POINT OF ORDER? IT'S TIME FOR ORAL QUESTIONS. I RECOGNIZE THE LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION. [ Applause ] >> Andrea Horwath: THANK YOU, SPEAKER. SPEAKER, MY FIRST QUESTION'S FOR THE PREMIER. THE PREMIER'S DECISION TO SCRAP THE UPDATED SEXUAL HEALTH CURRICULUM AND DRAG ONTARIO BACK TO 1998 IS NOT ABOUT DOING WHAT'S RIGHT FOR STUDENTS OR ABOUT LISTENING TO PARENTS. IT'S ABOUT DOING FAVOURS FOR SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES LIKE CHARLES McVETY AND TANYA GRANIC ALLEN. WHY IS THE PREMIER MORE FOCUSED ON KEEPING SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES HAPPY INSTEAD OF KEEPING STUDENTS, YOUNG PEOPLE AND QUEER YOUTH SAFE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. MR. SPEAKER, WE TRAVELED AROUND ONTARIO. WE CONSULTED WITH THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARENTS. WE CONSULTED WITH HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS, AND NOT ONE SINGLE PERSON, MR. SPEAKER, CAME UP TO ME AND SAID THEY WERE CONSULTED.
WE HEARD THAT THEY WANT A CHANGE WHEN IT COMES TO THE SEX-ED CURRICULUM, AND I KNOW THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. SHE WOULD HAVE HEARD THE EXACT SAME THING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL THAT I HEARD. MATTER OF FACT WE'RE GOING TO DO THE LARGEST CONSULTATION IN ONTARIO'S HISTORY WHEN IT COMES TO SEX ED EDUCATION. [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, WE KNOW THERE WAS CLOSE TO ZERO CONSULTATION.
>> The Speaker: ANSWER. >> Premier Ford: AS A MATTER OF FACT THERE WAS 14 MILLION PEOPLE. THERE WAS 1,638 PEOPLE THAT WERE CONSULTED, POINT-ZERO-ZERO — [ Voice trails ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. SUPPLEMENTARY? [ Applause ] >> Andrea Horwath: SPEAKER, THE PREMIER IS BEING DRIVEN BY WHATEVER FAR-RIGHT SOCIAL CONSERVATIVES WANT HIM TO DO AND IGNORING HIS RESPONSIBILITY TO ALL ONTARIO STUDENTS, ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND ALL OF OUR QUEER YOUTH AND LGBTQ FAMILIES. AFTER SPENDING ALL OF YESTERDAY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY WERE REALLY DOING, LAST NIGHT THE CONSERVATIVES CONFIRMED THEY ARE DRAGGING STUDENTS BACK TO THE 1998 HEALTH CURRICULUM THIS SEPTEMBER.
[ Interjections ] I HAVE A SIMPLE QUESTION FOR THE PREMIER. WILL THE SAME-SEX RELATIONSHIPS AND LGBT GFAMILIES BE FULLY INCLUDED AND RESPECTED IN THE CURRICULUM THIS FALL, OR DOES HE HAVE TO ASK PERMISSION OF RADICAL EXTREMISTS LIKE CHARLES McVETY AND TANYA ALLEN GRANIC? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? [ Interjection ] >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, — [ Interjections ] , MR. SPEAKER, WE KNOW THAT — WE KNOW THAT THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION DOESN'T WANT TO CONSULT WITH PARENTS. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION ACTUALLY BELIEVES IN THE NANNY STATE.
THEY BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS BEST WHEN IT COMES TO OUR STUDENTS. THEY KNOW BEST WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CHILDREN. THEY KNOW BEST WHEN IT COMES TO OUR PARENTS. WE TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH, MR. SPEAKER. WE TAKE APPROACH THAT THE BEST TEACHERS ARE THE PARENTS, NOT — [ Applause ] NOT A GROUP, A SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP. [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, I WILL ONCE AGAIN REMIND THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION THERE IS NEXT TO ZERO CONSULTATION. OUT OF 14 MILLION PEOPLE, .001% WERE CONSULTED. THAT IS DISGUSTING, .001 — [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: FINAL SUPPLEMENTARY. MEMBERS, -. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. FINAL SUPPLEMENTARY. >> Andrea Horwath: WHAT I KNOW BEST, SPEAKER, IS THAT IT IS 2018, NOT 1998. [ Applause ] AND THE WORLD HAS CHANGED.
CURRICULUM IGNORED CONSENT, ONLINE SAFETY, GENDER IDENTITY AND LGBTQ FAMILIES. THAT'S THE CURRICULUM THAT THIS PREMIER AND HIS RADICAL EXTREMIST FRIENDS ARE DRAGGING OUR KIDS BACK TO. THE DEPUTY PREMIER. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL — >> The Speaker: HOUSE, COME TO ORDER. HOUSE, COME TO ORDER. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: THE DEPUTY PREMIER, ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH HAVE ALL, IN THE PAST, EXPRESSED THEIR SUPPORT FOR KEEPING KIDS SAFE. WHY IS THIS PREMIER LISTENING TO RADICAL EXTREMISTS LIKE CHARLES McVETY AND TANYA GRANIC ALLEN INSTEAD OF HIS OWN CABINET AND PUTTING THE SAFETY OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AT RISK? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, I FIND IT PRETTY RICH THAT THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION WOULD CALL US RADICAL. [ Interjections ] >> The Speaker: ORDER. PLEASE COME TO ORDER. [ Interjections ] [ Applause ] >> Premier Ford: YOU WANT TO TALK EXTREMIST. YOU WANT TO TALK IRRATIONAL. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS.
>> Premier Ford: THE CAMPAIGN, THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION HAD TO STEAL A COUPLE OF OUR LINES. MY FRIENDS, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE LARGEST CONSULTATION IN ONTARIO'S HISTORY. WE'RE GOING TO GO TO EVERY SINGLE RIDING AND CONSULT WITH THE PARENTS. I KNOW THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION DOESN'T BELIEVE IN CONSULTING WITH PARENTS. SHE BELIEVES THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD MAKE THE DECISION FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN CONSULTATION. >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. >> Premier Ford: WE WILL FIX THE SEX EDUCATION — [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THE MEMBERS WILL PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. NEXT QUESTION. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: MY NEXT QUESTION'S ALSO FOR THE PREMIER. YOU KNOW THE JOB OF THE PREMIER IS NOT MAKING BACKROOM DEALS WITH INSIDERS. BUT THAT'S WHAT THIS PREMIER IS ALREADY UP TO ON SEX ED AND ON HYDRO. HE SAID THE C.E.O. OF HYDRO WAS GOING TO GET ZERO, ABSOLUTELY ZERO. BUT MAYO SCHMIDT WILL ACTUALLY WALK AWAY WITH AT LEAST $9 MILLION, MAYBE MORE. ONLY THE PREMIER KNOWS THE REAL ANSWER, SPEAKER. SO WILL THE PREMIER MAKE THE DEAL PUBLIC TODAY SO THAT EVERYONE, ALL ONTARIANS, ALL THE PEOPLE CAN SEE WHAT HE ACTUALLY AGREED TO? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE DEAL WAS, AND I'LL TELL YOU THE REASON WHY THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE DEAL WAS, BECAUSE THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION WAS DOWN HERE FOR YEARS PROPPING UP HYDRO ONE, PROPPING UP THE $6 MILLION MAN, PROPPING UP THE BOARD. [ Applause ] THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, MR. SPEAKER, SHE'S IN FAVOUR OF HIGH HYDRO RATES.
SHE'S IN FAVOUR OF THE HIGHEST HYDRO RATES IN NORTH AMERICA. SHE'S IN FAVOUR OF PUTTING THE BURDEN OF CARBON TAX AND CAP AND TRADE ON THE BACKS OF TAXPAYERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES IN THIS PROVINCE. MY FRIENDS, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, I CAN TELL YOU — >> The Speaker: PREMIER? PREMIER? TAKE YOUR SEAT. PREMIER, THE HOUSE HAS TO COME TO ORDER. I CAN'T HEAR THE PREMIER. THE SPEAKER HAS TO BE ABLE TO HEAR WHAT'S BEING SAID BY THE MEMBER OF THE FLOOR. THE VOLUME HAS TO GO DOWN. APOLOGIZE TO THE PREMIER. >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, AS I WAS SAYING, THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION KNEW EXACTLY THE COMPENSATION PACKAGE. SHE KEPT IT UNDER WRAPS. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION I SHOULD SAY KEPT IT UNDER WRAPS, NOT SAYING A WORDrd KNOWING, KNOWING THAT HE HAD STOCK OPTIONS.
I'LL TELL YOU, THERE'S ONLY ONE THING, ONE THING THAT THE HYDRO ONE C.E.O. WALKED AWAY WITH IS THE SAME PACKAGE AS ANYONE ELSE WOULD WALK AWAY WITH WITH THEIR BENEFITS AND THEIR PENSION PLAN. ZERO COMPENSATION — >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. [ Applause ] THANK YOU. MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. SUPPLEMENTARY? >> Andrea Horwath: ZERO IN THIS HOUSE IS AND THAT'S THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS PREMIER HAS ON — [ Interjections ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS. MEMBERS WILL PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS. [ Conversation din ] >> The Speaker: ORDER. ORDER. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS. THIS PREMIER SAID THAT THE C.E.O.
