Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: My question is for the Minister of Government Services. This year, Oshawa celebrates the 100th anniversary of the McLaughlin Buick. It all started with a $50,000 interest-free loan by the city of Oshawa to Sam McLaughlin to locate his business, now General Motors, in Oshawa. We've seen the benefits for over 100 years, whether it's the contributions to the health sector, education, scouting, youth development, let alone the jobs that it's created over that 100 years. It was through that outside-the-box thinking that Oshawa, Ontario and Canada have benefited because of Oshawa's vision.

Minister, we've seen some investment, but the jobs are still leaving in the thousands. What is your ministry doing to think outside the box to keep the auto and manufacturing sectors in Ontario?

Mr. Ted Chudleigh: Good question.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: It is a good question, and I want to begin by thanking the member for Oshawa for talking up Ontario, not talking down Ontario.

Our government's auto strategy is to create and protect jobs all across Ontario. Without it, the issues facing the industry would have been much, much worse than we' re seeing now. In fact, in Ontario today, we're the number one producer, thank goodness, of cars and auto parts in North America. That's something to be very proud of, and I know it's something the member opposite is proud of.

The government is telling automotive companies from around the world that Ontario is the best place to build automobiles and auto parts, and we're putting our money where our mouth is. We've brokered $500 million of investment to create over $8 billion of auto sector investment in this province, and we're proud of that.

Mr. Jerry J. Ouellette: This afternoon, I have a bill that's a bit of an opening for outside-the-box thinking. It essentially formalizes the unwritten policy by the province for the procurement of government vehicles, but adds a new component where renting and leasing vehicles would also require that those individuals, paid for by the taxpayer, would then have to seek that same process. The hope is twofold: one, to expose those individuals to Made in Ontario, as well as hoping that the rental and leasing companies would expand their fleet of Made in Ontario products.

Should this bill pass today-and I'm getting some sense that there is some support from all sides-we have some concerns. We want to make sure that it comes before committee so that the auto sector and the manufacturing sector can come forward and present their ability to say how they see that outside-the-box thinking can aid their sectors and move Ontario to the forefront in those sectors once again.

Hon. Ted McMeekin: Again to the member, I really do appreciate the thrust of your question. I think it's a helpful thrust. I want to say that our government has arrangements with major auto manufacturers in Ontario to supply approximately 1,500 new vehicles each year for the government's fleet. In April and May 2008 alone, the government purchased over 500 new vehicles from Ontario-based production facilities. For the 2008 model year, 71.5% of all vehicles purchased were manufactured right here in Ontario. This is up from roughly 66% the previous year. So we'll move ahead. I know all members of the House will want to give some serious reflective thought to the member opposite's private member's bill.

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