Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report March 3, 2020 Quotation of the day “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Premier Doug Ford gets heated with the media at his first presser in more than a month. ​ ​ Today at Queen’s Park On the schedule The house convenes at 9 a.m. for question period. The government could call any of the following bills for debate: ● Bill 156, Security From Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act; ​ ● Bill 159, Rebuilding Consumer Confidence Act; ​ ● Bill 161, Smarter and Stronger Justice Act; ​ ● Bill 171, Building Transit Faster Act; and ​ ● Bill 175, Connecting People to Home and Community Care Act. ​ Monday’s debates and proceedings Health Minister Christine Elliott began second reading of Bill 175, which will overhaul the ​ ​ ​ ​ home and community care system. NDP MPPs Bhutila Karpoche and Faisal Hassan tabled their co-sponsored private member’s ​ ​ ​ ​ Bill 178, to recognize Black Mental Health Day across the province. ​ In the park In the morning the Canadian Organization for Rare Disorders, Epilepsy Ontario, Children’s Mental Health Ontario and OnPharm United are scheduled to hold breakfast receptions; in the evening the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association and Schizophrenia Society of Ontario will host dinner receptions. Ford challenges reporters on #Plategate at Ring of Fire presser At his first press conference in Ontario in over a month, Premier Doug Ford was visibly upset ​ ​ when pressed about the ongoing licence plate fiasco that saw his government reverse course last week. The premier insisted reporters stick to the Ring of Fire-related announcement, and also took questions on education contract talks, vaping levies, and the new coronavirus at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s (PDAC) convention in Toronto Monday. Here’s what was asked and answered: Premier appears defensive over #Plategate Ford challenged reporters for asking about the new soon-to-be-replaced licence plates that are difficult to read at night. Last Friday, the government temporarily abandoned its plan to continue issuing the new double-blue license plates, after it was revealed they have poor visibility at night and glare when hit by light. “Let’s make no mistake about it, I was frustrated,” Ford said, adding that when problems come up, what matters is “how quickly you respond.” Ford then called out reporters who followed up, accusing them of “disrespecting” the First Nation chiefs present by not asking on-topic questions. “You guys, the media, want to stick in this little downtown Toronto bubble and start worrying about little things and disrespecting, in my opinion, First Nations … when we’re supposed to be talking about a historic investment that’s going to change lives,” he said. As for why the government inked a non-disclosure agreement with 3M Canada to help make the new plates, thereby shielding details from the public, Ford assured: “There’s zero expense to the taxpayers.” New agreement for Ring of Fire access road Ford and Energy Minister Greg Rickford were obliged with some on-topic questions about the ​ ​ next steps for an all-season, North-South access road into the Ring of Fire region that will connect Indigenous communities and mining operations to the provincial highway network. The pair signed an agreement with Marten Falls First Nation Chief Bruce Achneepineskum ​ and Webequie First Nation Chief Cornelius Wabasse at PDAC, moving ahead with a PC ​ ​ election promise. First Nations will lead the environmental assessment process for the new road. Rickford said a proposed East-West route — touted as a more cost-effective alternative by a coalition of First Nation chiefs and the mayor of Sioux Lookout — is still an option on the table. Questioned about reports that the mineral-rich region’s economic potential might be overhyped, ​ ​ Ford said the government hasn’t made any specific valuations. The geologist who initially claimed the oft-touted $60-billion estimate has since admitted it’s based on a loose analysis. The corresponding government release vaguely referenced estimates that “suggest multi-generational potential for chromite production, as well as production of nickel, copper and platinum.” The previous Liberal government had signed deals with three of the nine First Nations in the area, including Marten Falls and Webequie, but the PCs ripped up the agreements and regional framework, opting to renegotiate individual contracts instead. NDP Mines critic Michael Mantha said “three steps backward and two steps forward does not ​ ​ equal progress — at this rate, the Ring of Fire may never be built.” Ford cagey on possibility of provincial vape tax, launches coronavirus command table Asked if his government would implement a provincial tax on vaping products, Ford said he would leave it up to Health Minister Christine Elliott, who called on Ottawa to introduce a ​ ​ countrywide levy last week, which she said could deter youth consumption. “Vaping