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May 8, 2006

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2006-May-08 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 8 May 2006 Lundi 8 mai 2006

WEARING OF PINS

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DARLINGTON NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

JASMEET SIDHU

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

ESL FUNDING

STEPHEN LEWIS FOUNDATION

HOCKEYVILLE

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

POLICE VEHICLES

PUBLIC HEALTH

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE (HAMILTON) ACT, 2006

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

NURSING WEEK

ARTS EDUCATION

NURSING WEEK

ARTS EDUCATION

NURSING WEEK

VISITOR

JOHN ATKINSON

VE DAY

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

CANCER TREATMENT

LONG-TERM CARE

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

NORTHERN HEALTH TRAVEL GRANT

STUDENT LITERACY

ENERGY FROM WASTE

FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION

ONTARIO ECONOMY

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

EDUCATION FUNDING

TOURISM

HUMAN RIGHTS

PETITIONS

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

IDENTITY THEFT

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

COMMUNITY MEDIATION

EDUCATION FUNDING

LONG-TERM CARE

MACULAR DEGENERATION

LONG-TERM CARE

MACULAR DEGENERATION

MOTIONS

COMMITTEE SITTINGS

ORDERS OF THE DAY

HUMAN RIGHTS CODE

AMENDMENT ACT, 2006 /

LOI DE 2006 MODIFIANT LE CODE

DES DROITS DE LA PERSONNE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

WEARING OF PINS

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Monday, May 8, today, is World Red Cross Day. As a sign of our support for the Red

Cross here in Ontario, Canada, and indeed around the world, of the good works that the Canadian Red Cross does, I seek unanimous consent to wear the red pin, the Red Cross, for the day. Pins have

been supplied to all parties on both sides of the House. I'd appreciate unanimous consent.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Levac has asked for unanimous consent to wear a pin commemorating World Red Cross Day. Agreed?

Agreed.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DARLINGTON NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I rise in the House today to pay tribute to the 2,300 employees at the Darlington nuclear generating station in my

riding of Durham. Darlington had its best year in 2005, increasing its capacity factor to 90%. This makes Darlington the best-performing nuclear plant in all of Canada. Last year, Darlington

produced 17% of all the electricity used in Ontario. Imagine: That is enough supply for almost one out of every five farms, factories, businesses and homes. Almost one fifth of Ontario's power

supply comes from my riding.

In Durham region and Durham riding, we're home to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. We have the knowledge, the skills, the training and the

technology to do more, and we're ready. Ontario is only waiting for this government to show some leadership and initiative in building a safe, clean, available and affordable power supply for the

future. The energy expertise in Durham riding and Durham region is one of the keys to reaching this goal.

I would like to congratulate Gregory Smith, senior vice-president of Darlington Nuclear, and his entire team. We wish them continued success in a climate where

the Ministry of Energy -- and the minister specifically -- seems to lack a plan for the future to have a reliable, affordable, sustainable and safe source of electricity, which is the generator of

this economy in Ontario. They have no plan. Please turn their eyes to the Darlington nuclear plant. There's more to be done, and they're prepared to do it.

JASMEET SIDHU

Mr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): I'm delighted to rise today to acknowledge and congratulate Jasmeet Sidhu on receiving the

TD Canada Trust scholarship for community leadership. Ms. Sidhu is a member of my riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale. Each year, only 20 young people across Canada receive the TD Canada

Trust scholarship for outstanding and consistent leadership in striving to improve their respective communities.

Ms. Sidhu's long list of accomplishments is both inspiring and ambitious. She has created the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance, which helps connect

environmentally conscious teenagers together in her community. Under her remarkable leadership, the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance has helped to create several new recycling programs and

environmental clubs across the region. Ms. Sidhu is also involved in the award-winning environmental club she founded at Heart Lake Secondary School, and she has represented about 75,000 senior

elementary and secondary school students as student trustee for the Peel District School Board. Ms. Sidhu's impressive community involvement plays an important role in bringing this government's

environmental initiatives to fruition.

It's truly an honour and a privilege to have Ms. Sidhu as a part of the Brampton community, as well as such an integral part of Ontario. Her leadership and

dedication to her community is an example to all of us.

MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): Ontarians continue to pay more and get less service from this government. The Bracebridge MNR office in

my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka is among those that no longer offer counter service. This began on April 1, 2006. In addition, there's been no increase in staff locally to assist the

ServiceOntario office in delivering additional MNR services. MNR offices in Parry Sound-Muskoka are in high demand. For instance, due to the large number of seasonal property owners, access to

biologists is imperative to assist with invasive-species identification, like the Asian long-horned beetle and the emerald ash borer. Also, certain maps will only be available through the

Peterborough office.

Sport fishing brings significant tourism dollars to the province, yet MNR is cutting back on fish stocking, despite calls for an additional $25 million by the

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters for fish and wildlife programming.

I would like to quote from a recent letter to the editor by Ron McIntosh from Bracebridge: "There has been a dramatic decline in the ability of the MNR to

fulfill its mandate. Fish hatcheries have been closed, invasive species programs cut back, fish-stocking programs gutted, offices downsized or closed."

A couple months ago, the Parry Sound MNR aviation and forest service office was relocated. It's obvious to me and to other Ontarians that natural resources is

not a priority with this government.

ESL FUNDING

numbers from the 2005-06 elementary tracking report show that, province-wide, 56% of schools have ESL students, compared to 48% in 1999-2000; 36% of schools have ESL programs, down from 58% in

1997-98; 27% of the schools have ESL teachers, a steady decline from 41% in 1998-99.

In schools with ESL students, 51% reported they have no ESL teachers, compared to 33% in 1999-2000. Further, 71% of all of Ontario's ESL students are in the GTA.

Only 51% of GTA schools have ESL teachers, a decline from 55% last year and 68% in 1999-2000.

This speaks very, very poorly of this government, not to speak of the previous government. People had such high hopes that the Liberals would solve this, and yet

we've seen a steady decline under them. Numerous reports in the last two years, including one from Ontario's Auditor General, have called for changes to ESL funding, but as yet little has changed.

I hope things will change in the near future.

STEPHEN LEWIS FOUNDATION

Mr. Tony C. Wong (Markham): Last Wednesday, I had the privilege of attending the If I Had A Million Dollars gala dinner and salute to York

region's youth in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. I'm very happy to report that the sum of $960,000 was raised. I'd also like to highlight that $250,000 of that came from York region's

youth campaigns.

I wish to recognize and thank the honorary co-chair of the gala dinner, Newmarket-Aurora MP Belinda Stronach; Steven Page and the rest of the Barenaked Ladies

band for their musical contribution and support; our Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman; York region committee co-chairs Mary Anna and Charles Beer and Steve Falk; Steven

Paikin, host of our favourite show, TVO's 4th Reading, for offering to play emcee for another year; special guest Lionel Davis of South Africa; and of course Stephen Lewis, who has brought life and

hope to the millions affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa.

I'm so very proud of the contributions and accomplishments of York region's residents and youth, and of this government for providing $80,000 in annual funding

for the AIDS Committee of York Region, which I had the honour of announcing last year, to improve the lives and conditions of people living with HIV/AIDS in York region.

By extending the borders of our compassion, we can help ease the pain brought by HIV/AIDS together.

HOCKEYVILLE

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): The CBC was back in Barry's Bay on the weekend, yes siree, to film another segment for the

Kraft CBC series Hockeyville. It leaves little doubt as to who is going to be crowned Hockeyville, Canada, on June 11, I believe it is. It is clearly shaping up to be a rout on behalf of Barry's

Bay.

The CBC was so impressed with what they saw on Saturday, where hundreds of people turned out to support the village's bid for Hockeyville. There was a big

scavenger hunt that took them from the community centre to the Zurakowsky Park and on to the new parking lot at the new Loeb's. It was very, very impressive. It was then followed up yesterday by a

community barbecue in support of the Hockeyville bid where young Michael Papania and Father Grant Neville were the stars in a video that was being filmed about the efforts, which will be forwarded

on to CBC and the Kraft Hockeyville committee.

The momentum is growing all across the valley and all across the province. I know there are some other places in this contest, but I want you to just admit it:

Barry's Bay is going to be the winner. Get behind it 100%. Let's have Hockeyville Barry's Bay on June 11.

EXCHANGE STUDENTS

Mr. Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre): I rise today to introduce the Legislature to a group of students who attend John Herdman Collegiate in

Corner Brook --

Interjection.

Mr. Patten: Can you hang on a minute -- Newfoundland, and Toronto students and staff from the YMCA. They're in the west gallery. They are being

hosted by the YMCA Academy. The academy is an alternative school, is managed by the YMCA of Greater Toronto and serves students between grade 9 and grade 11.

The federal government's Youth Exchanges Canada provides funding to support homestay exchanges. Through their exchanges, students recognize and appreciate our

country's rich diversity of culture, language, communities, geography, history and economy.

As a former staff person with the YMCA for over 22 years, it's with some pride that I note the exchange program holds true to the spirit and the mission of the

Y, enabling young people to learn from each other, to respect different cultures -- to listen to each other when statements are being made -- while developing communication and leadership

skills.

Welcome. We hope you enjoy your visit to Queen's Park. The time that you will be spending here in Toronto with YMCA staff and students we hope is meaningful.

Thank you for coming and adding your wonderful spirit to this place and to our province. When you return home to Newfoundland, may you find that this experience has increased your motivation to

build a strong future for Newfoundland and Canada and all its people.

POLICE VEHICLES

Mrs. Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre): Last week, I visited DaimlerChrysler Canada to watch the delivery of a fleet of 15 new, specially equipped

Dodge Charger vehicles to Peel Regional Police from their Brampton assembly plant. I was extremely proud to see that the Dodge Charger police package, built by men and women in Brampton, will be

used to protect our community. Peel Regional Police now have some of the most technologically advanced vehicles used in law enforcement.

The new Charger is a highly specialized vehicle which has been designed and developed to be utilized specifically for police service applications only. In

addition to the enhanced engine and suspension abilities, the Dodge Charger package also provides the power, functionality and handling that are needed for law enforcement.

It is my understanding that there are eight different police forces within Canada that are utilizing these vehicles. This delivery to Peel Regional Police

Service represents the largest single delivery to any police service in Canada thus far.

My congratulations to DaimlerChrysler for returning to their police car heritage and delivering a vehicle which will help local police serve and protect the city

of Brampton and Peel.

PUBLIC HEALTH

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): Statistics show that 96% of elementary and secondary students in Perth county have received all the

vaccines recommended for their age. I concur with Dr. Rosana Pellizzari, our local Perth county medical officer of health, when she said, "It's great to see that Perth county children are well

protected against many serious illnesses."

