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June 5, 2006

38th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2006-Jun-05 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 5 June 2006 Lundi 5 juin 2006

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

PATRICK 4 LIFE CAMPAIGN

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

MARY POCIUS

LALI VIJ

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

DAIMLERCHRYSLER

GODERICH ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

POLICE SERVICES BOARDS

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

MOTIONS

CONSIDERATION OF BILL PR27

HOUSE SITTINGS

VISITORS

ROYAL ASSENT /

SANCTION ROYALE

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

HATE CRIMES

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

MORE TO DISCOVER FUN PASS

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT /

PERFECTIONNEMENT PROFESSIONNEL

DES ENSEIGNANTS

HATE CRIMES

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HATE CRIMES

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

HYDRO PROJECT

COMMUNITY SAFETY

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

CUPE RESOLUTION

LANDFILL

RURAL SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

COUNTERTERRORISM MEASURES

PROVINCIAL PARKS

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

CONSERVATION OFFICERS

KASHECHEWAN FIRST NATION

SMALL BUSINESS

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

KYOTO PROTOCOL

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

VISITOR

PETITIONS

RECYCLING

DRUG LEGISLATION

LONG-TERM CARE

DRUG LEGISLATION

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

MACULAR DEGENERATION

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

LONG-TERM CARE

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

HEALTH PREMIUMS

WORKPLACE SAFETY

EDUCATION FUNDING

OPPOSITION DAY

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): I rise in the House today to condemn the McGuinty Liberals for waiting until day 42 of the Caledonia standoff to

even acknowledge the situation as a provincial issue. To illustrate this, I will now read excerpts from a letter e-mailed to the Premier by a local resident:

"Dear Mr. McGuinty:

"Today is the first day that my children have been allowed to return to school. I am attempting to clean this past week out of my house and assess the physical

and personal cost to this family. My husband took another day off work on Tuesday to attend to us, his wife and children, in an effort to assuage our fears and offer at least an ounce of

comfort.

"Why, sir, as an elected official of the Liberal Party and the Premier of Ontario that we voted for, can you not offer the same?

"We don't expect that you would be able to move mountains to solve a 200-year-old dispute, but we do expect that you would, at the very least, try. You should

speak to us, not the TV camera, not the reporter, not the microphone, not to history (you'll write your own). Speak to us, the people who entrusted you with power....

"I'm not sure how much more the people of Haldimand county can take. We have done what you've asked: We were patient, patiently awaiting information and

direction from you. Not David Peterson, not Monte Kwinter, not David Ramsay, sir, you. In the absence of leadership, there is anarchy. And if saying nothing to the residents that live here is the

best can you do, then your best is not good enough....

"Please respond. The silence is deafening."

I couldn't have said it better myself.

PATRICK 4 LIFE CAMPAIGN

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): Next Sunday, June 11, North Bay will be the host of the first annual Patrick 4 Life Run Walk 4 Patrick Family

Fest. This event is designed to spread awareness about HIV/AIDS and to raise funds to further AIDS education in the community. The family fest is co-chaired by 13-year-old Jerri Clout, a grade 8

student at Our Lady of Fatima, and the mayor of North Bay.

Olympic medalist Jeffrey Buttle is the celebrity runner, and the event promises to be a fabulous day. More than 300 people have already registered for the family

fest, with about 500 marathoners, walkers and wheelchair users expected. Pledges will go to the North Bay and district AIDS committee.

The goal of the Patrick 4 Life campaign is to establish AIDS education in the school system and to focus attention on the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Patrick Fortin was a brave young man who put a face to HIV/AIDS in North Bay. After contracting HIV through tainted blood products at a very young age, Patrick

and his parents, Christine and Christian, decided to live a public life, educating others about the disease that changed their lives forever. Last year, in five short months, the Fortins, with the

help of almost 200 supporters, raised $70,000 for the Philip Aziz Centre, Canada's first hospice for children fighting AIDS.

Last Friday, our Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, came to North Bay to lend his support. He allowed his head to be shaved and, in the

process, raised close to $10,000 in support of Patrick 4 Life, our soup kitchen and the Cancer Society. At the same time, he dropped off some very good news for the community of Mattawa. It was a

banner day in my riding.

The Run Walk 4 Patrick is this coming Sunday, and I would encourage all North Bayites to come out and share in the fun and the walk and the healthiness, and to

go to patrick4life.org to get more information.

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mrs. Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax): I rise today in the Legislature, on behalf of the official opposition, to make exceedingly clear to the

government just how badly the crisis in Caledonia has affected the everyday lives of community residents. To illustrate this point, I wish to read an excerpt from a letter addressed to the Premier

from a concerned resident.

This resident writes: "Jobs have been lost in the community. This hurts families and the entire town. Children living near the blockade are sleeping poorly every

night and are not able to play in their own backyards by day. Families as a whole are under tremendous stress and pressure, both emotionally and physically, as people of all ages are finding it

very difficult to cope with the ongoing uncertainty of what will happen in this traditionally `safe and welcoming' community.

"Road and rail track closures are causing local businesses and industry in the surrounding communities to struggle to connect with suppliers and customers. The

lack of access to Port Dover, Hagersville and Simcoe on Highway 6 is keeping people away from Caledonia in droves. Businesses in town are losing money at a rate that challenges their ability to

stay open; townspeople have less income to spend, and visitors to the community are few and far between. The Victoria Day weekend is the traditional start of the summer business boom, and the roads

and the towns are virtually empty of tourists and vacationers.

"It is not just the blockade itself that worries us. It is the safety of all that travel as well. Forcing detoured cars onto McKenzie Road, a two-lane winding

rural route, has slowed the flow of traffic, both commercial and local, to a frustrating crawl....

"It is time for you to take action. Please make the time to struggle with the issue of the day."

MARY POCIUS

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): Today I was proud to attend a ceremony honouring citizens of distinction, including Hamilton's own Mary

Pocius. Mary Pocius received the 2006 local hero award from the prestigious Canadian Urban Institute. The award is given to individuals who have had a profound and lasting impact on the quality of

life in their neighbourhoods.

Nominated by the Hamilton-Burlington Society of Architects, Mary Pocius is an amazing woman. Born and raised in Hamilton, her name has become synonymous with the

revitalization that's happening in Hamilton's downtown area. As executive director of the International Village business improvement area since 1989, Mary has had a role in almost every policy

change that has benefited the downtown in the past decade. She chaired the committee that produced the blueprint for Hamilton's transformation.

Hamilton's downtown turnaround has largely occurred through Mary's vision, energy, passion and long-time dedication to our city. Downtown festivals, cultural

resurgence, reclamation of public spaces through people-friendly urban renewal projects: Downtown Hamilton has experienced a remarkable image makeover, largely thanks to Mary.

The annual Mustard Festival, which attracts thousands of people to the Hamilton downtown every Labour Day weekend, is more evidence of Mary's personal imprint.

More than a community mover and shaker, more than an optimistic go-getter with energy to burn, Mary is a visionary whose love of community and relentless focus on achieving positive results bring

enormous benefit to Hamiltonians and the local economy of our city.

I'm sure the Legislature would want to join me this afternoon in wishing Hamilton's Mary Pocius our heartiest congratulations. When city council honoured Mary

for her achievements recently, she quoted her inspirational hero, the late Jane Jacobs, with these words: "Never, never underestimate the power of high hearts when they are combined with

principled, unyielding will."

LALI VIJ

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North): Last week marked a very sad anniversary which has left a void in the hearts of many Ontarians, especially

those from the South Asian community. For 23 years, Mr. Lali Vij was celebrated as one of Toronto's most popular and prominent South Asian radio and television broadcasters, producing, for example,

the Sounds of Asia TV program, first on Global from 1979 to 1984, and then on to Citytv. He was also instrumental in the Voice of India radio programs.

These were progressive elements of the ethnic offerings of CHIN Radio and TV International. However, on the night of Tuesday, May 28, 1991, Mr. Vij, who had

dedicated a great deal of his life to the betterment and entertainment of the province's ever-growing ethnocultural communities, became one of Ontario's most prominent victims of gun violence when

he was ruthlessly assassinated in the parking lot his downtown Toronto studio.

On the 15th anniversary of this unfortunate passing, it is my hope that the House and the province will join me in extending deep sympathies and best wishes to

the family, who join us today in the Speaker's gallery -- Mr. Vick and Ruchi Vij, as well as Mr. Sameer Thaver -- and to all those who hold a special place in their hearts for this truly great

Ontarian.

Mr. Vij, both the man and his contributions, have made a lasting, resonant impression on the South Asian ethnocultural communities, and his death reminds us that

the problem of gun violence and violence in general is yet to be solved.

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): Occupied land, roadblocks, hostile standoff: Does this sound like a normal day's activity in a small rural

Ontario town to you? Unfortunately, these have become the mainstay activities in Caledonia and Six Nations. That's small-town Ontario, might I remind you, where soccer games, community fairs and

kids playing hockey should be the rule rather than the exception. Children are living in fear, tensions are rising by the day and the only politicians who have taken a leadership role on the

protest from the beginning have been Toby Barrett and John Tory. In fact, every day, citizens feel they need to speak to the opposition because they are getting nowhere with the McGuinty

government.

One resident writes to Mr. Barrett, "This should never have happened and could have been avoided had the government done something three months ago when this

started."

Another adds, "Too bad we haven't anyone else in government that cares.... Why are regular Caledonians omitted from negotiations and information -- I guess the

government can't answer that either."

Never has the McGuinty government taken a direct management role to resolve the dispute at Caledonia, never has the McGuinty government taken the necessary steps

to communicate to the residents of Caledonia and Six Nations, and never has the McGuinty government offered to seriously study land claims before chaotic and aggressive confrontations turned into

occupied lands, roadblocks and a hostile standoff like we have today in Caledonia. Isn't it about time that soccer games, community fairs and road hockey were once again part of the normal routine

in Caledonia?

DAIMLERCHRYSLER

Mrs. Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre): Last week several of my colleagues -- namely, Bob Delaney, Kevin Flynn, Kuldip Kular, Dave Levac, Deb

Matthews, Phil McNeely, Khalil Ramal and John Wilkinson -- and I had a chance to tour DaimlerChrysler's assembly plant.

DaimlerChrysler has been a pillar of the automotive industry in Canada for over 78 years. They are the third-largest manufacturer and wholesaler of passenger

cars, trucks and automotive components in the Canadian auto industry. The 2.95-million-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Brampton employs over 4,200 Ontarians. The plant is equipped with 581

advanced robots and is currently the only production location for the Chrysler 300, the Dodge Magnum and the Dodge Charger.

