GUESTS. THEREFORE IT IS TIME FOR MEMBER STATEMENTS. THE MEMBER FROM KITCHENER. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER, IT IS WITH APPRECIATION I THINK THE GREATER ESSEX SCHOOL BOARD FOR THEIR LENGTHY FIGHT TO BE ALLOWED TO TENDER PROJECTS FAIR AND OPENLY. SINCE 2001 THEY HAVE FOUGHT FOR THEIR RIGHT OF THE BEST QUALITY WORK FOR THE BEST PRICE. A SCHOOL BOARD IS CLEARLY NOT A CORRECTION COMPANY — CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, AND CERTIFICATION MEANS CLOSED TENDERING.
AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS BY THE SCHOOL BOARD TO PROVE IT MET THE DEFINITION OF A NONCONSTRUCTION EMPLOYER, A DECISION FINALLY MEANS THE SCHOOL BOARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ARE OPEN TO ALL QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS. SO AREA CONTRACTORS, HEAD OVER TO THE BOARD WEBSITE AND START BIDDING AS GREATER ESSEX IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS. AND WHILE WE THANK THE BOARD FOR THEIR PERSISTENCE, THEIR STRUGGLE FOR FAIRNESS ONLY FURTHER HIGHLIGHTS THE FLAWED LOOPHOLE THAT ALLOWS SCHOOL BOARDS AND MUNICIPALITIES TO BE CERTIFIED IN THE FIRST PLACE. SINCE THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT REJECTED MY FAIR AND OPENING TENDERING ACT, THE CLOSED TENDERING DRIVES DOWN COMPETITION IN HAMILTON, TORONTO, IN SAULT STE. MARIE, IN MY REGION OF WATERLOO WHILE DRIVING UP COST FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY TO THANK THE SCHOOL BOARD BUT ALSO TO BUILD ON THEIR EFFORTS. I REMAIN DEDICATES TO RESTORING FAIR TENDERING, SPEAKER, AND LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING FURTHER STEPS THAT WILL MAKE IT CLEAR RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES SHOULD NOT APPLY TO MUNICIPALITIES AND SCHOOL BOARDS.
THANK YOU. [Applause] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. THE MEMBER FROM DANFORTH. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. SPEAKER, OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS TWO OFFICERS OF THE LEGISLATURE HAVE REPORTED ON THE LIBERAL'S CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION PLAN. SPEAKER, NEITHER SUPPORT THE CLAIM THAT THE GOVERNMENT'S PLAN AS WRITTEN WILL ALLOW ONTARIO TO MEET ITS 2020 TARGET TO PROTECT US FROM CLIMATE CHANGE, AND, SPEAKER, THAT'S A BIG DEAL. WE ARE APPROACHING SUBSTANTIAL CLIMATE TIPPING POINTS THAT COULD PUT US AT GREATER PERIL. THIS IS NOT A TIME TO PLAY GAMES. BOTH THE AUDITOR GENERAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONER HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE VIABILITY AND CREDIBILITY OF A NUMBER OF THE MAJOR PROGRAMS THAT THE LIBERAL CLIMATE PLAN CLAIMS WILL ALLOW THEM TO MEET THEIR TARGETS BY 2020. IT APPEARS THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT IS PLANNING TO PAPER OVER THE GAP BETWEEN THE STORY THEY TELL AND THE REALITY BY ALLOWING THE PURCHASE OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS WORTH OF CHEAP CARBON ALLOWANCES FROM CALIFORNIA AND THEN SAYING THE JOB IS DONE.
