 Statements it is now time for question period the member from Leeds Premier last Thursday the deputy premier did an admiral admirable job of Reciting the resume for the new member from Sudbury rather than answering my questions Premier you've said you made the decision to appoint mr. Tebow as your candidate on November 30th You also claim you didn't want Andrew Olivier to find out in the news Premier as your future boss did you instruct mr. Tebow to remain in the House of Commons and Delay his resignation to avoid mr. Olivier finding out or did you instruct mr. Tebow to remain an MP until your operatives could sway mr. Olivier with an alleged bribe Well mr. Speaker you know I know that the member opposite I know the member opposite Understands that at those moments when there's a in a in a pre-election situation mr. Speaker that people make decisions for themselves in terms of their timing and their families and and when they When they will make when they will make decisions public so mr. Speaker I also know that the member opposite understands that this is something that this whole Situation is something that we're taking very seriously that there is an investigation that is ongoing But that that investigation is taking place outside of this house mr. Speaker and that's where we need to let it take place During the same question period your deputy premier referred to you in this way and I'll quote her quote She is a woman who thought through very clearly what she needed to do unquote I would like you to think very clearly about this The people of Sudbury received taxpayer funded mail-outs from your candidate after he announces intention to run for you Premier with the Ontario Liberal Party Reimbursed the House of Commons for mr. Tebow's self-promoting propaganda mail-out Thank you order Premier very much mr. Speaker well, I would be happy if the member opposite wants to have a conversation We can have a little bit of a comparison about who's getting householders from whom at the federal level mr. Speaker and a member of the conservative party initiating that conversation I think is is as an interesting turn of events, but I would be very happy to have that conversation Maybe we could have a show and tell mr. Speaker We could bring in all the Householders that we've got the funds mr. Speaker so mr. Speaker the member opposite knows full well There's an investigation going on and that investigation is taking place outside of this house mr. Speaker As I have said a few times some of the questions are Moving slowly away from the topic of government business and I'm going to ask and remind everyone that it's your duty to Pull it back into that position, and I'm just offering the member a word of advice Thank you. Thank you speaker. Thank you for the advice again back to the premier I didn't actually expect you were willing to pay back the taxpayer because wasting A couple of thousand dollars of taxpayers dollars is really nothing new to this government when you figure they've wasted $1.1 billion on the gas plants one point nine billion dollars on smart Ears a billion dollars on e-health another billion dollars on orange So you know a couple of thousand taxpayers dollars might not be a waste for mr. Tebow Island after all as federal NDP caucus chair He must have known about the two point seven five million dollars of taxpayers money His caucus wrongly spent on mail outs and satellite offices Premier do you agree that this mail out is an example of misspent taxpayer money or is it just another example of the cost of your Your government doing business Remained in P and he continued his duties until the end of December he was the MP for Sudbury mr. Speaker So that is that is the fact mr. Speaker and then there was a by-election and he was our candidate mr. Speaker So that's that's the reality order That'll do and the minister responsible for seniors has done it again, so he's on my list Just because in terms of the other issues that the member opposite raises I am quite sure that the member opposite understands that it's extremely important that our health system for example Have electronic health records mr. Speaker that there be connectivity in our health system if he doesn't understand that mr. Speaker He should go to he should go to the doctors offices He should find out how doctors are functioning now and electronic health records and how they are moving into the 21st century mr Speaker, I'm sure he values that that progress is happening The Premier in December of 2003 you rose in this house to deliver your deputy house leader And you said at that time quote they have every right to expect me to demonstrate that position and status Cannot be allowed to undermine fundamental decency honesty and integrity and a quote Now with four OPP investigations in your office. You seem to have cast aside those words Premier why have you allowed the position and status of the premier's office? Undermind your fundamental decency honesty and integrity in the Sudbury Speaker I challenge the premise of the question from the Interim leader of the opposition I have done my utmost at every turn mr. Speaker on whatever issue to be open with the people of Ontario to be very clear about what Our position is and mr. Speaker to be clear about how we are going to move forward. That's why I made a statement I know that the member office is talking specifically about about the Sudbury by-election I made a statement a couple of weeks ago mr. Speaker I laid out exactly what our position was and beyond that mr. Speaker I have been very clear and open that there is an investigation going on that I will work with the authorities But that that investigation is appropriately taking place outside of this house Premier let me read you a quote the government strategy is obviously to isolate Obvious gate deny deny deny and hope that everybody just gets tired of it That statement was from liberal MP Ralph Goodall And it was referring to a condemnation of the prime minister's actions or for the actions of one of his senior staff Who by the way did the right thing and stepped down the deputy premier has even called our questioning of the parent bribery boring Well apparent contraventions of bribery laws or anything but boring to ontarians the latest forum poll shows the two-thirds of Ontarians and astonishing two-thirds of Ontarians know about the issue and an astonishing two-thirds of Ontarians Want Pat severe to step down Premier are you hoping everyone just gets tired of the four OPP investigation question your office and that they'll just go away Well, let me just quote let me just quote from the PC house leader who said on February 27th this year And I quote stop interfering in an ongoing investigation and let it run its course and on quote mr. Speaker I have I have been very clear mr. Speaker that we will work with the authorities that there is an investigation going on mr Speaker and that that investigation is taking place outside of this house will work with the authorities mr Speaker and that's as it should be Remember when asked about former Premier McGinty you said quote we're different people We have different styles, and it's a different time and