 It is now time for questions. The member from Barry. We are here. My question is to the Minister of Finance, under the Finance Minister, TO2015 CEO's $552,000 salary was reduced by $75,000 only once we exposed this injustice. Similarly, the Pan Am Secretary, a deputy minister, was removed only once we exposed this $361,000 salary and only once the news of unlimited entitlement broke did the Liberals agree to strip their expense policies and repayment. You only act once you're caught, Minister. Can you tell me exactly when the unlimited expensing will be remedied and the expenses in bad faith repaid? Who is the Minister for Pan Am? Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate the question. I appreciate the fact that the critic has long been apprised of the activities of the Pan and Parapan American Games since the outset when we invited him back then to participate and to recognize what it is that's being done. He knows fully well that Deloitte and others are reviewing the reports that we have monitoring on a quarterly basis. He's well aware, Mr. Speaker, that as a result of the outstanding work of Infrastructure Ontario and the work we've done for establishing venues across Southern Ontario and the province, we have now come under budget by $50 million, Mr. Speaker, for those capital expenditures. This is going to leave a tremendous legacy for future generations in Ontario. Mr. Speaker, I am well aware and well aware that the Pan Am budget is disingenuous at best. The only time a liberal is spurred to action is by holding their feet to the fire, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I asked the Pan Am, or the other day I asked the Pan Am Minister about the real cost of Pan Am. He told me about chicken nuggets, Mr. Speaker. Since you previously held the portfolio and his finance minister, the buck still stops with you. Perhaps you can tell us why you hid multiple budgets off the record of Pan Am. The ones I'm talking about specifically, Mr. Speaker, are the recently discovered $10 million for the Secretary at Parting and Paperwork, the $9 million for another legacy venue and no doubt millions more for security and transportation. Minister, how many Pan Am budgets have you approved and what is the grand total cost of the games to the taxpayers of Ontario? The Pan Am boom dog. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I find it passing strange that the member opposite is now asking a question about Pan Am when yesterday an Estimates Committee had two hours to ask the Minister responsible for the Pan Am, and the only question that the Minister, that the critic had to ask, the only question in those two hours was the following, Mr. Speaker. He said, he said to the Minister responsible for the Pan Am games, he said, how are you, Minister? Oh! That was all they asked yesterday of the Minister responsible for the Pan Am games. The Opposition are making a complete mockery of the committee process. They're using Philip Bustering, they're delaying the issues, they had 10 senior officials of the Ministry there yesterday to deal with the very issues. So, Mr. Speaker, he's talking about budgets, we have been very open and from the outset as to what we're doing, he should read the budget, Mr. Speaker, maybe they would know then. I don't suck on my teeth. In the upgrade. Speaker, they've had two years and more to get this right, and since we discovered the hidden Pan Am budgets, the Minister has been dodging responsibility for the games. In his committee, he pointed at the Board of TO 2015. Then the Deputy Minister clarified that the Minister Secretary at actually babysits TO 2015. So, the Minister improvised and talked about the many Pan Am partners instead. But at the end of the day, it is the Premier, you and the Minister of their portfolio that's responsible. So, why can't I get an answer about why there are so many Pan Am budgets not included in the pretend 1.4 billion? Minister, how many budgets are there? How much will the Pan Am games really cost the taxpayers' Ontario? How much? How much? What's the number? Tell me now. Have you seen it, please? Thank you. Minister. So, Mr. Speaker, here he is again, asking questions, and he should have been asking those questions yesterday in committee. He chose not to. More importantly, he knows the answers because we've given it to them two years ago. The budgets are very clearly state out. We have over $50 million in under budget capital expenditures to date. We recognize the challenges that we face, and we've put it to the 2015 committee. But more importantly, and I quote the following from today's editorial. And this speaks to the essence of why we have taken and we do take responsibility for bringing these games to the province of Ontario, and it's as follows. When properly done, such events energize cities, and a lot is being handled well here. And so he starts on progress so far, running $50 million under budget. That's to be commended. He further states, instead of fanning fake scandals and tarnishing Toronto's games, critics should be comfortable in knowing that existing problems are... The member from Prince Edward Hastings will come to order. New question. The member from nothing. Thank you very much, Speaker. My question today is for the Minister of Labor. Recently, Minister, your Premier met with our leader, Tim Houdak, to seek support in passing nine hand-picked bills. One of the bills that your Premier presented was my bill, Bill 74. But yesterday, your government acted like a coward, bowed to Union pressure, and announced you would no longer support this important bill. Minister, why do you value your friendship with one Union leader more than the thousands of good jobs, both unionized and non-unionized, that you have now put at jeopardy with your weak leadership and flip-flopping? Flip-flopping. Thank you very much, Speaker, and thank the member opposite for the question. Speaker, as I referenced yesterday in the House doing a question period late last Friday, a decision was rendered by the Ontario Divisional Court as it related to the decision of the Ontario Labor Relations Board. The Divisional Court decision was on a judicial review application by Alice Dawn, and it's the subject of the same issue that is part of the member's Bill 74. Speaker, the Divisional Court, in its very thorough analysis, quashed the decision of the Ontario Labor Relations Board, which means that the company can operate under the status quo. And the Ministry of Labor lawyers have advised us that this essentially achieves the same outcome as was intended by the private member's Bill 74. Thank you, Speaker. Well, thank you, Speaker. Back to the minister. Alice Dawn is a London, Ontario company that is widely regarded as a community leader, including being named 2013's number two best employer in Canada and a platinum member of Canada's 50 best managed companies. Good Minister, Alice Dawn is also an employee-owned company, employees at number in the thousands. Yesterday, your Premier said that my bill is no longer needed and that you would not be supporting it. Will you and your government resume your support of my important bill that stands up for Ontario, or does Pat Dillon call the shots around here? Speaker, the Divisional Court has issued a very thorough decision. I'm sure the member opposite has read the decision, and essentially what the decision does is it maintains the status quo. It essentially does, and that's what the advice has been given to us by the Lawyers' Administration of Labour as to what is intended in Bill 74. So it's basically status quo. But I also want to inform the member opposite and all parties that if the party wishes to appeal this decision, they must file an application with the Court of Appeals seeking leave to appeal by October 15, 4 p.m. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you. Final supplementary. Speaker, back to the Minister. It is unfair to expect an Ontario company to live by one set of rules while foreign competitors undercut them, putting at risk thousands of good jobs. My Bill 74 will settle this issue once and for all, but your colleague Pat Dillon has asked you to oppose it, and clearly, Minister, you have listened. Minister, Pat Dillon has several government appointments, including as a member of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board, a member of the Board of Infrastructure Ontario, a member of the Board for the College of Trades, and is also your key advisor on transit taxes. Coincidentally, Speaker, Pat Dillon is also an ally of this government's influential Working Families Coalition that spent $10 million electing the Liberal Speaker. Minister, do you think it's right to put an Ontario company and Ontario jobs at risk in favor of one union leader? Thank you, Minister. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, our government has a plan for the economy that builds people up and invest in things that matter. Speaker, stable labor. I'm going to keep you guessing as to when I'm going to act. Minister of Labor. Stable labor relations is very much part and parcel of building a productive, healthy economy that attracts... Remember to ask the question he was listening. ...to our economy. Speaker, I don't think this side of the house here, the government is going to take any lectures from the members opposite who have shown nothing but bring our economy down in Ontario by proposing policies that is going to cut jobs in our province that's going to reduce wages for both unionized and non-unionized workers by promoting policies like right to work. They're going to create havoc in the province, Speaker. Even John Tory, their former leader, have given them advice as not to follow... Thank you. You have a question? Leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. My question is to the government house leader. The government house leader has tabled a motion that will allow speedy passage of a bill designed by Liberal and Conservative lobbyists to help Ellis Dawn, one of the Liberal Party's biggest donors. Yesterday, the Premier spun a very confusing tale about Liberal plans for the bill, Speaker. So I have a pretty simple question. Is the government proceeding with their programming motion or are they backing off plans to ram this bill through the house? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I don't know where to begin in correcting the facts. Begin with what was put forward. The fact of the matter, Mr. Speaker, is no one is ramming through anything. We came forward with a motion to this house which has eight bills, as well as the formation of a select committee on developmental services, and all the motion does is outline a reasonable schedule for debate discussion and votes by this house on these bills. In some cases, they will be going to committee in other cases. They will be coming here for third reading. Mr. Speaker, that is the extent of it. And when I sat down with the fellow house leaders and showed them a draft of the bill, I certainly said we would be willing to entertain any changes if people want a little more debate here or a different way of dealing with committee. But, Mr. Speaker, the NDP did not want to have that discussion, so we came forward with this programming motion. And yes, Mr. Speaker, we do intend to pass it and then go on to have serious consideration of these important bills as well as the formation. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, yesterday we heard a lot of spin from the Premier, but what we didn't get was a clear answer. We've put forward an amendment to the government motion that would take the Ellis Don bill off of the fast track. Will the Liberal members support that amendment? Mr. Speaker, I think the Premier was very clear yesterday. She was speaking to one bill of that list of eight. That bill is intended to remedy a situation of ruling by the Ontario Labour Relations Board. Since discussions amongst the parties, we have had a court ruling which quashed the Ontario Labour Relations Board ruling. And the Speaker made the very obvious point that the bill is no longer necessary and that is our position under the assumption that there won't be an appeal. I think the Premier put forward a very straightforward situation. That is our position at the moment over here. We look forward to debate and discussion in front of the committee. There'll be an opportunity for hearings. There'll be an opportunity for amendments. An opportunity should have proceed through committee for a final vote here. Thank you. Final supplementary. Well, Speaker, the Liberals can play hot potato with this bill as much as they want, but it doesn't change the fact that their hands have been all over it. Yesterday, the Conservative sponsor of this bill told reporters that they weren't the ones who put the bill on the fast track. He claims it was the Premier who made the Delivering for Ellis Dawn Act a priority. Will the Government House Leader confirm that it was in fact the Liberals, not the Conservatives, who asked to fast track this bill? Mr Speaker, the bill in question is a private member's bill that was drafted by the member for Lampton Kent Middlesex. What I find unbelievable, Mr Speaker, is that the NDP last spring were all in favour of programming motions when it came to the financial accountability officer and the passage of the budget. Mr Speaker, we weren't very closely on it when it came to the issue of closure. They stood and voted with the Government in terms of closure, but what I find incredible is when it's a programming motion that they support, they're all in favour of it, when it's a programming motion with a number of very important bills that all parties in this House support, all of a sudden they've changed their tune, Mr Speaker. Let's have consistency in this legislature. All we are doing is putting forward a motion which will allow for further debate and discussion on a list of bills that are important to the people of Ontario in which there's a lot of interest here in this legislature. Thank you. New question, Leader of the Third Party. Thank you, Speaker. My next question is to the Acting Premier. The people who make this province work every day have been looking for some help, help for their aging parents who are waiting for home care, help for their kids who are looking for jobs, help for their pocketbooks when it comes to the bills at the end of the month. But, Speaker, they're still waiting. Can the Acting Premier explain how the Alice Donville that the Liberals are now scrambling to back away from became a priority? Acting