 It is now time for a question period, the leader of Her Majesty's local opposition. Premier, you said, quote, I'm not going to force someone to resign in the face of allegations that I do not believe to be true. Quote. Well, Premier Pat Severas' cousin, the former Minister of Finance, once said the following when he was named in a search warrant. He said, I have no idea as to what the allegations are or the facts in which they're based. My responsibility is to step aside. Premier, why should Pat Severas not be held to the same standard? Why shouldn't she have to step aside while two OPP investigations are ongoing? Thank you. Well, again, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Thank you very much to the interim leader of the opposition for the question. And he knows that I take this matter very seriously. He also knows that Greg Severas was an elected official, Mr. Speaker, and he was a Minister of the Crown. So he knows that these are very different situations. As I say, I've taken and I do take this matter very seriously. Elections Ontario determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless, Mr. Speaker. We'll continue to cooperate fully, but I just remind the member opposite that this is an investigation that is not taking place in this legislature. It's an investigation that's taking place outside the legislature, and we will continue to work with the authorities, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary. Premier again to the Premier. Premier. Deputy Premier said, quote, the Premier will not force the resignation of someone when the allegations against that person are baseless. Now, Premier, I need not remind. Mr. McGregor, will you come to order? He contradicts the findings of the Chief Electoral Officer. When a Minister of Premier's office is under police investigation, former Minister Subara had wise words when he said, Meanwhile, it's appropriate for me to step aside from my responsibilities while the investigation occurs. You did the right thing. Premier, why is it not appropriate for your Deputy Chief of Staff to step aside? The media called her next to yourself, the most powerful woman in the province of Ontario. She's as important as a cabinet minister and probably makes more decisions than cabinet ministers in your government. So why is it not appropriate that she step aside? It's interesting to hear the commentary from the member opposite, which I think actually reveals more about how he sees government working than it does about how government works, Mr. Speaker, from our perspective. And I want to just remind the member opposite what the Chief Electoral Officer said. The Chief Electoral Officer clearly stated, and I'm quoting, I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence. Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges. So, Mr. Speaker, the investigations are entirely independent. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has been retained. We will continue to work with the authorities, Mr. Speaker, but that investigation takes place outside of this house. Again, your Deputy Premier has said that the Premier has demonstrated a new and different and better way dealing with opposition allegations. But the Chief Electoral Officer said that he has found a prima facie case of contravention of the Elections Act, and he sent it on for further process and prosecution. Premier, these are not opposition allegations. These are findings of an independent officer of this legislator. The investigation is not happening outside this legislature. In fact, it's happening just down the hall in your office. Premier, by continuing to stand by Pat Sabara, you're embarrassing the office you hold. You're degrading the reputation of every elected member in this house because people are starting to think this is simply business as usual. Mr. Speaker, this is liberal business as usual. Premier, you finally have Mr. Sabara step aside. Thank you. Proceeded, please. Thank you. Premier. Mr. Speaker, well, I've made repeated statements on this matter. I made a statement on Friday. I've answered questions in the House. There's an investigation underway, Mr. Speaker, and I'll continue to cooperate with the process. But that process is entirely independent of government, Mr. Speaker, and it's independent of this house, and the member opposite knows that. And I understand the back-and-forth of question period. I understand it very well, Mr. Speaker, but I really believe that accusing people of being criminals when there's an investigation going on is wrong, Mr. Speaker, because the electoral officer, just to remind the member's opposite, what the electoral officer said is that I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence. Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges. So it is entirely inaccurate to say that the elections officer has made a finding in this case, Mr. Speaker. The electoral officer has left that to prosecutors and judges, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question? The leader and the officer. Premier, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission has said, quote, all police service board members have an obligation to respect, uphold, and follow the law. Well, this is true for every citizen. It is even more so for individuals who have the legislative responsibility for ensuring law enforcement and crime prevention in their community. End of quote. Premier, as you ignore the calls for you to have Jerry Lockheed resign, you also ignore the higher standard that is expected of Mr. Lockheed as chair of the Sudbury Police Services Board. So will you finally do the right thing and ask Jerry Lockheed to step aside? Thank you. The interjections while I'm trying to get quiet are not acceptable. Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, I have said this, I will say it again, that we do not direct police services boards. They are responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services in their municipalities. And Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Sudbury Police Services Board addressed this issue. Member from Leeds, Granville, Commodore. And they will continue to make the determinations that they see to be appropriate, Mr. Speaker. The investigation is ongoing. We will continue to cooperate and we will work with the authorities. But that investigation is happening outside of this house, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary to the Premier, Mr. Speaker. Again, Premier, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission says that members of police service boards have quote, a responsibility to conduct themselves with the utmost circumspection and prudence and are expected to have the highest levels of honesty and integrity. And that this is most certainly the case for board chairs. End of quote. Premier, while you're appointee, Jerry Lawheed is under two OPP investigations. His honesty and integrity are being called into question. So I'll ask you, Premier, don't you think the residents of Sudbury deserve a person as chair of their police services board? A person who is above suspicion and held to the same standard to which other police service board members and board chairs are held to? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member opposite for the question. As Speaker, as I've spoken to this issue before, the police services board is accountable to their local communities. That's why, Speaker, we have police services board so that they can provide oversight for the local police service that they can ensure that they can provide educated and effective policing within their jurisdiction. And that's why, as we have seen in the case of Sudbury, the local Ottawa Police Service Board, which is made up of both municipal and provincial appointees, have looked into the matter and decided to keep Mr. Lawheed as the chair of the board. Speaker, we should respect that decision of theirs. And if there needs to be any further looking into this matter, the Ontario Civilian Police Commission is very well equipped as an arms length body to look into the matter, Speaker. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, to the Premier. The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has also said that there is, quote, an obligation of the board to obey the law and this necessitates an effort to ensure a priority of their actions when the questions arise. I think we can all agree in this House that the propriety of Mr. Lawheed's actions has arisen. In addition to Mr. Lawheed's normal responsibilities, the board goes on to say he or a board chair has a leadership role. Premier, you have a leadership role. So we have sowed some leadership. Do the right thing. Get rid of these bad apples. Get rid of the person who's chairing the police services board in Sudbury who's under suspicion. Just clear the air. Let the police do their job. Let the courts do their jobs. Let's turn to the day in court and save your own reputation. Thank you. Minister. Thank you very much. Speaker, I think the member is fully aware and I've stated before in this House. There is a code of conduct that is put in place through regulation and it's up to the Ontario Civilian Police Commission Speaker who has the responsibility to ensure that there are no breaches to the code of conduct. Speaker, that is an appropriate process to have because it's arms length from the government. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Speaker has no authority to suspend or remove a member of the police services board. So I suggest, Speaker, that the members in this House refrain from being judge and jury and everything in between and let the independent process as we have said do their work. Thank you Speaker. Thank you. New question, the leader of the third party. Thank you Speaker. My question is for the Premier. The Premier seems to think that Liberals did nothing wrong when Andrew Olivier was being offered a job. According to her convoluted logic she seems to believe that the Deputy House Leader and the Member for Beaches East York come to order. But when she's been asked who ordered this noble deed, Speaker she refuses to answer. It doesn't make sense. If she feels everything is okay then there shouldn't be any problem whatsoever in answering the question who directed that Andrew Olivier be offered a job. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. Well as the member opposite knows that I challenge the premise of the question I've said it many, many times Mr. Speaker, I take this situation very seriously. There is an investigation going on but that investigation is not going on in this House Mr. Speaker. It's going on with the authorities outside of the legislature. We will continue to work with them. But I've said I take it seriously and we will do everything in our power to work with the authorities and make sure that they get all the information that they request Mr. Speaker. Thank you supplementary. The Premier doesn't see any problems at all with offering Andrew Olivier quote a full time or part time job at a constituency office or appointments to boards or commissions. If the Premier thinks there's nothing wrong Speaker will she tell Ontarians who made the decision to dangle these jobs in front of Andrew Olivier? Well again Mr. Speaker the member opposite knows that I have talked about this in the House and outside of the House. I have talked about the fact that I made a decision that Glenn Tebow was going to be our candidate in Sudbury Mr. Speaker. We're very happy to have him. It was a tough decision for Glenn to run for us and leave the NDP Mr. Speaker but he made that decision. We're very pleased to have him with us and he will be a strong strong voice for Sudbury Mr. Speaker. There is an investigation going on that investigation is happening outside of this House and we'll work with the authorities Mr. Speaker. Thank you final supplementary. Speaker last year the Premier said and I quote here was what was top of mind when I came into this office how are we going to make sure questions that are being asked are going to be answered. Good question. My question isn't complicated Speaker but it's very serious because the Premier has refused to answer it 31 times. The Premier insists there was nothing wrong no wrongdoing in Sudbury so I'm not sure why she's refusing to answer a basic question. Who gave Patsabara and Jerry Lockheed those noble instructions to offer Andrew Olivier a job. Well Mr. Speaker as I have said and I will read again what the Chief Electoral Officer stated and I remind the member opposite that the elections elections Ontario determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless Mr. Speaker and he went on to say and I quote I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges. The leader of the third party has decided that she understands everything about what happened Mr. Speaker and she's got her own narrative and she's got her own reasons for raising it in the way that she does. I understand those reasons she's in a very tough spot Mr. Speaker you know they didn't win the by-election in Sudbury and I know that that's a real problem for them. The fact is there is an investigation going on it's happening outside of this house Mr. Speaker I will work with the authorities outside of this house Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question. Leader of the third party. Thank you Premier. My next question is also for the Premier. The Premier says that she made up her mind to appoint her candidate back in November but as of December the 12th her deputy chief of staff didn't know her campaign director didn't know the local liberal kingmaker didn't know Andrew Olivier didn't know the local writing association didn't know in fact nobody seemed to know does the Premier have any evidence to back up her story Speaker. Thank you Premier. Well Mr. Speaker once again I've made repeated statements on this matter I made a statement on Friday that is in the public realm and the the leader of the third party can read it but I'll say a little bit about again what I'll repeat what I said there I said there's an investigation underway that process is entirely independent of government and of this house we respect the process Mr. Speaker and I hope that the opposition parties do the same but we will work with the authorities outside of this legislature Mr. Speaker. Speaker the Premier says that she decided to appoint her a candidate back in November now she can't seem to find any evidence for her story on Tuesday the deputy Premier said and I quote the Premier listens to advice and then she has a conversation with her soul I quote now did the Premier have a conversation with anyone other than her soul about this decision and can she back that up with evidence? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker the member opposite knows knows full well that I have been very clear about what I decided inside Mr. Speaker I decided that Glenn Tebow was going to be our was going to be our candidate Mr. Speaker and there is an investigation going on that investigation is happening outside of this legislature Mr. Speaker but I am very proud of our new MPP for Sudbury Mr. Speaker I am very proud of Glenn Tebow because he knows how important it is to invest in people in their talent and their skills how important it is to invest in infrastructure Mr. Speaker he knows that there is infrastructure that the people of Sudbury need in order for Sudbury to be able to thrive and he knows that it's important that people have some security in their retirement Mr. Speaker and that's why he ran for us and that's why we're pleased to have him as our member Mr. Speaker What's up Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker nearly two years ago the Premier said this and I quote throughout the run up to the leadership I said that it was absolutely imperative that we open up the process and that we provide information That's not a very lofty goal Mr. Speaker it's just the basics of good government This is the 13th time the Premier has been asked for evidence and Ontarians have still not got an answer Now I think it's absolutely imperative that the Premier opens up and provides information can the Premier provide any evidence at all that supports her version of the Sudbury bribery scandal Mr. Speaker let me just speak to the first part of the question that the member opposite has raised and that is the issues that I raised when I was running in leadership and my intention and then my commitment and my follow through to open up the process that was ongoing at that point Mr. Speaker I did that the Justice Committee the scope of the Justice Committee was expanded Mr. Speaker there were hundreds of thousands of documents that were brought before that committee dozens of witnesses came and talked about the situation of the cancellation of the gas plants Mr. Speaker and that process was opened up and we changed the rules Mr. Speaker in terms of retention of documents in terms of the siting of large energy infrastructure so Mr. Speaker I did exactly what I said I was going to do I said we were going to change the process we were going to open it up that's what I did Mr. Speaker and in this particular investigation as I've said it's happening outside of this house and we'll cooperate with the authorities That's very much Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier Chief Advisors Ms. Patricia Sorbera must listen to a lot of your phone calls on tape she told Mr. Olivier that the Premier quote knew how massive of an ask this is unquote Sorbera told Mr. Olivier you're the third person I've ever heard ask this of there was a lot of asking from your office but not a lot of telling Premier who are the other two people you asked to step aside Mr. Sorbera offer them any appointments Mr. Speaker the investigation is happening outside of this house and Mr. Speaker I will fully, fully cooperate and work with the authorities as we all will Mr. Speaker but the fact is that that investigation is not happening inside this house it's a completely independent process it's independent of government and it's independent of this legislature Mr. Speaker my supplemental back to the Premier it's well known that Andrew Olivier wasn't the only person seeking the liberal Sudbury nomination the recorded call said that Jerry Lowheed and Patricia Sorbera talked to Mary Ann Matichuk about the nomination Mr. Lawheed said now Mary Ann has to just get lost so Premier did your operatives tell Ms. Matichuk to just get lost whether jobs, appointments or whatever Deputy Premier Good morning Speaker and I really do want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ontario PC party on being the cover story of the current issue of National Geographic magazine Mind us all that my job is to try to reach some decorum in this place and I'd like all members to be helpful with that and having done so we would be able to finish our question and answer period in a way in which I know that everyone would want us to Well Speaker I do, it's a sincere congratulation the war on science article this issue is on newsstands now and I would be happy to pass my copy off to you for maybe your signature Speaker so I do think the notion that evolution never happened is a cover story here, a climate change does not exist Speaker this is a wonderful synopsis of the PC party of Ontario Congratulations New question a member from Timmins James Bay and I remind everyone what I said about props My question is to the Premier On December the 12th Pat Saberos said to Andrew Olivier you've been directed you've been directly asked by the leader and the Premier to make a decision to step aside to allow Glenn to have an opportunity uncontested is that what the Premier and her soul had discussed before giving Pat Saberos her instructions Once again Mr Speaker as I have said a number of times this morning the investigation is taking place outside of this house this matter very very seriously and I've spoken to it repeatedly elections Ontario has made a decision Mr Speaker they determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless they've also said that and the Chief Electoral Officer said this and I quote I'm neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges and quote so the fact is Mr Speaker that process has gone into the next phase and that is the investigation that is taking place now but it's taking place outside of this house thank you supplementary well let's do some more soul searching on December 11th Jerry Lawheed said to Andrew Olivier so I come to you on behalf of the Premier and on behalf of yes Tebow moored indirectly to ask you if you would consider stepping down even more than that Andrew nominating him is that what the Premier and her soul had discussed before giving Jerry Lawheed his instructions Mr Speaker if the member opposite is asking me whether I wanted to keep Andrew and I wanted Andrew Olivier to be involved in the party I've said that many times Mr Speaker I wanted to keep him involved as I hope as I hope the party opposite is working to keep their past candidate involved Mr Speaker I think it's important for leaders and members to reach out to people who have either lost an election or who have not been involved to bring them back into the fold so I have said repeatedly that I think that that is a responsibility of leaders of a party but in terms of this particular situation the investigation is happening outside of this house Mr Speaker and we'll continue to work with the authorities Mr Speaker my question is to the Premier as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Mr Speaker human rights are an essential staple in any democracy and all Ontarians have a right to live free from discrimination inequality and intolerance the protection of human rights is a fundamental principle in this province and this government has taken the most significant steps to strengthen our human rights in some 40 years to better ensure dignity and justice for all Ontarians our strengthened human rights system supports these rights by better enforcing Ontario human rights code and ensuring dignity by providing timely and efficient access to justice for those who face discrimination unfortunately I don't feel this excellent leadership