role="main" class="main-container container js-quickedit-main-content" id="main-content">

September 25, 2017

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2017-Sep-25 (PDF)

L096 - Mon 25 Sep 2017 / Lun 25 sep 2017

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 25 September 2017 Lundi 25 septembre 2017

Introduction of Visitors

Alex Gladstone

Visiteurs

Oral Questions

Energy contracts

Government advertising

Government advertising

Northern Ontario

Long-term care

Affaires francophones

Energy policies

Automotive industry

Climate change

Santé et sécurité au travail / Workplace safety

Disaster relief

Hydro dam

Visitor

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Automotive industry

Arnold Amber

Jason Balgopal

Jour des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes

City of London

Garrison Kingston Family Fun Fest

Wearing of pin

Invictus Games

Jour des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes

Fall fairs

Petitions

Hydro rates

Services for the developmentally disabled

Government anti-racism programs

Energy policies

Education funding

Dental care

Highway improvement

Pharmacare

Animal protection

Taxation

Long-term care

Sexual violence and harassment

Orders of the Day

Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 visant à réduire les formalités administratives inutiles

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Today is Franco-Ontarian Day, so bear with me. Please join me in prayer.

La prière/Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

Je veux introduire Denis Shank of the NorthEastern Ontario Construction Association, Adam Pinder of the Sault Ste. Marie Construction Association and Harold Lindstrom of the Construction Association of Thunder Bay. Welcome, gentlemen.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Today, I would like to welcome the representatives of the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, Alison Smith, Scott Garrett, Anita Stacey and Paul Gunning, who join us today from my riding of Barrie. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d also like to welcome the Retired Teachers of Ontario. Someday I hope to be one.

Mr. Michael Harris: I too want to welcome the folks from the Grand Valley Construction Association, here with COCA today. We look forward to seeing you later on, guys.

Mr. Percy Hatfield: I don’t see them here yet, but I know that Jim Lyons and Matt Todd, who are with COCA from the Windsor area, will be here this afternoon. Welcome back to Queen’s Park—along, of course, with Denis Shank from up around Sudbury way.

Hon. Peter Z. Milczyn: Bonjour, monsieur le Président. I would like to welcome the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects, the OALA, to Queen’s Park today, including OALA president Doris Chee; OALA executive director Aina Budrevics; and members Bryce Miranda, Virginia Burt, Margaret MacKenzie and Tim Dobson. I hope I didn’t miss anyone. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Also, I want to recognize page captain Benjamin Leray, from Etobicoke–Lakeshore, and his family: mom and dad Hanca Chang and Franck Leray, grandma and grandpa Meran Chang and Byung-Jik Chang. Also welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: It’s my pleasure to welcome as well the Retired Teachers of Ontario today. They’re here at Queen’s Park, and they’re going to have a reception for us later. So if anyone can join in, please come and see them.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Please join me in welcoming, from Dufferin–Caledon, Dan O’Reilly. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Granville Anderson: I would like to welcome Durham constituents Martin Benson, Suzanne Fitch and Margaret Taylor, who are here today with the Council of Ontario Construction Associations. Welcome.

Mr. Todd Smith: I’d like to welcome some members from the council of construction associations of Ontario today: Paula West, Gene Stodolak, Sue Ramsay, Jim DiNovo, Paul Christie, Steve Stecho, Josh Heller, Clark Thomas and Denis Shank. Welcome to Queen’s Park and enjoy question period this morning.

Hon. Michael Chan: I would like to welcome the family of page captain Andy Wei from my riding of Markham–Unionville, mother Lili Zhang and sister Anna Wei. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Mitzie Hunter: I’m very happy to stand and welcome today the Retired Teachers of Ontario to Queen’s Park. They’re here to witness question period as part of their Vibrant Voices—Awesome Years Advocacy day. We value the long-time contributions that they’ve made to education in Ontario’s publicly funded school system. Twenty-four members of the Retired Teachers of Ontario are here today, including executive director Jim Grieve, as well as CAO Simon Leibovitz.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Merci beaucoup, monsieur le Président. Je suis aussi la ministre des Affaires francophones de l’Ontario.

Ce matin on était rassemblés ici sur les terrains de Queen’s Park pour célébrer la traditionnelle levée du drapeau. J’aimerais remercier et reconnaître le beau travail de l’équipe de l’AFO : Carol Jolin et Peter Hominuk, qui sont ici, et plusieurs autres invités, Stewart Kiff et, je suis certaine, Bryan Michaud, et cetera, qui étaient ici aujourd’hui pour célébrer avec nous. Merci beaucoup de votre implication communautaire au sein de l’Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And the Minister of Francophone Affairs.

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I just want to ask everyone to join me in wishing my fabulous seatmate a happy birthday. He had a very special birthday this past Friday, so happy birthday to the member from Beaches–East York.

Mr. Arthur Potts: I have no time for retribution.

I also want to recognize my good friend Stewart Kiff, who came on Friday night and helped me celebrate my 60th birthday. It’s great to see you in the House, Stewart.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I ask members for their special attention to welcome a very special guest who is visiting from my riding of Ottawa Centre. Please welcome retired Captain Michael Lambert. Michael has served our country very well and extensively.

He has been deployed to the Golan Heights four times. He was also sent to Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993 as part of the United Nations Protection Force and, most recently, in 2007 he was in Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of the NATO headquarters. We thank him for his service. This is his first visit to Queen’s Park. Please welcome him with open hearts.

Alex Gladstone

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I call upon the Leader of the Opposition for a point of order.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, a point of order: The MPP for Thornhill had an unexpected tragedy in her family this weekend with the passing of her father, Alex Gladstone.

If I could ask the good grace of the House for a moment of silence for this sad moment when one of our colleagues has suffered such a loss.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Leader of the Opposition is seeking unanimous consent for a moment of silence for the death of the member from Thornhill’s father. Do we agree? Agreed.

Could I ask all members, and the gallery included, to please stand for a moment of silence.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): God rest his soul. Thank you.

Visiteurs

M me France Gélinas: Moi aussi, j’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à tous ceux qui sont venus célébrer la levée du drapeau : les représentants de l’AFO, de la FESFO, du RÉFO, tous les étudiants, Pierre Hominuk as well, et Carol Jolin. Bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Final last call for introductions. Seeing none, it is therefore time for question period.

Oral Questions

M. Patrick Brown: Ma question est pour la première ministre par intérim. Pour 14 ans, ce gouvernement reste silencieux. Pour 14 ans, ce gouvernement n’a pris aucune mesure.

Ensuite, tout à coup, lors des sondages, les annonces commencent à arriver.

Les libéraux annoncent enfin qu’ils appuient une université francophone en Ontario. Pourtant, nous ne voyons pas de projets de loi, ni aucune université.

Monsieur le Président, la promesse d’une université francophone, est-ce que c’est simplement pour être réélu?

L’hon. Deborah Matthews: Merci pour la question.

I am enormously excited about the forward movement on the issue of a French-language university in Ontario. For too long, our francophone students have not had the opportunity to learn in an environment that is by and for francophones. That is going to change, and I am delighted that we are making very strong progress on that change.

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

M. Patrick Brown: Encore pour la première ministre par intérim : le Collège Boréal doit être assuré que le projet de l’université francophone de l’Ontario sera lancé. Ce ne peut pas être seulement une promesse électorale. Le projet de loi doit être déposé et adopté en automne pour permettre au Collège Boréal de s’organiser.

Le problème avec ce gouvernement est que chaque fois qu’il y a une nouvelle promesse avant une élection, c’est typique qu’ils brisent cette promesse. Mais le Collège Boréal a besoin de s’organiser. Est-ce que ça c’est le cas? Est-ce que le Collège Boréal peut s’organiser?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: To the Minister of Francophone Affairs.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Je suis vraiment fière de la question parce que ça va me permettre de parler de toutes les promesses que ce parti a faites pour les francophones et qu’ils ont brisées depuis des années.

Donc, lorsque le chef de l’opposition parle de promesses brisées, on peut se souvenir de Montfort et du traitement qu’ils ont fait à notre francophonie au sein de plusieurs années.

Monsieur le Président, je suis fière de faire

partie du gouvernement Wynne, une première ministre qui s’est tant engagée pour les Franco-Ontariens, et d’un caucus avec qui, tous ensemble, on va faire rayonner la francophonie en Ontario.

Interjections.

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

Final supplementary?

M. Patrick Brown: Encore à la première ministre par intérim : est-ce qu’il y aura une loi cet automne? Est-ce qu’il y aura des fonds cet automne, et pas après la prochaine élection? Nous avons besoin que le gouvernement agisse aujourd’hui.

Le rapport sur l’université francophone par M me Dyane Adam a été publié il y a quelques semaines. C’était une bonne première étape, mais nous avons besoin d’un vrai engagement des libéraux, et des organisations francophones clés impliquées dans le projet ont encore des inquiétudes.

Monsieur le Président, les partenaires ont demandé d’avoir une représentation des élèves et des communautés sur le comité de mise en oeuvre. Est-ce que cela sera le cas?

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Écoutez, j’étais enchantée—nous étions enchantés—du travail exceptionnel que la D re Dyane Adam a fait avec son équipe au niveau du conseil de planification. Le rapport Adam vient rejoindre, vient nous donner les outils.

Ce qu’on s’est engagé à faire, nous, le gouvernement, c’est de déposer un projet de loi, de créer un fonds pour le comité aviseur de mise en place qui va aider à faire avancer le dossier et, en plus, un fonds de démarrage de 20 millions de dollars pour permettre à ce comité de faire la mise en place de l’université.

Energy contracts

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Minister of Energy. Last week, the government charged ahead with more contracts for power we do not need. The famous FIT 5 contracts were signed, the most unnecessary fifth sequel since Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach—an unnecessary movie just like these unnecessary contracts. They are the same contracts the Liberals pushed forward on the day after their “unfair” hydro plan: 390 contracts signed, sealed and delivered; 150 megawatts of power Ontario doesn’t need.

Mr. Speaker, why does the government, why do the Liberals keep on signing contracts for power we do not need?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m always happy to answer those questions. If we’re talking about movies, Mr. Speaker, it’s like Groundhog Day on this side of the House. We get it over and over again from a party that has no idea about the electricity system. Maybe what the opposition leader needs to do is listen to his critic. On TVO, talking to Steve Paikin, they talked about signing new contracts: “‘So the tweet saying she signs the next round of bad energy contracts tomorrow is inaccurate, right?’ ... ‘Yeah, okay. I’ll say that’s inaccurate.’” That’s from the energy critic. He doesn’t even understand the process.

When we’re talking about FIT 5 contracts, Mr. Speaker—these were from November 2016. There’s nothing new here. Just like Groundhog Day, they have nothing to do but light their hair on fire and run from issue to issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Back to the minister: The Premier is famous for her so-called conversations. These conversations tend to cost Ontario millions and millions, and sometimes billions, of dollars. Her latest conversation seems to have promised the opposition party in Quebec a significant deal. According to the leader, the Premier committed to building hydro dams in Quebec for even more power Ontario doesn’t need. The Premier, of course, denies that secret deal, but maybe the Liberals want to come clean because we keep on having new contracts for hydro we don’t need. Now there’s this report in the newspapers in Quebec about this new secret deal.