This is no coincidence. Since being elected, the McGuinty government has phased in new, free child vaccination programs for chicken pox, meningitis and

pneumococcal disease. The plan is projected to see some two million Ontario children vaccinated without charge by the end of 2006-07, saving Ontario families approximately $600 per child for all

three vaccines. For a young family with two children, that's a saving of $1,200; for a family with three, that's a saving of $1,800, etc. It's no surprise that our progress has now made Ontario a

leader in North America in protecting children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

At this time, I'd also like to take the opportunity to commend the Perth district health unit for embracing the vision of health care we share with them and with

all Ontarians and making it a reality. I'd also like to thank all the health care professionals in Perth-Middlesex and our government's commitment to public health for making my riding a leader in

the delivery of all public services.

I take the last few seconds to say to my colleagues that we have a visitor today, a young Mr. David Betancourt from Colombia. He's a Rotary exchange student

visiting our great province and living in Stratford. We welcome you here, David.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

AND ECONOMIC AFFAIRS

Mr. Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on finance and economic affairs and move its

adoption.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

Pursuant to the order of the House dated May 1, 2006, the bill is ordered for third reading.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE (HAMILTON) ACT, 2006

Ms. Marsales moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr18,

An Act respecting Ronald McDonald House (Hamilton).

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

Pursuant to standing order 84, this bill stands referred to the standing committee on regulations and private bills.

MOTIONS

HOUSE SITTINGS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I move that, pursuant to standing order

9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, May 8, 2006, for the purpose of considering government business.

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

All those in favour will say "aye."

All those opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1351 to 1356.

The Speaker: Mr. Bradley has moved government notice of motion number 131. All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized

by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Balkissoon, Bas

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Fonseca, Peter

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jeffrey, Linda

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Levac, Dave

MacLeod, Lisa

Marsales, Judy

Mauro, Bill

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sorbara, Gregory S.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Murdoch, Bill

Prue, Michael

Tabuns, Peter

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 62; the nays are 8.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

NURSING WEEK

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Mr. Speaker, as you and members of this assembly are aware, today marks the

beginning of Nursing Week. This marks an occasion to celebrate the remarkable work done by our province's nurses, but it's also an opportunity for us -- for all of us -- to reflect on what still

needs to be done.

I'd like to take a moment to commend our province's nurses, and I'd like to advise all members of this assembly of an important announcement I made this

morning to help address our nursing shortage and to keep more nursing graduates here in Ontario.

Let me begin by expressing to all of our nurses our profound appreciation and our gratitude. You truly are the front line of health care, carrying out vital

functions, providing support to other health professionals and, most important, providing care to our patients. Your work is often done under extraordinarily challenging conditions, yet you perform

your duties with professionalism, with energy, with grace and with compassion. I know I speak on behalf of all members of this House, and indeed all Ontarians, when I say to the nurses of Ontario:

thank you.

Our government recognizes the crucial role that you perform, and we also know that this recognition has not always existed.

We've worked hard during our time in office to make life better for Ontario's nurses and to ensure that more nurses choose to pursue their careers here in

Ontario. We've invested more than $50 million for hospitals to purchase nursing and patient safety equipment, like bed lifts, safety engineered sharps and alarm systems; we've provided an

additional $89 million to hospitals and long-term-care homes for the purchase of patient- and resident-lifting equipment; we've committed $50 million for full-time nursing positions in hospitals;

and we've attached strong and measurable accountability requirements to ensure that the money goes, and stays, where it's intended.

In the past two years, we've invested more than $87 million in our comprehensive nursing strategy. This money was earmarked to hire new graduate nurses into

temporary supernumerary positions to allow for better orientation and transition to the workforce. We've earmarked money to support our late-career nurses to work a portion of their time in a less

physically demanding role. We've created nurse-mentoring programs, and we've purchased clinical simulation equipment to provide our nursing students with hands-on practice in simulated

environments. This funding supported practical nursing programs as well as collaborative programs.

We've provided $1 million this year, an amount that will increase to $4 million in 2007-08, to support a nursing faculty fund.

All of these steps have helped to create a better working environment for nurses, and today we took one more important step forward. This morning I had the

privilege of announcing our government's commitment that every nursing graduate in Ontario will be offered a full-time job somewhere in this province. We want to keep all of our new nursing

graduates here in Ontario, providing care to Ontarians. That's why we're offering this job guarantee to every nursing graduate.

Beginning in 2007, the 4,000 students expected to graduate will be offered a full-time opportunity somewhere within our vast public health care system. We

can't offer everyone their first choice in terms of job placement, but we can and will offer every nursing graduate a full-time job, whether it's in the hospital sector, long-term care, home care,

public health or the primary care sector.

This initiative is part of our HealthForceOntario human resources strategy that we launched last week. I'm delighted that Tom Closson, the former president and

CEO of the University Health Network, has agreed to head the task force developing the implementation details of this initiative.

This represents one more step in our effort to address Ontario's nursing shortage and in fulfilling our commitment to hire 8,000 new nurses. I'm extremely

proud of this initiative.

Once again, I'm proud to have this opportunity to acknowledge and to celebrate our province's nurses as we mark Nursing Week.

ARTS EDUCATION

Hon. Caroline Di Cocco (Minister of Culture): As the Minister of Culture, I have been given the responsibility of developing a strategy to

promote arts education in Ontario's public schools. I'd like to thank my parliamentary assistant for culture, Jennifer Mossop, for her work in the past two years. It's with her and Kathleen Wynne's

help, the parliamentary assistant for education, and in partnership with the Minister of Education, that this government plans to enhance arts education in our schools.

The term "arts education" is synonymous with excellence and all the best in shaping our children's education. We know this intuitively, we know it anecdotally

and we know it empirically. Studies have shown that young people who participate in arts and music not only have higher math and science scores but are also better problem solvers.

Creativity and innovation are the new markers of success in an economy that is increasingly moving towards knowledge-intensive industries. Exceptional

scientists, engineers, architects, entertainers, high-tech workers and business people all share important skills: the ability to apply new, innovative approaches to old problems and to try

something radically new.

Innovation and creative thinking is what we want to teach our young people in the 21st century. We want to provide them with the kind of education that engages

them, inspires them and teaches them to think for themselves. A focus on creativity through the arts will ensure our children get the well-rounded education they need to succeed in our complex and

rapidly changing world.

That's why the Ontario government, under Premier McGuinty's leadership, is launching a new $4-million program to promote arts education in our communities and

schools, the arts education partnership initiative. This will bring the provincial investment in arts education over the last two years to $25 million.

The arts education partnership initiative is an incentive program that will encourage private sector support to achieve three important goals: to encourage our

children to participate and learn about the arts, like painting, music, singing, theatre and dance; to help classroom teachers use the arts to give their students a better understanding of other

subjects, like math or science; and to help build partnerships between arts organizations and their communities.

We want to provide students with the skills they need to achieve higher grades in all subjects and to develop their ability to create, adapt and think on their

own.

The province also continues to fund the Royal Conservatory of Music's learning through the arts program, providing $6 million over five years. This program

uses art and music to teach subjects like math, science, history and geography. Whether it's learning math through dance, science through sculpture or learning how to deal with bullying through

theatrical production, our students benefit significantly from this kind of exposure to the arts.

I'd like to highlight for you some of our exciting new initiatives in support of arts and education that my government in Ontario is also very proud of: $10

million from the Ontario Trillium Foundation in the past two years to fund our young people's participation in arts initiatives across the province; $4 million through the Ontario Arts Council in

its world-renowned arts education programs; 2,000 new specialist teachers in our schools, including arts, music and teacher librarians; and arts programs and exhibits offered to our students by

Ontario's cultural agencies through the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum, that stimulate the imagination of hundreds of thousands of students every year.

This significant financial investment illustrates that our government values the role of the arts in our education system and in our communities, both to help

our children learn about the arts and through the arts.

The Ontario government, under Premier Dalton McGuinty, gets it. We know that arts education isn't a nicety; it's a necessity. The arts not only raise academic

achievement in all areas. They also help children stay in school by engaging their imagination; increase their self-confidence and their self-esteem; increase their creativity and problem-solving

skills; engage children who are not reaching their potential, including those with learning disabilities; and provide positive direction for children and youth heading for trouble.

We know there's a lot of rebuilding to do in this sector because of many years of neglect. I also know that this is not a panacea, but I am proud of this

tangible step that we're taking to invest in arts education.

This past Friday, I had the opportunity to join the Premier, the Minister of Education and our respective parliamentary assistants on a visit to Palmerston

Avenue Public School to celebrate arts education. I was gratified by the passion, joy and enthusiasm the principal, teachers and students of that school showed for the arts. Their commitment to

improving the level and quality of arts education in their school is inspirational. We want to see this kind of enthusiasm in every school across the province. Our vision is to ensure that because

of arts education, students across the province are achieving higher grades, improving their self-esteem and better preparing themselves for the future.

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

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): I'm pleased to respond to the statement by the Minister of Culture. I think all of us recognize that the key to

our future -- the success of our children and grandchildren -- is certainly in developing skills in the areas of innovation and creativity. As we look at a knowledge-based society with increased

globalization and therefore constant ability to communicate, innovation and creativity are keys to that future.

One of the initiatives from our government that I am particularly proud of was the funding for organizations like Artslink in York region. Artslink York Region

believes that arts and culture are integral to healthy communities. Artslink's mission is to foster and promote the spirit of creativity in York region. Artslink is a regional arts program that

promotes and financially supports a learning partnership between York community artists and schools.

The Trillium Foundation approved funding for the establishment of an arts council in late 2002, and this organization then developed into the Artslink

organization, led by its very capable executive director, Virginia Hackson, who is a councillor with the town of East Gwillimbury.

Artslink encourages student involvement in culture by sponsoring such programs as Artslink Music Alive, with over 60 sessions in various communities in York

region. This year they have expanded into the world of drama with the Artslink Drama Alive Festival, which gives students experience performing in front of a live audience. Their Visual Arts Alive

program displays banners designed by student teams from kindergarten to grade 12 representing their elementary, secondary or private school in York region.

Artslink is only one example of the PC Party's commitment to culture and to including our young people as full participants.

NURSING WEEK

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): Here we have another week and another announcement by the Minister of Health.

Applause.

Mrs. Witmer: Before they cheer too loud, they should take note of the fact that this is another announcement just like last week, and the one

about the LHINs and the family health teams, without any detail, without any dates, without any timelines and of course, most importantly, no dollars. No one has any idea as to how this government

is going to achieve the objectives. In fact, when the minister was scrummed this morning, he acknowledged as much. How will this increase the number of positions? He didn't have an answer. What are

the periods of time within which the job offers will be guaranteed? He didn't have an answer. Is this task force some kind of hiring agency? Oh, he didn't want to get into the nitty-gritty just

yet. Why bother with details when you can stand up and make announcement after announcement without any substance whatsoever?

