Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report November 22, 2019

Quotation of the day

“Bonjour, comment ça va?”

Premier shares a laugh with reporters when asked about the progress on his ​ ​ promise to learn French, adding that he thinks it’s “critical” every elected official learns the language and he’s “going to be focusing on learning French.”

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule The house is adjourned until Monday, November 25. There are three more sitting weeks left in the fall session.

Thursday’s debates and proceedings Government House Leader put forward a time-allocation motion on Bill 136, ​ ​ ​ ​ a.k.a. the PAWS Act, which establishes a government-led animal welfare enforcement system. The motion sets out one day for public hearings on November 29, followed by clause-by-clause consideration on December 3, with the bill due back to the house for third-reading debate by December 4.

NDP MPP Jessica Bell tabled her private member’s bill that would force the province to track ​ ​ vehicle “dooring” incidents involving cyclists: Bill 148, Doored But Not Ignored Act. ​ ​

Three PC backbench bills passed second reading in the afternoon:

● ’s Bill 141, Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act, which would ​ ​ ​ bolster public access to defibrillators, and ’s Bill 142, Highway Traffic ​ ​ ​ ​ Amendment Act (Air Brake Endorsements), which lifts the requirement for drivers of vehicles with an air-brake system to renew their certification, are now off to be studied by the Standing Committee on Social Policy following voice votes.

● ’ Bill 147, Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, ​ ​ ​ which overturns the province’s ban on pitbulls, will go under the microscope at the general government committee after a recorded vote (Ayes 36; Nays 12).

The remainder of the afternoon was spent debating Bill 138, the corresponding legislation for ​ ​ the Fall Economic Statement, at second reading.

Ford talks Trudeau meeting, $231M kill fee for green energy projects, OLG audits, pot and beer stores Doug Ford and Justin Trudeau meet face-to-face in Ottawa today for the first time since the ​ ​ ​ October election in which the now-prime minister made near-daily jabs at ’s premier.

“It’s never personal,” Ford said of Trudeau’s attacks.

“Politics is politics and I have a pretty thick skin. I understand what he was doing. When I had a conversation with him, I told him the politics are done, and let’s roll up our sleeves and start working together, and he agreed,” the premier told reporters at Queen’s Park Thursday.

Ford said he wants to discuss infrastructure, health care and job creation, but notably did not mention the carbon tax that his government has been crusading against, including in court.

He also unveiled a new “Council on Provincial-Federal Relations” that’s made up of Ontario-only ministers , , Rod Phillips, , Laurie ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Scott and . Ford will serve as chair. ​ ​ ​

Ford ‘proud’ of $231M cost to rip up green energy contracts Ford also defended earmarking $231 million to cancel green energy projects, saying he’s “so proud of that.”

“I’m proud that we actually saved the taxpayers $790 million when we cancelled those terrible, terrible wind turbines that really, for the last 15 years, have destroyed our energy file,” he said when asked if the sticker price is a waste of taxpayer money. “They went into communities without their approval and just rammed them down their throats.”

Ford confirms audit at OLG Ford was also asked about executive pay and revenue at the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp., which Sun columnist Brian Lilley has pointed out has been going up while ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ payouts to the province go down.

The premier is sending in the auditors. “There’s one thing I won’t tolerate is people wasting taxpayers’ money. So once we get the audit done we’ll make sure we’re transparent.”

Queen’s Park Today first reported OLG was on the government’s list of priority audits in March. ​ ​ ​

More cannabis shops, expanded retail system coming soon: Ford The premier teased an expanded cannabis market and more shops in the new year. “We’re looking at getting rid of the black market,” he said, noting he held a meeting to discuss the matter “the other day” and will reveal details in the “near future.” He said he wants to let the Ontario Cannabis Store “stand on its own” a la the LCBO and “eventually let the market dictate” ​ ​ the retail system.

Ford also addressed questions on a few other subjects.

On the Don Cherry debacle: “I’m not going to get into Don, but in my opinion, I think everyone ​ ​ in this country should wear a poppy.”

As for when people can purchase beers in corner and convenience stores: “We’re negotiating hard” with the Beer Store, Ford said. “From what I understand they’re being very, very collaborative.”