Are the Liberals in negotiations for more power from Quebec that we do not need? Will the government come clean?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: The Premier and myself have been crystal clear, Mr. Speaker. There’s no new contract with Quebec, but the opposition keeps bringing it up with no facts, and that’s part of the whole problem when it comes to the opposition making things up.

Interjections.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The fact is, our government has clearly stated—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Member from Prince Edward–Hastings, come to order. I might jump to a warning if he does something again when I sit down.

Carry on.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Our government has clearly stated our goals for Ontario’s electricity system, which is clean, efficient and, above all, affordable energy. We will not consider any deals that do not meet these goals, whether it’s imports from Quebec or generation here at home. So while he continues to read tweets from an opposition party in Quebec or tweets from Donald Trump, you know what, Mr. Speaker? There is no coal coming in here. We’re going to make sure that our system is clean, green, reliable and affordable, just like our plan says and like that party—

Interjections.

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

Supplementary.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Minister of Energy: Talk about Groundhog Day. This is a government that will say anything regardless of reality. They will say anything regardless of the facts.

The Premier of Quebec called the CAQ’s announcement very worrisome. He said it was a major mistake. The Premier of Quebec may have had different reasons to be concerned but I too find the deal worrisome. I know the Minister of Energy is saying the newspapers in Quebec are wrong and that the letter his staff accidentally released is wrong. Everyone else is wrong but this is on the front page of the papers for a reason. It’s worrisome that Ontario would be in negotiations to buy power we do not need. We already give away billions in power. I am sick and tired of Ontario ratepayers having to give away power, paying for power—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Please finish.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell is warned.

Carry on.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, I am tired of over $1 billion of clean, green Ontario hydroelectric power being spilled and wasted.

My question is this: Rather than attacking others, will you simply say—the Premier said last week that she was working towards a deal with Quebec, working and talking about it. I want to know unequivocally, are there any negotiations—

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

Minister?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Let’s be crystal clear. The Premier has said there is no new deal. I have said it. Again, they continue to try to find ways to use some of their own information, but they continue to tell the people of Ontario the wrong information. They do the same thing when it comes to our energy sector, when it comes to what they call spilling water. This shows how little they know when it comes to the electricity system.

One advantage of our clean, reliable and flexible system that we have built is that we’re able to procure energy on an as-needed basis. This means that we only use the electricity that is produced at the cheapest cost at that time.

It sounds to me like that party once again wants to start charging ratepayers more and more and more. We have brought forward a fair hydro plan that has reduced rates by 25% on average. And you know what they did? They voted against it.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The curse you have is you’re sitting right beside me.

New question?

Government advertising

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Acting Premier. Recently, my office received results of a freedom of information request about how much the Liberal government is spending to advertise their $40-billion hydro borrowing scheme. The number is eye-popping. The Premier has allocated $5.5 million from the public purse to sell this boondoggle for bankers to the public. Documents reveal the reason for this campaign was to counter “negative media coverage of rising electricity bills.”

Does the Acting Premier care to explain why the government is spending 5.5 million public dollars just to fight negative media coverage for the Liberal Party?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m always pleased to rise and talk about the fair hydro plan and what this is doing to help the people of Ontario. A 25% reduction in all households right across the province: It’s important that they know that information.

What’s also important is that they know about the programs that are available. The Ontario Electricity Support Program: This is a program that has increased the refund that many families who qualify will get. We have prepared and have a budget to help 500,000 families through the OESP, and we’re nowhere near that number yet. We want to ensure that every single person who qualifies for this can sign up for this program.

We cannot rely on the opposition parties to talk about these programs, so we need to ensure that the government has its responsibility to raise awareness about these programs and services that are actually helping Ontarians. We’re making sure that we’re helping First Nations individuals, low-income individuals and seniors—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Liberal government is spending $5.5 million to advertise their scheme to the public. The government ads about a plan that the FAO says will end up costing Ontario families more in the long run don’t do anything to help people who are struggling now to pay their hydro bills. Yet the government’s low-income electricity support program that the minister was just talking about received an ad campaign worth less than half of the $5.5 million that they set aside to promote their borrowing scheme.

Can the Acting Premier tell us why the Liberals are more concerned about spending public money to save their own political skin than they are about informing low-income families about how to get relief from soaring hydro bills?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: We’re very pleased with the OESP and the people that it’s helping, but we know that it can help more people. That’s what the fair hydro plan did. It brought forward solutions to help low-income individuals—unlike their plan, which didn’t even mention First Nations and waited till the last page—I know they forgot to talk about their plan because it did nothing to help the people.

On top of that, Mr. Speaker, there are more programs that are actually going to help low-income individuals, those who live in northern and rural communities. That’s the RRRP. We’ve changed that from just being for Hydro One R2 customers to include both Hydro One R1 and R2, plus six other local utilities, making sure that their distribution charge is, on average, like everyone else’s in the province. They’re saving significant dollars.

We’ll continue to talk about this plan that’s helping every single household and 500,000 small businesses and farms in this province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I have to say, if the Liberal government is so committed to helping people who have to choose between keeping the lights on and feeding their families, why didn’t they just use that $5.5-million advertising budget to actually help the people of Ontario deal with the cost of electricity?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: If they’re concerned about helping so many low-income individuals and helping every family across the province, why didn’t they vote for the fair hydro plan? That’s a 25% reduction that everybody saw in this province on July 1. Instead, they chose to vote against that.

They chose to vote against on-reserve First Nations having their delivery charges removed. They chose to vote against the OESP that’s helping seniors, that’s helping low-income individuals. They chose to vote against the RRRP helping rural and remote people who live in those parts of our province.

Of course, that’s not unusual for that party, because they always seem to vote no on everything that actually helps people in this province.

That’s why we’re bringing forward programs like the fair hydro plan, like Bill 148, which will continue to invest in the people in this province and make a difference in all of their lives, Mr. Speaker.

Government advertising

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also to the Acting Premier.

This ad campaign has been funded—go figure—right through the 2018 election year. Because of the sneaky changes that this government made to the advertising act, the Liberals get to run their partisan political ads about this costly scheme during the election next spring, without any oversight from the Auditor General. Does the Acting Premier honestly think that using public money on partisan ads for their $40-billion borrowing scheme is going to win them and their government enough good favour with Ontarians to keep them in office come next June?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Let’s talk about the fair hydro plan: a 25% reduction for all families right across the province and 500,000 small businesses and farms.

And then we talked about the programs. The OESP program offers significant support—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’d hide my eyes too. Member from Renfrew, come to order. And previously, the member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek, come to order.

Carry on.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was saying, the OESP offers significant support to low-income households across the province. Nearly 300,000 Ontarians have already applied since last year, and we’ve been doing everything we can on this side of the House to get enrolment even higher. We’ve put the inserts directly in people’s bills, created advertisements, as we were talking about, and even more, we’re working with the Ministry of Community and Social Services to talk about Ontario Works automatically qualifying.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Let’s talk about using public dollars for partisan purposes. Let’s talk about that.

The Auditor General herself said that the Liberal government’s changes to the advertising laws give them a partisan advantage. We know from the FOI documents on my desk right now that the reason for this ad campaign in the first place was “negative media coverage” for the Premier and her Liberal Party. Has this Premier not yet learned her lesson about these sneaky kinds of tactics, and that Ontarians are fed up with this kind of behaviour by this Liberal government?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: It would only be the party opposite that sees giving families an additional $1,000 off their electricity bill as sneaky. It would only be the party opposite that sees making sure that every family sees a reduction in their bill as sneaky. You know what’s sneaky? They actually voted against that, and they don’t publicly say that.

Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House, we’ve made sure that we’ve brought forward a plan that is going to actually help every single household and that is going to continue to find ways to help businesses. We’re going to continue to work to ensure that the message gets out so that more and more people who qualify for the OESP program can get on it—unlike the opposition party.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This advertising campaign is expensive. It was clearly thought up to help the Premier and her Liberal Party bounce back in the polls. It is touting the so-called benefits of a program that the FAO says will be bad for Ontario families, and the Premier is running these ads without any oversight from the Auditor General, because her party decided to change the rules to favour the sitting government.

This all amounts to the exact same thing: Why is this Liberal government once again prioritizing their political future over the needs of Ontario families?

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Liz Sandals: I would like to remind everybody that Ontario is the only jurisdiction in Canada that actually has a Government Advertising Act which gives the Auditor General oversight. The party opposite voted against the original legislation in 2004, and they voted against the update in 2015.

Let me tell you what is in that updated legislation, which they opposed. What is in that updated legislation is an explicit prohibition on government advertising when there is a scheduled general election, which we will have in June 2018. There is an explicit prohibition on government advertising 60 days before the writ drops. We will not be running fair hydro ads during that period.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Through the Chair, please.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I always like to remind members that you’re speaking to the Chair.

Northern Ontario

Mr. Ross Romano: My question is for the Deputy Premier. Last Thursday, the member from Northumberland–Quinte West made a reference to the north as a “no man’s land.” I do not represent a no man’s land. I represent the people of Sault Ste. Marie. As proud northerners, we take great offence to these comments. Mr. Speaker—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. Come to order.

Member?

Mr. Ross Romano: Mr. Speaker, the member acknowledged making these comments, and the video shows. We can clearly see him making these comments to the member from Parry Sound.

People in my community constantly tell me that this government does not care about the north. This confirms that belief. Will the Deputy Premier please acknowledge the truth and apologize for this attack on the north, or will she reaffirm what we already know: that the people of northern Ontario don’t matter to the—

Interjections.

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

Deputy Premier.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: There are many people in this Legislature who work very hard for their constituents. I can tell you that the member from Northumberland–Quinte West has no parallel when it comes to listening to people in his riding and responding to people’s concerns in his riding. He is an—

Interjections.

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Say it outside. Say it outside. Let’s go, so you can say that.

Mr. Arthur Potts: That’s called libel.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock for a moment, please.

I’m somewhat disappointed in the tenor of the House right at this moment, so we’re just going to take a deep breath. But I will ask the member from Northumberland–Quinte West to come to order.

Mr. Michael Harris: Withdraw.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I ask the member from Kitchener–Conestoga to come to order, and the member from Beaches–East York.

You have a wrap-up.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: The member from Northumberland–Quinte West works tirelessly. He works in his riding. He listens to concerns of people. He comes to Queen’s Park and he brings those concerns to—

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: He called the north a “no man’s land.”

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I will accept the challenge. The member from Nepean–Carleton will come to order. And because of what your messaging is to me, we’re moving into warnings.

Carry on.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: We can all learn a lesson from the member from Northumberland–Quinte West, Speaker. We could all be better members when we follow his lead. I’m proud to be associated with this member.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Nipissing.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Deputy Premier: We’ve all seen the video. The member from Northumberland–Quinte West yelled a northern slur to the member for Parry Sound. I was not in the chamber at the time. It’s the member’s shifting explanations he’s sending to my constituents that are in no man’s land.

