 And now the other side of the story. It's now time for question period The leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition Mr. Speaker my question is for the Premier this week the Liberals will table their ninth straight budget with a multi-billion-dollar Deficit the Premier and the Finance Minister may want to applaud that Because they have a history of blaming everyone except for themselves. They've blamed the federal government They blamed a recession that was eight years ago. Well the Fraser Institute did a recent did a recent study that shows That that that history of blaming others is not supported by evidence and that blaming the federal government However, I'll still keep doing my job Please finish. Mr. Speaker the Fraser Institute study says that Blaming the federal government or blaming a recession eight years ago is not supported in fact given that recent study Mr. Speaker when the Liberals table their budget question with another multi-billion-dollar deficit and a debt of over $300 billion what I want to know is who you're going to blame next Thank you very much mr. Speaker well Let me just be clear with the leader of the opposition and the people of Ontario that we are implementing our plan and At the same time we are eliminating the deficit mr. Speaker. We're doing that in a way that's fair We're doing it in a way that supports economic growth and the creation of jobs You know mr. Speaker we are on track to eliminate our deficit by 2017 18 Which is the track that we said we were on mr. Speaker we have stayed on it We have overachieved in terms of deficit reduction every year and at the same time at the same time We have made investments in people in their talent and there's goes both ways inches away from going into individuals and warnings Investments in people in their talent and their skills and the infrastructure that we know is needed around the province mr. Speaker and at the same time We are eliminating the deficit. We're on top to do that by 2017 I guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow to find out who they blame next let's talk about the facts And my question is for the Premier every person in Ontario has a share of this government's debt They owe $21,000 because of the Liberals mismanagement as this government debt grew and grew it did The GDP ratio the debt to GDP ratio has gone from 27.5 when the government took office to 40 percent today that is astonishing The interest payments on Ontario's debt has become the third largest ministry in this government the government 22 times more on interest than what it spends on the Ministry of the environment Mr. Speaker my question for the Premier is this will you apologize to the next generation of Ontario families? Where are you gonna have to pay for your decade of wasting? Premier I'm happy to look at the fact so We have taken steps to manage and control our spending growth Mr. Speaker we're delivering at the same time the best possible value for every dollar Ontario has consistently had the lowest per capita program spending among all Canadian provinces mr. Speaker and in fact 2014-15 marked the sixth year in a row that we reported both lower than projected program program expense and a lower deficit Mr. Speaker doing this in a responsible way mr. Speaker we said that 2017-18 was the year that we would eliminate the deficit that is the year that we will eliminate the deficit But I would remind the member opposite mr. Speaker that as soon as he finishes his lead-off questions His members are going to be standing up asking for more spending Mr. Speaker insults don't hide the truth and I'll be very clear During your time in office the debt to GDP ratio has gone from 27.5 to 40 that is your legacy that is your debt for Ontario now if it wasn't for liberal scan Hydro one they wouldn't have to Everything from beer to jet fuel they wouldn't have to charge tolls for highways that Ontario families have already paid for the financial Accountability officer an office that you created says your numbers are wrong They said the Ontario's on pace for a three point five billion dollar deficit in 2017 and 18 all the facts are against what your government is preaching mr. Speaker as our final budget Ask will the government include in their budget tomorrow a credible plan not a stretch goal for a bounce question And take immediate action to pay down the three hundred billion dollar Thank you We are all to eliminate the deficit by 2017 18th if you look at the Look at the conference board of Canada mr. Speaker Ontario will be one of the growth leaders in 2016 Ontario's economy expected to be among the top performers this year the Royal Bay RBC Among the faster-growing provincial economies in 2016 mr. Speaker we have a plan we're implementing that plan We are on track to eliminate the deficit Opposition mr. Speaker wants us to increase health care beyond what we are already increasing it mr. Speaker He wants electricity prices to go down either by a subsidy or The member from Prince Edward Hastings will come to order and the member from storm out Dundas and Glengary will come to order He wants to either subsidize electricity prices or go back to coal we're not doing that mr. Speaker and he wants the budget There are inconsistencies in those arguments arguments mr. Speaker that are not compatible with responsible governments We have a plan. We're implementing that plan. We're on track to eliminate the answer No question the member from nipissing thank you. Good morning, Speaker. My question is for the Later today, we will debate our opposition day motion related to tomorrow's budget We've presented three Basic requests. We believe the government of Ontario should meet quite frankly speaker at a bare minimum One of those key asks is the government put forward a credible plan to balance the budget and pay down our debt the auditor general the financial accountability officer and even the CBC said there are Consequences to perpetual deficits and the 300 billion dollar debt this government has amassed We pay nearly one billion dollars a month in Interest shame which is crowding out the key services speaker. We see it every day in our health care cuts Speaker the premier At our other asks will she at least support this one. Thank you Plan mr. Speaker the member obviously will see in the budget tomorrow that we are on track And he knows mr. Speaker that year after year we have overperformed on our deficit reduction The member from Bruce Grillo and sound come to order I have now decided to move to warnings I want to make sure that those that are talking over top of me here and again. I'm moving to warnings Carry on mr. Speaker the the member opposite knows full well that for six years in a row We have been eliminating the deficit. We are on target to eliminate it completely by 2017 18 But mr. Speaker, I will return to the fact that the three the three requests that the lead that the opposition party is putting forward Are inconsistent mr. Speaker answer you cannot increase health care, mr. Speaker beyond what we are already doing and Lower electricity