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November 18, 2013

40th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2013-Nov-18 (PDF)

L085 - Mon 18 Nov 2013 / Lun 18 nov 2013

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 18 November 2013 Lundi 18 novembre 2013

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

CORRECTION OF RECORD

MEMBER’S BIRTHDAY

DEATH OF MEMBER’S SON

ORAL QUESTIONS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

ONTARIO ECONOMY

MANUFACTURING JOBS

SMALL BUSINESS

PAN AM GAMES

CANCER TREATMENT

CANCER TREATMENT

CANCER TREATMENT

THUNDER BAY GENERATING STATION

MANUFACTURING JOBS

SPECIAL EDUCATION

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

VISITORS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DISASTER RELIEF

JIMMY VELGAKIS

SRI GURU NANAK DEV JI

OLIVIA WISE

NUTRITION FOR LEARNING

DON BURKE

YOUTH OF OXFORD COUNTY

ÉLIZABETH ALLARD

BANCROFT HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO

AMENDMENT ACT

(PROHIBITING FLAVOURED TOBACCO,

NEW TOBACCO PRODUCTS

AND SMOKELESS TOBACCO), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

FAVORISANT UN ONTARIO SANS FUMÉE

(INTERDICTION DU TABAC AROMATISÉ,

DES NOUVEAUX PRODUITS DU TABAC

ET DU TABAC SANS FUMÉ

E) YOUTH SMOKING

PREVENTION ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA PRÉVENTION

DU TABAGISME CHEZ LES JEUNES

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

PETITIONS

MINIMUM WAGE

HOME CARE

WASTE REDUCTION

DARLINGTON NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

LEGAL AID

MARKDALE HOSPITAL

AIR-RAIL LINK

SMALL BUSINESS

LYME DISEASE

MINIMUM WAGE

TIRE DISPOSAL

DOG OWNERSHIP

TIRE DISPOSAL

ORDERS OF THE DAY

SCHOOL BOARDS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA NÉGOCIATION COLLECTIVE DANS LES CONSEILS SCOLAIRES

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park today members of CUPE Ontario: President Fred Hahn, who I met with this morning, and also Janice Folk-Dawson and all their other members.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Good morning, Speaker. It’s good to see you after a week in our constituencies.

I would also like to welcome members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, led by their president, Fred Hahn. A delegation of over 30 people are here to meet with all members of the Legislative Assembly. I welcome you here on behalf of the Ontario New Democratic caucus.

Hon. John Gerretsen: Would you please help me welcome two guests from Kingston who have joined me today: Marion Evans and Honey-Lee Pratt, who are in the gallery.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Good morning. I want to also welcome the Canadian Union of Public Employees of Ontario visiting Queen’s Park today for CUPE day, and their president, Fred Hahn. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Fred. I remind all the members that there is a reception tonight at the legislative dining room at 5 p.m.

Mr. Todd Smith: It’s a pleasure to welcome the deputy reeve of the municipality of Centre Hastings to the west members’ gallery this morning. Along with Mr. Tom Simpson, we have a number of students as well: Abby Bonter, Jacob Palmateer, Ian MacPherson and Brett Prevost. Welcome to the Legislature.

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: I’d like to introduce representatives from the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario—Brenda Mundy, RPNAO president; Dianne Martin, RPNAO executive director; Desiree-Ann Prillo, direct practice RPN; Donna West, direct practice RPN; Wesley Green, direct practice RPN—and other members of the RPNAO board of directors. I’m pleased to sponsor their lobby day reception today after question period in rooms 228 and 230. I invite all members to attend.

Mr. John Yakabuski: I would like to do an introduction for someone who’s not actually here today, but on Saturday, November 16, at 4:41 p.m., our latest granddaughter, Adelaide Helena Colucci, was born. We’re very happy with that and pleased to announce it in the Legislature.

Mr. Paul Miller: Speaker, I seek unanimous consent, for maybe 10 minutes, to wear my Tiger-Cats hat.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Hamilton East–Stoney Creek is seeking unanimous consent to wear his Hamilton Tiger-Cats hat for a short period of time. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Charles Sousa: It gives me great pleasure to introduce a delegation from Miranda do Douro, a city in northern Portugal, most of whom are visiting Ontario for the first time. The delegation is led by the mayor of Miranda do Douro, Dr. Artur Manuel Rodrigues Nunes.

Remarks in Portuguese.

Mr. Jim Wilson: It gives me great pleasure to welcome to the Legislature page Payton Smith, the daughter of Todd Smith, the member from Prince Edward–Hastings.

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: I would like to welcome today two grade 10 classes from Francis Libermann Catholic secondary school in my riding. They’re here with their teachers, Ms. Szala and Ms. D’Souza. I want to welcome them to Queen’s Park, and I think they’re just trickling in right now in the east gallery.

Hon. Charles Sousa: It also gives me great pleasure to introduce two of my constituents from Mississauga South: Reverend Jennifer Reid, from St. Peter’s Anglican Church, and her son Matthew Patterson, a senior at Cawthra Park Secondary School.

Ms. Catherine Fife: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to welcome Herb Wendling and his wife, Betty, from my riding of Kitchener–Waterloo. They are here to watch their granddaughter, Mattaya, start her tenure as page.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Point of order, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of the third party on a point of order.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Thanks, Speaker. I just think it’s appropriate to congratulate the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on their victory in the eastern conference. I hope that they do very well next Sunday when they fight the Saskatchewan Roughriders for the Grey Cup.

CORRECTION OF RECORD

Mr. Todd Smith: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order from the member from Prince Edward–Hastings.

Mr. Todd Smith: Thank you, Speaker. This has nothing to do with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Earlier, I introduced Ian MacPherson as a student at Centre Hastings Secondary School, but Ian is actually a teacher at Centre Hastings Secondary School, although he feels very young at heart.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On that point of order, it is a point of order. Members can always correct their record, but I don’t think he wants to.

MEMBER’S BIRTHDAY

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Having said that, I also want to wish a member in this House a happy birthday, and we won’t disclose. Mr. Peter Shurman is celebrating a birthday today. Happy birthday.

DEATH OF MEMBER’S SON

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member for Etobicoke North on a point of order.

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Thank you, Speaker. I’d respectfully ask this House, this chamber to observe a moment of silence for the passing of the son of Reza and Pari Moridi. Mahyar Moridi passed into the next world peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, November 10, and will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Etobicoke North is seeking unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in honour. Do we agree? Agreed.

Please all rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members and guests for their kind gesture. Thank you.

It is now time for question period.

ORAL QUESTIONS

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Tim Hudak: My question is to the Premier. We’ve lost 300,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs under the McGuinty-Wynne governments. This past week, not only Leamington in southwestern Ontario but the entire province was devastated by the news that almost 800 direct jobs will be leaving as Heinz shuts down that plant. In short, Heinz ketchup will no longer be made in the province of Ontario, tossing 800 families out of a livelihood.

Premier, I need to ask you, in light of the job losses in manufacturing and the latest in Leamington with Heinz, do you still believe that the erosion of the manufacturing sector in Ontario is a myth?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My thoughts, first of all, are with the workers and the families of the people at the Heinz plant. It’s obviously of great concern, and it’s very disappointing that this decision has been made.

But I want the Leader of the Opposition and the people of Ontario to know that we—and connected with Heinz—did everything we could to make sure we understood what the basis of the decision was and to try to intervene.

On September 12, I called Mr. Brian Arbique, who is the managing director for Heinz Canada, to discuss the potential implications of possible job cuts. We weren’t sure exactly what was happening. That discussion focused particularly on the federal initiative to remove Canadian food packaging standards, and I wanted to know from Mr. Arbique whether that was a factor in the decision.

We followed up on October 31, November 5, November 8 and November 11. So we worked very hard to make sure we understood why and—

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: It’s a disturbing answer from the Premier who just doesn’t seem to grasp the enormity of the impact of lost manufacturing jobs in Leamington, Niagara, Hamilton and eastern Ontario. You don’t seem to understand that it’s been a decade of policies that have increased hydro rates now to among the most expensive in North America, that have layered on more and more red tape and bureaucracy that’s slowing business decisions down. It’s been an increase in taxes.

Premier, since you have assumed the office of Premier of the province of Ontario, we’ve lost 38,000 well-paying manufacturing jobs in the province alone. Isn’t this a wake-up call for you? Doesn’t this tell you that you’ve done something wrong when it comes to managing our economy? Isn’t it time to go down a very different path? How many more manufacturing jobs like Heinz are we going to lose before you get a wake-up call and try part of our plan?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: What we know is that since the economic downturn, we have drawn in and there have been over 400,000 jobs created. We have more than replaced the jobs that were lost as a result of the economic downturn.

I have never said that there aren’t changes in the manufacturing sector. There absolutely are changes in the manufacturing sector. We are moving to an era of advanced manufacturing. Some of the issues that we’re addressing with our youth jobs strategy have to do with making sure that young people have the skills that they need in order to be able to take

part in the new manufacturing sector.

But the purpose of my answer was to make sure that people understand that in this particular instance, and in all of these specific instances, we are doing what we can to make sure that we keep those jobs. I had a long conversation with the mayor of Leamington on Saturday morning. We are on the ground working with the workers, and my hope is that we’ll able to find some—

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

Interjections.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: I think the Premier’s answers are insightful in the way she thinks about these issues and how we would take a very different path. She seems to think that these things just happen, that they’re the result of some circumstances beyond her control. You used the term “the decision was made.”

Premier, we have brought forward in this House hundreds and hundreds of times the evidence that out-of-control hydro rates are closing down the manufacturing sector—outdated labour laws, high taxes, more and more red tape from the provincial government. I worry that your ideology blinds you to the need to take a different path when it comes to our economy, to opening up our province for investment.

My team and I, we have a turnaround plan for the province of Ontario, one that will say jobs will come first in our province again, one that says that Ontario can lead. I have a vision of an Ontario that makes things for sale across the world, that actually rebuilds and strengthens our middle class with more advanced manufacturing jobs. Don’t you seem to understand that it’s the result of a decade of Liberal decisions that have caused us to become competitive at the bottom of the list? Our plan is to put us at the top of the list. Why don’t you take some of our ideas and bring good jobs back to the province of—

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: [Inaudible] because the ideology that blinds is the ideology that would take us to the bottom of the pack, would fire people across the province and would drive us down, would not invest in the skills and in the people that we know are going to take this province forward.

I spent time in Waterloo on the weekend, and what we know is that investment in our skills and investment in our innovation is what is going to make us strong. I am absolutely not happy that there are manufacturing jobs that have been lost. But what I know is that there are more jobs coming to the province. There is an outflow of jobs and there is an inflow of jobs. But firing people and racing to the bottom is not going to get us where we want to go.

Interjections.

