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September 26, 2016

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2016-Sep-26 (PDF)

L007 - Mon 26 Sep 2016 / Lun 26 sep 2016

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 26 September 2016 Lundi 26 septembre 2016

Introduction of Visitors

Member’s privilege

Oral Questions

Electricity supply

Health care funding

Privatization of public assets

Privatization of public assets

Driver licences

Transportation infrastructure

Anti-racism activities

Wind turbines

Affordable housing

Affaires francophones

Services for the disabled

Prescription drug abuse

Rabies

Police services

Student mental health services

Visitors

Member’s privilege

Correction of record

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Community Health and Wellbeing Week

Water extraction

Adam Omarali

Government policies

Anti-racism activities

Women’s Habitat

International Plowing Match

Freedom of information

Geoffrey Reaume

Introduction of Bills

289619 Ontario Limited Act, 2016

Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur le Mois du patrimoine musulman

Men’s Health Awareness Week Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur la Semaine de la sensibilisation à la santé des hommes

Petitions

Fundraising

Privatization of public assets

Water fluoridation

Hydro rates

Employment standards

Ice machines

Hydro rates

Speed limits

Ice machines

Privatization of public assets

Disaster relief

Rural and northern Ontario transportation

Orders of the Day

Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur la remise de l’Ontario pour les consommateurs d’électricité

Election Finances Statute Law Amendment Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 modifiant des lois en ce qui concerne le financement électoral

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Arthur Potts: They’re not here yet, but shortly the students and teachers of Gordon A. Brown Middle School will be joining us for question period.

And I’d like to welcome my great friend, Matthew Fairlie, who is president and CEO of Next Hydrogen and an owner of a hydrogen-powered automobile.

Mr. Robert Bailey: I’d like to introduce today to the chamber Mr. Terry May, former deputy fire chief of the Oil Springs Fire Department. He and his fiancée helped save a woman in Petrolia earlier this year. He will receive the 2016 Canada Bravery Award of the Royal Canadian Humane Association this morning from the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Welcome, Terry and family.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I’d like to welcome some guests in the gallery today. They are Vladimir and Patricia Spevak from Kingsville, and they’re the proud parents of page captain Gideon Spevak. I’d like to welcome them to Queen’s Park today. Welcome.

Hon. Michael Coteau: I know joining us today at Queen’s Park will be students from Cassandra Public School. The school is found in the beautiful riding of Don Valley East. I would like to welcome them to the Legislature here today.

Ms. Soo Wong: I want to welcome some of my constituents who are here visiting Queen’s Park: Adam Omarali, his parents, Zenobia and Bill Omarali, and grandmother Phirosa Omarali. I want to welcome them to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Norm Miller: I’d like to welcome visitors from the Gateway Worship Centre in Gravenhurst: Phil Tomassetti, Janet Judd, Kim Tingey, Jaimie Smale, Mandy McQuarrie, Angela Chamberland, Lisa Frank, Bob Kitchener, Cindy Kitchener, John Crawley and Marlene Crawley. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: I’d like to welcome Ms. Chantal Lafond, mother of page captain Jesse Beairsto. Welcome.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’m happy to acknowledge one of our pages, Sarah Roposa. Her teacher, Ms. Talarico, and grade 8 students, her classmates from St. Jerome Catholic Elementary School, will be here at one point. I’m not sure if they’re in the gallery just yet, Speaker, but I understand they will be soon.

Hon. Charles Sousa: I would like to welcome to the Legislature today Thelma Kountouris and her sons, Nikolas and Gerry. They’re here to witness an outstanding day of question period. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I beg forgiveness in advance, Speaker. It’s not truly an introduction, but I want to take a very quick moment to wish a happy birthday to our colleague from Barrie, MPP Ann Hoggarth. Happy birthday.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further introductions?

Would the members please join me in welcoming, from the Speaker’s gallery, a delegation from the Manitoba Legislature who are seated in the Speaker’s gallery: the Speaker, Honourable Myrna Driedger, Clerk Patricia Chaychuk and Deputy Clerk Rick Yarish. Welcome to Ontario.

Member’s privilege

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On September 22, the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, Mr. Hillier, provided a written notice of his intention to raise a point of privilege with respect to Bill 2,

An Act to amend various statutes with respect to election matters. I have also reviewed a written submission from the NDP chief government whip, the member from Timiskaming–Cochrane, Mr. Vanthof, that is broadly supportive of Mr. Hillier’s submission. I am now prepared to rule on this matter without hearing further from the member, as the standing order 21(

d) permits me to do so.

The member states that the government has indicated that it intends to bring forward certain amendments to the bill when the bill is eventually at that stage in committee. The member alleges that the anticipated amendments are of such a nature and of such significance that he is unable to meaningfully participate in the current debate since the current version of the bill is incomplete as a result. The member therefore says he is unable to fulfill his duties and functions as a member, which is a breach of privilege.

I will note that when this bill was last debated, the member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington raised a point of order to challenge the orderliness of Bill 2 on substantially the same grounds as are raised in his point of privilege. After considering the point of order last Thursday, the Deputy Speaker found that Bill 2 was in order and that the debate on the bill was properly before the House.

I will also note that while the member alleges that he is unable to perform his parliamentary duties to debate Bill 2, in fact he did participate in the debate last Thursday and delivered a nearly one-hour leadoff speech. It is difficult to reconcile the member’s plea that he has been prevented from participating in the debate when quite the opposite is the actual case.

I understand the nuance of the member’s argument with respect to the fact that certain possible amendments to the bill were not available for him to substantively address during his speech, but that fact did not prevent the member from being able to stand in the House and participate in debate.

Further, the possibility that amendments to a bill will be put forward in a committee exists with any bill; there is nothing about the legislative process on Bill 2 that is different from any other public bill. I will finally say that the member’s fear that he will be deprived of meaningful participation on Bill 2 ought to be tempered by the realization that he—and all members—are protected from arbitrarily having amendments sprung on them that are beyond the scope of the bill as it was agreed to in principle at second reading. Admissible amendments must fall within the umbrella of the bill as agreed to, to that point.

For the various reasons I just mentioned, I cannot find that the member has made out a point of a prima facie case of privilege.

Therefore, it is time for question period.

Oral Questions

Electricity supply

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Minister of Energy.

In an effort to hide from the hydro crisis in Ontario, the Liberal spin machine has picked up a new favourite word. When I ask about affordability, they respond with reliability. They tout so-called historic investments to assure we have reliable energy.

But in 2015, Ontario had 135 power outages of some kind. That’s as many as BC, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Alberta combined. Mr. Speaker, if the Liberal government is responsible for our so-called reliable energy, why can’t the minister keep the lights on?

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I am receiving indications by the behaviour that we might want to move immediately—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m trying to address that we may have to move immediately to warnings. I will do so at your will.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’d like to thank the Leader of the Opposition for that question. Our government modernized an electricity system that needed to be fixed to ensure Ontarians have the power they need when they need it. And yes, there are unfortunate circumstances where we have power outages right across the province on some days.

What we don’t have any more are rolling brownouts and blackouts that actually cost our economy billions of dollars because of a lack of investment in transmission, in infrastructure. That government—it was like they ran Niagara Falls dry. So what we had to do when we took over is that we invested in transmission and we invested in generation. Now we are making sure that we continue to invest and find ways to make this system as affordable as possible not only for businesses but for residents right across the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister of Energy: You can tell that the government benches get a little bit sensitive when we talk about their power outages. So let’s speak about the specifics. The total duration of these 135 power outages was 16,620 minutes. That’s 11 and a half days of power outages.

Let’s look next door to put some context into this. In 2015, Quebec had a total of six and a half hours’ worth of power outages.

So let’s recap to make this very clear for the Minister of Energy. In Quebec: six and a half hours. In Ontario: 11 and a half days of power outages. Mr. Speaker, does that sound like reliable energy in Ontario? Not at all.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m sure there was a question in there, but it gives me an opportunity to talk about the great stuff that we’ve been doing in this province when it comes to making our energy system as affordable as we can for our residents and our businesses. We took a system that was reliant on dirty coal, something that they continue to talk about right now, and we know they’ve got a plan to bring that back.

We also want to ensure that by eliminating dirty coal-fired generation—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m going to move to warnings. I’m glad the member from Simcoe–Grey really was careful with what he said and how he said it.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We’re continuing to take action to make sure that every Ontarian has access to affordable, clean, reliable electricity. We don’t actually shy away from investments and investing in infrastructure and transmission like they did during their time.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister of Energy: The Minister of Energy is refusing to answer my question on why we don’t have reliable hydro in Ontario. So let’s keep on looking at Quebec. In 2015, Quebec had three power outages that were a result of either faulty equipment or human error. Ontario had 32 power outages.

In the Premier’s own words: “People in Ontario need to be able to count on an electricity system that’s clean and reliable.” Clearly the people can’t count on that in Ontario, and they certainly can’t count on the Liberals to do anything to make hydro bills more affordable or power more reliable.

Mr. Speaker, our system is both unaffordable and unreliable. How does the Minister of Energy continue to condone this system that is an absolute failure because of your decisions, because of your government?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Over the last 13 years, we’ve been working to rebuild and modernize our system, a system that they left in shambles, and we’re on our way to rebuilding 80% of that electricity system, which is now clean and reliable. We are ensuring that we have a system that doesn’t have a rolling blackout, that doesn’t have blackouts that leave our province in disarray, costing billions of dollars to get our economy back up.

The IESO, for example, estimates that significant transmission projects completed since 2003 have increased the transmission capacity by about 10,000 megawatts. Our government is committed to ensuring that Ontarians have the power they need when they need it and as affordable as we can make it.

Health care funding

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Acting Premier. Dr. David Jacobs wrote to me this week. He let me know that in Thunder Bay, they lost three radiologists; two retired and one left Ontario. Thunder Bay lost its only vascular surgeon. As this government vilifies doctors and cuts health care, an exodus is happening.

Northern Ontario can’t afford more cuts to their health care and they can’t afford to lose more doctors. Northern Ontario certainly deserves more than a whistle stop from the Premier once a year. When can the north expect proper funding in health care? When can they expect the Minister of Health to actually make sure there’s physicians in northern Ontario, not chase them out of our province?

Hon. Charles Sousa: To the Minister of Health.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: The Leader of the Opposition knows that we continue to increase our funding to physicians in the health care system and in our hospitals throughout the province, including in the north.

But what I think is also really important to address is the recent change of heart that the official opposition has had—and the leader himself—when it comes to binding arbitration for our doctors, because as we know, as recently as August 9, the Progressive Conservative leader had said that his party supports the push for binding arbitration, saying doctors are essential workers like police and firefighters, whose contracts go to third-party arbitrators. In fact, there is evidence here, perhaps, of a flip-flop, and I’m happy to address it.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Interjections: Flip-flop, flip-flop.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. If that continues, I’ll find the individuals who start it and provide you with a warning.

