 It is now time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Office. Thank you Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Last Thursday we learned that the Sudbury Police Services Board has contacted the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to seek guidance. Premier, we've asked the Commission for an investigation into the alleged bribery. Shouldn't you be doing the same? Shouldn't you be asking the Ontario Civilian Police Commission to conduct an investigation into the actions of Jerry Law Heed Jr. Premier, why have you fallen silent on Mr. Law Heed's inappropriate behaviour and alleged bribery? Well, Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times in this House, there is an investigation ongoing. It is an investigation that's taking place outside of this House. And Mr. Speaker, I would say to the member opposite that the Police Services Board is responsible for the provision of adequate and effective police services in their municipalities. And Police Services Boards are not directed by me or by this House, Mr. Speaker. So we need to let the Police Services Board take actions as it sees fit and we need to let the investigation unfold outside this legislature, which is where it's appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Supplementary. Thank you, the Premier, Mr. Speaker. The Ontario Civilian Police Commission has said that all Police Service Board members have an obligation to respect and uphold the law. Jerry Law Heed Jr. has not apparently lived up to his obligations as chair of the Sudbury Police Services Board. I think many of us, all of us can agree with that. So much so that his colleagues on the board are now distancing themselves from him. And unlike the Premier, they don't want to be dragged down with him when he falls. So Premier, by order in council, you have the power to revoke Mr. Law Heed's appointment. Order. Why don't you remove him from the Sudbury Police Services Board until the OPP investigations are completed? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, unlike the member opposite, I actually trust the system. I trust the people who are part of the Police Services Board, Mr. Speaker. I trust the people who are undertaking the investigation that is taking place outside of this House, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, I would just go back to that initial comment. I think it's very important that we trust the people who have been put in positions who have responsibilities, Mr. Speaker, that are not directed by the politics of what goes on in this House. Those investigations are happening outside, but Police Services Board will make its decision based on its very good capacity to do so. Mr. Speaker. Thank you. And to the Premier. Premier, the Commission has said board members should act with the highest levels of honesty and integrity. It should not take criminal charges or convictions to prove Mr. Law Heed Jr. fell below that standard, Premier. It simply takes listening to Mr. Olivier's recordings. So when will you demonstrate integrity and remove Mr. Law Heed Jr. from the board? Premier. Attorney General. Attorney General. Merci, Monsieur le Président. Police Service Board, our response. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Police Service Board is... duty, Police Service Board generally determine objective and priority with respect to police service and their jurisdiction. So about the question that was raised by the leader of the opposition, I understand that the Sudbury Police Service Board has discussed this matter and have contacted the Ontario Civilian Police Commission. So they share their funding, the OCPC, share their finding and comments from community and the OCPC is authorized under section 25 of the Police Service Act to Investor, inquire into and report on the conduct of a member of the Police Service Board if requested. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. Premier, over and over again, you have claimed that the investigation into Jerry Law Heed Jr. and Pat Sobera was independent and not taking place in this house. And you've said it again today a couple times. Yet, when asked about possible OPP charges against Pat Sobera on at least five occasions now, you have said, quote, we don't expect it to happen. Premier, why are you trying to influence the OPP investigation by saying that you don't think the OPP will lay charges? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, I will say again that I take this matter very seriously, Mr. Speaker, that the investigation is happening outside of this house, Mr. Speaker. And I have been clear, I have been clear that we need to let that investigation unfold, Mr. Speaker. I would say respectfully to the member opposite, the fact that he stands up and asks question after question suggests that he would like to, he would like to investigate the process, investigate the matter in this house, Mr. Speaker. I think that's very inappropriate when he knows full well that the investigation is happening at the end of the day. Member from the Redsville, come to order. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Premier, when asked about former Deputy Education Minister Ben Levins, you said, this is a case that is before the courts. I cannot comment on any of the aspects of the case, end of quote. When asked about the OPP investigation into deleted gas plant documents, you said, unfortunately, I'm not able to comment further. Premier, why do you now feel that it is acceptable for you to comment on this particular OPP investigation into the bribery scandal? Well, Mr. Speaker, it is beyond rich, Mr. Speaker, that the member opposite parties, Mr. Speaker, want commentary on every single aspect of this matter, Mr. Speaker. I have said over and over again that this investigation is happening outside of this house, Mr. Speaker. Member from Redsville, come to order. I made a statement two Fridays ago about my position, Mr. Speaker. I said what I believed was the case, Mr. Speaker, and I will stand by that, but the investigation is happening outside of this house, not, not, Mr. Speaker, in this legislature during question period. Thank you. Final second, Mr. Speaker. Premier, Premier, as the chief executive of this province, your words hold a lot of weight, and your actions even more so. It's unethical for you to share your thoughts with law enforcement officials about how you expect their independent investigation to play out. Premier, when you said you didn't expect charges against Patsvera, you crossed the line. So I ask you, why did you feel it was appropriate to deviate from your standard no comment position and actually profess an opinion on whether charges will be laid against your deputy chief of staff? Why is this criminal investigation any different than any of the others? Mr. Speaker, again, the member opposite and his colleagues have asked questions over and over again, but to which they claim they want answers, Mr. Speaker. I have done my utmost to say what I believe, Mr. Speaker, to talk about my position, Mr. Speaker, and to then say, and I will say this repeatedly, there is an investigation going on, Mr. Speaker, it's happening outside of this house. It is not the business of this legislature to undertake that investigation. It is happening independent of this legislature, Mr. Speaker. And I think the member opposite knows that, and yet he continues to ask questions, Mr. Speaker, that suggests that he's not respecting the fact that this investigation is happening outside the legislature. Thank you. Any questions? The leader of the third party. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Premier has been asked who gave Pat Sorbera and Jerry Lougheed their instructions. Remember from Beaches East York, come to order. The Premier has been asked for any evidence of her version of the Sudbury bribery scandal. She doesn't have any. It speaks volumes that the Premier keeps ducking these questions, Speaker. Does she have anything to back up her story? Thank you, Premier. Well, again, Mr. Speaker, I have said repeatedly, I take this very seriously. I made a statement two Fridays ago, Mr. Speaker, that is in the public realm. And I've been very, very clear, Mr. Speaker, that I will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities, as will Pat Sorbera, Mr. Speaker, and that that investigation is happening outside of this legislature, not here in the House, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary? The Premier's newest MPP was asked what he thought about the Olivier calls from Sorbera and Lougheed. He said those calls were, quote, a negotiation. Federal prosecutors say, quote, it is a crime to negotiate in any way about an appointment to any public office or government job. Jerry Lougheed thought he was negotiating to get Andrew Olivier out of the way. Deputy House Speaker. Pat Sorbera was negotiating. Even the Premier's candidate called this a negotiation. So whose version is correct, the Premier's, or her member for Sudbury's? Mr. Speaker, we are not holding the investigation in this legislature. And I just want to say, again, how pleased I am that Glenn Tebow is our member for Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. He, like all of us, Mr. Speaker, when we're asked a question, we attempt to answer it, Mr. Speaker. But on this, the fact is that the investigation that both the leader of the interim leader of the opposition and the leader of the third party want so desperately to happen inside this legislature actually is happening independent of the legislature, Mr. Speaker. Outside of this house where it belongs. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, that's review. The Premier said that the appointment was a done deal. But Andrew Olivier told police investigators that Glenn Tebow was still hoping that he would be nominated. Holding out hope that he would be nominated. He told Olivier, quote, he was not looking to take the appointment, unquote. So I go back to the same question again, Speaker, to the Premier. Whose version is correct, the Premier's version or the member for Sudbury's version, Speaker? Mr. Speaker, I think it's very important that we put our trust in the authorities to ask the questions of all of the people that they choose to ask questions of, Mr. Speaker. And to conduct the investigation outside of this legislature. Order, please. It's not for this house to do that, Mr. Speaker. It's not for this house to determine what the questions would be and who would ask them, Mr. Speaker. And so we're going to let the investigation, which is independent, unfold, Mr. Speaker, outside of this house. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is also for the Premier. Jerry Longheed says that the Premier didn't want to make an appointment because she wanted a nomination process. When did the Premier decide to offer Andrew Olivier a position so that the Premier's chosen candidate could have an uncontested nomination? Thank you, Premier. Mr. Speaker, the leader of the third party is going to try to come at this many, many different ways. She knows full well that I made a decision that Glenn Tebow was going to be our candidate in Sudbury, Mr. Speaker, because I truly believed and I continue to believe that Glenn Tebow is a very strong voice for Sudbury and that it's a very good thing that he's here, Mr. Speaker, sitting in our legislature, Mr. Speaker. The plan that we are implementing, the plan to invest in people, to invest in their talent and skills, to invest in infrastructure, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that people have security in their retirement, that that's important work, Mr. Speaker, that that's the work that we need to be doing to have a poverty reduction strategy, Mr. Speaker, to make sure that we do everything we can to help people in this province and to build the province up. That's why Glenn Tebow ran for us, Mr. Speaker. That's why he's here and we're very, very happy that he is with us on this side of the house. Well, Speaker, who told Jerry Law Heed and who told Pat Sturbera to offer Andrew Olivier a job? Premier. Speaker, there is an investigation happening outside of this house. That's where it belongs. It's independent, Mr. Speaker. The Public Prosecution Service of Canada has been retained, Mr. Speaker. It is an independent process and we are going to let that process unfold outside of the legislature. Well, Speaker, apparently Jerry Law Heed did not know there would be no nomination. Pat Sturbera apparently did not know there would be no nomination. Andrew Olivier apparently did not know there would be no nomination. So who did the Premier tell, Speaker, other than her soul that there would be no nomination? Once again, Mr. Speaker, I've made it clear that I had made a decision that Glenn Tebow was going to be our candidate in Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. He's a fine, fine voice for the people of Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. We're very glad to have him here and the investigation that is taking place outside of this house, Mr. Speaker. Whatever the leader of the third party desires, it's taking place outside of this house, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Any questions from the lead scramble? Thanks, Mr. Speaker. My question was to the Premier. Premier, you've said I will fully cooperate with the authorities. You've said you will continue to work with the authorities. Working and cooperating with the authorities shouldn't include publicly stating your expected outcome of the case. I thought you always said it was not appropriate to comment on open cases. Premier, aside from your public statements, have you and your lawyers talk to the OPP regarding the alleged bribery case? I was very, very upfront and open. Two Fridays ago I made a statement about my