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May 12, 2011

39th Parliament, 2nd Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard Transcripts 2011-May-12 (PDF)

L120 - Thu 12 May 2011 / Jeu 12 mai 2011

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Thursday 12 May 2011 Jeudi 12 mai 2011

ORDERS OF THE DAY

MCMICHAEL CANADIAN ART

COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA COLLECTION MCMICHAEL

D’ART CANADIEN

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

ORAL QUESTIONS

ENERGY POLICIES

ENERGY POLICIES

GASOLINE PRICES

CORONER’S INQUEST

ENERGY POLICIES

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

NURSES

GASOLINE PRICES

PATIENT SAFETY

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

ORGAN DONATION

SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS

MULTICULTURALISM

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION

TAXATION

VISITORS

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AWARENESS DAY

FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AWARENESS DAY

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

CENTRE OF SCARBOROUGH

SLEDGE HOCKEY

WIND TURBINES

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

ENERGY POLICIES

VISITORS

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ONTARIO SOCIETY

FOR THE PREVENTION

OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

AMENDMENT ACT (ANIMAL

PROTECTION COMPLAINTS

COMMISSIONER), 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SOCIÉTÉ DE PROTECTION

DES ANIMAUX DE L’ONTARIO

(COMMISSAIRE AUX PLAINTES

RELATIVES À LA PROTECTION

DES ANIMAUX)

PETITIONS

WIND TURBINES

DOG OWNERSHIP

HIGHWAY SAFETY

TAXATION

ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS

SOLAR ENERGY PROJECTS

ONTARIO SOCIETY

FOR THE PREVENTION

OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

PRIVATE MEMBERS’

PUBLIC BUSINESS

IMITATION FIREARMS REGULATION

AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA RÉGLEMENTATION

DES FAUSSES ARMES À FEU

ROYAL ASSENT /

SANCTION ROYALE

RADON AWARENESS

AND PREVENTION ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LA SENSIBILISATION

AU RADON ET LA PROTECTION

CONTRE L’INFILTRATION DE CE GAZ

ADULT EDUCATION

IMITATION FIREARMS REGULATION

AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA RÉGLEMENTATION

DES FAUSSES ARMES À FEU

RADON AWARENESS

AND PREVENTION ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 SUR LA SENSIBILISATION

AU RADON ET LA PROTECTION

CONTRE L’INFILTRATION DE CE GAZ

ADULT EDUCATION

The House met at 0900.

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

Prayers.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

MCMICHAEL CANADIAN ART

COLLECTION AMENDMENT ACT, 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA COLLECTION MCMICHAEL

D’ART CANADIEN

Mr. Chan moved second reading of the following bill:

Bill 188,

An Act to amend the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act / Projet de loi 188, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Collection McMichael d’art canadien.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Debate?

Hon. Michael Chan: Today I will be sharing my time with my parliamentary assistant, the member from York South–Weston. We are proud to speak for second reading of Bill 188, the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Amendment Act, 2011.

Our government is committed to advancing Ontario’s world-class cultural institutions. They play an invaluable role in our province by preserving, protecting and promoting our cultural and artistic heritage. Through exhibitions, outreach and innovative programming, they help us discover new ideas and inspiration. They help connect us to our past, our present and each other.

Of our great cultural institutions, one of the most well known is the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Since it was founded in 1965, the McMichael has welcomed thousands of visitors from around the world. The generosity provided by Robert and Signe McMichael includes almost 200 works of art, a log-and-fieldstone building and 14 acres of land to the province of Ontario. In 1972, it was officially established as a crown agency through legislation.

Over the past four decades, cultural tourism has become increasingly competitive. The McMichael now faces tough competition from other institutions. But unlike other institutions, the McMichael’s ability to renew its collection and its exhibitions is quite limited. The McMichael’s current legislation limits its collection to artists that are specifically named in the legislation or others that are approved by an art advisory committee and limits its exhibits to those that enhance and complement the collection. This is more restrictive than the mandate of other large public galleries.

Galleries like the Art Gallery of Ontario or the National Gallery of Canada do not share the same kind of restrictions as those placed on the McMichael in terms of whose work can be collected, how that was determined and what kinds of activities can be undertaken. In order for the McMichael to successfully compete in the cultural tourism market, these must change.

At present, the McMichael requires greater flexibility to enhance its collection and exhibitions, to better reflect Ontario and Canada’s diversity, to attract and engage more visitors, and to continue to be sustainable. Our proposed amendments would help support these necessary changes. Our amendments would provide the gallery with the flexibility to develop groundbreaking displays, to attract more visitors and to increase interest in this great institution and collection. These are changes that would help address the needs and the expectations of the McMichael as they exist today.

The proposed changes to the act would allow the McMichael more flexibility in the scope of its exhibitions while still continuing to showcase its permanent collection. It will ensure that the collection continues to have a focus on the Group of Seven, their contemporaries and the aboriginal peoples of Canada. The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is world-renowned for its focus on Canadian art. We are supporting this focus by making it easier for the gallery to collect works that have made or are making a contribution to the development of Canadian art.

These are changes that strike a balance between protecting the McMichael’s legacy and providing the gallery with the tools it needs to grow, because in order for the McMichael to attract a broader audience, change is necessary.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is undoubtedly one of the most significant cultural institutions. It has an outstanding collection, and with its beautifully designed grounds and walking trails it offers local residents and visitors a unique experience of Canadian art, both indoor and outdoor. But since it was founded in 1965, a lot has changed. These amendments would help us get ahead of changing times. They will help us increase cultural tourism and economic activities in the province.

Overall, Ontario’s cultural attraction agencies collectively draw more than three million visitors and generate $4.5 billion annually. They support hundreds of jobs and improve the quality of life for all Ontarians. They have positive impacts for local shops, for restaurants and, of course, for our economy. The McMichael is no exception. World-renowned for its extraordinary collection, it attracts almost 90,000 visitors a year to the Kleinburg area.

We can and must go further. Our proposed amendments will, if passed, protect the legacy, the memory and the gifts of Robert and Signe McMichael. By helping the gallery continue to grow and be sustainable, these changes will allow the McMichael’s legacy to continue to be recognized, protected and enjoyed in the years to come.

We have the support of the McMichael’s board for these changes, and that of the surviving McMichael family members too.

I call upon all members of the House to show their support for this invaluable cultural institution by showing support for Bill 188.

Mrs. Laura Albanese: It is a pleasure to share time today with my colleague the Minister of Tourism and Culture. I am pleased to be able to add my support to this bill today.

As the minister has mentioned, the proposed amendments to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act are important to the future growth and renewal of one of our most treasured cultural institutions. We want to ensure that Robert and Signe McMichael’s legacy continues to be protected while giving the gallery greater flexibility to develop its collection and exhibitions. Our proposed amendments would do just that.

The proposed legislation was developed from recommendations submitted by the McMichael board and reviewed by the ministry. Furthermore, we consulted the McMichaels’ surviving relatives and their representative to ensure that the spirit of Robert and Signe McMichael’s gift was intact. I am proud to report that we have their support and the support of the board for these proposed changes.

Our proposed amendments would remove the list of named artists, make it easier for the gallery to build its collection, provide the gallery with an unrestricted exhibition mandate and update the act by removing sections that are no longer relevant or that are better addressed in the agency’s bylaws. Streamlining the act will enable the gallery to attract a broader audience and increase revenue while ensuring that Robert and Signe McMichael’s gifts continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

With a clear and unrestricted exhibition mandate, the McMichael would have the flexibility to develop diverse and innovative exhibitions that are more inclusive of a wider variety of artists and works; that provide a broader context for the collection; and that reflect Ontario’s diversity and the interest of today’s audiences, positioning the McMichael with a greater ability to attract new visitors who would be able to discover and enjoy the McMichael’s permanent collections.

We recognize the importance of the McMichael founding collection and world-renowned reputation for its focus on Canadian art. That is why we are making it easier for the McMichael to continue to build this collection with works that make a contribution to the development of Canadian art, while also ensuring that the collection continues to have a focus on the Group of Seven, their contemporaries and the aboriginal peoples of Canada.

Our changes support both of these features. These changes do not impact the McMichaels’ gifts. Under the current act, no work of art or land donated by either Robert or Signe McMichael may be disposed of by the gallery. This will not change. In fact, our proposed amendments would help ensure that all of the McMichaels’ gifts continue to be recognized, protected and enjoyed in the years to come.

In order to support the McMichaels’ legacy, we need to ensure that the gallery continues to remain viable. Our amendments would update and streamline the legislation, making it consistent with practices governing other Canadian and international art institutions. For example, our changes would bring the McMichael in line with many of our other cultural agencies which do not require the minister’s approval for the appointment or removal of a director or for approval of their bylaws.

We would also bring further clarity to the legislation. For example, the small cemetery on the gallery’s grounds was always intended as a final resting place for the McMichaels as well as for several members of the Group of Seven and their spouses. With the deaths of Robert and Signe in 2003 and 2007 respectively, interments ended. Our proposed amendments would clarify this in the legislation while also ensuring that the cemetery continues to be maintained.

Furthermore, removing the requirement for an art advisory committee will improve the process for the gallery’s ability to collect and exhibit artworks. The gallery’s board and management will establish policies and processes for acquisitions and exhibitions within the framework of the McMichael’s renewed mandate.

Our proposed changes would bring the McMichael in line with current industry standards and practices for other great Canadian museums and galleries. That is why we are proposing amendments to the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Act now. Our changes would provide the McMichael with the flexibility it needs for future growth and sustainability so it can continue to build on the legacy of the McMichaels to attract more visitors and help them discover the beauty of its grounds and permanent collection.

Our government is proud to help support this important and invaluable cultural institution, and I call on all members here to join us in that support by passing this bill today.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Questions and comments?

Further debate?

Mr. Ted Arnott: Thomson, Jackson, MacDonald, Harris, Lismer, Varley, Carmichael, Casson, Johnston and McMichael: some of the most illustrious names in the history of Canadian art. On behalf of the Ontario PC caucus, I’m very pleased to have this opportunity today to speak at second reading of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection Amendment Act, 2011.

I’m pleased to say that I’ll be sharing my time with my colleague the member for Durham. The member for Durham makes an effort to speak to every single government bill, and he deserves a lot of credit for this. I know he has got a great deal of interest in this issue, and I look forward to his remarks as well.

First and foremost, we want the McMichael Canadian Art Collection gallery to succeed into the future. We also want to see the memory of Bob and Signe McMichael, as well as their generous philanthropy, suitably honoured in perpetuity, ensuring that the collection will be enjoyed not by a select few but by all Canadians and those around the world.

We also believe that the Group of Seven, their contemporaries and First Nations artists should continue to be the primary focus of the collection, in keeping with the vision of the founders. Any serious effort that would further these worthy goals should, I believe, merit the support of the House. When I spoke about the McMichael gallery in the House on May 3, when this bill was first introduced, I said that our caucus would approach this bill very carefully and with an open mind, as we always do.

Before I speak in greater detail about the substance of the bill and how it would affect the McMichael collection, I want to share a recent experience I had in Wellington–Halton Hills at an event in Elora. Last Saturday, May 7, I attended Artcetera, a three-day fundraising silent and live art auction featuring our local and regional artists. The proceeds from this event benefited one of our province’s premier arts organizations, the Elora Centre for the Arts, as well as our local and regional artists.

