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?