 It is now time for oral questions, and I recognize the member for Tomiskaming Cochran. My question is to the Deputy Premier. For the last two weeks, the Premier has ignored the growing concern about the clear conflict of interest he showed in personally appointing a family friend as OPP Commissioner. Now even Ron Taverner himself has admitted that he can't assume command under the cloud of suspicion created by the Premier. Government side, come to order. Will the Deputy Premier continue to defend the indefensible, or will she admit that we need an investigation by the Ombudsman and by members of this assembly before this appointment can proceed? The Deputy Premier. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Our government, the Independent Hiring Committee, our public service has 100% support and trust and faith in Superintendent Taverner. Out of respect for the people who serve our province on the front line, our police officers, Ron Taverner asked me if he could step aside while the investigation was taking place. I accepted that recommendation. I think it was a very wise and frankly respectful thing for him to do because he understands the process and he wants the process to have its purpose. We are doing that. We understand that the Independent Officer of the Legislative Assembly and the Integrity Commissioner will do his investigation on his work. At that point, when the investigation is complete, I will be right at the front of the line to congratulate Ron Taverner and welcome him as the President. Once again to the Acting Premier. The Deputy Commissioner of the OPP is just one of the many people who has raised serious concerns. In a letter to the Ombudsman, Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair said, and I quote, the independence and confidence of the command of the OPP was at risk without a review from the Ombudsman. Does the Deputy Premier agree with the Deputy and now former Acting Commissioner that we need this independent public review? Well, to be clear, the independent review is happening currently through the Integrity Commissioner. But what I am hearing since Friday is people from across Ontario talking about what are we going to do to ensure that we keep the heat on and the power on in the problems we're dealing with. This is and our government's focus is. Final supplementary. I think they've been watching the PC. Once again to the Deputy Premier. Deputy Commissioner Blair doesn't stand alone. Former RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson is echoed calls for an independent public review saying, quotation, that sense of integrity of the institution has to be preserved and quote. The former OPP Commissioner Chris Lewis was more blunt. Quote, it's simply not right and not the best for the organization end of quote. The Premier responded by calling the integrity of this decorated OPP veteran into question. The Deputy Premier must know. She must know this isn't right. Will she stand with these decorated officers and back their calls for independent review? Or will she stand with the Premier who attacks them? Minister. You know, Speaker, in the 10 plus years that I've served in this parliament, I have never, ever heard someone suggest that the independent officer of the legislative assembly, the integrity commissioner, had anything but respect for this chamber. They report to this chamber, not to individual members. So to suggest that they are not in any way independent and they can't do the investigation, I think is shameful. I want to see the NDP say, we respect the independent officer. We respect the integrity commissioner and we will allow him the time that he and his office need to do the investigation and issue the report. Thank you. Next question, the member for Brampton Centre. Thank you. Good morning, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Deputy Premier. Under the members integrity act, the integrity commissioner has the right to launch a public inquiry into any matter that has been referred to him. This matter is before him now. Will the acting Premier join us in supporting a public inquiry into the event the commissioner calls for one? The Deputy Premier. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. Speaker, I'm not sure what part of the independent integrity commissioner investigation has already started. He has accepted. Don't they understand? Opposition has come to order. But to be clear, the investigation has begun. The integrity commissioner is in charge of that investigation. I look forward to the report because I know he will find that there was nothing wrong with the process, and Ron Tavner is an excellent choice for OPP commissioner. I am surprised, frankly, that you are not asking questions about what's going to happen at the Brampton Civic Hospital when we don't have any. Supplementary. Thank you. Through you, Mr. Speaker, to the Minister, I would love to ask questions about Brampton Civic, but I know I'm not going to get any answers anyway, so I'm not going to waste my time on that. Would the Deputy Premier agree that, given the serious nature of the questions of the appointment, questions that the Premier, frankly, won't even answer is a public inquiry necessary? And it's public. It's not just the integrity commissioner. It's a public inquiry that we're asking for. Minister? I'm trying to connect the dots, Speaker, respectfully. So an independent officer of the assembly is independent and okay. Until they don't give you what you want, they are independent. Let them do their work. Let them do the investigation. Let the report come forward, and then we can talk about how excellent a candidate Ron Tavner is. Back to the Deputy Premier. People want and deserve answers. The Premier claims that a close personal friend was granted this position, and he has had no role in the decision-making process. Government side, come to order. That friend was not even qualified to apply for the job that was originally posted. Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, come to order. This decision is going to be upheld, and people are going to feel confident in the process. Will you support a full public inquiry by the integrity commissioner? The question is very simple. Minister? Minister? So allow me to repeat myself. Again, the independent officer of the legislative assembly, the integrity commissioner, is currently investing the process for hiring Commissioner Ron Tavner. I do not understand why the OPP, why the opposition have suddenly decided that the independent officer Is not up to the job I think it's really unfortunate that you suddenly decide an independent officer of the assembly the legislative assembly Reporting to the entire chamber is not good enough for this process. It's shame Thank you very much bigger my question is to the deputy premier speaker the deputy commissioner of the OPP has raised serious concerns about a request from Dean French the premier's chief of staff to soul source a Camper van Exclusively for the premier's use and keep the cost off the books and hidden from taxpayers To the deputy premier is has Dean Specks for this premier's Hot Wheels magic mystery tour bus with cabinet Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Service Community Safety and Correctional Service That question is so rude and dismissive. I'm actually amazed that you were willing to ask it Why why when we are called the position side before Christmas? Why are we not asking questions about why we're here the importance of why we're here? The value of what we are trying to do to the people of Ontario. This is about Heating people's homes. This is about keeping seniors Safe, this is frankly about making sure that the province of Ontario can continue to operate After Friday, when is the NDP going to step up and be part of the solution instead of constantly trying to find some other Appreciate the enthusiasm of the members It's all part of the season But I have to be able to hear the member who has the floor Start the clock member for Essex supplementary speaker We wish the premier and his government would learn a little something about collective bargaining with the power workers Free and fair collective bargaining A mystery tour bus for him and his buddies at taxpayers expense The Government side has to come to order I Will ask you individually to come to order and then I will have to move to warnings if need be We move to the next step Apologize to the member for Essex start the clock Thank You speaker the deputy premier was the choice of most PC delegates in the leadership race So it has to be pretty tough for her to watch What's become of her party the party that was once the party of Bill Davis is now treating the Ontario Provincial Police like a custom body shop Asking decorated King's bond to cover hide the cost from taxpayers. Will the deputy premier Looking to this abuse of power By the pre couldn't hear the member who had the floor because of the volume stop the clock I Couldn't hear the member for the volume of the government side. So if I miss something That's why I again say to the member for Essex you've got the floor and you can put your question Thank You speaker the question is to the deputy premier will she admit that the use of The OPP to cover the cost of the premier's custom travel van is an abuse of power and wrong to be hiding from taxpayers of Ontario I Will take no lessons from that member or the NDP party on why it is important for the province of Ontario to have heat and Hydro as of Friday now There is no truth to the allegations that have been levied and I look forward to a report coming from the Integrity commissioner to reinforce why Ron taverner is an excellent choice to serve as the OPP commissioner Next question the member for King Vaughan Mr. Speaker I find it with great regret that the NDP has yet to ask a singular question about keeping the power on in the province of Ontario Mr. Speaker the people across this province need and deserve a reliable power source This is at risk Speaker after NDP twice twice voted against expiring the passage of the bill this question Yeah, who's the question to this sort of energy the Speaker after twice voting against the passage of this bill it is abundantly clear mr. Speaker the VNDP is the party of Special interest whereas this government and this premier and this caucus and this minister is always fighting for the public interest For our small businesses for our workers for our young families for our seniors and for the people of the province We know a strike would devastate our economy Speaker can the minister online why how how we will put this forward and ensure on turns to keep the light on this Christmas Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the members Question let's start this part of the debate out by understanding that on June 7th of 2018 had the NDP won Thousands of nuclear workers in Pickering would have been cut loose Electricity system source Supply Absolute chaos so that's the starting point for these people mr. Speaker, but let me reference a few points It's a discussion points for Hamilton East or the creek or some time when the threat of hydro being cut off was very real The leader of the opposition said let me put my glasses on and read me some quotes here now 2017 in reference to legislation that would end or end winter disconnection get it through the house quickly Absolutely, I'm 100% favor for that. Why is she so disconnected now mr. Speaker? Back to the minister of energy speaker We know this dispute will devastate on trails industry a special or small businesses were over eight and ten jobs Depend on mr. Speaker We've been warned that this could result in rolling blackouts and brown nuts decimating the productivity and quality control factories across the province It will hurt our workers the most our government will not stand idle While employers are forced to close and paychecks on their workers are at risk Our government believes that everyone deserves safety and stability this holiday season Can the minister please update this house on how this dispute could impact business and industry in manufacturing minister Thank You mr. Speaker let me read me a few more quotes while I got my glasses on here 2017 the official leader of the opposition said in response to the threat of hydro being disconnected Why political credit is more important than stopping people from having their hydro cut off? Another quote when people get cut off in the winter. It has serious consequences here in a province like Ontario. I Agree mr. Speaker position come to order I I completely I completely Couldn't agree more mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker I couldn't agree more with you It's cold outside the other night. It was minus 17 below in canora today right now right now It's minus 12 in Timmins mr. Speaker. This government has a responsibility to ensure that families Turn their heat on those will come to order the member for Timmins will come door Member for York's Center will come door start the clock next question the member for Davenport mr. Speaker My question is to the deputy premier Friday night school boards and education organizations