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July 16, 2018

42nd Parliament, 1st Session

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Hansard Transcripts

Votes and Proceedings

Orders and Notices

Hansard (PDF) 16-JUL-2018_L003

L003 - Mon 16 Jul 2018 / Lun 16 jui 2018

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF ONTARIO

ASSEMBLÉE LÉGISLATIVE DE L’ONTARIO

Monday 16 July 2018 Lundi 16 juillet 2018

Introduction of Visitors

Members’ roll

Leader of the Opposition

Independent members

Speech from the throne

Visitor

Oral Questions

Executive compensation

Government’s record

Special investigations unit

Taxation

Government contracts

Pharmacare

Indigenous affairs

Climate change

International trade

Refugees

Hydro rates

Curriculum

Pickering nuclear generating station

Pharmacare

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Ontario public service

Visitor

Legislative pages

Legislative staff

Introduction of Visitors

Tabling of sessional papers

Members’ Statements

Curriculum

Chai Lifeline Canada

Northern health services

Ahmadiyya Muslim community

Northern transportation

Curriculum

Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Tiny township charity golf tournament

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Introduction of Bills

Urgent Priorities Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 portant sur les priorités urgentes

Petitions

Indigenous affairs

Curriculum

Energy policies

Curriculum

Curriculum

Prévention du tabagisme chez les jeunes

Employment standards

Ontario Disability Support Program

Hospital funding

Orders of the Day

Throne speech debate / Débat sur le discours du trône

The House met at 1030.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Let us pray.

Prayers.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): This being the very first sitting Monday of the month, I would ask everyone to join me in singing the Canadian national anthem.

Singing of O Canada.

Introduction of Visitors

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I wish to inform the House that we are graced with the presence of a former member of provincial Parliament who was a representative in the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Parliaments representing Parkdale–High Park: Rev. Cheri DiNovo. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.

Members’ roll

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that the Clerk has laid upon the table the roll of members elected at the general election of 2018.

Leader of the Opposition

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I also beg to inform the House that Ms. Horwath, member for the electoral district of Hamilton Centre, is recognized as the leader of Her Majesty’s loyal opposition. Congratulations.

Independent members

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): As members will be well aware, this current Legislature, just beginning its regular work today, has amongst its membership seven MPPs who were elected as candidates of the Liberal Party of Ontario, and one MPP who was elected as a candidate of the Green Party of Ontario.

On their own, none of these eight MPPs is a member of a recognized party within the definition of such, as set out in standing order 2, which states, “‘Recognized party’ means a party caucus of eight or more members of the Legislative Assembly.”

Accordingly, these eight MPPs are each, separately, independent members of the assembly for the procedural purposes of the standing orders. Members will know that the standing orders also provide the Speaker the discretion to permit independent members to participate in certain proceedings, one of which is question period. I am therefore using this opportunity to indicate to the House how I have chosen to facilitate the independent members to use their limited right to ask questions.

An independent member must advise the Speaker in writing of their request to participate in the proceedings to which they are entitled, and, for the record, I have received a written request from the member for Ottawa South, Mr. Fraser, asking that I permit him to ask a question during oral questions today. The member for Guelph, Mr. Schreiner, has also provided me with a written request for the opportunity to ask a question as provided by the standing orders.

In considering my response to these requests, I do have a directly applicable and relatively recent precedent to help guide my decision in this matter, being the period immediately after the 2003 general election when one parliamentary group consisted of only seven MPPs, one short of the threshold for recognized party status, just as the situation is now.

Eventually in 2003, the House arrived at its own agreement on the extent of participation of those seven independent members and provided then-Speaker Curling with its recommendation on how he should exercise his discretionary role under the standing orders, which he accepted. Until that point, the Speaker recognized one independent member during question period each day to ask one question and one supplementary question.

I believe that emulating the approach taken by my predecessor in this chair at that time is a reasonable and fair way to respect and ensure the rights of the independent members of this House. I believe that this will provide a consistent and predictable flow to the daily question period, is suitably proportional to their membership in the House, and does not either favour or penalize when it comes to the entire number of opportunities that all members have to ask questions in question period.

One independent member will therefore have the opportunity to ask a question daily. Each of the eight independent members will be able to ask a question once every eight sitting days. I will ensure that each of them has the opportunity over time to ask a question on different days of the sitting week, and not always the same day every two weeks. I will be recognizing Mr. Fraser to ask his question today, as he has requested.

I thank all members for your attention while I addressed this matter.

Speech from the throne

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I understand the member for Timmins–James Bay has a point of privilege.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of all members of the opposition—specifically as well the members of the official opposition. We know that last week the government introduced its throne speech—rightfully so—and the government in so doing decided, as is one of the practices around here, to give the media an advance copy which was embargoed. What the point of privilege is about is that we as members, especially members of the opposition, were not afforded the same opportunity, and not being able to get that information means that members of the opposition were put at a disadvantage.

I want to read my point of privilege: “Pursuant to standing order 21(c), I write to give notice of my intent to rise on a point of privilege prior to question period on Monday, July 16 ... concerning a possible breach of privilege with regard to the government’s failure to provide copies of the throne speech to opposition members despite the fact copies were distributed to members of the media prior to its delivery in the House.

“New Democrats have no issue with the established practice of providing embargoed material to the media in advance of its presentation, understanding that their ability to digest and accurately communicate the merits and shortcomings of policy measures to the public is an essential element of a healthy democracy. It is not our intent to curtail this practice, or to deny the government its right to utilize this tool. However, there is cause for concern when this same consideration is not extended to the House itself”—that goes to the crux of what this point of privilege is about—“and members are denied the information they need to do their jobs effectively.”

Now, there was a similar situation that happened in Ottawa, Speaker—and we provide the quotations from Speaker Milliken—back on March 19, 2001, where the government was introducing a bill to the House. They provided the media with an opportunity for a briefing, but members were not allowed and were not given that briefing prior.

Speaker Milliken, as a result of members of the opposition then getting up on a point of privilege, ruled the following:

“In a March 19, 2001 ruling, Speaker Milliken found that a government decision to disclose materials to the media before tabling them in the House of Commons while at the same time denying access to MPs constituted a breach of privilege, noting:

“‘With respect to material to be placed before Parliament, the House must take precedence ... not only so that members themselves may be well informed, but also [in light of] the pre-eminent role which the House plays and must play in the legislative affairs of the nation.’

“More than just a nod to tradition, the throne speech is the first real look at the broad strokes of a government’s plan to address the issues facing the electorate and often the first opportunity that members have to exercise their responsibility to examine and scrutinize the vision put forward by an administration. Given this significance—and the reality that it is often the sole item of business on the legislative agenda following delivery—it comes as no surprise that the bulk of the interaction between the media and members on all sides of the House will focus on this address designed to provide a degree of insight into a government’s plan.

“By withholding access to the throne speech—an item of business that is historically kept confidential until delivered in the chamber—it is our belief that the government undermined the opposition’s ability to effectively engage the media on the questions that would likely be posed about the measures outlined in the speech and, by extension, their potential implications on the people of the province of Ontario. This prioritized access is central to the role that the opposition plays in a parliamentary context and must be upheld....”

I go again to the ruling of Speaker Milliken:

“‘ ... the issue of denying members information that they need to do their work has been the key consideration for the Chair in reviewing this particular question of privilege. To deny to members information concerning business that is about to come before the House, while at the same time providing such information to media that will likely be questioning members about this business, is a situation that the Chair cannot condone.’”

Clearly, Speaker Milliken sets the bar and says that the House has to be treated according to the rules and precedents of the House.

“With modern media’s ability to communicate information to the public almost instantaneously, upholding this right of equitable access goes beyond simply protecting the rights of elected officials; it is an essential part of making sure that MPPs have the time, opportunity and information necessary” to execute their roles and responsibilities, be it to critique or to praise the policy initiative. “The government must respect the established rules of engagement for our democracy to operate as intended.

“It is for these reasons I hope that you rule in favour of a prima facie case of contempt and allow this House to investigate the matter further.”

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Not gonna happen.

Mr. Gilles Bisson: That’s interesting.

“I look forward to the opportunity to present this point of privilege in the House.”

I’ll just conclude by saying that it’s an important test this early in this Legislature’s sitting, and I’m not going to be long; I just want to make this final point. We need to, as members of this House on all sides, make sure that we are able to do our jobs. As we said, we don’t argue with the fact that the government has certain tools that they can use and that’s the way this place operates.

But all members of the opposition must be given the same treatment when it comes to tools, when it comes to being able to do our jobs in order to hold this government to account or to give them ideas on what we think needs to be done. For them not to treat the opposition equally, I think, is an insult to all of us as members.

We look for your decision on this matter.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I appreciate the member for Timmins and his presentation.

Are there any other members who would like to speak to this matter? Government House leader.

Hon. Todd Smith: It’s an honour to rise as the government House leader and respond to the point raised by my colleague the member from Timmins.

I would question whether or not the appropriate time was given to you, the Speaker, this morning, in filing this notice, and to the government House leader as well.

The opposition House leader, the member for Timmins, has served in the Legislature long enough to know that the precedents on this matter he raised do not support a breach-of-privilege argument. As Speaker Edighoffer noted in his ruling on June 10, 1986:

“However, it is clear from the precedents in this House and in other jurisdictions that parliamentary privilege does not extend and never has extended to requiring policy statements or announcements to be made in the House, regardless of the importance of the subject.”

While the government acknowledges the importance of the speech from the throne, we submit that there was no attempt to publicly release the contents of the speech from the throne prior to it being read by Her Honour in this House. The government exhausted considerable means to protect the confidentiality of the speech from the throne. Early copies were all marked “confidential” and were kept under embargo. These very actions were taken to protect the primacy of the House.

However, the last Speaker of this Legislature delivered a definitive statement regarding any pre-emptive disclosure in his ruling on April 14, 2014:

“However, no Speaker has ever found that the snubbing of the Legislature in this manner has amounted even to a valid point of order—there being no standing order or practice to require it—let alone to a breach of privilege or contempt of the Legislature.”

While the speech from the throne is distinct from a typical ministerial statement in the standing orders, those same standing orders provide no requirement for pre-emptive disclosure of the speech from the throne to members of recognized opposition parties. The government nevertheless followed the procedures outlined in standing order 35(

c) for the disclosure of ministerial statements with its pre-emptive disclosure of the speech to the members for Timmins and Timiskaming–Cochrane. That standing order does not envision a timeline under which disclosure must be made, except to say that it must be done “at or before the time the statement is made.”

The question as to whether the speech from the throne requires different disclosure rules from that of a ministerial statement is not covered by the standing orders and must be treated as a matter of constitutional convention, which means, as Beauchesne’s Parliamentary Rules and Forms, sixth edition, notes in citation 168(5), “The Speaker will not give a decision upon a constitutional question nor decide a question of law, though the same may be raised on a point of order or privilege.”

