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November 29, 2011

40th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2011-Nov-29 (PDF)

L006 - Tue 29 Nov 2011 / Mar 29 nov 2011

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Tuesday 29 November 2011 Mardi 29 novembre 2011

ORDERS OF THE DAY

HEALTHY HOMES RENOVATION

TAX CREDIT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LE CRÉDIT D’IMPÔT

POUR L’AMÉNAGEMENT DU LOGEMENT

AXÉ SUR LE BIEN-ÊTRE

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

TAXATION

MANUFACTURING JOBS

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

LONG-TERM CARE

YOUTH SERVICES

RENT REGULATION

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

MINING INDUSTRY

TOURISM

RED TAPE REDUCTION

CONSERVATION

VISITORS

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

ROAD MAINTENANCE

GO TRANSIT

COLLINGWOOD GENERAL

AND MARINE HOSPITAL

GOVERNMENT POLICIES

DAVID EVANS

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

JEAN CASSELMAN WADDS

ANNUAL REPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER OF ONTARIO

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

HELPING VOLUNTEERS

GIVE BACK ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 VISANT À AIDER

LES BÉNÉVOLES À CONTRIBUER

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

PETITIONS

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

RAIL SERVICE

WIND TURBINES

WIND TURBINES

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TREATMENT

WIND TURBINES

LONG-TERM CARE

LYME DISEASE

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

ORDERS OF THE DAY

THRONE SPEECH DEBATE /

DÉBAT SUR LE DISCOURS DU TRÔNE

ADJOURNMENT DEBATE

HOSPITALS

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

HEALTHY HOMES RENOVATION

TAX CREDIT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LE CRÉDIT D’IMPÔT

POUR L’AMÉNAGEMENT DU LOGEMENT

AXÉ SUR LE BIEN-ÊTRE

Mr. Milloy, on behalf of Mr. Duncan, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 2,

An Act to amend the Taxation Act, 2007 to implement a healthy homes renovation tax credit / Projet de loi 2, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2007 sur les impôts en vue de mettre en oeuvre le crédit d’impôt pour l’aménagement du logement axé sur le bien-être.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Government House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure for me to say a few words on the record about this important bill. I’d also like to note that I’ll be sharing my time with the member from Ottawa Centre, who of course is also the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance. I’ll be asking him to take the bulk of the time.

I’ll simply put on the record that this is a very important bill which responds to a pledge that was made during the campaign to help those seniors who want to live in their homes and family members who want to support them, as well as, of course, brings forward much-needed stimulus to the economy, to the construction centre and the renovation centre. It’s a bill that I know will find great support on all sides of this House.

As I said, Mr. Speaker, with that I’m going to turn the floor over to my colleague the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance, who, I know, wants to get into greater detail. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Ottawa Centre.

Mr. Yasir Naqvi: Thank you very much, Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to speak, and thanks to the House leader for his comments and for sharing his time with me.

Speaker, I don’t think I have yet officially had the chance to congratulate you on your election as the Speaker. I look forward to working with you and really appreciate all of the dignity and the decorum you’re bringing to this House. All the best to you, in this whole term, the four years that we’ll be here serving the people of Ontario.

I’m really pleased to stand here today in the House on the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit Act, 2011, Bill 2, which was tabled by my colleague the Honourable Dwight Duncan, the Minister of Finance. This proposed new act contains amendments to the Taxation Act, 2007, and would implement an innovative new tax credit that would help Ontario’s seniors, relieve pressures on the health care system and boost economic growth. I think these are three really important issues that we have to pay attention to and put our mind to.

We need to, of course, continue to help our seniors so they can continue to live in their own homes. We need to make sure that we find innovative ways to relieve pressures on our health care system, in light of the aging demographics. In these tough economic times, as we’re coming out of a recession, there’s a lot of instability and uncertainty that exists across the globe. We need to find smart policies that will boost economic growth. This bill achieves these three things: It helps our seniors, it relieves pressures on our health care system, and it boosts our economy and will help create jobs.

Bill 2 reconfirms our government’s focus on building a stronger, more competitive economy and creating jobs. It also provided an update on Ontario’s economic performance for 2011. The update, Speaker, admittedly, was sobering, but not without hope, because in spite of global economic uncertainty, Ontario has experienced moderate economic growth for most of the last two years. As we hear in the news almost daily, many other places around the world remain subject to much greater volatility.

There’s not a single day that you can turn on the news in the evening and not hear about the economic challenges in Iceland, Ireland, Greece, Spain, most recently in Germany and France, Hungary—and the list seems to keep going on and on.

The European economy continues to present new challenges, while growth in the United States, Ontario’s largest trading partner, remains weak and unstable—something that is extremely alarming for us. The impact of continuing global economic uncertainty on Ontario families remains a concern. As a result of global pressures, the provincial economy will continue to face enormous challenges. After all, Speaker, our economy is very much tied in with the global economy. We have to pay attention to what’s happening around the globe, and of course it has a significant impact here at home, in Ontario.

The era of slower growth in much of the world is going to be with us for an extended period. This means that for the foreseeable future, modest economic growth will be the new normal here in Ontario, as elsewhere, and we have seen glimmers of this already. Over the last eight months, the global economy has seen a widespread downward shift in projections for growth. When the 2011 budget was published this past March, the average private sector forecast for Ontario’s real GDP growth was 2.6% for the year. More recent projections are forecasting growth of just 2%. Mr.

Speaker, this rate of growth is undeniably lower than what Ontario enjoyed even as recently as four years ago. But I would like to point out that as of the second quarter of 2011, Ontario’s real GDP was just 0.1% below the pre-recession level—just 0.1%. So in many ways, Ontario has largely recovered from the recent global recession.

But building a stronger, more competitive economy is about more than improving forecasts and GDP numbers. It’s about helping people get good, high-paying jobs—a point which I think all members of this House will agree with.

Since the low point of the recession in May 2009, employment in Ontario has increased by almost 267,000 net new jobs. This is equal to nearly half of all new jobs created in Canada from coast to coast. Half of the new jobs created in Canada took place right here in Ontario, and the majority of the new jobs created over the past two years have been good-quality, high-paying, full-time jobs. Full-time employment rose by 237,900 jobs over this period while part-time employment increased by 28,900 jobs. As of October 2011, employment was 10,000 jobs above the pre-recession peak in September 2008.

I think it’s an important distinction to make—the kind of recovery we’ve been able to make from one of the most devastating global recessions we experienced in 2008-09. The province’s unemployment rate has also fallen from a peak of 9.4% during the recession to 8.1%.

So far this year, Ontario has created 128,400 net new jobs, which account for more than 45% of all jobs created in Canada. These are all positive economic signs, because building an economy that creates good jobs also supports strong schools and hospitals.

You know, Speaker, as I’m in my community, and I’m sure other members will share the same experiences, when we were talking to our constituents, especially during the election, as we were out in our communities knocking on doors, the issues around jobs was the number one topic of discussion. People wanted to know about what we can all do to create new jobs. There is a high level of anxiety and uncertainty that exists in the global economy; of course, that is then reflected in our communities as well. Even though people may have good-paying jobs, they are still concerned about whether their jobs will stay there tomorrow, and whether their quality of life will continue to improve.

So our job, of course, on their behalf, is to ensure that we continue to have a laser-focused vision on the jobs agenda to make sure that we do not move away from creating new jobs. Therefore, we have to support policies and measures that will have the effect of creating new jobs, not measures that will be neutral in terms of job creation, because we cannot at this time afford to support programs or measures that will not result in any net new jobs in our economy.

Speaker, in order to protect these and other public services so valuable to Ontario families, our finances must be put on a long-term sustainable path. In the face of many years of more modest economic growth, the way governments of all political stripes over the last generation have accumulated debt simply cannot continue.

That is why, despite lower private sector projections for economic growth, we are ensuring that Ontario remains on track to meet the fiscal targets projected in the 2011 budget and the first quarter Ontario finances. These fiscal targets include a $16-billion deficit in 2011-12 and steadily declining deficits of $15.2 billion in 2012-13 and $13.3 billion in 2013-14.

Providing world-class public services while balancing the budget in a time of slow economic growth will be a challenge, but it’s a challenge we are facing head on. To meet these goals, the government set a target in the 2011 budget of holding growth in overall program spending to 1.4%. That was outlined in the 2011 budget. The Commission on the Reform of Ontario’s Public Services is expected to recommend that the target for spending growth be 1%.

The government will consider this and other advice as we prepare the 2012 budget. Any new spending will be paid for through offsetting savings in other areas or through reform of public service delivery. Ministries will be directed to develop and deliver on plans to live within what is affordable given the low rate of economic growth.

Speaker, the McGuinty government has established a record of meeting its targets. We will meet the challenge of lower economic growth through long-term fundamental reforms to the way government works. We will build on our government’s track record of reforms to education, health care, taxes and the electricity system. We will focus more than ever on how to get the best value and the best services for Ontario families.

What we will not do, Speaker: We will not take a slash-and-burn approach to the public services so dearly valued by Ontarians. Past experience has shown here in Ontario, as well as elsewhere around the world, that deep, arbitrary across-the-board cuts simply do not work. Slashing and burning key social programs does not deliver true fiscal sustainability. In fact, it creates real hardships for Ontarians. Such drastic cuts would unravel the progress Ontarians have made in improving schools and hospitals and preparing Ontario for the economy of tomorrow.

Mr. Speaker, meeting the challenge of extended modest economic growth demands a government that is open to change and innovation, the kind of innovation that Ontarians display time and again. The proposed new healthy homes renovation tax credit is a strong example of this type of innovation. With this proposed new credit, we are clearly demonstrating how our government can develop measures that will assist Ontario families while also supporting the provincial economy.

As I mentioned at the outset, our aim through this bill is to help our seniors, to take pressures off our health care system, and of course to boost economic growth. We are trying to meet all three of those objectives through Bill 2.

With this proposed new credit, we are clearly demonstrating our commitment to meet those three goals, because not only would our proposed new credit help seniors stay in their homes longer, but it would benefit all taxpayers by relieving pressures on long-term-care home costs, while also helping to support jobs in the home renovation sector, one of the largest-growing sectors in our economy across the province.

Kitchens can present challenges to seniors with mobility issues. So the tax credit would help with renovations relocating taps to the front or side of a sink for easier access, installing hands-free taps, lowering existing countertops or cupboards or installing adjustable countertops and cupboards, and adding touch-and-release drawers and cupboards that pull out fully. This is functional stuff that just makes it easier for a senior to live in their home, just stuff that is common sense.

Poor lighting can be a hazard for seniors. So the tax credit would apply to additional light fixtures throughout the home and exterior entrances, as well as motion-activated lighting.