I would say to the minister that we have a very proud record as far as recruiting and hiring health human resources. Our government, working with the health

stakeholders, saw the creation of 12,000 additional nurses in Ontario. We created the nurse practitioner position. We announced the new medical school in northern Ontario. We are very proud that we

were able to work with all those health stakeholders in order to ensure that people in this province would have increased access to health care professionals.

I want to conclude my remarks, in this the week that is devoted to nursing, by simply extending my sincere congratulations and appreciation, on behalf of John

Tory and our party, to all the nurses in Ontario for the work they do, no matter where they work. Whether it's in a hospital, on the front lines, on the street, in public health, in long-term care

or in community care, we very much value and appreciate their professionalism, their caring, their dedication and their compassion for their patients. We certainly look forward to continuing to

work with our nursing partners. Many of us are going to be visiting and seeing first-hand the role of our nurses this week, and we look forward to that opportunity.

ARTS EDUCATION

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): I was lucky to have been at Palmerston Public School last Friday to bear witness to the hyper-inflated

display of minimalist announcement. Indeed, the Premier was there. The Minister of Education was there. The Minister of Culture; the member from Stoney Creek, the parliamentary assistant; and the

member from Don Valley West -- they were all there and they all talked so beautifully about the value of culture and the arts in general, about the contribution those make to individual growth and

cultural and community development. I thought, "This is beautiful. I'm waiting for the big announcement," only to be let down by a $4-million announcement, jointly done by the Minister of Culture

and the Minister of Education, and they are matching dollars.

Applause.

Mr. Marchese: Mr. Bradley claps at this: a $4-million announcement of matching dollars. Imagine all the bake sales that the folks in Mr.

Bradley's riding are going to have to be able to raise all this money so that they can have a few cultural programs in some of these schools. I'm looking forward to all the big, big, big bake sales

they are going to have to be able to match this big $4 million.

That was the announcement. That was it -- such an important announcement. I was seated there, waiting for the big, big dollars to come down. I can't tell you

how much in disbelief I was: $4 million, matching funds. You know, Mr. Bradley and others, that we have had a drop in music and art teachers of 20% in the last eight years. This doesn't add one

music teacher to our schools -- not one; not one cent. They speak proudly of what they've done and they talk about 2,000 new specialist teachers in our schools, including arts and music. I

challenge the Minister of Education, who's here, and the Minister of Culture to show me how many new teachers we've got who are music teachers and art teachers, and then we can talk about how good

you have been in the last three years.

NURSING WEEK

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): During Nursing Week, my colleagues and I salute Ontario nurses for the tremendous work that they do in our

system. They provide excellent high-quality care in Ontario hospitals. All floors are at all capacities in long-term-care homes, in long-term care, in home care, in community health centres and in

public health units. I'd like to thank them at the start for their commitment, their dedication, their hard work and their incredible contribution to Ontario's health care system.

With respect to the announcement made today, why would any Ontario family, nurse or graduating nurse believe anything the McGuinty government has to say with

respect to nurses, given their absolute failure to live up to the promises they made with respect to nurses during the election campaign? This is a government that promised 70% of registered nurses

would have full-time employment in the province of Ontario. In 2005, that figure was 60%, three years into this government's mandate, after three budgets and after a $3-billion windfall. They

haven't lived up to that promise. This is a government that promised 8,000 new nurses in the province of Ontario. If you look at the government's own figures, to date, the government has hired

3,052.

It's interesting to note that 1,100 of those are new graduate internship positions that the nursing secretariat describes as "temporary full-time positions for

nurses that have graduated in the last 12 months. At the discretion of the employer, these positions may last three to six months." This government uses 1,000 of these three-to-six-month positions

to claim that it's hired 8,000 new nurses.

Also, this is a government that said 1,000 nurses had been hired in Ontario hospitals, and then several weeks after making that claim, the minister announced

that he had given the approval for hospitals to lay off 757 nurses. At the estimates in September, I asked the ministry how many of those nurses been laid off. The ministry had no idea.

We know that more nurses have been laid off as hospitals tried to meet their deadline from the ministry in March 2006. Now we've done an FOI to the ministry to

find out how many nurses have been laid off, because there's no doubt in my mind that they have been and that the government's numbers about nursing positions in hospitals are very skewed.

Finally, what's really astonishing about the announcement today is that this province is facing a crisis with respect to a shortage of registered nurses. Linda

Haslam-Stroud said last week that up to 30,000 RNs are going to retire by 2008. We'd better have a place for those 4,000 graduates in 2007; we'd better have a place for 4,000 and a whole lot more,

because we are not going to have enough registered nurses to deal with patient care --

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

VISITOR

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm very pleased to

be able to introduce to the House today a retired principal from St. Angela's school in Windsor, Sister Shirley McCauley, my former principal. I'm very happy to have her introduced today. Welcome

to the House.

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

JOHN ATKINSON

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I believe we have unanimous consent

for all parties to speak for up to five minutes to recognize a fallen police officer.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Bradley has asked for unanimous consent for all parties to speak for up to five minutes on a fallen

police officer. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Finance, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): It is with great sadness that I rise in this House today

on behalf of the government and the Legislature to pay tribute to Senior Constable John Atkinson and offer our heartfelt sympathies to his family for the loss of a loving husband and father.

John was a 14-year veteran of the Windsor Police Service and was tragically killed, as all members know, on Friday, and taken away from all of us far too soon.

I know that myself and everyone in our community, and in fact across Ontario, has felt the loss of this outstanding police officer and community member, for Officer Atkinson truly demonstrated the

best of qualities in all of his roles.

He was obviously fiercely proud of his community and looked after his neighbourhood not only in his professional capacity but also frequently on his personal

time. Over his 14-year career, he received over 35 letters of recognition for a job well done and letters of appreciation from the public, as well as six divisional commendations for his

initiative, dedication to duty and excellence in police work. He was an individual who took his responsibilities very seriously 24 hours a day.

The fact that Officer Atkinson was murdered is a tragedy in and of itself, but the fact that he was reaching out to protect his community, indeed his own

neighbourhood, makes it even more tragic. Every Ontarian owes John a debt of gratitude for the values and principles he stood for. Windsorites are still in shock, as I know Ontarians are across the

province.

I want to take a moment to pay tribute to the thousands of men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect and enhance our communities. I

think sometimes we take it for granted. Unfortunately, Officer Atkinson's death reminds us so vividly of how dangerous this work can be. Our police officers across Ontario are true public servants,

and we all owe them an enormous debt of gratitude.

Our hearts go out to John's wife, Shelley, and their two children, Nicole and Mitchell. None of us here can know exactly what they are going through at this

time, but I do want to express to them on behalf of this House the deep sorrow we share and our deep gratitude for the bravery, service and spirit of community shown by their husband and

father.

I don't know that there are words strong or eloquent enough to capture the courage it takes to put one's self in harm's way in order to keep others safe, just

as I don't know that there are words to describe what a partner, a son or daughter, a friend or a fellow officer goes through when forced to pick one's self up and carry on without their spouse,

their parent or their colleague in policing. All I can say is that it is with the greatest of respect that I say thank you, John Atkinson, and thank you to all the police officers who make the

ultimate sacrifice. We thank them and we thank their families for the love and support they provide to our police day in and day out.

Officer Atkinson will be missed, but more important, he will be remembered. He will be remembered as a servant of his community; he will be remembered as a

thoroughly decent police officer. He will be remembered. His memory will be cherished by his entire community, but most important, he will be remembered as a father and a husband. We offer our

deepest sympathies to his family.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): Last Friday, as police services from across Ontario prepared for the police memorial here at Queen's Park

on Sunday, a veteran Windsor police officer was brutally murdered in the line of duty. Senior Constable John Atkinson, a 37-year-old, 14-year veteran of the Windsor Police Service, was a

plainclothes officer who happened to respond to an incident that tragically took his life from him.

Any time a police officer leaves his or her home to serve the public and perform in the line of duty, they understand the danger and possible consequences.

However, when we learn of an officer making the supreme sacrifice, we begin to realize what officers and their families are subjected to, day in and day out.

John Atkinson was married to his wife, Shelley, for 17 years, and they had two beautiful children: seven-year-old Nicole and nine-year-old Mitchell. John had

received 35 letters of recognition and six divisional commendations for his excellence in police work and dedication to his job. On behalf of John Tory, the PC caucus and all Ontarians, I'd like to

extend our deepest condolences to Shelley, Nicole and Mitchell, and to all the extended Atkinson family, both those related and those in police services throughout the province. We thank John for

contributing to the safety and security of his hometown of Windsor and to the beautiful province of Ontario.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Today we recognize the sacrifice of Senior Constable John Atkinson of the Windsor Police Service, who

died in the line of duty on Friday, May 5.

For 14 years, Senior Constable Atkinson undertook a very noble task. He donned a police uniform every day, putting himself in harm's way to keep his community

safe. He was a good cop. He did his job with distinction. Over his 14-year career, he received 35 letters of recognition for a job well done, letters of appreciation from the public, and six

divisional commendations for his initiative, his dedication to duty and his excellence in police work.

Sadly, on Friday, Senior Constable Atkinson was taken from his community, from the job he loved, from his friends and from his family, shot and killed in a

senseless act of violence in the very neighbourhood he calls home. He was only 37 years old.

Windsor's chief of police has said that John Atkinson "was just a good person first, and a good police officer. He was an absolute credit to our community. He

and his wife were -- it's a tragic story -- high school sweethearts. They grew up in that neighbourhood, lived in that neighbourhood," and now he has been, "killed in that neighbourhood. A

tragedy."

The loss reminds all of us of how dangerous police work can be and how critical it is that we do all we can to help them.

Today is a day to mourn the loss of one of Ontario's finest. We send our deepest, sincerest condolences to the people of Windsor, to Constable Atkinson's

grieving colleagues in the Windsor Police Service and, most importantly, to Constable Atkinson's wife, Shelley, his son, Mitchell, who is nine years old, and his daughter, Nicole, who turns seven

years old today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Of Constable Atkinson, we must say, thank you for 14 years of dedicated service to your community, thank you for putting yourself in harm's

way every day to protect your community, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice to keep us safe. Thank you.

The Speaker: I would ask that all members and guests rise and observe a moment of silence for Constable John Atkinson.

The House observed a moment's silence.

VE DAY

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I believe we have unanimous consent

for all parties to speak for up to five minutes to recognize VE Day.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Bradley has asked for unanimous consent for all parties to speak for up to five minutes to recognize

Victory in Europe Day. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Mr. Bradley: We join today with all Ontarians and with millions around the world to mark the 61st anniversary of VE Day: May 8, 1945.

