Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report December 7, 2018

Quotation of the day

“We are a long way from the beginning of the end of the 42nd Parliament, but at least we have come to the end of the beginning.”

Speaker invokes Winston Churchill while bidding an emotional farewell to ​ ​ ​ ​ MPPs after the last question period of 2018.

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule MPPs rose Thursday afternoon, marking the end of the fall session. The House is recessed for the winter break and is scheduled to return February 19.

Speaker Ted Arnott shed a few tears before wrapping up a raucous, whirlwind session. ​ ​

“For all of us in this legislature, the demands of our roles can seem relentless, the days long and hard, and the challenges insurmountable. Yet each working day, all of us on both sides of the House seek to make progress towards the goal that motivated us to run for office in the first place, that being the desire to build a better province in our time and for the generations to come,” Arnott said.

“While we may differ on how to best achieve that goal, broadly speaking we all share it. We are not enemies across the aisles. We are colleagues. We are parliamentarians. That is the basis upon which we should debate the issues before us,” he said.

For PCs in particular, 2018 has been a marathon since January when then-leader now-Brampton mayor Patrick Brown was ousted, prompting a snap leadership race just two ​ ​ months before the writ was drawn up for the general election. The House then sat for six weeks in the summer and reconvened a week earlier than expected in September.

NDP House Leader had a cryptic explanation for why the government wanted to ​ ​ adjourn a week earlier than planned.

“There are a number of things that the government has going on in the background. I have to ​ ask myself: Is part of the reason this House is not coming back next week because there may be something coming that they know and we don’t, and so that there is no House sitting at the time in order to have question period to hold them to account?” Bisson said Wednesday when speaking to the PC’s motion to break for winter.

Thursday’s debates and proceedings Bill 32, Access to Natural Gas Act, passed third reading Wednesday (Ayes 68; Nays 37), and ​ was given royal assent by Lieutenant Governor in the chamber ​ ​ Thursday afternoon.

Dowdeswell signed off on several other bills, including Bill 57, Trust, Transparency and ​ ​ Accountability Act, after MPPs voted at third reading. Newly Independent MPP ​ voted against the mini-budget omnibus bill, which among other things eliminates a standalone independent watchdog for French language services — the provision that prompted Simard’s defection from the PC caucus.

Economic Development Minister tabled Bill 66, Restoring ’s ​ ​ ​ ​ Competitiveness Act. The omnibus bill proposes to scrap business regulations relating to toxic ​ ​ chemicals, employment standards, child care caps, safety in assembly plants, pawnbrokers, food safety testing, wireless cellphone contracts, agriculture, water extraction permits, wastewater treatment, private career colleges and more.

Smith has said the province’s 380,000 regulations have harmed the province’s business climate and professed envy over British Columbia — where he says there are only 169,000 regulations.

Bill 66 would amend the Planning Act to allow municipalities to pass “open-for-business” zoning ​ bylaws for new developments that will create employment. With ministerial approval, municipalities could allow construction that bypasses several laws such as the Greenbelt Act, ​ ​ Act and the Oak Ridges Moraine Protection Act.

Smith’s bill proposes to lighten up on daycare rules by allowing home-child-care operators to look after three children under the age of two, instead of the current three, and raise the maximum number of infants and toddlers a provider can supervise at a time to six, up from four. The potential changes have already raised eyebrows in light of a 2014 damning report from the ombudsman on baby deaths in care that prompted some of the restrictions the Tories are now hoping to unravel.

Two bills and one motion chugged along during the afternoon’s private members’ business:

● NDP MPP ’ motion calling on the government to fund three 24/7 mental ​ ​ health and addictions drop-in centres in the Niagara region passed on a voice vote. Government members spoke in favour of the motion, which is non-binding.

● PC MPP Jeremy Roberts’ Bill 59, Caregiver Recognition Act, was sent to the Standing ​ ​ ​ ​ Committee on Social Policy after clearing debate at second reading.

