 It is therefore now time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Royal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The OEB smacked down Hydro One's outrageous executive salaries. In that ruling, they said on tarot shouldn't be on the hook for what they called unreasonably high compensation. And I hear some members of the government laughing at this. It's not a laughing matter. This confirms what we've been saying all along. Hydro One's salaries are out of touch. A $4.4 million salary for the CEO of Hydro One is absolutely unreasonable. The CEO makes 10 times what CEOs make in other provinces. So Mr. Speaker, will the Premier reign in these salaries? Will she bring them in line with other provinces? Yes or no? I know that the Minister of Energy will want to comment on the specifics of this, but just to be clear what was being said on this side of the House as the leader of the opposition was asking his question is that no one was laughing. In fact, it was just a statement that the system is working, Mr. Speaker. This is exactly the OEB's role, Mr. Speaker. So as I said, the Minister will speak to the details, but what we know, Mr. Speaker, is that people across this province have seen on average a 25% reduction in their electricity bills. In some of the rural communities, Mr. Speaker, up to a 40 to 50% reduction, we knew that there was a challenge for many people in the province because of all of the investments that we had had to make, Mr. Speaker, to rebuild the electricity system. We've reduced those prices, those costs, Mr. Speaker. And as I said, the OEB has a job to do, and they are doing it. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, you know, the Liberals were willing to back up the Brinkstruck to the Hydro One Executive Office Week. They created a millionaires club, Mr. Speaker, a millionaire club of Hydro One executives. And frankly, the increases are only stopping because the opposition brought it to light. So Mr. Speaker, we still know only about a handful of these million-dollar salaries because the government has kept secret these salaries. They've removed them from the sunshine list. So a very specific question for the Premier is time to change this back. Will the Premier commit to releasing the salaries of all high-priced executives at Hydro One? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to Hydro One salaries, Mr. Speaker, it is now a publicly traded company, as the opposition Wells knows, and decisions over compensation are not made directly by the government. But what's interesting, Mr. Speaker, is just last week that party's actually complaining about the decision of the OEB. This week, they're liking the decision of the OEB, Mr. Speaker. That is why this is a quasi... I'm going to put an end to the interruptions, please. That is why, Mr. Speaker, the OEB is a quasi-dujicial organization and our economic regulator because they have the best interests of consumers at their mandate, Mr. Speaker. And that's why this shows that the system is working, Mr. Speaker. They recognize that they are going to continue to find ways to protect consumers with this, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to adding more in the supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier, I can't get a commitment to return million-dollar Hydro executives back to the sunshine list. They dodge and deflect that question. But the Minister of Energy wants to talk about what happened last week, and I welcome that, Mr. Speaker. Please, guess what happened last week? Rates are still going up. Another rate hike. It's unbelievable. It turns out these investments the Minister always claims were made into the system were actually just contracts handed out to liberal friendly firms. The system is still in desperate need of repair. So, Mr. Speaker, why is this government spending five and a half million dollars on vanity? I'm telling you, rates are going down. Well, we just found out last week that rates are going up again. Can we please have an answer to that, Mr. Speaker? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So, let's talk about what's coming down, Mr. Speaker. 25% on everyone's bills is coming down, Mr. Speaker. No part in thanks to this government and no support from the opposition. But let's be clear, Mr. Speaker. We've made sure that we're holding the rates to inflation, Mr. Speaker. There will be nothing more than inflation. And when we're talking about Hydro One's draft rate order, it's estimated that the bill impact for 2017 would be an increase. A member from Prince Edward Hastings will come door. And he knows why. Carry on. It would be a bill increase of 0.1% and 0.2% for 2018, Mr. Speaker. But that said, let me remind the opposition, Mr. Speaker, that the Fair Hydro Plan has lowered bills by 25% on average for households and for over 500,000 small businesses and farms right across the country, Mr. Speaker. We'll continue to do what's right for the people of... Thank you. Any questions? The leader of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. Yesterday, the President of the Treasury Board said she doesn't agree that the advertising that government has introduced are partisan. The Auditor General has explicitly stated otherwise. Mr. Speaker, why does the government continue to challenge the independent Auditor General? Good question. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, and I know the President of the Treasury Board will want to comment in the supplementary, but Mr. Speaker, I would just remind the leader of the opposition that we are the only jurisdiction in the country that has legislation that puts any constraints around advertising. Mr. Speaker, the constraints that are in place demand that the legislation not be partisan, Mr. Speaker. And I would just remind the member from Nipissing, I think it was, who was shouting out there, that what used to be in place, Mr. Speaker, was advertising that had the face of the Premier, the former Conservative Premier, on government advertising, Mr. Speaker. And that is partisan advertising. Nothing like that happens, Mr. Speaker. There are strict rules in place, Mr. Speaker. We're the only jurisdiction that has rules around partisan advertising, Mr. Speaker. And other jurisdictions look to us, Mr. Speaker, for what we have done. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Premier. The only jurisdiction looking at it on tarot is ways to abuse government advertising, because they have become the experts in it, Mr. Speaker. The government's bulk media increase this year... Come to order. Please finish. Mr. Speaker, the numbers don't lie. The government's bulk media buy increased from $25 million last year to $57 million this year. That's quite an increase, more than double. And that's unacceptable. Did the government, Mr. Speaker, directly to the Premier, did the government only massively increase government advertising to suit their own reelection? And will the Premier finally acknowledge it's not right to use taxpayer dollars to campaign? Enough waste of taxpayer dollars! Thank you. Premier. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, we have been very clear that the advertising that is put into the public realm, Mr. Speaker, is about giving people information. It's about giving people information about programs, about changes that are being made, Mr. Speaker. And it's interesting, you know, the Leader of the Opposition sat in Mr. Harper's caucus, I think, for nine years, Mr. Speaker. And I seem to remember Canada's Economic Action Plan had all over the country, Mr. Speaker. And I don't remember hearing a voice from the back bench saying that he didn't think that was acceptable. Mr. Speaker, the reality is that we are putting information into the public realm, giving people a way to get more information on free tuition, on reduced electricity bills, Mr. Speaker. They will get more information on free medication for their young people from zero to their 25th birthday, Mr. Speaker. That's all information that people in this province need and want, Mr. Speaker. Supplementary. You see it, please? You see it, please? Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the Premier. And the Premier just spoke about how she used to criticize government advertising. Sadly, she has become what she has criticized. And, frankly, she has now abused it to a greater level. Mr. Speaker, sadly, the Premier has become what she once criticized. But to a greater extent than we have ever, ever seen. Taking government advertising from 25 million to 57 million in an election year. Does the Premier think the public is stupid that we don't see this? They're using government advertising to campaign. The Auditor General says it's partisan. Everyone sees it as partisan, but the Premier says trust her. Don't trust the Auditor General. Mr. Speaker, I'm on the side of the Auditor General. Will the Premier do the right thing? The Minister of Economic Development and Growth will come to order. The Premier. Yes, thank you very much. I would like to repeat what I said at Estimates about a dozen times. And, apparently, your representatives at Estimates didn't report that to the leader of the opposition. But in a line called Bulk Media By, which is a line in the Treasury Board Estimates, it is true that it started out last fiscal, 2016-17 at 25 million. But shortly after the beginning of the year, we consolidated into that line advertising budgets from a number of other ministries, meaning that the actual amount of that line was 50 million. This year it's 56 million, and the reason for that increase is the increased cost of translating to make sure all Ontarians can get the information to make sure we comply with the Disability Act so that people who have visual or hearing disabilities can get the information and to make sure that we can include digital advertising and the increase in their cost. Thank you. New question to the member from Nicobel. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Premier. There is an overcrowding and hallway medicine crisis in Ontario hospitals. The Premier knows it, the Minister of Health knows it, and the good people of Ontario who are forced to get medical treatment in overcrowded hospitals, they certainly know it also. The Liberals think, Speaker, that short-changing hospitals by $300 million in this year's budget and thinking about opening 150 interim beds in Toronto will solve the problem. This is not so, Speaker. This is not true. So is the Premier purposefully ignoring the magnitude of this crisis? Or is she really like that out of touch with what's going on in our hospitals? Thank you, Premier. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care will want to comment, but, Mr. Speaker, let's be clear. There in our budget this year there was over $500 million, half a billion dollars in additional funding for hospitals. We recognize that there needed to be an injection of funding into hospitals, Mr. Speaker, and that was part of a $7 billion increase, Mr. Speaker, in healthcare funding over the next seven years. So, Mr. Speaker, we recognize that hospitals have challenges, but to the point that the member opposite raised about the opening of beds in a facility that had been shut down, Mr. Speaker, you know, it's intriguing to me that the NDP wouldn't see that if there is a challenge, and this is about the flu season, this is about an anticipated increase, Mr. Speaker, in patients, that they wouldn't see that solving that problem would be a good thing to do. That's what we are doing. We are solving a problem that is imminent, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We've reached a capacity of 123% in January of 2017. Just so you know, 80% capacity is the maximum that expert considers safe for our hospital. Is this enough to convince the Premier that she and her Liberal Government must act now to stop this crisis from getting any worse? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I just had a look at the occupancy rate for Tilsenberg. The most recent data, unless the member opposite somehow magically has got data different than or more recent than what is published by the ministry. So from April to June of this year, they were below capacity, Mr. Speaker, and in fact, the member knows that the vast majority of hospitals across this province are below and often substantially below capacity. But it continues to boggle my mind, Mr. Speaker, that this party would somehow oppose the proposal coming from half a dozen hospitals in the northern part of the GTA to open up 150 beds to relieve pressure on those hospitals to take non-acute patients into a more appropriate, transitional rehabilitative environment, which is better for them and it addresses the capacity. Mr. Speaker, only the NDP would ask us to increase hospital capacity and then oppose those very proposals that are aimed to increase capacity. Thank you. Final supplementary. Thank you, Speaker. Between January and May of 2017, Tilsenberg Memorial Hospital occupancy rate for its acute care bed stayed above 112% at all time. I will send an FOI document over to the minister. Five long months straight where the good people of Tilsenberg were forced to receive medical care from the hospital that is operating above safe capacity limits. Frontline staff and hospital administrators are doing everything they can, but they need help, Speaker. Will the premier do the right thing, admit that there is a crisis and finally make sure that our hospitals have the resources that they need to offer the best care possible to Ontario's family? Well, I would propose, Mr. Speaker, that half a billion dollars to our hospitals this year, half a billion dollars in additional funds to our hospitals last year is addressing the challenge that the member opposite is talking about. And they voted against our budget that included 24 million dollars specifically to address capacity and wait times across the hospital system. But