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May 25, 2009

39th Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2009-May-25 (PDF)

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L'ONTARIO

Monday 25 May 2009 Lundi 25 mai 2009

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

MINISTER'S RESIGNATION

TAXATION

PENSION PLANS

NUCLEAR ENERGY

FIREFIGHTERS

NUCLEAR WASTE

SCHOOL FACILITIES

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

SENIOR CITIZENS

CONSUMER PROTECTION

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

FOOD SAFETY

ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

ABORIGINAL PROGRAMS

AND SERVICES

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

IN MISSISSAUGA SOUTH

VISITOR

ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS

BIRTH OF MEMBER'S GRANDCHILD

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

WEARING OF RIBBONS

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

CHILD FIND ONTARIO

TOURISM

HEALTH CARE

JOHN SCHOONDERBEEK

BREAST CANCER

LABOUR MOBILITY

WORKPLACE FATALITIES

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ACCESSIBILITÉ POUR LES

PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

HEALTH CARE

AIR QUALITY

TAXATION

CEMETERIES

TAXATION

CEMETERIES

TAXATION

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY FRANCHISE

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

CHILD CUSTODY

GREEN POWER GENERATION

ORDERS OF THE DAY

REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE

LES PROFESSIONS

DE LA SANTÉ RÉGLEMENTÉES

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Good morning. Please remain standing for the Lord's Prayer, followed by the Islamic prayer.

Prayers.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Robert Bailey: It's a great pleasure for me to introduce two visitors in the west gallery: my son, Rodney Bailey, and his good friend David French, from Woodstock and Waterloo.

Mr. Jim Brownell: I would like to introduce two friends of mine: Grant Bridge, from Pickering, and his son-in-law, Ross Fair, from Toronto.

Hon. John Wilkinson: Good morning, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to introduce my good friend and constituent Jeff Brick, who is with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority and who is visiting us today.

Hon. John Gerretsen: Today I would like to introduce two additional Ministers of the Environment who are joining us today. They're winners of contests that were held at the Green Living Show and at the Ontario Science Centre. They are: Meaghan Evon, a grade 5 student at Frère André elementary school in Barrie, who is here with her father, Russell Evon; and Daniel Wiseman, a grade 7 student at the Junior Academy school here in Toronto, who is here with his father, Greg Wiseman.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: It is my pleasure to introduce Hillary, Heather, Sarah and Michael Craggs. They were the successful bidders of a lunch and tour of Queen's Park. Welcome to Queen's Park.

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: I'm pleased to introduce, from the Coalition to Save Our Young Adults, Durhane Wong-Rieger from the Anemia Institute; Riyad Elbard from the Thalassemia Foundation of Canada; Sherman Moore from the Sickle Cell Association of Ontario, and Bessie Calabria.

Hon. Monique M. Smith: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: On Thursday, May 14, I rose in the House in response to a question from the member from Wellington–Halton Hills, asking me about regional planning and tourism. I mistakenly said that we had done consultations in Sudbury and Fort Frances when in fact we have done consultations in Kenora, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste Marie, Timmins and North Bay, among other communities across the province.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): On behalf of the member from Haldimand—Norfolk and page Eileen Woolley, we'd like to welcome her mother, Josefina, and her father, Patrick, sitting in the members' gallery today. Welcome to Queen's Park.

On behalf of the member from Timmins—James Bay and page Kathleen Crump, we'd like to welcome her grandmother Linda Burke, sitting in the members' gallery today.

I also want to take this opportunity to welcome a guest of mine, who will be joining us in the Speaker's gallery, Andrew Gunn.

We have with us in the Speaker's gallery today a delegation from the state Legislature of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, led by the Honourable Professor Peter Frankenberg, Minister of Science, Research and the Arts. He is joined by Mrs. Innes Busch and Dr. Frithjof Staib. The delegation is accompanied by German and Canadian consular staff Mrs. Catrin Stibbe and Mr. Theo Schweiker.

Please join me in welcoming our guests to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario today.

ORAL QUESTIONS

MINISTER'S RESIGNATION

Mr. Frank Klees: My question is to the Premier, and it relates to the resignation of his Minister of Economic Development.

Surely there can't be a bigger blow to this Premier and his government than to have the minister responsible for Ontario's economic recovery abandon his post at a time of serious economic disaster in this province.

Can the Premier help us understand this: How is it that his senior minister responsible for economic development feels that he can do more good for the province of Ontario and economic development by taking a job with the city of Toronto than as head of economic development for the province of Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I appreciate the opportunity to speak to the issue, and I want to begin by simply, on behalf of all Ontarians, thanking Minister Bryant for 10 years of unrelenting commitment to public service in the province of Ontario.

I am sorry to lose Minister Bryant, but here's the upside: The most significant urban economic centre in the province of Ontario and indeed in the country, by far, is the city of Toronto. If Minister Bryant can help get the city of Toronto, firing on all cylinders, that will not only benefit the people of Toronto, it will benefit the people of Ontario and indeed the people of Canada.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: There can be no clearer evidence that confusion reigns at the very top of this government and that the Premier has lost the confidence not only of this minister, but of the rest of his ministers and his caucus.

The senior minister charged with leading this province's economic recovery walks out, and he leaves at the start of a crucial week of negotiations, when billions of dollars of government loans are on the table with the auto sector. He leaves, saying, "I'm excited to begin new duties with Invest Toronto...."

There's much more to this than Mr. Bryant being excited about a job in Toronto.

Will the Premier admit that the real reason for his minister's resignation is that he has lost the confidence of this minister and that there are many other ministers who have also lost confidence in this Premier's leadership?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Again, I want to congratulate Minister Bryant for the work that he has done for Ontario families and the fight that he has fought on behalf of Ontario businesses.

When it comes to the auto issue in particular, I know that all members of this Legislature remain very committed to doing what we can and playing our part, as part of a triumvirate of Washington being actively involved in this, Ottawa—the federal government here—as well as Queen's Park, to see what we can do together to put the sector, but particularly GM at this point in time, on a solid footing.

I take the opportunity, as well, to congratulate CAW members who for the third time, if you can believe it, in the past year have negotiated a new agreement with their employer, GM. I think they've come to the table in a meaningful way, and now it's time for the government to see what we can do to put GM on a solid footing.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Mr. Frank Klees: Here is what we've heard and what the media is beginning to report: that the next minister to leave is the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, and that many backbenchers have lost confidence in this Premier's leadership. What apparently has undermined the confidence of the entire Liberal caucus is the growing arrogance on the part of this Premier in not listening either to them or to constituents who are warning this government against the imposition of billions of dollars of new taxes under the HST.

Will the Premier acknowledge that he is facing stiff opposition for his proposed HST from his ministers, his caucus and in fact from all Ontarians, and will he agree today to back down on that untimely imposition of $2.5 billion of additional taxes on the people of Ontario?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: My honourable colleague will know that many, if not all, in his caucus are in fact fully supportive of the direction we are pursuing in our budget. He understands it is important that we find a way to tackle this challenge.

I'm reminded of something that that great Canadian economist, John Kenneth Galbraith, adviser to at least half a dozen American presidents, once said. He said that leadership demands that we unequivocally confront the great anxiety of our age. The great anxiety of our age is economic in nature. Our budget is determined to confront that unequivocally in a way that may not be easy but in a way that is absolutely essential, and we are convinced that not only businesses but Ontario families believe that.

TAXATION

Mr. Frank Klees: To the Premier: The great anxiety of our age is the lack of leadership on the part of this government during the worst economic recession in the history of this province. That is the anxiety.

I stood in this place months before the last budget and called on the Premier not to proceed with his musing about an HST. He chose not to listen. Now he is hearing not only from his caucus but his ministers and people from across the province about the harm that HST will do.

I'm asking the Premier one more time: In the face of all the evidence, of all the pain this tax will impose on Ontarians—individual families as well as businesses—will he agree to stop this nonsense in its track and withhold the implementation of the HST? Will he do that?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We will not shrink from leading. I know that my honourable colleague is afraid of this particular policy. I believe that in his heart of hearts he knows it is the right policy for Ontario.

It's time for us to do what is necessary to ensure that we level the playing field for Ontario businesses. One hundred and thirty other countries and four other provinces already give their businesses an advantage over ours. It's time for us to ensure that we support our businesses, and especially our struggling manufacturers, where we have lost so many jobs, to put them on a solid footing going forward and to ensure that they are more competitive and can create more jobs for us today and for our children tomorrow.

It demands that we do something today that is not necessarily easy, but my honourable colleague knows it is the right thing to do for Ontarians today and tomorrow.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Frank Klees: The Premier need not put any words in my mouth. It is not the right thing to do, and the evidence is mounting every day. And if he doesn't want to listen to us, what he should do is listen to his backbenchers and his ministers, who we understand have told him it is the wrong thing to do, at the wrong time. What he needs to do is listen to the people of Ontario.

I'm going to ask the Premier this one question: Does he know what the impact of the HST will be to common fees for people living in condominiums in this province? Will he answer that question? Does he know that?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: My honourable colleagues sitting opposite have several times made reference to Roger Martin, a reputable authority when it comes to these things. This is what he had to say about our recent budget: "The recent Ontario budget represents an exceedingly important step forward with its bold tax measures that will benefit all Ontarians. Businesses, consumers and families should be delighted with the leadership this government has shown." He concluded by saying, "Many argue that governments can't be bold; can't do the right thing because it isn't politically saleable. This government, with this budget, shows that to be the view of defeatists. Congratulations."

We're moving forward. We know it's the right thing to do, and we're doing it in a way that protects Ontario families, 93% of whom are getting a permanent tax cut.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Mr. Frank Klees: It is not the right thing to do, and the Premier can read as many articles as he likes. What I would ask him to do is to look into the faces of the people of Ontario and tell them that he does not care how someone on a fixed income, how seniors in this province, how the unemployed are going to cope with the 13% tax on products and services—thousands of them—that have never been taxed before.

The issue is this: It is the wrong time, in the history of this province, when we are experiencing the most difficult economic times, people are losing their jobs, and this Premier has the gall to stand up and say a tax increase is the right thing to do. He has lost touch with the people of Ontario. I'm asking him one more time: Will he at least familiarize himself with what the impact of his HST will be on average Ontarians in this province?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think that with the passage of time, Ontarians have come to understand the values that inform our thinking and inspire our efforts. They know that during the course of the past five or six years now, we have devoted ourselves to improving the quality of education for all of our kids. We have devoted ourselves to improving the quality of health care for all of our families.

We have made some remarkable progress in terms of protecting the quality of our natural environment, and we've worked hard as well to improve business opportunities to ensure that we have jobs for our kids in the province of Ontario. I think they have a good understanding of where we are coming from and the values that inform us.

