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March 3, 2014

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2014-Mar-03 (PDF)

L108 - Mon 3 Mar 2014 / Lun 3 mar 2014

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 3 March 2014 Lundi 3 mars 2014

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

MINISTER’S COMMENTS

HYDRO RATES

HYDRO RATES

PAN AM GAMES

HYDRO RATES

MINING INDUSTRY

SENIORS’ HEALTH SERVICES

COMMUNITY CARE

ACCESS CENTRES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

POWER PLANTS

HYDRO RATES

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

WIND TURBINES

VISITORS

MEMBER’S PRIVILEGE

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FOOD LITERACY

BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE

VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND RANDOM

ACTS OF KINDNESS PROGRAM

WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES

COMMUNITY DESIGN NIGHT

EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH

FULL CIRCLE CHILD CARE CENTRE

EVENTS IN VENEZUELA

COMMUNITY CARE

ACCESS CENTRES

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

SOCIAL WORKERS

GREENBELT

SOCIAL WORKERS

GREENBELT

GREENBELT

SOCIAL WORKERS

PETITIONS

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

LYME DISEASE

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

AIR QUALITY

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

DIABETES

ORDERS OF THE DAY

FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 POUR UN SALAIRE

MINIMUM ÉQUITABLE

ROYAL ASSENT /

SANCTION ROYALE

FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 POUR UN SALAIRE

MINIMUM ÉQUITABLE

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I’d like to introduce James Crown from the Woodstock General Hospital, who is here today as part of the registered practical nurses.

I would also like to express my apologies. I was to meet with the delegation this morning, but because of some mishap on the Gardiner, I was stuck in traffic for two hours and I was unable to be here. Hopefully, we will get to meet them at a future date.

Mr. Joe Dickson: I’d like to welcome several guests from Durham region’s economic development team to the Legislature this morning to celebrate Durham Day here at Queen’s Park today in rooms 228 and 230, and that includes a scrumptious lunch.

I’m just introducing to you, Mr. Speaker, Kathy Weiss—if you would stand for me—and Kasia Chojecki, both from the region of Durham; Rhonda Keenan, from the city of Oshawa; and Fiaz Jadoon, from the city of Pickering.

I just want to make sure that everyone knows that all members and their staff are welcome, commencing at 11:45. Don’t forget, there’s a great free lunch.

I’d also like to introduce, from my staff, Kassandra Cruciano. Kassandra is my constituency and outreach assistant—and a recent Ottawa graduate—in my community office.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It’s my pleasure today to introduce Jordan Milks from the great riding of Nepean–Carleton. He lives in Bells Corners; we call it BC. I’m happy that he has joined us here at Queen’s Park today.

M. Gilles Bisson: J’ai le plaisir d’introduire Carol Dumas, qui originellement vient de Timmins mais est ici à Toronto pour aider son beau ami M. Owen, qui est page ici à l’Assemblée.

Hon. Mario Sergio: I’m pleased to have in the House members of the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat liaison committee, whose help and hard work are helping us to guide seniors’ issues. Especially, Speaker, they were very much involved in making sure that the community grant program got under way.

We have Arlene Smetaniuk, Mary Hynes, Sarah Park, Bernard Jordaan, Edna Beange, Lilian Wells, Elizabeth Macnab, Stephanie McCleave, Élizabeth Allard, Zul Kassamali, and from the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat, Mihaela Dumitrascu and Ronit Gordon.

Thank you for coming. I hope you have a good day here at Queen’s Park.

Mrs. Julia Munro: I’d like all members to help me welcome the students and families of Sir William Osler school of Bond Head, students who have come from both Simcoe–Grey and York–Simcoe to come together to show their support for Madi Vanstone here in the House today. Thank you for coming.

M me France Gélinas: It is my pleasure to introduce Mr. Bernard Jordaan, who is the president of the United Senior Citizens of Ontario.

Et ça me fait extrêmement plaisir de présenter des gens de Sudbury. Magalie Malette était page, et elle est ici avec son père, Michael, et sa mère, Marie-Josée Bergeron. Bienvenue, monsieur Malette, madame Bergeron et votre fille, Magalie.

Hon. Michael Coteau: It is my pleasure to introduce Mary Hynes, a resident of Don Valley East, to the Legislature. Welcome.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I have a number of introductions to make this morning. First, from Lakeridge Health Corp., I’d like to welcome Mr. Kevin Empey, the CEO, and Aaron Lazarus, the senior director of communications.

I’d also like to welcome, from Covanta, Howard Titus, the facility manager, and Jeff Rayner, the client services manager.

Finally, I’d like to recognize Amanda Meek, who used to work with me here at Queen’s Park. Welcome.

Hon. Reza Moridi: It is my pleasure to introduce Anish Chopra, father of page Meera Chopra, visiting the House today.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Please join me in welcoming Cameron Burgess, a Métis leader as well as a businessman from northern Ontario. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: It’s Social Work Week in Ontario, so it’s my pleasure to rise today to welcome representatives from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. I’d like to recognize Glenda McDonald, registrar; Lise Betteridge, deputy registrar; and Jolinne Kearns, communications. And, of course, we very much appreciate them joining us today.

Mr. Frank Klees: I want to extend a very special welcome to Cale Holmes, who is visiting us with his fellow students from Sir William Osler Public School. Cale is the grandson of my good friend Bob Callow, and I promised Bob that I would extend this very special welcome to his grandson Cale. Welcome.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: I’m very happy to welcome the grade 5 class from St. Brendan Catholic School in the Scarborough part of my riding. Welcome. They’re here today with their teacher, and I hope they have a wonderful day at Queen’s Park.

I’m also happy to have two of my constituency office staff here: Ghazal Mardmomen and Ryan Pyne. They’re here for Durham Day. All MPPs are welcome to Durham Day, starting at 11:30 after question period today.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, I ask members to take a look back behind you there in the media gallery. I think the media gallery has never looked better. We’re joined today by Sheridan College journalism students.

Mr. Frank Klees: Speaker, I want all members to join me in welcoming someone with a very special birthday wish today. Our page Michael Sadono is celebrating his 13th birthday.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I’d like to welcome some guests today on behalf of my colleague the MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. Indeed, we have special guests from Sault Ste. Marie. Their daughter and sister is the page captain, Ella Santana. Here to join Ella are Mary-Catherine Glibota and John Santana, her parents—there they are—and her sister Kate Santana. Welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On behalf of the member from Oakville, who is stuck in that highway situation, for page Shannon McCracken: mother Cheri Riddell, and father Kevin McCracken, are here in the gallery to visit. Welcome.

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is for the Premier. Premier, in a letter dated August 15, your health minister told 12-year-old Madi Vanstone that the province will not fund the medication Kalydeco solely due to its high cost. In other words, you and your government callously sent this young lady home to suffer with cystic fibrosis.

Premier, disregard for the well-being of Madi is simply wrong. Your government is willing to squander billions when it comes to gas plant cancellations, Ornge and eHealth—but no money for a sick child.

For seven months, Madi’s classmates, teachers, family and friends, many of whom are here today, have helped Madi pay for this medication out of pocket. Thanks to these people, she is now symptom-free. This afternoon, I’ll be presenting petitions that they have collected on Madi’s behalf.

Premier, is this the Ontario we can expect from your Liberal government, where 12-year-old children have to fundraise to keep their friend alive?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I was very pleased to meet with Madi and her mom, Beth, this morning. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and I had an opportunity to sit down with her in my office. I just want to commend her for her courage and for her very articulate expression of her situation.

The decision on funding drugs, Mr. Speaker, as you will know, is one that has a process. The pan-Canadian alliance is negotiating, but we have been, obviously, pushing behind the scenes. We want to fund Kalydeco. There is no question that the government wants to fund Kalydeco. But we are part of a Canadian process so that children like Madi and people like Madi across the country will have access to this drug.

I’ll have more to say in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Whitby–Oshawa.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: Premier, you know the facts. You know that Kalydeco is the only medication available that treats the underlying causes of Madi’s cystic fibrosis. It allows her to breathe, to play with her friends, to go to school—in short, to have a life. Yet you continue to deny Madi funding for Kalydeco, solely on the basis of costs, and keep hiding behind this pan-Canadian alliance.

Minister, how much is too much to save a child’s life? Will you commit today to funding Kalydeco for Madi?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Of course we don’t put a price on a human being’s life, Mr. Speaker.

As the member opposite knows, and as Madi and her mom, Beth, and the minister and I talked about this morning, the negotiations are being led by Alberta. Alberta has made three proposals to the manufacturer, and they have rejected each one. We need Vertex, which is the company, to step up and be a partner in these negotiations, because we need this drug to be available to children and people across the country. It is not responsible for Ontario to undermine other provinces.

We are going to do everything in our power to expedite this process. That’s the conversation we had with Madi and her mom this morning. We are going to push very hard and make it very clear that it is inappropriate that Vertex would not engage in this process in a very responsible way. We are going to push on that, Mr. Speaker, and work to expedite this as quickly as possible.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final supplementary. The member from York–Simcoe.

Mrs. Julia Munro: My question is also to the Premier. Premier, Madi’s classmates are also from my riding, and I agree with my colleagues. Your single, cold concern seems to be the cost to the system. In fact, you said it in a letter: The drug is too expensive.

What I want to ask you is, have you ever thought of the cost to the system if you don’t fund this life-changing medication? Days and days, stretching into months, in ICU; a lung transplant at some later date, when a donor becomes available; and the recovery that goes with that—thousands and thousands of dollars will be spent. Madi needs this medication now.

Premier, there are very few people who have the power to make a life-saving change for someone else. This is a lifesaver for Madi and a defining moment for you. Are you ready to commit to funding—

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

Interjections.

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

Before we start, I’ve been hearing some very, very quiet people during the question, and I hope to hear the answer as well in the same respect.

Premier?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me. The member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex will now come to order.

Carry on.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I and the Minister of Health made it extremely clear to Madi and her mom this morning that we want to fund this drug, that we want this drug to be available to her and to all of the children across this country. And so we are going to push. We are going to push the company. We’re going to make it very clear that this process needs to be expedited.

What we know is that the way that the research was funded for this drug was through charitable dollars, and so we believe it is inappropriate for the process to have to drag on. We are going to push to expedite the process. That is what we said to Madi, and we will keep her and her family in the loop. I think it is commendable that the community is taking such an interest in this, and we are going to do everything in our power to make it move more quickly.

MINISTER’S COMMENTS

Mr. Todd Smith: My question this morning is for the Premier. Premier, last week, disturbing and disgusting comments made by the Minister of Culture were brought to light. Just prior to the Thornhill by-elections, the minister made comments trying to pit Ontario’s Jewish community against Ontario’s Chinese community for political gain.

