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No. 118E |
No 118E |
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Votes and Proceedings |
Procès-verbaux |
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Legislative Assembly |
Assemblée législative |
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ERRATUMThis Erratum Issue of Votes and Proceedings, #118E, completely replaces Issue #118 for Wednesday, December 13, 2000. |
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Wednesday |
Mercredi |
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1st Session, |
1re session |
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Prayers |
Prières |
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The Speaker delivered the following ruling:-
On Monday, December 5, 2000, the Member for Windsor-St. Clair (Mr. Duncan) rose on a question of privilege in order to express his concern about information on a government website. In particular, the Member was of the view that a press release on the website of the Ministry of Community and Social Services was partisan, political propaganda that should not be funded by his constituents and other taxpayers, and that the press release was also delivered to Members by way of the Legislative Mail Service, instead of being distributed by the Party or by the caucus.
The next day, the Member rose on another question of privilege to indicate that the website of the Office of the Premier, as well as Intranet communications of the Ministry of Labour, also contained partisan material. The Member was of the view that the material was a violation of his privileges and of a provision in Section 28 of the Public Service Act, that the government was trying to intimidate its opponents with taxpayer dollars, and that the material violated not only the privileges of Members, particularly the Leader of the Opposition, but also the ethics of the people of Ontario. The Government House Leader (Mr. Sterling) also made submissions on this point.
I have had an opportunity to review the Member's supporting documentation in light of the parliamentary precedents. I will address each of his concerns in turn. First, with respect to the allegation that Members are being intimidated, the fact that government websites contain information that Members object to does not in and of itself establish a prima facie case of privilege; some of the material may well be partisan in nature, but none of it suggests to me that Members are being intimidated in a manner that constitutes a breach of privilege.
Secondly, as Members well know from previous rulings on this subject, it is for the courts -- not the Speaker -- to interpret laws like the Public Service Act although I am sure that the Chair of Management Board will take all appropriate steps to deal with the allegations.
Thirdly, the right of Members to government information is limited to what the Standing Orders provide. The Standing Orders do not provide Members with a right to information -- reliable or otherwise -- from a government website.
Fourthly, as for the distribution of partisan materials via the legislative mail service, I am more concerned with the content of the material than with the method of delivery.
And finally, Members will know that there are many rulings to the effect that the Speaker cannot prevent the government from communicating an allegedly partisan, political message using public funds.
However, I would not want to leave the impression that I am untroubled by what I have read in the material submitted by the Member for Windsor-St. Clair. I note that previous Speakers have expressed concerns about the government's use of electronic and print media to communicate its agenda. For example, on January 22, 1997, Speaker Stockwell stated the following:
"At this point in my ruling, I want to express some personal concerns about the propriety of public funds being used to advocate, through advertising, a particular position on a matter that is before the House. Let me be clear: I am not speaking here about politically paid for advertising, but rather about funds that are contributed to by every Ontarian regardless of his or her political view. Personally, I would find it offensive if taxpayer dollars were being used to convey a political or partisan message. There is nothing wrong with Members debating an issue and influencing public opinion; in fact, it is part of our parliamentary tradition to do so. But I feel that it is wrong for a government to attempt to influence public opinion through advertising that is paid for with public funds -- which, I might add, are not available to the opposition -- instead of through debate in the House."
My own personal concern about the information before me is quite simple, and perhaps I am being too obvious about this, but let me say it anyway. Publicly funded websites as opposed to politically funded websites should be used to communicate with the public in a fair, reasonable and meaningful way. A line is crossed when a government uses a website, or for that matter any publicly funded mechanism as a vehicle to launch a provocative attack on any Member of this House.
And so, while a prima facie case of privilege has not been made out, in my view this is an inappropriate use of government websites, and I hope that all Members clearly understand the difference between what is a publicly funded and what is a politically funded communication, and that they will use each accordingly when communicating to Ontarians.
I thank the Member for Windsor-St. Clair and the Government House Leader for their submissions on this matter.
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Reports by Committees |
Rapports des Comités |
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Mr. Coburn from the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills presented the Committee's Report which was read as follows and adopted:- |
M. Coburn du Comité permanent des règlements et des projets de loi d'intérêt privé présente le rapport du comité qui est lu comme suit et adopté:- |
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Your Committee begs to report the following Bill as amended:- |
Votre comité propose qu'il soit permis de faire rapport sur le projet de loi suivant avec des amendements:- |
Bill Pr33, An Act respecting Idlewyld Manor.
