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May 10, 2005

38th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-May-10 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Tuesday 10 May 2005 Mardi 10 mai 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CANADA-ONTARIO MUNICIPAL RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

WORLD LUPUS DAY

ROMANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

MEMBER FOR TORONTO-DANFORTH

HAMILTON REGIONAL HERITAGE FAIR

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

EVENTS IN HURON-BRUCE

FAMILY HEALTH NETWORKS

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

VISITOR

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON SOCIAL POLICY

MEMBERS' BIRTHDAYS

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

ENERGY CONSERVATION

MAY IS MUSEUM MONTH /

MAI, MOI DES MUSÉES

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

ENERGY CONSERVATION

MAY IS MUSEUM MONTH /

MAI, MOIS DES MUSÉES

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

ENERGY CONSERVATION

ORAL QUESTIONS

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

WATER QUALITY

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED

TRANSIT SERVICES

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF

RECENT IMMIGRANTS

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTES

DISCRIMINATION

VISITOR

PETITIONS

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

EDUCATION FUNDING

DISABILITY BENEFITS

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES

ONTARIO PHARMACISTS

HALTON RECYCLING PLANT

GO TRANSIT TUNNEL

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

ORDERS OF THE DAY

DISABILITIES ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'ACCESSIBILITÉ

POUR LES PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

DE L'ONTARIO

EDUCATION AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR L'ÉDUCATION

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CANADA-ONTARIO MUNICIPAL RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I would like to draw attention to the Canada-Ontario municipal rural infrastructure fund application made

by the town of Gravenhurst in my riding of Parry Sound-Muskoka. Gravenhurst applied for $1.8 million for a variety of road projects, including street widenings, building of hydro lines and the

construction of sidewalks. The Gravenhurst COMRIF application was turned down by this government. The town received no explanation from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Each and every municipal representative I've spoken with has had the same complaint. The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has provided absolutely no

information on why applications were denied. Instead, communities like Gravenhurst, Kearney, Elk Lake, Rainy River, Iroquois Falls, Smooth Rock Falls, Blind River and Thunder Bay all received a

Dear John letter. As Thunder Bay Mayor Lynn Peterson said, "I need to know what, if anything, we didn't do, as well as what we could have done in terms of the application form [and] in terms of

matching up to have a better chance next time."

It is unacceptable that the minister did not provide any rationale for denying COMRIF applications. Several of the communities I have mentioned face

environmental cautions and work orders; others cite health and safety reasons as the grounds for their applications.

I would like to ask the minister again, why won't your ministry provide any guidance or advice on how these communities can improve their applications for future

rounds of funding?

WORLD LUPUS DAY

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): Today is World Lupus Day. This is an important day for Lupus Canada as they try to educate us about this disease. Over

50,000 men, women and children in Canada are affected by this disease, but the primary target for this disease seems to be women of child-bearing age.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's healthy cells, causing tissue damage, organ failure and even, in the most

severe cases, death. It attacks the skin, the muscles, the blood vessels and vital organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys. A good friend of mine, Mr. Jack Szeman, continues to fight lupus today

in a brave, brave fight. It is a hard disease to diagnose, since symptoms vary and mimic other diseases, but there is good news: Early detection and treatment can help slow the debilitating effects

and minimize those symptoms.

I want to end by thanking a young 15-year-old in my riding for reminding me of the devastating effects of lupus. Let us use her own words: "I just wanted to let

you know that May 10th is World Lupus Day. Not many people know about lupus but it's something that people should know about because it is such a complex disease. And even though I'm only 15 and I

should not have this until I'm like 40, unfortunately I do. And so do other kids in the world. If you could help me make this day more aware to people" -- I would do so, and I can try to do my

best.

Maggie McNiven, thank you for the work that you're doing to raise our awareness of lupus. I would encourage all of us in this House to learn more by visiting the

Web site www.lupuscanada.org.

ROMANIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I am pleased to do a statement today concerning Romanian Independence Day.

Today, May 10, is the day that many Romanians celebrate as Romanian Independence Day. The kingdom of Romania was proclaimed on May 10, 1866, with Carol I as

its first king. The new Constitution was then proclaimed and Romania became a constitutional monarchy.

The Romanian people suffered greatly in the decades that followed, and were robbed of their independence many times. However, they never lost hope in a better

future. Their strong faith in themselves and in their country was, no doubt, inspired by the events of May 10, 1866.

I am proud to say that Romania's contemporary monarch, King Michael of Romania, is also a relative of Queen Elizabeth II and is even in line to our throne.

At noon today, I helped to raise the Romanian flag at the courtesy flagpole outside the Legislature for a brief period. The Romanian tricolour flag flies over

the Parliament of Ontario as a tribute to the bravery, the courage and the rich heritage of the Romanian nation, a heritage proudly borne by all Romanian Canadians. I am very pleased to say this

today and to contribute to Romanian Independence Day.

MEMBER FOR TORONTO-DANFORTH

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): I came to work today and on my desk was a press release from Marilyn Churley. Marilyn Churley, who we all

know in the Legislature as a fighter, as a feminist, as an environmentalist, has announced that she is going to be seeking the nomination for the federal riding of Beaches-East York.

I have to tell you I have very mixed feelings, because I remember how this woman fought so ferociously against the amalgamation of our municipality in this

Legislature. I remember when she fought to maintain our civic centre when some of those new amalgamated councillors wanted to sell it off and how she fought so much to make sure that democracy

returned to East York by having our third councillor actually pass in this Legislature.

We wish her well in Beaches-East York, as New Democrats, as people in the east end of the city of Toronto and in East York. We wish her well because we know that

she will make a real difference in Ottawa. She will fight for what the people of this city and this province and this country really and truly believe in. She will do it in her own beautiful and

wonderful style. We will miss her very much in this House, but her future is there and I know every member wishes her well.

HAMILTON REGIONAL HERITAGE FAIR

Ms. Jennifer F. Mossop (Stoney Creek): Just before I give my member's statement, I want to add my words of congratulations to a member who is a

very hard-working parliamentarian. I admire the work that she has done.

On Friday of last week, I took a bit of time out of my regular appointments to visit a school fair, the Hamilton Regional Heritage Fair, being held at the

Dofasco Recreation Centre in my riding. The fair featured the projects and displays of approximately 120 kids from grades 4 to 8. I was absolutely blown away by the creativity, the imagination and

the insight that was displayed in these projects.

The idea was to choose a subject that played an integral role in our Canadian history. The variety and subject matter was absolutely amazing: from Metis leader

Louis Riel to rock drummer Neil Peart; from the story of one young slave girl making her way through the Underground Railroad to Roberta Bondar's journey into outer space; from the fur trade to the

Canadarm; from maple syrup to Tim Hortons.

I learned a lot about our country that morning and I learned a lot about our young students. As Education Minister Gerard Kennedy says, those kids are a lot

smarter than we were -- and, I would say, at times are. They also deserve the best that we can give them through our public education and post-secondary education systems. Those are two top

priorities, I'm glad to say, of this government.

Just a quick plug for the 2005 Ontario Provincial Fairs Showcase: It's coming up May 20 in my riding of Stoney Creek at the Dofasco centre, and I highly

recommend a visit to get a good take on our past and our future all at once.

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leeds-Grenville): Yesterday we heard of yet another example of Dalton McGuinty's total mismanagement. The deal that Mr.

McGuinty got from Paul Martin on the weekend in reality does not even exist. The McGuinty Liberals simply make it up as they go along.

Mr. McGuinty shook hands with the Prime Minister on Saturday and raved about great progress, but when the smoke lifted and the deal was dissected, the devil was

in the details. No, wait -- there were no details. This deal was old news. Mr. McGuinty and the Ontario Liberals have hung their hats on a deal that was struck between Paul Martin and Jack Layton

weeks ago. In nine hours, Mr. McGuinty was able to sell Ontarians short, shake hands on an increasingly diminishing deal, and prop up his corrupt federal cousins.

This kind of behaviour reminds me of the old barn cat that brings a dead bird to your doorstep. The cat sits there and presents the bird as a present. The

problem is, no one wants it.

Dalton, no one is going to swallow your dead bird.

Only Dalton McGuinty and his back-of-a-napkin approach would allow a face-to-face meeting with a minority Prime Minister to be, effectively, wasted time, a

spin-doctoring effort devised to benefit two Liberals and their followers. The Premier just continues to say one thing on one day, only to see the real facts come out the next. Ontarians are

catching on.

EVENTS IN HURON-BRUCE

Mrs. Carol Mitchell (Huron-Bruce): I'm very pleased to rise today to speak about all of the wonderful things that are happening in the riding of

Huron-Bruce. As you know, I represent one of the most rural ridings in the province, and I'm very proud to talk about some of the recent announcements that we have made for the betterment of rural

Ontario.

Recently, Minister Smitherman announced the location of over 50 health teams. Both the Maitland Valley family health team and the Huron county family health team

received the good news that a family health team would be coming to their communities. After many months of hard work, their efforts to promote primary health care have paid off.

The provincial government, along with the federal government, recently announced much-anticipated funding from COMRIF. The town of Saugeen Shores, the

municipality of Kincardine, the town of Goderich and the township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh all received funding. These projects included upgrades to water systems and bridge repairs that are

essential to the health and safety of these communities. Repairing aging infrastructure in our small communities is critical to our success.

We also recently announced the new funding formula for the Ontario municipal partnership fund, which includes four components, one of them for northern and rural

communities in recognition of the unique challenges that we face.

I am proud to represent the riding of Huron-Bruce and a government that understands the needs of rural Ontario.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. May I ask members to keep their conversations lower. I can hardly hear the members making their

statements.

FAMILY HEALTH NETWORKS

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I'm pleased to be able to speak in this House today about the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care initiative

that I had the pleasure of announcing on behalf of this government and Minister George Smitherman on April 15 at Peterborough's beautiful Royal Gardens residence.

The Peterborough area has the privilege of being the benefactor of five -- that's five -- new family health teams, including the Greater Peterborough family

health team in Chemong; the Peterborough Medical Centre -- the Greater Peterborough Health Care Alliance; the Peterborough Clinic family health team -- the Greater Peterborough Health Care

Alliance; the Peterborough Palliative Plus family health team; and the VON Havelock-Belmont-Methuen family health team. These family health teams include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and

other health care professionals working together to provide comprehensive care day and night, seven days a week. This includes access by phone to a registered nurse.

Family health teams are exactly what our community needs and will ensure that more residents of the greater Peterborough area will receive the health care they

need closer to home.

Peterborough's five new family health teams are among the first batch of 52 family health teams and three community network teams approved by the government,

serving more than 1.1 million patients in 55 communities across Ontario. The family health team initiative is part of the McGuinty government's comprehensive plan to improve health care in Ontario.

