DEVOLUTION OF ESTATES AMENDMENT ACT
The First Session of the Thirty-Second Parliament of the province of Ontario opened at 3 p.m. for the dispatch of business pursuant to a proclamation of the Honourable J. B. Aird, Lieutenant Governor of the province.
The Honourable the Lieutenant Governor, having entered the chamber, took his seat upon the throne.
Hon. Mr. Aird: Pray be seated.
Hon. Mr. Wells: I am commanded by His Honour the Lieutenant Governor to state that he does not see fit to declare the causes of the summoning of the present Legislature of this province until a Speaker of this House shall have been chosen according to law; but today, at a subsequent hour, His Honour will declare the causes of the calling of this Legislature.
The Honourable the Lieutenant Governor was pleased to retire from the chamber.
ELECTION OF SPEAKER
Clerk of the House: Members of the Legislative Assembly, it is my duty to call upon you to elect one of your number to preside over your deliberations as Speaker.
Hon. Mr. Davis moved, seconded by Mr. Smith, that the member for the electoral district of Peterborough (Mr. Turner) be the Speaker of this House.
Clerk of the House: Are there any further nominations? I declare the nominations closed.
Mr. Cassidy: Mr. Acting Speaker, in accordance with the rules of the House I wish to make a few comments on the motion now before the House for the nomination of the member for Peterborough as the Speaker.
I would like to draw to the attention of all members of the House the resolution from the member for York South (Mr. MacDonald) which was adopted by this Legislature on April 3, 1980, and which was unanimously endorsed by the members of the Legislature in the course of the private members' hour of that day. It said, and I will read a portion of it: "In order to establish in practice, as well as in principle, the independence of the Legislature, the nomination of the Speaker should be made by the Premier only after consultation with the leaders of the opposition parties."
Not only was that resolution unanimously endorsed by the Legislature, but I think it is significant that Russell Rowe, a former Speaker of this Legislature, in joining in that debate, said quite clearly that he agreed with the procedure proposed for the election of the Speaker. In fact, he said that is basically the way it is done now.
To my regret, the fact is that that has not been the procedure carried out on this occasion. I am afraid that in failing to carry out the procedure which had been agreed to by resolution of this House, the government has jeopardized the independence of the Speaker. That independence, of course, is the greatest asset of the Speaker in this Legislature and any legislature in a parliamentary system.
In 1973, in the first report of the Camp commission, it was made very clear, and the government accepted the principles of the Camp commission, that a prime goal should be to establish the independence of the Legislature's first officer, the Speaker. The commission said its intent was to have independence for the Speaker similar to what occurs in the federal Parliament, "emphasizing the primacy of their functions as officials and servants of the assembly, without any intimation of the slightest kind that they are controlled or even influenced by the ministry. Their duty is to the assembly and to each of its members as seen within the good of the whole."
Over the course of the last six or seven years, we have made substantial progress in establishing the speakership as an independent office, in ensuring that the Legislature carries out its own administration rather than doing it at the beck and call of the government of the day. We have made substantial progress in that direction, and I regret that the consultation which was called for by this Legislature and which had been established as a convention in this House for at least the past 20 years did not occur in this case.
3:10 p.m.
I did have a call from the Premier at noon today, telling me, as I had read in the press, that he would be nominating the member for Peterborough for the position. I also read in the press of the warnings the Premier had been giving to his own caucus and cabinet not to be arrogant and complacent now a majority government is in place. I fear the action of not having any kind of consultation worthy of the name indicates the Premier failed to take heed of the warnings he was giving to members of his cabinet and caucus.
We intend to ask the Premier, in fact I will ask the Premier to give a commitment now, whether the standing committee on procedural affairs could and will look at implementing the intent of the resolution, not only with respect to the Speaker but also with respect to the other officers of the assembly and the Ombudsman, to ensure that a process of consultation takes place and to reinforce their independence of the governing party or of any other party. I would ask the Premier if he would agree, in this House, to that proposal.
We intend, but with regret, to oppose the resolution that is being put forward by the Premier now with the support of the Leader of the Opposition. We will oppose it, not because of the individual who is being chosen but because of our deep concern over the procedure that has not been followed in this case and that we believe should be followed in future to ensure that, as with any other democratic parliament, in this parliament the office of the Speaker is seen as being independent, the Speaker is seen as being the defender of the rights of all the members of the Legislature and that position is shored up in every way possible.
