 time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Another day, another liberal energy scandal. The past seven days have been a banner week for the Liberals. $12 million wasted on consultants and advertisements. $28 million losing a lawsuit for a project that hasn't even been built. And yesterday, it was $81 million liberal accountant air by the IESO. And today, today we learned that Northland Power won their court case against the government. And on October 21st was awarded, here this, Mr. Speaker, $95 million from the Ontario Electricity Financial Corporation. Mr. Speaker, someone has to pay for this $95 million court case. When will the rate payers learn from the government that they're on the hook again for another $95 million because of liberal blunders? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So I know that the Minister of Energy is going to want to speak to the specifics, Mr. Speaker, but, you know, I just think it's important that we take a step back and we recognize that when this government under the previous Premier came into office in 2003, we were dealing with a degraded electricity system, Mr. Speaker. There was a lot of work that has had to be done over the years to build that system up. Order, please. We completed the closure. I grant that it was not the start, but we could. Stop the clock for a moment, please. During both the question and the answer, I was hearing both sides starting to ramp up. So I'm going to take a moment now to indicate to you that as soon as I said order, three more people added their voices to that instead of grinding them down. You've signaled to me that you have no intention of listening to my gentle orders. I may have to move and I will move to warnings almost immediately if it starts up again. Premier. Completed the closure of coal plants in this province, Mr. Speaker, taking, saving $4 billion in health-related costs, Mr. Speaker. And you know, the opposition can heckle that, but they should talk to families of children with asthma, Mr. Speaker. Okay, I will now move to warnings. And there's two people that have brought me there. $4 billion in savings and health costs is not real, Mr. Speaker. But again, speak to the families of children with asthma. We made those changes, Mr. Speaker, and we've invested in the system that had. Thank you. If it was a test, you're going to lose. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. I had a very specific question on the Northland case, yet another example of liberal mismanagement. All we hear is talking points on coal, which, by the way, the Progressive Conservatives initiated the phase out of coal. So it's about liberal scandal. And I would actually appreciate that Premier could answer this. $12 million, $28 million, $81 million, $95 million, all in the last week. $216 million gone in a week because of this government's incompetence. Mr. Speaker, who is on the hook for that? Not pointing fingers, not trying to say what happened 10 years ago. I want an answer. Who is going to pay for that $260 million? Because, Mr. Speaker, it's not the Minister of Energy. It's not the Premier. It's not the Minister of Finance. They're going to make great payers pay again. Does the Premier not appreciate that seniors, families, businesses can't afford these skyrocketing hydrants? Thank you. Very good. You got the message. Don't do that. Premier. Mr. Speaker, I care very much that people are able to have clean energy that they can have, that they can afford the energy, Mr. Speaker, and that it's reliable, Mr. Speaker. And so... Manipulating Pembroke is warned. Premier. Changes, Mr. Speaker, to help people to afford energy. And, Mr. Speaker, what happened 10 years ago, what happened 15 years ago, does matter in terms of this electricity system, Mr. Speaker. And the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Opposition can take a very narrow, short-sighted view and pretend that there is no history, that there is no... The Member from Dufferin, Caledon is warned. Carry on. No context, but that is just not the reality. So, Mr. Speaker, we are taking steps. We are removing 8% from bills across this province, Mr. Speaker. We're cutting delivery charges to add 300,000 rural customers, Mr. Speaker, by 20% in total with the 8% and 12%, Mr. Speaker. We are... Thank you. We are... Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier. It's very clear the Premier does not want to talk about the four scandals that have happened on her watch just in the last week. A $95 million court case isn't new to this government. They're used to losing court cases. They're used to just throwing it on the backs of ratepayers. The OEFC in Northland have been battling it out in court for years. Northland is reporting that the OEFC will now appeal the result again to the Supreme Court of Canada. Millions and millions have been spent on lawyers. And what I'd like to know, we know the cost of the judgment, but Mr. Speaker, can the Premier tell us how much she has ordered the government to spend on legal fees? Please show some clarity on this endless waste we're seeing that's being put on taxpayers and ratepayers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm pleased to rise and answer this question. You know, Mr. Speaker, we are aware of this and this is an ongoing matter, and it is still in process, Mr. Speaker, so we can't comment on that. But what we can comment on, Mr. Speaker, is the great work that we're doing on this side of the House to help families and to help businesses right across the province, Mr. Speaker. You know, we've actually reduced bills on January 1st by 8% for families, small businesses and farms. For those that are living in rural and remote areas, Mr. Speaker, 330,000 families, those 330,000 families, Mr. Speaker, they will actually see a significant reduction of 20% as well. And when it comes to the agreement that the opposition doesn't want to talk about, Mr. Speaker, which is that landmark agreement with Quebec, Mr. Speaker, we're going to be bringing in two terawatts of power that will be targeted at our natural gas plants, Mr. Speaker. That will be saving, Mr. Speaker, one megaton of GHGs, Mr. Speaker. That's a 25% reduction. Something that on that side of the House, Mr. New question to the leader of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier, and since the government won't answer a question when it comes to their latest hydro scandal, let's try a different subject. Let's try to have a conversation on mining. In May of 2012, the government promised thousands of jobs and new infrastructure for the Ring of Fire. In 2013, the budget promised to improve vital access to the region. And then in 2014, the budget of the province committed $1 billion to the Ring of Fire. And then again in 2015, the same promise of a billion dollars. Surprise, surprise, in the 2016 budget again. Sorry, stop the clock. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is warned. Please finish. Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate why the government likes to heckle the record of inaction. So 2016 for a fourth time, a re-announcement of the same funds. But to date, not a single cent has gone to the Ring of Fire. The economic benefit from the region and to the First Nations communities is incredible. Yet this government won't and hasn't put a shovel in the ground. So Mr. Speaker, my question directly to the cream here is, when are we actually going to see? Well, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Leader of the Opposition doesn't want to recognize that the work that has been done with the First Nations community, with the Metawa First Nations is very important work that had to be done, Mr. Speaker. And in fact, the training dollars that have gone into communities, the support that has already begun, Mr. Speaker, in order that those communities can be part of the development of the Ring of Fire and can be part of the economic development. Mr. Speaker, I recognize that the Leader of the Opposition doesn't value that. But that is the work that has been going on, Mr. Speaker. There has been a serious engagement with those communities to make sure that they are able to take part in the economic development and that as we put shovels in the ground and we build roads, Mr. Speaker, that we build those roads in a way that will connect communities so that they can, yes, they can be part of the economic development of the Ring of Fire, but much beyond that, Mr. Speaker, that they have the social supports that allow them to take part. Thank you. Supplementary members from Therese Sound, Muscova. So thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, to the cream here, the current government has overseen the entire life of the Ring of Fire mineral deposit to date from discovery to where we find ourselves today. Reading a press release from 2012, you would have thought a chromite mine was a done deal. The release proclaims thousands of jobs coming to Northern Ontario and has quotes from five ministers, including the current Premier. It boasts of the over 20 mining companies that holding claims in the region, a far cry from what we see today. It even goes into detail on a chromite processing facility to be opened in close proximity to the then minister's own writing. The government to date has truly overpromised and under-delivered on the Ring of Fire. So, Speaker, why should anyone believe that this government is capable of doing what it takes to develop the Ring of Fire? Mr. Northern Development and Mines. Mr. Northern Development and Mines. We are indeed working hard and very diligently to move the progress forward on the Ring of Fire, and that means, Mr. Speaker, working with all of our partners, working with industry, working with the federal government, and certainly particularly, as a Premier pointed out, working with our First Nations to move this project forward. When we signed the Regional Framework Agreement in 2014... We're on warnings. Carry on. Mr. Speaker, when we signed the Regional Framework Agreement in 2014 with the Metrabo First Nations, we made a commitment to work with them on regional infrastructure. We made a commitment to work with them on socio-economic impacts on resource revenue sharing. Those are all important discussions that are taking place. And may I say, discussions are at a very significant point right now in terms of them partnering with us to make some decisions related to the community corridor study. May I say to the members of the opposition, they do not believe we should be having those kinds of conversations. Answer. They should say so. The bottom line is we are working hard. This is a complicated file, and we are optimistic that we'll continue to move forward and see progress. We'll supplement you. Again, to the Premier, I think I've heard that answer before from your minister, but Speaker, First Nations communities in the Ring of Fire region are integral to the entire development. They also stand to gain the most from local mining opportunities. Mining employs more Indigenous people than any other sector, about 14% of the mining workforce. Good point. So it's important to the communities in the area to see some progress. So through the Speaker, other than framework agreements to negotiate what tangible progress have you made on this important project? Thank you. That was very risky. We recognize that it's crucial we move forward on a transportation infrastructure in the Ring of Fire, and that is indeed why we are so keen to move forward with our work with the federal government. This is a nationally significant project, the one that deserve federal government support, and that's the efforts that we're making as well. But in terms of the work with the industry, there are still a significant number of companies that have expressed tremendous interest in the Ring of Fire. We're going to work with those industrial partners to help move this project forward. And in terms of the First Nations, this is an absolutely crucial part of our commitment to make sure that decisions that are made related to what will most directly impact their future development are made also by the First Nations themselves. And that's why it is so crucial that we have those discussions under the regional framework agreement that will make sure that the decisions that are made are shared by our partners, not just by the First Nations, but by industry and by the federal government. We're keen to keep working hard in this. Thank you. I'm committed to it, Mr. Speaker. Minister, I stand you sit. New question. The leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, yesterday police revealed that at least eight elderly residents of long-term care homes were allegedly murdered between 2007 and 2014 in Woodstock and London. It is horrific. It is tragic. And it is heartbreaking. And our thoughts and sympathies go out to the families and loved ones, Speaker. I understand that there is an open police investigation happening right now. And I know that no one here would do anything to impede or compromise that investigation in any way, Speaker. But there are some genuine straightforward questions that need to be asked today. Premier, Ontarians want to know how it is possible that alleged murders can go undetected inside a long-term care home in Ontario for seven years. Do you want to say no? Well, Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, this is an extremely distressing case. And as I said yesterday, I don't think there's anyone in this legislature. This is not a partisan issue in any way, Mr. Speaker. There is no one in this legislature who is not distressed by this case, Mr. Speaker. And so the question that the leader of the third party asks, how could this happen, is exactly what the police investigation is about, Mr. Speaker. That is exactly the question that needs to be answered. And so we need to let the police investigation unfold, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary. Well, Speaker, of course, there is a police investigation ongoing, and I respect that very much. But the question I'm asking has to do with the ministry of long-term care and their oversight procedures. While this is perhaps the most graphic, serious and tragic example of abuse and mistreatment in our long-term care system, we all know that it's not the