quote The OPP started two investigations into mr. McGinty's office now under your lead there are two more Mr. McGinty has a chief of staff under OPP investigation You have a deputy chief of staff under investigation He had Peter fights to clean up a mess you had Jerry Lockheed tried to do the same Mr. McNenney McGinty ignored the truths about orange e-health and the gas plant scandals Premier you are no different than mr. McGinty When will you show Ontarians and the office of the Premier the respect it deserves and the integrity you promised? Whatever the rhetoric is that the leader of the opposition or the interim leader of the opposition wants to pull out whatever Framework he wants to put around this mr. Speaker. I need to I need to be true to what I know is The responsible course of action mr. Speaker. I have made a statement public publicly I've been very clear about our position mr. Speaker I have been clear in this house over and over again that I made a decision about who the Who the candidate who I believe the candidate should be for us in the Sudbury by election mr. Speaker and then there is an Investigation that is ongoing and that investigation is not taking place in this house It's taking place outside of this house. I understand that the opposition is going They want to try to ramp this up, and they want to try to keep it alive mr. Speaker I understand that that is in their political interest answer It is in it is in the province's interest mr. Speaker that we continue to do the work That's in the best interest of the people the problem while at the same time cooperating with the authorities Thank you very much mr. Speaker my questions for the premier how many cabinet minister cabinet meetings has Pat Sobera attended since the police told Ontarians that she was facing OPP anti-racket squad investigations Well, mr. Speaker I was very clear in the statement that I made a couple of weeks ago about the course of action that that I was going to Take and that is a matter of public record mr. Speaker The fact is that there is an investigation going on will work with the authorities I will work with your authorities Pat Sobera will work with the authorities and anyone in my team who's requested We will work with the authorities mr. Speaker, but that investigation is not taking place in this house It's taking place outside at the legislature mr. Speaker How many government policy or operations decisions has Pat Sobera been involved in since it was announced that she is facing two OPP anti-rackets investigation The investigation is taking place outside this house But I want to go back to what the chief electoral officer clearly stated mr. Speaker and what the chief electoral officer said in in his report and I quote I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence those decisions are Respectively for prosecutors and judges unquote. So those decisions have not been made mr. Speaker I think the leader of the third party knows that and she knows that the investigation is rightly taking place outside of this house How many meetings with stakeholders has Pat Sobera participated in since it was announced that she is facing two OPP anti-racket squad investigations Well again mr. Speaker I will I will give the same answer to the leader of the third party And that is to to remind her that the chief electoral officer whose report is the only report that has come in at this point Mr. Speaker and he said and I quote I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter Nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges unquote mr. Speaker So in fact any investigation that's taking place is happening outside of this house not inside the legislature mr. Speaker Thank you new questions This government is in a mess and it is of the premier's making Ontarians are seeing the same bad ethics from the liver that they've seen for a dozen years This premier said she was going to be different. She cleaned things up. She'd be open and transparent Instead she is in lockdown and she won't answer any questions. She's protecting senior liberals Who are under criminal investigation in spite of all of the promises? Nothing ever seems to change speaker will the premier finally do the right thing and relieve Pat Sorbera of her duties today Well, mr. Speaker the characterization of What's going on in Ontario? I think is a little bleak on the part of the the leader of the third party mr. Speaker I've said to her I've said to her Over and over again that I understand that there's an investigation going on mr. Speaker and that we will cooperate with that Investigation but in the meantime mr. Speaker there is a lot of work that is getting done and mr. Speaker I will draw the leader of the third party's attention to the action plan that we released on Friday Mr. Speaker, which is a significant step forward in terms of our ability to deal with public Awareness of sexual assault and sexual violence mr. Speaker money will be invested in frontline services mr Speaker and on the day after International Women's Day I think that's something that we can celebrate and mr. Speaker make sure that we deliver on those promises Which is exactly what we will do I Speaker the premier's top aid is facing not one but two OPP anti-rap get squad investigations not to mention the other two OPP investigations into her government That's more than Mike Duffy. That's more than Nigel right That's more than Rob for sure Pat Sorbera is still providing advice to the premier because the premier thinks she knows better than the OPP Better than elections Ontario better than the tapes of Pat Sorbera and Jerry Longheed, which anyone can hear Will the premier admit that she is wrong to keep Pat Sorbera working and have her step aside Well, these investigations are ongoing have her step aside today. Just do the right thing To the member opposite is that I've made a public statement. I've been very clear about what my course of action will be I've said that I will work with the authorities mr. Speaker But in the meantime, there's very important work that has to be done for the the people of this province mr. Speaker You know, there was a there was a very serious rail Incident in Gogama this this past weekend mr. Speaker and our member for Sudbury was there I know that the member for nickel belt was was also there mr. Speaker I also know that it's going to be very important that in this house We we call on the federal government as the leader of the NDP federally has done While the premier is putting the answer At best the injections of the minister of agriculture and the deputy house leader are annoying And it'll stop Please finish we our minister of transportation will be contacting the federal Transport minister bow and both CNN CP to reiterate our concerns mr. Speaker about rail safety And I I hope that the leader of the third party will be working with us on that on that very important file mr. Speaker The Liberals have tried ignoring the scandal they've tried slinging mud at everybody else They've tried to change the channel over and over again, but what they haven't done speaker is taken any Responsibility or answer any questions the premier is taking counsel