 It is now time for a question period. The leader of Her Majesty's War on Opposition. Thank you, Speaker. My question to the Premier about the ongoing job losses in the province of Ontario. I think, Premier, you'd agree with me that Ontario is at a crucial inflection point. We can continue down the same path we're on of job losses, high youth unemployment, a province where a million men and women woke up this morning who want to work who have no job to go to. Or we can choose a new path for a better Ontario. We've laid out our plan to do exactly that. We woke up this morning to another series of job losses here as Canada. Almost 800 jobs, the large majority here in the province of Ontario. We'll be closing down their parts processing plant in Belleville by way of example. Premier, I agree to clear the decks to see your jobs plan. It seems like every day, every week, more and more job losses are factoring. But we actually see a plan before Christmas. Or is this the best you can do? Thank you, Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know that the leader of the opposition will want to hear some more of the names of companies that are coming to Ontario who are creating jobs and expanding and I will speak to those in the supplementary. But Mr. Speaker, we actually have a plan and I have spoken about this plan many times as has my team. We believe, Mr. Speaker, that investments in people, making sure that people have the right skills, making sure that they have the right training opportunities, investments in infrastructure that will allow communities to draw business to their communities, make sure that goods can move around the GTHA region and beyond, Mr. Speaker, and investment in a business climate, Mr. Speaker, that is competitive, that is innovative and dynamic, that allows businesses to thrive. Those are the investments and that's the framework within which our plan is functioning, Mr. Speaker. Businesses are coming to Ontario. I understand that the manufacturing sector will go through a transition, Mr. Speaker, and we are very aware of that. All the more important that we create that environment for businesses, Mr. Speaker. So, Premier, hold on a second here. The Premier calls 300,000 manufacturing jobs lost a transition. She calls a loss of almost 40,000 manufacturing jobs under her leadership alone at transition. I call it a hollowing out. I call it a decline in the province of Ontario. I call it an economic disaster. And for you to stand here and say, oh, it's just a transition. Oh, it's just a force of globalization. The progress, Premier, these plants are leaving your province of Ontario and setting up a shop in the States in Quebec. John Deere, which had built farm equipment in the Niagara Peninsula for decades, picked up stock. That is still being built, but it's in the state of Wisconsin. Hines had made ketchup for 100 years in Leamington, in the province of Ontario. Will still live by Hines ketchup. It's going to be made in the state of Ohio. Don't give me this garbage about a transition. This is a serious issue. It needs a serious plan. If you don't have one, step aside. Thank you. Thank you. That'll do. Premier? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And what the leader of the opposition needs to also acknowledge is that there are 460,900 net new jobs in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, please. The member from Leeds, Grenville will come to order. The member from Prince Edward Hastings will come to order. The member from Lampton, Kent Middlesex will come to order. Carry on. Very much, Mr. Speaker. I understand that there is a change in our economy, but that change is bringing business and bringing companies to Ontario. And there are changes happening in terms of companies leaving, but there is an exchange, Mr. Speaker. Greenark Tire Manufacturing, St. Mary's, Ontario, Auto Supplies Manufacturer, Opening North America's largest tire re-manufacturing plant, 340 jobs. He's a Verpackingen Bradford plastic manufacturer, 50 to 70 new positions. There are jobs coming, Mr. Speaker, and we have to create that environment so that that will continue. Supplementary. We've lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs. That's a net loss. That is a hollowing out of our manufacturing sector. That's a weakening of the middle class of Ontario. And I can't understand. I can't fathom this Pollyanna attitude that you have. Mr. Trade and College of the University has come to order. Job losses or a myth. Now she shrugs off and says, Well, Speaker, it's just a transition. You tell that to the families in Lincoln, Ontario who've got no job to go to come next year. You tell folks at John Deere. It's a sad state of affairs premier when Ontario's leading export today is manufacturing jobs going across the border to the U.S. We cleared the path. We said, put your plan on the table. You've got no plan. You're driving up hydro-raiser, putting in new red tape every day. You're increasing tax. Your plan is not working. It's time to actually clear the decks of this government and bring in a new plan to restore optimism. You've got no plan. Thank you, Premier. Look at the leader of the opposition spoke to the Ford employees in Oakville where we've invested $70 million, Mr. Speaker, to allow those 2,800 jobs to be preserved, Mr. Speaker, and to allow Ford to compete globally. I think that the families in Oakville, Mr. Speaker, would be very, very positive about our plan. I know that the leader of the opposition is building a town hall in Leamington, I think, in the area in the next couple of days. I know that he's going to try to claim that there is only doom and gloom, that there is no opportunity for the possibility of success in going forward. I know that his member who was at the meeting last Friday has since said that that meeting was not worthwhile. I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, we have been on the ground in Leamington. We understand that families are suffering. We are working with the community. There are possibilities there, Mr. Speaker, and it would be opposition to work with the community rather than stirring up negativity. Minister of Rural Affairs will come to order. The Minister of the Environment will come to order. And the member from Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke will come to order. New question. Actually, the Premier under lack of a plan for jobs. You know, there was a story about President Truman, where they told Truman to go in and give Congress help. And Truman said, I'll have to do is tell him the facts and he'll think it's help. Premier, 300,000 fewer manufacturing jobs in our province. You're hollowing out the middle class. Ontario is last in growth in all of Canada when it comes to income. My Ontario will always lead Canada. My Ontario is one of the purpose of opportunity. It's where we're bringing good jobs to the province, not sitting across the border. The Ontario we've always known was the leader, the best place for work. Now we're at the back of the pack. You call that a myth? You call that a mere transition? Do your ideological blinders prohibit you from understanding the challenges that we're facing in the province of Ontario? So is it simply globalization? Sure. Tell me why, Premier, that Ontario under Liberals is last in growth of income of all 10 provinces. How do we go from first to the back of the pack? Thank you. I'm sure that the leader of the opposition would like to, in his argument, explain how we've achieved 460,000-plus net new jobs, Mr. Speaker, since 2009. Does this come to the province? I did not get quiet so any member can continue the dialogue, including the Minister of Finance and the member from Lampton Kent Middlesex. And if I hope you've noticed that I'm mentioning your writings, which means if you use up your time, you're gone. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'm not suggesting that our work is done. Obviously, there is more to be done and the recovery has not been in this jurisdiction or other jurisdictions as quick, as fast as we would have liked it to be, Mr. Speaker. But the people at Erickson Canada, Toyota, Ford, GM, Green Tire Manufacturing, Guise, Neutera, Pillar 5, Lampton Conveyor, Pavico Plastics, NSD Canada, all of those companies, Mr. Speaker, have benefited from investments and support from this government. We are working with those companies, Mr. Speaker. Jobs are being created. That is our plan and it is working, Mr. Speaker. You know, I quoted Harry Truman and she quotes Bob McFerrin. She says, don't worry, be happy. Things are just doing great across province of Ontario. The problem is, Premier, that's simply not the reality. We're down 300,000 manufacturing jobs. We actually have the lowest wage growth of any province in Canada. Facts are stubborn things, Premier, but these are the facts that families are facing each and every day. I'll give you two more examples. You referenced GM. GM had made the Camaro in Oshawa. Now the Camaro is going to be made in the state of Michigan. Caterpillar had made their equipment in London, Ontario. That equipment now made in Indiana. The point I made, Premier, that the literal benches don't seem to grasp, these products are still being made. They're still being sold. They're still being bought. They're no longer being made in the great province of Ontario. Why does that keep happening over and over and over again? Thank you. Thank you. Premier? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And why has the opposition party not supported our efforts to support the Camaro sector, Mr. Speaker? Why has the opposition party not supported our regional economic development plans, Mr. Speaker? Why is the opposition not supporting and working with us to get the supporting help? This is a fact. The infrastructure jobs in West Virginia. The local food act. We got that passed, Mr. Speaker. And the member from the PN government. Why is the opposition not working with us to get those pieces of legislation passed that will create jobs? I understand that it is the job of the opposition to challenge us. I understand that, Mr. Speaker. But it is also the job of the opposition to be consistent. And if they are interested in job creation, they should support us on those pieces of legislation that are going to create jobs in the province. I look for that support, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Final supplementary. But the problem, Premier, is you're creating jobs in Michigan. Yes. You know what? Yeah, I think you missed this point. Michigan has now passed the province of Ontario in auto production. We had been the leaders at Chief Jurisdiction, top of the pile when it comes to auto production in North America. Michigan blew bias. And why did that happen? Because you've doubled the integration of the province of Ontario. You've increased taxes. You've hollowed our middle class. You pile on more and more and more red tape. And you're more interested in kissing the ring of Al Gore, whose policies have driven our hydro rates through the roof. Who do I put on top? Ontario workers. Families who need jobs. You can appease Al Gore all you want to. I understand with working families in our province who want good jobs. Mr. Speaker, please. Thank you. As I remind members on an ongoing basis, when I ask for quiet and it does get quiet, it's not the moment for you to inject. Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, what we know about the plan of the leader of the opposition is that we would lose 10,000 education workers in this province, Mr. Speaker. We would fire 2,000 health care workers. There would be a cut and slash regime in this province. Much, much the way we had a cut and slash regime when he was in cabinet previously, Mr. Speaker. I do not believe that in order to have a strong and aspirational Ontario, that we have to sacrifice our environmental protection. I do not believe that having a strong and aspirational Ontario means that we have to undermine the relationship between organized labour and government and declare war on the people who have made sure that our workplaces have been safe and have developed those protections over years. That. Mr. Speaker, please. Do you remember from the Minister of Community and Social Services will come to order? And the member from the P.N. Carlton will come to order. New question. The member for Toronto Danforth. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier. Next week the government will announce another long-term energy plan. Since the last plan was introduced, the public has seen their electricity bill surged with private power contracts cancelled and otherwise. Why should they believe that this plan will be any different? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know that the Minister of Energy is going to want to speak to this in the supplementary but what I would say to the member for Toronto Danforth because I know in his in his career he has been very, very supportive of clean energy. He's been supportive of conservation and I hope that when the long-term energy planning comes out next weekend he sees the focus on conservation that we that we are going to entrench in that plan, Mr. Speaker, that he will be supportive because I think it speaks to many of the core values that he has held in the past and Mr. Speaker the core values that I think have been held by the NDP in the past so I hope that he will see that and he will be able to support he will be able to support our long-term energy plan. Thank you. Supplementary. Well, if you'd listened to us earlier we'd have much lower electricity bills. The government has claimed multiple times to have a long-term plan for electricity but the plans always seem to change a million dollars for canceled private power deals in Oakville, Missouri 180 million dollars for unneeded new nuclear reactors 900 million dollars worth of contracts signed for nuclear refurbishment for a contract that doesn't even have a business case presented. Why should people believe that this government will have a plan that will work for Ontarians when frankly your plans haven't worked for a decade? I fear that if we'd listened to them we would have had no rebuilt transmission Mr. Speaker there would have been no investments into the system and Mr. Speaker there actually wouldn't have been a plan so we do have a plan what we know is that the NDP this version of the NDP has opposed nuclear they've opposed wind and solar they've opposed gas Mr. Speaker they've opposed pretty much everything that we've put forward which is why I said maybe when we bring forward the long-term energy plan with conservation that they might support that but there has been no plan surprisingly coming from those quarters Mr. Speaker we've had the plan we've made the investments and that will be reflected in our