Speaker, two years ago today, my community was shaken to our core by a despicable act of Islamophobic violence when four members of London’s beloved Afzaal family were killed in a hate-motivated attack. Yesterday, the grieving family issued a statement about the profound loss they experienced on June 6, 2021, and the emptiness that can never be filled as they remembered Salman, Madiha, Talat and Yumnah for the kind, caring and beautiful people they were. Over the last two weeks, numerous events have been held in London to mark this sombre anniversary, leading up to tonight’s vigil organized by the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia, a group formed by Yumnah’s friends and cousins. These events, and the extraordinary coming together of our community in the wake of the attack, are helping Londoners heal from the pain of that terrible day. In the words immemorial, out of darkness comes light.

Islamophobia and racism are real and deadly. We must channel our grief and anger to ensure that no family, no community, ever has to face the horror we experienced in London.

To truly honour the Afzaal family, let us replace pain with purpose. Let us unite across party lines to ensure that no Ontarian has to fear being targeted for their faith, the colour of their skin or who they are. Let us strengthen our commitment to act through meaningful legislative change.

Speaker, love is greater than hate, and hate can be overcome.

June is here, which means the five-day Vaughan International Film Festival is fast approaching. Now in its 11th year, the Vaughan Film Festival, or VFF, offers public screenings, scholarships, industry events and panels to support experienced and aspiring filmmakers.

Lauren Pappas, Paolo Calzini and Daniel Fusco are students at St. Elizabeth Catholic school in Thornhill, whose films are featured at the VFF this year. Lauren’s film titled Influenced is about a teen influencer and the realities of that. Give Back, Paolo’s film, is a story about a young woman who helps out a friend in need. The VFF offers a platform for independent creators to share their short films and further excel within the industry, giving them an opportunity to reach over 20,000 people. Arts and culture events like the VFF enrich our lives and stimulate economic growth. And it would not be possible without artists like Lauren, Paolo and Daniel, who contribute to our community.

I want to thank the sponsors and the volunteers and the creative mind who started the project, Mr. Antonio Ienco.

I invite the extended community to come join us on June 19 at the VFF to celebrate filmmakers who bring the communities together and put Vaughan and Thornhill on the international stage.

During constituency week, I had the pleasure of visiting the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton as they hosted an open house for HATS, the Hamilton Alliance for Tiny Shelters. HATS is a not-for-profit organization working as part of the solution to the unhoused crisis in Hamilton. Their vision is to create a village of small, heated cabins to provide transitional housing and support services for residents living on the street. I had the chance to tour a charming tiny cabin and to meet so many devoted volunteers, such as Tom Cooper, the director of the Hamilton Roundtable for Poverty Reduction; Kim Martin, the executive director of the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton; and Julie Shea, the director of Centre[3], an arts organization that created a fantastic 3D model of the HATS village.

HATS has already raised more than $300,000 and has support services lined up from various community partners. HATS has the funding, the resources and the partners in place. They are now working to find a site.

Thank you for your compassion and devotion to helping others in our community. Hats off to HATS.

And there was no place more beautiful to be this weekend than on the shores of Hamilton bay at the most westerly point of Lake Ontario. It was a pleasure to participate in the annual sail-past and to recognize the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club for achieving silver in the Clean Marine eco program. The Clean Marine eco program is an environmental program that encourages environmental practices associated with recreational boating across Ontario.

Congratulations once again to Cindy Brown, Susanne Broe-Vayda, Paul Vayda, and Ross Munro, chair, of the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club environment committee.

To the member for Elgin–Middlesex–London: Yes, 12 years ago today, I was on Juno Beach with the 1st Hussars. Thanks for reminding me about that.

My statement today is important, as well. It’s celebrating the initiative of June 1, when we kicked off ALS day. The month of June is officially ALS Awareness Month in Canada. I’m proud to show my support today for the approximately 3,000 Canadians living with this devastating disease.

ALS is a relentlessly progressive, fatal motor neuron disease that eventually leads to the loss of the ability to move, speak and breathe. This disease can move with startling swiftness. Four out of five people die within two to five years of their diagnosis. The compounding impact on families emotionally, financially and psychologically is tremendous. The people and families affected by ALS measure time not by months or years but by loss—loss of function and loss of life.

As members of this Legislature, we have an opportunity throughout June to show our support for people living with ALS across Canada and demonstrate leadership on important health issues that affect this community.

I want to extend my best wishes to the Canadian ALS community for June ALS Awareness Month and acknowledge the tremendous work done by the ALS Society of Canada to change what it means to live with this unrelenting disease.

I encourage everyone to take the time to learn more about this devastating disease and how you can make a difference in the lives of people living with ALS. Learn more about ALS at www.als.ca.

Now is the time to work together towards a future without ALS.