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

Mr. Todd Smith: We’re getting pretty close to the bottom now.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Prince Edward–Hastings will come to order.

New question.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Tim Hudak: Back to the Premier: The problem you don’t understand, Premier, is that for the 800 men and women who lost their jobs at Heinz, they have hit bottom; they’ve hit rock bottom. We’ve seen the same thing with Bick’s Pickles in Dunnville and Redpath Sugar in Niagara Falls. We’ve seen the same thing with Can Grow. The food processing sector is emptying out because of high hydro rates, runaway red tape and outdated laws in our province. It was devastating news, and it should have been a clarion call to you when US Steel-Stelco said they’ll no longer make steel in the city of Hamilton.

You say your solution is actually to do more of the same: effectively, to spend our way out of a deficit and tax our way to prosperity. Those are ideas that the NDP drove us into the ditch with, and you’re going to drive us into a deeper ditch.

What are you prepared to change? Are you going to get hydro rates down? Are you going to clear out the College of Trades so we can actually attract more people into the trades and put them into jobs? What options are you going to take from our plan that will actually bring jobs back to our province and restore hope for those who are losing hope? Your plan is taking us to rock bottom as it is.

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that the Leader of the Opposition speak with the Ontario food processors and go to Conestoga College and look at the technology that is being used to train young people. I am absolutely convinced that we have a bright future in food processing in Ontario. It’s true that the technology in some of the plants has to be changed.

It’s true that there have to be investments in order for advanced manufacturing to take off, and it’s true that we need to make sure that young people in the province understand what the possibilities are and understand how the businesses in this province can include food processing. So I am absolutely committed to working with the food processing industry.

I am very disappointed about the Heinz situation, Mr. Speaker, but that does not mean that we’re going to throw up our hands and say that the people who worked in that factory will never have a job again, because I don’t believe that. I believe that there are many possibilities, and we’re going to work with the community to make sure that we realize those possibilities.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Tim Hudak: As I’ve said many times, Speaker, I don’t doubt the Premier’s sincerity. I do believe you are committed. The problem is that you have no clue on how to turn our economy around. You don’t seem to grasp that high energy rates are devastating the manufacturing sector in our province. You don’t seem to understand how the more and more laws that you move through the assembly are putting a bigger red tape burden on our province.

I’ve got a plan to get energy rates under control by stopping your runaway spending with the feed-in tariff program that’s driving up our rates and is dividing communities. I have a plan to shut down the College of Trades because that’s a new barrier to new job creation in our province. I have a plan to lower taxes, and one to get spending under control. In short, we have a plan to turn Ontario around—a turnaround plan for the province.

Speaker, with all due respect to the Premier, we don’t need 10 months of a group hug. We need a turnaround plan that will put people back into jobs and entrepreneurs back into our province. Where’s the plan?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Mr. Speaker, I can’t believe what I’m hearing from the leader of the official opposition, talking about supporting manufacturing when one of the most important funds that we set up to help manufacturers in southwestern Ontario—the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which, together with the Eastern Ontario Development Fund, have created or retained more than 22,000 jobs—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The members on this side are not helping either.

Carry on.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: One of the most important funds for our manufacturers and to expand it—it was passed by this government a year ago, and you, the Leader of the Opposition, and your party voted against that fund.

Mr. Speaker, we’re not going to take lessons from that party when it comes to supporting our manufacturers. There are nearly 800,000 people working in that sector in the province, and we support all of them.

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

Mr. Tim Hudak: The Minister of Economic Development and Trade says he can’t believe what he’s hearing from the opposition benches. I know the truth hurts, but more importantly, it hurts an awful lot to the 800 families who are now out of work—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister of Transportation, come to order.

Mr. Tim Hudak: Redpath, a short while ago, closed down their doors. It should be an alarm bell to all of us that US Steel-Stelco will no longer make steel in the province of Ontario. What has to grab you folks by the lapels and shake you to the reality that your plan isn’t working?

I’m disturbed to hear the Premier—actually, I’ve asked her a few times, “What’s going to be different?” She is not answering, and refers the question.

Let me ask you this: In your economic statement you put out last week, your only plan was to spend our way to prosperity. You think that borrowing more money from overseas lenders and racking up debt is somehow going to turn things around.

So I’ll ask the Premier back: From her economics philosophy here, can she please give us a jurisdiction where they actually spent their way out of deficit and taxed their way to prosperity?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Minister?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: It’s understandable that the leader of the official opposition would try to turn the question away from their lack of support for manufacturers and their lack of support for the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

We’re very disappointed—I’m very disappointed—with the decision by Heinz last week to close that factory. I talked with the local mayor, as the Premier did, and I also talked with the local MPP. Officials from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities have also reached out and spoken with the union that represents the workers at that important factory.

I’ve instructed my officials to go to Leamington this week to meet with local leadership to look at all possible options—the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and the possibility of repurposing the plant and keeping those employees working. I’ve also said that we have an important communities in transition fund that we’re making available to the community to help them through this difficult time.

GOVERNMENT’S AGENDA

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. Ontario is still above the national average when it comes to unemployment, and more than half a million Ontarians are wondering how they’ll make ends meet. In the fall economic statement, the government announced plans to study some targeted tax measures to reward companies when they put people to work or invest in Ontario. Can the Premier tell Ontarians when, if ever, these plans will see the light of day?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We’ve been clear that that’s work that the Ministry of Finance is doing right now. We said we were going to do that when we announced our budget just this past year, and we reaffirmed that in the fall economic statement, which, as you know, is an update. That work is ongoing, and we will be moving to make those changes within the next few months.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: People have watched as their bills go up and their paycheques go down. It’s time to get the cost of living under control in this province, but the only thing the Premier announced to make life more affordable is that the cost for Drive Clean would come down. Will the Premier tell Ontarians how much Drive Clean fees will be coming down and when, if ever, they can see a bit of relief?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Again, these are issues that we are working on, and we will be making those announcements in due course. In the meantime, I would hope that both the leader of the third party and the Leader of the Opposition would work with us to get the small businesses act passed by the end of December, because that is a piece of legislation that will actually help small business and allow small businesses to create more jobs. We need to get that through the Legislature, through the committee and back into the House. I hope that the leader of the third party will work with us on that bill.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The fall economic statement says that people will have to wait for relief on Drive Clean costs, but it sounds like education property taxes will be going up. The Premier won’t tell Ontarians when they can see some relief on Drive Clean costs. Can she tell them if the cost of their education property taxes will be going up and when that might happen?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Again, I hope that the leader of the third party will support a targeted tax measure, which is in the small businesses act, that will help small businesses reduce their payroll taxes and give them some relief. I hope that the leader of the third party will do that.

What we said in our fall economic statement was that we were going to be looking at other measures, because the reality is that we are going to stay on target to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18, and we have to look at ways of making sure that all the supports we have in place are rational and make sense, and where we need to change them, we need to change them. The leader of the third party has identified one issue that was raised by Mr. Drummond. It’s something we need to look at in the context of a number of other measures.

GOVERNMENT’S RECORD

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Perhaps the Premier should tell her members to stop filibustering the general government committee and we’ll actually get somewhere on that legislation.

My next question is to the Premier. A lot of families are wondering how they’re going to be able to afford to retire. While the government is committed to forging ahead with PRPPs that will create a healthy windfall for big Bay Street firms, people are hoping for an affordable public retirement plan and they’re getting nothing more than promises and endless conversations. The Premier has made a commitment to help Bay Street firms. When will she make a commitment to help everyday families?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think that the leader of the third party may be referring to the discussion about the Canadian pension plan enhancement that is being discussed across the country.

The leader of the third party will know that it was our government that has been talking about this for a number of years, Mr. Speaker. The former finance minister raised this issue, talked about it across the country and raised it with the federal finance minister. The federal finance minister seems to have backed off, but we are pushing this issue. I raised it with my colleagues at the meeting of Canada’s Premiers just last week, and my hope is that we will be able to come to some consensus.

The Minister of Finance has been able to come to some consensus with his colleagues about some principles upon which we think that the CPP should be enhanced. My hope is we’ll be able to take it to the next step with the agreement of the federal finance minister.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I think Ontario families are getting pretty concerned. They want to see action that will create new jobs; the government promises study. They want to see action that will make life more affordable; the government muses about a property tax increase and can’t even commit to cutting fees at Drive Clean. They want to see change, and instead, they’re getting panels, promises and a lot more of the same. Why should people believe the Premier when all she offers is endless conversation?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Let’s just talk about what’s happening: the youth jobs strategy—already over 3,000 young people have been placed in jobs as a result of the youth jobs strategy, and that’s the youth jobs strategy that we put in place and that we are implementing; full-day kindergarten; the 30% off tuition grant; the investment of $35 billion over the next three years—so the leader of the third party can fabricate a narrative about—

Interjections.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’m going to withdraw that before you even stand up. I’m just going to change—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let’s do it officially. Withdraw, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Withdraw.

The leader of the third party can create a narrative about what is or is not happening. What I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, is we’ve got programs in place that are helping people to get the skills training that they need. We’ve got programs in place that are building and investing in infrastructure across this province, and we know that that’s what communities need in order to be able to thrive.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The families who make Ontario work are worried about jobs for them and their kids. They’re worried about the future and whether they’re going to be able to retire. They’re worried about the fact that life keeps getting more and more and more expensive. They keep getting empty promises, study after study and lots of conversation.

The only people getting results, Speaker, are the well-connected interests promoting private-public partnerships and pooled registered pension plans. Why does the Premier think that well-connected friends should come ahead of everyday families in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, what I think is that the 90% of small businesses that would benefit from having their payroll taxes reduced, if we could get the small businesses act passed—I think that they would benefit and those families would benefit. I think the families of those young people—those more than 3,000 young people who have now got placements, who are going to get experience and training—I think they are benefiting from the initiative that we’ve put in place, Mr. Speaker.

So I am sympathetic to what the leader of the third party is talking about in terms of people wondering about the future of the province. But what I know is that if we invest in the people and their skills, and we make sure that they get the support that they need, if we invest in infrastructure and if we create an environment where business can thrive, then we will have that future that Ontario needs. We have to do that in a coherent way, not jumping on every populist bandwagon that comes along. We need a plan; we’re the party that has got that plan, Mr. Speaker.

ONTARIO ECONOMY

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier.

Good morning, Premier. The economic assumptions which you’ve based the province’s finances on have gotten significantly worse. Despite a weaker economy and the Bank of Canada stating you won’t hit your growth targets, you insist that revenue will be nearly identical to your budget projections.

This leaves us to conclude the government is hiding from the truth, because these figures clearly demonstrate the province is not on track to balance the budget by 2017. It’s obvious this government does not understand the size and scope of the problem they’ve created.