first. The families of 78,000 Ontarians in long-term care want to know what action the government has taken in the last 24 hours to ensure that their loved ones are safe. Has the Premier ordered any action or review of current oversight measures in Ontario's long-term care system? Minister of Health and Long-term Care. Minister of Health, Long-term Care. Well, Mr. Speaker, let me also add my deepest sympathies to these families who have not only had to mourn the death of a loved one, but now face the allegations as outlined by police yesterday. It truly is tragic and in fact, for the communities of Woodstock and London as well. I also, it's important the police deliberately stated yesterday morning that there's no danger to any of the residents in long-term care homes in this province as a result of these alleged actions. We have stated the same. We have one of the most robust oversight accountability measures to ensure the safety and protection of long-term care residents, certainly in Canada, Mr. Speaker, in fact, in the world. And that inspection process is robust. That being said, we are actively participating and collaborating with the police to ensure that the many questions, including those from the opposition, those questions are answered in due course. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, something has obviously failed and that's the reason I'm asking the question today, Speaker. Again, it has to do with oversight, Speaker. Order. Somebody will get warned if they continue. Please finish. Speaker, seven years and no one knew. That's a failure of our system. And that's what I think the people of Ontario require us to look at as a group, Speaker. So my question has to do with oversight in our system, not the details of the investigation. We all know those details are going to come, Speaker. It has to do with the oversight that's needed to protect the most vulnerable seniors and residents of long-term care. There are 78,000 residents in long-term care homes across Ontario today, and they and their families have simple straightforward questions that deserve answers from the government. What is the Premier doing to improve oversight and protection of Ontarians living in long-term care homes in our province? Minister. And Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that I remind all of us in this chamber that we are dealing with allegations. There are absolutely horrible, terrible allegations, but there are allegations nonetheless. And I also want to, as the police did yesterday, in reassuring the public and reassuring the residents of long-term care homes that there is no danger to them as a result of these horrible allegations, Mr. Speaker, I can also assure the legislature and the public that the highest priority for myself and my ministry is the safety and security of residents in our long-term care homes, as it is for all Ontarians. We have, among the best oversight mechanisms for critical incidents, as well as for general annual inspections in the world, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to improve upon that strong, robust system, but it's important that all of us remind Ontarians and assure them of their safety in this critical time. Thank you. New question. The next question is also to the Premier Speaker. As we continue to learn the details of this unspeakable tragedy and the ones before it, I want to ask the Premier very clearly, does she have faith? Does she have faith, Speaker, in the current rules and regulations? Stop the clock. Member from Beaches East York is warned. Carry on. Does she have faith in the current rules and regulations that are currently in place in the province of Ontario to make sure that long-term care homes are safe? Are safe for the people who live there. Thank you. Come here. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I want to be very frank with the legislature that what the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has said is exactly right. We're dealing with allegations in a very horrible, horrible situation, Mr. Speaker. But there are processes that are in place that need to unfold. But, Mr. Speaker, if the leader of the third party is suggesting that somehow I'm not interested in getting to the bottom of this, that I don't know, I don't want to know what happened, she's absolutely wrong, Mr. Speaker. I believe that there are systems in place that are set and are designed to protect the innocence of people against whom there are allegations, but also, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that answers are found to very difficult questions. If, Mr. Speaker, as those processes unfold, and I'll complete my answer in the supplementary, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, I agree with the Premier insofar as this is a very tragic situation that we're talking about someone's parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts or uncles. We're talking about family, Speaker, and that's what makes it so extremely important. But Ontarians need to know exactly what's being done by the Premier to ensure that something this horrific and heartbreaking never happens again. So will the Premier be directing her Minister of Health to review how the government monitors nursing homes in this province? Thank you, Premier. As I said, Mr. Speaker, there are processes in place right now that must be allowed to unfold, Mr. Speaker. It's absolutely imperative that the police have the opportunity to do the work that they need to do to get to the bottom of the questions that are obviously being asked by everyone, especially by the families of the people who have died, Mr. Speaker. And it is the responsibility of the government and the Ministry of Health to make sure that all of the systems and protections are in place. But, Mr. Speaker, at some point, if there is a need for an independent review or an inquiry, we will absolutely undertake that, Mr. Speaker, not because of political pressure from the NDP, Mr. Speaker, but because we all need to have the answers. But in the interim, Mr. Speaker, there are processes that the police are leading and they need to be allowed to do their work. Answer? Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, these deaths are unspeakably tragic, and I can only imagine the pain that these families must be feeling right now. But it's not about impeding a police investigation, Speaker. It is not about impeding an investigation in to this tragedy, but there are 78,000 Ontarians in long-term care right now, and that means 78,000 families are looking to the Premier for reassurance about their loved ones. When will the Premier be taking action to ensure that Ontario has the most effective oversight, the most effective possible oversight and monitoring of our long-term care facilities? Thank you, Premier. Minister of Health and long-term care. Minister of Health, long-term care. Well, Mr. Speaker, I believe that we, I know that we have one of the strongest oversight mechanisms for long-term care homes in the entire world and we continue to work to improve that. But I want to speak to the families of those that are at the centre of these allegations and I want to assure them that we as a government will do absolutely everything possible to answer their questions, to answer the questions that they have, that their family members have, that Ontarians have and rightly deserve answers to. And we'll do that in the context of collaborating and participating in the police investigation that is underway. And I want to reassure the 78,000 individuals who call long-term care homes their home, Mr. Speaker. There is nothing more important to me and I give them my absolute commitment as Minister of Health to do whatever I can to ensure their safety and their security in their homes wherever they might reside in this province, Mr. Speaker. That is my obligation and that is my commitment to them. Thank you. You have a question to members from Leeds-Brandwell. Thanks, Speaker Amaya. My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Speaker, a month ago I asked the Minister to get involved in helping baby Everly Yulkowski. But Everly's parents Sarah and Jordan of Lombardy in my riding are still struggling to keep their beautiful baby alive with no help from this government. It's absolutely shameful this young family is living this nightmare while health bureaucrats waste time. The Minister said he's providing updates. I don't want updates. I want action to lift this unimaginable burden off this family. The CCAC has failed baby Everly. Her parents have lost trust and faith in them. Speaker, this family is in crisis. Will the Minister personally step in to get baby Everly her care without any further delay? Thank you. Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate this question. And the member opposite knows that we've discussed this tiny person's challenge and the challenge that it's created for her family on a number of occasions. And it truly is distressing the circumstances that this family is going through. That's why and I know the CCAC has been involved. My ministry is involved. My office is directly involved. The Minister of Children and Youth Services as well to find a way to provide the level of support that that small infant deserves. And we have a responsibility to provide. We're working with the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario as well who has aptly in a hospital setting provided extraordinary care to this tiny individual. I know that this is challenging for all involved. I'm committed to seeing it through and providing the support that that family so desperately needs. Thank you. Supplementary. Speaker, the bureaucrats who have utterly failed this family they get to go home at night. For Sarah and Jordan there's no end to their day. They live this reality 24-7. At any moment Everly can stop breathing and they have to resuscitate her. It's life and death and the stress is indescribable. These brave parents do it because they want their little girl at home. But after two months on their own they're losing hope. They're running out of funds and they're feeling totally abandoned by our health care system. Speaker, this is cruel and it lacks compassion. Speaker, is this the health care system the minister wants? If not, will he pick up the phone and call Sarah and Jordan to apologize and assure them that they won't have to go through another night on their own? Mr. Speaker, this is a very challenging situation for the family, as I mentioned. There are maybe 50 children around this province that fall into a category of being exceedingly extremely challenging from a medical perspective. We know that this tiny baby was well cared for in hospital but appropriately as the parents want to and we should support they want to bring their baby home and provide that support at home. We need to work with them to do that. These are the most challenging individuals that we need to embrace that and we need to find the flexibility to be able to provide that support. That's what we're trying to do. I'm sorry that it has taken the amount of time it has. I know however the CCAC has been working as challenging as this is for them. They've been working as hard as they can to find a resolution. There are now multiple ministries involved. My office is directly involved. I'm confident that we will be able to provide the support that this child requires, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question. A member from Toronto Danforth. Thank you Speaker. Speaker, my question to the Premier. According to the public accounts, nearly $800 million in Hydro-1 cash was recognized by the Trillium Trust last year. These quote asset optimization proceeds were supposed to be spent on infrastructure last year. This was the whole point of the Hydro-1 sale. But none of this Hydro-1 cash was spent on infrastructure. Will the Premier explain where $800 million in Hydro-1 cash proceeds has gone instead of being spent on infrastructure? Mr. Finance. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question. The member opposite I think does know that all proceeds that are generated from Hydro-1 in regards to the IPO and since then the subsequent offering a good portion of that has gone to pay down the debt that's accorded to the transaction and the rest is going directly to the Trillium Trust which is being used for infrastructure projects in our communities. Mr. Speaker, something that member opposite hasn't had a plan to do and they actually have not even called for investments in some of these infrastructure projects and transit systems that are critically important to our competitiveness and enabling us to have a higher return for the use of those funds and that is all the reason that we're making these investments and the transition from Hydro-1 to be reinvested into our communities. Thank you. Supplementary. Well you actually aren't investing the money in infrastructure but another question. When the Premier gave the privatized Hydro-1 a $2.6 billion tax holiday this increased the book value of the government's remaining ownership in Hydro-1 by about $2.4 billion. Last year the government rewrote the Trillium Trust Act to allow the government to recognize this gain on paper as revenue that could somehow be dedicated to infrastructure but this $2.4 billion is not cash. It exists only on paper. It cannot be spent on subways yet this accounting adjustment represents more than half of the $4 billion in Hydro-1 proceeds the Premier has promised for infrastructure. Will the Premier explain how $2.4 billion in accounting vapor is going to be used to pay for infrastructure? Mr. Speaker, let's be clear this is not a tax holiday that's been attributed to this transaction. This is actually a normal course of business that's been made. The $2.8 billion deferred tax benefit actually does provide a net fiscal benefit to the province all of which is being afforded right into the Trillium Trust Mr. Speaker. Not only that we have $3.4 billion thus far from the transactions that is paying down debt and an additional $4.95 billion that's going to be going directly to the trust fund to enable us to do the very projects that the member opposite hasn't even planned for. We're making the plans we're making the reinvestment. I know you're tempted but wrap up sentence