Your morning briefing

Headlines

The government has introduced legislation to remediate contamination at Grassy Narrows. The Liberals previously announced that they would set aside $85 million in a trust to support remediation efforts in the community that's 100 km downstream from Dryden. In the 1960s, 10 tonnes of mercury were dumped by a paper mill company, which contaminated local fish and harmed the nearby Grassy Narrows First Nation. High levels of mercury in soil, fish, and the river remain today, notes the Toronto Star, which reported last week that the government received a report about Grassy Narrows contamination last year but did not publicize the findings.

The Liberals and Progressive Conservatives showed their contrasting approaches to the economy in the fall economic update, announced yesterday. While the government announced a one percentage point tax cut for small businesses, in part to offset the impact of an increased minimum wage, the PCs said they would delay the plan. While the Liberals plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2019—if elected—the PCs said they would slowly increase the minimum to meet that mark by 2022.

In case you missed our stories Wednesday:

• Ontario small business corporate income tax announced in fall economic update
• Here's what Ontario officials are hoping to see in the National Housing Strategy
• Progressive Conservatives vow to push back $15 minimum wage from 2018 to 2022
• Ontario schools need $15.9 billion in repairs, according to analysis
• Advanced Education Minister won't 'get into hypotheticals' on college strike
• Health Minister fills in gaps on some recent policy announcements

In other news:

Ahead of the UN Climate Change conference, TVO looks at Ontario's environmental future and the risks that come along with it in 30 and 60 years. (Spoiler: not good!)

Ontario corrections officers have begun bargaining with the province for a new contract. The existing contract expires Dec. 31, and negotiations comes against the backdrop of the Sapers report and the transformation of corrections facilities throughout the province.

The Cambridge Record reports that the city's mayor Doug Craig is concerned about supervised injection site misinformation spreading on social media, and urges residents to hear out health professionals before making up their mind on the issue.

As different provinces are figuring out how they will implement legalized marijuana, it looks like Quebec will sell weed online through its provincially-owned liquor retailer. Their plan will be released Thursday.

TVO's new series Political Blind Date features former MPP Jagmeet Singh and prospective Toronto mayoral candidate Doug Ford as this week's odd couple considering each other's views, complete with a bike ride through downtown Toronto.

And in the opinion pages:

• John Michael McGrath says there's no easy exit for the Liberals in the college faculty strike, because either legislating instructors back to work or a prolonged strike comes with political risks.
• Royson James takes former police chief and MP Julian Fantino to task for spending decades locking up people smoking joints, only to head up a marijuana company to capitalize on the great green rush.
• Martin Regg Cohn argues that cutting the small business corporate tax cut from 4.5 per cent to 3.5 per cent to offset the minimum wage increase is good politics, but not necessarily good policy.

Committees

8:30 a.m.

The standing committee for general government will meet to consider Bill 160, An Act to amend, repeal and enact various Acts in the interest of strengthening quality and accountability for patients. Room No. 2.

9 a.m.

The standing committee for public accounts will meet to consider Review of Government Advertising (Chapter 5, 2016 Annual Report of the Office of the Auditor General of Ontario). Room No. 151.

9 a.m.

The standing committee on regulations and private bills will meet as follows: Bill Pr70, An Act to revive Dr. Marchand Optometry Professional Corporation. Room No. 1.

3:45 p.m.

The standing committee on estimates will meet to review the 2017-2018 Estimates of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Room No. 151.

Events

8:30 a.m.

Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, will be joined by Indira Naidoo-Harris, MPP for Halton, and Mike Wolczyk, Vice President, Corridor Infrastructure, Capital Projects Group, Metrolinx, to make an announcement. Milton GO Station, 780 Main St. East.

9:30 a.m.

Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, will be joined by Bob Delaney, MPP for Mississauga - Streetsville, and Wolczyk, Vice President, Corridor Infrastructure, Capital Projects Group, Metrolinx, to make an announcement. Meadowvale GO Station, 6845 Millcreek Dr., Mississauga.

12 p.m.

Students representing "WE WANT IN" will be gathering to protest college closures in front of Toronto City Hall. Other students will be protesting at their local campuses. 100 Queen St. W., Toronto.

6 p.m.

The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and the Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, will present the 2017 Polanyi Prizes. Massey College Common Room, 4 Devonshire Place, Toronto.

6 p.m.

Premier Kathleen Wynne to deliver remarks at a Hindu Heritage Month Reception hosted by the Ontario Liberal Caucus. Main Legislative Building – Room 247, Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON.

7:30 p.m.

Wynne to deliver remarks at the East York Flag Campaign Kickoff. Rise and Dine Eatery, 2714 St. Clair Avenue, Toronto, ON.