 It is time for a question period. The Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. It is for the minister. That's not helpful what I'm trying to get you to say. If all indications continue, I will go to warnings immediately. If you would like to test me, I will fulfill. Question, please. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Finance. The Liberals need to open their eyes and realise that life is too expensive in Ontario. They need to open their eyes and realise that 416 and 905 commuters can't afford these new Liberal tolls. The attack on commuters must end. There is no doubt. Mr. Speaker, my question to the government is, will they make a U-turn before toll booths are on the ramps of the Gardner and the DVP? Will they not appreciate that commuters can't afford this giant new toll? Thank you, Mr. Minister of Finance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and commuters and the people of Ontario, appreciate this. You need to make decisions. You need to ensure that we continue to invest in our infrastructure. We continue to look forward to the future, Mr. Speaker. And you continue to be open-minded about what is being proposed. No decision has been made. The Council hasn't even reflected on the recommendations and suggestions being put forward. By the Mayor. And the member opposite has put no ideas whatsoever forward in order to relieve the issue. That's before us, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister, let's hear what stakeholders are saying about this. The Durham Chair, Roger Anderson, had this to say about the Liberal plan to allow taxes on Toronto roads. He said, I quote, I think this is short-sighted solution. They're literally taxing the 905 to pay for roads that have already been paid for. Anderson said that tolls will end up hurting. Businesses, he concluded, I think this is going to backfire. I agree with the Durham Chair that this is going to backfire. The government is forcing people of Ontario to pay for roads they've already paid for. So my question is this to the Minister of Finance. I know the Durham Liberal MPPs must be pleading with the Minister of Finance not to put this tax on Durham. I hope they're doing that. So the question is to the Minister of Finance, will he heed the advice of the Durham Chair? Will he take advice from Durham Liberal MPPs and not impose this toll? I'm moving. I thank the member for his comment because I'm moving to warnings. And we'll go quick. The Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is warned. Anyone next? Applies for both sides. Minister? Minister of Transportation, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Transportation? Thanks very much, Speaker. I thank the Leader opposite for his question. To follow up on what the Minister of Finance said in his first answer, Speaker, everyone on this side of the House, everyone in Durham, everyone in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area understands very clearly where this government stands with respect to making sure that the transportation and transit system that we committed to in 2014 gets fully built, Speaker. And you know, to cite Chair Roger Anderson from Durham in the House in the context of that question is a little bit, it's a little bit surprising to me, Speaker, because I've got to tell you, anytime I've had the chance to speak with any of our members from Durham or the Chair himself, I've heard him celebrate the two-way-all-day-go service we're delivering, the support for the Durham BRT, the 407 Phase 1 and Phase 2 that we're currently building out to the 35-1-15, Speaker. That Chair and our members understand we believe in producing results, not running away from the tough questions. That Leader could take a lesson from us. Thanks very much, Speaker. Can you say that, please? And I always remind members to refer to the Chair when answering and asking questions. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister of Finance, it's not just the Mayor of Mississauga, it's not just the Durham Chair. It's most of the municipal leaders in the 905 saying this is a reckless, bad liberal tax. Let's hear what someone else said. Just listen to the Mayor of Oshawa, John Henry. I had no prior heads up until I heard about this on the radio in this morning. Would I support it? No. Stop the clock. The Minister of Agriculture is warned. The Minister of Municipal Affairs is warned. I'm resolute. Please finish your question. Mr. Speaker, I know the Liberal members opposite don't like hearing what municipal mayors are saying about this liberal tax. But let me continue. The Mayor of Oshawa continued by saying there is just no money left that people have. They can't afford these tolls. So there's no mandate. In 2014, the Premier did not run on tolling the DVP and the Gardener. The mayors are saying no, commuters are saying no. Why are they giving the City of Toronto this permission? Why do they want to tax the DVP and the Gardener? It's wrong and the people can't afford it. Thanks very much, Speaker. Listen, I've got to tell you, two years and five months that I've been serving as the Minister of Transportation, Speaker, in every corner of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area. The Member from Chatham Candestics is warned. Carry on. Speaker, in every corner of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, what I hear from both commuters and from municipal leaders is their strong support for the transportation plan that our Premier and our government are delivering, Speaker. Go Regional Express Rail, the Eglinton Crosstown, the Finch West LRT, the Huron-Terry LRT in Mississauga, Speaker, the Hamilton LRT. The list is literally endless. But, Speaker, I have to share with the House. When I talk to municipal representatives in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area and beyond, and when I talk to residents in every single community that I just referenced, they have a question for me. They want to know where the leader of the Conservative Party stands on transit funding and transportation funding. And, more importantly, they want to know why 10 years in Ottawa he was MIA on these very issues. Good question. Mr. Speaker, since I can't get an answer on the Liberal tolls, the DVP and Gardner, I'll try something new. A question for the Minister of the Environment. A billion-dollar capital project that could lead to 1,000 jobs during construction and another 4 to 500 full-time jobs during the operation sounds fantastic. But that very project that I'm describing is being held up by this government's red tape. The provincial and federal environmental assessments started at the same time in 2013. The federal government approved the project in April, but the provincial deadline of July 22nd came and went. Mr. Speaker, why is the Minister of the Environment single-handedly holding up the billion-dollar Cote Gold Mine project near Timmins for no reason whatsoever? Why are we the slowest place to do business in Canada? Mr. Speaker, over the last two years we have gone through major reforms in turnaround time because the wait times when I became Minister were long. Some of them were taking up to two years and we had some real challenges. What is actually happening now is on January 1st, we will be introducing measures that will cut those turnaround times in half. And as members are also aware, we are computerizing and operating on the Easter system, which will give us some of the fastest turnaround times in the country. As to the particular complexity of a gold mine, I know the member for Nickel Belt and I have been discussing that and raising that. We are reviewing it right now and I will assure the member opposite. Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister of the Environment, a billion-dollar project. The local community on board. The local indigenous populations on board. The federal government on board. Yet this government continues to wage this unexplained war against Ontario's mining industry. Not only did the Minister miss his legislative deadline in July, but now he is asking local groups for reasons to oppose the project because he cannot come up with any himself. You know, the deadline to respond? Mid-December. More than five months after your own legislative deadline. But there's hope, Mr. Speaker. There's hope because the Auditor General is reporting tomorrow on environmental assessment delays just like this one. So, Mr. Speaker, the Minister has seen the report. Did he pass with flying kellers? Or is what's happening with a billion-dollar Kote mining project the norm in this province and we are the province of red tape? Please tell us. Thank you, Minister. So, when the party opposite was in power, there was almost zero reform in this area, Mr. Speaker. Since Premier Nguyen came into power, she immediately directed the reform of the EBR, which is underway, the ECA system, which is underway, and the environmental assessments, which are moving to a highly automated Easter system. This is groundbreaking national-leading reforms that will make us one of the user-friendly and simplest systems to use. With the particular issue of gold mines, it's interesting because we have major proposals coming forward from several gold mines in Ontario right now for major reinvestment. As the Minister of Northern Development would tell you, it's a very dynamic, a very exciting time for mining in Ontario. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, back to the Minister. The Cote Gold project is reflective of this government's contempt for the North and their failure to get projects moving. Just look at the Ring of Fire. The pressure leases from 2012 were written as if the chrome mine was a done deal. It touted thousands of jobs coming to Northern Ontario and has quotes from five ministers, including the current Premier, that the deal was done. Their release was followed with years of empty, empty promises. And the failure to act on the Ring of Fire is an embarrassment for this government. So Mr. Speaker, it's been years since the Ring of Fire hasn't moved forward at all. Now the Cote Gold project is experiencing the same neglect, the same red tape. When will this government finally commit to making sure the incredible potential of the North is seized? We don't need any more delays. We don't need more red tape. We want this government to support the Northern mining opportunities. Can I have a justification from the Minister? Thank you. Minister? Mr. Speaker, we have a working committee in cabinet led by the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, specifically working on this. But I find this passing strange, Mr. Speaker, coming from a formal federal member when we were twinning Northern highways, spending five times what that government did in the North, 500% more twinning highways, he never even raised a peak, Mr. Speaker. We had no federal matching money. 90% of Northern highways are paid for by the Government of Ontario, not a red cent or a word for the member opposite. He sat back while money poured into Alberta for the oil sands, no investment in green energy, no investment in the Ring of Fire, nothing. He was a member from Alberta for the amount of good he was to us in Ontario, and now he has the nerve to criticize the government that's paid 100% of Northern Ontario. Thank you. Stop the clock. Stop the clock. Can you see it, please? Can you see it, please? We're still on warnings. New question. The member from Bramley-Gormaldon. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the acting Premier. Keeping the fridge on, running a pump to get water from the well or running a base for a heater aren't luxuries. These are necessities. These are basics. Does the acting Premier think it's okay that working people and seniors can afford these basics because hydro bills are so high? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm happy to rise to answer that question because it is an important question. It is something that we recognize that there are families, there are seniors out there, Mr. Speaker, that are having a difficult time paying their electricity bills. And that's why, Mr. Speaker, we brought forward from the speech from the throne the 8% reduction, the 20% reduction, Mr. Speaker, for the 330,000 families that qualify for that, Mr. Speaker. We know that there are more needs to be done, Mr. Speaker, but that's why we continue to talk about the programs that we have in place. The Ontario Electricity Support Program, Mr. Speaker, for example, it can provide up to $45 per month for those families that qualify. And for seniors, Mr. Speaker, and for those that actually need to plug in, for example, a piece of medical equipment, Mr. Speaker, they can actually get up to $75 a month to help on their hydro bills, Mr. Speaker. We know that there's more to do. The Premier talked about that a few weeks ago. My ministry is working very hard on that, Mr. Speaker, and will continue to find ways to help families, to help seniors, to help everyone across the province with their electricity bills. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, I ask the government to listen very carefully to the story of Bob and Jeanine. Bob and Jeanine thought they'd be able to afford to retire. They had budgeted to live on old age and CPP. But then their hydro bills, they started to climb. In spite of heating their home with wood, their hydro bills were almost as much as their rent. Now, after 80 years living in Sunridge, Bob had to move out of his own community, had to leave his own community. Does the acting Premier think that Bob and Jeanine need an apology or they need to actually have lower hydro bills? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bob and Jeanine will be getting lower hydro bills come January 1st with the 8% reduction, Mr. Speaker. And I don't know the specifics of their story, Mr. Speaker, but he did mention Sunridge. Sunridge is a community, Mr. Speaker, that does get services in some parts by Hydro-1, Mr. Speaker. And that means they have potential for qualifying for that 20% reduction, Mr. Speaker. That's a significant savings for that type of family. And for 330,000 families right across the province, Mr. Speaker, that will qualify for that 20% reduction. But on top of that, Mr. Speaker, there are other programs in place. There's the Northern Ontario Tax Credit. There's the LEAP program if they need to access that if they're having difficulty paying their bills, Mr. Speaker. There's also the Ontario Electricity Support Program, in which they will qualify for, Mr. Speaker, because he did talk about what their income is, Mr. Speaker. They will qualify and get some benefit from the electricity program. If they're also heating their home with electricity, Mr. Speaker, then they qualify for that higher benefit. I do hope that that family gets that information so they can qualify and reduce their bills, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last week in question period, Andrew Horwath brought stories, our leader brought stories, of people who had their power cut off, even though they'd done everything they could to conserve. This is 2016, and nobody in this province should be paying as much for their Hydro-bill as they're paying for their rent. And nobody with a job or a pension, good savings should find themselves in a position where they're living in the dark, where they can't afford to, or they don't have electricity to keep their fridge on, their food is going bad. And they shouldn't be in a situation where mold is growing in their homes, because their basement is flooded, and they can't run a sump pump. These are real stories. These are tragic realities here in this province because of the Liberal government's choices. Will the Premier ensure that no more people in this province face the reality of having their Hydro cut off? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to electricity, it really is an important piece for us that vulnerable customers have the resources to help avoid disconnections. And that's why we've enhanced consumer protection rules, including requiring a 10-day advance notice of disconnection, Mr. Speaker, with accompanying resources to help customers with their arrears, Mr. Speaker. There is the LEAP program, Mr. Speaker, that will help them. Many other programs in place will help these families that are struggling, because we do agree. Everyone in this House would agree, Mr. Speaker, that it is unacceptable for families to have to live that way, Mr. Speaker. And that's why we brought forward the programs that we did in the speech from the throne. That's why we have the programs that we have, Mr. Speaker. Member from Hamilton Eastoni Creek is warned. Carry on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, because we are proud of the system that we built. We have a clean, green, reliable system, Mr. Speaker, in which we no longer have to send out warnings telling people to go outside and worry about breathing, Mr. Speaker, because we've eliminated coal. We are actually saving billions on our healthcare system. We are very proud of the system that we built, but we understand we've got to make it affordable for as many as we can. New question from Member from Hamilton Eastoni Creek. Thank you. My question again is to the Acting Premier. It's not only people that are struggling, it's also small businesses. Last year, a liberal back venture thought it would be a good idea to declare tomato day in Ontario and declare that tomato was the official vegetable in Ontario. Now, on Monday, we learned that Mucci Farms, which has been growing tomatoes in Kingsville for 45 years, is opening their newest greenhouse in Ohio because the cost of electricity is so high. Burmucci said, and I quote, we are paying one of the highest rates in North America. It's causing us to move out of Ontario right now, end quote. I think most farmers would agree that they would rather have affordable hydro so they can keep their greenhouses lit up and operating rather than the tomato day. Now, will the Acting Premier take the first step towards creating more affordable electricity in this province by stopping any further sale of hydro one? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week I got to meet with the Ontario Association of Greenhouse Growers, and Mr. Speaker, I know many of us had the opportunity to speak with them. And Mr. Speaker, they're growing and creating great work and creating jobs in our province, and that's under the great leadership of the Minister of Agriculture. I'd like to thank him for all of his great work, Mr. Speaker. But it is concerning when you hear about one business moving out of our province because we are doing great things, Mr. Speaker. We now have the ICI program, which they are thrilled with, Mr. Speaker. The Greenhouse Growers Association is thrilled with the ICI program because they will actually save, Mr. Speaker, one-third of their bill. They've actually talked about, Mr. Speaker, the natural gas expansion program that's being done by the Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Speaker. They're very excited about that. That's a $200 million loan program. A $30 million grant program. We're going to continue to see this sector grow in this province, Mr. Speaker, because we've got the programs that are helping. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are at their wits end. The Windsor Essex Chamber of Commerce says they're hearing more and more from businesses ready to relocate to Ohio or simply willing to go under because they can't afford the cost of hydro. The Kebab and Curry and Windsor is looking to closing because of their bills, because of their electricity costs. Ice Cold Treats is stuck because they can't afford to hire any staff. And just today, we've heard from pork producers who are talking about how the cost of high hydro is impacting them. Amidding a mistake is a good step, but it doesn't help any of these small businesses if it's just an apology. Will the Acting Premier do something concrete and commit to stopping the sale of hydro one in this province? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to small businesses, we actually have many programs in place to help them, Mr. Speaker. The Save On Energy program, for example, Mr. Speaker, is saving many, many businesses, thousands of dollars, and conserving energy, Mr. Speaker, ensuring that we're actually saving the system costs as well. We've got the ICI program that I mentioned in my previous answer, Mr. Speaker. We also have the 8% reduction that is coming January 1st that's going to help many small businesses, Mr. Speaker. But don't take my word for that. Without Alan Odette, the CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, we are happy about this. This is the right thing to do, particularly so that medium-sized enterprises can remain competitive relative to our largest competitor, which is just across the lake. This announcement today is very significant for residents and small industry, but the most important group that would benefit will be medium-sized companies like manufacturing, Mr. Speaker. We've got business after business, recognizing that the programs that we are putting in place will help them continue to grow. We'll continue to do that, Mr. Speaker, because we know that building Ontario up is the right thing to do. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, over and over, we see Liberal ministers standing up in question period and patting themselves on the back about how great a job they're doing on hydro. The more and more they do that, the more and more they show the people of this province just how disconnected they are, how out of touch they are with the people of this province who are struggling to pay their hydro bills, who are struggling to pay their bills. Listen, Mr. Speaker, life is unaffordable. People are being squeezed, people at the top are doing better and better, and everyone else is paying the price. Nobody, nobody in this province voted for that. Will the government stop just apologizing for their mistakes and instead do something concrete to actually fix them? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With concrete actions we have taken as 8% reduction for 5 million business and families right across the province, Mr. Speaker, effective January 1st. 20% reduction for 330,000 families, Mr. Speaker. 