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Quotation of the day
“A $15 minimum wage is simply not going to cut it. It will take a minimum wage of at least $17 just to make up for what this government took out of the pockets of workers.”
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath opines on the PC’s $15 per hour minimum wage announcement during question period.
Today at Queen’s Park
Written by Alan S. Hale
On the schedule
This morning, the house is expected to resume debate on Bill 27, Working for Workers Act. In the afternoon, MPPs will begin debate on a new bill to be introduced today.
During private members’ time, the house will hold second-reading debate on NDP Leader Andrea Horwath’s long-promised private member’s Bill 3, Stopping Anti-Public Health Act, which would establish protest exclusion zones around businesses and hospitals.
A motion was passed on Tuesday to clear the house to sit until midnight for the rest of the fall session, which is slated to wrap up on December 9.
A separate government motion, passed Monday, allows six standing committees to meet “at the call of the chair” for the rest of the fall sitting “and any extension thereof,” rather than stick to their regular weekly schedules.
This caught the ire of NDP MPP John Vanthof, who asked the Speaker whether the rule change is a “misapplication” of the standing orders, arguing it could be ripe for abuse.
“This essentially confers unlimited authority as to when the government can conduct committee business and opens the potential for committees to meet during question period, afternoon routine, during constituency weeks, on weekends and statutory holidays,” Vanthof said Tuesday.
Government house leader Paul Calandra accused the Opposition of making a mountain out of a molehill and said a similar motion had passed previously. He also ridiculed opposition MPPs for not rising from their chairs to force a vote if they had a problem with it.
“I can't understand why members of the opposition would be opposed to committees sitting more often to hear and debate bills that have been passed by this house,” said Calandra. “That is basically saying ‘you're doing such a good job, your bills are so good, we don't need to have more committee meetings.’”
Speaker Ted Arnott will make a ruling at a later date.
Tuesday's debates and proceedings
With Remembrance Day just over a week away, it was full speed ahead for Citizenship Minister Parm Gill’s Bill 38, Remembrance Week Amendment Act.
Thanks to a time allocation motion, the house sped through second and third readings of the bill, both of which passed unanimously by voice vote.
Once it receives royal assent, the new law will give every worker in Ontario the legal right to wear a poppy at their workplace. The idea was originally proposed last November after Whole Foods told employees not to wear poppies at work; the company quickly backed down during the backlash.
The house then returned to the second-reading debate on Bill 27, Working for Workers Act.
During private members’ time, MPPs debated a motion from deputy Speaker Bill Walker calling on the province to prioritize a “Made-in-Ontario” medical isotope strategy so it can become a leader in global supply.
“I’m looking for all-party support so that, regardless of who is in government going forward, this will be a centrepiece of any policy development and health-care policy,” said Walker, answering a question from Queen’s Park Today during a presser on Tuesday morning. “This is about making a difference in the health care of people's lives.”
The motion is being supported by the Society of United Professionals and the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council, the chair of which, James Scongack, came to Queen’s Park to praise it as “historic.”
“This is the first time a level of government, especially in a jurisdiction the size of Ontario, has recognized this,” said Scogack in response to Queen’s Park Today. Walker’s motion passed.
Two new bills were tabled on Tuesday:
- A trio of NDP MPPs introduced Bill 41, Viewer Discretion Act (Images of Fetuses), which would set rules for the distribution of images of human fetuses by anti-abortion groups; and
- PC MPP Sheref Sabawy introduced Bill 42, Religious Freedom Day Act, which would proclaim October 27.
At the park
Fully vaccinated Queen’s Park lawmakers, staff, media and other attendees can now get a sticker of the legislative seal affixed to their identification badges to swiftly verify their inoculation status to security.
Premier watch
Premier Doug Ford was in Milton Tuesday to announce a forthcoming hike to the minimum wage (more on this below). At the presser, the premier once again pledged to make the pandemic pay bump for PSWs permanent, despite his government’s recent move to extend it only temporarily to March.
Ford also declared he would follow through on his campaign promise to reduce skyrocketing fuel prices by cutting provincial gas taxes, but not before taking another shot at Ottawa for not rising to his challenge to reduce federal fuel taxes as well.
“We are going to keep our promises, I just wish the federal government would fall in line as well,” said Ford. “We’re reducing costs, but they keep jacking the costs up.”