During our visit, the auto caucus had an opportunity to see the assembly line produce cars from start to finish. We listened to the concerns of the members of

the Canadian Auto Workers and had the honour of speaking with president Steven Landry, who applauded our government's dedication and commitment to the auto sector.

Our government has made key investments in the automotive sector to strengthen Ontario's globally competitive skilled workforce and develop innovative auto

assembly technologies. Last year, our government invested $76.8 million through the Ontario automotive investment strategy. This investment supported establishing third-shift operations and skills

training at the Brampton facility.

We're grateful for the opportunity to partner with the automotive industry, and thank DaimlerChrysler for their investment and faith in Ontarians.

GODERICH ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): Last week, I had the opportunity to make an announcement with the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 in

Goderich. The Goderich Legion received a grant for $32,000 over one year from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to upgrade their facilities to make the Legion more accessible for the many different

people who participate in a variety of community activities.

The Legions are very important to many people across this province. I know that the volunteers and the members of the community were extremely pleased to receive

pleased to be a part of a government that is tackling those barriers. I would like to thank the Goderich Legion for being proactive and upgrading their facility and addressing the needs of our

whole community.

I would be remiss if I did not thank the volunteers who work so hard on our Trillium Foundation boards identifying needs in our communities, and foro the

volunteer time they put into board activities and also taking time to make those announcements. They provide a vital component in building strong communities.

POLICE SERVICES BOARDS

Mr. Brad Duguid (Scarborough Centre): On behalf of all members of the House, I'd like to extend to Olga Duguid, my mother, who I know is

watching, a happy birthday today.

Now that I've taken about 15 or 20 seconds of my statement, I'd better read quickly.

This government is on the side of Ontario families concerned about crime and safety. We're on the side of police, who keep our communities safe. We're also on

the side of the men and women who serve on police services boards in municipalities across this province.

Last week, members of this House were pleased to welcome the Ontario Association of Police Services Boards to Queen's Park for its annual lobby day. This

organization represents 126 police services boards throughout the province, providing advocacy and timely communication of these boards' concerns and issues.

Police services boards certainly do play a vital role in maintaining public safety in the province of Ontario. The boards' jobs are challenging. As trustees of

the public interest in policing, they must provide strong governance and oversight in order to ensure that police, the public and other stakeholders effectively communicate and co-operate with each

other, making sound decisions in policy and practice and keeping our streets and communities safe.

The discussions last week covered a wide range of topics. I know that the concerns the OAPSB brought to the table provided a great deal of insight to other

participants, and their contributions were very much appreciated. On behalf of the government, I want to express gratitude to all members of police services boards across the province for the good

work that they do.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on the Legislative Assembly, pursuant to

standing order 109(b).

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Delaney has moved the committee's report. Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Mr. Delaney: This report merely assigns the new Ministry of Small Business and Entrepreneurship to the standing committee on general

government.

The Speaker: Pursuant to standing order 109(b), the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

MOTIONS

CONSIDERATION OF BILL PR27

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to

move a motion without notice respecting the advertising requirement for a certain private bill.

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

Hon. Mr. Bradley: I move that, at the request of the applicant, standing order 80(e), concerning publication of notice of an application for a

private bill, and standing order 87, respecting notice of committee hearings, be waived with respect to Bill Pr27,

An Act respecting Thunder Bay International Airports Authority Inc.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

HOUSE SITTINGS

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

9(c)(i), the House shall meet from 6:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, June 5, 2006, for the purpose of considering government business.

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

All in favour will say "aye."

All opposed will say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

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

The division bells rang from 1352 to 1357.

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

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Barrett, Toby

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Cansfield, Donna H.

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Colle, Mike

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Elliott, Christine

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Jackson, Cameron

Jeffrey, Linda

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Levac, Dave

MacLeod, Lisa

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Parsons, Ernie

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Rinaldi, Lou

Sandals, Liz

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Tory, John

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

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

Nays

Bisson, Gilles

Horwath, Andrea

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Murdoch, Bill

Prue, Michael

Tabuns, Peter

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 56; the nays are 7.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

VISITORS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I would like members of the Ontario

Legislature to join me in welcoming a grade 6 class along with their parents, chaperones and teachers from Port Weller Public School in St. Catharines.

They are here today because they won the contest to name the boring machine which will create the new tunnel at the Niagara Falls Beck hydroelectric generating

station. They called it Big Becky, and the slogan they have on their T-shirts -- we usually don't allow people to wear T-shirts in the House, but because they won and, by the way, got a $1,000

cheque as well from OPG -- says, "Big Becky Digs It." They are in the gallery today. Please welcome them.

ROYAL ASSENT /

SANCTION ROYALE

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): I beg to inform the House that, in the name of Her Majesty the Queen, His Honour the Lieutenant Governor

has been pleased to assent to certain bills in his office.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Lisa Freedman): The following are the titles of the bills to which His Honour did assent:

Bill 78,

An Act to amend the Education Act, the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and certain other statutes relating to education / Projet de loi 78, Loi

modifiant la

Loi sur l'éducation, la Loi de 1996 sur l'Ordre des enseignantes et des enseignants de l'Ontario et certaines autres lois se rapportant à l'éducation

Bill Pr 24,

An Act respecting the City of London.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

HATE CRIMES

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): I rise today to speak about two events that transpired over the

weekend. On Friday and Saturday, the Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, several intelligence services and four Toronto-area police services conducted raids that resulted in the arrests of an

alleged terrorist cell in the greater Toronto area. I want to commend all those services that participated in this operation.

While a police investigation is continuing, we know that at some time between 11 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Sunday, the International Muslim Organization of

Toronto mosque in Rexdale was vandalized and 28 windows were broken. Fortunately, no one was hurt and the inside of the mosque was not damaged.

I speak on behalf of all members of the McGuinty government, and I'm sure all citizens of Ontario, in condemning this cowardly act.

As the Premier said in the statement he issued on the weekend, Ontarians should not and must not judge each other by race, ethnicity or religion. Ontario is

home to families from every corner of the world, and that helps our economy thrive and gives us a high quality of life. We are better because of our diversity. I urge all Ontarians to unite against

those who attempt to divide us.

Ontario's strength comes from the diversity of its people. We will continue to fight hatred and intolerance in all its forms, and we will renew our commitment

to protect everyone from intolerance and hate.

I urge all Ontarians to rise above the behaviour exhibited on the weekend and, in the Premier's words, "to speak with one voice" in deploring racism, hatred

and violence.

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): Last Friday I had the honour and pleasure of signing an agreement with my counterpart from Quebec,

Labour Minister Laurent Lessard. The agreement resolves years of disputes between our two provinces regarding construction mobility -- disputes that previous governments simply could not fix.

This agreement marks a new era of co-operation and fairness between Ontario and Quebec. It paves the way for increased long-term prosperity for our two great

provinces and our country. This resolution is largely due to the hard work of our negotiators and ministry staff on both sides of the border.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate Chris Bredt, who represented Ontario, and Réal Mireault, who represented Quebec. Their hard work and

diligence in successfully brokering the at times contrary interests of their provinces have led to this historic agreement. They deserve our thanks and our accolades.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the hard work and perseverance of the member from Glengarry-Prescott-Russell, Jean-Marc Lalonde. Mr. Lalonde has been a

strong advocate for the resolution of this long-standing issue. He has consulted with local contractors and workers to ensure that the views of eastern Ontarians have been heard at the table

throughout the negotiating process.

This agreement would also have not been possible without the direct input from our construction stakeholders in eastern Ontario: contractors and workers. Our

government worked closely with them, listening to their concerns and addressing the issues they face.

We achieved a fair deal for Ontario. This agreement breaks down barriers for Ontario contractors and their employees who want to work in Quebec. Our

construction contractors and workers will have greater access to contracts and jobs in Quebec, including access to Quebec crown corporations and Hydro-Québec contracts. Previously, Ontario

contractors generally had no access to Hydro-Québec. This has been a major achievement for us.

In addition, Ontario construction workers who are qualified but not certified will now have the opportunity to qualify for trade activity cards from Ontario.

These cards will be recognized by Quebec, and these workers will be able to accompany their employers to work anywhere in Quebec. Previously, these workers could only accompany their employer in

the Hull-Gatineau region of Quebec. This, too, is a major achievement.

With this agreement, Ontario contractors will have province-wide access, at a $100,000 threshold, for construction contracts with Quebec's liquor board and

lottery agency. To forestall future disagreements, we have put in place an expedited process to resolve disputes concerning the qualifications of workers and contractors.

These are significant improvements for Ontario's construction contractors and workers. For our part, we have undertaken to repeal the Fairness is a Two-Way

Street Act. With the repeal, Quebec contractors will no longer be required to register with the jobs protection office in Ottawa and will again be permitted to work on Ontario government and

broader public sector contracts.

Both of our provinces have signed this agreement in good faith, and I have every expectation that both provinces will live up to the agreement's

requirements.

The jobs protection office will provide advice and assistance to Ontario contractors and workers who wish to work in Quebec. It will be our liaison with Quebec

on the issue of construction labour mobility and will monitor the success of the agreement. Among other functions, the office will spearhead our government's efforts to combat the underground

economy in construction in eastern Ontario. The underground economy threatens health and safety, undermines labour standards and erodes construction quality.

Our government has taken a number of steps to combat the underground economy in construction through enhanced health and safety enforcement. This includes

allowing Ministry of Labour inspectors to issue on-the-spot tickets if written proof of trades qualifications under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship Act is not provided.

Further, I recently announced a consultation on a proposal to extend mandatory workplace safety and insurance coverage to most people who work in construction.

Extending mandatory coverage to construction workers would make it more difficult for individuals and employers to hide underground economic activities. It would also bring a significant portion of

the workers in the construction sector under the protection of the workplace safety and insurance system.

Last Friday was a historic day for both Ontario and Quebec. The agreement I signed with the Quebec Minister of Labour signifies greater co-operation, greater

opportunity and greater access. It's helping build a prosperous, long-term future for the construction industry in Ontario and Quebec. It is an integral element in the overall co-operation

agreement signed by Premier McGuinty and Premier Charest.

MORE TO DISCOVER FUN PASS

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): This morning I had the pleasure of

announcing some great news for Ontario's 1.4 million school kids and their families.

My colleague Culture Minister Caroline Di Cocco and I went to the Ontario Science Centre to announce that our ministries would be distributing 1.4 million More

to Discover fun passes to virtually every elementary school student in Ontario. The pass contains one free child's admission to each of 15 provincial attractions across Ontario and a discount on

daily vehicle permits to all of our Ontario parks.