Premier, Minister of Finance. Mr Speaker, the Leader of the Third Party talks about something extremely important, and that's the work that we've done as a party for the last 10 years to help working families here in Ontario. I'm pleased to say that we've got taxes for 93% of Ontario taxpayers. We've bestowed Cooperative Security's regular sign just recently with British Columbia. We've introduced Financial Transparency and Accountability Act that no other government can then hide deficits as they did in the past. We've reformed Pensions Benefit Act to modernize rural to assist employers and protect workers. We've reduced high business education tax rates. We've introduced property and sales tax credits for seniors and low to moderate income families. We've harmonized the sales tax which none of them had the courage to do. We eliminated capital tax for business. We reformed property tax systems so that was predictable for homeowners by facing up property taxes. And more importantly, Mr Speaker, we supported the auto sector and many others who have overdoses. Well, Speaker, here's what people see when it comes to their needs, their health care, their jobs, the cost of their everyday lives. The government delivers a lot of conversation but not much results at all. But when it's time to move a power plant to win some seats or deliver for a well-connected donor, the government can spring into action at a moment's notice. What does the Acting Premier think that says about the government's priorities? So as mentioned, Mr. Speaker, we've been working very hard for hard work in Ontarians and we will continue to do so regardless of what the others say they would do and never do. We have taken the initiatives to bring forward job strategies for working Ontarians that no others as we have. Over 183 percent return of those jobs since the recession, Mr. Speaker. That's why we'll continue to support and make transport patients to health care so that we're able to supply even more services to those that need it at more affordable rates. In the end, Mr. Speaker, it's about helping everybody. The member opposite is talking about one issue. We can deal with more than one issue at a time on this side of the house. Final supplementary. Speaker, people are waiting for government to make their challenges a priority. Instead, they see insiders expensing parking fees while they collect six-figure salaries. Millions and millions, hundreds of millions, spent moving gas plants and well-connected insiders getting results in the legislature while everyday people are stuck waiting. When is this government going to start delivering results for the people who make this province work each and every day? Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. So let's talk about those results. Since the February of this year alone, we've increased investment in home care and community care by 1 percent annually. We've invested 260 million in home and community care, 185 million in home care and 6,000 more seniors. We've made reforms to physiotherapy that will double the number of clinics and provide 200,000 more supports for seniors. We've invested 2.5 million for enhanced breastfeeding supports and many other things to help families and their infants get a good start in life. But more importantly, Mr. Speaker, since 2003, we've done a tremendous amount of work to help reduce wait times to provide for more hospitals, more nurses and more doctors, more medical schools, more youth employment, more support to bring forward a positive economic growth in our province, a province that all of us are very proud of and will continue to work alongside those hard-working Ontarians who make it a success for us all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A member from Chatham and St. Essence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Acting Premier. Later today, we will be debating my bill, Bill 101. To put a cap on third-party advertising. But we know why your government won't support my bill because the Working Family Coalition spent $9 million keeping you in power. But what truly surprises me is this government's complete change in position. On April 8th, 2013, when the Premier was asked about changing the rules around third-party advertising, she said, I'm very interested in looking at the recommendations and open to looking at changes that could be made. Moreover, the Attorney General, John Gerritson, said this. The notion of putting a spending limit on third-party certainly strikes me as being something that is well worth looking into. Oh, by the way, the leader of the third-party also advocates changing the restrictions. Question, Acting Premier. What? Thank you. Thank you. You sit. Acting Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It appears to me the member opposite just doesn't accept the results of various file elections and the rejections that many have placed on the PCs and their activities. And what's important, though, and as a result of past performances by that party, we, on this side of the House, have introduced transparency and more accountability. In 2005, we introduced real-time disclosure rules. Political parties and leadership contestants have filed with the Chief Electoral Officer within 10 days. It also requires a Chief Electoral Officer to publish information about the recommendations made on elections on Terry. Excuse me. When I mentioned the member from Renfrew's name, it should be the signal that says, stop, not continue. You never heard, but you know why? Finish, please. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As we've introduced more legislation in 2007, we introduced a third-party advertising rules in Ontario for the first time. All of these are encouraging and ensuring that we have more transparency and more openness and the opposite party, they voted against those item items, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. To the acting premier, the influence that the special interest groups have over this government is obvious and quite frankly clear. A few months ago the premier and senior members of this government made it clear that you were open to changing the rules surrounding third-party advertising and today you have completely flipped one. How could you possibly go from being open to something just a few months ago to being completely opposed to something today? It just doesn't make sense. Is there a reason why you've changed your position or did the Working Family Coalition boss, Patrick Dillon write another letter to you telling you not to support this bill? Thank you. Well, Mr. Speaker, I think the member opposite is not accusing this side of the house in as much as he's insulting the public. I question why I have to get to this point where I have to threaten people to be thrown out every time the person stands up and just starts yelling. It doesn't make sense to me truly and it's going to stop. So if you push it, I'll throw you up. So, Mr. Speaker, the member opposite in many respects is underestimating and insulting the very intelligent of voters in the public. We have under current rules third parties that spend more than $500 or more on election advertising are required to register with the chief electoral officer. We put that in place. They voted against that. Registered third parties must also report to the CEO on election advertising expenses. If election advertising expenses are $5,000 or more, these reports must be audited. These rules ensure that there is transparency and free speech, Mr. Speaker. These guys don't want to have free speech in this public democracy, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for winter to come soon. Thank you, Speaker. This morning is to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. Good morning, Minister. Minister, the independent report in the Herb Gray Parkway has made it clear that the girders installed by Friesnet are not up to standard and to quote one portion of that report, the only option is to replace deficient and non-compliant girders with new ones that are constructed in a order. Minister, why are you not listening to the recommendation of the report and choosing instead to salvage instead of replacing these girders? Mr. Transportation and Infrastructure. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I again want to thank the member for his very sincere concern about this. I think it's a concern we both share. Mr. Speaker, I want to be very clear about this because I was somewhat disappointed what I read some of the reporting on this and I think a fundamental fact is missing. The independent expert review looked in detail at this for two months. The committee is still working today and testing is continuing. I made two very clear commitments which I intend to keep. The first one was to open a single structure until the chief engineer of the province who always makes these decisions and whom this competency and trust is placed by the people of Ontario and signs off on. The second thing I said is that this would not be a political decision. Whatever the chief engineer decided based on his expertise, based purely on engineering. Thank you. Supplementary. Minister, you mentioned the reporting. I don't know how the editorial cartoon of the Windsor Star today that has the girder with Band-Aid slapped all over it and that's an editorial comment onto itself. The report says that the test results around salvaging the girders did not address all the concerns related to durability of the girders made by Friesenet. On July the 22nd, in a press release, you said and I quote, the girders in question will be removed unless the safety and durability can be assured and any compliance concerns are addressed. Minister, what made you change your mind? Mr. Speaker, the one thing I've gotten in Ontario is a much thicker skin and I don't think we should allow cartoonists to be making engineering decisions. Number two, Mr. Speaker, who should make this decision? Should it be the Minister of Transportation? Should it be the Member Opposite? Should it be the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing? No, Mr. Speaker. The decision must be made by the Chief Engineer. The condition of the girders at this point of some of those girders is not adequate. If any of those girders are not up to the high standards of the highway code and the bridge code and cannot meet that threshold as safe as any other girders, they will not be installed or they will be removed. That determination will not be made by politicians, Mr. Speaker. It will be made by engineers specifically the Chief Engineer of Ontario. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise on behalf of my constituents the great riding of Etobicoke North with a question for the Honourable Minister of Community and Social Services. The mark of a just society is how that society treats its most vulnerable. Investing in people, their opportunities, their future is important to the conduct of any government. I know firsthand from my community that constituents who have relied on social assistance in a time of need appreciate that support for their loved ones. Even those members of society who do not avail themselves of social assistance value the fact that such a system is in place on call as it were for those who may need it. I recall, Speaker, that part of our government's strategy was to initiate the first review of social assistance in more than 20 years. The Commission for the Review of Social Assistance in Ontario published recommendations to better the system for all Ontarians. With the guidance of the Commission the government envisions a more improved system that is more accountable to deliver services and supports. I ask the minister to inform this chamber. Minister of Community and Social Services. I want to thank the member for his question. I know from conversations with all members of the House that we're all committed to working towards a fairer society. I please to report, Mr. Speaker, that our government will be investing some 400 million plus dollars over the next three years to help make the prospects of some 912,000 plus people in Ontario just a little bit brighter. Social assistance rates have been increased by 1% for families on Ontario works and individuals with disabilities on the ODSP program. As well, children, sorry, single adults without children will receive a top-up of $14 a month for a total increase of $20. These increases are in this week, Mr. Speaker. Is there more for us to do? You betcha. But you know what, these changes are going to help. Mr. Speaker, I thank the minister not only for his answer today, but his ongoing commitment and sincere efforts on these files. The much-needed target rate increase will be welcome news for those in my riding and across Ontario for people who depend on Ontario works and ODSP. However, learning from recipients in my riding, I know that such supports, though important, are nevertheless not all that there is to social assistance. Other benefits, Speaker, include employment supports and skills training, childcare support so people can work and earn a better life for their families and job placement supports for people with disabilities to achieve greater financial independence. So I ask once again, Speaker, through you to the minister, can you inform this House what other changes have been made to social assistance and what are the plans going forward? Thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, again, the members are delighted to respond. I would like to thank all of the social assistance individuals to keep up to $200 of the money that they earn. This, of course, is going to allow them to gain a quicker foot hold in the economy and to affirm their efforts. Ontario Works clients can also keep more assets so they won't have to give up everything they own before they're eligible for assistance. Speaker, as part of the Ontario Government's economic plan to invest in infrastructure and support a dynamic and innovative business climate, we're committed to helping more people find jobs. In the past a few months, my cabinet colleagues and I have been seeking input from people all across this province on what can be done through renewed poverty reduction strategy. We've been listening and we've been learning and we're committed to further action and I look forward to working with all members of the House to make things a little bit better. Good question. Mr Speaker, my question is to the Minister of Finance at the Fort Erie racetrack people are losing their jobs all because of this government's deliberate destruction