Hansard Transcripts 2006-Dec-06 | Legislative Assembly of Ontario

Mr. Toby Barrett (Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant): I'm disgusted by the McGuinty government's gross mismanagement revealed in the Auditor General's report. On behalf of John Tory and the PC caucus, I have a message for Mr. McGuinty: You are the link between the hard-working taxpayer of Ontario and these intolerable spending abuses tolerated by your government.

Premier McGuinty's Minister of Children and Youth Services stood in her place yesterday and defended the spending abuses. She said, "The interesting thing is that these issues really aren't new." She's right.

The McGuinty government abused taxpayers' money in 2006, 2005, 2004 and 2003. A true leader steps up to the plate and takes responsibility. This is not about passing the buck, this is not about taking a powder, not about running around the corner and hiding. This is not about letting somebody else take the fall. This is about leadership. We are talking about taxpayers' money that's being spent on trips to Beijing; $59,000 SUVs and all-inclusive resorts in St. Martin, St. Lucia; $2,000 gym memberships; deficits, cost overruns, and no analysis by the McGuinty government.

Premier McGuinty, stop insulting the taxpayers of Ontario. No more self-congratulatory spin, no more deflection. We want action. Please stop flushing taxpayers' money down the toilet.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mrs. Liz Sandals (Guelph-Wellington): Last month, I was pleased to spend a morning volunteering at the long-term-care home at St. Joseph's Health Centre in Guelph. After helping to serve breakfast, I was able to discuss some of the challenges of long-term care with the personal support workers and the nurses. I have also recently visited with residents and families at LaPointe-Fisher long-term care and with staff at Eden House long-term care.

These three homes range in age from fairly old to brand new. Naturally, building standards have changed over the years, but what all three homes have in common is caring staff who provide high-quality, long-term care for their residents.

The problem we have in Guelph is that there are not enough of these high-quality placements. I often hear from families who are frustrated that the nearest available bed is an hour or more away from Guelph. One woman described to me how she had to take the bus from Guelph to Toronto and then back from Toronto to Orangeville in order to visit her husband.

You can imagine how thrilled I was to announce that the McGuinty government has recognized that Guelph is an underserviced area and that 288 new long-term-care beds will be built in Guelph. My constituents are grateful that our government has recognized that long-term-care beds should be located in the home communities of residents and their families.

HEALTH CARE

Mr. Jim Wilson (Simcoe-Grey): Yesterday's report by the Auditor General detailed a laundry list of concerns in the health care sector. Despite the McGuinty rhetoric, the auditor brings to light many skeletons in the closet of this Liberal government and provides more evidence of broken promises and inaction that are directly impacting the quality of life of all Ontarians. The auditor's concerns are wide-ranging, from health card abuses to questionable wait times data to unsafe radiation exposure by patients and staff.

Let's recap some of yesterday's lowlights:

-- 300,000 more OHIP cards in existence than the total population in Ontario;

-- a backlog of 7,000 fraud investigations involving OHIP cards;

-- 725 physicians who are no longer licensed but continue to submit claims to OHIP;

-- suspected OHIP billing for patients who did not receive treatment;

-- patients and staff being exposed to unhealthy amounts of radiation, including children who were given CT scans when the machine was on the adult setting;

-- unfair and unequal access to treatment as Workplace Safety and Insurance Board patients jumped to the front of the line.

On top of this appalling inaction and waste, the auditor calls into question the accuracy of the government's wait times data and advises that claims of reduced wait times be taken with a grain of salt.

As a former Minister of Health, I find the government's response to the auditor's report to be embarrassing and call on the current minister to take a long, hard look in the mirror before shifting responsibility for these issues. Clearly, this is his watch.

MISS G. PROJECT

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park): I rise in the House today to acknowledge the incredible contribution to feminism and education made by a group of young women called the Miss G. project.

Applause.

Ms. DiNovo: There they are. Their mission is to see women and gender studies as a mandatory part of a high school education.

When I was a high school student I remember well that suffragettes, not suffragists, were mocked openly by our Canadian history teacher and by other students. We haven't come such a long way from that day or from the days of Miss G. herself, who, as an academic and activist in the 19th century, was described as "unable to make a good brain that could stand the wear and tear of life."

On this day, when we acknowledge the violence done to women and work for a response, the education system is an obvious place to start, and yet this government has yet to accede to this simple request of the Miss G. project: mandatory women and gender studies courses in high school.

In honour of the hundreds of young women in the Miss G. project, the victims of École Polytechnique and Miss G. herself and other like her, let us now mandate women and gender studies in high schools today, not tomorrow, not next month. The government can do it. Let's see them do it. It is the very least they could do.

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STEM CELL RESEARCH

Mr. Phil McNeely (Ottawa-Orléans): I rise today to inform the House of the tremendous progress being made in stem cell research here in Ontario. The recent grand opening of the Sprott Centre for Stem Cell Research at the Ottawa Health Research Institute is Ontario's latest triumph in this exciting field. The centre has been endowed with a generous $7-million donation from Eric and Vizma Sprott.

Stem cell research is a priority of Ontario. The government has invested $16 million on 18 research projects related to stem cells through the Ontario research fund and other predecessor programs. This includes $4.4 million contributed to the Sprott centre through the Ontario Innovation Trust. We are creating an exciting research climate in Ontario that helps us retain and attract the world's best scientists.

The vision for the Sprott centre originated with Dr. Ron Worton, as a result of his groundbreaking stem cell research in Toronto several years ago. Dr. Worton is CEO and scientific director of the Ottawa Health Research Institute and also serves as vice-chair of the Ontario Research Fund Advisory Board. Dr. Michael Rudnicki, the inaugural director of the Sprott centre, is also director of Canada's Stem Cell Network. Dr. Rudnicki is joined in Ontario by Dr. Gordon Keller, another leading stem cell scientist, who will be heading up the University Health Network's new McEwen Centre for Regenerative Medicine, here in Toronto.

There are many other examples of pioneering stem cell work being done across the province. All of these developments, from early-stage research through trials and commercialization and eventually to cures, combine to produce a better quality of life for Ontario families.

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

Ms. Laurie Scott (Haliburton-Victoria-Brock): Yesterday was a sad day in this Legislature and a sad day for Ontario's most vulnerable children. It was a day when this Liberal government was exposed for its gross mismanagement and waste of taxpayers' money. Unfortunately, waste and overspending is not new to the McGuinty Liberals. What makes the latest revelation most disturbing is the fact that it is the province's children who have been targeted.

The McGuinty Liberals have proven to the hard-working people of Ontario that they cannot be trusted with their tax dollars. When it comes to the McGuinty Liberals, it is no longer, "Watch the pennies, and the dollars will take care of themselves"; it has sadly become, "Wash off responsibility by breaking promises and saying anything to get elected, and let the kids take care of themselves." Here is some of what the Ministry of Children and Youth Services is making taxpayers responsible for: $50,000 in luxury cars, all-inclusive vacations, needless trips and junkets to places like China and Argentina, double-dipping for expenses, $2,000-a-year gym memberships and expensive personal trainers. This is what was discovered when reviewing only four of the 53 children's aid societies. In each one of these cases, the McGuinty Liberal government spent lavishly on themselves rather than being responsible and committing to the care of our most vulnerable people in society, our children.

Even with these shocking revelations, the Liberals still don't get it. In the response to the auditor's findings, the ministry made no mention of gross mismanagement and wasteful spending. Instead, they attempted to pass off responsibility. Someone must be held responsible for these outrageous actions. That starts and ends with the irresponsible and regrettable lack of action of the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

LIBRARY SERVICES

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): I rise today to discuss some very good news with you and all the members of the Legislature about the town of Mattawa. Last Friday, I was delighted to join the mayor of Mattawa, Dean Backer, Councillors Mary Lou Arrowsmith and Garry Thibert, representatives of the Near North District School Board, the Conseil Scolaire Catholique Franco Nord, Contact North, Canadore College and members of the Mattawa community to celebrate the reopening of the John Dixon Public Library and l'École secondaire F.J. McElligott Secondary School library at F.J. McElligott.

Through some Trillium funding and the Ministry of Culture's funding for libraries, this merger has taken place. The students and all of the community of Mattawa are going to benefit from the refurbished facility within the school proper, which has more computer terminals, a better joint collection, a great children's section, and really lots of excitement about the new facility.

Friday night, the town of Mattawa celebrated Christmas through their very snowy Christmas parade of lights.

This past Monday, the board of the Mattawa General Hospital gathered with the mayor, representatives from the town council, the staff at the hospital and members of the Mattawa community to salute and acknowledge the hard work of 54 past board members and seven past CEOs at their annual Christmas dinner. The group gathered at the Golden Age Club to celebrate all the hard work of the past. The evening culminated with a visit from the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, George Smitherman, and the announcement of final approval for their long-awaited new construction project. The community is overjoyed, and is thrilled that they will gather on December 16 to break ground and enjoy --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you.

HEALTH PROMOTION

Ms. Judy Marsales (Hamilton West): I rise today to celebrate a wonderful model of collaboration in Hamilton, a collaboration to build a healthy community in all aspects of the meaning. This collaboration demonstrates the vision of the Ministry of Health Promotion.

Recently, I was on hand while our government made an announcement of $2 million in funding for construction of a new facility for the YMCA. This community centre will also be partnered with the city of Hamilton, Hamilton Health Sciences Corp., Hamilton Police Service and the Hamilton Public Library.

The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington will focus on health and wellness and will promote a wide variety of programs, such as recreational activities, for all ages.

The YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington is celebrating 150 years in our community with exemplary leadership, building great relationships with individuals, families and the community, that has affected an amazing number of lives.

I want to applaud Jim Commerford, president and CEO, Bryan Webber, vice-president of finance, and the board of directors of the YMCA of Hamilton/Burlington for the wonderful work they have done to create a vision to open this new multi-centre complex in the city of Hamilton.

It was also an honour to have Les Chater and his family in attendance. Mr. Chater has been a member of the YMCA since he was 10 years old. He is now 95 years old. Mr. Chater has served on the board of directors and continues to be a dynamic spokesman for the YMCA. Mr. Chater was honoured that this new facility will bear his name.

This project will be a model of healthy living for years to come, and I want to thank Minister Watson and the Ministry of Health Promotion for believing in Hamilton.

MANUFACTURING JOBS

Mr. John Wilkinson (Perth-Middlesex): Christmas came early to the Festival City. On November 30, I was honoured to represent the Honourable Sandra Pupatello at the sod turning for Aisin Canada Inc.'s new manufacturing plant in my hometown of Stratford. Aisin is creating more good jobs in Ontario, the kinds of jobs that bring prosperity to our communities, raise our standard of living and provide greater opportunities for our families.

By establishing a new production plant in Stratford, Aisin Canada is building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will support Toyota's new assembly plant currently under construction in nearby Woodstock. The Aisin Canada plant is a prime example of the wider benefits we anticipated when the McGuinty government began our aggressive auto investment plan just three years ago. Our government knew that by attracting more auto assembly production, the key parts suppliers would follow.

