Legislative Assembly of Ontario

The committee met at 1600 in committee room 2.

Committee business

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): I’d like to call the meeting to order and I’d like to welcome members of the committee.

I had a request this morning from Mr. Yurek to call a meeting, followed by Mr. Colle. Mr. Colle has indicated that he has a motion to put forward.

Mr. Mike Colle: Yes, can I read a motion into the record in regard to the work of this committee? Do you want a copy?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d love one.

The Clerk of the Committee (Ms. Sylwia Przezdziecki): A copy?

Mr. Mike Colle: Yes, please.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. Thank you very much. Mr. Colle has asked to put forward a motion, so I would ask Mr. Colle to read that motion into the record, and then perhaps after we could take a short recess as the Clerk provides copies to all members.

Mr. Mike Colle: Sure.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): So, Mr. Colle, the floor is yours.

Mr. Mike Colle: I move that the Clerk, in consultation with the committee Chair, be authorized to arrange the following with regard to Bill 30, the Highway Incident Management Act, 2014:

—The committee shall meet on Wednesday, June 3, 2015, for the purpose of public hearings;

—Notice of public hearings on the Ontario parliamentary channel, the Legislative Assembly’s website, and Canada NewsWire; and

—That the deadline for requests to appear be 12 noon on Monday, June 1, 2015;

—That, following the deadline, the Clerk of the Committee provide the members of the subcommittee with a list of requests to appear;

—That the members of the subcommittee prioritize and return the list by 4 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015;

—That the Clerk of the Committee schedule witnesses from these prioritized lists;

—Each witness will receive up to five minutes for their presentation, followed by nine minutes for questions from committee members;

—The deadline for written submissions is 6 p.m. on the final day of public hearings; and

—That the research officer provide a summary of the presentations by 5 p.m. on Friday of the same week following public hearings; and

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): We’ll take a short recess as the Clerk provides members with copies of the motion. In the future, if I could ask anyone putting forward motions at this committee to provide enough copies for all members—

Mr. Mike Colle: Sorry. I should have done that. I am remiss in not knowing that, Mr. Chairman.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): It’s not a problem.

The committee recessed from 1603 to 1608.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Back to order. Mr. Colle has moved the motion. Is there any discussion on the motion? Mr. Yurek?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Can I have a 20-minute recess while we discuss this, please?

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): I haven’t called for a vote, so is it the consensus of the committee that we would have a 20-minute recess?

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: No games.

Mr. Mike Colle: Sure. Have a look at it. Find out what your member’s bill is about.

Interjections.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): There’s further discussion. There has been a request for a 20-minute recess.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: I’d rather move forward.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Ms. Gretzky is saying she would prefer to move forward.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Well, we’re going to have one, one way or the other. It’s just whether we have it now or we have it before we vote.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): So are you forfeiting your—if I call for the vote, you will be entitled to request another 20-minute recess after.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Well, we’ll have the discussion first, then we’ll have a 20-minute recess.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): That would be appropriate. Is there any further discussion? Mr. Yurek.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I thought we would be going to a recess. I think the NDP might have something to say to this, I’m sure, for wanting to go forward. I think it’s great that this committee got together to move on in its work. I thought that for the past month we weren’t doing the job that we should have been doing, and I’m glad that you’ve picked Bill 30, Highway Incident Management Act, to bring forward to this committee. I think it’s very timely and needed, and I look forward to having the public meetings. Thank you very much to the government members for bringing this forward. I know you had great discussions.

Maybe Lisa would like to add a few things.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Ms. Thompson.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: Thank you very much. I just want to thank the government for understanding, because this is a colleague’s bill, Bill 30. It’s called An Act to require the establishment of an advisory committee to make recommendations to the Minister of Transportation and the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services for the improvement of highway incident management. She’s a very hard-working colleague, and I look forward to reviewing this further in committee.

We just want to make sure that everything is in the best-prepared state, if you will. I think it’s good that we take the time to talk about this, to make sure that we put our best foot forward, out of respect for our colleague from Thornhill.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Mr. Colle.

Mr. Mike Colle: As you know, this bill came about as many members over the last while have expressed their concern that once there is an accident, especially on some of the major highways, the whole highway could be closed for up to six, eight, 10, 12 hours. Therefore, everybody is sort of wondering, what is the procedure? Is there a protocol that the OPP deal with, one that the local EMS deal with, the fire service? There has been a great deal of frustration by the motoring public at times, when they’re just wondering why the highway had to be closed for so long—when it wasn’t a major accident, yet there was this incredible delay. The trucking association is another one that has raised this over the last while.

