 All questions the leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition My first questions to the acting Premier why throughout the entire election campaign Did the Premier not once talk about his plan to rip up Toronto's wards? Cancel regional elections and take power away from millions of voters Minister of municipal affairs and housing thanks Speaker through you to the leader of the opposition I think our government for the people was very clear during the election That resulted in us becoming the government of Ontario We made it very clear and our Premier made it very clear that we were going to respect taxpayers dollars That we were going to work to see to reduce the size and cost of government We believe very strongly that our good local government act Will provide that for the citizens of Toronto by streamlining their council by having 25 members of council We believe that that having them use the same Jurisdictions that their federal MPs and their provincial MPP's use is good And I believe that having a streamlined government will make quicker decisions and those 25 members will be able to focus on The priorities for the citizens of Toronto. I believe that it is good public Speaker the people of Ontario Care about their local democracy they care about their local democracy long-time Conservative voters care about their local democracy. They're passionate about defending the autonomy and independence of Ontario's municipalities Respect for the rights of voters is something that unites Ontarians across political stripes and across our vast Geography so why is the Premier showing so much disrespect for people who want to have a say in how their city is run? Through you to the leader of the opposition again, I believe our party was very clear Our premier was crystal clear during the election that we are not only going to respect taxpayers dollars Absolutely, but we will always try to look to see how we can be more efficient how Local government can provide more effective programming to their citizens This is exactly to the core of the bill that is on the order paper in my name speaker We believe very strongly that a council of 25 will be able to provide those streamlined quick decisions that will be able to deal with the priorities of the citizens of Toronto There'll be no more gridlock on council after that bill is passed Speaker every Canadian cares deeply about our democracy Differences all Ontarians believe that people should decide how they are governed That's why this premier's behavior is so shocking By bullying his way into municipal elections ripping up Toronto's wards and Canceling regional chair elections. He is showing zero Respect for Ontarians. Why is this premier abusing the powers of his office to deny voters the respect that they deserve? Again speaker through you to the leader of the opposition this Proposal this proposed bill Again, we'll we'll make Toronto council more efficient and as a result we'll save them over the course of the four-year term $25 million again It just speaks to what we've talked about during the campaign the fact that we want a smaller government We want to be able to respect taxpayers dollars and I disagree speaker fundamentally with the conversation about democracy I want to remind leader the opposition or that as of 8 a.m The Toronto Star reader poll shows that 69 percent of people that responded say Restart the clock next question Shin is also for the acting premier, but of course it's not about the numbers It's about how you get to change and democracy demands that people are involved in the change speaker That's the problem the premier of this incredible province should be supporting and Cultivating local democracy. He should be doing everything he can to encourage new and diverse voices To come to the table and shape the future of all of our communities But instead of doing the right thing this premier is undermining our democracy He's trying to interfere in Toronto's election so he can control the city from the premier's office Why is the premier taking the power out of the hands of the people and putting more power in his own hands? Again, thank you speaker, and I want to thank the leader the opposition for the question Our our government is committed to putting accountability and trust back into government It should come as no surprise to Ontarians that we talked over and over in the campaign About reducing the size and cost of government about making government no matter what level whether it be our level or local Government more efficient and more effective we believe on this side of the house that our Member municipalities provide vital services to their constituents very very important services for their constituents And I believe that it's in all of our interest to ensure that they do it in a way That's the most efficient and respects that taxpayer again I believe that the components of our bill that are before the house that if it's asked will make sure we have Better local government, and I again ask that the leader of the opposition consider changing her check and supporting our Suggests that the minister not hold his breath speaker because I believe in protecting and upholding democratic processes Running an entire election campaign with a hidden agenda is Fundamentally at odds with our democracy Canceling elections is at odds with who we are as Ontarians and ripping up Toronto's wards after years of Public consultation is nothing more than a petty act of a man taking revenge on people that he disagrees with It is not the behavior of a premier. It is the behavior of a bully Why is the premier imposing his home hit an agenda on the people of Ontario and refusing to act like a leader? again Speaker through you to the leader of the opposition an oversized council makes it almost Impossible to make those streamlined decisions that are in Torontonians best interest we believe that that the only way to provide that meaningful consensus is to have a situation Where in in this city you would have 25 federal MPs Representing a constituency the same constituency that has 25 MPPs Presently and now the bill would have those same 25 city councillors in that same constituency Having a streamlined council that on October 22nd can make those quick decisions can fulfill those priorities of the citizens of This city, I think that's the way to go. It should again come as no surprise We talked over and over and over again speaker about making sure that taxpayers dollars are respected Again, small. Thank you. Thank you Thank you speaker look the premier's assault on local democracy won't help anyone But the premier and it will make it harder for the citizens of Toronto to get the services and supports that they need This plot is all about take the premier taking revenge on his opponents It's all about the premier controlling city council from the premier's