Journal des débats 1999-mai-04 | Assemblée législative de l'Ontario

Mr Dwight Duncan (Windsor-Walkerville): I am joined in the lobby today by two members of OPSEU who are probation and parole officers. I will be presenting to the Solicitor General, when he arrives later today, copies of a petition these great public officials have pulled together.

Let me read excerpts to you: "Our work is in a state of crisis. Public safety is at risk. Legislative reform, lack of mental health services, work restructuring and cuts to community resources increasingly make our work dangerous.

"We are faced with refusing to accept new cases because doing so means we have to choose who not to see and who not to serve. Caseload and workload issues have been brought to the attention of our employer, the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services, since the early 1990s, but the past four years have taken us to the brink of crisis. Despite our efforts, caseloads are 67% higher."

I see the crime fighters over there, the people who are going to fight crime. What have they done? They've cut funding for probation and parole services to the point where our officers, our dedicated public servants, can't work to ensure an effectively maintained public safety in our communities.

This government's record on crime and safety is nothing but a lot of hot air and wind and the people will see through it when they vote four or five weeks hence.

SERVICES MÉDICAUX DANS LE NORD

M. Gilles Bisson (Cochrane-Sud) : Ma déclaration s'adresse à la ministre de la Santé. Vous savez que, durant le temps que nous étions le gouvernement, de 1990 à 1995, le gouvernement NPD a mis en place des centres de santé communautaires à travers la province pour être capable de répondre à la pénurie de médecins dans ces communautés, et aussi pour être capable d'additionner les services nécessaires dans les communautés pour que les communautés aient un service de santé plein et complet.

Vous savez aussi que ce programme était un gros succès. Justement, on a vu beaucoup de médecins qui ont été assurés dans ces communautés où qu'on a ouvert un centre de santé. Vous le savez, madame la ministre, parce que moi-même, M. Wood et la communauté de Kapuskasing sont en train d'oeuvrer pour avoir un centre de santé communautaire à Kapuskasing. Vous avez devant vous l'application qui a été mise en place.

On vous le demande : on a une pénurie de médecins à Kapuskasing. C'est une situation très sérieuse, et on voit le centre de santé communautaire à Kapuskasing comme une bonne occasion pour attirer des nouveaux médecins à la communauté de Kap et, en même temps, de répondre aux besoins de santé pour la communauté et pour les francophones.

On vous demande de faire ce qui doit être fait pour assurer qu'on ait l'argent nécessaire pour ouvrir ce centre de santé communautaire aussitôt que possible pour répondre aux besoins de la communauté.

PETERBOROUGH ECONOMY

Mr R. Gary Stewart (Peterborough): I am pleased to inform the members of this House of another indicator of a positive economy for Ontario and for my riding of Peterborough.

The latest edition of Canadian Markets, published by the Financial Post Data Group, indicates that Peterborough is ranked second in Canada in retail sales per capita for populations over 100,000.

Retail sales jumped from $8,900 to $10,100 per capita income dollars from last year's data. Peterborough's retail sales are 18% above the national average, up from 12% last year and continuing a strong climb.

Susan Cudahy, president and CEO of the Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corp, is quoted as saying, "Positive statistics like this will encourage investors to look at Peterborough as an excellent place to do business."

Retail sales are a strong indicator of the strength of Ontario's economic climate. Reports such as this demonstrate that there is confidence in the future of Ontario. A strong economy gives Peterborough the resources to support a strong social system. We are on the right track.

PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Mr Michael Gravelle (Port Arthur): While the Harris government tries to portray itself as giving taxpayers a break in eliminating red tape and extra costs to Ontario businesses, the fact is that its mad drive towards privatization is increasing costs dramatically in both areas.

Consider this example: By quietly privatizing the Technical Standards and Safety Authority, companies like Fort James-Marathon have seen dramatic cost increases for elevator maintenance. In addition, the costs of annual inspections under the Electrical Safety Authority have risen sixfold at Fort James, from $2,000 in 1998 to over $12,000 in 1999.

As Bob Gregor, president of Fort James, stated to me in a recent letter, and I quote him: "If government policies force us to limit the use of our highly skilled personnel in order to increase dependency on outside contractors and agencies, then our costs soar and our ability to compete suffers." How is forcing Fort James and other industries to pay these extra costs helping our businesses compete?

Or consider the Ministry of Transportation's absolute determination to privatize our road maintenance in this province. In the Thunder Bay district private tenders came back at several times the price of past government expenditures, yet the ministry still says they intend to privatize this important Ontario public service. Meanwhile the ministry is selling off major pieces of its road maintenance equipment at fire sale prices.

How is this benefiting Ontario taxpayers, you may ask. The answer is, it's not. It's a rip-off for taxpayers and we should all be furious about it.

CANCER TREATMENT

Ms Marilyn Churley (Riverdale): I have a letter from Tami Fujimoto, whose mother, Sue Fujimoto, was diagnosed with cancer three months ago. I'm going to read an excerpt from this letter. This is a letter of agony and despair about a very sick, beloved mother. I'm quoting here:

"We do not want our mother to become a victim of the government's major underfunding in cancer radiation treatments and the lack of hiring of specialized doctors and more. I am asking you if you could please help us by ensuring that adequate funding is given to cancer clinics so that sufficient staff can be hired and that more machinery and technology can be purchased. Unfortunately, we do not believe in Harris's public broadcast announcements seen on television and heard over the radio where he claims there will be increased funding for cancer treatments, etc. If he were serious about this he would act upon his words this instant. But he has not and I believe will not. If he could only direct half the money paid for his election campaign advertisements towards improving care for cancer patients. This is the real frustration with our province's government - poor spending habits.

"I hope that you will consider my plea. My family and I are feeling quite desperate and will go to any length, as you would if someone very dear to you were afflicted with an aggressive and deadly cancer, to ensure that our mother receives the best care."

EDUCATION REFORM

Mr Doug Galt (Northumberland): This past weekend Teachers for Excellence and the Parent Network held a Leadership for Change conference at Toronto's Inn on the Park. I commend the organizers and all the teachers who attended the conference for seeking new ways to deliver top-quality education to Ontario's students. But most of all, I would like to compliment them for having the courage to stand up and be counted as supporters of education reform.

These teachers are true professionals in that they do not accept that there is only one way to teach. They are forward-thinking individuals with one of the most important attributes for a teacher: an open mind. How sad for those teachers who have been taken in by the rhetoric of their self-serving unions. How encouraging to see that there are many teachers who are willing to embrace change.

My compliments to both Bob Bonisteel of Teachers for Excellence and Cathy Cove of the Parent Network for this weekend's wonderful effort on behalf of teachers across Ontario who have real concerns for the students of this province.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Monte Kwinter (Wilson Heights): At noon today I had the honour of sponsoring the Parents for Educational Choice rally at the main entrance to the Legislature. Thousands of people, made up of students, parents, friends and concerned citizens, gathered to express their simple message: Fair funding in education means fair funding for every student in Ontario. The people attending the rally today were made up of representatives from independent day schools from across Ontario.

The issue is one of fairness and equity. In a multicultural society all parents should have the right to expect that their children have access to a first-rate educational system and, if they choose, to have a religious component as part of that education. The schools that were represented at today's rally provide a secular curriculum that meets or exceeds Ministry of Education standards, and their students historically achieve academic results that are equal to, and in many cases superior to, results achieved in the public school system.

The governments of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec and more than 60 countries in the democratic world provide funding to independent schools. Parents who choose to send their children to these independent religious schools in Ontario pay the full cost of this education and also continue to pay through their taxes the cost of funding public schools. Their request is simple. In fairness, government should fund the secular portion of their children's education.

I'd like to introduce Professor Irwin Kottler, an internationally recognized lawyer and advocate for human rights.

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HAMILTON PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre): I'm pleased to advise the House that my leader, Howard Hampton, was in Hamilton yesterday, in the newer part of the riding I'm running in, Hamilton West, on the mountain, and announcing to the community that indeed a New Democratic government would save the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital that this government right now is planning to close.

Interjections.

Mr Christopherson: I hear a couple of comments from the Liberals over here. It's interesting. All they're going to do is - wait for it - they're going to review the hospital closure. At this stage of the game, you're either lining up behind the Tories and saying you're going to keep it closed and keep that in place or you're going to stand up for the community, stand up for the people in Hamilton and say that the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital is too important to close and it will stay open. That's the position that should be taken.

Why can we take that position? Because on the 30% tax cut, unlike the Liberals, we've said we'll roll it back for the top 6% income earners who right now are getting $4.1 million a day. Some $4.1 million a day is going from the have-nots to the haves and that's justice according to the Tories. It's also justice according to the Liberals because they're not going to do anything about it. Only the NDP will roll it back and use that money to save the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital.

YORK COUNTY HOSPITAL

Mrs Julia Munro (Durham-York): On Monday, May 3, I was pleased to announce this government's approval of up to $64 million to support York County Hospital's Redevelopment 2002 project. Monday's announcement also included one-time funding of $162,000 to provide 500 cardiac catheterization procedures.

This funding announcement means renovations, new construction and specialized treatment services, including one of which I am most proud, the creation of a new full-service cardiac surgical centre in Newmarket. People living in northern York and southern Simcoe will no longer have to travel so far from home to receive the cardiac care they require.

Dan Carriere, president and CEO of York County Hospital, is quoted as saying:

"The tremendous success we have realized in moving this project forward can be attributed in large part to the ongoing support from our local York region MPPs. This announcement is even more significant when one considers that York County Hospital has been attempting to receive approval for a major redevelopment for many years without...success. These current rounds of negotiations and internal planning represent no less than our third attempt in 15 years to receive the necessary approval."

After years of empty promises from the Liberals and the NDP, I am proud to say that it was the Mike Harris government that ensured this project at York County Hospital became a reality. The Harris government has clearly demonstrated its commitment to quality care in a stronger Ontario.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

MENTAL HEALTH AMENDMENT ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 MODIFIANT LA LOI SUR LA SANTÉ MENTALE

Mr Patten moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 29, An Act to amend the Mental Health Act / Projet de loi 29, Loi modifiant la Loi sur la santé mentale.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Mr Richard Patten (Ottawa Centre): This bill is An Act to amend the Mental Health Act and is an attempt to help those persons who have serious mental illnesses and who have had a revolving door experience, often with sad and tragic results. The intent is to provide them and their families with the best possible supervision, care and treatment.

I know that with the long session before us, it will have a chance to reach third reading.

Ms Marilyn Churley (Riverdale): Mr Speaker, I'd like to ask for unanimous consent to introduce a bill on behalf of Tony Silipo, the member for Dovercourt, who is in the budget lock-up.

The Speaker: Agreed? Agreed.

ACCESS TO OCCUPATIONS ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR L'ACCÈS AUX PROFESSIONS

Ms Churley, on behalf of Mr Silipo, moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 30, An Act to ensure the recognition in Ontario of credentials obtained outside Ontario / Projet de loi 30, Loi visant à assurer la reconnaissance en Ontario des titres de compétence obtenus en dehors de cette province.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Ms Marilyn Churley (Riverdale): This act does two things. First, it establishes a credentials assessment agency that will assess occupational credentials obtained outside Ontario, and second, if a person's credentials are found to be at least equivalent to specified credentials obtained in Ontario, the act gives him or her the same rights as his or her Ontario counterparts.

I will be asking for quick passage of this bill in the House later today.

REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF HALDIMAND-NORFOLK STATUTE LAW AMENDMENT ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 MODIFIANT DES LOIS EN CE QUI CONCERNE LA MUNICIPALITÉ RÉGIONALE DE HALDIMAND-NORFOLK

Mr Barrett moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 31, An Act to amend certain statutes with respect to The Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk / Projet de loi 31, Loi modifiant certaines lois en ce qui concerne la municipalité régionale de Haldimand-Norfolk.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry?

All those in favour, please say "aye."

All those opposed, please say "nay."

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

I declare the motion carried.

Mr Toby Barrett (Norfolk): By way of explanation, this bill provides for the direct election of the chair of the regional municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk by a vote of the electors of the area municipalities held concurrently with the regular election in the area municipalities starting with the regular election in the year 2000.

The prohibition against the chair voting at meetings of the regional council is removed once the chair is elected by direct election.

STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAMS ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 SUR LES PROGRAMMES DE SANTÉ ET DE SÉCURITÉ POUR ÉTUDIANTS

Mr Gravelle moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 32, An Act to bring health and safety programs to Ontario students / Projet de loi 32, Loi visant à offrir des programs de santé et de sécurité aux étudiants de l'Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Mr Michael Gravelle (Port Arthur): I want to thank Ross Singleton with the Ontario Network of Injured Workers and Steve Mantis of the Canadian Injured Workers Alliance for helping create this bill.

The bill will create the Health and Safety Education Council of Ontario. The council will advise the Minister of Education and Training and the Minister of Labour about programs to educate secondary school students about workplace health and safety and the prevention of workplace injury and occupational disease.

ASSESSMENT AMENDMENT ACT, 1999 / LOI DE 1999 MODIFIANT LA LOI SUR L'ÉVALUATION FONCIÈRE

Mr Christopherson moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 33, An Act to amend the Assessment Act / Projet de loi 33, Loi modifiant la Loi sur l'évaluation foncière.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre): Briefly, currently the Assessment Act provides for some property tax relief for individuals whose family members become disabled and who have to renovate or make changes to their home. This does not apply to those who choose to build a new home. My amendment would allow that property tax relief to also be applied to individuals who build a new home to accommodate the needs of a newly handicapped individual.

It has also been supported by the OMB, who state very clearly that they wanted to do this but the wording of the law didn't allow it. My amendment would give effect to allowing their desire to take place because it would then be entrenched in law.

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MOTIONS

PRIVATE MEMBERS' PUBLIC BUSINESS

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): I move that notwithstanding standing order 95(d), Mr Shea and Mr O'Toole exchange places in the order of precedence for private members' public business.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

MEMBERS' INTEGRITY

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): I beg to inform the House that pursuant to section 30 of the Members' Integrity Act, 1994, I have today laid upon the table a request by the member for Windsor-Sandwich to the Honourable Robert C. Rutherford, Integrity Commissioner, for opinion on whether the member for Waterloo North has contravened the act or Ontario parliamentary convention.

ORAL QUESTIONS

GASOLINE PRICES

Mr Frank Miclash (Kenora): My question is to the Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations. Gasoline prices in northern Ontario is an issue that has been studied to death not only by yourself but by the former NDP government, and you as well as they have only paid lip service to that issue. My constituents are certainly tired of your government blaming others for the fact that they are paying some 16 cents per litre more than those in the south for gasoline.

Minister, would you tell my constituents what your plan is in terms of correcting this problem and if there will be anything in today's budget that we might see to help us in northern Ontario?

Hon David H. Tsubouchi (Minister of Consumer and Commercial Relations): As the member full well knows, this is something that's a federal responsibility, and has been.

This is really funny, listening to the Liberals particularly, since the parliamentary secretary -

Interjections.

Mrs Sandra Pupatello (Windsor-Sandwich): Where are the gas-busters now? What happened to your gas-busters?

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Minister.

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: Since the members over there in the opposition are asking me to speak about the gas-busters, I certainly would be pleased to accommodate them. We have Joe Tascona, the member from Simcoe, who has taken quite a lead right now in trying to monitor the prices.

If you look back, it's quite interesting. When the gas-busters were actually looking at the prices across the province and monitoring the prices before the long weekend, if we go back and analyze what happened, it's kind of funny that the prices didn't go up. Because they were fairly successful, we decided OK, they've finally done their job. Dan McTeague, who is the federal Liberal member trying to get through his bill -

The Speaker: Thank you. Supplementary.

Mr Miclash: Minister, your gas-busters did absolutely nothing for the consumers in the north, absolutely nothing.

Let me read from a May 15, 1998, Toronto Star article which shows how much concern you have in terms of northern residents when it comes to gas prices. "Petro-Canada spokesperson McMahon said Tsubouchi met on April 12 with the association representing oil companies and he expressed no concern about gas prices" - absolutely no concern.

Minister, this parallels the lack of concern the Premier has, the Premier who reintroduced the tax in terms of vehicle registration in the north. It parallels that.

I again call upon you, as the minister responsible for the unacceptable price of gasoline in my riding, to explain why you have chosen to side with the big oil companies rather than my northern constituents.

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: I don't have the particular article in front of me, but I can assure you of this. The member is looking at an article from the Toronto Star quoting the guy who's in charge of all the big gas companies. I assure you, when we had this meeting - you weren't there, obviously - we especially expressed the unacceptability of the volatility and the high prices of gas in the province. That's why we reinstituted the gas-busters under Joe Tascona; that's why we're monitoring again, because certainly that's important.

Now, having said that, to put context to this, the fact is it's a competition matter. It really is part of the federal government, the federal Liberals. You could probably pick up the phone and wonder why the federal Liberal government quashed - in committee tried to put away Dan McTeague's bill. If you guys have the influence you say you have - because you're relying on federal money right now to fund all the changes you want to do in the upcoming election. Obviously, you don't have much influence to do that, because you can't even call them up to do something about gas prices.

Mr Miclash: I was not invited to the meeting to which you refer, but had I been invited to that meeting I would have been standing up for my constituents, who are paying 16 cents a litre more for gasoline in the north.

At the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association meeting, this issue was front and centre. They want to know what you're doing in terms of my suggestion to provide them with a consumer advocate, somebody who will act on behalf of the consumer when it comes to gas prices in northern Ontario. They also want you to explain to them why our constituents in northwestern Ontario are paying some 16 cents more per litre for gasoline. Your gas-busters did absolutely nothing when it came to gasoline prices in the north, absolutely nothing. It was a complete joke.

Can you tell them about what's happening in terms of my suggestion for a consumer advocate to act on their behalf and why they are paying some 16 cents more per litre?

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: The gas-busters looked at the volatility of gas prices. As I said, because of their monitoring, they had what looked like a profound effect on the fluctuations prior to the long weekends.

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): Yes, pass my bill.

Hon Mr Tsubouchi: The member for St Catharines is talking about something he wants to do. What might be more effective is to talk to the parliamentary secretary for the federal government, the parliamentary secretary for John Manley. You share the riding with him. He's the guy that quashed Dan McTeague's bill. Why don't you just walk down the road, talk to the colleague who shares St Catharines with you and say, "Look, why don't you support Dan McTeague's bill?" If you have such influence, why don't you try to do that? Obviously you haven't done that, because this fellow, Walt Lastewka, has quashed Dan McTeague's bill. If you guys want to do something - you're in government so you know this, or you should know this - the fact is that this is a competition matter. You should be supporting Dan McTeague, which you obviously are not doing.

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HEALTH CARE

Mr Pat Hoy (Essex-Kent): My question is to the Minister of Health. In Chatham-Kent-Essex, we are experiencing a critical doctor shortage that your government has made only token attempts to fix. Your primary care project is a farce. It does nothing to help physicians like Dr Button in Ridgetown, who has a caseload of 7,000 patients. There is still no funding mechanism for nurse practitioners to help rural doctors practising on their own, like Dr Button. You haven't lifted the freeze on community health centres to help rural areas like Tilbury.

The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance tells me they are hanging by a thread and desperately need doctors now. They say you are not committing enough money to accredit foreign-trained physicians. They say people are overloading the emergency wards because we don't have enough doctors, yet the $36.4 million you promised for the doctor shortage -

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Question.

Mr Hoy: - and announced over and over again has not been spent. Nobody trusts you and nobody trusts Mike Harris on health care. Tell me, Minister -

The Speaker: Thank you.

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of Health): Actually, our government has taken some very significant steps to encourage physicians to set up practice in rural and northern communities in this province. As you also know, it was our government that put in place the rural and northern framework and it's our government that is now looking at the whole issue of physician supply to evaluate the situation in the province and to move forward.

We have introduced many initiatives. It was our government that introduced the nurse practitioner legislation; it is our government now that is working with the nurse practitioners to set up practices where they can provide primary care; it is our government that has lifted the freeze on the community health centres; and it is our government that finally has a plan of action to provide services throughout the province.

The Speaker: Supplementary, the member for Cornwall.

Mr John C. Cleary (Cornwall): I have a question to the same minister. I continue to hear from patients in the greater Cornwall area about the lack of staff and services at the local hospitals. Long waiting lists and the lack of hospital beds are putting patients' lives on the line. I recently had a letter from Dr Robert Harris, in which he points out that because of the restructuring commission ruling, facilities in outpatient surgery at the Hotel Dieu Hospital are being scaled back and the services do not exist at Cornwall General Hospital. As a result, these surgery patients are in limbo and there's no way they can receive the treatment. Dr Harris writes: "Hospital cutbacks are now so serious that virtually no provision is made for surgical management of these cases."

Minister, your government cut health care. Hospital restructuring seriously affects the care in my riding and across the province. What will you do to ensure that Cornwall and area patients receive the treatment they deserve and require now?

Hon Mrs Witmer: As the member knows, it was our government that had the courage to take a look at health services within this province. Unfortunately, previous governments refused to take the tough decisions. We embarked on a process to revitalize and strengthen health services everywhere throughout this province. We were the very last province in Canada to do so. We have added $1.5 billion to the health budget.

People in this province today have more health services than ever before. In your own community of Cornwall, you know that your community today has access to dialysis services; that has meant that those people no longer have to travel to Ottawa or Kingston. You have programs that never existed before. There's more money for programs such as long-term care, community care services, dialysis.

The Speaker: Answer.

Hon Mrs Witmer: In each and every area, people in your community have access to more appropriate services than they have ever had in the past, and more money is going -

The Speaker: Final supplementary, member for Windsor-Walkerville.

Mr Dwight Duncan (Windsor-Walkerville): The minister and the government's $100 million in health care ads and other types of ads tell one story, but the facts tell another. In our community, two hospitals were closed down by the previous government, with promises of reinvestment. Your predecessor went in and said, "Here's your money." In our community, a cancer care centre was reannounced in 1996 amid much fanfare; in came your predecessor, but as of yesterday, the ground hadn't been turned. When you took office, in our community we had a shortage of 34 family physicians, and today we have a shortage of 38 family physicians. Your own Health Services Restructuring Commission recommended more than $100 million in reinvestments, and to date virtually none of it has flowed from the provincial government.

Minister, you're a cop-out. The people of this province don't trust your government. They don't believe you. They don't believe you because of redirects from emergency rooms; they don't believe you because they have to go to the US for radiation treatment; and they don't believe you because they can't get a family doctor. Why don't we stop this charade and have an election right now?

Hon Mrs Witmer: It is very unfortunate that the member opposite does not provide a complete picture of health spending in the Windsor community. If the Windsor member indeed were acknowledging the whole picture, he would know there is about $77 million being spent in Essex county beyond what was available in 1995. If we take a look at the whole issue of emergency room funding, we know there has been -

Interjections.