Premier, will you tell us the truth? What is the real effect of the slowing economy on the government’s revenue, spending and debt projections for the next three years?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, we’ve been very clear in our fall economic update about the concerns that we all share around the world. In fact, our measures and our calculations are even more cautious than those of independent economists who made their projections; ours were even more cautious than that. So we’re taking a cautious measure and we’re taking measures and discipline to control our spending. In fact, we cut our spending even last quarter as a result of declining revenues felt around the world. We are the only government in over a decade anywhere in Canada that actually cut spending year over year.

We’re the only government that introduced financial transparency to ensure the integrity of those numbers, and they were audited, Mr. Speaker.

So the member opposite can stand and say what he wishes. We are going to continue to invest in the people of Ontario. We’re going to continue to invest in the businesses, and we look to you to support small businesses by passing the act so that we can get on with the business of helping them as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Premier, you announced that you’ll embark on a massive second round of stimulus spending, which apparently will have no effect on the government’s deficit targets, and very telling, you refuse to provide a three-year spending and revenue outlook traditionally included in the fall economic statement. This hides the impact of a weaker economy, which the Bank of Canada said to expect, and increased spending, which you just announced. So it’s obvious to us that you don’t understand the size and scope of the problem you created.

Premier, why did you deviate from the normal practice of including this information in the fall economic statement? What is it you don’t want us to know?

Hon. Charles Sousa: We have displayed and identified all of the particulars in our fall economic statement. The member talks about a precedent that has also been established, because in all cases, even when they were in power, they never took the steps to go beyond their navel-gazing. The member opposite, my critic, can’t get past his yellow tie. He’s got to recognize that we’ve got to think long term. We’ve got to ensure that we look beyond the immediate, and that means investing in those particulars that stimulate growth.

The member must know that across-the-board cuts, a slash-and-burn policy, will hurt our sensitive economic recovery. As well, we cannot be reckless in our spending. We’re doing both, Mr. Speaker, and the members opposite have to understand that we have to invest in our future to ensure that we afford the debt that we have by measuring our net-debt-to-GDP ratio, which is under control as well. We’ll continue to stay on track to balance by—

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

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Thank you, Speaker. Through you to the Premier: Premier, your Liberal government keeps talking about local food, but yet stands idly by as processing facilities shut their doors and devastate communities. In Leamington, the Heinz plant’s announcement that it was shutting its doors after 103 years will leave 740 people unemployed. It will have severe consequences for the entire region. It will also leave 46 tomato growers without contracts to sell their products. Has the Premier at any point met with the Heinz plant to discuss ways that the plant could remain operational and save these jobs in Leamington?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I said in answer to another question, we did the opposite of standing idly by. We were very involved. We talked to executives in the States and executives here in Canada. I talked with the Minister of Agriculture federally on the issue around packaging. We did everything we could. We will work with people in the community, Mr. Speaker, to the best of our ability to make sure that those people find their way back into the economy and find their way back into jobs, and to work to make sure that if there is a possibility that that plant can be transformed, or whatever the options are, that we explore those because it is absolutely critical.

On the other hand, we have to make sure that we continue to draw business to the province. That is the future. That is what we need to make sure happens in the coming days.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Back to the Premier: For the record, the NDP warned the government and urged them to stop the Heinz shutdown in March and again in the summer. We urged the Premier to come up with a plan to save jobs in food processing in Leamington. This government’s solution to job creation is to write a letter to the federal government and let them figure it out.

Seven hundred jobs and almost 350 seasonal workers will be left out in the cold in southwestern Ontario. The food packaging regulation change issue was raised long ago. Has this Premier done anything else besides mention this issue to the federal government?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As I said, I had conversations with executives at Heinz a number of times over the past months. Starting in September, I spoke with the managing director for Heinz Canada. Mr. Speaker, we absolutely did that work.

The fact is that the third party thinks that they can control the private sector. That’s not how it works. In fact, we are facilitators of those initiatives. Let me talk about some of the major international investments in food processing in Ontario:

—Natra, a confectionary food processor based in Spain, is establishing a manufacturing facility in London;

—the Ferrero confectionary plant in Brantford: $385 million over the last five years;

—a pet food plant in Puslinch, Royal Canin: $73 million; and

—a baking ingredients plant in Mississauga, Puratos from Belgium: $40 million.

It pains me that Heinz is closing. We did everything we could to intercept that. We will work with the people in the community, and there are jobs coming to this province.

SMALL BUSINESS

Mr. Grant Crack: My question is to the Minister of Finance.

Our government has an economic plan for investing in people, building modern infrastructure, and supporting a dynamic and innovative business climate that drives economic growth and creates jobs for Ontarians. As the hard-working people in my riding of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell and across Ontario know well, small businesses must be central to this plan if we’re to ensure a strong and prosperous economy. That’s why our government has put forward the Supporting Small Businesses Act, to cut taxes and remove burdensome red tape from Ontario’s small business.

Could the minister please update this House on the progress of the legislation and our plan to cut payroll taxes for Ontario’s small businesses?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Thank you to the member from Glengarry–Prescott–Russell for the question, recognizing that small businesses are central to our government’s economic plan. It’s why we introduced Bill 105, which will cut taxes for 60,000 small businesses and eliminate tax altogether for 90% of small businesses in this province. This legislation is exactly what we need to help drive the economy forward, help small business and create new jobs.

Since it was introduced, my colleagues across the aisle have stood in their place and demanded that this government bring forward job legislation and an economic plan. We did, and it includes this bill. But members of the opposition continue to stall these tax cuts for small business. They voted down a motion to advance this legislation in committee, and they continue to hold it up despite calls from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business for it to be returned for third reading.

Mr. Speaker, it’s time for the opposition to quit talking and start acting. We need to vote on this bill before the House rises. We need this legislation passed now.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Grant Crack: Thank you, Minister, for the update. It’s disappointing to hear that we’re unable to find some common ground on doing the right thing for the economy and also the right thing for our small businesses here in Ontario.

Could the minister please inform the House as to the consequences of continued stall tactics on the part of the opposition?

Hon. Charles Sousa: There are roughly 400,000 small and mid-sized businesses in Ontario. By eliminating a payroll tax on 90% of these small businesses, we can continue to ensure that our business climate is competitive and strong, and maintain Ontario’s competitiveness as one of the best places in the province, in the country and in North America to do business.

If we don’t see this legislation passed before the holiday break, we won’t be able to put these tax cuts in place for Ontario’s small businesses. If we don’t act now, Ontario’s small businesses will pay higher taxes on February 15, 2014, and then again on March 15, 2014, and then again the next month, and so on.

It begs the question: Why, then, would the opposition continue to stall this essential legislation? Because they’re more interested in scoring cheap political points than they are in supporting our small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, I hope they can see past their short-term thinking and send Bill 105 back to the House for third reading so that we can all support small businesses in Ontario.

PAN AM GAMES

Mr. Rod Jackson: My question is to the Minister of Finance.

The only thing open and transparent about this government is their obvious cheap political gaming. So far, this government has done nothing but put Bill 105 to the general government committee, whose legislative agenda they know is full, as opposed to one that is free.

There can only be one explanation for this: This government is scared and trying to skirt responsibility for the Pan Am Games. Can the minister stand and tell us why they’re playing games and using bills to block Pan Am accountability investigations?

Hon. Charles Sousa: To the House leader.

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, let’s correct the record. On November 4 of this year, several weeks ago, a motion was put forward by the government to look at Bill 105. It was defeated by the combined forces of the opposition parties, who then came forward with a Pan Am bill.

We are in the process of talking about how we can do both. We can deal with Bill 105, which is an important matter, and at the same time deal with the Pan Am Games. Yet despite all they’re saying here, they have shown no interest in dealing with Bill 105.

Our government’s position is very clear. If they want to look at the Pan Am Games situation, we are very happy to co-operate. But at the same time, we are asking that time be allotted to Bill 105.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Rod Jackson: Speaker, there are clearly other committees that are open and can handle this bill. This government is acting like it’s afraid of the truth for a change. We need to know what’s so bad about Pan Am planning that they’re willing to sacrifice the very worthy Bill 105 instead of allowing an investigation into the Pan Am Games to go forward.

It has to be bad, Speaker. We’ve already discovered four extra budgets at a total of $1.1 billion, and there’s no word yet on the cost of security or transportation.

Sacrificing Bill 105 won’t save you, Minister. Your government may not be able to handle the truth, but the people of Ontario deserve to know. Will the minister come clean, stop worrying about other members’ wardrobes and actually tell us what the cost of the Pan Am Games is going to be?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. John Milloy: Mr. Speaker, the member is, quite frankly, wrong. On November 4, when we moved a motion to have the committee look into Bill 105—there was no other business before the committee—the opposition voted against it and then came forward with the Pan Am suggestion.

The government members are pleased to go ahead with an examination of the Pan Am Games and also auto insurance. All we are asking is that an allotted period of time be given to Bill 105. This afternoon at the committee, the government members will bring forward a motion that will allow all three to go forward. Mr. Speaker, I am looking forward to members of the opposition putting their money where their mouth is and supporting that motion so that we can look at auto insurance and the Pan Am Games, and make sure Bill 105 is looked at by the committee and hopefully reported back to this Legislature.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Percy Hatfield: My question this morning is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Good morning, Minister. After weeks of outrage and outcry from Windsor-Essex residents and persistent pressure from NDP MPPs, especially my colleague from Essex, this government has finally reversed its wrong-headed decision to cut thoracic surgeries in our community.

Some of us remember well a former Conservative education minister who was caught on video saying, “Let’s manufacture a crisis, create a crisis, and then we’ll look good when we resolve it.” Does the minister think it’s right that her MPP from Windsor West is taking credit for evading a crisis that was manufactured by her own party?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Good morning, Speaker, and good morning to the member opposite.

This is good news for Windsor. I think really what the member was saying is, “This is good news for Windsor. Thank you, Minister, for making this decision.”

I know how important this issue has been for the people of Windsor. I can tell you that the member from Windsor West has been very, very thoughtful in her approach to this issue. She and I both have enormous respect for Cancer Care Ontario. Cancer Care Ontario is a globe-leading organization when it comes to providing the highest quality of care for cancer patients. They are doing an exceptional job.

The unique circumstances in Windsor, brought to my attention by the member from Windsor West, made me realize that this issue was one we had to deal with a little bit differently. I’m pleased that the member opposite is happy with this decision, and I accept his support for this decision.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Percy Hatfield: The residents of Windsor-Essex are happy that their health care is going to be preserved. It was the right thing to do; it was the only thing to do. But the question remains about the government’s lack of consultation with the local hospitals and the needless anxiety that patients have been put through.

This morning, the member from Windsor West was happily taking credit for the decision. Can the minister explain why this government took my residents down this path in the first place?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Well, Speaker, the member opposite has a conspiracy theory going here that is a bit absurd, to say the least.