The member’s views confirm what this government thinks of us in the north. They took away our passenger train. The north is hit harder with their skyrocketing hydro rates—80% of our lumber mills shut down on their watch. We fell from the number one mining jurisdiction in North America to the 16th, and the Ring of Fire remains untouched for 10 years.

My constituents want an honest answer from this government. Either they apologize to the north, or they’re telling all their MPPs that it’s okay to answer the north with lies.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nipissing will withdraw.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: I withdraw, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Deputy Premier?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I’m very pleased to stand up and talk and represent a party that actually does things for northern Ontario, unlike that party, that makes a box and says, “Let’s cut out the waste. Let’s fermer le Collège Boréal.”

That party has no idea about northern Ontario. Expansion of Highway 69—I’m at Canadore College making announcements. Where’s the MPP? Not there, Mr. Speaker.

Interjections.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: I’d have been there if I was invited, Glenn.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Nipissing, please come to order.

I kind of told you about this four minutes ago, and I also dealt with this last week: Leave each other alone. Do your job in your own riding.

The member will withdraw.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: I withdraw, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Please finish.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Let’s continue, Mr. Speaker. It’s a—

Interjection.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Mr. Speaker, from NOHFC, hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent in all of the ridings in northern Ontario. That is done by this government.

The expansion of Highway 69: I was just recently in Sault Ste. Marie, opening up and talking about NOHFC funding going into OutSpoken brewery, and actually helping their local hospital with more funding.

This is what this party does on this side of the House. All they can do is make up false claims about MPPs which are completely inaccurate—

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member will withdraw.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: Withdraw, Mr. Speaker.

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

New question.

Long-term care

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: This is to the Acting Premier.

Peggy Clark of London came to Queen’s Park earlier this month to support the NDP’s call for a public inquiry into a broader investigation of long-term care.

Peggy’s mother endured crisis after crisis. She was treated with the wrong medication for three months. She was moved three times in just six months, and her personal belongings went missing.

Peggy knows that front-line nurses and PSWs are doing the best they can, but there just aren’t enough of them to provide the care that our parents and grandparents deserve.

Will the Acting Premier listen to women like Peggy and immediately expand the public inquiry, to find and fix the systemic problems in long-term care?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question. I was very moved when I read about this woman’s experience with a loved one in a long-term-care home.

With regard to the public inquiry which is under way, let me tell the Legislature what CARP is saying publicly about the scope of the inquiry: “‘We are pleased that the inquiry will look into both the circumstances and the systemic issues around the Wettlaufer case,’ said Wanda Morris, VP of advocacy, CARP....

“‘This opens the door to issues like funding and staffing which may indeed be the root cause of why Wettlaufer was able to continue to kill and assault care residents for so long.’”

Mr. Speaker, we intentionally wrote terms of reference that were sufficiently broad to enable the justice to travel down the pathway she sees fit, to answer these broader systemic issues.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: For far too long, the Conservative and Liberal governments have swept problems in long-term care right under the rug, and it’s time to change that.

Families and caregivers like Peggy Clark are calling for a broad public inquiry into long-term care. Leading advocates like the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly are demanding a broad public inquiry into the “huge problems” in long-term care.

Members of this Legislature have voted to support a broader public inquiry that gets to the bottom of the real problems in seniors’ care. Will the government do the right thing and expand the public inquiry, or will it find another reason to sweep the problems right under the rug?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: The Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario—the headline of their press release read, “RNAO Welcomes Broad-based Public Inquiry into Nursing Home Deaths at the hands of Elizabeth Wettlaufer.” Here’s the quote, Mr. Speaker:

“A broad-based public inquiry should address concerns about the health and well-being of Ontarians living in nursing homes, says the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario....

“RNAO is pleased the province answered its call for an independent public inquiry to get to the bottom of the events surrounding Wettlaufer’s horrific actions and, in particular, address the systemic factors to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring.

“‘We are pleased the government listened to our request set up a public inquiry with a broad mandate. We now urge Justice Gillese to exercise her full authority to make recommendations that will address the failings of our current system, including legislation and regulations, funding models and staffing’”—

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

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Affaires francophones

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Ma question est pour notre très bonne ministre des Affaires francophones. Aujourd’hui, le 25 septembre, tous les francophones partout en Ontario célèbrent fièrement la journée des Franco-Ontariens et Franco-Ontariennes. Nous avons d’ailleurs commencé aujourd’hui avec la levée du drapeau, ici même à Queen’s Park, en présence de la communauté francophone et des jeunes des conseils scolaires de la région que je veux vraiment saluer.

En cette journée spéciale pour notre communauté, je me demandais si la ministre pourrait nous parler des engagements concrets du gouvernement envers la communauté franco-ontarienne.

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Je veux vraiment remercier ma collègue la députée d’Ottawa–Vanier pour son engagement au sein de la communauté franco-ontarienne. J’aimerais commencer, moi aussi, en saluant tous les francophones à travers la province qui célèbrent le 25 septembre, et tous ceux qui sont ici à Queen’s Park aujourd’hui. Je tiens aussi à remercier l’Assemblée de la francophonie de l’Ontario pour leur travail et aussi pour cette belle levée du drapeau ce matin.

Monsieur le Président, il y a eu un moment important la semaine dernière, jeudi dernier. J’aimerais soulever que la première ministre a fait honneur à toute la province et aux Franco-Ontariennes et Franco-Ontariens en étant la toute première dirigeante d’une province à s’adresser à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec. Elle a rappelé son engagement sans relâche envers les francophones ontariens, considérant la décision d’y aller de l’avant avec une université et l’entrée en fonction à l’OIF. On est fier.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Je remercie la ministre pour sa réponse. Je vois que c’est avec un grand plaisir qu’on voit les engagements concrets du gouvernement. J’aimerais aussi avoir davantage de détails sur l’université francophone. Est-ce que la ministre pourrait nous en dire plus au sujet de cette université?

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Avec plaisir. J’aimerais souligner que, tout comme moi, la députée est une grande alliée des francophones, et je la remercie énormément.

Je tiens à remercier ma collègue Deb Matthews pour son leadership dans ce dossier.

Energy policies

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the Minister of Energy. Last week, the crown began to lay out its case in the infamous gas plants trial. Before the government starts to tell us that this is a matter before the courts and they begin to dodge, dip, dive and play a game of—

Interjection: Duck.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Yes, duck—and play a game of dodge ball, I want to share the words from the crown laying out their case. They said, “Despite [the Liberal chief of staff] being ‘painstakingly’ advised of his obligations to maintain records,” the defendants “acting,... together destroyed records that they had a legal duty to preserve.”

Despite those comments, I’m not going to ask about any specifics in the case but I do want the minister to apprise this assembly of why it is that the Liberal government has a policy to hide the truth.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member will withdraw.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Withdrawn.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Energy.

Hon. Glenn Thibeault: To the Attorney General.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I will attempt to answer a withdrawn question, and the answer doesn’t change because the member acknowledged in her own question that it would be inappropriate to discuss any matters that are before the courts. I appreciate that the member has knowledge of the rules and she very much appreciates the fact that these matters are before the courts and it would be highly inappropriate for any members in this House to engage in any conversations that are subject to a court proceeding.

Speaker, that’s the best answer I can give at this moment to a withdrawn question.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Back to the Minister of Energy: I asked a very specific question on a government policy on record-keeping that the government doesn’t want to answer.

It was Charles Durning, I think, who said it best, as he played a Texas governor: “Ooh, I like to dance the little sidestep. / Now they see me, now they don’t.... / I’m on my way.”

Speaker, this Liberal government doesn’t like that their shady dealings are aired out in public. I’m not surprised. Secret Quebec hydro deals, deleting documents, wiping computers, paying Liberal insiders, shutting down government committees—obfuscate, hide and block just seem to be the Liberal way—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member will withdraw. If she continues down the road that she is on with regard to her language, I will pass the question. Withdraw, please.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Withdrawn, that line.

How can the people of Ontario trust this Liberal government to do anything? I certainly don’t. I would leave it to the government to explain to us why those records weren’t kept last year.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: The member can try any which way to use any kind of over-the-top, rhetorical language she wants to use. She, in her own question, admitted that she’s asking a question that is related to a trial that is taking place, and she knows the rule better than anyone. She’s been in this House long enough to know that when it comes to a matter that is before the courts, it is inappropriate for anybody to engage in conversation. That’s the rule that applies to this instance, no matter how you frame the question or any other matter.

Therefore, Speaker, I advise everyone not to engage in a line of questioning that can have an impact on a case that is ongoing. We should respect due process. We should respect the independent judiciary and the work that is going on in that particular case.

Automotive industry

Mr. Wayne Gates: My question to the Deputy Premier. Over 3,000 CAMI auto workers have been on strike in Ingersoll for two weeks. These workers are striking because they need GM to commit to keep building the Equinox right here in Ontario. Our industry is closely connected here in Ontario. The shutdown at CAMI has resulted in 255 layoffs at GM in St. Catharines and 180 layoffs at Spencer ARL in Niagara Falls. If the Equinox production is moved out of Ontario, not only will CAMI workers lose their jobs, so will thousands of other workers in Niagara.

We know that the Conservatives said to let the auto industry die. They don’t support the auto workers. For the second time since the strike began, I will ask—the workers are fighting to keep their jobs here in Ontario—why isn’t this government fighting along with them?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Clearly we are, and have been for the last 10 or 12 years, providing more support for the auto sector than any government in recent history—and I’ll talk about that in a minute.

But our thoughts today continue to be with our auto workers and our auto sector in this province. I appreciate the question from the member opposite, because it’s very important for me to say this: We will continue to urge both parties—General Motors and the workers—to reach a conclusion to these negotiations as soon as possible, because we know there are ripple effects now across our auto sector, including places like St. Catharines. We need to get these parties to a conclusion in this collective bargaining process as soon as possible and move forward in a positive way.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Wayne Gates: Again, Mr. Speaker, to the Deputy Premier: Not one auto plant has been built in Ontario in 15 years, and nine have been built in Mexico. Despite GM making record profits, these workers have been told they need to accept cuts to their benefits, cuts to their pensions, and a two-tier wage system.

Think about this: Despite having the highest-skilled workforce which has the highest quality record in the world, we keep seeing our jobs shift to Mexico. The workers are fighting back and trying to keep these jobs in Ontario—and not just for themselves, by the way; for all of us, for our kids, for our grandkids. They’re trying to protect thousands of jobs all over Niagara, all over Ontario.

The Liberal government has to have an auto strategy. You realize that if those CAMI jobs get shipped away, so do thousands of other jobs in a number of sectors in Ontario. We know what these workers are doing to try to keep jobs in Ontario. Why won’t this government produce a strategy that supports auto workers and Ontarians?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, I hate to be glib about this, but where has the member been over the last 12 years? He’s been sitting across the aisle and watching a government that has been the most supportive government of the auto sector in recent memory.

