MACLEOD QUESTIONS PREMIER OVER WORKING FAMILIES COALITION PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 21 March 2011 16:13

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: My question is for the Premier. When Patrick Dillon isn't moonlighting as the spokesman for Premier McGuinty's surrogate attack team, the Working Families Coalition, he is your hand picked appointee to the College of Trades Appointments Council.

But it looks like his ability to do his partisan attack jobs is interfering with his day job. Last week, Dillon attacked millions of Ontario workers and families when he called non-unionized workers lazy and sloppy. Do you share his opinion of hard-working Ontario families?

Will you make Patrick Dillon apologize for his offensive comments, or will you look the other way so he can continue to run your illegal ad campaign?

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I remind the member about imputing motive, and I ask her to withdraw that last comment, please.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Will you let him continue to front-

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): No, you need to withdraw the comment, please.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I withdraw.

Hon. Dalton McGuinty: To the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Hon. John Milloy: I appreciate the opportunity to talk about the important role that the College of Trades plays in our province. As the member is well aware, there have been many debates and discussions in this House particularly around the apprenticeship system and the need for change and reform. As a government, we came forward with the idea of establishing a regulatory college, a college of trades, which would ...

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(Mr. Milloy)

-discussions in this House, particularly around the apprenticeship system and the need for change and reform.

As a government, we came forward with the idea of establishing a regulatory college, a college of trades, which would bring together individuals and representatives from all sectors of the economy to talk about the skilled trades and the apprenticeship system and move forward.

Pat Dillon was appointed to the Ontario College of Trades. As the business manager and secretary treasurer of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario, I'm pleased to say that he helps represent 150,000 apprentices and tradespeople and represents 13 affiliated unions. He is one voice on the board which brings a very-

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. Supplementary?

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: The Premier may want to wash his hands of this, but I can say one thing to him-not this time, Dalton. Patrick Dillon and his working-

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I'd ask the honourable member to withdraw that last comment, please.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: Withdrawn.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Withdraw.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: I said "withdraw."

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you.

Ms. Lisa MacLeod: The College of Trades appointments isn't the only place for Pat Dillon. He and his Working Families Coalition teamed up with backroom McGuinty Liberals to spend millions on ads attacking Ontario Progressive Conservatives. One of the lucrative appointments that you handed over to the head of the Liberal front group, the Working Families Coalition, is a seat on the WSIB. There, the union boss makes $275 a day, supposedly looking out for the well-being of workers. Will you show you do not share Patrick Dillon's views of non-unionized workers in this province by firing him, or will you just look the other way?

Hon. John Milloy: It's kind of interesting that the member mentions Patrick Dillon and the WSIB. She should be very familiar with the fact that, in 1996, the Conservative government appointed Pat Dillon to the WSIB. She might also be aware that, in 1993, the NDP government appointed him to the Ontario Construction Secretariat. He was recently appointed to Correctional Service Canada advisory board by Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

But let me tell you about some of the-

Interjections.

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): I say to a number of government ministers that one of your colleagues is up trying to answer a question, and there are a number of ministers who are shouting the honourable member down. As I remind all members all the time within this House, we need to hear the other side. You should be listening to your colleague. Minister?

Hon. John Milloy: Let me share with you some of the other names of people on the College of Trades Appointment Council or transition board: Rod Cameron, chair. Prior to retiring, Rod Cameron was dean of technology of Fanshawe College in London for five years. Sue Allen is a professional tractor trailer operator, a certified fleet trainer and examiner and a transportation specialist for film and television productions. Ms. Allen and-

The Speaker (Hon. Steve Peters): Thank you. New question. The member from Trinity-Spadina.