The FAO report is actually saying we’ve done significant work and are seeing more women entering into the workforce because of the actions of this government, such as investing millions in seeing women get skills and development training, education, encouraging women and investing in women entering into the trades, where there is pay equity. We’ve seen significant investments in better jobs to cover expenses, including child care, tuition, transportation, for short-term training programs and micro-credentials. We’ve expanded the Investing in Women’s Futures Program and the Women’s Economic Security Program. Millions are going into the budget that we hope the members opposite will support.

In fact, the FAO actually says, “In 2022, labour participation rates for Ontario core-age mothers reached 81.7 per cent—the highest on record since 1976.” That is increasing.

We’re going to continue to make these investments, Mr. Speaker, because we are shortening the wage gap. We are—

I’ve gone across the province, Mr. Speaker. I’ve met with hundreds of women who are getting into the workforce, taking advantage of the programs and investments this government has made. I just wonder of if the members opposite are going to support the budget that’s coming up, plus the millions of dollars in investments.

The mining agreement: There are women getting into these sectors in droves, and we’re going to work hard to make sure they stay here.

My question is for Ontario’s Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity.

Women entrepreneurs are an integral part of Ontario’s economy, accounting for nearly 20% of all small and medium-sized businesses in Ontario—and I’m very proud to consider that my mother, Lesley, is one of that 20%. Speaker, 20% is a big number, but I think all members of the House could agree that that number could be quite a bit higher.

The reality is that women continue to encounter social and economic barriers when it comes to starting and growing their businesses. While recent numbers show that there is an increase in overall employment for women, more must be done to increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs.

Could the minister please explain what actions our government is taking to unlock even more economic opportunities for women?

There are over 370,000 jobs that are going unfilled in the skilled trades today, with one in three journeypersons over the age of 55, and many of them are heading towards retirement. Over the next decade, Ontario will need 100,000 workers in the construction sector alone to meet this growing demand.

The unfortunate reality is that women currently account for only 5% of the skilled trades workforce. Our government must act now to ensure that we address the labour shortage and help more women to pursue these in-demand, rewarding and well-paying careers.

Building a stronger Ontario means that we need more workers to help grow our businesses, our communities, and our economy.

Could the minister please explain how our government is expanding opportunities for women to pursue careers in the skilled trades?

Thank you to the great member for Brampton North. I look forward to being with the member next week. We’ll have the opportunity to visit one of the recently announced expansion locations for the Investing in Women’s Futures Program. This amazing program is expanding to 10 new locations across the province, and Brampton is receiving one of them.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve heard first-hand accounts from women of some of the unique and disproportionate economic barriers women face when starting, growing or scaling up their businesses. That’s why our government is taking a multi-prong approach to unlock more opportunities for women in the post-pandemic economy. We are supporting women as they enter and re-enter the workforce with programs like the Investing in Women’s Futures Program and the Women’s Economic Security Program, and we’re opening opportunities for women to pursue entrepreneurship as a flexible career path with the Regional Innovation Centre and Small Business Enterprise Centre networks. Because of this, women are breaking down barriers, growing their businesses, and getting it done for themselves, their families and Ontario.

I’m telling you, I’m on a mission to get more women into the trades, because when you’ve got a trade, you’ve got a job for life, according to our Premier, and he’s right too.

Our government is investing a historic $1.5 billion over four years into the Skilled Trades Strategy. Many initiatives will support women and girls in exploring the skilled trades, like the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, the Pre-apprenticeship Training Program, and the Achievement Incentive Program. Thank you to our minister of—the long acronym. These investments enhance opportunities for girls and women to tour college trade programs, participate in workshops, and be mentored by female apprentices and journeypersons.

That’s why I will continue to work alongside the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and with our partners in labour unions and businesses to change the skilled trades culture to ensure that women who enter the trades stay in the trades.

When women succeed, Ontario succeeds.