High school teachers launch work-to-rule as PCs cut mandatory online credits from 4 to 2 Ontario’s high school teachers will start job action on Tuesday, the same day elementary teachers are poised to start an administrative-focused work-to-rule campaign.

Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation, told ​ reporters Thursday that members will hold information pickets on school grounds before and after school, but won’t hinder students from learning.

Teachers won’t participate in standardizing testing activities or unpaid staff meetings outside of school and won’t add comments to report cards, among other things.

Meanwhile, Education Minister is watering down the plan for mandatory ​ ​ e-learning. High school students will now only be required to complete two online course credits, instead of four, in order to graduate. Students can also apply for exemptions.

Online courses that can be applied to graduate credits will launch in September 2020 and will include career studies, data management and biology.

Today’s events

November 22 at 11 a.m. – Ottawa ​ Premier Doug Ford and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will meet on Parliament Hill. Ford will ​ ​ ​ ​ take questions from reporters after.

November 22 at 10:30 a.m. – Bradford ​ Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney will make an announcement at Edge Performance, ​ ​ a powersports vehicle dealership.

November 22 at 10:30 a.m. – Toronto ​ Labour Minister Monte McNaughton will make an announcement alongside WSIB Chair ​ ​ and CEO Tom Teahen at the Longo’s Maple Leaf Square. ​ ​ ​

November 22 at 11:45 a.m. – Peterborough ​ NDP Leader will discuss the growing wait list for long-term beds in ​ ​ Peterborough at Fairhaven Home, then stop off at a local cafe to meet with the community.

Topics of conversation

● The Canadian Federation of Students is claiming victory in its legal challenge of the Ford ​ ​ government’s Student Choice Initiative, which makes some post-secondary tuition fees optional.

● Premier Doug Ford had his name listed as president on his family label company Deco ​ ​ ​ ​ in Chicago on documents as recently as this week, the Globe and Mail reports. Ford’s ​ ​

office chalked it up to an accounting error, and his name has since been replaced with his wife’s name, Karla Ford. ​ ​ ○ “It’s in blind trust,” the premier told reporters Thursday. “I have no day-to-day operations, I’m not involved in the company and the integrity commissioner passed it.”

● Ontario Place board chair Jim Ginou has passed away. Ginou was a Ford family friend ​ ​ and took the helm of the soon-to-be-redeveloped Ontario Place last December, for the second time. Ginou’s first stint leading the board of the Toronto waterfront theme park was back in the late 1990s under then-premier . ​ ○ Ford offered condolences to the family on Twitter. ​ ​

News briefs — governmental Bethlenfalvy boasts about transfer payment consolidation

● Treasury Board President Peter Bethlenfalvy was at the Ontario Investment and Trade ​ ​ Centre Thursday to detail the province’s new streamlined transfer payment system and ​ ​ reduced reporting requirements for recipients, which he said is increasing value for money, enhancing the client experience and improving service outcomes. ○ The Ontario Nonprofit Network was on hand to laud Bethlenfalvy’s commitment to working together on reforming transfer payments “so that both non-profits and government spend less time on paperwork, and more time delivering services that support Ontarians.” ○ Earlier this month, the ONN released a survey that found its members were concerned about the “lack of information, details, and engagement” between the province and the non-profit sector.

Funding announcements Ministry of Francophone Affairs ● Forty-eight francophone community projects are getting a chunk of the government’s $1-million grants program. ​

Ministry of Indigenous Affairs ● Twenty-six First Nation-led business and community projects will receive almost $2.9 ​ ​ million and six Indigenous financial institutions will split $4.2 million as part of the Indigenous Economic Development Fund.

Question period NDP lead-off Ripping up green energy contracts

● Official Opposition Leader Andrea Horwath kicked off the debate on theme, with a ​ ​ question about the $231 million set aside for cancelling over 750 renewable energy projects.

● Premier Doug Ford reiterated what he told reporters earlier, that he’s proud of the $790 ​ ​ million he claims it saves taxpayers. “These wind turbines were rammed down the throats of communities that didn’t even want them.”

Education funding ● NDP Education critic asked about tense negotiations with teacher unions. ​ ​ “Why won’t the premier admit the only deal they’re looking for is one that includes pink slips for teachers and overcrowded, underfunded classrooms for our kids?” she asked.