Final supplementary.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, back to the Acting Premier. It’s one thing to not want to talk about the doctors leaving Thunder Bay; it’s another thing to simply read Liberal speaking points that have nothing to do with the question. So I’m going to try again. Dr. Nadia Alam’s advocacy has been well noted across the medical community in Ontario.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing is warned. Stop the clock. You realize, for information purposes, that when I warn you, the next is “out.”

Please finish.

Mr. Patrick Brown: According to Dr. Nadia Alam, wait-lists are now the norm in Ontario. She no longer remembers the time when they didn’t exist. Three months for an elective MRI, one year for an ophthalmologist, four years for a spine surgeon, six years for a crisis mental health appointment, 28 days for a cancer diagnosis—the list goes on, as do the wait-lists.

My question is: Will the government condone these wait-lists? Do you not appreciate that your cuts to health care have had an enormous cost in Ontario?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I’m not surprised that he’s quoting Nadia Alam of Concerned Ontario Doctors, because we know that what the Globe and Mail has described as Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown’s “closest political confidante,” Walied Soliman, was working closely and has been working closely with Concerned Ontario Doctors in the back rooms, along with Dan Robertson, the communications expert and former senior staffer in his office, as well.

But I want to get back to what’s really important for Ontarians. We know what the flip was—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Both sides are bantering back and forth.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: We know that on August 9, when the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun quoted him in support of binding arbitration, I have no doubt that this is what he told Concerned Ontario Doctors and other doctors behind closed doors.

But more recently—in fact, on September 14—as quoted by Canadian Press, he has quite a different response. I’m sorry; I’m going to have to keep people waiting for what is going to be the final supplementary.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, once again, when the health minister can’t answer the question he talks about something that is not related. It is Liberal talking points on how to deal with issues.

So I’m going to try a third time to ask the health minister a question.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The President of the Treasury Board is warned.

Please finish.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, I’m going to ask the health minister if he’ll apologize to our province’s physicians. He claimed that their overhead was part of their salaries and he tried to shame them. The health minister is a doctor; he should know better.

He should understand what Dr. Alam said, and that was, “The medical profession exists to serve patients. To do this, we need clinics, secretaries, office managers, nurses and technicians; we need medical-grade equipment and computers, desks and chairs. We buy it and pay for its upkeep and eventual replacement.” All of that is paid for by the physicians themselves.

Mr. Speaker, will this government do the right thing? Will they apologize to physicians for the Minister of Health’s attempt to disparage—

Interjections.

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

Minister.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, the leader of the official opposition should apologize to doctors across this province for telling them that his party would be supporting binding arbitration. On September 9, the Canadian Press quotes him as saying, with reference to binding arbitration: “That should be one of the items on the negotiations table. It should be part of that negotiating process.” It’s a flip-flop. He has actually publicly endorsed our position, which runs contrary to what his friends in Concerned Ontario Doctors want, which is binding arbitration prior to negotiations. Thank you for endorsing our government’s position.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is to the Acting Premier. On Friday, we learned that the Premier, for the moment, has stopped the plan to privatize OLG. Has the government finally realized that Ontarians did not vote for privatization?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. did its due diligence, in consultation with experienced proponents. OLG had a procurement process for the lottery programs. They have now sought to go forward with in-house programs, recognizing that with the project that was being proposed, the proponents weren’t willing to proceed. So we proceeded ourselves.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Ontarians didn’t vote for privatization, but that hasn’t stopped the government from privatizing Hydro One. People are hopeful now that with the government’s intention to, perhaps, stop the privatization of OLG, they might actually stop the sale of Hydro One. Will the Acting Premier listen, for once, to the people of Ontario and actually stop the sell-off of Hydro One, or will the government continue to disappoint the people of this province?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the province and the government looks at its assets and tries to maximize their value in a way that benefits all Ontarians. The process by which the OLG was proceeding recognized that there was more value to the province to have it in-house because of the way it functions.

The people in the Soo, who are doing tremendous work around the gaming operations and the lottery, deserve to have it continue that way, and recognize that they can do it better than a proponent that was providing it outside. There were values and costs involved.

When it comes to Hydro One, the value of Hydro One now is even more than it was before. That’s a direct benefit to the people of Ontario and more reinvestment into new projects to provide even greater investment returns.

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

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: Mr. Speaker, privatizing OLG is a bad idea. The people of this province did not vote for it.

Privatizing Hydro One is an even worse idea. The people didn’t vote for it, but they don’t have a choice: They have to turn on the lights, and they don’t want their public system privatized.

If the government is willing to listen to the people of this province and stop the privatization of OLG, why won’t they listen to Ontarians and stop the privatization of Hydro One?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The member opposite has his facts wrong. Ontario Lottery and Gaming’s modernization process is about providing service delivery. It’s not about privatizing the OLG; he’s completely wrong on that point. Furthermore, we are talking about broadening ownership of Hydro One for the benefit of the people of Ontario, recognizing the returns that we can make. Again, the member opposite has a wrong view.

Do you know why, Mr. Speaker? They have no plan. They have never had a plan. All they put in their proposal was only nine pages, none of which relate to how we’re going to invest in our economy, how we’re going to stimulate growth and how we’re going to make the people of Ontario that much better off. We’re doing that here on this side of the House.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: My question is again to the Acting Premier. Liberal insiders say that the Premier is not only interested in selling off Hydro One, but she’s also interested in helping the sale of Toronto Hydro. Is that true?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the member just referenced something that’s important. It is a fact that the distribution of electricity in our province is actually a competitive process with 72 different companies. Hydro One is only one of a major number that are providing distribution of electricity to the people of Ontario.

He just referenced the fact that, possibly, others are now looking at the benefits of what we’re doing in the province relating to Hydro One, and how they can then maximize their use as well in their respective regions.

We also have the consolidation of Horizon, Enersource, PowerStream and Brampton hydro, a rival to the industry to find and foster greater savings so that people can have greater benefit from that distribution. We will see what happens next.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: People want to make a good life for themselves, but it becomes difficult when they see their bills increasing day after day—bills like Hydro One.

People can’t afford the privatization of Hydro One, but the Premier is doing it anyway. But what makes it worse is the reason behind it, the rationale behind it. Liberal insiders are saying that the Premier wants to help the privatization of Toronto Hydro “because it would give her Liberals political cover for their own privatization of Hydro One.”

Let that sink in for a minute. For the Liberal Party, it’s not about the people, it’s about their own self-interests; it’s about their own Liberal Party’s interest.

Will the government, yes or no, be a part of the sale of Toronto Hydro? Simple question.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, I think he’s just making it up as he goes.

Obviously, we have made a very clear plan. We’ve illustrated what we are doing with our assets. We’re trying to maximize the value so that we can reinvest into our economy, while safeguarding those very precious assets that are part of the province’s ongoing activity. When he relates to other regions and other governments and their desire to look at those ways, it’s clearly up to those provinces, those governments and those respective cities.

Again, the member opposite—I have not seen a plan. All we’re doing is reinvesting into our economy. We’re actually doing what we can to lower the overall costs by removing the 8% HST portion to our bills. The members opposite seemed to want to do that before, and now they’re opposing it. We frankly don’t know where they’re at. We’re going to continue doing what’s best for the people of Ontario.

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

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: The Premier didn’t run on privatizing Hydro One, but that’s what she’s doing anyway. She didn’t run on privatizing or helping the sale of Toronto Hydro, but according to Liberal insiders, she thinks it’s a good idea. She didn’t run on privatizing EnWin, Veridian, Horizon, London Hydro or any other local distribution company, but if the government is willing and supportive of the sell-off of Toronto Hydro, who knows what could be next?

How much more of our public hydro system is this Liberal government planning to privatize?

Hon. Charles Sousa: The Premier of this province ran on promoting a stronger economy; creating more jobs; ensuring that we make everyday life easier by eliminating tuition costs to students, which they voted against; ensuring that we invest more into health care, which they voted against; and ensuring that we actually index a minimum wage, again, something that they seemed to like, but voted against.

We’ll continue what we’re doing, like increasing child care spaces and ensuring that we invest the monies that are precious to the people of Ontario to make even more for the benefit of the people of Ontario. The member opposite doesn’t seem to want to do that. We will do that here.

Driver licences

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Last week, I spoke to the minister and wrote him a letter about one of my constituents, Marie-Julie Cosenzo. She is a paramedic in Gatineau. She lives in Ottawa. She is a first responder, and she has post-traumatic stress disorder after attending a teenage suicide.

The reason her licence was revoked is cited as “psychiatric disorders,” yet Ms. Cosenzo’s psychiatrist told Ministry of Transportation officials that there’s no “psychological reason why her ability to drive a personal vehicle should be limited.” She further states, “In fact, limiting her mobility ... is likely to exacerbate her mental health symptoms.”

Through you, Speaker: The minister and all members must be concerned about how this looks, stigmatizing people further who have mental health concerns. I ask the minister: Will the government work to end the stigma surrounding mental health issues and reinstate my constituent’s licence as her doctor suggests?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I want to begin by thanking the member for the question and also for reaching out to me a number of days ago on this matter relating to her constituent.

As I’ve said, since receiving that letter, the ministry is taking a look at it. I’m not in a position to comment on any specific case with respect to this procedure. I should point out—obviously I will have a follow-up opportunity in the supplementary—that from the Ministry of Transportation’s perspective, there is no blanket decision that gets made with respect to the medical review of licences. Everything is done on a case-by-case basis.

I would also point out that, at all times, which I think that member, her constituents and every member in this House can appreciate, the ministry keeps the safety of all users on our roads in terms of its paramount concern. I’d be happy to provide more information in the follow-up.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary. The member from Chatham–Kent–Essex.

Mr. Rick Nicholls: To the Acting Premier: Earlier this year, while surrounded by Ontario’s first responders, the Minister of Labour made a plea for those suffering from PTSD to step forward and seek treatment. Sadly, there are many first responders who will see the negative impact of this case and the loss of independence it has caused. Many will feel as though they must choose between suffering in silence and suffering the consequences of seeking help. Ministers have insisted we must reduce the stigma associated with PTSD and encourage people to get help, yet the actions of their ministries have added to that stigma. Our first responders deserve better and your ministries must do better.

Speaker, to the Acting Premier: What immediate steps will this government take to address the systemic discrimination against PTSD sufferers?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I would say right off the top that I know that every single member of this Legislature from all three parties has enormous respect for the work that our first responders here in the province of Ontario do, day in and day out, to make sure that we are provided with the service that’s needed at all times.

