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

December 11, 2008

39th Parliament, 1st Session

< Previous sitting day

Next sitting day >

Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2008-Dec-11 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Thursday 11 December 2008 Jeudi 11 décembre 2008

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

VIOLENT CRIME

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

FOREST INDUSTRY

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

FOREST INDUSTRY

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

HOSPITAL FUNDING

FOOD SAFETY

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

UNIVERSITY LABOUR DISPUTES

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

NUCLEAR ENERGY

ENDANGERED SPECIES

REPORT, INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

SEASON'S GREETINGS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

WARDENS OF GLENGARRY, STORMONT AND DUNDAS /

PRÉFETS DE GLENGARRY,

STORMONT ET DUNDAS

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

CHILD PROTECTION

PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

INSCRIBE THE BIBLE

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

GENERATION CHANGE

LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

HANUKKAH

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

HAMILTON HEALTH SCIENCES

ELECTIONS ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR LES ÉLECTIONS

AU SEIN DU HAMILTON

HEALTH SCIENCES

HAWKINS GIGNAC ACT (CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS), 2008 /

LOI HAWKINS GIGNAC DE 2008 (DÉTECTEURS DE MONOXYDE

DE CARBONE)

PROVINCIAL ADVOCATE

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR L'INTERVENANT PROVINCIAL

EN FAVEUR DES ENFANTS

ET DES JEUNES

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

SCHOOL SAFETY /

LA SÉCURITÉ DANS LES ÉCOLES

SCHOOL SAFETY

SCHOOL SAFETY

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL SERVICES

HOSPICES

REGISTERED DISABILITY

SAVINGS PLANS

UNIVERSITY LABOUR DISPUTE

LUPUS

AIR-RAIL LINK

AIR-RAIL LINK

LUPUS

CHILD CARE

CHILD CUSTODY

HOSPITAL SERVICES

TOM LONGBOAT

HOSPITAL FUNDING

BEER RETAILING AND DISTRIBUTION

PRIVATE MEMBERS'

PUBLIC BUSINESS

LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT

(FRUIT WINE), 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES PERMIS D'ALCOOL

(VIN DE FRUITS)

ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD

AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA COMMISSION DE L'ÉNERGIE

DE L'ONTARIO

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT (REGISTERED DISABILITY SAVINGS PLANS), 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI A TRAIT À L'AIDE SOCIALE

(RÉGIMES ENREGISTRÉS

D'ÉPARGNE-INVALIDITÉ)

LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT

(FRUIT WINE), 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES PERMIS D'ALCOOL

(VIN DE FRUITS)

ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD

AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA COMMISSION DE L'ÉNERGIE

DE L'ONTARIO

SOCIAL ASSISTANCE STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT (REGISTERED DISABILITY SAVINGS PLANS), 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI A TRAIT À L'AIDE SOCIALE

(RÉGIMES ENREGISTRÉS

D'ÉPARGNE-INVALIDITÉ)

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Good morning. Please remain standing for the Lord's Prayer, followed by a moment of silence for personal reflection and thought.

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Hon. Michael Gravelle: Good morning. I'd like to introduce the Legislature to the hard-working members of my constituency office who are down here in Queen's Park, Nancy Turner and Michael McDonald. Welcome, guys.

Mr. Peter Shurman: I'd like to introduce, in the west members' gallery, Richard Goldford from Thornhill, along with his son Zack. Zack is just 13; it's his first question period. He's got an abiding interest in politics.

Hon. John Wilkinson: I'm pleased to introduce Katie Neu from my riding and her father, Tom. Katie is from Listowel, and she and her colleagues have started bullyingcanada.ca. We're delighted that they're here today to raise this issue with us here at the Legislature.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: I'm very proud to introduce the vice-president of the political science club from Laurentian University, Jason Kontak, and welcome him to the Legislature to watch question period.

Mr. Joe Dickson: It's a pleasure to introduce three guests in the west gallery: Ray and Monica Hickey from Pickering Village in Ajax; and Ray's sister Marie Maschke, who is also deputy mayor of Hastings Highlands. I must tell you that Ray and Monica are co-chairs of our annual golf tournament in Ajax, which feeds 10 food banks. Marie, of course, is a very close friend of Leona Dombrowsky.

The guests are here today for lunch, compliments of the Honourable Gerry Phillips, who is a regular patron; Margarett Best; and, of course, the affable Minister George Smitherman.

Mr. Mario Sergio: I'd like to acknowledge my staff, both from my constituency office and my Queen's Park office. They are not here, because they are working very hard on behalf the people of York West. But I would like to acknowledge them and wish them a very merry Christmas.

L'hon. Madeleine Meilleur: Je voudrais présenter Marie-Lise Leduc, qui est ici de mon bureau d'Ottawa, and I'd like to know if you're going to introduce the student? Okay, thank you.

Ms. Leeanna Pendergast: I would like to introduce, in the east members' gallery, Diane McCrohan, Joe Nowak, Joe Brothers and Heather Rush, all from the riding of Kitchener–Conestoga.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Introductions? On behalf of page Sarah Danchuk, we'd like to welcome her father, Nick, her grandmother, Helen, and her grandfather, Peter, to the members' gallery today.

On behalf of page Luis Vera, we would like to welcome his mother, Lucy, and his father, Antonio, who made the trek down today. Welcome.

We have with us today in the Speaker's gallery visiting interns from the Quebec National Assembly: Olivier Bégin-Caouette, Pierre-Olivier Tremblay, Marc-André Turcotte, Pierre-Luc Turgeon and Marie-Astrid Ospina. Please join me in welcoming our guests today.

For anyone who is feeling left out because they were not introduced, welcome to everyone else who is visiting the chamber today.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: A merry Christmas to you and your family, Speaker. And let me say that after a little over a year in that chair, I think you have done an outstanding job as Speaker. Hopefully, that will get me another 20 seconds.

My question is to the Minister of Economic Development—we were advised that he would be here today.

Hon. George Smitherman: He's on call and will be forthcoming, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: I'll go to the Deputy Premier.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Okay.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: Minister, as we all know, since mid-September, when we returned to this House from the summer break, there has been a sea change in Ontario's economy. In the time we've been here this fall, almost 69,000 jobs have disappeared, driving the unemployment rate up to 7.1%. Housing starts have plummeted by 31%. Yesterday's Fraser Institute report on the Canadian investment climate was very troubling for the nation—Ontario's poor ranking. We ranked first or second, but in recent years the province has implemented policies that are not conducive to attracting investment.

Minister, when are you prepared, or why are you prepared, in any event, to leave this House without a meaningful jobs plan—a road map to get us through this difficult time?

Hon. George Smitherman: Thank you very much. Firstly, I do want to say in the spirit of the season that I want to wish the honourable member and some of his front-bench colleagues all of the possible successes, being part of the 18 senatorial appointments.

A serious question has been raised by the honourable member. Investments that our government has already initiated are designed to affect the employment circumstances for Ontarians, recognizing that the global economic crisis is very challenging. That's why just about $10 billion in infrastructure spending this year is helping to sustain 100,000 jobs. That's not just about stimulus and jobs on the short term. It's about building an economy and an infrastructure which can support an economy to be more productive going forward. Alongside that, we've invested in Ontario's people, the single greatest source of future economic opportunity.

By way of supplementary, I will be happy to talk about more initiatives to the honourable member.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: I should acknowledge the minister's lost Senate aspirations since his leadership candidate has dropped by the wayside.

In any event, as a supplementary, there was nothing in that response to give Ontarians any faith, any hope, any confidence in the government. In fact, over the last three months we've seen a complete lack of leadership from your side of the House. Instead, we've seen a government that has banned more activities than a preschool when it should have been working on getting Ontario's economy back on top where it traditionally has been.

Over the last three months, you've done nothing more than shrug your shoulders, blame somebody else, and now we're going on vacation, you're going on vacation, while hundreds of thousands of Ontarians are facing a very bleak Christmas and an even bleaker 2009.

Minister, when are we going to see a meaningful jobs plan for this province?

Hon. George Smitherman: Firstly, if the honourable member wants to play out this ridiculous stereotype that when a Legislature is not in session, nobody's working, he can run down his own party, but he shouldn't be running down our government, because I'll be happy to take a meeting with that gentleman any time as we continue to work diligently on behalf of the people of the province of Ontario.

The honourable member said that for the last three months, there's been nothing done and there's been no investment. Why does the honourable member not stand up in this House and tell the people of the province of Ontario that he voted against budget measures which have resulted, just in the last little while, in a contribution of $1.1 billion to every municipality in the province of Ontario for the purposes of making investments in infrastructure, which is about jobs in the short term for people and about the infrastructure that can support the economic prospects and development in the province of Ontario?

The member's characterizations are those of someone who has come late to the party, seeking to throw the mud around and offering—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: We look at what's happening in the United States with respect to the auto sector issue and the fact that both parties at the federal level there have been involved, in terms of conserving what's appropriate for taxpayers in the United States. This government has shut out the opposition parties—both opposition parties. We're prepared to come back next week and sit, listen, participate and play a role in assisting and ensuring—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Stop the clock. Honourable members know that the tradition within this place is that we don't make reference to people who are or are not here.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: We all know the concerns. We know that 66,000 people in this province lost their jobs last month alone. We know many communities, families and individuals are suffering. If you're really sincere about working together to find solutions, make a commitment today. Come back next week—we'll be here.

Hon. George Smitherman: It's noteworthy. Today is Thursday. It wasn't convenient to be here, but if you come back next week, well, we'll see if we can drop by then. The work of government and the necessity of responding to the challenges, the very real and genuine challenges for people in the province of Ontario—is not met alone on whether the House is in session. It's met through the work that we do in our ridings and on a back-and-forth basis.

I would be very, very willing, as an example, in my areas of responsibility, to sit down with the honourable member any day next week or the week that follows to find what ideas he might have to bring forward and to support growth and economic development in the province of Ontario. But this member has stood against those efforts. He stood against the efforts to distribute $1.1 billion to municipalities, including $2.1 million to the city of Brockville alone.

VIOLENT CRIME

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: My next question is to the Attorney General, and it's about the abysmal failings of our province's justice system.

Two weeks ago, Arber Krasniqi was convicted of second-degree murder for the unprovoked stabbing of Jordan Ormonde. According to the Toronto Star, since 2001, Krasniqi had five previous run-ins with the justice system, each of which involved either weapons or violence, and for those five occasions, the crown allowed him to enter into a peace bond and withdrew the charges, even though some of them were violations of peace bonds as well.

Minister, these matters are no longer before the courts, so will you investigate these cases, including the crown's decision to repeatedly withdraw charges of violence against this killer, leaving him free to murder an innocent citizen?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: The first thing we say, of course, is that in any of these terrible cases, there's a terrible tragedy, and our heart goes out to those who are left behind and our heart goes out to the communities affected.