● Education Minister Stephen Lecce took the response. “Let’s not forget it’s this ​ ​ government that has made reasonable offers at the table with OSSTF and so many others because we believe that continuing education should not be stopped, should not be impeded because negotiators cannot agree on an outcome,” he said.

Chedoke Creek ● NDP MPP asked about drinking water in Hamilton being flooded with ​ ​ ​ sewage for more than four years. ​

● Energy Minister said the Ministry of the Environment has issued the City ​ ​ of Hamilton an order “requiring clarification and confirmation of impacts, recommendations for remediation, mitigation and monitoring.” ○ He said the matter is now being handled by the ministry’s investigation and enforcement branch, and it would be inappropriate to say anything else beyond that the government is working with city officials and public health.

The New Democrats also asked about the Globe’s scoop on documents showing Premier ​ ​ Ford’s name listed as president of Deco, access to cancer treatment, changes to rent control provisions and possible closure of the Thorold road tunnel in Niagara. ​ ​

Independent question Prescription drugs ● Independent MPP Jim Wilson asked about access to medication for pediatric cystic ​ ​ fibrosis.

PC friendly questions Tories asked themselves about federal-provincial relations, shedding light on physicians’ OHIP billings, the 2021 Canada Games and beefing up the rules for the real estate sector.

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 November 15 – 21, 2019

● Peter Milczyn, PM Strategies Inc. ​ o Clients: Flato Upper Markham Village Inc, Flato Fletcher Meadows Inc, Fly Park Inn Inc., Concord Adex Inc.

● Jeffrey Bangs, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club, Town of South Bruce Peninsula, Bruce Trail Conservancy, Lexmark Canada

● Jim Burnett, Peter Curtis and Jeffrey Bangs, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: BAI Communications

● , Klees & Associates Ltd. ​ o Clients: CT12 (Tower I & II) Limited Partnership

● Megan Flynn and Jeffrey Bangs, Pathway Group Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Young People's Theatre

● Vanessa Pfaff and Dina Graser, [Individual] ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Sidewalk Labs Employees LLC

● Amir Remtulla, Amir Remtulla Inc. ​ o Clients: TACC Construction Ltd.

● John Capobianco, FleishmanHillard HighRoad Corp. ​ o Clients: Bombardier Inc.

● Troy Ross, TRM Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Bump 50:50

● Steven Dover, TACTIX Government Relations and Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Curogens Inc.

● Michael Rudderham, MCR Corporate Affairs ​ o Clients: Cestar College of Business, Health and Technology

● Kevin McCarthy, Exhort 3.13 Inc. ​ o Clients: Enriched Academy

● Brayden Akers, Navigator ​ o Clients: FTSE Russell, Interac

● Adam Moote, Armstrong Communications Inc. ​ o Clients: Ontario Kinesiology Association, MasonryWorx

● Lindsay Aagaard, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP ​ o Clients: Aphria Inc.

● Andrew Brander, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Capital Power Corporation, McKellar Structured Settlements Inc.

● Manny Sousa, Sutherland Corporation Limited ​ o Clients: Veridos Canada Ltd., Bus Patrol Inc.

● Jill Wilson, Jared Burke and Dan Mader, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Accenture Inc.

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

● Jacqueline LaRocque, Compass Rose Group ​ o Clients: Canadian Music Publishers Association

● Bob Lopinski and Caroline Pinto, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario Charitable Gaming Association, Commercial Gaming Association of Ontario

● Carly Luis, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Strongest Families Institute, Federation of Rental-Housing Providers of Ontario

● Daniel McIntyre, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Pedorthic Association of Canada

● Caroline Pinto and Devan Sommerville, Counsel Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario Library Association

● Arthur Potts, Municipal Affairs Consulting ​ o Clients: Health Wellness Industries Inc.

● Terence Young, Gravitas Strategies ​ o Clients: Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology

● Paul Brown, Campbell Strategies ​ o Clients: Extendicare Canada Inc.

