need to understand is the fact that it was buried in the budget and there's no indication at this point in terms of details. I would just remind people that we've been waiting on this Liberal promise for the last three and a half years. There really still isn't much for people to assume or go on from this minister and this announcement.

HEALTHIER SCHOOLS STRATEGY

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark—Carleton): I'm responding to Mr. Watson's healthy schools statement.

I wish the minister would get together with the Minister of Education and build some gymnasiums in our elementary schools so the kids can go down to the gym and exercise. Last week, I was in Huntley Centennial Public School in Carp. The gym is half the size it should be. In fact, the only exercise they can participate in is tai chi, because the movements are very, very slow.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto—Danforth): My comments are in response to the Minister of Transportation.

There's no question that GO Transit would be great if only Dalton McGuinty would let it go. The reality for lots of transit riders is that GO Transit is more often like no transit. People want to take it. People want to take GO—

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: You instructed the member who is sitting here that they must use the riding or the person's title, and I heard that violated again.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): That is always the case, and thank you for reminding us.

Member for Toronto—Danforth.

Mr. Tabuns: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. More than ever, however, GO Transit is an exercise in frustration: mechanical problems, switch problems, overcrowded cars, delays, cancellation after cancellation after cancellation. Minister, GO Transit riders are sick and tired of waiting in the rain for trains to come when they want to be on the job or they want to get home to their families. They need to see real action to improve GO Transit. What we are seeing today, unfortunately, is more pre-election self-congratulation, more rhetoric. This is done simply to make people forget the sorry record of this government when it comes to transit.

The Premier had a chance to improve service. He didn't get the job done. Working families deserve better, and you can count on my leader, Howard Hampton, and the NDP to make transit function in this province.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale—High Park): I'm responding to the Minister of Culture. This government cut $90 million from the culture budget last year, so she is right: There is certainly much, much, much more that they can do.

For one thing, they could bring in status-of-the-artist legislation, real status-of-the-artist legislation, like the Ontario Federation of Labour and cultural workers asked for and like I've asked for in my resolution, in Bill 191: legislation that leads to protection for child performers, that gives access to training, that gives favourable tax measures, that gives housing, that gives a collective bargaining procedure for all professional artists in this province.

That's what they could do if they were really serious about helping artists. Instead, what this bill does is give a Celebrate the Artist Weekend in June, and quite frankly, that's not nearly enough. That's shameful.

AGRICULTURAL FUNDING

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): Well, it was nice to hear from the Minister of Agriculture that she was down in Vineland in Niagara region, because if she was down in Vineland, she would know about the 2,000 acres of juice grape production, most of it located in Niagara region. If she was down there, she would know about the 105 juice grape growers here in the province of Ontario, most of them right down there in Niagara region, who, because of the shutdown, the closure, of the Cadbury Schweppes plant in St. Catharines—another 26 good jobs lost here in Dalton McGuinty's Liberal Ontario, along with—

Mr. Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre): That's your riding, is it?

Mr. Kormos: My riding, Mr. Patten? No, that's Jim Bradley's St. Catharines riding, Cadbury Schweppes: 26 more jobs lost here in Dalton McGuinty's Liberal Ontario, and 105 farmers sitting on 2,000 acres of land with a product for which there is no market—farmers who have been ignored by this government, by its budget and by its Minister of Agriculture. She goes down to Vineland and wants to do photo ops with federal counterparts, but the Minister of Agriculture won't go down there and say a word to those farmers now who are desperate. Some of them are second-, third- and fourth-generation farmers of those lands.

Their lands are in your greenbelt. Those farmers are the most effective stewards of that very scarce and valuable farmland, far more so than any legislative effort, including your so-called greenbelt exercise.

What do you say to them? You say to them, "Sit on land that's locked into a greenbelt." You say to them, "Let your land lie fallow." You say to them, "Don't even think about bothering to pay mortgages and ongoing debts associated with that land." You tell them you won't assist them in transferring their product over into wine grape, but having said that, you won't change the Wine Content Act to increase the amount of Ontario grape that's required for Ontario wine.

Grape growers in Niagara are suffering the risk, on an annual basis, of surpluses, and that's the direct responsibility of this government's failure to amend the Wine Content Act to ensure greater content of Ontario grape in Ontario wine.

Your failure to act in response to Niagara grape farmers has put thousands of acres of good, valuable, scarce farmland at risk, and it has put those hard-working families at real risk of bankruptcy and being forced off those lands after generations of stewardship of those valuable pieces of property. Shame on you, Minister.

VISITORS

Mr. Bas Balkissoon (Scarborough—Rouge River): I would ask all members of the Legislature to join me in welcoming the grade 10 students of Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute, in my riding of Scarborough—Rouge River. They're joined by their teacher, Mrs. Kelso, and they're in the east gallery.

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): I would ask that we recognize Mr. Sam Hoppe, who is in the Speaker's gallery today with his personal attendant, Erica McCalla. He has watched question period religiously. This is his first visit to the Legislature. He is a resident at Bendale Acres, a long-term-care facility in Scarborough. He is president of the residents' council of Bendale Acres. I would ask all members to extend a warm welcome to him.

Mr. Brad Duguid (Scarborough Centre): In the gallery just behind me is Mr. Lawrence Dawkins, who has brought another class to this Legislature, which he does very, very often. I don't know what school they're from; I was trying to get him to mouth it to me but I can't read his lips. I want to welcome him and his class here today anyway.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. This matter with the lottery scandal started with your minister saying that he saw nothing, he knew nothing and he did nothing—at least we know the last

part is true—then there were the April e-mails which no one knew much about, then it was your chief political schemer, Don Guy, and you refused to answer three questions about his involvement when we all knew he was involved.

Now we have Wilson Lee, the minister's chief of staff, who was in a late August meeting in which your office said that these rip-offs were just a communications problem. Now what does he say through his new official spokesperson? It's a new concept in your government that chiefs of staff have official spokespeople who work in your office. He says, "There is no recollection." Shades of Mr. Lafleur at the Gomery commission, who said, "I don't remember," over and over again—murky, fuzzy, less than straightforward.

We need an independent investigation to clear the air on all this. Why won't you order one?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): There has been a lot of heat generated on this issue of late but not a lot of light, so I'm going to do my best to shed a bit of light on this.

I think Ontarians want to know how this all came about. Our lottery system was created in the 1970s. It turns out that unfortunately there have been a few bad-apple retailers of lottery tickets, so-called insiders, who have been gaming the system. They've been cheating, and they've done that at the expense of legitimate ticket buyers. That has been going on for quite some time. In fact, the Ombudsman's first documented case comes from 1993.

Those same kinds of concerns have been raised also in British Columbia, in Nova Scotia and in New Brunswick. In BC, the Ombudsman is already conducting an investigation; in Nova Scotia, the government has launched its own investigation; and I know that in New Brunswick, the Ombudsman is looking into this matter.

