I appreciate the comments from the member from Elgin–Middlesex–London today.

I’ve lived and worked in northern Ontario, and I worked very briefly in the mining sector up there, so I really appreciate the contribution that mining makes to Ontario’s economy.

One of the concerns with this legislation, though, is that in section 7(1), as my colleague was just pointing out, it says that the cleanup—so when a mine is going to open, it’s going to run for 15 to 20 years on average, and then there’s the cleanup that has to happen. They have to have a fund for that cleanup. But this government’s legislation allows the minister to exempt the company from having an adequate cleanup plan. What this means is that the cost of the cleanup will be downloaded onto taxpayers. Is that a fair burden for future taxpayers—to pay for the cleanup of these mines?

The Ontario NDP leader and I share the honour of representing Little Portugal in our ridings.

This year, the Portuguese Canadian community is celebrating the 70th year of immigration to Canada. On May 13, 1953, the first Portuguese pioneers arrived in Canada from the Azores. In the 70 years since that first journey, the dependents of those first pioneers have gone on to achieve greatness, building a strong and diverse Canada that Portuguese Canadians proudly call home.

A volunteer organizing committee of community leaders has been working hard to organize a year-long program to honour Portuguese pioneers.

I would like to thank Matthew Correia for inviting me to the first event, a celebratory luncheon last Sunday benefiting the Magellan Community Foundation.

I’d also like to thank Manuel DaCosta, who is chairing the foundation to build a long-term-care home for Portuguese seniors.

On Saturday, May 13, there is the Portuguese Canadian Walk of Fame induction ceremony, followed shortly afterward by the unveiling of a monument to the Portuguese pioneers.

And this coming Sunday, join the Portuguese Festa at Nathan Phillips Square, with food, music and performances by international recording artists Pedro Abrunhosa and Bárbara Bandeira.

Also coming up: The Do West Fest in Little Portugal, organized by AnaBela Taborda and the board of the Little Portugal BIA.

And the highlight of the year will be this year’s 35th annual—