WOULD GET ZERO, ABSOLUTELY ZERO. BUT IT TURNS OUT WHATEVER BACKROOM DEAL THAT HE COOKED UP WITH MAYO SCHMIDT WILL END UP COSTING AT LEAST $9 MILLION. NOW THAT'S WHAT PRIVATIZED ELECTRICITY DOES. THAT'S WHAT IT DOES. AND THAT'S WHAT THIS PARTY SUPPORTS. WHEN WILL THE PREMIER ACTUALLY. >> The Speaker: QUESTION. >> Andrea Horwath: COME CLEAN AND FULLY DISCLOSE AND RELEASE THE DEAL THAT HE CUT WITH MAYO SCHMIDT? >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. PREMIER? [ Applause ] >> Premier Ford: THROUGH YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I CAN SEE THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. I UNDERSTAND SHE DOESN'T LIKE LOSING.
SHE WANTS TO GET PERSONAL. SHE WANTS TO GET PERSONAL BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GET PERSONAL WITH THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. I CAN TELL YOU ONE THING. THE C.E.O. OF HYDRO ONE HAS ZERO, ZERO SEVERANCE. I UNDERSTAND — I UNDERSTAND THAT THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION WORKED HAND IN HAND WITH THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT PROPPING UP THE HIGHEST HYDRO RATES IN NORTH AMERICA. [ Applause ] PROPPING UP THE HIGHEST TAX RATES IN NORTH AMERICA. THE HIGHEST CARBON TAX ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD. AS A MATTER OF FACT ONE OF HER MEMBERS SAID THEY WANT THE HIGHEST CARBON TAX IN THE ENTIRE WORLD. >> [ Interjection: ] YEAH. THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT. >> Premier Ford: THAT IS SHAMEFUL. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: FINAL SUPPLEMENTARY. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION.
>> Andrea Horwath: SPEAKER, NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE WANTS TO PRETEND HE DIDN'T SAY IT, THE PREMIER SAID THE C.E.O.'s PAYOUT WAS ZERO, ABSOLUTELY ZERO. BUT HE KNEW THAT THE C.E.O. WOULD LEAVE WITH MORE MONEY THAN MOST FAMILIES IN THIS PROVINCE EARN IN A LIFETIME. THE PREMIER TURNED THE $6 MILLION MAN INTO A $9 MILLION MAN. IT COULD BE MORE. IT COULD BE MORE. ONLY THE PREMIER KNOWS EXACTLY HOW MUCH THAT SECRET DEAL REALLY COST. AND IF THE PREMIER REFUSES TO COME CLEAN AND REFUSES TO MAKE HIS BACKROOM DEAL PUBLIC, THEN ANY NEW BILL ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND TRANSPARENCY IS JUST A JOKE. SO WILL THIS PREMIER AGREE TO AMEND THE BILL THAT HE TABLED YESTERDAY TO INCLUDE FULL DISCLOSURE OF ALL PAYMENTS TO OUTGOING EXECUTIVES AND BOARD MEMBERS OF HYDRO ONE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MR.
SPEAKER, AGAIN THE C.E.O. HAD A 0% SEVERANCE. >> [ Interjection: ] NOW YOU KNOW. [ Interjections ] >> The Speaker: I HAVE TO ASK THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION TO WITHDRAW. >> Premier Ford: LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION STOOD SIDE BY SIDE BESIDE THE PREVIOUS PREMIER AS THEY WERE GETTING OUTRAGEOUS, ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS WAGES. $6 MILLION. THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION STOOD BY. AS BOARD MEMBERS WORKED 7 DAYS A YEAR AND WAS COMPENSATED $180,000 A YEAR, THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION STOOD BY AND DID NOT SAY A WORD. WHEN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION RAISED THE HYDRO RATES THE HIGHEST IN NORTH AMERICA, THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS PROVINCE. WE WERE GIVEN A CLEAR MANDATE FROM THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO, A CLEAR MANDATE TO REDUCE THEIR HYDRO RATES BY 12%, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
[ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, TAKE YOUR SEATS. TAKE YOUR SEATS. NEXT QUESTION. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: SPEAKER, MY QUESTION'S FOR THE PREMIER BUT I WOULD ASK HIM TO LOOK AT THE HANSARD TO GET A REAL UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE DID AS OPPOSITION HERE IN THE HOUSE. HE NEEDS TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION. IN HIS FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE — >> The Speaker: I ASK THE GOVERNMENT MEMBERS TO PLEASE COME TO ORDER. I CAN'T HEAR THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. PLEASE COME TO ORDER. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. IN HIS FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE THE PREMIER QUIETLY STOPPED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT ACT BUT HE HASN'T TOLD US WHY. AND THAT HAS PEOPLE ACROSS ONTARIO VERY WORRIED, SPEAKER. IS THIS PREMIER GETTING READY TO OPEN THE DOOR WIDE OPEN TO CARDING AND DISCRIMINATORY CHECKS IN OUR PROVINCE AGAIN? [ Applause ] >> Premier Ford: MR.
SPEAKER, OUR PARTY'S GOING TO GIVE THE TOOLS TO OUR POLICE, ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO STOP THE GUN VIOLENCE — [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE. WE SUPPORT OUR POLICE. [ Applause ] UNLIKE THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION AND UNLIKE THEIR PARTY THAT ARE POLICE HATERS, MILITARY HATERS, VETERAN HATERS — [ Applause ] [ Interjections ] >> The Speaker: PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. THE GOVERNMENT — [ Interjections ] I SAY TO THE GOVERNMENT MEMBERS FIRST OF ALL YOU'RE CUTTING INTO THE PREMIER'S TIME WHEN YOU DO THIS, STANDING OVATIONS FIRST OF ALL. SECONDLY I'M ASKING THE PREMIER TO WITHDRAW. >> Premier Ford: WITHDRAW. >> The Speaker: LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED THE CHARTER OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS IN OUR COUNTRY AND THIS PREMIER NEEDS TO LOOK IT UP.
AS FAR AS WHAT PEOPLE DESERVE — [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. OFFICIAL OPPOSITION MEMBERS WHO ARE STANDING AND APPLAUDING, YOU'RE CUTTING INTO YOUR LEADER'S TIME TOO. LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION. >> Andrea Horwath: SORRY, SPEAKER. WHEN THE PREMIER SLAMMED THE BRAKES ON THE OVERSIGHT RULES HE IGNORED MORE THAN 2 YEARS OF CONSULTATIONS. HE IGNORED THE VOICES OF ONTARIANS AND HE REFUSES TO TELL US WHY. AND YESTERDAY THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COULDN'T TELL US EITHER.
SO I'M GOING TO ASK AGAIN. IS THIS PREMIER GOING TO DRAG ONTARIO BACKWARDS AND START OPENING THE DOOR TO CARDING ONCE AGAIN IN OUR PROVINCE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MR. SPEAKER, AS I WAS SAYING EARLIER, OUR PARTY SUPPORTS THE POLICE. [ Applause ] WE DON'T HAVE ANY MEMBERS — AND AGAIN I'LL REINFORCE THAT WE WILL GIVE THE POLICE ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO GET THEIR JOB DONE. BUT I'LL TELL YOU ONE THING BECAUSE I WOULDN'T ALLOW THIS.
WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY M.P.P.s, UNLIKE THE MEMBER FROM BRAMPTON EAST THAT WALKED AROUND UP AND DOWN THE STREETS WITH THE SIGN THAT SAYS "F" THE POLICE. THAT IS DISGUSTING, ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. NEXT QUESTION. THE MEMBER FOR EGLINTON-LAWRENCE. THANK YOU. >> MR. SPEAKER, — [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, AS IT IS MY FIRST TIME RISING IN THE HOUSE I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION AS SPEAKER AND ALSO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF MY RIDING FOR ELECTING ME. [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS TO THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. OVER THE PAST NUMBER OF MONTHS, TORONTO HAS SEEN A SHARP RISE IN GUNS AND GANG VIOLENCE, AND THAT'S — SHOCKING TO RESIDENTS IN MY COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE GREATER TORONTO AREA. OUR POLICE OFFICERS AND EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AROUND THE FRONT LINES IN OUR COMMUNITY HELPING TO ASSUAGE THE FEARS OF RESIDENTS THAT THEY NEED MORE HELP. CAN THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES PLEASE UPDATE THE HOUSE ON THIS IMPORTANT FILE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY.
