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March 6, 2017

41st Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2017-Mar-06 (PDF)

L050 - Mon 6 Mar 2017 / Lun 6 mar 2017

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 6 March 2017 Lundi 6 mars 2017

Introduction of Visitors

Member for York–Simcoe

Oral Questions

Energy policies

Children’s treatment centres

Hydro rates

Privatization of public assets

Energy policies

Privatization of public assets

Hydro rates

Energy policies

Public transit

Développement économique / Economic development

Long-term care

Hydro rates

Public transit

Ring of Fire

Visitor

Correction of record

Deferred Votes

School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 modifiant la

Loi sur la négociation collective dans les conseils scolaires

Members’ Statements

STEAM Centre

Health care funding

MultiFair 2017

Lambton College

Employment standards

Hydro rates

City of Toronto

Our Canada mosaic

Tobacco growers

Introduction of Bills

Honouring our Veterans Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 rendant hommage à nos anciens combattants

Petitions

School closures

Grandview Children’s Centre

Hydro rates

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

Komoka Provincial Park

Nanjing Massacre

Hydro rates

School closures

Hydro rates

Primary health care

Municipal restructuring

Orders of the Day

Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur le soutien à l’enfance, à la jeunesse et à la famille

The House met at 1030.

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

Prayers.

Introduction of Visitors

Mr. Norm Miller: I’d like to welcome to the Ontario Legislature the leader of the official opposition of the Yukon, Stacey Hassard; the opposition critic for environment, Wade Istchenko; the opposition energy, mines and resources critic, Scott Kent; and Michael Mark as well. They are here in the members’ west gallery visiting this morning. Please welcome them.

Mr. Arthur Potts: It’s a pleasure to introduce your old staff member and a constituent, Chris Yaccato, and his colleague Hayley Corbett, from the Lung Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Steve Clark: On behalf of the member for Niagara West–Glanbrook, I’d like to introduce guests who are in the members’ gallery this morning. They are guests of page captain Luca DiPietro: his parents, Franca and Frink DiPietro, and sister Daria. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Ms. Catherine Fife: I’d like to introduce guests of page captain Sebastian Frayne: mother, Jennifer McDonald; father, Michael Frayne; sisters Maddie and Claire, and brothers Alex and Colin. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Hon. Tracy MacCharles: Thank you, Speaker. Good morning. I think they’re just coming in. We have students from the Montessori Learning Centre in Pickering here at Queen’s Park. I just want to say welcome to Queen’s Park, and enjoy your day.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I’d like to welcome the parents of page Grace Glosnek, Mary-Anne and Frank, from my riding of Perth–Wellington. Page Grace has received honourable mention from the Speaker’s Award for Youth Writers. Congratulations, Grace.

Mr. Steve Clark: It gives me great pleasure on behalf of our House leader, the member for Simcoe–Grey, to introduce guests of page Nolan Campbell, who are in the public gallery with us this morning: his mother, Leanne Campbell, and his brother, Aiden Campbell, who is a former page, from March 2015. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

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

Mrs. Amrit Mangat: I would like to welcome to Queen’s Park another grade 10 class from St. Marcellinus Secondary School, which is located in my great riding of Mississauga–Brampton South. I look forward to meeting them after question period.

Member for York–Simcoe

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Seeing no further introductions, it is now time for a point of order. The member from Dufferin–Caledon.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: I seek unanimous consent that each party be permitted to speak for up to five minutes to recognize the member from York–Simcoe’s tenure as the longest-serving female member of the Legislature.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I think I’ll wait until I have everyone’s attention before I put this motion forward. Thank you.

The member from Dufferin–Caledon is seeking unanimous consent to speak for up to five minutes on the member’s record-breaking stint as an MPP.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Stint? Tenure, I think.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Tenure, I think. Do we agree? Agreed.

The member from London West.

Ms. Peggy Sattler: It is an honour for me to rise today as the NDP critic for women’s issues to pay tribute to the member for York–Simcoe. As the longest-serving woman MPP ever elected in this province, she has represented her constituents well for more than 22 years, successfully contesting six elections between 1995 and 2014, and achieving a remarkable milestone for women in Ontario.

Speaker, let’s reflect on what the Ontario Legislature looked like in 1995, the year Julia was first elected as MPP. Of the 130 MPPs who would be taking their seats at Queen’s Park that year, just 19 were women, who made up 14.6% of the provincial Legislature. Of the 82 Progressive Conservatives who were elected to the PC caucus, only 11 were women, making up just 13.4% of all PC members of the Legislature.

As the Globe and Mail reported shortly after the 1995 PC victory: “Welcome to the new 82-member Conservative caucus at Queen’s Park, which met for the first time this week. It’s almost completely white, mainly male, with the overwhelming majority of its members coming from small business backgrounds.”

I suspect the member for York–Simcoe was unfazed to find herself among her new colleagues. After all, both of her 1995 campaign opponents were men, and one was an incumbent, so she could certainly hold her own in the male-dominated world of politics.

With her husband, John, she managed both the family farm as well as a dog breeding business, making her as knowledgeable as any of her male colleagues about the challenges of running a small business. As a secondary school educator for 28 years prior to her election, one can imagine that her discipline and classroom management skills were certainly an asset.

A rookie MPP, Munro was appointed as parliamentary assistant to the Premier to promote volunteerism, prompting the Ottawa Citizen to comment: “Munro is a rare creature in Premier Mike Harris’s government. She’s actually been asked to come up with ideas rather than simply end, repeal or reduce things.”

Julia Munro was born in Hamilton in 1942 and was raised in Toronto. After graduating with a BA in history from the University of Toronto, she began her career as a teacher in 1971. After 24 years teaching history in Markham, she became a secondary school department head for the York Region Board of Education.

Like many women who become involved in political life, Julia saw a problem and wanted to fix it. A Toronto Star

article covering the 1995 race states: “Munro says she used to sit around the kitchen table complaining about the state of politics and finally decided she had to get involved.”

She became active in her local PC riding association, serving as riding president from 1992 to 1994, and she put her name on the ballot in 1995 for the riding then known as Durham–York. In 1999, she was re-elected in York North, a seat she held in 2003 despite the defeat of the government. She was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and, most recently, in 2014.

I asked my NDP colleagues for juicy stories about Julia that I could share in my tribute. The thing is, there are none. She is always prepared and always professional. Her style is calm and reassuring, practical and unruffled. During legislative debates, her remarks are well structured and well researched. In committee, she is known for her ability to ask pointed questions that cut right to the core of an issue. Instead of juicy stories, what my colleagues did tell me about was Julia’s warm smile, her droll sense of humour and her dry wit, and the twinkle in her eye when one would least expect it.

The member for Kitchener–Waterloo told me about the advice she received from Julia after the 2014 election. Noticing my NDP colleague despondent and alone in the dining room, Julia asked what was wrong. She listened carefully, reflected on what had been shared, nodded and said, “Catherine, the best thing you can do is sleep.” This quiet bit of wisdom exemplifies Julia’s pragmatic approach and helped change my colleague’s perspective on life at Queen’s Park. Julia still checks in every once in a while to see how the member for Kitchener–Waterloo is doing and whether she is following the advice that was imparted.

Throughout her political career, Julia has been deeply committed to encouraging citizen participation in political life. Interviewed during her 2011 election campaign, she emphasized that an engaged citizenry is the key to our system and warned against the erosion of democracy that is caused by cynicism or apathy. Speaker, of all her accomplishments, this is perhaps Julia Munro’s most important legacy. For that, all Ontarians, and Ontario women in particular, are richer.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further responses?

Hon. Indira Naidoo-Harris: It is an honour for me to rise today to recognize the member from York–Simcoe as we celebrate a remarkable milestone she has accomplished. MPP Munro is now the longest-serving female MPP in Ontario’s history. This is a truly impressive achievement and one we should all be proud of.

For 21 years, the member from York–Simcoe has been serving the people of Ontario. For 21 years, she has been the voice for the people in her riding. No question: Her presence in the Legislature over the past 21 years is truly inspiring. The member has served her constituents and the people of Ontario longer than any other woman in our province. Just think about that. There was a time when people thought that there was no place for women in politics. Well, they were wrong. There is a place—room—for women in politics, and women like MPP Munro are living proof of that.

No matter how far we’ve come, as Ontario’s first-ever Minister of the Status of Women I know that it is trailblazers like the member for York–Simcoe who have paved the way for women, and I thank her for that. She is a change-maker. The world has changed a lot over the last 21 years. More and more women are now getting involved in government, getting elected and becoming our leaders. Much of that is due to the strong and successful women in the Legislature, right here—women like the member for York–Simcoe, women who have shown us that it is possible to dream and it is possible to make that dream a reality.

Throughout her career, MPP Munro has inspired many people and broken many barriers. It is especially fitting that we are recognizing the member today because this is the start of International Women’s Week. Later this week, we will also recognize International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is “Equality Matters,” and yes, it does.

For our government, gender equality is of critical importance. As I look around this House, I see that two of our three party leaders, Premier Kathleen Wynne and NDP leader Andrea Horwath, are women. I also see Elizabeth Dowdeswell, our female Lieutenant Governor, and our new female Sergeant-at-Arms, Jackie Gordon. I see a cabinet appointed by our Premier that is 40% women, the highest percentage in Ontario’s history, and I see a government that has set a target of 40% of all provincial board and agency appointments by 2019.

We are doing this because we are challenging not only ourselves but businesses as well to put more women in positions of leadership. We are doing this because gender diversity in Ontario leadership benefits us all. And we are doing this because, absolutely, it’s the right thing to do.

The member’s service to Ontario benefits and inspires us all. It has contributed to creating a more equal society, and I am grateful to women like her who help raise the status of women both in our Legislature and in our province.

I want to thank the member from York–Simcoe for leading the way, for being a trailblazer and for showing women and girls out there that, yes, you too can have a voice in politics. I offer my best wishes as she celebrates this historic achievement.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Further responses?

Ms. Laurie Scott: It is an honour and privilege to rise in the House today to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishment of a remarkable woman, someone I take great pride in calling my good friend and distinguished colleague.

As 2017 reflects the 100th anniversary in Ontario of women’s right to vote, it also holds another milestone in our province for women in government. First elected in June 1995, Julia Munro, our respected colleague from York–Simcoe, now stands as Ontario’s longest-serving woman member of Parliament. Today, she has surpassed 7,944 days as a member of this Legislature.

Julia’s career at Queen’s Park spans six consecutive provincial elections, three riding name changes, representing Durham–York, York North and York–Simcoe. After her first victory in the 1995 election, Julia was named parliamentary assistant to the Premier in the newly elected Mike Harris government. She would go on to serve as government whip, parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Transportation, the Chair of Management Board of Cabinet and Minister of Culture in subsequent Parliaments.

And that is when things changed for Julia and our fellow colleagues, as the next election and the three to follow relegated “team blue” to official opposition status. Yet Julia continued her work as an MPP without missing a beat, understanding and respecting her role and representing her constituents with the same energy and care.