gets their appropriate notice Mr Speaker through you to the Premier as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and lighten this house on how this government has ensured human rights are ensured for every Ontarian Mr Speaker and I thank the member for the question and I also agree that the defence of human rights is an essential part of our community and our role Mr Speaker I want to take this opportunity to thank Barbara Hall for her work as Chief Commissioner of the Ontario Human Rights Commission during the transition of Ontario's human rights system the OHRC's mandate changed to focus on the big issues looking for the roots of discrimination under the leadership of Ms Hall the Commission tackled many challenges some that were new and some that had been around for some time there are three particular areas that stand out to me Mr Speaker housing, mental disabilities including addictions and gender identity and gender expression people didn't necessarily see the human rights value in these areas right away but thanks to the hard work of Barbara in the Ontario Human Rights Commission we've made great improvements on some of Ontario's most vulnerable citizens Mr Speaker I want to thank the Premier for her answer and the work that's been accomplished in this area is truly honourable and it's a model for all other jurisdictions to follow I still feel as though this progress is an essential area of our province that needs to be brought to the attention of not only the residents of the Tovaco Lake shore but to all the residents of Ontario and I understand in 2008 the Ontario Government commissioned a report in order to maximise the potential of the human rights system throughout this province if the Premier in her capacity as Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs could care to elaborate on the expanded mandate of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal and what areas have been changed during the wonderful tenure of Ms. Hall I'm sure this House would be very appreciative to know what progress has been made Mr Speaker and I want to thank the member for a Tovaco Lake shore for his work at the municipal level Mr Speaker and I know that he will carry it Human Rights Commission, thank you Human Rights Commission addresses the underlying causes of discrimination that's what they exist to do through education, policy development, research the commission works to preserve the spirit of tolerance that has long been in Ontario, homeless people or people with mental health disabilities or transgendered people Mr Speaker often didn't even know that they had human rights, didn't know what their rights were and employers, service providers and educators didn't know that they had responsibilities the OHRC was part of a process to address these issues and to help break down barriers Mr Speaker I want to extend my appreciation to the hard work and dedication of Chief Commissioner Barbara Hall as a community worker, lawyer municipal politician and public servant Barbara Hall will be entering now the next phase of her life Barbara on behalf of all Ontarians I want to thank you for your devotion to public service, thank you very much New question to the member from Elgin middle sex London Thank you Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister on Tuesday in your absence the Attorney General stated that under section 25 of the Police Services Act you as Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services are unable to ask a member of the Police Services Board to resign That may be true but that's not the question that was asked Minister, will you ask the Ontario Civilian Police Commission the independent oversight body of the Ontario Police Services Boards to investigate the inappropriate actions of Mr Jerry Loghe has laid out in the Chief Electoral Officers Report Thank you very much Speaker I would have hoped that the member would have used this valuable time to talk about his private members bill on Ryan's Law but he chooses to talk about issues that are not relevant to the lives of the better well-being of Ontario Order Stop the clock please and while I'm at it I'll remind all members that we don't make reference to someone's attendance here I know Please Thank you Speaker as I have stated on numerous occasions before and couple of times today we know in the case of Sudbury Police Police Board they've looked at the matter and they've decided to keep Mr Loghe as the Chair of the Board we need to respect the jurisdiction of the local police service while an investigation is ongoing and if anyone feels that there's been a breach of the code of conduct such as the Ontario Civilian Police Commission they have the authority to initiate an investigation Thank you Speaker back to the Minister it's inappropriate and very insulting to the people of Ontario to say that the decision to keep Mr Loghe as the Chair was made by the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board that wasn't their call to make the Ontario Civilian Police Commission can decide whether Mr Loghe gets to keep his job or not Minister you know that if the Ontario Civilian Police Commission starts an investigation Mr Loghe must step aside until the investigation is done and any subsequent hearings are heard why won't you ask for this investigation what are you afraid Mr Loghe would say if you did Speaker on this side on this side of the chamber we respect the process we respect Speaker the independence of our investigative bodies since Speaker there's a reason that bodies like the Ontario Civilian Police Commission are created so that there is a separation from decisions that are made by the government the political arm of the government and that of other independent agency under section 25 the Ontario Civilian Police Commission has the authority to initiate investigations to look at the code of conduct we should lead those matters to those independent bodies because it is within their jurisdiction Thank you Thank you very much Mr Speaker my question is to the Premier now I know that the season of House of Cards is coming out tomorrow but I'm not sure the Liberals realize that this is a documentary as much as Frank Underwood intrigues us behaving like him is beneath the office of the Premier of Ontario so when will the Premier start showing a little bit of respect for Ontarians and tell the people of our province who gave Pat Sobera and Jerry Logheed their instructions Mr Speaker the reason I made the statement that I did on Friday and was very clear about the situation and made that publicly outside of this House Mr Speaker was out of respect for the people of Ontario Mr Speaker out of respect Sergeant at Arms confiscate the property a member from Prince Edward Hastings will come to order Thank you Thank you very much Mr Speaker and what I said in that statement is I said that I take this very seriously I said that Pat Sobera will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities I said that clearly I said that if charges were laid then Pat Sobera would of course step aside Mr Speaker On our review we don't think that that's going to happen but that will be up to others to decide which is exactly what the Chief Elections Officer has said Mr Speaker Supplementary Thank you very much Mr Speaker The Deputy Premier this week said that she was bored of question period I'm so sorry that the Liberal Government believes it's clear that the Liberals