Anyway, I’m not talking on behalf of the MPP who presented this private bill. But I know it’s like an old burr in the saddle, you might say: this type of incident management that occurs, I’m sure, in all our ridings—especially on the major ones where a delay could cause incredible hardship for everybody trying to get home or trying to get to work or trying to deliver goods and services. So I think that it’s a good discussion for us to have.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Further discussion? Mr. Yurek.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d just like to move an amendment, please.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Mr. Yurek is proposing an amendment—if you would be so kind as to read the amendment in.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Chair, I move that in subpoint 3 that “12 noon” be struck out and replaced by “1 p.m.” Therefore, it would read: “That the deadline for requests to appear be 1 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2015.”

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Further discussion on the amendment?

Mr. Mike Colle: It sounds very reasonable.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): So can I call a vote for the amendment?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I’d like a 20-minute recess before we vote on the amendment, please.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): There has been a request for a 20-minute recess before the amendment. That is in order. So there is a 20-minute recess commencing immediately.

The committee recessed from 1613 to 1633.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Back to order. Previously, there was an amendment put on the floor by Mr. Yurek to change bullet point 3 from “12 noon” to “1 p.m.” on June 1, for a request to appear before the committee. I shall call the vote on that amendment.

Those in favour of the amendment? Those opposed to the amendment? The amendment is defeated, which makes us move to the original motion.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Chair?

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Mr. Yurek.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Chair, I have one more amendment to add to this bill, if you would please give me the opportunity.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): We would thoroughly enjoy it if you could read that into the record, sir.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I move that the following amendment be added at the end of the current motion:

—That the committee shall meet following public hearings at its next scheduled meeting day for the purpose of clause-by-clause; and

—The deadline for filing amendments with the Clerk of the Committee be 12 noon, two sessional days before clause-by-clause.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you for that. Would you be so kind as to provide that to the Clerk so we can provide copies to the members of the committee?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: I would love to. I am a pharmacist and can read hieroglyphics; I hope the Clerk can too.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you.

Interjections.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Would it be the wish of the committee that we take a five-minute recess so the Clerk can prepare copies of the amendment that has been proposed?

Mr. Mike Colle: Can we just go ahead by just reading it?

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): If it’s the committee’s wish that we try to have a discussion on it so that everyone’s clear on what the amendment is—

Interjections.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): If it’s not required, then I will ask—

Mr. Mike Colle: I think we’ll take five minutes, yes, just to be safe. We don’t want a trick word in there.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): There has been a request for a five-minute recess. Then I shall grant the five-minute recess.

The committee recessed from 1635 to 1645.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. Back to order.

We have an amendment that was moved by Mr. Yurek.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Chair, I would like to rescind my amendment and add a new amendment, if that’s quite possible.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): That is possible.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Is that all right?

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Absolutely. I just want to make it clear: The amendment that Mr. Yurek had put forward prior to the recess has now been rescinded.

Mr. Yurek, you wish to put forward another amendment. The floor is yours, sir.

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Thank you, Chair. I move that the following amendment be added to the end of the current motion:

—That the committee shall meet following public hearings at its next scheduled meeting day for the purpose of clause-by-clause; and

—The deadline for filing amendments with the Clerk of the Committee be 12 noon on September 8, 2015.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. Is there any further discussion? I see that there’s no discussion, so I shall call for the vote on the amendment as put forward by Mr. Yurek.

Those in favour of the amendment? Those opposed? The motion and amendment are carried, which takes us back to the original motion, and—Mr. Colle?

Mr. Mike Colle: Point of clarification here. There’s a dangling word at the end of my last section there. It says “the same week following public hearings; and”. Replace the semi-colon with a period and take out the “and”.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): I could understand that, but if you would like to keep it it would be appropriate, now that Mr. Yurek has moved and this committee has passed that appropriate amendment. I think it would work.

Mr. Mike Colle: Oh, okay. So it does work. Okay. I withdraw my correction, then.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you kindly. So we are going to deal with the original motion, as amended. Any further discussion on the motion, as amended? There being none, I shall call for the vote.

Those in favour of the motion, as amended? Any opposed? The motion, as amended, is carried.

There being no other further business of the committee—Ms. Gretzky.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Chair, I’d like to put a motion forward.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Ms. Gretzky would like to put a motion forward. Feel free.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Do you want copies of it for everyone beforehand?

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): That would be very appropriate, yes.

Thank you very much, Madam Clerk. I would ask Ms. Gretzky to read the motion into the record.

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: Thank you, Chair. I move that the Clerk, in consultation with the committee Chair, be authorized to arrange the following:

—That the committee meet on Monday, September 14, 2015, and Wednesday, September 16, 2015, for public hearings and clause-by-clause on Bill 31, the Highway Incident Management Act, 2014; and—

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Sorry. Can we just go back? It’s “Bill 30,” I believe your paper says. You said “31.” Does it say “30” or “31”?

