 Therefore, it is now time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Energy. This morning, the Ontario Association of Food Banks released their annual hunger report. This year it included a special feature called Shedding the Light on Energy Poverty in Ontario. The report notes, and I quote, Ontario's hydro rates are rising faster than any province in Canada or even the United States. And an 8% government rebate isn't stopping that. The report goes on to say, I quote, Ontario's food banks are seeing an increase in the number of clients who say they simply cannot keep up with their rising hydro bills. I fear this trend will only continue under these liberal policies. So, Mr. Speaker, given this astonishing report from the Ontario Association of Food Banks and their annual hunger report, my question to the Minister of Energy is what will this government finally do to help? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Ontario Association of Food Banks are an important partner, and they do extremely important work right across our great province. And I know the Minister of Housing and Poverty, the reduction will want to comment on this later, Mr. Speaker. But our government is committed to combating poverty and food insecurity, and that's why we've invested $5 billion in affordable housing since 2003, Mr. Speaker. We've raised the minimum wage and we've done more, Mr. Speaker. But I get, Mr. Speaker, that there are families in this province that are vulnerable and are continuing to struggle, Mr. Speaker. And that's why we want to ensure that we make this access to our clean and reliable electricity system also affordable, Mr. Speaker. We've introduced the OESP program back in January, Mr. Speaker. That will provide up to $600 on bill rebates, Mr. Speaker, for many of these families. $900 for seniors, Mr. Speaker. And there's also the low-income energy assistance program, Mr. Speaker. There are many programs out there, and I know we've got more we need to do. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister of Energy directly, because the Minister of Energy mentioned the low-income energy assistance program. Well, the report actually referenced that. It said that is insufficient. To put this simply, if you are a single person working full-time for a minimum wage, you are not eligible for a leap in a rural area. And, Mr. Speaker, where's the highest number of hydro customers struggling with their bills? It's in rural Ontario and they're not eligible. So, Mr. Speaker. Order. According to the report. The Minister of Children and Youth Services, come to order. Inexcessible aid programs do nothing for struggling families. So, the Minister has just raised a program that has been highlighted in the report as being insufficient. What are you actually going to do to help families? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The programs that we've brought forward, Mr. Speaker, are helping families. We've helped over 145,000 families get on the OSP program, Mr. Speaker. We want to see over 300,000 families get on this program, but unfortunately, Mr. Speaker, on that side of the house, they're not promoting it the way they should to ensure that we can get every family on it as we can, Mr. Speaker. We've got many, many programs that are out there. Thank you. Finish, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 8% rebate that we talked about in the speech from the Throne, Mr. Speaker, will help 5 million families, farms and small businesses right across the province, Mr. Speaker. The Triple-RP program, Mr. Speaker, is going to help over 330,000 families, Mr. Speaker. And we know we've got more to do, and that's something that the Premier has tasked me with since June, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to work on ways. Thank you. If it's 50 cents or $50, we will help. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister of Energy, he referenced this time the OESP program, the Ontario Electricity Support Program. Well, that was also referenced in the Food Bank's hunger report. It said, I quote, this program also is arguably insufficient. With the cost of hydro-reaching unprecedented heights, a credit between $30 to $50 per month is not enough to be placed on low-income households. That's a direct quote from the report. So these programs aren't reaching people. I don't need liberal spin. I don't need liberal talking points. I don't need you to say that it's not someone else's problem. It's the opposition's fault for not promoting it. Give me a break. You blew the program on liberal consultants. Families are struggling. People can't afford their bills. And this Minister of Energy doesn't care. I don't want spin. When will you help families? Thank you. Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm actually very pleased of a party that is actually helping families. We're the actually party that raised minimum wage, didn't freeze it. It actually helps thousands and thousands of families across the province, Mr. Speaker. We had to rebuild the electricity system that they left in tatters, Mr. Speaker. I was affecting every family and business across this province. The member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke. Minister, please. The Minister of Children and Youth Services, second time. The member from Renfrew, second time. And if you're not getting the message, we'll go to warnings. Carry on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've brought forward many programs that are helping families, but we recognize, Mr. Speaker, that more needs to be done and that's what we continue to do, Mr. Speaker. We're bringing forward a plan that will continue to help families with what we have. That side of the House, Mr. Speaker, they have no plans and they could care less about the programs that are out there that are helping families. Thank you. No question. The leader of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, since I can't get an answer on hydro, let's try something new. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Life is already too expensive in Ontario. We have hydro rates going up, new government fees, and taxes all too high. Families are hurting. And the Liberals just can't do anything to help. And instead, they're doing the opposite. Right now, we've heard that the Liberals have given permission to send Toronto to charge tolls on the DVP and the Gardner. $2 every trip may not sound like a lot, but it could be thousands of dollars out of the pockets of commuters each year. So, Mr. Speaker, a direct question to the Minister of Finance. Is it true the Liberals are giving the City of Toronto permission to toll the DVP and the Gardner? Thank you. Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the leader of the opposition. Who knows all too well how important it is for us to invest in infrastructure, I believe. I believe he also appreciates how important it is to make life easier for the people of Ontario. And now he's asking about the people of Toronto and in the surrounding areas what congestion is, is creating quite a bit of havoc. And we all know that. That's why we're taking the steps necessary to invest in transit, to invest in the infrastructure necessary to improve everyday life, to ensure that we get products to market more quickly and ensure that we get people and families to and from home more safely. The City of Toronto has put forward some suggestions and some requests. They're going to have it before council and they'll have to debate the merits of those proposals. And I would think the member opposite who has a close affiliation to the leader, past leader of the Conservative Party, no less, would have some ongoing dialogue with him as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister of Finance. Someone the Minister of Finance has a close association with. The Mayor of Mississauga has a few thoughts on these tolls, these liberal tolls. According to the Mayor of Mississauga, these road tolls will affect the residents in Mississauga and all over the 905. Mayor Cromby said, understand the ramifications of these actions on business and tourism affecting Mississauga. Not to mention the daily ramifications on commuters. These attacks on 905 commuters must stop. And Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance is offside with his own Mayor of Mississauga. So if you won't do it for commuters, will the Minister of Finance do it for Bonnie and stop these liberal tolls? Mr. Speaker, there is as much traffic leaving the city of Toronto into the 905 and into Mississauga as there is going the other way. We recognize how important it is for us to make a fair and improved congestion in the system so that everybody gets to and from work more quickly and more safely. The member opposite also talks about toll roads. He talks a lot about how maybe it shouldn't be the case. And yet, when we had an opportunity to have an outstanding highway system which was a 407, they sold it for a song, Mr. Speaker. They gave it away to a foreign consortium. Mr. Speaker, that's not what we're going to do here. We're going to ensure that we proceed carefully and ensure that we have the best interest of people of Ontario in mind. Do you see it, please? Do you see it, please? Start the clock. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister of Finance. And this answer, going back 21 years when I wasn't even old enough to vote, Mr. Speaker, giving the city of Toronto permission to toll, they bought it in 2014. When they said they wanted to invest in infrastructure, they did not go to the people and say, let us toll the DVP and the Gardner. The reality is they've had 13 years to invest in infrastructure. They've had 13 years to invest in public transit. They haven't done anything. And now their solution is to tax people more. Their solution is to toll the DVP and the Gardner. It's not the right thing for commuters. It's not the right thing for the city of Toronto. It's not the right thing for the 905 mayors. You tell me one mayor in the 905 that supports this attack. Do you see it, please? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, there has been tremendous amounts of investments by this government. Historic investments never before made in order to provide for greater infrastructure and greater public transit. We're committing $160 billion over the next 12 years in infrastructure. $30 billion just in transit, Mr. Speaker, and we take pride in enabling that to happen, recognizing that although he wasn't born or maybe doesn't remember, it was the mandate of that government not to build transit. And had we taken that effort, then we would have had a better opportunity today, Mr. Speaker, so we'll do our part to invest in transit. Mr. Speaker, it also begs the question, what is their plan? Because they haven't provided any solutions whatsoever, how to fund it, and when they build, Mr. Speaker, they're sitting on their hands, they're putting their heads in his hand, we're going to do what's necessary to provide for transit and to make investments that are necessary. Thank you. New question to the members from Beverlyville, Malton. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Acting Freeman. Last week, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change committed to cleaning the English Wabagoon River. However, at something the Premier has yet to back up and confirm. Instead, the government indicates that there is money for testing the water, but there isn't actually a plan to clean up the mercury which has been poisoning people and the fish in the river for more than 50 years. Will the government put a commitment to clean up the mercury in writing? Deputy Speaker. Well, Speaker, I do want to, first of all, welcome the new member to this. The member has raised, the member opposite raised, is a very serious issue, Speaker, and I really want to emphasize that we are listening with and working with Gracie Narrows First Nations. We take those concerns very, very seriously. We are committed to working with them on this issue. The federal government on this issue, Speaker, and I have to say that given the historical contamination of the river system, officials have worked with the community to provide information on the safe consumption of local fish. The ministry also continues to provide an alternative supply of safe fish to eat free of charge to the community. Speaker, there are options there. Dredging can make the problem worse. We are absolutely committed to doing the right thing. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, that was a very disappointing answer. There was no commitment in that answer to cleaning up the river. People in Gracie Narrows have been living with mercury poisoning for more than 50 years and the impacts are devastating. People lose their vision, they lose their hearing, they lose their balance and their ability to speak. Something has to be done. After 50 years of uncertainty, the people in Gracie Narrows deserve a clear answer. Can the acting premier give a date when the cleanup will begin and when they plan on finishing this cleanup? Chief Government WIP, second time Minister. To the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Thank you. I want to be very clear that the premier and I who have both visited Gracie Narrows have committed not to a vague commitment but to a very specific commitment. Dr. Rudd, we financed through the First Nations under the leadership of Chief Officer undertook a study. He did not say go in and remove the methyl mercury right away. What he proposed was over half a dozen different possible measures. We are now doing exactly what the chief and the First Nations Band Council wanted and Dr. Rudd wanted which is $600,000 worth of research looking at which measures may work which ones could cause further problem to put options before the community Mr. Speaker which is what everybody in Gracie Narrows would like to see happen. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, the government has been studying mercury contamination in Gracie Narrows for generations. Cabinet has had a plan to clean up the table since 1984. It's time to act plain and simple. There's no time for further studies. We need to act. We need a plan that will actually clean up the river. Chief Officer of the Gracie Narrows First Nations has asked the Premier to put a promise in writing quote so that we know that it is real end quote. They don't believe that this government is actually going to follow through on anything. The Premier is back from Asia on December 2nd. He met with Chief Foboser and put a promise to clean up the river in writing so that people have some confidence that this government will actually do something. So it would be an interesting question to ask the member opposite exactly what measures does his party think should be implemented ahead of completing the work plan which will actually tell us which measures may work, which ones won't but the risks are associated with that. It is not simply a matter of going in and cleaning up methylmercury and being able to take it out in a week. This will involve probably months and maybe years of work to identify it. It is already underway. Scientists have been out there with First Nations leadership on the river every week since Minister Zimmer and I were there. Letters have gone back and agreements have been signed. I've got one right here where we agreed to do exactly this. We spent a day. So I'd like to know why the NDP sleep walked through five years when they knew this was a problem when they were in government and they didn't even have a conversation with the First Nations for five years. New question. On Thursday 24 Liberal MPPs stood up and voted for a bill for someone to accept a bribe in order in exchange to run for office. Can the Acting Premier tell us why the Liberal government thinks it's okay that the Minister of Energy is accused of accepting a bribe when they think that very behaviour should be illegal? Thank you, Premier. Well, Speaker, we'll allow this bill to proceed through the normal process, Speaker. It's a question that is directly related to a case that is before the courts and it is the responsibility of this government to ensure that we don't influence the outcome of that case in any way, Speaker. It's inappropriate for any member of this legislature to comment, question or speculate on any matter of this case including the legislation. On this side of the House we respect the courts and the sub-judice rule, Speaker. The member opposite as Government House leader as the Member Opposite as Deputy of the Leader of the Third Party is fully aware of the procedures of this House. He is a lawyer. He knows how the law works, Speaker. We do not make up legislation on the fly without analysis or discouraging political points. Thank you, supplementary. Mr. Speaker, the Government has the ability to weigh in on what's appropriate and not appropriate in terms of behaviour. The Government has the ability to weigh in on the specifics of this case. 10 members of Cabinet voted also to ensure that it should be an offence. It should be illegal to accept a bribe. They voted to say that what their colleague is alleged to have done by a federal prosecutor should be illegal. If they think it should be illegal to accept a bribe in exchange for running for office then why is the Government still allowing the Minister of Energy to remain in Cabinet? I think there are questions that need answers. Let me pose one of those questions, Speaker. It was widely reported that the member for Bramley Gormulton was considering leaving the Ontario Legislature to run for the federal leadership, Speaker. There was broad speculation and more than speculation, Speaker, that this was under consideration. And then all of a sudden there was a turn-of-event, Speaker. The member from Bramley Gormulton landed on the front bench as Deputy Leader of the NDP party, Speaker. I don't mystery. We sure would love to have some light, Sean, on that particular turn-of-events. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, people across this province expect and believe they need a Government that has integrity. They want to have faith in their Government. He is a Cabinet Minister and Liberal MPP's voting to say that it's illegal to accept a bribe at the same time when they have a sitting member that's accused of the very same actions. He is the recipient of an allege. He's the alleged recipient of a bribe. He's directly involved in this matter, directly related to what the members and the Cabinet Minister of this Government voted to make it illegal. To maintain integrity, there's only one option. The Minister should step aside. What we're asking the Government to do is to maintain faith in this Government, to maintain integrity of the Government, the Liberal Government must act. Will they ask the Minister of Energy to step aside pending the outcome of these allegations? Thank you. Well, Speaker, maybe we need to have another walk down memory lane here. Let's go back to 2013 where another mysterious term of events happens. The NDP decided that Adam G. and Brony should be their candidate, even though he was in fact in charge of the nomination process in that particular writing. And there were of course other candidates running. So he was parachuted into the writing and the party hierarchy allegedly stacked the nomination meeting speaker. And that was with the apparent backing of the NDP leader, the party brass. GM Brony decided that he would like the nomination, even though writing association insiders confess he was not well known to them, Speaker. So I do think that there are some questions that need answers and only the NDP can provide answers to those questions. Thank you. New question. Member from Kitchener, Conestoga. My question is to the Deputy Premier. Speaker, the Ontario Liberals can't seem to make a difference in the way for the hands of the government to dig deeper into the pockets of motorists, whether it's for license fee increases, peeling plates, the transport minister's hot lane bling or allowing photo radar anywhere a municipality chooses, motorists are paying the price for the Ontario Liberals war on the car. And so, Speaker, when it comes to paying road tolls for the privilege of driving on roads we've already paid for, Ontario motorists and the introduction of tolls on the DVP and Gardner provide an opportunity to draw a line in the road and stop the government's use of motorists as cash cows. Can the Deputy Premier tell us if a government will say no to the Gardner DVP road toll cash grab? Thank you. Well, Speaker, I do listen to not just this set of questions, other questions that come from opposition and I'm always asking what their plan is. And we do not have any idea what their plan is. What I can tell you, Speaker, is that investments in infrastructure are important investments. We know when they were in office they did not make any investments in infrastructure. We're doing something different. And the City of Toronto must make investments in their infrastructure as well, Speaker. So we do understand governments have to make difficult decisions. We do understand that road tolls is a subject of conversation in Toronto. If