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February 21, 2005

38th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Feb-21 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 21 February 2005 Lundi 21 février 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DURHAM CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY

ONTARIO HERITAGE WEEK

RURAL ONTARIO

SPECIAL EDUCATION

SCHOOL FACILITIES

GOVERNMENT'S AGENDA

SCHOOL FACILITIES

BENJAMIN OSEI

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TRANSPORTATION STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE LE TRANSPORT

FRED GLOGER TENANT PROTECTION

AMENDMENT ACT

(VITAL SERVICES), 2005 /

LOI FRED GLOGER DE 2005

MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR LA PROTECTION

DES LOCATAIRES

(SERVICES ESSENTIELS)

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

TRANSPORTATION

LAND USE PLANNING

TRANSPORTATION

LAND USE PLANNING

TRANSPORTATION

LAND USE PLANNING

DEFERRED VOTES

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

MUNICIPAL FINANCES

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

HEALTH CARE

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

MUNICIPAL FINANCES

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

FIRST NATIONS

MINING AND FORESTRY REVENUES

ILLEGAL TAXI OPERATORS

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

TENANT PROTECTION

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

PETITIONS

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

URBAN STRATEGY

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

LAND USE PLANNING

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR

THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

TTC RIGHT-OF-WAY

ORDERS OF THE DAY

TOBACCO CONTROL STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI A TRAIT

À LA RÉGLEMENTATION

DE L'USAGE DU TABAC

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

DURHAM CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETY

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): It is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate the Durham Children's Aid Society on 100 years of

success. The Durham CAS has been protecting children in my riding and community since 1905. They are responsible for providing child protection services to children under the age of 16 and their

families who live in the region of Durham.

The Durham CAS has a mission to keep children and youth safe from harm and to create stability and permanence in their lives. The vision of the CAS is for all

children and youth to live in safe, healthy, caring and stable environments where they can reach their full potential. The CAS has maintained this way of thinking for the past 100 years, and has

helped thousands of children and families improve their lives and situations. The dedication and devotion demonstrated, and carried on through several generations by the volunteers and staff of the

Durham Children's Aid Society, is a testament to the kind of community found in the region of Durham.

The Durham CAS was started in the spring of 1905, when a group of concerned citizens in the city of Oshawa decided to form an organization to help children who

had been abused and neglected. This caring and concern still resonates in my riding to this day, 100 years later.

Again, congratulations to the Durham Children's Aid Society on a tremendous record of success spanning a century.

ONTARIO HERITAGE WEEK

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): Today, National Heritage Day, is the start of Ontario's 21st Heritage Week. It's a time not only to

celebrate Ontario's diverse cultural heritage, but also to recognize the work of heritage organizations and volunteers throughout the province in preserving Ontario's historic sites and places. The

theme of this year's week is Ontario's Heritage: Our Shared Legacy.

My constituents in Perth-Middlesex have a wonderful heritage to be proud of. Famous actors have graced the stage of the Stratford Festival since 1953. The late,

great NHL hockey player Howie Morenz was born in Mitchell and played his formative hockey in both Mitchell and Stratford. Andrew Edward McKeever of Elma township served on the Western Front and

shot down 30 enemy aircraft during World War I. As a result, he earned the Military Cross and bar and the Distinguished Service Order. Timothy Eaton, the namesake of Eaton's department stores,

operated his first drygoods business in St. Marys, Ontario, from 1860 to 1868. Lucan is famous the world over as the site of the Black Donnellys tragedy and also as a terminus of the Underground

Railroad.

Together, these events and figures have contributed to the history that is Ontario's rich cultural heritage. Each riding has a unique history and its own story

to tell. I encourage all members during this week to promote awareness of heritage resources and heritage-related issues within their communities in order to preserve Ontario's heritage for future

generations.

RURAL ONTARIO

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): Yesterday marked the beginning of the annual Rural Ontario Municipal Association and Ontario

Good Roads Association conference. I want to welcome all municipal officials here for their meetings this week.

The message I've been hearing from municipal leaders is simply this: The McGuinty Liberals have turned their backs on rural Ontario. The government promised

action, yet has delivered nothing to resolve the municipal concerns with regard to the community reinvestment fund. The government promised that farmers would be a priority for them, yet while the

Premier has $400 million for the Pupatello palace casino, calling it an investment, they have no money to invest in agriculture to ensure that Ontarians have an adequate food supply. Sandra and

Dwight get a cheque, while farmers get, "The cheque is in the mail."

There are two visits planned to Queen's Park in March: the first on March 2, organized by members of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and another on March

9, organized by private landowners from across Ontario. Let me assure you that they are not coming to tell Mr. McGuinty they are happy with his Liberal government; quite the contrary. They see this

government as being both disinterested and unresponsive to the needs of rural Ontarians.

Over the next few days, ministers will hear plenty from municipal leaders about rural issues. I would suggest to those ministers that they pay close attention,

because rural people are paying very close attention to you.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): I just want to indicate a little disappointment with the Liberal Party -- just a little. Some of you

will recall that last July, the government announced $100 million for special education. The month following, in August, the government took $100 million from the boards.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): A clawback.

Mr. Marchese: It's called a clawback, and other terms that you don't find polite. So they give $100 million in July, and in August they take

$100 million from the boards. And wait for this, Speaker: They then announce -- Minister Kennedy, that is -- that by October or November, there would be some new equity fund that boards could apply

for.

We are now into February -- close to March. April, May and June, and the year is over. This new equity fund would put in $50 million of the $100 million they

took in August. That $50 million is not available, the equity fund is not available, the criteria to apply for the money they should have gotten last year are not available and there are 43,000

special education students waiting in line to be identified by an IPRC.

How can the public take this from a minister and government that say, "Education is number one in our books, and special-ed is number one in our books"? Call us

if you are concerned about it.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Mr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): I'm proud to rise today to speak about the great announcement that our Premier and Minister

Kennedy made last Thursday, February 17. Over the past decade of Tory rule, our schools deteriorated to the point that the children of Ontario were hindered in their ability to learn, based

primarily on their classroom conditions. The results of our government's facilities review made it clear that Ontario's school buildings were getting in the way of the instruction being delivered

within them. Capital costs were being rediverted from programming, and much-needed safety repairs were being put off.

This past Friday, in my own riding of Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale, I visited a school that is in desperate need of necessary boilers, plaster and safe

windows. The past government allowed schools like St. Jean Brebeuf elementary school to fall into a state of disrepair, and I'm proud that our government will invest $4 billion to ensure that

their neglect will not prevent us from providing safe places for our children to learn. These students will soon have better places to learn, thanks to a combined investment of $65.5 million by our

government. Finally, the investment will be made to repair, renew and reinvest in our schools, a move that is long overdue and that the past government would not make.

I applaud our government's commitment to student success and learning, and I am thrilled that Peel students will see these improvements soon.

GOVERNMENT'S AGENDA

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I rise in the House today to talk about the Liberal Party pork-barrelling that has continued since the early

days of the McGuinty government. There are so many that I don't even know where to begin, but I can mention how Environment Minister Dombrowsky brought in a special bill, the Adams Mine Lake Act,

to help local MPP and Liberal David Ramsay put out a fire on a critical constituency issue. Meanwhile, the site 41 landfill issue continues to simmer in my riding of Simcoe North -- a landfill that

will, without question, contaminate the groundwater.

Then there's the $400 million that was recently announced for the Windsor casino, otherwise known as Pupatello's palace. And who benefits from this announcement?

Not all Ontarians, as the government would have us believe; just the local MPPs, Sandra Pupatello and Dwight Duncan.

I was especially amused by the fact there would be a ribbon-cutting for the new Windsor casino hotel in the year 2007. I'm not a betting man myself, but I'd have

to say that if one thing is worth betting on, it's that the ceremony will take place before October 4, 2007, the date of the next election.

Meanwhile, my hospital in Orillia needs an MRI, the Royal Victoria Hospital would like to have a cancer care unit and Minister Pupatello continues to ignore the

impact of her cruel and heartless decision to shut down the Huronia Regional Centre forever.

How about David Peterson's new $1,000-a-day job? The former Ontario Liberal Premier will serve as the province's representative in discussions with First Nations

on a new framework for sharing gaming revenues. Isn't that the job of the Attorney General? But what's he doing? He's out chasing Jack Russell terriers and pit bull terriers.

These are just a few of the examples of Liberal pork-barrelling. I'm sure the list will continue to grow as the Liberals come to the realization that they will

be a one-term wonder.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Mr. Kim Craitor (Niagara Falls): I'm proud to rise today as well to speak about the great announcement that our Premier and Minister Kennedy

made last Thursday. Over the past decade of Tory rule, our schools have deteriorated to the point that the children of Ontario were hindered in their ability to learn, based on their environment.

The results of our review of all schools made it clear that Ontario's school buildings were getting in the way of instruction being delivered inside them. Capital costs were being rediverted from

programming and much-needed safety repairs were being put off. The students of Ontario were being ignored.

Schools such as Niagara-on-the-Lakes' Niagara District school or A. N. Myer in Niagara Falls are in desperate need of necessary boilers, plaster and safe

windows. The past government allowed our schools to disintegrate to the point that they will now have to invest $4 billion to ensure safe places for our children. Niagara students will soon have a

better place to learn, thanks to a combined investment of $66 million. This is the third-largest investment in the province, second to Toronto and Ottawa. Finally, this investment is long

overdue.

The past government failed our students. Education is a top priority of our government. Students have a better chance at success when they learn in schools that

are clean, safe and in good repair. I applaud our government's commitment to student success and learning, and I'm thrilled that Niagara students will see improvements as early as this summer, when

construction begins, thanks to our government.

Mr. Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre): Last Friday I was elated also, along with my colleague, to announce for our area some new $80 million of

funding to fix schools in the Ottawa area and ensure good places to learn. This announcement, as you can well imagine, was well received by parents and students alike, as they welcomed this good

news. This announcement was not only about funding much-needed repairs for our schools; it was also about outlining new guidelines for school closing procedures by school boards, which is very

important.

