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September 14, 2015

41st Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2015-Sep-14 (PDF)

L094 - Mon 14 Sep 2015 / Lun 14 sep 2015

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 14 September 2015 Lundi 14 septembre 2015

Resignation of members

Introduction of member for Simcoe North

Appointment of Clerk-at-the-Table

Queen Elizabeth II / Reine Elizabeth II

Order of business

Appointment of temporary Environmental Commissioner

Introduction of Visitors

Oral Questions

Job creation

Firefighters

Privatization of public assets

Privatization of public assets

Privatization of public assets

Privatization of public assets

Refugees

Highway tolls

Teachers

Community policing

Workplace safety

Child care

Student achievement

Long-term care

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ Statements

Queen Elizabeth II

Margaret Woltz

Joe MacDonald

Asthma

Public transit in London

Flora MacDonald

Rex Crawford

Toyota

Ukrainian Canadian community

Tabling of sessional papers

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment

Introduction of Bills

Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Amendment Act, 2015 / Loi de 2015 modifiant la

Loi sur l’intervenant provincial en faveur des enfants et des jeunes

Zara H.S.L.C.C Inc. Act, 2015

422504 Ontario Ltd. Act, 2015

Motions

Order of business

Committee membership

Private members’ public business

Appointment of Environmental Commissioner

Petitions

Concussion

Privatization of public assets

Lung health

Hospice funding

Long-term care

Concussion

Winter road maintenance

Privatization of public assets

Access to justice

Road safety

Gasoline prices

Child custody

Orders of the Day

Protection of Public Participation Act, 2015 / Loi de 2015 sur la protection du droit à la participation aux affaires publiques

Invasive Species Act, 2015 / Loi de 2015 sur les espèces envahissantes

Smart Growth for Our Communities Act, 2015 / Loi de 2015 pour une croissance intelligente de nos collectivités

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Good morning. Welcome back. Weren’t we just here?

Please join me in prayer.

Prayers.

Resignation of members

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that, during the adjournment, vacancies have occurred in the membership of the House by reason of the resignation of Garfield Dunlop as the member for the electoral district of Simcoe North, effective August 1, 2015, and by reason of the resignation of Christine Elliott as the member for the electoral district of Whitby–Oshawa, effective August 28, 2015.

Accordingly, I have issued my warrants to the Chief Electoral Officer for the issue of writs for by-elections.

Introduction of member for Simcoe North

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that the Clerk has received from the Chief Electoral Officer and laid upon the table a certificate of the by-election in the electoral district of Simcoe North.

The Clerk of the Assembly (Ms. Deborah Deller): The certificate of the by-election is addressed to Mrs. Deborah Deller, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly:

“Dear Mrs. Deller:

“A writ of election dated the fifth day of August, 2015, was issued by the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of the province of Ontario, and was addressed to Grace Isgro-Topping, returning officer for the electoral district of Simcoe North, for the election of a member to represent the said electoral district of Simcoe North in the Legislative Assembly of this province in the room of Garfield Dunlop who, since his election as representative of the said electoral district of Simcoe North, has resigned his seat.

This is to certify that, a poll having been granted and held in Simcoe North on the third day of September, 2015, Patrick Brown has been returned as duly elected as appears by the return of the said writ of election, dated the ninth day of September, 2015, which is now lodged of record in my office.

“Yours sincerely,

“Greg Essensa

“Chief Electoral Officer

“Toronto, September 14, 2015.”

Mr. Brown was escorted into the House by Mr. Wilson and Mr. Yakabuski.

Mr. Jim Wilson: Speaker, I have the honour to present to you and to the House Patrick Brown, member-elect for the electoral district of Simcoe North, who has taken the oath and signed the roll and now claims the right to take his seat.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Let the honourable member take his seat.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Brown, member for the electoral district of Simcoe North, is recognized as leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition.

Appointment of Clerk-at-the-Table

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I’d like to bring the attention of the members of the House to the appointment of William Short as a Clerk-at-the-Table. A lot of you will know William from his many years as a committee Clerk. As a table officer, he will serve the members in a permanent capacity and assist the Clerk and Deputy Clerk in providing procedural advice to myself and to all members.

I am certain that all members will join me in congratulating Mr. Short as he assumes his new responsibilities.

Congratulations.

Queen Elizabeth II / Reine Elizabeth II

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order, the deputy House leader.

Hon. James J. Bradley: Mr. Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen becoming our longest-serving monarch, with a representative from each caucus speaking for up to five minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The deputy House leader is seeking unanimous consent: that we have unanimous consent to pay tribute to Her Majesty the Queen becoming our longest-serving monarch, with a representative from each caucus speaking for up to five minutes. Do we agree? Agreed. Carried.

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It’s with great pleasure that I rise to mark the historic milestone Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has achieved in surpassing her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as the longest reigning British monarch.

Je suis ravie de prendre la parole pour célébrer ce moment historique du règne de Sa Majesté la reine Elizabeth II, qui vient de battre le record de son arrière-arrière-grand-mère, la reine Victoria, et de devenir le monarque britannique qui connaît le règne le plus long de l’histoire.

Her Majesty is renowned for the steadfast devotion to duty and public service that she has exhibited during an extraordinary reign of more than 63 years. The Queen has carried out her responsibilities with grace, dignity and intelligence, earning respect and admiration across the Commonwealth and around the world.

Canadians have shown their great esteem and affecttion for Her Majesty during her many visits to our country. She has made Canada a priority in her international travel, travelling here more times than to any other country. And she has been a frequent and welcome visitor to Ontario, making 14 visits to our province since 1951. Wonderful.

During these visits, the Queen has shown a preference for participating in events that celebrate selfless service to others. In 1973, she attended the first-ever Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship. During her most recent visit to Canada in 2010, she joined Premier McGuinty here at Queen’s Park for a celebration of service honouring outstanding achievements in volunteerism and other forms of giving back to society.

The most visible elements of the Queen’s visits are royal walkabouts, when she meets and mingles with members of the public. These walkabouts began spontaneously during the 1939 royal tour of Canada by Her Majesty’s parents after they had dedicated the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The royal couple surprised and delighted the vast crowd when, instead of turning to their motorcade, they spent half an hour mingling with veterans of the First World War.

During her reign, Queen Elizabeth has institutionalized walkabouts, developing them into a much-loved tradition. I am speaking about walkabouts today because of their symbolic importance. Earlier generations typically perceived a king or a queen as a remote figurehead, but the advent of walkabouts has helped to forge a connection between the monarch and her people and has reflected the democratic spirit of our age. Yet at the same time, they strike a careful balance by also respecting the dignity that is integral to the high office the Queen holds.

Her Majesty has done an exemplary job of maintaining the monarchy, which is one of the pillars of our democracy. By doing so, she has helped to sustain the combination of parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy that we’re so fortunate to live under. Our system of government, which has evolved over many centuries, has allowed Canada to become a vibrant and stable democracy and one of the world’s most successful nations. It ensures that the power of the state is not absolute; that peace, order and good government endure; and that, as citizens, we can take control of our destiny and live without fear of tyranny.

The Queen has steered a steady course for more than 63 years. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to public service, and she has upheld the monarchy as a symbol of stability and continuity.

La reine a maintenu le cap depuis plus de 63 ans. Elle a fait preuve d’un engagement indéfectible envers le service public et elle a fait de la monarchie un symbole de stabilité et de continuité.

Her poise, strength and integrity have offered the people of Canada and the 15 other Commonwealth countries where she is the head of state a source of reassurance and stability in a time of unprecedented change.

On behalf of the government of Ontario, I want to congratulate the Queen for achieving this significant milestone, and I want to thank Her Majesty for her lifetime of dedicated service to the people of our province and our country, and to wish her many more years in her remarkable reign.

God save the Queen.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, nothing could be more fitting for my first act as leader of Her Majesty’s official opposition than to stand and pay tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on this historic occasion.

Reigning as queen for 63 years and 221 days, Her Majesty now stands as the longest-serving monarch of the United Kingdom and our Commonwealth. Along with the people of Ontario and our Progressive Conservative caucus, I express my deep and profound appreciation for Her Majesty’s devotion of so much of her life to public service and the greater good.

It’s next to impossible to put into perspective the sheer length of her service and dedication to her kingdom, but just to try, when she was crowned in 1953, Leslie Frost was Premier of Ontario and the very first colour television sets went on sale. When I was born, Her Majesty had already been serving as head of state for 25 years, and she has since served with dedication and distinction. It is my hope that we can all follow her lead and example of integrity.

Her Majesty the Queen has been the head of our country through some of our nation’s most iconic and momentous occasions. It was Her Majesty, through the Governor General, who granted royal assent to Prime Minister Diefenbaker’s Bill of Rights, finally passing into law some of our most inalienable rights: freedom of speech, equality, and the right to life and liberty. Twenty-two years later, it was Her Majesty who personally signed the Constitution Act on Parliament Hill—bringing the Constitution to Canada, finally granting our country complete sovereignty.

During her reign as Queen of Canada, she has travelled internationally as head of state and visited our country 24 times on royal tours. It was during one of these state visits, in 2010, that I had the pleasure and honour of taking my father—who was born in London, England, during the Second World War and moved to Canada when Her Majesty was beginning her reign—to meet her.

My father often recounts how, when the Second World War ended, his parents were among the thousands who gathered outside of Buckingham Palace awaiting the royal family, including then-Princess Elizabeth, and how the strength and leadership shown by King George VI and the Queen Mother brought light to the world during a very dark time. How fitting, then, that for almost 64 years, Her Majesty has served as the enduring symbol of freedom and democracy.

While we as politicians sometimes carry on with partisan banter, Her Majesty and the principles she represents remain above it all. She is above politics and partisanship. She stands as a symbol of security and unwavering leadership. She stands as a reminder for all of us not just of our past but to our future. Her Majesty brings great pride to the Commonwealth.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to stand here on my first day in the Ontario Legislature to honour Her Majesty, a remarkable and inspirational leader. I congratulate her on this tremendous accomplishment, and on behalf of the Progressive Conservative caucus, wish her many more years of good health and dutiful service.

God save the Queen.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The leader of the third party.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I would like to actually start by welcoming Patrick Brown, the new leader of the Conservative Party to the chamber. Welcome.

On behalf of the Ontario NDP caucus, I am honoured to rise and pay our respects to Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II who, on September 9, 2015, became the United Kingdom’s longest-serving sovereign.