prices either through a subsidy or going back to pole and thank you. I'm speed up the elimination Thank you supplementary Back to the cream here speaker. Nobody believes a word this government says anymore and is it any wonder why? They claim to have a path to balance But the confidential gas blast gas plant scandal documents we uncovered showed they have a Multi-billion dollar hole in that plan in fact the financial accountability officer Confirmed what was in those documents in his last report and the fall economic? Statement showed Plain as day that they're using the money from the sale of hydro one to make the deficit appear smaller My question is to the premier will your budget be simply more word games and sleight of hand Or will you present a truly credible plan to balance the books? Financial accountability officer recognize in his scenarios that our government's return to balance is achievable He also acknowledges that the government is on track when he made this statement to reach our 2015 16 deficit target of 8.5 billion mr. Speaker He also acknowledges that we're taking a responsible approach to holding spending growth in order to meet our targets So mr. Speaker we are happy to have the scrutiny of the financial accountability officer We're happy to have the scrutiny of the opposition party mr. Speaker But I would say to the opposition party to the people of Ontario We have to have a consistency in the debate We have to have the opportunity to say well You know if you're asking us to do more in terms of health care and increase spending beyond because we we continue to increase Health care spending, but you're pushing for increased spending in health care mr. Speaker if you want Prices to go down through a subsidy or returning to coal We're not going to do that and we have a plan to eliminate the deficit So on all fronts we have responses to what the opposition is asking Back to the premier I had hoped the premier would treat the concerns of family seriously speaker, but apparently that's not to be They're not even concerned speaker with the appearance of consulting with families anymore They knew full well the budget when that the budget was written when our all three parties Toured the province on pre-budget consultations speaker. They knew that when we when they sent us out to work Last week the finance minister called our budget a fiscal fantasy. So apparently now speaker It's a fantasy to ask for affordable hydro speaker apparently adequate staffing in our hospitals is now a fantasy How arrogant speaker how out of touch have this has this government become so my question is will the premier? Stop her double-speak and begin to help on tear The member will withdraw. I withdraw speak Finish your question Thank You speaker Mr. Speaker, you know we are very very concerned with the needs of the people in this province Which is why if we want to talk about the electricity sector mr. Speaker we have put programs in place Specifically to help people are struggling to pay their bills mr. Speaker to get some support the Ontario Electricity support program mr. Speaker is for low-income families and program that is why it has been put in place mr. Speaker We understand that we need to continue to invest in health care and increase funding We have been doing that year over year and we will continue to do that mr. Speaker But mr. Speaker at the same time we recognize that eliminating the deficit is a part of our fiscal responsibility That's why we have a plan to do that mr. Speaker and the the members opposite opposite We'll see in the budget that we have taken responsible steps on all of those fronts mr. Speaker I look forward given that I look forward to the support of our budget mr. Speaker Thank you very much mr. Speaker my question is for the premier in the last two budgets of the premier has made deep cuts to Education will the education cuts continue in Thursday's budget or will the premier Respect the needs of Ontario students and stop the cuts to education You know I just have to say the leader of the third party that what she has said is just not accurate mr. Speaker in fact In fact the funding for education has stayed stable mr. Speaker even in the face of Fewer students in the system which means mr. Speaker that the per capita Expenditure on students has gone up mr. Speaker. There is more money per capita for students in the education system Now then previously so mr. Speaker the reality is we understand that having schools that are well staffed Having school buildings that are in good shape therefore having capital dollars for school boards to spend on those mr. Speaker is Critical which is why education funding continues to be stable answer over year The premier defines as stable on Monday the premier said we're not cutting education funding But in the 2014 budget speaker the liberal government slashed 400 million dollars out of education in the 2015 budget speaker they slashed 250 million dollars from education and the premier's own Documents speaker say that she is now planning to cut another 250 million dollars in this year's budget now That's nearly a billion dollars cut in just three-year speaker And it means closing more schools and cutting vital supports to students will this Premier come clean and tell the people of this province and tell the students of this province if she in fact We'll be cutting another 250 million or more on Thursday's budget Minister of Education Yes, thank you very much speaker, and I'm pleased to answer this question Once again, this is actually becoming fairly regular to make it perfectly clear. We have not cut the education budget It is 22.5 billion dollars transferred to school boards this year It was 22.5 billion transferred to school boards the year before and as the premier has already Noted because the number of students has actually declined fairly dramatically In fact, we have more money per pupil You would be interested to know speaker that in fact over the length of our mandate that the per pupil funding has actually gone up 59% Speaker the premier and her minister seemed to think that everything is just fine in education But tell that to the people who have seen their neighborhood schools closed like the delegation that's here today from Harrow Vulnerable students in our province speaker who are seeing supports like special education Slashed or students who are freezing cold speaker and have to wear their jackets in their classrooms Well, they're learning just because the heaters are broken and there's no money to fix them The premier may be in denial about what her cuts mean I'm to order please We're maybe in denial and her minister may be in denial about what their cuts mean But students and their families and educators see first hand first hand. What's happening speaker? Minister of Agriculture Rural Affairs and food is warned Please finish what speaker the money lost from selling off hydro one could leave to even deeper cuts In education will Thursday's budget stop the cuts to education That is the question that this government needs to answer Please