across Ontario were struck by an avalanche of memos Outlining 25 million dollars in cuts these cuts are a slap in the face to those Ontarians who have participated in this government's so-called Consultations, which of course did not even conclude until 24 hours after these cuts were announced or released rather in the dead of night And they are causing utter chaos in our school boards and in our schools mr. Speaker Overwhelmingly the programs affected are designed to help at-risk youth the government has yet to share what actual Research they have conducted that shows that children getting physical activity or children getting programming to help them Succeed if they're at risk or providing leadership opportunities for for children are programs that need to be cut What research does this government conduct or rely on to determine that these programs were worth cutting from our schools? Mr. Education Christmas and I appreciate the opportunity to stand up and and talk about what's really important You know while we should be here working diligently on Expediating members of Waterloo come to order and lights on as we head into the holiday season instead We see opposition party for Winter West come to order But I'd be pleased to answer the member opposites question because you know I would think that or I would have hoped that they could have connected the dots a little bit better Because the consultation that we just wrapped up this past weekend where tens of thousands of people Responded and I can't wait to start diving into that data. It's so rich speaker that consultation was based For the next school year 1920 you would have thought the members opposite could have connected those dots, you know That's what our consultation was based on and first and foremost. We've received great information Sorry Supplementary Speaker back to the deputy premier This government is let's be clear taking an axe to programs that are designed to help some of our most vulnerable students They call this a responsible act minister mr. Speaker I don't understand what part of this is responsible the minister wants us to believe that they are listening to Ontarians But we have students saying this is the wrong direction. We have educators saying this is the wrong direction We have parents worrying that their kids won't have the supports. They need to succeed this school year We have experts saying this is deeply irresponsible in what universe Who did the minister consult tell us who told them that tutors in classrooms? We're not worth investing in indigenous kids We're not worth investing in the government sex ed consultation has been a total sham and kids While they make up excuses to carry out changes will the government reverse these irresponsible decisions Minister thank you very much mr. Speaker and again to correct the members opposite that couldn't connect the dots its school year 2019 2020 and you know what? I'm pleased to say that we're moving forward. We moved a four forward with approvals of $400 million this year for the school year 2018-2019 and at a glance that talks about a new investment of over 20 million dollars for mental health workers over $20 million in French language education over 60 million dollars initiatives and We absolutely are supporting our parents in terms of Supports for our young children in terms of bullying and mentorship the member from Windsor to come So we'll be very pleased to know we continued with the support for big brothers big sisters Speaker we're moving forward in a responsible way I want to thank the members of my team and the ministry that worked so hard to make sure we Talked away all the Responsibility that the previous government absolutely buried in my name come door And we're moving forward with thoughtful investments that make a difference in the classroom Start the clock next question the member from Markham Unionville Thank You mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Labor Late last week our government was advised that the members of the power workers Union has voted to reject a new Collective agreement on Ontario power generation. This has left the PWU a strike position despite attempts at Negotiation over many months talks between the two parties have broken down a strike at OPG would greatly impair the stability of Ontario's electricity supply and has a significant adverse impact on the public interest Our government has to do whatever is necessary to ensure that Ontario has a steady and Interrupted supply of electricity can the minister assure the people of Ontario that the electricity supply will be maintained over the coming Winter months. Thank you, Mrs. Good Thank you to the member for Markham Unionville for the great question You know the people of Ontario elected our government put their interests first That is why yesterday I introduced legislation to send this dispute to arbitration and protect Ontarians homes and business so if passed our legislation will terminate any strikes or lockouts Between OPG and the power workers Union for the current round of bargaining This will prevent the effective shutdown of as much as half of Ontario's electricity system If this legislation does not pass mr. Speaker Families seniors and all Ontarians face the possibility of no heat or light during the cold winter months Mr. Speaker we were elected to fight for the people and that is Is doing restart the clock supplementary Thank You mr. Speaker. Thank you minister for the answer I know that our government is doing the right thing for the people of Ontario The minister of energy Estimate that a strike by the PWU workers will result in some or all of OPG's Facilities being shut down within weeks a situation that we cannot allow to happen mr. Speaker OPG is responsible for approximately 51 percent of all electricity generation of Ontario and Operates nuclear hydroelectric thermal and wind power Facilities we are facing a potential proviso emergency Speaker action is required now Ontario is not dreaming of a blackout Christmas Right, can the minister explain to this house why this legislation is so wide for Ontario's? Minister thank the member from Markham Univill for the question at 51 percent Reduction in Ontario's power supply is not something the provinces families seniors and businesses Can handle during the winter months my colleague the honorable minister of energy northern development in minds has already discussed This potential impacts of this reduction like rolling blackouts across the province Resulting in many families and seniors without heat or light during the cold winter months