Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report July 26, 2019

Quotation of the day

“Jesus in the City.”

A parade put on by a Christian group associated with controversial evangelist — and Doug ​ Ford ally — Charles McVety has been resurrected with the help of a provincial grant. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule The summer recess is on until Monday, October 28.

Politicians from all sides of the aisle pay tribute to David Caplan amid sudden death investigation Politicians of all partisan stripes paid tribute to former Liberal cabinet minister David Caplan, ​ ​ who died suddenly on Wednesday at the age of 54.

According to CP24, police have launched a sudden death investigation at Caplan’s home ​ ​ address. Police told the broadcaster a man at Caplan’s home address was taken to hospital Wednesday night after sustaining injuries in the home’s garage. That man later died.

“I’m sad to learn that David Caplan passed away. Too young,” Premier Doug Ford tweeted ​ ​ Thursday morning. “I’m grateful to David for his years of service to our province and his community.”

Caplan represented the Don Valley East area at Queen’s Park from 1997 until 2011, when he decided not to seek re-election. He served as both infrastructure and health minister in then-premier Dalton McGuinty’s cabinet, and was forced to resign from the latter role in 2009, ​ ​ over baggage he carried from his predecessor regarding the eHealth scandal.

At the time of his death Caplan was vying for the federal Liberal nomination in Don Valley North, sources confirmed to Queen’s Park Today. He also unsuccessfully ran for a Toronto council ​ ​ seat in last October’s civic election.

Former premier Kathleen Wynne said she was “shocked and saddened” by the death of her ​ ​ McGuinty-era front-bench mate.“He was a friend and a colleague. Love and condolences to David’s family.”

Liberal leadership hopeful Michael Coteau, who represents the riding previously held by ​ ​ Caplan, said the former politician was well-known in the community.

“I knew him as a hard-working, caring man who had deep ties to our community. He knew people by name, spent a long time at the door trying to solve people's problems, and was always a hard worker for the community we served,” Coteau said.

MPPs from across the aisle recalled their partisan rival as “a kind soul” and “friend.”

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said he was “gutted” by the news of Caplan’s passing. “He ​ ​ and I worked together when I became Minister of Infrastructure. He served there for years and gave me such great advice in the early days.”

Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Lisa MacLeod said she and Caplan would catch up over ​ ​ an occasional coffee after he left politics. “He was a good public servant” and “he is gone much too soon,” she said.

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath also offered condolences, saying Caplan was “far too young.” ​ ​

Topics of conversation

● Metrolinx’s official business case for the proposed Ontario Line was released Thursday, ​ ​ after some details leaked earlier this week. The full report shows less overlap between ​ ​ the PC’s proposed Ontario Line and Toronto’s planned Relief Line, and argues the Ontario Line is a more cost-effective option because much of the route would be above ground and wouldn’t need expensive tunneling. ○ The Ford government says it can build the Ontario Line by 2027, two years earlier than the city’s relief line plan. ○ NDP Transit critic Jessica Bell said the decision to make the Ontario Line a ​ ​ public-private partnership, as confirmed by Infrastructure Ontario president and CEO Ehren Cory in the business case, will lead to cost overuns and delays. ​ ​ ○ The leaked report also prompted the NDP and City Hall to call for more transparency over the Ford government’s transit plans.

● Kidsability says it will have to lay off 50 per cent of staff at the organization’s Waterloo location due to the provincial government’s changes to the autism program.

○ The child development centre said Thursday that 20 to 25 staff who worked with kids on the spectrum would be laid off as of January 2020, with direct provincial funding for its services ending on April 1, 2020. ○ The province’s revamped program provides up to $20,000 a year for children under six and $5,000 for those six and up, with a lifetime maximum of $140,000. ○ This round of layoffs is in addition to the nine employees Kidsability said it would let go in March because its provincial funding was cut by 25 per cent. ○ “News like this is not good for anyone — for our community and for the staff, families and children directly impacted,” Kidsability CEO Linda Kenny said in a ​ ​ press release. “However, given our current fiscal reality, our Board determined that we have no choice but to layoff professional, highly-trained regarded and passionate individuals.” ○ The government has said it expects workers would be rehired after the transition to the new funding model, as there would be more demand for services when more children enter the program.

● Ontario’s information and privacy commissioner has ordered a new “comprehensive privacy training plan” for staff at the social services ministry after a privacy breach hit the Ontario Disability Support Program last December, impacting 45,000 disability payment recipients. ○ The commissioner’s office has wrapped up its investigation into the matter and said remedial measures are “satisfactory,” according to the Toronto Star. For ​ ​ ​ ​ instance, passwords and encryption measures are now required to access and share personal information. ○ The breach sparked a possible class-action lawsuit against the Ford government.

● Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown’s longtime personal friend Joseph Villeneuve has ​ ​ ​ ​ passed away after a motorcycle collision in Thailand. “We studied together in law school, played hockey together and he defended me rigorously in the political arena. He was in my wedding party and was adored by my family … I am saddened his life was cut so short,” Brown wrote in an emotional Facebook post this week. ​ ​ ○ Villeneuve made headlines last year during the fallout over Brown’s ouster as PC leader. After publicly naming and criticizing one of Brown’s sexual misconduct accusers, he served a libel notice to then-PC staffer Alykhan Velshi and ​ ​ then-party president Jag Badwal. The notice cited a National Post report about ​ ​ ​ ​ the PC Party cancelling its retainer with Villeneuve’s law firm shortly after he called out Brown’s accuser on Facebook. Villeneuve claimed his professional reputation suffered. ○ Brown has denied the allegations of sexual misconduct.

● Chief Human Rights Commissioner Renu Mandhane lauded Premier Doug Ford’s ​ ​ ​ ​ recent vow to never introduce a bill similar to Quebec’s controversial Bill 21 in Ontario. ​ ​

But, in a Globe op-ed, she pointed out the “inherent inconsistency” with his pledge, ​ ​ ​ ​ because of Ontario’s tolerance for systemic discrimination in its public service. ○ Mandhane points out that racialized employees make up approximately 25 per cent of Ontario’s labour force, but only 11 per cent of senior civil servants and nine per cent of deputy ministers. ○ Earlier this year two Black women launched legal action against the provincial government and their unions alleging anti-Black racism is “pervasive” and “entrenched” in the Ontario Public Service. The women alleged they were passed over for promotions and mistaken for janitorial staff.

Funding announcements Ministry of Transportation ● Twenty-three municipalities are getting a share of the provincial government’s $30-million pot for road safety projects, via the Connecting Links program. ​ ​ ○ Municipalities can use the cash to design, construct, repair and replace city roads and bridges that connect to provincial highways. Eligible projects will have as much of 90 per cent of the funding covered, up to $3 million.

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 July 19, 2019 – July 25, 2019

● Jasmine Igneski, Longview Communications and Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Extendicare (Canada) Inc. ​

● Lily Mesh, Santis Health ​ o Clients: Lifescan Canada Ltd.; Ontario Lung Association; Canadian Association ​ of Physician Assistants; Centre for Effective Practice

● Macrina Smart, Santis Health ​ o Clients: Coalition of Ontario Psychiatrists ​

● Ross Wallace, Santis Health ​ o Clients: Canadian Biosimilars Forum ​

● Aaron Scheewe, Nathan Scheewe, The Capital Hill Group ​ o Clients: iHub ​

● Maddy Stieva, The Capital Hill Group ​ o Clients: Mihealth Global Systems Inc. ​

● Robert McCreight, The Capital Hill Group ​ o Clients: CHC Helicopter ​

● Alanna Sokic, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Men’s Health Foundation ​

● Alexandra Spence, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Men’s Health Foundation; Otsuka-Lundbeck Alliance; ​ Lundbeck Canada Inc.

● Andrew Retflavi, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Men’s Health Foundation; Otsuka-Lundbeck Alliance; ​ Lundbeck Canada Inc; Intercept Pharma Canada Inc.; Horizon Therapeutics Canada; Otsuka Canada Pharmaceutical Inc.

● Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries; Zipcar Canada Inc. ​

● Natalie Lasakova, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) ​

● Vince Amodeo, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Zipcar Canada Inc. ​

● Amy Brown, Dr. Amy Brown ​ o Clients: Ontario Chiropractic Association ​

● Andrew Boddington, Policy Concepts Inc. ​ o Clients: Advisory Board of LIGHTS ​

● Jonathan Rose, Policy Concepts Inc. ​ o Clients: Responsible Gambling Council ​

● Andrew Brander, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Blackshire Capital ​

● Gabriela Gonzalez, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Canadian Solar Industries Association/L’Association des Industries ​ Solaires du Canada (CanSIA); Opus One Energy Solutions Corporation; Gartner; Sun Life Financial

● Kate Moseley-Williams, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Entertainment One Ltd.; Amazon Corporate LLC ​

● Anika Christie, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​

o Clients: Apotex; Pedorthic Association of Canada; Bioverativ Canada; Canadian ​ Healthcare Management Information Services Inc.; Dexcom Canada; HealthCare 365; Saint Elizabeth Health Care; VON; College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; Novari Health; EMD Serono Canada; Herzig Eye Institute; Bayshore Health Care; Medavie Blue Cross; Medavie EMS

● Daniel McIntyre, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Apotex; Pedorthic Association of Canada; Canadian Healthcare ​ Management Information Services Inc.; Dexcom Canada; College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario; EMD Serono Canada; Medavie Inc.; Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc.