office And as councillor Mamalini said it's all about purging Progressives off council and helping right wingers take control of Toronto So why is the premier hiding behind bluster and distraction when he should have the courage to tell the people exactly what it is That he's up to Again speaker. I want to thank the leader of the opposition for the question You know our proposed legislation will not only solve a Problem with the municipal government the fact that they're so tied up and gridlock in their decision making process It also as I said in this house before the issue of voter parity So the member opposite wants to quote a councillor. I'll quote one as well Councillor Justin DiCiano had some excellent remarks on the subject on Friday at a press conference Where he said and I quote the writings do not belong to the councillors. They belong to Torontonians There is a massive Torontonians who will now have a fair vote because of the decision made this morning. That's his quote I think again speaker through you to the leader of the opposition. There are many councillors There is a large constituency out there that believes that having a smaller Next question leader the opposition a next question is for the minister of children community and social services For 20 years people across Ontario have been fighting to fix the damage that the last conservative government did to social assistance And now instead of fixing the problems and helping everyone live with dignity This minister is making the problems even worse The conservatives are slashing the plan social assistance increased by half and denying the people Raises that they were promised. Why is this minister cutting social assistance in a callous attempt to save money on the backs of the most vulnerable? I think the leader the official opposition for a question. I disagree with the premise we are We have been very clear. We have an inherited a patchwork system that is dysfunctional That is in a mess And so what we have said is we are going to have a 1.5 percent increase in social assistance rates and ODSP and Ontario works across the board as we hit pause on the irresponsible plan put forward by the previous liberal government And what we have said is that we will have action in 100 days So we can lift more people up and get them back into the work force where that's possible and provide them with the Necessary support that they so desperately need we will lead this process with compassion And we will ensure that we have better outcomes for the people that we represent across all of Ontario I look forward to your supplementary question so I can talk a little bit more about our plan Well speaker by slashing social assistance increases and canceling the basic income pilot The minister is punishing people and pushing them into deeper poverty The income security advocacy says advocacy center says that the Premier's cut will steal $150 million out of the hands of the poorest people in our province They say that there's absolutely nothing Compassionate about what this minister is doing and I completely agree with income security advocates across Ontario who are appalled and Incredibly disappointed how can this minister stand here and do the dirty work of a Premier who's attacking the most vulnerable people in Ontario? The leader of the official opposition would rather us continue to pile on to a very broken system That is Disadvantaging many people her and I spent many years in the official in the opposition together in many questions with and many Committees with the Auditor General, but let me be very clear I had a good meeting on Sunday and an even better one on Monday with the Auditor General and the Auditor General told me that Ontario works and Ontario disability supports have lots of challenges in fact the previous administration refused to implement some of those Those recommendations that would have improved the system for better outcomes for people So we're gonna act expeditiously I've given my ministry a hundred days as we hit the pause button and under compassionate grounds Have asked and received from the cabinet 1.5 percent increase for all those folks and social assistance We're gonna get more people back on on track We're gonna let them up and we're gonna start with compassion, but I really reject the dog with Thank you That's the Minister of Children and Community Services to withdraw the unparliamentary remark the speaker Next question start the clock the member for Mississauga East Cookstone Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services Yesterday, mr. Speaker. I was deeply disappointed by the actions of one of the members of the office official opposition in this house Mr. Speaker our government for the people include members from diverse races Fates and backgrounds The government has chosen to honor the people of Ontario by continuing house proceedings today I'm proud to stand here today and state that our government for the people will not tolerate hate or Racism of any kind and it has no place within this legislator As the minister minister responsible for the anti-racism directorate Could the minister please explain the position of this government on hate and racism in Ontario? Mr. Speaker and Thank you to the member from Mississauga East Cooksville for the important question that he just gave me and I'd also like to Congratulate the member on his election to the legislature Mr. Speaker as the member stated our government is for the people and it includes every person in this great province I was absolutely shocked and Disgusted by the comments made by the member of the official opposition in this legislature during yesterday's question period Ontario's an inclusive province where all are respected no matter their background nationality faith or race as a second generation Canadian I'm going to ask the member to withdraw the charge that he made Withdraw I'm gonna ask the member to withdraw with withdraw. Yes withdraw Supplementary through you mr. Speaker. I thank the minister for his response to this important topic I feel proud knowing that our government for the people is taking the initiative to combat hate and racism within this province and To know that this government is committed to taking hate and racism Seriously, it is without question that our government for the people will not tolerate hate And we'll be sure to remain committed to our priorities of listening and serving all of the great people of this province Mr. Speaker given the extremely inappropriate remarks made yesterday by a member of this legislature and asked the member to withdraw Could the minister please explain how he's combating racism and hate within this great province Thank You mr. Speaker and again, I want to thank the member for this important question I want to ensure all members of this house that my ministry is responsible for overseeing the