On the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee, Her Majesty said, “We are reminded here of our past, of the continuity of our national story and the virtues of resilience, ingenuity and tolerance which created it.” At a reign of 63 years and just over seven months, the Queen has been a part of our national story for as long as many Ontarians can even remember. She has worked with 12 British Prime Ministers and 11 Canadian Prime Ministers, and as the living embodiment of the crown in Canada, she has been a proud and stoic figure. Through ever-changing times, she has ruled with equanimity and dignity and she has remained above the fray of politics.

There is no doubt that Canadians remain fascinated by the Queen and her royal family. On each of Her Majesty’s 22 visits to Canada, thousands of Canadians flocked to catch a glimpse of the Queen. There is no doubt that Canada’s monarchy continues to hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Canadians.

In fact, I can remember her in Hamilton in the year of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in October 2002, when she presented the new colours to her Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada (Princess Louise’s). At that time, she noted the regiment’s gift to the community in my riding of a commemorative pavilion in Bayfront Park, to remember those who served and especially those who gave their lives.

It is also notable that Queen Elizabeth was not only quick to write to the family and regiment to share her grief and sorrow at the tragic shooting of Corporal Cirillo, but several months later, held an audience with members of his Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders regiment, including Lieutenant Colonel Lawrence Hatfield, Lieutenant Colonel Rick Kennedy and Honorary Colonel Ron Foxcroft.

Since her youngest days, the Queen has made it clear that her role is one of service to her people, and so I’ll close with a very short and succinct quote by Her Royal Majesty: “There is a motto which has been borne by many of my ancestors—a noble motto, ‘I serve.’” I think that should be an important reminder for all of us who represent the people of Ontario, for all of us who are privileged to stand in this place. We would do well to follow the example of Her Majesty who, at the age of 89, still holds more than 400 public engagements each and every year. In fact, the Premier talked about her walkabouts.

Personally, I have to say that I love her dogs. Every time I see a corgi, I think of Her Majesty, and I think many people are of the same opinion.

We would always do well, in fact, to follow Her Royal Majesty’s example and remember that public life should be a life of service to the people, and that public service truly is a noble cause.

On behalf of the Ontario NDP caucus, I wish Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II good health and long life in the continuation of her service to the people of the United Kingdom, Canada and beyond.

God save the Queen.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all members for their heartfelt and kind comments. I will make arrangements to have a copy of our comments, delivered to Buckingham Palace, with our gratitude and our deep appreciation in the whole House.

I do share with you that I was very blessed to be the coordinator of the Queen’s visit long before I became a politician, and I can tell you: one classy lady.

Thank you.

Order of business

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

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I trust you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding Bill 66,

An Act to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The Government House leader believes we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding Bill 66,

An Act to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin.

Do we agree?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Point of order.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Can the government House leader please get in the habit of sending us copies of those? I don’t have it. I’d like to have it as you read it.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Okay, I’ll let that happen with House leaders.

So do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I move that, notwithstanding the order of the House dated Tuesday, June 2, 2015, the following arrangements be made with respect to Bill 66,

An Act to protect and restore the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin:

That the Standing Committee on General Government be authorized to meet on Wednesday, September 23, during its regularly scheduled meeting time and on Thursday, September 24, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the purpose of public hearings on the bill;

That the committee be authorized to meet on Monday, September 28, and Wednesday, September 30, during its regularly scheduled meeting times for the purpose of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill;

That the Clerk of the Committee, in consultation with the committee Chair, be authorized to arrange the following with regard to Bill 66:

That notice of public hearings be posted on the Ontario parliamentary channel, the Legislative Assembly’s website and CNW newswire;

That the deadline for requests to appear be 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2015;

That following the deadline, the Clerk of the Committee provide the members of the subcommittee with a list of requests to appear;

That if all requests cannot be accommodated, the members of the subcommittee prioritize and return the list by 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2015;

That if required, the Clerk of the Committee

schedule witnesses from these prioritized lists;

That each witness receive up to five minutes for their presentation, followed by nine minutes for oral questions from committee members;

That the deadline for written submissions be 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2015;

That the deadline for filing amendments to the bill with the Clerk of the Committee shall be 12 noon on Friday, September 25, 2015;

That at 4 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2015, those amendments which have not yet been moved shall be deemed to have been moved, and the Chair of the committee shall interrupt the proceedings and shall, without further debate or amendment, put every question necessary to dispose of all remaining sections of the bill and any amendments thereto. At this time, the Chair shall allow one 20-minute waiting period, pursuant to standing order 129(a);

That the committee shall report the bill to the House no later than Thursday, October 1, 2015;

That upon receiving the report of the committee on Bill 66, the Speaker shall put the question for adoption of the report forthwith, and at such time, the bill shall be ordered for third reading, which order may be called that same day;

That in the event that the committee fails to report the bill on Thursday, October 1, 2015, the bill shall be deemed to be passed by the committee and shall be deemed to be reported to and received by the House and shall be deemed to be ordered for third reading;

That when the order for third reading is called, two hours shall be allotted to the third reading stage of the bill, apportioned equally among the recognized parties. At the end of this time, the Speaker shall put every question necessary to dispose of this stage of the bill without further debate or amendment;

That the vote on third reading may be deferred, pursuant to standing order 28(h), and that, in the case of any division relating to any proceedings on the bill, the division bell shall be limited to five minutes.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Naqvi moves that, notwithstanding the order of the House—

Interjection: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Dispensed.

Agreed? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Appointment of temporary Environmental Commissioner

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

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: A point of order, Speaker: I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice with respect to the Environmental Commissioner, and that the question on the motion be put immediately, without debate or amendment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Do we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice? Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I move that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

“To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

And that the address be engrossed and presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council by the Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Mr. Naqvi moves that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

“To the Lieutenant Governor in Council—”

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Agreed? Agreed.

Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice with respect to the Ombudsman and that the question on the motion be put immediately without debate or amendment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without consent. Do we agree?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I heard a no.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Do we have a point of order?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Yes, I do have a point of order. I seek unanimous consent in order to move a motion without notice in regard to the current Ombudsman, that we extend his term for a period of six months.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Timmins–James Bay is seeking unanimous consent to perform a motion without notice. Do we agree?

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I heard a no.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Rick Nicholls: I’d like to welcome two guests to the Legislature today. They’re sitting in the members’ gallery: Mr. Louis Sapi and Justin Fogarty. Welcome.

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: It’s a delight to welcome back to the Legislature someone who sat here for almost 25 years on behalf of the people of Trinity–Spadina, Mr. Rosario Marchese.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It looks like I’m going to have to do my introductions first before everybody else steps on my normal procedure.

The member from Eglinton–Lawrence on an introduction of guests.

Mr. Mike Colle: I’d like to introduce my good friend and former colleague who served this House with great distinction, the member from Barrie, Joe Tascona. Joe, welcome.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I think I forced that on myself.

The member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Mr. Bill Walker: I’d like to introduce page Eastyn Klages and her father, Bryce Klages, from the great riding of Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Ms. Cindy Forster: I’d like to welcome Fred Hahn, the CUPE Ontario president, and some of his executive here today.

Ms. Soo Wong: I’m pleased to welcome my good friend Thomas Saras, the president of the National Ethnic Press, and his daughter Maria here to Queen’s Park today.

Mr. John Yakabuski: I’d like to welcome to the House today Chris Froggatt. I’m sure a lot of you know Chris, but if you really want to blame anybody for getting me here, Chris was my first campaign manager.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I’d like to welcome Ja Kai Shwe, mother of page Grace Maili Sengfah. Welcome to the Legislature.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I’d like to recognize and welcome the president of my riding association, the Vaughan Provincial Liberal Association, Gillian Vivona, who is here in the members’ gallery with us today.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: As you can imagine, there are many, many special guests here for this momentous day, but I would particularly like to welcome the head of the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, Carmen Santoro.

Hon. Michael Gravelle: I’d like all members of the Legislature to welcome my dear sister Susan Houghton and her devoted husband, Roy.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: I’d like to welcome my new LA, Jessica Trepanier, and Heather Bone, a co-op student from University of Waterloo. I look forward to working with them.

Mr. Harinder S. Takhar: I am very pleased to welcome Gurdev Gill and Manjeet Gill from Brampton.

Ms. Laurie Scott: I’d also like to welcome my new assistant at Queen’s Park, Jason Wang.

Mrs. Kathryn McGarry: I’d like to introduce this morning, in the members’ gallery, Chris Yaccato, provincial manager for government relations for the Lung Association. Welcome.

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: I wanted to introduce the mother of page Krishaj Rajbhandari. Her mother, Jasmine, should be here in the public gallery watching question period today.

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: I’d like to welcome my new assistant, Cole Walsh, from the great riding of Barrie.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. And now for my tradition: With us we have three former members in the gallery. We have Steve Gilchrist from Scarborough East, from the 36th and 37th Parliaments. We have Joe Tascona, Simcoe Centre, 36th, and Barrie–Simcoe–Bradford, 37th and 38th Parliaments. Welcome, Joe. We also have, from Fort York, 35th, 36th, and Trinity–Spadina, 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th, Rosario Marchese.

Welcome, all of our guests, and thank you for being here.

Oral Questions

Job creation

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier.

The Progressive Conservative team at Queen’s Park will be taking a new approach. When the Liberals act in the best interests of Ontario, we’ll be the first to applaud them. When the government doesn’t act in the best interests of Ontario, we will hold them accountable. Frankly, today we need to hold the government accountable: accountable for 300,000 lost manufacturing jobs, accountable for skyrocketing electricity prices—

Interjections.

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

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Actually, now I’m going to ask all sides to come to order. Just for the record, I will be tougher, if you—it can happen.

Please finish.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, why does the Premier care so little about all these hard-working Ontario families who have lost their jobs because of her reckless energy policy?

Interjections.

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

Premier.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: First of all, I want to welcome the Leader of the Opposition to the House and to say congratulations to him. I know that it takes a lot of energy and a lot of organizing to put your name on a ballot, to win a leadership and to get here to take a seat, so congratulations on that. I look forward to having debates in this place about the plan that we are implementing, our investments in the people of this province.

I know that the member opposite may not be aware, but this morning the Minister of Education and I announced a program called Experience Ontario. Six hundred young people across Ontario will have the opportunity to have a work experience after high school to help them to decide where they might go, whether they’ll go to post-secondary or training or into a job. So the fact is—

Interjections.

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

It goes both ways.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I hope that he will take a look at that program because it might be one of the things that he would want to applaud.

Interjection.

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

Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier—and thank you for the well wishes. Over and over again, the people of Ontario have made it clear: Our energy rates are too high. It’s costing Ontario jobs; it’s costing the people of Ontario the opportunity to thrive and succeed.