What I can tell you is that Cancer Care Ontario is making real change to the way we deliver. In fact, as a result of the excellent work Cancer Care Ontario has done, deaths after thoracic surgery have been cut in half. That is a significant improvement in quality that benefits all Ontarians.

The circumstances in Windsor were unique. The member from Windsor West worked very hard. She did her homework. She made a reasoned, articulate argument that this was a decision that did not serve the people of Windsor, and that’s why we’ve made the decision we have.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mr. Phil McNeely: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, and it deals with the same subject. In Ottawa, we expect the best health care, as does each and every person living in Ontario, and we need to ensure that access to all kinds of health services is available in all regions of the province.

We have had residents in Windsor express concern that thoracic cancer treatment will no longer be available at the Windsor Regional Hospital and they might have to commute long distances for this specific treatment, such as to London and other centres.

My question to the minister is to further elaborate on what she has done to ensure that cancer patients in Windsor can continue to receive the services they need.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’d like to thank the member from Ottawa–Orléans, who is a relentless advocate for improving health care in his community and across the province.

Speaker, he has raised an issue of great importance to the people of Windsor. Last week, the member from Windsor West wrote to me. She outlined a clearly articulated, thoughtful argument as to why services should remain in Windsor. We have had many meetings on this issue, many conversations on this issue. I’ve also heard from Cancer Care Ontario the rationale behind their original decision.

It became clear to me that thoracic cancer surgery in Windsor has a very strong record; it has very high quality. I have been convinced that Windsor should be designated level 2 thoracic cancer surgery, and that is, in fact, the decision that has been conveyed to Cancer Care Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Phil McNeely: This is great news for the people of Windsor. I can recall when we got the good news that the Montfort hospital was going to remain open, when it was closed by the Harris government in the 1990s. Certainly, we had the same issue at CHEO when the heart

section was to be moved from Ottawa and we were able to keep it there. CHEO is a wonderful organization and doing well in our capital.

It’s good to see that our government is making the tough decisions needed to ensure that our health care system thrives, and that all Ontarians have access to services closer to where they live. Cancer patients in Windsor, Ottawa and all across this province deserve nothing but the very best of care.

Speaker, can the minister further tell us why she is keeping the cancer treatment program going in the Windsor area?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I think this is a very good example of an MPP doing their work. The member from Windsor West met with people in Windsor, understood the issue thoroughly and presented some arguments as to why this was a decision that had to be changed.

I commend the member from Windsor West and other members from all sides of this House who take the time to do their homework, who really do think sincerely and thoughtfully about issues that reflect the concerns of their residents. This is a victory for an MPP doing her work and changing a government decision.

CANCER TREATMENT

Mrs. Christine Elliott: My question is for the Minister of Health. It’s been almost three weeks since you first met with Kimm Fletcher, and she still doesn’t have an answer.

In September 2009, the Ombudsman released his report, A Vast Injustice, which looked at the cap for Avastin treatments for those with colorectal cancer. In his report, he stated that the government must fund Avastin for increased patient survival.

As you know, Minister, the effects of using Avastin for colorectal cancer and for glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer are the same in both scenarios. In both cases, Avastin simply prolongs the patient’s life.

Minister, why is Avastin funded for colorectal cancer and not for brain cancer?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: This Legislature made a determination several years ago to take the politics out of making decisions about what drugs would be covered for what conditions. I respect the will of the Legislature on that issue and I am committed to maintaining the integrity of our evidence-based decision-making process when it comes to funding cancer drugs. Quite simply, the evidence does not support Avastin for brain cancer.

The Committee to Evaluate Drugs will always review new evidence. If there is evidence that supports that this improves outcomes, then the Committee to Evaluate Drugs will do their work.

I think it’s unfortunate that the member opposite does not respect the evidence clearly articulated by the Committee to Evaluate Drugs and by Health Canada. I think it’s very important to note—

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

Hon. Deborah Matthews: —this is not Ontario; it is Health Canada—

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

Supplementary?

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I think it might be helpful to go back to 2009 and refresh the minister’s memory, because on November 29, 2009, you announced that your ministry would fund Avastin for colorectal cancer, but this announcement came after the former member from Burlington brought awareness to this issue, resulting in an Ombudsman’s report.

Minister, you stood in this House three weeks ago and said you would be breaking the law to fund Avastin for brain cancer because the Committee to Evaluate Drugs hadn’t approved it. Yet, the committee did not approve Avastin for colorectal cancer in 2009, but, somehow, you found a way to approve it.

Minister, clearly, you have the ability to approve Avastin for brain cancer in the same way you did for colorectal cancer. Will you stand here today and promise Kimm Fletcher and the other patients with cancer across Ontario that you will fund this drug for brain cancer?

Interjections.

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

Minister of Health.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I guess my question back is: Are you suggesting we ignore the evidence? The member opposite knows, as well as every member in this House, that there are demands in our health care system that need funding, so we must rely on evidence. The evidence to date is clear that outcomes do not improve with Avastin for this particular condition.

I would like to know from the member opposite: Does she want to bring politics back in decisions around drug coverage, Speaker? Is she asking for one person to receive exceptional coverage? What is she asking for? I think it’s up to the member opposite to be clear about what their policy is on this particular issue.

THUNDER BAY GENERATING STATION

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. Liberal promises come and go in Thunder Bay just like the fall leaves. Election season must be getting close if the government’s promising for the third time to convert the Thunder Bay generating station after cancelling the project twice at a cost of $20 million. Not only does this latest promise smack of opportunism but it is a short-term fix that won’t meet the future energy demands of mining projects in the region. When will this government stop playing politics with the energy needs of the northwest?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: We have deliberated on this issue, notwithstanding the harassment from the leader of the third party, and we have consulted with the people of Thunder Bay. We took our time; we were thoughtful. We looked at technical solutions and we provided the best solution that was available for Thunder Bay.

The plant is going to continue operating with advanced biomass. She may be concerned that it’s limited for five years, but we will assess the demand in the area as we proceed. If we have to add another unit and extend the time period, we will.

We have had a very positive response from the stakeholders in the community. The mayor of Thunder Bay has said that he’s 75% happy with this decision, and that’s very good for him.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Common Voice Northwest Energy Task Force has called the government’s latest plan to convert the Thunder Bay generating station to advanced biomass “half a loaf.” That’s because running the station at a fraction of its capacity is what’s in play here, and actually running it only for a few days per year doesn’t give the region a sustainable energy plan for the long term.

Instead of focusing on a short-term bid to save some Liberal seats, when will this government finally listen to local voices and get serious about the future energy needs of the northwest?

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: I’ve been informed by two excellent MPPs from Thunder Bay. They have been in touch with their community. They have been in touch with our ministry. They have been working with their community. We have been working with their community. We came up with a responsible decision for Thunder Bay. They will have energy when they need it. They’ll have electricity when they need it, for now and for the future. That commitment is there. We’ve proven it by our actions, and we will continue to respect the needs and the electricity demands in Thunder Bay.

Can the minister please update the House about how the customer service standard is being enforced?

My goal as the minister responsible is to enforce this law until we reach full compliance. Over the next two weeks, we will be sending warning notices to businesses that have failed thus far to file compliance reports. Failure to comply, failure to file, will result in penalties.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Speaker, through you to the minister, can you please update this House about your ministry’s plan to improve the percentage of organizations that have filed their service standard compliance reports?

Ontario is poised to be a global leader in this sector. It’s a human right that our province can’t afford to ignore, and it makes great business sense as well. As the jobs minister, I will use my portfolio to engage the business community right across the province to promote—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Answer.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: —awareness of the customer service standard in the act. I’d like to call on all members of this Legislature to support me in doing that.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. Rick Nicholls: My question is to the Premier. Since your government came into power in 2003, my riding has lost over 10,000 manufacturing jobs. Your words tell us that you are creating jobs, but I question where.

Last week, the H.J. Heinz plant in Leamington announced that it would be closing after 104 years, resulting in the loss of over 1,000 jobs, affecting their entire supply chain, and lost contracts for 46 tomato farmers who have up to $2 million tied up in equipment. The economic impact to Leamington is devastating.

Premier, you clearly stated this morning that you knew about this in September, but you failed to let anyone know. You didn’t make a statement the day of the closure announcement because you were too busy dealing with the city of Toronto’s issues.

The people in my riding of Chatham–Kent–Essex need answers now—

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

Mr. Rick Nicholls: So my—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Be seated, please. You’re finished. You must talk faster.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the Minister of Economic Development, Trade and Employment is going to want to speak to the supplementary, but to the question of where jobs are being created, let me name the places: London, Brantford, Puslinch, Mississauga, Brantford again, London, Wheatley. There are food processing plants, there are manufacturing plants that are expanding, that are being developed across the province.

I am very sorry and disappointed that the Heinz plant is being closed, but it is not about just this plant. The Heinz Company in general is making decisions across all of their operations. I spoke with the executives in the States, the executives in Canada, and of course I didn’t talk about what those conversations were about because those were confidential interactions.

My minister was out the day the announcement was made—

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

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, too. Minister, during our survey last year, food manufacturers told us that their biggest challenges are the result of your government. Heinz was one of the 75% that said red tape is increasing, and we heard about the high cost of doing business in Ontario, especially the spiralling cost of hydro. We told you all that last year, Minister.

You knew the Heinz plant closure was coming and the only thing you did was issue a press release about container size deregulation, trying to blame the federal government for the closure. The federal minister told you clearly they are not proceeding with the changes because it would cost jobs.

Interjection.

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: No, Minister, he told you in those conversations. Since you knew the container size regulations weren’t changing, why did you issue that release the day before the closing?

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order. The member from Durham can play musical chairs all he wants, but I can still recognize his voice. The member from Lambton–Kent–Middlesex will come to order as well.

Minister of Agriculture and Food.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It is not true that we knew that the federal government had made that decision on packaging before the announcement at Heinz was made. It is just not true. In my conversations with the federal minister, there was no commitment that they would change their rule on the packaging. There was no commitment that they would not make that change. There was very much a dissembling on that issue, so it is absolutely not true that that decision had been made.

We reached out, Mr. Speaker. We reached out to the company. We have an Open for Business table where we are changing regulation, and I really think that my critic knows, the member opposite knows that we are working with the food processing—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): No, I’m going to tell you—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And that’s enough.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We’re working with the food processing sector, and as a result of the Open for Business table, regulations are being changed so that their businesses can flourish. He knows that, and I know that he would like to continue to work with us on those issues.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Ms. Cindy Forster: My question is to the Minister of Education. The District School Board of Niagara has called upon the education minister and the Premier to visit the school board in hopes for some action on a decade-long, chronic underfunding problem of special education from the province.

The school board estimates that they are being underfunded to the tune of $9 million a year—$90 million over the last decade. Why did this government waste over a billion dollars on saving Liberal seats during the last election while ignoring the needs of special education students in the Niagara region?