anti-racism directorate It's continuing to fulfill its mandate and it's working on the basis of a whole of government approach to addressing systemic racism Anti-racism is a proactive process of removing systemic barriers that seek to identify Remedy and prevent racial inequities It is an investment in human capital and the province's economic future Our goal is to ensure opportunities are available to everyone creating a healthier society and a stronger economy a better Ontario for all Again, mr. Speaker. There is simply no place for hate in Ontario Or in the walls of this legislature and our government for the people will continue taking this important issue seriously Restart the clock next question the member for Windsor quest Just the minister of children community and social services Yesterday the conservative government announced that they were slashing already meager social assistance rates for people living in poverty And those with disabilities this mean spirited and callous decision unfairly targets the most vulnerable members of our communities It lacks compassion Empathy and shows a complete disdain for people living in poverty We know there are problems with the system and how it functions But it should be obvious to everyone that slashing rate increases in half is simply not how you help vulnerable people Speaker does the minister really believe that people receiving social assistance will be better off with a cut to their already below poverty level income Thanks very much a speaker. Thank you to the member for the question I will note that we are actually moving forward with a 1.5 percent increase across the board for Odio Odsp and Ontario works We have made that decision on compassionate grounds I'm going to pause button on a previous plan put forward by the Liberal government which was Which was unsustainable. It was a mess. It was disjointed. It was patchwork We could have cherry-picked certain things But I think that would have been irresponsible because we would have been building on top of an already broken system So what we have said is we are going to set ourselves up for success By putting forward a plan in the next hundred days And we will come back to the people of Ontario with a plan that will lift people up that will bring back dignity to the system That will ensure people can get back to work where they can and where they can't that they have a strong Sustainable social safety net for themselves. So I look forward to the supplemental To the minister the minister said yesterday that they need 100 days to figure out the system and set it right But the studies have been done and the results are already in Over a year's worth of work went into producing the income security roadmap for change report Which was submitted to the government last fall in it the working groups laid out Substantial recommendations for Ontario's income security system Including a rate increase of five percent a year speaker. I have a copy of the report I'm happy to send it to the minister so she can familiarize herself with it Speaker will the minister call off her redundant 100 day fishing expedition and accept the results of the roadmap for change I Speaker the short answer Obviously is no it wasn't working the system wasn't working under the previous liberal administration. It was dysfunctional It's a mess. I the first days. I was the minister responsible I had massive briefings because I inherited five ministries and did you know speaker that social assistance and poverty reduction and And other ways to help people were we're spread over a number of different ministries rather than Then then be repatriated into one area as a result in basic income pilot project people weren't speaking with the poverty reduction People weren't speaking with the social assistance people. I think I owe it to Ontarians This government owes it on to Ontarians to make sure that we're speaking to everybody within these various departments to put forward a Sustainable plan to help people get back on track and that's what we're gonna do Restart the clock next question the member for mississauga streetsville. Thank you, mr. Speaker My question is for the minister of children community and social services with responsibility for immigration our women's issues Minister as I listened to your announcement from yesterday afternoon and reviewed your news release to learn more about the Ontario social safety net our social assistance programs and in particular the Ontario works and the Ontario disability support program for Kim I Was dismayed by the current situation with real growth in the number of longer term recipients the fact that the growth in the social systems caseload has been greater than the rate of population growth over the last 15 years I Was also quite disappointed to hear that there is real growth in the number of people who are Ontario works for more than five years I had believed that Ontario works is a short term helping hand program First question true if recipients are on the program for more than five years I have also come to learn that of those that get themselves off the program Thank you. Thank you Response the minister of children As I indicated one of the first things that I did when I became the new minister responsible for social services was to review the social assistance Program that our government inherited inherited and this is this is what we found and and I must be clear This is not a fun job. This is a tough job But we need to make sure we have right outcomes for people and I'm just going to read you a few things One in five people stay on Ontario works for more than five years That's not fair to the people who really would prefer to have a job Which is the best social program the number of single people using the program grew by 57% in the last 15 years There's a cycle of poverty that we have to get people out of in this province That's the right thing to do when people leave the program almost half of them return 90% in the first year alone that's not fair to people in need And that's why we're going to set a target of the next hundred days to get people back on track in this province The clock supplementary Thank you very much minister for that response I do feel better knowing that this government is focused on solutions and that this government is focused on objectives Certainly, we should measure compassion by the outcomes and the motivation rather than measuring them in dollars and cents I also appreciate that you have been quite forthright about the speed with which you will develop a plan for the future I understand from your announcement and news release that the social assistance plan that coordinates the many programs you now oversee in the new ministry and Of course in children community and social services is your key focus I also understand that you would rather frontline staff spend