Queen’s Park Today – Daily Report August 16, 2019

Quotation of the day

“We promised that we will make beer and wine more available and we will do that, but we’re going to do that in a purposeful way.”

Finance Minister Rod Phillips says he is meeting with representatives from Molson, Labatt and ​ ​ Sleeman later this month and is committed to “working constructively” on the Beer Store ​ ​ breakup.

Today at Queen’s Park

On the schedule The House is adjourned until Monday, October 28.

In the park There were more ministers at the Pink Palace than usual during summer because of a cabinet ​ meeting. ​

PCs to make producers responsible for blue box program by 2025 Environment Minister said Thursday the PC government will make companies ​ ​ responsible for the blue box recycling program by 2025.

The shift in responsibility — currently shared with municipalities — to product manufacturers would occur in phases starting in 2023. Public consultations for the new framework would begin in the fall.

The revamped program could encourage manufacturers to change the way products are packaged so that less waste is diverted to landfills, Yurek said.

The move echoes recommendations from the PC government’s special adviser David Lindsay. ​ ​

Opposition parties were cautiously optimistic.

Green Leader lauded the government for “putting the onus on companies to ​ ​ pay for their pollution and to make less harmful products.”

However, he said he is “concerned that our waste problem is being punted until 2023” — after the next scheduled general election.

The New Democrats had a more partisan criticism.

“Given ’s track record of putting the interest of PC party insiders ahead of the public ​ ​ interest, we have serious concerns about whether his government will do this right,” NDP Environment critic Ian Arthur said in a statement. ​ ​

The Association of Municipalities of , which had representatives on hand for the announcement, gave it a thumbs-up, as did advocacy organization Environmental Defence.

Today’s events

August 16 at 10 a.m. – Hamilton ​ NDP Leader and her Hamilton-area caucus will speak to personal support ​ ​ workers and families at Macassa Lodge, a long-term care home, to highlight the Ford government’s budget cuts.

August 16 at 10 a.m. – Kitchener ​ Agriculture Minister will make an announcement at a Sobeys grocery store. ​ ​

August 16 at 10 a.m. – Lindsay ​ Infrastructure Minister Laurie Scott will make an announcement at the City of Kawartha Lakes ​ ​ bus maintenance facility.

August 16 at 1:30 p.m. – Lindsay ​ Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Lisa MacLeod will make an announcement at the St. ​ ​ Catharines Rowing Alumni Association Clubhouse.

August 16 at 4 p.m. – Windsor ​ Former provincial cabinet minister and Liberal leadership contender Sandra Pupatello will be at ​ ​ the Fogolar Furlan Club to announce she is running for the Liberal Party of nomination in Windsor West. If she gets the nod, Pupatello will face off against six-term NDP MP Brian ​ Masse. Earlier this week, the federal Liberals triggered an “electoral urgency” clause to expedite ​ nomination processes and allow centralized appointments in the nearly 100 ridings without a candidate.

Topics of conversation

● High school classes will begin on time even though contract negotiations are ongoing, says Harvey Bischof, president of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation ​ ​ (OSSTF). ○ During a speech at OSSTF’s annual leadership conference in , Bischof slammed education cuts, saying “the government at Queen’s Park has declared war on one of the best education systems in the world.” ○ Meanwhile, the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario is launching an ad blitz this fall, including billboards, TV commercials and online and radio ads, criticizing the Ford government’s education priorities.

● Fort Frances Mayor June Caul is calling on Queen’s Park to intervene after it was ​ ​ ​ ​ revealed Resolute Forest Products Inc.’s sale of its local mill contained a non-compete clause blocking the new ownership from reviving its pulp and paper operations. ○ Caul wants Northern Development Minister to revoke Resolute’s ​ ​ local timber licence so new investors can step in and resuscitate the industry.

● The estimated cost of revamping MacDonald Block has climbed to $1.536 billion — up from a $1 billion projection first reported by CityNews in March. ​ ​ ​ ​ ○ Last week, Infrastructure Ontario quietly announced construction giant PCL Progress Partners won the contract to design, build and finance the reconstruction of the four 1970s-era government buildings, beginning immediately. The firm will also maintain the complex for 30 years. ○ The former Liberal government spurred the renovation project in 2017. Critics say the money would be better spent on the province’s $15.9-billion capital repair backlog.

