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February 16, 2005

38th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

vol. A

Hansard Transcripts

vol. B

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2005-Feb-16 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Wednesday 16 February 2005 Mercredi 16 février 2005

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

TOBACCO CONTROL

CHILD CARE

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

RIDING OF DUFFERIN–PEEL—WELLINGTON—GREY

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

VISITORS

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

KYOTO PROTOCOL

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ENERGY CONSERVATION

KYOTO PROTOCOL

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

ENERGY CONSERVATION

KYOTO PROTOCOL

ENERGY CONSERVATION

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

FARM IMPLEMENTS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES APPAREILS AGRICOLES

ORAL QUESTIONS

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

KYOTO PROTOCOL

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

TUITION FEES

GROWTH PLANNING

HOSPITAL FUNDING

FOREST INDUSTRY

KYOTO PROTOCOL

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

SECOND-STAGE HOUSING

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

TTC RIGHT-OF-WAY

WATERLOO—WELLINGTON TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN

PIT BULLS

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

ORDERS OF THE DAY

FILM CLASSIFICATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005

SUR LE CLASSEMENT DES FILMS

The House met at 1330.

Prayers.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound): I rise in the House today to remind the government about the negative impact that the requirement for hospitals to balance their budgets by 2006 is having on the residents of Grey and Bruce counties. The recent announcement of the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care demanding that hospitals balance their budgets or they would intervene and do it for them has forced our local Owen Sound hospital into a compromising position.

In an attempt to comply with these strong-handed tactics, hospitals are being forced to discuss how care should be delivered in their community. Our local hospital is discussing cuts to key services like oncology. This instability resulted in the resignation of the head of that department, Owen Sound's only oncologist, and is forcing residents of Grey and Bruce counties to travel two-and-a-half to three hours for necessary treatment. As you can imagine, timely treatment of this disease is imperative, and now my constituents are facing delays and exhausting trips to seek life-saving treatment.

Frustrated and outraged, Eleanor Pauling and Erika and Helmut Mayer worked tirelessly to collect more than 9,000 signatures on a petition which asks, where is the better health care promised by Dalton McGuinty? I am reading that petition into the Legislature today and strongly support its request for more stable funding for smaller rural hospitals. We have a health care problem, and creating instability for people providing care and cutting valuable services and financial support will not solve this problem.

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY

Mr. Ted McMeekin (Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot): I rise today to talk about one of the hardest-working and most respected groups in Ontario: our farmers. In addition to our monthly meetings with the Hamilton-Wentworth Federation of Agriculture, I have recently met with dairy farmers, cattlemen, pork, chicken, and grain and corn producers. I can tell you that this is a difficult time in the agricultural sector.

The McGuinty government understands. While our government has made a number of important investments -- for example, waiving the land transfer tax for family farms, investing $410 million of federal-provincial funding for farmers and the industry affected by mad cow, another $172 million in business risk management programs, and $20 million under the nutrient management financial assistance program -- we must, along with our federal partners, strive to do more.

On Wednesday, March 2, farmers from across Ontario will be visiting Queen's Park. I know Ontario's Minister of Agriculture and Food, the Honourable Steve Peters, looks forward to welcoming them. I will be joining my constituents here on March 2. Why? Because I want to continue to learn from, and our government wants to continue to stand in support of, our farm constituents as they struggle to ensure agricultural sustainability. I hope all members of this House will take time to welcome and talk with our farmers during their March 2 visit.

TOBACCO CONTROL

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant): I once again express my disappointment with this government's lack of respect for farmers, veterans, restaurants, pubs, bars, corner stores, casinos and bingos.

Yesterday, Health Minister Smitherman launched yet another salvo in his war on tobacco through Bill 164. He said, and I quote, "Cigarette displays in stores targeted at kids are an insidious form of advertising." Minister, corner store operators and employees have long done an outstanding job asking for ID and then turning away young people. Now, Liberal taxes force young people to buy cheap smokes out of the trunk of a car. Those guys don't ask for age.

Another quote: "This is a bill that is firm, but it is fair." Fair to whom? Is it fair to my tobacco farmers sitting here today, waiting for the promised compensation? Is it fair to those restaurant and pub owners who have invested in ventilation units? Is it fair to a single mom who is going to lose her waitressing job?

Another quote: "We do not go out of our way to penalize smokers." This is hypocrisy. The Ontario Liberal government has jacked up cigarette taxes three times since being elected -- hypocrisy at its best. You are filling your pockets.

George Smitherman quoted Fidel Castro yesterday. I think that is quite fitting. Bill 164 does come from a dictator.

CHILD CARE

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): I'm taking this opportunity to make a statement on something that is very important to families in Ontario, and that is child care.

Parents had high hopes for a deal on child care between Ontario and Ottawa coming out of the ministers' meeting just last Friday, but they were let down. The McGuinty and Martin Liberals returned with empty hands, empty pocketbooks and empty promises. The Ontario Minister of Children and Youth Services came home from that meeting without a federal dollar commitment and without a plan for investing in not-for-profit child care.

Dalton McGuinty promised a provincial investment of $300 million to create new child care spaces and reduce waiting lists for children right here in Ontario, right now. Studies show that not-for-profit, regulated child care is the best, the most effective and accountable system for child care, yet the McGuinty government is refusing to commit to it. The minister says she will hand off that decision to municipalities. This wishy-washy stand leaves the door open to the private, big-box daycare operators to come to Ontario and make a profit on caring for children.

As the NDP critic for children, I call on the minister to state clearly that government funding will be dedicated solely to not-for-profit child care, which study after study concludes is the best for children.

There is an increasing public frustration over a McGuinty government that promises the moon and the sun but gets nothing done because there's no plan. Anxious parents and child care advocates were promised leadership on the child care file. All they've seen are baby steps, and that's just not good enough. Ontario needs non-profit child care now.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North): I rise today to address an issue that is of importance to Ontarians broadly, but particularly to those individuals in my own riding of Etobicoke North.

Last May, I introduced a private member's resolution recognizing that foreign-trained professionals and tradespeople possess a significant potential contribution to the economic and cultural benefit of Ontario. I'm pleased to report that that was passed unanimously by this House. This resolution required that the government work to remove barriers that prevent internationally trained individuals from contributing fully to the labour market. I am proud to say that the McGuinty government is delivering on its pledge to embrace the vast wealth of talent and expertise that is manifest in our internationally trained population.

In January, Minister Chambers visited the Community MicroSkills Development Centre in my riding to announce a $5.8-million funding initiative for 15 projects which will eventually support the integration of 1,400 internationally trained professionals, particularly those in the health care industry. This recent support rests on the already impressive roster of rich training programs; for example, $26 million introduced by the same ministry for 200 training positions for internationally trained medical graduates.

The McGuinty government has a vision for Ontario, a vision that embraces and nurtures the skills of all our peoples, in particular those new Canadians who are still looking to integrate into the workforce.

RIDING OF DUFFERIN—PEEL—WELLINGTON—GREY

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke): As the last session drew to a close, we heard on a daily basis members on the opposite side chortling and challenging our party, asking us when our leader, John Tory, would come into this House. For almost three weeks now, the people of Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey have been without a representative in this Legislature.

The Premier promised electoral reform. He talked about fixed election dates so that no Premier could play games with the electorate. I submit to the Premier that that is exactly what he is doing with the electorate of Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey. He is playing games. John Tory has accepted the challenge that you put forth to us in the last session. I submit to the Premier, accept this challenge today. Call a by-election for that riding so that those people can be properly represented, so that the people of Ontario can have the Leader of the Opposition in his proper seat here representing their interests in this province.

Stop ducking, Dalton. Get to work. I know things have been tough for you. The people aren't very happy with the job you're doing. You're a little upset. Your boss in Ottawa has given you a spanking. But give the people in Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey a member in this House.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa—Orléans): I rise today to speak about the McGuinty government's commitment to increasing transit ridership in the province of Ontario. Under the Harris-Eves government, public transit in this province was ignored. As a result, it declined.

This government came into office with an eye to revitalizing transit. I'm proud to say that we're well on our way to accomplishing that goal. So far, we have given $78 million to communities in Ontario for transit by way of the gas tax. In the words of the Premier, this money is unprecedented, it's permanent and it's growing.

What's more, the funds from the gas tax encourage municipalities to grow their transit ridership, since funding allocations are partially based on ridership. Let me give you an example from the city of Ottawa, part of which I represent. Ottawa will receive a total of $18.8 million from the gas tax between October 2004 and 2005. Over three years, the city will receive $85 million for public transit. The city plans to use the money to expand the O-Train light rail system, buy new buses, expand routes and increase service, including in my area of Orléans.

We're investing this money because we understand that better public transit means fewer cars on the road, leading to cleaner air and less traffic in Ottawa and across the province. It means we are doing our

part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and being a team player to achieve Canada's Kyoto objectives.

ELECTRICITY SUPPLY

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): I am pleased to rise today to talk about the McGuinty government and what we are doing to increase Ontario's clean renewable energy capacity. Last month this government approved applications from private companies to assess wind power potential on 21 crown land sites. In my riding of Nipissing, there are three crown land sites that could potentially be homes to wind farms.

The previous government was unable to effectively manage the energy sector. Nothing illustrates that better than the 2003 blackout. Clearly, Ontario needs new, clean forms of alternative energy supply and capacity. Releasing these crown land sites is an important first step to increasing clean, renewable energy for Ontario's future.

The Ministry of Natural Resources estimates that about 3,000 megawatts of wind power capacity could be developed on private and crown lands in Ontario. Wind power is the fastest-growing energy supply sector in the world. The driving force behind this industry is the need to reduce harmful emissions and toxic waste. Eventually, wind farms could generate enough energy to help reduce our dependence on coal-fired electricity plants. This initiative will also help the McGuinty government achieve its target of generating 5% of the province's total energy capacity from renewable sources by 2007.

I am pleased that Nipissing is included in this initiative and that we are playing an important

part in helping the province reach its targets for generating renewable sources of energy.

VISITORS

Mr. Mario G. Racco (Thornhill): I want to say thank you to my honourable colleague for allowing me to introduce three honourable guests from Italy, specifically from Calabria and Sicily. They are Demetrio Scuncia, Alessia Gioffrè and Maurizio Scardaci Zappalà . Welcome. These three artists have come from Calabria and Sicily to entertain Calabrians, Sicilians, Italians in Ontario. In fact, they are on a tour of Cuba, the USA and Canada. In Ontario, they have entertained or will be entertaining people in Ottawa, Thorold, the greater Toronto area, Sudbury, Thunder Bay and Oshawa.

