. . . at Queen's Park, across Ontario and elsewhere.

* New Democratic leader Andrea Horwath called on Auditor General Jim McCarter on Monday to broaden his current investigation of the former Mississauga gas plant to include the former Oakville gas plant, relocated in late September to Napanee.

"If the people of Ontario are paying for these private power deals, they deserve to know what's in them," Horwath said. "I'm hoping that with the help of the Auditor General we can get answers for the people who are paying the bills."

The announcement today is nearly identical to a motion New Democratic MPP France Gélinas put before the public accounts committee on Sept. 5, asking McCarter to investigate both plants. At that time, a compromise was reached with the Liberals to limit the A-G to investigating only the Mississauga plant.

* The horse-racing industry transition panel has asked for an extension on its Sept. 30 deadline. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ted McMeekin now expects their final report, complete with recommendations to help the industry survive, by mid-October.

* Second-reading debate over Bill 50 closed quietly in the House on Monday evening. The bill to reform Ontario's air ambulance services will go to second-reading vote after Question Period Tuesday because there weren't enough opposition MPPs left in the Chamber to continue debate after the NDP and Tory caucuses teamed up to close debate Monday on a motion to hold Minister of Energy Chris Bentley in contempt.

* The managing director of Metrolinx’s Presto smart-card system has resigned. Steve Zucker, who was also the agency’s executive vice-president, has left the organization but there are few details as to why he resigned.

The Presto payment system had a rocky unveiling for OC Transpo. Despite use in some Toronto suburbs, substantial technical problems pushed back the Ottawa rollout from this past July to February next year.

* BMO Financial Group has invited key business and community leaders from across the Greater Toronto Area to meet Thursday to discuss the province’s economic challenges and commit to a local action plan.

The Regional Economic Leadership Series is the first of its kind in Ontario, an initiative of the Ontario Economic Summit that has toured eight different communities across the province.

* The Anishinabek Nation Northern Superior Chiefs are claiming that wind farm developer BluEarth Renewables Inc. consulted with neighbouring Batchewana First Nations to erect wind turbines on land that they, and not the Batchewana, actually own.

"There was no consultation with the developer BluEarth Renewables,"Michipicoten First Nation Chief Joe Buckell said. "It seems that Batchewana First Nation has made a deal with BluEarth Renewables and Batchewana claims that they consider it their area which is a least 50 kilometres from their reserve.”

While the Anishinabek Nation stated that some of their other communities have had “meaningful consultation” with wind farm companies to build other projects, that did not happen in this case.

They are calling on the Federal government to intervene.

* Tory Vic Fedeli wants the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission declared an essential service after the final Northlander train pulled into Toronto Friday.

* PC member for Nepean-Carleton Lisa MacLeod traded blows with Ottawa Mayor and former Liberal MPP Jim Watson over the weekend. In cyberspace, that is.

The two exchanged barbs via Twitter over Ottawa Council's planned vote Tuesday evening to consider expanding gaming in the city.

MacLeod, who has previously her voiced her concerns about problem gambling, tweeted that the city had “done precious little study on the effects of your decision on the rural economy, mental health and addictions and horse racing."

Watson responded: “maybe I missed the referendum your party held to force the amalgamation of Ottawa? We are elected to lead and decide not dither.”

* Researchers at the University of Guelph are trying to build a better mac and cheese – at least one that is more nutritious. The key is to find a blend of Canadian western hard white flour and a low-sodium cheese sauce that doesn’t ruin the taste of one of Canada’s favourite comfort foods.

Quotes of the Day

“If anybody’s filibustering, it’s the government at this point”

- NDP house leader Gilles Bisson on the continued debate over the contempt motion against Minister of Energy Chris Bentley, which has stalled all other legislative business

Tweet of the Day

@TomCParkin: What improvements (from his perspective) is Hudak seeking to the pending wage freeze bill? This is real-life minority; be specific.

We're not sure McGuinty's wage freeze bill is legal. But there's no doubt Hudak's wage freeze idea wud be struck down by courts.

- two tweets from self-described trade unionist Tom Parkin on Tory leader Tim Hudak’s rejection of the government’s proposed Protecting Public Services Act.

Seen, heard, happening . . .

Read this for free.