So speaker our government believes that disputes that arise during contract negotiations are best solved at the bargaining table Government should only intervene when the public interest and public health and safety are at risk and a resolution is not possible This is when negotiations reach an impasse or a deadlock This is the situation we are facing now member for Essex come to our post Legislation would prevent a severe disruption of Ontario's electricity that could result and endanger our pop My question is for the Attorney General last week the commissioner of the OPP wrote to the ombudsman saying that the OPP was Called by Dean French the premier's most senior political staffer to ask the OPP to hide the cost of a souped-up Man any reasonable person would agree that that needs to be investigated Will the Attorney General support the new Democrats request that the RCMP should investigate these allegations Mr. Speaker as the member opposite heard many many times for the minister of community safety and correctional services the Integrity commissioner has taken on the the work of investigating as the opposition is requested We respect the work that the integrity commissioner is going to do We we understand that there is great interest in this and making sure that the processes are followed and we welcome And we await the decision of the integrity commissioner, and we will follow his recommendations when he's made them The Attorney General has a responsibility to uphold the law and the principles of fairness and due process It's more important than her loyalty to the premier At least it should be as former RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson said about the allegation that the premier's chief of staff Wanted the the cost of the souped-up RV kept off the books if there's allegations of criminality Supported by some substantial evidence then that's a whole other question And that needs to be reviewed and that would require I think a separate force to do that not my words Bob Paulson's words does the Attorney General agree that the RCMP is ideally suited to investigate these allegations Mr. Speaker the member opposite should realize there are already active processes underway doing the work that the opposition is requesting the the the office of the Independent of the integrity commissioner is conducting an investigation an application For why don't you come to our member for us speaking a judicial review of the ombudsman's decision not to investigate member for us It's come to looking at that decision. Mr. Speaker. There are people who are doing the work The opposition is already asking us to do mr. Speaker We are here to do work on behalf of the people of Ontario to keep the lights on to keep the heat on and we wonder on This side of the house when the opposition is When there was still time on the clock I couldn't hear what she was saying because of the standing ovation from the government side once again Next question start the clock The member for Gwell Thank You mr. Speaker. My question is for the acting premier 18 years ago six people died and over 2,000 people were made sick as a result of drinking contaminated water at Walkerton There are people to this very day who suffer from the health effects of drinking contaminated water Justice O'Connor's report on the Walkerton tragedy led to the Clean Water Act So my question is why is the government putting people's lives at risk with legislation that would allow Municipalities to gut the Clean Water Act Questions to the deputy premier to the minister of the environment mystery the environment conservation Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member for the question mr. Speaker as the as the member knows just a few weeks ago We brought out a plan a made in Ontario plan that deals with issues like clean water that talks about many of the issues that he's quite Concerned about including sewage in the water system things that the previous government the previous government supported by the NDP did not Did not support the member also knows because he's very familiar very familiar with the Clean Water Act That the powers that that the mission has and are suggested in bill 66 are the same powers that he has Why the member from Guelph may want to distract from other issues when we should be focusing on keeping the lights on and keeping the power on Here in this in this legislature number for me This government's committed to making sure that the water is kept clear our made in Ontario plan includes Plans to make sure that we ensure that with proper source water protection and protection of water across this province With all due respect mr. Speaker section 10 of bill 66 Allows municipalities to gut the Clean Water Act What kind of business wants to invest in a province that will not protect his drinking water? What kind of government wants to gut regulations that protect people's lives? likewise the Greenbelt Protects our drinking water and protects our farmland people were loud and clear during the election campaign They want the Greenbelt protected so why is this government breaking their promise to protect the Greenbelt and introducing legislation that will allow municipalities to pave over the Greenbelt Minister the speaker the minister of municipal affairs minister of municipal affairs and thanks speaker member the opposition is Dragging the town of Walkerton through the mud just to try to score a couple of political cheap charter Their mayor has even indicated that the changes in our bill would not weaken nor will they jeopardize drinking water standards We have been extremely And again through through you to the honorable member. We are going to protect the Greenbelt We are going to not support any Municipal plan under the open for business tool that would do that We want to again reassure Ontarians that the safety of the people of this province. We take it very seriously We are going to continue to defend health and safety standards anything else from this member is just fear mongering shame on you Yet again, I'll say to the government side their minister at the floor there was time on the clock But when the standing ovation erupted, I couldn't hear what he said. I had to cut him off Start the clock the next question member for Mississauga milk Malton. Thank you, mr. Speaker My question is also for a minister of energy Miss speaker last week Ontario's for Ontarians found out that members of Power Workers Union voted to reject a collective agreement with Ontario power generation The power workers union issued the strike notice on Friday, which