It's a plan that includes reduced waiting times for key procedures, increasing the number of doctors and nurses, and investing heavily in community-based health care services.

I'm proud to say that I'm part of a government that is ambitious and proactive and that has the strong foresight to improve Ontario's health care.

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): Nine hours. That's all it took: nine hours. Premier Dalton McGuinty was able to do in nine hours what the

parties opposite could not do in 15 years of governing Ontario. In nine hours, our Premier and the Prime Minister were able to hammer out an agreement that will benefit Ontarians for years to

come.

Over the next five years, Ontario will get an additional $5.75 billion to ensure that Ontario can continue to grow stronger and thus contribute to a stronger

Canada -- not some Laytonesque two-year deal for all of Canada, but a deal for Ontario for five years.

This weekend's meeting saw agreements reached in two major areas of unfairness: immigration and training. We've been waiting for this day for a long time.

Ontarians have experienced unfairness in immigration funding since 1991. In the case of training dollars, the problem has existed since 1995.

We've accomplished what the two previous governments combined were not able to do in 15 long years. Under the leadership of our Premier, Ontarians are finally

starting to get their fair share.

But this is only the first step. There's much more to do. Going forward, we will work to address the outstanding gap in areas like health care and social

programs. Those are just two more areas where we continue to receive less funding than residents in other provinces receive.

Ontarians expect their representatives to fight for them, and that's exactly what we're doing. We're not going to whine and whimper like the member from

Kenora-Rainy River; we're not going to say "probably" and "perhaps" like the visiting member for Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey.

Our Premier is resolved and he gets results. That's what we have today in this province.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): We have with us in the Speaker's gallery Ms. Sandra Anguiano, a member of the State Congress of Colima,

Mexico. Please join me in warmly welcoming our guest here today.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE

ON SOCIAL POLICY

Mr. Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on social policy and move its adoption.

The Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Lisa Freedman): Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

Bill 144,

An Act to amend certain statutes relating to labour relations / Projet de loi 144, Loi modifiant des lois concernant les relations de travail.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed.

The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

MEMBERS' BIRTHDAYS

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): On a point of order, Speaker: I am absolutely sure that everybody in this House wants to sing Rosario

Marchese a happy birthday today.

Interjection: And Carol Mitchell.

Mr. Bisson: And Carol Mitchell. Isn't that interesting? Happy birthday, Rosie and Carol.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Happy birthday.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I'm pleased to rise in the House

today to inform members of the historic commitment we are making in partnership with the federal government to help Ontario children and families.

I was honoured to host Prime Minister Martin and Social Development Minister Ken Dryden on Friday at the St. Marguerite d'Youville Children's Centre in

Hamilton. Together, we signed an unprecedented agreement in principle for the early learning and care of Ontario's children, a commitment founded on the principles of quality, universal

coast to coast, and they are shared by child care workers and advocates, children's health professionals and parents.

In Ontario, these principles are the cornerstones of our Best Start plan. At its core, Best Start is a massive expansion of child care and early learning. That

means making more quality, regulated child care spaces available to more families and providing more subsidies so that more families can access those spaces. But it's much more than that. Best

Start also includes vital services that help children develop and arrive at school ready to learn: infant screening, hearing programs, speech and language therapy and many other services that

support early childhood development. All of these services, including child care, will be available in community hubs in schools so it's easy for parents to take advantage of them.

In the past year, we've already created 4,000 new subsidized spaces and we're moving forward aggressively to provide more quality child care spaces for more

Ontario families. Quality, affordable early learning and child care helps prepare our young people to arrive at school ready to learn, thrive and excel.

We are pleased that the federal government is providing Ontario with approximately $270 million this year to help build a national early learning and care

program. That is in addition to the approximately $570 million that is already provided for child care in Ontario. These are important investments: investments that pay dividends for decades as

children grow into productive contributors to Ontario's economy; investments in families whose parents can work outside the home knowing their children are in a quality child care program.

Together, we are creating a seamless system of services for young families and, together, we will see the results: more quality, affordable child care, more

parents able to balance the demands of work and family, and more children getting the best possible start in life.

As I looked around that child care centre on Friday, I saw a lot of happy people who have been working on behalf of children for decades. We committed to them

that we would work with our partners to deliver a quality, affordable child care program, and that's what we're doing. But the most important commitment is to the thousands of children in Ontario.

To them, we are providing a lifelong gift of learning and care. They deserve nothing less.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): In April last year, I announced in the Legislature that the government would

reduce the consumption of electricity in buildings it owns by 10% by 2007. Today, I want to provide the House with a progress report on our conservation efforts, including a significant step

forward with an innovative technology.

The government of Ontario has reached an agreement with Enwave Energy Corp. to bring deep-lake-water-cooling technology to the government buildings at Queen's

Park, including the Legislature, the Frost buildings, the Whitney Block, the Macdonald Block complex and 880 Bay Street. This project is about reducing the demand for electricity that comes from

our grid and giving us cleaner air and healthier Ontarians.

When added to the rest of our conservation efforts across government over the past year, deep-lake-water-cooling technology will bring us halfway to our target

of reducing electricity consumption in government buildings by 10% by 2007.

Deep-lake-water-cooling technology draws water from deep within Lake Ontario, processes it through heat exchangers and uses it reliably, efficiently and

sustainably to cool our offices. Extending this technology from the downtown core to Queen's Park will help us to reduce the amount of electricity we use to cool our buildings by 75%. This means

reduced electricity consumption of just under 10 million kilowatt hours beginning in 2007. This is roughly the amount of energy that is consumed by 1,000 homes. This project is not only good for

the environment; it's good for taxpayers. It is estimated that this initiative alone will save the government -- taxpayers -- $4.5 million over the next 30 years.

We have also taken other steps since April 1, 2004, to bring us closer to our goal. Last year, I outlined the four main areas of the government's conservation

strategy: engaging our 62,000 employees in a government-wide conservation effort, aggressively conserving electricity in buildings we own, cutting back on energy consumption in our leased space,

and inviting the public to help us attain our electricity reduction goals. I'm pleased today to say that we are delivering results in each of these areas. And, as I said, with this announcement we

are now halfway toward the goal that we set for ourselves.

We have made significant progress. We are in the process of completing 154 conservation projects which, when they are finished, will reduce our electricity

consumption by a little over 20 million kilowatt hours annually.

Finally, I want to emphasize that we can all play our own role in conserving energy. Management Board has established an on-line suggestion box at

www.mbs.gov

.on.ca so the public can submit suggestions about how the government can improve conservation in its operations. If any of the public see lights on in government buildings that you think shouldn't

be on, please let us know through our on-line suggestion box. As a small aside, if you are concerned about the lights on in the Frost building -- and many members have raised this with me -- the

budget is under preparation, and for at least the next 24 hours they probably will be on. But be assured that after that, we will be looking at it. We are pleased that the public has been sending

us their suggestions.

The government has also engaged its employees in a conservation awareness campaign. We have asked employees to continue to look for ways to save energy, and

we're implementing many of their ideas.

The McGuinty government is well on its way to reducing electricity consumption in Ontario government buildings by 10% by 2007. We've taken a significant step

forward to give the people of Ontario and our children a cleaner, greener province.

MAY IS MUSEUM MONTH /

MAI, MOI DES MUSÉES

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur (Minister of Culture, minister responsible for francophone affairs): "May Is Museum Month" is an important opportunity

to explore our province's past and discover its rich, diverse history. In particular, Ontario's community museums offer a window into our province's past and play a vital role in preserving and

protecting local history and heritage.

First launched by the Ontario Museum Association in 2000, May Is Museum Month has grown in scope and size with each passing year. Hundreds of cultural and

heritage organizations across Ontario participate by offering special May Is Museum Month events. Activities and events are listed on the association's Web site.

Cette année, « Mai, Mois des musées » proposera des activités très enrichissantes. L'adoption du projet de loi 60,

modifications apportées à la

Loi sur le patrimoine de l'Ontario, va stimuler et renouveler le secteur du patrimoine en Ontario. De nombreux musées communautaires sont situés

dans des bâtiments patrimoniaux, et la nouvelle

Loi sur le patrimoine de l'Ontario, plus musclée, accordera les outils législatifs nécessaires pour mieux protéger des

structures qui sont irremplaçables. Les centaines d'événements amusants et éducatifs offerts dans toute la province durant l'opération Mai, Mois des musées, illustre

la vitalité de nos musées.

The Royal Ontario Museum's "View of our Future" exhibit profiles the Renaissance ROM initiative from its conceptual beginnings to the most current Studio

Daniel Libeskind vision.

Le lieu historique national de Woodside, à Kitchener, présente « Que c'est beau », une exposition mettant en vedette

d'étonnantes courtepointes traditionnelles fabriquées par la communauté franco-ontarienne. Le site propose aussi la visite de la maison natale du premier ministre William Lyon

Mackenzie King.

Meanwhile, in Stratford, the Stratford Festival Archives, Exhibits and Displays offers an inside look at the costumes, props, art, photos and stage sets from

Canada's largest classical repertory theatre.

The Perth Museum is offering Ontarians the opportunity to witness an historical re-enactment of the last fatal duel in Canada's history, which took place in

Perth in 1833.

Quant au musée de Thunder Bay, il présente « Puttin' on the Ritz », un aperçu de la mode dans le nord-ouest de l'Ontario de

1865 à 1945. Plus de 35 robes de bal, de robes de soirée et d'uniformes portés par des hommes et des femmes de la région sont exposés.

Le musée de Timmins a monté une exposition fascinante intitulée « Sur les routes du Bouclier canadien, hier et

aujourd'hui ».

Whether one wishes to explore Ontario's social development, its evolution as a manufacturing centre or its cultural development, "May Is Museum Month" offers

something for everyone.

J'encourage les Ontariens et les Ontariennes de toute la province à venir visiter les nombreux événements et expositions dans le cadre de

l'initiative « Mai, Mois des musées ».

Je profite de cette occasion pour remercier les nombreux organismes de conservation du patrimoine et les centaines de bénévoles situés dans

toute la province qui ont fait don de leur temps et de leur énergie toute l'année pour aider à préserver et protéger le riche patrimoine de l'Ontario.

Happy "May Is Museum Month."

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Responses?

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): I'm pleased to rise for the fourth time in the last 20 months to respond to this announcement on the Best

Start program that the government is announcing today, thanks to the federal government and its desperate situation. The reason I say that is because there was a failure to reach a national

agreement. The minister went out west to do that. But in the last five days, three provinces have agreed to take money in year one.