Because permanent renovations may not always be the best option, the tax credit will help with modular or movable versions of certain permanent fixtures such as modular ramps and non-fixed bath lifts. These are just a few examples. The rules of eligibility are set out clearly in the legislation.

About two weeks ago, I had the chance to visit a business in my community in Ottawa called Conval-Aid. It’s owned by a brother-sister team, Stuart and Merrill Ed. They happen to live in my riding; I know them quite well. It’s a family-owned business. It is a business that was, I think, started by their father about 30 or 40 years ago. They provide exactly the kind of things I was just outlining. It’s a nice sort of showroom outlet. They have walkers and more accessible toilets, walk-in bathtubs, showers, chairlifts—I got to experience how a chairlift works—things that seniors can need and use.

In talking to Stuart and Merrill about this healthy homes renovation tax credit, they were excited that it’s going to really help seniors, because they’re getting more and more seniors coming in and talking to them and expressing their desire of continuing to live in their own home, a home that has been their sanctuary for 30, 40 or 50 years, sometimes even more, a home that they bought when they were young. They’ve raised their children in their home. But now, as they’re getting older and their mobility is getting limited, it’s not easy for them to continue to live at home.

I think every single member can tell a story or two of seniors in their own riding—if you ask them if they would like to continue to live in their own home or move to a smaller place or move to long-term care, the answer will be a resounding “No, I want to live in my own home.” That’s where the seniors are independent, where they continue to live with dignity, where they know their neighbours, where their families are comfortable. They love having their grandchildren come to the same home where they raised their parents. This is where they want to live.

I often joke—I don’t know if my dad would like the fact that I’m about to mention his age; my father is 76 years old. He lives with my mother in a beautiful home in Oakville. He loves his home. If I ever mentioned that he should downsize or maybe consider getting a condo or something, I think I wouldn’t be invited for Christmas this holiday season—because he loves his garden; he loves the fact that the grandkids, my brother’s two boys, live not too far from where they live, and they get to babysit them and play with them. But the reality is even though my father is in pretty good shape, he’s getting older.

Every time I see him, I see a marked difference in his mobility, in just normal interaction with physical things. That’s just a factor. When I was talking to him about this healthy homes renovation tax credit, he was quite excited. He actually said, “You know what?

This is going to help, because I do feel now, I think, the need that I should put some support railings in the bathroom just for getting in and out of the bathtub, or maybe reinforce the railings going up to the staircase, or better lighting because of weakening vision.” You know, things like that—and, I mean, these are just the very basic things that we could identify that he may need, but as he’s getting older, those needs may grow.

A tax credit of $1,500, which is administered in a very simple fashion—where you incur the expense, you keep the receipt and you then apply for the renovation tax credit when you’re filing your income tax return and you get a cheque back from the government—is very attractive to him. It encourages him to make those changes that he needs.

Now, yes, the tax credit is not for 100% of the cost; of course not. But it is a significant help and relief to a senior like my father. I think again, like I said, we can all share personal stories or stories of our constituents who have the same issues. When I went to see Stuart and Merrill at their business, Conval-Aid, I never had been before. I’d heard about it. I wanted to see from firsthand experience what kind of products we’re talking about. I was quite surprised by the kind of technology that is now available, by how much easier it has become to make homes accessible for seniors.

A lot of these things did not exist before. You know, if you just take modular ramps as an example: Let’s say you do not own your home, you rent it, but you need to put a ramp. Of course, you’re not going to incur that expense of building a permanent ramp. You can get something which is not permanent—it’s modular—which you can actually take with you. Those types of things are covered in this legislation. That tax credit will apply. And relatively speaking, these are not that expensive.

As I mentioned earlier, one of the things that caught my attention was the stair lifts, and I wanted to try one to see how it worked. I think there’s a YouTube video out there, because somebody recorded it and put it on the Internet. But I wanted to see how that particular device worked, and I was quite relieved to see how smooth, safe and secure a stair lift was, how slowly it moves. And for a senior, that would be a huge, huge relief: that if you live in a two-storey house, if you don’t live in a bungalow, all of a sudden you can go to the second floor of your house by installing this thing.

I asked them, “What’s the cost of a stair lift?” It’s about $4,500 with installation. I went, “Okay, so 15% off $4,500.” That’s a decent relief for a senior who is considering. So I kind of told them and reminded them to remind their customers that if this legislation passes—and you know, we have to say that—the customers, the seniors who are coming in or the relatives who are coming in to buy these things and getting them installed should keep those receipts from October 1 onwards, because if the legislation passes, it will apply retroactively and they will be able to apply for the tax credit. I’m going to speak to that later.

The other point, going back to the earlier sort of objective that I was talking about—the three points behind this legislation, which is to help our seniors, relieve pressures off our long-term care and to boost the economy—is that a business like Conval-Aid is a small family business. It’s privately owned. You know, Mr. Ed and Mrs. Ed started that business and now they’ve passed it on to their son and daughter, Stuart and Merrill. It’s a business that has been in Ottawa for a long time.

It’s a competitive business, especially in light of an aging demographic, because there are other companies—large multinationals—who are involved too. But I was really happy to see that it’s going to directly help businesses like that in our economy. They have a very significant employment force. They work with a lot of contractors who install these products and who help seniors get adjusted and get comfortable with these different types of technologies or products. That is another very significant element because, as Stuart said to me, this is definitely going to help.

This is going to just encourage more seniors to consider modifying their homes and making it more accessible. It’s just another great support.

In terms of job creation and in terms of helping our economy, clearly a very direct example that I can give you from my community in Ottawa: A business like Conval-Aid is going to significantly benefit from it.

Speaker, I’m going to talk a little bit more about some of the other features of this bill, because I think they’re important. So expenses which would not be eligible in this bill, if this passes, are if their primary purpose is to increase the value of the home, such as plumbing, roof repair and landscaping. Those are the types of things that are not included in this bill. Again, the idea is to make your home more accessible, more living-friendly for a senior, and that’s what we’re trying to achieve through this bill.

To claim the tax credit, seniors or their family members would have to get receipts from suppliers and contractors, as I was mentioning earlier, helping to ensure that these amounts are reported by vendors for tax purposes. The tax credit will be calculated as 15% of up to $10,000 in total eligible expenses for a senior’s principal residence in Ontario for a calendar year, for a maximum credit of $1,500 each year. Seniors would claim the tax credit on their personal income tax returns. Like they do at the end of the year, they will just claim it in a very simple way.

Here are a few examples of how the tax credit, if passed, will help Ontario seniors. These are some, I think, common examples that you and I and those who are listening at home can relate to. Take Sally and Joe, who are a retired couple in their late 60s, who own a home in Aurora. Joe’s difficulty getting upstairs has meant the couple needed to install a stair lift—the kind I tried the other day—so that he can access the second storey of the house. Sally and Joe paid their provider $6,000 for the purchase and installation of the stair lift.

They would keep their receipt and claim $6,000 on their 2012 tax return to receive a credit of $900. And they will actually get a cheque for $900 back from the Ontario government.

Or take Anita, who lives with her 75-year-old mother in a rented apartment in Toronto. Anita paid $500 to have grab bars permanently installed in her bathroom to make it safer for her mother to get in and out of the bath. Anita will keep her receipt and claim $500 on her 2012 tax return to receive a credit of $75.

For the 2012 tax year only, the $10,000 maximum would apply to expenses paid or payable from October 1, 2011, to December 31, 2012. For 2013 and all subsequent years, the maximum will apply to expenses paid or payable from January 1 to December 31 of the year. So that’s just a slight thing, an important thing, that I wanted to mention.

We are proposing that this tax credit be refundable and that there be no income testing for eligibility, which means seniors at all income levels could qualify for this tax credit.

Now, Speaker, the key is—and I really do want to stress this, because this is an important point; and those watching this at home, remember this please and pass this along—that if the legislation is passed and this tax credit is put into place, you need to keep your receipts. That’s a very important thing. You need the receipts to claim for the tax credit. You won’t be able to claim this tax credit if you don’t have the receipts.

So if the legislation passes, the intention is that this will apply as of October 1, 2011, and so we need to make sure that you keep the receipts for the work, for the purchases you made, for what you paid to the contractor in terms of installation, so that you can submit that with your tax return. That’s a very important point and something that I really want our seniors to know.

Now, the proposed tax credit is projected to cost the province about $60 million in 2011-12. This amount will be offset by savings in business support programs and tax-related expenditures as well as uncommitted capital spending. This means that every dollar spent in this new program would be saved from reduced spending in other areas. This is part of our plan to continue to support Ontarians while prudently managing the province’s finances.

Mr. Speaker, helping seniors stay healthy and independent at home becomes increasingly important as Ontario’s population ages. Not only does it help seniors live with dignity, but aging at home also helps relieve cost pressures on Ontario’s public services. Providing care to a senior in their own home or in their family’s home costs taxpayers less than providing services in a long-term-care home.

Senior after senior after senior who I’ve met and continue to meet in my riding of Ottawa Centre tells me that they want to live in their home. They don’t want to live anywhere but in their own home. They want help. They want assistance in ensuring that they continue to live in a comfortable fashion.

I spoke about this proposed tax credit during the campaign again and again, and I always got very positive feedback from seniors, because they said, “This is tangible. This is real. This is going to really have an impact. I can see the result of this tax credit.” We talk a lot about different kinds of tax credits, and they’re somewhere out there; we just really don’t know what it means because you don’t see anything tangible in return. This is one of those tax credits where a senior sees a real benefit, because they will see an improvement in their bathroom. They will see how that bathroom has become accessible for them.

Mr. Jeff Leal: People in Alexandria want it, too.

Mr. Yasir Naqvi: I’m sure people in Alexandria will definitely want this. People in Peterborough, I think, will be very supportive of this. I’m sure in every community across this province, all 107 ridings—I can assure you that if this legislation passes, you will see support by seniors, and you will see that the seniors will use it, because it’s going to result in a better quality of life for them. It’s going to ensure that they continue to live in their own home with dignity so that their grandkids can continue to visit them in their own home.

It’s something very, very important, something that I think we have spoken to seniors about again and again and something that I urge all members to support.

Regardless of how you look at the numbers, there is no doubt that Ontario’s aging population will bring significant fiscal challenges. Ontario’s senior population is expected to more than double over the next 25 years, from approximately 1.8 million seniors in 2010 to 4.1 million by 2036. That’s a very significant increase in our senior population in the province of Ontario. By 2017, for the first time, seniors will account for a larger share of the population than children 14 and under.

Speaker, our government is well aware of this reality and will continue to work hard to ensure that Ontario’s seniors have access to quality programs and services that enable them to live safe, healthy, independent lives. Premier McGuinty has summarized our goal best: “By helping seniors remain in their own home, we’re helping elderly people today, and we’re taking steps to deal with the aging of our population that’s going to happen in the future. It’s important that we begin preparing now so that we can ensure the baby boom generation are the healthiest, most active and most engaged generation of seniors in our history.”

