 Therefore, it is time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Royal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The Premier acknowledged this morning she made a mistake at least six times. She used the word mistake or mistakes. We know the cost of the mistake is $42 billion. The Premier just signed off on $42 billion in interest payments alone to pay for this government's mistakes. Mr. Speaker, whether you pay today, whether you pay tomorrow, eventually the Liberals are going to go back to raising rates. Mr. Speaker, hydro bills may go down temporarily, but eventually ratepayers are going to have to pay this back. So the question is, how long and how soon is that going to be? The reason the people on this side of the House are standing and cheering, Mr. Speaker, is that the people of Ontario who pay electricity are going to see a 25% reduction by this side. Your decision to continue while I'm standing is making me decide whether or not I'm going to move to warnings. I might have to do that anyway, so if I warn somebody, it's because you've been warned that you could be warned. The member from Renfrew and Ipissing, Pembroke, is warned. Start the clock. My message has been sent. I will be insistent. Supplementary, leader. Mr. Speaker, rehearsed applause for a $42 billion mistake. $42 billion in interest that Ontario ratepayers are going to pay. Start the clock. The member from Glenbury, Prescott Russell, is warned. Anyone else? Could end up being a long list or a short list? Your choice. Finish, please. Mr. Speaker, $42 billion to make up for a mistake. $42 billion in interest payments, and the incredible thing is this government proceeding tomorrow with more of these bad green energy contracts. You think they'd learn pain more to pay for these bad contracts and they're proceeding tomorrow. So, Mr. Speaker, my question is, given that you've said this morning six times you made a colossal mistake, are you still going to proceed tomorrow with these additional bad contracts for a generation we do not need? When does it stop? Here. Let's just get the facts on the table. What we're talking about, Mr. Speaker, is spreading the cost of the investments that have been made as a result of neglect that was in the system from all governments, Mr. Speaker. The member from Huron, Bruce, is warned. Any more proof needed? I'll give it. Finish, please. For 50 years, Mr. Speaker, investments were not made. All governments, Liberal, NDP, Conservative, have to answer for that. Mr. Speaker, we're talking about spreading those costs over 30 years. And over those 30 years, Mr. Speaker, we're talking about a $25 billion cost. I don't know where the member got $42 billion, $25 billion over 30 years, so that people across those 30 years will share the costs of those investments that had to be made. Answer. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, this scheme does nothing to end the unmitigated disaster of the Green Energy Act. It doesn't touch the generators that taxpayers will pay in the end. Mr. Speaker, why does this scheme do nothing to end the bad contract? Stop the clock. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change is warned. I'll do this all-question period. And I may choose to go to naming. It's time. Please finish. Mr. Speaker, why is there's nothing being done about the Green Energy Act and the bad contracts? Mr. Speaker, is the reason that the government's still proceeding with more of these contracts, is the reason they're not touching any of these old bad contracts, is it because of the $1.3 million in donations to the Ontario Liberal Party from companies that benefited from these bad contracts? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. So here's what we're doing. We're putting in place relief for everyone, Mr. Speaker, because what we have all heard is that everyone across the province, whether you live in the north or the south, whether you live in urban or rural Ontario, everyone has seen electricity prices go up too far, too fast, Mr. Speaker. So that, on average, 25% reduction will be for everyone. We also heard, Mr. Speaker, that people who live in some of the more rural or remote areas... The member from Leeds, Grenville, is warned. Carry on. ...are paying distribution costs that are exponentially higher than people who live in denser areas, Mr. Speaker. So we are providing relief for those people as well. And people who live on low incomes, we're expanding the electricity support program to help them. We're making structural change, Mr. Speaker, sustainable change, because people need relief right now, and that's what we're delivering. Thank you. So, Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. This scheme is simply robbing Peter to pay Paul, but in this case, both Peter and Paul are taxpayers. Paul may pay less next month, but Peter will be paying, hear this, $1.83 billion a year and $42 billion interest for decades to come because of this mistake, because of these mistakes of this government. Mr. Speaker, is this scheme about making all of Ontario pay more and interest payments simply to save this government politically in the short term? Is this about their own self-interest? It absolutely is, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the changes that we're bringing in, which will spread the costs of assets and investments that have been made that were absolutely necessary to upgrade the electricity system, Mr. Speaker, we are going to spread those over a 30-year period, Mr. Speaker. That will be about $25 billion over the 30 years, Mr. Speaker. Again, we need to deal with the numbers that are real, and that is the number, Mr. Speaker, and we're doing this because people need relief right now. The investments that have been made were necessary, Mr. Speaker. Having clean energy, Mr. Speaker, is necessary. Having clean air is necessary. We are not backing away from those decisions. But what we are saying is that people need to pay now, but they also need to pay into the future, Mr. Speaker. There needs to be a sharing of those costs over a longer period of time. That's fair, Mr. Speaker, and that's why our plan is being brought forward. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, this is simply another liberal shell game. We saw it in the fall with Liberal Hydro Plan number 17, where they just shifted the clean energy rebate with HST. This is, again, it's simply another shell game. It's a shift. This government is not getting at the root causes. And so I will ask again, why does this government not... Stop the clock. The Minister of Agriculture is warned. Finish, please. Mr. Speaker, I understand why the government doesn't want to hear this. It's not in their self-interest, but the reality is these bad contracts they're not looking at. They're still proceeding tomorrow with more bad contracts. When you have this massive surplus, when we're giving it away to our competitors in the United States, I can't understand why they're going ahead tomorrow with more bad contracts. The Premier said this morning she made a mistake while she's making more mistakes tomorrow. How can you really be remorseful when you're going to do the same thing tomorrow? Do the right thing. Stop signing these bad deals. It actually helped. Great. Can you see it, please? Thank you. Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, really helping rate payers is exactly what we're doing. And in fact, with everyone in this house and in Ontario, we looked at everything. We looked... A member from Lannark, Brown, and Ecclesiastan Acton is warned. Carry on. Every possibility. And, Mr. Speaker, you know, the notion of renegotiating contracts was something that we absolutely looked at. And the reality is, Mr. Speaker, there are hundreds of contracts. And to renegotiate every one of those, first of all, would be incredibly expensive. Secondly, would take an enormous amount of time, Mr. Speaker. And finally, Mr. Speaker, as someone said to me, an academic said to me, well, why don't you just legislate the cancellation of those contracts, Mr. Speaker? That would put a chill on doing business with Ontario for decades to come, Mr. Speaker. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, I had hoped that in this liberal hydro announcement that they would have at least said, okay, maybe they don't have the courage to look at these bad contracts because they're their friends, they're their donors. But I at least would have hoped they would have said on Friday, on tomorrow, they're not going to sign more. They're still proceeding. Okay, so the government doesn't want to look at the bad contracts. They don't want to take on their friends. I get that. But will they at least reign in the executive salaries? There's nothing this morning about these offensive executive salaries. We pay sometimes 10 times the amount in hydro salaries for executives that other provinces do. So if you're not going to look at the bad contracts, can you at least look at these $4 million salaries? Can you at least have some empathy for ratepayers that can't pay their hydro bills? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we are reducing rates by 25% for every ratepayer in this province. Leader Opposition can't hear that, Mr. Speaker. So let me say it again. 25% for every ratepayer in this province, Mr. Speaker. Our plan provides fast, substantial, and widespread, and long-lasting relief, Mr. Speaker. I know the PCs, Mr. Speaker, they're struggling to agree with one another on their own schemes, Mr. Speaker. On their biggest idea of ripping up those energy contracts, let me be clear, this will lead to increased rates, Mr. Speaker, lawsuits and penalties. Even the Leader of the Opposition's own energy critic knows this, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, what did he say on Radio and Ottawa? This will come at a huge cost to task players and will see prices grow. That's what they're saying. To the minister, I stand you sit. New question. The member from Bramley-Gore-Moulton. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Premier has a very bad record of saying one thing to Ontarians and doing the exact opposite in reality. She promised to lower auto insurance rates by 15% before an election, before an election, but after she got re-elected, guess what? That turned out to be a stretch goal. So how can the Premier expect Ontarians to believe anything that this government says when they promise to do the right thing before? How can the people of Ontario expect to believe anything this Premier says when this Premier and this government say one thing before? The minister responsible for senior affairs is warned. Expect Ontarians to believe anything that this government has to say when they promise to do the right thing before an election, but then they break that promise right after they get re-elected. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We said that we were going to reduce people's electricity bills by 8% that is happening. We have brought forward a plan to reduce people's electricity bills by 25%. People will see those reductions by the summer. We've said further that people who live in remote and rural areas will see a further reduction because they will see their distribution charges reduced, Mr. Speaker. They will see those results, Mr. Speaker. And, you know, Mr. Speaker, it is extremely important to me that we recognize that this is about people's needs. This is about the reality of electricity prices across the province. We've brought forward a plan, Mr. Speaker, that will give people relief in the immediate term. And, Mr. Speaker, that is more than I can say for the leader of the third party, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, the Premier also promised not to sell off a vital public asset before an election. But guess what happened after the government got elected? We all know where we are right now. We know this government broke that promise. Making promises to other people of Ontario and then breaking them once you're re-elected does nothing more than make people cynical about the government. How can the Premier honestly believe after so many broken promises that the people will now have any faith in what this government has to say? Minister of Energy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very pleased to rise and respond, Mr. Speaker, because the first thing I get to say is we are reducing rates for every rate payer in this province, Mr. Speaker, by 25%. Also, Mr. Speaker, this is more than just a proposal, Mr. Speaker. This is an actual structural change, Mr. Speaker. That's going to see these rates continue to stay low, Mr. Speaker, for the next four years, and we're going to continue to bring forward a long-term energy plan that will continue to make sure that we take costs out of the system, Mr. Speaker. But when you look at the NDP proposal, Mr. Speaker, and what they were talking about, their biggest idea, Mr. Speaker, is to rebuy Hydro-1 shares, Mr. Speaker. That will not take one cent, Mr. Speaker, off any of the bills, Mr. Speaker. That's why it doesn't take off one cent off electricity bills, Mr. Speaker, and it's not just us that's saying this. The Toronto Star editorial even goes further to say, Mr. Speaker, there's no evidence that keeping it public would make this particular issue any better, Mr. Speaker. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, the reality is this proposal doesn't do anything to address the mess in the Hydro-system, and Ontarians are right to be cynical about it. They know that come June 8th, 2018, if the Liberals win, the Hydro-rates will go right back up. That's what they know and that's what they expect to happen. In fact, the Premier refuses to address the real issues. They're not going to stop the sell-off of Hydro-1. They won't address the unfair time of use pricing or the bad contracts or the fact that we oversupply electricity and then pay foreign, private companies to purchase that oversupply of electricity. This is a quick political fix to a problem the Premier ignored, her party ignored, and they only care about it now because there's an election looming and the Premier has such bad polling numbers. That's the reality Ontarians know that. Will the Premier admit today that this plan will only end up costing rapiers more in the long run? Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Honourable Member outlined quite a few points, but let us outline quite a few points, Mr. Speaker. First thing, Mr. Speaker, the relief that we're talking about will be substantial relief, Mr. Speaker, 25% right across the board for every rate pair. For those that are living in rural parts of our province, Mr. Speaker, in northern parts of our province, 800,000 households, Mr. Speaker, they'll see that number jump up between 40 and 50%, Mr. Speaker. That is significant. As I said, Mr. Speaker, there are many things that we're doing and the important thing, Mr. Speaker, is that this relief will be lasting because it's built on real change, Mr. Speaker. The member from Essex is warned. Carry on. It's built on real change, Mr. Speaker. It's not looking at making sure we might possibly be able to have a conversation in a few years down the road with some group that we may want to make up. We're looking at plans, Mr. Speaker. We're bringing forward relief. This 25% is coming, Mr. Speaker, and it will help everyone in this province. Good question. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our question again is to the Premier. Let's be honest here. Ontario families will not be fooled by this desperate... Please put your question. We all know that if the government is re-elected, we'll be right back here in the same mess with HydroBills so high that small businesses are shuttering their doors and that families are forced to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. The Premier has had 14 years in this government to fix this problem and four years as a Premier to fix the systemic problems with the hydro system. But she hasn't done that. Her party hasn't done that. When will the Premier stop kicking the problem down the road and actually address the systemic problems with the hydro system and actually help Ontario families and businesses? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know when families see their bills in the summer, Mr. Speaker, they are going to see a reduction of, on average, 25% Mr. Speaker. And I believe that that is going to make a huge difference to families across the problems. In addition to that, families who are living in more rural and remote areas, Mr. Speaker, who have been paying exorbitant and exponentially high distribution charges, are going to see a further reduction, Mr. Speaker. And that is a structural change. As well, Mr. Speaker, what we've said is that there were some costs that were being born by ratepayers, Mr. Speaker, that need actually to be born by the whole group of Ontarians, by taxpayers, Mr. Speaker. So that's a structural change that we've made. In addition, financing the payoff of those assets over 30 years, Mr. Speaker, those were the structural issues that we're driving. So structural change is exactly what we're delivering to Ontario. Mr. Speaker, this is just a plan that doubles down on a bad plan and extends it for a long period of time. That's all it is. The people who will be the happiest with this plan are the Premier's small group of well-connected friends. They're the ones who are going to be happy about this. The Premier is hoping that this plan will help her Liberal Party, but she knows that certainly this is going to help her banker friends. It doesn't actually address the systemic problems of the hydro system, and it doesn't actually permanently lower the bills. It just makes people cynical, and that's absolutely the wrong thing. A short-term fix is not enough. A plan that doesn't make the real concrete changes to address the systemic problems with our hydro system is nothing more than a desperate attempt from an unpopular government to cling on to power. Will the Premier show Ontarians the disrespect they deserve and actually come up with a real plan that addresses the real problems to permanently lower the cost of hydro in this province? Thank you, Mr Speaker. I know the honourable member mentioned our small group of friends, and that small group of friends is every single rate payer in this province. It's a 25% reduction, Mr Speaker, that we are going to see in the very near future, Mr Speaker. It's not a bumper sticker plan like they brought forward, Mr Speaker, that talks about just a number that they brought out of air that they can maybe work with if they can get this group put together, Mr Speaker. We have substantial structural changes that we have brought forward, Mr Speaker. We are bringing forward significant changes to the Triple-RP. We are upgrading the OESP program, Mr Speaker. Low-income individuals were on the last page, and they were told to sit and wait. We're not waiting to help low-income individuals. We're even creating a new affordability fund, Mr Speaker, that low-income individuals can access on top of the OESP program, and it's going to actually help many, many people get out of the perpetual cycle of not being able to pay their bills, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, the problem with this Liberals hydro system is one. They continue to sell off our public asset. They're selling off Hydro One. They continue with an unfair time of use fee. They're doubling down on bad contracts. They're paying private foreign companies. They're paying them for the energy that we overproduce. These are the problems, and guess what? None of these problems are being solved by this plan. None of these issues are being addressed by this government. Ontarians can't trust this Premier with their Hydro Bill, and they don't believe that stretching payments is in any way addressing the root cause of the problems. Will the Premier show that she's serious about tackling the mess that her government and her leadership have created, and implement a plan that will develop a real solution to this problem and permanently lower the cost of Hydro. The people deserve that. Thank you, Mr Speaker. So we've done exactly that. We've made sure that rates are coming down by 25% for every single rate payer in this province. When it comes, Mr Speaker, to those that are living in, you know, our rural remotes or even some of our smaller communities, Mr Speaker, that's 800,000 households, Mr Speaker. 800,000 households will see even more than that, Mr Speaker. They'll see more than that. And those who have a hard time, Mr Speaker, even paying their bills when it is 25% reduction, Mr Speaker, we have now programs in place that will actually help them and help more of them. And the one thing that we are also very proud of, Mr Speaker, is making sure that we have a new on-reserve First Nation rate, Mr Speaker, helping out 21,500 First Nations people right across our province. Mr Speaker, we will continue to listen and to work for the people Ontario, and that's why we have this 25% reduction plan, Mr Speaker. New question, the member from Prince Edward Hastings. My question this morning is for the Premier, thanks to this morning's Liberal Scheme. We now know that Ontarians are going to be on the hook for another $42 billion in brand new interest costs in Ontario. And the Premier said this morning she can't even guarantee long-term relief for ratepayers. That's because they're pushing even more of these expensive fit contracts onto the grid tomorrow. These are the same types of contracts that got us in the first place. Speaker, if you're spending $42 billion of today's money to pay for yesterday's mistakes, how much more are we going to have to pay for the mistakes that you're about to make tomorrow? Good question. Thank you. Thank you, Mr Speaker. So obviously the Honourable Member hasn't actually really looked at the plan because he would then understand that what we're talking about, Mr Speaker, is $25 billion over 30 years. Mr Speaker, that one generation does not pay for something that will be used by many generations, Mr Speaker. We're offloading those costs and making sure, Mr Speaker, that everyone will pay their fair share because we're making the system fair, Mr Speaker. 25% reduction right across the board for every ratepayer, Mr Speaker. But I know, Mr Speaker, he keeps talking about our fit contracts and all of those bad contracts that he likes to frame, Mr Speaker. But I know yesterday when he was talking on CFRA's show in Ottawa, out of his mouth, Mr Speaker, he said, ripping up these contracts would come at a huge cost to taxpayers, Mr Speaker. And we agree, Mr Speaker, we are making sure that we have a fair system in place, Mr Speaker, one that is helping 25% reduction right across the board. Thank you. You know, in a radio interview a couple of weeks ago, the Energy Minister for the Liberals called London listeners dumb, Mr Speaker. That's what he's done. $42 billion in new interest costs and the big power company friends who gave $1.3 million to the government aren't going to be out of a dime. 64% of the costs in the electricity sector come from generators and guess who's not going to be affected? They're liberal friends. The generators are not going to be affected as a result of this scheme today. In fact, a bunch of them are getting new levels for plans tomorrow to build more of these things. Six times in her press availability, the Premier said she made a mistake. But if you keep doing the same thing, it's not a mistake, it's negligence. And it's been negligence from this government for years now. Will the government fix the underlying problem? Or are we going to continue robbing Peter's grandkids to pay Paul's grandkids by 2030? Good question. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It's actually this government is making sure we look after Peter's grandparents and Paul's grandparents and their grandkids, Mr. Speaker, by reducing rates and eliminating coal, Mr. Speaker. They forget about that. There's substantial reductions that we have made, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that we make sure that our children have clean air to breathe, Mr. Speaker. That's something that they never worried about, Mr. Speaker. They are talking about renewable energy, Mr. Speaker. They completely forget about 42,000 jobs, Mr. Speaker, that were created in this sector. They forget about billions and billions of dollars, Mr. Speaker, that were made and invested in this province. And of course, Mr. Speaker, we have now brought forward a plan that will make sure that we have an affordable system, we have a clean system, and we have a green system, something that is the envy of not only this but the world, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Over the last 14 years, Ontario has made so little progress for families who need and deserve quality childcare. Currently, there are only enough licensed spaces for one in five Ontario families. We know people in Ontario pay the highest childcare fees in Canada. We know people in Ontario have the poorest access to quality care for their children. In the field, continue to say we do not even have a childcare system in the province of Ontario. By default, your government has left the creation of these spaces to the private market premier. Later today, we will be debating my private member's bill, Bill 92, which will ensure that childcare in Ontario is high quality, accessible and affordable. My question is simple. Do you really believe that childcare in Ontario should be delivered by for-profit operators? Is it responsible for early years of childcare? Is it responsible for children and youth services? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member opposite for this question. I want to make sure that as we transform and really deliver the childcare that Ontarians need in our province, that we are doing our best to help all Ontarians, all Ontarians across the province. What that means after consulting with thousands of Ontarians in our province is that they want choice. They want choice and they want affordability. And the forms that comes in is many, many different forms, not just one option. So Mr. Speaker, absolutely when it comes to not-for-profit childcare spaces, we understand how important that is. That's why our past capital investments have only gone to school-based, not-for-profit childcare spaces. We also understand that 77% of childcare licensed centres that are out there are either non-profit or operated by First Nations. So we want to give parents in rural areas and remote areas choice when they don't have those options and we want to make sure we're doing the right thing. Mr. Speaker, this minister was quoted today saying that she believes not-for-profit childcare is ideological. Only this Liberal government could say that 30 years of research and study on childcare is ideological. Those 30 years of research show that childcare delivered by not-for-profit and public models offer greater quality of care than a market-driven approach. When you remove the profit motive, there is more funding for special needs children, subsidies to improve access, at least to lower fees for families. We could even pay ECEs the salaries they deserve. We strongly believe that childcare is a public service, not something that should be traded on the stock again. Will the minister commit to supporting public not-for-profit childcare, or does the minister believe that childcare should be provided by four public companies where quality care is compromised? Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member opposite for this question and I will tell you that transforming the way we deliver childcare in this province is a priority. That's why the Premier created this place and made the minister responsible for this because we understand that families need support. So we are doing our best to build the system up and do the right thing. One of the things we did is we walked, we went around the province and talked to thousands of families, either in person or online. And here's what they told us. They told us they needed access and they told us that they needed affordable care. So we need to build that into the community. We need to give families in the north and in remote areas the options that they need. Sometimes some of these areas only have for-profit centers in those areas. So we need to ensure that we're creating those spaces there. We also need to ensure that we're creating spaces and the support in urban areas. All Ontarians will be getting the childcare that they need. Thank you. New question to member from Davenport. My question is to the Minister of Energy but I would first like to congratulate the Premier for listening to Ontarians caring enough to act and make people's lives better. That's what leadership is. Mr. Speaker over the course of many, many months families and businesses and my riding of Davenport have expressed concern over the rising cost of hydro. They don't understand why hydro rates have gone up and they're frustrated by the bills delivered to their door. People are worried about the price they're being asked to pay and the impact it's having on their household budgets. For some of them it's reached a point where they're choosing between keeping the lights on and keeping food in the refrigerator. This is unacceptable and I know you'll agree that that's unacceptable. North or south rural or urban this issue affects us all. While I know our government has already taken concrete steps to help we all agree that more is needed. Mr. Speaker I want to acknowledge the member for her important question and of course her hard work in her constituency and I know Mr. Speaker electricity is an essential part of our life Mr. Speaker and everywhere I was able to travel in this capacity over the last eight months Mr. Speaker I hear from people worried about the price they pay for electricity Mr. Speaker and over those past few months I know the premier myself and many of our colleagues MPPs have been made a point Mr. Speaker of connecting with those individuals and so we've either gone with to visit them Mr. Speaker we've called them and Mr. Speaker people want to know three things. First off Mr. Speaker that the relief substantial relief is on its way and it is Mr. Speaker. Second that that relief will go to everyone Mr. Speaker and it will and third that the relief will be lasting because it is built on a change that bills won't just jump back up in a couple of months or a couple of years Mr. Speaker I was very pleased to join the premier this morning in making that announcement Mr. Speaker and I will start doing so Mr. Speaker by making sure those bills come down as soon as possible. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I would like to thank the Minister of Energy for his response. I believe most of us are aware of today's announcement and are keen to learn more about what it means for families and businesses to get their benefits to the citizens in Davenport. Earlier this week the NDP released their own proposal for addressing hydro costs. Ontarians are still waiting on the Conservatives to reduce a realistic proposal to bring down rates. While we welcome new ideas on ways to help people struggling with energy rates I believe it's important for Ontarians to understand the differences between these approaches. So my question to the Minister for our plan and how it compares to the others. Thank you Mr. Speaker we're moving forward with the largest cut to electricity rates in Ontario's history Mr. Speaker. We are tripling the size of the cut we're making to people's electricity bills from 8% to an average of 25% and for those living in rural communities are with low incomes the break Mr. Speaker will be even greater. So how does this compare to this? Right now neither party has a credible approach to dealing with rising electricity costs Mr. Speaker. While our plan provides fast substantial widespread and long lasting relief Mr. Speaker. The PCs are struggling to agree with one another on their own one off schemes Mr. Speaker. Their biggest idea of ripping up energy contracts will lead to increased rates, lawsuits and penalties Mr. Speaker. The other idea is to get one cent one cent off of electricity bills Mr. Speaker. Meanwhile Mr. Speaker we're actually acting we're reducing bills and we're helping people right across this province. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I would say to the member from Davenport start by stop signing contracts. Stop signing. You will tell us who your question is directed to and then make your comments. Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank the members of the Department of Energy. John and Virginia food and the three children live in my riding of Thorn Hail. Unfortunately John has recently had to switch jobs resulting in a pay cut. And his wife Virginia is on a medical leave from work. John and Virginia are working hard but their electricity bills are almost as much as their mortgage. Recently their utility Are your electricity used by April 1st? Is this minister planning to play a vicious April Fool's joke on this family? Thank you Mr. Speaker. The one thing that is important to recognize Mr. Speaker is that's why we acted Mr. Speaker bringing forward this 25% reduction and changing the OSP program to make sure that they actually get some help Mr. Speaker. And when it comes Mr. Speaker to you know possible disconnections Mr. Speaker the OEB acted and said they're not going to be any disconnections until April 30th Mr. Speaker. And so they have an opportunity now to work with their local utility Mr. Speaker to make sure that doesn't happen. There are payment plans options in place Mr. Speaker. There are many things that the LDCs are doing to ensure that they're working with customers and helping customers make sure that they don't get disconnected especially Mr. Speaker and I would encourage my Honourable colleague to tell them to talk to the LDC because if there is health issues at risk the LDC needs to know that and they will act to ensure that they can help in every way possible Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Energy. I know the Liberal Party really appreciated the 1.3 million dollars they received from big green energy companies before assigning the preferential green energy contracts with them but the people of Ontario and Niagara West Glenbrook would really appreciate answers for a change. Will the Minister acknowledge the Green Energy Act was a mistake apologizing for forcing industrial wind turbines on my constituents and ask the Premier to pay back the 1.3 million dollars the Liberals received from big green energy companies. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I know the Honourable Member stands up but let's talk about the jobs that were created by the green energy contracts Mr. Speaker. 42,000 in the sector that we're now doing Mr. Speaker by putting a wind turbine coming from Tilsonburg going to Hamilton getting on a boat and going over to the UK where they can build wind turbines over there Mr. Speaker. We have created a sector that is creating jobs in this province Mr. Speaker but when it comes to ripping up contracts I know Mr. Speaker that that will cost billions of dollars we'll actually have penalties we'll actually make rates go up even more Mr. Speaker. That's why we're not doing that and maybe they should talk amongst themselves Mr. Speaker because they seem to be arguing over that and obviously Mr. Speaker they don't have a plan. The only thing that we're hearing from them is they want to change the name from PC to Pro-Coal Mr. Speaker because that's the only way that they'll be able to figure out how they can lower rates. We're actually lowering rates by 25% for every single family right across this province. Thank you Speaker. My questions to the Premier. Jeff lives in Hamilton and it's behind on his hydro bill. Had he listened to the Premier Jeff might have thought he was now safe from winter disconnections but Jeff pays his hydro bill to a private company that sub meters his apartment building. The Minister of Energy said on Tuesday that the OEB's winter disconnection ban included such companies but yesterday the OEB said the exact opposite stating in an email that the OEB's decision and order does not apply to unit sub metering providers. Can the Premier explain what's going on? Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'm pleased to stand and rise and answer that question Mr. Speaker. Member from Hamilton Mountain is warned. Finish please. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Once again I'm pleased to say standing and rising to address this issue Mr. Speaker. We are going to work with the OEB to address this Mr. Speaker because we do recognize that this is something that needs to be addressed. When we talked about no winter disconnects right across the province Mr. Speaker we meant everybody so we're going to continue to work with the OEB on this Mr. Speaker but when it comes to where we've seen these issues arise Mr. Speaker we recognize that some families some individuals were having a hard time Mr. Speaker paying the bills. That's why Mr. Speaker today we've announced that we're reducing all rates Mr. Speaker by 25 percent. Supplementary. Well Speaker Jeff allows ODSP to manage the payment of its bill so we can handle it but Jeff's hydro bill has been going up so quickly over the last year that ODSP through no fault of their own can't keep up. They pay a pre-determined amount each month based on Jeff's typical hydro costs but it hasn't been enough because bills are going up so quickly each time they increase the monthly payment falls behind. They're still behind the curve and arrears are spiraling. Jeff's neighbors are in the same situation many in Hamilton are. Today's announcement won't help Jeff or his neighbors and you know what I just like to announce today that I'm taking a second mortgage on my house so my grandkids can pay their hydro bill. What will this government do to help people climb out from the hole it's being dug by this province and this premier. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Speaker. The plan that we announced today is actually going to help families and individuals like the honorable member mentioned Mr. Speaker. The affordability fund for example will actually help these individuals Mr. Speaker get out of that perpetual cycle of always being behind Mr. Speaker because of many reasons. Let's say they have electric heat and they haven't invested in insulation or upgrading their windows because they haven't had the necessary pocket money Mr. Speaker to do that. This affordability fund will allow them now to access those dollars to make the necessary upgrades to their home Mr. Speaker then that way they'll see their bills lower even more by conserving Mr. Speaker which then on top of that Mr. Speaker has a benefit for everyone across the province just like the benefit that we announced today this Mr. Speaker that 25% reduction that everyone will be getting across the province is something that we should all be proud of Mr. Speaker because we are helping every family in this province. Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Speaker recently the opposition has been accusing our government of not paying attention to our forestry industry. All too often we hear accusations from across the floor that we're making lives harder for people in Ontario. Speaker surely they're mistaken. Speaker can the Minister please tell our government what we're doing to look out for the people who are working in Ontario's forestry sector. Thank you Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Thank you Speaker and I'd like to thank the member from Kingston and the islands for her question. Making sure that we make life better for people across the province is a major priority of our government. Our government understands how important a strong forest product sector is to Ontario's economy and the key job creator it plays in over 260 communities across Ontario and the 172,000 direct and indirect jobs that it supports. It's why I'm constantly engaged with members of the forestry sector. Over the course of the last month I've written to federal ministers about softwood lumber. I've traveled to Ottawa to meet with my provincial counterpart and the federal ministers. We've discussed challenges that the forest industry has been facing. I'm part of the Ontario US Trade Negotiation Committee as well as the Federal Provincial Task Force on softwood lumber and just this morning I met with our forestry industry to discuss challenges for what they're facing so I don't know where the members opposite are getting their information from. Supplementary. Thank the minister for her answer. I am very pleased to hear that as a government we are so engaged with the forestry industry. The forest sector is extremely important for our province's economy including my own region of Eastern Ontario. Forestry generates 15.5 billion dollars worth of economic activity annually which is up from 12.9 billion dollars in 2013 and not in fact the 11 billion dollars that was claimed by the leader of the opposition in his speech yesterday to the OFIA. Speaker the leader of the opposition gave many alternative facts yesterday during his speech including the mill. Thank you. Thank you. I've indicated previously I don't want those kinds of terms used in this house to make it uplifting so I'm going to ask the member to withdraw and then I'm going to ask her thank you then I'm going to ask her to stay focused on government policy carry on. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Could the minister please clarify what exactly is going on in this case? Thank you minister. Thank you Speaker. I'd like to thank the member for her question and she's quite right. Over the last five years two new mills have opened seven have restarted two are in various stages of expansion companies in Atacocan. Canora and Timmons have made significant investments here in Ontario creating jobs and supporting these restarts expansions and creation of brand new modern facilities. So in fact Ontario has a number of new mills. We've launched the forestry growth program to help the sector to increase and production capacity and the first recipient Laverne Hydeman and Sons will be receiving four million dollars over five years in support of a total investment of sixteen point nine million dollars. The support allows the company's fast growing Eganville mill to expand business increase efficiency by modernizing purchasing new equipment and maintain 90 existing jobs. That's the story of our forest sector growth and job creation. Thank you. Question to the member from Elgin, Middlesex, London. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Energy. Speaker I've received a copy of a bill from one of my constituents this past week who paid two hundred ninety five dollars for electricity but at the same time was charged over two thousand dollars in global adjustment fees. The high global adjustment fee is directly related to their green energy policies which is bankrupting Ontarians. Mr. Speaker, the government today is forcing the municipality of Dutton Dunwich to accept wind farm even though eighty four percent of the population voted against it. This wind farm will add to the skyrocketing global adjustment fees all Ontarians are paying. Mr. Speaker, the Minister has made a mistake. He's announced it previously. Will he announce another mistake today and cancel the Dutton Dunwich wind turbine farm? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. Again very pleased to stand and rise and talk about Mr. Speaker. You know green energy and the importance of green energy Mr. Speaker and making sure that we have clean air to breathe Mr. Speaker. We haven't had a smog day in this province Mr. Speaker since 2014 and that's thanks to the investment that this government has made in green energy Mr. Speaker and I know I've talked a lot about the 25 percent reduction Mr. Speaker when we're talking about residential families Mr. Speaker but let's talk about that 25 percent reduction for those mum and pop shops on Main Street Mr. Speaker. They're part of the retail price plan Mr. Speaker. They're also going to see this reduction Mr. Speaker when it comes to the global adjustment. We're actually helping many of our small businesses right across the province and on top of that Mr. Speaker the one thing that the opposition hasn't talked about is the the importance and the successful ICI program Mr. Speaker and we're making that Mr. Speaker even bigger even greater by lowering that threshold to 500 kilowatts having thousands of more businesses qualified to save a third on their bill Mr. Speaker. Supplementary to the minister of energy. My question is to the minister of energy. Minister Liz Clark in my writing has been pushed to the brink by Kathleen Wynne's hydro crisis. She can't afford this government's stuff. Refer to names please is not permissible in the house so let's get it right. Minister Liz Clark has been pushed to the brink by the premier's hydro crisis. She can't afford this government's energy shell games anymore. Ms. Clark who is 83 year old lives alone in her home in court right Ontario the only home she has known most of her life. She has no TV no computer only the basic necessities. All winter long she keeps the temperature in her home below 16 degrees Celsius. But Ms. Clark has an electric baseboard heating in rural Ontario so she regularly sees hydro bills between 500 and 600 dollars. Ms. Clark has emptied her savings to pay her bills but she still finds herself hundreds of dollars in her ears and now has nothing to put away for her any day. Minister what do you have to say to Ms. Clark today? How is it acceptable in this day and age to treat seniors like this in Ontario? Thank you. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Well I hope the honorable member tells this this this fine woman that her bills are going down 25 percent at a minimum. It's going to be going down more because he mentioned that she lives in a rural area depending on if she's an R1 or an R2 customer Mr. Speaker with with Hydro 1 I'm assuming. Those rates are going to go down even more Mr. Speaker. I'll carry on. The member from Prince Edward Hastings is warned. And Mr. Speaker she would obviously Mr. Speaker qualify for the OESP program which has been enhanced Mr. Speaker but it's not just us now that's talking about the significant reductions that we've announced today Mr. Speaker. Let me quote Mr. Speaker Francesca Dobbin the Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Gray Mr. Speaker. This shown that the Premier's government is listening to people. With these positive changes our rural community will now truly benefit from the low cost power it produces Mr. Speaker. I agree with her Mr. Speaker and so will everyone in this province. My question is to the Premier. Good morning Premier. Speaker I'd like to tell you and the Premier about my constituent Ron. Ron contacted my office recently because he was under the impression that the Premier and her Liberal government were actually going to do something about his skyrocketing hydro bill before. So imagine his surprise come January the first when he saw the promised temporary 8% rebate on his bill but the bill was actually higher than it was the month before. So Speaker why doesn't the Premier get that people like Ron people from all over this province can tell when she puts forward solutions that only address the Premier's sticky political situation and don't actually fix the mess that