What's missing in this announcement is that there is no clear dollar commitment in the minister's statement, which is why she will have to explain why she

isn't talking about the out-years and the commitment. I do know that in the Best Start plan, the government promised full-day junior kindergarten and senior kindergarten, which would cost $1

billion per year at maturity, in the fourth year. They also promised in their Best Start child care program $1.9 billion over five years for children under the age of four.

What is also missing in this agreement is the fact that municipalities have not been told whether they are going to have to cough up 20% of the cost, as they

do today in Ontario. So we're short on details and we're very high on top-line messaging.

I thought it was summed up best by Andrew Coyne in the National Post, who referred to the provincial Liberal McGuinty government as "The best friends money can

buy." He says, "Now, what is the significance of this" daycare "story? That the federal Liberals, after running for four straight elections on the promise of a national daycare system, have made

good, just in time for a fifth" election?

It goes on to raise the question: "That, to benefit from this program, parents will be obliged to send their children, not to the daycare providers of their

choice, but those of the province's choice (since the money goes, not to parents, but to the province, and thence to providers)" of their choice? And the minister is on record as indicating that

that will be predominantly in schools, and we'll see more child care money going into the education system.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): I'm pleased to rise to respond to Management Board's announcement today. We're pleased to

hear the announcement that Enwave will be extending their cooling system here to Queen's Park and to other government buildings. It is something that Steve Gilchrist, a member of the previous

government, was positive on when he was Commissioner of Alternative Energy and when Enwave announced their first projects back in 2001. So we commend the government on doing so.

Energy conservation is a vital part of dealing with the energy needs of Ontario as we go forward, but I want the government to let people be aware that they

are talking about a saving of $4.5 million over 30 years, which does in fact amount to an average of $150,000 a year, so let's not overstate just what they are accomplishing here. But it is

important that we move, and I think the government has to be on the leading edge of the conservation example here in the province of Ontario.

I must also point out that the plan for energy and energy supply from this government is so full of holes that conservation is going to become an even more

important part of it because, as we move forward, the energy supply in the province is very questionable under the leadership of this government.

MAY IS MUSEUM MONTH /

MAI, MOIS DES MUSÉES

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): I am pleased to join with the minister and all of my colleagues in the House to recognize Museum Month in

Ontario.

Ontario's museums are a vital, living reminder of the heritage and history of our province. In the last few years, our museums have entered a great period of

revival and expansion. I'm very proud that our PC government, through the SuperBuild program, was able to launch the renewal of so many museums and cultural institutions.

Just last week, I was honoured to be able to tour the Royal Ontario Museum. An investment of $30 million of SuperBuild money has given the ROM the seed capital

to launch a major plan of new construction and renovation. This reconstruction will help the ROM secure its place as one of the world's great museums with a vast increase in display and space.

Museums are not just in big cities, though. Across the province, museums help celebrate local heritage and history. In my own riding, we are proud of such

places as the Sharon Temple, Georgina Pioneer Village and the Campbell Museum.

M. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-Baie James): On est très ravi aujourd'hui que la ministre a pris le temps de reconnaître que ce mois,

c'est le mois des musées. Mais, madame la Ministre, vous savez autant que nous que les musées à travers cette province ont une pénurie de financement pour être capables de

faire leur ouvrage. On sait aussi que ce mois, c'est le mois du budget, non seulement le mois des musées. On s'attend à ce que la ministre ait fait son ouvrage et que demain on va

entendre de belles nouvelles faisant affaire avec les musées et qu'on va mettre du nouvel argent pour les musées dans la province de l'Ontario pour les assister à faire leur

ouvrage.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): Finally, the goose laid the egg of federal child care funding, and that's a good thing. The problem is,

this minister decided to burn the omelette here in Ontario. It's really unfortunate, because this golden opportunity for child care has been squandered by this minister, who said that she wanted to

be the leader in child care for this nation.

Well, guess what? She is far behind the leaders, because she did not commit to a not-for-profit system, which all of the research shows is the appropriate way

to get the accountability and the quality in the system. She decided to ignore that research and decided to say, no, we would rather open Ontario up to the big boxes, the big-box child care people

who are going to be coming into Ontario as soon as this $271 million starts to flow. What we didn't hear, though, is when the provincial government is going to put its $300 million in that they

promised back during the previous election. We haven't seen that yet, and we're waiting to see it any time soon.

The problem is, everybody agrees that the minister has ignored all of the research. She says that it's a matter of ideology, but it's not. It's a matter of

reality; it's a matter of economics; it's a matter of what we want to see for our children and what is best for the children of the province of Ontario. Unfortunately, this Liberal government is

not prepared to put a best start for the children of Ontario.

On behalf of kids and parents and providers, I still stand in my place today to urge this government to follow through on the provinces like Manitoba and

Saskatchewan that have committed to the not-for-profit model, and that we'll at least grandfather existing for-profit. Grandfather them. Keep out the big boxes. The problem is, this minister is

opening the floodgates for the for-profit system of child care. That's not what we want in Ontario. We don't want to see our not-for-profits squeezed out by the big corporations, like what happened

in the home care model. We know that that has happened. It's experience.

Bottom line: This government voted down its own promises on child care. Whether it is a not-for-profit child care system, the national child benefit clawback

or autism services, on all accounts, children have been ignored by this Liberal government.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): I want to reply to the Chair of Management Board, who continues the McGuinty government's exercise of

trying to pretend that they've got an electricity policy through spin.

The announcement today is welcomed, but it's very meagre. I invite the minister to read this report by the Pembina Institute, Power for the Future, where they

point out no less than a couple of dozen ways in which we should be moving toward energy efficiency, yet we hear nothing from the McGuinty government. Just one example: If you were to retrofit

major apartment buildings, you could move, within five years, from using 36,674 gigawatt hours of electricity to only 30,000. But do we have an announcement about energy efficiency for the

hundreds, thousands of apartment buildings that were built cheap in the 1960s and 1970s? No.

Then there's the other report, this one by Ralph Torrie, Toward Sustainable Electricity Futures. He too lists dozens of policies which could be implemented to

reduce our use of electricity, to, in some cases, moving from electric heat to natural gas heat and installing solar panels on our major apartment buildings in cities to heat them that way. Any

movement by the McGuinty government on that front? None.

Let me tell you why. The McGuinty government is so deep in the pockets of private energy companies which do not want to see a reduction in the use of natural

gas, which do not want to see a reduction in the use of electricity. So we get these spin announcements that mean essentially nothing, while the real work isn't being done.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. Could I have some order now, please? Thank you.

ORAL QUESTIONS

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. There seems to be lots of confusion surrounding the deal reached

with the Prime Minister on Saturday, about which you had quite a bit to say yesterday. Can you confirm for us today exactly how much of the agreement is new money that you negotiated for

Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): It's a $5.7-billion agreement; $4.7 billion is new money. We can devote

a lot of time trying to take credit, whether it was Mr. Layton's accomplishment, the Prime Minister's accomplishment, Mr. Goodale's accomplishment or my accomplishment, but I think the single most

important thing here is that new Canadians in the province of Ontario win as a result of this arrangement and unemployed workers in Ontario win as a result of this, and we're proud to have brought

that success to those Ontarians.

Mr. Tory: Premier, you made reference to real progress yesterday, today and the past three days. We still don't really know, though, how much

real progress you've made. The federal finance minister says now that Ontario would have received two thirds of this money anyway and that the other one third won't even flow for another two years.

Do you therefore agree that the total new money for the next two years is in fact $510 million?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition is just not prepared to find some joy in the accomplishments of Ontario immigrants

and Ontario workers. Just to be very clear, there had been an unfairness in place for the past 15 years when it came to the amount of money we received in Ontario for our new Canadians. As a result

of this new arrangement, funding has gone from $819 per new Canadian to $3,400 over the course of five years.

As well, with respect to our unemployed workers, we have brought the level of funding up to the national average. Again, that is good news for Ontario workers.

The leader of the official opposition may want to try to get into some debate as to who might lay claim to this. I think the real winners in this are Ontario's new Canadians and our workers.

Mr. Tory: I say to the Premier, I take great joy, as you do, in finding help for students and for immigrants and so on, and I agree with you

on the unfairness, but the real unfairness here, and what we're getting at, is simply to get you to be straight on the details of this agreement, to be straight on exactly what's new and what

isn't.

You said earlier today that you were not interested in spinning your so-called deal into a political win for your government, but that didn't stop you

yesterday and the day before and the day before that from creating the impression that you were driving a Brinks truck back here from Ottawa when in fact your agreement could have fit inside a

smart car with a lot of room to spare. How can anybody in Ontario have any faith in what you say? We will keep fighting for Ontario's cause with you, but we need the straight goods from you on this

deal. Will you give us those?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the official opposition just won't take yes for an answer. This is good news for our new Canadians. It is

good news for our workers. It is good news for our students. It is good news for our businesses. It is good news for our health and the quality of our air. This is good news for the province of

Ontario. I'm glad we had the people of Ontario on side when I had my meeting with the Prime Minister, and it would be just a bit better if I could get some more support from the leader of the

official opposition, as we put our case to the federal government, to stand up for Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): New question.

Mr. Tory: The Premier knows full well that I've extended my support throughout this process and I will continue to do so, but that is not the

issue on which I'm questioning him today.

Premier, your explanatory --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Could I get some order for the second question placed by the leader of the official opposition, please?

Mr. Tory: I will continue to be supportive of the Premier's efforts in this regard, but you do owe this House, I think, some answers. Your

explanatory/damage-control sheet handed out this morning lumps post-secondary funding, housing, infrastructure, corporate tax and environment money all together in each of the years of the deal --

the five years. Can you tell us in each of the first two years how much new money this deal, your deal with the Prime Minister, produces for post-secondary education?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We've handed out some detailed background information. If the leader of the official opposition would like some more, we

are more than prepared to provide a technical briefing. But I can say this, once again: Notwithstanding the leader of the official opposition's naysaying on this score, I have always said we should

not enlarge this beyond what it actually represents, but neither should we minimize it. We have been able to accomplish something on the immigration file that other governments have sought to

achieve over the past 15 years. We enjoyed some considerable success there on behalf of our new Canadians. When it comes to our workers, past governments for the previous 10 years have been unable

to find success on that file either. We've been able to secure a new arrangement that ensures our workers will receive funding that's in keeping with the national average.

Why can we not celebrate that modest achievement and keep working together to press the federal government to give us more fairness on other issues?

Mr. Tory: I'm just trying to find out from the Premier what the exact scope of the accomplishment is so that we can celebrate it. You don't

want to answer the questions. Yesterday, you actually did answer a question. In reply to a question about whether the $1.55 billion you announced Saturday night was new money or not, you said,

"Yes, to be very direct, what we have done is not new money. I did not negotiate that new money."

