 it is now time for question period. Remember from five million years ago. Good morning to the Premier. Your government announced on Tuesday that it's asking for comment on an 80% reduction of neonicotinoid pesticides by 2017. Now the grain farmers of Ontario project this ban will cost them $630 million a year. But Health Canada said there was no conclusive scientific evidence that this ban will cut be mortality rates. Your government said it would only take action if there was conclusive scientific evidence that the onyx are a problem. Yet in a scrum yesterday, your minister the environment said, and I quote, all of the science is inconclusive. Premier, why are you cutting the onyx by 80% and hurting farmers without the conclusive research evidence necessary to back it up? Thank you, Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank the member opposite for the question. This is a very important issue. Of course it is important to our grain and oil seed farmers, Mr. Speaker. It is important for beekeepers across the province. But Mr. Speaker, there is a much greater issue here. There is a much greater issue at stake here, Mr. Speaker. And that is the health of pollinators across the province and quite frankly across the country and the ability for us to have a healthy ecosystem. And so, Mr. Speaker, what I said beginning when I was Minister of Agriculture and Food and what I continue to say is that we need to make sure that we take the competing interests because there are competing interests. And we act in the context of the greatest interest, which is that we have a healthy ecosystem and that we preserve that ecosystem for our children and our grandchildren, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. So, thank you. Well, we do both agree there is an issue with bee health and mortality in Ontario. In fact, you took the initiative, you created the Bee Health Working Group to study the problem. And when the group reported, they didn't recommend a ban. They didn't recommend a reduction of neonics. What they did recommend were new best practices for using neonics during planting. Because the planting process is when the insecticide can be transferred through airborne dust. Those recommendations were acted on during planting last spring, for example, the use of dust-reducing lubricant. And as a result, we were told bee dust for cut by 70%. Premier, farmers are doing their part to cut bee mortality. Why punish them the progress they have achieved? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, and I know that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change will want to speak to this. But let me just say that we know that Ontario's economy is driven by a strong agricultural sector. The sector relies on pollinators to be productive, Mr. Speaker. And so we have worked with the bee working group. Order, please. The reality is that best practices do point to a reduction in the use of neonocotinoids, Mr. Speaker. And that is what we're doing. What we're saying is that we have set an aspirational target to reduce the use of neonocotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed by 80% by 2017. So we are not proposing a ban, Mr. Speaker. We are proposing a reduction. We are proposing a different way of using this pesticide. So we are working very hard to achieve an over-winter honey be mortality rate of 15% by 2020. That is our target, Mr. Speaker. Let's welcome the Minister and the member from here on, Bruce. Let's speak back to the Premier. I used to work for Omafra's Premier. I remember the extensive pest management training. I remember the efforts that went into educating and encouraging farmers to embrace conservation tillage. Today in 2014, Premier, farmers are doing their best. It's the norm for them to have environmental farm plants. You should know that as a former minister of agriculture. Ontario farmers are outstanding environmental stewards. Water, please. And now, seemingly, you're asking them to go back in time using conventional tillage practices and pesticides that are more harmful to the environment. So, Premier, going backwards is not an option for Ontario farmers. So I ask you today, what is the alternative to the practice that you're going to encourage them? Well, Mr. Speaker, I would ask the member opposite. What is the alternative if we lose our pollinators? And the fact is, Mr. Speaker, that we are going to work with the farmers. I have had many conversations with the head of the grain and oil seed farmers, Mr. Speaker. I understand the concerns. And I have committed to continue to work with them. We have set some aspirational targets to change the practice. That'll do. Don't worry. I'll get down to the individual. Finish, please. We have set some aspirational targets, Mr. Speaker. There is time to continue to work with the farmers. They know that. I've had person-to-person conversations with them. I will be meeting many of them tomorrow, Mr. Speaker. But the practices do need to change, Mr. Speaker. And we're going to work with them to make sure that they do. Thank you. New question, the member from Prince Edward Easton. Morning, Mr. Speaker. My question this morning is for the Premier. Premier, for three years, we've been asking for a line-by-line budget for the Pan Am games. Yesterday, we found out the reason that we've never gotten one. Budget apparently has a much different meaning if you're a Liberal cabinet minister than it does for regular people in the province of Ontario. $121 million was set aside for security. $245 million is actually being spent so far. The auditor general's report showed that $39 million was set aside for a security contractor. $81 million was actually spent and was in the budget. The reason only half the job was actually budgeted for when the contract was put out. So, Premier, who's being held responsible for this level of incompetence at Pan Am? And if you won't punish those who are responsible, aren't you just encouraging this kind of incompetence to continue there? Yeah, yeah. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, I had the opportunity to start my day in a gym this morning with some young people. We were making an announcement with the Minister of Education and Minister of Long-Term Care and Wellness. And we were talking about moving to having 60 minutes of physical activity in schools across this province, partnering with Ophia and with Canadian Tire. And in that gym, Mr. Speaker, we're a number of athletes who are right now training for the Pan and the Parapan American Games. I think if the member opposite asked those young people the price that they would put on their security, Mr. Speaker, I think what those young people would say is, you know what, it's your responsibility to do everything you can to keep me safe. I'm gonna train every day. I'm gonna train eight hours a day on the trampoline, on the track, in the pool. You, government, you keep us safe. That's your job. Three to three. Thank you. Supplementary. So, Speaker, if budgeting were a Pan Am sport, this government would be disqualified for incompetence in henshin grubbs. They don't know what they're doing. They can't even answer a question about budgeting. Premier, the auditor's report yesterday had more revelations about management problems at Pan Am. Had the security contracts been put up for bid earlier, it would have saved taxpayers money. Had the government factored new police contracts into its security costs. Instead of basing the costs on contracts it knew would expire before the games, it might have had something that resembled an actual cost for security. Had the government not underestimated the number of venue operating days by a whopping 317%, it might not have ended up with a security contract that came in 106% over budget. This is some pretty basic stuff. The TO-2015 is missing here, and the Ministry of Community Safety has messed up. Premier, will someone be held responsible, or will accountability be yet another thing that's overlooked at the Pan Am Games? Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, many of these questions were answered at the technical briefings to which the member opposite did not attend, Mr. Speaker. So, you know, we're happy to provide the information, but, Mr. Speaker, I want to just go back to my original answer, because this member has made some pretty outrageous statements in my opinion about these games. He said on September 30th this year, there's no comparison between the Pan Am Games and the Olympic Games. These are two-tiered games that we're having here. He also said on July 17th, there's no reason to cheer about these games and everybody out there knows it. I take him back to the gym this morning, Mr. Speaker, where there are young people who are training eight hours a day, they're getting ready for the Pan Parapan Games, Mr. Speaker. They are racing in their wheelchairs, they are diving into pools, they are jumping on trampolines, and they are getting ready for the Pan Parapan and the Olympics, Mr. Speaker. I would ask him to look at those young people in his face and make this. Final supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Premier, that was a gold medal performance and deflection. You can't answer a simple question. It's a pipe dream for you. The budget doesn't matter. Order, it actually helped. Thank you. Final supplementary, please. Thank you, Speaker. We're not talking about the athletes here and their performances. Our Canadian athletes are going to be great. We're talking about budgets and we're talking about missing deadlines. You don't understand it, Premier. You don't understand anything about the Pan Am Games. Sorry, stop the clock. The Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Sport will come to order. Please. I'm trying. Thank you, Speaker. Budgeting seems to be a lost art for your government. This week it came out, you guys are spending $400,000 on a porcupine for the Pan Am Games, we're going to say. Come on, Premier. This is ridiculous. Will you commit to holding Pan Am officials accountable if you miss one more deadline or blow through another budget, or will you just pay whatever invoice comes onto your desk? Whatever cost is necessary for the taxpayer. Thank you. Premier. Mr. Speaker, you know, the member opposite is talking about the budgets. I'm very pleased that the Auditor General was able to look at the numbers, Mr. Speaker. Her report confirms that the procurement of private security was transparent and fair, Mr. Speaker. She confirms and contradicts, Mr. Speaker, the claims of the opposition. What she said is that the budget for the security of the athletes, spectators and volunteers, is $239.5 million, Mr. Speaker, and it's part of the budget that she has said is reasonable. The fact is, Mr. Speaker, that those security costs can evolve. And I am talking about the athletes because the safety of people like Rosie McLennan and Josh Cassidy, and Damien Warner, who are former members that we are talking about when we talk about the Pan Parapan Games, Mr. Speaker. I hope that at some point the member opposite can understand that and can understand that this is about the athletes. The member from Prince Edward Hastings second time will come to order. And you know what that means. I'm going to remind people, I've stopped the clock for a purpose. I am getting quite frustrated with people yelling across the floor, one. Two, yelling across the floor people's names that you're not following the convention of the house and I'm getting tired of it. It elevates the excitement, it doesn't bring it down and I want you to bring this down to intelligent question and answer and debate. New question, the leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, 87% of women in Canada say they've been harassed at one point or another. It's reality, plain and simple, Speaker. Yesterday the house passed a motion for selectivity on sexual, to the Premier, sorry, Speaker. Thank you. Yesterday the house passed a motion for a select committee on sexual harassment to be struck. I was proud to support that motion, Speaker, as were my colleagues here in the NDP caucus. But here's the reality in Ontario. Funds for victim services are being cut. We're still waiting for the government to implement the recommendations of the coroner's inquest into the murder of Laurie Dupont. Employers and employees don't have clear tools to deal with harassment in the workplace. Speaker, we need to act now. When is the Premier going to actually strike a committee on sexual harassment? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question from the member opposite. We also, I understand that the house supported the motion because in essence we believe that there needs to be a committee struck. And I have said, Mr. Speaker, that we should move ahead with that and we'll move ahead as expeditiously as possible. And I hope that we can agree that there are many voices that need to be heard on this subject, Mr. Speaker. So we need to hear from young people. We need to hear from Aboriginal women. We need to hear from the LGBTQ community. We need to hear from visible minorities because this is an issue that affects all people across society. And so my hope would be that the work of that committee, which will be struck, Mr. Speaker, in the tradition of this legislature. And my hope would be that that committee would consult broadly with people from all groups, Mr. Speaker. Thank you so much. We are at a unique and important point in time. Sexual harassment is being discussed publicly and openly in a way that it really never has before in history, Speaker. We need to send a clear message, a very clear message, that sexual harassment is an issue that we can talk about without politics and without partisanship. So when will the Premier actually strike a nonpartisan select committee of this legislature? The party is something that I agree with. I have said from the beginning that I was open to it. From the time the member of the official opposition asked for this, I said I was open to it. I think we need to move ahead and do that. And Mr. Speaker, as a nonpartisan, as all party committees have been struck under the conservative government, under the NDP government, and under the liberal government, Mr. Speaker, we will form that committee as it reflects this legislature. That is the tradition of the place. It is what has been done under every party, Mr. Speaker, and I believe that we should continue in that tradition. Thank you. Final supplementary. Speaker, there are a lot of things that we don't agree on in this legislature, in this House. The Premier and I are both women who lead our political parties. We agree, I think, as do the Conservatives here, that sexual harassment is an issue that needs to be dealt with here in Ontario. So let's get on with it, Speaker. This House sent a message that is plain and simple. Stop playing politics, politics. Stop pretending that this is something that cannot be done in a way that isn't partisan and isn't a political football. Sorry, stop the clock. The Minister of Finance will come to order. Please finish. Strike the committee on this issue. Strike the select committee so that it reflects all of the voices in this legislature in an equal way. And I need to ask finally, when will this Premier do the right thing and make sure that this committee is established? When is it gonna happen? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, I understand that the leader of the third party is taking a ferocious approach on this. I am just as ferocious on this, Mr. Speaker. And the reality is that I have said yes, we need to have a committee. I have said yes, we need to do this as soon as possible and the House leaders are going to work on that, Mr. Speaker. I have said yes, we need to have an all party committee and yes, we need to have many voices weigh in on this issue, Mr. Speaker. This is an important moment. I have said also that we need to strike that committee as it reflects this legislature as every select committee, Mr. Speaker, under the conservatives, under the NDP and under the liberals has been done. That's how we're going to move forward, Mr. Speaker. The member from Renfrew, Nipissing Pembroke will come to order. With all due respect, the leader of the third party needs to ask who is injecting politics into this, Mr. Speaker. Yes, yes. Thank you. New question, the leader of the third party. Speaker, but I have to say I will not, not be embarrassed for being passionate about this issue. I'm just, my next question is on a different issue, Speaker. Last week the legislature got behind the NDP plan for a national $15 a day childcare program that is being spearheaded across this country by Thomas Mulcair. I was proud that our legislature and our province sent a very strong message that we... It's not the clock. I didn't get the house quiet for you to interject. Please finish. I was proud that Ontario, that our province sent a strong message that we want affordable childcare here in our province. But the liberals are cutting millions of dollars out of childcare, Speaker. Can the Premier explain to parents why she's slashing budgets for childcare centers across 18 communities? Thank you. Thank you. Minister of Education. Minister of Education. Yes, thank you very much. And in fact, the number of childcare spaces has actually increased over the last year. I'm sorry, but one of the things, one of the things about having licensed childcare... Remember from simple North Condor, please. We actually know how many spots we have licensed. And since we took office in 2003, the number of licensed childcare spots in Ontario has increased by 130,000. If you look at each of the last four or five years, the number of licensed childcare spaces has increased by 18,000. Each year, each year, on average, the number of licensed childcare spaces has increased by 18,000. Answer. And if you look at the funding, it's doubled. So I'm not really quite sure what the problem is. Thank you. Supplementary? Speaker, by cutting funding from public not-for-profit childcare centers, the Premier is taking a step backward when we should be moving forward. Because of liberal cuts, Speaker, the Coronation Park Day Nursery in Sarnia, a not-for-profit childcare center that has provided childcare since 1972, is closing its doors tomorrow, Speaker. And 100 parents are going to have to be stuck trying to find reliable, safe, affordable childcare in that community. For once, could the Premier's actions actually support her words? Will she restore the funding for Coronation Park Day Nursery and make sure that the cuts to childcare that are happening right now stop in this province? Thank you. Thanks very much. Thank you. Well, let me go back to the point that I was making at the end of my comments. The truth is that we have more than doubled the funding to childcare since 2003. In fact, we now spend over a billion dollars on childcare. I think you will find that the decision to close this particular childcare, which is operated by a municipality, was made by the municipality. But what does remain as the absolute funding history is, in fact, we have increased the funding to childcare each and every year we have been in office, including this year. Because municipalities are stuck holding the bag because this government is not funding at appropriate levels and they're making cuts that are forcing them into these untenable decisions. Ontario is behind a $15 a day childcare plan. Apparently, we all voted for it in this house, yet the Premier is slashing funding to childcare. Coronation Park is actually closing its doors tomorrow. That's only one childcare centre, over 18 communities that are seeing the same kind of thing happening. I can't believe it, that this minister refuses to acknowledge what's really happening. Not what happened last year, not what happened in 2003, but what's happening right now, what's happening tomorrow in 2014. Why is this Premier and this Liberal government taking us backwards when we should be moving forward on a plan for safe, affordable, licensed childcare in this province? Thank you, Minister. Well, the member office wants to know what's going on this year with funding. So I would just draw to our attention that while we increased funding by 90 million in 2012, 13, 68 million in 2013, 14 and 84 million in 2014, 15. That would be this year, Speaker. We did in fact increase funding to childcare by 84 million dollars this year, and we'll continue to do so in future years. Those are the facts. Thank you, any questions? The member from Perry Sound, Ms. Skolka. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. Minister, $2.7 billion is waiting for Ontario in the Building Canada Fund for Infrastructure. While your government has yet to submit a list of projects for this application, you were quoted last week stating that the upcoming application from Ontario is unlikely to include a request for infrastructure funding for the Ring of Fire. Minister, could you please let us know which specific infrastructure projects are more important to your government than making the Ring of Fire a reality? Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm delighted that the members raised this question in the legislature, because it gives me an opportunity to share with all of my colleagues here the challenge that we have had with the federal government on this program. Mr. Speaker, since March, we've been asking the federal government to share the details of the program with us that will help us in prioritizing what programs we're going to put forward. It was only this week, Mr. Speaker, after numerous requests that our staff were invited down to Ottawa to be able to see this information. So finally, Mr. Speaker, we have the information we need. We're going to be prioritizing our projects. But, Mr. Speaker, what the government's been doing with infrastructure programs here in Ontario and across the country is playing games with projects like the Ring of Fire, trying to suggest that their portion should be funded from programs that are to go to roads, bridges, transit, and other important infrastructure. They need to do what our minister of Northern Development Mines has done, have a separate funding proposal for a billion dollars to go to infrastructure in the Ring of Fire. That's what they need to do. Well, again, to the minister, minister, it's hard to believe that Cliff's natural resources at one time predicted that they would have a mind-producing chromite from the Ring of Fire for refining Ontario by 2015. I find it interesting you choose to mention the federal government now. It was just over one year ago as Cliff's made the decision to idle their project in the Ring of Fire, they specifically cited, quote, unfairness agreements with the government of Ontario that are critical to the project's economic viability. Close quote. Minister, how can you blame the federal government when the largest player in the Ring of Fire made such a clear indictment of your lack of action? Minister? Mr. Speaker, it's not a question of blame, it's a question of total lack of action on the part of the federal government. We've made a commitment in our last budget to fund infrastructure in the Ring of Fire to the tune of a billion dollars. Their commitment right now is zero. They have not made a commitment whatsoever. Just recently, they went forward with a further six billion dollars in the small amount of infrastructure that they're funding across this country. And Mr. Speaker, that was to go to federal buildings, federal projects, nothing for the Ring of Fire. They had an opportunity this week to match our commitment in the Ring of Fire. They failed this week, thus far they failed incredibly. Stop the clock, please. The members from Leeds, Grenville, Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke, Prince Edward Hastings will come to order. Please finish. Mr. Speaker, it's time for the federal government to come forward with a proposal to match our commitment of a billion dollars in the Ring of Fire. They can keep playing games all they want with infrastructure projects. It's a very simple request. Match our funding, that's all we're asking. Thank you. Any questions? The member from Bramley, Gloria Malton. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Auditor General released a report very clearly addressing the issues of security in the Pan Am Games. The Auditor General makes it very clear that there's some serious concerns with respect to security costs in the Pan Am Games. The security budgets have doubled. The government is behind schedules in terms of signing contracts. And the Auditor says because of that, costs could go up. In fact, some of the private security contracts have more than doubled in just one year. But the Liberal Ministers keep on insisting that everything is just fine, everything is just peachy. So will the Premier tell Ontarians, did her Liberal Ministers read the same report that everyone else read? Mr. Speaker, it's time for the Pan Am Games. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm happy to take the question from the member opposite. Yesterday, the Auditor General put out a report that confirmed what we've been saying all along, that this government followed the procurement process in order to provide that security need for the Pan Am Games. We're quite confident with Teal 2015 and the work that they've been doing. And we're very confident with the work that the ISU's been doing, which is made up by the OPPR federal and municipal partners. And I think we should take their advice. They are the experts and we believe we're in good hands. And we will not compromise the safety of Ontarians during these games. And we have full faith in the OPP and Teal 2015, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary? Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The question is about the security costs. And this is the Auditor General of Ontario, someone we entrust with the responsibility of ensuring that there's oversight. The Auditor General says that there's problems that this government is not addressing. It's very clear. And let me quote the Auditor. I quote, a lack of clear communication has led to a potential security gap. If this government is so concerned about security, why don't they address the security gap that the Auditor General has presented to you, has told you about? The games are less than eight months away. And we have no security for the fields where the Pan Am games are being played on. The Auditor is clear that leaving plans the last minute will cost us more. Higher costs in recruiting, higher costs in training, and planning, and the list goes on. Will the Premier tell Ontarians how much it's going to cost to make this fix in the 11th hour? Thank you. Minister? To the minister responsible for community services and correctional services. Community safety, correctional services. Minister, community services. Look how he doing it. Minister, community services and correctional services. Thank you very much, Speaker. And I do want to remind the member, jog his memory, as to how this Auditor General's report came about. I remember very distinctly, in late March, when I was appointed as the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, from day one, that party and that member were asking Speaker questions about the procurement process around a private security contract. They were questioning our procurement practice. They were questioning the award. They were questioning the bidder. In fact, they asked the Auditor General to look at the process of the procurement. And this is, Speaker, what the Auditor General said in that regard. She said the all-party standing committee on public accounts asked us to review the processes through the War Security Contest for the Games. We found that the selection processes were fair and transparent in accordance with government procurement policies and took into consideration... Thank you. The member from New Market of War. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Minister, I've noticed a large delegation of Ontario chiefs at Queen's Park, both yesterday and today. And I'm aware that this government will be partaking in a series of roundtables with the delegation to continue to build and renew our relationship with First Nations in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, our government has demonstrated its commitment to invest in First Nations while the federal government continues to fall short on its responsibilities. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister, can you inform the House on what this government has done to cement our relationship with the chiefs of Ontario and the First Nations in Ontario? Thank you. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, this government was responsible for creating the first stand alone Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs in 2007. This reflected the importance we placed on developing a stronger and a broader partnership with First Nations communities in Ontario. This week's meetings represent another significant step in renewing our relationship and the journey toward reconciliation. Eight different roundtable sessions have been scheduled with various ministers and chiefs of Ontario. This highlights the accessible, transparent and open approach this government is taking. These roundtables provide a forum for meaningful conversations to take place on topics such as clean water, business development, poverty alleviation, murdered and missing Aboriginal women, and treaty awareness. Mr. Speaker, we want to have frank discussions on how we can work with First Nations in this province because when all communities succeed, this province is going to be a better place. Supplementary. Well, Mr. Speaker, these roundtable sessions are significant and showcase the process, the progress. This province continues in strengthening the relationship with First Nations in Ontario. This is a great event, organized by the chiefs of Ontario organization. And I commend our government for being dedicated to these conversations with First Nations leaders from across Ontario. The minister has affirmed that this government takes its commitment to First Nations communities very seriously. I know our government is taking a leadership role in many issues impacting First Nations and people in our province. And the minister highlighted some of the topics that we're discussing in these meetings. I look forward to my participation this afternoon in the business development and poverty alleviation session. Mr. Speaker, through you to the minister, could the minister please inform the House on the significance of treaties and treaty awareness? Question. Thank you, minister. Thank you. Speaker, treaties represent the solemn agreements that we live together on this land and through the formal exchange of promises that created the rights and responsibilities of Canada, of Ontario, and of First Nations. And treaties are still part of what we do today. For instance, with the algonquins of Ontario, an agreement is being negotiated today in the 21st century. My mandate, letter speaker, committed this government to moving forward with a treaty strategy that will promote constructive engagement with First Nations communities, revitalize treaty relationships, and improve socioeconomic outcomes for Aboriginal people. Together, though, together through respectful and meaningful dialogue, we will come to better understand about different perspectives on treaties and work together on practical solutions and practical initiatives that will continue to support our strong treaty relationships. Thank you. No questions, and there are some blue sprays going sound. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is the minister of health and long-term care. Senior citizens across Ontario are losing publicly funded home care services. According to these patients and their families, there is no one in your ministry, nor your bureaucracy, the Community Care Access Centers, or CCAC, willing to acknowledge the cuts, to stand up and to protect the critical home care services they need. This is the state of home care service on your government's watch today in Ontario. Minister, do you think it's acceptable? Do you think it's justifiable to have our seniors care cut? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, of course, I don't think it's acceptable. In fact, that's not what we're doing at all. We're dramatically increasing our funding to home and community care. And Mr. Speaker, I have to say that I was hoping that this question was going to come from the NDP because I was going to offer the entire caucus a briefing on what we are doing for CCAC. I think I need to include the PCs as well in this briefing because the truth is absolutely contrary to what we're hearing. And we've dramatically increased, we've roughly doubled our funding to CCACs over the last decade, to community and home care. We've also increased $250 million this year alone, three quarters of a billion dollar increase in three years time. Mr. Speaker, we know and the opposition parties, both of them know our commitment to transferring more care closer to people's homes where they want to see that care, where it can be provided effectively and efficiently. We aren't cutting services. We aren't cutting costs. We're doing the opposite, Mr. Speaker. The CCAC to after. Thank you, Speaker. Back to you, Mr. President. Well, Minister, I'd like to give you a briefing from the people that are calling Maya here. That's right. There are cuts happening. You need one. It's a call, you need one. You're going to spend $450,000 a month in interest for an empty Mars office building but cut frontline care to our seniors. We still have not heard you even acknowledge that there are cuts being made. And we're hearing it every day in our offices. Minister, we think your most important task is that you stand up and represent and provide services for our very needy seniors. Will you show leadership and issue a directive that funding will be restored to the CCAC's ASAP? Here, good question. Minister. Again, Mr. Speaker, I think it's important that we speak accurately and with the facts. There is no funding to be restored, Mr. Speaker, because we've been increasing funding year over year to our CCAC's and to home and community care. And we're seeing the results of government. I know we've been talking about Erie St. Clair. The reality with Erie St. Clair, Mr. Speaker, is that we've doubled the funding over the last 10 years. A $3 million increase this year alone not generally is the practice right across this province, Mr. Speaker. A quarter of a billion dollars increased this year. That amount is going to increase by $750 million additional funding for home and community care. We're seeing the results. There is transformation underway. Gail Donner and a team of experts are looking at home and community care to see how we can continue to improve the services. We're starting their report in the new year and I look forward to their recommendations. New question, a member from Kitchener Waterloo. Thank you much, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday afternoon, we had final hearings on Bill 8, the so-called Transparency and Accountability Act. Oh, two, I'm sorry, to Minister Matthews. A piece of legislation that in fact fails this province's most vulnerable children. Mr. Irwin Elman, the provincial advocate for children and youth, told members of the committee how it fails. He told the story of a 10-year-old boy in a group home who was put in physical restraints 108 times in a 13-month period. Mr. Elman added, it takes a great deal of courage for a child as vulnerable as those in my mandate to speak up. Those children who with great strength come forward, often alone and frightened, have a right to expect my office because all the tools it needs to assist them. Minister, you know that the NDP supports Mr. Elman's amendments to Bill 8. Will this government have the courage to help this province's most vulnerable children? Thank you. President Treasury boy. Minister of Children and Youth Services. Minister of Children and Youth Services. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the member for asking me a very important question. We're actually meeting today, Speaker, with the provincial advocate to discuss his proposals and a number of recommendations under consideration right now. And let me just say too that our goals of the government are the same as the advocates and that is the best care and support for children in our province so that they can reach our full potential. And Bill 8, as the member knows, if passed, will give the provincial advocate new investigatory powers that have been modeled after other powers provided to the Ombudsman under the Ombudsman Act. So we do have the same goals and it's about child protection, safety, and helping children reach their full potential. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the minister knows what authority the children advocate needs and deserves. Mr. Elman has asked that he be given the power to investigate all children under his mandate. He's been asking for these changes year after year for the past six years. Bill 8 still excludes young people involved with youth justice, mental health, development services, children treatment centres, residential schools for the deaf, blind, and severely disabled children, as well as First Nations children and those with special needs. Right now, Ontario's children's advocate is the only independent officer of a legislature and the only child advocate in the country that doesn't have these powers. Speaker, why does this government continue to bring forward legislation that is designed to fail the children of this province? Minister? So, Speaker, we're very pleased with what is in Bill 8 right now to give that broader powers to the advocate when it comes to child welfare. And in addition, there are other accountability measures with Children's Aid Society. The member mentioned youth justice, so we've also ensured that the Ombudsman is oversight of all of our youth justice facilities. And I'm really looking forward to hearing the outcome of the meeting today with the provincial advocate as this bill moves forward. I just want to say, though, Speaker, it was the third party, however, when given the chance who shot this bill down. They didn't want it to go forward. They refused to support the bill. Here we are. We have brought it back as a premier promise. We brought the bill back as is before the election. And now we're moving forward. I hope we'll have a good resolution. And as I said, the answer is great work and we all share the same goal, Speaker, which is the best interest of children in our province. Thank you. The member from Beaches, East York. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the eminent minister of environment and climate change. Speaker. Can I have a call, please? Ontario's clean energy initiatives have attracted billions of dollars in new investments. They generated more than 40,000 jobs and significantly increased the amount of clean energy generated throughout the province. Our government's elimination of coal-fired electricity in Ontario is the number one greenhouse gas production initiative across North America. It represents the equivalent of taking 7 million cars off the road. Moving away from burning fossil fuels and toward renewable energy is helping Ontario meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, improves our air quality, and is helping our economy grow towards a low-carbon solutions that meet our needs. Now, earlier this month, Health Canada released the results of a wind turbine noise study. And I'm sure the people of Ontario are very keen and interested in the results of that study. Question. Well, with the minister of environment and climate change, please update the host on the findings of Health Canada regarding wind turbine noise and its effects on health. Thank you. Thank you for the environment and climate change. Thank you very much to my friend, the member, for Beaches East York. And I want to thank him for the book. Yeah, exactly. It's been over a century since we Liberals have been able to say that with the thuzasm that we can now say it. So I'm very appreciative for his advocacy. And closing coal plants was very important. But there has been a lot of, I think, misconceptions about wind turbines and their health impacts. And our friends in Ottawa, Health Canada, put out a study, Mr. Speaker. I'd just like to actually read directly from their report, illness and chronic disease. No evidence was found to support a link between exposure to wind turbine noise and any of the self-reported illnesses and chronic conditions as heart disease, et cetera, et cetera. On stress, Mr. Speaker, which was a second area, we were asking them and the federal government asking them to look at. An issue of stress, Mr. Speaker, no association was found between the multiple measures of stress. And they list them. And I will continue in supplement on this. Thank you. Supplemental. Mr. Speaker, again, my question is to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. And I'm pleased to hear our government is moving forward with a science-based approach to renewable energy. And that Health Canada study supports the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health's findings that there were no links in stress, chronic disease, or sleep between wind turbine noises and these adverse health impacts. It's important that Ontario continues its strong commitment to clean energy sources and moves us away from burning fossil fuels. And I'm sure my constituents and beasts as each are pleased to know that there are alternative energy sources such as wind that they are safe, clean, and sustainable way to meet our needs. And that a significant concern of those opposing wind turbines has been resolved. Speaker, through you, could the Minister of Environment and Woodheed please share with the House why it's important that we continue moving Ontario towards safe and clean renewable energy? Thank you, Minister. Thanks, Mr. Speaker. Well, it's important for a lot of reasons, but I just want to finish with the health piece because they went on to study sleep and a number of other matters, Mr. Speaker. And Health Canada in every single case found no link between wind turbines and any negative health effects in any of the areas. It's particularly interesting, Mr. Speaker, because claims have been made by members of the opposition that there were health issues. And now we know scientifically, clearly, that is not the case. There are health issues with coal. There are health issues with transmission lines. There are health issues with all kinds of matters, I think, but this is clean. The other piece that's very important, Mr. Speaker, as Ontario right now is over 6% below its 1990 GHG levels, we are actually one of the world leaders now in meeting and exceeding global targets for GHG reductions. This is critical, not only for clean energy and the billions of investments in dollars, but we couldn't get to our climate change goals without the wind sector, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. A new question. A member from Sunco North. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs. And, Minister, as you know, next week most of us will attend some inaugurals. Already, I'm hearing difficult times are ahead for many of our municipalities. Huge taxation increases because of policing. The Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund is dwindling away. And what is really hard to bear are the inequities and discrimination that municipalities receive when they apply for infrastructure programs. It is clear that well-managed municipalities who actually have reserves set aside for specific projects have their applications rejected. And I can give you many examples of that and I can give you letters to support that. Many of the mayors are saying, don't even send out the forms anymore because all you're doing is wasting valuable time and money filling them out only to be rejected over and over. So, as Minister, is that your intention to continue on this path or you begin to treat all municipal projects based on their merit and not on the good or bad management of the municipalities? That's the question. Thank you. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Well, how do you answer a question like that? I mean, we have a great working relationship with municipalities. Quite the departure from the, I dare I say it, the previous government that downloaded many of the issues referenced in passing. We're investing literally billions of dollars with respect to uploading some of those issues that the previous government downloaded. We're engaged with housing issues. We're engaged with ice storm assistance with the feds. We're insisting, as Amo would have us insist that there be accountability mechanisms and priorities set with respect to all these fundings and that's exactly what we're doing and we'll continue to do. Thank you. You know, Mr. Speaker, you never ever get any kind of an answer. So minister, we know that your government operates on the credit card that our great grandchildren will be paying off. And are you expecting municipalities to do the same? Some municipalities actually do care about their finances. So when all citizens of Ontario pay their provincial taxes, do you really think it is there that well managed municipalities and their rate payers are discriminated against so that infrastructure grants can be directed to those that have mismanaged in the past? And that's exactly what's happening. I don't know if you get it or not, but that's exactly what's happening. So give the new council some credit, give some clarity on whether it actually pays to be efficient in this province as a municipality because one thing we know for sure, we don't have a very efficient liberal government. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Well, look, let's be perfectly frank about this. Municipalities, by and large, there's the odd exception where there's a need for some special assistance, are well managed. You know, they work hard at ensuring they're well managed. We work together at making sure that the joint programs we offer are transparent, accountable, and well managed. I'm proud of our municipalities, all 444 of them across Ontario who struggle every single day to try to build stronger, healthier communities. So we're pleased to be engaged in that process with them. We'll continue to be engaged. I'm participating right now on a building bridges tour all across Ontario. I visited and spoken directly with over 60 municipal councils. They appreciate that. We're having that dialogue. We're making the kinds of changes to build stronger communities in Ontario. New question. There was a third party. Thank you, Speaker. My question's for the Premier. Recently, we learned through a newspaper investigation in Hamilton that the people of Ontario will never hear the results of an OPP probe of a botched murder investigation for many years ago. The reason, well, we don't even know that, Speaker. And why don't we know, Speaker? Because the Information and Privacy Commissioner of the day finally had to concede that she couldn't get the government to explain why they kept the probe's findings secret. Speaker, does the Premier think that it's right that the Information and Privacy Commissioner, an independent officer of this legislature, doesn't have the power to compel the government to provide information to the people of this province? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much, Speaker. Thank the member opposite for the question. I think the member opposite very much well knows that this is a matter that is before the courts right now, which has been actively considered. It's been subject to several years of litigation. And, Speaker, it would be highly inappropriate for myself, or the Premier, or any member of the government to comment on this matter. Thank you. Give a supplement, please. Speaker, this is a matter that the Information and Privacy Commissioner clearly stated should be open to the public. It's got nothing to do with the courts. And this government and this minister know this case went all the way to the Supreme Court, Speaker. One man went to jail for seven years, and another was actually deported. The original police investigation was found to have used illegal wiretaps, and the conviction was thrown out, Speaker. Now more than a decade later, a decade and a half almost, this government still won't release the results of the probe into what went wrong. They won't even explain why they refuse to tell us. Now, how can the openness and transparency Premier ignore orders from her own Information and Privacy Commissioner, her own watchdog, Speaker? Thank you, thank you so much, thank you so much. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, this is a very much, this is an issue that is very much before the courts, and will be highly inappropriate for any members of the government to comment on that. Speaker, we know that our police officers do extremely hard work, and we thank them for the work they do. In respect to the release of the report, Speaker, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is very much committed to fully complying with the provisions of the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act, and will comply with the ruling of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. But as this matter is still subject to ongoing legal proceedings, it would not be appropriate to get into any further details. Thank you. Thank you. New question, a member from Davenport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Minister, skilled tradespeople are vital to Ontario's economy. Our government established the Ontario College of Trades to give tradespeople an industry responsibility for regulating the skilled trades for the first time. In just over a year and a half of operation, the college has had a number of important successes as it fulfills its mandate to protect the public by regulating and promoting the skilled trades. For the first time, Ontarians can access a public register to view the credentials of professionals working in the skilled trades. Constituents in my riding of Davenport are pleased that they can rely on the public register to ensure that the skilled tradespeople they hire, especially in compulsory trades, have the appropriate qualifications. Minister, can you inform the members of the House on how the College of Trades is regulating and promoting the skilled trades and supporting the highly skilled workers we need here in Ontario? Mr. Trained Colleges and Universities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member from Davenport for that question. Mr. Speaker, the Ontario College of Trades has taken vital steps to regulate, modernize and promote the skilled trades in Ontario. The college has helped promote careers in the trades as first choice professions for our students and is also doing important work to protect the public through the public registry. Since its inception, the college has done a review of 33 apprenticeship ratios, Mr. Speaker, reducing 14 of these ratios. The College of Trades has put the skilled trades on a similar footing with the teachers, doctors, dentists, and nurses who all have their own professional regulatory bodies. Mr. Speaker, our government believes that decisions regarding the skilled trades in Ontario should be made by the industry and trade people themselves, not by politicians. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you, Minister, for that answer. I'm pleased to hear that the Ontario Colleges of Trades has had some very important successes since its launch. Minister, I understand that after hearing the advice of industry leaders and tradespeople, our government has appointed Mr. Tony Dean to review some aspects of the College of Trades work. I know that our government made a commitment to undertake this review, and I'm happy to hear that we have appointed such a highly qualified person. Many of my constituents in Davenport are members of the Ontario College of Trades and are interested in understanding his role in greater depth. Minister, can you update the members of the House on what Mr. Dean's role will be and how his review will support the continued success of the College? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member again for that question. Mr. Speaker, to support the continued success of the College, our government has appointed Tony Dean for the role of reviewer. His job is to examine the trade classification review process and the issues related to the scope of the practice of trades, including their connection to enforcement. Mr. Speaker, our government fully supports tradespeople. That's why we have asked Mr. Dean to conduct this review to specific activities of the College. Mr. Dean's appointment, Mr. Speaker, has been welcomed by a diverse range of industry groups and there is a broad agreement that he is well qualified to address these issues. Mr. Speaker, it will continue to be a priority for our government to ensure that the College of Trades can carry out its mandate as effectively as possible. And, sir, thank you. Excellent. No question. The leader of Her Majesty's Neral Office. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Premier, earlier this year I reintroduced an act to reclaim Christmas Tree Day. If passed, this legislation will designate the first Saturday in December of each year as Christmas Tree Day in Ontario. The U.S. has deemed the entire first week of December as National Christmas Tree Week. This effort has boosted Christmas Tree sales considerably across the United States. Premier, the Christmas Tree industry employs thousands of workers in the farming, transportation and retail sectors. More than one million fresh farm-grown Christmas trees are purchased each year in Ontario and the same number of seedlings are planted each year. There are 647 Christmas Tree farmers in Ontario, or farms, I'm sorry, in Ontario, more than any other province. So, Premier, in recognition of a rural industry that our province benefits greatly from, will you agree to unanimous consent of my bill and make Christmas Tree Day a reality? Thank you, Premier. Well, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure is going to want to speak to this. I just want to say that I think that anything we can do to support the Christmas Tree industry, I can remember as a young mom, we would take our kids to Horton's Tree Farm. I'm not sure who's riding Horton's Tree Farm is in. Horton's Tree Farm, there you go. To cut down a tree, I think it's a terrific tradition, part of the season for people who celebrate Christmas. And, you know, I would be happy to follow up with the leader of the opposition, and I know the Minister of Economic Development Trade will have something to say about this. Thank you. So, Premier, I'm not sure what to take of that answer, whether it was a yes or a no. I'll just indicate that after question period, Mr. Speaker, with your permission, I'm going to ask for unanimous consent. I mean, the first Saturday of December comes very soon. And, you know, this gives the industry an opportunity to encourage more consumers to buy Christmas trees. We should know that the industry points out that the environmental benefits of Christmas trees, one acre of trees, removes