Under the last government, close to 650 schools were closed, with little input in many situations from the community. Some of these were very destructive to many

of the communities; I would certainly attest to that particular experience. Schools closed at an accelerated rate because of incentives in the funding formula that encouraged boards to close

schools, just to build new ones in the suburbs.

Last Thursday, our government announced new and transparent guidelines for school closures. We will determine the value of each individual school before deciding

to close it if we need to. We will make school valuation the centre of board and community discussions, and we will ensure public and community input before a school closes.

It seems ironic that we would have to stipulate that a community be consulted before closing a school. We are happy to announce that we will change that and

engage parents, students and those who have an interest in making sure that schools are the core of our communities.

BENJAMIN OSEI

Mr. Mario Sergio (York West): As we commemorate Black History Month, it is with great pleasure that I rise and pay tribute to a truly remarkable

individual. Mr. Benjamin Osei is a man who has triumphed over insurmountable odds to turn personal tragedy into a lifeline that is today saving many youth at risk in my riding of York West.

In 1985, Benjamin was tutoring in Kabala, Africa, and set up a bakery, with the aim of assisting displaced youths with skills development. In 1991, war broke out

in Sierra Leone. Soldiers confiscated the bakery and later massacred his first wife and children. He was taken captive, confined and tortured before a miraculous escape.

Benjamin came to Canada and earned a master's degree in divinity from Acadia University in Nova Scotia. His subsequent vision to return to his native Ghana was

undermined, as he became the victim of an attempted kidnapping. He remarried and returned to Canada, working in factory jobs during the day and faithfully serving the community as a full-time youth

worker in our Jane-Finch community.

Having established a successful youth outreach at night and on weekends, teaching the youth life skills, he runs basketball programs for 60 boys and girls, and a

girls-only club with activities such as skating and cooking, while assisting the poor and single mothers in their community.

Benjamin has truly demonstrated that great adversity can give birth to great opportunity, compassion and determination. His resolve to see others achieve success

and not to accept defeat in spite of their circumstances is outstanding. I am so delighted that our community is indeed blessed with the exceptional example of good citizenship and leadership.

I'm pleased that Mr. Benjamin Osei is joined today by Pastor Fred Witteveen, from the Friendship Community Church in my riding. Today they are here with us, and

I'd like to thank the House for the opportunity.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

TRANSPORTATION STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE LE TRANSPORT

Mr. Takhar moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 169,

An Act to amend the Highway Traffic Act and to amend and repeal various other statutes in respect of transportation-related matters / Projet de

loi 169, Loi modifiant le Code de la route et modifiant et abrogeant diverses autres lois à l'égard de questions relatives au transport.

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

Minister?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): I defer my statement until ministerial statements.

FRED GLOGER TENANT PROTECTION

AMENDMENT ACT

(VITAL SERVICES), 2005 /

LOI FRED GLOGER DE 2005

MODIFIANT LA

LOI SUR LA PROTECTION

DES LOCATAIRES

(SERVICES ESSENTIELS)

Ms. Horwath moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 170,

An Act, in memory of Fred Gloger, to amend the Tenant Protection Act, 1997 in respect of vital services / Projet de loi 170, Loi à la

mémoire de Fred Gloger modifiant la

Loi sur la protection des locataires à l'égard des services essentiels.

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

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): This bill amends the Tenant Protection Act, 1997, to ensure that tenants who pay for utilities like hydro,

gas or water in their rent don't have them disconnected because their landlord failed to pay the utility company.

Where no municipal vital services bylaw is applicable in respect of a rental unit, this bill (1) would require a landlord to provide adequate and suitable vital

services to the rental unit; (2) would require a supplier of a vital service to give notice to the ministry before ceasing to supply the service because of a landlord's breach of contract; and

(3) where a landlord has failed to provide adequate and suitable vital services, the ministry may enter into agreements with suppliers to ensure the supply of vital services to rental units and may, in

such circumstances, direct a tenant to pay his or her rent to the ministry.

The bill grants the Lieutenant Governor in Council authority to specify that when prescribed criteria are met, an otherwise applicable vital services bylaw does

not apply in respect of a rental unit, and the provisions set out in the bill apply instead.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

TRANSPORTATION

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): Mr. Speaker, Ontario has the safest roads in North America. We are proud of that, but

still we can do better. We must do better.

We need to make our roads even safer. We need to ease congestion. We need more reliable public transit. Our economy depends on a transportation system that is

efficient. So do our quality of life, our environment and the future of our province.

We are making progress -- real progress -- in improving that system.

We are providing $1 billion in provincial gas tax funding to municipalities over five years. That means better transit and more convenient and reliable

service.

The new child and youth safety bill, Bill 73, which passed last December, has measures in it that will protect lives. These include a new crossing arm and more

safety features on school buses.

And we have been working hard at solving the issues at border crossings. Keeping traffic moving at the border and across the province is essential to Ontario's

prosperity.

I'm also determined to improve GO Transit, to get more people riding quickly and comfortably.

As a fundamental part of our transportation plan, I am pleased to introduce this legislation promoting transit and safety on Ontario's roads. I look forward to

hearing the views of the members on all aspects of what we are proposing.

Today I want to focus on a few items, issues that have real meaning for everyone in Ontario.

First and foremost is safety. Over the past five years, more than 15,000 pedestrians in Ontario have been hurt or killed crossing the street. Many of these

tragedies happened at intersections with traffic lights, at pedestrian crossovers or at school crossings. In Toronto alone, for example, 42 of the 74 road-related deaths in 2003 involved

pedestrians. Over five years, there were nearly 12,000 collisions in highway work areas; 50 people died in those tragedies. The heartbreaking truth is that children are nearly five times more

likely to be killed walking or running out on to a street than adults. The simple fact is that drivers who go 30 kilometres an hour over the posted limit on city streets are almost six times more

likely to kill or seriously injure someone, and the very few drivers who go 50 kilometres an hour over the posted limit on our highways are nearly 10 times more likely to kill or seriously hurt

someone.

This bill proposes obvious solutions: higher fines and demerit points for driver offences at school crossings; higher fines and demerit points for motorists

who do not yield for pedestrians at crosswalks and traffic signals; doubling of fines for speeding in construction zones when workers are present; strong new penalties for disobeying the Stop or

Slow sign held by a traffic control person in a work zone; and tough rules for those who drive at excessive speeds with no serious regard for human life.

The reality is that most collisions where someone gets hurt or killed happen on municipal roads, and the reality is that speed is a factor in almost half of

those collisions. This bill would make our roads safer for drivers, for pedestrians and for those who build and maintain our roads and highways.

The bill includes other safety measures by improving daily truck inspections with a longer and more stringent checklist. This bill would make flying debris

from a car or truck an offence. This would apply to all drivers, not just commercial drivers. A fender or grille that bounces on to a highway from a car can be just as dangerous as a flying truck

wheel.

The bill would allow for variable speed limits on designated highways, to manage traffic depending upon weather and traffic conditions. And -- something my

colleague the Minister of Northern Development and Mines has pushed for for 10 years -- this bill would improve winter safety by allowing the use of studded tires for drivers in the north. This

would give them more safety options to handle the icy conditions.

Something else that the Premier promised was a crackdown on illegal taxis. There are representatives from the taxi industry present in the gallery today who

have been fighting for years to address the issue of illegal taxis. Finally, our government is doing something about it.

This is an important safety and consumer protection issue, and it is a necessary measure in order to protect the livelihood of legitimate taxi and limo

operators. We want to protect travellers from shady drivers who charge as much as $180 for a ride from Pearson International Airport to downtown Toronto. If this bill is passed, it would enable us

to crack down on illegal taxis in this province.

The new legislation has measures to improve public transit as well, and to cut commuting times. The bill would allow us to designate and enforce high-occupancy

vehicle lanes for cars with two or more people. This encourages carpooling and makes better use of our highways.

The bill would also allow the police to clear and reopen a highway after a collision. This means fewer delays and less frustration for all Ontario drivers.

This would also help our economy. We know that every one minute of delay means $170 million a year in higher shipping costs.

This morning I was at a public school in Toronto. I talked about improving safety for pedestrians. Tomorrow, I will have more to say about easing congestion

and getting traffic moving quickly after a collision or a spill.

Interjection.

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I know that all MPPs, including my colleague up there, care passionately about these issues. I'm hopeful that we can move

ahead together. We have more to do to make sure Ontario has the best transportation system in the world: a transportation system for the 21st century; a transportation system that we are proud to

leave to our children. This bill, if passed, would be one key step along the way.

LAND USE PLANNING

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): Today the government marks another

milestone in its planning reform agenda. At the ROMA conference this morning, I announced the new provincial policy statement --

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: -- and it's great to see the tremendous support from the opposition today. This is a statement of the government's key

policy interests in land use planning and development. It embodies sound planning principles and clearer, stronger directions for the planning decisions that will shape Ontario's communities. This

means anticipating the province's future needs and ensuring that development will be allowed only in areas where it can be sustained and supported by infrastructure. This means stricter rules for

protecting and maintaining our resources.

The new PPS takes effect on March 1, 2005, at the same time as the "shall be consistent with" implementation standard, which requires that all planning

decisions be consistent with the PPS.

When we first took office, our government committed to reforming the planning system in Ontario. You may recall the Strong Communities (Planning Amendment)

Act, 2004, which received royal assent last November. It provides for changes to the Planning Act that will give more say to municipalities on land use and bring back accountability and

transparency to local planning.

The reforms to the Planning Act are necessary as a response to our communities' changing needs. Ontario's cities and towns have undergone a transformation not

only in their population size and diversity but also in their physical size and complexity. This pattern of growth is putting pressure on our municipalities to provide the infrastructure, services

and energy resources required to maintain a high quality of life.

The new PPS will promote more compact, pedestrian-oriented communities and recreational facilities such as parklands and trails. It emphasizes the maximum use

of existing infrastructure and public service facilities, such as energy, public transit, schools and hospitals. It supports the recommendations made by the agricultural advisory team.