Today you have issued the sheet you referred to a moment ago -- this sheet here -- which does in fact suggest that some of it is money you tried to take credit

of, that some of it's new and some of it's not. Since there is some confusion about all this, can you tell me if you and the Prime Minister signed a written agreement after your meeting? If so,

when will you make that written agreement public?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, we had a good and constructive meeting. We didn't agree on everything, obviously, but we were able to agree on some

things that have remained outstanding issues, as I said, for up to the past 15 years. There is more work to be done. We have yet to finalize, in writing, an agreement; we are working feverishly on

that. I'm looking forward to my meeting with Mr. Harper as well to secure the same kind of support for the people of Ontario.

I'm proud that we've been able to proceed on this particular issue in a non-partisan way. We've had a good agreement now with the Prime Minister. We will seek

-- and I will gladly use the support of my friend opposite -- to secure the very same arrangement, at a minimum, with Mr. Harper. If Mr. Layton would like to meet with me in this regard, we would

be pleased to do so. We will do whatever it takes to stand up for the people of Ontario and ensure that they are treated with fairness.

Mr. Tory: When you were able to have a press conference -- in fact, several press conferences -- when you were able to issue quite a detailed

explanatory memo today, although it does lump a lot of things together, I think it is not unreasonable to expect that you would have been able to produce a written agreement signed by yourself and

by the Prime Minister so that we could all see two things: First of all, are things what they appear to be and what you're making them appear to be? Second, just exactly what is the breakdown, for

example, about the money, as between housing, infrastructure and so on?

Interjection.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): I'm just trying to be helpful.

The Speaker: You're not being helpful, Minister. You're not being helpful one bit. In fact, the disruption has caused much more --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. There's some disorder in Parliament, and I'd like more respect to be given to the member as he asks the question. I'm

getting a lot of disruption from this side. Thank you for trying to help me, but I'm quite capable of carrying on the duties of the Speaker when I can hear who the question is coming to and who

will be responding. I would rather have much less disruption in order that we can proceed.

Could the Leader of the Opposition ask his question.

Mr. Tory: Can you confirm, then, Premier, that there's not a single piece of paper, not a single memorandum, initialled or signed by you and

the Prime Minister? If that's so, can you confirm that? Second, tell us when you'll be having an agreement that you will make available to the public so we can all see this deal for ourselves and

exactly what was achieved and what wasn't.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It is more than just a little rich. For the last eight to eight and a half years, that government failed to advance this

file -- both of these files in particular, the immigration file and the labour agreement -- one iota. Now the leader of the official opposition seeks to make sure that we put some final gloss on

this particular agreement. He reminds me somewhat of the guy who, in the case of a particular fight, offers to hold my coat.

I can tell you, we worked long and hard on behalf of the people of Ontario to secure this arrangement. We will do everything we can not to let this slip out

from between our fingers. But it is just a little bit rich that we've been able to accomplish more in nine hours than they could in nine years and that now the leader of the official opposition

stands up and pretends to dot every i and cross every t. We will continue on the path that we've pursued already. We will continue to stand up for the people of Ontario and get them the fairness

they --

Interjections.

The Speaker: I'm quite capable of handling the matter, thank you very much.

New question; the leader of the third party.

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): For the Premier: Yesterday, you boasted about a $5.75-billion deal with the Prime Minister. Then we

heard from the federal Liberal finance minister, Mr. Goodale. He says that you got $300 million of new money -- a little bit of a difference, Premier.

What is really disturbing about this is that after going to Ottawa and only getting $300 million of new money, you came here and tried to claim credit for over

$5 billion. Premier, now that you have exaggerated the truth once again, should anyone believe what's in your budget tomorrow?

The Speaker: I heard some unparliamentary language there being expounded.

Mr. Hampton: If there's something unparliamentary, I withdraw it.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I will rule on what is parliamentary or not. I would ask the leader of the third party to withdraw his comment.

Mr. Hampton: I withdraw.

The Speaker: The question was to the Premier.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: There was a reference there to the budget, and I'm glad to speak to that in the limited ways that I can, obviously, the day

before it's going to be presented in this very chamber.

Our budget will speak to the priorities held and shared by the people of Ontario. It will emphasize their desire to build a still stronger system of public

education, grounded in good public schools. As well, we will speak to, through our budget, a stronger health care system. We will as well, through our budget, do more to build a stronger, more

sustainable, more robust, more vigorous economy. Those are the very priorities held by the people of Ontario, and our budget will speak to those tomorrow.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, I want to speak to the facts as known by Mr. Goodale, the Liberal federal finance minister. He says that a third of the

money that you tried to take credit for yesterday was already committed in the original federal budget of February. He says that a further third of the money that you tried to take credit for

yesterday was negotiated by NDP leader Jack Layton. He says he might give you credit for the remaining third, but that money isn't going to come to Ontario until 2007.

Premier, having grossly exaggerated your talk with the Prime Minister in Ottawa on the weekend, why should anyone believe the McGuinty budget tomorrow?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Yes, from time to time we will have a disagreement with the federal government. The fact that they happen to enjoy the same

political stripe as do we is not going to get in the way, ever, of our government doing whatever we feel is in the interests of the people of Ontario. So, yes, I have a disagreement with the

federal finance minister's

interpretation of our arrangement. That is fine. That is not something that is going to dissuade us, ever. We will continue to advance the cause of fairness on behalf of

the people of Ontario regardless of the political stripe that happens to enjoy the privilege of governing through Parliament Hill.

Mr. Hampton: I would say that a disagreement with the federal finance minister to the tune of $4 billion a year is quite a disagreement, but

it underlines the Premier's credibility gap.

Last year, you promised you wouldn't raise taxes. Then you imposed an unfair and regressive health tax that hits modest- and middle-income families the

hardest. Then you tried a $3.9-billion Enron-style accounting trick until the provincial Auditor General blew the whistle on you. Now you come back from Ottawa and try to claim credit for $5.7

billion when the finance minister says it's $300 million; that's all you got for now.

Premier, I say again, given your record of exaggeration, given your own credibility gap, why should anyone believe the McGuinty budget tomorrow?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm not sure what more I can add. I know that there is a lot of excitement to be found in political clashes and who can

claim the most credit for what, but I really think this is all about what it is that we have done for two particular groups of Ontarians. I think we have a good new arrangement now for our new

Canadians. Yes, this is over the course of five years, but we have been waiting 15 years to get this done. When we can quadruple the level of federal funding for our immigrants in Ontario, I think

that is good news. When we can bring the federal funding level up to the national average for our unemployed workers to provide them with greater training opportunities, I think that is good news.

No, we have not gone as far as we would like to go, but we are pleased and frankly proud of those modest accomplishments that we have achieved on behalf of those groups of Ontarians.

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): A new question to the Premier. We thought we had a good-news story for the lowest-income children in

this province with the national child benefit supplement, but your government claws that money back from the poorest children in this province. That's their good-news story.

I want to again ask you about your budget, because we've found out now that you have a scheme to invite private, profit-driven corporations into Ontario's

schools, hospitals, and all sorts of other public buildings and public assets. We already have examples of this: P3 hospitals in Ottawa and Brampton. Private corporations stand to make a lot of

money out of the health budget.

Premier, I want to ask you, in the context of your budget, do you still claim that those P3 hospitals in Ottawa and Brampton are in fact public hospitals?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Yes, I do. I think it's important, and I appreciate the opportunity to

speak to this issue. It is an important issue and I think it's really important that we strip away the ideology that can cloud our minds. Let me tell you just a little bit about the nature of the

challenge before all of us. Obviously, the leader of the NDP has a different approach to this. I understand that, but I disagree with him.

The average age of our hospitals in Ontario is 43 years. We have many schools that have been built in the 1920s. We have water pipes in the ground, in Toronto

and Ottawa in particular, that are over 100 years old. We still have water pipes in Ontario that are made of wood. Everybody knows about our congestion on our highways; it is a drag on the economy

here in the GTA to the tune of $2 billion. We have hold-ups at our borders; congestion there is costing us $5 billion.

The issue then becomes, what is the best way for us to address that huge infrastructure deficit? We think that we need an alternate way. We think it's time for

us to look at new ways to accomplish things that serve the public interest, and I will be delighted to speak to those more fulsomely in the supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, this is what you said a few months before the election: "Public ownership is less costly than the private option. It's

the best deal for taxpayers." That's what you told your hometown newspaper in Ottawa before the election. Now, Dalton McGuinty is prepared to invite private, profit-driven corporations into our

schools, our hospitals, our water systems, our roads, our transit systems, when you yourself say that it will cost the public more money.

Premier, when you yourself say it's going to cost the taxpayers, the public of Ontario, more money, what could possibly be the justification for this? "Pay

more," Dalton McGuinty said. How do you justify it now?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm sure that the leader of the NDP will want to be clear about this. I know that in every opportunity he has, he will also

make it clear that our minister responsible for public infrastructure renewal has specifically stated that hospitals, schools and water systems will remain publicly owned, publicly operated and

publicly controlled. I'm sure he will want to make that clear.

What I would recommend to the leader of the NDP and to all Ontarians is to go to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal's Web site and take a look at a

very thoughtful, intelligent speech that he delivered yesterday. If it's not on the Web site -- and I'm sure that by the end of this question period it will be -- it will be available to the people

of Ontario. It lays out, in particular, five very stringent guidelines that will serve to guide us as we explore alternate public financing.

Mr. Hampton: I don't think Ontarians want your most recent idiosyncratic

interpretation of your broken promises. Before the election, you

called P3 hospitals in Brampton and Ottawa a bad deal, and after the election, you tried to call them public hospitals.

Here's what the Toronto Star says: "In opposition, the Liberals attacked the Tories for plans to have private interests finance and build hospitals in Brampton

and Ottawa. But a month after taking power, the Liberals essentially signed on...."

This is what the Kitchener-Waterloo Record says; "You'd need a microscope to tell the difference between the deal cut by the Tories and the one agreed to by

the Liberals for these hospitals after the election."

Premier, we can already see how you change your definition of what's a public hospital, what's a public school, what's a public asset, but I'm asking you again

-- before the election, you said these were bad deals; you said taxpayers would end up paying more, a lot more. How easily did you change your opinion after the election?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I can tell you on behalf of the communities of Ottawa and Brampton that they are delighted to be receiving their new

hospitals, serving important public purposes and meeting the health care needs in their communities.

The leader of the NDP, if he had his way, as I understand it, would shut those hospitals down and deprive those communities of that important health care

service. That may be his approach, but that is not our approach.

