Queen’s Park notes FOLLOW US @Mobilepk For the week of May 1–5, 2017

SAULT STE. MARIE BYELECTION

Premier has called the Sault Ste. Marie byelection for Thursday, June 1, the last scheduled day of the spring legislative session.

The byelection will feature three former or current municipal politicians for the three main parties. Carrying the Liberal banner will be former Sault Ste. Marie Mayor, Debbie Amarosa, who will seek to keep the riding in Liberal hands after the resignation of local long-time MPP . The NDP candidate is city councilor and union leader, Joe Krmpotich. The PC candidate is also a city councilor, .

NEW BILLS INTRODUCED

BILL 128, LAWREN HARRIS DAY ACT BILL 130, MERCHANT NAVY VETERANS Liberal MPP (St. Catharines) DAY ACT introduced his own version of a bill that PC MPP Jim Wilson’s (Simcoe—Grey) bill identically mirrors Bill 82, Lawren Harris Day would proclaim September 3 in each year as Act, jointly sponsored by Liberal MPP Han Merchant Navy Veterans Day. Dong (Trinity—Spadina) and PC MPP Bill Walker (Huron—Bruce) earlier in this session. Lawren Harris was a Canadian painter born in Brantford. Both bills would proclaim October 23 in each year as Lawren Harris Day.

BILL 129, REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT ACT (FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE IN HEALTH CARE) PC MPP ’s (Elgin—Middlesex— London) bill would allow doctors to refuse to participate in medically assisted dying if it violates their conscience or religious beliefs, without facing any discipline from their regulatory college. BILLS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE

BILL 124, RENTAL FAIRNESS ACT Housing Minister Chris Ballard’s (Newmarket—Aurora) Bill 124, Rental Fairness Act, was voted on at 2nd Reading. It passed unanimously and was referred to the Standing Committee on General Government. The committee has been ordered to consider the bill and report it back to the House by May 17. Ballard’s bill would expand rent control to include buildings built after 1991 and limitations on above-guideline rent increases.

BILL 116, LIQUOR STATUTE AMENDMENT ACT (SALE OF SPIRITS MANUFACTURED FOR BRAND OWNERS) NDP MPP ’s bill passed 2nd Reading and was referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

BILL 123, KOREAN HERITAGE MONTH ACT PC MPP ’s (Scarborough—Rouge River) bill, passed and was referred to the Standing Committee on Regulations and Private Bills. Cho’s bill would proclaim the month of October in each year as Korean Heritage Month.

MOTIONS

PHARMACARE NDP Andrea Horwarth used her party’s formal opposition day to present a motion calling on the Legislature to pressure the Liberal government to:

Express its support for universal Ontario pharmacare, which will cover essential medicines for all Ontarians without charging premiums or deductibles, and, based on evidence supported by numerous international studies, help save lives and improve Ontarians’ health.

Horwath wants the Liberals to expand the latter’s proposed free prescription medicines for those 24 years of age and under to all Ontarians. Horwath has made universal pharmacare a central element of her party’s upcoming election platform. The motion passed unanimously by a voice vote.

NORTHERN ONTARIO NDP MPP proposed a motion calling on the Legislative Assembly to create a standing committee of MPPs, from all political parties, that would provide a review of bills impacting Northern Ontario. The non-binding motion carried.

IN OTHER NEWS

Deb Matthews (London North Centre), Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, and (St. Paul’s), Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, announced $6 million in additional funding for three years to support mental health services and supports at Ontario’s colleges and universities. This funding was part of the Liberals’ 2017 budget.

Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation TEL 416.751.8300 Fédération des enseignantes-enseignants TEL 1.800.267.7867 des écoles secondaires de l’Ontario FAX 416.751.7079 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, Ontario M4A 2P3 www.osstf.on.ca