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

* Two health care bills received support in separate votes Tuesday.

Bill 2, the Health Homes Renovation Tax Credit Act, passed third reading and is now awaiting Royal Assent. That bill enacts a $1,500 tax credit for seniors who make improvements to their homes to help them stay there as they age. It can support anything from stair lifts installation to a ramp or safety bar.

Bill 50, Ambulance Amendment Act (Air Ambluances), passed second reading and now heads to the standing committee on regulations and private bills. That bill seeks to introduce reforms in light of the ORNGE air ambulance scandal and allows the government to bring in a supervisor, as it can with hospitals. Many of its changes are based on Auditor General Jim McCarter’s recommendations.

* Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner said Tuesday that the government is not doing enough to protect water resources in the face of drought.

"Despite Ontario's reputation for being water-rich, we are not immune to the threat of drought," Commissioner Gord Miller said.

"This summer, several parts of Ontario saw exceptionally dry conditions, creating challenges for farmers, businesses and communities and placing stress on the natural environment. The government can't control the weather but it does have a duty to ensure that water-takings are being managed carefully and not making dry conditions worse."

The Ontario Low Water Response Plan is a provincial strategy for responding to significantly low water levels, and Miller said there is no rule to require large-scale permit holders to reduce water use at times of scarcity. Additionally, there are simply too many barriers to preventing an effective and efficient response.

"When a drought hits a region, time is of the essence," he said. "I am extremely concerned that the province will not respond swiftly and appropriately when the next severe drought hits Ontario.”

* Transportation Minister Bob Chiarelli said Tuesday that Ontario is calling on the federal government to help develop and implement a National Transit Plan that focuses on "core economic infrastructure" such as roads and bridges, public transit, border crossings and water/waste-water systems.

"Major infrastructure projects could soon be at risk without federal leadership on economic infrastructure," Chiarelli said. "Canada is one of the only developed countries in the world that places nearly all infrastructure responsibilities on provinces and municipalities."

* A group of 19 teachers and administrators from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board held a professional development day last week in Niagara Falls. Board officials said the two-day event cost $5,500 including overnight accommodation and food.

* Alberta Premier Alison Redford is facing criticism after it was disclosed that the bill for her delegation to the London Olympics came in at more than $500,000 – about six times the original estimate of $84,000. Included in the tab was $114,000 for hotel rooms that were paid for but not used.

* Former Belleville Mayor George Zegouras died Sunday after a brief battle with brain cancer. Zehouras, who was 74, served as mayor from 1980 until 1991 and then again from 2000 until 2003.

* London Councillor Dale Henderson raised a few eyebrows this week during a debate on smoking in public places and a subsequent interview with The Free Press. Among his statements, Henderson questioned the link between smoking and cancer, said that “if you’re healthy, and you have a cigarette, it won’t hurt you,” and added that “food is killing more people in London today than the smokes will ever do.”

* Niagara Falls Councillor Selina Volpatti is calling on Niagara Region to appoint an integrity commissioner to stop what she says is “bullying” at regional council.

Quote of the Day

"The turtle vote is not a big concern for the Liberals."

- New Democratic MPP Peter Tabuns on why the government has not prioritized environmental protection, such as wildlife monitoring.

Tweet of the Day

@Metrolinx When you say “vision” do you mean “it’d be nice” or “we are actively planning to introduce all day service on ___ date?” #onpoli

- Tweet from concerned transit rider Kevin Richardson (@KORichardson) in response to government transit agency Metrolinx tweeting:

@MikeJoseph1992 No immediate plans for increased service; infrastructure is required. @Metrolinx vision is for two-way, all-day GO service (to Barrie).

Seen, heard happening . . .

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