145,000 families qualified for the OESP program, Mr. Speaker. We're asking more families to apply to qualify. We've got five more programs, Mr. Speaker, that are helping families and businesses make sure that they can stay competitive and actually lower their hydro rates. But it's not just me that's saying this, Mr. Speaker. I talked about the Allen Odette from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. The Financial Accountability Officer says that our electricity prices are some of the lowest in the country, Mr. Speaker. And when it comes to our energy prices, we're right in the middle of the pack. And you know who also endorsed that, Mr. Speaker? The Environment Commissioner, another officer of the House who also said our prices are right in the middle of the pack, Mr. Speaker. We're making sure that we're building Ontario up, creating jobs, building infrastructure, something that neither one of them have a plan to do. Thank you. New question? A member from Nipissing. Every time this minister stands here to tell us something, the Financial Accountability Officer is compelled to release a report refuting what he just said. The minister tells us he'll balance by 2017-18. The FAO releases a fiscal outlook that tells us they won't. Then the minister puts out a fall economic statement telling us he'll balance, but the FAO releases a commentary saying that's not so. Contrary to the government's fantasy numbers, the FAO says we'll have a deficit of 2.6 billion and a quote, significant risk of structural deficits going forward. It's time the Premier and the minister complete with Ontario taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, will the minister be raising more taxes or cutting more services to fill the multi-billion-dollar hole in his budget? Mr. Finance. Thank you Mr. Speaker, and again I appreciate the work done by the FAO and as we all recognize he does a sensitivity about some of the challenges that are faced in our economy has done so in the past and we've exceeded those targets, we've recalibrated and done what's necessary. Not 100% sure. So Mr. Speaker, we have taken the measures necessary to grow our economy last quarter Ontario, outpaced the United States, the G7 and Canada and as a result we are taking those efforts into play, we're taking efforts to control our spending and we've done so being the lowest cost government anywhere in Canada as a result then as those revenues grow and as we control our spending we're balancing the books. And Mr. Speaker in his commentary, references that his assumptions are actually less aggressive than ours. We have taken more cautious approach in responding to the Auditor General for example in order for us to take the necessary steps to come to balance next year and the year after that. Thank you, supplementary. Thank you back to the minister. The people of Ontario cannot trust anything this Liberal government has to say. Yesterday the financial accountability officer confirmed the minister's budget plan is a complete fantasy rather than own up to their years of waste, mismanagement and scandals they continue to punish Ontario taxpayers. This means more one-time fire sales such as Hydro 1 higher taxes and fees like the 500 million more in drivers licenses and more cuts to frontline services. The member from Ontario Russell is warned I have my eye on about three others. Finish please. Mr. Speaker will the minister just come clean with the Ontario taxpayers and explain whether he's raising more taxes or cutting more services to fill the multi-billion dollar hole in his budget. Thank you minister. So Mr. Speaker let's come clean because the member opposite always misinterprets what is happening right now and always makes comparisons of some decisions that were never made in the past. We are out pacing Canada in growth. We have the highest growth and that's identified by independent economists and we take those assumptions and pare it down even more in order to do our projections going forward. We have the lowest unemployment in eight years in the province of Ontario. We have actually had 641,000 net new jobs since the recession Mr. Speaker. We have taken every step to manage our spending and control our debt by ensuring that we lock in our terms over longer periods of time. It's why our interest on debt is the lowest today that it's been since their time in office as well as the NDP. And our accumulated deficit as a percentage of GDP is the same today as it was 25 years ago Mr. Speaker. We're taking the necessary steps. We're investing we're going to the economy and we're coming to balance next year and the year after that. The question from the member from Toronto Danforth. Thank you, Speaker. My question to the Minister of Energy. In her 2014 report, the auditor general found that the government had forced smart meters onto Ontarians without doing a business case analysis or cost-benefit analysis. The cost of the program doubled to $2 billion just as the NDP predicted it would. And last week learned that time-of-use pricing had shifted less than 1% of peak demand even though peak pricing is double that of off-peak pricing. Many Ontarians are unable to change their pattern of energy use because they need to use the power when they need to use it. Will the government stop forcing time-of-use pricing onto Ontarians? Thank you Mr. Energy. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I'm pleased to be able to rise and talk about some of the things that I talked about yesterday that will relate to smart meters yesterday. Yesterday I spoke to the Empire Club there is 300 business leaders and energy leaders there listening to what we were having to say and what we were talking about Mr. Speaker is utilizing some customer choice options right because right now Mr. Speaker we're doing the long-term energy plan consultations right across the province and improving customer choice allowing customers to look at choice Mr. Speaker is something that you know we need to look at and I think that's what we're going to see come from the long-term energy plan. Smart meters will allow that to happen Mr. Speaker because right now it is it is an interesting thing when we have condo dwellers in downtown Toronto for example on the same price plan as as seniors who are living in a bungalow for example in my great riding of Sudbury or in Sault Ste. Marie or in St. Catharines Mr. Speaker. So looking at some of those options Mr. Speaker would be important and that was the foresight that this government had by bringing forward the smart meters Mr. Speaker and making sure that we implemented that so we can actually continue to move forward. I've never called that heard that called foresight before extraordinary. Time of use pricing punishes consumers like new moms like seniors like low-income families who can conserve energy but don't necessarily have the option of using it at another time they have to use it when they need to use it. When will the minister stop punishing on Ontarians by forcing them to use time of use pricing. When will you stop punishing them. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I know he hasn't heard the word foresight before because it's actually called planning and it's something that they don't have when it comes to the energy sector Mr. Speaker. But we do have a plan Mr. Speaker. Our long-term energy plan is actually looking at many things that we can do to actually help downward pressure on rates. We've talked about that the 8% reduction Mr. Speaker. The 20% reduction we've talked about those quite often Mr. Speaker. Those are great great options and great plans for people to actually see downward pressure on rates. But we continue to find ways and look at the technology that is coming forward Mr. Speaker. We've got storage. We've got great jobs coming in the storage sector and great ways of actually reducing our energy costs. Let's look and challenge the sector Mr. Speaker to be more efficient when it comes to our great supply mix that we have. There are many things that can do Mr. Speaker and that's because we've built a clean reliable power system one that we can all be proud of and one that we can continue to enhance. New question. The member from Eglinton Lords. A question to the Minister of Agriculture. With the park producers here Minister today I have raised this before with the park producers and as you know with many new Canadians there's been a real increase in the demand for safe reliable respected Canadian Ontario pork and that is coming from the new Canadians. I know in the Chinese community there's a huge consumption of pork. They love their pork. They love their Ontario