Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report January 17, 2020

Quotation of the day

“We welcome them with open arms. And maybe one day they’ll come by and say hello to us here.”

Premier is keen on the idea of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle residing in ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ . His office told Queen’s Park Today the RCMP — not the OPP or Ontario taxpayers — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ would foot the bill for potential security costs associated with the Royal couple, should they put down roots in the province.

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule The house is in winter recess until February 18, 2020.

In the park The recurring Fridays for Future climate protest will take place on the south lawn today.

Premier won’t offer teachers more than 1 per cent pay hike, says union brass holding parents ‘hostage’ With four of the province’s teachers’ unions engaged in job action, Premier Doug Ford is ​ ​ digging in his heels over wage hikes.

“It’s the one per cent. If I came out tomorrow and said we’re going to give them another one per cent, we’d be all done. But we can’t do that,” Ford said after an unrelated announcement outside his Queen’s Park office Thursday.

Ford was unequivocal in ruling out public-sector pay increases of more than one per cent, which is now the law of the land in Ontario thanks to Bill 124 — and is being challenged in court by a ​ ​ slew of labour associations that say it violates their collective bargaining rights. (Unions are seeking annual cost-of-living increases of about two per cent.)

“We can’t have rules for the heads of the unions that represent the teachers, and rules for everyone else in the province,” Ford told reporters.

The premier suggested “bad leadership” at the major teachers’ unions is holding parents “hostage” by engaging in strikes and working to rule.

The hardline message comes as the unions representing teachers and some support staff in elementary, secondary and Catholic schools are poised to launch rotating strike action next week if a deal can’t be reached with the provincial government and school board associations. The union representing teachers in French boards also kicked off job action on Thursday.

While Ford maintains compensation is a key sticking point, teachers’ unions have demanded the government walk back plans for mandatory e-learning and larger class sizes.

But “that’s the way of the future,” Ford said of the plan requiring high school students to take two online courses to graduate.

Meanwhile the premier still isn’t ruling out back-to-work legislation, calling it “the last step.”

That said, legislating educators back to work may not be as straightforward as passing a bill, like the government did a year ago to head off a strike by power workers. Under teachers’ collective bargaining rules, the labour relations board’s Education Relations Commission (ERC) would first have to advise cabinet on whether the academic year is in jeopardy.

Late last year, Education Minister re-enlisted Bernard Fishbein to chair the ​ ​ ​ ​ ERC, but Lecce’s office told Queen’s Park Today it was part of due process and the commission ​ ​ ​ ​ had not been directed to advise on the possibility of the school year being threatened.

Ex-PC-turned-Independent defects to Liberals A year after defecting from the PC government benches, Independent MPP Amanda Simard is ​ ​ joining the Liberal ranks.

Speaking from behind her own Liberal-branded placard, Simard confirmed to reporters ​ ​ Thursday she will cross the proverbial floor after quitting the Tory caucus over controversial cuts to French-language services, some of which have been reversed.

But even after the Tories struck a new, less adversarial tone, Simard said “the trust is broken.” She slammed her former benchmates for only changing course on francophone issues when faced with public backlash and after realizing the “political cost.”

“That’s not the way that I believe we should be running the province,” she said.

“This was not an easy decision,” Simard said, adding that she has been getting feedback from her constituents in Glengarry—Prescott—Russell over the past year.

“This is the party that truly respects and understands the people of my riding and province,” she went on to say at a joint presser with interim Liberal Leader John Fraser. ​ ​

Before Simard won the eastern Ontario riding for the PCs in 2018, it had been a Liberal stronghold since its creation in 1999.

Meanwhile Simard will be a “super-delegate” and get a say in who permanently replaces former captain in the March 7 leadership convention. While the new Grit hasn’t ​ ​ endorsed a candidate yet, she said she’s excited to have a voice in the party’s renewal.

“This is the party of the future,” Simard said.

Sources tell Queen’s Park Today Simard was an (unpaying) guest at a fundraising event for ​ ​ contender last year and has sat down with candidate . Simard ​ ​ ​ ​ has also supported the federal Liberal MP in her riding, , who has endorsed ​ ​ frontrunner . ​ ​

Like her five fellow sitting Grits, Simard is still technically an Independent because the PCs raised the threshold for recognized party status from 8 to 12. (Speaker has ​ ​ previously referred to them as the “Liberal group,” but the moniker doesn’t come with any added resources or legislative time.)

Premier Doug Ford appeared unfazed by losing his former MPP to his political rivals. “We wish ​ ​ MPP Simard well,” spokesperson Ivana Yelich told Queen’s Park Today. ​ ​ ​

Ford: ‘Evil, ruthless’ Iranian regime ‘needs to be changed’ Premier Ford called for a regime change in Iran while announcing a new scholarship fund in memory of the 57 Canadian victims of Flight 752.

“Innocent lives got shot down by a ruthless, careless Iranian regime,” Ford told reporters Thursday.

