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The Progressive Conservatives and New Democrats say the house leaders can’t even agree on re-establishing committees, and won’t be able to resolve the dispute over the gas plant documents.

The government has already admitted it will cost taxpayers $190 million for the Liberals’ decision to halt construction on the Mississauga power station in the middle of last year’s election campaign.

However, there’s been no indication how much it will cost for the Liberals’ decision to scrap another gas plant in Oakville the year before.

STRIKE

The contempt ruling isn’t the only issue facing McGuinty’s Liberals. The legislature just passed a bill that would force teachers back to work.

The Ontario legislation gives the government the power over the next two years to ban strikes and lockouts, as well as rein in wages and cut benefits.

The minority Liberals argue the legislation was needed to help them eliminate a $15-billion deficit and ensure the school year isn’t disrupted by job action.

McGuinty has repeatedly warned since last spring’s budget that he’s prepared to legislate a wage freeze for other public sector workers if his government can’t get it through collective bargaining.

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan said he’s still looking at all the options of what that legislation may look like, but the premier suggested that it may be a single wage-freeze bill.

“My sense is we’ll be talking about something that is more holistic in nature, that’s more across-the-board,” he said.