 Finally, it's now time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Repeatedly in this House, we have warned about a crisis in corrections. The state of our correctional facilities are endangering inmates and officers who work there. Because of this government's negligence, the crisis has moved into our communities and is threatening the safety of Ontario families. Today, there was a shocking report in the Globe of Mail that says due to persistent lockdowns at Ontario jails, convicted offenders are regularly getting extra credit for pre-trial custody. In one case, a convicted offender has had his sentence for a firearms offence reduced by three months because of the appalling conditions he had to endure at the Toronto Self-Detention Centre. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier tell Ontario why she's giving gun-toting criminals a get-out-of-jail free pass? Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister will want to comment on the reforms that are taking place as we speak. We've been very clear that we know that it is an extremely high priority for all Ontarians, that we have safety inside of our correctional facilities and the streets of this province. We're moving forward with a strategy for safer Ontario. We understand that there needs to be transformation within the system, Mr. Speaker, and that goes to safety for the people who work within facilities, Mr. Speaker, and safety for the inmates. I would also say, Mr. Speaker, that it is very important to us that we move more to a system where there is rehabilitation, Mr. Speaker, that we put back some of the supports that are needed, Mr. Speaker. We know that there are literacy issues in our facilities, Mr. Speaker. We know that there are mental health concerns. We need to act. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. The Premier has not addressed the shocking global mail report that convicted criminals are getting out early because of the conditions of provincial facilities. This winter, I went up and visited the Thunder Bay Jail. I found the conditions shocking. I challenged... Stop the clock. Okay, I've said order once to hopefully stop it. If it continues, I'll go to the individual. Finish, please. Mr. Speaker, I challenged the Premier to visit the provincial correctional facility in Thunder Bay. If that is too far, my challenge today is will you visit the Toronto Self-Detention Centre? Because the reality is the conditions in these provincial facilities are allowing convicted criminals to get out early. Will the Premier commit to visiting one of the correctional facilities, no matter how close or how far it is, will the Premier commit to visiting it, yes or no? I don't want to hear about previous visits two years ago for ribbon cuttings. Will you visit and see the conditions today? First, I'd like to ask the government side to try to stop doing my job. I'll take care of it. Second of all, just a gentle reminder, please, to the chair. You can still ask the same question, but just ask it to me. Premier. Mr. Speaker, as I have told this house many times, I have visited corrections facilities, Mr. Speaker, and I will do so again. But, Mr. Speaker, the most important thing is that we understand what the transformations are that are necessary, Mr. Speaker. What are the better rehabilitation and... Goes both way, the member from Dufferin Callan. Premier. No, I understand, Mr. Speaker, that the party opposite has a totally different philosophy on this front than we do, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the leader of the opposition sat in a government that actually believed that more incarceration, that bigger jails, that more people in jail... Member from Leeds-Grandville. Carry on. That more people in jail was the way to go. Mr. Speaker, I actually believe that having facilities that support rehabilitation, that provide activities, that provide mental health, that provide rehabilitation services, that that's what needs to happen in our system, Mr. Speaker. That's... Member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. This crisis in corrections is going to escalate. The reality is this is not about rehabilitation. This is about the conditions of the facilities. The mayor of Thunder Bay called the correctional facility a rat hole. The conditions in these jails are allowing convicted criminals to get out early. That's what I'm hoping, Mr. Speaker, that the Premier will address. What I have heard from correctional officers across the province is the conditions. The conditions are deplorable. What we've seen, Mr. Speaker, is a loophole. A loophole that is allowing convicted criminals to get out early. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier commit that she will close this loophole? Will the Premier commit that she'll stand up for public safety, stand up for Ontario families and make sure that our communities are safe? Thank you. Deputy House Leader, come to order. Be safety in correctional services, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, thank you very much for the opportunity to respond because the loophole that the member opposite is talking about is a federal piece of legislation that he voted for. That's the loophole that he's talking about, Speaker. The problem facing in correctional services today in terms of over-capacity, which is true, Speaker, across the country is a result Everybody calm down. All right, that'll do. A reminder. Provincial policy. Thank you. Speaker, the challenges that in terms of capacity that being faced by correctional services in Ontario and across the country, and I have the chance other ministers as well is a direct result of the dumb-on-crime policies that the previous Harper government that brought into place that has a significant impact, Speaker. And that is why, as the Premier mentioned, we are very much focused on transformation to ensure that we are creating opportunities for inmates to get better rehabilitation and retake curation, and we are taking steps to hire more correctional officers. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Royal Victoria Hospital provides some of the best patient care in the province by some of the best, smartest, sharpest physicians and nurses and health practitioners in our province. What came out yesterday was the RVH announced that they now have to cut $8 million. Despite the fact, Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Health says there are no cuts. The reality is this is yet another example. It was announced yesterday that 30 full-time jobs were gone, 24 jobs that were being advertised gone for a total of 56 previous positions gone, wiped out in the service of health care. Mr. Speaker, why does the Premier continue to cut health care to make up for her waste mismanagement? Thank you. I know that the Minister of Health and long-term care is going to want to comment on the Royal Victoria Hospital. Mr. Speaker, you know, the base funding to that hospital has increased about 103% since 2003, Mr. Speaker. And our budget as the Leader of the Opposition might know, has actually increased funding to hospitals. $345 million, Mr. Speaker, overall $1 billion more for health care, Mr. Speaker, as a result of the budget that we just brought in. We know how critical health care is to the people of Ontario. We also know that hospitals are a central part of the service to people in the province, Mr. Speaker, which is why we continue year over year to increase funding to the hospital. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier, the Liberals have said they're going to invest in health care. What we're seeing is a very different story. In a conference call for elected officials, RVH debriefed the public servants in Simcoe County and said that based on the new formula, RVH gets $500,000 for funding, but has to cut $8 million. It is unacceptable. 1,700 new patients last year. There are more patients. There is more health care need, and yet the hospital has to cut because of this government's mismanagement. Mr. Speaker, why is this government not providing the Royal Victoria Hospital with the tools to serve the growing population? Why are you cutting Royal Victoria Hospital? Why are you cutting health care? Why are you cutting health care? Okay. Minister of Health, ¿the Long-term Care? Hello, Mr. Speaker, I'm so proud of this hospital. This is a brand new hospital completed in 2013. It doubled the capacity of what the previous hospital delivered. It incorporated a cancer care program, which is among the best anywhere. I'm so proud of the member for Barrie who has been such a strong advocate in the recently announced new cardiac care program that will be opening at Royal Victoria Hospital in the foreseeable future. And I'm so proud of the staff, including the administration. They've balanced their budget for the last seven years running. There will be no service cuts, Mr. Speaker. We've more than doubled the funding for this hospital. We've more than doubled the capacity through this new hospital. This is a great new story. Thank you. I know where the member is trying to go with this. Thank you. Final supplementary. $8 billion. Mr. Speaker, the reason that everyone in Simcoe County is livid with these cuts, livid with these $8 million cuts, is because this government is saying that they're going to invest in... Stop. Okay. We'll go to warnings. All sites. Carry on. Mr. Speaker, when this government says they're investing in healthcare, they have no credibility because we see examples like this. The reality is they can point... The member from Barrie is warned. They can point any page in the budget, but this is not what we're seeing on the front pages of newspapers across Ontario. The reality is, just look at Simcoe County. A million dollars that was just cut from the Simcoe County Health Unit. George and Bay General, $5 million cut, and they said there'd be more services provided at RVH, and now they cut RVH by $8 million. The government promises investments in long-term care, and now it came out today that they're cutting $340,000 from long-term care in Simcoe County. The Mayor of Barrie called this downloading by its stealth. Mr. Speaker, when will this premier stop pretending that she's investing in healthcare? This start... Thank you. Minister of Health. Well, Mr. Speaker, apart from the 28 hospitals that they closed when they were last in government, they did this with George and Bay where he began fear mongering, suggesting that a decision had been made to close the obstetrics unit at that hospital. In fact, that was absolutely false. There was recommendations, more than 100 proposals that were put forward to the hospital in December, and among them, there is a whole series of efficiencies and improvements that can be made. That was one. It's among 100 proposals. It's the same with RVH, with Royal Victoria Hospital doing a great, fantastic job. He needs to stop fear mongering and suggest... In fact, he needs to start championing the whole work of this hospital, the people that work there, the frontline healthcare workers, and the positive outcomes that we're seeing. I would hope that members know by now that testing my resolve is a bad mistake. New question, the leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. My question is for the premier. Does the premier believe in universal healthcare? Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. Just to reinforce, we're on warnings. If you choose to ignore the speaker, the speaker won't ignore you. Supplementary. She should show it, Speaker. In 2014, the health minister wrote an editorial in the Globe and Mail. He said, quote, We need drug coverage to see better performance in our health system. Pharmacare also speaks to the Canadian values of fairness and equity. End quote. Excuse me. The minister of natural resources and forestry has warned. Finish, please. He wrote in the Toronto Star that pharmacare was, quote, One of the most important steps we can take to rededicate ourselves to the principle of universal access to healthcare. End quote. Does the premier share that belief, Speaker? That what Ontario needs is universal access to drug coverage. So, Mr. Speaker, you know, our minister of health and long-term care has been an advocate and a leading voice across this country, Mr. Speaker. He is working with his colleagues across the country. He has been a very articulate advocate for pharmacare. We all understand, Mr. Speaker, that we need to provide for people and make sure that more people have access to the medications that they need, particularly as new medications come online, Mr. Speaker, and also as the population ages. The member from Hamilton East Stony Creek has warned. In our budget, we moved to take 170,000 seniors and make sure that they did not have any deductible that they would have to pay, Mr. Speaker. That is exactly consistent with the belief that pharmacare... Well, Speaker, actions do speak louder than words. The premier sent a public message when she signed her name to a call for pharmacare. But now that the TV cameras are off and we see the real plan, instead of giving more access to affordable medication to seniors who are struggling, seniors will see the cost of their medication nearly double. That's the fact, Speaker. It's disappointing. It's extremely disappointing when Ontarians hear the premier talking about more drug coverage, but what they get in their real lives from this liberal government is less coverage. Can the premier explain why her ministers are talking about universal care when she talks about universal care? But what we see is the exact opposite, Speaker. The exact opposite. And it's just not New Democrats saying that. It is Carps that saying that. Seniors organizations are saying that. Everybody recognizes it. Ontario seniors will see their cost of their medication nearly double. Is that universal pharmacare, Speaker? Thank you. We've had this exchange in a number of ways for a number of days, Mr. Speaker. And I will say once again, our objective was to take those 100 and I think it's 173,000 seniors to make sure that they didn't have to pay a deductible, Mr. Speaker, because they were the most vulnerable, Mr. Speaker. The second part of our initiative, there's a regulation out right now. We said if we didn't get that threshold right for people who are already paying a deductible, Mr. Speaker, and an increase on that deductible, if we didn't get the threshold right, we would look at it. And I assume, Mr. Speaker, that groups like Carp and those organizations will be talking to us, will give us their input. But, Mr. Speaker, the thrust of our initiative was to make sure that those 173 most vulnerable seniors did no longer have to pay deductible. And that's exactly what will happen. To the premier, Speaker, you know the reality is their budget went in the opposite direction of universal pharmacare. Speaker, there's nothing in this budget either for Northern Ontario and no recognition of unique challenges facing Northerners. I trust the table as well. Please direct. Everything is more expensive in the North Speaker. People pay more for a liter of gas, for a carton of milk, for a dozen eggs. They pay more to heat their homes. And now a senior living on less than 19,500 a month in Northern Ontario is going to have to stretch every dollar even further. Does this premier think that it is fair to nearly double the cost of medication for seniors in Northern Ontario? Question. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, I have answered this question. I have said that the regulation on that particular aspect of our initiative is in the public realm for consultation, Mr. Speaker, and we have said that we will look at that. But, Mr. Speaker, the leader of the third party has said she is proud to vote against the budget that we just brought in, Mr. Speaker. Let me just look at what that means. Let's look at what that means. That means that this leader of the third party is proud to vote against transforming student assistance, Mr. Speaker, which will mean free tuition for low-income families, more affordable tuition for middle-class families, Mr. Speaker. She is proud to vote against taking action on climate change and investing in cap-and-trade proceeds transparently into green projects that reduce pollution, Mr. Speaker. She is proud to vote against lowering hospital parking fees. She is proud to vote against improving services for children and youth with autism through a five-year, $330 million investment, Mr. Speaker. She is proud to vote against all of those things. Up, down, up, down, up. You see it, please? Supplementary. I'm very proud to vote against a budget that grows inequality in this province, worsens our health care system, worsens our education system, doesn't create enough jobs for the people of this province, and turns its back on universal farmers. But this Premier either doesn't understand the North or she doesn't care about the North, Speaker. The CEO of the Thunder Bay Hospital says that people in Thunder Bay will see health cuts because the province's funding formula doesn't make sense in the North. He said, quote, we've seen a reduction in our budget of half a million dollars last year on that formula. I think it over-emphasizes population growth, so populations growing in southern Ontario tend to get more of that money than we do. That's a problem, end quote. Why is the Premier ignoring the health care needs of the Northern families in this province, Speaker? Mr. Speaker. Once again, Mr. Speaker, there seems to be a theme here. In fact, the theme might be a cardiac one, because just like I was talking about the new acute cardiac program that we're developing at Royal Victoria, we just announced recently in the past months a brand new cardiovascular surgery and vascular surgery program at Thunder Bay Regional Hospital. It's a single program, Mr. Speaker. It's actually in the partnership with Toronto General Hospital, and I was there. I can't remember the number of times I went to Thunder Bay Regional Hospital for announcements there, to meet with staff, frontline health care workers. There's incredible activity taking place, the research that's going on there that we're supporting as well. And it's a world, not just the province-wide, it's a worldwide, world-class health care centre that we're developing in partnership with the leadership in Thunder Bay, including the health leadership that's there. I would hope that the third party would recognize that, what we're developing there, which is so badly needed, but so well-deserved, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, how out of touch this health minister is. The theme is the cuts to Ontario hospital, Speaker. That's what the theme is. Hospital, Speaker. The Timmins Hospital has been forced to cut $35 million over the last three and a half years. The North Bay Hospital CEO says that, quote, this year has been challenging, and the next one is going to be even more so, end quote. And we know that nearly doubling drug costs is going to hit Northern seniors as well, Speaker. When will this premiere start listening to the needs of the North and making sure that Northerners get fair access to the health care that they need, Speaker? Thank you. The member from Eglinton-Lawrence is warned. Minister. Well, Mr. Speaker, I remain proud of the work that we're doing as a government in the North with our partners there throughout the health care system. The work that I referenced at Thunder Bay. The hospitals that we're renovating and building in the North as well. The fact that our 25 nurse practitioner-led clinics that exist around the province, many of those are in the North. In fact, the first was in Sudbury, Mr. Speaker. But if we want to talk about trends here, let's talk about the trend of them when they are in government, where they closed hundreds of mental health beds across. 13% of the mental health beds across this province were closed when they delisted home care from OHIP coverage, Mr. Speaker. When they fired 3,000 nurses when they were in power, Mr. Speaker, for that short period of time, the devastating impact that they had that we've been rebuilding after the devastation of the PC party as well. I'm proud of our investments, including $345 million new dollars for hospitals across the province, a more than two percent increase this year. Your question, your member from Bruce, very own sound. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Premier. This government has a history of closing up to special interest groups and liberal friends. Last June, the Premier committed to bringing in new rules for third-party fund advertising. Yet nothing has changed, despite her electoral reform bill passing. The Chief Electoral Officer, Grega Senza, has repeatedly called for limiting advertising by special interest groups during election periods. Yet his calls have been ignored. Mr. Speaker, when will the Premier do the honorable thing? Do what she personally committed to doing, is to bring in meaningful third-party advertising reform. $6,000 a week. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I have been asked this question a number of times and I have said in the public realm that we are committed to not only bringing in changes in terms of third-party advertising, Mr. Speaker, but also looking at political fundraising rules. We are doing that, Mr. Speaker. We will be bringing forth a plan and I look forward to the support from Mr. Speaker. Back to the Premier's Speaker. The Liberals won't fix a system where fairness is distorted. Those were the Toronto Stars words, not mine. The Chief Electoral Officer noted that Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick and the federal government have all adopted controls over third-party advertising. And as a matter of fact she remains the only place where third parties do not face advertising spending or contribution limits. It's time we level the playing field. Will the Premier take a break from her background meetings and take actual action to bring in real fairness and real reform to our system? Mr. Speaker. We agree. We agree that there need to be changes, but I would just remind the member opposite, Mr. Speaker, that we actually are the party that has brought in changes. In 2007 there were no rules before 2007. There were no rules at all, Mr. Speaker. We brought in rules in 2007. I am committed to bringing in further enhancements. We will do that, Mr. Speaker, in addition. Member from Dufferin-Cowden and his warrant. I had a lot of choice. Thank you. In addition to changes on third-party advertising, Mr. Speaker, we will be looking at political fundraising and we'll be bringing in a plan as well for that. Thank you very much. Thank you. Any questions from the Minister of Finance? 