it's not surprising, Mr. Speaker, when they had a minister of cuts proposed in the last election to cut 600 million dollars from health and education when they were in government for a short time only, fortunately, Mr. Speaker, closing almost 10,000 hospital beds, including 13% of all the mental health beds in this province, 24% of the acute care beds. They delisted home care, Mr. Speaker. They decreased the hospital budget in their last year of government. They reduced the number of drugs that they had before by the public formulary. That's their record. I'm not taking any lessons or advice from them, Mr. Speaker. New question? Member from London, Fanshawe. My question is the Premier. This morning we learned that three long-term care homes in Ontario have been ordered to stop accepting new residents. The conditions in these homes are horrific. Complaints range from inappropriate food and severe understaffing homes that went unreported to police for days. Seniors in London, Mrs. Saga and Fergus deserve better than this. The Minister of Health himself said that there was risk of harm to the residents' health and well-being in these homes. And that's what's happening in these homes right now. It's all well and good to stop new admissions, but can the Premier tell these families what her plan is for vulnerable seniors who are already in care at these homes and are being forced to live with these atrocious conditions? Thank you. Minister of Health and Long-term Care? Minister of Health, Long-term Care. Mr. Speaker, again I said this yesterday I take my responsibility very, very seriously when it comes to individuals in this province that their home is in a long-term care home, Mr. Speaker. And that's why it is completely acceptable that these operators are not meeting the province's standards that they're not following the act that applies to them. That's why I issued the three cessation of admissions to these homes Mr. Speaker, because they are not complying, but it's important to recognize the vast majority of long-term care homes in this province are complying fully with the act, many of them going beyond the act in providing that important, safe, high-quality care to the residents and it's also important to recognize that our inspection system, which is an annual system that every single long-term care home in the province is inspected on an annual basis it's actually seeing results. In fact this is proof that we are able to identify the poor operators and act accordingly. Thank you. Supplementary. Mr. Speaker, the wait list for long-term care in Ontario tops 30,000 people with the status quo. She seems content to stop admissions to the worst homes and ignore the facts the wait list is growing and conditions across the province are worsening. We are going in the wrong direction on seniors care in Ontario instead of improving care and opening new homes to meet the huge demand we are allowing heartbreaking conditions to become the new normal and doing nothing about the wait list. How can the premier hear the stories coming out of these homes this morning and not expand the wet law for inquiry to include a broad look to address systemic problems in the long-term care homes? Minister? Well, you know minister I categorically reject the perspective of the member opposite. So again once again as with the previous question I'm confounded by the NDP do they or do they not want us to crack down on those long-term care homes that are repeatedly violating the act and the orders which are applied by my inspectors in my ministry. This is precisely again what I would expect they would support that if we find operators that are not complying with the act and these are particularly egregious examples of this issue against these homes we feel that it's entirely appropriate and it builds a stronger system and it sends a message not only to all the long-term care homes across the province that this kind of behavior is unacceptable but it reinforces to Ontarians what is the case in the vast majority of long-term care homes that they are safe and they are secure and it is their home Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Final supplementary. Speaker I can't believe this long-term care than what the Liberal government seems to accept as good quality care they deserve to have a shower to have health brushing their teeth to eat good quality food that helps them stay healthy and they deserve to live with dignity and respect these issues in long-term care in the long-term care system are systemic it's more than just three homes with terrible care this is not a question of rooting out a few bad apples we need a find and fix approach to our long-term care system will the premier finally admit that violence short staffing and poor care are not just a one-time occurrences in these homes and expand the wet-loft inquiry to look at all the issues we know they're going on almost every in every long-term care home across Ontario Mr. Speaker thank you. Mr. Speaker please. Mr. Speaker please. Thank you. Minister. Mr. Speaker I find it remarkably irresponsible for the member to assert that in nearly every long-term care home in this province these occurrences are happening I think it's outrageous I think it contributes to fear mongering and it's consistent with the line that they've been taking across the board in disparaging and denigrating our health care system we have one of the best health care systems in the world and I will defend that to the end Mr. Speaker and I know that there are challenges including in our long-term care homes finish please. Speaker it's not fair to the families it's not fair to frail seniors to instill fear in them that they can't the home that they live in is somehow less than providing the highest quality of care and we will continue to do that. Thank you. Remember from Windsor West would come to order. New question. Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is for the minister of natural resources and forestry as the minister knows the forestry sector directly employs 57,000 people mostly in northern Ontario forestry provides almost 5,000 people in 5 jobs in the north. We have seen what happens when mills close communities become ghost towns. Speaker the forestry sector in northern Ontario breed the sigh of relief when the minister announced she would delay the posting of the draft species at risk guidelines this summer. Will the minister commit here today to real consultations with northern communities, with social economic analysis before moving forward with the species at risk guidelines. Thank you. Thank you very much Speaker and I was delighted to meet with members of the OFIA and their members this morning. This is an important sector to the province of Ontario. Over $15.5 billion worth of economic activity provides good paying direct and indirect jobs to 172,000 people across the country in over 260 communities. Our government has come alongside this industry to ensure that it's going to be