 There being no further introductions. It is now time for question period the leader Thank you speaker my question to the premier Premier I also want to send a message to the the NDP that there is a choice before them today a choice between making the right Decision or the wrong one a choice between cropping up a corrupt government that has been part of not only one, but two OPP Investigations we all know that Ontarians deserve better So I say to the NDP stand with us vote against his budget Speaker to the premier Premier what exactly did you find out that emails and the premiers? I'm I'm actually here. I'm actually hearing the interruptions from both sides while the leader was putting the question Premier Car while the leader the oh, oh, sorry. I think indicated that your time was up Therein lies the problem I I suspect We may be a little Anxious today. You have to listen carefully. I Will be following my normal procedures So I will offer the member a short Conclusion for his question Thank you Question was very direct. I would ask the premier to tell us exactly When she found out when the emails from the premier's office and the Ministry of Energy had been destroyed. What was he exactly? Mr. Speaker and I have answered a number of questions on this and I have made it clear that when I came into this office There were questions around Information retention and I put a protocol in place mr. Speaker that means that the rules were in the rules were very clear That we would I've said clearly that the rules were in place. We put them in place. We did training mr. Speaker We made it clear the documents relevant documents would be retained But mr. Speaker the leader of the opposition is is very correct that there is That there is a choice before the house today And that is a choice to not take action or mr. Speaker to move on a budget that would benefit would allow 30,000 young people to benefit from investments in employment In your home here mr. Speaker 57,000 recipients of social assistance being able to keep $200 Thank you Thank You speaker I think respectfully the premier the choice is clear Do you want to prop up a corrupt government that is subject to not one but two OPP? Investigations and clean up this mess. I just hope that the colleagues in the new Democratic Party Actually do the right thing and call for change to bring a clean up to this incredible mess under the liberal government speaker. I Asked the premier so I understand this so you're saying that you were aware that emails had been destroyed in the premier's office And the minister of energy you just said that you found this out. We became premier you ordered You ordered a new system so in February 28th You told us all the documents have been released when in fact you knew that who knows tens of thousands of emails Have been permanently erased that members of the Liberal Party had engaged in criminal behavior If you knew this why did you hide it? Why did you cover it up? Which rock Beaker now this is the this is the could be the last day of the legislature mr. Speaker and When I came into this office mr. Speaker I I Endeavored to do everything in my power to get To get that information out I've always I've also said publicly that there were many questions about the documents There were questions about information. There were questions about all of the So mr. Speaker when I came into this office I made it clear that we were going to get the information out that we were going to offer to That we were going to offer to put in place mechanisms to allow that information to get out and that we were going to have Protocols in my office and across government that would retain their own information to make sure that information was available We've done all that mr. Speaker and we will continue to behave in that manner You know frankly premier that kind of double-speak doesn't pass the smell test Ontarians That that's not acceptable with draw please Premier You're obviously trying to to dodge the first question you said you were aware that emails had been leaked I thought you had said that you said that there are problems with deleted emails Clearly in the premier's office and Minister of Energy to cover up this gas plant Scandal so you knew this happened Otherwise, I guess you're saying a little birdie told you that there may be some deleted emails somewhere And in order new protocol that just doesn't add up so clearly premier You knew this was there and you stood up in the legislature in February and said you had released all the environment Well, you knew that you had not you knew that emails had been deleted across the board You knew that senior liberals had walked away. We're sure the question is now. We say what do you do? Who got fired? Why didn't you call in the OPP? Why did you sit there and actually not tell the truth to ontarians? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker and as I said, I've answered these questions many times I'm gonna go back to the question The leader of the opposition's time and that was about Us today, Mr. Speaker I really believe that the choice that is before this house is whether we move ahead to invest in youth employment in this province To invest in home care for our seniors for our our loved ones our grandparents our parents Mr. Speaker to work with the in the auto insurance industry to reduce on average across the board the auto insurance rates, Mr. Speaker to Make sure that people who are Trying to get into the workforce and are working people with disabilities, Mr. Speaker that they're allowed They can keep the money that they earn to a much greater degree, Mr. Speaker and to make sure that the investments in infrastructure across the province for particular and particularly in our rural and Northern municipalities that those roads and bridges get tended to that's the choice before If you haven't noticed I've already started Identifying individual writings and if it continues you'll move towards the warning new question the leader of the opposition Well, thank you, Speaker Well clearly premier you knew that the emails have been deleted by senior liberals You chose to tell the public and members of the assembly that you released all the documents when you knew that they have been destroyed You knew that they had engaged in criminal behavior, and he wanted to have a choice Is you chose to look the other way you chose them to walk away with that data? That is very pertinent to the debate before the legislature. I Regret saying this but quite frankly premier. We thought Dalton McGinty was bad. You're more of the same accepted and Agreed with the report of the information and primacy commission if you say that you agree with her recommendations Order fair to say that you agree Your liberals committed turning general come to order Thank you, Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and here's what I here's what I agree That we are in When I came into this office and we're in my leadership I said that I was going to do everything in my power to work within this government to make sure that we could bring a budget For them that we could act in the best interests of