 their introductions. It is now time for question period. The member from Leeds, Grenville. Thank you very much, Speaker. My question is to the Premier. The Minister of Education has said she was unconcerned about a potential investigation of the Auditor General into the $3.74 million given to teachers' unions. Does the Premier share similar feelings? Mr. Speaker, will the Premier instruct her members of the Public Accounts Committee to support an Auditor General investigation into the unprecedented windfall given to teachers' unions? The reality is the Auditor General has the authority to look at what she chooses to look at, and of course we always will work with her and cooperate with her, Mr. Speaker. Now, just as I know has been said a number of times in this House, but we are talking about a process that has been successful, Mr. Speaker, that students have remained in the classroom. The agreements were in line with our net zero bargaining framework, Mr. Speaker, and that successful process required extra resources. And I know that the members opposite know that there has been a change, that there has been a transitional process, and it was very important that the resources be in place to make that successful. Mr. Speaker, the other reality is that this money has not flowed. So, you know, again, I say to the members opposite, I'm not sure how familiar they are with the negotiating process and with a collective bargaining process, but the agreements are in place, the money has not flowed yet, and I'll have more to say about that in the supplementary. Thank you, supplementary. Thanks, Speaker, back to the Premier. It's not just the PCs that are calling for this investigation. The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has said the Premier appears to be funneling public money into these unions who then turn around and spend money campaigning for her government. They added, this is not the kind of conduct we should expect from a transparent and democratic government. And we think the Auditor General should investigate. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier show some integrity, preempt our motion, and open the books to the Auditor General? Thank you, Premier. Mr. Speaker, I said in the first answer that of course we'll work with the Auditor General. We will absolutely work with the Auditor General as we always do, and she has the opportunity to look at what she chooses to look at. Mr. Speaker, the cost of the successful process that has been undergone with the unions was offset by savings that were found through the collective agreements, Mr. Speaker. The funds did not come out of the classroom, but I said in the first answer, Mr. Speaker, that this money has not flowed, and that is the reality. It's part of the agreement, but it hasn't flowed, and teachers' unions will provide an accounting of their costs, Mr. Speaker, that until before that money flows, there will be an accounting of how that money is used, and what that money is for, and what the costs were. So that is, I think, Mr. Speaker, consistent with what we have been saying about the cost of getting these. Mr. Speaker, I still didn't hear an unequivocal yes to pre-empting our motion at public account. Speaker, even the Toronto Star has called the checks to the unions disturbing. If the government has nothing to hide, if everything is by the book, then why not let the Auditor General review these expenses? Mr. Speaker, why would the Premier let the Auditor General review the $3.74 million headed out to the unions? Speaker, if the Auditor General wants to look at this process, she is welcome to do that, Mr. Speaker. We will work with her. We will cooperate with her as we always do, Mr. Speaker. But remember, this is a successful process. It's the first time that this particular process has been used, Mr. Speaker. There were resources required to get these successful agreements, Mr. Speaker, and that has happened. This money has not flowed. The teachers' unions will be required to provide an accounting, Mr. Speaker, before the money flows so that it will be clear exactly how the costs were incurred, Mr. Speaker. But the fact is, it's been a successful process. It was a transitional process because it was new, Mr. Speaker, and the money has not flowed, and there will be an accounting from the unions about how the costs were incurred. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, your question is to the Premier. After almost a week of questions, it's clear the Premier doesn't want to tell us where the $2.5 million payout came from. The Premier uses buzzwords like overall compensation package and the costs associated with negotiations. Nobody in Ontario buys those answers. Speaker, if the Premier won't tell us where the money came from, can you at least tell us what it bought you? That's about where the money came from. In fact, when we said that the funds, these resources to complete this successful bargaining process, where that money came from, Mr. Speaker, it came from things like early discounted payouts of retirement gratuities, lowering the cost of sick leave, making the delivery of professional development more efficient. So when I said, Mr. Speaker, that that money came out of the overall compensation package, those are the kinds of examples, because sick leave, retirement gratuities, that's all part of the compensation package of teachers, Mr. Speaker. That's where the money came from. It didn't come from the classroom, it didn't come from programs for students, Mr. Speaker. We've been clear about that, and those are the kinds of examples of where the money came from to make sure the resources were in place to get by. No, I am, and I'm standing. Supplementary. Every day we ask these questions, there is new talking points, new spin, new answers. Remember from beaches east York. Acceptable. The Premier's unwillingness to tell us where the $2.5 million payout came from leads me to talk about where it could have come from. So what does $2.5 million in the classroom look like? It looks like 75 fewer educational assistants. It looks like a week of healthy breakfast for 10,000 classrooms. It looks like over 33,000 grade 9 math textbooks. It looks like almost 115 students on a field trip to the Ontario Science Centre. Was it worth it, Premier? Mr. Speaker, a group of people who do not believe in the collective bargaining process, Mr. Speaker, and therefore have little experience of how it actually works, Mr. Speaker, and don't understand, Mr. Speaker. Good check, Premier. And a group of teachers who are organized into a federation, Mr. Speaker, make a decision that they choose to offset one expense by reducing the payout of retirement gratuities, or they take the payment in sick leave, Mr. Speaker, then that allows that money to be used for something else, Mr. Speaker. The member for Bruce Gray on sound. Coming from classroom. The police, Grenville. It's not money that was coming from student programs, Mr. Speaker. Now I'm sorry. Just to make sure you heard, the member from Leeds, Grenville, second time, the member from Renfrew, second time. I'm not going to accept shouting people down. Finish. Sorry that the member opposite doesn't understand the process. I'm sorry that they have no interest, Mr. Speaker, in actually understanding how collective bargaining works. Thank you. Final supplementary. Understand is $2.5 million isn't available to students. It is terrible. We needed money in our system for pizzas and hotels. The Liberals are turning their back on students and parents. Assumption Catholic School of Parents in Ottawa had to raise $50,000 for a new playground. Parkview Public School of Parents in Unionville aimed to raise $25,000 for musical instruments, smart