So I welcome this debate. I believe it is just beginning. My friends opposite say that we should freeze, that we should do nothing, that we should wait for this recession to roll by, that everything will come back to the way it was. We don't believe that. We think the times call for leadership. It's not an easy thing to do. Ontarians know what we want to do for them, and we'll keep doing it.

PENSION PLANS

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. After more than five years of McGuinty governance, Ontario's workplace-based pension system is in crisis. Last month, the McGuinty government introduced legislation that completely absolves the province of any legal obligation to backstop the pension benefits guarantee fund in this province. But on May 16, in Windsor, the finance minister announced that he will be introducing legislation to overhaul the broken pension benefits guarantee fund. Will this government introduce legislation in the fall that will ensure that every single pensioner gets every last penny that they are owed?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I appreciate the question and I'd like to think that in Ontario, all of us together, in this House and outside, are beginning to engage Canadians in an important national conversation. The fact of the matter is that we are on a collision course when it comes to an insecurity for seniors who, in their retirement years, have inadequate levels of income. Only one third of Ontarians have the benefit of a defined benefit pension fund, and there's more to be done in this regard.

That's why on this very day the Minister of Finance, Minister Duncan, is meeting with his counterparts from across the country, and Minister Flaherty as well, to engage Canadians in a national conversation. I have personally asked Prime Minister Harper to host a national summit so that we can begin, together, to put in place the kinds of measures that will ensure that our seniors will enjoy a decent retirement income.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Not only is the existing pension system in crisis but there is also the ongoing crisis of those who have no pension coverage at all. I would agree with the Premier in that regard. Only one third of Ontario workers actually have a workplace pension plan. But in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan they are already moving forward on provincial pension plans, and pensions will figure prominently, as the Premier has already indicated, in the finance ministers' meeting today.

New Democrats believe that now is the time for an Ontario pension plan. What does this government intend to do for the two thirds of Ontarians who do not have a pension plan?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Finance has just recently indicated that, failing action on the part of the federal government, it's something we're prepared to consider undertaking on our own. I know that my colleagues in Alberta and BC, in particular, have mused about moving ahead, but I think there's a fairly strong consensus among the Premiers, although I have yet to raise this with all of them, that we need to move forward nationally.

This is as important an issue as our national medicare system, as our national employment insurance system, making sure that all Canadians can enjoy a decent level of income benefit in their retirement years. We think it's the kind of thing—it might be that we can proceed here in Ontario, but that's not particularly of value to seniors living in Nova Scotia, or seniors living in Newfoundland or seniors living in Manitoba. We think it's important for us to move forward on a national basis, and that's our purpose at this point in time.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The last time I checked, this is the Premier of Ontario, and it's Ontario workers whom we have to think about in terms of their pension plans. I take it from the answer that on this important day of the finance ministers' meeting, the government has absolutely no idea how to expand pension benefit coverage in this province.

New Democrats believe that every single worker in Ontario should be covered by a workplace pension plan. New Democrats believe there are very concrete things that can be done to expand coverage in Ontario. There is no time to wait.

When will this government support the creation of an Ontario pension plan so that all Ontarians can look forward to retiring with dignity and with quality of life?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: We think that sometimes there are challenges that are so great that the best way to approach them is for all of us to tackle them together. I believe that's the nature of the challenge that is before us now when it comes to considering that about two thirds of Canadians in their retirement years will not enjoy a decent level of income. We think that's a national challenge that demands a national response, and that's why Minister Duncan is—at this very moment, I believe—engaging his counterparts from across the country in a new dialogue.

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is to the Premier. Last Thursday, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services urged Sudbury city council to veto the storage of radioactive nuclear waste in its community. He said, "There is no dollar figure, no salary, and no number of jobs that would be worth risking the health of our children, our landscape and our future."

Does this Premier agree with his minister that radioactive waste from nuclear plants poses a serious threat to the health of future generations?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: Of course there are real dangers associated with radioactive waste. Of course it's something with which we have to grapple as a society. But fortunately, there are some very strong rules and regulations in place, put there by the federal government. The upside to dealing with nuclear waste is that we know how to contain it and we know how to store it. We understand, if we are honest about it, that we are foisting this responsibility on our great-great-great-great-grandchildren.

We understand that, but the good news is that we know how to contain it and we know how to store it—unlike carbon dioxide emissions coming from coal-fired generators, for example, where there is no technology in place, where there is no science in place that would have us embrace some kind of technology to store that. That's why we've chosen to proceed with more nuclear energy.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It's truly unfortunate that the Premier still won't come clean and admit that there is no safe way to isolate radioactive nuclear waste for hundreds of generations. Even the industry-run Nuclear Waste Management Organization admits that it is impossible to prove that underground storage is safe. For years, the McGuinty government has misled Ontarians about nuclear power—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I ask the honourable member to withdraw the comment.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I withdraw, Speaker.

For years, the McGuinty government has downplayed the risks to Ontarians about nuclear power, claiming it is safe, emissions-free and affordable. When will the Premier tell Ontarians the real truth about nuclear power: that it is expensive, it is dangerous and it is the wrong way to invest up to $50 billion of taxpayers' money?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: The Minister of Energy and Infrastructure.

Hon. George Smitherman: I would encourage the honourable member to visit our facilities in the province of Ontario, where that nuclear waste which has been created through Ontario's nuclear power generation over the past several decades is well stored.

Everybody agrees that this is an issue that really does ask of all of us to ensure that we get it right and that we work within the available science to make those decisions, and that's why there's such an engaged discussion on this point.

But I would want to extend an opportunity to the leader of the third party to visit facilities where this product is contained at the moment, as I'm sure it would assist her awareness of the practices that are involved in this safe storage of product that has developed in the province of Ontario to date.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: The government says it has a mandate to build nuclear power plants in this province, but building nuclear power plants was not part of their 2007 election platform. The government says that new nuclear plants are the only way to keep the lights on, but David Suzuki and others have shown that that is untrue.

Today, the Ontario Clean Air Alliance reports that Ontario can meet its electricity needs more cheaply by connecting to hydro power from Quebec and from Labrador, much more cheaply than by building new nuclear power plants. Why won't this Premier choose job-producing energy conservation and renewable energy projects instead of expensive and unsafe nuclear power?

Hon. George Smitherman: Firstly, the honourable member uses the tactic of that word that was in her earlier question and wasn't appropriate. In the 2007 election, all—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I just remind the honourable member that you can't say indirectly what you want to say directly.

Hon. George Smitherman: I apologize. I didn't have a script to work with.

On the matter at hand, this was clearly part of the context of the 2007 election. People in Ontario had the opportunity—in the best way that we know, through democratic means—to voice their views with respect to Ontario's future energy supply. But in this very House, recently, we passed the Green Energy Act. This will enable substantially more renewable energy to come to life and will add $900 million to the already allocated $1.2 billion for conservation initiatives.

We all agree that there are opportunities to take the lead of the member from Pembroke in reducing—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

FIREFIGHTERS

Mr. Ted Arnott: My question is for the Minister of Labour. For more than two years, the government has led Ontario's volunteer firefighters to believe that they will be included under the presumptive legislation, just as full-time firefighters are. My Bill 169 would have done just that. Why, then, did the government force its members to vote against Bill 169?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: Our government recognizes the life-threatening, hazardous type of work that our firefighters do, and we have taken steps to ensure that firefighters and their families are given the dignity and respect that they deserve.

The consultations that have come about since 2007, as the member mentioned, when we brought forward presumptive legislation to work with firefighter stakeholders, are ongoing. We continue to meet with AMO; we continue to meet with the fire chiefs. Actually, two weeks ago, I had some good discussions with the fire chiefs of Ontario.

What I can say to the member and to any firefighter in Ontario: if, for whatever reason, they feel ill, they can take their concerns to the WSIB and those concerns will be taken very seriously and treated like other claims.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Ted Arnott: We've been hearing those excuses now for two years. What we need now is action.

I can't believe that some government members need to be reminded that the second reading vote of any bill is a vote on the principle of that bill. How can they say they're in favour in the principle when they vote against the principle?

This is an affront not only to volunteer firefighters, but also to rural and small-town Ontario, and we can't imagine how disappointing this must be to the family of the late Stittsville firefighter Alex MacDonald, who died of leukemia just over a year ago. Had he been a full-time firefighter, he would have been covered under Bill 221 and the accompanying regulations.

Will the minister commit to immediately extending the presumptive legislation to the volunteer fire service, or will he now admit that this is yet another McGuinty Liberal broken promise?

Hon. Peter Fonseca: What I can commit to the member is that we will continue to have consultations with our firefighter stakeholders. As early as a couple weeks ago, when I met with the fire chiefs of Ontario, I did say to that forum that this is a very active file in the Ministry of Labour.

We continue to work with the WSIB, we continue to work with AMO, to look at how the regulation that is in place was put in place two years ago when we brought forward presumptive legislation to address firefighters and to ensure that their work, their lives are treated with dignity and respect. That's what we will continue to do.

NUCLEAR WASTE

M me France Gélinas: Ma question est pour le ministre de la Sécurité communautaire et des Services correctionnels. Last week, the minister stood up before his Sudbury constituents and urged them not to accept nuclear waste in their community because doing so would threaten the health of children and the environment. The minister's strong stand came as a bit of a surprise, but it is very welcome. It's a welcome change to hear the minister speak about the health risks of nuclear waste.

After hearing the Premier's answer to my leader's question, my question is simple: In Sudbury, the minister says no to nuclear waste, but what does he say at the cabinet table?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Let me answer the question by simply saying that, unlike the member from Nickel Belt, I will stand up for my constituency at all times. Unlike the member for Nickel Belt, who follows, I will ensure that the views of my constituents are always articulated, be it in my riding, at the caucus table, the cabinet table or in this House. I understand, unlike that member, that my job, first and foremost, is always to support and ensure that the views of my constituents are made loud and clear around any table.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: We know that it is not safe for Sudbury to have nuclear waste. Governments around the world are finding that, despite offers of jobs and money, citizens are not willing to accept the health risks of storing radioactive nuclear waste in their community. I was happy to see that the member from Sudbury urged Sudbury council to pass a motion so that there would be no nuclear waste stored in Sudbury.

When is he going to ask his government to do the same and pass a motion that there will be no nuclear waste buried in Sudbury, and an engagement on behalf of his government to do just that?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: I continue to reinforce the fact that, unlike the member from Nickel Belt, I will stand and always ensure that the views of my constituents are made known. Unlike the member from Nickel Belt, I will ensure that I stand up and support the people I represent. And unlike the member from Nickel Belt, I will always ensure that at whatever table or in whatever—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Minister?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: Whatever the table, whatever the forum, I will always stand up for the people of my community, because my job is to ensure that I support and represent their views. I never make an apology for that, unlike the member from Nickel Belt.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Mr. Mario Sergio: My question is to the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure. Minister, last week was Energy Conservation Week, and I had the opportunity to join you at St. Basil-The-Great College School in my riding of York West. It was here that you announced an investment of $50 million for public school boards to reduce energy costs in schools. St Basil's principal, Carmine Settino, and his dedicated staff have spearheaded the student eco-club green campaign.