the people of Ontario. I've done that Mr. Speaker That the leader of the third party was willing to work with us She and I met as did as did I meet with the leader of the opposition But working with the leader of the third party mr. Speaker she brought forward suggestions and even to the point mr. Speaker Financial accountability officer, I want to say thank you for that because that was a good idea Mr. Speaker we're going to thank the leader of the NDP She's tied herself into a human pretzel just a prop up a corrupt government I know you're trying to avoid the essence of the question so you said that you knew there were deleted emails That's why you bought a protocol in the place you said you agree with the findings of the information and privacy Commissioner, but you won't say that they engage in criminal activity, which seems to be the case So I guess then I'll ask you this why is it the Ontario PC party that had a call in the OPP? Why is it the Ontario PC party that had to demand the release of that data to go to those? Individual senior liberals and bring that data back for public inspection Why is it the Ontario PC's that have to hold everybody to account? Why are you doing your job as premier? You know what premier? Do you look the same as the tire? I'm sure Iraq McGinty liberal government. It's time to change the Premier mr. Speaker, you know I'm actually not trying to avoid the issue because the issue is the issue that's being raised as a personal attack on me On the leader of the third party and mr. Speaker. That's fine That is that is within his purview of that's what he chooses to do, but mr. Speaker And I'm not trying to I'm not trying to draw the leader of the third party in so close that she has to she has to Deny what she's done, but mr. Speaker the reality is I believe that the people of this province expect us to work together I believe the people of this province expect the officers to read the budget mr. Speaker Yeah, yeah, no supplementary. I'll do respect Ontarians expect their government to actually obey the law not bring you've avoided Two very direct and simple questions. You say that you heard there were issues around Deleted emails. We didn't tell us exactly when you found out about senior liberals destroying emails related to the gas plant crisis You also refuse to answer the direct question as to if you agree that this is actually Criminal behavior Premier quite frankly if you are not solving the problem you are part of the problem Premier isn't it time to change the province of Ontario and a government will clean up the incredible liberal mess I actually have been working to solve the problem That's why we opened up the bridge made it the Justice Committee. That's why they appeared before committee That's why I asked the auditor general to look at the old-fashioned situation But the fact is mr. Speaker that my job was yes to deal with those issues that have been raised And I have been doing that but my job was also to bring forward a budget to work with the opposition to try To put in place the the mechanisms that would mean that there will be more jobs created in this province that we will deal With the home care that's needed in this province and that we will invest in infrastructure in the GTHA in our rural communities Beyond the GTHA mr. Speaker those are the issues that affect people's lives every single day And that's why we brought a budget forward and I I looked across the floor mr. Speaker to work with the opposition to work The opposition determined that they weren't going to read the budget the third party determined They were going to read it and they were going to work with us and that's how it should work Your question the leader of the third party Thank you very much speaker I want to ask some questions to the premier about government accountability Does the premier think that it is acceptable that staff is heard from Prince Edward Hastings come to order Now that I have your attention I will make it clear if the banging continues While you're quiet and listening the banging continues. I will give you a warnings Later the third party does the premier think it's acceptable that staff and her liberal government were deleting emails and destroying Information that belong to the public And I have I have said repeatedly that I agree with the conclusions of the privacy commissioner That there were practices that were going on that should not have mr. Speaker and their need to be changes My office is working with the privacy commissioner mr. Speaker to ensure that we put in place the changes that need to be there And I will say mr. Speaker that we have already Proactively taken some we've taken some initiative to put in place training to make it clear across government what the rules are About retaining documents and retaining information and we will continue to work with the privacy commissioner Supplementary Does the premier think it is acceptable that her predecessor the member for Ottawa South May refuse to answer any questions about mass deletion of government documents when he occupied the premier's office Thank you very much mr. Speaker. I as I have said I I believe that there were there were actions taken that shouldn't have been I agree with the The recommendations of the privacy commissioner and I have also encouraged anyone who is called to the the committee to To attend so mr. Speaker, you know it wasn't enough. I believe there wasn't enough done to ensure that staff understood What the rules were and that there needed to be? More stringent protocol put in place That's why we put the training in place and we'll continue to work with the privacy commissioner. Thank you final supplementary Speaker does the premier understand the fundamental fact that the people who sent us here Expect us to work hard for them and that they want to see a government That's accountable to them and puts people first not the governing party or as well well connected insiders I do understand that mr. Speaker and that's why since I've been in this office I have taken the actions that I have whether it was about opening up the The process around the relocation of the gas plants mr. Speaker or whether it was about Making sure that everyone understood what the rules are about document retention mr. Speaker I have taken those actions because I believe that I am fully accountable to the people of Ontario It's also why mr. Speaker I have attempted to work with the opposition to bring a budget forward that speaks to the needs of the people of Ontario and that's why mr. Speaker that we're going to be We're going to be continuing to meet those needs as we as we work to get the budget passed today New question Speaker my next question is for the premier We've worked hard this session to deliver real change change that creates jobs Improves healthcare and makes life more affordable for the people who sent us here Change that will make this government and future government speaker accountable and transparent We've ensured that the government will pass legislation establishing a financial accountability office this fall Does the premier understand speaker that this