 Is now time for a question period the leader of our majesty's well opposition Thank you speaking my question to the minister of finance Minister about two months ago I sat down with premier win and we agreed to clear the decks of Legislation because she said that was standing in the way of putting forward a jobs plan Now two months later. We see no jobs plan, but we saw significant layoffs like 800 jobs permanently lost at Heinz and Leamington 170 jobs at CCL and pentatanguishing and Simcoe and abandonment of the Ring of Fire project, you know I hate to say this But I regret trusting the premier to put forward that jobs plan. I guess by now I should know not to trust liberals But the greater regret I have is the fact that people have now lost their jobs 38,000 manufacturing jobs since she became premier We've got two weeks left in the session. Are we finally going to see your jobs plan? Are we to see more jobs leave the province of Ontario? Thank you minister of finance Appreciate the question from the leader of the opposition because it's high time that that side of the house Support small business by supporting the act that we provided and that's being stalled by that member and his party We have a a three-part jobs plan If you read the full economic statement, it talks about what it is We're doing to create those jobs and as a result of Asking for a blanket order is not suffice. So I will return to people's writings Carry on. Well, thank you, mr. Speaker And as a result of the the jobs plan that we have when we've been pursuing over the last number of years We've made strategic investments in our province to withstand the recession And we've weathered it better than most jurisdictions around the world and here in North America for that matter And the member opposite should embrace the strong fundamentals that exists in Ontario and the hard-working families and businesses that invest in this province We will continue to support them Thank you Good Yeah, you know sometimes I worry speaker and the finance minister is a little more than a nice suit a nice smile in a briefing book It seems to have no depth of understanding on this issues and no wonder. We're in deep trouble Minister you say that your bill 105 would have saved jobs at Heinz and at CCL I will remind you that you're actually increasing taxes for medium and large employers if the payroll is more than five million So correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't bill 105 actually have increased taxes on companies the size of Heinz and CCL Well, there you have it mr. Speaker the member opposite does not want to support an exemption to employer health tax that will save 90% of all small businesses in this province not to be paying that tax 90% of businesses in Ontario would be exempt from that tax The member opposite is now saying that he wouldn't support that initiative 60,000 more small businesses would be exempt as a result of these initiatives Mr. Speaker Paid by big corporations and I've spoken to some of those corporations who see no problem whatsoever in supporting these initiatives You should be supporting it as well, mr. Speaker I guess the minister didn't have a briefing note on that topic you know that your bill actually increases taxes So let's think of some of the losses. Sadly, we've seen CCL Kellogg's John Deere Heinz cat all of those would have had a tax increase on bill 105 So minister I'm gonna ask you to move beyond the briefing notes and actually answer from the heart I've got a plan that will actually get hydro rates under control. So businesses will invest again I've got a plan to get taxes down to encourage investment in a new machine a new product line and hire men and women again I've got a plan to clear aside the red tape the hassle the runaround to reduce a regulatory burden by at least a third I've got a plan to put people into good jobs They can count on middle-class comfort and security permanent jobs not temporary job the temporary job I got a plan so let's get going. All I ask is I would ask I would ask the leader to withdraw Minister finance Mr. Speaker The member opposite wants us to speak from the heart And I can tell you this The plan that's being provided and proposed by the member opposite is a slash and burn policy That's going to create havoc and make it very difficult for our economy to grow and more importantly to sustain those businesses The member opposite makes claims about increased taxes The fact of the matter is supporting small businesses in the end the net result is that it's not fully offset And we do recognize that we need to create more jobs and to build our our Our economy, but this is their plan. Mr. Speaker their plan calls to fire 10 000 education workers Their plan calls to fire 2000 health care workers Their plan will cancel infrastructure projects across the province They will drive down wages with their harmful right to work less legislation. Thank you. Their plan is to fight. Thank you, mr. Speaker Final supplementary New question. Thank you Back to the uh, the finance minister I mean, what what a pathetic answer the finance minister three chances to tell us what his plan is or at least when his fourth coming You know, I I take part of the blame myself. I did trust you I trusted the premier to bring forward a jobs plan when I said I would Clear the decks, but let me tell you what's happened since so 800 men and women lose their jobs in lemkin, ontario Heinz ketchup that had made ontario for 100 years will now be made in the united states of america It's devastating those communities. We saw ccl on friday laying off closing down 170 jobs and pentatanguishing the ring of fire Is gone. So when lemington lost that environment that job creation dynamo and heights What was your response? He brought forward legislation that banned smoking on patios When we lost the ring of fire project What was your response to get al gore to pat you on the back for the various policies that drove hydra rates through the roof What are you going to bring forward a plan or as a simply time speaker to change the team that leads To put forward a jobs plan Thank you You didn't get to memo this one so mr. Speaker Our plan has been clearly laid out in our fall economic statement Unlike the member opposite We believe that we need to make those investments in our people We recognize there's a skills shortage amongst certain sectors of our economy that we have attracted We need to fill them. That's why we need to invest in them We also recognize that we need to invest in modern infrastructure those strategic initiatives will will enable us to have 100,000 more new jobs in the province and we will also do everything possible to maintain a dynamic Business climate by maintaining our tax systems low Relative to the other jurisdictions around north america and the world The fact of the matter is there is investment coming to ontario The fact of the matter is we have over 470,000 net new jobs since the recession The fact of the matter is the initiatives that we've taken are working and the member opposite doesn't see