she has made in our hydro system. Thank you Mr. Speaker I'm very pleased to rise and address the concern that the Honourable Member brings forward and of course it's great when we all can talk to our constituents and talk about the issues that are affecting them Mr. Speaker and the programs that are out there to help them Mr. Speaker knowing the Honourable Member I'm sure he told him about many of the programs that we do have out there and that 8% reduction did take effect Mr. Speaker January 1st but depending on how their bill structure was in place Mr. Speaker that will change as now we're moving forward that would come into full effect but let's not forget Mr. Speaker 25% is what this individual will now see when he gets his bill Mr. Speaker come summer time a reduction of 25% Mr. Speaker and that is something that is very important that is significant reduction Mr. Speaker for people like Ron and everyone like Ron across the province. Thank you supplementary. Speaker yesterday it was immediate relief now it's in the summer time it's not just people like Ron who are suffering under this government's political maneuvers the Greater Essex County District School Board saw hydro cost increased by $50,000 in 2015 and $431,000 in 2016 how can the Premier honestly say to this school board that the plan she released today will actually keep their hydro cost down permanently. Speaker doesn't she understand that people like Ron and school boards all across this province see this plan for what it actually is a desperate party playing political games with a hydro system that they made a mess of in the first place. Thank you Mr. Speaker we had to clean up the mess that was left by previous parties Mr. Speaker when they were in power never investing in the system never investing in conservation using cheap power with coal Mr. Speaker we've made sure we've made those investments Mr. Speaker when it comes to the substantial structural changes that we have made Mr. Speaker by taking all of these social programs that we've talked about we've taken that Mr. Speaker and pulled it off of the rate base and now put that on to the tax base Mr. Speaker where it should be and rightfully so Mr. Speaker that will now see our rates reduced for all of those type of schools arenas those will be a significant cost reduction for these organizations these facilities as well Mr. Speaker the announcement that we made today Mr. Speaker when they finally read it all Mr. Speaker they will see that there is reductions for every person and every business in this province. Thank you Speaker my question is for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change waste aversion in this province has been an issue under successive governments simply put we're producing too much waste and we're not recycling enough in November of 2015 the government took a leadership role by introducing the Waste Free Ontario Act having listened to business and stakeholders and with all parties voting on side the government is confident that the Waste Free Ontario Act is the best path forward yesterday the strategy for a Waste Free Ontario was announced the vision calls for a zero waste future where waste is seen as a resource and can be recovered and reused. Speaker could the minister please speak about the aims of the strategy and how this is going to benefit everyone in Ontario. Thank you Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I want to I want to thank all the members who have supported this legislation I also want to thank the member for Welling, Tim Houlton Hills who joined us yesterday for the launch and spoke quite eloquently about this as well and I want to thank the member for support. This is a fundamental shift we're the first jurisdiction in the Americas to go to a circular zero waste economy we will be at 80% waste free by 2050 that is world leading we're introducing a market mechanism called extended producer responsibility which was asked for by industry which makes them responsible for the end life of the product which means that more products will be defined will be developed to be durable and last have zero waste and be re-input into the economy this is the most innovative waste program in the Americas and follows in the leadership of my friend from St. Catherine blue boxes to the world thank you Mr. Speaker I'd like to thank the minister for his answer and for showing great leadership on this issue this strategy marks an exciting next step toward our zero waste future I know that this is very important to the constituents of Kitchener Center it's also important for the province in embracing a move toward a circular economy we know that these initiatives will improve resource efficiency and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions we also know that this new strategy is going to help increase productivity and create jobs for every 1000 tons of waste diverted from landfill seven full-time jobs are created this new network is going to foster economic growth and help to reduce local government spending on waste management speaker could the minister please explain to this house how a producer responsibility framework is going to help support this okay minister thank you mr. Speaker let me just go through some of the good news that falls from this once we're uploading a hundred and seventeen million dollars of cost for municipalities and municipal taxpayers making Ontario we are create we are going to be create more jobs from this than than most environmental initiatives we have every ton that we reduce creates another job because those become material inputs but mr. Speaker I really briefly like to take a few seconds to tell you a small story that tells the bigger picture and innovation out of the University of Guelph created a coffee pod made of the waste parts of coffee plants and a resin which was developed which was developed by company called Pure and Coffee Club which was bought by law laws which means those plastic cake and coffee pods that are filling our landfills on our oceans are no longer required because these coffee pods go back to farmers fields as answer and help retain water and improve agricultural productivity that's the circular economy that's your nation mr. Speaker to the premier uh during pre-budget hearings Canada's iconic maple leaf foods told the finance committee of their company's electricity bill skyrocketed 18 percent last year to 19.7 million dollars across all their Ontario plants as a result maple leaf calculated its potential electricity costs if it were to move through other jurisdictions savings ranged from 7.5 million to 12.8 million dollars a year if they moved to manitoba 65 savings on electricity if they moved to alberta 60 savings maple leaf could move their 5100 employees to new york state and save 47 percent electricity Canada's leading retailer of packaged meats could go to michigan and save 39 percent premium the numbers don't lie how can you argue with these figures thank you mr. Speaker um exactly numbers don't lie and that's why the reduction in the ici program mr. Speaker from 1 megawatt to 500 kilowatts is going to help maple leaf foods exactly mr. Speaker they're going to save up to one third of their electricity costs mr. Speaker and that will ensure that they have money to again mr. Speaker create jobs because I know the minister of economic development and growth mr. Speaker he's been talking about how well our province has been doing with foreign investment mr. Speaker and creating new jobs I know they don't like hearing about that mr. Speaker but in this side of the house we are doing everything to create a business climate mr. Speaker that now has very affordable electricity rates mr. Speaker and when it comes to mr. Speaker all people and all businesses in this province mr. Speaker we're reducing rates by 25 percent and we're making sure significant reductions are happening for businesses as well thank you very much mr. Speaker my questions