pork. Can you tell me what the pork producers are doing to essentially market their wonderful safe Ontario pork to new Canadians who are calling Ontario home. Thank you. Mr. Speaker I want to thank my colleague from Eglinton Lords to ask me a question today about Ontario pork. Ontario pork of course this morning sponsored a breakfast for all MPPs to take the opportunity to update them what Ontario pork is doing. Mr. Speaker there's no question about that. I've had the opportunity now on two occasions to travel with my colleague the Honourable Michael Chadd the Minister of International Trade. We were in China in April 2015 and just seven days ago we just finished an extensive agriculture trade mission to India. One thing that everybody in this house should know that the Ontario brand is known internationally around the world. It is known for safety and quality and we're looking at ways for Ontario pork to increase their exports to every corner of the world because Mr. Speaker you and I both know that good things always grow in Ontario. Thank you Mr. Minister as you know the price of beef has gone up in Ontario in the last year and I know when I go shopping at Lady York and Zito's in my writing they talk about the price of beef but I notice a lot of them are switching over to pork because people tell me that a good pork chop is just as good as a good steak. So what can we do to market all these wonderful byproducts of pork whereby again people in Ontario finally appreciate the safety the quality and the integrity of Ontario pork. What else can we do to further market this wonderful locally grown Ontario product? Well Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member from Eglinton Lawrence for supplementary. Mr. Speaker I can assure the members of this house that I enjoy a good steak I enjoy a good pork chop and I enjoy a lot of good snooking but let me tell you what we've done over the last number years working with Ontario pork they've been so innovative and now they produce a product that's very very lean it is it is being consumed on a worldwide basis not only here in Ontario but other province in Canada and around the world and it goes back to the fundamental thing that we have agriculture and agri-food contribute 36 billion dollars to Ontario's GDP and Ontario pork is giving us a reputation around the world for quality each and every time. Your question member from storm out done that self-hungry. Thank you speaker to the acting premier this government has utterly failed to consult with reward pouring providers before bringing forth bail 47 to the table and to committee reward points have to be accounted for as a liability on providers balance sheets where this bill to go ahead and have this government Michael managed the industry programs such as aero plan air miles and others could leave this province all together cutting the consumers access to reward points programs speaker consumers have value of their points but does this government know what is actually going to be a minister of government and consumer first all right deputy speaker thank you deputy leader thank you speaker to the minister of consumer safety community safety and correctional services sir government and consumer services thank you thank you speaker appreciate the question from the member opposite first of all I want to take a second and I want to commend the good member from beaches East York leadership brought forward Bill 47 protecting rewards points act so I want to thank him for his leadership and for being in tune obviously with consumers and this particular issue as you know speaker loyalty rewards points have value which is why our government is taking taking steps to protect them and if passed the proposed amendments to the consumer protection act would ensure that these rewards points cannot be cancelled or diluted in any way speaker I want all Ontarians to know that they don't need to worry if they have points that are about to expire because we are committed to taking action on this issue I'll have more to say in the supplementary thank you thank you speaker figure the amendments to bill 47 filed by this government will give the minister the power to regulate the entire reward point industry from our office without any industry or consumer consultation we were at a point where I thought members were getting their questions and answers in appropriately without it but there's a lot of dialogue going on now because of our situation I think we need to bring it back down again please I need to hear it thank you speaker without any industry or consumer consultation and despite the fact of the reward point account is completely a voluntary agreement where the consumers rewarded for free products and services for just being a loyal customer this is just a government trying to clutch its straws to shore up its popularity as this government considered the impact of legislation will have Ontarians ability to access report order for programs and their ability to redeem these points in the future again can the minister explain how forcing reward point programs out of the province is actually helping question thank you minister you know speaker someone we want to stand up for big business what we're standing up for consumers in this that's exactly what the member from beaches east York was showing leadership on in fact as everyone knows this particular bill will be discussed in the standing committee on regulations and private bills today at four o'clock where we'll have clause by clause and public hearings on this particular matter so I'm really pleased with the steps that we're taking to protect consumers in Ontario and you know speaker bills on bill 59 putting consumers first act that helps to ban door-to-door sales and stop those aggressive tactics at the doors set up rules for home inspectors and also take stronger action on aggressive payday loan type establishments that are very predatory to consumers and make it very difficult for consumers to get out of that cycle because speaker on this side of the house we're taking strong action to protect consumers thank you new question the member from Essex thank you speaker my question is for the acting premier speaker back in 2014 the Windsor Essex County Chamber of Commerce identified strong potential for growth in the agri-food sector in the green post sector in my riding indeed mr. Speaker that my region boasts the highest concentration of year-round vegetable production anywhere in Canada yesterday Mucci Farms in Kingsville announced that it was expanding its operations in Ohio they cited the already high in rising costs of electricity in Ontario as their primary reason for leaving can the premier can the acting premier tell the people of my region how their homes and businesses can be powered by liberal apologies thank you mr. Speaker I'm very pleased to rise and talk about the great things that we're doing to help us small and medium-sized enterprises and the green greenhouse growers of the province as well mr. Speaker I had the opportunity to meet with them just last week mr. Speaker they were here talking to all of us on the hill and they were very pleased mr. Speaker to see all of the programs that we're bringing forward to actually help them and many other businesses right across the province the ICI program mr. Speaker will be a direct benefit to the greenhouse growers Association but it'll also be a direct benefit to a thousand other small and medium-sized enterprises right across the province mr. Speaker they'll be able to use or reduce their electricity bills by one-third of their bill mr. Speaker that's pretty exciting for many of these businesses they'll also qualify for the 8% rebate for small business answer same as the home businesses