Hon. Liz Sandals: I think we need to understand that there’s just one particular component of the special education funding model that the Niagara district school board is concerned about. In fact, the Niagara district school board gets exactly the same per pupil funding as other school boards on virtually every component.

The high-needs component is based on documentation around the incidence of high-needs kids. That’s something that was introduced by the Tories, something that school boards complained wasn’t necessarily a satisfactory way of getting at it. We got rid of that, and we actually do have a model in place that is gradually correcting that issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Cindy Forster: Back to the minister: Well, you’ve had 10 years to actually fix it.

The District School Board of Niagara receives only $355 per student in high-needs funding. The average provincial school board receives $636 per student. Why do special education needs students in Niagara receive just over half of the funding that special education students receive in other regions of this province? When and will this be fixed?

Hon. Liz Sandals: As I just explained, that amount is actually based on documentation which the Niagara district school board has historically submitted to the Ministry of Education. We do have a program to look at phasing that to a different level.

However, I think what is perhaps more relevant here today is we’ve just begun, today, a review of the complete funding model. We are working with school board stakeholders all over the province to review the school board funding model and to look at ways where it needs to be updated, areas where it can be made more effective, to ensure that, in fact, we are providing the best possible support to school boards and to children all over the province.

GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Protecting the quality of the air we breathe is a fundamental concern for both the people in my riding of Scarborough–Guildwood and for Ontarians more generally. It affects their health and our health care costs.

Both the federal government and the United Nations have recently issued reports that suggest Canada is not on track in meeting its commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020.

Air pollution has proven to have negative effects on health and can cause premature death. It is important that this nationwide trend is not the case in our province of Ontario, especially for our youngest residents.

Speaker, through you: Would the Minister of the Environment please share with this House what progress our government has made towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario?

Hon. James J. Bradley: An excellent question from the member. We strongly believe in improving air quality for the well-being of our residents. Our Green Energy Act continues to bring Ontario emission-free electricity and new, clean jobs. Ontario’s dedicated commitment to phase out coal-fired electricity by the end of 2014 has successfully reduced emissions in the electricity sector by 57% now.

Finally, on November 1, 2013, the Ministry of the Environment posted a proposal on the environmental and regulatory registries to consult with stakeholders on a provincial mandate for greener diesel fuels. That would include, of course, green diesel, which is a safe, non-toxic, clean-burning, biodegradable and renewable fuel.

To ensure that tangible environmental benefits are achieved, the proposed approach includes an average greenhouse gas reduction requirement for fuel volumes sold and used in the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Mitzie Hunter: Thank you, Minister. It is reassuring to hear that our government has taken steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Ontario. The community of Scarborough–Guildwood is lucky to have a local biofuels company, Pond Biofuels, working toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions with investments from our government.

The 2013 budget announced that Ontario will take steps to update its green transportation fuels policy by consulting with stakeholders on a provincial mandate for greener diesel fuels, including discussions related to the amount of renewable fuel content, as well as greenhouse gas requirements.

I am pleased that the Minister of the Environment is delivering on this government’s commitment to consult with stakeholders on greener diesel fuels through the November 1 proposal which you mentioned.

Speaker, through you, could the Minister of the Environment please share with this House further details on the proposed greener diesel fuel regulations and how this will affect the air we breathe?

Hon. James J. Bradley: What is key about this, first of all, is that part of that commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality—the ministry proposed that regulation. It’s going to require that Ontario’s diesel pool contain a minimum percentage of diesel made from renewable sources. The proposal is expected to provide air quality benefits, including reduced particulate matter and greenhouse gas reductions.

It is estimated that the greener diesel requirement will reduce Ontario’s GHG emissions by approximately 200,000 tonnes per year in the first compliance period, one million tonnes annually from 2017 onwards, and about five million tonnes on a cumulative basis by 2020.

There are a series of initiatives being taken to improve air quality, and I think the people of this province will support those.

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member from Chatham–Kent–Essex has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Premier concerning the closure of the Heinz plant in Leamington. The matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m.

VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): In the members’ west gallery, we do have a visitor who represented Burlington South in the 33rd, 34th, 35th, 36th, and Burlington in the 37th and 38th, Parliaments, Mr. Cam Jackson. Welcome, Cam.

Also in the Speaker’s gallery, we have a visitor, a former MP of Haldimand–Norfolk, Mr. Bob Speller. Welcome, Bob.

There are no deferred votes. This House stands recessed until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1143 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: I’m happy to welcome members of the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario to Queen’s Park today. I had the pleasure of meeting with Linda Keirl, a long-time RPN; Searle Schonewille, the director of policy for the RPNAO; and Scott Morrison, a student delegate from the organization and a proud resident of Oxford.

Thank you for meeting with me. Enjoy your time at Queen’s Park.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

DISASTER RELIEF

Mr. Peter Shurman: I rise today to speak to the devastation caused by the catastrophic superstorm Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. This ferocious storm has left a staggering death toll that is currently estimated to be approaching 4,000, and over 1,000 people are still unaccounted for. Sadly, this number is predicted to exceed 10,000 people.

With previously unseen levels of natural destruction, Typhoon Haiyan brought gusts of wind to the Philippines that were well over 300 kilometres per hour. This has caused unimaginable turmoil and mass devastation that is still rippling across the country right now.

On behalf of the substantial Filipino population in Thornhill and their families and fellow countrymen across Ontario, I stand today to seek a nonpartisan response for assistance. Our friends and neighbours are gravely worried about the land of their birth and about family members who are or may be victims of this devastating typhoon.

The Filipino community is often among the first to step up when assistance of any kind is required, regardless of where help is needed. They also have an abiding sense of family. I have personally witnessed this in Thornhill countless times. We cannot stand idly by while such a catastrophe unfolds. Canada and Ontario are driving forces in assisting with disaster relief wherever and whenever required. I call upon the Premier of Ontario to join with Canada and individual Canadians to assist during this time of need in the Philippines without delay.

JIMMY VELGAKIS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: I’m standing here because of a constituent, Jimmy Velgakis. Jimmy injured his back driving a Zamboni back in the 1990s, was fired from his job and didn’t get recompense from the WSIB because he wasn’t allowed to bring forward necessary witnesses. Jimmy, after years of legal wrangling, went on a hunger strike in 2011 outside of the WSIB. Steve Mahoney, the then chair, made him a promise that they’d reopen his case. That never happened.

So he has started again on a hunger strike. He’s sitting in front of the WSIB at 200 Front Street. It has been seven days that Jimmy, who’s 72 years old and has diabetes, has gone without food of any sort. I also started on a hunger strike the same day he did, so it has been seven days since I’ve eaten as well, and both of us are determined to finally get justice for Jimmy. If we don’t get justice for Jimmy, I’m frightened that Jimmy will actually die on Front Street in front of the WSIB.

I’m challenging the government members and the labour minister to do something, and the folk at WSIB—I have talked to them all—to do something. This is beyond absurd now. His lawyer has done everything she can. It’s time to get justice for Jimmy Velgakis—72 years old, with diabetes, on his second hunger strike.

SRI GURU NANAK DEV JI

Mrs. Amrit Mangat: This past Sunday I had the opportunity to visit the Dixie gurdwara in my great riding of Mississauga–Brampton South with our Premier, the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, to celebrate the birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Guru Nanak is the founder of the Sikh faith. He was a messenger of peace and unity. Guru Nanak was a visionary who espoused a society without discrimination or distinction based upon caste, colour, creed or faith. He taught a way of life: hard work, simple and honest living, selfless service and sharing of one’s fortune with the less fortunate.

Hundreds of years ago, he advocated gender equality and empowerment of women. He said:

Remarks in Punjabi.

“How can we condemn women who give birth to kings and queens?”

As we celebrated the birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, we also celebrated the cultural diversity of this great province, Ontario.

OLIVIA WISE

Mr. Michael Harris: Today I rise to honour a special young lady named Olivia Wise, who has impacted the lives of millions of people, including myself.

Olivia was a healthy Ontario teenager who enjoyed singing and playing basketball. Tragically, two years ago, doctors found an inoperable tumour in her brain. But even in the face of adversity, Olivia summoned the strength to do what she loved: sing one of her favourite songs. She and her family visited a downtown studio and recorded her own version of Katy Perry’s hit song Roar.

When I saw the video, I was taken aback to see this young lady, in weakness and illness, still working to make the most of her life and to make a difference in the lives of those around her. If you have not had the opportunity yet, I would encourage all members of this House and all of you watching at home to log on to YouTube and watch this very inspirational video.

In honour of her courage, Olivia’s family started a fund called the Liv Wise Fund, which collects donations for tumour research and treatment for pediatric cancer patients. To help raise awareness about the fund, students across the province are sending wishes to Olivia. I would encourage members to join me by also sending her wishes.

My wish for Olivia is that your legacy inspires others to keep fighting.

NUTRITION FOR LEARNING

Ms. Catherine Fife: On Friday, November 1, I met with representatives from Nutrition for Learning, a charitable organization that supports community-based nutrition programs for students.

Their mission is to enhance the ability to learn by ensuring that each student attends school well nourished. Feeding children in our schools is

an act of compassion and care, but we also know through research that students underperform and are disengaged in school when they are hungry.

Nutrition for Learning is one program that directly impacts the physical, cognitive, behavioural and academic needs of children and youth in Waterloo region and, indeed, across the province.

The work this organization does is critical for students in my community, but the nutritional needs of children are increasing. Today, over 13,000 students receive a meal every day through one of the 141 different programs affiliated with Nutrition for Learning in K-W. This is accomplished with the generous support of over 1,800 volunteers and many donors.

These programs are only available in 60% of the schools in Waterloo region. It is obvious that more needs to be done to support this essential program.

Lois Peterson, a principal in the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, is one of the co-presidents of Nutrition for Learning, and has been an advocate for bridging the gap that prevents all students from realizing their full potential. When I met with Lois, she was clear about the need for a pan-Canadian student nutrition program for all children.

Educators experience first-hand the needs of kids whose families have been hit hard by this economic downturn. We should listen to their advice. Nutrition for Learning needs the appropriate resources to ensure that every child in the province of Ontario is fed.

DON BURKE

Mr. John Fraser: I am pleased to stand today to acknowledge the outstanding work of Mr. Don Burke. Last week, Don was recognized as the festival volunteer of the year by Special Olympics Canada.

Don is a lead organizer for the Special Olympics festival breakfast in Ottawa and has been involved with the Special Olympics for well over a decade. Under his leadership, the breakfast event is now in its ninth year and has raised over $150,000. He has not only worked to raise a significant amount of money for the Special Olympics cause but has been a consistent contributor to the Ottawa community.