We are very pleased to have them here in Ontario so that our originals -- the people who came here many years ago -- will be able to be entertained in Italian, but also in their own dialect. It's a pleasure to have them in Ontario. I wish them the best. Please come back as often as you can, because in Ontario we have a significant population from Calabria. In fact, there are about 15 people in this House from the three parties with roots in Italy and, I may add, mostly from Calabria.

It's always a pleasure to have people who come here to remind us of the good culture that we were born with and that we want to continue to enjoy. I know my friend Mr. Marchese, being a Calabrian, appreciates that too.

LEGISLATIVE PAGES

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I would ask all members to join me in welcoming this group of legislative pages serving in the first session of the 38th Parliament: Victoria Bragues from Ancaster—Dundas—Flamborough—Aldershot; Christine Eamer from Leeds—Grenville; Clemence Emmanuel from Scarborough—Rouge River; Michael Gallea from Stoney Creek; Fraser Genge from Chatham—Kent—Essex; Jason Gwartz from St.

Catharines; John Paul Malette from Windsor West; Gino Marocco from Vaughan—King—Aurora; Sarah-Jane McCullough from Guelph—Wellington; Jessica Mealia from Willowdale; Annieza Mohamed from Etobicoke North; Sarah Morrison from Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford; Abdulkarim Muhaseen from Toronto Centre—Rosedale; Alyssa Novoselac from Mississauga East; Matthew O'Mara from Don Valley East; Wesley Parker from Don Valley West; Katelyn Reszitnyk from Burlington; Kristine Smith from Niagara Falls; Ian Stones from Etobicoke—Lakeshore; and Emma Tennier-Stuart from Beaches—East York.

Will you all join me in welcoming this new set of pages today.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I beg to inform the House that today the Clerk received the report on intended appointments dated February 16, 2005, from the standing committee on government agencies.

Pursuant to standing order 106(e)9, the report is deemed to be adopted by the House.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY AND RESPONSES

KYOTO PROTOCOL

The Ontario government intends to continue our effective partnership with the federal government and to continue working to meet our responsibilities under the accord. Our government will work with businesses, homeowners and municipalities to ensure that Ontario is doing its fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that allows our province to prosper and remain competitive. Our government has already taken strong action on air quality to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, combat smog and ensure that people and communities across the province have access to clean air. I would like to take this opportunity to review some of the highlights of our recent actions.

Last year, the governments of Canada and Ontario signed a memorandum of understanding for co-operation on addressing climate change. This agreement provides a framework for our two governments to help coordinate our actions on climate change, smog and related air quality problems. Together, our governments have also signed an agreement with the steel industry that sets out a strategy for reducing emissions from that important sector. We are working to reduce smog-causing and greenhouse gas emissions simultaneously, for the simple reason that both problems are a priority and also because it is the most cost-effective way to do so.

Reducing emissions from the energy sector is one of the key areas we are working on. We remain committed to replacing Ontario's five coal-fired electricity stations. Replacing these facilities with cleaner sources of generation will provide dual benefits for our people and communities, since the coal plants contribute in a major way to both smog and climate change. These five plants currently emit 34 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. By replacing them, we can achieve major reductions in the pollutants that contribute to climate change and smog.

Our government is requiring the Lakeview Generating Station in Mississauga to stop burning coal by the end of April 2005. The other plants will be phased out over the next few years.

We have begun the process of securing replacements for coal-fired power. The government has completed a renewable energy request for proposals that will add 395 megawatts of small, clean, renewable energy to our system by 2007. Over 90% of this has no greenhouse gas or smog-causing emissions.

Ontario also recently signed an agreement with the province of Manitoba and the federal government to study the feasibility of transmitting some of its hydroelectric power to Ontario. We are boosting Ontario's hydroelectric capacity with a major expansion of the existing facilities at Niagara Falls. Our government has launched a request for proposals for 2,500 more megawatts of clean generation, and we are currently reviewing proposals for more than 8,000 megawatts for capacity that was submitted through this process.

We will encourage more businesses to adopt co-generation and remove barriers to this technology. We are committed to helping Ontario homeowners and businesses reduce their costs and electricity consumption by at least 5% by 2007. We will reduce the government's electricity use by at least 10% over the next two years.

Another important air quality initiative was announced last June at a smog summit in Toronto. Our government's five-point action plan will reduce industrial emissions of toxic and smog-causing air pollutants and thus improve the quality of the air we breathe. Under the five-point plan, emissions of the two most significant smog-causing pollutants -- nitrogen oxide and sulphur dioxide -- from 30 of our largest facilities will be capped. The cap will be reduced in steps in 2010 and 2015.

We pledge to continue our work with the federal government to reduce the emissions that are so harmful to our air, our people, our environment and our quality of life. There is no future in a dirty economy. Taking action to reduce greenhouse gases is a sign of a cleaner, more efficient, more productive economy and a higher quality of life in our communities.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Hon. Harinder S. Takhar (Minister of Transportation): I am pleased to rise in the House today. I am happy to announce that our government has made good on its gas tax commitment. We have already invested $78 million in public transit systems across the province.

I can tell you that the program is already a major success. Provincial gas tax funding is getting more people on public transit.

In the first year of the program, the ridership is expected to increase by six million people. By the end of 2007, we expect to see the kind of service improvements that attract as many as 33 million new transit riders. You heard it right: 33 million riders by 2007.

Our government is investing more than $1 billion over the next five years in public transit across Ontario. Some 78 transit systems across 105 communities will benefit over the next three years. I understand that five more communities are interested in signing on.

Provincial gas tax funding gives municipalities stable, long-term funding. Now they can better plan and improve their transit systems so that more people will choose transit. We know that one bus can take 50 cars off the road. More people using transit means less congestion. It means cleaner air everywhere for everyone. We all benefit from this.

Here are some examples of what the gas tax is doing.

It's helping communities expand transit services. In fact, gas tax funding is helping transit systems across Ontario buy more buses. It's helping them buy more than 1,800 new buses over the next three years.

In Sudbury, gas tax has allowed the city to expand services for the disabled. It will run not just on weekdays but throughout the weekend as well. In communities around the province there are new buses on new routes for longer hours, and that is all due to the gas tax.

These are the kinds of transit improvements that really count for our commuters. But don't take just my word for it. Let me quote the mayor of London, who says provincial gas tax funding is "the kind of sustainable funding we've been waiting for. Now we can start planning for the future."

Ken Ogilvie, the executive director of Pollution Probe, said, "We have been waiting for political leadership on this issue, and now we are getting it in Ontario."

This government is committed to increasing transit ridership. We know that getting more people out of their cars means less congestion, less stress and a better quality of life.

Traffic delays cost Ontario billions of dollars every year. Through provincial gas tax funding, we are investing in public transit. We are investing in a stronger economy. It is an investment in our communities and in our future.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy, Government House Leader): I am very pleased to announce that the government is introducing draft regulations to require that air conditioners made or sold in Ontario be 30% more energy-efficient than they are today.

On an average summer day, up to 2,500 megawatts of electricity can be attributed to household air conditioning use across the province, equal to half the power used by all the city of Toronto at peak demand. This new regulation would lead to greater energy conservation, and yes, smaller electricity bills.

While the new standards would not affect equipment in current use or on retailers' shelves, they would eliminate production on many of the least efficient units, sparking the manufacture of new, more energy-efficient air conditioners for homes and other buildings across Ontario.

The draft regulation, which is now posted on Ontario's Environmental Registry for public comment, was drafted collaboratively with manufacturers, utilities, retailers and consumer groups.

In addition to more exacting standards for air conditioners, it proposes new efficiency requirements for large residential gas-fired furnaces, street and industrial lighting ballasts and refrigerated display cabinets.

It would also set tougher standards for a number of products already covered by the act, such as household clothes washers and household water heaters.

This regulation continues a legacy of support for energy efficiency started by the Peterson government, which introduced the Energy Efficiency Act in this House in 1988. The first of its kind in Canada, this legislation remains a testament to the commitment of Liberal governments, past and present, to conservation and energy efficiency.

Taken together, regulations under this act have resulted in estimated savings equivalent to more than a year's worth of power for the cities of London and Windsor combined and have saved consumers over $250 million in energy costs. We look forward to introducing even more standards to help Ontarians become more energy-efficient.

Our government has taken many substantive steps to encourage conservation of our energy resources. We quickly put in place an electricity pricing plan that rewards consumers who conserve and, over the next few weeks, the next steps in that plan will be announced.

The Ontario Energy Board has advanced proposals on the structure of the pricing plan for small consumers and on the implementation of smart meters. It will soon be announcing its final regulated price plan, which will continue to encourage the wise use of energy.

We are working with organizations around the province, from power utilities to environmental organizations to consumer groups, to develop specific, meaningful conservation initiatives. For example, my ministry has entered into partnerships to improve energy efficiency in schools, to help students learn about conservation, to develop plans for helping low-income Ontarians conserve energy and to develop energy conservation initiatives for small businesses, hospitals, farmers and lower-income consumers.

Our government has also removed financial disincentives that local utilities have faced in helping customers conserve. In fact, Ontario's electricity distribution companies are developing and implementing community-based conservation initiatives valued up to a quarter of a billion dollars.

Legislation passed by this House has also set in motion the creation of the Ontario Power Authority, and with it, Ontario's first chief energy conservation officer and energy conservation bureau. The Conservatives and the New Democrats voted against that, and the voters ought not let them forget that.

I'd like to acknowledge the continued good work of the conservation action team, made up of nine parliamentary assistants and chaired by my own parliamentary assistant, the member for Etobicoke Centre, Donna Cansfield. That group has done an outstanding job. It is in no small part through their efforts that this government continues to advance conservation in this province.

In light of our government's priorities, I'm especially pleased to share the good news of this proposed regulation on the same day that the Kyoto accord comes into force. The accord requires Canada to reduce its emissions of carbon dioxide. In addition to our government's commitment to reduce greenhouse gases by replacing coal with cleaner sources of energy, electricity conservation will play an important role in helping Ontario and Canada meet their Kyoto commitments.

We are positioning Ontario to be a world leader in energy conservation. This will mean more jobs in an innovative economy, it will mean stronger communities and it will mean cleaner air for all of to us breathe.

