Mr Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): My question today is for Premier McGuinty. The member you appointed as the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services yesterday unfortunately told the media that the life of a Scarborough man fatally shot by police would probably have been spared if the police had instead used a Taser gun. Minister Kwinter said, "It's unfortunate that the particular officers that were there were not equipped with Tasers, (because) that would have without question resulted in a different outcome."

With this comment, your honourable minister has jeopardized a criminal investigation. He has jeopardized the current special investigations unit investigation. He has jeopardized potential civil action by the family. If that isn't enough, he has also second-guessed police, the very people he is supposed to be protecting as minister. And of course, he was not there at the scene of the incident. Premier, in light of these examples of inexcusable interference by Minister Kwinter, should the minister continue in his job?

Hon Dalton McGuinty (Premier, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs): Yes, he should. Let me tell you that we have no stronger champion in this Legislature, when it comes to our Ontario police and the sacrifices they make and the work they do day in and day out on behalf of the people of Ontario, than is to be found in our Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Mr Dunlop: I'd like to refresh the Premier's memory on something. Back in 1998 you asked --

Interjection.

Hon Marie Bountrogianni (Minister of Children and Youth Services, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration): On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I am compelled as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to ask the member behind John Baird, Jim Wilson, to retract that statement.

The Speaker (Hon Alvin Curling): Order. I'm very pleased members are trying to get some decorum in here. If there was an unparliamentary word the member said, I ask him to withdraw. I did not hear the word.

Member from Simcoe North.

Mr Dunlop: I think this is a very serious issue. I'd like to refresh the Premier's memory. Back in 1998 you asked for Bob Runciman's resignation when the name of a mother of a young offender was mentioned in a throne speech. The mother had even consented to her name being used in that throne speech. Here's what you said about this in the Ottawa Citizen on April 25, 1998: "This has turned from a question of competence to a question of integrity."

Bob Runciman did the honourable thing. He showed integrity and he stepped aside until his name was actually cleared. In light of the fact that Minister Kwinter has commented on a case that is before the province's special investigations unit, will you ask Minister Kwinter to do what is honourable, to show integrity and resign?

Hon Mr McGuinty: Minister Kwinter has my full support.