Don has also served as chair of the board of St. Patrick’s Home and its foundation. St. Patrick’s is a long-term-care home in Ottawa South, with a 110-year history in Ottawa. During his tenure as board chair, he oversaw the plans for the redevelopment and expansion of St. Patrick’s Home. I worked with Don during this time, and his patience and professionalism contributed greatly to the collective success of this project. Next month, a new and expanded St. Patrick’s Home will open for residents.

To his family—Nancy, Colin, Adam and Justin—I know that you’re very proud. Don, thank you for your hard work and selfless contribution to our community.

YOUTH OF OXFORD COUNTY

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the youth of Oxford county and their interest in the political process.

Last Tuesday, I attended an event in Woodstock for politically interested youth in Oxford county. The event was run by Ian Heikoop and gave our youth a chance to share their priorities with federal MP Dave MacKenzie; the mayor of Woodstock, Pat Sobeski; the mayor of Tillsonburg, John Lessif; and myself.

The number one priority, as voted by the group, was how to manage the increasing government debt. In fact, debt received more than double the amount of votes than the next leading issue.

Many expressed concerns about the dangerous cycle debt creates: higher taxes, lower consumer spending and the loss of jobs. Instead of perpetuating that cycle, the youth offered a logical solution: lower taxes to increase consumer spending and, as a result, create jobs.

Another major priority was how to balance improving health care while keeping costs under control.

One of the other issues they raised was the lack of jobs in today’s economy for new graduates. Some even told stories about colleagues who had finished post-secondary education only to end up back at the same job they had in high school.

I was impressed to hear from the young members of our community at this event and happy to have the chance to hear their priorities from them. I hope that we will have more events like this, as the knowledge and insights of our youth have led me to conclude that the future of our community is in good hands.

ÉLIZABETH ALLARD

M. Phil McNeely: C’est avec une grande fierté que je félicite l’élection d’une résidante de ma circonscription d’Ottawa–Orléans à la présidence de la Fédération des aînés et des retraités francophones de l’Ontario, la FAFO, M me Élizabeth Allard.

Franco-ontarienne de naissance, Élizabeth Allard est bien connue pour son lobbying auprès des gouvernements et pour son implication dans les grands dossiers de la Francophonie. C’est plus de sept ans d’implication auprès des aînés pour M me Allard qui l’amène aujourd’hui à la présidence de la FAFO, qui compte 8 000 membres.

Elle est aussi représentante de l’Ontario à la Fédération des aînées et aînés francophones du Canada. Elle y a d’ailleurs piloté de nombreux dossiers reliés aux aînés francophones, tels que le régime de pensions du Canada et le règlement sur les maisons de retraite en Ontario.

Les membres votants ont aussi donné un mandat de deux ans à M me Allard lors de leur assemblée annuelle qui se tenait la semaine dernière au Centre des congrès d’Ottawa.

Je remercie aussi le président sortant, M. Oliva Roy, pour son dévouement à la cause des aînés ontariens.

Je tiens également à féliciter M. Georges Orfali, ancien président du Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, pour son élection par acclamation à la vice-présidence de la FAFO.

BANCROFT HOSPITAL AUXILIARY

Mr. Todd Smith: I rise today to recognize a great community effort by the Bancroft detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and the federal crown office.

The whole thing started about four years ago, when a drug action team member in the detachment commenced a local drug investigation. The conviction in this case led to the federal crown attorney’s office getting a forfeiture order for the proceeds of crime.

In July of this year, the crown’s office contacted the Bancroft detachment of the OPP, looking for input on a suitable local charity that had the ability to handle the $50,000 donation. Bancroft OPP detachment commander Mark Wolfe wanted a charity that would benefit every resident of North Hastings. The detachment decided that one charitable cause in North Hastings stood out as fitting those requirements: the Bancroft hospital auxiliary.

With all the hardships that have faced North Hastings this year—communities having to deal with the York River flooding, among other things—it was a true inspiration to the community that the federal crown office and the OPP detachment could come together to support the Bancroft hospital and its auxiliary. This is just an example of the extraordinary community spirit that we’ve seen on display in North Hastings this year.

My thanks go out to the federal crown attorney’s office for the work they did to gain the forfeiture of funds, and I’d like to thank the Bancroft detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police for their recommendation and their hard work to conclude a successful investigation.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their statements.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

SMOKE-FREE ONTARIO

AMENDMENT ACT

(PROHIBITING FLAVOURED TOBACCO,

NEW TOBACCO PRODUCTS

AND SMOKELESS TOBACCO), 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 MODIFIANT LA LOI

FAVORISANT UN ONTARIO SANS FUMÉE

(INTERDICTION DU TABAC AROMATISÉ,

DES NOUVEAUX PRODUITS DU TABAC

ET DU TABAC SANS FUMÉ

E) M me Gélinas moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 130,

An Act to amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to prohibit certain tobacco products / Projet de loi 130, Loi modifiant la Loi favorisant un Ontario sans fumée pour interdire certains produits du tabac.

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.

M me France Gélinas: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The act is quite simple. The act presently says that no person shall sell or distribute a flavoured cigarillo unless it is prescribed in the law. This bill would ban all flavour except for menthol. It would also prohibit the sale and distribution of new tobacco products and smokeless tobacco products, and it will impose severe fines. The fines range from $50,000 for an individual who is caught selling flavoured tobacco, to $300,000 for a corporation that sells either a new tobacco product, a smokeless tobacco product or flavoured tobacco products. It’s as simple as this.

YOUTH SMOKING

PREVENTION ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA PRÉVENTION

DU TABAGISME CHEZ LES JEUNES

Ms. Matthews moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 131,

An Act to amend the Smoke-Free Ontario Act / Projet de loi 131, Loi modifiant la Loi favorisant un Ontario sans fumée.

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. Deborah Matthews: I’ll make my statement during ministerial statements.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I rise in the House today to introduce the Youth Smoking Prevention Act, which would make amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and make certain amendments to Ontario regulation 48/06.

Together, these initiatives will take strong action to reduce kids’ access to tobacco and to protect the people of Ontario from exposure to tobacco smoke. Quite starkly put, these initiatives will save lives.

You will recall that the first pillar of our action plan for health care is keeping Ontario healthy. Within that pillar, I set the target of having the lowest smoking rate in Canada. These legislative and regulatory changes would move us in that direction.

There are very compelling reasons for tackling tobacco use. Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death, preventable disease and premature death in Ontario. Tobacco use accounts for about 13,000 deaths in Ontario each year. That means that every single day, 36 people in Ontario die from smoking. Every day—yesterday, today, tomorrow—36 people will die, each and every year, and 36 families will grieve.

We are taking this action so that some of those lives may be saved. People who oppose these measures should ask themselves one question: If 36 people died each and every day from any other preventable cause—traffic collisions, food poisoning—wouldn’t they demand that government take action?

The human toll is almost unimaginable. Smoking places a huge burden on our health system, too. One in 10 acute care beds is occupied by someone who’s in hospital because of tobacco. Smoking causes 80% of lung cancers and 80% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases.

Every year, tobacco-related disease costs the province an estimated $1.9 billion in direct health care expenses and an additional $5.8 billion in indirect costs such as lost productivity.

In 2005, our government rose to the challenge of reducing tobacco use with the creation of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy. That launched Ontario as a national leader and an international leader in tobacco control. The strategy takes action on three fronts. The first is helping people to quit. The second is preventing people from taking up tobacco use, especially young people. Third: protecting children and adults from exposure to tobacco use and tobacco smoke. We took this comprehensive approach because we knew it would be effective in reducing tobacco use.

Research has shown that when government is highly involved in tobacco control with strong legislation and programs that ensure that people have information and supports, fewer people smoke. I’m very proud to say that since 2000, Ontario’s smoking rate has dropped from 24.5% to 19%. That means 255,000 fewer smokers.

But despite its successes, the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy’s interventions to reduce smoking rates are being undermined on a number of fronts. For example, youth smokers are particularly susceptible to the availability of flavoured tobacco products. Kids are exposed to tobacco use and tobacco smoke on playgrounds and sports fields, and seeing adults smoking on restaurant and patio bars leads young people to believe that it’s a social norm, which may increase the likelihood of them starting to smoke.

While we have come a long way and have achieved some great results, we must take stronger action to reach our ambitious goal of having the lowest smoking rate in Canada. We must do all we can to make smoking less visible and reduce its social acceptability.

Our proposed legislative and regulatory amendments, if passed, would implement our government’s commitment to increase fines, focus on protecting kids and youth, and move us closer to our goal of reducing tobacco use in Ontario to the lowest in the country. To prevent children and youth from accessing tobacco products and protect them from the harmful effects of smoking, the proposed legislative and regulatory amendments would, if passed:

—increase fines for those who sell tobacco to kids, making them the highest in Canada;

—clarify that it’s prohibited to offer promotional items with the sale of tobacco;

—prohibit the sale of tobacco products containing flavouring, like bubble gum or grape, with certain exemptions;

—strengthen enforcement tools and give health inspectors the authority to take samples from water pipes and test for tobacco in places where smoking is prohibited; and

—prohibit the sale of tobacco on post-secondary education campuses and specific government of Ontario properties.

While we want to reduce youth access to tobacco products, we also know that it’s important to limit young people’s exposure to tobacco use. We want to protect youth from second-hand smoke and we also want to denormalize smoking in settings where youth see adults smoking.

If passed, proposed legislative and regulatory amendments would prohibit smoking on the outdoor grounds of hospitals and specific provincial government-owned properties while allowing for certain designated outdoor smoking areas, and it would prohibit smoking on playgrounds, sports fields, and restaurant and bar patios.

We know that public engagement is crucial. To facilitate this engagement, we’ll be posting a

summary of the draft regulatory measures on the government of Ontario’s regulatory registry for public review and comment for 45 days. I want to assure the people of Ontario that there is strong support for these initiatives among our partners, such as the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Ontario Lung Association and the Ontario Medical Association. Furthermore, research shows that 66% of Ontarians agree with prohibiting smoking on patios, and 70% of people in Ontario agree with prohibiting the sale of tobacco products containing flavouring.

Many municipalities have already acted: 58 municipalities representing 61% of the population have already banned smoking on playgrounds; and 45 municipalities, representing 37% of the population, have already banned smoking on sports and recreational fields and facilities. Similarly, nine Ontario municipalities currently have a full smoking ban in place on patios. A province-wide ban would make it easier for businesses and patrons to comply with the law and would provide complete protection for workers, patrons and kids everywhere in Ontario.

These amendments, if passed, would strengthen our ability to reduce kids’ exposure to tobacco smoke in their daily lives and help prevent our young people from using any tobacco products. Selling flavoured tobacco products is one of the few remaining ways that tobacco companies have of marketing to our kids, and we have a responsibility to act.