from staff who are facing criminal Investigations while she refuses to answer simple questions like who made the decisions in the Sudbury bribery scandal Does the premier realize how bad this makes her look does she realize the damage that it does to her credibility and to the Credibility of her government that's my question speaker does she realize the damage this is doing to her And if she does why doesn't she just do the right thing and have those people step aside? Well, mr. Speaker again, I will say that I I Understand that this is a serious issue. I take it very seriously. I have said repeatedly that I will work with the authorities I have answered the questions over and over again in terms of the questions that have been put to me in this house Mr.. Speaker, but I am I am also very very clear that the the Investigation is taking place outside of this house that the authorities are not here They are not asking the questions in this house mr. Speaker those questions are being asked elsewhere They are being asked as part of the independent external Investigation and that is as it should be and that is the investigation that we will take that that we will take part in mr. Speaker Question the member from Memphis. Good morning speaker My question is for the premier the gas plant scandal had the deputy chief of staff and senior liberal office Operatives caught in the OPP's radar The same is true in your Sudbury bribery scandal And it would be the taped words of your deputy and liberal operative that will be your undoing You have stated that you made the decision to appoint your Sudbury candidate in late November But it seems nobody knew on December 12th Pat Sorbera told Andrew Olivier that you were quote going to be making your decision According to your own deputy you hadn't yet made your decision the tape doesn't lie Will you admit that your version and the version found on tape are vastly different? And I will say to the member opposite that there's an investigation going on outside of this house much as he would like to be He would like to be running the investigation mr. Speaker. It's not happening His his house leaders said on February 27th that it was a good idea And I quote to stop interfering in an ongoing investigation and let it run its course unquote mr. Speaker so that's what we're going to do We're going to let the investigation take place outside of this house mr. Speaker and in the meantime We are going to carry on the very very important work of building this province up mr. Speaker of making sure that we work and partner with business mr. Speaker that we provide the home care that people need in there in their homes mr. Speaker and that we put in place the policies that will keep young women and girls safe mr. Speaker and will work to change the culture of sexual assault and violence and that mr. Speaker in respect of international women's day yesterday Again to the premier this is just like the gas plan scandal where liberal operatives said one thing but recovered emails Clearly laid out the truth this time. It's your operatives words that were caught on tape Jerry law heat had quite a chat with Andrew Olivier on December 11th He talked about what would happen if Olivier said no to his job offer and instead went out and sold liberal memberships He left the door open for Olivier to run according to your liberal operatives. You hadn't yet made your decision You have been snared by your own story. So which is it premier your version or the one caught on tape? Well Again mr. Speaker I will say very clearly and I've said this I've said this many times that We made Antibo would be the best candidate for us in Sudbury mr. Speaker after my meeting with him at the end of November. I've said that clearly and and mr. Speaker I do take this matter very seriously, but I've said that I will work with the authorities outside of this house That's where the investigation is taking place and that's where it rightly should take place because it is an independent investigation Mr. Speaker it's not an investigation that is taking place in the legislature It's not a it's not a political investigation. Mr. Speaker. It's an independent investigation. It's happening outside the legislature Thank you new question member from Timmons James. They have a question speaker is to the premier The premier said she wanted to keep a young man involved That's why Andrew Olivier was offered a job in exchange for getting out of the premier's way But the crimes that the OPP are investigating just don't get excused away Is the premier ready to stop offering excuses and start offering explanations? To a moment on February 27th where the this very member Made a statement and he said and I quote you do have a larger responsibility to make sure you're careful in your use of words So that you don't interfere in any way Unquote that was the member from Timmons James Bay, Mr. Speaker So I know that he understands why it's important that we let the investigation take place With the authorities outside of this legislature, Mr. Speaker But I just wanted to remind him of that because he did say that on that on February 27th So he will then understand better why my answer is once again will work with the authorities outside of this house, Mr. Speaker Back to the premier those comments were about you premier by the way The premier is a grandmother. I'm a grandfather. The premier has heard a lot of excuses I've heard a lot of excuses as any parent or grandparent knows knows Excuses don't cut it if that's especially true of the law Excuses don't make it okay to break the criminal code or to violate the election act Will the premier stop making excuses and instead start giving answer to important questions like who made the decision to offer Andrew Olivier a job Let me just once again say that You know, I will cooperate with the authorities the investigation is taking place outside of this house But to the quote to the quote that the member opposite made He said and I again, I'll just read it into the record and I quote you do have a larger Responsibility to make sure you're careful in your use of words so that you don't interfere in any way and put I Wouldn't have stopped the clock except there was some bantering back and forth from people at the other side So I'm gonna ask that that stops so that I can focus on the answer Please know the member opposite was addressing that to me, mr. Speaker But the fact is there's a principle in that statement and the principle is that Interference should not come from us that we should let the we should let the authorities do their work and let the investigation Unfold mr. Speaker. That's the principle of which I wanted to remind the member opposite Thank you mr. Speaker mr. Speaker my question is the minister of environment and climate change on Saturday 38 cars from a CN train derailed about two kilometers west of Golgama near the Minakwa River Well, thankfully no one was hurt a number of the cars carrying crude oil caught fire the rail bridge over the Minakwa River Collapsed and two of the cars ended up in the river itself Mr. Speaker this was the second Derailment in the area in less than a month in both cases the