124 workers from the Rideau Carlton racetrack are here with us today in the gallery. They're members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada. They've been locked out of work by the OLG, the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation, since just before Christmas. And all because they rightly refused to have their decent pensions gutted from their collective agreements. This is promising a secure income retirement through its ORPP for all Ontarians, while at the same time turning a blind eye to the OLG making cuts to their workers' superior pension plans. This is the height of hypocrisy. The member will withdraw. Mr. Explain why his liberal government will allow the OLG to treat these workers and their families well? Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the concerns of the individuals who have traveled here today overnight. It's a very difficult situation for them and their families. Mr. Speaker, they're here in the gallery today, as mentioned, and I want them to know that I value the work, and I think all of us in this house respect their rights. Mr. Speaker, we want everyone to be present. I also respect the collective bargaining process that's underway and that mediators are involved. Mr. Speaker, OLG says, and I believe they've had this discussion now, is willing to go back to the bargaining table, and I remain hopeful that this matter will be resolved as soon as possible. Well, that's interesting because certainly the workers haven't heard that. They've been out of work since before Christmas. They're without a job, they're without a paycheck, and the OLG has even cut their health benefits. We have workers here that need medications just to function every day, and they have not had any health benefits since the lockout. All of this under the Liberal Government's watch. Will the minister tell these 124 workers and their families who are here today why the Liberal Government has done nothing to get the Crown Corporation back to the table, and nothing to get these workers back to work? Minister? Mr. Speaker, it's disappointing that the member opposite from the NDP no less is suggesting that we negotiate outside of the collective bargaining process. They themselves know fully well that that's the way it should concur. We respect that every employee should be treated fairly and respectfully, and it's disappointing. Finish, please. Mr. Speaker, I can confirm this that in fact it is the issues for the dispute are around wages and pensions. I recognize that. I also recognize that the OLG and others have made a number of proposals already that it's been consistent with 17 others that they've ratified with the OPS including the security services by the Opsu at the Rideau Carlton just last December or last November. The Consulatory by the Ministry of Management of the United Nations meeting last January. It's unfortunate they didn't come to an agreement. I am very hopeful, though, that they will and they'll get back to the bargaining table where it should to get this resolved. We recognize that support. Thank you. Better not look at me. Member from Kingston in the islands. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the Associate Minister of Finance. Minister, I'm pleased that our residents know that residents in my riding of Kingston in the islands are pleased to see our government taking a leadership role on this issue. Many people I have spoken to are concerned about their future and they recognize that too many Ontarians are not saving enough for retirement. The world of work is changing and a growing number of young workers no longer have access to a workplace pension plan. Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister has made a lot of progress over the past several months. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister, can you please highlight some of the ways that the government is helping people with retirement security through the ORPP. Thank you, Associate Minister of Finance. Thank you, Speaker, and I want to thank the very hard-working member from Kingston in the islands for that question. Over the past year, we have made significant progress in our commitment to build a strong and secure retirement for all Ontario employees to be part of the ORPP or a comparable plan by 2020. Study after study, including ones from Canada's major financial institutions like CIBC, RBC, BMO, and Sunlife has told us that many Canadians are not saving for retirement. Mr. Speaker, the ORPP will address this challenge by ensuring that Ontario workers receive a predictable stream of income indexed to inflation and paid for life. This means that future retirees will spend in their neighbourhoods supporting local businesses in their communities. The Conference Board of Canada was also clear that accounting for all factors, consumers and the economy as a whole are better off under the ORPP. Mr. Speaker, we're showing leadership on this issue because we believe that after a lifetime of working, Ontarians deserve a dignified retirement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for her response. I have heard some people refer to the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan incorrectly as tax or as a payroll tax. Some of these individuals who have used the term tax are sitting across the aisle with us today. Mr. Speaker, I've heard the Minister tell the House that the ORPP is being designed to mirror the CPP, and according to CARP, the CPP is not run by the government and it's not a tax. Your CPP is an earned pension. The investment board CPPIB manages the CPP at arm's length from all levels of government and makes independent investment decisions. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please discuss this issue and further explain how a pension plan is different from a tax? Thank you. Minister? Mr. Speaker, thank you so much. As the member suggested, there have been a number of individuals who incorrectly call this a tax. In fact, it has been a common phrase used by members of the PC party both inside and outside this House. This is misleading. This is why I was pleased to hear the Leader of the Opposition flip-flop on his position on this issue. On Monday, while defending yet another PC flip-flop, the Leader clearly stated it's not a tax if government doesn't keep it. It's not a tax if you give it back. We have been clear through legislation all funds that are collected by the ORPP Administrative Corporation will be held in trust for members. And similar to CPP, the ORPP will be administered at arm's length from government. I hope the Leader shared his new talking points with the members of his caucus so that they too are clear that pension plans are not a tax. The ORPP would mean all Ontarians would have access to a secure retirement, not just ones fortunate enough to have a goal. Thank you. Thank you. To the Premier. In 2012, her government embarked on a gaming modernization plan that cancelled the slots at the racetrack program and attempted to expand casinos across Ontario causing the deaths of thousands of horses and the loss of thousands of rural jobs. In Ottawa, the Rideau Carleton Raceway was threatened with a downtown Ottawa casino only after major public backlash did the plan, or so I thought. Now over 100 slot workers at the RCR who are underpaid compared to their counterparts across Ontario are forced literally out into the Ottawa cold locked out by the OLG. During the first weeks of this lockout, revenues from the slots at the Rideau Carleton are down $1 million from the same quarter a year ago. Is this a plan to start the Rideau Carleton Raceway of her patrons so this government can finally build a downtown Ottawa casino with the slots in the horse track. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. I don't think anybody in this house enjoys when they see a strike or a lockout. Ontario has got an excellent record in reaching a settlement in this regard. Over 98% of agreements are reached around $1 million to focus on a settlement that's going to result in a fair collective agreement. That's what we want to see in this circumstance. That's what we're working for at the Ministry of Labor. Nothing would please me more. I'm sure nothing would please all members of this house anymore to see that agreement reached. The way that agreement reached, Speaker, is to bring people back to the table. I'm pleased to inform Speaker. I think I can expand a little bit more on this. He's reaching out to the parties as I speak. Thank you. I'm going back to the premier because the motive of what they're doing is to close down the Rideau Carlton Raceway and put these people out of a job and put the rest of those horse people out of a job so they can bring down a downtown Ottawa casino. First, the government attacked the rural roots of the people of Napaian Carlton at a half century old race track because now the government is forcing these folks here today out of underpaid employees out of work and it has cost the OLG a million dollars and the OLG is the only gaming corporation in the entire world that goes out of its way to lose money. They're biting off their nose despite their face so I question the premier again and I would like a response for my constituents. Will the government recognize that it's being unfair to its employees or will the government continue to force out the Rideau Carlton Raceway and share their secret plan for an Ottawa downtown casino. Thank you. Thank you. Minister. Speaker, I'm not sure it's particularly helpful in this regard to try to solve the collective agreement in this house. Each of the parties has a record. We know which party was the one that was trying to get rid of public service during the last election. That was very clear. But we're at a point right now, we're at a point right now, where we have a group that is locked out and we have two parties that aren't at the table. Speaking of the role of the Ministry of Labor and I would think the hope of everybody in this house is that both sides will agree to return to that table to do the hard work to make the tough choices that result in collective agreements that at the end of it all ensured that people have good employment in the province of Ontario, long lasting, stable employment speaker. So I don't think there's any sense throwing stones about the motives behind this issue. The member from the member from Prince Edward Hastings is warned. Wrap up, please. Clearly, Speaker, what we all should aspire to is to get these two parties back to the table to ensure they complete an agreement the way we have 98% of the cases. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning to you, Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Minister, this week is the annual prospectors and developers conference. Your ministry hosted a number of industry reception with companies working in the province. Last week, a report was released which states that Ontario is lagging on exploration permits. It went further to say a quarter of industry respondents believed permit approval times were the worst in Ontario in the last 10 years. On the level of transparency in approval process, again no surprise that Ontario's transparency ranks amongst the worst. When we are losing investment, we are losing companies, we are losing jobs with the every passing minute. So my question to the minister is why on earth is your government making the permit processing even longer and more frustrating? Thank you very much. It was a tremendous week out of the prospector and developers association conference and a very positive one in terms of the meetings we had with indigenous leadership and the federal government as well. May I say, as we move forward with our mineral development strategy our goal is to remain the leader of sustainable mineral development all across the world. Certainly in Ontario, we are very proud of the fact that we are still in mineral exploration. We are still number one in terms of mineral production and that's incredibly important to us in terms of your specific question we are working closely as we can to be as open as we can to move the plans of process forward and we'll continue to do that in the best fashion we can closely with industry. Minister industry reported that the province was slow and far behind other provinces with synchronizing permitting industry milestones. The criticism has been abundant. The AG report found government has spent $13 million and has nothing to show for it. Cliff said they had zero hold and that every investment made here was a disaster. Sources inside NORROD indicate they have threatened to suspend work. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce also reported lack of investment in the Ring of Fire. First Nation leadership have publicly expressed concerns that the provincial government is violating their agreement. Speaker, inclusion, investment, infrastructure truth and reconciliation is the path forward. These are wife's words at PDAC opening ceremony from regional chief day. Minister, this is no longer a game of crying wolf. When will you show leadership with this file? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, please Mr. Speaker, please Thank you Minister Mr. Speaker, again we had an extraordinary relationship building exercise with the Ring of Fire development. There's no doubt about it. The work that we're doing with the MTAW First Nations is unprecedented. The fact that we signed a regional framework agreement is unprecedented. The work that we're doing moving forward is going to position ourselves so that we're ready to move forward. The work we're doing with industry, whether it's with NORROD resources or any of the other companies that are related to investment we can be as negative as you want to be. We're going to continue to work for positively with all of our partners and stakeholders, including industry, including First Nations, including the MTAW nation, and we're going to recognize that we can be the top mineral destination for mining and across around the world and that's our goal of moving forward with the Ring of Fire as well. A project that when it comes to fruition is going to be a huge economic benefit to so many people across the province of Ontario. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Mr. Speaker, I've always been passionate about the television, film and broadcasting industries. In fact, before getting into politics, I worked as a reporter, producer and anchor for several stations, including the CBC, CTV, TVO and Omni, and worked on several documentary films. As a former board member for the Real World Film Festival, I've seen firsthand how good storytelling and filmmaking can move us to action. TIFF, Real World and even the Milton Film Festival in my writing are just some of the wonderful festivals that provide Ontario filmmakers with a platform for their work. We have some amazing talent. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport tell the House how our government is encouraging the development of our rapidly growing and film sector? Thank you. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the MPP from Halton for her continued work and advocacy for our creative sector here in the province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, there's no question that this government is a proud supporter of the creative sector here in Ontario. Yesterday we made some changes in the interactive digital media fund and also today we shared some great news with the sector. Ontario's had a great year. Ontario played a huge role at the Oscars, winning Best Picture for a film that was filmed here in Ontario and of course Best Actress went to an actress from the movie Room which was co-produced here in the province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, we know that there's TV productions that take place here like Murdoch Mysteries, Suits and Rain and we'll continue to support our film and television sector through our budget Mr. Speaker to ensure that it continues to build on that sector here in the province of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, TV and film. Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you Minister for your hard work in the sector. In fact Mr. Speaker, I saw the film Spotlight and Room and I was proud to discover that they were filmed right here in our province. Mr. Speaker, we know that the number one priority for our government is to grow the economy and create jobs for Ontarians and we know that the film and television sectors are important and thriving industries in Ontario. I'm pleased to hear from the Minister that our budget and our continued investment in TV and film is leading to record breaking GDP and job numbers. I'm proud our government is supporting this vital sector and the talented producers, directors, actors, cinematographers and industry experts living and working in our province. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell the members of this House more about our support for this important sector? Thank you Mr. Speaker. I was happy to announce that the TV and film tax credits attracted a record breaking level of production in 2015, making it the best year for film and television in the history of this province. The TV and film sector here in the province contributed over $1.5 billion to our local economy generating 4,500 new jobs here in Ontario. And Mr. Speaker, I know that we'll have continued growth here with continued support by the government. That means more local jobs, more economic growth and increased economic foreign investment. For every actor in front of the camera there are a dozen carpenters, lighting technicians, sound special effects, post-production. There's so many people involved in the production of the government Mr. Speaker to support film and television here in the province of Ontario. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Attorney General. Two years ago I introduced a private members resolution to reform joint and sever liability for municipalities. My motion received unanimous consent from MPPs of all parties, even Liberals. Yet here we stand over two years later and the government has done absolutely nothing. Municipalities and shares premiums remain high. In fact, it was brought up again at last month's Roma Ogre conference. So, Speaker, I ask the minister why won't the government respect the will of municipalities across Ontario and respect the resolution passed in this house by all parties over two years ago? Thank you, Attorney General. You know, to say that we have done nothing it's not exactly correct because there has been a lot of review that has been done, you know? I know the member might want to withdraw that. Thank you. There has been a lot of consultation that was done and you know what, Mr. Speaker, there was no support except from the insurance company and some of the municipality. So, the legal organization, those who represent those individuals that have been injured or that they have resulting from one of these injuries were very much against the joint and several liability, any change in that. So, I will continue on. Thank you, supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, the Liberals have turned their backs on municipalities. What a disgrace. But if the minister won't help municipalities across the province what about her own constituents? In 2008 there was a tragic incident in Ottawa where a drunk driver slammed into a bus because the bus driver was driving six kilometers over the speed limit and because he apparently picked the wrong moment to check his mirrors, the bus driver was found partially at fault. And now Ottawa taxpayers are on the hook for $2 million. This case represents municipalities' worst fears. Here is my question, Speaker. If other provinces and states can make sensible reforms to their systems, what's stopping Ontario? Is it because the Liberals' so-called consultation sought input only from trial lawyers? Is it because they totally excluded insurers and municipalities? Thank you. As I said, there was a wide consultation and what the review of the consultation shows us what the opposition wants to do is to switch the burden from the municipality to the injured individual. On this side of the house, we don't agree with that. So unless there is a suggestion that will not do that, I'm open to look at other proposals but so far the proposal that came to us was to do exactly that. To shift the burden from the injured individual to shift the burden of the municipality to the injured individual. We're not ready to do that and we're not going to do that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I would like to ask my question to the Premier. Since the Nishnabi Asking Nation of Sioux Lookout and the Chief's Committee on Health declared a health emergency for First Nation in Sioux Lookout and across the NAN territory. As Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler said and I quote children are dying, lives are at risk. Communities are in a state of crisis. Many First Nations lack the basics needed to deliver proper health care and as the declaration of emergency states people continually encounter the effects of federal and provincial jurisdictional squabbling leading to inadequate access to health care. Chiefs are calling on all levels of government and that includes this provincial government to commit to immediate action to address this urgent crisis. It has been too long for this to happen. What has the Premier done to address the urgent health care crisis in the NAN territory? Thank you. I appreciate the question Mr. Speaker and it is true that the NAN Nation in the Sioux Lookout Region issued this public health emergency statement. I think it was one day after Mr. Speaker that I organized a conference call with Grand Chief Elvin Filder with Regional Grand Chief Isidore Day. In fact there were quite a number of chiefs that were represented on the conference call with