SPEAKER, THAT STRATEGY IS IRRESPONSIBLE. IT DRAINS MONEY FROM ONTARIO, AND, FRANKLY, COULD DISCREDIT CLIMATE ACTION IN THIS PROVINCE. I KALIN — CALL ON THE LIBERALS TO CHANGE THEIR CLIMATE PLAN TO FOCUS ON REAL EMISSION CUTS OF ONTARIO AND FOCUS ON PROTECTING THIS PROVINCE FROM DANGEROUS CLIMATE CHANGE. THANK YOU, SPEAKER. >> The Speaker: FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. >> THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER, I RISE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE RECENT BASIC INCOME PILOT CONSULTATION IN MY RIDING. IN 2016 BUDGET THE GOVERNMENT MADE A COMMITMENT TO FURTHER ADDRESS POVERTY IN ONTARIO BY COMMITTING TO A BASIC INCOME FOR ONTARIANS. WE ARE LOOKING TO TEST A BASIC INCOME WOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DELIVER INCOME SUPPORT WHILE IMPROVING THE EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FOR ONTARIANS. THE IDEA OF BASIC INCOME IS GENERATING INTEREST HERE IN CANADA AND AROUND THE WORLD. THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR POVERTY REDUCTION STRATEGY HAVE BEGUN CONSULTATION WITH PEOPLE ACROSS ONTARIO TO GET FEEDBACK FROM PEOPLE.
THE CONSULTATION HELD IN MY RIDING LAST TUESDAY WAS THE SECOND CONSULTATION OF 14 TO BE HELD. 78 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE CONSULTATION AND TO DATE, Mr. SPEAKER, BASIC INCOME HAS RECEIVED THE MOST FEEDBACK EVER SEEN DURING A CONSULTATION ON ONTARIO.CA. OVER 20,000 RESPONSES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED ON THE SURVEY ONLINE ALONE. I WANT TO THANK THE MINISTERS FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN IMPLEMENTING A NEW APPROACH TO IMPROVING INCOME SECURITY. I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE A CONTRIBUTION TO THE STAFF FOR PARTICIPATING LAST WEEK IN CONSULTATION. Mr. SPEAKER, I BELIEVE THAT WORKING THROUGH WITH ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ASSOCIATION AND ALSO LOOKING INTO INNOVATIVE APPROACHES DELIVERING — >> THANK YOU >> WE CAN IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL ONTARIANS. THANK YOU. >> The Speaker: THE MEMBER FROM NIPISSING >> THANK YOU, AND GOOD AFTERNOON, SPEAKER. COMMUNITIES IN MY RIDING ARE SEEKING CONFIRMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT ON THE STABILITY FOR THE PROVINCIAL TAX CREDIT FOR THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY IN ONTARIO. YOU MAY REMEMBER IN THE 2014 BUDGET THE GOVERNMENT PLANNED TO CHANGE THE TAX CREDIT BUT ON THIS SIDE OF THE CHAMBER WE FOUGHT HARD TO KEEP IT IN PLACE.
WE WORK WITH INDUSTRY, WON THE BATTLE, AND THE FILM INDUSTRY HAS GOTTEN BENEFITS ACROSS THE PROVINCE, PARTICULARLY HOME IN THE NORTH. JUST LAST WEEK A NEW PRODUCTION ANNOUNCE IT HAD WOULD BE COMING TO NORTH BAY. THIS IS WHAT PROMPTED THE MUNICIPALITIES OF EAST FARRIS AND NORTH BAY TO PASS RESOLUTIONS HIGHLIGHTING THEIR CONCERNS. GIVEN THEIR UNCERTAINTY AND THE GOVERNMENTS DEDICATION TO THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY, THEY CALL FOR A PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO THE STABILITY OF THE PROVINCIAL TAX CREDIT SYSTEM AND THE NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND TO ENSURE CONTINUED, FOREIGN, AND DOMESTIC INVESTMENT IN NORTHERN PRODUCTION ALONG WITH INCREASED WORK OPPORTUNITIES FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRM CONFIDENCE IN THE FILM AND TELEVISION INDUSTRY AND SUPPORT CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE SECTOR. THANK YOU. >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. >> SPEAKER, SINCE THIS IS MY LAST MEMBER STATEMENT BEFORE THE HOUSE RISES, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYONE HERE AND AT HOME A MERRY CHRISTMAS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I WOULD LIKE TO, IN ADVANCE, THANK ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO WHILE WE ARE ENJOYING OURSELVES OVER THE HOLIDAYS, THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD TO KEEP US HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SAFE. ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY AND NOT ONLY IN HEALTH CARE BUT EVEN IN CORRECTIONS AND ALL THE PEOPLE YOU DON'T THINK ABOUT, THOSE PEOPLE WHO WORK NOT ONLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS BUT WORK EVERY DAY BUT SPECIFICALLY DURING THE HOLIDAYS AND COMING FROM AN AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK THE FARMERS OF ONTARIO, SPECIFICALLY THE LIVESTOCK FARMERS WHO ON CHRISTMAS DAY WILL BE FEEDING, MILKING, DOING ALL THE THINGS IT TAKES TO KEEP ANIMALS HAPPY AND HEALTHY, AND LASTLY BUT NOT LEAST, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS ON CALL ON CHRISTMAS DAY, BE IT A PLUMBER, ELECTRICIAN, BE IT A VET, ANYONE WHO IS ON CALL, WE ALL — I KNOW IN MY BUSINESS I HAVE HAD A FEW TIMES THE VET ON CHRISTMAS DAY PULLING A CALF AND IT IS JOLLY, I CAN TELL YOU, BUT BOTH PLACES THERE ARE PLACES THEY WOULD RATHER BE, AND IT'S A GREAT TIME OF YEAR, BUT WE ARE PROTECTED BY SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE PROVINCE AND I AM HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO RECOGNIZE THAT.
