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Quotation of the day
“I am glad you let us in the door and welcomed us into your house.”
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief Stacey LaForme says the installation of a piece of Indigenous art above the door of the legislative chamber has given Indigenous philosophy a place in the halls of power.
Today at Queen’s Park
Written by Alan S. Hale
On the schedule
The legislature will resume on Monday, November 22.
Thursday's debates and proceedings
Debate wrapped on Bill 43, Build Ontario Act (Budget Measures), which passed a second-reading vote (Ayes 47; Nays 26) and was referred to the finance committee.
A second-reading vote was also held on Bill 37, Providing More Care, Protecting Seniors, and Building More Beds Act, which also passed (Ayes 48; Nays 27). It was referred to the legislative assembly committee.
NDP MPP Peggy Sattler didn’t have as much luck. Her private member’s Bill 28, Preventing Worker Misclassification Act, was defeated (Ayes 26; Nays 47).
Meanwhile, a quartet of NDP members tabled Bill 52, Stopping Illegal Handgun Smuggling Act, which proposes Ontario adopt an approach currently used by the Mexican government of suing gun manufacturers for practices that facilitate the smuggling of handguns into the country.
The legislation would require Attorney General Doug Downey to investigate and take legal action against American arms companies and create a strategy for stopping the smuggling of guns from the U.S. into Ontario.
“This bill is just one part of a larger strategy to address gun violence and its root causes, especially poverty, systemic racism, and lack of opportunity for young people,” said Rima Berns-McGown, one of the bill’s sponsors. “It’s critical to have the legal means to stop American gun manufacturers in cases where it has been proven that their actions contribute to the violence on our streets.”
Three other bills were also tabled Thursday:
- PC MPP Lorne Coe introduced Bill 51, Provincial Day of Service Act, which would proclaim September 11.
- NDP MPP Marit Stiles reintroduced Bill 53, Teddy's Law (Anti-Declawing), which would ban all non-essential declawing of cats in Ontario. It was also tabled during the last parliamentary session.
- NDP MPPs Jessica Bell, Doly Begum and Bhutila Karpoche reintroduced Bill 54, Protecting Vulnerable Road Users Act, which would impose tougher penalties for motorists who kill or injure “vulnerable road users,” such as pedestrians, cyclists or first responders.
At the park
For the first time, there is a piece of Indigenous artwork inside the chamber of the Ontario legislature.
The sculpted panel depicting animals representing the Seven Grandfather Teachings of wisdom (beaver), love (eagle), respect (bison), courage (bear), honesty (raven), humility (wolf) and truth (turtle) was created by Garrett Nahdee, an artist from Walpole Island First Nation. It has been given a place of prominence above the chamber’s main door.
The panel had been sitting unnoticed in the chamber behind a curtain for weeks ahead of yesterday’s unveiling ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries, including Indigenous officials and Lieutenant Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell. Notably, Premier Doug Ford was not present.
The ceremony included an opening prayer and a grandfather song, delivered by Indigeous elder and Order of Canada member Carolyn King, who also performed a smudging ceremony, where gathering participants are anointed with the smoke of burning sage.
"What's happening today is historical," said King. "I never thought I would see anything like this."
The artwork’s real benefit, said Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Chief Stacey LaForme, will be to work done in the chamber, saying the philosophy of the seven grandfathers should guide decisions made there.
NDP Indigenous and Treaty Relations critic Sol Mamakwa told Queen’s Park Today it meant a lot to him to have the seven grandfathers included in the heart of “colonial” power, agreeing their influence will be good for the legislature.
“To hear the drum here was amazing. It makes you feel like home,” said Mamakwa, who was a member of an all-party panel that had been working on the piece’s installation for five years. “I remember the first day I was here it was very intimidating the way people went after each other. That’s not who we are. It’s good to see a non-colonial sculpture here ... it gives me comfort.”
