 It is now time for oral questions and I recognize the leader of the official opposition. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, my first question is to the Premier. Last night the Canadian government announced they had reached an agreement in a renegotiated NAFTA. Can the Premier share with us details of the briefings that he's received and any concerns that he's raised as Premier of Canada's largest province? Premier. Through you, Mr. Speaker, and to the leader of the opposition. Our full briefing, as I think everyone knows, is going to happen at 11 o'clock today with Deputy Premier and Minister Jim Molson. We'll be able to update you in the future, but I will tell you. We are going to stand by. We're going to stand by the agriculture industry. Our farmers, we're going to protect our farmers. We're going to make sure we protect the aluminum and steel industry, along with the automotive industry. That is the backbone of Ontario and we will continue to fight for our farmers, for our auto workers, for aluminum steel workers. We will make sure that there's going to be a fair deal with the United States of America. We'll make sure that we hold the federal government accountable. As you know, Mr. Speaker, we weren't involved in the trade talks. We're going to have to rely on the federal government to tell us the deal. Once we find out the deal, I'm sure everyone else will know about it, and we'll have further words after that. Thank you, supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Well, the Premier joined me at the International Plowing Match this year promising farm families that he would defend supply management in after talks. And as he knows, supply management has helped farm families secure decent, reliable incomes. And they're concerned today that the system is going to be undermined by this new agreement, Speaker. So one dairy family particularly called it, quote, the slow death of supply management. So perhaps the Premier can tell us exactly what he's planning on saying to the federal government about the challenges facing farm families. Premier. I think this is the only time, through you, Mr. Speaker, we're going to agree on something with the Leader of the Opposition. We're concerned, too. We're very concerned about the farmers. We're concerned about supply management. We're worried about the federal government throwing the farmers underneath the bus. We're concerned, but we're going to stand up for the farmers along with the automotive industry, the aluminum industry, and the steel industry. Let's supplement you. Well, despite last night's agreement to steel and aluminum tariffs are going to remain in place, tariffs, as we know, have already had a devastating effect on working women and men, not just in the steel industry, but across the manufacturing sector. So perhaps the Premier can share with us what exactly he'll be saying to the federal government about ongoing tariffs. Premier. Through you, Mr. Speaker, that's the case because we don't know 100% yet until 11 o'clock. We're calling on the Trudeau Liberals to compensate our farmers. To support our steel and aluminum workers in our auto industry. They need the support of the federal government. We were not at the table, or maybe the deal would have been a little different, but it is what it is, and we are again calling out to the Trudeau government to compensate the agricultural industry, specifically the dairy industry, the farmers, automotive, steel, and aluminum. I'm the leader of the opposition. Well, Speaker, my next question is to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade. There's no doubt that while many are breathing a sigh of relief about reaching a deal, there are many others who will be left behind in this new agreement. So my question is, not dissimilar to what other provinces have done, particularly Quebec, is the Minister bringing forward transition assistance to help the industries and families that will be hit hard by this new agreement? Minister of Economic Development. Well, thank you, Speaker, and thank you for the question. It's a good question. It is the responsibility of the federal government to compensate in international trade deals. And as the Premier just said, we're pushing them and are pushing them and have been pushing them. That's why we went to Washington to make it clear that if they did throw the farmers under the bus, they better pay the billions of dollars required to make our farmers whole again. That is a federal responsibility under the Constitution of Canada. And you're darn right, I say to the leader opposite, we're going to hold the federal government's feet to the fire and make sure they don't let our farmers down. Supplementary. Well, Speaker, many farm families will be hit especially hard by any concessions on supply management. And so my question is, what is this Minister planning to do by way of assistance to farm families? Minister? Thank you for the question again, Mr. Speaker. It shouldn't come to that if the federal government lives up to its trade obligations, Mr. Speaker. It's not the Ontario taxpayer that should be on the foot of the bill for a federal negotiated agreement. That's not the way our country works. That's not the way our Constitution works. That's not the way nine other trade agreements work. So I say with respect to the honourable member across the way we intend to stick to the way this country was put together by our Constitution, which puts the onus on the federal government since they negotiated the deal to compensate. They have put forward $2 billion, Mr. Speaker, and they've said that several months ago. But a lot of that money, as far as I'm aware, none of that money is flowing. So it's nice to put it in the press release. Now they've got to walk the talk and look after our farmers, our auto sector, and our steel and aluminum sectors. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, the U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum are devastating not just to our steel industry, but across the manufacturing sector. A lot of people rely on those sectors for good jobs, Speaker, for well-paying jobs. When the U.S. first imposed tariffs, the government of Quebec stepped up with programs designed to aid small manufacturers in those industries. Ontario still hasn't responded, Speaker. When will the minister be rolling out assistance and in what form will it take? Minister. Well, Mr. Speaker, again, I say to the Honourable Member, it is the responsibility of the federal government. We will hold their feet to the fire, and you're absolutely right. The 25% tariff on steel has hurt many of our industries and has the potential to affect many jobs. But it's also hurt Ford U.S. reported last year that that tariff alone and the aluminum, 10% aluminum tariff has cost Ford and the U.S. a billion dollars. Honda and Allison, who are building a new paint shop, which is a steel frame building with aluminum siding and aluminum venting throughout, it's cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the federal government said they would look after these industries. We're going to make sure they do. They've set $2 billion aside so far, and we're going to make sure they flow that money. That's part of today's phone call. Thank you very much. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is for the Premier, but it's a little bit worrisome that we saw no aid from the province on steel and aluminum, and now we have supply management coming down the pike, and I'm just worried that this government's not going to respond to the farm families that need help. The opioid crisis is killing people on a daily basis, Speaker. Families coping with the addiction of a loved one know that the overdose prevention sites save lives. They were expecting a decision on proceeding with overdose prevention sites last week, a decision that has now been delayed yet again. They want to know what is delaying the decision on the opioid prevention sites. Thank you. Premier. Mr. Health and long-term care. In fact, the decision has not been delayed. What has happened is we have applied to the federal government for the extension. The extension has been granted, and right now I'm finalizing my recommendations to the Premier's office. That will be done within the next short while, and there will be another announcement very soon. Supplementaries. Well, Speaker, everyone knows the Premier is capable of moving quickly on policy matters, and this is one where he actually needs to do that. People are dying every single day that this decision is delayed. Can the Premier explain to the people who are gathered here today and who were outside this morning how long it will take them to make a decision that could save countless lives? Minister. Well, the leader of the Social Opposition is correct. We are losing too many people to the opioid crisis. It's something that we take very seriously over here, and we want to make sure that we do it right. We want to make sure that if these overdose prevention sites are continued, that they serve the purpose. One, saving lives, of course, but secondly, getting people into the rehabilitation and treatment that they need, which includes housing, which includes services. There's a lot to be encompassed in this decision. It's not one thing, it's many things, and we want to make sure that we do it right. That's why I'm continuing to make my recommendations to the Premier. We're finalizing those recommendations, and more further comments will be made in the very next short while. Thank you. Next question, the member for Perry, sound the scope out. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Mr. Speaker, I know our government is committed to building strong relationships with our First Nations partners. We want to help our First Nations partners open up new economic opportunities and help their communities thrive. Our government has already taken steps to help make sure you're building relationships with First Nations communities. However, we know there are many historical challenges that impact these communities. I'm confident that Minister Rickford has the experience and knowledge to handle this important file. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister explain to the legislature what steps this government has taken to address some of these challenges? Minister of Indigenous Affairs. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I want to thank the member from Perry, sound the scope out for his question, his interest in these matters. Late last week, Mr. Speaker, I had an opportunity to visit two communities that are quite proximal to where I live in Kuwait, and two communities known to me in my previous professional capacities as both a nurse and a lawyer, and certainly serving as the member of parliament, those communities on a number of other challenges. And we wanted to make sure that these challenges became opportunities. So I was delighted to join with the two chiefs of those communities, Chief Turtle and Chief Paish, as well as regional chief Roseanne Archibald. We had some great discussions with the community, and I reaffirmed our commitment on behalf of my friend and colleague, the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, that we remain committed to the English and Wabagoon Rivers Remediation Trust, and that it's fulfilled, Mr. Speaker, and the cleanup of the river will go and be finished. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. At the end of the Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Mr. Speaker, a government that is truly for the people must work to acknowledge and address the concerns of Ontario's First Peoples. I'm proud to be part of a government that is working to help keep that promise. I know that Minister Rickford's experience and leadership will help us create strong relationships with our First Nations partners. Our government has already taken action to ensure that local communities have the support they need to access services when they are needed. Can the Minister tell the members of this House any other actions that the government may be taking to help the people of Grassy Narrows and Wabassimong? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed, our journey to Grassy Narrows First Nations included some other activities. One that's very important to a certain number of people in that community and should be important to all of this. Mr. Speaker, our government has taken immediate action to ensure that more than 200 people who receive mercury disability payments from these two communities are properly compensated. For far too long, these benefits have been frozen in time from some 30 years ago today. So I announced as of Friday, Mr. Speaker, that these benefits will be indexed. Not only will they be indexed, but they will be indexed retroactively, Mr. Speaker. It's simply unacceptable that more than 200 of these people who receive these benefits receive such a small amount. The communities were very appreciative of this, and Chief John Pat Pace, I gave him this medallion and he asked me to wear it in this place to signify and express his appreciation, Mr. Speaker, for our government. Next question, start the clock. My question is to the Minister of Labour. The recent census showed that one quarter of working-age Londoners have dropped out of the labour market altogether, more than any other city in Canada. Now, a new documentary from the London Poverty Research Centre reveals that fully half of Londoners who are working are in non-standard, unstable jobs. This includes Francis Henna, a father of four with two university degrees. Francis is doing everything possible to find work in his field but is barely surviving on his minimum wage job. An increase to $15 would have made a huge difference to Francis and his family while he struggles to find work. Why is the Minister turning her back on Francis and the thousands of Ontarians like him? Minister of Labour. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the member's question and we do want to help people like Francis and his family. We made a commitment to keep the minimum wage at $14 an hour because it increased 20% this year. We want businesses to be the job creators so there is more job opportunities. We want good paying jobs in the province of Ontario, creating a climate so that businesses can succeed and create jobs. We were elected, we know we were elected to make life more affordable for people in the province of Ontario so helping businesses create jobs, making life more affordable to the people in Ontario. We're reducing the burden not only on individual people but on businesses so they can succeed Mr. Speaker and create Thank you, supplementary. Again to the Minister, Stuart Clark is 50 years old and was laid off from his IT job about five years ago working contract to contract ever since. The average rent for a one bedroom apartment in London is $980 which means that Stuart is spending more than half his monthly income on housing. Since 2005 London has lost 5,400 good paying full-time jobs while our population has grown by 7%. Food bank usage in our city is up 30% over the past decade. Can the Minister explain how rolling back workplace benefits and protections will help contract workers like Stuart to make ends meet? Minister Well Mr. Speaker, the Opposition Party supported the previous Liberal government that made life more unaffordable that made the use of food banks go up to bring unaffordable and hurting businesses throughout the province of Ontario. We're going to make Ontario open for businesses. We're going to help businesses succeed and we're going to bring in good paying jobs The next question is for Oakville Thank you Mr. Speaker My question is for the Minister of Finance last evening the federal government and the United States reached the last minute trade agreement called the United States Mexico Canada agreement or USMCA comes after months of uncertainty Uncertainty that left many business owners and workers concerned about the future Could the Minister outline what steps this government took to defend the interests of workers and businesses in this province Minister of Finance Thank you very much Speaker and thank you to the member from Oakville From day one our government under the leadership of Premier Doug Ford to support to the federal partners throughout trade negotiations Our number one priority was making sure a deal got done that protected Ontario workers and industries Premier Ford and Minister Wilson traveled to Washington a few short weeks ago to meet face to face with members of the Canadian negotiating team the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Canadian and American ambassadors They reiterated that any deal must protect Ontario workers and industries including steel, aluminum, agricultural and auto Our government knows that in order to create jobs and protect jobs Ontario must be open for business This is dependent on open and fair trade with our largest trading partner Our government will be speaking directly with industry representatives from Ontario steel, aluminum, auto and agricultural sectors to determine the impacts We've been standing up for the people Speaker Supplementary Thank you to the Honourable Member for outlining what steps this government took to get a deal done Many businesses and workers in Ontario depend on free and open trade with the United States It is great to hear the work our government did to protect jobs in Ontario Our government has heard from businesses that it is hard for them to remain competitive in today's business climate Could the Minister please provide the current status of the United States Mexico, Canada trade agreement Minister Thank you Speaker As mentioned before, our government has been standing up for the people since day one and will continue to do so It is more important than ever to open Ontario for business and create and protect good jobs for the people We are pleased to hear an agreement in principle has been reached It has always been our position that a renegotiated trade deal of all parties is critical to hundreds of thousands of jobs in Ontario Our team right now is gone to receive the full text of the deal and will speak directly with industry representatives from Ontario Steel Aluminum Auto and agricultural sectors to determine the impacts of this deal We are calling for assurances from the federal government that any sectors in the province that are negatively affected by federal negotiating decisions will be provided financial assistance and transitional support We need that to protect our economy Mr Speaker Mr Speaker My question is for the acting premier The government is putting the health of Ontarians in jeopardy While we ask for even more time to receive evidence we already have an overdose prevention sites These sites work These sites save lives and this is exactly why we unanimously voted in favor of bringing a safe injection site to St. Catharines while I was on city council Will the minister admit that the evidence is already clear? Overdose prevention sites work and we need want to tackle the growing opioid epidemic in St. Catharines Mr. Finance Thank you Well, as was outlined by the minister of health a few moments ago the extension that has been granted was paused for three sites The Toronto Overdose Prevention Society was holding a visual this morning and there is a the stakeholder the announcement on Friday was that we received an extension of the federal government for the three paused sites The government is committed to get people struggling with addiction the help that they need We are reviewing the latest data evidence and current drug injection sites and our health minister continues to speak and consult with experts health care workers police services, community leaders business owners, state owners and reviewing the reports to ensure that they get the help they need Supplementary Mr. Speaker, I didn't hear St. Catharines in there and I think that's what the question was about Niagara saw 335% increase in opioid overdose between 2016 to 2017 There was 76 overdose deaths in St. Catharines last year Up from 40 deaths the year before were tragic they are also preventable if just one of these lives could have been saved by administering naloxone or testing for fentanyl the overdose prevention sites would have been worth it When will the minister do the right thing and approve the overdose prevention sites in St. Catharines that was already promised Thank you very much Speaker again that I can tell you that we are Speaker let me just tell you a little bit about fentanyl and what we've done in the past we have brought in our patch for patch program that has done more to save more lives with fentanyl than you can imagine in my city of North Bay where we had 15 deaths 15 deaths in the city of