Mr. Tory: I'm not sure if all that is supposed to explain that it's okay that this is all going on here and the government is doing nothing about it, and why they refuse to act to have an independent investigation. I'm not really sure what all that means. But the bottom line is that the Premier talks about how his government is implementing all the recommendations and all is well that ends well and we should all just go back to sleep, especially his minister and his office, who were asleep.

But take the case of the $12.5-million prize awarded to or given to a woman that the lottery corporation apparently knew had no rightful claim to the money. They "held their noses," to use the expression that's right in the Ombudsman's report, despite the misgivings, and awarded the prize under the cover of darkness: no announcement, no press release, no nothing. The Ombudsman's report says right in there that this woman apparently has money she shouldn't have.

Now, I tried the other day and I'm going to ask you again: Do you think you and your government and the lottery corporation have any responsibility at all to do anything through the civil courts or any other way you could to try and protect that money and maybe even try to get it back in case the rightful owner shows up?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, I'll allow the leader of the official opposition to make it his preserve when it comes to allegations unfounded in nature and to innuendo. Again, I'm going to stick to the facts today.

We're making a number of changes in view of the evidence that was uncovered by the Ombudsman and brought forward. In fact, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. itself has put forward a seven-point action plan, and I look forward to getting into that in some detail, because I'm sure my friend will present me with all kinds of opportunities today. KPMG came forward with 40 separate recommendations of their own. The Ombudsman himself came forward with 23 recommendations as well.

Seventeen of those recommendations are already in place; 25 more will be in place by the end of June. We will continue to move aggressively on each and every one of those 70 separate recommendations.

Mr. Tory: In case the Premier is suggesting that it's innuendo to talk about this woman having the money, I refer you to paragraph 74 of the Ombudsman's report, where he concludes by saying, "Incredibly, despite all this, the corporation paid her the $12.5 million after the ticket expired." This is from his report. You refuse to get up—you just recite old passages out of a briefing book, as opposed to saying you're actually going to do anything to protect that money that might well belong to someone else.

Now, the Ombudsman said in his report, and it's interesting just how right he was when he said, "There are disturbing signs that the culture that led to the difficulties in the first place is not gone." And he goes on to say that "a profound cultural shift has yet to occur."

The proof for this is a gentleman that we've spoken to who thinks he might be the rightful owner of the $12.5-million ticket. We referred him, as I think was the proper thing to do, to the Ombudsman, and I understand the Ombudsman has subsequently referred him to the OPP. He called the lottery corporation on March 15, 2007. That's an important date, because it's eight days after the lottery corporation received a draft report from the Ombudsman and after the OLGC responded. What was he told? He was told someone would call him back, and nobody did. Do you think this is evidence of an organization—

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I am sure the leader of the official opposition actually believes the best thing to do in the circumstances is to turn these matters over to the Ontario Provincial Police, which is exactly what we have done.

Now, with respect to passing judgment on the response being offered by Ontario Lottery and Gaming, let me quote again from the Ombudsman's report. They received a letter from OLG chair Michael Gough. He said, "We want to assure you that the OLG is committed to acting quickly to implement the recommendations in your report, including the recommendations made by KPMG, in order to better serve and protect Ontarians." Mr. Gough, head of OLG, goes on to specifically offer the following observation, when he didn't have to.

He says, "… we would like to comment on your findings with respect to the level of service and protection we have offered our customers. There is no doubt we could and should have done better. We agree with your assessment of OLG's treatment of Mr. Edmonds. Our apology to him was long overdue and absolutely sincere...." I get the sense that OLG wants to move forward.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Tory: Again for the Premier: It's hard to conclude that, when you have a man coming forward in March who says that he might own a ticket—and whether or not he does is for someone else to determine. He's coming forward and saying he—

Interjection.

Mr. Tory: This man just came forward yesterday. I don't know how you'd know that.

Page 2 of the Ombudsman's report: They tried to downplay the revelations of the CBC program; page 5: "A profound cultural shift has yet to occur...."; page 50: "A ... real danger that some of its initiatives will result in mere window dressing." That's what the Ombudsman says.

The Premier says this stuff has been referred to the OPP, but that stands in stark contrast to what this gentleman was told. Your new and reformed lottery corporation told him not to contact a lawyer, not to call the OPP. When they finally got someone to call him back, that's what he was told. These are not the actions of an organization interested in getting at the truth; it's what kidnappers normally tell people.

My question for the Premier is this: Whether he owns the ticket or not, and someone else will ultimately determine that, does he think this kind of approach—don't call a lawyer, don't call the OPP—is appropriate for an organization that is trying to protect—

The Speaker: The question's been asked. Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm not sure about the reference and the comparison between OLG and kidnappers. I'll leave it to Mr. Tory to explain that in his scrum.

Again, I think the simple answer and the best answer is that if there are any concerns of this nature, they ought to be—

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Earlier, the House leader for the government made a point with you to ensure that members do not use the names of members in this House. If it's good for the government, surely it's good for the official opposition. I would ask you to call the Premier to order for that.

The Speaker: I will remind all members that proper names are not to be used in this place. You either refer to members by their riding or by the particular ministry they represent.

Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I think Ontarians want to know what changes are being made with respect to their lottery system to ensure that they can have confidence in it. I want to cite some of those that I think are very pertinent, very salient. One of those is that there's now a requirement to install at every lottery terminal location a device enabling consumers to electronically check their own tickets and see the value of their prize instantly.

That's important because there is a real concern, in some cases, obviously, that insiders might have appropriated those winning tickets and not divulged accurate information about whether somebody won or not. This is specifically designed to protect the interests of consumers in that regard.

Mr. Tory: You see, it's very interesting, because I took a phone call on a TV program at noon today from a man who said that when you use those machines, half the time they don't work. That's what he said. So you're saying, "All's well that ends well. Everything's okay. Let's not worry about a thing"—

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The Minister of Finance. I remind all members that we all need to be able to hear the question and we all need to be able to hear the response.

Mr. Tory: He's got these kind of tidy scripted answers that everything's okay, we don't need to worry about another thing. We've had for a year now, since April, e-mails into the minister's office. The government should have been working to fix this scandal, but they haven't. They tried to sweep it under the carpet every chance they had—April, August and many times in between. Even in the days after the Ombudsman released his report, this man who came in thinking he owns the $12.5-million ticket—which you'll do nothing to recover—is told not to call the police and not to contact a lawyer by people at the lottery corporation.

These are not the actions of an agency that is looking out for the public interest and to protect this man's interest. These are people in denial. They're looking at the standards set by the boss, as the TVOntario program said. You wouldn't say whether it was appropriate for him to be told not to call the OPP or a lawyer. Why don't you just get on with asking for the independent investigation we all need?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We've had an independent investigation. The leader of the official opposition may not believe in the integrity of the Ombudsman when it comes to conducting independent investigations, but we do.

Something else that Ontario lottery ticket purchasers should recognize is that from now on, lottery retailers will be permitted to check tickets only for those customers who have been asked to sign the back of their tickets. Again, lottery ticket purchasers now have an option. They can use the terminals themselves through a device to check their own tickets to determine whether or not they've won, or they could turn it over to the retailer, but only on the condition that they first sign that ticket as an additional security measure.