The Elora Centre for the Arts is a tremendous asset to our community, and this event went a long way to make it even stronger. I want to inform the House of the Elora Centre for the Arts’ own account of their role and mission:

“The Elora Centre for the Arts is a vibrant and community-oriented arts organization that inspires and stimulates artistic excellence, aesthetic maturity and critical insight through exhibition, performance and education. It is a national model of a regional centre for artistic endeavour and education.

“It provides opportunities for both artists and the broader community to engage in artistic pursuits of all kinds in a unique historic setting. It offers innovative and creative programs in a broad range of disciplines, including visual arts, spoken word, music, dance and crafts.

“It serves as a home for the local and regional artistic community and provides a venue for people of all ages to experience enriching artistic activities and expression. The centre is a leader in and encourages artistic freedom of expression, innovation and creativity.

“Through its arts education programming, it encourages youth to embrace the arts as integral to life.”

To me, Artcetera only confirmed that the Elora Centre for the Arts is indeed fulfilling that important and impressive mission in our community and beyond. For that, I want to thank and congratulate everyone involved, the staff and volunteers, for making Artcetera such a success.

Even though we may not be directly involved in the arts as MPPs, we too in this Legislature and beyond have the opportunity and indeed the responsibility to contribute to the success of the arts in Ontario.

In 1994 and 1995, during my first term as an elected member of this House, I was honoured to serve as the PC critic for culture, just as I do today. At that time, we were the third party in the Legislature. You’ll recall those days, Mr. Speaker. Bob McMichael came to visit me at my constituency office in Arthur; at that time, we were located in my home community.

In that meeting, he invited me to come to Kleinburg to tour the McMichael Canadian Art Collection and visit him and Signe at their new, scenic home in Belfountain. When I finally had the chance and the time to visit, I was overwhelmed with the McMichaels’ warm hospitality. I spent about an hour with Bob and Signe, and they showed me their still-private collection of Canadian art which adorned their walls in their home. I’ll never forget it.

Looking at that Canadian art and listening to Bob and Signe, Ontarians who had done so much for the arts in our province, was very much a privilege. Their passion was palpable; their vision, clear. Even at that time, they were especially concerned about the need to preserve that vision—their vision—for the McMichael Canadian collection. And while it became a public collection because of their very public generosity, it was really their collection, one they had acquired on their own with their own resources before donating it to the province for all to appreciate.

To be sure, I found this special couple to be very inspiring. And so I was pleased when, in the year 2000, our government passed legislation which Bob had sought, ensuring that as long as he and Signe were alive, they would continue to have a very significant role in the acquisition of works of art and temporary exhibitions.

When I reassumed my role as critic to the Minister of Culture, I knew that one of the first places I wanted to visit again was the McMichael Canadian Art Collection, as I had done more than once over the years since I first visited during my university days in the 1980s. I visited again in September of 2009. While the gallery is never quite the same as it was on a previous visit, it remains one of my favourite art galleries, as it is for many Ontarians.

The history of this gallery is remarkable. Bob and Signe began their collection in 1955, and just 10 years later it had expanded to over 300 works. In co-operation with the provincial government, the McMichaels donated the collection and their home in Kleinburg to the province of Ontario. The province, in turn, assumed responsibility for the protection and maintenance of the artwork and the grounds. This took place in 1965, when the gallery was known as the McMichael Conservation Collection of Art.

In 1972, Premier Bill Davis, one of Ontario’s greatest Premiers, introduced legislation changing the name to the McMichael Canadian Collection. The legislation also appointed Bob McMichael as director and formed a nine-member board of trustees. In 1981, Bob resigned the directorship and became founder director emeritus. Meanwhile, Michael Bell was appointed director and chief executive officer. In 1982, Ian Thom joined the staff, becoming the curator of collections.

In the years following its inception as a public gallery, the collection broadened to accommodate the McMichaels’ vision to include First Nations and Inuit prints, sculptures, paintings and masks. Also added were works by artists such as Clarence Gagnon, Lionel LeMoine FitzGerald and J.W. Morrice. But the Group of Seven has always been the primary focus of the gallery, along with the works of Tom Thomson. That’s a fitting focus, I think, for a gallery set in such a beautiful natural surrounding.

This leads me to quote from the Group of Seven catalogue from 1920, as published by the McMichael Canadian Collection in 1983: “The Group of Seven artists whose pictures are here exhibited have for several years held a like vision concerning art in Canada. We are all imbued with the idea that an art must grow and flower in the land before the country will be a real home for its people.”

While I wasn’t present in 1920, I was very fortunate to have been present at the 1991 ceremony awarding A.J. Casson the Order of Ontario. I think that the only MPP who is prouder than me to be there, perhaps, was Premier Bob Rae, who seemed to be having the time of his life. But for me, to be in the presence of this iconic figure of Canadian culture was an amazing experience I’ll never forget.

As I’ve said many times, the McMichael showcases the very best in our province and our country. We want the McMichael to succeed; indeed, to continue to show our best to the world.

In a briefing last week, the officials from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture told us that the number of visitors to the McMichael in recent years has diminished somewhat. Given that this government appears to take Ontario’s tourism industry for granted, this fact is perhaps not surprising. I’m told that in 2009-10, there were more than 97,000 visitors, while in 2010-11, that number has slipped to slightly more than 89,000 visitors.

The question, therefore, is: How do we reverse this trend, bringing more visitors, bringing repeat visitors, bringing new visitors to experience the McMichael? This should be part of a concerted strategy to market Ontario as the premier tourist destination that we know it is: the best attractions, the best hospitality, the best festivals and events.

What about the Sorbara report and its many recommendations that seem to be gathering dust? What about its aim to double tourism receipts by 2020? What about its call to bring our tourism and cultural attractions up to leading global standards? And what about its call to take action, to fundamentally improve tourism in Ontario?

This government’s pace in making these changes is frustrating and slow. We’re not making the progress we need to make to meet and exceed those global standards. In the McMichael, we have a cultural gem that can be counted as one of the best in the world. But how do we ensure people know that, both at home and abroad? Will Bill 188 contribute to its success? We sincerely hope so.

I was encouraged to read that the chair of the McMichael Canadian Collection, as well as Penny and Jack Fenwick, members of the McMichael family, are supporting this bill. Given their written endorsements and given that we have received no indications of opposition at this time to this legislation from within Ontario’s artistic community, the official opposition will not stand in the way of the government’s efforts on this issue, and I wish to express support for this bill at second reading.

Again, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank you for this opportunity to speak about an institution of such importance to the arts in the province of Ontario.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): I believe you indicated you were splitting your time. The honourable member for Durham.

Mr. John O’Toole: I would first like to thank the member from Wellington–Halton Hills for giving me the opportunity to also express my admiration and respect for the McMichaels. The comments he made really reflect, I think, a general appreciation and respect for the McMichael as it existed and its work since 1972. At that time Premier Davis, as was said, created this wonderful collection and destination, and we’re still talking about it today.

I guess the primary issue that I think is important is, would Robert and Signe McMichael be supportive of the intent of this bill? I also was here in 2000 when this was last debated, trying to move forward, I guess is how you would describe it. In my research, I have come to understand that the sentiment of the board is certainly reflected in this.

Also, surviving relatives Penny and Jack Fenwick have given the bill their support, noting that, “The proposed legislation is a reasonable approach to moving forward and would provide a framework to support Robert and Signe McMichael’s magnificent vision and their gift of works of art by members of the Group of Seven and other Canadian artists.” That’s the respect and wishes of the family.

I think if you look at the legislation, it has more specifics in it with respect to the duties that would be required on the passing of this legislation. The bill would do a couple of things that are structural. It empowers the McMichael to broaden its mandate, allowing it to collect and exhibit works not permitted under current legislation. The present legal framework permits the McMichael collection to exhibit only works created by a select group of artists or by artists designated by the advisory committee. The bill will revoke the list of artists, allowing the gallery to display those works which it deems appropriate. That could be a question, and I know there will be public hearings.

All references to the art advisory committee are revoked. All reference to the special status afforded to Robert and Signe McMichael are revoked, as both have died. The bill provides that the McMichael board of directors must take steps to recognize Robert and Signe’s donations to the province. The bill provides for the maintenance of the cemetery to further honour the memories of Robert and Signe McMichael.

The appreciation of those structural issues is important, and I suspect that with the family’s support, that’s moving forward.

Just a bit of my own contribution and research on this—I should say that I had the opportunity to speak to one of my constituents, Anne Wright, who served on the board for six years—she’s just retired, I believe—a wonderful, strong, committed, intelligent woman in my riding who is going on to serve at, I believe, Trent University now. I asked her what her feelings were, and she said that of course it’s the wishes of the board to respect what has been respected in the bill, I gather, but also to move forward and to become an enriched destination for the right reasons, to maintain the collection and to make it an exploration for visitors.

She said that her last memory would be the new totem pole in the entranceway, which is a nice bridge between the past and the present. It’s a magnificent structure, but when you look at the details of the totem pole—and I did take the chance to see it. I think it must have been maybe two years ago—I could be wrong—when I had visitors from another country here. There’s a frog with a laptop and a bear with a cellphone. I think that’s the transition really that this bill is moving forward with: respecting the past while having a vision for the future. I’m always moved by that.

Some people ask me regularly—I have a personalized licence plate, and it’s “GRP OF7.” They always ask me: Do I know them? I have five children, and my wife and I make seven. So we always used to sign our Christmas cards “The Group of Seven.” I do know of the Group of Seven and do not have the money to have one. I have a couple of prints—Tom Thomson and a few of them—which are important.

Actually, that brings me to the next point. There’s a whole list of those artists that the member from Wellington–Halton Hills—he is very respected in his respect for the work here, and he gave me the privilege to speak. There are a lot of misconceptions. Tom Thomson was not really a member of the Group of Seven. That’s a broad misunderstanding, including by myself—I have two Tom Thomson prints, both of the outdoors, one with the canoe and one with, I believe, the pine.

“The life of Tom Thomson was the pure stuff of legends. Most of his later years were lived alone in the forest. His early death, in mysterious circumstances, plus the meteor-like briefness of his dazzling career, combined to turn him into a national icon of art.

“Tom Thomson’s art has always had a special meaning for Bob and Signe McMichael, as it has for most Canadians.”

There is one example of a well-known, well-respected artist who is not really a member of the Group of Seven.

Another equally famous, I believe, is Emily Carr: “Few artists have wedded nature and the human spirit so passionately as Emily Carr. A headlong, single-minded mingling of art with her love for her native British Columbia produced the finest expressionist painting Canada has known.

“Emily Carr’s long career was plagued by difficulties,” it goes on to say. There is another very famous icon in the history of Canadian art.

Those were not members of the Group of Seven, but a lot of people think they were.

LeMoine FitzGerald was the only western Canadian painter to become a member of the Group of Seven later: “FitzGerald’s membership came at the very end of the group’s existence, too late to have any but an honorary significance. He was, in fact, too removed physically, because he was from Winnipeg.” I just looked into this.

