I want to rise in the House this morning and raise a very important issue to not only my riding of Brampton North, but, quite frankly, the province of Ontario. In Ontario, a car is stolen every 48 minutes. Auto theft has been on the rise over the last number of years, with a 72% increase from 2014 to 2021; last year, that increase was 14%.

As we know, the GTA is a hot zone for crooks to steal cars. And the hard-working residents of Brampton North are fed up. They work hard for their money, and with 90% of homes in my riding having a driveway, they deserve to feel safe and to have the peace of mind that their cars will stay on their driveway—not poached by some low-life scumbag. But since 2021, in Peel region, carjackings have risen by 45%.

Peel Regional Police Chief Nishan Duraiappah has described the impact of vehicle theft on public safety as “tremendous.” He also stated: “It is one of the fastest-growing problems that we have in not just the Golden Horseshoe, but right across Ontario.”

Speaker, that’s exactly why our government is taking decisive, strong action. Last week, our Solicitor General announced a $51-million investment to combat auto theft. We’re supporting new measures to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars, where they belong. Our government is providing police services with the resources they need to make Ontario safer for all car owners, reduce auto theft, and bring those involved in these criminal networks to justice. I support it wholeheartedly. Let’s get it done.

My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Ontario is home to a world-class life sciences sector, with our researchers continually pushing the envelope for better health outcomes for all. But if there’s anything that the last few years have shown us, it’s the importance of having an established medical manufacturing sector that tops the life sciences agenda. That’s why last week’s Moderna announcement was so welcomed.

Will the minister please speak further to the progress that this government is making to ensure that Ontario will never again be left behind and left reliant on others for critical goods?

It’s great news that Ontario will now domestically produce epidural catheters. This announcement is a welcome relief to hospitals that struggled to manage their supply of epidural catheters and secure inventory.

Because of the leadership demonstrated by the Premier and this minister, Ontario manufacturers have begun to produce an increasing number of critical medical supplies.

With the ongoing rollout of the life sciences strategy, what further initiatives can we expect to see from our government as we continue to bolster our manufacturing industry, create jobs and position Ontario as a world leader in the medtech and biotech sectors?

My question is for the Associate Minister of Housing. As Ontario faces an affordable housing crisis, individuals and families are struggling to keep pace with the costs of housing due to rising mortgage and interest rates. These economic challenges are, unfortunately, preventing many hard-working Ontarians from achieving the goal of home ownership.

Unfortunately, years of inaction by the previous Liberal government left vulnerable individuals without the housing supports that they desperately need. That’s why it’s crucial for our government to take immediate action to increase the construction of safe, stable and affordable housing for those at risk.

Speaker, can the associate minister please share what steps our government is taking to deliver great housing supply to Ontarians?

These investments are welcome news and demonstrate our government’s commitment to provide support to the housing needs of all Ontarians. However, many constituents in my riding of Brampton North are very concerned about the surging costs of rent and mortgage interest rates. Now, many individuals and families are worried about finding an affordable place to live. That’s why our government must take urgent action to support those who are experiencing hardships and implement practical and long-term solutions to address homelessness.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on what our government is doing to improve housing services for the people of Ontario?