Just recently, Windsor was passed over for an auto plant because of Liberal policies. Recently, the CEO of Fiat Chrysler said that “you need to create the conditions to be competitive.” I agree.

Mr. Speaker, when will the Premier create the conditions in Ontario where we will stop driving jobs out of this province?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, it’s been a long summer. Let’s just go over what has been happening.

Under our leadership, Ontario has created 564,200 jobs since the recession; 95% of those jobs are full-time jobs. In the last—

Interjections.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think you might want to hear this.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock. The member from Nepean–Carleton will come to order, and shouting people down is not my idea of a good start.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: In the last seven months—so very recently—Ontario has gained over 15,000 new manufacturing jobs. For the second year in a row, Ontario is the leading North American jurisdiction for foreign direct investment.

I know that the economy is fragile. I know that we are working in a context of a global economy that is fragile, but we are putting in place the conditions that are bringing investment to Ontario and are creating jobs. That’s what we’re doing.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier: It appears that we have hit a nerve.

Knocking on thousands of doors during the Simcoe North by-election, I was taken aback by countless stories of families worried about the fire sale of Hydro One. The public does not support this fire sale. The Liberals should hit the pause button, given the overwhelming public opposition.

Mr. Speaker, how can the Premier callously proceed with this sale despite opposition well in excess of 70%?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure whether that was a new question, but the reality is that those investments that I am talking about, those investments in infrastructure, whether it’s roads or bridges or transit, are the investments that are driving the recovery that I was talking about. They are driving the jobs coming to Ontario. Ontario’s unemployment rate has fallen to 6.8%. It’s below the national average.

Now, I know that there are still people in this province who are struggling to find a job. I understand that. That’s why we are making the investments that we are making. That’s why we are putting the training and education programs in place that invest in our people’s talent and skills. That’s why we’re working with business to partner and make sure that they have the opportunity to expand.

Firefighters

Mr. Patrick Brown: Thirteen years ago, Ontario lost a hero from Simcoe county, Bill Wilkins. Bill Wilkins was a firefighter who served the city of Barrie and lost his life protecting Ontario. Bill raced into a burning home. Sadly, tragically, he didn’t make it out.

While I was in Ottawa, I worked with all parties to support a motion to provide benefits to the families of these fallen heroes. It was a small gesture to make life a little bit easier for those who have lost loved ones.

Mr. Speaker, my question for the Premier is this: Will she support survivor benefits for the families of first responders who have fallen in the service of our province?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I just want to acknowledge the firefighters who are here. I know that some of the leadership is here. I also want to say to them that it has been a wonderful experience for our government to have been working with the firefighters in Ontario since we came into office. The changes that have been made in presumptive legislation, the safeguards that have been put in place for our firefighters, are remarkable.

This is one of those areas where we have an ongoing conversation with the firefighters of this province. I’ve often said that every one of the members in our government has the opportunity every year to talk with firefighters. We know what the issues are and we will continue to work with them, as we have, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier: We’ve had an ongoing conversation for 12 years.

In a few weeks, we will both be participating in the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Run. I’m continually amazed by the courage of our first responders. Each day, they go to work facing unknown dangers to protect us, to protect Ontario. Those emergency responders ask for very little in return. An Ontario hero fund, similar to the benefit established for fallen soldiers, would be appropriate.

While this government threw away $1.1 billion on the gas plants scandal, while they squandered a billion dollars on the Ornge ambulance mismanagement, there’s nothing for emergency responders.

Mr. Speaker, how can the Premier squander billions when families of emergency workers deserve and need our help?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Again, I would just reinforce what I said in my first answer: that we have had a very good working relationship with our firefighters and first responders in this province, and we have made many changes—including the presumptive legislation that I just talked about—in response to challenges that first responders, including firefighters, have brought to us.

If there are new ideas that are coming from the Leader of the Opposition—we’ve had all-party support for the changes that we have put in place. We’ll continue to work in that manner, because, like the Leader of the Opposition, I am 100% certain that the work that is done by the first responders in this province is essential. We support them. We have done, and we will continue to do so.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier: Firefighters, paramedics and police officers see things we never want to see. Post-traumatic stress disorder is real, and help needs to be immediate. As you know, I said earlier today that there is no monopoly on a good idea. That’s why I support the NDP motion to enable faster access to PTSD support.

While the opposition is united in the need for support, the government continues to delay. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier join the opposition and fast-track the bill to ensure no more heroes slip through the cracks?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think that the Leader of the Opposition might know that there is a very active discussion going on with the employees, with workers about PTSD. I know that the Minister of Labour is engaged on this subject.

We have never said that we were opposed to the notion of coverage for PTSD. In fact, we recognize that this is a very live and current issue. It’s something that we know more about every year, and that’s why we’re engaged in a discussion about how we can best respond.

I would say to the member opposite that we will continue to work with him, with the third party and, most importantly, with the people who are dealing with PTSD to make sure we put the right coverage in place.

Privatization of public assets

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. It’s always a privilege to spend the summer listening to Ontarians, and everywhere that I went this summer—from Oshawa to Sarnia, downtown Toronto to Timmins—I heard the same message for the Premier: Families and businesses want her to stop the sell-off of Hydro One. They want her to stop this costly privatization of our electricity system and keep our hydro in public hands.

My question, Speaker, is this: How can the Premier turn her back and plow ahead with a scheme that Ontarians overwhelmingly reject?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, the reality of governing is that there are very difficult choices and decisions that have to be made. We know that the investments that are necessary in this province in order for us to be able to grow and thrive, in order for communities all across the province to be able to thrive—the reality is that there needs to be investment. I’m talking about across the province.

The week before last, I was in Red Lake. The number one subject that Mayor Phil Vinet wanted to talk to me about was infrastructure investment: Highway 618, the need for a road north from Red Lake to Pikangikum, transmission of electricity. Those kinds of investments are what is needed across the province.

That is the rationale, Mr. Speaker: the investments that are needed across the province. That’s the plan that we put forward and that’s the work that we’re doing.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, the reality is that this Premier is not listening to Ontarians. The Liberals’ own polls show that three out of four people are against the Premier’s privatization scheme, and opposition to a sell-off that is cloaked in secrecy is actually growing by the day in this province. A new poll says that a staggering 83% of folks want to stop the sale of Hydro One.

It has never been more clear that the Premier has no mandate, no public support and not a shred of evidence to back up her scheme. How can this Premier plow ahead with this sell-off that Ontarians overwhelmingly reject?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the leader of the third party is referring to some polling that she has had the opportunity to look at. Had she looked at the entire document, she would have known that an overwhelming majority of people also believe that investing in infrastructure is critical.

So here is the reality: There—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, second time.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We’ve made a commitment to invest $130 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years. We are building across the province. We know that in order for this economy in Ontario to thrive, we need to make that investment. Provinces across the country know that that’s critical. It’s why in the federal election, all the leaders are talking about infrastructure investment. They know it’s necessary as well. We’re going to continue to make those investments, because we know that the economy can thrive in Ontario, and this is the way that we need to go.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Premier is catering to a small group of her powerful friends. Her favourite banker is now embedded in her office, and she is ignoring the voices of Ontarians who are determined to stop the privatization scheme that even Mike Harris had the good sense to back away from.

The Premier has no mandate, she has no public support and she has no evidence whatsoever to show that the sell-off of Hydro One is the right direction to go. Will this Premier finally admit to Ontarians that they are right and that she is wrong, and stop the sell-off of Hydro One?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Essentially, what the leader of the third party is saying is that we should not make the investments in infrastructure that we are making. So I would ask the leader of the third party what she would advise us to cancel. Should we cancel the electrified Barrie line that would advance weekly trips from 70 to 200? Should we cancel the Kitchener line? Should we cancel the Hamilton LRT? Should we cancel the Connecting Link Program for rural Ontario, which is $15 million annually? Should we cancel any support for SmartTrack in Toronto? Should we cancel the Maley Drive extension in Sudbury? Should we cancel the four-laning of Highway 11/17 between Thunder Bay and Nipigon?

Mr. Speaker, the reality is that the leader of the third party would have to advise us which of those projects we should cancel.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, no, she should cancel the sale of Hydro One, is what she should do. How embarrassing—the only Premier in the history of the province of Ontario who can’t build infrastructure and keep Hydro One public at the same time. Pretty embarrassing.

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

New question, the leader of the third party.

Privatization of public assets

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The question is to the Premier. The Liberals have no mandate. They have no public support for the sell-off for Hydro One. But worst of all, the Premier is refusing to be open and transparent with Ontarians. When the Financial Accountability Officer tried to do his job by bringing some level of transparency to this process, the Liberals slammed the door in his face. And while the Liberals paid $7.5 million for reports and studies, they refuse to share those studies with Ontarians.

Why is it so easy for this Premier to roll over on her promise to be transparent and to be accountable, especially on this issue, the biggest policy shift in this province’s history, at least in the last generation or so?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know the leader of the third party knows that we are acting in accordance with the legislation that she voted for, the Financial Accountability Officer Act. She knows that there are certain records that are in the purview of the Financial Accountability Officer and there are certain ones that aren’t.

This is the legislation that she supported, Mr. Speaker, and here are the parameters: Ministries and public entities must “give the Financial Accountability Officer ... any financial, economic or other information that is” necessary to the performance of his or her mandate. Exceptions are provided with respect to cabinet records, personal information and personal health information. Mr. Speaker, the leader of the third party knows that full well.

She also knows that in the broadening of ownership of Hydro One, the government is retaining 40% of that ownership. The people of Ontario will retain 40%. She also knows that control of the board, in terms of being able to remove the board, remove the chair of the board, remains with the government. She knows full well that no entity will be able to own more than 10%. Mr. Speaker, she knows those controls are in place.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, this Premier knows full well that she has promised again and again and again to be open and transparent. In her very first throne speech, she promised to be “accountable to all the people of Ontario, and work to prevent mistakes before they occur.” The sale of Hydro One is one of the biggest mistakes that the Liberals are about to make.

But when the Financial Accountability Officer asks for the facts, he’s ignored, and when the Ontario Chamber of Commerce appealed for evidence, the Liberals ignored them too.

Why does this Premier think that openness, transparency and accountability are too much to ask for when it comes to the sell-off of Hydro One?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, the information that was asked for that fell within the parameters of the legislation was provided. We have provided all the information, with the exception of some cabinet records that were excluded by the legislation that the leader of the third party supported. She cannot have it both ways. She cannot support legislation and then turn around and say, “That legislation is not good enough and we want something different,” or, “We want you to break the law; we want you to go against the legislation.” She cannot have it both ways.