position, Mr. Speaker. I said that the investigation was going to take place. It would take place outside of the legislature. And that we would cooperate with all of the authorities, Mr. Speaker. That remains my position, Mr. Speaker. But did I have a position? Absolutely. My position was that Glen Tebow would be the best candidate for the Liberals in Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. And I think the people of Sudbury have spoken. They made a decision. We're very happy to have Glen Tebow with us here. Let's take her back to the Premier. Premier, you have said the duties of the Deputy Chief of Staff in your office are separate from the ongoing investigation. I would say the investigation is actually in your office because both you and Ms. Sorbera have been asked to sit down with OPP investigators. Premier, have either of those interviews taken place and did they take place at Queen's Park? Mr. Speaker, I think my staff will cooperate fully with the authorities. And that is what we will continue to do, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question. My question is to the Premier. The Premier has insisted for some weeks now that she decided last November to appoint her candidate for the Sudbury by-election. For weeks now, new Democrats have asked over and over evidence to back up her claim. Now, section 11-8 of the Ontario Liberal Party Constitution says the Liberal leader can appoint a candidate over any objection, but it goes on to say the leader shall communicate his or her intention to make such an appointment as soon as possible and in writing to the nomination commissioner and to the President of the Constituency Association. Can the Premier provide this House with a copy of the letter she sent to both the nomination commissioner to her party and the President of the Sudbury Writing Association? Mr. Speaker, an investigation that is going on outside of this House, Mr. Speaker. The member for Timmons James Bay is not... Order. Order. The member for Timmons James Bay to the best of my knowledge is not part of that investigative process, Mr. Speaker. It is independent of this House and it will take place outside of this Legislature, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. The public has a right to the evidence as this Assembly does. So my question is, Bill Nermey, the head of the Local Writing Association told the Sudbury Star that it wasn't until Monday, December 15th that he learned the Liberal plan to appoint your choice candidate. So clearly he had not received a letter from you till some time after December 15th. When did the Premier send Bill Numi, then President of the Sudbury Writing Association, a letter advising him of your decision to point your handpicked candidate? Deputy Premier. So I think this may be the first time that the Liberal Party Constitution has formed the foundation of a question from the NDP. We in the Liberal Party, Speaker, have annual general meetings where we debate constitutional changes. The members of the Ontario Liberal Party have decided that the leader ought to have the power to appoint Speaker, unlike in the NDP party, Speaker. And I think that the experience in Scarborough-Gildwood demonstrated that sometimes the right thing to do for everyone is to be clear about who you want your candidate to be, to appoint that candidate, rather than go through a sham process as existed in Scarborough-Gildwood, Speaker. Thank you. Your question? A member from Scarborough-Agent Party. Thank you, Mr Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, as a former public health nurse and as a public school trustee in the City of Toronto, I know the importance of delivering evidence-based health and physical education curriculum. Minister, last week you released an updated health and physical education curriculum, and the one reason for developing this new curriculum is to keep our children healthy and safe. It is the most consultative piece of curriculum in Ontario history, and some could continue to make false claim about the curriculum and what is entailed. Last week, Mr Speaker, the Conservative member from Renfrew-Never-Think-Prembroke, Ms. Galant, brought the debate to a new low. She stated in the House of Commons that the new curriculum was, quote, groomed children for exploitation, end of quote, and was written with the intent to harm children. Mr Speaker, through you to the Minister. Question? Can you please explain to the House how the updated health and physical education curriculum will keep our children healthy and safe? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the member from Scarborough Aging Court for the question. First off, the statements made by Cheryl Galant, the Conservative Ontario MP, are false and misleading and should be condemned by every member of this House. The health and physical education curriculum is dangerously out of date and needs to be updated. It is the most consulted piece of curriculum in Ontario history. The Federal Conservatives' irresponsible comments should be especially condemned by the official opposition who are in complete disarray over their position on Ontario's updated curriculum. As I said last week, the PC information curriculum says one thing and we have all three leadership campaign saying the opposite thing. Thank you. Thank you. Supplementary? Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for the response. As a former public health nurse in the former City of Toronto, I see firsthand about the importance of delivering current and relevant physical health education curriculum. Having taught the course called changing me for a number of years, I heard many diverse sexuality questions from young children as young as grade three. Mr. Speaker, there will be a lot of misinformation out there about the new revised health and physical health education curriculum. Again, Ms. Gallant MP said if withdrawal of this liberal policy can prevent one child from being in a group of exploitation, it must really be withdrawn. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister, can she please explain to the House how the updated curriculum is one of the most consulted curriculum in the history of Ontario. Question? Thank you. I'd like to thank the member for her advocacy on behalf of students who need accurate up-to-date information. This is the most consulted curriculum in the Ontario history. Consultations involve parents, teachers, medical and health professionals, and students themselves. We consulted with parents in every corner of the province. Approximately 4,000 parents were given an opportunity to provide their input. A parent in every elementary school across Ontario and from all four publicly funded school boards was provided with an opportunity to provide input. Our government's top priority is the health and safety of our children. And we heard from parents, teachers, students and organizations that there is a need for an updated curriculum which provides accurate information. Parents understand this speaker and it's why Cheryl Galant's statements, statements that frankly I think her discussion should be condemned by... My question is for the Premier. Premier, last week we learned that Jerry Lougheed has raised over $100,000. I'm doing it. From the order. Member, continue. Jerry Lougheed has raised over $100,000 for Justin Trudeau and your federal cousins. Now since this Sudbury bribery scandal broke, the federal liberals have cut him loose. But they're keeping the money. It is clear that liberals will take money no matter who raises it. Premier, will you tell us how much money Jerry Lougheed has raised for the provincial liberals and if you have any intent of returning any of that ill-gotten gain. I thought that the member was going to stand up and distance himself from the comments of his federal riding mate, Mr. Speaker. He just sprang up out of his seat and I thought that's what was going to happen. Which would have been a lot of things for him to do because the comments of his federal counterpart were truly beneath the dignity of Mr. Speaker. I will say that the matter that the member is referencing is part of an investigation that's happening outside of this house, Mr. Speaker, and we're going to let that investigation unfold. Thank you, supplementary. Premier, perhaps you are so adamantly defending Jerry Lougheed because he's worth more to you driving the bus than being put under it. Premier, if you refuse to give numbers about how much Jerry Lougheed has poured into your party coffers, perhaps you can answer this. Don't your actions of defending a liberal bagman under criminal investigation clearly show that your party and you as a leader are willing to put their own self-economic interests ahead of the people of Ontario and, in fact, the rule of law. That's what they do. Thank you, Premier, for the rule of law. Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Thank you to the member opposite for the question. And he knows that he wants to get information about money that is raised. That information is disclosed publicly, Mr. Speaker, as it is for all the parties. But he can look at that. He can look at that information largely, Mr. Speaker, because we brought in about transparency and the disclosure of information. As far as... A member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke. Second time. Just to close, Mr. Speaker, I will say that there is an investigation going on. We will cooperate with the authorities and it's happening outside of this house. Thank you for the question. Mr. Malton. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. In 2013, Paul Godfrey, a well-known PC and provincially appointed chair of the OLG, had different ideas on the future of the anterior gaming industry than Premier Wood. So, on May 16th, 2013, the Premier decided to get rid of him and sign an order in council that effectively unappointed Paul Godfrey two years before his contract ended. But Jerry Lawheed Jr., a long-time liberal and subject of the police investigations, is still a provincially appointed member of the Sudbury Police Board. Will the Premier stop protecting her friends and sign an order in council to take Jerry Lawheed off the Sudbury Police Service Board? Brief moment, I thought, maybe the question was going in a different direction and it was going to be a question about something else. However, I will say again, Mr. Speaker, that the police services boards in this province are responsible in their municipalities for the provision of adequate and effective police services, Mr. Speaker. They operate in their municipalities and they operate very well. I have a lot of faith in the police services boards in the province, Mr. Speaker. As I do have faith in the authorities and the police investigation outside of this legislature, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Mr. Speaker, Jerry Lawheed is facing not one, but two police investigations for offering Andrew Olivier a job on behalf of the Premier to get the nominated candidate out of the way. And yet, he is still on the Sudbury Police Services Board. Now, we all know the Premier has the power to remove him. She's done so in the past. Will the Premier do the right thing and remove Jerry Lawheed from the Sudbury Police Service Board? Thank you, Premier. Attorney General. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Sudbury Police Service Board has addressed this issue recently and voted for Mr. Lawheed to retain his position. And also, I understand that the Sudbury Police Service Board has discussed this matter and have contacted the Ontario Civil and Civilian Police Commission. They shared their finding and comments from the community member and the OCPC is proceeding. So, let's process on phone, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you. The new question, the member from Cambridge. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Employment and Infrastructure. My constituents in Cambridge and North Dumfries are well aware of the vital role of Ontario's aerospace sector and what it does to our larger economy. Indeed, many of us are employed in these highly skilled jobs. In fact, Speaker, chances are that if you're taking off or landing on a plane in Ontario, at least part of that plane's landing gear was manufactured in my community of Cambridge. I'm proud to be a part of a government that's making targeted strategic investments that are strengthening key Ontario industries like investments in our aerospace industry. Last week, the Minister and I were in Cambridge making an announcement in partnership with the Rue DevTech an emerging aerospace manufacturer with new state-of-the-art facilities in Cambridge. Would the Minister please inform the House about our government's partnership with the Rue DevTech? Thank you. Minister of Economic Development, well thank you very much and I want to commend the member not just for her question but for the great job she did at that announcement. She really has done a fantastic job in that community and the news we were able to announce was great news for Cambridge and great news for Ontario's aerospace sector. Rue DevTech will be investing $54 million in a brand new state-of-the-art aerospace landing gear facility right in Cambridge. There are 40 new jobs 50 existing jobs that are going to be supported directly by that helping to strengthen the 250 core people and this is what CEO of Rue DevTech had to say when asked why Cambridge? Number one the most talented workforce anywhere in North America. Number two because of the strong partnership with the province of Ontario that helped us beat out Quebec helped us beat out potential American locations Mr. Speaker we won this contract working as a team and we're really proud. Thank you. I'd like to thank the minister for not only his response but coming to Cambridge to announce this important project in our community. I truly enjoyed my time and tour at Rue DevTech last week. This announcement is part of the larger positive economic trend in my region to remind the House the Cambridge Kitchener Waterloo Region's unemployment rate is 5.7% well below the national average of 6.6%. In the past year we have seen the unemployment rate in my region decrease by 0.9%. We've also seen 2800 new jobs come to Cambridge Kitchener Waterloo Region in the past year alone. I'm encouraged that Rue DevTech is part of Cambridge's economic momentum. Would the minister please update the House on the status of the aerospace industry in Ontario? Thank you minister. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I'm very pleased to do that because the aerospace sector really is one of the fastest growing sectors anywhere in North America. Ontario really has become very competitive globally when it comes to aerospace. The Ontario Montreal Aerospace Corridor has become very globally significant. In fact our aerospace industry revenues $5.3 billion in 2013. That's an impact on our GDP of $3 billion. That's very significant. It employs close to 17,000 Ontarians and it's a great exporter. It exports 80% of its finished products. Ontario is home to 14 of the top 25 global aerospace companies. Something that really excites me too as we're investing in our talent we just recently partnered with Centennial College where we're putting forward a great partnership that's producing even better next-generation state-of-the-art competitive next-generation workers Mr. Speaker something we're very proud of. New question to the member from Perry Salma Stoker. Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier. Premier last week you chose to deflect question after question on your involvement and offering jobs to get your own candidate to step aside in this Sudbury by-election. You keep saying your office has been exonerated but that's not what the Chief Electoral Officer said. He said, quote, I'm of the opinion that the actions of Jerry Lahi Jr. and Patricia Sobera amount to apparent contraventions of subsection 96.1e of the election act, close quote. Why do you keep insisting your office has been exonerated when the trial hasn't started yet? Thank you. Mr. Speaker the member opposite is not reflecting what I have said Mr. Speaker. What I said and I've said it repeatedly is that elections Ontario determined that the allegations against me and the member for Sudbury were baseless Mr. Speaker. I've said that over and over again and then I went on to say, to quote from the Chief Electoral Officer who said clearly and I quote I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining our innocence. Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges unquote. That is what the Chief Electoral Officer has said Mr. Speaker and the Chief Electoral Officer has now passed on the process to the next phase and we need to let that investigation unfold outside of this house Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Supplementary. So now the police are examining these apparent contraventions of the election act but you seem to be trying to influence their investigation. It would be naive to suggest your comments in the media have no effect on the investigation so why won't you simply let the Ontario Provincial Police conduct their investigation free of interference. Exactly what I've been saying over and over again. We want the authorities to do their investigation outside of this legislature Mr. Speaker and quite frankly were I to answer every question in detail in this house that have been posed by the opposition parties Mr. Speaker then that would be inappropriate and that's why I've said Mr. Speaker that the investigation is happening outside of this house we need to let the authorities do their work Mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My questions to the Premier. We all know Rob Ford's former Chief of Staff has experienced slashing budgets and cutting services but he also knows a thing or two about politicians under police investigation. Did the Premier hire the new director of the Liberal Party for his experience cutting budgets and slashing services or his experience cutting public services and experience with Project Traveller and Project Brazen 2. Well Mr. Speaker I don't see the way in which that is a question of government policy but Mr. Speaker let me just say I also think is really beneath the dignity of members in this house to cast dispersions on staff members Mr. Speaker who are simply trying to do their work Mr. Speaker. The staff member that the member opposite is referencing Mr. Speaker has worked with the Liberal Party for many many years Mr. Speaker he's a man who I respect very much Mr. Speaker and he has experience that will benefit the Liberal Party of Ontario and we're very glad to have Earl Prova on board Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker Rob Ford cut transit he cut libraries he cut environmental programs he cut parks he cut social services oh and the police were investigating him too. Earl Prova helped steer the mayor through all of that. Did the Premier hire Rob Ford's Chief of Staff to help her slash services in Ontario or to help more OPP anti-rackets investigations into the Liberal Government of Ontario. Mr. Speaker the member opposite knows full well that her party ran on a platform that would have cut 600 million more Mr. Speaker than was any part of our fiscal plan Mr. Speaker. So again I say to the member opposite in the same way that the member opposite and her party determines who their party is going to be Mr. Speaker whether it's Jonah Shine Mr. Speaker whether it's Paul Ferrara people have been past candidates Mr. Speaker we determine on this side when we think there are people who really share our value system Mr. Speaker and who understand the organization of the party and we believe Earl Prova is going to be a very strong asset to the party Mr. Speaker. New question to member from Berlin. Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister delegated to senior affairs. Two million people over the age of 65 and by 2036 that number is projected to more than double in my writing of Burlington nearly one in five citizens as a senior and issues related to their safety and well-being are ones of common interests and concern. As the number of seniors in our society grows the number of seniors reporting incidents of abuse is also at risk of between four and ten percent of seniors may experience some form of abuse from someone in a position of authority or trust at some point in their later years. Mr. Speaker I'd like to commend the minister for his continued work in fighting for the safety and dignity of older adults in our province with the minister please inform this legislature of the steps our government is taking in order to ensure that seniors in our province are safe and protected. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much for this excellent question. It's perfect for today. How about we? I'm very proud indeed that we were the first government in Canada to introduce a strategy to combat elder abuse establishing a zero tolerance policy as well. Speaker since 2003 we invested more than nine million dollars in elder abuse prevention and awareness programs. I have to say Speaker as well that as of the result of the 2010 retirement home authority, retirement homes are now required to take a number of unprecedented steps to protect our seniors. They must among many other things obtain a license and post the seniors Bill of Rights. Mr. Speaker elder abuse it's not acceptable, it's not tolerated and it must stop. It is our government Speaker and it's our goal. Thank you supplementary. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the minister for his response. Speaker it's great to hear how committed our government is to supporting our growing seniors population especially when it comes to their safety that is why Mr. Speaker I'm pleased to hear of all the initiatives our government is taking towards ensuring the safety and well-being of my senior constituents. In a recent visit to my writing the minister had the opportunity to visit our dynamic senior centre and meet with seniors in our community in addition to those working to ensure their well-being and last year I was pleased to host a roundtable on seniors issues that included caregivers and members of our law enforcement community. Speaker one of the great initiatives that's being developed and is developed in fact now is the OPP's province-wide seniors crime stoppers initiative an interactive and bilingual DVD for presentations to seniors such as fraud, elder abuse and neglect. This is now utilized by local crime stoppers programs across our province. Minister could you please expand on the ways in which we are continuing to safeguard Ontario's seniors. Thank you. Thank you for your question. Thank you for your question. Indeed the member it's a very passionate member speaking on behalf of her seniors and we are working tirelessly and passionately to create a secure and supportive environment for seniors and we know it is only through education, training, collaboration and coordination of services that we will make this goal indeed a reality. Speaker our elderly abuse strategy has three particular parts. Coordination of a community services, training and frontline staff and workers and public education to raise awareness. Speaker our own Ontario provincial police has a mandatory program on elder abuse for some 50 to 100 of its forces. We also provide some $50,000 to the national initiative for the care of the elderly to gather more data. Let me say that we as a government in Ontario we care for our seniors and we try to provide to provide the best living environment. Thank you. New questions? Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Premier Premier I have received a number of phone calls and emails from my constituents who are fed up with your government's scandals they are outraged by your government's actions during the Sudbury by-election and have asked that you and your party be held accountable for what happened Premier how do you expect any of us to trust you when it made it clear that no one will be held accountable for what happened in Sudbury Premier Well Mr. Speaker as I have said repeatedly there is an investigation going on Mr. Speaker the authorities are doing what they need to do to complete an investigation so in fact Mr. Speaker that's a process that I hope the member opposite would point his constituents to make sure that they understand that there is an investigation going on that it's not happening in this house Mr. Speaker but it's happening with people who actually have the responsibility for that work Thank you Mr. Speaker Yes I do point that out to my constituents I tell them there's four investigations going on not just one this government is now under a fourth of the investigation there is no excuse for that though they've certainly tried one everyone in the book it's time for the Premier to stop putting political gain ahead of what's doing right first step in rebuilding the trust you've lost and demand that those who are responsible for this mess step down from their public duties Mr. Speaker I've been clear I've been clear that we will cooperate with the authorities the investigation is taking place outside of this house I made a public statement two Fridays ago Mr. Speaker I made it clear that Fatser Barrer if there are charges will step aside Mr. Speaker the Police Services Board the independent body Mr. Speaker and the authorities are undertaking investigation outside of this legislature Thank you Member for Niagara Falls Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier just in from the TSN Trade Center Premier in light of all the draft picks being traded in the NHL today can you confirm Andrew Olivier was given one job offer and future consideration in exchange for a liberal nomination in Sudbury Mr. Speaker again I hinted that there's an investigation happening it's happening outside of this house not in the legislature we're going to let the authorities do their work Mr. Speaker Thank you supplementary Premier when was the decision made to offer a job to Andrew Olivier Mr. Speaker there is an investigation happening it's happening outside of this house I have been clear that we will work with the authorities I made a statement two Fridays ago Mr. Speaker we're going to let that investigation unfold Thank you Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the President of the Treasury Board Minister use unemployment has been a challenge in our province over the past few years and I know that this is an issue that concerns the constituents of the Governor's Centre and I thank you very much for visiting my riding last Friday where you spent many hours listening to stakeholders who shared their concerns with you now making sure that graduates and young professionals have the tools that they need to succeed is very important it ensures a strong workforce and a strong economy I recall last year that the Ontario public service was chosen as one of Canada's top employers for young people one year in a row we know that the OPS has a strong record of supporting the professional development of young Ontarians Mr. Speaker can the minister please explain to this house the ways in which the OPS has made youth employment a priority Thank you President Treasury Board Thank you Mr. Speaker thank you to the members of the Kitchener Centre for the question and also for hosting me at a very interesting day of meeting with stakeholders on Friday Ontario's employment programs indeed have a strong record in providing employment programs to students recent graduates at risk youth and internationally trained young professionals across the province Ontario's