In opposition, Julia has served as critic for culture twice, seniors twice, children’s services twice, community and social services twice and the Poverty Reduction Strategy three times, along with sitting on 13 different committees. That’s what happens when you stick around so long.

Through all the years, with her beloved husband, John, and daughter, Genevieve, by her side, Julia’s devotion and dedication to politics and serving in office have never wavered. Julia has always been passionate about her policy work. An avid dog lover and breeder, Julia has fought for animal rights, regulations and standards of care. With her keen interest in the financial health and security of Ontarians, Julia introduced new legislation to establish a small business bill of rights and, most notably, advocated for her bill on pooled registered pension plans twice.

As some of you may know, Julia was not always a politician. Prior to her time at Queen’s Park, Julia worked as an educator, serving the majority of her time as a high school history teacher. Not surprisingly, her reputation with her students reflected the level of commitment and perspective she imparted on their learning.

Kicking up the cool factor, even for a history teacher, one of Julia’s former students was Tyler Stewart, the drummer of the infamous Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies. In an interview for Professionally Speaking magazine for a story entitled “The Barenaked Ladies Remarkable Teachers,” when Tyler was asked to choose the high school teacher who had the greatest impact on him, he chose Julia Munro. He praised her for her ability to make history interesting in a way that would relate to individual students’ interests. He went on to say, “I found that she really respected the intellect of her students.

She really seemed to have a grasp of each kid’s capabilities and set jobs for them accordingly.”

As much as Julia made history interesting for her students, she remains a history buff herself. Julia was asked who her political hero was, to which she answered Elizabeth Simcoe, also known as Elizabeth Gwillim. Elizabeth was a diarist, historian and artist, and the wife of the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, John Graves Simcoe. Elizabeth’s diary and some 595 paintings left for us a vibrant story of life in colonial Ontario, and her name is lent to two townships in Julia’s riding, East and West Gwillimbury. That’s a testament to Julia’s love of history and government in one snapshot.

To know Julia is to know honesty, integrity, sincerity and thoughtfulness personified. To work with Julia is to work with commitment, intention, compassion and conviction. Her success lies in a legacy of not only one fulfilled career, but two. Her bond with people, whether past students or current constituents, is based in genuine care, concern, admiration and respect. Julia has always seen her role as that of a conduit, saying, “The one promise I make to voters is to work hard and be accessible.... I have always kept in mind that I am here to speak up for my constituents.” There’s a humble grace for her purpose.

As one of my dear colleagues reflected, she quietly and competently goes about her job, does it very well and never seeks the limelight. She draws attention to the issues she cares about but doesn’t try to draw attention to herself. She is beloved by her constituents and admired and respected by everyone at Queen’s Park, where she is often referred to as Lady Munro.

It is only fitting that the former and distinguished history teacher who left her mark on her students so many years ago now leaves her own mark in our parliamentary history books as the longest-serving woman MPP in Ontario. We honour and salute you. Congratulations, Julia.

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I thank all of the members for their very heartfelt and kind comments. I would only just add that I am always amazed and impressed with your grace, particularly through any adversities that you’ve been challenged with. You’ve taken them and come out the other side. I congratulate you on this wonderful milestone.

I would like to offer the member an opportunity to respond. You can’t have 15 minutes, but you can have some time.

Mrs. Julia Munro: I’m glad you set the limit, because I don’t feel that there is quite the same opportunity for me to respond as those of you who have chosen to respond, because you at least had some warning.

But I do want to say that it is a moment of a great deal of emotion for me as I listen to our members and reflect on the pieces of information that they have been able to find and the way in which they have been able to portray me. I certainly will always, always remember the sincerity and warmth of the comments that have been made here this morning.

It’s funny how life treats you. Sitting around the kitchen table was referenced, and people have asked me and I’ve always said that that is part of our democracy, that it’s your responsibility to be engaged, and that’s why sitting at the kitchen table won’t cut it.

I know that there were a couple of references made by the press, but one that I liked particularly was the editor of the local paper who interviewed me. In his write-up, he described me as someone who had climbed out of the crib and crawled to the right. I thought that was okay. I didn’t mind that at all.

I learned so much from the people who have passed through the halls of the Ontario Legislature, the people who have sat in the seats before us. I remember walking in here for the first time as an elected person and looking around the room, and at that point—I think it was the 36th Parliament, but I might be wrong. The point is that I sat down, I looked around the room, I saw all the chairs and I thought, “This is only the 36th time that somebody has come in and sat here.

That’s overwhelming.” And to think that I’m one of them now, and to think that each of you is one of them, and the responsibility that that carries with it—it carries with it for today and the problems that we try to wrestle with today. It also speaks to the people who have gone before us, the people who have understood the important value of this building and what it stands for and the significance, and it has never left me, I’m pleased to say. I’m pleased to say that I can walk in here 21 years later and still feel that tremendous aura of what this building represents.

I think our job as MPPs is to make sure that we contribute to that so that the next generation understands the value of what’s here.

One of the things that I like to quote is one where it describes the system as a wild garden that needs tending. We have the basics here, we have the garden, and our responsibility and that of our children and grandchildren is to tend that garden. On the frame of my licence plate, it says “Democracy: Don’t waste it.”

Applause.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): A fine example for all young women and men to look forward to, in terms of what this place means. Thank you very much for your contribution.

We will make sure that we assemble the tributes and pass them on to you in full.

Oral Questions

Energy policies

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. I was reading a Globe and Mail editorial, and I’m going to share with you what that editorial said. According to the Premier’s energy plan, “She isn’t fixing the electricity ... mess. She isn’t lowering the extortionate system costs created by a decade of poor choices and mismanagement of the province’s power system. She’s simply rigging consumers’ bills during an election year.”

This isn’t about fixing the structural challenges. Is it just about what we all know it is, your own political survival?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: What our Fair Hydro Plan is about is taking a burden off people’s electricity bills all around the province. It’s about making sure that people see, on average, a 25% reduction—people who are having trouble paying their rent, who are having trouble looking after their families—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Order, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —making sure that they have the relief that they need soon, that it’s practical and that it’s adequate. That’s what our Fair Hydro Plan is about.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier, and again from this Globe and Mail editorial: They said this scheme is nothing more than, “A Liberal Premier has found”—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I tried just asking. Obviously, you’ve now maybe been trained that you have to wait for warnings. So I’m going to try to ask you one last time, when I’ve got all of your attention. Let’s just let the question be put, and let’s let the answer be put. If I have to, I will intervene again.

Mr. Patrick Brown: Mr. Speaker, obviously, this is a sensitive topic for the Liberal government.

The Globe and Mail editorial said, “A Liberal Premier has found yet another way to make Ontarians pay more for electricity, but this one is selling it as the act of a thoughtful government coming to the aid of” families.

That is exactly why I have written the Financial Accountability Officer asking for an open, transparent and honest accounting of what this is going to cost Ontarians and if the government’s numbers are actually accurate.

Mr. Speaker, the truth will come out eventually. Just how much debt is going to be saddled on the next generation of Ontarians?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’m happy to say that the office of the Financial Accountability Officer was briefed last week. We’re very happy to have the FAO get the information that he needs. His office has been briefed, and we will continue to work with him. In fact, as the Leader of the Opposition knows, we actually expanded the purview of the Financial Accountability Officer so that he could get all of the information that he wanted. So we’re happy to do that.

This plan is about giving people relief on their electricity bills. It’s about spreading out costs over a longer period of time, costs that have been incurred through investments in a system that was degraded, that had to be upgraded and that was susceptible to brownouts and blackouts when we came into office under the previous Premier.

We absolutely had to make the investments. We’ve done that. We have a clean, reliable electricity grid, and we’re going to relieve people of their electricity costs.

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

Mr. Patrick Brown: Again to the Premier: The Globe and Mail placed the blame where it belongs. I quote from the Globe and Mail: “The blame for this falls squarely on the consecutive Liberal governments of former Premier Dalton McGuinty and his successor,” the Premier of Ontario today, “in power since 2003. Their mismanagement of Ontario’s power system has led to today.” That’s their mismanagement. Now the Liberal government—to pay for their mistakes, for their mismanagement, it’s going to cost $25 billion in additional interest costs.

We’ve seen Liberal math before, how it doesn’t add up and how it seems to be something different afterwards. Just look at the gas plant. It was supposed to cost a cup of coffee, then it was $40 million and then costs skyrocketed. Their numbers, historically, do not add up.

My question, Mr. Speaker: Given the fact that their math hasn’t added up before, can we have the guarantee of the Premier that they will not block any information being shared with the Financial Accountability Officer?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We’ve already provided a technical briefing to the office of the FAO. We are happy for the Financial Accountability Officer to have the information available to his office already. It’s already there, Mr. Speaker. We’ll continue to work with him.

Underlying the question of the Leader of the Opposition is an assumption that, had they had the opportunity, they would—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The conversation between members on each side is going to stop.

Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —they would not have upgraded the system, they would not have cleaned the electricity grid, and then they would not have had a plan to deal with those costs.

We’ve taken the responsible path. We know that the costs that people are being asked to pay are too up front. We’re spreading those over a period of time. It’s a 25% reduction on average. That’s what we’re moving forward with.

Children’s treatment centres

Mr. Patrick Brown: My question is for the Premier. Families and supporters of Grandview’s Children’s Centre rallied together on the weekend to fight for fair funding. Grandview has been waiting nine years—nine years, Mr. Speaker—and shovels have sat idly by. For nine years, children with autism have been sitting on a wait-list.

These children and their families deserve better. Her own Liberal caucus members have written to the Premier pleading for action, but the Premier’s office has ignored her own caucus members. I asked about this on November 24 and I was told by the government that they were going to look into it. Here we are, months later, and nothing has happened.

My question is directly to the Premier: Will the government commit to the proper funding for the new Grandview centre, yes or no? The community in Durham is tired of waiting.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I know that the Minister of Children and Youth Services is going to want to speak to the specifics, but I just want to be very clear that in no way have I or my office ignored the commentary from, quite frankly, all of the members from Durham, but certainly from our own caucus. I know that this is a very worthwhile project, it’s something that needs to move ahead and it’s something that I know the Minister of Children and Youth Services will be happy to give an update on.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Whitby–Oshawa.

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the Premier: The Grandview situation is absolutely heartbreaking: nine years of waiting, the land has been donated, $8 million raised, and sadly, 2,753 children on the wait-list.

Mr. Speaker, how much longer must these children and families wait?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Michael Coteau: I would like to thank the member for the question. As soon as the Legislature went into recess this past winter, I made my way out to Grandview. It was one of my priorities in regard to visits. I just want to say that the centre is a remarkable place. I met with parents there and I met with staff to listen to their concerns.

We’re a government that has invested, in the last several years, over $300 million into capital programs for our children treatment centres. We have a process in place. I went out there to listen, and we’re taking all of those requests for capital programs. There’s a process in place, and we’ll be making a decision shortly in regard to where we spend those capital dollars.

I would like to thank the member for his advocacy. We’re paying attention on this side, and we’ll continue to work with Grandview to make sure that we position kids for success here in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Thornhill.