boards, novel sets, numeracy, and literacy centers. Rosebank Road Public School in Pickering purchased 11 fans for classrooms. Oh, students and parents shouldn't be fundraising for fans while the Premier shrugs off $2.1 million. The President and the Treasury Board come to order. Business as usual. Again, I ask, what did the $2.5 million... Question. You see it, please? Thank you. Premier. Here's what I understand, Mr. Speaker. When we came into office, 68% of students in this province were graduating from high school. Mr. Speaker, 84% of students. Because we have invested in more teachers, it's because we've put in place, it's because we've put in place student success teachers, Mr. Speaker, who work with kids, who were falling through the cracks under the previous government, who didn't have the supports in the school to help them to navigate their way through high school. Mr. Speaker, it's because we created Literacy and Numeracy Specialists, Mr. Speaker. It's because we have put in place the supports that students need. That's what I understand about why our education system in this province is one of the best in the world, Mr. Speaker. Over the last decade... Answer. You see it, please? Thank you. No question. The member from Brown Middle School, remote. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Premier. Yesterday, the Premier met with the Prime Minister designing it. The Premier's statement indicates that she talked about infrastructure. This was an opportunity to ask the incoming federal government to follow through on their promises for new infrastructure money so that the Premier doesn't have to sell off Hydro-1. This is what Ontario families, municipalities, and business have been asking the Premier to do. Did the Premier stand up for Ontarians and ask the Prime Minister designing it to provide the money promised so that she... Stop, stop. Goes both ways. That's not helpful. Minister of Northern Natural Resources and Forestry come to order. Finish, please. Did the Premier stand up for the people of Ontario and ask the Prime Minister designing it for the money promised so that we can build the infrastructure we need and not sell off Hydro-1? Thank you. Premier. Just people of Ontario and do we have a Prime Minister now who's going to work with three stands that working with Ontario, working with Premieres across the province, having an infrastructure plan across the country, Mr. Speaker, that that's in the best interest of this country. I am so... We abdicate our responsibility to do the work that we know is necessary for our province to be able to work now with the country so that we can build up the infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, the Premier used to say that the sell-off of Hydro-1 was a difficult decision, but we've clearly seen that there are other ways to get the money we need for infrastructure. After all, the sell-off... The member from Trinity, Spadina. ...then 3% of the Premier's infrastructure promises. Yesterday, when she met with the Prime Minister designing it, she had a chance to get herself off the hook of this difficult decision and at the same time stand up for the 80% of Ontarians who do not want to see our Hydro-1 asset sold off. Did the Premier make a case to the Prime Minister designing it for the sufficient infrastructure funding that we need so we can build the infrastructure we need and so that she does not sell off Hydro-1? Thank you. You know, Mr. Speaker, I think this is a very revealing question because what it says about that party is that given half a chance, they would abdicate the responsibility to make difficult choices, that they would not set priorities, Mr. Speaker, that they would not take the tough decisions that are actually what leadership means, Mr. Speaker. You have to take tough decisions. You have to look at the whole scenario and you have to say, okay, what is in the best interest of the people of this province? Well, Mr. Speaker, every municipality across this province has a need for an infrastructure investment, Mr. Speaker. If, as a province, we don't take that seriously and we don't follow through on our plan to invest $130 billion over the next 10 years, Mr. Speaker, then we have no right to ask the federal government to step in and take us off the hook. We have to step up. We have to take responsibility. And we'll be back. Can you see it, please? Can you see it, please? Final supplementary. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just because the Premier has made a bad decision doesn't mean the Premier is stuck with that bad decision. As the facts and circumstances change so can her decision. So what the Premier is clearly saying is that she was presented with a nearly unprecedented opportunity to stand up for the people of Ontario and she refused to do so. The Premier has stubbornly dug in her heels and refused to listen to Ontario families, municipalities and businesses who've all made it clear they do not want to see our Hydro One sold off. She never needed to sell off Hydro One in the first place. But now, with the billions of dollars of federal money promised for infrastructure and for transit, the sale is even less necessary. Why did the Premier refuse to stand up for Ontarians to insist that we add the sufficient infrastructure of funding to build the infrastructure we so dearly need and not sell off Hydro One? First, Jim, thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, I think we just see this differently. I think that it is the responsibility of the government in Ontario to take the initiatives that are necessary for the people of Ontario, to make the investments in roads and bridges and transit, Mr. Speaker, in hospitals and schools and water systems that we know are so desperately needed across the province, Mr. Speaker. At the same time, it is critical that we have that federal partner and no matter who the federal government is, Mr. Speaker, we need that participation of the federal government. Thankfully now, we actually have a federal government that is coming into office that understands that, that is going to work with the provinces and territories across the country to support and to make those investments that are necessary. But they expect, as they have a right to, that provinces will take their responsibility seriously. That's what we're doing, Mr. Speaker. Do you have a question? If you could look at my question again. This is the Premier, Mr. Speaker. There's another track. Tomorrow, the financial accountability officer will release his report on the impact of the sell-off of Hydro One. This is despite the fact that the Premier has failed to follow through on her promise of openness and transparency by refusing to provide all the necessary documents requested by his office. However, after months of hiding this wrong-headed sell-off from the public, the people of Ontario will finally get a glimpse into the impacts of this sell-off. Mr. Speaker, my question to the Premier. Will the Premier commit today in this House to follow through on the advice and the recommendations of the FAO and his report? We have been part of the appointment of the FAO, Mr. Speaker. We appointed him and we look forward. I have not seen the report. I look forward to seeing the report, Mr. Speaker, and seeing what his recommendations are. But, Mr. Speaker, what I know as the Premier of this province, what we know as a government is that we must make investments in infrastructure. That people's quality of life depends on our ability to make those investments that will allow them to move more freely, whether it's in the GTHA, Mr. Speaker, or whether it's in smaller and more rural communities, Mr. Speaker, so that, you know, in northwestern Ontario, bridges won't have to be closed because they're in disrepair. We need to make those investments so that we have infrastructure that can be relied on by individuals and by businesses, Mr. Speaker. That infrastructure investment is critical and we will move forward with it, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The sell-off of Hydro-1 represents the biggest privatisation of a public asset in the history of this province. We know that every time this Liberal government has tried to sell off or privatise an asset, the result has cost Ontarians dearly. Just look at the gas plants and the ONTC. The Premier has avoided all public and independent scrutiny of this deal and instead has listened solely to an embedded banker. Thanks to new Democrats, however, this time we have a chance to see the impacts of this sell-off before taxpayers and ratepayers are on the hook. If the FAO finds that this deal, that this sell-off will hurt families and businesses, will the Premier do the right thing and stop the sell-off of Hydro-1? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, if the member opposite is accusing us of listening to people who have experience in the financial world who are experts, Mr. Speaker, who understand how these processes work, then, you know, we did that. We absolutely did. We did listen to advisers who have experience and who understand how to do this. Mr. Speaker, are we going to continue to invest in infrastructure? Are we going to make sure that there are protections in place, Mr. Speaker, in terms of the broadening the ownership of Hydro-1? We are. We are retaining 40% ownership, Mr. Speaker. The way that electricity rates are set now by the Ontario Energy Board is the way that they will continue to be set, Mr. Speaker. Will there be the ability of the government to retain control over major decisions because of that 40% ownership? Yes, Mr. Speaker. Those protections are in place and they are in place for good reason, Mr. Speaker, in order to protect the interests of the people of Ontario. But we're going to invest in infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. Final supplement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The NDP demanded the creation of a financial accountability office so that we could catch spending scandals before they happened. Ontarians watched as a selloff of ONTC went from a $265 million savings to a $820 million loss for the province. Good deal. They watched as the cost of the gas plant scored a sword from $40 million to $1 billion. Another good one for you. This time we can stop a bad deal before it happens. If the FAO reports that selling off Hydro One is a bad deal for Ontario families and businesses, will the Premier do the right thing and back down from the sale of Hydro One? To the member, I have not seen the report. I look forward to the financial accountability officers report, Mr. Speaker. Will we continue to invest in infrastructure? Absolutely we will, Mr. Speaker. And each one of those situations is different. And it's interesting coming from the third party, the discussion about ONTC, Mr. Speaker. It was a very important issue in the North, Mr. Speaker, in North Bay, particularly that we look at the ONTC and Sudbury, Mr. Speaker, that it was a real concern that we look at the ONTC and we make a decision that was in the best interest of transportation in the North. We did that, Mr. Speaker, and we worked very hard with ONTC to come up with a solution that wasn't a complete divestiture of ONTC, Mr. Speaker. I would have thought that party that proclaims itself as supportive of the North would have understood that that was in the interest of the people in the North, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Any questions? A member from the panel from Mississippi Mills. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, you gifted money without purpose or records to teachers' unions. It was $1 million. It was $2.5 million. And now it is up to $4 million. And who knows where it will end? Your government's track record is that you cannot be faulted for thinking big. Billion-dollar scandals are your specialty. You are good at it. But it was never right. And it isn't right today. In fact, this time, it might not even be legal. Section 70 of the Labor Relations Act states that an employer cannot make a financial contribution to a trade union. Minister, did you consider the legality of your million-dollar gifts before you gave the money away? Thank you. Minister of Education. Actually, I are in the process of implementing new labor relations process. And we're going through a huge transformation in our system. And we're very pleased that after a year of hard work, we have reached agreements with three of our of our labor unions, three of our teacher unions, the Ontario English Catholic teachers, the OSSTF, the secondary teachers in the English public system and IFO, which represents all the francophone teachers in the province. And with each of those agreements, Speaker, we were successful in achieving net zero agreements. Answer. The arrangements with the the unions to offset the cost of that transformation are part. Thank you. Supplementary. To the Minister of Education. Minister, section 70 of the Labor Relations Act is very clear. Employers cannot give millions of dollars to unions. It is against the law. It is wrong. Union members may wonder if the money given to union management was meant to influence the union's recommendations to its membership. Parents may wonder why the money was diverted from classrooms to the union. Taxpayers may wonder if their money was wasted yet again. The members on this side of the House wonder not only about the legality of your gifts, but more importantly the accountability, integrity and morality of your actions. Minister, what you did was wrong. Why did you break the law? It would it would also be helpful if members on the side where the question is coming from were not engaging in conversations or with either side while the question is being put and I ask the same when the answer is being put. Minister of Education. The School Board Collective Bargaining Act is actually very immediately after I asked for it not to happen the member for Renford decided to do it. So he is warned. Thank you, Speaker. The School Board Collective Bargaining Act is actually very clear that I am not the employer of teachers in the province of Ontario in school boards. In fact, the reason that we implemented the School Board Collective Bargaining Act is precisely because the school boards are the employer the ministry is the funder and there is this dichotomy of the role of funding and employing are actually two different roles and that's exactly why we have the act but what I do want to comment on is there have been no cuts to the class. Thank you. Thank you very much. Any questions to the member from Windsor West? Question is to the Premier. Premier today is yet another win Wednesday in our public elementary schools. Congratulations for having a day named after you Premier. And it's also the day Ethpo is ramping up their work to rule action by pulling out of voluntary extracurriculars. Education workers want to support students in the classroom as well as volunteer for extracurricular activities outside of their work duties. Ontario families want quality education and extracurricular activities but this government continues to cause chaos in our schools. And is forcing students and families to pay the price for a minister who can't get the job done. The minister of education has lost all credibility and needs to go. Will the Premier admit that the minister of education is failing our kids and causing chaos in our schools? Mr. Speaker I would remind the member that