● NDP MPP ’s Bill 61, Eating Disorders Awareness Week Act; is off to the ​ ​ ​ ​ Standing Committee on General Government after second-reading debate.

In the park Former councillor and TTC chair Karen Stintz was in the chamber to watch Thursday’s ​ ​ question period.

MPPs on both sides of the aisle delivered statements commemorating the École Polytechnique ​ ​ massacre to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

Ford heads to first ministers’ meeting after all Ontario Premier and his fellow premiers are in Montreal for a meeting with Prime ​ ​ Minister Justin Trudeau, despite Ford’s earlier threats to bail if the agenda wasn’t changed to ​ ​ his liking.

Ford’s office had said he would boycott Friday’s first ministers’ meeting unless the federal carbon tax, auto sector, cannabis, and asylum seekers were added to the docket. But the premier confirmed his attendance after meeting with Trudeau behind closed doors in Montreal Thursday.

“I’m pleased to be here in Montreal … I’m glad to sit down with you, Justin, and talk about things that matter to the people of Ontario,” Ford told reporters in a joint newser with Trudeau. “I’ll tell you what matters to the people of Ontario, is the job-killing carbon tax.”

Ford said he wanted to talk about GM Oshawa, US-imposed metals tariffs, and, “as I say, we may disagree on this, but, the illegal border crossers that are costing our province over $200 million.”

Trudeau appeared unfazed and said he’s looking forward to “an opportunity for us to dig into a broad range of issues that matter to Ontarians,” citing support for GM Oshawa workers worried about a shutdown. On that issue at least, the pair said they would continue to “work collaboratively to come up with a solution.”

On the eve of the meeting, Ford also got together with his fellow anti-carbon-tax-crusading first ministers, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs, to “lay ​ ​ ​ ​ out their priorities.”

Tory and Ford meet at Queen’s Park Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor say they’re on the same page when it ​ ​ ​ ​ comes to “how we can get things done for people” amid tension over the province’s cuts to city council and plans to take over responsibility of the TTC subway system.

“I’m looking forward to finding as many things as we can get done, on transit, on affordable housing, on keeping the city as safe as possible,” Tory said during a brief photo-op at Queen’s Park Thursday morning. “Obviously I understand that that involves working with the … I’m all about wanting to do that.”

It’s the first time the pair has met publicly since October’s municipal vote when Tory was re-elected to lead a provincially pared-down council.

Ford said he wanted to talk about infrastructure, transit, housing and the waterfront.

“As much as sometimes we may agree or disagree, we’re on the same wavelength when it comes to building transit and infrastructure and getting the city moving forward,” Ford said.

The pair have butted heads previously over Ford’s move to reduce the number of wards from 47 to 25, which the City unsuccessfully challenged in court. The mayor has also expressed concerns over the controversial plan to upload the subway to the province.

Today’s events

December 7 – Montreal ​ Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosts Canada’s premiers at a meeting in Montreal. ​ ​

December 7 at 9:30 a.m. – Belleville ​ Economic Development Minister Todd Smith will make an announcement about reducing ​ ​ regulatory burdens at the public library in his home riding.

December 7 at 10:30 a.m. – Toronto ​ NDP MPP will speak to the latest Statistics Canada jobs data release in the ​ ​ Queen’s Park media studio.

December 7 at 11:30 a.m. – Toronto ​ Youth-focused advocacy group ClimateFast will hold a demonstration on the legislature’s lawn to raise awareness about the impact of climate change.

Upcoming events

December 9 at 6 p.m. – ​ Premier Doug Ford will be the featured guest at a Christmas celebration hosted by ​ ​ controversial evangelist and leader Charles McVety. The NDP have ​ ​ criticized the premier for attending his political ally’s event in light of homophobic remarks he’s made. Ford has countered he’ll be talking to taxpayers at the party and that the NDP are “anti-Christian.”

Topics of conversation

● Budget nerds, mark your calendars: Financial Accountability Officer Peter Weltman ​ tables his fall economic and budget outlook report next Monday. The budget watchdog said earlier this year he would assess the still-new government’s spending plans and deliver his own fiscal forecast after the Tories released their Fall Economic Statement, which projected a higher-than-expected deficit.