All school boards in Ontario were invited to participate in the program. I'm happy to report that most of them did so, and the passes are being distributed

over the next few weeks. The passes are valid from July 1 to September 4, so just as school gets out, our passes kick in for a summer of fun.

This is a pass to laughter, learning and wholesome activity for kids. It is a pass to an affordable summer for parents who want to plan activities for their

kids that will not break the bank. It is an invitation for kids and their families and friends to discover Ontario.

We started the fun pass last year as a pilot project for students in five school boards. It is a success story from the Ontario public service ideas campaign.

A thoughtful provincial employee wanted to help parents keep kids busy and active all summer long at a price that would make them happy, and that suggestion prompted the fun pass. In its pilot

year, the fun pass exceeded anticipated participation by some 100%.

The pass was such a hit last year that we felt families across Ontario should be able to enjoy it. The Ontario government is on the side of hard-working

families, and we want to help them provide their children with a summer to remember. By giving families this incentive to visit our provincial attractions, we're also boosting local tourism in

communities throughout Ontario. Families get to discover more of our beautiful province, and tourism operators can welcome more visitors who want to experience something new. We are delighted to be

able to do this for Ontario's kids.

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT /

PERFECTIONNEMENT PROFESSIONNEL

DES ENSEIGNANTS

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): I think it's clear that our children are indeed our

future. If our publicly funded education system is going to prepare them with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in school and in life, we need to support the very people who make this

happen: our teachers.

We're entering a newer era of education, and we need to recognize the important role that teachers play. We need to recognize our teachers as the role models

that they are. We need to treat them with the respect that they so rightly deserve. We need to ensure that their passion for education, the spark that brought them to the job in the first place, is

nurtured into a bright flame, because ultimately it's our children's future that they're firing up for us. Next to parents, it's our teachers who help our kids develop the skills to get good jobs

and the capacity to enjoy life to its fullest.

The underlying principle for the government's approach to teacher development is that teachers must at all times be respected as professionals, deserving the

same respect as other professionals. The biggest winners out of all of this are also the most important part of the education system, the estimated 2.1 million children who attend our schools, but

teachers also benefit.

The McGuinty government is making education different, and part of how we are doing that is our continued support for teacher development. We stand for

respect, and we're eager to be forming these partnerships to increase support to teachers and students. We recognize that as we ask more and more of our teachers, we must also support their

training to help them develop specialized teaching skills. Better skilled and trained teachers means better education for students and continued success. The McGuinty government has always

supported teacher development, and we believe we stand for respect.

Le gouvernement McGuinty a toujours appuyé la formation du personnel enseignant. Nous prônons le respect.

At the end of the day, our approach of respect for teachers and their professional development means many more students will benefit from the latest teaching

techniques and resources, including this coming September.

des enseignants franco-ontariens, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation, the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and school boards to help them offer Ontario teachers more

professional development. We have also provided $3 million to the Ontario Educational Services Corp. so that they can offer training for non-teaching staff.

We're asking a great deal from Ontario's teachers. We're asking them to help boost reading, writing and math skills and to motivate and inspire their students,

and all the while they're facing more challenges than ever before in the classroom. By our government supporting their professional development, we ensure our teachers are better prepared to

recognize students' unique strengths and help our children reach their potential.

This government is committed to recruiting the best and the brightest to the teaching profession, because that's what our kids deserve. By treating our

teachers with respect and supporting their professional development, we are encouraging teachers to be the best that they can be.

Notre gouvernement est déterminé à attirer les meilleurs éléments dans la profession, car c'est ce que méritent nos enfants.

I'm proud of the many hard-working, dedicated, exceptional teachers in this province, and I know that we all appreciate the selfless and important work they do

every day on behalf of Ontario's students. Special congratulations to them.

HATE CRIMES

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): On behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus, I rise to comment on the statement made by the

Minister of Community Safety. I would join him in commending all of the police services involved for their hard work in connection with this operation, and I would join him as well, as it is our

responsibility as leaders to do, to condemn the acts of vandalism that took place over the course of the weekend in respect of at least one mosque.

I had occasion to address this issue on CFRB last night, and I thought I might refer to some of the words I spoke at that time, because they certainly sum up

the feelings of all of us here with respect to how we have to be vigilant regarding these matters. I said:

"I have also been to many of the mosques and met many members of the Muslim communities -- not just in the mosques but in their daily lives; you run across, of

course, people of the Muslim and Islamic faith all over the city. These are good, hard-working people. These are people who believe in peace. These are people who have a faith that is very strong,

that supports family and peace and getting along with one another and respect for the law, and I think the other thing we have to make absolutely sure that we do at this time, when some will be

inclined to do things like we saw with the mosque up in Rexdale -- we have to reach a hand of friendship out to the Muslim community and understand these are our fellow citizens. They are people

who are working alongside us to build a strong Ontario."

As the minister said -- and I join him in saying this -- we have to rise above the temptation to label or divide people. We have to reach out the hand of

friendship to all of our fellow citizens in Ontario and reaffirm our steadfast commitment to diversity, to understanding one another and to making sure that we continue to work hard -- all of us --

to build a society that is an example to all the world.

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): In response to the Minister of Labour, I would just say that the issue of labour mobility between Ontario and

Quebec is certainly not a new issue; it's been around for quite some time. Each of the most recent governments had reached agreements in an effort to secure fair treatment for Ontario workers. I

recall that when the NDP was in power, they reached an agreement which ultimately proved to be ineffective. The Harris government passed the Fairness is a Two-Way Street Act, which was tough

legislation in an attempt to level the playing field between Ontario workers and their Quebec counterparts.

Today the minister has indicated that he's either going to repeal that act or let it sunset, but he's not saying what legislation he's going to bring in to

protect Ontario workers. You simply can't have a protocol, as we had many, many years ago, and wish that there will be fairness for Ontario workers in the province of Quebec. It certainly doesn't

work that way, and history doesn't show that it works that way.

You have an agreement. You say that you will eliminate unfair treatment for Ontario workers. I want to say on this side of the House that we remain unconvinced

that this agreement will have any real, significant impact for Ontario workers. Already, we're hearing that the agreement does not go far enough to help Ontario workers, that the Quebec system

remains far too regulated to consider this deal a real long-term solution.

I know that I and my eastern Ontario colleagues, in particular Bob Runciman and Norm Sterling, who have worked on this issue diligently for years, will be

listening very closely to the individuals affected by this agreement and will continue to fight for real fairness for the people of Ontario.

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): I'll just briefly respond to the announcement made by the Minister of Education regarding the

teachers in the province of Ontario and the need for them, obviously, to have access to the professional development that is necessary.

However, I noticed one thing that was missing from her remarks today. She doesn't say anywhere in here that she is on the side of teachers. I don't know what's

happened with the Minister of Education, but that's an omission from most statements.

We, on our side, would certainly agree that teachers play a very important role in the education of our young people. Certainly we know that a well-educated

teacher, a better prepared teacher, has an enormous impact on the success of the children that he and she teach. We believe very strongly in the need for teachers to have access to professional

development activities. It's our children who are the beneficiaries.

HATE CRIMES

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): In response to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, New Democrats agree that hate

crimes need to be condemned and also dealt with swiftly and decisively. Liberals promised in 2003, "We will expand the number of hate crime units in the province." Thus far, about all we've seen

from this government is a one-time $200,000 investment in a database that was announced last August. What we really need to see is a lot more. The government should immediately expand its policing

network to include all hate crime units across the province and to provide dedicated and sustained year over year funding to combat hatred and extremism.

What we hear from community groups and from police services is that the resources for dedicated hate crimes units simply aren't there. Many communities simply

do not have a hate crimes unit. Many more have a unit that consists simply of one officer who is assigned to the task on a part-time basis. The bad news is that in Toronto alone, a total of 132

hate crimes were reported in 2005, of which 33 involved members of the Jewish community and 33 involved members of the black community. The good news? This is 19% less than the year before. The

Toronto Police Service has been compiling hate crime statistics since 1993, and last year's tally of 132 was, in fact, the lowest number reported yet. What this shows, though, is that with real,

dedicated resources, hate can be combatted. What we want is for the government to do more in that vein.

CONSTRUCTION LABOUR MOBILITY

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): The Premier announced, last Friday, movement in regard to the long-standing issue between the provinces

of Ontario and Quebec when it comes to labour mobility rights. But it raises a couple of interesting questions in the way that this was resolved. Do we need to get there? Of course, every Ontarian

would agree that we need to be able to move on this front. New Democrats have long advocated -- and quite frankly were very successful while in government -- dealing with this issue. Unfortunately,

that legislation was overturned by the Conservatives when they came to office.

But I say this: It raises an interesting question. What we're now saying is that we're going to allow anybody who has a recognized trade in Quebec that doesn't

exist here in Ontario to come into the province, even though that trade doesn't exist here. Conversely, anybody who wants to work in one of those Quebec-recognized trades where training is not

available in the province of Ontario -- supposedly we're going to do quick passage and give that person an instant certificate.

I think what we need to do is look at doing what Quebec did when it comes to increasing the amount of apprenticeship training within the province in order to

properly recognize those trades, and do what Quebec has done in supporting workers and making sure that they're properly qualified, properly trained and regulated when it comes to the various

trades.

On the other issue, in regard to the other parts of this particular dossier, a huge issue in the northeastern part of the province and, I would argue, probably

in southeastern Ontario, is the issue of mobility rights when it comes to the trucking industry. It is a huge issue where trucks that are licensed in the province of Ontario are not allowed to

deliver into the province of Quebec unless they are transiting through the province. Conversely, we allow licensed trucks from the province of Quebec to come into Ontario with no reciprocal

agreement. This is one area the government has done nothing on and somewhere where they need to take some action. We either have to mirror the rules that the Quebec National Assembly has towards

Ontario truckers, or we have to come to some form of agreement in order to deal with that.

The last issue is sawlogs. There is far too much round timber going into the province of Quebec that is unprocessed from the province of Ontario. The Minister

of Natural Resources has to get a handle on that issue as well.

TEACHERS' PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): Providing a couple of professional development days for teachers is a good thing, but it does not deal

with the failings of our educational system. Boards are waiting for their legislative grants, and we're in June. I suspect we're going to get these legislative grants to boards by the end of this

legislative session. We won't even have a chance to debate it. They used to get them in early April. We're now into June. It will be the end of June when boards will know what they're going to

get.