Trying to pit communities against one another: Premier, is this the kind of behaviour that you have led your ministers to believe is acceptable?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: There is not a member in this House who is more committed to inclusion and pluralism and multiculturalism than the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. There just is not one.

My understanding is that the minister offered an apology last week to the members of the Jewish community if there was offence taken. The minister is an unwavering supporter of multiculturalism in this province. What he believes and what we believe is that every community should be treated equally, that everyone in this society should be treated with respect and with fairness. That is what he believes. That is what guides his behaviour. It’s what has guided his public and his private life.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Todd Smith: Those comments were out there for three weeks. I believe that the Minister of Culture stood behind those comments and the only reason that he apologized is because he got caught.

In his comments, the minister played some of the worst stereotypes applied to the Jewish community. He did all of this while trying to persuade members of Ontario’s Chinese-Canadian community to send a message along ethnic, political lines.

This old, Chicago-style ethnic politics doesn’t have a place in Ontario. If you don’t fire the minister, you’re condoning his behaviour. Will you show some character, make the minister answer for his actions, and then demand his resignation, Premier?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’m sorry, but coming from a member of a party that intentionally works to divide people—I really believe that the divisions that the party opposite—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. When I stand, you’re all out of order when you keep talking.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: My understanding is that the minister commended Stephen Harper for supporting one of Ontario’s strong cultural communities and simply suggested that that support be broadened to support all communities. That is our position, and we are not a party that wants to divide people. We do not want to divide rural and urban. We do not want to divide labour from employers. We do not want to divide northern from—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke will come to order. The member from Oxford will come to order.

Carry on, please. Finish.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I believe that this minister knows better certainly than I do the importance of a diverse society that includes and supports all communities, Mr. Speaker. That is what motivates him, and that is what motivates us.

Interjections.

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

The member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell will come to order. I have these in my mind. I remember, but it takes so long to get attention. The member from Dufferin–Caledon will come to order. The member from Leeds–Grenville will come to order. Don’t point at anybody.

Final supplementary. The member for Thornhill.

Mrs. Gila Martow: My question is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. My riding of Thornhill is in the same area as that of the minister. It is one of the most diverse areas in Ontario—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. The member has to direct the question to the member that it was placed to in the supplementary.

Carry on, please.

Mrs. Gila Martow: Sorry. Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. My riding of Thornhill is in the same area as that of the minister in question. It is one of the most diverse areas in Ontario. Included in the diversity are significant numbers of Chinese and Jewish residents. As a member of the Jewish community in Thornhill, I was proud to put my name on the ballot and be elected to represent all of our ethnic communities.

You can, of course, imagine my disappointment to hear of the minister’s hurtful comments about the Jewish community in the Chinese media, comments that are obviously in direct contrast to the ministry he is tasked with promoting. Is the minister prepared to resign immediately and seek training to better enable him to represent all ethnic groups?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you very much for the question. I’m not resigning.

Along with all Ontarians, I take pride in our reputation as an equal, inclusive and multicultural society. In fact, this is why I chose to immigrate to Canada.

Speaker, I call on the Harper government to recognize the important contributions made by all our cultural communities, including Filipino, South Asian and Chinese Canadian. It is important to extend support equally to all cultural communities in our great province. We are fortunate to have so many of them in Ontario. It is what makes Ontarians so unique.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My question is to the Premier. Does the Premier think that private energy traders should be allowed to siphon off ill-gotten profits and leave Ontarians paying the bills?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Mr. Speaker, we have a mixed system in Ontario: We have public companies participating; we have private companies participating in the energy sector. The investment that the private sector has made in Ontario is in the multi-billions of dollars.

The energy system spends roughly $18 billion to $20 billion per year. It’s an enormous operation. There’s unbelievable expertise and experience in the private sector. We’re in partnership with the private sector in operating the system.

I’m waiting for the supplementary, because I have some questions for that member.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I look forward to answers, actually, Speaker. It would be novel; it would be welcome.

Ever since Ontario’s private energy experiment began, Ontario has been the Wild West for privatized energy trading. The regulator says, “There are presently no market rules” aimed at market gaming. “In not having such a rule, the Ontario market stands alone.” The regulator says it’s “unrealistic to expect” that private energy traders aren’t exploiting those loopholes.

Can the Premier tell us when we will see some action to protect consumers?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: When the NDP last formed government, they signed nine private power generating contracts for natural gas plants in a five-year span.

But I would like to know from the critic from the third party what their plan is for the energy sector. I believe they’re opposed to new nuclear. They haven’t said yes to new nuclear. They’re against refurbishment. They’re talking about 50%, plus or minus, of the energy system. How are you going to replace that when you eliminate all nuclear? When will you start, how much will it cost and, most importantly, in a lot of your important ridings, how many jobs will it cost?

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Well, Speaker, sometimes I think the Premier is just debating a question, but in this case, I don’t think they understand the question. I’ll give it another shot.

The Liberal government has had 10 years to address the issue of companies playing games with the private market. For people stuck paying the highest electricity bills in the country, this is just another example of a government that just doesn’t seem to care about the mess in Ontario’s electricity system.

After years of inaction, the regulator is now consulting on how to solve the problem, but we’ve seen consultations stretch for years. People looking at their bills, trying to pay them, need to know that their interests are going to be protected.

Can the Premier tell us when, if ever, she plans to take some action on people gaming the system?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: I was fortunate enough to be out of politics for three or four years several years ago, and I was more fortunate to have been on the board of the Independent Electricity System Operator, IESO, which manages the system. Not only do they manage the system, but they work co-operatively with every other jurisdiction in North America to manage the system so that it’s secure, safe and so that there’s no gaming.

You can find the banking industry, you can find the legal profession, you can find any operation where people are trying to break the rules and try to tighten them up—the IESO is among the most respected in North America in terms of managing the electricity system, including the energy market, and you should be aware of that after all of these years.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Yes, and, frankly, they say the rules aren’t in place to protect the system.

Another question, with your indulgence, Speaker, to the Premier: That was just another example of a system that’s not being run to protect the people of Ontario. Jane from Toronto wrote to us: “Being on a fixed income, every dollar counts, and to have hydro being dumped cheaply to the US is simply unacceptable.”

But the Premier has told Ontarians that bills will be going up 42% over the next five years, and her minister has dismissed concerns about subsidizing energy exports to the US. Does the Premier think the status quo is working for Jane?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: We initiated a program for price mitigation about 13 or 14 months ago, the industrial electricity incentive, and there are companies that are benefiting from power reduction costs by about 50%, accessing that.

To be clear, the way they are financing those lower prices is by using our own surplus power. We’ve gone from a deficit to a surplus in power. We’re using that surplus of power to reduce prices for industrial consumers. We also have a significant number of mitigations, but I want to talk about our long-term energy plant in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I would appreciate it more if he would answer my question in the supplementary.

People are working harder than ever just to stay afloat. Internal federal government reports say that the middle class is being hollowed out because the cost of living keeps rising. Alex from Ottawa wrote to us: “I agree that the high energy costs in Ontario are not favourable to the hard-working middle class.”

Does the Premier understand that skyrocketing hydro prices are making it harder for people to get into the middle class and to stay there when they get there?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Our government is paying maximum attention to mitigating electricity prices. We spent $31 billion making the system reliable and clean. That put some pressure on prices. We’re moving forward. We are taking costs out of the system, and the same price increase that he’s referring to, the same graph, the same data show that over the next 20 years our average increase will be 2.8% and 2.3% for industrial.

They don’t have a policy on energy. I want to hear what they are going to do. Their leader, when asked, “Can you lower prices?” said, “No.”

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

Mr. Peter Tabuns: People know that hydro bills are taking a bigger and bigger chunk out of their household budget. Clare from Burlington knows the effect on her family. She wrote to say, “I make a good living, and the high bills still really hurt our family budget. I can’t imagine the strain on workers who make less.”

For 10 years hydro has been getting more expensive, and the Liberal government has said those bills will go up 42% in the next five years. What does the Premier have to say to people like Clare?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: I would hope, as a good MPP, he would tell his constituents that first of all we’ve put the 10% discount on every bill. Secondly, the Ontario energy and property tax credit gives a tax credit of $963 per year for qualifying individuals—medium- and low-income people. That also gives a benefit of $1,097 per year for qualifying seniors.

Did that member advise that constituent that those benefits are there, that those privileges are there by tax credit? Did you? Yes or no?

PAN AM GAMES

Mr. Rod Jackson: My question is to the minister responsible for the Pan Am Games. Minister, you are spending money like it’s the Russian Olympics. During my morning coffee this Saturday, I came across a half-page colour ad intended to convince me that temporary construction jobs for Pan Am are a huge win, but the only win here is that the minister of Pan Am job is actually temporary, especially given your recent alienating comments.

Show us that you are the minister responsible for these multicultural games and tell us how much of our money you spent on the temporary Pan Am jobs.

Hon. Michael Chan: Thank you very much for the question. Speaker, I’ll give you one example. One of the largest items in additional investment is the athletes’ village, which is about $700 million. That makes up about 70% of the $1 billion. The village has always been the responsibility of the host jurisdiction and outside the $1.4-billion operating budget.

TO2015 is the organization that runs the games in terms of staging events, in terms of overall planning, and, also, P/PAGS is responsible for transportation and security. We are working very hard. As you know, there is only one year and five months until the games, so at the moment we have a lot to do, but we are sure we are going to complete it, come July 2015.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rod Jackson: Minister, I’m really glad after two years you came clean on the Pan Am village, by the way, but that wasn’t the question.

Minister, let me tell you how much you blew on these ads. You blew exactly $41,000 on this one-off Pan Am ad; for colour, it cost you an extra $15,000. That’s way too much. You could have skipped the colour alone and sponsored an athlete yourself.

Your priorities are totally out of line and your peers know it too. In fact, a full-time babysitting team has been put in place requiring the minister to report biweekly to the Premier’s office and to cabinet offices. The truth is, he’s a designated ribbon-cutter, and, later, he’s going to be the Liberal fall guy.

Minister, save yourself. Step down and allow someone who has their priorities straight to actually lead these games once and for all.

Hon. Michael Chan: I’m very pleased to inform that the Pan Am Games are on time, on budget and, perhaps, ahead of time and also under budget.

The member opposite’s allegation has zero credibility. Allow me to give you some examples. Speaker, he issued his own press release about the village’s cost, but told the public he did not know it wasn’t in the $1.4-billion budget afterwards. He says he’s a human resource expert, but has not heard of a completion incentive program. That’s new to me. He claims security is going to cost $1 billion, which is absolutely wrong. He publically claimed our PASO reception in October was five times the actual cost. Those are zero-credibility allegations.