to report speaker that when you look at the record over the past several years You will find that in fact the high school Graduation rate in Ontario has gone up when we came into office the high school Graduation rate in Ontario was 68 percent the high school graduation rate in Ontario speaker is now We have already invested over 13.9 billion dollars in 755 new schools and 700 major Conditions and retrofit and in fact we continue to Will continue to invest Billion to new schools major renovation and school consolidations Thank you very much mr. Speaker my next question is also for the premier this premier might think her health Transformation looks good on paper, but for everyday people people speaker. It is ugly nurses are being fired Homecare wait times are months long even though the premier committed to the NDP plan for a five-day home care wait time I guess that was another one of the premier's stretch goals speaker Hospitals are closing beds Surgeries are being cancelled will this premier admit that patients are paying the price for her cutbacks in health care and Stop the cuts Well again, mr. Speaker as in the discussion around education The the leader of the third party is just not Accurate the fact is that the information is not accurate The fact is that we continue to increase health care spending mr. Speaker We are very acutely aware of the need for more supports and things like community care Mr. Speaker in mental health supports and there is money going into those into those sectors mr. Speaker and Again year over year health care spending increases So mr. Speaker we recognize as the demographics change in this province and again This is also related to education because the demographic shift is very real The population is aging people want a different kind of health care in a different Different delivery mr. Speaker they want it in their homes They want it in the community and those are the changes that are happening Change is is challenging for people mr. Speaker, but it's real and we continue to increase funding in order to make that change Aware or she has her head in the sand the fundamentals of health care are pretty basic It's making sure that the care is there for people when and where they need it But instead of strengthening care people are seeing cuts to the care that they need Hospital care is facing cuts people are facing Massive home care wait lists and finding a long-term care space for seniors can take years in this province Speaker is Thursday's budget going to reverse the cuts and Put the focus on improving health care speaker or is this premier going to continue cutting and insisting that everything is just fine The minister of health and long-term care is going to want to is going to want to comment on in the next supplementary But mr. Speaker, let me just be very very clear It is our responsibility as government to make sure that we continue to improve the services to the people in this province That we continue to work to get the outcomes on Surgery wait times mr. Speaker on community care access mr. Speaker to make sure that Young people who need mental health supports and seniors who need supports get those supports mr. Speaker So when the leader of the third party Proposes that somehow I am satisfied with the status quo. She is absolutely wrong mr. Speaker Everything about our government is about finding ways to improve services to the people of the province to build up those services mr. Speaker to make sure that Hospitals and science centers and community services mr. Speaker are improved. That's why Start the clock Final supplementary speaker the premier might be aware of what her responsibility is but what she isn't aware of is that she is Failing in that responsibility Ontario ask for something really basic like making sure our health care system Provides the care that they need speaker But what they get is a liberal government that keeps closing beds putting hospitals into gridlock Firing nurses and keeping people waiting for home care and for long-term care The premier's job is to work for all Ontarian speaker But there are more and more people who cannot get the health care that they need in this province That is the fact will this premier acknowledge that health care is supposed to be about meeting people's needs And stop any further cuts to health care Well mr. Speaker there aren't any cuts to health care we're continuing to increase year after year the budget we've I Kip minister Well, mr. Speaker, it's a good thing that I didn't remind the third party that they fired 3,000 nurses when they were party or that they delisted home care from O'Hare when they were in Government mr. Speaker, but let's just take one piece of Evidence to demonstrate the improvements that have been made mr. Speaker the almost two billion dollars that we've invested specifically To help reduce wait times for surgeries and diagnostic imaging we've as a result of that investment We have saved Ontarians 282 million total days answer they otherwise would have had to wait for these services We went from the worst wait times in all of Canada when we inherited government from the Conservatives We now have the shortest wait times I Tomorrow this government will table its ninth consecutive Deficit over cheavers the lot of them boring more money than they take in and paying almost a billion dollars in interest payments That should instead be intended for hospitals and classrooms The Treasury Board president's mandate letter is very clear speaker. It says quote You will work closely with your fellow cabinet ministers to ensure that our government meets its fiscal targets Yet she is not both the auditor general and the financial accountability Officer said this government has no credible plan to balance the budget In fact all we saw today was a plan to increase taxes and that's not sustainable in the people of this province Can the minister explain to the people of this house why she refuses to follow her mandate letter? And why she is willing to compromise the fiscal health of this problem Thank you, Speaker, and I know we're all very Anxious to see tomorrow's budget, and I'm sure everybody will be here and and we'll listen to the news And we will confirm that we are in fact on track to meet our commitment to balance the budget by 2017 18 We are doing it in a way that is thoughtful that is disciplined that is responsible We are going through every service every program in every ministry across government and finding ways to deliver Services better for people at sometimes at a lower cost that work is underway We are on track to balance and we will all look forward to tomorrow where you will actually see Further details on our plan to achieve balance while protecting the services that people rely on The only thing they're on track to do is change our license plate to Ontario yours to recover back to the president of the Treasury Board She has one job to find savings right across the park Please finish She's one job to put the province back to balance That's not going to happen according to the auditor general and