Your morning briefing

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Headlines

In case you missed the end of the Oscars last night, read this. Quick, do it before your coworkers start asking if you saw what happened. Let's just say the night was . . . enveloped in controversy. Anyway!

Former Ontario cabinet minister and onetime mayoral candidate George Smitherman plans to run for Toronto city council in 2018, the Toronto Star reports. Since losing to Rob Ford in the 2010 Toronto mayoral race, Smitherman has popped up in some interesting places, such as in testimony that was unflattering for the Ontario Liberal government. "At heart I’m a Liberal, I support Justin Trudeau, but I’m not some patsy for the province," he told the Star.

A cyberbullying epidemic is running rampant through the ranks of Ontario's doctors, according to the Toronto Star. Most of the anger seems to stem from the unsuccessful contract negotiations with the provincial government and the attempted ousting of the Ontario Medical Association's executive leadership (who later resigned). Per the Star, here's one email sent to the former head of the OMA: "You are a c---. Crash and burn as you deserve to do!! This will be a NO vote and the end of the OMA. Sincerely, F--- YOU and the OMA!!!” Prescribe yourself a chill pill, doc.

The Ontario NDP and its Leader Andrea Horwath have been working on a plan to solve Ontario's electricity riddle, and they'll unveil it today at a press conference at Queen's Park. The title of the plan is "Pay Less, Own More," so it looks like "more privatization" is off the table as a possible way to reduce hydro rates. Maybe there will be a proposed buyback of Hydro One shares? Tellingly, Horwath asked the Premier during last Thursday's question period about private- and foreign-owned power producers in Ontario. "What neither the Conservatives or the Liberals will talk about is that people and businesses aren’t paying for the cost of power," Horwath said. "They’re paying for power plus guaranteed profits for private and foreign companies, now and for years and years to come." Hmm, kinda sounds like someone taking new talking points for a test drive. We'll know soon enough.

The Ontario Liberals can't buy a good poll right now, and a recent Forum Research survey published in the Toronto Sun suggests the Grits are headed for third-party status in the 2018 provincial election. In similarly bleak news for the Liberals, Premier Kathleen Wynne's approval rating is plumbing new lows in the poll. Oh, and the PCs are projected to be in "super-majority" territory. The hits just keep coming, but we are still 16 months away from the next election.

PC Leader Patrick Brown swung by London this weekend to check out an ice plant, take in a hockey game, and be optimistic his party will fare well in the city come next election, according to the Free Press.

Courtesy of the Huffington Post, here's federal Conservative leadership contender Kevin O'Leary trying to explain his "butt-grabbing moment." Pass the Purell, please.

New Democrat MP Charlie Angus has jumped into the federal New Democratic leadership race.

Our stories from Friday:

• Happening: Reza Moridi to be acclaimed, the first Liberal nomination for 2018
• Sam Oosterhoff deletes nomination campaign GoFundMe page, returns donations
  
• ‘Hindsight is 20-20’: Energy minister admits green energy program led to ‘sub-optimal outcomes’
• Milloy: On hydro rates, opposition leaders can learn from electoral reform failure
• Giorgio Mammoliti ‘seriously considering’ running for Ontario Tories in 2018

In the opinion pages:

• Elaine Della-Mattia sees trouble in having two Sault Ste. Marie city councillors running in an as-yet uncalled provincial byelection
• Martin Regg Cohn notes Twitter can still be the worst
• The Toronto Sun says Premier Wynne is running out of ways to subsidize electricity prices
• Lorrie Goldstein wants PC Leader Patrick Brown to let 'er rip
• The Toronto Star thinks the Ontario government should reverse its recent changes to electric car rebates

Bills

Debate resumes on the motion for Second Reading of Bill 92, An Act to amend the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act, 2014 and make related amendments to other statutes.

Committees

2:00 p.m.

The Standing Committee on General Government will meet for clause-by-clause consideration of Bill 27, An Act to reduce the regulatory burden on business, to enact various new Acts and to make other amendments and repeals. Room 2.

The Standing Committee on Social Policy will meet to consider Bill 59, An Act to enact a new Act with respect to home inspections and to amend various Acts with respect to financial services and consumer protection. Room No. 151.

Events

8:15 a.m.

Premier Wynne to deliver remarks at the 26th Annual Police Employment Conference. Sheraton Parkway Toronto North, 9005 Leslie St., Richmond Hill.

10:00 a.m.

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath announces "Pay less, Own More: The Ontario NDP’s Plan to Cut Hydro Prices." Queen’s Park.

1:00 p.m.

Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, will be joined by Michael Coteau, Minister of Children and Youth Services, and Dr. Peter Pisters, President and CEO of University Health Network, to make an important announcement about increasing access to specialized care and treatment for people living with rare diseases. Toronto General Hospital, Peter Munk Building, 585 University Ave., 4th Floor - Room 114, DeGasperis Conservatory (Patient Court), Toronto.

3:00 p.m.

Premier Wynne to participate in a fireside chat at the Ontario Good Roads Conference. Fairmont Royal York
Canadian Room, Convention Floor, 100 Front St. W., Toronto.

To contact the reporter on this story:
gzochodne@qpbriefing.com
905-926-8026
Twitter: @geoffzochodne