It was inspiring to hear the students speak so passionately about their green school initiatives: their wind projects, solar panels and strategic landscaping. They are a shining example of how a school and its students can indeed lead by example.

Minister, how is this funding going to help schools? Is it something they have been asking for?

Hon. George Smitherman: I really did enjoy the chance to be in York West with the honourable member at St. Basil-The-Great, especially to meet the student council leadership and the leadership from the eco-club. They were very, very impressive indeed. That's a school where they've installed solar array and where they're very interested in doing more. That's why our $50-million program will support school boards to install more renewable energy technology in the form of small-scale wind, solar-related products and also geothermal.

Ontario's elementary and secondary schools have significant energy costs, at nearly half a billion dollars a year. So here we have an opportunity to reduce both the carbon footprint of our schools and also reduce their operating costs, which means that those important dollars can be more targeted at student needs. We also know that it's an opportunity for young folks to learn more about the opportunities through these technologies that are operating right in their schools.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Mario Sergio: I think this funding will certainly help schools add renewable energy technology, and I'm confident that many schools in my riding will want to participate.

I have heard from my local boards about the interest in finding ways to green our schools and reduce their operating costs at the same time. I was very interested to hear about the announcement that you and the Premier made a few weeks ago about funding for schools to make energy-efficient upgrades to their facilities. Can you, Minister, advise this House about how the school boards in my riding can get more information about the program and how it works?

Hon. George Smitherman: I do want to thank the hard-working member from York West for the question. I do want to be very clear, though: It was the Minister of Education and the Premier who were able to launch this incredibly important initiative that will see $550 million invested in the next two years in continuing to retrofit schools in the province of Ontario.

As I mentioned before, they have half a billion dollars a year in annual operating costs associated with energy, and we think that there are incredible opportunities here to make those kinds of investments. More than 1,000 publicly funded schools will be made more energy-efficient to enhance the places to learn and help boards save both energy and money, but this is also part of our stimulative focus from the government's budget. This will also lead to 5,500 person-years of employment, an important boost to local economies, while reducing electricity costs and our carbon footprint.

HEALTH CARE FUNDING

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: My question is for the Minister of Health. Today the Coalition to Save Our Young Adults held a press conference calling on your government to deal with the critical lack of support for young adults with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. As you know, the program at Toronto General has been limited to 99 adults for 10 years, and there are now 150 young adults with complex disorders who must go to Sick Kids for transfusions, but they don't receive adult services.

Now, you promised in 2004 that you would provide quality care to these individuals. However, according to the coalition, "Nothing has changed. In the words of one physician, the situation has gone from 'crisis' to 'near catastrophe.'" Will you, today, immediately live up to your promise to provide the needed resources?

Hon. David Caplan: I want to thank the member for the question. I want to thank the advocates who are here today who are sickle cell and thalassemia advocates. I want all the members of this Legislature to know that I'm concerned for the health of all children and young adults with sickle cell disease and with thalassemia. We've asked the local health integration networks to work with hospitals to develop solutions to implement to treat this and many, many other disorders.

We're continuing to work to increase funding and resources to our hospital sector. For example, our 2009 budget commits to providing hospitals a $617-million funding increase this year over last. That's a 4.7% increase at a time when our economy, as we well know, is very challenged and shrinking. This new funding includes a 2.1% base funding increase to all Ontario hospitals. We've invested $2 million in 2008-09—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: I go back to the Minister of Health. Minister, your response shows your total lack of understanding for these young adults with thalassemia and sickle cell disease. Your government, in 2004, promised them care; it's now 2009. Don't tell us about increases to the hospital budget; these are real people. In fact, 15 of them have died in recent years of preventable causes because of the lack of human health resources.

I say to you today, Minister, will you, in 2009, live up to your 2004 promise and provide the needed human and financial resources to properly look after these young adults who have nowhere to go?

Hon. David Caplan: I think the member raises an important point in this House. It's also important to recognize that funding for hospitals where this treatment and where the care for these young adults and children is provided is in our health care system, and that funding is in fact increasing. For example, we've invested $2 million in 2008-09 to fund Ontario hospitals for selected drugs used in outpatient treatment of thalassemia through the special drug program. New products for treatment, for example, of thalassemia and sickle cell disease are funded through the Ontario drug benefit program, subject, of course, to the review process.

I'm determined to provide quality care to all individuals in the province of Ontario. I think that the advocates who are here should understand that the member opposite and her party advocate a $3-billion cut to health care through the elimination of Ontario's health premium. The record on this side of the House is one where we are rebuilding health care after—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

ARTS AND CULTURAL FUNDING

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I have a question for the Minister of Culture. In the 2008 budget, the McGuinty Liberals announced that they were making permanent the sales tax exemption on tickets to live theatre. In the 2009 budget, the McGuinty government indicated that the new harmonized sales tax would put an end to that exemption. So much for "permanent." How is slapping an 8% tax on live theatre going to help the thousands of Ontario actors, performers, musicians and crew?

Hon. M. Aileen Carroll: That initiative, along with all of the other initiatives in bringing in the tax incentives that were built into our budget, is exactly the right move that this government should have taken.

Interjection: What tax incentives?

Hon. M. Aileen Carroll: My apologies; "incentives" is not the right word.

We have brought in sales tax harmonization. We have done that because it is exactly the right thing to do. It is the right thing to stimulate the private sector. It is what the private sector asked of this government. It's part of a very courageous budget, one that I'm very proud to support. It's a budget that's aimed at restructuring an economy, and the creative industries are a very big part of that economy.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: I have to say, I haven't heard from any non-profit theatre groups that are enthused about this—none. Slapping an 8% tax on Ontarians who are going to plays will only further burden the arts community, which is struggling through the impact of the recession. Talk to people at Shaw; talk to people at Stratford. Stopping mounting job losses has to be a central concern for your government. What are you going to do, Minister, to alleviate the impact of this 8% burden on live performers in this province?

Hon. M. Aileen Carroll: We have taken bold action to bring this economy out of this recession, and in doing that, we have saved businesses throughout this economy $500 million just in the paperwork.

Interjections.

Hon. M. Aileen Carroll: If the honourable members would like to listen, I would like to assure them that, largely, I have heard nothing but kudos from the creative sector, from the people who are doing live theatre and from art galleries and museums. Why am I hearing those kudos? It is because the budget of our government, this time and last year, was hugely supportive of all that's being done in the creative sector. We have put millions of dollars into our cultural centres. We have, as a result, been thanked and told that, as a government, no government gets it better than the McGuinty government when it comes to—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

SENIOR CITIZENS

Mr. Phil McNeely: My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Our seniors face some complex health care challenges. I know many of the constituents in Ottawa, particularly those in the senior community, want access to support services at home, where they are most comfortable. Providing these services benefits seniors. It also benefits our hospitals: By giving seniors care at home or in the community, these programs will help us reduce ER wait times. What is the government doing to ensure that there are more home and community supports for Ontario seniors?

Hon. David Caplan: I want to thank the member from Ottawa—Orléans for the question, because indeed we are committed to ensuring that Ontario seniors get the health support they need at home and in the community.

That's why last week our government announced a further investment of over $187 million in our aging at home program. The program encourages innovation at a local level by giving local health integration networks the flexibility to start some creative projects that are tailor made for seniors living in communities with specific needs. To date, more than 230 new projects have been approved.

I know they will benefit communities right across the province by helping seniors stay at home, and by ensuring that our alternate-level-of-care, or ALC, patients can leave hospital sooner and recover where they're most comfortable. This leaves more beds for emergency room patients waiting to be admitted to hospitals. This helps our government move forward with one of our most important priorities, reducing wait times—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Phil McNeely: My constituents will be glad to hear that you're implementing a strategy to help seniors live independently at home or in their communities.

I know the Champlain Local Health Integration Network received over $17 million in funding for the aging-at-home initiative. The money will help increase the range and quantity of services available to seniors in my community and help relieve pressures in hospitals and long-term-care homes. But I want to know more about what this program will mean for individual constituents.

Hon. David Caplan: It's a good question, because last week I was in Ottawa with the member and we met a remarkable Ottawa woman named Geraldine, who has benefited tremendously from aging at home. Geraldine had been courageously battling breast cancer, and her husband, Gerald, had recently suffered a heart attack. When Geraldine found out she needed surgery, the couple worried that they would not be able to care for one another. But Geraldine got help from an innovative aging-at-home project called Aging in Place, which has been a great success in the Champlain Local Health Integration Network.

Through this program, Geraldine was able to recover at home with the help of nurses and personal support workers. She didn't have to worry. She called it a godsend. Talking about this experience, Geraldine said, "The help is there. All you have to do is ask."

I'm proud to provide seniors like Geraldine with this support. We're giving them the care they need at home, where they want to be.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: My question is for the Premier. Tomorrow, the insurance brokers are coming to Queen's Park. I've met, as all members have, with constituents, brokers and individuals from the Insurance Bureau of Canada. The concern is that postal codes and/or credit scoring are being used to deny people insurance and/or for determining insurance. For those who don't understand, it's determined by how much credit you owe on your credit cards or how many mortgages you have for credit scoring.

This is not allowed for auto insurance, but what's taking place is that individuals who are applying for household insurance are asked to provide their credit score to determine household insurance, and when they deny access to insurance company providers, they're being denied auto insurance. What are you going to do to ensure that you can protect Ontarians from credit scoring determining people's insurance rates?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I thank the honourable member for his question. One of the things I want to make clear is that credit information is not permitted for use in rating and underwriting auto insurance. FSCO, the Financial Services Commission of Ontario, sent a bulletin on February 10 of this year outlining acceptable practices for insurers who quote on auto insurance in Ontario.

My colleague also makes reference to another issue, and that is whether or not insurance companies in the province of Ontario are using credit scoring to grant household insurance. What FSCO is doing at the present is conducting a survey—as are their counterparts, I think, pretty well in all the other provinces and territories at the same time—so that we get a better understanding of what's happening in the marketplace, with a view to then considering what, if any, action would be necessary in that regard.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary.

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: Right now, as you mentioned, there are 39 recommendations under consideration by FSCO's five-year review for auto insurance. There is a gap under current legislation that doesn't allow the superintendent responsible for insuring people in the province to ensure that the rules are followed. Recommendation number 7 says that FSCO needs stronger authority to prohibit "objectionable quoting practices," but it's being ignored.