the financial accountability Office as well as their own internal documents as my colleagues stated earlier that we recovered during the gas plant scandal The only accomplishment in fact that she had last year was across the board salary increase in the public sector I need to remind the minister that every single dollar that we spend Servicing the debt in the deficit is a dollar taken away from a child in a classroom or a patient in a hospital bed without a credible Plan to return to surplus or balance Financing Ontario's public services will be compromised Ask her again will the president of the Treasury Board commit to this house for our long-term Realistic credible plan not a stretch goal not an aspirational role a real credible plan In the first question we are on track to Balance our budget by 2017 18 and tomorrow will reveal more details about that But I have to say speaker that this is actually a refreshing day in question period because for the first time the member from Nipissing has a question the member from Ottawa, Nipian Nipian Carlton has a question About fiscal responsibility Until today all we've been hearing and spend more spend more spend more pay doctors more spend more on this Today we did get it And we are reminded that there is still this notion within this conservative party that fiscal responsibility We are delivering on the promise to get to balance We are doing it in a thoughtful Responsible way that protects the services and enhances the service that people Thank you Thank you speaker speaker my question to the minister of the environment and climate change We all know that everyone is going to have to do their part to take on climate change We also know that some are in a stronger position to help than others in British Columbia low-income families Receive assistance from the government dealing with their carbon tax and Alberta the government's proposing to help low-income families With support that will leave them overall better off even with Alberta's new carbon tax Will the government support a new consumer rebate to ensure that cap and trade does not increase inequality in Ontario? Thank you very much mr. Speaker We are very concerned about two things that are tied into our plan One is that we achieve the maximum level of job creation the low carbon economy because the world is going to be different and the Economy is going to be different and we and our partnership with come back in California We'll be leading the North American economy and are in job creation already Before we've made the massive investments in building retrofits and making modest income family homes less expensive to live in Making transportation less expensive by our investments in public transit and electric vehicles and that infrastructure We've already have 325 million dollars out there including subsidies for social housing and Working families we have already even before our system is up and operating Investing at a level that almost no other jurisdiction is mr. Speaker. So so so we've answered We've already really on the pathway to what the members of objectives are mr. Speaker. Thank you Supplementary Well speaker Now the Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives and the Sierra Club recently noted that struggling families spend a higher percentage of their household income on home heating and on gasoline than those from wealthier households These struggling families have less control over their emissions Particularly if their tenants or if they lack access to transit. I believe that the vast majority of Ontarians Regardless of income are ready to do their part to take on climate change, but the burden has to be shared fairly What support will this government give to struggling families to ensure that cap and trade does not increase inequality in Ontario? Mr. Speaker the short answer to that question is really an Unprecedented investment in two things that cost families money Transportation and managing the cost of their homes. We will be massively investing in that but mr. Speaker We know this will not have any upward pressure on Electricity prices a matter of fact we expect a modest reduction in the cost of electricity for families in that area We also know working with energy and and my colleagues in this person housing We have already debt have demonstration projects out there that are going to help communities get Get homeowners into technology that costs almost nothing We have a great nuclear base load overnight that we can actually use to charge electric vehicles, mr. Speaker This transformation though, mr. Speaker is about something else that working families need more and better jobs When we retrofit every building in Ontario over the next two three decades mr. Speaker that will be an Unprecedented job creation initiative for middle and low-income families Unprecedented because it's easy to afford it when you got a good income mr. Speaker Thank You mr. Speaker my questions for the minister of transportation Transit is an incredibly important part of life in my community of Davenport My constituents want to know that they have access to transit that is both reliable and affordable and while many living in Davenport have expressed how impressed they are with the reliability of the union Pearson Express I have been hearing from residents since prior to my election that the UPX should be more accessible for their families I have long advocated for greater accessibility to the service on behalf of my community That is why I was pleased to join the minister of transportation the MPPs for Trinity Spadina in York, South Weston As well as representatives from Metrolinx for an announcement on this topic yesterday mr. Speaker Can the minister please provide members of this house with more details on what our government is doing to make the union pierced More affordable for my constituents of Davenport and for all Ontarians Thanks very much speaker I want to begin by thanking the member from Davenport not only for the question But for her advocacy relating to this issue and relating to better transit for the people of Davenport Speaker since the UP Express first launched in June of 2015 It has been offering predictable and reliable service for passengers And over the last eight months speaker it's become clear that those that have had the opportunity to use the UP Express Love it speaker It's equally clear to us that ridership numbers need to increase and more needs to be done to make this happen And that's why I was pleased to join with caucus colleagues to announce yesterday that we will be significantly reducing the UP Express fare Effective March the 9th passengers using a presto card will be able to travel from union to Pearson for $9 $10 and the cost for non presto card users will be $12 Speaker these new lower fares will make taking the answer more affordable for middle-class families and commuters And it will also attract more riders. Thank you Well, thank you, mr. Speaker, and I would like to thank the minister for that answer Yesterday's announcement was particularly important for those