resulting plume of smoke could be seen for miles around People in the community are concerned about the impacts these derailments Derailments are having on their air and drinking water and mr. Speaker quite frankly They're concerned about the rail safety regulations the federal rail safety regulations that are supposed to protect them Speaker through you to the minister of the environment and climate change Could you please provide an update to the house on the situation? The speaker is very very glad to get a question that Ontarians care about is very timely and important to so many folks first of all, I want to thank the For the citizens and local government in go gamma and the greater Sudbury area as well as the first nations who are working so closely With our officials. I want to thank the staff at MOE CC in federal environment my colleagues at natural resources and forestry our OPP the Fire marshal and particularly the Sudbury district health unit for the excellent work They're doing to protect our citizens mr. Speaker because the safety of Ontarians is very much our first priority This this horrifying crash as my parliamentary assistant to the member for Sudbury has pointed out Really has to draw attention to the need for greater federal government action to protect our communities and environment Mr. Speaker, I'm happy to report that that containment measures are in place in the Minakua River Vacuum trucks are on site to pull as much out as possible We're taking water samples in a number of areas and monitoring air mr. Speaker and so thank you Riding us the update the situation to go gamma. I know I speak for every member of this house When I say that we are very relieved that no one was injured in this horrific incident Mr. Speaker, it is clear that the federal government needs to do more to improve rail safety to better protect our citizens communities in the environment The rail cars involved were new models complying with the latest regulations yet still we have the situation Mr. Speaker could the minister please inform members of this house on what the government is doing to call on the federal government to improve rail safety in Ontario after Saturday's incident Thanks very much just beaker I want to begin by thanking the member from Ottawa South for this very important question Saturday's train derailment is of course very concerning to our government and as the member mentioned the transportation of dangerous goods Including oil is the responsibility of the federal government I want to assure members of this house that I will be contacting federal transport minister Lisa rate as well as representatives from both CN and CP This week to reiterate our government's serious concerns with respect to rail safety Rail safety has always been a top priority in our discussions with our federal counterparts over the last number of years Speaker we need to do everything that we can to ensure that another incident like this does not happen in the future And I know my counterparts in the government of Quebec have also been very outspoken and very active on this important file as Well, we will continue to advocate on behalf of all Ontarians on this important issue to ensure the safety of all of those living in this incredible province My question is the premier and it's about the Sudbury by-election Instead of creating a culture which respects and adheres to the spirit and letter of the elections law The premier has created a win-it-all cost culture in her office. Even if that means cheating That was her first mistake Then she either delegated too much authority to her Machiavellian staff and political operatives Or she signed off on the plan to offer an enticement to mr. Olivier to get him to stand down as a candidate or worse She ordered her staff to make the offer which can only be called a bribe or a breach of Ontario's election law That was her second mistake the premier has a responsibility to uphold the integrity of her office When will she demand the resignations of mr. Bara and mr. Lockheed? Continue to want to Run an investigation here in the in the Legislature mr. Speaker and and this is not this is not where the investigation can take place It actually has to take place outside of the Legislature mr. Speaker. It's independent and I think you know It's very it's very important that we take responsibility not to interfere with that Interfering with that investigation so mr. Speaker. I say to the member opposite again I will work with the authorities, but I will work with the mr. Speaker where they are doing their work where the investigation is taking place outside of the Legislature This is a channel that the premier cannot change In order to maintain the public's confidence and trust while these two police investigations continued to unfold The premier needs to demand the resignations of mr. Bara and mr. Lockheed so far She has steadfastly refused to do so This is her third mistake when it comes to the Sudbury by-election and by stating in this house that she believes mr. Bara won't be charged the premier has interfered in and possibly compromised the ongoing police investigations The fourth mistake because parliamentary democracy requires a clear separation between the legislative branch and the judiciary The Sudbury by-election scandal is one the premier can't blame on her predecessor or his people When is she going to take personal responsibility for her role in this and demand the resignation of subara and lossy? I've been very clear about my decision in terms of who the candidate in Sudbury would be mr. Speaker, but you know the fact is if the member opposite is really concerned about the separation of what goes on in this house and what happens in terms of independent Process mr. Speaker then he will understand Exactly why I answer this question in the way that I do which is that it is very important that I not interfere mr. Speaker that the authorities are allowed to run the investigation and let it unfold mr. Speaker But the fact is that at the same time there is other work that needs to be done And that's the work of government mr. Speaker that is the work that we make sure for example that There are responses to incidents like what just happened at go in go gamma this weekend mr. Speaker It's very important that we be able to do all of those things mr. Speaker at the same time The question is to the premier Pat so Berra said that there were others that were pushed out of the way by the premier herself possibly offered bribes Who are those others Again mr. Speaker the investigation is taking place outside of this house, and we'll work with the authorities as the investigation Thank you very much the liberals have refused to answer this question even though they've insisted they've done nothing wrong If they're not telling the whole story there could be two other bribery Investigations out there in fact there could be two other criminal investigations Will the premier tell Ontarians who Pat Saber was referring to when she told Andrew Olivia on tape That the premier had personally made at least two other calls to two other people making the same offer as she did To Andrew Olivia. Thank you very