thriving into the future. At the same time I also know that northern mayors, communities and First Nations leaders take their environmental stewardship and the protection of endangered species seriously. They live it and breathe it every day. We are continuing to work to find a solution that protects species at risk in their habitat, minimizes impacts and forest operations in wood supply and continues to provide economic benefits to the people of Ontario. We continue to engage with all of our partners, our indigenous communities, to find a path forward to ensure that we can protect species at risk. Thank you. Mr Speaker, back to the minister. Northern Ontario is facing huge challenges in keeping and attracting working people because the area is losing jobs. The minister has the power to do something to help the people of Northern Ontario. The species at risk guidelines need to take into consideration not only the animals that live in the north, but the people, their lifestyles and their ability to make a livelihood. This government claims to be worried about precarious employment but your own policies are creating precarious employment in the north. One mill manager told me he is 100 and fished in the area for more than 20 years and he's never seen a caribou or any sign of them. Yet the ministry wants the forest managers for caribou that aren't there. And since moose and caribou don't live in the same habitat, creating caribou habitat would drive moose out of the area. Moose that are part of the local way of life. Mr Speaker, will the minister have the opportunity to recognize today that people live in the north as well? And that they should be? Thank you. Minister. Thank you, Speaker. And we continue to engage with our industry partners, with First Nations including the federal and provincial ministers of forestry across the province not only to ensure that we can protect our caribou species but also recover them. And it's in that recovery program that we are now taking a second look. We've put a pause on any further posting to ensure that we have the science right, that we continue to engage with all of our partners across Canada to make sure that we get this file right. But you know, I don't take lessons from this minister. They're these oppositions. The opposition member. The Conservatives do not support forestry in Ontario. Our government has provided over $74 million this year to forest roads funding. Under the PCs forest access roads were completely downloaded to the forest industry. The forest industry was a bit. Thank you. New question. Member of Toronto Danforth. Thank you, Speaker. My question to the Premier. Last week, the Ontario Energy Board released a preliminary decision on Hydro 1's transmission rate increase. The OEB gave Hydro 1 nearly everything it asked for. And we remain on track for a huge jump in transmission rates next year. The OEB said that these rate increases were being driven in part by executive compensation. But then it approved 96.5% of Hydro 1's compensation costs. Last year, the CEO of Hydro 1 the privatized Hydro 1 collected 6 times the salary of the previous CEO. Does the Premier think that rate payers should feel grateful that the OEB trimmed back this sort of executive greed by a mere 3.5%. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, let me reiterate. Depending on Hydro 1's draft rate order, it's estimated that the bill impact for 2017 would be an increase of 0.1%, Mr. Speaker, and 0.2% for 2018. That said, Mr. Speaker, our fair Hydro plan has lowered bills by 25% on average. This is the single largest rate reduction in the province's history, which both opposition parties voted against. I might add, Mr. Speaker. As a new executive compensation, I understand, Mr. Speaker, that people are concerned when they hear that number, but Hydro 1 is now a publicly traded company, and decisions over compensation are not made directly by the government. But they have become a better-run company, Mr. Speaker. That executive have found $75 million in savings. They brought forward a volunteer the winter disconnection program. They are becoming a better-run company, and that's probably why they have that executive in place, Mr. Speaker. Well, Mr. Speaker, taking out a huge loan to drive down rates is not a credible strategy. Mr. Speaker, the premier promised that a privatized Hydro 1 would mean lower rates, not higher. Her hand-picked privatization guru said that private sector discipline would drive down costs and rates for consumers. Instead, private sector discipline means a CEO salary six times what the previous CEO earned. Private sector discipline means a huge increase in transmission rates for next year, plus another huge increase in distribution rates that Hydro 1 is also demanding. Will the premier finally admit that her private sector discipline simply means more private profits for her private sector friends? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So let's be clear. Hydro 1, R1 and R2 customers are seeing a 40 to 50% reduction in their bills, Mr. Speaker. And I know he doesn't like to talk about that or even look at that because he voted against it. So on top of the 40 to 50% reduction that Hydro 1, R1 and R2 customers are seeing now, Mr. Speaker, thanks to this government, let's talk about how they've become a better-run company with many other things, Mr. Speaker, that they've put in place. They've actually introduced more active customer communication, calling customers directly with issues. They're giving customer choice with billing cycles, helping them to better manage their bills. They've introduced e-billing and are working towards mobile billing. They're ending the practice of security deposits for new customers. And of course, as I said before, Mr. Speaker, introducing a voluntary ban on winter disconnections. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question this morning is for the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Providing all Ontarians with timely access to the care they need, whether at home, in their community, or in one of our outstanding hospitals, is of the utmost importance to our government but also to me as the member of Davenport. Over the past 14 years, Ontario's health care system has improved tremendously. We've increased our investments in health each and every year, allowing us to treat more patients, provide better care, and reduce wait times to some of the shortest in the country. More than a million more Ontarians and 94% of all Ontarians now have access to a primary care provider. We've gone from worst to first for reducing wait times, including hip and knee replacements, cataracts, cardiac care, radiation oncology, MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasounds as noted by the Wait Time Alliance. And I know that our government has increased funding for health care by $23 billion since 2003. Can the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care please inform this House of the achievements our government has proudly made? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question and I first want to, because we are in the middle of Mental Illness Awareness Week, I want to not only acknowledge that and how critically important our supports for those who are suffering from mental illness are, and the fact that there can be no health without mental health, Mr. Speaker, is that important? And I want to acknowledge and in fact celebrate and thank the mental health leaders, many of our mental health leaders are here with us today. Mr. Speaker, we have increased funding every single year we've been in office to the health sector. And we're building on these important investments by increasing investments in hospitals, in long-term care homes, in home care, in community care, in mental health. And that includes the investment this year and last year of a billion dollars added to the operating costs of our hospitals, 20 billion dollars over the next decade and capital investments. Mr. Speaker, we'll continue to make the investments required to ensure that as third parties are telling us we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world. Thank you, Minister, for setting the record straight in this House. I know healthcare is a top priority for our government and I'm pleased to know of one of the greatest investments that we're making in our province's hospitals. But I also know that our government is doing more than just investing in hospitals, Mr. Speaker. Our government has made a commitment to providing Ontarians with the support that they need to create a truly accessible integrated healthcare system for all Ontarians. Can the Minister of Health and long-term care please inform this minister of the investments the government is making to expand accessible care for all Ontarians going forward? Thank you, Minister of Health. Well, Mr. Speaker, 14 years ago during their tenure the PCs closed 10,000 hospital beds. And Mr. Speaker, during their tenure in the 1990s the NDP closed 9,645 hospital beds, Mr. Speaker. In the last several years we have added to the complement of acute care beds by nearly 1,000, Mr. Speaker, in just the last several years. Since 2003 the number of physicians has grown by more than 6,000. In fact it's growing at 3 or even 4 times the rate of population growth currently, Mr. Speaker. We have 28,000 more nurses including 11,000 more RNs. That includes 2,642 additional nursing positions created over the last year alone, Mr. Speaker. I think we can all agree that even that one statistic is a remarkable achievement giving that the previous PC government fired 6,000 nurses. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. The Minister has announced that as of this time next year she's closing the Ontario tree seed plant in Angus. I want to quote from October 2013 release from her ministry that says quote the Ontario tree seed plant is celebrating 90 years of preserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and supporting the forest products and wood manufacturing sectors. It goes on to say by supporting tree planting the facility helps Ontario adapt to the effects of climate change, restores endangered tree species and supports tens of thousands of jobs in the forestry industry. End of quote. Mr. Speaker, you spent $1.6 million to upgrade this facility and its boilers. So, Speaker, what has changed? Has this government decided it's no longer important to protect our environment, support the forest product sector, adapt to climate change? What is it? Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. Thank you, Speaker. And I've met recently with Rob Keane from Forest Ontario as well as Steve Hounsell, who's chair of that board. And I've listened to their concerns and heard that the forestry practices have changed the demand for services provided by the tree seed plant have decreased significantly and it no longer makes sense to operate such a large facility. As a result, we'll be moving towards a more efficient and modern seed archive. During this transition, we'll be encouraging new market opportunities for Ontario's nurseries to provide native seeds to grow trees for the industry and the public. This will bring significant savings to the Ontario taxpayers through reduced operating and capital costs and by developing new policies like the new seed zone policy and creating a modern seed archive will be better positioned to respond to changes associated with climate change, including successfully delivering on the 50 million tree program. Thank you. Supplementary. Back to the minister. We're talking about the loss of a valuable resource. If the announced closure goes ahead, we'll be losing the ability to protect and restore our forests with native genetically appropriate species. My constituents are concerned not only for their jobs, and by the way it's not a really large operation. There's six jobs involved, but also about the loss of this valuable resource that's literally being thrown away by your government with no consultation whatsoever. Growers in my writing point out that this is the best quality of seed. They explained that the seed storage is also top notch and involves much more than just buying a freezer as some government representatives have told us. Growers also note that this will directly impair the feasibility of Forest Ontario's 50 million trees program as well as other conservation initiatives. Speaker, my constituents have questions. So I asked the minister will she agree to meet with my constituents and to explain what is happening, why it's happening, and formulate a good plan going forward. Thank you, Speaker. I'd like to thank again Rob Keane and his team that came in to speak with me from Forest Ontario and from that team for their work in delivering the 50 million tree program and this year's Greenleaf Challenge. We're going to continue to look at all the options, working with our partners and ensure that this is a win-win situation from Ontario residents as well as our partners. Speaker, the member opposite knows we're working with our partners to provide a smooth transition and is just trying to score cheap political points. He knows what we're doing is moving from an outdated model to a more efficient and modern one that will save taxpayers money. It was unfortunately in... I'll wrap up, please. Actually, it was his party in 1996 that opened our province's Provincial Nursery Program for privatization and put the Ontario tree seed plant in this position in the first place. Thank you. Thank you. New question from Windsor to come see. Speaker, my question is to the Premier. Good morning, Premier. Ontario should and could have the safest roads in Ontario or I should say my mistake. Yet so many families have been devastated by accidents and loss of life on a single part of the 401. So many, in fact, it's earned the disturbing nickname of Carney Jolly. Just ask the friends of the pain family or the smolders or the brundits. For years concerned citizens have been calling for a median barrier between London and Tilbury. Speaker, when can we expect enhanced highway safety measures to be put in place on this stretch of the 401? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I know that the Minister of Infrastructure will want to comment on the technical issues, but Mr. Speaker, first let me express my condolences to the families all of the families who have lost loved ones on this stretch of highway. I know that some of them are here today, Mr. Speaker, and it is an unbearable loss and I want them to know that we are listening. And I know that the Minister of Transportation is going to be meeting with them later today, Mr. Speaker, and we are going to be moving forward, Mr. Speaker, to put in place barrier on that highway, Mr. Speaker, and as I say, the Minister of Infrastructure will speak to the specifics, but I understand that the ministry is working right now, Mr. Speaker, on getting started on building a barrier. Mr. Speaker, these fatal accidents didn't happen in secret. They're well documented and without new safety measures they are likely to increase. The 401 is being widened in the Toronto area. More trucks will be heading to the two new border crossings in Windsor. We need to feel safe when we drive in the 401. Why won't the government listen and commit, give us a timeline for medium barriers along this stretch known as Carnage Alley. Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question. Speaker, road safety is our government's top priority and I know that my colleague, the Minister of Transportation, takes any concern about it very, very seriously. I'm aware that a number of advocates from this part of the province will be here at Queens Park today to share their concerns regarding the need for medium barriers in Highway 401 between Tilbury and London. My understanding is that Minister Del Duque will be meeting with a number of those advocates including the member from Chatham Kent Essex later today who is also concerned with this particular issue. I know that that will be a very important discussion and that the minister will have more to say at that time. For now, I would be pleased to advise that more information on that will be published this afternoon by the minister. He has taken very serious attention to this issue and is looking forward to meeting it with the constituents on the member this afternoon. Thank you. The member from Tobacco North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This question is for the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. In the last 14 years, Ontario's air quality has improved dramatically and the medical and health community has improved as well. That's why we took the initiative of the first in North America to permanently ban coal-fired electricity generation in the province. In doing so, we have significantly reduced the number of small days in Ontario. I know this particularly because the emergency room visits because of asthma, COPD, emphysema and other respiratory ailments has decreased dramatically. The 2016 Toronto Vital Signs Report about premature deaths and hospitalizations as a result of air pollution have dropped by 23% and 41% respectively since 2004. Speaker, Ontarians are able to breathe easier and live longer and this is actually documented. Speaker, my question is, can the minister please explain how Ontario's air quality has improved under our mandate? Thank you, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change. Thank you very much for the question. Thank you to the member for that question. It's a very important one that he would know being a medical doctor himself. It's an opportunity for us to talk about how we've made life better and more fair for Ontarians in the past 14 years. Speaker, as the member mentioned, we have significantly reduced the number of small days in Ontario. In 2005, for example, Ontario experienced 53 small days. That's 53 small days in one year. 12 years later, we have seen zero small days so far in 2017. From 53 to zero, Mr. Speaker, by shutting down coal-fired plants we have reduced sulfur dioxide emissions in Ontario by nearly 25% which has significantly increased Ontario's quality. Thanks to our government's environmental leadership over the past 14 years, Speaker, Ontarians are literally breathing easier than they were 14 years ago. Thank you, Speaker, to the Minister, not only for his stewardship but in our own personal corridor consultations. I know he has a true passion for this file. Speaker, extreme climate events unfortunately are increasing. It seems week to week these days and scientists are of course attributing this to human settlement, coal, fossil fuel burning and a number of other activities. A recent study shows that more than half of Americans believe that climate change contributed to the severity of recent hurricanes in Florida, Texas as well as the Caribbean. We know that this is a global issue and Ontarians are facing similar concerns about climate change. And Speaker, in the best traditions of that saying act locally but think globally our government has actually taken steps to mitigate climate change. Speaker, can the Minister please explain how this government has taken action to mitigate the increasingly apparent threats of climate events? Thank you, Minister. Well, thank you, Speaker. Thank you to the member for that very important question. You know, Speaker, in the past decade climate change has become an increasingly important issue globally and right here for Ontarians our government has responded by taking significant steps to mitigate climate change and to make Ontario a green leader in the face of this global problem. We know that steps such as introducing a cap and trade system which caps pollution levels and reinvests every dollar into programs that will help Ontarians fight climate change are the best path forward. We know what we don't know, Mr. Speaker, is if the opposition even believes in climate change. In fact the member from Lampton Kent Middlesex tweeted on January the 16th of this year. He said Justin Trudeau should not force provinces to implement a tax or cap and trade period, Mr. Speaker. This raises the question, do the members opposite believe that climate change is not a threat to our problems? Thank you. A new question. My question is to the Premier. They call it carnage alley for a reason. The stretch of 401 between London and Tilbury is one of the most dangerous roads in Ontario. How long ago on August 29th a pickup truck crossed the center median of the 401 near Dutton smashed into a van on the other side. Two people in that van were a mother and her five year old daughter. They died of their injuries and the driver of the pickup has been charged. It has now come to light that the driver of the pickup was intoxicated with both alcohol and cannabis in his body. Nothing can bring Sarah and Freya Payne back. They died from their injuries. But a median