The wise use of land, the sustainability of our air, water and energy resources, the infrastructure vital to communities, planning for future development and

economic growth -- these are all issues that matter greatly to this government and to the people of Ontario. That's why we have crafted the new PPS, to shape how our communities grow and prosper,

guided by sound and balanced planning principles.

The new provincial policy statement is at the heart of this government's planning reform agenda. It sets out the broad policy direction for planning decisions

province-wide and lays the groundwork for other government priorities such as the Golden Horseshoe greenbelt, the draft growth plan released last week, source water protection and the Greater

Toronto Transportation Authority.

The new PPS is part of the McGuinty government's plan for healthy growth in this province. It is a vision we all share: a better, stronger, more prosperous

Ontario now and in the future.

TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): I just want to respond to the Minister of Transportation's statement and congratulate the minister for finally

getting around to implementing what we were already doing some year and a half later. All you've really announced today are increased speed limits, but your government broke a very, very important

promise when it promised to pay for 1,000 new police officers.

Whether it's the taxis at the airport, I say to the people in the gallery, or speed limits in construction zones, or pedestrian crossings, or school crossings,

or debris from vehicles that you announced today, or inspections or high-occupancy vehicle lanes, all of these require enforcement, and you people are silent over there about more police officers

for our streets so you can actually enforce the laws you're making.

As MADD Canada has pointed out, when 16,500 drivers every year drive with suspended licences after being charged with impaired, there's no sense making more

laws if you don't have enforcement, Minister. So talk to your public safety minister, your Premier and your finance minister. We expect to see strong enforcement out there; otherwise you are just

dabbling around the edges.

I would have expected today, when the Rural Ontario Municipal Association and the Good Roads convention is going on here in Toronto, that you would have said

something about the gas tax. Only 105 out of 450-odd municipalities qualify for any type of gas tax -- another broken promise by your government.

You should have made a strong statement, Minister, when you spoke at ROMA and Good Roads this morning about the gas tax. You were almost silent on it. People

were not very happy when you failed to deliver on that promise. They're getting fed up, and this statement today is really a non-statement. You should be looking at enforcement and you should be

living up to the promises you've already made, not introducing new legislation that you have no hope of enforcing.

LAND USE PLANNING

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): I want to respond to my colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs on his announcement today.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the ROMA executive yesterday afternoon, and I've got to tell you, they're not a bunch of happy campers, so to speak. They

spent about 45 minutes on issue after issue and broken promise after broken promise of the Dalton McGuinty government. One thing they said that they're tired of is this theme of "Dalton knows

best." We have piece of legislation after piece of legislation where the central planning at Queen's Park overrides the decisions of democratically elected municipal leaders, which, I remind my

colleagues across the floor, is completely contrary to what they campaigned on in 2003.

The minister referred to Bill 26 and the "be consistent with" principle, which clearly greatly restricts the local decision-makers' flexibility in

administering the PPS, and secondly, the minister's ability to declare a provincial interest, with no designation for criteria or time frames, taking planning decisions out of municipal hands to

behind the closed doors of cabinet.

Within the PPS is something curious. They talk about better protecting specialty crop lands, including tender fruit and grape lands etc., which we support. But

when the greenbotch mapping puts a cemetery and a junkyard in the greenbelt area -- our fruit farmers are talented, but they're not going to be growing peaches in a cemetery or in a junkyard.

So if they're asking municipalities to be consistent with the bad mapping, bad decisions and political science behind the greenbotch scheme, that's going to

create a consistent mess right across the province. When it comes to municipalities versus the decisions of this government, I will side with the municipalities every single time.

I'd say too that the ROMA executive found it rather curious that there would be the announcement of additional funding for the city of Toronto on the eve of

the ROMA-OGRA conference. The political judgment behind that timing seems rather strange and has a lot of the ROMA delegates quite concerned. A colleague says that they were insulted. There was an

announcement today from the president of AMO, Roger Anderson, who says this announcement is "leaving municipalities on the hook for 2004. Municipalities have closed their books on 2004 and now are

left holding unpaid provincial bills."

Mr. Anderson goes on to say, "Today's announcement raises as many questions as it answers. It is too early to determine if municipalities and property

taxpayers are better off under the new model."

I look forward to going back to ROMA-OGRA, as do my colleagues who have been down there. But I tell you, whatever the minister says today, they're not a happy

bunch of delegates at ROMA here this week.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. Let's have a little quiet while we have responses here. There was a lot of courtesy granted to the

ministers when they were giving their statements. I would like to hear the responses, and I would ask that there be less chatter in the House.

TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): Minister, in the words of those delegates at ROMA and Good Roads today, whoop-de-doo. This announcement

today falls far short of anything that people have been asking for from the municipal sector, our partners here in Ontario, when it comes to making our transportation infrastructure work.

You heard the questions today. Delegates were asking, what about the gas tax? All those rural and northern communities don't get one red cent from the gas tax.

Why? Because that particular gas tax initiative only applies to those municipalities that have transit. So municipalities at ROMA and municipalities attending over the next couple of days are

saying to you that we need investments on our highways. We have a highway infrastructure that is falling apart. We need to have an investment in our transit systems. You've heard Howard Moscoe.

You've heard Mayor Miller. You've heard people from Ottawa, Hamilton and everywhere else. They're saying they need the hand of the provincial government to assist them.

I thought the most interesting comment this morning was from John Curley, municipal alderman from the city of Timmins. He said that the studded tire initiative

is not bad on its own, but he asked, are we going to have to put pit crews at the French River, along Highway 11 and Highway 69, like the Daytona 500, so that every time somebody with studded tires

on their car drives down from northern Ontario, they'll be pulled aside and we can pull the studded tires off and put the radials back on, and on their way they go? I'll tell you, if that's a good

business initiative for some people, this government is sadly mistaken.

But more specifically to the safety initiatives in this bill: Minister, it's the fear of being caught that stops somebody from breaking a law. You can raise

the fines all you want with this bill when it comes to speeding, people going through crosswalks, people passing buses. You can do it all. Raise the fines as much as you want. If you don't have

police officers on the road policing our highways in municipalities and across this province, it ain't going to do nothing.

So it leaves us with the obvious. You're not hiring more police officers, so this is nothing more than another cash grab by the province of Ontario to take

dollars from hard-working people in this province, not to deal with safety initiatives and put it in the pots of your treasurer who sits across the way so you can deal with the issues you have to

deal with.

LAND USE PLANNING

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): We are pleased to see that the government has returned the NDP "shall be consistent with" approach to

the provincial policy statement. But, Minister, what is troubling is the further expansion of powers for the aggregate industry contained in it. This PPS will not further source water protection,

nor will it protect farmland and the environment in areas where aggregates are found. In fact, it will have the reverse effect. The PPS goes even further than the Tories in terms of fulfilling the

wish list of the aggregate industry.

Minister, you've added the following statement: "Demonstration of need for mineral aggregate resources, including any type of supply/demand analysis, shall not

be required, notwithstanding the availability, designation or licensing for extraction of mineral aggregate resources locally or elsewhere." We just had both the Environmental Commissioner and the

Pembina Institute report, "The province lacks basic information on current demand for and uses of aggregate. Furthermore, the province does not have up-to-date projections regarding future demand."

By not requiring supply-and-demand analysis to determine when or if new aggregate operations will go ahead, your new PPS will accelerate the ripping up of the greenbelt for new gravel and quarry

operations. By all accounts, your government doesn't even know the nature of the supply cycle. Don't you ever talk to the Minister of the Environment? You sit right next to her. She could tell you

that. Instead, you've abdicated your role as the steward of those public resources and decided to let the aggregate companies call all the shots.

Minister, this is a dark day for your proposed greenbelt. With the release of this new provincial policy statement today, I was fully expecting that you were

going to correct this gross error in your statement. Now it's in there for sure, and now, with this statement official, this greenbelt is becoming even closer, sadly, to becoming a gravel belt in

the province of Ontario. Shame on you, Minister. Shame on you. I am shocked that you didn't fix this.

Minister of the Environment, you should demand that this come out of the --

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Thank you. Calling deferred votes now.

DEFERRED VOTES

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): We have a deferred vote on the amendment by Mr. Hampton to the motion relating to narrowing the $23-billion

gap between what the federal government collects from Ontarians and what it returns to this province.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1418 to 1423.

The Speaker: Mr. Hampton moved that the motion be amended by inserting after the words "returns to this province" the following: "and that

this money be targeted for the hiring of 3,000 nurses, a 3% increase in Ontario Works and Ontario disability support plan benefits, an end to the clawback of the national child benefit, and $100

million of new funding for Ontario's regulated, non-profit child care system."

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

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

Ayes

Bisson, Gilles

Churley, Marilyn

Hampton, Howard

Horwath, Andrea

Kormos, Peter

Marchese, Rosario

Prue, Michael

The Speaker: All those opposed, please rise and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Barrett, Toby

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Hardeman, Ernie

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jeffrey, Linda

Kennedy, Gerard

Klees, Frank

Kular, Kuldip

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Levac, Dave

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

Orazietti, David

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sorbara, Gregory S.

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

The Clerk of the Assembly (Mr. Claude L. DesRosiers): The ayes are 7; the nays are 77.

The Speaker: I declare the motion lost.

We have a deferred vote on the motion by Mr. McGuinty relating to narrowing the $23-billion gap between what the federal government collects from Ontarians and

what it returns to this province.

Call in the members. This will be a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1426 to 1431.

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

Ayes

Arnott, Ted

Arthurs, Wayne

Baird, John R.

Barrett, Toby

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Bryant, Michael

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Churley, Marilyn

Colle, Mike

Cordiano, Joseph

Craitor, Kim

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Di Cocco, Caroline

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duguid, Brad

Duncan, Dwight

Dunlop, Garfield

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Hampton, Howard

Hardeman, Ernie

Horwath, Andrea

Hoy, Pat

Hudak, Tim

Jeffrey, Linda

Kennedy, Gerard

Klees, Frank

Kormos, Peter

Kular, Kuldip

Lalonde, Jean-Marc

Levac, Dave

Marchese, Rosario

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

Mauro, Bill

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Miller, Norm

Milloy, John

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Munro, Julia

Orazietti, David

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Phillips, Gerry

Prue, Michael

Pupatello, Sandra

Qaadri, Shafiq

Racco, Mario G.