HYDRO RATES

Ms. Catherine Fife: My question is to the Minister of Energy. Last week, AMPCO issued a report confirming what most of us already know, namely, that Ontario has by far the highest hydro rates for industrial users of any comparable jurisdiction. No one knows this better than the residents of southwestern Ontario, where tens of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs have been lost because of this government’s high hydro rate policies.

This simply can’t go on. When are we going to see an end to the job-killing hydro rate policies that have crippled manufacturing in southwestern Ontario and throughout the rest of the province?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Mr. Speaker, we meet regularly with AMPCO. We have a very good working relationship with them. We regularly accept their advice. The numbers that were in the Star

article referring to that particular survey do not include price mitigation programs such as the industrial electricity incentive, which reduces rates for qualifying companies by up to 50%; the industrial conservation initiative, which reduces prices by 20%—many of the members of AMPCO participate in that particular program; and the Northern Industrial Electricity Rate Program: The industrial rates in northern Ontario are among the lowest in Canada, and lower than 44 American states.

We’re working hard to mitigate prices and we’re continuing to do so.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Catherine Fife: It’s interesting to hear the Minister of Energy counter the AMPCO report. It’s the reality for the rest of the province. Tens of thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs lost, and now we hear that the government’s own long-term energy plan calls for a 30% increase in industrial hydro prices by 2018.

While Ontario still struggles with an unemployment rate of 7.5%, cities in the southwest are even harder hit: London, 7.9%; Niagara, 8.8%; Sarnia, 10%. Outrageous hydro rates and increases are killing jobs across southwestern Ontario and across the province.

When good Ontario jobs hang in the balance, how can this government possibly justify a 30% increase to the highest industrial hydro prices in North America?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Mr. Speaker, she is referring to increases that are, yes, referred to in our own long-term energy plan looking forward to the future. But if she looks to the same graph and she looks at the same data, if the numbers that she’s giving have any credibility, then the numbers I’m giving now have credibility, because they’re in the same graph of the same document.

The price increases for industrial-commercial electricity, moving forward over the next 20 years, are 2.3%. That compares to at least 3.0%, and the five large provinces have higher projections. But she’s got to look at the price mitigation programs. Under the Industrial Electricity Incentive Program, last month, Detour Gold was one of the successful proponents in the first round and claims that the program will save them $20 million in 2014.

I met with one of the Conservative caucus members, with one of his clients, and we went through the details of that company. If they get in touch with their LDC and IESO, they can find ways to reduce their rates.

MINING INDUSTRY

Mr. Steven Del Duca: My question today is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

As parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance, I have spoken on a number of occasions with a variety of northern Ontario organizations and I’ve had the opportunity to visit municipalities like Timmins, Elk Lake and Espanola. Speaker, I am very proud to be part of a government that understands the importance of the north and the importance of the mining sector for our province.

Ontario is among the top 10 mineral investment jurisdictions in the world. As a result, 24 new mines have opened here over the last 10 years, and that’s more than anywhere else in Canada. Currently, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada is holding its 2014 annual convention here in Toronto. Can the Minister of Northern Development and Mines please update the House with respect to this annual convention and explain how it is showcasing Ontario’s mining sector?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: It’s a great opportunity to tell the members of the Legislature about the Prospectors and Developers Association conference, PDAC, which started yesterday. With the Premier, I was able to host our annual Ontario reception welcoming many of the delegates: municipal leaders, industry leaders, First Nation, Métis and a number of my colleagues. It’s great to have them here; a wonderful event.

Certainly, PDAC is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase the many successes of the province’s mining sector at our Ontario pavilion, which we are actually opening up this afternoon, officially at 1 o’clock. We ask you to join us. It’s a remarkable convention—well over 25,000 to 30,000 delegates every year.

One thing we want to continue to make clear is that the province remains one of the most attractive destinations for mineral exploration investment in North America. In 2003, explorations were $193 million; last year, over $600 million. I look forward to providing more details in my supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. I’m sure you will.

Supplementary?

Mr. Steven Del Duca: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker, and through you to the minister, I thank him for not only his response, but the extraordinary work that he’s doing on behalf of the people of Ontario.

I want to thank the minister for his update. Frankly, Speaker, those figures that he referenced are impressive. I’m certainly pleased that Ontario is hosting this important international conference. I’m certain that the international delegates who are here will enjoy all that the city of Toronto has to offer. Hopefully, they’ll also have a chance to explore other beautiful parts of our province.

As we all know, the mining industry is very important not only for northern Ontario, but for the entire province. I know that our government continues to engage both corporate and First Nations partners to make sure we are creating the dynamic and innovative business climate that we need for this sector.

Speaker, through you to the minister: How is our government showcasing our support for such an important industry at this convention?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I’m very, very grateful to the member from Vaughan for the question because it certainly is important for us to create and to support a dynamic business climate for the mining sector. It really is also about achieving a balance. We are providing tax credits, we’re providing grants and geological data that is so crucial to the sector. We are very much demonstrating our leadership, working through, of course, the historic modernization of Ontario’s Mining Act. That again is promoting a vibrant, competitive industry, helping to keep Ontario a world leader in the industry.

We need to work with the mining companies, First Nations, Métis nations, other government partners and municipalities to improve our province’s competitiveness without compromising our environmental responsibilities. By attending this tremendous annual convention, Speaker, we’re able to strengthen our relationship with our key partners in the mining sector and continue to grow the economy.

SENIORS’ HEALTH SERVICES

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Minister of Health. I want to ask the minister about her decision to ration personal support services for Ontario seniors.

Speaker, when the minister announced the government’s assisted living for high-risk seniors policy, what the minister did not tell us is that up to 80% of current applicants would receive no benefits under the current rules. She also didn’t tell us that seniors who are now getting essential services on-site in their seniors’ buildings would be cut from those services.

Here’s an email which many of my colleagues and I’m sure hers are getting from across the province. It reads as follows: “The seniors are devastated because they recently found out the province is de-funding the alternative community living program and CHATS will not be available seven days a week, 24 hours a day.” The question from this constituent is, “How is it possible to have these disabled seniors lose their services?”

Speaker, I’d like her to answer.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’m delighted to talk about how we are strengthening the home care sector and the community care sector. In fact, this is our single most important priority, and our money is where our mouth is on this one. In the last budget, we increased community and home care support by 6%. We were able to achieve that only by holding steady on a number of other elements of our health care system. As a result of our investments, 200,000 more seniors are getting the care they need in their home, in their community.

Speaker, the home care sector is an increasingly important part of our health care system as we shift services to the community, where people get the care they need in the place with the highest quality for them, and that is in their home whenever possible. We are expanding services in the community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: Speaker, that rhetoric is not going to go over with the seniors in this province who are losing their services.

In a memorandum dated June 19, 2013, the community and health services department of York region announced that the new Ministry of Health policy would have serious implications for seniors in York region. Not only would the level of personal support services be reduced, but, according to that memo, it warned that more than 80% of current applicants would not receive any services.

The minister said the money is where their mouth is. I’ll tell you where their money is: It is in scandals. It is in eHealth—lost precious millions. It is in gas plant losses. It is in her track record of not giving precious medications and prescriptions to the people who need them most. It is in her lack of oversight at Ornge—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Question?

Mr. Frank Klees: That’s where the money is, and that’s why they’re now rationing services for seniors in this province.

I want to know from the minister, will she rescind that policy today—

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

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I think it’s important that the member opposite actually hear the facts about what is happening. I will be the first to say that we are changing how we are delivering care in this province, and we are changing it for the better. CCACs help over 650,000 people get the care they need in the community. That is 200,000 more people than when you were in office.

We’ve increased the number of patients who are going home after a hospital visit by 26%. These are people who otherwise would have been destined for long-term care. They are getting more supports in their home, where they can live with a high quality of life where they want to be. Over the past two years alone, we have increased the number of people receiving home care services by 76,000, and we are continuing to expand. In order to do that, we need our PSWs working in home care, and we have plans for that as well.

COMMUNITY CARE

ACCESS CENTRES

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est également pour la ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. Last week, I asked this government whether they would support an NDP request to bring our troubled CCAC system in front of a legislative committee. I heard a whole lot of messaging and some lukewarm support, but this afternoon I will be tabling a motion that will allow the Legislature to take immediate action on the growing problems at our CCACs.

Can the minister tell Ontarians whether she will support this request to finally take action with CCACs?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: As I said to the member from Newmarket–Aurora, community care is where we are investing significant new resources. That community care sector is an increasingly important part of our health care system. We need to continue to get the highest possible quality of care and the best possible value for money from those home care dollars. Speaker, I can assure you that as we invest more in the home care sector, that is taking pressure off hospitals as their ALC rates come down and as the wait-lists for long-term care are actually getting shorter, not longer.

I am committed to home care; I am committed to community care. I am committed to strengthening the home care and community care sectors, and I welcome all advice on how to do that.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: I’m not talking about home care; I’m talking about those agencies, the community care access centres, and the number of problems that they are facing. We went on a LHIN review committee, and we heard more complaints against CCACs than we did against the LHINs.

Speaker, this government is fond of repeating the same lines and making promises that have no clear timeline attached. For months, we have heard that legislation will be introduced that could cap CEO salaries, but after years of pushing for executive pay caps, New Democrats want to see this government take action, not make more promises. I ask again, will the minister support this urgent review of CCACs?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I do think it’s important, and I know the member opposite does know that CCACs are the body that manage our home and community care sector. So you can’t underestimate the value of that coordination.

We are spending $260 million more this year than last year. That’s one year’s increase in the home and community care sector. Some $110 million of that will meet home care growth and service demand. There is $60 million allocated towards a five-day target for complex patients requiring personal support services. Some $15 million is allocated to achieving a five-day wait time for nursing services in all LHINs and 75 million additional dollars to community supports, organizations such as Meals on Wheels and adult day programs that help support the people who need the care and their caregivers as well.

This is a very important focus of our ministry’s strategic plan. It is central to the implementation of our action plan for health care.

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is to the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. This government has been investing in people, investing in badly needed infrastructure and supporting an innovative and dynamic business environment in Ontario. We all recognize that a strong and vibrant aboriginal community strengthens Ontario culturally, socially and economically. I know this first-hand. In my own diverse riding of Scarborough–Guildwood, there is a significant off-reserve aboriginal population. While we make progress across many different areas, can you inform this House on how we have been helping to improve and create greater economic opportunities in aboriginal communities in Ontario?

Hon. David Zimmer: Thank you for that question. We’ve been active on many fronts, creating many opportunities for both the private sector and communities to participate in a meaningful way and to help Ontario’s economy. One such way that we are doing that is something I recently announced, the continuation of the New Relationship Fund, which is a part of the government’s economic plan that is creating jobs for today and tomorrow. This comprehensive plan and its six priorities focus on Ontario’s greatest strengths: its people and its strategic partnerships.