of the horse racing industry. The Minister sat at the table when that callous decision was made. It was made without warning without consultation and without even so much as an economic analysis. Will the Minister apologize today to the people of Fort Erie and the people of rural Ontario for not speaking up when he had the chance? Absolutely. Minister of Rural Affairs, Mr Speaker. Well, thanks very much, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, our government believes in a strong, sustainable future for the horse racing industry in Ontario. Our plan is guided by the work being done by the horse racing transition panel. We have very distinguished people, John Wilkinson, John Stobelin and Albert Buchanan. Premier Wayne has asked that the comprehensive five-year plan for the industry. Their plan will present a roadmap for sustainability for the industry including grass roots and larger tracks. I confident with the panel reports on his recommendations of the five-year plan, the industry will have the confidence he needs at every track which is to conduct his work. So, the horse racing industry is vital to rural communities across this great province. Our government will continue to work with Ontario's horse racing community to ensure that racing rebates vibrant in this province for years to come. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I did not hear an apology. That's shameful. Neither have we heard an apology from the leader of the NDP because of that deal with the NDP, the future of the 100-year-old Fort Erie race track is uncertain at best. Fort Erie suffers some devastating blows at the hands of this government. You've shut down their ER, you've closed their tourism office and now this. If the minister won't apologize, let's put it this way. Why is it more important to hang on to a few dozen jobs for liberal and NDP politicians than to hang on to so many thousands of jobs in the horse racing industry? Not even the priciest of panels can excuse them for that. Thank you, Minister. Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to a vibrant and sustainable future for horse racing in the profits of Ontario and is central to our plan going forward. As part of our future, a government commissioned a panel to develop a five-year plan for horse racing industry that's accountable, transparent, customer-focused and a debt benefit for the taxpayers of Ontario. Mr. Speaker, our friends across the floor can't have it both ways. They can't bluster one week that the slots of race track program should be reinstated that come here two weeks later and say it wasn't accountable. As we say in Peterborough, Mr. Speaker, that dog doesn't hunt. I'll repeat again for the member across the way because it seems he wasn't listening on any occasion or through occasion. We've got a plan. Seated, please. Thank you. The member from Nickel Belt. Thank you, Mr. President. My question is for the Prime Minister. I have a question for the Deputy Premier, Acting Premier. I want to contain bacteria at level that constitute a threat to public health. The Ministry found out about this risk three months ago. My question is simple. Why did the Ministry of Health not warn the public when it first learned about this health risk? Acting Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday, Dr. Arlene King issued a warning to consumers and businesses not to consume or serve bottled water manufactured by the Blue Glass Water Company Limited, also known as Caledon Clearwater Corporation. It is a federal issue as the member opposite knows, but we take steps to protect our public. And samples of water taken from the company's products have been found to have some contamination with bacteria. As a result, we feel there is a potential health threat posed by these products. So in accordance with Ontario's Health Protection and Promotion Act, Blue Glass Water Company Limited was ordered to cease operations related to bottling, processing and distributing water. Inspections of public health units have been approved by the Ministry of Health and Health Protection and Niagara, as well as a continued presence of some of the product in food establishments here in Toronto. The Ministry is carefully investigating and monitoring the situation with public health units to ensure public safety. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well, something is wrong. When the Ontario Ministry of Health finds out that a product sold in Toronto, Niagara, Hamilton and elsewhere in Ontario to warn the public, to protect the health of Ontarian is the Ministry of Health primary mandate. Is it really ministry policy to wait until somebody gets sick or maybe even dies before letting the public know about contaminated water? So, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the question and I know the member opposite shares the same concerns that we all do and that is public safety, people's health, and people's well-being. To suggest otherwise or to infer that we are putting people's lives at risk is not I believe your intent because I know that we all work together to do just that. We rely on the advice of Dr. King. We have taken the steps necessary to work with our partners through the Ministry of Health and we will continue to press decisions as we find them out. But please, we are all in this together and we are fighting for the benefit of our public. No one has been hurt at this point and we intend not to occur. Thank you. New question and member from Vaughan. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. My question today is for the very hardworking Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Absolutely, well-deserved kudos to the Minister. Speaker, the parents and families in my riding of Vaughan are concerned about youth unemployment and the rate of youth unemployment in our province in the future of their children. As young people struggle to find good opportunities for employment, it is important for our government to listen and it's important also Speaker that we take action. I am delighted to hear that the province has taken up the challenge and implemented the Youth Employment Fund to help youth find good jobs and experience in our growing economy. Speaker can the Minister please update the House as to how young people across our province and in my community of Vaughan can benefit from the Youth Employment Fund. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for the question obviously but I want to thank him as well for his leadership and Vaughan standing up for young people in that community a fast growing community lots of youth in that area and the member knows that our government has risen to the challenge of tackling youth unemployment and the creation of the Youth Employment Fund and will continue to ensure that helping our young people is indeed a top priority. I'm proud to report that after just one week Mr. Speaker 535 youth have had active job in placements after just one week with 126 more young people beginning placements that will happen in the very near future. Mr. Speaker, we're off to a very very good start. I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank the hard working people at Employment Ontario and our service providers for putting this program out there in a very short period of time getting it up and running. Mr. Speaker, they're out there for young people. I encourage all members from all parties when young people approach them in their constituency offices to refer them to their service provider to help them find work. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I thank the minister for his outstanding work on this file. The people of my riding the people of our province are very lucky to have him on the job. I am thrilled to hear that this particular fund has been a huge success across this province. The unemployment rate amongst our youth is an issue that certainly deserves government's attention. I'm pleased to hear that this program is accessible to youth across the province. Though my primary concern is with the youth in my riding of Vaughan and in other important communities in Ontario like Niagara Falls. Youth unemployment is very apparent in communities and many of our young people face great barriers each and every day. Through you to the minister I'd like to know exactly how the youth of Vaughan and the youth of Niagara Falls can benefit from the youth employment fund. Thank you minister. Thank you Mr. Speaker. The youth employment fund provides up to 7800 for each eligible youth for a flexible range of supports including training and financial assistance and to cover costs like transportation and tools. Youth and employers can apply for this fund by reaching out to their local employment Ontario service providers. I know for a fact Mr. Speaker, for instance, youth in Vaughan can benefit from two employment Ontario service providers, Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology which is located at 1490 Major Mackenzie Drive in the Toronto District School Board located at 4585 on Highway 7 Mr. Speaker, these service providers are out there in places like Niagara Falls but are right across the province to ensure Mr. Speaker that our young people have access to this very important program putting young people to work Mr. Speaker as a priority for this government. We're going to ensure this program is delivered on time on budget and we're going to ensure that our young people don't get any questions. Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Finance Minister on September 18th I asked you in question period what the government is doing to resolve an outstanding split pension issue that has been unresolved for years concerning public sector employees that have been affected by past public sector divestments. Your response two weeks ago did not answer my question and with some general nonsense about pensions in general, retirement planning, what your government was doing all stuff we already knew. So I'm not sure if then you simply couldn't answer my question or what the problem was but thousands of public sector employees wanted to serve an answer. So Minister again today I'll ask you the same question what is your government doing to help thousands of paramedics, thousands of M-PAC employees and thousands of other public sector workers that are affected by the split pension issue and why has it taken your government so long to fix this injustice? Thank you Mr. Speaker and I appreciate the question I appreciate the concern the member opposite has in regards to pension and reform and the benefits necessary to protect workers as well as employers and that's why we've taken initial steps and they're outlined in our budget as well around enhancement to CPP for example Mr. Speaker. We recognize that that's a broad base initiative to help our workers in Ontario. We also included PRPP's Mr. Speaker, a pooled register retirement plan to help those that aren't saving but to the point that the member opposite requests. We recognize that regulations are coming soon in the fall we will continue to do our utmost to try to resolve issues going forward Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker back to the minister I really don't think you give a damn at all about these people. I would ask the member to withdraw Mr. Speaker Minister I don't understand I've been at this issue for five years many of these people are now thousands of public sector employees are starting to retire their employer changed through no fault of their own because ambulance services move to upper tier government from hospital based services impact employees used to be revenue tax property assessment people in your ministry or the ministry of revenue and they moved to impact and yet their pensions were adversely didn't follow them and they're adversely affected by this many of them will be out thousands and thousands of dollars that they paid for this doesn't cost you money this is their money I know the unions run the pensions are they running this government on this issue too because they don't want to take the time to transfer the money to the other pension plans run by other unions have learned over time these unions don't get along are you in the unions pockets again before before any other members get themselves into water that they don't want to be in I'm going to just tell the member that I'm not happy with this last part and that I would hope that we would reach to the top and not to the bottom with the kinds of comments that I'm hearing I'm going to offer the member the minister opportunity to answer the question well thank you mr. Speaker it's unfortunate that the premise of the question now is about bashing labor and bashing the very people that are hard working Ontarians in our province who are in need of support with their pensions and that's what we're doing mr. Speaker many public sector employees whose pensions are affected by past government initiated restructuring want consolidation with their split pension entitlements in a single plan we get that we've made reforms to the pension benefit act we've taken regulatory provisions that are necessary to they must have to be stood before those reforms are implemented we posted draft regulations in February of 2013 consulted up until April the 15th of 2013 on July 12th 2000 we posted a draft regulations on regulatory registry regarding asset transfers and we've made consultations that close in September so mr. Speaker answer your comments are received the appropriate changes are made both regulations were presented to cabinet and that'll happen in the fall of this year Mr. Speaker thank you Mr. Speaker my question is minister of natural resources last weekend a Peterborough woman was out walking her dogs when she was attacked by a black bear thankfully due to the actions of her dogs she survived this is the latest in a series of human nuisance bear encounters across the province will it take a tragedy before this government reconsider its short side decision to scrap the bear wise program minister thank you appreciate the question from the member opposite with regard to this particular issue and I think we're all very relieved that the incident and question that we're speaking about and that the members speaking about didn't result in something more serious and obviously our thoughts are with the individual there has been as the members pointed out there has been a number of nuisance bear issues this spring in particular and throughout the summer that have been particularly challenging in many northern communities and as a northerner