Boards are underfunded in a serious way. They don't get enough money to pay for their teachers, so boards have to borrow and steal from other programs to be

able to pay the teachers' salaries. Over 40,000 kids are still waiting for special education services. We have fewer ESL programs under the Liberals than we did with the Tories. Imagine that --

under the Liberals. The Toronto board is talking about firing hundreds of educational assistants and closing 60 or 70 schools under the Liberals. Transportation funding: We're still waiting for

that model to be redone under the Liberals. You could do teachers a big, big favour, and that is, fund our educational system properly, and then professional development makes sense.

VISITORS

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: We have here in the Legislature

some prominent elected and senior officials from the various states of India. I would like to introduce and recognize them here in the Legislature.

We have the Honourable Tarun Gogoi. He's the Chief Minister of Assam. Assam is the state known for producing tea. We also have the Honourable Sushil Kumar

Modi, Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. We have the Honourable Rangila Ram Roa, the excise and taxation minister of Himachal Pradesh. We also have the Honourable Dr. A.K. Walia, Minister of Finance,

government of national capital territory of Delhi. In addition, we have very senior officials. We want to welcome them to the Legislature. They are here to study the tax system.

ORAL QUESTIONS

NATIVE LAND DISPUTE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Attorney General. On the website of your ministry, there's a good description

of the unique aspects of your job as Attorney General, including reference to the non-partisan way in which many of your duties are carried out, uniquely. Among other things, it says on the

website, "As chief law officer, the Attorney General has a special responsibility to be the guardian of that most elusive concept -- the rule of law." It goes on to say a bit later on, "It is the

rule of law that protects individuals, and society as a whole, from arbitrary measures and safeguards personal liberties."

Recognizing the complexities of the Caledonia file, can the Attorney General comment on his responsibility to uphold the rule of law within the context of the

various activities we've seen by people of all backgrounds in and around that community, including as recently as last night?

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General): I'm going to refer the supplementary to the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs, but I'm happy

to tell the member that obviously the Ministry of the Attorney General had counsel before His Honour Justice Marshall, when parties were summoned, and will continue to participate in that fashion

as required as matters do come before the court. We obviously continue to work with other ministries and provide legal support where appropriate.

I understand the genesis of the member's question. I hope you will appreciate that the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs is addressing this matter,

and in a comprehensive fashion, so it's really appropriate for the specifics that I know will come out in your supplementary to be addressed by that minister.

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

Mr. Tory: Actually, I'm not going to address the specifics, because I know those are difficult, in some cases, to comment on. But I want to

say to the minister, by way of supplementary, that there are no easy answers as to how to resolve issues like the standoff at Caledonia and, in particular, the question of how it has been allowed

to escalate into the public security threat that it has. There are people with different opinions, but I think in the end we know that Ontarians are no more knowledgeable today about the situation,

its root causes and some of the resolutions than they were before. That is why we feel that a commitment on the part of this government, at the appropriate time, to call a full public inquiry would

be useful so as to make sure we can find out in an impartial way how we got to where we are and, more importantly, how we can prevent these things from happening again, including making sure that

we find a better way, if we can, to handle land claims disputes.

This is an incident that is not to be repeated. I ask the minister, will you commit here today in the Legislature to call a full public inquiry at the

appropriate time into the Caledonia standoff so that we and all Ontarians are better able to deal with these kinds of situations in the future?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: I refer the question to the minister responsible for aboriginal affairs.

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I would say to the Leader of the Opposition, I

can tell you now how we got here today. We got here today because of the slow, legalistic approach that the federal government has taken to the disposition of land claims in this country. We have a

thousand of them outstanding right across this country, at least 65 or more in Ontario, and that's why we are where we are today.

As I've spoken to you in many other responses over the last few weeks, there was an exploration into this particular land claim and accounting claim over the

last two years. Great progress was made, but many in the community didn't understand the progress that was being made and were frustrated and acted out on that frustration.

Mr. Tory: I would note that the minister didn't answer the question. I would note as well that while I suggested in particular that part of

the terms of reference of any such inquiry could include a better way to deal with land claims disputes of this kind, every commentator, every person who is knowledgeable in the law, has also

commented on the fact that portions of this matter are your direct responsibility: the enforcement of the law and a number of other aspects of this to do with transportation and other aspects of

protecting the public interest.

What we've seen is a pattern of how these situations have developed over the years, have been allowed to develop over the years, from Oka to Ipperwash to

Caledonia. I think we need to take a closer look at the land claims process, yes, but also at the other aspects of this that escalate over time. We've got to look at the heart of these conflicts

and better understand them and how they unfold.

I ask you again, Minister, will you commit to beginning this process of better understanding by committing yourself and the government, at the appropriate

time, to appointing a public inquiry to look into the Caledonia conflict, the issues involved, how we deal with land claims issues and the decision-making process --

The Speaker: Minister?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I would say to the member that what we're hoping for from the long-term working group with Barbara McDougall, the federal

representative, and Jane Stewart, the provincial appointee, is to work on those various issues that have caused this crisis. We're asking them, once we get the community to normalcy, to start to

work out methodologies of how we can work on land claims in a more timely manner, to work out the development processes in that Haldimand tract so that we have certainty they're going forward so

our communities can grow. That's what we're expecting from that, and we expect that process to give us basically a prototype of how land claims across this country can be solved in a more pressing

manner.

HYDRO PROJECT

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Minister of Energy. It has been brought to our attention that the Caledonia

situation has begun to affect Hydro One's capability to replace large-capacity transmission wires within the hydro corridor that runs through the area in question near Caledonia. Could you please

provide us with an update as to how this problem sits today, and could you also offer us any information you have pertaining to what could happen if this hydro project is not completed on a timely

basis?

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy): I think the Leader of the Opposition is referring to the Niagara line reinforcement, which received

OEB approval last year. It's something that had been contemplated for, I think, 10 years prior to its receiving OEB approval. No doubt the situation in Caledonia did slow down the timeline for

completion. It was hoped it would be online on or about July 1 of this year. The last report I had was that it looks like it will be online approximately around the middle of July -- July 15, July

16, July 17, thereabouts -- assuming there are no more disruptions in the construction. It will provide an additional 800 megawatts of import capability to Ontario.

Mr. Tory: We could go down a number of roads about the 800 megawatts of import capability and so forth and so on, and we could also ask on

July 15th of which year you'd have that ready, given that we've had some problems in that regard.

We are told, I say to the minister, that Hydro has about six weeks to complete this project, which is about the same timeline that the minister referred to.

We've seen an

article in the Windsor Star saying, "If the transmission line is not completed soon, there is a very real possibility residents of southwestern Ontario will experience power shortages

and brownouts over the summer."

May I ask the minister: What is your plan, if there are delays because of some of what we've seen going on in Caledonia that cause that timetable not to be

met, seeing that the standoff in Caledonia is nowhere near being rectified? Do you have a backup plan to make sure that the kind of situation described in the Windsor Star -- blackouts, brownouts

and so on -- is not affecting people in the province of Ontario? What is the plan, and will it be in place in time for the summer peak demand if the project is not completed on time?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: I'll remind the Leader of the Opposition that this plan had been on the books for close to 10 years, for eight of which your

colleagues around you sat and did absolutely nothing. I would refer the Leader of the Opposition to the ISO's press release of last week, which identified 600 megawatts of additional baseload

generation capability and another 200 megawatts of wind generation capability, which we don't count as part of baseload because of the nature of peak-time use versus baseload versus intermediate

and peaking capacity. A number of those windmills are in your riding. So the ISO reports that our 18-month outlook for power, even at peak this summer, is in very good shape compared to last

year.

Mr. Tory: I'm assuming, from the fact it wasn't dealt with, that there is no backup plan in the event that the Caledonia project runs late.

There is no backup plan and it's all part of the overall scheme, which says there is no plan generally in the case of energy.

Just on the same general subject area, reports reaching us today indicate that the transformer station near Caledonia, which was burned up a few days ago in an

act of vandalism, causing power to be lost by thousands of people and causing a huge economic loss to that area, is being protected by one private security guard, whose car apparently was burned up

last night. Minister, has a request been made to the OPP or other police agencies to make sure that this transformer station, which is also a vital part of power delivery to the people in this

region, is properly protected so that we won't see any further incidents of vandalism involved with this power station? Have you done what you should be doing, through hydro and through OPG, to

make sure that this transformer station is properly protected?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: Yes, we have. There are a number of protective measures that have been undertaken, some of which obviously we don't want to

talk about in this environment. Yes, this is a dangerous situation.

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. Duncan: They laugh. This is a party that cut 2,000 megawatts of power when demand was going up. This is a party that froze prices,

stifled new development, did nothing on renewables, did nothing on conservation, left a disaster. We're cleaning up their mess. They should stop laughing and take it seriously, because this is a

serious matter. We're working to keep the power on and to undo the damage that that party left this province over the last eight years, and we're doing it effectively, according to the ISO.

They still smirk and laugh.

COMMUNITY SAFETY

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

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Stop the clock. I need to be able to hear those posing questions. The member for Hamilton East.

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): My question is to the Acting Premier. Working families were deeply troubled by this weekend's arrests of

alleged homegrown terror suspects. One thing that people want to hear from their government is that Ontario is prepared for emergencies, whether it's an ice storm, a pandemic or other serious

event. They want some assurances that our schools, hospitals, larger buildings, institutions, colleges and universities are primed and ready to deal with any emergency. All the best plans are for

naught without people on the ground to implement them. Will you, as a government, guarantee that every part of the province is equipped with resources they need to handle emergencies?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): To the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): I thank the member for her question. I'm sure, if she has been

listening to what's been happening in this House over the last several months, and particularly we just went through Emergency Preparedness Week, that we now have every municipality in Ontario up

to the essential level which is required under our Emergency Measures Act to get to the point where they can respond to an emergency.

I can tell you that, as long ago as almost a year and a half, we had a flood in Peterborough, and that was a textbook response. There were no deaths and no

injuries, and they acted perfectly because they had been prepared. I have spent the last month and a half travelling throughout Ontario with the commissioner, Julian Fantino, making sure that

communities have emergency preparedness plans in place. We've been having this throughout Ontario, and I'm satisfied that they're all at the essential level.

Ms. Horwath: You'll know that there are many communities that are still wanting for nurses and firefighters and other professionals who help

in emergencies, but I want to ask you about something a little bit different.

Working families are worried about a backlash now against Ontario's Muslim community. They have a reason to worry. This weekend, as you know, vandals smashed

windows and doors at a mosque in Etobicoke, damaging a place of worship and unsettling a community.

