Provincial News

• Provincial News
• November 30, 2017

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Legislative Week in Review: November 27th - 30th 2017

In the House

This week we debated:

• Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017
• Bill 175, Safer Ontario Act, 2017
• Bill 139, Building Better Communities and Conserving Watersheds Act, 2017

 

On Wednesday, the House voted down its fifth and final Opposition Day motion. This motion, tabled by the NDP called on the government to spend billions of dollars purchasing Hydro One shares. This move would not take one cent off of anyone’s hydro bill. The NDP still has no plan to make hydro more affordable for Ontarians.

The government has enacted the Fair Hydro Plan that has taken 25% off hydro bills for all Ontarians and up to 50% for rural and low income rate payers. Both the PCs and the NDP voted against the Fair Hydro Plan last spring. 

On Thursday, the House passed second reading of Bill 177, Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2017. The Bill has been referred to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Anyone interested in speaking to the Bill should contact Clerk Eric Rennie Eric Rennie by tel. 416-325-3506 or email: comm-financeaffairs@ola.org.

In Private Members’ Business:

Motion #68 sponsored by PC MPP Randy Pettapiece to stop the transfer of long-term care beds out of Hillside Manor passed unanimously in the House. The government had already committed to not transferring any beds from Hillside Manor last week. 

Bill 74, An Act to proclaim the Trans Day of Remembrance, 2017 sponsored by NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo passed second reading unanimously in the House. The Bill would, if passed, proclaim November 20 as the Trans Day of Remembrance.

Motion #75 sponsored by NDP MPP Teresa Armstrong requesting the government to fund one third of capital repairs to social housing units also passed unanimously in the House. The government has already announced $657 million for repairs to social housing across Ontario.

In Committee

Public Hearings:

• The Standing Committee on Justice Policy on: Bill 174, Cannabis, Smoke-Free Ontario and Road Safety Statute Law Amendment Act, 2017

Clause by Clause Consideration:

• The Standing Committee on General Government on: Bill 160, Strengthening Quality and Accountability for Patients Act, 2017
• The Standing Committee on Social Policy on: Bill 166, Strengthening Protection for Ontario Consumers Act, 2017