Meanwhile, on Twitter, Ford responded to PC MPP Norm Miller’s announcement that he will not seek re-election in June by commending him for his 20 years in provincial politics.
“It’s been my honour to work with you at Queen’s Park and deliver for the people of Parry Sound—Muskoka. I want to thank you for your dedication and I wish you all the best in your life after politics,” tweeted Ford. The PCs will now have to nominate a candidate to run in the riding, which has been solidly blue since its creation in 1999.
The premier also sent his well-wishes to NDP MPP Wayne Gates, who was involved in “a pretty serious” car accident this past weekend.
Gates said he is not seriously injured, “just dealing with some sore ribs and a sore chest,” and expects to make a full recovery. In a statement, the Niagara Falls MPP thanked first responders and hospital staff for taking care of him.
Ford seeks to bolster pro-worker stance, reverses 2018 decision on minimum wage
Premier Doug Ford bolstered his government’s new pro-worker image on Tuesday by reversing course on a 2018 decision to cancel a planned minimum wage increase to $15 per hour, much to the delight of labour unions — and horror of business groups.
The boost from $14.35 per hour, which will take effect on New Year’s Day, comes after the government took heat over the meagre $0.10 increase last month.
The province is also doing away with the separate minimum wage for liquor servers and bartenders, and will include a proportional increase to the special minimum wage for students under 18, as well as for homeworkers and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides.
“Today we are announcing a well-deserved raise for hard-working Ontarians, and we are doing this because this government will always remain on the side of workers,” said the premier, noting his family has always been for working people. “I will always be for the workers — always. I get that from my brother Rob.”
Nonetheless, Ford continued to defend his original decision to quash the minimum wage increase enacted by the previous Liberal government, saying to compare the current situation to the days before the COVID-19 pandemic was like “apples to oranges.” He argued the increase is now necessary to help low-income families devastated by rising inflation.
“Things were a lot different in 2018,” said Ford.
Labour Minister Monte McNaughton agreed, saying time is of the essence.
“[Minimum wage workers] fell behind through no fault of their own, and they can’t wait another year for an increase,” said McNaughton. “These workers deserve their fair share of the economic pie.”
When asked whether the pay hike is likely to exacerbate rising inflation, Ford suggested the federal carbon tax was the true culprit behind rising prices. The premier sidestepped questions on whether the government would have raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour had there been no pandemic.
A ‘good start,’ say unions, but business leaders say they weren’t consulted
Business groups met the news with outrage, as the Ontario Chamber of Commerce decried a lack of consultation with businesses who were caught off guard by the announcement.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the increase comes at “the worst possible time for small businesses,” noting the restaurant industry is still struggling to return to normal revenues and will be hit particularly hard by the $2.45 per hour increase for servers.
“We urge the Ontario government to reconsider the timing of its proposal, conduct an economic impact analysis and consult with the small business community on the best path forward, potential cost offsets and mitigation strategies as our economy looks to recover,” wrote CFIB president Dan Kelly.
Ford brushed off those concerns by noting the province has doled out $4 billion in support to small businesses during the pandemic. The announcement was made with prominent union leaders in tow, including Unifor president Jerry Dias and OPSEU’s Smokey Thomas. Both put aside “partisan differences” for the day to praise the move as a “good start.”
“For the first time in dealing with three governments, we actually have a government that is listening and actually doing some very positive things for working people,” said Thomas.
Yet the union leaders agreed the $15 minimum wage is insufficient, arguing the standard should be equivalent to a living wage, which is as high as $22 per hour in the Greater Toronto Area. Ford acknowledged the discrepancy and seemed to leave the door open for further increases down the road.
Opposition leaders accused the PCs of rank cynicism, dismissing the announcement and the PC’s pro-worker rhetoric as nothing more than an attempt to shore up support from voters heading into the June election.
“I am sick and tired of watching Liberals and Conservatives use minimum wage workers as a political pawn on even an election where they are concerned about losing power,” fumed NDP Leader Andrea Horwath.
Liberal house leader John Fraser said the PCs should have left the previous Liberal government’s scheduled minimum wage increases in place, which would have given businesses certainty while also helping workers, who would be earning $15.75 hourly by now.
“Doug Ford wants us to believe he has been born again … and he is now the champion of workers, when he is the farthest thing from it,” said Fraser. “It’s hard to watch, because Doug Ford started a fire and ran over to put it out, and now he wants us to pin a medal on his chest.”