My friend raises some very important questions. How do we make sure that in all cases, the justice system deals exactly as it must, in the most serious fashion, with the most serious cases? The crowns prosecute all of these very seriously, the police investigate them very seriously, and they prosecute according to the limits of the law. At all times, that is what we do, but we are working hard through our initiatives, such as our exit point task force, to make sure that in every case, the full extent of the law is brought to bear on those who pose the greatest danger to society.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: The John and Varughese murders two months ago are another glaring example of how the broken justice system is failing to keep Ontarians safe.

We've read the bail hearing transcripts—I hope you have—where Nathaniel O'Brien, Susan and Saramma's alleged killer, was released on house arrest. The transcript raises some very serious questions about the crown's conduct on the bail hearing and whether she was properly prepared to run a bail hearing for two violent sexual assaults.

Minister, will you look into the crown's conduct in this case? The fact that this matter is still before the courts doesn't prevent you from conducting an investigation right now. Will you do it?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: I won't have the member of the opposite party running down the hard-working people of our public service and the crown attorney's office. It's just wrong.

A number of times this member has asked questions purportedly on the basis of what he says are facts, but it turns out that he is dealing with, at best, a tight glance at the facts.

Crowns prosecute cases very seriously. They do today and they did when the member was in government. They prosecute according to the law, as they do today, as they did when the member was in government. They prosecute to the limits of the law.

What we've announced with the exit point task force are ways to make sure that we can heighten that attention in every way that the law allows.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: It's clear and regrettable: The Attorney General clearly hasn't read those transcripts. It's disappointing that he's not prepared to give Susan and Saramma's family some answers when it's the very least he could do.

In the O'Brien case, the bail hearing took place several months after his arrest, giving the crown more than ample time to gather all the necessary information on the accused to present for the judge's consideration. We believe that didn't happen in this case, and if you read the transcript, you may share that view. Attorney General, we'll provide you with the transcript so you can see it for yourself and see why we're so concerned about what happened in this court.

Will you commit to immediately looking into the crown's conduct in this case? Will you do that for the family?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: What I have committed to the family in that terrible tragedy, and to the community and to all Ontarians, is that in every case where there are serious issues before the courts, we will make sure that the crowns, the police and the other justice partners have everything they need to bring to the attention of the judge or the justice of the peace so that wherever we are able, we stop the most dangerous from being released or we keep them in custody longer.

I would simply caution that the fleeting glance into cases, based on half information, doesn't assist the family, doesn't assist the community and doesn't assist the pursuit of justice in that or any other case.

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

The auto industry needs a short-term credit financing plan within days, not weeks. Without it the industry will sink, taking hundreds of thousands of jobs and communities like Windsor down with it. My question is this: When will the McGuinty government finally put forward a plan to deal with the auto industry's short-term cash and credit crunch?

Hon. George Smitherman: To the Minister of Economic Development.

Hon. Michael Bryant: As the mayor of Windsor knows better than anybody else, this is a North American industry. It's a North American industry under, obviously, a severe credit crunch, and it requires a North American solution. That means the two major providers of vehicles in North America, Canada and the United States, need to be collaborating together so that we don't have competing lenders. We cannot have lenders in Canada competing against lenders in the United States because there is in essence one borrower: the auto makers and the auto suppliers.

Yes, he's absolutely right that if we do not have a package in place, there are going to be severe consequences. But I've said before and I'll say again that that mayor can have full confidence that in fact the governments of the United States and Canada will have that in place for that industry.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Howard Hampton: The McGuinty government talks about competing lenders. The fact of the matter is, there aren't any lenders. That's why American legislators have been seized with this. That is why they've called for plans. That's why they've examined those plans. That's why they've put forward a strategy, and their strategy includes job and product guarantees. But, increasingly, people are wondering, where is the McGuinty government? Where is the Ontario government?

We've put forward a number of ideas that we think need to be part of this. The government keeps responding with strategies that you announced three or four years ago that haven't worked and don't answer the dire need for immediate credit assistance. Where is the McGuinty government's plan, other than referring to Washington and Ottawa?

Hon. Michael Bryant: The work that Ontario and Canada have been doing is work that has been going on—with respect to support for the auto industry, the member is absolutely right: The McGuinty government has been there for the auto industry for years and years and years. It is obviously partly as a result of that investment and the relationship with the CAW and with the companies themselves and, I should also add, with Detroit and Honda and with all the auto suppliers, that in fact we have been working with the industry—and every time we have been in discussions with American officials, we find that Canada is further along than the United States.

The simple fact is that you've got Congress putting a bill together that in essence is going to line up the mechanism by which the Detroit Three are going to be provided financing relief.

As the Prime Minister has said and the Premier has said, Canada will—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Howard Hampton: I want to quote Mayor Francis again.

"The combined loss, and impact on the community, will be staggering.

"At this stage, a refusal by the federal and provincial government to act immediately is nothing less than a decision to allow the death of a community."

That's what Mayor Francis says his community is looking at. Yet, when they ask this government what the plan is for immediate credit assistance—and we're not talking here about grants; we're not talking here about an investment strategy to kick in in two or three years; we're talking about immediate credit assistance, so that a plant is not closed within the next 30 days.

Again, I say, where is the McGuinty government's plan? Referring to Washington, referring to Ottawa, isn't doing it. The plant closures will happen here.

Hon. Michael Bryant: If in fact the mayor of Windsor had had the plan provided by the leader of the third party over the past six or seven years, all across Ontario we would not have seen the growth that we've seen, and we would have seen plant closures.

The fact is that this government has always been there for the auto industry. We've been there for the workers; we've been there for the management. We will be there to provide the emergency and urgent financial assistance. The mechanism in which it's provided is pretty important because it involves taxpayers' dollars.

The leader of the third party has spent most of his time in this House on the auto sector slagging it, slagging the CAW, and slagging every effort this government has made to provide assistance to the industry. So we don't need to take any advice from the leader of the third party.

The bottom line is, when it comes to auto—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

FOREST INDUSTRY

Mr. Howard Hampton: I'm sure all those laid-off auto workers are very aware of the ineffectiveness of the McGuinty government's strategy when it comes to the auto sector.

I want to ask the Acting Premier about the continuing crisis that is unfolding in the forest sector. We learned last night that AbitibiBowater is looking to sell its hydro dams in and near Kenora, in and near Fort Frances, and in and near Iroquois Falls. These hydro dams provide reasonably priced electricity to the pulp and paper mills that sustain literally over 2,000 jobs. The sale of these dams will mean higher hydro rates for those mills and will put more jobs in jeopardy. What is the McGuinty government prepared to do to avoid that?

Hon. George Smitherman: I thank the honourable member for his question. In the matters associated with the forest industry and the related matters of energy production that comes from facilities and the costs of industrial pricing, I can tell the honourable member that, working with the Minister of Natural Resources, the predisposition of our government will be to seek to lend support wherever it's possible to the companies and, by extension, to the people who depend upon them for economic opportunities.

The member brings to the floor of the Legislature an emerging issue. Perhaps we can all agree that it could be seen as an opportunity. In that spirit, I'll be working closely with the Minister of Natural Resources to see what's possible to sustain the efforts of that company, at economic development to sustain those communities and to make sure that people are employed. Energy pricing and related matters are certainly something that we'll work on as part of the mix at the suggestion of the honourable member.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Howard Hampton: About the only thing this government has done is drive the industrial hydro rate for these mills up to literally the highest in all of Canada. So a paper mill in Ontario is now paying an industrial hydro bill of about $2.4 million a month, while one in British Columbia is paying about $1.1 million a month, and a mill in Manitoba is paying about $970,000 a month. For example, Domtar in Dryden, which just shut down two paper machines, saw its hydro bill increase by 40% over the last four years. AbitibiBowater's energy bills have risen from $40 million to $90 million.

Here's the issue: These companies are being pressed in terms of credit. If they sell off their hydro assets, they may get some quick money, but it's going to make the jobs that are there less sustainable. What's the McGuinty government going to do—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. George Smitherman: Firstly, just like the earlier question, the honourable member transitions deftly to his position of the day, but it's important to remind him from his often-referenced and lowly read book, Public Power, "Industrial energy price subsidization can be attractive in theory, but tricky in practice...."

I thinks it is far better to work with industry to lower its energy costs through greater efficiency, not through a scheme of subsidized rates. The putative leader of the party, the member from Toronto—Danforth, is in fact on record as saying that he opposes any policy of industrial price subsidization. But we've taken advice from the honourable member in working directly through the Ministry of Natural Resources on efforts to stabilize prices in these sectors and, through prosperity investments, to work with those companies that transition to a lower energy price, at the very suggestion from page 251 of the honourable member's book.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Mr. Howard Hampton: And no one is talking about price subsidization here. What we're talking about is what every other province in Canada does, which is to sustain an industrial hydro rate which helps to maintain jobs. It is the McGuinty government that is out of step with literally every other province.

These mills, if they were located in Manitoba, in British Columbia, in Newfoundland and Labrador, in Quebec, in Saskatchewan or British Columbia, would all have much lower hydro rates. But the strategy that the McGuinty government has pushed them into, "Sell off your hydro assets which provide affordable electricity to the mills in order to obtain some short-term cash," means that the jobs that are in those mills now become less sustainable. Is this the McGuinty government's real policy? Force them to sell off the hydro assets to get some cash, making the jobs in the mills less sustainable? Is that your forest policy—I mean, your industrial—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. George Smitherman: The honourable member's suggestion that government policy has forced the forestry sector to the challenges that they're experiencing does not bear up to any scrutiny at all. The honourable member ran through a list of Canadian provinces that could have equally been the list of Canadian provinces that have seen shutdowns and job losses in their domestic forest industry. That's not of interest to the honourable member because that clouds his storyline for today.

Of the matter at hand, associated with the prospect of a transition from ownership of a hydroelectric property, I already said to the honourable member in our first answer, working with the Minister of Natural Resources, we'll do all that we can to sustain those companies, to sustain those factories, those plants, those mills and to sustain those jobs. This will be our focus going forward and we're very open to any input that the honourable member might have of a practical nature to see those transactions take place in a way that helps us sustain these jobs. On that point we agree with him—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, I'm very grateful for the support that you and all of the members of this House gave last week to my private member's resolution, which is resulting in the creation of a select committee to develop a provincial mental health strategy. But as you know, the Auditor General's report that was just released has revealed some glaring problems with our mental health system which are urgent in nature.

Minister, can you please tell us what's been done so far to constitute the committee and what the plan is going forward?

Hon. David Caplan: There are a number of things I'd like to mention to the member. We certainly do support, and thank her for bringing forward, the suggestion. I believe in the New Year the House leaders will get together to figure out the composition, the mandates and what the next steps for the committee will be. I quite eagerly anticipate being able to get the information and the direction that the committee is able to come up with. In the meantime, this month I will be meeting with the advisory panel of experts from across the province which I have put together. This will be another opportunity to develop a provincial mental health and addiction strategy.