Through the New Relationship Fund, Ontario is supporting aboriginal organizations as they build consultation capacity and industry partnerships, and engage in sustainable development. That’s good for Ontario’s economy, and that’s good for First Nations, Métis and Inuit.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Thank you, Speaker, and through you, thank you to the minister for that update on the New Relationship Fund. Obviously, this is a great investment in helping people, communities and businesses, and helping to create a more robust business environment.

With my colleagues, I’ve had the opportunity to meet aboriginal and First Nations groups across Ontario. In January, for example, I had the chance to visit Moose Factory, Ontario and meet with representatives from the Moose Cree First Nation, so indeed, I know how important this investment is across Ontario to our aboriginal communities.

Through you, Speaker: Will the minister expand further on just what is happening with this investment and how it is helping our aboriginal communities?

Hon. David Zimmer: The fund was originally announced as a four-year commitment in 2008, but it has been so successful that we will continue to invest in the New Relationship Fund on an ongoing basis. Here are some facts about it: We’ve enhanced the value to better meet the needs of the aboriginal communities by increasing the amount available in core consultation funding from $80,000 to $90,000 per year. What does that actually mean? What happens then? Well, over the five years that the fund has been in existence, there have been 540 jobs created across Ontario.

This provides skills and training to thousands of aboriginal people. The fund has supported a further 500 projects undertaken by 193 First Nation and Métis communities. The fund projects help aboriginal communities hire staff, host meetings, draft business plans and develop important business tools. This is what helps aboriginal communities create businesses. This is what’s good for Ontario and the aboriginal community.

POWER PLANTS

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Premier. The testimony of the OPP commissioner is very clear. The investigation into the Liberal government over the deleted emails in the gas plants scandal is real, it is ongoing, and it could see jail time of up to 14 years for anybody who has committed a crime.

The time has come for the Premier to follow our lead and call for a judicial inquiry into the $1-billion gas plants scandal and the role that her party played. So I’m asking the Premier today: Will the Premier show some integrity and announce a judicial inquiry into the $1.1-billion gas plants scandal?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: The government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, I’m a little bit disappointed in the member for the question that she has just raised. At the end of the day, we have a situation where the OPP, we are aware, is looking into a matter. I think that members of this House are very aware that we allow the police, we allow law enforcement to do their work. We don’t draw conclusions or, as she has done, make insinuations here in the Legislature. Let’s allow the police to undertake their work.

What Commissioner Lewis confirmed to the committee is that he is getting excellent co-operation from the government and those that he is asking questions of. There will be a point when he will report back, and until then, as I said, Mr. Speaker, I think this question is really beneath that member.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Well, that answer was actually beneath that minister. That’s probably why he’s deciding to run away from this place after the next election.

The Premier admitted that the gas plants cancellation was a political decision. We know it wasted $1.1 billion that could have been used to ensure children across this province get the medication they need for their severe diseases rather than have to take their fight here to Queen’s Park.

She has been Premier for over a year. She has lost four MPPs in that time. She has lost her campaign manager. In fact, she’s even losing you. Her government is in decline. The OPP is investigating. The OPP was very clear that there could be jail time for any crimes committed by this government. Her priorities are not those of this province.

So I will ask again: If they will not call a judicial inquiry, as our leader, Tim Hudak, has asked, will they at least call an election?

Interjections.

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let the member from Renfrew sit down.

Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: I just want to say on a personal note that I appreciated her warm remarks.

You can’t run from it. The fact of the matter is, in the last election it was the leader of her party who was on YouTube saying that if he was Premier of this province, he would—

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: It’s not my leader who’s being investigated.

Hon. John Milloy: —cancel the gas plants.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nepean–Carlton will come to order.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t need armchair quarterbacks. I would wish this to stop while I’m speaking.

Finish, please.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, it was her party that had candidates going out knocking on doors, sending out tweets, having robocalls saying the only way to cancel the gas plants was to elect the Progressive Conservative Party as the government. The fact of the matter, which she cannot escape, is that every party in this Legislature had the exact same promise.

The question before us is, how in the future can we ensure that the siting of gas plants is done in a better way? That is what this side of the House wants to deal with.

I think it’s time that they came clean.

HYDRO RATES

Mr. Percy Hatfield: My question this morning is for the Premier. Good morning, Premier. Rising hydro costs in this province are threatening the livelihoods of small business people. In Windsor, more than 30 small business owners have complained to Larry Horwitz, chair of the Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association.

Interjection.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Do you know Larry? That’s a good thing.

They’re worried about the cost of their hydro now, let alone a 40% increase coming over the next five years. This rising cost of hydro may force many of them out of business.

What solutions can the Premier offer to small business owners in Windsor and in the rest of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: There’s a short-term solution, and there are long-term solutions. The medium- and long-term solutions are in our long-term energy plan. We’re reducing annual increases for the industrial-commercial sector to 2.3%. The National Energy Board has the 20-year projections for all of the provinces, and Ontario is the lowest moving forward, because we’re not going ahead with a $15-billion investment in new nuclear, we’re not going ahead with $3.7 billion of power purchase contracts with Samsung, and we’re running a more efficient service.

Those numbers, those calculations, are in the long-term energy plan. When we get to the supplementary, I’ll talk about some short-term solutions.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Percy Hatfield: EnWin, the local provider in Windsor for hydro—they have a real concern, because they’re charging the same rates now that they charged customers in 2006, while the increases in hydro rates are on the provincial portion of the bill.

Will this government assure small businesses it has a plan to fix its broken hydro policies before they’re forced to close?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: We are addressing issues concerning small business. First of all, very small businesses have access to the 10% discount on their bill, as well as farmers. For those slightly larger businesses—if they work closely with their LDC, there are very significant conservation measures to minimize prices.

In addition, I personally have been consulting with small business groups. We are looking at ways and means to support them moving forward, and we hope that in the foreseeable future we’ll have some price mitigation that will be very well received by small business.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: My question is for the Minister of Research and Innovation. Ontario’s capacity to compete in the global economy is partly based on our ability to foster highly talented researchers. Canada is currently ranked sixth in the world in quality and impact of research, with Ontario comprising nearly half of the national research expertise.

In my riding of Scarborough–Rouge River, I’m often asked by constituents if it is a good idea for their children to study science during their post-secondary education. As a parent, the answer is pretty obvious. However, I believe there needs to be more done to encourage students to pursue this path.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: What is the government doing to foster and lend support to research and innovation in the province that will encourage more young people to get involved in this field?

Hon. Reza Moridi: I would like to thank the member from Scarborough–Rouge River for that question.

Mr. Speaker, investing in research—in breakthrough research—has always been the priority for this government because it creates jobs. Our government is supporting innovative and dynamic research. These researchers are creating the jobs for tomorrow, and our investment today in research is going to pay tomorrow to create jobs.

Recently, we have announced $190 million for the Ontario Research Fund. Some $65 million out of this fund will go to the Ontario Research Fund-Research Excellence Program to support 140 research projects across the province. This fund has led to the recruitment and training of 17,000 highly qualified researchers who are running our research institutions.

Investing in programs such as the Ontario Research Fund ensures that our brightest minds and their innovative ideas remain in the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: It is good to hear that our government is committed to supporting researchers through programs like the Ontario Research Fund. Providing the necessary resources and support for researchers is critical to our long-term economic prosperity. However, keeping young, innovative minds in the province is also necessary to create the jobs of tomorrow.

As a parent, I’m always pleased when I speak with students in my riding of Scarborough–Rouge River who have both a keen interest in the sciences and a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: What is the government doing to help take the ideas of young minds to the next level and create jobs for tomorrow?

Hon. Reza Moridi: Again, I want to thank the member from Scarborough–Rouge River for that question.

The Ontario government is committed to supporting young entrepreneurs by providing the support they need to grow and succeed in their business. Just recently, our government announced the Ontario Youth Investment Accelerator Fund. This fund is a part of the Ontario government’s youth entrepreneurs—to bring their investments into the market. We have invested $295 million in Ontario’s Youth Jobs Strategy, and $7 million of this fund goes to the Ontario Youth Investment Accelerator Fund.

Mr. Speaker, our government recognizes the importance of youth entrepreneurship in a dynamic economy such as ours.

WIND TURBINES

Ms. Laurie Scott: My question is to the Premier. Premier, yesterday on your radio show, Shellie Correia phoned in to voice her concerns about the negative health effects that wind turbines are having on her son. You failed to answer her question yesterday about the wind turbines, but maybe you will decide that you will answer the question I have for you today. Do you believe that the intent of the Oak Ridges moraine act was to include 50-storey wind turbines?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I believe I did take the question from the caller that the member is speaking to, Mr. Speaker, and what I said was—I will paraphrase, because I don’t remember exactly what I said. But what I know is that we made a decision about green energy—that is exactly true—and that we want clean, renewable energy. We’ve shut down all the coal-fired plants. We made that decision, that that was in the best interests of the air quality in this province and people across the province, and the health of children. That is a point I will continue to make, because it underpins the reason that we moved into green energy.

The other issue is the creation of 31,000 jobs. There are contracts in place; there are approvals under way, Mr. Speaker. I know that the member opposite is aware of all of those things.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Laurie Scott: Premier, your government, through the Ministry of the Environment, approved an industrial wind farm with turbines the size of Toronto skyscrapers. Five of these turbines will be built beside what was supposed to be a natural, serene and tranquil Buddhist temple in my riding. These turbines will impact the Oak Ridges moraine, which is an environmentally sensitive geological landform that is protected under the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.

Your government promised better communication with communities in siting these turbines. You did repeat that on your radio show yesterday. You failed to answer the people of Ontario who called in to your radio show. You failed to consult these communities as promised. Will you make things right and call a moratorium on these wind turbines?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I was very pleased to be on the radio show and to take calls along with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and along with Teresa Di Felice from CAA. There were lots of questions that came in. We took as many as we could in the time that was available.

I acknowledged that the issues around the siting of wind turbines have been contentious. I also made it clear, and I make it clear again, that we have put new rules in place. We said we were going to change the process, to give communities more input into where those pieces of energy infrastructure would be sited. We have done that, and we will continue to advocate for clean energy.

There was an energy innovation summit here last week. People from across the country and outside of the country were here to share ideas about how we can do more to conserve and create clean energy in Ontario and beyond.

Why is the Premier withholding information, and will she finally take action to enforce the AODA?

I have personally met with David Lepofsky a number of times since I have been in this office, and we have had this discussion about enforcement and how we can increase the compliance by putting more enforcement measures in place.