The Conservative Party opposes cleaning up our environment. They oppose cleaning up our air. They oppose reducing C0 2 emissions into the environment. Dalton McGuinty and this party are moving forward starting the first week of April to get rid of the dirtiest coal-fired plants in the province, to help implement the Kyoto accord and assure that we cut down, or at least reduce, the probability of increasing the risk of lung disease in this province. That government's record, and John Tory's record, which has been all over the board -- is John Tory in favour of Kyoto or opposed to Kyoto? We don't know. Does he have a plan for implementing Kyoto? We don't know.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): The member from Simcoe North, come to order. I'm trying to hear the statement by the minister.

Hon. Mr. Duncan: This government is moving forward to implement the Kyoto accord. I'm proud to stand in this House today and strengthen energy efficiency regulations in Ontario which will benefit all the citizens in this province.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand—Norfolk—Brant): I wish to remind the members opposite and the Minister of the Environment that our party supports concrete action on climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. However, we are very disappointed that the Prime Minister proceeded with ratification without providing a detailed analysis of the Kyoto impacts on our economy, especially vis-à -vis our competitors: the United States, India and China. They did not sign on.

Minister of the Environment, don't you think it's time that you and the federal Liberals provided Ontarians with details of a plan for meeting these obligations? How much is it going to cost Ontario taxpayers? You should not be putting jobs at risk just to meet an artificial and, I would suggest, unattainable deadline. Your leader needs to stand up for Ontarians and get a commitment from your federal cousins to assure that Ontario does not shoulder an unfair burden.

You need to be announcing new tax incentives for consumers and industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, not announcing new regulatory burdens without incentives. I remind the House that since signing Kyoto, emissions of carbon dioxide continue to rise, and that is after federal spending plans of $3.7 billion.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe—Grey): First of all, I want to thank the minister for coming to my riding last week. Secondly, I want to respond to his gas tax announcement today, which is one of the greatest frauds put on the people of Ontario. It turns out that in the last election all municipalities were under the impression that they could share in the gas tax. Today, only 105 of 437 municipalities get any share at all in this gas tax.

I dare the minister to make this statement next week at the ROMA and Good Roads conferences, where mostly rural municipalities are represented. They're going to laugh you off the stage.

Secondly, even cities like Toronto, that get 52% of the gas tax, are now figuring out that they were better off under the Tories.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. When the government was making their statements by the ministry --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Hold the clock. I'm just waiting for the Minister of Finance to vent all his emotions. I think he's over them by now.

I hope you can pick up from where you were, member for Simcoe—Grey. Would you continue your response.

Mr. Wilson: Even in the city of Toronto, Mayor Miller has figured out that he got more money for transit under the Tories' old system than he gets now under the gas tax system. You've absolutely not told the truth with respect to gas tax and transit in this province. You're ripping off rural municipalities, and Mayor Miller and the big cities are starting to figure out they've got less money to spend on transit this year under your gas tax scheme than they did when we were in government. Shame on you.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Mr. John O'Toole (Durham): The three announcements today by the ministers is clear evidence of mismanagement and no vision. Quite honestly, if you --

Interjection.

Mr. O'Toole: Pay attention here. This caucus stands for conservation. That is the legacy of our government: conservation. You cancelled the Energy Star program, a program which encouraged conservation by using energy-efficient appliances. What this government is going to do now is penalize people by charging them to buy -- they will have no option but to buy -- more energy-efficient appliances, without a tax credit or reward mechanism in place.

It's clear if you read Linda Leatherdale's

article today in the Sun that higher electricity prices are on the way. It's all codified language by the Minister of Energy today, who has no plan except to raise the price to encourage conservation.

They've broken every election promise you could bring to mind. The election promise to maintain the cap: They broke that and raised the price by as much as 20%. They promised to close the coal plants: Hansard will reveal to you they have no intention of closing the coal plants as promised. They promised smart meters, and the consumer is going to have to pay. The message here today is that they're trying to find any mechanism to shift the responsibility of shortage of supply because of their coal decision on to the consumer side.

Minister, you know you're presenting a threat to the economy and I dare say to the safety of the people of Ontario. Your policy is reckless, ill conceived, ill managed and is doomed to failure.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): I want to respond on the government's lack of a plan to meet its Kyoto commitments. In fact, I heard the minister refer to the Liberal government in Ottawa. Everyone knows the Liberal government in Ottawa is behind and has no plan. It is now trying to scribble one on the back of an envelope, just as you are trying to do here today.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): You didn't have a plan for the replacement of the coal-fired generation stations. You still don't have a plan. That is why media are reporting that Minister Duncan is warming to coal, or should I say Minister Duncan likes coal.

I want to refer to the draft regulation, because this is what the government's so-called plan amounts to: a draft regulation on air conditioning. That's it. That's the sum total of it.

What's interesting is, if you refer to some of the people who are actually studying energy efficiency, this is what they say:

"The government of Ontario should adopt minimum energy efficiency standards under the Energy Efficiency Act equivalent to the energy efficiency levels required for Energy Star labelling for all major electricity-using devices." Are they doing that? No.

"The provincial building code should be amended to require R2000, Canadian building improvement program, or equivalent energy efficiency performance for all new buildings and building renovations." Are they doing that? No.

"The Planning Act should be amended to permit municipalities to make energy efficiency design requirements a condition of planning and site approvals for new developments." Are they doing that? No.

"The most energy-efficient technologies in all sectors and end-uses should be labelled through the Energy Star program or, if not included in Energy Star, through a provincial labelling system." Are they doing that? No.

"The government of Ontario should establish a partnership with utilities, financial institutions, energy service companies, municipalities, and other stakeholders to offer a series of financing mechanisms to assist electricity consumers in all sectors to finance the adoption of energy-efficient products and technologies and measures out of the savings they will achieve through these investments." Is the McGuinty government doing that? No.

"The government of Ontario should enter into an agreement with the federal government under the auspices of the federal government's Kyoto protocol implementation plan to share the costs of providing the following financial incentives for the adoption of energy-efficient technologies:

" -- Grants for high-efficiency home energy retrofits and new R2000 homes." Are they doing that? No.

" -- Grants toward the additional costs of new high-efficiency commercial buildings, and commercial building retrofits." Is the McGuinty government doing that? No.

" -- Sales tax rebates for all Energy Star products in all sectors and small-scale renewable energy power sources." Are they doing that? No.

This government doesn't have a plan. They announced a draft regulation for air conditioners -- not even a regulation; a draft regulation -- that probably won't go into effect for a year or so. There's no plan here, no plan whatsoever.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches—East York): I listened to the Minister of Transportation, expecting to hear something new and unique and novel today. But all this is is a reannouncement of an announcement of an announcement, with nothing changing.

There is a huge problem in the city of Toronto. We read about it every day, those of us who live in this city, about the city trying to find $92 million because of the downloading of the province upon the taxpayers of the city. Is this going to solve any of those problems? Absolutely not. It's not going to solve them because in actual fact they are getting less money in the city of Toronto from this government than they got from the previous one. You should know that and you should not be proud of what you're doing. You should be ashamed of it.

The money is not even going to transit. I quote Minister Bentley in the London Free Press when he said exactly what was going to happen. "The infusion of millions into London from the gas tax -- money handed over less than two months ago -- meant the city could trim $455,000 from its transit budget, Bentley said, about the same amount needed for the daycare program."

You're not building new things; you're taking it out of what already exists to build something else. If you are going to do that, at least have the guts to stand up and say that. This is not money for transit; this is money for other programs. You have neglected 350 municipalities in this province, which are literally going to get nothing out of this deal.

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto—Danforth): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'm asking for unanimous consent to vote on my ballot item 39, which would have Ontario establish regulations aimed at capping greenhouse gas emissions.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): The member for Toronto—Danforth has asked for unanimous consent. Do we have that? I didn't hear unanimous consent here.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean—Carleton): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would like to ask for unanimous consent to revert to introduction of bills so that Mr. Hardeman might introduce his private member's bill that will be debated next week.

The Speaker: The member for Nepean—Carleton has asked for unanimous consent. Agreed? Agreed.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

FARM IMPLEMENTS

AMENDMENT ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LES APPAREILS AGRICOLES

Mr. Hardeman moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 168,

An Act to ensure fairness, to foster competition and consumer choice and to encourage innovation in the farm implement sector / Projet de loi 168, Loi visant à assurer l'équité, à favoriser la concurrence et le choix chez le consommateur et à encourager l'innovation dans le secteur des appareils agricoles.

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

Mr. Ernie Hardeman (Oxford): Thank you very much, Speaker, and thank you to the House for allowing me to introduce it after the time for introduction of bills.

As the title of the bill says, it is a bill to ensure fairness, to foster competition and consumer choice and to encourage innovation in the farm implement sector. This bill will give farmers, farm implement dealers and manufacturers greater choice in how they operate their business, and I would ask for support when it comes forward for second reading.

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean—Carleton): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: If I could just present an issue. I have received a notice of resolution from the government on a very important issue with respect to the fiscal relationship between the government of Ontario and the federal government. The federal budget will be printed and going to press in just a few short days, so I appreciate this is a matter that I know the Premier feels is very important. We in the official opposition want to be helpful, as we always are, to allow this resolution to be debated expeditiously and to allow all the voices of Ontario's MPPs to be heard on this issue.

Having said that, I would like to ask for unanimous consent to move the following motion without debate or amendment and that the question be put forthwith: That the House debate the government resolution, tabled today, this afternoon after question period --

The Speaker: Order. You're just asking for unanimous consent to move your motion.

Mr. Baird: I'd like to speak to the motion.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member is asking for unanimous consent to move the motion. I got a no.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The matter has been dealt with.

ORAL QUESTIONS

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. Robert W. Runciman (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. Premier, earlier this afternoon, John Tory sent you a letter about federal-provincial finances, and I want to quote from that letter.

"Premier, if your recent comments toward the federal government are genuine and not just politics of diversion, I urge you to start working with the first ministers in order to reform and review federal-provincial finances.

"Continuing with your current policy of demanding one-time grants from an existing federal surplus will not achieve this end. It is not the result of any plan or thoughtful reform to federal-provincial-municipal finances."

Premier, you promised a constructive approach to dealing with the federal government in the last campaign. After a year and a half, that's suddenly changed. You drank the Kool-Aid, and fed-bashing is in vogue. Will you answer John Tory's letter and immediately call a meeting of the Council of the Federation to develop a real, long-term, sustainable fiscal framework instead of your pick-a-number-from-the-hat approach?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): It is delightful to learn that the official opposition is taking an interest in something which I think is going to be of growing interest to every single Ontarian.