Mrs. Gila Martow: Back to the Premier: Families of Grandview kids across Durham region have been waiting for approval of Grandview’s project. In November 2015, the town of Ajax announced the donation of a five-acre parcel of land for the future new headquarters of Grandview.

They are the only children’s treatment centre in Durham region providing specialized programs, outpatient clinical treatment and support to thousands of children and youth with special needs and their families. They also offer ABA therapy for children with autism. Yet, over 2,700 children sit on a wait-list while this government fails to act.

Mr. Speaker, I toured Grandview just last Friday and I can say with certainty that the time to act is now. Will the Liberals announce the funding of the new Grandview centre today?

Hon. Michael Coteau: Again, I would like to thank the member for the question. She brought up funding for autism as a point in her question. The member knows that our autism funding is historically the largest investment in autism in the history of this province, if not the entire country.

So we’re making inroads. We’ve got challenges in the system when it comes to mental health, when it comes to autism and when it comes to our children, but we’re doing everything we can to make sure we position them for success. Grandview is an exceptional place doing great work. In our child treatment centres across the province, over 76,000 young people are treated each year. We’re proud of that, and we know we need to build more capacity within the system. That’s why we keep investing into capital programs and rebuilds for our treatment centres here in Ontario.

Hydro rates

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier. The Premier and the Liberals have had 14 years to fix the mess that her party has helped create in our hydro system, but it is only in the last few weeks that she has admitted that there is a problem and only last week that she admitted she could actually do something about it.

Up until she began to fear for her political life, she told Ontarians there either was no problem, or if there was, there was nothing she could do about it. The Premier told this House: Our rates “are competitive with New York, with Michigan, with Pennsylvania.... Those energy prices are competitive, Mr. Speaker.” I ask the Premier, what’s behind the sudden conversion?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: First of all, that’s just not an accurate portrayal of the situation. The fact is that for some time, a number of years, we’ve been working to take costs out of the system. We renegotiated the Samsung deal. We made a decision about not building new nuclear. We were very aware that we needed to find ways to get costs out of the electricity system.

We made a decision around the 8% reduction on electricity bills—the provincial portion of the HST—last year, Mr. Speaker. It’s in effect now.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound, second time.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: We did hear from people around the province, and I knew that it was not enough. That’s why we brought forward an average 25% reduction that people will see on their bills this summer.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Hydro rates have been a crisis for families and businesses in Ontario for as long as the Premier has been saying there was no crisis.

It’s not just the Premier who denied the problem. On September 15, 2016, the minister said, “Energy costs are in the middle of the pack when compared to other Canadian provinces. The government has used virtually all available public policy levers at our disposal to mitigate rate pressure for customers.”

When will the Premier admit how out of touch she is with Ontarians and apologize for denying over and over again that the crisis they were facing is real?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Speaker, it seems to me that a plan has been brought forward that is actually going to reduce people’s electricity bills in a number of ways. First of all, an across-the-board average 25% cut for residents who pay bills—they’re going to see, on average, a 25% cut. People who pay exorbitant distribution rates in rural and remote communities are going to see another 10% or 15% reduction. People who are living on low incomes are going to see an enhanced benefit, so they will see further cuts. That’s a practical plan that I think demonstrates that we have understood. We’ve listened and we’ve understood.

We’ve brought forward a practical plan as opposed to a plan that does not respond because it would not work, which is what the NDP has brought forward. We’ve brought forward a plan that actually is practical and it’s going to reduce people’s electricity bills.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Speaker, she may forget this, but the other part of the Premier’s story was that the Liberal government had no control over hydro prices, that it was all in the hands of the Ontario Energy Board. On September 29, 2016, the Minister of Energy said, “The OEB is a quasi-judicial organization that’s not part of the government. They set the rates.”

Clearly, the Premier does think she has control over rates, because just last week she finally decided that the political cost to her and her party of ignoring this crisis that she has created for Ontario families was just too much, and she came up with a band-aid fix. What changed, Speaker?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, for many months we have been working on finding a solution to help people with their electricity bills, whether the leader of the third party accepts that or not is entirely beside the point.

The point is that there are people in this province who are paying too much for their electricity. They can’t afford to look after themselves and their families. There are people in this province who are paying too-high distribution costs, and there are people living on low income who are not getting enough support. We are tackling all of those challenges. The relief will be in place in the summer. It will stay in place. The reality is that I am most interested in those people, in their concerns and their families.

Privatization of public assets

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. One part of the Premier’s story that she still clings to is that selling Hydro One is a good idea, once again ignoring the wishes of the vast majority of Ontarians.

By returning Hydro One to public hands, we bring in $7 billion over the next 30 years that we can invest in Ontario. Instead of investing in Ontario families and businesses, the Liberal plan gives away an additional $25 billion to $40 billion to bankers over that same period.

When will this Premier wake up and realize that continuing with her wrong-headed sell-off of Hydro One is not just vastly unpopular, it is absolutely the wrong thing to do for Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Mr. Speaker, again, we put the facts on the table. The proposal that the leader of the third party has brought forward as part of her plan—that would not work—is to stop the broadening of the ownership of Hydro One and buy back Hydro One, none of which would take one cent off one electricity bill in this province—not a penny.

What we’ve brought forward is a plan that will reduce people’s electricity bills, Mr. Speaker. It will spread the costs over a 30-year period for an asset and for assets that are going to be used by people for that period. So it’s only right, it’s only fair, that people in this generation would pay part of the cost, but people who are going to be using that asset down the road would pay part of the freight for that.

That’s what we’re doing. We’re bringing forward relief for people immediately.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The Liberal plan will cost the people of Ontario more in the long run. That is absolutely the case. And it doesn’t solve any—not a single one—of the underlying problems in our current electricity system, nor does it stop the sell-off of Hydro One.

For years, the Premier didn’t listen to Ontarians when they were struggling with hydro bills that were far too high and that they could no longer afford. The Premier has not learned from that lesson.

Why isn’t she listening to Ontarians who are telling her that the right thing to do is to stop putting her political career ahead of the people of this province and put an end, once and for all, to her wrong-headed decision to sell off Hydro One, their vital public asset?

Interjections.

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: It’s actually hard to know where to begin. The reality is that underlying the question from the leader of the third party is an assumption that there was no need to rebuild the electricity system in Ontario: that we don’t need a clean electricity grid; we don’t need to build all those thousands of kilometres of line; we don’t need clean, renewable capacity; and, underlying her question about Hydro One, we don’t need to build transit—all of which, I think, are really surprising assertions coming from the NDP.

On top of that, the proposal that she has put forward to reduce electricity costs because of the investments that we’ve made—there is a cost associated with those—the proposal she’s brought forward would not work, would not take money off of people’s electricity bills.

We’ve brought forward a practical plan that will reduce people’s electricity bills. That’s the right thing to do.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath: What we don’t need is to sell off a vital public asset that generates revenues for the people of Ontario. That’s what we don’t need.

People need more than a desperate attempt to hold on to political power. People need so much more than that. People need more than a plan that kicks the problems in our hydro system down to our grandkids. We need a plan that prioritizes Ontario families and businesses, because all Ontarians see that the Liberal plan is an extra $40 billion going into the pockets of this Premier’s banker friends.

When will this Premier show Ontarians that she is about more than saving her own political skin, admit that she was wrong and stop the sell-off of Hydro One?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’ve been asked a lot about this question of grandchildren and how we would explain it to our grandchildren. Well, I have three grandchildren, and I’m quite comfortable talking to Olivia, Claire and Hugh about the reality that their mom and dad need some support in order to allow them to take skating lessons or swimming lessons, allow them to do the things that they want to do for their family now. That will mean that Livvie, Claire and Hugh, when they’re using those same assets, will be helping to pay for—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Finish, please.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: —that Livvie, Claire and Hugh will be helping to pay for those assets.

Mr. Speaker, for months, the leader of the third party has been looking for solutions to actually help people in their daily lives. We’re bringing that forward. I would have thought she might have been supportive.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): New question. The member from Nipissing.

Interjections.

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

Mr. John Yakabuski: All of their prospective new leaders all stood up.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke, come to order.

Start the clock. New question?

Energy policies

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Thank you, and good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Rumours have surfaced regarding the employment status of the 70 men and women at the OPG facility in North Bay. In fact, these now appear to be more than rumours. OPG has refused to answer any questions from the municipality regarding—

Hon. David Zimmer: Rumours, rumours. Facts, facts. You sound like Donald Trump.

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

Mr. Victor Fedeli: —its future in North Bay. OPG and North Bay have had more than a 100-year relationship. They have a responsibility to be open and transparent with the communities they’ve had partnerships with, especially those for more than a century.

If OPG is indeed transferring dozens of employees out of North Bay, why are they doing it by stealth? Speaker, I ask the Premier, does she agree that this is an outrageous failure by a publicly owned corporation to live up to the standards of accountability that are expected here in Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I’m happy to respond on behalf of the Minister of Energy. I find it kind of passing strange that the member opposite, who is always on his feet talking about efficiencies in government and doing the right thing and allowing our crown corporations to do what they need to do to be able to keep their budgets in order, is now standing up because something happens to be happening in his riding, that now it’s something that they shouldn’t be doing.

My understanding, Mr. Speaker, is that there are no jobs being lost in this move, but that the senior vice-president is in North Bay today, speaking in person to the employees who are affected. I know that this is a decision that OPG takes seriously. OPG has more than 9,000 employees in every corner of this province. They’re a big corporation. But the role of our government—the role of any government—is not to interfere with these human resources issues.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Victor Fedeli: Back to the Premier: For weeks, OPG told the media, “We don’t respond to rumours.” For weeks, the city of North Bay’s requests have gone unanswered. Their failure to respond has caused great concern in North Bay. Their silence is a betrayal by OPG to behave as good corporate citizens, and their refusal to be honest tells us to no longer trust what OPG says.

If OPG is willing to turn its back on the city it has been in for 100 years and ignore the pleas of the municipality, what else will they ignore? Speaker, I ask the Premier, if OPG won’t be open about their plans in North Bay, how can they be trusted to be accountable for what they say about any of their projects?

Hon. Brad Duguid: It’s all about accountability. It’s about giving our crown corporations the ability to manage what they’re doing in the best possible way. The member is on his feet all the time talking about cutting costs, cutting salaries, and all of that stuff. The minute something happens in his riding, he wants us to go in the opposite direction.

The senior vice-president is in North Bay today. It is a sensitive issue, and it’s a decision OPG takes very seriously. They’ll be working very closely with the labour union representatives, as they have been all along, and they’ll work hard to balance providing thousands of good jobs in Ontario while delivering low-cost energy. That’s what we’re trying to deliver here in Ontario. So you can’t have it both ways, Mr. Speaker. You can’t have it both ways.

Privatization of public assets

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, a question to the Premier: Over the weekend, there was a credible report that Hydro One is negotiating to purchase Toronto Hydro. There were denials, but we’ve heard many denials before, just like before the last election when the Premier denied that she was selling Hydro One.