Premier, what is it that you and your government are going to do to ensure that the policies in the province are not based on credit scoring?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: I think we've made some real progress during the course of the past five years when it comes to insurance generally speaking, particularly in the area of auto, where rates have dropped over 7% since 2003, which has been a real boon to consumers.

Again, my honourable colleague raises a real issue about the use of credit scoring in the granting of insurance. I know that's something that FSCO and the Minister of Finance continue to consider. What I do undertake to my honourable colleague is to get back to him if there are any more specifics I can provide in this regard, given the absence of the Minister of Finance today.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

Mr. Rosario Marchese: My question is to the Minister of Education. Minister, it has now been more than a month since you introduced your school information-finder website. This site facilitates the comparison of schools based on the income and education of the parents, along with the language spoken and the length of time the student has been in Canada.

You have a reputation for collaboration, yet at a recent partnership table meeting, all education stakeholders, including parents, deans of faculties of education, directors of education, trustees and teachers, stood united and stated their adamant opposition to this site directly to the Minister of Education.

When you set up this site, who exactly were you collaborating with?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: There actually were many conversations with various education stakeholders. I had, in fact, talked to the partnership table—

Mr. Howard Hampton: Name one.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Well, everyone who sat at the partnership table knew that we were going to be using the data that we have been collecting, as part of our statistical neighbours exercise, to work with schools at risk. We were going to be using the data to allow parents and the community to have more information.

The other thing I did at the partnership table meeting that the member opposite notes is that I endeavoured, undertook, to set up a working table, a round table discussion, so that we can talk about exactly what other information we might need to put on the school information finder to flesh out those profiles of schools so that parents and community members can get the information they want. Those letters and those invitations to that round table will be going out shortly.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Rosario Marchese: The stakeholders knew you were going to do this, but they are adamantly opposed to it. It appears that you and the Premier are alone in this regard.

Minister, no one can figure it out. Why do you insist on leaving this kind of information on the website when everyone is opposed to it?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: You know, it's interesting: All of those groups, with whom I converse regularly and who have been enormously supportive of our initiatives, are also very opposed to the kind of narrow information that the C.D. Howe Institute or the Fraser Institute put out when they rank schools.

Our initiative is intended to give people fuller information—every one of those people, including many conversations with People for Education. We are committed to continuing this conversation. As I said to the member opposite, I told the partnership table that we will have a round table, we will continue—

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Minister?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I am going to maintain our reputation as a collaborative government that understands that when there's a concern, when there's a disagreement among people who are working together, we need to have that conversation, because that's how we get to the right answer. Those notices, those letters will be going out, inviting that conversation from all of those stakeholders.

FOOD SAFETY

Mr. Pat Hoy: My question is to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. I've always been concerned about food safety and making sure that Ontarians have the proper information to make an informed decision. We know that Ontarians demand high-quality food and that they want to buy local, not just because they want to support our Ontario farmers but because Ontarians grow the best food in the world—like those in Chatham, Kent, Essex and Leamington. They want increased sustainability as well as to lower their carbon footprint.

Being able to track where our food comes from is vitally important so that consumers can make informed choices on what food they buy when they are at the grocery store. My question to the minister is, what is your ministry doing in order to help consumers track where their food actually comes from?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I'm very happy to have the opportunity to say that our government has been working very closely with producers, with food processors and with the federal government. We have listened, and I think that it has been very good news. Last week—actually it was May 11—in Guelph I was able to announce the launch of the food safety and traceability initiative. This is part of our Growing Forward agreement with the federal government, and together we have committed to support the traceability initiatives in this province.

It is a four-year, $25.5-million joint investment to help Ontario producers and processors with traceability initiatives. The food safety and traceability initiative provides cost-share funding, up to $20,000 to individual facilities, to support the implementation of food—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Pat Hoy: Currently, Ontario farmers face many challenges. We know there has been significant investment in Ontario farms to ensure that they continue to thrive and grow. For instance, I look at the action the government is taking on expanding the Foodland Ontario program as being very positive news for our food producers and food processors. Our government must partner with our agri-food sector not only to help promote local food products but also to invest in food safety initiatives, both on-farm and in the processing sector, to ensure that Ontario families enjoy safe food from farm to fork.

Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister: Could she tell us more about how this new program will help our Ontario farmers continue to succeed?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: Well, promoting Ontario's quality food and supporting food safety initiatives really do go hand in hand. We have listened to farmers, to processors, and this is what they told us they need. This will increase food producer and processor awareness of food safety risks and benefits implementing food safety practices, because the people of Ontario expect the safest and best-quality food.

This program is designed to assist both producers and processors implement practices in their operations so that they can continue to present, not just to the people of Ontario but indeed to the world, that we have the very best food right here in Ontario. It's grown here and it's produced here.

ADOPTION DISCLOSURE

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services. Minister, the June 1 deadline for the adoption disclosure vetoes is one week away. Can the minister share with the House how many veto applications have been received asking that the personal information be blocked from the adoption registry and whether those veto submissions have been registered?

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur: I'm very pleased about what our government has done about the disclosure of information with regard to past adoptions prior to September 1, 2008. There is a lot of interest from those parents who gave up a child for adoption and for those who want to find their birth parents. We have received quite a bit of information about what the possibilities are if someone doesn't want to have their information disclosed. I have to say that we have quite a few, and in the supplementary I'll give you the right information.

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Hope breeds eternal, Minister. I've been approached by an individual who was adopted and whose biological father is serving a life sentence in an Ontario jail. They are very concerned that their personal details could be released to a criminal trying to make contact with them. Your government voted down a Progressive Conservative amendment that would have protected this individual from this exact scenario. This adoptee has been told by your ministry staff that there is a significant backlog in veto applications, and the ministry cannot even confirm receipt of their application.

Minister, will you assure the House today that all veto application files will be cross-referenced and the unprocessed disclosure vetoes processed before you release personal adoptions starting next week?

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur: I'm just going by memory, but I'll give you the right information about how many veto requests we have received. I can assure you that all veto applications will be processed before any information is provided. I can assure you of that, because it's very important; it's in the legislation. We want to make sure that for those who don't want their identification to be released, it will not be released. There will be other information released, but nothing that will identify who the parents are and where the child is.

ABORIGINAL PROGRAMS

AND SERVICES

Mr. Gilles Bisson: My question is to the Minister of Community Safety. You'll know that on January 8, 2006, a tragic fire in Kashechewan took the lives of both James Goodwin and Ricardo Wesley as a result of them being detained in the jail there that caught fire. They subsequently died because police officers were not able to open up the jail cells. You'll know that the chief coroner came out with his report last week. There are some 90 recommendations about how to deal with this so that this tragedy doesn't happen again. My question to you is simply this: When do you plan on taking action to implement the coroner's inquest recommendations?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: I want to thank the member for the question. I also want to reinforce the fact that there were also 46 recommendations from the Ipperwash inquiry. We're going to ensure, as a ministry, that we look at the recommendations from the Ipperwash inquiry. We're going to look at these recommendations very, very seriously. These recommendations—there were 86 recommendations, which dealt with a variety of issues—were made to Canada, to Ontario and to our First Nations partners. We will work closely. Ontario has done its

part in the past, and we will continue to do our

part in the present and in the future to improve those conditions.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Well, absolutely not: You have not taken your responsibility, and as a result those two men died. So don't come into the House and tell me and the rest of this assembly that you have taken your responsibility. The minister sat with myself, with Chief Stan Beardy, with Chief Jonathan Solomon and with others on this issue on numerous occasions, and you have yet to take up your responsibility of funding your 48%.

So my question to you is: We now have recommendations, the very least of which is to put together a consultation committee that starts by June 30. Are you at least willing to do that, or does it take other deaths in this province for you to take action?

Hon. Rick Bartolucci: The member is dead wrong. Unlike the NDP government between 1990 and 1995, when they cut funding to First Nations policing, when they reduced First Nations police officers, we have doubled funding to the NA police service—doubled. We have added 40 new First Nations police officers as part of the federal funding. We take our role very, very seriously. We will continue the collaboration with our First Nations partners and with the federal government.

The member was also wrong when he said we didn't live up to our commitment of 48% funding—absolutely incorrect; he knows that to be a fact. Let me reinforce to the First Nations communities that Ontario will continue to be a willing partner in this partnership.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

IN MISSISSAUGA SOUTH

Mr. Charles Sousa: My question is to the Minister of Research and Innovation. As our economy continues to evolve, employment sectors such as alternative energy, environmental, information and communication technologies will continue to play an increasingly important role in Ontario. Many of my constituents from Mississauga South are currently training at institutions such as Fanhawe, Humber, Sheridan, George Brown and Centennial College. They are part of the Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation.

Their goal is to develop projects with small and medium-sized business while providing our students with real-world learning opportunities that enhance their skills and marketability. What is the Ministry of Research and Innovation doing to ensure that this program can continue to prepare our people and businesses for the jobs of today and tomorrow?

Hon. John Wilkinson: I want to thank my friend from Mississauga South for the question. Three years ago our ministry came up with a new program, called Colleges Ontario Network for Industry Innovation—it's nicknamed CONII. That program has been so very, very successful that in our recent budget, and with great support from my friend the Minister of Small Business and Consumer Services, our ministry was successful in receiving an additional $10 million, so that we could take this very successful program and ramp it up.

Colleges are uniquely placed to be at that interface between businesses and academia, and so the businesses are able to go to colleges and ask them very specific questions about trying to fix a problem. The kids at the colleges fix that problem, and it's a win-win for everybody.

It's so very, very successful, and I'm so very, very proud that we're actually expanding that program right across Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Charles Sousa: In my riding of Mississauga South, there is a lot of important, exciting work being done to develop green technologies. We are fortunate to have the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement, OCETA. It's a not-for-profit organization that helps accelerate the commercialization and market adoption of clean technologies and environmentally sustainable solutions through public engagement and by providing businesses with technical solutions. As well, we're home to the Hydrogen Village project. The goal of the project is to help create a green and sustainable future within the GTA.

What is the Ministry of Research and Innovation doing to support organizations like these as they work toward a greener and more innovative Ontario?

Hon. John Wilkinson: There are some great things going on in Mississauga South. I know that our ministry, over the years, has committed some $1.4 million to innovative projects in Mississauga South.

This funding includes $118,000 to support Materials and Manufacturing Ontario, in support of their emerging materials network; some $213,000 for clinical trials at the Trillium Health Centre; $130,000 in support of the world-famous Hydrogen Village; finally, as well, we've invested some $1.2 million in the Ontario Centre for Environmental Technology Advancement, which recently provided my ministry with advice on tackling climate change through bio-based, environmental alternative energy and clean technologies.

I know that the good people in Clarkson and in Port Credit and in Lorne Park are very proud of the tremendous environmental track record of our member for Mississauga South, and I look—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. The time for question period has ended.