Indigenous Affairs Minister Greg Rickford called the gesture “long overdue.”
“It’s bittersweet and unfortunate that it’s taken so long,” Rickford told Queen’s Park Today. “Hopefully its physical presence here will help preside over the things we do here and make us all better.”
Premier watch
On Sunday, Premier Doug Ford will celebrate his 57th birthday. The Star also profiled Associate Seniors and Accessibility Minister Raymond Cho on the occasion of his 85th birthday.
Prepare for battle: WSIB rebate emerges as labour reform 'poison pill' to Opposition, stakeholders
When Bill 27, Working for Workers Act, was introduced, there was some concern among opposition members that a “poison pill” would be hidden within the text. After three days of hearings this week, NDP members of the social policy committee appear to have found one they are unwilling to swallow.
NDP Workplace Health and Safety critic Wayne Gates told the committee the NDP is already marshalling its troops against Schedule 6 of the bill, which contains a proposal to use surplus funds at the Worker Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to give “safe” employers a rebate on their premiums.
“What I’m saying to the steel[workers] and all the other unions is: yell as loud as you can, because we’re in for a battle here,” he said. “Injured workers are going to suffer if this money is taken away from them.”
Given the PC’s enthusiastic effort to paint themselves as the “party of yes” and the opposition as creatures of the “politics of no,” the pro-worker policies contained within Bill 27 struck some political observers as a potential trap.
If the opposition could be made to vote against a bill containing policies such as allowing couriers to use the bathroom at a local business and helping skilled immigrants get their credentials recognized, the PC attack ads would practically write themselves. It was a strategy that had worked well for former prime minister Stephen Harper, one political strategist noted to Queen’s Park Today.
While the opposition allowed the bill to pass second reading without forcing a vote, they vowed to examine the bill with a fine-tooth comb and the New Democrats seem unlikely to support it moving forward, unless amendments are made.
“As far as we are concerned from the NDP, the poison pill of this bill [is] Schedule 6. The rest of it is really window dressing,” Gates declared on Tuesday. “We are united [with labour organizations] in saying to this government: let’s work on the other five schedules to make this a good bill, but take Schedule 6 out.”
McNaughton ‘happy with’ controversial rebate clause
Labour union and worker advocacy representatives who appeared before the committee agreed with Gates, arguing the WSIB surplus rebate would be akin to theft and betrayal for injured workers, whose claims are often denied for dubious reasons or are not given enough money to live on even when approved.
“It is beyond frustrating that the government is even considering this reallocation of the funds. It's shameful as we all have illustrated. This money is overdue for injured workers and ill workers and their families,” fumed Canadian United Postal Workers president Qaiser Maroof.
“No piece of legislation can claim to be ‘working for workers’ when it worsens the circumstances of the most vulnerable segment of the workforce: injured workers,” added Patty Coates of the Ontario Federation of Labour.
Deepak Anand, the parliamentary assistant for labour, acknowledged that perhaps some changes could be made to make the clause more palatable, and said he would look at what other provinces have done with similar surpluses.
“I hear it loud and clear,” said Anand. “I am going to go back and am going to work with the WSIB more on this issue.”
But following Thursday’s hearing, Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said he believes Schedule 6 is fine as is.
“I am really happy [with how it is],” McNaughton told Queen’s Park Today, who argued the surplus is only there because the PCs brought the WSIB system back from the brink of bankruptcy. “It’s important that we set up a formula so that money is returned back into local businesses and the local economy.”
McNaughton denied the measure was included to intentionally provoke the NDP into voting against the bill but said if they do, it will show that the party has “abandoned the working class in this province.”
No witnesses appeared before the committee to stick up for the WSIB change, but several business and construction groups voiced their support for the measure in McNaughton’s original press release about the measure. The WSIB has $6.1 billion in reserves; a “significant portion” will be redistributed to employers the province deems “safe.”