I’ll expand on all of these arguments, Speaker, in my written submission. I appreciate the member from Timmins raising the points here today. I look forward to your decision and your ruling on this matter. Thank you, Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I appreciate the submission from the member for Timmins, as well as from the government House leader. I will review it and respond in due course.

Visitor

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I also want to inform the House that we have another former member here today, who represented the riding of St. Paul’s in the 37th, 38th and 39th Parliaments: Michael Bryant is here with us today. Welcome.

Before I ask for oral questions, I want to acknowledge that we are met today on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation.

Oral Questions

Executive compensation

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I want to begin by welcoming all members to our first question period of this Parliament, and I congratulate the Speaker again on his election to his important role.

My question is for the Premier. People deserve a Premier not beholden to lobbyists and insiders, someone who tells the people of Ontario exactly what he’s up to. But instead, this Premier is not even three weeks into the job, and he’s already telling Ontarians one thing and doing the exact opposite behind closed doors.

Why did the Premier say that the CEO of Hydro One would get “zero, absolutely zero,” when he knew that the CEO would walk away with millions?

Hon. John Yakabuski: There’s no severance.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question was to the Premier, Speaker.

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, congratulations. And congratulations to the Leader of the Opposition.

If I could remind the Leader of the Opposition that when we were out campaigning, we ran clearly on getting rid of the CEO and getting rid of the board. The news media went around and said it would cost $10 million. I’m here to tell you that there was zero severance, absolutely zero severance.

We were given a clear mandate to reduce hydro rates by 12%, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Unlike the opposition leader, next month—if you were in charge, there’d be 7,000 people without jobs out at the Pickering hydro facility. You were going to close hydro down, and there’d be 7,000 people wondering where they’d get their next paycheque—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Thank you very much.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It looks like this Premier is going to be as honest in this House as he was on the campaign trail.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I have to ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Withdraw.

The Premier said that the payout to Mayo Schmidt was zero, absolutely zero. But now we know that Mr. Schmidt will actually walk away with incentives worth at least $9 million, maybe even more, Speaker.

Will the Premier tell Ontarians exactly how much his backroom deal will end up costing Hydro One ratepayers?

Hon. Doug Ford: Again, thank you for the question. I just want to remind you that the CEO of hydro is getting a zero severance.

In 2016, 2017 and 2018, under the Liberal government, with your support—

Interjection: You propped them up.

Hon. Doug Ford: You propped them up to have stock options. The stock options are what you’re talking about, but I can assure you, the CEO had the same benefits as any other employee with their pensions and their benefits. Again, the CEO of hydro is gone. The board is gone. We’re turning the page when it comes to hydro rates. We have the highest hydro rates in North America. We will reduce hydro rates by 12%.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: I’d like to remind the Premier of this province that the New Democrats are the only party that has firmly stood against the privatization of our electricity system, Speaker, and we will always be on the side of a public electricity system, unlike the Conservative government that started the privatization of electricity in our province when they were in government last time.

Premier Wynne’s six-million-dollar man is now Premier Ford’s nine-million-dollar man, and counting, thanks to whatever secret deal the Conservatives cooked up behind closed doors. It’s time for this Premier to come clean with the people of Ontario. How much does this secret deal really cost, and when will he make it public?

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, as I campaigned throughout the province, and you were side by side in many cases, we said very clearly to the people who gave us the mandate that we were going to reduce hydro rates by 12%. That’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re turning the page at Hydro One.

I want to remind the public: God forbid, if you ever got elected, they would be looking at hydro rates double the cost of what they’re looking at right now.

Government’s record

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My next question is also for the Premier. It’s the job of the Premier to do more than respond to lobbyists and repay backroom deals, but since taking office, we’ve seen this Premier making backroom deals that are driven by what’s best for lobbyists and insiders, not what’s best for Ontario. Instead of helping everyday families, he’s quietly delivering favours for big polluters, ticket scalpers and his social conservative friends.

Why is this Premier making backroom deals that help insiders and Conservative friends instead of helping the people of Ontario?

Hon. Doug Ford: Through you, Mr. Speaker: I want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that we’re here for the people. We’re here to reduce taxes. We’re going to create good-paying jobs. We’re going to reduce the hydro rates and get this economy going in the province of Ontario once again. We will be the engine of Ontario. We will create thousands and thousands of great-paying jobs and put money back into the taxpayers’ pocket instead of the government’s pocket.

I know the Leader of the Opposition believes in big government; everything should go through government. We believe in empowering the people, not empowering the government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: When the Premier cancelled cap-and-trade, he was doing what is best for big polluters, Speaker. The cost of ripping up Ontario’s cap-and-trade agreements and reimbursing companies for billions and billions of dollars in suddenly worthless credit will be massive. The cost of inaction on climate change will hurt Ontarians today and for generations to come.

Which big polluters lobbied the Premier to let them off the hook and stick families with the bill?

Hon. Doug Ford: Leader of the Opposition, we campaigned on getting rid of the cap-and-trade carbon tax scam. I want to remind the Leader of the Opposition that we’re going to save $790 million by doing that for the taxpayers of Ontario. We’re going to save $285 per family, again putting money back into the taxpayers’ pocket instead of big government’s pocket. We’re going to start respecting the taxpayers for the next four years.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Final supplementary.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, Speaker, the question is, how many billions and billions of dollars is it going to cost to cancel those contracts? Mr. McGuinty told us it was going to cost $40 million to cancel two gas plants and it cost $1.1 billion. So we’re very much looking forward to seeing what it’s going to cost.

Look, decision after decision is being driven by the Premier’s desire to deliver for his friends and for lobbyists. The Premier made a backroom deal with Tanya Granic Allen, Charles McVety and other far-right lobbyists to force an outdated sex-ed curriculum on students and drag Ontario back to 1998. It doesn’t help students, Speaker. It doesn’t help the safety of students at risk. It ignores the responsibilities that we have to teach children about consent and safety in school.

Why does the Premier not care about queer young people and their safety? Why does this Premier care more about the favours that he owes to social conservatives than he does about keeping young people—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

Premier?

Hon. Doug Ford: Mr. Speaker, through you to the Leader of the Opposition: We’re going to be very clear. We’re going to govern for the people instead of for the government. We’re going lower taxes for the people. We’re going to reduce taxes on small businesses that have been struggling—absolutely struggling. It makes us uncompetitive, cap-and-trade and the carbon tax. It puts a burden on the backs of small businesses, medium and large businesses. It also puts a burden on the taxpayers of Ontario. We’re going to make sure, once we get rid of cap-and-trade and the carbon tax, that we’re going to reduce gas prices by 10 cents a litre, putting more money into the taxpayers’ pocket.

Special investigations unit

Ms. Andrea Horwath: My question is for the Premier.

Nobody voted for business to be conducted in secret and behind closed doors, Speaker. Nobody voted for that, and nobody voted for Ontario to be dragged backwards, but that’s what this Premier is doing.

On July 3, it was revealed that the Premier had secretly slammed the brakes on the new Ontario Special Investigations Unit Act. This particular law, with new oversight tools to help increase public trust and accountability, was the result of two full years of consultation and two rounds of committee hearings, but the Premier ignored all of that and ignored the voices of Ontarians.

Who lobbied the Premier to quietly scrap the rules on police oversight?

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Basically, the SIU is a matter that is presently being looked at. It’s our understanding that—I am being briefed on it presently, so I don’t have any actual information on that. But I will report back to the House when I have a response.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Leader of the Opposition.

Ms. Andrea Horwath: Well, it’s pretty worrisome that we have a minister responsible who doesn’t know the file at all, not even enough to even give a semblance of a response to a question in the Legislature.

New Democrats stand with communities across Ontario in our strong support for updating the laws that govern police oversight and protect the public trust in policing. The Tulloch review took over a year, involved 17 public hearings and received 1,500 submissions, including from police. The previous government’s legislation took another year and involved two rounds of public hearings and submissions, including from police.

It wasn’t perfect, but even the head of the Police Association of Ontario says that he accepts the need for police accountability and transparency. So, who lobbied the Premier—apparently unbeknownst to the minister—to ignore Ontarians and stop these new oversight rules from coming into play?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional—

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Attorney General.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: I thank the Leader of the Opposition—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, if he wishes to respond—he has to respond or he has to refer it to another minister.

Hon. Michael A. Tibollo: Yes, I will refer it to the Attorney General.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Attorney General.

Hon. Caroline Mulroney: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question and congratulate her on her victory.

We pressed pause on this legislation so that we could take the time to conduct a full and thorough review of the legislation by consulting with experts, police services and the public. That is what we have done. We have pressed pause on this. We want to work with our front-line police officers to make sure that we have the right answer on this issue.

The special investigations unit is still in place, and so that unit, the SIU, is still doing its work. But we have pressed pause on that portion of the legislation.

Taxation

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Again, congratulations, Mr. Speaker, on your election. I know you will be a truly dedicated and capable servant of this House.

My question is to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. I also want to congratulate the minister on his new job.

Premier Doug Ford and the government for the people campaigned on a plan for making life more affordable for families and respecting taxpayers. That starts with scrapping the uncompetitive and unaffordable cap-and-trade carbon tax. It didn’t protect the environment. Instead, it only jacked up the price of gasoline, home heating and everyday items like groceries and clothing.

Could the minister please update the House on the government for the people’s progress scrapping this tax, and tell the people of Ontario how much this will save families?

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you also to the member for his tough but fair question. I’d like to congratulate the member from Perth–Wellington on his re-election. I know that he is an expert and an excellent representative of his constituents.

As the Premier has already stated today, our government is moving swiftly to scrap the Liberals’ cap-and-trade carbon tax. Cabinet has already taken measures to this effect, and we’ll be introducing legislation this session to finish the job. Scrapping the Liberals’ cap-and-trade carbon tax will save the average family $285 a year, and it’s a first step towards our commitment to reduce gas taxes by 10 cents.

We received a strong mandate from the people of Ontario to scrap this ineffective tax and we’re delivering on that promise. Promises made, promises kept, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: Back to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks: I’m glad to hear that the government for the people is delivering on its promise. When I went door to door, I heard time and time again that life was harder and more unaffordable under the previous government. I know the people of Perth–Wellington will be happy to hear we are scrapping the carbon tax. Unfortunately, other parties in this House will stop at nothing to impose another carbon tax on the people of Ontario. One member opposite has even said he will fight to impose the highest carbon tax in North America onto the people of Ontario, raising gas prices by 35 cents per litre.

Could the minister please tell the people of this House what measures the government for the people is taking to protect Ontario families and job creators from future carbon taxes?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you for the follow-up question, through you, Mr. Speaker.

Our government has been clear: no carbon taxes now, no carbon taxes ever. The people of Ontario can’t afford one; they can’t afford one now and they can’t afford one in the future, so they won’t have one.

Our government will be introducing legislation to scrap the Liberals’ cap-and-trade carbon tax once and for all. Our government will challenge any efforts from the federal government to impose a carbon tax on the people of Ontario. While the members opposite may fancy themselves as carbon tax crusaders, the government will be standing with the people. Ontario families, as I said, will save $285 a year. We will lower gas taxes by 10 cents a litre and put more money in their pockets. It’s real change for the people.

