 It is now time for Question Period. The member for Mickey Oslo. My question is for the Premier. Premier, you included the following in your mandate letter to the Minister of Health. Continue the pursuit of affordable drug access for patients. This will include a coordinated process for approving new and expensive drugs to minimize the weight for people who need these life-saving medications. Premier, notwithstanding the Minister's last-minute half-baked announcement this morning, why are you allowing to fail in this mandate? The Minister of Health and Welfare is here. Well, Mr. Speaker, I'm not sure if patients and families of patients that are suffering from atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, from AHS, would agree with the member opposite that it was a half-baked announcement this morning. Not by myself, Mr. Speaker, but several days ago, the Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Program, because this is not a political decision. This is a decision made by clinical experts and bureaucrats searching through the best and most reliable information available. So, several days ago, I was informed that the Executive Officer will now provide Celeris to patients with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, or AHS, who meet the client clinical criteria of the disease. That's good news. Thank you. Again, back to the Premier. We're joined by Michael Igerum, Joshua de Bartoli, and other patients suffering from AHS who've been waiting for two years for Celeris, the only medication that can actually help them. And I would note that how convenient is it that the announcement was made today? I guess it takes a little bit of the heat off you, but I think people need to know that this is not going to be funded for all AHS patients. It's only a one-off strategy. Only those who are really, really sick are going to be able to get access to this, not everybody who needs it. And I think that's important for the people of Ontario and the patients who are here in good faith to know that. So my question to you, Premier, is given the fact that 40 other countries have approved this, it's been approved in the province of Quebec. The clinical evidence is there that can actually extend lives and save people. Will you commit to permanent funding for Celeris for these patients today? Thank you. Minister? Anti-science. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, I don't think the people of Ontario want to take the word of the member opposite in terms of the science and clinical evidence behind this decision. Quite frankly, they shouldn't take my word either, even though I'm a practicing physician and a public health specialist. But they should take the word that combined evidence that was provided by our office, not my political office, by the Office of Ontario Public Drug Program when they consulted with advocacy groups, when they consulted with other jurisdictions around the world, including Australia and England, when they consulted in the very physicians and specialists that are providing support to these individuals with AHUS. Their combined decision on clinical evidence and science was to provide this solution to those that meet the clinical eligible criteria for this disease to provide them with the Celeris treatment that they have asked for. Thank you. Final supplementary? Mr. Speaker, I would suggest that the Minister of Health is trying to have it both ways. He's saying he's going to fund Celeris, but then there's not clinical evidence in some cases to allow it. So I'm not really sure what he's planning on saying here. But the fact of the matter is that time, after time, after time, patients that are facing these devastating diseases have to come to Queens Park to advocate and put the pressure on you and get media attention in order to get access to the drugs that they really need to save their lives. This has to stop. Will you commit today on permanent funding for Celeris for the patients that need it? Thank you, Minister. Well, you know, Mr. Speaker, I truly believe in the member opposite in her heart of hearts. I actually do believe that she supports a process which is apolitical, which reaches out to the exact specialists and clinical experts and scientists that know more than you and I will ever know about this condition that reaches out to the advocates of this illness for patients, for families that look around the world at other jurisdictions that have also resolved this challenge in question. And in her heart of hearts, I believe that she supports the decision of these clinical experts and these bureaucrats and officials have made. New question. The later of the member from Whitby Oswell. When you replace Dalton McGinty, you promise to do things differently and turn the page on a decade of liberal scandals. But less than a year into the job, same old, same old. Let there be no mistake. Your failure to remove Pat Cerbera from her job, even temporarily, means that you have chosen to make this scandal worse and erode the integrity reposed in your office. Mr. McGinty kept senior staff in his office while they were... Thank you. I will have order. And the Minister of Education come to order. Please finish. Premier, I remind you that Premier McGinty kept senior staff in his office even under criminal investigation, and that resulted in deleted emails and destroyed evidence. Don't make the same mistake. Show Ontarians the integrity that the Deputy Premier says that you have. Restore confidence in your leadership and show Pat Cerbera that... Question. I know that the member opposite knows that I have taken very seriously. Elections Ontario has determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless, Mr. Speaker. We'll continue to cooperate fully with the investigation, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to do that. The Chief Electoral Officer, as the member opposite knows, the Chief Electoral Officer has clearly stated and I quote, I am neither a sign nor a persecute a matter, nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence. Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges. So the investigations are entirely independent, Mr. Speaker. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has been retained, and Mr. Speaker, I really believe that we need to let the investigation run its course, Mr. Speaker. That's what we need to do. Thank you, supplementary. Out of your hands. There's still a lot that you can do. Why don't you restore some semblance of integrity into your office? Try and protect the integrity of your office. Deputy House Leader, come to order. The police investigation, the integrity of the Sudbury Police Board, the integrity of our electoral system, and the integrity that Antarians place in their elected officials. You can start doing this by directing the Secretary of Cabinet to seize Ms. Sorbera's computer, preserve all of her emails and her telephone records, and anything else that may lend itself to police investigation. Address the issues. Sorry. I'm not sure whether to sit or stand. I'm sorry. Mr. Speaker, first let me address the issues arising out of recommendations that came to us through the Information Privacy Commissioner over the last year or so. We have made many changes in my office and across government. We have put training in place in terms of retention of documents. Those procedures are already in place. I can reassure the member opposite that those procedures have changed. They are in place. The training has been done. On the second issue, I really believe that in order for the investigation to be able to continue, as the member knows, it is an independent process. The best thing that we can do is to let it unfold. That actually preserves the integrity of the process and of the investigation. We're going to let it unfold as it must. Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the so-called procedures that have been put in place, there is a pattern of liberal staffers destroying evidence here. I want to ask the Premier what steps she's taken to limit Pat Sorbara's access to the levers of power. Have you stripped her of any authority? Have you ordered anyone to preserve her telephone records? Have you ordered the hard drives and computers be turned over to the OPP so they don't get wiped by the plant scandal? And as leader of the Liberal Party, have you ordered party officials to preserve any evidence at Liberal Party headquarters as far as Pat Sorbara and Jerry LaHeter involved? Please, Premier, tell us at least you're doing something. Premier? I've answered these questions over and over again. I made a statement last Friday that made it clear what my position is, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, we need to let the independent investigation unfold as it will, Mr. Speaker. And there are a lot of issues that we could be talking about, Mr. Speaker. Many of our members have been at the Roma OGRA conference, Mr. Speaker. There are a lot of issues that we could be talking about. In fact, the member opposite could be asking about our announcement this morning to provide funding to build and repair critical infrastructure for small, rural and northern municipalities, Mr. Speaker. The action across Canada to invest in public infrastructure. That's a crying need, Mr. Speaker. The member opposite could be asking about the round table tomorrow on missing and murdered Aboriginal women. That number of my members and I will be attending, Mr. Speaker. She could be asking. New question, the leader of the third party. Thank you. Thank you. The leader of the third party, new question. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Yesterday, the Deputy Premier complained that the opposition continues to insist that the Premier answers some very important questions. Sorry to disappoint the Deputy Premier, but we're going to continue to do just that to offer Andrew Olivier a job. I do take this matter very, very seriously. I have answered dozens of questions. Tens of questions in this House, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to answer those questions. I made a statement last Friday making it clear what my position is. Mr. Speaker, the elections Ontario has determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless, Mr. Speaker. We'll continue to cooperate fully with the independent investigation, Mr. Speaker. And the Chief Electoral Officer has stated I'm neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence. Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges. These investigations are entirely independent, Mr. Speaker. And I believe that to preserve the integrity of the investigation we need to let it unfold. It doesn't matter, Mr. Speaker, how many times I am asked the question. I have answered, I will continue to answer and I have just given the answer that I will continue to repeat. Well, Mr. Speaker, what does matter is to who told Jerry Lougheed to offer Andrew Olivier a job. Perhaps she can answer that question, Mr. Speaker. Again, Mr. Speaker, the investigation is not being conducted in this legislature. I have answered questions. I have made it very clear. My position, Mr. Speaker, I've made it clear that I believe the investigation is separate that the integrity of the investigation needs to be maintained and we do that by allowing it to be independent. So, I take this matter very seriously, Mr. Speaker. I have answered questions. We will continue to cooperate fully with the investigation and, Mr. Speaker, I hope that the member's opposite will do the same. Member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke will come to order. Thank you. Final supplement. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, the matter of who gave Pat Cerbera and Jerry Lougheed the instructions to offer that job is an extremely, extremely serious question, Speaker. But the Premier has ducked that very question 24 times in this chamber. That's not the point. I ask again, calmly, please, decorum, let the question be put, let the answer be answered. Please finish. 24 times, Speaker. That question has been asked and not answered. The Deputy Premier can actually take note of that and close up the questions. When the Premier refuses to answer, it isn't just that she's showing a lack of respect for me or the people in this chamber. She's showing a lack of respect for the people of Ontario. Because we are not just for me and they're not just for us. This isn't a silly game. The answers are for the people of this province and they deserve those answers. So once again, number 25, Speaker. I'm going to ask the Premier who told Jerry Lougheed and Pat Cerbera to offer a job to Mr. Olivier, so he would have run over the nomination in Sudbury. Thank you. I simply challenge the premise of the question. I say to the member opposite, I have answered those questions. I have made a clear statement of what happened in the Sudbury by-election, why we chose, why I chose for Glen Keybow to be the candidate. Mr. Speaker, I made that. That investigation is independent. We need to let that investigation unfold, Mr. Speaker, and that's what we're going to do. Thank you very much, Speaker. My next question is also for the Premier. According to Elections Ontario and the OPP, there is evidence that Andrew Olivier was offered a job. Offered a bribe. Pat Cerbera and Jerry Lougheed are on tape, and those tapes say they're reacting on behalf of this... It's got the clock from all sides all the time. In fairness to the questioner, I don't like interrupting, but I must when there's not enough to be heard. I apologize. Thank you, Speaker. Just to recap, the evidence shows that the OPP has the evidence, Elections Ontario has the evidence that Andrew Olivier was offered a bribe. The tapes show that both Pat Cerbera and Jerry Lougheed say on tape that they were doing that on behalf of this Premier. But the Premier is all of that, Speaker. She's denying all of it. So my question is very clear. Does she have any evidence at all about her version of the story, Speaker? What's her version? Question? Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I've talked about my position many times in the House. Again, I'm going to read into the record what the Chief Electoral Officer has said. These are the Chief Electoral Officers' words, Mr. Speaker. It's the Secretary of the Chief Electoral Report that is germane to the issue of whether there has been guilt-determined or not. And what he says is this, 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, unquote, Mr. Speaker. That's why the investigation is not taking place in this House, Mr. Speaker. The investigation is independent. It is unfolding and we need to let it do so. Thank you, Secretary. Speaker, there are mountains upon mountains of evidence that Andrew Olivier was offered a job in order for him to step aside. I clear the way for the hand-picked Liberal candidate so that the Premier would not have to appoint him. There are two taped phone calls. There are police interviews that say that no decision had been made about whether or not to appoint Glenn Tebow. But the Premier claims that all of this evidence is wrong, Speaker. So I just want to know the people of Ontario I think deserve to know will she share her evidence with us? Mr. Speaker, you know, again I have said repeatedly in this House and outside of this House that I had decided that that Glenn Tebow was going to be our candidate. I had made that decision. I've said that over and over and over again. And Mr. Speaker the Minister of Agriculture Food says it is a great choice and it is a great choice. It was a great choice. Glenn Tebow is a terrific representative for Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. He's a strong, strong confronting Sudbury and other parts of the North, Mr. Speaker, are very challenging ones and we need to make sure that we are making very good decisions to make sure that there are good transportation networks, that there's good investment in infrastructure. Mr. Speaker that people in Sudbury like people all over the country have the prospect of a secure retirement. Those are the issues that the member for Sudbury ran, Mr. Speaker. That's why he's sitting in this House on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is the sixth time this Premier has been asked for any evidence to support her story. And the Premier has yet to provide one shred, one iota of evidence to back up her story. The Premier's version of Sudbury, Mr. Speaker, simply doesn't match any of the evidence that is currently on record. It doesn't match Jerry Lawheed's taped phone call. It doesn't match Pat Sarbera's taped phone call. And it doesn't match what Andrew Olivier told the police. So let's try again. The member from beaches in front of all of the evidence that's been put so far on the record. Does the Premier have any evidence to back up her version of events? Does she have any evidence to back up her story, Speaker? Mr. Speaker, as I have said a number of times today, elections Ontario determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless. We'll continue to work with the authorities, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to fully cooperate as we have been doing, Mr. Speaker. But the fact is, there are many, many issues that are confronting us. And as I said to the Conservative Party, the leader of the third party could, in one of her questions, be asking a question about the round table on murdered and missing Aboriginal women that is taking place in Ottawa on Friday, Mr. Speaker. I would have thought that that would be an issue that would be of great concern to the leader of the third party, especially given that her candidate in Sudbury was First Nations member, Mr. Speaker. I thought that maybe there would be at least one question about what those actions we might expect to come out of that round table, Mr. Speaker. That's an important issue, not just in Ontario, but across the country. I fully expect it. Thank you. You see it, please? Thank you. New question. The leader of Her Majesty's Law Opposition. Premier, you have repeatedly said that on December 11th you had a conversation with Andrew and told him you were appointing Glenn Tebow as your candidate Sudbury. Pat Sobera said she was in the room with you when you spoke on the phone to Mr. Olivier. Mr. Sobera explicitly said she could hear your side of the conversation. But the next day, Mr. Sobera told Mr. Olivier, quote, you've been directly asked by the Premier to make a decision to step aside. Premier, if you had already told Mr. Olivier that you were appointing Mr. Tebow, then why did Mr. Sobera continue to ask Mr. Olivier to step aside? It was a gun deal. Why the bribe? Premier. Just because, say what I have said repeatedly, which is that I had decided that Glenn Tebow was going to be the candidate in Sudbury. I have made that very, very clear, Mr. Speaker. There is an investigation going on. That investigation is not taking place today. The investigation is independent, Mr. Speaker. We need to let that investigation unfold and I will continue to respond to the questions across the floor, Mr. Speaker. But the fact is that the investigation is independent and it is taking place outside of this chamber. Thank you, supplementary. You've dragged this chamber and all the members, I say to the Premier, Mr. Speaker, into this mess because you are bringing us all down. You can say it's independent, true the police investigation is and possible charges in that process, but you've got us all into this mess because you refuse to do the right thing. You're bringing the art of politics and the honour of politics down. That's why we're going to continue to ask you these questions. Premier, you said you told Mr. Olivier on December 11th you were appointing the candidate and then on the 12th, Mr. Sobera said you were still asking Mr. Olivier to step down. Premier, who's telling the truth about their conversation with Mr. Olivier? Premier. Well, let me just begin by saying, Mr. Speaker, that I have a deep respect for political office. I'm in politics because I believe that government can and must make a difference. I believe that elected officials have a responsibility to advance the causes that brought them into politics in the first place, Mr. Speaker, to do everything that they can to improve a lot of people in their jurisdictions, Mr. Speaker, and across this province. I wouldn't be standing here. I wouldn't be in politics and neither would anyone in this House be here if they didn't believe that government could make a difference for them. I'm going to ask the member from Leeds-Grenville and the Minister of the Environment to talk about that conversation maybe elsewhere. Wrap up, please. I just want to say to the young people who are here for the model parliament, Mr. Speaker, that I am so