As Minister Caplan said in his speech, we will be guided by five important principles when it comes to these projects: The public interest will be paramount;

value for money must be demonstrable; appropriate public ownership and control will be maintained; accountability will also be paramount; and the process will be fair, transparent and efficient. We

will move ahead, and we will, at all times, protect the public interest.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): New question. The member from Whitby-Ajax.

Mr. Jim Flaherty (Whitby-Ajax): A question for the Premier: I congratulate you on your conversion to public-private partnerships, on your

recognition of the need to have the private sector and pension funds investing in infrastructure. There was something peculiar your minister said yesterday, though. He said, "Hospitals, schools and

water absolutely will be publicly owned," but a private company will just hold the mortgages.

Premier, can you help us? You're a lawyer and you understand this. Can you help us on this new Liberal invention, the McGuinty mortgage? How does this

work?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The maker of the Caplan mortgage will speak to that.

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal): I'm delighted to have a chance to illuminate for my colleague from Whitby-Ajax

how we're going to be moving forward. I would use an example of the Durham courthouse, a project in Durham that this member tried to move forward for eight and a half years. It did not move from

concept to actual construction. We are out right now on an RFP, where we're asking the private sector for construction of a new consolidated courthouse in Durham. The private sector will work to

finance it. Over the course of the lifetime of that building, we will pay a fee to the consortium to be able to occupy those premises, to be able to have justice dispensed in a consolidated

courthouse. I know that the member from Whitby-Ajax would want to congratulate our government for moving this project ahead, where he and his government absolutely were not able to do that.

Mr. Flaherty: Minister, let me help you. When you mortgage a property, you transfer the legal ownership of the property. That's what you do.

So when you say, "I'm just going to mortgage the property," you're transferring the legal ownership from the province of Ontario to the mortgagee. You ought to think about that. Why not just come

up and say, "Listen, we finally recognize, as Prime Minister Blair's government recognized in the United Kingdom, that this is a Conservative idea"? But it has been proven. It works in Australia

and New Zealand, the United Kingdom and various US states. I congratulate you on finally coming to the realization that it works. But you wasted $30 million of taxpayers' money by dithering on the

Brampton hospital.

Interjection.

Mr. Flaherty: Well, you had your own Premier saying, "But let me be very clear ... we don't support the P3 funding model." Why don't you just

come clean and recognize that you've finally seen the light?

Hon. Mr. Caplan: I'm disappointed, of course, that the member would not want to recognize that we have set down a principle-based approach to

be able to get the kind of investment that we need. I think this is part of the contrast between the former government and our government. It's why I'm very confident, through the principles,

public interest being paramount, that we have appropriate public control and ownership, that we have appropriate and responsible accountability measures, that we be able to demonstrate value for

money and, of course, that all processes are fair, transparent and efficient.

I would contrast the record of our government and the previous government, who took consumers for a ride on Highway 407 with the fire sale of an asset, a loss

of control. Selling out the people of Ontario is not the way of the McGuinty government; we will move in a principle-based way. That's what taxpayers would expect from us, and that's exactly what

we're going to deliver.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): Wow. A principled Liberal approach -- what a step. I've got to say, that's an oxymoron.

More important, Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Education. He would know that across this province last Friday we had bus drivers driving in

front of constituency offices protesting what's been happening in busing over the last number of years. They have seen their insurance costs go through the roof, their fuel costs go through the

roof, repair and maintenance go through the roof, and the purchase price of new buses has gone up as well. What we do know is that, for about the last 10 years, we have seen the funding for school

buses go down by about $3 million in that time that prices have been going up.

My question is a very simple one for you. On behalf of school bus drivers and operators across this province, like Ron Malette of Tisdale buses in Timmins,

will you adjust the funding formula to allow them to keep pace with inflation at the very least?

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): It does the heart good to see the NDP member up arguing on behalf of the private bus operators.

They deserve some attention, I think, from this House, and I'm glad he is here on their behalf.

We have met with the bus operators. We have talked to them about their conditions. One of them, a large Laidlaw concern, has 67% of the business in the

province, and I'm sure they have the sympathy of the member opposite as well. They have ours. We are interested in them working well with the school boards.

We increased school bus funding by 5% last year -- the first government to get ahead of inflation in terms of doing that. The last government forgot to get a

transportation funding formula, and we've worked hard with the sector to come up with one. We have an agenda with the bus operators of Ontario, but at our last meeting we asked them six or eight

pointed questions, which we're still waiting for replies to.

Mr. Bisson: We know you have an agenda with school bus operators, and that is to keep the prices down. The number that you flaunt here in the

Legislature today is not at all what they are feeling at the actual operational level. We know, for example, that your funding formula coming this fall is actually going to see about half the

school boards in this province losing even more money.

I go back and ask you again. There is a serious issue that needs to be dealt with. A lot of these independent mom-and-pop operators across Ontario, in my

riding as in yours, are in a situation where they can't afford to operate. The price they're getting to operate their school buses doesn't keep up with all the inflationary costs of running their

business.

They met with you 15 months ago. You said you were going to do something, and now, 15 months later, they're waiting. Nothing has happened. My question to you

is, will we see something in the budget tomorrow to address the shortfall for school bus operators?

Hon. Mr. Kennedy: I think there's trouble with numbers on the other side. We met three months ago with the bus owners. We had a very

constructive meeting and in fact, at that meeting, identified a number of the cost pressures. We asked them for information. We have gotten some of that from some of the bus operators.

Our main concern is that kids get transportation; 40% of school kids in Ontario get transported by public busing and publicly paid-for busing. We're going to

make sure that is done safely and effectively, and we are going to make sure that the cost base for the boards for those students is covered. We believe that's what the bus operators are looking

for as well.

As others have said, right here in this House you'll hear about the budget. You'll hear about good things for education. I'm sure transportation is one of

those good things.

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre): My question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Minister, over the weekend, our Premier

and the Prime Minister had, as we all know now, a very successful meeting. Our Premier went to Ottawa to stand up for Ontario, and that's exactly what he did.

I'm very proud to stand here today and say that the Premier and the Prime Minister resolved two major issues that have been unfair for a long time in Ontario:

immigration and training. The agreement they arrived at covers more than $5.75 billion over five years. This is obviously an important start toward narrowing the $23-billion gap.

I know that, as in my riding -- and many other ridings have many newcomers to Canada -- the news of this agreement will be very, very well received. What does

this agreement deliver, though, in terms of immigration funding specifically?

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I am very proud that our Premier

succeeded in making real progress for Ontarians over the weekend. As a government, we have accomplished what previous governments could not do in 15 years: We finally got fairness for immigrants in

Ontario.

Funding for immigrant support services will double in the next year and quadruple, from $819 to $3,400 per immigrant, over the next five years. These monies

will go directly to the agencies that provide the services for new Canadians.

As the Premier has said, this is about more than just government and it's about more than being the Premier or the Prime Minister; it's about a strong Ontario

for a strong Canada.

We thank both the Premier and the Prime Minister. We finally have an immigration agreement in Ontario -- a strong, fair agreement for our new Canadians.

Mr. Patten: Minister, it's good to hear those words. I understand that the deal our Premier was able to secure with the Prime Minister also

included reference to the labour market development agreement which we, in Ontario, have been looking forward to completing for many, many years.

I know that constituents in my riding have complained about the two rounds of training programs; one at the federal level, others at the provincial level --

"Which one is better?", "Are they the same?" etc. Like all Ontario constituents, in my riding they deserve seamless training. They have to develop the most up-to-date skills in order to compete in

today's ever-changing knowledge society. So I ask you, what will a labour market development agreement really mean for many new Canadians in Ontario?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): I want to thank my colleague the member from Ottawa Centre for

this very important question. I also want to thank the Premier for bringing to a head an issue that has been outstanding for 10 years. Ontario has been the only province without a labour market

development agreement, and I'd like to share with the House today what that means to the people of Ontario.

For a start, it might surprise you to know that with the previous situation, 70% of unemployed Ontarians did not even qualify for services provided by the

federal government that are employment-insurance-based.

This agreement is not just about the additional $1 billion that will come to the people of Ontario over the next five years, but also about improved client

service, a reduction of duplication in services provided, and success through additional training and employment services.

This is an absolutely wonderful deal for the people of Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): New question. The member for Erie-Lincoln.

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): Back to the Premier. Premier, I'm following up on a question from the leader of the official opposition that I

believe you neglected to answer. Is it true that you walked away from your meeting with the Prime Minister without a single signed document, a memorandum of understanding or other written record to

which you had agreed?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Again, we have a question from a member of a former government which,

for eight and a half years, sat on its hands. It luxuriated in rhetoric. What we have obtained for the people of Ontario are results: genuine, measurable results. This is good news for our new

Canadians. It is good news for our unemployed workers. It helps move the yardstick forward. There is more work to be done, and we look forward to doing that on behalf of the people of Ontario.

Mr. Hudak: Premier, I'm rather incredulous that you haven't answered this question after three or four tries. I'm beginning to think that if

there's any written document, it's on the back of a napkin beneath somebody's drink. Surely, Premier, with this important meeting you must have documented what the deal means and over how much time

the deal will be. There seems to be an awful lot of confusion, where you're crowing about your deal but the finance minister says, "Ontario Deal Mostly Recycled" in the Toronto Star, and the

National Post reports, "Ottawa Dollars for Ontario Same Ones Promised NDP." Premier, please tell me it's not true. Please tell me you're not making this up as you go along. Will you release the

MOU, whatever signed document you have, or just come forward and say you didn't sign anything?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: For the benefit of the member, just so he knows how these things work, after there are negotiations, there is an agreed

statement in the form of a joint communiqué, and we do this whether it's a Council of the Federation meeting, a first ministers' meeting or a bilateral meeting between the Prime Minister and

the Premier. We did that. What we need to do now, and what we're in fact doing as we speak, is to refine the communiqué and put it into writing so that we can have a signed document. That's

the way these things work. I say to the member opposite, as the member of a government that sat on its hands for a long and painful eight and a half years, we were able to accomplish more in nine

hours than they did in their nine years, and we're proud of what we were able to bring home for our new Canadians and our unemployed workers.

WATER QUALITY

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a question to the Minister of the Environment. The Advisory Council on Drinking Water Quality and

Testing Standards submitted its report to you on February 8, over three months ago. The council recommended a new regulation to protect water quality without causing a huge financial burden to

small businesses trying to comply. Will you implement the council's recommendations, especially the new regulation, and when will you do that?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of the Environment): I'm very happy to say that I want to congratulate the good work the advisory council on

drinking water quality did. They consulted extensively across the province, they went to 12 communities and they brought some very fine recommendations that our ministry is paying very close

attention to. One component of their recommendations would suggest that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care would have a role to play in assisting communities and businesses to determine

whether or not their drinking water is safe, and so my ministry is working very closely with Health and Long-Term Care to devise a solid plan going forward on how we can help businesses and

communities across Ontario improve this flawed regulation.