In addition, the reality is that offering affordable solutions and alternatives that help seniors to stay at home as long as possible frees up health resources for patients in other care settings. That’s in large part why, in 2007, our government launched the Aging at Home strategy to promote the health of seniors by encouraging an independent lifestyle in their own homes. We have invested $1.1 billion over four years in this strategy, with the goal of providing a continuum of community-based services for seniors and their caregivers to allow them to stay healthy and live independently and with dignity in their homes.

I can give you example after example after example, Speaker, of how the Aging at Home strategy is working in my community. The one example I give you is that of a community called Rochester Towers, an Ottawa Community Housing tower. It’s a seniors-only residence in my riding in Ottawa Centre. You’ve got a very mixed population, and this is what’s so unique about Rochester Towers. You’ve got a community which is pretty much 50-50: 50% Chinese-speaking seniors and 50% non-Chinese-speaking seniors.

I’ve been going to this building for years, before I even ran for office, and did a lot of community and voluntary work. I always found some challenges in that building. People were not happy. People felt unhappy. Always, you’d find an ambulance parked in front of the building.

The other big difference I’ve seen is the relationship between those seniors who are of Chinese heritage and those who are not. In the past, they did not communicate with each other; in the past, they did not get along with each other. Now you see that they get along and they actually share each other’s activities. So this is a great example. This is something that I’m very, very proud of and will continue to promote in my community.

Speaker, when our seniors get health supports in their communities, they can avoid unneeded hospital visits, as was the case in Rochester Towers in my riding of Ottawa Centre, and live more active and independent lives. The proposed new healthy homes renovation tax credit will build on this strategy.

I mentioned earlier that we have three important goals in introducing this new tax credit at this time. Not only will this proposed tax credit help seniors live longer in their own homes and relieve cost pressures on Ontario’s health care system, but it will support jobs for businesses in the renovation sector. If passed by this Legislature, the tax credit is expected to support about $800 million of home renovation activity and around 10,500 jobs throughout the Ontario economy each and every year.

It would help build on the more than 128,000 net new jobs that have been created in Ontario so far in 2011 and on the almost half a million net new jobs—485,400, to be precise—that have been created in our province since October 2003.

In conclusion, I urge the Legislature to support this bill for three important reasons: (1) to help seniors continue to live independently; (2) to relieve cost pressures on the health care system; and (3) to support jobs and Ontario’s economy. I am confident that these goals are shared by each and every member in this House.

Speaker, over the last several years, Ontarians have made tremendous accomplishments by working together. In 2008, when the global economic turmoil first hit, the McGuinty government took early action to support those who needed help the most. In today’s economic environment, we will continue to make smart, innovative investments to encourage economic growth and job creation.

The proposed new healthy homes renovation tax credit is only the latest example of the kind of innovative approach that has helped our province weather the recent global recession. That’s why I’m asking for all members’ support in passing this legislation.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much to the member for Ottawa Centre. Questions and comments?

Mr. Rick Nicholls: I’d like to address the member’s comments with regard to job creation as well as remind him that since the election, this province has lost 75,000 private sector jobs. That equates to 100 jobs per hour.

He also was talking about that the government will not take a slash-and-burn approach to the public sector. We want to suggest that the member and his government consider a public sector wage freeze.

My concern, when he talked about innovation, is the fact that past performance is in fact an indication of future performance: tax; spend.

He talked about the healthy home tax credit helping seniors, providing a $1,500 tax rebate. The emphasis was continually on $1,500. My concern is, in order to obtain that $1,500, seniors must spend $10,000. My math tells me: 15%. I understand that, but my concern, to the member, is that many seniors cannot afford $10,000 in order to obtain a $1,500 credit.

Don’t get me wrong, Member. I am in favour of helping seniors, especially since one day I will be one. The reality is, though, very few can afford $10,000 of spending in order to get a $1,500 tax credit.

This won’t create new jobs. In fact, it will only create new projects for existing companies who will receive those phone calls from seniors wanting work done.

In theory, the healthy home tax credit is a positive move in the right direction, but in reality it’s a feel-good.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Questions and comments?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I just want to say to the member—because it’s a bit of a trend that we see developing around here in regard to the governing Liberals—that it would almost seem as if they didn’t notice there was a thing called an election, because as I listen to the speeches, it’s much the same as what we heard before the election, insofar that they’re still on the same track but don’t recognize that this in fact is a minority Parliament.

I would have hoped that somewhere within this speech, the member would have talked about how he is able to reach across the aisles and work with the opposition parties so that together we can build a tax credit that works for seniors. What I hear is much of the same. What I heard is that they’ve got all the ideas and they think they’ve got all the votes.

I don’t want to say for one second that we’re trying to be obstructionist here, because that’s not the point. We very much want to work with this government in order to do the things that are right with the public, but it’s got to be a two-way street. What I would hope to hear from members as we go forward in debates—this was the throne speech, but he used it, and rightfully so, because the rules allow it, to talk about the seniors’ tax credit—is soliciting ideas from the opposition about how we can work this together.

I can tell you that we, as New Democrats, are interested in this idea; we think there’s some value to it. We believe that there are some things that we might be able to do together with the Conservatives and the Liberals in order to make this a stronger program that doesn’t necessarily cost more money but is more effective for the people that it’s aimed to. Those are, I think, what we need to remember as we look forward to what this new Parliament is all about. It isn’t business as usual.

It isn’t about a majority government on the other side, or a minor—what do they call it?—a major minority, as the Premier called it. This is a minority Parliament, and it means to say that all of us in this House are going to have to change the way that we do things. I, in the opposition, am going to have to change the way that I do things. I can’t just criticize; I also have to propose, because that’s the responsibility I’ve been given by virtue of the numbers in the House.

The government, on the other side, has to listen and has to be willing to work with the opposition so that we do what we were charged to do, and that is to work for the people who sent us here.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Questions and comments? The member for Peterborough.

Mr. Jeff Leal: Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. You’re certainly looking resplendent this morning in your attire. I know you’ll do a wonderful job in that position.

I did listen carefully to my colleagues the government House leader and the member from Ottawa Centre. This bill will go to committee, and we do look forward—for example, my good friend the member from Durham, who has always been a strong advocate for seniors in his riding, will have some good ideas to possibly amend this bill. The previous speaker, the member from Timmins–James Bay, indicated that he’ll have some ideas to amend this bill.

In my own riding of Peterborough, I had the opportunity to visit two businesses. I’d like to talk about Vance Robbins this morning. Vance coached my son, Braden, in baseball, and he’s the owner of Anden bed and bath on Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough. He’s really a good small business operator. He knows that since combining the two levels of tax reporting he’s saving money, and he looks forward to the opportunity to sell the new walk-in baths and showers for seniors in my community.

Just last Saturday Karan and I had the opportunity to see our old friend Gus; Gus owns Gus’s Kitchen and Bath on Erskine Avenue in Peterborough. I was in to see Gus—we’re looking at buying a new sink and some other things. Karan recently got appointed as principal so she has a few extra bucks now, so there will be the opportunity to look at these things and do some renovations. But there was a senior that walked in to Gus’s, and I could see that she had some mobility issues, and she was looking at the opportunity to buy one of these new walk-in showers.

I said to her, “You should make that decision, because we’re bringing in the new healthy homes renovation tax credit. It’s retroactive to October 1, so this will be the opportunity to retrofit your home so you can stay in it longer.”

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very, very much. Questions and comments?

Our party has three priorities: We’re looking for private sector job creation; we’re looking to rein in government spending; and we’re looking for relief for families. The HST-off-of-home-heating plan brings relief for families. That’s the program that we will support because it recognizes not the slight wedge of less than 1% of the population; taking the HST off home heating brings relief to all families in Ontario, and that’s why we will be supporting that program. That’s why I cannot support the renovation tax credit that gets to so few people in Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time for questions and comments. I now return to the member for Ottawa Centre, who has two minutes to respond.

Mr. Yasir Naqvi: I want to thank the members from Chatham–Kent–Essex, Timmins–James Bay, Peterborough and Nipissing for their comments.

Helping seniors is not a partisan issue. It is not an issue that divides on the lines of Liberals and Conservatives or New Democrats. It is not an issue that should be all divvied up into how the numbers of seats in this House will accomplish it. It is our duty and responsibility to help seniors.

I really hope that the comments of the member from Nipissing are not reflective of the views of all the members of the Conservative Party, because if that’s the case, I think the seniors from the riding of Nipissing are being let down. But if all those members are against this tax credit for our seniors, they’re all being let down, because it is our responsibility to ensure that we help seniors so they can continue to live in their homes.

You have heard this again and again and again: Seniors want to ensure that they have means to live in their own homes. They should not be living in an institution like a long-term-care facility. The only way we can ensure that, Speaker, is by supporting Bill 2, the Healthy Homes Renovation Tax Credit Act, which is going to be a real support, a real relief for seniors, not to mention the boost to the economy, because it is going to create jobs.

I ask you to go ask the renovation sector their views about this bill, how it’s going to help them go and work in a senior’s home, install those devices so that seniors continue to live in their homes. That is the way. That’s the smart policy that we need to support and I really hope, Speaker, that the Conservative Party is not aligned with the views of the member from Nipissing and that they will support this bill when it comes to the vote.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Thank you very much. Further debate?

Mr. Peter Shurman: Speaker, I move adjournment of the debate.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The member for Thornhill has moved the adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading debate adjourned.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Orders of the day?

Hon. John Milloy: No further business, Mr. Speaker.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): There being no further business, this House stands in recess until 10:30 of the clock.

The House recessed from 0957 to 1030.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Ms. Teresa J. Armstrong: I would like to introduce today some very special guests, the family of page Theodore Giesen: his mother, Jennifer; father, George; and sisters Emily and Sarah Giesen. Please, everyone, wish them a warm welcome to the House.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you, and welcome.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: Speaker, the food and beverage processing industry is a major economic driver in our province. This morning, I am pleased to introduce Craig Richardson, the president of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors—welcome, Craig—and Jane Graham, the executive director. Welcome, Jane.

Along with fellow representatives from the alliance, they will be meeting today with MPPs to talk about some of the major issues affecting the industry in Ontario, and I encourage all of my colleagues to attend the reception this evening and sample some of the wonderful food.

Mr. Rosario Marchese: This morning, I met with a number of people in the music industry. They are here today, and there will be a reception later on—two of them are in my riding: Graham Henderson, CEO, Music Canada; Steve Kane, CEO, Warner Music; Deane Cameron, CEO, EMI Music; Randy Lennox, CEO, Universal Music; and Shane Carter, CEO, Sony Music.