measure is needed to stop scandals like the ones that occurred under their watch Like e-health like orange like the gas plant scandal from ever happening again Yes, mr. Speaker and I uh, I think even in this session I've already given the leaders a third party credit for bringing forward the idea of the financial accountability office And mr. Speaker it speaks to it speaks to a value that I hold dear and that our our government holds dear Mr. Speaker that we should do everything we can to put those mechanisms in place that ensure that As we go forward we don't make the same mistakes We collectively don't make the same mistakes that may have been made in the past That is part of the evolving nature of government mr. Speaker So I credit the leader of the third party for for working to find mechanisms that would ensure that kind of accountability When she first raised the issue. I said that I thought it was a good idea, mr. Speaker and we will be moving forward with that Thank you supplementary Well, speaker unlike some others in this house. We are actually working hard to get some real results Speaker people see a liberal government putting the interests of the well connected insiders And their own party ahead of the people who elected them Is the premier ready to admit that this government has fallen short Mr. Speaker, I You know, I I will say that we have at every turn Attempted to find ways to meet the needs of the people in the province Whether it's in reforms in education, mr. Speaker or in health care or the investments in infrastructure that are critical across the province We have attempted to do everything in our power to meet the needs of the people and make sure that the services that they require Are delivered That's what our budget is about and the leader of the third party identified some areas That she had some input on and mr. Speaker We have been we have been happy to be able to work with her But make no mistake mr. Speaker, whether it's youth employment or home care, mr. Speaker or infrastructure Those are issues that we were concerned about mr. Speaker Those are issues that we were going to act on I appreciate that the the leader of the third party has worked with us I appreciate that we're going to be able to bring the budget and and with luck at it passed today, mr. Speaker But we need to we need to understand that that is work that we understood needed to be done Well, speaking tough times people want government that's accountable and government that's working I'm not asking for quiet so that you can throw your last barbs in And I remember I remind all members that you refer to people in this place According to their title Or their writing Leader of the third party But time and time and time again speaker what they've seen is a government trying to avoid accountability and putting themselves first Six figure golden handshakes to public sector CEOs Remember from fairy come to order we're collaborating with the conservative caucus to shut down gas plan hearings this summer Is the premier ready to admit that this government has fallen short So mr. Speaker, I I just uh, I want to just say that The hoots and howls that are coming from the opposition are coming from a party That did not read the budget before they determined that they were going to vote against it mr. Speaker They did not engage in a discussion about youth employment. They did not engage in a discussion about infrastructure investment Mr. Speaker they did not engage in a discussion about home care So we just have to take that into a challenge and we'll say to the leader of the third party that we have Made or made it our business since we came into this office since I came into this office Mr. Speaker we have made it our business to work to address the issues that were before us Including the issues of accountability on decisions that were made vis-a-vis the relocation of the gas plants I will continue mr. Speaker to work with my party to work with my government To make sure that we do everything in our power To be open to the people of the province to put in place the accountability measures that are necessary Mr. Speaker, but we're also going to work to make sure that the services that people need are the services that are delivered to them Premier there's not a single ontarian who takes pleasure in watching your government Flail around in total disarray Under your leadership, you are now embroiled in not just one but two opp investigations one in particular to the gas plant scandal One in which the nbp leader andrey horvath has said is the worst scandal in ontario's history So let's recount what happened. You bought an election with taxpayer dollars Senior staff destroyed the evidence they refused to call in the Uh your your question is direct so i'm going to ask the member to withdraw Withdraw they got an election. They destroyed the evidence. They just they refused to bring in the opp Send it again Withdraw please Okay In any event they refused to call in the opp we had to do that for them speaker question Now they refuse to hold key architects accountable. Will you fire brad do good mr. McClellan and the member from ottawa south Government helps you know mr. Speaker I don't think anyone over in this. I think all members of the house realize That this is a serious matter that we're dealing with a serious matter That's in front of the justice committee, but mr. Speaker I think it's time that people over there started to deal with facts Let me talk about the members who stood up over the last several days and spoke about some mysterious usb keys Well, mr. Speaker, I quote from a an article in qp briefing No evidence of theft and kivoukian report ipc spokesman. Let me quote mr. Speaker It doesn't say in the report anything about files downloaded onto usb keys kivoukian spokesman Trowel hoother said she doesn't believe that happened and if she did she would have put it in the report Mr. Speaker, where is the apology for members over there? This is a serious matter mr. Speaker And it's time we started dealing with facts. Thank you Supplementary much speaker this this question was actually To the premier because it deals with people in her caucus and former staff In her employ that are currently still being paid for by taxpayer dollars We ask specifically if she would fire out of her caucus and tell the former premier the member from ottawa south To resign his seat. She has been ruthless enough In this entire period to sell out the people of this province on what she knew and when she knew it on the gas plan scandal They have circumvented the law by destroying documents She's also used a personal gmail account to evade the the laws with with unaccessed information They refused to call in the opp we did it for them and now she's letting the member from ottawa south Thumb his nose and the constituents that sent him to this place Is there any legal or moral barrier that this premier will not cross in order to cling to power and save the Skins of every member over there Thank you government health leader. Oh, mr. Speaker. You don't you don't get away with it that easy, mr. Speaker The member from nipissing