North Bay alone before we brought patch for patch in the minister the minister of many things also brought a bill in a private members bill in that was to strengthen education we also brought a bill in to ban the illegal pill presses these are all of the various processes of a bigger program it's incrementally they're all important but collectively they are part of a bigger picture to tackle the opioid crisis that we no need so much work start the clock next question the member for Ottawa Vanier Thank you Mr. President my question is for the environment minister 1993 and is a primary tool for all Ontarians to be consulted on environmental matters it's premised on the right of all Ontarians to have a say on their environment and its future initially the ministry decided not to post bill 4 on the environmental registry for the reason that the government had won the election and that was sufficient consultation obviously this interpretation would gut the environmental bill of rights since any future government could always say any government any development any change without ever posting on the EBR and I'm glad that I understand that after a lawsuit initiated by eco justice the government has finally decided to comply with the EBR can the government, can the minister assure us that this government intends to continue to comply fully with the letter and the spirit of the environmental bill of right and does not intend to water down its requirements Mr. Speaker through you to the member and thank you for the question the member is right on two counts this government was elected with a clear mandate a clear mandate to get rid of the cap and trade program of her government to return affordability to Ontarians to have a more balanced approach to a healthy economy and a healthy environment the member is also right that the environmental bill of rights is an important piece of legislation a piece of legislation that this government and this minister will respect and that we do as we have posted bill 4 will continue to use it and other vehicles to consult with Ontarians when it relates to important environmental matters thank you thank you minister I'm reassured that there is a commitment to the rule of law and environmental matters but I'd like him to continue to explain then why the one billion proceeds from the cap and trade that was obtained in the auction before the election is not being used for the legal purposes for which they were obtained indeed they were in fact in trust for the reduction of emissions so I'm asking the minister why does he need dispose of these auction in the way in which they were collected to help people like in my writing that need to have social housing being refurbished to protect the environment and reduce the emissions minister Mr. Speaker through you to the member let me assure the member and the legislature that the funds that were collected under the previous cap and trade program are being used for the orderly wind down and in some cases the completion of some programs that were contracted with possibly the government after it ceased to collect cap and trade revenues as we promised the people has no longer extended the program or extended the costs and the expenditures associated with that program but the revenues that were collected for that program will be used for that that is specified in the legislation bill 4 that is in front of the legislature and that is how we'll proceed the next question the member for Eglinton Lawrence minister of finance over the past few months our government has taken action to reverse the damage caused by the reckless spending of the previous government it's clear that the Liberals ignored the reality of Ontario's finances giving us higher taxes and higher spending and higher debt in order to protect our core services and our future generations from an ever rising debt load we must act and we must act now the reality Mr. Speaker in agreement is that the Liberals out of control spending cannot continue in fact last week the parliamentary budget officers fiscal sustainability report 2018 painted a dire picture of Ontario's finances can the minister please inform this house as to what the report said and what we are doing to take the parliamentary budget officers conclusions seriously thank you speaker and to the member Eglinton Lawrence I can tell you exactly what the parliamentary budget officer said he warned us that quote fiscal policy is not sustainable over the long term quote for years the Liberal government ignored warnings from experts about Ontario's unsustainable spending the independent financial commission of inquiry the line by line and now the parliamentary budget officers sobering report all point to one conclusion we need to take action that is why we're working to restore accountability and trust in our provinces finances that's why we're putting more money in people's pockets we and that's why we're sending a message to the world that Ontario is open for business the people of Ontario finally have a government working for them and not a moment too soon speaker supplementary speaker I'd like to thank the minister for his response it's truly shocking that instead of talking about Ontario's soaring debt and how it threatens core public services the NDP continue to ignore all the warnings the NDP stood by and watched happily as the Liberals recklessly increased spending in fact even though the parliamentary budget officer just last week said that our fiscal policies were not sustainable as the minister said the NDP was in this house that same day asking that more money be spent just last year the financial accountability officer warned that if nothing is done quote the burden of stabilizing Ontario's public finances would be increasingly shifted from the baby boom generation to younger Ontarians can the minister please inform this house how reckless it is to ignore the warnings about the provinces debt level we must respond minister president of the Treasury Board thank you Mr. Speaker and I'd like to thank the member from Eglinton for the question there's been endless warnings from experts including myself in 2009 about the provincial debt and out of control spending the most recent report from the parliamentary budget officer reaffirms that we have reported to the public through as the minister mentioned our line by line review our public accounts commission of inquiry in all of these we told the public and this legislature that current spending and debt trends are unsustainable the PBO agrees with us the financial accountability officer agrees with us the AG agrees with us this isn't ideology Mr. Speaker it's about simple mathematics we will fight to reduce the debt so that we leave a legacy of financial sustainability and future generation it's too bad that the NDP won't work with us next question the member for Parkdale High Park thank you speaker my question is to the acting premier today on the west lawn