Headlines
Moms and dads are mostly pleased by the Ontario government's plan to introduce 100,000 new licensed child-care spaces over the next five years, beginning next year. But <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/ontario-parents-welcome-new-focus-on-daycare.html">the Toronto Star reports some parent-advocates are wary</a> about the plan's rollout as they have yet to see a detailed framework. The Liberals offered little beyond what they said Monday, that the government will spend $1 to $3 billion for capital costs and $600 to $750 million for operating costs.
But not all Grits, apparently, are pleased with some of the content of The Big Speech, as <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/wynne-announces-8-per-cent-hst-cut-from-hydro-bills-in-throne-speech.html">the Toronto Star notes</a>.
Could it be a Ford political redux? One of the patriarchs of Toronto's erstwhile Royal Family is expected to make a big announcement this morning. One Ontario Tory insider <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/12/speculation-swirls-over-planned-doug-ford-announcement">tells the Toronto Sun</a> Doug Ford's mystery gathering is actually a federal Conservative leadership campaign launch. DoFo <a href="http://www.qpbriefing.com/2016/09/12/raymond-cho-sworn-in-as-the-newest-progressive-conservative-mpp/" target="_blank">was at Queen's Park yesterday</a> to watch rookie PC MPP Raymond Cho be sworn in (ahem, and whose Toronto city council seat now happens to be vacant), with much patting-on-the-back.
The ongoing Cambie Centre lawsuit in British Columbia that could have implications for health care in Ontario continues this week, with Crown counsel arguing that the case threatens to undermine the very bedrock of our public-health system, <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/09/12/lawsuit-challenging-bc-medicare-threatens-to-destroy-system-crown-says.html">says</a> The Canadian Press.
The Canada Revenue Agency is reviewing the actions taken by some British Columbia real estate speculators swirling with reports of tax evasion and fraud, <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/cra-launches-review-of-bc-real-estate-speculators/article31847258/">according to the Globe and Mail</a>. Ontario may not be far behind — the agency said it has stepped up audits and investigations here, too, and says "several" files in both provinces are under review to determine whether a criminal investigation is necessary.
Niagara isn't happy with Uber. After first moving into the town illegally last year, the car-hailing service and Niagara police came to an agreement that included that Uber pay a flat fee for licences and a per-trip charge. The police services board says it has yet to receive any money, <a href="http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/2016/09/12/police-board-irked-by-uber">according to the Niagara Falls Review</a>.
A hot-sauce maker in North Bay is turning the heat up on Premier Kathleen Wynne by plastering her "snarling" caricature on hydro-themed labels. <a href="http://www.nugget.ca/2016/09/13/hydro-themed-hot-sauce-labels-poke-fun-at-the-premier">As the Nugget reports</a>, some hot-sauce bottles are labelled with a many-headed Wynne under the caption "Hydra Wynne." Another features her in the garb of the Grim Reaper, with the phrase "Wynnter is Coming."
City councillors and stakeholders in Sault Ste. Marie <a href="http://www.saultstar.com/2016/09/12/council-unanimously-supports-passenger-train">have forwarded a resolution</a> to the premier and prime minister that they hope will get the Algoma Passenger Rail Service back on track.
CUPE Ontario <a href="http://www.thespec.com/opinion-story/6853499-underfunding-brings-isolation-for-people-with-developmental-disabilities/">points out the flaws</a> (and underfunding) that it says still remains among the services the province provides for people with developmental disabilities, and the impact.
And Ontario's newly minted Minister of Digital Government tweets a lil' provincial praise.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/SlackHQ">@SlackHQ</a> says opening TO office because of Ontario’s educated people. Our investments in our people are paying off! <a href="https://t.co/hMijeXYcfx">https://t.co/hMijeXYcfx</a>
— Deb Matthews (@Deb_Matthews) <a href="https://twitter.com/Deb_Matthews/status/775452750658277381">September 12, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
In the opinion pages:
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li3"><a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/david-reevely-ontario-voters-get-electricity-bill-relief-as-kathleen-wynne-looks-for-self-preservation" target="_blank">David Reevely thinks</a> the hydro sales-tax rebate is an attempt to appease the voter-gods.</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="http://www.intelligencer.ca/2016/09/12/mud-slinging-possible-at-the-plowing-match" target="_blank">Jim Merriman predicts</a> a dust-up at the upcoming International Plowing Match.</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/wynnes-way-rob-the-poor-help-the-rich/article31835620/?utm_source=twitter.com&amp;utm_medium=Referrer:+Social+Network+/+Media&amp;utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links" target="_blank">Margaret Wente dubs</a> the premier a reverse-Robin Hood.</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="http://www.torontosun.com/2016/09/12/liberals-throne-speech-not-the-reset-ontario-needs">Christina Blizzard isn't</a> convinced by so-called provincial white knights.</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/m/wp/full-comment/blog.html?b=news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/matt-gurney-ontario-liberals-try-to-fix-the-problems-they-themselves-created-with-more-decidedly-liberal-solutions" target="_blank">Matt Gurney reminds </a>readers the Liberals spend a lot of time fixing Liberal solutions.</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2016/09/12/ontario-liberals-profiting-from-the-politics-of-hydro-tax-cuts-cohn.html">Martin Regg Cohn says</a> "everyone loves a tax cut. Even a pretend one."</li>
<li class="li3"><a href="http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2016/09/12/concept-of-animal-rights-exploding-area-of-law">Kelly Egan thinks</a> Ontario policy and lawmakers should turn an eye to animal welfare.</li>
</ul>
Events
9 a.m.
Premier Kathleen Wynne to lead off government debate on the Speech from the Throne. Queen's Park.
10 a.m.
Glenn Thibeault, Minister of Energy, will make an announcement on reducing electricity costs for families and businesses in rural and northern Ontario. Greater Sudbury Utilities, 500 Regent St., Sudbury.
12 p.m.
David Orazietti, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services will officially open the new Regional Intermittent Centre at the Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre. A media tour of the facility will also take place. Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre, 711 Exeter Rd., London.
12 p.m.
Premier Wynne to attend a caucus meeting. Queen's Park.
To contact the reporter on this story: snanji@qpbriefing.com.

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