But the fact is that we are in a transition. There is no doubt about that, and it is going to take some time for all of our institutions and businesses to comply. We are going to encourage and we’re going to work with them, and we’re going to make this jurisdiction the most accessible in the world.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Back to the Premier. I reiterate: 70% of Ontario private sector organizations did not comply with mandatory rules that this government set. The minister responsible for the implementation of the AODA pledged to enforce the law until there was full compliance. He said that it was his “top priority.” Yet the government has taken no concrete actions, according to David Lepofsky, and has no plan in place to enforce its own standards.

It is imperative, now that we have put the regime in place—the standards are in place—that we now work with businesses and we make them aware of what the requirements are. That’s what we’re doing. We are in communication with them and we will continue to enforce that compliance.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Kitchener–Waterloo on a point of order, first.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I just wanted to welcome member of Parliament Romeo Saganash from Abitibi–Baie-James–Nunavik–Eeyou and MP Claude Gravelle from the riding of Nickel Belt to the Legislature.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke on a point of order.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Earlier today, the Premier, in response to questions directed at her regarding comments made by the Minister of Culture—as we are aware, in this chamber, you cannot say indirectly what you cannot say directly, and I believe that rules 23(

h) and (

k) were breached. Allow me to explain.

Rule 23(h): I believe that the Premier, in an indirect way, accused every member of this caucus of having racist views and—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’ve heard enough. Thank you. I listened very carefully to question period. I listened to the questions and I listened to the answers. Although I would prefer more temperate exchanges in this place, as many people do, I did not hear anything unparliamentary. So I’ll leave it at that. Thank you.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m still standing.

MEMBER’S PRIVILEGE

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Elgin–Middlesex–London has given me notice of his intention to raise a point of privilege. His point relates to the legislation establishing the eastern and southwestern Ontario development funds and a provision in it that states, “If a public announcement is to be made about the provision of financial assistance or incentives within eastern Ontario or southwestern Ontario, as the case may be, the MPP who represents the affected area within the region must be given the opportunity to participate in the announcement.”

The member for Elgin–Middlesex–London states that such a public announcement has recently been made in his riding, but that he was given no notice, nor the opportunity to participate as required by the legislation.

I am prepared to rule on this point of privilege without hearing further from the member from Elgin–Middlesex–London, as standing order 21(

d) permits me to do.

It is well established in parliamentary procedure that the application of privilege is confined to the proceedings in Parliament and to the activities of members in their parliamentary roles. Speakers of this Legislature and elsewhere have consistently ruled that a member’s work outside of the Legislature, and especially constituency-related matters, does not give rise to the protection of privilege.

As stated at page 117 of House of Commons Procedure and Practice, “In instances where members have claimed that they have been obstructed or harassed, not directly in their roles as elected representatives but while being involved in matters of a political or constituency-related nature, Speakers have consistently ruled that this does not constitute privilege.”

This position has been taken by Speakers of this Legislature as well. For instance, an April 26, 2001, ruling by Speaker Carr noted that “Speakers have consistently found—supported by the procedural authorities and a multitude of precedents—that privilege attaches only to a member’s parliamentary duties, and not to subsidiary duties away from Parliament.”

On May 4, 2010, Speaker Peters noted in a ruling that “According to the procedural authorities and many previous Speakers’ rulings, parliamentary privilege protects members in the execution of their strictly parliamentary duties—not the constituency or other duties that may fairly be said to be part of their job descriptions.”

On this point, the second edition of Maingot’s Parliamentary Privilege in Canada states the following on pages 222 and 223: “The interference, however, must not only obstruct the member in his capacity as a member, it must obstruct or allege to obstruct the member in his parliamentary work.”

I appreciate that the member from Elgin–Middlesex–London feels that he has been deprived of his ability to do his job—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Excuse me—but it is that part of the job that is the important consideration in the case at hand. Simply put, parliamentary privilege is not applicable to the constituency-related work of an MPP.

The member may have a valid grievance, however, and I would note that complying with the law is always a good policy. However, I cannot find that a prima facie case of privilege has been made out.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1148 to 1300.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FOOD LITERACY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: On Saturday, I was pleased to speak at the Building Food Skills for Eating Well conference in London. It was organized by the Ontario Home Economics Association as part of their efforts to address the need for more food education, and I want to commend and congratulate them on that.

Too many students are graduating high school or even university without basic cooking skills, nutritional knowledge and understanding of where their food comes from. At the conference, they talked about new parents who aren’t confident in their ability to cook for their children. They talked about how food education leads to healthier people.

We need to increase food literacy. That’s why the PC caucus put forward an amendment to the Local Food Act to require food education in all grades to ensure that all students learn the importance of nutrition, how to buy and cook fresh food, and where that food comes from.

At the conference, they announced the results of a study from Western University, which found 94% support for our amendment to require food education in all grades—Mr. Speaker, 94%. Unfortunately, government members blocked that amendment at committee, but I want to assure everyone that the PC caucus will continue to work to increase food education, as will the Ontario Home Economics Association and many other people and organizations.

This week, we are celebrating agriculture literacy week, and I want to challenge the government not just to talk about it but to take concrete action this week to increase both agriculture and food literacy.

BOWL FOR KIDS SAKE

Mr. Steven Del Duca: It’s a pleasure for me to rise today and update the House regarding a wonderful event that took place just yesterday in my terrific community of Vaughan.

As I said, just yesterday, Sunday, March 2, marked the annual A&B Courier Bowl for Kids Sake. This event encourages participants to build bowling teams that compete in the spirit of raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of York region. Every dollar raised for this event is then used to match a child in my community with a mentor.

It’s been proven that children who’ve been mentored have higher self-esteem and are more likely to stay in school. Big Brothers Big Sisters does an excellent job of facilitating these life-changing mentorship opportunities, empowering our youth to succeed and realize their true potential.

Since 2003, our government has been committed to investing in Ontario’s young people. We’ve invested in schools, making Ontario a world leader in education. In fact, just last Friday, I was pleased to announce the opening of a new school in Kleinburg with Education Minister Liz Sandals. Minister Piruzza also announced the youth-in-transition program last week, which will help those young people leaving the care of children’s aid societies.

Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters share our commitment to helping Ontario’s youth succeed, something that everyone in this House should, and I know does, support.

I want to thank the event organizers and all those who attended this weekend. By working together, we can ensure that Ontario’s youth have a bright and prosperous future.

VIOLENCE AWARENESS AND RANDOM

ACTS OF KINDNESS PROGRAM

Mr. Todd Smith: Mr. Speaker, don’t be surprised if the driver in front of you pays for your order at a Belleville drive-through this week, a bouquet of flowers ends up on your desk in Quinte West just because, or your neighbour shovels your driveway in Prince Edward county. It’s Random Acts of Kindness Week across the Quinte region.

Who would have thought that anything positive could have come from the senseless murders of three Belleville teenagers in three separate incidents in the early months of 1996?

I’ll never forget the call I received in the Quinte Broadcasting newsroom telling me that Mark Fyke, a popular teenager, was robbed and then shot and killed while talking to his mom on a payphone while on spring break in Daytona Beach, Florida. Just a few months later, Becky Middleton was horrifically murdered while on vacation with a family friend on the island of Bermuda. And Shawn Keegan was found dead here in Toronto, also a victim of homicide.

It was a torturous time of mourning and grief for family, friends and the Quinte community at large. But from those inexplicable deaths a tradition was born. Mark Fyke’s mother, Christine Macdonald, and aunt Pam Smith the very next year started the Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness program in remembrance of Mark and in recognition of other victims of violence like Becky and Shawn.

For the 18th consecutive March, blue ribbons will be pinned on lapels, wrapped around telephone poles and taped on doorways across Quinte. A Kindness Citizen of the Year will be awarded at Quinte Mall tonight. Dozens of school kids will be awarded bursaries as a result of those three random acts of violence.

We shouldn’t need a special week to promote kindness, but this week, especially, random acts of kindness will be commonplace across Quinte.

WOMEN IN SKILLED TRADES

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Members’ statements? The member from Mississauga East–Cooksville—the member from Essex. Rotation is necessary.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I certainly appreciate it.

It’s an honour to acknowledge local efforts by Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor, which is working on initiatives to remove skilled trades employment barriers to make it easier for women to attain careers and financial success.

Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor—WEST—exists to provide training for severely disadvantaged visible-minority women in order to improve their employability in the workforce and to further their education.

According to a needs assessment recently produced by WEST, only 42.4% of women surveyed in the Windsor area were aware of what constituted a skilled trade, and 66% of them said that they wouldn’t consider a job in the trades.

Bringing grade schools, high schools, provincial apprenticeship programs, and colleges and universities on board will certainly help in providing young girls and women the support they need to consider the trades as a viable career alternative.

They’re also doing some special things around language, replacing “non-traditional” with “under-represented” in the vocabulary, because language alone creates walls and barriers that we want to break down so that all girls and young women can see the trades as an opportunity to become successful.

Speaker, 30 years ago Terry Weymouth became one of the first licensed apprentices in southwestern Ontario. Also, Shelley Harding-Smith, who was from the Windsor area, was one of the first 309A licensed electricians in Ontario. They are inspirations to young women in our region to show that the trades can be a viable career path for young women.

I applaud WEST; I applaud all the women who serve as inspiration. I want to thank them for all the good work that they’re doing in our communities.

COMMUNITY DESIGN NIGHT

Ms. Dipika Damerla: Last Thursday, on February 27, it was my honour to host and organize, in co-operation with the Credit Valley Conservation authority, a community design night for my constituents in the Rhonda Valley area, alongside Cooksville Creek.

You’ll remember, Mr. Speaker, that on July 8, 2013, the GTA was hit hard with an intense storm that saw 126 millimetres of rainfall in three hours. It was after the storm, while knocking on doors, that I met Anne Vidal, a resident of Rhonda Valley and an engaged citizen. During our conversation on the impact of the storm, we began to think of ways that homeowners can protect their properties from stormwater. The initial conversation led to a number of meetings between myself, Ms. Vidal and the CVC, which eventually led to last Thursday’s community design night, held at the Mississauga Valley Community Centre.

The staff from Credit Valley Conservation, led by John Kinkead and Christine Zimmer, showed homeowners how they can incorporate low-impact-development storm management technologies, such as rain gardens, soak-aways and swales. Those attending were quite pleasantly surprised, learning these new strategies.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge once more Anne Vidal. Her tireless efforts and research made our community design night possible. She’s a perfect model of the engaged citizen that I’m proud lives in the great riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville.

EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I’m pleased to rise to today to recognize and kick off Epilepsy Awareness Month in the House. This month is an important opportunity for us to increase our understanding of what epilepsy is and how it affects people’s daily lives.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that causes seizures, which affect a wide range of mental and physical functions. But not all individuals with epilepsy experience the convulsions and loss of consciousness that most of us would identify as epileptic. Many experience symptoms that we would likely not recognize as seizures, with blank staring, lip smacking or abrupt movements of the arms or legs. So it is important that we follow the lead set by Epilepsy Canada in order to increase awareness about the range of symptoms that people with epilepsy experience.