“Clarence Gagnon was the pictorial bard of rural Quebec. The life and land of the habitant inspired him to some of the most engaging paintings ever made of the Canadian scene.”

I guess the point of these Canadian legends, if you will—Gagnon was 1881–1942.

Then there was J.W. Morrice, 1865–1924, “one of the greatest gypsies of Canadian art. Born in Montreal, his wanderlust took him … to Paris … Brittany, Spain, North Africa, Tunis, England, Cuba and Trinidad,” but he always came back to his original inspiration.

A.J. Casson, mentioned by the member from Wellington–Halton Hills—I also have a Casson print—“left the more elemental and epic landscape of the northland to other members of the Group of Seven. His serene pictorial compositions have emerged mainly from southern and central Ontario settings. Particularly, he has been the pictorial biographer of the small communities of Ontario.”

This is kind of the theme: The recording through the eyes and mind of an artist—the way they interpret it—is so important to the whole legacy issue, not to be destroyed but enhanced, if you will, because art, like life, changes, as it should.

David Milne, 1882–1953, “was the quiet man of his generation of Canadian artists. Eloquent in paint, and a descriptive writer in his occasional prose, Milne talked little about his art. Unlike the sociable Group of Seven members, Milne only rarely came into contact with his fellow painters.”

They all had a connection and a synergy that was important, and as I say, there’s much to be said about all of them. I think the interesting ones I see are Carmichael and, as well, the elusive Frank Johnston, who really only exhibited once with the group and then moved on. He was quite a prolific painter and had his own reviews—a quite large composition of work in the late 1920s. He moved on, I believe, to Winnipeg.

But I liked Lawren Harris. To my thinking, he’s quite visionary for his time and quite modern with respect to the traditions of the other painters. He certainly was, I think, quite visionary, and his sort of—I can’t even describe it. It’s more modern, more geometric; modern as well as a transition between the two members.

I think that what is important also is to thank those members of the McMichael. I had the privilege of meeting the new executive director, Victoria Dickenson, when she was here last week, when the bill was introduced. I thank the board as well as Noreen Taylor and others—I did mention Anne Wright—for the work they do, and all of the trustees, the foundation members and the volunteers who make the McMichael a wonderful destination.

I say that because, on two occasions, I’ve had visitors from Australia. I have a daughter who lives there, and I have visitors from the Isle of Man. They were here for a very special occasion—a wedding—and we took a special day to go to the McMichael to say, “This is a wonderful side of Canada that’s not all a bunch of rough rednecks,” as some people from other places might characterize it.

I also think that in my own community, when I was a councillor some years ago—I know of the volunteers in the art and culture world and how important it is to small towns, not just Kleinburg. I referenced it, when it started, as being a small destination, and see what has happened?

I thank the people at the Kent Farndale Gallery in Port Perry. They have displays, and I believe it’s an important part, a vital part, of the communities we all live in and represent. The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an ongoing place of learning and art. I’ve worked with one of the small artists; they had an art and politicians display. I only say that because these destinations are important to the tourism of Canada, but more importantly, to understanding the culture of Canada.

I thank the members, as I said before, and those who, in a continuing sense, will move forward. Hopefully, the destination of Kleinburg will be enhanced by this legislation, but the memory will not be lost. With that, I’ll concede the time.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Questions and comments?

Further debate?

Mr. Peter Tabuns: It’s my honour to stand today and address this bill that’s before us.

The McMichael collection, as everyone in Canada knows, is one of the most significant art institutions in this country. It’s one that has impressed and awed people who’ve had the opportunity to go there. There’s no doubt that the home of the significant collection of works by the Group of Seven has shown how their vision redefined the way that Canadians and the rest of the world have seen Canada.

This collection, this institution, has been, at times, at the centre of much debate. I don’t think there’s any question that when you talk about strong people with fundamental visions, thinking about how Canada and Canadian artists should portray themselves to the world, to other Canadians, we shouldn’t be surprised if there has been or can be some difference. But that seems to have been resolved in many ways by this bill. This bill appears to reflect common ground by the major stakeholders involved in this institution.

In my inquiries after the bill was put forward, I had a chance to talk to people in the museum and culture sector, whose response was much quieter than it was a decade ago when this matter was first debated here in this Legislature. My colleague Rosario Marchese was part of that earlier debate.

The people I talked to in the arts community said that this is a very precious collection, a very important institution, and that this bill gives the board and the community that is involved with this gallery the ability to hold on to its core and reflect what’s critical in our history, but also to expand its offerings to the public so that this gallery, this collection, will not simply be static but, while maintaining the Group of Seven and aboriginal art at its heart, will reflect the ongoing development of Canadian art.

That’s very important to an institution that is not simply frozen in time, not simply sealed up and seen very occasionally. To have a living, economically viable institution, this collection needs to continually be in a process of self-renewal to be able to offer new works to the public, different works to the public.

Let’s say you’re a visitor to Toronto from anywhere in the world and you go to the AGO. It’s very simple: From your downtown hotel, take a cab, take a streetcar or walk. You can go there. This museum, this collection, is outside Toronto.

It’s a destination that has to constantly draw people in. Casual drop-ins are not the order of the day. To give it the ability to draw new people, to ensure that its base of support is strong and ongoing, these changes give the board the power to develop and provide programming that will continue to bring in new visitors and continue to expose new generations of Canadians to art that reflects their lives and their realities.

The last debate on this issue, according to my colleague from Trinity–Spadina, was fairly raucous. It was a debate that went right through the arts community. People had very strong opinions. This bill before us appears to many as giving this collection the powers and the options that are consistent with the practice of many other museums and art galleries. I think that the family members, the stakeholders, the board—all of those who worked together to craft this bill—seem to have found that common ground that allows old and very distant disputes now to be gone and gives this gallery a new lease on life.

I’m looking forward to public hearings, in case there are stakeholders we haven’t heard from or perspectives that we should take into account. My sense is that probably we’re in good shape, but I think it’s viable, it’s a good idea, to go to those committee hearings and make sure that it’s publicly posted. If there are those who have concerns, let them come forward and let us hear them. If there are changes that are needed, we can discuss that. My suspicion is that we’re probably in good shape, but let’s just make sure.

In this country, for decades—for centuries—our view of ourselves was dominated by very European sensibilities. I think this collection, this home of very substantial Group of Seven works, is part of Canada’s growing up, is part of Canada determining how it will see itself in a very new and very bold way. Many who first see the Group of Seven paintings, not as little prints, as many of us saw in school, but in their full size and their extraordinary glory, never think of our landscape in the same way again—never.

So to make sure that this collection, this institution, will be economically viable in the long run, will be a place where tourists, Canadians, residents of the GTA will go, I think is a good step forward.

Speaker, I know that I’ve been allocated more time, but I’ll be quite honest with you: This is a very concise bill which addresses the issues that are before us, there seems to be a general sense of support in this chamber for it to go forward, and there is an honouring of those who have made it possible. I look forward to voting in favour of this on second reading. I look forward to hearing the presentations in public hearings.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Further debate?

Seeing none, Mr. Chan has moved second reading of Bill 188,

An Act to amend the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Minister Chan.

Hon. Michael Chan: I would like to ask that the bill be referred to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): Agreed? So ordered.

Orders of the day?

Hon. Gerry Phillips: No further business.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Jim Wilson): There being no further business, this House stands in recess until 10:30, at which time we will have question period.

The House recessed from 0945 to 1030.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Mike Colle: I’d like to welcome to the Legislature today some very special constituents of mine. Stella Samonas has lived in the same house in my riding for 60 years. She is joined by her son Lou, who is here with his three sons, Andrew, David and Marc. Lou and his family are here today to support his wife, Jean, who is here for the International Awareness Day event for myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities, being held on the south lawn of Queen’s Park today.

Mrs. Laura Albanese: I’m very pleased to introduce a constituent of mine, a very special constituent from York South–Weston, Carol Sip, who is here to observe question period with us today.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I’d like to welcome my constituents Eleanor Johnston and Maureen MacQuarrie, who are here with board member Denise Magi and other representatives from the Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Association of Ontario—it’s an organization in the riding of Don Valley West—and the Environmental Health Association of Ontario. They’re here today for International Awareness Day for myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities.

I’d also like to welcome to the chamber Susan Monaco and the Mississauga Fibromyalgia Support Group from the riding of Mississauga East–Cooksville, as well as representatives from a number of other groups who provide support for those living with these conditions.

Welcome to Queen’s Park, and on behalf of them, I’d like to remind honourable members of the reception at noon today in committee rooms 228 and 230.

Mr. John O’Toole: I’m pleased to recognize a couple of my constituents who are here today supporting the fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities issue. They are Rick and Jackie Forsey, Marg Cartwright, as well as Joanne Shewan. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. Joe Dickson: I believe we have unanimous consent that all members be permitted to wear a ribbon for International Awareness Day for myalgic encephalomyelitis, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities, which is today.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Ajax sought the consent of the House to wear the white ribbons. Agreed? Agreed.

Mr. Frank Klees: I welcome to the House today members of the York Region Fibromyalgia-Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Wellness Group: Gisella and Armando Imbrogno, Carolyn Polisuk, Simin Ayati, Irene Turrin, Roland Leandrosz, Cecilia Szalontai, Maria Nakrour and Yvonne Connel.

Hon. John Wilkinson: Cystic fibrosis is the leading genetic cause of death in Canadian children, and today the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is here—I think now for the eighth time—for a reception that will be held in committee room 2. We want to welcome Maureen Adamson, who is the CEO of the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. I invite all members to join me and our other colleagues, Ms. Witmer and Mr. Prue, for that reception.

Hon. Charles Sousa: I’d like to introduce a first-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University, a resident of Mississauga South, and my son. Welcome to Queen’s Park, Justin Sousa.

Hon. Monique M. Smith: I’d like to welcome two residents of Nipissing, friends of mine, a prominent businessman from our community, Bruce Knox, and his lovely wife, Marisa Valenti Knox, whom I grew up with. I’m delighted that they’re here. They’re here in support of the North Bay Food Bank, and we’re delighted to have them here today.

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: I’m so pleased to welcome today the girls of the girls’ government program from St. Nicholas Catholic School and from Edna Staebler. We have Taylor, Jennifer, Kristen, Sabrina, Emily, Abby, and parents Sharon and Wendy, with their teacher Patty Preiss.

Then we have the principal of Edna Staebler, Jeff Parliament, and his students Erin, Megan, Brooklyn, Kaity, Shanza, Missy, and parents Todd and Muhammad. Welcome.

Mr. Joe Dickson: We’re pleased to have one of our pages, Hamza Naim, with us today. I’d like to introduce his mother, Mrs. Sylvia Naim, who is in the west gallery, directly behind me. Please welcome her.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Further introductions?

I’d like to welcome today two girls’ government groups: from Etobicoke Centre, 13 grade 8 girls from Humber Valley Village Junior Middle School and Dixon Grove Junior Middle School are here today, working with MPP Donna Cansfield to address cyberbullying.