Government contracts

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Late on Friday, the energy minister announced that he was ripping up 758 renewable energy contracts signed by the provincial government. We don’t know why these particular projects were chosen. The decision was made behind closed doors. We do know that many of these projects are owned by municipalities, public utilities, local farmers, school boards and First Nations. And the Premier says he will pass legislation to download the cancellation costs from the province onto these local communities.

Will the Premier tell us how much cost and disruption he will force on local communities, First Nations, households and farmers as a result of his backroom decision?

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Greg Rickford: On my first occasion to rise in this place, I want to thank my wife and children for their love and support and the constituents of the great Kenora–Rainy River district for electing me to this magnificent place, and to attempt to fill with humility the shoes of the great Leo Bernier, the former emperor of the north, as he was fondly known, from the Kenora–Rainy River district.

For the past couple of weeks, there’s been a palpable excitement across Ontario as projects that represented wasteful spending by the previous government have been cancelled. Mr. Speaker, make no mistake about it: This is not about anything more than a savings of $790 million to the taxpayers.

Applause.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Thank you.

It represents the first in a number of steps that we’re going to take to make sure that every Ontarian sees a savings on their energy bills moving forward.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Peter Tabuns: Back to the Premier: One of the affected communities is the small northern Ontario town of Blind River in the riding of Algoma–Manitoulin. Eight years ago, the Minister of Energy—the current minister—applauded the town’s decision to take out a massive federal loan under the federal Conservative government to build a solar energy project under the Green Energy Act. The deal went bad and the town of 3,600 is nearly $50 million in debt with nothing to show for it.

Instead of helping the town recover, the minister is making things worse. Instead of making backroom decisions, forcing unknown costs onto small towns and First Nations, why won’t the Premier review these contracts in a transparent process that is based on evidence and the public interest?

Hon. Greg Rickford: An interesting question about northern Ontario coming from a member from downtown Toronto, Mr. Speaker. Let me tell you, after years of working for the people across northern Ontario, what they were talking about: an expensive way of life; longer winters than most; colder than most; people making choices between heating and eating.

The goal and the promise of this platform and Premier Ford were to reduce hydro rates. That’s what northern Ontarians were focused on. That’s what they told us on June 7. And that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver.

Pharmacare

Mr. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: My question is to the Minister of Health. I would like to start by congratulating the minister for being tasked with this important responsibility. I know that she will do great work for her constituents and the people of Ontario.

I was proud to see that the government for the people wasted no time getting to work, rolling up its sleeves and finding ways to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money and programs are run as effectively and efficiently as possible. This is evidenced by the government for the people’s positive changes to the OHIP+ program, saving hard-earned tax dollars without compromising the services families depend on.

Mr. Speaker, could the Minister of Health please update the members of this House on the government’s changes to OHIP+?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member for the question. I too would like to congratulate the member from Brampton South for being elected by his constituents and for the trust that they have in him.

Within days of being sworn in, our government announced our intention to fix the OHIP+ program by focusing on drug benefits for those who do not already have prescription drug benefits. Children and youth who are not covered by private benefits would continue to receive their eligible prescriptions free. Mr. Speaker, I repeat: Children and youth who are not covered by private benefits would continue to receive their prescription drug benefits free.

The new system will be more efficient. The new system will save taxpayers money. And the new system will dedicate precious resources to those who need them the most. Most importantly, this ensures that children and youth who still need the prescription drugs will get them when they—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria: Back to the Minister of Health: Thank you for those kind words. I am proud that the people of Brampton South put their trust in me. I will not let them down.

And thank you very much for the important update. I am glad to see that the government for the people is getting to work saving taxpayers money without compromising the services that families and children depend on. It’s great to hear that children and youth will continue to receive the prescription drugs they need.

Could the Minister of Health update the members of this House on how they are working with insurance companies to make these changes and save taxpayers money?

Hon. Christine Elliott: Since insurance plans can cover thousands more drugs than the 4,400 covered on OHIP+, children and youth would have more access to medications than under the current program.

Private insurers had previously given the government a grace period for some medication which was set to expire on July 1. That’s why we needed to move quickly. We asked those insurance groups to extend that grace period, which they have kindly agreed to do. I am proud to say that the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association welcomed these changes to OHIP+ and extended the transition period beyond July 1.

We are currently working with the insurance association to make sure that their transition period is seamless and that young people who need the drugs will be able to get them free of charge.

Indigenous affairs

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: My question is to the Premier. Why did the government drop reconciliation from the mandate of the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, and what is behind the decision to have the minister share his time between northern affairs, mining, energy and Indigenous affairs?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of Indigenous Affairs.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Meegwetch to the member. I congratulate him on winning a region of northwestern Ontario that’s near and dear to my heart, as I served it in my former capacity as the member of Parliament for the great Kenora riding. I’ve spent several years there working as a nurse and a lawyer in those communities.

Mr. Speaker, we ran a campaign that reflected the needs of all Ontarians. We appreciate that truth and reconciliation represents a dark

chapter in Canada’s history. Moving forward, we as a government intend to honour the principles of truth and reconciliation, but to focus on the things that Indigenous communities are asking for: a piece of the prosperity that all Ontarians have come to expect in their communities.

Moving forward, whether it’s resource revenue sharing for municipalities in Indigenous communities in this province, particularly in northern Ontario—we’re going to make sure those Indigenous communities have access to the kind of prosperity that we all expect from government.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Mr. Sol Mamakwa: Speaker, First Nations are concerned about the government’s step backward away from reconciliation. Nishnawbe Aski Nation Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said, “It is difficult to see how progress can continue to be made when First Nations are reduced to only how they relate to the government’s ability to access the resources within our lands.”

During the campaign, the Premier famously said that he would get on a bulldozer himself to get the Ring of Fire under way. He also said that he would stop talking and start doing. But from the perspective of First Nations, the only way you can start doing anything in our territories is to start talking to our territories. Speaker, how does the Premier propose to do this with a part-time minister?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I can assure the member opposite that there’s nothing part-time about the devotion and the skill that I bring to this portfolio. This ministry stands alone with a minister who spent more than eight years of his life living and working in Indigenous communities, mostly in northwestern Ontario but in fact across Canada. I have a keen sense and great relationships with Indigenous leaders. Some of these folks are some of my closest friends across the region.

We are going to ensure that First Nations have prosperity. The member mentioned the Ring of Fire. Those communities are doing more than just talking; they’re working with the private sector, creating economic opportunities and creating jobs for those isolated and remote communities. It’s high time, and we’re going to deliver on those promises for prosperity for Indigenous communities.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members please take their seats.

I recognize the member for Ottawa South.

Climate change

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Congratulations on your election. My question is for the Premier.

Premier, congratulations on your election and your government’s mandate, and congratulations to all the members of this Legislature on your election. Our caucus looks forward to working with all of you in the best interests of Ontario families.

Premier, during the campaign, we heard nothing about a plan from the Conservative Party for climate change. Do you believe that it’s important for your government to have a plan for climate change? Yes or no?

Hon. Doug Ford: Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Rod Phillips: Thank you to the member for the question. Our priority of course is to return our economy to the vibrancy that it once had. But we absolutely understand that climate change is real and we understand that man has played a role in that, so we will be bringing forward a plan to make sure that the Ontario economy is vibrant and strong, but also understands our own impact as human beings on climate. That plan will not include a regressive carbon tax.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. John Fraser: Thank you for your response. Premier, if the environment and climate change were important to you, it would have been in your throne speech. Climate change is the challenge of our generation. It’s what we need to do for our kids, our grandkids and our great-grandkids.

It is possible for a Conservative to have a plan for an environmental challenge. In the 1980s, there was one Conservative Prime Minister, Brian Mulroney, and he teamed with another Conservative you may know, Ronald Reagan, on their environmental challenge of the time, acid rain. They worked together. They understood. They had a plan.

Premier, I want to ask you: What is your plan for climate change? You can’t just tear something down and not put something in its place. There is not an option not to do anything. Premier, what is your plan?

Hon. Rod Phillips: Mr. Speaker, through you, we appreciate the member’s confidence in previous Conservative administrations. This government will bring forward a plan that understands the importance of climate change, but we will do so in a way that preserves the economic growth that is required, that understands that a regressive tax on individuals—that telling people that they can’t drive their cars anymore is not an effective or sincere way to approach this issue. But a plan will be coming.

International trade

Ms. Amanda Simard: Mr. Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. First of all, I’d like to congratulate the honourable member on his re-election and his new role. I know that he’ll do a fantastic job in putting our economy and businesses first and ensuring that good jobs are created all across our province.

Minister, we know that there are jobs across Ontario that depend on trade and our American friends and neighbours. From steelworkers in Hamilton and Sault Ste. Marie to our world-class auto sector, so many industries and so many of our communities depend on trade with our American partners.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please tell us some of the steps he is taking to protect those jobs and to stand shoulder to shoulder with hard-working Ontarians all across this province?

Hon. Jim Wilson: First of all, congratulations, Mr. Speaker, and congratulations to the honourable member, and thank you for the question. I know you’ll do a great job for the people of Glengarry–Prescott–Russell.

Mr. Speaker, Ontario is open for business once again. Premier Ford, in one of his first acts as Premier-elect, indicated that we will stand shoulder to shoulder with our federal cousins—on the trade issue; I’d better clarify that for a minute. One of the first things that he did and that I did was to get briefed by the federal government and the Canadian ambassador on the NAFTA negotiations.

One in five jobs in Ontario, or 1.3 million jobs in Ontario, depend on good relations with the United States and our trade relations. In the United States—we want to go down there this week and make it clear that nine million jobs depend on good NAFTA negotiations with the United States, and that’s what I’ll be doing at the end of the week.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Ms. Amanda Simard: Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Minister, over the past 15 years, Ontario’s economy has struggled under the weight of punishing red tape, skyrocketing hydro rates and unfair taxes that have put our province at a competitive disadvantage. Under the last government, there was a steady flow of both jobs and investment out of our province. Minister, I’m sure that you and your ministry have been hard at work taking early steps to not only keep good jobs in Ontario, but to attract more investment and job creation.

Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain how his government for the people is ensuring that Ontario is once again open for business?

Hon. Jim Wilson: As I said, Mr. Speaker, at the end of this week I’ll be heading to the United States to appear before a commerce committee. It’s unprecedented that Ontario as a subnational government has this opportunity, and we’re going to make it clear that we’re open for business.

The way that we’re open for business is to keep that border open between the United States and Ontario and Canada. Eighty-five per cent of our cars, for example, go to the United States. An auto part, for example, could go across the NAFTA region borders seven times before it’s finally put into a car either on the US side or the Canadian side.

If we don’t get this trade relationship right, some 900,000 cars might not be made in the next three years in Ontario; right now, we make two million a year. That will be thousands and thousands of families who can’t put food on the table. So we’re counting on good relations with the US. Premier Ford has already set that in motion. He’s working with the governors. We’re going to open those borders to good jobs.