THANK YOU. >> The Speaker: THE MEMBER FROM — >> THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER, I AM PRIVILEGED TO WELCOME GLOBAL MEDIC TO QUEEN'S PARK TODAY. THEY ARE A NONPARTISAN REGISTERED CANADIAN CHARITY THAT RUNS CAPACITY BILLION PROGRAMS IN POST-CONFLICT FIRST NATION HADS — AND PROVIDES RELIEF TO DISASTERS. THEIR PRIORITY IS TO SAVE LIFE BY PROVIDING SHORT-TERM RAPID RESPONSE IN THE WAKE OF CRISIS BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD. GLOBAL MEDIC CAME TO QUEEN'S PARK TODAY FOR THE WELCOME TO CANADA KITS. THEY CONTAIN HOUSEHOLD AND OTHER ITEMS THAT WILL P BE HAND DELIVERED TO FAMILIES THAT HAVE FLED THE VIOLENCE IN SYRIA AND HAVE NEWLY ARRIVED IN CANADA. THE KITS ARE TO BE PACKED BY ALL OF US HERE. I INVITE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE. I INVITE EVERYONE TO PARTICIPATE IN ROOM 230 ANY TIME DURING THE DAY AND SPEND TIME TO SUPPORT THIS CAUSE.
THIS IS A HANDS-ON OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO SUPPORT THE NEWLY ARRIVED SYRIAN FAMILIES AND WELCOME THEM TO A GREAT PROVINCE. THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER. >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A GOOD NEWS STORY FROM WEST SIDE SECONDARY SCHOOL IN ORANGEVILLE. LAST MONTH I VISITED WESTSIDE AS THEY HELD THEIR THINK PINK FUNDRAISER. THEY BEGAN IN 2004 AFTER SEVERAL STAFF WERE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. WEST SIDE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE TOP SCHOOL FUNDRAISER IN ALL OF CANADA. THIS YEAR MARKED THEIR GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT OF RAISING $100,000 SINCE 2004. EVERYONE WORE A LOT OF PINK TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT. BRAVE STUDENTS AND STAFF RAISED HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS BY OFFERING TO SHAVE THEIR HEAD OR CUT THEIR HAIR. SOME YOUNG MEN WERE EVEN BRAVE ENOUGH TO HAVE THEIR LEGS WAXED IN PUBLIC. IT WAS A GREAT AFTERNOON AS WE CHEERED ON STUDENTS AND STAFF, BATTLED IT OUT IN A TUG-OF-WAR, BUT THE BIGGEST CHEER OF ALL WAS WHEN WE HEARD WEST SIDE RAISED AN INCREDIBLE $20,000 THIS YEAR. SOMETIMES YOUNG PEOPLE GET ACCUSED OF ONLY CARING ABOUT THEIR INSTAGRAM OR WEEKENDS, WESTSIDE PROVED THEM WRONG.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PRINCIPAL, STAFF, AND STUDENTS OF WESTSIDE FOR THEIR FANTASTIC WORK. WELL DONE. [Applause] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. THE MEMBER FROM KINGSTON AND THE ISLANDS >> THANK YOU, Mr. SPEAKER, WHAT A THRILL IT WAS TO JOIN THE ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY OF KINGS TON AS THEY CELEBRATED 176 YEARS ON NOVEMBER THE 20TH. GUESTS WERE SERVED WITH A TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH FEAST WHICH WAS NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT THE HAGIS, AND MANY WERE DRESSED IN KILTS AND OTHER SCOTTISH AFIRE.
