My question is for the President of the Treasury Board. Since being re-elected, our government must remain focused on growing the economy and unlocking new opportunities for businesses in every corner of our province. Our government needs to understand that Ontario’s economic prosperity relies on the success of our local businesses and the strength of our local communities.

The President of the Treasury Board recently announced changes to our government’s procurement directives in order to leverage Ontario’s purchasing power and to strengthen our province’s immense economic potential.

Our government must continue to take the necessary actions in order to ensure that businesses in Ontario can remain competitive.

Speaker, through you: Can the president please explain how these changes to our government’s procurement directives will support Ontario businesses?

However, the Building Ontario Business initiative is just one measure our government must take in order to support Ontario businesses and leverage Ontario’s purchasing power. There is more work that needs to be done to reduce the administrative burden of the procurement process and more ways to support the adoption of Ontario-made innovations.

Speaker, through you: Can the minister please elaborate on what additional steps our government is taking to modernize the procurement system and make it easier to buy from Ontario businesses?

The people of Ontario strongly support the reduction of duplicative, confusing and burdensome regulations that slow down our province’s long-term economic prosperity. While the previous Liberal government operated under the assumption that more red tape is better for everyone, this is not a reality. Unfortunately for many businesses and entrepreneurs, that meant major difficulties, frustration and unnecessary delays while trying to access government services when starting their operations. Sadly, the opposition Liberals and NDP still hold this mindset of saying no to measures that will improve our government services and make it easier to invest and build in Ontario.

Speaker, can the minister please elaborate on the benefits that have been achieved through the Less Red Tape, Stronger Economy Act?

Ce rapport démontre clairement l’engagement de notre gouvernement à accroître la transparence et aussi la reddition des comptes. Je suis fière des réalisations de notre gouvernement et de la modernisation de la Loi sur les services en français, contrairement aux députés de l’opposition, monsieur le Président, qui n’ont rien fait pendant 15 ans. Lorsqu’il s’agit d’agir dans les dossiers importants pour la communauté francophone de l’Ontario, seul le gouvernement Ford agit de façon significative.

L’objectif général du rapport est de démontrer comment nos ministères travaillent ensemble pour fournir des services en français accessibles et de qualité aux Ontariens et aux Ontariennes. Les progrès réalisés dans les domaines de la santé de l’éducation et de l’enseignement postsecondaire, ainsi que de la formation et de l’employabilité, témoignent de l’engagement de l’ensemble du gouvernement en faveur de la vitalité de la communauté francophone de l’Ontario.

Je vais continuer à travailler en étroite collaboration avec mes collègues au sein du gouvernement pour faire avancer les dossiers francophones et m’assurer que les voix des francophones et de leur communauté sont entendues.

Deferred vote on the motion that the question now be put on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 97, An Act to amend various statutes with respect to housing and development / Projet de loi 97, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne le logement et l’aménagement.