Premier Kathleen Wynne announced Thursday that she has briefly prorogued the Ontario Legislature.
A throne speech delivered by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell, will occur Monday at noon to announce the government’s priorities between now and the June election.
All bills will be reintroduced, says a government spokesman.
It comes just days after the Progressive Conservative party elected Doug Ford as its new leader.
“By proroguing the Legislature, Kathleen Wynne and the Liberals want you to think this is a reset for their government," said Ford. "But the people of this province know better. There is no reset on 15 years of Liberal waste and political corruption."
The move doesn't sit well with Vic Fedeli either.
"A Private Members’ Bill aimed at helping northern forestry is among the casualties of today’s needless and desperate decision by Premier Wynne to prorogue the Legislature," said Interim Leader of the Official Opposition and Nipissing MPP Fedeli.
Fedeli’s Bill 169, the Ontario Forestry Revitalization Act (14-Storey Wood Buildings), was slated for Second Reading debate on March 29, but Fedeli says it now will die on the Order Paper.
"The Act would have amended the Ontario Building Code to allow for wood frame construction to be used in mid-rise buildings up to 14 stories, instead of the current six stories."
In May 2017, Fedeli introduced a bill seeking an increase from six to 12 stories, which would accommodate a building being planned by George Brown College in Toronto. However, Fedeli introduced Bill 169 in October after the University of Toronto unveiled plans for a 14-storey wood frame building.
“By increasing the use of wood harvested in residential construction, we help Northern Ontario by providing jobs, and we help southern Ontario meet targets to reduce urban sprawl and reduce construction costs,” said Fedeli.
“But instead, once again, we see Premier Wynne acting in her own self-interest, not the interests of Northerners or Ontario families on the whole.”
The spring budget will be unveiled March 28.
