Therefore, it is time for Question Period, the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Was a giant rubber ducky really worth $120,000 of hard-earned taxpayer dollars? Yes or no? Thank you. Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Mr. Speaker, thank you to the Honourable Member for his question. I guess this really does point to the differences between that party's approach to investing in Ontarians and ours. Here's precisely what we're doing, and I want to use this opportunity to get some facts on the record because I know facts don't matter over there, but on this side of the house they do. Mr. Speaker, it's interesting that the party opposite is not taking an interest in investing in tourism. Here's why that's important. Tourism in this province generates $30 billion a year in economic activity. It's 4% of our GDP, it's 300,000 jobs, and if that's not enough for the leader of the opposition, here's what we're doing in his own riding, and here's a message that I got from Warden Jerry. I'll use that in the supplementary because I look forward to speaking as to why these investments are important. Mr. Speaker, again to the Minister, when I think of Canada, I think of compassion, unity, respect, family, and responsibility. I think of freedom of speech, worship, and assembly. Mr. Speaker, I think of the rule of law. When I think of Canada, we think of hockey, poutine, maple syrup, and our beautiful outdoors. What I don't think of, Mr. Speaker, are rubber ducks. Never have, never will. That's not part of Canada's... All right, both sides have had their opportunity, and I will move in my next inkling to warnings if it's necessary. We might jump right away. That's not helpful either. Please finish, Leader. Mr. Speaker, putting all this government liberal spin aside, what does a rubber duck have to do with celebrating Canada's 150th birthday? Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, for the past three years, our government has supported the Red Path Waterfront Festival. This year, we're granting them $121,000, Speaker. It's an annual summer event that provides on-land and on-water programming. This grant has been enormously successful. Let's talk a little bit about what it's done, Speaker. In 2015, the festival enticed tourists to spend nearly $6 million, Speaker. Only are we contributing to this, but two other important groups are. Number one, the City of Toronto has given the festival a $75,000 contribution, Speaker. That's also very important. But I want to close with something closer to home that the member opposite might appreciate. Warden Jerry Marshall of Simcoe County said, you know, I spent $60,000 to bring these four tall ships, and we saw $1 million in tourism spend. Bring it on. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again, to the minister. The minister says she cautions focusing too much on the duck. Well, of course she does, because the Liberals are embarrassed.  That doesn't promote tourism. They can hide behind all their lines, but they know it's wrong. Mr. Speaker, there is a problem. They waste taxpayer dollars, and then they come up with PR to explain why they wasted Ontario's precious taxpayer dollars. So my question is again, do the right thing. Just apologize for wasting $121,000 on a rubber duck. Minister. Thank you, Speaker. I can tell you soundly and clearly on this side of the house, we will never apologize for investing in tourism and economic development. You know, Speaker, this is a festival. I spoke a moment ago in my original response about the $6 million that it generated in Toronto. Here's a few other places that this touring festival would be going, and I think the member opposite might find this interesting. Member from Owensound might find it interesting because the traveling festival is going there. Sault Ste. Marie Midland, an interesting in the leader of the opposition. Member from Bruce Gray, Owensound is warned. We're in warnings. Finish, Minister. Thank you, Speaker. The traveling festival is also going to enhance jobs and economic development. And by the way, promote fun in Amosburg and Brockville, Speaker. Thank you. Finished? No question. Leader of the opposition. Mr. Speaker, my question is for the government house leader. I'm going to quote the head of Ontario Public Service Employees Union, Mr. Smokey Thomas. He said, and it's important the government actually listens to this. He said, Bill 132 is terrible, terrible legislation, and I urge you to stop it. Mr. Speaker, will the government do just that? Will they stop their $93 billion unfair hydro scheme? Thank you. Speaker, our objective on this side of the house is to cut hydro rates for hardworking Ontarians, Speaker. And that is why our government and the leadership of our Premier is focused on cutting the hydro rates by 25%. Now, of course, Speaker, from the opposite side, we have heard that they have had no plan whatsoever when it comes to energy. They kept talking about that they're going to have a hydro plan. They keep telling Ontarians somehow they will be able to magically cut hydro rates for Ontarians. But we have seen no plan whatsoever. Speaker, what we have done through the Fair Hydro Plan Act is put forward a concrete plan by which hydro rates will be cut by 25%. And the only reasonable and sensible thing for the opposition is to do is to support that plan. It's to support that legislation so that Ontarians can have the relief they deserve so much. Mr. Speaker, again to the government house leader. Now, I know one of the Liberals' favourite pastimes is attacking the non-partisan independent watchdog, our esteemed auditor general. But she too has had an interesting comment I'd like to share. She said we would recommend the government reconsider this Bill 132. Mr. Speaker, I'll give the government another chance to take the AG's advice. We've got civil service workers saying this is a big problem. You've got the auditor general saying this is a big problem. Ontarians are concerned their bills are going to skyrocket because of this. Will you do the right thing? Take the AG's advice and reconsider this unfair hydro scheme. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, yesterday the leader of the opposition said something that I think was historic in this legislature. He actually made a policy declaration. What he said yesterday, Mr. Speaker, is I will not invest in energy infrastructure. Mr. Speaker, we've heard that line before and we saw the impacts of not investing in energy infrastructure. Mike Harris and Ernie Yves said exactly the same thing. And Mr. Speaker, they did exactly the same thing. They had no plan to invest in energy infrastructure and they left this energy system in a mess. Mr. Speaker, not only do we have a clean and reliable energy. The member from Simcoe Gray is warned. Finish please. Mr. Speaker, not only do we have a clean, reliable energy system, we're moving now to make that system more affordable for everyday Ontarians by reducing costs by 25%. And that leader of the opposition won't support that either. Thank you. Final supplementary. Mr. Speaker, again to the government house leader and the minister is right, I will not invest in bad liberal contracts. It's not right. People in Ontario are paying too much because of these bad contracts. The Liberals have benefited too long and it's hurt the people. So let's hear another assessment on this unfair hydro scheme. President of the Treasury Board is warned. Finish please. QP's Fred Hahn also made some interesting comments about Bill 132. He said the following to this government. I want you to know the people of Ontario will not be fooled. They were members in the long term what you have done to mess up our electricity future in the province of Ontario. The unfair hydro scheme will not fool anyone. Hydro rates are going to skyrocket. Every independent assessment says that very clearly. We can't afford our hydro bills. It's not right. So Mr. Speaker, one more chance for the government house leader to come clean and say this is going to cause hydro rates to spike and we're going to stop it. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, if the member really believed what he just said, he wouldn't have started out his question period talking about rubber ducks. The fact is, you want to talk about ducking, Mr. Speaker. Let's talk about ducking questions on sex ed. Let's talk about ducking questions on the carbon tax. Let's talk about ducking questions on the energy plan that you were still waiting to hear, Mr. Speaker. All he does is duck every time anybody asks him a question on the energy plan. Let's talk about ducking questions about your own caucus members. Let's talk about ducking questions, Mr. Speaker, about just about anything of substantive policy. Mr. Speaker, we're moving forward with a clean, reliable energy plan that's going to ensure it's more affordable for everyday Ontarians. We're proud of that plan. No wonder you don't want Ontarians to know about it, Mr. Speaker. That might be bad policy for you, but it's good for the people of Ontario. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. New question? You see it, please? You see it, please? New question. The leader of the third party. Thank you, Speaker. The question is for the acting Premier. Last week it became clear just how far the Premier is willing to go to try to revive her personal and political fortunes. She's planning to force utility companies to deliver political inserts containing a message aimed at saving the Liberal Party. Does the Premier believe that by forcing, by regulation, private companies to campaign on her behalf, does she believe, Speaker, that this is above board and honest? To the President of the Treasury Board. Mr. Treasury Board. Well, thank you, Speaker. And I do need to start by reminding people that Canada is the only jurisdiction, or Ontario is the only jurisdiction in Canada that actually has a law that outlaws partisan advertising. No other province in Canada has that. We are unique. And anything that we publish, any advertising, is compliant with that law. Now, if you want to look at getting information... Member from Duffin, Calvin, and his warrant. Here he is. If you want to look at information that's inserted in hydro bills, one of the experiences I have in my constituency office, and I'm sure lots of other folks do too, is that people don't understand their hydro bills.  They're trying to figure out their hydro bills. They want information in their hydro bills, they explain. Thank you. Supplementary. The Premier is doing nothing more than looking out for her own best interest with these political inserts, and companies to carry these ads during election campaign, during an election campaign speaker. She is playing sneaky political games by trying to manipulate the very election laws that we're talking about. Will this Premier and the Liberal Party admit that mandating politically motivated, politically convenient inserts to be included in people's hydro bills during an election campaign is just too far to go? Do you see it, please? Thank you. Thank you, Minister. Another thing we've discovered in my constituency office is a lot of people who would qualify for the OESP, the Ontario Electricity Support Program, don't know about it.  It is information about the Ontario Electricity Support Program. We actually think it's important that people all over Ontario get information about the Ontario Electricity Support Program so that if they qualify, they can get more than 25% off their hydro bill. They can qualify for more money off if they are lower income, and we want people to know that because we want to help the people. Thank you. Final supplementary. Speaker, the next election is just over a year away. That's the same timeframe coincidentally that the Premier is mandating these political inserts appear in every household and every business in our province. Does the Premier and the Liberal Party really think that the people of this province don't see what they're doing? Yep. Thank you, Minister. I think that what the people of Ontario want to know is when they qualify for help. They want to know that if they're in a rural or remote part of Ontario that they can get extra help off their hydro bill because we recognize that if you live in rural or northern Ontario you need extra help and you could qualify for up to 40 to 50% off your hydro bill. We think that people who are Ontario hydro consumers deserve to know that they should apply for the OESP. We don't think that's partisan. We think that's just giving people all over Ontario the information that they need to reduce their hydro bills to the maximum because we have a fair hydro plan so that we can reduce rates all across this province. Thank you. Question? The leader of this party? My next question is for the acting Premier Speaker. But I think what people want to see is the government stop using precious public dollars to promote the Liberal Party and Kathleen Wynne. The electricity companies who will be forced to deliver this politically motivated message on behalf of the Premier didn't think it was necessary. They would have provided the information themselves on their own. Does the Premier know something that every electricity in the province or somehow doesn't need to know or doesn't know? Is there something that they're aware of that every electricity company isn't aware of, Speaker? Just now I go to the Deputy Premier. The Minister of Finance is warned. Carry on. Thank you, Speaker. And I'm glad we're having the chance to talk about hydro prices today and I'm particularly disturbed to hear that yesterday it was announced that the NDP will not support, in fact will repeal the bill that will bring hydro relief to people across this province. They announced yesterday that they will actually increase hydro prices, that they will take the 25% back, Speaker, that the 40% that many people in rural and northern Ontario relief that they will get will be rescinded under the NDP. They said that the Ontario Electricity Support Program that provides energy relief for the most vulnerable in this province will be repealed. Speaker, it's no surprise that the opposition is asking about an insert in an envelope because they are not prepared to talk about their plan to repeal this whole bill. Thank you, Speaker. And we replace it with a plan that actually creates systemic change and brings hydro one for the people of Ontario. Look, it's really shocking, actually. We announced this almost a month ago and the Minister just realized yesterday that this was the NDP's position.  Look, when the Premier forces electricity companies, Speaker, to do something that they deem unnecessary, it's a political tactic, plain and simple. That tactic is meant to harness the power of the office of the Premier for political gain. There is no way around that fact. And it's time the Premier takes responsibility for this manipulation. Will she revoke the regulation now and apologize to the people of Ontario for misusing the power of her office? Speaker, let's be really clear. The NDP want to cancel the decreases in hydro prices for the people of Ontario. That, in my opinion, is a shameful position for the third party to be taking. They claim they will replace it with something, but they have no idea what they are going to replace it with, Speaker. But what we do know for sure that it will take away relief from the people of this province and they will also take money from health and from education because part of their plan is to buy back the shares in hydro one, Speaker. So let's just be really clear. Anyone who is watching, anyone who is paying attention to this, the NDP want to increase your hydro bills. They want to take away the support for the most vulnerable people. They want to take away the delivery costs for unreserved First Nations, Speaker. Excuse me. The member of Femastics is warned. Final supplementary. I think you can bet your bottom dollar that every person in Ontario is watching the mess these Liberals have made of our electricity system and what it's costing people. Today's financial accountability officer, an independent officer of this legislature, says that the Premier's $45 billion hydro borrowing scheme will cost Ontarians, will cost Ontario families and businesses more money and that it will actually drive them saying that. That's the financial accountability officer. There is no hiding this fact, Speaker, even though it's conveniently excluded from the Premier's regulation, forcing companies to promote her and her political party. The Premier has decided to use her position, her office as Premier, to mandate that the Liberal Party's politically motivated description of this scheme is delivered to Ontario doorsteps regularly now and throughout the next election. Thank you. The Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation is warned. Deputy Premier. You know, Speaker, for months in this House, the third party came with examples of people who were really suffering with high electricity prices. Speaker, we heard those stories in our own writings too. What we did is we went to work. We rolled up our sleeves and we developed a plan that will provide immediate relief, 25% reduction in electricity bills, Speaker, and more than that for people who are paying the highest rates. We have a plan. We've been very transparent about that plan. It's a plan that reduces electricity bills and to think that the NDP party will stand in their place day after day after day after day to complain about a problem and then when we develop a solution say no to that speaker without coming up with their own is just not okay. We've got a plan. Thank you. New question. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of the Status of Women. As we come to the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we see the government paying lip service to sexual assault victims while ignoring victim service organization like HOPE 24-7, a sexual assault center in Peel that struggles to help its clients because of this government's mismanagement. Organizations tell me that the government's so-called review of the ineffective funding formula for victim services is taking place under a cloud of secrecy. The government refuses to commit to sharing the details of the review or even to consult affected organizations like HOPE 24-7. So my question is, does the Minister think it's acceptable to exclude sexual assault centers the real experts from the conversation about the future of services for victims of sexual assault? Thank you. Minister of the Status of Women. I want to thank the member opposite for the question and I want to make sure that people understand that our government takes the job of supporting women and their children who have experienced domestic violence very seriously because violence against women is something that has a huge impact on families and on our communities and on our society. Essentially violence against women and the agencies provide crucial services in our province like emergency shelters, counseling, transition, and housing supports to help women and children rebuild their lives. So Speaker, for women facing violence, a shelter is often the first step to rebuilding their personal and financial independence. And our government funds 96 emergency shelter agencies across Ontario that operate more than 2,000 beds a year. And we've increased our investment in violence against women's services by 61% since 2003. Thank you. Well Mr. Speaker, the truth is that this government has been stalling on this file for almost five years. In 2013 the Auditor General reported that the government has made little or no progress in meeting the demand for victim services in our province and here we are in 2017 and nothing has changed. They refuse to consult, they refuse to act and they're continuing to hide behind band-aid solutions and decade-old funding formulas. Meanwhile, victim services organization and survivors are suffering. Mr. Speaker, through you to the Minister, what does this review actually entail and when can we finally expect to hear the results? Thank you. Attorney General. Attorney General. Well thank you very much Speaker. And let's put some facts on the table on this very important issue. Speaker, first of all, we obviously appreciate the work that HOPE 24-7 does and we have provided them funding for over 20 years now. Since 2003 Speaker, our funding for all sexual assault center programs have increased by 45%. In 2015 Speaker, we increased HOPE 24-7's budget by over $31,000 as part of our it's never okay action plan to increase funding to all sexual assault centers by 7%. By that Speaker, HOPE 24-7 currently receives almost $500,000 that's half a million dollars, the sixth highest funding allocation in all of Ontario. Now Speaker, we are committed to reviewing counseling services across the province and we have asked HOPE 24-7 to be part of this conversation. And there's also a provincial working group of sexual assault centers that is currently reviewing the program and I hope to look forward to the findings of the review. New question, the member from Wallin. Thank you Speaker. My question is to the acting premier. After 14 years of Liberal government in action, hardworking Ontario's Ontarians wanted real change now. Like the one in ten in this province who struggle on minimum wage, like the majority of new job holders who struggle to make ends meet part time, like the majority of women who actually are juggling multiple jobs which has increased by 20% under the Liberal Watch, union jobs are good jobs and new Democrats believe that it should be easier for workers to join the union, not harder. Will the acting premier commit to implement card based union certification and first contract arbitration for all workers in Ontario who wish to join the union? And if not, why not? Thank you Speaker. And I thank the member opposite for the question. The reality is that our economy in Ontario is growing. It's the leading jurisdiction in the country. Our growth is strong Speaker. But not everyone is sharing in that growth. It's become very clear that in this new economy there are those who are doing very, very well and others who are struggling just to prevent themselves from falling back, which is exactly why we are introducing the changing workplaces legislation Speaker. We are very proud of the work that has been done and the action that we are taking that the premier has announced today with the minister of Labour Speaker. So we will be hiking the minimum wage Speaker. We will be assuring that part-time workers are paid the same as full-time workers Speaker. We're introducing paid sick days for every worker. We're stepping up enforcement of employment laws. This is a very big day in the province Speaker. And I look forward to the NDP supporting these changes.  I'll stop. The senator please? The senator please? Thank you. The supplementary. Speaker, if you are a bay street trader or you're the head of a big bank here in Ontario, you've got a lot to cheer about over the last 14 years. But if you're one of the hard working, little people, to quote the Labour minister this morning you've earned your disillusionment. part-time temporary and multiple job holders are still struggling to support their families. Three weeks' vacation is a bit of a stretch after five years. It's one of those liberal stretch goals, an impossibility for many Ontarians who may not have a job after five years with the same employer. Well the acting Premier guarantee that in fact there are paid sick days for all Ontario workers under this plan that was announced today. And that in fact every Ontarian worker will get that three weeks of vacation. Deputy Premier? Speaker, we really have been paying attention, Speaker, to all of the people in this province including most particularly those who are struggling the most. So there has been a lot of good news recently on that front, Speaker, free tuition for one-third of our post-secondary students and better than free tuition for many. OHIP Plus, Free Drugs for Children, Speaker, these are big initiatives that we are very happy to champion and today's announcement builds on that, Speaker, because we are absolutely determined to make sure that we live in a society, that we build a society where every person has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, to contribute to and participate in our wonderful life in Ontario. We need to do better, Speaker, this legislation takes us a big step in that direction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and my question this morning is to the Attorney General. Yesterday I was very pleased to see the AG defending the principle that every woman in this province has the fundamental right to make her own decisions about her health care. I am certain that every member in this legislature would also agree that women have the fundamental right to access health care without fear for her safety, privacy or dignity. I speak for my constituents when I say that I was terribly disheartened to hear of the acts of the harassment and intimidation directed at Ottawa women exercising the right to choose. Speaker, that kind of hatred, aggression toward women is absolutely unacceptable. That is why I was very pleased to hear that the government intends to introduce legislation that would create safe access zones outside abortion clinics and ensure women across Ontario have safe access to health care services. Can the Attorney General inform this House about the government's planned legislation to be introduced this fall? Thank you very much, Speaker. I really wanted to thank the member for asking a very important question. This is an important issue to me as both the citizen of Ottawa and as a person who has always been a strong believer in a woman's fundamental right to choose. Speaker, it is also my steadfast belief that every woman in Ontario has the right to make decisions about her own health care and she deserves to do so freely without fear. Without fear for her safety, privacy or dignity. Without fear of being judged or publicly humiliated because of a choice. Speaker, without fear of being threatened with violence, harassment or any form of intimidation. Speaker, no woman should have to take such things into account when making her own health care decisions and that is why, Speaker, this fall our government will introduce legislation that will propose to create safe access zones around specified health care facilities to protect the safety