employment programs for youth and new professionals promote the OPS as an employer of first choice and help to revitalize the aging workforce in 2013-14 the OPS provided close to services for youth and new professionals including 5200 positions for summer students in ministries and community agencies these initiatives demonstrate our commitment to youth employment and training the next generation for important responsibilities in governments Thank you Mr. Speaker and thanks to the minister for her answer and I did hear a comment from the other side of the house about where the meetings took place three of our meetings that day were in Kitchener Centre for the record now I know that families in my riding and across the province for that matter do appreciate the opportunities being made available to young people by the Ontario Public Service we've all heard time and again about the challenges that young people face while they're looking for a good summer job and then after graduation what it's like trying to find meaningful employment so I'm pleased to hear that the OPS offers so many opportunities for young people to develop their professional skills and to build their resumes Minister can you please give this house and my constituents in Kitchener Centre more insights on the employment programs that the Ontario Public Service offers to young people Thank you Mr. Speaker I welcome the opportunity to speak about some of these programs and I'm sure members on all sides of the house will want to know about this to support their constituents the OPS internship program hires recent graduates into occupational areas in which current and future skill shortages have been identified newcomers to Canada have an opportunity to gain Canadian work experience through the paid OPS internship program for internationally trained individuals and the OPS internship for internationally trained engineers the OPS learn and work program continues to provide work experience 140 at-risk youth per year in priority communities across Ontario through that program high school students are able to earn credits toward their diploma for young people across the province employment experience programs helping sure they develop the skills they need to lead to successful careers Thank you, new question Thank you very much Premier Premier your Deputy Chief of Staff Pat Saber used the following quote in his time biography Never retreat, never explain never apologize, get the thing done and let them howl Unfortunately, she's taken that a step too far in the suburb of my election In fact, it reflects her lack of political ethics. Now she's under OPP investigation for bribery Premier, will you continue to let Pat Saberath never explain and never apologize and continue to retreat to step down during this criminal investigation Well Mr. Speaker and I know the member opposite understands that that quote is from Nellie McClung quite frankly is a role model for all women who have worked to get into positions of influence that have traditionally been positions held by men Mr. Speaker and I think that we can all respect the heritage of someone like Nellie McClung and that she worked so hard and that she didn't back down Mr. Speaker and that she fought for her place in the politics of this country and in this province Mr. Speaker I have a great respect for the work that Nellie McClung did and Pat Saberath Mr. Speaker is a woman who understands that that history that history of our democracy includes not respecting the position of women and that that's something that we need to fight for Mr. Speaker please and I would ask some members to have their dialogues while questioning and answer period is going on just to carry it somewhere else supplementary Thank you back to the premier I always respect the role of women in politics at every level but premier what I can't respect is the legacy that Pat Saberath is casting upon your entire government in fact I find Saberath's online privato absolutely outrageous because she's just taking it too far currently your story government is under OPP investigation as we know for four separate incidents you definitely have made history premier as one of the let me repeat that you have made history premier as sadly as one of the most criminally investigated governments in Ontario congratulations there's really only one way to go from here redeem yourself take the high road walk the shoes walk the path Nellie McClung has developed and led on integrity as long overdue from your leadership will you be a premier and tell Saberath to resign today thank you premier well Mr. Speaker I will continue to work in the best interest of the people of this province you know the work that we're doing Mr. Speaker whether it's the job opportunities that are being provided for young people our minister of children use services commented that her very first summer job was a government of Ontario job Mr. Speaker that's extremely important work they're young people today who are thinking about what they're going to do in the summer and those summer jobs will start to inform their career paths and their lives going forward that's extremely important work Mr. Speaker and those investments are critical and in fact we're developing new programs the youth employment fund Mr. Speaker that we put in place has helped 100,000 young people to find placement in a job Mr. Speaker that has in 80% of the cases led to a permanent job Mr. Speaker so that work that is critical that's why we're in government Mr. Speaker that's the plan that we're implementing and I hope that the member opposite can work with us on those very thank you new question the member from Timmings James Bay my question is to the premier earlier new Democrats asked you the question when did you send the letter as per your constitution both to your nominating commissioner and to Bill Nermy the president of the writing association it's clear from the public record that the writing association president didn't find after December the 15th so I ask you again when did you send the letter to the nomination commissioner or to the president of the writing association that you would be not following a nomination process I welcome the member opposite to come to the party and be part of our constitution Mr. Speaker because we'd be happy to give them some advice Mr. Speaker on running real nominations as opposed to sham nominations Mr. Speaker the fact is Mr. Speaker there is an investigation going on about a specific situation in Sudbury Mr. Speaker we're going to let that investigation unfold we're not going to do that in this house Mr. Speaker it's an independent process we're going to leave it as an independent process again to the premier you refuse to answer the question the question is a very simple one according to your constitution the leader of the party has to send a letter at some time to both the writing association president and the nomination