or homes mr. Speaker and it's not just us saying this mr. Speaker it's the Ontario Chamber of Commerce who also supports this program supplementary thank you speaker I've heard the premier stand in this house and out in the public and talking glowing terms about the potential of the agri food sector in Ontario meanwhile after more than a decade of liberal promises to expand highway 3 and to allow for improved access to markets for this critical sector that promise remains unfilled speaker after a decade when will this liberal government take its big red boot off the throats of rural Ontario in support affordability and prosperity for the people in rural Ontario minister of agriculture and last week I know the greenhouse growers of Ontario were in to see my colleague the minister of energy and my colleague certainly engaged with them at a very positive dialogue at how our changes to the ICI will be very very helpful for the greenhouse sector the province of Ontario we do know it's growing over the last two years in the agri food sector load we have generated 42,000 new jobs in the province of Ontario excellent 2.2 billion dollars in additional GDP and we've partnered to bring in the new herbway Parkway in Linser Ontario to make sure that Ontario products can't get to the border to achieve those exports because Ontario food is demanded around the world Mr. Speaker thank you thank you speaker my question the minister sponsored for seniors affairs minister I read the last Friday you were in London to announce the 2017 round of funding for the seniors community grant program it's my understanding this program provides funding to the nonprofit community seniors group for projects that encourage greater social inclusion volunteerism and community engagement this is a great program to provide grant opportunities for small grassroots community organizations in order to benefit seniors especially in rural areas can the minister please provide more details in this great program thank you thank you speaker I want to begin by thanking the great member from Northumberland Quinty West for asking this important question about seniors community grant program indeed Mr. Speaker I was very excited to have been in London joined by the Deputy Premier the Honourable Member of London North Centre for this announcement and announcement that we are looking to invest another two million dollars Mr. Speaker in the seniors community grant and might I add I think it's among the best two million dollars this government is spending Mr. 16 round of funding Mr. Speaker this program benefited the lives of approximately 142,000 seniors through 380 projects and nearly half of these programs are organized by small local groups to serve the unique needs of their communities since 2014 invested five million and we look forward to investing another two million thank you Mr. Supplementary well thank you Mr. Speaker I want to thank the minister for answer supporting over a quarter million seniors is truly an accomplishment you and this government should be proud of in my writing this programs help many different agencies and programs such as Bridge Hospice and Workworth St. John ambulance Northumberland elder abuse network Ruth Clark activity center in Port Hope and Campbell for curling programs the speaker I am glad that we are acknowledging the important role seniors have in continue to play in our communities I've heard that keeping seniors connected active engaged and to be shown to contribute to their overall health and well-being and as I'm sure we all know seniors in our communities are not looking for slow to slow down anytime soon but we all know that the needs of different communities are often unique from those around them question could the minister responsible for senior affairs provide example of these houses of the delivery of programs the senior community grant support minister responsible for senior thank you speaker again I want to thank the member from Northumberland Quinti West for the question and for himself giving a number of great examples he rattled off a long list of examples of this program in action for me Mr. Speaker the programs that jump into my mind are three from the 2016 recipients ATN access for example based in London has provided opportunities for individuals with disabilities to gain access to employment reach their educational goals and improve the quality of life the SCG the seniors community grant assistance is also helping youth opportunities unlimited again in London and the youth opportunities unlimited has launched a pilot project that offers unique volunteer opportunities for seniors to engage with you finally Mr. Speaker in the interest of time a third example meals on wheels in London has used their funding to create a workshop thank you to educate seniors on common new question the member from Halliburton Cork of Lakes drop yesterday the Ontario Association of Food banks released its annual report on hunger putting a spotlight on the growing crisis of energy poverty in our province the report shares the stories of low income individuals especially in rural areas who can no longer afford constantly increasing hydro costs too many residents of my writing are suffering and they're pleased of desperation I hear at every event my constituency office is flooded with requests for help with their hydro bills and contrary to what the Minister of Energy says we do help them access existing programs but the food bank report confirms what we've been saying all along that there only a drop in the bucket while the Premier has taken responsibility for the energy poverty crisis her words do nothing to help those of my right to go out of their way to cut back on electricity use but still see their hydro bills rise when will the government listen to our food banks and fix the problem rather than offering band-aid to me thank you Mr. Speaker we know that some Ontarians in particular struggle with their electricity bills we've been aware of that Mr. Speaker since we've since I've taken over this ministry Mr. Speaker but that's because Mr. Speaker we had to build the system back up from the ground that they left decimated Mr. Speaker they actually left it decimated Mr. Speaker they actually relied on cheap coal Mr. Speaker we no longer do that we've invested in the system we've made sure Mr. Speaker that people have a system that they can rely on but that came with the cost and the Premier recognizes that Mr. Speaker we recognize that as a government Mr. Speaker and that's why we brought forward the 8% reduction for all families and businesses right across the province Mr. Speaker and a 20% reduction as well we also have six programs in place Mr. Speaker to help many of these families but all of this Mr. Speaker I know there needs more to be done and that's why we're moving forward with our plan something that they don't have Mr. Speaker supplementary through you Mr. Speaker to the minister well not only are individuals paying the price for government's misguided policies but so are our municipalities in my riding the city of Cork the lakes now spends over 5 million a year for hydro they are frustrated the delivery charges are very expensive compared to urban areas and there seems to be no remedy in August alone their bill for 51 street lights was $86 for electricity used yet the total bill was $41,000 global adjustment over 15,000 delivery charges over 16,000 regulatory charges debt retirement charges and on and on this is outrageous pay twice first on their hydro bills and again on their tax bill so my question to the minister is when will your government act to help our municipalities deal with the mess that the Premier admits created thank you mr. Speaker I'm thank you mr. Speaker I'm happy to be