living in York, Southwest and a community that has long Advocated for these changes. They were the first to advocate for these changes and that is made up of people who are looking for fast Frequent and affordable transit service to get downtown. It's part of the announcement You stated that fares along the UP Express route will be better aligned with existing go fares This means mr. Speaker that are commutating taking the UP Express from Western station can expect to pay $4.71 for one stop and $5 and 2 cents for two stops the union station with a presto card Mr. Speaker the new fare structure is a very exciting announcement. The minister also mentioned other measures Question will be taken to increase ridership. Could he please give us some details on that? Of course, I also thank the member for York Southwest and for her advocacy on this and many other issues speakers I mentioned earlier we lowered the UP Express fare because we know that ridership numbers need to increase But lowering fares is just one of the steps that we are taking to increase ridership speaker in partnership with Metrolinx We have identified barriers such as low awareness in grain travel habits and impediments to ticket sales and Are strategizing to overcome these barriers marketing campaigns better wayfinding signage and incentive programs are examples of some of the Strategies that are being deployed to develop them will be deployed to ensure that we improve ridership I am confident that these steps in addition to the significantly reduced fares announced yesterday Will lead to further growth in ridership and I strongly encourage all travelers and commuters in the region and those visiting the region and members of both opposition parties to join with us try the union Pearson Express because we know that once you do We will love it. Thanks very much This government has failed to balance the books nine straight times along the way They piled up nearly three hundred billion dollars in debt and driven our debt to GDP ratio from 27 percent To over 40 percent today. That's a 48 percent increase in just nine years Interest payments alone account for eleven point four billion dollars each and every year Money that could and should be going to pay for new investments and key programs Premier instead of reduced funding for doctors school closures and increased hydro rates Ontario taxpayers deserve a credible plan to balance a budget including immediate action to pay down Ontario's massive three hundred billion dollar debt when the Premier's budget is presented tomorrow Will she finally stand with Ontario taxpayers and have a plan to pay down? Yeah, mr. Speaker that That plan is in place and it is a responsible plan what the what the member opposite is doing is he's he's including in one question Eliminate the deficit which we have a plan to do we're on track to do that and at the same time He's saying increase spending stop the clock The two and fro is not helpful for me to stay focused and I wish that it would stop from both sites Finish please even though you government are increasing funding in health care year-over-year pay Doctors more doctors who are the highest paid in the country mr. Speaker pay them more pay more Into the health care system mr. Speaker beyond the increases that we're making and at the same time He is inconsistently saying move faster on eliminating the deficit mr. Speaker. We have a plan in place We are on track to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18 mr. Speaker, but we are investing in Ontario's growth Mr. Speaker we are investing in the economic growth that's creating jobs today and is creating economic prosperity into the future Back to the Premier in less than 10 years Ontario's debt has grown by 91% the highest rate of growth of any provincial government Shamefully taxpayers are now shelling out almost a million dollars a month in interest payments alone Later today Premier. I'll introduce a private members bill to cap Ontario's debt My bill would install a provincial debt ceiling as a means to help limit and curb your reckless spending addiction The financial accountability officer has already stated if your revenue and spending continue as they have that you will run Deficits both this year and next year, so I'm asking the Premier again When when will you present a credible plan to balance the budget including immediate action to pay down Ontario's debt? Because that is the plan that has been in place and we are on track to eliminate the deficit by 2017-18 But mr. Speaker the reckless proposal that the a member opposite is putting forward would lead to an Inability of government to meet the needs of the people in this province Let me talk about the things that we have been investing in mr. Speaker the largest infrastructure investment in our history 134 billion dollars over 10 years. What that does is it creates a hundred and ten thousand jobs a year Mr. Speaker and it meets the needs of communities to have Upgraded infrastructure mr. Speaker. We're ensuring that all Ontarians have access to a secure retirement We're protecting the environment through our coal plant closure and the new cap and trade program mr. Speaker We are moving ahead mr. Speaker to make sure that more refugees can settle in Ontario All of those things mr. Speaker are part of the economy of this province The economy is more than a balance sheet mr. Speaker. It is the environment that we live in It is the services that we provide now for people and into the future for our children and our grandchildren That's the plan that we're implementing The member from one in France shop, thank you speaker my questions to the minister of transportation We now know that the budget was written before Ontarians were actually given a chance to tell the government their priorities It's too bad because this government might have learned something the mayor of London told the finance committee that transit use in London Has nearly doubled since 1998 and continues to grow That's why the city council unanimously agreed last November to support a 1.1 billion investment in rapid Transit may your brown asked for a one-third contribution from the provincial government Well this week's budget include funding for this important rapid transit project in London Thanks very much speakers, so I'm actually quite happy to report I had an opportunity to meet with the mayor and other members of London City Council just this past Sunday at the OGR a Roma conference we had a wonderful conversation like we have in the past about this very topic speaker what what mto What I explained to them was that we look forward to receiving their detailed business case I understand that the municipality is planning to provide that to us in the next few weeks We will take that business case We will do the same analysis with that business case that we do with any of the other transit business cases that we receive Speaker and will continue to engage in dialogue with the municipality to move forward with progress for London as we do with all 444 municipalities as it relates to their