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Runciman, Robert W.

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Sorbara, Gregory S.

Takhar, Harinder S.

Tascona, Joseph N.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wilson, Jim

Wong, Tony C.

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Yakabuski, John

Zimmer, David

The Clerk of the Assembly: The ayes are 84; the nays are 0.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Mr. Tim Hudak (Erie-Lincoln): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I ask for unanimous consent, given that ROMA is taking place this week, that

the Legislative Assembly of Ontario debate Bill 92 this afternoon, February 21; Tuesday afternoon, February 22; and Thursday afternoon, February 24, and that the vote on second reading be taken at

5:50 p.m. on Thursday, February 24.

The Speaker: I heard a no.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: We'd certainly be prepared to consider

that at House leaders'. The Tories have rejected opportunities to pass that already.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. I would suggest that the House leaders get together and settle this matter, not in here. It is time for oral

questions.

ORAL QUESTIONS

HEALTH CARE

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier: The growing lack of confidence Ontario's medical profession

has in your government has been exemplified today by a letter sent to you from Ontario's specialists and surgeons, which we've been given. The letter was signed by all 13 sections of the surgical

assembly of the Ontario Medical Association.

The letter is a damning indictment of your health care priorities. Ontario's surgeons and specialists, among the true experts in our health system, say your

approach to health care in Ontario will have the effect of "creating second-class patients." They say that by focusing on only three priorities for wait time reductions, you will reduce scarce

resources, operating room time and physician time for all other procedures that Ontarians rely on and need.

Premier, I'll pose to you the same question the specialists do in their letter: "Surely you don't believe in making patients who are waiting for procedures

that you have not deemed to be priority items wait any longer than they are currently waiting." Is that your position?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): What we are determined to do, by working in a co-operative way with

Ontario's doctors, is reduce wait times. To that end, we have added another $107 million -- this is supplementary to the funds that were already there -- so we can move the yardstick forward in

five specific areas: cardiac care, cancer care, cataracts, hips and knees, and MRIs and CTs. What we're doing here, in fact, is adding more money to the system specifically targeted at five

distinct areas in a way that does not compromise our ability to continue to move forward in other areas.

Mr. Runciman: Premier, you keep talking about inputs -- how much money is going into the system -- and I'm talking about outputs, the quality

of care that comes out of the system. That's what matters to Ontarians, and that is where your government is failing them.

Ontario's front-line experts now say your approach is dangerous. They say you are creating two classes of patients: those on the list to receive a McGuinty

priority operation and the vast majority of those who are not.

This letter is a fundamental challenge to your health care priorities. I want to quote again from the letter: "Patients in Ontario deserve to have better

access to all treatments and all physicians. Improving access of one priority at the expense of another is not the kind of health care `improvement' Ontarians expect or deserve."

Premier, how do you respond to the front-line surgeons and specialists who say your priorities are misplaced and simply bad for patient care?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm not going to apologize for our intention to increase the number of procedures when it comes to cancer care, cardiac

surgeries, cataracts, hips and knees, and MRI and CT scans. We think that's in the interests of the people of Ontario, and we're doing it in a way that does not compromise our ability to continue

to fund other procedures in other areas.

Mr. Runciman: Premier, I don't believe you can ignore what's in this letter. You've shown us that you can ignore taxpayers, voters and your

own solemn promises, but you can't ignore the front-line specialists and surgeons who will have to deal with the consequences of your misplaced priorities.

The surgeons and specialists also say they are disappointed with the progress of negotiations between your government and the OMA. They question the priorities

you've set out for those negotiations. They say you're picking favourites among doctors. The doctors who work in one of your priority areas get the steak while others get the bone. Surgeons and

specialists see your priorities and approach for what they are: a shell game that will ultimately do nothing to enhance patient care in Ontario.

Premier, what do you have to say to patients on already unacceptable wait lists for orthopaedic and neurosurgery procedures? How can you possibly justify your

approach?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We have never once even intimated that bringing about the kinds of changes that are necessary in our health care system so

that we increase both affordability and quality -- we've never once hinted that that's going to be easy.

The member opposite would have us back away from the kinds of change that are going to benefit the people of Ontario. I can tell you, nothing will make us back

away from ensuring that we have more cardiac surgeries, more cataract procedures, more MRI scans, more CT scans, more hip replacements and more knee replacements. We think that's in the interests

of the people of Ontario and nothing will stop us from moving forward in that regard.

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

Mr. Runciman: Again to the Premier: The specialists and surgeons of Ontario unanimously signed a letter challenging your approach and your

priorities for our health care system. We're going to take the advice of Dr. Janice Willett, Dr. Phillip Barron, Dr. Andrew Budning, Dr. Lee Errett and Dr. Richard Johnston, to name a few, over

your political manipulations any day.

But this raises broader questions about your ability to set priorities and lay out a clear plan for health care. You've already shown that you're willing to

spend $400 million on a swanky new hotel in a Liberal riding in Windsor, while telling hospitals to cut $170 million. Doctors believe you're doing the wrong thing. The latest polls show Ontarians

think you can't be trusted. Your answers today show that you have no real answers. Premier, when will you lay out a clear plan for health care?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We've laid out the plan. You just don't like our plan. We have a plan to improve quality of care for Ontario patients.

We're making specific increases in a number of distinct areas, five in particular. You don't like that plan. You don't think we should change the system to improve the quality of care for Ontario

patients. We understand that. You would prefer that somehow we reduce the increase in public funding and open it up to the private system. But we're not for that. There is a very clear distinction

here. We prefer to work within the public system to increase the number of procedures that are available to Ontario patients. That's our choice. We won't apologize for that.

The Speaker: Supplementary?

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): Premier, Ontario's doctors don't like your plan, the 757 nurses to whom you're giving pink slips don't

like your plan and, I'll tell you, the men and women who run Ontario's public hospitals don't like your plan either.

I want to share some facts with you from the former president of the Ottawa Academy of Medicine. Although you're continuing the program of hiring international

medical graduates, as started by the previous Progressive Conservative government, those physicians will not practise for three to five years; our new medical school, scheduled to open this year,

which was announced more than two or three years ago by the previous government, will not graduate new physicians for seven to 11 years; and 20% of Ontario's 22,000 physicians will retire in the

next four years.

Premier, stand in your place and tell us what your plan is for physician availability today, not in 11 years.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: As it's always helpful to remember what it was the Tories did on their watch, when it comes to the number of doctors in

Ontario, we went from 63 underserviced communities to 142. When it comes to the number of nurses, the former government spent $400 million to fire thousands of nurses. When it comes to hospitals,

the former government cut $557 million over two years, closing 28 hospitals and over 5,000 beds.

We will continue on our path to make additional investments in public health care. We will increase the number of nurses who are there to serve Ontario

patients, and we will increase the number of procedures that will help Ontario patients as well.

Mr. Baird: I say to the Premier, doctors, nurses and their patients find your priorities to be stunning. One day, you tell hospitals to cut

$170 million and to fire 757 nurses. The next day, you announce a swanky, five-star hotel in Windsor.

Your priorities are all wrong. Specialists and surgeons have said so unanimously. They say you're creating two-tier patient care. Patients waiting for

arthritis treatment, patients waiting for admittance to a chemotherapy clinic, diabetes care, emergency room care and gynecology services are told they've got to go to the back of the line.

Premier, why are you creating two-tier health care for these important health care services? Would you stand in your place and tell your Minister of Finance

that this is not a laughing matter?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The irony here is just a little bit rich, particularly for the member opposite, a member of that particular party, to

somehow accuse us of endorsing two-tier health care. Because the facts are important in this debate, I think it's important for Ontarians to understand, and the member opposite in particular, what

we have done and continue to do with respect to our plan for health care in Ontario.

So far, we have put in place funding for 3,052 new full-time nursing positions. The first 45 new family health teams will shortly be announced. We've had over

200 applications for those 45 spots. We have 21,000 more Ontarians receiving home care this year. We have in place a new vaccination program, for the first time ever covering under the public

health care system vaccinations against meningitis, for example. We are working to increase our MRI and CT scans by a whopping 20% more --

The Speaker: Thank you.

MUNICIPAL FINANCES

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Premier. Mr. Premier, you have failed the city of Toronto and all the people who

live in it. You have absolutely no plan to pay the $47 million you owe that city for cost-shared services. What are ordinary families faced with? They are faced with property tax hikes, user fee

hikes, transit fee hikes and program cuts. We want to know, who in your caucus --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. It's a very important question and I'm getting a discussion going across from the member from

Nepean-Carleton and the member from Windsor. Please start your question again. I will start at the beginning. Let me hear the question from the member for Beaches-East York.

Mr. Prue: Thank you very much. I'll start again.

Mr. Premier, you have failed the city and the people of Toronto. You have no plan whatsoever to pay the $47 million that you owe for cost-shared services.

Ordinary families are being faced with property tax hikes, user fee hikes, transit fee hikes and program cuts for valued services. Who in your caucus stood up for Toronto? You have 19 MPPs on that

side of the House who have said absolutely nothing. Where are they? Where are Ministers Caplan, Kennedy and Chambers? Missing in action. Where are Ministers Phillips, Bryant and Smitherman? Missing

in action. Where are Ministers Kwinter and Cordiano? Missing in action. When are the 19 missing-in-action Liberal MPPs going to start demanding your government begin paying your fair share for

provincially mandated programs?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): This is the first time I've ever heard $45 million being described as

"missing in action." We consider that a significant contribution to the well-being of the city of Toronto and the people who enjoy the privilege of living there.

The good news is, after years of underfunding, after years of suffering from a government that went out of its way to pick fights with the people of the city

of Toronto, there is finally on the job here a government that is dedicating itself to strengthening the city of Toronto. This $45-million contribution is just one more example of our commitment to

the city of Toronto.

The Speaker: Supplementary.

