Assemblée législative de l'Ontario

The committee met at 0900 in room 151 and by video conference.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Good morning. The Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills will come to order.

We have the following member in the room: MPP Dave Smith. Thank you for being here. The following members are participating remotely: MPP John Fraser; MPP Vincent Ke; MPP Billy Pang; MPP Jeremy Roberts; MPP Daisy Wai; MPP Jamie West; and MPP Mike Harris. Did I miss anyone? No?

We are also joined by staff from legislative research, Hansard, and broadcast and recording.

Please speak slowly and clearly and wait until I recognize you before starting to speak. Since it could take a little time for your audio and video to come up after I recognize you, please take a brief pause before beginning. As always, all comments should go through the Chair. Are there any questions before we begin?

Committee business

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Seeing none, on the agenda is committee business. Are there any motions? MPP Dave Smith.

Mr. Dave Smith: I move that the committee enter closed session for the purposes of organizing committee business and that broadcasting staff be permitted to remain in the closed session meeting for the purposes of operating the electronic meeting technology.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Thank you. Are there any—okay, there is a raised hand. MPP Jamie West.

Mr. Jamie West: Thank you, Chair. We’ve found a disturbing trend on our committee, where we’re supposed to be representatives of the public—and successive business, every time we meet off scheduled time, is to do an in camera closed session. Given the agenda for this meeting is “committee business, recess, committee business,” for an outsider to understand what’s going on at Queen’s Park, where we represent our constituents—all they know is, we had committee business and then we went into hiding to discuss things internally and then recessed, and then maybe this afternoon’s committee business will have a different name. But I prefer to be transparent with the public about what we’re doing and forward with the public about what we’re doing.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): MPP Dave Smith.

Mr. Dave Smith: As MPP West knows—he is on subcommittee with me. Traditionally, in the past, subcommittees have met in camera to discuss committee business. Committee business, when we’re discussing it, is organizing the committee so that we can bring forward bills or do planning for the schedule of what the committee is going to be. There is nothing that is being hidden in there—there never has been. And MPP West knows well, as a subcommittee member with me, that is what we have done in the past. We have changed that process so that the committee as a whole is meeting to discuss that business, to set up the schedule, so that all of the members have an opportunity to weigh in on it. I’m very disappointed that MPP West would suggest something that may not be 100% accurate.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): MPP West, again. Please go ahead.

Mr. Jamie West: Just for the record, when we’re in camera—I’m not allowed to discuss what we discuss in camera, and so that sort of takes away my ability to review what’s happening or even debate or discuss my perspective on how I see it in that perspective.

I’m not talking about that what we’re doing is wrong; what I’m saying is, the appearance of us representing the public while always going in camera is not an appearance I’m proud of—and that’s something that I’ll support wholly. I’ll vote against this. You have a majority; you’ll vote it through. It will happen, just like every other time. I’m just putting on record that I think the way we’re doing business is not something that the public would support. I think the public would support something more transparent and more public.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Is there any further debate? Seeing none, are you ready to vote? I’m going to ask all those in favour to please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Motion carried.

The committee continued in closed session at 0905 and resumed at 1500.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Good afternoon, everyone. I call this meeting to order.

We have one member in the house: Dave Smith.

I’d like to confirm—I think there are a couple of MPPs who joined this meeting.

MPP Will Bouma, please confirm that you’re present and are currently in Ontario.

Mr. Will Bouma: I am Will Bouma, and I’m in my office at Whitney Block.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Thank you.

MPP Andrea Khanjin, please confirm that you’re present and currently in Ontario.

Ms. Andrea Khanjin: I”m MPP Khanjin, and I’m in Ontario.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): I think that Daisy Wai is already confirmed. Okay.

We are joined by Bradley Warden from legislative counsel, as well as staff from Hansard and broadcast and recording.

To make sure that everyone can understand what is going on, it is important that all participants speak slowly and clearly. Please wait until I recognize you before starting to speak. Since it could take a little time for your audio and video to come up after I recognize you, please take a brief pause before beginning. As always, all comments should go through the Chair, please.

When we do a vote during today’s meeting, it will be through a show of hands. Unless someone specially asks for a recorded vote after I have asked whether the members are ready to vote, the breakdown of the vote won’t show up in Hansard. If there are any members who are calling in by phone or who don’t have video capability, we will proceed with roll call votes.

Are there any questions before we begin? Seeing none, there are four private members’ public bills on the agenda today for clause-by-clause consideration.

Recovery Month Act, 2021 Loi de 2021 sur le Mois du rétablissement

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 250, An Act to proclaim Recovery Month / Projet de loi 250, Loi proclamant le Mois du rétablissement.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): We’ll begin with Bill 250, An Act to proclaim Recovery Month. Are there any comments or questions or amendments to any section of the bill, and if so, which section?

MPP West.

Mr. Jamie West: I just want to note that I think it’s important that we recognize the challenges of addiction and mental health, but we can’t just talk about them; we have to put money towards them, and we have to make that effort, as well.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Any further debate? I see none.

I will go to section 1. Is there any debate on section 1? Seeing none, are members ready to vote? Shall section 1 carry? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? It’s carried.

Section 2: Is there any debate? I see none. Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Section 2 is carried.