I think it's also important to remember that the auditor, in his report, comments on a number of the very—truly, while there is much more work to do, there are many positive aspects. For example, funding has gone toward things like assertive community treatment teams, which are multidisciplinary teams that provide—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mrs. Christine Elliott: Thank you, Minister. I can only say that, because the need is urgent—and we do have members on this side of the House who are willing to sit during the winter session. Will you tell us whether you're prepared to commit to us getting started with this committee right away in the winter session? The need is truly urgent, as the auditor has rightly pointed out.

Hon. David Caplan: I think I answered that question in the first response. I'm happy to reiterate for the member that House leaders will be gathering together, as they do when we have select committees, to work out timetables, to work out composition of the committee, to work out new resources that would need to be in place to support the work of the committee. I'm quite eager to work with the member and with all members of this Legislature to improve the quality and the availability of mental health and addiction services to Ontario's most vulnerable.

I truly believe that it is a measure of our collective humanity, the way that we treat those who are the most vulnerable, and that includes the mentally ill and those who suffer from mental health and addictions issues. I am quite proud of the work we have done so far, which has seen a $200-million increase to mental health and addictions funding in the province of Ontario. I do acknowledge that there is—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

FOREST INDUSTRY

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, in follow-up to the question from my leader in regard to Abitibi. Minister, we told you, the municipality told you, the union told you, the economic development people told you two years ago that if you allowed Abitibi to sever these dams off, eventually they'd fire-sale the dams for cash flow and it would put these mills at risk because the cost of operations would go up at least $100 to $120 per tonne. These communities are more than willing to buy these dams. If Abitibi is going to sell them, the communities are more than willing to buy them.

My question to you is simply this: Are you prepared to sit down with those communities and assist with the financing to purchase those dams so that they can keep them in their possession in order to sell electricity at cost to those mills and maintain those jobs?

Hon. Michael Gravelle: To the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Hon. George Smitherman: Yes, at the heart of it, we are, as I said earlier in my answer, prepared to work with all of those who have a stake in the ambition of helping to preserve jobs. If this is one piece of those mechanisms that is necessary, then I can tell the honourable member that we'd be very happy to sit down and have a meeting. The honourable member makes a very specific policy suggestion which gets well ahead of the situation into issues of ownership.

But at the heart of the matter, yes, we recognize it will be necessary, through our various ministries and local honourable members, to work to bring people together and seek the resolution which we all share a desire to, which is to sustain jobs in local communities. I'd be very happy to work with the honourable member.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: We've heard this song before. Here's the problem. Two years ago, when we had the same situation, the then Minister of Natural Resources, Mr. Ramsay, said "Don't worry; everything will be fine.

This will never happen." The community and everybody rang the bell two years ago, and I'm putting the question to you straight, Minister: If Abitibi is going to go down this road, if they're going to fire-sale their mills—and we know why; they're having difficulty—are you going to guarantee that your government is going to stand up and say, "Yes, we will help to finance the purchase of those dams on the part of the municipalities so they can safeguard the jobs for the people of Kenora, Fort Frances and Iroquois Falls"?

Hon. George Smitherman: The honourable member knows that the question has been answered. The honourable member has already decided on what the mechanism is.

At the heart of the matter is the desire to make sure that the advantage of this energy source can be brought to bear in the context of these plants. That is the goal. The matter of who will own them is a matter that can be addressed in the context of an accurate discussion. The honourable member will have the benefit of giving us his advice and presenting to us local communities and their views on this. I think the honourable member and I have a history of a capacity to work together on that with my other government colleagues.

We will do our utmost to seek all possible solutions to preserve the jobs in those communities, which we understand to be job one in this circumstance.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

Ms. Helena Jaczek: My question is for the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Minister, in this time of economic slowdown, it is crucial that we continue to invest in the programs and services that will help laid-off workers get the help they need to get back on their feet. We have heard a lot recently about training programs available through your ministry that provide financial assistance to those who wish to go back to school to upgrade their skills. I am aware that your ministry responds to layoffs immediately and in some cases provides support for services targeted directly to those who find themselves in this unfortunate situation.

You have spoken several times about Employment Ontario and how these programs are available to people who need assistance with finding a job. But, Minister, it is not always the case that people need to find an existing job. History has shown that Ontarians are very enterprising and full of great ideas that create marketable products and viable companies. Can you tell me what you are doing to help those who find themselves without a job but with a great business idea?

Hon. John Milloy: I want to thank the member for the question and for her advocacy on behalf of her community.

Through Employment Ontario, recently laid-off workers have access to a program, the Ontario self-employment benefit. Through this program, individuals are provided financial assistance and business planning advice to help them start their own business. The program has been a great success. I'd like to give one example to the House: In Ottawa, a gentleman by the name of Marc Appleby received a living allowance through this program over the course of 52 weeks while he developed his business plan and then implemented it.

Through the National Capital Region YMCA-YWCA in Ottawa, Marc participated in workshops, one-on-one business consultation, business planning and networking. Marc went on to be a guest on the popular CBC show Dragons' Den and was offered an impressive $500,000 for his product idea. His product, known as EcoTraction, is the world's safest and most effective—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Helena Jaczek: That's excellent news, Minister.

In these challenging times, communities are having difficulties adapting to changes. It is crucial for everyone in the community to work together to develop solutions on how to move forward. Local economic development officers are working hard with businesses and community organizations to ensure that jobs remain and people have the help that they need, but they cannot do it alone. At a time when our economy is changing and labour market demands are evolving, we need to be supporting communities in order to adjust. Human resource planning is essential at a time like this, and I'm glad to see that our government is helping some communities meet those needs.

In my area, newcomers make up a significant portion of the labour market. I was pleased to hear that COSTI Immigrant Services was provided $149,000 to manage the open doors project that will help newcomers adjust and assist employers in fulfilling their hiring needs. Minister, could you please tell this House more about—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. John Milloy: I'm pleased to provide more details on this program. In partnership with several community organizations across York region, COSTI will manage a project that will develop an in-depth analysis of adjustment supports in York region and Bradford West Gwillimbury to help newcomers to Canada. The analysis will identify barriers to employment services that will assist newcomers find work and help employers realize their hiring needs.

The grant was provided through Employment Ontario's labour market partnership program. Labour market partnerships, or LMPs, support partnerships among employers, employer-employee associations and community organizations. The program is intended to help partners address identified labour market issues, develop and implement strategies to improve their ability to plan for their human resource needs and implement labour force adjustment measures to deal with changes in the labour market.

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

Mr. Tim Hudak: I have a question to the Minister of Health. Minister, I want to update you on the tragic story of Andrew Lanese, an 11-year-old boy in Fonthill who suffers from Hunter syndrome, and I do appreciate your personal attention to this matter in the past. His family has privately paid for Elaprase treatment since August, at the cost of $6,000 per week. Minister, the results since August are remarkable: For the first time since he was stricken with Hunter syndrome, Andrew can hold a toy in his hands.

He can now walk unassisted about 80 feet away from his wheelchair without taking a break, where he could barely manage 20 feet before. When their funds run out in a few weeks, the remarkable progress Andrew has made over the past five months will be lost. Minister, will you fund Elaprase treatment for Andrew Lanese?

Hon. David Caplan: First of all, I want to thank the member for the question. He has advocated with me before on behalf of Andrew and his family. I know we are working to resolve Andrew's situation, so I certainly do want to acknowledge that. I also want to say, if I could, through you, Speaker, directly to Andrew and his family—I certainly do understand the circumstances and the difficulty that this does have for families, and I want to take this opportunity to express my very deepest sympathies and thoughts with them.

I'd like to share with you that all of our drug funding decisions must be made through an informed decision-making based on the analysis of scientific evidence and cost-effectiveness. Recently, the ministry has publicly communicated that we are working on a new approach for drugs for rare diseases and we do intend to share it. In fact, Canada is one of the few countries in the world which does not have such a program on—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: I appreciate the minister's response and the tone of it. I think as the minister knows, the Ministry of Health is currently funding treatment for two Ontario residents afflicted with Hunter syndrome, yet Andrew was recently denied again. The only difference between those who are funded and young Andrew is that he has, sadly, suffered neurological trauma. In short, he has brain damage.

But it doesn't make him any less human. His suffering is no less painful or tragic; in fact, more so. If you witness the progress Andrew has made, you could not deny that he is making significant progress from this treatment. His parents are seeing laughing and giggling again for the first time in years. Minister, you can't draw the line at Andrew Lanese. Will you make every effort to ensure he gets that funding?

Hon. David Caplan: While I do acknowledge that not every case will be funded, there will be instances when, after reviewing the relevant documentation, the executive officer and the committee which has been struck will have to, regrettably, deny funding.

However, funding for rare diseases must continue to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We must ensure that patients will be likely to benefit from a slowing in the progression of the disease, if not a reversal of the disease. That's why we have taken the steps to institute this kind of review and this kind of process, so that individual Ontario patients and the individual circumstances they face can be reviewed by the executive officer and by experts. I have, as I said earlier, worked with the member and will continue to work to see what can be done. I cannot give the undertaking that it will be funded, but the process that it was reviewed—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée. Sudbury Regional Hospital is in crisis due to its high number of alternate level-of-care clients. St. Joseph's Health Centre in Sudbury has asked the minister for an advance of $4 million in capital funding so it can begin construction of their 128 long-term-care-bed home in Chelmsford, which would ease the ALC crisis. Will the minister commit to providing this funding today?

Hon. David Caplan: I just want to note that I am encouraged that the hospital is working collaboratively with the LHIN and the neighbouring hospitals in the region. The LHIN will continue to support the efforts to reduce the ALC pressure. I have been to Sudbury and I do acknowledge that this is a real challenge in Sudbury and the northeast, but we must manage our funds responsibly for the short- and for the long-term benefit.

In direct answer to the member, no, I will not commit and I will not be funding Sudbury and providing them a separate capital advance. We will continue to work with St. Joe's to deliver on the commitment toward expanded long-term-care beds. I know that we have spoken about this privately, but I do say publicly the same answer that I provided for you, that we will not be looking to a different kind of capital model. We will be looking to support them in the same way we do all long-term-care homes across the province of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: Sudbury is experiencing a hospital crisis like no other in Ontario. Two weeks ago, more than 250 physicians at Sudbury Regional spoke out in anger and frustration about this ALC crisis which has forced the cancellations of hundreds of surgeries, jammed up our emergency rooms, and compromised the daily operation of Sudbury Regional Hospital. Everyone—residents, physicians, the mayor and even, I hope, the MPP from Sudbury—wants St. Joseph's Health Centre to move forward with the long-term-care homes which will help ease the ALC crisis in Sudbury hospitals. I ask again: Why won't the ministry agree to a funding advance?

Hon. David Caplan: We are committed to moving ahead with the construction of more long-term-care capacity in Sudbury and Chelmsford, as the member is well aware. But the member would be aware that, in fact, just yesterday, the former mayor of Sudbury, Jim Gordon, who was tasked by Mayor Rodriguez to provide some insight and strategy for Sudbury, said, "I want to praise the provincial government as a willing partner in finding solutions. The province has not turned their backs on us, I can tell you that. While the province will be called upon to do more, local officials will work to develop innovative proposals that are efficient and cost-effective."