a vigil was held by faith and community leaders healthcare professionals harm reduction workers who lost their lives due to the opioid crisis they are looking to the government for answers but this government has established a pattern of ignoring the facts and that has to stop now when confronted with the evidence that there are opioids leaking into the streets from Ontario's pharmacies the minister of health shrugged off her responsibility to prevent these crimes speaker how many more lives have to be lost before this government steps up to the plate and starts fighting for the people of Ontario affected by the opioid crisis the acting premier well speaker first of all we absolutely disagree with any part of that question the premise of that question speaker and the accusations that are made this government is absolutely committed to get people struggling with addictions the help that they need speaker we're reviewing the latest data we're reviewing the latest evidence and we're reviewing the current drug injection sites the supervised injection sites and the overdose injection site models speaker our minister is speaking and consulting with experts as I said speaker in healthcare workers police services dealing with experts in the community leaders business owners stakeholders reviewing the reports to ensure people struggling with addictions speaker can actually get the help they need back to the acting premier we know most pharmacists are law abiding caretakers that work hard to improve the lives of their patients but the unfortunate reality is that a few pharmacies were the source of great harm flooding our streets and contributing to this ongoing public health emergency despite a freedom of information request showing that 17 pharmacists distributed more than 10,000 maximum strength oxycodone pales each last year there is no indication that the province looked into why this happened speaker is the minister of health going to get to work making sure these crimes never happen again or will she continue her pattern of sitting back and letting communities families and individuals struggle to save lives on their own acting premier speaker premier Ford was very clear during the election campaign that we will listen to the experts and committed again over and over to the 3.8 billion dollars in mental health addiction and housing supports over the next 10 years speaker that includes 1.9 billion dollars from the federal government and 1.9 billion dollars from the provincial government we have been consulting with groups right across Ontario I know in my hometown I have been asking them please help us identify the way that this money can be best spent and best put to use I know that our minister health is actively leading this process she has toured multiple sites speaker heard from people who have lived experiences and she has been continuing to meet with health care workers police workers and we will continue to hear from the people thank you thank you next question the member for Carlton thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister of finance last night the federal government and the United States reached a free trade deal now referred to as the United States, Mexico and Canada agreement the USMCA comes after months of uncertainty and tariffs that have placed an enormous strain on Ontario's businesses while the agreement is a step in the right direction I understand that it does not remove the remaining steel and aluminum tariffs could the minister please discuss what is being done to address these tariffs the minister of finance thank you speaker and to the member from Carlton from day one speaker our government under the leadership of Premier Ford has offered our full support to the federal partners throughout the trade negotiations our number one priority was making sure a deal got done that protected Ontario workers and Ontario industries while we are cautiously optimistic that the USMCA agreement will create continued opportunities we remain concerned speaker about the remaining steel and aluminum tariffs these tariffs have cost business thousands take on to Canada for as one example these tariffs have cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars to date we need to create and protect good jobs here in Ontario speaker and our government will at the moment will be speaking directly with industry representatives from Ontario steel aluminum auto and agricultural sectors to determine the impacts of this deal supplementary for you Mr. Speaker thank you to the minister for outlining the steps the government took to get a deal done many businesses and workers in Ontario depend on free and open trade with the US it is great to hear the work our government did to protect Ontario's jobs our government has heard from businesses that it is hard for them to remain competitive in today's business climate could the minister please inform the legislature of the next steps regarding the implementation of the USMCA minister thanks speaker and to the member our government has been standing up for the people since day one and we will continue to do so it is more important than ever to open Ontario for business and create and protect the good jobs for the people once again we are cautiously optimistic that the USMCA agreement will create continued opportunities and we remain concerned speaker about the remaining steel and aluminum tariffs both Ontario and our partners to the south succeed when we can create trade easily speaker Ontario does $389 billion worth of trade with the US so while we wait to receive the full text of the deal we are calling for assurances from the federal government that any sectors in the province that are negatively affected by federal negotiating decisions will be provided with financial assistance and transitional support our government will continue to vigorously defend and advance our interests next question the member for waterloo my question to the minister of finance during the election the premier said and I quote he would leave no stone unturned for selling off Ontario's public assets following the election the premier commissioned a quickie report from a private consultant that recommended monetizing public assets that's the same code for privatization that the previous liberal government used just before they sold off hydro one instead of speaking in liberal code will the minister just come clean with Ontarians and just tell them whether he is considering the sale of public assets like OPG OLG or the LCBO Minister President of Treasury Board President of the Treasury Board thank you Mr. Speaker and through you to the member thank you for that question Mr. Speaker our government is working day and night to restore trust and accountability to Ontario's finances while the NDP believes that the government can rack up unlimited amounts of debt without consequences the reality is it cannot in fact the report in the 48 pages does not refer to