long-term energy plan Mr. Speaker Thank you final supplementary I wouldn't exactly call that an answer families and businesses in Ontario are paying the highest electricity rates in Canada nearly twice as high as their neighbors in Manitoba the fact is the government's electricity plans private power companies getting paid for cancelled contracts but they left Ontarians with massive bills what assurances can the Premier offer to people that the new plan is not just another public relations exercise from a government that's left the public carrying the bills for ten years of misadventure Mr. Speaker the member will be able to see the long-term energy plan this coming Monday Mr. Speaker it's forward looking it is very sensitive to the rate payer Mr. Speaker but with respect to private developers Mr. Speaker the member from Toronto Danforth has made it quite clear that he condemns private investment in power generation in Ontario but when the NDP party last form government they signed nine private power generating contracts for natural gas plants in a five-year span totaling over 400 megawatts per generation Mr. Speaker the fact is that Ontario has a hybrid system a healthy mix of publicly owned generation and private investments that help drive our economy and create tens of thousands of jobs in Ontario Mr. Speaker the NDP plan to eliminate private investment in Ontario's energy sector would not only cause thousands of job losses but Mr. Speaker would also result in higher hydro rates for Ontario's family and businesses Mr. Speaker the idea log and he doesn't know how to do it New question the members of the future use to Thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question is to the premier Mr. Speaker families are feeling squeezed by tough times and they're worried about the future but at the same time as families keep getting asked to tighten their belts public sector CEO pay keeps going up since 2010 the new democrats have been saying it's time to put a hard cap on public sector CEO Souri in September 2012 the minister of finance said the government would move forward with a cap he said and I quote him it will work to bring some of the overly generous compensation packages back to reality end of quote does the premier agree it's time to put a hard cap on public sector CEO pay thank you very much Mr. Speaker and as the member knows the NDP supported the budget in which we committed to examining some measures to manage compensation costs including considering hard caps that work is happening right now Mr. Speaker and we'll be implementing new measures we'll be bringing those forth in the next few months Mr. Speaker and I know that the member of the third party understands that that was part of what we agreed to the budget thank you supplementary it may have been part of the deal but we keep waiting and waiting it would take the average Canadian nine years to earn $418,000 which is twice the premier's pay it's pretty generous as an annual pay check in 2012 the Liberal government finally agreed it was time to cap public sector CEO salaries at a level two times higher than the premier no problem telling hardworking families they'll have to get by with less will she agree to follow through on the commitment the government made and do it now thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I've already said that we are working on this that the measures will come forward in the next few months but Mr. Speaker I want to just be clear that we have to have we have to have more than a blunt instrument as we deal with this issue because there are there are sectors where there's where there's there's expertise that's needed so whether we're talking about medical professionals or nuclear technicians who are vital to running the services that that are needed in the province and that the system relies on Mr. Speaker we have an obligation to make sure that those systems are run well so we are doing the work as we committed to do in the 2013 budget Mr. Speaker those initiatives will come forward in the next few months and I hope that I hope that the member from the the third party understands that it's very important that we do this in a sophisticated way so that we have the expertise that's needed in every sector across the province Final supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker most Ontario families haven't seen a raise in years and every time they open the newspaper they see billions wasted on gas plants e-health and orange will the Premier take a small step tomorrow to show some respect for their money and for the plight many of them find themselves in and support the bill to cap public sector CEO pay Mr. Speaker we've already said that we are working on a plan and some initiatives that we're going to bring forward that's what we said we were going to do in the 2013 budget and that is what we were doing and as I have said we need to make sure that whatever we bring forward is not a blunt instrument that doesn't recognize that there are needs in different sectors so we need to look at how this can work so that we get the expertise that we need whether it's as I say nuclear technicians or within the medical field and I agree Mr. Speaker that we need to put in place some controls on executive compensation that absolutely needs to happen that's why it was in the 2013 budget we'll bring those initiatives forward and I hope Mr. Speaker that the member from the third party will be able to work with us as we introduce those initiatives thank you new question member from new market this question is to the premier speaker yesterday the minister of health admitted that she was surprised that Chris Maza was back on her payroll not long ago the minister called Chris Maza a liar she fired him from his job as CEO of Orange she called in the OPP to investigate him she knows that he's under investigation by the college of positions and surgeons and she knows that he put frontline armed staff and patients at risk and now he's working in the emergency ward at the Thunder Bay hospital when asked yesterday how she would feel if he was working on her in that emergency ward she refused to answer and yet this minister claims she has no authority to keep this man off the public payroll and away from patients I ask this to the premier to ensure this man doesn't get anywhere near the public payroll who does thank you thank you premier thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I think that this question was answered very well yesterday by the minister of health and long-term care and I will I know she may want to comment on the supplementary but I just want to say that the minister of health and long-term care made it very well yesterday and I want to add is that I know that the member opposite is not suggesting that we somehow find a way to go around due process Mr. Speaker that there is due process and there have obviously been processes that have been begun because of of this person's previous activities but I'm sure that the member opposite is not suggesting that we would somehow change this province Mr. Speaker supplementary I am suggesting precisely that if the chief of staff at the Thunder Bay hospital doesn't know enough not to put this man on the payroll then the premier should overrule that decision that's what I'm saying this is a man who a senior orange executive revealed that while under the employee of Chris Mazza he became