I’d also like to welcome, from Kitchener–Waterloo and member Elizabeth Witmer, 12 grade 8 girls from St. Nicholas Catholic Elementary School and Edna Staebler Public school, who are working to address concerns surrounding organ donation. They’re seated in the Speaker’s gallery. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Seated in the Speaker’s gallery, from my riding of Elgin–Middlesex–London, I’d like to welcome Sandi Loponen and her parents, Don and Mary Burgess. Mary and I go way back, having worked together at Alma College in St. Thomas. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Mr. John Yakabuski: Where’s Joe? Will Joe be back before the end of the session?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): My brother Joe will be back, I can assure you.

I wanted to let members know just a couple of items of interest. As many of you know, we’ve had a resident pair of red-tailed hawks living on the grounds for a number of years now. They’re nesting in the white pine outside. George, the CTV cameraman, informs me that there are two baby hawks that are there and have been flapping their wings, so we have proud parents living on the grounds of Queen’s Park.

As many of you also know, particularly the urban members, who may not have ever seen a trillium or a white trillium, we did plant, a couple of years ago, white trilliums on the front lawns of Queen’s Park. The white trilliums are blooming now: our provincial flower.

It’s now time for oral questions.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. Robert Bailey: My question is to the Minister of Energy. Premier McGuinty says skyrocketing hydro bills are the price Ontario families have to pay for Samsung jobs. While hydro bills are up—and an Ontario PC government will do something about that, and right away. But let me give an update on those 800 jobs Premier McGuinty said his Samsung deal was creating at the Sarnia solar farm. Today, seven months after the minister rolled in and out of town for a photo op, there are—count them—eight employees; a big difference from 800. One is a security guard and another cuts the grass. I guess you could call that a green job.

Why are you attacking the pocketbooks of Ontario families and defending your secret sweetheart Samsung deal with phony job claims?

Hon. Brad Duguid: I can understand why the member opposite would be very, very uncomfortable supporting his leader’s plan to kill thousands—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): The member from Renfrew and the member from Nepean–Carleton: The Speaker has really nasty allergies and is in a grumpy mood. I would just ask that you be respectful of my sinuses.

Please continue.

Hon. Brad Duguid: I can understand why the member opposite would be very sensitive about this issue because indeed, we’re creating thousands of clean energy jobs across this province in ridings like his and ridings like the member for Oxford’s, who is sitting just in front of him today.

Yesterday, I brought up an

article that was in the Tillsonburg news, where the member from Oxford said this: “The province’s deal with Samsung ... could survive under a Tory government.” Even their own backbenchers, within hours of making that announcement, are backpedalling on their leader’s plan to kill thousands of clean energy jobs—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary? The member for Leeds–Grenville.

Mr. Steve Clark: Back to the Minister of Energy. There are 2 things for certain: An Ontario PC government will give families relief from the price of the sweetheart Samsung deal you’re adding to Ontarians’ hydro bills and the McGuinty Liberals will throw out phantom job numbers to defend their expensive energy experiments.

Let me update you on the 26 solar installer jobs you promised to create in my riding. Of the 24 people who graduated from that program, only six have jobs—none in my riding. In fact, I don’t think the minister can tell me whether they’re even working in Ontario.

Why would you think families in Leeds–Grenville will choose phony jobs over real relief a PC government would provide?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Let’s talk about jobs in communities. Let’s talk a little bit about what happened in Tillsonburg this past weekend, because I think the members opposite should pay very close attention to this. The Simcoe Reformer reported that this past week, Siemens Canada hosted a job fair at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. Some 1,500 job seekers packed the community centre to learn about the opportunities being offered by the Siemens blade plant.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Members will please come to order.

Member from Halton. Member from Thornhill, comments like that are not helpful.

Minister.

Hon. Brad Duguid: In that community, people showed up as early as 6 a.m. for a 9 a.m. job fair.

I want to ask the members opposite why it is that they want to take hope away from Tillsonburg. Why do you want to take hope away from those workers? Siemens is bringing on a manufacturing plant there that’s going to create 900 direct and indirect jobs in that community. Their leader wants to kill those jobs, kill hope for Tillsonburg—

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Final supplementary. The member from Haldimand–Norfolk.

Mr. Toby Barrett: Minister of Energy, Premier McGuinty has admitted that the Samsung deal is a major reason why hydro bills are going up 46%. The Ontario PC leader has laid out a plan to—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Stop the clock. My comments on members coming to order apply to both sides of the House. As you know, my motto is “Hear the other side,” and I would encourage you to follow the Speaker’s lead.

Please continue.

Mr. Toby Barrett: The PC leader has laid out a plan to relieve people of the biggest cost that is driving up hydro bills: your Samsung deal.

Let me update you on the jobs you say Samsung created to make my region a green energy hub: There’s no activity and no jobs. Six Nations, a partner in the hub, said they couldn’t trust the foreign multinational conglomerate to come through with the jobs, so they walked away.

Minister, if Six Nations can walk away from Samsung without fearing penalty, why can’t you?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Our clean energy economy has created 13,000 jobs—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): It’s amazing how quickly I stand and you come to order.

Minister.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Our clean energy economy has created 13,000 clean energy jobs in the province of Ontario already. We’re well on track to creating the 50,000 jobs, and they will be created over the next couple of years.

But I want to talk about the impact that their policy to kill those jobs is going to have on other sectors. Look at our steel industry here in Ontario. Samsung is intending to use 100% Ontario steel to manufacture all of their wind turbines. That will be 200,000 tonnes of domestic steel with a face value of $140 million.

Last November, I was in Essex county where 100% Ontario steel towers from Sault Ste. Marie were being constructed. This is what Algoma Steel had to say: that these wind towers are helping them to sustain operating employment levels, which are particularly critical in today’s difficult—

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

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. John Yakabuski: Back to the Minister of Energy. Six months ago, the Ontario PC leader and caucus warned you that your Samsung and feed-in-tariff subsidies would kill jobs. It’s what the experience has been all over the world when they’ve tried your expensive energy experiments for themselves.

Spain’s Calzada report says that the subsidized power projects ended up losing 2.2 jobs for every so-called renewable energy job. The Bruno Leoni institute found that the price Italy paid for their version of Samsung and FIT subsidies was 4.8 jobs killed in the economy as a whole, and 6.9 jobs in the manufacturing sector.

Why should Ontario families pay 46% more for hydro bills so you can put their jobs and Ontario’s economy at risk?

Hon. Mr. Duguid: Yesterday, we shared with the mayor of Windsor the Leader of the Opposition’s plan to kill over 1,000 jobs in Windsor. Paco Caudet, general manager of Siliken, a solar panel manufacturer that will employ 165 Windsor workers, had this to say about your job-killing plan: “It would be a disaster for Windsor. It would mean, basically, that we would close our factory and leave.”

It would be a disaster for Windsor. It would be a disaster for Tillsonburg. It would be a disaster for Guelph. It would be a disaster for Cambridge, Fort Erie, Burlington, Don Mills and communities right across this province. Why do you want to kill jobs throughout the province of Ontario? Why do you want to kill jobs in those communities just when they’re turning the corner and recovering from that global recession?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. John Yakabuski: Premier McGuinty used to get that the price of his Samsung deal and FIT subsidies would kill jobs. Back when he was the Liberal energy critic, the Premier said, “There is a direct correlation between Hydro’s rates and our rate of unemployment in Ontario. As the rates go up, so will the rate of unemployment.”

He used to get it. But now he listens to his backroom advisers who sold him on the sweetheart deal with Samsung and FIT subsidies. In Denmark, they heavily subsidized their renewable energy sector for 15 years, only to learn that just one in 10 so-called new jobs came to light. Why won’t you walk away from this job-killing deal before it’s too late?

Hon. Brad Duguid: The PC Party’s job-killing plan is going to have a devastating effect on our economy and put countless Ontarians out of work. Let’s just talk about some of those workers whose jobs you’re trying to take away: millwrights, sheet metal workers, electrical engineers, industrial machinery mechanics, welders, machinists, metal fabricators, industrial truck drivers, construction equipment operators, electricians, iron and steelworkers, labourers, and the list goes on.

These are honest, hard-working Ontarians who deserve good-paying, solid jobs. We’re providing it for them. You want to take it away. Shame on you for wanting to take away these jobs from Ontario workers after they’ve worked so hard to turn around our economy.

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

Mr. John Yakabuski: Your sweetheart deal with Samsung and expensive FIT subsidies are driving up hydro bills and killing jobs. It was true in Europe, and evidence is piling up here in Ontario. The Sarnia solar farm is the largest solar project in North America and has realized only 1% of the jobs you promised would come. Even your own government backgrounder to the Samsung deal shows that there never were going to be more than 1,440 jobs in renewable energy created.

Denmark, Spain, Italy and Germany all walked away from their expensive energy experiments after it was too late. Why are you so desperate to pin your hopes on a sweetheart deal that will kill Ontario jobs?

Hon. Brad Duguid: The PC Party’s announcement this week to kill our clean energy economy is also bad news for Ontario farmers. The same day that they made that announcement, they voted against risk management for Ontario farmers. Our clean energy economy is providing farmers with an opportunity to participate in renewable energy projects. It helps—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Stop the clock.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Member from Simcoe–Grey and the Minister of Agriculture: I’m very pleased to hear you’re talking about agriculture, but I would encourage you—the question was about energy. Take the discussion outside, please.

Minister?

Hon. Brad Duguid: Thousands of farmers across this province are participating in our microFIT program, and those guys want to take those opportunities away. Hundreds of farmers are benefiting from our feed-in tariff program, benefiting significantly, and they want to make those farmers take a loss on that as well.

On this side of the House, we’re standing up for Ontario farmers. We’re going to fight to ensure that they get the benefits of our microFIT program. We’re going to fight to ensure that they get the benefits of our feed-in tariff program, and we’re going to fight to ensure that risk management becomes the law here in this province. We will stand with Ontario farmers against the PC plan for the next six months and for the next 20 years.

GASOLINE PRICES

Mr. Paul Miller: My question is to the Acting Premier. Yesterday, the Premier insisted that the HST wasn’t increasing the price of gasoline. Can the Acting Premier explain to drivers how a new 8% tax on gasoline doesn’t increase the price at the pump?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: The Minister of Energy.

Hon. Brad Duguid: Actually, just as we speak, the federal Minister of Industry is holding a press conference to discuss the issue of gas prices. I’m looking forward to hearing what he has to say because gas prices are something that is certainly international in nature, and national. We’re a subnational government here in Ontario, and we’re subjected to the same international occurrences with regard to gas prices as every other province in this country and every other jurisdiction around the world.

What I will say is this: We welcome the federal government moving forward, if indeed that’s what is going to happen today in the announcement by the federal Minister of Energy, to investigate gas pricing across the country. It is a federal responsibility, and certainly I think Ontarians and Canadians would—

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

Mr. Paul Miller: Let me get this straight. The Premier says gas companies will just gouge customers if the HST isn’t there, but he also says he can’t protect drivers from gouging. His solution is to give corporate tax cuts to the same people he says are gouging us. The provincial government has a constitutional responsibility for the pricing of energy. If the McGuinty Liberals can’t protect drivers from gas gouging, what exactly are they being paid for?

Hon. Brad Duguid: The NDP act as though somehow they have a monopoly on concern about rising gas prices. Certainly this is something that’s disconcerting to us as well. We know it impacts families, and we know, as the Minister of Finance said yesterday, it impacts our economy.