I want to congratulate Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson, economic development officer Larry Appel and the entire Stratford team on a job very well done.

The Aisin Canada Inc. investment is the result of the Premier's commitment to investing in the education and skills that people need in order to create the best workforce in North America.

I believe that our government is on the right track. Aisin Canada, by creating high-value jobs in the city of Stratford, is helping fulfill the Premier's goal of building North America's most productive auto industry right here in Ontario. For the third year running, Ontario is the leading automotive manufacturing jurisdiction in all of North America. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and merry Christmas.

REPORTS BY COMMITTEES

STANDING COMMITTEE ON
SOCIAL POLICY

Mr. Ernie Parsons (Prince Edward-Hastings): I beg leave to present a report from the standing committee on social policy and move its adoption.

The Acting Clerk-at-the-Table (Ms. Tonia Grannum): Your committee begs to report the following bill as amended:

Bill 152, An Act to modernize various Acts administered by or affecting the Ministry of Government Services / Projet de loi 152, Loi visant à moderniser diverses lois qui relèvent du ministère des Services gouvernementaux ou qui le touchent.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Shall the report be received and adopted? Agreed? Agreed.

The bill is therefore ordered for third reading.

STATEMENTS BY THE MINISTRY
AND RESPONSES

ADULT EDUCATION /
ÉDUCATION DES ADULTES

Hon. Kathleen O. Wynne (Minister of Education): I rise in the House today to report on the McGuinty government's progress in adult education. As I remind everyone here, adult students are the parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles of the children in our schools.

In June 2005, my report Ontario Learns was released. It documented the lack of cohesion in what I described then as the adult education non-system. I used the image of an archipelago without a good ferry system and recommended how to begin improving this important area of the education continuum.

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L'éducation des adultes est essentielle à la prospérité économique et au bien-être social des personnes et des collectivités en Ontario. That's why we are strengthening the programs and services in adult education.

Today I announced that the McGuinty government is investing an additional $2 million in this important sector in adult education. This investment will give all adult learners greater access to improved skill assessments and course selection. This is in addition to the recent $10-million investment made by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for academic upgrading programs that will help 4,200 learners develop their skills and attain better employment.

What I recommended in my report was better coordination of the system. This means more consistency within the government with the ministries responsible for adult education -- because adult education is located in at least three ministries. For example, we now deliver more English-as-a-second-language and French-as-a-second-language classes through an investment of over $50 million each year by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration.

The development and delivery of programs and services for adult learners will also be more cohesive with our new adult education policy unit created within the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The unit will make it easier for individuals to navigate the adult education system so they can upgrade their knowledge and skills. We want adult learners to spend their time studying and learning, not trying to understand where to find the courses in a system that's disconnected and confusing.

Through our $2-million investment announced today, we're undertaking three important initiatives that make the system easier to use. First, information will be collected from all school boards on what adult education programs they offer. Then we'll publish that information on a public website. Right now, that information is not available in any systematic way. Second, tools will be developed for all adult education providers that will more consistently assess the essential skills of adult learners. Finally, we will make it easier for adult learners to have high school credits earned in other provinces recognized toward the Ontario secondary school diploma.

Our top priority is making sure that all adults have better access to existing programs and services. I know -- we all know -- that there's definitely more to be done, but these recent initiatives are exactly the types of planned policies we need. I had the opportunity to speak at CESBA, the Continuing Education School Board Administrators, this morning. They seemed to be very pleased that we were moving in this direction. They're taking part with us in these things.

Nous faisons des investissements judicieux, en commençant par jeter des bases solides, afin d'accroître les possibilités pour les apprenantes et apprenants adultes. Notre gouvernement s'est engagé envers l'éducation, depuis la petite enfance jusqu'à l'âge mûr.

We are reducing class sizes for our youngest students, emphasizing reading, writing and math with our youth, helping more teens graduate, and we are helping more adult learners succeed.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Responses?

Mr. Frank Klees (Oak Ridges): In response to the statement by the Minister of Education, this is yet one more attempt by this government to deflect attention from the house of cards that successive Liberal Ministers of Education have been building.

Hiding behind dribbles of funding that are announced at great fanfare, this government continues to ignore the single most important issue facing education in Ontario today, and that is the updating of the basic education funding formula, a promise that Dalton McGuinty made and that he and three successive ministers have failed to address.

The Minister of Education is now the third minister in a row to ignore the appeals from every stakeholder in education to keep the Dalton McGuinty promise to update that funding formula. So I ask the minister: When you know that school boards across this province are in a funding crisis, why do you continue to ignore them?

Earlier today you announced $2 million for adult education across Ontario. Clearly, those you charmed into ovation haven't taken the time to seriously consider what it is that you've announced. The amount of $2 million over 72 boards translates into some $27,000 per board. And what does it really mean? One more website for the government to advance your propaganda without addressing education and the fundamental work that you should be doing as a minister.

Your stakeholders, Minister, are abandoning you very rapidly. On October 20, 2006, the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation held a press conference, and they held that press conference because they're concerned about the funding crisis facing school boards across this province. They challenged this minister and pointed out that school boards across this province are dipping into reserves and cutting programs and services from front-line education programs to meet this minister's program announcements that she and previous Ministers of Education failed to address with serious funding.

I want to quote Desiree Francis, the executive officer for the province of the OSSTF:

"We are now into the fourth year of the McGuinty government's mandate and this government has still not addressed fundamental problems with the education funding formula. Three successive Ministers of Education have acknowledged the problems, but none has made the changes necessary to ensure school boards have adequate stable funding to meet the needs of their students and communities."

Ms. Francis continues, "A substantial portion of all new education funding has been earmarked for specific ministry initiatives and has not helped boards cover the funding shortfall for core operating expenses. And even when the government did add $600 million to the education budget last spring to bridge the funding gap for teacher salaries," -- which this government unilaterally negotiated -- "it did so at the expense of the local priorities and learning opportunities grants. A total of $511 million was removed from these grants and with the loss of this money, boards also lost what little flexibility they had to address local needs."

I continue with this quote. "Recently, Minister of Education Kathleen Wynne suggested that her government has taken a step-by-step approach to funding," and to changes in the funding formula. "We say, look again." Minister, this is the OSSTF speaking to you. "As Hugh Mackenzie's recent analysis of education funding shows, in the 905 area alone the government's funding shell game has meant that two of the largest urban public boards, Peel and Toronto, actually have less funding per student in 2006-07 than in 1997. The chair of the Durham board says his board must tap into their reserves for the $5 million they need to meet the costs of special education. In Niagara, transportation funding is still based on pre-1998 data."

Minister, you are failing education in the province of Ontario. Your propaganda announcements are wearing thin with education stakeholders in this province. Why don't you get down to the work that you as Minister of Education should be doing? Look at the fundamental funding formula, bring the money to the table and ensure that boards can do the work that they are responsible to do.

Mr. Rosario Marchese (Trinity-Spadina): With all due respect, Minister, the Tories used to dole out 1-800 numbers, and you Liberals dish out websites. It's "Have websites, will travel." I've got to say to the adult learners, one wrong character and who knows where it might take you, just as a little reminder.

Once again the McGuinty government is faced with a serious crisis, and once again they respond not with a solution but with a website. Adult education in this province is in turmoil, and the cuts keep coming. The government responds by creating a website so people will know where to find adult education classes. Unfortunately, anyone naive enough to use it will find that there are fewer and fewer adult education classes to find.

The minister makes reference to the great work that the minister of post-secondary education is doing, and I want to say that we have already seen the government's sliding standards with regard to apprenticeship funding. The Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities issues an apprenticeship training tax credit, nominally for employers who train employees. Last year, we learned that Dell computers will receive the credit for staff in their Ottawa call centres. To quote the Ottawa citizen, "The province has generously included IT call centre workers in the apprenticeship plan, subsidizing their wages by allowing Dell to collect a tax credit of $5,000 per employee for three years. The actual training period for the call centre workers is two to three weeks, Dell says."

That's the extent of the great training being provided by the minister of post-secondary education, and if he wants to elucidate for those of us whom he believes are wrong, he might just want to let us know how it is that the Ottawa Citizen is wrong in that regard.

Despite repeated promises, the McGuinty government has not fixed the education funding formula. They promised investments in adult education, but there's still no grant for adult general interest and seniors' programming across Ontario. This means these programs are being cancelled because boards don't have the funds to keep them going.

The Canadian Adult and Community Education Alliance notes that fees for general interest adult courses have risen 115% in the past five years, forcing many seniors to opt out.

Here is a short list of school boards that have made cuts to adult education in this past budget year: the French public board for southwestern Ontario; the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board; the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board; the Toronto District School Board. And when trustees of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic board refused to cut adult education, the McGuinty Liberals kicked them out, took them out of their jobs, and are now making these cuts themselves. Continuing education cuts in adult education in the Dufferin-Peel Catholic board: We're talking about $927,000. These are the kinds of cuts that they are experiencing in Dufferin-Peel, and all we get for that is a website.

People for Education report a 17% drop in the number of continuing education programs over the last decade.

Jack Henshaw of Citizens for Lifelong Learning said that the Ontario Liberals rallied with seniors in 2003 to protect adult education from cuts by the previous Conservative government. Three years later, these programs remain unfunded by the province, and seniors are again fighting to protect them, this time from the Liberals.

This government has no reason to have any pride whatsoever in its record on these matters.

I would prefer that the minister would come out and say, "We don't have the money. In fact, we're not going to raise the money, now or in the future. What it means is that we're going to be cutting programs across Ontario." I would rather you say that than simply say, "We're going to have a website so adult learners can hopefully find something, assuming the program still exists, so they can fit into some program somewhere in the province." That's not providing services.

Programs have been cut. They need programs, not a website to find out where programs still exist that they might be able to get into, assuming that the fee is not so high that they won't be able to afford it. You're not offering anything valuable or good to adult learners.

VISITORS

Ms. Cheri DiNovo (Parkdale-High Park): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: Now that there are more members in the House, I just want to introduce some wonderful young people who are here from the Miss G. project, who would love to see women's and gender studies in our high schools.

DEFERRED VOTES

BUDGET MEASURES ACT, 2006 (NO. 2) /
LOI DE 2006 SUR LES MESURES
BUDGÉTAIRES (N^O 2)

Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of Bill 151, An Act to enact various 2006 Budget measures and to enact, amend or repeal various Acts / Projet de loi 151, Loi édictant diverses mesures énoncées dans le Budget de 2006 et édictant, modifiant ou abrogeant diverses lois.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Call in the members. This will be a 10-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1404 to 1414.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Sorbara has moved third reading of Bill 151, An Act to enact various 2006 Budget measures and to enact, amend or repeal various Acts / Projet de loi 151, Loi édictant diverses mesures énoncées dans le Budget de 2006 et édictant, modifiant ou abrogeant diverses lois.