addicted to the CEO of orange who prescribed his addiction by prescribing those drugs that's Chris Mazza that's the kind of reputation he has putting frontline orange staff at risk mismanaging millions of dollars putting the Ontario taxpayers into debt to the tune of multi-millions I say to the premier again this man has no place on the payroll of the province senior please thank you premier Mr. Speaker I the opposite stand up and cheer sort of line of argument that would lead to a very very dangerous set of precedent I believe Mr. Speaker and so I don't know whether we're getting insight into the kind of society that the conservative party the progressive conservative party of Ontario would have in place a society member from Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke the member from Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke will come to order the minister of energy the minister of rural affairs and the attorney general will come to order the member from Nipi and Carlton will come to order I remember them all and I've told a few of you more than once my next time is a warning Speaker so that would be a society where the college of physicians that would be a society where due process would be thrown aside and an individual politician would make a decision about another individual without the benefit of due process I don't believe that's a society that we've built over the last 150 years Mr. Speaker and I don't think it's a society that would protect the interests of the population of Ontario New question the member from Algoma Manitou Mr. Speaker my question is to the premier for the last year the government was testing that a deal with Cliffs was a done deal but a year ago a VP at Cliffs Bill Bore told a Sudbury Chamber of Commerce that they were concerned about progress the Liberal government was making on the Ring of Fire in March of 2012 Bloor said Cliffs needed to sign a definitive document before it what commitments we're in that definitive document Premier Minister of Northern Development in Mines Minister of Northern Development in Mines Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the question certainly as the member knows and people who know the Ring of Fire continues to be a project that we're working very very diligently on in fact of course of the development indeed we have had very significant conversations with a number of companies that does include Cliffs in terms of the details of those discussions they are for commercial reasons very confidential I think that is important remains the case particularly as indeed the company itself has announced a suspension a delay rather than stopping their ceasing their interest in developing the Ring of Fire and do all the thank you I stand you sit remember alright Mr. Speaker let's try this again so the Liberal Government pushed Cliffs away from Ontario Cliffs was raising concerns over a year ago and we don't know what commitments were made to Cliffs and we don't know whether the Liberal Government lived up to its end of the bargain in March of 2013 pursuing a definitive document did the Government sign a definitive document with Cliffs and if not why not Mr. Speaker what we we all do know indeed is that indeed we've been engaged in very significant conversations with a number of companies and that certainly very much include Cliffs and we're going to continue to carry on those discussions and what we also know Mr. Speaker is that we are leading decisions related to some of the key aspects of the Ring of Fire and that certainly very much includes infrastructure and that's why we have formed a development corporation and are bringing so many different organizations and partners to the table and obviously we hope that includes First Nations the Federal Government and industry but the fact is Mr. Speaker certainly would not be in any way appropriate or fair to anybody and I think crucial is moving forward with the Ring of Fire Development on the First Nations Council pages which is so vital and may I say on forming the development corporation which will be a key thank you thank you I will remind the minister when I stand you sit you do forget you forgot no question the member from Vaughan thanks very much Mr. Speaker my question today is for the Minister of Energy many members in this House will agree that one of the most common questions that we receive from our constituents is regarding their hydro bills it certainly is one of the most frequent calls that I receive in my constituency office in Vaughan as we know hydro bills have many different components and it can be difficult for folks in our communities to understand what each part represents I also hear from constituents wondering how they can better manage that we all hear regularly from our constituents I feel it's important for Ontarians to have a better understanding of the province's electricity system Speaker I'm wondering if the Minister could please provide the House with an update regarding any initiatives being undertaken to increase energy literacy Minister of Energy Mr. Speaker I thank the member for his timely question the need to promote energy literacy is something that we've heard from Ontarians from across the province during consultations and long-term energy plan and it is an important priority for the Minister of Energy in fact just yesterday morning I was at the launch of the Hydro One Electricity Discovery Center at the University of Toronto members may remember seeing the Discovery Center at the international plowing match and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair yes I did the Discovery Center is a fully mobile customer education tool designed to engage and educate consumers and Mr. Speaker it's one of the several initiatives we are introducing as part of our commitment to keeping Ontarians informed about the electricity system Mr. Speaker Thanks very much Mr. Speaker and I thank the Minister for both his response and for the outstanding job he's doing on behalf of the people of Ontario this definitely does sound like an extremely worthwhile initiative promoting energy literacy will help Ontarians improve their understanding of how our system works it'll help them understand how their energy choices affect the environment and it will also help them better manage their own energy consumption I understand the need to promote energy literacy among Ontarians is also a message that we've all heard from the Environmental Commissioner Gordon Miller given the complexity of the modern system and the amount of correspondence that I and many others receive from constituents who are confused about their bills helping the public better understand Ontario's electricity system has never been more important that the Discovery Centre will provide and how I can make that information available to the constituents in my community Mr. Thank you Speaker the Discovery Centre provides the opportunity for visitors to learn about Hydro-1 and Ontario's electricity system and then engaging and interactively specifically visitors can learn about electrical safety important tips on managing electricity use and costs how the electricity can help it up to date the future generations of consumers Mr. Speaker the mobile format of the Discovery Centre brings interactive and engaging exhibits to consumers fingertips to ensure this information is available to all Ontarians Hydro-1 will work with any MPP to