I will speak from the perspective of the Ministry of Transportation. As I said just a moment ago in response to the first question, there is no blanket approach that the ministry takes with respect to dealing with the medical review of drivers’ licences. At all times, we need to make sure that we have safe roads and highways. I believe every member in the House can appreciate that.

We will continue to work with all of the individuals who have drivers’ licences in the province to make sure that if there is a concern raised by a medical professional, we can help them work through the system. It is a system specifically with respect to the medical review of licences. It’s constantly updated.

I would only point out quickly, Speaker, that we are currently meeting or exceeding at the ministry our 30-day customer service standard, which is processing more than 90% of cases within 10 days.

Transportation infrastructure

Mr. Michael Mantha: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Three months before the Nipigon River Bridge failed, inspectors discovered a problem with the bearing assembly. This is the part that holds the bridge to the foundation. This is the part that failed. The contractors proposed a solution. The engineers told the ministry there was still a problem, but the ministry approved it anyway and then didn’t install the parts. Why did the MTO roll the dice with people’s lives and allow the bridge to open when they knew there were still problems with this bearing assembly?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I want to begin by thanking the member opposite for the question. Just last week—I believe it was Thursday—I was in Nipigon with the member, the MPP for that community, my colleague, and as I had said throughout the process with respect to the Nipigon River Bridge, when all of the reports had been completed with respect to the analysis regarding why the bridge malfunctioned, we would make a public statement and provide a public update to the community and to the people of Ontario. All of the reports relating to the malfunctioning are now available on the Ministry of Transportation’s website.

As I said on Thursday, at all times, from my perspective, the safety of the travelling public is the number one priority. That’s why we wanted to make sure that we had both lanes of the bridge—on January 10, when it initially malfunctioned, we wanted both lanes of traffic opened again as safely as possible. The ministry was able to complete that task within 24 hours of the malfunction, and we look forward to continuing to provide additional updates on the permanent retrofit or repair as we go forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Michael Mantha: Again to the minister: We are extremely lucky that no one was injured or killed when the Nipigon bridge suddenly failed within one week of opening. The public deserves to know what went wrong and who is responsible.

MTO officials knew there was a problem with the bridge three months before it opened. They then approved a flawed, quick-and-dry fix that probably would not have prevented the bridge’s failure, even if it had actually been installed.

Did the minister know about these problems with the bridge? And if so, why did he allow the bridge to open without making absolutely sure that the bearing assembly would hold?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’m not going to comment with respect to some of the implied allegations that are contained in the follow-up question from that member.

I will say, as I said in my original answer, that the safety of the travelling public is the number one priority for the Ministry of Transportation. This member will know that this was a significant investment in crucial infrastructure in northern Ontario, something that I would like to believe that his constituents would appreciate.

We know that we were able to get both lanes of traffic reopened in a safe fashion within 24 hours of the malfunctioning of the bridge. We now have all of the reports, including one conducted by a completely independent external engineering firm. We understand what took place. We are working towards a permanent retrofit.

I should also point out that we also announced last week that we are launching an environmental assessment for an emergency detour route or a redundancy built into that particular part of the Trans-Canada network.

Once again, I’d like to thank the member from Thunder Bay–Superior North for his—

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

Anti-racism activities

Ms. Daiene Vernile: My question is for the minister responsible for the Anti-Racism Directorate. A very necessary dialogue has long been going on in the province, the outcome of which will have a tremendous impact on how we move forward as a society. That dialogue is about racism. As Ontarians, we know that we’ve made a great deal of progress on diversity and inclusion, but we still have a lot to do before we’re at a point where racialized groups are able to reach their full potential.

I understand that the minister recently received his first mandate letter as part of his responsibility for anti-racism. Could the minister please tell us how he intends to take action to combat racism in Ontario?

Hon. Michael Coteau: I’d like to thank the member from Kitchener Centre for her question. We started the Anti-Racism Directorate earlier this year because we know exactly what the member just mentioned to be true: that Ontario is an incredible place, and it’s full of diversity and inclusion, but we know that we can do better here.

My mandate is very clear: I’m going to lead a cross-government approach to anti-racism, engaging with anti-racism leaders and developing an indigenous-focused anti-racism strategy. I’m going to ensure that the directorate provides leadership and expertise, which includes looking at implementation of this aggregated data in my own ministry and others, and working with my fellow ministers on street checks and police oversight. We’re going to find ways to increase public awareness around education—

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

Hon. Michael Coteau: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Daiene Vernile: Thank you to the minister for his answer. It’s very encouraging to hear that we are furthering this conversation across our province and working together as Ontarians to move forward.

In July, the directorate held the first of its community meetings in Toronto as part of its efforts to hear from people. That first public meeting focused on anti-black racism. There was a great deal of passionate and honest input at that meeting, but, as I’m sure the minister knows, racism is not restricted to any one corner of the province, and people across Ontario will have valuable insights to offer on all forms of racism.

I’ve been in contact for several months with staff at the directorate, urging them to visit Kitchener Centre, where my local stakeholders have experiences to share. Can the minister tell us if he intends to visit my community to engage with people there?

Hon. Michael Coteau: Again, I’d like to thank the member for her advocacy on this issue.

Absolutely: We intend to bring public meetings across the province. We’ve announced dates in Hamilton, and we’ll be there tonight. Tomorrow night we’re in Mississauga, and we’ll be in Scarborough in October, then London, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Windsor and Ottawa.

I want everyone to know that we’ll be talking about racism, but more specifically Islamophobia. We’ll be talking about anti-black racism. We’ll talk about indigenous issues.

I’d like to again thank the member for her advocacy. We’ve had conversations, and I appreciate the fact that you’re willing to hold a conversation in your community to bring value into this larger conversation.

I’d like to invite all members of this House to join us in this journey, because racism is a difficult thing to discuss and talk about, but we know we can make Ontario—

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

Wind turbines

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. My question pertains to the wpd Canada-proposed 500-foot wind turbine project next to the Collingwood airport.

It’s come to my attention that during the recent Environmental Review Tribunal hearing, at the last moment, the province decided to call a Nav Canada representative as an expert witness instead of a representative from Transport Canada. Every pilot and airport official will tell you that calling a witness from Transport Canada would have made much more sense since it’s the most knowledgeable and responsible agency tasked with ensuring aviation safety.

Mr. Speaker, we have reason to believe that the change in witnesses was because Transport Canada did have concerns about the location of the 500-foot turbines and had a representative willing to testify. Can the minister please explain why there was a change of witnesses?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the member opposite would know, having been a former Minister of the Environment—maybe he inserted himself into the environmental tribunal process. Maybe he as a minister decided to break the law and direct officials on who should be a witness. Mr. Speaker, I read the law. I will not play a role in determining witnesses or in any way influencing an environmental tribunal, and I will keep it as a non-political process and let the experts choose the witnesses.

I wish the member opposite would not be politicizing it in the way he’s trying to, because neither he nor I should be involved in this process.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jim Wilson: Minister, you can spin this all you want, but my people believe, and we have reason to believe—good reason to believe—that somebody in your ministry tampered with the witnesses.

Speaker, I’ve said on several occasions in this House that all eight 500-foot wind turbines between the Collingwood Regional Airport and the Stayner aerodrome pose a hazard to aircraft operations. However, each time I make this claim, the government refuses to acknowledge it.

But just a few days ago, the minister’s own director admitted in his August 2016 final submission to the Environmental Review Tribunal hearing that two of these turbines, in two of the locations, pose a serious risk and can no longer be supported as approved by the ministry.

The ministry is rescinding its position on two turbines. Why aren’t you looking at the danger posed by all eight turbines?

Interjections.

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

I’m going to caution all sides. Some of the verbiage I’ve been hearing is tightrope-walking between impugning motive and making accusations of an individual. I will be listening and will continue to listen carefully. I haven’t actually heard it, but in some of the heckles it came close. Let’s guard ourselves against the kinds of things we don’t want to race to the bottom for.

Minister?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll start off here: A race to the bottom would involve—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nepean–Carleton is warned.

Finish, please.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: A race to the bottom would involve politicians directing public officials. There is a firewall between me and them; I cannot be involved in conversations with them about these matters. A race to the bottom would be to dismantle the autonomy, independence and expert role that the Environmental Review Tribunal plays.

I had nothing to do with the decision to change the configuration of turbines; experts did that. I had no role, nor did any politician on this side or any other influencer, in who witnesses are. I have protected the process from the member opposite, who wants to—

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

Affordable housing

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Acting Premier. We are at a critical moment for housing in Toronto. This weekend, the mayor of Toronto said that the provincial government has done “the tiniest little kernel” on social housing. He goes on to say, “If you look at the numbers, it’s minuscule compared to what needs to happen.”

People live with the impact of the Liberals’ inaction each and every day. Apartments are crumbling, and the wait-list for affordable housing has 170,000 families waiting in line. When will this government step up and make a substantial new investment in social housing, for the benefit of families today and for the next generation?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Minister of Housing.

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the member opposite for that question. The province of Ontario and the city of Toronto have a shared priority in ensuring that every person has an affordable and suitable home. Our governments have a strong partnership, and we continue to build as we work together to improve housing for those in Toronto and those right across Ontario.

We worked closely with the city on the update to our Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy. It is a transformative plan that will increase the supply of affordable housing not only in Toronto, but across Ontario. We’re making the goal of social housing systems easier to navigate and help achieve. Our goal is to end chronic homelessness.

Since 2013, this government has put $4 billion—

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

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Back to the Acting Premier: 170,000 families. Social housing in Toronto urgently needs $2.6 billion in repairs, but this Liberal government is failing to step up and fund the province’s share. Without immediate action, hundreds of units will close. We’ll lose them. The wait-list will keep growing, and more and more in this city will not be able to afford a roof over their heads.

That’s no way to build a better future for families in Toronto. When will this government take real action to help people in the city and fully fund the province’s share of repairs to social housing?

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you for the opportunity for the follow-up. I ended off the first question by saying that since 2003, the province has made commitments to housing of some $4 billion, and $1.2 billion of that alone has been provided to Toronto.

Some of the other key investments I’d love to highlight in the rest of my time here:

—a new portable housing benefit pilot for survivors of domestic violence, with $3.9 million into that pilot;

—our Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative, with $111.5 million in each of the past three years;

—the Strong Communities Rent Supplement Program, with funding of $20.6 million, which has assisted over 2,000 households in 2015; and

—investments in affordable housing programs of $108.3 million for the period from 2011-15.

Clearly, housing is a priority for this province and we will continue to work on that.

Affaires francophones

Je suis très fier d’avoir dans ma circonscription d’Etobicoke-Centre une communauté francophone, et les questions francophones sont vraiment importantes pour moi et pour les gens de ma circonscription. Madame la Ministre, pouvez-vous nous mettre à jour sur vos efforts à l’AFMO?