This is a day of celebration, a day on which to commemorate the victory over intolerance and tyranny, but it is also a day for deep reflection. We cannot help but remember the terrible cost to gain

freedom and remember those who sacrificed their lives so that we might enjoy that freedom today.

Some 10% of Canada's population served in the Second World War. More than 54,000 were wounded, approximately 9,000 were taken as prisoners of war, and well

over 42,000 lost their lives. Ontario's young men and women experienced the brutality of war in North Africa, Italy, Holland, France and Germany, as well as on the Asian front.

Their contributions are remembered by many. The liberation of the Netherlands is celebrated each year, as it was in the early days of 1945, when the Dutch

poured into the streets and danced with young Canadian soldiers who had come to free them from oppression and fear. There is a forest of maple trees in the city of Groningen, the Liberation Forest,

which was dedicated with a poem that reads, "To commemorate them we dedicate a forest yet / Maple leaves fell for us, lest we forget."

For many Ontarians, these events are the realities our parents lived through, and so for the so-called baby boom generation these things are part of our own

personal reality, even if we did not experience them directly. With each passing generation, however, we run the risk that these events will slide from shared reality to distant history and that

our young people will lose sight of what was won, what was sacrificed and what these events truly meant in human terms.

There are today fewer than 100,000 veterans of the Second World War in Ontario. Even though the average age of these veterans is over 82, many remain active

and involved and continue to give to their communities. My most fervent wish is that these generations find ways to share, to learn and to keep this vital memory alive.

That is why the government of Ontario, supported by all members of this Legislature, welcomed the opportunity to partner with the Dominion Institute to provide

funding assistance for the Memory Project Road Show. The road show began last May. The road show visited eight cities and touched the lives of hundreds of veterans, their families and secondary

school students across the province. In the end, the oral histories and personal memorabilia of 500 veterans living in Ontario have been collected and catalogued by experts.

This morning, Second World War veterans Pauline Hebb, George MacDonell and Alfred Hurley joined us at Leaside High School for the unveiling of the online

archive.

The Memory Project Road Show has created a powerful and lasting way to honour veterans. On the front lawn of Queen's Park, in the place of highest honour, the

veterans' memorial is being constructed. Generations to come will be reminded of the sacrifices of the men and women who fought so valiantly for our freedom and emerged triumphant. It is with deep

gratitude to those who lost their lives and those who came home to us as veterans that I observe, on behalf of colleagues of mine and all Ontarians, VE Day, May 8, 1945.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): It is my privilege to rise respectfully in my place today to give solemn gratitude to the men and women

who fought so valiantly for our freedom in World War II. Today, we mark the 61st anniversary of Victory in Europe Day as free citizens in a free country in this distinguished chamber. Today, we

remember a day when brave souls from across Canada and around the world stood up to tyranny, stood up to hatred and stood up to oppression. And these brave souls triumphed. As Vice-Admiral Duncan

Miller, chair of the Canadian Naval Memorial recalled, "Canadians were the heroes of this war, and still are from the European perspective, because that's how the war was won."

Yesterday, in the nation's capital, over 400 veterans and serving military officers remembered VE Day and the sacrifices and triumphs of the young men and

women who served our country -- in fact, all of the world -- during the Battle of the Atlantic. No war has been fought without the deaths of brave men and women. Each victory is made bittersweet by

the memory of those who died to protect us. Mere words cannot truly express the myriad feelings which Canadians have shared since that day 61 years ago, when individuals sacrificed so greatly, and

the individual stories that rose from those sorrows and joys. Charlie Burgess, a veteran in his 80s who served during the Battle of the Atlantic, plainly recalled yesterday, "It was kind of rough,

it was scary, but you had to live with it."

As members of this chamber pause today to remember the ultimate sacrifice made all too frequently in that great conflict, a sacrifice which will never be

forgotten in Canada and in Europe, we reflect on how different our lives would be had they not stood up to tyranny and evil and had they not succeeded. We reflect on the world we live in and how it

has been defined by defiance to that seemingly insurmountable force. We reflect not only on where we are but who we are, and how that conflict, as we as a people have stood up against it, has

moulded our character and framed our vigilance. We reflect today on our freedom and our liberties, and we look toward a future that, because of sacrifices so long ago, is boundless with

opportunities, embraces free will, and protects sovereignty over ourselves and our nation.

In closing, I would encourage all Canadians and Ontarians and every member of this Legislature to remember the sacrifices of the great men and women who served

our country during conflicts around the world throughout our history, and in particular during World War II, for it is only through their sacrifices that we have been given the opportunity to

flourish as a strong nation and as strong individuals. I'm reminded of the great world leader Sir Winston Churchill, who cautioned, "A nation that forgets its past is doomed to repeat it."

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Victory in Europe Day represents many different things to many people.

To young people, merely children, living in northern France, Belgium or the Netherlands, victory in Europe for many meant the first opportunity to taste

something like a chocolate bar. It meant the first opportunity to be able to have three meals a day. It meant the first opportunity to be able to walk down the street or down the road in their

local community without being challenged or without being subject to search, and in some cases deprivation.

Canadians need to remember the victory in Europe, but we also have much to celebrate in terms of the victory in Europe. Much of the history of Great Britain or

the British history of the second war, much of the American history of the second war, was written early on. It was written in the late 1940s, the early 1950s. People like Eisenhower wrote their

memoirs. Churchill, of course, wrote many books. Generals like Montgomery wrote their memoirs very soon after the war. Canadians, perhaps because we're a humble lot, perhaps because we tend to be

quieter on the world stage, have only recently begun to write the history of what Canadians did, and it's a remarkable history. Mark Zuehlke, who is an academic and historian who lives on the west

coast, has now written about five books in the last 10 years on the history of what Canadians did. Some of his research and what he has turned up is really quite remarkable.

In my hometown, there are several Canadians who are called the D-Day Dodgers because they fought most of the second war in Sicily and Italy. Mr. Zuehlke has

just recently written a book about the Canadians in Italy, and there's one remarkable part where the German army had built a formidable line across the centre of Italy from the Mediterranean to the

Adriatic coast. They called it the Hitler Line and they declared that it was invincible. But Mr. Zuehlke, in searching through the records of the German army, has actually found a memo from the

head of intelligence of the German army in Italy at the time where he writes to his superiors in Berlin. He knows that the Americans, the British, the Canadians, the French and the Poles, who were

all fighting in Italy, were preparing to attack, but he writes, "If I could only know where the Canadians are, then I know where the attack will happen." Indeed, when the attack on the Hitler Line

finally came, it was the Canadians who led the breaking of the Hitler Line.

In northwest Europe, the work that Canadians did in Belgium and in Holland is perhaps some of the most formidable fighting that anyone could ever wish to think

about. While the British army was given the plains of Europe and could use their tanks, and the American army was given more or less the eastern side of France and could use their tanks, Canadians

had to fight through all the canals, all the ditches, all the rivers, all the lowland, where you couldn't use tanks. You had to literally fight on the ground for every yard of earth, and in some

cases every yard of mud. One of the most astounding things -- and again, this is fairly recent history. Canadians actually took the surrender of the German army in northern Holland, and the

lieutenant colonel of the Canadian army who picked up the commanding officer of the German army in northern Holland to escort him to the place where the peace treaty was going to be signed was

immediately subjected to a barrage of questions by the commanding German officer, who was a professional soldier. He wanted to know what this lieutenant colonel had done before the war. Certainly

he must have been a professional soldier? And the lieutenant colonel replied, "No, sir. I was a volunteer. I made ice cream before the war." That's also what's so incredible about Canadians:

volunteers, virtually each and every one of them.

So we have much to remember and we also need to celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Canadians in Europe and the victory in Europe.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Minister of Health. Last week, Alex Sundakov, a New Zealand economist, warned

that your new drug reforms will pave the way for reference-based pricing in Ontario. As you know, Minister, reference-based pricing is a scheme by which the government pays for only the lowest-cost

drug in a specific class, regardless of what the doctor has prescribed, and the patients are left to pick up the difference. To simplify, if a doctor wrote you a prescription for a four-door sedan,

the government would cover the cost of a scooter and the patient gets the bill for the difference between the two. Patient groups have said that such a policy would have disastrous impacts on

people across the province who are receiving health care from this government. Will you confirm whether or not your plan for Ontario will head us in the direction of reference-based pricing? Yes or

no?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The answer to the honourable member is no.

Mr. Tory: I think that should go down on the record as the first one-word answer ever from this minister. But it's not satisfactory,

unfortunately.

Interjection.

Mr. Tory: Well, that's fine.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. Stop the clock. Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: Unfortunately, there seems to be some discrepancy here that we have to pursue with that answer.

Last Wednesday, you were quoted, I guess somewhat consistently with what you just said in this House, in the Toronto Sun as saying, "This is not the slippery

slope to reference-based pricing." However, I have here a cabinet document from your Ministry of Health. Here's what it says, here's what the document presented to the cabinet, dated March 30,

says: "The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care identified offsets of $286.5 million in the 2006-07 results-based plan. The offsets identified are as follows: reference-based pricing and generic

pricing commitments are $136.5 million for 2006-07 and $150.8 million in each of 2007-08 and 2008-09."

This document clearly indicates that you and the McGuinty government are in fact going to be bringing reference-based pricing schemes in to foist them on to

the patients of Ontario. Why do you insist on saying one thing publicly and here --

The Speaker: Response.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: With all due --

Interjection.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: You're not even in your seat and you've got that bad habit again.

I want to say in very direct answer to the honourable member, the reference to reference-based pricing that is in cabinet documents is a reflection on the idea

that it was a placeholder. There's no doubt whatsoever that at a point in time, as our government sought to evaluate how we should move forward on a review and policy decisions with respect to the

drug system, reference-based pricing, something that has been brought in in other Canadian jurisdictions -- most of them; eight, I believe -- was something, no doubt, that we did consider. A

placeholder was placed against that in a numeric equation.

Since then, as our government's policy came out two or three days short of three weeks ago, we've been clear that the policy that we've implemented is not

built upon the premise of reference-based pricing. It's not therapeutic substitution; no substitution in fact would be allowed. This is something that we've been able to answer very, very clearly

since we've come forward with our policy and in conversations --

The Speaker: Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: The document speaks for itself. It talks about reference-based pricing -- uses those very words -- and talks about savings

associated with them.

Again, we have a situation here where we have patients and taxpayers being asked to pay more -- they've paid hundreds of dollars in McGuinty health taxes, just

within the last few weeks in some cases -- in order to receive less from your government.

Am I correct, and I ask the minister to confirm, that under the scheme you have brought forward -- call it reference-based pricing, call it what you want

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: No, it's not.

