Premier Doug Ford's government has yet to share how it'll spend the last few days before breaking for the municipal elections.

Since the house was recalled three weeks ago, the Progressive Conservative government has spent most of their time focusing on three pieces of legislation: Bills 2, 3 and 7.

Bill 2, the Plan to Build Act, would enact changes the government announced in its budget. Once it passes, recipients of the Low-income Individuals and Families Tax credit will be able to deduct $25 more per year from what they owe the government.

Bill 3, the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, would give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa so-called "strong-mayor" powers like the ability to veto council decisions that clash with provincial priorities — although this could be overridden by two-thirds of councillors.

Bill 7, the More Beds, Better Care Act, would make law changes to make it easier and faster to move patients no longer needing hospital care into long-term care homes, whether or not they want to.

Bill 3 is before committee. Bills 2 and 7 aren't far behind. On Thursday, the government tabled a motion to skip both those bills' committee studies and shorten the leftover debate time, much to the displeasure of opposition parties.

Upcoming bills (Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2022)

Usually on Thursdays the Government House Leader Paul Calandra follows standing order 59 and shares with the legislature the government's plans for the next week. He didn't this Thursday.

The government is still deciding what to schedule during the sitting days — Monday to Thursday — next week, a member of Calandra's staff told QP Briefing.

It's the PCs' plan to sit one or two more weeks before breaking until after the municipal elections are held on Oct. 24, which government sources have told QP Briefing and Queen's Park Observer has reported.

There will be a vote on Monday on an amendment, put forward by the NDP's Michael Mantha, to the motion to hurry up the passage of Bills 2 and 7, which would require committee studies still take place for each of the bills. Given the PCs' majority, NDP MPPs shouldn't hold their breath that this amendment will pass.

Opposition day and private members' business coming up (Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2022)

None.

Committees (Aug. 29-Sept. 1, 2022)

There's five committee meetings already scheduled next week. All of them are by the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy. Two are on Monday and three are on Wednesday. All of the meetings are part of the committee's study of Bill 3, the strong-mayors bill.

The witnesses appearing before the committee on Monday are from a collection of developers' groups and municipal organizations.

Bills last week (Aug. 22-25, 2022)

Liberal health critic Adil Shamji introduced Bill 10, the Publication of Mandate Letters Act, this past Monday. It would require what its title implies.

Bill 7, the previously explained patients-transfer bill, was debated on Tuesday.

Four NDP MPPs introduced Bill 11, the Speaking Out About, and Reporting On, Workplace Violence and Harassment Act, on Tuesday as well. It would provide better protections for workers who face harassment while doing their job and require hospitals and long-term care homes to publish monthly reports on incidents of workplace violence and harassment.

Bill 7 was again the focus of the house on Wednesday.

The study of the strong-mayors bill began on Thursday. Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve Clark was the first witness.

Two more private member's bills were tabled on Thursday — Bills 12 and 13.

Bill 12, tabled by three NDP MPPs, would change the Insurance Act to prevent car-insurance companies from charging people living in the Greater Toronto Area different rates based on where specifically they live.

The NDP's Mantha tabled Bill 13, the Northern Health Travel Grant Advisory Committee Act. If it passes the health minister would have to put together an advisory committee to come up with recommendations for the government for how to improve health care in Northern Ontario.

Bills next week: Strong mayors, patients-transfer, and budget bills close to becoming law

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