All those in favour will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Ayes

Arthurs, Wayne

Balkissoon, Bas

Bartolucci, Rick

Bentley, Christopher

Berardinetti, Lorenzo

Bountrogianni, Marie

Bradley, James J.

Broten, Laurel C.

Brownell, Jim

Cansfield, Donna H.

Caplan, David

Chambers, Mary Anne V.

Colle, Mike

Crozier, Bruce

Delaney, Bob

Dhillon, Vic

Dombrowsky, Leona

Duncan, Dwight

Flynn, Kevin Daniel

Fonseca, Peter

Gerretsen, John

Gravelle, Michael

Hoy, Pat

Jeffrey, Linda

Kular, Kuldip

Kwinter, Monte

Marsales, Judy

Matthews, Deborah

McGuinty, Dalton

McMeekin, Ted

McNeely, Phil

Meilleur, Madeleine

Mitchell, Carol

Mossop, Jennifer F.

Parsons, Ernie

Patten, Richard

Peters, Steve

Peterson, Tim

Phillips, Gerry

Pupatello, Sandra

Ramal, Khalil

Ramsay, David

Rinaldi, Lou

Ruprecht, Tony

Sandals, Liz

Sergio, Mario

Smith, Monique

Smitherman, George

Takhar, Harinder S.

Van Bommel, Maria

Watson, Jim

Wilkinson, John

Wynne, Kathleen O.

Zimmer, David

The Speaker: All those opposed, will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Nays

Arnott, Ted

Barrett, Toby

Bisson, Gilles

Chudleigh, Ted

DiNovo, Cheri

Horwath, Andrea

Hudak, Tim

Klees, Frank

Kormos, Peter

MacLeod, Lisa

Marchese, Rosario

Martel, Shelley

Martiniuk, Gerry

Miller, Norm

Munro, Julia

Murdoch, Bill

O'Toole, John

Ouellette, Jerry J.

Prue, Michael

Runciman, Robert W.

Scott, Laurie

Sterling, Norman W.

Tabuns, Peter

Tory, John

Wilson, Jim

Witmer, Elizabeth

Yakabuski, John

The Deputy Clerk (Ms. Deborah Deller): The ayes are 54; the nays are 27.

The Speaker: I declare the motion carried.

Be it resolved that the bill be now passed and be entitled as in the motion.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND ACTION
ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): I believe we have unanimous consent for each party to speak for up to five minutes remembering the Montreal massacre.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Mr. Bradley has asked for unanimous consent for each party to speak for up to five minutes on remembering the Montreal massacre. Agreed? Agreed.

Hon. Sandra Pupatello (Minister of Economic Development and Trade, minister responsible for women's issues): Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte.

Today, we mark the national Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We mourn the tragic and senseless loss of 14 talented young women who were killed simply because they were women.

We hold candlelight vigils and take part in awareness campaigns, offering hope to women and girls for whom abuse is a reality.

It's a day to reflect and remember all those who have died as a result of gender-based violence.

It's been 17 years since this incident and violence is still a very much a part of women's lives across the province. One in every four Ontario women, at some point, experiences abuse by her partner in her lifetime. Thirty-seven per cent of these occurrences are witnessed by children, who are more than likely to grow up to become abusers or victims in their own relationships.

Our government's working to improve these odds, to improve them through our domestic violence action plan. We're investing more than $82 million over four years, exceeding our original target of $66 million.

Over the past two years, we've worked with women's organizations, experts and those dedicated across the province, and I want to recognize their tireless efforts. Together, we've made progress.

More women and children fleeing from domestic violence will benefit from a $2.5-million investment to help women's agencies strengthen counselling services.

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In the new year, social housing providers will have the opportunity to participate in training sessions to increase their awareness of and sensitivity to the issues and challenges faced by abused women as they make their transition to new and safer lives. Our recently launched neighbours, friends and families initiative will help people recognize the signs and risk factors associated with violence against women and how to respond. That means it's all of our responsibility. More than 25 communities have confirmed their commitment to launch this campaign locally. Our goal is to have all communities across the province participate.

I encourage members of this Legislature to get involved as an individual, as a leader in your own community. Materials, including English and French public service announcements, are available from the neighbours, friends and families website, neighboursfriendsandfamilies.ca. Only when we all work together against violence can we end it.

Our government has recently invested $8.2 million to help women get skills they need to become financially independent. It includes employment training programs in the skilled trades and information technology. We're addressing the very root causes of violence against women by helping young people develop positive attitudes through our equalityrules.ca campaign that we launched this month. This campaign and website teaches girls and boys about healthy, equal relationships. It makes it clear that abuse in any form is not okay.

Since 1991, the YWCA has also distributed rose buttons on December 6 to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. I encourage all members of this House to grab their button. I have rose buttons with me today and invite you to pick them up and demonstrate your commitment to ending violence against women.

Over the past few weeks, international campaigns and commemorations have shone the world spotlight on the sad reality of violence against women. We must be constant in our actions and diligent in our efforts year-round. Today we were at Women's College with a number of people in that audience who take action every day to help end violence against women. I am pleased to say my government is taking action. And we won't rest until women can live free from violence. I believe all of us in this House believe it and are prepared to take action.

Mr. Speaker, when all of our members have spoken today, I'm hoping you'll ask for a moment of silence on behalf of these 14 women and also to celebrate the action that we're prepared to take and are taking to end violence against women.

Mrs. Elizabeth Witmer (Kitchener-Waterloo): I'm very pleased to rise today on behalf of our leader, John Tory, and the members of the PC caucus to recognize this day, December 6, as the national Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day coincides with the anniversary of the Montreal massacre, when a gunman murdered 14 young women at l'École Polytechnique in Montreal. These women were killed simply because of their gender.

This day of remembrance is important for all of us. It is a day to reflect on the tragic loss of the lives of these young women, young women with so much promise and on the cusp of life. However, it is also a day to reflect on the broader issue of violence against women, which we know impacts all females of all ages.

Today, I had the privilege of attending once again a commemorative service at Women's College Hospital that reminded all of us that today is a time to reflect on violence against women, not only here but around the entire world. It is a time to think about all the women and girls who live daily with the threat of violence. Certainly, as a mother myself, I know that I have warned my daughter always to be careful. It's something that you just do. It is a time to remember those whose lives have been affected by violence -- and they are many. Finally, more important than anything else today, it is a time to take action -- further action to do what we can to stop the violence.

In this regard, today the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario did take action. They took action in response to the need to stop violence in the workplace, including the death of Lori Dupont, the Windsor registered nurse who was murdered at her workplace. Today they released their policy statement, "Violence Against Nurses in the Workplace: A Zero Tolerance Approach."

This encourages all health care organizations to develop and adopt a set of policies that guide employees and their supervisors through a set of steps if they experience violence on the job. This, we know, is an issue that is not going to go away. We need to recognize that there is violence in the workplace and we need to take action to stop it, as this document suggests we do.

It is encouraging to see organizations such as the RNAO taking action to ensure that steps are taken to decrease the violence against women; however, there continues to be more work to be done. We know, when we look at the statistics, that women and girls continue to make up the vast majority of victims of sexual assault. I was rather dismayed to hear from Chief Blair today that in Toronto the rate of domestic murders is up to seven this year.

Women continue to feel worried and concerned when they walk alone, when they walk in the dark or when they wait for public transit, as we saw recently at York University when it was reported last week that yet another female student had been sexually assaulted at gunpoint. Clearly, this is unacceptable. Obviously, this violence prevents women from making a full and positive contribution to their lives.

So we must work together to eradicate gender-based forms of violence. We need to educate the public about what they can do to help change attitudes and behaviours that contribute to the continuation of violent and abusive behaviour against women.

In that regard, I want to recognize the members of the Miss G. Project who are here today in our gallery. They have come today, December 6, because they want to draw a connection between the remembrance of these 14 women and the continued gender violence within our educational institutions and some of the causes. They have an idea that they feel would help prevent such violence. They want to establish a women's and gender studies course. They have been advocating for this to be included in the high school curriculum. We congratulate you for the actions you are taking to help stop violence against women.

Today in this House we not only remember the 14 women who were killed in Montreal, but we remember all of the women in Canada and throughout the world, including the Mennonite girls recently in Pennsylvania, killed because they were female.

I encourage my colleagues to take this to heart. I've stood in this House for what seems many years. I just ask you to seriously consider what you can do, and to consider your own behaviour and reaffirm -- all of us -- our commitment to take whatever steps we can personally and collectively to prevent violence against women and girls. It is only through our individual and collective actions that we are going to be able to decrease and hopefully eradicate violence against women.

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: I would ask for unanimous consent in order that we can wear our buttons.

The Speaker: Mrs. Witmer has asked for unanimous consent so that we may wear the buttons. Agreed? Agreed.

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): Seventeen years ago, 14 female students at l'École Polytechnique were murdered simply because they were women. This horrible event galvanized Canada's attention to a problem that has plagued women throughout the course of history.

The murdered women were promising young engineering students in their prime: Geneviève Bergeron, aged 21; Hélène Colgan, 23; Nathalie Croteau, 23; Barbara Daigneault, 22; Anne-Marie Edward, 21; Maud Haviernick, 29; Barbara Maria Klucznik, 31; Maryse Leclair, 23; Annie St-Arneault, 23; Michèle Richard, 21; Maryse Laganière, 25; Anne-Marie Lemay, 22; Sonia Pelletier, 28; and Annie Turcotte, 21.

For their loved ones, the pain of the Montreal massacre will never be erased. Today, we remember those families and mourn their loss.

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The Montreal massacre led to promises of changes that step by step would eventually eradicate violence against women. Yet here in 2006, can we honestly say that we are in fact further ahead? Hundreds of Ontario women have died since 1989 at the hands of men who were strangers, but far more often by men with whom they once had close, personal relationships. Families lost their daughters, mothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, neighbours. Why? Because we as a society have not done a good enough job of changing the culture of male violence and misogyny that continues to plague women. Women still pay with their lives.

How shameful, how appalling it is to note that at a time when women's voices are needed more than ever, the Harper government cuts Status of Women Canada massively, a move that I myself have opposed by putting a resolution to the Legislature here at Queen's Park. As legislators, it is our duty to protect, in fact to amplify, these voices and prevent the perpetuation of violence against women at all costs.

Many times I have risen in this House to talk about the importance of getting at the root causes of violence against women. It's not that women's groups, service providers, coroners' juries and study after study haven't already instructed governments on what needs to be done. Ontario's coalition of women's groups has indicated a $300-million package of emergency measures that would go a long way to free women trapped in and confronted by violence. A large part of the solution lies in the provision of affordable housing and child care, resettlement funds, meaningful employment and income supports that enable a woman to support her children, enabling women to leave a violent home -- not just websites and pilot projects.