VISITOR

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I'd like to take this opportunity to welcome former member Bud Wildman, who represented Algoma in the 30th to the 36th Parliaments. Bud, welcome back to Queen's Park today.

ANSWERS TO WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Mr. Gilles Bisson: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I issued an order paper question, 198, that has not yet been responded to, and I would like to get the government to respond, according to the standing orders, because they're over time.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I thank the member for that point of order. This was an issue that was raised just prior to the recess. I would remind all members, and particularly their legislative assistants, to please review the order papers and ensure that those answers are given in a timely manner.

I trust that the minister responsible for the order paper issue that the member for Timmins—James Bay raised will ensure that that answer is quickly delivered.

BIRTH OF MEMBER'S GRANDCHILD

Mr. David Zimmer: On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I'd like to congratulate my colleague Kathleen Wynne on the birth of her first grandchild.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Congratulations.

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

The House recessed from 1138 to 1300.

SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

Hon. Monique M. Smith: I believe we have unanimous consent to put forward a motion without notice regarding sign language interpreters.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Monique M. Smith: I move today that sign language interpreters may be present in the east gallery to interpret the proceedings for guests in the gallery.

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

WEARING OF RIBBONS

Mr. Dave Levac: I seek unanimous consent to wear the green ribbon for the anniversary of the green ribbon campaign for today. I believe we have consent. The ribbons will be in each of the galleries for distribution. So I'm seeking unanimous consent to wear it.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Agreed? Agreed.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I want to take this opportunity to welcome a good friend: Hillary Dawson from the Wine Council of Ontario. Hillary, welcome to the Legislature today.

MEMBERS' STATEMENTS

CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Mr. Ernie Hardeman: Last year, our community suffered a tragic loss when the Hawkins family succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. It was a tragic reminder of the need to have functioning carbon monoxide alarms on every level of your home.

On Friday, May 22, I was pleased to be part of a special event in Woodstock when First Alert Canada donated almost $2,500 worth of carbon monoxide detectors to Operation Sharing, an organization that helps Oxford's less fortunate.

Operation Sharing helps the people of Oxford through programs like food cards, lunches, providing a place to meet, and counselling. Through this donation, they will also be making sure that people have the security of a carbon monoxide alarm in their home.

I want to thank Jim Rotz, president of Jarden Branded Consumables, and First Alert Canada for their generosity and commitment to safety. Due to their donations, 75 Oxford families will have protection against carbon monoxide poisoning.

Last December, I introduced a private member's bill, the Hawkins Gignac Act, that would give all Ontario families that protection by requiring functioning carbon monoxide detectors in all homes. On April 2, that bill received unanimous support on second reading. I hope the government will take this opportunity to move it forward to committee hearings on third reading to ensure that we can prevent more tragedies. But, as always, I want to encourage everyone not to wait for the legislation before taking steps to protect yourself and your family. Please make sure that you have functioning carbon monoxide detectors in your home.

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to bring this message.

CHILD FIND ONTARIO

Mr. Dave Levac: Today marks two very special milestones for Child Find Ontario. May is the 25th anniversary for Child Find Ontario and also the 18th annual Green Ribbon of Hope Campaign.

Ms. Sue Snider, the deputy mayor of Mulmar, vice-president of Child Find Ontario and first vice-president of Child Find Canada, joins me today in the east gallery in asking members of this House to assist Child Find in bringing messages of hope to families in our community.

The concept of the Green Ribbon of Hope was developed by students of Holy Cross Secondary School in St. Catharines, home of the honourable Minister of Transportation, Jim Bradley, as a result of the abduction and subsequent murder of a 15-year-old child, Kristen French, on April 16, 1992.

The green ribbon is a symbol of recognition for the many children who go missing every year. The colour green embodies the sign of hope for those children who have gone missing.

Last year, the RCMP National Missing Children Services reported that over 21,000 children went missing in Ontario alone.

With recent events in Woodstock, the education and prevention programs that Child Find Ontario provides are vital in helping families cope with the many obstacles that were not an issue 25 years ago. As the advent of new technology emerges, cyberbullying and online predators are presenting an even greater threat to our youth.

I regret to inform this House that teenage runaways still remain on the rise.

In honour of all searching parents, I ask that we take the leadership role in promoting the safe return of all missing children. I've provided each member with a green ribbon, and I ask us to remember National Missing Children's Day on this 25th of May.

TOURISM

Mr. Norm Miller: I rise today to comment on a recent tourism proposal. The scheme comes out of Mr. Sorbara's report, Discovering Ontario. The province intends to create 11 regional destination marketing and management organizations, or DMMOs. The McGuinty government plans to allocate $40 million each year for the DMMOs and to increase taxes on accommodations by 3% to pay for it.

If this proposal is actually going to work, if this new tax and the spending that goes along with it is going to attract more visitors to Ontario, it needs to be properly executed. So far, the government has it wrong.

Michael Lawley, executive director of Muskoka Tourism, points out: "From our point of view that is just not going to work. The connection is not really relevant in our particular situation." That's because the ministry proposes to lump Muskoka in with the York—Simcoe and Grey-Bruce regions.

Muskoka has been in the tourism industry since the 1860s. The region boasts water-based features, cottage and outdoor experiences, arts and culture, heritage and the rugged granite shorelines of the Precambrian Shield. There is already a strong Parry Sound—Muskoka brand based on similar tourism features. It would make much more sense to create a DMMO that puts Parry Sound, Muskoka and Algonquin Park together.

The tourism ministry's suggestion begs the questions: What is this government thinking? Has anyone from the ministry actually gone out on the ground to look at the implications of their proposal? What is the possible rationale for lumping Muskoka with York region and the city of Vaughan?

HEALTH CARE

Mrs. Laura Albanese: Effective and timely health care is a primary concern for all Ontarians, including my constituents of York South—Weston. I am pleased to rise today to speak about our government's latest initiative in the ongoing commitment to strengthening our health care system and improving access to care.

The proposed legislative changes will enhance patient safety and improve access to care by building on existing, highly successful team environments. The increased collaboration between professionals such as nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, dietitians, midwives and medical radiation technologists will ensure that all Ontarians receive a high level of care.

The ability of nurses to order X-rays, dietitians to prick skin to check a patient's blood readings, and pharmacists to extend or adapt prescriptions means not only that these professionals will more fully utilize their skills, but doctors will be able to spend more time with each patient. This will be widely welcomed by the residents of York South—Weston, who support better access to health care and having more choices in who provides it.

This is a positive step in improving access to care. Our government must remain dedicated to ensuring that our health care system is the best it can be.

JOHN SCHOONDERBEEK

Mr. John O'Toole: I'm pleased to rise today to pay tribute to a constituent, John Schoonderbeek. John is among just nine individuals from across Canada who were recognized for a 2008 Clean World Award from Pitch-In Canada. This award is signed by Governor General Michaëlle Jean, who is the patron for Pitch-In Canada.

On Sunday, May 24, I was privileged to attend the presentation of this national honour at Brookside Cottage Bed and Breakfast, near Tyrone, Ontario, in my riding. Brookside Cottage is the home of John's sister, Corinne van de Grootevheen. Corinne, who is a nature lover and artisan herself, was also the initiator of this award for her brother, John.

For this special celebration, John was joined by his wife, Sharon, and daughters Lisa and Jill, amongst many other family members and members of the community at large.

For John Schoonderbeek, stewardship for his environment is an everyday priority. For the past 10 years, he has walked over seven kilometres each day, picking up garbage on the roadside and in ditches and woods around his community in Hampton and Mitchell's Corners.

John is a daily inspiration to young and old in his community. Congratulations to John Schoonderbeek for leading by example in our environment.

BREAST CANCER

Mr. Bill Mauro: In 1999, a volunteer committee of nine ladies organized a bachelor auction to raise funds to help fight breast cancer in northwestern Ontario. Over the past 11 years, volunteer committees continued the work of these nine women, and the Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction became the premiere ladies'-night-out event in Thunder Bay. The auction supports the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.

It is because of the dedication, commitment and devotion of all the volunteer committee members, past and present, that the total amount raised by the auction reached $63,000 this year and over $500,000 since its inception.

This year's committee includes Keely Hartviksen, Deb Emery, Autumn Lindsay, Janice Harasyn, Becky Keighley, Heather Vita, Jessica Bryck, Michael Pedri, Bridgette Parker and Athena Kreiner, as well as dance coordinators Fay Steadwell and Lindsay Fron.

That first committee in 1999 included Sandy Neilly, Pamela Henderson, Kathy Ball, Kathy Mastrangelo, Mary Wrigley, Lori Lee, Jackie Collier, Shirley MacDonell and Vicky Bowen.

This year's auction featured 10 bachelors, a great deal of support from the business community and many male volunteers who acted as ushers. I was honoured to volunteer as well.

In 11 years, this auction has funded and supported initiatives to reduce breast cancer through education and awareness, to increase access to screening, to reduce wait times for care, and to improve breast cancer treatment. Supporters of the Bachelors for Hope Charity Auction truly make a difference.

LABOUR MOBILITY

Ms. Sophia Aggelonitis: Ontarians continue to hear about the economic downturn on the radio, on television and in the newspapers.

On this side of the House, we have taken many steps to strengthen our economy by removing barriers to labour mobility.

Ontario's workers are among the most productive in the country.

The proposed legislative changes would support full labour mobility, allowing more professional workers from across Canada to work in Ontario. They would also allow businesses to draw from a larger talent pool, making them more competitive and better positioning them to weather the economic turmoil.

This legislation builds on our support for the interprovincial standards red seal program for skilled trades. Our support for this program ensures that it remains the Canadian standard of excellence for training and certification in the skilled trades.

We know that in order for Ontario to compete in the 21st century, we must all be at our best. Breaking down barriers to labour mobility ensures that Ontario remains an attractive place to do business.

WORKPLACE FATALITIES

M me France Gélinas: Last Thursday night in Sudbury, I had the opportunity to attend a very important meeting held by a group of concerned citizens who are asking the government for a workplace fatalities family bill of rights. The bill of rights would provide family members of victims of workplace fatalities and serious injuries access to information. Their asks are simple. They want the right to designate a representative to act on their behalf;

the right to be notified of meetings and hearings, and the opportunity to participate;

the right to recommend individuals to be interviewed, and access to the transcripts and written reports;

the right to be kept informed; and

the right to have access to the documents gathered and produced during the accident investigation.

They also told me that to give them access to information, we don't even need to change the laws; we just need modifications to the regulation.

They have started a postcard writing campaign to have access to information, the same information that is available to the other parties.

Minister Fonseca and Minister Bartolucci, it is within your power to make those regulatory changes and give those families access to information. How much more time, effort and energy do you want the good people of Sudbury to spend before you do the right thing and make those regulatory changes?