time helping stabilize recipients and helping recipients to see a path to success Rather than spending their time on paperwork Minister, do you feel the liberal social assistance programs are trapping too many people in the cycle of dependence? Minister, can you please tell this house about the plan you and your officials are working on? Thank you Somebody who grew up in a very small rural town in Nova Scotia I I saw the effects of poverty and I I saw the effects of a good job and what that brought Indignity to people and that's certainly where we want to start So what we're gonna do with our 100-day plan is may have equal measures of head and heart We're gonna lead with compassion and we're going to lead with objectives to get more people back on back on track And and helping them get sorted out But I want to address one of the points that my colleague mentioned about the administration My staff in the field and I was able to go and visit many of my staff in Ottawa Are our work are spending between 75 and 90 percent of their time on Administration rather than setting people up for life skills and mentoring them speaker if we want to talk about compassion We actually have to lead with compassion and make sure we treat people with dignity and respect and give them a path forward Not like what the previous Liberal administration did in making sure they were stuck in poverty Restart the clock next question the member for Toronto St. Paul's. Good morning, mr. Speaker My question is for the Minister of Education The youth of Ontario many of whom actually went through public education system with the outdated out-of-touch 1998 curriculum are demanding the 2015 curriculum be back in classrooms minister Listen to their voices. They're calling to put a stop to this regressive and dangerous move They won't settle for you not answering their questions and they Sorry to interrupt, but I would ask again that the members make their questions through the chair and they know this government's mythical 2014 curriculum does not exist Will the minister finally listen to and respect students of Ontario? Who are telling this government that the 1998 curriculum is not enough to keep them safe from homophobia? Transphobia gender-based violence sexual assault and appearance-based bullying in the classroom and online First of all, I would like to say to the member opposite I was very pleased to see her join us in Ottawa last week as she participated in the Commonwealth woman Parliamentarian conference and as well as the CPA conference as well I really appreciated that you were there and With regards to how we're moving forward in the fall speaker I have to impress upon everyone that we've made our position very clear teachers will be using the curriculum last used in 2014 and to the member opposite, I would like to say Please work with me and ensure that the students that you spoke of had raised their voices and participate in the fulsome Consultation that we will be hosting this fall That is where they will have a forum to share how they feel and what they feel are important to Pursuit in terms of paths for it. Thank you very much Mr students need Through you mr. Speaker our students need consultation September is too late Students will already be back in class Teachers will be left without a curriculum framework that has any relevance to the world kids live in today Parents in Toronto, St. Paul's tell me they just cannot do this work alone They need teachers to be equipped with the modernized 2015 curriculum Will this government engage with Ontario's youth or are they only interested in consulting with their right winged extremist friends Mr. Speaker and I have to share with you that we're going to be engaging With every single person that wants to be heard with regards to the path We're going to pursue as we move forward and until then we are going to use the curriculum that was last used in 2014 and speaker I have to share with you that I Can't wait to take off this consultation and I invite every member in this house to join me So that we have a full-sum consultation that enables every single person be it a student Be it a parent be it a teacher be it a concerned community member because we are committed to this consultation Speaker and I have to remind everyone in this house that the premise of this is because We had a former liberal government that totally ignored the concerns of parents and just like the federal MVP leader said We're going to respect our parents and consult with them Restart the clock next question the member for Guelph Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Children Community and Social Services Conservative economist Milton Friedman was an early promoter of a basic income guarantee Because he felt it was a small government non bureaucratic solution to eliminate poverty Former Conservative senator Hugh Siegel designed the basic income guarantee policy to promote fairness and to help eliminate Poverty during the last election campaign a conservative spokesperson said the PC government would continue the basic income pilot I participated in a debate with the deputy premier She confirmed that the pilot would continue yet yesterday the minister announced That the basic income pilot would be canceled through you mr. Speaker to the minister Why did your party make a promise to keep the basic income pilot during the campaign and break your promise yesterday? Thank you very much to the member of the Green Party the leader It's a pleasure to take a question from you and welcome to your historic win here in the house My first opportunity to say that look this ministry is about making some tough decisions because we've been left with some very difficult challenges we immediately after being Selected as the minister responsible I looked at the research project as a model and I was informed by many of my ministry that That this kind of program really does not support the people becoming independent contributors to the economy to their families and to the community We need these a system that is not only cost-effective or incentivize the official opposition to work And when it incentivizes and we need to make sure that they are not penalized for incoming inequality So we have we would rather right now invest in building a system of social services that that is more affordable For the province but also more successful for those who requires support Through you mr. Speaker to the minister, thank you for the kind words welcoming me to the legislature And into your old office absolutely Mr.. Speaker, I Agree that Ontario social assistance system is broken. This is exactly why we need a basic income guaranteed pilot to study How to fix the system? numerous economists from across the political spectrum left right center have all agreed that a basic income pilot is an Effective way to create a small government solution