the OLG or to the OPG or the LCBO so OMG Mr. Speaker we know the Liberals Mr. Speaker we know the Liberals left us a mess and unlike the NDP we are working to fix it for the people we have fixed the public accounts we have fixed it with the auditor general with the first clean opinion in three years our government's priority is to ensure financial stability for future generations in this province stop the clock restart the clock supplementary so the Conservatives were all for hydro privatization for over a decade in fact they started this entire fiasco then the Liberals did what the Conservatives had wanted to do and when the public pushed back the Conservatives pretended that they were opposed to privatization all along but as recently as four years ago under one of their many previous leaders the Conservatives were touting a white paper a white paper that proposed to quote monetize Ontario power generation in hydro one and the paper was crystal clear that this meant sell-offs and privatization of Ontario's public services the white paper was signed by then energy critic who is now the finance minister I think it's incumbent on this minister to be very clear with the people of this province is OPG and the sell-off of OLG and LCBO on the table tell the people of this province our government has been working hard for the people of Ontario and has been restoring trust and accountability to government EY had a mandate to consider all options and present those to government they did an excellent job and left no stone unturned while the opposition has been breathlessly for solutions the line by line audit presented some solutions to government just because an option was presented to the government doesn't mean it will happen what I can say Mr. Speaker is this we are not pro privatization we are pro the people every choice we make will be to modernize and transform government for the people so that they can continue to receive high quality public service now and into the future we will be able to continue to do so we will be able to continue to do so Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister of environment conservation and parks five years ago the auditor general released a report concluding that the drive clean program outlived its usefulness almost 15 years ago the minister who founded the drive clean program called it to be phased out to subsidize a redundant program that ultimately results in longer lines more paperwork when renewing their license plate or purchasing a new vehicle and costly unnecessary car repairs to the minister what other benefits can Ontarians expect from this announcement Mr. Speaker through you to the member from Etobicoke center and thank you for the question she's quite white last Friday premier Ford announced the cancellation of drive clean this was a program that was costing 2 million Ontarians time 2 million Ontarians who had to do unnecessary tests and paperwork and over 40 million dollars of taxpayers dollars now this is something that the PC caucus in opposition was very clear in its opposition to at least five years ago it took that long Mr. Speaker it took this government to act on drive clean a program that was effective at reducing emissions in the 90s but that lost that effectiveness when standards for cars cleaner gasoline and older cars came off the road as the auditor general stated and as the founder of drive clean talked about it was time for the program to be phased out and it has been Mr. Speaker this government will always be looking at programs looking to balance a healthy economy and a healthy environment and where the programs are not supporting and we do work supplementary thank you to the minister I know my constituents in Etobicoke center and all over the province will be more than happy with this development the Toronto star has polled over 20,000 readers 66% of participants believe that drive clean is an outdated program and cars are built differently now cancelling this outdated inefficient program is going to save 40 million per year I know my constituents approve of getting rid of waste I know it is important to my constituents that Ontario continue to be a leader to care for our environment and do so in an effective manner can the minister tell us what the future of drive clean looks like and how our government plans to continue to reduce emissions and protect the environment Mr. Speaker as Toronto star readers and Ontarians said very clearly the time for drive clean was over but that does not mean the end to important on-road testing so in the place of this program that as I noted has been in effect for a long time we will be first of all winding down the program in an orderly way over the next six months and then a program that will be focusing on the big emitters today heavy trucks the people who are using diesel fuel in those heavy vehicles the emitters that the University of Toronto engineering school and other experts say should be the focus today and I can share with the house that I spoke to the head of the Ontario Trucking Association today who agrees good trucking industry participants don't want to pollute but there are some that do so that program will come into place once again we will be taking programs that are ineffective taking them out of play putting programs that are effective into play protecting the environment for London North Centre thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Attorney General lesbian and gay Canadians are twice as likely to experience violence when compared to heterosexual Canadians that number jumps to four times for bisexual Canadians and is even higher for trans and two spirited community members that's why the LGBT community eagerly welcomed Canada's first LGBTQ community legal clinic set to open this fall but under this new government funding for the e-gale clinic is no longer there will the Attorney General let our community know if the clinic is going to be more collateral damage as a result of this government's cuts the Attorney General Mr. Speaker I thank the member opposite for the question Ontarians deserve to live free from threat of violence and abuse our government for the people is committed to continuing to invest in programs that provide the supports to survivors and to those at risk of violence such as emergency shelters counseling, sexual assault centres and court based victims and witness assistance the government is currently looking at all programs and funding commitments as you know and more information on this will be available at a later date thank you supplementary thank you Mr. Speaker back to the Attorney General last week the Toronto Star asked the Attorney General's office if this clinic will receive the funding that was promised the response from the office failed to confirm if this clinic is still on the agenda and today's answer is no better they say they're going to look at the evidence and then we wait and we are delayed after the