This sort of deal-making is happening because this government is giving out fat tax breaks to utilities that are sold to the private sector. Why is the Premier subsidizing the privatization of public utilities like Toronto Hydro?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: As the mayor said on the weekend, there are no discussions going on between our government and the city of Toronto on this matter. I don’t know where the rumours came from, but you’re asking me to respond to rumours that we have no idea what the source of those rumours is from.

I think, though, the question that Ontarians want asked is: Are we getting value for the investments that we’re making in our energy system? Are we getting value from the tough decisions that this government has made in terms of the Hydro One issue?

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter is, the NDP now have a plan that they want to buy back, for $4 billion, the shares of Hydro One. Where are you going to get the money to pay for the interest—

Interjections.

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

Minister, finish.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker—

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): One sentence.

Hon. Brad Duguid: One sentence: Where are they going to get the money to pay for the public transit that we’re building in Toronto and across the province?

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Back to the Premier: I remember Ed Clark’s words from October 2015, when he said that Hydro One transmission should stay in public hands. The Liberal government announced six months later that they were selling off Hydro One. The Premier has given the public good reason to be cynical and skeptical when it comes to privatization in Ontario’s electricity system. Will the Premier stop subsidizing the sale of public utilities to private investors?

Interjections.

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

Minister?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, that question is more about arcane, outdated political philosophy than it is about running an efficient hydro system. The fact of the matter is, the issue that he is referring to—and I’ll say it again: There are no discussions going on between the province and the city of Toronto about Toronto Hydro. So let’s be very, very clear about that.

At the same time, we have to find ways to build public transit across this province. We have to find ways to build more roads and bridges across this province. The NDP want to go back to the days where we had a huge deficit in infrastructure. We’re not going to do that. We’ve made tough decisions on this side of the House because we know how important it is to the people of Toronto and to the people of Ontario to build transit, to build roads, to build bridges, to build this province up and to make this economy hum. That’s what we’ve mandated ourselves to do and that’s what we’re going to do.

Hydro rates

Ms. Daiene Vernile: My question is for the Minister of Economic Development and Growth. Last week, the government took a momentous step forward in ensuring that clean, reliable energy is affordable for everyone in Ontario. That announcement, the Fair Hydro Plan, is a 25% reduction on average for all households in Ontario. No loopholes, no exceptions; just significant relief for this very important household cost. I know that this announcement will go a long way in helping families in my riding of Kitchener Centre and right across the province of Ontario.

Of course, homeowners are not the only ones in the province who are paying electricity bills. Business owners have also said that they face challenges with their monthly electricity costs. Speaker, would the minister please share with this House in what ways the government’s Fair Hydro Plan is going to help businesses in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Ensuring that electricity is affordable for business is a very important part of maintaining Ontario’s strong economy. Last year, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign called Small Business Too Big to Ignore. It highlighted the importance of small business to Ontario’s economy and some of the challenges they face. Electricity prices were one of those challenges.

I’m pleased to share that the Fair Hydro Plan for Ontario is designed to help on exactly this issue. The 25% reduction applies not only to every household in this province but to tens of thousands of small businesses as well. Everyone who pays time-of-use prices will see this benefit, regardless of whether they’re a home, a farm or a small business. There is no doubt that 25% is a significant savings and will go a long way to ensuring that the cost of doing business in this important sector is still very competitive in Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Daiene Vernile: I’d like to thank the minister for his answer. These reductions in energy bills are getting very positive reactions from Ontarians. All residential electricity customers, farms and small businesses are going to be seeing an average of 25% off their bills. This is the largest electricity price cut in Ontario’s history. Low-income customers and those living in rural areas with the highest delivery charges are going to see even further reductions.

In my riding of Kitchener Centre this past weekend, constituents I ran into at public events and even at the grocery store came up to me to tell me that they welcome the actions our government is taking. Speaker, I’d like to ask the minister: How are these initiatives going to impact the economy here in the province of Ontario?

Hon. Brad Duguid: This government announced a bold but sensible plan to lower electricity rates for households and businesses. All businesses will see a 2% to 4% reduction in their energy costs. Many small businesses will see a 25% reduction. Those medium-sized manufacturing and food processing companies will now qualify for the industrial conservation initiative and that could save them up to about a third of their energy bill.

It’s important to point out, though, Mr. Speaker, that the reason we are able to afford to do this is that the Ontario economy is doing very well. We’re leading the country in job creation. We’re leading the entire G7 in growth. We’ve now created 700 net new jobs since the recession. Our unemployment rate is at an eight-year low. This economic growth has enabled us to make these important investments to lower energy bills.

Speaker, we now have an energy system in the province that is not only clean and reliable, but also affordable.

Energy policies

Mr. Randy Hillier: My question is to the Premier. Premier, a few weeks ago Northland Power’s Kingston Generating Station was forced to close its doors, along with 18 jobs. For 20 years Northland was under contract to the IESO, and their contract ended on January 1. They offered a new contract to sell their power at the very low rate of 5.9 cents per kilowatt hour for another five years, but this government would not purchase this clean, cheap power and they won’t allow Northland to sell directly to other consumers.

Just down the road, in Bath, they’re building a new generating station that has been contracted to sell power at 20 cents per kilowatt hour. Just across the water on Amherst Island, they’re building wind turbines that are contracted at over 20 cents per kilowatt hour.

Why does the Premier insist on shutting down clean, low-cost electrical generating stations and make Ontario buy the most expensive electricity—

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

Premier?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Ironically, the particular contract the member is talking about was signed during the Conservative government. You know what, Mr. Speaker? What that contract did is, it meant that generators did run around the clock, creating excess greenhouse gas emissions and operating at uncompetitive prices.

Under the updated contracts, these facilities will only choose to produce power when they can compete with other forms of generation in Ontario’s electricity market. The replacement contracts will result in ratepayer savings of up to $53 million.

Mr. Steve Clark: That’s hilarious.

Hon. Brad Duguid: They laugh at savings, but that’s how we’re able to continue to drive down energy rates in this province. We’re going to keep working at bringing savings in the energy system, even if the PC—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): The member from Prince Edward–Hastings will come to order. The member from Renfrew, second time. I’m just keeping up my memory of who was heckling.

Supplementary?

Mr. Randy Hillier: Again to the Premier: I will say, Speaker, that that response was nothing but poppycock from the minister. This Premier has stated that she has made mistakes, and that’s clearly an understatement. This latest screw-up demonstrates that the Premier continues to make the same mistakes and has not learned any lessons.

The Premier continues to build expensive, unneeded generating stations while she closes down low-cost existing generating stations. The Premier throws people out of work while increasing the cost of electricity and adds billions to our debt.

Ontario is becoming an energy wasteland under this government: mothballed generating stations, energy poverty, 600,000 consumers who can’t pay their monthly bills, and the Premier’s solution is to turn Ontario into a subprime debtor with multiple subprime loan mortgages.

Speaker, will the Premier commit to ending these generating plants, not only in Bath and Amherst Island, but everywhere in this province?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Speaker, it’s funny. There was a time when the PCs used to talk about trying to cut energy costs. Today, they’re asking question after question about ways to increase costs within the energy system.

We’re not going to apologize for finding savings in our energy system. That’s how we’re able to lower energy rates for the people of this province—a 25% cut in energy rates for every household in this province because we’re doing what we need to do to make our energy system as efficient as we possibly can.

There’s still a lot of work to do. We’re in the process of replacing 80% of the infrastructure in our energy system. We’re well on the way to doing it. We’ve had to expend about $50 billion for the last 10 years to do that—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I know the member wants to listen instead of heckle while he’s hearing the answer. I know.

New question.

Public transit

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Premier. A few weeks ago, Metrolinx provided an update to its fare integration process. Metrolinx is now looking at basing transit fares in the GTA on fare by distance, like a private taxi company. It’s becoming clear that the government’s fare integration process is not about transit service, ridership or the public good. This is about imposing more costs onto riders, especially TTC riders living in places like Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke.

Instead of imposing more costs onto riders, will the Premier restore provincial funding for municipal transit operations, as the city of Toronto and the NDP have proposed?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Transportation.

Hon. Steven Del Duca: I thank the member for the question. I think that member knows that, in fact, what Metrolinx has done is put forward four separate concepts or ideas for the fare integration discussion. I should note that in 2014 the mandate letter I received from the Premier stipulated that moving forward with delivering on fare integration is a critical part of the Ministry of Transportation’s mandate.

I think all members from the greater Toronto and Hamilton area would know that, in fact, providing that notion of integrating the fare system, which is set with respect to the table being set by the Presto fare card fully deployed right across the greater Toronto and Hamilton area—that we are moving towards that fare integration concept.

To the member’s question: That is simply one of four concepts that is being consulted upon. Metrolinx looks forward to getting back with respect to the feedback, and we’ll have an update in coming months.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: This question is again back to the Premier. Because Metrolinx’s fare integration process keeps getting more complicated and more convoluted—the minister will know that. Taxi-style transit fares are about helping the government cut costs by imposing those costs onto the riders who rely on transit most. Riders don’t want complicated fares, where they need a calculator, a ruler and a map to figure out how much it’s going to cost to get to work. They want a simple and affordable fare that lets them travel across the region.

Will the Premier guarantee to put riders and the public interest first, and restore funding for municipal transit operations, as the NDP has proposed, or not? Yes or no?

But really and truly, that member should know, a number of weeks ago, the Premier announced that over the next four years, our government will be doubling the gas tax money that the city of Toronto, all 905 communities and, frankly, nearly 100 communities across the province of Toronto that have transit systems will be receiving. That means that by 2021, the city of Toronto will be receiving approximately $340 million from this government to support the expansion of transit.

Interestingly, the leader of the NDP’s plan to provide transit funding support for Toronto does nothing for the 98 other communities across the province, like Ottawa, like Waterloo, like Vaughan, that have transit systems and need our help as well.

Développement économique / Economic development

M me Nathalie Des Rosiers: Ma question est pour le ministre des Affaires municipales.

Je comprends que le maire d’Ottawa, Jim Watson, est à Queen’s Park aujourd’hui. Il est accompagné d’une délégation impressionnante de l’élite du monde technologique d’Ottawa.

Mayor Watson has been an advocate for municipal affairs as both a mayor and also as a former Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Today, he is speaking with the Premier about local priorities in Ottawa. I know that this is part of an ongoing conversation that our government has with municipalities, including the AMO roundtable and several annual conferences like ROMA and OGRA in which I had an occasion to participate.

Local governments play an important role in our communities, in our day-to-day lives, and I want to salute all the workers around the province who make our communities work better for us, and particularly the workers of Ottawa–Vanier.

Can the Minister of Municipal Affairs elaborate on how as a province we support local priorities and municipal governments?

Hon. Bill Mauro: I want to thank the member very much for the question, and I know the Minister of Economic Development and Growth is going to want to weigh in on the second half of this. I do want to give a shout-out to the mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson, who previously was here in this capacity, my capacity that I now have as the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Jim was responsible in large part for the upload agreement that is now in effect in the province of Ontario that resulted in the province taking significant financial pressure off of the backs of municipalities.