The investments that we’ve made in partnership with that sector—and the member ought to acknowledge this—saved the sector. We wouldn’t be talking about the auto sector today were it not for the investments this government has made, and that’s not just past investments. In fact, we’ve seen the auto sector commit $2.6 billion since the fall of 2016. That’s helping to support 40,000 direct auto jobs—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Windsor West, the member from Niagara Falls, come to order. Thank you.

Finish, please.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Simply put, Mr. Speaker, since 2004, this government has invested $1.4 billion, leveraging $15.8 billion, and creating and retaining more than 72,800 jobs, and that’s just the jobs created or retained—

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

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I stand, you sit.

Member from Barrie.

Climate change

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. I would like to congratulate the Premier and the minister on the historic signing of the linking agreement with Quebec and California last Friday.

As we all know, climate change is one of the biggest global challenges we face today. This government knows that Ontario needs a realistic and affordable approach to fighting climate change. That’s why we have implemented a cap on pollution in order to create real emissions reductions in Ontario. To date we have had three auctions, each of which has sold out, the most recent of which generated just under $526 million.

On Friday, September 22, Ontario signed an agreement to link our carbon market with Quebec and California, starting January 1, 2018. Speaker, can the minister please explain to the House why linking Ontario’s carbon market with Quebec and California is the most affordable and effective emissions reduction plan for Ontarians?

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the hard-working member from Barrie for that question.

Speaker, our government knows Ontarians are concerned about the devastating effects of climate change. That’s why we’ve taken initiatives to put a cap on greenhouse gas pollution through our carbon market. Expert third-party economists and analysts have shown that our plan, which includes linking our carbon market with the state of California and Quebec, is best for Ontarians because it allows us to achieve real emission reductions at the lowest possible cost to both business and consumers.

Speaker, we know that linking to these two economies, California and Quebec, is the best plan for Ontario. Third-party experts know it. Business knows it. The only people who seem not to know it are the members opposite.

The third-party experts have also said that the PC’s plan will cost four times more than ours, without providing any real emissions—

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

Supplementary?

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: On Friday, at the signing of the linking agreement, California Governor Jerry Brown stated: “Climate change, if left unchecked, will profoundly disrupt the economies of the world and cause untold human suffering.”

We know that this global problem requires global solutions. That’s why Ontario is expanding its market-based approach to join with other jurisdictions through the Western Climate Initiative.

While we are working with our partners across North America to expand the market, the proceeds for the auctions will continue to be invested into programs and projects that will help families in Ontario to protect the planet and save money. These projects include greener transit initiatives, improved cycling infrastructure, and the recently announced smart thermostats program.

Mr. Speaker, could the minister please inform the House of the ways in which the proceeds from cap-and-trade are being reinvested into our economy in order to lead Ontario to a greener future?

Hon. Chris Ballard: Thank you to the member for that important question. Speaker, we know that tackling climate change is an important task. Not only that, we know that we cannot take this challenge lightly. We must achieve real results.

In Quebec City this past Friday, both our Premier and California Governor Brown said that, together, our three jurisdictions—California, Ontario and Quebec—are setting an example for other regions in the world to take action and lower emissions in a cost-friendly way. Together, we’re leading North America in emission reduction efforts and decarbonizing our economies through effective and efficient means.

Our plan reinvests every dollar, allowing us to invest up to $1.9 billion each year in green projects. Such an investment in clean technology and home retrofit projects allows the people of Ontario to participate in green initiatives that help to save the planet, and they do so at the lowest cost possible.

Pourquoi ce gouvernement ignore-t-il de mettre cette loi à jour?

L’hon. Marie-France Lalonde: Je veux remercier le député pour sa question.

Effectivement, la loi a 30 ans. La loi a 30 ans. Elle nous a permis de faire des avancées significatives dans notre belle province de l’Ontario, et cette loi a besoin d’être modernisée. C’est ça que j’ai dit—dans un engagement concret—lors d’une assemblée à l’Université d’Ottawa. Par la même occasion, je sais que le commissaire ne s’attend pas à ce qu’on ouvre la loi pour ne pas faire de choses significatives.

Je veux remercier l’AFO, qui travaille très fort avec la communauté pour vraiment trouver et savoir quelles sont les choses importantes dans cette refonte.

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

Quand aura lieu cette refonte complète de la loi?

On parle aussi de désignations. Ma lettre de mandat fait référence au processus de désignation, qui va être amélioré, et c’est ce qu’on s’est engagé à faire cet automne pour emmener un plan de travail complet pour aider le cheminement des désignations.

Santé et sécurité au travail / Workplace safety

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le ministre de la Santé.

Les négociations entre 27 000 travailleurs hospitaliers et l’Association des hôpitaux de l’Ontario ont déraillé sur la question de la violence au travail.

Pendant des années, les travailleurs de la santé de première ligne, dont la grande majorité sont des femmes, ont demandé au gouvernement de résoudre la question de la violence à leur égard. Mais ce gouvernement, comme les conservateurs avant eux, continue de limiter les budgets hospitaliers, licencier les travailleuses de première ligne et pousser nos hôpitaux dans une crise de surpeuplement très dangereuse.

Qu’est-ce que le gouvernement va faire pour arrêter de faire augmenter le problème et commencer à protéger les travailleuses de la santé de première ligne?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: We absolutely can’t tolerate tragic incidents of violence in any of our hospital or health care facilities—for that matter, any government facility—across this province. Mr. Speaker, our aim and our goal is not only to have a culture and environment of zero tolerance, but to actually have as that ambitious goal zero violence against our health care workers, including those who are predominantly affected: our nurses, who are those hard-working individuals who provide that important care.

That’s why—if I recall correctly, it was around two years ago—along with front-line workers themselves, the associations and the unions that represent them so aptly, and experts in the field of stamping out workplace violence, we created a table entitled Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Leadership Table to do just that: to actually realize that goal that I stated earlier, and to work with those individuals and those front-line workers and those that represent them to make sure we actually have the impacts we’re looking for.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Si vous allez travailler dans un des hôpitaux de l’Ontario, vous devriez être en mesure de rentrer chez vous sain et sauf à la fin du quart de travail. Mais aujourd’hui en Ontario, les travailleuses de la santé vivent dans la peur.

Près de la moitié du personnel hospitalier de soins directs déclarent être agressés à chaque année. Il y a des travailleuses hospitalières en Ontario qui ont été battues tellement qu’elles ne travailleront plus jamais. C’est tragique, c’est inacceptable, mais c’est évitable. On peut prévenir cette violence.

Est-ce que le gouvernement va encourager le retour à la table de négociations de l’Association des hôpitaux de l’Ontario et leur fournir le financement nécessaire afin de garder ces travailleuses à l’abri de la violence au travail?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Of course, we all understand that labour negotiations are under way.

Mr. Speaker, that Workplace Violence Prevention in Health Care Leadership Table that I mentioned earlier not only brought together those key stakeholders that I mentioned, but it’s produced its first report. That first report necessarily has focused on our front-line nurses because, as I mentioned, they are disproportionately affected compared to others in the workplace.

It’s absolutely clear to this government that not only do we have an obligation to end workplace violence, but we do have the tools and we will make the investments to realize that.

Their first plan has emerged through a report. We’re consulting and acting on those recommendations. We’re working with the Ministry of Labour, the Public Services Health and Safety Association, and many other key stakeholders, and our work is not finished. That table continues to broaden their work to others within the health care sector. But we are already making progress and beginning, emphatically and seriously, to implement the recommendations that were outlined in the first report from this table.

Disaster relief

Mr. Arthur Potts: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs, picking up on the excellent question from our member from Barrie.

Our government does have a very strong record of addressing climate change issues. For instance, earlier this summer, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change announced that Ontario is investing up to $100 million from the proceeds of its carbon market into the municipal greenhouse gas challenge fund in 2017-18, a program that will help support community-led action on climate change by reducing carbon emissions.

We are already experiencing the effects of climate change in Ontario, with increased extreme weather events. This has been an extraordinary year for flooding in Ontario, as we all know. In May, Renfrew county and Pembroke experienced significant flooding. In Beaches–East York, we had significant flooding as a result of record-high lake levels. Heavy rain flooded homes on the Ottawa River. In June, homes in midwestern Ontario were flooded. In August, basements in Windsor and Essex county were overwhelmed by a sudden and intense rainstorm, and some of them were being flooded for the second time.

Speaker, my question to the minister is: Can he explain what our government is doing to assist people all across Ontario in addressing these extreme weather events?

Hon. Bill Mauro: Thank you to the member for the question.

We are indeed seeing an increased number of natural disasters, resulting in more assistance flowing to help people through our programs. Between 2005 and 2010, there were 17 declared disasters in the province requiring $8 million in provincial assistance. Between 2010 and 2015, there were 43 declared disasters requiring over $36 million in provincial assistance.

Given that there have been several flooding events in Ontario in 2017, we have activated the Disaster Recovery Assistance for Ontarians Program in 35 municipalities this year. The trend is obviously continuing. The new disaster recovery assistance program offers financial disaster assistance for people to repair their homes after a natural disaster, in cases where private insurance isn’t widely available. In a flooding event, our provincial program kicks in if there is damage caused by overland flooding. It can help make your home safe and livable after a natural disaster. This program will help hundreds of families where our disaster recovery program has been activated this year.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Arthur Potts: I really want to thank the minister for that answer and for his ongoing work across Ontario helping municipalities—large, medium and small—address these important issues.

I know that many of our MPPs have seen flooding in their communities. Again, in Beaches–East York, we had overland flooding and many sewer backups.

Hon. Eleanor McMahon: And Burlington.

Mr. Arthur Potts: And Burlington, of course—and effects on the local hospital.

Recently, the minister was in Windsor for the second time in a year to activate the disaster recovery assistance program for Ontarians.

We’ve heard concerns about coverage under this program following flooding in Windsor and Essex. The member for Windsor–Tecumseh said in the House on Thursday and other occasions that private insurance isn’t readily available. But, Speaker, I’ve heard the minister say that our disaster recovery program provides assistance for damage covered by overland flooding and that insurance for sewage backup coverage is readily available privately—and technologies exist to protect against backups.

People who are repairing their homes want to know—Minister, will you please clarify about the insurance—

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

Hon. Bill Mauro: As I’ve said in the House before, Speaker, according to information provided to me, private insurance for sewer backup is readily available. On Thursday, the member for Windsor–Tecumseh said in the House that I was wrong. According to the member, the Insurance Bureau of Canada had also told me I was wrong. This is interesting, because I have a news release from the IBC which says that coverage for sewer backup is widely available. I believe the member for Windsor–Tecumseh also received the same information. There’s $124 million of insured damage in the Windsor region from late August flooding.

But there is a difference between sewer backup and overland flooding. Private coverage for overland flooding isn’t available in every case. This is exactly why our program exists and why it was activated in the member’s riding. The member for Windsor–Tecumseh took his cue, I believe, from a media

article and he drew the wrong conclusion.