Ms. Martel: The delay in the government response is causing great uncertainty among business owners: those who own trailer parks, campgrounds,

bed-and-breakfasts, etc. For example, Tim and Sue Shannon own a restaurant and a golf course in Alban, in the south part of Nickel Belt. At this point, if there is no change, they will pay between

$15,000 and $20,000 for a new water system. They will need chlorination. Beginning June 1, they will pay $185 every month for weekly water testing. Every Monday morning they will drive two and a

half hours round trip to the nearest private lab to drop off their water samples.

They want to protect their drinking water, but they need to know what the rules of the game are. They need to know what they will be required to do and how

much it's going to cost. I ask you again, when will you be bringing forward a new regulation so that Tim and Sue Shannon and so many operators can know what they are dealing with?

Hon. Mrs. Dombrowsky: This ministry and this government are very aware of the challenges this regulation has presented. That is why we are

doing the work we are doing. But we also know that when you do not take the time to consult and to make sure you get it right the first time -- we have a regulation 170. We have something that does

not work well in the communities. I have committed to ensure that we bring back a regulation that will meet the needs and, at the same time, ensure that water is protected and that water provided

within these communities is safe to drink.

We are working with the Ministry of Health. I've indicated to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario that we will come forward with this as soon as

possible. But what I am also committed to is ensuring that when the changes are made to this regulation, they will be workable for the people in the communities who need them to ensure that their

water is safe.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): My question is to the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet. Minister, our government was elected to

help rebuild public services, and I am proud of the work we are doing in the key areas of health care and education.

Unlike the NDP, who ripped up the collective agreements of thousands of public service workers, and unlike the Conservatives, who cut the heart out of public

services and caused years of labour unrest, I know we are working hard to ensure that Ontario public service employees have fair agreements. I've met with numerous groups representing government

employees, including local bargaining unit presidents from the Ontario Public Service Employees Union in Sault Ste. Marie, who represent 708 members.

My understanding is that earlier today OPSEU provided an update on negotiations. Could you provide the House with any further information regarding the status

of collective bargaining between our government and OPSEU?

Hon. Gerry Phillips (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet): The public should be aware that we're in negotiations with OPSEU, which is our

largest union. Roughly 42,000 of our public servants are with that union.

I just want to say that we, as a government, believe very much in collective bargaining. We are determined to reach a fair and equitable agreement with OPSEU

that's fair to our employees and, I might say, fair to the public.

I think the member from Sault Ste. Marie is aware of this, but the public may not be: Since we were elected, we've delivered on our commitment to public

service. There was a concern by the union about outside consultants, and we looked at that. There were 450 outside consultants doing work. We've put those jobs back in the public service for a

reason. We saved almost $20 million that the previous government was wasting.

I want to say to the member for Sault Ste. Marie, we are working very hard with OPSEU to reach a fair and equitable agreement because we believe very much in

collective bargaining.

Mr. Orazietti: Minister, it's good to see that the parties are working together toward a new collective agreement.

As you know, OPSEU is not our only partner. AMAPCEO, the Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario, is one of the

largest public service unions, representing over 7,000 employees in a variety of jobs, including policy, finance, project and program management, and nursing supervisors. The hard-working AMAPCEO

employees make an important contribution to public services of Ontario. What is the status of government negotiations with AMAPCEO?

Hon. Mr. Phillips: Again for the public's information, I think 7,200 of our employees are in this union, AMAPCEO, and, as you say, it's many

of the people who are involved in our management, administration and professional services.

We have been involved in collective bargaining with them. I'm very happy to let the House know that both sides have ratified an agreement that is, I believe,

fair to our employees and fair to the taxpayers. I think 96% voted in favour of it. The vote concluded last Friday. It is a fair salary, and it addressed two or three of the issues that concerned

the union: some overtime provisions and some job classifications.

The point I'd make to the member from Sault Ste. Marie and members of the House is that we believe in collective bargaining. We think we have demonstrated with

this agreement with our AMAPCEO union a fair settlement for them and a fair settlement for the public. It's my hope that we can do the same thing with OPSEU.

SERVICES FOR THE DISABLED

Mr. Cameron Jackson (Burlington): My question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services. Minister, almost two years ago your

ministry commissioned Cathexis Consulting to review specific services for disabled persons in our province. You received that report last year. What have you done with this report?

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Community and Social Services, minister responsible for women's issues): I appreciate the question. I am

not certain if we're speaking about the same report, but I'm assuming you're talking about a report on intervener services. This is a report that we actually received this year. In fact, it's very

open to the public. We posted it on the Web site in the first quarter of this year. Now we are looking to see how we're going to implement it.

If the MPP across the way read through the report that was on the Web site, he would see that the solution is a much more complicated ordeal than it would

appear. It's going to take a significant review of how we do assessments for what people truly need in services, so that we can finally apply services in the area for people who need intervener

services in a fair and equitable manner.

Mr. Jackson: Minister, this issue has been identified by both the Human Rights Commission and your own ministry's staff through the

requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. I've raised this issue with you on a couple of occasions; in particular, on behalf of my constituent Barbara Davis, who receives only two and a

half hours of intervener supports per week. There is a whole host of -- in fact, there are several thousand -- Ontarians who receive very little, if any at all, access to deaf-blind intervener

services. Minister, when will you be advising this House that you have a plan in place, that you are going to be able to honour the commitment that was made through the Human Rights Code that all

deaf-blind residents of Ontario will receive equal treatment and equal access from the government of Ontario?

Hon. Ms. Pupatello: I think the member opposite understands that there is an issue of inequity in terms of how people receive services, people

who have a serious need for services. Back in 1992 the government of that day made some serious changes that, in my view, created a series of inequities that, quite frankly, continued right through

the last government. In fact, members of the cabinet, that member included, who has the nerve today to stand and ask a question about equity and service delivery -- to know that he could stand in

the House today after he sat at the cabinet table, knowing that this inequity was going on all those years, and didn't do a darn thing about changing the assessment mechanisms, about making sure

that services were being applied in a very fair manner so it's not a matter of who yells the loudest gets the services, because I find that kind of system impossible.

We won't have that kind of system. We are going right back to the basics in our review. The most significant part of that was doing that complete review so we

know what direction we need to go in. I will be working with those organizations to see that it is a fair system.

TRANSIT SERVICES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. Yesterday your government signed a memorandum to fund the Ottawa

light rail transit project. Hundreds of laid-off workers at the Bombardier transit rail car factory in Thunder Bay hoped that this would be good news for them, that they would be able go back to

work. But then they received a letter from your government, the McGuinty government, that says you are prepared to allow these rail transit cars to be built outside Ontario, not in Thunder Bay.

Premier, why should hundreds of workers at the Bombardier rail transit factory in Thunder Bay remain on layoff while your government spends $100 million to purchase rail transit cars made outside

Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): We are moving ahead with a very aggressive plan on the transit side. As far as the

employees from Bombardier are concerned, we are actually embarking, with the city of Ottawa, on a very fair and equitable process. This process will be very transparent. The people from Bombardier

and the Bombardier company will be eligible for bidding on this, along with other companies. We look forward to that process unfolding as we move ahead with acquiring the trains for the Ottawa

area.

Mr. Hampton: The minister talks about a fair and transparent process. I don't see anything very fair here for workers in Thunder Bay, where

500 or 600 of them are already on layoff. You're going to take $100 million of taxpayers' money, despite the fact there is an agreement from 1992 that says that the province will use its best

efforts to ensure these kinds of rail transit vehicles will be built in Thunder Bay. The TTC purchases rail cars from this factory; they purchase streetcars. GO Transit purchases cars from this

factory.

I ask again: Given that they do good work, given that they've done good work for GO Transit, for the TTC, why is the McGuinty government prepared to spend $100

million on rail transit cars built outside of Ontario while these Thunder Bay workers, hundreds of them, sit on layoff?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I'm not sure why the leader of the third party doesn't have faith that Bombardier can bid in an open and fair process. From

my point of view, it's an open and competitive process. I'm sure the city of Ottawa will engage in a very fair process, and Bombardier, along with other companies, will be able to bid on that.

I also want to point out to you that we have sought two legal opinions on the 1992 agreement. That was only valid for five years. I don't know where you get

the illusion that this agreement is still valid.

Having said that, I think Bombardier is a great company, and they can bid in an open and fair process.

EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF

RECENT IMMIGRANTS

Mrs. Donna H. Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre): My question is for the Minister of Education. I'd like to ask you about the recent amendments you

made for the education of children of our recent immigrants.

This government embraces the principle of equity and accessible education for all. It's called public education. Last week, you rose in the House to introduce

amendments to the Education Act that actually seek to address this particular issue about children of recent immigrants. You spoke about their rights to an education, and we believe in those

rights, because they will build the future of Ontario with the same bricks and mortar of equity and opportunity. As a Liberal, for all of us, these are our principles, and I am proud that you are

weaving these through.

Minister, could you please explain these new exemptions and can you explain what effect this has for the people of Ontario?

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): There is, I think, a good basis for everyone in this House to support the bill brought in last

week to amend the Education Act. It is simply not acceptable to anyone in this House that there should be children whose futures are interrupted by some kind of administrative limbo in which they

find themselves; children whose parents have applied to Citizenship and Immigration Canada for permanent resident status and plan to stay in this country; or, alternatively, children whose parents

have been received here to study at publicly funded Ontario universities or colleges. It doesn't make sense that we wouldn't provide the foresight to ensure that they could be at school while their

status is being worked out. It is something we think is long overdue.

In fact, we know that school boards that are not necessarily anticipating the outcome of this but are so encouraged are already starting to respond positively

to these families, hoping this House does indeed provide these provisions in law: that all students should be where they belong -- in school, learning.

Mrs. Cansfield: Thank you, Minister. I know the people of Ontario are pleased with how we're addressing this issue.

I know that for many years, the Conservatives had an opportunity to address this issue, but chose not to. As a matter of fact, when you rose in the House last

week, the member from Whitby-Ajax actually said that to educate the children of recent immigrants was a burden to the people of Ontario. Educating a child is a burden? I don't think so. Educating

children is exactly what our future would be. The real cost is leaving these children in the dark and leaving them behind, but that's in fact what the Tories did for a lot of years: They chose to

put their money into private education instead of public education.

Minister, can you tell me what these new announcements will mean to the families of recent immigrants to Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Kennedy: We see that fixing this long-standing anomaly is sending a signal that Ontario is still a place where people want to be. I

think this province is defined by successive waves of immigrants coming here, hoping to better themselves and certainly their children, and the way they do that is through access to education. I

think there was a loss of emphasis on that in the government that preceded us.