bring the Discovery Centre to their own writing I invite all members to take advantage of this excellent resource Thank you Your question the member from the PNC Energy Good Morning Minister Earlier today you confirmed I think what is the worst kept secret in Ontario right now and that is you are going to announce the long-term energy plan the day before the Premier is set to appear again before the Justice Committee probing the gas plants so it's an obvious distraction I note also that last week calm down I note also that last week in speaking to the press the minister suggested his long-term plan would be a contradiction alone it is very hard to take this minister's long-term energy plan seriously so let's consider what the last LTAP had in it it had a rigid adherence to wind energy that has cost this province dearly particularly the rate payer then it planned for two gas plants which they later cancelled for political decision Now we have OPG asking for another 30% rate increase Speaker I ask the minister a very serious question that Heinz and others are leaving this province Thank you Minister of Energy Mr. Speaker sometimes questions come from the opposition that are quite uninformed and I'm pleased that the critic chose to use the Heinz example because Mr. Speaker the Heinz facility in Leamington Ontario has a 7 megawatt cogeneration generated electricity under our system at very very cheap prices Mr. Speaker they're not on the grid Mr. Speaker it's uninformed as all of her comments and her questions are uninformed Mr. Speaker we've come from a deficit that they've created to a surplus we've come from dirty generation to clean generation Mr. Speaker their record is a disgrace our record is laudable Mr. Speaker the truth I can't hear when you heckled either well no that's my job you're not getting the last word either no you're not if you say it again I will warn you I don't need challenges here supplementary please he bungles and he blusters this entire energy file but if you won't take my word for it why don't we talk about the report released yesterday by the old manufacturer I'm just going to let their quotes speak for them Spell Speaker more recently a combination of factors not of which is the least of the revised policy goals that conferred to make Ontario rates higher than competing jurisdictions for example electricity costs for a typical large scale assembly operation in the United States South or Midwest are estimated to be as much as they say is now well known to decision makers further they say for example Toronto large power users pay 123% more than Chicago consumers 50% more than Nashville and 37% more than Detroit thank you the member from Durham will come to order the member from yeah I know what it is I know what it is I'm giving him time to contemplate the member from Stormont Dundas Gingari come to order you guys haven't got the message I'll have to be even tougher please Minister of Energy Mr. Speaker again the premises effort questions are very false Mr. Speaker you know we talk about Heinz we talk about energy prices in the United States they blame the closure of Heinz on energy at the same time Mr. Speaker two Heinz so they want to use the United States as a good example but Mr. Speaker they have no credibility in terms of what they're saying Mr. Speaker we have created a reliable system of electricity Mr. Speaker we've made huge investments in the sector because of their deficit and Mr. Speaker yes it put pressure on prices but in the meantime we have created programs that ameliorate the pricing Mr. Speaker for industrial consumers we've created the industrial conservation initiative we've created an industrial electricity incentive program we've created an industrial electricity rate program Mr. Speaker and with respect to this Mr. Speaker we've put something on the table that was very very agreeable and acceptable with respect to energy your question the member from Nicobel thank you Mr. Speaker a question for the Premier wife launch a human right challenge against this government because of two decades of gender discrimination Ontario midwives are paid 52% of what they should be earning for years midwives the family they care for and the NDP have asked this government to take action on this most basic equity issue we know that the government can talk a good game about the value of midwife and the good care that they provide but can she tell us why she has ignored her obligation to pay equity to this female dominated essential healthcare provider group well speaker what I can do is tell you that we do tremendously value the work of midwives that is why speaker we've got three times as many women getting care from midwives now than we had just 10 years ago that's why we've increased funding to midwifery programs five fold since we were elected speaker that's why we've increased the number of spots in our midwife training because we believe that women who want the care from a midwife should have access to that care but speaker our commitment does not end with those investments we have increased compensation to midwives by 25% over the past 10 years I speak our commitment to midwives is strong and remain strong thank you supplementary speaker what the minister just told me is that she is comfortable with men being paid 48% more than women to do the exact same work as midwives tell us to devalue midwifery services is to devalue the people for which midwife provide services women and their family today Ontario midwives are being from free from July 1st to December 31st midwives are angry and frustrated and after years of being ignored by this government they had no choice Mr. Speaker they had to pursue legal action so this government follows their own law so is the minister going to fight in the courts these women that care 20,000 women and newborn each year or is she going to respect equity obligations Mr. Speaker I have first hand witnessed the extraordinary care provided by midwives on two occasions I've been present at the birth of a grandchild in the care of the midwife our premier has had two of her three children cared for delivered by midwives Mr. Speaker our commitment and our respect is enormous I think it's important the member opposite gets her facts straight Mr. Speaker we provided the first compensation increase to midwives since they were established in 1994 in 2005 midwives received a 20 to 29% salary increase from 2006 to 2011 every year a 2% compensation increase speaker I do not understand I confess why the midwives are going this route but I am very very proud of our record and I will defend our record here Thank you New question member from Thank you very much speaker my question is to the minister of the environment today November 27 is the 2013 environment Ontario environment industry date established in 1991 the Ontario environment industry association otherwise known as O'Neill is the business association representing the interest of the environment industry in Ontario this not not for profit environment business association is governed by a board of directors and has approximately 200 member companies the Ontario environment industry sector represents over 40% of Canada's environmental industry and generates an estimated 8 billion in annual revenues this industry is important to the future of Ontario's environmental and economic health speaker through you with the minister of the environment