Ministry staff will again be in Windsor this week to provide people with further information about our disaster—

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

Hydro dam

Mr. Norm Miller: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Minister, as I hope you are aware, construction has started on the Bala Falls dam and power plant. This is still a controversial project.

One of the biggest concerns about this power plant is the safety of users of Bala Bay and the Moon River. I understand the proponent has submitted a draft safety plan to your ministry, but that plan has not been made public. The proponent, Swift River Energy, held a public meeting last Thursday evening. There was a significant crowd at that meeting, some of whom were there to ask how the turbines could be operated safely in this location, but still Swift River did not release their safety plan.

Minister, can you please confirm whether your ministry has received the draft safety plan from Swift River Energy and, if so, can you commit to release that plan to the community for consultation?

Hon. Kathryn McGarry: Thank you to the member for the question. Certainly, the Bala Falls construction on the dam is just beginning, but this has been a process that’s gone back for many, many years. I know that there has been a lot of community involvement in it. I want to thank all of the staff from my ministry who have provided comment on it.

The Ontario government is committed to expanding clean and renewable sources of energy, such as water and wind power. As part of the environmental assessment for this program, Swift River Energy was required to consult with the public and continues to do so.

I can tell you that upon completion of all phases of this construction, the company will require a water power lease under the Public Lands Act. But public safety measures, including fencing, warning areas, all of the signs that are in that area, all of the safety features that would be required for that, are on the proponent. They will submit the plan, we will review it and it will be made public in due course.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): We have, just recently arrived, a very special guest in the Speaker’s gallery. I am going to breach my own recommendation and introduce that person. I would like you to welcome the Honourable Allen Chastanet, the Prime Minister of St. Lucia. Welcome.

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

The House recessed from 1147 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Arthur Potts: It gives me great pleasure today to introduce a family who are here to support my good friend Jason Balgopal, who is part of my member’s statement. We will soon have with us today his wife, Leigh; his mother, Jeannette; his dad, Kevin; and his brother, Ryan Balgopal. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Members’ Statements

Automotive industry

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I rise today to speak about the strike at CAMI automotive plant. This plant employs thousands of people in my community, people who are worried about the future of the plant and their jobs. I share their concerns, and I support their efforts to keep those jobs in Ingersoll. In fact, last week I asked the Premier to change her government policies, which have already driven 1,300 jobs out of Oxford.

The number one issue I heard on the picket line this weekend, and the number one concern when I talk to CAMI employees, is keeping those jobs in Ingersoll. I’ve heard from employee after employee who is suffering because of this strike. They are worried about their future.

We make quality cars in Ingersoll because we have a hard-working and skilled workforce. Those workers shouldn’t have to worry about companies moving those jobs because of high hydro costs, taxes and red tape. While we as MPPs are not part of the contract negotiations, governments should be doing everything they can to keep those jobs in Ontario. I want to again ask the government to ensure that companies like CAMI can succeed so they can provide stable jobs for thousands of people. I want to once again encourage both sides to try and settle this as quickly as possible for the sake of those employees.

I want to say to the workers: I support your efforts. I understand how difficult this is for you, and I will continue to fight to keep those jobs in Oxford.

Arnold Amber

Mr. Percy Hatfield: Yesterday, more than 200 friends of Arnold Amber got together to celebrate his remarkable life. Arnold was a journalist. He started out as a correspondent for the Reuters news service in Africa and Europe, but he was best known for his work behind the scenes at the CBC. For many years he was the executive producer of CBC news specials. That covers most of the federal elections since the 1970s and many provincial ones, royal visits, and breaking news coverage at all hours of the day and night.

Arnold Amber was also a fierce advocate for social justice and human rights. For 25 years he was the president of the Canadian Journalists for Free Expression. He served as the president of the CBC branch of the Canadian Media Guild. Hundreds of CBC employees owe their full-time jobs and their pensions to Arnold Amber as he fought to do away with contract positions and turn them into full-time jobs.

I served on CMG’s national executive with Arnold, and we spent 10 years together on the international executive of our union. He was our Canadian director and a warrior for fairness, be it at our small-town newspapers right across the country or at many other dailies, or at TVO, Canadian Press or the CBC.

Some say that, fittingly, he passed away on Labour Day.

To Phyllis, Jeannine, Gillian and David: Thank you for sharing Arnold’s precious time with us, his union family. I take pride in saying that I loved the guy. He was a friend and a mentor, and he certainly left his mark on Canadian journalism, human rights and the fight for fairness for us all.

Jason Balgopal

Mr. Arthur Potts: I rise today on behalf of my constituents to celebrate and acknowledge Jason Balgopal, who was recently named the 2017 Beaches Citizen of the Year by Beach Metro News.

Jason began volunteering well over a decade ago, when, somewhat paralyzed by feelings of helplessness, he channelled his challenges with mental well-being into volunteerism.

It started with a can of Goof Off, when he went out into the community and started taking graffiti and other things off of posts and recognized that he was actually now doing something positive in the neighbourhood. It empowered him. While out there doing that, he met Bob Murdoch. Bob’s another great stalwart in our community, working at Centre 55 as chair of that board. He brought Jason on to the board at Centre 55, and Jason went on to become the chair of that board for almost nine years.

Jason has worked on a whole long list of other initiatives with exceptional organizations in the Beach, some that he started himself. Between 2009 and 2015, he served on the board of a local service agency, Neighbourhood Link Support Services. He founded the Beaches Mental Wellness group, a community-based wellness support group that has supported him as much as it has the dozens of other people that he has touched in his life. What Jason has repeatedly found in his volunteering and activism is that it’s not about just helping others, because in helping others, you are helping yourself.

Jason was awarded the 2017 Beach Citizen of the Year award, surrounded by other recipients, on Sunday down at Woodbine park. I want to ask all of us to recognize all of the great volunteers in our own communities. Jason, as an example, I thank you so much for the service you do for our community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Congratulations.

Jour des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes

M. Victor Fedeli: Je prends la parole aujourd’hui à l’occasion de la journée des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes. Le 25 septembre est un moment pour la communauté de Nipissing de célébrer notre riche héritage francophone. Le 25 septembre a officiellement été nommé la journée franco-ontarienne en 2010.

Quelques années auparavant, le drapeau franco-ontarien a volé pour la première fois, à l’Université Laurentienne à Sudbury, le 25 septembre 1975.

Applause.

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Yes, thank you.

Je suis tellement heureux qu’un jeune étudiant en sciences politiques, Michel Dupuis, était un des cocréateurs du drapeau. M. Dupuis vient de North Bay, au sein de ma circonscription. L’autre cocréateur était Gaétan Gervais, professeur d’histoire à l’Université Laurentienne. Les couleurs vert et blanc du drapeau franco-ontarien évoquent l’été et l’hiver. C’est une combinaison parfaite et un symbole parfait.

Célébrons cette belle journée francophone ensemble.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Merci beaucoup. If you look in the phone book in North Bay and Sudbury and look up Levac, you’ll see there are a lot of names up there. I just wanted you to know.

City of London

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I rise today to share with this House a tale of two cities.

The first city is experiencing a boom in real estate, construction and digital creative, with 10 firms listed among the fastest-growing Canadian companies in 2017. Collectively, these firms—Arcane, Voices.com, Big Viking Games, Big Blue Bubble, Zomaron, Digital Echidna, Diagnostics Biochem, StarTech.com, HRdownloads and Canada Tubeform—grew their revenues more than 600% over the last five years.

The second city was also ranked among the top cities in Canada. It came third in the country and second in Ontario for the highest rate of opioid hospitalization last year, as well as for the highest proportion of children living on low income. While other Canadian cities saw a 10% growth in median income over the last decade, this city saw a drop of 2.1%. Its median income is now the second-lowest among Ontario urban centres. This city reported the lowest labour market participation rate of any major Canadian municipality, with about one quarter of working-age residents not working and too discouraged to look for work.

What are these two cities, Speaker? They are both London, Ontario. These statistics paint an alarming picture of an economy that is leaving too many people behind.

Clearly, we can do better. Londoners deserve a city that is both innovative and inclusive and a government that is committed to helping achieve that goal.

Garrison Kingston Family Fun Fest

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: I’m thrilled to tell you about a spectacular two-day festival that was held in my riding of Kingston and the Islands on the 9th and 10th of September.

The annual Garrison Kingston Family Fun Fest celebrates our amazing military community and their families. Without question, their hard work, dedication and special commitment to protecting our nation and its security is of paramount importance and deserves both recognition and celebration.

The central theme this year was Canada’s 150th anniversary, and 25,000 people came out to enjoy the many attractions in and around the sports centre, Fort Henry and CFB Kingston, our armed forces base.

From learning about Kingston’s rich military history to watching the Snowbirds soar across Kingston’s skies, there was something for everyone. They had a fully operational Griffon helicopter and a completely refurbished Sherman tank. We also had our very own Invictus Games relay, which gave participants of all ages a chance to engage in some healthy competition and win prizes. The Great Canadian Rock Show, which featured Trooper, one of Canada’s most celebrated bands, among others, was sold out and had the crowd rising to its feet during an energetic and engaging performance. The list goes on.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, management and volunteer team at CFB Kingston, Via Rail, the city of Kingston, Kingston Police, Kingston Transit, Fort Henry as well as the vendors and sponsors who made this event a success. Kingston and the Islands treasures the military community and events like the annual Garrison Kingston Family Fun Fest give us the opportunity to recognize and celebrate everything they do to keep our nation safe.

Wearing of pin

Mr. Bill Walker: I’d like to ask unanimous consent of the House if I could proudly wear my Invictus pin, which is part of my—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound is seeking unanimous consent to wear the Invictus pin. Do we agree? Agreed.

Invictus Games

As we welcome 550 soldiers and veterans from 17 nations to take

part in the games this weekend, we also open our hearts and minds to their many personal stories of courage that display only the very best of the human spirit.

I encourage all members to follow the games—and the personal stories from Team Canada—that showcases 90 members from the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian army, the Royal Canadian Air Force and veterans, as well as our fellow comrades from Afghanistan, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Australia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Romania, the Netherlands, Georgia, New Zealand, United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and Ukraine. They are all our allies and those with whom our troops have recently fought alongside during the war in Afghanistan and the rebuilding of Iraq.

In the words of Prince Harry—and I commend him for following in humanitarian causes like his late mother, Princess Diana—“Time and time again, competitors from around the world tell me that sport has saved them; that the Invictus Games have given them a new lease on life; and that to represent their country again with fellow comrades is something they could only have dreamt of while lying in hospital.”

These competitors “have cheated death and come back stronger than before,” Prince Harry said, “and they are proving to the world anything is possible when you choose to be an unconquerable soul.” It’s a forward-moving perspective, and one I strongly support.

To echo lines from the poem “Invictus,” which is the inspiration behind the name of the games:

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed....

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

I ask all of us to wish these unconquerable souls only the best at the games.