Beyond that, customer-facing video screens at lottery terminal locations must now tell players in larger characters than ever before if they've won when they have retailers check their tickets. Those are practical changes, designed to protect the interests of Ontario lottery ticket buyers.

The Speaker: Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: I can only say that when it comes to a very simple request, like a full, open and independent investigation on the matters that haven't been investigated, people expect their Premier to do the right thing, especially when it's messy and especially when the truth might hurt.

According to the Ombudsman, we apparently have one person with $12.5 million in winnings that she shouldn't have. We have another person who says it belongs to him, and when he calls the very organization that you say is new and reformed, he's told, "Don't call a lawyer. Don't call the OPP." In fact, he's told, "Don't call us; we'll call you."

We have your office and the minister's office all over this: spin doctors and schemers everywhere. What we need to know is, who knew what, when did they know it and what did they do when they found out about it? Don't you think it's time for the minister to resign and for you to call an open, independent inquiry into all the things—and there are lots of them—that have not been looked into by anybody as yet? Why won't you get on with it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'll allow the leader of the official opposition to engage in unfounded allegations and innuendo, but on this side of the House at least, we've got to look to substantive approaches to significant policy concerns.

We've had the Ombudsman conduct his own independent inquiry, and that apparently does not satisfy the leader of the official opposition. Beyond that, he says that he has specific knowledge—credible, he claims—about an individual or two or three or four—who knows how many more?—and he won't refer these matters to the Ontario Provincial Police.

I have every confidence in our Ontario Provincial Police. We've turned over any matters to them that we think are appropriate. It's now in their hands to determine whether or not and what actions they think are appropriate in the circumstances. We will continue to do what we need to do to uphold the integrity of the people of Ontario's lottery and gaming system.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. The OPP commissioner has asked the Toronto Police Service to investigate the potential conflict of interest involving the OPP, because an OPP officer was the head of security at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. as the lottery insider scandal unfolded. Michael Sharland, a senior OPP officer, head of corporate security for the OLG when the OPP decided not to investigate allegations of insider fraud and obstruction in 2004, is at the heart of this potential conflict.

Premier, you insisted that turning the investigation over to the OPP is the best way to deal with the scandal at the OLG. In view of the conflict of interest, do you wish to reconsider your position?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Of course not. Far be it from me to comment on police actions, but it seems to me that Commissioner Fantino is being prudent and responsible. He understands that some concerns have been raised about whether or not they might be conflicted when it comes to the fact that there was a former member of the OPP service who was seconded to OLG, so he has quite appropriately and quite responsibly, I think, referred the matter to the Toronto Police Service and said, "Hey, guys, you take a look at it; give us your best advice on this and tell us how we should go forward with respect to that particular aspect of this investigation." I think that's responsible.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, here's your government's position: When this first unfolded, you tried to treat it as a public relations problem. Then you tried to hand it off to the OPP. The OPP is saying, "No, we're conflicted. Not only is there a lottery scandal, but we're not in a position to examine it." The problem grows larger and larger every day. The question is, when is the Premier of Ontario going to take his responsibility and order a judicial inquiry so that the people of Ontario who have been fleeced can at least get to the bottom of this?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Let's see if we've got this straight. Apparently, the problems that have arisen in British Columbia are connected to our government. Apparently, the problems that have arisen in New Brunswick are also connected to our government. The problems that have arisen in Nova Scotia are also connected to our government. Apparently, we cannot trust the Ombudsman, who has reviewed this matter in some detail. Now we hear from the leader of the NDP that we cannot possibly trust the Ontario Provincial Police either. Nobody can be trusted in these matters. There is a plot afoot that somehow has infected the nation as a whole.

I just don't bring that kind of cynicism to bear on my work. There is a specific issue that has been raised. What we will continue to do is follow the specific recommendations put forward. We received 70 recommendations, some from KPMG, some from OLG itself, but the most important ones from the Ombudsman, and we're moving ahead on all those recommendations.

Mr. Hampton: The people who are infected are the McGuinty government, who are trying to cover up a problem which is growing larger every day. Even the OPP commissioner says this is now a problem for him. So, Premier, how large does this problem have to become? The OPP say they're not in a position to investigate. Let's see: Your former chief of staff has his fingerprints all over it. Warren Kinsella, Liberal fixer, has his fingerprints all over it. Your former communications chief of staff has his fingerprints all over it.

How large does this have to become, how many Liberals have to be drawn into the circle, before you, as Premier, start acting on behalf of the people of Ontario instead of acting on behalf of your own cover-up? When are you going to call a judicial inquiry so that the people of Ontario will have some confidence that this is being handled honestly and openly?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, I think we've got a lot of heat coming there, but not a lot of light.

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: But you missed it the first time. The point I'm making is that while it's in the interest of the opposition to generate a lot of heat and a lot of smoke here, we're going to keep our eye on the ball.

The first documented case goes back to 1993. As I say, there are these kinds of concerns being raised throughout the country today. There have been some very specific recommendations brought forward by KPMG, OLG itself, and the Ombudsman. We embrace those and adopt them wholeheartedly.

I just described in some detail three specific kinds of changes that are going to be made right at the retail front line so that when you go to buy that ticket, some changes are there now to improve your confidence in the integrity of the system. That's what Ontarians look for us to do. In fact, we've adopted those and we will continue to adopt many more changes that are in the interests of Ontarians.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Hampton: To the Premier: The only people who are afraid of the light on this issue are the McGuinty government. The light of day would show the people of Ontario who is responsible when literally hundreds, if not thousands, of people were ripped off of millions of dollars because of your lottery fraud. Premier, you've continued to try to treat this as public relations poker while innocent people were fleeced.

My next question is this: Can you explain, when this unfolded, why the people who got called in were all Liberal Party fixers? For example, what would Don Guy, your re-election strategist, be doing called in on this issue? What would Warren Kinsella, sort of the master of dirty tricks in election campaigns, be doing when this unfolded? What would Jim Warren, your former chief of communications, be doing? When this started to unfold, it seems that a whole bunch of Liberal insiders—

The Speaker: The question has been asked. Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Obviously, it's a good thing that the OLG reacted to some of the evidence that was coming to the light of day regarding issues that had dated back to at least 1993. There's no reason to believe that there were not issues before that as well; in fact, possibly since the advent of the system in Ontario in 1975.

I think it's a really important thing that they had the meetings, that they convened meetings, that they invited a number of people to those meetings, but I think what's still more important is what action flowed from those meetings. One of those things was the seven-point action plan, some of which I recently described just a few moments ago in this House, about improving the confidence that a lottery ticket buyer would have here in Ontario at the point of sale to improve their confidence in the system. That also led to the Ombudsman himself taking an active interest in this matter.

He conducted a thorough investigation. It was absolutely independent. He has come forward with very concrete, reasonable recommendations, and we intend to adopt each and every one of them.