Speaker, I think it bears repeating, when we talk about uploads in our ministry and from our government, that people at the residential property tax base level really understand what this has meant for them over the course of the last 10 or 12 years. We now transfer $4 billion in total financial assistance to all 444 municipalities in the province of Ontario, in some way, shape or form. That, Speaker, is up from $1.1 billion in 2003. Fully $3 billion more is now being transferred to municipalities to provide relief for them at the municipal property tax level.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary? The member from Ottawa South.

Mr. John Fraser: I would like to thank the minister for his answer. I was pleased as well to join with my colleagues this morning as we met with a large delegation of community leaders from Ottawa, led by Mayor Watson and Sir Terry Matthews. This morning, we learned about the groundbreaking work that is being done in 5G networks and autonomous cars in our community. We learned—some of us already knew—that Ottawa is home to the largest technology park in Canada, with some 30,000 employees in 500 companies. We also learned, very interestingly, about the collaborative effort of companies working together as a region to make sure they could stimulate innovation and compete in the world.

Speaker, I know the delegation is meeting with many ministers today, so I would just like to ask the minister if he could speak to our commitment to investing in Ottawa’s technology sector.

Hon. Bill Mauro: The Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I want to thank the member for Ottawa South for that question. I think he had trouble containing his enthusiasm, and I don’t blame him, and when I hear from my colleague next to me here, the Minister of Infrastructure, and they tell us about the exciting things happening in Ottawa, I think we can declare today that there’s a renaissance going on in Ottawa’s tech community that we haven’t seen since the high days of Nortel. It is so, so exciting, Mr. Speaker.

I’m looking forward to meeting with Mayor Watson as well and his very impressive delegation. But I can tell you that Ottawa is fast becoming a leading global innovation hub for exciting, disruptive technologies like 5G and new generation networks, as well as connected autonomous cars. They already are a global leader when it comes to cyber security, and companies like QNX are just knocking the socks off the rest of the world when it comes to connected cars and autonomous cars. That region is alive, healthy and experiencing a renaissance. I’m very proud of that.

Long-term care

Mr. John Yakabuski: My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. The Grove is a 60-bed nursing home in Arnprior, servicing approximately 30,000 residents. Its licences expire in 2025. It must redevelop, but it is not feasible with only 60 bed licences. Without additional licences, the Grove will close, leaving an area with already half the provincial average of beds per 1,000 with no beds at all. On top of that, from May 2015 to May 2016, the Grove saw a 30% increase in its wait-list. The problem is getting worse, not better.

Speaker, the situation is becoming critical. The good news is that Arnprior Regional Health has a redevelopment plan to address this chronic shortage. What they are asking for is for the minister to personally meet with them to discuss their redevelopment plan. Will the minister agree to take the meeting?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I appreciate the question from the member opposite. We’ve actually spoken a number of times about this issue with regard to Arnprior and District Nursing Home, affectionately known as The Grove. He’s been a strong advocate for the redevelopment that they are both eligible for and in the process of undertaking.

It’s important to recognize that this is part of a larger redevelopment of 30,000 long-term-care beds across the province, to bring more than 300 homes up to code so the design standards are appropriate for this day and age.

But with regard to Grove, I have to say that my office has been deeply involved—not just the ministry—both in capital, as well as in the long-term-care division, but my office specifically has held two meetings, had a number of phone calls with the president and CEO of Grove. We believe we’re working collaboratively. We want that collaboration to continue.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Back to the minister: I have well over 1,000 individually signed postcards calling on the minister to act. I will send these down with the page.

Minister, the community sees this as a highest priority project. To be fair, your ministry has been working with Arnprior Regional Health, but no acceptable outcome has been achieved. With an aging population, longer life expectancies and an explosion in rates of dementia and Alzheimer’s, the minister knows that the status quo will not do. A solution must be found. For the good of our seniors and the people of Arnprior, we need the minister to step up.

Speaker, once again—and I hope you’ll answer the question directly, minister—will you commit to personally meeting with Arnprior Regional Health and community leaders to discuss this most important redevelopment plan? Please, meet with the people.

Hon. Eric Hoskins: I was looking for something that would help to make it easier, so I don’t have to look down.

I appreciate receiving—from any member, Mr. Speaker—postcards and petitions and information that allow me to understand the level of community support. There’s no doubt, when it comes to The Grove, that this is such a well-respected and loved home for so many of the seniors in that part of our province.

I believe Eric Hanna, who’s president and CEO of Arnprior Regional Health, which is the operator of the long-term-care home, would agree with me in saying that we are working very closely, extremely collaboratively as well. As I referenced, my office is directly involved through meetings, through phone calls to the ministry—through two divisions within the ministry as well.

Of course, if it’s necessary to have additional meetings, including with myself, in order to reach the accommodation that I think we all share in terms of this redevelopment, I’m prepared to do that.

Hydro rates

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. On Saturday, I met with Mayor Ted Hicks of Desbarats. Mayor Hicks told me he fears having to close his community’s arena due to hydro bills so out of control that they now account for 40% of his operating costs. The next generation will lose out if the Desbarats rink collapses under the weight of the Liberal government’s out-of-control hydro bills.

Why won’t the Premier prioritize places like Desbarats Arena and the families that use it instead of coming up with a plan that puts $40 billion in the pockets of a few of her well-connected banker friends?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Economic Development and Growth.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Last week, we put out a plan that’s going to save every household in this province 25% off their energy bills, as well as small businesses, as well as farms. We’re very proud of that plan.

Also about a week ago, the NDP came out with something they called a plan that people dissed as something that wasn’t even close to sensible or a plan at all. In fact, their plan relied only on federal generosity and future expert panels with nothing concrete at all as to how they would actually reduce energy costs, with nothing concrete at all as to how they would bring down energy prices.

Our plan has substance. Our plan is bold. Our plan reduces energy rates by 25% across this province, and we’re very, very proud of that plan.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I don’t think I’ve ever heard anything more ridiculous in this House, Speaker.

Nonetheless, it isn’t just the mayor of Desbarats who’s worried for his community hub. I’ve met with leaders and mayors from Echo Bay, Bruce Mines, Hilton Beach, St. Joseph and Batchewana First Nation, and all of them told me how families and community spaces in their towns are struggling to keep up with astronomically high hydro bills.

Why doesn’t this Premier understand that these leaders need more from her than a plan that puts $40 billion into the pockets of bankers on Bay Street and ignores real, long-term solutions that could help people now, and make sure that the next generation isn’t thrown right back into this mess?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Mr. Speaker, at the end of the day, when you look at our record of supporting our municipalities, it is unprecedented. When you look at the infrastructure investments that we’ve made with our municipalities in some of those areas that the member is talking about—unprecedented.

We’re investing $160 billion in infrastructure over the next 12 years. That’s a significant impact on our municipalities and all the services that they provide. We’ve uploaded billions of dollars from the municipal tax rolls to help our municipalities thrive and benefit.

When the member says that we’re not helping municipalities, she is dead wrong. We’re there for municipalities, we’ll always be there for municipalities, and we’ll continue to be in the future.

Public transit

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: My question is for the Minister of Transportation. Speaker, 2016 was an exciting year for transit in Barrie. In August, I welcomed the Premier and the Prime Minister to my community to announce the new Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund. This joint funding from our government and the federal government is helping Barrie expand its bus fleet and provide better service in our community. In December, the Minister of Transportation joined me for another exciting announcement: new weekend and holiday GO service to Barrie.

But I know that there’s more that we can do to make sure Barrie’s transit network is meeting the needs of our community for today and for tomorrow. Will the minister please provide an update on what else the government is doing to support transit in my community of Barrie?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: Of course, I want to begin by saying to this House, to everybody watching at home, that the member from Barrie is such an extraordinary champion for her community. She has literally held my feet to the fire to make sure that, not just this year but for the next 10 years and beyond, we continue to make critical investments into transit that that fast-growing community needs. I applaud that member for being an outstanding champion.

She’s 100% right. Whether we’re talking about extending weekend and holiday service year-round on the Barrie GO line, whether we’re talking about critical highway infrastructure projects around the widening of Highway 400, or whether we’re talking about what I referenced just a few minutes ago in this House: the fact that, over the next four years, because of Premier Wynne’s leadership, we are going to be doubling the gas tax money specifically for Barrie.

That means that, by 2021-22, Barrie can expect to receive approximately $4 million, buying more buses, providing more service for more families in more neighbourhoods, thanks to our Premier and the member from Barrie for championing her community.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary?

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: Thanks to the minister for that answer. When I talk to members of my community, one thing that always comes across loud and clear is that they’re looking for improved transit options. I recently heard from a community member who’s a single parent without a car. Each and every day, they depend on Barrie Transit to move between work, their child’s school, the grocery store and eventually back home. That’s stressful, even if you do have a car.

But I know this story isn’t unique, and that any improvements that makes these daily tasks easier for members of my community is a worthwhile investment. Mr. Speaker, will the minister please explain how the new gas tax funding will improve transit in Barrie and other communities across this province?

Hon. Steven Del Duca: Again, I thank that member for her follow-up question. I think everybody here knows that, when our government collects gas tax monies from across the province, we currently allocate two cents of what we collect out to municipalities. Over the next four years, that two cents will move up to four cents incrementally.

Here’s the best news for people in Barrie and right across Ontario: That additional four cents of the gas tax that we’re allocating to Barrie and the 98 other communities that have transit systems will not place any additional burden on people in this province, Speaker. We are not increasing the gas tax. We are simply showing the leadership to support transit by allocating more of the money that we already collect.

In Barrie, again, that means more buses potentially providing more transit service to more families in more neighbourhoods, which is exceedingly exciting for that member, for her community, for her mayor, and for so many others.

I would certainly hope that members in both the Conservative caucus and the NDP caucus would understand that this is an enlightened approach to expanding transit to every corner of Ontario—

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

New question.

Ring of Fire

Mr. Norm Miller: My question is to the Premier. The current government has been in power since the Ring of Fire was first discovered. At various points in the past five years, this government has been quick to try to take credit, but to date we are still waiting for a mine to open in the region.

Noront is ready to get a nickel mine up and running with an eye to future expansion. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce estimates that 5,500 jobs will be created if the project is brought into production.

Speaker, I’ve asked this question repeatedly over the past three years: Will this government finally take a leadership role that will make the Ring of Fire a reality in Ontario?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Minister of Northern Development and Mines.

Hon. Bill Mauro: Speaker, thank you very much for the question. I understand why the member would ask it today. The PDAC conference is currently on here in Toronto. I want to give a big shout-out before I respond to the member. We had a great Ontario reception last night down at Steam Whistle. It was a great event.

I would say—and the reason I reference that, Speaker—that when I was there, I had an opportunity to speak with Noront. While I would not necessarily characterize their position right now—what would be the language best to describe it? I would say they’re optimistic. I had, I’d say, at least 15 minutes with the principal from Noront last night. There’s more that I can add in the supplementary, but they do see a path forward. I had a great opportunity to spend some time talking to the principal from Noront last night. We’re very happy with where this is at right now.