believe that they're above the law and apparently they're above answering our questions The Premier has a choice She can continue to avoid answering our questions or she can treat Ontarians with respect that they deserve The question is this Who gave Pat Sobera and Jerry Laheed their instructions to offer Andrew Olivier a job? Deep respect for question period I have a deep respect for the democratic process that's why I'm here answering the questions over and over again Mr Speaker As I said in my statement on Friday Pat Sobera will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities as the investigation unfolds You know the Member for Nipissing is heckling Mr Speaker about the retention of information I think the Member for Nipissing knows perfectly well that we have changed the rules here Mr Speaker we've trained our staff everyone knows Mr Speaker that we've changed those rules on the advice of the Information Privacy Commissioner I just don't think he should get away with that Mr Speaker I Finish please In the meantime I'm not going to force someone to resign in the face of allegations that I do not believe to be true but Mr Speaker we will continue to work with the authorities Thank you Member for Nipissing Mr Speaker this is a policy that relates to Chan's gendered inmates Previously inmates in Ontario were housed based on their primary sexual characteristics They were unable to express their gender identity by selecting their own clothing and personal pronouns The people of Ontario understood that it was time to change this outdated policy and our province everyone should be free from discrimination and harassment In our province we want to make sure that everyone has rights This means that the transgendered inmates have a second time and respect Mr Speaker through you can the minister explain the change in Ontario's policy towards transgendered inmates Thank you Thank you very much I want to thank the Member for the opportunity for me to share this very important milestone Last month I was proud to announce a new policy for transgendered inmates in our congressional facilities This policy builds on Toby's Act and aligns practices with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Ontario Human Rights Commission Guidelines I want to take this opportunity to thank the Commissioner Barbara Hall and the Commission for their ongoing guidance on this very important issue This policy will ensure that transgendered inmates are placed in an institution appropriate for their privacy They will be called by their preferred name and gender pronoun and they will be provided the opportunity to choose the gender of staff performing the searches During these searches they will be given privacy This policy was developed with extensive consultations across the province civil rights groups and congressional working groups Supplementary Thank you Mr Speaker and thank you Minister for your work in bringing the north to the table and organizations including the police service and my great writing of Sudbury have put a lot of time into this issue This policy supports the government's obligations under the Ontario Human Rights Code by helping to protect the rights of transgendered inmates However, there are still some that may be concerned for the safety of transgendered inmates in our institutions Minister, you have stated that the safety and security of all inmates and staff is one of your top priorities So it is vital that the rights of transgendered inmates are protected and their security safeguarded as well Mr Speaker, through you Can the Minister explain what measures will be taken to ensure the safety of transgendered inmates while they are in our correctional facilities Thank you Minister Thank you very much Speaker and indeed the safety and security of all our inmates and staff is the top priority of mine and the government In order to ensure their proper care placement and safety on a case by case basis inmates will be consulted during the accommodation process This will help determine the best housing option for the inmates Instead, Speaker, of being isolated transgendered inmates will be integrated into the general population when possible if that is their preference Speaker, we had extensive consultation on this issue including for trans activists from Sudbury and the Sudbury Police One trans advocate from Sudbury recently called these rights the most progressive anywhere in North America Protecting the rights of transgendered inmates is an important step as we transcode corrections in Ontario and build even safer communities Thank you Speaker Mr Speaker, my question is to the Premier Last year's thrown speech contained at least one accurate statement that in government is hard earned but easily lost How does the Premier expect the people of Ontario to trust her when she refuses to dismiss a top aide who appears to have broken Ontario's election law in the Sudbury by-election Well Mr Speaker that is up to the people of Ontario and it is up to the people of every riding in the province it's up to the people of Sudbury to make their decisions What I have to do I have to tell the people of Ontario what I'm doing and when I'm doing it So on the issue that the member opposite has raised I've been very clear Pat Cerbera will continue to fully cooperate with the authorities as the investigation unfolds Mr Speaker If charges are laid then Pat Cerbera of course would step aside I have said that publicly Mr Speaker and I repeat that and I reinforce that we will work with the authorities Mr Speaker that the investigation is taking place outside of the House Mr Speaker Police services boards are responsible for governing and overseeing the delivery of police services as such their members should be held to the highest standards of integrity When elections Ontario concludes that a provincial appointee to a police services board appears to have broken the law which is exactly what they wrote in their report The Premier cannot pretend that this is the right time to quote the thrown speech Mr Speaker How on earth does the Premier of Ontario expect the people of Ontario to trust her when she continues to express confidence in the police services board chair who appears to have broken Ontario's election law in the Sudbury by-election It's obvious by the number of questions on this issue that members opposite are very concerned and very passionate about integrity in government What I would like to ask them is where were they in 2011 when four Harper conservatives were investigated charged, pled guilty and fined for violations of the elections act Mr Speaker none of them will desist the member from Duff and Callity will desist and the member from the PN Carlton will desist Thank you Mr Speaker So my question is if they are so concerned so passionate Where were they in 2011 Where were you guys Thank you Thank you My questions to the Premier of course It's not just the opposition party that's saying the government's behaviour is wrong It's also the Toronto Star The Toronto Sun The Globe and Mail The National Post The Waterloo Record The Hamilton Spectator Earlier this week the Sudbury Star published an editorial which ran under the headline Wins Actions Shameful During Sudbury Debacle The Premier seems to think she can ignore Mr Speaker Will she come clean and will she start telling the true story Taking this seriously from the beginning Mr Speaker I absolutely understand that