Queen’s Park notes FOLLOW US @Mobilepk For the week of May 15–19, 2017

NEW BILLS INTRODUCED

BILL 133, RETIRING THE DEBT 2017. This part of the bill was proposed as RETIREMENT CHARGE ACT a measure to cool the overheated Toronto PC MPP Lisa Thompson (Huron—Bruce) housing market. As well, the bill will implement introduced a bill that would remove the Hydro a 15 per cent seniors’ public transit discount debt retirement charge for small businesses. effective July 1, 2017.

BILL 134, BUDGET MEASURES ACT BILL 135, PROTECTING VULNERABLE (HOUSING PRICE STABILITY AND PERSONS IN SUPPORTIVE LIVING SENIORS’ PUBLIC TRANSIT TAX CREDIT) ACCOMMODATION ACT Finance Minister Charles Sousa (Mississauga NDP MPP Cindy Forster’s (Welland) bill South) introduced this bill that would impose would require persons who operate a a 15 per cent Non-Resident Speculation Tax supportive living accommodation in specified on real estate transactions in the Golden circumstances to hold a licence issued by Horseshoe region retroactive to April 21, the Minister.

BILLS REFERRED TO COMMITTEE

BILL 132, FAIR HYDRO ACT Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault (Sudbury) introduced this bill that will ultimately reduce hydro- electric rates by a total of 25 per cent. The bill was referred to the Standing Committee for Justice Policy.

BILLS PASSED

BILL 96, ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACT The Minister of Status of Women, Indira Naidoo—Harris’ (Halton) bill seeks to address the growing concern of human sex trafficking, primarily of younger women. Naidoo-Harris’ bill passed with all-party support.

BILL 124, RENTAL FAIRNESS ACT Housing Minister Chris Ballard’s (Newmarket—Aurora) bill passed with all-party consent. Ballard’s bill would expand rent control to include buildings built after 1991 and would impose limitations on above-guideline rent increases.

BILL 127, STRONGER, HEALTHIER ONTARIO ACT (BUDGET MEASURES) The Liberals’ 2017 Budget passed by a vote of 53–44 with both the PCs and NDP voting against it. The Budget includes a plan to grant those 24 years of age and under free prescription medicine. As well, the Liberals announced that the Budget was balanced. BILLS DEFEATED

BILL 129, REGULATED HEALTH PROFESSIONS AMENDMENT ACT (FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE IN HEALTH CARE) PC MPP ’s (Elgin—Middlesex—London) bill would have allowed doctors to refuse to participate in medically assisted dying if it violated their conscience or religious beliefs, without facing any discipline from their regulatory college. The Liberals and NDP refused to support Yurek’s bill.

EDUCATION NEWS

The Minister of Education (Scarborough—Guildwood) announced $50 million in funding for improved student access to high-speed Internet. Hunter said that this first wave of the province’s “Broadband Access for All Students” initiative will provide high-speed Internet to 182 schools. The second wave will begin in 2017–18 and will include more than 1,000 schools across Ontario.

IN OTHER NEWS

AUTISM FUNDING The Minister of Children and Youth Services Micheal Coteau (Don Valley East) announced that parents of autistic children can now apply for direct funding to hire private therapy services for their children. Parents will still have the option to continue with direct government supported therapy services.

NDP MPP JAGMEET SINGH TO SEEK FEDERAL LEADERSHIP NDP MPP Jagmeet Singh (Bramalea—Gore—Malton) ended months of speculation by officially launching his federal NDP leadership campaign in Brampton on Monday, May 15. Singh said he wants to build an inclusive Canada “where everyone can realize their dreams.” Singh also indicated that he will remain an MPP while he contests the Federal leadership. In response, NDP leader (Hamilton—Centre) said Singh will relinquish his role as deputy leader of the Ontario NDP. He will also be removed from his critic roles. In the interim, NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong (London—Fanshawe) will take over as the Anti-Racism Directorate critic, MPP (Niagara Falls) will take over as the Government and Consumer Affairs critic, and MPP (Timmins—James Bay) will take over the Attorney General critic role.

THE LEGISLATURE WILL BE ADJOURNED THE WEEK OF MAY 22–26, 2017. IT WILL RESUME ON MAY 29, 2017.

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