third year of rising of hate crimes against the trans community we have a premier who has refused to march in the Pride Parade who has removed critical sex at curriculum and now this government is taking away my community's legal supports what will it take for this government to stand up for the LGBTQ community right up well Mr. Speaker I reject the premise of the question the previous Liberal government left with a $15 billion deficit and over $340 billion of debt the people of this province have services and programs and support they expect and they deserve and it is the mandate of our government as we have been saying very clearly for the past few weeks in this house that we are reviewing every program because we know we are reviewing the programs and we will report back in due time thank you Mr. Speaker I would like to thank Mr. Speaker for a very spring water thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Energy Northern Development and Mines Mr. Speaker Northern Ontario has a lot to offer the provincial economy and I know our government is going to make sure we unlock more of its potential I also know that Mr. Rickford is extremely qualified to lead this important file he's already shown how strong his commitment to Northern Ontario and Indigenous communities and I would like to thank him for all the important work he's done already Mr. Speaker I know our government has been taking steps to open Ontario for business so I would like to ask Mr. Rickford if he can explain some of the initiatives our government has undertaken to deliver on our promises to the people to show Ontario is open for business by Northern residents and Indigenous communities Thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member from very spring water and his interest in this opportunity it's true Mr. Speaker whether it's first peoples for the people this government is committed to ensuring economic opportunities span this great province we know what Northern Ontario can contribute and in particular we know what the contribution our Indigenous communities can make that's why I visited Ochichegua Babigo Inning otherwise known as Dolls First Nation regional chief Roseanne Archibald join me and we celebrated a one million dollar investment from the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund in addition to half a million dollars from Indigenous Affairs Ontario to invest in a business centre of excellence in this dynamic Mr. Speaker they already have a great footprint more involved in integrated resource management but now they have a business development centre with anchor tenants paying rent a training area a conference centre Mr. Speaker as well as space dedicated to the development officers who work for treaty agreements Chief Lorraine Copanus said it best Mr. Speaker Dolls First Nation is open for business restart the clock supplementary thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you Mr. Minister for answering the question and your response Mr. Speaker I know that our government is keeping promises to the people of Ontario and I am proud that we and you have already delivered so much I know that through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation our government is making even more important investments I am happy to hear that this weekend's announcement will have such a positive impact on creating opportunities for Indigenous communities in this province Mr. Speaker I know that additional investments through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation are ensuring Ontario is open for business can the minister please tell the members of this house about another way our government is helping the people of Northern Ontario Minister Thank you Mr. Speaker again another busy latter part of the week in Canora Rainey River I travel a lot I know many of my colleagues do but I had a unique opportunity on Saturday Mr. Speaker I sat on the other side of the gate at this brand new airport in Canora and I said Canora passengers destination for the world flight number one is about to take off now Mr. Speaker that's because we have a brand new airport there full credit to the federal government for their contributions but it was a difficult road there that was a two room house formally as an airport needed several upgrades over the course of time Mr. Speaker we were investing in perimeter fences to prevent deer and moose from coming on the site state-of-the-art runway Mr. Speaker and various other equipment to keep that place safe yesterday I was pleased to celebrate a half a million dollars by NOHFC and some money to invest in making sure that that airport has a strategic response and that Canora Mr. Speaker will be open for business and that's that very thank you Speaker questions for the finance minister Speaker when the premier was a Toronto councillor he said in a quoting here we're going to be outsourcing everything that is not nailed down one of his first acts as premier was to commission a quick report from a private consultant that recommended privatization outsourcing thanks to privatization Ontario's already locked into a 22 year contract with private company that's embroiled in a massive money laundering scandal in British Columbia is the minister considering take us even further down this risky and costly road by privatizing Ontario lottery and gaming corporation President of the Treasury Board President of the Treasury Board Mr. Speaker again through you to the member opposite and thank you for that question Mr. Speaker the E&Y report was commissioned so that we could do a deep dive into the previous government liberal government spending they went through 500 thousand lines of data which is a very deep review and in that review we saw that they completed on time and below budget Mr. Speaker there are lots of great ideas within that report I'd encourage again that the members opposite read that report because within that report it very clearly says that we should leave no stone unturned that we will look at all elements of how to save the public money there's been duplication and waste for a number of years and we are very encouraged that we have a blueprint and a path forward here here Complementary Thank you Speaker In 2014 the Conservatives were touting a white paper and it said that in addition to selling off Hydro 1 and OPG the government should and I'm quoting here move to wind down the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation privatize its lotteries with casino assets and slots operations that's the full quote Do the Conservatives still believe that Ontario Lottery should be privatized or can the minister assure us that this is a bad idea is completely off the table Minister Thank you again Mr. Speaker and through you to the member as was noted last week there is no mention of any privatization of any Crown Corporation within the report What I would say is this with regard to any privatization what it did say is that