able to rise and answer this question because you know mr. Speaker they're talking about the debt retirement charge that's something that we eliminated mr. Speaker for all families but that's their legacy mr. Speaker they left a debt retirement charge that businesses are still paying to this day but is the leadership of this government that's going to eliminate that mr. Speaker when it comes to municipalities mr. Speaker our government has worked hard over the last 13 years to improve the provincial and municipal relationship that was abandoned by them they downloaded everything onto the municipalities mr. Speaker you can ask many of our MPP's who are actually in the municipality sector before mr. Speaker everything was downloaded on we are no longer doing that mr. Speaker we've seen four billion dollars given to our municipalities and that'll be done by 2017 mr. Speaker when it comes to making sure that our municipalities are saving energy they're actually doing it through this thank you no question the member from Hamilton Stony Creek thank you speaker my question is to the acting Premier the hydro rate crisis caused by this government is now putting hundreds of Hamiltonians at risk of losing the roof over their heads the city's homelessness prevention program has run out of money because so many struggling people have needed help with their hydro bills the government says it'll increase the funding next year maybe but the program is facing a 2.5 million deficit right now caused by liberal hydro failures what will this government do today to ensure hundreds of people in my community can stay in their homes and keep the lights on and the heat on minister of housing and responsible for poverty reduction sir housing responsible for poverty reduction strategy well thank you speaker and I know that you know goes without saying speaker that that Ontarians should never have to choose between paying for food or their hydro bill and the minister of energy has outlined a number of key things that that his ministry is putting into place you know an 8% rebate 20% for for rule a suspending large renewal procurement but I can say that when it comes to Hamilton speaker since 2003 this government has invested over a hundred and sixty six million dollars for affordable housing but what does that mean in Hamilton mr. Speaker in Hamilton it means 872 affordable housing units have been created in Hamilton mr. Speaker 470 affordable housing units have been repaired in Hamilton mr. Speaker 294 households received down payment assistance thank you before we move to supplementary just a reminder that the member has been warned you have been warned already whoa you're welcome the premier likes to call herself the social justice premier fair enough yet as housing minister Kathleen win cut and capped funding for municipal homelessness prevention programs leaving thousands of vulnerable Ontario's at risk previously the province used to fund homelessness prevention based on need and hydro in this province used to be affordable for all well speaker an apology isn't quite enough anymore what real concrete steps will this premier take to actually bring down hydro bills and keep people in their homes thank you well thank you speaker and I'm glad the member opposite mentioned the community homelessness prevention initiative you know last year mr. Speaker that program called Chippy helped almost 40,000 families across Ontario because of Chippy mr. Speaker 115,000 families and individuals remain in their homes mr. Speaker you know this government doesn't need to take a lesson from the opposite side their platform the NDP Pat platform didn't even mention the word poverty in the last election mr. Speaker come on and now they're concerned you know the NDP mr. Speaker I've said no to higher wages for PSWs they've they said no to an increase for families who depend on the Ontario child benefit mr. Speaker the list goes on about everything the NDP said no about thank you mr. Speaker my question is for the minute awesome minister of agriculture food and for Ontario's agriculture producers is crucial to ensuring that the provinces 36.4 billion dollar agri-food sector continues to thrive Ontario farmers work hard to deliver top quality Ontario produce and Ontario meet to thousands of people across the province every single day this year we doubled the feeder cattle loan guarantee program from 130 million dollars to 260 million dollars to promote the growth of Ontario's cattle industry and retain jobs within the province we also introduced production insurance for tender fruit growers who lose their trees as a result of specific risks covered by the plan providing accessible efficient support for part of our government's plan minister can you please provide further information stop the car that's not acceptable it's your own member asking the question carry on can you provide further information regarding what we're doing to support farmers and grow the answer thank you well thanks very much mr. Speaker I want to thank the member from at Kingston Islands for the question this morning and I know how hard that she works particularly with the farm community in Wolf Island in the Kingston area we did a short time ago mr. Speaker we did double the feeder feeder cattle loan program and we also expand production insurance to include tender fruit growers in the province of Ontario and our government continues to have a strong commitment to address the challenges facing Ontario farmers but mr. Speaker nothing brings more tears to my eyes of what I've been in a a farmers field to see a leftover carcass of a cow or a sheep or a pig and that's been ravaged up by a predator a coyote or a wolf and I take the opportunity on numerous occasions mr. Speaker to see what is a very tragic situation for a farmer so we spent some time over the last number of months took out the ways to improve the wildlife compensation program of the province of Ontario to make sure working with our municipalities and that farmers are justly competent for their animals that are destroyed supplementary house how the Ontario wildlife damage compensation program OW DCP has been updated to provide Ontario's farmers with the support that they need when their animals are killed or injured by predatory wildlife I'm sure that farmers in my riding of Kingston and the islands know just how crucial this support is to protecting their livestock during these difficult situations just last night I intended the Ontario agricultural sustainability coalition reception and had the opportunity to speak with representatives from Ontario pork Ontario beef and Ontario sheep who shared the importance of protecting their livestock in every possible way with me we all know that supporting our farmers is important for their livelihood and will help them continue to produce some of the best products that lands on our tables it is wonderful to see the work our government is doing to support farmers so they can continue to flourish within the province of Ontario question minister can you please share with the house how the sector has reacted following the announcement that the OW DCP will be up thank you minister Mr. Speaker I want to thank the member for Kingston Islands for the separate question indeed effective on January 1st 2017 compensation rates for animals be colonies and hives will be standardized right across the province of Ontario the updated program will clearly define the requirements farmers need and to meet and receive compensation mr. Speaker one of the things that concerned me about our previous program was the amount of red tape that was invented the program I take the opportunity to take a chain saw to that red tape so now we have a new single-stage appeal process that will provide