please. They obviously don't like the fact that we're generating more funds more money to be reinvested to make ourselves more competitive Mr. Speaker, that's what this is all about. New question. The member from Beach's East York. Well, thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Housing and the Minister of Response for poverty reduction strategy. Speaker, according to Push for Change it is estimated that one third of Canada's homeless population are youth. Joe Roberts knows this reality as a former homeless youth who has transformed his difficult life to become a successful businessman. He, Joe, understands the importance of the power of possibility. And since May 1 of this year Joe Roberts through Push for Change has been pushing a shopping cart across Canada to help raise awareness for youth homelessness. I think I speak for all of us when I wish Joe's success on the rest of his inspiring journey. Now, I know our government is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for children and youth and ending chronic homelessness in Ontario. And Speaker, I would ask to the Minister inform this House on Ontario's progress in reducing youth homelessness. Thank you, Minister of Housing. Thank you, Speaker. And thank you to the member from Beaches East York for that important question. Speaker, I want to take this time and thank Push for Change Joe Roberts and Marie Roberts and the rest of their team and all the leaders, including persons with lived experience who are fighting every day to end homelessness in communities across our great province. Speaker, our government remains committed to end chronic homelessness by 2025 as a crucial step in showing we can and must end homelessness for everyone in our province. Speaker, since 2008, our government has made great strides in lifting tens of thousands of children and youth out of poverty. Our government has also announced $15 million in additional community homelessness prevention initiative funding for the next two years for a total of $30 million in new investments to support municipalities in their local work to fight homelessness. In fact, Speaker, by 2018, our government's annual Chippy investment will be almost $324 million. Thank you. Supplementary. Well, thank you, Speaker. And I'm delighted to hear about the great progress through our ministry and our government is making to help reduce homelessness in Ontario. And so it's... Can't quite see who that was. Carry on, please. Yes, Speaker. Today I had the pleasure and I was honored to participate in an announcement with the Minister of Housing, Minister of Responsible Poverty Reduction that Woodgreen Community Services would receive $400,000 from the Local Poverty Reduction Fund. And addressing poverty concerns is an issue that I brought up very early in my mandate after the 2014 election and a commitment I made to the people of beaches East York and across the province. So I'm proud to be part of a government that takes this issue very, very seriously and is taking action on it. So, Speaker, this funding will help evaluate the program's supports. Homeless older men with complex care needs have to transition and disable housing. Will you, Speaker? Through you, Speaker. Will the minister explain? Minister. Well, thank you, Speaker. And thank you again to the member from Beaches East York for that question. Our government is investing $50 million over six years towards the Local Poverty Reduction Fund, Speaker. This year, we're investing $16 million through the second year of the Local Poverty Reduction Fund. Over $5 million of this funding will be used to support 11 community-driven programs innovative, measurable, that will improve the lives of those most affected by poverty and homelessness. Grant recipients like Woodgreen Community Services are required to evaluate their success in their program. Through this evaluation, Speaker, we can replicate success to help even more people across the province. Local community organizations are helping us build the body of evidence we need to identify what's working, measure our progress and expand our efforts to continue making Ontario the best place to call home. Thank you very much. Any questions? The member from London can get the message. Well, good morning, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Economic Development and Growth. Last week, I asked the Minister important questions regarding the changing dynamic when it comes to our economy because of decisions made by this liberal government. Speaker, it is businesses like small and family businesses, startups and established manufacturing companies that are the backbone of our economy. But these very same businesses are telling us that they no longer fear their competition. Instead, it's a liberal government that they fear the most. Speaker, last week, the Minister said and I quote, no government has ever supported our small business community like this government has, unquote, Speaker, utterly out of touch. This government's haphazard policies, sky high hydro and lack of overall economic plan are driving businesses out of Ontario. Speaker, how could the Minister claim to be the best thing going for small and medium businesses when every day more and more of them are being driven out of Ontario? Good question. Minister of economic development and growth. Mr. Speaker, Ontario is producing some of, if not the best small businesses and startups anywhere in North America today, if not anywhere in the world. And rather than talk down the incredible partnership that we have with our small businesses and all the good things we've done from tax reductions, Mr. Speaker, to leading the country, if not North America and reducing regulatory burden for our businesses, rather than talk down those efforts, the members should be joining me in praising those small businesses because we're proud of what they're doing in North America. Mr. Speaker, they're not only cutting edge in terms of growth, they're also leading disruptive technology in Canada and around the world. Something, Mr. Speaker, that's going to lead our economy into a very prosperous and bright future, something that we're proud of, something we're very proud of. We're proud of our small businesses, Mr. Speaker. Well, Speaker, back to the minister. While the minister brags about the government's poor record and hands out subsidies to large multinational companies by invitation only, small manufacturers in this province are facing a crisis. The vast majority of manufacturers in Ontario employ 50 people or less and they provide many high-skilled jobs. Speaker, sadly I've spoken with many of these companies and they have an eye on their exit. They have been pushed to their limit by high energy costs and see no sign from this Liberal government that their crisis has been noticed, let alone that relief is ever coming. These employers have a clear message. This government has become the greatest obstacle to their success. Speaker, is the minister saying the coalition of concerned manufacturers is wrong about the state of their very own businesses? Question, thank you. Minister? Mr. Speaker, we're proud of the investments