The need to make those investments and that's worrisome mr. Speaker Well, I I'm not going to argue that the finance ministers added 300,000 jobs to the government payroll I just think we need a healthy thriving private sector to rebuild our middle class and if you're worth it pay taxes before health and education The problem is I I believe you've got this in your briefing binder somewhere We've lost 38,000 manufacturing jobs on a premier win alone. We've lost 300,000 manufacturing jobs under the maginti win government This is our middle class. I remember growing up in the north end of ford eerie on lindberg drive Most of the mums and dads and my friends they worked at the factory they worked at the plant and built our middle class There's a backbone of communities that I call home You broke in that background you hollowed out our manufacturing sector and you haven't got a clue how to turn it around We do get energy rates under control get taxes down Clear aside the regulatory barriers modernize our labor laws We've got a plan for 300,000 manufacturing jobs to rebuild our communities. I ask you why don't you? Thank you Mr. Finance So mr. Speaker, this is not about more government. In fact, our government has been scaling down the size of government It's about more opportunity opportunity that the opposition member is trying to take away That is their claim to their Purpose take it away while some of the other members of the house want to just give it away We have to be cognizant and balancing our approach and here I'll read something that a member Of the conservative party who was a leader of that party says he says I quote there are business people who will say the last thing we need right now Is a sort of ward between the unions and businesses or the government and an economy that is just slowly recovering I happen to believe they are right. I don't think it's a it's constructive right now He says further. I think it's probably the wrong thing to be advocating and I don't even think it's going to be that good for the economy That's john tory who opposes Individuals who want to play union mr. Speaker. We're going to work collaboratively in part You see it, please You see it, please final supplementary You know, I um, I pointed out my opening question that Two months ago that I put my trust in premier win the liberals to bring forward a jobs plan Two months later. We've lost more jobs. It seems like daily There's sad news across our province the more layoffs And after five questions speaker the finance minister does nothing but play silly games He does not brought forward any kind of jobs plan I fear that he won't as we head into the christmas break in three weeks time So when we look at your legislative agenda, you found importance in who can access a tanning bed You found importance around water cooler salesmen You found importance of whether you can smoke on a patty or not My priority jobs getting our economy moving again getting hydro rates under control So it's the extended legislative agenda and if it is let me ask you Which one of those bills the tanning bed the smoking legislation Uh, or the water heater which one of those would have made cliff's turn ring of fire a reality to fire up our economy Which one of your plans but to help bring good well-paying jobs to northern ontario southern ontario And the oil sands in the province of ontario Well, mr. Speaker, let me respond by by advising the member Who obviously hasn't read the fall economic statement or the budget previously? We have a three-point plan to invest in people by creating a youth job strategist $275 million for 30,000 more jobs We are advocating for our seniors and our consumers by fighting for their protection We're investing $35 billion over the next three years by building infrastructure We're bringing forward green bonds and a new trillium trust. We're promoting our afp process We're investing in our electricity grid that they neglected for so many years, mr. Speaker, so that we can be competitive We are investing in our business climate We're cutting taxes on small business and we brought forward legislation this fall bill 105 that will help small businesses You now are saying that you're not supporting it. Say that to your business people and how they feel that the opposition who claim To fight for small business is now creating and stalling ability Question the leader of the third party Thank you, speaker My questions for the acting premier People worried about finding good jobs in this province were dismayed to see yet another company walk away from ontario last week Can the acting premier tell us what deal the government made with clips natural resources and whether the government held up to their end of that deal Mr. Speaker The opportunities in the ring of fire and in our mineral deposits in the far north Are tremendous and we will continue to support and do everything possible to invest in that initiative There are a number of proponents that are continuing to be interested in the development of the ring of fire We are going to continue to do what's necessary. We have established a development corporation to that effect We have a number of proponents and we're asking the federal government to partner in these initiatives as they should The same way they've done it for alberta and for new brunswick and newfoundland We have to make certain that we invest in those initiatives and we will mr. Speaker. Thank you Mr. Speaker in may 2012 rather the finance minister confirmed that the ontario government had reached an initial Or initial agreement or a term sheet with cliffs regarding plans to process Chromite in caprio will the acting premier make that agreement public today So mr. Speaker The proponent that Has been involved in the negotiation. There have been others Has made their decision It's uh, it's going to be continuing. We are as a government will continue to seek the best value for ontarians We're asking the federal government to partner with us We want to ensure that we do the smelting and the fabricating of The the mineral resources so we can produce stainless steel here in ontario All of this is part of our ability To uh to take advantage of the far north We also Want to be able to work effectively and collaboratively with the first nations and the aboriginal peoples that are affected by this initiative That's why we also need the federal government to partner with us. We'll continue to drive forward We'll continue to look what's necessary to provide for an all-weather road and a spine to the north to enable that development Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to do our part Speaker in may 2012 the government reached a term sheet with cliffs natural resources The question i'm asking is can the acting premier at least if they're not going to tell us what that term sheet said If they're not going to make that term sheet public Can they at least tell us whether or not they actually kept their side of the agreement or where their terms that the government Actually failed to meet There are ongoing discussions