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): You got that right, Premier. You owe the city of Toronto at least $47 million for social services. You

owe them that. Ordinary families will pay higher property taxes and higher user fees because you have no plan to pay your fair share for cost-shared services. Your 19 Liberal MPPs seem to have

developed laryngitis. We're hearing they won't even return their constituents' phone calls on this. Hello, anybody out there? Hello. Kathleen Wynne, Laurel Broten, Donna Cansfield, Mike Colle and,

finally, Brad Duguid: missing in action.

Premier, this is very serious. When are the 19 missing-in-action Toronto Liberal MPPs going to stand up, like they did in opposition, for their city and demand

that the McGuinty government start paying its fair share?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: This year the government is flowing a record amount of money to the city of Toronto: a total of $217 million. Additionally,

over the course of the next three years we will be flowing another $355 million in gas tax funding, something that has never, ever been done before.

I am very proud of the support that we are lending to the city of Toronto. I am proud of the good, solid working relationship that we have with the city of

Toronto. I am convinced that, over time, by working with the city of Toronto, we will have in place a new City of Toronto Act and we will have the city of Toronto on a stronger fiscal footing. It

will be a greater champion of its own destiny. It will be stronger, and that will serve not only the people of Toronto but the people of Ontario.

The Speaker: Before we get the final supplementary, could I ask the member for Nepean-Carleton to come to order, please, and stop heckling

across.

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): Premier, you are not paying your fair share for cost-shared programs with the city of Toronto. You owe

the city of Toronto $47 million. What does this mean for ordinary families? We are going to see higher property taxes, we are going to see higher user fees and, more importantly, we are going to

see cuts to services such as parks, housing, transit, policing and roads.

Toronto Liberal MPPs, I say to you, stop the silence and speak up for your city like you promised you would. I say to the others, where are you? Shafiq Qaadri,

Tony Ruprecht, Mario Sergio, David Zimmer, Lorenzo Berardinetti: Where are they? Missing in action. When are the 19 missing-in-action Toronto Liberal MPPs going to stand up for the city and demand

that the McGuinty government start paying its fair share?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Again, 45 million new dollars this year -- unprecedented. Beyond that, a total of $217 million more this year. That is the

total. Beyond that, over the course of the next three years, $355 million more for the city of Toronto for the purpose of investment in public transit. This is good news for the people of

Toronto.

But beyond that, we are prepared to do something that no government in the history of this province has ever sought to do before: to establish a new, positive

working relationship with the city of Toronto, to recognize its maturity, to put it on a solid fiscal footing, to enable it to grow stronger and thereby make our province and our country grow

stronger. Those are our aspirations for the city of Toronto. That's our vision when it comes to a strong Toronto for a strong Ontario.

AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): Premier, you promised to reduce auto insurance rates. Instead, you have wrestled insurance profits to

the ceiling. You have aided and abetted big insurance in a massive rip-off of Ontario drivers and accident victims. This weekend, Ontario drivers, hurting from sky-high insurance rates and cuts to

accident benefits under your government, learned that big insurance has raked in an obscene $4.2 billion in profits, a 70% increase over the record profits they had a year before.

New Democrats believe that the obscene profits of big insurance should be returned to the drivers who have been ripped off. Will you force big insurance to

roll out a rip-off rebate?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Here again, I think we should compare and contrast. From 1990 to 1995,

under the NDP watch -- those were the people who promised us public auto insurance, you'll recall -- auto insurance rates went up some 27%. During the Tory years, 1996 to 2003, rates went up some

36%. During our first year on the job, I'm proud to report that rates have come down by 10.6%.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, I invite you to go out to any town, any city, anywhere and try to find somebody who has had a reduction in insurance

rates. The truth is, you are so deep --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. Stop the clock. Could I get some order, please. The leader of the third party was in the

supplementary question.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, the truth is, you're so deep in the pockets of big insurance that you come up spitting lint. Here's the reality --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Would you either rephrase or withdraw the comment you just mentioned.

Mr. Hampton: Here is the reality. Insurance profits last year were up $2.5 billion; this year, they're up to $4.2 billion. It is obscene. It

is 12 times what they made in 2002, and you have the audacity to say that drivers and insurance victims are getting a good deal. Drivers and insurance victims across Ontario are being ripped off,

and you're helping the insurance companies.

We believe that these obscene profits should be returned to the drivers who have been ripped off. The question is, will you bring in legislation to force the

insurance companies to return the money? A rip-off rebate, now.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Storm those insurance buildings, eh?

We're proud of the fact that so far we've been able to bring insurance premiums down by 10.6%. The leader of the NDP says that this is fictitious. Why does he

not just turn around and talk to Michael Prue, a member of his own caucus, who is enjoying some of the benefits of our government's policy, who has enjoyed a significant rate reduction as a result

of the efforts we have made?

I think this sums it up: Between 1990 and 1995, during the NDP years, rates went up by 27%. We've been on the job for a little over a year; we've brought rates

down by 10.6%. I'll put our record up against their record any day.

Mr. Hampton: I invite the Premier to go to any community in Ontario and talk to anybody who's trying to insure their automobile and try to

peddle that story and see how far he gets.

This is what's happened. The standard collision deductible: You want to increase that from $300 to $500. As well, you've got situations where people, in terms

of pain and suffering deductibles -- that has been increased substantially. What's the result? When people are hurt in an accident or their automobile is injured, they're afraid to make a claim.

Why? Because they know, if they do make a claim, their auto insurance rate will skyrocket after that.

Premier, the auto insurance companies have made obscene profits in 2003 and now in 2004, and you've helped them. Will you bring in a rip-off rebate now so that

you can finally help the drivers instead of helping the insurance companies?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: The leader of the NDP just can't handle good news. Insurance premiums are coming down in the province of Ontario by 10.6%.

That hasn't happened in 15 years. He remains incapable of accepting this good news for Ontario motorists: Insurance premiums have come down; we are working as hard as we can to help those come down

still more. But I will again say that I will gladly compare our record against that of the NDP or that of Conservatives any day when it comes to what's happened to insurance premiums in the

province of Ontario.

HEALTH CARE

Mrs. Julia Munro (York North): My question is for the Minister of Health. Doctors and patients in my riding can now clearly see that the

McGuinty Liberals have no plan for health care. Your announcements so far mean nothing to doctors like Dr. Shawn Whatley, who works in the emergency department at Southlake hospital. He wrote to me

that every day, 10% to 15% of patients who show up have no family doctor; 25% to 45% of ambulances are sent away. Yet there is a whole wing of the ER full of empty beds. There are just no doctors

or nurses to staff them.

Minister, when will you stop poisoning the climate in health care and start work on a plan to increase access to doctors?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): It comes as somewhat startling, a question like that, from an honourable

member who was part of a party that, while in government, watched and waited and did absolutely nothing to increase medical school capacity. Your legacy, when combined with the other opposition

party in this Legislature, means that for six or seven years, we stood by collectively -- those two parties -- while 13% reductions in medical school spots took place, meaning that Ontario has been

shortchanged to the tune of at least 500 doctors.

In the time since, what have we done? We've moved to act. We've more than doubled the capacity to take international medical graduates and turn them into

productive doctors in local communities. We've enhanced the capacity of the College of Physicians and Surgeons to go into other jurisdictions in North America to help bring doctors here, working

overtime to make up for the sheer neglect of that party when in office.

Mrs. Munro: The minister seems to have a briefing note from the past government. We are the ones who introduced the first medical school in 40

years. We are the ones who increased the number of spaces in the existing medical schools.

Dr. Whatley says you have abandoned him to provide care without the colleagues or resources to do so. He says that physicians are leaving Ontario while George

Smitherman tries to steamroll a take-it-or-leave-it approach to negotiations with doctors.

Dr. Whatley hears patient after patient in emergency apologize to him for having no family doctor. They just cannot find one. Yet your ministry's priority is a

massive bureaucratic reorganization to replace district health councils with local health networks. Why are the McGuinty Liberals putting the needs of health care bureaucrats ahead of doctors,

nurses and patients?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member stands and speaks about Southlake hospital in her riding, a hospital that has seen the largest

increase, I believe, of any hospital in the province of Ontario: some 56 million additional operating dollars and, further, in York region, more than $57 million in additional investments.

And this note from the honourable member where she pretends that for the first four years of her party's life in government they did move on doctor shortages,

they did increase capacity in medical schools? No, you didn't, and your legacy, combined with that party, for the first four years was that you did nothing. You sat by and you did not increase

capacity. As a result, 500 doctors were lost to the province of Ontario.

We have a deal on the table, working hard with the Ontario Medical Association: more than $1 billion in new resources to underscore the commitment that this

government has to doctors and communities that have been left behind by your party while in office.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): To the Minister of Labour: Minister, bosses in this province are trampling on workers' rights, and you're

letting them do it. Your ministry received a written complaint today. It's about workers who distribute Torstar newspapers in the Hamilton area. These workers are picked up every day in the very

early morning hours at prearranged meeting points and are paid $6 an hour cash to deliver papers for the following 10 and 11 hours. They're told that they'll be paid nothing if they do not complete

the entire day.

Minister, what's the point of having minimum wage laws or other employment standards legislation if Torstar and their subsidiaries know they can break them on

a daily basis because you're not enforcing them?

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Labour): Thank you very much for the question. I'd like to thank the member for bringing that issue to

my attention. I'll certainly take time to look into it.

This government has a very good record of enforcing the laws that protect the most vulnerable people in the province after, as the Provincial Auditor said, 15

years when that member's party, the opposition today, did nothing to enforce employment standards legislation in the province of Ontario.

Fact: After nine years, the minimum wage went up last year and will again this year. Fact: We have increased the enforcement of the Employment Standards Act to

make sure the rules on the book are actually enforced. Fact: We are conducting more than 2,000 proactive inspections of the Employment Standards Act, a factor that the auditor said was necessary to

ensure the accurate and fulsome enforcement of the Employment Standards Act. Fact: The most vulnerable in this society are going to be protected under this government's policies, unlike under the

policies of the previous two groups.