Refugees

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The member for Oshawa.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and congratulations. It’s nice to see you in the chair.

My question is for the Premier. Collapsing the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration into an afterthought in the middle of a global refugee crisis is wrong. Although the ministry has been erased, the issues have not. Ignoring the fact that most asylum seekers and newcomers are not breaking any laws, this government has continued to use divisive and inflammatory language. Calling those who seek refuge or asylum “illegals” is appalling, and it doesn’t absolve this government of responsibility.

This government’s rash decision to cut provincial refugee resettlement services forces our cities to shoulder the costs of housing and leads to greater costs down the road. Neglecting this humanitarian crisis is not in line with Ontario’s values, and it puts the $11 million from the federal government in question. Conflicting reports leave many wondering who this government is working for and what the plan is.

Let me ask the Premier clearly: Who are you working for? And are you walking away from $11 million?

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services.

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: Thank you very much for the question, and welcome back to the House. As well to you, Speaker: It’s great to see you in that chair.

I would also like to thank the people of Nepean for once again, for a fifth time, sending me to this Legislature. It is the most diverse riding inside the city of Ottawa, where people from all around the world come to live, raise a family and retire.

I’m also proud to be an Ontarian and I’m proud to be a Canadian. I’m proud to be a member of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, where we, for the first time, elected two Tamil MPPs, Logan Kanapathi and Vijay Thanigasalam. We elected the first Korean MPP in Raymond Cho; the first Coptic Egyptian Canadian MPP, Sheref Sabawy; two Persian Canadian MPPs, Goldie Ghamari and Michael Parsa, and many, many more.

I’ll talk about the broken immigration system of the Liberal Party of Canada in the supplementary.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats.

Supplementary.

Ms. Jennifer K. French: Again to the Premier: Report after report shows that across Ontario, there is a growing and long-standing housing crisis. Instead of fixing the crisis, this government has chosen to fearmonger and place the blame on people seeking asylum. But let me be clear to this Premier: The Premier is making things worse.

Speaker, just days before being elected, Mr. Ford had a backroom conversation with Mayor Tory and Councillor John Campbell, urging them to stop the city from building a temporary homeless shelter two kilometres from his house. This homeless shelter could have provided much-needed temporary housing aid for asylum seekers.

Does this Premier think it’s appropriate for the Premier of Ontario to intervene in municipal plans for personal gain?

Hon. Lisa MacLeod: We’ve been perfectly clear that the federal government has an obligation to pay for its failed federal policies. This is a situation where we have 800 people in college dormitories who, on August 9, need to be vacated so students can go back into those locations. I ask the member opposite: Where does she think they should go?

We have a $175-million crisis in order to pay for Toronto housing costs, which are $75 million; Ottawa’s shelter costs, which are $11 million; and in my own department, $90 million on the welfare roll.

We’re going to continue to welcome people to Ontario, and we’re going to continue to support them. We’ve brought in 36,000 refugees in the last two years alone, outside of the Syrian refugee crisis, but somebody’s going to have to pay for all of that, and it’s going to be the federal government. We’d love your support in the Ontario PC Party to talk to the federal Liberals—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats.

Next question.

Hydro rates

Ms. Lindsey Park: My question is for the Minister of Energy. I congratulate the member from Kenora–Rainy River on his appointment in this important role. I know he will make the people of the great riding of Kenora–Rainy River proud.

The legacy of the previous government was the mess they made in the hydro system. Ontario was home to some of the highest hydro rates in North America.

When I went door to door in Durham during the election campaign, I heard from families who had to choose between putting food on the table and paying their hydro bills. Families should not be forced to choose between heating and eating. I heard from small businesses who were forced to close their doors and shutter their windows because of skyrocketing rates. Meanwhile, insiders and friends of the previous government got rich and lined their pockets.

This is a mess that started with the Green Energy Act passed by both the Liberals and the NDP, and this is a mess that needs to be cleaned up. Could the Minister of Energy please tell me what the government for the people has done and—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

Minister of Energy?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I want to congratulate the member from Durham on her outstanding victory and the representation she will bring to her constituents.

There is no question, Mr. Speaker, that the previous government made it their mission to expand renewable energy at unsustainable rates and unaffordable contracts, industrial wind turbines and solar power that constituencies and communities found unfavourable for them. We’re cancelling them because—imagine this, Mr. Speaker; this will be a new kind of concept for the NDP, and certainly unknown to the other one. We’re going to protect the interests of Ontario taxpayers, Ontario people, that shareholder called the Ontario ratepayer who owns 47.5% of Hydro One.

So, over the past couple of weeks, we’ve had a lot of excitement and activity. We’re going to reduce those hydro rates.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Ms. Lindsey Park: Back to the minister: Thank you very much for that update. I’m glad to see the government for the people is moving swiftly to clean up the hydro mess. This is yet another promise made and yet another promise kept.

But cleaning up the hydro mess will not be easy. Nowhere is this more evident than at Hydro One. After 15 years of Liberal scandals, waste and mismanagement, the people of Ontario have lost trust in Hydro One. I heard it every single day when I went door to door in Durham.

The government for the people will need to move swiftly and act fast. Could the Minister of Energy please provide the members of this House with an update on what is being done to restore public confidence in Hydro One?

Hon. Greg Rickford: Thanks to the tremendous leadership shown by Premier Ford, we took an opportunity to renew the leadership of Hydro One, and we’re taking important steps in the coming weeks and months to ensure that the Ontario ratepayer and the Ontario taxpayer, colleagues, is going to be protected. This, including a couple of other important steps with my colleagues here today, is going to ensure that hydro rates come down.

The renewal of the leadership at Hydro One is going to represent a cost savings, but that’s not enough for us, Mr. Speaker. We want to cancel contracts that put an unfair burden on ratepayers here in Ontario and ensure that, moving forward, we’re not subsidizing and punting that debt down the road to our families. We’re cutting it now so families have real savings on their hydro bills.

Curriculum

Ms. Peggy Sattler: My question is to the Premier. This government’s dangerous decision to repeal the updated sexual health curriculum is dragging Ontario backwards. It is a harmful decision that puts children and youth at risk.

The people of Ontario understand that this was a backroom decision to appease a small circle of socially conservative insiders at the expense of our children’s safety. Will the Premier admit that repealing the sex-ed curriculum was about advancing his own political career without any regard for the health, safety and well-being of young people in this province?

Hon. Doug Ford: To the Minister of Education.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Minister of Education.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you, Speaker, and again, it’s great to see you in that chair. As I stand for the first time in the 42nd Parliament, I want to thank the residents and the voters of Huron–Bruce. I’ve worked very, very hard over the last seven years and that’s not going to change.

In that spirit, Speaker, I would like to share with you today that, contrary to what was reported last week, we are going to stand firmly in support of students and the realities they face in 2018. We know they need to learn about consent. We know they need to learn about cyber safety. We know they need to learn about gender identity and appreciation. But we also know that the former Liberal government’s consultation process was completely flawed, and that’s where we’re going to focus, and we’re going to respect parents and allow them a chance to once and for all have their voices heard in a very fulsome, thoughtful, inclusive consultation.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary question?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members, please take your seats.

The member for London West, supplementary.

Why does the government want to take away the critical information and tools young people need to keep themselves safe?

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats.

Minister?

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: As I said before, contrary to all the spinning and what was reported last week, we—the Premier, myself and all our colleagues in the PC government—stand with students and the fact that they need to be prepared for 2018 realities. That includes consent. That includes texting, sexting. That includes even new elements like luring and catfishing.

We need to take a look at that and open up a consultation to make sure that every person who wants to share their perspective has an opportunity to do so. I am committed to a consultation that will absolutely ring true across this province and stamp out any misconceptions that this opposition party is trying to perpetuate, and we’ll improve upon what the Liberal curriculum has done in the past.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats.

Next question?

Pickering nuclear generating station

Mr. Lorne Coe: My question is to the Minister of Energy. I’d like to congratulate the honourable member on his being named the minister and the excellent work he is doing to make life more affordable for everyone in Ontario.

Speaker, the Pickering nuclear generating station is vital to Durham region. Some 4,500 jobs in the region depend on the continued operation of this plant. An additional 3,000 jobs across the province also depend on the continued operation of the plant. That’s 7,500 good-paying jobs across the province. However, throughout the election campaign, the future of this plant was under constant threat. Radical special interests in downtown Toronto and opposition parties tried to shut this plant down in August and put 4,500 Durham region families out of work.

Speaker, could the Minister of Energy please tell the members of this House what action this government is taking to protect 4,500 jobs in Durham region?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I want to congratulate the member from Whitby on his re-election. I appreciate his contributions and long-standing service to this place.

Mr. Speaker, I’m proud that Premier Ford was able to join the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, the President of the Treasury Board, the member from Whitby and the member from Durham to stand up—now here’s another concept the opposition is going to have to get used to: promise made, promise delivered.

Premier Ford stood proudly with those workers who were concerned about what they could do to provide for their families moving forward if this facility was shut down by an NDP government. Imagine that, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to move forward on an effective plan that offers safe and efficient delivery of hydro energy. That’s the promise we made and that’s what we’re going to do.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary.

Mr. Lorne Coe: Back to the Minister of Energy: Thank you very much, Minister, for this great news for the people of Whitby and Durham regions. Keeping the Pickering nuclear generating station open not only protects thousands of good-paying jobs across the province, it’s also great news for Ontario ratepayers, families, small businesses and Ontario job creators who will save hundreds of millions of dollars on their hydro bills.

Unfortunately, radical special interests in downtown Toronto and opposition parties in this House wanted to shut this plant down and jack hydro bills up, making life harder and more unaffordable.

Could the minister please tell the members of this House how much the government for the people expects keeping the Pickering nuclear generating station open will save Ontario hydro ratepayers?

Hon. Greg Rickford: I appreciate the member speaking up for another important principle that will guide this government’s decision-making, making responsible decisions that save taxpayers money. Imagine that, Mr. Speaker.

Premier Ford’s government’s commitment to govern for the people and keep the Pickering generating station open until 2024 will in fact save Ontario ratepayers $600 million. It will ensure that 60% of our electricity that comes from nuclear power will include this important asset. As importantly, Mr. Speaker, it will ensure that 60,000 people in Ontario will have work in nuclear power. Now, this represents a wide range of skill-set people that we want working in our province. What does the NDP want to do? They want to shut it down. We’ll take no lessons from that party when it comes to—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Thank you.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats. Please take your seats.

I recognize the member for Nickel Belt.

Pharmacare

M me France Gélinas: Merci, monsieur le Président, et toutes mes félicitations. Ma question est pour le premier ministre. The Premier’s decision to privatize OHIP+ will not fix the gap in drug coverage. It will not help the millions of people who can’t afford their prescriptions and it will not lower the cost of prescription drugs. Instead, it is a huge step backwards from the universal public pharmacare program that families need.