That’s why we’re encouraged by the fact that there’s a press conference happening in Ottawa right as we speak and that the federal Minister of Energy, we expect, is making some form of an announcement. We hope the announcement will involve investigating pricing across the country, because indeed it is a national issue and it’s something that the federal government has responsibility for. We would welcome the federal government to conduct such an investigation, and we would hope that such an investigation would lead to some potential solutions on this very, very critical issue.

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

Mr. Paul Miller: Yesterday, the Premier said that drivers were being gouged. If the government truly, truly believes that, then they have a responsibility to protect families who are already reeling from sky-high costs. What is this government actually prepared to do to confront the gas price gouging that the Premier was so concerned about yesterday?

Hon. Brad Duguid: It’s very important that the member recognize that the federal government is responsible for any combines legislation.

Now, I know that the NDP like to raise these issues. What they don’t do, when they raise these issues, is provide any kind of credible, reasonable solution.

We want to encourage the federal government to investigate these matters, investigate how pricing’s taking place throughout the country, because this isn’t unique to Ontario. In fact, Ontario has seen less of an increase than most other provinces since July in gas prices, but we recognize that’s cold comfort to somebody at the pumps today. So we encourage the federal government and the federal Minister of Energy to investigate these matters. We encourage them to come to the bottom of the pricing regime that’s happening here in this country, because Ontario and all provinces are subjected to the same system.

CORONER’S INQUEST

Mr. Howard Hampton: My question is for the Attorney General. Sadly, grade 9 student Jordan Wabasse’s body was found in the Kaministiquia River in Thunder Bay Tuesday night. Sadly, Jordan Wabasse is now the seventh First Nations high school student attending high school in Thunder Bay to disappear and die over the last 10 years.

When I asked you about this issue three days ago, you said that“an inquest is under way up north with respect to the deaths.” Minister, the inquest you referred to was to get under way in June 2009. It is now almost June 2011. Two years later, young First Nations students are still disappearing and still dying. How do you explain the two years of inactivity on the part of your government?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: It’s a terrible tragedy. All members of this House and all those outside have the greatest sympathy for the families of all of the victims. We all want to know what has happened to the disappeared and why. The police are very concerned, the community is very concerned, and the school, I’m sure, is very concerned.

The Premier actually met directly with the family of Jordan Wabasse several weeks ago. Our government expresses the greatest deal of sympathy, is very concerned, and wants to get answers, just like everybody else.

My friend knows that the inquest began—and I’ll defer questions on this to my colleague—several years ago in legal arguments, which have now been resolved—

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

Mr. Howard Hampton: The minister also said, “We take any tragedy very seriously, and take the death of young people who travelled to school very seriously. We’re working through every ministry and every way to make sure that people are safe.”

The inquest was delayed for two years, and during that time, more young high school students from First Nations died.

Can you tell us, when you say that you’re doing everything you can, working in every way, what has been done over the last 10 years?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: I won’t speak about all of the 10 years—and I think the fact that it’s 10 years tells us something. It tells us that there are a lot of parties that need to come together.

The inquest, as my friend knows—he doesn’t state this in his question, but my friend knows—took time for legal arguments that had to be resolved. I understand that they have been resolved at the Court of Appeal, and that process will carry on.

Every ministry of this government that has touched this issue is deeply concerned with the issue.

The Premier’s call yesterday to the Prime Minister to bring all of the parties to the table at a First Ministers’ conference recognizes all the different jurisdictions. When you have the federal government responsible for funding First Nations education, a school in Thunder Bay that’s run by the First Nation in the province of Ontario, we need everybody at the table to resolve these—

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

Mr. Howard Hampton: The Attorney General refers to legal arguments. What’s clear is that what was holding up the inquest was the Attorney General’s inability to put together jury rosters that were representative of First Nations. I first asked you about that in 2008; it’s now 2011. I want to ask: What were you doing?

As well, the Deputy Grand Chief of NAN says, “While we do not yet know the full details” of the death, “we do know that youth from NAN territory often find themselves without an adequate network of social support in an unfamiliar environment....” That’s been going on for 10 years.

I ask again: What have you been doing while these young students have been dying in Thunder Bay?

Hon. Christopher Bentley: The question is a critically important one. We’ve been working very hard through the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs and the other ministries of government, whether they’re health or education.

In stating the question, my friend outlines the challenge: Students come from an isolated community, often with no road access except in winter, to a school that’s run by the First Nation and that’s funded by the federal government, in a place they’re not familiar with. There are a lot of different issues there.

We need all of those responsible for the different jurisdictions at the table. The inquest, I know, will provide us with some answers, but there are broader issues as well. The Prime Minister could certainly show some leadership by calling the First Ministers’ conference on aboriginal issues and education that he referenced some years ago. We look forward to it.

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. Peter Shurman: My question is to the Minister of Energy. A simple question, Minister: How many jobs are there at the $80-million Windsor Energy Centre?

Hon. Brad Duguid: In all of our clean energy economy, as of the end of last year, and the number is growing quickly, we’ve created 13,000 jobs—many of those jobs, this week, placed at risk by the PC energy policy, which is a job-killing policy.

I’ve been to Burlington. The party opposite seems to want to deny the existence of these workers. Well, join me in Burlington, where you’ll see hundreds of clean energy workers. Join me in Fort Erie, where you’ll see hundreds of clean energy workers. Join me in Guelph. Join me in Peterborough. Join me in Scarborough. Right across this province, there are hundreds and thousands of clean energy jobs being created, jobs that you want to kill. You owe those workers the satisfaction of being able to maintain the jobs that they’ve worked so hard for. We’re turning the corner—

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

Mr. Peter Shurman: I’m talking about the Windsor Energy Centre—you know, the Dwight elephant, the one attached to—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): No, it’s not Dumbo; it’s Jumbo in St. Thomas.

I’ve cautioned the member previously on that comment that he used and would ask that he withdraw it, please.

Mr. Peter Shurman: I withdraw the comment. The Windsor Energy Centre, the one attached to the $500-million casino that was the Premier’s last failed economic development scheme for that area; the Windsor Energy Centre in the finance minister’s riding, the one that makes hot air, not power; the same Windsor Energy Centre with all the lawsuits and police investigations: We hear that, despite all the money you’ve thrown at it, there’s only one job to show for it.

Why is every family in Ontario paying for your latest energy experiment with Samsung when your last attempt at using an energy experiment for your seat-loss-prevention program failed so badly?

Hon. Brad Duguid: The opposition will try anything to divert us from the fact that this week they brought out a job-killing energy plan—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Member from Halton. Member from Durham.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Member from Halton again, and Leeds. Halton. Renfrew, we can make it three strikes and you’re out.

Minister?

Hon. Brad Duguid: We’re talking about 1,000 clean energy jobs that are being created in the city of Windsor at a time when they need it most.

They want to do everything they can to divert attention from their energy plan that’s going will kill jobs in Windsor, Tillsonburg and right across this province. At Siliken, 165 jobs that are being created, you want to kill. The 700 jobs with CS Wind in the wind energy sector being created in Windsor, you want to kill.

The mayor of Windsor invited your leader out to Windsor to give him a tour to meet those workers. What’s your answer? Are you going to go and meet those workers, or are you going to continue to stay here at Queen’s Park and hide behind the fact that you want to kill their jobs?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Stop the clock. New question.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Minister of Labour. A report to be released later today shows that one in three low-wage workers in Ontario is a victim of wage theft. The report concludes that, “The legal right to minimum wage, overtime pay and wages is not a reality for people in low-wage and precarious work.” That’s a very, very sad commentary on the deplorable state of employment standards in this province. My question is a simple one for the Minister of Labour: What is he going to do about it?

Hon. Charles Sousa: Thank you for the question. I would like to, first off, thank the men and women of the Workers’ Action Centre who have come forward with the report today. We all appreciate the tremendous advocacy and work they do for those most vulnerable. I’m thinking of the single moms or new Canadians and certainly young workers who start. They deserve to be paid; they’ve got to pay their bills. We have to do better to continue to support them.

I would also like to recognize, however, some of the significant advancements that have been made, as appreciated by those very same advocates. In terms of prosecution, I just want to cite something: Between 1989 and 2003—that was during the time when both the NDP and the Conservatives were in power—there were 97 prosecutions initiated under the Employment Standards Act, in the entire time. Since then, there have been over 1,800 prosecutions—

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

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: The question was about the one third of low-wage workers who have been victims of wage theft and what the minister was going to do about it.

The report actually has some suggestions. It urges Ontario to target industries like cleaning, hospitality, retail and construction, where newcomers to our province have a long, long history of substandard employment practices. We New Democrats have for a long time—for years now—on the order paper urged more and vaster inspections of these very industries.

So I ask again: Is your government going to continue to ignore the plight of Ontario’s most vulnerable workers, or will you take the advice this very wise report is giving you and actually act on it?

Hon. Charles Sousa: We’re doing everything but ignoring those most vulnerable. That is why we now have more than doubled the number of inspectors that are involved. We have now increased the number of inspections to 13,000 since that time.

We care deeply for those new workers. That’s why we also offer, in 23 different languages our employment standards. We provide a number of initiatives to support those very same people. And I say this: Any time that anyone feels that they are intimidated or vulnerable, I encourage them to contact us. We have made every effort to try to reach out to those most vulnerable, and we will continue to do so.

NURSES

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. This week is National Nursing Week, to celebrate all the amazing work and accomplishments of nurses across the country. I know that nurses do such remarkable work and I’m proudly part of a government that holds such high value for everything they do. I also know that this government is taking steps to ensure there are more nurses in places where they are needed across Ontario. Will the minister tell the House how the Ontario government is supporting the excellent work of nurses across this province?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Thanks to the member from Northumberland–Quinte West for the question: a passionate advocate for his community and the health care in his community. I want to also take this opportunity to thank all the nurses across this province. Happy Nursing Week. That includes the very hard-working Minister of Community and Social Services, the only nurse in this Legislature, as I understand it.

Ontario’s nurses are the backbone of our health care system. They are such a valuable piece of the patient experience. As a government, we understand the value of nurses, and that’s why we’ve created 11,600 more nursing positions in this province since we took office. We have come a long, long way from the days when governments like the government opposite slashed nurses, cut and fired nurses and sent them south of the border. We have made incredible progress—

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

Mr. Lou Rinaldi: Thank you, Minister. Not only does this government have great respect and appreciation for nurses, but we have significantly expanded the workforce to provide more and better care for people across the province. Specifically, this government has taken significant steps in terms of nurse practitioners. These highly skilled people have been given more responsibility under this government and are giving primary care to patients across the province. I would like the minister to tell me about how this government is expanding the scope of nurse practitioners.

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I’m enormously proud of the nurse practitioners across this province and very happy to report on the progress we have made. When we took office, there were fewer than 600 nurse practitioners; now we’ve got almost 1,900, so triple the number of nurse practitioners. We’ve established nurse-practitioner-led clinics across this province: 25 new nurse-practitioner-led clinics. Eight of them are up and running and the patients, I am very proud to report, are ecstatic about the care they are receiving. Once fully operational, 40,000 Ontarians who do not have access to primary care today will have access to the care of nurse practitioners.