A key to erasing the violence is the will and determination to act, on all our parts, as both previous speakers have indicated. We must say no to delays in flowing the funding for programs and services women need to enable them to flee violence. We must strongly reject the Harper government's cuts to Status of Women Canada. We must say no to initiatives that languish on the back burner instead of being implemented. We must say no to attempts to downplay the severity and urgency of this life-and-death issue, which the World Health Organization describes as a global epidemic; and no to shelving reports and stalling legislation that call for stronger actions.

In fact, there is a private member's bill that I have on the books, Bill 45, which tackles workplace harassment and violence, and which has already been spoken about in today's remarks.

Alberta shows how seriously it deals with this problem as a province through a long list of items that it pays for to ensure that women can escape the violence and begin to rebuild their lives. I've mentioned these measures in the House before. They include a number of different initiatives, including that women in abusive situations can get help 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through Alberta Works. All they need to do is call a toll-free number and, if eligible, the fund will cover them. It will cover them to get to safety, to set up a new household, and it actually covers their expenses to begin their new life.

Thankfully, there are many great people in our province working in the field who support this fight, groups like OAITH, METRAC, OFL and member organizations, the White Ribbon Campaign, the YWCA, sexual assault centres -- the one in my own community does a lot of great work -- and many others.

Today, we have members of the Miss G. Project here in the gallery who have already been recognized a couple of times. These young women see education as an important plank in ending the violence, and I agree. They're hopeful that they'll see women's studies included in the core curriculum of all secondary schools.

I can tell you that nothing would make me more proud than to see Ontario emerge as a leader, expanding its programs and services to the fullest extent to protect the lives of women and girls, and to see the kinds of programs that these young women are asking for actually implemented in our schools. I urge the women of the McGuinty government -- the cabinet ministers and other women in that caucus -- as well as their supporters to make sure that these kinds of initiatives actually do come to light in the province of Ontario.

In memory of the 14 women slain on December 6 and all the women who have been murdered before and since, let us all pledge to do more and do better in their names.

The Speaker: I ask all members and all our guests to stand for a period of silence.

The House observed a moment's silence.

The Speaker: Thank you.

VISITOR

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): On a point of order, Mr. Speaker: In the west gallery we have Mr. Sandy Singers, executive director of the food bank in Kingston and president of the Ontario Association of Food Banks. I would like to welcome him to Queen's Park.

ORAL QUESTIONS

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
AND HYDRO ONE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. The Auditor General's report yesterday contained outrageous reports of improper spending in a whole lot of places, including Hydro One and OPG.

In 2005, $163 million worth of goods and services were purchased by employees of Hydro One with company credit cards, apparently without paperwork to back them up, according to the Attorney General. To put that in perspective, in order to spend $163 million over the course of one year, people would have to be spending half a million dollars every day for 365 days on the company credit card.

We heard some words from you today professing concern about the taxpayers' money, but we don't see any obvious consequences when these kinds of scandals are unearthed.

My question is: Who is actually going to do something about the disrespect for the taxpayers' money, and when will there actually be some consequences from this kind of thing being unearthed in Auditor General reports like the one we saw yesterday? When are you going to do something?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): I'm looking forward to the time, but maybe I should not hold my breath, when the leader of the official opposition celebrates the fact that for the first time in the history of this province we have a government that invited the Auditor General to take a look into those areas which they refused to allow him into.

For years and years, the Auditor General said, "I want to get into children's aid societies, I want to get into hospitals, I want to get into school boards, I want to get into community colleges, I want to get into universities," and they said, "Tough, you're not getting in there. We don't want to know what's inside there." He said, "I want to get into long-term-care homes, I want to get into Hydro One, I want to get into OPG," and they said, "You're not getting in there under any circumstances."

What we have done is changed the law in Ontario and invited the Auditor General to take a look at exactly what is happening inside those places. We are pleased to have this information made available to us for the first time, and we look forward to acting on it.

Mr. Tory: I will stand in my place and say that I'm glad it's done. At the same time, I'm sure the Premier will agree with me that just doing that and just having the information is of little value to the taxpayers if you don't act on it. After the revelations we've seen in the last day or so, which result from weeks and months of information that has been made available to the ministers and to these corporations, we still don't have anybody taking responsibility for this. Whether it's the minister, whether it's the CEO, whether it's the Premier, nobody is taking responsibility. The message sent by that is that no one is responsible and there are no consequences for this abuse of taxpayers' money. That is what I'm asking about today.

We have one executive, who the media reports suggest is Mr. Parkinson, the CEO of Hydro One, who has $50,000 in expenditures that were put through on a credit card by his secretary, and that seems to allow it to escape normal public scrutiny. What I'm asking you is: What specific steps have you taken and will you take to get to the bottom of this and make sure there are consequences?

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Hon. Mr. McGuinty: One of the important opportunities that this new information that has been brought to the light of day creates is this: It's an opportunity for our government -- and I'm sure the leader of the official opposition would want to share in this -- to say to the people of Ontario, whether they're employed in the immediate public sector or the broader sector, "There's a new day in Ontario. There's more scrutiny, more transparency, more accountability and more responsibility. Everybody should get a sense of responsibility, and understanding that, we have to be very careful when it comes to how we deal with taxpayer money. "

That's the important message that arises from this new opportunity we've created for the Auditor General. That's the message we're sending to Ontarians, wherever they happen to work, whether in the immediate or the broader public sector or in our government agencies. We are saying, "It's a new day. We've given the Auditor General the authority to find out exactly what you're doing. Start behaving responsibly. Start acting in the way that you know the people of Ontario expect you to act."

Mr. Tory: There's just one part missing from that very nice speech by the Premier, which is, "If you don't do it, there are going to be some consequences, and for those we know have done it, there are going to be consequences. You don't get away with it."

Now, this isn't the first time Mr. Parkinson's name has come up in this place. On April 4, eight months ago, we asked you and the then minister about a bonus that he got of $500,000. On that day, all we were asking you to do was to provide us and the people of Ontario with the terms pursuant to which he got that bonus. You told us when we asked a few weeks later to let the people take the time to find out. We're here eight months later: no answer, no report, no accountability. When people see that the Premier of Ontario won't come forward with any explanation at all for a $500,000 bonus, what are they to think, when they work in those corporations and in the government, about $50,000, $5,000 or $500? That's what happens when you say one thing, you do another and you don't follow through.

What explanation do you have for Mr. Parkinson's bonus, his expenses and what are you going do about it?

Hon. Mr. McGuinty: Let's hear what the Auditor General had to say in terms of who follows up on what recommendations. This is what he said about the Conservatives. In this report of 2003, he said: "It was apparent to us this year that there were far too many areas where prior year concerns -- often going back four, five, six or even 10 years -- had not been satisfactorily addressed.... There is no excuse for a lack of effective action after so many years have passed."

This is what he's saying now about our government. He said, "I have seen an improvement over the past three years.... Of particular interest is the number of audits where the progress made to date is not only satisfactory but significant -- action is being taken on all recommendations, with a number already having been substantially implemented."

When we get advice and recommendations from the Provincial Auditor, we act on them. Not only that, we increased the ambit of his authority so that he can look at more places, which the opposite side refused to allow him to enter into.

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is to the Premier. I notice there's no answer on the specific question of today, so that's some follow-up.

I want to read two statements that have been made about the wait times website. The first is from your Minister of Health on October 24, 2005, when he described the website as "up-to-date," "reliable and accurate." On December 5, 2006, the Auditor General of Ontario, an independent officer of this Legislature, said the website was "misleading and ought to be taken with a grain of salt."

For people waiting and often suffering while they wait for tests and treatment, the issue has once again become the credibility of the Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty. My question for the Premier is this: When it comes to wait times in Ontario, who should Ontarians believe? The Premier and the Minister of Health, who obviously have a huge interest in making things look good, or the Auditor General, an independent officer of this Legislature who says your wait time figures are misleading? Who should we believe?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): The Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The people of Ontario should have confidence in the information that is gathered and presented to them. Indeed, the circumstances are very clear. Respectfully, we beg to differ with the approach that is on offer from the Auditor General. He suggests in his report that it's not appropriate to characterize all patients together for the same services. We beg to differ. We think it's crucial that we measure circumstances related to all patients and not create distinctions.

But on this point, we take everything the Auditor General says seriously. We're working with those experts we rely upon for advice to take a look at the suggestions that are on offer from the Auditor General. This is not work that has been taken lightly. It has involved people who are esteemed in their field, and they provided a lot of leadership around this, under the direction of Dr. Anne Keller from St. Michael's Hospital.

We recognize that there is a distinction in his approach from that which we've taken. We stand by ours; we think it's right. We agree that there are always opportunities to look for improvement, and indeed we'll take the comments the Auditor General offers in that spirit and we'll be very --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you. Supplementary?

Mr. Tory: The minister's answer betrays what part of the problem is here. The fact is that the Auditor General has caught the government red-handed giving Ontarians wait time information he described as misleading. He, too, gathered information and presented it to the public -- not just you -- and he's an independent officer of this Legislature who has no interest in advancing his own case. He says the wait time measurements vary from hospital to hospital, and he says the very thing you take such pride in talking about, that a patient is a patient is a patient, is a misleading way to calculate these wait times. Surely you can't compare someone who is in the hospital to get a test with someone waiting outside the hospital for a test and just average them all together.

The site was updated not long ago. It says that people in Peterborough are waiting 32 days for an MRI, but we know from the auditor's report that it could well be the case that they're waiting twice as long -- 64 days -- for that test. The 90th percentile, in fact, is 53 days.

So can you tell us what is the actual wait time for an MRI in Peterborough, not based on your data that the Auditor General --

The Speaker: The question has been asked.

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: I say to the honourable member that he wants to pretend again that all patients are not together; that there are distinctions among patients. We think it's absolutely crucial that we present information to people that is understandable; not with 1,000 columns, but with the columns that reflect the very real circumstances.

If you are a patient in the Peterborough community seeking access to that hospital for the purposes of an MRI, we have collected data in a fashion that speaks very honestly to the circumstances for that patient group.

Again, we say that the honourable member likes to present a circumstance here and likes to characterize it in such a fashion that all those experts -- led by Dr. Anne Keller and involving Dr. Alan Hudson, one of the foremost medical practitioners known to our country -- have hosed the public. This is the suggestion the honourable member is offering.

I stand here as one who has accepted the judgment of experts in this area. We'll look very carefully at the advice the Auditor General offers, but we stand by our information. No matter how you measure it, 90th percentile --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

Mr. Tory: I can't believe that the minister actually believes and wants the House and, more importantly, the public to believe there is no difference between someone in the hospital waiting for a test and someone outside the hospital.

The Auditor General himself said the average for someone waiting for a test in the hospital is one day. You will not find anybody outside the hospital who is waiting one day for a test, and when you average that in, you are, according to the Auditor General, misleading the public as to what the real time is that they have to wait for the test. So these are, by his admission, bogus numbers.