has put the entire electric system at risk Mr. Speaker this time of year families are coming together to celebrate the holiday season They need access to power to light up their homes to cook the turkeys. Oh, by the way Tofu Turkey for vegetarians like my wife and watch holiday movies with their loved ones We can't afford to let this job action threaten holiday plan throughout this province Minister, please explain why this is such a critical issue that requires immediate action by our government Thank you, mr. Speaker Thank you, mr. Speaker. It's it's day four a very serious day 21 plan to wind down the nuclear reactor Nuclear generators and dam units that that supply electricity for our province We have given the opposition two occasions already to short circuit the debate and make sure that the people of Ontario Have lights and heat for the holidays and as we head into the heart of winter But let me amplify the seriousness of this mr. Speaker from other stakeholders, mr. Collard Anderson the president of the Association Hamilton Business across Ontario expect that reliable affordable electricity is available when needed to keep our economy running Industry can't afford any disruptions that undermine the ability to produce the government must do whatever it can with generators and labors To keep That's exactly Thank You minister for your great leadership on energy fire Miss speaker, I'm proud to be part of a government that takes action on behalf of the people And I know my constituents appreciate us coming back to work to ensure that they stay safe and warm this holiday season however Let's not forget. We already seeing the opposition's cringe ways. They voted against unanimous consent for bill 67 And repeat voted against a bill that guarantees families staying warm and keep their lights on this holiday season It seems they don't think people across Ontario need and deserve a reliable power supply Especially over the winter months can the minister please tell the member of this house How of a government in since ensuring the people of Ontario can keep the lights on this winter to stay safe and stay healthy minister Mr. Speaker when 50% of Ontario's hydro supply is at stake we take this issue very seriously We appreciate the power workers union mr. Speaker They issued their right to strike their vote to strike and strike notice on Friday And they remain on the job and we appreciate that because we think they understand the importance of no interruptions during this critical season Of peak demand and temperatures getting colder mr. Speaker after eight months of negotiations Three votes mr. Speaker a rejection of the final offer on Thursday a vote to strike on Friday and the option for arbitration Mr. Speaker every right has been afforded to resolve this This is now less about rights than it is about lights mr. Speaker and this government is going to fight every day Mr. Speaker to make sure that the people of Ontario Families small businesses ready to celebrate Christmas and face the winter have the heat on mr. Speaker Start the clock for members for Brampton North. Thank you mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Tourism and Culture and Sport On October 22nd while the Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport was still the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services The ministry posted to hire a new commissioner of the OPP It required that anyone applying had to have served as a deputy police chief or hire or Assistant commissioner or hire Two days later the posting was changed So mr. Speaker, I asked the Minister of Tourism Culture and Sport who decided to change the application Community safety and corrections mr. Community safety As usual the NDP are missing a few facts the facts are that it was an independent hiring committee That was was tasked with finding opposition come on a new OPP commissioner They've done that work They made a unanimous choice and now we are waiting a review of the independent officer of the assembly to do that You know, I lived through three days in a number of Christmases ago in my community when there was no power No heat no hydro. I don't want to do that again speaker I have a responsibility as a member of this government to make sure that doesn't happen again And I would hope respectfully that the member opposite also has that same responsibility The families who live in your community the families who rely in William Ossler Hospital the families who have seniors Living in Brampton who don't want to worry They have sufficient heat and Make sure they can stay in their own homes Supplement Thank You mr. Speaker my question once again is to the minister of tourism culture and sport Ron Tavener didn't meet the initial requirement for the posting, but then the posting changed and sharing he could Mr.. Speaker the minister of tourism Was the minister at the time of community safety and corrections? Can he explain why the government decided two days two days after posting? To water down a requirement that would have just happened to have prevented the premier's personal friend from applying for the post Who made the decision to change this posting? I feel like we need to talk about what the definition of independent is it was an independent hiring committee it was an Independent commissioner of the Legislative Assembly members of Timmons come to order Come day for of a strike that can shut down heat and light in the province of Ontario So if we want to talk about an emergency debate, I'm all over it But let's actually get to the process where we understand why we're here Why we need to ensure that the light and the power stays on in the province of Ontario? Thank you Thank You mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Health Station continues to make Short-sighted decision with public purse last week the premier the premier cut funding to Ontario's College of Midwives Speaker women want access to more midwife free services in Ontario actually 40% of women who request the midwives Here are unable to get one because there's not enough to meet the demand My colleagues children's I've had children's with the help of midwives Actually very important midwives improve health outcomes while bringing down Medical costs and this is exactly why I'm asking you this question mr. Speaker because yesterday I was in a retirement residence and Frank a senior could not Understand why this government was attacking our midwife services, so my question is very simple Can you please tell Frank and all of Ontario the reason why of these cuts? Mr.. Health long-term