I would ask the government and the official opposition to join us in sending a strong message today that we support Ontario's law-abiding, peace-loving,

vibrant Muslim community and that we condemn all acts of violence and hatred against it, just like we condemn all acts of violence and terror in Canada and abroad. Will you do that?

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: I thought that's what I did today when I read my ministerial statement. I can tell you that we are very concerned. We have

now increased our funding by $200,000 to police services in Ontario. We've gone from five to 10 to allow them to have hate crime units. We've set up a hate crime working group that is made up of

citizens representing the diversity of Ontario. That group will be reporting back to us this summer.

We are very concerned about these issues. I commend the Leader of the Opposition for making a similar statement today. It would have been helpful if you had

joined in with that statement when you had your chance to respond to the remarks.

Ms. Horwath: In fact, we did, but like all Ontarians, Ontario's Muslim community is concerned about home-grown extremism. They want to work

with all levels of government, not just to identify violent extremism but to prevent Canadians from turning to extremism in the first place.

You may know that one of the proposals that has emerged is for Ontario to host an international conference on home-grown extremism, where we could learn and

share the experiences from people all over the world. It's a sensible proposal, Minister, and we're hopeful that you will take it under advisement. Will you promise today that you'll act on that

proposal and see that that conference comes to Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: It would seem to me that home-grown terrorism and home-grown hate units is a national program. It's one that we would

co-operate with. We do this now. This operation that just finished and is before the courts was a combined effort of the RCMP through INSET, which is the integrated national securities team. It is

something that we've worked on with the OPP hate crimes section. We've worked with police services. There were four GTA police services involved. We've worked with the Canadian Border Services

Agency. All of these things are taking place, and if there is an initiative that we can all participate in, of course we will do it. I am not in a position to have the authority to call that in

Ontario. That will be something that will be coordinated through all of the people involved in anti-terrorism, and they will decide when and where that will take place.

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Acting Premier. Last week, the Ombudsman of Ontario sounded the alarm about your

government and how they are letting down disabled Ontarians. He revealed that Dalton McGuinty, the Premier who once said, "Judge a government by how it treats the disabled," is in fact denying

4,600 disabled Ontarians $6 million in benefits to which they are legally entitled, money they desperately need for food, clothing and shelter. Is it still the McGuinty government's position that

disabled Ontarians should receive no compensation for disability benefits they are being denied because of your own government's bureaucratic bungling?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I'm pleased to respond today on behalf of the minister and to say much of what

she mentioned last week. Of course, we thank the Ombudsman for his work. The Ombudsman pointed out that the system was broken, and we're going to work to fix it. In accordance, we didn't wait for

the report. We put additional people on the front lines to enhance our timeliness in terms of responding to those applications from prospective Ontario disability support program beneficiaries.

I want to say to the honourable member that in accordance with the advice that was offered by the Ombudsman -- it was a six-month report. Of course, my

honourable friend the minister has already said that Ontario would do the fair and right thing for the individuals referenced in this report. Details to follow, but I can assure the honourable

member that we're taking seriously the circumstances outlined by the Ombudsman and are working already to improve our timeliness. We'll respond more fully on the point that the honourable member

has asked about.

Mr. Prue: That is $6 million that 4,600 desperately poor people need to have in their pockets, not six months from now but today. Disabled

Ontarians shouldn't have to go without those benefits because you can't get your act together.

This is what's happening to just one of them: Janice Ann Wareham. She was here in the Legislature today. In October 2004, she picked up her ODSP application

form. Eleven months later she was finally approved for benefits, but instead of getting paid for the 11 months she waited, she got paid for four months, or 36 cents on the dollar. How do you

justify denying Ms. Wareham and disabled Ontarians like her the benefits that they are owed? Why won't you pay her back in full?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member needs to know -- I believe he does, but he perhaps should state that he recognizes that we've

already altered the rule that he spoke about in the question. We acknowledge that this program has been too slow in responding to applications. That's why we've already acted, in a proactive way,

to address the circumstances that we all know to be problematic. Significant improvement has already been made in terms of reducing any backlogs. We have more work to do, and we're very dedicated

to it.

The minister is taking that as a priority. She did say last week, and I repeat from my earlier answer, that we will do the fair and right thing for the people.

But the honourable member asked us to adhere to the report of the Ombudsman, and then when we take the time that the Ombudsman has indicated in the report would be appropriate, the honourable

member seeks to differ with it. So I just ask him to have some consistency in the approach he brings to this issue, but I assure him that what the minister said is that we'll do the fair and right

thing for these individuals. We sought to improve the timeliness of the program, we have more work to do, as has been acknowledged, and a more complete response with respect to the very precise

issue the honourable member is asking of will be forthcoming in a very timely --

Mr. Prue: Disabled Ontarians have had to take the untold step of having to drag themselves before the courts to get benefits they're being

denied because of your Premier's "morally repugnant" policies. That's what the Ombudsman called them. They shouldn't have to turn to food banks and charities to survive when you've taken millions

of dollars out of their pockets. It's much easier for you to find this money than it is for them. As a matter of basic decency and fairness, this Premier who said, and I quote again, "Judge a

government by how it treats the disabled," should pay back disabled Ontarians the $6 million that they've lost because of your Liberal bureaucratic bungling. Why can't you do that now? Why do you

have to wait six months?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: We didn't wait for any report to begin to act. I'll remind the honourable member, who likes to use high-and-mighty

language in here, that his party, including that member, on two separate occasions increasing the resources available to the very same individuals that we talk about today, voted against it. This

is the record of his party: Say one thing in here and do a different thing in here, and still feel like you're acting in a consistent fashion.

We recognize that there were a variety of policy hangovers left by the previous government. It has been our obligation as a government to work through those.

We've been doing that vigorously. We're proud of the record that we've brought forward: an additional $200-million investment in our last budget for those who are vulnerable. Of course we have more

work to do. To respond to the Ombudsman's report in a timely way is a priority, but we've already begun to act to improve the timelines related to those who are making applications for the Ontario

disability support program. It would just be nice if, for once, the NDP would stand in their place, when we bring forward additional resources for these people, and vote in favour of it.

CUPE RESOLUTION

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): A question to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. CUPE Ontario recently passed a resolution to boycott

and use sanctions against Israel. The resolution and boycott are harmful, absurd, insulting and just plain wrong. Will the Minister of Citizenship stand up in the House today and condemn the CUPE

resolution?

Hon. Mike Colle (Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I thank the member for the comment and the question. Let me just say right off that

I think that CUPE Ontario should withdraw that resolution. It is, at best, simplistic. It's unfair. I think it's appalling that they would dare try to resolve that very complex issue in the Middle

East with a resolution that does nothing to contribute to solving the problem. So I would encourage a withdrawal.

Mr. Hudak: To the minister: I appreciate your response; you're doing the right thing. No supplementary, Mr. Speaker.

LANDFILL

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Minister, for over seven years now, the Mohawks of

the Bay of Quinte and local municipalities have been sounding the alarm over Waste Management's proposed expansion of the Richmond landfill site. The site for expansion is unsafe. It would be

within a watershed. It's in the vicinity of groundwater and local creeks that are the source of local drinking water.

The decision will soon be yours, Minister. The decision will be up to you to accept or reject this proposal. Chief Donald Maracle and a number of other

community leaders were here today asking you to protect their local water supply and public health. Will you reject this expansion?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): As the member opposite should know, the process is under way with respect to this

environmental assessment, and it has been a long procedure for this community to manage over some period of time. We are getting to a point where some decisions will be made. The Ministry of the

Environment will publish the government review report by June 9. Then the community will be able to have another five weeks for a comment period to bring forward whatever issues they may wish to

raise at that time. Following that comment period, a decision will be required from me by October of this year. So we are moving forward with this environmental assessment process. All voices are

being heard.

I think the process has been a procedure whereby the community has been able to raise many issues that they have sought to raise, and that's important. That's

what the environmental assessment process is all about.

Mr. Tabuns: The memories of Walkerton and Kashechewan cannot be lost on you right now. It was two years ago this week that your government

introduced a discussion paper on a strategy to divert 60% of waste from landfill. The final plan is nowhere to be seen. Action to be taken to protect communities against these mega landfills seems

to be totally on hold. Instead, you're talking about making it easier to site landfills.

Minister, will you present the 60% waste diversion strategy so local communities will have the protection of the province in dealing with these waste

management issues?

Hon. Ms. Broten: I will let all members opposite know that I am certainly well aware of my responsibilities to ensure that we have clean, safe

drinking water in this province. We have an incredible team of people in the Ministry of the Environment, including the chief drinking water inspector, who are working closely. That's the dialogue

that I had with Chief Maracle when I myself met with him last week. I've met with all of the folks who are raising concerns and perspectives with respect to this landfill: the mayor of Napanee, the

reeve of Tyendinaga township and Chief Maracle himself. My decision to approve or reject this landfill will be due October 20, 2006. I look forward to this process concluding. I look forward to the

information that I will be receiving from all fronts during the government review period. We will be bringing forward all of the variety of evidence that needs to be brought forward.

We understand the need for management of waste in this province, and we're working closely with all participants in this hearing to make sure that all of the

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

RURAL SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM

Mr. Pat Hoy (Chatham-Kent Essex): My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister, it has been another busy

and successful school year for students in my riding of Chatham-Kent-Essex. Students grew and benefited greatly thanks to our strong commitment to education and rural schools. I understand that

this is all part of Ontario's rural plan, where we see people as the foundation of our rural economy and communities.

With summer fast approaching, many of those students are now looking for summer jobs to explore their horizons, earn some money and gain valuable experience.

However, I understand that job opportunities for youth during the summer can be limited in some rural areas. With that in mind, what is the government doing to encourage youth employment in rural

communities?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs): I want to thank the honourable member, who has long been an advocate

for rural communities in this Legislature and continues to advocate for those issues, particularly issues that relate to youth in rural Ontario. I'm happy to tell the members of the Legislative

Assembly about the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' rural summer jobs program. This program is going to contribute approximately $3 million to help rural students gain employment in

their communities. The way the program works is that employers are able to apply for a $2-per-hour rebate on salaries that are paid to summer students who are hired in rural Ontario. Since the

beginning of the program, some 8,000 students have benefited from it, and we believe that this summer some 3,700 students in rural Ontario will benefit from the rural summer jobs program.