Hon. Mr. Davis: Mr. Speaker, I hope to spare our very distinguished visitors to the assembly on the first day some internal discussion. It is true, as the leader of the New Democratic Party pointed out, that, for another reason, I was not here as early as usual this morning and did not communicate with the leaders of the other two parties. As I explained to them, an explanation which was very graciously accepted by the Leader of the Opposition, first, I do not control what the press writes and, second, I reminded the member for Ottawa Centre that while there may have been a resolution and he may have certain concepts in his own mind, as Premier I have been involved with the nomination, I guess, of three or four Speakers.
The tradition in this House has been, and I think it is true of most parliamentary democracies, that the nomination of the Speaker is made by the government. Of course, the leader of the New Democratic Party has the right to vote against that nomination. I am intrigued to hear him suggest that his party will do so, and far be it from me to be partisan on this occasion, but perhaps I would say to the distinguished member that it is that kind of activity that has led to his party's present situation.
Mr. Stokes: I would like to be given the opportunity to say to my honourable colleagues in this House that I think it is most unfortunate this matter has been raised in the way it has by the member for Ottawa Centre. I think it is absolutely essential that in choosing the person who will lead us and set the tone during this forthcoming parliament, he be given the total support and the total confidence of each and every member of this House.
I would hope, and I say this very sincerely to all my colleagues, if there is any difference of opinion with regard to the process or the procedure to be followed in the way in which someone is elected to this high office, I do not think an opening day like this is the time or the opportunity to raise it.
We have various options available to us to pursue that cause. I think in this instance the nomination that has been placed before us for the election of the member for Peterborough is one that deserves and merits the support of each and every member of this House. I think it would be intolerable if it was less than unanimous.
I have every confidence that the honourable member who has been proposed to this high office will carry it out with integrity and with impartiality. I would hope the nomination that has been placed before you would be completely unanimous and I intend to support it.
Mr. Smith: I might, Mr. Acting Speaker, simply add a short word to say that I greatly appreciated the fact that the Premier did telephone my office and spoke with me. He explained that while it was a trifle late in the day, he was getting in touch with me and I accepted his explanations totally. I understand it fully and certainly want to say that we are prepared not only to agree to seconding the nomination, but of course to voting and to working as an opposition as faithfully as possible under the guidance of the new Speaker, once he is elected.
Clerk of the House: Are there any further nominations? There being only one nomination, I declare the nominations closed and the Honourable John Melville Turner to be Speaker of this House.
3:20 p.m.
Mr. Speaker entered the chamber and took the chair.
Mr. Speaker: Mr. Premier, Mr. Smith, Mr. Cassidy, honourable members, first of all I want to thank the Premier and Mr. Smith for moving and seconding my nomination. It is indeed a great honour you have given me today, and one to which I will find it particularly difficult to respond.
Each of you knows the thrill and elation that comes on election night; I don't think we need remind each other of that. Perhaps you can understand the feeling I have after being elected by my 124 colleagues, each of whom is an election winner. My family and I look forward to working with all the members, to meeting their families and serving the people of Ontario to the best of our ability.
I am new to this office. The member for Lake Nipigon (Mr. Stokes) is a hard act to follow. He has set an example of impartiality that will indeed be a bright beacon for me to follow. The protection of the rights and privileges of all members on both my left and my right will be my constant duty.
Mr. Premier, if I may, at the risk of being called somewhat partisan, I would like to extend my particular thanks to the Honourable Dennis Timbrell, the Minister of Health, and the staff of the Ministry of Health for the co-operation and help they have given me in the last three years. It is very much appreciated.
I thank you all sincerely for entrusting to me the duties of the Speaker. I will do my very best to discharge them fairly and impartially. Thank you very much.
This House will now adjourn during pleasure.
The Honourable the Lieutenant Governor re-entered the chamber and took his seat upon the throne.
Hon. Mr. Aird: Pray be seated.
Mr. Speaker: May it please Your Honour, the Legislative Assembly have elected me as their Speaker, though I am but little able to fulfil the important duties thus assigned to me. If, in the performance of those duties, I should at any time fall into error, I pray that the fault may be imputed to me and not to the assembly whose servant I am and who, through me, the better to enable them to discharge their duty to their Queen and country, hereby claim all their undoubted rights and privileges, especially that they may have freedom of speech in their debates, access to your person at all seasonable times and that their proceedings may receive from you the most favourable consideration.
