 It is now time for question period. The member from here on this. My question is to the acting Premier. Acting Premier, because your cap and tax plan, you claim the cost of gas will go up three cents a litre. Well, your record says differently. We cannot trust your numbers. Minister Schrelle once said the rise in cost in hydro was worth about a cup of coffee. However, Ontarians across this province have seen their hydro bills nearly triple under your watch. You said the cost of gas, the gas plant scandal would be 40 million dollars and it ballooned to over one billion. Acting Premier, how much will gas increase under the liberal cap and tax scheme? How much? Is that going to be Premier? Well, thank you, Speaker. And, you know, I have to say that I'm disappointed that the third party, but at least they have chose and the opposition party, they have chosen a side. They are opposing cap and trade. They are opposing taking action on greenhouse gas. But at least I respect them for having a position on cap and trade. They are firmly, they've made a big mistake on this, but they've made a decision to not to support this. The third party, I think to everyone's astonishment, Speaker, has chosen actually not to take a position. There are two sides to this debate. One side says let's take action. We must take action. The other side says... Order. One sentence. Wrap up, please. Speaker, I respect the PC party. They have chosen a path, the wrong path, but at least they have chosen a path. Thank you. Supplementary. Speaker, I daresay we're the only party in this house that are standing up for Ontarians across this world. That's of everything. You're feeding, you're spending addiction from the pocketbooks of hard-working Ontarians. Because of... I expect the same when a question is put as much as an answer. Please continue. Because of high energy prices in Ontario, I often hear from people who have had to choose food over heating. You force them to pick, acting Premier, between heating and eating. That's not the Ontario that I'm proud to say I'm a member of. You're driving people out of this province. Your cap and tax scheme will just continue to open the door and usher people and business out of this province. What will Ontarians have to sacrifice next? Their home? Maybe new shoes for their children? School trips for their children? Deputy Premier, what do you say to them? What next will Ontarians have to sacrifice? Thank you. The big flaw in the PC... Members from Stormont come to order. ...is they don't recognize that there are costs attached to inaction. We are already paying the price. We're seeing increased insurance costs. Please finish. Today, Premier, today, premiers from right across this province are joining together in the fight against climate change. These premiers represent all parties. Speaker, the world is moving on. We recognize there is a problem that is having and will continue to have a devastating impact on our farmers, on our health, on our plants, on our animals, on our ecosystems. Speaker, we must take action. The time to take action is now and there is a cost to inaction. Thank you. Speaker, the cost to all of the liberal action over this past decade has added up to $23,000 on every set of shoulders in this province. It's absolutely shameful. But, again, back to the... Minister of Municipal Affairs, come to order. Because across the globe, we're seeing cap and tax systems riddled with scandal, fraud and corruption. It's only natural for your liberal government to jump right on that bandwagon. And I have to tell you, Acting Premier, while we support reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we will not support this being done through another irresponsible tax. You're making it harder for the average Ontarian, and the only winners in this scenario are going to be your liberal friends. It may be easy for you to pick winners and losers, but why should the... Members of England to the Lords, come to order. Question. As opposed to having to pay their bills. When are you going to stand up for Ontarian? Thank you. Deputy Premier. Do you see it, please? Do you see it, please? Thank you. Deputy Premier. Speaker, it's becoming clear that the pro-carbon party is the best-friend carbon ever had. But, Speaker, what you must recognize and what we almost must recognize is that we believe in the principle that the polluter should pay. And we know that when we add a cost to carbon, Speaker, businesses will reduce their emissions because it makes sense for them to do it. Why would we not reward businesses that take action to reduce emissions, Speaker? That is at the heart of this. Across the country. Member from Lapton Cat Middlesex will come to order. Member from Renfrew, Nippon City, Pembroke will come to order. Speaker, several members of the PC party have actually voted in favor of taking immediate action. That is what we were doing. But it appears to me that what's happening now is that climate change deniers have taken control of the PC caucus. They are the ones who are driving this change. I know there are people on your side who think this is... Thank you. New question. Thanks very much, Speaker. My question is for the Deputy Premier. Yesterday the Premier said call it carbon pricing, cap and trade, a market mechanism. If you must, go ahead and call it a tax. Well... It is a tax. It's a tax on everything. In Australia, we know it costs families $550 every year. Deputy Premier, how much money will your tax cost Ontario families? Deputy Premier? Well, Speaker, I think the question is what does inaction cost Ontario families? If climate change is impacting their cost of living. Ask the people who are affected by the ice storm if climate change is affecting their cost of living. Speaker, we are paying the price now. We will pay the price more in the future. The time to take action is now. If carbon trade is the right way to go, I just wish the PCs would actually join the company. The member can look away all he wants, but the member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke will come to order. Second time. New question. Sorry, supplementary. Thanks, Speaker. Back to the Deputy Premier. Last night on CBC, your Economic Development Minister, the man responsible for growing the economy will take money out of companies' hands and put it into government coppers. He said it would take money out of