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Mr. Gerretsen from the Standing Committee on Public Accounts presented the Committee's Report on Provincial Highway Maintenance and moved the adoption of its recommendations (Sessional Paper No. 233). |
M. Gerretsen du Comité permanent des comptes publics présente le rapport du comité sur l'Entretien des Routes Provinciales et propose l'adoption de ses recommandations (document parlementaire no 233). |
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On motion by Mr. Gerretsen, |
Sur la motion de M. Gerretsen, |
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Ordered, That the debate be adjourned. |
Il est ordonné que le débat soit ajourné. |
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Deferred Votes |
Votes différés |
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The deferred vote on the motion to extend the House sitting until Thursday, December 21, 2000 was carried on the following division:- |
La motion concernant la prolongation des jours de séances de la Chambre jusqu'au 21 décembre 2000, mise aux voix sur le vote différé, est adoptée par le vote suivant:- |
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AYES / POUR - 83 |
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Agostino |
Galt |
Molinari |
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Arnott |
Gerretsen |
Munro |
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Baird |
Gilchrist |
Mushinski |
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Barrett |
Gill |
Newman |
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Bartolucci |
Gravelle |
O'Toole |
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Beaubien |
Guzzo |
Ouellette |
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Bisson |
Hampton |
Parsons |
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Boyer |
Hardeman |
Peters |
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Bradley |
Harris |
Phillips |
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Brown |
Hastings |
Ramsay |
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Caplan |
Hodgson |
Runciman |
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Christopherson |
Hudak |
Sampson |
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Chudleigh |
Jackson |
Sergio |
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Churley |
Johns |
Smitherman |
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Clark |
Kennedy |
Snobelen |
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AYES / POUR - Continued
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Cleary |
Klees |
Spina |
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Clement |
Kwinter |
Sterling |
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Coburn |
Lankin |
Stockwell |
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Colle |
Levac |
Tascona |
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Cordiano |
Marchese |
Tilson |
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Crozier |
Marland |
Tsubouchi |
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Cunningham |
Martel |
Turnbull |
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Curling |
Martiniuk |
Wettlaufer |
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Dombrowsky |
Maves |
Wilson |
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Duncan |
Mazzilli |
Witmer |
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Ecker |
McGuinty |
Wood |
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Elliott |
McLeod |
Young |
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Flaherty |
McMeekin |
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NAYS / CONTRE - 1 |
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Kormos |
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Petitions |
Pétitions |
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Petitions relating to the Northern Health Travel Grant program / Programme de subventions accordées aux résidents du nord de l'Ontario (Sessional Paper No. P-1) Mr. Bartolucci and Ms. Martel. Petitions relating to Support of Bill 64, An Act to amend the Safe Streets Act (Sessional Paper No. P-128) Mr. Crozier, Mrs. Dombrowsky and Mr. Gerretsen. Petitions relating to Vintage Automobiles (Sessional Paper No. P-152) Mr. Arnott, Mr. O'Toole and Mr. Spina. Petition relating to Overtime under the Employment Standards Act (Sessional Paper No. P-187) Mr. Christopherson. Petition relating to Regulating the operation of intensive livestock operations (Sessional Paper No. P-195) Mr. Parsons. Petition relating to Green Energy policy (Sessional Paper No. P-196) Ms. Martel. |
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Orders of the Day |
Ordre du Jour |
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With unanimous consent, Orders for Concurrence in Supply for the following Ministries and Offices were debated together:- |
Avec le consentement unanime, les ordres d'adoption des budgets des dépenses des ministères et offices suivants sont débattus ensemble :- |
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Supply for the Ministry of the Environment. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère de l'Environnement. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Education. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère de l'Éducation. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère de la Santé et Soins de longue durée. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Community and Social Services. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère des Services sociaux et communautaires. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Tourism. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère du Tourisme. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Labour. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère du Travail. |
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Supply for Management Board Secretariat. |
Budget des dépenses du Secrétariat du Conseil de gestion. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement. |
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Supply for the Ministry of the Attorney General. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère du Procureur général. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère du Développement du Nord et des Mines. |
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Supply for the Ministry of the Solicitor General. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère du Solliciteur général. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Correctional Services. |
Budget des dépenses du ministère des Services correctionnels. |
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Supply for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (Supplementaries only). |
Budget des dépenses du ministère de la Santé et Soins de longue durée (Seulement les supplémentaires). |
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After some time, the vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of the Environment was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Après quelque temps, le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère de l'Environnement est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Education was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère de l'Éducation est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère de la Santé et Soins de longue durée est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Community and Social Services was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère des Services sociaux et communautaires est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Tourism was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère du Tourisme est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Labour was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère du Travail est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Management Board Secretariat was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du Secrétariat du Conseil de gestion est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing was carried on the following division:- |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère des Affaires municipales et du Logement, mise aux voix, est adopté par le vote suivant:- |
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AYES / POUR - 49 |
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Arnott |
Hardeman |
Runciman |
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Baird |
Harris |
Sampson |
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Barrett |
Hastings |
Snobelen |
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Beaubien |
Hodgson |
Spina |
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Chudleigh |
Hudak |
Sterling |
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Clark |
Jackson |
Stockwell |
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Clement |
Klees |
Tascona |
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Coburn |
Marland |
Tilson |
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Cunningham |
Martiniuk |
Tsubouchi |
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Dunlop |
Maves |
Turnbull |
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Ecker |
Mazzilli |
Wettlaufer |
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Elliott |
Molinari |
Wilson |