Mr. Hampton: Three Liberal insider political fixers get called in, and what does the Ontario lottery corporation try to do? They try to discredit poor Bob Edmonds and they try to discredit people who are complaining about lottery insider fraud.

Premier, you have treated this as a game of political—shall we say—public relations poker, rather than dealing with the real, substantial issues. Premier, this is not a communications issue. Thousands of people—hospitals, charities, innocent folks—were cheated out of millions of dollars. Inhibiting the right thing, stopping an investigation, trying to discredit the evidence that's there, is simply not being straight with the people of Ontario. When are we going to have a judicial investigation? What are you trying to hide?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: One of the recommendations which I think is noteworthy that was put forward by the Ombudsman, designed to restore the confidence in our system—I know that the leader of the NDP is eager to undermine that confidence, but fortunately, Ontarians are still buying lottery tickets in good numbers; there has been no drop in sales—one of the important recommendations he made was that we should take the responsibility for the regulatory capacity of OLG, the oversight for ticket sales, away from the OLG and give that responsibility to somebody else.

We're going to give it to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission. I've asked Minister Phillips, in his capacity as minister responsible for government services, to take on that responsibility. I know that he has already met with the Ombudsman and gotten some preliminary advice in that regard. He's now moving forward as quickly as possible to take the responsibility for the regulatory oversight of ticket sales away from OLG—who are clearly conflicted—and to assume that responsibility through the Alcohol and Gaming Commission—

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Yes, Premier; you're very good at saying we're going to close the barn door after the problem is out there and after the problem has fleeced people out of a lot of money. The question, and the question you refuse to answer, is: What were you doing, what was your minister doing, while innocent people were being fleeced? We know what your political fixers were doing: They were trying to cover up the problem; they were trying to create a public relations strategy that would deny there was a problem.

Premier, we've asked you to hand over the briefing notes of your minister. You refused to do that. We've asked you to explain what these Liberal fixers were doing at the Ontario lottery corporation. You've refused to do that. What do you have to hide, Premier? Why won't you call a judicial investigation into lottery fraud where people were fleeced out of millions of dollars?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I think I've laid it out pretty clearly in terms of how this has developed in Ontario over an extended period of time. I've indicated that it has, in fact, gone beyond our borders. It's a problem that has been evidenced in other provinces. I've indicated pretty clearly how a number of substantive recommendations have been brought forward—70, in fact. I've talked about how we've moved ahead. There are already, I think, 17 now in place; there will be another 25 by June.

I find it passing strange. What happened to the NDP's passionate concern about children growing up in poverty? Why won't they celebrate our new Ontario child benefit? What about their concern for the minimum wage? Why won't they celebrate the movement we're making on the minimum wage here in the province of Ontario? What about our investments in developmental services? I thought they had a passing interest in that as well. They don't want to talk about those things because they know that on this side of the House we're doing the right kinds of things for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker: New question.

Mr. Norman W. Sterling (Lanark—Carleton): The Premier has just talked about people in need. I want to talk to him about the senior citizen who's talking about this $12.5-million ticket, because I've talked to him probably 10 times over the last 24 hours. Last night, an associate of mine met with him for 45 minutes to talk to him about the particular situation. I talked this morning with the Ombudsman, Mr. Marin. I talked today with the assistant to Mr. Fantino's office.

I just wonder, does the Premier have any feeling for the people who have been gypped, defrauded out of their winnings at the Ontario lottery system? Do you have any feelings for these people at all?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: A couple of points on that front: Of course, we have a genuine concern for anybody who feels they have been unfairly treated by Ontario's lottery and gaming system, but more than just that, because they expect us to do more than just feel for them. They expect us to act, they expect us to improve the quality of the system, they expect us to do things that inspire their confidence in the system, and we've been doing that. They did none of that on their watch. Mr. Edmonds arose on their watch.

The second point I want to make is, it would seem to me that if there's a real issue here, this should be a matter referred to police, that it should come under police investigation, and that Mr. Sterling in that regard would not want to speak to it any further, knowing that the police now have been given responsibility for this and they should be free to conduct their investigation.

Mr. Sterling: It's not only about the particular situation with regard to this lottery, which occurred on December 26, 2003.

Interjection.

Mr. Sterling: I have referred it to the police, as I've said in my opening question.

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): Then what are you asking questions about it for?

Interjections.

The Speaker: The member is attempting to place his question. I want to be able to hear the question; other members want to be able to hear the question. It is not helpful when other people feel they need to interject.

The member for Lanark—Carleton.

Mr. Sterling: On March 15, my constituent, a senior citizen, called the lottery corporation. The lottery corporation said, "Do not call the police. Do not call a lawyer. We will phone you back." Nothing happened for a week.

The senior citizen called the lottery corporation again. They gave him a number dealing with his particular case. They asked him where he bought the ticket; he told them where he bought the ticket. He asked them to respond back. They said they would call back; they have never called him back.

Premier, why should we believe the rot is out of the system? Who is running the OLG? Who is in charge? The situation hasn't changed. We've talked about nothing but this in the last—

The Speaker: The question has been asked. Premier.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The member opposite makes a very serious allegation. He's speaking on behalf of a constituent who has been defrauded of $12.5 million.

Hon. Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): He says.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: He says. That's a lot of money. That's a very serious allegation, and I think that is best referred to the Ontario Provincial Police. I think we should leave it to them now to do their work. I don't think that it's appropriate for us to discuss what steps we ought to be taking now that this matter has been appropriately and responsibly referred to the Ontario Provincial Police.

SMITHS FALLS ECONOMY

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. Premier, a short while ago I met with the Smiths Falls town council, with labour representatives and with local citizens. The people of Smiths Falls are worried that the closing of the Hershey plant will destroy 500 good jobs. They are also worried that your government's plan to close the Rideau Regional Centre will make the situation worse.

Premier, when these workers ask for your government's help so they can keep their jobs and their homes, what is your government's answer?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): We've done a lot of work on this particular matter. When the news first arose, in fact, I phoned the mayor of Smiths Falls and asked for his best sense of what was happening on the ground there. He explained some of the circumstances for me. I arranged then to get hold of the CEO, I think it was, for Hershey's. I contacted them in Pennsylvania and asked if we could begin a dialogue to talk about the future of that particular plant in Smiths Falls. Subsequent to that, I asked my Minister of Economic Development and Trade to fly to Pennsylvania.

She met for a couple of hours with representatives there of Hershey's. I believe that dialogue is still ongoing. And we have an ongoing, very strong communication with the mayor of Smiths Falls and we look forward to continuing to work with him.

Mr. Hampton: Meanwhile, Hershey's continues to work away at their plan for closing the plant.

Premier, you've said that losing manufacturing jobs like this is inevitable. New Democrats disagree. But one thing that is definitely not inevitable is your government's decision to close the Rideau Regional Centre. The families of residents want it to stay open. Workers there want it to stay open. The town most definitely wants it to remain open, given the current circumstance.