[ Applause ] >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND THANK YOU TO THE MEMBER OF EGLINTON-LAWRENCE, WHO'S BEEN AN IMPORTANT ADVOCATE ON THIS FILE AND OTHERS IN HER COMMUNITY. AND I'D ALSO LIKE TO ADD THAT I GREW UP IN THE EGLINTON-LAWRENCE AND MY MOM STILL LIVES IN THAT RIDING. GUN VIOLENCE HAS NO PLACE IN TORONTO, NOR IN ANY PART OF THIS PROVINCE. [ Applause ] BRAZEN, INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS HAVE TO STOP. WITH THE RISE IN GUN VIOLENCE ON OUR STREETS, IT'S CLEAR THAT CURRENT STRATEGIES AND ANTI-GUN UNITS IN THE CITY OF TORONTO ARE REQUIRED AND THAT WE ARE DEDICATED TO PROVIDING SERVICES AND OVERSIGHT. WE'RE COMMITTED TO SERVICES ACROSS THE PROVINCE AND TO PROVIDE OUR OFFICERS WITH THE TOOLS AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE. THIS ISN'T A PARTISAN ISSUE. >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. MEMBER FOR EGLINTON-LAWRENCE, SUPPLEMENTARY. [ Applause ] >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. AND BACK TO THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CORRECTIONAL SERVICES. MINISTER, DURING THE CAMPAIGN, WE MADE A NUMBER OF COMMITMENTS TO OUR POLICE AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. THIS INCLUDED MAKING SURE THAT WE RESPECT OUR FRONTLINE OFFICERS AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES EVERY DAY.
CAN YOU PLEASE UPDATE THE HOUSE ON WHAT YOU'VE BEEN WORKING ON? [ Applause ] >> THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE MEMBER FOR THIS IMPORTANT QUESTION. AND SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC OUR PARAMOUNT CONCERN. WE'VE BEEN CLEAR FROM DAY ONE WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING OUR FRONTLINE OFFICERS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO DO THEIR JOB. WE'RE COMMITTED TO FIXING BILL 175 AND TREATING OUR FRONTLINE OFFICERS WITH RESPECT. THIS INCLUDES A FULL AND THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE LEGISLATION GOVERNING POLICE SERVICES AND POLICE OVERSIGHT. BY CONSULTING EXPERTS, POLICE SERVICES AND THE PUBLIC, WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS GOAL. MR. SPEAKER, OUR POLICE OFFICERS PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY EVERY DAY AND WORK TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE. WE'RE COMMITTED TO LISTENING AND CONSULTING WITH OUR FRONT LINE AND ENSURING THEY HAVE THE TOOLS THEY WORK WITH.
THANK YOU. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FOR LONDON WEST. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. MY QUESTION IS TO THE MINISTER OF CHILDREN COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES. EARLIER THIS WEEK, SPEAKER, THE PREMIER'S CLOSE FRIEND AND AVID SUPPORTER, CHARLES McVETY, MADE HIS OPINION ABOUT THE REVEAL OF THE SEXUAL HEALTH CURRICULUM CRYSTAL CLEAR. OWE SAID THE FRUIT OF THE POISONOUS TREE HAS BEEN CUT DOWN. SPEAKER, McVETY IS A SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE WHO LOBBIED HARD FOR THE MODERNIZED CURRICULUM TO BE PULLED OUT OF SCHOOLS, AND THIS GOVERNMENT WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAKE A DEAL WITH HIM. DOES THE MINISTER THINK THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE TO ALLOW SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE ACTIVISTS LIKE CHARLES McVETY TO DRIVE ONTARIO'S HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FROM THE BACK ROOM? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF CHILDREN, COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES. >> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR REELECTION TO THIS PLACE. IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE BACK WITH YOU.
ON BEHALF OF MY MINISTRY, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO STAND YOU AND PROTECT CHILDREN AND YOUTH. AS THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH, I COULDN'T BE MORE DELIGHTED TO BE IN THIS MINISTRY GIVEN MY ROOTS STARTED AS A CHILDREN AND YOUTH CRITIC 12 YEARS AGO WITH YOUR NOW LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION. I CONGRATULATE HER AS WELL. LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR. YOU LIKE TO PRESENT ONE NARRATIVE. LET ME SPEAK AS A MOTHER WHO HAS A CHILD THAT IS 13 YEARS OLD. LET ME SPEAK AS A PERSON WHO HAS WATCHED AS MY DAUGHTER WAS CONFUSED WITH HALF OF THE THINGS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AGE APPROPRIATE. I DON'T KNOW CHARLES McVETY. HE IS NOT GOING TO LEAD THIS PROCESS. THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION IS GOING TO LEAD THIS PROCESS, AND THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION — LEAD THE PROCESS. [ Applause ] BECAUSE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN US AND YOU IS — [ Inaudible ] [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MOMS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. THE MINISTER WILL COME TO ORDER. BACK TO THE MEMBER FROM LONDON NORTH. >> SPEAKER,-YEAR-OLD THIS GOVERNMENT CONFIRMED THE NEW SEXUAL HEALTH CURRICULUM WOULD BE ROLLED BACK WHILE CLAIMING THAT THERE IS AMPLE ROOM TO DISCUSS CONSENT, CYBER SAFETY AND IDENTITY EVEN THOUGH THE OLD CURRICULUM IS COMPLETELY SILENT ON THESE CRITICAL ISSUES.
INSTEAD OF CATERING TO PRESSURE FROM INFLAMMATORY FAR-RIGHT ACTIVISTS LIKE CHARLES McVETY, THIS GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE ENSURING THAT YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE ACCURATE UP-TO-DATE SEXUAL HEALTH INFORMATION AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. WILL THIS MINISTER CONFIRM THAT HER GOVERNMENT REJECTS CHARLES McVEETY'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE CURRENT UP-TO-DATE CURRICULUM AND COMMIT TO HAVING AN INCLUSIVE, MODERN SEXUAL HOLT CURRICULUM IN PLACE FOR THIS SEPTEMBER? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> OK.
>> The Speaker: PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. MINISTER? >> I GUESS SHE DIDN'T LISTEN. CHARLES McVETY'S NOT RUNNING THE PROCESS. THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION IS GOING TO LEAD THE PROCESS AND WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE PARENTS BECAUSE WHEN PARENTS WERE STANDING ON THAT SIDE OF THE AISLE AND WHEN THEY WERE COMING IN TO TALK AT COMMITTEE, EVERYBODY WAS, YOU KNOW, IN THE FORMER LIBERAL ADMINISTRATION, IGNORING THEM. YOU WERE IGNORING THEM IN YOUR PARTY. SAY WE WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT — >> The Speaker: I'M GOING TO REMIND THE ENTIRE HOUSE. YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR COMMENTS THROUGH THE CHAIR. AND SPEAK ABOUT OTHER MEMBERS IF YOU SPEAK ABOUT THE MINISTER IN PERSON. >> SPEAKER, LET ME BE PERFECTLY CLEAR. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BEING AGE APPROPRIATE. I HAVE PERSONALLY IN THIS HOUSE TALKED ABOUT SUICIDE PREVENTION, CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT CONCUSSIONS. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT ALL SORTS OF OTHER ISSUES INCLUDING ANTIBULLYING WHICH I HAVE LEGISLATION IN MY OWN NAME ON. THAT WILL NOT CHANGE.
WHAT WILL CHANGE IS THE RESPECT THAT WE WILL HAVE FOR THE PARENTS OF THIS PROVINCE THROUGH THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND THROUGH THE PARENTAL PROCESS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE — [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS WILL PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FROM BRUCE-GREY-OWEN SOUND. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. MY QUESTION'S TO THE MINISTER OF ENERGY NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES AND INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS. MINISTER, AS YOU KNOW BRUCE POWER PROVIDES 30% OF ONTARIO'S ELECTRICITY AS A LOW COST PRODUCER OF POWER FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES. OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS THEY WILL INVEST PRIVATE DOLLARS INTO THE LONG-TERM FUTURE OF THE FACILITY TO SECURE LOW-COST POWER THROUGH 2064 AND AN ESTIMATED 22,000 DIRECT AND INDIRECT JOBS. MINISTER, ARE YOU SUPPORTIVE OF BRUCE POWER'S ROLE IN ONTARIO CONTINUING? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF ENERGY.
>> I CERTAINLY AM, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBER FROM GREY-BRUCE-OWEN SOUND FOR THE STRONG REPRESENTATION OF HIS CONSTITUENTS OVER THE YEARS AND FOR STANDING UP FOR BRUCE POWER. IT'S AN IMPORTANT EMPLOYER AND PRODUCER OF ENERGY FOR OUR SECTOR HERE IN ONTARIO. OUR GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT THE WORK OF PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS HERE IN ONTARIO THAT ARE WORKING TO CREATE GOOD JOBS, HIGH-TECH JOBS, GOOD UNION JOBS IN OUR PROVINCE WHILE PROVIDING SAFE AND SECURE ACCESS TO ENERGY. WE ARE ESPECIALLY SUPPORTIVE, MR. SPEAKER, OF COMPANIES THAT ACHIEVE THESE GOALS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR PUBLIC FUNDING. I'M PROUD TO BE PART OF A GOVERNMENT THAT BELIEVES IN THESE IMPORTANT PRINCIPLES AS I KNOW THE MEMBER IS. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: SUPPLEMENTARY? >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. BACK TO THE MINISTER OF ENERGY. MINISTER, THAT'S GREAT NEWS FOR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES WHO RELY ON THIS LOW-COST POWER AND SOME 22,000 JOBS IN BRUCE-GREY OWEN SOUND AND ACROSS THE PROVINCE — AND HURON-BRUCE.