We understand there’s more work to be done, Speaker. We’re committed to it. They know we’ve got $1 billion on the table. We’re committed to the work, and I look forward to working further on this file in the weeks and months ahead.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Supplementary.

Mr. Norm Miller: Again to the Premier: Speaker, the minister continues to insist that progress is being made. Unfortunately we are still waiting for evidence of those claims. When is someone over there going to make some decisions to move things forward?

The known deposits in the region could sustain producing mines in the region for over 100 years.

In the mandate letter to the minister from this past September, roadwork to upgrade existing infrastructure and connect the Ring of Fire is to commence. Speaker, does the Premier plan to meet this important target or simply continue to make promises until after the 2018 election?

Hon. Bill Mauro: Yes, in fact, progress is being made. If the member opposite and the parties opposite want to speak about progress in mining in the province of Ontario in the context of only one project, then that will be what they can do.

What we can do on this side of the House is talk about the fact that currently in Ontario, there are three other mines under construction in the province. But they want to spend their time focusing on one. There’s one not too far from my home community of Thunder Bay called the New Gold project. Speaker, right now it’s under construction and 600 people are working on a construction site. When that mine is open for the next 10, 20 or 30 years of its life, there are going to be 450 people working in that mine. And that is not the only mine that is under construction right now in the province of Ontario.

Mineral exploration activity in the province of Ontario is climbing after two down years. Global demand is coming back up. The price is coming back up. Exploration activity in Ontario is going up. There’s good news on the front, but they just want to focus on one particular project.

Interjections.

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

Mr. John Yakabuski: Add Bill Mauro’s name to the list. He wants on the list, too.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Even before a vote, it’s never too late to be asked to leave.

The member from Leeds–Grenville on a point of order.

Mr. Steve Clark: Yes, a point of order, Speaker: I would like to introduce and acknowledge the birthday of a very special staff person in our legislative affairs team, Cody Welton. Happy birthday, Cody.

Visitor

Mr. Arthur Potts: A point of order: My apologies; I just recognized a constituent in the public gallery, Steven Crombie. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Correction of record

Hon. Brad Duguid: I just want to correct my record. I was told I said that we’ve created 700 jobs since the recession. It’s 700,000 jobs, Mr. Speaker.

Deferred Votes

School Boards Collective Bargaining Amendment Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 modifiant la

Loi sur la négociation collective dans les conseils scolaires

Deferred vote on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 92,

An Act to amend the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 and make related amendments to other statutes / Projet de loi 92, Loi modifiant la Loi de 2014 sur la négociation collective dans les conseils scolaires et apportant des modifications connexes à d’autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1200 to 1205.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): On February 23, 2017, Ms. Hunter moved second reading of Bill 92,

An Act to amend the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 and make related amendments to other statutes. All those in favour, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Albanese, Laura

Anderson, Granville

Arnott, Ted

Bailey, Robert

Baker, Yvan

Ballard, Chris

Barrett, Toby

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bradley, James J.

Brown, Patrick

Chan, Michael

Chiarelli, Bob

Cho, Raymond Sung Joon

Clark, Steve

Coe, Lorne

Colle, Mike

Coteau, Michael

Crack, Grant

Damerla, Dipika

Del Duca, Steven

Delaney, Bob

Des Rosiers, Nathalie

Dhillon, Vic

Dickson, Joe

Dong, Han

Duguid, Brad

Fedeli, Victor

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fraser, John

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoggarth, Ann

Hoskins, Eric

Hunter, Mitzie

Jones, Sylvia

Kiwala, Sophie

Kwinter, Monte

Lalonde, Marie-France

Leal, Jeff

MacCharles, Tracy

MacLaren, Jack

Malhi, Harinder

Mangat, Amrit

Martins, Cristina

Martow, Gila

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McDonell, Jim

McGarry, Kathryn

McMahon, Eleanor

McMeekin, Ted

Milczyn, Peter Z.

Miller, Norm

Munro, Julia

Murray, Glen R.

Naidoo-Harris, Indira

Naqvi, Yasir

Nicholls, Rick

Pettapiece, Randy

Potts, Arthur

Qaadri, Shafiq

Rinaldi, Lou

Sandals, Liz

Scott, Laurie

Smith, Todd

Sousa, Charles

Takhar, Harinder S.

Vernile, Daiene

Walker, Bill

Wilson, Jim

Wong, Soo

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Yurek, Jeff

Zimmer, David

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Armstrong, Teresa J.

Bisson, Gilles

DiNovo, Cheri

Fife, Catherine

Forster, Cindy

French, Jennifer K.

Gates, Wayne

Gélinas, France

Gretzky, Lisa

Hatfield, Percy

Horwath, Andrea

Mantha, Michael

Sattler, Peggy

Singh, Jagmeet

Tabuns, Peter

Taylor, Monique

Vanthof, John

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Todd Decker): The ayes are 74; the nays are 17.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): I declare the motion carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Speaker (Hon. Dave Levac): Pursuant to the order of the House dated March 2, 2017, the bill is now referred to the Standing Committee on General Government.

There being no further deferred votes, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1209 to 1300.

Members’ Statements

STEAM Centre

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d like to take this opportunity to highlight the STEAM Centre, which is located in St. Thomas. STEAM is an acronym that stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math. The mission of the STEAM Centre is to empower all learners and makers to create the future through play, ingenuity and exploration, using the science and math tools they have acquired.

The centre delivers a comprehensive educational model focused on developing the creativity and problem-solving that is necessary to explore ideas and foster growth. The STEAM Centre creates innovative curriculums for teachers and provides workshops for all ages and learners. They also provide a collaborative space where the public can access 3D printing, computer numerical controls and other STEAM tools to work on projects and activities.

The centre has countless programs for youth, adults and educators. There’s a variety of workshops for youth such as day camps, summer camps, kids coding, kid roboteers, 3D printing and design classes, and teen videogame coding and design. The learning doesn’t stop there. They also offer a variety of workshops for adults as well.

With the increasing need for science, math and technology skills across the province today, the STEAM Centre is a terrific asset to our community. Thanks to the partnership of the Thames Valley District School Board, the city of St. Thomas and the Dorothy Palmer estate, which has given millions of dollars throughout our community, St. Thomas Elgin is proud to call this education centre home.

Health care funding

Ms. Peggy Sattler: On October 19, 2016, the Minister of Health was asked why the people of London must wait longer for orthopaedic surgery than other Ontarians. He said, “I am working with the South West LHIN, with the hospitals involved in the London area as well, and I expect in the very near future we will have arrived at a solution.”

Well, Speaker, five months later, wait times in London are still unacceptably long. My office continues to be inundated with complaints from people who are waiting months and even years for surgery. The ministry’s own wait times website shows that Londoners wait 35% longer than the provincial average, and that’s after their initial consultation, which often takes months to secure.

It is clear that wait times in London are not a priority for this government. Underfunding and arbitrary caps on the number of surgeries that can be performed have resulted in specialists closing their offices even as hospital operating rooms sit empty.

We are at a critical moment. If the minister will not take action, I will. Earlier this year, I wrote to the Patient Ombudsman to urge an investigation by her office, presenting her with a long list of examples of Londoners who are suffering. Whether she investigates or not, you can be sure that I will continue to raise this issue in the Legislature. My constituents deserve more than empty promises; they deserve real solutions.

MultiFair 2017

Mr. Peter Z. Milczyn: Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Multicultural Canadian Fair and Trade Show 2017, organized by the Young Professional and Skilled Workers Association in Etobicoke–Lakeshore. This is a not-for-profit, community-based organization in south Etobicoke which offers young professionals from different ethnic communities and skilled workers and apprentices throughout the GTA opportunities to network, socialize and expand their professional horizons.

The sold-out Canadian fair and trade show brought together culture, arts and various ethnic organizations and businesses for a day of networking and understanding.

The fair also celebrated the contributions of multicultural leaders and their organizations towards the success of a diverse social and business environment here in Ontario. I enjoyed meeting a variety of the exhibitors, from Humber College to the various international chambers of commerce and local businesses. I also had the opportunity to participate in a panel discussion focusing on the best practices for how business could engage with different levels of government.

Mr. Speaker, a trade show is one of the best ways to highlight various organizations and groups and stimulate networking among them. The goals of this particular event were to improve networking, especially among multicultural groups, and ensure that there are more business opportunities for all Ontarians. I want to congratulate the members of the Young Professionals and Skilled Workers Association for organizing such a successful event, and I look forward to their event in 2018.

Lambton College

Mr. Robert Bailey: One of the seminal moments in the history of our great province was the creation of the provincial college system in 1965 by the Progressive Conservative government and the then Minister of Education, the Honourable William G. Davis. As a result, on April 5, 2017, Lambton College in my riding of Sarnia–Lambton will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Established in 1966 and the second-oldest college in Ontario, Lambton College began with just four programs and 54 students at the original Bluewater campus.

Today, Lambton College offers more than 90 diploma, certificate and degree programs and is globally recognized as a post-secondary leader in education, training and research. In fact, Lambton College was recently named the top research college in Ontario by RE$EARCH Infosource Inc.

In honour of its semi-centennial anniversary, Lambton College will be hosting the president’s gala on May 13 in Sarnia. Among the guests that evening will be keynote speaker Canadian funnyman Rick Mercer, and the Honourable William G. Davis, former Premier and Minister of Education for the province of Ontario. Mr. Davis actually laid the cornerstone of the college’s main building at an event in 1970. It will be a special moment for Lambton College and one I look forward to celebrating with them.

Congratulations to all the staff and students of Lambton College on your golden anniversary. There’s no doubt in my mind this anniversary is just the start of something amazing.

Employment standards

Mr. Jagmeet Singh: The reality in this province is that far too many workers are forced to work through temporary job agencies. They cannot find permanent employment in this province. The problem isn’t that a temporary job agency connects workers with employment. The problem is that people working through these temporary agencies are often seeing their salaries clawed back, and as much as 40% of their salary is clawed back by the temporary agency. Mr. Speaker, this is simply unfair.

On top of that, workers who work through a temporary job agency do not receive benefits. This is unacceptable. This Liberal government has known about this problem for years. For over a decade, they have allowed this problem to not only continue but to flourish. It is simply unacceptable that people working beside a fellow colleague do not receive equal pay for equal work. That’s why I am calling on this government to ensure that this policy, this practice that is so hurtful, does not continue.

We need to ensure that we have a province where workers receive equal pay for equal work. If you are working through a temporary job agency, you should not see any of your pay clawed back. In addition, you should receive full benefits. That is a minimum. That is a requirement that we should have in this province. I call on this government to implement a policy to ensure that people receive the fairness that they deserve.

Hydro rates

Ms. Harinder Malhi: Over the course of this weekend, I had the opportunity to talk to many of my neighbours and friends in Brampton–Springdale, and they are all so excited about the new electricity bill reduction of 25% that they will be seeing in the summer. Many small businesses will benefit from this cut as a part of the fair hydro plan that has been announced by Premier Wynne and Minister Thibeault this week. Bills won’t increase beyond the rate of inflation for at least four years. We are bringing hydro rates down by 25% and fixing the system’s structure. It is better for Ontarians, it is better for Ontario and it is more fair for families.