and security of patients, staff and visitors. Thank you, Speaker. And I would like to thank the Attorney General for his response. I know many people across this province would agree that this is an important issue that touches every woman and goes beyond economic, cultural or geographic differences. All women across this province have fought and laboured hard throughout the years to build up this country and promise we can now call home. A woman's fundamental right to choose is one that should be enshrined and protected under the law. In fact, I understand that Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia are among the few jurisdictions that have legislated safe access zones to ensure protection of health care centres and women. I believe that our government will introduce strong protections that guarantee much needed protections for health care centres across this province. My hope is that the members opposite will support the government's actions to ensure women in Ontario can continue to exercise their fundamental right. Can the Attorney General inform this House's honourable government's next steps? Thank you, Attorney General. Thank you very much. The member is correct. British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador and the province of Quebec have implemented similar laws in their provinces over the past decades. These laws provide for protection to all women and health care providers in those jurisdictions. Over the summer months, my ministry and I will continue to look at laws passed in other jurisdictions and we will consult with legal and health care experts, advocacy groups and local clinics to determine the details of the proposed legislation. Speaker, we have a lot of work ahead of us on this very important issue over the next few months and I believe that policies like this are more important than ever. Speaker, I commend and salute all champions of women in this House. I know that they all believe that this is not a partisan issue. Speaker, I know that they all believe that women have a right to choose to make decisions about her own health care and I'm confident, Speaker, I hope that all members will support this very important legislation when it's tabled in the Parliament. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You've acknowledged. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Children and Youth Services. Autism is widely considered the fastest-growing neurological disorder in Canada. It now impacts an estimated one out of 68 children. Individuals with autism and their families face unique challenges over their lifespan, often leading to families in crisis situations. And that is why today in the Federal House of Commons there will be a vote to increase support for families and children with autism. Mr. Speaker, have the government members been calling on their families in Ottawa to support the Canadian Autism Partnership? Thank you. Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I'd like to thank the member for the question. As the member knows, we have a new autism program here in the province of Ontario that will begin implementation in June of this year. So that's in a few days from now. And we will have full implementation of the program in 2018. And, Mr. Speaker, this plan is going to create 16,000 new spaces here in Ontario over five years and increase the amount of spaces for ABA during the transition period. And it's going to ensure that we have a six-month or less wait list. We're also going to increase diagnosis. We've opened up five new treatment centres. And we're going to make sure that if a young person here in the province of Ontario needs any type of autism treatment, regardless of age, they will get the treatment that they deserve. Thank you. Mr. Speaker, provincial plans are wonderful, but we need to support the federal plans for autism as well. Mr. Speaker, this motion is simple. It calls on the federal government to grant $19 million of... This motion is simple. The minister is warned. Period. The motion is simple. It calls on the federal government to grant $19 million over five years as requested by the Canadian Autism Partnership Working Group, Self-Advocates Advisory Group, and the Canadian Autism Spectrum Disorders Alliance in order to establish a Canadian Autism Partnership. It would go a long way to support families and it would address key issues such as information sharing and research, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Mr. Speaker, will the minister personally make a phone call to Ottawa? Why not call one of your liberal friends and guarantee liberal support of this important motion? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There seems to be a difference of opinion between the caucus and their leader. I'll tell you why, Mr. Speaker. Because the leader of the opposition, the leader of the official opposition, when he was in Ottawa, I believe, for his nine-year period, had an opportunity to stand up and advocate for a national program. What did he do? And there was an actual vote that was presented in the House of Commons to create a national autism program. And maybe the member doesn't know her leader's record on this issue, but he voted against that. Mr. Speaker, instead of picking up the phone, maybe she can walk two or three rows up and talk to her leader about his record when it comes to a national autism program here in the province of Ontario. Seated, please. Seated, please. New question, a member from Toronto, Danforth. Thank you, Speaker. My question to the acting Premier. Nearly 20 years ago, the Conservatives downloaded responsibility for social housing to the municipalities. They had no way to pay for it. This action created a permanent crisis for affordable housing, most acutely, in Toronto. Instead of fixing this crisis, the Premier made things worse by cutting $129 million per year in annual funding for Toronto's housing programs. Half of Toronto community housing homes will reach, quote-unquote, critical status within five years due to a lack of funding for capital repairs. The NDP has repeatedly urged the province to fund one-third of those capital repair costs. Will the Premier do that and undo at least part of the damage her cuts have caused? Definitely, Premier. Minister of Housing. Well, thank you, Speaker.  We know that people's lives are better when they do. And that's why, Speaker, this government has invested $1.4 billion in the City of Toronto for affordable and sustainable housing. That's $1.4 billion, Speaker. And we're continuing to build on these investments. You know, Speaker, over the next five years, we're investing an additional $173 million in social housing repairs and retrofits in the City of Toronto. Things like $43 million for repairs and retrofits to social housing. Another $130 million in additional funding for social housing repairs in Toronto over the next 40 years. So, Speaker, this government gets how important this housing is to residents of the City of Toronto. We're on it. Thank you. Supplementary. Speaker, again to the acting Premier. By 2019, Toronto City staff estimate that provincial funding for Toronto's housing programs will have been cut by nearly 60% from 2011. This Premier is responsible for most of these cuts. The Premier's cuts mean that thousands of Toronto families risk losing their homes due to disrepair. No other government in Canada or the developed world ignores its social responsibility to fund social housing programs the way this Premier has. Will the Premier stop, reverse her funding cuts and fund the province's fair one-third share of TCHC's capital repair costs? Minister? Well, thank you, Speaker. You know, I enjoyed this opportunity to get up and talk about the importance of social housing, affordable housing in the City of Toronto and to reiterate time and again the significant massive investments that the province has made in the City of Toronto. I'll just name the high level one again, Speaker. $1.4 billion. That's not anyone walking away from their responsibility to the City of Toronto. Speaker, I welcome Toronto Council's 10-year commitment of about $200 million in funding and tax exemptions. That's good to go towards this. It's also good to have the federal government at the table through the National Housing Strategy. They'll be allocating $11 billion over 11 years across 13 provinces and territories. But what we've done, Speaker, is we continue to invest. In fact, we've just announced $100 million in land for the City of Toronto. I've got a question for the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs. I know, Minister, how excited you are because our farmers are back in the fields for the growing season. And very soon we will be celebrating Local Food Week whereby we can pay tribute to our $36 billion agriculture economy which supports farmers in this province. So on June the 5th or 11th we're going to be celebrating our wonderful, locally grown, safe, reliable, tasty and affordable Ontario local food. What are you going to do to celebrate, Minister? Thank you. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Thanks very much, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the question from the member from Eglinton Lords as a champion for local food. Local Food Week is a nice opportunity to highlight the great work our partners are doing to promote local food for Ontarians. We have the Green Belt Fund which is providing $3.8 million to support 77 local food projects. I also want to highlight the work of the Dieticians of Canada, the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association for the fresh of the farm. The only school fundraising is the culinary tourism alliance which has been delivering a feast-out program to encourage restaurants to use more locally sourced ingredients, wines, beer and ciders on their menus. Mr. Speaker, we're lucky to have so many local food champions that are hoping to bring farmers, food makers and consumers together so that they can help us enjoy the good things that are growing in Ontario. Thank you. As you know, Minister, this afternoon Ontario beef farmers are going to be having a barbecue in the front lawn and they're going to be featuring succulent Ontario locally grown beef. I get tired of people who say, well, I'm going to go get some Alberta beef or Texas beef. Why don't more people ask for Ontario beef when they go to the restaurant? Forget that expensive imported foreign beef. Forget that expensive foreign cauliflower.  Thank you. Can you see it, please? Minister? Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the supplementary for my good friend, the member from Eglinton Lords. Yes, today is the beef farmers of Ontario annual barbecue and I encourage all members of their staff to get out to enjoy it. Ontario has the most culturally diverse population in Canada from over 200 countries and more than 200 foods in the province. Ontario is going to already bring home the world by shopping at the local farmers market or finding the Food Land Ontario local. We'll be working to get the word out this summer about the tremendous opportunity of the World Food Spring. With this in mind, Food Land Ontario is partnering with the Culinary Alliance of Canada for a wonderful pop-up clinic at the Ugg Dundas Square this Thursday, June 1st. I suggest everybody take the opportunity to come to this event. We'll feature feast on centre restaurants who are partnering with Ontario Farmers to showcase the diversity of recipes that can be made with Ontario growing foods. I invite you all to this picnic and come home for the taste Ontario advantage, Mr. Speaker. A new question? The member from Perry, Salma Sculper. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is to the Minister of Northern Development and Mines. Speaker, in 2011 a stronger, more diverse and sustainable northern economy. Northern Ontario has lost 5,000 full-time jobs and more than 6,000 part-time jobs between 2011 and 2016. During the same time, the value of building permits issued in Northern Ontario has declined by 25%. The Minister's own quote in the 2011 news release was that this plan would quote, help ensure the development of northern communities as places where people will want to live, work and play for future generations, close quote. But after the first five years of this plan, there are 10,000 fewer adults living in Northern Ontario. Question? Speaker, based on those statistics how would the Minister characterize the success of the Government's growth plan for Northern Ontario? Thank you. Mr. Speaker, thank you. I want to thank the Member for the question. I think it is fair to characterize and say that Northern communities and rural communities, just like all communities that are small and rural right across Canada and I would say right across North America are facing a unique set of circumstances and challenges. It is not only in Ontario where small Northern and rural communities are facing these challenges. Speaker, they exist in all jurisdictions. I would say certainly in Canada it has been a consistent problem but I would say unequivocally that our Government since being elected in 2003 has provided support to Northern and rural communities across a broad range of policy investment that I can speak to more in the supplemental. The Member knows that. He would suggest and stand in his place to try and say that these problems just occurred. There has been some population reduction but I would say the situation in Northern and rural communities would have been much greater had it not been for the investments that we have been making since forming Government some years ago. Mr. Speaker, the challenges he is talking about are the ones his Government has created and I recognize this is a 25 year plan but we are five years and so far it is a dismal failure. The population of Northern Ontario is declining, employment is declining, less is being built, businesses and other promises of the growth plan for Northern Ontario was this and to quote immediately develop a long-term strategy to create a more integrated transportation infrastructure system for air, rail, road and water that promise was made six years ago and the most recent document is still a discussion paper where is the strategy and when will we see shovels in the ground on new roads, new rail lines, new roads, new roads, new roads and new roads. Mr. Speaker, by way of example one of the investments we have been making in Northern Ontario for quite some time now is to reverse the decision that was made by the Conservative Party when they were in Government as well and had been started by the NDP and that is providing support for forestry companies in Northern Ontario through a forestry roads access program. Since bringing this project back into investments in the province of Ontario since 2005 $100 million in primary and secondary forestry roads in the province of Ontario to support forestry companies primarily a Northern based operation. As well Speaker since coming into Government we are investing now somewhere between $5 and $600 million annually through a Northern Highways program. Speaker when they were in Government for all eight years from 95 to 2003 the High Watermark for Northern Highways was $2 to $250 million in any one given year. That is only one more example of the major investments that we have been making in Northern Ontario since forming Government some time ago. Thank you. New question. The leader of the third party. Thank you Speaker my question is for the acting premier healthcare should be there when you need it but cuts and underfunding by both Liberals and Conservatives have pushed the Sue area hospital to the brink. It is now the second most over crowded hospital. Please put your question. Now the second most over crowded hospital in the entire province experts tell us that occupancy rates over 85% put patients at risk but the Sue area hospital has been forced to run at an average occupancy of 106% for the past five years and instead of fixing the problem the premier's budget short changes Ontario's hospitals by over 300 million dollars. Why is this government forcing people and seniors and Sue St. Marie to pay the price for liberal cuts? Thank you. Minister of health and long-term care. Minister of health and long-term care. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I have to admit that I'm absolutely mystified at this question. Well that's really classy some of the comments that we're hearing but Mr. Speaker the reality with the Sue hospital both the leader of the third party and the official opposition went specifically to the Sue area to criticize the fact that the government is providing a 5% increase to the operating cost of that hospital this fiscal year. So on the one hand Mr. Speaker consistently the third party has said we need to invest more in our hospitals and then they go away during a by-election I might add to the Sue hospital and the leader of the third party was critical of the fact that and suspicious of the fact that somehow a 5% increase to the budget of that hospital of over 6 million dollars I should add is unnecessary or inappropriate. I fundamentally disagree. Well Speaker there have been nine years of cuts and frozen budgets by this liberal government and that's something that this health minister and the ones prior to him need to fess up to but the people in Sault Ste. Marie know exactly what's happening to health care folks are waiting longer than ever admitted patients are waiting up to 53 hours in the emergency room to get a proper bed people who need a CT scan are waiting three times longer than the provincial target and the Sue area hospital is so overcrowded they've