Mr. Speaker, Saturday, May 6, at 6 a.m., I held a coronation viewing event at my local Aurora Royal Canadian Legion for my community members of Newmarket–Aurora. It was absolutely amazing to have the community come together for this momentous, historical event. The fascinators and vintage hats were as beautiful as the smiles on everyone’s faces. I think the tasty scones and the coronation quiche also helped with those smiles.

The holy coronation service was all so riveting, officiated by Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby. We were all eagerly watching the traditional event: the recognition, to the coronation oath, to the anointing, to the investiture and, finally, to the enthronement and homage.

One of my personal points of interest was the Sword of Offering, which symbolizes the protection of good and the punishment of evil. It was delivered to the archbishop and then placed in the King’s right hand. The King rose, and the sword was fastened to His Majesty’s waist using the sword belt.

I would like to quote the archbishop, from his sermon at the coronation: “With the anointing of the Holy Spirit, the King is given freely what no ruler can ever attain through will, or politics, or war, or tyranny: the Holy Spirit draws us to love in action.”

May God bless our sovereign. Long live the King.

Just on a quick point of order: Pursuant to standing order 7(e), I wish to inform the House that tonight’s evening meeting is cancelled.

Mr. Vanthof has moved adjournment of the debate. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Motion carried.

Third reading debate adjourned.

The House recessed from 0932 to 1015.

As many of you are aware, my riding of Brantford–Brant is home to a vibrant, motivated and active cadet movement. Our community is home to 135 Admiral Nelles, Royal Canadian Sea Cadets; 104 Starfighter, Royal Canadian Air Cadets; 2659 Royal Canadian Army Cadets; and the Admiral Landymore Navy League Cadet Corps.

Today, we welcome the top cadets as chosen by their commanding officers for their dedication, excellence and willingness to make our community the best that it can be. The cadets of Brantford–Brant are back to full training this past year from a challenging past two and a half years of virtual and hybrid training. These cadets made the transition back to in-person training with ease.

For the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets: Chief Petty Officer First Class Aurora Linnington and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Charlie Downey, joined by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Kyle Au Coin.

For the Royal Canadian Air Cadets: Corporal Danika Parasram and Sergeant Tobias Ven Berkel, joined by commanding officer Captain Celina Corner.

For the Royal Canadian Army Cadets: Master Warrant Officer Kyrianna Jorgensen and Warrant Officer Ethan Russell, joined by commanding officer Captain Josh Jennie.

For the Navy League of Canada, we have Leading Cadet Alissa Bartlett and Ordinary Cadet Nathan Learned, joined by commanding officer Lieutenant Richard Carpenter and Sub-Lieutenant Celina Barnard.

Cadets, officers, the people of Ontario salute you for your hard work and contribution to Brantford–Brant. Thank you.

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.

Working without thought of self or thought of reward is the true nature of service. On Saturday, I had the honour of attending the London Central Lions and East London Lions Clubs’ Colour the Night Gold event in support of Childcan—two great clubs working together for a wonderful cause.

I sat with Greg and Catherine Millar, who had sent me many petitions about optometry since 2021. It is a small world sometimes, as I also ran into Greg and Catherine face-to-face at their home when I was out knocking on doors, speaking with the good people of London North Centre.

At our table, Luca told me about how nurses should be paid what they’re worth, allowed to bargain fairly and that there should be incentives to bring back retired nurses whom this government has insulted, demeaned and pushed out of practice. Luca also told me, “I used to be anti-union. But since Premier Ford, I am pro-union. You can tell him that.” Message delivered, Luca.

I want to thank the Lions for supporting Childcan. Families of children who receive the diagnosis of cancer are on the most difficult journey one could imagine. We heard about how Childcan helps families right from diagnosis, treatment, and through their recovery or bereavement journey. This great organization helps take the burden of external worries, allowing families to focus on what matters most: their children and their care.

Thank you once again, Lions and Childcan, for your true service to people in our community.

On April 30 I had the pleasure of attending the Manotick Legion Youth Education award ceremony organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 314, one of the many amazing Legions located in my riding of Carleton. The Royal Canadian Legion’s youth education program plays an essential role in my riding of Carleton in fostering the tradition of remembrance amongst youth, not just across Ottawa, but across Canada.

The awards that 25 winners from my riding received are in recognition of the excellence they have shown in the Legion’s youth education program. However, the journey of completing their work is much more important than the awards they received. Whether it be through artwork, a poem or an essay, what they have created provides an important bridge between today’s world and some of the most important and defining moments in Canadian history. Those defining moments in our history were made possible by generations of heroes whose hardships and sacrifices created the template for Canada to become the best country in the world.

Through the Legion’s education program, we are not only teaching our youth about our past but are preparing them to become leaders in the years to come. So thank you to Roy Blair, Lynn Charron, the entire legion and all 25 students for helping keep our rich history alive. I was honoured to present all 25 youth with certificates on behalf of the province of Ontario, to recognize and honour their artwork and poems about Remembrance Day.

While the member from Guelph may disagree, I think I have the greenest riding in all of Ontario. The climate activist groups and eco-tastic events are making changes in Beaches–East York and beyond.