care I Thank the member opposite very much for the question and I can say that we agree that we value the support and the work that Midwives in Ontario perform But I think it's important to note that services performed by a widow lives are not being cut What is under consideration? Funding to the college the college is the only administrative body only college in Ontario That receives administrative funding for the province that is under review right now But I must drink I must reiterate to Frank anybody else who might be watching that the actual Services being performed by midwives will not be cut It is only consideration of at the services that the college might provide which is still under review So back to the minister this government by improvisation is not Improvising everything they have a plan they are deliberately Focused on making cuts that hit woman Children children and rights issues and that's not fair Mr.. Speaker the inflated deficit number they cooked up the one actually that the controller resigned and will not sign off on Can justify the waste of public money that will result from these cuts So I understand the minister when she says that at this point there is 800 midwives in Ontario There's an enormous burden on them as they are I would say almost creating jobs for you Lowering your costs on health care Why attacking this sector at this time while you know there's the demands and actually lowering our Minister Well, I have to reject the entire question Well what we were elected to do was to transform our health care system into one that's going to be Sustainable for the future for our children and grandchildren and that is exactly what we are doing So as far as midwives are concerned, of course, we value the work that midwives But we need to make sure that we can do so on a sustainable basis And they are continuing with the work they are doing it is only the question of Money to the college that is being looked at right now But I also have to say that this is an issue that we are dealing with that we are working on But we have to again come back to the reason why we are here We're clean up here to make sure that people can keep their Response make sure that seniors that people are living in northern Ontario people who are in long-term care homes in Hospitals will be able to be cared for and will be warm and receive the necessary Thank you Good morning, Mr. Speaker, and thank you my question is for the Minister of Infrastructure The previous liberal government attacked our frontline health care workers instead of ensuring that they had the resources to look after our most vulnerable Our families and loved ones were left languishing member for Hamilton East Stony Creek come toward waiting for beds hospital but for Eglinton Lawrence come towards My constituents in Cambridge and families across Ontario member for Hamilton East Stony Creek come to order deliver on our plan to end hallway Healthcare over the power for Hamilton East Stony Creek is warned crumbled due to mismanaged expansions and renovations While work on the new patient care wing at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital was stalled Renovations to the existing area have also been delayed Can the minister please update the house on how we are getting the Cambridge Memorial Hospital back on track? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the member from Cambridge for that very important question Our government is firmly committed to making life easier for the families in Ontario for the Cambridge Memorial Hospital project Infrastructure Ontario was directed to deliver the work through the p3 model as they build finance project This new 240,000 square foot addition was supposed to be operational 20 months ago under the former liberal government This type of delay causes much anxiety in the local communities served by this particular hospital People were expecting better care to be delivered much longer ago I'm not happy with this project We inherited from the previous government because it's been delayed so long, but mr. Speaker We're going to fix it I know the local member from Cambridge who has been advocating hard on behalf of her constituents as well as the members from Kitchener's response and Kitchener Conestoga aren't happy either the people of Cambridge deserve better Speaker, there's positive news, which I'm going to share in the supplement Thank the minister for his response I am proud that our government is working hard to look after the needs of families and Seniors across the tri-city and Waterloo region they will soon have the quality health care that they deserve and expect Instead of sitting idly as the former liberal government did our minister of health and long-term care and the minister of infrastructure Have secured assurances that all parties are committed to moving forward as quickly as possible to complete the project I know I speak on behalf of the members from Kitchener South Hesbler and Kitchener Conestoga when I say that the minister of Infrastructure has been working hard to make sure that our government will continue to invite invest in the right infrastructure at the right time and in the right place Can the minister please elaborate on how the p3 model protects taxpayers and ensures that the project Thank you mr. Speaker and I'll tell you that my office has been in close touch with infrastructure Ontario the agency delivering this project on behalf of our government as you know the project is being delivered as a Public-private partnership or p3 model something that our government supports P3 projects offer certain protections to taxpayers one of those protections is that the company Contracted to do the work doesn't get paid until that work is complete There is being a recent development in the situation The project is now in the hands of a receiver who will ensure the hospital finally gets completed IO the hospital and the project lenders are working together and are committed to completing the project quickly So while the delays for residents in the Cambridge region are unacceptable We are assured by infrastructure interior that the construction issues are on their way to being solved at no additional Costs to the taxpayers in the province of interior Thank you. My question this morning is to the president of the Treasury board. Good morning minister, you know I spent months sitting on a committee supposedly focused on a fiscal transparency And your government the government to table the bill named restoring trust Transparency and accountability, but less than a month after tabling that bill