the member from cambridge other members have been standing in this house and talking about us Be keeps they've been going out in front of the house and scrums and talking about it And here we have a spokesperson for the information of privacy commissioner saying they do not exist They are not in the report because they didn't exist. Mr. Speaker. We are talking about people's reputations We are talking about a serious matter. Mr. Speaker, and I demanded apology New question The member from nicklebill Thank you, mr. Speaker do the premier Speaker this government refusal to bring forward an executive wage freeze Is yet again putting ontario on the hook For a ludicrous payout The ceo of e-help has given his notice And he will be paid over $400,000 because he's leaving his job six months early Speaker new democrats have asked his government to take concrete steps to prevent this kind of golden handshake My question is simple. Does the premier think that ontarians should be on the hook for yet another executive payout Speaker i know i'll have time in the supplementary to discuss the compensation issue But i do want to take this opportunity to thank gray greek for the leadership addy health speaker Under gray greek leadership We have come a long long way and we are seeing the results of his work Speaker e-health has become more transparent. It has become more accountable We have now a long-term strategy for electronic health records speaker. We've made real progress in implementing Electronic health record systems right across the province today two out of three ontarians have an electronic medical record More than 9 000 physicians are using AMRs to enhance patient care Improve health outcomes improve patient safety Speaker the ontario laboratories information system answer is storing more than one billion lab results for 9.5 millions ontarians Neurotrauma patients now have access to 24 7 console Yeah, if this uh, thank you if this is a uh, a test of my resolve I shall show you the member from northumberland quinty west is warned Supplementary thank you mr. Speaker I can't believe that the minister would stand there and defend executive compensation I asked a question about 400 000 dollars for leaving six months early and she goes on praying him as in should we give him a raise Make that 400 800 000 dollars What is higher than the stand scandal coming out of the ministry of health under this government we've seen e-health we've seen orange We've seen dilute chemo drugs. We've seen seniors in long-term care with no oversight And yet At the same agency that was supposed to be fixed years ago call e-health New democrats have long called for concrete action like a wage freeze and ombudsman oversight of our health care system But the government keep refusing How many will it take before things start to change and executive compensations Come on their scrutiny Just to be clear the member is wrong when she says that he's getting this because he is leaving Six months early that simply is not accurate is part of his compensation packet But speaker there is a larger issue here and it's an issue that this government is addressing As part of our 2013 budget, which I hope is going to pass this afternoon We announced that there will be an advisory panel that will be put in place We need to review executive compensation speaker right across the broader public sector I think this is an issue that we simply must address We must assure that members from oxter come to order money is going into the front lines to serve To serve patients and to serve the people of ontario So we are going to be a member from halting come to order forward to that across the health sector and well beyond Thank you new question The member from the member from naggerfalls. Thank you, mr. Speaker I know it's a long ways down here Please to ask the question directly to the minister of children and youth services Minister we know that life can be difficult for children with developmental physical and communication disabilities It can also be difficult on the families involved In my writing of naggerfalls naggerlake and fordery I have met personally and I hear from the families that are dealing with these kinds of challenges I must tell you minister. I'm always impressed with the parents Their unrelenting commitment to their children and I will tell you minister these meetings at my office or whether in their homes with the families Reinforce the need for important services that they need to receive from our government. Mr. Speaker Can the minister please inform this house and the people of ontario what our government is doing to help families in this kind of a situation Thank you speaker and thank you to the member from naggerfalls for this question and for the work that he does in his community In the many conversations that we have had with respect to the meetings that he's had in his writing ministry Provides a number of supports for children and families across the province through the through the children's treatment centers Speaker and in windsor We have the john Mcgivney center who i've met with and have toured and I know they do fantastic jobs for all Children and youth dealing with disabilities These centers provide rehabilitation services to children and youth for its physical and developmental disabilities As well as chronic illness and communication disorders This year across the province these treatments centers served over 64 thousand children and youth speaker Going forward we will be making new targeted investments across the province with the goal of enhancing Our services we remain committed of course to providing best services and programs for all our children and youth Thank you, mr. Speaker Our minister i'm pleased to hear the children's treatment centers like the one in our area the nagger Prolincia Children's Center is helping to bridge the gap between ontario families and accessible services However minister i have to tell you have a concern about the availability and the access to services for ontario children With special needs issues such as wait times for services can place huge stress on the families and these families Tirelessly navigate the system in order to receive the best rehabilitation and care for their children as well I know that in rural and remote areas there are increased issues around accessibility and the minister's answer She mentioned targeted investments. Can the minister please provide this house an update to where these investments are placed Thank you Thank you, speaker and again. Thank you for the follow-up on that and speaker We recognize there's always work to be done and we all hear the same concerns We remain committed to move forward on this I'm pleased to say that as part of this year's budget my ministry announced additional five million dollars Investment to improve the services at the centers This investment will not only reduce wait times in the province But also establish a new pilot program to get children better prepared for school As well this investment in aims to better improve services in northern ontario It includes an expansion of the family centered