Mr. Tory: Well, the document speaks for itself -- the scheme you brought forward, if the two drugs are approved pursuant to the bidding

process out of, say, four that bid are the ones that are approved, if a doctor prescribes either of the other two, the patients are out of luck. It's worse than reference-based pricing because the

patients will get nothing. You confirm that's true, that if a drug doesn't make your list, the patient will get nothing from the government, notwithstanding that the doctor thinks that drug is best

for them. Isn't that the case on this policy?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: No, it's not. The honourable member can stand, I guess, quite a few times for one minute at a time, and he can attempt,

in an area where his knowledge is obviously quite limited, to try and draw conclusions which are incorrect.

I offer to the honourable member again, as I did last week: If he wants to run against me, come and run against me. And to set the appropriate stage for this,

recognizing the necessity of being open to voters, if the honourable member would like to debate this very specific point with me on the corner of Bloor and Jarvis, as an example, I'd be happy to

do it.

There's no reference-based pricing in this initiative. We came forward with our policy. It was outlined. We have a piece of legislation that backs it up. In

meetings with pharmaceutical companies, pharmacists and doctors, we've been clear in saying our policy is not reference-based pricing, it's not therapeutic substitution and it does not in any way

give life to the scenarios that the honourable member, through some fit of imagination, has sought to bring to the floor of this place today.

The Speaker: New question. The leader of the opposition.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Mr. Tory: My question again is to the Minister of Health. Let's just pursue this again. I'm sorry that you feel you have to turn it into some

kind of trivial matter involving debates at the corner of Bloor and Jarvis. The bottom line is, we're right here in the House --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Stop the clock.

I'd just remind members that I need to be able to clearly hear the questions and responses that are put forward. The Leader of the Opposition.

Mr. Tory: We're having that debate right here in the House today, and so my question is this: Is it possible, then, that drugs from a given

class may be prescribed by a doctor for a given patient based on the doctor's assessment of what is best for that patient or what drug works best or works at all for that patient and, under this

policy, your government will not provide funding under the drug plan for the drugs prescribed by that doctor for that patient, or are you telling us that result is not possible under your law?

Stand in your place and explain it. If I'm not right in what I'm saying, then please tell us what is right.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I already told the honourable member after his first question that he wasn't right in the assumption, and then he

continued to charge forward indicating that he believed he was, so the strategy that he outlines might have been helpful. Accordingly, I thought it might be appropriate to offer the opportunity for

the people of Ontario, on another street corner, if you choose -- we could go up to Orangeville; I'm very open to travel -- to have a discussion with the honourable member on substantive points of

health policy for more than a minute at a time where he plays to the cameras.

The reality is clear: I said no to the honourable member; I say no again. We recognize very fully that in some classes of drugs we have six, seven or eight,

and some are going to work better or differently for some patients than for others. We believe fundamentally that we have the capacity in our province to work on a case-by-case basis in each of

these classes of drugs to create the appropriate conditions under which those products can be prescribed by doctors. We have no interest in interfering in that process. We do have one interest:

It's getting the best price possible for the people of Ontario so that we can spend more on better drugs for our patients.

Mr. Tory: Let me try again with old camera-ready Smitherman himself, talking about cameras. You just talked about a class that would have

eight drugs in it. A doctor today has the latitude to prescribe -- in fact, as you well know, the doctor may well try four or five different drugs to get the right one for the patient that doesn't

have an adverse reaction and is effective.

You didn't answer the question, but we'll give you another chance because you should. The fact of the matter remains -- and you can deny it if you want -- that

under your plan people could get prescribed one of those eight drugs by a doctor and your government could decide, as a result of the process in this bill, that they don't have that drug paid for

by the taxpayers. That is true, and you know it. Stand up and admit it.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: It's simply not the case. The honourable member can spend all the time he wants trying to paint himself into a corner,

but the reality is clear that there's no therapeutic substitution here, there's no reference-based pricing here. This was answered very directly at the press conference following the introduction

of our policy. There's nothing he can point to in the legislation that does this.

We reserve the right, on behalf of the people of Ontario, in a circumstance where there are six, seven or eight drugs in one class on the Ontario drug

formulary, to work with those providers to be able to get the very best possible price. Accordingly, we wish to be able to take whatever savings we can achieve from being recognized for the volumes

we purchase and pour those resources right back into the drug program with a view to being able to create even better access for our patients to those products which are truly innovative.

This is the balance we seek to create in this bill, working with our doctors and pharmacists on behalf of patients to create better access in the Ontario drug

program --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: The fact is that schemes like this, including the one brought in in British Columbia -- and the minister will say it's a different

name; the cabinet document speaks for itself and calls this "reference-based pricing" or something of that order of magnitude. To quote Mr. Urquhart's column of February 26, 2005, in the BC case,

"[T]he drugs didn't work or, worse, the side effects made them sicker. As a result, the savings to the government were offset by more visits to the doctor's office or to the hospital."

You know full well that is going to be the result of your scheme to have you and your government determine what drugs people get instead of the doctors

determining it by refusing to pay for some of them; that people in fact in some cases will get sicker, they won't get what the doctors asked for them to have and they will end up being in the

hospital and costing more money. That's exactly what you're going to do. Just get up and have the courage to at least admit that.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: It seems to me that the honourable member had a few questions too many there. The reality is, there wasn't even a

question in the last part, just a minute of spewing forth a little rhetoric to try and back up a storyline that he manufactured for today and that doesn't work.

I say one more time on the floor of the Ontario Legislature, yes, no doubt whatsoever, a couple of years ago we did indicate that we were going to take a look

at the policy of reference-based pricing. Accordingly, that language remains in documents that have come forward. We've brought forward our policy and we've rejected reference-based pricing. We

rejected therapeutic substitution essentially because of the same challenges that the honourable member raises. But the reality is it's not in our policy, it's not in our plan, it's not in our

legislation. It's not there for the patients of Ontario. We respect our patients too much. We respect our doctors too much. We respect our pharmacists too much. All we seek to be able to do is

create the capacity to get the very best price for the product that we purchase so that we can expand those savings into better access to drugs for the people of the province of Ontario --

something, I might add, that that party, in one year on their watch, cut.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, the Premier says that you are opposed to

pay-your-way-to-the-front-of-the-line health care. Given that, can you explain why the McGuinty government is considering a policy where some cancer patients who have the money will be able to

access very expensive cancer treatment drugs, while other patients who do not have the money will not be able to access those expensive cancer treatment drugs?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I'm asked to consider that as a public policy, when in a certain sense, it's

just a statement of fact. It's a long-standing circumstance in the Ontario health care system that some people have had broader access to pharmaceutical product than others as a result of their own

wealth or of the nature of the private drug benefit that they have. So this circumstance is already occurring. But what we wonder is whether it is appropriate in the context of the Ontario health

care system not to assist patients with pharmaceutical product, to administer that in the context of the public health care system. In other words, that in a circumstance where a patient who is

quite ill seeks to use another product instead of sending them to Buffalo, as is the case right now, we might extend as far as possible the reach and the embrace of the public health care system.

That is the consideration that's before us, but this situation is not one created by the policy. The circumstances are such already. We seek only --

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

Mr. Hampton: I think there's quite a difference, Minister, between someone choosing to go to Buffalo or choosing to go somewhere else, and the

McGuinty government saying this is now health policy for Ontario.

You promised to fix Ontario's system of prescription drugs. You promised to ensure timely access to cancer drug treatment. The cancer advocacy centre's 2005

report card found that Ontario was the second-worst of all the provinces when it came to approving and funding cancer drugs. For example, Saskatchewan is funding nearly twice as many drugs as

Ontario is in that area. Is this what you mean by fixing the problem, creating a two-tier system where those who have the money can purchase the expensive drug and have it administered in our

cancer treatment centres, while those who do not have the money will do without?

Hon. George Smitherman: A couple of points that are quite essential to the honourable member.

The first is that if he wants to pretend -- I don't think there's room for pretending on this issue. The circumstances are clear, as they have been for a long

time, that an individual's economics or their private benefits are making a difference in terms of their access to drug products. We can pretend it's not so, but it's so, and it has been that way

for a long time. I get prescribed a $100 inhaler. Some people in my riding don't have the capacity to benefit from that $100 inhaler, and that's the reality that's there now.

When I saw that Saskatchewan was adopting this policy -- and the member inferences Saskatchewan -- when I saw that the birthplace of medicare and the home of

Tommy Douglas was looking at a policy to extend as far as possible the embrace of the public health care system in these circumstances, I thought it was one that we in Ontario should take a look at

as well. Accordingly, that's what I asked Cancer Care Ontario and the hospitals to do, and soon they're going to bring me back a policy as an option. Our government will consider it at that

time.

Mr. Hampton: The minister says that soon they're going to bring you back a policy. I think the policy was announced last week. The policy

amounts to two-tier access to health care in Ontario.

Just to be sure, Minister, that is not the policy in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan, which has approved all kinds of cancer treatment drugs that are not approved

here in Ontario, has made one exception for a drug which they said is too expensive to approve -- one exception for three individuals. That is not a policy.

What you seek to do is to put in place a policy that would see, on all kinds of cancer drugs, those who have the money get access in Ontario and those who do

not have the money not get access in Ontario. Tell me, how is that not two-tier medicine under the McGuinty government?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: There is no doubt whatsoever, except that we're dealing, in the grand scheme of things, with a very, very small number of

people. The honourable member will know that in order to deal with the same circumstances, a clinic has emerged in Toronto that's providing those cancer drugs which government is not in a position

to fund. I believe they said in their own paper that they've dealt with about 100 patients. Our province being 12 times or more greater than the population of Saskatchewan indicates that we are

dealing with a small number of people. The honourable member wishes to try and say that that's not what they're doing in Saskatchewan, and then he offers me and all members of this House all the

evidence that that is exactly what they're doing in Saskatchewan.

When we saw that, we thought that it was appropriate to take a look at it. I recognize -- I'm honest; I'm clear about it -- that there is a challenge here with

respect to access, but it is a long-standing challenge. It wasn't created by the policy; the policy seeks to add the embrace of the public health care system and to extend it as far as possible, to

the benefit of those patients, many of whom, of course, at that point --

The Speaker: Thank you. New question.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Minister of Health, in Saskatchewan, the situation exists where they specifically turned down

a drug, one drug. You seek to do it across many.

But I want to ask the minister today: Seniors at Riverview Manor in Peterborough are waiting for the McGuinty government's promised long-term-care revolution.