ONE OF THE KEY ITEMS THAT OFTEN DOESN'T GET ATTENTION IN ITS ROLE, BRUCE POWER PLAYS IN PROVIDING THE WORLD'S LIFESAVING ISOTOPES. THIS IS AN AREA YOU PLAYED AT LEADERSHIP ROLE DURING YOUR TENURE AS FEDERAL NATURAL RESOURCES. MINISTER, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ONTARIO'S LEADERSHIP ROLE AS AN ISOTOPE SUPPLIER? >> The Speaker: MINISTER? [ Applause ] >> WELL, THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. WE DID FACE A PRESSING CHALLENGE TO MAKE SURE THAT MEDICAL ISOTOPES WERE AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE ACROSS CANADA AND ESPECIALLY HERE IN — HERE IN ONTARIO. THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN ONTARIO IN THE PARTICULAR WAS CHALLENGED TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND MEET GLOBAL ISOTOPE SHORTAGES, AND I'M PLEASED THAT BRUCE POWER HAD THE DEMONSTRATED LEADERSHIP IN THIS AREA. BY EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE ASSETS, THEY WILL NOT ONLY GENERATE LOW-COST, RELIABLE POWER THROUGH 2064, BUT WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPLY 40% OF THE WORLD'S COBALT 60, USED TO KEEP HOSPITALS, MR. SPEAKER, AND HEALTH CARE CLEAN AND BE THE LARGEST — LARGEST PRODUCER OF MEDICAL-GRADE COBALT USED TO TREAT BRAIN TUMOURS.
WE THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT, MR. SPEAKER, AND WE'RE GOING TO STAND UP FOR BRUCE POWER. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION. NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FOR TORONTO-DANFORTH. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION'S TO THE PREMIER. YESTERDAY THE GOVERNMENT TABLED BILL 2. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN CALLED THE BAD FAITH ACT. BECAUSE THIS BILL GIVES THE GOVERNMENT THE POWER TO BREAK ITS OWN CONTRACTS, WHICH WILL HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT. FROM NOW ON, BUSINESSES WILL EITHER HAVE TO ADD A BAD-FAITH RISK PREMIUM ONTO THE PRICE OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, DRIVING UP THE PRICE, OR THEY'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PREMIER AND HIS INNER CIRCLE THAT PROTECTS THEM FROM THESE SORT OF ARBITRARY ACTIONS. WHY WOULD ANY COMPANY DO BUSINESS WITH THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT WHEN THE PREMIER IS WILLING TO SUSPEND THE RULE OF LAW WHEN IT COMES TO CONTRACTS HE PERSONALLY DOESN'T LIKE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF ENERGY. >> MR. SPEAKER, WE'RE IN RAREFIED AIR WHEN THE N.D.P. STARTER TALKING ABOUT COST SAVINGS. SINCE THEY ARE, LET'S TALK ABOUT THEIR ELECTION PLATFORM.
IT SOUNDED LIKE THE LIBERAL VERSION OF THE TAX AND SPEND BUFFET. HAD THEY BEEN LISTENING TO ONTARIANS, THEY WOULD HAVE HEARD THAT THEY WANTED THEM TO CUT BACK ON SPENDING, LOWER HYDRO RATES, MR. SPEAKER, LOOK FOR COST SAVINGS TO THE TUNE OF $790 MILLION. NOW 76 PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY ONTARIO MEMBERS ARE SITTING IN THIS BLAST TODAY BECAUSE WE WERE LISTENING TO WHAT THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO WERE DOING.
[ Applause ] WE WERE — WE WERE FOR THE PEOPLE. THEY WERE FOR THE PROBLEM, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: SUPPLEMENTARY? >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. I GATHER THE PREMIER DOESN'T WANT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. I'LL TRY ANOTHER TACT. BILL 2 INCLUDE AS BIZARRE CLAUSE THAT PROTECTS THE GOVERNMENT LAWSUITS FROM LAWSUITS THAT ALLEGE, QUOTE, MISREPRESENTATIONS WITHIN THE MEANING OF APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, UNQUOTE. EXACTLY WHAT MISREPRESENTATIONS HAS THE PREMIER BEEN MAKING RECENTLY THAT HE NEEDS A LAW TO PRO — PROTECT HIMSELF FROM LAWSUITS? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THE MEMBERS WILL TAKE THEIR SEATS. THE MEMBER FOR TORONTO-DANFORTH WITHDRAW. >> IN THE BILL. >> The Speaker: THE PREMIER IS MISREPRESENTING.
ASKING. >> I WITHDRAW. >> The Speaker: BACK TO THE MINISTER OF ENERGY. >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. LISTEN, IT'S BEEN A GREAT COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR RATEPAYERS AND TAXPAYERS. [ Applause ] DOWN THE ROAD TO REDUCING HYDRO RATES AND WE'VE TAKEN A COUPLE OF IMPORTANT STEPS, MR. SPEAKER. WE'RE COMMITTED TO REDUCING ELECTRICITY BILLS BY 12%, CUTTING THEM, MR. SPEAKER, NOT SUBSIDIZING THEM, NOT PUNTING THEM DOWN THE ROAD FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO BEAR THOSE COSTS. WINDING DOWN 758 CONTRACTS IS EXPECTED TO AVOID LONG-TERM COSTS OF $790 MILLION. [ Applause ] THIS APPROACH IS WORKING MAXIMIZING THE BENEFITS FOR RATE PAIRS. WE'RE END, THE CONTRACTS WHERE THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGHT COSTS AND WE'RE SAFEGUARDING THAT WITH LEGISLATION TO ENSURE THAT TAXPAYERS REALIZE EVEN GREATER SAVINGS, MR.
SPEAKER. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: NEXT QUESTION. I RECOGNIZE THE MEMBER FOR GUELPH. [ Applause ] >> MR. SPEAKER, IT'S AN HONOUR TO RISE FOR MY FIRST QUESTION. AND FIRST I'D LIKE TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR ELECTION AS SPEAKER. CONGRATULATE ALL MEMBERS OF THE 42nd PARLIAMENT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING WITH EACH OF YOU. MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS FOR THE PREMIER. THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS THE BIGGEST THREAT FACING HUMANITY, AND THERE IS URGENCY FOR ALL OF US TO ACT. FORTUNATELY WHAT IS GOOD FOR OUR PLANET IS ALSO GOOD FOR OUR ECONOMY. THE $7 TRILLION GLOBAL CLEAN ECONOMY IS GENERATING JOBS AND PROSPERITY AROUND THE WORLD, BUT CANCELLING ONTARIO'S PLAN TO PRICE POLLUTION WITHOUT AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN SENDS THE WRONG SIGNAL TO CLEAN ECONOMY INVESTORS AND COMPANIES.
SO MY QUESTION TO THE PREMIER IS DOES THE GOVERNMENT HAVE AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS ON THE EFFECTS OF YOUR DECISION TO DISMANTLE OUR CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAMS ON CLEAN TECH INVESTMENTS AND JOB CREATION? AND IF YOU HAVE SUCH AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, WILL YOU MAKE IT PUBLIC? [ Applause ] >> TO THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT. >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT CONSERVATION AND PARKS. >>, MR. SPEAKER, AND CONGRATULATIONS AS WELL TO THE MEMBER ON HIS ELECTION. [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, AS THE MEMBER KNOWS, THE DOUG FORD P.C. GOVERNMENT WAS ELECTED WITH A PLAN. THE PLAN WAS TO GET RID OF THE REGRESSIVE CAP AND TRADE CARBON TAX PROGRAM OF THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT THE OPPOSITION THOUGHT DIDN'T GO FAR ENOUGH. IT WAS A PROGRAM THAT WAS KILLING JOBS AND MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT FOR AVERAGE ONTARIANS. WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CLIMATE CHANGE. WE AGREE THAT STEPS NEED TO BE TAKEN AND THOSE STEPS WILL BE FORTHCOMING. BUT THEY WON'T BE STEPS THAT TAKE THE BURDEN AND PUT THE BURDEN ON INDIVIDUAL ONTARIANS. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. SUPPLEMENTARY? >> MR. SPEAKER, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS BECAUSE THE DECISION TO DISMANTLE PROGRAMS LIKE GREEN ON, ELECTRIC VEHICLE REBATES AND ENERGY SAVING SCHOOL REPAIRS IS HURTING BUSINESSES, CONSUMERS AND PUBLIC FACILITIES. IT'S A DECISION THAT TAKES MONEY OUT OF THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LOWER THEIR ENERGY BILLS.
IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO AFFORD A CAR THAT WILL SAVE THEM MONEY AT THE PUMPS. IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR SCHOOLS TO REDUCE THEIR ENERGY BILLS. IT'S A DECISION THAT HURTS LOCAL BUSINESSES. MR. SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO REDIRECT MY QUESTION TO THE PREMIER. PREMIER, WILL YOU BRING FORWARD A CLIMATE PLAN WITH FINANCIAL SUPPORTS FOR PEOPLE, BUSES AND SCHOOLS TO MAKE INVESTMENTS TO SAVE MONEY BY SAVING ENERGY WHILE LOWERING THEIR CARBON FOOTPRINT? >> The Speaker: THANK YOU.
MINISTER? >> MR. SPEAKER, AND THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION TO THE MEMBER. AGAIN WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF DEALING WITH EMISSIONS, BUT WE DISAGREE WITH THE IDEA THAT IT IS ABOUT GOVERNMENT'S CHOICES AROUND HOW PEOPLE SPEND THEIR MONEY. WE DISAGREE THAT IT IS UP TO GOVERNMENT TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES FOR INDIVIDUAL ONTARIANS. WE WILL COME FORWARD WITH A RESPONSIBLE PLAN, A PLAN THAT TACKLES THE ISSUE OF EMISSIONS BUT A PLAN THAT DOES NOT PUNISH ORDINARY ONTARIANS. WE'D LIKE THE TAXPAYERS TO HAVE THE DOLLARS IN THEIR POCKETS. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: NEXT QUESTION.
THE MEMBER FOR PETERBOROUGH KAWARTHA. >> MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION'S FOR THE MINISTER OF TOURISM, CULTURE AND SPORT. IN MY RIDING OF PETERBOROUGH KAWARTHA ORGANIZERS OF THE MUSICFEST ARE ANXIOUSLY WAITING ON GRANT MONEY FROM CELEBRATE ONTARIO FUND THAT WAS PROMISED BY THE FORMER GOVERNMENT. THEY WERE APPROVED FOR GRANT MONEY BEFORE THE ELECTION BUT PAYMENTS WERE FROZEN TO A NUMBER OF FESTIVALS AND EVENTS ACROSS ONTARIO. WITHOUT FUNDING, THE ORGANIZERS WILL HAVE TO CANCEL A NUMBER OF OF THE SCHEDULED EVENTS AND THE CITY OF PETER BROUGH WILL LOSE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TOURISM REVENUE. ACCOUNT MINISTER UPDATE US AS TO WHEN THIS APPROVED MONEY WILL FLOW TO PETERBOROUGH MUSICFEST AND OTHER FESTIVAL EVENTS ACROSS THE PROVINCE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF CULTURE AND SPORT. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. MY I MAY I SAY YOU LOOK EXCELLENT IN THE CHAIR? I KNOW YOU WILL SERVE OUR LEGISLATURE WELL.
[ Applause ] TO THE MEMBER FOR PETERBOROUGH-KAWARTHA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. IT IS AN HONOUR TO BE ABLE TO SERVE WITH YOU AND I KNOW YOU WILL BE AN EXCELLENT CONSTITUENCY REPRESENTATIVE FOR YOUR RIDING. BECAUSE YOU ARE. [ Applause ] ALREADY ADVOCATING FOR YOUR COMMUNITY. THE MEMBER IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. THE FESTIVAL AND THE CELEBRATE ONTARIO PROGRAM WAS PUT ON HOLD DURING THE TRANSITION. WE HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT DUE DILIGENCE WAS DONE, THAT WE ENSURED THAT THE FUND THAT WERE PROMISED WERE ACCURATE AND NEEDED AND NECESSARY AND I CAN ASSURE THE MEMBER FROM PETERBOROUGH KAWARTHA THAT YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE FESTIVAL. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. SUPPLEMENTARY. >> MR. SPEAKER, BACK TO THE MINISTER. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE MINISTER FOR THE ANSWER.
I'D ALSO LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE MINISTER ON HER REELECTION FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF DUFFERIN-CALEDON. MR. SPEAKER, IT'S CLEAR THIS GOVERNMENT'S MANDATE IS FOR THE PEOPLE. I WOULD ALSO — [ Applause ] I'D ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER INITIATIVES THAT THE MINISTER AND THE GOVERNMENT ARE PUTTING FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> THANK YOU. [ Applause ] YOU KNOW THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT FESTIVALS LIKE PETERBOROUGH MUSIC FESTIVAL OR TIMMINS ROCK ON THE RIVER OR THE BEACHES JAZZ FESTIVAL IN TORONTO ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITIES. WE ALL UNDERSTAND IS BRINGS IN TOURISM DOLLARS. IT MAKES WHAT MAKES ONTARIO SPECIAL. I ENCOURAGE ALL MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE AND ENJOY THOSE FESTIVALS THAT ARE ACROSS ONTARIO, AS I'VE SAID.
THERE ARE OVER 100 FESTIVALS THAT WERE LINED UP FOR THE — SORRY, FOR THE FUNDING DOLLARS AND THOSE HAVE FLOWED SO ENJOY YOUR FESTIVALS. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FOR NICKEL BELT. >> Voice of Translator: THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MY QUESTION IS FOR THE PREMIER. [ End of Translation ] THE LAST LIBERAL GOVERNMENT PUSHED ONTARIO HOSPITALS TO THE BRINK. HALLWAY MEDICINE AND PAINFULLY LONG WAIT TIMES HAVE BECOME THE NORM IN OUR HOSPITALS. BUT INSTEAD OF TAKING URGENT STEPS TO FIX IT, THE PREMIER HANDED OUT A CONTRACT WORTH OVER $1 MILLION TO ONE OF HIS FRIENDS, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY. WHY WAS THE PREMIER FIRST ASKED IN HEALTH CARE AN ACT OF BLATANT POLITICAL PATRONAGE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: PREMIER? >> Premier Ford: MINISTER OF HEALTH.
>> The Speaker: MINISTER OF HEALTH. >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT THE STATE OF HALLWAY MEDICINE IN ONTARIO WAS SO BAD THAT WE NEEDED ADVICE, AND THE PERSON WHO WAS PROVIDING THAT ADVICE AND LEADING AN ADVISORY COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE PROVIDING INFORMATION ON ENDING HALLWAY MEDICINE, ON INNOVATION, BRINGING MORE EFFICIENCIES INTO THE SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND HEALTH CARE. THAT COUNCIL IS GOING TO BE PROVIDING ADVICE BOTH TO MYSELF AND TO THE PREMIER SO THAT WE CAN END THIS SITUATION AND IMPROVE HEALTH CARE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE HOSPITALS OPERATING AT OVER 100% CAPACITY VIRTUALLY EVERY DAY. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: SUPPLEMENTARY. >> BACK TO THE PREMIER, SPEAKER. IN 2006, THE HOSPITALS, RUN BY DR. DEVLIN, HAD THE SECOND-WORST DEATH RATES IN ALL OF CANADA. NURSES WARNED OF CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING IN ALL OF THESE HOSPITALS. AND THEN HE SHUT DOWN THREE TORONTO HOSPITALS AND REPLACED THEM BY T3 HOSPITALS. NOW APPARENTLY HE'S CONTRACTED TO FIX THE ENTIRE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. WHY DID THE PREMIER HAND OUT THE MILLION-DOLLAR CONTRACT TO HIS FRIEND, THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> I SHOULD TELL THE MEMBER IT WAS DONE BECAUSE THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IS SO BAD RIGHT NOW AND WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE WAS NOT THAT PERSON'S RESPONSIBILITY BUT THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSIBILITY.
SO WHAT WE NEED TO DO — [ Applause ] TO CREATE — [ Inaudible ] AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT WE CAN END THE SITUATION WITH HALLWAY MEDICINE BECAUSE, AS BAD AS IT IS RIGHT NOW, ONCE WE HAVE FLU SEASON HIT IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, IT'S GOING TO BECOME WORSE IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTION RIGHT AWAY. >> The Speaker: ORDER. >> LOOKING AT.
BOTH THE PREMIER AND I ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FOR SIMCOE NORTH. [ Applause ] >> MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS FOR THE MINISTER OF ENERGY. YESTERDAY THE MINISTER OF ENERGY TABLED A BILL THAT INCLUDED THE HYDRO ONE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2018. THE HYDRO ONE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2018 WOULD REQUIRE THE BOARD OF HYDRO ONE TO ESTABLISH A NEW COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, C.E.O. AND OTHER EXECUTIVES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PROVINCE AND THE OTHER FIVE LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS.