● “An evening with the chiefs of staff” is how the Ontario Chamber of Commerce billed an invitation-only event for business leaders, according to the CBC. Guests were warned ​ ​ ​ ​ not to take photos or post anything about the “off-the-record” event on social media. The OCC would not divulge the price of admission or how many people are on the guest list. ○ The OCC lobbied the PC government hard over repealing Liberal-era labour laws, including the $15 minimum wage, which came to fruition. The business umbrella group was also quick to praise the PCs new red-tape reduction legislation, Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. ​ ​

● The Toronto Star unearthed land records that show incoming OPP Commissioner and ​ ​ ​ close Ford family friend Ron Taverner bought a Toronto home from Simone Daniels, ​ ​ ​ ​ who previously worked at Deco Labels, the Ford family business, and is now deputy chief of staff to Premier Doug Ford. ​ ​ ○ The revelation follows a steady stream of criticism aimed at the premier regarding his connection to Taverner, the veteran Toronto cop appointed to lead the provincial police force. Ford did not recuse himself from the cabinet meeting when the order-in-council solidifying his friend’s controversial appointment was signed. Taverner was only able to land the job after the minimum-rank requirements were lowered, allowing him to successfully throw his hat in the ring.

○ Opposition critics and advocacy group Democracy Watch have asked the integrity commissioner to investigate a potential conflict of interest. ○ Ford says the selection process was independent and he had “zero influence.” Taverner takes up his post December 17.

● Meanwhile the Globe and Mail reports Taverner is set to testify before the human rights ​ ​ ​ ​ tribunal about his alleged mishandling of a junior officer’s sexual harassment complaint, including that he allegedly discouraged them from coming forward. ○ The Globe’s story also reveals that in 2015 then-city councillor Ford asked a ​ ​ police higher up to appoint Taverner as the city’s deputy police chief. ○ While serving as police superintendent, Taverner allegedly had a poster reading “Loose Lips Sinks Ships” on his office wall.

● Toronto’s shrunken city council voted to nearly double their office and staff budgets at its very first meeting this week, which could make a dent in the $25 million in savings the Ford administration used to justify its move to cut the number of wards from 47 to 25. In an 18-to-8 vote, councillors doubled each of their staffing budgets to $482,000 annually, ​ up from $241,000, and raised their office budgets to $50,000 a year, up from about $34,000. ○ Ontario Municipal Affairs Minister Steve Clark criticized City Hall. Clark said in a ​ ​ statement councillors “had a choice to make today —respect the taxpayers in Toronto and invest in priorities like affordable housing and transit. Instead, they decided to increase their own staff and salary budgets to near double what a Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario and federal Members of Parliament are allocated and serve the same constituency boundaries. At the end of the day, there is only one taxpayer in this city and province.” ○ Clark has also said slashing the size of council would ease up political gridlock.

● Ottawa wants to stop Alberta’s Jason Kenney-led United Conservative Party from ​ ​ intervening in Saskatchewan’s legal challenge of the federal carbon tax, according to the ​ Canadian Press. The federal government claims UCP’s interest in the case, which ​ ​ Ontario is also intervening in, is political and groundless.

● Former longtime Liberal MPP was chosen as Niagara Regional Council ​ ​ ​ Chair and was congratulated by sitting Tories, New Democrats and Grits at Queen’s Park Thursday.

● One MPP might find themselves on Santa’s naughty list this year after heckling a certain four-letter word in this question period clip being shared widely on social media. ​ ​

Question period NDP lead-off Avista deal ● NDP Leader kicked off question period asking about the kiboshed ​ ​ Hydro One-Avista merger. She pointed out that killing the proposed takeover could cost Hydro One customers $185 million in penalties.

● Energy Minister repeated his line that government is focused on lowering ​ ​ hydro rates. Rickford said later “it’s not an accepted outcome that there’s a fee to be incurred” and noted other regulators have yet to weigh in.

