 It is now time for a question period. The leader of Her Majesty's royal opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Last year there was a headline from North Bay that read like a plot of law and order SVU. The headline was North Bay Mother Awakes to Nightmare of a Stranger Attacking Child. The attacker was charged with many crimes, but among them were two counts of breach of a conditional sentence order. That was one year ago and a month, and what has this government done? They've done nothing to watch over violent criminals on probation and conditional sentences. It's unacceptable. In the last year, how many other children have been harmed by violent offenders? How long are we going to wait until the government will make sure that criminals are checked? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I know that the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services will want to comment on this, but obviously we all have to take these situations very, very seriously. Our government takes the safety of our communities extremely seriously. We work in partnership with our police services and justice partners to make Ontario one of the safest jurisdictions in North America. Of course, not in any way diminishing the incident that the member opposite has identified, but for 11 straight years Ontario has had the lowest crime rate of any province or territory in Canada. Ontario is also home to six of the 10 safest census metropolitan areas in the country. Mr. Speaker, we will continue to work with our police services, with our police partners to make sure the right policies are in place. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, another story out of North Bay read, I quote, One woman and two men were arrested following a report of a stabbing Friday night that sent one person to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Following a verbal dispute with the man, one of the visitors was stabbed with a knife. One man was charged with assault with a weapon, aggravated assault and breach of probation. The last charged breach of probation, clearly he was a violent criminal. Did this individual receive any home visits? Of course not. He's expected under this system that the Liberal support to self-report. Like Mr. Speaker, give me a break. You've got a violent offender who's expected to self-report if he feels tempted to stab someone. How can the government allow this to continue? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I guess I'll thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, because it's actually great that I have to share with you, Mr. Speaker, and all Ontarians that Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in North America. And I'm very proud that our crime rate has been decreasing for years, and offenders have been less likely actually to reoffend, Mr. Speaker. And when you talk about what we are doing as a government here in the province, you know, we are moving forward on the correctional reforms, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Sapers is... If some people can't read, I have not started in a fun note. Finish, please. I'm very proud that we are working on our correctional transformation, and I always like to share and thank all our correctional officers, our parole and parole officer, probation officers who work extraordinarily in our community. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, what you just heard is government talking points. The question was on how can we accept, when there's violent criminals, sexual predators, how we think it's good enough to simply allow self-reporting and not having home visits. The minister praised the probation officers. Well, they're the ones who are whistle-blowing on this government saying it's not good enough. 4,513 convicted criminals of serious crimes out there, and we're expecting them to self-report. You know, how many examples do I have to give? Last week it was the case of child luring and Durham. Then it's the case in North Bay of a stabbing. How many serious criminal charges are there going to be where you have criminals out in our communities and they think self-reporting is good enough? A very clear question to the minister. Do you think self-reporting is fair and adequate for a community of sex predators and violent criminals? Yes or no? Thank you. Minister. You know, Mr. Speaker, I'm going to say that the leader of the opposition and I would say his party, you know, they talk a big talk. And you know, but their record shows otherwise. And I want to remind everyone about, especially the party leader. Track. The member from Nipissing come to order. The member from Niagara West, Landmark, come to order. Carry on. I want to talk about our leaders, the party opposite leader on his track record, Mr. Speaker. He's cut Canada's correctional service budget by 10%. And for those that don't know how much, it's $295 million, Mr. Speaker. He's also introduced ridiculous changes to our mandatory minimum. And let's not forget cutting a word-winning program to help our offenders in terms of reintegrating and releasing. So, Mr. Speaker. The member from Renfrew, Nipissing, Pembroke. You have a wrap-up sentence. Well, instead of playing politics with safety, we on this side of the house are committed, actually, to working with our partner, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. New question for the leader of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. It seems yesterday the Liberals launched a new ad campaign about their budget. Mr. Speaker, how much more money will the Liberals be spending on these clearly partisan budget advertisements? Can you tell us a number on Terence Deserve to know how much of their money this government's using to sell their tired old lines? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well, I have to say that on this side of the house we are very happy that the budget that we have brought forward has been passed in this legislature, Mr. Speaker. And we're now being permitted across the province. Obviously, the member opposite is not happy about that. He voted against OHIP Plus, so that 4 million people in 4 million children, Mr. Speaker, 4 million children and young people will have access to free medication starting January 1st, 2018. He voted against that, Mr. Speaker, so he is not supportive, but we believe that that is a very good and important thing for young people and families in this province, Mr. Speaker. Also doesn't want us to implement free tuition for young people in the province, Mr. Speaker. He doesn't want to see $16 billion invested in new schools in places like Ottawa, Waterloo, Thunder Bay, across the province, Mr. Speaker. We think those are important investments. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, the question was on partisan government advertising, and I can see why the Premier doesn't want to answer, because they're embarrassed of how much they're abusing taxpayers. From Wawa to Petawawa, from Owen Sound to Perry Sound, this government is wasting taxpayer money on partisan vanity ads, and they applaud, they clap when they hear about how much money they're wasting, but I can tell you, Ontarians are not applauding, because it's unacceptable. Stop the clock, miss. Chief Governor Wip, come to order. Minister of Children and Youth Services, come to order. Minister of Education, come to order. Please finish your question. Mr. Speaker, it's unacceptable. It's unethical. It's irresponsible. They are campaigning on the public dime. And my question, Mr. Speaker, is for once, will they do the right thing? Will the government cancel these partisan ads that are being paid for by taxpayers? It's not right. We already have one of the most horrific debts in the world, and you're spending more to promote your own selfish partisan purposes. Thank you. Bring her here. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is one province in this country that has a law in place that forbids partisan advertising, and that province is opposite again. I want people in the province to know about OHIP Plus, but we think it's important, Mr. Speaker. We think it's important that the 4 million children and young people in this province know that on January 1st, 2018, that they will receive free medication. It's important to their families. It's important to them, Mr. Speaker. We... Member from Hamilton, East Tony Creek, come to order. Finish, please. Wrap. We think it's important, Mr. Speaker, to implement free tuition across the province. We think it's important to build hospitals in Niagara, Windsor, Hamilton, Markdale. Member from Prince Edward Hastings, come to order. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Premier. And the Premier said that only one province... Minister of the Environment. ...has a law to prevent partisan ads. Well, that was before this Premier. That was before this team completely eroded the powers of the Auditor General for their own partisan purpose. And right now, we have the Auditor General saying these are partisan self-congratulatory vanity ads, and we have the government saying, no, the Auditor General is in favor of them. Who do I trust? Do I trust this Liberal Cabinet? Or do I trust the Auditor General? Mr. Speaker, I'm with the Auditor General. They are abusing taxpayers. They are abusing taxpayers to pay for their own partisan ads. You know what? Maybe it's because of the recent polls they have to abuse taxpayers, promote themselves, but it's not right. They need to stop using taxpayers to sell their misguided agenda. No one in Ontario says it's right to use taxpayer money for partisan ads. Do the right thing. Pull these ads. Thank you. Thank you. Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Let me just remind the member opposite that because facts still matter in Ontario, the legislation that bans partisan advertising is still in place in Ontario. And Mr. Speaker, let me just pick up on something that the Leader of the Opposition said. He talked about a misguided agenda. So what is he talking about? He's talking about OHIP Plus Pharmacare for young people from zero to 25. He's talking about free tuition for young people from low income families. He's talking about building hospitals in this province. Thanks to both sides. We're now in warnings. The Minister of Children and Youth Services is warned. I'm going to get silence. Finish, please. He's talking about hydro-leaf across the province, Mr. Speaker. These are supports that people of this province need. We have the first balanced budget in nearly a decade, Mr. Speaker. We are going to make investments in the people of this province because the people of this province have earned that support. New question to the Leader of the Third Party. It's for the Premier. Hydro rates have gone up 300% under the Liberals and 50% just under this Premier. People have good reason to be suspicious about any action that the Premier takes on the hydro file. And now leaked documents, of course, show that hydro rates will be going up even further as a result of the Premier's scheme, causing even more skepticism about the Liberals' handling of our electricity system in this province. Will the Premier come clean with Ontarians on the future cost of hydro before her hydro scheme, her borrowing scheme, is voted on in this legislature? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I know the Minister of Energy is going to want to comment in the supplementary, but let me just say that we have been very clear. I have been very clear, the Minister of Energy has been very clear with the people of this province that we have made investments in the electricity system in Ontario. $50 billion to make a reliable, clean, renewable electricity grid in... Member from Hamilton East, Stoney Creek is warned. Carry on. It's clear that there was a cost associated with that, Mr. Speaker, and that that cost needs to be shared over the generations that are actually going to use that asset, Mr. Speaker, and so we are bringing forward a reduction of 25% on people's electricity bills to be in place by the summer, Mr. Speaker, and to do that we are spreading the cost over a longer period of time and that means that not just this generation today will pay for those costs, but that will be spread over a longer period of time. We've been very clear with the people of Ontario that that's what we're doing. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, the Premier's borrowing scheme will cause hydro rates to soar by over 50%. She denies this, but she hasn't shown the people of Ontario any evidence to back up that denial. Will the public get any additional information on how much the Premier proposes to increase hydro costs after the next election so they can provide educated, informed feedback at the committee hearings next week, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As stated, we're bringing forward legislation that will actually reduce everyone's bills by up to 25% on average, Mr. Speaker. It's important that people know about this so they can understand that this government is acting to ensure that we're making our system as affordable as can be, Mr. Speaker, for many of these families. 800,000 families that live in the rural and northern parts of Ontario, Mr. Speaker, they'll see a 40% to 50% reduction. And that's what we're doing right now, Mr. Speaker, in the short term. In the medium term, Mr. Speaker, we're ensuring that we're holding the rates to the cost of inflation. And then for the long term, Mr. Speaker, the 2017 long-term energy plan will project where costs are going to be so people can see the transparent process that we have because it's all free, that is clean, that is reliable. Mr. Speaker, the Premier and her Liberal government have made a mess of our hydro system, and it has cost Ontario families and businesses far too much. And they think it's funny, but it isn't funny when people have to make choices about paying their hydro bill or putting food on the table, or choices about keeping people in the business's electricity bill. From the gas plant scandal to the broken promises not to sell off hydro one, to the four years, four years of denying that there was any problem at all with people's rising hydro bills, why has this Premier had so much trouble reconciling what she says with what she does? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In terms of reconciliation, when it comes to talking, Mr. Speaker, and then acting, it's this Premier that actually committed this government to bringing forward the fair hydro plan, and that's reducing everybody's bills across this province, Mr. Speaker, by 25%. If you look, Mr. Speaker, at a plan that has no reconciliation and no idea on how it would ever achieve a number, it's the pamphlet that the NDP put together, Mr. Speaker. There is absolutely no way that they're going to have one cent not a single cent off of anyone's bills. And let alone, Mr. Speaker, they don't even talk about helping low-income individuals until the last page in one line. Mr. Speaker, part of our, a large part of our plan is helping our low-income individuals, our seniors, our on-reserve First Nations peoples that they don't even mention in their plan, Mr. Speaker. This is a plan that will work for every Ontario. My next question is also for the Premier. Look, leaked documents show very clearly that the Premier knows her $40 billion borrowing scheme is going to end up costing families and businesses on their already sky-high hydro bills. But she denies that her plan is based on these documents. Well, if the leaked information is inaccurate, Speaker, why won't the Premier just come clean and release the information that did inform her plan? So again, Mr. Speaker, let me just reinforce what I have said in this house in previous days, Mr. Speaker. There is a short-term, a mid-term, and a long-term plan around electricity prices. We know that people need relief now, Mr. Speaker. That's what the 25% on average reduction for all Ontarians is, Mr. Speaker, and it will be in place by the summer. We will then hold those, the rate of increase of electricity bills down for four years, Mr. Speaker, to the level of inflation. And then, Mr. Speaker, the long-term energy plan, which is being developed right now, will give businesses and families around the province a snapshot of just that, the long-term energy plan, Mr. Speaker. But we will continue over the medium and the long-term to continue to take costs out of the system, which has happened with each one of our long-term energy plans, Mr. Speaker. We've found ways to take costs out. That will continue, and the people of the province, when that plan is ready, they will see it, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. What the Premier neglected to say is that after four years, those bills are going to soar in Ontario. But documents show that the hydro bills will absolutely go up. Yet the Premier's answer to this disgusting betrayal of Ontario families and businesses is just trust me. Just trust me, it's going to all be fine. Well, Ontarians are getting pretty fed up with the just trust me line speaker. It's what the Premier said before she broke her promise not to sell off Hydro One. And it's what she said about the Sudbury bribery charges right before a criminal investigation got underway. Just trust me is not good enough for the people of Ontario. When will this Premier release the information she says is showing the long-term effects of her borrowing so that Ontarians have all the facts before she rams this legislation through the House. Minister of Energy. Minister of Energy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Let's be clear. We have We're from Kichir Waterloo is warned. As I was saying, Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. The fact is 25% is coming off of everybody's bills, Mr. Speaker, before the summer, once this legislation passes. 40-50% is coming off 800,000 families bills, Mr. Speaker, in Northern and in rural parts of our province. That's a significant savings for these families, Mr. Speaker. We're also helping small businesses and farms. When you want to continue to talk about facts, Mr. Speaker, it is this government that cleaned up the mess left by the opposition parties when they were in power and the system that they left for us to clean up. A member from Hamilton Mountain is warned. And I do not appreciate gestures being made by members. Mr. Speaker, our plan has been praised by poverty advocates, by Indigenous leaders, by business leaders, and by energy experts, Mr. Speaker. Francesca Dobbin, the Executive Director of the United Way of Bruce Gray says this government is listening to the people with positive changes, our rural infrastructure, from the low-cost power it produces, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. Speaker, clarity is actually what the people of this province need and deserve, but they're not getting any of it from their government. The Premier scheme punishes families who are already struggling with their electricity bills. She is rushing through the House, shutting down debate. Any chance of meaningful public input is being truncated by the government. And she claims that the leaked documents that came to light last week about the plan are inaccurate, but she refuses to come clean with the people of the province about the facts. Why is this Premier going to such great length, Speaker, to make sure that the people don't have all the information about a plan that will affect their lives for three decades or more? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again, we have short-term solutions, medium-term solution, and a long-term solution, Mr. Speaker. 25% off with all of the other programs that are coming out, Mr. Speaker, through the fair hydro plan is something that all families will see right before summer, Mr. Speaker. We hope to have that past and get it into their pockets, Mr. Speaker, as soon as possible. In the medium term, we are holding rates to the cost of inflation for the next four years. And then when it comes to the long-term, Mr. Speaker, we are the only party that actually can plan long-term. These parties opposite have no idea one of them doesn't even have a plan, Mr. Speaker. They have no idea on what to do when it comes to electricity. We're making sure, Mr. Speaker, that we're bringing forward reductions that will help families all at the same time, Mr. Speaker. We cleaned up a system, we've made sure it's clean, it's reliable and it is something, Mr. Speaker, we should all be proud of because people look to us to see what they can do to emulate our system, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Attorney General. Yesterday, the Attorney General suggested that the Ontario Justice Council's new education plan would mandate sexual assault law training for Ontario judges. That would be great news. I've been calling on this kind of training for weeks and even table to private members bill about it. The problem is that this new training plan does not mandate sexual assault law training. The training quote encourages new judges to attend seminars one of which is about sexual assault law. Mr. Speaker, this is not a solution. So my question to the Attorney General is how can the minister suggest that this issue has been resolved when what we really have is a continuation of the status quo? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I want to thank the member opposite and the member from Devonport for their advocacy on this very important issue. Speaker, I've spoken on this issue numerous time and I've always advised all members of this house that at all times we have to respect the independence of our judiciary when it comes to matters around what training they should receive. It's a decision of the judiciary. Therefore, Speaker, on behalf of this house and behalf of our Premier and the Government, I've also written to the Chief Justice of the Ontario Code of Justice and have the chance to spoken to her. She has informed me, Speaker, through correspondence that she has now expressly mandated sexual assault training for all new judges. She's informed me, Speaker, that changes have been made to the education plan that is available online. I commend the Chief Justice for taking this very important step. It is within her responsibility to take those decisions and happy to know that express mandate is now. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's Toronto Star article by Christian Rashawe quotes the Ontario Judicial Council saying that under the changes, the legal and social context issues around sexual assault are integrated into various programs. But they are only for new judges and I believe in the article and by the OCJ it's not even mandatory. So I wonder if the Minister really satisfied with his answer. Clearly doesn't meet the expectations for survivors of sexual assault who want to be sure that the court system will treat their cases fairly. I do know that the Minister cares about this issue. So my question to him, will he finally agree that mandated sexual assault training needs to be legislated? Thank you. Thank you. I thank the member opposite. I thank the member from Devonport and the Premier and all members of the House for their work on this very important issue and we should never ever undermine sexual assault, violence against women or harassment in any shape whatsoever. Speaker, my responsibility as the Attorney General is always to work with our courts, with our judiciary which are independent. I am sure all members will appreciate at no point ever we want cross the line and interfere in the affairs of judiciary because their independence is key. My obligation on behalf of this House and all members is to do that work and I have been doing that work and I have been informed by the Chief Justice that the education plan of judiciary has been updated and now expressly mandates training for new judges. I think that is a good step direction. I am confident that more can be done and we will continue to work on that. Thank you. My question is for the Premier. Ontario is in the midst of an opiate crisis that demands urgent action. People are losing their lives every day on the street of this city. In fact 258 people died from a drug overdose in Toronto in 2015 and that number continues to climb. On March 20th, two months ago, the Toronto Board of Health requested additional funding of $375,000 from this government to support the Toronto overdose action plan but this government has so far refused to provide the additional funding that is needed. In the midst of a growing crisis of overdose death when everyone recognizes the urgent action is desperately needed has this government failed to provide the resources that Toronto needs to help save lives? Thank you. I really appreciate the question from the member opposite. This is an incredibly serious issue that is being dealt with across the country. In fact, our Minister of Health and Long-Term Care has taken a leadership role with his colleague ministers from all over the country. We have an opioid strategy in place we are gathering data that now the federal government is coming on board and they are putting in place a strategy that will give us better information and will be able to track what is going on in the country and thereby be able to prevent and provide better treatment. On the Toronto specific issue I am aware of the request made by the City of Toronto overdose action plan. We have received their submission it is being reviewed. I want the member to know that we are hosting meeting of mayors and I will say more in the supplementary. We are in the midst of a public health crisis a crisis that is growing here in Toronto and right across our province when local boards of health came here to set up and provide additional support to directly save lives this government should be ready to help I would say in a heartbeat that is what urgent action means that is the proper response to a growing crisis that is what a crisis demands how much longer will Toronto have to wait to get the resources to save lives and stop the overdose crisis I think the member opposite knows that we are there we are supporting three proposed safe injection sites in the City of Toronto that was something that the City of Toronto would ask for the Mayor of Ottawa was here a number of weeks ago I met with him he brought forward a plan I said that we would support that plan and out of that meeting the Mayor of Ottawa was here with the Mayor of Ottawa a meeting that we are hosting for all of the mayors who want to be involved this is not just an issue that is relevant in Toronto it is an issue that is relevant in many urban centres and in small towns this is across the province we need to make sure we are doing the right things and we will be working with our municipalities as we already are to see what further needs to be done new question, the member from Davenport thank you Speaker my question this morning is for the Minister of Municipal Affairs as we prepare to celebrate the Victoria Daylong weekend it is a good time to reflect on a region that is one of the most extraordinary places on the planet it is blessed with abundant fresh water significant natural features like the Oak Bridges Moraine farmland and a moderate though sometimes unpredictable climate these assets support a high quality of life and economic opportunities they help make the GGH's dynamic economy Canada's largest economic engine that is fueled by a diverse and talented population today a government released updated land use plans for the region that will protect our natural resources and support future prosperity would the Minister please provide on today's announcement thank you today our government released four updated land use plans that will help grow the greater Golden Horseshoe the region is a success story and attracts people from all over the country and around the world already home to 9.5 million people the greater Golden Horseshoe is forecasted to grow by approximately 50% over the next 25 years the growth plan for the greater Golden Horseshoe the Green Belt plan, the Oak Bridges Moraine plan and the Niagara Scarpman plan set out an overarching strategy of where and how future growth should be accommodated and what we need to protect for current and future generations the updates will help us achieve a more efficient use of land resources and infrastructure so that we can reduce sprawl