Premier, how do you justify your government's decision now to close the Rideau Regional Centre when you know that this will further compound the loss of literally not hundreds of jobs, but now into the thousands of jobs, in a community which has very few other jobs to depend on?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It may be that we have a host of differences that separate the three parties, but we have historically been of one mind with respect to the value of closing down our regional centres and moving people into community-based living. That's something that all parties have supported in the past. We certainly continue to support that policy.

I understand that the community of Smiths Falls, again, is facing some real economic challenges. We will continue to work with the community, and we're looking for specific invitations to see how we might assist with specific kinds of proposals.

We are going ahead with the hospital construction in that community. I know that's very important to the community. As I said, the minister, I know, has an ongoing connection through her offices with the mayor's office, and we will continue to do everything we possibly can to ensure that there's a bright future for the people of Smiths Falls.

EDUCATION

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London—Fanshawe): My question is to the Minister of Education. Minister, over the last three and a half years, we have built a strong public education system that is supporting student success and raising student achievement. This is a massive contrast to what we saw in the Harris-Eves government, who broke and battered our public schools and allowed our students to fall behind.

In fact, the federal cousins of the members opposite recently gave a tax credit to students in private schools, something their leader currently supports. This is yet again another example of how the members opposite have no vision. We are being held to account by parents and educators and we are delivering real results. From lowering class sizes in the primary grades straight through to helping our students graduate, we are making student achievement a priority.

Minister, can you please let this House know just how we are protecting Ontarians' interests, addressing their education issues and delivering meaningful results in publicly funded education?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne (Minister of Education): I'm happy to respond to the member for London—Fanshawe. I completely agree with him that on this side of the House, we're protecting the interests of Ontarians, we're addressing their issues, we're delivering meaningful results, and we're not supporting taking $500 million out of our schools through a private school tax credit.

What we are doing—let me talk about some of the results that we're achieving. We've got 12,000 more students graduating from high school over the last two years. The graduation rate has risen from 68% to 73%. We've got 40,000 more grade 10 students passing the provincial literacy test in the last three years; 22,500 more grade 9 students met the standard in provincial math over those three years; 70,000 more grade 3 and 6 students met the provincial standards on the reading, writing and math tests. Some 93% of Ontario's kindergarten to grade 3 classes have 23 students or fewer. That's 450,000 more primary students in smaller classes.

We're delivering results. We're being held to account by the citizens of this province.

Mr. Ramal: While the Harris-Eves government measured failure, we are measuring success. It's through this measuring of success that we can focus our intention to improve student achievement where it's needed most.

I am sure the people in my riding of London—Fanshawe agree with me that we are protecting their interests, addressing their issues and delivering meaningful results in education. Minister, what do these broad results mean at the local level for the people of my riding of London—Fanshawe?

Hon. Ms. Wynne: When we came to office, what was happening was that kids were losing out on extracurricular activities, schools were not being repaired because trustees were having to defer maintenance, and money was being taken from the public education system to give to the private system. What we've done is turn that around.

In the Thames Valley District School Board, which is represented by the member for London—Fanshawe: 325 new teachers; 77% of JK to grade 3 class sizes are capped, up from 33% under the previous government; 97% of JK to grade 3 classes are at 23 students or fewer, while only 67% had 23 kids under the Conservatives; average test scores are up 9%; and per pupil funding is up $1,800.

So overall, the education system in the riding of London—Fanshawe has increased in quality, students are doing better, and the whole system has taken on a better tone.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): To the Premier: For several days now, we've been coming here to question period and we've given you an opportunity to just be direct and forthright and tell us the truth about what it is you knew and when you knew the facts about this lottery scandal. You've left us bewildered, because for some reason you're not willing to be direct.

Yesterday was the latest example, when we asked about an August 2006 meeting attended by Wilson Lee, who is now the chief of staff to the minister responsible for lotteries. Ben Chin says that the meeting never happened—no recollection. Ominous words indeed. But Wilson Lee says that it may have happened. Premier, what is the truth? Can you share the truth with us?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): They're doing a lot of grasping over there and they're really reaching, but I think it's really important for us to come back to first principles and focus on those things which are independent, non-partisan and objective.

The Ombudsman's report is very, very thorough. Something I just noticed: If you take a look inside the front cover of the Ombudsman's report, he lists the team of people who were working with him. There is a director of the special Ombudsman response team—one individual. There's a lead investigator—one individual. There are then listed six separate investigators, three early resolution officers, and three separate senior counsel persons. To me, that points to a very thorough, exhaustive examination of the issues that found the recommendations which serve the public interest.

Mr. Klees: Premier, you've just made my point again. I asked you a very specific question about conflicting responses from two senior people in your administration, and I asked you what the truth was. You totally ignored my question. That is why people in this province are beginning to seriously doubt your integrity. Why can you not answer a very simple question? Once, Premier, can you answer a straight question with a straight answer? Can you do that for us?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It's always interesting to get a lecture in morality from my friend opposite.

We will continue to do what we think best serves the public interest. There are issues connected with these kinds of concerns that predate 1995. They may go all the way back to 1975, for all we know. A number of these stories have recently surfaced, not only here in Ontario but in other jurisdictions across the country. Different ombudsmen, ombudspeople, in various parts of the country are all conducting their own investigations. We've had a thorough examination of our own here, not only by the Ombudsman, but KPMG, OLG itself, but we've taken a step further.

We've referred this matter, unlike anybody else in the country, to our police service. We've asked them to comment on this and to take whatever steps they feel are appropriate. I think that serves the public interest.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. Premier, 240 workers in Sudbury found out on Friday that the Affinia plant, where they work, is going to be closed in June and they will all be laid off. These 240 workers have families, they have car payments and they have mortgages. These workers will be devastated by the closure.

The MPP for Nickel Belt wrote to you earlier this year and asked what steps your government was taking to prevent the closure. Premier, has your government done anything to prevent this closure to help sustain these jobs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): Thank you very much, Premier, for referring the question. We have been very proactive in creating jobs, not only in Sudbury but in northern Ontario. When in fact there are layoffs or when businesses decide to close, obviously we take that very seriously and we put a plan into action. Certainly we've done that, but I find it passing strange that the party that had a record of 1,000 job losses a week will now talk about our record of creating jobs. In fact, in Sudbury since 2003, through the northern Ontario heritage fund, we have invested over $22 million, which has leveraged an additional $74 million, creating 1,027 jobs.

Mr. Hampton: Minister, you can spin that line wherever you want in northern Ontario and no one will believe you, because what they know is that 400 jobs were destroyed in Kenora, 520 in Dryden, 1,000 in Thunder Bay, 500 in Red Rock, 300 in Longlac, 400 in Smooth Rock Falls, White River, Chapleau, Espanola, Nairn Centre, and the list goes on.

The Premier said that Ontario's manufacturing sector is not in trouble, that it's simply "in transition." I don't think the "transition" line is going to work at Affinia in Sudbury or anywhere else. My question again is this: Can you tell those workers specifically what the McGuinty government has done to help sustain those jobs?