We’ve also expanded the scope of practice for nurse practitioners. We’re moving towards giving them the authority to admit and discharge patients from hospitals and giving them open prescribing. We believe—

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

GASOLINE PRICES

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: To the Acting Premier: What did the Minister of Finance mean yesterday when he was talking about the HST being added to gasoline and said, “It might be that the price would have gone higher had that (HST) not happened”?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I think the Minister of Energy has spoken eloquently to the issue of gas prices already today.

What we know is that there is a national conversation that has to happen. There’s a press conference that has happened today, and we hope that Mr. Clement has made an announcement that will be helpful to people across the country.

This is obviously a volatile and difficult sector. It’s something that we all have to be concerned about. But we also need to have the discussion at the level of government where it needs to happen, and that’s at the national level.

We look forward to hearing from Mr. Clement and the federal government on what their plan is to work with all of the provinces to address this issue.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: This McGuinty Liberal government is so desperate and so out of gas that it will say and do anything to get re-elected. In fact, I actually think that they’re so out of gas because they can’t afford to fill the tank after the HST.

The finance minister says that his idea of relief for families from rising gas prices is by adding 8% more. Seriously, I cannot make that up. It’s as absurd as saying that Samsung will only add $1.60 to hydro bills, or that hydro bills have flatlined, or that smart meter tax machines will actually save you money.

There has to be a reason that this Liberal government is saying that the HST has lowered gas prices. Very simply, Ontario families want to know: Is it because they’re getting us ready for a 1% or 2% hike of the HST?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: I understand the political motivation behind the member opposite’s comments. I understand that. What I don’t understand is—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Members from Halton, Oxford and Renfrew, your seatmate would like to hear the response.

Please continue.

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: What I don’t understand is what the position of that party is on this issue. Let me quote from the MPP for Simcoe. He says that “regulating gas prices hasn’t worked and that oil companies have taken advantage in the past when governments have tried to alter the tax structure on gas to save consumers money.”

So I say to the party opposite: They have among them members who understand that this is a complex issue. They have among them members who understand that this is something that has to be dealt with at the national level and that all provinces are struggling with this. To play politics with it does not help the substance of the issue.

We look forward to the federal government’s pronouncements today on how they might take this issue forward.

PATIENT SAFETY

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: My question is to the Minister of Health. Yesterday, the province’s medical regulatory college announced that there would be no discipline for the Windsor doctor who performed two unnecessary mastectomies on two women. Janice Laporte, whose breast was removed by Dr. Heartwell, was told a week after her surgery that she didn’t have cancer at all. Laurie Johnston had a mastectomy performed by Dr. Heartwell and learned later that the results were misread.

Ms. Laporte said to a news outlet, “‘Laurie and I are victims, we will always be victims, and God only knows who else this is going to happen to ... I just think people have to make sure you look out for yourself because our government’s not going to look after us obviously,’ Laporte said in tears.”

What does the minister have to say to these women who feel so abandoned and betrayed by their own government?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: Let me begin by saying that my heart goes out to Laurie Johnston and to Janice Laporte and their families. This obviously is a tragedy, and we are determined to improve the quality of care in our health care sector. In many ways, the improvements in quality have been inspired by the experiences of people who have not received high-quality care.

I cannot comment on the specifics of this case, and the CPSO, I’m sure, would be prepared to talk about it, but I can speak to the actions of this government since we became aware of the issues in Windsor.

When I became aware, I appointed an investigation team to go into the Windsor-area hospitals and look at this issue and what was going on. They have reported back to the ministry. We’re implementing their recommendations—

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

Ms. Cheri DiNovo: Patients in Ontario must have trust in their health care system, and right now, that trust has been betrayed. The Ministry of Health’s own investigation pointed to systemic problems in our province’s pathology system, but today Ontarians have no assurance that these problems have been fixed.

Ontarians need to know that what happened to women like Laurie Johnston and Janice Laporte will not happen again. When will this government be able to show Ontarians a clear plan—not a promise; a clear plan—for making sure that this is the case so that other women do not have to experience what these two women went through?

Hon. Deborah Matthews: I can absolutely assure the member opposite that we are moving on every one of the recommendations by the investigators that were sent in to look at this exact problem. For the member opposite to suggest that we are not moving forward to improve quality in our hospitals is disingenuous at best.

What I can tell you is that we have appointed a supervisor at Hôtel-Dieu Grace Hospital. Ken Deane is on the job making the changes that were recommended.

More broadly across the sector, the Excellent Care for All Act that was passed unanimously by this Legislature has been hailed as perhaps one of the most important pieces of legislation since the introduction of universal health care. Hospitals are now publicly reporting on quality indicators and developing annual quality improvement plans, and the quality of health care in this province is getting better. We have more work to do, and this party is committed to continue—

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

ANTI-BULLYING INITIATIVES

Mrs. Donna H. Cansfield: My question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, I’d like to ask you a question about bullying that occurs both internationally and nationally—cyberbullying. It’s a very significant problem in all communities, and in particular in communities such as mine, where there is such access to computers. I want to know and understand what Ontario schools are doing to make the schools safe places for our students.

As you heard, today at Queen’s Park the girls’ government groups are here, and they’re raising this issue of cyberbullying because the students are exposed to it in an increasing number of ways.

Minister, please share with us what we are doing to help these students and their parents.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I’m very happy to receive the question. I’m very happy to have the opportunity to respond when the girls’ government are here to hear it as well, because I think it is important you are aware that bullying awareness is an important issue for our government.

One of the first things we did was to introduce legislation, the Safe Schools Act. In that act, we have made bullying an offence for which students can be suspended. We’ve made it very clear that not just the parents of the students who might be suspended but also the parents of the students who would have been bullied must be notified. We’ve also provided resources, money, to school boards to train staff around the issues of bullying and how those issues should be dealt with in our schools. So I say to everyone in this assembly, particularly to our visitors today: It is an important issue we have been working on.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mrs. Donna H. Cansfield: As we often say in this Legislature, Ontario youth are our future, and we do have a responsibility to ensure their safety.

Never more than today has the Internet played such a significant role. Not only can they access different forums from around the world, but it impacts the lives of our students as well. It has the ability to enrich lives, but it also has the ability to be a potential threat. It’s often used to target youth and can result in our youth being victims of cyberbullying or, in worse cases, of sexual predators.

Minister, can you please tell me what the McGuinty government is doing to ensure the safety of our students when they use the Internet?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I’m going to ask this to be referred to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. James J. Bradley: Our government has invested more than $3 million to date in the safer and vital communities grant program. This program focuses on the prevention of crimes against children, women and seniors, as well as hateful and racist crimes.

An example would be in Renfrew: North Renfrew Family Services received a grant for a program on cyberspace safety. Among other things, this program educated parents about Internet luring, cyberbullying and how to protect their children.

Also, the OPP’s Internet exploitation and threats training: OPP officers are educated in cyberbullying, specific investigative techniques and directions on how to deal with cyberbullying cases. Officers are also provided with resources such as presentations for youths, educators and parents.

ORGAN DONATION

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: I’m very pleased today to be joined by the 12 grade 8 girls from Edna Staebler and St. Nicholas schools in Waterloo. They’re here, as you’ve said, as part of the girls’ government program.

These girls have identified organ donation as a priority that needs to be addressed. After reading—this is to the Minister of Education—about an organ recipient, they were quite shocked, after doing some surveys, about how little was known about organ donation. They feel it’s critically important to raise the awareness.

What they are suggesting, I say to the Minister of Education, is that you would consider making revisions to the curriculum that would include educating students, beginning in grades 6, 7 and 8. On behalf of them, I would pose that question to you.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: Again, I’m delighted that yet another question that is important for everyone in the assembly—but I’m particularly happy that the girls in government group are here to hear the response that I have.

In the province of Ontario, the honourable member would know that we do have a process in place around revising curriculum on a regular basis. This particular issue would probably, I would expect, fall in the health and physical education curriculum. I think that this is an important issue and something that most definitely would be, could be and should be considered as the review process unfolds next time, or even perhaps before. It is something that I can definitely bring to the attention of the folks in the ministry and bring to their attention that it would be part of the next review cycle.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer: Again, to the Minister of Education: I do appreciate the response.

As the girls took a look at the issue, they realized that it really was important that the younger generation become better informed about organ donation. They were quite shocked to learn, for example, that there were 1,500 people waiting on the list last year and that there are people dying every few days because there are so few organ donations made.

They also recommended that we need to take a look at exposing younger people to organ donation; making people feel comfortable. They’re suggesting that, perhaps through the Trillium Gift of Life Network, they should somehow be expanding the publicity that would appeal to the younger generation and using advertising that would appeal to them. Would you support their recommendation?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: Again, a wonderful recommendation. What I can say to the honourable member is, I have listened very carefully to the question that was posed in the assembly today. The honourable member would be aware as well that we have a curriculum council. My intention would be to take the information that you have presented here today and present it to the curriculum council. I would ask them to take that into consideration as they deliberate important curriculum matters going forward.

I do thank you for the question, and I thank the young people who have come here today for the good work that they have done to bring an important issue to our attention.

SPECIAL-NEEDS STUDENTS

Mr. Rosario Marchese: My question is to the Minister of Education as well.

Christina Buczek of Toronto is here in the gallery. She’s here because her 14-year-old daughter Emily, who is autistic and functionally non-verbal, recently received a refusal-to-admit notice from her Toronto board of education, which was unable to accommodate her attendance at a Toronto high school. Emily has been sitting at home, denied her basic right to an education, since April 7.

Will the minister take action to ensure that Emily and all mute or verbally limited children get the supports they need to participate fully in Ontario schools?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: This is a very important issue, certainly, for the family and for the student involved. These are matters, my experience has been, that are best handled and dealt with, first of all, at the school level, and failing that, I think it would be important for the parent to be in touch with people at the school board office. If there’s still not satisfaction, then it would be important for the parent to have a conversation with the locally elected trustee.

There’s no question that, in this province, our government has increased support to school boards to support students who have particular needs. So we know that the resources are there within schools.

Again, I would say to the honourable member, it would be very important for the parent to have those conversations with—

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

Mr. Rosario Marchese: I would just remind the minister that this mother has been in touch with the world for years. Christina has had a lifelong struggle trying to get her daughter the support she needs. Everyone knew since last May that she needed a trained assistant and money that should be coming from the special incidence portion.

First, Emily was discharged from an intensive behavioural intervention program, despite the fact that she was making progress. Now she has been sent home from her high school. Neither the Ministry of Children and Youth Services nor the Ministry of Education seem to be able to provide Emily with the curriculum and communication supports she needs.

What will the minister do to ensure that children and youth like Emily do not fall through the cracks and receive the supports they need to fully participate in Ontario schools?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: You’ve identified the mother as being here today, so I want the mother to know that our government takes very seriously the responsibility we have to provide boards with the support they need to support all children in our schools. I can tell you that we have increased funding—and I don’t expect that the mother has come here to hear me say that today.

It would sound, from the question, like the honourable member has maybe even more detail that would be helpful to me. Perhaps after this session, I could meet outside with the honourable member and get the full picture of the situation, and I will do my very best to provide the direction that might be helpful.