proud of them for taking part in this, and I just want them to know government can and must make a difference. You see the please? Thank you. Minister of Aboriginal Affairs will ask a question. My question is to the Premier and I certainly hope your example is not one that the model parliament is going to take away. That's not the way this place should operate, but let's get to the question. When Greg Sabara's name appeared and an RCMP warrant, he resigned from cabinet. But when Pat Sabara is facing down a criminal investigation, the Premier is keeping her on the job for her top aides. Why do different rules apply to Pat Sabara than applied to Greg Sabara and when will you ask Pat Sabara to step aside? Thank you. I made a statement on Friday and it was very clear on my position on this and the situation that the member opposite is referencing is a very different situation than the one we're dealing with here, Mr. Speaker. So let me just repeat, the investigation is not taking place in this house. The investigation is separate, Mr. Speaker. I will continue to answer questions. I will continue to work with the authorities as we all will. But at the same time, Mr. Speaker, there is such important work to be done and I referenced the round table on Friday on missing and murdered Aboriginal women. It is extremely important that provinces come together, that leadership across this country come together and attempt to work with the federal government, whether we can work with the federal government to get out of this situation. I'm sorry, Mr. Speaker, or if that's not possible to at least come together to agree on what some of the concrete actions might be to improve the lot of Aboriginal girls and women in this province, Mr. Speaker. That's a very important piece of work that I will be doing while the investigation. Thank you. Supplementary. Again, to the Premier. Premier, I've been here for 25 years from different governments. I find the decorum unacceptable when someone is trying to put a question and to mock somebody is not what I call appropriate, or anyone else trying to tell me how to do my job. Please. In the last 25 years members of every party have faced investigations for one thing or another. Some have been exonerated, some have not. But there's been a tradition that when you're under investigation, you do the right thing and you step aside so you're not acting as a government decision maker. Why do these rules not apply to Pat Sabara? I think the member opposite actually answered part of the question himself in the sense that Pat Sabara is not a sitting member of parliament, Mr. Speaker. I mean he knows that full well. He also knows because I know the member fairly well. He knows that I take this seriously. He knows that I'm going to work with the authorities. He knows very well, Mr. Speaker, that the investigation is separate from what goes on in this chamber. So Mr. Speaker, there are many, many important issues that we need to be talking about. This is one that obviously is important and we'll continue to discuss it. But the investigation is not taking place in this House. It's taking place independently outside of the legislature. Thank you. No question from the beaches, East York. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. As all members of the House know, Mr. Speaker, it is quite common for us to hear from constituents about drug funding in Ontario. We are often asked why some drugs are funded by the government and some are not. The question for many is a question that affects their very livelihoods every day. Ontarians need access to certain drugs and other normal things that we take for granted, like go to work, take walks, visit new places in the province. So it's important that our government get drug funding right so that constituents like mine in the great riding of beaches, East York, can live the best lives possible and I know our government is committed to ensuring Ontarians have access to the best and safest treatments available. So, Speaker, I ask the Minister if he would please explain the process of drug funding in Ontario. So, Mr. Speaker, thank you to the member from Beaches East York as well for the question. Our government, Mr. Speaker, is committed to ensuring that Ontarians have access to the best and the safest drugs and treatments and that's why we took the politics out of funding, those funding decisions, Mr. Speaker. We did that several years ago and now we rely on experts to determine which drugs are and should be funded. All drugs go through a review by an expert committee which undertakes a thorough evaluation based on the best available evidence. In fact, in 2010 we introduced a process which now allows patient advocacy groups to make submissions which are considered by the committee in evaluating a new drug therapy. Based on the committee's advice, the Executive Officer of the Ontario Public Drug Program makes a funding decision based on the best interests of patients and the public. This year our government will spend nearly 3,800 drugs for Ontario patients, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister, for that review. Now, I was approached by Beaches East York constituents, Lorna Killam and Michael Byrne, about a drug called Solaris that provides demonstrated improvements to health and quality of life for patients with atypical hemolytic euremic syndrome or AHUS. AHUS is a very rare and life-threatening disease and their very close friend Tony Vernon who's in the house today has AHUS and needs a life-saving kidney. My constituent, Lorna, is a match and will donate her kidney, but her doctor asks that Tony be on Solaris before he'll do the operation. But unfortunately, this medication is not currently available to the majority of AHUS patients in Ontario who depend on the government to fund this costly treatment. In June this week, Ontario has approved Solaris for use in Canada, but it's not listed. Minister, what is Ontario doing for Ontario to suffer from AHUS to have access to Solaris? Thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, as I was able to say earlier this morning in question period, I was informed earlier this week by the Executive Officer of Ontario's public drug program that Ontario will now provide Solaris to patients with atypical eremic syndrome, or AHUS, who need to find clinical criteria of the disease. The AHUS advocacy group was informed of this decision yesterday, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, yesterday we had one member of the PC Party questioning whether we should even be teaching evolution in schools, Mr. Speaker, and now a member of the PC Party is suggesting our decisions on drug funding need not be based on science. Mr. Speaker, I can't begin to imagine what may be coming next. Perhaps we never landed on the moon. Perhaps the world is flat after all. But Mr. Speaker, we will continue to rely on evidence to make decisions about what drugs work and for what patients and I'm happy to make this announcement today. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The day after you spoke with Mr. Olivier, the Deputy Chief of Staff called him and warned him over the phone about Olivier deciding to run. It was all about Amber Olivier deciding to say no to the Premier. Of course, Sir Berra is referring to him saying no to your request that he step aside. Mr. Berra made it clear on that tape that you, Premier, asked Olivier to step aside. Premier, why do you continue to deny that you asked Mr. Olivier to step aside on December 11th? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, once again, let me just say that I had made a decision that Glen Tebow was going to be our candidate and I agree there is an investigation ongoing, Mr. Speaker. That investigation is not taking place in this House. It's an independent investigation and it's taking place and I will continue, we will all continue to cooperate with it, Mr. Speaker. But I thought actually, I thought with the Conference Board of Canada report coming out the last couple of days that the members opposite particularly in the PC party might have been interested in talking about the economy and what's interesting is that all private sector economists are now forecasting continued growth for the Ontario economy. That's very, very good news, Mr. Speaker. I have a comment further on this. The Conference Board of Canada's Provincial Outlook Winter 2015 says and I quote, Ontario's economy is projected to grow by 2.9% this year bolstered by strong exports and consumers spending. That's very good news, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Premier. The day after Mr. Olivier spoke to you he spoke with your Deputy Chief of Staff and told her and I quote, I am looking to seek that nomination. Yet you told us over and over again that was going to be no nomination. He said and I appreciate the Premier's position. It simply doesn't make sense and Mr. Olivier appreciated your position and then told your Deputy Chief of Staff he was still running if you said there wasn't going to be a nomination. So, Premier, are you telling the truth or are you telling the truth? Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Court of Public Opinion ruled, Mr. Speaker, and they chose Glen Tebow in Sudbury and they chose Glen Tebow because they recognize that we do have challenges before us and that we must continue to invest in skills and in training to continue to invest in infrastructure, invest and maintain a very dynamic and competitive business climate and strengthen our retirement sector. They know that we have a lot of work to bring our path to balance which is achieving its results ahead of targets. They know that they continue to look at our program reviews at the President of the Treasury Board is doing a fine job looking at managing our compensation as well, Mr. Speaker, revenue integrity to ensure that everyone pays their fair share all along exceeding our targets becoming the lowest cost government anywhere in Canada and recognizing that we must stay together and build on the issue that's before us in this House, recognizing all that was put forward and they chose a great candidate, Glen Tebow. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Pat Sobirna and Jerry Laid both have very similar stories. They both were caught on tape saying that they would like Andrew Olivier to step aside for Glen Tebow. In the course of that deliberation, they would like to present Olivier with, and I quote Laid options in terms of appointments jobs or whatever. This is the 26th time the Premier has been asked this question who gave Pat Sobirna and Jerry Laid the directions to present these options to Andrew Olivier. Thank you. I will say once again that I have answered these questions Mr. Speaker. The investigation is happening outside of this House. I've been very clear that I take this matter very seriously. I will continue to work with the authorities. But I thought actually when the member opposite stood up that he was going to be asking a question on auto insurance. Because we're making progress on auto insurance. I know that the Minister of Finance is going to want to speak to that because I know it's of great concern to the member opposite and it's just one of the issues that we have to be dealing with as we govern this province Mr. Speaker. And I think it's important that we give regular updates on things like the progress on the reduction on auto insurance premiums. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. The question against the Premier. The question is really very simple. And instead of answering the question directly the Premier has repeatedly non-answered the question deflected and referred to a scripted answer. The people of Ontario don't want scripted answers. They don't want speaking notes. They don't want talking points. They want a direct answer. So I'm going to ask the question one more time and this is the 26th time and I'm hoping the Premier can answer this question directly for once. Simple question. Who gave the orders to Pat Sobera and Jerry Lawheed? Mr. Speaker. The member opposite I believe took a law course. I think he's actually a lawyer. Recognizing that he more than anyone recognizes the process and we are respecting the process and that's exactly what the Premier is doing. But in regards to auto insurance which I think he had a passion for we know that we continue to do what's necessary to reduce auto rates. That's why we have a bill before the House. That's why we're fighting fraud. And now Mr. Speaker for the for those that are watching we have now over a dozen companies reducing their rates by more than 15%. We are on target to do what's necessary because of the actors that we're taking and we want to do more. And I hope the member opposite will try to participate in that process as well. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question. The member from Halkins. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, as you know today is Pink Shirt Day. Pink Shirt Day began in Nova Scotia after a grade nine boy wore a pink shirt to school. He was mercilessly bullied by schoolmates for looking gay. Two-thirds of kids who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered feel unsafe at school. And almost three quarters of kids report hearing homosexual slurs at schools every day. Minister, bullying in our schools and in our society is a widespread problem and is unacceptable, often resulting in devastating emotional, psychological or physical harm on those who are targeted. I know this is an issue that all members of the House feel strongly about. Minister, can you please tell me and tell this House what the government is doing to combat this deep-rooted. Thank you, Minister of Education. Thank you, Speaker. And happy birthday to the member from Halkins. Speaker, I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to speak about this issue because it's very important to me. And the member is right. Two high school students, David Shepard and Travis Price, they didn't stand by while that grade nine student was bullied for wearing pink. They went out and bought pink shirts, too. And took a brave stand against bullying. I'm proud to be a member of this legislature which passed aggressive anti-bullying legislation. And I'm also proud that our government recently introduced the revised health and physical education curriculum that brings forward current and relevant issues about bullying. This includes teaching our students about healthy, respectful relationships with their peers and that bullying under any circumstance is not okay. Speaker, I'm proud that we're all wearing pink today. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, I thank the Minister of Education for her response and for her thoughtful comments. Those two grade 12 boys went home that night and emailed their friends and word spread. The next day the entire school was outfitted in a sea of pink. Yes, these young men changed the culture at their school in order to combat bullying in schools across this province. We need to change the culture in all of our schools. There have been too many tragic incidents of young people taking their own lives in part because they could no longer endure the bullying from their peers at school. Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Education says that this is completely unacceptable. We also know that in today's technologically driven world, bullying does not stop at the end of the day. Minister, could you please inform this House on what your government is doing to combat bullying outside of the classroom? Thank you. And the member is absolutely correct, Speaker. As a government we have taken action. Ontario took the lead and included cyberbullying as part of the definition of bullying and recognized cyberbullying in our accepting schools act. Our digital and interconnected world offers students endless positive possibilities but at the same time they need to be aware of the potential risks. Which is why I am so proud that the recently revised health and physical education curriculum helps children and youth develop skills for online safety by learning about such things as safe and respectful use of technology, social, emotional and legal implications of online behavior such as sexting and potential effects of sexting on relationships and future employment. Our government has taken action. We have provided bullying prevention training for up to 25,000 teachers and close to 7,500 principals and vice principals. That is our debate. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. In recent months you questioned the integrity of the auditor general and now played the OPP statements on their ITO. You made allegations against your colleagues across the aisle. Everyone's integrity seems to be fair game to you. The Premier, when some may question your integrity, your deputy insulting the intelligence of the people of Ontario and painting a flowery picture of your decisions that the public no longer believes? Premier, when will you demonstrate the integrity of your office and call for the resignation of Jerry Laid and Pat Sabra? Thank you, Premier. Well, Mr. Speaker, once again I have said repeatedly that there's an investigation ongoing. We will continue to work with the authorities and we need to let that investigation take place outside this House. It's an independent process and I've been very clear I've answered these questions many, many times. I made a statement on Friday that is a public statement but the investigation needs to unfold. But you know, Mr. Speaker, on the theme of there are many, many things that are confronting us right now and opportunities. I had the opportunity last Friday morning to attend the Athletes Village for the Pan-Parapan American Games that are taking place this summer, Mr. Speaker. It was a wonderful event. It was wonderful because it's an Athletes Village and it's going to be terrific for the 10,000 athletes and coaches who will be there for the Pan-Parapan Games. But there's also a legacy attached to it, Mr. Speaker, and I know that the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport is going to want to speak about it. It's a very important legacy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Your actions don't demonstrate the integrity your colleagues discussed about. You continue to stand with your two liberal operatives who have cast a dark shadow over the Sudbury election and our democracy. We shouldn't have to remind you to do the right thing. But you seem to have lost your way once again. We lost the petitions that thousands of Paterians have already signed and Premier, they're asking that you do the right thing by demanding the resignation of your junior until the allegations are resolved. Premier, we stand up and finally come clean with the people of Ontario. Thank you, Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to acknowledge the member's question as the member knows the Premier has answered the question many times. But it gives me a great opportunity, I think, at this point to talk about the Pan-Amp-Parapan Games. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've been able to sell over 275,000 tickets so far. As the Premier mentioned, the athlete's village has completed. It was officially handed over to TO 2015 from the contractors and infrastructure Ontario. We have over 52,000 people who have signed up to volunteer. And Mr. Speaker, this is about building a legacy here in the province of Ontario for future generations of athletes. Thank you. Here's your question. The member from Ottawa. Thank you, Speaker. And my question is to the Premier. Last month, your Deputy Chief of Staff, Pat Sorbera, called Andrew Olivier, asking him to stop seeking the Liberal nomination. And in exchange, he was offered a job. Mr. Sorbera said, and I quote, one of those is a good one, you're like the third person I've even heard her ask this out. So, Speaker, who are the other people Mr. Sorbera was referring to? Thank you, Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. As I have said repeatedly, we will work with the authorities. I will continue to work with the authorities. There's an investigation going on, Mr. Speaker. But that investigation is not taking place in this house. That investigation is taking place elsewhere. I made a decision that Glenn Tebow was going to be the candidate in Sudbury. He is a strong and will be a strong representative for Sudbury in his time here, Mr. Speaker. And we're very, very pleased that he's with us. But Mr. Speaker, the fact is there is an investigation going on. I take it very seriously, but it's happening outside of this house. Mr. Speaker, there are many things that we have to be doing at the same time that investigation is taking place outside of this house. And one of those is investing in the infrastructure that we know is needed in places like Oshawa, Mr. Speaker. It's incredibly important for the Greater Brown Hamilton Area that we make those investments in infrastructure, including transit, Mr. Speaker. And that's exactly the work that's taking place. Speaker, this is the third time that we've asked this question. But maybe the third time is the charm. And it seems that the Premier doesn't feel the need to answer, but I'm going to try anyway. The Premier had told Andrew Olivier that the Premier has called two other people to push them out of the way. If you won't tell us who they are, then I'll ask instead what were they offered in order to get out of the way. Minister of Transportation. Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. I thank the member for that particular question as the Premier has said repeatedly in this place and elsewhere. That is an investigation. Those are discussions that are happening elsewhere. But, Speaker, you know, over the last few days I had the privilege to meet with a number of people at the OGRA Roma Conference, including people from now on. Please. I'm going to make a comment here, not exactly a ruling, but I'm going to make a comment that the tradition of this place is that the question put deserves attention by the answer. Seated, please. I'm requesting that the answers come somewhat close to the question. Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know that the Premier has had the opportunity many times over the last number of days as the opposition has been exclusively focused on one particular issue. Unfortunately, Speaker, to the neglect of everything else that's important to this community, and certainly that member representing the region of the community should be very happy to know that we continue to proceed with the 4070s extension that we continue to invest and go transit to her community along the Lakeshore Eastline, Speaker, with more to come over the next decade, Speaker. I can tell that member that the chair of her region met with me the other day at Roma OGRA. He's very happy with the work we're doing. I need to correct my record. Third time. It means you're close. New question to the member from Cambridge. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Research and Innovation. Investing in research excellence helps contribute to the most important sectors and leads to important discoveries that bring tangible benefits to the people in my writing of Cambridge and all Ontarians. Thanks in part to strategic investments made by our government, Ontario has emerged as a key global destination for neuroscience research. Our province has some of the best educated, hardest working, and most innovative brain researchers and scientists in the world. I understand that with our government's work, the Ontario Brain Institute is a seamlessly connecting association for researchers, clinicians, and industry to make critical discoveries and deliver innovative patient-focused treatment. I welcome this as I've provided nursing care to many of those that are suffering from brain-related issues. Can you inform the members of this house on how our government is building Ontario up as a global leader in brain research, commercialization, and care? Thank you. Minister of Innovation and Research. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member from Cambridge for that very good question. Mr. Speaker, the economic impacts of brain and mental health disorders to our economy is $39 billion a year. That's why investing in patients focused healthcare innovation is a critical pillar of our government's economic growth plan. Our government created Ontario Brain Institute in the year of 2005 and this premier after becoming premier of Ontario in 2013 allocated $100 million to Ontario Brain Institute. This funding will help Ontario Brain Institute to raise $205 million additional from additional investments from other sources. Mr. Speaker, Ontario Brain Institute is providing strategic brain research and helping raise Ontario's profile in the world as the leader in brain services. We will continue to support leading-edge brain research that will help grow our economy as well as create high-skill jobs and improve patient care in our province of Ontario. Thank you. Thank you Minister for the answer. I understand that more than 2 million Ontarians will be affected by brain disorders in their lifetime and that 1 million Ontarians currently live with depression. As a nurse I provided care to many constituents in my writing and their families suffering from conditions such as Alzheimer's, autism, depression and Parkinson's. While it's reassuring to know that Ontario has some of the best brain scientists in the world, our government must continue to support dynamic research to improve the treatment of these brain-related disorders. I understand that you recently announced the latest research projects the Ontario Brain Institute is undertaking thanks in part to our government's investments. Minister, can you inform the members of the House on how these projects will help improve the lives of Ontarians and my constituents in Cambridge who are battling these conditions? Thank you Minister. I want again to thank the member for that very good question. My ministry is committed to supporting groundbreaking research to help improve treatments of brain disorders and diseases. Last month I was joined by my colleague to present 56 million dollars investments and funding to Ontario Brain Institute. This funding will support groundbreaking research to help improve treatments and diagnosis of brain diseases and disorders such as depression, Alzheimer's, autism and Parkinson's and help to get treatments to patients much faster. Our government will continue to build Ontario's reputation as the world's leader in brain-related research and science and innovation. Thank you. I can't help but notice the similarities between your gas plant scandal and your Sudbury scandal. They both centre on closely placed insiders and they both have deputy chiefs of staff involved to do the Liberal bidding. Shut down the gas plant scandal committee to protect your insiders in that OPP investigation and you won't make the insiders in the Sudbury scandal step aside while the OPP investigation carries on. So you've developed a culture of entitlement for insiders and a culture of fear for anyone who opposes you. Premier, why are you protecting the people who are suspects in a criminal investigation that doesn't lead right back to you? Just respond to the first part of that question which is to say that when I came into this office in 2013 I made it clear and actually I made it clear through my leadership bit that we were going to open up the process that we were going to open up the process that the Justice Committee was involved in that the scope of the questions that the Justice Committee would have access to would be broadened. That happened