“The people that did this need to be brought to justice,” he went on to say, adding that he supports the protesters in Tehran and other Iranian cities angry at their government for firing the missile that hit the plane.

Ford described his meeting with families of the victims earlier this week as “absolutely heartbreaking” and lauded federal Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne for ​ ​ “working his back off” on the matter.

As for Ontario’s contribution, a new fund will be created to disperse scholarships of $10,000 apiece, which honours the fact that many of the flight’s victims were students or had ties to Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Today’s events

January 17 at 9:10 a.m. – Parry Sound ​ Premier Doug Ford, Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott and local MPP will make ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ an announcement and participate in a media availability at the Charles W. Stockey Centre for the Performing Arts.

January 17 at 10:30 a.m. – London ​ Transportation Minister , London Mayor Ed Holder and area MPPs will ​ ​ ​ ​ make an announcement at the local transit commission’s bus depot.

January 17 at 11 a.m. – Peterborough ​ Natural Resources Minister will discuss big game management at the Mario ​ ​ Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre.

January 17 at 11 a.m. – Owen Sound ​ Bill Walker, local MPP and associate minister of energy, will make a joint announcement about ​ affordable housing alongside Adam , federal minister in charge of the ​ ​ Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

January 17 at 6:30 p.m. – Creemore ​ All six Liberal leadership candidates will attend a “meet and greet” event put on by the local legion.

Upcoming events

January 23 at 4 p.m. – ​ , NDP critic for Indigenous Relations and the first MPP elected to represent the ​ new riding of Kiiwetinoong, will take part in a discussion about boosting First Nation voices ​ ​ alongside author Tanya Talaga at . columnist Martin Regg ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cohn is moderating. ​

Topics of conversation

● On her way into Thursday afternoon’s cabinet meeting at the legislature, Health Minister said she expects to reveal the province’s broader plan for tackling ​ youth vaping “within the next month.” ○ The Ford government banned the promotion of vape products in convenience stores and gas stations earlier this year after pausing Liberal-era restrictions soon after taking office in 2018. The government said at the time it needed to consult with stakeholders before making changes.

● Cannabis edibles, vapes and other new products officially hit online shelves in Ontario ​ ​ yesterday.

● Ontario’s teachers and education workers are taking more sick days today compared to almost a decade ago, with time off spiking by as much as 60 per cent, the Globe and ​ ​ Mail reports. ​ ​

● NDP Poverty critic Rima Berns-McGown is calling on the Ford government to declare a ​ ​ state of emergency in the province over rising homeslessness, which is reaching crisis levels in Toronto, , London, Hamilton, , Sioux Lookout, , Peterborough, Kitchener-Waterloo and St. Catharines. ○ As well as declaring a state of emergency, Berns-McGown says the government needs to immediately take action to properly fund shelters, “as well as transitional, supportive, and rent-geared-to-income housing for people in need.” ○ The Toronto Homeless Memorial added its 1,000th name this week. There are ​ ​ approximately 3,000 homeless people living in the city.

● Conservative MP Erin O’Toole’s expected federal leadership campaign has reportedly ​ ​ ​ recruited several Tories with political ties to the province. That includes Jeff Ballingall, ​ ​ ​ founder of meme machine Ontario Proud; Melanie Paradis, a PC Party executive and ​ ​ registered lobbyist who worked on the PC’s 2018 campaign as well as Christine ​ Elliott’s leadership bid; and Walied Soliman, who led the PC’s 2018 campaign under ​ ​ ​ then-leader Patrick Brown. ​ ​ ○ During the last CPC leadership race in 2017, at least 10 Ontario PCs formally endorsed O’Toole, including current cabinet ministers , Lisa ​ ​ ​ Thompson, Laurie Scott, Bill Walker and John Yakabuski, and MPPs Lorne ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Coe, Norm Miller, and . ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ○ Meanwhile Energy Minister says he’s on Team Peter MacKay — ​ ​ ​ ​ “big time” — according to the Globe. ​ ​ ​

● Ontario’s Associate Minister of Red Tape Reduction made the list of ​ ​ ​ ​ nominees for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ Golden Scissors Award. The nomination page gave a nod to Sarkaria’s move to eliminate the requirement for barbers and hairdressers to collect clients’ personal information before using their own scissors.

○ Last year, Premier Doug Ford and Ottawa’s former Treasury Board President ​ ​ Scott Brison won the Golden Scissors Award. ​ ○ The 2020 winner will be announced on January 23.

News briefs

Ontario deploys more firefighters to battle Australian wildfires ● The province is sending nine more firefighting personnel to help battle Australian wildfires this week, rounding out the number of people deployed at 28 since the start of that country’s fire season last month. ○ Natural Resources Minister John Yakabuski said the devastating Australian ​ ​ bushfires prompted the need for more support and the province will continue to assess its efforts as further support is requested.

Changes coming to environmental assessment process for hydro projects ● Environment Minister is looking to glean stakeholder feedback on changes to ​ ​ the province’s environmental assessment system with an eye to streamlining approval timelines for waterpower projects, such as hydro generators. The changes, first hinted at last year, will exempt waterpower projects with minimal impact on the environment, Yurek said Thursday at OPG’s plant in Niagara-on-the-Lake. ○ The proposed amendments will be released for public comment in February.