I'm pleased to report that, as chair of the Council of the Federation, the council has, in fact, a proposal which we will be making public very shortly in terms of its end game. It's a proposal to put in place a panel to consider the very issues that the Leader of the Opposition is raising; more specifically, to look at the entire question of the fiscal imbalance. Each of the regions has appointed a representative to this point in time, save and except for Quebec. Once Quebec has its representative on that panel, we will then launch it and make it public.

Mr. Runciman: For the record, our party, the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario, and our leader, John Tory, have taken an interest in this issue for a number of years, much to the chagrin and criticism of the current Premier of the province.

Premier, your problem is that you've made it too easy for Paul Martin to say no. Your call for $5 billion is based on the same back-of-a-napkin approach that you used in dealing with health care. There's no plan, no sense that you have any clear idea of where you want to go. For example, just yesterday you said your priority is to spend $400 million on a swanky new hotel-casino in Windsor. You're telling hospitals at the same time to cut $170 million from their budget. You're telling nurses that you're hiring 8,000, but in reality you're firing close to 1,000. Paul Martin is right to question your sincerity.

We do need a new fiscal arrangement in this country, but we need a Premier who can build a case, demonstrate need and follow through. Premier, are you telling us today that you do not require a meeting of the federal organization, or is the meeting going to be called? Are you going to call one as the chair of that group?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: To be very clear, the meeting has been convened. It was convened several months ago now. We've had a number of telephone conferences since then. The die is cast. It's just a matter now of making this panel public.

Let me speak to the issue more broadly, because this gives me a good opportunity to speak to it. I'd be interested to learn a little bit more about where the official opposition stands on this. We believe there is a real and pressing issue of a financial nature before the people of Ontario: That is this whole notion of a $23-billion gap. That's the difference between how much money the federal government removes from us by way of taxes and other things and returns to us. We believe it is absolutely essential that we retain some of that money.

I said that this $5 billion was a good starting point as a basis for discussion. What we are talking about here is being able to ensure that we have sufficient funds to make absolutely essential investments in things like post-secondary education and infrastructure, which will in turn strengthen this economy, something that will stand to the benefit not only of Ontario but all of Canada.

Mr. Runciman: Premier, it's increasingly clear that your conversion on the road to Damascus is likely more smoke and mirrors. We have pit bulls, censor boards, provincial logos, anything but the real challenges facing the province, and that is truly regrettable. This debate is not about an arbitrary, one-time share of the federal surplus. It's about a fundamental reworking of the nation's fiscal imbalance, something our party has been calling for for years, and we'll forgive you a few stumbles as you get up to speed.

You say you want $5 billion because you have a $6-billion deficit. Just last week, your deficit was $2.2 billion.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order.

Mr. Runciman: You are over budget in your spending this year by a staggering $820 million, yet hospitals are still cutting --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Could the members for the government side, especially the ministers on this side -- so I can hear the Leader of the Opposition put his question forward. I'm getting constant interruption from this side. I'd appreciate your co-operation.

Mr. Runciman: As I was saying, the government, under the Premier, is over budget in their spending by a staggering $820 million this year. Hospitals are still cutting beds and programs, nurses are being laid off, teachers are voting to strike and negotiations with doctors are stalled. We need a new permanent fiscal arrangement, not a one-time bailout. We've suggested that the Premier has no plan in a whole range of areas. Can he indicate to us today, to the people of Ontario, how he arrived at this $5-billion figure? He's saying it's a starting point.

There must be some calculation behind this, or is this once again seat-of-the-pants, write-it-out-on-a-napkin, go to the public and distract the public's attention away from the real challenges facing this province?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: If the leader of the official opposition is suggesting that this $23-billion gap is a distraction and of no real concern to the people of Ontario, then he doesn't understand the nature of this issue. We're talking about ensuring that the people of Ontario can retain more of their money so that they can invest in the kinds of things that will generate still more wealth. That's something that will stand to the benefit not only of the people of Ontario, but indeed all the people of Canada.

For example, recently, Bob Rae threw down the gauntlet.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Just a moment, please. It's the same courtesy I ask of the opposition when the Premier is responding. I'm getting constant interruption on this side.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Recently, former Premier Bob Rae issued a report, a very solid report, which makes strong recommendations to the effect that it is time for us as a province to make greater investment in our post-secondary education system. He tells us that if we don't begin to do that we will lag further behind. We want to lead in this province. We want to resolve this $23-billion-gap issue so that we can stand up and be a genuine leader, both in terms of providing good-quality public services to the people of Ontario and ensuring we're providing sufficient wealth to the people of Canada for quality public services from coast to coast to coast.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mr. John R. Baird (Nepean—Carleton): My question is to the Premier. I want to return to your mismanagement of the health care system here in Ontario. The sad reality is that it has become clear to everyone who's watching that you have no plan for health care in Ontario.

I want to bring your attention to the growing crisis at the Kingston General Hospital in eastern Ontario. Yesterday and today, surgeries are being cancelled, forcing patients to travel hundreds of miles out of their home communities for care. Dr. Peter Munt at KGH said, in a shocking statement, "It's generally getting worse each day. There isn't an end in sight."

Premier, patients in Kingston and the opposition at Queen's Park want to know what your personal plan is to alleviate this crisis that you have created in Kingston.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I'm pleased to report that, as a result of the outstanding efforts of the MPP for that community, Kingston, we have invested an additional $41 million in that hospital.

Let me say as well, so that the member opposite understands, we are doing something that has never been done before. We are taking the bull by the horns when it comes to our health care system. We are working with our hospitals on a day-to-day basis. We are not only providing them with more funding than ever before, we are also working to find efficiencies in a way that does not compromise health care. At the same time, we've made hundreds of millions of dollars worth of investment outside our hospitals in community-based care to relieve the pressure that is on our hospitals. That is, broadly speaking, the nature of our plan.

I'm pleased to report that some -- how many hospitals have balanced their budgets?

Interjection: Over half.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Over half have already balanced their budgets. They've done so in a way that does not compromise care, and we look forward to working with the balance so that we can move forward on this.

Mr. Baird: I'm sure patients in eastern Ontario are happy to have Bob Runciman being that MPP in the local region who is working hard for patient care, because he is seeing nothing from members across the aisle.

The sad reality, Premier, is that Dr. Peter Munt is saying, despite the rhetoric of the member opposite, "It's generally getting worse.... there is no end in sight." The sad reality that you have no plan is made worse. While 50 patients in Kingston wait for a long-term-care bed, just down the road, 10 minutes' drive down the 401, there are 10 vacant beds at the Carveth long-term-care facility -- 10 vacant beds which could be used to provide better patient care to people in eastern Ontario.

Premier, I want to specifically ask you, and patients in eastern Ontario want to specifically ask you: What is your plan to make this situation better? What is your plan to fix this mess?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We have invested over $2 billion more into health care since we assumed the responsibility of serving Ontarians as their government. We are working hard with our hospitals, our doctors and our nurses to improve the quality of care that we can deliver.

The member opposite knows that, for example, we have some very specific results that we want to achieve when it comes to more cancer care, more cardiac care, more cataract care, more MRIs and more CTs. In fact, we've improved the number of our scans by 20% since we got the job. We are proud of that particular result, and the Minister of Health tells me again and again that one of the things we are about to do is expand our family health teams. We have had over 200 applications now for only 45 family health teams to be made available at this point in time. There is a very broad embrace of our reforms.

There is a critical mass of people who want us to continue to improve the quality of their health care.

Mr. Baird: The sad reality, Premier, is that the hundreds and thousands of Ontarians who are watching on television see no plan from this Premier and this government to alleviate the situation, not just in greater Kingston, not just in eastern Ontario, but right across the province. You see, Premier, these 10 beds are empty because these patients would not be able to get a doctor in that community, and you have no plan to eliminate the doctor shortage in Ontario.

Let's look at what Ontario nurses are saying about the layoffs that your government is undertaking. The Minister of Health bragged in a recent press conference that it's only 757 nurses being laid off. Let's see what the Ontario Nurses' Association says about that. Linda Haslam-Stroud, said, "Layoffs will deeply affect patient care."

Premier, I want to come back to you and I want to come back to the absence of a plan. Stand in your place and tell me, stand in your place and tell patients right across Ontario, and stand in your place and explain to nurses how firing 757 nurses will make health care better in Ontario. Would you do that?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: As I indicated yesterday, we have funded 3,052 full-time, new nursing positions and we're proud to make that investment.

The member opposite made reference to the doctor shortage. There's no doubt about it, we inherited a situation where we are short of doctors. Let me tell you about some of the things we're doing in that regard. In addition to investing in these 150 family health teams, as I just mentioned, although there are only 45 opportunities available at this time, we have received over 200 applications. Last week, over 550 international medical graduates sat for a clinical assessment. We have doubled the number of spots for international medical graduates, from 90 to 200.

I can tell you as well that the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario issued 2,638 licences just last year. For the first time ever, more of those licences were issued to international medical graduates than to Ontario grads.

So we are working with the medical community. We are investing in more medical school spaces, we are building a brand new medical school, and we're opening the doors to our international medical graduates.

FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL

FISCAL POLICIES

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): I have a question for the Premier. Conservatives, hospitals, doctors, nurses, Newfoundlanders, Nova Scotians, and now Paul Martin: What do all these people and things have in common? Well, according to Dalton McGuinty, they're all to blame for the problem you now find yourself with. Here is the reality. You promised to reinvest in hospitals, in health care, in schools and in municipalities, but then you promised Louisiana-style taxes; a complete contradiction. Now that you're being called to account, you are turning around and pointing the finger at everyone else.

Premier, when are you going to stop blaming everyone else for your predicament, the predicament that you created? When are you going to take responsibility for your own government?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I would have thought that the leader of the NDP would have seized the opportunity to say, "I'm onside when it comes to standing up for the people of Ontario." You would think he would have seized that opportunity. Apparently he thinks that the $23-billion gap is an issue that is not worth addressing.

For some reason, he thinks that if an immigrant lands in Montreal and the Quebec government gets $3,800 and an immigrant lands in Toronto and the Ontario government gets $800, that is not an issue that should be put under the spotlight and examined very closely. We happen to believe that is an issue that demands examination. It's an issue that demands fairness. It's an issue that is symptomatic of an unfairness that has been obtaining for quite some time now. What we're saying is, it's time to bring this issue forward.

It's time for Ontarians to come together and say to the federal government, "We want nothing more and nothing less than fairness."

Mr. Hampton: Premier, it may be news to you that there is a fiscal imbalance, but there has been a fiscal imbalance for some time. You only discover it when you don't have a health care plan, you don't have an education plan, you don't have a plan for municipalities, and suddenly, you look out for someone to blame.