Hon. Mr. Bartolucci: The member opposite, the member from Kenora—Rainy River, the member who purports to be the champion of northern Ontario, wants to compare his record with our record. Let's do a little comparison—and I'm only going to use the northern Ontario heritage fund statistics. I want everyone, especially the people in Kenora—Rainy River, to be reminded that 1,000 jobs a week were lost in Ontario. During their mandate, 5,513 job were lost in northeastern Ontario in the resource sector; 6,100 jobs were lost in northwestern Ontario in the resource sector under their watch.

They have a pitiful record. We have a record we are proud of. We're always, always upset with the job losses.

CLIMATE CHANGE

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn (Oakville): I've got a question today for the Minister of the Environment. There are a number of young people in the audience who I'm sure will be interested in the answer.

Climate change has become the single biggest challenge of our generation. I was encouraged to see that our government is now entering into talks with several US states on greenhouse gas reductions. While the Bush administration seemingly ignores climate change, many US states are leading with initiatives like the cap-and-trade regime on emissions. This program puts an absolute cap on emissions for each of those jurisdictions. Those who are under the cap can trade credits with those who are over the cap.

Minister, while states and provinces can do their best, the real leaders in this need to be at the national level. Can you tell us what you would like to see and what Ontario needs to see from a national climate change strategy?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): I want to thank the member for Oakville for his commitment to his community but, most importantly, for his commitment to the environment and tackling the critical issue of climate change.

I'm pleased to talk about what Ontario has said for a long period of time that we want to see in a federal government plan. We want to see established a national cap-and-trade regime. We want the federal program to be fair to all regions of the country and all sectors of the economy. It must use 1990 as a baseline, because industry in Ontario started working as soon as they were aware of the issues and started doing that good work. It's the internationally recognized baseline, and we want to do what the world is doing.

The federal government must also have real reductions, absolute reductions, not so-called intensity-based reductions where we simply see greenhouse gases rise. We're committed to seeing real reductions, and we want the federal government to move in that direction.

Mr. Flynn: It's surprising to learn that the NDP opposes cap-and-trade as an effective way to combat climate change. In fact, Jack Layton said on his website last month, "Capping pollution and providing domestic carbon exchange markets can help create the change we need.... [T]here is agreement that such a mechanism is effective in making emissions reduction attractive for industry." But the provincial NDP on this issue seems out of step with their federal leader. The critic says that carbon trading does not advance the climate change agenda.

The NDP seems to have as many positions on this as they do on the closure of coal plants. The federal NDP says one thing; the provincial NDP says another. Minister, which NDP should we believe?

Hon. Ms. Broten: I cannot possibly answer for the NDP, and that is a question that Ontarians should ask. What I'm focused on is getting real reductions in greenhouse gases here in Ontario. I was very pleased last week when the Premier signalled our interest as a province to enter into some discussions and potentially join the good work being done by states in the United States.

I would say to Ontarians that some very important voices support the role that cap-and-trade can play in a comprehensive climate change strategy. Those include Ken Ogilvie, the executive director of Pollution Probe, and Dale Marshall from the David Suzuki Foundation. That's where we take our advice from. We want to see a comprehensive strategy, and cap-and-trade is certainly part of that. We will make real reductions in this province, and we want to see the federal government move in that direction as well.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke): My question is for the Premier. Premier, I recognized your total failure in answering the question from my colleague from Oak Ridges, but it is Holy Week and I remain hopeful.

You wouldn't explain the discrepancy about the August meeting. Perhaps you can shed some light on the October 29 meeting, a meeting attended by Don Guy, Jim Warren, Warren Kinsella and Bob Lopinski. The only conceivable reason that these four individuals would have to be in the same room would have to be for some kind of Liberal campaign meeting. Will the Premier please explain to the House what he knew about this meeting and what his involvement was, or the involvement of anyone in his office?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): Again, to repeat for the umpteenth time, we're not going to take our eye off the ball here. We're going to do what we think meets the needs and serves the interests of the people of Ontario.

There have been some real, legitimate concerns raised with the integrity of the Ontario lottery system. The Ombudsman has taken a good, long, hard look at that with a very competent team of effective people. He's come forward with some very solid recommendations. We intend to move forward on each and every one of those recommendations.

Beyond that, we've also decided that this warrants a review by the police, so we've turned this matter over to the Ontario Provincial Police, and we now leave it to them to determine whether there are any steps that fall within their purview, which they might want to take.

I think that all those things, and acting on each and every one of the recommendations that have been brought forward, serve the public interest.

Mr. Yakabuski: So much for higher expectations.

Premier, you can't expect anyone to believe the assertion that this was an innocent meeting and that these four just happened to find themselves together by coincidence some Sunday in October.

It's a simple question for you to answer, and your refusal is telling: What did you know about this meeting, what was your involvement, what was the involvement of anyone in your office? Why are you refusing to answer this question, or are you participating in a typical Liberal cover-up?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, there's a lot of innuendo over there, a lot of unsubstantiated allegations, a lot of hot air, a lot of heat and a lot of smoke. They may choose to traffic in those particular commodities, but we're going to stay focused on our responsibilities here.

I would have thought the member opposite, for example, would have a passing interest in our previously announced budget, where there's over $90 billion in expenditures. You would think he would want to celebrate the reduction in the business tax. You would think he would want to celebrate the elimination of the capital tax in Ontario. You would think he would want to celebrate the additional investments in health care and education in his own community. But we'll continue to get that good news out to the people of Ontario.

HAMILTON SPECIALTY BAR

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): A question to the Premier. I was in Hamilton this morning to show my support for the hard-working families at Hamilton Specialty Bar. The steelworkers' union there has fought hard to sustain workers' pensions and EI benefits. Now they are trying to find a buyer to continue to operate the plant. Three hundred and sixty hard-working families are at risk.

The question they want answered is this: Why isn't the McGuinty government at the table fighting to sustain those good-paying Hamilton jobs? Where is the McGuinty government's leadership on this issue?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): I want to tell my friend the leader of the third party that we now have found the letter that was sent by William Baker, president of Local 4752 of the United Steelworkers. On behalf of the Premier, my office will be getting back to Mr. Baker to talk about what might be done in those circumstances.

I want to reiterate what I said yesterday: This company is now subject to the provisions of the CCAA, the credit protection act, and under those circumstances, I am going to restrict my comments very severely to make sure that I do not in any way interfere with the court process.

Mr. Hampton: This has been going on for some time—this didn't just happen last week—and that's what some of the steelworkers who were there wanted to know.

You see, over Christmas they watched as the McGuinty government was very quick to give the Premier a $40,000 pay raise. These workers have been struggling to sustain these jobs for some time, and so they ask this question: While they've been struggling to sustain and reposition these jobs, where has the McGuinty government been?

Hon. Mr. Sorbara: We have been in virtually every community in this province where there is a downturn, particularly in manufacturing, whether it's in Thunder Bay, in Hamilton, in southwestern Ontario or in Smiths Falls.