● Francesca Grosso, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Pedorthic Association of Canada; HealthCare 365; VON; Novari Health ​

● Michael McCarthy, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Herzig Eye Institute; Dexcom Canada; Medavie EMS; Empowered Kids ​ ​ ​ Ontario

● Anthony Usher, Anthony Usher Planning Consultant ​ o Clients: North Gwillimbury Forest Alliance ​

● Brian Teefy, John Matheson, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Ontario School Bus Association ​

● Carly Luis, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent; Ontario ​ School Bus Association

● Brooklyn Mattinson, Upstream Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Ontario Association of Radiologists ​

● Michael Diamond, Upstream Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Welded Tube of Canada Group ​

● Caroline Pinto, Charles Harnik, Jaskiran Shoker, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation ​

● Stephanie Gawur, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Union of Ontario Indians - Anishinabek Nation; Adapt Pharma Canada ​ Ltd.

● Chris Benedetti, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ​

● Christine Simundson, Rubicon Strategy Inc. ​ o Clients: Windstream Energy LLC ​

● Michael Coates, Rubicon Strategy Inc. ​ o Clients: KWG Resources Inc. ​

● Patrick Harris, Rubicon Strategy Inc. ​ o Clients: Loblaw Companies Limited ​

● Colin Anderson, Colin Anderson Consulting Services ​ o Clients: CBT Associates - Beacon; Canadian Green Fund/Canadian Green Bank ​

● Dan Mader, Jared Burke, Jill Wilson, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Winery and Grower Alliance of Ontario (WGAO); Uber Canada, Inc. ​

● Daniel Bordonali, Sutherland Corporation Limited ​ o Clients: Fer-Pal Infrastructure ​

● Derrick Araneda, Stosic & Associates ​ o Clients: Allergan Inc.; Innomar Strategies ​

● Fraser Macdonald, Stosic & Associates ​ o Clients: Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA); Kohl & Frisch; ​ Functionability Rehabilitation Services

● Fabio Gesufatto, Blu Stella Consulting Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Knowledgehook Inc. ​

● Felix Wong, Public Affairs Advisors ​ o Clients: U.S. Grains Council ​

● Gary Gladstone, Gladstone Consulting Ltd. ​ o Clients: Independent Payday Loan Association of Canada ​

● Howard Mains, TACTIX Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. (Corteva Agriscience) ​

● Jeffrey Bangs, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Labatt Breweries of Canada ​

● Jennifer Mossop, Mossop Media/JFM Productions Inc. ​ o Clients: Hospice Palliative Care Ontario; Ontario Association of Speech ​ Pathologists and Audiologists

● John Armstrong, Armstrong Communications Inc. ​ o Clients: MasonryWorx; Ontario Kinesiology Association; Vocational ​ Rehabilitation Association of Canada

● Jonathan Telch, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: Hot Docs ​

● Kenneth Boessenkool, KTG Public Affairs Partnerships ​ o Clients: Insurance Bureau of Canada ​

● Kim Wright, Wright Strategies ​ o Clients: Trans Canada Trail ​

● Maryanne Sheehy, Public Affairs Advisors ​ o Clients: Newmont Goldcorp Corporation ​

● Melissa Lantsman, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: Alzheimer Society of Ontario; Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association ​

● Vivek Prabhu, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario; Bayshore ​ HealthCare; Neighbourhood Pharmacy Association

● Michael Richmond, McMillan LLP ​ o Clients: Max Aicher (North America) Realty Inc. ​

● Richard Mullin, Impact Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Insurance Broker Association of Ontario; Intellectual Property Institute ​ of Canada; Mortgage Professionals Canada

● Rob Leone, Earnscliffe Ontario Inc. ​ o Clients: Newcastle College; Nova Chemicals Corporation ​

● Ron Ross, Newforum ​ o Clients: Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario ​

● Signe Lesik, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP ​ Clients: Georgian Triangle Development Institute o ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from July 19, 2019 – July 25, 2019

● Rick Hansen Foundation ● CropLife Canada ● 4Synchhealth ● Telesat Canada ● Aurora Cannabis Inc. ● Ontario Federation of Labour ● Ontario Private Campground Association ● Canadian Cancer Society ● Ontario Principals’ Council ● FCA Canada ● Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs (OFSC) ● Ontario Association of Children’s Aid Societies ● Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board ● COLDMAX EMC

● Canadian Wind Energy Association ● Amgen Canada Inc. ● York University ● Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association ● The Arthritis Society ● Queen’s University ● Canadian Hearing Society ● Canadian Franchise Association (CFA) ● Canadian Standards Association ● Canadian Nuclear Association ● Amgen Canada Inc. ● Canbridge Sciences Inc. ● Mortgage Professionals Canada ● College of Veterinarians of Ontario ● Leafly ● patiencefirst.ca ● Abbott Laboratories, Limited

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

What did you think of this Daily Report? What else would you like to see here? Email [email protected] and let us know. ​ ​

Copyright © 2018 Queen’s Park Today. It is a violation of copyright to distribute this newsletter without permission.