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Premièrement, j’aimerais remercier le député d’Etobicoke-Centre pour l’excellente question, mais principalement pour son appui aux francophones en Ontario et dans sa communauté. La communauté francophone joue un rôle essentiel dans le développement de l’Ontario. C’est pour cette raison que je me déplace dans des congrès comme l’AFMO pour mieux comprendre la réalité des Franco-Ontariens à travers la province et voir comment nous pouvons les aider à prospérer.

Le Président (L’hon. Dave Levac): Question?

Il y a six ans que notre gouvernement a déclaré le 25 septembre le Jour des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes. Cette journée permet de reconnaître et souligner la contribution exceptionnelle de la communauté francophone à la vie historique, sociale, culturelle, politique et économique de la province. Il y a beaucoup à célébrer dans la communauté francophone ontarienne. Comment est-ce que la ministre continue à appuyer les francophones en Ontario?

Le Président (L’hon. Dave Levac): Merci—

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Merci encore une fois au député—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): May I respond, please?

Hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Sorry.

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

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Merci, monsieur le Président, et merci au député. J’espère que tout le monde a eu la chance de célébrer ce dimanche le 25 septembre. C’était un plaisir pour moi de voir la Tour de la Paix illuminée aux couleurs du drapeau franco-ontarien à Ottawa.

De plus, vendredi dernier, le ministre québécois responsable de la Francophonie canadienne, Jean-Marc Fournier, et moi avons profité de la levée du drapeau à Queen’s Park pour annoncer un nouveau programme pour les jeunes Franco-Ontariens et Québécois. Nous avons mis sur pied un projet pilote d’échanges culturels entre 40 jeunes francophones et francophiles du Québec et de l’Ontario. Ce programme va renforcer les liens culturels et linguistiques d’une nouvelle génération des Franco-Ontariens et Québécois. J’aimerais remercier la ministre Hunter pour son appui et son dévouement.

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

Services for the disabled

Mr. Bill Walker: My question is to the Acting Premier. Your government promised to protect the social programs Ontarians need and deserve. But evidence is mounting that your policies are hurting Ontario’s two million people with disabilities by pushing them into unemployment and poverty. You are forcing the door shut in Durham region’s award-winning employment hub. For almost 25 years, the Durham Region Employment Network focused on job creation for people with disabilities. Sadly, 13 years of waste and mismanagement has taken away funding for essential services and so you’re cutting employment assistance for people with disabilities.

My question for the Acting Premier is, how is it you could find $70 million for the defunct ORPP pension plan, $6 million for Pan Am executives and $4 million for Hydro One’s CEO but you won’t put a single dollar into this successful employment office in Durham region for people with disabilities?

I’m glad he’s raised the question about DREN, Durham Region Employment Network. It’s a fine organization that provides excellent service to the community. I was sad to hear last week about them potentially closing in October. In fact, I was at a community meeting just late last week and was talking to board members from DREN.

I’m very pleased that my colleague ministries are looking at DREN’s recent proposal to see where they may not have met criteria and to give them that feedback, and I’m hopeful that good news will come out of that. In the meantime, I just want to say thank you to the DREN board of directors for their excellent work.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the Acting Premier: The Durham Region Employment Network was recognized by former Lieutenant Governor David Onley for accessible employment, a critical employment aid to people with disabilities. But the government is closing it on October 21, Speaker, and those people will have nowhere to turn for the support and training they need and deserve.

This government spent over $1 billion on gas plants. Yet now, they’re leaving people with disabilities in Durham region without access to important employment services. Governing is about priorities and it’s clear this government has lost its moral compass.

Will the Acting Premier commit to providing the funding necessary for the Durham Region Employment Network to continue to operate so that people with disabilities in Durham region can access the assistance they need to lead more productive and dignified lives?

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I want to thank the member from Whitby–Oshawa for the question. Let me just say that it is important to remember our government is very committed to breaking down barriers for persons with disabilities here in our province. Increasing employment of persons with disabilities in Ontario is a huge, huge priority for us. In fact, if you look at my mandate letter, Speaker, I am charged with leading the cross-government work on an employment strategy for persons with disabilities.

I’m very pleased that the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development has reached out to DREN to talk about their proposal and to see where we can go from there. Meanwhile, we’re very committed to working with all the agencies that support persons with disabilities in Durham region and throughout the province and making sure all people with disabilities can reach their full potential.

Prescription drug abuse

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée.

Speaker, there is a disaster happening for so many families who are losing their loved ones to fentanyl and opioid overdoses. While Ontario tracks some emergency department admissions for opioid overdoses, it’s been revealed that this government has no real-time monitoring of overdose deaths. That means that physicians and public health officials are struggling to manage this disaster in the dark, with data that is two and sometimes three years old. This government needs to do so much more to stop this crisis.

My question: Why is this government still not doing real-time monitoring of overdose deaths across our province?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Clearly, this government is committed to addressing this important issue of opioid abuse and we’ve already taken important steps, in fact, this year, making naloxone—which is a lifesaver antidote—available free of charge at pharmacies without a prescription, and other important measures.

When it comes to real-time data, it’s critically important we have that information. At more than 100 hospitals around the province, we automatically receive, in real time, information based on triage of overdoses that take place. That information is available to the ministry. It’s available to public health officials as well.

Is there more work that we can do? Of course there is. We’re working with the coroner’s office as well. I actually hope in the coming days and weeks to be able to speak more about this issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Right now, the way we have it, we have the worst of both worlds. Families are losing their loved ones to these powerful drugs every day and people are losing their access to these drugs to control their pain. We need immediate action from this government to stop this disaster. It shouldn’t take until 2017 to determine how many people died of overdoses in 2015. We need to understand how big the problem is right now. How big is it currently? Time is of the essence, Speaker. People are suffering and people are dying.

My question is simple: Will this government commit today to real-time monitoring of all overdose deaths throughout our province?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Again, I appreciate the question. I know that the member opposite appreciates that the coroner is the individual who receives this information when there’s a possible death due to an opioid overdose. There is the requirement that a death investigation take place by the coroner’s office as well. This does take some time to accomplish, but we’re working with his office. We’re also looking at other measures we can take so that we can get as much accurate data as soon as humanly possible. We need to do it in a responsible way.

But I want to emphasize that that’s only one part of the solution. I appointed a task force earlier this year to look at how we can further provide supportive measures. We need to focus as well on appropriate prescribing and education of our health care professionals, providing support to those who do find themselves addicted to opiates. We’re working hard on all of these measures, Mr. Speaker, and I expect in the coming days I’ll have more to speak to.

Rabies

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Mr. Speaker, through you, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Minister, there’s been a lot of mention in the news lately about rabies in regions of southern Ontario. My understanding is that these 196 animals have been infected with a particular strain of rabies that hasn’t been seen in Ontario since 2005. I know my constituents might have questions about how the re-emergence of this disease happened and what steps Ontario is taking to make sure the strain does not spread any further.

Can the minister share how her ministry and its partners are working to control this outbreak to ensure public awareness of raccoon rabies?

Hon. Kathryn McGarry: I wish to thank the hard-working member of Northumberland–Quinte West for the question.

This government is very committed to protecting the public, their pets and their livestock from rabies. I want to acknowledge the efforts of the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care and of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in helping to inform the public and aiding our investigations.

To address this outbreak, my ministry regularly distributes baits containing an oral vaccine along the border with the United States in order to prevent infected animals from coming here. This re-emergence is likely due to an infected animal making its way in on a commercial truck, where it sought food and warmth. Upon discovering the first rabid raccoon in Ontario, we elevated those efforts by quickly distributing more than one and a half million vaccines over a large area.

We’ve also collected almost 4,000 surveillance samples that indicate the outbreak has been contained within 45 kilometres of the initial case.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Thank you to the minister for her answer. It is good to know that your ministry is responding to this outbreak. I know that last time there was an outbreak of this nature, the tools were very limited, leading to the culling of many raccoons as a preventive measure.

It is also reassuring that we now have tools like this vaccine that can be more broadly and more humanely used to control the spread of the disease. I understand that this product has even been exported to peer jurisdictions in Canada and the U.S.

Can the minister elaborate on this vaccine further and perhaps share with this House her plans for further addressing this problem in the future?

Hon. Kathryn McGarry: I want to again thank the hard-working member for Northumberland–Quinte West for the opportunity to elaborate on Ontario’s response to this challenge.

This vaccine, which is called ONRAB, is a made-in-Ontario solution developed by my ministry and a private industry in Ontario. It can vaccinate a high proportion of the foxes, raccoons and skunks that eat it.

As mentioned, baiting is of limited effectiveness during the colder months, but when animals emerge from their dens in the spring, we’ll begin a massive baiting program, perhaps upwards of one million such baits, depending on what our winter surveillance tells us about the outbreak. Not only is this more humane than culling strategies; it’s cheaper and much more effective.

I want to stress that it may take two or more years to ensure we’ve turned the tide on the outbreak, but I’m confident in the response of our partners in the health, municipal, landowners and trapping communities to manage the challenge.

Police services

Mr. Monte McNaughton: My question today is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

On page 11 of the September 22 edition of the Standard Guide Advocate newspaper, there was an

article which stated that the local OPP detachment will close on December 31 of this year. This was the first time that my office and members of the public had heard about this significant closure. The people of Forest and throughout Lambton Shores have great respect for the local OPP, and I can tell you that a closure of this significance is one that should have been widely announced and considered by the local community.

Can the minister inform me of the usual practices of public consultation and review when small-town and rural OPP detachments are to be closed, or is a mention on page 11 of the local newspaper the normal way of proceeding for this Liberal government?

Hon. David Orazietti: I appreciate the question from the member opposite.

As the member knows, OPP operational matters are a discussion that takes place internally to the OPP so that they can best protect Ontarians. I want to first and foremost commend the OPP and our officers in the OPP for the work that they do across the province in keeping Ontarians safe.

I understand the member’s concern with respect to these offices and operational issues. These occur from time to time to ensure that the OPP are best positioned to respond to concerns across the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Well, Minister, I can tell you that whatever protocol you have, it wasn’t followed this time around.

Back to the minister: My understanding from reading page 11 of the Standard Guide Advocate newspaper is that the officers will be transferred to the Petrolia detachment some 35 kilometres away. With no public consultation or community buy-in, residents are rightly concerned that the level of police services in Forest and throughout Lambton county is going to suffer with this rushed change.

Can the minister assure my constituents that police services and public safety will not be adversely affected by your closing of the Forest OPP detachment?

Hon. David Orazietti: I can say unequivocally that any decision that is made by the OPP with respect to operational matters is to ensure the highest level of safety for all Ontarians. These types of decisions are operational matters of the OPP. They make those decisions periodically to ensure the best response time, the best and highest standards of protection for Ontarians.