our economy. That would mean fewer jobs. That would be the legacy of your carbon tax. Deputy Premier, how many jobs will be lost under your new carbon tax? Speaker, once again, the question is how many jobs will be created? They made it at a plant that produces programmable thermostats. It is a product that is now in demand globally. It is in demand because people are trying to make wiser use of their expenditures. When people save on their energy consumption they will save money. We will reinvest the money in a very transparent way in a range of projects that will help families and businesses to reduce congestion that will help factories and businesses to reduce their pollution. This is an economic generator speaker. Final supplementary. My final step back to the Deputy Premier yesterday the Premier brought up the fact that she wanted to be able to tell her granddaughter what she did as Premier. She wanted to be able to say that she didn't have her head in the sand. And that's funny because she had her head in the sand for the last 12 years. Your policies have driven jobs out of this province and have allowed our energy rates to skyrocket. Deputy Premier is your government okay with telling our grandchildren they'll have no job and they'll owe $23,000 in debt? Thank you, Deputy Premier. Well, Speaker, they don't have to take it from me. Let's hear what Michael McSweeney President-CEO of Canada has to say. He says there are good reasons environmental and economic to tackle greenhouse gas emissions now with some sense of urgency. We believe Ontario is on the right track with its plan to introduce cap and trade system for greenhouse gas. David Patterson, Corporate and Environmental Affairs General Motors Canada. GM believes there can be opportunities in addressing climate change. We need to get on with that and do it. That's just about it. Every sentence. Carry on. A new man of the steel worker says there's a pressing need to address climate change and if the revenues from carbon pricing are reinvested in Ontario's economy we can create a lot of jobs and build things we want and need like more transit, more renewable energy, more energy efficient energy. Thank you. Speaker, there are many people. Thank you. New question to the leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the Deputy Premier. For over a decade the Liberals have been opposed to privatizing Hydro One. My question is can the Deputy Premier tell us what's changed? We in this province have a very clear and tangible need to invest in infrastructure. I think many people came in today and experienced that need themselves this morning. We must invest in infrastructure. Our people are depending on us to do that. We need to pay for it, Speaker and we will maximize our assets so we can build new assets like better infrastructure. New supplementary. I'm sure the Deputy Premier remembers 2003 was when her and her Premier were first elected their leader, Dalton McGinty at that time said, Speaker, and I quote Ontario families want affordable reliable electricity. They know the sale of the grid that carries electricity to their homes is a disaster for consumers, unquote. Now, can the Deputy Premier tell us whether her and the Premier believed that plan back in 2003 when they ran under it? Well, disappointed that the NDP party has become the party of the status quo. They don't want to change. They don't want to build for tomorrow's economy, Speaker. They are rooted in the past and I have to say that they've opposed changes to the LCBO, opposed changes to the beer store, opposed changes. Please finish. And when they oppose any ways to fund trends, they are opposing infrastructure investment, Speaker. You cannot have it both ways. If you want to build it you have to pay for it. First one her seat with a team that opposed the sale of Hydro One. Dalton McGinty said this about Hydro One, quote, the people have never had a say on this, not in an election, not even in public hearings. Now, this Liberal Premier, this Liberal government is planning to assail Hydro One without running on it in an obvious way on that plan, without any hearings whatsoever with the people of Ontario, without ever explaining to people what it means or how much it will cost Ontarians on their Hydro bills. So, my question is, will the Deputy Premier tell Ontarians exactly who it is that's behind the Liberals 180 degree about face on this call? Thank you. The people of Ontario are looking for the government to take leadership when it comes to building infrastructure, no matter what part of the province you go to, small communities or large communities that we hear over and over again that the infrastructure we have is not adequate. Our infrastructure deficit is reducing Finish, please. Our infrastructure deficit is reducing the ability of companies to create jobs, Speaker. We must act. We're acting. It's disappointing that the NDP has once again chosen to oppose without offering any constructive solutions of their own. Thank you. New question. Thank you very much. It wasn't just Dalton McGinty. The Liberal energy critic, Sean Conway, had this to say about Hydro 1 in 2002, the lead up to that 2003 election. The Tory government has no mandate to sell off the grid and there has been no consultation about such a sale. The transmission grid located in the heart of North America is one of Ontario's most valuable assets. It is unbelievable that it is being sold without any discussion or debate. I agree, Speaker. It is unbelievable that that's happening and yet now the Liberal government is planning to do exactly what they crowed about and oppose so vehemently a decade ago. So can the Premier or the Deputy Premier rather explain to the people how and when it is that the Liberals lost their way? Speaker, you know what's unbelievable? The unbelievable thing is that they ran on this plan. What is unbelievable is you took the assumptions in our fiscal plan which included maximizing assets and you ran on it. So it's extraordinary that you ran on it but you didn't know about it. I mean about losing your way, Speaker. I have a letter here Dear Andrea it's May 2014. It says we're writing to you as long time supporters of the Ontario ADP who are deeply distressed by the current election campaign. In this election we're seriously considering not voting ADP. We were angry when you voted against the most progressive