It is by this working together, this coming together of the local hospital, the LHIN, long-term-care providers, the local members and many, many others that we are going to break the back of ALC in Sudbury. I would welcome the member—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

FOOD SAFETY

Mr. Khalil Ramal: My question is for the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Minister, you know that food safety is important for all of us. Also, it's a top priority for our government. Last week, the Auditor General released his report and commends the government for taking very important steps toward making sure the food we eat on a daily basis is safe, and also by establishing many different measurements in order to make sure all the milk, especially goat's milk, we drink on a daily basis—or some people do—is safe.

As you know, in his report in 2001, he raised a couple of recommendations toward this issue. Regardless of our progress, the Auditor General raised a couple of issues about food safety. Can you tell us what you are doing in order to make sure the food we eat on a daily basis is safe?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: The honourable member has raised a very important question, and I do want to say that our government appreciates the report from the Provincial Auditor. We do appreciate that it has been recognized that Ontario has one of the strongest food safety systems in Canada. It has been the McGuinty government that commissioned the Haines Report. As a result of that, we have committed to implementing those recommendations. As of now, fully 80% of those recommendations with respect to food safety in the province have been implemented.

That is why our government has doubled the food safety budget at OMAFRA from $27 million in 2005-06 to $46 million in 2008-09—almost double. We've increased the number of meat inspectors. When we came to government there were 10 meat inspectors in the province of Ontario.

Hon. James J. Bradley: Is that all?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: Only 10. We now have 170 meat inspectors in the province of Ontario—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Khalil Ramal: Thank you, Minister, for this information. I think it's very important to all people across the province to know that our government is taking very important steps to make sure that the food we eat on a daily basis is safe. But as you know, Minister, we cannot control the whole spectrum of food safety. The federal government also plays a pivotal role. Can you tell us what you are doing in conjunction with the federal government to make sure the food that comes to this province is safe?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: We work very closely with the federal government on food safety initiatives. It is a shared jurisdiction, so there are some processing plants that are the federal government's responsibility and some that are the provincial government's responsibility.

I would like to say that the auditor did note that we've already made some of our systems even more safe. The audit was done in the spring; we have, over the course of the summer and fall months, been acting. We have implemented microbial testing on ready-to-eat meats; that will be fully implemented in January 2009. We continue to work with food processors to enable them to be HACCP-qualified; that is, the hazard analysis critical control points program. This is a quality control program. We continue to work with industry to put in place a traceability system, and we will continue to pay $200 of the $300 registration fee for mandatory food—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

ONTARIO DRUG BENEFIT PROGRAM

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: My question is for the Minister of Health. Minister, earlier this week, I brought to your attention an urgent plea from Greg Troy for the drug Myozyme to treat Pompe disease. Helen Stevenson, the executive officer, stated that she could see it approved in late March. To that, Mr. Troy's wife, Ana, says that she worries the approval won't come in time for her husband because they've seen his condition deteriorating daily. We have to move pretty soon or it will be too late.

I'm asking you today, Minister, would you consider, on a compassionate basis, providing funding for this drug for Mr. Troy?

Hon. David Caplan: Of course, I have nothing but compassion for Mr. Troy and for all Ontarians who suffer from rare diseases, where the normal clinical trials and approvals would never result in approval of these therapies; the numbers simply do not allow it. That's why Ontario has moved to implement a process and an arrangement based upon medical expertise and the advice of clinicians, practitioners and others to be a part of that decision-making process.

The member would know that we have approximately 200,000 of these types of requests per year. We are developing a fair and reasonable way to be able to address them, and we are moving as quickly as we possibly can. The member knows that this—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: To the minister: The minister knows full well the drug was approved by Health Canada in 2006. There are at least 30 other countries in the world that fund it, as does, now, Alberta. Also, Ian MacPherson, an adult from Hamilton who has received the drug now for three years, has demonstrated that the progression of the disease can be halted. He is now able to get up, and it has improved his walking and breathing. Surely Greg Troy deserves the same improvement and shouldn't be struggling for each breath of air he takes each day.

Minister, I ask you, as we end this session, will you seriously consider responding to his request for this drug now?

Hon. David Caplan: I hope the member is fully aware, and I know she is, that Ontario really is at the forefront of moving as quickly as we possibly can to be able to determine—and it's done on a case-by-case basis—the efficacy and ability of these new therapies and treatments being available in the individual cases. Certainly I know that, as a former Minister of Health, she knows that we do rely upon the advice of medical experts and others to be able to provide that kind of advice and guidance.

I know that these are some of the most challenging cases, and it's one of the reasons why I have been, along with my colleagues from across the country, calling upon our national government. Canada is one of the very few countries in the world which do not have a national program for drugs for rare diseases.

This has been part of the work that I, along with colleagues from across the country, have been engaged in, but I would certainly welcome this member's efforts in being able to—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question.

UNIVERSITY LABOUR DISPUTES

Mr. Rosario Marchese: My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Today the teaching assistants, student instructors, lab demonstrators and monitors at the University of Toronto are prepared to strike. York University workers are already on strike, and other universities are set to follow. How many students will have to have their education disrupted before your ministry provides the funding required to adequately staff universities and fairly compensate those who teach them?

Hon. John Milloy: I appreciate the member's question. In terms of the situation at the University of Toronto, I understand that both sides are working very hard to reach an agreement, and certainly we encourage them to come to an agreement as quickly as possible and not in any way disrupt classes.

At the same time, at York University we continue to encourage both sides to come to the table and come up with an agreement that's in the best interests of the students as quickly as possible.

The member raises the issue of operating funding. I would like to put on the record that at the University of Toronto, operating funding has increased by $150 million since 2003. That's an almost 40% increase. At York, operating funding has increased by $100 million, or 52%, since 2003.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Rosario Marchese: The only thing your lists add up to, Minister, is number 10 in per capita post-secondary funding. For students and their parents, the numbers you read in the House only add up to rising tuition, classes of 800 and 900 students, tutorials of 70 to 100 students, subsistence wages and disruption of studies.

When will your ministry end the turmoil and provide the funding so that Ontario can be a leader in post-secondary education again?

Hon. John Milloy: I would hope that the honourable member would be urging both sides in all these issues to sit at the table and come up with an agreement that's in the best interests of all students. But how can he stand in this House and dismiss a $6.2-billion investment in terms of post-secondary education?

Operating funding for colleges and universities has increased by 58% since 2003. We have 100,000 additional students in colleges and universities. We've significantly increased per student funding. When the NDP were in power, they cut student aid by nearly 50%; they cut funding to PSE; they promised to eliminate tuition, and instead, they increased it by 50%.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr. Bob Delaney: My question is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Minister, in the three cities comprising Peel region in particular, and in the 905 belt in general, the need for social housing is higher than most anywhere in the province. Addressing the needs identified by housing providers in Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon would mean a greater life expectancy of affordable housing units, in addition to improving energy efficiency and the value of the property and community life.

Minister, in this year's budget, $100 million was dedicated to social housing repairs. I'd like to make sure that the cities of Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon receive their fair per capita share of social housing.

Hon. Jim Watson: Well, allow me to thank the member and all members from Peel region for their advocacy for affordable housing. I would also like to thank the regional chair from Peel, Emil Kolb.

Peel region received $5.5 million in affordable housing repair and retrofit money. The region of Peel has proposed to use its share to fund capital works projects at Fletcher's Creek Co-op in Mississauga, which the honourable member and I had the opportunity to visit, Northwood Park Co-op in Brampton and for other housing providers in Peel that have demonstrated need or have little or no capital reserve left.

Let me quote regional chair Emil Kolb when he said, "We are pleased that the province is committed to helping us improve our affordable housing situation in Peel region. The region looks forward to strengthening our partnerships with the federal and provincial governments to help families continue to live in a home they can enjoy."

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary? The member from Mississauga South.

Mr. Charles Sousa: Minister, I can tell you that $5.5 million is not enough to fix the backlog of repairs at Peel region. I've met with representatives from the region on a number of occasions, as well as constituents, who have experienced first-hand the shortage of affordable housing in Mississauga specifically. Peel is making their own investments, but they need more than just funding for housing repairs. Our community needs new units as well.

In light of our government's landmark commitment to reduce child poverty at 25% in five years, it is crucial that we get fundamentals like housing right. Our high-growth region has only 14,000 units of affordable housing, and as we continue to grow, the need for affordable housing increases. Peel region has one of the highest wait times for affordable housing in the province, and some of my constituents are on the waiting list. What will you, minister, do to work with the Peel region and build more affordable housing?

Hon. Jim Watson: I thank the honourable member. That kind of passion is important when it comes to dealing with affordable housing because it's such an important part of our society and our life as a civilized society. There is more that we have to do. That's why the affordable housing program, which was signed by my predecessor and the previous federal government, contributed $47 million for 1,401 units in Peel region.

I'd also like to congratulate Peel region because, when the Minister of Finance brought forward the Investing in Ontario Act, it provided $1.1 billion in infrastructure money to municipalities. Peel region, I'm very pleased to report, is using the major part of its $67 million from the act for affordable housing. They will build 400 units of affordable housing; $60 million will go to 200 family units in Brampton and 200 units in Mississauga. We know that investing in infrastructure is investing in jobs.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Minister, our caucus is becoming very concerned over your handling of the nuclear procurement issue. You don't seem to understand the importance of it.

December 31 this year was supposed to be the deadline for submissions. You delayed that. You've delayed the final decision at a cost of hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars. The number of bidders changes depending on whom you are talking to or the day of the week. Ontario is a leader in the nuclear industry, and the nuclear industry provides thousands of jobs. Minister, will you ensure this House that you will put a stop to last-second changes, back-of-the-napkin plans, and get on with the nuclear decision that is right for—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Minister?

Hon. George Smitherman: This is the same honourable member who in a question not five weeks ago stood up and said, "Is it appropriate, in the challenging times of global economic crisis, that you should continue on matters of procurement for capital efforts which are substantially smaller than the procurement of two new nuclear reactors?" We're committed to these reactors. We said that by the end of the spring we will have determined who the proponent is to build those two nuclear reactors at Darlington that will be operated by Ontario Power Generation. Any lack of clarity on these points is being driven by the honourable member's own inability to keep up with the play.

Mr. John Yakabuski: That question was on an RFP for renewable energy, and you said there would be no delay. Minister, Ontario lost 66,000 jobs last month, many of those in the manufacturing industry, which are good, high-paying jobs. Considering that your government is considering billions of dollars of aid to preserve Ontario jobs in the auto sector, do you even realize how many jobs are dependent on the nuclear sector in this province? The nuclear sector, and AECL in particular, employs thousands and thousands of people in this province.

I'm going to ask the minister: Have you even thought to consider, or do you even know, how many jobs are at risk or will be lost if AECL is not successful in the bidding process for these new reactors?