I’m happy to discuss this with the member opposite after and look into the matter, but what I can tell you today is that the OPP makes a decision around operational matters to ensure the highest protection for residents across the province.

Student mental health services

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Acting Premier. An alarming report from the Ontario University and College Health Association confirms that there is a mental health crisis in Ontario post-secondary institutions. The president of the association says that lives are at stake.

In my own community of London, the new 24-hour mental health crisis centre has been overwhelmed by college and university students since it opened its doors in January this year.

It’s clear we are at a critical moment. The time for a coordinated provincial strategy—not just projects—is long overdue. Will the Acting Premier commit to moving forward immediately with a province-wide strategy for mental health services on Ontario campuses?

Hon. Charles Sousa: To the Minister of Research and Innovation.

Hon. Reza Moridi: I want to thank the member for her advocacy on behalf of our students.

As a former academic myself, I have seen first-hand the amount of pressure students in our universities and colleges face due to various sources. They have to meet exams, they have to pass courses, they are concerned about graduation and finding jobs after graduation, and forming their own families. There’s so much pressure, including pressure on the financial matters: how they are going to pay for tuition fees, their expenses etc.

That’s why our government has introduced, for example, the Ontario Student Grant: in order to help students from low-income families to continue their education for free in our universities and colleges, to release a little bit of that mental pressure from our students at our campuses.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: The results of the 2016 student survey show a significant increase from 2013, when the Liberals first started funding mental health projects on campus: 65% of students experienced overwhelming anxiety in the previous year, 46% were so depressed in the previous year that it was difficult to function, 13% had seriously considered suicide in the previous year and 9% had attempted suicide. I have been asking this government, and students have been asking this government, to make mental health services on campus a priority now.

Again to the Acting Premier: Will he commit today to ensuring that young people struggling with mental health crises don’t have to wait for access to the supports and resources they so urgently need?

Hon. Reza Moridi: Again, I want to thank the member for her advocacy and for the question. We all know that mental health is a major issue for every person in society. The stats tell us that one out of four people experiences some kind of mental health problem in their lifetime, so it’s an issue.

But we have a mental health strategy in the province of Ontario. Part of that strategy is to assist the students in our universities and colleges. For example, we developed and introduced the Mental Health Innovation Fund in March 2013 in order to assist our students. We have also introduced the Good2Talk program, which helps students get counselling from experts 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

We are doing whatever we can to make sure that our students have a very healthy university and college time when they are at the post-secondary institutions.

Visitors

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I’m very pleased to join the member from Scarborough–Agincourt in welcoming grade 6 student Adam Omarali, who watched question period. When I met him this morning, he told me that his favourite subject was math.

Welcome, Adam, to you and your family.

Member’s privilege

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington on a point of order.

Mr. Randy Hillier: Speaker, earlier this morning you made a ruling on a point of privilege. I seek your indulgence just for clarification on that ruling on two elements, if I may.

The first element: In my initial notice of the point of privilege, I raised two standing orders, 21(

c) and 33(d). I may be mistaken, but I listened intently and I did not hear reference to standing order 33(

d) in your ruling.

The second element, if I could seek clarification—not only for myself but I think for all members of the House: As you know, on Thursday, I filed a notice of a point of privilege consistent with the standing orders, and that’s a notice of intent and a notice of the point of privilege. In all previous practices that I’ve been engaged in, the member is then afforded an opportunity to compile the complete arguments and either submit them orally or written, or both, at the Speaker’s prerogative, before the ruling is completed.

As you’re aware, I completed my arguments and filed them with you at the beginning of question period, but it appears to me that the ruling was done in advance of the arguments.

If I could just have clarification on that practice, Speaker, so that if that is the way it is to be done, we will do our points of privilege consistent—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. To provide you the clarity, all relevant information that was germane to my ruling was mentioned.

Number two, I have the standing orders that I quoted. That provides me with the opportunity to make that ruling at any time. I don’t need to have a written submission. I can make the ruling on the initial submission.

Correction of record

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on a point of order.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I wish to correct my record. Earlier when I referenced the PC leader’s relationship with the specialist group Concerned Ontario Doctors, I said that their communications adviser Dan Robertson was a former staffer in the PC leader’s office. In fact, he is not or was not. He is identified by the Globe and Mail as a member of the PC leader’s “core campaign team.”

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no deferred votes this morning. Therefore, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1146 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Arthur Potts: It’s a pleasure to introduce three people here today: Christian Broughton, who’s here for a petition we’ll be reading in; his mother, Patricia Melanson, who used to be a Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs assistant; and Donald Melanson, her husband. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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

Members’ Statements

Community Health and Wellbeing Week

Mr. Jeff Yurek: During Community Health and Wellbeing Week, between September 26 and October 1, 108 members of the Association of Ontario Health Centres across Ontario are mounting special events across the province around the theme “Community Health and Wellbeing: Shift the Conversation.”

The week is about starting a new conversation about health and health care in Ontario. Treating illness is important, but Ontario needs to do a much better job in preventing people from getting sick in the first place. The need is urgent.

Primary health organizations participating in the week include Ontario’s community health centres, aboriginal health access centres, community-governed family health teams and nurse practitioner-led clinics. Throughout the week, they’ll be organizing community events throughout the province to demonstrate the value and impact of their efforts, especially for populations most at risk for poor health.

One approach they’re highlighting is how they put people and communities first. Each member of the association is governed by community members. These centres are run by the community for the community. In my riding, that’s how it works at Central Community Health Centre in St. Thomas, and this is how it works for other community organizations throughout the province.

The strategy the community health centres are also taking on is to prioritize health promotion. The goal is to prevent more in order to treat less.

This kind of people- and community-centred approach that prioritizes comprehensive health promotion programming is what you’ll find in action at Ontario’s community health centres. This is the approach that will promote the best possible health care and well-being for everyone.

Water extraction

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Just say no to Nestlé. I’ve been boycotting Nestlé since the 1970s when Nestlé—and they’re still doing it—were pushing formula on women in developing nations who didn’t even have access to clean water and causing infant death. Some call that criminal; I would agree with them.

Right now, Ontario charges Nestlé just $3.71 for every million litres of water they take, and they’re taking more than one million litres of water from a well in the town of Hillsburgh, Ontario and bottling it for sale every day.

Former Environmental Commissioner Ellen Schwartzel took the Liberals to task in her annual report for not acting on recommendations to raise the amount it charges to take large amounts of water, which she called a “drop in the bucket.” Schwartzel pointed out that even the ministry conceded that $3.71 was just giving it away. It was 1.2% of the government’s total water quantity management costs. Quebec, by comparison, charges $70 per million litres. We charge $3.71, overriding municipalities’ calls—and only the Minister of the Environment can do something about this.

With only a few seconds left: Don’t buy bottled water. Do sign the Council of Canadians petition. Beg the Minister of the Environment and the Liberal government to act on this and act now. Just say no to Nestlé.

Adam Omarali

Ms. Soo Wong: It is an honour for me today to rise to recognize a 10-year-old student in my riding of Scarborough–Agincourt, Adam Omarali, for his achievements with the Pokémon trading card game. Adam is currently a grade 6 student at the Islamic Foundation School.

The Pokémon trading card game, not to be confused with Pokémon Go, is one of the most established games of its kind in the world. Adam ranks number one in North America for the 2016 competitive season—first out of 500 junior players in Canada and the United States, and his 1,245 championship points outrank players in Mexico.

This past August, Adam represented Canada at the Pokémon Trading Card Game World Championships in San Francisco. From the world championship, Adam received a US$1,500 scholarship, among other recognitions. He currently holds the title of the number one player in Canada.

For a 10-year-old, Adam is mature beyond his years. He’s been playing for only one year and he’s participated in the international arena. Adam is a studious, determined young boy who constantly improves his skills by practising two hours every day. As a result, he’s acquired many skills, including responding quickly and strategically, being focused and assessing various risks and their impacts.

I’d like to congratulate Adam again for his amazing achievements to date, and I know all of us in this House will be hearing a lot about Adam in the years ahead. Congratulations, Adam.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Go Pokémon.

Government policies

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I’m pleased to rise to share concerns I’ve heard from my constituents over the summer.

Over and over I heard about the impact of high hydro rates. I heard it from seniors and families who are struggling to pay their bills. I heard it from businesses that are struggling to compete with companies in jurisdictions with less expensive power. And I heard it from municipalities that are struggling to attract jobs but are having trouble competing because of Ontario’s high hydro rates.

The people of Ontario need this government to recognize the impact of their decisions on the cost of living and the cost of doing business. They have to realize the high cost of hydro along with all other increases is leaving people struggling to make ends meet.

I heard from people who are frustrated with cancelled surgeries and long wait times. They’re frustrated that there isn’t enough money for health care but there is enough money for radio ads to tell us how well the government thinks they’re doing.

People in my riding continue to be concerned by the risk to our drinking water if the proposed landfill site is allowed to go ahead near the Thames River.

And we’re all concerned about our youth and how much they are struggling.

I will continue to raise these issues because I believe that we can have an Ontario where people aren’t scared to open their hydro bills, our drinking water is safe and our young people have hope for a bright future.

Thank you very much for allowing me to make this statement.

Anti-racism activities

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I am pleased to rise to share the important work the NDP is undertaking to eliminate all forms of racism, including Islamophobia, in our great province. Dialogue, conversation, asking questions, seeking knowledge—these are all the things that combat ignorance and hatred.

New Democrats have been working diligently to find ways to combat racism in Ontario. We have called for an end to arbitrary race-based police checks and carding. We’ve pushed the Premier to finally set up an Anti-Racism Directorate and have been vocal advocates for the series of public community meetings now being held in towns and cities across the province to address the directorate’s mission and goals.

Shortly, New Democrats will be introducing legislation to proclaim the month of October as Islamic Heritage Month. It’s time to formally recognize the vital contributions Muslims in Ontario make to our vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric.

The sad reality is that Islamophobia is a very serious problem in Ontario. Every Ontarian deserves to feel safe and secure so they can reach their potential. By learning about and celebrating the contributions that Canadians of Islamic heritage have made throughout our province’s history, we become stronger as a province.

New Democrats will continue to show true leadership by standing by the belief that Ontario is at its best when no one is left behind.

Women’s Habitat

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: I was delighted earlier this month to attend an open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at Women’s Habitat in my riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore that was held to mark the completion of renovations at its outreach centre. Thanks to a $66,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation awarded earlier this year, Women’s Habitat made enhancements to its program space and installed commercial kitchen equipment.

I’m very pleased to have an organization like Women’s Habitat in my riding that provides services like individual and group counselling, transition and support services, housing assistance and programs for women.