Seizures are, by their very nature, very unpredictable. As a result, epilepsy can be very disruptive of people’s daily lives at work, school and other activities. As a result, people with epilepsy may experience anxiety and lower self-confidence.

Unfortunately, epilepsy is often still stigmatized. Sometimes people are reluctant to tell their employers about their epilepsy because they are worried they will face discrimination. Many people are unable to obtain employment in the first place with even modest accommodations. It is essential that we are understanding and flexible about facilitating the full participation of people with epilepsy in all of life’s experiences.

I’d like to close by thanking Epilepsy Canada and their chapters across the province for the great work that they do with people each and every day.

FULL CIRCLE CHILD CARE CENTRE

Mr. Michael Prue: I rise today to talk about the Full Circle daycare, which is located at Westview Presbyterian Church in my riding of Beaches–East York. I had an opportunity to go there last Friday night. I was invited by Denise Boland and the parents and staff of that daycare facility. They had some very real concerns that they wanted me to express in the Legislature, and I promised I would do so at my first opportunity, which of course is today.

The concerns that the daycare parents and the daycare staff had are many. They are worried because, since the advent of all-day kindergarten, it has been very difficult for the parents to deal with both situations. They were hoping that the government would listen and would coordinate the daycares taking the children to and from the schools for after-work or other activities, which is not presently the case and is not allowed by law. They thought that was a good thing.

They were worried about the lack of educational assistants and the funds that are used to pay for them, because they can make much more money, of course, in the schools.

And, of course, last but not least, they were worried about funding in this year’s budget. I promised them that I would tell the Minister of Finance that they need more money.

EVENTS IN VENEZUELA

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: It’s a pleasure to rise in the House today. As the world obviously is concerned about the situation that is unfolding in the Ukraine and Crimea, we should also be concerned about something that is happening a little bit closer to home, in Venezuela.

We walk into this house of assembly and we take our duly elected seats knowing that the people that we represent elected us through as transparent a process as we could possibly provide in this country. We’ve got the privilege of peace, order and good government, and they are the norm rather than the exception. Yet, in spite of that, we often take democracy for granted.

In Venezuela today, thousands of citizens have been rallying in the streets in conflict over the leadership and the economic future of their country. Whether it’s our right to judge the way in which other jurisdictions conduct themselves is a contentious issue, but we can all see as clear as day, I think, that democracy, human rights and economic growth are in question on the streets of Caracas today.

I have a number of very skilled and very professional constituents who left Venezuela during turbulent political and economic times. They see very little evidence of change with the current leadership, and now they see images of violence on the streets of their country.

It’s interesting that people flock to our country because of the democratic freedoms we have here. We should take pride in that, but we should also remember those in Venezuela and sincerely hope for a positive resolution in the near future to that situation.

COMMUNITY CARE

ACCESS CENTRES

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I rise today to share the serious concerns of Dufferin–Caledon constituents who are outraged that executive salaries at community care access centres have been steadily increasing while services and front-line health care are on the decline.

In my constituency office, residents share with me their personal experiences about service reductions. CCAC clients and their families struggle to maintain their own daily health care needs when necessary services are withdrawn or dramatically cut back. As recently as this morning, I heard from a man who lives alone and who, since returning home 10 days ago from a hip operation, has received absolutely nothing from the CCAC.

Prior to April 2009, the salary of the Central West CCAC CEO was $145,887, yet in three short years we have seen a 76% increase, the highest reported increase of the 14 CCACs province-wide. The current Central West CEO’s salary is now reported at $243,890.

While many people are losing their jobs, CCAC CEOs continue to receive exorbitant pay increases.

When is this government going to step up and prioritize our health care dollars by not spending on more administration and bureaucracy but rather on front-line health care services?

Speaker, it’s unacceptable. That is why I’m proud to stand with my colleague MPP Christine Elliott and call on the Auditor General to review the out-of-control expenses and salary increases at Ontario’s CCACs.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Before we move on, I just want to use this as a moment to strengthen our knowledge of how this place works, particularly with members’ statements. From time to time, what happens is, a member is stuck in traffic and they’re late and no one else stands up for them in that party, or they would try to see if they can get later in the docket. We always do rotation, and it starts with the PCs, goes to the NDP, then the Liberals. It doesn’t always have to be that way.

But I just want to caution: If there’s any kind of thing going on where you want to get the last word and you’re not going to get it—if no one stands, we’re finished statements, and we move on. So if it’s a game of chicken, you just need to know that if you’re playing it, you could lose. We could all lose. So try to get your rotation done, and we can walk away happy—for everybody.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

SOCIAL WORKERS

Hon. Ted McMeekin: I rise today in this assembly to mark Social Work Week in Ontario. Today, we have representatives—I think they’re visiting some of the MPP offices—from the governing body of some 16,000 social workers and social service workers. That, of course, would be the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. They include: Glenda McDonald, the registrar and chief executive officer; Lise Betteridge, the deputy registrar; and Jolinne Kearns, their communications coordinator. I want to thank them for their visit today and for the dialogue that they’ll be having with a number of members throughout the day.

The theme of this year’s celebration is Social Workers: Champions of Positive Change. I know many of my honourable colleagues would agree that social workers continually support positive change, change that works to improve the lives of so many individuals.

Mr. Speaker, our government invests in a wide range of services to help people in need, but much of that help couldn’t get to those people without the dedicated service of professional social workers.

As a member of provincial Parliament—and I’m sure this is true of all of us—I see the positive difference social workers make in the lives of people. As someone who has studied social work at the post-secondary level, along with my colleague from Davenport, Jonah Schein—I think he’s a member of the association—I have always been humbled by the personal commitment and caring that professional social workers demonstrate under often intense pressures.

Mr. Speaker, we all know that our province is only as strong as our people. Every day in this province, social workers work hard to restore strength to women and children who are victims of abuse, to people who are homeless and to those who are facing difficult times. Anywhere social workers choose to practise, they help Ontarians make their way through tremendous challenges every single day.

To those who are here today or who may be watching at home, I want to offer a personal thank you. Thank you, social workers, for your continued dedication to Ontario’s most vulnerable, and thank you for your commitment to maintaining the highest standards for our valued profession.

As a government, we support our social workers, and we will continue to work with them to build a successful, compassionate and caring province where everyone has the opportunity to connect, contribute and enjoy a high quality of life. As the minister responsible, I will continue to seek ways to support social workers in their understandable desire to access the professional development funding they are seeking to enhance their skills and keep their skills fresh.

Mr. Speaker, a favourite poet of mine once offered up this quote: Anyone can slay a dragon, but it’s the people who get up every single day and try to love the world all over again who are the real heroes.

Our social workers are the real heroes, and I invite all honourable members to join me in recognizing Social Work Week in Ontario and to salute the thousands of men and women who proudly call themselves Ontario’s social workers.

GREENBELT

Hon. Linda Jeffrey: I’m very pleased today to report to this Legislature that this past Friday, February 28, was the ninth anniversary of Ontario’s greenbelt.

Created by legislation in 2005, the greenbelt was considered a major step in the prevention of development and urban sprawl on environmentally sensitive land in the province. Our greenbelt is a permanently protected area of green space, farmland, forests, wetlands and watersheds.

I want to acknowledge a guest we have with us today in the visitors’ gallery who helped make the greenbelt such a great success: Burkhard Mausberg, the CEO of the Friends of the Greenbelt. I know that Dr. Peter Victor, the chair of the Greenbelt Council, wanted to be with us, and I know he’s with us in spirit. Both of these organizations are great partners and leading advocates of this province’s green spaces.

I also want to congratulate those municipal leaders who are working in their communities to see the greenbelt expanded. In particular, I want to thank Oakville mayor Rob Burton, who happens to be a member of the Municipal Leaders for the Greenbelt, for his leadership in advocating for the greenbelt. On February 10, the town of Oakville unanimously passed a motion asking Halton region to formally request that land along Fourteen Mile Creek be added to the greenbelt under the urban river valley designation. That request was echoed by Halton region council last week, on February 26.

In addition, I want to thank Toronto councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, who tabled a motion on February 19 to designate public lands along the Humber River, the Don River and the Etobicoke Creek as part of the greenbelt. It was adopted by Toronto council the next day.

This past Friday, on the greenbelt’s anniversary, Mississauga council voted to have its public lands in that city’s sensitive river valley systems, including the Credit River and Etobicoke Creek, be designated as part of the greenbelt under the urban river valley designation.

Our government is grateful for the strong support of our municipal partners. It is part of the reason for the greenbelt’s great success. Many have worked to support the greenbelt and the greenbelt plan since their inception on February 28, 2005. The plan laid out the boundaries and the policies for the greenbelt. When our government came to power in 2003, we saw what years of unchecked sprawl had done to the greater Golden Horseshoe. We saw the growing gridlock.

We saw the steady loss of farmland, and not just any farmland; the greater Golden Horseshoe has more than half of the best agricultural land in all of Canada. It was clear that without action, we were going to lose this vital piece of land forever.

Besides farmland, we were also losing sensitive environmental lands. Grasslands, woodlands, marshes and other natural heritage features were being lost. Our government had to act to create new protections. We met with municipal leaders, scientists and environmentalists. We met with farmers who worked the land. We met with landowners, developers and other stakeholders. And we met with the public.

The result, Mr. Speaker, was the Greenbelt Act of 2005—an act, I might add, that the official opposition, including the Leader of the Opposition, voted against.

Despite the official opposition’s unfortunate and short-sighted opposition, Ontario now has the largest permanently protected greenbelt in the world. We have green spaces and working countrysides that together stretch from Rice Lake in eastern Ontario to Niagara in southwestern Ontario. These protected lands also go north to the tip of the Bruce Peninsula. The greenbelt includes the Niagara Escarpment—a UNESCO world biosphere reserve—and the Oak Ridges moraine, one of Ontario’s most significant natural heritage areas. In all, the greenbelt covers nearly two million acres; that’s an area bigger than Prince Edward Island.

The greenbelt supports our rural communities that contribute so significantly to the greater Golden Horseshoe’s quality of life. The towns, villages and hamlets on the greenbelt provide economic, social and commercial benefits to the whole region. In addition, the greenbelt includes the tender fruit lands of Niagara, the cattle farms of Durham region and the market gardens of Holland Landing. In summer and fall, farmers’ markets overflow with the produce, meat and dairy products grown and raised on the greenbelt. In my hometown, we are fortunate to have the Brampton Farmers’ Market, and every Saturday from June to October, it’s the place to go to buy fresh, local, in-season produce.