She also, Mr. Speaker, cannot—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, we are complying with the legislation. We are also investing in infrastructure around this province. That is what this is about. It is about making the investments that we know are needed across the province.

The leader of the third party has not been supportive of that, much to our surprise, because I think she should be supporting the roads and the bridges and the transit investments in every corner of this province.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, I find it shocking that the Premier pretends to be so incredulous that we expect her to be transparent and open when that’s all she’s talked about for over a year in this chamber. This is not the kind of government that this Premier promised Ontarians. Rather than openness and transparency, we see another Liberal Premier who’s keeping families, businesses and this Legislature in the dark; another Liberal Premier who puts her powerful friends and favourite bankers ahead of the people of this province; another Liberal Premier who is forcing Ontarians to pay the price for her bad choices.

Speaker, why does this Premier suddenly think that openness, transparency and accountability are just too much for the people of Ontario to ask from her?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I think it is what the people of Ontario should expect and it’s what we bring to the people of Ontario. The fact is there is a Financial Accountability Officer in place in this province. I would say to the leader of the third party that she was part of that discussion and she raised the notion of a Financial Accountability Officer. We have worked with her party to put that in place and she supported the legislation that is now in place.

When information is asked for, we comply with the legislation; we provide that information. Most importantly, we have spent months talking about and working with communities on the infrastructure investments that they need, knowing full well that if their economies are going to thrive, if they are going to be able to provide jobs in the short term and economic well-being in the long term, they need those infrastructure investments.

That’s the plan that we ran on. That’s the plan that we’re putting in place.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Todd Smith: My question this morning is to the Premier. Premier, you’re not only selling Hydro One, you’re keeping Ontario taxpayers in the dark while you do it.

Schedule 38 of the budget bill removed from Hydro One the responsibility of disclosing executive salaries, in spite of the fact that Hydro One is still in public hands for now. Hydro users who are seeing skyrocketing hydro bills have no idea how much of their bill is actually now going into the wallets of suits at Hydro One.

Premier, shouldn’t taxpayers have the right to know how much they’re paying high-priced hydro executives?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Energy.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: Under the Ontario Securities Commission, which would govern Hydro One in this situation, they’re required to file every year the salaries of their highest-paid executives—I think there are six or seven of them or somewhere in that number—plus the board of directors. It will be completely public and transparent.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Todd Smith: This hydro scheme is nothing but Liberals paying their high-priced Liberal friends. That’s all this is: Liberals paying Liberals. We know that there’s no bottom of the trough when it comes to Liberal friends on Bay Street.

Interjection.

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

Mr. Todd Smith: When he was CEO—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. I’m not sure he heard me over his shouting. The Minister of Economic Development will come to order. Don’t test.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I don’t need another armchair.

Carry on, please.

Mr. Todd Smith: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When Carmine Marcello was the CEO of Hydro One, his salary was in excess of $740,000 a year, making him one of the highest-paid executives in the public sector. Last month, Premier, you hired a new CEO for Hydro One whose previous private sector compensation regularly topped $5 million a year.

I’m wondering if that’s the reason why you took executive pay at Hydro One off the sunshine list: because you didn’t want taxpayers to know that you had backed up the Brink’s truck to pay for your new hydro CEO.

Hon. Bob Chiarelli: The new leader of the PCs is quoted as saying, “I generally believe that the private sector can do a better job than the public sector. I ... think market conditions would be helpful for a lot of government agencies.”

The PC Party has been in favour of taking Hydro One public for some time now. They made a failed effort in 2002. They also have in their white paper, which was adopted by the previous leader just a couple of years ago, that they supported Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One being sold partially to the public, as we’re doing. Not only that, but with respect to rates, they said and they adopted in their white paper that the Ontario Energy Board could protect rates—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Thank you. Stop the clock. I’ve heard two trends today that I’m going to make reference to. The first one, again, is that I would remind all members I am not happy when anyone uses anything else other than people’s titles or their ridings. It stays that way for a reason, and I want it to stay there.

The second one is that you would all be well to follow the leaders of your respective parties when it comes to questioning for this reason. I would ask you to address the Speaker and refer to the members in the third person. That helps us with the debate emotions. I would ask all of us to stay focused. You’re supposed to be directing questions and answers through me. I appreciate it.

New question.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Peter Tabuns: My question is to the Premier. The Premier promised that the government would retain de facto control of a privatized Hydro One. Meanwhile, the Ed Clark report offers a promise to investors that the government will exercise no control over a privatized Hydro One. The Premier can’t keep both of these promises. The Premier needs to disclose which of these promises she intends to break in the Hydro One prospectus. The prospectus was supposed to be released this month, but it is nowhere to be seen. What is in the Hydro One prospectus that’s so bad that the government has been delaying its release?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Finance.

Hon. Charles Sousa: I appreciate the question. I think the member opposite also recognizes the sensitivity that we’re under here to try to maximize the value of Hydro One, while respecting the process and the procedures in order to go through the prospectus and to bring it to market. So as a result of that and the quiet period, which the Ontario Securities Commission requires us to do—we certainly don’t want to break that law, so that we make certain that we proceed in the appropriate manner.

We recognize that the discipline and the ability for Hydro One to succeed requires the sector to do its due diligence, and that’s what we’re allowing them to do. We know that the inherent value in Hydro One can be even improved. We want to make certain that occurs as well.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, again to the Premier: Last week, an Environics poll revealed that opposition to the government’s Hydro One privatization has grown: 83% of Ontarians oppose this sale; 61% say they are strongly opposed. In fact, according to the poll, half of Ontarians are so opposed to the Hydro One sale that they are less likely to vote for the federal Liberals in the upcoming election.

Is the Premier delaying the release of the Hydro One prospectus because she knows it will enrage the people of Ontario and lose votes for Justin Trudeau?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Mr. Speaker, the process is unfolding to enable the public and investors and everyone associated to have full understanding as to what Hydro One is and will be, for the benefit of the people of Ontario and for the majority holders—which are the province of Ontario and, ultimately, the people of Ontario—and then broadening that ownership to enable us to reinvest in other assets that are just as critical, enabling us to improve our economic competitiveness.

That is what we’re doing here. We’re out there to protect the people’s interests while maximizing its value and reinvesting into our economy, for the benefit of all. We’ll continue to do so.

Refugees

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Ma question est pour le ministre de la Santé et des Soins de longue durée, l’honorable Dr. Eric Hoskins.

My question concerns the migrant crisis, which is unfolding as we speak across Europe and beyond, as tens of thousands of refugees seek freedom and security and recognition as being part of the human family.

I start, Speaker, by offering our deep condolences on behalf of all members of this Legislature to the family of three-year-old Alan Kurdi, brother Galib and mother Rehana, and to the countless other families who are like them and those who will be like them.

Given this global tragedy, the time to respond, to pledge support, to act is now. I think that has been, until very recently, the Canadian way of doing things. Whether you’re an average citizen, an elected official, a community leader, a responsive Premier or a reluctant Prime Minister, we can all work together to address this human crisis.

Minister, can you—

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

Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I want to thank the member from Etobicoke North for this very important question.

Mr. Speaker, I was proud to be at the Premier’s announcement on Saturday, announcing $10.5 million for the Syrian refugees, many of whom will come to Canada, but also that $2 million of that is allocated to helping refugees in the region.

The federal cuts that they made a couple of years back to the Interim Federal Health Program left our refugee claimants in this province and across Canada unprotected, and put our doctors in an untenable position, forcing them to choose who should be treated. As we all know, the Federal Court of Canada and the Supreme Court struck down the changes to that interim health program on the basis of being “cruel and unusual.” They required the feds to reinstate health care to refugees.

Mr. Speaker, the Supreme Court recognized that it was cruel to deny insulin to diabetics and it was cruel to deny cancer treatment—

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

Supplementary?

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri: Thank you, Minister. Firstly, I commend you on your own personal, globally recognized medical service for refugees, and know that you strive to implement that vision of the Premier and her government here at home.

Sadly, Minister, as you’ve cited just now, it can in fact take the Supreme Court of Canada, or at least the latest polling, to extract, induce or manufacture such behaviour from the current federal government. It took a court decision to remind and reconfirm for the feds what we have said all along: that our health care system—indeed, our country—should reflect fairness, compassion and humanity, offering medical care to all our residents, old or recent.

Our government believes in one Ontario, an Ontario that protects people living here—not chosen by postal code, riding, income or any other demographic that you would care to parse.

Minister, would you please inform this House—what has our government and your ministry done to address these concerns?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Thank you again to the member from Etobicoke North for the opportunity to discuss how Ontario is acting to address the health cuts that were made by the federal government.

Our government reinstated access to essential and urgent health care services for refugee claimants through a program called the Ontario Temporary Health Program. Not only was that the right thing to do, the humane thing to do, but it also reflects our commitment to evidence-based decision-making, because it keeps all Ontarians safe and healthy. To date, our government and my ministry have spent nearly $2 million on this program, helping our refugee claimants get the health care they need and deserve. Quite simply, waiting until a patient needs emergency care is more expensive. More importantly, it fails the patient.

We call on the federal government to end their appeal of the Supreme Court decision and restore full and essential medical coverage for these vulnerable refugees.

Interjections.

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

New question.

Highway tolls

Mr. Michael Harris: My question is to the Premier. Premier, after forcing motorists to idle in sweltering heat to accommodate 235 kilometres of HOV lanes, your transportation minister deserves the Pan Am gold for highway gridlock and wasteful spending.

He spent 61 million Ontario taxpayer dollars on a traffic plan that featured peel-and-stick, fly-away lane markings, and electronic messages to stay at home, while motorists fumed in standstill traffic. Now we wait for your HOV legacy to drop the other shoe on us as you magically transform HOVs into HOTs—high-occupancy tax machines.

Premier, when will Ontario motorists be forced to pay a second time for the privilege of driving on roads their taxes have already paid for?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, I know that the member opposite wants to go into the details of the transportation aspects of this, and I know that the Minister of Transportation is eager to talk about high-occupancy toll lanes.

I have to take this opportunity, though, to say what a wonderful, wonderful experience for this province the Pan Am Games were. It was amazing to be able to watch those athletes, those young people from across the Americas, come to Ontario, and to showcase the very best of what we had in Ontario. More than a million tickets were sold for 51 sporting events. More than 1.4 million people attended celebrations, like Panamania at Nathan Phillips Square. I had the opportunity to go to 21 events in Pan Am and 12 events in Parapan. It was an experience of a lifetime.

I hope that the member opposite had the opportunity to attend even one event, because he would have caught that spirit.

Interjections.

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

Supplementary?