We've learned that the premier's chief of staff asked the OPP to hide the cost of a special camper van For the premier's youth. I'm sure the president of the Treasury board would agree that that's not accountable It's not transparent and it certainly doesn't build trust. So my question mr. Speaker is Will the president of the Treasury board refer this matter to the auditor general for her to investigate Mr. Community safety and correctional services opposition come to order It amazes me that the NDP are So willing to throw around allegations in this chamber that are untrue That are will be proven to be untrue and that there is an independent investigation occurring right now So why don't you let that investigation happen and instead? Why don't we focus on what we are here to debate what we are here to discuss is to make sure that the power Stays on in the province of Ontario Friday is an important date and it's not just because Christmas is coming We have to make sure we have a responsibility as Legislators to make sure that the heat and the lights remain on in the province of Ontario That's what we're doing on this side of the house What the NDP are attempting to do? Well, mr. Speaker, I had to say I reject the premise of the answer Ontarians deserve clear answers about whether this was a one-off or part of a pattern Will the president of the Treasury Board be directing the Auditor-General to look into whether the Premier or his chief of staff Ask other ministries other agencies or boards to buy and to hide the cost of this camper van or any other items Let me try to Understand how this works. You do not agree that the integrity commissioner is able to do an investigation and and report on the process, but While you don't support the integrity commissioner, you were calling for the ombudsman to do an investigation Which of the independent officers of the legislation do you like? Which ones do you trust because I can tell you in our government we support and believe in all of them Appropriate to remind all members at this time to make your comments through the chair Start the clock next question the member for Niagara West Transportation, you know our government has promised to get the people of Ontario moving and we've already started to deliver on these commitments We're providing more reliable predictable journeys across the GTHA Rately improving the daily transit experience Speaker last week the Minister of Transportation made a very exciting announcement for the people of St. Catherine's Niagara Falls and frankly all of Ontario this announcement delivers on our government's commitment to get people moving And I was so excited to see the minister in St. Catherine's and Niagara Falls Can the minister please tell the legislature about his announcement in St. Catherine's and provide details on how we're implementing a core campaign promise I think the member from Niagara West for that question. I truly Enjoyed having met the side At that announcement. He's been a truly great advocate for the Niagara region as a whole And I know he'll just continue to produce results for the people living in that region So I also want to thank my PA from Tobacco Center King of Sermon who's also there in attendance It was a great day for the St. Catherine's area and I do have to note that it was something special to have Former house leader of the liberal side Jim Bradley the new chair of a Niagara region applauding our announcement As a member state or a government for the people made an important announcement for the people of St. Catherine's and I agris and mr. Speak mr. Speaker this marks the first time in history of the people in Niagara Falls St. Catherine's in Toronto will be connected by a regular weekday commuter train this train provide a comfortable seamless Go train trip between Niagara Falls Union Station with a stop at St Catherine's and mr. Speaker we are four years ahead of schedule on delivering Supplementary speaker. I have to thank the minister of transportation for the excellent response for coming down to Niagara for bringing the project Here to Niagara four years ahead of schedule truly truly impressive as a member representing the Niagara region I must say I'm deeply proud of this announcement for the people of Niagara Falls and St. Catherine's have been asking for go rail service for a very long time And sadly the previous liberal government plan to take an additional four years to expand the go rail service into the region However within only six months our government for the people delivered on this Commitment by using existing infrastructure and developing partnerships to get the job done Our government has now announced more than 200 new go train trips and over 400,000 new train seats every single week on the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West rail lines And so can the minister tell us a little bit more about the expanded go service into the Niagara region As the members stated by working with a rail partner C and We have coordinated our schedules and are using existing infrastructure and we're able to introduce this new weekday service between Niagara Falls and Toronto The introduction of weekday rail service between Niagara Falls and Toronto is an important piece of work We're doing to expand go service to make life easier for the people that use public transit We know that efficient and reliable public transit is an essential part of Connecting people with jobs and promoting economic development across Ontario That's why we made it a priority to get go trains running to Niagara Falls as soon as possible And I'm pleased we've delivered on that commitment Our government for the people is doing this not only to get people in the province moving But also to create jobs and opportunities that make life better for Ontarians and mr. Speaker will be back in Niagara Falls to make more Thank You mr. Speaker this question is to the Minister of Health and long-term care They this conservative government announced with low explanation that they were cutting funding for the College of Midwives Speaker the College of Midwives order this for one reason Protect the public in this case member for King Vaughan will come to order born babies midwives Delivered and provide possible to care to 15% of on member for King Vaughan is more in doing so midwife Saves the government money save the hospital resources and they help save Ontario Hallway medicine crisis Can the minister explain why on November 8th her minister advised the College of Midwives that they caught that their funding was being cut Retroactive to April 