please share with this house more about O'Neill question and how they fit in Ontario's environmental environment while the question is very timely when Mr. Speaker and I'm pleased to acknowledge the 2013 Ontario environment industry date this is an interesting figure with more than $8 billion in annual revenues including more than $1 billion in exports the Ontario environment industry sector is making an important contribution to Ontario's environment we want to see that continue under the government's plan to invest in people build strong infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate ministry the environment will continue to build on the long standing relationship we have with O'Neill through events like the environment industry day our support of research relationship with our government and is interested in continuing to work with the province on strategies to support and grow Ontario's environment industry thank you thank you again minister for the update this established partnership between the ministry of the environment and the Ontario environment industry association is a great example on how this government is following our air and water the result will build on Ontario's environmental strength as well as contributing to our economic and competitive strengths through you with the minister of the environment further elaborate to this house how our relationship with O'Neill will help protect our environment and foster the development of environmentally friendly infrastructure thank you minister thank you Mr. Speaker the member has appropriately answered the question from the official opposition so I'm pleased to answer the question that says when municipalities need to upgrade water or sewage treatment who are they going to turn to when industries need to abate air or water pollution who are they going to turn to when producers of goods need to set up a recycling system who are they going to turn to all these organizations with all these members of the Ontario environmental industry association it's important that we have associations such as this in Ontario and I look forward to continuing to work with Ontario's environmental industry to ensure we have a healthy environment and a clean prosperous future for our province remember to attend the reception today question from the minister to the dismay of Ontario taxpayers and ratepayers alike your government is facing lawsuits by two companies whose wind projects were cancelled by your government as a result of a 2011 pre-election moratorium on offshore wind development we have learned trillion power wind corp has filed a 2.25 billion dollar lawsuit and wind stream industry is seeking damages in the amount of almost half a billion dollars if the government has 2.7 billion on top of the 1.1 billion it costs to cancel the gas plants and the irony in this is wind stream was motivated to seek damages because of your gas plant fiasco Premier given the pushback against offshore wind in an election year was the decision to put a moratorium on offshore another liberal seed saver scheme and will the Liberal party be picking up these costs if and being this lawsuit successful thank you very much Mr. Speaker well I hear the I hear the question but what I don't hear Mr. Speaker is any consistency on this front at all because my understanding Mr. Speaker is that this party is against wind all together that this member would have us cancel all the projects Mr. Speaker well the member from Renfrew Nipissing Pembroke is warned the member from Prince Edward Hastings is warned and the member from Durham is warned that they they don't support they don't support wind power at all and that's exactly my point Mr. Speaker they don't support green power they would cancel all of the contracts we Mr. Speaker believe that green renewable power is the right way to go we believe that phasing out all of the coal plants and banning that generation in the future is a good thing to do Mr. Speaker they don't believe that but they would have all those contracts cancelled Mr. Speaker and that's not consistent supplementary can you see it please thank you supplementary Mr. Speaker clearly that answer was practiced and they were waiting for this because this energy contributed the minister of natural resources and declared there was not enough scientific evidence to proceed with offshore development so now in 2013 study after study even in your own University of Waterloo study is demonstrating an association between proximity to turbines and negative health impacts so where are we going with this the Liberal government chooses to cite evidence in one example and yet you ignore evidence on the other hand Premier will your government just stop all of this madness and call for an immediate moratorium on all construction of turbines take two take two take two take two take two thank you thank you Attorney General will come to order Premier thank you very much Mr. Speaker well to the accusation that I should practice the answer I never could have predicted such an inconsistent question so actually Mr. Speaker I could not have because we have cancelled projects Mr. Speaker and I'm not going to comment on the specifics of that but on the other hand she's saying we should cancel all of the projects Mr. Speaker thereby potentially incurring more legal situations Mr. Speaker so there is no consistency in this party's approach there is no consistency in this party's approach to the process of citing infrastructure Mr. Speaker we are going to continue to work to put a better process in place but we are not going to be looking to the inconsistency of the conservatives in order for for guidance on that you see it please you see it please new question the member from Timmins James Bay the member will come to order last time my question is to the Premier Premier common voice North West was here at Queen's Park yesterday raising concerns with the recent announcement your government made about for a partial biomass conversion of the Thunder Bay coal plant the report says that the biomass supply approved is far too small to supply the energy required by Northwestern Ontario even in the short run how come you can come up with $1.1 billion to cancel two gas plants in southern Ontario and you can't deal with the issue of Thunder Bay Minister of Energy Mr. Speaker I appreciate the question from the member I did have the opportunity for a short while yesterday Mr. Speaker to speak to some of the delegation including Ian Angus who thanked me for the decision Mr. Speaker of doing it he did raise some questions with respect to supply of the biomass he came up with some very positive suggestions on how that can be met and we are certainly going to take those into account Mr. Speaker our energy plan for Northwestern Ontario is very, very solid it's extensive it involves $2.5 billion of investment that we're projecting the energy security of Thunder Bay is absolutely secure Mr. Speaker they're going to have a plant we're going to extend the life of that plant the biogas component Mr. Speaker if it's required they have the electricity when they need it where they need it Mr. Speaker it's extremely reliable wow Minister quite frankly that is pretty shocking what you're saying because you should know as Minister of Energy that Northwestern Ontario is very different when it comes to supply and ability to utilize the grid than anywhere else in the province