Hon. Mr. Wells: Mr. Speaker, I am commanded by the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor to declare to you that he freely confides in the duty and attachment of the assembly to Her Majesty's person and government, and, not doubting that the proceedings will be conducted with wisdom, temperance and prudence, he grants and upon all occasions will recognize and allow the constitutional privileges. I am commanded also to assure you that the assembly shall have ready access to His Honour upon all suitable occasions and that its proceedings, as well as your words and actions, will constantly receive from him the most favourable construction.
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
Hon. Mr. Aird: Mr. Speaker, and members of the Legislative Assembly, I extend greetings to you all on behalf of our Sovereign on this the opening of the First Session of the Thirty-Second Parliament of Ontario. I welcome to this parliament those honourable members who will be serving their fellow citizens in this capacity for the first time as well as those who have been returned to office. May I express the wish that your hopes and objectives and those of your constituents will be fulfilled through the opportunities for service afforded you as individual members and together as the Legislature of this great and historic province.
Mon gouvernement prend acte de la responsabilité que lui a confiée la population de l'Ontario et il accepte cette responsabilité. Il s'engage, dans l'administration de ses affaires, à servir loyalement les intérêts de la province et du pays tout entier.
We wish to record the pleasure we share, along with all Canadians, in the upcoming marriage of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. As well, Ontario will be honoured with visits by Her Majesty the Queen Mother and by Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret later this summer. These events afford an opportunity for an expression of the pride we feel in the heritage that has been ours as a constitutional monarchy.
In the business of our nation, the tensions and stresses of the sustained constitutional debate continue to dominate Canadian public affairs. The government and people of this province are resolute in their desire for patriation of the Canadian constitution while preserving our existing constitutional monarchy in both form and substance. We seek to protect human and democratic rights and to assure freedom of movement for all Canadians in the final step to constitutional maturity for this nation.
While my government regrets the lack of accord between several of our sister provinces and the central government, we continue to hold a positive perspective on the outcome. For its part, this province will continue to strive for patriation of the Canadian constitution with a fair amending formula and with an entrenched charter of rights. This has been our position since the federal-provincial conference on the constitution in February 1969.
But the constitution, despite its great importance, must not be allowed to distort the public agenda of Canada. Inflation, economic growth, federal-provincial fiscal and tax-sharing arrangements, social policy and stability, and energy pricing and supply, all constitute matters that must be urgently addressed so that our nation does not falter for want of the critical decisions necessary to sustain our economic prosperity and security.
The problem of inflation, in particular, must be faced in a comprehensive way on a national front and without delay. Major opportunities for action lie in the key federal areas of monetary and fiscal policy planning. The question of energy pricing and supply remains unresolved and, in the absence of a fair distribution of resource benefits among all provinces, unnecessary damage is caused to the economy of the nation as a whole. Decisive and reasonable actions are essential if this problem is to be overcome. My government will continue to press for cohesive national leadership in these crucial areas and repeats the call for a conference of first ministers at an early date as the forum for such action.
Existing federal-provincial fiscal arrangements, which are due to expire at the end of this fiscal year, are being reviewed between Ottawa and the provinces. While Ontario welcomes the opportunity to participate in these important discussions, we will oppose any attempts to reduce a fair federal contribution to major programs in health, education and social services. In the particular interests of the province of Ontario, economic leadership and policies aimed at promoting the wellbeing of our people are vital elements of the framework of freedom and opportunity that must serve us in the years ahead.
3:30 p.m.
We are a strong and vigorous province. Our continuing vitality, despite the pressures of the times, owes no little credit to the foresight and planning of past years which have provided the firm economic and social foundation of the Ontario of today. Reinforcing this foundation to ensure future growth and development is crucial to the strength of the Ontario of tomorrow.
The new industrial leadership and development program, an explicit program for economic expansion and growth, will be the basic industrial development blueprint of this government. This five-year program, as earlier announced, comprises a reordering of priorities and the commitment of a $1.5 billion development plan for specific projects. This program will be directed by a board of ministers whose responsibilities are key to the creation of the wealth on which a secure future will depend.
The BILD program, as it is called, is a coherent and prudent plan for Ontario, and one that is in accordance with the objectives and scope of the government's ongoing fiscal strategy. It is the aim of the government, during this session, to make substantial progress along this course.
A major instrument in the program will be the newly established office of procurement policy which will play a role in mobilizing public sector purchasing power to foster Canadian manufacturing and technology.
Greater use of electricity, increased commitments for skills training and manpower retraining, concentrated development of high technology industry, specific programs for resource development, programs for community economic development and expansion of our transportation systems will be critical components of an industrial expansion plan for all regions and economic sectors in Ontario.