In particular, we have provided special assistance to the city of Hamilton, because they are having a series of very special problems. In the budget I presented, we provided an additional $12 million in assistance to the city of Hamilton, the only city in the province that received that kind of special assistance.

The city of Hamilton, as well, is going to have the advantage of special provisions for tax reductions under the business education tax. I can tell my friend the leader of the third party that in situations like this, the strength of this government is that it is there to listen and to respond in the best way possible in the interests of the very workers my friend was referring to.

TRANSPORTATION

Mrs. Liz Sandals (Guelph—Wellington): My question today is for the Minister of Transportation. As you may know, my constituents depend on Highway 7 both to commute back and forth to work between Guelph and Kitchener-Waterloo and just to be able to get around the region. It's a primary corridor. Of course, the Wellington and Waterloo areas have grown dramatically in the last few years. The Highway 7 corridor between Guelph and Waterloo is now up to 21,000 cars per day.

As you can imagine, my constituents and also the constituents of the member for Waterloo—Wellington and my colleague from Kitchener Centre—a number of us—have been very concerned about getting this highway rebuilt. In fact, the discussion has been going on since 1980 about where the route should go. Our government has got the route in place. Can you update us on what—

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Transportation): I am absolutely delighted to respond. I'd like to thank the member for Guelph—Wellington and also the member for Kitchener Centre for their advocacy on this particular route. We have in fact completed the EA. We have done consultation with the First Nations and with the Mississaugas of New Credit, and we have moved forward. The EA is done, and we are now ready to go into design phase and property purchasing, which means that the route has been determined and we can finally move forward.

This is an incredible region that has an opportunity for economic development within the next 20 to 25 years. It is probably the fastest-growing development in North America. The opportunities that lie there depend very much on their transportation system. So it's our responsibility to work very closely with the municipalities, with the cities and with the region on how we can actually make that happen. This is one of the good examples of—

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary.

Mrs. Sandals: This is absolutely great news, and I know that my colleague from Kitchener Centre, my other colleagues across the floor and my constituents—

Interjection.

Mrs. Sandals: Yes, the member from Waterloo—Wellington is looking very happy. This has been an all-party happiness event, and we're just delighted with the news. I know my constituents, particularly those who live along the Highway 7 corridor, are delighted that the congestion is getting off their front door and on to a new, proper four-lane highway.

But, Minister, you spoke about looking at the opportunities to move forward with transportation in the region and looking at an integrated approach to dealing with the challenge of increased congestion. Could you tell us a little bit about how you're looking at that integrated approach in our region?

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: There is no question we're here at the table at the Kitchener-Waterloo transit project. As you know, in this government we put public transit exactly on the same level as every other form of transit and give it the due that it deserves, which means the money is on the table. We have committed our third toward involvement in the technical process, and we are prepared to sit down, as I said, and work with this incredible region around what they're going to do in the future for economic development.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I would bring members' attention to a visitor in the public gallery west: Chris Hodgson, the member for Victoria—Haliburton in the 35th and 36th Parliaments and the member for Victoria—Haliburton—Brock in the 37th Parliament.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): Mr. Speaker, on a point of order: We would also want to point out that Chris Hodgson is now with the Ontario Mining Association. Representatives from the Ontario Mining Association are in the public gallery as well, and we invite all members to meet the miners from 5:30 to 7:30.

PETITIONS

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Gerry Martiniuk (Cambridge): "Whereas hundreds of innocent purchasers of lottery tickets have been scammed of their winnings of as much as $100 million; and

"Whereas the Ombudsman has found in a mere 90 days 'to piece together five cases where retailers claiming tickets were liars, they lied about being retailers, they lied about where they got the tickets'; and

"Whereas throughout the Ombudsman's investigation Minister Caplan, responsible for the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission, has stated that he saw nothing, he heard nothing, he knew nothing and he did nothing; and

"Whereas Minister Caplan, who has failed in his responsibilities in protecting innocent lottery purchases against the lottery corporation, refuses to resign;

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

"We petition Dalton McGuinty to fire Minister David Caplan for his negligence and incompetence in failing to protect the defrauded lottery ticket purchasers of Ontario."

As I agree with the petition, I sign my name thereto.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mr. Wayne Arthurs (Pickering—Ajax—Uxbridge): I have a petition today that I'm presenting on behalf of the member from Niagara Falls:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over the past 25 years, obesity rates have more than tripled for Canadian children between the ages of 12 and 17; and

"Whereas in Ontario, less than half of students beyond Grade 9 take gym classes, a small fraction are involved in school sports programs, and adolescents who are inactive at school are unlikely to be physically active elsewhere; and

"Whereas Canada's Physical Activity Guide recommends that adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily; and

"Whereas a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools would result in an increase in adolescents being active;

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

"That the Ministry of Education add a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools."

I sign this petition and add my name to it and send it with page Carolyn.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads as follows. I might add that I was supposed to have a question today, but this will suffice, I suppose:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario's lottery system for months, if not years;

"Whereas they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to 'spin the scandal' rather than fix the problems;

"Whereas Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario;

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

"That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system."

I'm pleased to sign this on behalf of my constituents.

GRAVESITES OF FORMER PREMIERS

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh): I have a petition from a number of residents of Stormont—Dundas—Charlottenburgh. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Premiers of Ontario have made enormous contributions over the years in shaping the Ontario of today; and

"Whereas, as a result, the final resting places of the 18 deceased Premiers are among the most historically significant sites in the province, but have yet to be officially recognized; and

"Whereas, were these gravesites to be properly maintained and marked with an historical plaque and a flag of Ontario, these locations would be a source of pride to the communities where these former Premiers lie buried, and provide potential points of interest for visitors;

"Now therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the Legislature Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"Enact Bill 25,

an act that will preserve the gravesites of the former Premiers of Ontario."

As I agree with this petition, I shall affix my signature and send it with Alex.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): I have a petition. Actually, I had a question yesterday, but this will have to suffice:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario's lottery system for months, if not years;

"Whereas they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to 'spin the scandal' rather than fix the problems;

"Whereas Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system."

I affix my name in full support.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mr. Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over the past 25 years, obesity rates have more than tripled for Canadian children between the ages of 12 and 17; and

"Whereas in Ontario, less than half of students beyond Grade 9 take gym classes, a small fraction are involved in school sports programs, and adolescents who are inactive at school are unlikely to be physically active elsewhere; and

"Whereas Canada's Physical Activity Guide recommends that adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily; and

"Whereas a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools would result in an increase in adolescents being active;

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

"That the Ministry of Education add a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools."

This was brought to me on behalf of the member for Niagara Falls. I agree with it and sign it here for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton—Victoria—Brock): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario's lottery system for months, if not years;

"Whereas they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to 'spin the scandal' rather than fix the problems;

"Whereas Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario;

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

"That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system."