is not healthy, in my opinion,” Ford said, noting cabinet will also consider tighter retail regulations Elliott proposed last week at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday. The premier also teased a new central Command Table that will report to the health minister on ​ ​ the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The idea is to have a central body oversee the province’s strategy, which will be helmed by Deputy Health Minister Helen Angus and include ​ ​ chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams, Ontario Health president and CEO Matthew ​ ​ ​ Anderson, and other bureaucrats. ​ Health officials confirmed three new cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, on top of the seven diagnosed over the weekend, bringing the total number in Ontario to 18 (the first three patients have been cleared). Ford said he isn’t personally worried about COVID-19 but is concerned about its impact on the economy and provincial purse, particularly when it comes to education contracts. “You wonder why we’re so passionate about making sure we respect tax dollars for the teachers’ contracts and other contracts, it’s because, I always say: the rainy-day fund — and hopefully this rainy day is not going to turn into a full-out storm.” ‘We aren’t going to roll over’: Ford digs in heels on teacher labour negotiations Ford doubled down on his claim that parents support the government’s position on labour negotiations with teachers, despite its own broad consultations finding scant support for mandatory e-learning and larger class sizes (according to documents revealed at a labour board hearing with Catholic teachers last week). “Actually we are listening,” Ford maintained. He cited “tough economic times” as the reason why the PCs can’t oblige the unions’ request for more than the legislated one per cent cap on compensation and said he’s put a “very fair” offer on the table. “We aren’t going to roll over like we’ve seen over the last 15 years,” Ford went on to say, decrying the previous Liberal rulers for coughing up cash for bonuses and gold-plated “pizza ​ lunches.” ​ High school teachers were still in informal exploratory talks with Crown negotiators and the mediator Monday evening. Discussions began Sunday and could lead to formal bargaining dates, which haven’t been held with OSSTF since mid-December. USMCA’s ‘300-pound gorilla’ Before the scrum, Ford slammed the feds for dragging their heels on ratifying the USMCA pact (the U.S. and Mexico have already given the final sign-off; Canada started the ratification process in late January). “Get the damn deal done,” the premier urged. Ford said U.S. Trade Representative Robert ​ Lighthizer echoed that urgency on their recent call, referring to him as a “300-pound gorilla” ​ that won’t get off his back on the matter. Today’s events March 3 at 10:30 a.m. – Whitby ​ Health Minister Christine Elliott and Associate Mental Health Minister Michael Tibollo will ​ ​ ​ ​ make an announcement and participate in a panel discussion at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. March 3 at 10:30 a.m. – Toronto ​ Economic Development Minister Vic Fedeli will make an announcement at the PDAC ​ ​ Conference at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Upcoming events March 10 at 12 p.m. – Toronto ​ ● Cue speculation. Finance Minister Rod Phillips will address the Empire Club of Canada ​ ​ at the Sheraton Centre Hotel. Per tradition, it is likely Phillips will reveal the release date for Budget 2020, which must be tabled by March 31. Because the house isn’t sitting for the March 16 constituency week break and budgets are conventionally tabled on a Thursday, the budget could drop March 26 and almost certainly during that week. Topics of conversation ● The average Ontario household’s energy costs stayed relatively static in the years leading up to 2016, just before the Liberals introduced the 2017 “Fair Hydro Plan” subsidy amid public pressure over soaring electricity rates. ○ According to the budget watchdog’s latest report, between 2010 and 2016, an ​ ​ average family’s share of disposable income spent on home heating and cooling ranged from 2.9 per cent to 3.1 per cent, “as higher home energy costs were offset by higher average household incomes.” ○ In 2019, the average family spent 2.6 per cent of disposable income on home energy costs. “Since 2016, Ontario households have spent a declining share of disposable income on home energy, mainly due to the Fair Hydro Plan’s electricity cost subsidy,” reads the Financial Accountability Office report. ○ That said, the report also notes the average home’s electricity costs increased by 32 per cent, or $1,171 to $1,541 a year, between 2010 and 2016, “despite a 10 per cent decline” in consumption. Up until 2019, spending declined by 22 per cent, from $1,541 to $1,195. The FAO chalks up much of the flux in spending over the past decade to the rise and fall of the cost of electricity, including supply, and government subsidies coming and going.