As Silvia Samsa, executive director of Women’s Habitat, stated, “This generous support from Trillium could not have come sooner.” The former kitchen was simply not able to accommodate the needs of an organization that serves over 9,200 meals each year. Many clients advised staff that these meals are often the only meal they have during a day. This renovated kitchen will allow for workshops on cooking on a budget and healthy eating for kids.

Women’s Habitat has provided emergency shelter to women and children who are survivors of violence in Etobicoke–Lakeshore since 1978. This outreach centre has been in place since 2006, and we’re all very fortunate to have this organization in Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

I’m so grateful for this support from Trillium, which will allow Women’s Habitat to provide enhanced services to the community.

International Plowing Match

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I am pleased to recognize the success of the IPM 2016, the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo. The town of Minto in the county of Wellington was home to this year’s plowing match. Tens of thousands of people, including MPPs of all parties, saw the importance of agriculture in our rural communities.

This year’s theme was “A Fresh Taste of Farming.” There were many highlights: the parade, the plowing competitions, the Queen of the Furrow competition, and the zip line, to name just a few. There was also plenty of food, including a farmers’ market, food demonstrations, and samples. The tented city covered over 100 acres and 500 exhibitors.

For pulling off such a successful event, many people deserve our thanks: chairman Ron Faulkner and the IPM executive, for their tireless dedication and years of planning and preparation; the Ontario Plowmen’s Association; Anne and Earl Schneider, for welcoming us to their farm and hosting the IPM; other landowners, who donated 1,200 acres to be used for the match; and, finally, the countless volunteers whose work makes this possible.

Dave Adsett, publisher of the Wellington Advertiser, put it this way: “Although agriculture remains a vital facet of Ontario’s economy, most residents are far enough removed from farm life that such an exhibition helps re-establish the connection between rural and urban residents.” I totally agree. That’s what makes the IPM such an important event for us all.

Freedom of information

Ms. Catherine Fife: Every year, we celebrate Right to Know Week during the last week of September. This year marks the 250th anniversary of the world’s first access-to-information legislation. Since 1766, when Sweden became the first country to recognize that citizens have a right to access unpublished information produced by its government, over 100 countries have passed some form of freedom-of-information laws.

Next year, Ontario marks the 30th anniversary of our own Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. As I’m sure everyone in this legislative chamber today will agree, freedom of information is essential to a strong democracy and to good governance. While we have come a long way in ensuring greater transparency of our governments and the public’s right to know, we still have a very long way to go. There are very real challenges to freedom of information in Ontario.

In July this year, our new Financial Accountability Officer, Mr. Stephen LeClair, was again forced to complain about the Liberal government stonewalling his office by invoking cabinet confidence on requests for information. By refusing FAO access, they are preventing him from doing his job as an independent officer of this Legislature.

Last year, I introduced a private member’s bill that would further empower the FAO to readily gain access to information needed to perform his duties by removing the cabinet-confidence exemption, and I’d like to let the House know that I will once again be introducing this legislation.

Geoffrey Reaume

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: With your permission, Speaker, I’d like to introduce new terminology to the Ontario conversation, and that is the discipline of “mad studies.” For that purpose, I would invite the House to please welcome Professor Geoffrey Reaume and his wife, Esther Lee Reaume. Professor Reaume has a remarkable history. Diagnosed himself with schizophrenia as a teenager, he went on to complete a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD, and is now a professor of critical disability studies at York University.

He is here today to present, Speaker, to us, collectively, and to Ontario as well as to the legislative library, having just shown this book to the Premier. He’s co-editor of a book called Mad Matters: A Critical Reader in Canadian Mad Studies. What this book and this entire discipline attempt to do is to move beyond the psychiatric or medical model of madness, or mental illness, and actually talk from the perspective of the patients themselves. That is what Professor Reaume is an expert in.

He’s challenging the belief system that makes it okay to pick on, make fun of, discriminate, reject, silence, discredit, pathologize, de-centre, kindly undermine and commit violence against the mad.

I have to say, as a physician and a parliamentarian, that somehow I missed the existence of this entire discipline, so I’d like to remedy that collectively and welcome Professor Reaume.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Welcome.

I thank all members for their statements.

Introduction of Bills

289619 Ontario Limited Act, 2016

Mr. Colle moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr47,

An Act to revive 289619 Ontario Limited.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Pursuant to standing order 86, this bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur le Mois du patrimoine musulman

Ms. Armstrong moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 23,

An Act to proclaim the month of October Islamic Heritage Month / Projet de loi 23, Loi proclamant le mois d’octobre Mois du patrimoine musulman.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: For generations, Muslims have been contributing to all aspects of Ontario’s prosperity and diverse heritage. Islamic history and culture encompass a broad range of individuals and experiences, as well as important contributions to literature, math, science, art and history.

By proclaiming the month of October as Islamic Heritage Month, the province of Ontario recognizes the important contribution Muslims in Ontario make as part of the vibrant social, economic, political and cultural fabric.

Islamic Heritage Month is an opportunity to reflect, celebrate and educate all generations about the contribution of a rich and diverse Islamic history and the important contributions Muslim people make to communities across Ontario.

Therefore Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Islamic Heritage Month

1. The month of October in each year is proclaimed as Islamic Heritage Month.

Commencement

2. This act comes into force on the day it receives royal assent.

Short title

3. The

short title of this act is the Islamic Heritage Month Act, 2016.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I have to offer a reminder: If that’s not in the explanatory note, you’re supposed to make those kinds of statements while the bill is being debated.

So the reminder for everybody is to read from the explanatory note, of what the bill is. You’re just describing what the bill does.

Men’s Health Awareness Week Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur la Semaine de la sensibilisation à la santé des hommes

Mr. Potts moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 24,

An Act to proclaim the week immediately preceding the third Sunday in June as Men’s Health Awareness Week / Projet de loi 24, Loi proclamant la semaine précédant le troisième dimanche de juin Semaine de la sensibilisation à la santé des hommes.

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

First reading agreed to.

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

Mr. Arthur Potts: As we all know, the third Sunday in June is Father’s Day. The week preceding it is an opportunity for men to think about prostate health, think about their mental health and go see a doctor.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. That’s no different than the other one—explanatory notes, please.

Petitions

Fundraising

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

“Whereas the Premier has admitted that she and all ministers have set quotas of funds they are required to raise for the Ontario Liberal Party;

“Whereas recent and repeated media stories have raised the public perception that ministers are meeting their fundraising quotas by soliciting donations from the companies and associations who have active files before their respective ministries;

“Whereas recent media stories have raised the public perception that decisions on government grants, contracts and policy changes are heavily influenced by the said donations;

“Whereas these perceptions of impropriety have shattered the public’s trust in this government;

“Whereas the people of Ontario deserve to know the truth about this government.

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

“To call on the government to immediately call a commission of public inquiry to investigate how the current government does business with donors to the Ontario Liberal Party.”

I support this petition, will affix my name and send it with page Zoe.

Privatization of public assets

M me France Gélinas: I want to thank Mike and Helen Hurteau from my riding for this petition. It reads as follows:

“Whereas once you privatize Hydro One, there’s no return; and

“Whereas we’ll lose billions in reliable annual revenues for schools and hospitals; and

“Whereas we’ll lose our biggest economic asset and control over our energy future; and

“Whereas we’ll pay higher and higher hydro bills just like what’s happened elsewhere;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To stop the sale of Hydro One and make sure Ontario families benefit from owning Hydro One now and for generations to come.”

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

Water fluoridation

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have some signatures from among the 25,000 sent to me since the start of the summer, on a petition entitled “Update Ontario Fluoridation Legislation.” It reads as follows:

“Whereas scientific studies conducted during the past 70 years have consistently shown that community water fluoridation is a safe and effective means of preventing dental decay and is a public health measure endorsed by more than 90 national and international health organizations, including the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health and the Ontario Dental Association; and

“Whereas recent experience in Canadian cities that have removed fluoride from drinking water has led ... to a dramatic increase in tooth decay; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care urges support for amending the Fluoridation Act to ensure community water fluoridation is mandatory; and

“Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing urges support for the removal of provisions allowing Ontario municipalities to cease drinking water fluoridation, or fail to start drinking water fluoridation, from the Ontario Municipal Act;

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

“That the Premier of Ontario direct the Ministries of Municipal Affairs and Housing and Health and Long-Term Care to amend all applicable legislation and regulations to make the fluoridation of municipal drinking water mandatory in all municipal water systems across the province of Ontario before the end of the” current session of the Ontario Parliament.

Speaker, this is signed by a number of people from Windsor, Ontario, which has lost fluoridation.

I’m pleased to affix my signature to this petition and to send it down with page Jack.

Hydro rates

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition with regard to electricity rates. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas electricity rates have risen by more than 300% since the current ... government took office;

“Whereas over half of Ontarians’ power bills are regulatory and delivery charges and the global adjustment;

“Whereas the global adjustment is a tangible measure of how much Ontario must overpay for unneeded wind and solar power, and the cost of offloading excess power to our neighbours at a loss;

“Whereas the market rate for electricity, according to IESO data, has been less than three cents per kilowatt hour to date in 2016, yet the Liberal government’s lack of responsible science-based planning has not allowed these reductions to be passed on to Ontarians, resulting in electrical bills several times more than that amount;

“Whereas the implementation of cap-and-trade will drive the cost of electricity even higher and deny Ontarians the option to choose affordable natural gas heating;

“Whereas more and more Ontarians are being forced to cut down on essential expenses such as food and medicines in order to pay their increasingly unaffordable electricity bills;

“Whereas the ill-conceived energy policies of this Liberal government that ignored the advice of independent experts and government agencies, such as the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) and the independent electrical system operator (IESO), and are not based on science have resulted in Ontarians’ electricity costs rising, despite lower natural gas costs and increased energy conservation in the province;

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

“To take immediate steps to reduce the total cost of electricity paid for by Ontarians, including costs associated with power consumed, the global adjustment, delivery charges, administrative charges, tax and any other charges added to Ontarians’ energy bills.”

Madam Speaker, I have signed this and I will give it to page Brendan.

Employment standards

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition in support of a $15 minimum wage, and it reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a growing number of Ontarians are affected by the growth in low-wage, part-time, casual, temporary and insecure employment; and

“Whereas too many workers are unprotected by current minimum standards outlined in employment and labour laws; and

“Whereas the Ontario government is currently engaging in a public consultation to review and improve employment and labour laws in the province;

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

“Implement a minimum wage of $15 an hour.”

I’m proud to affix my name to this and will give it to page Tori to take to the table.

