Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report 17, 2019

Quotation of the day

“There is no need for this. None. A lethal mix of meanness an[d] incompetence.”

Former premier Bob Rae was aghast after the Ford government cut $5 million in annual ​ ​ ​ ​ funding for stem cell research, including funding for research to heal damaged lungs in premature babies.

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule MPPs are heading back to their ridings for a constituency week break; the House convenes on Monday, May 27. There are just two sitting weeks left before the House is scheduled to rise for the on June 6.

Queen’s Park Today will return to your inbox after the Day long weekend on Tuesday, ​ May 21.

Thursday’s debates and proceedings Bill 107, Getting Ontario Moving Act, is now off to be studied by the Standing Committee on ​ General Government following a second-reading vote (Ayes 64; Nays 37) after question period. The bill, which enables the transit upload, has been time allocated and is due back in the House for third reading by Wednesday, May 29.

Three backbench bills cleared second reading during the afternoon’s private members’ debates:

● Bill 60, Ministry of Community and Social Services Amendment Act (Social Assistance ​ Research Commission), co-sponsored by NDP MPP Paul Miller and PC MPP Bob ​ ​ ​ Bailey, was sent to the legislative assembly committee after a voice vote. ​ ○ The bill would establish a social assistance research commission.

● PC ’s Bill 105, Mandatory Police Training Act, passed on a voice ​ ​ ​ ​ vote and will go under the microscope at the social policy committee.

○ The PMB would require anyone serving as a police officer be first trained in administering naloxone, a temporary opioid-overdose reversing drug.

● PC ’s Bill 104, Tamil Genocide Education Week, was referred to ​ ​ ​ ​ the regulations and private bills committee. It passed unanimously. ○ The bill would proclaim an awareness week in May.

In the park The Ontario arm of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation was on the Queen’s Park lawn Thursday to call on the Ford government to keep its campaign promise to lower gas taxes. ​ ​ CTF’s Ontario director Christine Van Geyn made the case in the Toronto Sun’s opinion pages, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ arguing cutting the provincial excise tax on gasoline could save consumers 6.4 cents per litre.

Today’s events

May 17 at 8 a.m. – Hamilton ​ ​ Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister will make a funding announcement about ​ ​ festivals and events at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

May 17 at 9 a.m. – Roseneath ​ ​ Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton will make an announcement about mobile ​ ​ broadband services in Eastern Ontario alongside a handful of PC caucus members.

May 17 at 10 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ PC MPP , parliamentary assistant to the transportation minister, will test drive the ​ ​ new vehicles for the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at a Metrolinx event at the Eglinton Maintenance and Storage Facility.

May 17 at 11 a.m. – ​ ​ Seniors and Accessibility Minister will make an announcement about helping ​ ​ elderly Ontarians stay active at the Mississauga Valley Gymnasium rec centre.

Upcoming events

May 22 at 10 a.m. – Toronto ​ ​ Financial Accountability Officer Peter Weltman will release an updated spring economic and ​ ​ budget outlook based on the Ford government’s April budget and hold a news conference at Queen’s Park.

Topics of conversation

● Ontario Liberal MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers (—Vanier), whose name had been ​ ​ floated for a potential leadership run, will vacate her provincial seat to become the new principal of Massey College at the University of Toronto. ○ "She is a distinguished scholar and respected leader who, throughout an impressive career, has shown a deep respect and understanding of the academic community and a profound interest in the development of graduate students and young scholars,” said Massey College governing board chair Alan Broadbent, ​ ​ ​ ​ who announced the appointment in a message to his colleagues. ​ ​ ○ Des Rosiers — who trained in law at the Université de Montréal and Harvard — is the former dean of the University of Ottawa's law school. ○ “Massey College is a jewel of the Canadian academic and intellectual scene and I am very excited to be part of its ongoing fabulous journey,” Des Rosiers said in a statement. ○ The news comes just days after another Ontario Liberal MPP, Marie-France ​ Lalonde, announced she will step down to seek the federal Liberal nomination in ​ her riding of Orléans. Once both members exit, the Ontario Liberals will be left with just five MPPs at Queen’s Park.