to solving poverty So through you mr. Speaker to the minister can you provide an economic analysis? Detailing why the ministry decided that the basic income pilot was not effective and share that with members of the legislature Minister I Thank you the honorable member for his question look our government will be doing a line-by-line audit That will be made available in due course, but let's get back to the point We in the early days of this government found that we had a patchwork a dysfunctional System to eradicate poverty in Ontario which social assistance and basic income should be part of so we made we made a tough decision a Decision that is going to be right for the people, but it was a difficult decision to make So over the next hundred days We are going to develop an affordable responsible plan to help people that are on the basic income pilot project to get back To work to get back to school to find themselves an opportunity to lift themselves up out of the cycle of poverty We've seen over the past 15 years I would point out that as somebody who has raised tens of thousands of pounds of food for food cupboards in my home community There's a greater reliance today on people using food banks. There's a greater reliance of people needing affordable housing There's a greater reliance of people that need homeless shelters, and that's a result of 15 years of mismanagement Next question we start the clock the member for Northumberland Peterborough South Good morning, mr. Speaker my question is to the Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks during the election Ontarian family spoke out against cap and trade Ontario businesses spoke out against cap and trade and this government listened The former Liberal government made Ontario closed for business with this punitive tax and many other measures However last week the minister introduced bill for an act to wind down the cap and trade program Our approach is different mr. Speaker our approach is an approach based on what's in the best interests of Ontario families and businesses Mr. Speaker can the minister of the environment? Let Ontario families and businesses know what kind of relief they can expect for government Thank you mr. Speaker through thank you the member through you mr. Speaker the member from Northumberland Peterborough South I appreciate the question While the federal government continues with their plan to impose a job-killing carbon tax We here in this legislature this side of the legislature have been clear that Ontario will proceed with the plan to cut taxes create jobs and encourage growth Mr. Speaker yesterday we began debate on bill for the cap and trade cancellation Act Which will put an end to the carbon tax era in Ontario? And I'd like to thank the member from Barry Innisville and from Cambridge for standing up for the constituents and speaking in favor of the bill Her seating has improved no doubt as a result of her speech They understand that the legislation will like make life more affordable for all Ontarians This legislation includes a real commitment to an made in Ontario environmental plan that will tack at climate change But not through a aggressive job-killing tax Furthermore we'll create 8,000 jobs through this plan and save Ontario families $260 each and every year Mr. Speaker I thank the honorable minister for his answer Thank you for listening to the people minister promise made I Know I know that after years of unkept promises Years of false promises it truly offends the sensibilities of the members opposite to see this government delivering not on their agenda But on our agenda we're gonna stay true to our promises, mr. Speaker because we know mr. Speaker We know you'll have your turn We know mr. Speaker that if the opposition had their way we'd increase gas prices by 35 cents a liter crippling small families in Ontario Their members said that that lowering gas prices was reckless mr. Speaker was wrecked As the member from Niagara Falls to withdraw I Would draw If you do the opposition you have to stand up Thank you We have a few more seconds to request please put your question Can the minister let us know how this government will make Ontario competitive while recognizing the challenges Minister respond mr. Speaker, I thank the member for the question It's quite clear where this side of the the legislature stands, but the NDP you just never know Yesterday the NDP member from Timmins held the press conference He was introducing what he calls the fairness in petroleum products act advocating for stricter rules Protecting consumers from higher gas prices now while this may or may not be a good idea yesterday in this house Mr. Speaker NDP members stood and spoke in opposition to actually reducing gas prices Reducing gas prices by four and a half cents a liter and four and a half set five and a half cents for diesel fuel So in contrast mr. Speaker, we have been very clear. We have said what we will do not empty promises Next question restart the clock member for Toronto Danforth. Thank you speaker speaker My question to the minister of municipal affairs and housing Canadian democracy is built on a foundation of laws and Customs since Confederation Ontario has developed customs and common practices that have led to a more meaningful and robust democracy The vindictive actions taken by this conservative government towards the people of Toronto Violates a long-standing custom to not interfere and local government elections The government's actions are nothing short of an affront to our democracy Why has this government so willfully violated our democratic institutions for political gain? Thank you speaker and through you to the member We're taking a decisive action speaker so that on October 22nd The people of Toronto will have a streamlined council that can make those quick decisions But in the best interest of taxpayers local government as I've said many times Delivers very critical services But I have to say to the member that that bigger councils are not Necessarily the member that we're looking at having a more efficient and more effective government My officials are working with The staff at the city of Toronto to deal with the changing of the nomination dates That's included to the bill to from July 27th to September 14. I want to assure The member and this house that the elections will continue on October 22nd. We're working with the city of Toronto We're working with thank you Thank you speaker and again to the minister even children in elementary school learning about government for the first time Understand that free and fair elections are a cornerstone of any democracy But this government seems to be struggling with that concept It is anti-democratic to cancel elections It is anti-democratic to alter elections while they're in full swing And it is anti-democratic to do all this without consulting anyone