budget in recent Ontario history. I know they take offense but let's see Kathy Crow sign this letter. Martha Friendly You'll be getting some Dear Kathleen and Dear Debletters pretty soon with the direction you're going through right now. Thank you to Speaker or Sean Conway Even Dwight Duncan the former Liberal Finance Minister said this about asset sales quote, we are certainly not going to rush anything and we're not going to do it without what I would call a very robust and meaningful public consultation and yet here we are with a Liberal Premier who claims to be the most progressive leader since Confederation planning asset sales without any consultation whatsoever. Exactly how progressive is that? Speaker I hate to go back but I will to this letter from NDP supporters who say they were angry when the NDP voted against the most progressive budget in recent Ontario history. They say you've not explained to the NDP voters why this will be a successful election strategy and why they should vote against their principles. Thank you. To continue it seems in your rush to the centre you're abandoning those whose values and constituencies the party has always championed if the NDP does not stand with working people then what does it stand for? We urge you to change course. Speaker Grace Edward Gallibur signed this letter. Michelle Lansberg signed this letter. Jeff Bickerton, Patrick Trony Rubin. No the list is stopping. Final supplementary. Folks are carefully watching the right wing turn that the Liberals have taken Speaker. Privateisation of Hydro is a very, very bad idea it always has. We know first hand that Private Hydro drives bills through the roof. It is bad for family speaker and it is bad for businesses. The plan doesn't make sense and the Liberals know it. Ontarians deserve to know how and why the Liberals lost their way when it comes to public Hydro. Can the Deputy Premier explain why the Liberals are taking a page from Mike Harris and Ernie Eve's playbook and planning to privatise Hydro 1 when they know full well that it is a very, very bad idea. Deputy Premier. As I said yesterday the easy part of being in opposition is that you get to a post. The harder part but the part where you have a real responsibility is to actually provide constructive advice. So you say you want to build transit. You want to build transit but you oppose it every step of the way. Once again, you're opposing investments in transit in other kinds of infrastructure across this province. If you have a better way to pay for it Speaker, we would love to hear that. We are committed to building this province forward to building this province up and to do that by investing in much needed infrastructure. Thank you. Your question? Good morning Speaker. My question is for the Deputy Premier. Experts are warning us that your cap and trade tax scheme is vulnerable to fraud manipulation higher costs to businesses and job losses. Now the member from Leeds Grenville asked you specifically how many jobs will be lost. You wouldn't answer him so let's reach into the gas plant scandal file once again and read the confidential advice to cabinet. Your own file tells you how many job losses your carbon tax will bring to Ontarians. The once secret document states $5,000. The Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure will come to order second time. Your once secret document states 5,000 jobs will be lost and result in quote a relocation of businesses to lower cost jurisdictions. Deputy, why does it always take a secret document to get us the truth in this legislature? Thank you. What is very much on the public record is that the PC party has been taken captured by the climate change deniers. The member for Lenox and Addings said last June, I'm very skeptical of climate change. We can't worry about what's going to happen in 50 years. The member for Carlton, Mississippi Mills said CO2 is a positive gas. We need CO2 to be a positive side to that. Speaker, I know there have been many voices including the member for Nipissing who says we must take action. The question is, why are you now saying that this action is not what we should be doing? The business community has been a vocal speaker in their support of this because they see the opportunities. I think you should see those opportunities too. Deputy Premier, you knew about the 5,000 job loss number. You were in cabinet when this was presented. Finance ministry officials told you about the job losses from your new revenue tools. So let's add the ministry numbers up. I know they hurt to hear these facts. 54,000 jobs lost in your pension tax scheme. They said your cap and trade tax scheme will slash another 5,000 jobs or more. Deputy, look around you. Does Ontario afford to lose another 60,000 jobs? You say this is about emissions but we all know it's only about the cash needed to fuel your spending addiction. So what do you have to say now to those 5,000 families who are above the pay for your latest tax graph? Thank you. This is interesting coming from the party that has 100,000 people. They say we support your government's intention to take measures to address climate change by establishing a transparent economy-wide price on carbon. We share your conviction that the test of a successful climate policy is one that also enhances our competitiveness and long-term prosperity. A number of people signed this letter including people from Hula Packard, TAMBAC, tech resources, the Co-operators Group, Desjardins Group, Jacobs Securities, Van City, Mountain Equipment Co-op, the Summit Association of Canada, Walker Industries, Interface Inc, Pradolis Paper, Phillips Lighting Canada, Hydrogenics. Thank you. Your question, the member from Essex. My question is to the Minister of Education. Last night my colleague from Windsor West and I attended a meeting in Amosburg where that community along with Cheryl and Kingsville are being forced to pick and choose which community will get to keep at school. We listened to as hundreds of parents gathered for an opportunity to speak out, but the meeting was limited to only 90 minutes of comments. Many did not get a chance. Minister, why is this government silencing communities that desperately want to say in their school closures by cutting the required amount of community meetings in half? Yes, thank you. I'm not sure how he thinks I determine the length of a