children's rehabilitation information system to five centers in the north Speaker last week I had an opportunity to meet with a number of the directors from different treatment centers And they're quite pleased with this investment and very happy to see it Speaker I'm proud that these new investments in this year's budget will help young people with special needs and their families across the province My question is to the attorney general minister you're a lawyer Can you tell us what happens to lawyers who destroy evidence while an investigation is taking place? It's a very simple question for the last few days We have been hearing from members of that party in particular the member from nipissing the member from cambridge other members Both in speeches and out here talking about usb keys keys that were taken Let me read what madame kavukian's uh spokesperson has to say about the report that they keep citing It doesn't say in the report anything about files downloaded onto usb keys kavukian spokesman trell hoother said The member from cambridge will come to order Curia, I'm sorry if I hit a nerve there. Mr. Speaker She doesn't believe That or nothing And if she did she would have put it in the report. So I asked my honorable friend We all recognize this is a serious matter. It is being looked into by the justice committee Why will she not stand and apologize in her place and allow the committee? Thank you supplementary Let me make it easy for you. You get disbarred As the attorney general position as the legal advisor in cabinet in your ministry's own website It outlines that you shall see the administration of public affairs as in accordance with the law Minister the law has been broken. The opp have been called in you have clearly failed In accordance with the law Stop The uh The member the minister of training college and universities probably didn't hear me say stop because he continued to talk Thank you Please finished So I ask you attorney general Have you advised the premier that justice must be done? That those who broke the law and knowingly destroyed evidence must be fired This is a serious matter. This is a very very serious matter and the justice committee is looking into it I understand they'll be hearing uh From witnesses this afternoon, mr. Speaker, but mr. Speaker. It is time to deal with the facts Order for the last few days, mr. Speaker We've heard about these mythical usb keys and here we have a statement from madam Kavuki and saying she did not believe they existed mr. Speaker the member from nipissing yesterday told the Toronto sun There were no emails from the premier's office. The fact of the matter, mr. Speaker is over 30 000 emails and documents from the premier's office have been produced to the committee mr. Speaker It's time to start dealing with the facts. This is a serious matter Let's let the committee do its work mr. Speaker, but in the interim I think it's time for some apologies from that crowd across there And then we're from kitchener water. Thank you mr. Speaker my questions to the minister of economic development trade and employment Minister the southwestern ontario development fund was meant to create jobs in my region The unemployment rate is nearing double digits in london and winsor The people of southwestern ontario don't need a slush fund to benefit one political party To make sure the money flowed to communities that really needed it and not just to connected friends We the ndp amended bill 13 to create an independent board to make decisions about the fund Instead the government played political games and didn't proclaim the independent board with royal assent When will the minister proclaim the entire bill including the independent board to guarantee southwestern ontarians That their funds aren't being used to win by elections Good question Minister of economic development Well, thank you. I appreciate the question and the member knows well I heard my ministry provided her with a briefing on this exact issue last week I believe that they're going to be meeting with the member of her staff later this week to discuss Moving forward and our intention of course is to implement A process which provides the accountability the accountability that already exists, you know when this fund unfortunately Last april the first this fund was closed for a period of six seven months actually largely because the official opposition Had various shenanigans and refused ultimately to support the bill appreciate the fact that the ndp did But the so if we had a proclaimed that That particular aspect it would have meant that the funds would have both the southwestern and eastern ontario funds Would have been closed for up to an additional one year. We weren't prepared to do that We felt it was important to continue with accountability, but flow the funds to those important businesses Minister We understand that the ministry has a list of more than 20 companies approved for southwestern ontario development fund investment But the minister is sitting on this list and no one knows who they are It seems the minister is waiting until the by elections to make announcements and when it works for liberals And not when it works for the companies who have been waiting for these funds And who want to create jobs in communities like london and like winsor This bill passed the legislature in the final days of the kitchen or water the by elections Seven months later people in southwestern ontario are still waiting for leadership Is the minister going to use these announcements to play politics in southwestern ontario Or will the minister provide the list of the projects that have ministerial approval right now today You know certainly there have in fact been 22 projects approved so far Three of those have been announced two of those in fact in the member from the official opposition In uh, who is my critic on economic development as well and important projects not in it not in uh, liberal riding But in fact in two of the three in a conservative riding the third one fact is in the in the uh, Riding of the speaker of this legislature So these are important funds that uh that i know that the the member opposite recognizes Those additional projects haven't been announced because we're in that delicate stage of Agreement and writing and signing the contracts between the two parties between the government and between the business By the eastern ontario development fund for example, we've invested 60 million dollars in that we've leveraged an additional almost 600 Million dollars created almost or retained almost 15 000 jobs I know the member opposite wouldn't want those two funds to be closed for a period of 18 months Question the member from Thunder Bay out of coconut. Thank you speaker speaker. My uh, my questions for the minister of intergovernmental affairs Minister since its opening 45 years ago The experimental lakes area has garnered an international reputation for the research that takes place there As we all know it's largely free from the effects of industrial and human activity Allowing scientists to conduct research on acid rain water and ecosystem chemistry and helping