infrastructure speaker. Thanks very much Thank You Delegation at the OGR and the Roma and they continually mentioned that they didn't get an answer back from this government So the government has pledged 15 billion dollars towards transportation Infrastructure outside the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, but hardly any of this money has started flowing in fact people living outside the GTA last year's budget mainly announced plans to defer Transportation infrastructure to future years London is the largest city in Canada without a rapid transit System London is ready to put this money on the table, but the city needs a provincial funding partner Well this week's budget include a commitment to fund London's rapid transit program beginning next year So speaker I appreciate the follow-up question I'm I'm pretty sure the member opposite being responsible wouldn't want us to approve Funding for a project until we receive and analyze the business case, and I'm not sure I'm not sure what lack of an answer the city of London could have suggested they had I was very clear It was a very cordial meeting. I've we have a great relationship, of course With London speaker, but I think this speaks to a larger issue Which is the very ambitious plan that our Premier and our government have to build Ontario up including communities like London and speaker It is precisely because of the leadership of this Premier and our London MPP the deputy Premier the president of the Treasury Board Who has consistently stood up for her community that we are making progress that we are moving the province forward speaker And because of their leadership will continue to partner with London to make sure that once we get the business case We get it right. Thanks very much Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Government and consumer services My writing is home to several payday lenders and increasingly popular business model that offers short-term and high-interest loans I understand that the demand for this type of business model is increasing in many Ontarians do not have the option to borrow money from banks Or their families. However, I'm also concerned for Ontarians who find themselves in debt cycles by relying on these services too regularly My constituents want a regulatory framework that ensures they have access to the services they need without being subject to harmful practices I know that our government took an important step by passing the Payday Loans Act in 2008 After the federal government downloaded responsibility to the province. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister please inform the House How his ministry is addressing these concerns and what protections Ontarians can count on from our government Thank you Thank you, Speaker And I want to thank the member from Brampton Springdale for the question and for her strong advocacy on behalf of her constituents I certainly understand the members question with regard to payday loans and can assure all the members of the house that we continue to make Progress on protecting vulnerable consumers the Payday Loans Act guarantees that all loan agreements are presented in writing caps the total cost of borrowing and ensures that payday loans cannot lenders cannot roll one loan into another When certain licensees tried to evade these rules, we took appropriate enforcement action And we also understand speaker that with new technology and continuing evolving business practices in this sector It's important for our government to improve Legislation and that's why we consulted in municipalities across Ontario and enlisted the advice of an expert panel to review the Regulations and we are moving bill 156 the alternative financial services statute law amendment act which was introduced in December Thank you Thank you to the minister of government and consumer services for the step that his ministry state steps that his ministry has taken to protect Vulnerable consumers in Ontario like many Ontarians I am pleased to see that the minister see the minister and do introduce new legislation to protect consumers who use alternative financial services I understand that this legislation was based on panel recommendations And that the minister had asked the panel to expand its report to address services beyond payday loans With an increased prominence of installment loans rent-to-own agreements check cashing services and debt collection services on in Ontario It's important for new legislation to protect consumers. We're using a range of alternative financial services Mr. Speaker can the minister please update the house on his recently introduced legislation and the enhanced regulations It will create a past. Thank you minister Thank you speaker and again I want to thank the member from Brenton Springdale for the supplementary as the member noted the alternative financial services statute law amendment act was Informed by expert panel recommendations and extensive consultations with consumers and community agencies right across Ontario If passed the legislation will help protect vulnerable consumers by improving debt collection rules It will help by capping the rate of check cashing It will also limit repayment on rent-to-own agreements and limit optional insurance costs For added installment loans as well as adding a seven-day waiting period between payday loans Speaker I'll continue working with local stakeholders and community leaders to ensure that we develop strong regulations to protect consumers in Ontario This important work in addition to our government's outreach to credit unions and banks as safe alternatives to payday lenders Will play an important role in protecting and educating consumers across Ontario And I encourage all members of the legislature to support bill 156 Thank you My question is to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport For Ontario's film and television industry last year's budget was a horror flick Cuts to the production services tax credit and computer animation and special effects tax credit Jeopardized future investment in a $1.29 billion industry that supports 31,000 jobs The government's put the annual lost revenue from foreign productions at over $60 million I'm proud of our critic Laurie Scott who was able to amend last year's budget and delay those cuts Saving jobs and investments by keeping productions here But the Minister should know the uncertainty is hurting Ontario's ability to attract new productions and grow the industry Will the Minister provide the stability Ontario's film industry needs by confirming tomorrow's budget won't slash these credits again Thank you very much Mr. Speaker I want to start by saying that how proud we are of the cultural sector here in the province of Ontario It's a $22 billion sector and we're extremely proud of it We put those tax incentives in place so we could help grow the industry We have our interactive digital tax credits The warning is still on Just to remind you Interactive digital tax credits We have our music fund which BC has just incorporated into their program And Mr. Speaker we do have film and television tax credits And Mr. Speaker we saw a continued growth this year up about 5% from the previous year in accessing those tax credits So we are investing more money Mr. Speaker we should be very proud of our film and television tax credits Our cultural sector here in the province of Ontario And I hope the member opposite will join us in saying how successful it is here in the province Thanks Mr. Speaker my supplementary is back to the Minister You know the Minister's memorized his lines But I think he needs a better script He can't have this uncertainty year after year There's just too much competition Last week's BC budget reaffirmed support for film tax credits And committed the government to working with the industry That kind of support and stability it creates gets the attention from producers Meanwhile questions about the tax credits future in Ontario is the number one obstacle to recruiting new productions There won't be any more action if we think the government will yell cut Only a multi-year agreement provides the ability to grow our creative economy Speaker will the I find it hard to understand that the first time I announced that the warning was still on it happens again So I'm going to remind this side Please Please finish and wrap up Thank you very much Speaker My question is very simple Will the Minister form a working group with the industry to strike this agreement and make Ontario The premier destination for film and TV productions outside of LA Thank God we saved the industry Thank you very much Mr. Speaker As a member knows we're doing a cultural strategy right across the province of Ontario We have an advisory committee to me and to this government To talk about ways to really leverage culture further But Mr. Speaker let's talk about music for example Last year there was a billboard top 10 Six Ontarians occupied the top 10 spots at the same time Drake, Magic, Sarn Mendes, Justin Bieber This is the first time in the history of Ontario We are so proud of our culture sector here in the province of Ontario And instead of pulling them down and saying that we're not doing enough You should be standing up and saying this government is supporting the film and television tax credit And the cultural sector beyond any government before us New question the member from Windsor West Thank you Speaker My question is to the Minister of Health Every day the minister gets up and tries to deny that Liberals are cutting patient care But patients and nurses in Windsor know what's really happening The Liberals have frozen hospital budgets for four straight years And that's forcing Windsor Regional Hospital to cut 169 registered nurses More than 10% of its RN workforce Now American hospitals like Beaumont Health Systems in Michigan Have come to Windsor to hire nurses who have been cut from our hospitals RNs are being interviewed one day and hired the very next These nurses should be working in Ontario's hospitals Not being forced by this government's cuts to leave the country just to find work Can the minister tell us how many nurses who have been cut from our hospitals By this government have been hired by American hospitals That are only too thrilled to take our highly skilled and dedicated Ontario nurses Well thank you Mr. Speaker I appreciate the question It gives me the opportunity to talk about Windsor Regional And helping I think the public understand I guess reminding people of warnings is not good enough So the member from Kitchener Waterloo is warned Carry on So in the first instance we did provide Windsor Regional Hospital with $7 million Additional funding this year to help them address their budget pressures Mr. Speaker But the important thing I think to understand is Windsor Regional is one of only a handful Only a few hospitals around the province that never made a transition To look at its nursing services from a holistic comprehensive perspective To understand that there is a role for RPMs Registered practical nurses in our hospitals for example That there is a role for nurse practitioners That there is a role for RNs In fact Windsor Regional Hospital is one of the only hospitals in the province That has up to date a 100% RN nursing workforce They're working to change that mix so it's most appropriate for the patient Thank you supplementary Thank you Speaker back to the Minister of Health The Liberals cuts to hospitals are devastating for patients and nurses in southwestern Ontario 169 registered nurses cut in Windsor And even more frontline healthcare workers cut in Sarnia, Hamilton, Waterloo, London, St. Thomas The list goes on Speaker Those cuts mean longer wait times for patients More worry and stress for loved ones And they leave our nurses feeling discouraged and frustrated by a government That just doesn't share the priority of Ontarians And when nurses are laid off Families can't just pick up and move across the province To find a part time casual nursing job somewhere else Instead these nurses in our border communities Are forced to look to the private healthcare system in the US for jobs They can't get here at home When will the Liberals stop cutting our hospitals Stop pushing Ontario's nurses to take jobs in Michigan And start protecting patient care in all of our communities I did mention that an additional $7 million was applied Was provided to Windsor Regional Hospital last year In fact our funding in the last decade to that specific hospital has increased By approximately 50% So the funding does increase and it doesn't include other substantial funding The $1.9 billion I referenced earlier this morning For decreasing wait times Some of that funding distributed to Windsor Regional as well But they are undergoing the hospital I think we should leave it to the experts, to the Linn The local leadership as well Is to make sure that the mix of nursing and other staff in the hospital Truly meet the patient needs It needs to be a patient centered system Windsor Regional is one, as I mentioned Of just a few hospitals around the province That hasn't yet made that transition Recognizing and quite frankly respecting The role of our registered practical nurses in this hospital And understanding that they do have a role to play in our hospital Those are the changes they're trying to make Thank you Mr. Speaker My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities Minister, our government has made a clear commitment To learn from the past, build on our success stories And increase our efforts to help Aboriginal learners Get the education and training they need That is why it is imperative that we continue to collaborate With our Aboriginal partners to support the programs And services that are responsive to the diverse needs Of Aboriginal learners across our province I understand that your ministry has made significant progress On this front since launching Ontario's Aboriginal post-secondary education and training Policy framework Many constituents in my writing of Burlington And indeed all Ontarians are interested in knowing That our government is doing to