ensure the region is growing in a way that protects our vital assets and building communities that are vibrant they're healthy and their prosperous speaker the updates are the result of a significant amount of work and extensive consultation which I will speak about more in the supplementary supplementary thanks to the minister for his answer and I was particularly happy to hear our government's commitment to reaffirm commitment to protecting the Green Belt as were the many dozens perhaps if not hundreds of constituents in my riding of Davenport who called, wrote and visited my office to express their support our government established the Green Belt in 2005 and that we are now growing the Green Belt to include 21 new urban river valleys and associated wetlands plus 5 new parcels of land we've also extended Green Belt like protections for natural heritage water and agriculture to the entire greater Golden Horseshoe area this will help protect sensitive lands for generations to come without constraining development I appreciate the work that has gone into these changes I understand many people provided input with the minister elaborate on the consultation process that led up to today's announcement Speaker again thank you to the member we're happy as a government to reaffirm our commitment to the Green Belt and the principles it was founded on this process began in February of 2015 the first stage saw the establishment of an expert panel headed by the Honourable David Cromby and I want to give David my heartfelt thanks for his leadership and to recognize panel members for their recommendations throughout the process which included a six month consultation period in 2016 and a number of meetings with municipal leaders we heard unanimous support for the goals of these plans one size doesn't fit all was something we also heard a great deal about during the consultation and we've taken that into account in the final revisions to the plan they provide greater flexibility that recognizes local circumstances without compromising the objectives of the plans these new land use plans set the foundations for a sustainable healthy vibrant and prosperous greater golden horseshoe they've been shaped by thousands of people across the province through a lot of very hard work speaker and I would like to thank all of them today including my staff who have worked very hard on this over the course of my 12 months thank you very much Good question to the member from Titsnow, Thomas Soto My question is to the Minister of Transportation Speaker one million dollars can go a long way here in the province it could help children to pay their hydro bills but instead of helping those in Ontario who need it the most the government has decided to use one million dollars of taxpayer money to open up an electric vehicle car shop Minister Murray called this absurd waste of taxpayers money the first of its kind Mr. Speaker will the minister tell us if this taxpayer funded vanity project will be also the last of its kind Thanks very much a speaker very happy to take the question from the member at this member who's served in this legislature for a number of years would know that over the last number of years there have been a number of initiatives that our government has brought forward with respect to supporting consumers who tell us loudly and clearly speaker that they want to do their part in the very crucial fight against climate change speaker we know here in the province of Ontario that roughly 35 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions flow as a result of activities within the transportation sector and a large share of those speaker come as a result of people who are driving vehicles that have traditional internal combustion engines that's why over the last number of years we have brought forward a number of initiatives including the electric vehicle incentive program speaker including a support for the expansion of a significant build out of a charging infrastructure network in every corner of the province of Ontario because we want to help enable the kinds of choices that consumers tell us they want to make in order to do their part with respect to that fight against climate change speaker yes thanks speaker this government refuses to fund life changing treatments for rare disease patients while these ministers hand out 14 grand rebates to luxury electric test loaners and waste a million dollars on electric car lots now in the real world if someone wants to open a car lot they use their own money but when the ministers of transportation and environment unveiled Stephen Glenn's electric car shop yesterday they used a million dollars of taxpayer money on their government funded vanity project they can call it a discovery center an education center they can use whatever liberal spin they choose but when it comes down to it the liberals just wasted one million taxpayer dollars building an electric car dealership are you guys working on Mr. Speaker will the ministers be working weekends at the car dealership to pay back this to the minister of the environment and climate change speaker Mr. Speaker I just want to point out that we are in a strategic partnership with all the major auto manufacturers and global every single vehicle electric vehicle made in Ontario and sold in Ontario has been donated to be part of this the car dealers member from Prince Edward Hastings has warned could have warned him earlier when he was heckling during his own members question carry on car dealers know this center is absolutely essential to advance EV sales and the development of them every major auto manufacturer but Mr. Speaker it does not surprise us over here that the party that voted yes I'll do it member from Renfrew nipissing Pembroke has warned carry on against every investment we made in the auto sector that would have seen the collapse of our auto sector and loss of job doesn't support them the party that doesn't support two hundred million dollars the biggest investment in EV mobility to develop autonomous and electric vehicles here didn't support that and the party thank you new question the leader of the third party thank you speaker the question is for the premier nurses are leaders in our health care system and I want to welcome registered nurses that are here today from Ona every day nurses are on the front lines as first responders in our emergency rooms and throughout our health care system nurses see and experience trauma in their workplaces each and every day whether it's patients and life-threatening conditions or the violence that puts health care workers themselves at risk and the democrats believe that all nurses in Ontario need to be covered by presumptive PTSD legislation why doesn't the premier agree minister of labor thank you speaker and thank you to the leader of the third party for that excellent question because certainly I think if there's an issue that we have come along a far way along in the past year speaker it's on PTSD coverage for our first responders speaker we all came together as three parties in this house to support a bill that was passed about a