much speaker and again As the premier has said over and over again This is a matter that has been there is being dealt with outside this lecture We should respect all authorities in terms of the work They're doing it will be highly inappropriate for anyone in this house to comment on an ongoing investigation. I respect Premier speaker for for taking a principle approach in this regard. I I suggest the members opposite that they should do the same thing It's clearly a clear speaker that NDP is trying to continue to talk about this issue as opposed to real issues Because whatever that's my record when it comes to defending progressive issues in this promise They have abandoned anything progressive and it comes to when it comes to making sure that Ontarians Interests are represented. I just quote Carol Gower in Toronto Star when she wrote that Andrea Who had triggered the election by rejecting the most progressive provincial budget in decades one that would have raised the minimum wage Increase the Ontario child benefit improve welfare rates and provided more to go to people with disabilities Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Community and Social Services on Friday the premier released It's never okay an action plan to stop sexual violence and harassment This is a package of initiatives to help change attitudes improve supports for survivors who come forward about abuse and make workplaces and campuses safer and more responsive to Complaints about sexual violence and harassment We know that one in three women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime This government has recognized that this is unacceptable Mr. Speaker, this is a societal problem that has been in the shadows and not talked about for far too long Minister, can you please provide this house with an update of the actions that the government has taken to support victims of sexual violence and harassment Mr. Speaker and to the member for Halton for this very important question The premier's announcement last week is the latest in our government's commitment to address the needs of victims of sexual and domestic Violence as a government contrary to what was stated by the third party earlier today We have increased funding by Services in 2010 2013-14 our government spent $145 million in this sector this includes funding for over 2,000 shelter beds for women and their children escaping domestic violence Counseling services for women and children Crisis telephone counseling as well as local referral services for housing and other supports and in the 2014 budget We invested an additional $14.5 million over the next three years to provide funding to the hard-working Frontline workers at the agencies that serve the violence against women's sector Thank You minister for outlining the very real work that this government and your ministry has been doing as we continue to better Comprehend the complex issue of sexual violence and harassment We have gained an understanding around victims and perpetrators learning more about those who are at risk of suffering abuse and also Realizing how pervasive sexual harassment continues to be in our society It is a deep-rooted problem. It crosses all social boundaries It is experienced by women girls men and boys of every age and culture It can occur at any time anywhere any place. It is a crime This government has recognized that to tackle sexual violence and harassment there needs to be a comprehensive plan a Plan to change behaviors and challenge social norms Mr. Speaker in every workplace after campus every community in every context We can and must do better. Tell us about the prevalence minister. Thank you And indeed the prevalence of sexual violence and harassment throughout our society is unacceptable For example statistics show that women with a disability are three times as likely to be forced into sexual activity By use of threats or force through our government's new action plan We're doing our part to establish in Ontario where everyone is free from the threat fear or experience of sexual violence and Harassment as part of this action plan my ministry will be enhancing the focus and action of our 48 domestic violence community Coordinating committees on sexual violence awareness my ministry will also be exploring the use of community hubs to offer services like sexual assault centers public health units and Legal aid offices in one location to address the barriers women face in accessing Mr. Speaker our government agrees with the member that in every workplace every campus every community We can and must do better The chief electoral officers report confirms what we have always suspected That the Ontario Liberal Party would do just about anything to win a by-election alleged attempts to bribe the Liberal candidate have sully the democratic process and now the Premiers refusal to do the honorable thing and remove Pat Sabara and Jerry Law He Jr. from their public positions Has sully the dignity of the office she holds Premier did your zeal for winning the Sudbury by-election? Also extend to making promises to the Sudbury voters that you had no intention of keeping Well, mr. Speaker Let me first of all just say that you know I I think that to second guess the democratic process which which took place in Sudbury the people of Sudbury Had all the information they made a decision. They sent Glen Tivo to The MPP for Sudbury mr. Speaker and they made a decision so I Respect that decision that they made mr. Speaker and to the point of what the chief electoral officer has actually said mr. Speaker Let me just let me just say again that the chief electoral officer Clearly stated and I quote I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determining anyone's guilt or innocence Those decisions are respectively for prosecutors and judges unquote That's what that's what the chief electoral officer said in history for mr. Speaker and There is an investigation going on outside of this house Thank You mr. Speaker game to the premier the member from Sudbury said and I quote everyone in the north Knows someone who has been affected by an accident on the highway. We're talking about highway 69 The highway 69 project which the premier promise throughout the Sudbury by-election is Surprisingly not a priority now that the campaign is over after years of promising its timely completion We see it delayed for yet another four years This is just another example of the liberals saying one thing and doing another to get votes Premier the first question Sorry for interrupting. I have to bring someone in your own caucus to attention so I can hear the question and Interjections of everyone else. I am listening carefully There was a reference and I will let you finish the question and making sure that it is germane to the first question Premier the first question I asked you was about integrity last week. I asked you about Unprecedented irregularities now. I asked you how good is your word? Thank you Thanks very much speaker I'm very happy that the member opposite asked a question regarding the foreleaning of highway 69 last Friday Speaker I had the opportunity to be in a community just south of Sudbury Standing