That's a wrap
With the summer sitting wrapping up last night with three bills passing third reading this week, Premier Doug Ford took a victory lap at his daily press conference.
"During this historic sitting of the legislature we worked together to protect the public from COVID-19," said the premier, who has seen his poll numbers sharply rise following the government's response to the pandemic.
"Working with the opposition parties we were able to pass six bills in this session, with full support from all parties" he continued, noting that 18 pieces of legislation overall were passed. Those include the three bills that passed third reading this week: Bill 197, a 188-page omnibus bill, Bill 195, which extends some of the government's emergency powers for up to two years, and Bill 184, which changes some of the province's landlord and tenant rules and has angered housing advocates.
The premier also touted what he called the government's $17 billion recovery package, although a May report from Ontario's Financial Accountability Office noted that the cost is closer to $13.5 billion and that the bulk of that comes in the form of tax deferrals.
Through Opposition House Leader Gilles Bisson, the NDP questioned the premier on his characterization of the sitting. "It was painful today watching Doug Ford and [House Leader] Paul Calandra tell tall tales in their press conference," the Timmins MPP said, using unparliamentary language in a press release.
Bisson proceeded to question the government's claim that there were bipartisan efforts to make parliament work during these extraordinary times, and that MPPs from all parties stressed the need to go back to their ridings, explaining the necessity for a summer recess.
"Doug Ford is entitled to his own opinions, but not his own facts," the longtime NDP MPP added.
While the pandemic sitting saw early examples of co-operation with little to no heckling and unanimous consent given by the opposition, that spirit of unity eroded over time, and Queen's Park reverted to its usual partisan rancour.
The government's emphasis on kumbaya governance came a day after Cambridge MPP Belinda Karahalios was booted from caucus for voting against Bill 195, citing her concerns over government overreach. You can read more about that <a href="https://www.qpbriefing.com/2020/07/22/liberal-house-leader-expresses-little-hope-for-official-status-even-after-fourth-tory-departs-government-caucus/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>.
Government weighs in on AG assessment
The government was asked about Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk's assessment that passing Bill 197 yesterday was "not compliant" with the law, which was <a href="https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/07/21/news/ford-governments-proposed-environmental-assessment-changes-are-potentially-illegal" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">first reported by the National Observer</a>.
"I'm going to have to respectfully disagree," said the premier, who has often used the auditor general's analysis to support changes his government has made.
The concern is that according to the Environmental Bill of Rights the Ontario government is required to post environmental changes for consultation for at least 30 days. With Bill 197, which contains significant changes to environmental assessments in Ontario, they did not do so.
It is not the first time that the government has stepped into this problem. When the government tried to pass Bill 4 in 2018, the Cap and Trade Cancellation Act, Greenpeace sued in order to enforce the provisions under the Environmental Bill of Rights.
Calandra brushed the issue aside in the press conference with the premier. "Passage of 197 allows for continued consultation with respect to the changes that are implicit in the Environmental Assessment Act," he said by way of response. He added that the changes to the act would "end duplication," while environmental critics have warned that it will give the government too much discretion and citizens too few avenues to have their input heard.
The teacher is in
Picture this: a small class gathered on a grassy hilltop, with Premier Douglas B. Ford instructing the young pupils, apple by his side.
The premier endorsed the idea of outdoor classes in September while the weather is nice in order to provide a healthy and safe transition when students head back to school.
Relating a recent conversation he had with an unnamed teacher, the premier offered an off-the-cuff idea. "I remember the big highlight when I was going to school," he began in his folksy way. "The teacher would say 'okay guys, we're going to have a class outside underneath the tree.'"
The premier checked in if that would be a viable measure to help during the coronavirus, and the teacher he spoke with responded affirmatively.
"At least in September, weather permitting — not raining, not cold — the kids could go outside as much as possible," adding that the teacher he spoke with is pushing for just that at their board. "We just have to adapt and try to get through this," the premier added.
He also reiterated his stance on what he would like to see for school in the fall, saying that five-days-a-week is the preference and he wants to see it happen. "Elementary — we have to make sure the kids are back in school five days a week," he stressed, adding that high school students are better able to look after themselves at home if parents need to work.
"They want certainty," the premier said. "Families want certainty."

In Brief: The premier takes a victory lap, disagrees with the AG, and weighs in on outdoor classes

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