us to better understand Climate change and pollution Speaker through you to the minister of intergovernmental affairs Please can she outline some of the benefits that the ela bring to ontario? And why it's important that it continues to operate for the benefit of all ontarians including those especially in northwestern ontario Thank you speaker and thank you to the member for thunder bay out of coke and for that question The experimental lakes area is an incredibly important facility And one that our government obviously sees the value in its continual operation over the past 45 years The ela has been able to provide a unique opportunity for scientists to conduct valuable research The ela has contributed to our understanding through the long-term data collection of numerous hydrological chemical and biological issues And in keeping with its reputation as a world-renowned institution The ela has collaborated with over 20 universities across canada and the results and data collected from these experiments Has made ontario a leader in fresh water research Our government's commitment to ensuring that these important experiments continue to be conducted Will help us speaker identify emerging threats to our environment and understand critical changes in ecological communities And i believe speaker that that is something each and every ontarian should be very proud of Speaker thank you and i want to thank the minister for her response and for underlining And restating the importance of the ala to ontario and to northwestern ontario But it really brings us to the point and really what that is is that there's still some significant concerns that are existing In terms of the long-term survival of the ela I've got constituents that are asking me Where the file is and what our government is doing to ensure the survival of the ela and just this week I received a letter from the thunder bay chapter of the council of canadiens I think other members in the legislature Received the same letter as well and they are expressing their reservation concerns on this particular file So speaker through you to the minister can she outline for the house for me for my constituents What we're doing and what she is doing and her capacity as the minister of intergovernmental affairs In her negotiations with the federal government to ensure the continued survival of the ela question. Thank you Thanks very much and i'm happy to advise that the federal government and the iasd have reached a memorandum Of understanding to continue operations of the ela for 2013. It's an important step forward Towards ensuring sustained longer-term solutions for the facilities operations And I was particularly pleased speaker that the federal department of fisheries and oceans has committed to the continuation Of long-term data sets and to work with scientists to support their active ela research this summer We acknowledge that a more permanent arrangement is necessary in order to protect this world-class research facility And our government speaker is continuing to work closely with Ottawa the province of manitoba and the iasd to achieve such an agreement In our 2013 budget table last month our government reaffirmed this commitment to constructive dialogue with other provinces and the federal government And the positive outcomes with respect to the ela demonstrate that when you work together, everything's can come to the province of Ontario Question to the minister of community and social services last month ago I told you of a made in Ontario crisis after years of neglecting our developmentally disabled A family from my riding the cowhands visited queen's park that day When their 20 year old severely disabled daughter Anna Finishes her education this month. There will be no supports When I asked you if you would back the select committee on developmental disabilities To ensure that Anna the cowhands other families across Ontario get the support they require You said yes As did the third party Minister what happened? Where is that promise select committee? Mr. Speaker I was I was more than pleased to support the motion from the honorable member I did that in good faith And I assumed that her motion was put in good faith And it was passed by members of the house That having been said it's not my responsibility nor your responsibility nor the member who made the original motion to define the terms of Of any special committee the membership when it will meet and everything else That job is quite properly one that's watched with the three House leaders and I look forward as I suspect every member of this house does To a resolution Minister the cowhands don't have the summer to wait they need that committee struck today The resolution you and your colleagues approve had timelines attached They won't be mapped if you continue to drag your feet A month ago you told us and I quote you were proud to say that I will be delighted to support the motion you said Anything we can do together to respond more appropriately to the most vulnerable folk that are there and need our help is good We have unanimous support We've worked with our house leader. Why do we hear that you and the third party are barking? What happened to the NDP? I don't know what does house leaders you'll be saw and have to say about this Minister Will you strike the committee today? Thank you Minister, Mr. Speaker, I surrender and I confess Mr. Speaker, I confess to to having an abiding interest In moving forward I in the context of serving those who have developmental challenges and their families That's why I stood in my place as others did and and spoke as I did in support of the motion Dad having been said you should take that issue up with your house leader and the other house leaders to see if we could get this resolved Thanks, Speaker Thank you very much, mr. Speaker My question is to the minister of government services Ontarians are increasingly worried about the threat to public safety Due to the refusal of the national elevator and escalator association to allow their qualified employees to work during contract negotiations According to the toronto star replacement workers are being sent primarily to the financial district and not to priority buildings such as hospitals And nursing homes office towers are reporting Business as usual while seniors wait for urgent repairs in their care homes Why is this government allowing these this employer to compromise public safety by directing employees to non priority areas? To the minister of consumer services, mr. Speaker minister of consumer services, thank you speaker First let me say as the minister consumer services My number one priority speaker is public safety our regulations in ontario set very very stringent safety requirements for elevating devices in ontario And I do understand that the strike is an ongoing concern of many especially for those people who have accessibility issues I can certainly relate to that speaker And it's important to note that repairs can continue during the labor disruption But they have to be done by qualified personnel being qualified under the technical standard safety authority and