Mr. Hoy: Minister, this program has proven to be extremely beneficial to my constituents. In my riding alone, it has helped 122 students find

summer employment on farms, in food processing plants, greenhouses, meat markets and grain elevators, just to name a few. I understand that this program also encourages job creation by providing

economic incentives to local employers. Could you please clarify for me how the economic benefits offered to businesses participating in this program fit with Ontario's rural plan?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I'm happy to talk about a couple of very positive spinoffs. First of all, I did have the privilege last year at the

plowing match in Hastings county to talk to people about the rural summer jobs program. We actually had a student who had participated and because of that work experience wanted to pursue a career

in the agriculture industry. That is good for rural Ontario.

We also believe that by making these investments, by encouraging our youth and by providing them with experiences from which they will gain experience and

understand how they can participate in the rural economy, it will go a long way to boost economic development. It will also provide improved access to educational opportunities and it will support

the communities where these young people live.

We've had tremendous response, very positive response --

Interjections.

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: I know that members across the way are commenting very positively because these programs work in your ridings as well.

This is a non-partisan initiative, and I know that folks in your ridings are very appreciative of this program that our government is leading for rural Ontario.

COUNTERTERRORISM MEASURES

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): My question today is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. In your platform

document on page 24, the Liberals promised, "Additional support for police intelligence services to ensure that our various police forces can work together to protect all Ontarians." Other than

firing key security advisers such as Major-General Lewis MacKenzie and retired RCMP commissioner Norman Inkster, can you tell us exactly what additional resources you have provided for

counterterrorism?

Hon. Monte Kwinter (Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services): First of all I want to correct the member so that there's no

doubt as to what happened. We did not fire the so-called security advisers; we just didn't renew their contracts. The reason we didn't renew their contracts is that they hadn't met for over a year.

We felt that they were there because the former Solicitor General felt it got him a great deal of credit for having these people available, but they didn't do anything in the last year they were

there. That is why their contracts were not renewed.

Mr. Dunlop: I actually asked you what other resources you provided, Minister.

Over the weekend, you learned what many of us have suspected since 9/11: that the threat of terrorism is indeed a reality. Last year, you tried to cut $1.76

million for counterterrorism from the Criminal Intelligence Service of Ontario budget, and have indicated to CISO that the $1.76-million cut will take effect by May 2007. Minister, considering the

safety of all Ontarians, will you commit to the House today that you will not slash the counterterrorism budget by $1.76 million next May?

Hon. Mr. Kwinter: With all due respect, the member keeps raising things that might have happened, could have happened but didn't happen. There

was no cut to CISO's budget -- none. All you have to do is ask those people who run it, and they will tell you that there has not been a cut. You're saying that at one time you saw something that

said there may be a cut. Well, I have to deal in the real world, not in the make-believe world that you deal in. I can tell you there have been no cuts to CISO.

PROVINCIAL PARKS

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Minister, you will know that last week there was a

press conference here, sponsored by myself, in regard to the drastic cut in MNR seasonal staff and full-time staff who maintain our provincial parks in the province of Ontario. As you know,

provincial parks are some of the places where Ontarians and others love to holiday, and especially for those with little income it's probably the only holiday they'll get.

I want to point out something that was in this press conference that I thought was interesting. It said, "`MNR is wiping out the equivalent of 226 full-time

summer jobs out of a total of 1,189 seasonal and regular student workers,' said OPSEU president Leah Casselman. `It's atrocious. We thought cuts of this magnitude were gone with Mike Harris.'"

People voted for change. Why are you acting like Mike Harris?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): Thanks for the compliment, there, at the end

your question. I have to say to the member, in the context of your question, you really set up my answer, because I do appreciate that the provincial parks system is how many Ontarians of low

income access the wonderful natural resources of Ontario. We have kept the costs down this year to what they were the year before, yet we have higher operating costs in energy and other expenses

all the way through the park system. But I want to make sure that the Ontario parks system, being one of the best in the world, is accessible to everyone in this province.

Mr. Bisson: Listen, Minister, you can say all you want about reducing the amount of money spent year over year in provincial parks. The

reality is that you're going to have far less staff maintaining our parks from the perspective of making sure those parks are well maintained so that we don't have garbage lying around and others,

but there's also the issue of health and safety when it comes to those people visiting the parks. The fact is that you're reducing park staff by almost 20% over last year. I asked you a specific

question: Why are you doing this? People did vote for change. You're acting just like Mike Harris did. When are you going to start acting as you were supposed to after the last election, and not

like Mike Harris?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: As the member knows, the parks system is one of two special-purpose accounts in the Ontario government, the other being

revenues from angling and hunting. In that special-purpose account we're basically at a point where we're very close to being break-even now on the parks revenues coming in to operate those parks.

We're trying to manage within that budget. Again I stay to the member that with increasing costs coming to the parks system, I think you'd be the first on your feet to criticize me if all of a

sudden I had a large increase in camping fees that might make it prohibitive for many Ontario families to enter our parks system. So we're going to keep the fees down, and reasonable and affordable

so that all Ontarians can access the Ontario provincial parks system.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): My question is for the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Yesterday afternoon I attended

the Stratford Chefs School's 2006 graduation ceremony, where we celebrated some of Canada's best emerging culinary talents. I want to thank you for visiting the school last fall. Since 1983, the

Stratford Chefs School has been renowned for being the only culinary institute in Canada operated by working restaurant professionals. This allows students to apprentice in the culinary arts under

working chefs who are at the top of their profession. Alumni are working in some of the finest restaurants, not only in Ontario but around the world.

Our government values apprenticeships and sees them as an integral part of lifelong learning. However, some students aren't aware of the many opportunities for

apprenticeships in the arts. Minister, what initiatives are being implemented to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the arts?

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): I'd like to thank the member from Perth-Middlesex. I was visiting

not only the Stratford Chefs School but the Stratford Festival with him some months ago and he was explaining the needs of his community in terms of the arts. In terms of the cooking and culinary

arts, they're supported by general programs. We've increased the investment in college co-op diplomas, in the apprenticeship program, in the payment of places in school for the apprenticeship

training. And we're encouraging employers to take on apprentices through the apprenticeship training tax credit.

In terms of the arts generally -- the Stratford Festival -- there's a lot more work to do. It is true that last December we introduced a new apprenticeship to

support the lighting and stage set-up in theatres such as the Festival, Avon and Third Stage theatres at Stratford with our entertainment industry power technician apprenticeship.

Through the sector initiatives fund, we're working with my colleague and others involved in the cultural sector to determine what the industry needs are and

how we can better meet them in the future.

Mr. Wilkinson: Minister, I'm pleased to hear that our government is working to promote apprenticeships in numerous fields across the

employment spectrum, especially in the arts. I know that my constituents in Perth-Middlesex appreciate the support of your ministry.

As you know, many students need financial support when pursuing post-secondary education, including apprenticeships. I know that students at the Stratford

Chefs School are again eligible for OSAP. What is our government doing to ensure that students at the Stratford Chefs School and other similar places of learning can qualify for OSAP?

Hon. Mr. Bentley: It's true that the students at the Stratford Chefs School are once again eligible for Ontario student assistance program

loans and grants. I think that's great news for them. I happen not only to have visited the school as a minister, but to have enjoyed the results of the great apprentices' fare --

Hon. Steve Peters (Minister of Labour): We can see it.

Hon. Mr. Bentley: Thank you very much -- in numerous visits over the decades.

Our government has made a very substantial advance in terms of providing student assistance. This fall alone, 60,000 students will receive grants covering

between a quarter and all of their tuition. To put that into perspective, two years ago there were no grants, now, 60,000 grants. Under the McGuinty government's Reaching Higher plan, more students

are getting more assistance and more of it is in grants than ever before in the history of the student assistance program. We are determined to ensure that no post-secondary eligible student is

denied admittance for financial reasons.

CONSERVATION OFFICERS

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): My question is to Minister of Natural Resources. We are in the real world today, and I'd just like

to mention that Gilles Bisson must have the same writer as I do, because he asked the very same question I was going to ask you. But we will still talk about cutbacks which are happening in your

ministry.

Hon. Greg Sorbara (Minister of Finance, Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): Why bother asking?

Mr. Murdoch: Well, we're going to go to some more cutbacks for you, Mr. Treasurer, and you can help us out by putting some money in the MNR,

all right?

MNR has been cut and cut and cut. Now we have no COs being --

Interjection.

Mr. Murdoch: Well, we've got some people going. Now we have no COs being hired by your ministry; we're way behind in that.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Stop the clock. The Minister of Education will come to order. I won't warn her again.

Mr. Murdoch: I have a question and they get all excited over there because it's in the real world. You guys don't understand the real world;

that's the problem.

Here's what's happening, though: You're not hiring COs. I understand you need the money to do that. The Treasurer is listening; I'm sure he's going to give you

some.

The other thing: We have COs in the north who have to park their trucks. They can't even have enough gas to run them. They get one tank a week by the

ministry.

My question is, is the Minister of Natural Resources slowly phasing out the ministry by just cutting and cutting and cutting?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): I'd like to assure the member that the last

thing I'm going to do is phase myself out of a job over here. We're going to have a very strong Ministry of Natural Resources. The minister is going to lead it and is going to manage it in a very

efficient way.

What I say to the member is, as you know, we talk to the stakeholders who have great interest in what we manage from the ministry's point of view. We work very

closely with them. We're looking at more partnerships with people to help us with many of the functions that we have historically done. We're going to make sure that the natural resources in

Ontario have good stewardship from the ministry, because the people of Ontario deserve nothing less.

The Speaker: Supplementary?

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): On ministry staffing: Minister, in January I wrote to your office with respect to concerns raised by

an MNR game warden in my riding provided with so little by way of resources that he was only able to put enough gas in the truck to patrol his district three days a week. We know the Westport area

is one example where reports abound of outside groups coming in to area lakes at night and taking out large numbers of fish without any apparent concern about being caught in the act because the

wardens don't have gas for the trucks, let alone the manpower to do their jobs.

Minister, part of your ministry's mandate is to protect and preserve physical resources such as fish and animals. Why aren't you doing that?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: In the ministry, we are managing all the functions that we have the responsibility for. Obviously, the conservation officer

program is a very important program in Ontario; and again, we have various techniques. As you know, we've announced this year a phone-in line that has had a great response from the public. The

public wants to help the ministry with enforcement issues because the law-abiding hunters and anglers don't want to see poachers exploiting the resource, and so they're playing a greater role in

helping our conservation officers in patrolling this. We have beefed up our intelligence unit, and what we've done is targeted areas where we have specific problems.

I very much appreciate the information that the member is bringing forward to us, because when we get that information we can concentrate on those areas and

provide good enforcement for our resources.