The Speaker: Members for Windsor-Sandwich and Windsor-Walkerville, come to order.

Hon Mrs Witmer: It's obvious the party opposite realizes it has no plan for health care reform. They unfortunately have recognized that we do. On my many trips to Windsor, the citizens of Windsor have indicated to me personally their very strong support for the initiatives that our government has undertaken to strengthen not only hospital services but also health services.

Let me read from the newsletter of the Windsor Regional Hospital, February-March of this year: "The completed emergency department" - that's the one we have provided for - "will have better visibility and patient flow will improve. As well, the ER will have new equipment, including stretchers" -

The Speaker: New question, third party.

PLANT CLOSURE

Mr Len Wood (Cochrane North): I have a question for the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. On March 16, I wrote you a letter and brought to your attention the downsizing of Abitibi-Consolidated in Iroquois Falls. That's a town with 6,000 population. It is a one-company town, so the loss of these jobs - I might point out they're good jobs - will be devastating to the local economy.

In situations like this it's up to the provincial government, through your minister, to take a leadership role. When the NDP was in government, we were faced with a massive layoff at Spruce Falls Power and Paper Co in Kapuskasing. We took the leadership role. We sat down with the interested parties and brokered a deal that saw an employee buyout, saving hundreds of jobs.

I asked you in a March 16 letter, and I ask you again now, what steps have you taken and what steps do you plan to take to make sure the impact on the Iroquois Falls economy is not as severe as it looks like it's going to be at the present time?

Hon Chris Hodgson (Chair of the Management Board of Cabinet, Minister of Northern Development and Mines): The member from the third party is correct, I have talked to the mayor of Iroquois Falls. We've set up a committee that's looking at assistance and a long-term plan. It's not good enough to just throw money at a situation. I think he talked about some of the endeavours they've done in the past in communities that have faced this unfortunate circumstance.

As the member knows, this wasn't unanticipated. It wasn't like as a result of NDP policies, when you had massive factory closures right across the province. It wasn't that way at all. This was as part of the anticipated evolving of that industry. I have talked to the mayor and local officials and there is a committee set up to try to work on the adjustments and how the economy there can adapt.

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Mr Len Wood: This is clearly not good enough. What they were anticipating was a 50-person layoff with the shutdown of a paper machine. Instead, Abitibi-Consolidated announced up to 240 people being laid off as a result of the modernization. This was not expected in the community; it was a shock to the community and it still is.

Today the NDP is showing creativity in northern Ontario. We've announced our three specific commitments to northern Ontario. One is to eliminate the registration fees on passenger cars to help the gas problem. Another is to create a northern resource fund to help out communities like Iroquois Falls. This fund will return money from resource revenues to the north and it will balance the boom-and-bust nature of the northern Ontario economy by supporting job creation and training and traditional assistance to laid-off workers. I might point out that the third one is that we will help bring doctors to the north.

The kind of leadership that the NDP has shown in the past was good. Why does your ministry lack the courage, the vision and the leadership to do some of the very same things that have to be done for Iroquois Falls?

Hon Mr Hodgson: I think everyone in this House has some compassion for the people of Iroquois Falls and the situation they're facing. The best way to approach that is to get the local people together with officials from our ministry - the Ministry of Education and Training has put in some dollars - to try to work through a plan that will bring economic success to Iroquois Falls, like our policies have brought success to the rest of Ontario.

He mentions the NDP record. Your record on raising taxes and spending in this province created a net loss of 10,000 jobs over your term in office. Our policies of cutting taxes to create growth and stimulate the economy have created 540,000 net new jobs. Those are the facts.

He also mentions the NDP platform, their clear vision. You're right, you stand on a policy that says you want to go back to the policies of the past of raising taxes. You're very clear on that and that's what you believe in. We choose a different track and we want to raise the opportunities of all the people of Ontario. The heritage fund has done a tremendous job on that, to try to level the playing field with southern Ontario.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Supplementary, the member for Cochrane South.

Mr Gilles Bisson (Cochrane South): I find it interesting that you state your policies while in government. If the truth be known, on average two people per day have been leaving northern Ontario since you have taken power because of your policies, contrary to the NDP, where we saw a net growth in the population by 16,000 people because of the deals that we made in places like Kapuskasing, Sault Ste Marie, Thunder Bay and many other communities across northern Ontario.

Minister, you're saying that you're working with the community in order to develop some kind of committee to be able to deal with what's happening in Iroquois Falls. There's been an application on your desk for six weeks asking for $141,000 in order to get the adjustment committee going and not yet a word from your government or your desk to the community of Iroquois Falls. Minister, when are you going to move on that application?

Hon Mr Hodgson: I'll take a look at that. We've been working with the community. The committee of adjustment has been set up. I'll check on why the dollars haven't flowed, if that is the case.

I can tell you that you can compare your jobs record to our jobs record, and I'll do that any day of the week: 540,000 net new jobs across the province of Ontario. We've cut the tax rate in this province to create growth, and it's working. In northern Ontario the heritage fund is there to try to build an infrastructure, not like the NDP policy of picking winners and losers in the market and subsidizing businesses but by creating a true infrastructure. Last week we had an announcement on telecommunications to wire up over 200 communities across northern Ontario.

ACCESS TO PROFESSIONS AND TRADES

Ms Marilyn Churley (Riverdale): My question is for the Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. Over half of Canada's immigrants come to Ontario. Many of these people have valuable skills and expertise but they can't get jobs when their skills aren't recognized.

During the last election Mike Harris promised "swift action" to deal with access to professions and trades. He took swift action, all right. He killed the Cabinet Round Table on Anti-Racism that was dealing with the issue and he didn't stop there. Your government repealed employment equity, which would have opened the doors to jobs for visible minorities and others.

In December 1995, Minister Mushinski promised to set up a service for assessing academic credentials. Today, Minister, on behalf of the NDP's deputy leader, Tony Silipo, I introduced the Access to Occupations Act that will recognize the skills and talents of immigrants and set up a process for recognizing their credentials. Will you support the fast passage of this act today?

Hon Isabel Bassett (Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation): First of all, I thank you for bringing this to my attention because it's a matter that we have moved forward steadily on since we were elected in 1995. In terms of access to professions, there are two main challenges. One is the academic credentials. As you know, following the study that we had done looking into the needs in this area, which was completed, we have our RFP out. I would think that by the end of the year we would have a company that is going to be running this program so that immigrants who come in with academic credentials that are not valued -

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Answer.

Hon Ms Bassett: - the same way as Ontario academic credentials are will be judged and will be allowed then to move -

The Speaker: Supplementary.

Ms Churley: I don't know who you're going to outsource this very important issue to, but let me tell you, it's been four years since your government promised to address this problem and you stand there today and talk about privatizing some scheme you have up your sleeve. Your mismanagement and avoidance of the issue has meant that skilled and talented immigrants in Ontario still aren't getting the jobs they're qualified for.

The federal Liberal head tax is a barrier to immigrants as well. The federal Liberals tell people, "Pay us your money, come in and you can practise your professions," and the reality is what happens here in Ontario. In Ontario, they face further barriers. What you and your government have to offer today are empty promises.

This is what Mike Harris said in 1994: "Support, then, for equality of opportunity is hollow rhetoric unless you support efforts to enhance these opportunities." Let's talk today about hollow rhetoric, which is once again what we heard from you. You ripped apart the programs that our government put in place to give minorities in Ontario a foothold. Will you support the legislation that's before you today?

Hon Ms Bassett: Obviously, this is not your area because what we have done is we have a program; we have acted. First of all, there are jobs for new Canadians and immigrants to move into. We've created 540,000 net new jobs, for starters. Second, we have an academic credentials assessment service. We have an RFP for somebody to take that over. It will be up and running by the end of the year. This is what we promised to do and that's exactly what you, in effect, are asking us to do. We have fulfilled our commitment and we are doing it. We continue to move forward.

Ms Churley: Stop patronizing me and us with this nonsense about this not being my area. I have constituents who have been affected by your lack of action for the last four years after your Premier promised before the last election that he would do it. Don't patronize us any more about your so-called commitment to equity. You have systematically attacked equity in employment, education, advocacy, justice and personal security. Your term in government will be remembered as an outright assault on the gains made in this province by minorities and those in favour of equal opportunity.

You have taken violence prevention and anti-discrimination out of the new secondary school curriculum and eliminated the anti-discrimination branch of the education ministry. You abandoned teacher training for anti-discrimination and cancelled policies our government put in place to establish a framework for fairness and justice in our schools.

Minister, tell me why you think it's all right to give the top 6% of Ontarians a tax cut and at the same time eliminate -

The Speaker: Thank you. Minister.

Hon Ms Bassett: What I would say, since you bring up the tax cuts, is that tax cuts have created the jobs that new Canadians come to this country to get. We have taken this step to make sure that people coming to this province have jobs in order to support their families.

One of the barriers they have told us they face is getting into professions. Through our 18 regulatory bodies we are moving forward so that they will look at people from different backgrounds and let them move forward into various training and skills they come here to work in.

We are also giving out fact sheets on the other side of the ocean so that when people come across they know what skills they need to have before they come here, and they can prepare, before they come, to learn the language, to have the skills, so that when they land here they'll be able to get a job. That's exactly what they are finding when they get here.

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SCHOOL SAFETY

Mr Rick Bartolucci (Sudbury): My question is to the Solicitor General. Last Thursday in the wake of the Taber high school and the Columbine High School tragedies, you advocated to the media and to the public of Ontario that every one of Ontario's 827 high schools should have an armed and uniformed police officer stationed within its premises. Norm Gardner, the chair of the Toronto Police Services Board, doesn't agree with you. In fact, your Premier, your leader, Mike Harris, doesn't agree with you. He said, "It's not Mike Harris's policy, nor is it the policy of the government." Solicitor General, can you please tell the people of Ontario, in light of the Premier's public chastizing of your stance, do you still support your suggestion to have a police officer in every one of Ontario's high schools?

Hon Robert W. Runciman (Solicitor General and Minister of Correctional Services): What the member says is quite inaccurate. What I indicated in my comments in a scrum was certainly misinterpreted by certain members of the media. We can provide transcripts if you're really and sincerely interested, which I suspect you are not.

What I indicated was my support for consideration by boards and municipalities across this province of what is already occurring in I think 18 to 20 municipalities in Ontario where various police services provide liaison officers to work within the school system. I indicated the example I recently had exposure to in Collingwood where the OPP has assigned an officer to work full-time in the school. I met with the principal, the vice-principal and the police officer. They are very enthusiastic about the impact it's having on the school body, the teachers, everyone working in that environment. It's been a very positive experience.

Mr Bartolucci: I think the people of Ontario know that answer was from a Solicitor General who last week stepped in a pile of doo-doo and is trying to get the same foot out of his mouth.

I think everyone knows that your suggestion last Thursday was politically motivated, rather than one that was sincere. If you and your government were sincere about tackling the problems of school violence, why did you cancel the violence prevention secretariat which was established in 1992? Why did you cancel the violence-free schools policy which was established in 1994? Why did you cut the funding and eliminate all programs to stop violence in the high schools of Ontario in 1995? Finally, Solicitor General, do you suggest for a second that your way of treating school violence is the right way for Ontario high schools?

Hon Mr Runciman: I don't think this government has to take any lectures from the Liberal Party in terms of concern about public safety. No government in the history of this province, and I believe in the history of this country, has done more to improve public safety than the Mike Harris government.

You talk about the youth in terms of people who are having trouble. We've made the initiatives through our strict discipline facility, Project Turnaround. We are dealing with young offenders' problems and we are going to turn these young people around.