The fact that only certain municipalities that the premier has a personal grudge against are targeted by these anti-democratic Democratic moves is even more chilling Why is protecting the premier's ego more important than upholding democratic institutions that he is supposed to protect? Again speaker through you to the member Our party and our leader our premier was was very clear during the election crystal We talked every day the campaign about respecting taxpayers dollars about reducing the size and cost of government I want to again Remind the member that a bigger council doesn't mean it's a better council And I believe quite strongly that having a system where you have that one electoral boundary where you're able to look at a Constituent and say there's one MP. There's one MPP and there's one city council October 22nd there will be an election in the city of Toronto It will provide a more streamlined council that can make those quick decisions, but very important decisions I think it's going to be a better council. It's going to be better decision-making process This bill will result in better local Next question the member for a topical Lakeshore Mr. Speaker my question is for the Minister of Environment Conservation and Parks Today the federal government has finally come to terms with the ineffectiveness of their planned carbon tax This tax as we have said is detrimental to the Canadian economy and does not have the best interest of Canadian businesses in mind If passed the federal government's revision of their carbon tax will reduce what Canadian businesses will have to pay by 10% Minister through the Speaker how will this revision of the federal carbon tax aid Canadian businesses and bolster The broader Canadian economy while providing relief for Ontario families Mr. Speaker and I thank the member from a topical Lakeshore for for her question This government was elected on a mandate to put people first and make life more affordable for families in Ontario This includes our commitment to scrap the cap and trade crap scrap the cap and trade carbon tax Which is in the process of doing with bill for Our promise was clear But as the member also mentioned and this was news to all of us this morning Following a series of closed-door meetings between industry officials and the federal government the federal government has signaled a Reduction in their planned carbon tax The fact Mr. Speaker of this climbed down by the federal government is a signal that we have been right all along While I'm pleased to see that the Prime Minister has started to acknowledge the severe Economic impacts of a job-killing carbon tax I'll continue to say and this government will continue to say that we oppose a carbon tax in any form and are in any size If the federal government continues to pursue a carbon tax to punish Ontario families and make Ontario businesses uncompetitive We will thank you. Thank you Supplementary. Thank you very much minister. I'm happy to see that Justin Trudeau woke up this morning and smelled the coffee I'm happy that he realized the negative effects on this tax on the economy Canadian businesses and Canadian families The reduced tax means businesses will have fewer costs to pass along to consumers and face less competitive pressure Automakers are already facing difficulty in maintaining jobs and investment in Canada and cannot afford sharply higher carbon taxes I'm proud to say that our government is keeping our promises and moving past the previous liberal government's obsession With raising taxes and instead we're creating opportunity to usher in a new era of economically prudent effective environmental action that will protect Ontario families Minister through the speaker my question is why do you think mr. Trudeau and the Liberals rolled back their carbon tax Mr. Speaker through you to the member clearly the federal Liberal Party and mr. Trudeau are starting to hear the message From Ontario employers from businesses across Canada saying that a carbon tax will make them less competitive It's also perhaps a coincidence that an Ipsos poll released just a few weeks ago found that 72% of Canadians Thought that a carbon tax was nothing more than a cash grab That's why we're committed to musing all the tools available that we have all the tools in the courts and all the tools We have to oppose the federal government's carbon tax We did not fight a campaign to eliminate cap and trade just to have a job killing carbon tax imposed Mr. Speaker the end the carbon tax era in Ontario is over promise made promise kept Restart the clock next question the member for Hamilton West and Caster done that you mr. Speaker My question is for the minister of children community and social services a Speaker this premier has cut local government in half and calls it more representation the premier ends environmental protections and calls it conservation and This government acts cruelly and calls it compassion You know mr. Speaker I've heard the minister twice this morning say that they are going to be hitting the pause button It's quite a callous comment because people cannot hit the pause button on their lives And in fact I would suggest that it's actually a rewind button taking this province back decades So my question mr. Premier is given that the decision announced yesterday to end the basic income pilot Before any evidence is in can only be seen as punitive So why without any evidence is this conservative government ending the basic income pilot project? I Understand it will be difficult for her because one of her communities her community is impacted First I just I want to say thanks to the people who took that leap of faith and joined the project I know it took a lot of courage for people to do that and I will commit that we will take a thoughtful and responsible approach As we wind down, but let me talk a little bit about the research. I have the ministry I have bureaucrats and I have staff that are monitoring this and I'm And I am told that this program isn't working. It's actually disincentivizing people from beat from from working It's disincentivizing them from from from lifting themselves up. So I appreciate the member opposites a question But our project research team will continue to be in place to support participants in the study We'll have more to say on how we're going to to wind this program down But I also want them to know that that their payments will still be on time for the month of August And I assure them that if they have any questions, I would be happy to take them as minister responsible for this area Supplementary mr. Speaker through you to the minister one of the country's most respected fiscal conservatives Hugh Siegel who I've had the pleasure of speaking with Recommended this particular form the pilot would take so I presume that mr. Siegel is not in the back room of Ford's hard-right