it is extremely important for me to be very clear outside of this house with the public Mr Speaker I think to suggest that I'm not taking this seriously is just not accurate I am absolutely taking it seriously unlike and the Deputy Premier just went through an example where quite the opposite of what we're doing was taking place Mr Speaker under the Harper Conservatives I've said that she will continue to work with the authorities but if there's a charge lead then Mr Speaker of course she would step aside That's not what happened in Ottawa Mr Speaker and I've been very clear that that is the action that we're taking with the authorities Mr Speaker Thank you Thank you Speaker The Sudbury Star goes on to say one would have expected when to be more contrite given the bombshell she should have had the grace to look at at least a little penitent instead when lashed out the Liberals are on the wrong side of the scandal and everyone knows it but the Premier Will the Premier show action and start telling Ontarians the truth Mr Speaker I have been speaking about this repeatedly I take this matter very seriously and let's just be clear you know there have been a couple of processes underway elections Ontario determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless will continue to fully fully cooperate as elections Ontario examination will continue to the next phase Mr Speaker but the chief electoral officer clearly stated and I am quoting I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges so the process has moved to the next stage Mr Speaker we will work with the authorities in that phase of the investigation but that investigation is happening outside of this legislature Thank you Mr Speaker and my question today is for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines I know that Ontario is the top jurisdiction in Canada for mineral exploration and I am very proud to be part of a government that understands the importance of the north and the importance of the mining sector for our province as some of us may know the prospectors and developers association of Canada will be holding its annually it's highly anticipated 2015 annual convention here in Toronto next week Mr Speaker, can the Minister of Northern Development and Mines please update this house with respect to this annual convention and explain how it is showcasing Ontario's mining sector Minister of Northern Development and Mines I have an opportunity to speak about the prospectors and developers association Conference PDAC which starts this coming Sunday it's a remarkable convention Mr Speaker there's over 25,000 attendees from over 100 countries and a tremendous opportunity for us the province of Ontario to showcase the many success of the province's mining sector we will be kicking off PDAC this coming Sunday evening with our annual Ontario reception there will be municipal industry first nation maithy nation a guest coming to that reception we invite everyone for the legislature I know that the council I'm sure will be there but we hope all of you will attend that event we really want to be able to make clear and encourage as much as possible is to tell the story about Ontario the province does remain one of the most attractive destinations for mineral investment in Canada and around the world and we're going to tell our story, thank you so thank you very much Mr Speaker and I want to thank the minister for his update Mr Speaker the province's mining sector is impressive I'm certainly pleased that Ontario is hosting this important international conference actually the largest conference of its kind in the world and I know that the international delegates who are here will enjoy all that the city of Toronto has to offer as we all know the mining industry is very important not only to northern Ontario but for the entire province I know that our government continues to engage both corporate and first nation partners to make sure we are creating a dynamic and innovative business climate that we need for the sector Mr Speaker through you to the minister how is our government showcasing our support for such an important industry at this convention thank you once again for the question and I mean the fact is our government is absolutely committed to maintaining a very positive investment climate for mining and I think one of the most clear indicators of investment attractiveness is unquestionably exploration spending and the fact that Ontario remains the Canadian leader and one of the top jurisdictions for mineral exploration expenders in the world is an incredibly important fact let alone mineral production topping over 11 billion dollars last year let alone the fact that we've got new mines opening up coming up this year and others there's lots of work to do Mr Speaker but we have a great attractive investment climate here in the province of Ontario so that everybody will be there at the prospectors and development association to help us sell this to investors from all around the world thank you Mr Speaker thank you Mr Speaker thank you Mr Speaker my question is for the premier how is it possible that someone who is the object of an investigation can maintain the access being investigated do you think that reflects the quality of the government that the residents of Ontario deserve I think the residents and people in Ontario deserve to hear the truth government that is honest and it works to respond to the concerns regarding infrastructure education health and others and Mr Speaker this investigation is not happening here in the house the investigation it's an investigation that is happening outside of the legislation by the appropriate authorities I'm ready to work with the authorities and I'm doing that Mr Speaker once again to the premier Madam Premier know that Mr Cerbera could at this time be erasing emails how are we going to ask them to leave Mr Speaker the investigation is not happening here within the legislative chamber the investigation is happening outside with the authorities and I must work with the authorities Mr Speaker thank you Mr Speaker my question is for the premier the Liberals and the premier are facing criminal investigation this is serious and the response from the Liberals is to talk about the 407 the Pan Am game and go transit instead of showing leadership the premier has instead converted to some of the most shameful diversion tactics this legislature has ever seen we all thought the performance last Friday was the low point but yesterday this self-problamed progressive premier stooped to using missing and murdered Aboriginal women as part of a deflection strategy order please order please please does not have a premier behaves and this is not how a government who claims to be progressive behaves will the premier take the high road show some leadership and answer the question I want to remind the member from Hamilton Mountain that when I stand you sit I think I'll say it again so that she sees that I'm talking to her when I stand you sit Premier much Mr. Speaker I will just say a couple of things first of all on Friday I made a statement that was very heartfelt Mr. Speaker I made that statement because I believed that it was important for the people of Ontario not just the people in this house but the people of Ontario to know exactly where I stood and what I said in that statement Mr. Speaker is that Patser Barr and I will continue to cooperate with the authorities