mr. Speaker with the proponent and others we'll continue to do what's necessary The member opposite knows fully well the sensitivities around these discussions and these negotiations We have always stated and the federal government needs to partner in these initiatives There are billions of dollars of opportunity available to us that feds have not come forward with support for ontario Which we need in order to take advantage of these mineral deposits So we will continue to do our part as i've stated already and i'm uh i'm optimistic that the opportunities continue to exist because There's so much more interest still available to uh to the area mr. Speaker and we'll try to develop as best we can Thank you new question Also for the acting premier speaker transportation infrastructure is a huge challenge for bringing jobs to the ring of fire Can the acting premier confirm that the government signed a commitment around creating a road? And if so, what was that commitment speaker? So the development of the ring of fire Is uh is is going to require a lot of input from the federal partners From the aboriginal first nations people from the areas And that's implicated the municipalities. We recognize an all-weather road is going to be necessary to make it so There's also going to be transferred a lot of work in regards to energy Submissions and we will continue to do that But we're having those discussions and in order for us to develop that we need to have the partnership with the federal government as well We'll continue to do our part. We've invested and we've actually started to highlight what's necessary And the proponents recognize the potential We will do our best to ensure that it's developed mr. Speaker Speaker people across ontario were promised thousands of jobs those were this liberal government's words Thousands of jobs, but when it comes to actually showing the public what the government did or didn't do to deliver on that Promise we can't get a straight answer It's been clear that the liberals have failed to put in place The framework needed to take advantage of the ring of fire Whether it's energy whether it's roads or helping first nations find common ground with business The government has failed on every single count All ministers were holding press conferences and claiming that everything was just fine Why can't the acting premier share some basic information about agreements the government signed on behalf of the people of ontario? Mr. Speaker our government is moving forward with development of the ring of fire We are continuing to do that. We have developed. We have put forward a development corporation We have discussions that are being made with first nations the matey nations and the aboriginal people We have discussions with proponents of various proponents not just not just one We are trying to persuade the federal government of the importance of this development Just as it's been important for the development of other regions of canada like alberta Like newfoundland like new brunswick ontario deserves the same degree of attention and investment because there's 60 billion dollars Of opportunity not only for ontario But for all of canada the member opposite is asking us to provide and and divulge sensitive commercial Negotiations that's improper and that is exactly why they would put it at risk We will not put our our province at risk in these discussions We're going to do everything necessary to move forward with the ring of fire. Thank you Final supplementary Well, speaker we know that cliffs is only one of several companies interested in the ring of fire But now people are wondering how many other companies are having the same kind of trouble with the liberals that drove away cliffs There there aren't just mining jobs in northern ontario that are upstake here speaker There are potential for processing jobs And we're finding jobs that could mean jobs in sudbury jobs in hamilton jobs in thunderbay But that requires a plan speaker the government won't share the details of their bungled deal with cliffs Can the acting premier tell us His plan to work with other companies in the ring of fire so that maybe ontario can realize some of those jobs That the government likes to carp a bell Mr. Speaker It is essential that we take The opportunities that exist in the far north In a very pragmatic and strategic way We've established a development corporation to look into the best way to provide value for ontario We've had ongoing discussion with a number of proponents We are doing exactly what is necessary to provide for the smelting and the processing here in ontario We recognize the obvious that she is proposing What's not not that's not so obvious is getting to that opportunity in a very essentially strategic and pragmatic way for ontario We need the federal government to partner with us on these initiatives as well And I reass and I reaffirm the importance of that region to all of canada as well as ontario We need to move forward in partnership on this issue. Thank you, mr. Speaker A new question remember from nipissing Thank you speaker. Good morning. My question is for the acting premier premier We have cleared the legislative decks so you can finally bring out your plan to create and stimulate the economy Instead, what do we get a 1 800 number for pets and a new no smoking policy? High taxes mounds of red tape and triple hydro rates do not provide an open for business climate Your lack of vision and hope has sent ontario businesses packing Extrata copper caterpillar u.s. Steel hines and now cliffs resources pulling out of the Greatest opportunity in a generation the ring of fire all gone Will you finally admit that you're taking us down the wrong path and adopt the pc party plan to bring jobs? And welcome back to the province of ontario Thank you Ah, mr. Speaker the the the member opposite Wants to to give the impression That the people of ontario and all the businesses that continue to invest in ontario the work that is being done to promote our economic recovery Which by the way exceeds all other jurisdictions around the world including north america He's putting them down mr. Speaker Our people are working hard We are trying to partner as much as we can to promote that economic growth their answer Cut everything yeah slash it all take it away Because they don't believe in investing in our people investing in infrastructure and supporting businesses That is not deserving of their approach. It is of ours. We believe in the people of ontario and in the business of ontario That's why we'll invest in them and that's why we'll take these initiatives to support them, mr. Speaker Thank you acting creamer. It's not as if these jobs that are leading ontario are disappearing completely They're just disappearing from ontario. They've been resurfacing elsewhere Extrata copper 670 Jobs resurfaced in the province of cobec Caterpillar has resurfaced in indiana Heinz in ohio When you wake up over there the jobs and investment are fleeing ontario The business world is sending you a very clear message Stop blaming it on