● Washington state regulators shot down the proposed takeover, citing political interference from the Ford administration, and specifically calling out Premier Doug ​ Ford’s criticism of the Hydro One board and CEO that prefaced their resignation en ​ masse.

● Ford issued a statement that morning saying he had no regrets. “This is a deal that was ​ ​ put together by the former board and former CEO of Hydro One — a deal that did nothing to lower hydro rates for Ontario residents,” Ford said. The premier said he is committed to putting the concerns of Ontario families and businesses ahead of “foreign regulators.” ○ “Our government ran on a clear promise to clean up the mess at Hydro One. This included a firm commitment to renew the Hydro One senior leadership that had lost the confidence of Ontario ratepayers. The people of Ontario elected us to follow through on this promise ... I will never apologize for keeping my promises to the voters.” he went on to say.

Ron Taverner ● Horwath also asked about the Star’s report on future OPP Commissioner Ron ​ ​ ​ Taverner’s real estate deal with the premier’s political and business adviser. ​

● Community Safety Minister sounded off a list of endorsements for ​ ​ Taverner in her response and reiterated the hiring process was independent.

Advertising oversight ● NDP MPP wanted to know when the PCs would give teeth to the Auditor ​ ​ General’s oversight powers over government advertising, as the Tory election platform promised.

● Treasury Board President said the government will explore a review ​ ​ but did not make any commitments outright.

Transit troubles ● The NDP also asked about the AG’s glaring report on transit cost overruns spurred by poor planning processes.

● Transportation Minister said Metrolinx has turned a corner and added a bit of ​ ​ shade aimed at former transportation minister , saying “I can fully tell ​ ​ the member opposite that my riding will not be getting a GO station or subway stop.” ○ The AG’s report determined then-minister Del Duca and the City of Toronto influenced Metrolinx to inappropriately recommend building Kirby and Lawrence East GO stations, one in his riding.

Liberal question Provincial controller ● Liberal MPP John Fraser asked about the former provincial controller’s decision to quit ​ ​ in protest of the PC’s changes to Liberal-era accounting practices that she disagreed with.

● Bethlenfalvy didn’t stray from his earlier comments on Cindy Veinot’s departure and ​ ​ said the Tories support the Auditor General’s practices.

PC friendly questions Tories asked themselves about Christmas trees; the government’s response to the AG’s report on social assistance and the Technical Standards Safety Authority; and the freshly tabled Bill ​ 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act. ​

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 30, 2018 – December 6, 2018

· · Adam Yahn, Summa Strategies Canada ​ ​ o Clients: SAP Canada Inc. ​ ​

· Brian Teefy, John Matheson, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Walker Aggregates ​ ​

· Carly Luis, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Colleges Ontario; Ontario Professional Planners Institute ​ ​

· John Perenack, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Therme Group RHTG GmbH ​ ​

· Chris McClusky, Proof Strategies (formerly Environics Communications Inc.) ​ ​ o Clients: Netflix Inc.; StubHub ​ ​

· Chris Benedetti, Sussex Strategy Group ​ ​ o Clients: Acciona Energy Canada; Bruce Power LP ​ ​

· Dan Mader, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Charitable Gaming & Bingo Innovation Association (CGBIA) ​ ​

· Nicholas Pozhke, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ ​ o Clients: Charitable Gaming & Bingo Innovation Association (CGBIA) ​ ​

· David Messer, Edelman ​ o Clients: HP Canada Co ​ ​

· Don Gracey, CG Management & Communications Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Heritage Green Nursing Home; MED-EL Medical Electronics ​ ​

· Elizabeth Wagdin, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC; Future of Infrastructure Group ​ ​

· Ted Gruetzner, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Plenary Group; Canadian Independent Music Association; ​ ​ Canadian Marine Pilots Association; Ontario Sewer & Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA); The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Science; National Ballet of Canada; Zipcar Canada Inc.; Draegar Safety Canada Ltd.; Lime Bike; Canadian Nuclear Association; Mother Parker Tea & Coffee; Cineplex Entertainment; Koch Companies Public Sector LLC; Future of Infrastructure Group