Since the announcement last week, residents from other parts of the region of Peel that I have met at events that I attended all wanted to discuss this great new reduction, and they are looking forward to seeing this reduction on their bills.

We all understand that electricity is a necessity, and that’s why we’re working to make it more fair and affordable for Ontarians. By fixing problems in the system, we will be able to provide every residential customer in Ontario with an average of 25% off their bill. People who live in eligible rural communities and those with low incomes will see even more reductions in their electricity bills. Now available to even more low-income electricity consumers, consumers are able to apply online to receive $360 to $425 off per year on their bills through the OESP.

Taken together, these changes will deliver the single largest reduction to electricity rates in Ontario’s history. All residents are able to find out how much they will save on their monthly electricity bill and learn more about programs and tax credits to help lower their bill.

City of Toronto

Mr. Jack MacLaren: Today we celebrate the 183rd anniversary of the incorporation of the city of Toronto.

Of course, Toronto is a little bit older than that. The Wyandot people were perhaps the first to live in the area of Toronto. They had a settlement on the banks of the Humber River. In 1750, the French established a trading post on the site of what are now the Exhibition grounds in Toronto. Not long after that, French North America was conquered by the British, and the site of Toronto became the capital of the province of Upper Canada.

Since then, Toronto has always had an important role in Canadian history. Toronto welcomed the Loyalists fleeing persecution after the American Revolution. Toronto survived the War of 1812. The Rebellions of 1837 failed to shake Canadians’ attachment to the crown. And Sir John A. Macdonald’s vision of a transcontinental parliamentary monarchy was first developed in Toronto.

When the writer Charles Dickens toured British North America in the 1840s, he found Toronto a vibrant and exciting place. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century, Toronto is one of the most populous and dynamic cities in North America.

Here’s to many more centuries of greatness, and happy birthday to Toronto.

Our Canada mosaic

Ms. Ann Hoggarth: A few months ago, Pat Guinn from the BaySide Artists approached me with a wonderful and creative idea to help celebrate our nation’s 150th birthday. These artists created an exhibit entitled Our Canada, an impressive piece which dominates every wall it occupies. The mosaic consists of 16 12-by-12-inch paintings. Each tile tells its own story about a specific person or landscape. When viewed together, the piece conveys a moving statement about the journey of our great nation from 1867 to today.

One of the inspirational people seen in the mosaic is Terry Fox. There’s a special local connection to Terry. Thirty-seven years ago, he made his way through Barrie on his Marathon of Hope to raise funds for cancer research. On October 13, 1980, our city became the first in the nation to host the Terry Fox Run in his memory and encouraged other cities to do so.

Other paintings in the mosaic recognize Nellie McClung, Roberta Bondar, and lines from John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.

After it having been showcased from Springwater all the way to Milton, I am fortunate to have the BaySide Artists hang this beautiful mosaic in my constituency office for the month of March. I would like to invite all members to visit my office in Barrie to see this magnificent piece of art and to celebrate Ontario150 with team Hoggarth.

Congratulations to the BaySide Artists on a magnificent tribute to Canada’s history.

Tobacco growers

Mr. Toby Barrett: Ontario’s tobacco growers are fed up with government’s mismanagement of the industry.

In 2015, the Ontario government took over the former tobacco board’s licensing duties, and today the Ministry of Finance has the authority to directly hand out licences to growers and buyers, rather than the board acting as the agent. The ministry also has the right to attend a tobacco farm to conduct surprise inspections. As a result, growers feel like criminals, because this is the government’s strategy on illegal tobacco, and they do ask the Minister of Finance and the Premier to stop picking the low-hanging fruit. The majority of tobacco farmers are hard-working, law-abiding citizens. They want to be left alone to farm.

Prior to Christmas, many growers were hit with a $2,500 fine for overplanting, and, without the details, this government would know those fines are unjust.

A few weeks ago, the Ministry of Finance held an information session with growers. The meeting was long overdue. They expressed that the ministry is making up rules on the fly and that those rules change depending on who shows up to inspect their farm.

Tobacco growers are not bureaucrats. They are not criminals. Government has allowed contraband to spiral out of control. It’s up to all of us to identify illegal tobacco as a problem and to fix it.

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

Introduction of Bills

Honouring our Veterans Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 rendant hommage à nos anciens combattants

Mr. MacLaren moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 100,

An Act respecting identification for veterans / Projet de loi 100, Loi concernant l’identification des anciens combattants.

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.

Mr. Jack MacLaren: This bill enacts the Honouring our Veterans Act, 2017. The act provides that an individual may request to be identified as a veteran on his or her driver’s licence or photo card. It means that the word “veteran,” highlighted with a bright yellow band, would be on a driver’s licence to identify veterans out of respect for their service to this country.

Petitions

School closures

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

“Whereas under the current Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG), one in eight Ontario schools is at risk of closure; and

“Whereas the value of a school to the local economy and community has been removed from the PARG; and

“Whereas the PARG outlines consultation requirements that are insufficient to allow for meaningful community involvement, including the establishment of community hubs; and

“Whereas school closures have a significant negative impact on families and their children, resulting in inequitable access to extracurricular activities and other essential school involvement, and after-school work opportunities; and

“Whereas school closures have devastating impacts on the growth and overall viability of communities across Ontario, in particular self-sustaining agricultural communities;

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

“To place a moratorium on all school closures across Ontario and to suspend all pupil accommodation reviews until the PARG has been subject to a substantive review by an all-party committee that will examine the effects of extensive school closures on the health of our communities and children.”

I fully support this, and will affix my name and send it with page McGowan.

Grandview Children’s Centre

Ms. Jennifer K. French: I have a petition here from the folks in Oshawa and across Durham region.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Grandview Children’s Centre is Durham region’s only outpatient rehabilitation facility for children and youth with special needs; and

“Whereas Grandview Children’s Centre’s main facility was originally constructed in 1983 to serve 400 children and now has a demand of over 8,000 children annually; and

“Whereas growth has resulted in the need for lease locations leading to inefficient and fragmented care delivery; and

“Whereas it is crucial for Grandview Children’s Centre to complete a major development project to construct a new facility in order to meet the existing as well as future needs of Durham region’s children, youth and families; and

“Whereas in 2009 Grandview Children’s Centre submitted a capital development plan to the province to construct a new facility; and

“Whereas in 2016 the town of Ajax donated a parcel of land on which to build the new Grandview; and

“Whereas the Grandview foundation has raised over $8 million; and

“Whereas since 2009 the need for services has continued to increase, with over 2,753 children, youth and families currently on the wait-list for services;

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

“That the province of Ontario prioritizes, commits to and approves Grandview Children’s Centre’s capital development plan so that the chronic shortage of facilities in Durham can be alleviated.”

I wholeheartedly support this, affix my name to it and will send it with page Luca.

Hydro rates

Ms. Harinder Malhi: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas electricity prices have increased and in too many cases become unaffordable for Ontarians;

“Whereas Ontario is a prosperous province and people should never have to choose between hydro and other daily necessities;...

“Whereas the Ontario fair hydro plan would reduce hydro bills for residential consumers, small businesses and farms by an average of 25% as part of a significant system restructuring, with increases held to the rate of inflation for the next four years;

“Whereas the Ontario fair hydro plan would provide people with low incomes and those living in rural communities with even greater reductions to their electricity bills;

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

“Support the Ontario fair hydro plan and provide relief for Ontario electricity consumers as quickly as possible;

“Continue working to ensure clean, reliable and affordable electricity is available for all Ontarians.”

I will sign my name to this petition and hand it over to Azaria.

Anti-smoking initiatives for youth

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: I have a petition delivered to me by Lyndsay O’Donnell of public health unit Stratford, and Nicki Van Bakel and Rachel Klaver, a couple of young students in Stratford.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas in the past 10 years in Ontario, 86% of all movies with on-screen smoking were rated for youth;

“The tobacco industry has a long, well-documented history of promoting tobacco use on-screen;

“A scientific report released by the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit estimated that 185,000 children in Ontario today will be recruited to smoking by exposure to on-screen smoking;

“More the 59,000 will eventually die from tobacco-related cancers, strokes, heart disease and emphysema, incurring at least $1.1 billion in health care costs; and

“Whereas an adult rating (18A) for movies that promote on-screen tobacco in Ontario would save at least 30,000 lives and half a billion health care dollars;

“The Ontario government has a stated goal to achieve the lowest smoking rates in Canada;

“79% of Ontarians support not allowing smoking in movies rated G, PG, 14A (increased from 73% in 2011);

“The Minister of Government and Consumer Services has the authority to amend the regulations of the Film Classification Act via cabinet;

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

“To request the Standing Committee on Government Agencies examine the ways in which the regulations of the Film Classification Act could be amended to reduce smoking in youth-rated films released in Ontario;

“That the committee report back on its findings to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and that the Minister of Government and Consumer Services prepare a response.”

Komoka Provincial Park

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition signed by citizens of London and the surrounding area, bringing the total number of signatures to over 1,500. The petition is entitled “Remove the new fees from Komoka Provincial Park.”

“Whereas Komoka Provincial Park has long served residents and visitors to London, offering free access to beautiful views and numerous recreational hiking trails; and

“Whereas evidence has shown that access to the natural environment helps to reduce stress, improve mental well-being, and lower risks for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and cancer; and

“Whereas new parking fees ranging from $5.75 to $14.50 for daily use of Komoka Provincial Park have been imposed without consultation and without additional amenities to justify the new costs, appearing to be simply a cash grab by the Liberal government; and

“Whereas the lack of bike lanes and bus routes connecting Komoka Provincial Park to London, and the prohibition on roadside parking, requires almost all visitors to drive to the park and pay to park their vehicles; and

“Whereas the new fees are likely to decrease park visits with negative consequences for community health and well-being;

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

“That the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry eliminate the parking fees introduced in August 2016 to ensure that Komoka Provincial Park remains accessible to residents of the city of London and all Ontarians.”

I fully support this petition, affix my name and will give it to page Benjamin.

Nanjing Massacre

Ms. Soo Wong: I have a petition addressed to the Legislative Assembly, and I want to thank the constituents from Brampton, Hamilton, Guelph, Kitchener, Mississauga and Sarnia.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the events in Asian countries during World War II are not well-known;

“Whereas Ontarians have not had an opportunity for a thorough discussion and examination of the World War II atrocities in Asia;

“Whereas Ontarians are unfamiliar with the World War II atrocities in Asia;

“Whereas Ontario is recognized as an inclusive society;

“Whereas Ontario is the home to one of the largest Asian populations in Canada, with over 2.6 million in 2011;

“Whereas some Ontarians have direct relationships with victims and survivors of the Nanjing Massacre, whose stories are untold;

“Whereas the Nanjing Massacre was an atrocity with over 200,000 Chinese civilians and soldiers alike were indiscriminately killed, and tens of thousands of women were sexually assaulted, in the Japanese capture of the city;

“Whereas December 13, 2017, marks the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre;

“Whereas designating December 13th in each year as the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day in Ontario will provide an opportunity for all Ontarians, especially the Asian community, to gather, remember, and honour the victims and families affected by the Nanjing Massacre;

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

“That the Legislature pass the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day Act, 2016 by December 8, 2017, to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Nanjing Massacre, which will enable Ontarians, especially those with Asian heritage, to plan commemorative activities to honour the victims and families affected by the Nanjing Massacre.”