● Cuts to the children, community and social services budget could have been much deeper, according to confidential cabinet documents obtained by columnist ​ ​ ​ ​ Martin Regg Cohn. The pre-budget documents contained strongly worded advice from ​ the public service warning about the impact of the cuts the Ford government was considering. ○ Civil servants cautioned about “a danger to life for children and youth at risk or in need of protection.” The 40-page deck underscores potential legal, fiscal and political risks, such as critics alleging the PCs are not “for the people” based on “substantial reductions in programs serving one in 10 Ontarians.”

● Exclusive access to Premier and a six-figure salary sounds like a dream job ​ ​ to at least one political reporter. The gig is currently held by Ontario News Now host ​ Lyndsey Vanstone, the Globe and Mail reports in this deep-dive into the PC ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ government’s promotional arm. ○ The specific financials of Ontario News Now are unknown, because it is housed in the PC caucus services fund that is exempt from freedom of information requests. The fund has a total budget of $6.7 million. ○ Sources told the Globe that Vanstone makes north of $100,000 per year, and ​ ​ that PC caucus services executive director Jeff Silverstein makes around ​ ​ $150,000. ○ Caucus services bureaus must divulge some information in the Public Accounts later this year, such as external contracts totalling over $50,000.

● Education Minister Lisa Thompson accused Peel District School Board trustees of ​ ​ spewing “mean-spirited” “nonsense” about courses being cancelled as a result of the

government’s planned increase to class sizes for Grades 4 and up. “They’re purposely creating anxiety for students and parents and teachers alike,” Thompson said Thursday, adding the rhetoric is why the government is reviewing the governance of all of the provinces’ school boards. ○ The minister was responding to an earlier letter from the Peel board warning ​ ​ bigger class sizes could lead to the cancellation of many secondary school courses. That includes the elimination of senior-level courses, mostly in the arts, technology, social sciences and humanities. Business, computer studies, math and science classes are also being eliminated at a higher rate than in previous years. ○ “The elimination or reduction of these courses can decrease student engagement, which is directly linked to student achievement, credit acquisition and, ultimately, the ability to graduate,” the letter reads.

● Toronto city councillors voted unanimously to add Ontario Place to its heritage registry, the CBC reports. The designation is mostly symbolic and doesn’t provide any legal ​ protections. Meanwhile, the provincial government is poised to begin accepting expressions of interest from developers to make over the waterfront attraction.

● The PC’s plan to stop funding an institute dedicated to stem cell research has received a firm thumbs-down from scientists, experts and opposition critics. Scrapping funding is “extremely short-sighted and uninformed,” Bernard Thébaud, a neonatal researcher ​ ​ ​ ​ who received provincial funding, told the CBC. ​ ​ ○ The Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine was told by the province its $5 million in annual funding would not be renewed after it runs out in March 2020.

Appointments and employments Office of the Premier ● For the second time in a week Premier Doug Ford’s office announced staff departures. ​ ​ Simon Jefferies, Ford’s director of media relations, and Veronica Green, deputy ​ ​ ​ director of communications, are headed to the Hill to work in federal Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer’s office by the end of the month. ​ ​ ○ “Happy that our amazing team members … are joining the future PM Andrew ​ Scheer’s office to help play their part to get our country get on track!” Ford’s ​ communications director Laryssa Waler tweeted Thursday. “They couldn’t have ​ ​ ​ better people joining their office!” ○ Another seasoned Tory staffer, Ford’s executive director of strategic communications David Tarrant, is headed for the private sector, the premier’s ​ ​ office said last week.

Ministry of the Solicitor General

● Charles Payette, most recently senior policy adviser to Solicitor General ​ ​ (and pre-shuffled Minister Michael Tibollo), landed a position at PwC as ​ ​ national manager of the public safety and justice sector this month, according to his ​ LinkedIn profile. ​

Question period NDP lead-off Health care ● NDP Leader began by asking the premier if he would stick to his ​ ​ pledge not to have Ontarians pay out of pocket for essential health services.

● Her framing allowed Health Minister to hold forth on broad talking ​ ​ points. “Of course we will be there to cover essential medical needs, but of course you understand what we inherited from the previous government, a $15-billion deficit,” Elliott said. “We are here to protect what matters most.”