meeting, but whatever. But what I think really is quite interesting Speaker, is that there are a number of people on the side opposite who actually have a history as school trustees as do I, as do a number of people on our side. And I think we need to think about the history of the people who are actually trustees. So, for example, the member from Kitchener Waterloo, the member from Kitchener Waterloo when she was a trustee supported a motion to close Allison Park Public School and a motion to close Lincoln Avenue Public School. And you mentioned the member from Windsor West, when the member from Windsor West was a trustee from the Greater Assex County School Board. Supplementary of the member from Windsor West. Speaker, again to the Minister of Education. Minister, this government's choice to continue to use a flawed funding formula forces trustees to close school. This means this government's record for closing schools far exceeds any trustees. Minister, it was clear last night that trustees who were elected are deeply concerned with what's happening to their schools. Parent after parent came forward with innovative ideas on expanding the role of their schools in vibrant community hubs. Instead of taking a proactive approach to the creation of community hubs, this government has chosen to ignore the concerns of families and close schools. When will this government recognize the importance of neighbourhood schools, stop ignoring the concerns of families and stop closing schools? Let me just finish here. When the member from Windsor West was a trustee she supported the closure of Forester Secondary School. She supported the closure of Victoria Public School. She did not oppose the closure of her school. The member from Essex will come to order second time. Carry on, please. And she didn't carry on. And she didn't oppose the closure of her Kingsville Public Schools. Because what they recognized was this demographic shift things need to shift. But what she's failing to recognize is that in fact we have put in the budget a $750 million school consolidation fund to help local board schools. New question? The member from Burlington. Thank you Mr. Speaker. New question? New question? The member from Burlington. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. Minister, I understand that this morning you visited the digital media zone at Ryerson University. The DMC is one of Canada's largest business incubators and working spaces for entrepreneurs and it's based right here in Toronto. This unique community is home to entrepreneurs and innovators of all ages. In fact innovation and encouraging Ontario's young entrepreneurs to succeed ensuring that Ontario is globally competitive for its priorities for this government. In light of this could the Minister of Finance please tell us more about his visit to the digital media zone at Ryerson University this morning. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from Burlington for the question. Mr. Speaker the member is quite right. The DMC is a top ranked university incubator in Canada and fifth in the world. It's a unique hub that helps startups succeed by connecting businesses with customers and young entrepreneurs. The member from Burlington is also quite right and the fact that encouraging and fostering innovative ideas is a key priority of this government. Investing in young entrepreneurs in Ontario the future leaders of tomorrow is a key component of the 2015 budget and Mr. Speaker I had the pleasure today to announce that budget date and I am privileged to be able to table and deliver the 2015 budget in this very house on Thursday April 23. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is again to the Minister of Finance and I'd like to thank him for his leadership. Minister I'm pleased to hear of the government's focus on supporting entrepreneurs and continuing to ensure that Ontario is an innovative hub not just in North America but globally. It is fascinating projects like the DMZ at Ryerson University and innovative conversations happening in my own riding of Burlington in partnership with McMaster University that will help to make this future a reality. Mr. Speaker I'm also pleased to hear that the 2015 budget will be tabled next week on Thursday April 23. I know that the people of Ontario the people in my riding of Burlington and indeed all MPPs are eager to hear about our government's next steps in building Ontario up. Mr. Speaker could the Minister of Finance please tell us a bit about the upcoming 2015 Ontario budget. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker and again thank you to the member for Burlington for a great question. The budget will focus on four part plan of Ontario. It will continue to build in a dynamic innovative and competitive business environment. Another pillar will be to continue to invest in our people especially young entrepreneurs. We'll also continue to invest and build in our infrastructure through unlocking those very assets that we hold so dear and we will continue to ensure that hardworking people of Ontario receive the retirement security that they well deserved. Mr. Speaker last June the people of Ontario gave us a strong mandate to continue to build a better future for the people of this wonderful province and with the 2015 budget that's going to be coming out we are doing just that. On April 23rd I look forward to tabling what I believe to be one of the most progressive and innovative budgets that the people of Ontario will ever have seen. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Minister the Housing Services Corporation pays for its operations by overcharging social housing providers for natural gas and insurance. Instead of providing housing for our most vulnerable the money is paying for international travel and investments in Manchester, England. City Housing Hamilton reported that in one year they paid more than a million dollars extra because they have to buy through the Housing Service Corporation. A million dollars Mr. Minister that's rent supplements for 140 families. Minister if Housing Services Corporation is siphoning more than a million dollars out of social housing Hamilton how much is it costing Toronto community housing? Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing First off Mr. Speaker I want to correct a blatant inaccuracy from the member opposite when he suggested the other day quite with a great degree of disingenuousness that the minister will withdraw. Thank you he uttered a number of terminological inexactitudes that's much better no better withdraw withdraw we're very good when he suggested that we have removed the Housing Services Corporation from the Sunset he ought to know I think he does know Mr. Speaker that you only get reported on the sunshine if you're receiving government funds and they set it up that way when they put the legislation that only happened once and during that year it was reported so he's incorrect thank you well minister it isn't just Hamilton in Toronto Housing Services Corporation cost peal housing $200,000 in one year in Waterloo $10,000 each year in Thunder Bay $750,000 Bruce County Oxford Hastings Halton Prince Edward Lennox Addington if they weren't required to purchase services through Housing Services Corporation they could all help people who need social housing minister 100 housing providers who buy their insurance from someone else are still forced to pay 2.5% to the Housing Services Corporation will you support my bill and save housing providers millions of and allowing them to buy the services at the best possible price they can find in the open arms thank you minister well your bill will be debated the Honourable Members bill will be debated very soon and we'll see where where people align themselves on that I can say I can say for the record the Housing Services Corporation is an independent non-profit corporation their board is responsible for monitoring they made a number of changes at my request and we're currently undergoing a third party independent review Corporation and all its subsidiaries I'd ask the Honourable Member to wait till we get that report which will be coming very soon Mr. Speaker are things we need to change as a government as a result of that you can be darn sure we're going to do it thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Transportation last month Niagara Falls hosted a rally to show its united support on daily all your Go Service all the way to Niagara Falls the people want this regional council want this and the member from St. Catharines who is the chair of the government's cabinet spoke at the rally spoke at the rally on the need of daily Go Service to Niagara Falls in fact during the election campaign the member from St. Catharines said quote I can see it coming in 2015 unquote Niagara is united in calling for all your daily Go Service all the way to Niagara Falls Mr. Speaker I'm going to chair correct to tell the people of Niagara that they can expect daily all your Go Rail Service to Niagara Falls by 2015 thank you Minister of Transportation thanks very much Mr. Speaker I actually want to begin by saying that I appreciate this question from this member I believe this is actually the very first question this member has had the opportunity to ask me since I applaud him for becoming the critic for transportation and I thank him very much for that question Speaker I've had the opportunity on a number of occasions to speak with representatives from the region of Niagara and in fact as that member knows our member my esteemed colleague the member from St. Catharines has been a very persistent and staunch advocate for additional infrastructure improvements and advancements and investments in Niagara Region including Niagara Go Service my understanding Speaker is that the region of Niagara is hard with respect to the development of a business case I look forward to over the next couple of weeks to having the chance to meet with them to hear directly from them about the findings of their business case and the Ministry of Transportation and Metrolinx will work with the region to study and analyze that business case and to continue to work on moving forward thanks very much Mr. Speaker Minister during the last election the leader of your party and the Premier of Ontario during the Go Train all the way to Niagara Falls and I quote was a high high priority despite this Niagara is not mentioned anywhere in the Metrolinx report you won't commit to a timeline and now Metrolinx is telling us it's not a priority the incredible grass food organization continues to call for this for Niagara and they have the support of all the mayors the councils, regional councils the chair of your caucus can you tell the people of Niagara if this government plans to follow through on its words and bring daily two way Go service to Niagara Falls in 2015 thank you thanks again Mr. Speaker again I thank that member for his follow up and for his obvious passion on this issue I think that member needs to recognize as everyone does on this side of the house is that we go forward with our infrastructure investments and how we prioritize those and all of our decisions regarding these matters will be based on a demonstrated business case and consideration of provincial infrastructure and budget priorities and as I mentioned Speaker I look forward to receiving that business case Metrolinx is already working with Niagara Region we've heard certainly from the member from St. Catharines but Speaker people watching these proceedings please finish Speakers I was saying people watching these proceedings from home from Niagara Region would have to remember when that party had the opportunity to support our plan to invest 29 billion dollars over the next 10 years they chose to reject it not once but twice Speaker we're going to get the job done we're going to move the province forward you see it please new question member from Newmark and Aurora well thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure the Premier has prioritized burden reductions so that businesses in large can continue to grow across the province in my writing of Newmark at Aurora businesses have been asking me about this very important issue burden reduction was a prominent theme in both the 2014 speech and budget and has also included is also included in the Minister's public mandate letter just recently the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses released their provincial report card on this subject with the Minister of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure please inform this House on Ontario's standing Minister of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure very good thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member