Cannabis was top of mind in the House today. And justly so, given that Canada marked its move to cannabis legalization the same day.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath started off by pointing fingers at the Progressive Conservative caucus, saying Ontario was the only province that wasn’t ready for legalization. She was referring to the fact that the government had not yet passed its Cannabis Statute Law Amendment Act, or Bill 36.
Premier Doug Ford retorted that Ontario was in fact “one of the only provinces that is ready.” He gave “kudos” to those at the Ontario Cannabis Store and said they handled more than 38,000 orders last night.
Horwath went on to argue that instead of preparing for cannabis legalization, the PC government spent the summer focused on talking about Toronto city council and the number of wards it should have.
“Why didn’t the premier make getting cannabis legalization right a priority?” she asked.
Ford replied that legalization was “dumped” on the province by the federal government, adding that Ottawa “didn’t give the police the tools they needed,” while NDP MPP Gilles Bisson yelled out “you’re responsible for the police.”
Ford later went on to praise his own party, saying “we did a great job once again” and that the legislation would pass that day.
Horwath then turned to the issue of police readiness and said they’re hearing from police that “the real confusion has been caused by a government that still doesn’t have legislation in place.”
But Ford said he’s met with several police departments and that the PC government has their support.
“People expect their government to have laws and a plan in place to keep their children safe and protect people’s rights,” said Horwath. “Why is this premier — of all premiers, speaker — still scrambling to get ready?”
After NDP MPP Taras Natyshak yelled out and asked Ford why he was smiling so much that morning, the premier chuckled and said, “Oh, boy. Because you guys are a bunch of jokers; that’s why I’m smiling.”
Horwath then turned her questioning to Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Michael Tibollo, asking what law police are enforcing at that moment in terms of cannabis use.
Tibollo replied that the province’s police “are ready to go.”
“Our top priority has been — from the beginning, not three years ago, but less than 120 days ago — to ensure that they had the tools that they needed to be able to do their jobs,” he said.
Horwath was quick to jump on his statement and reiterate a previous point she made.
“The police say that they’re ready. The minister says that they’re ready. The premier doesn’t think that they’re ready,” she said.
PC MPP Amanda Simard also asked a question about how the Ontario Cannabis Store would deal with a potential strike by Canada Post workers in terms of having cannabis orders delivered.
But Finance Minister Vic Fedeli said Ontarians need not fear and that the province would be ready if postal workers do go on strike.
“We have made our expectations clear to the Ontario Cannabis Store,” he said. “They must be ready to continue delivery service in the event of a work stoppage at Canada Post.”
Cap-and-trade revenue talks
NDP MPP Sandy Shaw asked the government about the report issued by the Financial Accountability Officer yesterday which stated that cancelling the province’s cap-and-trade program would cause a $3-billion budget hole.
Shaw asked how this would impact the $15-billion projected deficit.
“We made a promise to the people of Ontario that we would get rid of the regressive job-killing cap-and-trade program,” said Environment Minister Rod Phillips. “Clearly, that was going to reduce revenues to the government. We think that’s a good thing because it puts money back into taxpayers’ pockets, $264 a year for every family.”
Education round-up
NDP MPP Marit Stiles and Liberal MPP Kathleen Wynne asked Education Minister Lisa Thompson about the status of two education-related initiatives in the House: the Parents Reaching Out Grants and the Education Partnership Table.
Thompson said the government was “hitting the pause button” on the Parents Reaching Out Grants. For more on this, click <a href="”https://www.qpbriefing.com/2018/10/17/education-consultation-continues-with-teleconference-town-hall-this-week/”">here</a>.
An accusation flies across the floor
PC MPP Donna Skelly created a hush in the chamber at the end of Question Period to mention an incident she said occurred at the end of debate on Tuesday.
“At the conclusion of debate, during the division bells yesterday, the member from Hamilton Centre crossed the chamber and initiated unwanted and intentional physical contact with me,” said Skelly, referring to Horwath.
Skelly said Horwath “breached my privileges as a member with her conduct.”
Horwath continued to shake her head, while other NDP MPPs joined her.
“The antics displayed by the government members yesterday in trying to block the cameras in the chamber from televising the speech from my leader on a very important health care issue facing Bramptonians were absolutely inappropriate, disrespectful and beneath the dignity of this House,” said Bisson. “This point of order has no merits.”
For more on this, click <a href="”https://www.qpbriefing.com/2018/10/17/hamilton-mpp-donna-skelly-accuses-ndp-leader-andrea-horwath-of-pushing-her-in-the-house/”">here</a>.

Your Question Period briefing: Weed and accusations

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