● In her follow-up, Horwath noted two Ontarians in the public gallery living with kidney failure, Allison Knudsen and John Landreville, who need regular dialysis treatment ​ ​ ​ ​ and won’t be covered by OHIP under the PC’s plans to scrap out-of-country coverage. ○ “Does the premier feel they should never be allowed to leave the province or that they should go in debt to do so?” she asked. ○ (OHIP currently covers $210 of every out-of-country dialysis treatment for Ontarians.)

● Elliott said she learned through consultations people who are on dialysis have trouble getting travel insurance coverage and pledged to work with them “to make sure they are able to travel and they are able to receive the coverage they need.”

● Horwath didn’t appear sated. “This is exactly what happens when you cut before you consult.”

Toronto Star report on deep cuts to social services ​ ● Horwath also asked about the Toronto Star’s scoop revealing cuts to social services ​ ​ could have been much deeper.

● Social Services Minister Lisa MacLeod said she rejected the premise of the question ​ ​ and accused the NDP of “fearmongering.” She maintained her ministry’s budget is increasing by almost $300 million this year. ○ However, the 2019-20 expenditure estimates projects an $892 million reduction to the children, community and social services budget.

● The back and forth continued with Horwath accusing MacLeod of “spin” and MacLeod charging Horwath with “reckless rhetoric.”

Hospital overcrowding in Sudbury ● Horwath asked about Health Sciences North in Sudbury. She said the hospital is taking extraordinary measures to deal with overcrowding and avoid declaring a Code Orange, which is typically reserved for major community disasters that impact a hospital’s capacity and resources. She said the premier’s pledge to end hallway health care doesn’t appear to be working.

● The health minister said she was aware of the issue and ministry officials are working with the hospital to improve the situation.

Will Bouma’s tweet ● NDP education critic asked about PC MPP ’s tweet asking ​ ​ ​ ​ constituents to share stories about school courses being cancelled due to provincial funding cuts so he can “see what’s going on.” ​ ​

● Premier Doug Ford boasted Bouma as an “absolute champion” whom “the people love” ​ ​ and maintained there are no cuts to the education budget. ○ While the overall budget is projected to tick up slightly this fiscal year, school boards will see a reduction in grant funding. ■ The 2019 budget points out education spending is increasing partly because of the PC’s new CARE child tax credit.

Independent question (or not) ● Green MPP rose to ask a question but the government benches pointed ​ ​ out he had already used his turn on another day, so Speaker allowed the ​ ​ government to ask itself another softball question.

PC friendly questions Tories asked themselves about spurring job creation, supporting a waste water treatment project in Red Rock, reforming social assistance, combatting anti-Semitism and revamping rental housing rules.

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 May 10, 2019 – May 16, 2019

● Aaron Gairdner, Christine Simundson, Rubicon Strategy Inc. ​ o Clients: Greater Toronto Airports Authority ​

● Michael Coates, Rubicon Strategy Inc. ​ o Clients: Loblaw Companies Ltd ​

● Adria Minsky, Maple Leaf Strategies (formerly Bentham & Associates) ​ o Clients: COMCAST; Zebra Technologies; Ontario Building Officials ​ ​ ​ Association

● Bliss Baker, Maple Leaf Strategies (formerly Bentham & Associates) ​ o Clients: COMCAST ​

● Giancarlo Drennan, Maple Leaf Strategies (formerly Bentham & Associates) ​ o Clients: Terrapure Environmental ​

● Jonathan Telch, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: Georgian Bay Preservation Alliance ​

● Alan Heisey, Papazian Heisey Myers ​ o Clients: 2636676 Ontario Inc. ​

● Andrew House, Claudia Feldkamp, Daniel Brock, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin ​ LLP o Clients: Canadian Safe Pipe Coalition ​

● Brett McDermott, 2Traverse ​ o Clients: Vann Advertising; Cocov Destinations; OnPharm-United; Liver ​ Care Canada

● Cozette Dagher, 2Traverse ​ o Clients: Vann Advertising; OnPharm-United; Liver Care Canada ​

● Carly Luis, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Ontario School Bus Association ​

● Garry Keller, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Vivid Seats ​

● John Matheson, Saad Baig, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario ​

● Stephen Adler, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Greater Toronto Airports Authority ​