the recession the other provinces have recovered the us is on recovery And now these guys are eating our lunch. Don't you think you've created enough jobs for the united states? I'm not seeking quiet for the member from renfrew nipissing pimp brook to add his two cents Where he does that enough? Thank you minister finance Uh, mr. Speaker the member opposites suggests that we should wake up I would say to him wake up and recognize the importance that ontario has made and done for the people and for the business of ontario We've actually exceeded those very jurisdictions that he's just copped about and we will continue to do that My question to him. However is why are you not supporting small businesses with the act that we brought forward the bill That we brought forward to support them. You're holding that up They're creating uncertainty and that hurts small businesses That's creating more red tape and this is about cutting their taxes So wake up and support small businesses. Thank you, mr. Speaker. No question the member from s6 Thank you speaker. My question is to the minister of economic development and trade Speaker 740 people will be out of work in lemington And 46 area tomato growers will lose a significant contract because of this government's inaction on preserving and protecting ontario jobs in action on reducing industrial hydro rates in action on creating real incentives for capital investment In action on training the list of what this government hasn't done to create and preserve jobs is endless When is this government going to get serious about preserving good paying jobs that are the lifeblood of ontario? Mr. economic development trade employment Thank you, mr. Speaker and we are working to create jobs in this province the southwestern ontario development fund Eastern ontario development fund alone have created and retained more than 22 000 jobs since their creation Our youth jobs initiative the youth employment fund, which is an employer incentive Has already resulted in just a couple of months more than 3 000 placements for young people in this province We we the we with our investment with the ford motor company as well Just a couple of months ago a 70 million dollar investment by the province along with the federal government is creating Retaining almost 3 000 jobs at that location. In fact, our auto sector is having the best year on record in terms of sales in canada We've created in the auto sector. Mr. Speaker about 15 000 net new jobs since the bottom of the recession And of course that's part of the five nearly 500 000 jobs not in the public Specters and PCs would like to say 100 of those jobs are full-time jobs 80 of those jobs mr. Speaker in the private sector The speaker the words too little too late come to mind when I listen to the minister's response 300 000 Manufacturing jobs have been lost while this government has been sitting idly by Rather than getting industrial electricity costs under control for years one jurisdiction After another has implemented targeted tax credits for investment training job creation while this government has done absolutely nothing The premier's admission that more job losses are coming is extremely worrying for people across ontario When is this government going to table a real job creation plan to begin to make up for the 300 000 300 000 good paying jobs that have left this province under their watch Mr Well, mr. Speaker The member opposite focuses on the 300 000 job losses in the manufacturing sector over the last decade We we believe in our manufacturing sector. We believe in the nearly 1 million people that are working that sector today It's a different sector. Mr. Speaker. It's changing We know that the global circumstances are challenging and we're adapting to those Circumstances as well the premier the the member from Windsor west and myself were in lemington on friday We met with the local leadership business leaders union representatives of the the individuals involved to work with them to develop a plan to Hopefully save that Opportunity that is so important for that community in lemington So we are investing in our communities And I think it's important that all of us in this legislature not denigrate our manufacturing sector But speak about the possibilities and the opportunities and the expansion that is taking place And we look for ways to continue to help including improving and increasing their trade overseas Any question the member from oakfield Thank you, speaker this morning. I've got a question for the attorney general In september the minister announced that a tentative settlement had been reached in the uronia regional center class action Some of the former residents of uronia would like to access their files so they can apply under the settlement Speaker would the minister please tell the house how these former residents may be able to get access to the files They need to attorney general. Thank you very much, speaker And as you know, we've reached the tentative settlement that we hope will be finalized on december the third It's before the courts right now and we believe that the settlement is a fair and reasonable one for all concerned And we have acted to ensure that the residents of uronia will be have access to their files as soon as possible As a matter of fact, I've strongly directed my ministry officials to work with the ministry of community and social services To make sure that those records will be available to those individuals that have suffered enough in their lives Speaker that's happening as we speak Those directions were given some time ago and I know there's some concern about that But we will make sure that every resident will get the access to the records that they want. Thank you supplementary Thank you Thank you, speaker and uh, I thank the attorney general for that answer obviously, but mr. Speaker I understand that this settlement is going to go before the courts on december the third for the courts approval I know that former residents of uronia want access to their personal information and files as quickly as possible Those seeking their information sometimes don't seem to know where to go And are being told their files may be kept in different parts in different ministries of the government This to me seems to be pretty uh unfair It seems to be unduly complicated and it makes life very difficult for these residents So speaker would the minister please tell us when will the former when will the former residents Be able to begin to access their files Thank you, attorney general first father former residents have to be an integral part of the settlement process That's absolutely necessary They can contact they have one contact that they can make through the ministry of community and social services If they can contact kate parker at four one six three two seven six one zero one For assistance in accessing their records those records will be made available without any fees being charged at all They are entitled to their records instructions have been given that those records be handed over to those residents