Today’s events
November 19 at 11:30 a.m. — Toronto
A protest will be held in the Financial District in support of Wet'suwet'en land defenders, who have issued an eviction notice to Coastal GasLink workers on their B.C. territory. The protest targets Toronto firms who own and fund the pipeline project.
November 19 at 4 p.m. — Kenora
Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney will make an announcement. Local PC MPP Greg Rickford will be on hand.
Topics of conversation
- New Covid infections jumped nearly 40 per cent, with 711 new cases confirmed on Thursday. The province also reported 278 patients in hospital (up four) and 129 in ICU with a Covid-related illness (down four).
- Five more deaths were added to the provincial toll, putting it at 9,955.
- There were 129 new school cases confirmed on Wednesday, 114 of which were among students.
- Meanwhile, 13,826 vaccine doses were administered on Wednesday.
News briefs
PCs strike Transportation Electrification Council
- Wednesday’s release of the Driving Prosperity included news that the province has struck a new Transportation Electrification Council, which is mandated to encourage EV adoption among Ontarians. Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli’s office told Queen’s Park Today the council will help the government “identify opportunities in key areas such as charging infrastructure, information and awareness, upfront cost, and supply of EVs in Ontario.”
- Here’s which companies and groups have a seat at the table: Tesla, ChargePoint, Ikea Canada, Petro-Canada, Trillium Automobile Dealers’ Association, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers’ Association, Ontario Public Transit Association, Canadian Urban Transit Association, Toronto Transit Commission, Plug’n Drive, Private Motor Truck Council of Canada, Ontario Trucking Association and Electrical Safety Authority.
- The creation of the council appears to heed the advice of a joint letter sent to the government in July. A spokesperson for the Pembina Institute, which signed the letter, said it had hoped to be included on the council and would join up if the organization got an invite.
Mulroney promises to ‘get to the bottom’ of Ottawa LRT, while NDP claims victory
- Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney told reporters on Thursday morning the public inquiry the province is calling into Ottawa’s troubled light rail transit system is ”about getting to the bottom of these problems, accountability, and value for money.” The inquiry will be looking into the whole LRT system, with the scope and terms of reference being released early in the New Year.
- “The key is to get answers for the Ontario taxpayer,” she said. “As minister of transportation, I'm concerned about safety. I'm concerned about making sure that the system that's been opened up for two years is actually working as it should. I'm also concerned about value for money and getting answers and accountability.”
- Mulroney sidestepped questions about why the Ottawa LRT situation merits a public inquiry when the thousands of Covid deaths in long-term care do not, pointing to the Long-Term Care Commission and its recommendations.
- Ottawa Centre NDP MPP Joel Harden claimed victory for himself and others in the capital who have been skeptical of how the LRT project has been handled as a public-private partnership. The whole process has been too secretive and ripe for abuse, said Harden, and he expects the inquiry will provide the evidence needed to stop such arrangements on major projects in the future.
- “As that old adage goes, the best disinfectant is sunlight. Let's let it in,” he said.
- For his part, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson blamed the September train derailment on “incompetent managers” at the LRT’s maintenance facility.
Enhanced winter testing
- Health Minister Christine Elliott announced the PC’s plan to expand the number of Covid testing locations in the province, which includes symptomatic testing in pharmacies, as well as new pop-up mobile testing sites sprinkled around busy areas.
- “As we head into the colder months we are enhancing our testing strategy to ensure that every Ontarian, regardless of where they live, can access testing closer to home when they need it and get a test result as quickly as possible,” said Elliott.
- Education Minister Stephen Lecce said take-home PCR kits will be made available through public schools, including in First Nations, in addition to the rapid antigen tests the province has already promised. Specimens can then be dropped off at a location in the community, including some pharmacies. Schools will also be able to access the remainder of the $1.6 billion in Covid-response resources announced in May 2021.