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Flaherty |
Munro |
Witmer |
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Galt |
Mushinski |
Wood |
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Gilchrist |
Newman |
Young |
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Gill |
O'Toole |
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Guzzo |
Ouellette |
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NAYS / CONTRE - 21 |
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Bartolucci |
Crozier |
Levac |
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Bisson |
Curling |
Martel |
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Boyer |
Dombrowsky |
Peters |
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Bradley |
Gerretsen |
Phillips |
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Churley |
Kennedy |
Ruprecht |
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NAYS / CONTRE - Continued
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Conway |
Kormos |
Sergio |
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Cordiano |
Kwinter |
Smitherman |
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And Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
En conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of the Attorney General was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère du Procureur général est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines was carried on the following division:- |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère du Développement du Nord et des Mines, mise aux voix, est adopté par le vote suivant:- |
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AYES / POUR - 49 |
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Arnott |
Hardeman |
Runciman |
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Baird |
Harris |
Sampson |
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Barrett |
Hastings |
Snobelen |
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Beaubien |
Hodgson |
Spina |
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Chudleigh |
Hudak |
Sterling |
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Clark |
Jackson |
Stockwell |
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Clement |
Klees |
Tascona |
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Coburn |
Marland |
Tilson |
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Cunningham |
Martiniuk |
Tsubouchi |
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Dunlop |
Maves |
Turnbull |
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Ecker |
Mazzilli |
Wettlaufer |
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Elliott |
Molinari |
Wilson |
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Flaherty |
Munro |
Witmer |
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Galt |
Mushinski |
Wood |
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Gilchrist |
Newman |
Young |
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Gill |
O'Toole |
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Guzzo |
Ouellette |
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NAYS / CONTRE - 21 |
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Bartolucci |
Crozier |
Levac |
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Bisson |
Curling |
Martel |
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Boyer |
Dombrowsky |
Peters |
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Bradley |
Gerretsen |
Phillips |
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Churley |
Kennedy |
Ruprecht |
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Conway |
Kormos |
Sergio |
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Cordiano |
Kwinter |
Smitherman |
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And Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
En conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of the Solicitor General was carried and Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du Solliciteur général est adopté et en conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Correctional Services was carried on the following division:- |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère des Services correctionnels, mise aux voix, est adopté par le vote suivant:- |
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AYES / POUR - 49 |
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Arnott |
Hardeman |
Runciman |
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Baird |
Harris |
Sampson |
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Barrett |
Hastings |
Snobelen |
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Beaubien |
Hodgson |
Spina |
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Chudleigh |
Hudak |
Sterling |
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Clark |
Jackson |
Stockwell |
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Clement |
Klees |
Tascona |
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Coburn |
Marland |
Tilson |
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Cunningham |
Martiniuk |
Tsubouchi |
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Dunlop |
Maves |
Turnbull |
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Ecker |
Mazzilli |
Wettlaufer |
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Elliott |
Molinari |
Wilson |
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Flaherty |
Munro |
Witmer |
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Galt |
Mushinski |
Wood |
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Gilchrist |
Newman |
Young |
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Gill |
O'Toole |
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Guzzo |
Ouellette |
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NAYS / CONTRE - 21 |
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Bartolucci |
Crozier |
Levac |
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Bisson |
Curling |
Martel |
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Boyer |
Dombrowsky |
Peters |
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Bradley |
Gerretsen |
Phillips |
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Churley |
Kennedy |
Ruprecht |
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Conway |
Kormos |
Sergio |
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Cordiano |
Kwinter |
Smitherman |
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And Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
En conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The vote on the Order for Concurrence in Supply for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (Supplementaries only) was carried on the following division:- |
Le vote sur l'ordre d'adoption du budget des dépenses du ministère de la Santé et Soins de longue durée (Seulement les supplémentaires), mis aux voix, est adopté par le vote suivant:- |
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AYES / POUR - 49 |
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Arnott |
Hardeman |
Runciman |
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Baird |
Harris |
Sampson |
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Barrett |
Hastings |
Snobelen |
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Beaubien |
Hodgson |
Spina |
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Chudleigh |
Hudak |
Sterling |
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Clark |
Jackson |
Stockwell |
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Clement |
Klees |
Tascona |
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Coburn |
Marland |
Tilson |
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Cunningham |
Martiniuk |
Tsubouchi |
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Dunlop |
Maves |
Turnbull |
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Ecker |
Mazzilli |
Wettlaufer |
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Elliott |
Molinari |
Wilson |
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Flaherty |
Munro |
Witmer |
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Galt |
Mushinski |
Wood |
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Gilchrist |
Newman |
Young |
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Gill |
O'Toole |
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Guzzo |
Ouellette |
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NAYS / CONTRE - 21 |
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Bartolucci |
Crozier |
Levac |
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Bisson |
Curling |
Martel |
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Boyer |
Dombrowsky |
Peters |
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Bradley |
Gerretsen |
Phillips |
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Churley |
Kennedy |
Ruprecht |
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Conway |
Kormos |
Sergio |
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Cordiano |
Kwinter |
Smitherman |
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And Supply was accordingly concurred in. |
En conséquence, le budget des dépenses est adopté. |
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The House then adjourned at 6:15 p.m. |
À 18 h 15, la chambre a ensuite ajourné ses travaux. |
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le président GARY CARR Speaker |
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