 Therefore, it is time for question period, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The financial accountability officer's report on the Liberals unfair hydro scheme wasn't shocking to the opposition. We've been saying all along that simply is a boring plan that kicks the can down the road. At the lowest estimate, this plan will cost taxpayers $21 billion and at the highest, a staggering $93 billion. This plan is not about sharing cost, it's about saving seats. Not only will this cost the next generation billions of dollars, but the generation after that too. This is a short-sighted reelection scheme. Mr. Speaker, is this unfair hydro scheme really about birding on-chair with another $93 billion of debt, or is it about helping the Liberal Party? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Our fair hydro plan is about helping people in this province, it's about helping mom-and-pop businesses on main streets, Mr. Speaker, and it's about helping farmers, Mr. Speaker. It's about people who need relief on their electricity bill, getting that relief. The member from Renfrew Nipissing, Pembroke, come to order. The member from Beaches East York, come to order. And if I'm getting signals, I will deal with them. Premier. Mr. Speaker, the member from Renfrew Nipissing, in his usual thoughtful way, is heckling about the last 14 years. Mr. Speaker, over the last 14 years, we've invested in the electricity system in this province so that we have a clean, renewable system, Mr. Speaker, that the member opposite is a member of. Mr. Speaker, quite frankly, government after government had not made the investments that needed to be made. So electricity prices were kept artificially low, Mr. Speaker. The system was degraded. We had to make these investments, and we're spreading the cost of those investments over a longer period of time. That's fair today and it's fair tomorrow, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. The Premier said she was investing in the electricity system over the last 14 years. She will stop investing because under your watch, you've raised hydro rates 400%. They've broken hydro in Ontario. A simple, Mr. Speaker, simple multiple choice question for the Premier. How many billions of taxpayer dollars is the Premier willing to spend on this hydro scheme for her re-election campaign? A, 21 billion, B, 45 billion, or C, 93 billion? Which is it? A, B or C? Which taxpayer dollars are you going to waste for the self? The signals have been sent. I'm moving to warnings. Premier? Well, Mr. Speaker, I think it's very clear that the... Member from Leeds, Grenville, is warned. Carry on. It's very clear that the Leader of the Opposition has a very different philosophy of how to grow this province and make it strong, Mr. Speaker. He would stop investing, apparently, in the new hospital in Musa Mimos factory. He would stop investing in the transit that makes Bracebridge able to have a bus. Member from here on Brace, the member from Prince Edward Hastings is warned. Carry on. It's being in small-town infrastructure like Bracebridge is. He would stop investing in a clean, renewable electricity grid, Mr. Speaker, and he would stop investing in the education and the healthcare resources that are allowing this province to thrive. He would stop investing, Mr. Speaker. That's not a plan. That is a strategy. Member from Caledon is warned. He can do this all day. Carry on. That is a strategy for undermining the growth of this province. We're not going to go there, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, please. Mr. Speaker, please. Thank you. What's up? Final supplementary. Again, to the Premier. And the Premier is absolutely correct for once. I will stop investing in bad, liberal contracts. According to the Auditor General, we overpaid $9.2 billion, overpaid by $9.2 billion. The 30 companies that got the contracts, surprise, surprise, donated $1.3 million to the Ontario Liberal Party. That's the investment they're proud of. They have supported the Liberal Party's bank account, not Ontario ratepayers. And everyone sees it. Everyone in the province sees it. Just read the Globe and Mail this weekend. In the Globe and Mail, I quote, unless you're planning on living off the grid in Algonquin Park or moving out of the province by 2028, you will be materially worse off under this scheme than had the Liberals just left bad enough alone. This plan is going to hurt Ontario. Why won't the Premier just do the right thing and admit they have broken hydro in Ontario? Stop trying to make it worse. Premier. We've invested in the electricity system in this province. It is clean. It is renewable. And it is reliable, Mr. Speaker. And people need relief on their electricity bills because of the investments that have been made in order to get us there. And we're spreading the cost of those investments over a longer period of time. And I'm happy, Mr. Speaker, to talk to the next generation about that, that they are going to be able to access an asset that we've invested in and that we've fixed, Mr. Speaker, because previous governments were not able to or not willing to. Mr. Speaker, the investments that we have made in this province, let's look at what those investments have led to. Ontario has created almost 700,000 new jobs since the recession, almost 300,000 since I became Premier, Mr. Speaker. Ontario's economic growth has led all G7 nations for the past three years. Our unemployment rate has dropped to 5.8 percent, Mr. Speaker, its lowest level in 16 years. New question. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Another day, another liberal partisan advertisement. This time it was the recent budget ads. It's becoming quite repetitive around here these days. First, the Liberals spend millions of taxpayer dollars on advertising. Second, the Auditor-General says the ads are clearly partisan. Third, the Liberals use some nonsense about Ontario prohibiting partisan advertising. Rinse and repeat it is the same lines. Mr. Speaker, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is warned. I saw somebody else over in the corner, but just carry on, please. Mr. Speaker, will the Premier just come clean to the people of Ontario and admit these ads are wrong? They are partisan. The Premier is using taxpayer dollars to benefit the Ontario Liberal Party. Do the right thing. Cancel these ads. Well, again, Mr. Speaker, I would say that as the Leader of the Opposition knows Ontario is the only province in the country that has advertising restrictions that are legislated. Mr. Speaker, we have made it very clear that partisan advertising is not allowed in. The benchmark used for partisan advertising is what that party did when it was in office. It's quite clear that because of our legislation we have moved very far away from that partisan advertising. Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to be in Northeastern Ontario over the last week. One stop that I made in Sudbury was at a unit in the hospital called Neo Kids. I had the opportunity to meet with families there, Mr. Speaker, who have kids who are chronically ill or they have very serious illness, Mr. Speaker, and many of them need regular medication every day, every month, Mr. Speaker. Today we're very happy to know that Olhip Plus Pharmacare is starting on January 1st, 2018. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier and back to the actual question. From Wawa to Padawawa, from Perry Sound to Owens Sound, from Capis Casing to Nipissing, what do we have in common? These are towns that are opposition held roddings, and as reported in QP briefing, I quote the Auditor General's office noted, this could suggest that these areas were targeted for that reason, and I agree with the Auditor General. Without a doubt the Liberal government is campaigning using taxpayer dollars in opposition roddings. It's unethical, it should be illegal, and Mr. Speaker, I will ask the Premier again. Will the Premier do the right thing and stop abusing taxpayer dollars for the sole purpose of benefiting the Liberal Party? The opposition does not want us to talk about our budget. I absolutely understand that. He does not want it, especially Mr. Speaker, especially... Remember from Renfrew and Nipissing, Pembroke is warned. And by the way, those that are warned, the next is naming. Especially given what he said earlier today, Mr. Speaker, is that his strategy would be to stop investing in Ontario. He doesn't want us to talk about the 100,000 childcare spaces that we'll create, Mr. Speaker. He doesn't want us to talk about free tuition because that's an investment in the people and the young people of this province. He doesn't want us to talk about OHIP plus, Mr. Speaker, because that's an investment of the children and the youth of this province who need medication and it's an investment in their families to allow them to make ends meet and support their children. He doesn't want us to talk about any of that, Mr. Speaker, because his strategy is just to stop investing in the people of this province. Can you see it, please? Can you see it, please? The member from Glengarry, Prescott Russell, is warned. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, the word investing is all of a sudden code word for what is acceptable to abuse taxpayer dollars. Investing in partisan liberal ads, you call that investment? People right now in Ontario are struggling to get by. They can't pay their hydro bills and yet you've got a government wasting millions on partisan ads. This isn't the opposition parties saying this. This is the Auditor General, the independent legislative oversight saying this is wrong. This is unethical. We get the same spin, the same talking points. Abusing taxpayer dollars is not investing. It is wrong. When will this liberal government learn? Stop abusing taxpayer dollars. Do what's right and pull these ads. Thank you. Premier? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I say to the Leader of the Opposition once again, he knows full well that there's only one province in this country that has legislation, that forbids partisan advertising, that has standards Mr. Speaker and that is Ontario and we are the government that moved on that Mr. Speaker. But I will go back to what the Leader of the Opposition does not want to see us talking about. That Mr. Speaker want us to talk about the capital investments that we are making in hospitals. He does not want us to talk about the fact that in Moose Factory there is a hospital that was built in 1950 Mr. Speaker and he doesn't want us to talk about the fact that we're going to rebuild that hospital. We're going to replace that hospital Mr. Speaker. He doesn't want us to talk about that because that's an investment in the province. It's an investment in the people of Moose Factory and the James Bate Coast. He also doesn't want us to talk about the fact that we are putting a 2% max minimum investment in every operating budget in the hospitals in this province and that Mr. Speaker is an investment in people in every corner of Ontario. Thank you. Do you question the Leader of the Third Party? Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The Premier recently put forward a new law that will force all electricity companies to include her political messaging with hydro bills right up until the next election. In fact, her regulation contains the exact messaging that she plans to force the companies to use. How can this Premier justify this shameless self-promotion at the expense of everyday families in Ontario? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Minister of Energy is going to want to speak to the details of this, but Mr. Speaker, I am quite sure that even the Leader of the Third Party would like to see everyone who's eligible receive the reduction that they are eligible for, that they're entitled to. Mr. Speaker, I'm sure that the Leader of the Third Party knows, because she's been talking about it in this legislature for weeks, Mr. Speaker, she knows that people need that relief on their hydro bills. She knows, Mr. Speaker, that people need that 25% reduction. She knows, Mr. Speaker, that in rural and remote communities, that people need even more than that, because distribution charges are so high. So, Mr. Speaker, I know that the Leader of the Third Party supports a reduction, Mr. Speaker, and the Minister of Energy will speak to the details of what's in the bill. Thank you very much. That's the whole point. People are going to get it regardless if there's partisan advertising in the country. Those are electricity companies to do the Premier's dirty work by trying to sell the people of Ontario on her $45 billion hydro borrowing scheme. This is a new low speaker in political manipulation at the expense of Ontario families who are already struggling to just keep up with their skyrocketing bill, Speaker. Is this Premier so desperate to save her political skin that she is going to force families to pay for her own partisan advertising? Terrible. Thank you, Mr. Manager. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Very pleased to rise and talk about our fair hydro plan, because I find it interesting from the questioning from the Leader of the Third Party, because just last week, Mr. Speaker, when I was in Sault Ste. Marie, and when I spoke with Steve and Lucy, who owned the M&Ms and the other country-style donuts that the Leader of the Opposition spoke to, I found it very interesting that they didn't know about the fair hydro plan. They didn't know about the benefits that they were going to be getting when the fair hydro passes, Mr. Speaker, but it's interesting, Mr. Speaker, that the Leader of the Third Party chose not to tell them about the plan. She chose not to tell them about all of the things that'll be coming, Mr. Speaker. So you know what we're doing, Mr. Speaker? We're going to ensure that we- We're going to tell them. Finish, please. I know, Mr. Speaker, that we have one party that doesn't have a plan. We'd like to hear what that new party will have to say. And then from the third party, Mr. Speaker, they don't even talk about their plan anymore. We will ensure that we talk about our plan so everybody in this province knows that they'll be getting 25% off before summer. Final supplementary. Speaker, everybody in Ontario will be shocked when they see their bill. They'll be shocked to learn that they're now paying for the Liberals' advertising to be delivered right to their doorstep by law, Speaker, because the Liberals are putting it in legislation, in regulation to put the advertising for that party into people's bills. People expected so much better from this Premier. But time and time again, they have been let down. Instead of forcing electricity companies to advertise her borrowing scheme, will the Liberal Premier instead put her energy into coming up with a plan that helps people instead of helping her political party and herself? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 800,000 families in this province will see a 40 to 50% reduction. Thank you to the Premier and this government bringing forward legislation, Mr. Speaker. That will help families. Every single household in this province, Mr. Speaker, 500,000 small businesses and farms, they will receive a 25% reduction on average, Mr. Speaker, come summer when we can get this legislation passed. But what really is bothersome, Mr. Speaker, is last week, the NDP confirmed that they would repeal the Fair Hydro Plan. The admission courtesy of the candidate in Sault Ste. Marie, and that comes as a shock to everyone. For months we've talked about the need to help families with the cost of electricity, but when we could have supported a plan to cut bills by 25% for those low incomes between 40 and 50, you know what they said, Mr. Speaker? We'll have to find out. Remember from my anger of us, plan broke is worn. You may now finish. As I was saying, Mr. Speaker, you know what they said, Mr. Speaker? No. Thank you. A new question to the Leader of the Third Frank. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is also for the Premier, but I have to say I look forward to forming a government and cleaning up the mess that these bills have made in our electricity system. The Premier isn't even telling the people of Ontario the whole story. Stop the clock. Remember from a topical north is worn. Plenty more are waiting. You're just sitting too close to me. Period. Political insert, Speaker, the Premier isn't even telling the people of Ontario the whole story. Not even close. She's leaving out the part about her hydro borrowing plan, wiping out any savings for families, and costing Ontarians much, much more in the long run. Why is the Premier okay with telling Ontarians only half the story? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, we've been very clear with the people of Ontario, and we'll continue to be clear with the people of Ontario that we understand that the investments that we've made in the electricity system in this province had a cost associated with them, Mr. Speaker, and that that cost is being borne right now by this generation, and that this is an asset that is going to last for many, many years, Mr. Speaker, and that we are going to spread the cost over a longer period. Like a mortgage, Mr. Speaker, there is a cost associated with doing that. We've been very clear from the moment we brought out this plan, Mr. Speaker, but this is a plan that is being implemented right now. People are going to see these reductions. They are already beginning to see these reductions, and they will see full implementation by summer if the legislation passes, Mr. Speaker. Not in 2020, not somewhere down the line if the federal government agrees to do something, maybe sometime, Mr. Speaker, as the NDP strategy would have had it. We're acting right now, helping people right now with their electricity bill. Well, here's a newsflash, Mr. Speaker. She's so clear that nobody believes her anymore. Nobody believes a word she says anymore. That's how clear she's been with the people of Ontario. In about four years, Mr. Speaker, in about four years, Ontarians will see the whole truth of this plan in black and white, in the form of higher hydro bills that are going to continue to skyrocket for the next 30 years. By neglecting to include this fact in her political insert, the Premier is showing Ontarians once again where her priorities lie, with herself and her party. The Premier is willing to tell Ontario families and businesses a half-truth in hopes that it is going to bring her power or hang on to her power for just a little bit longer, Speaker. That is the MO of this Premier and her Liberal government. Will she so show some leadership? Will she so show some respect for the people of this province and withdraw that odious red regulation immediately? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We're making sure that 25% is coming off of everyone's bills, Mr. Speaker, right across the province. Small businesses, farms and families. And I hear they keep talking about four years, Mr. Speaker. For the next four years, it is true. We are holding the cost to the rate of inflation. That's good news in the short term and it's good news in the medium term, Mr. Speaker. And when it comes to the long term, it is this party, the only party that actually has a plan, Mr. Speaker, that is working now, is going to work in the medium term and is going to work in the long term. Our long-term energy plan, Mr. Speaker, will continue to find ways to pull costs out of the system. Their pamphlet, their ideas is coming up with some type of pie in the sky committee that will actually talk about things, Mr. Speaker. We're acting. We're making sure that we're reducing bills now, in the future, and we'll continue to look after Ontarians in the long term as well, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Ontarians are smart. And I think that they're going to see right through this liberal hydro scheme, Mr. Speaker. They'll see through the Premier's $45 billion hydro plan, and they will see these political inserts for exactly what they are. A sneaky way for the Premier to try to save her own political skin leading up to the next election. Will this Premier stop the political games once and for all? Stop the political games and withdraw this regulation immediately. Thank you. You see this, please? You see this, please? Thank you. Minister? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So let's be clear. The LDCs and the government advertise for price updates, Mr. Speaker, for rate hearings, for programs, like the Ontario Electricity Support Program, which they're voting against, Mr. Speaker. The Save On Energy Program, which will help small businesses, which they're voting against, Mr. Speaker. It seems, you know, they like to say no to everything. No to that expanded Ontario Electricity Support Program. No to the new $200 million affordability fund for families. And no to eliminating the delivery cost on reserve First Nations, Mr. Speaker. I know Regional Chief Day and Chief Eva Hill have talked about how this fair hydro plan is going to change the lives of many First Nations peoples, Mr. Speaker, and that is something that this Premier and this government is doing. It seems, Mr. Speaker, that the party opposite has been watching a little bit too much letter Kenny. All they've been saying is, it's a hard no, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. You're pushing the membership. Thank you and good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Premier. It's not just the financial accountability officer who weighed in on the government's hydro scheme. The Auditor General attended the Hydro Committee hearings last week and exposed yet another secret. The government plans on borrowing all these billions and not declaring it on their books. Well, the Liberals got caught again. The Auditor said, quote, for obvious reasons this is not allowed under Canadian public sector accounting standards. They tried to bury all these billions and not have the cost of their scheme show up anywhere. Did they think they were not going to get caught, Speaker? I asked the Premier, why does it always take the Auditor General, the Financial Accountability Officer, or the OPP for the people of Ontario to get to the truth? Thank you. Minister of Finance. Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question. Let's remind everyone in this House that the process that's being proposed is being endorsed by Pricewaterhouse, by a number of accounting professionals in the system. It's being enabled to protect the interests of ratepayers and consumers, Mr. Speaker. It's enabling them to benefit from lower costs today and taking an asset that's registered and enabling it to be valued over a longer period of time. And that is what's being established. It's being established to reduce rates today and enable us to provide for a good system, a clean, reliable system throughout the future, Mr. Speaker. And the member opposite may oppose that. He may wish not to provide for lowering of rates. He may decide that it's not appropriate for an asset to be registered and extended over a period of time. But professionals in the accounting system have decided that that is appropriate. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, that's not what the Auditor General decided. Two weeks ago, we asked the government why they co-opted OPG as the financing arm of this hydro scheme. We asked if it's because the billions this hydro scheme will add to OPG's debt won't show up on the province's book. Despite all their denials, the Auditor General has confirmed that's exactly what this government was planning. They plan to spend billions now, bury that money on OPG's books, and not have the province account for any of this debt. But the Auditor General says, no way they got caught yet again. I asked the Premier, now that your scheme has been revealed, will you drop this charade with OPG and properly account for these billions on the province's books? Thank you. So, Mr. Speaker, again, I remind the member opposite that the process that's been delivered here has been done in consultations with numerous experts. Over 18 jurisdictions in North America have provided and utilized a similar accounting practice within the system. We have been working with OPG, who by the way has a necessary expertise in assisting with the financing. They currently manage over $18 billion in nuclear funds and that can be used in infrastructure and expertise in this field to help administer long-term financing. This is not a novel approach. This has been done in other jurisdictions. Duke Energy in North Carolina, Long Island Lighting, and Long Island have done it as well. Mr. Speaker, we are moving forward to help consumers, to help our people in Ontario, to help our businesses be more competitive. The member opposite obviously don't have a plan. They don't want to invest. They made that clear and now they're going to vote down something that's going to help the people of Ontario and our businesses and that, Mr. Speaker, is a shame. New question to the member from Toronto, Danforth. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker to the Premier. Last week, the Financial Accountability Officer confirmed what Ontarians already knew. The Premier's wrong-headed hydro-borrowing scheme will end up costing families and businesses more in the long run. The borrowing scheme will add nearly $45 billion to Ontario hydro-bills after a few years of temporary relief. In light of this confirmation, now there can be no doubt about the effect of this politically motivated scheme. Does the Premier plan to present Ontarians with a better option? Mr. Vanity? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We work very closely with the Financial Accountability Officer to provide information and analysis on our proposed fair hydro plan, and we welcome his final report, Mr. Speaker, because the FAO report confirms the foundation of the fair hydro plan cut in electricity rates by 25% on average for all residential consumers and as many as a half a million small businesses and farms, Mr. Speaker. And what's more, rate increases will be held to the rate of inflation for four years while low-income Ontarians and those living in eligible rural and northern communities would see savings of up to 40% to 50%. And it's important to remember, Mr. Speaker, that the FAO's projection of electricity costs reflects a point-in-time estimate that demonstrates how we can ensure greater fairness and affordability in the short-term and media term. And for the long-term, we are focused on our long-term energy plan, which will lay out our plan to continue to keep costs down. Families in the province, Mr. Speaker, have asked for real immediate relief on their electricity bills, and that's why we are working on the production in Ontario's history if this legislation is passed, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Supplementary. Speaker, again, to the Premier. The FAO is a nonpartisan independent officer of the legislature whose sole job is to protect the people of Ontario. He told us, without doubt, that Ontario families and businesses will be worse off in 10 years under the Premier's hydro-scheme than they would be at all. How can the Premier just ignore the FAO and forge ahead when she knows that her plan will end up doing more damage than good? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Speaker. Again, a 25% reduction in the short-term, holding the cost to inflation for the next four years, and bringing forward the long-term energy plan will continue to keep the rates as low as possible for families, small businesses, and farms right across our great province, Mr. Speaker. And as mentioned, it's important to remember the FAO's projection of electricity costs. It reflects a point in time that estimates and demonstrates how we can ensure greater fairness and affordability in the short and the medium-term, Mr. Speaker. The FAO report confirmed the foundation of the Fair Hydro Plan that we will be reducing rates by 25% on average for families, small businesses, and farms right across our province, Mr. Speaker. And for those that live in rural and northern parts of our province, they will see a 40% to 50% reduction thanks to us in the Fair Hydro Plan, Mr. Speaker. The opposition parties are voting against that. Thank you, Mr. President. My question for the minister. I have a question for the Minister of Francophone Affairs. Recently, I see that the Francophonie has even more of an influence in the province, and I'm thrilled with this. In my community, they're very involved in Tobacco North. I participated in the official opening of the Notre Dame de Grasse Catholic School. I would like to know what our government is doing for Franco- Ontarians over the past few years. Could the minister talk to us about the government's commitment to support Franco- Ontarians? The minister. Thank you very much. But first, I'd like to thank the member from Tobacco North and for his constant support for Franco- Ontarians. I'd like to remind you first that our government has always been strongly committed to Franco- Ontarian communities and all their diversity. Mr. Speaker, we have fought we fought for Montfort Hospital, which was threatened with being closed by the conservatives. We have a commissioner for French services and this commissioner is independent. We officially recognized the 25th September as the day of Franco- Ontarians and throughout the province, we commemorated the 400th anniversary of the Francophone presence in Ontario. And recently, we made Ontario an observer member to the Francophonie. Mr. Speaker, I'm very proud of our plan and our vision for the future. Question? Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the minister for her response. It's important to have a government that continues to show its commitment to Franco- Ontarians through concrete action. Mr. Speaker, other initiatives could also support the Francophone community today and tomorrow. The participation in Franco- Ontarians is seen throughout Ontario society and I have seen it myself in Ottawa-Vanier and throughout Ontario from Timmins to Sudbury. Could the minister explain to us how our government is working now to support Francophones on a daily basis? Thank you. The minister? Good question. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to thank the member from Ottawa-Vanier and mention that this member is also a great supporter of the Francophonie in Ontario. For our government, concrete actions which move the Francophonie forward is of concern to us. I'd like to remind you of other concrete initiatives in our Francophone community. Last year, we initiated this. Very soon, we're going to create a community fund for Francophones and we will continue to open new Francophone schools throughout the province. We are working hard to improve access to the justice system and we have 26 designated regions covering 80% of Francophones in the province. Mr. Speaker, I've been working very hard with the Minister of Health to improve services in French. Thank you. Thank you very much. I will continue with my next intervention. The government has wasted its fair share of taxpayer dollars. But we might just have a new gold standard or should I say a big new yellow standard? New information shows that the Liberals have spent $200,000 for a rubber duck to be parked in Toronto's waterfront. What does a rubber duck have to do with celebrating Canada's 150th birthday? Mr. Speaker was and I quote Kathleen's rubber duckie really worth $200,000? Minister of Tourism and Culture and Sport? Thank you I'd like to thank the member opposite for his question. Just note that on this side of the house we're not ducking any of these questions. The reason for that is this celebration is part of our 150th anniversary of our province and our country which on this side of the house we're enormously proud. This opportunity allows me to clarify in a number of fronts. We've spent $200,000 on the waterfront festival through 121,325,000 and that's in celebrate Ontario funding and why is that important Speaker? Because for every dollar that we spend it triggers about $20 worth of ancillary investments and we know that that's important. So it's also important to note that this festival is an annual summer event that provides people on land and on water programming people of all ages with a celebration speaker and we know that this was an important investment to make. Thank you. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker well again to the Premier that answer was really quacking me up. One giant rubber duckie $200,000 out of taxpayers pockets this absurd waste of taxpayers dollars is an absolute cluster duck. Can I ask the member to withdraw? I would draw. I hope you can tell him not happy. You are on the W. Carry on. Thank you Speaker. People are already treading water trying to pay their bills and you float this rubber duckie right in their face. Mr. Speaker how would of touch is this liberal government? Thank you Minister. You know Speaker this is an issue about investments in our society because this is a classic case of pouring cold water on an important festival that brings jobs and investment not just to Toronto but to cities across the province. For the more Speaker our investment in this festival which does include this historic duck and who doesn't like ducks Mr. Speaker again not ducking the question Speaker you know I'm not against ducks and member opposite doesn't like ducks I'm all about them. Perhaps we should ask the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry who also likes ducks that we like this kind of thing but it's important to note Speaker that people from across this province this summer are going to celebrate in hundreds of thousands of ways we're absolutely behind them and this particular festival is going to be covered by other funding the member should know that it's also creating jobs and opportunities right across Ontario to fund this summer and this is exactly the kind of investment we should be making you see any please thank you new question the member from Kitchener Waterloo thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier Member from Hamilton East Tony Creek is warned finish please thank you very much my question is to the Premier the changing workplace's review final report is out there's no getting around it now hardworking Ontarians have waited 14 years for this Liberal Government to acknowledge the struggles they face every day to balance work and families and bills that keep rising union jobs are good jobs and we believe that it should be easier for more Ontarians to join unions new Democrats have long called for a return to card based union certification and first contract arbitration will the Premier commit to implementing without further delay card based union certification and first contract arbitration protection today Mr. Labour Mr. Labour thank you Speaker and thank you to the honourable member for that question certainly is on a lot of people's minds these days the changing workplace's review is complete it was released to the public last week Speaker and tomorrow you're going to see a response from the government to that report Speaker the advisers in my opinion have done an incredible job canvassing the variety of opinions that are out there on things like scheduling on things like unionization card based certification remedial certification hours of work Speaker all the things that have changed over the years Speaker in the last 25 to 30 years since we 20 to 25 years since we looked at these act Speaker the world of work has changed it shifted between our feet Speaker underneath our feet and what we need to do is ensure that the legislation that we put in place mirrors the realities of the workplace today Speaker there's a number of people out there struggling that need to be assisted by some changes I'm hoping when we see the response from the government tomorrow it's going to move us forward Speaker supplementary Speaker now days off without reprisals prizes is a start but there is no ban on replacement workers in these recommendations there is no automatic access to first contract arbitration and millions of part-time temporary even full-time and multiple job holders are struggling to support their families 58% of whom are women according to United Way study they deserve the benefit of paid sick days and a $15 minimum wage will the premier commit today will this government commit today because they might not have a chance after the next election to do so will she commit to implement implementing paid sick days for every Ontario worker and will the premier without delay even after 14 years commit to bringing in a $15 minimum wage for the workers in the province of Ontario Minister Speaker clearly action is needed Speaker in order to make sure that the benefits of the incredible growing economy have right now in the province of Ontario Speaker with leading the G7 unemployment is at the lowest it's been in number of years Speaker the economy is growing it's doing well we need to make sure that every Ontario and has the ability to support the workers in that prosperity Speaker the response that will be coming forward tomorrow is going to ensure that hard working Ontarians get treated with fairness with decency and respect in the workplace Speaker there's a number of recommendations certainly around wages about scheduling Speaker you'll have a full response from the government tomorrow I suspect Speaker you're going to see that it meets the needs of the province of Ontario and those people I think once they see the response from this Premier this government Speaker will feel a lot more confident and secure at work Thank you Mr Speaker my question is for the President of the Treasury Board our government committed to balancing the budget in 2017-2018 and we delivered that balance budget