How can the Premier defend his decision to privatize pharmacare when it will leave the people of Ontario with higher drug costs and lower drug coverage?

Hon. Doug Ford: The Minister of Health.

Hon. Christine Elliott: Thank you to the member for the question. That is not what’s happening. What we’re trying to do is use the very limited resources that we have in Ontario right now for the people who actually need it, for the people who don’t already have prescription drug benefits. That’s what we need to do. That’s what we’re working with the insurers to do and that’s what the people of Ontario want.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

M me France Gélinas: The minister seems to be ignoring the facts. The decision to privatize pharmacare is not fiscally responsible. Economists and health care leaders all say privatizing pharmacare is the absolute wrong thing to do. In fact, the leading economist on pharmaceutical costs in Canada, Dr. Steven Morgan, says the Premier’s drug plan costs will hit the middle class the hardest. He says this cut “benefits narrow interest at the expense of the majority of Ontario businesses and households.”

My question to the minister is simple: Which backroom insiders and lobbyists are telling the Premier to privatize pharmacare, and why is the Premier listening to them?

Hon. Christine Elliott: In fact, what is happening is a common-sense solution, and what we’re doing is reversing a decision that was made by the previous government that made no sense to anybody at all. What we want to do is go back to the system that existed before where there is access to more drugs than currently exist so that people can get access to those prescriptions. Right now, there are situations under the previous OHIP+, which we’re changing, where people couldn’t get access to the medications they needed because the formulary was so old.

We need to move forward. We need to make sure that the insurers continue to cover as a first line so that the money will be available for the people who need it who do not have prescription drug coverage—

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Please take your seats.

Next question.

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Mr. Ross Romano: My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Firstly, I want to congratulate the honourable member on his re-election and on the important role he has taken in our new government.

Last week, many residents of Temagami faced the scare of their life when a mandatory evacuation order was placed on them due to the intensity of active wildfires in the region. At the height of the blaze, over 70 fires were burning and over 600 brave firefighters were putting their lives on the line to bring these fires under control.

Can the minister please tell the House what steps his ministry has taken to ensure support for first responders and the safety of the local residents?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: I would like to thank the member from Sault Ste. Marie for that question. Welcome back to our caucus. I look forward to continuing to work with you as we go forward.

I would first of all like to thank all the firefighters and their families from across the province and across this country who have answered the call to help those in Temagami. Our wildland fire and emergency response personnel are working closely with the Ontario Provincial Police, local authorities and agencies to fight the fire near the town of Temagami and to make sure that people are moved to safety.

People in communities threatened by this fire are responding in a calm and orderly way. I want to thank them for supporting their neighbours and co-operating with local officials during this emergency. Their continued co-operation with emergency personnel will help keep people safe in areas affected by the wildfires.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Supplementary?

Mr. Ross Romano: Back to the minister: Thank you, Minister, for your answer.

The intensity of these fires has required a tremendous amount of effort from first responders all across Ontario. I understand, in fact, that we have asked for and received support from other provinces as well. It takes incredible coordination of efforts between first responders, fire rangers, support staff and teams from other provinces to respond in such a timely fashion to help execute an evacuation in this period of time without injury.

Can the minister please provide this House with more details on the responses and the actions taken to battle these fires in order to keep the residents of Temagami safe?

Hon. Jeff Yurek: Thank you again for that question.

Yes, we have requested and received support from provinces from across the country. On behalf of Premier Ford and the Ontario government, we want to thank those Premiers from these provinces for helping Ontario in our time of need by sending aircraft and fire rangers to help fight these fires and a significant number of other active fires throughout the province.

I also want to thank the tremendous efforts of our fire rangers and support staff who have been working tirelessly to protect this community. For the sons, daughters and partners of these first responders, I want to give them my full promise that we will do everything and give them full support in battling these fires in Temagami and across northern Ontario to ensure their safety. I want to give a personal thanks to each and every one of them.

I would also like to assure the House that our government is continuing to monitor the situation closely and we will continue to provide updates on a timely basis.

Ontario public service

Ms. Catherine Fife: I have a tough but fair question for the Premier.

One of the first actions your government took was a hiring and wage freeze on the broader public sector. What you don’t seem to understand is when you freeze the public sector and prevent people from working for the people of this province, you shut out the public services for those people.

The hiring freeze was followed by a firing of a string of high-profile senior bureaucrats: Ontario’s first chief scientist—we don’t know what the Premier has against facts—and Ontario’s trade representative in Washington, DC. The list goes on. Already we see a pattern with your new government: Get rid of anyone who might be critical of your agenda.

Did the Premier impose a hiring freeze and fire senior civil servants so that you could replace them with your own bureaucrats who will toe the Conservative Party line?

Hon. Doug Ford: President of the Treasury Board.

Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy: Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for the question, and the member opposite. I also would like to thank my family, who supported me in my election, and the great people of the riding of Pickering–Uxbridge.

Our government is committed to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government, spending in all sectors and bringing a balanced budget to the people, for the people. A public service hiring freeze is the first step towards a balanced budget and bringing real change to the province of Ontario. To that end, one of our first acts has been to direct all ministries to implement a hiring freeze until we can get a true look at the picture of the state of Ontario’s finances.

Mr. Speaker, let me be clear: The hiring freeze does not apply to our front-line workers like nurses and teachers. The freeze will be implemented in a manner that ensures the government remains able to deliver the high-quality public services that the people of Ontario depend on.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): That concludes the time we have for oral questions today.

I’d like to remind all members that when you’re speaking in the House, when you have the floor of the House, when you’ve been recognized by the Speaker, you address your comments through the Speaker, and if you’re speaking of other members, you speak about them respectfully and you speak about them in the third person.

Visitor

Mr. Bill Walker: Point of order.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Point of order, the member for Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound.

Mr. Bill Walker: I’d like to introduce Ferg Devins, chair of Bladder Cancer Canada, and a survivor, and a proud resident of Kenora and northern Ontario, who is in the members’ gallery.

Legislative pages

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): The Minister of Education on a point of order.

Hon. Lisa M. Thompson: I would like to share an appreciation to all of our pages. Welcome back and thank you for helping us out during this summer session. It’s great to see you back.

Legislative staff

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I, too, would like to express my thanks to the staff of the Ontario Legislature for all of the work that they’ve done to prepare for this special summer sitting of the House. They’ve worked very, very hard and they deserve our appreciation: the table staff, as well as all of the staff who work for the Legislature. Thank you very much.

There being no deferred votes, this House is in recess until 1 p.m. this afternoon.

The House recessed from 1152 to 1300.

Introduction of Visitors

Ms. Jane McKenna: They’re not here yet, but my oldest daughter, Jennifer Dufour, my two grandchildren, who have never been here before, Charlie and Georgia, and my other daughter, Taylor McKenna, are going to be here shortly. I welcome them, and I’m so excited that they are coming today.

Tabling of sessional papers

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): I beg to inform the House that during the interval between the 41st and 42nd Parliaments, the following reports from parliamentary officers were tabled:

—the report concerning the review of expense claims under the Cabinet Ministers’ and Opposition Leaders’ Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002, for submissions received in March 2018 and complete as of May 9, 2018, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario; and

—the report of the review of expense claims covering the period April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2018, pursuant to the Cabinet Ministers’ and Opposition Leaders’ Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002, from the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario; and

—the 2017 annual report and statistical report of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario; and

—the 2017-18 annual report of the Office of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario; and

—the 2017-18 annual report of the Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario.

Members’ Statements

Curriculum

Ms. Catherine Fife: I wish to acknowledge the lands that we have the privilege of working on. For thousands of years, Queen’s Park has been on the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca and the Mississaugas of the Credit River. My community of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand tract, on lands that are deeply connected to Indigenous peoples who have historically lived and who currently live in this territory. These groups include the Neutral, Anishnawbe and Haudenosaunee peoples.

Land acknowledgements are a step towards reconciliation, but they need to be accompanied by meaningful change and action. That’s why I and so many others in Waterloo were dismayed to see the cancellation of Truth and Reconciliation Commission curriculum-writing sessions. It is essential to acknowledge the ways that our education system has oppressed and colonized Indigenous peoples and to move forward with them to change the narrative, to centre Indigenous knowledge and history in our classrooms across this province.

There are so many reasons to do this. According to Professor Jeffrey Ansloos, Indigenous education “deepens our collective responsibility, our social awareness of one another, and our histories.” It “lifts the whole community up.”

The new government needs to recognize how we can all relate to people in a more just and understanding way. Our education system needs to be a safe and welcoming place for Indigenous students. We have a constitutional responsibility to ensure that the curriculum reflects the truth.

If we get this right, we will see better outcomes for Indigenous students, which benefits everyone. Don’t let the people of this province down.

Chai Lifeline Canada

Mrs. Gila Martow: When a child is born or diagnosed with a serious illness, the entire family is affected. Chai Lifeline Canada steps in, offering whatever is needed: counselling for each member of the family; volunteers who bring an extra measure of adult attention and stability to the children’s lives. They provide tutoring; they have summer camps. All of this is free of charge.

“Chai” in Hebrew means “life.”

They can be found at chailifelinecanada.org on the Internet.

There’s an event next Monday, July 23, at Graydon Hall Manor. I’ll be there. I hope a lot of people will be there from inside the Legislature and from without. Chai on Tap is a gala, and it will be educational and entertaining. There’s going to be Roger Mittag from Thirst for Knowledge talking about beers. There is going to be lots of great food from PR Creative Catering. We’re going to get educated on the history, the different styles of beers, different beer terminology and, of course, the health benefits of beer. There are going to be lagers, stouts, fruit beer and ale, as well as non-malt-based drinks.

I’m sure there will be something for everyone: good food, good beer, good friends.

L’chaim to everybody here.

Northern health services

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members’ statements? The member for Nickel Belt.

M me France Gélinas: Thank you, Speaker. Again, congratulations on your election as Speaker.

I want to share the story of Cari Thompson from my riding of Nickel Belt. Mrs. Thompson has a health problem that may require surgery. She was referred to an ear, nose and throat specialist. After waiting about three months, she contacted the specialist’s office to ask when she could expect to be seen. She was told the wait-list to see the doctor in Sudbury is three years, and if she needs surgery, she could expect to wait another one to two years.

My constituent has been sentenced to five years of pain because she lives in northern Ontario. The same specialty is available within weeks in southern Ontario. This is not fair. Why do we, as northerners, have to choose between timely care in southern Ontario or year-long wait-lists at home? This needs to change.

Health Quality Ontario’s recent report, Northern Ontario Health Equity Strategy: A Plan for Achieving Health Equity in the North, by the North, for the North, co-chaired by our excellent chief medical officer, Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, lays out the path for change that is needed so northerners will have equitable access to high-quality care regardless of where they live, what they have or who they are.

I sure hope in the line-by-line audit of the health care budget, the government uses a northern equity lens. Northerners deserve equity of access to our health care system, not long wait-lists.