I expressed my support for liaison officers in the school system in Ontario and I continue to strongly support that. I am surprised that a former educator would be opposed to that.

Look at the Alberta situation where a liaison officer was in that school, intervened and was able to put down that young man and stop a very, very much more serious situation. There could have been many more deaths if that officer hadn't -

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Thank you.

HIGHWAY 17

Mr Bud Wildman (Algoma): I want to take the opportunity on what may be my last day in this place after almost 24 years and address a question to the Minister of Transportation on an issue that has been ongoing in our area longer than I've been a member of this place.

The minister will know there is growing frustration in the communities of Sault Ste Marie and the smaller communities of Algoma district east of the city, as well as in the Garden River First Nation, about the length of time it's taking to finally begin the four-laning of Highway 17 east of Sault Ste Marie.

The minister will know that an agreement was reached in the early 1990s, after about 22 years of on and off negotiations, for the transfer of the right of way from the First Nation reserve to the provincial government to allow for the construction of a four-lane Highway 17 to Sault Ste Marie. Since that time construction has not begun and we hear very serious rumours in the community that there may be demonstrations and perhaps even a blockage of traffic on the Trans-Canada Highway unless this project proceeds soon.

Can the minister tell us when he anticipates the project to proceed and what action will be taken -

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): The Minister of Transportation.

Hon David Turnbull (Minister without Portfolio): Your government promised $100 million to four-lane the northern parts of the Trans-Canada Highway and spent $4 million.

The Speaker: Thanks. I'm fairly certain you're not the Minister of Transportation. I do recall when you were critic for the Minister of Transportation.

The Minister of Transportation.

Hon Tony Clement (Minister of Transportation): As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, it is actually an honour to have a question from the honourable member, whom I have respected for my four short years in this House.

Mr Gilles Pouliot (Lake Nipigon): When are you going to build the highway?

Hon Mr Clement: OK, I'm getting to that. I just thought I'd warm up to it a little bit.

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As the honourable member has explained to this House, the issue of Highway 17 through Garden River has been one that I suppose connects me as Minister of Transportation with a healthy line of ministers of transportation all the way back to John Rhodes. I say that without any degree of satisfaction with that result. That's actually something not to be proud of at all.

I travelled the route last year. I know the route quite well. I can share with this House, as the honourable member knows, that there is a unique situation. We wish to tender the contract in a particular way that would involve the First Nation with that contract, which means that it takes a little bit more time to do that, and to do it in a way that is both fair to the taxpayers of Ontario and open to account to the taxpayers of Ontario, but also is able to allow the First Nation on that piece of property an opportunity.

Certainly it is my intention to move as quickly as possible, and if the honourable member has any suggestions on how to avoid a situation that we both want to avoid, I'd be happy to have -

The Speaker: Supplementary.

Mr Wildman: To the minister, the member for York Mills obviously doesn't know the history of this. As the minister has indicated, going right back to the Honourable John Rhodes, a well-respected member of this House and a member from Sault Ste Marie, there have been attempts to get an agreement to resolve this.

The minister knows that in 1994 we did reach agreement and that there was finally an agreement to transfer the land. Since that time there has been haggling between the Ministry of Transportation and the First Nation and their construction firm over the cost of the contract, and nothing has happened.

Frustration is growing both in the non-native community and in the aboriginal community. As the minister has alluded to, there is some rumour that there may be direct action taken because of that frustration that could lead to a serious confrontation. We all want to avoid that. I would encourage the minister to act quickly to resolve the cost question. I would be pleased to assist in averting any kind of difficult situation, if that's possible.

Having said that, can the minister indicate when he expects to have the matter over the cost of the contract resolved so that the contract can proceed, construction can proceed, and we can avoid any disruptions of traffic that would harm relationships in the area and cause serious problems?

Hon Mr Clement: I thank the honourable member for the second part of the question. The honourable member has raised in this House something that we conferred about privately, I believe it was last week. He has made what I believe to be a good-faith offer to assist this government to see whether there is a way to get to where we both want to go, which is the contract finalized and the road built.

I want to say publicly that I am happy to take him up on his offer. I will be proceeding expeditiously in directing my staff to proceed expeditiously with you and your staff in order to get this issue resolved. You've got my full commitment on that.

WATER SUPPLY

Mr Bill Murdoch (Grey-Owen Sound): My question is to the Minister of the Environment. I'm asking this question not only on my behalf -

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Order. I'm interested in hearing the member for Grey-Owen Sound's question.

Mr Murdoch: As I was saying, I'm not only asking this question for myself but also for Jim Wilson and David Tilson.

Grey county is the home of southern Ontario's best streams and rivers. As a result, it is coming under increasing pressure from companies looking for sources of good water for bottling, export and sale to the public.

Control of water-taking lies with the Minister of the Environment. A permit is required for taking more than 50,000 litres per day for any use other than domestic livestock watering or fire control.

However, Grey county was hard hit this past summer by drought conditions. As a result of the drought conditions, I have resolutions here from Grey county council, Artemesia township council, Proton, and the Grey County Federation of Agriculture asking for a moratorium on water-taking permits until the effects of the drought can be assessed and water levels returned to pre-drought levels.

Minister, will you put a moratorium on all new and expanded water-taking permits in Grey county?

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): We are having a significant climate change in Ontario, as witnessed by the fact that Lake Superior is down in water level by some two feet and Lake Ontario is probably down by two and a half feet. It's a very serious problem that we're facing here in Ontario and in North America. We had a significant problem last summer in Grey county, and in southwestern Ontario in particular, with regard to the amount of rainfall that we had last year.

This morning I met with Ted Chudleigh and Dave Tilson and some people with regard to Peel county and some of the problems the farmers are having in that area with regard to watering their livestock.

In view of this situation, I have asked the ministry directors to curtail the issuance of the permit to take water based on the cumulative effects on environment and ecosystem.

Mr Murdoch: Thank you, Minister. I can take that as a yes, you will? I appreciate that.

I'd like to mention that Barb Fisher and Helen Johns both have been working hard in Bruce county. If I can obtain a similar resolution from the county of Bruce, would you put a moratorium on the water-taking in Bruce county too?

Hon Mr Sterling: The answer is yes for Bruce county. The answer is yes for Huron county. The answer is yes for Middlesex county. In fact, the answer is yes for all of southwestern Ontario, over to the east in terms of Lennox and Addington, and we will consider other areas of the province that are under this huge amount of duress in terms of the ability of farmers and communities to get adequate groundwater supply.

LONG-TERM CARE

Mr Bruce Crozier (Essex South): My question is to the Minister of Health. Last week my colleague from Windsor-Sandwich asked the Minister of Long-Term Care and minister responsible for seniors a question that relates to the Windsor-Essex Community Care Access Centre. Since he didn't answer that question, I thought I would go to his boss today.

This question we had was with regard to an audit report. This audit report has been sitting on someone's desk for almost two years. It's one of the most damning reports I've read. We have a copy of that report, and yet it hasn't been released to the public, notwithstanding the fact that the minister promised the member for Windsor-Sandwich and me that it would be.

Minister, would you use your influence and authority to have this report released?

Hon Elizabeth Witmer (Minister of Health): I'll pass that to the Minister of Long-Term Care and seniors.

Hon Cameron Jackson (Minister of Long-Term Care, minister responsible for seniors): I'd like to thank the member opposite for the question. I indicated in the House that this audit is not a secret. It will be shared with the member. He seems to have acquired his own copy. I indicated that the law in this province is very clear, and until the individuals named in this report have given permission to the privacy commissioner to have their names released, those matters had to be done in accordance with Ontario law. As a minister, I will continue to uphold the law.

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Mr Crozier: You've made us go through a freedom of information on this. You quote the law, yet this report is of interest with regard to accountability to the people of Ontario.

This report says in its findings what the major observations are and it lists a number of them. The concerns are with the long-term-care division of the southwest regional office as well as the ministry. It talks about questionable use of resources; needs to conduct a review; inadequate segregation of duties, roles and responsibilities; enhance accountability, monitoring both cash flow and expenses; ensure that agreements are approved on a timely basis; and control over payments was inadequate.

Minister, I don't think you should stall. What the people of Ontario want to know is, are they getting service, are they getting the right service, are they getting a bang for their buck? I wish you'd release this report.

Hon Mr Jackson: I want to assure the member opposite that the Mike Harris government expanded long-term-care services in this province by $300 million, and the good residents of Windsor and Essex county have enjoyed the benefits of expanded access to those services. In the process of expanding these services, we have made the process of delivering long-term-care services, community based services, more accountable by, for the first time in Ontario's history, having publicly elected local residents directing the care through community care access centres.

I want to assure the member, as I did his colleague last week, that the additional dollars invested to service in the Windsor and Essex area were spent on expanded service to the residents of that community, and we'll continue to expand it - services that we've committed to do.

I want to remind the member opposite that his government, his own campaign platform, indicates that you're going to spend $540 million. We've committed to $870 million.

INCINERATION

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre): My question is to the Minister of the Environment. The region of Hamilton-Wentworth has come up with a plan to increase the tonnage of garbage that runs throughout our aging regional incinerator, Swaru, by 40%. That's going to increase dioxin emissions by 50%. Swaru is already the largest producer of dioxins in Ontario, and I don't have to remind you that dioxin is one of the worst cancer-causing substances known. Here we have a cash-strapped region, as a result of your cuts, looking for ways to save money and willing to make our incinerator one of the biggest municipal producers of dioxin in Canada.

This is an incredibly terrible step backwards. You know it, I know it, the people of Hamilton know it and those who know about the health of the people of Hamilton know it.

Minister, I want to know if you are prepared to finally show some environmental leadership in this province and communicate with the region of Hamilton-Wentworth and advise them that it is your opinion and that of your government that this is the wrong thing to do for the people of Hamilton.

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): I understand that they have not made a decision with regard to this matter. I will consider it when they have made that decision.

Mr Christopherson: Minister, that's not good enough. I'm asking you to have some input now. They're making the decision. To the best of my knowledge, they're making that decision at a council meeting this evening. The fact is, it's all over the newspaper: "Garbage Burning Plan a Hot Issue." Of course, where are you when there's a hot issue in our town? "Incinerator Plan Pumps up Dioxins." Don't tell me you want to sit around and wait. This has been caused because you cut back on transfer payments to municipalities. We are $36 million short every year as a result of your downloading, and now our local council is forced to consider things like this that are short-term dollar savings but long-term bad for the health and welfare of the people of this community.

You, Minister, have an obligation to advise them that you're opposed to this and that it's not in the best interests of the environment, that it's not in the best interests of the health of the people of Hamilton-Wentworth. Will you rise to the responsibility of the job you have, finally, and show some environmental leadership?

Hon Mr Sterling: It is not my responsibility to intervene in the council's decision for tonight. We have some of the strictest incineration limits in North America in terms of any kind of incineration that takes place in this province. They will be put to the test, they will follow our laws and they will be required to meet these stringent tests if in fact they make this decision.

I am not going to pre-empt what a municipal council does. Perhaps the NDP wants to take over what municipal governments do. We don't.

EDUCATION REFORM

Mr Joseph Spina (Brampton North): This question is for the Minister of Education. Minister, you recently announced something called a Charter of Education Rights and Responsibilities. Would you be kind enough to explain that particular process to me, please, for my constituents?