alongside my colleague and good friend the member from Sudbury to update the community with respect to where we stand It's important to recognize speaker that there's been extraordinary progress on this particular project Thanks to the leadership over the last decade and more of this government and in fact speaker of The 20 kilometers that are currently under construction on a highway 69 with respect to the foreleaning 9 kilometers will be paved in an operation this coming summer summer an additional 11 kilometers will be paved and operating Next summer speaker. We've already completed 50 kilometers of this project We've already completed 50 kilometers of this project. There is more work to do speaker But what's most important for this premier in our government and sir to make sure that we get it right so that the benefits of Foreleaning highway 69 flow to everybody including our first nations partners speakers speaker And that's why we're going to make sure this project gets completed in the new question member from one. Thank you Speaker my questions to the premier on February the 20th It was reported that the federal liberal party would have nothing to do with Jerry Laheed or Pat Sabara during the upcoming election The federal liberal liberals Obviously realized something that the premier is ignoring that bribery scandals are bad for business and they're bad for democracy The federal liberals also suggest Jerry Laheed won't be holding any fundraisers for them Will the premier or her party be accepting any money from Jerry Laheed while he is under police investigation? I'm As I said, I've been trying to listen carefully and I know this weaves in and out and then make sure that The member brings this to government policy in the supplementary Premier Minister of Community Safety and Corrections Thank you very much. Minister. Thank you very much speaker and again I have these days The premier has said clearly that there is an ongoing investigation that is taking place outside this house Speaker will be highly inappropriate for for any member of the government To comment on those investigations We should respect the process and go back come back down to the issues that are important to people Issues like issues like making sure that we have retirement income security for hard-working Ontarians who do not have a have a pension plan Speaker or making sure that we are investing in our in our infrastructure most importantly public transit a public transportation infrastructure I thought clearly speaker the NDP have no positions on these issues. They've abandoned these important issues They do not want to talk about those issues and this is their strategy to the flag and this is something they've been doing Since last year speaker and we've seen the results of the last election where people elected liberal majority government Thank you speaker on December the 12th Jerry Laheed met with Andrew Olivier on behalf of the premier to offer him a job Since then the Sudbury Police Services Board have met three times But in nearly three months the premier has yet to remove Jerry Laheed from the Sudbury Police Services Board Jerry Laheed has been making decisions that affect law enforcement in Sudbury all the while facing a criminal investigation Anyone can see that that's not right will the premier sign an order in council today To remove Jerry Laheed a liberal nominee to the board from the Sudbury Police Services Board Speaker as I've spoken on this issue before I think the member opposite very much knows that the the boards are made up And provincial appointees and there is a quote of conduct by which both must abide by and and if boards have any any issue Civilian Police Commission in this case I think we know speaker that police services board in Sudbury have done So by game speaker this just goes to highlight again that how NDP does now want to talk about real issues This is something they've been they've been suffering from from for over a year I want to I want to highlight what Martin red con said in in in Toronto star Andrea Horweth meets Stephen Harper your new best friend and fellow traveler as leader Horweth has made a stunning about face on pensions between the middle class Working class and everyone in between under Horweth the NDP is no longer the activist an obstructionist Thank you very much speaker this question is for the minister of government and consumer services Ontario's real estate sector contributes billions annually to our economy and it supplies the livelihood for some 57,000 people in our province Today in the house we're joined by many members of the real estate community and business people from many of our Ontario communities All of our communities depend on an ongoing and a respectful Relationship between home purchasers and realtors whether realtors are part of larger brokerages or whether they're independent agents the ministry of Government and consumer services has identified real estate modernization as a priority I'd like the minister to explain the measures that Ontario is taking to help ensure a Competitive real estate environment that allows for successful business operations and fair market for consumers Thank you speaker and I want to thank the member for mississauga streetsville for this important question I also like to welcome the Ontario real estate association here to the gallery encourage members to stop by the reception later today The purchase of a home is a significant milestone for many Ontarians And I'm pleased with the steps that our government has taken to simplify this process our stronger protection for Ontario Consumers Act makes the real estate market more open and transparent as well as affordable We've approved real estate transactions by allowing for more appropriate billing and fee options This reform increases flexibility for home buyers and sellers to negotiate charges and services with their Professionals we've taken steps to eliminate phantom offers which inflate prices and undermine Transparency the act requires realtors to provide offers in writing and this regulation was based on extensive Consultations with the sector and receive and work of Oria I appreciate the contributions of those who work in the real estate industry make and look forward to continue to work with them That's me here. Can you supplementary? Well, thank you speaker minister the purchase of a home can be a stressful experience It's the biggest purchase that most families ever make our government needs to explore every opportunity to make the process more efficient and Easier for individuals and families Consumers need to ensure the business environment is fair and transparent and that the interests of the home buyer and seller are protected Our know I know our government has also worked to support an efficient real estate environment by allowing electronic signatures Members of the real estate industry support this change My question asks you to confirm that the province will be moving forward with it. Would the minister please inform the house How the electronic commerce act is making the sale and purchase of real estate easier and more efficient for the people of Ontario and for home buyers and