THE ACT WOULD ALSO GIVE MANAGEMENT BOARD OF CABINET AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK AND ANY AMENDMENTS TO IT, AS WELL AS TO ISSUE DIRECTIVES GOVERNING THE COMPENSATION OF THE DIRECTORS, C.E.O. AND OTHER EXECUTIVES. MR. SPEAKER, CAN THE MINISTER EXPLAIN WHY THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN CLEANING UP THE HYDRO MESS LEFT BEHIND BY THE PREVIOUS GOVERNMENT? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE MEMBER FOR SIMCOE NORTH ON HER ELECTION AND WELCOME HER TO THIS MAGNIFICENT PLACE. [ Applause ] STRONG, STRONG LEADERSHIP OF PREMIER FORD, MR. SPEAKER, WE'VE MOVED QUICKLY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS TO RENEW THE LEADER, SET IN PLACE TO — PROCESS TO RENEW THE LEADERSHIP OF HYDRO ONE. THIS IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO OUR SYSTEM. HYDRO ONE TO ENSURE THE STABILITY OF THE SYSTEM IS PRESERVED AND CUSTOMERS ARE PROTECTED. THAT'S WHY WE'VE PREPARED LEGISLATION THAT, IF PASSED, WILL IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT HYDRO ONE. THE HYDRO ONE ACCOUNTABILITY ACT 2018 WILL REQUIRE THE BOARD TO ESTABLISH A NEW COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK. >> The Speaker: ANSWER. >> FOR THE BOARD, C.E.O. AND OTHER EXECUTIVES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE PROVINCE AND THE OTHER FIVE LARGEST SHAREHOLDERS, MR.
SPEAKER. THIS REPRESENTS A RENEWAL FOR BETTER — >> The Speaker: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ Applause ] SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION. >> MR. SPEAKER, BACK TO THE MINISTER. FURTHER YESTERDAY'S ACT WOULD AMEND THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD ACT 1998 TO REQUIRE THE ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD TO EXCLUDE ANY AMOUNT IN RESPECT OF COMPENSATION PAID TO THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND EXECUTIVES FROM CONSUMER RATES FOR HYDRO ONE LIMITED OR ITS SUBSIDIARYS. IN ADDITION THE ACT WOULD REQUIRE HYDRO ONE TO ANNUALLY PUBLISH ON ITS WEBSITE A RECORD OF THE TOTAL COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVES AS PRESCRIBED BY REGULATIONS. THE ACT WOULD ALSO REQUIRE HYDRO ONE TO PUBLISH ON ITS WEBSITE ANY PROPOSED CHANGES TO ITS COMPENSATION FRAMEWORK FOR ITS BOARD, C.E.O.
OR OTHER EXECUTIVES AT LEAST 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE ON WHICH IT SEEKS APPROVAL. MR. SPEAKER, CAN THE MINISTER EXPLAIN WHY THESE ARE IMPORTANT STEPS TO RESTORE TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT HYDRO ONE AND THE ENERGY SECTOR? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER, AND I APPRECIATE THE CAREFUL ATTENTION THIS MEMBER HAS PUT TO THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY IS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THIS LEGISLATION. THE PROCESS THAT WE'RE UNDERTAKING WILL ENHANCE TRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY NOT ONLY AT HYDRO ONE BUT ACROSS THE ENERGY SECTOR, MR. SPEAKER. AS THE MEMBER RIGHTLY POINTS OUT, THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES HYDRO ONE TO PUBLISH ANY PROPOSED CHANGES TO ITS COMPENSATION POLICIES FOR THE BOARD, C.E.O. AND EXECUTIVES 30 DAYS PRIOR TO SEEKING MANAGEMENT BOARD OF CABINET APPROVAL. WE WILL ALSO REQUIRE HYDRO ONE TO ANNUALLY PUBLISH A RECORD OF THE TOTAL ANNUAL COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVES ON THEIR WEBSITES. MR. SPEAKER, THIS DEMONSTRATES A CLEAR AND DECISIVE SET OF ACTIONS THAT WE'RE TAKING TO ENSURE HYDRO ONE IS RENEWED LEADERSHIP ON THE RIGHT PATH OF REDUCING HYDRO RATES FOR RATEPAYERS ACROSS THIS GREAT PROVINCE.
[ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION. THE MEMBER FOR OSHAWA. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. AND MY QUESTION'S TO THE ACTING PREMIER. YESTERDAY I ASKED THE PREMIER ABOUT OUR REFUGEE CRISIS AND FEDERAL FUNDING. THE PREMIER PASSED ME OFF TO THE MEMBER FROM NEPEAN WHO DID A LOT OF YELLING AND POSTURING ABOUT WHO'S MORE CANADIAN AND GAVE ME A LIST OF RACIALLIZED M.P.P.s IN THE P.C. CAUCUS. BUT YET'S HOOTING AND HOLLERING DOES NOTHING TO SOLVE THIS CRISIS AND THIS GOVERNMENT'S LACK OF CLARITY IS MAKING THINGS WORSE. BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF CLARITY THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION HAD TO HOLD AN EMERGENCY MEETING ON PARLIAMENT HILL YESTERDAY. CONFLAITING ISSUES AND COLLAPSING MINISTRIES HAS BEEN A RUNNING THEME OF THIS GOVERNMENT AND WE'RE ONLY IN WEEK ONE. SO I'D LIKE TO ASK THE PREMIER, AGAIN, WHY ON EARTH WOULD THIS GOVERNMENT WALK AWAY FROM $11 MILLION TO HELP OUR CITIES? IS IT BECAUSE YOU HAVEN'T YET FIGURED OUT HOW TO REDIRECT IT INTO THE POCKETS OF YOUR CORPORATE FRIENDS? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: DEPUTY PREMIER.
>> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. TO THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES. >> The Speaker: CHILDREN AND SOCIAL SERVICES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO MY COLLEAGUE FROM ORB W568. >> SHE ASKED ME WHY I WOULD WALK AWAY FOR $11 MILLION. CLEARLY MATH IS NOT THE STRONG SUIT IN THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION. THE PRICE TAG IS $175 MILLION AND GROWING. AND I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING. MY MINISTRY IS QUITE LARGE. WE LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN IN CARE. WE LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN WHO HAVE AUTISM. WE LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
WE LOOKED AFTER THE WELFARE SYSTEM. WE LOOKED AFTER ODSP. WE LOOKED AFTER WOMEN WHO ARE ESCAPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WE LOOKED AFTER WOMEN WHO ARE BEING TRAFFICKED. SO I ASK YOU THIS. AND I HOPE YOU HAVE A RESPONSE FOR ME. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO TAKE THE MONEY FROM? THOSE VULNERABLE PEOPLE OR FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHO CREATED THE MESS AT THE BORDER AND OWE THIS IS PROVINCE $175 MILLION. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. MEMBERS, TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. SUPPLEMENTARY. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. AGAIN TO THE ACTING PREMIER. YESTERDAY DURING QUESTION PERIOD THE MEMBER FROM NEPEAN HOLLERED "WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO WELCOME PEOPLE TO ONTARIO AND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM." BUT AT THE SAME TIME THIS GOVERNMENT IS NEITHER WELCOMING NOR SUPPORTIVE OF ASAI SUM SEEK NERS ONTARIO.
AND DURING THE P.C. ELECTORAL CAMPAIGN A STATEMENT WAS ISSUED THAT READ, QUOTE — WHILE FUNDING FOR REFUGEES IS PRIMARILY A FEDERAL ISSUE, DOUG FORD WILL SIT DOWN WITH MAYOR TORY TO ENSURE THE CITY HAS A FUNDING IT NEEDS, END QUOTE. PRIMARILY A FEDERAL ISSUE MOSTLY. ILL EE EXPLAIN TO THE TEAM, IT IS ALSO A PROVINCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. BOTH MORALLY AND LEGALLY. THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO AND OUR MUNICIPALITIES ARE LOOKING TO THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING REFUGE. WHILE YOU WASTE PRECIOUS TIME GOING BACK AND FORTH ABOUT WHICH LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD SHOULDER THE EXPENSE, REFUGEES AND ASAI LUM SEEKERS ARE SUFFERING. I PROP THE PREMIER WILL DO THE RIGHT THING. WILL THEY PROVIDE THE MUCH NEEDED HOUSING TO THESE FAMILIES BEFORE THE AUGUST 9th EVICTION DATE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE POLICY IS UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. NO ONE DISPUTES THAT. THE ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TODAY IS WE HAVE $75 MILLION IN HOUSING COSTS FOR THE CITY OF TORONTO. WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL $11 MILLION COST FOR THE CITY OF OTTAWA WHERE I LIVE. WE HAVE A $90 MILLION AND GURODING SOCIAL ASSISTANCE COST AS A RESULT OF THIS.
YOU ARE TELLING ME TO TAKE 6 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR WHEN I COULD BE FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS PROVINCE — >> The Speaker: I'M GOING TO ONCE AGAIN ASK THE MEMBERS AND REMIND THE MEMBERS YOU HAVE TO SPEAK THROUGH THE CHAIR AND TALK ABOUT THE MEMBERS IN THE THIRD PERSON. THE MINISTER. >> SPEAKER, THE MEMBER OPPOSITE IS TELLING ME THAT I SHOULD ACCEPT 6 CENTS ON THE DOLLAR. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT. THIS PROVINCE CAN'T AFFORD THAT AND THE PEOPLE THAT I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT I STAY AWAKE AT NIGHT WORRYING ABOUT CAN'T AFFORD IT. SO SHE CAN EITHER STAND WITH ME OR — >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. >> MY FIGHT WITH OTTAWA TO GET FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THIS PROVINCE. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. NEXT QUESTION. MEMBER FOR KING VAUGHAN. [ Applause ] >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS TO THE MINISTER OF LABOUR. MINISTER, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AT YORK UNIVERSITY FROM ACROSS THE G.T.A.HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY MONTHS OF INACTION. THE YORK UNIVERSITY STRIKE HAS GONE ON FOR TOO LONG.