year ago speaker and each one of us had some input into that each one of us chose at that point in time which people should be covered under that bill speaker as we move on obviously speaker questions are being asked that should some other people be included in that speaker and at this point in time speaker we should be proud of what we've done as a government speaker look to the future as what potentially we should do speaker because post traumatic stress disorder amongst our first responders is something we've ignored far too long we have a piece of legislation in place now speaker legislation can always be improved upon but we're in a leadership role in the province thank you supplementary while speaker during the committee process of the bill that the minister is talking about we brought the amendments to include nurses and others but the liberal government refuse to include nurses in the legislation at that time so in fact we could have legislation right now that does cover nurses but the liberals decided not to do that speaker at a time when nurses are dealing with violence in the workplace overcrowding in hospital hallways increasing workloads and the physical and psychological demands speaker that come from this government cuts to hospitals the premier has chosen to turn her back on these nurses and deny them WSIB coverage that every first responder needs and deserves why is this premier and her government refusing to do the right thing stand up for nurses and extend PTSD legislation to every nurse in Ontario speaker I don't believe for a minute that anybody's turned their back on anybody in this process this is being one of the best processes that this house has ever undertaken in taking an issue that was ignored you had people speaker there was tragic outcomes to some of the things that were happening at that point in time speaker you had our first responders as a result of not being able to get coverage speaker presumptive coverage under WSIB we're choosing to take their own live speaker we knew we needed to do something about that speaker we bought Bill 1-109 in as they think it was speaker 160 speaker and speaker we've made a huge step forward we're always open to discussion speaker because nurses we know plays such a huge integral role in the provision of services to our society speaker I think the member from Welland has to be warned carry on speaker in a first responder role nurses are covered in our correction institution speaker we've come a long way perhaps we have more to do speaker but we should be proud of what we've done new question the member from Eglinton Lawrence question the minister of agriculture and rural affairs Mr. Minister as you know in the recent months our farmers and agri-food sector has come under vicious attack from our American neighbors and to many people in Ontario we know full well that our agri-food industry is a $36 billion industry and it employs 800,000 people and we create and they create clean safe quality food in Ontario every day our dairy farmers our milk farmers yet we're being told that we have to abandon our successful supply management system I know you're going to Wisconsin to meet with the great lakes representatives to tell them about our strong agricultural system in Ontario that we're not going to be bullied by those Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs thanks very much Mr. Speaker I want to thank the question from my colleague member from Eglinton Lawrence this morning but I want to recognize him he was the unsung hero that helped to bring back the members sat down the members sat down a supplementary sorry anyways when you are going on this trade mission to talk about the importance of our supply management system in Ontario and the fact is that we have a surplus in other words the Americans get more out of trade with Ontario and agri-food than what we get back yet they want us to scrap this incredibly good system so I ask you Minister what are you going to tell our American neighbors about our great agri-food industry and our great farmers and our great supply management system which is second to none in the world when it comes to producing good food thanks very much Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member for the supplementary basically what we have here today is the problem with milk production is in the United States we have oversupply in places like Wisconsin, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania I'll be going to Wisconsin next week to tell my colleagues down there that Ontario is not to prepare to see what it is the best supply management system the best system that's ever been designed for agriculture fair price to consumer fair price to our producers the profits of Ontario and we won't let the Americans attack a very successful system that contributes more than 22% to Ontario's agri-food sector 23% of their sector's job and I'm asking all members on all sides to stand up for Ontario supply management system new question to the member from Lampedon, Kent, Middlesex thank you very much Mr. Speaker my question today is for the Premier on March 24th the MPP from Northumberland, Quinty-West will be in Fedford in the municipality of Lampedon Shores in my riding for a public meeting about the government's plan to close more rural schools curiously the invitation sent by the issues management team at the Ministry of Education specifies that in a quote photography and video recording does not occur once the engagement session begins on quote Heather Wright, publisher of the Petrolia Independent calls it a shameful excuse to limit press freedom and a trampling over the very basic freedoms of the press the Premier's plans to fast track the closure of more rural schools is not only an important issue in my riding of Lampedon, Kent, Middlesex but all across the province the Ministry of Education to lift the media block out on the so-called public meeting will the government continue to close more rural schools under available secrecy? Thank you very much Mr. Speaker and I know the Ministry of Education is going to want to speak to the supplementary but Mr. Speaker over my years as a parent and as a member of a school council Mr. Speaker and as a school trustee I'm going to go into more education consultations than I can count Mr. Speaker and what I know is that at those meetings there are people who want to be on the public record and who want to speak out and then there are people who want to talk about an issue but actually don't want it to become a public discussion and what we need at a meeting like the one that's happening around the rural schools and community schools is we need everybody to feel free to speak Mr. Speaker and of course the Ministry of Education will always speak to to the media. There will always be opportunities for the media to know what the discussion is about but Mr. Speaker people need to be able to speak freely. Supplementary the member from sorry the last one. Thank you Mr. Speaker and back to the Premier in the email exchange between the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education Heather Wright of the Petroleum Independent the minister spokesperson spins the need for media blackout by citing quote consent concerns of the participants end of quote but how does the ministry already know there are consent concerns at a public meeting and there's still a week away. So far the only confirmed attendee is the member for Northumberland Quinty West. Is it possible that your own government is concerned about there being a video recording Premier there are already many concerns that this listening tour is much to do about nothing. Premier journalists have an important role to play in our democracy. Will you lift this blackout today so Ms. Wright and other journalists can do their job as professional journalists. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the members for the question it's a great opportunity to talk about these engagements and the fact that we're going into 10 communities across rural and northern Ontario to talk about how we improve education for students and that's what we're there to do Mr. Speaker my colleagues that have been doing these consultations along with me we've engaged with the media, media have attended as the sessions were beginning and there's a process for the media to be involved in these consultations Mr. Speaker and as the Premier has already said we want to have a really robust conversation with parents, with students with school boards, with municipalities with everyone who is engaged in this very important dialogue around how we can improve our schools in rural and northern communities and we want to ensure that we create the space for them to do that and we have a process for connecting with the media that is quite open and transparent Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Government and Consumer Services Joshua Ferguson is a queer non-binary person who has applied to change the sex designation on their birth certificate currently in Ontario one cannot amend their birth registration of birth to anything other than male or female categories Ontarians should have the right to have their birth certificates accurately reflect the correct sex designation Will the Minister issue an amended birth certificate to Joshua and others like them that correctly reflect their sex designation Thank you Minister of Government and Consumer Services Thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member from Parkdale Park for this very important question because I have been following Joshua's story with great interest Joshua presented at a service Ontario office recently and I want to say off the top of course that our government values acceptance diversity and we're very committed to ensuring that all Ontarians are treated ethically, equitably fairly including the trans and non-binary community it's important to note of course that Ontario has already changed the way it displays information about a person's sex on health cars and drivers license making it easier for people to have documents that align with their gender identity we've also recently introduced a policy to help the trans and non-binary community to live according to their gender identity, there's new rules and I'll talk more in the supplementary about what we're going to do on the birth certificate Thank you, supplementary Back to the Minister it's difficult to get a health car or a driver's license if you can't get a birth certificate Ontario passed Toby's law in 2012 adding gender identity and gender expression to the Human Rights Code applying for a birth certificate with non-binary designation is entirely legal under Toby's law but sadly Joshua may not be afforded rights this should not be an issue, trans and non-binary rights are human rights, why is the government breaking its own law Minister Again I want to thank the member for the question and similar to the drivers license and health car examples I mentioned I'm very pleased to report to the legislature that the Ministry of Government Consumer Services is developing a gender neutral option for Ontario birth certificates we know a birth certificate is a foundation for many forms of identification and we need to ensure we get that right we need to work with the federal government and other ministries of course on this there was a recent consultation held by the trans and non-binary community on the development of an OPS-wide policy and that is going to help inform our work on this birth certificate issue I attended that session Speaker I was deeply moved from the conversations I had with a number of attendees it's my hope that we will target further consultations with the key partners I mentioned and get moving on this this summer thank you Thank you Speaker my question is Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services nuclear energy is a vital part of Ontario's energy mix and economy our province is at the centre of nuclear energy advancements and technology and that's something of which all the members of this house can be proud our nuclear facilities power more than half of Ontario and helped us get rid of dirty coal when it comes to nuclear energy public safety is of very high importance Mr. Speaker through you to the minister can the minister update the house on the recently announced changes to the provincial nuclear emergency response plan Thank you Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Thank you Mr. Speaker I wish to thank the MPP from Bayway for these questions Minister is the safety and the security of every Ontario and we are updating the provincial nuclear emergency response plan this year to ensure that it reflects the most current technologies and facilities so that we can keep Ontario safe in the highly unlikely event of a nuclear accident we are taking lessons learned from past nuclear emergencies such as the Fukushima accidents to ensure Ontario remains a global leader in nuclear safety the proposed change to the PNERP are now available for public comments for the first time Mr. Speaker and it is crucial that everyone affect the groups and everyone comments including the general public I encourage everyone all interested to comments on this important issue Supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker and to the minister for her response I'm confident in Ontario's safety record and our emergency plan which has been working hard to ensure that this plan is fully up to date and reflects all best practices Can the minister further speak to the provincial nuclear energy response plan Minister Again I want to say thank you to the member for questions and I want to assure the House that we are fully prepared should the highly unlikely event of a nuclear emergency occur Mr. Speaker Nuclear power has been meeting Ontario's energy needs safely for over 40 years and our government is proud of that excellent and proven record It helps us achieve our environmental goals and brings tens of thousands of jobs to Ontario Once we receive our public input on our updated plan our newly established experts advisory committee made up of top nuclear experts from around the world national and international will provide recommendation based on the