Hon David Johnson (Minister of Education and Training): I thank the member for Brampton North. I know the member for Brampton North is in full support of improving the quality of education in our Ontario schools. I'm pleased to say that the education charter of rights and responsibilities, along with the new curriculum, the province-wide testing, the standardized report cards, is a plank in terms of improving that quality of education, because it contains rights for students: for example, the right to a publicly funded elementary and secondary education, the right to a safe learning environment, the right to the highest-quality education we can provide. On the other hand, it contains responsibilities: in the case of students, the responsibility to respect themselves, their fellow students and their teachers.

Interjection.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Member for Ottawa West, come to order.

Hon David Johnson: Parents are important. Parents have the right to know how their child is progressing and how their school is progressing, but they also have the responsibility to be actively involved in supporting the education system.

Mr Spina: Minister, I think you mentioned a component there briefly that dealt with teachers. Can you help me understand how this will improve their ability to teach our students, since they are our most critical asset in this province?

Hon David Johnson: As we all know, we have some of the finest teachers in the world right here in Ontario. These very fine teachers also have rights and need to be supported. They have the right, as we see it, to maintain order and discipline within the classroom, and the charter will assist them in that regard, in maintaining that order and that discipline. That's of course so that our students can learn and the teachers can teach in an orderly fashion. Teachers also have responsibilities. They have responsibility to keep their skills and their training up to date so we, through the charter, will institute every three to five years a testing procedure to ensure -

The Speaker: New question, member for Parkdale.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Tony Ruprecht (Parkdale): I have a question for the Minister of Education. Your original funding formula, which you pushed down the throats of parents in Toronto, did not take into account the fact that our schools are really the heart of our community and serve to provide special programs, such as parenting programs, parks and recreation programs, ESL, adult education, daycare centres and a host of other programs. Are you prepared today to review the funding formula for our schools so that you don't inadvertently rip the heart out of our community by closing these schools?

Hon David Johnson (Minister of Education and Training): I will assure the member opposite that over $15 billion will be spent this year for all sorts of school programs in Ontario. Further, we have guaranteed that next year no school board will receive fewer operating funds than they have this year.

I guess the question is, how do we fund that? Through the strong leadership of the Premier and this party, we know we'll have a strong economy, and based on that strong economy, the revenues will be there to fund our school system in Ontario, to ensure the highest-quality programs within the classrooms and to ensure that the accommodation is built for students, in contrast with the Liberal Party, which has indicated that it will hike property taxes by up to 10%, $1.3 billion on the backs of -

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): Thank you. Supplementary.

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Mr Ruprecht: You think you're pretty smart in answering this question, which you really didn't. I'll tell you this -

Interjections.

The Speaker: I just want to caution the member to be parliamentary.

Mr Ruprecht: Minister, your answer does not help the hundreds of parents in the riding of Davenport whose schools are to be closed, such as Earlscourt Public School, Heydon Park and Hughes Public School. You had promised a number of school boards across Ontario to review this funding formula, but you have not delivered - zilch, nada, nothing. Until you keep your promise, are you prepared to take the advice of our leader, the Liberal leader, Dalton McGuinty, to provide -

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order.

Mr Ruprecht: Let me tell you something: We'll see who's got the last laugh pretty soon.

Back to the education question -

Interjections.

The Speaker: Stop the clock.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Pardon? I think you're debating someone else.

Member for Parkdale.

Mr Ruprecht: Minister, until you keep your promise to not only the parents but the school boards across Ontario, will you not take the advice of the Liberal leader, Dalton McGuinty, and provide sufficient funding until you call the election -

Interjections.

The Speaker: Hold on. You know, we're going to get this question in.

Interjection.

The Speaker: I appreciate that the member for Ottawa West has a question. There has been a lot of heckling and he may not get it. That happens in this place, and I'm sure the member for Ottawa West understands that. The question is going to be put. I want the member for Parkdale to have his opportunity to put the question.

Mr Ruprecht: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

I'm just telling you this in terms of my question: You keep on laughing at this, but we'll find out whether you're right or the Liberal leader, Dalton McGuinty, is right. Are you prepared to listen to the advice of my Liberal leader, Dalton McGuinty, and provide enough funding for these schools until you have the guts to call this election, and call it soon?

Hon David Johnson: I'd be happy to accept the advice of John Manley, who says that taxes must be reduced. Apparently Dalton McGuinty's advice is to put $1.3 billion on the backs of property taxpayers in the province of Ontario. I will not accept that.

Even on an issue such as providing 2,000 computers to schools - four or five computers, it says here in Dalton McGuinty's plan, but there are 5,000 schools in the province. You're going to provide less than half a computer to every school. I can hardly accept that sort of advice.

What we have done is provide over $200 million more funding to schools, over $60 million here in Toronto, and that money will come through a booming economy -

The Speaker: Thank you.

MEMBER FOR ALGOMA

Hon Margaret Marland (Minister without Portfolio [children's issues]): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I'm aware of the fact that we have two deans remaining in this House at this time and that one of them, the member for Algoma, is retiring. Since he has been a member of this place for 24 years, I think it would be very remiss of all of us not to use an opportunity, although I recognize it's not a legal opportunity on my part, to pay our respects and best wishes to the member for Algoma.

I know that those of us who have been colleagues for some of his 24 years will indeed miss his good humour, his dignified debate and his strong ability to actually put behind the rancour of partisan activity in this place and maintain a relationship with all of us, colleagues of all parties.

If I may, Mr Speaker, wish a happy and healthy retirement to Bud Wildman.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): On the point of order, you can respond today or tomorrow; it's up to you.

Mr Bud Wildman (Algoma): Mr Speaker, I want to thank my friend opposite for her kind remarks. After hearing her compliments and everything, I've changed my mind.

I really do appreciate her kind remarks. As Adlai Stevenson said, "Flattery is fine, as long as you don't inhale." Since there have been so many questions about inhaling in the last few weeks around this place, I want to assure you that I did not inhale.

I have very much appreciated the relationships I've had with other members of this House on all sides of the aisle over the last 23½ years, along with my friend from Renfrew North, with whom I share the longest time serving in this House. He is running again, and I wish him well - not too well, of course.

At any rate, I do appreciate the fact that I've had the opportunity to serve the people of Ontario and Algoma both in opposition and in government over many years. I've appreciated their support and friendship. I've also appreciated the relationships I've developed with many members of the House.

It's my experience that despite the low esteem that sometimes is given to politicians in our society, members of whatever political stripe may have significant differences of opinion but they are all dedicated to what is best for their constituents and for the people of this province. It's been a privilege for me to be able to serve with you all.

I really value this place. I think unfortunately some members do not see the importance of legislative debate as they might. I would hope that is not the case. But I really do enjoy this place and I have enjoyed my time here. I thank you very much for acknowledging that I am not going to be seeking re-election. Thank you all very much.

The Speaker: I will be certain that copies of Hansard are sent to your family.

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PETITIONS

DRIVER EXAMINATION CENTRES

Mr Bruce Crozier (Essex South): I have a number of petitions here, over 7,000, that were put together with the work of Joseph and Betty Jabbour.

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas the Ontario government has a duty and responsibility to provide driver exam centres across the province;

"Whereas the Ministry of Transportation closed the Leamington driver exam centre on October 25, 1996, forcing persons and local driver training schools to travel over 50 kilometres in order to obtain a driver exam;

"Whereas this has presented hardships for the senior population;

"Whereas students are losing time from school in order to travel to a driver exam centre;

"Be it therefore resolved that we, the undersigned, ask the Ministry of Transportation to reconsider and reopen a driver examination centre to serve the population in the Leamington area."

I join 7,917 constituents in signing this application and put my signature to it in support.

ADOPTION

Mr Alex Cullen (Ottawa West): I have a petition here to the Legislature of Ontario. I am going to summarize the "whereases" and go directly to the direction of the petition. It deals with adoption reform.

"We, the undersigned, petition the Legislature of Ontario to enact revision of the Child and Family Services Act and other acts to:

"Permit unrestricted access to full personal identifying birth information to adopted persons and adult children of adopted persons, unrestricted access to amended birth certificates to birth parents, birth grandparents, siblings and other birth relatives, where the adopted person has reached age 18;

"Permit unrestricted access to identifying information to adoptive parents of minor children, emancipated minor adoptees and individuals with legal guardianship for an adopted person in special circumstances;

"Allow adopted persons and birth relatives to file a notice stating their wish for no contact;

"Replace mandatory reunion counselling with optional counselling;

"Permit access to agency and court files when original statistical information is insufficient for identification of and contact with birth relatives;

"Recognize open adoptions in the legislation."

I am proud to support this and affix my signature to it.

RECYCLING

Mr Carl DeFaria (Mississauga East): I have a petition organized by a campaign by students of Saints Peter and Paul school in Mississauga asking the government to reintroduce refillable bottles in a deposit return system in Ontario. It reads:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"Whereas we believe that reusing makes more environmental and economical sense than recycling;

"Whereas we want to leave a healthy and clean environment for our children;

"Whereas the deposit return system would help reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in our landfills and in our environment;

"We, therefore, petition the enforcement of regulations 340 and 357 and the enforcement of legislation for refillable bottles."

This petition is signed by hundreds and hundreds of people whom the students have approached in our Mississauga East riding. I am pleased to affix my signature to it.

HOME CARE

Mr Sean G. Conway (Renfrew North): I'm pleased to present to the Legislature this afternoon a petition prepared by Mrs Donna Reimer of Barry's Bay and signed by 352 people of the west Renfrew area of my constituency. The petition reads in part:

"To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

"We, the undersigned, draw to your attention our growing concern about the impact of cuts in home care and home support and the very negative impact that these cuts are having to quality health care in the Barry's Bay area of west Renfrew county."

I am pleased to affix my signature to this petition, which clearly speaks to a very serious and real need of seniors in my part of eastern Ontario.

FIRE IN HAMILTON

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"Two years ago, Hamilton was the site of one of the worst environmental disasters in Ontario; and

"Whereas the Plastimet fire raged for three days in a residential area of Hamilton, releasing furans, large quantities of heavy metals and other dangerous chemicals and consuming 400 tonnes of plastic, including polyvinyl chloride, PVC, which releases extremely toxic substances, such as dioxins, which are thought to cause cancer and disruptions to endocrine systems; and

"Whereas the city of Hamilton declared a state of emergency and a one-day evacuation of area residents because of fears about airborne toxins; and

"Whereas the government has cut funding to the Ministry of the Environment by more than 35% and laid off more than 750 people who used to work to protect the environment; and

"Whereas we urgently need a public inquiry to find whether these cuts played a role in causing the Plastimet fire, whether the evacuation process was adequate, if residents and workers received adequate warning of the danger, are there ways to improve responses to these life-threatening fires and how to prevent the nightmare of other Plastimet fires in all our communities; and

"Whereas for the past two years the Harris Conservative government has steadfastly refused to hold such a public inquiry or listen to municipalities, labour organizations, environmental groups and firefighter organizations, who have all urged the government to hold a public inquiry; and

"Whereas the Harris Conservative government has allowed corporate polluters like Plastimet to operate with virtual impunity in a climate of deregulation or industry self-regulation, along with cuts to monitoring and enforcement mechanisms;

"Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to put the safety and health of the people of Hamilton before the interests of corporate polluters and immediately hold a public inquiry into the Plastimet fire."

I continue to support my constituents who want this public inquiry.