Wanted: Advisers for minister’s special education panel ● Education Minister Stephen Lecce put out a call seeking members for his Advisory ​ ​ Council on Special Education, which will help inform the development and delivery of related services and programs. People have until March 6 to apply. ​ ​

Lobbyist registrations

If you are looking for further information on any lobbying registry, it is all public and easily searchable here. ​ ​

Consultants who registered as lobbyists from January 10 to 16

● Martin Green, Foresight Strategic Advisors Inc. ​ o Clients: Toronto Wholesale Produce Association

● Robert McCreight, The Capital Hill Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Festivals and Major Events (FAME) Canada

● Aaron Scheewe, The Capital Hill Group ​ o Clients: Clearpoint Health

● Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Energy Pipeline Association, Zipcar Canada Inc., Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee

● Andrew Retfalvi, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc.

● Elizabeth Wagdin and Alexandra Spence, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Epilepsy Ontario

● Thomas Blackmore, Edelman ​ o Clients: Boating Ontario Association, Cisco Systems Canada, Oracle Canada

● Jeremy Wittet and Thomas Blackmore, Edelman ​ ​ ​ o Clients: St. Lawrence River Water Levels Consortium

● James Warren, Riseley Strategies Inc. ​ o Clients: Commercial Gaming Association (Ontario)

● Daniel Bordonali, Sutherland Corporation Limited ​ o Clients: Conduent Transportation

● Aleem Kanji, Sutherland Corporation Limited ​ o Clients: Strada Aggregates

● , Aird & Berlis ​ o Clients: 7700 Keele Street Limited

● Mike Van Soelen, Navigator Ltd. ​ o Clients: Ontario Energy Association

● Michael Gimelshtein, The CCS Group ​ o Clients: United Chiefs and Councils of Mnidoo Mnising

● Stella Ambler, Earnscliffe Strategy Group ​ o Clients: BYD

● Jeffrey Kroeker, Civis Law LLP ​ o Clients: Ontario Education Leadership Centre

● Kelly Mitchell and Mark Holmes, G52 ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Municipality of Red Lake

● Mark Holmes, G52 ​ o Clients: Java Holdings Ltd.

● Michael Gimelshtein, The CCS Group ​

o Clients: Red Rock Indian Band

● Carys Baker, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: Comcast

● Jeffrey Bangs, Jim Burnett, Peter Curtis, Pathway Group Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Newmarket Cemetery Corporation

● Jim Burnett, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: IRC Building Sciences Group

● Harvey Nightingale, and Shakir Chambers, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Mechanical Contractors Association of Ontario

● Stephanie Dunlop, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: Harris Canada Systems

● Lauren Rettinger, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: AdvantAge Ontario

● William Dempster, 3Sixty Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders

● John Duffy, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Greater Toronto Airports Authority

● Stephen Adler and John Matheson, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario School Bus Association

● Stephen Adler, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Mondelez Canada

● John Matheson, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: River Valley Developments, The Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh

● Felix Wong, Public Affairs Advisors ​ o Clients: Xplornet Communications Inc.

● Andrea Laing, Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP ​ o Clients: KPMG LLP (as part of joint retainer with other accounting firms: Deloitte LLP, Ernst & Young LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, BDO Canada LLP and MNP LLP

● Alex Simakov, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Enwave Energy Corporation

● Ralph Palumbo, The Hillcrest Consulting Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Continence Foundation

● Scott Munnoch, Temple Scott Associates Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Bank Note

● Michael Diamond, Upstream Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Roche Diagnostics Division of Hoffmann-La Roche Limited

● Kevin Cochran, 8621209 Canada Inc ​ o Clients: Enriched Academy

● Greg Seniuk, Solstice Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Ontario Electrical League

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from January 10 to 16

● Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board ● AdvantAge Ontario ● Mitacs ● Brock University ● Trent University ● Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services ● Composite Panel Association ● Ontario Private Campground Association ● Building Industry and Land Development Association ● Ontario Principals’ Council ● Canadian Off Highway Vehicle Distributors Council ● Association of Ontario Midwives ● Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario ● Ontario Athletic Therapist Association ● Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario ● Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada ● Canadian Hearing Society ● Federation of Ontario Public Libraries ● Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association ● JDRF Canada ● Imperial Oil Limited ● Newmont Goldcorp ● Weyerhaeuser Company Limited ● Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan ● ArcelorMittal Dofasco GP ● Abbott Laboratories, Limited ● Pfizer Canada Inc. ● 4Synchealth ● Fire & Flower Cannabis Co. ● TELUS Communications Company ● FCA Canada Inc. ● BASF Canada Inc. ● Mylan Pharmaceuticals ULC

● EACOM Timber Corporation ● Molson Canada 2005

Queen's Park Today is written by Sabrina Nanji, reporting from the Queen's Park press gallery.

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