As many know the technical safety standards authority is responsible for regulating elevating devices And I was very pleased speaker to see a news release from tssa Just yesterday about enhanced enforcement actions stepping up the pace of inspections Priorising inspections to target high-risk elevators viewing shutdown policies to ensure the unsafe Elevators do not pose risk to safety and increased investigation of reports of unqualified or uncertified technicians Thank you on elevators. So I'm very thank you I Just to let the member know from trinity spadina. I got it supplementary My question is back to the minister of government services During this work stoppage the legally required monthly safety checks of elevators across the province are not being carried out The minister is standing idly by as every elevator in the province lapses out of compliance with the government's own mandatory safety standards Will this government take immediate action to resume monthly safety checks and bring these elevators back into compliance? Thank you I just want to you know share of the house again reiterate that public safety is job one for me I am not standing idly by at all. I'm monitoring the situation very very closely along with my colleague the minister of labor Who's actively watching this file? I understand that parties have been brought together numerous numerous times and i'm hopeful that we'll get a resolution Having said that those speaker safety continues and the tssa is mandated to ensure that safety is job one These inspections are increasing as I said, they've announced just yesterday increasing the pace of inspections Targeting high-risk elevators. They're also conducting a target of An audit of elevators to ensure all work is done in strict compliance with safety regulations So this is a very important issue for us speaker. I'm monitoring the situation very very closely And the important thing is this is a very regulated industry and only only five repairs My questions for the minister of research and innovation Our government has consistently supported and invested in Ontario's health care Our budgets have been invested over 3.5 billion dollar capital grants for hospitals We'll continue to support our small and rural hospitals and our government will maintain Ontario's leadership in health care To accomplish this we will continue to invest in innovation and research in life sciences and technology In my writing of scarborough agent court, I've known of many young people like George june meggy j Raymond Natalie and Anna and Rachel who are currently studying life sciences at McMaster university or the university of Toronto These young people are aware that a government can create a right environment to enable health and technology sector to make radical Breakthrough through you minister at speaker to the minister of research and innovation What is the government doing to support innovations as related to health care minister? Thank you. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member from scarborough aging court for the question She's a strong advocate for the quality of health care services in our province Mr. Speaker our government recognizes that innovation will help province stay at the forefront of health sciences in this province Our track record in this area. Mr. Speaker is strong We have invested 100 million dollars in the ontario brain institute to help to conduct research in the brain diseases We have invested 357 million dollars to support ontario institute for cancer research a world leader in this area Mr. Speaker and we have committed Approximately 1.2 billion dollars. Mr. Speaker to support our research through Ontario research fund Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to say that our investments in and supporting better health care system and higher Quality of life for people of ontario. Thank you. Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker is great to hear that our government is taking concrete action to push the boundaries Of innovation and ensure best health care possible through our government's investment Ontario is thriving in research innovations community and has accomplished tremendous advances in health care and medical technology These advances will help improve the standard of care and quality of life on terraries And our government will also recognize that an increase in investment research and innovation will also lead to increase in Economic opportunities and growth. Mr. Speaker through you to the minister of research and innovation How will our government investment in health facility Brought an economic growth and foster strong health care for future generations? Thank you, mr. Speaker again, I want to thank the member for that question Mr. Speaker here ontario our health care sector has fueled economic growth In fact ontario now has the largest life sciences community in canada Ontario is the home for more than half of the country's health sciences economic activities Since 2003 mr. Speaker our government has invested 1.2 billion dollars in life sciences sectors These investments have helped to support over 2100 projects in the province, mr. Speaker We owe these economic success to the great minds of ontario scientists who are the leaders in the world in their fields And also the meaningful investments that our government has made in research and innovation in this province Thank you, mr. Speaker Thank you, my question is for the premier Over a year ago your government announced the fire sale of ontario northland This liberal document shows the Order I have a question, please this liberal document shows the decision was made despite confidential advice to cabinet Recommending they wait for a quote further due diligence and analysis of fiscal and policy implications Well, this new document shows exactly what those implications are speaker instead of saving the government 265 million dollars, which is in the budget The sale will actually cost 790 million dollars Premier you already know you're not going through with this sale That would create your next billion dollar scandal So i'm asking you today premier. Will you please stand up before we break for the summer and tell the people of northern ontario That the sale is off and let the people get on with their lives Thank you, mr. Speaker Well, the member opposite does bring up an issue an issue of confidential information that was released to him and his party and the committee During the request of the justice committee Again, we've made it clear that some of this confidential information is out there The valuations of the ontc and the work that's being done for the public good and the public benefit Is at risk because of some of the very issues that he's now bringing forward I would argue minister to all members to be extremely cautious about confidential material that is being released That was standing at mr. Speaker. Let me be clear The treasury board the finance committee the ministries involved are doing their utmost to ensure that we provide Proper valuations of the ontc that we recognize some of the challenges before us as regards to some of