TIRE. AS ALWAYS IT WAS A FESTIVE GATHERING WITH CONVERSATION AND EXCELLENT COMPANY. KINGSTON WELCOMED SCOTTISH IMMIGRANTS INCLUDING MY MOTHER SEEKING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES TO CANADA FOLLOWING THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. FOUNDED IN 1840 THE ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY BEGAN AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION TO WELCOME SCOTTISH NEWCOMERS HAS AS THEY TRANSITIONED TO LIFE IN KINGSTON. THE SOCIETY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLL FOSTERING A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY. ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY HAS BEEN ENRICHED BY FAMOUS CHARACTERS INCLUDING SIR JOHN A MCDONALD, AND I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT OUR CURRENT MEMBERS LIKE JOHN AND OF COURSE ISABELL TURNER WHO INSTILLS THE FEAR OF GOD INTO YOU IF YOU CAN'T ATTEND A DINNER, AND SO MANY OTHER FAMILIES WHO WILL LIKEWISE BE REMEMBERED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO THE SOCIETY. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ST. ANDREWS SOCIETY FOR 176 YEARS OF SCOTTISH CULTURAL TRADITION IN OUR CITY. THANK YOU. >> The Speaker: THANK YOU HAVE VERY MUCH. FURTHER MEMBER STATEMENTS. >> Mr. SPEAKER, DURING MY CAN VASS OF WELLINGTON HALTON HILLS, I MET THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. I SOUGHT TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS, LISTEN TO THEIR CONCERNS, AND ENCOURAGE THEIR ASPIRATIONS. THE ONE THING I HEARD IS MANY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND WE KNOW CONNECTION IS IMPORTANT FOR HOUSEHOLDS, FARMS, AND BUSINESSES.
WHEN THE HOUSE RESUMED FOLLOWING THE ELECTION TO CONSIDER THE BUDGET, I TABLED A RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNMENT TO DEVELOP AN ADVANTAGE TO ENSURE ALL ONTARIANS HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET AND WORK WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL WITH PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. THIS PAST JULY THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED A COMMITMENT TO DOING WHAT WE URGED THEM TO DO, SETTING ASIDE 90 MILLION WITH AN EQUAL FEDERAL CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT THE FIBER TECHNOLOGY PROJECT KNOWN AS SWIFT. WHILE IT SOUNDED GOOD THEY DIDN'T ANNOUNCE A TIME FRAME FOR THE LAUNCH OR COMPLETION FOR THE INTERNET SERVICE NOR COULD THEY RELEASE A LIST OF THE 300 COMMUNITIES THEY CLAIMED WOULD BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAM. WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN GETTING THIS DONE. WORKING TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH INTERIM OBJECTIVES. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY THANKS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH IMPLEMENTING THIS PROPOSAL, BUT LET'S KEEP IT MOVING. THE COUNTY AND TOWN ARE HAPPY ABOUT EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, RELIABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET. LET'S GET BEHIND OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BUILD A FIBER NETWORK THAT GIVES EVERY ONTARIAN ACCESS TO HIGH SPEED, AFFORDABLE INTERNET SERVICE AND ALL THE BENEFITS THAT TECHNOLOGY ENTAILS.
>> The Speaker: THANK YOU. THE MEMBER FROM BRAMPTON-WEST. >> WELCOME THE HARD-WORKING RAUL WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL MEDIC. THANK YOU. [Applause] >> The Speaker: I WAS — I WAS JUST ABOUT TO DO THAT, SO I APPRECIATE IT. I HAVE KNOWN RAUL FOR QUITE SOME TIME, AFTER HIS ORDER OF ONTARIO THAT HE RECEIVED. SO CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT. [Applause].