This is a small signal but an important and responsible one that that idea continues to live here in Ontario. We are rebuilding education, not just for the

few, not just for those who can afford extra education on their own, but for everyone, including those who might find themselves, at least temporarily, in the most disadvantaged and vulnerable

position. They belong in schools, and, more than that, they will flourish there because of the commitment of this government and this Premier.

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTES

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): To the Minister of Education: How do you explain the contradiction between your pronouncements of peace and

stability in the classroom and the reality that work-to-rule is disrupting classrooms right across this province, particularly in light of David Reid's comments about the state of classrooms in the

city of Toronto?

Hon. Gerard Kennedy (Minister of Education): I can only say to the member opposite that we have negotiations taking place in this province,

negotiations that have come to a fruitful conclusion already in a number of jurisdictions. We have ratified agreements and we have agreements that are going to be put for ratification. It is

simply, I think, an improvement on what the state was before but, most important, it is the way to get the job done.

Running education is not about making pronouncements in this House; it's about what is actually happening out there where children are getting their schooling.

That is taking place right now. We are pleased with the conduct in general of the negotiations that are taking place and we're happy that people are taking up the spirit of a new era in education

where everyone tries to leave the conflict of the past behind and find an answer that works for education and also for the important people who make education happen.

Mr. Klees: After some $2.68 billion that you've guaranteed for teachers' settlements, will you also guarantee a similar framework for support

workers, for secretaries, for janitors? Will you guarantee that there will be no disruption of classes between now and the end of the school year?

Hon. Mr. Kennedy: It's interesting. I guess I have to welcome, if this is his outlook, that he is now advocating for the very people they laid

off in droves when they were in government, the people they did not protect in the funding formula. The reason why we have to put $3 billion toward fixing our schools is because there weren't

enough janitors; there wasn't enough cleaning being done in our publicly funded spaces. The member opposite was part of a government that voted to cut money, to take it away from children and from

the people who provided services to children.

We have extended the same kind of possibilities for four-year agreements to our support staff. We have also extended an invitation to them to talk to us about

the kind of provincial issues -- safety is an issue for some of our education systems. There is training that needs to be provided because we've expanded special education services. Those are

things that they have to talk about. We're doing things in small schools to ensure that secretaries are in place. We invite the member to continue to support the idea of publicly funded education

and leave the bad habits of the last government and the emphasis on private schools behind him where they belong: in the past.

DISCRIMINATION

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a question for the Premier. Last week, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation published a report on

nurses which found, "The vast majority of racialized nurses ... reported that they felt `put down, insulted or degraded because of race, colour or ethnicity.'" When they complained there was no

accountability in hospitals to deal with the complaints, they were targeted as problem nurses and they felt they were losing their jobs because they had been targeted.

The report says that the health care sector should establish measures to monitor the working conditions of racialized nurses to put an end to discrimination.

It also recommends that the Ontario Human Rights Commission investigate systemic discrimination against racialized nurses and ensure that the race policy that is due to come forward includes fines

for employers who resist anti-racism procedures. Premier, can you tell this House if your government will implement the recommendations in the report?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Let me say on behalf of the Minister of Health that we are grateful to

receive these recommendations. I know that he will want to take them into consideration. I know that I speak for every single member of this Legislature when I say that we stand against

discrimination of any kind, whether it's against our nurses or any other Ontarian.

I thank the member opposite for bringing this matter to my attention. I will ensure that the Minister of Health is made aware of her question. He may then have

an opportunity to speak with her more specifically and more precisely about what he intends to do with those recommendations.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): In the west members' gallery we have with us former member Larry O'Connor from Durham-York, from the 35th

Parliament. Let's welcome him.

PETITIONS

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Sir Frederick Banting was the man who discovered insulin and was Canada's first Nobel Prize recipient; and

"Whereas this great Canadian's original homestead located in the town of New Tecumseth" -- Alliston -- "is deteriorating and in danger of destruction because

of the inaction of the Ontario Historical Society; and

"Whereas the town of New Tecumseth, under the leadership of Mayor Mike MacEachern and former Mayor Larry Keogh, has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement

with the Ontario Historical Society to use part of the land to educate the public about the historical significance of the work of Sir Frederick Banting;

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

"That the Minister of Culture and the Liberal government step in to ensure that the Banting homestead is kept in good repair and preserved for generations to

come."

I agree, and I have signed that petition.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): I have a petition from many individuals wanting the Minister of Education to do something about the

following:

"Whereas during the 2003 election campaign Dalton McGuinty promised to establish a standing committee on education to ensure transparency in education funding;

and

"Whereas such a committee has not been established; and

"Whereas Ontario's education system is not properly funded and there is no transparency in funding;

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

"To immediately establish a standing committee on education to hold public hearings every year on the effectiveness of education funding."

I support this petition.

DISABILITY BENEFITS

Mr. Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls): I'm pleased to submit this petition on behalf of CAW Local 199, Bruce Allen, vice-president.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board adds Canada pension plan disability benefits to an injured worker's deemed earnings to determine the loss of

earnings or future earnings lost; and

"Whereas deducting Canada pension disability benefits from loss of earnings or future earnings loss benefits systematically undercompensates injured workers;

and

"Whereas the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board bases long-term compensation on deemed earnings that an injured worker is not actually receiving;

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

"To amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act by removing the deeming provisions and providing legislation to base a loss-of-earnings benefit to reflect

actual lost earnings; and

"To amend the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act to end the deduction of Canada pension plan disability benefits from future economic loss and loss of earnings

benefits retroactively."

I'm pleased to sign this petition.

COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRES

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Brock township has been declared an underserviced area by the Ministry of Health with respect to physician services since 1996;

"Whereas the Ontario government announced the creation of 150 family health teams, just like the community health centre in the spring budget;

"Whereas a CHC in Brock township could provide a range of community-based health and social services provided by a multidisciplinary team including physicians,

nurse practitioners, nutritionists, health promotion coordinators, social workers, counsellors and other health professionals needed in our local community;

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

"That the Brock CHC proposal submitted on February 27, 2003, be funded as recommended by the district health council."

I'd like to thank the former member Larry O'Connor and his team for coming down today and helping me present this.

ONTARIO PHARMACISTS

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): I have a petition from one of my local pharmacists, Ranjan Rupal.

"Whereas we, the undersigned,

"Share the concern of Ontario pharmacists that the government is considering changes to the drug program that could restrict access to some medications or

force patients to pay more for their prescriptions, placing seniors, low-income families and many other Ontarians at risk;

"Recognize that these changes could affect the ability of pharmacists to continue to provide quality programs and services, decreasing Ontarians' access to

essential health care services; and

"Whereas we, the undersigned, believe that pharmacists, as advocates for quality patient care, should have a greater role to play in advising the government

when it considers changes that will affect the health of Ontarians,

"We hereby petition the government of Ontario:

"To work with Ontario pharmacists to prevent cutbacks to the drug program; and

"To establish a process that brings pharmacists to the table to provide solutions that will protect patients and strengthen health care for all Ontarians."

HALTON RECYCLING PLANT

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

"Whereas noxious odours from the Halton Recycling plant in Newmarket are adversely affecting the health and quality of life of residents and working people in

Newmarket; and

"Whereas local families have lost the enjoyment of their properties for themselves and their children, face threats to their health and well-being, and risk a

decline in the value of their homes; and

"Whereas for the 300 members of the nearby main RCMP detachment, as well as other workers in the area, the odours are making their working conditions

intolerable;

"Therefore, we, the undersigned, demand that the Minister of the Environment take immediate action to halt all noxious emissions and odours from the Halton

Recycling plant, and take all steps necessary to force Halton Recycling to comply with environmental rules, including closing the plant if the odour problems continue."

GO TRANSIT TUNNEL

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I keep getting petitions against the eyesore of a bridge on St. Clair Avenue West. The petition is addressed to

the minister of infrastructure services and the Parliament of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"Whereas GO Transit is presently planning to tunnel in an area just south of St. Clair Avenue West and west of Old Weston Road, making it easier for GO trains

to pass a major rail crossing; and

"Whereas the TTC is presently planning a TTC right-of-way along all of St. Clair Avenue West, including the bottleneck caused by the dilapidated St. Clair

Avenue-Old Weston Road bridge; and

"Whereas this bridge ... will be ... too narrow for the planned TTC right-of-way, since it will leave only one lane for traffic; ... it is not safe for

pedestrians (it's about 50 metres long). It's dark and slopes on both the east and west sides, creating high banks for 300 metres; and ... it creates a divide, a no man's land, between Old Weston

Road and Keele Street. (This was acceptable when the area consisted entirely of slaughterhouses, but now the area has 900 new homes);

"Therefore we, the undersigned, demand that GO Transit extend the tunnel beyond St. Clair Avenue West so that trains will pass under St. Clair Avenue West,

thus eliminating this eyesore of a bridge with its high banks and blank walls. Instead it will create a dynamic, revitalized community enhanced by a beautiful continuous cityscape with easy traffic

flow."

I sign my name to it since I agree with this petition 100%.

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

Mr. Joseph N. Tascona (Barrie-Simcoe-Bradford): I have a petition to present to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario which reads as

follows:

"Whereas 20% of the adult population, or 1.8 million adults in Ontario, continue to smoke; and

"Whereas hospitality concepts like bars, pubs, taverns, nightclubs, Legions, bingo halls, racetracks and casinos are businesses with a high percentage of

patrons who smoke; and

"Whereas more than 700 businesses in Ontario have invested tens of thousands of dollars each to construct a designated smoking room to comply with municipal

bylaws;

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

"Permit properly ventilated and separate designated smoking rooms in hospitality establishments that regulate and control employee and customer exposure to

second-hand smoke."

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Mr. Peter Fonseca (Mississauga East): A "Petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly:

"Credit Valley Hospital Capital Improvements:

"Whereas some 20,000 people each year choose to make their home in Mississauga, and a Halton-Peel District Health Council capacity study stated that the Credit

Valley Hospital should be operating 435 beds by now, and 514 beds by 2016; and

"Whereas the Credit Valley Hospital bed count has remained constant at 365 beds since its opening in November 1985, even though some 4,800 babies are delivered

each year at the Credit Valley Hospital in a facility designed to handle 2,700 births annually; and

"Whereas donors in Mississauga and the regional municipalities served by the Credit Valley Hospital have contributed more than $41 million of a $50-million

fundraising objective, the most ambitious of any community hospital in the country, to support the construction of an expanded facility able to meet the needs of our community;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care undertake specific measures to ensure the allocation of capital funds for the construction of A and H block at

Credit Valley Hospital to ensure the ongoing acute care needs of the patients and families served by the hospital are met in a timely and professional manner, to reduce wait times for patients in

the hospital emergency department, and to better serve patients in the community in Halton and Peel regions by reducing severe overcrowding in the labour and delivery suite."