home sellers. Thank you Thank you speaker and now once again to the member from mississauga streetsville Ontario's 2013 amendments to the electronic commerce act will allow people to Electronically sign paperwork and email it to the real estate agent the act will support the reliability of electronic signatures on agreements Purchase and sale of land by stipulating that e signatures must be reliable for the purpose of identifying the person Who signs the document? They must be permanent and accessible by people who are entitled to view it We're now reviewing the submissions made to the ministry during the consultation period to develop proactive measures and ensure that these amendments will increase Efficiency without increasing the risk of fraud our governments committed to an efficient competitive real estate environment Look forward to the continued engagement with the real estate sector on this matter. Thank you speaker My question is for the premier is the premier returning Excuse me the The tradition is a courtesy in terms of attendance one way or the other We do not make reference to people's absence if you would put the question to someone else. We'd appreciate that very much It's not my It's not my position to debate the member from Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke. It doesn't matter Put your question, please Thank you for that explanation. Mr. Speaker. I'll address my question to the deputy Premier then a deputy premier nearly every time you and the premier rise in this legislature You tell us that you're taking this issue the submarine by election issues seriously The deputy premier you were taking this just about as seriously as you did the actions of Laura Miller and Peter Feist You let them fly across the country to avoid accountability And now you continue to let Pat Sabara and Jerry Law he'd avoid accountability for their actions that were found to be in direct contravention of the election act Deputy premier will today be the day you finally hold these individuals accountable Well, thank you speaker, and we do take this very very seriously speaker The premier has spoken to it repeatedly both in this house and outside of this house. I Think the question is where should the investigation take place and I don't think there's any question that the Investigation should take place outside of this house, and that is it is important that it's independent of this legislature and takes place outside the legislature elections Ontario Determined that the allegations against the member from Sudbury and the premier were baseless speaker and Nonetheless, they will continue to operate to cooperate fully the chief electoral officer Clearly stated. I am neither deciding to prosecute a matter nor determine nor determining Innocence that's a very important statement. I am not determining anyone's guilt or innocence speaker. Thank you Perhaps if the government started answering some of these simple questions the questions wouldn't get asked anymore But again to the deputy premier as we continue to wait for four OPP investigations to conclude We can only worry what might be next Premier deputy premier with your lack of action so far. How can we believe that you're serious about making your government more accountable? I think we've received some very good advice from members of the opposition we agree when the PC house leaders said Last week or a week or two go stop interfering with an ongoing investigation and let it run its course When asked about a charge late against PC staff member the PC member from with the Oshawa said I Really don't have a comment because it's before the courts. She repeated this sentiment on CP 24 When she said I'm leaving it in the hands of the member from the Hamilton To continue their investigation. I am confident they will reach the right conclusion We agree with the with the house leader. We agree with the member from what we are Thank you speaker just over a year ago the premier stood up and said and I quote I am the change and quote. Sorry. This is to the deputy premier It seems a bit odd because before the premier was sworn in the liberal government was facing police Investigations and since the premier was sworn in the liberal government is facing even more police investigations The culture of arrogance doesn't seem to have changed at all Will the deputy premier ensure that the premier will keep to her promise and make change by telling Ontarians who was making the decisions in the Sudbury bribery scandal Safety and correctional services community of What happened to energy minister? Thank you very much speaker. I'll be I'll be very happy to answer this question Reply I remind the NDP what they campaigned on they campaigned on voting against Increases it to the minimum wage because they voted against increasing the salaries for hard-working Personal support workers in fact speaker. They vote they campaign of voting against The hard-working child care workers. They've campaigned to vote against to provide additional funding For the disability people with the intellectual disability speaker That's the party speaker who claims to be progressive but have voted against one of the most progressive budget now one speaker But twice that's what NDP spends for on the reason speaker They're spending all this time talking about anything else But real issues like your interior retirement pension plan is because they have no policies because they do not believe in progressive policies And we're not the only one saying this to people a speaker the people of Ontario passed the judgment on Thank you speaker less than a year ago the premier promised Ontarians quote work She would work each and every day to keep your trust and quote But instead of trust the behavior of the liberals is making people more cynical Instead of answering questions about the Sudbury bribery scandal the premier is dodging hard and trying to distract people and Editorial publish says that in spite of well over 100 questions about the Sudbury bribery scandal the liberals have directly answered only one single question And that's less than 1% Will the premier start making good on her promise and keep Ontarian stress by answering a simple question Who told Pat Sabara and Jerry Lawley to offer Andrew Oliveri a speaker a speaker clearly NDP has has no policies left to talk about Clearly they have nothing nothing left for them to go back to their party members and say this is what we stand for Again and again and they have demonstrated because they stand for nothing In fact, if anybody a speaker they're really aligned with the Prime Minister Steven Harper when it comes to issues on retirement income security You know, this is what Martin red con had to say in in the Toronto star and your Horweth meet Steven Harper Your new best friend and fellow traveler as leader of Ontario's NDP Horweth has made a stunning about face on pensions betraying the middle class Working class and everyone in between speaker He goes on to conclude in this column Under Horweth the NDP is no longer activists and obstructionist not progressive But reactionary the Prime Minister would be proud shame on them speaker Thank You mr. Speaker and