barrier would do a lot to prevent needless deaths and accidents like theirs. And some of the Payne's friends and family are here today in the east gallery. A median barrier would have solved that. So Premier, when will the government act and build the barrier before another tragedy happens? My deepest condolences to the families of these families. There are no words that can really express the sorrow at the loss of a family member and we do work very hard in this province. We consistently have the safest or the second safest roads in North America Mr. Speaker and that has been for many, many years. But there's always more that can be done and this particular piece of highway is a place where there needs to be more done. That's quite clear and I want to thank the member for Chatham Kent Essex for being such a strong advocate on this issue. Because he has been Mr. Speaker, he's brought it forward and he has been very clear about what needs to be done. So I want the member to know that the ministry is actively working to install high tension cable barriers in the grass median on this section of the highway 401. That is in the works and I hope that the I'll finish in the supplementary. Thank you. Thank you. Back to the premier. Mark LaFontaine was killed in another isolated accident along with his niece Alissa in Carnage Island. A tractor trailer crossed the median and hit the car head-on. Mr. LaFontaine's sister Denise is here today. I commend the minister of transportation for agreeing to meet the concerned friends and family of the victims. I have petitions numbering over 4,000 signatures from across Ontario demanding construction of a concrete median barrier in Carnage Island and I will be reading that petition into the record this afternoon. My colleague Jeff Yerich from Elgin Middle Sex London and I have been advocating for public safety for some time now. So Premier, what will this government do to make sure that real action is taken to build the barrier and make Carnage Island safer? Let's agree that a barrier has to be built. The ministry is working on that engineering right now Mr. Speaker. So there will be a barrier built. I think that it's important that it's important that the families have an opportunity to meet with the minister because there are always discussions around materials exactly what the specs should be, exactly what it should look like timing and so my hope would be and I say to the member of Lampton Kent Middle Sex that he and the families will be able, sorry, Chatham, sorry, Chatham Kent Middle Chatham Kent Essex. Chatham Kent Essex Chatham Kent Essex that he will be able to be with the families meet with the minister of transportation and ask all the questions around what is happening in the ministry of transportation but we agree a barrier has to be built and it will be built. My question is to the Premier this morning the Liberal government announced only 400 people have so far signed up to its basic income pilot project in Thunder Bay, Branford and Hamilton New Democrats have raised concerns that the amounts received are not adequate for the participants and could keep them struggling in poverty if the basic income is subject to garnishments and debt collections. Well, surprise, surprise. Now we've learned that anyone who signs up for the basic income project may be subject to garnishments and debt collections on that income. This is according to the coordinator of the basic income pilot project. Mr. Speaker, this is unacceptable. Regular recipients of not subject to these additional garnishments and collections but it seems those on basic income will be. It has even gotten so bad the poverty advocates in my hometown of Hamilton are warning people not to join the project. Speaker, many Ontarians struggle under household debt but for people in poverty debt there should be a crushing endless loop. Will the Premier confirm that basic income is subject to creditor leans on that income? Will she commit to making necessary changes to ensure that this isn't the case? Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. Well, and I appreciate the question from the member opposite. Mr. Speaker, my understanding and I have asked about this and the responses I've received from staff are that there are not many hundreds more but in fact thousands more people who are in the pipeline to be processed and to be part of the pilot Mr. Speaker. And are there questions about the the rules around the pilot Mr. Speaker? Are there adjustments that will likely have to be made? Yes Mr. Speaker. It is a pilot project. This has not been done for decades Mr. Speaker. It has been talked about for 30, 35 years but no government has until now until our Liberal government no government has taken it upon themselves to actually put a pilot in place to find out whether this is something that can help people. We are doing that Mr. Speaker and we are working very hard with the researchers to get it right. Mr. Speaker, poverty is affecting people right now Premier and however it will be years before Ontario makes a final decision whether to turn the pilot project into a broad policy. This reality is Mr. Speaker the poverty is affecting Ontarians now and we have a solution. The Social Security and Social Service Amendment Act could actively help reduce poverty immediately by creating a social assistance research commission. Annual recommendations can be made to determine what social assistance rates need to be in each region of this province. Moving Bill 6 forward will give the province the ability to experiment with this minimum income project. So my question is Mr. Speaker why has this government stalled Bill 6 in committee? Mr. Speaker as I said the basic income pilot is one part of a response to poverty reduction in Ontario Mr. Speaker. It is an important pilot project and we are working very hard to get it right but the Minister of Community and Social Services is also engaged in reform of the social assistance program Mr. Speaker but on top of that people need support and so free tuition for over 200,000 students in this province Mr. Speaker an increased minimum wage to $15 an hour free medication for children from zero until their 25th birthday Mr. Speaker those are all supports that are being put in place Mr. Speaker to tackle poverty across the province and there's always more that we can do but the public is part of that Mr. Speaker Thank you Mr. President Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is pro with the auto tone ministry and we know that reconciliation is more than just an event or more than just an apology it's a journey, it's a journey that we have to take together with our indigenous partner and I'm very happy that the government has made some significant steps to finally have a modern treaty with the Algonquins so can the minister give us more examples of the work that has been done in the last 14 years to rebuild relationships with our indigenous partners and ensure a better future for