Speaker in 2009 when the recession hit we said that our government would take a fair approach that focused on growing the economy and delivering the best possible value for every single dollar spent for eight years in a row our government beat deficit targets while improving the services that mattered most to Ontarians we created over 700,000 jobs since the recession and now the unemployment rate has dropped to 5.8% that's the lowest unemployment rate in 16 countries and the economic growth this year while economic success is being including manufacturing, real estate finance and technology President of the Treasury Board well thank you very much Speaker and thank you to the member for Kingston and the islands you know in already balanced the budget we've been very diligently managing the growth in programs spending over the past four years we've held the annual growth in spending to 1.4% while continuing to invest in priority programs and services like healthcare and education you know Speaker in fiscal 2014-15 Treasury Board identified $250 million in efficiencies and reduced administrative overhead without affecting frontline services in fiscal 2015-16 we identified a number of major initiatives to modernize public services and we met our $500 million savings target and we continue to realize savings by undergoing changes supported by the establishment of our centre of excellence for evidence-based decision making we will continue supplementary the PCs voted against our budget instead of investing in Ontarians the PCs are desperately trying to not talk about our recent budget and all the important things that we're doing all the important investments that we're making for Ontarians in their everyday lives they keep repeating claims that our budget isn't balanced flying in the face of facts we're helping seniors cover the cost of public transit by introducing Ontario seniors public transit tax credit we're increasing support for the most vulnerable through ODSP and OW by investing $480 million more in the programs and we're launching a basic income pilot to see if there's a way to provide income security for people the PCs vote against every single one of these items Minister, can you please tell us more about what this budget does for Ontarians Minister Thank you speaking and it was indeed very disappointing to see the PCs vote against the budget because we're making medicine free for children and youth 24 and under so that no child in this province faces financial barriers to getting healthy we're lowering electricity bills on average by 25% to make people's electricity bills fairer through the fair housing plan we're making it easier to buy and rent a home we're providing free tuition for 210,000 low and middle income students we're creating 100,000 more affordable quality child care spaces to help families in their everyday lives so speaker, I ask the members opposite which of these initiatives do you not support? Which ones would you not invest in? Which ones would you cut? Chair, please Questions and members from Perry Sound, Miss Skulka Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Earlier this month in Ottawa the Federal Minister of Natural Resources asked what is your government doing to support lumber re-manufacturers his answer what is a lumber re-manufacturer Mr. Speaker, I know what a lumber re-manufacturer is I visited their facilities and heard their grave concerns for the future of their businesses Does this Minister know what a lumber re-manufacturer is? Thank you Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry Well it's interesting and thank you very much Speaker I've been working on the lumber re-manufacturers in Ontario and heard their concerns very clearly on this side of the house we've been taking stern action to make sure that our industry is protected here in the government of Ontario we have increased our funding to be able to keep our workers working on roads in the far north for the lumber re-manufacturers themselves they were able to outline the concerns they know that we have hired a negotiator Jim Peterson to be able to continue those conversations in the US and on this side of the house all options are on the table we sent a letter to Minister Carr months ago to be able to advocate for ensuring that we have that we have a guaranteed loan program we continue to keep that conversation going especially with our lumber re-manufacturers thank you supplementary again to the Minister of Natural Resources the lumber re-manufacturing sector is responsible for more than 4,400 full-time permanent Ontario jobs they're concerned with softwood lumber tariffs Northern Ontarians have been asking for support from the Premier and their Minister of Natural Resources and they're hearing nothing but silence the government is failing them they need their government to support them while they continue to create jobs and stimulate the economy Speaker will the Minister explain why she's not doing her job in advocating to her counterpart in Ottawa for good Ontario jobs will the Minister pledge her support to this small but vital softwood lumber sector today Minister thank you very much Speaker and thank you for the supplementary it is the federal government's that goes on south of the border I'm not sure if the minister opposite knows that the member opposite but we on this side of the house are continuing to advocate we have had continual dialogue with our federal and provincial colleagues we all have chief negotiators who are down doing their business across the states we have made sure that our business sectors is speaking to business sectors across the border we have ensured that we have people at the table talking union to union exactly what these lumber manufacturers are underneath we have not taken anything off the table yet we are continuing to support our industry we are continuing to look at all options on the table and we continue those dialogues to ensure that we have a strong softwood lumber sector in this province and we continue to support those lumber manufacturers thank you new question the leader of the third party thank you speaker my question is for the premier Mr. Sousa Maria announced that an NDP government would fund the province's fair share to keep the here on central whale ray line to Sudbury open for business this rail line is essential for protecting and creating good jobs in the zoo does the premier plan to keep this rail line operating speaker thank you minister of transportation minister of transportation thanks very much speaker of course as I've said many times in this chamber we have a government that is committed to continue to make the right kinds of investments strategic investments in the infrastructure that we need in every corner of Ontario whether we're talking about northern Ontario whether we're talking about the south speaker highways transit transportation all forms of transportation speaker that's why in this year's budget we literally added billions of dollars to our infrastructure plan so that over the next I believe it's 12 year speaker we're talking about 130 plus billion dollars that will flow through this through this program out to the 444 communities across the province be happy to provide a bit more of a more extensive answer in the follow up question to the leader of the third party thanks very much forward to the details from the minister of transportation or the premier because the fact of the matter is this rail line is the rail line that 65% of the goods that are produced at SR steel travel 65% of the goods that are on that rail line are from SR steel