as the investigation unfolds Mr. Speaker I said that if charges are laid then of course Patser Barr will step aside Mr. Speaker but in the meantime Mr. Speaker we will continue to work with the authorities but the member opposite is right Mr. Speaker I have said in this house and I said it as recently as yesterday that I think there are many many other important things that we need to be talking about Mr. Speaker not that this isn't important it is actually but issues like the missing and murdered Aboriginal women it's a very important issue Mr. Speaker I'm traveling today to Ottawa to take part in the round table tomorrow it's a very very serious issue Mr. Thank you the member from Kitchener's Center Thank you for alerting me supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker Yesterday the Liberals non-answered but so over the top Mr. Speaker had to interject and you said and I quote tradition of this place is that the question point deserves answered by the question and a quote these are serious questions Speaker that deserve answers and every time Ontarians get another ridiculous non-answer the Liberals just show how really arrogant they really are the Premier has just been asked this question 35 times and she still refuses to answer who gave Pat Sabara and Jerry Laheed their instructions the direct answer to that question is that there is an investigation taking place that investigation is not happening in this house Mr. Speaker that investigation is happening outside this house and the member opposite is right and I know she hasn't been here very long Mr. Speaker but I will acknowledge that she's right Mr. Speaker that yesterday there were other issues that we wanted to talk about there are many other issues that are very very like ours Mr. Speaker that is actively working on issues like health care like education Mr. Speaker like the issues facing our Aboriginal communities Mr. Speaker those are the reasons I got into Government those are the issues that we are working on Mr. Speaker to make sure that we continue to support the people of Ontario and be seated please now it's start the clock now it's a new question thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Health and long term care we have so many people who are visiting us today here at the legislature who are in the nursing profession and it's unfortunate that they have not been mentioned yet so far today the opposition has had a chance to do that and sadly they have not so let me ask you a question about the people who work in this very important profession in the operating of Kitchener Centre we value nurses in hospitals in clinics in long term care facilities so I would like to ask the Minister to please speak to this tell us how important our nurses in our province Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker and I say this with greatest respect but utter astonishment that neither of the opposition parties asked a single question about our nursing profession and I want to take this opportunity I'm actually going to encourage us all to stand up and recognize and appreciate acknowledge Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker I have to say that people across this province they like their doctors Mr. Speaker well perhaps the president company accepted right now but Mr. Speaker Ontarians love their nurses they love their nurses Mr. Speaker My own sister for nearly 40 years has been a practicing RN proudly serving the people of Alderman Norfolk and it gives me great pleasure to have the opportunity with the premier in just a few minutes to spend time with RNAO to speak with them in detail Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the minister for his very eloquent answer and for the standing ovation that we have given nurses in our province and the opportunity minister to speak with nurses today could you please share with us your conversations with them Thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to say as well that over the past seven or eight months that I've been a minister of health I've had the pleasure of working responsibly and closely with our nurses whether they are RNs or nurse practitioners working on the Ebola crisis quite frankly Mr. Speaker it was the nurses from across this province and across this country those frontline health workers that alerted us that more needed to be done that we needed to do a better job at preparing for the potential of an Ebola case coming to this province and I want to thank them for their advocacy and their hard work to make sure that we provided the best possible care and preparedness that we could and it doesn't stop there with international patients health care, social determinants of health enhancing community care the report that they issued recently that helps to direct and guide us on important improvements and changes that we need to make in this province so once again Mr. Speaker I want to thank them for being here and I look forward to seeing them properly Thank you New question member from Leeds Grendel Question is back to the Premier Premier I've just received a public statement as of 11 a.m. from the Greater Sudbury Police Services Board Vice Chair of the Board this week the Police Services Board held an in-camera meeting they've retained legal counsel to discuss the findings of the Chief Electoral Officers report they resolved to correspond with the Ontario Police Civilian Commission because they're concerned about the situation Premier the people of Sudbury the men and women of the Sudbury Police Force the members of the Police Services Board need your leadership they need you to have Jerry Lawheed and Pat Sorbera step aside while this investigation is going on please heed what the Police Services Board is expressing in their concern do the right thing and ask them to step aside Thank you Premier Minister of Community Safety and Fractional Services Yes Thank you very much Speaker as I have now offered a response to this question God knows how many times Speaker we know that Police Services Board exists to provide educated and effective policing within their jurisdiction the boards are composed of both municipal appointments and provincial appointments Speaker they are subject to a Code of Conduct Speaker that is enacted through regulation and if there is a breach if there is suspicion of a breach around that Code of Conduct the responsibility to make a determination rests with the Ontario Civilian Police Commission because that is an arms length agency that has no engagement with the government and that is why we should let the OCPC to do their job and be able to see if they feel they need to review Thank you supplementary Back to the Minister Minister you know what this board does you know why the Police Services Board retained legal counsel and made this decision they are obviously as concerned we are with this issue they made the decision without the chair involved in their decision it's right here in black and white you're the Minister you've got the authority under the act to also ask the Civilian Commission to look into this do your job Minister Speaker as I mentioned earlier I think we should let the independent agencies do their work as stipulated within the legislation section 25 of the Ontario Civilian Police Commission under the Police Services Act OCPC has the authority to look into the matter and I will leave it up to them Thank you Speaker In order of the member