Mr. Kormos: You said there was going to be a crackdown, but all we've seen is a Liberal back-down. These are the most vulnerable workers in

the province. These are mostly men being picked up in the very early morning hours, being driven off to locations in Hamilton and the Hamilton area, and being told to work for $6 an hour, 10 to 11

hours a day, no statement of earnings at the end of the day -- they're paid cash -- no deductions for Canada pension plan remittances. What could be a more egregious violation of those workers'

rights under the Employment Standards Act and other legislation?

Will you please stand today and tell this assembly that you're going to launch a complete investigation, an aggressive and thorough investigation, and that

charges, where warranted, will be laid not only against corporations, but against individuals responsible for this incredibly vehement attack on workers and their rights here in the province of

Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Bentley: The member would have us proceed from statement to charges and prosecution within about two minutes and 30 seconds.

Fortunately, that isn't the way the law works. The matter has been raised in the Legislature. I will look into the matter to determine what, if anything, is before the ministry by way of complaint

or investigation. We are determined, as I said before, to ensure that the most vulnerable people in the province of Ontario are protected, and we will abide by that commitment.

MUNICIPAL FINANCES

Mrs. Donna H. Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre): It may be that $217 million is a mere trifle to my colleagues across the way -- or $45 million,

for that matter -- but I think what's really important is the ambivalence that has been going on for so many years. Every year the city of Toronto comes cap in hand to the government.

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto-Danforth): They do not.

Mrs. Cansfield: They do so. They have for years. As long as I can remember, they have had chronic underfunding. It needs to be dealt with in a

far more strategic way.

My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. I want to know what we're planning to do to repair the damage they did, both the Tories and

the NDP.

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): Let me just reiterate the comments that

were made so ably by our Premier earlier about our situation with respect to the city of Toronto. We are giving more permanent funding to the city of Toronto than any other government before us,

despite our fiscal situation. We all know about the $5-billion deficit that party left us as a government when we came to power less than 15 months ago.

Let's just look at the facts. We are giving them $80 million more than two years ago; $50 million more than last year. And the news gets better: Next year,

they're going to get an additional $95 million. It's going to go up to $312 million.

We are doing everything we possibly can for the city of Toronto. They are the economic engine of Ontario, and they deserve and are getting the help of this

government.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary.

Ms. Kathleen O. Wynne (Don Valley West): As one of the Toronto members on duty and working for the city, I want to ask the minister a question

about the working relationship between the provincial government and the city. I know, as someone who fought the previous government every day it was in office, that that working relationship has

not been in place. I know that our government is working to put a more positive working relationship in place. So I ask the minister, what are we doing to move forward and create a stronger

relationship between the province and the city of Toronto?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: I'd like to thank both members for their questions. Let me say, first all, that the tremendous work this government is

doing couldn't be done without the tremendous help of the 19 MPPs from the city of Toronto, both inside and outside cabinet. We want to make sure that the city of Toronto is a world-class city, and

the only way we can do that is by giving the city of Toronto the legislative powers, the fiscal powers, to basically run their own show. They are a mature level of government. We're working with

them so that the City of Toronto Act can be amended to truly make the city of Toronto a world-class city that all of us in Ontario can be extremely proud of.

DOCTOR SHORTAGE

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): My question is for the Premier. Last week I asked what you were going to do to help the residents in

Geraldton, who will find themselves without a doctor in the spring. Frankly, your answer was abysmal.

Thunder Bay doctors are offering to fill the gap, but for your information, the Geraldton Medical Group serves an area of 7,500 square kilometres, so that's

not a reasonable solution. Dr. Johnstone of Geraldton says that staffing shortages at the hospital are taking their toll on doctors, who are working from 80 to 100 hours a week. That puts doctors

and patients at risk.

Premier, be clear: When are you going to get a deal for doctors that will retain and attract doctors to northern Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): To the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): As I had the opportunity last week to commit to this House and to the people

of Geraldton, our government stands beside them. We're working very hard with the local member and the mayor, who's in town -- I'll be meeting with him tomorrow -- to continue to work toward a

resolution to this. We have some more positive news with respect to some of those that are practising there now, remaining as a foundation for progress moving forward.

These are very well funded positions, as a result of funding through the rural and northern group physician agreement. We think this is a very suitable part of

the attraction package necessary to make sure that small communities like this continue to have access to the vibrant health services they require.

With respect to the agreement with the Ontario Medical Association, both sides are working very hard toward an agreement. It's a challenging environment, of

course, because there is a limitation on the resources available, but the more than $1 billion in new resources in 2007-08, we believe, are a very good foundation for making sure that doctors are

appropriately compensated in our province.

Mr. Miller: A national survey of Canada's physicians reveals that Ontario doctors feel their patients do not have access to the health care

they need. Geraldton has proved that this is true. Some of the doctors in Geraldton are leaving the province and others are moving out of the north. For Geraldton doctors, this is not just about

the money; it's about the gruelling hours. You've laid off nurses, you've antagonized doctors; your government is creating a climate that is toxic to health care providers.

Minister, you promised to increase the number of doctors and nurses working in the north in the past election. When are you going to make good on your promise

for northern Ontario?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: In fact, this is already occurring. The member wants to talk about nursing in Geraldton and the like. There's no

implication for our government's budgets except additional resources for all of the hospitals in the province of Ontario, including those that serve people in communities like Geraldton.

With respect to physician supply, the honourable member must take some responsibility for the role that his party played while in government, even though the

member beside him is unwilling to do so. We've obviously made progress, as we move toward the opening of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine with its first attendees. That is attracting very

Interjections.

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

FIRST NATIONS

MINING AND FORESTRY REVENUES

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): My question is for the Premier. Premier, you'll know that last month there was a barricade in the

community of Kashechewan, a First Nation that is on James Bay. The barricade was put up by a number of community members to block access to the De Beers mining project when it came to moving

supplies and materials into that project. Why did the community shut it down? Simply because they felt they didn't have adequate compensation when it came to revenue-sharing out of that particular

project.

New Democrats have proposed a bill. It's Bill 97, the revenue-sharing act for First Nations. It is currently in committee. Your government supported it at

second reading. First Nations leaders and other people in northern Ontario want to know, so that we can continue developing northern Ontario, is your government prepared to allow this bill to

finish its time in committee so we can bring it forward for third reading this spring?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): For the Attorney General.

Hon. Michael Bryant (Attorney General, minister responsible for native affairs, minister responsible for democratic renewal): We are

committed, I say to the member, to looking at and pursuing new opportunities and a new approach that will include some aspect of revenue-sharing.

The member has a bill that's before the House. I know that it went to committee hearings and had a good public hearing. A number of people at the public

hearings, though, showed up and said that there were real problems with the bill itself. I think we're in agreement about the principles here, and we have a long-standing commitment to that. We are

going to, as a government, be pursuing that, and we're doing that.

The bill itself is being considered. The bill is a bill, but let's be clear: The bill has flaws with it. I don't think the complaint of the member is with the

bill itself, but I'll let him answer in the supplementary.

Mr. Bisson: Well, that was as clear as mud. Let me try it again. Minister, I admit, as the author of the bill, and New Democrats admit as

we're carrying the bill, that there are amendments that need to be put forward. Where we're at now is that the bill is now in committee. We want to propose amendments that respond directly to the

issues that were raised not only by First Nations but also by forestry and mining companies and others who have come forward.

There's unanimity on this. First Nations and resource development companies and everybody agree that if we don't deal with revenue sharing, there will be no

development north of 51; De Beers water projects, mining, forestry are not going to go forward. We will continue with blockades. We need to deal with this issue. This bill is a step toward making

that happen. So my question, simply, is this: Are you prepared to allow that bill to finish its time in committee -- we need a day, two max -- and bring that bill, after it's amended, into this

House for a vote at third reading this spring?

Hon. Mr. Bryant: We have to make sure that we get the revenue sharing right, obviously. We have an announcement today with the appointment of

David Peterson, negotiator on behalf of the government with First Nations on a broad approach.

Mr. Bisson: It has nothing to do with mining.

Hon. Mr. Bryant: It has everything to do with a new approach between Aboriginal peoples and the government of Ontario. We want to have a new

approach that looks at the needs, that looks at what needs to be delivered, that assesses how we're delivering it and provides better delivery of government services to Aboriginal people. We want a

better future for Aboriginal people in Ontario. That will include taking a good, hard look at exactly how we proceed with resource sharing, and we will be doing that, I say to the member.

ILLEGAL TAXI OPERATORS

Mr. Vic Dhillon (Brampton West-Mississauga): My question is for the Minister of Transportation. It was over a year ago that I was campaigning

to become a member of provincial Parliament. During this time, an important issue came to my attention from the taxi and limo operators. Along with my fellow colleagues from Peel region, we met

with the taxi industry, including the airport limousine operators, to talk about problems they were experiencing. This was a problem of illegal taxi operators. All over Ontario, the taxi industry

is expected to provide safe, fair and reliable transportation not only for our residents but also for visitors to Ontario. We know there are unlicensed taxi and limousine operators out there who

operate without having their cars meet safety standards and without appropriate training or holding adequate insurance. We also know that there are unsuspecting travelers falling victim to illegal

taxi operators. Does the bill you introduced today help with this issue?

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): First of all, I want to thank my colleague from Brampton West-Mississauga, not only for

asking this question but for taking a keen interest in the issue for a very long time.

I am very much aware of the meeting that my colleague is talking about, and our Premier was present at that meeting. Our Premier has shown a keen interest in

our moving forward and addressing this long-outstanding issue, which the previous government has failed to address, not once or twice; they have never been able to address this issue.

I'm also very much aware of the horrible story that my colleague is talking about. The bill I introduced today will address the long-outstanding issue of the

taxi operators they have been fighting about for a very long time. Mr. Speaker, I will be --

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary.

Mr. Kuldip Kular (Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale): I am pleased to hear that we have listened to the problems faced by this industry and that

we are working to resolve them. As you said in your earlier statement to the House, this is an important safety and consumer protection issue, in addition to being a threat to the livelihood of

legitimate taxi and limo operators across the province. I trust that in your supplementary you will talk about the details on how we plan to address the problem of illegal taxi operators. I am sure

you're also aware that perhaps not everyone understands the extent of this issue. Do you have any information on how often something like this happens, and just how large a problem this is? Mr.