KASHECHEWAN FIRST NATION

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. Minister, last month you met with the chief of the

Kashechewan and others with regard to the transfer of the reserve from now low-lying areas to land that's in a higher area. For the record in this House, will you confirm that in fact the province

will transfer that land to allow the Kash community to move; and number two, are you prepared to do this in an expeditious manner?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources, minister responsible for aboriginal affairs): As I committed to Chief Leo Friday, the

province will work with the community to facilitate the transfer of land that they need and require for any relocation of their community.

That community is not sustainable where it is. We've seen from the reports that even the four other candidate sites have flooded over. Whatever is the most

appropriate piece of land, we're prepared to transfer that to the community.

Mr. Bisson: Minister, I need an answer to the second part of the question, because you know that the federal government is now trying to play

the game that they always do, which is trying to find excuses not to do the right thing. We need to say clearly as a province that not only are we prepared to transfer that land over in order to

allow Kashechewan to move, but we will do that transfer in an expeditious manner.

So I ask you again, in order to allow Mr. Prentice off the hook, are you prepared to say in this House that the process will be expedited so the community can

move on?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I would assure the member that we will expedite that process. However, we just have to wait for the federal government to

authorize the reserve to be relocated or expanded. As soon as that authorization is there, then we have something to transfer to. So as soon as the federal government agrees that any particular

site is the site, then we will make sure that that land gets transferred to the reserve expeditiously.

SMALL BUSINESS

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): My question is to the new Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Minister,

Ottawa Citizen reporter Kelly Egan wrote an

article some months ago about the city of Cornwall in my riding of Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh. In this

article he referred to Cornwall as "the

unkillable city." This was a reference to the closure of Domtar, the loss of jobs that resulted and the interest of citizens to tackle economic problems head-on.

Indeed, the resourceful citizens are finding that there is life beyond Domtar. With the manufacturing sector in transition, many constituents are looking in

new directions, finding alternative ways to earn their living. Many former Domtar employees are going back to school, while others are taking a crack at starting their own businesses. Dean River

and Don Blue of Cornwall have established Double D's, a restaurant in the heart of the city that is quickly becoming the city's staple eatery.

Minister, through the Domtar Action Centre and other strategic economic assistance, this government is helping the city as a whole get back on its feet. Can

you tell us how your ministry is assisting entrepreneurial individuals like Dean River and Don Blue establish their own businesses?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Small Business and Entrepreneurship): First of all, I want to thank the member for asking this question,

and I also want to say that the community really set an example when the Domtar plant closed there. Our government, the local municipality and the community worked together to address some of the

problems that were faced after the closure of Domtar. I want to congratulate them. The community has done extremely well on that front.

Our government moved quickly to establish the on-site action centre to help employees and new opportunities for employment. We also funded the project manager

to coordinate the social services, and we provided assistance for Cornwall's development of a new economic development and marketing strategy.

In this ministry, there are 44 enterprise centres which new entrepreneurs can actually use when they're starting. When they want to open a business, it will

provide them with all sorts of opportunities with developing the business plans, how to access the bank and dealing with the lawyers. So there is a lot of assistance available for the new

enterprises.

Mr. Brownell: I am enormously proud of the resilience and dedication of my constituents, and I take it as a key responsibility to continue to

advocate on their behalf and to encourage new industries and businesses to establish in the region. My constituents give their all every day, and they truly inspire me to do the same for them as I

work with you and your ministry.

Minister, it was also wonderful to see you, and I appreciate your comments today as I work on the Small Business Agency of Ontario meeting -- you were there

this morning, a great show of support, and your words were appreciated. I know our government recognizes that small businesses like Dean River and Don Blue's restaurant are part of the lifeblood of

our economy. How important do you feel small business is to the Ontario economy?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: Small business is very important to the Ontario economy. There are about 340,000 businesses in total in Ontario. Out of that,

99% of the businesses have less than 500 employees. If you really break that down further, about 97% of all businesses employ less than 100 people. So small businesses are where the growth is.

Small businesses are where most of the new employment is generated, so they are very crucial to our economy.

I want to congratulate the member for actually serving on the Small Business Agency of Ontario. This is an agency which looks at what are some of the issues

that small businesses face and how the government can address some of those issues. I was there this morning, meeting with the representatives of the Small Business Agency of Ontario, and they're

doing some incredible work. I want to congratulate them and encourage them to continue to do that.

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

Mrs. Christine Elliott (Whitby-Ajax): My question is for the Acting Premier and also deals with the egregious delays in the Ontario disability

support payments that this government owes to the most vulnerable citizens in Ontario; it's that important. The Ombudsman described the way your government runs the ODSP as "unreasonable, unjust,

oppressive and wrong," adding that the situation has escalated on your watch and is "nothing short of shameful." Can you please tell this House what specific steps you're going to take to restore

credibility to the ODSP?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The first step that we've taken to restore the credibility of the ODSP was to

throw out the lousy government that instituted this circumstance. It's a rather galling circumstance to see the honourable member pretending to or suffering through the same amnesia that her leader

does, which is all a bit of a pretender game or a shell game that seeks to dissociate them, their government, their eight-and-a-half-year record, from all that happened in the province of

Ontario.

The reality is that we've taken the proactive steps of examining and dissociating ourselves from the way that your government acted in this fashion. The system

was broken. We brought new people in, we've reduced by 10% the backlog that exists and we've already said -- the minister said last week in response -- that we will do the fair and right thing for

the people. We've indicated, of course, that we will respond fully to the report of the Ombudsman. But it's rather galling to hear this pretend game from the honourable member. This is your policy

that we have sought to improve on behalf of the people in the province of Ontario.

Mrs. Elliott: This government has had almost three years to do something about this, so that argument is getting a little bit old, quite

frankly. Sure, you repealed the four-month rule, but this was a rule that was misused by your government since you were elected. The Toronto Star reported on June 1 that the Ombudsman himself has

said that the four-month rule was initially an internal performance standard and that it has been "twisted into a `hammer' against the disabled." Furthermore, you didn't even make the announcement

that you'd repeal this rule until the very day the Ombudsman released his report.

It's really unacceptable that it takes such an embarrassing and scathing report to get your government to do anything. This situation requires immediate action

to protect Ontario's most vulnerable citizens. Would you please tell us how you plan to help these people?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: We have acted in so many areas where that government was acting out with the hammer, brutally applied to people who were

disadvantaged in the province of Ontario. We've taken the hammer down. We're melting it into a ploughshare and making sure that we support the needs of people with disabilities in this province. We

brought --

Interjection.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Why don't you give the honourable member from Ottawa a question, and I'll talk to her too about the circumstances with

the government she worked in as a staffer, a government that over years left people on Ontario disability support to languish. And when we brought forward additional resources for the people on

Ontario disability support, what did they do -- and what did they do? They voted against it.

To hear the honourable member, herself related to someone who was a senior minister in the government that brought this hammer forward, stand and ask that

question is galling, to say the least. We have acted, like our minister said, to do the fair and right thing for the people who depend upon Ontario disability support.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Mr. Peter Tabuns (Toronto-Danforth): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Scientists estimate that climate change will warm

Ontario by an average of two to five degrees Celsius over the next 75 years. That will increase the number of floods, of droughts, of very hot days and of smoggy days.

In opposition, the McGuinty Liberals chastised the Tory government of Ernie Eves for wavering in support of the Kyoto accord. You even introduced a resolution

in the House calling on the federal government to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Yet three years later, the McGuinty government still has no climate change plan. When can Ontario's working families

expect you to table an Ontario climate change plan?

Hon. Laurel C. Broten (Minister of the Environment): Let me be loud and clear: This government supports the Kyoto Protocol. This government

participated in the meetings in December and has continued to sign on to indicate that Ontario will take action to ensure that we reduce the harmful effects of climate change, the biggest challenge

this society in general faces at the present time.

Let me tell the member opposite about just a few of the steps we are taking and have taken to ensure that we leave a lesser footprint on the earth for our

children and for the next generation: an $838-million investment in public transit in the GTA. That will include $670 million to help Toronto extend its subway to Vaughan, which could eliminate

some 30 million car trips in the GTA annually. Those are the actions and steps this government is taking to leave a lesser footprint and reduce GHGs, and that's the type of thing we'll continue to

do moving forward.

Mr. Tabuns: A fascinating reply. Again, no plan on the table, but interestingly, unlike in other answers, no reference to the plan to phase

out coal. I gather, because of the recent statements by the Minister of Energy, you're no longer factoring that into your statements when you talk about responding to Kyoto.

You still don't have a plan. Let's say that you could meet your deadlines; let's say you weren't breaking your promise to shut down the coal plants in this

province. Even that would only meet about half your commitment, half your target to reach Kyoto.

Ontarians want to know in detail how this province is going to meet its Kyoto commitments. You have stood up and you've spoken; you have not put forward a

plan. You haven't even promised a plan.

Given that climate change will seriously impact Ontario, will seriously hurt working families, will the McGuinty Liberals find the conviction they had in

opposition and announce today that Ontario will join Manitoba and Quebec --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. The question has been asked. The Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Ms. Broten: I guess the member opposite has to ask the same questions all the time because he never listens to the answers. Each and

every single time I speak about the challenge of climate change, I talk about the fact that we are investing in public transit. That's not news to anyone, but maybe it's news to you.

Our government is also committed today to a future without coal. That statement has been made loud and clear in this province. We are going to replace dirty

coal with cleaner sources of electricity. Absolutely, it is a significant challenge, but that is a critical component to making sure we have a clean, green future in this province.

Some of the other steps that perhaps have not been paid attention to: 5% ethanol content by 2007 takes another 200,000 cars off the road. We're putting our

money where our mouth is: $520 million is going to the ethanol growth fund. Those are significant steps forward in this province to ensure that we have a clean, green future. Those of us on this

side of the House take this responsibility very seriously. We will deliver clean air and no greenhouse gases.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): My question is for the Minister of Education. It's been shown that offering our high school students a

wide array of programming will help boost Ontario's graduation rate. At Atikokan High School, a unique program, the Quetico adventure program, was offered to the grade 11 and grade 12 students.

This program offers all the benefits of a regular high school program, coupled with fall, winter and spring outdoor expeditions. The program is an excellent start for those pursuing post-secondary

education and a career in outdoor rec, natural resources and environment fields. What other kinds of programs is your ministry offering high school students in Ontario, and what other initiatives

have you undertaken with the student success strategy?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Education, minister responsible for women's issues): I think it's fair to say that the difference today is

that more and more students are able to face a more individualized and customized program that will actually see them move through high school to graduate. We anticipate that our rates are going to

move from where they were before, in 30% of our students who weren't able to succeed in receiving a high school graduation diploma, right up to 85% of our kids graduating. I look forward to

providing more information in the supplementary.