feedback that we are receiving And Mr. Speaker I am proud that the public is participating in this process for the very first time as well as everyone commenting Thank you Mr. Speaker Any questions? Thank you Mr. Speaker From the sunshine list we saw the release of the benefits of the CEO for the Central West CCAC Her benefits for last year were almost $20,000 up an incredible 1,000% The auditor general has already reported that 39 cents of every dollar spent at our CCACs go to administration not frontline services How can the Premier justify this massive increase in the CEO's compensation? Thank you Mr. Speaker The member opposite knows that we have put in place salary caps a range of caps Mr. Speaker She also knows that where there are situations where the comparators that have been used tonight and I don't know the details of this specific situation I'm sure the President of the Treasury Board will be able to speak to it in the supplementary but Mr. Speaker the member opposite knows where the comparators that have been used are not reasonable then we will push back on that and ask for a review of those but Mr. Speaker we have put those caps in place for very good reason and those ranges need to be respected Mr. Speaker Thank you supplementary Clearly the caps aren't working back to the Premier after the auditor general's scathing report the Minister of Health wrote a letter to all CCACs not to enhance compensation or entitlements for non-union and management staff in any way including wages, benefits, bonuses and termination provisions Clearly the CCAC in Central West ignored the Minister's direction When will the Premier put an end to these unacceptable raises in executive compensations President of the Treasury Board President of the Treasury Board Thank you I can't comment on the particular individual I can't comment on Member from Dufford, Caledon has warned me I can't comment on that particular individual salary and what has happened in the particular circumstance but what I can do is talk about the process that we are currently undergoing which is we've asked our broader public sector partners to look at comparators that are public sector that are Canadian that are comparable that take into consideration the geography the scope of responsibilities that people have and to not pay more than the midpoint of reasonable comparators I can tell you that that has not yet we have a deferred vote on the motion of second reading of bill 132 an act to enact the Ontario Fair Hydro Plan Act 2017 and to make amendments to Electricity Act 1998 and the Ontario Energy Board Act 1998 call on the members this will be a 5 minute bell Members please take your seats on May 15th 2017 Mr. Thibault moves second reading of bill 132 all those in favour please rise one at a time be recognized by the clerk Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Thibault Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fideli, Mr. Yakibusky, Mr. McNam, Mr. Scott, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barrie, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Muro, Mr. Eurick, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Ostra, Mr. Walker, Mr. Harris, Mr. Harris, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Nichols, Mrs. Marto, Mr. Pettipies, Mr. Coe, Mr. Choe, Mr. Choe, Ms. Horvath, Mr. Besson, Mr. Vantra, Mr. Miller Hamilton and Stoney Cree, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Jelena, Ms. Fyfe, Ms. Forrester, Mr. Hadfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French, the Ayes are 52, the Nays are 38. The Ayes are 52 and the Nays are 38. I declare the motion carried. Like a meeting in the bill, please have an action due for Mr. Loa. For sure, to the order of the House dated May 17, 2017, the bill is referred to the Standing Committee on Justice Policy. We have another deferred vote on the motion to third reading of bill 96, an act to enact human trafficking awareness day act 2017 and the prevention of and remedies of human trafficking act 2017. Calling the members, this will be a five minute bill. On May 17, 2017, Ms. Nadoo Harris moved her third reading of bill 96, an act to enact human trafficking awareness day act 2017 and the prevention of and remedies for human trafficking act 2017. All those in favor, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Ms. Nadoo Harris. Mr. Natham. Mr. Natham. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley. Mr. L'Ouca. Mr. L'Ouca. Mr. Sandler. Mr. Sandler. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Wynn. Ms. Wynn. Ms. Wynn. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Matthews. Ms. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Sharelli. Mr. Reynolds. Ms. Scott. Ms. Scott. Ms. Urna. Mr. Clark. Mr. Fideli. Mr. Macnon. Mr. Barrett. Ms. Monroe. Mr. Bailey. Mr. Ostra. Mr. Walker. Mr. Smith. Mr. Harris. Mr. Vankau Mr. Miller Hamilton-Eston-E 녹 maybe...S rainbow I'm gelatin this fight dense flight miss forester mr.. Help your Theme to monster grapple Mr.. Gates Miss french The eyes are 90 than a sir zero The ayes being 90 and the nays being 0. I'll declare the motion carried. Third reading of the bill. The resolution that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion. We have another deferred vote on the motion of third reading of bill 124 and act to amend Residential Tendencies Act 2006. Calling the members. This will be a five minute bell. Earlier today Mr. Knackman moved third reading of bill 124 and act to amend the Residential Tendency Act 2006. All those in favour of these ayes wanting to time be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Ballard. Mr. Knackman. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Del Duque. Mr. Sanders. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Wynne. Ms. Matthews. Mr. Shirelli. Mr. Dugud. Mr. McCharles. Mr. McMeekin. Mr. McCarr. Mr. Cole. Mr. Bardinetti. Mr. Delaney. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Murray. Mr. Chan. Mr. Meridi. Mr. Cotto. Mr. Hunter. Mr. Leo. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr. Tebow. Mr Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Yackobusky, Mr. Scott, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barry, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Mungro, Mr. Eureka, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Rostro, Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Knickers, Mr. Nickles, Mr. Mart�os, Mr. Petapies, Mr. Coe, Mr. Choe, Mr. Happen, Mr. Horvath, Mr. Vanskop, Mr. Mill Hamiltonie Stoney Creek, Ms. Sather. Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor. Madam Jelena. Madam Jelena. Ms. Fife. Ms. Fife. Ms. Forrester. Ms. Forrester. Ms. Gransky. Ms. Gransky. Mr. Gates. Mr. Gates. Ms. French. Ms. French. All those opposed, please rise one at a time. Be recognized by the clerk. The ayes are 88. The nays are 0. The ayes being 88. And the nays being 0. Declare the motion carried. They're reading the bill. Twice a lecture due per day. They're resolved that the bill do not pass and be entitled as in the motion. There are no further deferred votes. This House stands recess until 1 p.m. this afternoon.