increase Aboriginal access To post-secondary education and skills training program Minister, can you please inform the members of this house And how your ministry is supporting Aboriginal learners In Ontario by providing equal access to high quality Post-secondary education and skills training programs Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker and I want to thank the member From Burlington for that question I want to begin by saying that our government Is committed Mr. Speaker to providing high quality Post-secondary education and skills training To Aboriginal people in Ontario Last year we invested more than 30 million dollars In the post-secondary education fund for Aboriginal learners And an additional 5 million dollars to ensure That post-secondary education and training Remains accessible at Ontario's nine Aboriginal institutions Furthermore Mr. Speaker through Ontario's Aboriginal skills advancements program We are collaborating with our Aboriginal partners To support up to 100 post-secondary And training programs And investing 3 million dollars annually Between 2015 and 2018 In the Aboriginal skills advancements program In the ring of fire area Mr. Speaker, later this year My ministry will release a report To highlight what our government is doing To improve quality and culturally relevant Post-secondary and training Opportunities for our Aboriginal communities Thank you Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker And thank you to the minister For that answer it is reassuring to know That our government is committed to providing High quality post-secondary education And skills training to Aboriginal Ontarians Minister, partnerships are at the core Of our government's efforts to increase Access to opportunities for Aboriginal People in this province Investing in the talent and skills Of First Nation, Métis and Inuit Learners is one of the many steps Of Ontario's journey of healing and reconciliation With Indigenous peoples It is also important in terms Of economic development And our prosperity as a province I understand you recently visited Six nations polytechnic To make a historic announcement about Aboriginal post-secondary education In Ontario Minister, can you please tell us More about what you announced And how it supports our government's commitment To promote Aboriginal post-secondary Education in Ontario Thank you Mr. Speaker Again I want to thank the member For that question Mr. Speaker Six nations, Métis and Inuit Learners deserve equal access To high quality post-secondary education And skills training programs Mr. Speaker, just recently I visited Six nations polytechnic With my colleague Minister Zimmer And yourself Mr. Speaker To announce that for the first time In the history of this province Six nations polytechnic would be able To offer a standalone bachelor's Of arts degree in Oganway Languages starting this year Mr. Speaker To say that this standalone Degree supports the recommendations Of the Truth and Reconciliation Committees call for post-secondary Institutions to create degree Programs in Aboriginal Indigenous Languages. Mr. Speaker This is the first step in the plan To offer a four year bachelor's Of arts degree in Oganway Languages. Thank you. Thank you. New question from the member For that one adding to this. Thank you Mr. Speaker, to the Premier Last week I questioned this government's Commitment to protect women and their Families from domestic violence After two tragic events in my writing Left four people dead And another severely injured And another attempted murder in Bankraft. These events along with The death of three women in Renfrew County last fall should Not be seen just as red flags But indeed as a crisis And this government's inability To protect women and their families From domestic violence. Speaker there is a crisis in rural Ontario and when will the Premier provide more than Just lip service to women And families living in fear In Ontario. Excellent. Well Mr. Speaker I know That the Minister responsible for women's Issues will want to comment on the supplementary But I will just say Mr. Speaker That It is in our very DNA As a government to make sure That we put in place protections For vulnerable people. The sexual assault and violence Policy that we brought out It's never okay Mr. Speaker Speaks to that. It speaks to our Recognition that you know deep Seated misogyny in our Culture demands that We take action. It demands That we change public awareness Mr. Speaker That we put in place supports Victims of violence Mr. Speaker That we improve the judicial system So that people will come forward And Mr. Speaker I would suggest that the Work that we're doing I appreciate The work of the select committee And we are putting in Supports for around the Issue of human trafficking Mr. Speaker These are very important issues that We raised and we're acting on. Thank you. Speaker again to the Premier Speaker last week the response was The rural realities program Was the solution. One million dollars of funding Over two years for rural Realities. The reality Speaker is in rural Ontario One million dollars is a Pitons without an ounce of Protection or prevention For these women and their families And it is certainly no cure My colleagues from Halliburton North Lake Brock, Renfrew And Pembroke and others have Offered solutions but all The Premier's office provides Our patitudes and a pitons In return. Speaker When will this Premier Wake up and fix This government's failings in our Courts, in our corrections In our probation and our Parole, law enforcement These failings are adding up to one Thing for sure. Families Many families in rural Ontario are living in fear And you're doing nothing about it Thank you. Stop the clock please. You say that please. Thank you. Premier. Model of restraint Mr. Speaker I'm going to be here. I just want I just want to say to the Member opposite that Had he been paying Attention yesterday he would have seen That we actually put a hundred million People into Missing and murdered Indigenous women Mr. Speaker. I am very Pleased that the member opposite Has had yet another epiphany Mr. Speaker. I am very pleased That he is supportive of the Initiatives that we have put in place Mr. Speaker and he recognises That there is more to be done But Mr. Speaker, I will not I will not take lessons from this Member on how to invest in And how to support the women of The policies that we have put in place Our ground breaking Our policies that are being Copied by other provinces Across the country Mr. Speaker There is more to be done This is a decades old issue Mr. Speaker We're taking action I look forward to his support as we move forward Thank you The point of order from the Member for Latin America Premier I mean to say Sorry be seated That's not appropriate Premier to do Mr. Speaker Sorry I had in the All of the introductions I neglected to introduce Ingrid who is Here she Ingrid is the owner of The Swiss master Chocolate shop in my Riding at York Mills in Bayview There are no deferred votes This house stands recessed until This afternoon