MULTICULTURALISM

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: My question is for the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. Minister, multiculturalism is a pillar of our society. Since Canada adopted multiculturalism as an official policy, multiculturalism has shaped our society. It made us stronger.

Around the world, many countries would like to replicate our success in building a strong multicultural society. Many nations have looked to Canada and Ontario as an example of how to create an open, inclusive society, a society where our diversity is our strength and widely celebrated.

Minister, what has our government done to support multiculturalism in Ontario and make it the success it is?

Hon. Eric Hoskins: One of Ontario’s greatest strengths is its diversity. We know from our province’s history that our past and future success is dependent on our ability to bring people together, to celebrate each other’s cultures, our traditions, our skills and our contributions. In this way, Ontario is unique. People from 200 countries around the world call our province home.

Rather than seeing multiculturalism as a challenge, the McGuinty government welcomes and celebrates diversity as an opportunity. We do so not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because these new communities enrich our culture and make us more competitive in the global economy.

I’ve seen first-hand the horrors of conflict which arise when communities and governments discriminate against difference. That’s why I’m proud to be part of the McGuinty government, a government that knows that diversity makes Ontario stronger, more vibrant and more prosperous.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Supplementary?

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: This week, controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders spoke to audiences in Ontario. While in Ontario, he criticized multiculturalism as a “disaster” and called for an end to Muslims immigrating to Canada. Mr. Wilders has even compared Islam to communism and fascism.

When I hear these hateful rants, I am extremely offended. Constituents in my riding of Scarborough–Rouge River are offended. Muslims across Ontario, and especially those in my riding, are disgusted with this individual’s deplorable views.

Many distinguished Ontarians have spoken out against Mr. Wilders. The CEO of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Bernie Farber, recently said that Mr. Wilders knows how to offend in the grossest possible way.

Minister, will you speak out against—

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

Hon. Eric Hoskins: Let me be clear. Mr. Wilders’s comments are not only disturbing but extremely offensive to Muslims and indeed to all Ontarians and to our core values of diversity, tolerance and inclusion. The McGuinty government absolutely opposes the politics of division and discrimination. Side by side with all Ontarians, we denounce all forms of discrimination, and we stand with all our communities against it. When it comes to protecting our human rights together, our resolve will never waver.

The most effective way to fight hate and Mr.Wilders’s divisive and disgusting statements is to renew our commitment to embracing, honouring and celebrating our diversity and our human rights, not only in words but in actions, and I’m confident that Ontario will continue to be a shining example of these cherished values.

HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

Ms. Sylvia Jones: My question is to the Minister of Transportation. Minister, in June 2005, the terms of reference for the environmental assessment of the Highway 427 extension were submitted to the Ministry of the Environment. Later that same year, public consultation began for the proposed 6.6-kilometre extension. A full six years later, the Ministry of the Environment approved the EA for the extension of the 427 to Major Mackenzie Drive. Minister, can you tell me why, after six years, your government has now said that the 427 extension is not a priority?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: As the member opposite knows, the EA on the 427 was completed this past November. I think that demonstrates that we understand the importance of this corridor. We are currently working on preliminary design and planning.

The reality is that there are hundreds of projects around the province that need the attention of the ministry, and we are working on those. They’re in various stages of completion. What we also need is the funding to make sure that those projects go forward.

As I’ve said in this House before, we put $2.8 billion into new roads and new bridges and repairing and expanding the highway network in this province. That is a substantial investment, far beyond what the party opposite did when they were in government. We will continue to make those investments, but the reality is—

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

Ms. Sylvia Jones: Minister, I was disappointed to read in the local paper that you said that the 427 extension is not a priority for your government. Commuters in my riding have been waiting since 2005 for Highway 427 to reach the southern end of Caledon. Businesses in my riding have been waiting six years to have an improved transportation corridor for the movement of their goods. The region of Peel’s Goods Movement Task Force reported in 2010 that highway congestion in the GTA cost $2.7 billion in lost opportunities for economic expansion.

Minister, can you please explain why a project that was started by your ministry in 2005 is no longer a priority?

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne: Here is what is a priority for our government: A priority for our government is to make sure that we make the ongoing investments in infrastructure, including transportation in this province, so that we can repair and expand the highway network, the transit network, that’s needed for the people in this province. Integrated transportation is a huge priority for us.

What’s interesting is that this is a question from a party that has said that all tax cuts are on the table. When they go into their convention, presumably they’re going to bring out some kind of plan. Everything is on the table in terms of what they might cut, and yet they have members standing up asking us, who have invested $2.8 billion in highway infrastructure this year, why we aren’t moving faster, why we aren’t doing everything that they want, when they are on the brink of bringing out a plan that will cut infrastructure funding in this province.

FRENCH-LANGUAGE EDUCATION

M. Michael Prue: Ma question est pour la ministre de l’Éducation. Le 20 avril dernier, j’ai demandé au premier ministre qu’est-ce que son gouvernement fera pour améliorer le manque de places dans les écoles publiques francophones à Toronto. His response was a string of polite words about great teachers and high-scoring EQAO test results.

Thousands of parents and children who have the constitutional right to French-language education have waited for seven long years for answers. Will the government make good on its commitment to assist the Conseil scolaire de district du Centre-Sud-Ouest in obtaining surplus schools in the city of Toronto so that its students will have schools to attend this September?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I’m happy to have the opportunity in this House to say to all of the members that our government has provided extraordinary resources for French-language boards across the province, particularly with respect to the public French-language board in the city of Toronto.

My office is very aware of the pressures they have around accommodation. We have been working with all French-language boards in the greater Toronto area to appreciate where there are surpluses and where there are needs and bring the parties together so that the appropriate accommodation can be provided for all students in the French-language system.

I also want to say that my colleague the minister responsible for francophone affairs, the Honourable Madeleine Meilleur, has been really outstanding in advocating, pressing for and actually making sure that we get together and we understand the complexities of the issues in French-language—

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

Mr. Michael Prue: We understand that school boards are supposed to co-operate, but we also know that when the co-operation has not been there, this minister and this ministry have a responsibility to step in to ensure French-language services.

The Minister Responsible for Francophone Affairs is also concerned that the rights of French-language students in Toronto are at risk. In fact, after I spoke to the Premier, she commended me for raising this important issue in the Legislature. She knows that the commitments were made; she knows that the conseil scolaire has been patient, but that the situation is now abysmal.

My question: When will the government stop stalling and commit to provide the school buildings which are badly needed by French-language students here in Toronto?

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: First of all, I want to say that our government respects the locally elected school boards. We work with them to do everything we can to ensure that students have the appropriate accommodation. That is why—because we are absolutely committed to a quality French-language program in Ontario—our government has constructed 80 new schools for French-language students in the province of Ontario as well. I would say that that has been an unprecedented investment: 80 new schools, or upgrades to French-language schools.

Interjections.

Hon. Leona Dombrowsky: I know there’s disbelief on the other side because they ignored them, but this government—

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

TAXATION

Mr. Rick Johnson: My question is for the Minister of Revenue. There seems to be a lot of misinformation around the HST and how it applies to families who want to buy a new home. Many people in my riding of Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock are unclear about how the HST affects the purchase of a home in Ontario. Of course buyers are confused about the application of the HST on homes; the parties opposite have been out there confusing the people of our province and stating things that are simply untrue.

Buying a new home is one of the most important investments a person will make in their lifetime. It’s crucial that Ontario families know the facts when it comes to how the HST affects their real estate purchases. Can the minister set the record straight for the people of Ontario and for the parties opposite, who are clearly confused, and tell them how the HST applies to real estate in the province?

Hon. Sophia Aggelonitis: I want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the member from Haliburton–Kawartha Lakes–Brock for the outstanding work that he’s been doing to get the message out about the HST, making sure that his constituents know the facts.

To the member and to the House: It is really important to get on the record that when it comes to buying a new home, it’s very important to note that there is no HST on the resale of homes and there is no HST on any new home up to $400,000.

VISITORS

Hon. Charles Sousa: I just want to take an opportunity to acknowledge two important individuals from the area of Mississauga South who weren’t acknowledged today: Howard Klein and Jeff McPhee, who are active volunteers, members of the Port Credit village community. Welcome to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

Mr. Kuldip Kular: I also want to acknowledge two individuals, Nirmal Gill and Gurinder Gill. They are visiting us from London, England. Mr. Nirmal Gill is the mayor of Barking in London, England.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Welcome to Queen’s Park, Your Worship.

NOTICE OF DISSATISFACTION

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Pursuant to standing order 38(a), the member for Nepean–Carleton has given notice of the dissatisfaction with the answer to her question given by the Acting Premier concerning the HST. This matter will be debated next Tuesday at 6 p.m.

There being no further business, this House stands recessed until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1141 to 1300.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITORS

Mr. Vic Dhillon: It’s a pleasure to introduce Mr. Jasjit Samud Rai, who’s visiting us from India. He’s with the Indian forestry service. With him are members of my constituency Mr. Kuldip Singh, Darvara Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Gagandeep Singh, Avtar Singh, Parminder Grewal and Jasbir Pabla.

Mr. Frank Klees: I would like to introduce Ms. Irene Turrin, who is here with the fibromyalgia awareness group today. We want to welcome her along with many others who have come to Queen’s Park today to advocate for the government to be aware of the importance of this disease.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AWARENESS DAY

Mr. Frank Klees: May 12 is the national awareness day for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and multiple chemical sensitivities. These illnesses are characterized by severe cognitive problems, non-restorative sleep, chronic, often disabling muscle pain, depression, poor stamina, and many other symptoms. Some 440,000 Ontarians alone have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

The women and men who come from all ages and backgrounds are left in a very weakened physical and emotional condition. It often gets to the point where they cannot even feed themselves. Many of their jobs are lost, their family is distanced, and friends who cannot understand often simply walk away.

The government must work in tandem with the medical establishment to adequately research the causes and treatment of these conditions. There’s still much to be done to change public awareness and dispel the invisible myths surrounding these illnesses. Those who suffer from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and multiple chemical sensitivities are real people with real illnesses who need real solutions.

Today, a number of people afflicted with the conditions of fibromyalgia join us in this chamber to send a clear public message that the time to move forward to fund proper research and develop workable solutions for our citizens has come and is, in fact, long overdue.

FIBROMYALGIA, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES AWARENESS DAY

Mr. Joe Dickson: This may be in part a duplication, but I had a young lady in my office this morning representing the same organization.

Today, May 12, is international awareness day for myalgic encephalomyelitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and multiple chemical sensitivities. These illnesses have many overlapping symptoms, including neurological and cognitive problems, muscle and joint pain, and overwhelming fatigue. These illnesses are all debilitating, multi-system physical illnesses that affect individuals of all ages, children included. According to the Canadian Community Health Survey, over a million Canadians have been diagnosed with one or more of these conditions, and 440,000 of these people live in Ontario.

There is much need for more research into the causes and treatment. No treatment research centres yet exist in Ontario.

Awareness events like the one held today on the front lawn at Queen’s Park put a real face on these people who live with these life-changing illnesses. It takes courage every day to live knowing there is no cure, no ongoing funding for treatment and no research or education for our health care practitioners.