EDUCATION FUNDING

Mr Bruce Smith (Middlesex): "Whereas this government has undertaken to reform the system of education funding to ensure fair funding for all Ontario students; and

"Whereas the Supreme Court of Canada has stated that the province could, if it so chose, pass legislation extending funding to denominational schools other than Roman Catholic schools without infringing the rights guaranteed Roman Catholic separate schools; and

"Whereas providing our children with an excellent education consistent with our cultural and religious beliefs is a necessity and not a matter of preference; and

"Whereas independent schools successfully educate children across the entire spectrum of learning abilities and special needs; and

"Whereas all children of taxpaying Ontario parents deserve to have funding distributed in a manner that does not discriminate against those not using the public Catholic systems;

"Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and taxpayers of Ontario, respectfully request that the government take immediate steps to extend fair funding to all students of the province."

Mr Monte Kwinter (Wilson Heights): I have a petition that states:

"Whereas the government of Ontario and all political parties represented in the Legislature strongly believe in a tolerant society in which religious and cultural differences are respected and services are provided without discrimination, as reflected in section 1 of the Human Rights Code;

"Whereas this government has undertaken to reform the system of education funding to ensure `fair funding' for the education of Ontario's children;

"Whereas the Supreme Court of Canada has confirmed that the province of Ontario has the power to extend funding to denominational schools;

"Whereas five other provinces - BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec - provide public funding to denominational schools;

"Whereas Catholic parents in Ontario enjoy the right to educate their children in an education system" run by their community "consistent with Catholic values and fully supported by their education tax dollars;

"Whereas our education tax dollars are already used to support special education programs based on ethnicity, sexual orientation, as well as popular French immersion programs, without posing a threat to mainstream public education;

"Whereas experience shows that a system that in effect forces religious and cultural minority parents to educate their children in a secular school system threatens the continuity of many of these communities;

"Whereas providing our children with an appropriate education in a context consistent with our cultural and religious values is a necessity and not a matter of preference;

"Whereas denominational schools successfully educate children who are overwhelmingly from low- and middle-income Canadian families and representing the entire spectrum of learning ability and special needs;

"Whereas all parents in Ontario paying taxes for education deserve to have that funding distributed in a manner that does not discriminate against those who for conscientious reasons are unable to use the secular public education system;

"Therefore we, the undersigned citizens and taxpayers of Ontario, respectfully request that the Legislature and the government take immediate steps to extend equitable funding to denominational schools."

Mr Alex Cullen (Ottawa West): "Whereas the government of Ontario has imposed a politically motivated funding formula that will force the closure of hundreds of schools across Ontario;

"Whereas the only reason for the funding formula is to justify removing more than $1 billion from the education system so that the wealthiest Ontarians can get a tax break;

"Whereas the schools are the heart of our communities and to close schools would be to cut out the heart of our communities;

"Whereas a properly funded, quality education system is critical to the well-being of the children of this province and the future of the province itself;

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

"That the government of Ontario scrap the funding formula and save our schools by properly funding public education, starting with the return of more than $1 billion taken out of education by the government of Ontario."

I affix my signature to this.

SCHOOL CLOSURES

Mr David Tilson (Dufferin-Peel): I have a petition which I would like to read on behalf of the member for Wellington and myself. It's addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the Upper Grand District School Board has identified nine schools to be closed in their district, one of them being Arthur District High School; and

"Whereas the Upper Grand District School Board has not satisfied the stakeholders in Arthur District High School of the educational or financial benefits of closing the school;

"We, the undersigned, petition the government of Ontario to stop the closure of this school immediately."

I have signed this petition.

PORNOGRAPHY

Mr John C. Cleary (Cornwall): I also have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas children are exposed to pornography in variety stores and video retail outlets;

"Whereas bylaws vary from city to city and have failed to protect minors from unwanted exposure to pornography;

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

"To enact legislation which will create uniform standards in Ontario to prevent minors from being exposed to pornography in retail establishments; prevent minors from entering establishments which rent or sell pornography; restrict the location of such establishments to non-residential areas."

That's signed by 150 constituents in my riding.

PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS

Mr David Christopherson (Hamilton Centre): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. It reads as follows:

"We, the undersigned citizens of Hamilton and the surrounding areas, beg leave to petition the government of Ontario as follows:

"Whereas the Health Services Restructuring Commission has announced the closure of the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital; and

"Whereas the government of Ontario, through the Health Services Restructuring Commission, is divesting its responsibility for mental health care without any consultation with the people of Hamilton-Wentworth; and

"Whereas the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital has a reputation for excellence and is a leader in providing mental health care services and many unique programs; and

"Whereas in 1998 the American Psychiatric Association awarded their gold medal to the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital for its program on mood disorders; and

"Whereas both city and regional councils oppose the closure and more than 30,000 people have signed petitions to date opposing the hospital's closure; and

"Whereas the people of Hamilton-Wentworth will pay the price when the Harris government shuts down the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital;

"Therefore we, the people of Hamilton-Wentworth who care about quality, accessibility and a publicly accountable mental health care system, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to keep the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital site open and deliver the services and programs from that location," just as Howard Hampton promised to do yesterday.

EDUCATION LABOUR DISPUTES

Mr John L. Parker (York East): I have a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

"Whereas the government of Ontario has identified quality education as a priority public policy;

"Whereas a number of education reforms have been introduced in the province of Ontario to improve the quality of education;

"Whereas ultimately the quality of education depends on the quality of teaching in the classroom;

"Whereas in recent years students, teachers and parents have been subjected to the inconvenience and hardships resulting from the withholding of services in education-related labour disputes;

"Whereas students, teachers and parents would all benefit from a consistent and uninterrupted school year; and

"Whereas Mr Frank Klees, MPP for York-Mackenzie, has introduced a resolution to address this issue;

"Therefore we, the undersigned residents of Ontario, petition the government of Ontario to establish a task force consisting of representatives of all of the stakeholders in the education system, such task force to have as its objectives to find, through consultation with the stakeholders, a mechanism for resolving labour disputes in the education system that would avoid disruption of services."

HEALTH CARE

Mr James J. Bradley (St Catharines): "Whereas St Catharines and the Niagara region are in urgent need of family physicians and medical specialists;

"Whereas patients are required to utilize the emergency departments of hospitals in Niagara rather than visiting their own family doctor, or use the services of walk-in clinics at all times;

"Therefore be it resolved that the Minister of Health declare Niagara an underserviced area as it relates to the availability of family physicians and medical specialists, and that the government of Ontario take all steps necessary to ensure that the medical needs of the Niagara region are met, including the availability of members of the medical profession to serve Niagara residents."

I affix my signature as I am in complete agreement with this petition.

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): Madam Speaker, I seek unanimous consent of the House that we now suspend the proceedings until 4 o'clock, at which time the budget will be presented.

The Acting Speaker (Ms Marilyn Churley): Is there unanimous consent to suspend the proceedings till 4? Agreed.

There'll be a five-minute bell at 3:55 pm to call the members into the House.

This House stands recessed until 4 pm.

The House recessed from 1515 to 1600.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

1999 ONTARIO BUDGET

Hon Ernie L. Eves (Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance): I move, seconded by Mr Harris, that this House approves in general the budgetary policy of the government.

The Speaker (Hon Chris Stockwell): I ask the indulgence of the House for the pages to the deliver the budget. Do all members have a budget? Minister of Finance.

Hon Mr Eves: Four years ago I stood in this House and told the people of Ontario that our province could do better - much better. I told them we must do better if we were to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and protect the services important to all Ontarians.

At that time I promised Ontarians that our government was committed to rebuilding Ontario. I reminded them that this would not be an easy task.

In the wake of a decade of successive governments taxing and spending freely, hundreds of thousands of Ontarians were without work.

Taxes were hiked 65 times.

The welfare rolls were jammed with 1.3 million people who simply wanted and, quite frankly, deserved opportunity and the dignity of a job.

The situation was so bad that more jobs were lost in Ontario between 1990 and 1995 than at any other time in the province's history since the Great Depression.

A deficit of $11.3 billion meant that the government was spending $1 million an hour more than it was taking in in revenue.

The entire foundation of our growth had been eroded.

Our government promised to rebuild that foundation. We promised a plan to strengthen the economy of the province and make it a better place for all Ontarians and their families.

Unlike our predecessors, we knew that tax cuts create a strong economy.

A strong economy builds better communities.

A strong economy allows us to invest in children's early years.

A strong economy leads to an innovative culture.

A strong economy supports a skilled workforce.

A strong economy provides for quality education and lifelong learning.

A strong economy allows us to strengthen health care and helps us to build the foundations for prosperity so that every family, every person in this province, can have a better tomorrow.

Building a strong economy takes vision and leadership. The leadership Premier Harris has shown over the past four years has clearly put Ontario back on the right track.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only my good friend and colleague the Premier but also all members of the Legislature and Ontario citizens who provided their ideas and input throughout the past four years.

The most recent budget consultation process was again both stimulating and enlightening for me, and it would not have been possible without the dedication of the deputy minister, Bryne Purchase, and my chief of staff, Steve Pengelly, with the entire team at the Ministry of Finance.

Since we began our program of tax cuts and focused reinvestment, Ontario has experienced continual economic growth, with a consistent record of outperforming the other economies in Canada and throughout the world.

In 1998 alone the Ontario economy expanded by 4.2%, doubling the rate of 2.1% for the rest of Canada. The economy grew faster than any of the G7 nations, including the United States of America and Germany.

Retail sales grew by 6.9% last year, more than four times the increase in retail sales in the rest of the country. Consumer spending rose almost 5% in 1998, the strongest gain in over a decade.

Ontario has become one of the world's greatest trading jurisdictions. Today, Ontario has the highest exports as a share of GDP of any Canadian province or any G7 country, including Japan and France. In 1998, Ontario merchandise exports increased over 11%, twice the rate for the rest of Canada. Automobile parts manufacturers shipped record volumes.

Recent private-sector forecasts predict that economic growth will remain strong this year. The average forecast is 3.8% real economic growth for Ontario in 1999, while the Canadian economy is forecast to grow by 2.8%. Ontario is again forecast to continue to grow faster than any G7 country.

What does this mean for individuals and communities across Ontario?

It means hundreds of construction cranes in communities across Ontario. It means thousands of new homes being built. It means hundreds of thousands more jobs. It means millions of Ontario families keeping more of their hard-earned money through tax cuts.

Since the throne speech in September 1995, the Ontario economy has added 539,000 net new jobs. The 200,000 new jobs created in 1998 alone represent the largest annual increase in net new jobs ever recorded for the province of Ontario, or any other Canadian province for that matter.

More than 96% of those jobs were full-time. In the last seven months alone, 205,000 new full-time jobs have been created in our province.

Just last week, last Monday, the Conference Board of Canada estimated that Ontario will have surpassed the government's ambitious 725,000-job target by the first quarter of the year 2000, over one year, some full 15 months, ahead of schedule. By the end of the year 2000, the Conference Board estimates that the economy will have created 866,000 jobs, far surpassing the 725,000 predicted and ridiculed by members of the opposition. This is why I am confident that the economy will create another 825,000 jobs over the next five years.

Those jobs are being created all across this province: more jobs in high-tech industries; more jobs in the automotive industry, in the construction industry and in financial services; more jobs in tourism.

In the last four years, 374,000 Ontarians have been given the opportunity to break the cycle of welfare dependency. Through the new mandatory work-for-welfare program, people are acquiring skills and the confidence necessary to take advantage of the opportunities that Ontario offers to them and to their families.

As heartened as we are by the success of the past four years, we cannot and must not take for granted that it will automatically continue.

We live in a highly competitive world where there are fewer boundaries - geographic or technological - to restrict business to just one place.

Achieving more jobs, more growth and a stronger economy in this environment continues to be an uphill battle. In the words of Premier Harris: "If the road we're travelling is uphill, we cannot coast. We either keep moving forward or we risk sliding back."