if there is a good business case and Mr. Speaker in my experience if you get one-time savings but forgo lots of future revenues and prices go up just like Hydro 1 maybe that's not such a good business case that we should be looking at Mr. Speaker The number one thing that we have to do is we have to take care of the people we have to make sure that our fiscal houses in order the Parliamentary Budget Officer last week said that Ontario's fiscal situation is not sustainable how are we going to protect services, hospitals, education infrastructure, transit if we don't make sure that we have sustainable funding Mr. Speaker we are not pro privatization we are pro the people Thank you. Next question to the member for Stormont Dundas Thank you Mr. Speaker My question to the Minister of Environment conservation and parks on August 23 a letter to the editor was sent to Ottawa Sun advocating for the end of the pointless drive clean program in 2015 drive clean cost Ontario taxpayers $89 million but did anyone bother to check if the program was actually working certainly not the previous Liberal Government the Premier and Minister of Environment announced last Friday their plan to scrap the drive clean program and save taxpayer money can the Minister explain to the House why this Government decided to cancel the drive clean program Minister of the Environment Conservation and Parks Mr. Speaker as I mentioned our caucus has been calling for the elimination of the drive clean program for over six years Norm Sterling the former PC Minister of the Environment and the founder of the drive clean program in 1999 has also for almost 10 years been calling for the elimination of this program In fact Mr. Speaker the previous Minister of the Environment the Liberal Minister of the Environment lauded our decision on Friday he said in a tweet drive clean had little impact so even the previous Liberal Environment Minister was calling for the elimination of this program it was only under the leadership of our Premier however that this program was finally eliminated saving Ontario taxpayers $1 billion saving 2 million Ontarians from the added hassle for a program that didn't work we cancelled drive clean because it wasn't working we will always balance a healthy environment and a healthy economy and eliminate programs that do not support either Thank you Thank you to the Minister for his answer and standing up for the Ontario taxpayer it is clear that this Government respects taxpayers by eliminating an ineffective and obsolete program during the election our plan for the people promised to put more money back in people's pockets and we are doing just that however my constituents also care deeply about the well-being of our environment for future generations can the Minister of the Environment explain how we will ensure that the biggest polluters on our roads will continue to be penalized for polluting the environment Minister Mr. Speaker He's from south gas I know he's an effective advocate on this issue this is the focus of our Government it will be on the land on our area we will balance the environment with a healthy economy we will be focusing on those polluting the most as the University diesel trucks that are currently contributing the most to the harmful emissions, nitrous oxide and others that are really affecting our environment. So while our government is getting rid of the inefficient, ineffective and outdated drive-clean program that the previous government sustained for so long, our government will be focusing on those significant polluters, making sure that they get value for money. We protect the environment while supporting the economy. Thank you. It concludes our time for Question Period this morning, and I want to compliment all the members. I could actually hear every question that was put, and every response, first time since the 12th of July. Thank you very, very much. Point of order, the member for Peterborough Court. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I regret to inform the Chamber that Peter Adams, who served in the 34th Legislature passed away on Friday, the BM Memorial Service held in Peterborough on October 13th at 2 p.m. at St. John's Anglican Church. I'd like to have the thoughts and prayers of all of the members thinking of Peter's wife, Jill. Thank you. Point of order, the member for Scarborough Gildwood. Thank you, Speaker, for the opportunity. I've been getting notes on the color of my jacket today, Speaker, and I just wanted to say that I'm wearing orange today because yesterday was Orange Shirt Day, and it's an opportunity for us to reflect on the effects of residential schools and the reconciliation effort that is still ahead. Thank you. Do you have a point of order? Point of order, the member for Richmond Hill. Mr. Speaker, today is the national day for the celebrating the 69th anniversary for the founding of the People Republic of China. There will be a flag-racing ceremony at the South Lawn. I'd like to invite all the members to join us at noon time at a South Lawn. Thank you. We have a deferred vote on the amendment to Government Notice of Motion No. 8 regarding allocation of time on the appointment of a select committee on fiscal transparency. Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell. There are these friendly cross-party discussions, but we do have to vote. Members, please take your seats. On September 27th, 2018, Mr. Vantoff moved the Government Notice of Motion No. 8 to be amended as follows. In the first paragraph, the words, there shall be one hour of additional debate with 30 minutes of portion to the government, 20 minutes to the official opposition, 7 minutes to the independent Liberal Party members, and 3 minutes to the independent Green Party member. At the end of this time, shall be inserted following the No. 6, and in the second paragraph, delete the words, 9C or. All those in favor of Mr. Vantoff's motion, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Vantoff. Mr. Vantoff. Madam Gelliner. Madam Gelliner. Mr. Tabbins. Mr. Tabbins. Ms. Singh Brampton Center. Ms. Singh Brampton Center. Ms. Shibi Song. Ms. Shibi Song. Ms. Horvath. Ms. Horvath. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Sallier. Ms. Iguano. Ms. Tevin. Ms. Tevin. Mr. Tevin. Ms. Iguano. Ms. Iguano. Ms. Tevin. Ms. I tbspiside. Ms. Iguano. Ms. Iguano. Ms. Iguano. Ms. I70018. Ms. Iñil윝 Canter. Ms. I comments down below. Thank you. I give a피ان Iguano viene. All those opposed, the motion will please rise and be counted by the clerk. All those opposed, the motion will please rise and be counted. All those opposed, the motion will please rise and be counted. The ayes are 38, the nays are 67. The ayes being 38 and the nays being 67, I declare the motion lost. Are the members now ready to vote on the main motion? I heard some no's. This matter will be placed on the orders and notices paper for further debate. This house stands in recess until 1pm this afternoon.