- Opposition parties have argued against testing symptomatic people in pharmacies, calling the move dangerous for other shoppers, but Elliott’s office pointed to this provincial guidance as proof it will be safely done.
Normal semesters return for high schoolers
- Lecce also announced Thursday that high schools will be able to shift back to their regular semesters and take four courses per week rather than two. It was a setup meant to limit virus spread but was criticized by both teachers and students.
- “Recognizing the high rates of immunization among youth in our secondary schools, I’m proud to announce that secondary schools will resume a regular timetable model of four courses a day starting in Term 2,” said Lecce.
- The return to normal got a stamp of approval from the Ontario Public School Boards’ Association.
Ontario bids adieu to mailbox reminders
- The province announced it is ditching paper renewal notices for services provided through ServiceOntario — like driver’s licences, plate stickers and health cards — opting for digital reminders instead. This is expected to save $29 million in postage over five years.
Funding announcements
Money for women’s shelter program
- The province is providing the Women’s Futures Program with another $500,000, putting its total funding up to $2.7 million this year. The program provides employment and violence prevention programs at 23 women’s shelters across Ontario. Specifically, the money will be used to improve the online delivery of these services.
Question Period
Kemptville prison ‘gong show’
- NDP MPP Joel Harden called Solicitor General’s Sylvia Jones’ public consultation with residents of Kemptville on Wednesday evening a “gong show,” claiming provincial representatives were unable to answer questions about the controversial prison complex being proposed for the area.
- “‘Were other sites considered?’ the residents asked. ‘Could you provide us with a full list?’ Crickets—no answer. ‘What about policing costs? What about the fact that Kemptville doesn’t have an active public transit system to help families connect with incarcerated loved ones?’ No answer,” Harden recalled.
- Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark said the engagement is being held earlier than it normally would have been and promised to have another meeting in Kemptville where he would appear in person.
- “We’ll continue to work with them. We’ll continue to listen to their concerns and advocate that their questions be answered,” said Clark, who recently stoked the ire of the CCLA for making Elections Ontario complaints about local grassroots groups who oppose the prison.
Opioid deaths on reserve
- NDP MPP Mike Mantha called on the province to declare a state of emergency to address the issue of rising opioid deaths, particularly on First Nations reserves.
- “Enough is enough. We need to act now to prevent more deaths and injuries. Community advocates have been clear on what they need, but this government has not done what is necessary,” said Mantha. “People in my riding are dying because we are not taking action on drug addiction and mental health.”
- Mental Health and Addictions Associate Minister Michael Tibollo said the PCs recognize the severity of the situation and the difficulty Indigenous people have getting culturally appropriate help. But, he noted, the province has provided $36 million to create those supports.
- He blamed the previous Liberal government for leaving Indigenous people “to navigate completely fragmented and disconnected mental health and addictions systems” on their own. “We will improve the system,” Tibillo said.
Independent questions
Can ostriches get concussions?
- Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner asked Premier Doug Ford why he had not created a climate crisis plan so that Environment Minister Dave Piccini would have had something to talk about while he was attending COP26.
- “Can the premier explain why he failed to instruct his minister to announce anything whatsoever on what more Ontario can do to reduce climate pollution while he was attending the climate conference in Glasgow?” said Schreiner.
- Piccini handled the response, saying he touted Ontario’s environmental policies at COP26, such as the promotion of transit and the refurbishing of the steel plant in Algoma.
York Region’s Greenbelt development request
- Liberal house leader John Fraser called on the province to reject a request from the Regional Municipality of York to open up several acres of the Greenbelt for development, arguing it is opposed by regional staff, residents and environmental groups. Accepting the proposal would go against the PC’s previous promises to leave the Greenbelt alone, he said.
- Clark said he only just received the request and has 20 days to make his decision. He plans to take that time to do his “due diligence” before deciding one way or the other.
PC questions
PC backbenchers asked their party colleagues softball questions about internet access expansions, electricity prices and digitizing government services.