We want a good bid from them. We've made sure that in the time of a new government coming to life, they have the appropriate opportunity to make a decision and to lend support to the company that they own 100%. In the tender documents themselves, we have given ample opportunity for a domestic company to make the point about the very economic foundations the honourable member references.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): New question. The member from Toronto—Danforth.

Interjections.

ENDANGERED SPECIES

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It's nice to be popular. What can I say?

To the Minister of Natural Resources: As she may well be aware—

Interjections.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Calm your disappointment, colleagues.

Minister, as you may know, Canada has put the snapping turtle on its list of species at risk. You're considering a regulation to allow hunting of the snapping turtle in Ontario's newest park, Kawartha Highlands. Why are you doing that?

Hon. Donna H. Cansfield: I thank the member for the question.

As the member knows, when a species is identified at the federal level, it actually goes through our committee, which is called COSSARO. COSSARO identifies whether or not that species is in Ontario, and then we put that species on the same list of species at risk, and then that species is removed from any opportunity for hunting and is in fact protected. That will automatically happen.

As a matter of fact, COSSARO has met. There are a number of new species, unfortunately, that are on the list, but we will be protecting all of them. The member needn't worry.

REPORT, INTEGRITY COMMISSIONER

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I beg to inform the House that I have laid upon the table a report of the Integrity Commissioner responding to the request by the member for Guelph for the Integrity Commissioner's opinion on whether the member for Halton had breached the Members' Integrity Act and parliamentary convention.

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I also want to take this opportunity to thank our tremendous group of pages and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Oh, I hear somebody from the government side asking to come back next week.

SEASON'S GREETINGS

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I just want to take this opportunity as well, on behalf of the table and all the staff at the Legislative Assembly, to wish all the members all the best. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, happy holidays. I truly just want to say thank you to all of you for the co-operation that you've provided over the past year. There have been a few instances, but for the most part—if every session could be like today, we could make a lot of good things happen. All the best to everyone over the holidays.

This House stands recessed until 1 this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1138 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Tony Ruprecht: I'm delighted to introduce to the members Mr. William Wen, whose father owned the largest restaurant ever in Toronto, the Sai Woo. His father also received the Order of Canada and he has raised millions of dollars for charity.

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: I'd like to introduce to the House my co-op student, Tahiya Bakht. She's here with us today.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

ISRAELI APARTHEID WEEK

Mr. Peter Shurman: In this, my last statement before we break for the holidays, I want to address all the members of this Legislature and ask that they join me in condemning Israeli Apartheid Week, which will be held for the fifth consecutive year, this time at the beginning of March, perhaps before we return to deliberations.

As Canadians, we have a proud history of advocating for an end to apartheid in South Africa, and we fully condemn the human rights violations committed by that regime.

To describe Israel—a democratic state that, like Canada, respects the rule of law—as such a regime is not only unsubstantiated but is also a minimization of the struggles of those who suffered under true apartheid rule. There is indeed room for discussion on Israeli policies, but to equate this democratic country with an apartheid state reflects a lack of understanding of the true meaning of that word. The term "apartheid" belongs in the same category as such terrifying words as "genocide." Neither should be used carelessly; otherwise, they will become meaningless and their true victims will be forgotten.

Debate on Israeli policies should be encouraged, but it should also be based on fact and forgo the use of terminology that serves only to demonize an opposing point of view and confuse history.

On behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus, I deplore any equation of Israel with an apartheid regime and ask for all members of this Legislature to join us in condemning Israeli Apartheid Week.

WARDENS OF GLENGARRY, STORMONT AND DUNDAS /

PRÉFETS DE GLENGARRY,

STORMONT ET DUNDAS

Mr. Jean-Marc Lalonde: It is with appreciation and thanks that I rise to congratulate Estella Rose on her tenure as warden of the united counties of Glengarry, Stormont and Dundas. Last year, Mrs. Rose, a grandmother, a dairy farmer, and a no-nonsense politician, became the first female warden of the united counties in their 157-year history.

Mrs. Rose has had several firsts in her long political career. She served as the first female councillor in Mountain township, and later as its first female reeve. In 1957, Mrs. Rose was crowned Dundas county's very first Dairy Princess.

J'aimerais féliciter M me Rose pour tout son travail, son dévouement et son esprit d'avant-garde.

As Mrs. Rose moves on from her post, I am proud to announced that Chris McDonell has become the new warden of the united counties of Glengarry, Stormont and Dundas. Mr. McDonell was sworn in last Friday in Cornwall. He is following in the footsteps of his brother, Jim McDonell, who was the warden in 2005. The occasion marks the first time in the counties' history that brothers have held the office of warden.

Félicitations à M me Rose ainsi qu'à M. McDonell. Au nom des citoyens et citoyennes de Stormont, Dundas et Glengarry, je vous remercie.

ONTARIO DISABILITY

SUPPORT PROGRAM

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I would like to make all members aware of an important issue for Ontario disability support program recipients and their families when they have to travel to obtain health care services and for medical services and appointments.

The Ministry of Community and Social Services has set a rate of 18 cents a kilometre for individuals residing in a group home setting who need to attend medical appointments. This rate was set over 10 years ago and hasn't been touched since.

For ODSP recipients to receive the reimbursement for their mileage, they must first go through an application process which includes presenting the mileage form to a physician for completion—for which, of course, there usually is a fee charged.

Everyone knows what has happened to gasoline prices in the last 10 years, yet the ministry has not adjusted the mileage rate for ODSP recipients. Eighteen cents per kilometre is not enough to cover the cost of travel in 2008. This is a serious issue, as it can impair a person's ability to visit their doctor and receive their needed medical attention.

As public sector employees, government employees and MPPs are currently reimbursed at a rate of 44 cents per kilometre. Compare that to a rate of 18 cents for ODSP recipients and you can clearly see that the ministry is once again failing to meet the needs of disabled people in Ontario.

CHILD PROTECTION

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: On September 14, 1992, a little girl named Holly Jones was born. She wanted to become a famous singer, a world-renowned superstar. She wanted to travel the world and see everything, to climb mountains and explore. She was courageous, brave, confident and an adventurer. On May 12, 2003, she was abducted in plain daylight and she was viciously murdered.

Yesterday, her parents came to Queen's Park. They had one request: that they leave a tribute in Holly's memory so that other children don't experience abuse. In their honour and in Holly's honour, I tabled a motion—and I hope for all-party support on this—"That, in the opinion of this House, primary prevention programs such as the Boost Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention program be mandatory in all Ontario elementary schools as requested by" her family. It is now available in many schools, but it is not available in all schools and it is not mandatory for all children.

This is what her family has decided to do in honour and as a tribute to the memory of their little girl, to the memory of this wonderful child who was once part of my riding. I stand today in honour of Holly Jones.

PEOPLE OF THE WORLD

INSCRIBE THE BIBLE

Mr. Tony Ruprecht: On Tuesday, December 16, a special community project will be launched called People of the World Inscribe the Bible at Canada Christian College, overseen by Dr. Charles McVety. This Inscribe the Bible project is being sponsored by Christians United for Israel, B'nai Brith Canada, and overseen by the government of Israel's Consulate General in Toronto.

Bible lovers all over the world will be invited to make a personal contribution to a Bible manuscript in their own handwriting. The Shrine of the Bible will become a centre of biblical studies, as well as a hub for cultural and educational initiatives which seek to explore the relevance and impact of Bible values on historical and contemporary human affairs. The staff of this new centre will archive, manage and display the hundreds of manuscripts and Bible volumes written in many languages, illustrating the ubiquity of the Bible. The project encompasses both the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Bible, the beginning of morality and civilization for Judaism, Christianity and Islam, is the cultural and ethical gift of the Jewish people to the world. Millions around the world identify with the Bible and its reflection on the spiritual life. The faith, history and stories that took place in the Holy Land stir the imagination of hundreds of millions throughout the entire world.

We wish the three sponsoring organizations and their leaders, Dr. Charles McVety, Dr. Frank Dimant and Consul General Amir Gissin, Godspeed as they undertake this most significant project.

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I rise today to talk about the importance of carbon monoxide detectors. Later today I will be introducing a private member's bill that will make all Ontarians safer by requiring a functioning carbon monoxide detector in all homes.

Carbon monoxide is a lethal gas. It is odourless and colourless, making it undetectable without a carbon monoxide detector. The tragic loss of the Hawkins family by carbon monoxide poisoning has reminded Ontarians how vulnerable we are to this powerful gas.

Richard and Laurie Hawkins and their two children were killed by carbon monoxide due to a blocked ventilation pipe. The bill will be called the Hawkins Gignac Act in honour of this young family. Since the Hawkins family tragedy, two other families, one in Toronto and one in Guelph, have suffered the effects of carbon monoxide poisoning. Luckily in these cases, they survived.

According to the Canada Safety Council, carbon monoxide is the leading cause of fatal poisonings in North America. Carbon monoxide detectors are simple, inexpensive and the only way to protect people in the place where they should feel the safest—in their own homes. I've already received numerous letters of support for this bill, including one from the Owen Sound fire prevention inspector.

In a recent poll on a London radio station, 78% of respondents said that they would be in favour of making carbon monoxide detectors mandatory. I hope that this bill will prevent tragedies, but please, don't wait for it to become law; install a carbon monoxide detector in your home and make sure that you, your friends and your family are safe—and do it today.

GENERATION CHANGE

LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE

Mr. Mario Sergio: I am privileged today to have in the House Sergeant Steven Hicks from 31 Division in my riding of York West, accompanied by Sergeant Dan Ross. They are here with us today.

Sergeant Hicks is at the helm of the Generation Change leadership initiative. His team's tireless work with youth at risk helps change the image of Jane and Finch through positive student initiatives.

Youths' lives are being changed, directing many to attend colleges and universities, preparing through sports scholarships and Olympic teams in wrestling and soccer as well.

Youth and students are taught and encouraged to do voluntary work, to visit at Sick Kids hospital, and to hand out toys to unwed mothers with newborn babies. Some of these tough kids regularly visit the cancer ward and read books to children.

Thanks to Sergeant Hicks, teenaged girls, where once drugs and prostitution would be their only fate in life, have been saved from violence and living on the street.

Youth are becoming role models, picking up garbage, planting flowers and trees. Students from Emery Collegiate, C. W. Jefferys and Westview, motivated through the Generation Change leadership initiative, are inspiring other youth in spearheading toy drives, volunteering, and joining sporting events for special-needs kids.

I would like to thank and applaud Sergeant Hicks and team for all the efforts, positive change and successes in building a better community and promoting lasting positive relations.

I especially want to thank Sergeant Hicks for his perseverance, compassion, leadership and mostly for his fathering spirit, which is the key to what our youth are most hungering for and so desperately need.

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Mr. David Zimmer: Usually when we rise to give a member's statement, we do so to honour a constituent, an organization or a cause. Sometimes we recognize contributions of fellow citizens who are working hard to make Ontario a better place.

