Ontario.

• Author: Rennie, Eric
• Position: Legislative Reports

Prorogation

The Ontario Legislature prorogued on March 16, 2018 and began its Third Session of the 41st Parliament on March 19, 2018. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the new session.

Budget

On March 28, 2018, Finance Minister Charles Sousa presented Ontario's 2018 Budget. The Minister's Budget speech highlighted proposed investments in health care, child care, home care and mental health.

Membership Changes

A vacancy occurred in the membership of the House following the resignation of MPP Eric Hoskins, effective February 26, 2018. Mr. Hoskins was the MPP for the electoral district of St. Paul's and served as the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

MPP Victor Fedeli was recognized as Leader of the Official Opposition following MPP Patrick Brown's resignation of the position on January 25, 2018. Mr. Brown has been sitting as an Independent Member since February 16, 2018.

Condolences

The House expressed its condolences on the passing of former Members Norman Jamison, Member for the electoral district of Norfolk from September 6, 1990 to June 7, 1995 and Gerry Martiniuk, Member for the electoral district of Cambridge from June 8, 1995 to September 7, 2011.

Reports by Parliamentary Officers

The House received a number of reports from its Parliamentary Officers:

The Environmental Commissioner of Ontario, Dianne Saxe, tabled the 2017 Greenhouse Gas Progress Report titled Ontario's Climate Act: From Plan to Progress.

The Integrity Commissioner, J. David Wake, tabled a report concerning the review of expense claims under the Cabinet Ministers' and Opposition Leaders' Expenses Review and Accountability Act, 2002, for submissions received in October, November and December 2017 and complete as of February 23, 2018.

The temporary Financial Accountability Officer, a position also occupied by Mr. Wake, tabled two reports, Hydro One: Updated Financial Analysis of the Partial Sale of Hydro One and Ontario Health Sector--An Updated Assessment of Ontario Health Spending. He also tabled a backgrounder titled Ontario Service Fees in 2017-18.

The Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, Irwin Elman, tabled his 2017 Annual Report.

Royal Visit

On March 14, 2018, Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians paid a visit to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Their visit included an official meeting with the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and a courtesy call and personal tour of the...