Mulroney implicated in Bradford Bypass controversy
The mini-scandal surrounding the proposed Bradford Bypass rerouting around Silver Lakes Golf and Country Club, which is co-owned by Associate Transportation Minister Stan Cho’s father, continued to grow on Tuesday after the NDP dug up a Facebook post showing Cho and Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney had visited the club in March, a month before the route changes were made.
The PCs have defended themselves by noting Cho recused himself from discussions surrounding the bypass — but Mulroney’s presence at Silver Lakes appears to have undercut that defence, playing into the hands of an Opposition seeking to paint the PCs as corrupt and out to help their “buddies.”
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,” said NDP Leader Andrea Horwath in response to a question from Queen’s Park Today. “[That visit] is extremely problematic … it’s exactly what it looks like.”
Questioned about the visit by NDP MPP Catherine Fife during Tuesday’s question period, Mulroney went on the attack, accusing Fife of dragging the Cho family’s name through the mud for political gain, for which she should be “ashamed.”
“Let me be clear: Minister Cho has been screened from the file pertaining to the Bradford Bypass since his election in 2018. Neither myself nor anyone in my office has had any conversations with Minister Cho about the Bradford Bypass,” said Mulroney. (Cho’s office previously told the Star and the National Observer he declared a conflict of interest upon his appointment as associate minister in June.)
“No way,” Fife shot back, saying she wouldn’t “take any lessons” from Mulroney on what stands as ethical in the province of Ontario.
The integrity commissioner has been asked by the opposition to probe the matter, Speaker Ted Arnott told the chamber later in the day.
Today’s events
November 3 at 9 a.m. — Kleinburg
Culture Minister Lisa MacLeod, Ontario Arts Council chair Rita Davies and McMichael Canadian Art Collection board chair Andrew Pringle will make an announcement about supporting the arts sector.
November 3 at 11:15 a.m. — Virtual
Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca will make an announcement ahead of Thursday’s Fall Economic Statement.
November 3 at noon — Virtual
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce will release a new report on “Ontario’s Leadership in the Green Global Economy.”
November 3 at 6:30 p.m. — Toronto
The Ontario PC Party is hosting a $1,500-per-ticket fundraiser at an undisclosed location.
Topics of conversation
- New daily COVID-19 cases dropped to 331 infections on Tuesday. The province reported 230 patients in hospital (up 96), as well as 136 in ICU with a Covid-related illness (up three).
- There were seven deaths added to the provincial toll, putting it at 9,881.
- There were 144 new Covid cases in schools confirmed on Tuesday, 123 of which were among students.
- There were 13,774 vaccine doses administered on Monday.
- Although the province resisted publicly committing to sending a representative to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Environment Minister Dave Piccini is, in fact, attending the event this week, his office confirmed.
- “Minister Piccini is using this opportunity to build international partnerships for Ontario’s clean industry, explore emerging best practices, and contribute the province’s voice to the global conversation about climate change,” his office told Queen’s Park Today in a statement.
- The government has not advertised the fact that it was sending Piccini to COP26, nor has Piccini himself been tweeting since it began on Sunday, which is unusual for the minister, who tends to maintain an active social media presence.
- NDP Urban Planning critic Jessica Bell invited a representative of the Save Jimmie Simpson campaign, Paul Young, to speak at Queen’s Park about opposition to Ontario Line planning in South Riverdale.
- Young argued the addition of more rail lines to the existing four in the neighbourhood would mean trains going by approximately every 45 seconds, which would have serious quality of life impacts on people living there, particularly low-income persons.
- He and other campaigners are calling for the new rail lines to be installed underground instead, and are asking the province to force Metrolinx to go in that direction.
- “We understand that commuting by car to and from the city is not sustainable, nor efficient. We understand that we need to build alternatives to driving,” said Young. “Yet we are also in favour of good urban planning … [this] appears to be a poorly thought-out project.”
- As highways continue to dominate the conversation at Queen’s Park, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner issued a statement yesterday calling on the province to cancel the $1.5-billion Holland Marsh Highway project in order to protect Lake Simcoe and the nearby wetlands.
- “Doug Ford insists on pushing through a highway that will pave over 17 hectares of the Holland Marsh, destroy 39 hectares of wildlife habitat and 10 hectares of designated provincially significant wetlands, and cause significant groundwater contamination,” said Schreiner. “It doesn’t make any sense.”