The people of Ontario cannot afford to take that risk.

History has proven that when taxes go up, as they did from 1985 to 1995, and governments take more of taxpayers' and their families' hard-earned money, it leaves them with less money to spend and invest.

High taxes kill jobs, they stifle prosperity and they threaten the government's ability to support the programs that Ontario families value most.

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Tax cuts are the basis for a strong economy. Tax cuts create jobs. Allowing Ontarians to keep more of their own hard-earned money over the past four years has meant that they are spending and investing more, boosting our economy and creating jobs.

A growing economy means we have more money to reinvest in the things that mean the most to our families, like health care we can rely on, and quality education.

Now, there are those in this House who disagree with that. There are those who criticize our tax cuts. There are those who said very loudly that tax cuts would actually stifle economic growth, that it would decrease government revenues, leaving government with less money to spend on those important programs.

There are even those in this House who said tax cuts would cut government revenues by $5 billion a year. As Winston Churchill said, "I do not resent the criticism, even when, for the sake of emphasis, it parts for the time with reality."

The reality is that with more people working, taxation revenues have gone up by over $6 billion a year, even as rates went down. I would point out to the honourable members opposite that that's an $11-billion-a-year miscalculation on their part.

Perhaps some people can afford to make an $11-billion-a-year mistake, but on this side of the House, we cannot. We have the responsibility to take the necessary actions to build foundations for prosperity so that all Ontarians can have a better life.

Between 1985 and 1995, governments increased taxes 65 times. We saw where that led. Those tax increases led to high deficits, job loss and the highest percentage of people in Canada on welfare. That was their record.

Since taking office in 1995, we have cut taxes for Ontario families and businesses a total of 69 times, and today I am pleased to announce an additional 30 tax cuts. That brings to 99 the number of tax cuts we are delivering to the people of the province of Ontario - 99 cuts, so you know who my hero is, Mr Speaker: Wayne Gretzky.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Come to order, please. Member for Hamilton East, come to order.

Hon Mr Eves: Wayne Gretzky may be the greatest hockey player ever, but Mike Harris is the superstar of tax cuts.

We believe that Ontarians deserve a break on their taxes and we know, as the more than half a million people who have found work in the past four years know firsthand, that tax cuts create jobs.

Ontario's businesses are the engines of growth that drive our economy. Our government is committed to helping Ontario's businesses grow and create jobs.

We have taken significant action to help businesses across the province. We eliminated the employer health tax on the first $400,000 of payroll. We followed with our plan to cut the small business corporate income tax rate in half by 2006, making it the lowest rate in Canada. We cut red tape. And these actions were just the beginning.

Today I am proposing more tax cuts and reductions in red tape to ensure businesses in Ontario can indeed grow and create jobs.

Legislation will be introduced to eliminate the capital tax for an additional 45,000 businesses and reduce it for over 15,000 others. We will eliminate the capital tax entirely for credit unions to increase their community financing role.

To support farmers, a key business sector, I am proposing that the temporary retail sales tax rebate for farm building materials be made permanent. Farmers will also be exempt permanently from sales tax on a much wider range of products purchased for use in farming activities.

Last year, the government introduced a plan to make property taxes fair across the province. We also introduced an eight-year, $500-million plan to reduce business education tax.

The business community can rest assured that our government will ensure that all existing tax protection tools will be available to municipalities and that the current business tax limits will continue in effect each and every year until tax fairness is achieved.

I'm announcing the creation of a Business Tax Review Panel to examine the current Ontario personal, corporate and property tax systems for their impact on the capacity of business, both small and large, to create jobs.

We're going to level the playing field for newly constructed commercial and industrial properties. We're going to introduce a new, short-form corporation tax return for small corporations to comply more easily with tax filing. We are bringing forward a Charter of Taxpayer Rights, suggested by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, a commitment to administer tax laws with fairness, courtesy and common sense.

We are expanding the community banking role of credit unions by exempting them from capital tax. We are going to increase consultations with credit unions and small business on a guaranteed lending program, and we are going to reduce deposit insurance requirements for credit unions.

For the average family taxes are still too high. Our predecessors allowed education property taxes for residential properties to go up by 42% between 1985 and 1990 and 20% between 1990 and 1995. Those are the records of their governments.

Our government froze education property tax rates and we are now reducing them.

Today I am announcing the government's intention to cut the residential education tax rate by 20% over five years. For the typical owner of a single-family detached home, that means a cut of $150. As a first step, the residential education tax rate will be reduced by 10%, retroactive to January 1 of this year. This will allow homeowners to keep $250 million of their own money this year alone; $500 million a year when fully implemented.

The land transfer tax refund program has already helped more than 42,000 people, most of them young families, buy a new home. I am proposing that this refund program be extended for another year for first-time buyers of newly constructed homes and that the maximum refund be increased to $2,000, retroactive to April 1 of this year.

My daughter Natalie may not be entirely happy with this decision as she became the proud, first-time purchaser of a new home on March 31. However, it does confirm budget confidentiality.

From 1985 to 1995, governments hiked personal income taxes 11 times. Our government started cutting personal income taxes by delivering a 30% cut, and further cut personal income taxes by increasing basic personal exemptions.

Our tax cuts have made a big difference to Ontario families. For example, a couple with two children and a net income of $60,000 from two earners will pay, when annualized, $1,430 less in Ontario income tax. This family will have saved $3,595 since we started cutting taxes.

Today I'm announcing that our government will cut income taxes again substantially. We are proposing to cut personal income taxes for Ontarians by an additional 20% over the next five years, starting July 1 of this year with a 5% reduction in Ontario's personal income tax rate to 38.5% of the basic federal tax.

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The same family with two children and a net family income of $60,000 from two earners will save an additional $625 a year from this reduction when fully implemented. Together with the 30% already introduced, this family will be better off by $2,105 a year as a result of the personal income tax reductions introduced by this government.

To continue helping modest-income families, I am proposing to enrich the Ontario tax reduction program. Ontario income tax will be eliminated for another 30,000 Ontarians and further reduced for 555,000 more. This means that 1,205,000 Ontarians will benefit from this program, including the 650,000 people who must continue to pay federal income tax but will not pay a cent of Ontario income tax at all.

I am proposing that we establish an advisory panel to examine concerns that have recently been raised regarding the tax treatment of one-earner and two-earner families in our system, and that we enrich the Ontario tax reduction program for those more modest incomes.

The tax cuts introduced by this government have helped us to create a strong economy, which in turn allows us to invest more in health care.

As Durhane Wong-Reiger, former president of the Canadian Hemophilia Society, has said: "I'm a strong social advocate in health care and have worked in education and I know we need resources and services. I also know that if we don't have a strong economy, we can't do any of that."

Ensuring that all Ontarians can rely on top-quality health care has required a modernization of our system to meet the needs of an aging and changing and growing population.

The job of creating a modern health care system has not been easy. But we are beginning to see the results, and we will continue to make the necessary investments to create a better system for today and tomorrow.

In 1995, we promised to maintain health care spending at $17.4 billion. In fact, by the last fiscal year, we had increased health care operating funding to $18.9 billion, by far the largest amount in the history of the province of Ontario. We will increase funding by another 20% over the next five years to $22.7 billion, the highest level anywhere in Canadian history.

This record level of health care investment over the past four years has improved access to a broad range of integrated health care services that are available when people need them. Our reinvestments have resulted in improved cardiac care, cancer care, dialysis and MRIs, to name a few.

We are adding 20,000 new beds for seniors and expanded community services for people with continuing care needs and children with special needs. We are investing $375 million to hire 10,000 more nurses over the next two years, for a total of 12,000 over three years. We will back all of this up with a Patients' Bill of Rights guaranteeing access to health services so all Ontarians will know what to expect when they arrive at a hospital or call on community-based care.

Premier Harris showed tremendous leadership on behalf of the people of this province as part of the campaign by Canada's premiers to recover the federal government's health care cuts. As a result of this effort, the federal government has started to restore some of the $2.8 billion annually that it took from the people of Ontario. There are some over there who like that $2.8-billion cut, but we on this side of the House do not. The new chapter in transfer payment history is a good first step, but it is only a first step.

Some are promising to spend only recovered federal money to improve health services. For the year 1999-2000, we will increase total health care spending by $1.6 billion. Premier Mike Harris is not only putting back every cent of the $945 million we have recovered from Ottawa straight into health care services but has added a further $702 million in provincial funding.

Meeting Ontario's health care needs requires investments in improving and expanding health care infrastructure. Our strong economy is enabling these and other important investments in Ontario's infrastructure to be made.

A strong network of highways is vital to Ontarians' needs, but the information highway is also important, as is a responsive education system.

Our world is changing and so must our infrastructure.

In order to make these changes in a way that also responds to the priorities of the people of Ontario, the government is establishing a SuperBuild Growth Fund which will inject $20 billion into Ontario's infrastructure over the next five years. The SuperBuild Growth Fund will challenge our partners in the public and private sector to identify and support priority projects. This way, we will make the right kinds of investment at the right times.

I am announcing an initial government investment of $2.9 billion in the fund for this year. The fund will consolidate infrastructure spending currently scattered across the system. By consolidating infrastructure spending and emphasizing partnerships, we will focus on investments that are both strategic and innovative in universities and colleges, in health care, in roads and bridges, in transit, in the information highway, in the environment and in building communities across Ontario.

The Ontario Financial Review Commission will be reconvened to examine emerging accounting and reporting practices, including capital funding and financing.

Innovation is one of the key themes of the Ontario Jobs and Investment Board's report, A Road Map to Prosperity. Innovation does not mean just creating and using new technologies and it does not apply only to high-tech businesses. It means developing new ideas and seizing opportunities to ensure that Ontario remains competitive.

The challenge is for all Ontarians - individuals, businesses, communities, institutions, organizations and governments - to do their part. Our economic growth has enabled much to be accomplished already in fostering innovation in Ontario.

The Ontario business research institute tax credit announced in the 1997 budget continues to promote parterships between business and Ontario post-secondary institutions. The Ontario R&D Challenge Fund has so far led to 43 partnerships between the private sector and research institutions, and over $420 million has been committed to R&D projects under this fund.

The SuperBuild Growth Fund is allowing us to make further investments in important innovative projects. Today I'm pleased to announce initiatives that will foster innovation, build our communities and increase Ontario's competitive advantage, beginning with the creation of the Ontario Innovation Trust. This $250-million trust will provide funding to Ontario universities, hospitals and colleges for labs, high-tech equipment and other research infrastructure.

Innovative businesses and the entrepreneurs who lead them will benefit from more tax cuts, better access to financing, and improved business supports.

We are extending the Ontario innovation tax credit to public corporations and companies with up to $25 million of taxable capital.

We are further extending the Ontario computer animation and special effects tax credit to include freelance labour costs and giving similar treatment to the digital media tax credit.

We are going to change the Ontario Securities Commission - regulatory changes making small business financing simpler.

We are going to provide $3 million to Ontario Exports Inc to help small businesses start exporting their products.

Ontario has one of the most talented and innovative workforces in the world. Without continued economic growth and private-public partnerships, however, we would be unable to equip the workers of today and tomorrow with the necessary skills to succeed in an ever-changing market.

So while there is simply more to be done to create employment opportunities for Ontario's youth, 80,000 new jobs - over 53% of all youth jobs in Canada since September 1995 - have been created here in the province of Ontario. But we must explore innovative ways of ensuring that Ontario's youth can take full advantage of the opportunities that exist for them right here at home. We are committed to doing that.