Mr. Michael Harris: I did, Premier, but let’s get back to those high-occupancy tax lanes. Premier, if your minister can’t take the heat, he should move over and get out of the HOT lane.

Premier, despite your minister’s recent attempts to delay the HOT toll truth, there is no secret: We all see your latest tax grab for exactly what it is. The only reason you’re hiding the details of your HOT tax plan is so you won’t burn your federal BFF, Justin Trudeau. Premier, quit the stalling and tell Ontario motorists what they will be paying to drive on their new two-tier highways in Ontario.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I want to begin by thanking the member opposite for the question, but also for admitting here in the House today that he did actually take the opportunity to go to some of the Pan Am Games. Thank you very much to him.

I also want to say that in both the original question and the supplementary, the member opposite talked about the transportation plan for the wildly successful Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. A couple of things to note, Speaker: During the games themselves, we noticed a 25% increase in GO Transit ridership—phenomenal numbers that we saw. We saw across this entire region more people carpooling for the very first time as a result of the very robust message and plan that we put forward in advance of and during the Pan Am Games.

The Premier has said it and I’ve said it; through budget 2014 and budget 2015, our government explicitly said that we will be introducing high-occupancy toll lanes at some point. We continue to take all that we’ve learned from the experience of the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games, and I will provide an update and the Premier will provide an update—our government will provide an update in the near future.

Teachers

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: My question is to the Premier. Parents and students deserve stability in our children’s classrooms, but across Ontario, this Liberal government has left too many teachers and education workers without a contract for 379 days and counting. On Friday, the Liberals failed to reach an agreement with elementary teachers and let talks collapse once again.

Families deserve better. They deserve a government that doesn’t try to impose cookie-cutter deals and that never walks away from genuine and meaningful negotiations with our dedicated teachers and education workers.

Will the Premier instruct her education minister to get back to the bargaining table today and get back to real negotiations?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Education.

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

Supplementary?

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Speaker, maybe the Minister of Education should give the same consideration to the members of ETFO and CUPE.

The Premier should order her education minister back to the bargaining table today. That’s what parents and students expect; that’s what teachers and education workers deserve. Our children’s education depends on the people who help students develop a love for learning, the people who open new doors and new worlds for the next generation, and the people who work so hard to keep our schools safe, clean and welcoming for our kids.

When will the Premier get back to negotiating in a meaningful and genuine way with thousands of teachers and education workers who have waited more than a year for the new contracts they deserve?

Hon. Liz Sandals: I would point out that it was the elementary teachers’ federation that walked away from negotiations last spring and that the first day they would agree to begin negotiating was September 1. We were at the table starting September 1, the first—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Stop the clock, please. I gave, earlier, some advice, and that’s exactly the reason why: through the Chair.

Carry on, please.

Hon. Liz Sandals: And as you alluded to in your question, we in fact did give them the same offer. The government and the public school boards have provided an elementary version of the tentative agreements. We have put similar offers on the table. We await the response of the elementary teachers, and I very much hope that they will in fact accept the similar offer based on the same framework as OECTA and OSSTF. That’s what’s on the table: the same offer.

Community policing

Mr. Yvan Baker: My question is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Minister, since being elected, I’ve had a chance to meet with a number of police in my community, and they work hard every day to keep us safe. I occasionally hear about interactions between the police and members of my community, and overwhelmingly those interactions are positive. However, I have heard on occasion some concerns about interactions between police and members of the community that seem to be arbitrary or based on nothing more than race.

Every time a person is stopped based on their race, it erodes the trust that should exist between police and the members of the community that they are a part of.

Last week I hosted, as you know, Minister, a street-check consultation in Etobicoke Centre at the Rathburn Area Youth Project at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate. The event was attended by over 40 constituents, most of whom were young people. Notwithstanding how they felt, they came and spoke candidly about the challenges that they face, and they had fantastic ideas on how government can help them. During our discussion, they expressed concerns about the way street checks are being carried out.

Minister, could you please explain what you are doing on this issue?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I want to thank the member for Etobicoke Centre for asking this very important question.

Speaker, you may recall that back on June 16 of this year, I announced our government’s intention that we will be bringing regulations dealing with street checks in the province of Ontario so that we have a consistent practice across the province. As a result, we’ve been consulting across the province, meeting with many, many community members to hear their experiences dealing with carding or street checks.

I want to commend the member from Etobicoke Centre for hosting his own consultation and forwarding the feedback that he received to us.

I want to be very clear, because there are two very key fundamental principles that are driving Ontario’s approach for developing a new practice: number one, we take the protection of human rights very seriously, and there is absolutely zero tolerance when it comes to any kind of racial profiling or discrimination; second, that we stand opposed to any police stops that do not have a clear policing purpose and which are predicated solely on bias.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Yvan Baker: Thank you, Minister, for that answer. It’s great to hear that you’ve pursued these consultations with the people of Ontario and the members of my community in Etobicoke Centre are being heard.

Minister, you have said that as a government we stand opposed to stops that are predicated on racial bias. If we are opposed to that, then they should not be allowed to continue. So Minister, could you please explain to the Legislature why you are not simply banning street checks?

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I’ve attended many of the public consultations personally, and they have been very emotional. To hear the experiences of people from across the province, especially young people’s experiences, has been moving. One thing that we have heard clearly is in terms of the definition of street checks, and they are essentially stops that are random and arbitrary, predicated on nothing more than bias, without any clear police purpose, a reason, a cause, a suspicious activity.

If that is how one defines street checks, then let me be absolutely clear that our new regulations will end those types of stops. They will not be tolerated. In fact, they will be banned through our regulations.

Speaker, what we are now working on is making sure that those interactions that take place on the basis of suspicious activity or some sort of criminal activity—that there be rights-based safeguards put in place that comply with the Supreme Court of Canada jurisprudence, that comply with the rights that are guaranteed and enshrined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Speaker, if street checks are being done in an arbitrary, random manner, they are being done improperly, we will not tolerate them and we will ban them through regulations.

Workplace safety

Mr. Robert Bailey: My question is to the Premier this morning.

Premier, your cancelled Mississauga gas plant is currently under construction in my riding of Sarnia–Lambton. Safety at this project is a subject of great concern to the local trades.

In various media reports, this site has been described as troubled, dysfunctional and a whirlwind of potential catastrophes.

Since this site broke ground in July 2012, dozens of safety complaints have been filed with your Ministry of Labour. By their own record, the Ministry of Labour has issued over 190 compliance orders, but it wasn’t until the local trades walked off the job to protest the lack of basic safety protocol by the company—this company that your Liberal government hand-picked—that the Ministry of Labour finally took enforcement action on this site.

Premier, it’s my understanding that charges were finally laid on September 11. Why did it take your ministry so long to enforce the health and safety act and lay charges against Greenfield energy?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Labour.

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Thank you to the honourable member for the question.

Ontario remains one of the safest places in this entire continent to work, and most of the companies in this province act responsibly in this manner. What matters most is safety. There is no project in this province that’s worth an injury or the loss of a life.

I can tell you that our inspectors have been on-site more than 70 times on this particular site. We’ve issued 219 orders. Some of those have been stop-work orders. We know there are concerns on the site. We continue to work with the parties. I’ve actually appointed somebody; I’ve appointed an independent mediator to go in and work with the parties.

You have to remember, Speaker, our top priority at the Ministry of Labour is keeping people safe. Sometimes that means we have to go in and we have to work with the labour relations within certain projects, but the number one priority is to make sure that when somebody goes to work in the morning, they come home at night.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Robert Bailey: My question back to the Premier: Over the last 50 years, labour and industry in Sarnia–Lambton have developed a culture of safety that is unparalleled across this province. The Ministry of Labour’s own stats say that you are 25 times safer on a job site in Sarnia–Lambton than anywhere else in this province. The people in our community live and breathe safety. It must be the first priority on any site that’s an energy-generating facility.

The leadership of our local trades and business community, who are experts in the construction of generating facilities, tell me that despite the recent intervention of the Ministry of Labour, their concerns are still there for safety at the Green Electron facility. As this facility nears completion and gets closer to going live, the risks of harm due to human error or mechanical failure are compounded.

Premier, can you guarantee our community that it is safe for their loved ones to return to work at this site? Would you feel comfortable if one of your loved ones worked at this place?

Hon. Kevin Daniel Flynn: Thank you again to the honourable member for the concerns he has raised. He and I will know we’ve had a number of conversations about this, and I thank him for his vigilance on this issue on behalf of his constituents.

It is disappointing and it is frustrating to see these issues persist at the site. I want to urge the parties to work together, to focus on what’s important, to make sure that their employees are protected, that they’re working in a safe environment. I’ve asked the ministry staff to follow this very, very closely. We’ve appointed an excellent mediator who knows the construction sector inside and out—Mr. John Miller.

We’re going to use every enforcement tool we have to ensure that we get compliance at this plant. I’m convinced that we’re able to do it.

As I said, most employers in this province do not treat projects this way. This is definitely something that’s out of character for Ontario business. We aim to solve that, to make sure that people go to work and come home safely at night.

Child care

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. Parents across Ontario are struggling to find affordable, quality child care, and thousands of kids are stuck on waiting lists for spots that their families can afford.

Last November, the Liberals voted in favour of my motion to work with a new federal government to deliver $15-a-day child care to families here in Ontario and right across the country. But now the Premier is more interested in playing partisan games and attacking the only federal plan that will deliver quality, affordable child care.

Speaker, why is this Premier suddenly backing away from her commitment to working with a new federal government to deliver $15-a-day child care for Ontario families?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Quite to the contrary, Mr. Speaker, I look forward to working with a new federal government on child care.

What I have said is two things: The plan that was put forward, the motion that was put forward by the NDP had no details in it, but in principle, we support the notion. Secondly, there are no details from the federal NDP about what the plan would actually mean for Ontario.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t say that I fully support $15-a-day daycare when I don’t know what that means in terms of the money Ontario has already put into child care.

But do I believe that there needs to be a federal partner who will work with us on issues, including child care? Absolutely, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: That’s good to hear, Speaker, because that’s exactly what Thomas Mulcair offered. It’s too bad the Premier didn’t hear it.

It’s shameful, in fact, that this Premier is putting the interests of the federal Liberal Party ahead of Ontario children and families. Tom Mulcair has repeatedly said he will work with Ontario to respect the unique needs and existing programs in our province, including full-day kindergarten. But the Premier doesn’t care and instead is—

Interjections.

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

Better. Thank you.

Please finish.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Instead, she is once again putting the interests of her political friends ahead of the people of Ontario.