It is signed by many people from my riding of Haliburton—Victoria—Brock.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn (Oakville): I've got a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration (wet), and there are other forms of macular degeneration (dry) that are not covered,

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

"There are thousands of Ontarians who suffer from macular degeneration, resulting in loss of sight if treatment is not pursued. Treatment costs for this disease are astronomical for most constituents and add a financial burden to their lives. Their only alternative is loss of sight. We believe the government of Ontario should cover treatment for all forms of macular degeneration through the Ontario health insurance program."

I'd like to affix my signature and thank the member for Niagara Falls.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have here a petition that I had the privilege of picking up in my office in Woodstock this morning, where the people are coming in on a regular basis to sign this petition because they do have great concerns about the issue. It's to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario's lottery system for months, if not years;

"Whereas they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to 'spin the scandal' rather than fix the problems;

"Whereas Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario;

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

"That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system."

I affix my signature as I agree with the petition.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it's signed by several dozen people, all from the Niagara Falls area. I'd certainly like to thank my seat mate, the member for Niagara Falls, for his efforts in collecting the signatures. The petition reads as follows:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration (wet), there are other forms of macular degeneration (dry) that are not covered.

"We, the undersigned, respectfully petition the government of Ontario as follows:

"There are thousands of Ontarians who suffer from macular degeneration, resulting in loss of sight if treatment is not pursued. Treatment costs for this disease are astronomical for most people and add a financial burden to their lives. Their only alternative is loss of sight. We believe the government of Ontario should cover treatment for all forms of macular degeneration through the Ontario health insurance program."

This is an excellent petition. I'm pleased to affix my signature and to ask to page Ashley to carry it for me.

ONTARIO LOTTERY

AND GAMING CORP.

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan ignored stories of millions in rip-offs within Ontario's lottery system for months, if not years;

"Whereas they acted only after they were caught and their first attempt was to 'spin the scandal' rather than fix the problems;

"Whereas Ontarians have every right to expect leadership from their government; and

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and David Caplan have failed to protect the integrity of the lottery system in Ontario;

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

"That Dalton McGuinty start upholding the standards of integrity, responsibility and accountability, make the protection of the interests of all Ontarians a priority, and demand the resignation of David Caplan, the minister currently responsible for the lottery system."

I support this petition and affix my name to it.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mr. Bas Balkissoon (Scarborough—Rouge River): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over the past 25 years, obesity rates have more than tripled for Canadian children between the ages of 12 and 17; and

"Whereas in Ontario, less than half of students beyond Grade 9 take gym classes, a small fraction are involved in school sports programs, and adolescents who are inactive at school are unlikely to be physically active elsewhere; and

"Whereas Canada's Physical Activity Guide recommends that adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily; and

"Whereas a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools would result in an increase in adolescents being active;

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

"That the Ministry of Education add a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools."

I support this petition and affix my signature to it. I will have page Jacob deliver it to the table.

CAFETERIA FOOD GUIDELINES

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo—Wellington): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas childhood obesity rates have tripled over the past two decades in Canada; and

"Whereas the annual amount of money the health care system uses to mend preventable obesity-related illnesses is $1.6 billion; and

"Whereas the Ontario food premises regulation only provides safety policies that must be followed by the Ontario school boards' cafeterias, but no defined regulations regarding the nutrition standard of the food being served at the cafeterias; and

"Whereas there is a need to encourage nutritious standards in high school cafeterias that support Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating; and

"Whereas the private member's bill proposed by Nupur Dogra under Making the Grade and her fellow students at Iroquois Ridge High School will require all Ontario school boards' cafeterias to adopt and abide [by] healthier eating standards (similar to Canada's Guidelines for Healthy Eating) that will govern the food choices;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to pass the private member's bill that will amend the Ontario school boards' cafeteria food guidelines to follow healthier food standards in all Ontario high school cafeterias."

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mrs. Maria Van Bommel (Lambton—Kent—Middlesex): I want to thank my colleague the member from Niagara Falls for allowing me to present this petition.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over the past 25 years, obesity rates have more than tripled for Canadian children between the ages of 12 and 17; and

"Whereas in Ontario, less than half of students beyond grade 9 take gym classes, a small fraction are involved in school sports programs, and adolescents who are inactive at school are unlikely to be physically active elsewhere; and

"Whereas Canada's Physical Activity Guide recommends that adolescents get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity daily; and

"Whereas a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools would result in an increase in adolescents being active;

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

"That the Ministry of Education add a second compulsory physical education credit for secondary schools."

I also agree with this and I add my signature to it as well.

OPPOSITION DAY

GOVERNMENT'S RECORD

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): I move, that, in the opinion of this House, the Premier has failed to ensure the highest level of integrity and responsibility for his ministers, the most recent example being when lottery-playing Ontario citizens were ripped off and the minister responsible sat idly by and did nothing;

That, in the opinion of this House, the McGuinty government as a whole has breached the faith of the people of Ontario, has failed to protect their interests, failed to address the urgent issues facing them and their pocketbooks, and failed to deliver meaningful results; and

That, in the opinion of this House, the Premier should start upholding standards of integrity, responsibility, and accountability.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Michael Prue): Mr. Tory has moved opposition day motion number 1. The leader of the official opposition.

Mr. Tory: I could talk to the second paragraph of this motion, with respect to failing to protect the interests of Ontario citizens, and probably cite any one of a hundred different examples. I could talk about failing to address the urgent issues facing them, many of which I did deal with in my response to the budget: no jobs plan, no addressing of the emergency room crisis, more students than ever studying in portables and so on, failure to deliver meaningful results; there are a hundred different things we could talk about there.

But what I want to talk about today is really what the Premier has not done with respect to establishing some kind of reasonable standard that the people of Ontario, I think, have the right to expect with respect to what happens when the going gets tough, what happens when things are difficult, what happens when big issues that are of interest to the people of Ontario arise in a kind of crisis environment.

It's interesting, because I heard somebody say last week that when the going gets tough, Dalton gets going. The thing is that he gets going away from the House, away from responsibility, ducking and denying and dithering and blaming somebody else and so forth and so on. What we don't have is any kind of standard at all that I think is the reasonable kind that people would expect in the province of Ontario.

It was interesting to hear the comments of Hershell Ezrin. Hershell Ezrin is a very thoughtful man who's respected in all corners of all parties in politics in this province and in this country. He was on The Agenda on TVOntario the other night and he said something that was very short, very concise but very true: that when you're dealing with a standard like this—in this case, we're talking about that standard of behaviour, that standard of accountability, that standard of taking responsibility, that standard of integrity—the standard is set by the boss. That's what Mr. Ezrin said, and Mr. Ezrin was right.

So what standard do we see from Premier Dalton McGuinty when it comes to these kinds of matters, which I admit are difficult, because they deal with difficult issues? They're not necessarily simple issues. They often involve people and difficult decisions about people. So they're not simple. That's why they're the real test of leadership, because they are difficult.

We can go back to the Takhar matter, the Minister