myself because I wanted on a very urgent basis to begin to address the valid concerns that they have raised through their call for support and help in health care. They also emphasize the importance closely with our federal partners that all levels of government are First Nations, the provincial government and the federal government. We work together in a collaborative fashion to address the issues concerning public health and other health issues in an effective manner. Supplementary. In urgent health care crisis demands more than a phone call. Community in northwestern Ontario and across the NAN territories have suffered from inadequate health care access for decades and the chiefs are clear they don't want this to continue any longer. They are calling for immediate action not phone calls by the government of Ontario. They want them to improve the long-term care facility in Sioux-Loucale. They want us the government, you to increase resources to support mental health and prevent suicide the government to comply with Jordan principle and make sure that children in particular have access to health care for too long government at all level including the provincial government have failed to address the crisis in First Nations community. These failures needs to stop right now speaker. Will the premier take immediate action not calls to stop this First Nations crisis? Mr. Speaker that immediate response in the conference call came one day after I addressed the annual health summit of our First Nations leadership and frontline health care workers where I outlined our plan going forward to work with them and I wish I had hoped in fact I'm surprised it took two weeks and she hasn't done this privately with me either I'm surprised it took her two weeks to actually address this either publicly or privately this is such an important issue so we're developing an action plan in response to every single issue that's referenced in their press release to inform further by that urgent and important phone call we've committed to in-person meeting as well and creating a process in in-person meeting that will include Federal Minister Jane Philpot we're developing an action plan but we're doing that in collaboration with the First Nations partners if she's unsure of the government's commitment to this I suggest she talk to those same First Nations leaders that I have and may I believe will defend our resolve Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister responsible for seniors affairs Ontario is currently home to approximately 2 million people over the age of 65 and over the next 25 years that number will more than double as our minister knows seniors play an active and an important role in our provinces communities and our economy recently in the budget this government proposed changes that will benefit seniors and assist them in living healthy and happy lives in the retirement years question for Mr. Speaker through Mr. Speaker is to the minister would this minister inform us how the House on recent items announced for seniors in the 1916 budget are in place Thank you Minister responsible for seniors Thank you very much I want to thank the member from Mr. Speaker and I have to say that he is absolutely right last week 18th degree weather the member was there shivering by doing his job representing the seniors the people of Ajax Pickering and I have to congratulate him because they were just groundbreaking another senior building so I know what he is talking about Mr. Speaker and it's absolutely right indeed Mr. Speaker the year 2016 budget insured that our seniors have access to program and services they need such as Speaker and this is important $250 million in home care and community care another additional $75 million of the next three years in community based residential hospital and palliative care and additional $10 million annually in support of our residents helping them in other complex behavior and neurological condition and Speaker above all $130,000 will benefit when they go and visit or themselves go to the hospital 50% reduction in a hospital parking Thank you Supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker and perhaps at this time I should correct my year of record and I said whatever I said it was of course 2016 I'm slightly like Panasonic slightly ahead of my time so I'd like to thank the minister for his response I know our government has a plan to create jobs and grow the economy and we recognize that our greatest strength is our people I'm pleased that in the budget we've allocated funding to ensure our seniors have access to programs and services they need and I look forward to seeing so many citizens and in my writing of Ajax Pickering benefit from the 2016 budget it's important that seniors remain healthy and independent for as long as possible and to feel safe and supported Question Can the minister responsible for seniors affairs please explain what is being proposed for the shingles vaccine Thank you minister Speaker the member is right again our seniors they want to live in cage active and they want to live in independent life as long as possible and absolutely speaker the member is right again when he says that we want to create jobs and what's in the budget speaker 160 billion dollars to create 110,000 jobs I think it's very important I have to say speaker that let me try and say this in a very nice way speaker that since the beginning our premier speaker has been preaching with more fervor than an evangelist preacher our premier speaker has been preaching more than an evangelist preacher about jobs and the economy speaker so this is nothing new but there is more in the budget speaker I've been after the minister of health the premier and the minister of finance to include the shingles for our senior speaker Thank you My question to members from Chatham Kent My question is to the minister of community safety and functional services minister people in Chatham Kent and around the province are outraged that there is an application before the court to be heard tomorrow to euthanize 21 dogs seasoned a dog fighting operation in Tilbury this has sparked an outpouring of support for the dogs and outraged towards the province safe from the Michael Vicks high profile 2007 fighting ring have proven to the world that fighting dogs can be successfully rehabilitated a Rhode Island woman who owns one of those 22 dogs safe from Michael Vicks state and who also runs a rescue for fighting dogs has offered to lend her expertise to the province free of charge but has heard no response the speaker to the minister why does the province think that dogs are different why don't they deserve a second chance question thank you the member is asking about a court process speaker that is underway involving the OSPCA we understand that this is a very challenging issue and many individuals and organizations are concerned as the speaker I'm sure as the member knows there is currently an application to the court by the OSPCA for permission to euthanize 21 a pit bull dog seized from an alleged dog fighting operation citing risk for public safety however speaker the remaining dogs are being rehabilitated for relocation outside the province speaker our government takes the care protection of animals in Ontario very seriously and we are proud to have some of the high standards but speaker we have to be mindful that OSPCA is an independent charitable organization that provides a number of services