there are three agreements in place with most of the teachers in the province Mr. Speaker. I just remind the member earlier that the the party opposite the Conservatives don't understand the collective bargaining process and I understand that Mr. Speaker I understand they don't believe in it so they don't understand it but Mr. Speaker I would have thought that the NDP actually would have gotten it that they actually would understand the collective bargaining process Mr. Speaker and given that there are three agreements in place they would understand that we have been able to come to agreements and this minister of education is actually very very skilled at her job Mr. Speaker the fact is this is a difficult process thank you supplementary thank you speaker just a note to the premier to bargain you actually have to stay at the table so there's a lesson ministers claims which change daily there have been many cuts to the classroom this government brags about its plan to cut 500 million wait for it from the classroom the premier should be ashamed of her government's record of taking away special education resources from kids that need it the most 22.5 million dollars speaker our kids are paying the price for this government's neglect of education and the failure of this minister to get the job done to avoid chaos in our schools our kids to do deserve better minister of tourism minister to go will the premier immediately see issuing question education workers and instead issue a pink slip to her minister of education thank you well mr. Speaker you know I got involved in provincial politics because of education because I believe so strongly that reinvesting in our education system after eight years thank you we've watched mr. Speaker in this province over the last 10 years as test scores have gone up as kids have gotten more support mr. Speaker as more kids are graduating from high school and as I said when we came into office 68 percent of kids were graduating from high school now 84 percent of kids are graduating from high school mr. Speaker that's a huge huge improvement and that's at the core of this discussion we need to continue to improve our education system mr. Speaker that's why it's so important that we engage in a respectful collective bargain process that will allow that relationship for our education workers and our teachers mr. Speaker we're going to retain that because we have engaged in a respectful process the only place to get the deal is at the table and we're thank you new question the member from the political make sure Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister of Aboriginal affairs earlier this week the minister and the premier were at the council for the advancement of native development officers 22nd annual national conference in their remarks there the premier and the minister highlighted our government's commitment to key Aboriginal economic development initiatives announced within the past year including the Aboriginal economic development fund and I'm very proud to be part of a government committed to working with our Aboriginal partners to achieve real progress towards developing improved outcomes for First Nations people and creating prosperous healthy and strong communities mr. Speaker could the minister tell us about the initiatives the government is supporting to create new opportunities for Aboriginal communities through the AEDF thank you minister of Aboriginal affairs thank you and I'd like to thank the member from Atobico Lakeshore for that question it was indeed a pleasure to join the premier in delivering remarks to the Can-Do's 22nd annual national conference earlier this week Ontario has been working for many years to strengthen its relationship with Aboriginal peoples and communities developing initiatives that improve the lives of people and create opportunities for Aboriginal communities and businesses will go a long way towards improving our relationship and improving Aboriginal outcomes the Aboriginal Economic Development Fund is a three-year 25 million dollar initiative that is supporting business employment and training opportunities for Aboriginal communities because Speaker when Aboriginal peoples prosper all Ontarians prosper thank you supplementary thank you mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for that answer I'm sure all members of this house are pleased to hear what a wonderful job our government is doing to help create new economic opportunities for Aboriginal partners to build a stronger more prosperous Ontario creating opportunities for Aboriginal communities to see meaningful employment and business development partner sectors including natural resource sectors is the right thing to do by providing the necessary support we can work with them to develop long-term strategies to diversify local economies and collaborate on region-wide projects this will help create stronger and more economically prosperous Aboriginal communities Mr. Speaker could the minister please expand on about some of the initiatives the Ontario government is supporting through the AEDF all members of this house want to hear this thank you minister the speaker since the fund was established Ontario has invested over 7.8 million dollars in funding 43 separate projects these include 1.5 million over three years in grants for economic capacity building projects as well as business financing for promising community projects and Aboriginal-owned businesses the Chaplot Cree First Nation is working with energy experts to develop a regional renewable energy plan the Thessalon First Nation is receiving an economic diversification grant for the expansion of its bio-centre the regional partnership is granted to Wagoshik First Nation who is working with Primero Mining Corporation and Northern College to develop a mining training program for its member and Whitefish Nation received funding under the fund to conduct planning and preliminary work to require required to support a commercial industrial park development in their First Nation this is progress speaker this is good for Aboriginal community this is good for all Ontario Thank you for your question and the other stuff Thank you my question to the Minister of Health and Long-term Care Minister, clinic providing OPOA support programs with locations throughout Ontario as close to East York location as closing the Lawrence Ave location in North York at the end of this month Dr. Dale Weeb an associate program director at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health has said it's a sad time for addiction medicine on Ontario he continued closure of addiction medicine clinics will impact patients ability to access quality metal cook air and this loss of access will contribute to the risk of relapse to substance use Mr. Speaker what does the Minister say to those individuals fighting the addiction that are now on a higher risk of relapsing and to the doctors who are forced to close the clinic said help them Well Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the question I think the member opposite agrees that at the end of the day this is about patient care and the quality of care and the services that are provided to them and we've invested over many years now on programs to support those who unfortunately have these addictions to make sure that services are in place right across the province in order to support them importantly including the specific the methadone and other sort of support clinics that the member opposite is referring to the change that we made recently Mr. Speaker was simply to bring the reimbursement for a simple urine dipstick test and laboratory test that those same clinicians provide in those methadone clinics to bring that in line