from the Minister of Children and Youth Services If I may I'd like to introduce Claudia Marino and all the nurses from the Western Family Health team they're in my riding discoveries they do a fantastic job each and every day and I thank them Speaker Mr Speaker it's coming to my attention a point of order come to my attention on behalf of one of my constituents that we no longer offer closed captioning for our proceedings in the assembly particularly during question period I'd like to raise that as a point to yourself as well as to members of the Board of Internal Economy Thank you I'll take that under advisement and return to the member from Ottawa Orleans Mr Speaker I have a great pleasure to introduce Mr Benini Vaillancourt who is here today to talk to the Francophone caucus Thank you to Mr Vaillancourt for all his work to the Francophone Association of Ontario A point of order Speaker I'd like to introduce one of the giants of the Canadian Mining Industry a member of the Canadian Mining Hall fame true legend in mining in Canada Mr Bill James is here today with us today Thank you Minister of Mining Development A very quick point of order I want to introduce my very dear sweet supportive sister Susan Howkin who arrived late for question period but there she is Thank you I would like to introduce Hugh Moran from the Ontario Petroleum Institute and London West Constituent Thank you Mr Mayor I would like to introduce the House that knowing that all three House leaders know that we have a deferred vote I'm going to ask that we cut back on these points of orders because even moving into the next phase is actually part of the vote so I would be very helpful if we held off on any of these except if there are serious not serious sorry if they are points of order it and we do continue to provide the service okay we have a deferred vote on the motion of closure of the motion the second reading of bill 56 call in the members this will be my minister I'd like to get through this call in the members this is a five-minute bill members please take their seats first please take their seats I had one that used to say what do I do with it on February the 17th miss hunter moved second reading of bill 56 an act to require the establishment of Ontario retirement pension plan mr. Nakvee has moved that the question be now put all those in favour of mr. Nakvee's motion will arise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk mr. Nakvee mr. Brathley mr. Shirella mr. Sousa mr. Sousa his win is Matthews mr. Hoskins mr. Hoskins his sandals mr. McCharles mr. Quinter mr. Quinter mr. Cole mr. Tachar mr. Tachar mr. Brodnetti mr. Dylan mr. Dylan mr. Quadrie mr. Quadrie mr. Orzetti mr. Gravel mr. Gravel mr. Murray mr. Murray mr. Coteau mr. Coteau mr. Leo mr. Zimmer mr. Zimmer mr. Delaney mr. Dixon mr. Manga mr. Pratt mr. Pratt mr. Wong mr. Hunter mr. No Mr. Surgio. Mr. Morel tomorrow is jasses jassey mr. Dalduca mr. Dalduca mr. Dommer lock mr. Fraser mr. Fraser mr. Anderson mr. Baker mr. Baker mr. Baller mr. Baller mr. Darm mr. Douglas Hoga mr. Kuala mr. Kuala down the long down the long as Molly as Molly smart as Martin mr. Gary sorry miss McMahon miss McMahon mr. Milch and mr. Milch and night you Harris I do Harris pause mr. Paws and Aldi mr. Reynaldi Renille is going to be able to see both we should be song should be song it's horrible it's horrible then jelly not I'm jelly not mr. Tabas to Tabas mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek to Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek miss Sattler is Taylor mr. Natascha Natascha his arms strong arms strong sing sing his fight his fight his forester's forester mr. Samantha mr. Hatfield mr. Gates mr. Gates is Gretzky's Gretzky's French his French all those polls please rise one at a time be recognized by the clerk mr. Clark Mr. Clark mr. Arnav mr. Arnav mr. Hardiman mr. Hardiman mcclough mcclough zellia zellia mr. Wilson mr. Wilson mr. Fidelli mr. Fidelli mr. Miller Perry Sound Mascoka mr. Miller Perry Sound Mascoka mr. Dunlough mr. Mcnaught mr. Mcnaught mr. Jones mr. Jones mr. Thompson mr. Thompson mr. Monroe mr. Scott mr. Scott mr. Yurek mr. Yurek mr. Hillier mr. Hillier mr. Walker mr. Walker mr. Smith mr. Smith mr. Marteau mr. Marteau mr. McDonnell mr. McDonnell mr. Pettipace mr. Pettipace the ice being 71 in the maze being 21 I declare the motion carried Ms. Hunter has moved second reading of bill 56 an act to require the establishment of Ontario retirement pension plan is it the pleasure of the House of Motion carry I heard a no all those in favor say aye all those of pit both say nay in my opinion the eyes have it calling the members this will be a five-minute bell just just before you do that I was asked if we have the same vote same vote I heard those calling the members this is a five-minute bell miss hunter's moves second reading of bill 56 all those in favor please rise one at a time be recognized by the court house Mccharls mr. Quinter mr. Quinter mr. Cole mr. Taka mr. Dakar mr. upbeat mr. Mr. Brodenetti, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Quadri, Mr. Gravel, Mr. Murray, Mr. Cotot, Mr. Lio, Mr. Zimmer, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Boulkusen, Mr. Albenezi, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Manga, Mr. Crack, Mr. Crag, Mr. Wong, Mr. Sergio, Mr. Tomorrow, Mr. Jasek, Mr. Del Ducat, Mr. Domerl, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Mr. Anderson. Mr. Baker. Mr. Bálor. Mr. Bálor. Mr. Don. Mr. Don. Mr. Hoegar. Ms. Hoegar. Ms. Kuala. Ms. Kuala. Madam LaLond. Ms. Molley. Ms. Molley. Ms. Martin. Mr. Martin. Ms. McMahon. Ms. McMan. Mr. Milchun. Ms. Nidu Harris. Ms. Nidu Harris. Mr. Paws. Mr. Rinaldi. Mr. Rinaldi. Ms. Bernille. Mr. T. Boo. Mr. T. Boo. Ms. French. Ms. French. This should be sun. Mr. Tabas, Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek, Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Nataschak, Ms. Armstrong, Mr. Singh, Ms. Fye, Ms. Forster, Mr. Mantha, Mr. Hadfield, Mr. Gates, Ms. Gretzky. All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the court. Mr. Monroe, Mr. Arnaud, Mr. Hardiman, Mr. Hardiman, Ms. McLeod, Ms. Elliott, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Clark, Mr. Miller, Perry Sound, Mascota, Mr. Dunlop, Mr. McNaughton, Ms. Jones, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Scott, Mr. Yurek, Mr. Hillier, Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith, Ms. Marteau, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Pettipies, Mr. Pettipies, the ayes are 71, the nays are 21. The ayes being 71, and the nays being 21. I declare the motion carried. You have the bill. Does the election approach the law? Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? The minister... Please refer. I have to recognize you. The Associate Minister of Finance. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the bill be referred to the Standing Committee on the Legislative Assembly. Oh, yeah, yeah. So, order. The member from the P.N. Carleton on a point of order. Earlier I had mentioned that we didn't have close caption. Apparently it is on the television. That said, it is not in the live-house webcast online, and my constituent has just contacted me again to ensure that we do that. This is not a point of order, and it'll be dealt with. It's not in the house business, so I'll get back to the member. There are no deferred votes. This house stands recessed until 1 p.m. this afternoon.