Ice machines

Mr. Arthur Potts: I’m delighted to have Chris Broughton and his family here for this petition that he has put together.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas ice machines are found everywhere throughout the health care system, including long-term-care facilities and hospitals; and

“Whereas numerous bacteria and viruses are known to contaminate ice cubes, including cholera, typhoid fever, salmonella, legionella, E. coli, shigella, hepatitis A and norovirus; and

“Whereas the lack of regulation increases the probability of consuming ice from ice machines with unhygienic levels of bacteria and/or viruses, putting public safety at risk; and

“Whereas individuals consuming ice from a contaminated ice machine in a hospital or long-term-care facility are at a greater risk due to potentially weakened immune systems; and

“Whereas the inherent risk and rate at which both bacteria and biofilm grow inside ice machines have caused other countries to mandate the cleaning of ice machines; and

“Whereas there are currently no mandates or guidelines on the frequency or thoroughness of cleaning for institutional ice machines in hospitals, long-term-care or other health care facilities;

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

“That the province of Ontario establish and enforce cleaning and hygiene standards for all institutional ice machines in provincially funded and/or operated facilities.”

I agree with this petition and the health risks being caused, and I sign it and leave it with page Cameron.

Hydro rates

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

“Whereas household electricity bills have skyrocketed by 56% and electricity rates have tripled as a result of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the energy sector; and

“Whereas the billion-dollar gas plants cancellation, wasteful and unaccountable spending at Ontario Power Generation and the unaffordable subsidies in the Green Energy Act will result in electricity bills climbing by another 35% by 2017 and 45% by 2020; and

“Whereas the Liberal government wasted $2 billion on the flawed smart meter program; and

“Whereas the recent implementation of the Ontario Electricity Support Program will see average household hydro bills increase an additional $137 per year starting in 2016; and

“Whereas the soaring cost of electricity is straining family budgets, and hurting the ability of manufacturers and small businesses in the province to compete and create new jobs; and

“Whereas home heating and electricity are a necessity for families in Ontario who cannot afford to continue footing the bill for the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

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

“To immediately implement policies ensuring Ontario’s power consumers, including families, farmers and employers, have affordable and reliable electricity.”

I fully support it, will affix my name and send it with the great page from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, Paul.

Speed limits

Mr. John Vanthof: I’d like to resubmit this petition. It was signed by thousands of people, but sadly, it died when the House was prorogued.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas driving at a high rate of speed has contributed to many fatal snowmobile accidents on lakes and rivers across Ontario; and

“Whereas the safety of individuals is put at risk when snowmobiles are driven at a high rate of speed on lakes, rivers and within close proximity to people, ice huts and other vehicles; and

“Whereas

section 14 of the Motorized Snow Vehicles Act, RSO 1990, c. M.44 states:

“‘No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle at a greater rate of speed than,

“‘(a) 20 kilometres per hour,

“‘(

i) on a highway where the speed limit established pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act is 50 kilometres per hour or less, or

“‘(ii) in any public park or exhibition grounds; or

“‘(b) 50 kilometres per hour,

“‘(

i) on any highway which is open to motor vehicle traffic, where the speed limit established pursuant to the Highway Traffic Act is greater than 50 kilometres per hour’...

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

“(

a) No person shall drive a motorized vehicle at a greater rate of speed than;

“(i) 20 km per hour within 200 feet of any person, ice hut or other vehicles

“(ii) 80 km per hour on frozen waterways

“(iii) set speeding fine for driving in excess of 20 km/h when within 200 feet of person, ice hut or vehicle

“(iv) set speeding fine for driving in excess of 80 km/h on a frozen waterway.”

I would like to submit this petition and give it to the desk with page Gideon.

Ice machines

Ms. Daiene Vernile: This is a petition to establish and enforce cleaning and hygiene standards for commercial ice machines in health care facilities in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas ice machines are found everywhere throughout the health care system, including long-term-care facilities and hospitals; and

“Whereas numerous bacteria and viruses are known to contaminate ice cubes, including cholera, typhoid fever, salmonella, legionella, E. coli, shigella, hepatitis A and norovirus; and

“Whereas the lack of regulation increases the probability of consuming ice from ice machines with unhygienic levels of bacteria and/or viruses, putting public safety at risk; and

“Whereas individuals consuming ice from a contaminated ice machine in a hospital or long-term-care facility are at a greater risk due to potentially weakened immune systems; and

“Whereas the inherent risk and rate at which both bacteria and biofilm grow inside ice machines have caused other countries to mandate the cleaning of ice machines; and

“Whereas there are currently no mandates or guidelines on the frequency or thoroughness of cleaning for institutional ice machines in hospitals, long-term-care homes or other health care facilities;

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

“That the province of Ontario establish and enforce cleaning and hygiene standards for all institutional ice machines in provincially funded and/or operated facilities.”

I agree with this petition, will affix my initials, and give it to page Nicole.

Privatization of public assets

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

“Whereas the current government under Premier Kathleen Wynne is calling for the sale of up to 60% of Hydro One shares into private ownership; and

“Whereas the decision to sell the public utility was made without any public input and the deal will continue to be done in complete secrecy; and

“Whereas the loss of majority ownership in Hydro One will force ratepayers to accept whatever changes the new owners decide, such as higher rates; and

“Whereas electricity rates are already sky-high and hurting family budgets as well as businesses; and

“Whereas ratepayers will never again have independent investigations of consumer complaints, such as the Ontario Ombudsman’s damning report on failed billing; and

“Whereas the people of Ontario are the true owners of Hydro One and they do not believe the fire sale of Hydro One is in their best interest;

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

“To protect Ontario ratepayers by stopping the sale of Hydro One.”

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

Disaster relief

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that was collected by Bert Brazeau, who is a man from Timmins. He collected over 300 names, so I want to thank him for that. It reads as follows:

“Gogama Needs Help.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas at 2 a.m. on March 7, 2015, a Canadian National train derailed in Gogama;

“Whereas this derailment caused numerous tank cars carrying crude oil to explode, catch fire and spill over one million litres of oil into the Makami River; and

“Whereas residents continue to plainly observe oil and find dead fish in the Makami River as well as Lake Minisinakwa, despite the fact that the Ministry of the Environment has declared the cleanup complete;

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

“That the Ministry of the Environment require CN to continue the cleanup of Gogama’s soil and waterways until the residents are assured of clean and safe water for themselves, the environment and the wildlife.”

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

Rural and northern Ontario transportation

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

“Whereas the loss of transportation service will further destabilize rural economies and impede on residents’ ability to get to school, work, doctor or hospital appointments, or any other service unavailable locally;

“Whereas the prosperity, productivity and participation of all segments of society depends on a viable, accessible transportation network;

“Whereas Greyhound Canada plans to cut bus service and Via Rail plans to cut train service in rural Ontario;

“Whereas there is no secondary carrier serving rural Ontario’s students, workers, volunteers, tourists, business travellers and any resident without a driver’s licence;

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

“To immediately strike an all-party committee at Queen’s Park to study transportation needs in rural and northern Ontario.”

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

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Thank you. The time for petitions now has expired.

Orders of the Day

Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act, 2016 / Loi de 2016 sur la remise de l’Ontario pour les consommateurs d’électricité

Resuming the debate adjourned on September 22, 2016, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 13,

An Act in respect of the cost of electricity / Projet de loi 13, Loi concernant le coût de l’électricité.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Further debate? I recognize the government House leader.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, for recognizing me to speak on this very important bill, Bill 13, the Ontario Rebate for Electricity Consumers Act.

As the members would know, this bill is very comprehensive in nature, in providing some very important relief for Ontario consumers of electricity. It’s a bill that really covers the entire breadth and scope of our province and the needs of Ontarians in their everyday lives.

This bill, if passed, really would put a three-part plan in place. One, it will rebate Ontario’s portion of HST for families and small businesses, a savings of 8% or $130 annually for the average household. Essentially, Madam Speaker, it is a tax cut. What the bill provides for is to cut the 8% provincial HST tax off electricity hydro rates. So that’s what it is in essence. Consumers, right on their bill, no longer will pay—if this bill is passed—the 8% portion of HST on all electricity use. That is a very significant tax cut—a cut in HST—that is provided for in this legislation.

The second thing it does is it increases protection for rural and remote customers of electricity, resulting in a net benefit for these households of 20%, or $540 on average. So we are looking at those consumers in rural or remote areas who live in low-density areas. We recognize that these are places where there are not a lot of people living, that there are fewer people living in this area and that they’re far away from where the majority of the people in this province live.

Of course, Speaker, it is costly to supply electricity in those areas. You don’t need to understand all the ins and outs of economics in the electricity sector to understand that if you’re going to provide a product at a far distance, it is going to cost more money. Therefore, we know that the distribution charge in those areas tends to be significantly higher because they are further from where most Ontarians live and they are low density. In other words, there are fewer people who live there so it costs more to provide electricity in those areas.

We are taking an additional step in reducing the distribution cost for those consumers to provide for them a savings of 20% from their bills, which will be roughly about $540 per year on average, a very significant plan in terms of providing savings for rural and remote customers.

The third thing this bill does is provide supports for our large and medium-sized businesses. The first part of the plan that I outlined, which was cutting the provincial HST from all hydro bills, would apply to all residential customers and small businesses as well. This third part of the plan deals with large and medium-sized businesses. What it does is it expands the industrial conservation initiative, making it possible for newly eligible medium and large businesses to achieve savings of as much as one third of their bill.

This program has been in existence for large businesses for some time. Basically what it does is it incentivizes those businesses to move their production or move their use of electricity to low peak times. That has two very important results. One, not only does it reduce the cost for the manufacturer to use electricity when it’s cheapest to use, but also, most importantly, it takes a load off the entire electricity grid.

What it does is it allows for fewer people, fewer businesses, large businesses, using electricity at peak times when it is most costly to produce electricity—to a period which is at a low peak time or a low time when it’s cheaper to produce electricity. So it’s a win-win: a win for businesses to be able to use cheaper electricity, but also a win for the entire system and therefore a win for all users because all of a sudden, you don’t have to produce electricity when it’s the most expensive time to produce electricity.

What we are doing through this program is we’re expanding the criteria for the program for other large businesses and for medium businesses as well. Our hope is—and I think there’s a good indication that we have support from business groups like the Ontario Chamber of Commerce—that that is going to create more opportunity for large and medium-sized businesses to participate in this program, again saving money for themselves, but also saving money for the entire electricity system. That results in lower hydro rates for consumers as well.

This is a very comprehensive plan that has been put forward by the government, again, really thinking through all different aspects of the users in the system.

Now, it’s interesting that I really don’t hear a lot of opposition to this plan from the opposition parties. They may try to spin it every which way. This is exactly the kind of thing they were trying to promote. It will be very interesting to see them vote against this bill and tell Ontarians that they really don’t believe they should get a break. But I recall that this is exactly the kind of thing they were hoping the government would do, and now the government is doing it. Of course, you hear all kinds of spin or rhetoric from the opposition parties, but that’s the nature of the game and I guess we all understand. Ontarians will see through it.