Jo-Ann Hill is a former nursing aide at the home. She says that the manor is so understaffed that she and other employees were forced to cut corners to keep up, like not having the time to bathe

residents when they need a bath, like not having the time to take them to the toilet, knowing they're going to soil themselves. Does the minister think that's an acceptable level of care for

seniors in our province under the McGuinty government's promised long-term-care revolution?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): What I said to the honourable member, or perhaps someone else from his caucus

who asked a question -- I think the identical question -- last week, was that we've made an investment of 740 million additional dollars since we came to life as a government with respect to

long-term care. We've gone so much further than that as well to enhance the regulations which guide care, to assist those who are working on the front lines. This has brought more than 2,300

additional personnel to work on the front lines of health care, delivering care to those in our long-term-care sector.

I think it's important that honourable members who feel, as this honourable member does, that the quality of care there is inappropriate should be taking

advantage of the 1-800 action line. What I know for sure is that we have the capacity to very quickly respond to complaints that come in. I also know for sure that investments made across the

breadth of long-term care have enhanced the quality there and that we have the capacity, with the resources being expended, to provide a very high standard of care to the people in the province of

Ontario.

Mr. Hampton: Jo-Ann Hill, who was one of those front-line workers, paints a very different picture, a very troubling picture. She says, "What

goes on behind closed doors, the community doesn't even want to know.... Because we were so rushed, we'd go in and if a resident looked fairly clean, we'd skip the washing.... That happens a lot.

I've seen people just throw baby powder on them" to make them smell better.

Your government promised $6,000 per resident of new funding for long-term care. All that has been seen three years into the McGuinty government is $2,000 of

that. As a result, long-term care workers like Jo-Ann Hill are saying the situation is getting worse, not better.

I ask you again, Minister: Why are seniors in nursing homes in Ontario under the McGuinty government going without the bath they were promised? Why are they

going without things that we consider part of dignity under the McGuinty --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question has been asked. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: First and foremost, it seems that it's limited now to a fairly select number of people in the province of Ontario who can

brush away like this $740 million. We see it as a very substantial investment in the quality of care for those in our long-term-care homes, who are amongst our most vulnerable.

Of course, money is not the only answer to circumstances. We work very hard to change the culture in our long-term-care homes, to make them more home-like. We

have sought to make sure there are family resident councils that are active in each of these instances, and we've put in place a 1-800 action line which is designed to give real response to

challenges and concerns that arise. Accordingly, there are 618 long-term-care homes in the province of Ontario. In addition to encouraging local honourable members to be involved in their homes, as

I know they are, I would encourage anyone in the province to call the action line if they feel that the quality of care they're receiving in a long-term-care home --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: An action line is not going to fix a problem where seniors are surviving on a $5.34-a-day food allowance. Inmates in our jails

receive at least a $10-a-day food allowance. An action line is not going to fix the situation that Jo-Ann Hill speaks about where, despite your promises, seniors are still not getting a bath on a

regular basis, where workers have to say to seniors, "I can't take you to the toilet. You'll just have to do whatever you can do." An action line is not going to fix those things. So I'm asking,

when are seniors in Ontario who live in long-term-care facilities finally going to see the much-promised McGuinty government revolution in long-term care?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I simply just don't accept the honourable member's assertion. He's decided that he knows exactly what the level of care

is in 618 long-term-care homes. I say, respectfully, I think he's wrong. Accordingly, what we say is that because we can't be eyes and ears in all these places at the same time, we create a

capacity with fast response to circumstances that arise. This honourable member is talking about a circumstance that we don't support. Accordingly, residents there should call the 1-800 action

line, and I assure them they will see action.

On this issue of food, all I say to the honourable member is that you like to trade off this issue between inmates and long-term-care residents, but when you

were in government, you increased funding for food in 1993-94 for inmates but not for residents in long-term care.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TEACHERS

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): To the Minister of Education: Your proposed Bill 78, which is scheduled to begin public hearings this afternoon,

was discussed at some length on TVO's Studio 2 this past weekend by a very learned panel. Dr. Bette Stephenson, a former Minister of Education, characterized the bill as a "total capitulation" to

teachers' unions. Former NDP education minister Dave Cooke said Bill 78 gives "total power" to the teachers' unions. He said, "There needs to be a balance.... The minister and the provincial

government has to protect the public interest." A former Liberal education minister, Sean Conway, agreed with both of those ministers. When asked why the Liberals are doing this, he said, "I think

you might want to ask the Minister of Education."

So, on behalf of those three former Ministers of Education, on behalf of the public, I'm asking you: Why are you doing this? Why are you giving the teachers'

unions total power --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question has been asked.

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): I'm very pleased to have this question today, because

this is the member, at estimates committee last week, who specifically requested that the college of teachers appear at the estimates committee. Despite no appropriation line from my ministry, we

very willingly provided for the college to appear at estimates so you could ask questions directly of the college. They attended at the estimates committee, and you put many of these questions

before the executive director there.

What was very interesting was that that opportunity provided this member opposite with no more fodder because all of this hullabaloo that you were trying to

purport is in this bill around the college is simply not the fact. The fact is this: There is a conflict-of-interest paragraph in this bill that you refuse to acknowledge. There is also a committee

for conflict that is specifically addressed in the bill that you refuse to acknowledge. I want to ask this member: Why are you so --

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary.

Mr. Klees: Interesting, Minister, because, at that estimates committee, when the current chair of that committee was asked the following

question, "Do you share the view that it's essential that the college and its council is independent and not affiliated, is not dependent, is not aligned with teachers' federations or other

groups?" the current chair in that estimates committee responded as follows: "Absolutely, and I can say that without hesitation."

Today, two former registrars of the college, Joe Atkinson and Margaret Wilson, were reported in the Toronto Star as saying the following: "To change the law to

give the teacher unions control of the processional body is flat-out wrong.... Put simply, Bill 78 will pass control of the Ontario College of Teachers to the teacher unions."

Minister, both of these individuals and the current chair say that what you're doing is wrong. Why are you doing it?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I do notice that it hasn't taken long for this member to get back to the old days of that government bashing teachers. I

will stand very proudly and say that we are in serious work, in partnership with the teaching profession, to make changes to our education system, for one good reason: the betterment of our

students. That's the difference between your government and your history and ours.

You know full well that our bill significantly addresses the concept of conflict of interest at the college. I would ask this member opposite why it is that

you're happy to see that nurses, in fact, make up 54% of their college or that social workers make up 66% of their college. What have you got against teachers? Why do you continue to bash teachers

at every opportunity?

We will stand for a college that protects the public interest, and that's what Bill 78 does.

NORTHERN HEALTH TRAVEL GRANT

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Minister of Health. Flora Cameron of Thunder Bay is worried her personal

finances will not see her through a waiting list for a life-saving lung transplant here in Toronto. Flora was forced to travel some 1,400 kilometres to receive a lung transplant in Toronto without

any help for her accommodation as she waits here and undergoes treatment before the lung transplant can be performed.

Minister, do you agree that seniors should not have to go bankrupt while waiting for an organ transplant that will save their lives?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): Of course, we are participating, through the northern health travel grant, to

do our very best to support those individuals who must come to the south in search of care. We recognize that, wherever possible, we wish to offer services in the north, reflecting the vast

distances that people are forced to travel.

In our province, we know that we have some serious challenges with respect to all the support that's necessary for those who are, if I could use the word,

languishing on waiting lists for organ donations. We know this is a serious challenge, and accordingly indicated here in this House earlier that we've got to bring together some eminent Ontarians

with a view to dramatic enhancement of our capacity in this province to properly support those who are on transplant lists. I don't have a more direct answer at this moment. It's a complex subject

that will require resources, of course. I especially want to thank the member from Thunder Bay-Superior North, who first brought this issue to my attention.

Mr. Hampton: The situation hasn't changed. Mrs. Cameron is here. She is taking

part in a treatment program that is advised before undergoing a

lung transplant. But she's in a very difficult situation: Her own personal finances may run out before she can have the transplant.

It seems to me that there ought to be a strategy, an initiative, a plan to ensure that people don't bankrupt themselves before they can actually access the

surgery. We're not talking here about tens of thousands of Ontarians; we're not even talking about thousands of Ontarians. We're talking about a situation where it may be hundreds in a year.

Does the McGuinty government have any plan, any initiative, anything to offer or provide to people like Mrs. Cameron, who is running out of money as we

speak?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: We have obviously not inherited a program -- the situation, of course, is not new. We have not inherited a program with

respect to those in the north as part of the inherited legacy of the Ministry of Health. We recognize very, very clearly that there are many, many hardships there for individuals who are waiting on

transplant lists, and indeed for individuals who, as living donors, might be willing to offer up an organ. We have more opportunity and an obligation to do more.

I don't have an announcement today; I'm candid about that point. I would say, in this instance, that community has been responsive to this patient's needs by

raising some support. We support those efforts very much. We thank people for them, and we want to encourage more of it. Similarly, there are important organizations in Toronto that are working to

assist people with their costs. We can look at these on a case-by-case basis, but obviously that's an interim measure. We have an obligation to come forward with a more comprehensive policy. That

work is under way. What we'll be --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you, Minister. New question.

STUDENT LITERACY

Mrs. Maria Van Bommel (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex): My question is for the Minister of Education. In my riding of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex, at Holy

Family Catholic School in Wallaceburg, the staff have initiated a research project to see whether boys will develop better reading skills if they get to pick their own reading materials. This

project is being funded by the boys' literacy teacher inquiry, which is an initiative of your ministry.

As parents know, boys don't necessarily make developing good reading skills a top priority for themselves. Minister, could you tell me what other initiatives

you have undertaken to develop boys' literacy skills?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): I'm very pleased to see the leadership that this

member shows in education. I was happy to travel to her riding to see the commitment from education leaders and their support for this member.

On this very important initiative, we need to get boys reading just as much as girls are reading, and we've got a number of attempts to do so: recognition and

motivation by engaging people like sports leaders and role models to get out there and tell boys that not only is it okay to read, but we want you to read; resources for teachers and schools,

reaching out to boys in ways that will work to engage them in reading and provide them with the resources to do so. Our literacy and numeracy secretariat is doing tremendous work to coordinate

those efforts among all of our schools. Finally, additional funds where some of our scoring has shown we really do have to bolster support for our boys -- we've identified these schools and added

$5,000 each just for additional material that might be required.

Mrs. Van Bommel: Thank you, Minister, for your leadership in this particular issue, and especially on the front of rural education in my

riding.

But of course, boys aren't the only stakeholders in our education system, so could you tell me what your ministry is doing in terms of literacy and numeracy

for all our students?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I think all of us know by now that we've got some significant goals that we not only want to reach but will reach by

2008-09. To date, we now have 2,000 schools that have smaller primary class sizes, one of the most significant benefits for our young kids from JK to grade 3, and we are moving forward with that

initiative. In addition, we have had 10,000 elementary teachers take additional training in instruction around literacy, writing and math. Again this summer large numbers of teachers are

registering for summer programs where we will continue this very important training for our teachers. We have 160 successful locally developed programs running across our schools, through our

boards, funded by $18 million from the Ministry of Education.