Hon. Michael Chan: The guests from Music Canada have not arrived yet, but I still want to introduce them; Steve Kane from Warner Music Canada Co.; Deane Cameron, EMI Music Canada; Randy Lennox, Universal Music Canada Inc.; Shane Carter, Sony Music Entertainment Canada Inc.; Graham Henderson and Amy Terrill, Music Canada; and Erika Mozes from Crestview.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further introductions? There being none, it’s now time for oral questions.

Mr. Randy Hillier: Mr. Speaker, on a point of order: I would like to draw your attention to, I think, a violation of standing order 19 of this House: “Except as provided in standing order 107, no member of the House shall bring any stranger into any part of the House appropriated to the members of the House while the House, or the Committee of the Whole House, is meeting.” Today we have the Premier here, which is obviously a stranger to the House.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): First of all, that is not appropriate, and the member does know better and I would expect it not to happen again. Furthermore, I would hope that is not setting the tone for the question period.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No other comments are necessary, thank you.

ORAL QUESTIONS

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question is to the Premier. Premier, sadly, your so-called jobs plan has been a failure. We’ve lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs; we’ve lost 75,000 full-time private sector jobs since the last election alone.

The Ontario PC caucus has brought forward a good idea to create 200,000 jobs in the skilled trades, jobs for aspiring electricians, carpenters, welders and HVAC operators. Premier, will you support our plan to modernize our apprenticeship system and open up 200,000 good jobs for skilled tradesmen in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, first of all I want to thank the honourable member for his question.

I just want to introduce a little bit of clarity with respect to where we are in terms of jobs. Ontario has created 267,000 new jobs since the recession. Overwhelmingly, those jobs are full-time, and furthermore, overwhelmingly those full-time jobs pay more than the average Ontario wage. So in fact, we are moving in the right direction.

I had the opportunity to speak in person with my honourable colleague about where we’re going on trades. I remain open to any proposals that he might want to put forward in this regard. But I do want to say that I think we have some common ground in terms of ensuring that young people and families in Ontario see trades as a real and viable opportunity. They are an important part of our plan to increase the level of post-secondary education for all our students.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: Well, the problem, Premier, is that too many young people see the trades as a real and viable opportunity in Alberta, in Saskatchewan, in Manitoba and in British Columbia. The Premier knows full well that seven other provinces have modernized their apprenticeship system. They have lower ratios of journeymen to apprentices than the province of Ontario does. You seem to embrace a 1970s-era system, Premier.

So you say you’re open to ideas. Then let me ask you directly: Will you support our call and the call of the apprentices joining us here today to move to a one-to-one ratio and create 200,000 jobs in the skilled trades?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I’ve heard my honourable colleague on this before. He will know that we have changed ratios, as a government, eight times so far. They didn’t change them once when they were in government.

But we’re actually trying to move beyond that, so we’ve created a new College of Trades. What I wanted to do is a couple of things: first of all, inspire confidence in families and young people that trades are a real, viable option for them, and secondly, I want the college to take on that responsibility and to establish those ratios. I want the college for apprentices to take on the same kinds of responsibilities that the colleges for doctors, teachers, architects, lawyers and the like do.

So our preference is to turn this over to a thoughtful college that takes on that responsibility to decide specifically on the ratios that are appropriate for the industry here in Ontario.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: Come on, Premier. I mean, nobody really believes that. Basically, your College of Trades, five out of the eight potential members of the board are union bosses or former union bosses. It hands over these decisions to the special interests.

Quite frankly, Premier, this is a gross abdication of a responsibility that the Premier of the province should have: to actually take our system out of the 1970s and bring it into the 21st century, to move to a one-to-one ratio like seven other provinces that have moved in that direction and to actually create 200,000 jobs for young people who want to be electricians, who want to be plumbers, who want to be HVAC operators and who want to be welders in the province of Ontario.

Premier, will you at least say that you support the notion of modernizing our system and moving to a one-to-one ratio, just like they have in other provinces?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, again, I’m putting my faith in the college, and I would recommend to my honourable colleague that he do the same. I know he’s quick to dismiss it as being unworthy of public confidence, but I don’t see it that way.

The college is made up of trade boards. Those trade boards are composed of equal numbers of members selected as employee representatives and an employer. They’re also made up of divisional boards. The divisional board is made up of two employers and two employees. And then there’s a board of governors, which is made up of 21 members, 16 of those coming from the divisional boards, which are, again, equally made up.

So we’ve worked really hard to ensure that the new college is, in fact, fair and objective when it comes to the decision-making that they’re going to undertake, including the decision with respect to ratios. I’d ask my honourable colleague to give the college a chance—

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

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the Premier: Premier, nobody believes that. The employer groups, for example, the Heavy Construction Association of Toronto, Merit Ontario, the Ontario Electrical League, the Ontario General Contractors Association, the Ontario Road Builders’ Association, the sewer and water main association, Progressive Contractors, residential contractor councils—all of these employer groups who want to hire the young people who have joined us in the assembly today—see your College of Trades as blocking job creation. They oppose your College of Trades. Nobody actually believes you.

Well, I guess one person, Pat Dillon, the head of the Working Families Coalition, likes this College of Trades. He can pull the strings. But you stand with Pat Dillon; we stand with the young people. We stand with the people who want to get jobs in the trades. We want to stand with the young electricians.

Premier, if employers don’t have any faith in your College of Trades, why should young people who are looking to put their skills to work in the province of—

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

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Mr. Speaker, the only person that can’t—

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It takes a certain amount of gall for the Leader of the Opposition, who in years one, two and three of the Conservative government gutted the system, cut apprenticeship funding by 74%—the reason we have deficits today is because the previous government left it in rack and ruin.

We have a fair and balanced system. I’ve been out across the province meeting with business leaders and labour leaders. I’ve met with the College of Trades. The Leader of the Opposition should consider that business people there are concerned about—what they don’t want is what they’re proposing. They don’t want government micromanaging the trades. We’re asking industry, labour and colleges to be—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: Ironically, when this minister was the mayor of Winnipeg, in Manitoba, in the time period he references, do you know what the ratio was in Manitoba, Mr. Speaker? One to one. So it’s the old goose and gander.

Seven provinces have modernized their systems. They have created jobs for young people, jobs for those who are retraining. I asked the apprentices here today how many of them have seen their friends hightail it out to Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC to get jobs in the trades. Everyone raised their hands.

I ask the minister to look behind me, look above me at the 50 or so young people who want to be apprentices in the province of Ontario. Look them in the eye and tell them that you oppose a one-to-one ratio that will give them job opportunities in the province of Ontario. Can you do that?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I don’t know how simplistic the leader of the official opposition can be. We have over 150 trades in Ontario. Each of them has different ratio requirements. The business leaders, the educators, the labourers and the people in the trades themselves do not want a one-size-fits-all because the trades are radically different. Small businesses need different things from that.

It is the Leader of the Opposition who should look up into the galleries and explain why we’re committed—right now, 120,000 people are in apprenticeships. When you were in government, your performance was less than 50% of that. All the talk and the rhetoric is lovely, but you couldn’t bake the bread. You—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: The minister’s argument holds no water. In the other provinces, in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, they have electricians, they have plumbers, they have welders, and they have HVAC operators. They have those trades. Correct me if I’m wrong, but they’ve moved to modernize their system; they’ve moved to one-to-one ratios. And, Minister, you’re absolutely darn right: I’ll look these folks in the eye like you did earlier today to say I’m going to fight for them. I’m going to fight for them each and every day. I want to see that talent here in the province of Ontario. I want to see those 200,000 jobs.

So I ask the member who spent time in Manitoba and saw this work; I ask the minister: If it’s good enough for seven other provinces, why are you stuck in the 1970s and telling these young people to head out west to find a good job? I want to see them here in Ontario.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: You know, Mr. Speaker, when I was mayor of Winnipeg—and to this day, if you talk to my predecessor, you’ll find the flow of talent isn’t that way; it’s this way, quite frankly.

Second of all, 28,000 apprenticeships: That’s twice as many people today getting into apprenticeships as when you were in government—two to one. The College of Trades is going to increase that. We are looking at three to one over your record, or four to one. But this is typical: There isn’t a plan. You basically couldn’t string two sentences together.

I have got two reports—the Whitaker report. Why don’t you read it? You know, literacy is a good thing. Read the Whitaker report and read the Thomson report. There are three years of research working with business, labour and colleges to design a system that is—

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

TAXATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Two years ago, with much, much fanfare, the government released a report claiming that corporate tax cuts and the HST were going to create 591,000 jobs. So my question to the Premier is: It’s been two years; can he provide a progress report for us on that?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Well, Speaker, you know, I’m pleased to take the question from my honourable colleague the leader of the third party. I said just a moment ago that we have created 267,000 new jobs since the recession—more than half the new jobs in Canada.

I would also draw my honourable colleague’s attention to a couple of independent assessments of our competitiveness at this point in our history. Foreign Direct Investment, a very reputable authority in the UK, has said that we are now the second most preferred destination for foreign investment in all of North America, after California.

Furthermore, just a couple of months ago now, Forbes magazine in the US, a very prestigious business magazine, said that Canada has now become the preferred destination in the world for foreign investment, and the number one reason for that change—we jumped from fifth spot to first spot—is because of the tax reforms that we made in Ontario. So, Speaker, I say to my honourable colleague, they are in fact working.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, in July 2010 the government started slashing corporate tax rates and hit families with the HST, but employment levels since that time really have not changed all that much. Most jobs, in fact, that were created were created before the HST was implemented. On top of that, the fall economic statement revises employment projections down by as much as 40%. Does the Premier really think his plan is working?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, my honourable colleague will know that there is global economic uncertainty, and that it is centred in Europe, the world’s largest trading bloc, and the United States, the world’s largest economy. Of course, the consequences of that are being felt by us here in Ontario. It is slowing down the rate at which we grow our economy and it is making it more difficult for to us create jobs.

In addition to our tax reforms and our continuing investment in developing the skills of our workforce, just yesterday in London, together with the Minister of Energy, we announced our new southwestern Ontario development fund. I’m asking my honourable colleague to support that. It’s a proven winner. We’ve tested this in eastern Ontario. If $50 million would generate close to half a billion dollars in private sector investment and some 12,000 jobs, we want to do the same for southwestern Ontario and I ask my colleague to support that measure.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, for two years the government has insisted that corporate tax giveaways and unfair sales tax were going to create jobs, and for two years we’ve seen exactly the opposite happening in this province. Now, when the government is considering reckless cuts to balance the books, why won’t the Premier instead put the brakes on reckless tax giveaways and start looking at tax credits that actually help the companies that are creating jobs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I’m pleased to engage my honourable colleague in this debate, and I know that we will over the course of time and leading up to the budget. But there is a practical, pragmatic provision and initiative that we have just introduced.