we take this issue very seriously public safety is paramount when it comes to the safety of individuals in northern Ontario throughout the province of Ontario for that matter speaker we are working with our ministry officials to develop a plan that will see a more effective response when it comes to nuisance bear in the province of Ontario as this issue has been raised by members on the opposite as well as members in Earl caucus there are members on this side of the house as well very passionate about this issue and that care supplementary my supplementary my supplementary is also the minister of natural resources the people of Ontario including northerners we need more than a plan we need action northerners are downloading responsibility of dealing with rogue bears on to the police and northern miss but this latest attack happened just east of Toronto bear attacks are getting harder and harder to ignore as the ministry is acknowledged will it take a bear on the south lawn of Queens park to force the ministry to do its job and manage power thank you speaker the member knows when the bear hunt was cancelled in 1999 by the party opposite and the conservative government the our government took action by extending the fall hunt for bears to increase the harvest numbers of bears in the province of Ontario we know the numbers are relatively stable but we did help to increase the number of bears harvested across the province by increasing and expanding the fall hunt but I certainly you know I take the members point this is not an issue that we have been neglecting this is an issue we take very seriously and we are developing a plan and I look forward to the members support on the plan that will help to more aptly address and bear challenges and I have to say speaker that with the communities in northern Ontario as well that the member is well aware of that there are not incidents occurring all out through thank you new question thank you speaker I've got a question this morning for the minister of research and innovation wow our government recognizes and I think all members would agree that our capacity as a province to compete in the global knowledge based economy depends in large part on how well the province is able to harness its research strength our track record is quite good as a country Canada ranked sixth in the world for the quality and the impact of its research Ontario comprises nearly half of that expertise supporting research and innovation is fundamental to a competitive economy now Ontario businesses speaker invest 6 billion dollars in research and development every year that's almost half of Canada's total so through you speaker to the minister of research and innovation what is the provincial government doing further to support and advance research and development in our province thank you Mr. Speaker and I would like to thank the member from Oakville for that question Mr. Speaker Ontario's research and development initiatives have always been in the forefront and the most important priority for this government Mr. Speaker research and innovation creates good value jobs and also it's the engine of the economy for tomorrow our government has committed 557 million dollars to research projects through the Ontario research fund research excellence program this program and recipients of this program Mr. Speaker has leveraged 1.2 billion dollars funding from private and institutional sources also committed 760 million dollars Mr. Speaker to Ontario research fund research infrastructure program this program Mr. Speaker has leveraged 1.4 billion dollars investment from other sources and through this program Mr. Speaker we are funding 1600 research projects across the province for their infrastructure and equipment costs Mr. Speaker I am proud that our government's investments in research and innovation has kept us in the forefront Supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker well I'm glad to hear that our government's continuing to invest in the research and development initiatives right here in the province I think we'd all agree in this house and we know that's going to help create jobs and that's going to spur the economic growth that we all want it's going to allow us that we do this to continue to build an economic climate that offers the right condition that businesses are asking for to grow and provide the necessary resources and support for researchers we know that that's critical to the economic prosperity of this province in both the short term and the long run we know we want to support world-class research and we need to commercialize those technologies through from the research stage but through you Speaker to the Minister of Research and Innovation what other specific government programs are in place that will support enhanced research and development of this province. Thank you Mr. Speaker again I want to thank the member from Oakville for that question Mr. Speaker our government recognizes the importance of supporting necessary means to researchers and the businesses to move their ideas and innovations from the labs to commercialization one of the initiatives of our government is the early research award program to help newly appointed researchers at our research institutions to build their team the experience of this initiative and this program Mr. Speaker they have trained 13,000 highly qualified researchers for the province of Ontario another initiative which we have been following Mr. Speaker is to assist Ontario instead of for cancer research to create 1600 high quality jobs actually yesterday I had the pleasure with the member from Whitby Arshawa visiting Ontario for cancer research and the last recent Mr. Speaker we are so proud of the work they do in order to cure cancer and to manage this very dreadful disease Mr. Speaker so we are I'm glad to report that we are in the forefront Thank you, new question the member from Holland and Northall Mr. Speaker to the acting premier July 12th under the authority of the Health Protection and Promotion Act an illegal burger shack in Caledonia was ordered closed 22nd a cease and desist order was issued by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice this burger shack is on MTO property and the court order names your minister of infrastructure but you have not closed this burger shack acting premier it's been two and a half months since the court order was issued why do you feel your government is above the law in disobeying this court injunction Mr. Vavoriginal Affairs Mr. Speaker Thank you for that question as the member opposite knows those issues regarding the burger shack are before the court today as we speak in front of the superior court on both issues and until the court deals with that today and renders its decision to be inappropriate for anyone in this house to comment on that acting premier this is to you a condemned burger shack next to an illegal smoke shack it's on government land adjacent to provincial highway number six no potable water no sink to wash your hands no refrigeration intermittent power clearly a threat to public health now as we know the Hollywood Norfolk Health Unit is trying to get a contempt of court ruling against your minister of infrastructure I think you would agree it's unusual for a medical