I'VE RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS FROM MY CONSTITUENTS, FROM STUDENTS AT YORK U. AND MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ONGOING STRIKE, WHICH HAS KEPT THEM FROM THE CLASSROOM. OUR CONSTITUENTS WANT ACTION. THEY WANT GOVERNMENT TO PUT STUDENTS FIRST. MINISTER, I WAS VERY PLEASED TO LEARN — THROUGH YOU, MR. SPEAKER, MINISTER WAS APPLIES — PLEASE TODAY LEARN OUR NEW GOVERNMENT IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PROMISES WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION THAT WILL FINALLY END THE STRIKE AT YORK UNIVERSITY. [ Applause ] UNFORTUNATELY, MR. SPEAKER, THE OPPOSITION HAS INDICATED THEY INTEND TO STALL THIS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION. >> The Speaker: QUESTION. >> AND KEEP STUDENTS OUT OF THE CLASSROOM. MINISTER, CAN YOU COMMIT TODAY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS LEGISLATION AND GET OUR STUDENTS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. MINISTER OF LABOUR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE MEMBER FROM KING VAUGHAN ON HIS ELECTION TO THE LEGISLATURE. [ Applause ] I KNOW HE WILL REPRESENT HIS CONSTITUENTS WELL AND I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE SPEAKER ON HIS ELECTION AS SPEAKER OF THIS LEGISLATURE. THE MEMBER FROM KING VAUGHAN IS EXACTLY RIGHT. THIS IS ABOUT GETTING STUDENTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, FINDING A RESOLUTION TO THIS SITUATION IS ONE OF OUR IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES. THERE ARE MORE THAN 45,000 STUDENTS AFFECTED BY THIS STRIKE. THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT LOSING THEIR SCHOOL YEAR AND THEY'RE UNCERTAIN FOR THEIR FUTURE. THE STRIKE HAS GONE ON FOR MORE THAN 100 DAYS, MR.
SPEAKER. GOING BACK TO — STARTING MARCH 5th, MR. SPEAKER. SO WE HAVE EVERY INDICATION THAT BOTH — THAT BOTH SIDES ARE DEADLOCKED. THERE'S NO RESOLUTION IN SIGHT. WE NEED TO GET THE TWO PARTIES BACK TO THE TABLE AND THE PRIORITY IS TO GET THE STUDENTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOMS. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. SUPPLEMENTARY? I WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS TO PLEASE TAKE THEIR SEATS. I WOULD ASK THE MEMBERS PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION. >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. BACK TO THE MINISTER. MINISTER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS FILE AND THANK YOU FOR MOVING WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY FOR THE SAKE OF OUR RESIDENTS. WHILE WE KNOW THE N.D.P. IS ILL PREPARED TO PUT OUR STUDENTS FIRST UNDER THIS MINISTER, UNDER THIS PREMIER, UNDER THIS GOVERNMENT WE ARE THE GOVERNING FOR THE PEOPLE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION AND FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO WORK HARD AND GET AHEAD IN THIS PROVINCE. [ Applause ] NOW WE KNOW THESE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN OUT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR FOUR MONTHS FOR FAR TOO LONG SO MINISTER, THROUGH YOU, MR.
SPEAKER, COULD YOU ELABORATE ON WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THIS LEGISLATION PASSED WITHOUT DELAY? LET'S GET THESE KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. RESPONSE? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, MR. SPEAKER. AGAIN, THE STUDENTS HAVE SUFFERED LONG ENOUGH. OVER 45,000 STUDENTS BEING AFFECTED, AND THEY ARE FRIGHTENED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR EDUCATION. THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO FACE THIS UNCERTAINTY. YOU KNOW THIS IS THE LONGEST STRIKE IN POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION IN CANADA.
IT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. THIS IS ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE PRIORITIES THAT THE PREMIER AND HIS GOVERNMENT WANT TO HAVE IS TO GET THE STUDENTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM. THIS IS WHY WE'VE INTRODUCED LEGISLATION. WE NEED TO GET THE TWO PARTIES BACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE AND WE NEED TO GET THE STUDENTS BACK TO THE CLASSROOM, AND THAT'S WHAT WE AS A GOVERNMENT INTEND TO DO. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. NEXT QUESTION. THE MEMBER FOR DAVENPORT. >> THROUGH YOU, MR. SPEAKER. [ Applause ] MY QUESTION IS TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION. FOR YEARS, THE PARENT-LED GROUP FIX OUR SCHOOLS HAS BEEN CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO MAKE URGENT REPAIRS TO ONTARIO'S SCHOOLS. DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, THEY CIRCULATED A PLEDGE ASKING CANDIDATES TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMITMENT TO FINALLY ELIMINATE THE ASTONISHING $16 BILLION REPAIR BACKLOG. I SIGNED THAT PLEDGE AND INDEED MANY CONSERVATIVE M.P.P.s INCLUDING OUR OWN MINISTER OF EDUCATION SIGNED THEIR NAME TO THAT PLEDGE. AND YET AS SOON AS THIS GOVERNMENT WAS SWORN IN, IT TURNS AROUND AND QUIETLY GOT $100 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR VERY URGENT SCHOOL REPAIRS.
WHY IS THIS GOVERNMENT ALREADY BREAKING ITS PROMISE TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES OF ONTARIO? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER OF EDUCATION. >> SPEAKER, TO THE MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT. >> The Speaker: ENVIRONMENT. >> MR. SPEAKER,, MR. SPEAKER, THROUGH YOU. THE MEMBER'S REFERRING TO THE FUNDING THAT WAS BEING PROVIDED BY THE CAM AND TRADE CARBON TAX PROGRAM. THIS GOVERNMENT WAS EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR — THIS PARTY WAS EXCEPTIONALLY CLEAR THAT THE IT WOULD ELIMINATE THAT REGRESSIVE TAX AND, AS A RESULT, WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR TRANSFER PARTNERS TO GO THROUGH THE ORDERLY WIND-DOWN OF THE FUNDING THAT CAME FROM THAT PROGRAM.
THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM THIS GOVERNMENT. WE'LL MAKE A PROMISE AND WE'LL KEEP A PROMISE. [ Applause ] >> [ Interjection: ] HEAR, HEAR! [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: SUPPLEMENTARY? >> THROUGH YOU, MR. SPEAKER. MY QUESTION AGAIN TO THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, WHO SIGNED THIS PLEDGE. THE STATE OF OUR SCHOOLS IN ONTARIO IS APPALLING. THEY ARE CRUMBLING. ACROSS THIS PROVINCE, THEY ARE LITERALLY FALLING APART THE. OH, I KNOW. I KNOW AFTER 15 YEARS OF LIBERAL MISMANAGEMENT. DON'T GET ME WRONG. I KNOW THAT. BUT IN MY OWN RIDING I HAVE SCHOOLS LIKE ALEXANDER MUIR GLAD STONE WHERE THE ROOF WAS SO BAD LAST YEAR, THEY HAD TO USE THE KINDERGARTEN WATER TABLES TO CATCH THE LEAKS. THEY HAVE AN URGENT REPAIR LIST OF 44 MAJOR REPAIRS NEEDED IN THAT ONE SCHOOL ALONE. I WANT TO KNOW — AND I DON'T WANT TO — I WANT TO HEAR THIS FROM THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION, PLEASE.
YOU MADE A PLEDGE. I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU GET IT. YOU CUT $100 MILLION IN REPAIRS THAT WE URGENTLY NEED IN OUR COMMUNITIES. PARENTS EXPECT IT. YOU TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTS AND HOW YOU'RE LISTENING TO THEM. LISTEN TO THEM NOW. FIX OUR SCHOOLS AS A PARENT-LED ORGANIZATION. YOU SIGNED THE PLEDGE. HOW MANY MORE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO SIT THROUGH THE NEXT YEAR SITTING IN LEAKY CLASSROOMS WEARING HATS AND MITTS BEFORE YOU LIVE UP TO YOUR PLEDGE? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. MINISTER? PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. MINISTER? MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT. MINISTER OF EDUCATION. >> VERY PLEASED TO RISE ON OUR SECOND DAY BACK IN THE 42nd PARLIAMENT TO ADDRESS THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT EVOLVED UNDER 15 YEARS OF MISMANAGEMENT OF THE FORMER LIBERAL GOVERNMENT. [ Applause ] AND I MIGHT REMIND THE SPEAKER THAT DURING MY SEVEN YEARS HERE, IT WAS THE PARTY OPPOSITE. THE OPPOSITION PARTY THAT — [ Interjection ] PROPPED UP — CONTINUED DISINTEGRATION OF THE SCHOOLS. AND SO, WITH THAT SAID, I'M PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU, SPEAKER, THAT WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR MINISTRY OFFICIALS BECAUSE FIXING OUR SCHOOLS ARE VERY IMPORTANT.