More work to do, but we are making great strides and we appreciate your support.

ENERGY FROM WASTE

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is for the Minister of Energy. Two of the biggest challenges that we face in

Ontario today are our energy supply and the issue of dealing with waste. In an

article in the Toronto Star by Kerry Gillespie, you're quoted as saying, "`There are jurisdictions throughout the

world that use energy from waste.... They have (as) rigorous environmental standards as we do, in Europe, so if they can do it, the question is: Why can't we?' says Energy Minister Donna

Cansfield."

Two things: Would you first confirm that this is an accurate quote of yourself, and confirm that this is the position of the McGuinty government and the

Premier regarding energy from waste? Would you confirm those two questions, Minister?

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield (Minister of Energy): Yes, the quote is what I said. I also said that there are new technologies around gasification

in the future that might be there in the year 2015.

I think you've heard the Minister of the Environment stand up many times and say they're open to new technologies. All she asks is that they're clean and that

they do not interfere with reduce, reuse, rethink and recycle.

Mr. Yakabuski: Let me clarify, then, Minister. You're confirming that it is the position of this government that you will investigate and, if

necessary, embark upon a program that generates energy from waste. Is that the position of your government? Please confirm that, Minister.

Hon. Mrs. Cansfield: Maybe I could help a little bit, just so the member understands. We actually do produce energy from waste now. They're

called landfill gas sites. But I'll go on to say that the Minister of the Environment has stated before that new technologies, as they emerge, would be looked at, and if in fact they are clean and

they do not interfere with reduce, reuse, recycle, they're open to entertaining those.

FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): A question to the Acting Premier: People across Ontario are deeply concerned about the state of FSL,

French-language training, here in Ontario. This past weekend your former Minister of Education, the purported MPP for Parkdale-High Park, Gerard Kennedy, announced that he's moving himself and his

family to Quebec to learn French. I say to you, people are thinking that Ontario's French-language training must be pretty abysmal in our community colleges, our universities and our schools if a

sitting MPP abandons the community he represents and turns his back on his constituents and their concerns by leaving Ontario for Quebec to learn French. What do you think?

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I thought Rosario would be asking

this.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): Yes, I was surprised about that as well.

After all of that, I think that our government has made it very clear that providing access to French-language services for students in our schools and for

people in our community is very much a priority. We've made investments. We're certainly very proud of the commitment we've made to the French-speaking community in Ontario. We'll continue to do

all that we can to work with the community to ensure that French-language instruction is available to them in their community when it's convenient.

Mr. Kormos: Thank you, ma'am. But the problem is that it's the former Minister of Education who appears to have lost faith in Ontario's

French-language programs. Maybe he should just resign as MPP for High Park. If Mr. Kennedy is leaving his riding for Quebec to pursue personal ambitions like learning French for a federal

leadership bid, maybe he should give up his MPP perks, his MPP offices, his MPP resources, his MPP staff and his $1,600-a-week MPP salary. Acting Premier, what do you think?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I'd like to thank the honourable member for the question, because it does give me an opportunity to talk about the fact

that our government recognizes the very unique needs of the francophone students in the province of Ontario. For that reason, we have invested $140 million to support French-language education and

students in the province. Also, we have announced a permanent task force to enhance French-language student success, which demonstrates our government's commitment to providing all students in the

province with a quality education in their first language.

These developments in the area of French language are particularly significant this year as we mark the 20th anniversary of French-language services in the

province of Ontario. We will continue to work with the French community, with our French-language stakeholders, to ensure that we are meeting their needs in areas that are convenient for them where

they are needed.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. New question. The member for -- no props. Take that prop. Put it down.

The member for Ottawa-Orléans.

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Last month saw another excellent

job performance for the Ontario economy. Four years ago, Ontario's unemployment rate was over 7%. In the Ottawa area, the unemployment rate four years ago averaged 7.5%. Minister, can you please

share with us how the Ontario economy performed last month?

Hon. Joseph Cordiano (Minister of Economic Development and Trade): I want to thank the member for the question. Indeed, the Ontario economy

performed rather well last month, creating 23,800 jobs in the month of April. That brings it to a total of over 253,000 jobs created since October 2003, when this government took office. For the

first four months of 2006, employment is up by 105,300 jobs, bringing the current unemployment rate to 6.2%, the lowest level in five years. Doug Porter, deputy chief economist at BMO Nesbitt

Burns, had this to say: "Ontario's job-creation performance in the last two months has been nothing short of astounding."

The credit goes to the hard-working people of Ontario and Ontario businesses, and I would remind all members of the House that that is who we have to thank for

this stellar performance of Ontario's economy.

Mr. McNeely: Thank you for that update, Minister. As you know, the high Canadian dollar has had an impact on manufacturers all across the

country. The dollar is now at 90 cents, with some people forecasting parity with the US dollar next year. Minister, how are Ontario manufacturers responding to the high dollar, and what has our

government done to assist them?

Hon. Mr. Cordiano: In fact, manufacturers continue to face a challenge, but in the month of April the number of new manufacturing jobs created

was 10,400. That followed the month of February, where in fact 12,500 jobs were created in manufacturing. So it's not all doom and gloom; there are some positive signs. In fact, many of the

manufacturers have used the power of the high dollar to purchase equipment and indeed improve productivity. That's up by 5.2% in the year 2005.

Our government has announced recently the advanced manufacturing investment strategy, designed to assist manufacturers. In addition to that, we propose to

eliminate the capital tax by 2010, if our revenues allow for that, and there's an immediate reduction, as of January 1, 2007, of 5%. This will help manufacturers get over this transitional period.

But we also look to the federal government to assist Ontario manufacturers, and I challenge them to come forward with --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. New question.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question for the minister responsible for democratic renewal. Dalton McGuinty campaigned on a promise to "let

the public decide how elections work." Once in office, Dalton McGuinty has decided to break that promise by reducing the frequency of local elections without consulting the general public. To date,

no minister, no member of this House, has stood in the Legislature to explain why they're making this change. Besides, it's hidden deeply among unrelated finance measures in Bill 81.

I'd say to the minister, this does not sound like you. It does not sound like the minister responsible for democratic renewal. Please tell me what

consultations your ministry has done to support this change -- or is it another Dalton McGuinty broken promise?

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): Just when I was getting happy

that I was actually getting a question, this is Minister Gerretsen's question, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): First of all, I'll tell you what we're not going to do. We're not going to

pass a Fewer Municipal Politicians Act, which is what that government did, in a matter of two weeks without any kind of hearing. Basically, they got rid of thousands and thousands of dedicated,

hard-working, local politicians throughout this entire province without any say whatsoever. That's what we're not going to do.

What we are going to do, subject to the will of the Legislature, is give municipal councils a four-year term in exactly the same way that people at the federal

and provincial levels usually have a four-year term, except in the case of a minority government. We are going to show the same kind of respect to our local politicians as people generally across

this province give to provincial and federal politicians. That's what this is all about.

Mr. Hudak: I want to register my disappointment that the minister for democratic renewal did not answer this question. I am going to refer to

her website. She has something called the "Democracy Challenge -- Welcome

"The democracy challenge.

"Inform. Inspire. Engage.

"Are you interested in real, positive change for a stronger democracy? Do you have ideas on how to get young people excited and engaged in our democracy?"

Minister, I certainly do. Why don't we take

schedule H out of Bill 81, have it as a stand-alone bill and consult with young people, municipal politicians and

taxpayers across the province of Ontario? Minister, I'm asking for your support. As the minister for democratic renewal, will you accept my challenge in response to your democracy challenge

initiative?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: As this member well knows, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, which speaks on behalf of nearly every

municipality of Ontario, and the city of Toronto have both passed resolutions in the past on numerous occasions to extend the term of office for locally elected politicians to exactly the same way

as it is for provincial and federal politicians; namely, four years.

This is what we're doing with this act. It's something that has been endorsed by numerous -- indeed, hundreds of municipalities across this province. I believe

that the people of Ontario are going to be well served by it because the people who will be serving us locally will have a longer period of time to be involved in some long-range planning for their

communities, which is so direly needed in order to have the quality of life that all of us seek in the communities that we live in.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): I have a question to the Minister of Education. In a March 2005

article by Louise Brown in the Toronto

Star, former Education Minister Gerard Kennedy said he would provide special funding for classes in black cultural heritage that can, in his words, "make a big difference to students' sense of

identity." However, the provincial government provides absolutely no funding for these programs.

We have today representatives from the coalition for black culture, the association for black education and the association of parents for black students. When

can they expect the funding to arrive?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): Let me take an opportunity, on behalf of all members

of the House, to welcome our guests into the Legislature. We know the important role that you play in our school system and we welcome you here.

I'm also aware that, I think the middle of last week, I received a request for a meeting with, I believe perhaps, most of the individuals who are here today. I

hope that we're going to be able to have that meeting very soon and I appreciate that request for a sit-down discussion.

On the matter at hand, I do believe that these individuals, who have known the school system perhaps longer than I have as a new minister elected a month ago

now -- what is very important for us is that as part of our pledge, not only through the election platform but now as we're moving forward as government, is the institution of a curriculum council

specifically to address what should be addressed in our curriculum. This is a significant part of that conversation. In addition, I believe that these groups have things that they would like to

address with me and I will be in a position to hear them.

Mr. Marchese: We all know that Kennedy is gone and we also know there was no response from the former minister. There has been, evidently, no

response from the bureaucrats. I'm happy to hear the minister is going to arrange for a meeting. That's good.

As a result of Kennedy's promises, the Toronto District School Board opened more black cultural heritage classes. At a time when programs for young black youth

are essential for developing their self-knowledge, creative development and self-esteem, do you intend to keep Kennedy's promise as quickly as possible and fund these programs?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: The member opposite is very aware, as we have spent so much time together through the estimates committee and I have

continued to reiterate, that all of the school boards, 72 school boards across Ontario, are now waiting for grants, the grants for student needs that are due out within these next 30 days. That is

more than $17 billion of an over-$18-billion ministry that is going to school boards for a whole variety of programming. I will tell you that in these next 30 days, the Toronto school board, which

is actively involved with the individuals who are here in the House, will be receiving significant information about their funding. I hope that everyone can wait about 30 days.