so we need some detail speaker because without a firm commitment from this premier and her liberal government to help fund the improvements to keep this line open people in the zoo will continue to be devastated by job losses too many young people have already left the zoo because of the lack of jobs and the uncertainty that this premier's policies have created in that part of northern Ontario so will the premier actually step up and undo some of the damage that her liberals have already done by agreeing to fund the province's fair share of the HCR Y rail line thank you minister wow seated please seated please thank you minister speaker thanks very much happy to take the follow up question from the leader of the NDP and also happy from the ministry of transportation's perspective to have a conversation here on this side with my colleague the minister of northern development of minds around this specific request speaker so there will be an opportunity I'm sure to provide additional details with respect to the specific question that's being asked today but I will say speaker in my time here in this legislation not only is the minister of transportation but as an MPP proud to represent bond year after year this government our premier minister of transportation has been working on the importance of dollars to support whether we're talking about goods movement transportation or commuter transportation speaker and almost every year almost every year without exception speaker leader of the third party is working very on thanks speaker as I was saying almost without exception the leader of the third party and members of our caucus have consistently voted against budgets and it's shocking to me speaker on the eve of a by-election in Seoul this question comes across the floor to me the timing is curious thanks very much your question my question is to the minister of the status of women speaker this month is sexual assault prevention month and during this month we must address the causes of sexual assault and violence that effects the lives of one in three women and we look and safer Ontario and I know that the work we do as a province that we have done extraordinary work to prevent sexual assaults by focusing on ways to raise awareness and the provincial sexual violence and harassment action plan now speaker I remember almost 25 years ago getting my first white ribbon from then Councillor Jack Layton to help raise raise awareness amongst men against sexual sexual assault against women and so speaker through you to the Minister can she please please update the house on the initiatives that are taking place across the province to raise awareness about consent and sexual violence and the harassment against women. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the member from Beaches East York for this very important question. Mr. Speaker all Ontarians should feel safe from sexual violence and harassment in their communities workplaces and homes but the reality is Mr. Speaker that many women and girls just aren't safe in their communities. Women are 11 times more likely to be sexually victimized and this is absolutely unacceptable. That's why it's important for us to recognize sexual assault prevention month and the work being done province wide to end sexual violence and harassment. Mr. Speaker earlier this month I attended the regional sexual violence conference in Mississauga hosted by the appeal committee against women abuse. I heard about some incredible work happening on the ground to combat sexual violence and harassment and to keep women safe. Organizations like the Amelia Rising sexual assault center are working hard to combat sexual violence and harassment. They are holding healing workshops talks and exhibits to highlight the importance of supporting survivors and I'll tell you about more. The minister for the very important work that she's doing on this very pressing file. I'm very pleased to hear about the events that are taking place across the province. It's important that we raise awareness and keep the discussion going without organizations such as the ones that the minister has now mentioned and our frontline service providers survivors would not be getting the kinds of supports that they need. But Speaker we all know we have an important role to play in that we need organizations to work with us to further raise awareness. As part of our new it's never okay action plan to stop sexual violence and harassment. We created the creative engagement fund. Organizations such as the center on the end of the prevention of these aggressions through its project entitled rights first is creating a social change and preventing violence and sexual harassment question by creating a presenting a series of three short films. Mr. Beaker will the minister please inform us about this important work and the successful recipients from the engagement fund. Mr. Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member again for this important question and for his advocacy on this vital issue. Mr. Speaker in order to eliminate sexual violence and harassment we know we need to raise awareness and build supports for this issue not just during the month of May and Mr. Speaker recently I had the honor to do just that by announcing the new recipients of the creative engagement fund. Speaker art speaks in a language everyone understands and can have incredible healing powers. So I'm proud that our three year commitment to this initiative has expanded to fund 20 projects across the province. Wow. These projects are important. They spark meaningful dialogue in communities and help eliminate sexual violence and harassment in homes workplaces and society. Mr. Speaker in addition to the four new Toronto projects we have added projects throughout Ontario and Mississauga Peterborough Hamilton Woodbridge and London doing our best to build support. Thank you Speaker to the Minister of Education. Workplace violence against Ontario's teachers in our classroom continues to grow. 30% of teachers have said that they've received no training related to workplace violence. Most alarmingly Speaker 55% of teachers say that they've been pressured by their employer not to report violent incidents. Is it the policy of the Ministry of Education that violent incidents which occur between a teacher and their student in the classroom should go unreported. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the member opposite for the question. I know that this is a very serious issue that we take very seriously and we want to ensure that our schools and our school boards are safe places for all students and our education workers. Mr. Speaker and that is why we are we partner with and we work together with all of our education partners on this issue of violence in schools because we want to ensure that that there are real solutions that are put forward. You raise the the question of training. This is an area that we are focused on. In fact we have done training with the elementary teachers Federation of Ontario for professional development training for teachers in our two year curriculum for all new teachers and aspects of classroom management to ensure that we are in that our schools are safe places for all education workers and all students. Thank you. Supplementary. Speaker back to the Ministry of Education. A recent global news TV report highlighted the violence of students and teachers experienced in classrooms at the Durham District School Board School. Speaker teachers should be able to teach. Students should be should not be afraid to go to school and parents should