speaker We are doing whatever we can in order to make sure that the tentative settlement that was reached in September will be finalized on december the third because this case We will be a template speaker with respect to the other similar Settlements that we hope to uh arrange with respect to the southwest regional and redo regional These people have a right to know and have a right to the access to their records. Thank you new question The member from chatham can't pass it. Thank you very much speaker My question is to the acting premier last week The premier visited limington after heintz announced that we'd be closing the plan Premier announced a small amount of money with no plan. In fact, she made an announcement in winzer before telling the people of limington I know the premier doesn't know much about rural ontario But winzer is almost an hour from limington The premier's visit has done little to reassure the thousands of workers growers and all the families affected by the closure One warehouse operator told me that he'll lose over a million dollars Because of the closure when I invited the premier to limington in an open letter I thought she was going to meet with the people the real people affected by the heintz leaving town Instead she staged a photo op with dignitaries Will the premier apologize for last friday's photo op and apologize to the people of limington For liberal policies that are devastating my rural town Thank you About development and trade and employment mr. Speaker the minister of economic development trade and employment Well, mr. Speaker, I can't believe what I'm hearing from the from the member opposite And I'll tell you why mr. Speaker because last week When I became aware that the premier and I would be meeting with the good people and the Obviously the member from winzer west with the good people of limington with the political leadership with the union representatives With business people of the on the farm side and the non-farm supply chain when I became aware of where that I immediately went To the member opposite and invited him to that meeting and that meeting that he attended was obviously important enough to him To attend that meeting and now he's describing it as a photo op because he was happy to be part of that photo op mr. Speaker And that meeting which was so important to down certain communities and transition funds Which is a first step that first 200 000 so we could collectively develop a plan for that community So they can see their way forward Supplementary, please Again to the acting premier The impact that the closer will have on limington economy is massive But nowhere close to the pain being felt by the families of hines employees In limington, that's common for many generations of families who have worked for hines Retired employees collecting their pensions from hines are worried about what happens next Folks who are about to retire are worried about their future limington's young people who were just starting their careers or saving up for school be forced to look Elsewhere families are scared and they're pulling up roots and are leaving ontario You owe them an apology acting premier. Well, you and the premier Apologize for crushing the hopes of limington's young people for and for driving families away from ontario To Mr Mr. Speaker on this side, we're not going to apologize for working hard on behalf of the people of limington And we expect before that announcement was made. I was on the phone with the mayor of limington I've spoken with him numerous times. My staff have been in touch with the member opposite Probably on a daily basis. Mr. Speaker and that meeting last friday was so important to the people of limington We need to take the politics out of this. We need to make sure that we're providing everything we can for the people of limington I know how devastating it is to that local community Not just for the workers at that factory, but for the entire community and the people who work on the farms That supply are part of that supply chain and the non farm people I'm committed to doing everything humanly possible to helping those people and I expect the member opposite to do the same Thank you New question the member from hamilton melton Thank you, mr. Speaker. My question is to the minister of education Unlicensed state care inspections in ontario have revealed a troubling number of violations Children sleeping in damp, airless rooms in soggy bedding or sitting in broken unsanitary high chairs What's worse on november the 13th? There was another reported death of a nine month old toddler and an unlicensed state care in markham This death along with the death of eva revikovic in bond this year And the many others before her are a troubling example of the policy This government is following in regards to unlicensed state cares Inspecting only when there's a complaint is too late and is resulting in tragic deaths When will the minister act and provide some oversight of unlicensed state care in Ontario? So that parents can be sure that when they send their children Just to take care of that day that they will be well cared for Thank you. Thank you very much and uh, I don't think we've had a question since the The the unfortunate death of the little baby girl and I can't think of anything more devastating than to Lose an infant. So our heart does go out to the parents in in this circumstance Um, I and in that particular case, uh, I understand that the uh, that the Police automatically investigate whenever there is an infant death. We have not received any And my ministry of education Officials have been working with the police in the coroner's office in that investigation We have no further information and obviously it is a matter that's uh actively under investigation to try and determine the cause of death, but we certainly I do look forward to uh, tabling new legislation, which will Thank you Back to the minister of education minister There were 300 complaints to your ministry about unlicensed child care in the year before Two-year-old Eva Ravikovich died in an illegal home daycare found to be filthy and overcrowded in Vaughan last July You admitted that your ministry had not followed up on all complaints And now while the ombudsman is conducting an investigation into these serious allegations Another death of an innocent child the time to act is now Will you as the minister responsible for these children bring oversight to unlicensed daycares in Ontario instead of ignoring complaints Thank you and and we we have uh worked with our complaints people since then and in terms of improving responsiveness to complaints and in fact We are in the process of setting up a dedicated enforcement team To deal with the complaints to make sure that there is consistency and quick response in terms of Reacting to the complaints We've also are in the process of setting up a website so that Parents can check and see when they look at a when they look at a web When they are considering a child care provider that they can actually Check and see if there is any record