Mr. Speaker, I pointed out the ecological, the environmental and the nourishing benefits of the greenbelt, but let’s not forget the fun. The ski resorts, the hiking and biking trails, the caves, the campgrounds and the wineries are all just a short trip away for southwestern and south-central Ontario residents.

A year ago, we added 630 acres of provincially owned conservation lands in Oakville to the greenbelt. They are called the Glenorchy lands. That expansion was also initiated by Oakville. I want to thank Oakville council, Halton council and Environmental Defence for their work and for their leadership in making the initial request for these lands to be added. I look forward to future anniversaries when we can create an even bigger greenbelt.

When my colleague—now the Attorney General—Minister Gerretsen introduced the Greenbelt Act in this House in November 2004, he began by asking a simple question: What do you want the Golden Horseshoe to look like in the future? Because of our government’s belief in a strong economy, vibrant communities, healthy natural landscapes and thriving farmlands, the greenbelt ensures the very best of planning and growth that preserves Ontario’s natural habitat for our children and our grandchildren.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It is now time for responses.

SOCIAL WORKERS

Mr. Rod Jackson: As the minister mentioned, today is the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers Day. It’s an interesting day insomuch that these people are those in our communities that give so much to them yet don’t get a lot in return. They do it, not for the accolades; they certainly don’t do it for the money. They do it because it’s what’s in their hearts. They do it because they believe it’s the right thing to do. It’s a very challenging job, as many of us know. In fact, many of us have constituency assistants that perform a lot of social work type of tasks. Even if it’s just at a smaller level, we get a taste of what it’s like.

I have lots of friends and family who have benefited from and actually worked with social workers, or who have been the beneficiary of a social worker’s work. For us to be able to stand here today and show our gratitude for them and to let everyone who is listening know that we appreciate the work that they do is truly special. It is certainly an opportunity to recognize the contribution of everybody who, every day, helps to ensure Ontario is a caring and just society.

Social workers and social service workers help individuals, families, groups and communities enhance their well-being; help people develop their skills to make them ready for the working world; and respond to a variety of needs, from unemployment to racism to poverty. These are all things that I think, in the society that we live in here in Ontario, we strive to eradicate. They also implement a variety of social assistance programs and assist members of the community to deal with personal and social problems. Quite simply, they make Ontario a better place to live, and that shouldn’t go understated.

This is also an opportunity to recognize the college, which strives to protect the interests of the public by regulating the practice of social workers and social service workers by promoting excellence in practice. This year, the college reached a milestone. It registered 1,680 new social and social service workers, bringing their overall membership to 15,000 qualified members, all ready to help fulfill the college’s mandate of excellence in serving the public and ensuring that every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and given the tools and the care they need to help them succeed.

They make me really proud to be a part of Ontario and that they help the people that they do be the best they can and live up to their fullest potential. They really do serve their community and are probably the epitome of what community service and what civil service really mean.

GREENBELT

Mr. Michael Harris: I am pleased to take the opportunity to respond to the minister’s statement on the anniversary of the greenbelt. The Greenbelt Protection Act, which was passed in June 2004, followed a long legacy of PC leadership on land conservation in the province of Ontario.

Starting more than 100 years ago, PC Premier James Whitney recognized the need for a legislative framework to help permanently protect natural heritage features such as unique landforms, ecosystems and animal life. In a bold step, his government passed Ontario’s Provincial Parks Act into law on May 6, 1913. From that point on, successive PC governments followed Whitney’s lead, creating hundreds of additional provincial parks and passing important environmental legislation, including the Wilderness Areas Act and the Niagara Escarpment Planning and Development Act.

Our party has and continues to understand the importance of protecting natural areas to ensure they can be enjoyed by outdoor enthusiasts, hunters and recreational fishermen.

PC leadership on land conservation culminated in 1999 with the creation of Ontario’s Living Legacy Land Use Strategy. Under this bold plan, the government of former Premier Mike Harris took steps to expand or create 378 parks and reserves over a 20-year period, a total land area amounting to 2.4 million hectares. Living Legacy was so comprehensive in scope that it provided a strategic direction for the management of 39 million hectares of crown lands and waters. That planning area covers 45% of our province.

We then took a bold step to preserve environmentally sensitive land and ensure clean water for future generations of Ontarians by passing the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act, 2001. Indeed, the Oak Ridges moraine and the Niagara Escarpment have provided the foundation for what is now referred to as the greenbelt. The greenbelt expanded the province’s protected wetlands, natural areas and farmlands around the Golden Horseshoe, bringing the total land area to 1.8 million acres. That’s bigger than Prince Edward Island.

With the greenbelt review coming up in 2015, I think it’s important that we all work together to find ways to improve this land use plan. One key way to do that is to listen to the voices of farmers and small municipalities, like Lincoln and Grimsby, which have had their growth almost completely curtailed by the greenbelt. Learning from their experiences and taking into account their concerns will help the province make any needed changes.

GREENBELT

Ms. Cindy Forster: Thanks to the minister for the opportunity to speak to this important issue.

Ontario’s greenbelt encompasses 1.8 million acres of agricultural and environmentally sensitive land between the Niagara Peninsula and Rice Lake. It’s truly an important part of our heritage and our future. As a province, it’s essential that we recognize the value of the greenbelt and continue to protect this vital and fertile piece of Ontario while also creating a sustainable development plan for our growing population.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is tasked with ensuring these considerations are top of mind as municipalities proceed with land use planning in the future.

Ontario’s land use planning is governed by an array of interconnected pieces of legislation like the Planning Act, provincial policy statements, the Places to Grow Act and many regional policies. As it was created in 2005, it specifically governs planning as it pertains to the greenbelt.

Unfortunately, land use planning in Ontario is not operating with the needed regulation and enforcement, and changes are needed. The Environmental Commissioner, in his report in 2013, stated that Ontario’s land use planning is happening in an “information vacuum.” The ministry “has neglected its responsibility to ensure that adequate information is collected on the practical functioning of the province’s land use plans.” Without proper monitoring and evaluation, it’s impossible for policy-makers to know if the planning policies are being properly implemented or whether they’re even effective.

The Environmental Commissioner is very concerned that if we continue to operate without this important information, “Ontario’s land use planning system will be blind and unresponsive to the many challenges our province faces in the decades ahead.”

So the NDP recommends that the minister review the Environmental Commissioner’s annual report so that, when we’re reviewing in 2015, appropriate changes are made to make sure that we are making informed and effective land use decisions and that we’re monitoring those decisions in the best interests of the future generations of our province.

SOCIAL WORKERS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: I’m proud to stand on social workers’ day on behalf of Andrea Horwath and the New Democratic Party to herald our social workers across the province. But our social workers need more than nice words; they actually need assistance. This is what I’m hearing from my social workers.

I was in Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre, which is a hub of social work in my riding, when one of the social workers said to me, “I’ve given up on the housing file because there is no housing.” I know that others who work with those who suffer poverty are really throwing up their hands; there’s not much they can do. They spend most of their time fundraising or competing with other service agencies for very small pots of money.

In fact, the Social Planning Network, back a few years ago, did a study, and 60% of the social workers they surveyed—and their agencies—said that their workload had gone up massively, and 65% said that they expected their funding to go down. That is the world of social work in our province: overworked, stressed, underpaid, spending valuable hours trying to get the money they need to keep functioning, instead of providing the service they need to be providing to the people who need it desperately.

I heard over and over again from our social workers that no matter what the setting—schools, hospitals, community agencies—all of them said the same thing: “We need less system and more service. We need adequate funding to do the job, and we certainly need attention paid to the social determinants of health”—of course, the major social determinant being poverty, period. I know that the minister knows this, but we need action.

I come bearing that message from all the social workers in my area, and, I believe, across the province, when they say, “Fine words, but action speaks louder than words. That’s why we became social workers in the first place.”

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their comments.

PETITIONS

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Mr. Jim Wilson: I want to thank Madi Vanstone and her mother, Beth, for sending me this petition. As you know, she was here today to plead for a cystic fibrosis drug that she needs.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas cystic fibrosis is a multi-system genetic disease primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system;

“Whereas one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis, making it the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults;

“Whereas there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but the drug Kalydeco is the first medication that has shown success in targeting the underlying genetic cause of cystic fibrosis for patients with the specific G551D mutation;

“Whereas this drug helps improve the function of the defective protein, leading to better lung function, weight gain, and lower sweat chloride levels…. access to Kalydeco could lead to a healthier, longer life; and

“Whereas Kalydeco has been approved by Health Canada, but the approximately $300,000 annual cost makes it an unaffordable treatment option for the overwhelming majority of Ontario families;

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

“That the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care take immediate action to expedite listing Kalydeco on the province’s drug formulary so this treatment is available to Ontario families….”

Mr. Speaker, I certainly agree with this petition and I will sign it.

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Mr. John Vanthof: I’m still getting hundreds of signatures.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a motion was introduced at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads ‘that in the opinion of the House, the operation of off-road vehicles on highways under regulation 316/03 be changed to include side-by-side off-road vehicles, four-seat side-by-side vehicles, and two-up vehicles in order for them to be driven on highways under the same conditions as other off-road/all-terrain vehicles’;

“Whereas this motion was passed on November 7, 2013, to amend the Highway Traffic Act 316/03;

“Whereas the economic benefits will have positive impacts on ATV clubs, ATV manufacturers, dealers and rental shops, and will boost revenues to communities promoting this outdoor activity;

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

“We call on the Ministry of Transportation to implement this regulation immediately.”

I wholeheartedly agree. I affix my signature and give it to page Owen.

LYME DISEASE

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: I have a petition.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the tick-borne illness known as chronic Lyme disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the USA and Europe;

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000, edition of their professional journal that Lyme disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in southern Ontario; and

“Whereas the Ontario public health system and the Ontario health insurance plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives at 45% to 95% of the time;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health to direct that the Ontario public health system and OHIP include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for acute and chronic Lyme disease diagnosis, to do everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.”

I affix my name in support.

OFF-ROAD VEHICLES

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I have a petition that’s signed by people from across Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a motion was introduced at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads ‘that in the opinion of the House, the operation of off-road vehicles on highways under regulation 316/03 be changed to include side-by-side off-road vehicles, four-seat side-by-side vehicles, and two-up vehicles in order for them to be driven on highways under the same conditions as other off-road/all-terrain vehicles’;

“Whereas this motion was passed on November 7, 2013, to amend the Highway Traffic Act 316/03;

“Whereas the economic benefits will have positive impacts on ATV clubs, ATV manufacturers, dealers and rental shops, and will boost revenues to communities promoting this outdoor activity;

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

“We call on the Ministry of Transportation to implement this regulation immediately.”

I agree with this petition. I will affix my name and send it up with page Aqil.