After claiming to want a new federal partner, how can this Premier defend her attacks on the only federal plan to deliver $15-a-day child care for Ontario families, that they need?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Because it’s not a plan, Mr. Speaker; it’s an idea. It’s been put out as an idea. It would be irresponsible of me, after we have put billions of dollars into child care in Ontario, to support something that has no details in it, and we have no understanding of what it would mean to the people of Ontario.

We absolutely want a partner who will work with us on child care, Mr. Speaker. That has not changed and it will not change. I hope on October 20 we have a government in Ottawa that will partner with us on a number of issues. I have said that quite clearly. Child care is one of them.

But when a notion is put forward without details, and I don’t have an understanding of what it would mean to the people of Ontario, it would be irresponsible of me to support it blindly. I will work with whoever is in office after October 19.

Student achievement

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: My question is to the Minister of Education.

Minister, last week students across Ontario returned to school. We know this is an exciting time for all of them. Students entering their final year of secondary school are beginning to think and plan for what they will do beyond graduation.

Our government knows that investing in the skills and talents of our students and young people is important, and we want to ensure that we can help students continue to achieve excellence.

Minister, can you tell us how the Ontario government is helping students make the transition from secondary to post-secondary education?

Hon. Liz Sandals: Thank you to the member from Barrie, who’s a real advocate for children.

Our government is committed to ensuring that every student has the same opportunity to succeed, graduate from high school, and pursue their career passion. That’s why we believe in investing in innovative programs like Specialist High Skills Majors, dual credits, co-operative education, and the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, so we can help create the right learning environment to help all students build a promising future for themselves.

Just last week I had the privilege of visiting St. Mary’s Catholic Secondary School in Davenport with the MPP from Davenport, to see their transportation specialist high skills major in action. I was pleased to share at that visit that this year, for the ninth year in a row, our government is expanding its Specialist High Skills Majors program. More than 46,000 students will be enrolled in 1,760 SHSM programs across the program.

We are also expanding our Dual Credit Program to include—

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

Supplementary?

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Thank you to the Minister of Education for your response and for the wonderful compliment. I really appreciate that.

It’s great to hear that our government is taking such important steps to ensure that all of our learners here in Ontario are getting the help they need to develop the skills and the knowledge that they need to succeed now and in the future.

While I am proud of these investments, I also understand that there is growing concern that students are struggling to make the connection between their education and training and the workplace. There still remains an uncertainty and a gap for many students leaving high school and looking to gain workplace experience.

Through you, Speaker, to the Minister of Education, can the minister please inform this House of what steps the government is taking to help those students make this transition?

Hon. Liz Sandals: As I said before, our government is committed to ensuring that every student has the same opportunity to succeed, which is why I was so pleased to join with the Premier this morning to announce that Experience Ontario, a new program to help Ontario students plan for their future, is now up and running.

Experience Ontario is a two-year, $20-million program, which in its first, pilot year will provide approximately 600 students across the province with valuable work experience, career coaching and mentorship. The program will encourage graduating high school students to choose the appropriate post-secondary educational path for them and will help them succeed once they enrol.

Each participant in Experience Ontario will have access to a career coach. They’ll have access to three work placements. They’re participating—actually, just last weekend, I was visiting a three-day—

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

New question.

Long-term care

Mr. Jim Wilson: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Speaker, in May I asked the government why my constituent Mr. Jim Lees, who was classified as a crisis patient by the community care access centre, has to wait several months for a long-term-care bed. In June, I asked the government again about Mr. Lees. In July, I wrote to the Premier directly. I have followed up with the minister’s office and the ministry and the government each week since July, yet the government still has done nothing to help this man.

Now here we are in September, and the plight of this poor man remains the same. He is no closer to a bed in a long-term-care facility.

So I ask: Minister, when can Mr. Lees expect some help? When can Mr. Lees expect to get a bed in a long-term-care facility in this province?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question. I know that the Associate Minister of Health has been working hard on this issue. I believe that the member opposite has had dialogue and discussion with her, including through correspondence and with his office. When it is a matter of finding or obtaining a long-term-care bed for an Ontario citizen, we work as hard as we can through our CCACs and our partners to ensure that that bed can be provided, particularly for urgent cases such as the one referenced by the member opposite.

I would be happy to follow up with the associate minister, as with yourself, to see what has transpired over the passage of time with regard to this individual. But as I mentioned, we have a minister responsible specifically for long-term care that I know has been working hard on this issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Jim Wilson: Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Minister, you gave me that assurance three times already in this House over the last six months. It’s getting to be ridiculous. I’m a former Minister of Health. If I did the job that you’re doing, I’d have been fired as Minister of Health.

Mr. Lees is stuck in a retirement home. He’s an urgent-care patient, a crisis patient. That’s as high as you can get in all the categories your ministry has. He should be in a long-term-care facility. He has to be in a long-term-care facility. He’s deteriorating in the retirement home and your ministry’s doing nothing. Each time, you slough it off to your associate minister, and she does nothing. She sends me emails—and I’ve got 12 of them here from the last two months: “Our staff are working very hard with his family to ensure Mr. Lees gets the safe and secure placement he needs.” I get that time and time again: October 6, July 28, April 30, August 25 and on and on and on.

Do something. For God’s sake, you’re in charge of the system. You’re the man in charge. This man needs help. He paid his taxes. He was a volunteer in our community. He’s a great guy with a great family. They’re going bankrupt and he’s not getting the care—

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

Interjections.

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

Minister.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Well, Mr. Speaker, when the member opposite, who I know is a former Minister of Health—he may choose to judge me, but I’m actually going to rely on the opinion of Ontarians with regard to my performance as health minister. I’m not going to be judged by the member opposite. I have to say the associate minister has been working hard on an issue which is important to her and is important to me as well.

When it comes to long-term care, we’ve introduced measures recently, including substantial investments to increase the number of long-term-care beds in this province, to redevelop existing ones as well, so that even more Ontarians will have access to long-term care in this province.

As I said in the first part of this question, I would be happy to address this issue with the member opposite as well as with the associate minister responsible for long-term care, so we can find a solution to this issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): There are no deferred votes, therefore this House stands recessed until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1205 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Bill Walker: He was in the gallery this morning and I believe he’s returning for the afternoon. I’d like to welcome Arif Khan, city of Barrie councillor, to the Legislature.

Members’ Statements

Queen Elizabeth II

Mrs. Julia Munro: It is with great pride that I stand today here at Queen’s Park, named after Queen Victoria, who is now the second-longest serving monarch of the Commonwealth. It is my honour to speak in celebration of a very special milestone for Queen Elizabeth II.

On Thursday, September 9, Queen Elizabeth II became the longest-serving monarch in a millennium of royal tradition. We have been the beneficiaries of a parliamentary system that recently celebrated its 800th anniversary. Our constitutional monarch is a rock of stability in changing times. I would like to extend my congratulations to the Queen and the royal family.

Over the last 63 years and seven months of her reign, the Queen has led with wisdom and grace. Not only is she the longest-serving monarch, but she also provided the most stable leadership of the Commonwealth. She is more than non-partisan; she is above partisanship.

Through 11 Canadian Prime Ministers, from Louis St. Laurent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, from Sir Winston Churchill to Margaret Thatcher to David Cameron, the Queen has been a rock of stability.

I was delighted to be able to share in the presentations that were done in honour of the Queen in my riding, both in East Gwillimbury and in Bond Head at St. Catherine Byzantine church.

Margaret Woltz

Mr. Taras Natyshak: Speaker, if I could beg your indulgence, I just want to say welcome to all my colleagues in the House. It really is nice to see each and every one of you today. Speaker, it is good to see you in the chair as well, looking in good form—

Mr. Arthur Potts: He got a haircut.

Mr. Taras Natyshak: —and with a haircut.

The riding of Essex lost a wonderful woman over the summer. It is my honour to stand in this House to recognize the contributions made to my community by Margaret Woltz.

Any candidate who has run in an election in the region of Essex county over the last 40 years has done so under Margaret’s careful watch. From 1975 until she passed on July 27, Margaret served as returning officer for both Elections Canada and Elections Ontario. Margaret committed herself to the democratic process in a way that very few others have. As a five-time candidate myself, my team and I grew to have the utmost respect for Margaret’s professionalism and her ability to effectively manage elections and countless staff.

Margaret’s contributions, however, weren’t limited to elections. She sat as president on a number of boards, including the Essex Minor Baseball Association, the Essex Minor Hockey Association, the Essex Region Conservation Foundation, the Essex horticultural society, the Liberal association in Windsor-Essex county and the Essex BIA. She also served on town council and sat on the board of directors at the Woodslee Credit Union.

Margaret’s life centred around two things: family and community. Margaret met her husband, Bill, and they became sweethearts at Essex high. They married in 1950, shared 65 years together and raised four children.

On behalf of my riding of Essex I want to say thank you to Bill, Richard, Dana, Becky, Brad and the grandchildren, Brandon and Spencer, for sharing Margaret with us for all of these years.

Thank you, Margaret, for everything. Just for today, the polls have now officially closed.

Joe MacDonald

Mr. Glenn Thibeault: I rise today to remember and pay tribute to Greater Sudbury Police Constable Joe MacDonald, a name that will be familiar to many of my colleagues here and that we in Sudbury will not soon forget. Joe MacDonald was 29 years old, a five-year veteran of the Sudbury police force with a young family at home, when he was murdered during a routine police stop in New Sudbury.

Constable Joe MacDonald’s murder was a tragedy, and while I rise today to pay tribute to Constable MacDonald, I must also acknowledge Sergeant Rick McDonald of Sudbury—I got to know his mother this past summer—and other public safety officers throughout Ontario whose lives have been cut short in the line of duty. The death of a public safety officer in the line of duty in any community changes that community forever.

In Sudbury, and in the wake of the particularly violent murder of Constable Joe MacDonald, our community was deeply wounded, none more wounded than Joe’s entire family, but especially his wife and two daughters. On that night in 1993, the family of Joe MacDonald lost a husband, father, son and brother.

As a community, I believe it is our duty to help families like Joe’s wherever we can, which is why I am pleased that our government remains committed to helping the spouses and children of fallen officers through the Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers’ Survivors Scholarship. While nothing can bring Constable MacDonald, Sergeant Rick McDonald, or any other fallen officer back to their loved ones, this fund is a small way to help the spouses and children of these officers achieve their educational goals.

Asthma

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Speaker, I’d like to welcome back the students to their school year.

As we all know, asthma symptoms worsen during the month of September. I’m proud to note that this school year, Ryan’s Law has been enacted to keep our students safe. Ryan’s Law is a common-sense piece of legislation which allows for children who suffer from asthma to carry their puffers with them at all times. This is the first such piece of legislation in Canada.