● Commuters, rejoice! There will be 84 new weekly GO Train trips across the Kitchener, and Lakeshore East and West Lines starting August 31, Transportation Minister and Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster announced Thursday. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

● Federal Liberal MP Adam Vaughan has apologized for falsely accusing Children’s ​ ​ ​ ​ Services Minister of blaming education funding cuts on refugee students, ​ ​ and deleted tweets that prompted blowback online.

Appointments and employments Ontario Ombudsman ● Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dubé has enlisted a two-person expert panel to help him ​ ​ choose the next French language services commissioner within his office. Michel A. ​ Carrier, the interim commissioner of official languages for New Brunswick, and Linda ​ ​ Cardinal, a University of professor and expert on language rights, will help Dubé ​ in the hiring process that’s currently underway.

○ Dubé will act as commissioner in the interim. His office is taking on the francophone services watchdog role after the PCs eliminated the standalone office, previously held by François Boileau. ​ ​ ​

Cabinet Office ● August has seen a mini shakeup at the deputy minister level. Here’s a roundup based on an internal memo obtained by Queen’s Park Today: ​ ​ ○ Deborah Lynn Richardson (previously DM for Indigenous Affairs) is now DM to ​ the Solicitor General, and responsible for Correctional Services; ○ Shawn Batise (ADM for Indigenous Affairs) has taken on the role of DM to the ​ Minister of Indigenous Affairs; ○ David N Corbett (previously chair of the Workplace Safety and Insurance ​ Appeals Tribunal) is now DM to the Minister of Labour; ○ Laurie LeBlanc (previously DM for Municipal Affairs and Housing) is now DM to ​ the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities; ○ Kate Manson-Smith has been promoted from assistant deputy minister to DM at ​ Municipal Affairs and Housing; ○ Marie-Lison Fougère (previously DM for Seniors) is DM to the Minister of ​ ​ Long-Term Care, and remains DM for Francophone Affairs; ○ Helen Angus, longtime DM on the file, becomes DM in the now-split Ministry of ​ Health; and ○ Denise Cole is the DM for Seniors and Accessibility. ​

News briefs — Governmental Ministry of Finance ● Finance Minister Rod Phillips tabled the province’s first quarter fiscal update Thursday. ​ ​ This year’s deficit projection remains at $10.3 billion, unchanged from the spring budget. ○ However, Phillips said the province is spending an additional $183 million on frontline health and education services, which will be offset by lower than anticipated interest on debt fees. ○ The Fall Economic Statement will be released on or before November 15, 2019.

Funding announcements Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs ● The ministry is earmarking $1.2 million for new research projects with an eye to reducing waste and upping recycling in the agri-food industry. ○ One of the selected projects aims to develop and market biodegradable straws made from Ontario-grown miscanthus grass and corn stover. “It is anticipated the material used for the straws could later be used in other common single-use items such as cutlery and food containers,” says a news release.

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 August 9, 2019 – August 15, 2019

● Abid Malik, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Ontario Association of Radiation Oncologists ​

● Joseph Ragusa, Sussex Strategy Group ​ o Clients: The Corporation of the County of Wellington ​

● Christina Marciano, Sussex Strategy Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Cordelio Power; Sifton Properties ​

● Matthew Gibson, Sussex Strategy Group Inc. ​ o Clients: NextBridge Energy Transmission – Canada; ITC Holding Corp.; ​ Northeast Midstream L.P.; Rayonier Advanced Materials

● Robyn Gray, Sussex Strategy Group Inc. ​ o Clients: ENGIE (formerly GDF Suez Canada Inc.); Club Coffee; Alectra ​ Inc.; Sifton Properties; Association of Major Power Consumers in Ontario; StormFisher Environmental Ltd.

● Andrew Pask, AP Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Loyalist Plaza Amherstview Inc.; Woodbine Entertainment Group ​

● Andrew Brander, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: True North Gaming ​

● Daniel Moulton, Crestview Strategy ​ o Clients: EDF Renewables; Ticketmaster Canada ​

● Brett McDermott, Collaborative Ideas Incorporated ​ o Clients: Dr. Kevin Rod; OnPharm-United; Cocov Destinations; Liver Care ​ Canada; Vann Advertising

● Brian Teefy, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: City of Stratford; Vivid Seats ​

● Garry Keller, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Vivid Seats ​