Mr. Speaker hundreds of thousands of documents and dozens of witnesses that went in front of that committee Mr. Speaker and I'm pleased that there has been a report that has been written and so Mr. Speaker as I did there with the situation around the Sudbury by-election Mr. Speaker I've been very clear I've been clear in this house I've been clear outside of this house Mr. Speaker exactly what I did I made a decision that Glenn Tebow was going to be our candidate Mr. Speaker and now an investigation going on that investigation is going on outside of this house it is an independent investigation and I believe we need to let it unfold Thank you Premier in your scandals we learned that the liberals continue to say one thing but later evidence reveals the truth in the gas plant we heard under oath I have no emails but the OPP recovered those emails in Sudbury we heard quote no job offer was made but the OPP turned over tape conversations outlying a job offer Premier there is hard evidence audio tape recordings that the decision on your candidate in Sudbury had not been made by mid December now this is contradictory to what we've heard in this legislature now we both know that knowingly contradicting the truth shows contempt for every member of this legislature Premier can you will you provide this house and the OPP with even one email that corroborates your version of the story Mr. Speaker again when I say that the investigation is independent that's not my opinion that's a fact Mr. Speaker the public prosecution service of Canada has been retained Mr. Speaker it's a process that's happening outside of this house now I understand the person the back and forth of question period Mr. Speaker but I believe that accusing people of being criminals when there's an investigation going on is wrong I don't think that that is I don't think that that's right I don't think that it's fair and I think that the honourable members opposite should stop doing that Mr. Speaker and I think that they should acknowledge that the investigation is happening outside this house and that we need to let it unfold Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier if the Premier has any evidence to support her version of the sub-berry library scandal why won't she share it Premier Mr. Speaker sorry Mr. Speaker again the investigation is not taking place in this house it's not happening here it's happening outside of this house an independent investigation and it's really important that it be independent Mr. Speaker I don't think there's anyone in Ontario who would want to believe that the politicians in this house would be directing that investigation I think that they believe that the authorities need to be allowed to do their work so that's what I'm going to do Mr. Speaker I'm going to cooperate with the authorities but I'm going to let them do their work outside of this house Mr. Speaker is the reason that the Premier won't share any evidence to support her version of the sub-berry library scandal because there is none clearly my position I've stated it here I stated it on Friday in a very public statement that is available to anyone who wants to read it Mr. Speaker I've said it over and over and over again what's going on the authorities have a responsibility to undertake that investigation independent of this legislature we're going to let them do that Mr. Speaker and I will continue to cooperate with them Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker my question is for the Attorney General I know that you and your staff have announced a new strategy last December this strategy seems to be designed to allow a larger access for all Ontarians to the legal system this is something that's very significant for the residents of Ottawa and for me I've also noticed that many people involved in the legal community approve of this approach Mr. Speaker can the Attorney General clarify how this strategy will move the legal system of Ontario forward thank you Mr. Speaker first of all I'd like to thank the member from Ottawa Aulian for her interest in the legal system she is correct our strategy is increasing access to our legal system the improvement of access to justice has always been a priority for my ministry I take this very seriously and my ministry is engaged to provide a cheaper and more simple system for all the residents of Ontario this is one of the components of my mandate letter I will have a round table with the key partners of the legal system as well as with the community to discuss challenges that they are facing we will work together in order to overcome these obstacles and we will be a force of positive change along with our partners thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker I thank the Attorney General for her response it's important for the residents of Ontario that this remains a priority for our government the legal community was very excited when this strategy was announced Mr. Speaker I believe that this would be interesting it would be interesting for my members of my writing if the Attorney General could elaborate on certain points of this strategy in order to illustrate how this will ensure an appropriate access to legal services thank you again to the member from Ottawa Orléans for her question we will ensure that legal services are faster and that the legal system is simpler to navigate we will also allow participants in family justice to have access to mediation and other means of resolving problems and we will ensure that they have easier access to support services as well as information we will ensure that there is a more efficient support for those with mental health problems this will include the steps involving bail we must not forget that something that the pilot project of Ottawa for access to legal services in French will improve access to legal services in their language excuse me a point of order I've got the knowledge of it the point of order from the member from Stomach Dundas and South Lynn Gary according to standing order 3070 a minister whom an oral question is directed may refer the question to another minister who is responsible of the subject matter to which the question relates my question to the premier related to the ongoing investigation into the Sudbury by-election and no way reference the ministry I've got enough of the gist of your point of order I've dealt with that as you heard me in the House deal with that and subsequent to that I would remind all people asking the questions and particularly the ministers answering the questions even when you refer the question to someone else it should be answering the question there are this is a reminder for all members as a result of this morning's failed unanimous consent that we've all agreed that we would meet on the grand staircase for a photo for those that can make the time to do so for pink shirt day there are no deferred votes this house stands recessed until 3pm this afternoon