Today I am honoured to stand and recognize Bill 66,

An Act to proclaim Holocaust Memorial Day—Yom ha-Shoah in Ontario.

On this coming December 18, this landmark piece of legislation here in Ontario will see its 10th anniversary. The bill established Ontario as the very first jurisdiction in North America to have an official day on which to commemorate the Holocaust. The day takes place on Yom ha-Shoah, in accordance with the Jewish calendar.

I'm heartened at the spirit by which all Ontarians implemented Holocaust education programs to honour the survivors and to remember those who perished. The importance of these programs goes way beyond historical remembrance. These programs are committed to utilizing examples from the Holocaust to highlight the importance of combating intolerance, racism and, yes, anti-Semitism.

I'm looking forward to attending the fourth annual Dinner of Miracles this evening. This one-of-a-kind event, hosted by the Canadian Society for Yad Vashem and the Azrieli Foundation, brings together 300 Jewish and non-Jewish professionals, and other organizations, from across Ontario to commemorate this event.

On behalf of the close to 13,000 Holocaust survivors in Ontario, I am proud to acknowledge this historic piece of Ontario legislation.

HANUKKAH

Mr. Mike Colle: During this holiday season, in our very diverse province of Ontario, we celebrate a lot of incredibly important traditions. Certainly we all are aware of the Christmas tradition and the tradition of Eid, but there's also a very important tradition of celebrating and rededicating ourselves through the festival of Hanukkah.

Hanukkah's origins go back more than 2,000 years. In fact, it goes back to a time when the Jewish people were under the control of an empire based in Syria. They were ordered to worship Greek gods. Many Jewish people were put to death as a result of their beliefs.

Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish victory over the Hellenist Syrians in 165 BCE. With a small amount of oil, the menorah was miraculously lit for eight days in celebration.

Certainly, in my constituency of Eglinton—Lawrence and throughout all of Ontario—in fact, throughout all of the world—it is critically important for us at this time, given what has happened in Mumbai especially, to stop and reflect that we must respect all traditions. This tradition of Hanukkah is certainly one that I respect and will be celebrating with my friends the Waxbergs, who host a family get-together every Hanukkah. I will be there this year again in remembering this remarkable people and this remarkable period in history—Hanukkah.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

HAMILTON HEALTH SCIENCES

ELECTIONS ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 SUR LES ÉLECTIONS

AU SEIN DU HAMILTON

HEALTH SCIENCES

Ms. Horwath moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 142,

An Act to provide for the election of members of the board of trustees of Hamilton Health Sciences / Projet de loi 142, Loi prévoyant l'élection des membres du conseil d'administration du Hamilton Health Sciences.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member for a short statement.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This bill is simply a democratization of the governance of the health sciences centre in Hamilton. It provides that at least 15 of the trustees on the Hamilton Health Sciences board of trustees are to be elected to represent the 15 wards of the city of Hamilton.

HAWKINS GIGNAC ACT (CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS), 2008 /

LOI HAWKINS GIGNAC DE 2008 (DÉTECTEURS DE MONOXYDE

DE CARBONE)

Mr. Hardeman moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 143,

An Act to amend the Building Code Act, 1992 to require carbon monoxide detectors in all residential buildings / Projet de loi 143, Loi modifiant la Loi de 1992 sur le code du bâtiment pour exiger l'installation de détecteurs de monoxyde de carbone dans tous les bâtiments servant à l'habitation.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member for a short statement.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Recently, the tragic death of a young family in Oxford from carbon monoxide poisoning has reminded us all of the importance of having functioning carbon monoxide detectors in our homes. This legislation that I'm introducing will protect the lives of Ontarians by requiring that carbon monoxide detectors be installed in all existing homes as well as being hard-wired in new homes.

The

short title of the bill is the Hawkins Gignac Act in honour of the family that was lost. Thank you very much for allowing me this opportunity.

PROVINCIAL ADVOCATE

FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH AMENDMENT ACT, 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR L'INTERVENANT PROVINCIAL

EN FAVEUR DES ENFANTS

ET DES JEUNES

Ms. Horwath moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 144,

An Act to amend the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007 / Projet de loi 144, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2007 sur l'intervenant provincial en faveur des enfants et des jeunes.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member for a short statement.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: This bill comes in reaction to the troubles that the provincial advocate has had getting documents and information from the government. The Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, is amended to give the advocate power to require a person to provide any information, document or thing that the advocate considers necessary or advisable in exercising his or her duties.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

SCHOOL SAFETY /

LA SÉCURITÉ DANS LES ÉCOLES

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I rise in the House today to restate our government's commitment to making schools safer.

Ce matin, j'ai reçu le rapport final de l'équipe d'action pour la sécurité dans les écoles. In February, I asked this team of experts to work together again to examine gender-based violence, homophobia, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour between students in schools. They also looked at reporting requirements and the barriers to reporting these issues, and they participated in a review of local police and school board protocols. The report summarizes their findings, following months of research and consultations and 78 recommendations.

Even one incident of homophobia or sexual assault in our schools is too many. It's very disheartening to hear of these. Our schools should be places where everyone—staff, students, parents and the community—feels welcome, safe and respected. We know that bullying and harassment can affect students' health, mental well-being and their success at school. Le rapport traite de sujets très sérieux. Nous avons la charge collective d'intervenir, and we will take action.

We will act on the recommendations in the report to help address these issues and make our schools even safer. We will introduce legislation that would, if passed, improve requirements for school staff to report serious incidents at school, including sexual assault, to the principal.

The report also recommends other areas for action that will guide us, including: working with education partners to revise the curriculum to ensure gender-based violence, homophobia, sexual harassment and inappropriate sexual behaviour are discussed in the classroom; the development of a manual to help staff respond to incidents of sexual assault; and the expansion of the school climate surveys to help schools assess perceptions of safety.

We take these findings very seriously. The report's recommendations will help guide our further actions to help make our schools even safer and help put a stop to this type of behaviour in schools.

J'aimerais remercier les membres de l'équipe d'action pour la sécurité dans les écoles pour leur travail assidu et leur engagement continu envers l'amélioration de la sécurité dans nos écoles. My colleagues Liz Sandals, who chaired the team, and Leeanna Pendergast worked closely with fellow team members—

Applause.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Yes, yes that's right; wonderful parliamentary assistants, both.

Stu Auty was also on the team, Dr. Inez Elliston, Ray Hughes, Dr. Debra Pepler and Lynn Ziraldo, all people with great experience and knowledge. The team's previous reports have been evidence of their diligence and dedication, and this report is no exception. I'm confident that by building on our safe school strategy and taking action on these recommendations, we can make schools even safer.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Mrs. Joyce Savoline: I really appreciate the opportunity to respond to the minister. I'm encouraged by the kind of work that the safe schools committee has done, and I want to thank the member from Guelph for the encouragement and inspiration that you've given to those folks.

Just as in any report, it's necessary to read the details. I'm encouraged by the things I heard at the press conference this morning, but I do want to take the time to read the details before I make any firm statements.

One thing I do know is that our environment has changed so much in the last 20 years, and it's regrettable that we even need a report like this. But we do, and I'm glad that it's finally here.

My one concern is, what happens to the kids who have already been victimized, who are perpetrators and who have not been helped? Is there an ability through this process to go back and look at those kids? Because they are there, and they were lost in the system until this report came forward. It's my hope that with the recommendations in this report, those kids will now be captured or those kinds of situations will now be captured and those kids will be helped.

Kids are so vulnerable. They are either afraid to speak up or they're protecting a buddy. That's just the nature of the world a child lives in. I would hope that we, as adults, can give them the kind of leadership to show them that it's okay to speak out about things that have very deep meaning to them, that are troubling them, that are making them afraid.

If they can't get a response that says, "It's okay, we understand, we're going to look into it and we will bring you help," then the message gets sent out to other children that there really is no point in talking about the things that trouble you, especially when it comes to bullying—and now, even sexual assault in public schools, never mind in high schools.

I hope that through the recommendations in the report, we can go a little bit further and look at the kids who have already reported incidents we have not taken up and not been able to help. I hope there is an opportunity for all parties to work together in progressing the goals in this report, because this report and the issue it discusses really cross all political boundaries. It has no boundaries; this is about all of our kids.

It is my hope that we can stay in touch, not only with schools and educators but also with parents. I think it's one of those issues we really need to work on together. Nobody has cornered the market on all the good ideas for something like this. So I'm just offering my willingness, from the Progressive Conservative Party, to work in co-operation to make sure we get this right, that we can protect as many kids as possible, right from the beginning, and that we can work together on something like this.

SCHOOL SAFETY

Mr. Rosario Marchese: New Democrats welcome this report as well and thank the group for putting this together.

This report obviously deals with verbal harassment against girls and sexual abuse against young women in our high schools, and with homophobic slurs as well. This is a serious subject, and yes, it's true that it's not easy to deal with.

They talked about some highlights of this report, and I have to admit that, yes, you need curriculum changes. But there was no talk about timelines. No one on the committee, nor the minister, talked about how long these curriculum changes will take. They do take time. I personally would like to have a sense of what that might be. Is it one year, two years, three years or four?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It's under review now.

Mr. Rosario Marchese: Okay, it's under review. It would have been nice to have timelines connected to this, because when we're talking about a subject as serious as this, we should have had that in advance rather than saying, "We're looking at it."

They also talked about working in partnership with agencies. The agencies I know, which must be the same agencies my friends know as well, are overworked, understaffed and seriously underpaid—they've been underpaid for 15 long years—and many of these people are part-time doing full-time work. So good luck to you, Minister and parliamentary assistant, as you reach out to your partners in government agencies to help with this very serious subject.

The highlights also talked about doing more data collection. I have to admit that I get tired of more data collection. We have a sense of the seriousness of the problem; I'm not sure how much more data will reveal to us. But we are going to do more data collection. God bless. I'm not a big fan of that.

Yes, they talked about reporting and closing the gap in reporting—at least making things clear, and there will be legislation in terms of reporting mechanisms. Okay. But it doesn't inspire me, I have to admit, in terms of things that we could be doing rather quickly. For me, the thing we should be doing is hiring youth workers. The minister in the press conference talked about how difficult it was for her to talk to her young children, now adults, on certain matters, matters that—

Mrs. Liz Sandals: All of us.

Mr. Rosario Marchese: Of course. I was about to say, "It's not just you; it's many." So we have a difficult time. A lot of these young people are not going to talk to their teachers and they're not going to talk to their parents. Who are they going to talk to? They have spoken to the youth workers that the Toronto board used to have. These are the people that gays and lesbians used to go to on a regular basis. Young men and women in trouble would go to them because they were the figures who had their respect and with whom they could share their intimate problems. We should be hiring them immediately.

Social workers are people they would go to to speak to. They might argue, "Oh, we've hired some" or "lots"; I'm not sure. We need them back in the system.