All we're asking you to do is tell the public the truth. If you want to break it out on the basis that all the patients should be shown, then show, as he suggests, how long the people in the hospital and the people outside the hospital are waiting, so that the majority, who are outside the hospital, will have a real number to look at. Why wouldn't you do that in the interest of fairly and accurately informing the public so that your website and the $2-million propaganda ad campaign won't, as the Auditor General said, mislead the public? Why not?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The evidence is very clear that a 78% increase in access to MRIs in our province has resulted in lower wait times for the people of Ontario.

If the honourable member now wishes to change his stance -- he stood in this place in the spring session and said, "You must offer these measurements on the basis of the 90th percentile," and we altered it to present it in the way that the honourable opposition leader himself suggested on that day.

Interjections.

The Speaker: I need to be able to hear the Minister of Health. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: They don't like to hear it. But now he suggests, in a fashion that works well for him today, that we should alter that course.

The circumstances are clear. If we distinguish in the fashion that the honourable Auditor General has recommended -- and we'll take a very close look at that -- the conclusion will be drawn for the people of Ontario in a very clear fashion: Wait times are down for MRIs in Ontario.

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ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
AND HYDRO ONE

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): My question is for the Premier. The McGuinty government admits there is a problem with the corporate culture at Hydro One, a culture of entitlement. Indeed, there is a problem when the chief executive officer runs $45,000 of his expenses through an assistant's credit card in order to escape accountability. Indeed, there is a problem when expense control measures are circumvented by the very person who's supposed to enforce them, the chief executive officer.

Premier, the chief executive officer sets the corporate culture. If you want to change the corporate culture at Hydro One, then I suggest you change the chief executive officer. When is the McGuinty government going to fire Mr. Parkinson, the chief executive officer?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Energy.

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy): I am delighted that our government allowed the Auditor General to go into Hydro One and OPG to look at their response. I'm also glad -- they laugh across the way -- that we applied freedom of information to Hydro One and OPG. I'm also glad that we provided for full salary disclosure at OPG and Hydro One. We're letting the sun shine in.

This government has a responsibility that it takes very seriously to protect the integrity of those two utilities. We will act according to the recommendations of the auditor in a way that we believe protects not only the interests of the corporation itself but, more importantly, the interests of all consumers in Ontario. That's our responsibility. We take it seriously. We will act appropriately and in a timely fashion.

Mr. Hampton: I think this rests with the Premier. The Premier says that he wants to promote open, transparent and accountable government. This is not the first time that the chief executive officer at Hydro One has abused his privileges. Only a short while ago he was caught taking joyrides on the Hydro One corporate helicopter. This is someone whose pay is way out of line with every other public utility in Canada. The McGuinty government says you scold him, but it would appear to me he is laughing in the face of the McGuinty government.

Premier, the average person on the street wouldn't put up with this conduct, this nonsense, for one minute. Why does the McGuinty government pander to Mr. Parkinson and his incredible greed? When is the McGuinty government going to do something? When are you going to fire Mr. Parkinson, the CEO At Hydro One?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: This government takes very seriously its responsibility with respect to Hydro One, as we did with OPG three years ago now when we had to make a number of changes there with respect to getting that company back to profitability, where I'm pleased to say it is today.

Our first responsibility is the integrity of the organization, and that integrity is vital to the interests of consumers in Ontario. This government and this Premier put their interests first and will act accordingly, and that is why we were pleased to receive, though disappointed in, the findings of the Auditor General. We'll deal with them in an appropriate fashion, in a timely way, to ensure that the integrity of the corporation and, more importantly, the confidence of Ontario consumers are maintained.

Mr. Hampton: Premier, this is someone who has sought to avoid scrutiny. This is someone who sought to avoid his expenses being covered by an audit process and by the board of directors at Hydro One. That is certainly a firing offence. This is someone who collects a huge pay packet, out of all proportion to everybody else who runs a public hydro utility in Canada. Yet the McGuinty government says with the uncovering of this information that you are not really going to do anything. This is somebody who's laughing in the face of hydro consumers across the province who can't pay their bill.

I'm going to ask the Premier again: We've heard you give the speech, Premier, but the talk is cheap. It's time to clean up the corporate greed over at Hydro One, and you must start by getting rid of the person who leads the organization. When is the McGuinty government going to fire the chief executive officer, Mr. Parkinson, at Hydro One?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: This government has taken a number of steps to ensure the integrity of that corporation. In fact, the corporation has had three credit rating improvements in the last year. That being said, these recommendations from the auditor are very serious recommendations that we do not take lightly. We are going to deal with them. We began dealing with them yesterday afternoon upon receipt. We will deal with them in a responsible fashion. We will deal with them in a way that protects the interests of Ontario hydro consumers in every region of the province.

These issues are important. I am glad that we have the provincial auditor looking at companies like Hydro One and OPG. I am glad that we brought in freedom of information. I am glad that we brought in salary disclosure. We take our responsibility to act on these recommendations very seriously and we will do so in a way that protects the interests of all consumers in Ontario.

CT SCANS

Mr. Howard Hampton (Kenora-Rainy River): To the Premier -- and it sounds like we're going to get more McGuinty speeches and no action -- yesterday, the Auditor General revealed children are being exposed to massive doses of radiation when they go for CT scans. One CT scan for a child can equal up to 4,000 X-rays, eight times what adults face in CT scans, and children exposed to radiation are at greater risk of developing radiation-related cancers later in life. Despite the startling facts, proper CT scan settings for children were not used at least 50% of the time in Ontario hospitals.

The minister said yesterday that he's known about this for at least three months. My question is, why didn't your minister warn parents and children when he first found out about this three months ago?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): The honourable member has attributed a statement to me that is inaccurate. I think the procedure works this way: As a result of the legislation we passed and the circumstance where the Auditor General seeks to be involved with someone in the broader public sector, that is the engagement that is had.

I believe that the ministry may have been aware of this for approximately three weeks. Here are the steps that have been taken to address this. First off, we've seen that the Ontario Hospital Association, which has very clear responsibilities, put out a release that said, as the Auditor General noted in his report, that "hospitals we visited had general radiological policies based on the ALARA" -- as low as reasonably achievable -- "principle."

We are concerned, of course, with the detail of the report. Further to the work that the Ontario Hospital Association has been involved in, we struck as of September a safety committee which will be reporting in 2007. Further, my deputy minister has called together three groups that have primary responsibility here: the Ontario Hospital Association, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, and the College of Medical Radiation Technologists of Ontario. I can assure all members that we will not rest until we've enhanced the capacity to provide --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Supplementary.

Mr. Hampton: The Auditor General says that 94% of referring paediatricians underestimated the amount of radiation children faced when getting CT scans and that hospitals performing pediatric CTs did not keep records of young patients receiving multiple CT scans.

Minister, you may want to change your tune today. You said yesterday you had known about the situation for three months but you did not warn the public until the Auditor General blew the whistle yesterday.

I say this to the Premier: Between the day the minister found out unsuspecting children were being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation and yesterday, when the Auditor General blew the whistle, can the Premier tell us how many children underwent CT scans in that three-month period of time?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The work of the Auditor General relates to three particular hospitals where his staff conducted an investigation. Over the course of several months, one anticipates that the Auditor General and his staff were in touch with those hospitals. So awareness in the hospitals in particular where the concerns had been raised has been longstanding. One assumes that appropriate action was taken on their part.

The ministry's response to this has been related to drawing to the attention of and ensuring that those who are responsible for these actions -- those are the groups I mentioned earlier, the Ontario Hospital Association and the two colleges, recognizing that the staff people who are administering this work are members of regulated health professions. Accordingly, my deputy minister is bringing those parties together, and as we move forward through the work of the safety committee which had been struck as of September 2006, Ontario will be in a position to have moved forward with guidelines that do not exist in any other jurisdiction. We depend upon these front-line health care providers, who are regulated; we depend upon the Ontario Hospital Association for the actions that are taking place in their environments. Through the work of our deputy minister, we are ensuring that they move --

The Speaker: Thank you. Final supplementary.

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Mr. Hampton: The Auditor General indicated yesterday that the Minister of Health and his officials knew in September about these dangerous levels of radiation. But we shouldn't be surprised. The Auditor General showed that the minister's wait-time ads can't be trusted either.

Now your reporting on patient safety is the issue. Over one million people had CT scans last year. Many of them were children, and the Auditor General says that 20% of the diagnostic imaging tests, including MRIs and CTs, are not even clinically appropriate, which means that you may have had up to 200,000 getting CT scans when they may not have needed them.

Patients deserve to be told about the risks involved in this procedure. Can the minister tell us: What action have you taken to notify all of those parents whose children were exposed to unsafe levels of radiation this fall? Have you taken any steps to explain the health risks?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: First off, I will say to the honourable member again, with respect to the notice period, that he is inaccurate, and he is informing the House even after he has been told of that. I think that is a very, very important point.

We have created a law that allows the Auditor General to look harder, to go further and to highlight areas of concern. He has done that in a very instructive way, and in fact he was involved with those three particular hospitals through his staff. Further to that, we're working, through the auspices of our deputy minister and through a committee that has been struck to look at the safety of the administration of radiation services, to ensure that Ontario, going forward, has a standard no other province can point to.

The honourable member speaks about clinical appropriateness. I can say too that through the expert committee, which is chaired by Dr. Anne Keller, we're working very vigorously. We're proud that we've enhanced access to these diagnostic services. We agree that these regulated health professionals must be doing their work in concordance with all of the best guidance and regulations. That that has not occurred in every instance --

The Speaker: Thank you.

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
AND HYDRO ONE

Mr. John Tory (Leader of the Opposition): My question is for the Premier. We've heard today, again, a lot of words about the taxpayers' money and protection of the taxpayers' money. We heard the minister talking about the integrity of the corporations over in the power generation and distribution sector being maintained. We haven't heard something that's equally important: about the integrity of the broader public sector and any shred of accountability we can see being exercised here. The taxpayers are simply fed up with hearing these kinds of statements that say, "We understand, we feel your pain and we know why you're upset," and then that is followed by precisely nothing being done about it.

So my question is very simple: What specific steps have you taken to bring forward the report we asked for eight months ago about the bonus that Mr. Parkinson received for half a million dollars, without explanation, and what specific steps are going to be taken about the $50,000 in expenses we heard about in the Auditor General's report yesterday? Specifically, what are you going to do about it?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of the Energy.

Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy): Specifically, I met yesterday afternoon, upon receipt of the report, with the chair of Hydro One. I meet with the chair on a monthly basis. In addition, I have reviewed all of the auditor's recommendations. A number of them have been acted upon already. There is more to do, and we will do that.

In addition, I should point out, since the Leader of the Opposition did reference OPG, that I have also had a meeting with Mr. Epp -- albeit over the telephone. A number of the auditor's recommendations have been acted upon. There are a number left to do.

I have also directed Mr. Epp and Ms. Burak to go beyond the auditor's recommendations and look at a number of other areas that I think we should be looking at in this context. I will report to the House in the fullness of time with respect to the resolution of those issues.