commissioner of the liberal party I ask you again when did you send that letter and when will you make it public Mr. Speaker my colleagues are talking about Adam Gianbroni and what kind of letters he got Mr. Speaker and the candidate who was there Mr. Speaker I don't have the answers to those questions Mr. Speaker but what I know is that there is an investigation going on into the matter in Sudbury Mr. Speaker that investigation is independent it's happening outside of this house and we will cooperate with the authorities but we need to let that investigation happen outside of this house outside of the streets though well thank you very much Speaker I thought I would try something a little different here my question is to the minister of environment and climate change Speaker it's hard to think of the province of Ontario without our great lakes we use them for drinking water we use them for food we use them for electricity for transportation for recreation in fact including my home city of Mississauga in Manhattan some 80% of Ontarians get their drinking water from the great lakes everyone has got memories that they have of being out on the great lakes enjoying sailing in the summer fishing all around and they're not the only ones the great lakes are a commercial entity as well our great lakes fisheries are worth some 200 million dollars annually and as a whole Ontario's great lakes basin of Canada's economic activity now minister studies have been showing that population growth chemicals invasive species and so on are changing the great lakes would the minister please inform the house on the actions that our government has taken to protect the great lakes minister of environment thank you very much Mr. Speaker this is one of the matters that Ontarians actually do care about and want to hear questions I was just I was talking with my friend from Mississauga streets Phil and my friend from Ottawa because we're getting a lot of letters from young kids about micro beads about invasive species, pharmaceuticals Ontarians are very concerned about the future of one of our most visible and important resources and really want the government to act I think want the opposition to hold the government accountable for acting on this is why we have presented this very very important piece of legislation that will enable communities, first nations farmers, businesses, environmental and labour groups to come together to protect our great lakes and to establish plans that can be implemented locally Mr. Speaker thank you well minister you make a good point on how important the great lakes are to our ecosystem, to our economy and to our well-being as Ontarians protecting those great lakes and the St. Lawrence river basin is going to enhance the quality of life for all Ontario families and more importantly to assure a dynamic green economy for future generations now minister this is the third time Ontario has introduced a proposed Great Lakes Protection Act in this legislature members, all members on all sides will recognize the importance of strong action to support the great lakes which keep our economy competitive and they're so important to each and every one of us this house, all of us would like to know how the proposed Great Lakes Act has been strengthened from previous versions minister would you please talk to the house about how the proposed Great Lakes Protection Act will keep our great lakes strong and vibrant now and for future generations Mr. Speaker thank you Mr. Speaker this bill has been around for a long time one can call it the Jurassic Park of legislation but I know the member for mississauga streetsville knows the great lakes have been around for more than 6000 years and so it's always important when you're talking about the great lakes and pollution we actually understand the importance of science of these particular kinds of things because the government actually has over 221 projects in local communities and all parties constituencies Mr. Speaker that are leading in best practices including up our lakes and creating economic opportunities from them we have committed to $15 million a year and I hope all members of the legislature will vote for this bill once this bill is forward the guardian and steward council will then have access to funds as will all members and I would encourage every member to talk to your local communities to take advantage of this and I hope the best solutions come forward. My question is back to the Premier Premier earlier in question period today I asked you two very simple questions you talked about participating and cooperating with the authorities I would like to know and I think Ontarians would like to know have you or your lawyers met with the OPP when did you meet with them and did you meet with them here at Queens Park because I think what is important is that the people of Ontario know that there is an investigation going on that it's happening outside of this house and that I and my staff will cooperate fully with the authorities Mr. Speaker I think that's very very important I have said that over and over again I said it publicly in my statement two Fridays ago Mr. Speaker and I will continue to say it in this house and answer to questions there is an investigation going on it is not happening in this house I will and my staff will cooperate with the authorities Mr. Speaker and we need to let that investigation unfold thank you supplementary well Premier again I was at your press conference a couple of Fridays ago and clearly you inserted yourself into the investigation with your comments it's a very simple question Premier have you met with the OPP yes or no did you meet with them here yes or no it's a simple question answer the question what's interesting Mr. Speaker is on the one hand the member opposite seems to think that it was inappropriate for me to make a statement publicly and on the other hand the member opposite wants me to answer more questions and he wants me to answer questions of detail about the authority about the investigation Mr. Speaker I'm not going to do that the fact is there is an investigation going on we will cooperate fully with the authorities Mr. Speaker that investigation is not happening in question period it's not happening in this legislature it's happening outside the house it should Mr. Speaker the Attorney General on a point of order yes Mr. Speaker in my answer to the leader of the official opposition I said the OCPC share their findings and comment it's the Sudbury Police Service Board that share their comments did you mention Laurie I want to correct my record thank you that's a point of order people are allowed to correct their record the member from Bramley Gormolton on a point of order my question I mentioned the nominated candidate I meant to say the previously nominated candidate Andrew Olivier thank you there are no deferred votes this house stands recessed until 1pm this afternoon