Please join me in applauding the efforts of the many dedicated volunteers from 30 grassroots support groups, provincial associations and organizations who all do their best to provide education, information and support, including the ME/FM national network, which will be hosting an international research conference in Ottawa this September.

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Mr. Ted Arnott: May is Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month. Cystic fibrosis is the most common fatal genetic disease that affects Canadian children and young adults. The effects of cystic fibrosis are most devastating in the lungs, and most CF deaths are due to lung disease.

Despite progress, there is still no cure, and each week in Canada, two children are diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and one person dies from this horrible disease. Only half of all Canadians with cystic fibrosis are expected to live into their 40s and beyond.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a national health charity with over 50 volunteer chapters. The organization has set its sights on finding a cure and helping people and families affected by cystic fibrosis cope with their daily fight.

I’m pleased today to welcome here representatives from Cystic Fibrosis Canada: Maureen Adamson, chief executive officer; I’m told Paul Arsenault, past president, and Miles Nagamatsu, the treasurer, are here as well; Kerri Dawson and her son Louis Eberschlag, who is almost one year old and has CF; Trevor Roberts; Kelly Gorman; Aida Fernandes; and Dave Ronson, president-elect of Kin Canada.

Cystic Fibrosis Canada is a global leader in CF research. This research has far-reaching benefits to other diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and HIV/AIDS. The research and clinical care advances funded by Cystic Fibrosis Canada help to improve care and quality of life for people with CF. They also present new opportunities for chronic disease management and system cost containment.

During the month of May, CF Canada is organizing many events to raise awareness and funds to support vital CF research and care. To learn more about cystic fibrosis, visit drowningontheinside.ca.

EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES

Mr. Michael Prue: I rise today to talk about my Bill 114, which was debated in this House on October 28 last year. The bill, in a nutshell, would make it illegal for an employer to take a portion or all of an employee’s tips as a condition of their keeping employment. We have debated this, and I have asked questions of the minister on many occasions since then. I do know that letters and correspondence keep coming in to my office, and I’m sure that if I’m getting them, so is the minister and so are other members of this Legislature.

Quite recently—within the last few weeks—I got three letters. I’d better put my glasses on to read them. I’d like to read into the record what servers are saying.

One says, “I’m a bartender at a downtown restaurant/club and my employer deducts 2% of whatever I sell, which ranges my payout from anywhere between $40 to $200 a night to cover what I’ve been told is their debit/credit fees, two nights of night cleaning and glassware.... I’m tired of having my employer’s operating expenses externalized on my tips, which account for over 60% of my income.”

Another one I got: “Just recently heard that a bill was trying to be passed and just wondering if this is something to look forward to in the near future.” This is a woman who loses $150 to $200 a week.

A third one writes, “This is extremely unfair and should not be allowed to continue. Why should a server, who gets $2 below the minimum wage, be allowed to share their hard-earned tips?”

We’re asking that when this is negotiated, please consider putting this forward. The servers of Ontario are looking for government help.

SRI SATHYA SAI BABA

CENTRE OF SCARBOROUGH

Mr. Bas Balkissoon: This past weekend, I attended the inauguration ceremony of the new centre of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba community of Scarborough, in my riding. For 25 years, the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Scarborough organization has engaged thousands of people from different religions, nationalities, races and economic status in the spiritual advancement of humanity through the principle and practice of selfless love and service to the community. They strive to spread the human values of truth, right conduct, peace, love and non-violence to the community.

I commend the leaders of the Sri Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Scarborough for their vision and persistence, and congratulate the community, who worked extremely hard to help raise the funds required to build this landmark building, one of the largest outside of India.

I’m proud to be affiliated with this organization, previously as a city councillor in their rezoning application and now as their MPP for the grand opening. I wish them continued success in their new home.

SLEDGE HOCKEY

Mr. Khalil Ramal: A few weeks ago, my hometown of London hosted the World Sledge Hockey Challenge. The championship was played at the Western Fair Sports Centre from April 19 to 23 and attracted fans and future players to the city of London.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all the people involved in the organization of this event, including Todd Sergeant, who chaired the organizing committee. I would also like to take the opportunity to congratulate team Canada, which included quite a few outstanding players from throughout Ontario, for winning gold in this tournament.

Sledge hockey is a fast-paced, aggressive sport that was invented in 1960. Designed to allow people with physical disabilities to play hockey, it’s now one of the most popular sports at the Paralympic Games.

Hosting the World Sledge Hockey Challenge not only raised the profile of the city of London, but also shows how much London cares about the sport and how much it cares about people with physical disabilities. It also helped the city of London to make most of their facilities, especially the Western Fair Sports Centre, accessible to all the people who are in wheelchairs and to make it accessible for all people to play sledge hockey in the city of London.

Again, I want to congratulate the city of London and also the organization for the great event in London.

WIND TURBINES

Mr. John O’Toole: I rise in the House today to support Clarington Wind Concerns. This group has taken a stand against this government’s policy of imposing industrial wind development in Clarington and, indeed, across Ontario.

I’d like to congratulate the leadership of my community and my citizens, led very competently by Heather Rutherford, for her advocacy and their advocacy.

Citizens are asking for very simple things: safe setbacks to protect our environment and safeguards for human health. They want further research into potential health risks. No doubt these are among the issues covered in the Wind Concerns Ontario spring tour to connect with local citizens and to raise awareness.

Mr. Speaker, you would know that wind turbines are just another example of this government’s failed energy experiment and lack of respect for elected local governments. The McGuinty government’s expensive and unsustainable energy program and its sweetheart deal with Samsung are among the reasons why Ontario families are fed up and they can’t afford to even turn on the lights in Ontario. Ontario’s bills are forecast to rise by $732 a year. It’s simply unsustainable.

Renewable energy must be integrated into Ontario’s energy supply mix in a reasonable way that makes sense, but the process must be competitive and transparent. I urge this House to respect Ontario citizens and to pull the plug on McGuinty’s expensive energy experiments once and for all. You’ll get your chance on October 6.

EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE

Mrs. Amrit Mangat: It is about time for the federal government to transform the employment insurance system and end discrimination against Ontario workers.

In April 2009, this House unanimously passed my resolution, which put the federal government on notice that unemployed Ontarians deserve the same benefits they would get if they lived elsewhere in Canada. The current formula doesn’t address the needs of Ontario’s labour force. If Ontario workers received what is given to workers in other provinces, they would receive an extra $4,000 per year. This support would help parents who have lost their jobs pay the mortgage, buy groceries, buy gas and get the training they need to get back into the workforce.

I call on the newly elected federal government to end this inequality against Ontario workers and the labour force of Mississauga–Brampton South and to do what is right and fair.

ENERGY POLICIES

Mr. Kevin Daniel Flynn: We all know the key to a strong economy is good jobs and a healthy population. That’s why we’ve made really vital investments to build a stronger and a cleaner economy. These investments are bringing our energy systems into the 21st century. They create tens of thousands of jobs and they’re making the air cleaner and easier to breathe.

I think we’re all dismayed to hear the Leader of the Opposition vow to eliminate these jobs and stop Samsung from investing $7 billion in our province. He said he’ll cancel the contract that has already created 1,800 jobs. He’s going to scare away future investment, and he’s threatening to board up manufacturing plants right across this province. On top of that, he wants to return to dirty coal.

I’m particularly concerned locally about Satcon Power Systems. They recently expanded their workforce to 158 people, creating 40 new jobs for Burlington families. These jobs could disappear, along with the jobs created by more than 30 other companies that have announced plans to participate in Ontario’s clean economy, all thanks to the Leader of the Opposition’s reckless plan that could kill an entire industry.

In contrast, under our government, Ontario is moving forward. We’re creating tens of thousands of jobs and we’re emerging as a world leader in a fast-growing new industry.

VISITORS

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Before we proceed, I ask the indulgence of the House, and I ask order too.

I want to welcome, on a personal note, the folks from Cystic Fibrosis, and particularly the president-elect of Kinsmen. Being a life member of Kinsmen, I was the governor of District 1 of Kinsmen back in the early 1970s. It was the first time that we raised over $100,000 in one year for cystic fibrosis, and I understand it has just gone up and up since then. Good for the association and good for Kinsmen.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

ONTARIO SOCIETY

FOR THE PREVENTION

OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

AMENDMENT ACT (ANIMAL

PROTECTION COMPLAINTS

COMMISSIONER), 2011 /

LOI DE 2011 MODIFIANT LA LOI

SUR LA SOCIÉTÉ DE PROTECTION

DES ANIMAUX DE L’ONTARIO

(COMMISSAIRE AUX PLAINTES

RELATIVES À LA PROTECTION

DES ANIMAUX)

Mr. Berardinetti moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 194,

An Act to amend the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to establish and provide for the office of the Animal Protection Complaints Commissioner / Projet de loi 194, Loi modifiant la

Loi sur la Société de protection des animaux de l’Ontario en vue de créer la charge de commissaire aux plaintes relatives à la protection des animaux.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

First reading agreed to.

The Deputy Speaker (Mr. Bruce Crozier): Does the member wish to make a short statement?

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti: Just a very short statement.

This bill amends the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to establish the position of the Animal Protection Complaints Commissioner.

The commissioner is an officer of the Legislative Assembly. The commissioner’s functions are to investigate any decisions made by, or any act or omission of, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, as well as to educate the public about the obligations and prohibitions under the act regarding the care of and harm to animals. The commissioner is required to report annually on the affairs of the office to the Speaker of the assembly.

PETITIONS

WIND TURBINES

Mr. John O’Toole: It’s always nice to be first once in a while. However, I have a number of petitions from my riding of Durham which are very important, and I’m going to read one of them now.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas industrial wind turbine developments have raised concerns among citizens over health, safety and property values;

“Whereas the Green Energy Act allows wind turbine developments to bypass meaningful public input and municipal approvals;

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

“That the Minister of the Environment revise the Green Energy Act to allow full public input and municipal approvals on all industrial wind farm developments and that a moratorium on wind development be declared until an independent, epidemiological study is completed into the health and environmental impacts of industrial wind turbines.”

I’m pleased to sign it and support it and present it to Hamza, one of the new pages.

DOG OWNERSHIP

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

“Whereas aggressive dogs are found among all breeds and mixed breeds; and

“Breed-specific legislation has been shown to be an expensive and ineffective approach to dog bite prevention; and

“Problem dog owners are best dealt with through education, training and legislation encouraging responsible behaviour;

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

“To repeal the breed-specific sections of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (2005) and to implement legislation that encourages responsible ownership of all dog breeds and types.”

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, for allowing me to present this petition.

HIGHWAY SAFETY

Mr. Garfield Dunlop: This is a petition calling on the Ministry of Transportation to install traffic lights at the intersection of Highway 12 and Fairgrounds Road in Orillia.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the intersection of Highway 12 at Fairgrounds Road in Orillia is a main traffic link for Notre Dame Catholic School, for the Odas Park fairgrounds and a number of local businesses; and

“Whereas we are concerned about the increased congestion and safety of the travelling public and the transportation of children to Notre Dame Catholic School;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to have the Ministry of Transportation install traffic lights at the intersection of Highway 12 and Fairgrounds Road, Orillia.”

I’m happy to suppor