Mr. Mauro: There was a supplementary. Thank you, Minister; I appreciate that.

Perhaps, if you have an opportunity, the Atikokan High School program is singular in the province, and the outdoor adventure program they offer is very special

and unique in the province. This Quetico adventure program has been in existence for four years and is a wonderful example of what we can do with complementary programs in the education system. I'd

like to hear what we can do in education in Ontario with complementary programs like that.

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: As you know, we've had a very special focus on rural Ontario, in particular as it relates to student success. We've made

certain that all of our major initiatives have some component that will address rural Ontario and the serious concerns that much of rural Ontario faces.

In this regard, we have very specifically addressed a $10-million lighthouse program for student success, a new rural experience in the curriculum and a

$3.5-million e-learning curriculum, which will benefit many students in rural Ontario.

VISITOR

Hon. Rick Bartolucci (Minister of Northern Development and Mines): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Just before petitions, I want to

recognize a very important Sudburian who is in the gallery today. Professor Rand Dyck has inspired many people to get involved in politics as a political science professor at Laurentian University.

Professor Dyck, welcome to the assembly.

PETITIONS

RECYCLING

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

"Whereas waste from Ontario public schools that could otherwise be recyclable is contributing to increased landfill sites; and

"Whereas diverting waste is critical to sustaining a healthy environment now and in the future; and

"Whereas there is a need to encourage recycling initiatives in all schools; and

"Whereas the private member's bill proposed by the geography club from Georgetown District High School under Making the Grade will require all Ontario school

boards to have two recycling bins in each classroom, one for paper and one for drinking containers. As well, cafeterias must have adequate recycling containers outlining items acceptable to be

recycled;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to pass the private member's bill that will amend the Ontario school boards education act to

divert waste from Ontario high school classrooms and cafeterias."

I support this petition and have affixed my signature.

DRUG LEGISLATION

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I am pleased to present petitions that have been given to me by the Coalition of Ontario Pharmacy, which is

a non-partisan group of pharmacists, pharmacies, patient advocates and health care groups who are concerned with Bill 102. These represent part of the 52,534 signatures that have been gathered by

this group with respect to concerns about the bill. It reads as follows:

"Whereas Bill 102 proposes to remove approximately $500 million from our community pharmacies; and

"Whereas the government's plan will force some community pharmacies to close and will force others to lay off staff, reduce hours or cut service to

patients;

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

"Please amend Bill 102 to cancel the plan to pull funding from community pharmacy and ensure that our community pharmacies receive the support they need to

provide vital services to patients. Don't force our community pharmacies to close or reduce their service."

I agree with these petitioners. I've affixed my signature to this.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): I have a petition on behalf of Gerard Kennedy, the former member.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas long-term-care funding levels are too low to enable homes to provide the care and services our aging seniors and parents who are residents of

long-term-care homes need, with the respect and dignity that they deserve; and

"Whereas, even with recent funding increases and a dedicated staff who do more than their best, there is still not enough time available to provide the care

residents need. For example, 10 minutes, and sometimes less, is simply not enough time to assist a resident to get up, dressed, to the bathroom and then to the dining room for breakfast; and

"Whereas those unacceptable care and service levels are now at risk of declining;

"We, the undersigned, who are members of family councils, residents' councils and/or supporters of long-term care in Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly

of Ontario to increase operating funding to long-term-care homes by $306.6 million, which will allow the hiring of more staff to provide an additional 20 minutes of care per resident per day over

the next two years (2006 and 2007)."

I sign this petition on behalf of Mr. Kennedy.

DRUG LEGISLATION

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): I have here about 53,000 names.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Bill 102 proposes to remove approximately $500 million from our community pharmacies; and

"Whereas the government's plan will force some community pharmacies to close and will force others to lay off staff, reduce hours or cut service to

patients;

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

"Please amend Bill 102 to cancel the plan to pull funding from community pharmacy and ensure that our community pharmacies receive the support they need to

provide vital services to patients.

"Don't force our community pharmacies to close or reduce their service."

I am very pleased to affix my signature to this petition.

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): I've got a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Bill 102 proposes to remove approximately $500 million from our community pharmacies; and

"Whereas the government's plan will force some community pharmacies to close and will force others to lay off staff, reduce hours or cut service to

patients;

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

"Please amend Bill 102 to cancel the plan to pull funding from community pharmacy and ensure that our community pharmacies receive the support they need to

provide vital services to partients.

"Don't force our community pharmacies to close or reduce their service."

I have affixed my signature as well.

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly given to me by a number of our brothers and sisters

in the Canadian Auto Workers in Brampton, Georgetown, St. Catharines and Toronto. It reads as follows:

"Whereas more than 260,000 Ontarians make their living and support their families through their careers in the auto industry in Ontario, which has become the

pre-eminent manufacturer of motor vehicles in North America; and

"Whereas Canada imports more than 130,000 vehicles annually from the Republic of Korea, which imports virtually no vehicles or parts from Canada and does none

of its manufacturing or assembly in Ontario or in any other Canadian jurisdiction, even though Canadian auto workers make the best-quality, most cost-effective vehicles in the world; and

imbalance in the auto sector, and includes no measures to require Korea to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to Canadian-made vehicles, auto parts and other value-added services or

components;

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

agreement contingent on fair and equal access by each country to the other's domestic markets in manufactured products such as motor vehicles and in value-added services, and ensure that Korea

commits to manufacturing vehicles in Canada if Korea proposes to continue to sell vehicles in Canada."

It's a great petition. I thank the members of the CAW for their signatures. I add my own, and I'm going to ask page Hartford to carry it for me.

MACULAR DEGENERATION

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads:

"Whereas the government of Ontario's health insurance plan covers treatments for one form of macular degeneration (wet), there are other forms of macular

degeneration (dry) that are not covered,

"Therefore

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, respectfully petition the government of Ontario as follows:

"There are thousands of Ontarians who suffer from macular degeneration, resulting in loss of sight if treatment is not pursued. Treatment costs for this

disease are astronomical for most individuals and add a financial burden to their lives. Their only alternative is loss of sight. We believe the government of Ontario should cover treatment for all

forms of macular degeneration through the Ontario health insurance program."

I am in support of this and affix my name.

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Mrs. Maria Van Bommel (Lambton-Kent-Middlesex): "Petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly:

"Whereas more than 260,000 Ontarians make their living and support their families through their careers in the auto industry in Ontario, which has become the

pre-eminent manufacturer of motor vehicles in North America; and

"Whereas Canada imports more than 130,000 vehicles annually from the Republic of Korea, which imports virtually no vehicles or parts from Canada and does none

of its manufacturing or assembly in Ontario or in any other Canadian jurisdiction, even though Canadian auto workers make the best-quality, most cost-effective vehicles in the world; and

imbalance in the auto sector, and includes no measures to require Korea to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to Canadian-made vehicles, auto parts and other value-added services or

components;

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

agreement contingent on fair and equal access by each country to the other's domestic markets in manufactured products such as motor vehicles and in value-added services, and ensure that Korea

commits to manufacturing vehicles in Canada if Korea proposes to continue to sell vehicles in Canada."

LONG-TERM CARE

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas long-term-care funding levels are too low to enable homes to provide the care and services our aging seniors and parents who are residents of

long-term-care homes need, with the respect and dignity that they deserve; and

"Whereas, even with recent funding increases and a dedicated staff who do more than their best, there is still not enough time available to provide the care

residents need. For example, 10 minutes, and sometimes less, is simply not enough time to assist a resident to get up, dressed, to the bathroom and then to the dining room for breakfast; and

"Whereas those unacceptable care and service levels are now at risk of declining;

"We, the undersigned, who are members of family councils, residents' councils and/or supporters of long-term care in Ontario, petition the Legislative Assembly

of Ontario to increase operating funding to long-term-care homes by $306.6 million, which will allow the hiring of more staff to provide an additional 20 minutes of care per resident per day over

the next two years (2006 and 2007)."

As I am in complete agreement, I have affixed my signature, and I'm happy to give it to page Tyler.

TRADE DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition today from hard-working men and women who are members of the Canadian Auto Workers.

"Whereas more than 260,000 Ontarians make their living and support their families through their careers in the auto industry in Ontario, which has become the

pre-eminent manufacturer of motor vehicles in North America; and

"Whereas Canada imports more than 130,000 vehicles annually from the Republic of Korea, which imports virtually no vehicles or parts from Canada and does none

of its manufacturing or assembly in Ontario or in any other Canadian jurisdiction, even though Canadian auto workers make the best-quality, most cost-effective vehicles in the world; and

imbalance in the auto sector, and includes no measures to require Korea to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers to Canadian-made vehicles, auto parts and other value-added services or

components;

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

agreement contingent on fair and equal access by each country to the other's domestic markets in manufactured products such as motor vehicles and in value-added services, and ensure that Korea

commits to manufacturing vehicles in Canada if Korea proposes to continue to sell vehicles in Canada."

I agree with this and will affix my name to this petition.

HEALTH PREMIUMS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have a petition signed by a great many of my constituents and people from across the province. It's to the

Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas, according to the Department of National Defence, there are over 30,000 serving military personnel who call Ontario home; and

"Whereas, according to the most recent census data, there are more than 1.6 million senior citizens over the age of 65 living in Ontario; and

"Whereas the PC Party of Ontario plans on eliminating this illegitimate tax for all Ontarians after it forms the government in 2007; and

"Whereas, as an interim measure, this illegitimate health tax should be removed from those who protect Canada and those who have built Ontario;

"We, the undersigned, call on the government of Ontario to immediately eliminate the province's illegitimate health tax, beginning with serving military

personnel and senior citizens."

I affix my signature, as I agree with the petition.

WORKPLACE SAFETY

Mr. David Zimmer (Willowdale): On behalf of my constituents in Willowdale:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we are concerned with the lack of workplace safety and protection for workers in Ontario,

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

"To review and amend the specifications of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to make it mandatory for all employers in Ontario to participate in and

contribute to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board."

I support this. I attach my signature and I turn it over to page Harjot.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): I'm pleased to present at petition on behalf of my constituents in the riding of Durham, which reads as

follows:

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

Catholic;

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

human rights law that Ontario formally agreed to uphold;

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

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

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

"Whereas Ontario is the only western democracy that fully funds faith-based schools of one religion to the t