Mr. Jeff Yurek: Mine says “46.”

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): No, on the first paragraph. You’re still on the first paragraph.

I’m sorry to interrupt you, but I just want to make sure that we’re clear. Mine says—

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: It was supposed to be “30.” My apologies.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. So “on Bill 30”—

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky: —Highway Incident Management Act, 2014; and

—That the committee meet on the next two regularly scheduled meeting days for public hearings and clause-by-clause on Bill 46, Highway Traffic Amendment Act (Off Road Vehicles), 2014; and

—That the committee meet on the next two regularly scheduled meeting days following clause-by-clause on Bill 46 for public hearings and clause-by-clause on a bill selected by the government and provided to the Clerk of the Committee; and

—That notice of public hearings on the Ontario Parliamentary channel, the Legislative Assembly’s website, and Canada NewsWire; and

—That the deadlines for requests to appear be 12 noon on the Tuesday the week before public hearings; and

—That following the deadlines, the Clerk of the Committee provide the members of the subcommittee with a list of requests to appear; and

—That the members of the respective subcommittees prioritize and return the list by 4 p.m. on the Wednesday following the deadline; and

—That the Clerk of the Committee schedule witnesses from these prioritized lists; and

—That each witness will receive up to five minutes for their presentation, followed by nine minutes for questions from committee members; and

—That the deadline for written submissions is 6 p.m. on the final day of public hearings; and

—That the deadline for filing amendments with the Clerk of the Committee be noon one sessional day preceding the scheduled meeting for clause-by-clause.

I don’t know if this is the appropriate time, but I’d like a recorded vote on that, please.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. Thank you very much. Before that, is there any further discussion? Okay, Madam Clerk?

Interjection.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): The Clerk would like to take a few minutes just to make sure that the motion is in order, based on the time frames. So with the committee’s indulgence, five minutes?

Mr. Mike Colle: A five-minute recess.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Five minutes. We shall have a five-minute recess.

The committee recessed from 1652 to 1700.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Okay. Thank you very much, everyone, for your patience—and Mr. Colle.

In consultation with the Clerk—I just want to bring it to the committee’s attention that this motion has been put on the table by Ms. Gretzky. It’s requesting that the committee meet on September 14 and 16 for public hearings and clause-by-clause, respectively, on Bill 30. I want to advise the members of the committee that about 20 minutes ago, you passed a motion, amended, in order to have those public hearings on June 3. What that does is provide difficulties for the Clerk and the Clerks’ office to know how to actually schedule this particular request, if this passes.

Also, the fact that it’s asking for the next two regularly scheduled meetings, and the government putting forward bills—the notice of public hearings on the Ontario parliamentary channel, on the Legislative Assembly website, and on Canada NewsWire—it’s kind of ambiguous. We don’t know which one the motion is saying that we’re going to be advertising for.

So I just want to bring that to your attention before I would ask for any further debate on the motion. I could call it out of order, basically, for the ambiguity.

Mr. Mike Colle: Let’s just call the vote on it. Let’s just vote on it.

Interjections.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): I think what I’m going to have to do is call it out of order at this particular time. I apologize, but it’s too ambiguous and does not provide the direction that I think the committee needs to have. Okay? Thank you very much.

Any further discussion? Any further business?

Mr. Mike Colle: I move adjournment.

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson: I second that.

The Chair (Mr. Grant Crack): Thank you for that. This meeting is adjourned.

The committee adjourned at 1702.

CONTENTS

Wednesday 27 May 2015

Committee business G-581

STANDING COMMITTEE ON GENERAL GOVERNMENT

Chair / Président

Mr. Grant Crack (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell L)

Vice-Chair / Vice-Président

Mr. Joe Dickson (Ajax–Pickering L)

Mr. Mike Colle (Eglinton–Lawrence L)

Mr. Grant Crack (Glengarry–Prescott–Russell L)

Mr. Joe Dickson (Ajax–Pickering L)

Mrs. Lisa Gretzky (Windsor West / Windsor-Ouest ND)

Ms. Ann Hoggarth (Barrie L)

Ms. Sophie Kiwala (Kingston and the Islands / Kingston et les Îles L)

Ms. Eleanor McMahon (Burlington L)

Ms. Lisa M. Thompson (Huron–Bruce PC)

Mr. Jeff Yurek (Elgin–Middlesex–London PC)

Substitutions / Membres remplaçants

Mr. Lorenzo Berardinetti (Scarborough Southwest / Scarborough-Sud-Ouest L)

Ms. Indira Naidoo-Harris (Halton L)

Clerk / Greffière

Ms. Sylwia Przezdziecki

Staff / Personnel

Mr. Jerry Richmond, research officer,
Research Services