1. Bill 242 debated at Third Reading

MPPs debated Bill 242 during its final stage this week.  All the time allocated for the debate was not quite used up, so the bill will come back for further discussion early next week.  Once the debate is finished, there will be a final vote before it receives Royal Assent.  Unless something unanticipated occurs, the bill should be passed next week.

2. PC MPP raises Concern about Parent Options for Early Learning Program

On April 19, PC MPP Lisa MacLeod, the mother of a kindergarten-aged daughter, read a section from the Pascal report that talked about parents “having the option of a half, full (school hours), or fee-based extended day of programming” when enrolling their children in his proposed Early Learning Program.  She then referred to a memorandum from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board which indicated that if a parent’s preference was for a half-day program they would be required to transfer their child to a school that wasn’t offering the full-day Early Learning Program. “What kind of choice is that for parents?” she asked.

Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky replied:

“The choice is still there. Parents continue to have the right to choose if they want to have their children enrolled in a kindergarten program in the province of Ontario. In fact, the law in Ontario is that, until a child is six years of age, they are not required to be enrolled in any school. With the announcement of our early learning program, the same rules apply. If parents wish to have their children enrolled in the program, that would be their choice.”

3. PC MPPs question Consultation on Sex Education Curriculum

On April 21, PC Education Critic Elizabeth Witmer accused the government of failing to consult parents regarding changes to the sex education curriculum for elementary students.  (The revised curriculum was posted on the Ministry of Education website in January.) Education Minister Leona Dombrowsky replied:

“It's very important that I'm able to state in this Legislature for the people of Ontario that in fact we have been consulting extensively since September 2007 in our process to review the curriculum. We have consulted with dozens of groups, including parent groups, faculties of education, universities and colleges. We have consulted with the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, with the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition-made up of parents, I might add-and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

“I would say that the draft curriculum was revised in both English and in French. Educators, parents and all stakeholders from across the province had the opportunity to provide feedback on the-“

On April 22, PC MPP Christine Elliott continued the attack and asked Acting Premier Sandra Pupatello why the government didn’t have an announcement about the revised curriculum like it does for other initiatives.  Minister Pupatello replied:

“First of all, we need to correct the record. What is absolutely critical is that parents have been consulted during a two-year process-70 organizations. We have prided ourselves on including parents in every step of the massive changes we've made for the better in education.”

In answer to a previous question, the minister stated:

“I think we do understand what the Conservatives mean to do, and I think they are back to the politics of division. What we are doing with this government is working with the experts, engaging the right groups, including parents and experts in education, to develop a curriculum that represents Ontario today. There isn't a parent out there who doesn't want their child educated with the latest and most up-to-date and appropriate, including age-appropriate, education. If parents go to our website, they will see exactly the kind of dialogue that teachers would have with those students at the right age, with the right terminology-nothing that this crowd could be afraid of. All I can say is that in the 12 years since the last update, our world has changed…”

While Minister Pupatello was in the Legislature defending the revised curriculum, Premier McGuinty was advising the media that his government would shelve the new curriculum pending broader consultation.

4. Government holds its Ground in Dispute with Pharmacies

In contrast to its quick about-face on the sex education curriculum, the government is holding firm in its plan to cut generic drug costs.  The PC caucus is taking up the cause of the pharmacies.  On April 21, PC Leader Tim Hudak asked:  “Can Premier McGuinty guarantee that no pharmacies will close as a result of his proposed cuts to services at neighbourhood pharmacies across our province?” Premier McGuinty replied:

“No, I can't offer that kind of a guarantee, and I think my honourable colleague understands that. But what we can guarantee is that we will reduce the price of drugs for the people of Ontario. That's a benefit not just to taxpayers who pay for drugs through the public plan, but for private plans as well, and for people who have families who are paying out of pocket.

“What I can guarantee as well is that all the savings that we generate through lower-cost drugs we will reinvest into covering more drugs. We have covered 177 more so far. We'll use savings to cover still more drugs. We'll reinvest other parts into other parts of the health care system. It's about ensuring that every precious health care dollar goes as far as we can possibly make it go.”

In his supplementary question, Mr. Hudak positioned his party as standing with Ontario families and Ontario seniors regarding their concerns about pharmacies closing or increasing costs.  The Premier retorted:

“I want to say that we're heartened to have the support of Ontario's nurses when it comes to this initiative, heartened to have the support of the people at the Heart and Stroke Foundation and at the cancer foundation, where we're happy to have that support as well. The Canadian Association of Retired Persons: We're very pleased to have their support as well.”

Health Minister Deb Matthews has taken to cyberspace to communicate the government’s response to the pharmacists’ campaign.  To see the governments YouTube videos on the issue, click here: http://www.youtube.com/user/ontariomohltc#p/a/u/2/8p84yFEChVw

For more information, check the website of the Ontario Legislature:  www.ontla.on.ca