Minister, I know that some people will think this is favouritism toward the airport limo operators. What does this proposed piece of legislation do to assure that it addresses all the aspects of

this problem?

Hon. Mr. Takhar: I want to thank my colleague from Bramalea-Gore-Malton-Springdale for his interest and also for his question.

The bill that I introduced today, if passed, will make it an offence to transport passengers for compensation without having a valid taxi licence or a permit

from an airport or airport authority. The offence could be applied to a driver, a person who arranges for transportation using an illegal operator, or to the owner of a vehicle who knowingly allows

their vehicle to be used to provide illegal or unauthorized transportation services. The penalty would be a fine, upon conviction, of from $300 to $20,000 and licence suspension or a plate denial

upon renewal if the fine is not paid.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): My question is to the Premier. Mr. Rick Sgroi of Richmond Hill will die without enzyme replacement therapy. His

wife, Mara, wrote you a letter, and I want to quote from that letter: "It has now been a month since my last letter to you and ... I have not had a personal reply from you." She goes on to say, "I

have stopped asking for your compassion -- you have none.... I say, for shame to you all when costs and discrimination dictate who lives or who dies. I charge you with pulling the plug on the life

support system of Fabry patients and that is a premeditated criminal act!"

This is from Mara, whose husband, Rick, will die without enzyme replacement therapy. I'm going to ask you -- because they're watching this afternoon and they

know that I'm asking this question -- to stand in your place, look at them, and tell them why you aren't prepared to instruct the Minister of Health to do what has to be done to ensure that Rick

has the medical attention that he needs to live.

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

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I think obviously we all express concern around patients who are feeling in

these circumstances. We also have some responsibilities that are very challenging from time to time. This is one of those.

We're operating under a regime, frankly, with respect to the honourable member, that his party helped bring in in our country, and that is utilizing a common

drug review so that all provinces and territories could have the benefit of working together with a view toward determining the clinical efficacy of any product before it's listed on our formulary.

This is the process that was established. The company didn't like the way it worked the first time around, and upon application and at their instigation, a further review is ongoing.

I think the thing that has shocked us is that the company has decided to treat different Canadians in different fashions. There has been an unequal view on

their part. They began offering this product on a compassionate basis. I believe that if they believe as fervently in their product as they claim to, they should continue to support it while this

process is ongoing.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary?

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): I want to put the supplementary back to the Premier. I know you to be a decent man, someone who cares

deeply about your hometown -- about our hometown. I want to put a face on this problem, the face of Carolyn Auger of Ottawa. She has worked hard. She has played by the rules. Her illness is

debilitating. Her illness is life-threatening. At this tragic time in her life, she needs the help of her community, she needs the help of her provincial government.

I want to make a direct appeal to you. It's never too late to do the right thing. Premier, would you step in and solve this problem for Carolyn Auger and the

very, very small number of citizens who are dealing with this tragic illness? Would you do that, Premier?

The Speaker: The Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member knows from his time in government that every single day in the province of Ontario pharmaceutical

companies put product on offer to patients. But obviously, before we make decisions that say we're able to support it through our government's formulary, those products are to go through a process

that is science-based, that helps to determine the clinical efficacy of any product. This is an essential step in an environment where there is absolutely no alternative to science.

The reality is that the honourable member suggests that politics and emotion are what should make up decisions around this, but obviously, given the number of

products that are available on any given day, it's absolutely essential that we work in the process that that party helped to bring in while in government. That's the common drug review. In the

meantime, we say to that company one more time: If you believe as fervently in your product as you claim to, you should continue to offer it on a compassionate basis.

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I cannot believe that the Premier refused to answer my question.

Interjections.

The Speaker: I presume your point of order is asking for a late show on this.

Mr. Klees: Point of order --

The Speaker: You're asking for a late show, and I understand, but you did not ask the question yourself. So I'll have to proceed in asking for

a new question. Could this point of order -- we are encroaching on question period time.

TENANT PROTECTION

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): My question is for the Premier. Premier, it surprises a lot of people that tenants in Ontario who pay for

their utilities, like gas and water and hydro, as part of their rent could lose their unit's vital services if the building owner fails to pay the utilities on time. It's hard to believe that in

this day and age there is no law in Ontario that protects tenants from having the utilities being disconnected when their landlord fails to pay.

Last month in Hamilton, a 118-unit rental building lost their hydro, or almost did, through no fault of their own. They were paying for that service in their

rent, but they were caught in a squeeze between the Hamilton hydro utility and a delinquent landlord. After I raised that issue in Hamilton, city council went on to put a bylaw together to cover

off that issue. But there are many parts of Ontario, many parts of this province where tenants don't have a municipal bylaw protecting them.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Question?

Ms. Horwath: I've just introduced a bill today that would afford basic disconnection protection to every tenant in Ontario. Premier, will you

support that bill?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): The Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, minister responsible for seniors): I thank the member for the question. As she

has stated, the Tenant Protection Act right now enables municipalities to pass bylaws with respect to vital services. However, having listened to the bill, we'll certainly look at it, study it

closely and see what we can do with that, because it certainly seems to me, just on a personal basis, totally unacceptable for services to be cut off because a landlord in effect hasn't paid for

those services to the utility company when, in fact, the rent has been paid to that landlord.

Ms. Horwath: I would agree with you, Minister, in your opinion. No government should be allowing bad landlords to deprive tenants of their

essential utilities. But without the protection of the bill that I introduced, tenants will be finding themselves in these billing disputes, often between the utility and the landlord. I remind you

that the tenants already pay for the utilities in their rent, so the bill would ensure they don't lose their water, power or air conditioning. My bill protects both the tenants and the utility

company itself, in fact, because what it does is enable the provincial government to intervene with liens and orders that will effectively pressure bad landlords to pay up.

I can't see why anybody -- yourself, Minister, myself or anyone in this House -- would be against the protection of these tenants. Will you work with me, then,

to see that this particular bill becomes part of the measures of the Tenant Protection Act?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: As the member knows, we're doing an extensive review of the Tenant Protection Act currently and this is certainly one of

the issues we're looking at. We've had excessive consultations already. However, we'd be more than pleased to speak to the member, to see how her idea can be placed in a government bill.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. In a few short years, immigrants,

especially those who are very skilled, are expected to account for all of Ontario's workforce growth. That's why we have to be committed to opening the doors and taking away the barriers for

internationally trained professionals. Today, I even heard the member for Nepean-Carleton giving us credit that we're now training international medical graduates, and I want to thank him for it.

In fact, this government has done more in just 18 months to help internationally trained professionals gain access to employment than the previous two governments did in 12 years.

Minister, in January of this year, our government introduced the first annual progress report on what has been accomplished and what needs to be done. It's

called An Investment in Prosperity. Could you share with this House the important benchmarks of these successes that are described therein?

Hon. Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): Let me first thank my colleague, the member for Davenport. He

has been relentless over the years in the work he has been doing in this area.

Applause.

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: Thank you, my friend.

This report you showed just now, Opening Doors: An Investment in Prosperity, is an indication that our government is prepared to show leadership on this file.

Not only are we holding our partners accountable for the progress they're making, but we are intending to demonstrate our accountability for this file, because we know it is this kind of initiative

that will ensure we have the skilled workforce that will drive our prosperity agenda for many, many years to come.

I look forward to a supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary.

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): We have certainly come a long way. Highly skilled immigrants who arrive in my riding will now have

more services available to help them make a full contribution to our province's prosperity. Our local economy is sure to benefit when we have the opportunity to take advantage of the immense skills

at our doorstep. While we have accomplished a great deal in this area, I know the job is not finished. After all, the progress report is the first annual report, with the next report due in

Minister, what will our government's priorities be on this front, as we work to continue to improve access for the internationally trained?

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: In this first year, we placed a lot of emphasis on providing information on labour market forces and on the processes

required for regulation. We also announced several -- we're up to more than 40 bridge projects now that will assist individuals in closing the gaps between the skills they bring and the skills that

are required for the Ontario workforce.

We have also worked very successfully with regulators to improve their processes and we will continue over the next year to introduce more of these programs.

We will also be measuring the success of the programs we have introduced before. We will be introducing an independent appeals mechanism to ensure that these processes are transparent. I look

forward to continued efforts in this regard.

Now it's time for employers to step up to the plate and make sure that their barriers are eliminated so that we can bring these skills to the workforce.

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I want to formally register my dissatisfaction with the response I received

from the Minister of Health and would ask for a special debate on enzyme replacement therapy.

The Speaker: I presume the necessary papers are at the table.

On a point of order, the member from Beaches-East York.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent of the House to have the Premier correct his statement in the

House today, stating that I had received a 10.6% reduction in my insurance rates. I am sure he is quite mistaken, and wishes to --

The Speaker: It's not a point of order.

PETITIONS

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): My petition involves saving the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

services sector and economies of the local communities;

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

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to sign my name to this.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Petitions? The member for Brant.

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): I believe the member for Beaches-East York was up, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have a petition that reads as follows:

"Save Huronia Regional Centre, home to people with developmental disabilities!

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

services sector and the economies of the local communities; and

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

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

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

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

I am in agreement with this and I would affix my signature thereto.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): I do believe in fairness. That's why I mentioned that the member stood up.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas there is no established province-wide standard to deal with anaphylaxis in Ontario schools; and

"Whereas there is no specific comment regarding anaphylaxis in the Education Act; and

"Whereas anaphylaxis is a serious concern that can result in life-or-death situations; and

"Whereas all students in Ontario have the right to be safe and feel safe in their school community; and

"Whereas all parents of anaphylactic students need to know that safety standards exist in all schools in Ontario;

"Therefore

be it resolved that we, the undersigned, demand that the McGuinty government support the passing of Bill 3,

An Act to protect anaphylactic students,

which requires that every school principal in Ontario establish a school anaphylactic plan."