The people are Maria Cescato, Aldo Cescato and Nadia Rosa Cescato.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): This is one of the Save Huronia Regional Centre petitions. Again, it's up to about 45,000 people who have

signed this across the province.

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government were elected based on their promise to rebuild public services in Ontario;

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services has announced plans to close Huronia Regional Centre, home to people with developmental disabilities,

many of whom have multiple diagnoses and severe problems that cannot be met in the community;

"Whereas closing Huronia Regional Centre will have a devastating impact on residents with developmental disabilities, their families, the developmental

services sector and the economies of the local communities; and

"Whereas Ontario could use the professional staff and facilities of Huronia Regional Centre to extend specialized services, support and professional training

to many more clients who live in the community, in partnership with families and community agencies;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the government to keep Huronia Regional Centre, home to people with developmental

disabilities, open, and to transform them into `centres of excellence' to provide specialized services and support to Ontarians with developmental needs, no matter where they live."

I'm pleased to sign my name to this and present it to Kaitlin to present to you.

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Mr. Bob Delaney (Mississauga West): I have a petition here from the Strathdee family of Glen Erin Drive in Meadowvale, the Sommerfeld family

of Hillside Drive in Streetsville, and the Cambareri family of Dover Crescent in Erin Mills, regarding the Credit Valley Hospital capital improvements campaign. It reads as follows:

"Whereas some 20,000 people each year choose to make their home in Mississauga, and a Halton-Peel District Health Council capacity study stated that the Credit

Valley Hospital should be operating 435 beds by now, and 514 beds by 2016; and

"Whereas the Credit Valley Hospital bed count has remained constant at 365 beds since its opening in November 1985, even though some 4,800 babies are delivered

each year at the Credit Valley Hospital in a facility designed to handle 2,700 births annually; and

"Whereas donors in Mississauga and the regional municipalities served by the Credit Valley Hospital have contributed more than $41 million of a $50-million

fundraising objective, the most ambitious of any community hospital in the country, to support the construction of an expanded facility able to meet the needs of our community;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care undertake specific measures to ensure the allocation of capital funds for the construction of A and H block at

Credit Valley Hospital to ensure the ongoing acute care needs of the patients and families served by the hospital are met in a timely and professional manner, to reduce wait times for patients in

the hospital emergency department, and to better serve patients in the community in Halton and Peel regions by reducing severe overcrowding in the labour and delivery suite."

I wholeheartedly approve of the petition. I'm pleased to affix my signature to it and to ask Trishaala to carry it for me.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE

DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): "Save the Rideau Regional Centre, Home to People with Developmental Disabilities!

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government were elected based on their promise to rebuild public services in Ontario;

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services has announced plans to close the Rideau Regional Centre, home to people with developmental disabilities,

many of whom have multiple diagnoses and severe problems that cannot be met in the community;

"Whereas closing the Rideau Regional Centre will have a devastating impact on residents with developmental disabilities, their families, the developmental

services sector and the economies of the local communities;

"Whereas Ontario could use the professional staff and facilities of the Rideau Regional Centre to extend specialized services, support and professional

training to many more clients who live in the community, in partnership with families and community agencies;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the government to keep the Rideau Regional Centre open as a home for

people with developmental disabilities and to maintain it as a `centre of excellence' to provide specialized services and support to Ontarians with developmental needs, no matter where they

live."

This is signed by hundreds of people within my riding.

CREDIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): On behalf of some of my friends in Mississauga:

"Whereas some 20,000 people each year choose to make their home in Mississauga, and a Halton-Peel District Health Council capacity study stated that the Credit

Valley Hospital should be operating 435 beds by now, and 514 beds by 2016; and

"Whereas the Credit Valley Hospital bed count has remained constant at 365 beds since its opening in November 1985, even though some 4,800 babies are delivered

each year at the Credit Valley Hospital in a facility designed to handle 2,700 births annually; and

"Whereas donors in Mississauga and the regional municipalities served by the Credit Valley Hospital have contributed more than $41 million of a $50-million

fundraising objective, the most ambitious of any community hospital in the country, to support the construction of an expanded facility able to meet the needs of our community;

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

"That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care undertake specific measures to ensure the allocation of capital funds for the construction of A and H block at

Credit Valley Hospital to ensure the ongoing acute care needs of the patients, and families served by the hospital are met in a timely and professional manner; to reduce wait times for patients in

the hospital emergency department; and to better serve patients in the community in Halton and Peel regions by reducing severe overcrowding in the labour and delivery suite."

I will affix my signature to it, on behalf of my friends in Mississauga.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

DISABILITIES ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 SUR L'ACCESSIBILITÉ

POUR LES PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

DE L'ONTARIO

Mrs Bountrogianni moved third reading of the following bill:

employment, accommodation, buildings and all other things specified in the Act for persons with disabilities / Projet de loi 118, Loi traitant de l'élaboration, de la mise en oeuvre et de

l'application de normes concernant l'accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées en ce qui concerne les biens, les services, les installations, l'emploi, le logement, les bâtiments

et toutes les autres choses qu'elle précise.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Pursuant to the order of the House dated May 9, 2005, I am now required to put the question.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour, say "aye."

All those against, say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. There will be a 10-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1532 to 1542.

The Speaker: Would all members please take their seats.

All those in favour, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bisson, Gilles

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brown, Michael A.

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Chudleigh, Ted

Churley, Marilyn

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Flaherty, Jim

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gravelle, Michael

Hampton, Howard

Hardeman, Ernie

Horwath, Andrea

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jackson, Cameron

Jeffrey, Linda

Kennedy, Gerard

Klees, Frank

Kormos, Peter

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Leal, Jeff

Levac, Dave

Marchese, Rosario

Marsales, Judy

Martel, Shelley

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

Murdoch, Bill

O'Toole, John

Orazietti, David

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Prue, Michael

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Scott, Laurie

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 89; the nays are 0.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would like to acknowledge the presence

in the gallery of Mr. David Lepofsky.

EDUCATION AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR L'ÉDUCATION

Ms. Wynne, on behalf of Mr. Kennedy, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 194,

An Act to amend the Education Act / Projet de loi 194, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur l'éducation.

<A NAME = "PARA563"></A> The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Ms. Wynne?

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne (Don Valley West): I'm going to share my time with the member for Guelph-Wellington, Liz Sandals, and the member for

Etobicoke North, Shafiq Qaadri.

I rise today to speak to the legislative amendments that would unlock our school doors for children of recent immigrants. What this new legislation would do

is, it would waive school fees for these students who, because of administrative issues, are not at this point able to enter our schools without paying fees.

The number this would affect is about 250 students from around the province who are not able to go to school. Right now, there are another 200 or so students

who are already attending the Toronto District School Board because the board has already allowed them to. In total, we're talking about 450 students who would then legally be able to attend school

without paying fees in the province.

We are obviously concerned about all children in the province, and education is a huge priority for this government. The policies that we put in place are

intended to deal with education issues for all students, but there are some niche education issues that should be addressed, and this is one of them.

Notre gouvernement croit fermement que chaque enfant a le droit d'apprendre. Nous avons la charge d'enlever les barrières qui enferment des enfants dans

un vide administratif à cause du statut d'immigration de leurs parents.

This government firmly believes that every child has the right to learn. We have a responsibility to remove barriers that leave our children in administrative

limbo because of their parents' immigration status. Thousands of students across Ontario will benefit from many of the government's education initiatives already underway, as I have said. I want to

talk about some of the great things that we're doing in Ontario, but from the perspective of these children who have not been able to access our system and why they cannot wait.

We have put in place an education foundations program, and a key outcome in that program is that every student is able to read, write, do math and comprehend

at a high level by the age of 12. This is the age when students are defining themselves in terms of school success. After this age, acquiring these skills becomes harder.

It's clear that this piece of legislation is absolutely in line with what we're trying to do for students across the province. We need to get children into the

school system and into a formal learning situation as soon as possible, whatever their immigration status.

We're committed to making progress on giving every student the possibility of a full range of choices in their academic career, and the earlier they start on

that, the better. We're going to be able to measure how we succeed on this. You will know that our goal is that 75% of 12-year-olds meet or exceed the provincial standard on province-wide reading,

writing and math tests by 2008. That's not an end in itself; that is a means to an end. The end is that those students will be able to go on to have satisfying lives and be part of the workplace

and be fully functioning citizens in the province. The means is that they have the literacy and numeracy skills they need.

To date, we've made a number of significant investments to support our education foundations program. Those investments include intensive teacher development

and ongoing support -- 16,000 lead teachers are part of that support; smaller class sizes -- we've hired 1,100 new primary teachers in 1,300 schools; and focused curriculum, with a daily emphasis

on literacy and numeracy, again in line with that goal. We've put targeted supports in place, turnaround teams in 100 elementary schools. And we've provided expert coordination through the

provincial Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat.

I want to talk a little bit about the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. Its primary goal is to work with school boards to create a renewed focus on literacy

and numeracy. Many of you will know Avis Glaze, the well-known educator who is heading up the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat. One of her goals is to share successful practices among schools and

districts, to extend the knowledge base of the profession around the province and to thereby increase the capacity to support learning. In order to do that, we're going to have to engage parents,

school councils, business, community members and trustees to support our learning achievement goals.

The secretariat is establishing a new way of collaborating across districts. There are many fine practices in this province. One of the things we need to do is

link up those parts of the province that need access to those practices with the areas that have already mastered them. That's one of the things that the Literacy and Numeracy Secretariat is

about.

I want to talk just briefly about high school. We know that there are a number of students in this province who are having a hard time making it through to an

apprenticeship or a job placement or to admission to college or university. The Alan King report tells us that about 30% of students are at risk of not graduating from high school this year due to

high failure rates in some grade 9 and grade 10 classes. This isn't the students' fault. The government and the school system have to take responsibility. We have an obligation to those students

who are falling through the cracks, and doing that is a priority for our government.

Student success leaders are now in place in every school board. We're also working on an outreach program that will encourage employers to create work and

co-op opportunities for students and inform parents of the importance of school-to-work experience. There's a real gap between parental expectation and the reality of where students will land, so

we need to close that gap and make sure that parents and students have a realistic idea of where they want to be after they leave high school and how they are going to get there.

assist in dealing with the local needs.

Finally, two co-op-related courses are available to students so they can get a head start on developing workplace essential skills and work habits. These

courses will help prepare students for job placement.

Nous devons off