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas virtually all Legislatures in Canada have fully embraced digital technologies;

“Whereas digital communications are now essential for members of Parliament to conduct their business, correspond with constituents, respond to stakeholders, stay in touch with staff, store data and information securely, keep ahead of the news cycle, and to remain current;

“Whereas progressive record keeping relies on cloud technology, remote access, real-time updates, multiple-point data entry, and broadband, wireless and satellite technologies;

“Whereas as there is more to full exploitation of technology than having email;

“Whereas the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has been considering the value, utility and usage of digital devices within the legislative precinct and within the chamber of Parliament itself for several months;

“Whereas this consideration of digital empowerment of members continues to be unresolved, on hold, under consideration and the subject of repeated temporizing correspondence between decision-makers and interested parties;

“We, the undersigned, respectfully request all various decision-makers of the assembly and government to fully embrace digital technologies, empower members, acquire the optimal devices, maximize the many technology offerings and orchestrate a much-needed modernization of the conduct of parliamentary business for the eventual benefit of the people of Ontario....

“In agreement whereof, we affix our signatures”—as do I, Speaker, sending it to you via page Thomas.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Mr. Steve Clark: I want to thank Caroline Rigutto for getting this petition into my hands. It’s a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas cystic fibrosis is a multi-system genetic disease primarily affecting the lungs and digestive system;

“Whereas one in every 3,600 children born in Canada has cystic fibrosis, making it the most common fatal genetic disease affecting Canadian children and young adults;

“Whereas there is no cure for cystic fibrosis, but the drug Kalydeco is the first medication that has shown success in targeting the underlying genetic cause of cystic fibrosis;

“Whereas this drug helps improve the function of the defective protein, leading to better lung function, weight gain, and lower sweat chloride levels. For a CF patient with the specific G551D mutation, access to Kalydeco could lead to a healthier, longer life; and

“Whereas Kalydeco has been approved by Health Canada, but the approximately $300,000 annual cost makes it an unaffordable treatment option for the overwhelming majority of Ontario families;

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

“That the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care take immediate action to expedite listing Kalydeco on the province’s drug formulary so this treatment is available to Ontario families as it is to those in several countries including the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom.”

I’m pleased to affix my signature and send it to the table with page Shannon.

ONTARIO COLLEGE OF TRADES

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

“Whereas Ontario’s tradespeople are subject to stifling regulation and are compelled to pay membership fees to the unaccountable College of Trades; and

“Whereas these fees are a tax grab that drives down the wages of skilled tradespeople; and

“Whereas Ontario desperately needs a plan to solve our critical shortage of skilled tradespeople by encouraging our youth to enter the trades and attracting new tradespeople; and

“Whereas the current policies of the McGuinty/Wynne Liberal government only aggravate the looming skilled trades shortage in Ontario;

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

“To immediately disband the College of Trades, cease imposing needless membership fees and enact policies to attract young Ontarians into skilled trade careers.”

I strongly support this, will affix my name and send it with page Jessica.

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

Miss Monique Taylor: I have more petitions that continue to filter into my office from across the province.

“Whereas the Ontario Ombudsman, who is an officer of the Legislature, is not allowed to provide trusted, independent investigations of complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas Ontario is the only province in Canada not allowing their Ombudsman to investigate complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas people who feel they have been wronged by the actions of children’s aid societies are left feeling helpless with nowhere else to turn for help to correct systemic issues;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to grant the Ombudsman the power to investigate children’s aid societies.”

I couldn’t agree with this more. I will give it to page Meera to bring to the Clerk.

USE OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: “A petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas virtually all Legislatures in Canada have fully embraced digital technologies;

“Whereas digital communications are now essential for members of Parliament to conduct their business, correspond with constituents, respond to stakeholders, stay in touch with staff, store data and information securely, keep ahead of the news cycle, and to remain current;

“Whereas progressive record keeping relies on cloud technology, remote access, real-time updates, multiple-point data entry, and broadband, wireless and satellite technologies;

“Whereas as there is more to full exploitation of technology than having email;

“Whereas the Legislative Assembly of Ontario has been considering the value, utility and usage of digital devices within the legislative precinct and within the chamber of Parliament itself for several months;

“Whereas this consideration of digital empowerment of members continues to be unresolved, on hold, under consideration and the subject of repeated temporizing correspondence between decision-makers and interested parties;

“We, the undersigned, respectfully request all various decision-makers of the assembly and government to fully embrace digital technologies, empower members, acquire the optimal devices, maximize the many technology offerings and orchestrate a much-needed modernization of the conduct of parliamentary business for the eventual benefit of the people of Ontario....

“In agreement whereof, we affix our signatures”—as do I, sending it to you via page Kevin.

AIR QUALITY

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas Ontario’s Drive Clean Program was implemented only as a temporary measure to reduce high levels of vehicle emissions and smog; and

“Whereas vehicle emissions have declined so significantly from 1998 to 2010 that they are no longer among the major domestic contributors of smog in Ontario; and

“Whereas the overwhelming majority of reductions in vehicle emissions were, in fact, the result of factors other than the Drive Clean program, such as tighter manufacturing standards for emission-control technologies; and.…

“Whereas the new Drive Clean test has caused the failure rate to double in less than two months as a result of technical problems with the new emissions testing method;.…

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

“That the Minister of the Environment must take immediate steps to begin phasing out the Drive Clean program.”

I support this, and I’ll send it to the desk with my signature affixed.

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

Mr. Taras Natyshak: I’m pleased to introduce a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario that reads:

“Whereas Health Canada has approved the use of Esbriet for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a rare, progressive and fatal disease characterized by scarring of the lungs; and

“Whereas Esbriet, the first and only approved medication in Canada for the treatment of IPF, has been shown to slow disease progression and to decrease the decline in lung function; and

“Whereas the lack of public funding for Esbriet is especially devastating for seniors with IPF who rely exclusively on the provincial drug program for access to medications;

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

“Immediately provide Esbriet as a choice to patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and their health care providers in Ontario through public funding.”

Speaker, I’d be pleased to affix my signature and send it to the clerks’ table with page Sarah.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Joe Dickson: I have a petition from Ajax–Pickering.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the regions of York and Durham are at the final stages of completing an EA for the YD-WPCP (York Durham water pollution control plant’

s) outfall; and

“Whereas the regions of York and Durham have chosen as the final solution an alternative which will not address the quantity of total phosphorus (TP) nor soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) being deposited into Lake Ontario; and

“Whereas Lake Ontario has been identified as the most stressed lake of the Great Lakes in the July/August 2013 issue of Canadian Geographic; and

“Whereas the town of Ajax and PACT POW (Pickering Ajax Citizens Together—Protecting our Water) have documented the excessive algae blooms on the Ajax waterfront with photos and complaints to the region of Durham; and

“Whereas SRP, and indirectly TP, contribute to the growth of algae in Lake Ontario;

“Therefore we undersign this petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and ask that the government of Ontario require the regions of York and Durham to implement an alternative that will reduce the amount of phosphorus ... being deposited into Lake Ontario from the YD-WPCP.”

I will attach my name to that, Mr. Speaker, and pass it to Michael.

DIABETES

Mr. Jim McDonell: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Liberal government implemented cuts to the Ontario health insurance program such that Ontario residents suffering from diabetes saw their annual eligibility for blood sugar test strips reduced to 200 per year, less than one a day; and

“Whereas a blood sugar test strip costs approximately 70 cents; and

“Whereas this latest cut to services to Ontario patients is just another misguided measure to nickel-and-dime Ontarians; and

“Whereas a focus on preventing disease and hospitalization is in the long-term interest of patients, their families and the province;

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

“To immediately reinstate full and unlimited eligibility for blood sugar test strips covered by OHIP for all Ontario residents suffering from diabetes.”

I agree with this petition and will be passing it off to page Owen.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time that we have available this afternoon for petitions.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

FAIR MINIMUM WAGE ACT, 2014 /

LOI DE 2014 POUR UN SALAIRE

MINIMUM ÉQUITABLE

Resuming the debate adjourned on February 27, 2014, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 165,

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000 with respect to the minimum wage / Projet de loi 165, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2000 sur les normes d’emploi en ce qui concerne le salaire minimum.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): When we last debated Bill 165 at second reading, the member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex had the floor. He still has time. I recognize the member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex.

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you very much, Speaker. I was glad to rise to speak last week to this bill, Bill 165, I believe for about almost 11 minutes last week. We’ll continue here for another 49 minutes and talk about some of the concerns we have about Ontario’s economy, about the 300,000 manufacturing jobs we’ve lost under this Liberal government in the last 10 years and, of course, the 30,000 additional manufacturing jobs lost in the last 12 months since this Premier was coronated over 12 months ago.

Bill 165 is

An Act to amend the Employment Standards Act, 2000, with respect to the minimum wage, introduced by the Minister of Labour last week. It’s a bill that amends the Employment Standards Act to adjust minimum wage annually, starting in October 2015, by indexing it to the Ontario Consumer Price Index. Of course, I was clear in my opening that our caucus will be supporting this piece of legislation, tying it to inflation.

These changes to the minimum wage would be rounded to the nearest five cents and no adjustment would be made if it would result in a decrease in the minimum-wage rate. Of course we know, even though this has nothing to do with the bill, the general minimum wage is currently at $10.25 per hour and it will be increased to $11 per hour as of June 1 this year.

The minimum wage was last increased on March 30, 2010. Special minimum wages were also increased by the same percentage with the new changes. These categories are a general minimum wage, students under 18, liquor services, hunting and fishing guides, and home workers.

Of course, one message I’ve talked about a number of times when it comes to labour legislation: I think that the Premier or the Premier’s office and the Minister of Labour and his office really need to reach out to stakeholders. These are major pieces of legislation that are going to affect in one way or another the economy here in the province, and especially job creation.

The government is required to provide at least six months’ notice—and that is in this bill as well—before any wage change takes effect, with a review of the current wage in place to take place every five years beginning in 2020, as well as a regulatory authority to develop different classes of employees and the respective minimum wages that apply to each class. These new special minimum wages would also be indexed.

While the adjustment is seeking to assist low-income workers, it claims to not cause undue negative impacts on business. Members of this House will know that many businesses are scrambling and will continue to do so in preparation for the minimum-wage hike to come on June 1 of this year. In fact, I know I’m hearing from certain industries, associations and businesses that they’re actually scaling back on hours, and in some cases even cutting back on jobs.

Speaker, I was honoured yesterday to attend the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association trade show, which was held at Exhibition Stadium. My wife and I went there yesterday with our six-month-old daughter. These are our family days away, going to sort of political events. I got to talk with a number of people at that trade show, and it was quite a trade show, although we weren’t actually able to go in because they wouldn’t allow babies into their trade show. We had to hang out outside. It kind of caught us off guard.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Even Annie?

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Even