- The Town of Georgina and the City of Barrie have called for a fresh environmental assessment of the project; the original is from 1997.
- Speaking of environment assessments, provincial officials may have had their eye on Quebec yesterday where Environment Minister Benoit Charette stood firm on his position that Ottawa can’t use an impact assessment to block construction of a controversial tunnel that province is building near Quebec City.
- "The federal government has no authority over the construction of infrastructure in Quebec. So the federal government could issue an opinion, but the federal government has no jurisdiction over [infrastructure on] Quebec soil,” Charette told reporters.
- Canada’s Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced Ottawa would conduct an impact assessment for the tunnel last week — just as it is in process of doing for the PC’s favoured Highway 413.
- NDP Veterans critic Jennie Stevens is calling on the province to stop reducing disability benefits for injured veterans who also receive the federal Disability Award. The issue was raised the day the province passed a bill giving employees the right to wear poppies to honour veterans while at work.
- “It’s a shameful failure that Ontario is honouring that debt with words and ceremonies alone, while turning its back on the injured veterans who are struggling with poverty and deserve better,” said Stevens.
- Royal Canadian Legion’s Ontario command president Gary Pond said the issue is a serious one that leaves “numerous” veterans fearful of even applying for compensation, “knowing the Ontario provincial government will claw back their basic needs and shelter until the Disability Award is spent.”
- The Ontario Public School Boards’ Association is asking Education Minister Stephen Lecce to end the modified semesters high schools are using, in which students take two courses per day for a week at a time.
- “If the necessity is not there, we would really like our schooling to be back to what would be considered normal,” president Cathy Abraham told the Star while noting the downward trend of Covid cases. “It’s a better way of delivery for students and staff.”
Appointments and employments
New Democrats nominate health advocate in Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock
- The NDP has tapped Barbara Doyle, co-founder of the Kawartha Lakes Health Coalition, to run against PC MPP Laurie Scott in the Haliburton riding she has held for five terms.
News briefs
Expanding the OPP’s crisis calls diversion program
- As of yesterday, OPP communications centres in Orillia and North Bay will have mental health and addictions workers on staff to improve police response to calls about individuals in a mental health-care crisis. Solicitor General Sylvia Jones announced.
Question Period
When will there be a decision?
- NDP Leader Andrea Horwath noted that Health Minister Christine Elliott confirmed the province has received enough feedback to make a decision on a vaccine mandate for hospital workers, and demanded to know when the PCs plan to actually do so. She noted the Ontario science table recommended a mandate weeks ago.
- “This government has never taken decisive action during this pandemic. We saw it with the Hunger Games rollout of the vaccines.”
- Elliott would not commit to a timeline. (Last week, she had indicated it was coming before the end of the week, but her office later backtracked.)
- “We are reviewing the responses right now, to ensure that whatever determination is made that we protect the health and well-being of everyone in Ontario,” she said.
Burned by the Ring of Fire
- NDP Indigenous and Treaty Relations critic Sol Mamakwa asked if the government intends to keep commitments to Treaty 9 First Nations to gain their support for the stalled Ring of Fire chromite mine project, which included giving road access to remote First Nations for the first time and dealing with drinking water contamination.
- “This government has no right to request development on our treaty territories without a plan to improve baseline necessities like water and infrastructure,” said Mamakwa.
- Government house leader Paul Calandra said the province is committed to working on those issues with local First Nations and getting the Ring of Fire up and running.
- “We understand fully that this is a resource that cannot be developed if we do not all work together.”
Independent questions
Infrastructure backlog
- Liberal MPP Lucille Collard asked how the government plans to clear the large infrastructure backlog in Ontario, arguing there are more pressing issues than Highway 413, which the PCs are promoting ahead of the election. The province, she argued, should be more focused on getting people to switch to trains than building more roads for cars.
- Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney said the province has an ambitious transit plan, but the fact of the matter is that as the GTA’s population grows, the need for more highways is inevitable.
- “While members of the opposition want to pretend like congestion isn’t a problem today and it won’t be a problem tomorrow, our government is committed to doing what we can to improve the quality of life of Ontarians.”
PC questions
PC backbenchers asked their party colleagues softball questions about long-term care, vaccines and public health measures, and services for people with disabilities.
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