of Ontario what's happening in Thunder Bay is that that used to be a plant that was able to provide electricity to the Northwest and now what you're going to have is a peaking plant which is going to produce far less power than what the region needs so I ask you again why is it that your priority was to spend a billion point one dollars to save a few seats in Mississauga Oakville but you're not prepared to support the people of Thunder Bay Thunder Bay in the Northwest Minister of Energy Mr. Speaker this absolutely is an NDP question they're asking us they're asking us to make investments that are not required Mr. Speaker we're making the necessary requirements that was the right force that caused the recon in the experience of the independent electricity system operator with respect to reliability Mr. Speaker it's the right solution at the right time for Thunder Bay they will not have to worry about their energy generation Mr. Speaker Thank you New question the member from the topical north Thank you Speaker and for the record this question has only been moderately practiced I have a question for the Minister of Trade Development Mr. Herrick Ostens the government has officially launched its youth job strategy this is especially important to families in my own riding of the topical north the government's announcement came after a series of consultations which brought together local business leaders employers not-for-profits educators labor and of course the youth themselves these discussions provided a local perspective about the needs of the various stakeholders and participants and directly influenced the design of this important program the youth job strategy of October 16 Speaker will the Minister please inform this chamber when can young people in my own riding of the topical north and of course beyond in Ontario when can they begin to start accessing these funds Minister Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the member from the topical north for this great question these funds $295 million investment by the government over the next two years will create 30,000 jobs across the province for young people with the youth job strategy fully launched now all funds are open and are receiving applications we have a youth skills connection fund which will see the first deadlines in December and the funds dispersed in early 2014 we have a strategic community entrepreneurship fund which will have a series of application windows Mr. Speaker that will see intake and fund dispersion running all the way through to January of 2015 a high school outreach program accepting applications now with applicants receiving notification next month Mr. Speaker and summer company designed to help students run a summer business the application process is open all the way through to next May each fund has a distinct application process it's important that those interested go to our youth and job strategy website Ontario.ca backslash youth jobs Thank you supplementary Thank you Speaker I commend the minister on this program whose outreach to youth and the multifaceted nature of these disbursements I of course will do my part in my own sphere of influence to publicize the fact that our youth job strategies underway applications are being received and that youth in my writing will be able to apply now the young people of Etobicoke North also recently heard about the youth employment fund and the great opportunities that it also offers Speaker youth unemployment is a significant concern for parents and families and this program is welcome encouraging and much needed news for them May I respectfully ask the minister of youth employment fund Question Thank you Minister to the minister of training colleges and universities Thank you Mr. Speaker I'm very pleased to be able to report to the member and all members of this house that we've had great success with the youth employment fund after just two months Mr. Speaker 3,721 young people have active job placements through the youth employment center this program allows young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience while earning an income youth and employers can apply for this fund by reaching out to our local employment Ontario service providers and in the members riding of Etobicoke North young people can turn to the community micro skills development center on Vulcan street Humber college and the YMCA on 1530 Elbian Road Mr. Speaker we encourage that member and all members to encourage young people in their riding access is very significant and successful program my question is for the premier Mr. Speaker as you recall almost eight months ago Ayo Smith the water heater manufacturer which has been our economic cornerstone in Fergus for almost over a hundred years announced it would be ending manufacturing not a myth they are real and they are going to the United States this was a devastating blow to our community but we carry on expecting the provincial government to do its part to establish a competitive economic climate and encourage the creation of new jobs this fall our caucus was prepared to work with the government to clear the backlog of legislation before the house but we had one request that the government bring forward a jobs plan my question Mr. economic development trade and employment Mr. economic development trade and employment well I appreciate that the member opposite has raised the issue of Ayo Smith I know he's been working very hard with his community on this issue and he knows my own personal attachment as well with the company my great uncle worked there for 50 years from the floor all the way up into the management and there's nothing more important to this small community of Fergus then to grow their economy and provide jobs for people going forward so we are working hard and the member opposite knows that there are measures in place and the government has been active with a number of companies we're hoping that there will be some good news and the foreseeable future and of course for the employees that unfortunately lost their jobs we've set up an action center that provides them with job search support as well for training opportunities it's a community that's very important to me personally as well Mr. Speaker as far back as 2005 I was ringing the alarm bells in this house about the competitiveness challenges faced by Ontario's industry and the need to develop an action plan to save manufacturing jobs Mr. Speaker they ignored us since then we've lost more than 300,000 good paying manufacturing jobs 38,000 since the premier was sworn in last February this number includes 350 people who lost their jobs or even 40,000 out of 100 these job losses are more than just statistics with the Christmas season soon to be upon us we're talking about thousands of families who worry about their future with good reason and they see a provincial government without a clue of what to do if the government can't come up with a jobs plan on their own we'll be adopt ours excuse me thank you minister opposite. We have a jobs plan. The problem is that the PCs didn't support it. You didn't support it back in 2008 when we provided support to the auto sector. If it had had gone your way GM and Chrysler would have left the country. You didn't support us last year when we created the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund, which has created and retained more than 7,000 jobs in the last