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

PROCESSING INDUSTRY

Mr. Jim Brownell: It is my pleasure to offer a very warm welcome today to representatives of the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors in the gallery. The alliance represents the interests of Ontario's food and beverage processing industry—manufacturers of products we enjoy every day.

The food and beverage processing industry is a major contributor to jobs and the economy of Ontario. In total, the industry generates $33 billion in shipments annually, directly employs over 110,000 people, and is the major customer of Ontario's farmers, transforming over 70% of what is produced at the farm level into safe, quality food for consumers.

This is the first Queen's Park Day being held by the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors, and we certainly welcome them. Representatives of food and beverage manufacturers will be meeting today with MPPs and government officials to talk about some of the major issues affecting the industry in Ontario. They will also be discussing the opportunities the industry can provide to support the government's key priorities of skilled jobs, health, environment and building the economy.

I encourage all of you to attend the alliance's reception today in the legislative dining room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Alliance members have travelled from ridings across the province to let us know that they are important assets to communities throughout Ontario. This is a great opportunity for you to meet representatives from your area, learn more about this dynamic industry and sample some of the amazing food and beverage products that are made right here in Ontario. Welcome to you.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY

AND RESPONSES

ACCESSIBILITÉ POUR LES

PERSONNES HANDICAPÉES

Hon. Madeleine Meilleur: Let me welcome in the House Roxanne Whiting, who is the ASL interpreter. Welcome.

Today marks the beginning of National Access Awareness Week in Canada.

Dans tout le pays, les collectivités célèbrent l'importance de l'accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées. Des obstacles empêchent trop souvent des personnes handicapées de travailler, de suivre des études et d'avoir accès aux services dont elles ont besoin et qu'elles méritent.

Accessible customer service is about learning how to communicate with someone who has a disability. It is about listening to their needs. Most importantly, it is about being willing to help. I encourage everyone to visit accesson.ca to learn how to do just that.

Lorsque les députés de cette Assemblée ont voté à l'unanimité l'adoption de la

Loi sur l'accessibilité pour les personnes handicapées de l'Ontario il y a près de quatre ans, nous avons envoyé un message fort à la population de la province. Le moment est venu de s'assurer que l'ensemble de la population dispose de chances égales pour vivre, travailler et étudier en Ontario.

Plus tard cette semaine, je me rendrai au Musée royal de l'Ontario, qui a vraiment fait sien l'esprit de notre loi. Les visiteurs handicapés peuvent visiter facilement le musée et ses expositions. C'est un excellent exemple des progrès exceptionnels qui sont accomplis dans toute la province.

I encourage all members to take some time this week to think about one thing we can all do to break down barriers for people with disabilities. It can be as easy as asking how you can help.

Cette semaine, et pendant toute l'année, donnons vie au concept d'accessibilité.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Responses?

Ms. Sylvia Jones: As the Progressive Conservative critic for community and social services, I'm pleased to be able to recognize this week as National Access Awareness Week. Each year, National Access Awareness Week encourages Canadians to think about and find ways to break down the barriers faced by individuals with disabilities. The barrier can be a building or space design that limits mobility, communication that limits understanding of information or a lack of technology that prevents information access, potential limiting policies and practices and attitudes that foster discrimination.

Access means more than just removing barriers. It means changes in attitudes and support that allow all people with visible or invisible disabilities to be part of community life. People with learning, developmental and psychiatric disabilities or other invisible impairments should not be forgotten when we strive for equal access.

Over the past number of months, I've heard from many municipal representatives and non-profit housing providers that the costs associated with implementing the proposed standards under the act are prohibitive. Municipalities share the goal of breaking down barriers for Ontarians with disabilities; however, they are concerned about how they will be able to make the retrofits or buy the specialized equipment as outlined in the proposed standards.

I fully support the intent to break down the barriers for Ontarians with disabilities but I also support action. Words do not mean anything unless they have action attached to them.

Although there will be many benefits, the cost of this act will be staggering. There will need to be new infrastructure, training, human resources and technology to encompass the scope of this legislation, most of which the municipalities quite simply cannot afford on their own. They need help and they need support.

M me France Gélinas: The concept of National Access Awareness Week was originally developed by Rick Hansen after his Man in Motion world tour. I actually remember when Rick Hansen was in Sudbury; I attended his speech at the Sudbury arena, and let me tell you, there was not a dry eye in the entire arena. His idea was to bring together, in a spirit of partnership, voluntary organizations of persons with disabilities, business, labour and government to effect meaningful changes in the daily lives of people with disabilities.

Access, of course, means more than just removing barriers; it means changing attitudes and improving all kinds of supports to allow people with visible or invisible disabilities to be part of community life. Some 120,000 Ontarians live with developmental disabilities, and many of them also have physical disabilities. Many of these men and women benefit greatly from government-funded support programs, but many of them with disabilities continue to face barriers to employment, housing, income—to services in general.

Too many individuals with disabilities and their families are without the support that they need. According to the Provincial Network on Developmental Services, over 13,000 people with a developmental disability are awaiting residential services, day support or other supports and services, and many families can wait up to five years or more for those services.

There is a need for a long-term funding framework to ensure that all Ontarians with developmental disabilities have continued access to the support and services they need. They presently tag this at $325 million more a year.

There needs to be improvement to the wages and working conditions for all workers in the developmental services sector so that we can recruit and retain qualified people to offer the best quality of care.

There is also a need to improve income support for people with disabilities. A single person on the Ontario disability support program receives just over $1,000 a month. That's about $12,000 a year. With this, they must cover all expenses, starting with shelter, food, clothing and transportation. Current ODSP rates fall way below the poverty line, which for a single person living in an urban area is set at $19,000. For people who become disabled and have to rely on ODSP, it is a sentence to a life in poverty—not exactly what I want this province to be known for.

Barriers to employment are also a problem, as this government continues to claw back employment earnings from people receiving ODSP. It is often so difficult for those people to get employment, and when they finally do get paid employment, their wages get clawed back by the government. What kind of support is that? It is utterly wrong to punish people with disabilities who finally succeed in finding employment.

This government has an aging-at-home strategy, but why limit it to seniors? People with disabilities also want to age at home, and would benefit from some of the initiatives that are being put forward.

Finally, Ontario March of Dimes indicates the need to expand the home and vehicle modification program to meet the rising demand. About one third of people applying to this program need modifications to their homes and vehicles in order to leave hospitals or chronic care facilities, but they are not able to access those programs.

Building an inclusive society that ensures dignity for all Ontarians should be a priority for all of us, not just this week but throughout the year.

PETITIONS

HOSPITAL FUNDING

Mr. John O'Toole: I'm pleased to present a huge amount of petitions here today. These are from the hospital in my riding, where there was outrage in the community. I'm just going to read a few of these thousands of petitions. They read as follows:

"Whereas the municipality of Clarington passed resolution C-049-09 in support of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville; and

"Whereas area doctors, hospital staff and citizens have raised concerns that Bowmanville's hospital could turn into little more than a site to stabilize and transfer patients for treatment outside the municipality; and

"Whereas Clarington is a growing community of over 80,000; and

"Whereas we support the continuation of the Lakeridge Bowmanville site through access to on-site services, including emergency room, internal medicine and general surgery;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, request that the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the McGuinty government take the necessary actions to fund our hospitals equally and fairly. And furthermore, we request that the clinical services plan of the Central East LHIN address the need for the Bowmanville hospital to continue to offer a complete range of services appropriate for the growing community of Clarington."

I'm pleased to sign and support this on behalf of the thousands of constituents who want to be treated fairly.

HEALTH CARE

M me France Gélinas: "Whereas on October 22, 2008, the Ontario government announced that because of an unexpected deficit it was deferring indefinitely its plan to hire 9,000 full-time nurses and also deferring the establishment of 50 family health teams that offer medical care in a single location;

"Whereas Ontario hospitals are already closing beds and reducing health care because of underfunding and shortage of nurses;

"Whereas this deferral will result in longer wait times by Ontario citizens requiring medical care; and

"Whereas billions of dollars are found by provincial and federal governments to bail out banks and corporations;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, respectfully petition the Ontario Legislature as follows:

"That the government of Ontario proceed without delay to implement its original plan to hire 9,000 full-time nurses and establish 50 family medical teams."

I fully support this petition and will affix my name to it and send it to the table with page Ajoy.

AIR QUALITY

Mr. Charles Sousa: I have a petition that reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Ministry of the Environment ... conducted 22 months of ambient air monitoring and determined that the Clarkson, Mississauga, airshed study area was taxed for respirable particulate matter...; and....

"Whereas the study found that emissions of acrolein and acrylonitrile exceeded provincial limits; and....

"Whereas the MOE stated that it would focus on achieving reductions of the target pollutants from the 57 identified emitters that currently operate in the area; and

"Whereas the Ontario Power Authority is accepting proposals from companies for the operation of a gas-fired power plant in the Clarkson airshed study area that would see a new, very significant source of additional pollution into an airshed already determined as stressed by the MOE;

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

"That no contract be awarded by the Ontario Power Authority for the operation of any gas-fired power plant that would impact the Clarkson airshed study area."

I affix my signature and provide it to Joseph.

TAXATION

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My petition is to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas residents" of Ontario "do not want a provincial harmonized sales tax ... that will raise the cost of goods and services they use every day; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for gasoline for their cars, heat, telephone, cable and Internet services for their homes, and will be applied to house sales over $400,000; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for meals under $4, haircuts, funeral services, gym memberships, newspapers, and lawyer and accountant fees; and

"Whereas the" 13% "blended sales tax grab will affect everyone in the province: seniors, students, families and low-income Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty Liberal government not increase taxes for Ontario consumers."

I support this petition and am pleased to affix my name to it.

CEMETERIES

Mr. Jim Brownell: I have a number of petitions here that read as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario's cemeteries are an important part of our cultural heritage, and Ontario's inactive cemeteries are constantly at risk of closure and removal; and

"Ontario's cemeteries are an irreplaceable part of the province's cultural heritage;

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

"The government must pass Bill 149, the Inactive Cemeteries Protection Act, 2009, to prohibit the relocation of inactive cemeteries in the province of Ontario."

As I agree with this petition, I shall sign it and send it to the Clerk's table.

TAXATION

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas Ontario is in recession; and

"Whereas Ontario has lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs under Dalton McGuinty's watch; and

"Whereas the McGuinty Liberals promised not to raise taxes; and

"Whereas the McGuinty Liberals did not campaign on harmonizing the PST and GST; and

"Whereas the McGuinty government's plan to harmonize the PST and the GST will result in Ontario taxpayers paying 8% more for a multitude of products and services including gasoline, home heating fuel, Internet services, haircuts, gym memberships, legal services, construction and renovations, car repairs, plumbing and electrical services, landscaping services, leisure activities, hotel rooms, veterinary services for the family pet, and even funeral services; and

"Whereas Ontario taxpayers cannot afford this tax grab;

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

"That the government of Ontario abandon the harmonized sales tax plan announced in the 2009 budget; and

"That the government of Ontario abide by the Taxpayer Protection Act and consult with the taxpayers and voters through a referendum or by campaigning on a platform of raising taxes before introducing any tax increase."