Legislation will be presented to amend the Power Corporation Act to enable Ontario Hydro to sell industrial steam to the Ontario Energy Corporation, as a major step forward in the establishment of the Bruce Energy Centre. Construction of a steam pipeline will begin this year.
Ontario's wide-ranging energy conservation and oil substitution programs will be reinforced by a new residential electrical services program. Legislation will be enacted to enable Ontario Hydro and the municipal electric utilities to carry out home energy audits and to provide home owner loans for energy conservation, electric wiring upgrading and conversion to electric heating.
Further initiatives will be taken by the Ministry of Energy in such areas as hydrogen, fusion, solar energy, alternative transportation fuels and small hydraulic development.
Ontario has a unique opportunity to use its world leadership in electrical generation technology to produce hydrogen. We stand to gain enormous long-term benefits from early entry into the hydrogen age. Approaches have been made to the federal government suggesting a joint funding program. In the meantime, the province will undertake major initiatives to support existing centres of recognized leadership in this field and will proceed with its previously announced commitment to establish an institute for hydrogen systems.
High priority is placed on industrial and technological development from the viewpoint of the potential for job creation, as well as for the advancement of industry itself.
The deployment of our human resources is a vital and integral part of the BILD program. Without question, government has a role to play to assist in opening the door to employment opportunities. But it is the role of private enterprise to provide the wide range of choices which our society requires. At the same time, our society must be able to rely on the resourcefulness and will of its members.
It is a right in a democratic society that we are free to fulfil our potential as individuals in the vocation of our choosing. Still, in practical terms, there is a continuing need for a better balance between work opportunities and skills, particularly in the growing high technology field.
The government will expand the training in business and industry initiatives of the Ministry of Colleges and Universities and provide a major funding allocation for technical and technological equipment for the province's colleges of applied arts and technology. A community counselling program will be developed to tap the resources of our young people and guide them towards worthwhile and productive jobs. Efforts are being made to co-ordinate and share the costs of some of these initiatives with the new federal labour adjustment program.
A new international intern program will aim to add more international marketing specialists to the Ontario business community over the next two years. In this proposed joint venture with Ontario business companies, the Ministry of Industry and Tourism will share the salary costs of posting marketing and sales representatives for training and experience in important foreign markets.
In step with these training initiatives, a biotechnology company, a joint venture already announced, will be the base of a methodical and solid advance towards high-level industrial growth, job creation and world-scale competitive leadership in vital areas of economic activity.
This province will proceed to develop specific research innovation centres in auto parts technology, computer-assisted manufacturing and robotics, and micro-electronics. A special multimillion-dollar fund to finance new high technology firms will be established through the Ontario Development Corporations.
You will be asked to enact legislation to establish the IDEA Corporation. The purpose of this agency will be to promote and finance the development of new technologies and facilitate their industrial application. The corporation will also have a key role to play in integrating and linking the research and development resources of government, the university community and industry.
In the area of resource development, the province will proceed with the BILD forest management program, construction of forest seedling cultivation centres in northern Ontario, and a major gold sampling and custom milling program. Discussions will be pursued with private mining and forestry companies and with machinery producers for a joint resource machinery initiative in the Sudbury area.
Existing provincial farm support programs will be supplemented by specific measures to assist the food processing and tender fruit growing industries. A major objective is to expand and improve processing capability for crops produced in Ontario.
A full-scale fruit and vegetable storage program will be introduced to upgrade and expand present storage, grading and packing capacity. The target over the next five years is to reduce imports by at least one third, and substantially increase farm incomes.
Ontario is determined to ensure that its agricultural sector remains among the most modern in the world. This will require careful and constant attention to forces outside the industry, among which the current impact of high interest rates is a matter of great concern.
The Ontario government's commitment to public transportation is a matter of record. In particular, over the last decade, provincial policies and financing have been the mainspring of local public transit systems in urban centres throughout the province, and of a successful and growing transportation technology industry.
Legislation will be amended to allow for additional subsidies for the purchase of electrified trolley bus equipment by local municipalities. A long-term schedule of radial road improvements will be undertaken to accommodate the movement of people and of increasingly heavy commercial traffic in the Toronto-Niagara corridor. The government will extend the municipal airport program of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to all of Ontario.
My government has every confidence that the development of an intermediate capacity transit system by the Urban Transportation Development Corporation is but the beginning of an auspicious future for the industry. Additional investments in UTDC will allow for production facilities in Ontario. A feasibility study for an ICT system for the city of Hamilton is expected to be ready by this fall, and negotiations will begin with Metropolitan Toronto for an ICTS line in this area. Design work for electrification of the GO commuter rail system from Oakville to Pickering is under way.