We want to do something that is specific to southwestern Ontario. It’s the creation of a new development fund. It’s modeled on the fund that we put in place in eastern Ontario. On the basis of that experience, Speaker, we found that about 50 million tax dollars have leveraged about a half a billion dollars in private sector investment and created about 12,000 jobs. We want to use that as a model and create something very similar to benefit southwestern Ontario. I’m going to need my colleague’s support in order to pursue that initiative and I ask her for that support.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, my next question is also to the Premier. Yesterday, your Minister of Economic Development shrugged off a growing list of companies that have taken public money but haven’t followed through on job creation. He said, “[T]he majority of those companies create jobs.”

Does the Premier agree with his minister’s new standard that as long as some companies are creating jobs, the rest can take the money and run?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, I’m not prepared to accept that as in fact what the minister is saying. But I can say that we’re not prepared to throw up our hands and allow the evolution of globalization to play itself out unhindered in the province of Ontario.

One of the things that we have learned in our travels abroad is that those jurisdictions which are most successful and most competitive are those where people have come together—and that is the private sector, labour and government—and put their shoulders collectively to the wheel in a strategic and intelligent way. So that’s what we’re doing here in Ontario.

For example, in our Green Energy Act, that is something that we are doing together in the province of Ontario. We have decided that there is an exciting opportunity. We’re working hard together to pursue that. So far we’ve created 20,000 jobs. We are clearly the leader in North America when it comes to pursuing clean energy technology, and that’s a good example of government and people working together to pursue an exciting opportunity.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Leader, supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, no company should be able to take public money and then leave its employees high and dry. Last summer, the province promised a $2.5-million grant to St. Catharines-based Silicon Knights, and they said that they would create around 90 jobs and sustain another 100 jobs. But Speaker, this company is cutting its workforce down to 35 people.

Now, I want to know from the Premier if this government is planning on moving ahead with these grants and, if so, are there going to be job guarantees that are part of that contract?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Speaker, again, I want to assure my honourable colleague that we are looking at this very closely. There was one instalment of funds provided, but we’re now obviously in discussions before any further money flows.

But I just want to let her know about a place that I visited yesterday. It’s called Digital Extremes. They’re in London. They’re in the same line of work, computer games, Speaker. We gave them two and a half million dollars and we asked that they meet a certain job target within five years. They met it in six months, Speaker. They’ve grown by 70% in the last 18 months. I know my colleagues opposite would be especially interested in learning that 22% of their growing workforce comes from outside the province. In fact, I met a young woman there who is from Scotland, who found out about this business here and came to work there.

So I want to assure my honourable colleague that we’re being very careful in terms of how we provide this kind of support—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the province patted itself on the back for a series of multi-million-dollar grants to Global Sticks in Thunder Bay. That company closed its doors last week, although they claim that they can reopen again if they get another $2 million from the province.

The question is this: What kind of job guarantees did the government extract when it handed that company millions of dollars?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Economic Development and Innovation.

Hon. Brad Duguid: In all of these investments, Mr. Speaker, there are accountability mechanisms where dollars are often clawed back when these companies go through difficult circumstances. I think, though, what Ontario workers want to know is, is the leader of the NDP suggesting we shouldn’t be making these investments? There’s always going to be an element of risk when these investments are made.

We’re dealing with the private sector during tough global economic times. Is she opposed to the $8.6 billion we’ve leveraged overall from these economic development initiatives? Is she opposed to the 12,100 new jobs that have been created as a result of these investments or the 19,300 jobs that have been protected as a result of these investments?

Mr. Speaker, I think that’s what Ontario workers need to know.

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: My question today is for the Premier. If you look in the gallery today, you will see students from the CLAC pre-apprenticeship training facility in Cambridge and the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute in Toronto. Welcome, guys and girls.

They came here today because your refusal to modernize our apprenticeship system means that when they graduate, they can’t get a job. According to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 37% of Ontario’s small businesses say that a shortage of skilled labour is the main constraint on growing their business. The students here today have those skills.

The Ontario PC caucus has the plan to put them to work and create skilled trades for Ontario’s future. Why are you standing in their way?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. Glen R. Murray: I think we want to acknowledge first, Mr. Speaker, the incredible effort that these students are involved in, pursuing a critical series of opportunities in the private sector, and we want to commend them for that.

But you know, actions are more important than words. Right now, there are 120,000 people just like them in Ontario pursuing trades. That’s twice as many as under the party opposite when it was in government, when there were only 60,000 people.

I want to acknowledge that we’re not doing enough yet, even though we’re doing twice as well as the previous government. They should also take the time, because they’re students, to read the Thomson report and the Whitaker report, and they’ll understand therein what has been—

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

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: Minister, by the time question period ends today, Ontario will have lost another 100 jobs. Ontario is facing a jobs crisis. The time for action, we believe, is now. We’ve already wasted 54 days without a single new idea coming from this party.

The Ontario PC caucus has put a good idea on the table, creating 200,000 skilled trade jobs by modernizing our apprenticeship system. If you are really serious about your pledge to work together with the opposition to create good private sector jobs, why are you standing in the way of creating these jobs?

Hon. Glen R. Murray: We’re doing a lot of other things to support these students. We have the most generous tax credits in Canada right now to assist employers in hiring apprentices.

Not only did the party opposite in power cut within the first three years apprenticeship funding by 74%, and people like those in the gallery were thrown out of opportunities, they also raised tuition by 67% and cut half a billion dollars from training, colleges and universities—the biggest cuts. You delivered less opportunities and diminished opportunities.

Right now in this recession, it is our economy in North America that’s attracting more capital. It is our economy that is building jobs. The opposition can only count jobs lost; they’re not counting jobs created.

Through the College of Trades, Mr. Speaker—unlike the party there, we don’t believe government knows anything. So we’ve—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question?

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Mr. Jonah Schein: Speaker, this question is to the Minister of the Environment. Ontarians want the government to protect—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. The member from Pembroke will come to order––the second time, please.

Member?

Mr. Jonah Schein: Thank you.

Ontarians want the government to protect our lakes, our rivers and air, but today the Environmental Commissioner reports that the Ministries of the Environment and Natural Resources face a crisis of capacity. While they’ve been given more responsibility to deal with increasing threats to the environment, their budgets have been cut by 45% and 22% respectively since the 1990s.

Will the McGuinty government heed the commissioner’s call to rebuild these ministries or will a clean environment be another casualty of upcoming cuts?

Hon. James J. Bradley: Well, I know that the member probably forgot to mention this, and I forgive him for it, but he will be aware that since our government took office we have in fact increased the Ministry of the Environment budget by some 42%.

I welcome the report of the Environmental Commissioner. It’s excellent. As the new minister, I have an opportunity to look at all of his recommendations. I have a great deal of respect for the commissioner.

I know that you forgot, as well, to mention some of the good things that he said about the government of Ontario. I forgive you. He said that he commends MOE for developing a source protection strategy. He says that the ministry has built early, multi-stage notice and consultation into the source protection planning process. He lauds the ministry on its new publicly accessible approvals database. He says that we’re developing new, more stringent limits—

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

Mr. Jonah Schein: Mr. Speaker, to the environment minister: The Environmental Commissioner said there is a “culture of inaction and procrastination” on issues like climate change and waste diversion. The Ministries of the Environment and Natural Resources simply are not able to properly monitor and enforce landfilling, incineration, waste hauling and other polluting activities.

Will the minister assure Ontarians that the capacity of these ministries will not be further undermined by upcoming cuts, or is the environment one of the areas slated for a 30% slash in funding?

Hon. James J. Bradley: I should mention, as well—I forgot to mention this—that the Ministry of the Environment, since our government took office, has hired some 39 new water inspectors.

I want to tell the member that if you’re looking at initiatives that are extremely important for the environment, you know that despite the fact that some of your members were unfortunately opposed to this, we are eliminating the use of coal for the production of electrical power in the province of Ontario. The former member for Kenora–Rainy River will be listening to this, I know, at this particular point in time.

We have also developed the green energy plan, which is accentuating the need for and the implementation of more benign ways of producing electrical power in this province of Ontario. We have the source protection act, which we’re being lauded for internationally, and I want to commend our people in our homes who are using that blue box program in a very exemplary manner.

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

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. Bob Delaney: Thank you very much, Speaker. This question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Minister, people in western Mississauga neighbourhoods such as Lisgar, Meadowvale and Streetsville understand the importance of our publicly funded universal health care system. As originally conceived, health care funding was a shared responsibility with the federal government. The province and the federal government each paid 50% of health care costs. Today, the federal government pays only 23% of our health care funding. That’s less than a quarter.

Minister, please tell us what Ontario is doing to stand up for our health care system and ensure its sustainability for future generations.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the member from Mississauga–Streetsville for this very important question. Ontarians have tasked this government with the challenge of making sure that our health care system is strong for generations to come.

Ontarians realize that they need strong leadership, leadership that will stand up to the federal government on behalf of the people who need health care, so our government is pressing for a new 10-year health accord with the federal government that will establish priorities, accountability and clear goals. We are working with the other provinces to make that a reality, and we’re pushing the federal government to commit to an accord that goes well beyond the two years that they have already committed to.

This long-term health accord is important not just for the people of Ontario but for the people across this country.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Bob Delaney: Well, thank you very much, Minister. We have an aging population here in Ontario, and seniors are making up an increasing proportion of our total population across Canada. For every senior alive today, there will be two seniors when most of the baby boom generation are ourselves seniors.

Interjection.

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

I’ve already mentioned to the member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke about the inside voice. I am now saying it must be.

Mr. Bob Delaney: Thank you, Speaker.

Will the minister please tell the House what our province is doing to help Ontario’s senior population?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, there is no question that all provinces and territories need to work together to make sure that we’re giving seniors the best possible care and options that allow them to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

The seniors I talk to tell me that, given a choice, home is where they want to be—in their neighbourhoods and in their communities. I’m proud to talk about a program called Home First, which is having a remarkable impact on the ability of seniors to come back home. When seniors are in hospital, what used to happen is that often they would be on track to go into long-term care. Now, under Home First, they’re coming home. They’re getting intensive supports to keep them in their own homes. What we’re finding is that people are actually getting healthier, and they are certainly happier being in their own home.

So that’s what this government is doing, and I’d ask the members from the opposite parties to join us—

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

LONG-TERM CARE

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: Mr. Speaker, through you to the Premier: 11 days ago, the Toronto Star again revealed that physical, emotional and sexual abuse remains rampant throughout Ontario nursing homes. Your government had an opportunity to address this issue one year ago following a similar report when I introduced a motion at the social policy committee calling for an immediate investigation into living conditions in nursing homes. However, your Liberal members on the committee defeated the motion and blocked the investigation.

Why has it taken your government more than a year and yet another front-page Toronto Star story detailing shocking abuse before you finally agreed to an investigation?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Health.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, there is absolutely no question that when people go into long-term care, they should be entitled to—their loved ones should have confidence that they will receive the best possible care and certainly not be subject to any form of abuse.