we've made in partnership with our manufacturers across this province. In particular, Mr. Speaker, we're proud of the partnerships we've had with our auto sector. We've seen just in the last month alone, Mr. Speaker, the Oshawa manufacturing plant for GM, the largest manufacturing centre in all of Ontario, Mr. Speaker, because of our partnerships with GM, we're going to save thousands of jobs in Oshawa, jobs that would be gone if their leader in that party were elected. We just recently saw Fiat Chrysler, Mr. Speaker, announce that the future of the Brampton plant, thousands of workers, thousands of Ontario auto workers are there, will be saved, Mr. Speaker, because of the partnerships we've had with them. We're working hard with Ford. We're working hard with Toyota. We're working hard, Mr. Speaker, with Honda. Because of the partnerships that we've brought to that sector, Mr. Speaker, our sector in Ontario is alive and well. Thank you. If they had their way, we wouldn't have. Thank you. No question remember from Windsor West. Thank you, Speaker. My questions to the Premier. Today, early childhood educators and child care workers from across the province came to Queens Park to deliver thousands of signatures on a petition collected from Windsor to Oshawa, calling for a universal child care system in Ontario. A new report by the Association of Early Childhood Educators shares the experience of those working in a sector with low wages and limited benefits. Delivering a service that few parents can even afford. What will it take for this government to finally listen to child care workers and families and commit to a system of universal, affordable child care in Ontario? Associate Minister of Education early years in child care? Associate Minister of Education. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank the member opposite for asking this very important question. I'm so pleased to be here today as we recognize the 16th annual Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day. After all, the work that our early childhood educators do on the ground is so very important. These are the smiling faces and the helping hands that ensure that our young people are looked after. These are the people that we entrust our precious children with. The ones we put our faith in and the ones on the front lines shaping our children and future generations. So it is with great respect that I am here today and proud to speak out about our early childhood educators. We are providing, Mr. Speaker, $269 million to support a wage increase in the licensed child care sector. We're also adding an additional dollar an hour to up that to $2 an hour for early childhood educators. This is an important sector and one that we respect and are happy to work with. Supplement. Again to the Premier, child care is more than a conversation of places and spaces. Parents who couldn't afford child care before this government's thrown speech are no better off today. Working conditions in the child care sector are reaching a tipping point where over a quarter of our dedicated professionals are looking for another job. Nearly 25% of early childhood educators make under $15 an hour despite their tremendous role and responsibility in caring for our children. The future of this province. Will this government finally commit to universal child care system that works for child care workers and Ontario families? Again, Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and proud to rise today and talk about the important work that our early childhood educators are doing. Once again, we are transforming the way that we deliver child care in this province. Transforming it and we're transforming it with an historic investment. A historic investment not just in our early childhood educators but also in our children and the future of this province. And how are we doing this? Well, we recognize that this means that this is about partnerships. We are all working together to deliver the best child care system that we possibly can in this province and that means ensuring that those people who are out there on the ground and on the front lines taking care of our little ones get the support they need. It begins with the $269 million to support a wage increase. It also goes to the dollar an hour that brings our increase up to $2 and in addition the $10 a day to $20 a day. Is there more work to do? Thank you. Your question? The member from Kitchener Center. Thank you, Speaker. My question this morning is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Ontario is fortunate to have an abundance of natural resources including rich mineral deposits. As the Minister knows the mining industry is critical for the livelihood of many people in Northern Ontario and it serves as an economic driver of many communities in that region. Speaker people in Ontario want to know that their government understands this and is taking steps to ensure that our mining industry remains prosperous and on the right track. Speaker could the Minister please tell this House what the government is doing to support the mining industry in Ontario and how we can continue on the path to become the global leader in sustainable mineral development. Thank you. Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member from Kitchener Center for asking that very important question. And certainly, Speaker, our government is absolutely committed to ensuring that our mining sector remains strong now and into the future. And that's why last December we renewed Ontario's mineral development strategy a blueprint for the mining sector over the next 10 years. Tremendous initiative, Speaker. And a renewed mineral development strategy means tremendous initiatives like an investment of $5 million through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program to bring forward further investment in the exploration which will bring about the development of new mines in the future. In addition to that it also means modernizing the way that we do business with legislative changes to the mining act that would, if passed, introduce a province-wide online claim registration and integrated land management system. Speaker, I certainly can go on and on about the work that we're doing but I'm excited to continue to working to help Ontario become the global leader in sustainable mineral development. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker and thanks to the minister for that answer. It's very encouraging to hear that the government understands the value of our mining sector and is continuing to nurture growth in this very important industry. But in the face of declining commodity prices Ontarians need to know that the right investments are being made and that Ontario is working with all its partners in the mining sector. Speaker, today is a special day in the legislature as guests from the Ontario Mining Association are visiting us. Could the minister please explain how this government intends to steer Ontario toward innovation in the mining sector and how this will help Northern Ontario's economy continue to grow? Thank you minister. Well, thank you again to the member for Kitchener Centre it was just a great question. And while Ontario's reputation as a destination of choice for mineral development is very well known we understand that the province is mineral development landscape it's constantly evolving and there are many challenges. We are committed to helping it face those new challenges Mr. Speaker. It's why we are continuing to modernize the mining act why to ensure a fast more efficient system is in place to promote a dynamic and competitive business climate in Ontario and our government very much values the work that the mineral industry does each year to provide Ontario with the building blocks of a modern society in a great new industry. Speaker, as the member mentioned today is Meet the Miners Day the Ontario Mining Association Meet the Miners Day here at Queen's Park want to invite all members certainly the member and all the members to visit the reception tonight in the dining room to meet the miners and find out how we're building the industry of the province. Thank you. New question the member from Perth, Wellington. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Energy. When speaking about the mess his government has made of the energy file the minister refused to call it a crisis. My constituents disagree. In a Stratford condo building bills have more than doubled their monthly global adjustment charge alone was over $2,600. Another constituent got a bill for over $100 for using no power at all. And mother contacted me. She burst into tears and was terrified after learning rates could increase twice a year. I asked the minister if this isn't a crisis what is it? Thank you Mr. Speaker. A crisis is when you don't have a system that's unreliable and doesn't work Mr. Speaker and that's the system that they left for us Mr. Speaker that we had to pick up and take over Mr. Speaker that was a crisis. We understand on this side of the house Mr. Speaker that there are some families that are having difficulty Mr. Speaker and that's why we brought forward the bill Mr. Speaker that's going to have an 8% reduction as of January 1st to help all families across the province Mr. Speaker we're very pleased that that bill passed last week because that will be something that's effectively going to help all families right across the province families that are on their homes families and condos small farms Mr. Speaker and small businesses we're happy to see that pass Mr. Speaker and we're also happy to see that there's going to be that 20% reduction for 330,000 families across the province that live in rural or remote parts Mr. Speaker and it's not just us that's saying that Mr. Speaker you know what the CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce says the announcement that we made is a very significant one for residents small industry and it's the most important group that will be able to benefit from this Mr. Speaker thank you thank you Speaker Speaker that's not fooling anyone neither is this government's multi-million dollar advertising they told us the Ontario electricity support program would help those who need it but they didn't make the benefits automatic instead they forced people to apply why because the liberals as usual wanted maximum political benefit this way they could waste almost 12 million dollars on consultants publications media and advertising that includes nine million dollars to line the pockets of liberal friendly consultants meanwhile many can't afford to keep the furnace running that sir is a disgrace will the minister explain to my constituents why this government is using their money to sell such a scam thank you Mr. Speaker I guess he doesn't understand the whole concept about the Canada Revenue Agency Mr. Speaker and making sure that we work with the federal government on this like you're mandated to do and we do Mr. Speaker on this side of the house in terms of the money that we're spending on this Mr. Speaker we're very proud on this side of the house that 21 million dollars has been spent so far providing support to 145,000 families in 10 months Mr. Speaker that we've got another 14,000 families that are signing up for this program every month Mr. Speaker we want more we have a budget of 225 million dollars Mr. Speaker to help families right across the province Mr. Speaker the unfortunate thing Mr. Speaker is on that side of the house they don't talk about this program because they know it will help families Mr. Speaker what they like to do is just make up some numbers Mr. Speaker we talk about making sure that we're starting up a program that's helping 145,000 families Mr. Speaker we want more families to sign up and that's why we continue to talk about it and advertise it on this side of the house Mr. Speaker New question to the member from Oshawa thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the premier Adam Capay has been held in solitary confinement for the past four years worst of all it is for a crime for which he has not yet been convicted he has been kept in isolation while awaiting a trial since 2012 this is our justice system in Ontario the supreme court of Canada has ruled that a delay longer than 30 months constitutes a violation of charter rights Adam has been held for 52 months will the premier please explain why our justice system is violating the charter rights of Ontarians Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services thank you very much Speaker and thank the member opposite for the question we are working to improve the Correctional System and obviously the conditions for segregation for any individual and segregation as I indicated last week and released publicly that this will be a means of last resort and that every effort needs to be ensured that an individual will only be in segregation when it is for their safety or the safety of others in the institution I can provide an update to the House with respect to this particular individual this individual has been moved from their cell they are no longer in that same cell they are in a different location with appropriate lighting access to day room spending time out of their cell for showers phone calls and access to TV and it is my understanding that from speaking to officials the inmate is satisfied with the conditions that they are presently in thank you supplementary thank you speaker the canadian charter of rights and freedoms guarantees all canadians the right to be tried within a reasonable time the supreme court of canada has deemed a reasonable delay to be no more than 30 months adam capay has waited nearly twice that long can the premier guarantee that there are no more adam capays that have been lost in our jails can she guarantee there are no more adam capays attorney general speaker attorney general thank you very much speaker and uh we very much recognize because this is a extremely serious and challenging matter and we recognize that people have questions and concerns and and our government takes member from hamilton east stony creek is warned carry on and speaker i take our government takes the concerns that are being raised very seriously and of course obligations that are are enshrined within the charter rights and