to the minister ready you made the mask now you're only cleaning up a portion of it and you want to be the hero that's the story is getting harder and harder under your liberal government a skyrocketing hydro bills are pushing hospitals and other public institutions deeper and deeper into debt graver's health services in my riding a bruce grade own sound so it's hydro bill rise by 350 000 a year a 40 percent increase mr. Speaker in just one year sadly because of your disastrous energy schemes graver's health services may have to make bold cuts such as to close the operating room in the meford hospital and other cuts to surgical services i want to know speaker will the minister guarantee here and now that your newest hydro shell game will prevent such dangerous cuts to patient services good question minister the speaker as i've said you know throughout question mr. Speaker residents are going to see their rates cut and all other businesses in institutions mr. Speaker are going to see rate cuts mr. Speaker and that's something that we made sure as a government to look at all aspects of mr. Speaker but i know the the member from bruce gray is talking about individuals and his riding often mr. Speaker and i know francesca dobbing the executive director of the united way there has been a very vocal very vocal critic of the government mr. Speaker and it's now great when we come forward with this plan mr. Speaker that she's quoting quote mr. Speaker the changes announced today along with the changes already announced along with the changes that are still coming mr. Speaker and we'll go a long way and addressing the affordability issue that people in this province are seeing mr. Speaker we are doing it mr. Speaker and adding to on a point of order thank you speaker speaker just for on a point of order is to the minister of energy this is today's hydro announcement not a contradiction to all those statements that we have a competitive energy policy price range in ontario not a point of order the minister children use services on a point of order to speaker i am i just wanted to take a moment on behalf of glenn chetman and the canadian black caucus to invite all mpps to room 228 and 230 between 11 30 and two o'clock today to come out and meet some inspiring young kids i just need to correct my record when i said the new ci ici threshold was 500 kilowatts i meant to say 500 megawatts mr. Speaker just like to correct my record remember from beach is east york on a point of order well thank you speaker i just want to take an opportunity to welcome my daughter robin buxton potz who's here in the house with her colleagues from okad university thank you pursuant to standing order 38 a the member from hollum and norfolk has given notice of his dissatisfaction and answer to his question given by the minister of energy concerning nappily foods energy comparisons and the matter will be debated tuesday march 7th at 6 p.m. we have a deferred vote we have a deferred vote on the government notice of motion number seven relating to the allocation of time bill on bill 92 an act to amend the school board's collective bargaining act to make related amendments to other statutes calling the members this will be a five-minute bill members please take your seats please take your seats march 1st 2017 mr. nappily move government notice motion number seven all those in favor please rise one at a time be recognized by the plan mr. nappily mr. nappily mr. bradley mr. bradley mr. deluca mr. deluca mr. sandals mr. susan mr. susan miss wind miss mayhem miss mack patrick mr. husk diagonusher ally mr. shurella mr. de churches to do that i'm chin mr. cahre mr. cahre mr. quinter mr quinter mr. quote mr. cahre sir裡面 sir delay Kayíamos to get electric to murray mr. Murray sir NPC i'm just your Ukraine mr. murree touts culture though was centonaire center le OH vote with a point of order. However I will provide you with some clarity and the clarity was when it was asked was all those in favor one of the members that initiated the continuation indicated that we are in favor and and when I it was signaled to me that someone said am I opposed I just said it's your choice excuse me order please order please I will I will entertain the member from Timon's Jane Bay in ensuring that this vote is done appropriately so the member from Timon's James Bay speaker on numerous occasions as that was happening I was yelling to the table into you is this opposed are we voting an opposition and I got a nod from you in the way that I understood it the second point I would make since when do new Democrats vote in favor of time allocation we'll get this settled just relax I'll come to everybody to to the member's point when you asked I said yes I normally do not participate in this process you should not ask the speaker how to vote the tradition of this place I will entertain the government House leader I'm coming to everybody government House leader clearly there is a misunderstanding I respectfully argue that we do a new vote on this matter this is a time allocation vote I think we do understand we're usually opposition votes on time allocation matters I think this was a misunderstanding and if there is a way with the table's help to redo the work as I committed I will go I will defer to the member for mentor nipissing Pembroke is fees his chair to here I have a concept I have an idea of how we can navigate this but I'll defer to the House leaders proposal is accepted we have no reason to speak to the point of order speaker we believe that that is the right thing to do and we appreciate their their gesture which we can handle this and I'll leave it to the house again and I'll look to the house leaders of their leaders to give me the nod on that one would be to a revote or that I will interpret this and instruct the table to simply reverse the vote in which was which is understood therefore therefore I will ask the clerk to announce the count in the way in which I just described for the members the eyes are 52 the nays are 38 before before I before I read the outcome I would also reinforce this regardless of the emotional outburst that took place in my ruling the speaker does not participate in the vote and if I get asked one way or another I do not make that comment I was trying to be helpful when the member did express about opposition I did shake my head but I'm going to leave it at that to say that this was corrected but don't ever think that the speaker is responsible for anyone's vote in this house therefore the eyes being 52 in the nays being 38 I declare the motion carried we have a deferred vote on the motion a third reading of bill 27 an act to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses to enact various new acts and make other amendments and repeals calling the members this will be a five-minute bell all members please take their seats earlier today mr. do good move third reading of bill 27 an act to reduce the regulatory burden of business to enact various new acts and to make other amendments and repeals all those in favor please rise one at a time of your recognized by the new good Mr. Wilson Jones Mr. Brown Mr. Brown Mr. Yacobusky Yacobusky Mr. Hillier Mr. Miller Perry San Mascota Miller Perry San Mascota Ms. Scott Ms. Thompson Mr. Thompson Mr. Barry Mr. Monroe Mr. Monroe Mr. Yurek Mr. Yurek Mr. McLaren Mr. McLaren Mr. Bailey Mr. Bailey Mr. Osterhoff Mr. Osterhoff Mr. Walker Mr. Walker Mrs. Martau Mr. Martau Mr. McDonnell Mr. McDonnell Mr. Pettipies Mr. Pettipies Mr. Koh Mr. Koh Mr. Cho Mr. Cho all those opposed please rise one at a time be recognized by the presidents Mr. Hapfield Mr. Hapfield Mr. Gretzky Mr. Gretzky the eyes are您 76 the Mas are fucking the eyes being 76 in the names being 14 i declare the motion carried it the bill twice lecture depending on therefore be it resolved that the bill do now pass and entitled as in the motion. There are no further deferred votes this House stands for until 1 p.m. this afternoon.