such as animal shelters public health care and spray neutral clinics contrary to public reports the government of Ontario does not have legislative or regulatory authority to direct the OSPCA to take or not to take any action in this instance this is the matter before the court and that's where it should be thank you supplementary thank you speaker back to the minister I own a rescue dog and I love him very dearly Ontario's archaic animal laws making this issue more complicated the animal sanctuary dog tales has offered to help begging the minister a grant to grant a special designation so they can take these dogs in they've taken dogs in the province that the province has deemed unadoptable before and they are willing to do it again they've been offered a forever home for any dogs that cannot be rehabilitated no stone minister should be left unturned so speaker to the minister will the minister take every possible step save these dogs lives and grant such a designation minister save the dogs I also do have a rescue dog which my family and I love very very dearly as I said speaker earlier that OSPCA is an independent charitable organization that provides a number of services when it comes to the welfare of animals in our province additionally speaker OSPCA act which is a legislation of this parliament authorizes the SPCA inspectors and agents to enforce any law pertaining to the welfare of animals please speaker may also enforce these laws as I said earlier again speaker and I want to repeat that the government of Ontario does not have legislative or regulatory authority to direct the OSPCA to take the member from Leeds Grenville can turn his chair away from me after he hits but it doesn't mean I don't hear you and we're very close to a vote and I would love him to be able to exercise that voting right finish please I guess because the government does not have any authority to tell OSPA what to do or what not to do or to exempt a private facility for the requirements of the dog owners liability act for the purposes of transferring ownership of the dex dogs to such a facility thank you the member from Scarborough an agent court for a point of order thank you Mr. Speaker I want to welcome our two American guests visiting the legislature former as Minnesota Senator Jane Kretz and the NCEL no NCEL Executive Director Jeff Moll for visiting Queens Park today welcome to Queens Park thank you very much speaker I'd like to introduce the legislature today two residents from the great writing of Chatham Ken Essex Wayne and Jennifer Black welcome to Queens Park we haven't deferred vote on the amendment to the motion for allocation of time on bill 173 enact to implement budget measures and to enact other amended various statutes calling the members this will be a five minute bill would all members please take their seats all members please take your seats on Tuesday March 8th 2016 Mr. Knackney moved government notice motion number 63 Mr. Clark then moved that the motion be amended as follows that the paragraph beginning that the standing suspense suspense we are now dealing with Mr. Clark's amendment to the motion all those in favor please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk Mr. Clark Mr. Arna Mr. McLeod Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson Mr. Jones Mr. Brown Mr. Brown Mr. Yazka Buskey Mr. Yatto Buske Mr. Hillier Mr. Miller Perry sand Mascoca Mr. Miller Perry sand Mascoca Mr. McDonald Mr. McNaughton Mr. Scott Mr. Scott Mr. Thompson Mr. Thompson Mr. Barrett Mr. Barrett Mr. Monroe Mr. Monroe Mr. Haudack Mr. Houdack Mr. McLaren Mr. McLaren Mr. Bailey Mr. Bailey Mr. Walker Mr. Walker Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Nicholls Mr. Nicholls Dr. Martole Mr. Martole Mr. McDonald Mr. McDonnell Monty Mr. Pettipease Mr. Cove Mr. Cove all those opposed everyone please rise be recognized by the court. Mr. Nackby. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Shirelli. Mr. Shirelli. Mr. Nanyir. Mr. Susa. Mr. Susa. Ms. Wynne. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Matthews. Mr. Hoskins. Ms. Sander. Ms. Sander. Mr. Dugas. Ms. Dugas. Ms. McCharles. Ms. McCharles. Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. Mr. Tacar. Mr. Tacar. Mr. Bardinetti. Mr. Bardinetti. Mr. Delaide. Mr. Dilla. Mr. Dilla. Mr. Dorezzetti. Mr. Cato. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Zimmer. Mr. Zimmer. Mr. Amla Long. Mr. Quadri. Mr. Valkasen. Mr. Valkasen. Ms. Albenezy. Ms. Albenezy. Mr. Dixon. Mr. Dixon. Ms. Mangat. Ms. Mangat. Mr. Crack. Ms. Crack. Ms. Hunter. Ms. Hunter. Mr. Sergio. Mr. Sergio. Mr. Morrow. Mr. Morrow. Ms. Jassett. Ms. Jassett. Mr. Del Ducca. Ms. Darmela. Ms. Darmela. Ms. Wong. Ms. Molly. Ms. Martin. Ms. Martin. Ms. McGarris. Ms. McGarry. Ms. McMahon. Ms. McMahans. Mr. Milchin. Mr. Milchin. Ms. Nidoo Harris. Ms. Nidoo Harris. Mr. Rinaldi. Mr. Rinaldi. Ms. Bernille. Mrs. Bernille. Mr. Qu Besson. Mr. Vantor. The ayes being 24, the nays are 67. The ayes being 24 and the nays being 67, I declare the amendment lost. Are the members ready to vote on the main motion? Mr. Naqvi has moved government notice of motion number 63. Is it the pleasure of the House of the Motion? Carry. I heard a no. Are those in favor please say aye. Aye. Are those opposed please say nay. Aye. in the ayes have it. Call in the members. This will be five minute. All those in favor of the motion, all those in favor of the motion, please rise as please rise as one we recognise by the court. Mr. Nackpey. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Sherille. Mr. Shrelli. The N.A.O. Mr. Miu. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Matthews. Mr. Hosskins. Ms. Hosskins. Ms. Sandals. Ms. Sandals. Mr. Dugas. Ms. Mccharls. Ms. Mccharls. Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. Mr. T'Carr. Mr. T'Carr. Mr. Bardnetti. Mr. Bardnetti. Mr. Delaney. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Orozzetti. Mr. Gravel, Mr. McMeakin, Mr. Murray, Mr. Chan, Mr. Moriti, Mr. Coteau, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Zimmer, Mr. Zimmer, Madame Lalonde, Mr. Quadrie, Mr. Balkas, Mr. Albanese, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Dixon, Ms. Mangat, Mr. Prack, Ms. Hunter, Mr. Sergio, Mr. Moro, Ms. Jassa, Mr. Del Ducca, Ms. Dahmerlach, Ms. Wong, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Balor, Mr. Dahm, Ms. Hogarth, Ms. Kuala, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Martin, Ms. McGarry, Ms. McMahon, Mr. Milchin, Ms. Nidu Harris, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Verneel. All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the court. Mr. Bisson, Mr. Vantah, Ms. DeNovo, Mr. Tavis, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Stony Creek, Ms. Salar, Ms. Angelina, Ms. Fight, Ms. Forster, Ms. Forster, Mr. Montau, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Gates, Ms. French. The ayes are 54, the nays are 37. The ayes being 54, and the nays being 37, I declare the motion carried. I would like to remind all members that there is an event this afternoon at 1.30 in Rooms 228-2.30 when we will be rededicating those rooms as gathering place. Our original themed rooms are here in the legislative building. I hope that you will be able to join me as part of the legislative change. Our First Nations people will be here. There will be a ceremony providing attention to First Nations people. There are no further deferred votes. This house stands recessed until 3pm this afternoon.