with new technology and what the remuneration should be and in fact Mr. Speaker what we are currently paying in all of the community labs when that test is performed again it's a urine test it's actually very cost effective and brought the cost that we're reimbursing those physicians in line to what we pay laboratories thank you thank you Mr. Speaker again back to the minister minister addiction can have devastating impact on the individual struggling with substance abuse as well as their families it also has severe ramifications on government budgets the average health and social costs are about $44,000 per addict per year it does not make sense that this government has cut the availability of addiction services in this province Mr. Speaker the minister himself is a doctor and has seen this firsthand why is the minister allowing the government to slash fees and funding for addiction services and for the individuals that are most in need for this government's health thank you thank you thank you well Mr. Speaker that's just not an accurate portrayal of what this government is doing we continue to invest we increase the investments that we are putting towards mental health and addictions and addictions particularly our expert group our leadership council on mental health as addictions is one of the areas that they're specifically looking at what we're talking about here is a simple test Mr. Speaker the patient still gets that test we brought the remuneration in order to what it should be based on technology advances and innovations and we're paying them in fact we're still paying them more than what we pay our community labs for this simple urine dipstick test I think that's an appropriate thing to do I think that's an efficient use of resources so we can stay focused on the patient and making sure those patients get better yeah thank you any questions and members of Oshawa? thank you Speaker and my question is to the Premier more than 185 municipalities have passed resolutions opposing the sale of Hydro-1 in Durham these municipalities include Whitby Clarrington Pickering Uxbridge and my community of Oshawa these municipalities know that their rates will rise after Hydro-1 is sold they know that manufacturing and auto sector jobs will disappear with the rising costs of electricity will the Premier listen to municipalities like Whitby and Oshawa and stop her short-sighted sell-off of Hydro's oldest and most important public asset? I'm going to reinforce what I said earlier about the need for investment in infrastructure because I know Mr. Speaker for a fact that Durham region is very interested in increased investment in infrastructure Mr. Speaker so I would ask the member our members from Durham are very clear that they would like to see enhanced investment in infrastructure so Mr. Speaker I would say to the the member opposite that as she talks about the importance of listening to municipal councils that she might want to take into account what those municipal councils say to us every time we meet about the need to invest in infrastructure including transit Mr. Speaker including expansion of roads and bridges and that that is exactly why we have had to make decisions in order to find the resources to make those investments Thank you Speaker and of course I appreciate hearing that the Premier does acknowledge there is an area east of Toronto and that's that's great The Ontario Energy Board clearly cannot say no to Hydro 1 This winter peak hour of electricity rates will be 25% higher than they were last winter Jeff That's enough Finish please Just imagine the rate increases that Hydro 1 will demand when private profits drive all decisions The Minister of Energy says people should just stop using electricity during the day I suppose he thinks Whitby and Oshawa's factories should shut down during the day as well Will the Premier listen to municipalities like Whitby and Oshawa and stop her sell-off of Hydro 1 Mr. Speaker the member is really starting with a very very false premise Hydro 1 does not set its own rates now it will not set its rates later Mr. Speaker She talks about private companies automatically being able to raise rates Mr. Speaker private companies like Enbridge Union Gas are also regulated by the Ontario Energy Board Mr. Speaker and their rates have been going down over the last five years Mr. Speaker it is totally independent in addition Mr. Speaker in terms of planning the system it's still within the the responsibility of the ISO Hydro 1 will not plan a system Mr. Speaker the Ontario Securities Commission will require them to disclose salaries Mr. Speaker and many other things such as quarterly audited financial statements being made public there is good governance Mr. Speaker the premise of the question that racially what because it's its ownership is being broadened it's totally absolutely incorrect very much Mr. Speaker Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Mr. Speaker Ontario's biodiversity and natural heritage contribute substantial ecological and economic benefits to our province part of that biodiversity is Ontario's wetlands wetlands provide essential benefits including helping to protect our water supply from excess nutrients like phosphorus that can lead to algal blooms Ontario has approximately 24% of Canada's wetlands and 6% of the world's wetlands our wetlands are clearly an incredible and essential resource Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister could you please explain to the House what our government is doing to protect Ontario's wetlands Thank you Minister now for resources and forestry Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member from Ottawa South for the question our government knows that wetlands provide many important economic ecological and social benefits including reduction of flood damage improvements to water quality habitat for plants and animals and fishing and hunting opportunities Mr. Speaker our Ministry under the leadership of my parliamentary assistant the member from Burlington is currently conducting a review of the province's wetland policy framework a wetlands discussion paper has been posted on the ER and I encourage interested Ontarians to comment on the paper before October 30th, 2015 the feedback we receive on this paper will help identify challenges and opportunities associated with wetland conservation in Ontario this input will be used to inform development of a strat plan for Ontario wetlands that will guide the government's actions over the next decade answer committed to protecting and preserving the province's wetland resources and will continue to work closely with our partners on this Thank you and supplementary Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I'd like to thank the Minister for his answer and for his leadership on this important issue Mr. Speaker I'm pleased to hear that our government is taking a proactive role in protecting Ontario's wetlands and I encourage all Ontarians to provide comments on the wetlands discussion paper Mr. Speaker by the 1980s almost 70% of original wetlands south and east of the Canadian Shield were converted for other uses in some parts of Southern Ontario 90% 90% many Ontarians are concerned that these losses may still be occurring Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister could you please explain what our government is already doing to restore Ontario's wetlands Thank you I want to thank the member from Ottawa South we support the on the ground wetland conservation through SCRAT partnerships agreements competitive granting programs and tax incentive programs in fact Speaker of the Ontario Government is an active participant in the eastern habitat joint venture a collaborative government NGO