a straightforward approach for farmers and will help to provide them with compensation even quicker that's mr. Speaker took a stop he took a change the chair of the Ontario market agency had this to say oh I'm a appreciate the opportunity that I chair of give the industry to provide input by the predation program review their willingness to work with the industry speaks to their commitment to ensure that the program works for all farber thank you new question the member from Dufferin Caledon since 2015 I've been working with a family in Dufferin Caledon whose daughter has PKU a rare inherited brain-threatening metabolic disorder as you know people with PKU treatment for life my constituent has been taking Kuvan as part of a sick kids hospital drug trial for the past seven years but now the trial is set to end and they simply cannot afford the staggering cost of Kuvan which is $170,000 per year on October 26 the common drug review recommended the government pay for Kuvan when will the Ministry of Health act and cover Kuvan for people with PKU well thank you mr. Speaker and appreciate the question I I know that the member opposite also appreciates that we've taken the politics out of drug funding and deciding which drugs should be made available to Ontarian so the decision to fund all drugs including a drug like Kuvan which for some time has been available to Ontarians on an exceptional basis through our exceptional access program but we base our funding decisions and the availability of drugs on the best scientific evidence and now we have a system which is a pan-Canadian system which allows for review at that not on that national basis and I know that there have been ongoing discussions with the the drug review nationally as well further submissions by the drug company I know the ministry is reviewing that to see if in fact we should make further changes to what is already a drug that's available for exceptional circumstances and I expect we'll have a decision shortly to supplementary families and patients have been waiting too long for the Minister of Health to act Kuvan is on the exceptional health access program but the criteria is so restrictive that not a single application has been approved it's been six years since Health Canada approved Kuvan it's been over a month since the common drug review recommended that the Minister of Health cover Kuvan when will the Minister of Health make an announcement that Kuvan will finally be covered for people who have PKU well in fact mr. Speaker the Canada the Canadian drug review rejected in 2013 and made a negative funding recommendation for Kuvan on that time based that there was an absence of scientific evidence as to its benefit over existing measures notwithstanding that we made a decision in the province to make it available for exceptional reasons that is our current policy but of course as additional evidence should it come forward to demonstrate efficacy and scientific evidence of its benefit in these and of course in consideration of the national process if there is a decision made by the common drug review I earlier said Canadian common drug review to fund this drug in broader circumstances we of course will look at that we make our decisions in fact I'm not involved I can't be involved in decisions the minister the experts within the ministry make the decisions on the best scientific evidence available mr. Speaker thank you the member from beaches east York on a plane water yeah thank you speaker I seek unanimous consent to delay the vote on parentage bill 28 and bill 27 until after the swearing in of the new member from Niagara west glanbrook and he takes a seat so that the voices low citizens can be reflected member from beaches east York as you're seeking unanimous consent to delay vote do we agree I heard a note we have a deferred vote on the motion of second reading a bill 27 an act to reduce the regulatory burden of businesses to enact various new acts and make other recommendations and repeals calling the members this will be a five-minute bell all members please take their seats thank you on october the 4th 2016 mr. duke of move second reading of bill 27 all those in favor please rise one at a time be recognized by the clerk mr. nacky mr. brad mr. brad mr. del duke mr. sand mr. susan mr. susan mr. matthew mr. hoskey mr. hoskey mr. surel mr. surel mr. mccharles mr. mccharles mr. mcmecan mr. mcmecan mr. tachar mr. tachar mr. Cole mr. Cole mr. bernadette mr. bernadette mr. dylan mr. dillon mr. Murray mr. murray mr. chan mr. chan mr. meridian mr. hor enfim mr. kaho mr. koh Chatham mr. Hunter mr. Hunter mr. leo mr. leo mr. Flynn mr. Flynn mr. tebow mr. Tebow mr. 56 tomorrow mr. today is is a bernadin all Ursman Mr. Miller, Perry Sound, Miss Scott, Miss Thompson, Miss Munro, Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Martau, Mr. Mectanel, Mr. Coe, Mr. Coe. All those opposed, please rise whenever you're recognized by the clerk. Mr. Singh, Mr. Vanton, Mr. DeNovo, Mr. Tabin, Mr. Sattler, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Armstrong, Madam Jelena, Ms. Fife, Mr. Hatfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. Fritz, Ms. French. The ayes are 65, the nays are 13. The ayes being 65, the nays being 13. I declare the motion carried. Second reading of the Bill. The Bill. Disciple lecture. Projet to the law. Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? Government House Leader. Speaker, I would ask the Bill be ordered. Or to the Standing Committee on General Government. We have a deferred vote on the motion of third reading of Bill 28, an act to amend the Children's Law Reform Act and Vital Statistics Act and various other acts respecting parentage and related registrations. I call on the members. This will be a five minute bill. Earlier today, Mr. Nackley moved third reading of Bill 28. All those in favor, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Nackley. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Del Ducar. Mr. Settler. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Matthew. Ms. Matthew. Mr. Hoske. Mr. Shirella. Mr. Shirella. Ms. McCharles. Mr. Ilkar. Mr. Cole. Mr. Cole. Mr. Bardinetti. Mr. Bardinetti. Mr. Dillard. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Murray. Mr. Murray. Mr. Chand. Mr. Chan. Mr. Mariney. Mr. Moridy. Mr. Couthou. Mr. Couthou. Ms. Hunter. Ms. Hunter. Mr. Leo. Mr. Leo. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Timo. Mr. Tebo. Mr. Orzett. Mr. Orzett." Mr. Codridge. Mr. Cod wood. Ms. Manga. Ms. Manga. Mr. Craft. Ms. Wong, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Don, Mr. Don, Ms. Hogar, Ms. Kuala, Ms. Kuala, Ms. Martin, Ms. Milch, Mr. Milch, Mr. Potts, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Verneel, Ms. Verneel, Ms. Van Der Roze, Mr. Helio, Ms. Arna, Ms. Wilson, Ms. Jones, Ms. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidele, Mr. Fidele, Mr. Yakibas, Mr. Yakibaske, Mr. Miller, Perry Sound, Ms. Kota, Ms. Scott, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Thompson, Ms. Monroe, Ms. Monroe, Mr. Walker, Mr. Smith, Mr. Smith, Ms. Marteau, Ms. Marteau, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Cove, Mr. Cove, Ms. Ginova, Mr. Singh, Mr. Bantam, Mr. Tappas, Mr. Tappas, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Stonycree, Mr. Saffler, Mr. Natascha, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Amjelina, Ms. Feitz, Mr. Hatfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French, as opposed to this rise one at a time to be recognized by the clerk. The ayes are 79, the nays are zero. The ayes be 79, the nays being zero. I declare the motion carried. If we now pass and be entitled as in the motion, there are no further votes. This House stands recess until 3 p.m. this afternoon.