Again, I’d like to thank our valued health system partners as well as everyday Ontarians for their support of this proposed legislation and for their dedication and commitment to the health of the people of Ontario. We are taking this strong action as part of our government’s plan to invest in the health and well-being of our people so they can live healthier lives and contribute to the growth of our economy.

I urge all members to support these legislative and regulatory amendments.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It’s now time for responses.

Mrs. Christine Elliott: I’m very pleased to rise today to speak on behalf of the PC caucus with respect to the Youth Smoking Prevention Act, which will make amendments to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and associated regulations.

I haven’t yet had the opportunity to see the bill that was tabled by the minister a few moments ago, but I understand through various reports that have come out in recent weeks that the bill has the following themes that have been outlined by the minister:

(1) prohibiting the sales of tobacco products containing flavouring like fruit flavours and bubble gum;

(2) prohibiting sales on post-secondary campuses and specified provincial government properties;

(3) banning smoking on restaurant and bar patios; and

(4) increased fines for those who sell tobacco products to youth.

The Ontario PCs support restricting the sale of candy- and fruit-flavoured tobacco products. Marketing tobacco to taste similar to candy is encourages youth to start this unhealthy habit, and it certainly something that we should try to stop here in Ontario.

The Ontario Lung Association, the Heart and Stroke association and the Canadian Cancer Society have been very instrumental in educating me and my colleagues about this important issue and the dangers that candy-flavoured tobacco has caused.

I would also like to say thank you to the member from Nickel Belt. In 2010, she brought forward a private member’s bill prohibiting stores from selling flavoured cigarillos. The industry, of course, responded with other variations of candy- and fruit-flavoured tobacco that is aimed at Ontario’s youth. To her great credit, the member from Nickel Belt, even again today, also filed a private member’s bill on this very issue. She is to be congratulated for her dogged advocacy on this issue.

We would also like to consider what the government understands with respect to the prohibition of sale of tobacco at post-secondary institutions and government properties. The proposal certainly seems reasonable; however, we would like to see further details and we look forward to a briefing from the ministry in the next short while.

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association has expressed some concerns about banning smoking on restaurant and bar patios. The president and CEO of ORHMA—as it’s known—Tony Elenis, has said that this proposal will result in the following: “Smokers will still go outside near the patio and they will puff cigarettes at passersby who are not expecting a puff of smoke.” Mr. Elenis has also stated that, “Under the existing regulations, which we are happy with, customers and businesses” are able to “make a choice.”

ORHMA has suggested that prohibiting smoking on patios will result in revenue loss for businesses and have a negative impact on small business owners. Therefore, the association has asked that a decision on banning smoking from patios be delayed until the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Employment is able to review the financial impact of banning smoking on restaurant patios across all municipalities in Ontario.

ORHMA has advised us that the ministry did not consult with their group prior to proposing this bill and therefore they were not able to express their concerns there. This is something that I think bears further consideration. We need to achieve a balance. Certainly we want to protect youth, but we also want to make sure we don’t drive even more businesses out of Ontario.

Finally, increased fines for those who sell products to youth would be a proposal we would support. This would help encourage those who sell tobacco products to stop selling to Ontario’s youth.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, although we haven’t seen the specifics of this bill, I look forward to discussing this matter further with the ministry, with stakeholders and with my colleagues. Anything that is going to protect the health and well-being of young people in our province is something we would certainly support in general.

M me France Gélinas: It is my pleasure to add a few words to the introduction by the Minister of Health of a bill that would ban flavouring in tobacco products. Mr. Speaker, you and I first introduced such a bill in 2008. It became law; it was enacted. But by the time the ink was dry on that bill, the industry had found a loophole.

Since that time, I have tried to close those loopholes. On April 4, 2011, I introduced Bill 176. Unfortunately, this bill was allowed to die on the order paper when we had an election. Not to worry. I reintroduced a bill banning flavouring in tobacco products on April 17, 2012. I reintroduced it on October 2, 2012, and I did it again today.

You may be wondering why. Well, although I like what the Minister of Health had to say today, I’m a little bit jagged that it will actually happen. What I want is action. I don’t really want feel-good words. So just to sort of make sure it happens, I decided to put the bill forward.

You have to see, Mr. Smoker—Mr. Speaker; sorry about that. I’ll give you the example of Bill 78,

An Act to amend certain Acts with respect to electronic health records. This bill was first introduced on May 29 of this year. We are now at November 18 of this year, and I have yet to do my lead on that bill. You know what that means? That means they introduced a bill, legislation that we all know we need in order to move ahead with electronic health records. They made the announcement, they spoke the words, but they didn’t follow up with action.

It is the government that decides what bills we are going to talk about. Every Thursday afternoon, we get our little list: “Here’s what will be on the docket for next week.” But they make the announcement, they bring first reading and then it dies.

I don’t want this to die, Mr. Speaker. You and I have worked on that file long enough. I have worked on that file long enough to know that if Ontario was to be serious and ban flavouring in tobacco products, we would save lives. We would save lives by the tens of thousands every year. Why? Because flavouring is how they get their next generation of smokers.

I was in my riding last week with Taylor Lew, my intern from OLIP. He had never seen a smoke shack before, and I have many, many of them in my riding, so I brought him to a smoke shack. He could see for himself 34 different flavours of tobacco products. The smokeless, the chewing tobacco—we kind of lost count because they were piled up, one on top of the other, but the same there: close to 40 different flavours of chews.

The flavoring is what hooks young smokers. It has to stop, Mr. Smoker—Mr. Speaker.

Laughter.

M me France Gélinas: I keep saying that; I know you’re not a smoker. I know you’re not, and I apologize greatly. I know you understand, and I know we’re all going in the same direction.

As an MPP in opposition, I get one chance every two years to bring a bill forward. The Ministry of Health, with all its resources, gets to bring bills forward all the time. They get to move them through legislation for second and third readings. They set the agenda. So I’m hedging my bets. I want this to go through. I want to save lives. If the minister puts the bill on the docket, we will talk about it. We will move it to second reading. I want it to become law. But if they don’t, February 20 will be my chance to bring this bill to second reading. Too many Ontarians’ lives are on the line.

I don’t want to take a chance. I want to make sure that this becomes law. If the ministry moves this forward with all of their resources, good for them; we will help them do this. If they don’t, then this lonely little NDP MPP will use her private member’s ballot on February 20 to achieve the same thing.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I can’t resist: I want to make it public to my wife that I do not smoke.

I thank all members for their comments.

PETITIONS

MINIMUM WAGE

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, presented to me by Jim Freeman.

“Whereas Ontario’s minimum wage has been frozen at $10.25 an hour since 2010, and some workers earn even less due to current exemptions in the Employment Standards Act; and

“Whereas full-time minimum wage workers are living at nearly 20% below the poverty line as measured by the Ontario government’s low-income measure (LIM); and

“Whereas minimum wage should, as a matter of principle, bring people working 35 hours per week above the poverty line; and

“Whereas an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $14 per hour would bring workers’ wages 10% above the LIM poverty line; and

“Whereas raising the minimum wage will benefit workers, local businesses and the economy by putting money in workers’ pockets to spend in their local community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately increase the minimum wage to $14 per hour for all workers and thereafter increase it annually by no less than the cost of living.”

HOME CARE

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from the area of Peterborough. It reads as follows.

“Whereas many Ontarians need health care services at home and 6,100 people are currently on wait-lists for care;

“Whereas waiting for over 200 days for home care is unacceptable;

“Whereas eliminating the wait-lists won’t require any new funding if the government caps hospital CEO salaries, finds administrative efficiencies in the local health integration networks (LHINs) and community care access centres (CCACs), standardizes procurement policies and streamlines administration costs;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That a five-day home care guarantee is established and existing wait-lists eliminated so that Ontarians receive the care they need within a reasonable time frame.”

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

WASTE REDUCTION

Ms. Soo Wong: I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas protecting the environment should be everyone’s responsibility, including manufacturing and material producing companies; and

“Whereas it is important to require producers to be financially and environmentally responsible for recycling the goods and packaging they sell in Ontario, and to divert these wastes from landfill to recycling to drive innovation, generate new jobs, and new Ontario-made products; and

“Whereas new approaches are needed that reflect ideas and recommendations from the recycling sector that are designed to improve current recycling systems, to increase recycling and diversion rates, and better protect our environment;

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

“That members of the Legislative Assembly pass Bill 91, the Waste Reduction Act, 2013, introduced on June 6, 2013, by the Ontario Minister of Environment.”

I fully support this petition, and I will sign my signature and give it to page William.

DARLINGTON NUCLEAR

GENERATING STATION

Mr. John O’Toole: I’m pleased to present a petition on behalf of my riding of Durham. It reads as follows:

“Whereas approximately 20% of Ontario’s electricity is produced at the Darlington generating station;

“Whereas in addition to refurbishing the four existing reactors at Darlington the building of new capacity is important for the future of Ontario’s manufacturing sector and for jobs and investment in our Ontario;

“Whereas a study by the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters in 2012 concluded the building” of two new reactors “at Darlington would directly employ more than 10,000 people and would support employment for an additional 10,000 others in Canada for approximately a five-year period;

“Whereas Ontario’s Ministry of Energy says Ontario Power Generation has already spent an estimated $180 million in preparation proceeding with the two new Darlington reactors;

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

“That Ontario’s elected MPPs and the provincial government reaffirm their commitment to the complete refurbishment of all four units at the Darlington generating station and that the Ontario government reinstate the original plan for the completion of the two new reactors at the Darlington generating station.”

I’m pleased to sign and support it and present it to Zachary, one of the new pages.

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

Miss Monique Taylor: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the Ontario Ombudsman, who is an officer of the Legislature, is not allowed to provide trusted, independent investigations of complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas Ontario is the only province in Canada not allowing their Ombudsman to investigate complaints against children’s aid societies; and

“Whereas people who feel they have been wronged by the actions of children’s aid societies are left feeling helpless with nowhere else to turn for help to correct systemic issues;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to grant the Ombudsman the power to investigate children’s aid societies.”

As I have done before and will do many times again, I agree with this petition, will sign my name to it and give it to page Arvind to bring to the Clerk.

LEGAL AID

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: I’ve got a petition to the Ontario Legislative Assembly on population-based legal services funding. It reads as follows:

“Whereas Mississauga Community Legal Services provides free legal services to legal aid clients within a community of nearly 800,000 population; and

“Whereas legal services in communities like Toronto and Hamilton serve, per capita, fewer people living in poverty, are better staffed and better funded; and

“Whereas Mississauga and Brampton have made progress in having Ontario provide funding for human services on a fair and equitable, population-based model;

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

“That the Ministry of the Attorney General revise the current distribution of allocated funds in the 2012-13 budget, and adopt a population-based model, factoring in population growth rates to ensure Ontario funds are allocated in an efficient, fair and effective manner.”