3:40 p.m.
The final report of the task force on provincial rail policy, which will be published shortly, will provide further direction for the province's expanded role in rail transportation. As well, the province is committed to significant upgrading of our harbours and marine transportation capability. It is anticipated that the report of the Great Lakes Seaway Task Force will also identify further areas for provincial involvement.
Economic growth and technological progress and innovation are not sufficient goals in and of themselves. They are, more important, instruments for financing social progress and improving the quality of life and public safety and security that are so fundamental to Ontario society.
Ontario is well served by the wide range and strength of the established institutions in our society. The task before us -- an enviable one compared with many jurisdictions -- is to ensure with continued foresight and planning that we are able to adapt to the demands of the future and so continue to enhance and enrich life in the province.
Efforts towards improved high standards of environmental protection will be intensified.
We stand to lose much if we do not pursue and make use of the advantages of modern science and technology. With these concerns in mind, the government proposes to introduce legislation charging the Ontario Waste Management Corporation with the responsibility for establishing a world-class facility for the treatment and safe disposal of liquid industrial waste.
Potential health hazards from the manufacture, use and disposal of chemical products will be the primary interest of the new Ontario Centre for Toxicology. A major government role is envisaged in this venture which will result from joint efforts of the universities of Toronto and Guelph. The centre will be a co-operative undertaking with the private sector and the university community and will serve as a broad-based training, research and assessment institution.
The government will continue an aggressive campaign to counter the threat posed by acid rain and to have controls applied against sources contributing to the problem, both in Ontario and from beyond the province's borders.
My government is committed to providing continued strong support for health care, education, day care, and those in need, as well as for the vast number of services that are an integral part of social policy development and the mainstay of our social wellbeing. The provincial pattern has been to decentralize much of the operational responsibility for these services to achieve greater flexibility in their delivery. The government reaffirms this policy as a means of recognizing and, to the greatest possible extent, meeting the individual needs of all members of the community.
Continuing emphasis will be placed on community living for elderly and disabled persons, enabling them to live in their own homes. At the same time, accommodation needs and care of others who are unable to be relatively independent must be assured. To this end, a five-year provincial program will be started this spring to increase the capacity and improve the standard of homes for the aged throughout the province. This will be carried out in co-operation with municipalities and charitable organizations.
Pensions have become an increasingly important issue for larger numbers of our people. The recently released report of the royal commission on pensions is a most extensive study of this matter. In order that its recommendations may be widely understood and carefully reviewed, this House will be asked to appoint a select committee to examine the report.
The importance of the role of the family in our society cannot be too strongly emphasized. This has been a consistent view of the government and one which it upholds in a range of accepted provincial policies and programs. The government's activities, therefore, will continue to reflect and respond to the nature of our people and to their desire that family life and other traditional values remain an influence and force in the Ontario way of life.
There are a multitude of recreational and cultural activities that do so much for the enjoyment of leisure time in this province.
Among the particular events that deserve special attention in the coming year will be the 1981 Canada Games, scheduled to be held in Thunder Bay in August. This will be the first time the Canada Games will be staged in Ontario.
Ontario has endorsed the United Nations designation of 1981 as the International Year of Disabled Persons. Budgetary increases have been provided for existing provincially funded services for the disabled, including transportation programs and the provision of physical amenities in public buildings and community facilities. In addition, the province has earmarked a special $12 million fund to initiate new programs and a $5.5 million Wintario capital grant allocation to make cultural and recreational facilities more accessible to disabled people. A special public awareness program will be launched later this spring.
With these and other initiatives, there is every indication that the attention being paid to this special event will produce many programs of lasting benefit, both within government and throughout the community at large.
The government affirms a commitment to meet the needs of developmentally handicapped children. Through a new program to encourage parental involvement and responsibility, families will participate in working out programs for their own children. Special needs agreements with parents will provide the vehicle for this initiative. It will also make increased funding available for the additional special services often required by these children.
The policies and programs of the Ministry of Health will continue to emphasize preventive care and public health. You will be asked to consider a new Health Protection Act to provide for a core package of public health services that will be common to all health units across Ontario.
A mental health co-ordinator will be appointed to formulate new policies and plans relating to the development and delivery of Ontario's mental health services.
The extension of telemedicine links between small and large hospitals, and of regional perinatal services throughout the province will ensure that the most up-to-date methods of care are readily available to the people of Ontario.
