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Tom Rakocevic

  • MPP
  • Member of Provincial Parliament
  • Humber River—Black Creek
  • New Democratic Party of Ontario
  • Ontario
  • Unit 38 2300 Finch Ave. W North York, ON M9M 2Y3 TRakocevic-CO@ndp.on.ca
  • tel: 416-743-7272
  • fax: 416-743-3292
  • TRakocevic-QP@ndp.on.ca

  • Government Page
  • Apr/18/24 4:30:00 p.m.

It’s always great to hear the member. His speeches are always very personal, and it’s always a pleasure.

I just wanted to ask: I know that you were asked a question about enforcement, and I’ve already asked one about enforcement as well. But if you really want to change bad behaviours or bad practices, can you talk a little bit about why it’s more important—or it’s as important—to increase the chances of being caught by having enough inspectors and having active inspections, and not just doubling or tripling or even quadrupling fines, but making sure that there are inspectors out there and getting the job done?

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  • Apr/18/24 4:10:00 p.m.

I want to thank my colleague for her fantastic presentation. We have talked about enforcement. Questions have been asked about that as well. I know there has been well-intentioned and well-meaning legislation that the government has tabled many times to change a behaviour or to change a practice, but enforcement is key to that.

One of the government members talked of doubling of fines and whatnot, but can the member speak to how the probability of being fined is often more important than the actual fine itself? If you double or triple fines but you don’t have the enforcement, you don’t have the inspectors doing the work, then will people often change their behaviours if they’re not going to get caught?

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