 It is now time for oral questions. I recognize the member for Brampton Centre. My question is to the Acting Premier. Overwhelming evidence in the Integrity Commissioner's report highlighted the flawed process by which Ron Tavner was installed as OPP Commissioner. However, the government continues to tout this process as an open and transparent one. A hearing at the Standing Committee on Justice would give them an opportunity to prove these claims and prove to the people of Ontario that they have nothing to hide. Why is this government blocking efforts to let the Justice Committee examine the process they claim to be so proud of? The Deputy Premier. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Referred to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Our government has proudly and consistently stand with the people who stand behind our police. The NDP can choose to chase headlines. We are going to respect the police and we are going to make sure that we have an OPP commissioner in place who is going to serve the people of Ontario and I'm proud of the choice we've made. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, if the Ford government is truly confident in the process then they should be thrilled at the opportunity to let the people of Ontario hear from the backroom operators who worked overtime to deliver the appointment the Premier wanted. This is an opportunity for the government to demonstrate their commitment to transparency and to the people of this province. Why won't they take it and what are they hiding? Minister. Government House Leader. Questions referred to the Government House Leader. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, it's a shame that we have to continue to speak to this matter after. It's already been decided by the integrity commissioner of the province of Ontario. You know, it's shameful that the NDP have now resorted to attacking those independent commissioners because they don't accept the results of the investigation that came from his office. The report makes it pretty clear last week and we said from the beginning that this complaint was frivolous and it was without merit and the independent officer of the legislature, the integrity commissioner confirmed that last week. You know, this is the same party, Mr. Speaker, the NDP that used to actually defend the independent officers of the legislature when the Liberals used to attack those independent officers. What's happened to the NDP? Are they just simply concerned about politics because there's nothing with this line? Thank you. Commissioner revealed that the process by which and the process I'm going to reiterate that is the process we're asking about, we're not attacking anyone here. The process by which Mr. Tabner was appointed was flawed and that the people of Ontario have been left with far more questions than answers. We on this side of the House believe that they deserve real answers, far more than it was technically illegal, technically not illegal, my apologies. Why does this government continue to think that they can evade providing transparency to the people of Ontario? Why do you not feel that you need to launch this Justice Committee policy? Mr. Speaker, with the greatest respect to the member opposite, the integrity commissioner of Ontario, the office in which the complaint was filed by members of that party has come back and vindicated the Premier of Ontario for having any kind of involvement in this process. It's right there in black and white, Mr. Speaker. What I'm hearing from the people of Ontario, including in that member's writing and certainly in Essex, I was in Essex last week and on the weekend, what they want to know is what is the government doing to make sure that Ontario is open for business, creating good jobs, getting the economy back on track and providing transparency and accountability in government. I was happy to inform the members in Essex on Friday and Saturday what our government is doing and they were quite happy to hear the actions that this government has taken creating 95,000 jobs in the last three months. We start the clock. Next question, the member for Tomiskaming Cochrane. My question is to the acting Premier. For months the Premier stated repeatedly that the process that selected Ron Taverner was completely independent. In fact, at one point he even said he had no idea his family friend was being handled the top job and I quote, until the decision, the day the decision was made, end of quote. Can the acting Premier tell us? If the Premier didn't know his friend was being appointed until the day the decision was made, why did his chief of staff, Dean French, testify that both he and the Premier suggested Taverner as a candidate before the job was even posted? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know it's a shame that the NDP continue with this line of questioning. I think it's pretty clear to anybody who read the report and certainly understands that the one thing that is happening with this line of questioning is they're just trying to make political hay, Mr. Speaker. But it really is shameful that the NDP have resorted to attacking the independent commissioner and refused to accept his results on this investigation. The results came back pretty darn clear last week, Mr. Speaker. And we've said this from the beginning, that the complaints here were without any kind of merit. They were frivolous. And how many times do we have to have these types of complaints filed, Mr. Speaker? I know they're great friends with Democracy Watch, Mr. Speaker. They originally called for the integrity commissioner report here as well. They've called for eight different integrity commissioner reports or at least made eight different complaints since we became the government of Ontario. Thank you. The Premier's own chief of staff contradicted the Premier in his testimony. And text messages from Steve Orsini, the Secretary of Cabinet, contradicted his claims as well. While the Premier was bragging in the House daily about the, and I quote, completely independent, end of quote, process, Orsini wrote the Premier's office saying, and I quote, independent of who? I would drop the word independent, end of quote. Wouldn't the acting Premier agree that we should have a chance to hear from Mr. Orsini about his concerns? Mr. Speaker, I just can't believe that the opposition won't respect the decision that was made by the independent officer. You know where the complaint to the integrity commissioner actually came from, Mr. Speaker? It came from the member from Brampton North. Kevin Yard is the member who made the complaint, Mr. Speaker. Now, we know that this is all about politics, and in this case it's about gutter politics, Mr. Speaker. It wasn't actually about the process here. We know that that member had actually wanted to run under Premier Ford as a PC candidate during the last... ...the member with that sort of line of statement. It doesn't help elevate the debate. Please conclude your response. Mr. Speaker, I think it's pretty obvious what's going on here when it comes to the official opposition and their tactics. The official opposition party in Ontario is nothing but a protest party, Mr. Speaker. The independent integrity commissioner has come back with his