I would say: Look, we keep going to the teacher to solve all of the problems we have with young kids. I don't know if you've noticed, but every time there's a problem we say, "The teacher should know this. It's common sense." The poor teacher has to be a policeman or -woman, has to be a psychologist, has to be a social worker, has to be a mother or father, a disciplinarian. Good God. We want teachers to do everything, every time there's a problem. They can't do it all. So I say, we need to go to the principal—and make sure that there's serious training for the principals.

Maybe it's in this report; I didn't read it yet because it was just given to us. But we need principals to be the principal teachers of this particular issue and make sure we work with the school as best we can.

Finally, I say to you, Minister: You've got a big job. It's a ministerial responsibility and a government responsibility to make sure that the ads get out there and the education gets out there in a public way. If this is a big, serious issue and we want parents and everyone to be involved, we need government education and government ads. You should be spending a couple of bucks to deal with this, and not hope that the teachers are going to do this on their own on a topic as serious as this.

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: I have a petition.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the current Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital is fully utilized; and

"Whereas Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital was sized to serve a town of Oakville population of 130,000, and the current population is now" over "170,000; and

"Whereas the population of Oakville continues to grow as mandated by 'Places to Grow,'

an act of the Ontario Legislature, and is projected to be 187,500" people "in 2012, the completion date for a new facility in the original time frame; and

"Whereas residents of the town of Oakville are entitled to the same quality of health care as all Ontarians; and

"Whereas hospital facilities in the surrounding area do not have capacity to absorb Oakville's overflow needs;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure take the necessary steps to ensure the new Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital be completed under its original timelines without further delay."

I agree with this petition, I sign my name and I pass it to my page, Amanda.

HOSPICES

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas hospices on church or hospital property do not pay taxes;

"Whereas hospices are not-for-profit organizations providing emotional, spiritual and bereavement support and respite care to terminally ill individuals and their family members;

"Whereas a residential hospice (usually an eight- to 10-bed home-like facility) provides around-the-clock care to terminally ill individuals and support to their families;

"Whereas hospice services are provided free of charge;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to allow hospices across the province to be exempt from municipal taxes."

I agree with this petition. I will send it with page Bradyn.

REGISTERED DISABILITY

SAVINGS PLANS

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the 2007 federal budget introduced the registered disability savings plan ... to enable parents and grandparents with a disabled child to save for their future; and

"Whereas, in order for RDSPs to work for families, the Ontario government needs to introduce changes to ensure families who put money away in an RDSP are not penalized by having the savings considered an asset when calculating other provincial assistance programs like the Ontario disability support plan ... ; and

"Whereas annual RDSP contributions will attract Canada Disability Savings Grants, depending on a family's income and amount contributed, to a maximum of $70,000;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately adopt Bill 94 and provide families with the tools to make necessary investments in their child's long-term financial security."

I obviously support this petition since it's my own and will be pleased to give it to my page from Dufferin—Caledon, Jacqueline.

UNIVERSITY LABOUR DISPUTE

Mr. Rosario Marchese: I have a petition from hundreds and hundreds of people. It's a very thick pile, as you can see.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas back-to-work legislation would interfere with the collective bargaining process at York University between the employer and CUPE 3903; and

"Whereas such legislation would set a precedent for future collective bargaining in the university sector at a precarious time; and

"Whereas universities are autonomous institutions within the provincial framework;

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

"Reject back-to-work legislation and do not interfere with the collective bargaining process or force York University CUPE members back to work."

I support this petition.

LUPUS

Mr. Kuldip Kular: This petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas systemic lupus erythematosus is under-recognized as a global health problem by the public, health professionals and governments, driving the need for greater awareness; and

"Whereas medical research on lupus and efforts to develop safer and more effective therapies for the disease are underfunded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and

"Whereas no new safe and effective drugs for lupus have been introduced in more than 40 years. Current drugs for lupus are very toxic and can cause other life-threatening health problems that can be worse than the primary disease;

"We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to assist financially with media campaigns to bring about knowledge of systemic lupus erythematosus and the signs and symptoms of this disease to all citizens of Ontario.

"We further petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to provide funding for research currently being undertaken in lupus clinics throughout Ontario."

I agree with the petitioners, so I put my signature on it as well.

AIR-RAIL LINK

Mrs. Joyce Savoline: First of all, I want to praise the work of some folks in the Weston Community Coalition, who have collected more than a thousand signatures for the following petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"The government of Ontario promised that alternative routes would be studied for the air-rail link. That same government has now proposed that no alternatives need be studied. If the responsible authority (GO Transit, Metrolinx or other) chooses Weston as the route;

"We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to ensure:

"That the air-rail link be public transit with fares in keeping with current public transit options;

"That the air-rail link be below grade throughout Weston, to avoid closing any streets, including John Street and Denison Avenue East;

"That the air-rail link include stops at appropriate places along the route, to serve the communities it passes, including Weston; and

"That the air-rail link be electric."

I support this petition and I give it to page Amanda.

AIR-RAIL LINK

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: I rise on behalf of the Weston Community Coalition, whose dedicated members have managed, in just a couple of weeks, to collect the support of more than a thousand local residents and Toronto city councillors, including my own, Gord Perks, for the following petition.

"The government of Ontario promised that alternative routes would be studied for the air-rail link. That same government has now proposed that no alternatives need be studied. If the responsible authority (GO Transit, Metrolinx or other) chooses Weston as the route;

"We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to ensure:

"That the air-rail link be public transit with fares in keeping with current public transit options;

"That the air-rail link be below grade throughout Weston, to avoid closing any streets, including John Street and Denison Avenue East;

"That the air-rail link include stops at appropriate places along the route, to serve the communities it passes, including Weston; and

"That the air-rail link be electric."

I agree with this petition, Mr. Speaker, and I'm going to give it to Bradyn to present to you. I'm going to also affix my signature.

LUPUS

Mr. Jeff Leal: Mr. Speaker, I would like to wish you a merry Christmas, and the Clerk and the table officers all the best of the season.

I have a petition today from the Lupus Foundation of Ontario.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas systemic lupus erythematosus is under-recognized as a global health problem by the public, health professionals and governments, driving the need for greater awareness; and

"Whereas medical research on lupus and efforts to develop safer and more effective therapies for the disease are underfunded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and

"Whereas no new safe and effective drugs for lupus have been introduced in more than 40 years. Current drugs for lupus are very toxic and can cause other life-threatening health problems that can be worse than the primary disease;

"We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to assist financially with media campaigns to bring about knowledge of systemic lupus erythematosus and the signs and symptoms of this disease to all citizens of Ontario.

"We further petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to provide funding for research currently being undertaken in lupus clinics throughout Ontario."

I agree with this petition, will affix my signature to it, and give it to page Sarah.

CHILD CARE

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I have a petition from the Balsam Hill-Horton North Women's Institute.

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services, Madeleine Meilleur, has decided that grandparents caring for their grandchildren no longer qualify for temporary care assistance; and

"Whereas the removal of the temporary care assistance could mean that children will be forced into foster care; and

"Whereas the temporary care assistance amounted to $231 per month, much less than a foster family would receive to look after the same children if they were forced into foster care;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately reverse the decision to remove temporary care assistance for grandparents looking after their grandchildren."

I support this petition and will give it to page Bradyn.

CHILD CUSTODY

Mr. Jim Brownell: I have a petition:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"We, the people of Ontario, deserve and have the right to request an amendment to the Children's Law Reform Act to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their parents and grandparents.

"Whereas subsection 20(2.1) requires parents and others with custody of children to refrain from unreasonably placing obstacles to personal relations between the children and their grandparents; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2) contains a list of matters that a court must consider when determining the best interests of a child. The bill amends that subsection to include a specific reference to the importance of maintaining emotional ties between children and grandparents; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2.1) requires a court that is considering custody of or access to a child to give effect to the principle that a child should have as much contact with each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the best interests of the child; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2.2) requires a court that is considering custody of a child to take into consideration each applicant's willingness to facilitate as much contact between the child and each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the best interests of the child;

"We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend the Children's Law Reform Act as above to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their parents and grandparents."

As I agree with this petition, I shall affix my signature and send it to the clerks' table.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly from the good people of Milton.

"Whereas Milton District Hospital was designed to serve a population of 30,000 and the town of Milton is now home to more than 69,000 people and is still growing rapidly; and

"Whereas the town of Milton is the fastest-growing town in Canada and was forced into that rate of growth by

an act of the Ontario Legislature called 'Places to Grow'; and

"Whereas the town of Milton is projected to have a population of 101,600 people in 2014, which is the earliest date an expansion could be completed; and

"Whereas the current Milton facility is too small to accommodate Milton's explosive growth and parts of the hospital prohibit the integration of new outpatient clinics and diagnostic technologies;

"Therefore,

be it resolved that the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure take the necessary steps to ensure timely approval and construction of the expansion to Milton District Hospital."

I'm pleased to put my signature on this petition and pass it to my page, Amanda.

TOM LONGBOAT

Mr. Mike Colle: I have a petition here to recognize June 4 as Tom Longboat Day in Ontario.

"Whereas Tom Longboat, a proud son of the Onondaga Nation, was one of the most internationally celebrated athletes in Canadian history;

"Whereas Tom Longboat was voted as the number one Canadian athlete of the 20th century by Maclean's magazine for his record-breaking marathon and long-distance triumphs against the world's best;

"Whereas Tom Longboat fought for his country in World War I and was wounded twice during his tour of duty;

"Whereas Tom Longboat is a proud symbol of the outstanding achievements and contributions of Canada's aboriginal people;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to recognize June 4 as Tom Longboat Day in Ontario."

I support this petition and I affix my name to it.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney: I have a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly. It is signed by people from all over Mississauga, Burlington, Oakville and Etobicoke. It reads as follows:

"Whereas wait times for access to surgical procedures in the western GTA area served by the Mississauga Halton LHIN are growing despite the vigorous capital project activity at the hospitals within the Mississauga Halton LHIN boundaries; and

"Whereas 'day surgery' procedures could be performed in an off-site facility, thus greatly increasing the ability of surgeons to perform more procedures, alleviating wait times for patients, and freeing up operating theatre space in hospitals for more complex procedures that may require post-operative intensive care unit support and a longer length of stay in hospital;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care allocate funds in its 2008-09 capital budget to begin planning and construction of an ambulatory surgery centre located in western Mississauga to serve the Mississauga-Halton area and enable greater access to 'day surgery' procedures that comprise about four fifths of all surgical procedures performed."

I'm pleased to sign and support this petition and to ask page Samiha to carry it for me.

BEER RETAILING AND DISTRIBUTION

"Whereas The Beer Store 'near monopoly' is controlled by 'for-profit, foreign-owned companies' and these companies are not accountable to the people of Ontario, and these companies do not act in the best interests of the people of Ontario;

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

"That legislation be introduced that will permit the retailing and distribution of beer through alternative and additional grocery and supermarket retail channels that will fairly compete with The Beer Store, thereby allowing an accessible, convenient, safe, well-regulated and environmentally responsible retailing environment for beer to become established in the province of Ontario."

I pass this to our page Amanda.