Jour des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Aujourd’hui, c’est la journée des Franco-Ontariens et des Franco-Ontariennes. C’est l’occasion pour tout l’Ontario de célébrer la contribution de la communauté franco-ontarienne.

J’aimerais, aujourd’hui, souligner la vitalité des institutions de la communauté dans ma circonscription d’Ottawa–Vanier. Nous avons tout d’abord l’Hôpital Montfort avec l’expansion de ses services et surtout ses investissements grandissants en recherche.

Nous avons également les organismes communautaires qui répondent de façon diversifiée aux besoins des nouveaux arrivants. Nous avons deux conseils scolaires, public et catholique, qui répondent de plus en plus aux besoins des nouveaux apprenants de façon diversifiée. Leurs programmes sont de plus en plus accentués à bien répondre à leurs besoins.

Nous avons évidemment La Cité collégiale, dont les programmes répondent toujours à des nouveaux besoins de la main-d’oeuvre. Finalement, je m’en voudrais de ne pas mentionner, évidemment, que nous allons avoir une nouvelle université francophone, mais nous avons également l’Université d’Ottawa, qui est un pilier de la recherche sur la francophonie.

Il y a beaucoup d’énergie dans la communauté franco-ontarienne en Ontario. Elle continuera longtemps de faire une contribution pertinente et innovante à la société ontarienne.

Fall fairs

Mr. Toby Barrett: Haldimand–Norfolk is blessed with an abundance and fairs and festivals unique to our diversified, rich farm heritage, ranging from the Dunnville Mudcat Festival, Port Rowan’s Bayfest, Charlottesville’s Donnybrook to Delhi’s Fall Fest. You’ll find something to do every weekend, leading up to Waterford capping it off with Pumpkinfest.

The week leading up to Thanksgiving presents two great fairs: Caledonia and the Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show. Norfolk Fair will attract up to 160,000 people. It ranks the fifth largest, competing with the likes of the CNE and the Royal Winter Fair.

Here at Queen’s Park and elsewhere I get asked: “Which country star or band is attending the stage? Are cabbage rolls on the menu? Where do I get a Dixie Dog? Who grew the biggest pumpkin this year?” Caledonia, Norfolk—all the fairs and festivals take us back to our younger days—again, the Dixie Dogs, candy floss, caramel corn, the lights, the music and the buzz of the crowd.

Following Caledonia, the Norfolk fair offers Young Canada Day, Warriors Day, country stars Tim Hicks and Chad Brownlee, monster trucks, demolition derbies, the livestock barns, of course, as well as all the beautiful show and heavy horses.

I invite everybody down to Norfolk–Haldimand. Come down and take in some of the best fairs in the province.

Petitions

Hydro rates

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Services for the developmentally disabled

Ms. Catherine Fife: My petition is entitled “Ontario Needs to Fund Family-Created Housing.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government’s 2014 budget included a commitment to address the wait-list of more than 12,000 adults with developmental disabilities awaiting residential funding, and some of whom have been waiting more than 20 years; and

“Whereas since the spring of 2014 the number of adults with developmental disabilities awaiting residential funding has grown to more than 14,000; and

“Whereas there is currently no available funding to plan for a respectful transition from the family home to a home of choice in the community; and

“Whereas more than 1,450 Ontario parents over the age of 70 continue to provide primary care to their adult child; and

“Whereas currently adults with developmental disability must go on the crisis list before they receive residential funding, often resulting in a loss of choice, dignity and community; and

“Whereas family-created housing prioritizes dignity, choice and community inclusion for the resident living with disability as well as providing long-term cost savings for the province;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Minister of Community and Social Services to address the growing wait-list for adults with developmental disabilities awaiting residential funding and provide stable funding opportunities for family-created housing.”

I affix my signature to this petition and give it to page Olivia.

Government anti-racism programs

Ms. Daiene Vernile: This is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas Ontarians are concerned that individual, systemic and cultural racism continues to create unfair outcomes for racial minorities in Ontario;

“Whereas the time has come to remove the social and economic barriers that prevent our province from achieving true equality;

“Whereas in order to accomplish that objective and to tackle racism in all of its forms, our government has created the new Anti-Racism Directorate;

“We, the undersigned, acknowledge both our support for the concept behind the Anti-Racism Directorate, and recognize that there is still work to be done to build an inclusive Ontario where everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or cultural background, has an equal opportunity to succeed.

“Therefore, we petition the government to work with key partners, such as businesses, community organizations, educational institutions and the Ontario Human Rights Commission, in an effort to create a scope for the Anti-Racism Directorate.

“This petition encourages the directorate to consider initiatives that would increase public education and awareness of racism, and to consider various methods by which a wide anti-racism lens can be applied during the development, implementation and evaluation of government policies, programs and services.”

I think this is a great petition. I’m going to put my name to it and hand it to Ariana.

Energy policies

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

“Whereas Ontario families and businesses have seen their hydro costs more than triple under the Liberal government since 2003;

“Whereas the Liberal government’s unaffordable Green Energy Act, the $2 billion wasted on the smart meter program and the $1.1 billion wasted on the cancelled gas plants will translate into a further 42% increase in hydro bills over five years;

“Whereas the Auditor General revealed that the Liberal government has collected approximately $50 billion over the last decade through a global adjustment tax on hydro bills largely used to subsidize ... green energy contracts;

“Whereas the Liberal government has allowed peak hydro rates to increase by 15% on May 1;

“Whereas the Liberal government’s elimination of the clean energy benefit will mean an average increase in hydro bills of $137 per year...;

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

“To call on the Liberal government to protect Ontario families and businesses from further hydro increases by applying all proceeds from the sale of Hydro One to the $27-billion electricity debt and imposing a moratorium on any new industrial wind and solar projects.”

I affix my name to this petition.

Education funding

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I have a petition here to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to fix the funding formula.

“Whereas violence has been on the rise in publicly funded schools;

“Whereas mental health service needs have increased in publicly funded schools;

“Whereas identified students are no longer receiving the specialized support they require to succeed in publicly funded schools;

“Whereas Kevlar and classroom evacuations are considered solutions for unsafe situations in publicly funded schools;

“Whereas funding has dropped $1.7 billion since 1997 (adjusted for enrolment changes and inflation) for publicly funded schools;

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

“Adjust the public education funding formula to

“(

a) provide a safe learning environment for students, volunteers and staff; and

“(

b) provide meaningful supports to address the needs of all Ontario students.”

Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this and sign my name and send it with page Michael.

Dental care

Mrs. Cristina Martins: I have a petition here that’s addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas lack of access to dental care affects overall health and well-being, and poor oral health is linked to diabetes, cardiovascular, respiratory disease, and Alzheimer’s disease; and

“Whereas it is estimated that two to three million people in Ontario have not seen a dentist in the past year, mainly due to the cost of private dental services; and

“Whereas approximately every nine minutes a person in Ontario arrives at a hospital emergency room with a dental problem but can only get painkillers and antibiotics, and this costs the health care system at least $31 million annually with no treatment of the problem;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to invest in public oral health programs for low-income adults and seniors by:

“—ensuring that plans to reform the health care system include oral health so that vulnerable people in our communities have equitable access to the dental care they need to be healthy;

“—extending public dental programs for low-income children and youth within the next two years to include low-income adults and seniors; and

“—delivering public dental services in a cost-efficient way through publicly funded dental clinics such as public health units, community health centres and aboriginal health access centres to ensure primary oral health services are accessible to vulnerable people in Ontario.”

I agree with this petition, affix my name and send it to the table with page Will.

Highway improvement

Mr. Norm Miller: I have a petition with regard to Highway 559. It reads:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas provincial Highway 559 is the main artery for the majority of the township of Carling and the only access to the extremely popular Killbear Provincial Park, which had more than 315,000 visitors in 2016; and

“Whereas the decision to downgrade Highway 559 from asphalt to a tar and chip treatment has greatly increased long-standing concerns regarding safety; and

“Whereas traffic includes many large vehicles such as RVs, trailers and heavy maintenance vehicles with which cyclists and pedestrians are currently forced to share the highway due to lack of safer options; and

“Whereas in its current state provincial Highway 559 has many dangerous sightlines and has been plagued by long-standing maintenance issues, including but not limited to improper application of surface treatments;

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

“The Legislative Assembly of Ontario request the Ministry of Transportation redesign provincial Highway 559 with safe sightlines and rebuild it with an asphalt surface and bike lanes.”

I completely support this and give it to page Rachel.

Pharmacare

Miss Monique Taylor: I have a petition that reads, “Universal Pharmacare for All Ontarians.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas prescription medications are a part of health care, and people shouldn’t have to empty their wallets or rack up credit card bills to get the medicines they need;

“Whereas over 2.2 million Ontarians don’t have any prescription drug coverage and one in four Ontarians don’t take their medications as prescribed because they cannot afford the cost;

“Whereas taking medications as prescribed can save lives and help people live better; and

“Whereas Canada urgently needs universal and comprehensive national pharmacare;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support a universal provincial pharmacare plan for all Ontarians.”

I fully support this. I’m going to give it to page Javan to bring to the Clerk.

Animal protection

Ms. Daiene Vernile: I have a petition here that was delivered to my constituency office in Kitchener Centre. It is entitled “Ban Fur Farming in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas a poll conducted by Environics (2015) showed that 92% of Canadians are in favour of better animal protection laws. Another poll conducted by Humane Society International (2014) showed 68% of Canadians support a ban on fur farming;

“Whereas numerous countries and regions recognize that animals’ basic needs cannot be met in any fur farm housing system and have already banned fur farming, the import and/or sale of fur products. The United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Serbia, Denmark, Netherlands ... have all passed legislation banning fur farming...;

“Whereas animals on fur farms are subjected to long periods of inactivity, lack of stimulation and are restricted from performing natural behaviours (like swimming or interacting with an earthen floor), leading to frustration, stress and stereotypical (abnormal repetitive) behaviour such as pacing, cage biting, self-mutilation, physical deformities and high levels of infant mortality...;

“Whereas confining and killing animals such as fox, mink, chinchilla and rabbit solely for an unnecessary luxury item like fur is inhumane and cruel;

“We, the undersigned, believe fur farming is inherently cruel and we petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to consider implementing a ban on fur farming.”

I shall put my name to this and give this to page Adam.

Taxation

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas as small business operators, Ontario doctors have utilized legitimate tax measures to plan for retirement, and invest in health care;

“Whereas the Ontario government is responsible for ensuring Ontarians have a world-class health care system and this proposal puts our system at risk;

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

“To urge the members of the Ontario Legislature to immediately call on the federal government to put a halt to these tax changes.”

I agree with this petition and I encourage all members of the Legislature to agree as well, and I give it to the page.