1st. Why did your ministry send this memo? For the question and we do value the excellent services that midwives provide to women across Ontario In fact the issue that is under consideration right now is funding to the college and as I stated previously The College of Midwives is the only regulatory health college in Ontario to receive administrative funding from the province So that is under consideration right now, but the services being performed might buy midwives continue supplementary midwives have been historically discriminated against when it comes to fair pay these women Won a human right tribunal challenge this year to be paid fairly Now we find out that the conservative government is appealing this landmark human right tribunal judgment So this conservative government refuses to pay midwives fairly They refuse to support their college that protects newborn babies all Balancing the budget storm on Dundas, so clean Gary come go action are sending such a powerful and such a hateful message to midwives While at the same time every communities are trying to recruit them And we have a hard time recruiting people into the profession of midwives Can the minister explain why she is appealing the human rights decision to end discrimination and fair-pace for Midwives are doing and that is why we have told them straight out that we don't agree with the human rights tribunal Decision with respect to certain points, and that's why we communicated up front To the midwives that we in light of our disagreement with the decision with respect to liability and the Significantly different approaches both parties take in relation to the remedy that is being proposed We are too far apart on the issue of remedy for the negotiation to continue So we thought to be fair position come to the midwives It was fair to let them know that we were going to proceed and have the matter determined at the next level Question the member for girl My question is for the Honourable Minister of Children Community and Social Services Ontario's rural communities like Port Perry and Blackstock in my riding are some of the most tight knit communities across the province where Neighbours look out for one another However, these small towns are not exempt from sex trafficking and violence against women Police reported rates of violence against women are often higher in small towns and other rural settings than in urban areas Not only that but residents of rural and remote communities often have to travel further to access programs and support Speaker can the minister please explain what our government is doing to combat violence against women in rural communities Minister of Children Community and Social Services Thanks very much the Honourable Member for the very important question And I was very pleased to see her and the Minister of Environment last week take a stand and durham against human trafficking And I really want to say thank you for them As you know speaker our government has decided to invest an additional $1.5 million into funding for rural frontline services to strengthen service delivery Improve culturally relevant supports for of indigenous women and reduce geographic and transportation barriers And I'd be remiss not to say thank you to the to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Minister of Natural Resources for joining me Last Friday in that very important conversation Thank you speaker and I appreciate that our Minister and our government is working hard to provide survivors of violence that support they need in rural communities Ontario accounts for roughly two-thirds of police reported sex trafficking cases across Canada each year Many of those along the 401 corridor through my riding through Bowmanville through Oshawa When someone is trafficked they're moved frequently exacerbating the trauma of these already horrifying situations for survivors Returning to normalcy can feel impossible Can the Minister please tell this house how our government will continue to work with stakeholders and hear from those with lived Experiences to address these important issues Minister thank you very much speaker. I really appreciate the question. This is an important topic It's an important a piece of work that we're doing in this government And of course my our friend the Minister of Labor was very instrumental in making sure that we were having these strong conversations It is Ontario's dirty little secret sex trafficking of young girls as early as 11 I was pleased to both be in Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke and in Brockville on Friday to join my colleagues as we talked with people with Lived experience who are offering support to those who have been trafficked and let me be perfectly clear The work that this government is doing is going to continue to be robust We will work with other jurisdictions including our federal counterparts on a task force that That will bring this to the fore and speaker I must say I'm very impressed with many of those stakeholders across Ontario who are doing this important work and building on the 174.5 million dollar commitment this government made last week Member for Scarborough Guildwood on a point of order. Thank you speaker I would like to welcome school from my riding that is visiting Queens Park today West Hill Collegiate and 83 high school students will be here to learn about what we do The member for Kitchener Conestoga on a point of order mr. Speaker I just wanted to apologize for an interjection that I had made earlier if it offended anybody on the other side of the house They do apologize for that Point of order the member for Orleans Thank you, mr. President Today in question period the minister minister of community safety and correction services says that the integrity commissioner is in charge of that Investigation I look forward for the report because I know he will find that there was nothing wrong and I quote giving the nature of the investigation before the integrity commissioner Shirley standing order 23 g must be Interpretated to this matter the minister has Presupposed the outcome of the integrity commissioners investigation creating a real and Substantial presidents to the proceeding. I don't believe there is a valid point of order based on what the member has indicated It's a matter of opinion, but it's not a point of order I would remind the members so who I repeatedly called to order and had to warn that the warnings carry over into the afternoon And if the whoever's in the chair has to speak to you again, you may be named This house stands in recess until 3 p.m