I have signed that as I am in agreement.

CEMETERIES

Mrs. Carol Mitchell: "Whereas Ontario's cemeteries are an important part of our cultural heritage, and Ontario's inactive cemeteries are constantly at risk of closure and removal; and

"Ontario's cemeteries are an irreplaceable part of the province's cultural heritage;

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

"The government must pass Bill 149, the Inactive Cemeteries Protection Act, 2009, to prohibit the relocation of inactive cemeteries in the province of Ontario."

This is from the West Lincoln Historical Society, and I affix my signature to this petition.

TAXATION

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: This is on behalf of the residents of Nepean—Carleton and, I'm sure, of the entire province of Ontario.

The residents "do not want a provincial harmonized sales tax (HST) that will raise the cost of goods and services they use every day; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for gasoline for their cars, heat, telephone, cable and Internet services for their homes, and will be applied to house sales over $400,000; and

"Whereas the 13% blended sales tax will cause everyone to pay more for meals under $4, haircuts, funeral services, gym memberships, newspapers, and lawyer and accountant fees; and

"Whereas the blended sales tax grab will affect everyone in the province: seniors, students, families and low-income Ontarians;

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

"That the McGuinty Liberal government not increase taxes for Ontario consumers."

I affix my signature and fully support this petition.

PROFESSIONAL HOCKEY FRANCHISE

Mr. Mike Colle: I have a petition for the Make It Seven people across Ontario.

"Support the move of the Phoenix Coyotes to southern Ontario.

"Whereas Jim Balsillie of Research in Motion has put in an offer to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes and move them to ... southern Ontario; and

"Whereas there are a number of outstanding communities" like Hamilton that would be a great home for the Coyotes;

"Whereas" another "NHL franchise in southern Ontario would" mean jobs and over half a billion dollars in GDP growth, in expansion and construction "television and media revenues and team merchandising; and

"Whereas the hockey fans in southern Ontario are known to be the most loyal" in Canada; and

"Whereas the existing NHL owners should recognize the incredible contribution made by the citizens of southern Ontario to the success of the NHL...;

"We, the undersigned, call upon the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to ... support bringing the Phoenix Coyotes franchise into a southern Ontario community, and call upon the NHL board of governors not to block the shifting of the franchise to a host community in southern Ontario."

I support the Make It Seven petition, and I affix my name to it.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Mr. John O'Toole: Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence, I'll read a petition as follows:

"Whereas the current state of Vaughan's elected body and senior staff's inability to perform their respective duties and their continuance to mismanage the financial affairs and business of the municipality is detrimental to the municipality, and we the people and taxpayers of the city of Vaughan have lost confidence in this council and their ability to perform the functions of office in good faith, accountably and in a transparent manner; and

"Whereas the city of Vaughan elected body and senior staff have broken the public trust and confidence through their inaction on known serious misuses of taxpayer funds, and even after acknowledgement of the misuses have failed to take action to recover the funds or cease the misuses;

"Whereas the financial audits for the 2006 municipal elections requested by the taxpayers of Vaughan conducted by Ken Froese of LECG identified nearly 200 Municipal Elections Act contraventions for three of the elected members.

"The audits identified contraventions of all three members, resulting in two of the members facing potential removal from office due to overspending.

"Additional election contraventions include over-contributions of funds, unreported expenses and improper use of elections funds which were used to pay for home repairs, clothes, car repairs and office equipment. The mayor and her spouse have been charged under the Election Act;

"Whereas the audit conducted by Ernst and Young revealed that nearly $14,000 in taxpayer money was used by the CEO of the city, and authorized by the city manager without any itemized receipts or reasonable justification of the use of public funds. Further investigation has identified thousands more of taxpayer money being used to reimburse Vaughan council and senior staff without itemized receipts and business reasons for the expenditures;

"Whereas Vaughan council in January 2008 was made aware by Ernst and Young of approximately $13,000 in public funds paid to and authorized by a spouse of a city employee working for an elected official and in breach of proper policy, including exceeding a $3,000 limit. No action has been taken to recover the money;

"Whereas a local and regional councillor gave a $30,000 contract to an immediate family with no competitive bids. There are no policies governing elected officials that allow families, relatives and friends from benefiting financially;

"Whereas Vaughan council continues to mismanage taxpayer funds, where millions of dollars have been used to pay legal fees for lawsuits among members of the council themselves, and including a SLAPP suit launched against two of its residents;

"Whereas the residents of Vaughn were denied access to publicly available information and therefore forced to obtain documents revealing the misuse of public funds through freedom-of-information legislation and the information and privacy commission;

"Whereas

section 9 of the Municipal Affairs Act gives responsibility of enforcement to the minister, who has the power to appoint an auditor or monitor and has the power to direct a provincial audit of the financial affairs of the municipality on a petition in writing signed by not less than 50 ratepayers in a municipality;

"We, the taxpayers and ratepayers of the city of Vaughan, exercise our right and petition the minister to appoint an auditor to complete a forensic municipal audit of the city of Vaughan's financial affairs from 2003 to present and, additionally, should the outcome of the audit return a finding of significant issues, we seek the appointment of a supervisor to administer the affairs of the city of Vaughan in order to restore public confidence.

"Furthermore, we also request that any inappropriate spending of taxpayers' money be reimbursed and the individuals responsible be held accountable."

I'm pleased to report and submit this petition on behalf of the constituents in the riding of Vaughan.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I will remind the member from Durham that petitions do need to be certified by the table in advance to presentation.

CHILD CUSTODY

Mr. Jim Brownell: "To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"We, the people of Ontario, deserve and have the right to request an amendment to the Children's Law Reform Act to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their parents and grandparents;

"Whereas subsection 20(2.1) requires parents and others with custody of children to refrain from unreasonably placing obstacles to personal relations between the children and their grandparents; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2) contains a list of matters that a court must consider when determining the best interests of a child. The bill amends that subsection to include a specific reference to the importance of maintaining emotional ties between children and grandparents; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2.1) requires a court that is considering custody of or access to a child to give effect to the principle that a child should have as much contact with each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the best interests of the child; and

"Whereas subsection 24(2.2) requires a court that is considering custody of a child to take into consideration each applicant's willingness to facilitate as much contact between the child and each parent and grandparent as is consistent with the best interests of the child;

"We, the undersigned, hereby petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to amend the Children's Law Reform Act as above to emphasize the importance of children's relationships with their parents and grandparents."

As I agree with this petition, I shall sign it and send it to the Clerk's table.

GREEN POWER GENERATION

Mr. Bill Murdoch: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly:

"Whereas the residents of Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound believe that Bill 150, Green Energy and Green Economy Act, 2009, is a new Liberal tax grab;

"Whereas a London Economics report showed that the increase in hydro bills could be at least $1,200 per household per year plus 8% for the new HST;

"Whereas the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure has not stated where or how all these supposed new green jobs are going to be created;

"Whereas no scientific studies have been done to prove or disprove the health effects of living near wind turbines;

"Whereas the Liberals have failed to fully think out Bill 150 and how it will affect municipalities;

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

"That the Liberal government should delay the implementation of Bill 150 and provide the citizens of Ontario with further research on the above-mentioned concerns."

I've signed this. Thank you.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): That ends the time for petitions. I would remind all members to ensure that their petitions for presentation are certified at the table. I'd also say to members on all sides of the House that if there is some concern over the length of petitions, that is not for me to referee. If this is an issue that you want addressed, I would suggest that you take it up with your respective House leaders, or better yet, send the matter to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly and let them deal with it so that we have very clear rules and parameters dealing with petitions. I don't feel it is the role of the Speaker to be judging that.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS

STATUTE LAW

AMENDMENT ACT, 2009 /

LOI DE 2009 MODIFIANT DES LOIS

EN CE QUI CONCERNE

LES PROFESSIONS

DE LA SANTÉ RÉGLEMENTÉES

Mr. Balkissoon, on behalf of Mr. Caplan, moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 179,

An Act to amend various Acts related to regulated health professions and certain other Acts / Projet de loi 179, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne les professions de la santé réglementées et d'autres lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Debate?

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: I'm pleased to address the House today for second reading of our proposed legislation, which, if passed, would support the government's HealthForceOntario health human resources strategy and improve access to health care in Ontario.

Our government is committed to ensuring that more Ontarians have regular access to quality family health care in their own communities. We are working to ensure that Ontario has the right number and mix of appropriately educated health care practitioners in the right place at the right time with the right skills. That is why we developed Ontario's health human resources strategy. This strategy supports team-based care and interprofessional collaboration.

Evidence shows that the benefits of this kind of approach are undeniable. They include improved patient outcomes, improved access to care, increased caregiver satisfaction and decreased turnover, and are a more effective use of our precious health care resources.

Our proposed legislation would increase access to care for Ontarians. It would allow for more efficient health care services, more providers working together in teams and an enhanced regulatory system that would increase patient safety.

This would be accomplished by amending the Regulated Health Professions Act and other acts to enable certain regulated health professions to provide more services; amending the Regulated Health Professions Act and other acts to improve patient safety and strengthen health professionals' regulations; and amending the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act to enable remote dispensing of prescription drugs in Ontario. Amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act would allow providers to perform specific health care actions called controlled acts, or other diagnostic tests.

Here is how the proposed legislation would change certain health professions.

For chiropody and podiatry, the amendments would add to the Chiropody Act the controlled act of administering, by inhalation, a substance designated in the regulations. This would be carried out in accordance with the requirements in regulation.

For dental hygiene, it would add to the Dental Hygiene Act the controlled act of prescribing, dispensing, compounding or selling a drug designated in the regulations. This would be carried out in accordance with requirements in regulation.

For dentistry, it would add the controlled act of compounding drugs and the controlled act of selling drugs, carried out in accordance with the requirements set out in regulations to the Dentistry Act.

It would add to the Dietetics Act the controlled act of taking blood samples by skin pricking for the purpose of monitoring capillary blood readings.

The Health Care Consent Act, 1996, would be amended to allow a dietitian to be an evaluator, determining an individual's capacity for the purpose of admission to a care facility defined under the act.

It would add to the Respiratory Therapy Act—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Durham on a point of order.

Mr. John O'Toole: Mr. Speaker, I would ask if a quorum is present.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Deputy Clerk, is there a quorum present?

The Deputy Clerk (Mr. Todd Decker): A quorum is present, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Please continue.