report, which completely vindicates the Premier for any wrongdoing in this case. Here's just some of the issues we need some answers on. The Premier said he had no idea his family friend was a candidate. Even though his chief of staff said he'd already decided he was the best candidate for the job. The Premier said the process was independent, even though a secretary of cabinet was begging him not to call it independent. It's time for us all to get some answers. Why is the government opposed to having the backroom operators speak for themselves at committee? Mr. Speaker, clearly the NDP, the opposition here at Cleans Park is very satisfied with the policies of this government because they never ask about them, Mr. Speaker, and I can understand why. You know, here we have the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in the building today. We have business representatives from their writings, our writings, all across Ontario. You would think that maybe that the NDP would want to ask a question about business. You would think that maybe they would want to know what the government is doing to create jobs in their writings and create wealth and make sure that people in their writings are able to get good employment so they can put their kids through college or they can make sure that they're putting food on the table. We're seeing great results on that front, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you. Stop the clock. Next question, the member for Brampton North. The government side will come to order. Start the clock. Question, the member for Brampton North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Acting Premier. Since the Ford government is refusing to allow their backroom operators to take questions directly at the Justice Committee, I'd like to ask them some questions. Can the Acting Premier explain how Chris Frogaert, a partner at a lobbying firm with extensive interest in the Ontario government came to be tasked with providing media training to the Premier's preferred candidate for the OPP Commissioner and what role Frogaert played in preparing Mr. Taverner for the recruitment process. Deputy Premier. To the House Leader. To the Government House Leader. Mr. Speaker, if we're going to drag private citizens through the mud here, the least we could do is get their name right, Mr. Speaker. His name is Chris Frogaert. I find it interesting though that the member opposite is asking his question on a piece of blue paper. Maybe there's more to that. Mr. Speaker, the member opposite is the one who filed the report with the Integrity Commissioner. That report came back exonerating the Premier of any wrongdoing in this case, Mr. Speaker. Let's move on. Let's move on to the actual policies of the province of Ontario. I know that the NDP believes that they can make political hay here in the gutter, dragging private citizens through the mud in the work that they're doing, but that is not acceptable to this government. We're going to focus on making sure that Ontarians get good jobs and that we're getting Ontario back on track after 50 years of care. Supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again to the Acting Premier. This is not the first time that Mr. Frogaert's name has come up in the legislature recently. He was also named by the member of Lannert Frontenac Kingston as one of the backroom operatives that saw to his abrupt expulsion from the government caucus. Will the Acting Premier explain why Mr. Frogaert, a professional lobbyist who currently heads up the Premier's election readiness campaign, continues to play such an important role and an important decision-making role in the Premier's executive office here at Queen's Park and why she feels we should not be able to hear from him directly at committee? Questions been referred to the Minister of Economic Development. Mr. Speaker, I can't understand why the member opposite who asked for the report from the integrity commissioner, the investigation from the integrity commissioner, won't accept the integrity commissioner's findings in this report. The member from Brampton North is the same member who wanted to run for the PC party in the 2018 election, Mr. Speaker. He purchased his... They've already cautioned the member not to keep bringing that up. Don't do it again. Conclude your answer. I can just say that the people of Brampton must be a little bit confused about some of the questions that they're getting from this member. You know what, though, Mr. Speaker? We're trying to put Ontario back on track after 15 years of liberal waste scandal and mismanagement and we're putting in policies that are actually reversing the downward trend in this province. I wish that the members of the official opposition, including the member from Brampton North, would actually ask a question relevant to the policy of Ontario and making sure that Ontario is... Thank you. Next question, member for Oakville. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it's good to actually ask a question about government policy. My question is for the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks. Speaker, our government promised the people of Ontario that we would make life more affordable. Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government has been working nonstop to ensure the hardworking people of Ontario are feeling real relief. As part of our commitment, on October 31st, our government brought an end to the Liberals' ineffective job-killing cap-and-trade programme. Today, the Minister announced his next steps in the wind-down of the cap-and-trade programme. Can the Minister share with this House what next steps he'll be taking? Good question. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Mr. Speaker, through you to the member and thank you to the member of Oakville for his hard work and for raising a question here with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. A question that matters to business, a question that matters for jobs. Mr. Speaker, the member is right. We made a solemn commitment, and one of the core parts of our mandate was to eliminate the cap-and-trade carbon tax, a carbon tax and cap-and-trade programme that was hurting jobs. And Mr. Speaker, when we said we'd do that, when Premier Ford said he would do that during the campaign, the NDP, the NDP trying to make people frightened, fear-mongering said it could be billions of dollars in compensation. That's what they said, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when we introduced Bill Ford to eliminate cap-and-trade in July, we said that it would be five million dollars in compensation. Looking at it sensibly, we could get rid of the programme for five million dollars. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to announce today, and we've announced it publicly, that eliminating the programme, the compensation for business has been five million dollars, not the billions of dollars, and that's to eliminate a programme that could be five million. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you for the minister for the answer. The cancellation of the cap-and-trade programme is finally bringing the relief to the people of Ontario that we so deserve. Speaker, the Ontario is blessed with spectacular forests, lakes and rivers. Those of us who call Ontario home could not ask for a better place to live, raise a family and work. The quality of life enjoyed by our people as well as the success of our businesses depend on having clean air to breathe, drink and well-protected lands and parks. Ontario recognises the role we play in the responsibility we all share to protect and preserve the province we know and love. Can the minister share with this House what next steps are in for protecting Ontario's environment? Minister. Mr. Speaker, through you to the member, and I look forward to visiting with some of the member's constituents next month as we proceed with rolling out our Made in Ontario plan. We would also bring a Made in Ontario environment plan, a plan that would deal with climate change, that would move from the 22% reduction that Ontarians have already contributed to to reach the 30% target that we've committed to, that our federal government has committed to in terms of reducing greenhouse gases, but that would also deal with clean air, clean land and making sure that our water was clean. And Mr. Speaker, in that regard so far we've reduced or released our emissions standards proposals which are now for consultation. Including increasing the ethanol content and gasoline. And we have released our paper around waste and reducing waste and litter. And again, I look forward next month to meeting with the members' constituents to talk more on how we want to make sure that we keep Ontario clean, but we do it Mr. Speaker without a job killing carbon tax. Thank you. Next question, the member for Timmons. My question is to the acting Premier. The reason new Democrats want to hear from witnesses at the Justice Committee is simple, is because there's still questions left unanswered. One such question is what really happened the night Steve Orsini's resignation at Secretary of Cabinet. We know from the integrity commissioners report that Orsini demanded the Premier delay Tavernor's appointment until after the integrity commissioner conducted his investigation. And if the Premier didn't do that he would resign. If the process that Mr. Orsini oversaw was so defensible why did he feel compelled to make such a drastic ultimatum? Mr. Deputy Premier Government House Leader Well thanks Mr. Speaker and pleasure to respond to the question from the opposition House Leader this morning. You know the independent integrity commissioner made his ruling last week. He came out with the report the NDP used to recognize the independent officers of the legislature and appreciate their efforts. We used to protect those independent officers together actually when the Liberals were dragging them through the mud and telling them that their services weren't necessary or that they didn't believe what was coming from them. But I can tell you Mr. Speaker that this opposition House Leader must have something that he could ask about what's going on in Timmins in his ride. And I can tell you with government policy around healthcare or possibly around education or possibly around business considering the fact that it's Ontario Chamber of Commerce I would just hope that he's not going to continue to drag people through the mud. This from a government that fired three commissioners from this assembly. My question again is to the acting Premier. Mr. Orsini said it's quite plainly in his email that if you feel that the insulation must proceed it is with a heavy heart that I recommend the appointment of a new Secretary of Cabinet who will fully support your decision as Premier of Ontario. While I'm deeply sad to make this recommendation I feel it's the only appropriate course of action in the circumstance. It's clear that there is more to the story that what we're being hearing so far and if this is the reason and if this is why we need to hear from Mr. Orsini and others at committee. Why is your government opposed to that? Minister Mr. Speaker apparently the member opposite just can't take yes for an answer on this issue. The Independent Integrity Commissioner of Ontario has come out with a report exonerating the Premier for any involvement in this issue that was requested by the NDPC candidate from Scarborough Markham and now is the NDP candidate in Brampton. We're moving on. Next question Member for Carleton. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Before I begin I'd just like to quickly introduce Diane Flanagan Mary Ann Besharad, Bill Davis and Nick Fratolli from INTAC and I look forward to meeting with them later today. Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Transportation. Recently our government for the people has made some significant transmit announcements that reflect our commitment to get the people of Ontario moving. We've expanded ghost service in Kitchener and Niagara and we announced that kids under 12 write free on ghost services. Mr. Speaker it is clear that our government for the people is serious about our commitment to get the people of Ontario back on track. We are facing serious gridlock problems all across Ontario due to the financial mismanagement of the previous government and instead of fixing the problems Ontario's were left with a $15 billion deficit. I know that my constituents in Carleton and across the Ottawa region are looking for relief to the gridlock issues. Can the Minister of Transportation tell us what his ministry is doing to get the people of Ontario moving. Thank you. Minister of Transportation. I'd like to thank the member from Carleton for that question and her ongoing work representing her constituents. Last Friday Mr. Creamer and I were in the great city of Ottawa to announce that our government for the people is giving $1.2 billion to Ottawa to build stage 2 of the LRT and Mr. Speaker this is on top of the $600 million the province has already committed and Mr. Speaker over the last few months working up to this announcement worked hard with members from Ottawa, West NEP and NEP and Canada, Carleton and Carleton. These members came to me day in and day out pushing for the finality of our decision to fund the Ottawa LRT and that is what we did. Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to congratulate my province's assistant Kinga Serma who helped steer this side. Mr. Speaker, as a team we are making Ontario transit better and Mr. Speaker's working together to make Ottawa LRT a reality for the people of the region. I have more to say on my supplementary. Supplementary. Thank you Mr. Speaker and through you thank you to the Minister of Transportation very very exciting news for the people of Ottawa and especially my constituents in Carleton and the Riverside South and Finlay Creek area. Mr. Speaker, you have no idea the significant impact the Ottawa LRT expansion will have in Carleton especially given that the area of Riverside South the population is going to double in the next 10 years to almost 20,000 people. Mr. Speaker, this project is going to assist our government's goal to reduce parking congestion and our government is assisting in building a world-class transit system in the great city of Ottawa. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Transportation tell us more about Phase 2 of the Ottawa LRT? Minister. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I'm proud to continue my answer. The new LRT will shorten commute times and help people get to work, school or appointments quickly and conveniently. By the time the project is finished 1% of people in Ottawa will live within 5 km of transit. We're opening up neighborhoods like Orleans, Westboro, Barhaven and the Byward Market. This incredible LRT network when fully completed in 2025 will be able to move 24,000 people an hour in each direction. Our government for the people is making it easier for commuters to get to their jobs, run errands, visit families and friends with shorter commute times. The project will reduce congestion on the road for those who commute by car to get from point A to point P much quicker. Our government is focused on making sure communities across the province are open for business. Mr. Speaker, we are improving transit throughout the entire province. Ontario is on the road for better business climate. We are going to get the economy rolling Mr. Speaker. I hope the end of the week joins on board as we improve the transit throughout the province. Stop the clock. Order. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education. Questions continue to be raised about the government's plan to shuffle teachers out of classrooms and replace them with online classes. Last week the Ontario Student Trustees Association called on the government to hit the brakes on this scheme saying that different learning styles cannot be accommodated by an all-encompassing change in graduation requirements. Speaker, students will bear the brunt of this government's education cuts yet their voices continue to be ignored. We know the Minister hasn't listened to parents. We know they haven't listened to teachers or education workers. Will she listen to students and stop these cuts? Mr. Speaker for the opportunity to set the record straight. Speaker, the reality of today is we need to be embracing technology for good and when it comes to online opportunities for our students I think we should all agree in this House we want to make sure that they have every opportunity to put their best foot forward. I find the question coming from the member opposite so peculiar because if she was really in touch with school boards across this province like she feigns she is she would know that there are already online courses being utilized from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. So what on earth is she asking? Is she asking Ontario education and on school boards across this province to take a step back? If she is, shame on her. Once the standing ovation started I couldn't hear the Minister conclude her remarks had to stop the clock. Interrupt her. Start the clock. Supplementary. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Online opportunities Mr. Speaker. Online opportunities. This is not about 21st century learning. This is not about technology. This is about making students take courses online that are now mandatory. Mr. Speaker this is about removing 10,000 teachers from our classrooms. Students are right to be worried about their future. They are right to be worried. They are wondering how they will concentrate in classes as large as 40. They are afraid they and their students will fall behind when they are forced to take a class online with no support. They are worried about though they will navigate the transition to college or university or be ready to contribute to the economy when their guidance counsellors are cut. Will the Minister have the courage to stand up for students? Or will she simply carry on with the Premier's endless quest for cuts? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I stand up for students every single day. Disconnected that member opposite and her entire party is. My goodness we should be celebrating how we are already leading the way. TVO, TFO, people and jurisdictions around the world are coming to them for the online advances that they are making with online courses. And the fact of the matter is the party opposite was actually truly connected with our school boards across this province. They would know online courses are already happening and again what is wrong with making sure that our students on minimum once a year embraces technology for good and having so many opportunities that the internet provides we are going to continue to push the bar and make sure Ontario education is worth it. Thank you. Next question, the member for Don Valley West. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker in 2003 68% of high school students were graduating in Ontario. Today 86% of students are graduating and that improvement did not happen by accident. There are thousands more adults in the nearly 5,000 publicly funded elementary and secondary schools today than in 2003 where Mike Harris removed adults from schools Mr. Speaker our government replaced them. For example in 2006 I apologize to the member, please stop the clock the government side will come to order so I can hear the member who is asking the question she is she can say during the course of her one minute presentation who her questions to. I hear what her questions about again the government side will come to order member for Don Valley East will come to order the member for Don Valley East will come to order. Please stop the clock now. I apologize again to the member for the minister of education Mr. Speaker for example student success teachers are in place specifically to support students who might otherwise fall through the cracks while there is absolutely no research to support the notion that higher class sizes foster resilience in students there is solid research that confirms that students need connection to caring adults in order to succeed and that is exactly what fosters resilience. We also know that if students don't accumulate credits early on in grades 9 and 10 then the likelihood that they'll graduate is reduced how will the minister guarantee that those student supports those vital student supports will remain in place as she removes thousands of adults from secondary schools minister of education well thank you very much speaker for the opportunity to again speak to the amazing pathway we're on in terms of getting Ontario education back on track I can tell the member opposite that the number one thing we're not going to do is follow their dismal record that the Liberal administration success plummet as well for goodness sakes you know when you reflect upon what happened under that Liberal administration I can tell you that 84% through our online and our in-person and submission consultation that we conducted last fall 84% of parents said they were spending their own time helping their children learn math outside of the classroom that means a failure at big F on that Liberal government's part 40% of the parents said they were spending their own money to help their children learn math because of that dismal failure of that dismal administration that was a dark age for students thank you supplementary Mr. Speaker I would be the last person to say that there isn't a need for constant improvement in our education system I would be the last person to say that we don't need parent involvement and parent support of course we do Mr. Speaker what I'm asking the minister is how she can justify taking thousands of adults out of schools she knows full well or she should Mr. Speaker is an average number what it means if she takes thousands of adults out of the schools is that boards and schools across the province will be scrambling to make sure that the core curriculum has reasonable class sizes how can she guarantee that courses like drama and music and visual arts and industrial design and co-op programs Mr. Speaker will have any sections at all the kids will be able to take those courses thousands of adults have come out of the schools Mr. Speaker I am not making a partisan statement I'm asking the minister to address the students of this province and tell them how she's going to protect thank you minister what I choose to do in this House is set that member opposite straight because our focus on education is going to see zero changes from kindergarten to grade 3 from grades 4 to 8 we're looking at no more than maybe one student per class and when it comes to high school I'm telling you we're going to get it right we're looking at an increase of perhaps six students but what we're also focusing on is the success and the actual effectiveness of the teacher in the classroom and we're excited by that we're investing in our teachers like never before we're looking at outcomes that will ensure that we are following through and being measured on our goals, our vision which is student success and let's talk about that education report we're looking at a new math curriculum not only for the students but we're going to be supporting our teachers as well we're looking at a refocused effort and theme in STEM we're taking a look at modernizing how we've learned start the clock next question for the minister of health and long-term care Mr. Speaker, we were elected to strengthen and fix our public health care system sadly after 15 years of liberal mismanagement we have over 30,000 people on wait lists for long-term care in my riding of Simcoe North we have families and caregivers come into the constituency office concerned about the lack of long-term care beds in our area could the minister please update the members of this legislature on what our government for the people is doing to end hallway health care and get the seniors of this province the care they so desperately need the minister of health and long-term care I'd like to thank the member from Simcoe North for her question which is important to all of us our government believes that all Ontarians should have access to high quality health care and safe comfortable space to live in and that's exactly why we took early action on our commitment to add 15,000 new long-term care spaces within five years by announcing 6,075 last fall now I'm pleased to say we are moving forward with another 16 long-term care projects that will add another 1,157 new beds these new bed allocated long-term care beds to 7,232 which is nearly half of our commitment created within our first nine months at office this is part of our plan to ensure Ontario seniors needing long-term care have access to high quality care when and where they need it thank you supplementary thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister of health and long-term care for that answer Mr. Speaker, the seniors population is exploding there are 100,000 more seniors in Ontario every year and by 2041 there will be approximately 4.6 million seniors in this province it was such great news for our seniors in Simcoe North we were thrilled to learn we would receive 192 new beds including one of the new 16 centers Mr. Speaker, can the minister please explain why increasing the number of long-term care beds is important for seniors in this province Minister the minister of seniors the honourable member hard-working member from Simcoe knows for raising great question our government is committed to putting seniors and their families at the center of our healthcare and long-term care plans increasing number of beds helps our Ontario seniors and their families as they receive culturally linguistically appropriate healthcare services enhancing their quality of life our government promised more beds and we now announced I repeat additional 1,157 beds promised made promised care thank you Mr. Speaker the next question the member for Hamilton Mountain thank you speaker my question is for the minister of children community and social services last week the minister announced changes to the autism plan that parents do not believe go far enough the OAP is still age based and not based on need so it still discriminates against girls who are often diagnosed at a later age than boys the minister has committed to consultation over the summer after the changes are rolled out but speaker the trust is already broken parents feel the only way to be heard in this province is to protest will the minister commit to open transparent and collaborative consultation process the minister of children community and social services thanks very much speaker it's a great opportunity to rise today to talk about our plan to clear the wait list in the next 18 months for boys and girls across the province who have been diagnosed with autism 23,000 children we would like to clear in the next 18 months we are committed to doing that in addition to that we have opened up the choice for what parents can use their child to budget on we've operationalized that to include occupational therapy as well as speech and language therapy we listen to parents they told us what they wanted we've also decided to eliminate the income test we are going to extend contracts for an additional 6 months for those 25% of the children who are already on the program and we've made a commitment to consult with parents on the levels of severity and needs that children have across the province let me be perfectly clear we support peaceful demonstrations what we do not support our personal insults personal insults and death threats thank you supplementary it's really unfortunate that this government put parents in crisis that it led to that speaker parents of children with autism want to have faith in their government they don't want to be out on the street every week in order to be heard what I'm hearing is families don't think the announcement last week went far enough they want a needs based autism program not age caps and not a program that it only funds a fraction of the therapies that kids need will the minister conduct an open and transparent consultation process this summer please take their seats minister to reply under the current program we are extending the funding between $256 million up to $321 million based on the enhancements I announced last week that could be up to double that so I think that this is going to be the most generous autism program in North America for children on the waitlist but what I don't understand from the member opposite is why she supported direct funding and now doesn't why she supported eliminating the waitlist until she didn't why she didn't support an income test until we eliminated speaker the mixed messages I'm getting from the NDP prove they're in this for political gain political gain only a professional protest party who wants to rile up parents is irresponsible and that's what I've heard from this member and that party for the past number of weeks they are not responsible they are not responding to the needs of parents we on the other hand will clear that waitlist in the next 18 months all children will as all members know we don't impute motive with our questions or responses member for Hamilton mountain come to order order next question the member for Milton next question is for the minister of finance over the past few months we've heard a lot about challenges faced by Ontario drivers after 15 years of liberal mismanagement and deals brokered by the NDP Ontario's nearly 10 million drivers faced the highest auto insurance rates in the country we know action must be taken to reverse this trend the liberal and NDP system of so-called stretch goals on auto insurance is broken and drivers need relief that is why I introduced my private members bill the ending discrimination in automobile insurance act and was pleased to debate its importance last Thursday could the minister please share with the house how our government plans improve Ontario's auto insurance system questions for the minister of finance thank you speaker and thank you to the member from Milton and we congratulate him on his private members bill passing second reading last week we're incredibly proud of his leadership and his hard work we know because he got this right he took the time to consult to listen to drivers and to bring forward a plan that if passed won't have any unintended consequences his legislation if passed will bring more fairness to the auto insurance system and will allow the system to better meet the needs of drivers we can all agree that a good driver in the GTA should pay similar rates to a good driver in other parts of the province let us once again congratulate the member from Milton on his important work in this file as we continue to build an auto insurance system that puts the drivers first supplementary thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the minister for his response however we know combatting rate discrimination is just one aspect of improving our provinces auto insurance system we must continue to work together to fix the broken system we inherited from the previous liberal government after a failed stretch goals of the liberal NDP drivers across Ontario demand better they deserve better Mr. Speaker I've heard from countless people in my great writing of Milton that auto insurance rates are simply too high unfair and discriminatory people are demanding change in the auto insurance system could the minister please reiterate our government's commitment to improving our auto insurance system to help drivers across our great province again speaker our government is committed to building a more accessible and affordable auto insurance system that puts drivers first for 15 years the liberals supported by the NDP dragged their feet and could not provide real relief to drivers those members would do well to learn from the member from Milton they would also be wise to follow the lead of my parliamentary assistant Doug Downey he continues to engage with the industry and consult with drivers in order to find solutions to the liberals broken system there are nearly 10 million drivers in Ontario who expect us to do everything we can to ensure the auto insurance system is working for them we will continue to work towards ensuring that Ontario's auto insurance system serves the needs of all the people thank you next question the member for Toronto Danforth thank you speaker my question through you to the minister of energy last week the minister of energy announced his new hydro scheme that will simply slap a new label on the old liberal $40 billion hydro borrowing scheme this scheme will cost Ontarians an additional $2.4 billion this year alone even worse instead of lowering hydro costs the minister's plan will actually increase them first by a little and then by a lot why is the minister wasting billions on the same failed hydro borrowing scheme as the liberals that will only send bills skyrocketing government's sights under order minister of energy northern development mine thank you Mr. Speaker listen to the NDP chasing their tail on this one I thought they used to stand up for the trust fund cover up Mr. Speaker I thought that they believed in transparency Mr. Speaker modernizing the Ontario energy board which is something that stakeholders have said loud and clear needs to be done even our friends here with the chamber of commerce said something has to be done with our energy system for a more affordable rates for small businesses and large employers Mr. Speaker our conservation program targeting on the most vulnerable indigenous communities seniors and small businesses Mr. Speaker I figured it out they got no darn plan Mr. Speaker thank you thank you Speaker I thought conservatives didn't believe in borrowing money for operating costs but I misunderstood them clearly when the liberals when the liberals introduced their so-called fair hydro plan the former conservative critic for energy now the minister of economic development job creation and trade condemned condemned the hydro boring scheme as quote it is deceitful it's dishonest and it's shady end quote but the government's new plan is the old liberal borrowing scheme with a new label on it nothing more hydro costs are going up not down first though rise by a little and then they will go up by a lot as we pay back that debt and that interest Ontarians will be stuck with billions in debt with literally less than nothing to show for it will the minister explain why he would adopt a wasteful liberal hydro borrowing scheme that his party once condemned Mr. Speaker the member opposites nursery rhyme ain't working for me the fact of the matter is that we had an outstanding energy critic Mr. Speaker and he told the truth about that unfair hydro plan Mr. Speaker about its lack of transparency and we thought that the NDP would stand up and support Mr. Speaker we've moved that out to a place where people understand what their subsidy is and moving forward Mr. Speaker we're going to endeavor to cut hydro rates as much as we possibly can Ontario families deserve it Ontario businesses deserve it Mr. Speaker the trust fund cover up can be part of the liberal party's legacy and theirs if they want to perpetuate it Mr. Speaker but we're committed to reducing the cost of hydro for small businesses for families and large employers across this province so we can have an energy advantage and make Ontario open for business start the clock next question the member for Kitchener south has for the minister of economic development job creation and trade today we are joined in the gallery by representatives of chamber of commerce from across our province including Greg Drosser from the Cambridge chamber they're here at Queens Park to speak to the importance of Ontario businesses that they make to our communities in my writing of Kitchener south chamber members like ATS automation employ hundreds of people they give to charities they host educational events and so much more could the minister please outline for this house what our government is doing to support chambers of commerce across the province great question the minister of economic development job creation and trade Speaker I want to thank the member for this amazing job that she's doing for the members residents in her writing and I want to thank all of the local chamber representatives who are here with us today including those from Kitchener and Rocco Rossi and all of those from Bay of Quincy as well I want to thank you for the work that you do in your communities it's incredibly valuable and I'm thankful to have the chance to recognize everything that you do for your communities and the businesses in your community since forming government the province and we want to hear from them how we can make it easier for them to create jobs for the people of Ontario I know my two parliamentary assistants sitting right there Donna Skelly and Michael Parsa have been hosting round tables many of them facilitated by members of chambers of commerce across Ontario and we want to let our job creators know Mr. Speaker that Ontario is open for business and open for jobs and that's where the to the minister I know the chamber representatives here with us today are glad that we have a premier and a government who understand business I spoke with the business owner in my writing just the other day and she told me the difference between our government and the previous Liberal government is like night and day I know the premier the minister and our entire team have been working hard to create an environment can thrive, grow, and create great jobs. Can the Minister please outline for the House how we're making life easier for Ontario's job creators? Minister. Thanks, Mr. Speaker, and thanks to the member for the great question. You know, we've listened, as she said, to our local businesses. We haven't just listened, Mr. Speaker, we've acted on what they've told us. They said that the Liberals' Bill 148 was a complete disaster, so we scrapped it, Mr. Speaker. They told us, they told us that Ontario needs to be more competitive. We need to get rid of the red tape and over-regulation that's in the way, and that's why we brought in the Restoring Ontario's Competitiveness Act, Mr. Speaker, which is before the legislature today. We're doing everything we can to create good jobs in Ontario, Mr. Speaker, and we've been successful and we've only just started in the last three months, as I've mentioned a couple times already this morning, Mr. Speaker. You've created 95,000 jobs for the people of Ontario. We've doubled. Mr. Speaker, we've doubled last month the output of the entire United States, and it's because our job creators are telling us what we need to do to create more jobs here in Ontario. Next question, the member for Windsor West. My question is to the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Today, participants in Ontario's basic income pilot will receive their final payment. The Conservatives made an explicit campaign promise to participants of the pilot that they would see it through, yet another promise unkept. 4,000 Ontarians made plans for their future with the understanding, the promise that this government would complete this four-year study. Then, weeks after coming into office without publishing any evidence whatsoever, this Conservative government betrayed Ontarians by cancelling the program. Will the Minister reverse her callous decision, honour her promise, and apologise on behalf of her government for so cruelly playing with people's lives? Minister of Children, Community and Social Services. Thanks very much, Speaker. This government made a decision upon taking office in light of the $13 billion deficit that we were going to wind down the basic income pilot project. The member of office knows that this is a matter before the court, so I cannot speak about the basic income pilot project in particular, but what I will say more broadly is this government has made a decision to reform social assistance. We inherited a disjointed patchwork system that wasn't really supporting Ontarians. You have to consider this. Almost 1 million Ontarians are on social assistance. It's a $10 billion program, yet still one in seven people live in poverty, meaning we needed to do something better, which is why we're moving to a more multi-ministerial approach on social assistance, where we will provide wraparound supports, whether that's with the Minister of Health and Mental Health, whether that's training colleges and universities to make sure that we've got the skills moving forward, and whether that's the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, so we can find those jobs and make sure that we can put people who are able to work into those jobs. So, Speaker, make no mistake. We believe in the best of Ontarians, and we believe that we can reform this system so that we have better outcomes for all Ontarians. Supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. I just want to be very clear. When Ministry officials were actually asked about any data available, they said, to our knowledge, there aren't any. In fact, this government made this callous decision on a feeling. A feeling. It is very important that everyone here understand that the basic income pilot program was not a handout. It was a hand up. It allowed people living in poverty to improve their quality of life. They could buy healthy food, afford their medications and go to the dentist. It afforded new entrepreneurs a level of security while they set up a new business venture. It gave people of all ages the opportunity to pursue higher education or finish a degree. As conservative, Hugh Siegel said, a lot of people are going to be in great distress. Will the minister apologize, actually apologize, to the 4,000 Ontarians whose lives her government has callously upended for not honoring her promise? Thanks very much, Speaker. This government will never apologize for being pro-jobs, being open for business and making sure that every Ontarian that we can lift up has an opportunity towards self-reliance. We will never apologize for the creation of the 95,000 new jobs. We will never apologize for developing the styles of people who are willing and able to work. We are going to continue to make sure that we work as a government together, not like the previous Liberal Administration, that mired people and trapped them into poverty. We believe that the best social safety net is a compassionate society, which is why we are working together with a private and philanthropic sector. We believe that the best social circumstances are when those who can work are working and, Speaker, no one in this government will ever apologize for the best social program, which is a job. Position, come to order. Start the clock. Next question, the member for Bradford Brandt. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is also for the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, and I'd just like to take a moment to commend her for the great work that she's been doing on some of our most difficult. Last week, the Toronto Star reported that brandt family and children's services is facing financial pressures. And that caseworkers are trying to manage high caseloads with tight timelines. Speaker, I have heard from my constituents in my writing of brandt for brandt that they are concerned protecting vulnerable children in my writing as a priority for me and many members of my community. Can the Minister explain why brandt family and children's services is facing financial pressures and what our government is doing to support vulnerable youth in my writing? Thank you. Mr. Children, Community and Social Services. Thanks very much to the member for Bradford Brandt, who has been a strong advocate since arriving here at Queens Park in July. I want to thank him after you and those who are affected by my ministry within his community. Let me be perfectly clear, this issue predates us taking office in June of 2018. Since 2015, the former Ministry of Children and Youth Services under the previous Liberal Administration was working with the Brandt Children's Aid Society to identify cost reductions. Those consultations, those efforts were unsuccessful and the Brandt Children's Aid Society has continued to deliver services. In addition to that, and this is what I think most members of this assembly should be extremely proud of, is the fact that we are expanding the Indigenous Child Welfare System in the province of Ontario, including in his community with the Awadinday DO First Nations. And we are transferring— Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Through you. Thank you, Minister. And back to you, I'm pleased to know that our Indigenous children are receiving culturally appropriate care in my writing. Speaker, we know that Indigenous children are overrepresented in Ontario's child welfare system. My writing of Brandt for Brandt includes the Six Nations of the Grand River. The largest First Nations reserve in Canada. Their contributions to our community are immeasurable. Can the Minister please tell this House what our government for the people is doing to improve the child welfare system for our Indigenous children? Thank you, Minister. Thank you very much, Speaker. As I mentioned last week in the Assembly, I had the opportunity to go to the United Nations a couple of weeks ago as Women's Minister, but also as Children's Minister where I was able to meet with Indigenous leaders throughout Canada about what we're doing in Ontario and how we can help the rest of Canada move forward with children in custody and in care that are Indigenous. And we're building on, I think, what was the success, if I may give the previous Liberal Administration some credit for once, in moving these into this customary care model. As mentioned, 18% of the children in your community are moving to an Indigenous led model, which is a customary care. I think we should be very proud of that. In addition to that, that's why money is moving to that Indigenous led Children's Aid Society. And I'm very proud that our government is going to continue to expand that work and we're going to continue to include the Indigenous voices within our ministry as we create three tables, one for Indigenous children in care, one for children that are black in care, as well as for children in custody. And we're going to embed within our ministry a children's advocate in addition to giving more enforcement powers and investigative powers to Ontario's office. Thank you. Next question, the member for Windsor to come. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Health, good morning, Minister. Nurses at the Windsor-Rassetts County Health Unit have been on strike now for more than two weeks. These 86 women walked out on the 8th of March, International Women's Day. All they want is the same wage increase that the men were given in Windsor's male-dominated municipal sectors. Speaker, will the Minister stand up for these women and their fight for equitable wages until the health unit to get back to work, back to the bargaining table, work out a fair and equitable deal? Because, Speaker, these nurses are highly trained professionals. They don't want to be on strike. What they do want, the same wage increase as the men were given. Historically, our health unit has been underfunded by the province, but that is no excuse for men in the municipal sector to get a higher increase than the women in our public health unit. It's an issue of fairness, it's an issue of respect, and the health unit needs to return to bargaining. Speaker, will the Minister pick up the phone, make that call and get these women back to work? Thank you. Minister of Health and Long-Tempting. Mr. Speaker, and I thank the member for the question. I agree with you that nurses are really the backbone of our health care system, and I respect the work that they're doing. But as you also know, this is a matter that is between them and the health unit. That's not something that I can be involved in. That would not be appropriate. But as with you, I would hope that both parties would come back to the table so they can resolve the situation in fairness to everyone involved. Mr. Varner, the members for Perth Wellington. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to introduce Eddie Matthews, who's here from the Stratford and District Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Varner. Mr. Varner. Mr. Varner. Mr. Varner. Mr. Varner. Mr. Speaker, I'd just like to welcome two constituents of Mississauga Streetsville. We have Roberta Ray, who is here with Intact Insurance, and my former Member of Parliament, Brad Wett, who's also here representing the Mississauga Board of Trade. Welcome. For Chatham Kent Leamington. For much, Mr. Speaker, I'd also like to introduce to the Chamber this morning the past President of the Leamington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Corey Robertson. Welcome, Corey. Member for Berry Springwater, Oro-Madonte. Mr. Speaker, I wanted to introduce Michael Badham, who's with the Berry Chamber, along with Richard Brooks, and of course Greg Grone and Nadia Fitzgerald, and my good friend, Alan Lafontaine, the Chamber of Aurelia, of which I'm a past President. Thank you. Pursuant to Standing Order 38A, the Member for Davenport has given notice of her dissatisfaction with the answer to her question, given by the Minister of Education, concerning cuts to classrooms and student voice. This matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m. We have a deferred vote on the motion for second reading of Bill 81, an act to authorize the expenditure of certain amounts for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. Calling the members, this is a five-minute bill. Members, please take their seats. Members, please take your seats. On March 21, 2019, Mr. Bethlenfaldi moved second reading of Bill 81. All those in favor of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Bethlenfaldi. Mr. Waukes. Mr. Waukes. Mr. Smith Bear Driep. Mr. Smith Bear Driep. Ms. Thompson. Ms. Thompson. Mr. Fidelli. Mr. Fidelli. Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford. Ms. Elliott. Mr. Elliott. Mr. Yurek. Ms. Moruni. Mr. Moruni. Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark. Mr. Yacobusky. Mr. Yacobusky. Mr. Harderman. Mr. Harderman. Mr. Tevolo. Mr. Tevolo. Mr. Barrett. Mr. Barrett. All those opposed to the motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes being 71 and the nays being 29, I declare the motion carried. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The nays are 29, the nays are 29. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes are 71, the nays are 29. The ayes are 29, the nays are 29. The ayes are 29, the nays are 29.