WE'RE GOING TO FIX AND ADDRESS THE ISSUE THAT EVOLVED UNDER THE FORMER LIBERAL GOVERNMENT BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS DESERVE THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: QUESTION. MEMBER FOR NORTHUMBERLAND PETERBOROUGH. [ Applause ] >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I RISE. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK MY FAMILY, MY REMARKABLE CAMPAIGN TEAM AND THE GREAT PEOPLE OF MY COMMUNITY THAT ELECTED ME, THE FIRST EVER M.P.P. FOR THE GREAT RIDING OF NORTHUMBERLAND PETERBOROUGH SOUTH. [ Applause ] , MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS FOR THE MINISTER OF ENERGY. YESTERDAY THE MINISTER OF ENERGY TABLED LEGISLATION. IT INCLUDED A PORTION THAT WOULD ENACT THE WHITE PINES WIND PROJECT TERMINATION ACT 2018. THIS, IF PASSED, WOULD TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT AND ANY RELATED REGULATORY APPROVALS AND PERMITS OF THE WHITE PINES WIND PROJECT RETROACTIVE TO JULY 10th, 2018. MR. SPEAKER, CAN THE MINISTER OF ENERGY EXPLAIN WHY CANCELLING THIS PROJECT REQUIRES LEGISLATION? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. I WANT TO WELCOME THE MEMBER FOR NORTHUMBERLAND PETERBOROUGH SOUTH AND FOR HIS IMMEDIATE WORK ON THIS FILE AND ALSO TO THE M.P.P.
FOR THE BAY OF QUINTE WHO'S ALSO REPRESENTED THIS PROJECT. OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN CLEAR WE WOULD TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE ELECTRICITY BILLS IMMEDIATELY FOR ONTARIANS, MR. SPEAKER. THIS INCLUDES CANCELLING ANY ENERGY PROJECT THAT DOES NOT PROVIDE RATE REDUCTIONS FOR ONTARIANS. DUE TO THE FACT THAT THIS PROJECT FACED CONSIDERABLE, CONSIDERABLE LOCAL AND PUBLIC OPPOSITION, I'M PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR GOVERNMENT INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO TERMINATE THIS CONTRACT AND ANY REGULATORY APPROVALS AND PERMITS FOR WHITE PINES WIND PROJECT RETROACTIVE TO JULY 10th. THIS LEGISLATION REQUIRES WHITE PINES WIND INCORPORATED TO DE COMMISSION THEIR PROJECT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY REGULATIONS PUT FORTH. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: SUPPLEMENTARY. >> MR. SPEAKER, BACK TO THE MINISTER OF ENERGY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SWIFT ACTION ON THIS. PRINCE EDWARD KOUBLTY WAS AN UNWILLING HOST. THE SUPPORT OF THIS GOVERNMENT IS BEING CELEBRATED ACROSS PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY AND INTO MY RIDING. IT WAS SHOCKING TO HEAR THIS PROJECT WOULD HAVE BEEN APPROVED DURING THE CARETAKER PERIOD. IT WAS CLEAR THE COUNTY DIDN'T WANT THE PROJECT, NOR DID THE MEMBERS THAT FORMED GOVERNMENT. I UNDERSTAND CARE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO PROTECT ONTARIAN INTERESTS.
MR. SPEAKER, CAN THE MINUTE STIR OF ENERGY EXPLAIN HOW CANCELLING THIS PROJECT — CAN THE MINISTER EXPLAIN HOW CANCELLING THIS PROJECT WILL BENEFIT — BENEFIT ONTARIANS? [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: MINISTER? >> SMART GUY, MR. SPEAKER. OUR GOVERNMENT IS COMMITTED TO CANCELLING CONTRACTS FOR ONTARIANS NOT SIMPLY THAT THEY DON'T NEED BUT THAT THEY DON'T WANT. IMAGINE THAT, MR. SPEAKER. AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING. THE PREVIOUS LIBERAL GOVERNMENT MADE IT THEIR MISSION TO EXPAND RENEWABLE ENERGY CONTRACTS THAT WERE UNSUSTAINABLE AND UNAFFORDABLE. THEY INCLUDED SOLAR AND INDUSTRIAL WIND TURBINES, MR.
SPEAKER. WE'RE CANCELLING THIS PROJECT BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT THE INTERESTS OF ONTARIO TAXPAYERS. WE'RE GOING TO PROTECT ONTARIO PEOPLE. THANK YOU, MR. SPEAKER. >> The Speaker: MEMBERS, PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS. [ Applause ] MEMBER FOR BRAMPTON EAST. >> MR. SPEAKER, MY QUESTION IS FOR THE ACTING PREMIER. AUTO INSURANCE PREMIUMS IN ONTARIO ARE 55% HIGHER THAN IN THE REST OF CANADA. THAT AMOUNTS TO $4 BILLION THAT COULD BE IN THE POCKETS OF EVERYDAY ONTARIANS IF OUR RATES WERE AT THE RATE OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. THIS IS GOUGING ONTARIO DRIVERS AND IT NEEDS TO STOP. BUT LAST WEEK THIS CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT ALLOWED PREMIUMS TO INCREASE BY ANOTHER 1.1%.
THIS SHOWS EXACTLY WHOSE INTEREST THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT HAS IN MIND, AND IT'S NOT EVERYDAY WORKING ONTARIO FAMILIES. WILL THIS GOVERNMENT COMMIT HERE AND NOW TO LOWERING AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY 15%? [ Applause ] >> THE MINISTER OF GOVERNMENT AND CONSUMER SERVICES. >> The Speaker: MINISTER. >> THANK YOU, SPEAKER. THANK YOU TO THE MEMBER OPPOSITE FOR THE QUESTION HERE THIS MORNING. YOU KNOW, IT'S INTERESTING WHEN YOU LOOK BACK AT WHAT'S HAPPENED OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS IN THIS LEGISLATURE — I'VE BEEN HERE FOR SEVEN YEARS NOW. THE MEMBERS OPPOSITE SUPPORTED THE PREVIOUS LIBERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO REDUCE AUTO INSURANCE RATES BY 15%. AND THEN THE PREVIOUS LIBERAL GOVERNMENT SAID THAT, WELL, THAT WAS JUST A STRETCH GOAL. REMEMBER THAT, MR. SPEAKER. BUT THE MEMBERS OPPOSITE SUPPORTED THE GOVERNMENT ANYWAY. THEY CONTINUED TO PROP UP THE GOVERNMENT. YOU KNOW, MR. SPEAKER, THE PEOPLE OF ONTARIO SAID IT LOUD AND CLEAR ON JUNE 7th THAT THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE EMPTY PROMISES. THEY'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE STRETCH GOALS.
>> The Speaker: THANK YOU. >> THEY WANT A GOVERNMENT THAT'S GOING TO LOOK AFTER THEIR INTERESTS, A GOVERNMENT THAT'S GOING TO PUT MORE MONEY BACK IN THEIR POCKETS. [ Applause ] A GOVERNMENT THAT IS GOING TO — [ Applause ] [ Interjections ] >> The Speaker: THAT THE CON CONCLUDES THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTION PERIOD. THAT CONCLUDES THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTION PERIOD. I RECOGNIZE AT THAT THERE'S A GREAT DEAL OF ENTHUSIASM IN THE HOUSE. THIS BEING THE FIRST WEEK WHERE WE'VE HAD A REGULAR QUESTION PERIOD. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS STANDING OVATIONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE HOUSE, AND I POINT OUT THAT YOU'RE JUST CUTTING INTO YOUR OWN TIME WHICH REDUCES THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT MIGHT BE ASKED IN THE HOUSE. I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT. THE MEMBER FOR HAMILTON MOUNTAIN ON A POINT OF ORDER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH SPEAKER.
IT GAVE — GIVES ME GREAT PLEASURE TO WELCOME SOME GUESTS FOR MY CEREMONIAL SWEARING IN TODAY. IN THE HOUSE, I HAVE MY FATHER, MIKE TAYLOR AND HIS WIFE PAULINE. I HAVE ONE OF MY CONSTITUENCY ASSISTANTS ANDREA HOGAN, AS WELL AS ONE OF MY CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS, AIDEN McGILLVAN. LATER THIS AFTERNOON WILL BE JOINED BY MY MOTHER BARBARA PIPER AND MY SISTER, NICOLE TAYLOR. WELCOME TO QUEEN'S PARK. [ Applause ] >> The Speaker: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I FWOG INFORM THE HOUSE THAT PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDER 98-C, CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO THE ORDER OF PRECEDENCE ON THE BALLOT LIST FOR PRIVATE MEMBERS PUBLIC BUSINESS, SUCH THAT MR. HARRIS ASSUMES BALLOT ITEM 94. MRS. FEE ASSUMES BALLOT ITEM NUMBER 2. MR. OOSTERHOFF ASSUMES BALLOT ITEM NUMBER 3 AND MS. KUSENDOVA ASSUMES ITEM NUMBER 22. THERE BEING NO FURTHER VOTES, THIS HOUSE STANDS IN RECESS UNTIL 3 p.m.
THIS AFTERNOON..