We have come a long, long way in the eight years that we have been in government, and I think you may recall—I’m sure members in this House recall—that then-parliamentary assistant Monique Smith travelled the province and investigated problems within our long-term-care homes. As a result, we have made significant improvements to care in long-term care. We have new legislation. We have new inspection processes. And it is as a result of that change that these incidents are now coming to light.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: Mr. Speaker, again, through you to the minister: Minister, your government was made aware of the issue one year ago. Your committee members voted down an investigation at that time.

In 2003, the former Minister of Health wept copiously over photos showing abuse. He promised a revolution in nursing care and that he would fix it. Now, the current minister has promised to fix it following yet another front-page Toronto Star story.

I ask you, Minister: In order to ensure and restore confidence, in order to ensure high quality and transparency of care as well as a safe environment for our seniors in nursing homes, the task force work must begin immediately. Can you tell this House when it will begin and when the recommendations will come back to this House for action?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Speaker, when I read the stories in the Toronto Star that the member opposite is referring to, I did call, immediately, a summit meeting of different people who have an interest in long-term care. They came with the idea that they establish a task force. That work is under way now.

I do want to say, Speaker, that what is really important is that there is a culture change in long-term care and that there needs to be a culture change so that anyone who suspects abuse of any type should report that immediately. And I am just going to use this opportunity to tell the people of Ontario that if ever they suspect abuse in long-term care, please call the long-term-care action line: 1-866-876-7658. Call immediately. We need to know when abuse is taking place.

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

YOUTH SERVICES

Miss Monique Taylor: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

The government of Ontario is the primary parent for over 8,000 children in Ontario. Over the last two Fridays, a group of these youths organized hearings here at Queen’s Park to share their experiences. I listened to their heartbreaks, their dreams and recommendations. Like all young people, they just want to succeed, but right now, extended care management is the only system of support available to them, and it cuts them off at the age of 21.

Will the Minister of Children and Youth listen to our children and finally modernize extended care maintenance?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Well, thank you. First I’d like to congratulate the member from Hamilton Mountain on her election, and also being appointed critic to this important ministry.

I want to say that absolutely, I am prepared to listen to this community of young people. In fact, I was proud—quite humbled, to be honest—to attend both days of hearings here at Queen’s Park, last Friday and the Friday before. And I have to tell you that the presentations by these youth—and in fact the hearings themselves, of course, although catalyzed by the provincial advocate, an advocate that we appointed and made independent—were in fact organized by youth in care and youth who had recently come out of care as crown wards and former crown wards. The presentations and the stories that I heard were both heartbreaking, in many cases, but also incredibly inspiring.

I look forward to the report coming out in the spring.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Miss Monique Taylor: Last May, Ontario New Democrats proposed extending the age of support to the kids in care from 21 to 25. This would allow these young people to finish post-secondary education, enter the workplace, find stability and break the cycle of dependency. For years, the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, the youth themselves, children’s aid and child welfare agencies have all recommended extending this support, yet the McGuinty Liberals have ignored these proposals.

Speaker, will the minister finally do the right thing, work with the NDP and ensure that the youth in care have the tools they need to succeed?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Well, Mr. Speaker, I want to say, first of all, that I am very much looking forward to working closely with my critic from the third party, and I look forward to getting good ideas in terms of how we can further reduce the challenges that our crown wards and those exiting care face. I was certainly inspired by these extremely courageous and brave individuals.

But I also want to say that we have made historic improvements and quite remarkable changes very recently with the Building Families and Supporting Youth to be Successful Act which, as the member opposite knows, was proclaimed this past September and, along with other reforms, makes it easier for prospective parents to adopt these individuals. They also allow wards who exit the system voluntarily at age 16 or 17 to return to the children’s aid society. This is a new change that we implemented—to be eligible for financial and other supports until the age of 21, including the important extended care maintenance support.

RENT REGULATION

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: My question today is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. My riding of Scarborough Southwest is a diverse riding made up of many different income brackets, including lower-income tenants who pay rent. Given the current economic times we’re living in, many tenants are finding it harder and harder to make ends meet.

I believe very strongly in making sure Ontarians have access to safe, affordable housing. It is incumbent upon all of us to ensure that tenants in Ontario do not suffer from unjustified rent increases like the ones we had in the 1990s under both PC and NDP governments.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: How is this government protecting tenants in Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I want to thank the member for the question and for his work with tenants in Scarborough Southwest.

Mr. Speaker, since we were elected in 2003, we have shown a very strong commitment to protecting tenants across Ontario. In fact, our government made changes to the way rental increases are calculated when we reinstituted real rent control after years of policies that were hurting tenants. We established strong rent controls to keep rents affordable for tenants.

Our rent increase guideline is based on the Ontario consumer price index for all goods and services, and it’s averaged over the 12-month period ending in May of the previous year. As a result, our government has afforded tenants across the province the lowest year-over-year increases of any government in recent memory. Our average year-over-year has been 1.9%. The PC Party: When they were in office, their average year-over-year was 2.9%. The NDP: When they were in office, the year-over-year average was 4.8%.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: Thank you, Speaker. I’m happy to hear about this government’s commitment to controlling the rate of rent increase year over year. If there are further questions, tenants can contact the Landlord and Tenant Board.

Having said that, I know that in 2012 the guideline increase is set at 3.1%. Minister, I fear this amount is quite high, especially for the most vulnerable among us. Given our incredible record of preventing out-of-control annual rent increases, I am hopeful that this government will once again show true leadership and ensure that future increases at this level can be avoided.

Mr. Speaker, again, through you to the minister: What could be done to make sure rents stay affordable for Ontario families?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I want to thank the member for his concern, and I know it’s shared by everyone in the province. All of the members heard from constituents that, yes, the rent increase guideline for the next year is 0.7%, but the next year is 3.1%—let me correct that: The rent increase for this year was 0.7%, and for next year it’s 3.1%.

I think that the legislation, as it’s written, worked well in a pre-recession period. As I said, we’ve had the lowest year-over-year average of any government. But I think what we need to recognize is that that process reflects the changes in the economy today.

I think it’s time that we have to revisit the legislation so that the future increases are in line with what’s actually happening in people’s day-to-day lives, in the real world for tenants.

I look forward to hearing constructive suggestions and comments from all sides of the House on this topic. In the meantime, we’re going to move ahead to address this important issue for—

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

AGGREGATE EXTRACTION

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Speaker, my question is for the Premier. During this past election, a number of Liberal members made statements that your government intends to stop the Highland Companies from opening a quarry in Melancthon township.

Can the Premier please explain how you plan to prevent this quarry from being approved?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of the Environment.

Hon. James J. Bradley: First and foremost, Mr. Speaker, our government believes that it’s critical to manage the resources of the province in an appropriate fashion.

The Highland quarry is currently being put through an environmental assessment. I recognize that that is somewhat unusual in the private sector. I can’t recall any of the previous governments doing this. I’m not being critical of them; I don’t recall them doing it.

But this is going through a full environmental assessment. It’s designated, even as a private sector initiative, for that full environmental assessment. That means, first of all, that they would have to justify the need. Second, they would have to look at all aspects of the proposal that’s put forward. It allows for maximum input from the people from the area.

I want to commend all of my colleagues in the Legislature who have felt that this is most appropriate to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Oh, Speaker, many, many words; not a lot of action.

The Highland Companies, in fact, will submit what they want the terms of reference to be for the environmental assessment, and no EA has begun. The public wants to be part of that process, needs that consultation. The people are rightfully concerned that the water resources and the water tables will be affected because of this application.

Minister, we are looking for assurances. We need assurances from you that this application will go under a full environmental assessment that includes public consultation. Can you commit today to involving the public in the terms of reference and set that as part of your environmental assessment review?

Hon. James J. Bradley: I want to repeat to the member that I know this is unusual. In the past, it was not done. When there was a request from time to time for private sector designation, that was resisted by previous governments. Our government has, in fact, indicated that it will engage in a full environmental assessment. That commitment has been given. When the assessment commences, we’ll be seeking information on all aspects of this from the public. Many of my colleagues have asked for this.

We recognize that for a number of years in the province of Ontario, you simply bulldozed through the proposals that were there, and there was no environmental assessment designation. We have committed to that and a full public consultation. We invite the public to make its representations.

Unlike what used to—

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

MINING INDUSTRY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. Cliffs Natural Resources in northern Ontario’s Ring of Fire have said that they want to ship chromite overseas to refineries. Will the government allow our natural resources to be shipped to China when they should be processed here in Ontario, providing work for Ontario workers?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: The Cliffs project provides an opportunity for incredible job creation not only in northern Ontario but across Ontario. The potential of mining chromite is enormous.

We on this side of the House want to ensure that that development moves very, very smoothly and moves very, very quickly, because the economic impact is immense. It’s immense not only for residents of Ontario; it’s immense for the definition of Ontario as the leading mining jurisdiction across the world.

We will ensure that we get the process correct. We will engage our First Nations communities. We will ensure that we engage the mining communities, that we engage industry. We will ensure that we maximize the potential of job creation for Ontario with the—

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the Premier said that he is committed to leading-edge jobs in the Ring of Fire; that’s what the Premier said. Processing chromite for the Ring of Fire would create good-paying, value-added jobs in northern Ontario.

It’s time for the Premier to stand up for those leading-edge jobs for northerners. Is the Premier going to allow good, leading-edge processing jobs to leave Ontario or not?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Let me reinforce what I said. I’m glad that the leader of the third party understands the importance of this, because what we won’t do is what the NDP would do. They would build walls around Ontario. They would ensure that people like workers in northern Ontario at the Xstrata smelting and processing plant would lose jobs, with their philosophy and their policy.

We’re not going to do that. We’re going to ensure that we maximize the potential of the Ring of Fire. We’re going to ensure that we maximize the job creation for northern Ontarians and all Ontarians. We’re going to ensure that we maximize the definition of Ontario, because our priority is job creation, protection of health care and education.

TOURISM

Mrs. Teresa Piruzza: My question is for the Minister of Tourism and Culture. Minister, a Statistics Canada report indicates international border crossing was down 0.1% in September and was down 2.1% from January to September compared to the year before.

As the member representing Windsor West, home of the busiest international crossing, these numbers are of particular concern to me, as it has a direct impact on our community. At such a volatile state of our economic recovery, we cannot afford for one of our economic drivers to slow down. We need to ensure that an industry which supports over 330,000 jobs annually thrives.

Speaker, through you to the minister: What are you and this government doing to encourage and attract visitors from other countries around the world?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Michael Chan: Speaker, first and foremost, congratulations on your election. As well, I want to congratulate the honourable member from Windsor West on her election.

Speaker, the guests from Music Canada who I introduced earlier have arrived; they’re over there. Welcome.