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Lobbyist registrations
Consultants who registered, renewed or amended registrations from November 12 to November 18, 2021
- Richard Hastie, Nathan Clark, Sam MacMillan, Lucas Meyer, Andrew MacLellan and Tessa Dundas, Enterprise Canada
- Clients: Police Association of Ontario
- Jason Lietaer, Enterprise Canada
- Richard Hastie, Enterprise Canada
- Brian Zeiler-Kligman, Sussex Strategy Group Inc.
- Clients: CIMA Canada, Goeasy Ltd.
- Sadaf Abbasi, Sussex Strategy Group
- Chris Benedetti, Sussex Strategy Group
- Clients: BWXT Canada Ltd., Aecon Group Inc.
- Stefano Hollands, Crestview Strategy
- Clients: Nokia Canada Inc.
- Erlis Fino and Nathan Carr, Crestview Strategy
- Clients: Insurance Bureau of Canada
- Chad Rogers, Crestview Strategy
- Benjamin Howe, Impact Public Affairs
- Clients: Ontario Federation of All Terrain Vehicle Clubs, Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario
- Jenessa Crognali, Navigator Ltd
- Clients: Drinks Ontario, Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
- William Norman, Capital Hill Group
- Clients: Technation Canada
- Anushka Kurian, McMillan Vantage
- Dean Morrison, Andrew Skeldon and Natan Aronshtam, Deloitte LLP
- Clients: INKAS Group of Companies
- Vincent Crisanti, Vincent Crisanti
- Jill Wilson, Loyalist Public Affairs
- Christopher Froggatt, Loyalist Public Affairs
- Clients: Redeemer University
- Ted Gruetzner, Global Public Affairs
- Logan Ross, Counsel Public Affairs Inc.
- Clients: Community Living Toronto, Batay Reena
- Donald Gracey, CG Management & Communications Inc.
- Clients: AT-REG Advisory Group, Canadian Association of Foot Care Nurses
- Bliss Baker, Cumberland Strategies
- Kelly Baker, StrategyCorp Inc.
- Connor Clark, Connor Clark
- Stew Kiff, Solstice Public Affairs
- Clients: Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario,YMCA-YWCA of the National Capital Region
- Kevin Richardson, Heartland Solutions Group, Inc.
- Clients: Zebra Technologies Corporation
- Stephanie Dunlop, Hill+Knowlton Strategies
- Clients: Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario, CSA Group, Kids Help Phone
- Samuel Goodwin, Goodwin Consulting
- Clients: Ontario Charitable Gaming Association
- Judith Glennie, J.L. Glennie Consulting Inc.
- Clients: Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd.
- Kelly Mitchell, KW Mitchell Consulting Services Inc.
- Clients: Call2Recycle, Ontario's Truck Parking Informatics Inc., MCW Group of Companies
Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from November 12 to November 18, 2021
- Centennial College
- David Suzuki Foundation
- Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada
- Colleges Ontario
- ALS Society of Canada
- Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences
- Unifor
- Police Association of Ontario
- Canadian Finance and Leasing Association
- Ontario Society of Professional Engineers
- Georgian College
- The Toronto Region Board of Trade
- Environmental Defence
- Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association of Canada
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
- Canadian Union of Public Employees
- J-SAS
- Coloplast Canada
- BRADAM Canada Inc.
- Celgene Inc.
- Alexion Pharma Canada
- Hoffmann-La Roche Limited
- Google Canada Corporation
- IBM Canada Ltd.
- Honda Canada Inc.
- Neuron Mobility Pte Ltd.
- Eli Lilly Canada Inc.
- Tilray Inc.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd.
- Telesat Canada
- ProResp Inc.
- Airbnb Canada Inc.
- IKEA Canada Ltd. Partnership
- Equifax Canada Co.
- MAstronardi Produce Limited
- Occupational Safety Group
- Allergan Inc.
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