TOURISM

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): My question is for the Minister of Tourism. Minister, as the weather changes and becomes warmer, the

constituents of my riding are getting ready to enjoy the spring and summer months. We're anxiously awaiting the warmth and to welcome our many guests that we will be receiving in the riding of

Huron-Bruce. Most people have begun planning now for their summer vacations, and in my riding of Huron-Bruce, we have many exciting events planned throughout the spring and summer months. I want to

give you just a few examples: We have the Kincardine Scottish Festival, the Zurich Bean Festival, the Huron County Playhouse, the Blyth Festival. We have Pumpkinfest in Port Elgin. We have the most

beautiful sunsets in the riding of Huron-Bruce. Why, you can see the sun set twice in two spots in my riding. Goderich, take the opportunity -- it is the prettiest town in Canada. Bayfield,

Southampton, but --

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

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I've been waiting for a question such

as this. Ontario is a province full of attractions, festivals and cultural events. In the coming months, there are great things happening throughout the province that are sure to attract thousands

of visitors. In the next few weeks theatres across Ontario, including the Stratford and Shaw festivals, will be opening their doors for their summer seasons. Visitors will have a wide variety of

performances to choose from from across the province, from Drayton to Morrisburg, Port Dover to North Bay.

As well, festivals small and large are happening all over the province. This week visitors can head up to Ottawa to take in the blooms of the Canadian Tulip

Festival, which is on from May 4 to 22, or sample culture and food from around the globe at the 38th annual Niagara Folk Arts Festival, happening May 12 to 18. Virtually every town has something.

Go to www.ontariotravel.net for further details.

Mrs. Mitchell: Thank you, Minister. I can tell you that it does seem like Ontario is the place to be in the coming months, not only the riding

of Huron-Bruce but all of Ontario.

I see that Ontario has recently launched a new cultural tourism marketing campaign that has reached over 55 million people in Ontario, Quebec and the United

States. That highlights the cultural renaissance that is happening right across Ontario.

According to Statistics Canada, 75% of Ontario's tourists are from within Ontario's borders, and many of those people are looking for new and exciting travel

experiences close to home. Yes, there are many things that we can come and look at, but let me just talk about Huron-Bruce -- our sunsets.

Minister, what is our government doing to attract Ontarian tourists, as well as visitors from outside our province --

The Speaker: The question's been asked. Minister.

Hon. Jim Bradley: I want to tell you and all members of the House that our government is investing in tourism in Ontario. In addition to the

funding that our government provides for festivals and events across the entire province, our agencies are attracting tourists through their regular seasonal events and their special events.

This summer, Ontario Place will host the Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival. This exclusive North American premier of never-before-seen traditional Chinese

lanterns will light up Toronto skies for 65 nights this summer. The festival will bring to life an authentic Chinese marketplace, cultural performances and thousands of traditional art and red silk

lanterns. Our government has committed $500,000 towards bringing this once-in-a-lifetime festival to Ontario.

Another example: Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay will host, for a second year in a row, Rock the Fort from June 16 to 18. There are many other

things happening. All of our agencies have exciting and interesting programs and events to attract visitors from Ontario, Canada and from beyond this summer.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Mrs. Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax): My question is for the Attorney General. Minister, the only information that we've received so far with

respect to the funding for your proposed new human rights system is a vague answer that you gave to the media concerning $1 million-plus being committed to this project. In your legislation, you've

also proposed the establishment of two new bodies: the Anti-Racism Secretariat and the Disabilities Rights Secretariat. You also announced a legal support centre, which was markedly absent from the

legislation. Can you be clear with us about how you intend to fund three new bodies when the justice sector budget is flatlined until at least 2008-09? Clearly, $1 million isn't going to cut it.

Can you please tell us where is the plus, how much is it and how's it going to happen?

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General): Let me start by saying that there's no question that providing public legal support through the human

rights legal support office is a critical component of the human rights reforms that we have brought forward to this Legislature, the debate of which will begin today. There's no question that as

we propose movement to a direct-access system which, in the words of the NDP task force chair, Mary Cornish, is a consumer-oriented -- one might say victim-oriented -- system, we need to ensure

that we have the supports there for them -- absolutely, no question, full stop. This is something that needs to be entrenched by way of legislation. We certainly look forward to getting that

recommendation from the official opposition. This is a debate. We are looking for recommendations. We anticipate that this should go to committee as soon as --

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

Mrs. Elliott: There are currently 2,400 human rights complaints under review in Ontario. If your bill is passed in its current form, this

would subject all of these Ontarians to the new legislation, many of whom are under the impression that they would continue to be able to get legal aid certificates to continue with their

complaints. Since your legislation gives us no indication of where the funding is going to come from, can you please tell these 2,400 people what you plan to do with them now that there's no

guarantee that their complaints will be dealt with without paying their own way?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: This is the very problem. The official opposition asks about the state of legal representation right now. There is basically

no legal representation whatsoever provided to a complainant who goes before the Human Rights Commission or the Human Rights Tribunal -- zero. There are very, very, very few legal aid certificates

that are provided. Right now, the way the system works is, the Human Rights Commission takes over a complaint and then it takes about five years to get a resolution.

But if the member is asking about budgets and funding, I'm sure she'll want to acquaint herself with her government's record when they were in power. Between

1995 and 2003 we saw cuts after cuts after cuts after cuts. The contribution made by the very party that brought in the Human Rights Code in 1962 -- for the past 15 years, the party and that

government has turned its back on the human rights system. I welcome the newfound interest in it, and I look forward to this debate.

PETITIONS

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have here a petition that was sent to me by Carol Harrison. It's regarding speech and voice therapy. It's to

the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over one million Ontarians of all ages suffer from communication disorders relating to speech, language and/or hearing; and

"Whereas there is a growing need for awareness of the profound developmental, economic and social consequences that communication disorders have on people and

their families; and

"Whereas persons with communication problems require access to the professional services of audiologists and speech language pathologists who provide

treatments to improve and enhance quality of life; and

"Whereas effective treatment of communication disorders benefits all of society by allowing otherwise disadvantaged persons to achieve their academic and

vocational potentials; and

"Whereas investments in treatments for communication disorders pay economic dividends in reduced reliance on other social services,

"We, the undersigned, in conjunction with the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

to proclaim the month of May as Better Speech, Language and Hearing Month."

It's signed by a great number of my constituents in and around Oxford county. I affix my signature, as I agree with the petition.

IDENTITY THEFT

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I do keep getting petitions from the Consumer Federation of Canada. The petition reads as follows. It's

addressed to the Parliament of Ontario and specifically to the Minister of Government Services.

"Whereas identity theft is the fastest-growing crime in North America;

"Whereas confidential and private information is being stolen on a regular basis, affecting literally thousands of people;

"Whereas the cost of this crime exceeds billions of dollars;

"Whereas countless hours are wasted to restore one's good credit rating;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, demand that Bill 38, which passed the second reading unanimously in the Ontario Legislature on December 8, 2005, be brought

before committee and that the following issues be included for consideration and debate:

"

(1) All consumer reports should be provided in a truncated (masked-out) form, protecting our vital private information, such as SIN and loan account

numbers.

"

(2) Should a consumer reporting agency discover that there has been an unlawful disclosure of consumer information, the agency should immediately inform the

affected consumer.

"

(3) Credit bureaus should only report inquiries resulting out of actual applications for credit and for no other reasons.

"

(4) Credit bureaus should investigate any complaints within 30 days and correct or automatically delete any information found unconfirmed or inaccurate."

Since I agree, I am delighted to sign this petition.

SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): I want to thank Laurett Tulipano, who's a speech language pathologist from my riding, for sending me the

following petition.

"Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas over one million Ontarians of all ages suffer from communication disorders relating to speech, language and/or hearing; and

"Whereas there is a growing need for awareness of the profound developmental, economic and social consequences that communication disorders have on people and

their families; and

"Whereas persons with communication problems require access to the professional services of audiologists and speech language pathologists to provide treatments

to improve and enhance quality of life; and

"Whereas effective treatment of communication disorders benefits all of society by allowing otherwise disadvantaged persons to achieve their academic and

vocational potentials; and

"Whereas investments in treatments for communication disorders pay economic dividends in reduced reliance on other social services;

"We, the undersigned, in conjunction with the Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, call on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

to proclaim the month of May as Better Speech, Language and Hearing Month."

I agree with the petition and have signed it.

COMMUNITY MEDIATION

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I would like to acknowledge the Cimicata family on Carmel Crescent in Mississauga for this petition. It's

addressed to the Ontario Legislative Assembly, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas many types of civil disputes may be resolved through community mediation delivered by trained mediators, who are volunteers who work with the parties

in the dispute; and

"Whereas Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services established the Peel Community Mediation Service in 1999 with support from the government of Ontario

through the Trillium Foundation, the Rotary Club of Mississauga West and the United Way of Peel, and has proven the viability and success of community mediation; and

"Whereas the city of Mississauga and the town of Caledon have endorsed the Peel Community Mediation Service, and law enforcement bodies refer many cases to the

Peel Community Mediation Service as an alternative to a court dispute; and

"Whereas court facilities and court time are both scarce and expensive, the cost of community mediation is very small and the extra expense incurred for lack

of community mediation in Peel region would be much greater than the small annual cost of funding community mediation;

"Be it therefore resolved that the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of the Attorney General, support and fund the ongoing service delivery of the

Peel Community Mediation Service through Inter-Cultural Neighbourhood Social Services."

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

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to present a petition on behalf of Michael Orr and many others. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the Ontario government already fully funds 93% of faith-based schools in Ontario, but the remaining 7% receive no funding, solely because they are not

Catholic;

"Whereas the United Nations Human Rights Committee ruled in 1999 and again in 2005 that this arrangement is discriminatory and violates basic international

human rights law that Ontario formally agreed to uphold;

"Whereas all three parties represented in the Legislature support Catholic separate school funding, as guaranteed by the Constitution of Canada, so that the

only fair and viable solution to the discrimination is to extend funding to the small religious minorities that are currently excluded;

"Whereas the Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that Ontario has the constitutional power to provide funding to non-Catholic faith-based schools;

"Whereas Ontario is the only western democracy that fully funds faith-based schools of one religion to the total exclusion of all other religions, while all

other provinces except the Atlantic provinces fund faith-based schools and have thriving public school systems;

"Whereas the cultural survival of the affected minority groups is at stake;

"Whereas faith-based schools produce responsible and productive citizens; and

"Whereas the Multi-Faith Coalition for Equal Funding of Religious Schools in December 2004 submitted to the Minister of Education a detailed proposal for the

funding of non-Catholic faith-based schools in a manner that is fair and accountable and protects and enhances the public interest;

"We call on the Ontario Legislature to pass legislation to provide equitable funding in respect of all faith-based schools in Ontario without religious

discrimination and without any reduction in funding for public education, with accountability requirements and standards in place to ensure that the public interest is safeguarded."

I'm pleased to present this on their behalf, and present it to Gemma.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Jean-Marc Lalonde (Glengarry-Prescott-Russell): I have a petition here from Résidence Champlain de l'Orignal and the Sarsfield

Colonial Home.

"To the Legislativ