Our government is committed to promoting tourism and supporting the sector. The reason is quite simple: because we understand that tourism brings investments and creates jobs. This is why, since 2003, we have invested $830 million in our tourism agencies to make Ontario a premier tourism destination.

Our plan is quite simple: Over the next several years the international spotlight will be on Ontario as we host the 2012 NHL All-Star Game, World Pride in 2014—

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

Mrs. Teresa Piruzza: Again, my question is for the Minister of Tourism and Culture. Minister, small businesses are the lifeline of Ontario’s economy, especially in a city like Windsor. Hundreds of our local restaurants and small businesses rely on the revenue from our tourists.

With the current passport requirements and our dollar near parity, it is increasingly more difficult for our neighbours from the south to pay us a visit. Generally, we see a traffic flow of 13,000 vehicles travel through the Detroit-Windsor tunnel daily, and we want to ensure that the number keeps increasing.

Speaker, again, through you to the minister: What is your plan to help tourism-related businesses in Windsor and across Ontario prosper as we recover from these tough economic times?

Hon. Michael Chan: We have a clear plan to build on the strength of the tourism industry in Ontario. Yes, the US border crossings are down, but overseas visits are up. Allow me to give you some examples here. During the first nine months of 2011, visits from India were up 11%, from Brazil, up 8%; visits from China were up—not 4%, not 14%, but a whopping and fantastic 41%. We only expect these numbers to keep increasing. For example, we expect visitors from China to grow to about 200,000 by 2014.

We will continue our efforts in the US market and, at the same time, strengthen our efforts in attracting overseas tourists.

RED TAPE REDUCTION

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is to the minister responsible for the alcohol and gaming corporation. We have a job crisis here in Ontario, and last week your heavy-handed regulations forced the shutdown on an innovative home delivery partnership between Beau’s brewery and Operation Come Home in eastern Ontario. Your heavy-handedness cost jobs and fundraising opportunities for homeless youth. Your own members have called for your government to cut the red tape that excludes Ontario microbreweries from offering home delivery of their products.

Will you do the right thing? Will you restore common sense and will you scrap that archaic law that killed jobs for Ottawa’s homeless?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. John Gerretsen: Thank you very much, Speaker. First of all, let me congratulate you on your re-election as well. And I’d like to also congratulate the member from Ottawa South and the member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, who have been very proactive in this particular situation. If it hadn’t been for them, Speaker, this issue would not have come to the foreground.

Yes, we are dealing with it and we are working out the situation as quickly as possible, because we think it’s the right thing to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Well, “as quickly as possible” is not right now.

The minister himself is from eastern Ontario, and I can see the headlines in the Ottawa Citizen tomorrow if he does the right thing: “Local Boy Does Good.”

But let’s give them the go-ahead today. Let’s get them back and running so that we can get the jobs back. You’re in charge; you just have to tell your staff over here to let the bureaucrats know that the change is coming so that we can get that program up and running again. Why the delay?

I want to know, will you instruct your officials to do just that, change the archaic law that is preventing Operation Come Home and Beau’s from getting the job done today? You can be the Christmas hero in Ottawa if you just say, “Yes, we’ll do it today. We’ll save this eastern Ontario operation.”

Hon. John Gerretsen: I’m flattered that that member would think that I could be a Christmas hero to her.

We are working on the situation as we speak and we hope to have it resolved as soon as possible. We know this is a great charity, we know this is a great brewery as well, and we want to make sure that we—you know, you may just want to remember that it was your government that put in this law many, many years ago.

Interjections.

Hon. John Gerretsen: Yes, yes.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order.

Hon. John Gerretsen: And it will be our government, Speaker, within about 48 or 72 hours of finding out about the situation, that is going to correct something that they created many, many years ago.

CONSERVATION

Mr. Paul Miller: My question is for the Minister of Infrastructure. In September, the former minister from Hamilton Mountain again said that the ecologically sensitive Eramosa karst feeder lands would likely be donated or transferred, for a nominal fee, to the Hamilton Conservation Authority. The main Eramosa karst lands, a rare geological formation of caves and sinkholes, were transferred to the Hamilton Conservation Authority for a nominal fee of $2.

Can this minister tell us why the Eramosa karst feeder lands have not yet been transferred to the Hamilton Conservation Authority for a similar nominal fee?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Thank you very much for the question. Certainly I was very active on the file and was very pleased to be able to meet the needs and the requests of the Hamilton area with respect to this very important, sensitive land.

On the other hand, I am not current on the issue right now, and I will undertake to look into it for him to see whether or not our commitments are met or are not being met. I will also, incidentally, be very pleased to meet with the member to discuss this privately.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Paul Miller: Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that.

Speaker, in September, the Ontario Realty Corp. told the Hamilton Conservation Authority to buy the feeder lands, which provide water to the delicate limestone karst, at market value, which works out to be approximately $800,000.

Can the minister tell us when and why this government made the change from a nominal fee to market value? Why has it taken so long to let the public know of this drastic, impossible new demand, and when will the feeder lands be transferred for a true nominal fee, like the government promised?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: The supplementary I’ll refer to the Minister of the Environment.

Hon. James J. Bradley: Mr. Speaker, this is an exceedingly important question that the member asks, and I want to assure him that the Ministry of the Environment has the greatest interest in the question that he directed to me.

I have been in conversation with the Minister of Infrastructure, and I’m sure, as we continue to deliberate on this matter, we will be able to find a resolution which will be pleasing to the people of Hamilton.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I was remiss in my duties. I would wish the members to greet my guests from Brant: Tracy Kadish, Lorne Kadish and Avery Kadish. Thank you for joining us today in the House.

USE OF QUESTION PERIOD

Mr. John Yakabuski: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I listened carefully today. Thank you for admonishing me; that gave me the opportunity to listen carefully, as you have told me, to the responses from the other side and also the questions from the other side. I refer today to standing order 37(a), where it explicitly says that “the Speaker shall disallow any question which he or she does not consider urgent or of public importance.”

I listened to a number of those questions, which were nothing more than opportunities for the government to tout what they believe to be a positive spin on their record. I question, Mr. Speaker, whether that is of urgent or public importance and whether that kind of question should be allowed in the limited time that we have here each day, as members in the Legislature, of one hour for question period.

I recognize that you’re only here for the first week and you may want to refer to this and make some changes, if possible.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member would be pleased to know that I was listening to the questions. I listened to all the questions, and I did not find that particular order to be in line with what you’re asking. I thank you for your point of order.

I declare this House to be in recess until 3 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1137 to 1500.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: It’s a pleasure to rise in the Legislature today to welcome presidents and board chairs from Ontario’s colleges. They’ve joined us all today for meetings throughout the afternoon, and they’re having a reception this evening in room 228-230, starting at 5 p.m. It would be excellent if all members could attend that reception, Speaker.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Mr. Rob Leone: Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to recognize the important role that colleges play in our province, strengthening the economy and helping people find lasting, meaningful employment. At a time when post-secondary education and training are becoming more crucial to finding work, colleges are becoming more and more relevant.

Even at the height of the recession, more than 83% of college graduates were hired within six months of graduation; 93% of employers were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of college graduates.

These days, it is crucial that post-secondary institutions adapt to meet the changing demands of the workplace. Ontario’s college system is at the forefront of these changes, offering a comprehensive range of programs from certificates to diplomas, degrees and apprenticeships. The fact that since 2007 the number of university graduates applying to college has increased more than 40% demonstrates the need to update our understanding of post-secondary education. We need to open more doors to college education by helping students transition between programs and facilitating credit transfers to and from universities.

In my riding, Conestoga College has had an enormous impact and has proven itself invaluable to Cambridge-North Dumfries residents. Its innovative food processors’ institute is exactly the kind of relevant skilled trade that our Ontario colleges are in the business of teaching.

I hope all members of this House join me this evening to celebrate Ontario colleges and show our appreciation for the work they do.

ROAD MAINTENANCE

Mr. Michael Mantha: Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak on the road conditions in northern Ontario, and in particular in Algoma–Manitoulin. In the north, we are very dependent on the roads and highways to get our kids to school, to get around our communities, and to access essential services like doctors, dentists and hospitals. Emergency vehicles often have to travel great distances on highways and rural roads to service members of our community who are in distress.

Snow will be flying soon. Not having the highways cleared, and cleared properly, is an accident waiting to happen. The Ministry of Transportation contracted out these jobs to a private company. We used to have good public service employees clearing our roads. These public employees were accountable to us, the taxpayers. Now we have a private company clearing our roads and a response time which is lagging. The roads are simply not being cleared, and this is unacceptable. Big surprise.

Northern and rural Ontarians are as important as other Ontario residents, and we should be able to get to our destinations safely. So we in Algoma–Manitoulin are very interested in how this government is prepared to deal with this situation.

We had our first snowstorm, which really wasn’t that bad according to our standards, but because of the terrible road conditions and services, many highways were closed for an extended period of time. This is totally unacceptable. Lives are at stake. Answers are required. Accountable public services are the solution.

GO TRANSIT

Mrs. Liz Sandals: Last Friday, I was pleased to welcome Gary McNeil, president of GO Transit, to my riding to announce that GO rail service will start in Guelph and Kitchener on December 19. Since last year, when we announced that Guelph will be getting GO trains, my constituents have been very excited about the return of GO train service, which was cancelled in 1993 by the NDP.

Commuters from Guelph will now have more options, and many will find it more convenient to take public transit and leave their cars at home. Monday to Friday, there will be two morning trains to Toronto and two return trains in the afternoon. Trains along the line will also stop at the Georgetown, Mount Pleasant, Brampton, Bramalea, Malton, Etobicoke North, Weston and Bloor GO stations, providing maximum flexibility for Guelph and Kitchener commuters.

Commuters will be able to use their Presto cards to get on the GO train in Guelph, seamlessly connecting them with other Presto-enabled systems in the GTA.

Not only will this $18-million investment by GO help get cars off the road; this project has created approximately 180 design and construction jobs.

Speaker, I am proud to be part of a government that understands that better public transit means a better quality of life for Ontario families.

COLLINGWOOD GENERAL

AND MARINE HOSPITAL

Mr. Jim Wilson: My statement is directed at the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and it concerns the need for an expansion of the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital.

The government has left the hospital’s expansion application in abeyance for more than seven years. Regrettably, this neglect has serious consequences for local health care.

The hospital cannot sustain clinical programs on its current footprint. The emergency room is grossly inadequate and doesn’t meet the standards for a hospital that serves 32,000 ER visits each year. There is simply no more physical space to uphold the outstanding level of care provided by local doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers.

They have already moved the administration into modular buildings and knocked down walls to expand capacity. Thanks to the support of the hospital’s foundation and the county of Simcoe, the old administrative offices have been turned into an endoscopy suite, and renovations are also being done on operating rooms, the sterile processing department and the dialysis unit.

Despite the hospital’s best efforts, there are no more broom closets that can be turned into hospital rooms. They can’t add another dialysis machine to meet local demand because there’s nowhere to put one.

In 2011-12, the government is projected to spend over $1.4 billion on its health capital program. That’s money already being spent across this province. Collingwood General and Marine Hospital only needs $1 million of that allocation to get started. Then they need to be put into the queue and given the green light to move forward.

Mr. Speaker, we’re not asking for new money; we’re simply asking for our fair share. I urge the government to respond to the needs of patients in southern Georgian Bay.

GOVERNMENT POLICIES

Mr. Jonah Schein: It’s truly an honour to represent my community in this chamber. Thank you to the thousands of residents of Davenport who worked on my campaign and who put their faith in me to represent them here at Queen’s Park.

It’s our responsibility as elected representatives of this province to reverse the trend of political cynicism and restore hope to Ontarians. There is little inspiring about a status quo agenda where the largest corporations receive no-strings-attached tax cuts while everyday people are asked to go without.

We lose hope when we’re told that government is impotent in the face of global financial markets, that those we elect cannot act on our behalf. We lose hope in our electoral system when we watch the government give away billions of dollars to the wealthiest and then claim there is no money left for food or housing, for child care or public transportation, for libraries or social assistance.

Voters in my riding are sick of this race to the bottom. They are sick of cuts and layoffs; of increased user fees and reduced services; of watching wages stagnate while costs of living continue to rise, when the only new jobs that are created are part-time and precarious, with no pensions or benefits.

My constituents want to hear what we can do when we work together. They want to hear that we can have clean air and water, that our children can have the best start, that our seniors can live in dignity, that our workers can be properly respected and compensated, and that our vulnerable communities will always be supported in times of need.

It’s our challenge in hard times to do more, not less, for Ontario. We can do better; we must do better. This is no small challenge, but let’s not forget: This is why we’re here.

DAVID EVANS

Ms. Dipika Damerla: For those of us who are fortunate enough to live in the riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville, the fire station at the corner of Highway 10 and Fairview in Cooksville is a landmark. I was at this fire station last Friday to meet with Fire Chief John McDougall and all the other fine firefighters who work there.

One of those firefighters, David K. Evans, was awarded the Ontario Medal for Firefighter Bravery yesterday, right here at Queen’s Park. Lieutenant Governor David Onley, along with the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, gave the award.

Firefighter David Evans’s story is a profile in courage, selflessness and humility. He was off duty, having lunch at a deli, when he noticed smoke coming out of the apartment above the deli. Despite having no protective gear, firefighter Evans made several attempts to enter the smoke-filled apartment and rescued the woman living in that apartment. The woman was treated for second- and third-degree burns, and firefighter Evans had to be treated for smoke inhalation. Luckily, the woman survived.

It is such acts of bravery and selflessness that make our communities rich, vibrant and safe. Mississauga East–Cooksville is indeed privileged to have firefighter David Evans on its team, and I was privileged to be able to attend the ceremony yesterday.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Mr. Speaker, I’m pleased to rise today to recognize the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors, who are here at Queen’s Park today. I want to commend them and Ontario’s food and beverage processors for developing a strategy to strengthen and grow their industry. Already they have over $33 billion in annual sales, and their goal is to increase it to $40 billion. I think it is particularly important that this strategy includes the entire value chain from farm to retail.

The PC caucus recognizes that the food and beverage processing industry is an essential part of our provincial economy and our agriculture industry, purchasing a full 70% of Ontario’s farm production. We are pleased to continue working with the industry to address issues such as red tape, the need for skilled workers, and decreasing hydro costs.

In their strategy, they said, “Innovation in Ontario processing companies is being held back by a complicated, outdated regulatory system that has not kept pace with changes in the marketplace.” That is why, last May, the Ontario PC caucus announced our commitment to one-window access to government through OMAFRA, as requested by the Ontario food and beverage processing sector.

Already, the industry is the second-largest employer in Ontario, employing 110,000 people. We know that this industry has the potential to create even more jobs if we can address issues like the regulatory burden. Tim Hudak and I are looking forward to meeting with them this afternoon to continue to work with them to ensure a strong Ontario beverage and food processing industry.

Thank you very much for allowing me the opportunity to bring this statement to the House, Speaker.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Mrs. Laura Albanese: It is my pleasure to offer a very warm welcome today to representatives of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors. The alliance represents the interests of the Ontario food and beverage processing industry, manufacturers of products that we enjoy every day.

The food and beverage processing industry is a major contributor to jobs and the economy of Ontario. As the largest manufacturing employer in Ontario, it directly employs over 110,000 people, some in my riding of York South–Weston, and it is the major customer of Ontario’s farmers, transforming over 70% of what is produced at the farm level into safe, quality food for consumers.

This is the third year running in which the alliance has held a Queen’s Park day. Representatives of food and beverage manufacturers will be meeting today with MPPs and government officials to talk about some of the major issues affecting their industry. They will be discussing the various opportunities that the industry can provide to support the government’s key priorities of innovation, creating skilled jobs and building the economy.

Alliance members have travelled from all across the province to let us know that they are important assets to our communities. Please join them in the legislative dining room from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. I encourage all members to attend.

JEAN CASSELMAN WADDS

Mr. Steve Clark: It’s truly a privilege to rise today to pay tribute to Mrs. Jean Casselman Wadds. It’s not only people in Leeds–Grenville mourning the loss of Mrs. Casselman Wadds, a resident of Prescott who passed away on November 25.

This remarkable woman was a true pioneer. Her career in public service blazed a trail and opened doors for generations of women who would follow. A member of the Order of Canada, Mrs. Casselman Wadds was our federal member of Parliament for Grenville-Dundas from 1958 to 1968. She won the seat in a by-election to replace her late husband, Arza Clair “A.C.” Casselman. The impact she made was nothing short of history-making.

The first woman ever named a parliamentary secretary, she and her father, former Ontario Lieutenant Governor William Earl Rowe, remain the only father-daughter duo to sit as MPs in the same session of Parliament.

Later, she was the first woman appointed Canada’s high commissioner to the United Kingdom. In this role, she played a key

part in the history-changing repatriation of Canada’s Constitution. No less than former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau offered this at the time: “I always said it was thanks to three women that we were eventually able to reform our Constitution: the Queen ... Margaret Thatcher ... and Jean Wadds, who represented the interests of Canada so well in London.”

Mr. Speaker, time limits my ability to paint the full picture of this truly outstanding Canadian. On behalf of myself, the member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry and all of the citizens of our ridings and the province of Ontario, I offer my sincere condolences to her family. And to her daughter, Nancy, and her son, Clair, I trust you will find some comfort in your time of grief in knowing what an indelible mark your mother left on our community and this country.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’m sure everyone in the House feels the same way. Thank you, member.

ANNUAL REPORT, ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER OF ONTARIO

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that I have today laid upon the table the 2010-11 annual report from the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ATTRACTING INVESTMENT

AND CREATING JOBS ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 VISANT

À ATTIRER LES INVESTISSEMENTS

ET À CRÉER DES EMPLOIS

Mr. Duguid moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 11,

An Act respecting the continuation and establishment of development funds in order to promote regional economic development in eastern and southwestern Ontario / Projet de loi 11, Loi concernant la prorogation et la création de fonds de développement pour promouvoir le développement économique régional dans l’Est et le Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for a short statement.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’ll make my statement under ministerial statements, Mr. Speaker.

HELPING VOLUNTEERS

GIVE BACK ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 VISANT À AIDER

LES BÉNÉVOLES À CONTRIBUER

Ms. Jones moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 12,

An Act respecting criminal record checks for volunteers / Projet de loi 12, Loi concernant les vérifications du casier judiciaire des bénévoles.

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

First reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for a short statement.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Thank you, Speaker. This private member’s bill is as a result of my trying to encourage volunteerism in Ontario. Currently, you need to get a criminal record check for every individual organization that you volunteer with. My bill would allow you to use the same criminal record check for five organizations and be able to use it for over the calendar year.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’m pleased to speak to the House today about another step that the McGuinty government is taking to create jobs and bring investment to Ontario.

Since 2003, we have worked closely with the business community and regional economic development partners to attract new investment and create jobs for Ontario families. We’ve partnered with companies that are making investments in Ontario and creating jobs. Our different economic funds have leveraged over $8.6 billion in business investment, creating over 12,100 new jobs and protecting over 19,300 existing jobs across Ontario.

It is no secret that the global economy remains fragile and the road to economic growth will be challenging. The debt crisis in Europe, the slow economic recovery in the United States and increased competition from low-cost jurisdictions continue to impact our economy.

We don’t yet know how much of an impact that will have on Ontario. That is why we’re taking further action today by proposing the creation of a southwestern Ontario development fund and by proposing the continuation of the eastern Ontario development fund.

Mr. Speaker, southwestern Ontario, with a rich tradition and high concentration of manufacturing jobs, has endured a significant number of plant closures, with people being laid off during the economic downturn. Eastern Ontarians are among the largest number of people still looking for work. As a government, we recognize the value and unique nature of our regional economies, and we understand the need to collaborate and partner with businesses and regional communities to attract and retain economic opportunities and to create and protect good jobs for Ontario families.

The proposed Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act would help our regional economies become more competitive, dynamic and innovative, and strengthen Ontario’s overall economy. Specifically, the act, if passed, would continue the eastern Ontario development fund and create the southwestern Ontario development fund. Together, they would promote innovation, collaboration, cluster development and job creation in those regions.

The proposed legislation builds on the success of the eastern Ontario development fund, which has already supported over 100 projects, leveraging over $485 million in private sector investment and creating or retaining 11,700 jobs across eastern Ontario. As we did in developing the eastern Ontario development fund, we’ll be consulting with the people living in southwestern Ontario to gather their advice and input into the creation of the new southwestern Ontario development fund. These consultations will help us to better understand their challenges and how we can work together to strengthen southwestern Ontario’s economy.

The proposed legislation, if passed, would require the funds to be reviewed within five years to ensure that they are achieving their intended objectives and investment outcomes.

Finally, our government has identified the cost offsets for funding these important investments, and the gentleman to my right is very interested to know that.

Mr. Speaker, the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act would build on our efforts to make Ontario the best place in North America to do business and supports the government’s plan to strengthen our economy. Our government will work with Ontario families to see our province through these challenging times.

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

Mr. Monte McNaughton: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you for recognizing me here this afternoon to speak to this bill. It’s an honour to rise to offer feedback and comments on this bill on behalf of opposition.

You see, Mr. Speaker, while the honourable Minister for Economic Development and Innovation makes mention of a number of interesting things, a few important facts might have been overlooked and must be returned to the forefront again here today.

As you will know, under the cu