· Vince Amodeo, Global Public Affairs Inc. ​ o Clients: Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee ​ ​

· Fred DeLorey, DesLauriers Public Affairs / Affaires publiques ​ ​ o Clients: Think Research ​ ​

· Giancarlo Drennan, Mai Nguyen, Maple Leaf Strategies (formerly Bentham & Associates) ​ ​ ​ o Clients: Invictus MD ​ ​

· Jennifer Li, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Association of Canadian Distillers/Spirits Canada ​ ​

· Jordan Devon, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Canadian Solar Industries Association (CanSIA) ​ ​

· Alex Chreston, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: Sun Life Financial ​ ​

· Sarina Rehal, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: McKellar Structured Settlements Inc. ​ ​

· Jim Burnett, Pathway Group Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Bright Path Early Learning; Our Lady Seat of Wisdom ​ ​

· Jim Pimblett, Jim Pimblett ​ ​ o Clients: Abbott Diabetes Care Canada ​ ​

· Joshua Sirefman, Sirefman Ventures, Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Sidewalk Labs Employees LLC ​ ​

· Julian Warrick, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ ​ o Clients: Payit ​ ​

· Kelly Mitchell, KW Mitchell Consulting Services Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario; Crisis Services Canada ​ ​

· Kim Wright, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ ​ o Clients: Prostate Cancer Canada ​ ​

· Vivek Prabhu, Hill+Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: Keolis Canada ​ ​

· Lily Mesh, Santis Health ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario Lung Association ​ ​

· Luke Nicholas, Connect Consulting Solutions ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario Native Women Association ​ ​

· Michael McCarthy, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Herzig Eye Institute ​ ​

· Michael Richmond, McMillan LLP ​ o Clients: Canadian Propane Association ​ ​

· Peter Van Loan, Aird & Berlis ​ ​ o Clients: Seaton TFPM Inc. ​ ​

· Philip Gillies, Phil Gillies Consulting ​ ​ o Clients: Interior Systems Contractors Association ​ ​

· Richard Mullin, Impact Public Affairs ​ ​ o Clients: Prompt Payment Ontario ​ ​

· Ron McLaughlin, Hansell McLaughlin Advisory ​ ​ o Clients: MindBeacon Health Inc. ​ ​

· Samuel Lafontaine, Canadian Urban Transit Association ​ ​ o Clients: Ontario Public Transit Association ​ ​

· Tom Henheffer, Daisy Consulting Group ​ ​ o Clients: LiUNA Local 183 ​ ​

· Tom Trbovich, Earnscliffe Ontario Inc. ​ ​ o Clients: CUPE/SCFP Ontario ​ ​

· Zak Paget, FleishmanHillard HighRoad Corp. ​ ​ o Clients: Transat A.T. Inc. ​ ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from November 30, 2018 – December 6, 2018 · Rayonier A.M. Canada Industries Inc. · Airbnb Canada Inc. · United Way Greater Toronto · Innovative Medicines Canada (Médicaments novateurs Canada) · Fig Leaf Promotion Canada Limited · CAA South Central Ontario · Ontario Home Builders’ Association · Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) · Alzheimer Society of Ontario · Alectra Utilities · Cargill Limited · Ontario Independent Meat Processors Association · CAAT Pension Plan · Consulting Engineers of Ontario

· Gazoduq Inc. · Share the Road Cycling Coalition · Ontario Commercial Fisheries’ Association · BMO Financial Group · Canadian Bankers Association · Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) · MaRS Discovery District · Ontario Private Campground Association · Emera Inc. · Ontario Association of Children’s Rehabilitation Services (OACRS) · Newspapers Canada (formerly The Canadian Newspaper Association) · Motorcycle and Moped Industry Council · Electrobac · Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) · Ontario Printing and Imaging Association · BHE Canada Limited · GS1 Canada · Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology · Enbridge Inc.

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

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