● Christina Marciano, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Canadian Plastics Industry Association; National Electrical ​ Manufacturers Association (NEMA)

● Mark Olsheski, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Newmont Goldcorp Corporation ​

● Matthew Gibson, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Atlantic Packaging Products Ltd., Newmont Goldcorp ​ Corporation

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

● Paul Sutherland, Sutherland Corporation Limited ​ o Clients: Veridos Canada Limited; Bus Patrol Inc. ​ ​ ​

● Don Gracey, CG Management & Communications Inc. ​ o Clients: Ontario Opticians Association ​

● Fred Delorey, DesLauriers Public Affairs / Affaires publiques ​ o Clients: Microsoft Canada Inc.; oneGRID Corp. ​

● Georganne Burke, Pathway Group ​ o Clients: Lodestar Security Solutions ​

● Jerry Khouri, Pathway Group ​ o Clients: Techno Canada ​

● Jim Burnett, Pathway Group ​ o Clients: Hamilton Forge FC ​

● Howard Brown, Brown & Cohen Communications & Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Professional Engineers Government of Ontario ​

● Jaskiran Shoker, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Bayer Inc. ​

● Jeff Costen, Navigator Ltd. ​ o Clients: dosist Canada ​

● Jill Wilson, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Sidewalk Labs Employees, L.L.C. ​

● Joseph Pagliaroli, KPMG LLP ​ o Clients: Ontario Real Estate Association ​

● Joshua Albert, Michael Gimelshtein, The CCS Group (formerly Connect ​ Consulting Solutions) o Clients: Chippewas of the Thames First Nation ​

● Karen Reed, Eckler Ltd. ​ o Clients: Board of Trustees of the General Synod Pension Plan ​

● Kate Moseley-Williams, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Breakfast Club of Canada / Club des petits déjeuners du ​ Canada; Ticketmaster Canada; Amazon Corporate LLC

● Sarina Rehal, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Coca-Cola Ltd.; Junior Achievement ​

● Kelly Mitchell, Kelly Mitchell Consulting Services Inc. ​ o Clients: LifeMark ​

● Kelly Harris, Harris Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Ontario Medical Association – Section on Chronic Pain ​

● Kenneth Stewart, The Capital Hill Group Inc. ​ o Clients: CyberArk Software Canada Inc. ​

● Kim Wright, Wright Strategies ​ o Clients: Ontario Medical Association – Section on Chronic Pain ​

● Melissa Lantsman, Vivek Prabhu, Hill & Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: Valard Construction ​

● Nectarios (Nick) Kouvalis, Campaign Support Ltd ​ o Clients: Grain Farmers of Ontario ​

● Peter Zakarow, Alexynn Strategy ​ o Clients: Deloitte ​

● Ralph Palumbo, The Hillcrest Consulting Group Inc. ​ o Clients: LifeMark ​

● Rick McCullough, BEHR Energy Services Ltd. ​

o Clients: Canadian Safe Pipe Coalition ​

● Rob Leone, Earnscliffe Ontario Inc. ​ o Clients: Nestle Waters Canada ​

● Yan Plante, TACT Intelligence-conseil ​ o Clients: Groupe de sécurité Garda ​

● Yash Dogra, NATIONAL Public Relations ​ o Clients: FIGR, Inc. ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from May 10, 2019 – May 16, 2019

● IBM Canada Limited ● Airbnb Canada Inc. ● GlazoSmithKline Inc. ● Cambrian College ● Intact Financial Corporation ● MasonryWorx ● Unifor ● L’Association des enseignantes et enseignants franco-ontariens ● LIUNA (Labourers International Union of North America) ● The Co-operators Group Ltd. ● Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) ● Ontario Home Builders Association ● The Toronto Region Board of Trade ● College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists ● Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Canada (AHAM) ● York University ● Canadian Hearing Society ● The Arthritis Society ● Lime Technology Inc. ● Alamos Gold Inc. ● Ontario Association of Optometrists ● Canadian Live Music Association (formerly Music Canada Live) ● Canadian Paint and Coatings Association ● Red Bull Canada ● Ontario Fur Breeders Association ● Edwards Lifesciences (Canada) Inc. ● Electronics Product Stewardship Canada

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

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