year alone. You voted against it. You didn't support us in the youth jobs strategy, which we just heard a moment ago has resulted in more than 3,000 placements already at a $300 investment over the next couple of years. We have a jobs plan. The problem is that you refused to support it. Thank you. You seated, please. You seated, please. New question, the member from Wellington. For years, new Democrats have strongly supported legislation which certain occupational related diseases are presumed to be job related for WCIP purposes. Along with the Ontario firefighters who are here today, we agree it's time to add testicular skin, multiple melanoma, breast, lung and prostate cancer to that list of diseases to be presumed. In fact, the government has told firefighters they agree too. Will the Premier actually change the existing legislation to add these diseases, or is she just simply making commitments that she has no plans to change? Thank you very much, Speaker. I thank all the members from opposite for asking this important question and I again welcome all the very hardworking firefighters who are here in the Assembly today. That's a good question. Speaker, I thank all the firefighters for the hard work they do in keeping making sure that our communities are being safe and that's why, Speaker, I'm very proud to stand here today that it was in 2007, our government was a very good government to bring a presumptive legislation in the process of Ontario recognizing. Thank you. Thank you. Supplementary. Premier, so what we need is action, not standing ovations. The reality is that firefighters are exposed to many toxic substances in the course of their duties and as a result they face higher risks of certain cancers. This new legislation would build on presumptive legislation from 2007 that deemed a number of other cancers like esophageal and colorectal, non-Hodgkins disease, lymphomas and leukemia and heart injury within 24 hours after fighting a fire deemed occupation related. I ask again, is the Premier prepared to pay more than a lip service to the firefighters so that these brave men and women who face dangers day in and day out on their jobs can be treated with respect and dignity? And when will she do it? Question? Minister? Speaker, thank you. I thank the member again, and I want to thank the member from Vaughan for bringing forward Bill 81, which actually suggests that we add six additional cancers to the presumptive list. I thank the member from Vaughan for his leadership on this very important issue and I want to assure you and through you all the members of this legislation that we're working very closely with the members of the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association. The Premier had the opportunity to speak with them and to show our commitment to our firefighters that will continue to work hard to make sure that all firefighters are safe at their workplaces, that they are fully protected to ensure that they can continue their job and I'm very proud of our very positive, constructive working relationship with our firefighters that will continue to work with them and making sure that they're safe at every single place. On a point of order before our deferred vote, let's make it quick. The member from Renfrew, Nipissing Pembroke. Welcome to the chamber today and to Queensborough, Valerie Miles and Steve Carson, Realtors from the Renfrew County Real Estate Board. In my writing, thank you for coming. The member from Paramily Gore, Malton. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to also introduce to the legislative assembly some guests that were in the members gallery that are no longer, but they're firefighters from my region, James Taylor, Dan Boyer, Kane Demmers, Mike Scaringella, Ryan Otr, Mark Train and Ryan Coburn. Thank you very much. On a point of order, I'd like to welcome guests from the Ontario Professional Firefighters Association joining us this morning for question period. Brett Gibson and Steve Mayer from the Waterloo Professional Firefighters Association. Welcome to Queensborough. I just want to correct the record to the question from the member from Timmins. I mentioned in my supplementary a biogas plant that should read biomass plant, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I'd quickly like to introduce a friend of mine in the mirror from Strathroy, Caradoc, Joanne Bander-Haden, who's here today at Queensborough Park and other members of the Ontario Good Roads Association. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to correct my record this morning in my speech about Bill 133. I, in error, forgot. I promised her that I would mention her in her hard work. She's a senior policy analyst with my leader Tim Houdak's office. I want to acknowledge the hard work of Larissa Smith. Thank you. Thank you. I'd like to introduce a very important spiritual leader from the town of Oakville, the Reverend Jim Gill, and his wife, Bonnie, have joined us at Queensborough Park today. I do want to make a point that this is a little unorthodox because we have a rotation for introduction of guests and I have told you that while that we're doing that, we'll even go past the time in order for us to do that. This is an important cyclical thing we need to do. So from now on, I'll be a little less patient on that particular issue. We have a vote. We have a deferred vote on the motion of third reading of Bill 55, an act to amend the Collections Agencies Act and Consumer Protection Act, 2002, and the Real Estate and Business Brokers Act, 2002, and to make consequential amendments to other acts. Calling the members. This will be a five-minute bill. Members, take their seats, please. On November the 26th, Ms. Charles moved that third reading of Bill 55. All those in favor, please rise one at a time to be recognized while it takes. Mr. Garretson. Mrs. Jeffrey. Mr. Jeffrey. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Sandals. Ms. Sandals. Mr. Hoskins. Mr. Hoskins. Mr. Quinter. Mr. Quinter. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Dubuque. Mr. Fraser Mr. Dal-Duka Mr. Dal-Duka Ms. Wong Ms. Daumerla Mr. Crack Ms. Mangat Mr. Barrett Mr. Barrett Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson Mr. Arnaw Mr. Arnaw Mr. Hardiman Mr. Hardiman Mr. Fidelli Mr. Fidelli Mrs. Elliott Mr. Hudak Mr. Hudak Mr. Yakibuski Ms. McCloud Mr. McCloud Mr. Miller Perry Sound Miscocco Mr. Miller Perry Sound Miscocco Mr. Pleas Mr. McNaughton Mr. McNaughton Mr. Dunlop Mr. Dunlop Mrs. Monroe Mr. Monroe Mr. Chudley Mr. Chudley Mr. Clark Mr. Clark Mr. O'Toole Mr. Ouellet Mr. Ouellet Mr. Bailey Mr. Bailey Mr. Jackson Mr. Jackson Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Harris Mr. Harris Ms. Thompson Ms. Thompson Mr. Yurick Mr. Yurick Ms. Scott Ms. Scott Mrs. McKenna Mrs. McKenna Mr. Walker Mr. Walker Mr. Leonie Mr. Leonie Mr. Besson Ms. DeNovo Ms. DeNovo Mr. Marquesi Mr. Marquesi Ms. Angelina Ms. Angelina Mr. Prude Mr. Prude Ms. Taylor Ms. Taylor Mr. Tabbins Mr. Tabbins Ms. Fife Ms. Fife Ms. Forrester Mr. Forrester Mr. Shine Mr. Shine Ms. Armstrong Ms. Armstrong Mr. Mantha Mr. Mantha Mr. Miller Hamilton Mr. Estony Creek Mr. Miller Hamilton Mr. Estony Creek Ms. Sattler Mr. Sattler Mr. Pandre Mr. Gallardo Mr. Malte Mr. Sattler Mr. Jan Sch crust Mr. Bettman Mr. Pearson Mr. Twe July Mr. KSch Mr. KSch Mr. Tach Youn Mr. Tach Mr. Tach ParTop Mr. Mr Tach Mr. Bas Mr. Bas Mr. Bas Mr. Boris Mr. Hess Mr.ٍ Mr. J 9