be confident in their children's safety. When will this liberal government address violence in classrooms and protect Ontario students and teachers. So Mr. Speaker you know that's why we're investing in our schools here in Ontario. We want to ensure that we create the best opportunity possible for all students to receive an education. And we have a policy of equitable and inclusive classrooms in our schools. We want to ensure that all students of all abilities are welcome in classrooms across Ontario. And even if you look at the investments that we're making in the member opposite's own school board and the Durham School Board which I have had the opportunity to visit. I went to Notre Dame secondary school and what a great school with Richardson attached. It's a community hub school and what a fabulous campus. And you see the learning that is happening in those schools. Ninety eight million dollars in more funding for special education for Durham School Boards. We're taking the issue of violence in schools very serious. New question the member from Niagara Falls. Mr. Speaker my question is to the Premier. A few years ago the 40-year race track was facing closure. The residents of the town rallied and they had to come together and ensure the track survived. Premier yourself is committed to rural Ontario. I also said you're committed to ensuring the 40-year race track stays open. The new stabling policy put forth by Woodbine Entertainment will put the 40-year race track out of business. Premier the mayor of 40-year the CEO of 40-year race track have both written you regarding this policy stabling policy. The stabling policy and the introduction of $5,000 claimers $6,200 claimers is designed designed to put the 40-year race track out of business. Pure and simple. Premier we're going to lose a thousand jobs in that town. Premier will you step in today, stand up for small horse racing tracks in Ontario and thousands of livelihoods at the pen on you stepping in and stopping. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the member for Niagara Falls. I've got the letter that he delivered to me. Thank you very much for that and for bringing this to my attention. Mr. Speaker I know that the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs is going to be meeting with the member. The member has asked whether there could be a broader meeting with the the mayor of Fort Erie and the CEO of Fort Erie race track. We're prepared to do that Mr. Speaker. I think that it would also be a good idea for the Minister of Finance to be part of that conversation. Mr. Speaker I I did stand up for racing in this problem Mr. Speaker. We changed course if I can say and we made sure that there was a strategy that would allow small race tracks to survive. I want to continue on that track Mr. Speaker and I will absolutely commit to work with the member and with our colleagues to make sure that happens. Thank you. I beg to inform the House that during the recess of the following report was tabled on May 24th 2017 a report from the Financial Accountability Officer entitled an assessment of the financial impact of the province's Fair Hydro Plan. I also want to beg to inform the House that during the recess of the following report was tabled on May 23rd 2017 the report of the Integrity Commissioner of Ontario concerning the review of expense claims covering period April 1st 2016 to March 31st 2017 under the cabinet ministers and opposition leaders expenses review and accountability act 2002. Minister of Finance on a point board. Advise the House that we have a prominent constituent of Mississauga South here with us today who happens to also be the mayor of the entire city of Mississauga. Please welcome Mayor Ronnie Cromby to the legislative. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Well thanks very much Mr. Speaker and I just noticed a constituent of mine up in the West Public Gallery Mr. Tim Bellotti who is a superintendent with the Peterborough, Victoria, North Thorebore Lead and Duke Castle Robocatholic Separate School Board. Mr. Bellotti. Thank you. Thank you Speaker. I'd like to welcome the most reverend Bishop of Marcell Dampouse. He's the former Bishop of Alexander Cornwall and he's now the current Bishop of Susanne Marie. Welcome. Minister of the Environment and Climate Change on a point of order. Yes, I'd like to wish the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Happy Birthday Mr. Speaker. We have a deferred vote on the government notice of motion number 31 relating to allocation of time on bill 68 an act to amend various acts in relation to municipalities. Calling the members this will be a five minute bell. Would all members please take their seats? Please take your seats. On May 18th, 2017, Ms. Jazaklou's government notice of motion number 31 relating to allocation of time on bill 68. All those in favour, please rise one at a time to recognize by the court. Mr. Nackney. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Del Duca. Mr. Sandals. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Shirelli. Mr. Shirelli. Mr. Dugan. Mr. Dugan. Ms. McCharles. Mr. McMeekin. Mr. McMeekin. Mr. Chacar. Mr. Chacar. Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. Mr. Abarnait. Mr. M Bardenetti. Mr. Delaney. Mr. Tolaney. Mr. Dylan. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dr. Murray. Mr.じゃあ. Mr.👨 Mar ENI. Mr. Cafeter. Mr.Å Bamber. Mr. Mourette. Mr. Mourid. Mr. Mass Roberto. Mr. Santiago. Mr. Mr. Frazer, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Don, Mr. Hogan, Ms. Hogan, Ms. Koala, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Martin, Ms. Miltcher, Mr. Miltcher, Mr. Potts, Ms. Rinaldi, Ms. Runeo, Ms. Amdarozie. All those opposed, please rise. One more time. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Miltcher, Mr. Arnav, Mr. Arnav, Ms. McLeod, Ms. Jones, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Fidella, Mr. Yakibusky, Mr. Miller, Perry Salma Scoka, Mr. Miller, Perry Salma Scoka, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Scott, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Barrett, Ms. Monroe, Mr. Yure, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Ostra, Mr. Ostra, Mr. Walker, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Nichols, Ms. Marteau, Mr. Pettipi, Mr. Pettipi, Mr. Coe, Mr. Nick Donnell, Mr. Cho, Mr. Coe, Ms. Shibison, Ms. Horvath, Ms. Horvath, Mr. Vantop, Mr. Vantop, Mr. Tabin, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Stony Creek, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Stony Creek, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Amgelina, Ms. Feith, Ms. Feith, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Hatsky, Mr. Gates, Mr. Gates, Ms. French, Ms. French. The ayes are 51, the nays are 38. The ayes being 51 and the nays being 38, I declare the motion carried. We have a deferred vote on the government notice of motion number 32 relating to the allocation of time on bill 114, an act to provide an anti-racism measures. Call on the members, this will be a five, same vote, same vote, carried. The ayes are 51, the nays are 38. The ayes being 51 and the nays being 38, I declare the motion carried. There being no further deferred votes, this House stands recess until 1 p.m. this afternoon. I do, we are dismissed, but I need to make this announcement pursuant to standing order 38A. The member from Whitby Oshawa has given notice of his dissatisfaction with the answer to his question given by the Minister of Education concerning violence in classrooms. This matter will be debated tomorrow at 6 p.m., we are now dismissed.