You promised Louisiana-style taxes. Do you remember that? You looked into the camera and said, "I won't raise your taxes, but there will be billions for health care and education and universities and the environment." You created this problem, Premier. You created it; no one else. So I ask you, when are you going to take responsibility for your own government, instead of trying to blame hospitals, doctors, Nova Scotians, Newfoundlanders, and now Paul Martin?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: We've invested some $2.8 billion in health care and $1.1 billion in education. What we're saying at this point in time is that the federal government has some modicum of responsibility to ensure that the people of Ontario can retain more of their own money so they can invest in better quality public services, so they might better invest in infrastructure, so we can develop a stronger economy here in Ontario, something that will serve not only our province but our country.

You would think, given the logic of that particular argument, that the leader of the NDP would want to join us. You would think that he would want to say that he wants to stand with the people of Ontario. We want to demand fairness from the federal government. You would have thought, given the nature of the challenges before us and given the obvious unfairness, that he would want to stand with the people of Ontario.

Mr. Hampton: No, I'm here to hold Premier McGuinty to account. I want to mention a famous quote from just a few years ago: "Mike Harris is so obsessed with fed-bashing, he's ignoring the crisis in health care in his own backyard -- one largely of his own making." Who said that? Dalton McGuinty said that. Now who has created a health care problem and who's engaging in fed-bashing? Dalton McGuinty.

If I were Paul Martin, I'd be a bit puzzled. He has delivered $2 billion in new health care funding, he has delivered new federal funding for child care, and his good friend Dalton McGuinty is bashing him. If I were Paul Martin, I'd be puzzled. You made the promises, Premier. You promised Louisiana-style tax cuts. When are you going to stop blaming your good friend Paul Martin and take responsibility for your own actions?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm sure that the member is going to get a call from Jack Layton shortly, because I know Jack Layton wants to stand up for the province of Ontario.

There is a little bit of difference between the discussion I'm having with the federal government and that which Mike Harris had with the federal government. He was looking for money to put into tax cuts. I'm talking about retaining some of our money so we can invest in better-quality public services. You would think the leader of the NDP would --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order. I think the members wish to hear the answer.

New question?

Mr. Hampton: Maybe you can explain this: You want to maintain Mike Harris's tax cuts. I don't see much of a difference there.

Premier, you have an obligation to pay to Ontario municipalities a percentage of the social assistance costs that those municipalities incur on your behalf. For example, you owe the city of Toronto approximately $92 million, Hamilton about $19 million, London about $15 million and Windsor about $12 million. Your minister says that you owe the municipalities in excess of $150 million a year. But you have refused to pay. Meanwhile, you cry wolf when the federal government doesn't come up with all of the money that you want. Premier, how can you talk out of both sides of your mouth at the same time?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: It's so obvious that the member doesn't get it. If we had the ability to hang on to more of our money -- and we've put down as a basis for discussion $5 billion, which would mean $18 billion net would still flow to the federation, and we're proud to send that $18 billion. But if we could have that $5 billion or so, then we could provide greater assistance to our municipalities, we could provide more help to Ontario's farmers, we could make essential investments in post-secondary education, we could make essential investments in infrastructure, like get that bridge moving at the Windsor border.

Those are the kinds of investments that we could make if we could just hang on to a bit more of our own money. You would think that that logic would be very clear and inescapable.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, this is the contradiction for you: You owe this money to the municipalities. Many of those municipalities are between a rock and a hard place, and you say, "I'm not paying this money," yet you go to the federal government. You were quite happy to shake Paul Martin's hand a couple of months ago at the health conference and say, "This is a record-breaking deal." You were quite happy a few months ago to say that Paul Martin was doing exactly what needed to happen in the country.

But now when you find yourself in a financial jam that you made because you promised Louisiana-style taxes, suddenly you want to say to the municipalities, "We are not paying up." But you want to say to the federal government that they have to bail you out. I ask you again, Premier, how can you talk out of both sides of your mouth at the same time?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: I'm sure that many, many Ontarians are growing still more disappointed with the NDP Party when they learn that their leader is not prepared to stand up with the people of Ontario and demand a fair deal for the province of Ontario.

We have a good, strong working relationship with Ontario's municipalities, and I'm very proud of the work that Minister Gerretsen has done to establish that good, solid working relationship.

I say to the leader of the NDP, as I say to Ontario municipalities, to Ontario farmers, to Ontario business and to 12.4 million Ontarians, it is important that we stand together on this issue and demand a modicum of fairness from the federal government to ensure that we can retain more of our money so that we can invest in better-quality public services and generate more wealth for Ontario and all of Canada.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, the city of Toronto calculates that your government takes out of Toronto about $4.5 billion to $5 billion more than you put back in. So employing your logic, when are you going to write the $5-billion cheque to Toronto? Because that seems to be the extent of your logic.

Only a few short months ago, Paul Martin was your best friend and Paul Martin was, according to you, setting health care and all these things on the right course for the next generation. But suddenly, when you find yourself in a financial jam of your own making because you promised to maintain Louisiana-style tax cuts, you cry foul. If you can suddenly fed bash --

Interjections.

The Speaker: I'm going to ask the member from Eglinton—Lawrence to come to order and stop interrupting the leader of the third party when he is asking his question.

Premier?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: As I said, we are working with our municipalities. We have set out on that path since the day we assumed our responsibilities. I'm pleased that we've done something that none of the other governments even hinted at before. We have put in place new funding; we've given up two cents of our provincial gas tax and turned that over to our cities, on the condition that they invest in public transit. They had the job before, and they could do nothing for Ontario municipalities.

Now there is another issue before us. Obviously, it would be wonderful if we could have inherited a stronger financial position, but we did not and we are working our way out of that. Do you know what? Now there is another important issue before us. Ontarians want to know, where do the leaders of the opposition parties stand when it comes to this $23-billion gap? Who is prepared to stand with the people of Ontario and demand fairness for the province of Ontario so that we can retain more of our own money, so that we can make investments in our public services, so that we can generate more wealth that benefits Ontario and Canada?

The Speaker: The rules are that you have a minute to put your question and a minute to answer it. I'd like us to obey accordingly.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener—Waterloo): My question is for the Premier. With each passing day, it's becoming more apparent to Ontarians that you have no health care plan. Despite the fact that your Minister of Health has made a written commitment to provide drug coverage for Fabry patients, there are now patients who are being denied drug treatment because your minister has refused to live up to his commitment. Bill Taylor and Carolyn Auger in Ottawa have been denied treatment for the past three weeks.

If you take a look at the Sarnia Observer on February 15, 27-year-old Darren Nesbit is quoted as saying that he will chain himself to the steps of Queen's Park as he dies so that the government can see the effect of denying him and others the life-saving treatment they so desperately need. Premier, I ask you to show compassion. I ask you to tell your minister to keep his written promise and assure treatment for these desperate patients.

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

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): It would seem more appropriate for the honourable member, in addition to, of course, advocating on behalf of patients, to work with us in two fashions, and firstly, to pay heed to a process, the Common Drug Review, that she herself played a role in helping to establish as Minister of Health at the time. The company has astonishingly decided to play politics with this issue in offering a treatment to people in British Columbia, then suggesting they would treat all Canadians fairly, and subsequently deciding to revoke that privilege for Ontarians.

The reality continues to be that in an environment where there are new products that have tremendous costs made available every day, we have to use a process like the Common Drug Review established by that Minister of Health in order to make sure that any product we pay for has appropriate clinical efficacy. The company themselves asked to be sent back to the Common Drug Review to review new data. That is exactly what is going on, and I urge the honourable member to stand alongside others and ask this company to fulfill --

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Thank you.

Mrs. Witmer: That response is disgraceful. There is only one person playing a blame game and playing politics, and that's this minister, who refuses to provide the assurance to these people and passes the buck. He knows what the committee is all about. He also knows that he is the only one who has not agreed to provide treatment to these patients while the deliberations are continuing. If you go to Alberta or you go to Quebec, they're still receiving treatment with provincial approval. Furthermore, 40 other countries in this world have approved this drug for coverage.

Will this minister at least now give these patients the assurance that their drug coverage will not be interrupted? Will you commit to do what 40 other countries have done: provide permanent funding and end this torturous delay for these desperate people?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: It must take considerable gall on the part of that honourable member to stand up in this Legislature after she herself, in the role I now have the honour of operating in, said that it is critically important that we rely on the clinical evidence in making these very difficult determinations around what products should be supported, and then she suggests now, because it suits her purpose today, that we simply offer permanent funding when this product is before the Common Drug Review, the very process she helped to establish as Minister of Health. This company asked us to go back to the Common Drug Review to --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. The member from Nepean—Carleton and the member from Durham, I ask you to come to order.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: We hope the Common Drug Review process can establish that this product is clinically efficacious, but it is not my job alone to be able to do that, and the honourable member knows it. If the company believes so strongly in the product they are offering, then they should fulfill --

The Speaker: Thank you.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Ms. Marilyn Churley (Toronto—Danforth): A question to the Premier: Today the Kyoto accord came into effect. Ontario is the second-largest producer of greenhouse gases in Canada. Since the negotiation of Kyoto in 1997, Ontario's emissions have gone up, not down, but you don't have a plan for Ontario to reduce its emissions, nor by how much. The memorandum of understanding you signed last year with the feds is not a real plan. It's just a proposal to make a plan. So today, incredibly, you make an announcement about air conditioners, instead of revealing a comprehensive strategy that has measures like capping greenhouse gas emissions.

Premier, when are you going to reveal a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in this province?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Ontario has the most aggressive plan to address global warming in the entire country. As we shut down our coal-fired generation in our province, that will be the single greatest contribution that any province makes toward meeting our national goal.

Beyond that, let me tell you something else. We have issued requests for proposals for 2,500 megawatts of clean energy -- we are changing our energy package -- and 400 megawatts of renewable energy. We are working with the federal government in this particular matter to reduce our contribution to global warming, something that will stand to benefit all Ontarians and something that I hope will be reflected in the upcoming federal budget.

Ms. Churley: Premier, your federal cousins don't have a plan either. Maybe you should take the lead on this one.

There are many measures which my leader Howard Hampton pointed out earlier that you did not announce today. Your energy minister, of all people, said no to my motion which would have Ontario establish regulations aimed at capping greenhouse gas emissions. Your energy minister said no, so I'm going to give you another suggestion: Live up to your election promise to curb sprawl that puts more vehicles on the road, because today you released a growth plan that will actually increase, not decrease, urban sprawl and traffic congestion in this province.