officer of health to have to get a contempt of court ruling against the minister of the crown what will it take for your government to apply the rule of law acting premier will ask your minister who is now and could be in contempt of court question to step aside until this gets resolved minister opposite knows full well that when issues of this importance are before the court that it's inappropriate for anyone to comment on the case you can get things quiet for you to have another hackle finish please as we speak this very moment those issues are being heard before the superior court of Ontario a judge of that court you are being disrespectful by trying to raise those questions in the middle of a court you see it please the question remember from Toronto Danforth thank you speaker to the acting premier city leaders from Hamilton to Kingston are raising serious questions about the safety of Enbridge's proposal to reverse its line nine pipeline and pump tar sands crude right across Ontario the Ontario government also has concerns this summer the ministry of energy asked Enbridge some important questions questions about the risks posed by line nine reversal to wetlands shorelines and the drinking water of millions of Ontarians unbelievably Enbridge refused to answer those questions how can the government ensure that line nine will be safe when it can't even get answers from Enbridge acting premier minister of rural affairs minister of rural affairs well thanks very much Mr. Speaker we all have an interest in the transportation of energy resources and economic benefits that flow in Ontario we have a number of expectations around these kinds of projects we expect that the highest safety and environmental standards will be met and all peoples must be met communities must be consulted in an open, transparent and accessible fashion the pipelines that cross provincial boundaries are federal decisions under the jurisdiction of the national energy board Ontario's actively interviewed in these hearings to ensure that the best interests of Ontarians are protected including our safety, environment, jobs and our economy well speaker when matters affect the environment that Ontarians depend on Ontario has the power and responsibility to act three years ago years ago an Enbridge pipeline spilled millions of leaders of heavy crude into the Kalamazoo river in Michigan causing over a billion dollars worth of damage the national energy board process concerning line nine doesn't examine all the environmental aspects and the Ontario government can't even get basic safety questions answered by Enbridge Quebec has set up its own public consultations why won't the Liberal government stand up for Ontarians drinking water and their watersheds and call your own full environmental assessment on the pipeline Mr. Speaker, pipelines that cross provincial boundaries are under the jurisdiction of the National Energy Board the national energy board has a very rigorous process to ensure that safety and environmental standards are met we expect the NAB to give careful consideration to all the facts and presentations prior to making any decisions we have added a past hearing to Ontario's participation to stress the importance of Aboriginal and public consultation our governments have a duty to ensure that decisions made regarding including appropriate and meaningful public discussion we continue to closely monitor the process and the health and safety and environmental impacts of this project and I would suggest that Mr. Mulcair in Ottawa may want to ask some questions on behalf of Dario Thank you very much my question is to the very dedicated minister of Aboriginal affairs we all agree that communities across Ontario projects that enable and support social and economic development and this includes our Aboriginal communities investing in Aboriginal communities is a priority for our government and creating opportunity for everyone Ontario is a benefit to all of us one program that is a good example of our government's efforts to invest in Aboriginal communities is the Aboriginal community capital grants program this program is bringing funding to communities across the province in Aboriginal communities across the province speaker calmly could the minister tell us about the capital grants program and the benefits it's providing to our Aboriginal people here in Ontario thank you minister thank you this is an important question our government's Aboriginal community capital grants program helps first nations and Aboriginal organizations build or renovate community centres or small business centres and these centres support community development new business opportunities and can provide employment opportunities and tools that improve job skills and wellness for Aboriginal people in 2013-14 my ministry will invest approximately $3 million in infrastructure projects through this grant program since October 3 the Aboriginal community grants program has provided more than $30.7 million to Aboriginal communities through 112 major and minor capital grants programs and feasibility studies we continue to support community capital grant development for first nations and Aboriginal these are just an example of the range of programs that are available through this capital grants program it's a way in which the province is demonstrating that it wants to work with Aboriginal communities to provide jobs minister finance on a point of work I would like to thank Mr. Speaker I was hoping that members of this House could join me in welcoming Yama Thompson director of human rights and Canada's largest medical development organization who is joined by Catherine Sheppard here in the House today. We have a deferred vote on the motion for allocation of time on government order number 8 calling the members this will be a five minute bell. On October the 2nd Mr. Mollye moved government notice of motion number 23 all those in favor rise one at a time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Bradley. This is Jeffrey. This is Susan. This is Charles. Mr. Quinter. Mr. Bartolucci. Mr. Barnetti. Mr. Cole. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Pruzza. Mr. Murray. Mr. Lille. Mr. Delaney. Mr. Flinn. Mr. McNeely. Mr. Moriti. Mr. Cotto. Mr. Sergio. Mr. Zimmer. Mr. Bulkasen. Mr. Albanese. Ms. Jasek. Ms. Hunter. Ms. Manga. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Harnam. Mr. Harnam. Mr. Fidele. Mr. Fidele. Mr. Houda. Mr. Yacobusky. Mr. McLeod. Mr. Miller Perry Sound Mascoka. Mr. Miller Perry Sound Mascoka. Mr. Cleese. Mr. Barrett. Mr. McNaught. Mr. Bailey. Mr. Jackson. Mr. Smith. Mr. Harris. Mr. Thompson. Mr. Sherman. Mr. Sherman. Mr. Europe. Mr. Scott. Mr. McAnna. Mr. Walker. Mr. Leone. Mr. McDonnell. Mr. Pettipies. Mr. Arvac. Mr. Marquesi. Mr. Pru. Mr. Taylor. Mr. Natascha. Mr. Tavis. Mr. Miller Hamilton Estonia Cree. Mr. Miller Hamilton Estonia Cree. Ms. Forster. Mr. Campbell. Mr. Vantah. Mr. Shine. Ms. Armstrong. Ms. Sattler. Ms. Mayes. Ms.稀 Travor. Ms. Tavis being 74 and the names being 20, I declare the motion carried. There is a point of order for the member of theバイ вопросы. Point of order. Mr. Speaker, I just want to welcome the St. Mary Catholic elementary school from the vine village of Grafton from my great riding. Kristoffmer Quinn West here at Queens Park.