Finally, we continue to deal with the matters on an ongoing basis.

Mr. Tory: I would say respectfully to the Premier that when he chooses not to stand in his place and answer these direct questions with respect to something that goes right to the accountability that the Premier of Ontario must show for every dollar of taxpayers' money, every ministry, every policy, every corporation in the control of his government, it shows a failure to take accountability.

I would ask the Premier this: What is wrong with this course of action that you could have taken yesterday, if not long before? Instruct them to tell us now the basis upon which the bonus was paid. They should have known it when they paid it. Instruct them now to cut down on the number of corporate credit cards. Instruct them now to tighten the rules about the use of those credit cards. Instruct them now to impose sanctions on those who abuse the taxpayers' money and abuse those credit cards, and instruct them now to show some leadership in sanctioning the people who have abused the taxpayers' money and broken the rules. Why don't you tell them to do that today?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: I wish the Leader of the Opposition had been here about three years ago. He might have told the previous government not to give Michael Gourley $3.7 million in untendered contracts. He might have told the previous government not to give Paul Rhodes $335,000 for strategic communications advice. OPG might not have been left in a bankrupt position. When we came in, we turned it around. It's profitable and giving money back to this province and to the ratepayers of Ontario.

This Premier has taken a leadership role in getting those companies back in order and in shape. We acknowledge that there is more to do. What did they leave? They left a bankrupt public utility. They left a utility that was bleeding $100 million a month. It's now making money. Hydro One has had its credit rating increased three times under this Premier's leadership. There's more to do; we're going to do it. And, by the way, we're going to deal with contracts that your government signed a few years ago. That's what we're going to deal with.

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. Stop the clock. Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Member for Simcoe-Grey. The member for Nickel Belt is waiting patiently to place her question.

HEALTH CARDS

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a question for the Premier. The Auditor General expressed [inaudible] yesterday about the lack of controls to ensure that only eligible Ontarians have OHIP cards. He said that there are more than "10,000 extra cards in ... regions that border the United States." Secondly, that almost 12,000 OHIP cards were used in different regions across the province within a very short period of time, "possibly indicating that health card numbers were being used inappropriately." Thirdly, that although the Ministry of Health's fraud program branch is staffed with OPP officers and fraud examiners, the branch had no mandate to conduct fraud audits and no access to health records that would allow them to investigate suspicious cases.

Premier, OHIP cards provide vital access to Ontario's health care services. What are you doing to protect them?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Health.

Hon. George Smitherman (Deputy Premier, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care): I do want to thank again the Auditor General for the excellent work. I think that the OHIP system is one that has been the subject of lots of reports over time. It's large, and accordingly, it's very, very helpful to have that kind of a perspective.

I think that there is some progress to report. While there is more to be done, of course, over the course of the year or so that the investigation by the Auditor General was ongoing, the ministry has worked very, very vigorously to take those excess cards out of circulation. I can report to the honourable member that to date, 250,000 cards have been determined to be ineligible and therefore not active. As of October 1, 2006, the total number of valid and active health cards was 12.52 million, while Ontario's population is 12.69 million.

There is more work to do on this file. With the benefit of the report from the Auditor General, we will continue to move that forward. I think we've made good steps, and I want to thank the people from the ministry, who have been very diligent in this regard.

Ms. Martel: The question was, what is the government doing to protect OHIP cards?

Let me raise a very specific case with the Premier. A letter was sent to the Ministry of Health a week ago from Joanne Bruyere of Fort Francis. Joanne says, "A few weeks ago, I received an envelope in the mail from a company by the name of Medtronic [which included] two identification cards that state I received a pacemaker."

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Joanne continues, "I called the company (and found out) the doctor who did the surgery ... the hospital it was done at ... (in Montreal, Quebec) ... and the date of the surgery.

"All the information on the card is my personal information, the only problem I have is I have never been to Montreal, have never seen this doctor and I don't have a pacemaker."

Joanne says, "I believe someone may be using my OHIP card fraudulently."

She's never lost her card; it's never been stolen. If things are getting better, how is it that Joanne's personal health information was so abused?

Hon. Mr. Smitherman: The honourable member has rather a little more experience than me at the presentation of information related to the health care system. But what I would say is that it is not appropriate ever to talk about an individual Ontarian's circumstances; that is, about the protection of personal information. If the honourable member would like to await a response in terms of the particular circumstances, we will work through that, but let me give one example which I think is noteworthy in terms of the verification work that the Auditor General called for.

In fairly recent order, we've gone from 200 to 10,000 letters per week that are going out to Ontarians verifying the information we have on file for them. I did suggest in my earlier answer that good progress has been made, but I agree that there is more work to be done. The report from the Auditor General gives us good advice in that regard and the people of Ontario should know that we'll be addressing it on point.

INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM FUNDING

Mr. Khalil Ramal (London-Fanshawe): My question is for the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. The city of London has grown rapidly to become one of the largest municipalities in southwest Ontario. Many of my constituents have been residents and have seen it grow. They know that infrastructure investment is a particular priority there.

They know that the roads and highways that we drive on are essential to moving goods and keeping the economy strong. They know that universities and colleges that students in my riding attend are crucial for making sure that we are the smartest and the brightest we can be. They know that hospitals need to be up to date and that wait times decrease so that we stay healthy and have the best health care in the country. They know that these are the types of infrastructure investments we need in London and around the province.

London was neglected by the previous government. The Tory government didn't see infrastructure as a priority. They didn't see London as a priority. What is the McGuinty government doing to make sure that London is getting the infrastructure investment --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): The question's been asked. The Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal.

Hon. David Caplan (Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Deputy Government House Leader): Not only has the question been asked, but this member, the member from London-Fanshawe, is a tireless advocate for more investment in his riding and more investment in his city. He's right, infrastructure is a priority and previous governments should have invested more. But Premier McGuinty knows, and I know, that infrastructure investment is key to the region, to southwestern Ontario and the city of London. That's why we've developed a plan. That's why we've developed ReNew Ontario, a $30-billion infrastructure investment plan.

Hospital projects in the London area are a particular priority and are moving quickly; specifically, the redevelopment project at St. Joseph's acute ambulatory care facility; a new state-of-the-art facility for diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine imaging at the London Health Sciences Centre; the renovations at the St. Joseph's hospital for a surgical and diagnostic imaging centre. The University of Western Ontario has received almost $20 million to upgrade and build new facilities and there is our program to invest in southern Ontario highways, $3.4 billion to help people and goods to get to and from --

The Speaker: Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr. Ramal: Thank you, Minister. I appreciate that the McGuinty government is listening to the people of London and building new hospitals, roads and highways, and making sure our universities and colleges are --

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Member for London-Fanshawe.

Mr. Ramal: Thank you, Mr. Speaker -- and making sure our universities and colleges have the buildings and equipment they need.

Since 2003, the people of London are finally seeing huge investments in their community. While I appreciate that London is receiving new investments in infrastructure, how can I demonstrate to my constituents that we are making real progress? They want more investments made in recreation centres so that young men and women have places to go to play sports, stay off the streets and maintain a healthy lifestyle. They want more investments made in our vulnerable people so that women and children have a place to go when they are in need. They want more investments made in their libraries, children centres and many places. Minister, you can tell my constituents what the McGuinty government is doing to make --

The Speaker: The question has been asked. Minister?

Hon. Mr. Caplan: The member from London-Fanshawe has so much drive and enthusiasm when it comes to demanding more for his constituents, and I appreciate that this member is advocating for some of the most vulnerable in our society.

I know that it's important that we invest in health care, whether it is a $5-billion health care program, a $10-billion program for schools, $11 billion for transportation, but he knows, just as I do, that targeted investments in local communities yield big results. To that end, my colleague the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing has made sure we've invested in affordable housing projects in London to help those London residents into a new home. My colleague the Minister of Health Promotion has made sure we've invested in recreation and sports centres so that our children have places to play and go after school. My colleague the Minister of Children and Youth Services has invested in treatment centres for children so that our most vulnerable can get the help they need. These are the types of targeted investments that make a huge difference in the lives of people.

CHILDREN'S AID SOCIETIES

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): Speaking of the Minister of Children and Youth Services, this question is for her. Yesterday the minister acknowledged that she first learned her department traded kids for cars in October. She also indicated her deputy minister knew of the AG's report in September. That raises a lot of questions about this minister's competency. She stood by when children's aid societies spent $60,000 on luxury cars, $2,500 on gym memberships and $150 on car washes. She abandoned risk assessments, cancelled financial reviews, ignored quarterly reports, and now we learn from the minister, who is supposedly responsible, that she learned a whole month after her deputy did of the misappropriation of tax dollars to protect Ontario's most vulnerable kids.

Who's responsible for her department? Is it her or is it her deputy?

Hon. Mary Anne V. Chambers (Minister of Children and Youth Services): The member from Nepean-Carleton is just a little bit too sensational and a little bit less than accurate in what she's saying. Let me tell you what we're doing --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. I need to be able to hear the minister respond. Minister?

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: I actually insisted on receiving a draft copy of the report early in October and got personally involved in that right away. That's why our action plans in my ministry and, in fact, for children's aid societies actually reflect activities that are already underway, some of which have already been completed.

One of the action items in my ministry is the creation of a new accountability office, which will be in place in January and will monitor whether children's aid societies are meeting their legislative requirements for the care and protection of children and ensure corrective action is taken as needed. That office will also assess and report on agency --

The Speaker: Thank you, Minister. Supplementary?

Ms. MacLeod: Too bad we couldn't have a little bit more compassion and a little less condescension from the minister. It's about what she wasn't doing then, not about what she's professing to do now. This minister is either responsible for her department or not. By all accounts, she was asleep at the switch or she just didn't care that her department was grossly mishandling tax dollars meant for children at risk. The minister has a lot to answer for.

After all this time, since September when her deputy minister found out and October since the minister herself found out, can the minister inform this House who has been held responsible for the shameful antics in her department? Who has been fired? Who will stand up and take responsibility? Or is she waiting for someone else to stand up and take responsibility? Let us know, Minister.

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Hon. Mrs. Chambers: Let me tell you a little bit more about what my ministry is doing. I'm really very pleased that my ministry's actions actually go well beyond what the Auditor General has asked us to do. We're accepting and implementing all of his recommendations, and he has actually expressed satisfaction with the fact that we are doing all of what we are doing.

The accountability office will also provide my ministry staff with the training and tools they need to provide better oversight and create a new culture of continuous improvement for CASs. We're also requiring children's aid societies to meet higher standards, as non-discretionary as those of the Ontario public service for its own employees and programs in such areas as the procurement of goods and services, travel, meals and other expenses, hospitality, and the management of fleet vehicles; and to conduct an independent assessment of the fleet requirements of children's aid societies, so that where less expensive alternatives exist, CASs will be directed to relinquish vehicles as quickly and economically as possible --

The Speaker: Thank you. New question?