Mr. Balkissoon: It would add to the Respiratory Therapy Act the controlled act of administering a substance by inhalation as prescribed in the regulation.

Medical Radiation Technology Act amendments would allow a new scope-of-practice statement. Medical radiation technologists would also be able to administer substances by injection or inhalation. They would also be able to perform suction tracheotomy, administer contrast media, or put an instrument, hand or finger into body openings and perform procedures on tissues below the skin; for example, give a needle.

Midwives have had some current controlled acts revised so that they would be able to better care for their patients. Midwives would also have new controlled acts that they could perform, including telling patients their diagnosis, giving suppository drugs, placing a tube in the nose or mouth of a newborn, and taking blood samples from fathers and donors.

Nurse practitioners have had some of the controlled acts they are currently able to perform revised by removing limitations on them, including communicating a diagnosis, performing a procedure below the skin and putting an instrument, hand or finger in body openings. New controlled acts for nurse practitioners would include dispensing, selling or compounding a drug designated in regulation; setting or casting a fracture of a bone or dislocation of a joint; and applying forms of energy—for example, ultrasound.

Additionally, the Healing Arts Radiation Protection Act would be amended to remove limitations on ordering X-rays.

The Pharmacy Act would be amended to include a new scope of practice statement for pharmacists that would more accurately reflect what they will be able to do. The Pharmacy Act would also be revised to allow pharmacists to prescribe certain drugs to manage patient health and to prick or lance skin and give certain substances through injection and inhalation for patients' demonstration and education.

The Physiotherapy Act would include a new scope of practice statement that would clarify and describe more accurately how they practise and the services they may provide to patients.

Physiotherapists will be authorized new controlled acts, including telling patients the diagnosis, providing wound care during a person's physiotherapy treatment, assessing and rehabilitating pelvic musculature, and ordering certain forms of energy, for example, diagnostic ultrasound.

While we're making important changes to enable practitioners to provide more services, we at the same time ensure that the services would be provided safely.

This legislation would strengthen the system of health professionals regulation in the province, and would assure patients of safe and high-quality services, delivered by competent and accountable health care practitioners.

Regulatory colleges would have a duty to develop, in collaboration and consultation with other colleges, standards of knowledge, skill and judgment relating to the performance of controlled acts common among health professionals.

Quality assurance programs would be strengthened by adding a mandatory component for continuing education and professional development related to interprofessional collaboration.

A new framework for reviewing the drug authorities of professions would ensure practitioners may access the latest drugs to ensure that patients receive the best possible care. It would also ensure that practitioners administer, prescribe, dispense, compound or sell drugs safely.

Amendments to the Regulated Health Professions Act would ensure that health colleges can also make regulations setting certain requirements regarding these activities for their members to further ensure patient safety.

This legislation, if passed, would allow these regulated health professionals to better utilize their hard-earned skills and training, it would reduce barriers to their practice, and it would help promote a health care system that is more efficient and more easily adaptable to new technologies and rising patient expectations.

In addition, the legislation would amend the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act to permit remote dispensing. This means that a pharmacist would be able to dispense drug products to patients without being physically present at the point of dispensing. In many cases, this would be accomplished through the use of innovative technology.

Drug dispensing systems are relatively new innovations within Ontario's drug distribution system. They're the way of the future, and we are convinced that they have great benefits for patients and pharmacists. Introducing the new technology into pharmacy operations may help to enhance patients' access to medications by making medications readily available where they're most often prescribed, provide convenience for remote communities and others, potentially reduce the cost of drug distribution, and free up pharmacists to provide the additional services that the other amendments may provide.

Our government wants to ensure that Ontarians have increased access to essential health care. That's why we're taking these steps to better utilize all of Ontario's health professionals. We're working to optimize the scope of these professionals by removing limitations on what they are currently authorized to do. Standards of practice would be maintained, and patient safety remains prominent.

The proposed legislation would increase collaboration and teamwork among all regulated professions and build on existing, highly successful team environments. Interprofessional care involves partnerships among health care providers focusing on providing care for the whole patient. Interprofessional care improves access to care for the patient, while at the same time it provides a more satisfying work environment for the provider. On many levels it's an ideal arrangement, ensuring that everyone benefits: patients as well as providers, not to mention the health care system overall.

Interdisciplinary care at the patient level promotes mutual respect among team members, it improves communications and information sharing, it places the patient at the centre, it promotes stability for the team, and finally, it ensures responsibility and accountability for results.

Team-based care is transforming the province's health care system. Let me remind the members that interprofessional collaboration is already working in Ontario. For example, in our 150 family health teams, doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health professionals all work together to meet the needs of the whole patient. These teams work so well because patients benefit from the breadth of expertise used in their care, while team members derive greater satisfaction and a better work-life balance. Other examples of collaborative teams are anaesthesia care teams and emergency department outreach teams.

Our government wants to make interprofessional care the provincial standard because it's the right approach in order to enhance care for the patient, boost professional satisfaction for the provider, and improve the efficiency of the health system as a whole.

These proposed amendments are another step along the road we embarked upon in 2003 to improve access to and the quality of the province's health care system, and we've come a long way along that road. The amendments we proposed are part of a strategy to build a health care plan we began to implement more than five years ago. Since our government took office in 2003, we've increased overall health care spending to an unprecedented $42.6 billion this year, representing a whopping 45% increase. Today, 43 cents of every public dollar we spend in Ontario is on health care. This investment has yielded great results.

There are more front-line medical workers in Ontario than ever before. For instance, since 2004 we've increased the number of first-year medical school spaces by 160, and just last week we announced an expansion of 100 new medical spaces that will mean more doctors for Ontario.

Over the past five years, our government has more than doubled the number of international medical graduate training and assessment positions. Today, more than 5,600 internationally trained doctors are practising in Ontario, providing quality front-line services to the people of this province. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario issued nearly 3,500 certificates of registration in 2008, the highest number ever issued in a single year. Our 150 family health teams have provided more primary care and are helping to restore confidence in the system. We've nearly doubled the number of community health centres.

We are proud of what we've accomplished, but our work continues. To enhance access to family care, we're spending $35 million over two years to create 22 more nurse practitioner-led clinics. We'll also create 50 more family health teams to add to the ones already in the system, providing primary care in a collaborative environment in communities across Ontario.

Our population is aging and growing. A large proportion of Ontarians are starting to place ever-increasing pressures on our health care system. Our people expect and deserve no less than a modern, accessible and sustainable health care system.

This new legislation will mean increased access to care for Ontarians. It will allow for more efficient health care services, more providers working together in teams and an enhanced regulatory system that will increase patient care. It will remove barriers that prevent health care professionals from delivering services that they have been trained to provide. This is a positive step, and we plan to review the HPRAC recommendations in the future, to determine how to enhance patient care and allow providers to fully practise their skills.

Our goal is to ensure that Ontario's health regulatory system is responsive to continuing changes to health care delivery and the clinical practice environment. For the greater good of our health care system, we need to make the best possible use of all the members of the health care team, and to modernize our drug distribution systems, to enhance access, convenience and patient satisfaction.

I urge all members of this Legislature to support this legislation.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Questions and comments?

Mr. Norman W. Sterling: In general, I can agree with the thrust of the act. However, I think that as we expand the scope for various health professions to prescribe drugs, we should also put with that, in legislation or by regulation, some checks and balances with regard to doing that.

Recently our public accounts committee, in dealing with medication for seniors in our long-term-care homes, found—in fact, the committee was aghast at the fact that the average long-term-care residence in the province of Ontario is taking 12 prescriptions per patient, as outlined by the Auditor General last year, as well as having five new prescriptions each week. This amounts to a cost of $340 million for some 75,000 people in our province.

As you expand the scope of health professions who can prescribe drugs, then you lay the ground for the possibility of even more drugs being prescribed to people when in fact sometimes their use would be questionable. So there's a cost factor, but more importantly, there's a factor with relation to having people take too many drugs for their illnesses.

I would like to see, with this bill, some checks and balances with regard to those who are prescribing. I would like to see computer records of what each prescriber is doing over a period of time, so that if someone is not using this new-found power with the proper diligence, then that person will be discovered and that practice will be stopped.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Lou Rinaldi): Further questions or comments?

Mr. Paul Miller: There's no question that this bill before us is the result of many hours of hard work and many individuals involved. It is essential that our health care system have the ability to adapt in order to best serve the needs of our population.

There are a lot of things that could have been dealt with in this bill that weren't dealt with. One example would be dispensing fees. Many of my constituents complain that they'll go to a pharmacy and they'll be allotted 30 tablets and charged a dispensing fee, and then they'll have to go back in a month, when they could have been allotted three months' worth or four months' worth. They'll end up paying three or four times for dispensing fees, which can be very costly, and I've had many complaints about that. I don't see anything in there.

Also, the professionals who work in long-term care were left out of this bill. They could have done something more in reference to helping them with costs and mileage and better wages for some of these people who work in elderly homes.

Looking at the bill as a whole, it's a move in the right direction, but there will be other things that my colleague, in her hour speech, will bring up that are of grave concern to the NDP, and of course we feel that these probably would have best served the population by being dealt with a little bit better in future discussions concerning the bill. So we're hoping that they will remain open-minded and optimistic towards input from other sources.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Lou Rinaldi): Further questions or comments?

Mr. Mike Colle: This bill really is about maximizing the potential of our health care professionals. We're blessed in this province with so many talented people who work in our health care system. I know we concentrate a great deal on our doctors, but we have an incredible pool of talent in this province who are more than willing and capable to offer exceptional health care services to Ontarians.

We talk about nurse practitioners who right now cannot cast a fracture; this bill will allow them to do that.

Physiotherapists cannot treat a wound right now; this bill will allow them to do it.

Our very talented midwives, who do incredible work in childbirth, cannot, for instance, give certain drugs. They can't even tell patients their diagnosis. This bill, if passed, will allow them to do that.

Dietitians do incredible work throughout society.

Medical radiation technologists will be able to use suction in a tracheotomy and put an instrument, hand or finger past certain body openings.

Chiropodists and podiatrists will be able to undertake further remedies.

Dental hygienists, who do great work in dental offices, will be able to perform more duties.

There are just so many examples of talented health care professionals who are very important partners in health care delivery and have not been able to exercise the talents they've been professionally trained to. This is a very strong complementary piece of legislation that will embody new legislative authorities for these health professionals to be full partners in our health care system. It's about time this was done; it's long overdue.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Lou Rinaldi): Further questions and comments? Having heard none, the member from Scarborough—Rouge River has two minutes to respond.

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: I want to thank the member from Carleton—Mississippi Mills, the member from Hamilton and my friend from Eglinton—Lawrence. Bill 179, as it's proposed, would improve access to health care for all Ontarians by allowing our health care providers to maximize their training that they've received to