what question this morning is to the Minister of Health and long-term care Great Minister, that's right. There are many Ontarians who have loved ones requiring an organ which would save their life Every day hundreds of Ontarians wait for the gift of life Sadly, I have even heard from constituents in my riding of Davenport that they're that are enduring this excruciating Waits themselves or for a loved one demand for organ transportation Transportation is increasing due to technological and pharmacological advances the aging population and increasing incidents of end-stage organ disease Oregon donation is a critical part of our world-leading health system Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister tell us about our government's organ and tissue donation and transplant system and how our Government plans on addressing the increasing demands for organ transportation Thank You mr. Speaker I thank the member from Davenport for this important question and mr. Speaker our government developed the organ and tissue Donation and transplant system to address three main goals to maximize organ donations to increase organ transplants and to reduce the wait Times for organ transplantation Also to support an effective efficient and accountable organ and tissue donation and transplantation system and Thirdly to meet the the need for safe and high quality organ and tissue Needs for transplantation in Ontario mr. Speaker our organ and tissue donation and transplant System is highly effective. It consists of 56 designated hospitals in the donation infrastructure system 21 of which are hospitals that provide neurosurgical or trauma Services mr. Speaker. I want to take this opportunity to thank our hard-working Care professionals for their work in our organ and tissue donation and transplant system So thank you to the Minister of Health and long-term care for his work with Ontario's organ and tissue donation and Transplant system. I would like to direct the second part of my question to the Minister of Government and consumer services as The Minister responsible for service Ontario the Minister of Government's consumer service plays an important role in promoting Awareness of the need for more Ontarians to become donors While I'm encouraged by the increasing number of owner organ donors I understand that many Ontarians are still on waiting lists for life-saving or life transforming transplants I appreciate the work of our health care professionals who have the skills and knowledge to perform medical miracles But for them to save lives Ontarians must donate as leaders We must continue to educate the public about organ donation Register organ donors to continue helping our health care professionals save lives Minister, can you please share with us what service Ontario is doing to encourage organ donation and how Ontarians can become donors The Minister of Health long-term care to the Minister of Government and consumer services Minister of Government and consumer services. Thank you speaker I want to thank the member from Davidport for the supplementary question I'm certainly pleased with our initiatives in service Ontario in partnership with the trillion gift of life network and the Ministry of Health and long-term care to increase the number of organ and tissue donors in the province among our initiatives We've launched an innovative easy to access online donor registration We're ensuring staff at service Ontario centres ask customers about registering when they renew their driver's licenses or Ontario photo cards We're including donor consent forms and information brochures in our health card renewal or Re-registration notices and we're using social media to attract more donors as a result of these initiatives Speaker over 3.1 million Ontarians have registered to donate. I'm pleased to report that 2014 that's a record-breaking year with over 250,000 Ontarians registering I'd like to recognize and thank the record number of Ontarians who are registering Mr. Speaker my question is to the deputy premier Deputy premier your premier is having her credibility eroded on a daily basis And I know you're bored with these questions about the Sudbury bribery scandal So I put this to you would you today will help you would you today Pat Sabara Step down until this investigation is completed and have Jerry and Ahid Remove from the police services board until this Investigated investigation is completed and you'll be able to change that channel and move on to something that you find more Exciting thank you speaker, and I certainly am grateful for the help of the member opposite I do think there are other questions that Citizens of Ontario would like to be raised in this house speaker, but you know the member opposite has already actually given us some good Help let me give you the advice that he's given that we're taking his house leaders said Stop interfering in an ongoing investigation Let it run its course so that's advice that that he gave us and that's advice that we are taking a speaker But if that's not enough The member from would be all sure was said when asked about charges late against a PC staff member She said I really don't have a comment to make on this because it's before the courts So again, she gave us good advice advice that we are taking And she didn't just say it once again at a CP 24 interview. She said I'm leaving it in the hands of the police and the Justice system to continue their investigation. I'm calling you reach the right Thank you supplementary Deputy Premier even the Premier's predecessor once stated it is never too late to do the right thing So I would ask the current Premier and you and her stead today To finally do the right thing Your Premier spoke at infinitum as she came to this house as the first elected Premier female Premier in the province of Ontario how things were going to be done differently how she would be accountable responsible and she would The integrity I give her this opportunity Change this channel have Pat Sabara stepped down until this is investigation is complete Have Jerry law he stepped down from the police service board till this investigation is complete Will you give that housing will you give the people of Ontario that today? Speaker as I said you've given us good advice. We're taking that advice We're going to do exactly what the PC house leader said to do and that is to stop interfering in an envoy going Investigation and let it's let it run its course. We're grateful for that advice. Thank you speaker the minister of The minister of forestry forestry I think you're referring to me. I'm not sure Speaker I'd like to introduce three students from Lakehead University and Thunder Bay that have joined us this morning Bifi Yusuf Ian McCrae and yeoman Roman Yakiboski. They're here with us in the members I think I think the minister of natural resources in forestry The member from Algoma, Manitouan, Mr. Speaker and a point of order. I'm sure the Minister for Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the parliamentary assistant knows full well that go gammas my hometown There are no different there are no deferred votes this house stands recess until 1 p.m. This afternoon