partnership which seeks to implement wetland conservation activities Speaker last year we provided Ducks Unlimited for example with 275,000 to support wetland conservation projects under the EHJV program my ministry's land stewardship and habitat restoration program provides up to 25 20,000 in financial support to organizations for similar projects and the conservation land tax incentive program provides for 100% property tax exemption on eligible conservation lands in return for landowner agreements not to undertake activities that will have a negative impact on the natural value of those lands Speaker we value wetlands in the province of Ontario and continue to work with our partners to ensure their sustainability in the longer term Thank you Any questions? Good question Oh the member from Chatham Kent Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I have my questions to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Speaker shoddy conditions at the Liberals New Gold Standard Toronto Self Detention Center are again putting the lives of corrections officers at risk Three weeks ago a female officer was trapped inside an elevator with multiple inmates for over an hour Thankfully the officer was not harmed but you can only imagine the fear that she felt Shockingly elevator issues were reported to your ministry months ago Minister Can the minister Mr. Speaker can the minister explain why he has allowed the prison's countless problems to go unaddressed and why no action was taken on the known elevator issues Thank you Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Well thank you very much Speaker and I thank the member for the question I can assure the member opposite that the officials in my ministry work extremely hard to make sure that conditions as it relates to facilities in our detention centers are always met Obviously I can't speak to the specific circumstance he's raising in the question period but I'll be more than happy to get him a response to that But Speaker I want to reassert very clearly that we take the health and safety of our of our correctional staff and that of inmates very seriously and there is constant work that is ongoing in making sure that our detention centers are safe and secure and of course ensures that there are proper conditions in them Thank you Sir thank you Supplementary Thank you Speaker Again back to the minister two weeks ago the Toronto Self Detention Center security monitor control system went down The system controls the entire facility from emergency alarms cameras doors locks to intercoms and much much more This system is the heart of this facility and must be functional Facility security problems are a public safety threat Officers are tired of reporting the same problems over and over again They're scared to come to work in a deadly work environment They have lost faith in the minister and the ministry and are worried that any negative reports or audits will be buried Speaker Will the minister take immediate action at Toronto Self Detention Center and conduct an in-depth safety review for public release Again as I mentioned earlier our staff works extremely hard very closely with our congressional officers of course who are and congressional staff who are front line in our in our detention system to ensure that they're operating in a proper function and safety and security of our communities and that of our staff and inmates is paramount Speaker as we transform our correctional system Toronto Self Detention Center plays a very important role in that transformation TSTC as is known houses innovative programming and health care services and improves our ability to rehabilitate offenders It is speaker has both a medical unit and a dedicated infirmary which has been open since June of this year They currently have five mental health nurses and operate a forensic early intervention service which is the first of its guide in Canada in partnership with CAMH These are the kind of transformation activities speaker that we are working on to ensure that we provide for effective rehabilitation and rehabilitation for offenders New question the member from Nicobalt Thank you Mr. Speaker My question is for the Premier Since the trail derailment the explosion the huge fire and the oil spill into the Macamee River just outside of Gogama in my writing Most recently the local person in charge of testing water quality has resigned his job The people of Gogama and Metagamy have been deeply affected by the CN derailment They're having a tough time with very little help Speak Premier Why is the provincial government missing in action? Why are the local people left to take on CN by themselves? Mr. Speaker they aren't left by themselves We've had multiple ministries including our staff on site Water quality testing has been occurring and reporting and that is reported through the public the separate public health unit There has been very very careful supervision and testing and I can go through that privately with the member in some detail We have a great concern Mr. Speaker in Gogama there have been two rail derailments had they been further down the track in the city we would have had something similar to a lack of a mechanic and this government also my colleague in this transportation have been very assertive with the federal government and we are now looking with the new federal government to this issue being taken more seriously Mr. Speaker but we monitor it very carefully CN fills its responsibilities and if they don't Mr. Speaker with their stronger measures we can take Thank you Supplementary Thank you, Speaker If this train had derail sending 10 flaming cars filled with bitumen on Humber River right here in the GTA there would be flocks of lawyers of investigator to help locals fly CN toot and nail but as dead fish and oil continues to appear on the water surface this government have left the people of Gogama to fight on their own Premier Hockham after eight months no one is willing to say something as simple as it is safe to eat the fish Speaker what is the government doing to ensure that the health of the people to ensure that the quality of the water as the Premier who found relationship with Ottawa will that help to make sure that hazardous cargo doesn't go through our community so that no one no one has to live through what the people of Gogama and Mitagami are living through right now Mr. Chairman Mr. Transportation Mr. Speaker Minister of Transportation Thanks very much Mr. Speaker I thank the member for her question as the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change said in the opening answer of course and I believe everyone here in this chamber would know that the dealing with rail safety while a paramount concern to the province of Ontario is primarily exclusively actually Speaker of federal responsibility over the last 16 months I've had the occasion to raise the issue of rail safety directly with the now or soon to be former Minister of Transport for the federal government we have corresponded back and forth several times about this issue as have other Ministers of Transportation across the country because at the provincial level we recognize the importance of making sure that the federal government takes their responsibility in this regard safely Speaker that advocacy will not end on behalf of the people of Ontario we'll continue to talk to the federal government and ensure that we get this right Thank you Good answer Thank you Your question to the member from Kitchener Center Speaker my question is for the Minister responsible for women's issues the sexual violence and harassment action plan was launched in March of last year or rather this year and since then the permanent round table on violence