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.

It’s my pleasure to rise to recognize the talented Loreena McKennitt of Stratford. Many will know Loreena for her work as a talented singer, actress and composer. She is also a two-time Juno Award winner.

However, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Loreena on a new accomplishment: Loreena was recently inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. She also received a fine tribute at the Opera House in Toronto during International Women’s Day. This is a great achievement and will add Loreena to an exclusive list of Canadians to receive such an honour, including Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, David Foster and many other legends. Along with these great accolades, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at the National Music Centre in Calgary is dedicating a permanent exhibit to Ms. McKennitt.

Loreena has been a lifelong resident of the city of Stratford and has contributed so much to our community through her volunteer work and by putting on many charity performances. She has also long contributed to the yearly Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Stratford cenotaph. As an honorary colonel in the Royal Canadian Air Force, she has worked hard to keep our memories of our veterans alive and in the minds of all Canadians.

Congratulations again, Loreena, on all of your hard work and all the success you’ve had over the past four decades.

I’d like to introduce a few more members of Save Minden ER: my good friend Louise Baker, who’s from Minden now; Randy and Pat Baker; Sue Sisson; Wendy and Dave Mycroft; Linda Boulton; Darla Noris Sward; Kathy Lee; Diane Forbes; Linda Cutler; Martha Indovina; and Gary Spring. Welcome to your House.

I’m welcoming Allan Mills and Devon Fernandes to the House this morning, the executive director and vice-chair of Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region.

I welcome to the Ontario Legislative Assembly today Mr. John Olah, leading Ontario trial lawyer and a 1973 fellow graduate of Osgoode Hall law school with the late Honourable Jim Flaherty.

Later this morning, joining us from India is the high priest Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj. I’d like to welcome him to Queen’s Park.

I am also pleased to welcome folks from Community Living Ontario, specifically from my riding, Amber Taylor, who is a council member, and the vice-president of CLO council, Niko Pupella. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

If there are no objections, I’d like to continue with the introduction of visitors.

I’ll next recognize the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.

I’d like to welcome Community Living Oakville: Alexandra Hoeck Murray, the executive director, Nazeem Lahashmi, Hugo Troccoli and Andrea Interior.

I would like to welcome Carlene Wisdom and April Cleugh, area and regional managers from Christian Horizons. Christian Horizons is a non-profit organization providing services for adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Ontario and Saskatchewan. Back in 2019, I met their central district executive director Irene Moore and listened to their ideas of supporting for more affordable housing access. They now—

I’d like to welcome the grade 10 students from Francis Liebermann Catholic High School who are visiting Queen’s Park today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I want to give a special welcome to Elizabeth Witmer. Kitchener–Waterloo was well-served by her and that continues today. Thank you very much, Elizabeth.

I have two remarkable constituents who are here today, the president of Community Living Ontario, Michael Jacques, and his father, Marcel. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Today being Lupus Awareness Day in Ontario, I am excited to welcome an amazing delegation from Lupus Ontario who have done so much to improve the lives of people. They include Diana Bozzo, Tanya Connacher, Yadira Castro, June Alikhan, Linda Keill and 16 others.

Good morning. I’d like to welcome my fellow Polish Canadian Kryss Weiss from Community Living Toronto. Welcome to Queen’s Park.