Premier, will you close that loophole so that you actually decrease traffic on the road and urban sprawl in this province, not increase it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: When it comes to reducing global warming, again, I'm very proud of the efforts that we're making. Let me just list a few of those. First of all, the greenbelt: The greenbelt is a piece of green space that is larger than Prince Edward Island itself; our very aggressive plan that we'll be moving forward on with respect to making ethanol a mandatory component of our gasoline; thirdly, what we are doing with respect to coal-fired generation -- we are eliminating it in the province of Ontario; and finally, we are investing two cents of the provincial gas tax into public transit around the province.

That is a very proud record that benefits our environment and the people of Ontario.

IMMIGRANT SERVICES

Mr. Tony C. Wong (Markham): My question is for the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship. Minister, the province of Ontario is proud to be the leader in welcoming immigrants to Canada. We receive more than half of the country's immigrants each year. Immigration contributes greatly to Ontario's social and economic growth. I know this government is committed to helping newcomers contribute fully to life in Ontario. I am fortunate to have a high percentage of immigrants who make their home in my riding, and I know that Ontario provides a wide range of supports and services to newcomers in helping them integrate in society.

Since the responsibility for providing funding to assist immigrants largely rests in the hands of the federal government, however, could you please explain, Minister, what the government of Ontario is doing to help new immigrants establish themselves successfully?

Hon. Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): I'm very proud to say that the Ontario government is committed to helping newcomers contribute fully to the social and economic life of this province. Each year, on average, approximately 130,000 immigrants, more than half of all the immigrants to Canada, choose to make Ontario their home.

On top of that, we are aggressively negotiating a fair deal for Ontario with the federal government. We are the only province that doesn't have an immigration agreement. We have $800 per immigrant from Ottawa while Quebec has $3,800 from Ottawa. It's not fair. The time to act is now, and we're aggressively pursuing a fair deal with Ottawa.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Supplementary?

Mrs. Linda Jeffrey (Brampton Centre): I'm not surprised to hear how much this government values immigrants in the province, but I am surprised and concerned to hear about the federal government's inadequate contribution. It doesn't seem fair. This question is important to my riding of Brampton Centre. According to the 2001 census, Brampton had more than 129,000 immigrants. In fact, Peel's share of new immigrants has rapidly increased from 11% to almost 21% since 1996.

Minister, I know you've been working with the federal government to get a new immigration deal for Ontario. Ontario is the only province in the country without an immigration agreement. Since this could greatly improve the outcome for newcomers to this province, it's very important for our continued success. What's the status of the negotiations and why isn't the federal government moving more quickly?

Hon. Mrs. Bountrogianni: I pride myself on my patience with working with colleagues from all political parties, but I have to say my patience has been tested in this case. It's simply not fair -- $800 per immigrant in Ontario and $3,800 for Quebec -- considering the secondary migration of Quebecers coming to Ontario, and we get nothing for those immigrants. Ottawa spends $1,055 more on each Quebecer than per Ontarian, Ottawa spends $456 more on each western Canadian than per Ontarian and Ottawa spends over $4,000 more on each Atlantic Canadian than per Ontarian.

This may be federal money in the federal agreement that we're going after, but it's Ontario taxpayers' money that we're going after. Ontario is the economic engine of the country. We have a letter of intent that a deal will be signed within this year and we are aggressively pursuing our fair share for the citizens of Ontario.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener—Waterloo): My question is to the Premier. I ask you again to encourage your Minister of Health to fulfill his commitment to the patients who suffer from Fabry disease. This is the stall tactic that he has undertaken. It has been sent back to the same committee that recommended against coverage.

The facts are that the department of human genetics at the Mount Sinai Hospital school of medicine in New York recently reported that a panel of physicians, experts in Fabry disease, recommended that enzyme replacement therapy be started as soon as possible when a diagnosis was made. The drug has been extensively reviewed by the other 40 countries that are providing coverage. I ask you today, will you stop the politics, quit the delay and fulfill your promise to provide this life-saving medication to the patients?

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

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I'm happy to have the opportunity to repeat what I said to honourable member earlier. The Common Drug Review was established on her watch. That is what Canadian jurisdictions, all provinces and territories, determined was appropriate, not depending upon what every other country did. Why did it go back to the Common Drug Review? Because the company was dissatisfied that the earlier review by the Common Drug Review in fact looked at the appropriate information and data.

So it was at their very instigation that provinces and territories agreed it would be appropriate to take another look at it, and that is exactly the status of the situation.

I repeat that if the company believes so strongly in the quality of the product and the benefit it offers to the patients of Ontario, then they should fulfill the word they gave, which is that all patients in Canada will be treated equally.

Mrs. Witmer: The minister knows full well that the committee where the drug has gone for review is not the appropriate committee for review of this orphan drug. He also knows that the Minister of Health in Alberta made a commitment that all the patients would receive coverage until a final decision is made.

Why are you not doing the same? Why will you not give assurance to the people who suffer from Fabry disease in this province and assure them that they will have coverage? Why can't you do so? Why do you so lack compassion? I can't believe it.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member, who herself stood in her place when she was the Minister of Health in very similar situations, now accuses others of not having a sufficiency of compassion. If it were as simple as that, that would be very helpful indeed.

The Common Drug Review was established on her watch by provinces and territories together, with a view toward making sure that we use clinical efficacy in determining what products our public health system can support. This is one of those that is undergoing the review, itself requested by the company. In the meantime, we ask only one thing, and that is that the company treat all patients in Canada equally, as they committed to do. I ask the honourable member to stand alongside me and others and say to this company, "Stop playing politics in Ontario alone and treat all patients across the country of Canada equally."

TUITION FEES

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity—Spadina): My question is to the Premier. You were supposed to be the Premier who was going to bring skyrocketing tuition fees under control. In your platform --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): Order.

Mr. Marchese: I quote you: "The Harris-Eves government raised tuition a staggering 45% for basic undergraduate programs and allowed tuition to skyrocket in programs such as medicine, law and engineering." And you said, "We will not let this continue." But in response to the recently released post-secondary review, you told the Globe and Mail, "The price of tuition will go up. The only issue is the pace at which it goes up."

Are these the words of a man who has a plan to bring down skyrocketing tuition fees, or are these the words of a man who never had a real plan to bring tuition fees down?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): I am very proud to confirm that for the second year running, beginning this September, Ontario students at our colleges and universities will have tuition fees frozen.

We're very pleased with the report we received from the former NDP leader, Bob Rae. We're very pleased with the advice he has offered us. As I indicated, the only question for us is how we are going to deliver on this. I've asked the Minister of Finance to be as creative as possible to ensure that we can begin to make essential investments in our colleges and universities, something that will stand to the benefit not only of families and students but the entire economy as a whole.

Mr. Marchese: The post-secondary review recommended $1.3 billion in base funding by 2006, $150 million in student aid this year, and $200 million in university repairs every year for the next three years, among other important recommendations. I wonder if the Premier would be as quick to commit to those recommendations as he is to hiking tuition fees and to whacking students once again.

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Speaking of whacking, this is a member of a party which, when it formed the government, increased tuition for colleges and universities by some 60%. Now that is what I call a whacking.

I can tell you that we intend to stand up for our Ontario students. We will make essential investments in their colleges and universities. We will provide a more fair system of student assistance. There will be more grants for our students at the bottom end of the economic scale. There will be more loan opportunities for those in the middle-income group. We will ensure that our tuition fee increases are modest and responsible, and it will be accompanied by a lion's share investment coming from this government.

GROWTH PLANNING

Mrs. Liz Sandals (Guelph—Wellington): My question is for the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Minister Caplan, Ontarians have asked us to deliver the real, positive change needed to build strong, prosperous communities with a healthy environment and an excellent quality of life. Since last summer, when you released the Places to Grow: Better Choices, Brighter Future discussion paper, people in my riding of Guelph—Wellington have been anxious to see what has been going on and how our government plans to deal with sprawl and gridlock. You have said this plan would improve our economy and allow us to make further investments in our communities.

Ontario is expecting growth of four million people, creating the need for about two million jobs over the next 30 years. How will your plan create opportunities for this kind of future growth?

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal): I'm delighted with the question. Our just-released Places to Grow draft creates a plan for the greater Golden Horseshoe that lays out the kind of growth that Ontarians have told us they want, the kind that creates jobs, that attracts investment, that protects our valuable natural resources and improves quality of life.

The forecasted growth that the member refers to has enormous implications for the kind of public infrastructure investment we need, as well as augmenting the importance of building healthy and complete communities. It is critical that this region continue to be economically competitive and offer a high quality of life, and that's why we need a plan. For the very first time in the history of this province, that's exactly what we're doing.

The draft growth plan for the greater Golden Horseshoe addresses where and how the region should grow, how our investments will be made and prioritized, how we support these growth areas, how we protect the areas, our food and water and recreational resources, at the same time avoiding the consequences of increased gridlock chewing up green space, driving away investment and reducing quality of life.

Mrs. Sandals: It is important that future generations not be burdened with the many challenges we face today because of sprawl and gridlock. Certainly in my riding one of the key concerns is that we not become the next Toronto, the next GTA, in terms of density of growth. However, will a region that practises growth management actually improve their economic performance relative to other regions?

Hon. Mr. Caplan: The short answer is yes. International studies have shown that metropolitan areas that practise growth management can actually improve their economic performance relative to other regions. The greater Golden Horseshoe is an ideal example. It already boasts a highly educated population and a strong natural resource base. This new integrated approach to community planning will deliver a quality of life that continues to be the envy of the world.

In recent years, the provincial growth planning role has fallen by the wayside under previous governments. The result: disjointed communities, underdeveloped transit, gridlock, rising pollution and ever-longer commute times to and from jobs. In addition, the greater Golden Horseshoe region has outgrown the infrastructure that was put in place in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and it will cost literally tens of billions of dollars to ensure that we maintain the critical capital infrastructure we have today and build for our needs for tomorrow.

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound—Muskoka): My question is for the Minister of Health. North Bay officials have been waiting months for the province to allow the new hospital to go to tender. The hospital has raised its share of the required money from the community and has jumped through hoops to meet your requirements. They are clinging to the assurances that the project is a top priority. Meanwhile, the construction costs continue to rise by as much as $750,000 each month the project is delayed.

Minister, please be clear: When will you allow the North Bay hospital project to go to tender?