● John Duffy, StrategyCorp Inc. ​ o Clients: Woodbine Entertainment Group ​

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

● Michael Diamond, Upstream Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Alpha Laboratories; Ontario Association of Radiologists; ​ ​ ​ Electricity Distributors Association

● Patrick Tuns, Upstream Strategy Group ​ o Clients: Janssen Inc. ​

● Carys Baker, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: PayIt; Hot Docs ​

● Christian von Donat, Impact Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario ​

● Rita Rahmati, Impact Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario; Canadian Association ​ ​ ​ for Interventional Radiology; Mortgage Professionals Canada

● Christopher Holcroft, Empower Consulting ​ o Clients: Food Allergy Canada (formerly Anaphylaxis Canada) ​

● Dan Mader, Loyalist Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Accenture Inc.; SBG – Skill Based Games Inc. ​

● David Angus, The Capital Hill Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Palo Alto Networks Inc.; Optiv ​

● Kenneth Stewart, The Capital Hill Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Palo Alto Networks Inc.; BMC Software ​

● Maddy Steiva, The Capital Hill Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Stimulus Group ​

● David McArthur, McArthur Partners Inc. ​ o Clients: Cestar College of Business, Health and Technology ​

● Francesca Grosso, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​

o Clients: Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Canada) Inc.; Novari Health ​

● Michael McCarthy, Grosso McCarthy Inc. ​ o Clients: Dexcom Canada ​

● Frank Klees, Klees & Associates Ltd. ​ o Clients: Zenyatta Ventures Ltd. ​

● Giancarlo Drennan, Maple Leaf Strategies ​ o Clients: Cogeco Inc. ​

● Henry Boyd, Stosic & Associates ​ o Clients: Allergan Inc.; StormFisher Environmental ​

● Ian MacEachern, Kinloch Public Affairs Ltd. ​ o Clients: Infrastructure Energy, LLC ​

● John Dickie, Dickie & Lyman Lawyers LLP ​ o Clients: Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization ​

● Megan Flynn, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation; ​ Independent School Bus Operators Association

● Peter Curtis, Pathway Group Inc. ​ o Clients: Parks and Recreation Ontario ​

● Melanie Paradis, McMillan Vantage Group ​ o Clients: MoCanna ​

● Timothy Murphy, McMillan Vantage Group ​ o Clients: Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries ​

● Tausha Michaud, McMillan Vantage Group ​ o Clients: Aviva; Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s Association; Ontario ​ Ginseng Growers Association; Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries; Greyhound Canada Transportation Corporation; Arterra Wines Canada

● Mike Van Soelen, Navigator Ltd. (formerly Playbook Communications) ​ o Clients: Glencore Canada; Alamos Gold ​

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

● Scott Munnoch, Temple Scott Associates Inc. ​

o Clients: Canadian Franchise Association; Merit Ontario ​

● Suzanne van Bommel, Suzanne van Bommel Enterprises Inc. ​ o Clients: Janet and John Shaughnessy ​

● Troy Ross, TRM Public Affairs ​ o Clients: Ontario Charitable Gaming Association ​

● Vivek Prabhu, Hill + Knowlton Strategies ​ o Clients: AdvantAge Ontario ​

● Yash Dogra, NATIONAL Public Relations ​ o Clients: U-Battery Canada Limited ​

Organizations that registered in-house lobbyists from August 9, 2019 – August 15, 2019

● Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium ● Ontario Association of Architects ● Private Career Education Council (Ontario) ● Rayonier A.M. Canada Industries Inc. ● Ontario Private Campground Association ● Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) ● Coast Capital Savings Federal Credit Union ● Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. ● Fédération des caisses Desjardins du Québec ● Global Automakers of Canada ● Domtar Inc. ● Becton Dickinson Canada Inc. ● Aviva Canada ● Alectra Utilities ● Egg Farmers of Ontario ● Ontario Home Builders’ Association ● Trent University ● Canadian Association of Consulting Quantity Surveyors ● Canadian Council of Chief Executives ● Thales Canada Inc. ● Ontario Processing Vegetable Growers ● Imperial Oil Limited ● sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. (Sanofi Canada) ● Queen’s University ● The Toronto Humane Society ● Ontario Catholic School Trustees’ Association ● Ontario Traffic Council ● Global Automakers of Canada ● Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)

● Ontario Association of Architects ● Eli Lilly Canada Inc. ● Amazon Canada Fulfilment Services, ULC ● Canadian Life Settlements ● Ontario Waste Management ● Ontario Library Association

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

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