Ryan’s Law is named after Ryan Gibbons, an elementary student from Straffordville who needlessly passed away at school after suffering from an asthma attack during his recess break.

One in five children in Ontario suffers from asthma, making it the most common chronic condition among children in our province. I am extremely delighted that school boards across the province have implemented Ryan’s Law into this year’s school system. As schools across our province become more asthma-friendly thanks to Ryan’s Law, we hope to never see such a tragedy again like we saw with the passing of Ryan Gibbons.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the many people who supported Ryan’s Law through the legislative process. To Ryan’s mom, Sandra Gibbons, thank you for helping create a legacy for Ryan. Your strength and determination ensured that this bill succeeded. I would also like to thank key stakeholders such as the Ontario Lung Association and the Asthma Society of Canada for all their hard work since day one.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who sits in this Legislature who voted unanimously in support of Ryan’s Law. I appreciate the support behind that because, together, we can work to make Ontario a better place.

Let’s never forget Ryan’s memory as we continue to work hard to make our school system a safer place for all children in Ontario.

Public transit in London

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I am pleased to update this House on an exciting initiative that is galvanizing my community called Shift: Moving London Forward. Shift proposes a 22-kilometre rapid transit network that will connect major institutions in London, including the university, the college, our two hospitals and the airport.

Community surveys have identified improved transit and transportation as the number one priority for Londoners. Western and Fanshawe students, who make up about 40% of London’s bus ridership, have been advocating strongly for improvements. As an MPP, I’ve heard too many stories of unemployed Londoners who can’t accept work in the industrial parks because those jobs are not accessible by transit.

London’s current transit ridership per capita far exceeds that of many comparable municipalities such as Hamilton, Mississauga and Waterloo, yet unlike these peer cities, which have secured significant provincial investments in bus rapid transit or light rail, London continues to rely on a bus system that is bursting at the seams.

Londoners do not accept that investment in public transit is an either-or proposition, that we must choose between public transit and keeping our electricity system public. Londoners expect both. We expect our vital public assets to be protected, but we also expect transit to be funded.

London is ready. Council has committed $4 million to conduct an environmental assessment that is currently under way. What we need now is for the province to come to the table.

Flora MacDonald

Ms. Sophie Kiwala: On July 26 of this year, at the age of 89, our country lost a great political leader. Flora MacDonald left behind a strong and inspiring legacy for our country, for female leadership and for the true meaning of public service.

As the first female federal representative for my riding of Kingston and the Islands, Ms. MacDonald was a trailblazer, always striving to serve the best interests of her community. Flora, as she was affectionately called by all, set up Canada’s second constituency office in 1973. She became our nation’s first female foreign minister and proved her diplomacy, skilful negotiation and compassion in international affairs.

Ms. MacDonald was a true politician for the people and of the people. She was accessible, personable and always ready to engage with her community.

In my seven years at the federal constituency office, there were so many occasions when people from the riding and beyond contacted my office to try to connect with Flora. That in itself is a wonderful demonstration of the affection our community has for this inspirational leader and for the many lives she touched.

Mr. Speaker, I am so honoured today to have the opportunity to pay this small tribute to this amazing woman. May she rest in deserved peace.

Thank you. Meegwetch.

Rex Crawford

Mr. Monte McNaughton: I’m pleased to rise to recognize Mr. Rex Crawford, a former Liberal MP for Kent, for his significant contributions to his community and to the nation.

Rex is prolific in his desire to serve and volunteer. Some of his many roles include work with the Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club, being vice-president of the farmers’ union, director of the Chatham children’s treatment centre, Sydenham District Hospital board, the Chatham general hospital board, and ARC Industries in Wallaceburg.

As an environmentally conscious farmer, Rex has served on the board of the Lower Thames conservation authority, and he continues on the board of the St. Clair Region Conservation Authority trust.

In Dover township, beginning in 1977, he was councillor, deputy reeve and reeve, working hard to maintain the agricultural integrity of some of the finest and most productive land in the country.

In 1987, he was elected warden of Kent county. The following year he was elected to the House of Commons as member of Parliament for Kent, and was re-elected in 1993. Rex was largely responsible for bringing the ethanol plant to Chatham-Kent. As MP, Rex was the voice of his constituents, and he was never afraid to challenge a position of his party if it was contrary to the interests of the people of Kent. For this, he is respected and admired by all who know him.

I continue to appreciate his advice, support and friendship.

Toyota

Mrs. Kathryn McGarry: Yesterday afternoon, I was pleased to attend the fourth annual United Way car show at the Toyota manufacturing plant in my community of Cambridge. There was a great turnout of people from Cambridge and neighbouring communities strolling through the rows of gleaming cars, enjoying the food and music, and contributing to a great cause. Events like this are just one of many examples of how Toyota partners with local groups and remains a staple of my community of Cambridge.

On July 31, I was pleased to visit this award-winning plant, along with CEO Brian Krinock, where the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, Brad Duguid, announced that the Ontario government would be investing $42.1 million to secure over 8,000 current jobs and create new ones in Toyota’s Ontario manufacturing operations. It was a great news day.

Along with an investment of $421 million from Toyota, this funding will support equipment and technology upgrades that will prepare the Cambridge Toyota facility to produce the next generation of Lexus vehicles. For the first time outside Japan, Toyota’s specialized welding technology will be used.

This announcement is great news for the thousands of families across the Waterloo region that depend on the auto industry for their livelihood. Toyota is a major employer and driver of our regional economy, and I’m very, very proud that our government is at the table to help keep the sector competitive in the face of fierce global competition.

Ukrainian Canadian community

Mr. Yvan Baker: I rise in honour of Ukrainian Heritage Day today, Mr. Speaker. The first Ukrainian immigrants to Canada, Vasyl Eleniak and Ivan Pylypiw, arrived in Canada on September 7, 1891. Since then, the Ukrainian Canadian population in Ontario has grown to more than 340,000 people. Ontarians of Ukrainian descent, along with so many other communities and backgrounds, have a rich heritage and have contributed to making Canada the great country that it is today.

Many Ukrainians fled their homeland to find freedom from oppression and a better life. They found that life here in Canada. My grandfather was one of those people. He and so many others in the community will always be grateful to Ontario and to our country. As proud as he was of his Ukrainian heritage, my grandfather was one of the proudest Canadians I have ever known.

As a result of these reasons, the province in 2011 unanimously passed a bill proclaiming Ukrainian Heritage Day on September 7 every year. I was honoured to have worked with members on all sides of this Legislature on this bill. Later today, we shall be commemorating heritage day with a flag-raising ceremony at 4 o’clock, and I invite all members of the House to attend.

This government has worked closely with Ontario’s Ukrainian Canadian community. The Premier was in Etobicoke Centre to commemorate Ukrainian Independence Day last month. She will also be attending the Bloor West Village Toronto Ukrainian Festival this weekend. I encourage all members here to join us. It’s a wonderful, wonderful weekend.

The Premier and Minister Sandals, for example, worked to ensure that the internment and the Holodomor would be included in Ontario’s curriculum. They ensured that funding would be provided for a new mobile classroom that will travel Ontario to educate students about the Holodomor. And the Premier has repeatedly called for an independent and territorially sovereign Ukraine and has proudly sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine in these difficult times.

As an MPP and a member of the community, I am proud of my Ukrainian heritage, proud of the work that the Premier and the government have done with the community, and proud of the contributions that the community has made to our province and our country.

Tabling of sessional papers

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the following reports were tabled:

On June 26, 2015, a report concerning Jagmeet Singh, the member from Bramalea–Gore–Malton, from the Integrity Commissioner;

On July 7, 2015, the 2015 annual greenhouse gas progress report from the Environmental Commissioner;

On July 28, 2015, the 2014-15 annual report from the Ombudsman;

On July 31, 2015, the 2014-15 annual report from the Financial Accountability Officer.

Reports by Committees

Standing Committee on Government Agencies

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I also beg to inform the House that during the adjournment, the Clerks received the reports on intended appointments dated September 1, 2015, and September 2, 2015, of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies.

Pursuant to standing order 108(f)9, these reports are deemed to be adopted by the House.

Reports deemed adopted.

Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment

Ms. Daiene Vernile: Pursuant to the order of the House of March 23, 2015, I beg leave to present the interim report from the Select Committee on Sexual Violence and Harassment and move its adoption.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Does the member wish to make a brief statement?

Ms. Daiene Vernile: I move adjournment of the debate.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): That’s as brief as you can get.

Ms. Vernile moves adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Debate adjourned.

Introduction of Bills

Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Amendment Act, 2015 / Loi de 2015 modifiant la

Loi sur l’intervenant provincial en faveur des enfants et des jeunes

Miss Taylor moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 117,

An Act to amend the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007 with respect to notices of critical injury or death / Projet de loi 117, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2007 sur l’intervenant provincial en faveur des enfants et des jeunes en ce qui concerne les avis de décès ou de blessures graves.

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.

Miss Monique Taylor: The bill amends the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth Act, 2007, to include an obligation on agencies and service providers to inform the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth promptly if they become aware of the death or critical injury of a child or youth, and a children’s aid society has been involved with the child or youth, or with the child or youth’s family, within 12 months of death or critical injury.

Zara H.S.L.C.C Inc. Act, 2015

Mr. Takhar moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr25,

An Act to revive Zara H.S.L.C.C Inc.

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): Pursuant to standing order 86, this bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

422504 Ontario Ltd. Act, 2015

Mme Gélinas moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill Pr23,

An Act to revive 422504 Ontario Ltd.

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): Pursuant to standing order 86, this bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills.