Ahmadiyya Muslim community

Mr. Stephen Lecce: I rise with a deep sense of gratitude to my constituents as I speak today for the first time in this chamber. The values that bind this country—freedom, tolerance, human rights, the rule of law—are the values that unite our country and the values that drive the spirit of Canada’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community. I am proud that this patriotic community is nationally headquartered in my riding, in Peace Village in the riding of King–Vaughan.

Just last week, a show of force of Progressive Conservative MPPs attended Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada’s Jalsa Salana conference, the largest Islamic convention in Canada, with over 20,000 people attending.

We, the team present, thank this enterprising and vibrant community for reflecting the very best of Canada’s pluralism. Their motto, “Love for All, Hatred for None,” only underscores the moral duty they possess to oppose all forms of hate and extremism and to embrace our shared citizenship.

Most disturbingly, this community faces systematic persecution around the world: indiscriminate attacks on freedom of religion and freedom of conscience.

Here in Canada, we stand with them in the defence of human rights, and we thank them for their acts of generosity and compassion—generosity demonstrated through the life-saving work of Humanity First, here at home and around the world, and the food bank in Vaughan that serves thousands of families in need.

I congratulate the Ahmadiyya community for a successful Jalsa Salana. Thank you for putting humanity first and for your service to community and country.

Northern transportation

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Members’ statements? The member for Algoma–Manitoulin.

Mr. Michael Mantha: Thank you, Speaker, and congratulations on being elected to the chair.

Here I am, once again standing up on behalf of the good people of Algoma–Manitoulin and asking why we have to lose these services in northern Ontario. Once again, another service, a bus service, is being lost. Greyhound is pulling out of northern Ontario. All the routes west from Sudbury going on to other provinces are going to be losing these services. These individuals who are going to be affected are the most affected individuals, such as seniors, people in poverty, individuals and students who are looking for ways of getting to and from their educational facilities.

This can’t happen. We have to have a government that is going to step up and actually come up with a plan. So I ask this government: What is your plan? You permitted the Northlander to be cancelled. You didn’t do very much when the train was cancelled. You didn’t do very much either when other services were removed from northern Ontario.

The ONTC has stepped up. I’m looking forward to working with the ONTC and making sure that maybe this is an opportunity for them to find additional ways and means they can bring those services to northern Ontario. But this is where a government needs to step up.

I’m going to be putting questions to this government in the very near future in regard to what your plan is, because right now, northern Ontario once again is losing another service.

Curriculum

Cancelling the new curriculum and replacing it with one from 1998 is simply irresponsible. It fails to protect our kids—all of our kids.

Glen Canning, the father of Rehtaeh Parsons, who tragically took her own life, said, “What happened to my daughter was preventable ... it was preventable with a good sex education program.”

There are countless stories of kids who have suffered that we haven’t heard, and they are suffering now. So I’m asking the government to reverse its decision and reinstate the curriculum in time for the school year.

Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice

Mr. Randy Pettapiece: June 21 was a great day for Stratford and Perth county. I was honoured to attend the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Stratford Perth Rotary Hospice. Opening in March 2019, this new eight-bed facility will provide expert and compassionate care to people nearing the end of life.

The whole community came together to raise $6.5 million of the $8.5-million capital budget. The city of Stratford committed an impressive $1.5 million. Stratford Rotary Club members and president Dr. Linda Bathe have been working hard to reach their goal of $1 million. The provincial government is also contributing $1.6 million in capital for eight new hospice beds and $840,000 in annual operating funding for nursing care.

I’ve been a proud supporter of this hospice since day one. I supported it in the last two election campaigns. I supported it in my first meeting with Andy Werner and Anne Fontana. They found partners across our area. They secured the approvals and funding they needed. Without their leadership and everyone in the Stratford Perth Hospice Foundation, this project would not have been possible.

At some point, all of us will have a loved one in need of end-of-life care. Many of us will need such care in our lives.

A hospice is not about dying, but helping people live as well as possible through the last days of their lives.

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Mr. John Vanthof: I would like to take this first opportunity I have to speak in the House since the election to update the members regarding the wildfire situation in the riding of Timiskaming–Cochrane. We always hear about Temagami in the news reports; it actually affects Temagami, Marten River, River Valley and communities such as Elk Lake.

I just got a call from a resident of mine, Gerry Frost, who is in Temagami. He was just outside of the evacuation area and he asked me if I could make special mention of the water bombers, because the water bombers went over his house for five hours straight. He said, “I’ve seen movies of the Battle of Britain, and it felt like the Battle of Britain.” I’d like to make a special thank you to the water bombers.

We knew it was going to be bad, Speaker. Two Sundays ago, I woke up, it was 5 o’clock in the morning, and the wind was blowing already. It was 26 degrees. We knew it was going to be bad. I’m about half an hour away from Temagami, and by 1 o’clock, we couldn’t see the sun. It’s an experience that—you have to be there to believe it.

I’d like to thank the other jurisdictions: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Northwest Territories and the state of Minnesota. I was talking to the Minister of Natural Resources this morning, and he said that we’re going to get some international help as well.

People in the north—we know about fires. In 1916 and in 1922, lives were lost. It’s the facilities we have now, the help from other communities and our own MNR that prevent that from happening now. Thank you very much, on all our behalf.

Tiny township charity golf tournament

Ms. Jill Dunlop: I would like to express my sincerest appreciation and gratitude to the constituents of Simcoe North for selecting me to be their new voice at Queen’s Park. I also want to thank my family and friends for their constant love and support throughout the election campaign.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend the township of Tiny mayor’s charity golf tournament in my home riding of Simcoe North. The tournament included 130 golfers and 60 dinner guests, and was attended by local residents and politicians from all levels of government. I had the pleasure of spending the day with Dave Hobson, a southern Georgian Bay OPP officer, Neil Monague from Beausoleil First Nation and Ryan Walsh, a local correctional officer.

The primary goal of the tournament was to raise over $60,000 to support 15 local charity organizations. I am proud to announce that the tournament’s fundraising surpassed this number, and raised approximately $65,000.

I would like to personally acknowledge and thank the golfers and dinner guests for attending the tournament, the local sponsors for making this event possible through their incredible generosity, and the Brooklea Golf and Country Club for their outstanding hospitality.

I would also like to congratulate Mayor George Cornell and the members of Tiny township council for their exceptional commitment to charity, community solidarity and public service. Fundraising events like this tournament are an important way of ensuring that local charitable organizations have the necessary resources and tools to fulfill their vision through supporting local residents.

Firefighting in northern Ontario

Mr. Gilles Bisson: I also want to echo what was said by my colleague from Timiskaming–Cochrane. As we know, the fire season is hard upon us now—lately just into the city of Timmins, just the other side of Shillington. I just want to echo—because I know that the mayor, Mr. Black, our council and the community are four-square behind the Ministry of Natural Resources and the work that they’ve been doing.

All of those people who are working on firefighting are really extraordinary people, putting their lives on the line in order to make sure that we can save property, and, more importantly, that we can make lives safe when it comes to those areas. So we take this time in the House, appropriately so, in order to say to all of those men and women, who are out there every day trying to fight those fires and keep them under control, a great big thank you.

I want to hearken back to the Timmins 9 fire that we had a while back, I guess about three or four years ago. As I was at the fire centre and watching them, how they controlled it, we had huge winds of about 30 to 40 knots that were blowing towards built-up areas. It was amazing to watch the technology that Ontario has developed in order to be able to control fires and to steer the fires away from built-up areas.

Where we could have been in a situation to lose a whole bunch of cottages, buildings and the campground, the Ministry of Natural Resources essentially steered the fire away from where the fire wanted to go by doing certain things—controlled burns, putting up berms and different things—so that the fire was able to go into another area that had no buildings.

So a great big thank you to all those people fighting forest fires.

Introduction of Bills

Urgent Priorities Act, 2018 / Loi de 2018 portant sur les priorités urgentes

Mr. Rickford moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 2,

An Act respecting Hydro One Limited, the termination of the White Pines Wind Project and the labour disputes between York University and Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3903 / Projet de loi 2, Loi concernant Hydro One Limited, l’annulation du projet de parc éolien White Pines et les conflits de travail entre l’Université York et la

section locale 3903 du Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique.

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

All in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

First reading agreed to.

Hon. Greg Rickford: Today I rise to introduce, on behalf of the government, the Urgent Priorities Act, 2018, and move that leave be given to introduce the bill and that it be read for the first time. Because this act connects or amends various other acts, I’ll speak to these in order.

We made a commitment to lower electricity bills for the people of Ontario, and included a commitment to address renewed governance at Hydro One. This is why our government has prepared legislation that, if passed, will improve transparency and accountability at Hydro One.

The second aspect of this act is the White Pines Wind Project Termination Act. My ministry has prepared legislation to terminate the contract and any related regulatory approvals and permits for the White Pines wind project, retroactive to July 10, 2018.

The third and final aspect of this legislation is the Back to Class Act (York University), 2018. If passed, it would mean an end to the ongoing work stoppage at York University immediately after royal assent.

Petitions

Indigenous affairs

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: I’m proud to rise for the first time in this House, on behalf of the people of Parkdale–High Park, to table a petition on truth and reconciliation, an issue that is very important to my constituents. The petition reads as follows:

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas Ontario is situated on the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples, many who have been on this land for at least 12,000 years;

“Whereas reconciliation must be at the centre of all government decision-making;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to act to:

“—continue the reconciliation work in Ontario by implementing the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission;

“—reinstate the Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation;

“—work with First Nations leaders to sign co-operative government-to-government accords;

“—support TRC education and community development (e.g. TRC summer writing sessions);

“—support Indigenous communities across the province (e.g. cleaning up Grassy Narrows).”

Curriculum

Ms. Peggy Sattler: I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario entitled “Protecting Children: Forward, Not Backward, on Sex Ed.” It reads as follows:

“Whereas the health and physical education curriculum empowers young people to make informed decisions about relationships and their bodies;

“Whereas gender-based violence, gender inequality, unintended pregnancies, ‘sexting,’ and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose serious risks to the safety and well-being of young people;

“Whereas one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence in Canada, and a lack of age-appropriate education about sexual health and healthy relationships leaves children and youth vulnerable to exploitation;

“Whereas one in five parents reported that their own child was a victim of cyber-bullying;

“Whereas Doug Ford and the Conservative government is dragging Ontario backward, requiring students to learn an outdated sex ed curriculum that excludes information about consent, sexual orientation, gender identity, sexting, cyber-bullying and safe and healthy relationships;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Education to continue the use of the 2015 health and physical education curriculum in schools and move Ontario forward, not backward.”

I fully support this petition, affix my name to it and will give it to page Michael to take to the table.

Energy policies

M me France Gélinas: I’m glad to present this petition on behalf of my constituent Gilbert Benoit from Hanmer. It reads as follows:

“Whereas hydro bills in Ontario have become unaffordable for too many people, and that reducing hydro bills by up to 30% for families and businesses is an ambitious but realistic target; and

“Whereas the only way to fix the hydro system is to address the root causes of high prices including privatization, excessive profit margins, oversupply...; and

“Whereas Ontario families should not have to pay time-of-use premiums, and those living in a rural or northern region should not have to pay higher, punitive, delivery charges; and

“Whereas returning Hydro One to public ownership would deliver over $7 billion back to the province and the people of Ontario;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

To “express our support for reducing hydro bills for businesses and families by up to 30%, eliminating mandatory time-of-use, ending unfair rural delivery costs, and restoring public ownership of Hydro One.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Tamsyn to bring it to the Clerk.

Curriculum

Ms. Bhutila Karpoche: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas all students deserve access to comprehensive health and physical education;

“Whereas the current curriculum was created and written by experts in child development and Internet safety, police and social workers in consultation with approximately 4,000 parents;

“Whereas the current curriculum teaches students about a wide range of topics including healthy eating, personal safety and injury protection, substance abuse, addictions and related behaviours, human development and sexual health (‘sex-ed’), and consent;

“Whereas the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 2018 study on sexuality education states that comprehensive health and physical education have positive effects, including ‘increasing young people’s knowledge and improving their attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health behaviours’;

“Therefore, we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly to keep Ontario’s health and physical education curriculum (‘sex-ed’) in its current form.”

I fully endorse this petition and will be affixing my signature to it.

Curriculum

Ms. Catherine Fife: “To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the 2015 health and education curriculum empowers young people to make informed decisions about relationships and their bodies; and

“Whereas gender-based violence, gender inequality, unintended pregnancies, ‘sexting,’ HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) pose serious risks to the safety and well-being of young people; and

“Whereas one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence in Canada and a lack of age-appropriate education about sexual health and healthy relationships leaves them vulnerable to sexual exploitation; and

“Whereas a 2018 Ipsos poll found that one third of Canadian parents know a child in their community who has been cyber-bullied and 20% of parents reported their own child being a victim of cyber-bullying; and

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Ministry of Education to continue the use of the Ontario 2015 health and physical education curriculum in Ontario.”

It’s my pleasure to affix my signature to this petition and give it to page Medha.

Prévention du tabagisme chez les jeunes

M me France Gélinas: J’aimerais remercier M me Cheri Bainard de mon comté, à Hanmer, pour la pétition.

« Entendu que, au cours des 10 dernières années en Ontario, 86 % de tous les films montrant des fumeurs étaient accessibles aux jeunes et le fait que l’industrie du tabac se sert du grand écran pour promouvoir l’usage du tabac est bien documenté; et

« Entendu qu’un rapport scientifique rendu public par l’Unité de recherche sur le tabac de l’Ontario, environ 185 000 enfants de l’Ontario commenceront à fumer après avoir vu des personnages fumer dans des films, et que plus que 59 000 fumeurs ainsi recrutés finiront par mourir de maladies liées à l’usage du tabac, lesquelles entraîneront des coûts de soins de santé de l’ordre d’au moins 1,1 milliard de dollars; et

« Entendu que le gouvernement de l’Ontario s’est fixé comme objectif d’atteindre le taux de tabagisme le plus faible au Canada, et que 79 % ... des Ontariens et Ontariennes appuient l’interdiction de l’usage du tabac dans les films classés dans les catégories G, PG, 14A; et

« Entendu que » le ministère « des Services gouvernementaux et des Services aux consommateurs a le pouvoir de modifier, par l’entremise du Conseil des ministres, les règlements pris en application de la

Loi sur le classement des films;

« Nous, soussignés » demandons à l’Assemblée législative :

« Que le gouvernement examine les façons dont on pourrait modifier la

Loi sur le classement des films pour réduire l’usage du tabac dans les films classés dans les catégories qui conviennent aux enfants et aux adolescents, et diffusés en Ontario. »

J’appuie cette pétition et je vais demander à Michael de l’amener à la table des greffiers.

Employment standards

M me France Gélinas: I have a petition, and I’d like to thank Mr. Al Legault from Val Caron in my riding. It reads as follows:

“Whereas a growing number of Ontarians are affected by the growth in low-wage, part-time, casual, temporary and insecure employment; and

“Whereas too many workers are unprotected by current minimum standards outlined in employment and labour laws; and

“Whereas the Ontario government” has changed the laws, but still;

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

“Implement a minimum wage of $15 an hour.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Michael to bring it to the Clerk.

Ontario Disability Support Program

M me France Gélinas: I have this petition that comes from Elizabeth McGuire from my riding of Nickel Belt, and it reads as follows:

“Whereas the $100 ODSP Work-Related Benefit provides a critically important source of funds to people with disabilities on ODSP who work, giving them the ability to pay for much-needed ongoing work-related expenses, such as transportation, clothing, food, personal care and hygiene items, and child care; and

“Whereas the Ministry of Community and Social Services” eliminated “the Work-Related Benefit as part of a restructuring of OW and ODSP employment benefits and has said that ongoing work-related expenses will not be covered by” the new system;

“Whereas eliminating the Work-Related Benefit will take about $36 million annually out of the pockets of people with disabilities on ODSP who work; and

“Whereas a survey conducted by the ODSP Action Coalition ... shows that 18% of respondents who currently receive the Work-Related Benefit fear having to quit their jobs as a result of the loss of this important source of funds ... ;

“Whereas people receiving ODSP already struggle to get by, and incomes on ODSP provides them with little or no ability to cover these costs from regular benefits; and ... ”

They petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to make sure that the Work-Related Benefit continues for the recipients of ODSP.

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Michael to bring it to the Clerk.

Hospital funding

M me France Gélinas: The petition is called “Nurses know—Petition for Better Care.”

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas providing high-quality, universal, public health care is crucial for a fair and thriving Ontario; and

“Whereas years of underfunding have resulted in cuts to registered nurses (RNs) and hurt patient care; and

“Whereas, in 2015 alone, Ontario lost more than 1.5 million hours of RN care due to cuts; and

“Whereas procedures are being off-loaded into private clinics not subject to hospital legislation; and

“Whereas funded services are being cut from hospitals and are not being provided in the community; and

“Whereas cutting skilled care means patients suffer more complications, readmissions and death;”

They petition the Legislative Assembly as follows:

“Implement a moratorium on RN cuts;

“Commit to restoring hospital base operating funding to at least cover the costs of inflation and population growth;

“Create a fully-funded multi-year health human resources plan to bring Ontario’s ratio of registered nurses to population up to the national average;

“Ensure hospitals have enough resources to continue providing safe, quality and integrated care for clinical procedures and stop plans for moving such procedures into private, unaccountable clinics.”

I support this petition, will affix my name to it and ask page Justin to bring it to the Clerk.

Orders of the Day

Throne speech debate / Débat sur le discours du trône

Consideration of the speech of Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor at the opening of the session.

Mr. Doug Downey: I move, seconded by Ms. Ghamari, that an humble address be presented to Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor as follows:

To the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario:

We, Her Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, now assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech Your Honour has been pleased to address to us at the opening of the present session.

With that, I’ll move to my remarks—

The Speaker (Hon. Ted Arnott): Just a second. If the page could bring the motion down here so I can read it again for members. Thank you.

Mr. Downey has moved, seconded by Ms. Ghamari, that an humble address be presented to Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor as follows:

To the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario:

We, Her Majesty’s most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Legislative Assembly of the province of Ontario, now assembled, beg leave to thank Your Honour for the gracious speech Your Honour has been pleased to address to us at the opening of the present session.

I can now recognize the member for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte for his remarks.

Mr. Doug Downey: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll note that I’m splitting my time with the member from Carleton.

Congratulations to you, Mr. Speaker, on your election. It’s a testament to the faith the members in this House have in you and your abilities.

Thank you to the constituents of Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte for placing their confidence in me in this most recent election. Redistribution of the ridings has created this dynamic place. From the strong agricultural areas to the urban downtown of Barrie, my riding is a microcosm of Ontario. Hugged by the shores of Lake Simcoe and stretching to the best farmlands in Ontario, Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte is steeped in history.

The land is home to First Nations and Métis. History speaks of discovery of the land; I think of it more as a guided tour. The Oro African Church speaks to the history of Canada. It was built on the Third Line of Oro-Medonte and, as the township website indicates, it was built by a community of African Canadians whose roots were uniquely anchored in the history of the United Empire Loyalists and represent the important role the Black militiamen played in the defence of Upper Canada during the War of 1812. It also represents early Upper Canada land policy.

My riding is home to world-class skiing, biking and hiking at Hardwood Hills, Snow Valley, Mount St. Louis Moonstone and Horseshoe Valley.

The Trent-Severn Waterway, the largest federal asset in Ontario by size and value, makes its way through my riding. It stretches from Trenton to Georgian Bay. Lake Simcoe is an important piece of that. The Trent-Severn Waterway is important to me because I was the chair of the federal panel on the review of the Trent-Severn Waterway that brought in the report that successive federal governments still support and follow. It was an independent panel, and we made recommendations that touched on everything from how you enjoy the water to how you preserve it. The name of the report is It’s All About the Water.

Fishing, swimming, boating or just enjoying time by the water are all part of life in Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte; but my riding is more than that. There are several areas with their own unique identities: Elmvale, Anten Mills, Minesing, Shanty Bay, Oro Station, and dozens of others of which I’ll be reminded, because I didn’t mention them. They all have their unique history and character, and they need to be preserved. They need to have the tools to preserve their unique history and character. Midhurst is under tremendous growth pressures; we’ll discuss that in later legislative sessions.

It is also home to a rich connection with the railway. Allandale is an area within Barrie that maintains its unique character. My father drove trains for 35 years. I grew up with the railway as a touchstone for the opportunity of Ontario and Canada. The GO train is an important connector, and we must maintain and expand where we can.

Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte is host to the seat of government of Simcoe county and to several tremendous employers, both private and public. We are host to the headquarters for the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

In the private sector, we have Napoleon, or Wolf Steel. It’s a jewel. If you want to buy top-quality Canadian barbecues and fireplaces, they’re manufactured in my riding. Barrie Welding, Sinton Transportation, the Source and Horseshoe Resort: They’re all large and important employers in my riding. Burl’s Creek brings world-class entertainment and people from around the globe. You may have heard of Boots and Hearts; there are several other fantastic events.

Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte is host to a newly established Ahmadiyya mosque, and I was honoured to be asked to introduce them at the most recent Jalsa Salana.

Georgian College stretches across several ridings. It is headquartered in Barrie. It maintains the number one graduate employment rate, something I’m very proud of.

We’re also fortunate to have a thriving volunteer sector, whether it be Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions Clubs, the Salvation Army and dozens of others. They help those in need, and they help the community in general.

We’re also supported by a great hospital—the Royal Victoria hospital and the cancer centre—and the unique Gilda’s Club that is just nearby for those in need.

The opportunities in Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte are endless, and the quality of life is second to none. I’ve not even mentioned the artistic and cultural communities within my riding that really bring it alive. And there are more eating establishments, I’m told, in my riding than anywhere else in Ontario.

Now I’d like to turn to the throne speech.

What I heard in the throne speech was a reflection of the commitments that were made to the people of Ontario. They were honest, straightforward and achievable.

The people of Ontario can be trusted with their own money and to make their own decisions. Reducing taxes does not mean reducing the impact on the economy; it means the citizen will have more money in their pocket to spend how they need or want.

Reducing the cost of hydro is critical to the short-term needs of Ontarians and the long-term sustainability of the system.

Putting parents back in charge of child care is respecting the choices of parents.

We are seeing the results already.

And while Ontarians are being respected, we need to do our part. A line-by-line audit will ferret out government waste. Front-line workers know they can help. We welcome them. We need them. Front-line workers know how we can improve our systems without affecting service levels.

I have a track record on this issue. The Trent-Severn Waterway panel consulted with front-line workers and thousands of others in the communities, leading to pragmatic and responsible solutions.

And we will tackle the debt and deficit in a way that is reasonable and practical.

We have a Premier who is focused, disciplined and who knows how to get the job done.

The throne speech is a reflection of the plan for the people. It is a government for the people. The people wanted someone in their corner. They wanted politics done differently. And they wanted results. The throne speech confirmed that the plan they were promised and that they voted for is the result they will get.

This is one of the reasons I entered public life: to deliver change.

Leslie Frost was born in Orillia, in Simcoe county, and became Premier in 1949. But back when he was in the military, in 1920, he wrote a letter to his parents, and he was opining on what he should do next with his military career. He said, “There is always the question of duty. A person should take

part in some public matters, either civil or military.” Well, I agree with Leslie Frost. Most of us in this Legislature are driven by a sense of duty to the public. I’m honoured to now be working in the Frost building.

My sense of duty began early. I sat on the dais as a page in 1983—and I hope you have the same experience. Bill Davis was Premier then. It was an interesting time. It impressed on me the importance of this Legislature. What I witnessed during that time was vigorous debate among the parties and within the parties, and it gave me a sense of the importance of decisions that are made in this space. I look forward to continuing that tradition of respect and difference of opinion.

Having been elected twice to municipal council, I’ve been fortunate to work with municipal, provincial and federal politicians across this country for 25 years. It’s humbling to sit in this chamber.

My wife, Jennifer, a special-ed teacher, and I celebrated our 23rd wedding anniversary yesterday. It’s because of her support and time, and that of my children, Andrew and Jane, and it’s also because of my law partners, now former law partners, Sheri Tornosky, Patrick Lassaline and Tim Timpano, and our associate, Raquel Ness, that I could make the transition so quickly to public service.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Honourable Doug Lewis. We started a law firm together in 2001, with other partners. He has been supportive through all the years. I believe he is the only Canadian to hold a law degree and an accounting degree, both for 50 years.

It is people like these that I’ll think of as I participate in this Legislature: small business people who turn a key in the door every day and stand last in line to get paid, because they’re employing other people; individuals who contribute to their communities; and families who have to make decisions about their own priorities.

But I’ll also be thinking about the farmers, the stewards of the land. I worked on farms growing up, and I paid for school by farming. The agricultural sector needs our partnership.

My mother was a nurse and a family counsellor. She was a founding director of the York Region Abuse Program, looking out for those in need and the vulnerable.

Those in crisis are always in my thoughts. They may be vulnerable because of a power imbalance, bad luck, difficult choices or a failure of the system. The vulnerable in society need a government that addresses their needs. We need to have a stable government with resources to help. We need to get at the waste to make this possible.

These are all people of Ontario. I look forward to serving them as the member of provincial Parliament for Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte.

Meegwetch. Merci. Thank you.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): I now recognize the member from Carleton.

Ms. Goldie Ghamari: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Merci beaucoup, monsieur le Président, et félicitations. Congratulations on your well-deserved victory. I have full confidence that you will be fair in your judgments and in your representation of this sacred institution.

I also wanted to acknowledge this territory as the traditional gathering place for many people, including the Mississaugas of the New Credit. I look forward to continuing the historic relationship between First Nations and the crown.

On June 7, the people and families of Carleton chose change—people like Earl Stanley from Metcalfe, who celebrated the 25-year anniversary of Stanley’s Olde Maple Lane Farm, a family-run hospitality venue in Metcalfe; people like the former mayor and then-city councillor of Rideau-Goulbourn, Glenn Brooks, his lovely wife, Gail Brooks, and their entire family; people like Steven and Brenda Lewis and all their friends and family out in Ashton; Elizabeth McNee, Greg Thurlow and Phil McNee from Osgoode, who had never been politically involved before; Peter and Karin Gartenburg in Manotick; Rich and Joanne Wilson in Manotick; Norm and Sue Hotchkiss in Yorks Corners; Dave Eggett and Karen Newell in Greely; Roger and Penny Graves; Dave Lee, his family and all his friends and neighbours in Stittsville, including those who had never voted Progressive Conservative before; Joyce Wood, who told me that in her youth she was involved with the young Liberals and would never get involved politically; Ted Wood out in Burritts Rapids; and Kirstyn Jensen, a young mother and first-time voter in Richmond.

Mr. Speaker, local business owners like Cameron Kallos, who owns a local coffee shop in Richmond, and Mike from Mike’s Garden Harvest in Manotick, chose change.

Local and well-known Carleton farm families from Kenmore and Vernon all the way to North Gower, many of whom have been on the farm for generations, including the Schoutens, the Acres, the Fosters, the Samples, the Nixons, the McCormicks, the Blacks and countless more—they all chose change.

I met hundreds of first-time and young voters at the doors, including Alaina Hyder, Jeremy Liedtke, John Buchan, Rory Tyler and Shayla Hotchkiss; countless doctors, professionals, business owners—people who had never been politically involved or who had never voted PC before. There are too many to name, Mr. Speaker, but all of them decided to help me on my journey to represent the people of Carleton, to voice their concerns, to resolve their problems and to bring positive change not just to Carleton but across Ontario.

On June 7, over 50% of Carleton’s voters chose to put their trust and faith in me. I will be forever grateful to them, and words will never express the depth of my gratitude. To those who did not vote for me, I want to make it very clear that when I say I’m here to represent everyone, I truly mean it.

Carleton is a brand new riding, comprised of Nepean–Carleton, Carleton–Mississippi Mills and Ottawa South. I wish to recognize the previous work done for the riding of Carleton by MPP Jack MacLaren, Minister Lisa MacLeod, MPP John Fraser and former MPP Norm Sterling. I look forward to continuing to work with the minister, with MPP John Fraser as well as Minister Fullerton; all of the Ottawa-region MPPs; my federal counterpart, the Honourable Pierre Poilievre; and local municipal politicians.

The riding of Carleton is home to 102,915 people. It covers the entire southern and rural portion of Ottawa’s municipal boundaries as well as three rapidly growing suburban communities: Stittsville, Riverside South and Findlay Creek. Carleton is a wonderful mix of rural and urban, old and new. In fact, a month ago, the Richmond Village Association celebrated the 200th anniversary of the town of Richmond, a beautiful area that predates Confederation itself.

Agriculture is not just an extremely important sector of the economy, but it is also a way of life. In fact, some of Carleton’s families go back generations to the first settlers on the land. Carleton’s farmers play an important role in Ottawa. John and Saundra Vandenberg of Rideau Pines Farm in North Gower supply produce to top-tier Ottawa restaurants like Beckta and Play. Tom and Marlene Black on Fallowfield Road have donated part of their farmland to the Ottawa Food Bank in support of their Community Harvest Program. In 2016, the Black Family Farm donated over 90,000 pounds of fresh produce alone to the food bank.

The Richmond and Metcalfe Fairs both predate Confederation, and every year farmers from across the region gather to participate in the Ottawa Carleton Plowmen’s Association Plowing Match.

Carleton’s community and business associations are numerous, vibrant and diverse. We have countless community parades, festivals, art shows, sporting competitions, Canada Day celebrations, Christmas events and more.

It has been truly a pleasure getting to know the people of Carleton. The friendships that I have made and the lessons that I have learned will last a lifetime. The most important lesson I have learned is to listen with both ears.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly a privilege for me to rise in this House today to address you and my fellow members as the democratically elected representative for the new riding of Carleton. I do not use the phrase “democratically elected” lightly. You see, Mr. Speaker, I was born in Iran in 1985, shortly after the Iranian Revolution that overthrew the Shah and replaced him with a theocracy ruled by strict Islamic ideology, a theocracy overrun with corruption and greed, a theocracy that throws people in jail for criticizing the government, hangs homosexuals, stones women, and allows its citizens to suffer and live in poverty while pocketing billions of dollars in oil money.

My father, having lived in Texas for almost a decade in the 1970s, returned to Iran after the revolution had taken place to settle down and start a family. When I was born, he looked at the infant girl in his arms and realized he could not raise a daughter in that environment. And so my parents gave up everything they owned and said goodbye to their families, and on May 24, 1986, we landed at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport in Montreal. My parents had two suitcases, $50 in their pockets, and a one-year-old baby girl, me. They had no friends, no family, no contacts.

My father tells me that our first night in Canada, he rented an unfurnished apartment. My parents slept on newspapers that night, and I slept bundled up in my father’s jacket.

My parents gave up everything they had so that they could raise their family in a free and democratic country, a country like Canada. They came here with nothing and they expected nothing. My parents taught me to work hard, to play by the rules, to be thankful for our freedoms, and, most importantly, Mr. Speaker, to respect and to give back to the people and communities that built Canada and made it the best country in the world.

If someone had told my parents that not only would I be the first person in the family to become a lawyer, but also that 32 years later I would have the opportunity and privilege to serve the people of Ontario right here in the House as the first-ever Iranian immigrant woman to become a Canadian politician, I don’t think they would have believed it.

The fact that the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario is the first party to welcome someone like me into its fold speaks volumes about our party’s commitment and dedication to equality and equal opportunity for everyone. This government is truly a government for the people. The throne speech was a clear indication of that fact, and I echo Mr. Downey’s comments in that regard. I am excited and hopeful for what this government can and will do in the next four years for the people. I hope that my story and my journey inspires others to give back and serve their communities in any way possible.

I am incredibly grateful to the people of Carleton for placing their confidence in me, and I promise to do everything in my power to ensure that their voices, concerns and needs are heard in this House.

The Acting Speaker (Mr. Rick Nicholls): Further debate?

Ms. Andrea Horwath: It is my privilege and honour to rise as leader of the official opposition and to respond to the throne speech.

I want to first acknowledge that we are here on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Anishnawbe, Haudenosaunee, Métis and the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, and I want to start by saying that I think the throne speech should have acknowledged that as well. It would have been the appropriate thing for a Premier to do in a throne speech, a sign of respect and recognition of the need for meaningful reconciliation between the government of Ontario and First Nations and Indigenous peoples. But what was said in the throne speech, and what was left unsaid, is very troubling.

Decisions that this Premier has made already are deeply worrisome for me, for New Democrats and for most Ontario families.

I think there’s one thing that everyone in this Legislature would agree upon, and that is that