Madam Speaker, I really wanted to take some time, in the time that’s allotted to me, to have another very important conversation, because I think when it comes to talking about electricity, the cost of electricity, what it takes to produce electricity and what kind of electricity you produce, for all those things you see very simplistic rhetoric coming from all sides, from all directions. I think this is a very important topic.

Interjections.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Heckling notwithstanding, this is a very important conversation and topic which I think Ontarians deserve and demand to know more about. This is the kind of conversation that I have with my constituents all the time when I am out every week knocking on doors in my community. It’s a healthy conversation to have.

Now, I’ve taken some time to learn a little bit more about our electricity system: how it operates, what the challenges are within the system, where the opportunities are and what the government has done over the last 10 or so years to improve our electricity system. One of the things that I’ve learned, first of all, is that the economics around our electricity system are very similar to the economics around the health care system. It’s complex, it’s unique, and one has to be able to understand it fully.

Madam Speaker, I’m very sorry. I am remiss that I did not tell you that I will be sharing my time with the members for Barrie and Northumberland–Quinte West and the President of the Treasury Board. I just got that in—so thank you very much for the helpful note that came my way to tell you. I was just so into the things I wanted to talk about; now there’s pressure on me to leave some time for three other members who will be speaking after me.

As I was saying, Madam Speaker, it’s important to understand—I think it’s incumbent on all members to make sure that our constituents understand how the electricity system works, because it is a complex system. It’s a system that you can’t really put out in a 30-second sound bite or a 140-character tweet. I think it’s just like trying to explain to somebody how our health care system works—and Madam Speaker, you are a nurse by profession, so you very much know how the health care system works. It’s a complex system. It has a lot of design aspects to it, and it’s important to understand the entire breadth and scope of it.

When I’m asked the question by my constituents as to why we have seen increases in the price of hydro, which is a legitimate question to ask—

Mr. Bill Walker: Gas plants.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: You know, I heard some heckling. This is the kind of rhetoric that we hear all the time, which is so not fair. I think it undermines and insults—

Interjections.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Order.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, it not only insults the intelligence of Ontarians, but it also provides not-so-correct information, or false information.

So here’s the answer I give to my constituents—

Mr. Norm Miller: Read the auditor’s report.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: You might want to hear this, and if you disagree with this, you should knock on doors in my riding, tell my constituents otherwise and see how much they believe you.

The answer that I always give in the conversations that I engage in with my constituents is that, first and foremost, something that I think is extremely, very important to all of us, and something that I know my constituents in Ottawa Centre value very much, is the work that we have done to clean up our electricity system.

Madam Speaker, our electricity system was basically dependent on burning coal—pure coal, that black stuff that you can hold in your hands. We got rid of it. We are the first jurisdiction in North America which does not, anymore, burn dirty coal to produce electricity. That is incredible. That is amazing. This is what President Obama is now saying the United States should be going to, and other jurisdictions are looking forward to it. So in fact, Ontario has been a leader when it comes to eliminating the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the province—in fact, in the country.

To the point, Madam Speaker: You may remember that former Prime Minister Harper was even trying to take credit for that action that was taken by the Ontario Liberal government. It was out of nowhere. It was kind of amusing to watch, how he was trying to take credit: “Oh, Canada has done great stuff, because we eliminated coal.” Well, no, Mr. Prime Minister. It’s not the federal government. The Ontario government has taken that very important and difficult decision of taking coal—dirty coal—out of our system and no longer relying on that to produce electricity. That was a huge source of emissions, and it caused serious problems.

The other thing we have done, Madam Speaker—time is limited for me—is that we have invested a significant amount of money in making our system reliable. We are talking about $30 billion invested in new and refurbished generation since 2003 and over $13 billion of improvements in the Hydro One system, including upgrades to over 11,000 kilometres of power lines.

All of this is to say that this has a cost to the system, and that’s where we have seen increases within our system, because all that investment has resulted in making sure that not only do we have a clean electricity system, we have a reliable and secure electricity system. But we are at a point now that we have done those investments. We are starting to see that the costs that were increasing are plateauing.

We are also making sure that there is relief provided to hydro customers. Eliminating the HST portion, the provincial portion, from the bills is a very significant step.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Further debate? I recognize the member from Barrie.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Thank you, Madam Speaker. My, you look lovely today.

Just to go on from where my colleague the minister left off, I’d like to read some quotes from people who have some different views than the opposition.

Allan O’Dette, the CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, said, “We are happy about this. This is the right thing to do, particularly so that the medium-sized enterprises can remain competitive relative to our largest competitor, which is just across the lake.”

Francesca Dobbyn, executive director of United Way of Grey Bruce, said to the Owen Sound Sun Times, “I would like to thank the minister for listening to the concerns of rural Ontario’s rural residents, who are struggling to pay their electrical bills. As we head into the cold winter months, the provincial government’s new efforts will go a long way in helping Ontarians keep their lights on, especially in Bruce and Grey counties.”

Also, Kate Holmes, CEO of United Way Milton, told the Milton Canadian Champion, “United Way Milton is pleased to support this initiative. This will help reduce financial stress on people who are using United Way Milton-funded programs.”

Hugh Thompson, president of Cambridge Towel, told CBC News, “If we reduce our cost we are able to become more efficient.

“If we become more efficient we can offer more goods to the market at a lower cost, and if we do that we’ll grow our volume, and if we grow our volume we’ll hire more people.”

Linda Hasenfratz, CEO of Linamar, told GuelphToday.com that hydro incentives work, not only in helping make Ontario manufacturers more competitive in the global marketplace through reduced costs, but they also motivate manufacturers to invest in measures that reduce their hydro consumption.

Alan Spacek, mayor of Kapuskasing and president of the northeastern Ontario municipal association, told the Kapuskasing Times, “We are pleased that the government has committed to assisting these groups with their energy costs by introducing legislation that would rebate the province’s share of the harmonized sales tax from residential and small business electricity bills as well as supporting industry by expanding and lowering the threshold of eligibility for the industrial conservation initiative.”

Across the aisle, many people would say that—the opposition criticisms would be that it’s too little, too late and they’re band-aid solutions.

Our government has heard from Ontarians and is committed to helping them with the costs of everyday living. Through this three-point plan, our government will reduce the cost on electricity bills across the board.

In a recent report, the independent Financial Accountability Officer refuted many of the claims that were made about our energy policy by the opposition, and confirmed that the average family in Ontario spends less money on electricity than in every other province except British Columbia. Let me repeat that: The independent Financial Accountability Officer said that the claims about our energy policy—confirmed that the average family in Ontario spends less money on electricity than in every other province except British Columbia. It also confirmed that total home heating and cooling costs are in the middle of the pack when compared to other provinces.

Ontario’s electricity prices are in line with comparative jurisdictions. Ontario’s prices are nearly half of what they are in American cities like Chicago, Boston, New York and Los Angeles.

What’s really remarkable about comparing Ontario to other provinces and states is that we’ve already done the heavy lifting in rebuilding our system and getting off dirty and cheap coal while other jurisdictions still need to undertake that work. Ontario will benefit from our leadership.

That said, we know that the investments we have made to modernize and clean up our electricity supply have put cost pressures on some families. That’s exactly why we’ve introduced these measures, which offer significant support to Ontarians.

The proposed HST rebate will be available to all consumers eligible for the regulated price plan. This includes about five million residential consumers, small businesses and farms.

This rebate is permanent. It is being enacted through legislation and, as such, will be law and require legislation to overturn it. Consumers won’t have to do anything to receive the rebate. It will be automatically added to their bill.

Ontario has made a decision to effectively eliminate provincial taxes from electricity bills. The fastest, most efficient way to achieve this is through an immediate on-bill rebate of the provincial part of the HST.

It’s also important to remember that on January 1, 2016, the debt retirement charge was eliminated from residential bills and the Ontario Electricity Support Program was launched to provide low-income families with up to $75 each month. I know many of my constituents with lower incomes have taken advantage of that.

This legislation is part of a holistic package this government has introduced to ensure affordable access to electricity. Taken together, families are receiving far more than through the OCEB.

I also want to remind everyone that the government remains committed to balancing the budget by 2017-18, while continuing to invest in the economy, our people and a healthy, clean and prosperous low-carbon future.

These investments will help enhance the public services that Ontarians rely on, as well as to stimulate economic growth—because we do need more jobs in Ontario.

Our plan is in action. Our plan is working, and I will fully support this bill.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Questions and comments?

Mr. Jack MacLaren: At first blush, this bill sounds very attractive. The government is going to give us money, so they’re going to subsidize consumers, very much like they subsidize electricity production with solar and wind. We will be given back the provincial sales tax that we pay on our hydro bills, which we didn’t pay until it was put on some years ago by this government. So we get it back—8%.

Additionally, we’re going to get another 20% if we happen to be in rural Ontario. That’s wonderful. We appreciate that. Now, we have to look at a couple of things. Rural Ontario is paying more than urban Ontario, to start with. Basically, what you’re giving us back is money that we never should have paid in the first place. Also, electricity costs in the last 12 years that this government has been in power have gone up 400%. That’s about 28% a year. We get a gift for a year, and at the end of one year, the gift runs out, and then we go back to increasing rates of hydro.

The bill also doesn’t talk about where the billion-dollar cost comes from—because when you give us money, it has to come from somewhere. Where does it come from? Well, there’s only one public purse, and there’s only one taxpayer. So the guy who pays the hydro bill who’s getting 28% is going to pay the 28% somewhere else, whether it’s another tax, more debt or something of that nature.

Wind and solar power don’t work because they require big subsidies. That is the problem from the beginning. That is the mismanagement of hydro policy in Ontario. Really, what we should have done instead of going with wind and solar from Korea was go with hydroelectricity from our neighbour Quebec.

The Deputy Speaker (Ms. Soo Wong): Further questions and comments?

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I’m pleased to be able to add my voice today on Bill 13, discussing this rebate the government is proposing: to take 8% off our bills that never should have been on there in the first place. New Democrats have been saying for the past six years that this 8% should never be on there, that the provincial portion of the HST that we’re going to see taken off in the form of a rebate never should have been on there in the first place. I don’t think anyone on this side of the room would argue that. It never should have been on there.

They’re taking something off with great fanfare and we’re all supposed to say thank you, and while we’re glad to have it, it never should have been on there in the first place.

In response to the Attorney General’s comments about businesses and appreciating what’s being put forward in this bill, that’s great. We want there to be some relief for businesses, for our families, for the average Ontarian who is trying to pay their bills, make ends meet, keep their lights on and stay warm while doing it. But when I’ve talked to businesses in my community—small businesses and big businesses—they would really like to see a bold plan enacted, because they want to be able to do business here in Ontario. Individuals want to be able to continue to pay their bills.

To hear the minister talk about how the economics of electrici