Motions

Order of business

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice with respect to the Standing Committee on Estimates, and that the Speaker shall put every question necessary to dispose of this motion without further debate or amendment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that the Standing Committee on Estimates shall not meet until Wednesday, September 23, 2015, at which time the committee shall meet for the purpose of organization and to select the estimates of ministries and offices for consideration; and

That, notwithstanding standing order 63, the committee shall present one report to the House on November 26, 2015, with respect to all estimates and supplementary estimates considered pursuant to standing orders 60 and 62; and

That, in the event that the committee fails to report the said estimates on November 26, 2015, the estimates and supplementaries shall be deemed to be passed by the committee and be deemed to be reported to and received by the House.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader moves that the Standing Committee on Estimates shall not meet until—

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Dispensed. Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Committee membership

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe that you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding the membership of standing committees.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that the following changes be made to the membership of the following committees:

That on the Standing Committee on Estimates, Mr. Hillier be replaced by Mr. Smith;

That on the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Mr. McNaughton be replaced by Mr. Barrett;

That on the Standing Committee on General Government, Mr. Yurek be replaced by Mr. McDonell;

That on the Standing Committee on Government Agencies, Mr. McDonell be replaced by Mr. Bailey;

That on the Standing Committee on Justice Policy, Mr. MacLaren be replaced by Mr. Hillier, and Mr. Smith be replaced by Ms. Scott;

That on the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Barrett be replaced by Mr. McNaughton, Ms. Scott be replaced by Mr. MacLaren, and Mr. Dunlop be replaced by Mr. Clark;

That on the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills, Mr. Bailey be replaced by Mr. Yurek; and

That on the Standing Committee on Social Policy, Madame Lalonde be replaced by Mr. Thibeault, and Ms. Elliott be replaced by Mr. Miller, Parry Sound–Muskoka.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader moves that the following changes be made to the membership of the following committees—

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Agreed. Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Private members’ public business

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding private members’ public business.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that notwithstanding standing order 98(g), notice for ballot item number 64 be waived.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader moves that notwithstanding standing order 98(g)—I was waiting for the “Dispense,” but there was only one sentence—notice of ballot item number 64 be waived. Do we agree? Agreed. Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Appointment of Environmental Commissioner

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice with respect to the Environmental Commissioner and that the question on the motion be put immediately, without debate or amendment.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree? Agreed.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: I move that an humble address be presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council as follows:

“To the Lieutenant Governor in Council:

And that the address be engrossed and presented to the Lieutenant Governor in Council by the Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is moving that an humble address—

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Dispense.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Dispense? Dispense. Do we agree? Carried.

Motion agreed to.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: Speaker, I believe you will find that we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice with respect to the Ombudsman, and that the question—

Mr. Gilles Bisson: No.

Hon. Yasir Naqvi: —on the motion be put immediately, without debate or amendment.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: No.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The government House leader is seeking unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice. Do we agree?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: No.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I heard a no—after several times, but I have to finish my job first so that you can feel comfortable—

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I wanted to make sure you don’t forget.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): And I’m sure that I’m sure you’ll sure be sure that I’m sure.

Petitions

Concussion

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): It is now time for petitions. The member from—

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: You’re so used to saying it.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): —Nepean–Carleton.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: You’re an expert, Speaker, at my riding.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the rate of concussions among children and youth has increased significantly from 2003 to 2011, from 466 to 754 per 100,000 for boys, and from 208 to 440 per 100,000 for girls; and

“Whereas hard falls and the use of force, often found in full-contact sports ... have been found to be the cause of over half of all hospital visits for pediatric concussions; and

“Whereas the signs and symptoms of concussions can be difficult to identify unless coaches, mentors, youth and parents have been educated to recognize them; and

“Whereas preventative measures, such as rules around return-to-play for young athletes who have suspected concussions, as well as preventative education and awareness have been found to significantly decrease the danger of serious or fatal injuries; and

“Whereas Bill 39,

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to concussions, was introduced in 2012 but never passed; and

“Whereas 49 recommendations to increase awareness, training and education around concussions were made by a jury after the coroner’s inquest into the concussion death of Rowan Stringer;

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

“That the Ontario government review and adopt Rowan’s Law to ensure the safety and health of children and young athletes across the province.”

I attended the petition launch with the member from Ottawa South and the family of Rowan Stringer on Saturday, and I proudly affix my signature to this petition and pass it to page Siena.

Privatization of public assets

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that was collected by Trudy Funnell, Robert Porter, David Newman and Joseph St. Denis in beautiful Biscotasing in my riding. For all of you, Google up Biscotasing. You will find it’s a thriving metropolis in the north of Nickel Belt.

It’s called “Privatizing Hydro One: Another wrong choice.

“Whereas once you privatize Hydro One, there’s no return; and

“Whereas we’ll lose billions in reliable annual revenues for schools and hospitals” and infrastructure; “and

“Whereas we’ll lose our biggest economic asset and control over our energy future; and

“Whereas we’ll pay higher and higher hydro bills just like what’s happened elsewhere;

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

“To stop the sale of Hydro One and make sure Ontario families benefit from owning Hydro One now and for generations to come.”

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

Lung health

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas lung disease affects more than 2.4 million people in the province of Ontario, more than 570,000 of whom are children. Of the four chronic diseases responsible for 79% of deaths (cancers, cardiovascular diseases, lung disease and diabetes), lung disease is the only one without a dedicated province-wide strategy;

“In the Ontario Lung Association report Your Lungs, Your Life, it is estimated that lung disease currently costs the Ontario taxpayers more than $4 billion a year in direct and indirect health care costs, and this figure is estimated to rise to more than $80 billion seven short years from now;

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

“To allow for deputations on MPP Kathryn McGarry’s private member’s bill, Bill 41, the Lung Health Act, 2014, which establishes a Lung Health Advisory Council to make recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on lung health issues and requires the minister to develop and implement an Ontario Lung Health Action Plan with respect to research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease; and

“Once debated at committee, to expedite Bill 41, Lung Health Act, 2014, through the committee stage and back to the Legislature for third and final reading; and to immediately call for a vote on Bill 41 and to seek royal assent immediately upon its passage.”

I support this petition and affix my signature to it.

Hospice funding

Mr. Jim Wilson: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas there is a discrepancy between how hospices are funded in Ontario; and

“Whereas Matthews House Hospice is the lowest-funded hospice in the Central Local Health Integration Network ... and among the lowest-funded in the province, even though it serves as many clients or more than other hospices that receive greater provincial support; and

“Whereas Matthews House has been told by the Central LHIN that LHINs do not fund residential hospice operational costs and yet hospices in other LHINs, including Barrie, Huntsville, Richmond Hill, Owen Sound and now Collingwood, all receive operational funding from the province; and

“Whereas in February 2010 Matthews House Hospice was promised a solution to its underfunding by the Central LHIN which has never materialized;

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

“That the Wynne government immediately develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with hospice funding to ensure that people in south Simcoe and all Ontarians receive equal access to end-of-life care.”

I agree with this petition and I will sign it.

Long-term care

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition that was requested of me by the residents of Westmount Gardens Long-Term Care in my riding of London West, and it reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario: Stop the Eviction of Long-Term-Care Residents.

“Whereas every resident of a long-term-care home has the right to be treated with respect and dignity; and

“Whereas

section 1 of the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, identifies as its ‘fundamental principle’ that ‘a long-term-care home is primarily the home of its residents’; and

“Whereas regulation 79 under the act conflicts with this fundamental principle because it states that long-term-care residents can lose their home after 30 days in hospital and must then reapply and join wait-lists for available long-term-care spaces; and

“Whereas the risk of losing their home can create emotional distress and trauma for long-term-care residents who are temporarily hospitalized;

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

“That the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care change regulation 79 to ensure that residents of long-term care do not lose their home after a 30-day or longer stay in hospital.”

I fully support this petition, affix my name to it and give it to page Laura to take to the table.

Concussion

Mr. John Fraser: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the rate of concussions among children and youth has increased significantly from 2003 to 2011, from 466 to 754 per 100,000 for boys, and from 208 to 440 per 100,000 for girls; and

“Whereas hard falls and the use of force, often found in full-contact sports such as hockey and rugby, have been found to be the cause of over half of all hospital visits for pediatric concussions; and

“Whereas the signs and the symptoms of concussions can be difficult to identify unless coaches, mentors, youth and parents have been educated to recognize them; and

“Whereas preventative measures, such as rules around return-to-play for young athletes who have suspected concussions, as well as preventative education and awareness have been found to significantly decrease the danger of serious or fatal injuries; and

“Whereas Bill 39,

An Act to amend the Education Act with respect to concussions, was introduced in 2012 but never passed; and

“Whereas 49 recommendations to increase awareness, training and education around concussions were made by a jury after the coroner’s inquest into the concussion death of Rowan Stringer;

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

“That the Ontario government review and adopt Rowan’s Law to ensure the safety and health of children and young athletes across the province.”

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m affixing my signature and giving it to page Grace.

Winter road maintenance

Mr. Norm Miller: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a number from Gravenhurst and Bracebridge with regard to winter road maintenance, as winter is just around the corner.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the area maintenance contract system has failed Ontario drivers the past two winters;

“Whereas unsafe conditions led to the maintenance contractor being fined in the winter of 2013-14, as well as leading to a special investigation by the provincial Auditor General;

“Whereas the managed outsourcing system for winter roads maintenance, where the private contractor is responsible for maintenance, but MTO patrols the region and directs the contractor on the deployment of vehicles, sand and salt, has a proven track record for removing snow and ensuring that Ontario’s highways are safe for travellers;

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

“That the Ontario Ministry of Transportation take immediate action to improve the maintenance of winter roads based on the positive benefits of the previous delivery model, where MTO plays more of a role in directing the private contractor.”

Mr. Speaker, I support this petition and have signed it and will give it to Jaleelah.

Privatization of public assets

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I am pleased to have the opportunity today to rise and share the voices of friends and neighbours in my area; for example, Ron Svajlenko and James Booth, Nester Pidwerbecki, Daniel Goheen. All would like me to share this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Privatizing Hydro One: Another wrong choice.

“Whereas once you privatize hydro, there’s no return; and

“We’ll lose billions in reliable annual revenues for schools and hospitals; and

“We’ll lose our biggest economic asset and control over our energy future; and

“We’ll pay higher and higher hydro bills just like what’s happened elsewhere;

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

“To stop the sale of Hydro One and make sure Ontario families benefit from owning Hydro One now and for generations to come.”

Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly support this petition, affix my name to it and send it with page Alexander.

Access to justice

Mr. Arthur Potts: I also have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas personal injury lawyers often charge contingency fees of up to 45% of a settlement;

“Whereas it is in the public interest for reasons of transparency, consumer protection and public accountability that the Ontario superintendent of insurance be authorized to collect from personal injury lawyers and paralegals representing claimants on tort and accident benefits claims, information on case-specific fee arrangements, costs, disbursements and referral fees to determine the impact of such fee arrangements on the cost of auto insurance in Ontario; and

“Whereas consumers do not” often “understand how these fees are calculated;

“Whereas the high costs of hiring a lawyer are preventing Ontarians from accessing justice;

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

“That the government introduce legislation to cap the maximum rates that personal injury lawyers charge injured motorists;

“That personal injury lawyers be required to submit to the superintendent of insurance information on fees, disbursements and referral arrangements;

“That the superintendent publicly publish an annual report on the information collected;

“That the superintendent” also “develop a consumer-friendly fee disclosure statement that must b