actually stopped using this for gridlock it's now meaningless because they were using their gridlock code every single day when will this government stop making excuses and actually repair the damage they've done to hospitals and Sault Ste. Marie and right across the whole province minister across the whole province Chair please thank you Mr. Speaker and you know I I am almost without words Mr. Speaker I'm not sure what the leader of the third party wants does she not want us to provide 6.6 million more dollars to the Sue hospital and increase this year alone of 5% Mr. Speaker or does she and consistently her party has advocated for more funding but it confounds me that they also voted against the budget that provides a 5% increase to the budget of the Sue hospital they voted against a budget that provides over half a billion dollars more to the operating costs of budgets across this province they voted against a budget that adds an additional $9 billion in capital infrastructure I don't understand where the party where their policy is Mr. Speaker but I know where we stand you see it please new question member from Barrie thank you Mr. Speaker my question is to the minister responsible for accessibility this is national access awareness week here in Ontario this is an important week which celebrates people with disabilities and raises awareness about supporting access in all our communities it's a week that puts a spotlight on the cultural shift we are experiencing one where all people can participate equally in our society we've come a long way to make our province more inclusive and we are working hard to reach our goal of accessible Ontario by 2025 Mr. Speaker could the minister tell us more about the national access awareness week and provide an update on some of the great work that we are doing to make Ontario accessible Mr. Speaker thank you Mr. Speaker and Mr. Speaker the minister is a member from Barrie for this very important question being national access awareness week makes the question more important because this week is a chance to show what we've done and focus what we can do to empower businesses and enlighten communities and embrace inclusion our government is committed to breaking down barriers building ramps. It's about the small things you don't see, like getting everyone to the places they need to be on time and comfortably and on accessible and seamless transit. We're making sure we provide information that meets everyone's needs. It's about connecting people with disabilities to the labour market and engaging and supporting businesses and employers. I'll speak more to our government's recent developments and how people can get involved when I speak. Thank you. Supplementary. Thank you. Thank you, Speaker. I'm to the Minister for her answer. Mr. Speaker, National Access Awareness Week helps to raise awareness and continues to promote a cultural shift. We need communities, businesses and individuals all across Ontario to understand that inclusion is important for building a strong society and developing a dynamic economy. The Martin Prosperity Institute report outlined that an inclusive Ontario would result in a $7.9 billion increase to the GDP, and more than $150 billion is lost in tax revenue annually due to the limited inclusion of persons with disabilities in the workforce. The message is clear, Mr. Speaker. Increasing accessibility and fostering inclusions is worth it. That is why I encourage as many individuals, organisations and communities to get involved. Question. Minister, explain how our government is working hard to promote inclusion and increase accessibility on Ontario. Thank you. Again, thanks to the member from Bury for the question. And, Speaker, under the Accessibility for Interance with Disabilities Act, we've created a number of standards development committees which are either reviewing current standards or we're establishing new ones. So we have ones in areas such as information communication. We have a review in the employment standard. And, Speaker, I'll be speaking more about the employment strategy for persons with disabilities in the coming days. And, Speaker, we are currently developing Ontario's first accessible healthcare standard. And last year, the Premier announced we'll also be working on an accessible education standard. And we recently launched a survey, Speaker, Answer. And it invites people to get involved in that process. And I'd like to encourage everyone to be part of National Access Awareness Week, because it's important. Thank you. You have a question to the member from Bruce Gray. My question is the Deputy Premier. Peter and Jackie Nipfel and Gail and Rob Fullerton run independent grocery stores in Bruce Gray on Sound. And they, along with other small businesses, are hurting under this Liberal government's failed energy plans. Their electricity costs have skyrocketed, mostly as a result of your Liberal ideology, waste and incompetence. On February 23rd, your Premier assured the House, and I quote, that small business grocers would receive the 8% rebate as part of your Fair Hyde Rack announcement. Sadly, it turns out this was a pure Liberal electioneering. I want to know through you, Mr. Speaker, is it fair to break a promised Deputy Premier? Is it fair to exclude small town family grocers from your supposed Fair Relief Scheme? Here, here. Deputy Premier. To the Minister of Energy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Pleased to be able to stand here and talk about the Fair Hydro Plan, which is going to be reducing bills by 25% for small businesses and farms and every residence right across this province, Mr. Speaker. When it comes to grocery stores, Mr. Speaker, we have the Save On Energy program. And the Save On Energy program specifically targets and works with grocery stores. We had Loblaws come to Sudbury, Mr. Speaker, to make an announcement that their large stores and their small stores, Mr. Speaker, are actually saving up to 22% on their bills if they participate in the Save On Energy program. And so what Loblaws is doing is working with all of their local retailers, their franchisees, to make sure, Mr. Speaker, that they take part in this program. Because it's this program that this government has brought forward on top of the Fair Hydro Plan that is going to continue to help small businesses right across the province. Thank you, Speaker. Back to the deputies. Maybe, Minister, you should come to Bruce Graydon Sound and talk to these small independent owners and get a real taste of life. Family grocers are an integral part of the fabric of small communities across in Sherrill. We want and need them to stay in rural in Sherrill. But like 60% of all stores in Sherrill that are independent small businesses, the two local family grocers in my riding are finding it harder and harder to stay in business. Unlike your ideology, you see, they can't turn freezers and fridges off overnight to qualify for the 8% rebate your government promised them. Through you, Speaker, is it fair that you arbitrarily exclude small town family grocers from relief from exorbitant rates caused by your mismanagement and your ideology? Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So when I was in Bruce, an Owen Sound area, Mr. Speaker, and I did talk to small business owners, they all recognize that this Fair Hydro Plan, Mr. Speaker, is going to help them. And also, Francesca Dobbin, the executive director of the United Way, is applauding this plan. Maybe he should talk to his own people and see what they think about this plan. Mr. Speaker, when we're talking about plans, I find it very interesting that a question comes from a party that doesn't have an approach to energy, doesn't have an approach on how to lower energy bills for families, doesn't have an approach on how it's going to lower bills for small business, nothing for farms, nothing for long-term care homes, nothing for greenhouses, Mr. Speaker. We've acted, we've heard, we've listed, we've helped greenhouses now, remote customers, conservation programs that will continue to help others, Mr. Speaker. Yes, sir. You know, the list is endless. That's what happens when you have a plan. We have a plan, Mr. Speaker. They don't. We're mixed. Be seated, please. Be seated, please. Member from Niagara, it's Glenbrook on a point of order. Mr. Speaker, I didn't have the opportunity to earlier, but I wish to welcome, from my writing, the Reverend Peter Holtflour and his wife, Erica Holtflour. Welcome to the legislature. Minister of Housing. Minister of Housing on a point of order. Thank you, Speaker. I just wanted to correct the record. Ms. Boak, when I said that the 130 million additional funding for social housing repairs in Toronto was, I said, over 40 years, it's actually over four years. We have a deferred vote on the government notice of motion number 33 relating to allocation of time of bill 89, an act to enact the Child Youth and Family Services Act 2016, to amend and repeal Child and Family Services Act, and to make related amendments to other acts. Calling the members. This will be a five-minute bill. All members, please take your seats. All members, please take your seats. On May 29, 2017, the Sandals move government notice of motion number 33 relating to the allocation of time on bill 89. All those in favour of the motion, please rise. One at a time. Be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Nahki, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Dalduke, Mr. Sandals, Mr. Sousa, Mr. Sousa, Mr. Wen, Mr. Matthews, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Houskins, Mr. Shre удив labs, Mr. Dugard, Mr. Doged, Mr.aufischar, Mr. McMecan, Mr. Mc Meeker, Mr. Carre, Mr. Call, Mr. Cole, Mr. trabajo, Mr. Bartonetti, Mr. Bartonetti, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Dealing, Mr. Deo lemon, Mr. Murray, Mr. Murray, Mr. Champ, Mr. Chan, Mr. Moreeity, Mr. Cotto, Mr. Poteau, Trask 1918, Mr. Hunter, Mr. frontal feels to via the TV or TV on the lawn, Mr. Hi, Mr. Cadre, Mr. Dickson, Mr. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Wilson. Mr. Arnaud. Mr. Hartam. Mr. Haardam. Ms. MacLeod. Ms. Jones. Mr. Brown. Mr. Brown. Mr. Clark. Ms. Fordelli. Mr. Fedeli. Ms. Jackabusky. Mr. Miller, Perry Thomas-Cocke. Ms. Miller, Perry Thomas-Cocke. Ms. Thompson. Ms. Thompson. Mr. Barrett. Mr. Barrett. Mr. Urech. Mr. Urech. Mr. Bailey. Mr. Ostra. Mr. Ostra. Mr. Walker. Mr. Walker. Mr. Nicals. Mr. Nicklaus. Mr. Arnaud. Mr. Micdonnell. Hamilton East Stony Creek, Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek, Ms. Salar, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Natascha, Ms. Angelina, Ms. Fife, Ms. Forrester, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Cambo, Mr. Monta, Mr. Hadfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French, Mr. McLaren. The ayes are 52. The nays are 40. The ayes being 52. The nays being 40. I declare the motion carried. We have a deferred vote on the motion of third reading of Bill 87 and act to implement health measures and measures relating to seniors by enacting, amending and repealing various statutes. Call on the members. This will be a five-minute bell. On May 29, 2017, Mr. Hoskins moved third reading of Bill 87 to enact to implement health measures and measures relating to seniors by enacting, amending and repealing various statutes. All those in favor, please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Natchez, Mr. Bradley, Mr. Del Duca, Mr. Sandals, Mr. Sousa, Mr. Sousa, Ms. Wynne, Ms. Matthews, Mr. Shirelli, Mr. Dugan, Ms. McCharles, Mr. MacM墓an, Mr. MacMeakin, Mr. Car, Mr. Cole, Mr. Bardinetti, Mr. Dallani, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Dillon, Mr. Murray, Mr. Chan, Mr. Chant, Mr. Moriti, Mr. Cotto, Mr. Cotto, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Hill, Mr. Fleam, Mr. Flinn, Mr. Teeboa, Mr. Tebowl, Madam Lallon, Madam Lallon, Mr. Codrie, Mr. Codrie, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Dixon, Mr. Mangea, Mr. Crack, Mr. Crack, Mr. Mr. Bauer, Mr. Nidoo Harris, Mr. Wong, Mr. Fraser, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Baker, Mr. Donge, Mr. Hogarth, Ms. Kuala, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Martin, Mr. Milton, Mr. Potts, Mr. Rinaldi, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Verneel, Ms. Rosier, Mr. Yurek, Mr. Arna, Mr. Harding, Mr. Cloud, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Jones, Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Yakibusky, Mr. Miller, Perry, Sam, Mascocas, Mr. Scott, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Barry, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Osterhoe, Mr. Wauker, Mr. Wauker, Mr. Nicholl, Mr. Nicholl, Mrs. Marteau, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Pettipies, Mr. Koe, Mr. Choe, Mr. Choe, Madam Gellinan, Mr. Bisson, Mr. Bisson, Mr. Vantop, Mr. DeNovo, Mr. Tabin, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Thoney Creek, Mr. Miller Hamilton, East Thoney Creek, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Natteshire, Ms. Fife, Ms. Forster, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Yamanta, Mr. Hatfield, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French, Ms. French. All those opposed, please rise for a time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. McLaren. Mr. McLaren. The ayes are 92, the nays are 1. The ayes being 92, and the nays being 1. I declare the motion carried. To be in the bill, twas in lecture due. We resolve that the bill you now pass and be entitled as in the motion. We have a deferred vote on the motion of third reading of bill 68. In act to amend various acts in relation to municipalities, calling the members, this will be a five-minute bill. May 29, 2017, Mr. Morrell moved third reading of bill 68. In act to amend various acts in relation to municipalities, all those in favor, please rise for a time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Morrell. Mr. Morrell. Mr. Nattish. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Deluca. Mr. Deluca. Mr. Sandals. Mr. Sandals. Mr. Sousa. Mr. Sousa. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen. Ms. Nguyen. Mr. Kohl. Mr. Kohl. Mr. Bardonetti. Mr. Bardonetti. Mr. Delaney. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Dillon. Mr. Murray. Mr. Chan. Mr. Chan. Mr. Chantere. Mr. Merity. Mr. Koto. Mr. Koto. Ms. Hunter. Ms. Hunter. Mr. Leo. Mr. Leo. Mr. Flynn. Mr. Flynn. Mr. 분�o. Mr. THEBO. The Dam дальше. The Dam lasan. Mr. Codre. Mr. Codre. Mr. Dickson. Mr. Dickson. Mr. contract. Ms. Hogarth, Ms. Kuala, Ms. Mollie, Ms. Martins, Mr. Miltjen, Mr. Potts, Mr. Rinaldi, Ms. Reneal, Mr. Hatfield, Ms. Shuby Song, Ms. Devanta, Ms. DeNovo, Ms. DeNovo, Mr. Tabins, Mr. Miller-Hamilton East Stony Creek, Ms. Sattler, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Natascha, Ms. Jelena, Ms. Fight, Ms. Forrester, Mr. Campbell, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Shemanta, Ms. Gretzky, Mr. Gates, Ms. French. All those opposed, please rise. It's time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Harden, Ms. Rinaldi, Ms. McLeod, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Wilson, Ms. Jones, Mr. Brown, Mr. Brown, Mr. Clark, Mr. Fidelli, Mr. Fidelli, Ms. Yacobosky, Mr. Miller-Perry Sound-Moscowka, Mr. Scott, Ms. Thompson, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Urech, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Bailey, Mr. Strostra, Mr. Walker, Mr. Wauker, Mr. Nicholas, Mr. Nicholas, Ms. Marteau, Mr. McDonnell, Mr. Pettipies, Mr. Pettipies, Mr. Cove, Mr. Cove, Mr. Cove. The ayes are 69, the nays are 23. The ayes being 69, the nays being 23. I declare the motion carried. Third reading of the bill. Resolve that the bill do not pass and be entitled as in the motion. We have a deferred vote on the motion. A closure of the motion for the third reading of bill 65. Paul and the members, this will be a five-minute vote. On May 10th, 2017, Mr. Dodoka moved a third reading of bill 65, an act to amend the traffic act in respect to speed limits and municipalities and other matters. Mr. Frasier has moved that the question be now put. All those in favor, Mr. Frazier's motion will rise. Please rise one at a time and be recognized by the clerk. Ms. Sattler, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Taylor, Mr. Natashak, Ms. Jelena, Ms. Fife, Ms. Forrester, Ms. Campbell, Ms. Yamonta, Ms. Hatfield, Ms. Gretzky, Ms. Gates, Ms. French, Ms. McClaren, Mr. McClaren. The ayes are 52, the nays are 40. The ayes being 52, the nays being 40, declare the motion carried. Mr. Del Duca has moved third reading of Bill 65 in act to amend the Highway Traffic Act in respect to speed limits and municipalities and other matters. Is it a pleasure to house the motion carried? I heard a no. All those in favor of the motion please say aye. All those opposed to the motion please say nay. In my opinion, the ayes have it. Calling the members, this will be a five minute bill. Mr. Del Duca has moved third reading of Bill 65 in act to amend the Highway Traffic Act in respect to speed limits and municipalities and other matters. All those in favor of the motion please rise. One at a time be recognized by the clerk. Mr. Del Duca, Ms. Nack, Mr. Bradley, Ms. Sandler, Ms. Sousa, Ms. Win, Ms. Matthew, Mr. Hoskins, Mr. Shurelli, Mr. Shurelli, Ms. Dugan, Ms. McCharles, Mr. McMeakin, Mr. MacMeakin, Mr. Karr, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Brardinetti, Mr. Delaney, Mr. Mouri, Mr. Chan, Mr. Mouriti, Mr. Cotel, Mr. Hunter, Mr. Leo, Mr. Flynn, Mr. Tebow, and An LaLong. Hamilton East Stony Creek. Mr. Miller Hamilton East Stony Creek. Ms. Sattler. Ms. Taylor. Ms. Taylor. Ms. Natashire. Ms. Natashire. Ms. Amjelina. Ms. Fife. Ms. Fife. Ms. Forster. Ms. Forster. Ms. Campbell. Ms. Campbell. Ms. Yamonta. Ms. Yamonta. Mr. Hatfield. Ms. Gretzky. Ms. Gretzky. Ms. French. All those opposed, please rise for a time to be recognized by the clerk. Mr. McLaren. Mr. McLaren. The ayes are 92, the nays are 1. The ayes being 92, and the nays being 1. I declare the motion carried. I would like to draw your attention, I would like you to draw your attention in an event that's happening at six o'clock after afternoon sitting, that we are celebrating 40 years of service for Mr. Kim Bradley. There will be plenty to say this afternoon, but the one thing I will relate to you is that Harry Nixon from Brandt was, is the record holder for 42 years. I defer votes, this house stands recessed till 3 p.m. this afternoon.