I agree with this, will sign it and send it down with Michaela.

MARKDALE HOSPITAL

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

“Whereas Grey Bruce Health Services’ Markdale hospital is the only health care facility between Owen Sound and Orangeville on the Highway 10 corridor;

“Whereas the community of Markdale rallied to raise $13 million on the promise they would get a new state-of-the-art hospital in Markdale;

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

“That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announce as soon as possible its intended construction date for the new Markdale hospital and ensure that the care needs of the patients and families of our community are met in a timely manner.”

I support this petition, will sign it and send it with page Morgan.

AIR-RAIL LINK

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas diesel trains are a health hazard for people who live near them;

“Whereas more toxic fumes will be created by the 400 daily trains than the car trips they are meant to replace;

“Whereas the planned air-rail link does not serve the communities through which it passes and will be priced beyond the reach of most commuters;

“Whereas all major cities in the world with train service between their downtown core and the airport use electric trains;

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

“That the province of Ontario stop building the air-rail link for diesel and move to electrify the route immediately;

“That the air-rail link be designed, operated and priced as an affordable transportation option between all points along its route.”

I’m going to sign this and I’m going to give it to Arvind to be delivered to the table.

SMALL BUSINESS

Ms. Soo Wong: I have a petition addressed to the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

“Whereas small businesses not only employ thousands of Ontarians with well-paying jobs, they also play a vital role strengthening Ontario’s economy; and

“Whereas providing tax relief to small and local businesses strengthens the economy and creates a business climate that attracts investment and helps create jobs; and

“Whereas the government has taken several other initiatives to making Ontario the most attractive place to do business in North America;

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

“That the members of the Legislative Assembly pass Bill 105, Supporting Small Businesses Act, 2013, introduced on September 24, 2013, by the Ontario Minister of Finance.”

I fully support the petition and I’ll give it to page Julia.

LYME DISEASE

Mr. Steve Clark: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the tick-borne illness known as chronic Lyme disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the USA and Europe; and

“Whereas the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000, edition of their professional journal that Lyme disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in southern Ontario; and

“Whereas the Ontario public health system and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process of establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives 45% to 95% of the time;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to direct that the Ontario public health system and OHIP include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for acute and chronic Lyme disease in Ontario and to have everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.”

I’m pleased to affix my signature in support and to send the petition to the table with page Marina.

MINIMUM WAGE

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario’s minimum wage has been frozen at $10.25 an hour since 2010, and some workers earn even less due to current exemptions in the Employment Standards Act; and

“Whereas full-time minimum wage workers are living at nearly 20% below the poverty line as measured by the Ontario government’s low-income measure (LIM); and

“Whereas minimum wage should, as a matter of principle, bring people working 35 hours per week above the poverty line; and

“Whereas an immediate increase in the minimum wage to $14 per hour would bring workers’ wages 10% above the LIM poverty line; and

“Whereas raising the minimum wage will benefit workers, local businesses and the economy by putting money in workers’ pockets to spend in their local community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to immediately increase the minimum wage to $14 per hour for all workers and thereafter increase it annually by no less than the cost of living.”

I’m going to sign this and give it to William to be delivered to the table

TIRE DISPOSAL

Mr. John O’Toole: Another petition here that reflects on Bill 91 from my riding of Durham, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas the Ontario government has approved massive increases to Ontario Tire Stewardship’s eco fees for agricultural tires, increasing some fees from $15.29 to $352.80, $546.84 or $1,311.24;

“Whereas Ontario imposes tire eco fees” and other fees “that are dramatically higher than those in other provinces;

“Whereas other provincial governments either exempt agricultural tires from recycling programs or charge fees only up to $75;

“Whereas these new fees will result in increased costs for our farmers and lost sales for our farm equipment dealerships” and pass on costs to consumers;

“Whereas the PC caucus has proposed a new plan” from Michael Harris “that holds manufacturers and importers of tires responsible for recycling, but gives them the freedom to work with other businesses to find the best way possible to carry out that responsibility;

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

“To suspend the decision to significantly increase Ontario Tire Stewardship’s fees on agricultural and off-the-road tires pending a thorough impact study and implementation of proposals to lower costs” while recycling tires.

I’m pleased to sign and support this and present it to Spencer, one of the new pages.

DOG OWNERSHIP

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas aggressive dogs are found among all breeds and mixed breeds; and

“Whereas breed-specific legislation has been shown to be an expensive and ineffective approach to dog bite prevention; and

“Whereas problem dog owners are best dealt with through education, training and legislation encouraging responsible behaviour;

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

“To repeal the breed-specific sections of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (2005) and any related acts, and to instead implement legislation that encourages responsible ownership of all dog breeds and types.”

On behalf of the over 1,000 dogs that have been euthanized because of the way they look, I’m going to sign this and give it to Morgan to be delivered to the table.

TIRE DISPOSAL

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

“Whereas the Ontario government has approved massive increases to Ontario Tire Stewardship’s eco fees for agricultural tires, increasing some fees from $15.29 to $352.80, $546.84 or $1,311.24; and

“Whereas Ontario imposes tire eco fees that are dramatically higher than those in other provinces; and

“Whereas other provincial governments either exempt agricultural tires from recycling programs or charge fees only up to $75; and

“Whereas these new fees will result in increased costs for our farmers and lost sales for our farm equipment dealerships; and

“Whereas the PC caucus has proposed a new plan that holds manufacturers and importers of tires responsible for recycling, but gives them the freedom to work with other businesses to find the best way possible to carry out that responsibility;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to please suspend the decision to significantly increase Ontario Tire Stewardship’s fees on agricultural and off-the-road tires pending a thorough impact study and implementation of proposals to lower costs.”

I support this, will affix my signature and send it with page Cynthia.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

SCHOOL BOARDS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING ACT, 2013 /

LOI DE 2013 SUR LA NÉGOCIATION COLLECTIVE DANS LES CONSEILS SCOLAIRES

Resuming the debate adjourned on November 7, 2013, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 122,

An Act respecting collective bargaining in Ontario’s school system / Projet de loi 122, Loi concernant la négociation collective dans le système scolaire de l’Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): Further debate?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker.

Applause.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: And thanks to all those who applauded; I appreciate it. I am honoured to speak today to this bill, the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act.

As you are well aware, Speaker, this morning all across Ontario, millions of children went off to school. When parents drop their daughter or their son at the front door of the school, when they get them out to the school bus, when they simply do everything they can to get the children out of the house in time in the morning for those children to go to school, they have taken a big step. They have entrusted the safety, the training and the future of those children to this province’s education system.

Teachers and education workers, principals and trustees, thousands of people do critical work, year in, year out, transferring the skills and knowledge that will be needed for the coming generation.

I just need to note, Mr. Speaker, this is my leadoff speech, and I believe I should be allocated an hour’s time on the clock.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): We recognize that this is, in fact, the leadoff speech by the New Democrats, and I’ll ask the table to fix the clock. I return to the member for Toronto Danforth.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Thank you, Speaker. I’m appreciative to all who made this possible.

Hon. John Milloy: Give him four hours.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: The government House leader has a twisted sense of humour.

As a society, we build our future freedoms and prosperity through the knowledge, values and skills we pass to the next generation. If we want to have a free society, if we want to have a democratic society, we need to instill in our children an understanding of the world and how it works around them. We have to give them the skills to sort out truth from static, the values that allow us to work together and to take the lead. If we want a prosperous society, we need to give all our children an equal start. A fairer society is a more prosperous society.

If we as Ontario want to stand on our own two feet, then the next generation needs to have the skills—the ability to think, to read, to create, to use mathematics—to be players in a 21st-century economy. If we want a healthy society, then our children need to have physical education and the knowledge of health issues to make sense of the world.

This is delicate work at times, demanding work and, since we’re dealing with people, not with widgets, work that is often emotionally fraught. Parents put everything they have into their children, and at the same time, they put a big chunk of their hard-earned cash into the hands of governments to ensure that their children are given the best possible chance in life.

Such complex and important systems as the education system here in Ontario don’t do well when key players are sidelined, as trustees were in the last round of bargaining, don’t do well when the front-line workers in the classes and in the hallways are demoralized through actions that take away rights guaranteed by our Constitution, as our teachers and education workers were under Bill 115, the bill with the Orwellian title, Putting Students First Act, 2012.

Speaker, as we came to the end of the disastrous Bill 115 reign, which I must note was a project coming out of a partnership between both the Liberal and Conservative parties, it was clear that no one wanted to go through that again. No one wants to go through the chaos and demoralization that were damaging to the families of this province and to those who worked in our schools.

When the current minister, Mrs. Sandals, introduced the bill, she had this to say:

“When I was first appointed Minister of Education, my first priority was to rebuild relationships with our partners so we could move forward with a common purpose to improve student achievement. This means putting previous challenges behind us and working toward a bright future. This innovative legislation I am introducing here today will help the education sector move forward with a clear process and common understanding of collective bargaining in the education sector.”

Speaker, the minister didn’t say why relations had to be rebuilt. The bill whose name will not be spoken, Bill 115, was only alluded to. The bill that poisoned relations with the education community is the “previous challenge” to be put behind us.

This bill is apparently meant to prevent this kind of conflict in future. It may do many things, but it does not have the power to do that. If a government is willing to ignore the Constitution of the land and strip away the rights of Ontarians to negotiate contracts with their employers, then what does the existence of a mere bill mean? If the Constitution is irrelevant, no bill can stand against a government that’s determined to do away with democratic rights.

This is what I had to say last year about Bill 115:

“The bill goes well beyond any prior attempt by the provincial government to constrain collective bargaining. The authority given to the minister and cabinet effectively enables them to control both the process of bargaining and the results of bargaining, including the right to strike or lock out, and imposing collective agreements or their forms without any accountability to the Legislature. So all of you in here who are going to get a chance to vote know that you are delegating huge power to the cabinet. We are being asked to sign a very big blank cheque.

So ask yourselves: Do you trust this cabinet with that blank cheque? I ask the Conservatives: Do you trust this government, this cabinet, with that blank cheque? Aside from sitting ministers who would like to be seen well by their Premier, is there anyone else in this room who thinks that giving the Premier a blank cheque is a good idea? I don’t.

“The act interferes with the collective bargaining process set out under the Labour Relations Act on significant matters, such as wages and sick leave. It violates rights to freedom of association under

section 3 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as recognized by the Supreme Court of Canada.

“The act seeks to shield the actions of cabinet from any review by the courts, the labour board or boards of arbitration, in contravention of a legal concept as basic as the rule of law.”

It’s interesting that the Labour Relations Board and any other arbitrators are prohibited from either inquiring into or making decisions about the constitutionality of the act or whether the act is in conflict with the Human Rights Code.

I have to say, this is pretty thorough. It makes sure that all kinds of legal structures and protections ar