First Nation, Métis and Inuit in Ontario Thank you Mr. Speaker The reality is that the last time when the conservatives were in power relations with indigenous communities across Ontario were strained, flaring into crisis all due to a lack of respect for indigenous peoples rights and cultures Just a month though after forming government in 03 we launched the April Wash inquiry at the request of indigenous communities it was this inquiry that delivered many of the recommendations for writing our province's relationship with indigenous peoples including the creation of a full ministry of indigenous affairs Since we established the ministry 10 years ago we've worked every day to reconcile relationships to ensure a better future for indigenous peoples we've closed gaps and removed barriers we've supported cultural revitalization we have found meaningful services to historic grievances through honourable agreement speaker Thank you Supplementary Thank you Mr. Speaker and thank you to the minister for his answer and for his inspiring commitment to his portfolio Mr. Speaker I understand that the parties opposite over the years have voted against different budget which provided many significant investment to support indigenous communities in 2014 the budget provided investment in urban indigenous communities in 2016 the budget provided investment in indigenous health and in programs to end violence against indigenous women parties opposite voted against that and just this year the budget provided for a historic commitment to reconciliation and I want the minister maybe to give us a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit and I want the minister maybe to give us the impact of these investment over the years Thank you minister Here's what our government has achieved we've officially apologized for Ontario's role in the residential school system we've made a historic $250 million commitment to reconciliation through the journey together we've committed $108 million to take actions to end violence against indigenous women we've concluded 24 land claims we've provided $121 million in compensation to First Nations we've committed $95 million to support indigenous communities economic development we've passed the treaty recognition week making Ontario the first province to officially celebrate this week every November our record is clear and it's a shame that the parties opposite have voted against the historic land claims that we've made to support a better future for indigenous people in this great province Pursuant to standing order 38A the member from London Fanshawe has given her notice there were dissatisfaction with the answer for a question given by the minister of health and long-term care concerning systemic problems in long-term care the matter will be debated at 6pm this afternoon we have a deferred vote of the motion the closure of the motion of the second reading of the construction lean act this will be a 5 minute vote please take your seats on September 12, 2017 Mr. Nackley moved second reading of bill 142 an act to amend the construction lean act Ms. Matthews has moved that the question be now put all those in favour of Ms. Matthews please rise one at a time Mr. Nackley Mr. Bradley Mr. Sousa Mr. Sousa Mr. Dugan Mr. McCharles Mr. T'Kar Mr. Cole Mr. Dillany Mr. Dillon Mr. Ballard Mr. Chan Mr. Marie Mr. Kotel Mr. Hunter Mr. Leal Mr. Flynn Mr. Tebow Mr. Jassy Mr. Zimmer Mr. McMan Mr. Milcher Mr. Wal Mr. Frasier Mr. Anderson Mr. Baker Mr. Dahl Mr. Kuala Mr. Molley Mr. Pots Mr. Rinaldi Mr. Reneal Mr. McClown All those opposed please rise one at a time and be recognized by the party Mr. Wilson Mr. Arnaud Mr. Hardin Mr. McClown Mr. Jones Mr. Brown Mr. Clark Mr. Fidelis Mr. Yacobasti Mr. Hillier Mr. Miller Mr. Ostra Mr. Walker Mr. Harris Mr. Nickle Mr. Pettipies Mr. Cove Mr. Tavins Mr. Miller Hamilton Mr. Taylor Mr. Natasha Mr. Armstrong Mr. Hatfield Mr. Gretzky Mr. French Mr. Knack Mummy Mr. Gallagher Mr. Warner Mr. Tice Mr. drowning Mr. Dahl Mr. sixty five Mr.얼 Mr. Z healed Mr. Boi be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Nackney, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Sandler, Mr. Sousa, Mr. Sousa, Ms. Witt, Ms. Winn, Ms. Matthews, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Shirelli, Mr. Shirelli, Mr. Dugan, Mr. Dugan, Ms. McCharles, Mr. McMeakin, Mr. McMeakin, Mr. Takkar, Mr. Takkar, Mr. Cole, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Barnett, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Ballo, Mr. Chan, Mr. Chan, Mr. Moriti, Mr. Moriti, Mr. Couto, Mr. Couto, Ms. Hunter, Mr. Lio, Mr. Lio, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Tebow, Mr. Tebow, Ms. Madame Lalala, Mr. Codrie, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Dixon, Ms. Mangas, Mr. Crac, Mr. Crac, Ms. Dahmerla, Ms. McGarry, Ms. McGarry, Mr. Morrow, Mr. Morrow, Ms. Jassy, Ms. Jess, Mr. Zimmer, Ms. Albanesey, Ms. McMan, Ms. McMan, Ms. Naidu Harris, Mr. Miltcher, Mr. Miltcher, Ms. Waller, Mr. Frazier, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Baker, Mr. Dahl, Ms. Hogar, Ms. Hogar, Ms. Koala, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Mark, Ms. Martin, Ms. Depa, Ms. Depa, Ms. Renaldi, Ms. Bernio, Ms. Bernio, Ms. Tarosia, Ms. Andorozia, Mr. McClaren, Ms. McClaren, Mr. ... Sorry, Mr. Hilliard, Mr. Hillyard, Mr. Arnott, Mr. Arnott, Mr. Hardiman, Mr. Hardiman, Ms. McCloud, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson, Ms. Jones, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidella, Mr. Yakibashki, Mr. Miller, Perry San Miscocca, Ms. Mithon, Mr. Mithon, Mr. Scott, Ms. Mr. Thompson, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Eur, Mr. Smith, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Romano, Mr. Osterhawk, Mr. Walker, Mr. Harris, Mr. Nicholls, Mr. Martel, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Pedipies, Mr. Cones, Mr. Cobb, Mr. Piesont, Mr. Vantog, Mr. Tavits, Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek, Mr. Taylor, Ms. Nadsak, Mr. Nadsak, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Armstrong, Ms. Fyke, Ms. Mr. Yamonta, Mr. Hatfield, Mr. Gretzky, Mr. Gretzky, Ms. Spretsch, Ms. Spretsch. All those opposed, please rise by the time be recognized by the clerk. The aides are 92, the nays are 0. The aides being 92 and the nays being 0. I declare the motion carried. Seconding meeting of the bill. Does the elector approach the bill? Shall the bill be ordered for third reading? Attorney General. Mr. Speaker, I would ask that the bill be referred to the standing committee on legislative assembly. So referred, Minister of Natural Resources on Point of Order. Thank you, a point of order. Speaker, I'd like to correct my record. I should have said 172,000 direct and indirect jobs across Ontario rather than Canada. Thank you. Thank you. The minister is always prepared to correct the record. It is appropriate point of order. There are no further deferred votes. This House stands recess till 3 p.m. this afternoon.