Top reasons to choose a recruiter when finding a job teaching English abroad Using a recruiter to help you find a teaching job abroad can be a rewarding and satisfying experience for many, provided you choose the right recruiter and you know what to expect and which questions to ask Teachers use recruiting agencies for many reasons, including relying on a recruiter to find a legitimate contract that offers a fair salary package A recruiter will work with you to help you find a position that meets your requirements for a teaching position and they'll help you break down the application process step by step Recruiting websites should have plenty of information about the job application process and they should be able to explain this process to you in clear and concise terms that are easy for you to understand A recruiter's job is to help you through the visa process and ensure that you have a smooth arrival in your chosen teaching destination at a school you're going to love Some people still feel uneasy about working with recruiters, but the fact is that for certain programs, such as the Epic program in South Korea or for many teaching programs in China A recruiter is exactly what you need to help you through all the complicated steps of applying for a position and ensuring you have all the correct paperwork Recruiters can save you time and money by simplifying the application process and by leading you through the steps of securing your visa and work permit Here are several tips to keep in mind about working with recruiters 1. You should never have to pay a recruiter for their services If a recruiter is asking you for money, stop working with them 2. Reliable recruiting companies have faces and names behind their recruiting team Don't choose a recruiting agency that doesn't offer a team page or show more information about your recruiter's work and their successes over the past few years Look for recruiters that have experience and that are open and honest about this experience If you are looking at a recruiting website that doesn't have visible faces or individual names on their website, we strongly recommend that you do not work with that agency Any reputable agency will be forthright about who you're working with and how much experience they have 3. Testimonials are important Look up reviews and teach your testimonials about the agency you intend to work with The general rule of thumb is the more testimonials an agency or an agent has, especially testimonials and reviews across websites and social media platforms, the more reliable the agency Here are some great reasons for working with a recruiter It's typical to have questions about application forms as these forms differ from program to program Additionally, the types of paperwork that you're asked to collect for a job application can be hard to track down on your own Your recruiter can tell you exactly what you need to do, how to do it, how long it will take, and how to make you stand out amongst the competition When advice is coming from experienced people who know the teaching landscape inside out, you can't go wrong with adding a recruiter to your hiring process to simplify things for you Free job assistance It doesn't cost you a thing to work with a recruiter and gain access to their knowledge Visa advice The visa process for many countries can be difficult A recruiter can walk you through the entire process from start to finish, they can help you fast track certain documents, and they can make sure that all of your visa requirements are in order for the application Personalized service Reliable and honest recruiters offer a personalized service that includes time spent in screening applicants and preparing teachers by putting them through mock school interviews to get them ready for their real interview with potential employers An agency's success in placing teachers is illustrated by the number of reviews you can find online about their recruiting services and through retention rates with applicants that should be available online for viewing What is a good recruiter? A good recruiter will not only take care to screen their applicants, good recruiters also carefully screen their schools to ensure they are up to employment standards Great care should be taken in informing the teacher applicant about reputable schools, fair salary packages, and workplace ethics Your recruiter should be working to create a great working relationship for both a school and a teacher Another sign of a good recruiter is an agency that provides pre-departure information packages and organizes call times to prepare teachers for their year abroad before they leave home Pre-departure information should cover everything from tax laws, vaccinations and medical insurance to resources for life abroad in a foreign country Your recruiter should also provide support and assistance throughout your year abroad if you need it Whether it's with assistance in booking your flights, helping you navigate cultural issues with your school manager, or even if you're wondering how to deal with a particular student in your classroom, your recruiter can assist you A good recruiter will know the ins and outs of things and can help you before things go wrong They can also help you develop a new support network and meet new friends by introducing you to other teachers that are in the same area as you As your deadline for departing for your new country draws closer, you'll find your to-do list for your teaching position growing as more questions come up Have you thought about what you need to do for your visa in your home country? Do you know what happens with the visa process after you arrive in your new teaching destination? Have you thought about where you want to live? Do you know where to look for apartments or housing if your school is not providing you with accommodation? Do you know what you need to have in order to pass your health check? Do you know how to secure a letter of experience or get a national criminal background check? These are all questions that can be answered simply and easily by your recruiter rather than wasting time online looking at outdated information for teaching positions All of these questions and more are covered by recruiters during their hiring process with you You gain from using their expert knowledge to ease some of the stress of moving abroad Who pays the recruiter? 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I'm sure you're asking how to know if a recruiting agency is legitimate or not A legitimate agency is important Make sure the company you're working with is legal, has a professional website with an English speaking recruiting staff that offers information on the individuals you'll be working with Look for hidden charges in your contract A legitimate company will never charge you for a position or take a portion of your salary Look up agency reviews and listen to your friends who are teaching abroad Your recruiter should be able to answer basic questions about contracts as well as providing information about the exact location of the school The total number of teaching hours and provide you with contact details for teachers that they have already placed at the school you are considering Your recruiting agency should recognize the value of their teachers having a great year abroad One of the longest standing and most reputable ESL placement agencies on the market today is reached to teach recruiting It's not hard to find their reviews and testimonials online Their Facebook page shows over 200 reviews from teachers over the past 10 years and they come with outstanding reviews on many other ESL platforms as well Reach to teach comes highly recommended by its teachers and schools in a number of countries around the world You can read Reach to Teach testimonials here Apply for a teaching position with Reach to teach on their job board today and find out why they are known for being one of the best recruiting agencies in the ESL industry Are you ready to teach English abroad? 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