of complaint against that particular provider Substantiated complaints. We're in the interim Parents can call the ministry of education and check and see what if they're considering a private home daycare provider Whether there have been any thank you Your question the member from Scarborough gildewick Thank you speaker I am pleased to rise in the house today My question is for the minister responsible for women's issues Violence against women is a serious issue that does not discriminate Its victims can be poor or rich educated or not Of any background intimate partner violence has been consistently identified as one of the most common forms of violence against women Sadly statistics canada indicates that over six percent of ontario women have experienced domestic violence in the past five years It's important in my community of scarborough gildewick and across ontario That the government continues to play an active role in preventing violence against women Can the minister inform the house? What has this government done to raise awareness and prevent violence against women? Minister responsible for women's issues Thank you, mr Speak and I'd like to thank the member from scarborough gildewick for her question and her advocacy on this very important issue one That we all know is still a timely issue that we continue to be engaged in Mr. Speaker today marks the united nation's international day for the elimination of violence against women I'd like to thank all the members in the house for wearing white ribbons and showing their support for this important day Our government believes it is every woman's fundamental right to live safely and securely in her home and community And we backed up that belief with programs and policies aimed at ending violence against women Our domestic violence action plan has raised awareness and strengthened both supports to victims and the justice systems response to these acts Our sexual violence action plan works with community organizations To implement public education and training initiatives aimed at ending sexual violence answer these important initiatives demonstrate our government's continuing commitment toward preventing women's abuse Thank you minister for that answer I'm also pleased and would like to thank all members for wearing the white ribbons in show of support For ending violence against women and hopefully it spawns uh conversations that this must stop I'm pleased to hear that our government has taken action to prevent domestic and sexual violence against women I know that these initiatives are having a positive impact on our local communities Unfortunately, these acts of violence still do occur When they do women need to know that there are supports available to help them in their time of need our government has an important role to play in supporting And providing supports for abused women with adequate levels of support Minister, what is our government doing to support women who have been victims of violence? Thank you again and and and speaker We have taken action to strengthen support for women who are victims of violence Since 2003 we have increased funding by 48 for community services that help victims of domestic violence The funding has helped serve close to 12 000 women and 8 000 children in emergency shelters just last year We also continue to fund a program that provides employment training for abused and at-risk women We know that economic security is closely tied to a women's ability to leave an abuse of partner Since 2005 1800 women have built new lives for themselves and their families through this training We provide a training to over 30 000 front-line workers to teach them how to recognize the signs of domestic violence We know there's more work to be done speaker We remain committed to this issue to working with our communities our agencies our employers to ensure that women remain safe. Thank you Real question remember from simple north Thank you very much, Mr Speaker My question today is for the minister of economic development trade and employment Minister on friday, we learned that ccl containers in penitang machine is closing his doors and heading to mexico 170 more manufacturing jobs lost here in interior It must be difficult for you to stand here every day and attempt to defend a government that only creates jobs in the public sector So my question so so minister Minister we have to stop the exodus of good manufacturing and mining jobs to our southern neighbors It's that simple. So my question minister is when will you think outside the box and create policies that will actually create employment In the private sector. When will you listen to tim hudak and a pc cox? I listen to our policies Well, I appreciate the question from the member opposite and and with regards to ccl Of course, this is very difficult and unfortunate news for the workers and the families that are affected by these layoffs It always is mr. Speaker and I think we should remember that if there's ever a time that we should be nonpartisan and make efforts to Ensure that we do everything possible for these workers including through my colleague the minister of training colleges universities to provide Job search and retraining opportunities for people across the province who unfortunately do lose their jobs We need to invest in that we need to obviously we do we need to mr. Speaker continue to do Everything that we can to promote manufacturing in this province I remind people in this legislature that there are roughly 800,000 people that are employed in manufacturing And there are many cases where expansion is taking place and job creation is taking place And that's contributing in part to the 500,000 full time 80% of them in the private sector jobs that we've created since the bottom of the recession Thank you supplementary Minister Maybe you can explain that answer to the mayor of the town of pentatang machines here today and to the 170 families That won't have a very merry christmas this year ridiculous hydro rates along with the global adjustment excessive red tape and regulations in your environment and labor ministries And and the new bond boondoggle called the colleges trade is driving jobs and families away from our province They should rename your ministry the ministry of job losses and job creation in mexico in the usa So it's another 170 jobs going to mexico Can you explain to the house today why any private sector company whatever sat up in interior with your dismal policies? Well the difference between this side of the house and that the official opposition is we don't Denigrate our manufacturers and the employees that work with them. We believe in supporting them And in fact the policy of the pc party back in 2008 Was not to support the auto sector and in fact the pc party had have had their way those years ago We wouldn't have gm We wouldn't have christler in this province at all the response of the policy of the pc party is a year ago When we voted to create the southwestern ontario development fund that together with the eastern ontario development fund