against women was established along with the select committee on sexual violence and harassment and the government has launched a very successful media campaign seen by millions of people around the world on TV and the internet Yesterday Speaker the minister introduced the sexual violence and harassment action plan act Speaker could the minister please tell this house what Ontario has been doing since March to help stop sexual violence and harassment and to support survivors Minister responsible for women's issues and children's research Thank you Speaker and I want to thank the member from Kitchener Waterloo for this very important question I want to thank her for her work as the chair of the select committee on sexual violence harassment I want to thank all members of this legislative around that committee doing excellent work and speaker the government knows that all Ontarians deserve to feel safe from sexual violence and harassment in their communities in their workplaces and in their schools and that's why since we launched the action plan in March we have increased and stabilized funding to community-based sexual assault centers to hospitals to sexual assault and domestic violence treatment centers as the member mentioned we've also been running a very successful using hashtag who will you help and over 83 and a half million people speaker have viewed this ad I was very pleased to rise in the house yesterday to introduce the legislation and I'll talk more in the supplementary thank you supplementary Mr. Speaker I too would like to thank the minister for her answer and for her dedication and commitment to this very important file so thank you to you this kind of continued investment across ministries to various supports for survivors is welcomed right across the province in fact yesterday at our announcement we were joined by numerous stakeholders from across Ontario including Sarah Kasselman who's with the sexual assault center of Waterloo region in my writing of Kitchener Center and I know that she was very pleased to hear yesterday's announcement we look forward to hearing more details on the legislation tabled yesterday by the minister specifically this bill will amend six government acts so Mr. Speaker could the minister please describe the changes that this legislation is going to bring in if passed thank you minister thank you again speaker and as the member mentioned the legislation would amend a number of government acts such as removing the limitation period for all sexual civil sexual assault actions it will also eliminate the two-year limitation period for victims of sexual or domestic violence to apply for compensation from our criminal injuries compensation board it will also require employers to investigate and address complaints of workplace harassment including sexual harassment and require employers to take all reasonable steps to protect workers from workplace harassment it will also require colleges and universities and private career colleges to have a standalone sexual violence policy that's developed with student input and reviewed every three years additionally the legislation will require the notice period to end a tendency for survivors of domestic and sexual violence that notice period will be shortened and these all the amendments are very important speaker I hope I can count on the entire house to support this very important legislation thank you the question of members from kitchen in the county store yes thank you speaker my question is to the premier today in the media studio two brave young women Erica Crawford and Brooklyn Mills who are joined with us today and their families shared heart wrenching stories of living with the impacts of a rare disease Ellers-Danlos syndrome with no support from their provincial government EDS is a genetic defect in the connective tissue causing severe dislocations chronic pain blackouts nausea migraines lost vision tremors and more symptoms that add up to a very poor quality of life when families like the Crawford seek treatment for this life debilitating disease they are turned away time and again by this government will the premier today commit to providing the support and treatment for those suffering with EDS questions thank you thank you Mr. Speaker and first quite frankly on behalf of the entire legislature I think certainly our hearts go out to the family to the individuals that are suffering from this rare and debilitating disease EDS and I also want to commend acknowledge the individuals and the families that are here today for taking the time to come here to Queen's Park but most of all to show the courage that they have in expressing their concerns about the treatment that they require as well as the advocacy that they're providing Mr. Speaker my ministry has assured me that there are a number of Ontario specialists that can help who can help patients who do suffer with EDS we have highly qualified neurosurgeons with the necessary expertise but we've heard Mr. Speaker and I've heard from these families that they've had difficulty in accessing those specialists and those services and we rely on the expertise of our clinicians and our experts but we also want to make sure Mr. Speaker that the process is as simple as possible for families and for individuals and that we're making the situation easier not more difficult thank you supplementary back to the minister speaker this afternoon I will be reading in petitions that the Crawfords have initiated with over 8,000 signatures calling for the minister's action to this day the story has been the same your ministry refuses to pay out of country treatments they say could be performed here in the province and to Ontario lacks the specialists required to perform necessary surgery in our province families are forced to remortgage max out credit cards and lines of credits just to receive the out of country treatments that allow sufferers to stay alive speaker the pain of living with EDS is enough without having to face the uncaring government that has all but abandoned them will the minister respond to the pleas of over 8,000 who have signed the petition and either provide the names of Ontario Neural Surgeons who have experience with EDS patients to perform the necessary surgeries or provide the funding for out of country treatment thank you minister thank you Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker I want to acknowledge the work that you've done as MPP for Brantford as well in supporting these families and advocating with my ministry on this important issue so Mr. Speaker and largely in fact inspired by the advocacy and the stories that I've heard from these individuals and their families I brought together a working group on how best to move forward specifically on EDS in this province Mr. Speaker and ensure that families do receive the support that they need the group first met in late September and will be providing them providing us with their recommendations in a short while and the panel includes critical care services Ontario representatives from sick kids and other leading institutions to look at ways to improve services for individuals suffering from EDS and my ministry is also creating a special committee to in addition to the current process to review applications for all out of country funding for pediatric surgery I hope the families can stay after question period I would appreciate the opportunity to be with them The question The member from London West Thank you Speaker My question is to the Premier On March 24th shortly after the sexual violence action plan was tabled your government received a letter signed by 21 experts and organisations from building a bigger wave a provincial network of hundreds of agencies