Ms. Andrea Horwath (Hamilton East): My question is for the Premier. Premier, yesterday's Auditor General report is a scathing indictment of your failure to stand up for Ontario's children, who you are supposed to be protecting. There was no government oversight while children's aid society executives spent a billion dollars and at-risk children waited too long for help. Your government ignored reports, cut reviews and failed to uphold its duty to oversee the spending practices of children's aid societies. You claim to be taking action, but the auditor says that you failed to act on his last report on child welfare six years ago.

Children cannot wait another six years, Premier. Will you ask the Auditor General to conduct another audit of children's aid societies and the child welfare system next year, so that the people of Ontario are able to judge for themselves whether corrective measures have actually been taken by your government?

Hon. Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Research and Innovation): To the Minister of Children and Youth Services.

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: The member from Hamilton East probably wasn't here for my statement yesterday, so I will just remind her that the statement actually included a comment that I am also inviting the Auditor General to undertake a follow-up audit of these four CASs in 2007 to assess the progress that has been made.

There is no question that the findings and recommendations in the Auditor General's report represent a real opportunity for everyone involved in the child welfare and protection system to work together to strengthen it. There is an attitudinal change that is occurring, an understanding that this is a new day, a new era, and that there are higher standards to be met. Let me just --

The Speaker: Response?

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: I will stop here. In the supplementary, I'll speak a little bit more about what we're doing.

Ms. Horwath: The last-minute CAS damage control office that the minister announced, quite frankly, doesn't go far enough, in our opinion. Your government has to live up to its responsibilities under the new law to protect and care for children at risk. Vulnerable children are being left in harm's way because of what observers call lackadaisical care, abysmal record-keeping, weak oversight and questionable spending on cars and holidays.

You've misguidedly said no to Ombudsman oversight of children's aid societies, but will you definitely ask the Auditor General to conduct another audit of children's aid societies and the whole child welfare system to ensure your government's complicity won't put vulnerable children at risk again?

Hon. Mrs. Chambers: I'm realizing that the member from Hamilton East is not really listening to the answers, but I will repeat some of them.

One of the things that I'm proudest of is the fact that it was our government that extended the powers of the Auditor General so that we could understand what was going on in places like the children's aid societies, and also that we would be able to make sure that we're taking the appropriate actions to ensure that there is a higher standard of care and a higher standard of efficiency and effective management of taxpayers' dollars in this sector. So I will certainly look forward to a follow-up audit of children's aid societies and the child protection system next year.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORTS

Mr. Jim Brownell (Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh): My question is to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities. Minister, I often hear from my constituents how difficult it is to access government services. We all know that you can look in the blue pages in any phone book, but for most people it's hard to find the numbers they need, and even if they do find the right numbers to call, they don't always find what they're looking for. Consider how this could be especially difficult for newcomers to Ontario or those individuals whose first language may not be English or French. In particular, many job seekers are unaware of the variety of employment and training services offered by our government and are unsure of where to go or how to access them. Minister, to solve this problem, you recently launched Employment Ontario, Ontario's employment and training network. My question is, how will Employment Ontario benefit job seekers in my riding, and in particular those who are newcomers to Ontario?

Hon. Christopher Bentley (Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities): I'd like to thank the member from Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh for his hard work in trying to make the system more usable for the people who need it, whether they're businesses or individuals. Employment Ontario is the place to start when you don't know where to start. It brings together the 470 different service providers in 900 locations across the province of Ontario and ensures that no matter where you are, you can find the services easily. You access them through a 1-800 number and they will provide you the services in the community -- such as Cornwall -- dealing with everything from simple job advice to literacy services, upgrading services, enhanced skills training or apprenticeship services. If you happen to be an employer, you can access it through a website --

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Order. Member for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke. Minister.

Hon. Mr. Bentley: I know there are people in the parties opposite who don't really care about making the system user-friendly, but at the end of the day it's not about the programs, it's about the workers and the businesses that need to access them, and that's why we've brought in Employment Ontario. We're making government work for the people of Ontario, not for the government.

Mr. Brownell: We know that over 70% of all new jobs in Ontario require some form of post-secondary education or training. In an age where technological innovation is one of the key sources of productivity gains, Ontario needs an increasingly skilled workforce to attract business and compete for the jobs that will help the province prosper. In the global race for talent, employers are constantly looking for skilled workers who will keep their companies competitive in their sector. Minister, how does Employment Ontario help individuals who may not already have the education or training necessary to compete for the types of jobs that Ontario needs to sustain economic growth?

Hon. Mr. Bentley: For example, if a worker in Cornwall is looking for job advice, they might not know about the Job Connect office in Cornwall and the additional funds we've put in there to support enhanced services. So they call the Employment Ontario number and tell them where they're looking and what issue they're looking for. Or if they're looking for pre-apprenticeship programs, they might not know about the announcement that was just released by the member from Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh about enhanced services there. You can call Employment Ontario. Or if they're looking for academic upgrading, for example -- one of the additional almost 5,000 people in the province of Ontario who will benefit from this -- where would they start? They can call Employment Ontario and they'll be referred on. Or if they're looking at the great programs at St. Lawrence College's campus in Cornwall, they can phone Employment Ontario and be directed to exactly what they need in the way they need it. That is the way that the member from Stormont-Dundas-Charlottenburgh is making government programs work for the people in his constituency.

ONTARIO POWER GENERATION
AND HYDRO ONE

Mr. John Yakabuski (Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke): My question is for the Minister of Energy. Minister, earlier this year when you were asked by people driven into unemployment by your government about the escalating rates of electricity that you guys have been responsible for, your answer was to get some red wine and some warm blankets. Now, what are you telling these people when the auditor is telling us that the CEO of Hydro One was able to avoid the board of directors scrutiny of his expenses by having them put on his secretary's credit card, which certainly gives the appearance of trying to launder one's expenses through someone else: over $50,000 being put on a secretary's credit card because he knew that if he put it on his, he would have to have the scrutiny of the board.

What are you telling working families and people out of work in Ontario about your electricity policies, and what are you going to do about what happened at Hydro One, with $50,000 of expenses put on a secretary's credit card?

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Hon. Dwight Duncan (Minister of Energy): First of all, I'll tell the citizens of Ontario that the price of electricity is lower now than when we took office. We'll tell them that first. That's from the Independent Electricity System Operator.

I indicated earlier in the House that we take these matters very seriously. That's why we asked the auditor to go in and look at Hydro One and OPG. That's why we brought in freedom of information, unlike the government you were part of. That's why we provided for salary disclosure.

There is more work to be done. I have met with the chairs of both OPG and Hydro One. We will act in the interests of consumers in this province, in a timely and responsible fashion, as I did when we moved to clean up the mess your government left at OPG. These issues are complex. They seem easy on the face. We pledged to the people of Ontario that we would manage the electricity system in a responsible fashion. We will address these matters in both a responsible and a timely --

The Speaker (Hon. Michael A. Brown): Thank you, Minister. Supplementary?

Mr. Yakabuski: Minister, the electricity rates paid by working families and those forced out of work by your government in this province are up some 50% since you took office. So we'll get that one straight right off the bat.

You talked about disclosure. Earlier this year, you talked about disclosure with regard to why the CEO of Hydro One was paid a $500,000 bonus. We have heard nothing on that. Now we would like some disclosure with regard to your quote to CP yesterday that heads could roll if you don't get some answers. Whose heads at Hydro One are you talking about? Certainly not the poor secretary who was just doing what she was told. I'd like to know whose head is going to roll at Hydro One if you don't get some answers, and when might we expect the answers?

Hon. Mr. Duncan: This government will act in the best interests of Ontario consumers, in a timely and responsible fashion. With regard to the options the government has, there are a number, and we're looking at them. That's why I met with the chair of Hydro One; that's why I met with the chair of OPG.

One of the things this government is most proud of is that we took a virtually bankrupt OPG, and now it's making money for the people of Ontario and paying down the unfunded liability to the tune of $1.1 billion this year. Hydro One has had three credit rating increases this year alone. We are going to continue to make progress. We have begun to address the auditor's report, and we will take appropriate steps, in a timely fashion, to address the issues that have been raised by the Auditor General in his report.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

Mr. Michael Prue (Beaches-East York): My question is to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. On October 24, I submitted a petition to this House, in your direction, about the sorry state of affairs in the city of Vaughan, the so-called city above Toronto, whose residents today are calling it the city above the law.

Vaughan citizens have begged you through the petition, through letters, through people coming into your office and meeting with your staff, and in front of news conferences to investigate years of allegations of suspected wrongdoing in their city.

On November 24, one of your staffers met with a delegation who outlined their concerns. They then held a press conference, and your staffers were at that press conference here at Queen's Park.

Minister, will you come to the aid of these citizens and order an investigation, as you have been petitioned to do?

Hon. John Gerretsen (Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing): I thank the member very much for the question. Let me just say that we're very pleased that the duly elected council for the city of Vaughan was sworn in the other day. Elections were held there, just like they were everywhere else in the province. It was a very close election for the position of mayor. A recount was done, and the result speaks for itself.

As the member well knows, the municipal clerks are responsible for the administration of the municipal elections. We're very pleased that all of the numerous elections that took place across the province of Ontario, many of them in tight races, were conducted in as expert a fashion as they were. I think we should congratulate the municipal clerks clear across this province for running really, truly democratic elections, allowing the people of the various municipalities to state who they want to serve in councils for the next four years, and we're pleased with that.

Mr. Prue: I think the minister must have had the wrong briefing note. I'm not talking about the election; I'm talking about their request to investigate alleged wrongdoings in the city of Vaughan.

We've heard about years of alleged questionable practices in the city of Vaughan. The recent municipal election was marred with nastiness, yes, but that's not what this question is about. Vaughan citizens have elected a new mayor and I'm glad that she has been sworn in, but Mayor Jackson wants to get to the bottom of the allegations. The number one thing she said on being sworn in is that she wants your help to hold a public inquiry into what has happened in her city.

Minister, my question is very simple: Will you respond to the mayor of Vaughan and the good citizens of that city today and order an immediate investigation into their city's affairs?

Hon. Mr. Gerretsen: As the member has already stated, a member from my ministry met with the delegation, and it was attended by members of my staff as well. We're looking at the petition, we're studying it currently, but as the member also knows, the individual who had a lot to say about what was going on apparently in Vaughan, according to some individuals, is now the duly elected mayor of Vaughan, and obviously she can conduct whatever investigations she wants internally, to look at any matter as it relates to that municipality. We believe that's the best way to go about it, but we will certainly, in our ministry, assist however we can in order to make the city of Vaughan function as the citizens of Vaughan obviously would want it to.

TOURISM

Ms. Monique M. Smith (Nipissing): My question is for the Minister of Tourism. Minister, judging by the cold weather and snow that we've seen over the last few days -- and certainly we've had a lot of snow in North Bay -- it feels like winter has certainly arrived. I know that a lot of my constituents are looking forward to their upcoming holidays and wondering what new and exciting events and activities they can partake of during our vacation time.