Moving onto section 3: Is there any debate? I see none. Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Section 3 is carried.

We’ll go to the preamble. Any debate on the preamble? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? The preamble is carried.

The title of the bill: Is there any debate? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour? Anyone opposed? The title of the bill is carried.

Shall Bill 250 carry? Any debate on that? No? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Bill 250 is carried.

Shall I report the bill to the House? Any debate on that? All those in favour? Anyone opposed? It’s carried.

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day and Thalassemia Awareness Day Act, 2021 Loi de 2021 sur la Journée de sensibilisation à la drépanocytose et la Journée de sensibilisation aux thalassémies

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 255, An Act to proclaim Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day and Thalassemia Awareness Day / Projet de loi 255, Loi proclamant la Journée de sensibilisation à la drépanocytose et la Journée de sensibilisation aux thalassémies.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): Bill 255, An Act to proclaim Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day and Thalassemia Awareness Day: Are there any comments or questions or amendments to any section of the bill, and if so, which sections?

Moving to section 1, is there any debate or any comments? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? It’s carried.

Moving to section 2: Any debate? Any discussion? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, section 2 is carried.

We are moving on to section 3. Any comments or concerns? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Section 3 is carried.

We are moving on to section 4. Any questions or comments? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour? Anyone opposed? Section 4 is carried.

Shall the preamble carry? Any comments or questions? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? The preamble is carried.

Shall the title of the bill carry? Are there any questions or concerns? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? The title of the bill is carried.

Shall Bill 255 carry? Are there any comments or questions? None? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Bill 255 is carried.

Shall I report the bill to the House? Any debate? Any concerns? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, it’s carried.

1510

Convenience Store Week Act, 2021 Loi de 2021 sur la Semaine des dépanneurs

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 262, An Act to proclaim Convenience Store Week / Projet de loi 262, Loi proclamant la Semaine des dépanneurs.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): We will now consider Bill 262, An Act to proclaim Convenience Store Week. Are there any comments or questions or amendments to any section of the bill, and if so, to which section? I see none.

Section 1: Are there any questions or comments? None? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Section 1 is carried.

Moving on to section 2: Are there any comments or questions? None? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? None? Section 2 is carried.

Moving on to section 3: Any debate? Any comments? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, section 3 is carried.

Shall the preamble carry? Any debate? Any comments? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, the preamble is carried.

Shall the title of the bill carry? Any debate? Any comments? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, the title of the bill is carried.

Shall Bill 262 carry? Any debate? Any comments? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? I see none. Bill 262 is carried.

Shall I report the bill to the House? Any debate? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, raise your hand, please. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, it’s carried.

Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week Act, 2021 Loi de 2021 sur la Semaine de reconnaissance des aînés bénévoles

Consideration of the following bill:

Bill 270, An Act to proclaim Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week / Projet de loi 270, Loi proclamant la Semaine de reconnaissance des aînés bénévoles.

The Chair (Mr. Logan Kanapathi): We will now consider Bill 270, An Act to proclaim Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week. Are there any comments or questions or amendments to any section of the bill? No?

Moving to section 1: Are there any comments or questions from the committee members? None? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? I see none. Section 1 is carried.

Section 2: Any questions or comments? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, section 2 is carried.

Moving on to section 3: Any questions or concerns? Ready to vote? Please raise your hand, all those in favour. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, section 3 is carried.

Shall the preamble carry? Any debate? Any questions or concerns? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, the preamble is carried.

Shall the title of the bill carry? Any questions or concerns? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, the title is carried.

Shall Bill 270 carry? Any debate? Any questions or concerns? Ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, Bill 270 is carried.

Shall I report the bill to the House? Is there any debate? Any questions or comments? Seeing none, ready to vote? All those in favour, please raise your hand. Anyone opposed? Seeing none, it’s carried.

That concludes our business for today. The committee is now adjourned. Thank you for being here.

The committee adjourned at 1517.

STANDING COMMITTEE ON REGULATIONS AND PRIVATE BILLS

Chair / Président

Mr. Logan Kanapathi (Markham–Thornhill PC)

Vice-Chair / Vice-Président

Mr. John Fraser (Ottawa South / Ottawa-Sud L)

Mr. Will Bouma (Brantford–Brant PC)

Mr. John Fraser (Ottawa South / Ottawa-Sud L)

Mr. Logan Kanapathi (Markham–Thornhill PC)

Mr. Vincent Ke (Don Valley North / Don Valley-Nord PC)

Ms. Laura Mae Lindo (Kitchener Centre / Kitchener-Centre ND)

Mr. Paul Miller (Hamilton East–Stoney Creek / Hamilton-Est–Stoney Creek ND)

Mr. Billy Pang (Markham–Unionville PC)

Mr. Jeremy Roberts (Ottawa West–Nepean / Ottawa-Ouest–Nepean PC)

Mr. Dave Smith (Peterborough–Kawartha PC)

Mrs. Daisy Wai (Richmond Hill PC)

Mr. Jamie West (Sudbury ND)

Substitutions / Membres remplaçants

Mr. Mike Harris (Kitchener–Conestoga PC)

Clerk pro tem / Greffièere par intérim

Ms. Tanzima Khan

Staff / Personnel

Ms. Monica Cop, research officer,
Research Services

Mr. Bradley Warden, legislative counsel