has created and retained 22,000 jobs that party opposite voted against it the party opposite also voted against our 300 million dollar youth job strategy Which is placed 3 000 people in jobs already. So mr. Speaker. I'm not taking any lessons from the party opposite Their policy is to not vote for those not to support our manufacturers and not to support our employer Speaker my question is to the minister responsible for seniors In 2010 the liberal government assured ontarians that their regulatory scheme for retirement homes would finally offer the protection that Seniors desperately need Yet instead of moving forward with a strong system of protection The government chose to bring forward a regulatory system that was filled with loopholes and problems Seniors like those who are living at the in touch retirement home continue to be the ones paying the price for this lack Of oversight as the toronto star continues to document Will the minister finally take action to protect these seniors Speaker let me thank the member for her question Let me say this that Every senior in ontario deserves to be living with dignity and respect in a safe and security environment That is why the province of ontario was the first one to regulate every retirement homes in ontario speaker as of today Within some 700 retirement homes speaker 689 they are already within the laws. They're operating with the proper license speaker Let me say that the in touch residential home was living completely out of touch We have taken all the necessary action within the guidelines the standards of the retirement home act speaker We have been on top of this house Continually that is why the tribunal agreed with us To take away the lines from this particular house speaker. It is our belief It is mine. It is the one of this government speaker that every senior in ontario Deserves the best and we are doing the very best because every house has been regulated speaker Speaker this government isn't doing their very best and they are out of touch when it comes to seniors issues Speaker the toronto star has been raising alarm bells about the fact that even when a retirement home operator loses its license There is still nothing in the legislation that allows follow-up of this order or smooth transfer of residents to a better home The retirement home authorities registrar beth Mary beth valentine is quoted in the star is saying there is little there is a problem There is a clear problem with the legislation in that it does not require follow-up And it does not put us in a and it does put us in a more difficult situation Does the minister have a plan to protect these vulnerable seniors or will he allow them to languish to languish In unsafe conditions or even face homelessness Thank you Speaker It is very sad that after everything we have done for our seniors with the Legislation that we have introduced and passed we have we were the first problem to introduce legislation to combat elders abuse We have instituted that zero policy We have Attributed and installed in every retirement home is the the seniors bill of rights speaker It is very sad that is why the tribunal speaker has agreed with us And this shows speaker and it's sending a very strong and direct message to every member of the house And to every retirement home out there that our system our laws are working speaker And that is why we are here today to protect our seniors I will continue to take a look at the president legislation speaker may not be the best in the world But let me remind the member and every member of this house speaker that is very freshly has been in operation merely one year And we have come a long way in providing our seniors with the best protection It is and we are very proud and i'm very proud that we'll continue to provide the best Thank you, mr. Speaker my questions for the minister of government services Modern technology make it possible to share ideas and information faster than ever before In my writing of Scarborough age in court I regularly hear from residents talking about the need for governments to engage with public in an entirely new And more meaningful ways speaker is my understanding that improving the citizenship Engagement and increasing dialogue with Ontario residents is a priority by this governor In october the premier and the minister of government services announced our open government initiative and as part of this initiative The engagement team will be traveling ontario hearing from the citizen speaker through you to the minister Can he describe the engagement process some of the places the team will be visiting and the work has been done to date for the team Thank you minister of government services. Thank you very much. Mr. Speaker. I think I think the matter for Her question it is very important that We look at new ways engaging in engaging ontarians on many of the challenges that are facing our province As members know through the premier we invited renowned experts and innovative thinkers to be part of the open government engagement team The team members were chosen because of their individual expertise and talent Norm start they are engaging with the public in a variety of ways including using digital tools and traditional face-to-face Town hall meetings around the province. In fact, Mr. Speaker One of these meetings is being held today at Ryerson University here in Toronto The open government engagement team will meet in the digital media zone from 6 to 9 p.m People can register for the event at open gov at ontario.ca or they can just show up These consultations will help inform the team's report Which will include recommendations for the implementation of open government initiatives in ontario And we hope to make the report public next spring very good supplementary Thank you, speaker and thank the minister for that response. It looks like ontario is embracing open government This will mean our government will be more responsive and accessible to the people of this province And all across the province the residents are pleased to see government be more open accessible and responsive Speaker, I understand the open government engagement team is made up leading thinkers Innovators and members of the tech community speaker through you to the minister Can he share with the house the credentials of the engagement team members? Thank you minister Uh, mr. Speaker. We have a very talented group including dr. Don lenehan. He's the chair of the team He's an internationally recognized expert on democracy and public engagement Accountability and service delivery He is an advisor and educator to senior public servants and a prolific author another member leslie church leads global Communications and public affairs for google canada David eves and other member works with companies and government on starting innovations He's been invited to speaker consults organizations like code for america the white house presidential innovation fellows in the world bank Of course members will know norm sterling before a member of this legislature cabinet minister and someone mr. Speaker who Is intimately involved in the development of our province's maximum information system Ray charmer another member is the founder and president of xmg studio Canada's largest independent mobile games developer I don't have time here to describe all the members of the team But I think you get the flavor of uh, who's on that team and we look forward to their work and new question the member from Thank you mr. Speaker my questions for the minister of education While the ndp continued to stand behind the premier's wrong-headed approach to teacher hiring The pcs stand alone in wanting a fair and transparent process That ensures that principals can hire the best teachers for our students One principal from Sudbury says the following I've had to hire people that I would have otherwise not selected I've missed out on the chance to bring first rate people in because they don't sit on the top five eligible candidates list We're a small board So word gets around quickly as to who is a five star candidate and who is not I find it counterintuitive that we would accept any policy that would inhibit us From putting who we assess to be the best possible candidate in front of our students. This is from a Principal in Sudbury mr. Speaker can the minister of education tell Ontario's principals Why she does not trust them to put the best students best teachers in front of our students Yes, thank you and and uh, we uh, actually value our principals Our principals are absolutely key to the education system when when principals are Leading their schools as you well know speaker They are actually the key to turning around schools to make school sure that schools have a safe and accepting school climate And absolutely the work that our principals do in schools are our key and in fact, we have worked with our principals over The last six or eight months to come to agreements with our principals associations We are currently doing a study with our principals on principal workload and professionalism So, uh, we in fact speaker have a very good relationship with our principals supplementary Mr. Speaker since the minister doesn't think that principals are up to the job She should listen to parents One principal from Ottawa writes Parents are justifiably angry They have no patience for the length of time it takes to fill a vacancy HR cannot keep up with the demands this mandate puts on them Minister it might surprise you but parents Want to be able to have to say and how which teachers are in front of their their kids The collective burdening process that you've outlined in bill 122 shuts out the concerns of parents parents know what What's best for their children that you're not giving them an outlet To express their concerns through their npp's This is not simply about your stance on regulation 274 It's the message that your stance sends to parents principals and new teachers alike minister Reconsider that stance course you heal regulation 274 or the pc caucus has no reason to support bill 122 minister Of the matter we have the government opposite that's on or the party opposite That's on record as saying that they don't want to work with unions refusing to support collective bargaining relationship that will legislation that will improve the Relationship with both employer boards and unions So we now get to the heart of it and they're hiding behind red 274 Which my critic says we snuck into legislation again I think they have a challenge with reading speaker because the legislation which they supported Said that it would implement the mo you signed with elect and if they'd read the mo you that was signed with elect They would have said that it had the wording and read to senator embedded in it. They voted for it Give me a question a member from tinnitus today Thank you speaker my question is to the minister of consumer services Most of the tarion warranty corporations funding comes from ontarius homeowners But tarion does not answer to consumers It answers to the developers. It is supposed to regulate Tarion spends consumer money on lawyers in order to fight consumers at the license appeal tribunal while protecting builders Tarion has a ceo and Coo and nine vice presidents, but as far as we can tell Zero proper building inspectors The average compensation of tarion is over a hundred thousand dollars per year And tarion even uses consumer enrollment fees To host an annual awards banquet the celebrates builders My question is Tarion another orange and if not will the government make tarion open up its books and prove it So I think the member opposite for the question and I just want to acknowledge and I believe the member opposite knows that Tarion has made substantial changes to its operations and consumer protection in recent years But I do acknowledge speaker. There's always room for improvement And I expect tarion to continue to look for ways to improve customer service It has committed to providing new ways to be Transparent increase the value information they provide. I've met with tarion leadership And speaker it's very important to note that very recently Tarion made changes to its operations. In fact, it changed the board composition Such that it's now equal to industry and consumer reps and that's great I'll continue to work with tarion very closely to make sure That they provide the best possible Customer service to To their clients people who are warrantied Under this program. Thank you. Well done. Thank you, sir. The ministry The only change this government has made in 37 years Seven or eight years ago was to add four appointees by the government. That's the only change you made Nothing else has happened. It's still controlled by developers Tarion is the only delegated authority with the power to create its own regulations Without government approval the only one the province forces home buyers to buy warranty protection from tarion But does nothing to ensure consumers get value for their money The ontario ombudsman cannot investigate tarion and the auditor general cannot investigate tarion When will the minister reform tarion into an agency that protects consumers instead of builders? Thank you My understanding is that when the NDP were in power, they did nothing to reform tarion So so so let's look at what this government has done to reform tarion We formed a new consumer advisory council speaker We created the role of the new home buyer ombudsman person to create an independent review for homeowners And we made changes to the major structural defect warranty in the three to seven year category And speaker the member knows as an independent not-for-profit corporation that does not receive government funding The new home warranty act does not provide the authority to request an audit. However, however speaker if the legislature This legislature determines that the auditor general should be asked to provide a third party audit of some kind I will of course respect the will of the legislature and I will fully welcome recommendations There are no deferred votes this house stands recessed until 1 p.m. This afternoon