Long-term care

M me France Gélinas: It is my pleasure to thank Emile Prudhomme from Val Thérèse in my riding for collecting these petitions, which read as follows:

“Whereas quality of care for the 78,000 residents of LTC homes is a priority for many Ontario families; and

“Whereas the provincial government does not provide adequate funding to ensure care and staffing levels in LTC homes to keep pace with residents’ increasing acuity and the growing number of residents with complex behaviours; and

“Whereas several Ontario coroner’s inquests into LTC homes deaths have recommended an increase in direct hands-on care for residents and staffing levels and the most reputable studies on this topic recommends 4.1 hours of direct care per day;

“We ... petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“Amend the LTC Homes Act ... for a legislated minimum care standard of four hours per resident per day adjusted for acuity level and case mix.”

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

Sexual violence and harassment

Ms. Daiene Vernile: Here I am again. This is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas one in three women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime;

“When public education about sexual violence and harassment is not prioritized, myths and attitudes informed by misogyny become prevalent. This promotes rape culture;

“Less than 10% of sexual violence cases are reported to police. For every 33 that are reported, only three result in a conviction;

“Sexual violence and harassment survivors too often feel revictimized by the systems set in place to support them. The voices of survivors, in all their diversity, need to be amplified...;

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

“Support the findings and recommendations of the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment’s final report, highlighting the need for inclusive and open dialogue to address misogyny and rape culture; educate about sexual violence and harassment to promote social change; fund sexual assault support services...; and address systemic assumptions within the current” system “to ensure survivors are supported and not revictimized....”

Speaker, I agree with this, will put my name to it and hand it to page Duncan.

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

Orders of the Day

Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 visant à réduire les formalités administratives inutiles

Mr. Duguid moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 154,

An Act to cut unnecessary red tape by enacting one new Act and making various amendments and repeals / Projet de loi 154, Loi visant à réduire les formalités administratives inutiles, à édicter diverses lois et à modifier et abroger d’autres lois.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Again, I look to the Minister of Economic Development to lead off the debate.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker, and I’m delighted to do so. I’m delighted to rise today to speak at second reading of a bill entitled the Cutting Unnecessary Red Tape Act. That is something I had the honour of introducing in the Legislature on September 14.

My time will be shared with my very well-learned parliamentary assistant, the member for Davenport, who I know, as she did the last time we went through a bill, will be very much the expert on the finer details that are found within this very significant and complex bill. I want to thank her for the work that she has done on the previous bill and on this bill.

In many ways this is unheralded work. We know, and I think my critics probably realize as well, we’re probably not going to make headlines today in this debate. The media gallery is not exactly full as we speak here today, but we don’t expect that. The fact is, though, this is really good work for all parties, all members involved.

It requires a great deal of expertise and a great deal of skill to ensure that we bring these measures forward to ensure that the balance is there; that as we bring the measures forward, to reduce regulatory burdens for businesses—and we’ll talk more about the details in a minute, but to ensure that we’re not impacting the important areas of regulation that the public count on us to protect but, indeed, we’re taking measures that reduce unnecessary regulatory burden.

I welcome my critics as well to the debate: the member for Kitchener–Waterloo and the member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. I welcome them to the debate and I look forward to their comments today. It’s still early days, and this bill will go to committee. Certainly, we welcome their ideas as these bills come forward, because there are times when you’re making these changes when there may be unintended consequences that we weren’t aware of to some of these moves, or when there may be better ways to do it. If they’ve got better ways to do it, I think we owe an obligation to listen to that. Frankly, Mr.

Speaker, when I think about it, in many ways, that’s what this Legislature is all about. That’s why we’re here. That’s what our democracy is about. So I want to thank the member for Kitchener–Waterloo and the member for Lambton–Kent–Middlesex. We’re known each other for many, many years and we’ve worked on a number of things together.

I like the member for Sarnia as well. He’s waving at me. I guess he wanted me to throw him in there too.

I want to say something that I’m not authorized to say—I don’t need to be authorized to say everything I say. I’m more of a passionate sports fan than I am a political junkie, and I always have been. That’s really been my true passion in life, and continues to be.

But over the weekend, I was really inspired, tuning into some of the NFL football games, by what I think was courage shown, and fortitude shown, by NFL players right around the league, and team officials and owners, as they came together in a collegial way, as they joined together in harmony, speaking out for freedom of expression, speaking out for democracy, frankly. I think that’s something that’s commendable. I am happy to commend it. Our Toronto Argos, I believe, joined in as well in their game.

As I watched that demonstration—and whether you’re for or against their way of demonstrating, I think we all, here in this Legislature, are certainly for freedom of expression.

So I look forward to hearing from my colleagues opposite on where they might support our initiatives and where they think we can do better. That’s part of what democracy is about. That is part of what freedom of expression is about.

We have lost loved ones. We have lost people who have put themselves in harm’s way to fight for our democracy. When I saw those NFL players stand in unison this weekend, I’ve got to tell you, I was very proud of them. I think they deserve to be commended for that show of courage and unity. Certainly, I for one stand with them—or kneel with them, on this occasion.

I’ll now start speaking about what I’m here to speak about, and that’s the bill—in this cradle of democracy that we’re so privileged to live in today.

I had the privilege of beginning to work on regulatory burden reduction many, many years ago. I guess it goes back close to 10 years ago now, my first post in cabinet—and the Minister of Labour is here. He’s doing a fine job in a post that I think is often not recognized for the hard work that actually comes with that post. But I think of late, people have seen the work that the Minister of Labour is doing and recognize that it can be a very challenging post. That was my first post in cabinet.

One day, we were having a cabinet discussion. Dalton McGuinty was our Premier at the time, and we were talking about burden reduction and the need to do more to reduce the costs of business in this province and reduce red tape. I spoke out at that cabinet meeting, and I say this by way of a bit of advice to my colleagues opposite: I hope they don’t, but if they ever do get the privilege of forming government—my critics, who are younger than I am—if they get the privilege of sitting in cabinet, you’ve got to make sure, before you speak out passionately about things, that you’re ready to take on responsibilities.

Because after I spoke out passionately about reducing red tape, the Premier of the day, Dalton McGuinty, turned to me and said, “I really like what you had to say. You’re going to head up our new approach to regulatory burden reduction.” I turned to him and said, “Well, I’m the Minister of Labour.”

No offence to the current Minister of Labour, but labour is not exactly high up on the list when it comes to ministries that businesses tend to love. In fact, labour is responsible for a lot of inspections in our workplaces, and from time to time businesses do have the odd complaint about our WSIB system and things like that. Our current Minister of Labour has done such a great job that I’m sure that those complaints are few and far between these days—but perhaps not, I say to the minister with respect; perhaps it’s still an area of concern.

I began about a decade ago on this work, and I soon became passionate about this work. I recognized that when my time here passes, it may well be that nobody ever knows all the hours that I spent on this file, but that doesn’t matter. The fact is, I really couldn’t find a better way for our government to make our economy more competitive, to give businesses the tools that they need to succeed, to find ways to attract investment. There are lots of things we’re doing that do that, but this is a way we can do it without having to go to Treasury Board and get money and invest it.

I wouldn’t say it’s an easy way to do it. My experience has been that when I ask business leaders—and I’ve spent a lot of time talking to business leaders about reducing regulatory burden; hours upon hours for many, many years—I’ll often get the response—and my critics will probably realize this as well: “Yes, you’ve got to reduce regulatory burden. You’re killing us with all that red tape.” I understand that. But then I’ll say, “Well, what is it, specifically, you would like us to address? Let’s get down to work and figure out a way to address it.

Let’s make sure it’s not one of those items that’s protecting people’s health or protecting their welfare in the workplace or protecting the environment. Most regulations are really, really crucial, but some aren’t, or some can be done in ways that can reduce regulatory burden.” That’s the conversation that we need to continue to get down to. That’s what we look to our business leaders and stakeholders to be able to provide us with—the kind of advice we need to be able to make those decisions.

And that’s actually where we win the day, because we’re acting in the public good, in the public interest, but also creating a more competitive environment.

I’ve had the privilege, on and off, of being responsible for this file. I’d be responsible for it in one post—and I’ve had seven different posts in this government—and then I’d lose it for a while, and I’d always keep my eye on it, and then I’d get it back, and then I’d lose it for a while, and then I’d get it back again.

Interjection.

Hon. Brad Duguid: The member opposite, I think, is suggesting it sounds like I have trouble keeping a job. There may be some truth to that, I say to the member opposite, but at least I keep landing on my feet after, and continue the issues—and I continue to work passionately to reduce regulatory burden.

I want to also begin by thanking the Open for Business team. When this bill originally came forward, it was similar to the previous bill that we did. It was going to reduce—and I’ll speak to a little bit of this in a moment—a number of different regulatory burdens. We’d done a lot of consulting. It was a good, ambitious bill.

When I brought it to the Premier, the Premier said, “This is good. It probably does even more than the last bill does. We’re pleased with it. Of course, we’re going to support it. My critics may well end up supporting this as well.” This is not one of those bills that tends to get into the political limelight. But what the Premier said was, “It’s good, but we’ve got to find a way to make it stronger.”

There are a lot of uncertainties in the economy today. You look at what’s going on south of the border, you look at the NAFTA negotiations, you look at some of the challenges worldwide: There’s lots of uncertainty.

We’re doing really, really well right now; we know that. Our unemployment rate is at a 16-year low. We’ve created 760,000 new jobs since the global recession. We continue to lead the G7 in growth, which is a good place for our economy to be. Most economists are suggesting that we’ve been on a pretty good track for some extended period of time, and I think we’re on a good track going forward.

But it is an uncertain world out there, a fast-disrupting global economy, which means that we need to pick up every opportunity that we have to drive that technological disruption here, to invest in innovation, to help our companies scale up. To do that, we need to make sure we are the best place to invest in the world.

That’s something that we are close to doing now. Our Open for Business program has put in place word-class efforts to reduce regulatory burden—and I’ll speak to some of that—but we can never tire; we can never pull back from that. We must always be passionate, knowing that every time we come forward with a bill like this, as soon as we’re done, we’re going to find more things we can do—and that’s good. That’s back and forth, and that’s to and fro. Ideas from the opposition are welcome in this effort because, in the end, the public benefits.

If we’re more competitive as an economy, businesses are going to invest more, we’re going to create more jobs, and we’re going to continue to lead the G7 in growth going forward. We’re going to be able to fulfill what I think ultimately is our goal, and that’s to pass on a strong and vibrant economy to the next generation. After all, I think that really is what it’s all about, as far as I’m concerned.

We’ve had the privilege of being recognized for our efforts from time to time, which is good—maybe not in headlines, but so many of our stakeholders have recognized our efforts, including the CFIB, which I give a lot of credit to for a lot of the ideas that we’ve generated through the years.

I talked about our Open for Business shop, a very entrepreneurial crew who, with very little budget, frankly, do some fantastic work—a lot of visioning, a lot of outreach and a lot of creative work. When the Premier asked me to step it up, I turned to them to say, “How do we step this up? Bring me a really ambitious package.” That’s what they’ve done. They’ve brought forward a package, some of which is in this legislation, others of which were announced when we indicated the intention to do this legislation—a package that is beyond a doubt the most ambitious regulatory burden reduction package that we’ve seen in this province in generations. That’s a good thing.