up to 13 tons of airborne pollutants. So, we need to encourage this industry. I hope people aren't gringes over there or over there, that you'll join us in supporting this very, very important industry today. Thank you. Minister of Economic Development and Infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, I'm waiting for my Christmas tree note to come, and it doesn't seem to be coming. But I can tell you this, and I may have a bit of a conflict here. I have family in the Collingwood area. It may well be your constituents that are in this line of work that do farm Christmas trees. I don't know if they're still doing it, but they were years ago. And it is an important sector, and it's something that certainly, I think the member raises a valid concern, and I know it's an area that has a lot of concern. And I know it's an area that, in the area he represents, this is an important industry, and something that I think all Ontarians can embrace. So, let me take this time to wish everybody in this house a merry Christmas. I encourage everyone to get their Christmas trees up. I know we're busy. Get to it. Get those Christmas lights up. Let's get in the spirit and thank the member for bringing this to our attention. My question is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Earlier this month, when I asked the Minister of Health about CCAC slashing its services, he stated it just isn't true. Earlier this week he described these service cuts to home care in Windsor as no cuts at all. But this weekend, in my writing, I will be meeting with more home care patients and their families who have been hit by these service cuts just as I've done this entire month. People like Betty Terry, who's 89 and suffers from dementia, and Madeline Reitzel, who's 89 and has suffered from a stroke and needs constant care. With nursing visits slashed by one-third, my constituents are being left without the care they need. They are told these service cuts are missed. Will the Minister finally do the right thing, admit that these service cuts are real, and apologize to the people of Windsor for saying the exact opposite? The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate the question. You know, my job as Minister of Health is to ensure that those individuals across the province who do need care are provided with that care, Mr. Speaker, and we're doing that in home and community care as well. In Windsor, in Erie St. Clair, Mr. Speaker, we're not changing the criteria, nor will anyone have a change in their services unless their objective assessment indicates that they require a change in their services, and sometimes that's an increase in services, Mr. Speaker, and sometimes that's a decrease in services, but it's made by our care coordinators or healthcare professionals in a very objective way through assessment. In Erie St. Clair, there is no wait list for nursing care, Mr. Speaker. There's no wait list for PSW care through our CCACs. Everyone needing home care in Erie St. Clair is getting home care. That policy is not changing. We're adding additional funds, as I've mentioned before, to be able to accommodate any increases. Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. I have a quote from the First Vice President with the ONA. She states, I don't know whether he needs to come see, whether he needs to talk to the people whose services have been cut. I don't know why or how the Minister can say there are no cuts. There is absolutely no excuse to cut home care services in Windsor, and no excuse for the Minister to bury his head in the sand. These service cuts are spelled out in the CCAC memos and patients are filling the effects each and every day. If the Minister really thinks that there are no service cuts to home care in Windsor, he needs to order that the home care services that have already been reduced be fully restored immediately. So why does the Minister continue to deny that these shocking service cuts, not funding service cuts to home care are happening under his watch? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And yesterday I had the opportunity to speak both with the CEO of the CCAC and Erie St. Clair, as well as with the CEO of the Linn that has responsibility and they're working together. In fact, there's a board meeting, an open board meeting today at the Linn. The CCACCO is going to present. And I would encourage, you know, I look forward to the member opposite, frankly, any members in this legislature. If they have specific examples, specific individuals that they feel are not receiving the care that they're entitled to, I expect them, I, in fact, believe they have a responsibility to bring those specific cases to my attention. The third party has not done that in any specific example of bringing their responsibility to bring those people to my attention. And I look forward to hearing from that. And I would suggest that they follow the lead as well of the member from Sarnia Lampton working with their Linn, working with their CCAC. It's their, their CCAC, and there's meetings taking place. Thank you. The member from Carleton, Mississippi, Mills on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, point of order. I will now present the petition of right to the Attorney General. Okay. All members have a right. It's not a point of order. All members have a right to walk any document back and forth between each other, and that's an acceptable practice. The member, the minister of the opposite, the beader of the opposition on a point of order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek unanimous consent at the orders for second and third reading of Bill 16, an act to proclaim Christmas tree day be called immediately, and that the questions on the motions for second and third reading of the bill be put immediately without debate or amendment. Do we agree? I heard no. Order, please. Order, please. I order. As is the tradition and the convention in this place, our guests are always welcome to be here, but I would have to announce to you that we have the right to walk any document back and forth between each other. Thank you. All members have a right to walk any document back and forth between each other. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, but I would have to announce to you very clearly that you cannot do any demonstration of whatsoever, so I'd appreciate it if you could follow the convention, and we still welcome you here to be here with under those rules, so I appreciate that. We have a deferred vote, and on the motion of the allocation of time on Bill 7, an act to enact the burden reduction reporting act 2014 and the partnerships for jobs and growth act 2014, calling the members this will be a five-minute bell. Members, please take their seats. All members, please take your seats. On November the 26th, Mr. Bradley moved government notice of motion number 10, all those in favor of the motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Fraser, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Ballard, Mr. Don, Ms. Hogarth, Ms. Koala, Ms. Malie, Ms. Martins, Ms. McMahon, Mr. Milchin, Ms. Nadu Harris, Mr. Potts, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Verneel. All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark. Mr. Arnaud. Mr. Arnaud. Mr. Hardim. Mr. Hardiman. Mr. McLeod. Mr. McLeod. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Yakibusky. Mr. Yakibusky. Mr. Miller-Parisown, Muskoca. Mr. Miller-Parisown, Muskoca. Mr. Dunlop. Mr. Dunlop. Mr. McDonnell. Mr. McNaught. Ms. Jones. Ms. Jones. Ms. Thompson. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Barrick. Ms. Monroe. Ms. Meroz. Mr. Nickels. Mr. Nichols. Ms. Martot. Ms. Martchw. Mr. McDonnell. Mr. McDonnell. Mr. McClaren. Mr. McClaren. Mr. Petipes. Ms.어가. Ms. the nays are 40. The eyes being 48 and the nays being 40 I declare the motion carried. There are no further deferred votes this house stands recess until 1 p.m. this afternoon.