for Newmark and Aurora for what is a really important question for us as an economy and certainly for a small business community Mr. Speaker since 2008 our government has eliminated more than more than one in six regulatory requirements are 80,000 regulatory burdens that's significant Mr. Speaker and in fact that we're working towards achieving our burden reduction strategy which will save close to 100 million dollars by 2016-17 for small businesses very important for our economy because of these accomplishments in CFIB's 2015 red tape report card Ontario's strategic approach to burden reduction has earned this province a B plus tying for with one other province for the highest mark in the country we're proud of that record Mr. Speaker but a B plus as far as I can thank you so very proud of our government's strategic approach to burden reduction CFIB's grade for Ontario further demonstrates the progress we've made as I understand that CFIB also praised our government for reintroducing and passing Bill 7 the Better Business Climate Act this bill received all party support in its passing with the Minister of Economic Development Employment and Infrastructure please inform this House on the importance of Bill 7 for government burden reduction well thank you very much Mr. Speaker I want to thank all parties in the House for supporting Bill 7 this legislation is a clear reflection of our government working to continue to grow Ontario's economy through burden reduction and cluster development which is also really important it was the CFIB's biggest ask Mr. Speaker a couple of years ago and I give my predecessor credit as well for putting the the beginnings of this build together it creates an open and transparent commitment to burden reduction in many ways it holds our government's feet to the fire we have to report annually now on burden reduction which is why the CFIB wanted us to work with them to do that we continue to be a national leader in reducing burden Mr. Speaker but there's much more work to do and I'm looking forward with this government to working with the CFIB to continue to ensure Ontario is a national leader in reducing regulatory burden thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker Minister of Agriculture Rural Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Minister over the past several years the Ontario Maple Serb Producers Association has called on both the federal and provincial governments to adopt the standards of the international grading system to help consolidate Maple Serb producers, packers, distributors and consumers the federal government has listened by implementing recent amendments to the Maple Products regulations and is being commended for their efforts as this new uniform system will make it easier for consumers to identify and buy exactly what they want Minister will your ministry follow suit by amending and aligning our provincial rules with the federal ones to ultimately modernize the Maple Serb industry here in Ontario Thank you Mr. Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs Mr. Speaker I want to thank very much the Honourable Gentleman from Renfrew-Depoussing Pembroke for asking me a question about the Maple Serb industry and the province of Ontario we recognize in all sides of the house the Maple Serb industry is one of the agricultural industries in the province of Ontario some 2,500 producers currently exist in Ontario we harvest about 1.5 million litres of Serb making Ontario one of the top free producers in Canada grossing over $32 million in Maple Product sales and contributing over $53 million in Canada's GDP Mr. Speaker we're very aware that the new standards that have been brought in by the federal government and I wanted to commend my good friend Ray Bonneberg President of the Maple Serb Producers Association of Ontario for keeping us members engaged on this very important file Thank you, supplementary Well Minister as you know this is not the first time we've talked about this I've written you, I've spoke to you about it on several occasions on behalf of Mr. Bonneberg and the industry this issue is very important to the industry its members don't have the luxury of waiting around while you and your ministry get your act together this puts Ontario at a disadvantage which can no longer continue to go unaddressed the provincial government needs to move forward as quickly as possible so that there's harmonation of the Maple Serb grades Minister, you and your ministry have been dragging your feet and holding these amendments up to the detriment of our Maple Serb Producers the time to act is now will you stop delaying and make the necessary amendments to Regulation 19.119.11 before you head off on your trade mission to China help our industry before you head away Mr. Speaker, in fact in response to my good friend I'll be in China selling Maple Serb products produced later Mr. Speaker, we are taking a bit of responsible time to consult with small, medium and large Maple Serb Producers of the province of Ontario consultations will seek to identify and adjust a request made by Maple Producers including the grading and classification of Maple products. We want to have a robust consultation and we're aiming to have something in place by January 1st, 2016 because Mr. Speaker, it's our view when it comes to this policy, we want to make sure we're in the sweet spot with regards to Maple Serb in Ontario. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question is for the Deputy Premier the Hamilton Port Authority continues to push ahead with a risky garbage gasification plant on Hamilton Harbour this plant would use unproven technology that exists nowhere else in the world safe for a single small pilot project in England last November I asked the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to designate this project for a full environmental assessment after assuring that I asked that of course there will be an environmental assessment five months later the minister has done nothing Speaker the city's outside experts say that a full environmental assessment is absolutely necessary will the Liberals listen to the experts and designate this massive and risky gasification plant for a full environmental assessment Thank you Deputy Premier As the member knows the Minister of Environment and Climate Changes in Quebec with the Premier working with other premiers and other governments to develop an appropriate response to climate change and the cap of trade so I'm sure the minister will very much want to answer this question I have been handed a note but I suspect you would like the answer from the minister we'll make sure you get that answer supplementary away the report from the city's experts says the Hamilton gasification plant needs a full environmental assessment it says the plant would be the first commercial implementation of this type in the world with no similar scale operational system using this technology in other words you can't simply scale up the results from a tiny pilot project in England as the proponent wants to do and expect to understand the true environmental impact of this unproven technology in a project of this size and yet the minister of the environment and climate change is ready to bet the future of Hamilton harbour on the results of a science fair project the minister will listen to the people of Hamilton and the experts who wrote this report and order a full environmental assessment thank you the minister of the natural resources and forestry thank you very much as mentioned the minister is not here today and I don't have a response from him directly on the particular issue that the member has raised the leader of the third party I do have a note however which is some of that information in 2011 the ministry introduced new or updated air standards for 8 substances which are linked to health effects such as cancer developmental effects or respiratory illnesses these air standards take effect July 1st 2016 improving air quality and combating sources of air pollution is a top priority for the ministry and the ministry has issued site specific standards for suspended particulate matter iron and steel facilities so this is in the context of Hamilton air issues generally I don't have a note for her specifically on the issue which is raised here today but hopefully some of this information will provide some level of comfort that the ministry is on the issue when it comes to Hamilton air issues generally speaking thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the associate minister of health and long term care now we all know that our population has long term care homes across the province that house our elderly population and while the care and delivery each and every day by our nurses personal support workers doctors physiotherapists and other frontline health professionals is nothing short of excellent we also want to ensure that our loved ones are in the best possible facilities in the fall the minister announced incentives for operators to renew hundreds of older long term care homes from one end of Ontario to the other Mr. Speaker could the minister provide an update to the house on the status of that important project thank you associate minister of health long term care I'd be delighted to give an update I want to begin by thanking the member from Kitchener Centre for the question and all of her advocacy for our seniors in this province now I know that for our residents a long term care home is just that a home and all Ontarians long term care facilities their home deserve to live in comfortable inviting and safe environment speaker and that is why our government is providing increased support to long term care home operators to reach our goal of redeveloping 30,000 long term care beds that's about 300 homes speaker that's almost 50% of our homes are going to be modernized we've been working with the sector to refine our support in order to ensure this redevelopment successful and we recently distributed a survey to our operators because we want to do this in a collaborative fashion thank you the results have been great speaker and I look forward thank you supplementary thank you minister Mr. Speaker it is encouraging to hear the minister's commitment to ensuring that older Ontarians are getting the best care in the best environment possible the minister noted in her answer that our government is working with stakeholders to bring about this very substantial undertaking and that kind of collaboration is essential for any project of the scale long term care home operators do have a vital role to play in seeing the success of the redevelopment of these plans but the voices of residents and their loved ones are just as important could the minister please tell us what she is doing to ensure that all parties are at the table thank you minister thanks to the member for Kitchener and she is absolutely right we want this to be a collaborative process in which all stakeholders whether they are operators, whether it's the Linn, whether it's families, whether it's residents that they all have a say and that's why my ministry has established a stakeholder advisory group to guide us through redevelopment which includes representatives as I said of operators Linn's municipalities family councils and resident councils my ministry is also in the process of conducting collaborative information for stakeholders at locations across Ontario I also want to take a minute to give a shout out to the former minister of health and long term care who actually launched this process so thank you so much minister Matthews and I want to thank our stakeholders as well as the folks in my ministry the health capital branch who have been truly burning the candle at both ends to make this a success thank you thank you my big question is minister of health minister your government has stated public policy will be based on science and evidence with bill 45 you have done a grave disservice to the people of Ontario and it is contrary to both science and evidence countless studies and research have proven that vaporizers are the most effective smoking cessation tool they have been demonstrated to be up to 100 fold more effective than nicotine patches, gums or inhalers minister bill 45 is entitled making healthier choices act yet you are taking away the most effective choice available to those trying to quit smoking and to live a healthier lifestyle minister will you consider this overwhelming evidence in favour of the use of vaporizers as a cessation tool or would you rather keep these people addicted to tobacco thank you minister thank you to the associate minister of health and long-term care associate minister of health and long-term care thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member opposite for that question and I want to assure the member opposite that our goal in Ontario is to help smokers stop smoking because that is the one way we are going to reduce smoking rates in Ontario so what we have done with bill 45 is actually taken a middle of the road responsible approach because we are not banning e-cigarettes we are not banning e-cigarettes they continue to be legal but what we are trying to do is to make sure that people who don't smoke at all that our youth don't start taking up e-cigarettes and electronic cigarettes so Mr. Speaker what we have really done is really taken a very responsible approach balancing both sides so making sure that smokers have the opportunity to switch to vaping if they should so want but also making sure that people who don't smoke at all don't start taking up thank you Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker it is not a middle of the road approach it is an extreme approach I can tell you the personal story of Brian Letts who after smoking for 53 years finally quit smoking 3 years ago with a vaporizer or I can share with you the expert advice of Dr. Batnagar a professor and practicing cardiac surgeon with the University of Toronto has researched the use of vaporizers and has testified to how they are drastically reducing tobacco harm in our society Minister in this case the scientific evidence is overwhelmingly against your government's position Minister will you listen to those that have finally been able to quit smoking and those in the medical and academic community who know that it is safe and abandon your attack on people who want to quit smoking Thank you Thank you Mr. Speaker I want to assure the member opposite that his constituent can continue to vape cigarettes and I respect Dr. Batnagar very much but I also know that he runs an online vape store so I just wanted to point that out Mr. Speaker I just want to continue to say that we believe that this is the right approach that our bill is taking to wipe out the stakeholder consultations and we look forward to this bill going through committee Thank you Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker Good morning to you My question is to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Ontario's wilderness discovery camp in Northwestern Ontario enables persons with disabilities and their families to enjoy time outdoors thanks to their accessibility to their facilities However the handicapped action group who operates this camp will be forced to shut its doors unless the financial picture changes dramatically For years the province of Ontario has been leasing this land to the camp but the lease is up and now the province wants to sell the land the camp is built on for more than this non-for-profit organization can afford Will this government commit to working with the handicapped action group on the financial solution that will keep Ontario's wilderness discovery camp doors open Thank you Thank you and I want to thank the member for the question Nobody has been forced to do anything I would think that the member would likely be aware of that I've spent a great deal of time with Executive Director David Shannon on this file as has my colleague the Minister of Northern Development and Mines to repeat a handicapped action group incorporated has not been forced to do anything they have very clearly in their press release that they put out just this week made a decision operationally on how they're going to deal with this issue it is not in any way a decision that's being forced upon them they have decided on their own to take the resources that they have raised there's never been operational support for the facility from the government they've decided to take their operational money to fund that resort and create new programming that they're going to use that money to provide for their clients that's what they've decided to do the choices there support them in the direction that they've chosen Thank you Mr. Speaker again to the Minister the accessibility for Ontarians will be accessible to the 1.8 million Ontarians with disability by 2025 but 10 years later it seems that our province is abandoning Ontarians with disabilities by forcing this camp's closure the current cost of operating this camp is roughly $200,000 a year which has been raised primarily through donations and fundraising petitions from concerned families and campers have already exceeded 20,000 signatures Will this government do what it needs to do to save and support Wilderness Discovery Resort for the disabled before they sell this ground land to the highest bidder Thank you Mr. Speaker, listen I know that the Minister of Economic Development Employment and Immigration would love to weigh in on this but this is a question that I think I'm going to with his indulgence I'm going to keep this is not in any way a decision that is being forced upon this group the indication for me very clearly to Executive Director Shannon was we would be more than happy to work with him on a longer term solution to do anything that we needed to do and we have had discussions already in that regard with the Minister responsible through Infrastructure Ontario for the property the organization has made their decision to take the money that they fundraise they always did there was never operational support from the province of Ontario and they made a decision to offer new and different programming to their clients I would add as well, Speaker, on this issue that many of the clients who were receiving the benefit of that resort were not clients from Thunder Bay, Atacocca or even from Northern Ontario there were very few clients that received support from Hagee that were actually taking advantage of this particular facility the new program is likely to offer them greater opportunities through Hagee and I support the Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker just like to make the House aware that the Ontario Dental Association will be playing the legislators tonight at the Upper Canada College we need lots of fans the Pursuant to Standing Order Pursuant to Standing Order Pursuant to Standing Order Pursuant to Standing Order Pursuant to Standing Order Pursuant to Standing Order this matter will be debated today at six p.m. there are no deferred votes until three p.m. this afternoon