In my riding of Nipissing, there is an abundance of great things for residents and tourists to enjoy. I'd like you to share, Minister, what other events and attractions are available for people travelling throughout northern Ontario over our winter months.

Hon. James J. Bradley (Minister of Tourism, minister responsible for seniors, Government House Leader): That was a great question, and I have some information for the member right here.

Northern Ontario is full of exciting and enjoyable things to do in the winter months. For people travelling through northern Ontario on snowmobiles or looking for cross-country skiing, there's an abundance of trails throughout the north and throughout the entire province for people to get out and enjoy.

In addition, the north is host to many winter festivals and events. Visitors can get their hands on some of the greatest snow on earth at the Ontario Winter Carnival Bon Soo in Sault Ste. Marie or jump back in time at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay for the delightful recreation of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol.

Tours of the sugar bush, horse-drawn hayrides, ice climbing, snowshoeing, polar bear watching and outdoor adventures are around every corner of the north. Hidden gems of winter enjoyment are found throughout northern Ontario.

PETITIONS

DAIRY INDUSTRY

Mr. Bill Murdoch (Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound): I have just been handed this petition with about 2,000 names on it from many ridings in Toronto here. It's to the Parliament of Ontario.

"Whereas citizens should have the right to make informed decisions about how, where and by whom our food is grown and produced; and

"To prohibit the availability of raw milk to those of us who take responsibility for our own health and inform ourselves about how to best do that is a basic violation of our right to make informed choices;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario to:

" -- have Minister Ramsay return all the equipment, documents and other items removed from Glencolton Farm; and

" -- have the government agree to be financially liable for the personal property of cow shareowners; and

" -- agree in writing that Glencolton Farm is to be free to carry on its service to the cowshare owners until and unless all of the issues have been dealt with in court or in the Legislative Assembly or Parliament of Ontario."

Again, these came from and around Toronto.

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TUITION

Mr. Gilles Bisson (Timmins-James Bay): I have a petition here signed by a number of people from communities up around my riding, from Kapuskasing, the Mattice area, and it reads as follows:

"To Stop Tuition Fee Hikes and Improve Access and Quality In Post-Secondary Education

"Whereas the Ontario Liberal government cancelled the tuition fee freeze after only two years and approved fee increases of up to 36% over the next four years; and

"Whereas tuition fees in Ontario have increased by more than four times the rate of inflation over the past 15 years; and

"Whereas a majority of Ontarians oppose tuition fee increases and support greater public funding for colleges and universities; and

"Whereas improvements to student financial assistance are undermined by fee increases; and

"Whereas the Ontario government's recent increase to student loan limits is set to push student debt to approximately $28,000 for a four-year program; and

"Whereas per-student investment in Ontario still lags significantly behind the vast majority of jurisdictions in North America;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, support the Canadian Federation of Students' call to stop tuition fee hikes and petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to:

" -- reduce tuition fees to 2004 levels for all students in Ontario and implement an immediate tuition fee freeze;

" -- increase public funding for post-secondary education to promote access and quality;

" -- expand access to financial aid in Ontario, especially for part-time students; and

" -- double the number of upfront, need-based grants for Ontario students."

I've signed that petition.

REGULATION OF ZOOS

Ms. Jennifer F. Mossop (Stoney Creek): I would like to present a petition that says:

"Whereas Ontario has the weakest zoo laws in the country; and

"Whereas existing zoo regulations are vague, unenforceable and only apply to native wildlife; and

"Whereas there are no mandatory standards to ensure adequate care and housing for zoo animals or the health and safety of animals, zoo staff, the visiting public or neighbouring communities; and

"Whereas several people have been injured by captive wildlife and zoo escapes are frequent in Ontario; and

"Whereas these same regulatory gaps were affirmed recently by the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario in his annual report;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support MPP David Zimmer's bill, the Regulation of Zoos Act."

I have literally hundreds if not thousands of signatures here. I am happy to put my name on the petition.

SCHOOL FACILITIES

Ms. Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carleton): "Whereas Longfields and Davidson Heights in south Nepean are some of the fastest growing communities ... in Ontario; and

"Whereas the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board has voted to authorize the final design phases for a grade 7 to 12 school to serve the Longfields and Davidson Heights communities; and

"Whereas the government of Ontario has lifted a three-year moratorium on school closings in order to make way for new educational facilities;

"We, residents of Nepean-Carleton, petition the Parliament of Ontario to ensure that the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board continues with plans to build a new grade 7 to 12 school no later than autumn of 2008 to serve the Longfields and Davidson Heights communities."

I support this and affix my signature.

REGIONAL CENTRES FOR THE DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a petition from Anne Deveau of Levack, Ontario. It's been signed by a number of people in my riding. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Dalton McGuinty and his Liberal government were elected based on their promise to rebuild public services in Ontario;

"Whereas the Minister of Community and Social Services has announced plans to close the Rideau Regional Centre, home to people with developmental disabilities, many of whom have multiple diagnoses and severe problems that cannot be met in the community;

"Whereas closing the Rideau Regional Centre will have a devastating impact on residents with developmental disabilities, their families, the developmental services sector and the economies of the local communities;

"Whereas Ontario could use the professional staff and facilities of the Rideau Regional Centre to extend specialized services, support and professional training to many more clients who live in the community, in partnership with families and community agencies;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the government to keep the Rideau Regional Centre open as a home for people with developmental disabilities and to maintain it as a `centre of excellence' to provide specialized services and support to Ontarians with developmental needs, no matter where they live."

I've affixed my signature to this.

BOMBARDIER IN THUNDER BAY

Mr. Bill Mauro (Thunder Bay-Atikokan): I have a petition with over 2,000 signatures on it from Thunder Bay and surrounding area which reads as follows:

"Whereas the previous government of Canada made a commitment of approximately $200 million to fund the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) contract for subway cars to be built at Bombardier in Thunder Bay; and

"Whereas the McGuinty government has confirmed its commitment to fund approximately $200 million as the provincial share of the TTC contract at Bombardier in Thunder Bay; and

"Whereas this contract will create approximately 300 jobs for five years in the city of Thunder Bay; and

"Whereas our government should be committed to supporting the use and expansion of mass transit to benefit our environment and our economy; and

"Whereas Toronto city council has awarded the TTC contract to Bombardier in Thunder Bay; and

"Whereas Ministers Flaherty and Cannon have been advised by our local MPP of the need for federal funding for the TTC contract at Bombardier in Thunder Bay;

"We, the undersigned, residents of Thunder Bay and northwestern Ontario, call upon the government of Ontario to petition the government of Canada to meet the commitment of the previous federal government to fund the TTC contract for subway cars to be built at Bombardier in Thunder Bay."

I support this petition and I sign it.

PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY

Mr. Norm Miller (Parry Sound-Muskoka): I'm receiving more and more petitions to do with the dam at Mary Lake and Port Sydney. It reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the dam at Mary Lake has historically provided a pedestrian walkway for use by the community and visitors since the dam's construction; and

"Whereas the walkway provides a vital link and a tourist attraction for the community of Port Sydney; and

"Whereas restricting access to the walkway would result in pedestrian use of the roadway where motor vehicle traffic poses a danger to pedestrians; and

"Whereas closure of the pedestrian walkway across the dam is inconsistent with other provincial government programs, including Ontario's action plan for healthy eating and active living and the Trails for Life program, both of which promote active lifestyles; and

"Whereas all ministries should strive to encourage and support healthy lifestyles;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the Ministry of Natural Resources continue to permit the use of the pedestrian walkway over Mary Lake dam indefinitely."

I support this petition.

LONG-TERM CARE

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a petition that has been sent to me by workers at SEIU. It reads as follows:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas, in June 2003, Dalton McGuinty said Ontario Liberals are committed to ensuring that nursing home residents receive more personal care each day and will reinstate minimum standards, and inspectors will be required to audit the staff-to-resident ratios; and

"Whereas Health and Long-Term Care Minister George Smitherman, in October 2004, said that the Ontario government will not set a specified number of care hours nursing home residents are to receive each day; and

"Whereas Ontario nursing home residents still receive the lowest number of care hours in the Western world; and

"Whereas studies have indicated nursing home residents should receive at least 4.1 hours of nursing care per day; and

"Whereas a coroner's jury in April 2005 recommended the Ontario government establish a minimum number of care hours nursing home residents must receive each day;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the government of Ontario immediately enact a minimum standard of 3.5 hours of nursing care for each nursing home resident per day."

I agree with the petitioners. I've affixed my signature to this.

FAIR ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS

Mr. Jeff Leal (Peterborough): I have a petition today to the Ontario Legislative Assembly.

"Access to Trades and Professions in Ontario

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas Ontario enjoys the continuing benefit of the contributions of men and women who choose to leave their country of origin in order to settle in Canada, raise their families, educate their children and pursue their livelihoods and careers; and

"Whereas newcomers to Canada who choose to settle in Ontario find frequent, arbitrary and unnecessary obstacles that prevent skilled tradespeople, professional and managerial talent from practising the professions, trades and occupations for which they have been trained in their country of origin; and

"Whereas action by Ontario's trades and professions could remove many such barriers, but Ontario's trades and professions have failed to recognize that such structural barriers exist, much less to take action to remove them, and to provide fair, timely, transparent and cost-effective access to trades and professions for new Canadians trained outside Canada;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the Ontario Legislative Assembly urge the members of all parties to swiftly pass Bill 124, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006, and to require Ontario's regulated professions and trades to review and modify their procedures and qualification requirements to swiftly meet the needs of Ontario's employers, Ontario's newcomers and their own membership, all of whom desperately need the very skills new Canadians bring working for their organizations, for their trades and professions, and for their families."

I agree with this petition and will affix my signature to it.

VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS

Mr. Ted Arnott (Waterloo-Wellington): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, and it reads as follows:

"Whereas many volunteer fire departments in Ontario are strengthened by the service of double-hatter firefighters who work as professional, full-time firefighters and also serve as volunteer firefighters on their free time and in their home communities; and

"Whereas the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association has declared their intent to `phase out' these double-hatter firefighters; and

"Whereas double-hatter firefighters are being threatened by the union leadership and forced to resign as volunteer firefighters or face losing their full-time jobs, and this is weakening volunteer fire departments in Ontario; and

"Whereas Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott has introduced Bill 52, the Volunteer Firefighters Employment Protection Act, that would uphold the right to volunteer and solve this problem concerning public safety in Ontario;

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

"That the provincial government express public support for MPP Ted Arnott's Bill 52 and willingness to pass it into law or introduce similar legislation that protects the right of firefighters to volunteer in their home communities on their own free time."

I have affixed my signature.

1550

TUITION

Ms. Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): I have a petition sent to me by the University of Toronto Students' Administrative Council. It reads as follows: