 It's now time for oral questions. I recognize the leader of the official opposition. Speaker, my first question is for the Premier. This is a question for the Premier about his leadership and his standards for his handpicked senior staff. According to reports, Dean French, the Premier's handpicked chief of staff, ordered senior political aides to direct police to raid cannabis stores the day marijuana became legal, with the goal of getting people in handcuffs on the noon hour news. Can the Premier confirm these reports, Speaker? Well, first of all, through you, Mr. Speaker, I want to welcome all the firefighters down here. We've been putting out fires for the mess. There's been a fire for 15 years down here. That would be having to be put out. I also want to acknowledge, I believe there are young army cadets, and I apologize if you aren't, but I want to welcome our young army cadets up there. Thank you very much. Through you, Mr. Speaker, since day one, our priority has been to protect communities and children, combating illegal black market and organized crime. We were very clear illegal dispensaries have no place in Ontario, and operators would face penalties and to be shut down. Ministers, MPP staff at every level agree these places need to be shut down. Well, Speaker, the Premier knows, or he should know, that his office is supposed to stay clear of the day-to-day police operations. Instead, it seems that Dean French, the Premier's Chief of Staff, not only attempted to direct day-to-day police operations, but was actually demanding that police make arrests in order to get the story the government wanted on the noon-hour news. Has the Premier even spoken to his Chief of Staff about this incident? Through you, Mr. Speaker, as I was saying earlier, Ministers, MPP staff at every single level, we need to shut down these illegal dispensaries. Again, we need to shut down the illegal pot shops. Our expectation is that police will and always will enforce the law. Today, 91% of illegal dispensaries are shut down in the four largest areas, Peel, York, Ottawa, and Toronto. Notice I never mentioned Hamilton. I will never apologize for protecting the people of this problem. House Leader, come to order. Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, come to order. Member for Mississauga Malton, come to order. Start the clock. Final supplementary. Speaker, this is fundamentally about the Premier's understanding of the necessity of having a separation between the police and the government. The role of the police is to serve and protect the people of this province. And the Premier's role is to let them do their job. In a democratic society, Speaker, the government does not demand that police make arrests to generate noon-hour news hits. The buck stops with the Premier on this issue, Speaker. Does he think the actions of Dean French, his handpick chief of staff, are acceptable? Premier, through you, Mr. Speaker, our job is to make laws. The police job is to enforce the laws. And I support the police, unlike the Leader of the Opposition and the NDP. We support our police to do a magnificent job. Again, 91% of illegal dispensaries have been shut down in the four largest cities in Ontario. We're proud of them, and we need to shut down every single illegal dispensary in this province. Order. Order. Start the clock. Next question, Leader of the Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. My next question's also for the Premier. But it's disturbing that the Premier doesn't think that the police know how to do their own job without having the government turning stories, Speaker, emerging from the Premier's office this week. As the Premier knows, Allie Ken Valshee will be collecting a $500,000 severance after a single day on the job. Thanks to an intervention by the Premier's Chief of Staff, Dean French. Yesterday, the Premier said he hadn't even spoken to his Chief of Staff about this. When will he? Through you, Mr. Speaker, I'd love the Leader of the Opposition to actually come up with something substantial, like saving taxpayers money, lowering taxes, lowering the high rates. But if you notice how it works every single day, Mr. Speaker, it's just personal tax. They must not be happy people over there. But I can tell you, OPG is responsible for their own staffing issues. And maybe they should be looking over at their staffing issues. Supplementary. In opposition to a motion today urging the government to pay for take-home cancer drugs for people who need them, perhaps that's substantive enough for the government to support us. Now, seeing though disturbingly, Speaker, is a pattern here, and it's problematic. The Premier's handpicked Chief of Staff runs roughshod over all of the rules. The Ontario people get stuck with the bill, and in this case, it's a half a million dollar bill. And the Premier denies that anything's even happened. And refuses to even ask his staff what is going on. That is not leadership, Speaker. Has the Premier spoken to his Chief of Staff about his role in firing Ali Ken Valshi and generating this half a million dollar waste of public money? I just wish the Leader of the Opposition, through you, Mr. Speaker, so focused on OPG. Why don't you start focusing on reducing hydro rates? Putting money back into the taxpayers' pocket. Reducing taxes. Stimulating the economy. Creating jobs. But the Leader of the Opposition knows one thing, and that's attack. OPG is responsible for their own staffing issues, and that's the way it's going to be. Speaker, the Premier and his handpicked Chief of Staff seem to think that the government means that they can do whatever they want, whenever they want, and stick people, the people of Ontario, with the bill. That's what they think government's all about. And it's mostly a bill that's due to the Premier's own vendettas against people that he doesn't like. The people of Ontario should not be stuck with a $500,000 bill because the Premier doesn't like someone. And the police of this province should never, ever, ever be told to make arrests in order to generate a photo op for the government. The Premier cannot pretend that this simply isn't happening. Has he spoken to his Chief of Staff? And if so, what did he say? Statement made in that question that imputed motive. I'm going to ask the Leader of the Opposition to withdraw. Motive, I'm going to ask her to withdraw. Again, through you, Mr. Speaker, I think the police in this province know pretty clearly who supports them and who doesn't support them. The police know that we're up there holding signs saying we love the police. They're holding signs that say bleep the police. That again, Mr. Speaker, is unacceptable. We will support our police. We have confidence in our police because the police are doing their job. Order. Start the clock. Next question, Leader of the Opposition. Questions also for the Premier. But I have to say, thankfully, the police in this province know not to let a government lead them down the Ipperwash. This speaker is also a question about the Premier's standards for cabinet ministers. According to multiple reports, a female staffer working for the then opposition conservatives came forward with the complaint of sexual misconduct concerning the Minister of Finance. Yesterday, the Premier said that an independent investigation of these allegations has already been conducted. So the question is, can the Premier tell us now who conducted this investigation? Through you, Mr. Speaker, and for the 20th time, there was a third party investigation and there is zero, zero evidence. It was just a bunch of nonsense. And I support my minister a thousand percent. Thank you, Premier. The Premier has stated that he has zero tolerance for sexual misconduct and that he will always act decisively to deal with it. Yet over the last month, he has prevented key facts from coming forward to the public when dealing with these issues. If an independent investigation has happened, the government should be able to tell us who conducted it and what they found. What were the results? Will he provide some evidence, some evidence, that an independent investigation actually did occur? It's not a matter of I say so, so just trust me. It's a matter of I say so and here's the evidence. That's how people build trust, Speaker. Is this when the Premier is asking people to simply accept his word without any evidence? Premier. Through you, Mr. Speaker, you know something, throwing stones in a glass house doesn't work in this arena here. Why doesn't the Leader of the Opposition look into her two MPPs that are under investigation for treating their employees like a piece of dirt? They're under investigation. Her two MPPs. I'd like the Leader of the Opposition to answer about her own house. Not about this house, about her own house. Next question, the Member for Brampton South. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance. One of the core commitments of our government is to create and protect good jobs here in Ontario. However, the previous Liberal government pursued policies that made life harder and less affordable for Ontario families and businesses. For 15 years, Ontario's businesses struggled to keep up with Liberal taxes and regulation, and many paid the price. It was time for change. Our government is committed to sending a message to the world that Ontario is open for business. Could the Minister please inform the House about how he plans to increase competitiveness for businesses on Ontario and Canada? Good question. Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the Member from Brampton South. Back in September, we wrote to the federal government to ask them to take bold action in their fall economic statement today to support businesses in Ontario and across Canada. Yesterday, Premier Ford asked the federal government to include 100% in-year accelerated capital cost appreciation in their fall statement. A measure like this, it's a very technical measure, but a measure like this would encourage new and immediate investment in Ontario industries. We look forward to working with the federal government to strengthen Ontario's competitiveness in the global economy. Last week, our fall economic statement cleared the path for us to do exactly this. We will continue to work to ensure Ontario reclaims its place as the economic engine of Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is reassuring to hear that our government stands firm in our commitment to lowering taxes to support employers so they can create, invest, and grow jobs here in Ontario. The time for bold action is now. Recent U.S. tax reform and policy decisions provide the U.S. with a competitive advantage over Ontario and Canada. We must continue to work to create an environment in which Ontario businesses can thrive. The people of Ontario are counting on us to do everything we can to ensure the strength of our economy for generations to come. Could the minister further explain how we will strengthen Ontario's competitiveness and ensure the world knows that Ontario is open for business? In our fall economic statement, we also include provisions for tax measures to strengthen Ontario's economy. This could include paralleling any federal government response today to our written request to accelerate capital cost depreciation of new assets. We're ready to work with the federal government to address the competitiveness challenges posed by the U.S. tax reform. The risk of inaction is simply too great to stand idly by. We hope the federal government listens to Premier Ford's request of yesterday and shares our concerns. We must take action to improve our competitiveness before we see further erosion on investment, jobs, and growth opportunities in Ontario. In doing so, the world will know that Ontario is open for business. My question is for the Premier. Last evening, this legislature was filled with everyday working people looking for some pretty basic benefits on the job. The Premier might not think that a paid sick day matters, and we know he's never had to live on the minimum wage, but for the people who make this province work, it's a big deal. As the Premier scales back people's rights, what does he have to say to them? Premier. To you, Mr. Speaker. When I crisscrossed this province, the number one issue next to Hydro was Bill 148. When I talked to the most needy people in society, they told me that they got laid off because of Bill 148. Tens of thousands of people lost their job under Bill 148. It discouraged companies from all over the world to come to Ontario and open business because of Bill 148. It was the worst bill, the worst job-killing bill. It was the worst for people, the most vulnerable people in society. To get a hand up, they want a job. We're getting rid of Bill 148. We're going to open in Ontario. We're going to create jobs. The standing ovation is so loud that I can't hear the person has the floor. The person who has the floor. Order. Start the clock. Next supplementary. Last speaker. The Premier can yell as loud as he wants, but he's been pretty crystal clear on what his priorities are. Last week, he passed a tax cut for himself and some of the wealthiest people in this province. But working people, working people are going to lose paid sick days. Lose basic protections on the job. And if you're earning the minimum wage, you're going to lose nearly $2,000 a year in wages because of the choices and priorities of this Premier. How does this Premier justify that? Minister of Finance. Thank you, Speaker. Well, there are two items in the fall economic statement, Speaker. First of all, what the leader of the opposition was referring to was tax credits. Had they read it closely, Speaker, they would realize this tax credit goes to seniors, those with disabilities and those who claim Ontario's expense tax credit. They are the ones who suffer the most under the Liberal tax increases. In this fall economic statement, 150,000 filers with allowable Ontario medical expense would have paid $320 more than personal income tax. With our decision, these filers will pay $35 million less in personal income tax. That's who's benefitting. Those in addition to the $1.1 million will always come here in Ontario. Next question, the member for Starts Clock. Member for Barry Springwater, Oral Medante. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. We wrapped up Bill 47, our government's first step toward making Ontario open for business. Over the course of this debate, we've heard members of the opposition refer to the businesses as bottom feeders. We've heard special interests say the small business owners shouldn't be in business, but they can handle more regulation and higher costs and higher taxes. Recent studies have shown that this approach has cost Ontario 56,000 jobs and took $23 billion out of Ontario's economy. We've heard from the House what the government's next steps will be beyond Bill 47. Minister of Economic Development. I'd like to thank our Deputy Whip for a great question this morning. You know the debate on Bill 47 told us a lot about how the opposition feels about businesses in the province of Ontario. Yesterday between the Hackles and their speeches, Mr. Speaker, it became clear that members of the official opposition refer to them as vindictive and bottom feeders, Mr. Speaker. It's unacceptable. You know, that's not this government's policy, Speaker. This government knows the best way to ensure that there are good jobs in Ontario is to make sure there are competitive businesses in Ontario. After question period, we're going to vote. On Bill 47, I hope there are members over there who believe that we should wind down the Ontario College of Trade. There are members over there that believe we should create a competitive environment for businesses in Ontario. We want to make Ontario open for business, Mr. Speaker, and we hope they'll support us in doing that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the Minister for his very thoughtful answer. And yesterday, the Minister said that our government understood both the ambitions and the aspirations that small business owners had for their future. I know the small business owners had a hard time adjusting to the attack that the old, tired Bill 148 unleashed on them. Some responded by scaling back business hours and raising prices, but some just outright had to close their doors. Some who had been in business for years ended up closing their doors entirely and will not reopen. I know Ontario can do better, and I know the Minister does too. Can the Minister tell the House how the government is going to build on the success of Bill 47? Minister. Boy, that's another great question for a member from the very area, Mr. Speaker. Later today, I'm actually going to be headed to New Brunswick as my first stop to try and open more markets for Ontario's businesses. And tomorrow night and Friday I'll be in Montreal. I'll be joining my colleagues from the other provinces and territories so that we can break down trade barriers across the country so that Ontario's businesses can have trade from Nanaimo to New Glasgow so that we can break down those inter-provincial walls that exist, Mr. Speaker. It's going to take more than opening up more access to the market, though. We have to get off the back of our small businesses and medium-sized businesses. That means we have to get rid of the over-regulation, Mr. Speaker. 380,000 pieces of regulation in this province compared to half that in British Columbia, which is a pretty good place to live, Mr. Speaker. We have to make some big time cuts to red tape so that business owners can continue to feel the relief. I can tell you after the election, Mr. Speaker, we have relief when that party lost the election and we won from the business community. The House will come to order. Start the clock. Next question. The member for London West. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Speaker, Masonville Public School, Tweetsmere Public School, Cowell Creek Public School, these are just a few of the schools in the London area that are currently awaiting funding for additions and renovations that were promised by the previous Liberal government. That funding has not flowed. Matt Reid, the chair of the Thames Valley District School Board said and I quote, these previously approved and announced projects need to move forward and it should not be held up because of politics. These communities have been waiting for far too long in order to have permanent additions and a local school in their community. We can't be playing politics with our kids, unquote. Speaker, why is this government playing politics with London area students and families by preventing much needed school funding from flowing? The Premier Minister of Health and long term care. Much of the question and our government is committed to ensuring that our students have access to safe learning environments and in fact to correct the situation to tell you what is actually happening is the money for these projects has been allocated. There is no pause or delay in the approval process for these capital projects. The Ministry of Education has been working closely and collaboratively with the school boards to get these projects built. Ministry officials and the minister's staff continue to be in frequent contact with the school board to build these schools with the speed, quality and the value that the taxpayers expect. Supplementary Speaker, the $67.4 million that was promised for London area school projects has yet to be released. Staff from the Thames Valley district school board have been in regular contact with the Ministry of Education but all they are getting is the run around. They have gotten no timelines on when or even if these projects will move ahead. In addition to the faculty and staff that have joined in the job weeks and have served almost everyone's needs, Victoria County. Home Care and Family Centers are also on the line in London, Belmont, St. Thomas, Rodney, Dorchester, Woodstock and Ingersoll. The $67.4 million that was promised for London area school projects school board is working with the Ministry to make sure that these projects come forward. There is no political interference whatsoever here. This has been allocated. It is happening. And the board is working with the Ministry of Education to make sure, as I said before, that our students have access to safe learning environments and that these projects are going to be continuing as they are supposed to be with the necessary speed, careful consideration and to make sure that taxpayers receive the value that they expect from these projects. It is happening. Next question. Member for Don Dolly West. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have a question about student safety today to the Minister of Transportation. Mr. Speaker, for decades, Ministers of Transportation, including me, relied on a report from Transport Canada from 1984 that concluded that school buses were safer because of the design of the seats and so on, were safer without seat belts for children riding on them. Through the media, specifically through CBC, we have now learned that a 2010 Transport Canada study concluded that three-point seat belts would save lives. That report was not circulated publicly, as far as we know. I assume that the Minister has seen these reports in the media, and my question to him is whether he has requested the 2010 Transport Canada report, whether he has seen that report, and if so, would he share his own conclusions on the need for increased school bus safety with the people of Ontario and the children in school buses? Minister of Transportation. Thank you very much for that question from the member opposite, and I'm pleased to field my first question on transportation. I appreciate the concern brought forward, and my ministry and I are looking at the report with regards to the seat belts. I, in fact, will be speaking to Transport Minister Mark Garneau in the next few days, and that's an issue that I'll be raising with them. I think the federal government has a role to play in ensuring that if they want to go down that road of regulating seat belts in the school buses, that we can work in partnership with the federal government in seeing how that could come to fruition. But I appreciate the question. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I appreciate that the Minister is going to speak with Minister Garneau. Of course, the federal government has already said they are going to review those regulations, and I think that's a good thing. You know, the reality is that there have been over 6,000 documented injuries and 16 deaths since 1999 on school buses, and I think it's fair to say that all of us who have been transportation ministers in the country, had we had the advantage of knowing about that report, we would have moved in this direction much more quickly. In the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I'm asking the Minister whether he would provide national leadership by supporting mandatory seat belt legislation in Ontario school buses. This is the largest province you can lead the way, and I'm actually going to offer you an opportunity next week to be debating Bill 56, which is my private member's bill, which would make three-point seat belts mandatory in all school buses. Can we count on your support, Mr. Speaker? Minister. Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. It's kind of surreal that I'm now being asked questions from the former Premier of the province, who had 15 years while in office to make these changes necessary, and didn't do it. What I will promise this House is that I work with the member opposite on this issue to review it to ensure that we will take action if necessary going forward. But again, we need the partnership and the direction from the federal government, and we're willing to have that conversation with them. And going forward, I hope we can do the benefit, because our focus of this government is the people of Ontario, and it's the safety of our kids throughout the province that we want to ensure, and we'll continue to work towards that. Thank you very much. Next question, the member for Milton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Finance. Our government is committed to making Ontario open for business. In the short time, our government has been in office. We have already done so much to mark the end of the liberal tax and spend policy approach. Small businesses suffered for 15 long years under the previous Liberal government, and all of Ontario paid the price. That is why we scrapped the cap-and-trade carbon tax and have introduced legislation if passed will repeal the most damaging aspects of Bill 148. Ontario small businesses provide good job, support our economy, and are the foundations of our communities. Could the Minister please explain the steps our government is taking in the fall economic statement to further support small businesses in Ontario? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the member from Milton for the question. We are taking action to stop the damaging policies the previous Liberal government was prepared to put in place. Unfortunately, the previous Liberal government took a page out of their federal government's playbook. The federal government introduced a measure to remove the small business corporate income tax rate on the amount of passive income earned by a corporation. In 2018, the Ontario Liberal government decided to join in on this assault on small businesses. In our federal economic statement, we announced that we are not proceeding with this proposal. Instead, we will provide support to small businesses that have been missing for 15 long years. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and back to the Minister. Our small businesses were handed challenge after challenge by the previous Liberal government. High electricity rates, punishing taxes and restrictive measures of Bill 148 are just some of the things businesses had to overcome. Unfortunately, many of them simply could not succeed. The odds were stacked against them, Mr. Speaker. As businesses closed up shop and fled the province, it was clear help was needed. But to the relief of small business owners and employees across this province, Ontario is finally open for business. Could the Minister please describe the significance of our decision to not proceed with the Liberal proposal to phase out access to the small business deduction based on the passive income of corporation earns? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Liberal's 2018 budget continued their assault on small business by eliminating the lower tax rate. This measure would have increased taxes on Ontario small businesses by about $160 million annually by 2020 and 2021. Speaker, that is absolutely unacceptable. Premier Ford has made it very clear that individuals, families and businesses in Ontario pay enough taxes already. We will not be imposing any new taxes on the hard-working people of the province of Ontario. After 15 years of Liberal waste, mismanagement and scandals, Ontario families and businesses can finally breathe a sigh of relief. We have made a commitment to make Ontario open for business. The House will come to order. The member for York Centre will come to order. Start the clock. Next question, the member for Davenport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. Mr. Speaker, while school capital projects grind to a halt in the London area and other education programs are left in limbo, parents, students and teachers across Ontario are on edge waiting to see what cuts are coming for their local schools. With the release of a new funding formula consultation, the government is now focusing exclusively on finding efficiencies in our already strained education system. People are right to be worried. Will the Premier tell anxious families exactly what cuts the government has planned for schools across this province? Will it be more cuts from school repairs, special needs assistance or after-school programs? Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Thank you very much for the question, but through you, what I can tell the member is what people are actually worried about and concerned about is a $15 billion deficit that we are concerned about that because we know that we are spending a billion dollars a month on interest to pay that debt. We've got to get that deficit. Member for Waterloo come to order. That's what we're working on. So we are making sure first of all that our number one priority in education is making sure that each child has a safe and meaningful education in a building that is appropriate for them. That is what we are concerned with. But in order to be able to do that, and it's no secret, we've indicated that we're taking a look at each and every program in each and every ministry to make sure that we can find those efficiencies because that $15 billion deficit isn't just going to disappear. We've got to work hard on that. Mr. Speaker, that was a slightly different response when the member from London West asked specifically about the Thames Valley Schools that are going to be stopped, the repairs that are being stopped. Absolutely, Minister. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Premier again. I actually think that families are more worried about the fact that their kids are going to be singing with their hats and mitts on again in classes this winter. How are they supposed to learn? When the Conservatives cut $100 million in school repair funding this summer, Premier Come to Order were left scrambling, and projects had to be passed. Government House Leader, Come to Order. Member for Niagara and West, Come to Order. Conservative and Liberal governments have led us to a $16 billion, you want to talk billions? $16 billion repair backlog for our schools. Now this government is looking for more places to cut and is taking things from bad to worse. How many school projects and in what communities will they have to be cut? For York Center, Come to Order. How much deeper to cut? Well, it's hard to know where to start here, Mr. Speaker, but first of all, to go back to the situation with the Thames Valley School Board, as I indicated in the previous answer to the question from the member from London West, that is continuing, that work is continuing. Those projects have been approved. The boards of education and the Ministry of Education are working together to keep those projects moving. With respect to your suggestion about cuts that's not happening, what we are looking for is efficiencies in the way that those services are being delivered. And there's a big difference between those two issues. We want to make sure that every child has a safe and comfortable learning environment. That's our number one priority. That is what we're focusing on and that is what we're working on. Very hard to deliver as we also address that $15 billion debt that is responsible, that is stifling the government's responsibility to continue to deliver those services. But first and foremost, Mr. Speaker, my question is correct. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Park. This week, Ontarian were able to enjoy some of the lowest cash prices in over a year. The residents of my riding of Markham Thornhill are able to have some peace of mind knowing that our government is putting every effort towards making life more affordable for them and ensuring we are keeping our promises. This drop marked the beginning of many more saving this government plan to provide and just a small part of what Ontarian can expect. Last week, the Minister of Finance introduced a full economic statement. He highlighted some of the important steps our government has made. Can the Minister update with this question what his ministry has done to keep our promise of relief to the residents of Ontarian? Yes. Mr. Speaker, through you to the member from Markham Hill and thank you for that question. He's quite correct. The Minister of Finance and the President Treasury Board led a discussion last week, which indicated that $3.2 billion worth of savings had already been found by our government. Swift action by our government has already returned $2.7 billion and identified a significant tax relief. Mr. Speaker, our government was elected to put money back into people's pockets and one of the ways that we did that was by eliminating the cap and trade carbon tax that was taking from Ontario families. By the passage of that act, we will return $260 a year to an average family. Mr. Speaker, as the member mentioned, those savings are already being felt at the pump. Just this morning at the Costco on Kingston Road, Mr. Speaker, $0.98.6 a liter, Mr. Speaker. Member for the Centre, come to order. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, thank the Minister for his answer. He's had a large role to play in providing the relief to the people of Ontario and his card work is clearly paying off. There is, however, one thing that run off the risk of allowing his relief to be taken away from our province though. The Prime Minister has made it clear he plan to impose his own carbon tax on this province. A tax that will make a cash price is higher. A tax that will raise the cost to hear our homes. A tax that will increase the cost of almost everything. And let's be clear, a tax that Ontario can't afford. Can the Minister tell us what we can expect should the federal carbon tax be imposed on this province? Mr. Speaker, by 2022, people in Canada, Ontarians can expect, families can expect $648. That's the cost of the Trudeau carbon tax. And, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of the Environment, Federally says they're not done. They're putting in place the framework, putting in place the framework. But $648, that's what the FAO said. Mr. Speaker, our Premier is assembling a coalition, a coalition of provinces, now six of them, that oppose the federal carbon tax, that oppose what is going on in Ottawa. And we will do everything in our power to make sure that there is transparency about the carbon tax. Mr. Speaker, the Finance Minister spoke about measures on the gas tank so people can see on the gas pump what the cost for leader it is, on their natural gas. What the cost on the bill, Mr. Speaker, we will make sure Ontarians know what it's costing and we will use everything in our power to stop the Trudeau carbon tax. Next question, the member for Spadina, Fort York. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities. Last night, the government rejected Ryerson University's plans for a new law school. This is now the sixth cancellation universities have seen from this government. I apologize to the member. I can't hear his question. I would ask the House to come to order, both sides of the House to come to order. I apologize again. I'll give you extra time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you for that. I couldn't hear myself. My question is for the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities. Last night, the government rejected Ryerson University's plan for a new law school. This is now the sixth cancellation universities have seen from this government. Ryerson was closing a gap by offering innovative programming with a focus on social justice and mandatory work placements. The law school has passed multiple approvals since 2015 and was going to offer access to law school at a lower price. Why did the Minister reject these plans in the last stage of approval? The Minister of Training Colleges and Universities of Ontario gave this government a mandate to restore respect for taxpayers that government services and programs are efficient and effective. Speaker, my ministry reviewed the submission by Ryerson University to create a new Juris Doctor Program at their university. And my ministry considers many factors in making a recommendation. Factors like whether the program duplicates other programs, whether there is labour market demand, whether there is student demand, the proposed tuition rates and the program's alignment with the Institution Strategic Mandate Agreement. My ministry and I came to the same conclusion that at this time it was not in the interest of the people of Ontario to approve the proposal. However, I am absolutely committed to working with Ryerson University. Thank you. Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So many Ontarians have been priced out of access to our legal system. They can't afford to hire lawyers and those who want to be lawyers can't afford to go to law school. Ryerson proposed an innovative law school with a focus on access to the justice system for all people in our province. The proposal emphasised a lower tuition fee still ridiculously high, but at $20,000, half of what the amount of some of our other law schools in the province. And this would have been a welcome addition to Ontario's post-secondary sector. But instead, the government is scrapping the project without revealing the cost of the cancellation. This is the same story that was spun about the cancelled campuses in Brampton, Milton and Markham. Millions of dollars had already gone into these projects, which have now been wasted. So can the minister tell the House today how much public money has been wasted on cancelling yet another university project that was well on its way to fruition? Minister. Thank you, Speaker. We promised the people of Ontario to restore accountability and trust in government. And that includes making the difficult water ultimately in the interests of the people of Ontario. We have come to the decision that at this time we will not be supporting a Juris Doctor program at Ryerson. Speaker, I must say that I am surprised by the NDP's inability to respect the taxpayer. They continue to demonstrate that the people of Ontario cannot trust them to govern in an effective and efficient manner, which puts the interest of the people first. Unlike the Liberals who promised everything and the NDP will say yes to anything, we are focused on respecting taxpayers and ensuring that the services and programs of our government supports our efficient and effective. Thank you. Start the clock. Next question. Member for Simcoe North. It is also to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Minister, last week Bill 47 was before the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Presenters talked about the changes proposed by the government that would reform the apprenticeship and skilled trade system in Ontario. The proposed changes in the legislation, if passed, would wind down the Ontario College of Trains. Standardised and placed a moratorium on classifications and reclassification in Ontario. I have heard from many skilled trade businesses in Simcoe North how excited they are about these changes. Can the Minister tell us what job creators told the committee and why we know that the legislation, if passed, will create better jobs for Ontario? Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. The member for that question. Employers impressed upon the committee the need to pass Bill 47 in order to create good quality jobs for the people of Ontario and to address the skills gap. Sean Reed from the Progressive Contractors Association said, all of the data from Buildforce Canada and other think tanks who are studying this issue show that we have a massive shortage of labour in our province right now and it is only getting worse. Mr. Reed went on to say, I have talked to many members. In one case, one fellow had 35 resumes of people he was ready to employ but he could not even hire one of them because of the ratios. Employers clearly emphasised that Bill 47 is on the right track to create good quality jobs and will help fulfil our promise to the people of Ontario. Supplementary. Thank you Mr. Speaker. It is great to hear that job creators in Ontario are responding so positively to the proposed changes to the skilled trades and apprenticeship system in Ontario. I also know that both employers and organised labour have been quoted saying the Ontario College of Trains was not operating effectively. Even the International Brotherhood of Electrical Executive Chairman said the college was unable to achieve its mandate. Meanwhile, Leuna says the college created enormous amounts of red tape confusion. Speaker, it is clear on the committee and the public comments of stakeholders that the college of trades was in impediment to the apprenticeship system in Ontario. Can the minister tell us more about why the passage of the Labour for York Centre came to order? It is an important step in this government keeping its promise to create better skilled trade jobs and make Ontario open for business. Employers said loud and clear during committee that Bill 47 will create jobs in the skilled trades. Patrick McManus of the Ontario skilled trades alliance said, this is a very critical change for the skilled trades and the opportunity for employment is actually going to significantly grow. He went on to say that he estimates that the changes will create tens of thousands of well-paying, high-quality jobs. Meanwhile, Jamie A. Crossman said, with the aging workforce in Ontario, we need to act now if we want to start to close that skills gap. Thankfully, Bill 47 is a huge step in the right direction. Pioneer Crossman, my company, currently has four apprentices. This legislation will allow us to hire immediately two additional apprentices. They are going to receive the additional skills, training and support they need to become highly skilled tradespeople. Bill 47 will create good quality jobs and I encourage the opposition to support making Ontario. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. This government is reopening a loophole that scraps rent control protections for tenants in new rental units. Even though the Premier said during the campaign and I quote, when it comes to rent control, we're going to maintain the status quo and quote. Can the Minister explain this reversal and tell us why this government thinks that landlords should have the power to double or triple their tenants' rent at any time? Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. Well, Speaker, with all due respect to the member opposite, we are upholding our commitment to tenants across this province. We made that commitment during the campaign. But, Speaker, we have a housing supply shortage, especially in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. We cannot accept the status quo that over the last 15 years the previous government brought no ideas to the table to increase housing supply. Speaker, we're going to work with stakeholders. We're going to listen to people when they have good suggestions, unlike the previous government. Speaker, the only way to create an atmosphere for new purpose-built rental housing in this province was to do exactly what our government wants. I had to interrupt the member who had the floor because I couldn't hear because of the standing ovation. Start the clock. Supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. And with all respect to the minister, when the last Conservative government scrapped rent control, it did not create new affordable housing. Scrapping rent control didn't work then, and it's not going to work now. It will only make renting more expensive and more stressful for tenants. Instead of letting landlords reach into tenants' pockets whenever they want, the government should be investing in new affordable housing that will help families get a leg up in life. So why is this minister cutting $100 million for affordable housing programs this year alone? Speaker, again with all due respect to the member opposite, we're canceling the development charge rebate program which would only benefit 13 municipalities by moving forward and lifting that exemption for new units. We're going to create housing in 444 to this member before, and I'm going to say to all members of the house, we want to work across party lines. Our housing supply action plan has an opportunity for all voices to come together to have those good suggestions on how we can increase speed, on how we can have a better mix, on how we- on how we can listen to both landlords and tenants and most important speaker, how we can look at innovative ways to increase the housing supply. That's what our housing supply action plan will do, and again I challenge this member and every member of the opposition to participate in a positive way to increase- Thank you Mr. Speaker. Question is for the Minister of Infrastructure. Under the governance of the previous government, our families, businesses, students and senior citizens had difficulty making ends meet. It was a very difficult situation and it's clear that winter is coming. It's especially difficult because energy poverty was the reality for so many as Ontario's hydro rates, the highest in North America over the years forced people to choose between eating and heating and severely hindered Ontario's rural economy. Bill 32, the Access to Natural Gas Act proposes to reach 78 communities and give the great people of our province an affordable home heating option. Can the Minister please update the House on the status of the bill? I would also like to thank the members on the Standing Committee on General Government, particularly my parliamentary assistant and member from King Vaughan for all of his hard work. Mr. Speaker, the member from John Gary Prescott Russell is correct. Skyrocketing hydro bills stemming from the former Liberal government was a primary contributor to increasingly unaffordable living costs in Ontario. I am so pleased to stand here as Minister of Infrastructure in the government for the people led by our Premier to put more money back into people's pockets. Speaker, we understand that the people are struggling to heat their homes. With the Liberals, we are properly addressing affordability costs in Ontario. Rather than trying to ban natural gas in Ontario our government will reach rural, remote, northern and First Nations communities make life affordable and open Ontario for business. I know that I speak on behalf of my constituents and all Ontarians when I say that we're looking forward to creating prosperity for dozens of far-flung rural communities. By eliminating the carbon tax, families will have $80 more per year and businesses will have $285 per year. Is also one of the world's most diverse and supporting 1.2 million jobs. That's one in eight Ontario workers. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell the House how constituents and affected groups are reacting to our government's natural gas policy? What a great question and absolutely Mr. Speaker the response we have received back from numerous individuals has been uplifting to say the least and I would like to take the opportunity to highlight a few examples. For instance, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce had this to say about our proposed legislation. Bill 32 will allow rural and northern communities to realize their potential and become economic drivers for Ontario. Bill 32 sends a clear signal that Ontario is open for business. Inspiring words to say the least, Mr. Speaker. Further encouraging commentary we have heard about this legislation comes from the town of South Bruce who stated that what they like about our government's proposal compared to the previous governments is that, and I quote, this is much broader. So we are going to see gas expansion to many more communities than under the previous Kathleen Wynne's government. Mr. Speaker, I greatly look forward to this bill being brought back for third reading and hopefully it will receive unanimous support from all parties. Thank you. Member for Kingston, the Irish. My question is to the Premier through you, Mr. Speaker. There are reports today that the Ontario government plans to copy Australia's climate change policy. Australia's policy reverses the polluter pay principle and instead forces taxpayers to pay polluters. What's worse is that since this policy was implemented, Australia's emissions have gone up, Mr. Speaker. Did the Premier have the Environmental Commissioner fired because he did not want his climate change policy to be subjected to independent scrutiny? Premier. Minister of Environment. Minister of the Environment, long term. Minister of the Environment, once again. Mr. Speaker, through you to the member, I do thank him for the question. Mr. Speaker, we were elected on a clear promise to reduce costs, to get rid of the cap and trade program, to fight the carbon tax but also bring forward a plan in the environment that's what we'll do. And in looking to that balanced plan, we are looking, yes, around the world. Looking at programs like the Reverse Auction in Australia. Mr. Speaker, I don't know why the member takes such a fence at an idea of a program that, for instance, promotes trees being planted, promotes low-cost solutions to reducing carbon. Why is it only the high-cost solutions reducing carbon? We'll bring forward a pragmatic plan. We'll bring forward a responsible plan. We'll bring forward a plan that does not, however, have the highest carbon tax in history, $150 a ton, which is one of their member's suggestions. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That's not a plan. That's a path to disaster. And it will be done on the backs of taxpayers. On the backs of taxpayers. In September, the Environmental Commissioner released a report that warned of the impacts of strapping Ontario's climate change plan without providing a replacement. In the response, the minister wrote back to the Environmental Commissioner and I quote, I want to respectfully advise that any suggestion saying we should pursue policies that betray the commitments we made to the people will not be taken. In retrospect, in retrospect, these comments can be viewed as a warning and perhaps even a threat against an independent officer of the legislature. Is the premier firing the Environmental Commissioner because he wants an environmental lap dog, not a watchdog? Mr. Speaker, under the proposals that the member is misrepresenting, they will still be... Ontario will still be... That's a member to withdraw. Under the proposals that are being so characterized by the member, Ontario will still be the only province that has an independent Environment Commissioner, independent through the auspices of the auditor general. A very important step, I think. But Mr. Speaker, again, what is it about the NDP that makes them frightened about talking about other options? What is it that makes them so concerned about anything except putting attacks on Ontarians? On something as complicated as climate? Why can they not see there can be more than one solution? Why do they insist on punishing Ontario families like the previous Liberal government do? We won't do that and we stand by our commitment. That concludes the time that we have for questions, oral questions this morning. The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on a point of order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I need to make a technical correction to my response to the member opposite regarding the projects at the Thames Valley School Board. Funding has been allocated and continues to be allocated to these projects. The Ministry of Education will continue their work with the School Board to move these projects through the approval process. Member for Waterloo on a point of order. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday during the debate on Bill 47, I would like to correct my record. I said the next election is three years, five months, 11 days. In fact, it is three years, six months, 11 days, five hours, three minutes. That's a Parkdale High Park. Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce and welcome to the House Harvey Bishop who is the President of the Ontario Secondary School Federation. We have a deferred vote. On the motion for third reading of Bill 47, an act to amend the Employment Standards Act 2000 the Labor Relations Act 1995 and the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act 2009 and make complimentary amendments to other acts. Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell. I'm going to ask the members to take their seats. On November 20th, 2018, Mr. Smith Bay of Quinty moved third reading of Bill 47, an act to amend the Employment Standards Act 2000, the Labor Relations Act 1995 and the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act 2009 and make complimentary amendments to other acts. All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be counted by the clerk. Mr. Smith Bay of Quinty. Mr. Walton. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Metham Ford. Mr. Fidella. Mr. Fidella. Mr. Ford. Mr. Ford. Mr. Elliott. Mr. Murier. Mr. Erich. Mr. McLeod. Mr. McLare. Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark. Mr. Clark. Mr. commenbesk. Mr. Hardie. Mr. Hardin. Mr. Hardin. Mr. All those opposed to the motion will please rise one at a time and be counted by the clerk. Mr. West, Ms. Singh Branton-Senator, Ms. Horvath, Ms. Bagan, Ms. Shah, Mr. Mamata, Ms. Yard, Ms. Carpoche, Ms. Ms. Lindo, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Stiles, Ms. Kernahan, Mr. Gates, Ms. Gretz, Ms. Gretzky, Ms. French, Ms. Singh Branton-East, Ms. Andrew, Ms. Hadfield, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Berch, Ms. Burns-McGow, Ms. Arthur, Ms. Sherbrook-Wendt, Ms. Bell, Ms. Glover, Ms. Morrison, Ms. Rikosovic, Ms. Harding, Ms. Montieth-Farrell, Ms. Assange, Mr. Fraser, Ms. Whin, Ms. Cotto, Ms. Amalong, Ms. Hunter, Ms. Hunter, Ms. Androsia, Ms. Shrine, Ms. Shrine. The ayes being 69 and the nays being 45. The ayes being 69 and the nays being 45. I declare the motion carried. Pursuant to standing order 38A, the member for Kingston and the Islands has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks concerning the Environmental Commissioner. This matter will be debated today at 6 p.m. This House stands in recess until 3 p.m.