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

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): It's another Save the Sir Frederick Banting Homestead petition. I'll just note that Sir Frederick Banting died

in a plane crash in Newfoundland on February 21, 64 years ago today.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

the Ontario Historical Society; and

"Whereas the town of New Tecumseth has been unsuccessful in reaching an agreement with the Ontario Historical Society to use part of the land to educate the

public about the historical significance of the work of Sir Frederick Banting;

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

"That the Minister of Culture endorse Simcoe-Grey MPP Jim Wilson's private member's bill entitled the Frederick Banting Homestead Preservation Act so that the

homestead is kept in good repair and preserved for generations to come."

I want to thank Mr. Peter Banting for circulating this petition.

URBAN STRATEGY

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest): I have a petition which was presented to me by city councillor Gerry Altobello for ward 35

in Toronto. It's addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and signed by several constituents of his. I'm presenting it on his behalf, and it reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas converted brownfields in the Warden Ave. and St. Clair Ave. area in the riding of Scarborough Southwest in the city of Toronto support the McGuinty

government's commitment to urban intensification; and

"Whereas new housing developments require community supports in order to ensure strong communities;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ensure that the Ontario government invest in community supports for the Warden Ave. and

St. Clair Ave. area, including youth program funding, employment supports, public transit, transportation networks, community policing, community centres and other social service resources."

I agree with this petition and affix my signature to it.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): I have here a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas many volunteer fire departments in Ontario are strengthened by the service of double-hatter firefighters who work as professional, full-time

firefighters and also serve as volunteer firefighters on their free time and in their home communities; and

"Whereas the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association has declared their intent to `phase out' these double-hatter firefighters; and

"Whereas double-hatter firefighters are being threatened by the union leadership and forced to resign as volunteer firefighters or face losing their full-time

jobs, and this is weakening volunteer fire departments in Ontario; and

"Whereas Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has introduced Bill 52, the Volunteer Firefighters Employment Protection Act, that would uphold the right to

volunteer and solve this problem concerning public safety in Ontario;

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

"That the provincial government express public support for MPP Ted Arnott's Bill 52 and willingness to pass it into law or introduce similar legislation that

protects the right of firefighters to volunteer in their home communities on their own free time."

I sign this petition, as I agree with it.

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke is the number one preventable killer in Ontario today, and there is overwhelming evidence that retail

displays of tobacco products ... in plain view of children and adults increase the use of tobacco, we have collected 548 postcards signed by persons from our school and community supporting a

smoke-free Ontario in 2005 and banning the use of power walls which promote tobacco use.

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the Smoke-Free Ontario Act to make all public places and workplaces smoke-free

and to ban the use of power walls. The city of Ottawa has been smoke-free since August 2001. All of Ontario deserves clean air."

It's signed by Mary Knight, Celeste Constantineau and Janelle Wilson, and I add my name to this petition.

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette (Oshawa): I have a petition. It reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the current government has proposed province-wide legislation that would ban smoking in public places; and

"Whereas the proposed legislation will also prohibit smoking in private, non-profit clubs such as Legion halls, navy clubs" and other service clubs as well;

and

"Whereas these organizations have elected representatives that determine the rules and regulations that affect the membership of the individual club and

facility; and

"Whereas imposing smoke-free legislation on these clubs disregards the rights of these citizens and the original intentions of these clubs, especially with

respect to our veterans;

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

"That the Parliament of Ontario exempt Legion halls, navy clubs and other non-profit, private or veterans' clubs from government smoke-free legislation."

I affix my name.

LAND USE PLANNING

Mr. John Milloy (Kitchener Centre): I have a petition concerning a development in my area.

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

"We believe that the risk of contaminating this major source of currently potable groundwater for our present and future generations is too high to sacrifice

for the financial gains of a few. We demand:

"(1) that no action be taken to connect Columbia Street to Wilmot Line Road; and

"(2) that no formal subdivision registration take place until an individual environmental assessment of this project has been undertaken (which will also

include the impact of the increased traffic, estimated at 18,000 car trips daily) under the Environmental Assessment Act, and that the currently proposed housing density be substantially

decreased."

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR

THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I have another group from the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia.

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

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

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

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

services sector and economies of the local communities;

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

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

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

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

I'm pleased to sign my name to that.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

Mr. Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): My petition is prepared by Randy and Eve Jelley of Quinte West, whose son Brandon was tragically

killed when run over by a school bus.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas it has been shown that crossing control arms on school buses reduce or virtually eliminate instances of students being struck by their own bus;

and

"Whereas 91% of all front bumper fatalities involve buses not equipped with crossing control arms; and

"Whereas the safety of the children of Ontario is our number one priority;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to require that all future school buses be equipped with crossing control arms and that all

existing school buses be required to be immediately retrofitted with crossing control arms."

I am pleased to add my signature to this petition.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): Again, I have another group of petitions from the people of Orillia, from the Huronia Regional Centre.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

services sector and the economies of the local communities; and

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

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

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

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

province.

I'm pleased to sign my name to that.

Mrs. Donna H. Cansfield (Etobicoke Centre): I have a petition to save Huronia Regional Centre, home to people with developmental

disabilities.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

services sector and the economies of the local communities; and

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

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

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

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

Mr. Dunlop: Again, it's another one from the folks in Orillia and families in Ontario with clients in the Huronia Regional Centre.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

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

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

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

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

services sector and the economies of the local communities; and

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

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

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

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

I'm very pleased to sign my name to this.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I seek unanimous consent for my good friend Mr. Ruprecht to be accorded

a few moments to table his petition from his constituency. He looks like he's quite excited about the prospect, and frankly, I want to know what his constituents are saying.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Is there unanimous consent for the member for Davenport to put forward his petition? Do we have unanimous

consent? Agreed.

TTC RIGHT-OF-WAY

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and especially thank you very much to the member for Nepean-Carleton for his

kindness.

I have an important petition that reads as follows:

"To the Parliament of Ontario and the Minister of the Environment:

"Whereas the city filed the ESR, the environmental assessment report, and issued the notice of completion on November 22 ... and initiated a 45-day public

review period;

"Whereas environmental impacts of the dedicated right-of-way significantly affect the quality of life of nearby residents dramatically and detrimentally;

"Whereas the availability of other alternatives to the project have not" been carefully considered;

"Whereas the public consultation program and the opportunities for public participation have not been adequate;

"Whereas specific concerns remain unresolved...;

"Whereas the city/TTC have not made their case within the parameters set out by the Environmental Assessment Act. The act defines `environment' to include `the

social, economic and cultural condition that influences the life of humans or a community.' The city has not established the need for the project, nor has it adequately assessed the potential

socio-economic impacts that would result from constructed dedicated streetcar" rights-of-way "on St. Clair Avenue West;

"Therefore, we, the undersigned, demand that the Minister of the Environment issue a

Part II order which would subject the St. Clair project to an individual

environmental assessment."

Since I agree with it wholeheartedly, I'm delighted to present it to you.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

TOBACCO CONTROL STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI A TRAIT

À LA RÉGLEMENTATION

DE L'USAGE DU TABAC

Resuming the debate adjourned on February 16, 2005, on the motion for second reading of Bill 164,

An Act to rename and amend the Tobacco Control Act, 1994,

repeal the Smoking in the Workplace Act and make complementary amendments to other Acts / Projet de loi 164, Loi visant à modifier le

titre et la teneur de la Loi de 1994 sur la

réglementation de l'usage du tabac, à abroger la Loi limitant l'usage du tabac dans les lieux de travail et à apporter des modifications complémentaires à d'autres

lois.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean-Carleton): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to ask for unanimous consent that, instead of debating this,

on behalf of Roger Anderson, the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, we debate Bill 92 this afternoon because we were very interested and concerned about this bill too.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Do we have unanimous consent to debate --

Interjection: No.

The Speaker: I hear a no.

In this last rotation, I understand the government had some time; now it's going to rotate to the opposition side.

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I thought maybe Mr. Mario Sergio would be coming in this afternoon. However, I'm pleased to speak to Bill

164, the smoke-free bill.

First of all, I want to point out that I generally support the idea of legislation that begins or continues to try to stop people from smoking in our province.

I think it's important that we know that there is a health issue around smoking and, for that reason alone -- anything that impacts people's health, we have a concern with it. In fact, I would try

to support this legislation if there were some amendments made. I can tell you that the thing that bothers me most right now about the bill is the fact that there are absolutely no exemptions to

this particular legislation.

Mr. Baird: What about Legions?

Mr. Dunlop: I've written to some Legions in my riding and some military establishments that serve the public, and I'm very disappointed that

there's absolutely no way that the Royal Canadian Legion family can have exemption from this legislation. Why do I feel so strongly about that? In World War I and World War II, as a country, we

sent members of our armed forces cigarettes, at taxpayer expense, like we would food or any other commodities they might have used, and a lot of folks continue to smoke to this day. These folks who

are members of the Royal Canadian Legion, the remaining people who are veterans of World War II -- I think there are only a few people left from World War I -- I think deserve an opportunity to

visit and have the fellowship and friendship they deserve in their Legions. I actually think there should be a way in this legislation that, in those areas in particular, there be an exemption.

That can be done with ventilating systems and small rooms in the particular Legion. I'm not talking about having smoking in the whole building. I'm talking about some smoke rooms for our veterans,

to thank them for what they've given us, the kind of freedom and democracy they gave not only to Canada but to people around the world. With that, I think they need that opportunity.

Unless there's an amendment, I won't support the legislation. It's as simple as that right now. I think it's that important that we need a few exemptions in

there. This would be the primary exemption that I would be asking for at this time. I'm hoping the minister and the government will see fit. I know there are a number of petitions circulating right

now. We've created a few ourselves and we're sending them out to our Royal Canadian Legions and some of our other military establishments around the province asking for their support. Whether or

not the government will listen to that depends. They don't listen to an awful lot these days, so that is something that absolutely has to be addressed. I have to say on behalf of the nine Legions

in my riding that unless I'm told by those folks to support the legislation, I can't support it unless this exemption is included.

The second area of concern I have with the legislation -- and we heard it when the government