Ontario must continue to attract and retain talented knowledge workers to remain a world leader in high-tech industries. A proposed new Ontario research employee stock option credit will make the tax treatment of compensation offered by Ontario R&D companies more competitive with the treatment in the United States of America. Perhaps this initiative will encourage the federal government to finally take action on this important matter.

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The SuperBuild Growth Fund will provide nearly three quarters of a billion dollars - some $742 million - this year alone for investments to build and modernize our universities and colleges.

With contributions from the private sector and other partners, this will increase dramatically.

Four of the many exciting proposals that we have received from our post-secondary partners, with a very significant share of private sector money, are a new centre for information technology at the University of Toronto, a centre for excellence in manufacturing at Durham College, a centre for environmental and information technologies at the University of Waterloo, and the McMaster engineering and science rehabilitation program.

The SuperBuild Growth Fund will also promote co-operation between community colleges and universities. This co-operation will include more collaborate programming, innovative partnerships and easier movement between colleges and universities.

The province has also consulted with colleges and universities on ways to use existing facilities more efficiently, and will provide additional funding to assist them in doing so.

A $23-million increase in base operating funding will help our post-secondary institutions accommodate more students this September.

In last year's budget, I announced a $150-million access to opportunities program to "double the pipeline" of graduates in computer science and high-demand engineering. The program, which applied an innovative market test by requiring industry to match start-up costs, has been tremendously successful. Business response was beyond our expectations.

Today I am pleased to announce an expansion of the program with an additional $78 million in provincial start-up funding. This will increase the number of ATOP spaces by 40%, from 17,000 new opportunities for students each year to 23,000 opportunities each year.

Through the strategic skills investment program, also launched in last year's budget, 19 of 25 of Ontario's community colleges have entered into new skills partnerships with industry in self-sustaining programs, totalling $115 million. We will continue to invest $100 million in this program over the next five years, which will leverage a total of $500 million for strategic skills training.

The government is helping students and their families pay for the cost of post-secondary education and manage their debt load. The more than $600 million being raised in the Ontario student opportunity trust fund will help 185,000 college and university students get an education over the next decade.

Starting in September 2000, the new Aiming for the Top tuition scholarships will help students who earn top marks but require financial assistance to attend college or university. At maturity, the government will be providing $35 million to 10,000 students in awards of up to $3,500 per year for four years. We challenge the private sector to provide matching funds to allow 20,000 students to benefit from this program.

The important investments I have just mentioned - for research infrastructure, capital expansion and improvements, enhancements in base operating funding, assistance for students in financial need, and targeted funding for innovative partnerships in high-demand areas - will help our post-secondary institutions provide a place for all qualified students graduating from high school now and in the future as the student population continues to grow.

We will be enhancing the co-operative education tax credit for leading-edge technology apprentices.

Just today, the federal and provincial governments reached an agreement on student loan programs to harmonize them by August 2000 to better meet the needs of about 200,000 students and limit student debt.

More women will be apprenticing in the skilled trades in the automotive industry.

The women's Partners for Change Network has been expanded to include more cities, and women's community employment centres funding has been increased.

The best way to ensure that our young people can take advantage of opportunities in Ontario is to provide them with the best education possible, with courses that reflect today's reality and keep pace with an ever-changing world.

The student-focused funding formula, the new curriculum and the province-wide standards for elementary and secondary education are a few of the ways we are doing that.

Increased accountability, a stronger link between schools and the job market, and better career planning for students will continue to improve our education system.

School board spending is increasing. Through the student-focused approach to funding, boards received $13.1 billion last fiscal year, and in this fiscal year school boards will receive an estimated $13.3 billion. That's up $400 million from 1995.

This year, provincial funding for education will support approximately $1.9 billion in new school construction and new spaces for 170,000 students. In addition, I am pleased to announce that $50 million will be invested from the SuperBuild Growth Fund in elementary and secondary school capital to help school boards manage pressing capital needs relating to health and safety matters.

Preparing children for the future starts in their earliest years. Last month, the government received a very important report on children's early years prepared by Dr Fraser Mustard. We are responding to the study's call for a greater focus on the early years by building on recent investments to further strengthen the capacity of families and communities to support children in their early years.

Model community initiatives will be funded to evaluate different approaches to early learning and to raise public awareness. This spring, Ontario will pilot a readiness-to-learn assessment of young children in 48 schools.

An Early Years Challenge Fund will be set up once a framework and demonstration projects have been developed and fully assessed. The government will contribute $30 million by the second year to match contributions to local early years programs dollar for dollar.

As promised last year, spending on the Ontario child care supplement for working families would increase to over $200 million to support modest- and middle-income working families with young children. I am today announcing an enrichment of $80 to the maximum annual benefit, raising it to $1,100 for each eligible child under the age of seven years.

We are also introducing a number of initiatives to assist children with special needs because we believe this investment will ensure that they too can benefit from the many opportunities that come from economic growth and fulfill their potential, their rightful place as Ontarians.

We are supporting the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario to evaluate, with research organizations, school boards, and innovators such as the TASK Academy, different approaches for helping students with learning disabilities.

Dr Bette Stephenson's Learning Opportunities Task Force will be extended to help post-secondary students with learning disabilities.

We will be enhancing children's mental health services by $10 million this year, growing to $20 million next year, to enable innovation and better access.

We will be providing $5 million this year, growing to $19 million annually, for intensive early intervention for two- to five-year-old children with autism by training front-line workers in therapy, assessment, diagnosis and parent support.

We are enhancing respite care by $17 million a year for up to 1,700 families caring for medically fragile and technologically dependent children.

Strong and sustainable communities are at the heart of Ontario's strong economy. Investing in those places where the people of Ontario live and work means helping Ontarians to build better lives for themselves and their families.

For the second consecutive year, the government is investing record amounts in Ontario's highway system. The SuperBuild Growth Fund will invest more than $930 million to improve the condition of our highways, make them safer, and expand strategic highways. At least $100 million of additional money for transit and other transportation needs are also provided.

In addition to tax cuts for farmers, we are reiterating our commitment to building and sustaining rural communities in Ontario.

The government will provide $35 million this year for a Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture program. The focus will be on "on-farm total quality management" for product quality, food safety and environmental quality. This is crucial to access markets, attract new business and ensure consumer confidence in Ontario's food production system. To recognize the important role that women play in rural economies, we will be providing funding for the employment creation activities of Women and Rural Economic Development.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' budget is now up $48 million this year and up $102 million since we assumed office in 1995.

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Community charities play an essential role in this province. They deserve support for their contribution to building communities.

Speaking of building communities, we are creating a Heritage Challenge Fund of $10 million to be matched by the private sector to preserve and enhance our heritage in communities throughout Ontario.

Safe, secure communities provide places where families can prosper.

The government continues to focus on ensuring that people feel secure in their communities. This means taking steps to support the personal safety of Ontarians. It involves individuals taking responsibility for their actions and their impact on others. It also means fostering respect for all members of our communities.

All Ontarians have the right to live without the fear of physical abuse. They must feel safe, and be safe, in their neighbourhoods, on their streets and, above all, in their homes. During the past four years we have delivered a clear message that we are on the side of victims of crime, and abusers must and will pay for their actions.

We have set up the Joint Committee on Domestic Violence to provide advice on the implementation of the jury recommendations from the May-Iles inquest. To date, over 85% of the recommendations have either been implemented or are in the process of being implemented.

We have developed the largest domestic violence court program in the country to prosecute abusers, to support victims and to break the cycle of violence.

Our government is continuing to build on that commitment. We will provide $10 million annually to support a comprehensive strategy to combat domestic violence, including doubling the number of domestic violence courts in the province of Ontario.

The government will also invest $6 million this year, annualized to $8 million next year, so that crown attorneys have dedicated time to ensure that the voices of victims of crime are heard in Ontario's criminal justice system.

The budget commits $6 million annually to establish and maintain the first registry of sex offenders in Canada under Christopher's Law, which was recently introduced in the Legislature.

The government will provide funding to support the expansion of the youth justice committee pilot to five new sites and will extend the strict discipline pilot program, Project Turnaround.

Funding for the Ontario Police College will be increased by $3 million, and the government will provide $5 million to establish special rural agricultural crime prevention units, six such in the province of Ontario, at $6 million a year.

Ontario's economic and fiscal foundation relies upon a clear and consistent plan to eliminate the deficit and balance the books. Unlike our predecessors, who allowed the deficit to skyrocket to unacceptable levels, we have set out a balanced budget plan with clear annual targets to reduce the deficit and to eliminate it entirely by the year 2000-01.

Again, I am pleased to report that we are on track to meet that goal. In the year 1998-99, Ontario's deficit was $3.2 billion. This represents a reduction of over $1.6 billion from the balanced budget plan target of $4.8 billion.

For the fourth consecutive year, the government has overachieved its deficit target.

The deficit target for 1999-2000 will be $2.1 billion, a full half billion lower than the deficit target for this year set out in the balanced budget plan.

The deficit will be eliminated in the year 2000-01 as promised.

It is no secret that past governments promised results and failed to deliver. They underachieved and they built up a debt of $101 billion. That belongs to them on that side of the House.

Interjections.

The Speaker: Order. Members for St Catharines and Ottawa Centre, come to order. Members for Scarborough-Agincourt and Lake Nipigon, come to order, please.

Minister of Finance.

Hon Mr Eves: Only a Liberal could subtract $101 billion from $109 billion and get $22 billion. That's what led us to this problem in the first place. That's why we're in the mess we're in.

In contrast, we have promised to cut the deficit and we have delivered on that promise each and every year. In fact, we have exceeded our deficit reduction target by a total of $5.5 billion over the last four years.

The government's job is far from finished.

It is hard work reducing the deficit after years of governments allowing it to get completely out of control. In order to protect our fiscal achievements and to spare Ontarians the burden of deficits that threaten all public services, we must avoid returning to the tax-and-spend ways of the past. Balanced budget and taxpayer protection legislation will ensure future fiscal responsibility.

As I told Ontarians four years ago, rebuilding our province would not be an easy task. Today, with many more people working, fewer families relying on welfare and an economy that has grown continually since we formed the government, we are making solid progress.

Under the strong leadership of Premier Mike Harris, and with a clear vision that tax cuts strengthen the economy and create jobs, we have been able to provide the means to invest in the priority programs that Ontarians value most.

It has taken a deliberate plan to realize that vision, the courage to stick with the plan in the face of criticism and the hard work needed to implement it.

We simply cannot return to the tax-and-spend ways of the past. We cannot repeat the mistakes of previous governments. Ontarians deserve better than that.

We must move forward - building on the work that we have done to get Ontario back on track.

We must continue to cut taxes, create jobs and further strengthen our economy.

If we stay the course, we will indeed have a better tomorrow.

A tomorrow where all Ontarians can benefit and families prosper from the foundations that we have created together.

Thank you, Mr Speaker.

Mr Gilles E. Morin (Carleton East): I move that we adjourn the debate.

The Speaker: Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Hon Norman W. Sterling (Minister of the Environment, Government House Leader): I seek unanimous consent to revert to introduction of bills.

The Speaker: Agreed?

All those in favour, please say "aye."

All those opposed, please say "nay."

Oh right, I need unanimous consent. Maybe I'll do it again.

Do we have unanimous consent to revert to introduction of bills? Agreed?

I heard a no.

Interjections.

The Speaker: You have a right to say no; I understand that.

Hon Mr Sterling: I move adjournment of the House.

The Speaker: The government House leader moves adjournment of the House. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

This House stands adjourned until 6:30 of the clock later today.

The House adjourned at 1651.

4 mai 1999