Hon. George Smitherman (Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I appreciate the question from the honourable member, particularly as it follows on the recent visit by his party leader to Cornwall, where, for the first time, in a bit of honesty, at least, the honourable member's leader acknowledged that it was an inappropriate habit on the part of your party while in government to run around all over Ontario before the last election and promise a hospital everywhere.

The reality that we inherited, in addition to your Magna budget deficit, was a $5.2-billion --

Interjections.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Oh, they don't want to hear it, Mr. Speaker: a $5.2-billion list of hospitals promised or expected. In the face of that incredible challenge, however, I'm pleased to say that the honourable member from North Bay and her efforts and the local community's more recent efforts to get their local share in a healthier position mean that we're getting close to being able to make progress on a project that is a priority for our government, but a priority, apparently, that your party couldn't deliver even while your Premier held that seat.

Mr. Miller: I'm glad to hear you're closer to making progress, but somehow you have $400 million for a casino and yet you don't have money for this hospital.

I would like to read from a letter I received from a constituent of mine who wrote directly to you. This is from the letter:

"Without a mandate to do so, you have raised taxes, invented LHINs, abolished district health councils, antagonized physicians, hospital boards and administrators, chiropractors, physiotherapists and optometrists, and through the uncertainties so generated are creating a climate of insecurity and abysmal morale for the key workers in these systems....

"The icing on the cake, prompting me to compose this letter, was to hear that while hospital staff are being laid off and promised nurses cannot get full-time work, your government is contemplating aid to a casino in Windsor to the tune of $400 million."

This constituent can see that you don't have a plan for health care in Ontario. Minister, how do you justify $400 million for a casino but no money to start the construction of the North Bay hospital?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: Firstly, the honourable member well knows that not one penny of health care dollars, in the short-term especially, is affected by a casino enhancement in Windsor. In fact, what the honourable member ought to have figured out by now is that solid economic performance is the only hope for the future of social services like the ones that he talks about. We made a $2.8-billion investment in health care this year, and his leader proposes to cut health care by $2.4 billion. And what's left he promises to privatize, like the 407. That's their model for health care.

I ask the honourable member, in the broader characterization that he uses at the front end of his question: Is that the personal experience that you've had with my leadership when I came to South Muskoka hospital to work with you?

FOREST INDUSTRY

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins—James Bay): My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources. In early January, Tembec and Domtar announced the closure of sawmills in northern Ontario, three specifically in Chapleau, Kirkland Lake and Opasatika. What's surprising is that for these same two companies, immediately after this devastating announcement was revealed, you as Minister of Natural Resources would allow the transfer of the wood from those mills to other mills in their operations.

Minister, you're creating an extremely bad precedent, allowing these forestry companies to create supermills that will then, in turn, gobble up all the wood, to the detriment of small communities across northern Ontario. This is devastating to small communities.

My question on behalf of communities like Opasatika is a very simple one: Will you reverse your position and not permit the transfer of wood, so that communities like Opasatika can go out and find another operator who is willing to operate a sawmill in their community, keeping the jobs where they belong?

Hon. David Ramsay (Minister of Natural Resources): I'd like to remind the member that during the NDP years, 1990-95, 14 sawmills closed in northern Ontario. I would also like to remind the member that when he is referring specifically to Opasatika -- I would like to say about the Opasatika situation that Bud Wildman, when he was the minister in that government, allowed Spruce Falls to establish a sawmill in Kapuskasing --

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora—Rainy River): Where?

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I ask the leader of the third party to come to order.

Minister?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: For the rest of this, I'll await the supplementary.

It's Field, Golden Valley, Thunder Bay, Hearst, Rayside, Eganville, Fort Frances, Sioux Lookout, Pembroke, Pakesley, Wawa, North Bay and the Bancroft area. That's where.

Mr. Bisson: What a load of crap. We were the government when those mills were in difficulty and went across northern Ontario with the Minister of Natural Resources, the Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Northern Development and myself and saved communities like Kapuskasing, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay and Hearst. This minister stands there and tries to deflect the attention off himself and on to us. That is reprehensible.

The issue is this: Opasatika is about to lose its only employer. That is unacceptable, and all you can do is sit around and try to lay blame where it doesn't belong. We are asking you seriously once again: Are you prepared to reverse your decision and not allow the transfer of that wood so that Opasatika can do what it would have done under an NDP government, and that is to restructure itself so those jobs can be saved?

Hon. Mr. Ramsay: I would like to inform the member that I don't have to make any direction on that wood, because when Bud Wildman approved the Spruce Falls sawmill in Kapuskasing and gave direction to the Excel mill, once that mill is now closed and no longer purchasing wood, the SFL holder can direct all the wood to Hearst and Kapuskasing. I don't have to do anything in this situation.

Mr. Bisson: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I am putting notice of dissatisfaction on that question and demanding a late show from this minister, who tries to do things --

The Speaker: Thank you. That's been taken.

New question.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

Mr. David Orazietti (Sault Ste. Marie): My question is for the Minister of the Environment. Today is a momentous day. Today the Kyoto Protocol comes into effect in Canada and 140 other countries around the world that have had the fortitude to resist considerable pressure not to ratify the agreement.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky (Minister of the Environment): I'm very happy to reiterate what the Premier has already stated in this House about our commitment and our actions toward meeting Kyoto commitments here and in Canada. We are committed to replacing coal-fired generation in the province. We are committed to burning cleaner gasoline in our vehicles. We have committed two cents of our gas tax to municipalities to assist them to develop better transit routes across this province. We are committed to a comprehensive conservation plan and we are also committed to ensuring, with regard to road inspections, that our vehicles will be clean and that they will burn cleaner gas.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): That brings us to the end of oral questions. Let me just convey to you my appreciation for your co-operation in oral questions today.

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound): I have a petition here which has over 9,000 names on it. It was collected by a lady named Eleanor Pauling and her friends Erika and Helmut Mayer. They worked very hard. This has to do with our hospital.

The petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the health care cutbacks are having a devastating effect in our region;

"More hospital funding is a must for rural hospitals.

"Stop government waste.

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

"The CEO of Grey Bruce Health Services recently announced a draft plan to enable the hospital corporation to meet the budget requirements set by the Ministry of Health. If carried out to completion, this plan would have drastic effects on health care in our area. The board faces the difficult task of finding the impossible savings, if they are to comply with the demands of the ministry.

"These cuts will result in devastating ripple effects, as residents of Grey and Bruce counties will be forced to travel out of the area for essential services and will face even longer waits, when time is of the essence. Inevitably, more complications will occur as a result of care at a distance, not to mention the fatigue for the patient. Of special note are proposed cuts to oncology, rehabilitation, psychiatry and obstetrical services. It is a long way to Toronto and London for services that are already overextended. These services, which have been provided effectively close to home, will cost much more in a large centre.

"The cuts to hospital staff through outsourcing and layoffs will have a devastating effect on the lives of individuals in our communities.

"Grey-Bruce per capita has one of the highest rates of breast cancer in all of Canada; also per capita, one of the highest numbers of senior citizens. For us to now lose our one and only oncologist is unforgivable to our Canadian health system.

"Last year, the writer of this letter lost one friend to breast cancer because of delays; now another is travelling to London for treatment. The third best friend with rapid growth of breast cancer has had her appointment cancelled for the 4th of January this year by our oncology department with a simple quote: 'Not taking any more patients as the doctor will be leaving town due to the possibility the department may close.'"

Mr. Speaker, I'll only be a second here.

Now this patient is on the end of a waiting list to get into another oncology department out of town.

"We, as a community, will do whatever is in our power to get better and faster medical treatment for those in need. This is what our Prime Minister, Paul Martin, and our Premier, Dalton McGuinty, both promised in their election campaign. Where is the better health care promised by both? All we hear about are more and more cuts."

The $2 billion or more funds that are unaccountable in the recent federal scandal must be found, returned to the government and given to regional health centres such as ours.

"More funding is a must for smaller, rural hospitals to continue to function. Appropriate funding is a must, as promised by both federal and provincial governments. We, as citizens of Ontario, are demanding such."

I have signed this petition too, which has over 9,000 signatures.

SECOND-STAGE HOUSING

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): This is a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas funding for core counselling programs is needed, Family Services Hamilton has no funding to operate 28 units and therefore does not have the core funding to operate the second-stage services program;

"Whereas on April 6, 2004, the Honourable Sandra Pupatello stood in the provincial Parliament to announce government initiatives to fight domestic violence. She stated, 'Probably the most significant part of this announcement today is getting our government back in the business of second-stage housing.' The Liberals indicated that they would return core funding to support the programs and services in cash-strapped organizations like ours;

"Whereas on November 1, 2004, to the astonishment of Family Services Hamilton, these dollars were to be allocated for transitional housing support. Instead of following through with the original promise to reinvest in the 27 existing programs, the $3.5 million was to be dispersed among 70 agencies across the province. Most of these agencies are not second stage, and some second stages have since found out that their programs will not be numbered among those receiving the funds. We got no funding! Where is the core funding to come from to operate programs that were ignored?

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario as follows:

"That the government revises their decision based on the impact to the services in our sector and immediately reinstate full funding to the second-stage services program of Family Services Hamilton."

I agree with this petition, and I affix my name thereon.

ANAPHYLACTIC SHOCK

Mr. Dave Levac (Brant): I'll read a petition. This is a petition from all over the province in support of Bill 3.

"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 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 because it's my bill.

ANTI-SMOKING LEGISLATION

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe—Grey): "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 related facilities 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 by 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 agree and I've signed this petition.

IMMIGRANTS' SKILLS

Mr. Shafiq Qaadri (Etobicoke North): I have a petition here addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario regarding access to trades and professions in Ontario.

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada, raise their families, educate their children and pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professional and managerial talent from practising the professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas Ontario, its businesses, its people and its institutions badly need the professional, managerial and technical skills that many newcomers to Canada have and want to use;

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

"That the government of Ontario, through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities and the other institutions and agencies of and within the government of Ontario, undertake specific and proactive measures to work with the bodies regulating access to Ontario's professions, trades and other occupations in order that newcomers to Canada gain fair, timely and cost-effective access to certification and other measures that facilitate the entry, or re-entry, of skilled workers and professionals trained outside Canada into the Canadian workforce."

I'm pleased to support this, Speaker, and send it to you via page Matthew.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): "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."

I'm pleased to sign my name to it.

TTC RIGHT-OF-WAY

Mr. Tony Ruprecht (Davenport): I have a petition that's addressed to the Parliament of Ontario, and to the Minister of the Environment specifically. It reads as follows:

"Whereas the city filed the ESR, the environmental assessment report, and issued the notice of completion on November 22, 2004, 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 received careful consideration;

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

"Whereas specific concerns remain unresolved, such as curb cutting, therefore reducing the sidewalks in such a way as to decimate community life;

"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 lanes 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 and dedicated right-of-way of the TTC to an individual environmental assessment."

Since I agree with this, I am delighted to sign my name to it.

WATERLOO—WELLINGTON TRANSPORTATION ACTION PLAN

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo—Wellington): My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas the residents of Waterloo—Wellington need and deserve excellent roads and highways for their safe travel; and

"Whereas good transportation links are vital to the strength of our local economy, supporting job creation through the efficient delivery of our products to the North American marketplace; and

"Whereas transit services are essential to managing the future growth of our urban communities and have a relatively minimal impact on our natural environment; and

"Whereas Waterloo—Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has asked all municipalities of Waterloo—Wellington to provide him with their top transportation priorities for the next five years and beyond, all of them responded, and their recommendations form the Waterloo—Wellington transportation action plan; and

"Whereas Transportation Minister Frank Klees responded quickly to MPP Ted Arnott's request for a meeting with the councillors and staff of Waterloo—Wellington's municipalities, and listened to their recommendations; and

"Whereas the Waterloo—Wellington transportation action plan contains over 40 recommendations provided to MPP Ted Arnott by municipalities, and there is recurrent support for implementing the corridor study of Highway 7/8 between Kitchener and Stratford, a new four-lane Highway 7 from Kitchener to Guelph, assistance for Wellington county to rebuild Highway 24 from Guelph to Cambridge, a repaired and upgraded Highway 6 from Fergus to Mount Forest, Waterloo region's light rail transit initiative, OSTAR funding for transportation-related projects, and other projects;

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

"That the provincial government support Ted Arnott's Waterloo—Wellington transportation action plan, and initiate the necessary studies and/or construction of the projects in it."

It is signed by a significant number of my constituents.

PIT BULLS

Ms. Laurel C. Broten (Etobicoke—Lakeshore): I'm pleased to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly from residents in my riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore, in particular Susan Wankiewicz, in support of legislation to protect our community from dangerous dogs. These 673 signatures were collected following a vicious pit bull attack in September 2004 and demonstrate the strong reaction from our community. It states:

"I agree that we should live in a neighbourhood where our children and pets will be safe and the threat of attacks by dangerous dogs does not exist."

I agree with it and I've signed my name to it.

FREDERICK BANTING HOMESTEAD

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe—Grey): "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 endorses 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 Warren Gibson, Ltd. for circulating this petition and, of course, I've signed it.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

Mr. Michael Gravelle (Thunder Bay—Superior North): I have a petition sent to me by Melanie Perrier, the mother of Allyceea Ennis, who died so tragically on the school bus in Thunder Bay about a year ago -- a very important campaign signed by 1,616 people.

"Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Education requires district school boards to ensure that classes, 'on average for each board, do not exceed 24.5 in elementary overall' ...

"Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Education states, 'For safety and discipline purposes, a school bus is regarded as an extension of the classroom';

"Whereas a full-size school bus has 24 seats and can carry up to 72 children, far more than a teacher is allowed to supervise unassisted;

"Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Transportation states, 'Police can charge drivers with careless driving if they do not pay full attention to the driving task';

"Whereas school bus drivers, no matter how diligent, cannot adequately supervise up to 72 children and safely navigate a multi-tonne bus through busy traffic and changing road conditions;...

"Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Transportation regulates deployment of safety equipment unique to school buses;

"Whereas Transport Canada recommends that, 'depending on their physical characteristics, children up to the age of four or five be restrained on school buses using the same restraint system recommended for a passenger vehicle';...

"Whereas the Ontario Ministry of Transportation is responsible for establishing rules and regulations pertaining to driver qualifications and licensing;

"Whereas the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators recommends that commercial vehicle drivers take a first aid course that includes respiratory emergencies, artificial respiration and accident scene management;...

"Therefore, we, the undersigned, remember Allyceea and petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

"That the Legislature pass a law:

"(1) requiring all elementary school buses to have a trained adult supervisor on board, in addition to the driver;

"(2) requiring the proper installation and use of appropriate child safety restraint systems on school buses for all children under 50 pounds or 23 kilograms; and

"(3) requiring all school bus drivers to annually pass mandatory instruction and testing in first aid, CPR and emergency situation management, as a requirement of Ministry of Transportation licensing."

Mr. Speaker, I support the petition and sign it, and I thank you for your indulgence in letting me read this.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

FILM CLASSIFICATION ACT, 2005 /

LOI DE 2005

SUR LE CLASSEMENT DES FILMS

Resuming the debate adjourned on February 15, 2005, on the motion for second reading of Bill 158,

An Act to replace the Theatres Act and to amend other Acts in respect of film / Projet de loi 158, Loi remplaçant la

Loi sur les cinémas et modifiant d'autres lois en ce qui concerne les films.

The Speaker (Hon. Alvin Curling): I understand that at the end of the day the member for Niagara Centre had the floor.

Mr. Peter Kormos (Niagara Centre): I believe I have about 25 minutes left.

It's a pleasure to be able to address this bill as lead-off on behalf of the NDP over the course of two days. Last night, of course, was an evening sitting, and here we are in an afternoon sitting.

Let's understand what has happened here. I have had the opportunity to read the remarks of the minister and other government members who participated in the one-hour lead-off -- most interesting and fascinating. The government, on the one hand, tried to create the impression that somehow it was modernizing the Theatres Act on its own initiative, that it was forging ahead, when in fact the reality is that the government is responding to the order of the Superior Court in Ontario, which made it very clear that the province's censorship of film was contrary to the charter, specifically

section 2(b).

In a very thorough judgment, a judgment that was not appealed by the government, His Lordship, Mr. Justice Juriansz, finding that the censorship provisions of the historic Theatres Act violated

section 2(

b) of the charter, also found that the classification provisions -- there was no suggestion in the ruling, as a matter of fact, it wasn't even argued by the defendants who appealed the original conviction, that the province did not have the power to classify, but Justice Juriansz found there was such an intermingling in the sections that created both censorship as well as classification powers that he struck the censorship powers down. He said they are a violation of 2(

b) and cannot be allowed to stand, but he gave the government a year to clean up the mess -- a whole year.

The judgment is as clear as clear could be, unequivocal, not negotiable: The province cannot censor films. The whole issue of prior restraint, censorship, was one that, if exercised in the context of the Theatres Act with respect to film, videotape and DVD, violated

section 2(b).

The government had a year. The year started to run on April 30, 2004, so what it means is that we're a couple of months up against the deadline now. The government dragged its heels and dragged it heels and mucked around, and we didn't see legislation until toward the very end of last year. Lo and behold, what does a careful inspection of that legislation reveal? It reveals that the government clearly didn't pay attention to the Superior Court ruling at all, because the government, in

section 7 of its bill, rewrites censorship powers for the government.

The court was very clear. It's the censorship provisions of the old Theatres Act that posed the problem. It told the province, "Go back to the drafting table and cull out the censorship provisions." As to the classification provisions -- no problem with those; nobody argued that there was a problem with them. Classify to your heart's content. Classify till the cows come home. Have people over at your ministry, Minister Watson, watching dirty movies until they can't watch dirty movies any more and classify them all they want. They can put "dirty, dirty, dirty" on the front cover.

They can put "really sexy movie." They can put "Even adults shouldn't watch this movie. You've got to be over 75 to watch this movie." The court said you can classify all you want.

Was it just about a year ago, Minister, that we learned that your scarce staff over there was spending more time watching dirty movies than enforcing any other provisions of the numerous pieces of legislation that they were called upon to enforce? And people wonder why they get call answer when they call the ministry, which has been all but gutted. People wonder, as does Mr. Martiniuk -- he was very clear about that last night -- why they can't get a birth certificate for love nor money and why there's foul-up after foul-up after foul-up.

So the court says you can classify it, but you can't censor. The court couldn't have been clearer. The government chose not to appeal the decision, and in doing so, ratified it, confirmed it, accepted it and acknowledged that that was the law of the land. And what does it do in the bill it puts forward? Once again, in

section 7 of that bill, it enacts censorship powers very specifically. You see, there are two powers. One is the classification powers, and that's in

section 6, and the other is the approval powers, and that's in

section 7.

Classification is about -- well, it's about classification. Approval is about prior restraint; it's about censorship. That's what the court said you can't do. The court struck down those provisions of your old, historic Theatres Act. You screwed up. You mucked up big time. Lord. Boy, you've got the resources of the Ministry of the Attorney General, you've got legislative counsel, you've got an entourage that would choke a horse, and what do you do? You do the very thing the court told you not to do.

And you persist in doing it, even when Alan Borovoy of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association wrote to you shortly after first reading, within days, saying, "You can't do that. That's exactly what the court told you not to do." The government' was dragged kicking and screaming into 21st century, and then, as quickly, flipped back into the 19th century.

So I tell you, your bill is seriously, fatally flawed. Not only did you include

section 7, the approval section, the prior restraint section, the censorship section, but Minister, in your own comments last night, you were very clear. You were almost proud. You didn't just acknowledge that

section 7 was in the bill but you indicate that it's there for the very reason it appears to be there. The minister said, "The provincial government should continue to exercise some approval powers" -- that means censorship, prior restraint -- "over adult sex films." Please. Adult sex films? They're sex films, OK? You're talking about erotica, I presume -- dirty movies, porno.

Interjection.

Mr. Kormos: That's right.

Think about this. I told you last night that I had consulted with some of my experts. I had called up Spencer Brown and his sister Nicole Brown, and then I called their cousins Nicholas Losier-Brown and Joshua Losier-Brown -- the latter two are preschoolers -- because I wanted to know what sorts of movies they were watching. I learned about Bob the Builder movies. I learned not just about Bob the Builder, but there was also Dora. Then I learned about SpongeBob SquarePants.

This government, in the year 2005, is going to compel the people who make the Bob the Builder movies to submit their movies so that scarce staff over at the Ministry of Consumer and Business Services, at $4.20 a minute, can sit there viewing Bob the Builder to determine that there's nothing inappropriate for the kids who are going to be watching it. The people who make SpongeBob SquarePants movies are going to have to submit their movies to be viewed and reviewed at $4.20 a minute to make sure that they're not offensive to any particular age group or portion of the community.

The purpose of classification, understand, isn't a ma