Mr. Randy Hillier: That’s a stretch—

Hon. Brad Duguid: No. The member thinks it’s a stretch; it really isn’t.

Again, it’s not going to get us re-elected; it’s not going to get us headlines. But it is going to make a difference.

We’ll talk about some of the initiatives in there as well.

If the members have other ideas, we’ll put them in the next package. We want to continue—

Mr. Randy Hillier: I’ve got a list.

Hon. Brad Duguid: The member has a list, and I’m glad to see it.

This is something we need to continually strive to do. If we ever say that we’re done, that means that, in my view, we’ll stay stagnant and other jurisdictions will pass us in a second.

Again, to the crew at the Open for Business unit in the Ministry of Economic Development and Growth: Thank you for your dedication. Thank you for your passion. Thank you for your leadership. Thank you for listening to our business community. And thank you for helping me, as the minister, and my parliamentary assistant put forward a piece of legislation and a package that really will make a difference.

I mentioned the CFIB. I want to thank them for their input. I also want to thank them for recognizing the work that this unit and, frankly, I have been able to do through the years. I often joke about the fact that we are the only government and I’m the only minister to have ever been nominated for the prestigious Golden Scissors Award four times.

Applause.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’m not saying that to get applause, because I was nominated the first three times and didn’t win. It was nice to get nominated. I joked about it at the time, because Leonardo DiCaprio had been nominated three times, I think, for Academy Awards and had not won. I was beginning to think of myself as the Leonardo DiCaprio of politics in Ontario. But Leonardo DiCaprio won the next year, so that took that line away from me.

But guess what? On my fourth nomination, we finally won it. I didn’t bring it today because it would be a prop, but I do have, proudly, on my desk, the Golden Scissors Award—which I didn’t win myself. Our team won, and I thank the CFIB for their recognition of that. I thank the opposition as well, because their initiative in pushing us helped drive us to those new heights.

I want to begin by outlining a little bit what I referred to as some of the global best practices in reducing regulatory burden. I hinted about this a little bit earlier: The best ideas in reducing regulatory burden don’t come from the minister, don’t come from the parliamentary assistant, generally don’t come—no offence—from the critics, don’t come from this Legislature, and don’t really come from the Open for Business team or my colleagues and our ministries in government.

Some good ideas come from there, but the best ideas come from the business community itself, the folks on the front line who are actually the ones who are being impacted by those rules and regulations. They’re the ones who know those rules, regulations, and standards and procedures that really are unnecessary and that do get in their way of doing business in this province.

So our Open for Business strategy has always been about reaching outside of this precinct to what’s going on outside of here, what’s going on in our businesses, to our business leaders—and initially it was our business leaders that we consulted with—our associations and our stakeholders. That’s who we turned to first.

The first global leading initiative was an Open for Business initiative called Open for Business round tables—hugely successful. We did about a dozen or so different sectors. What we did is we brought the entire sector in, the leaders in that sector and the associations, and we sat them around a table with the minister and ministers in the government—not just the minister responsible for red tape reduction, but the ministers responsible for the regulations as well. We would brainstorm about all the different challenges that we had and we’d pick five or six initiatives that we knew we could resolve.

Then, the government would commit to getting those off the table and into action within about six months.

That process worked really well because the business community, right off the bat, saw success, action and commitment right from the very beginning. They saw the ministries and ministers that they needed to deal with on a face-to-face basis right there at the table so they didn’t have to go out and negotiate through a number of different arms and silos of government. We brought forward hundreds of changes that were really, really important to those business.

So those round tables worked really well, but one of the things we found is that we were consistently talking to the same people—talented people, skilled people, people who knew what they were talking about, who were helpful, but they were the leaders of organizations and businesses. We really weren’t talking to the front-line workers, many of whom on a day-to-day basis face the rules and regulations and red tape that we’re trying to do what we can to improve.

So we looked around the world—this is an idea that we didn’t think of ourselves—but this is one that my Open for Business team did come up with: By looking around the world for best practices happening in other places, we were being seen as a global leader in this area, but we weren’t so arrogant as to think that just because we’re seen as a global leader, we have all the good ideas. We recognize that there are other good things going on out there.

One program that we saw that seemed to be working was a program called the Red Tape Challenge in Great Britain; I think that’s what they call it as well. We decided that we were going to do that here, and we developed a made-in-Ontario approach to this.

The key with the Red Tape Challenge is that it uses technology in an innovative way and it uses our capacity online to reach out beyond the boardrooms and beyond those round tables to every single Ontarian, in particular those who are interested in a particular sector—for instance, our first venture was in the auto parts sector—so that front-line workers in that auto parts sector would be able to participate in the process online and have that online to-and-fro discussion with us. That program has proven to be a huge success, because it’s open to everyone. Everyone in the province can participate, and the participation has actually been really impressive, in particular for a new program.

In all, there are seven industries that we have planned to tackle. The feedback has been really, really helpful. The first industry was the auto parts manufacturing sector. The second is the food processing sector. The third is financial services. The fourth is mining. The fifth is chemical manufacturing. The sixth is forestry and tourism. I’m sure when we’re done there, or maybe even before, we’ll expand our horizons because this program seems to be working really, really well.

On the auto parts manufacturing sector, we found 41 regulatory burdens that we could address, and we’re in the process now of addressing those. Some of them aren’t easy; it’s going to take us about three years to get all of that implemented, but we’ve got 41 good areas of direction.

The other area that we’ve moved into now is the food processing sector and financial services, where we’ve completed consultations this year. In food processing, we identified 26 areas that we could address. In financial services, we identified a dozen areas that we could address. These are tangible ways to make improvement. Not one of these particular areas is going to change life overall for these sectors, but they all help, and they all came from the sectors. They were the initiatives that were really troubling the sectors.

The next sectors we’re going to tackle are chemical manufacturing—that has begun already and is ongoing—mining, forestry and tourism. I’m sure we’ll be able to find some good things we can do with those sectors. So I’m excited about where this new program is going, and I think that this program is a really good way to involve all Ontarians in this effort.

Back in 2014—I want to thank the CFIB again for their leadership on this—the CFIB recommended to us that we put forward an annual report for burden reduction. A couple of years ago now, we put that report forward. What that does is hold our feet to the fire when it comes to regulatory burden reduction. It analyzes what we’ve done to reduce regulatory burden. As well, it analyzes what we’ve done—this was one of the asks of the CFIB—to reduce the amount of time that businesses have to spend fulfilling regulations, filling out paperwork and that kind of thing. We have had that report come forward now, and it has been very helpful to our efforts. So again, thank you to the CFIB for that.

Another initiative that we embarked upon, one that I was proud to champion, was something that I developed in conjunction with Mayor John Tory. What we realized is that one thing we found businesses saying to us is, “It’s not only the regulations that the province has in isolation that we would like to see reduced or changed; often, it’s regulations or inspection systems that different governments have. Sometimes they contrast and conflict. They’re uncoordinated, and that drives us crazy as businesses.”

Surely the city of Toronto and the province of Ontario can find better ways of helping folks apply for a restaurant licence, for instance. The current process is phenomenal. Dozens and dozens of different forms have to be filled out, different bodies have to be sought after—surely we can find a way to provide one-window approaches to those kinds of regulatory licensing, dual-government types of responsibilities. So we sat down with Mayor Tory and his departments, and my ministries did the same.

We weren’t leaving the rest of the province out. This wasn’t a city-of-Toronto-specific initiative. I think all recognize that the city of Toronto is involved in a lot more regulations than many other municipalities, so what we could find there may apply across the province or may not, but a lot of it could be extrapolated, so we also invited AMO to sit at the table with us to participate. That’s a process that’s now well under way in identifying dozens of different ways that we can work better with the other levels of government.

I’m looking at the clock now, and I turn to my parliamentary assistant. Does that mean that I have five and a half minutes left?

Mrs. Cristina Martins: Pretty much.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’ve barely gotten into my content already, and I’m having way too much fun. I think I could go on for hours on this, but I want to leave some time for my parliamentary assistant.

Applause.

Hon. Brad Duguid: And I think the members opposite would appreciate that as well. They’re clapping, because I think they’d appreciate that as well.

So I’m going to move from past to present, and just to sum up by saying that some of what I’ve talked about and our other initiatives have helped us to eliminate 80,000 regulatory burdens through the years. That’s substantial. It’s something to be proud of, but as the Premier said, we need to continue to do more, and that’s what this bill is all about.

This bill, in all, is a collaboration of many different ministries within our government. I thank all of my colleagues who have participated for bringing forward the measures that they have. It amends more than 40 statutes in supporting our goal of making Ontario more competitive. It’s a bill that comes with a package that, as I said earlier, is one of the most ambitious regulatory burden packages that this province has ever embarked upon.

One of the centerpieces of this package is something that I say is a method for us to stop the digging. By digging, I mean imposing more regulations. As we remove regulations, other regulations often have to come forward, for all the right reasons, but it’s really important that we build a culture in government, throughout government, that when a ministry brings forward regulations, they’re thinking about the cost to business.

So there’s going to be a new stipulation that for every dollar in administrative costs that is incurred by a business from a measure, a new regulation, being brought forward by a ministry, that ministry will have to identify $1.25 in savings. It’s a bit of a barrier, a bit of a governor, for ministries to say, “Go ahead and make your changes. They’re in the public interest, I’m sure. Let’s make sure that they are. But make sure you’re keeping an eye on the administrative costs to businesses as you do that.”

Another thing that’s in this package is the need to harmonize regulations. That’s something that we need to do across the country.

Of course, we led the Canadian Free Trade Agreement initiative. We were the first jurisdiction in the world to put in place a mechanism nationally, and it’s in the process, still, of being put in place. The ministers will meet again in the fall to determine the progress that we’ve made on this, but it will happen. It is a mechanism that will mutually recognize regulations across the country. It’s the first time that we’re aware of anywhere in the world that such a structure has been put in place, something that our business community from coast to coast is very excited about.

It’s more than that. We also have to harmonize regulations with jurisdictions south of the border. What that means is that when we’re putting in new regulations, it doesn’t always have to be a made-in-Ontario solution. We do have to look at best practices across the continent, and we do have to look at the balance of having our own way and the balance of harmonizing what we’re doing with other jurisdictions around the world, in North America, with the United States and across the country. It’s something we need to do.

Another thing we need to do is consider the unique needs of small businesses whenever we’re putting in regulations, because they have unique needs. They don’t always have the staffing capability or the capacity to be able to respond to some of the demands that are being put on small businesses, so we have to put that small business lens on everything we do as a government and on every regulation we bring in place. This new package will ensure that we do that.

We need to recognize and reward businesses that have good compliance records. Rather than have widespread enforcement mechanisms that spend time very thinly on a bunch of different businesses, let’s focus more on the bad actors and focus less on those businesses that have good track records. In my view, what that will mean is that it will help our enforcement mechanisms be even more effective.

We have to ensure, as well, that businesses, when they’re interfacing with our government, can do so easily. Look, we’re in the modern age now. I’d like to think so anyway, and the minister responsible for the digitalization of gov