Mr. Speaker, I fully support the petition, and I give it to page Sophie.

Hydro rates

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

“Whereas household electricity bills have skyrocketed by 56% and electricity rates have tripled as a result of the Liberal government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Whereas the billion-dollar gas plants cancellation, wasteful and unaccountable spending at Ontario Power Generation and the unaffordable subsidies in the Green Energy Act will result in electricity bills climbing by another 35% by 2017 and 45% by 2020; and

“Whereas the Liberal government wasted $2 billion on the flawed smart meter program; and

“Whereas the recent announcement to implement the Ontario Electricity Support Program will see average household hydro bills increase an additional $137 per year starting in 2016; and

“Whereas the soaring cost of electricity is straining family budgets, and hurting the ability of manufacturers and small businesses in the province to compete and create new jobs; and

“Whereas home heating and electricity are a necessity for families in Ontario who cannot afford to continue footing the bill for the government’s mismanagement of the energy sector;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario” as follows: “To immediately implement policies ensuring Ontario’s power consumers, including families, farmers and employers, have affordable and reliable electricity.”

I fully support it and will affix my name and send it with page McGowan again.

School closures

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from all over my riding. I’d like to thank Darryl Taylor from Garson. It reads as follows:

“Whereas under the current Pupil Accommodation Review Guideline (PARG), one in eight Ontario schools is at risk of closure; and

“Whereas the value of a school to the local economy and community has been removed from the PARG; and

“Whereas the PARG outlines consultation requirements that are insufficient to allow for meaningful community involvement, including the establishment of community hubs; and

“Whereas school closures have a significant negative impact on families and their children, resulting in inequitable access to extracurricular activities and other essential school involvement, and after-school work opportunities; and

“Whereas school closures have devastating impacts on the growth and overall viability of communities across Ontario, in particular self-sustaining agricultural communities;”

They “petition the Legislative Assembly....

“To place an immediate moratorium on all school closures across Ontario and to suspend all pupil accommodation reviews until the PARG has been subject to a substantive review by an all-party committee that will examine the effects of extensive school closures on the health of our communities and children.”

I am happy to sign this petition, and will ask my good page Ismael to bring it to the Clerk.

Hydro rates

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Ted Arnott): The member for Beaches–East York.

Mr. Arthur Potts: Thank you, new Speaker. I’m delighted to have you in the chair.

I have a petition here which I know all members opposite will be very supportive of.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas electricity prices have increased and in too many cases become unaffordable for Ontarians;

“Whereas Ontario is a prosperous province and people should never have to choose between hydro and other daily necessities;

“Whereas people want to know that hydro rate relief is on the way; that relief will go to everyone; and that relief will be lasting because it is built on significant change;

“Whereas the Ontario fair hydro plan would reduce hydro bills for residential consumers, small businesses and farms by an average of 25% as part of a significant system restructuring, with increases held to the rate of inflation for the next four years;

“Whereas the Ontario fair hydro plan would provide people with low incomes and those living in rural communities with even greater reductions to their electricity bills;

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

“Support the Ontario fair hydro plan and provide relief for Ontario electricity consumers as quickly as possible;

“Continue working to ensure clean, reliable and affordable electricity is available for all Ontarians.”

I agree with this petition and will leave it with page Radin.

Primary health care

Mr. Jeff Yurek: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Ontario government needs to strengthen primary care as the foundation of the health care system to achieve health system transformation goals of Patients First; and

“Whereas research shows that interprofessional primary health care delivers better outcomes for people and better value for money; and

“Whereas an investment in primary care will help address recruitment and retention challenges, build strong interprofessional primary care teams and ensure high-quality people-centred primary health care delivery in Ontario; and

“Whereas over 7,500 staff in over 400 community health centres, family health teams, aboriginal health access centres and nurse practitioner-led clinics are being paid below rates recommended in 2012 and as a result are facing challenges recruiting and retaining health providers, including nurse practitioners, dietitians, registered nurses, health promoters and managers;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to invest in interprofessional primary health care teams with a commitment of $130 million annualized, with an implementation plan over two years, to ensure interprofessional primary health care teams can effectively retain and recruit staff.”

I affix my signature to these petitions.

Municipal restructuring

Mr. John Vanthof: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

“Whereas the amalgamation of Scadding and Rathburn townships into the city of Greater Sudbury has separated and divided an existing community established in 1955 under a service roads board. We were a proud, vibrant, safe community. Reunite us and we can be that again;

“Whereas this forced amalgamation resulted in the main access, Kukagami Lake Road, being maintained in sections by different entities. This results in different standards, which often results in unsafe conditions and concerns for people travelling this road. We are physically isolated from the city of Greater Sudbury by 17 kilometres; we leave the city, travel through Markstay-Warren and a

section of roads board before re-entering the city. We are in a wilderness rural area, not an urban setting, which is not conducive to being amalgamated into a city;

“Whereas we are in the provincial riding of Timiskaming–Cochrane not Sudbury or Nickel Belt;

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

“To direct the Minister of Municipal Affairs to consider a request that the townships of Scadding and Rathburn be removed from the city of Greater Sudbury.”

I agree with the thousand people who have signed this petition, sign my signature and send it with page Quinn.

Orders of the Day

Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act, 2017 / Loi de 2017 sur le soutien à l’enfance, à la jeunesse et à la famille

Resuming the debate adjourned on March 1, 2017, on the motion for second reading of the following bill:

Bill 89,

An Act to enact the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, to amend and repeal the Child and Family Services Act and to make related amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 89, Loi édictant la Loi de 2017 sur les services à l’enfance, à la jeunesse et à la famille, modifiant et abrogeant la

Loi sur les services à l’enfance et à la famille et apportant des modifications connexes à d’autres lois.

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

Miss Monique Taylor: I’m pleased to rise today as the NDP critic for children and youth services and deliver our lead on this important piece of legislation, Bill 89, the Supporting Children, Youth and Families Act.

I have stood in this place on many occasions to raise concerns about what is happening in Ontario and why we try to provide the best possible start to life for the children and youth of our province. In many of those cases, challenges lay within the Child and Family Services Act, whether they be in child welfare, children’s mental health or youth justice. So I’m pleased to see this bill being brought forward so that we might debate it and give it a thorough review with public input at committee.

It isn’t often that

an act as extensive as the Child and Family Services Act, a bill that has enormous ramifications for our future as a province and, in particular, the future for some of our most vulnerable citizens, gets thrown out and replaced with a complete new act. If our child protection system is going to work, if it is going to do what it has to do for children and families, it must have the confidence of the public.

Several events over the past number of years have caused that confidence to waver, to the extent that even the Premier contemplated blowing up the system. This new legislation is not the result of blowing up the system; far from it. Much of the language used in the new Child, Youth and Family Services Act comes directly from the existing act. But it is a new act, and it is important that we get it right.

I’ll say right off the top that I am pleased to see some important foundational principles that are set out in the act. First and foremost, I was pleased to see that within the first few lines it states, “Service provided to children and families should be child-centred.” This, of course, was the central part of Katelynn’s Principle, which was recommended by the jury in the coroner’s inquest into the tragic death of young Katelynn Sampson, and also formed the content and provided the name of my recent private member’s bill, Bill 57.

When Bill 89 was introduced back in December, the government made mention of it being consistent with Katelynn’s Principle, but I note there is no reference to Katelynn’s Principle in the act, and I will talk more about that point later in my speech. Nonetheless, I am pleased to see it recognized that children should be at the centre of decisions being made affecting them, and that they should have input into those decisions.

I am pleased to see that language has been modernized to reflect the times we live in and to respect the children, families and communities served by the system, language that strives to ensure that the many facets and characteristics of Ontario’s diverse children and youth are given full consideration in the provision of services.

I am pleased to see more stringent accountability measures being put into place. I am pleased that protection will now be extended to 16- and 17-year-olds. I am pleased that rules are proposed regarding the collection and use of data, and also that individuals can access their personal information held on them at no cost. So there are definitely good steps forward with this bill.

Ontario New Democrats support any initiative that aims to keep children and youth safe and provide them and their families with the services and support that they need to reach their full potential. But I want to be clear: We certainly have some concerns with the bill as it is presented.

First, and I have heard this from a broad range of stakeholders in the sector, many of the provisions laid out in the bill are severely lacking in detail, details that are important for us to understand exactly how these provisions will be implemented, details that will inform us on how the act will impact the operation of service providers and, more importantly, the lives of children and youth.

All of these will be prescribed in regulations. Regulations that are not even written yet will determine how successful this legislation will be. Two hundred and six times, Speaker: That’s how often the words “prescribed” or “prescribe” appear in the body of the bill. This not only makes it difficult to properly evaluate the bill, but it also causes concern that important decisions will be made without any debate or input at the legislative level and with no guarantee of public consideration of changes.

I would also suggest, Speaker, that the bill is overly fond of the word “may.” There are too many instances where actions are left to the discretion of the minister or other key individuals in the system rather than nailing them down in the legal requirements in legislation.

I also think that opportunities have been missed to introduce some fundamental changes that would improve the lives and experiences of children, youth and families caught up in the system.

Before I move on, there is one other very important point that I want to make, and again, I’ve heard this same point from many service providers. Adding requirements of service providers is all good and well, but if the funding to carry out those responsibilities is not made available, then we will all be in serious trouble. This sector is already seriously underfunded. Agencies and their workers are already pushed to their limits.

We recently saw a strike at Peel CAS that had at its central issue caps of the workload in the workforce. Those workers were on strike, not for a pay raise but because of their concern that they were overloaded with cases and vulnerable children were not getting the attention they needed and deserve.

Nipissing and Parry Sound CAS workers are currently locked out over issues of quality service that they want to provide but they can’t due to the lack of funding. Children’s aid societies used to be able to appeal for a top-up at the end of the year if they didn’t manage to stay within their budget. That is no longer the case. The funding formula has changed in recent years, with some societies getting less money and some getting more. But collectively, they are all operating with less money than they did previously.

As CPIN is getting introduced, agencies are finding that they have to spend much more than they have been allocated to get it up and running. Workers report that many more hours are being spent trying to facilitate relatively straightforward operations on this new data program.

Children’s Mental Health Ontario reports that there are 12,000 children and youth waiting to access mental health services. The sector has been screaming out for funding for years, but over the past 25 years there have only been two base funding increases: 3% in 2003 and 5% in 2006. Costs, meanwhile, have gone up drastically due to inflation, but also due to increased demand.

We’ve