This past weekend, I participated in the EcoFair held by Beach United Church and organized by the amazing Mary Anne Alton and her terrific team. There were 35 vendors, exhibitors and speakers, all with one major thing in common: a love of the planet.

Out of my office, we run Green East, a community group engaged and interested in serious climate action. To name just a few others: Terrific Toronto East End Climate Collective are residents concerned about and fighting the climate crisis. Sensational 32 Spokes is comprised of cycling champions promoting cycling safety. The great garden at Kimbourne church is a project using permaculture principles to grow food in the community. Sensational Save Small’s Creek is a group working to preserve the nature of beautiful Small’s Creek ravine.

If we could replicate the care and climate action from Beaches–East York across the province, we could make a real difference in addressing our environmental footprint.

To my eco-tastic residents and all Ontarians, I will continue to represent you as an environmental and climate advocate at Queen’s Park.

Thank you for listening so intently.

The month of May is recognized as Community Living Month here in Ontario. This year’s theme is “#InclusionMatters.”

Community Living Ontario and its over 115 Community Living associations across the province support over 80,000 people with an intellectual disability and their families.

From my community of beautiful Essex I’d like to welcome Community Living Essex County, who is here with us today. Thank you for all that you do.

These agencies offer a wide range of supported living, social, respite, planning and employment supports, all with the goal of fostering inclusive communities by supporting the rights and choices of people with an intellectual disability. It’s important to recognize the hard work of staff in developmental services sectors because without them, none of this would be possible.

This year, Community Living Toronto is celebrating its 75th anniversary. I’m happy to share that Community Living Ontario and Community Living Toronto would like to invite all members to their reception today at 5 p.m. in the dining room. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Thank you very much.

Interjections.

Members’ statements.

If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent to allow members to wear purple ribbons in recognition of May 10 being Lupus Awareness Day.

For those who missed them earlier, proudly representing Brantford-Brant in the chamber today are: for the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Chief Petty Officer First Class Aurora Linnington and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Charlie Downey, joined by Acting Sub-Lieutenant Kyle Au Coin; for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Corporal Danika Parasram and Sergeant Tobias Ven Berkel, joined by commanding officer Captain Celina Corner; for the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, Master Warrant Officer Kyrianna Jorgenson and Warrant Officer Ethan Russell, joined by commanding officer Captain Josh Jennie; for the Navy League of Canada, we have Leading Cadet Alissa Bartlett and Ordinary Cadet Nathan Learned, joined by commanding officer Lieutenant Richard Carpenter and Sub-Lieutenant Celina Barnard. Thank you for joining us today in your House.

It’s a pleasure to be able to join and have people welcome Michael, Kate and Elizabeth Demczur and mom Jackie. We’re here because Kate is the page captain today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I would like to welcome all of the folks from Community Living who are here today. I had the pleasure of meeting with the chief operating officer, Joe Passaretti, and executive project manager, Sarah MacDonald. They will be having their reception in the dining room today from 5 until 7. I hope all members will join in, and I’d like to welcome everybody to the House today.

I have a smile on my face because my Kingston family is in the House today. That’s my brother Adam up there, his partner Jen, and my two nephews, Ethan and Jonah. Welcome to this House; this is your House.

I’m seeking the unanimous consent of the House that, notwithstanding standing order 100(a)(iv), five minutes be allotted to the independent members as a group to speak on second reading of private member’s Bill 100.

I would also like to welcome CareNow Ontario to Queen’s Park for their lobby day and acknowledge that May 12 is international awareness day for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and environmental sensitivities. Thank you for the work you do and welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome from the Save Minden Ontario Emergency Room group: Brenda Culver; Diane Forbes; Cathy Barnes; Wendy Ladurantaye; Kim Galen; Deloris Bailey; Jim and Bernie Davis; Dave Hammond; Judy Toye; Dean Curtice; and Pat Bradley. Thank you so much. Welcome to your House.

I understand the member for Markham–Unionville has a point of order.

Also with us today in the Speaker’s gallery is Dr. André Lecours, the president of the Canadian Political Science Association. He is joined by Dr. Peter Constantinou, academic director of the Ontario Legislative Internship Program. For over 47 years, the Ontario Legislative Assembly has partnered with the Canadian Political Science Association to host the OLIP program. Later today I’ll be joining Dr. Lecours and Dr. Constantinou at the annual OLIP spring reception and I hope that many members and other program alumni will be there as well. Once again, welcome to the Legislature. We’re delighted to have you here as well.

I’d like to welcome the Nigerian delegation to Queen’s Park. They are a 50-member delegation. They are from all parts of Nigeria. The team ranks from mayor, commissioners, senior staff and CFOs. They are here today to observe our parliamentary session and to visit and tour the legislative facility. They will be having a gathering in room 247 from 11:45. All are welcome.

I’d also like to recognize the team that has put all the pieces together: Glenn De Baeremaeker, former deputy mayor; Jim Karygiannis; Mike Yorke; Tom Perdikis and Jeremy Beamer, along with my two staff, Ms. Novlette Mitchell and Cathy Quinton. Thank you.