freedoms very seriously as well speaker i can share with you that as we all know mr capay is facing some very serious charges as the attorney general it is my responsibility to ensure that we do not influence the outcome of any prosecution that is ongoing but what i can say is that i've been advised that the crown has and will continue to work to bring these charges to trial as quickly as possible thank you new question from bary thank you speaker my question is to the minister of health and long-term care i know that health care is a top priority for our government investing in health infrastructure is an important part of ensuring that ontario patients have access to the high quality care that they need today and in the future york region is one of the provinces fastest growing dynamic areas and as more families continue to move to the area many are wondering how the province will continue to invest in health services to ensure low weight times and access to the highest quality of care can the minister of health please update this house on an important announcement that was made yesterday in york region thank you mr speaker i want to thank the member for this important question transportation and the member from von for his tireless advocacy if i can describe it it's such to ensure that there are investments towards high quality state of the art health care services in the region across the province mr speaker we're investing 12 billion dollars in health care infrastructure over the next decade to build new and improved hospitals right today there are 35 major hospital projects either under construction or being planned but specifically about the mckenzie von hospital the minister of transportation and member from von of course was there for the announcement as was the minister of community and social services the member from oak ridges markham and the minister of research innovation and science the member from richmond hill all were in von yesterday to break ground right across from canada's wonderland i was there last year when we announced the project for the new mckenzie von hospital site thank you minister for that response it's reassuring to know that our government is committed to building hospital infrastructure in the northern gta and across this province and i know that residents across the region are excited for the groundbreaking construction and eventual ribbon cutting of this very important project i also know that many residents across the area are interested to learn about what healthcare services will be offered at the new mckenzie von site would the minister be able to provide further details of what features the residents of north gta can look forward to seeing in the coming years yeah thank you minister thank you mr. speaker i want to thank the member from berry for this question this the mckenzie von hospital will be state of the art it will have fully integrated smart technology it features systems and medical devices that communicate directly mr. speaker to maximize the exchange of information maximize the quality of patient care and the patient experience it's gonna have 350 beds 1800 full-time staff positions in the area 100 physician specialists mr. speaker it will have everything you can imagine a state of the art hospital should have by putting shovels in the ground yesterday we took a concrete step towards providing technologically advanced patient focused healthcare to the people of von and the greater york region thank you mr. speaker thank you new question to members from the island from athletics and adam thank you speaker speaker to the attorney general the speaker last week in this house the attorney general and I spoke about access to justice week he spoke of stats and figures and I spoke of the human face of access to justice we have another face who has been denied access to justice adam cappy and you know the global male headline I think is important for us to understand Ontario's sickening mistreatment of adam cappy for over four years he has been denied his freedom denied his liberty he has been held incarcerated without due process he has been denied justice he's been not denied his day in court the speaker answer the attorney general a question sorry today attorney general I heard your answer adam cappy needs justice will you stand up in this house and confirm that he will get justice and his thank you thank you thank you thank you this is a tory question speaker I would state again this is a very serious and challenging matter and I very much recognize that people have questions and concerns and we as a government and I as the attorney general take those questions and concerns very seriously speaker speaker as I as I said Mr cappy is facing some very serious charges and as the attorney general it is my responsibility to ensure that we do not influence the outcome of that prosecution which is on the way in any way whatsoever what I can say speaker and is is that I have been advised that the crown has and will continue to work to bring these charges to trial as quickly as possible I'm not sure if a member of the officials that sit in this chair should be challenging whether or not a warning is enough supplementary speaker again to the attorney general I spoke in this house about the tragedy in our justice system of 43% of people who are faced criminal charges kept incarcerated who only then have their charges in their cases stayed or withdrawn before trial that's a terrible terrible track record of this attorney general and is Adam cappy going to be another one of those statistics that the attorney general speaks about in next year's access to justice and that he still languages there without a trial speaker the attorney general says he's facing serious charges well I'm going to say the attorney general is facing serious charges over four years of keeping somebody incarcerated without the right to a trial that's a serious charge it shouldn't be taken likely he should stand up make sure that the attorney general's off it speaker the matter the matter is a very serious matter the charges are very serious charges I think my advice to all members would be to refrain from speculating as to the circumstances before the the course and the work that the crown and the defense council that may be doing I do want to address the issue of speaker briefly the issue around access justice because it is a very important and fundamental of our justice and judicial system and the Jordan decision recently issued by the supreme court of Canada presents a valuable opportunity for our justice system isn't it's an issue that all jurisdictions are on Canada are discussing and grappling with in fact at the most recent federal provincial and territorial meeting of justice ministers we spent considered time talking about the implication of the Jordan decision and the strategies that we all collectively putting in place to ensure that people get speedy justice thank you I beg to inform the house that I have laid today upon the table the 2015-16 annual report of the environmental commissioner of Ontario there are no deferred votes this house stands recessed until 3 p.m. this afternoon