conservatives So since this pilot started there's been testimonials from researchers around the world Once again, I'm going to remind the members that you refer to other individual members and the third person and you talk about their writing name or their parliamentary name Please speaker. Yes So let me just quote some of the participants that are from my handwriting of Hamilton West and castor Dundas a Woman said I don't feel so backed into a corner if I want to eat I can afford to buy something instead of going to a food bank and that's from Wendy Moore I also would like to quote Tom Cooper who's the director of Hamlin's round table for poverty reduction Who said I am angry on behalf of the Hamiltonians who were promised They could participate in this pilot project and they were sold a bill of good Thank you response. Thanks very much speaker. Look, I will I will say this The constant labelling by the opposition is not helpful to this debate. This is a very sensitive area We had to hit the pause button because we inherited a disjointed fragmented social assistance and poverty reduction strategy These aren't easy decisions, but they are the right ones for the better outcomes for the future of Ontarians And in order to make sure that they're more sustainable So I I would urge the member opposite if she would like to have a conversation with me to sit down And we will talk about how we can best get her her residents back on track as we get out of this basic income Research project, but I assure the member opposite that when we take our time in the next hundred days to outline a plan for the people of Ontario there will be less people going to food banks there will be more people getting back to work and there will be more People having a sense of optimism in the province of Ontario after 15 years of reckless liberal spending and planning Start the clock the next question member from Markham union Mr. Speaker this my question is for the minister of our infrastructure after 15 long years of self-serving liberal administration the people of Ontario finally have a PC government led by Premier Doug Ford, which is committing to bring Prosperity and opportunity back to the province Yesterday it was reported that waterfront Toronto and sidewalk labs enter into a plans development There are agreements to move forward with developing a high-tech neighborhood with a people first approach That means well-paying jobs affordable housing and urban innovation Can a minister please share with the house what this neighborhood of the future will look like. Thank you Minister of infrastructure I'd like to thank the member from Markham Unionville for the great question here this morning Mr. Speaker our government is pleased that sidewalk labs in associate company of Google has partnered with waterfront Toronto to deliver modern innovative infrastructure for the province of Ontario Sidewalk labs will be investing 50 million dollars to help create a master innovation and Development plan for quayside which will prioritize sustainability affordability mobility and economic opportunities Further innovations will include data-driven processes to ensure energy efficiency and improved noise traffic and pollution Mr. Speaker other areas for development and research will include high-speed internet machine learning and self-driving cars Speaker, this is cutting-edge innovation. That's going to likely lead To 5,000 private sector jobs being created here in Toronto and in Ontario. Mr. Speaker Restart the clock supplementary Thank You mr. Speaker back to the minister. Thank you for the great update This development will certainly help send a signal that Ontario is open for business For all sectors and industries Attracting a prominent company like Google to invest right here in Toronto is a sign of good things to come I'm sure the rest of the world will be looking to Ontario to see the steps We are ticking to promote innovations and sustainability in mixed-use neighborhood Can the minister tell this house how this investment fits into the broader vision of the province And what economy benefits its offers. Thank you Thank you to the member for the excellent follow-up question Mr. Speaker with great investments like this It is no wonder that Toronto and Ontario continually ranked as one of the top high-tech centers in the entire world the potential long-term economic benefits of moving forward with this specific development could include 5,000 new jobs innovative solutions to urban issues and fresh investments totaling billions and billions of dollars mr. Speaker It delivers on this government and our Premier's commitment to attracting knowledge-based Capital and investments to Ontario and we're going to continue to create and support High-paying jobs in the private sector and innovation and new high-tech sectors our message that Ontario is open for business will ring loud and clear Mr. Speaker this new agreement is another way that our government is fulfilling our commitment to the people of Ontario Mr. Speaker promise made Restart the clock next question member for Davenport. Thank you, mr. Speaker My question is for the Minister of Education 22 school boards across Ontario are standing up against this government's dangerous decision to force the 1998 sexual education curriculum back into Ontario's classrooms from Durham to Simcoe County to Ottawa Carlton They've said in no uncertain terms that their priority will always be maintaining an inclusive and safe environment for their students Whereas this government wherever this government fails to protect Ontario kids Mr. Speaker these school boards will stand in now this government is in is creating more chaos by demanding Toronto boards Shift their boundaries by August 14th or this government's going to impose them on them Why are Ontario's school boards showing more leadership to the children of Ontario than this government? Thank you much mr. Speaker and I'm pleased to address this because we need to ensure that The proper message gets out and that is we're keeping a campaign promised to respect parents Because from the last administration We heard time and again that parents were totally left out in the field and not Respected with regards to their feelings and their position on what was being taught in terms of the health and physical education curriculum so our position is very clear the teachers are going to be using the curriculum that was last used in 2014 and we are going to be ensuring that every school board every parent every Every student every person who wants to have their voice heard We'll be consulted and we invite the member opposite to participate in the forum that will be kicking off this fall Thank you very much Mr. Speaker the Minister of Education refuses again to stand up for the students of this province while this minister Refuses to show leadership. We have chaos in our