PRIVATE MEMBERS'

PUBLIC BUSINESS

LIQUOR LICENCE AMENDMENT ACT

(FRUIT WINE), 2008 /

LOI DE 2008 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES PERMIS D'ALCOOL

(VIN DE FRUITS)

Mr. Runciman moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 132,

An Act to amend the Liquor Licence Act / Projet de loi 132, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur les permis d'alcool.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Pursuant to standing order 98, the member has 12 minutes for his presentation.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: I appreciate this opportunity. This is an issue that affects a business in my riding, but it has broader implications across the province. Certainly when we're looking at the challenges facing the agricultural sector and facing our economy more generally, this is a relatively modest initiative but one that can have a positive impact on helping many in the farming community, and others as well in terms of farmers' markets. We've seen in some areas where farmers' markets have declined in terms of the number of individuals participating and their ability to attract not only local consumers but people from surrounding areas, and perhaps more importantly, tourists.

This is an initiative—and I've narrowed it down. I know there have been a variety of proposals over the years which are broader in scope in terms of dealing with cider and with Ontario VQA wines. I have tried to make this as attractive as possible in terms of hoping that I will gain support from all sides of the House. Certainly the early indications are that that will indeed be the case. I know the current Minister of Agriculture, Ms. Dombrowsky, on a number of occasions has indicated her personal support for this kind of initiative.

In my own riding of Leeds—Grenville, the fruit wine producer—and I have only one at this point in time—is Countryman's Estate Winery, which is near Maynard, just northeast of Brockville. It's operated by Gene and Marsha Countryman, salt-of-the earth people who are very enthused about this new business. They actually entered into the business only two years ago, in 2006, but it continues to be a struggle because of the limited retail opportunities available for the company and other limitations as well.

I want to be complimentary to the LCBO. They have, in my view, been very co-operative and very helpful. The Countryman's products are now in something like 20 LCBO outlets in eastern Ontario. So I think that they have been making the effort to assist and see this relatively new industry grow and prosper.

There are problems, obviously, in terms of the margins at the LCBO, the taxation rates and so on. My colleague Mr. Hillier will be speaking in more detail to that in a few moments. The margins and the volumes out of the LCBO outlets are modest, to say the least. I know that Countryman's sells more in a week out of their retail operation on-site than the LCBO would sell in a month. But, again, that's an issue of marketing, where perhaps the government could play an increased role. That's not an issue today, but that's an aspect in terms of making more and more people aware of the products and encouraging them to sample the product and give feedback to the producers.

My legislation is modelled on the Nova Scotia legislation, but in reality the sale of fruit wines is something that's occurring in a whole range of jurisdictions, not just Nova Scotia—New Brunswick, Quebec, New York state, Ohio, Iowa, New Jersey, just to name a few. I had a note here from New York state. They have an annual wine-tasting permit, and you can do tastings and sales at farmers' markets, as long as that farmers' market is a not-for-profit market. The producers register with the Department of Agriculture, and the permit is $61 a year. So that's just one ingredient, if you will.

I want to mention the supporters again—and I'll go over some of their notes here.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture just recently came out very strongly with giving their support for this initiative. Obviously, Farmers' Markets Ontario believes strongly in this as well.

The farmers' markets organization, in a letter dated October 7 of this year, indicated: "One of our FMO goals is to have fruit wines produced by small Ontario producers sold at farmers' markets. Our farmers need all the help we can provide."

In an earlier letter sent to Premier McGuinty from the same association, talking about the potential for farmers' markets, they stated: "We believe that Ontario's farmers' markets should act as business incubators and direct outlets for the best our communities have to offer—local farmers and producers bringing their fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, fish, dairy products, preserves, baked goods, etc.... We hope to see Ontario fruit wine producers selling their wine at Ontario farmers' markets."

From the government ranks, the member for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex, Mrs. Van Bommel, has been very strongly supportive of this initiative, and is on the record doing so. I want to quote Mrs. Van Bommel, because this is certainly a view that I support. She's talking about this proposal, saying, "The idea falls into line with OMAFRA's commitment to encourage rural economic development and promote innovative and unique branding and marketing opportunities for producers in the province." That's an excellent observation with respect to this initiative.

I have another letter here from Carl Kimmett, who's the president of the Central Ontario Viniculture Association. Mr. Kimmett is focusing primarily on the central Ontario area and talking about this being a showcase opportunity for farm producers: "Each local farmers' market provides a point of sale for economic return to the producer and in addition is a valued tourism showcase for the region. We know that all businesses benefit from the tourist dollars spent within each ... Ontario community."

In referencing the economic benefit, I wanted to comment on a study that was done by KPMHG recently—do I have that right?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: KPMG.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: Okay. Let's get it straight. KPMG—and took a look at the economic implications. I'll put some of this on the record as well:

"The return to the Ontario economy for one litre of wine from France, Italy, South Africa, Chile, Australia etc. is considered to be $0.67. The return to the Ontario economy for a litre of Ontario VQA wine is considered to be $11.50. That is over 17 times the return to the Ontario economy per litre. The return to the economy of fruit wines is even greater as the fruit is more expensive."

Obviously, there is a significant economic potential and positive economic spinoff for the province by allowing and encouraging greater sales of this product produced in the province of Ontario.

To get back to some of the other people who are on the record in support of this initiative—and I've quoted Ms. Van Bommel on the farmers' markets—we also have the member from Oakville, Mr. Flynn, who has written to the minister indicating his pursuit of this issue and his encouragement that this initiative go forward: "I feel that this is an issue that needs to be given proper attention and I support their initiative as this is important to our community." That's the member from Oakville.

Another organization, the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association, and Cathy Bartolic, who is the executive administrator—this is a letter to Minister Phillips indicating their support for the proposal put forward to allow the sale of wine at farmers' markets. That's the Ontario Farm Fresh Marketing Association.

The Ontario Berry Growers Association—another letter of support. They are indicating—this is signed by Lee Etherington, who's the president of that particular association—their strong support.

Mr. Jeff Leal: Great guy.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: Mr. Leal, the member from Peterborough, knows the gentleman, and perhaps he'll speak to that a little later on. He is strongly supporting "the initiative"—in his association—"to sell Ontario wines at farmers' markets.

"For those growers who have already invested in this value-added process, this is a great opportunity to enhance and improve this developing industry. Ontario berry growers are always looking at alternative ways of marketing locally produced fruit and this would help expand the fruit wine industry.

"This initiative will not only benefit those involved in the production of fruit and grape wines but will also enhance the farmers' markets where they are sold."

The final endorsement, if you will, that I'll put on the record is from the Minister of Agriculture herself. In a letter to Bert Andrews, who's from Andrews' Scenic Acres—

Interjection: He's here.

Mr. Robert W. Runciman: I gather he's here today in the gallery. Welcome, Mr. Andrews.

This is a letter to Mr. Andrews, of Andrews' Scenic Acres, indicating that the minister is very much supportive of the Fruit Wines of Ontario proposal. She says: "I will continue to voice my support for this idea with my cabinet colleagues and the potential it has to enhance business opportunities for small wineries, farmers' markets and rural companies."

I look forward to additional comments from other members.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Further debate?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: As the member from Leeds—Grenville said, his bill will allow manufacturers of fruit wine to sell fruit wine at farmers' markets. Frankly—and this is unusual for me—I applaud the member from Leeds—Grenville for his advocacy.

Mr. John Yakabuski: You always do.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: No, no. We disagree. But when he comes forward promoting Ontario products, reducing the amount of goods that are transported from outside the province, putting people to work—all the good things that I think need to be recognized—then I have to say, "Member from Leeds—Grenville, I'm glad you're advocating for Ontario's fruit wines."

As he has said, there are fruit wine growers across the province. In Winona, Puddicombe Estate Winery's peach fruit wine—those of you who have enjoyed it will know it is a good product; this is not a commercial plug—in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Southbrook winery's blueberry fruit wine, and Countryman's Estate strawberry icewine, which Mr. Runciman was talking about. There are very high-quality products being made in this province; no question about it. And the more that is made in this province and the less that is imported, the better for the environment and for our economy.

I mentioned products by name because sometimes when you talk about products in a very general, abstract way, you don't get a sense of the individual contribution to our economy as a whole. I agree with the member that we need to be encouraging not just Ontarians but anyone in North America who is interested, but certainly Ontarians, to buy VQA wines made with Ontario grapes or other fruits, especially as we get into the holiday season.

Having talked about the jobs, supporting communities and also this being a green choice, I have to also agree there is a concern that there should be a lot more exposure for Ontario wines and Ontario fruit wines in this province. The small wineries get on the LCBO shelves but often are not noticed in the way they should be. I was surprised by the quote from the member from Leeds—Grenville saying that Countryman's Estate Winery sold more out of its own operation than is sold out of LCBO outlets. In fact, our products should be featured and marketed prominently.

The LCBO is one of the largest single purchasers of wine, spirits and alcohol, and it's good at what it does. Frankly, it has become an awful lot more innovative in the last few years than it was in the past, and I think that people see it that way. When I talk to neighbours or friends, they see the LCBO as well run, providing a good service, a place they can depend on and, frankly, that is open extraordinarily long hours—very long hours.

When you look at customer satisfaction surveys, eight out of 10 customers support the LCBO and are satisfied with the service. Less than 1% say they're not satisfied with the LCBO.

Having given all the positives, I have to say what my concerns are.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Ooh.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Now, now, member not sitting in your chair, restrain yourself.

Laughter.

Mr. John Yakabuski: I wanted to see what Rosario's felt like.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Well, I'm glad you're venturing around the chamber, seeing what it's like from different vantages.

Interjection: It's not as good as over here.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It's not as good as over there? It's a good seat.

I am concerned about initiatives that take responsibilities away from the LCBO, and certainly concerned that what has been brought forward as a very positive initiative to promote the sale of Ontario fruit wines could also be seen as an opening to further privatize the sale of spirits, wine and liquor in this province, and I have great concern with that.

Mr. John Yakabuski: There's the bugaboo.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: That's what I have great concern with, because I think privatization is a problem in terms of the revenue that comes in to this government. Certainly everyone in this House is well aware of the constraints we face in terms of revenue.

I have tremendous confidence that the LCBO will consistently and responsibly enforce the laws around the sale of liquor to minors. I cast no aspersions on those who would sell at farmers' markets, but the bigger the private sector becomes, the more there's a chance you will have operators who will not be as responsible, who may be pressed financially, who may decide, "Well, what the heck.

I'll just sell to these people one time, even though they're clearly not of age." I'm concerned that even though there are good features in what is being brought forward by the member from Leeds—Grenville—certainly the promotion of Ontario agricultural products is a worthy objective—I'm very concerned about going down the road of privatization.

There are now 200 agency or private stores selling liquor in Ontario, and the number doubled from 86 to 199 between 1996 and 2006. Again, I think we have done well in this province with the crown agency, the LCBO. It has brought in revenue, it has functioned well and it's serving the public well. To move in this way undermines that agency, which I thin