the employment and issues before The the collective agreements and the notions out there. We haven't made final decisions What we are saying though is we're reviewing and assessing the impacts. Thank you Thank you, speaker. So you got caught These numbers expose your next billion dollar scandal So let's review your announcement was made and then the trouble in the north started One of the largest companies in the north deferred a 10 million dollar Attention while waiting to determine if there's still a rail line Unemployment rose in north bay to 11.6% last month This uncertainty is killing the marketplace And it's tearing families apart speaker I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt premier. You were told it's going to save 265 million And I don't think you had any idea that it really was going to cost 790 million. I believe that premier It's a billion dollar spread question But you learned of that gap when you became premier So be the premier today bring relief to northern families right now Premier and tell them the sale is off Minister of natural resources Thank you, uh, speaker and the member opposite, you know, quite frankly I don't think the member opposite had any idea what this was going to cost either and quite frankly That's why we have not committed to doing this. I was with the uh, minister of northern development mines at the phenom conference And he quite clearly indicated that divest Come to order, please the member from divesting Thank you speaker the member opposite quite frankly, here's what the member opposite was quoted and saying I can't tell you what you want to hear. I can't say I'm opposed to privatization The member opposite speaker supported privatizing the ontc without any idea of what this would cost Our government has not made a commitment to do that. We want a transportation strategy that works for northerners And that's exactly what we're going to do My question to the uh My question to the premier When ontario won the right to host the 2015 pan am games Four years ago the people of brampton were led to believe they would take part And they built a brand new field uh brand new field hockey pitch But last year organizers of the games Suddenly shout out brampton And are now spending 5.3 million in taxpayer money To cover the university of toronto back campus with artificial turf Ruining one of the few remaining open green spaces in downtown toronto Why are organizers building a field in toronto Where there is fierce community opposition Instead of using the existing field in brampton where there is support Well, thank you, mr. Speaker. I do appreciate the opportunity to recognize the tremendous work that 2015 and the pan am committee are doing You should know that a number of the venues that have been negotiated over the last little while have been under budget This is going to provide a lot of opportunity for the surrounding communities in the greater golden horseshoe To provide a number of venues and sporting initiatives But the member talks about the options and availability that was made to the city of brampton Who themselves declined to proceed on some of the very initiatives that we were brought forward That's a decision made by council But notwithstanding that we do have venues We have a great opportunity to promote ontario in 2015. I congratulate them for what they're doing Well, the speaker actually the council does support it Speaker the city of brampton has put considerable resources into building the cassey cambell Community center field hockey pitch brampton now has the finest International standard field hockey pitch in the greater toronto area This summer they will host the pan am and olympic qualifying international competition If they can host the qualifying rounds, why can't they host the handle the games themselves Speaker the brampton pitch is ready for international competition this summer and with the increased go service heading their way Why is this government allowing to 2015 to waste taxpayers money building another pitch in the toronto core? Minister So mr. Speaker The pitch that the member opposite speaks of is what was indicated is what we were trying to make happen There was a number of revisions and amendments that were necessary in terms of the structure of that pitch We brought it forward to the city of brampton They declined to proceed in that format and that's and that's their call That I appreciate that every community and every municipality wants to host one of these games because it's a great tremendous economic boost It's also about culture and a great tourism to the community So we will continue to do a number of initiatives in the brampton and mississauga area and we'll certainly do everything we can to promote appeal We're going to do what was necessary right across the greater gordon horseshoe because these games is about showing the world What ontario has to offer and enabling us to really promote this great province and also nurture Some great athletes right here in ontario so that they can succeed right across the world with everyone's help We'll do just that. Thank you, mr. Speaker I know that all members will join me in saying thank you to the pages for staying for an extra two days But this is their last triple time the member from cambridge on a point of work. Mr. Speaker Certainly, I'll apologize, but mr. Speaker. I would like to correct my record Uh, certainly over the last couple of question periods. I referred to These usb keys I should have referred to them as the information and privacy commissioner stated on page 24 of her report deleting accountability As portable electronic devices. I guess this is a case of failed search terms again, mr. Speaker Apologize to the people of ontario for dealing with us That um, I find I find that that Started out to be a Point of order to correct the record and it turned into something else and I'm disappointed that that took place The member from hallowbrook and core to lakes brock on a point of order Speaker and I think we'll have unanimous consent on the following A letter was sent to the house leaders from the general government committee requesting that we meet over the summer To complete the review of the aggregate resources act So I asked for unanimous consent to allow the committee to meet over the summer to complete its important work On the aggregate resources act since the liberal needy p house leaders have refused so far. Mr Speaker from hallowbrook and core to lakes brock has asked for unanimous consent for the committee to meet over the summer Do I have unanimous consent? I've heard enough The member from the p in carlton on a point of order of the legislative assembly committee We have requested by our letter through our chair Mr. Dunlop to ask all of the house leaders to permit us to to uh to meet at the discretion of the chair during the month Of july and august. I'd like to seek unanimous consent so we're able to do our work house leaders are talking about that If unanimous consent to meet uh, do we have an agreement? I heard some no's There are no further deferred votes. This house stands recessed until 3 p.m. This afternoon