Le gouvernement adoptera des politiques et des programmes spéciaux visant à améliorer la prestation de ses services en français, à faire connaître ces services et à encourager la population francophone à les utiliser. C'est le ministère des affaires intergouvernementales qui coordonnera ces efforts, et des fonds spéciaux seront affectés pour faciliter la création de nouveaux services en français, au sein du gouvernement et dans toute la collectivité franco-Ontarienne.
New government policies on native affairs include a career development plan for native people in northern Ontario to provide opportunities for training and permanent employment in the private sector, as well as in the field operations of the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Last November, the Minister of Labour (Mr. Elgie) tabled a comprehensive report on the province's workmen's compensation laws. The recommendations have received wide public approval. The government will introduce legislation, early in the session, reflecting the major proposals in the report relating to benefit calculations and levels, and the structure and adjudication procedures of the Workmen's Compensation Board.
Major revisions to the Ontario Human Rights Code will be introduced for enactment. Among the measures are protections for the handicapped and for persons subject to harassment in a variety of situations. Existing protections against discrimination on grounds of marital status and age will be expanded.
The Children's Law Reform Act amendments, concerning child custody and access proceedings, which were given second reading at the last session, will proceed to enactment. Complementary legislation will be presented to implement the Hague Convention regarding child kidnapping. As well, amendments will be made to the Reciprocal Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act to provide more effective enforcement of orders throughout Canada, as recommended by the Uniform Law Conference of Canada.
A special bill will be introduced providing for civilian review and appeal procedures with respect to investigation of complaints against the police in Metro Toronto.
My government will present a number of measures to improve the administration of its affairs. Legislation will be presented to integrate more closely the policies and programs of the Ministry of Housing with those operations of the Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs that relate to municipal matters. This consolidation will also pave the way for introduction of a revised Planning Act. This important legislation, the product of an extensive consultation process, has already had thorough public review as a subject of a white paper.
3:50 p.m.
Proposals for the implementation of a policy on freedom of information and individual privacy will also be provided for consideration by this assembly and by the general public. These will be in the form of a draft freedom of information bill to be included in a government discussion paper. A response will be made to the Krever commission report on the confidentiality of health information.
It is the government's wish that the overall legislative program for the session proceed efficiently and effectively, and that ample consideration be afforded items of due significance. In addition to those items already mentioned in this address, other important measures will include amendments to the Education Act and the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.
Three major bills which did not proceed to enactment last year will be reintroduced; namely, a revised Business Corporations Act, the Municipal Boundaries Negotiations Act and the Dangerous Goods Transportation Act. A Toronto Islands act will pass into law certain recommendations of the Swadron report received earlier this year. Essential changes will be brought forward with regard to the Election Act and the Election Finances Reform Act.
Honourable members, this assembly begins an important and demanding session. I pray that in the discharge of your duties in the months ahead, you remain mindful of the effect of your decisions on the future course of Ontario and Canada. The difficulties we face at home, while legitimate causes for concern, need not and must not obscure the fundamental strength of our economy, the tremendous potential of our human and natural resources and the exciting and overwhelming hope for our future.
Through the leadership and efforts of my ministers, and through the work of this Legislature, we must seek to build new national understanding. Through the will and spirit of the people of Ontario, we must help to achieve the growth and advancement that will sustain our province and our nation. This is the challenge we collectively face.
May Divine Providence attend your deliberations.
In our Sovereign's name, I thank you.
God bless the Queen and Canada.
The Honourable the Lieutenant Governor was then pleased to retire from the chamber.
Prayers.
Mr. Speaker: I beg to inform the House that to prevent mistakes I have obtained a copy of His Honour's speech, which I will now read.
[Reading dispensed with.]
LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
Mr. Speaker: I beg to inform the House that Mr. Smith, the member for Hamilton West, is recognized as leader of Her Majesty's loyal opposition.
INTRODUCTION OF BILL
DEVOLUTION OF ESTATES AMENDMENT ACT
Hon. Mr. McMurtry moved first reading of Bill 1, An Act to amend the Devolution of Estates Act.
Motion agreed to.
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
Hon. Mr. Wells moved that the speech of the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor to this House be taken into consideration on Thursday next.
Motion agreed to.
Hon. Mr. Wells moved that commencing tomorrow and for the present session the House will not meet in the chamber on Wednesday unless otherwise ordered.
Motion agreed to.
Mr. Speaker: The Clerk has received from the chief election officer and laid upon the table the roll of the members elected at the general election of 1981.
The House adjourned at 3:59 p.m.