the City of Toronto comes forward with ideas that are backed by their Council, Speaker, then of course we'll take a look at that. Supplementary. Well, our first plan will be not to waste billions like you have. I take this as the prize for that one. Speaker, forcing people to spend more on roads they've already paid for is highway robbery, plain and simple. Especially since the Conference Board of Canada told us that GTHA motorists already paid 100% of area road costs. New road tolls on the Gardner and DVP mean they'd be paying more than 100%. In fact, a recent CAA report indicates that policy makers have many tools at hand. Make road pricing and should make road pricing a last resort. Speaker, with 905 residents already paying full for GTHA roads, can the Deputy Premier explain why her government is refusing to speak out against this last resort cash grab on the DVP? Thank you. Deputy Premier. This government has made investment infrastructure a very, very high priority speaker. We are working to build Ontario up. We're working with our partners across the province to invest in projects that reduce traffic congestion that get people home to their kids more quickly, Speaker. I think that's a priority everyone shares. The difference though between them and us is that we know how we're doing that. So let's talk of some investments we're making in Toronto. $3.7 billion for GOER that forms the foundation for John Tory's smart track program. Another $10 billion for Toronto's city project, the Scarborough Subway, the Toronto York Subway extension, and we've also increased our gas acceleration to the city year over year. Last year it was $169 million for transit speaker. Thank you. We're investing. Question to members from Windsor to come see. Speaker earlier today I bumped into a new member from Ottawa Vanier in the hallway. I'd like to do so again on behalf of Ontario. My question is for the afternoon. Ontario's food banks are feeding more than 335,000 people a month acting creamer. Good morning, by the way. That's more than when the recession first hit eight years ago. This year's hunger report from the Ontario association of food banks shows the rapidly increasing cost of hydro is making it even harder for people to put food on their own. The food banks say the rising cost of hydro is having a direct and devastating impact in the lives of struggling Ontarians. When will this government do the right thing, stop the hydro one and stop pushing people across Ontario into energy. Thank you. Thank you to the minister of housing and poverty reduction and thank you to the member opposite for such an important question. I'd also like to thank the Ontario association of food banks for their report and for the helpful recommendations contained in it. And I'm pleased that the association recognize the efforts the province has undertaken on housing and the basic income pilot. We've seen the number of reports that food bank has done between 2015 and 2016. The Ontario association of food bank report however, reminds us that food bank usage has not returned to a pre-recession level, right? So this is one of the reasons that premier Wynn has instructed me to develop a food security strategy. It's going to focus on improving access to nutritious food across Ontario. We know there's more to do and we're going to continue to build on our progress to improve the everyday lives of Ontarians. Supplementary. Interesting spin speaker. Hydro rates are out of control. You're pushing families and seniors into poverty. Since 2008, there's been a 23% increase in the number of seniors relying on food banks. This government just isn't doing well. We're struggling and falling further behind of their hydro bill. The hunger report minister says, and I quote, the help that currently exists from the provincial government is not comprehensive or inclusive enough for the majority of Ontario families struggling to make ends meet. Speaker, when will this government take real action to get hydro rates under control in Ontario? Thank you. Minister. Thank you, Speaker. Minister of energy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First off, as we are all aware in this House, the broadening of Hydro 1 does not have an impact on the rates. The OEB sets the rates, Mr. Speaker, and that's been very clear. But what I do understand, Mr. Speaker, is that families are suffering, Mr. Speaker. They're having a hard time paying their bills, Mr. Speaker. I get that. When I was part of the United Way, Mr. Speaker, even back in 2003, there were programs in place, Mr. Speaker, to help the food banks, to help the United Way, to help the Red Cross buy places like Union Gas and other electricity utilities to help families pay their bill, Mr. Speaker. But we get that there's still families having difficulty, and that's why we brought forward a bill that actually helps to save up to $75 if they actually heat their homes with electricity. Mr. Speaker, there are many things that we have out there, and there are many things that we will continue to do. Thank you. New question? The member from Kingston in the Islands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services. Today we are pleased to have the Ontario Association of Interval and Interval Services second-stage housing and community-based organizations who work tirelessly every day to end violence against women. I'm proud of the tireless work being done by Kingston Interval House in my riding, and I want to acknowledge once again Pam Havery, the executive director for her work and steadfast commitment to women's safety. Mr. Speaker, we know that the prevalence is staggering and that one in three women have experienced violence. We know that women will return to their violators eight times before being free. Question? Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please inform the House of the important work that OAITH does to support victims of family violence and how the Ministry supports them in this? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and to the member from Kingston in the Islands for the question and for her advocacy on this important work. I know that the Department of Health and Human Services and agencies touches thousands of women and children and makes the lives of those they serve better. Every November, OAITH launches their wrapped in courage campaign to increase awareness of women abuse in Ontario. I know I speak for all members in the House when I say that we are extremely proud to be wearing this purple scarf and that we have a training to the violence against women sector across the province. The training will include online resources and modules that cover a broad range of issues including domestic and sexual violence. This will ensure that workers in the field are able to provide even better service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, supplementary. Thank you to the Minister for her answer. Clearly this government recognizes the great impact of violence in this House are well aware that violence against women remains prevalent in our society. More than 10,000 women and over 6,900 of their children were served by an emergency shelter last year. Violence against women affects us all. Not just the women who are the victims, it's their children, their families and also their communities. Speaker, our government has increased spending on programs to reduce violence since 2003. However, we know there is more work to be done. The province has initiated several other programs such as the it's never okay action plan which aims to stop sexual violence against women in Ontario. Women deserve to live in an Ontario free from violence. Could the Minister please outline how we continue to support OAITH and the violence against women sector. Thank you, Minister. Speaker, I'm proud to say that my ministry has invested $147 million every year to support the violence against women sector. And some of these investments include $1 million to the Rural Realities Fund to help rural, remote and northern agencies develop local solutions that address the unique challenges in serving their communities. $1.5 million in Aboriginal designed and delivered community services including the development of an expanded province-wide counselling help and $17 million over three years through the ministry of housing for a portable housing benefit pilot which will support up to 3,000 survivors of domestic violence across 22 municipalities. I'd like to thank OAITH and all the shelter EDs and staff with us here today. Your work makes a real difference in the lives of women and their children who have experienced domestic violence. Let's make this a transformative time for women in Ontario and build a better community in this province. Thank you. Thank you very much. Last week Ottawa patients, health care professionals and community leaders were shocked and very disappointed to learn that the unelected National Capital Commission overturned an eight year decision by the Ottawa hospital to rebuild across the street on the experimental farm. Instead of keeping the civic infrastructure in place, it will cost more because it will require demolishing existing buildings and it will inevitably delay the much needed rebuild. My question to the minister is will he intervene with the federal government and demand that Ottawa patients come first in order that the Ottawa hospital build on the appropriate site, its preferred site, across from the civic campuses. Thank you Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question and I also appreciate the fact that the member acknowledged that it is a federal issue in terms of the ultimate decision with regards to the sighting of the new civic hospital. What I'm proud of however Mr. Speaker is that there has been a significant community process and engagement of virtually of the residents that could potentially be impacted by those that benefit from the services that are provided at the current hospital Mr. Speaker that those are concerned about with legitimate concerns with regards to the sighting of the possible options for sighting the hospital. There has been a recommendation put forward by the National Capital Commission, that's all it is at this point Mr. Speaker. It is a recommendation following a process that they let it's now up to the federal government and the federal cabinet to review that recommendation along with other commentaries. The hospital rebuild will be funded by the provincial government. You are the major stakeholder, in fact my constituents are major stakeholders as well and they expect that you will follow what the Ottawa hospital has recommended, which is the site of the experimental farm directly across the street. The only Ottawa residents on the NCC, there are only three of them, they did not support the change to Tunis pasture. The president and CEO Jackie Holtzman and Jim Durrell oppose the move. Former CEO Ray Hessian has opposed the move. The physicians and community leaders I have spoken to over the weekend resoundly reject the interference of where our hospital should be located. The choice by the local healthcare experts is the experimental farm in Ottawa across the street from the existing hospital and from the Hart Institute. It's accessible, it's the right size and it's closer to shovel ready. It's the right size of Ottawa patients and against the federal government's recommendation to build that hospital on the preferred site. Thank you. I'm definitely on the side of patients with regards to the provision of healthcare services in the province of Ontario. The member does know of course that the hospital has a board which is a community board which is representative of the community that benefits from that service as well as understanding as the board is meeting tonight they have not yet made a determination or recommendation based on this information that came last week from the National Capital Commission. But Mr. Speaker I think it's appropriate that we not insert ourselves in a community process aimed at siting a hospital within a jurisdiction. No more than with the Windsor hospital as well. There's been a long consultation process with regards to siting of that hospital as well. I think the question is very important when I say it's important that we let the community decide with appropriate safeguards in a community led process to decide where they believe the best siting should be. Thank you. My question is to the acting premier. My community is reeling from this government's decision to pull $20 million more from healthcare in my community by saddling local hospitals with the cost of a forced merger of Ajax Lake Ridge health. That will mean fewer hospital beds, fewer nurses longer wait times and more cuts to patient care. Thousands in my community have signed a petition calling on the minister to reconsider this decision. But instead of listening the minister is plowing ahead. How does this government expect our local hospitals to find $20 million to pay for this forced merger without cutting patient care? Thank you. Minister of health long term care. I'm very proud of the work that has been done over the past year and a half by community members right across Scarborough and Durham as well. I referenced last week the $20 million investment in the Scarborough hospital the $10 million investment I believe for a new emergency hospital at Rouge Valley. When it comes to Ajax Pickering just last week I made the announcement that quite the opposite of decreasing services I provided guarantees in terms of sustainability the services that are there like the shoulder program. I actually announced that there would be 20 new mental health inpatient beds at Ajax Pickering hospital. Those beds that were taken away previously are coming back to Ajax Pickering. I also indicated that the name of the hospital is going to represent the local community. Those investments that they've made in assets that the foundation has generated the funds for all of those things are going to continue and the community is going to continue to continue to do so. Thank you supplementary. Thank you speaker. The minister is talking about community and has talked about consulting with the community yet the community doesn't feel like they've been consulted at all. In fact members of the community are here today to make their voices heard. Last week the minister quietly signed the integration order for the merger something he neglected to do. The minister has said that he would like to ram this through as quickly and as quietly as possible. This is death by a thousand cuts or really it's more like death by almost 20 million cuts. Will the minister please listen to my community and prevent the damage he could be doing to our local hospitals. Thank you minister. Well I hardly see how issuing a press release in bed when I talked about the importance of sustaining the services that are there and I think the member opposite needs to speak to the community and the representatives of the community including the friends of Ajax Pickering Hospital who I met with two weeks ago I spoke again last week as well who are very satisfied with the approach that we're taking an agreement with the safeguards and the measures that I took place. I'm confident that the steps that we're taking are going to preserve and in fact enhance the services at that important local community hospital. Well thank you speaker my question is also to the minister of health and long term care and this is a question that I know of an intense interest to our new member from Ottawa, and speaker if I could just take a moment to note not only was our new member a member of the committee of Ontario, but she was the one who was supporting her order of Canada. Now that's the kind of candidate we can attract to this side of the house. My question concerns health care speaker providing on chairing with timely health care is of course extremely important and just last week speaker in beaches east York I was able to make an announced for almost a million people who could update this house on the investments that we're making to improve access for care for patients in eastern Ontario. Thank you. Well thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member for this very important question and giving me the opportunity to talk about a great project that's now underway at Carlton Place and District Memorial Hospital. In fact a few weeks ago Mr. Speaker I was in Carlton Place with my colleague Lennox in Addington and I want to commend him for his hard work and advocacy on behalf of that hospital and to together we were able to announce Mr. Speaker that we're building a brand new emergency department at Carlton Place Hospital. A new project that's going to be comprised of 9,000 square feet sorry 9,000 square foot addition to the hospital will reduce wait times and improve care for patients and their families in eastern Ontario. It's a great knowledge of meeting with many patients and the hard working health care professionals of Carlton Place. I know that these individuals as well as the member from Lennox and Addicton are excited about this opportunity to grow their hospital and improve health care at that hospital. Well thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for these incredible efforts that we're making right across our province. I know our government is reducing the time we spend in Ontario emergency rooms a priority. I also know that we have seen positive results since our government implemented the wait time strategy. Wait times alliance, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Fraser Institute have all found year over year that Ontarians have entirely better access to care in this country. The hospital hospitals have been able to decrease the time spent in emergency rooms by almost 16%. Speaker, will the minister please inform us and then I'll all the house what other investments we are making at Carlton Place Hospital which will mean and what it will mean for patients in eastern Ontario. Thank you minister. Well Mr. Speaker this is I think a great example of legislators who advocate it strongly. He brought the mayor to come and see me and speak about the needs of the hospital as well and we worked together over a recently short period of time I would say to actually arrive at the stage where the government is investing almost nine million dollars to redevelop that emergency department at Carlton Place District Memorial Hospital. It's going to have a big impact with enhancing the ability of individuals to get timely care through emergency providing a large number of diagnostic, technological and therapeutic tasks and this new emergency department will ensure that more patients, even more patients are able to receive emergency health services where they need them and when they need them and the project will result in expanded services which are better for the local community. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is for the minister of finance this morning. I'd like to quote a former member of the legislature who said on Thursday that selling a major electricity utility wasn't necessary to build infrastructure in the city of Toronto. Mayor John Tory said the city is the sole shareholder of Toronto Hydro and that is an investment that I take seriously. That's more seriously apparently than the premier of Ontario took her obligation to Hydro One customers. Speaker now that the mayor of Toronto has admitted that privatization isn't the right way to go will the minister stop the fire sale of Hydro One shares? Thank you Minister of Finance. Speaker the broadening of that ownership we've now had two tranches it's been highly successful anything but a fire sale because we were receiving a lot more than it was ever anticipated and unlike what they did opposite Mr. Speaker by giving away the 407 all in one swoop without an ability for the market to respond taking the full risk and Mr. Speaker without the control measures necessary to control the pricing all of that's been done is being done in a gradual way greater receipts I've been now afforded to the province we are still the largest shareholder will always continue to be and we're investing dollar for dollar in new infrastructure in new transit and in the ability to be more competitive long term we're going to be getting Mr. Speaker however will be and are much higher than it was when we held Hydro One in a traditional way Mr. Speaker so we're going to invest and we're going to ensure that more money is made for the people of Ontario. Thank you Mr. Secretary. Speaker unfortunately nobody believes what the member is saying and this is one of the members who cost us over a billion dollars in the gas plant scan. Over 80% of people that's over 80% the members on the government side should actually listen to that number. It's massive the people of Toronto overwhelmingly opposed selling Toronto Hydro. The city council overwhelmingly opposed selling Toronto Hydro. Hydro rates are the number one issue for all Ontarians regardless of where they live Mr. Speaker. Speaker why is it that the mayor of Toronto is capable of listening to constituents when it comes to keeping Hydro in public hands but this government continues to ignore the will of the people of Ontario. Speaker the minister will he simply admit that the mayor is right to stop the further fire sale of Hydro One. Mr. Speaker we're making four billion dollars in that transaction all of which is going into the Trillium Trust to ensure that it gets reinvested and Mr. Speaker it's evident that a dollar invested in these infrastructure projects provides four dollars in the long term and Mr. Speaker that's essentially what is happening here. The additional five billion from that transaction is going to pay down debt and as we proceed forward we're going to great more revenue and at the same time Mr. Speaker and this must be reaffirmed. We will always retain 40% ownership of Hydro One. We will always have that opportunity in making certain that the company operates more efficiently more effectively and produces greater results for the people of Ontario. It's further note there's 72 competitors in competing with Hydro One and it's essential for everyone to now acknowledge that the more we put this in perspective the greater the competitiveness and the nature of Hydro One and the OEB which is the one who controls the pricing did not increase pricing last quarter Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question the members from Toronto Danforth. Thank you Speaker. Speaker my question to the Minister of Energy. There was a newspaper report today showing that food bank use is soaring because families can afford to pay their hydro bill and their electricity bill. Sorry my apology Speaker their hydro bill and their grocery bill. This past summer the Minister of Energy refused to call energy poverty a crisis even though 60,000 Ontario families have had their hydro cut off. We can expect the number of disconnections to soar next spring when Hydro One will resume cutting off families who can't pay their bills. The United Way of Bruce Gray has called for a moratorium on hydro disconnections in Ontario. Will the Minister agree to this moratorium? Thank you Mr. Speaker and I know that there are families that are out there having difficult Mr. Speaker when it comes to electricity and it's important that vulnerable customers have the resources to help avoid the disconnection and that's why we've overseen enhanced consumer protection rules including requiring a 10 day advance notice of disconnection Mr. Speaker which accompanying resources that will go with this notice Mr. Speaker to help customers in arrears Mr. Speaker. We also have that right now we've given those powers to the OEB but we do have a bill in front of the House right now Mr. Speaker but I do hope they will all support even unanimous support Mr. Speaker that will ensure that there will be no disconnections during the winter months Mr. Speaker that is in front of the House right now I hope all parties will support that Mr. Speaker because we do recognize that more work needs to be done and that's what we're continuing to do Mr. Speaker we're actually got programs out there to help the OESP program, the LEAP program but there is more to do. Thank you Mr. Speaker The Premier has finally acknowledged that soaring hydro prices are quote mistake but the minister refuses to do anything to correct that mistake he won't halt the sale of Hydro One even though we know that privatization is going to drive prices up even further he won't direct the Ontario Energy Board to put the interest of consumers ahead of the private investors who will benefit from that privatization will he at least agree to a moratorium on hydro disconnections Thank you Mr. Speaker as I said there is legislation in front of the House right now that I hope that they will actually support Mr. Speaker we'd even take unanimous consent on it Mr. Speaker Bill 27 that will actually put a moratorium on disconnects during the winter months Mr. Speaker we've got that plus we've got the 10 day notice Mr. Speaker there are many many things that this government has done to ensure that we actually help families that are struggling we know there is more to do Mr. Speaker and we've been doing that when it comes to looking at the announcements that we've made Mr. Speaker just in the last two months our governments had significant and put significant efforts in to ensure that electricity rates are kept affordable Mr. Speaker you know what we will continue to work hard and if it's 50 cents in savings Mr. Speaker or it's 50 dollars in savings Mr. Speaker we will look at all the aspects that we can do Mr. Speaker to help families because we understand that the OESP program is there is a program the LEAP program is there is a program but there is more to do thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Infrastructure Minister infrastructure is relied upon by millions of Ontarians for everything from transportation to clean safe drinking water our government is building Ontario up for people in every corner of the province by making a historic investment in public infrastructure a multi-billion dollar job creating program that the opposition opposes I know that positive partnerships between business and government are key to delivering larger projects including in my writing of Barrie where the expansion of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Center resulted in the opening of a new cancer center with space to serve 2000 patients annually I know that the Minister oversees infrastructure Ontario the agency tasked with managing infrastructure projects all across Ontario which is doing great work on behalf of the people of the province Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister could he please elaborate on the effectiveness of infrastructure Ontario efforts to build bridges between business and government Thank you Speaker and I thank the member for the question and she is correct the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario's history including in each single writing of the opposition and the member knows that the opposition has no credible plan to build the infrastructure Ontarians need in fact the leader of the opposition was a member of a conservative government whose anemic investments contributed to the infrastructure deficit we suffered today Mr. Speaker and Speaker we invest double the amount of infrastructure that the opposition contributed for all of Canada and we want to be sure that projects are delivered on time and on budget the largest projects are delivered to a made in Ontario model called alternate financing and procurement AFP has a track record of success 98% of the first 45 projects were completed on budget Mr. Speaker and Speaker AFP has a story that has saved the people of Ontario $6 billion Thank you Mr. Speaker and thanks to the Minister for his response I'm glad to hear that infrastructure Ontario is diligently supporting our government's commitment to create jobs and stimulate growth I know that writings across this province including many writings represented by the members opposite will benefit from $160 billion our government is investing in schools hospitals and rapid transit and with much more to be built that investment will continue creating jobs and stimulating growth well into the future that means our government will continue delivering good jobs for Ontario's every corner this province from Windsor to Waterloo to North Bay even if the opposition is opposed to the plan and projects that create jobs Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister could he please elaborate on what the future holds for the alternative finance procurement model Thank you Minister Speaker our government is announcing infrastructure projects every month infrastructure Ontario just released its annual market update outlining upcoming projects that include hospitals courthouses and rapid transit much of which will be will be built using our AFP public-private partnership model these projects represent $11.8 billion in investments in addition to $32 billion already invested in past projects the third party Mr. Speaker is ideologically opposed to triple fees Mr. Speaker the third party can disagree but the facts are clear AFP is a successful procurement model with broad support not just in this government Mr. Speaker but among the NDP's base including trade unions who work on P3 projects and many union pension plans who invest heavily in P3 projects Mr. Speaker their friends are investing in triple fees in hospitals and all kinds of other infrastructure Your question to members from Brewer's Strait Island South Premier Hydrohikes have trapped our public institutions into a catch 22 either cut services or they run deficits Meaver Hospital is the most recent one to face the brutal consequences of hydrohikes either shut down the emergency services longer travel times for critically ill patients it means patients have to wait longer and get sicker and frankly it could mean the difference between life and death this is wrong Mr. Speaker and another mistake by the Premier and sadly it is why no leader in the history of the province has lost the confidence of the people so quickly and by so much like the Premier so my question is has the Premier gotten so tired and so out of touch that she won't commit to stopping and another mistake before it does any more damage to the health of Uncheruns The Deputy Premier is not available would you like to defer your question to somebody else We'll go to Victim Finance Thank you Mr. Speaker and the member opposite makes reference to the integrity of the leader of this party and this government and the Premier of Ontario who has taken every step necessary to make decisions on the best interests of the people of Ontario I take great pride and value in the work that she's been doing recognizing that we take a balanced approach to invest in our economy invest in the people of Ontario invest in their skills and training Mr. Speaker invest in infrastructure so that we have a more competitive economy and making sure that our dynamic business climate attracts even more investments from around the world that's why we become one of the top destinations for direct investment and more importantly finish please and more importantly Mr. Speaker she takes every necessary step to create a fair society where no one is left behind to ensure those most vulnerable are given the supports most necessary unlike that party opposite she supports more minimum wage and more affordable thank you Mr. Speaker back to the finance minister I respectfully remind you sir and all of your colleagues that in terms don't approve of your government's hydro policies in fact they feel their war with you again Mr. Speaker hospitals are getting walled up by hydro hikes and patients lives are being put at risk first the hydro hikes were dictating how many surgeries would be cancelled and now they're dictating emergency room closures and access so Mr. Speaker and another mistake we want to know since the finance minister won't stop the fire sale of hydro one how is he going to fix the mess that he and his government have created and ensure our hospitals can provide the care people expect and deserve so Mr. Speaker indeed this side of the house made the necessary investments to make our grid more competitive and more secure we invested billions in new production facilities and became emissions free 93% of emissions in this province are free of carbon Mr. Speaker that means we've had no more smog days zero last year we'll continue to take those steps at the same time jurisdictions around the province of Ontario are going to now have to make those investments which we have made and while we're doing these we're taking the necessary steps to provide programs to alleviate and support projects as we do with our programs as we've just done in our our throne speech to reduce 8% of the provincial portion of the HST which is coming out by reducing the debt retirement charge a charge which is the legacy of that government so that we can make it more affordable for people of Ontario we know there's more to be done we are taking those steps meantime we've got clean air and we have an integrity in our system Mr. Speaker my question is to the acting premier in Markdale the closure of Beavercrest Community Elementary School would devastate the community and hinder economic growth in the area Chapmans went so far as to offer to buy the school even the mayor of Grey Highlands offered to offset deficit spending hundreds more schools like Beavercrest may be on the chopping block schools like Queen Victoria Hugh Beaton and Prince Edward in Windsor rather than providing community schools with the resources to stay open this government is cutting rural grants eliminating base top-up funding and grossly underfunding renewal needs Speaker if business local politicians students and families can see the value of schools like Beavercrest and those in my community then why doesn't this government I want to thank the member opposite for this question Mr. Speaker their plan for education their plan for education was to implement a $600 million cut $600 million cut Speaker so when it comes to our investments in education Mr. Speaker we have increased the budget for education Mr. Speaker since 2003 we have ensured that there's we have ensured Mr. Speaker that we make considerations for rural schools Mr. Speaker $199 million more dollars for rural schools taking into consideration the unique factors that exist so Mr. Speaker we're working with our local communities we're working with our local school boards to ensure that they meet the education needs of the children of this province there being no sorry the member from Kitchener Waterloo on a point of order from Kiki Bamberger to Queens Park for the first time thank you and the cascade begins the minister of labor I just looked up in the stands in the gallery and noticed Diane Bullo was here from Halton women's place please welcome her to Queens Park thank you I know we all know Janet in the gift shop she's retiring at one o'clock today in 228th there's a reception sorry back in your new seat if you have a point of order needs to be made from your seat any others or deferred votes this house stands recess until 1pm this afternoon