school boards school is back in just a few weeks We have a deputy premier who's been flipping and flopping on this saying that if a child has a question Not covered in the irrelevant 1990 you can call it 2014. It's the 1998 curriculum Say like cyber bullying or gender identity or consent Teachers should take them behind closed doors in private and talk directly to that child. Yeah, that couldn't possibly go wrong Why does this government think it's appropriate for children to shoulder the responsibility of accepting an inclusive and relevant Education do they see how this will further endanger our students Minister of Education. Thank you very much, mr. Speaker and speaker. I have to tell you I absolutely reject the spin that that member opposite is trying to generate Comprehensive consultation that is going to move the health and physical education curriculum Forward and I look forward to kicking off this consultation this fall and again Speaker I invite Every single member in this house to be part of the solution because we know the last liberal administration Totally Disrespected parents and we're going to put our best foot forward to ensure that we respect people throughout this province and Make sure that we have a curriculum that needs the needs and addresses social issues in a respectful way Thank you Restart the clock next question the member for Carlton Thank You mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs First I would like to congratulate the Minister on his reelection and appointment as Minister I know his experience in agriculture both in politics and the field will serve him well in this role Mr. Speaker There are many great agriculture products available across my riding of Carlton including fruits vegetables Honey lamb beef chicken eggs and dairy Thanks to a private members bill put forward by the Minister when he was in opposition I see many signs showing where Ontario grown produce is available as I travel to events across Carlton This Saturday is Food Day Canada an excellent opportunity to celebrate our agriculture industry and enjoy the great Local food produced by our hard-working Ontario farmers. Mr. Speaker through you to the Minister What can Ontarians do to celebrate Food Day Canada in their communities and show our farmers how much they appreciate everything they do Thank you very much, mr. Speaker. I'd like to thank the member for her question and congratulate her as well on her election I Know she will serve the constituents of Carlton well I also want to thank the residents of the great riding of Oxford for once again electing me to serve on their behalf Food industry that produces many delicious products for consumers to enjoy I encourage everyone to celebrate Food Day Canada and support our Ontario farmers producers by looking for local food options Our farmers and processors work hard every day to ensure consumers have access to high quality and healthy food and our government Supports the agriculture industry. Mr. Speaker Ontario is open for business in our agriculture industry Is no different our government supports the agriculture sector and I look forward to working with the agriculture community to do Reduce red tape and strengthen our agriculture industry. All right Thank You minister for that answer mr. Speaker back to the minister Ontario is open for business and I commend the minister for the work He has done to promote local food and produce in Ontario throughout his time in the legislature I look forward to enjoying Food Day Canada this weekend with some delicious local food from producers in my riding including Carlton mushroom Suntech tomatoes Rito pines farm and shoulder ice berry farms It was great to hear from the minister about how Ontarians can engage in Food Day Canada on Saturday And I was encouraged to hear that the minister is working with the agriculture sector to strengthen the industry Mr. Speaker through you Minister what else is your ministry doing to support our agriculture industry and our hard-working Ontario farmers that put fresh local food on our tables The member for the question it's been a very busy first month as Minister of Agriculture food and rural affairs During my first week as minister I held an agriculture roundtable with representatives from many Ontario's Agriculture organizations and heard directly from the industry about the challenges they face I was able to attend the federal provincial territorial meeting of agriculture ministers where I was proud to represent Our government and share the interest of Ontario's agriculture industry with my counterparts from across the country and discuss how we can create More jobs and support economic growth in agriculture and the agri-food sector Mr. Speaker I look forward to continuing working with the agriculture community to support Ontario's farmers rural communities and And agribusinesses our government campaigned on a promise to support our farmers, and that's exactly what we're doing promises made I want to thank the members for their cooperation in helping the speaker Ensure a more civil discussion this morning question for you Member for timmons on a point of order well mr. Speaker on a point of order and it's exactly to that point It's pretty clear with this new premier administration the temperature of the house and the tone of the house is very much changed I wanted her for Listen I point out the premier is not here today Best behave you've seen in a long time The member knows The member knows he can't refer to the member knows full well he can't refer to the absence of another member. What's your point of order? My point is under standing order 23 There is two parts of the standing order that are pretty Topical to what happened this morning with the member from Northumberland Peterborough South and that is first of all You can't allege anything against another member right number one under age but K But but K order But understanding order K use abusive or insulting language of a nature likely to create disorder It was pretty clear what the member was trying to do Order You did a pretty good job today, but I think members have to be on their guard. We'll come door Member for Carlton will come door. I'd ask the member for Carlton to withdraw I withdraw Yeah, I would remind all members that Inflammatory language is not helpful and it doesn't raise the tone of debate. It doesn't enhance the respect of the public Anybody who's watching anybody who's visiting anybody who's paying attention? We need to raise the bar and in temperate language is not helpful and Members quite right there are standing orders which prohibit accusations against other members The speakers not in a position to be able to judge the merits of any of the accusations But I would ask all members to to refrain from doing that It is time now to recess the house the house will resume this afternoon at 3 p.m