working to end men's violence against women The letter urged a halt to the changes to the partner assault response program because they are putting women and children at risk Seven months later the Attorney General continues to completely dismiss the concerns raised Speaker what will it take for the Premier to listen to par providers and violence against women agencies about the crisis her government has created in the par program Thank you Premier Thank you Thank you Attorney General Thank you Thank you Mr Speaker The partner assault response program is a component of the province coordinated response to domestic violence this program is very important and I'll say I'll answer the question right away there was no cut to the partner assault response program after numerous consultation working with the partner working with those who work in the sector you know we have reviewed the number of weeks that the people would be engaged into in the program and we were informed that you know there was a long waiting list and so and the advice was to reduce the the number of weeks that the individual will be answer in the program and that's what we have done and we have eliminated all together the waiting list Thank you very much Thank you Mr Speaker the member from Dufferin Calendon on a point of work Speaker in my question to the Premier earlier today I mentioned 115 students on a field trip it should have I should have said 115,000 Wow Thank you You're really short changing the table All members have the right to correct the record and that was a point of order point of order from a member from Yes, point of order to the Premier On behalf of my colleague from Perth Wellington I would like to welcome the family of paid today's page captain Faith Nectle her mother Joanne Nectle and her father Claire Nectle they were in the public gallery this morning Thank you Member from Scarborough Asian Park point of order Microphone A student from Seneca College Dewan Callahan who's a first year business administration management students visiting Queens Park today Welcome To a member from Wellington on a point of order In the gallery earlier was Clark Eaton the new legislative liaison from Opsu and I just wanted to welcome him here today Thank you I beg to inform the House that pursuant to standing order 98C a change has been made in the order of precedence on the ballot list draw of October the 5th 2015 for private members public business such that Mr. Smith assumes ballot item number seven and Mr. Miller Hamilton East Tony Creek assumes ballot item number 30 and I would like to make a footnote and thank the members we are getting there when it comes to third person discussion and questions to the chair and answers to the chair I reinforce with all of you that it is the best way to do it and it's tested through time and it works quite well and I appreciate all the members for making that effort and last we have a deferred vote on the motion of second reading of bill 113 an act respecting police record checks calling the members this will be a five minute ballot would all members please take their seats on September the 29th 2015 Mr. Nakfi moves second reading of bill 113 an act respecting police record checks all those in favor please rise one at a time be recognized by the clerk Mr. Nakfi Mr. Bradley Mr. Bradley Mr. Shirelle Mr. Shirelle Madam Mayor Madam Mayor Mr. Sousa Mr. Sousa Ms. Quinn Ms. Quinn Ms. Max Ms. Matthews Mr. Hoskins Mr. Hoskes Ms. Sandness Ms. Sanders Ms. Mick Charles Mr. quienter Mr. quinter Mr. Cole Mr. Cole Mr. Takar Mr. Takar Mr. brardinetti Mr. brardinetti Mr. Dylan Mr. dellins Mr. Åreze Mr. Ger efow Mr. Greoys Mr. Mc müsley Mr. Mcme Sabb맨 Mr. Murray Mr.ler Mr. Chan Mr. Murray Mr. ogre Mr. Fucking Mr. Kotow Mr. Leon Mr. Bill Mr. Flynn Mr. Fynn Mr. Zimmer Mr. Zimmerktenelon Madam le long Mladame le long Madame LeLonge Mr. Balkersen Mrs. Alvanezy Mr. Dixie Mr. Dixie Mrs. Manga Mr. Manga Mr. Crack Mr. Crack Ms. Hunter Ms. Hunter Mr. Sergio Mr. Mora Ms. Jassett Ms. Jassett Mr. DelDuca Ms. Domela Ms. Wong Ms. Wong Mr. Fraser Mr. Fraser Mr. Anderson Mr. Anderson Mr. Baker Mr. Baker Mr. Baller Mr. Baller Mr. Don Mr. Don Mr. Gary Ms. McMahon Mr. Milch Mr. Milch Ms. Nightingale Ms. Nightingale Mr. Pots Mr. Rinaldo Ms. Reneal Mr. Tebow Mr. Tebow Mr. Nick Mr. Nick Mr. Hardiman Mr. Hardiman Ms. McLeod Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson Ms. Jones Mr. Clark Mr. Clark Mr. Yacobusky Mr. Yacobusky Mr. Hillier Mr. Hillier Mr. Miller Perry Sam Mr. Cooper Mr. McNaughton Mr. Mermon Rowe Mr. Yurek Mr. McCleary Mr. McCleary Mr. Bailey Mr. Bailey Mr. Walker Mr. Walker Mr. Smith Mr. Smith Mr. Harris Mr. Harris Ms. Marteau Ms. Marteau Mr. McDonnell Ms. French Ms. French Mr. Singh Mr. Singh Ms. Yerquisson Ms. Yerquisson Mr. Vantau Mr. Vantau Mr. De Nogo Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek Ms. Foreston Mr. Montag Mr. Hatfield Ms. Gretzky Ms. Gretzky Mr. Gates Ms. Cam All those opposed, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. The ayes are 94, the nays are 0. The ayes being 94, and the nays being 0. I declare the motion carried. Second reading of the bill. Does he elect Proje D'Onoir? Pursuant to the order of the House dated October 27, 2015, the bill is ordered referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. We have a second for a vote on the motion of third reading of Bill 52, an act to amend the Courts of Justice Act and Lival and Slander Act and the Statutory Powers Procedure Act in order to protect expression, protect expressions on matters of public interest. Calling the members. This will be a five minute bill. On Tuesday, October 27, 2015, Madame Miller moved third reading of Bill 52. All those in favor, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Madame Mayor Madame Mayor Mr. Natchez Mr. Bradley Mr. Charelli Mr. Sousa Mr. Sousa Ms. Gwynn Ms. Matthew Ms. Matthew Mr. Hoskins Ms. Sanders Ms. McCharles Ms. McCharles Mr. Quinter Mr. Quinter Mr. Cole Mr. Cole Mr. T'Kar Mr. T'Kar Mr. Bernardinetti Mr. Dillon Mr. Orazetti Mr. Orazetti Mr. Gravel Mr. Gravel Mr. McMeek Mr. McMeek Mr. Murray Mr. Chan Mr. Morridi Mr. Couto Mr. Couto Mr. Bailong Mr. Foulkes Mr. Bacchuson Mr. Albanese Mr. Dixon Mr. Dixon Ms. Manga Mr. Krapp Mr. Krapp Ms. Hunter Mr. Sirgeo Mr. Morro Mr. Morro Ms. Jassi Mr. Deluca Mr. Deluca Ms. Domela Ms. Wong Ms. Wong Mr. Fraser Mr. Fraser Mr. Anderson Mr. Anderson Mr. Baker Mr. Baker Mr. Baller Mr. Dahl Mr. Dahl Ms. Hougar Mr. Milchin Mr. Milchin Ms. Nidu Harris Ms. Nidu Harris Mr. Potts Mr. Rinaldi Ms. Brineo Mr. Tebow Mr. Tebow Mr. Hardiman Mr. Hardiman Mrs. McLeod Mrs. McLeod Mr. Wilson Mr. Wilson Mr. Jones Mr. Clark Mr. Clark Mr. Hillier Mr. Hillier Mr. McNaught Mr. McNaught Ms. Thompson Ms. Thompson Ms. Monroe Ms. Monroe Mr. Year Mr. Year Mr. Bailey Mr. Walker Mr. Walker Mr. Nichols Mr. Nichols Ms. Martau Ms. Martau Mr. McDonnell Mr. McDonnell Mr. Singh Mr. Singh Mr. Bisson Mr. Bisson Mr. Vantau Mr. Vantau Mr. DeNova Mr. Miller Hamilton Mr. Stoney Creek Mr. Miller Hamilton Mr. Stoney Creek Ms. Sattler Ms. Sattler Ms. Taylor Ms. Taylor Mr. Nattisham Ms. Armstrong Ms. Armstrong Ms. Angelina Mr. Gates Mr. Gates Ms. French Ms. Cam Ms. Cam Yep All those opposed please rise one at a time to be recognized by the clerk Mr. Yacobus Mr. Yacobus Mr. Miller Perry-Sam Mr. Miller Perry-Sam Mr. Scott Mr. Barrett Mr. Barrett Mr. McClaren Mr. McClaren Mr. Smith Mr. Harris Mr. Harris Wow The eyes are 87, the knees are 7 The eyes being 87, the knees being 7, I declare the motion carried outdoors NASH Dear 월Katie Mr. Savick Mr.imo Mr. Sattler Mr. Yacobus Mr. Chapman Mr.רים Mr. White Mr. K Sattler Mr. Garrett Mr. Soviet Mr. Yacobus Mr. Congress Mr. Congress Mr.跟你 Mr.зж Thank you, Mr. You Mr. Yacobus Mr.раз Mr. T Mr.τι