● Jill Wilson, Loyalist Public Affairs ​

o Clients: The Stars Group

● Daniel McIntyre, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario

● David Messer, Edelman ​ o Clients: Notarius

● Christina Marciano, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Just Energy

● Leith Coghlin, EnPointe Development Incorporated ​ o Clients: Westdell Development Corporation, Happy Capital Inc, Stoneridge Travel Centre Inc

● Daniel Matthew Boudreau and Laura Greer, Hill+Knowlton Strategies Canada ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Praxis Spinal Cord Institute

● Ryan Singh, Temple Scott Associates Inc. ​ o Clients: Board of Canadian Registered Safety Professionals

● Chad Rogers, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Canadian Association of Content Exporters, Coca-Cola Limited, Tenaris SA, McKellar Structured Settlements Inc., Superior Propane, Hyr Canada Inc., Lyft, Amazon Corporate LLC, Sonder, Association of Canadian Distillers/Spirits Canada

● Nishani Chankar, McMillan Vantage ​ o Clients: Ontario Ginseng Growers Association, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Association, Aviva

● Chris Benedetti, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Pattern Renewable Holdings Canada ULC, The Corporation of the Town of Marathon

● Julie Garner, Earnscliffe Ontario Inc. ​ o Clients: Connect The Corridor Coalition

● Julie Garner and Alanna Newman, Earnscliffe Ontario Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: CLAC

● Utilia Amaral, Utilia Amaral ​ o Clients: Google LLC

● Joshua Albert, The CCS Group ​ o Clients: Naicatchewenin First Nation

● Stew Kiff, Solstice Public Affairs ​

o Clients: Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario

● Peter Van Loan, Aird & Berlis ​ o Clients: Yonge Steeles Landowners Group Inc.

● Brian Zeiler-Kligman, Sussex Strategy Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Aecon Group Inc.

● Jonathan Telch, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: PayIt

● Bliss Baker and Giancarlo Drennan, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Samsung Electronics Canada Inc.

● Natalia Lasakova, Global Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Outdoor Power Equipment Institute of Canada

● Natalia Lasakova, Rick Roth, John Allen, and Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Affairs o Clients: Future of Infrastructure Group

● Natalia Lasakova and John Allen, Global Public Affairs ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Cognibox

● Elizabeth Wagdin and Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Cement Association of Canada

● Ted Gruetzner, John Allen, Rick Roth, Vince Amodeo, Natalia Lasakova and ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Organization of Canadian Nuclear Industries

● Ted Gruetzner, Elizabeth Wagdin and Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Canadian Energy Pipeline Association

● Rod Elliot, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Kindred Partners Inc.

● Rick Roth and John Allen, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Amazon Web Services

● Sean Casey, Elizabeth Wagdin and Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Science

● Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Siemens Canada

● Rick Roth, Reema Gill, Alanna Sokic and Rod Elliot, Global Public Affairs ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Truss Limited Partnership

● Rod Elliot, Rick Roth and Vince Amodeo, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Elevate Technology Festival

● Pamela Smith, Rick Roth, Sean Casey and Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Inc. o Clients: Canadian Independent Music Association, National Ballet of Canada

● John Allen, Vince Amodeo, Elizabeth Wagdin and Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Inc. o Clients: Cineplex Entertainment

● Vince Amodeo, Rick Roth, Natalia Lasakova, John Allen and Elizabeth Wagdin, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Global Public Affairs Inc. o Clients: Zipcar Canada Inc.

● Alanna Sokic, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Breakthru Beverage Canada

● Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA), ChargePoint

● Elizabeth Wagdin and Rick Roth, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Federal Express Canada Ltd.

● Rod Elliot, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

● Reema Gill, Elizabeth Wagdin, Andrew Retfalvi and Alexandra Spence, Global ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Public Affairs o Clients: Eczema Society of Canada

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from November 15 – 21

● Ontario Fur Breeders Association ● Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ● Ritz Lutheran Villa ● Ontario Energy Association ● Canadian Microelectronics Corporation ● Canadian Snowbird Association ● Electronics Product Stewardship Canada ● Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency ● Canadian Apprenticeship Forum ● Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board ● Council of Ontario Universities ● L’Association des enseignantes et enseignants franco-ontariens ● Ontario Mining Association

● The Financial Advisors Association of Canada (Advocis) ● ArcelorMittal Dofasco GP ● Occupational Safety Group ● Google Canada Corporation ● IBM Canada Limited ● Imperial Oil Limited ● Biogen Canada Inc. ● Newmont Goldcorp ● NOVA Chemicals Corporation ● AstraZeneca Canada Inc. ● Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd. ● Dexcom Canada ● Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) ● Abbott Laboratories, Limited ● b-citi solutions Inc.

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.