I’m proud to rise in honour of a momentous upcoming milestone, and that’s the 50th anniversary of Fort William Historical Park. Over the past five decades, the park has become a cherished part of Thunder Bay’s identity—its significance resonating not only with the constituents of Thunder Bay, but with all Canadians who value the preservation of our collective heritage. The park is an example of our nation’s history, encapsulating the stories, struggles and triumphs of those who came before us, allowing us to learn from the past and shape a better future.

Elder Freda McDonald’s influence in 1976 led to substantial growth in the Indigenous Life Program and Anishinaabe Encampment, establishing accurate portrayals of Anishinaabe culture and the significance of women in the fur trade.

Beyond the cultural and educational significance, the park has made substantial economic contributions to our region and beyond. It is also important that we acknowledge and applaud the dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners who have played a pivotal role in ensuring that this landmark continues to thrive through their commitment to historical accuracy, authenticity and a memorable visitor experience.

Let us work together across party lines to ensure that landmarks like Fort William Historical Park remain a treasured source of education and celebration.

And I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the Clerk for his service to Ontario and the members in this chamber and wish him all the best in his retirement.

It is my honour today to rise to salute all those who fell and served in the greatest invasion in history, on June 6, 1944, known to most as D-Day. One regiment, the 1st Hussars, was the only Allied formation to reach its objective on D-Day. Later on June 6, 2 Troop, C Squadron, led by Lieutenant William McCormick, reached the objective of the Caen-Bayeux highway before having to return to the Allied line of advance that was significantly behind their spearhead.

Mr. Speaker, I hope all of Ontario joins me in saluting the 1st Hussars and their garrison cities of London and Sarnia. We salute their service and sacrifice in one of the greatest battles in history.

I’d also like to recognize the MPP for Sarnia, Bob Bailey, who has attended these sacred sites in Normandy. Well done.

As the Supreme Allied Commander said on the eve of the invasion, “The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching toward victory!”

Let it be known here and evermore that victory’s ascent came from southwestern Ontario.

The 1st Hussars motto in Latin is “Hodie Non Cras,” or in English, “Today Not Tomorrow.”

God save the King.

I would like to welcome Pastor Ankur Narula and Pastor Sonia Narula, who are in the galleries today. They lead one of the largest churches in India, with many followers around the world, including many in Mississauga. I thank them for their service and welcome them to the House.

I also would like to welcome Pastor Nida Anwar Fazal and Pastor Anwar Fazal, who lead Eternal Life Ministries, one of the largest church ministries in Pakistan, and Isaac TV network. Thank you for serving the community. I welcome them in the Legislature. Thank you. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I want to join my friend from Toronto Centre in welcoming an inspiring group of clergy here who gave an incredible press conference. Thank you so much for being with us today.

Also, my friend Michael Wood, one of our small business leaders here and a champion for mental health in this province: Michael, good to see you here today too.

In the Speaker’s Gallery this morning, we have a very special guest, and that is Teresa Lohan. While most members will recognize her, all members are definitely familiar with her work, which allows our assembly proceedings to be broadcast each day.

Teresa graduated from Ryerson University, now Toronto Metropolitan University, in 1990 and has been working at the Legislature as part of the broadcast and recording service ever since, most recently as operations manager. She’s now set to retire after a remarkable career here at the assembly, which included navigating significant changes in the world of broadcasting and narrating the Legislature’s Canadian Screen Award nominated production entitled, Women Should Vote: A Short History of How Women Won the Franchise in Ontario.

Teresa, thank you so much for your dedication to serving Ontario’s Parliament as part of the broadcast and recording service, and we wish you all the best in your retirement starting this summer.

Applause.

I have some guests in the House today from OPSEU representing youth correctional workers. We have Joe Davies, David Farrugia, Jeff Tynes, Johnathan Guider and Jim Reilly. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome Marcel Atunwa and Cameron Lucas, both with my constituency office and here in Queen’s Park for the first time.

I, too, would like to introduce my second family, my staff who are here from the Ministry of Colleges and Universities today. Thank you for everything that you do to support me, but more importantly the students, families and schools of Ontario.

I would like to welcome my team members from the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. I have Erica, Matteo, Laura, Ellen, Praveen, Jeffrey, Mariah, Rhea and Sandra. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Sitting in the west gallery, please welcome a student from the beautiful riding of Essex, Danielle Brindley. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I would like to welcome Paul Au and Aileen Li, who are the parents of our page Christopher Au, from Markham–Unionville. Christopher is also the page captain today. Thank you, Christopher, and welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’m very proud to introduce the following people, and there are a number of them, so please bear with me. I want to welcome: Rev. Deana Dudley from the Metropolitan Community Church; Rev. Jeffrey Dale from the United Church of Canada; Rev. Junia Joplin from the Metropolitan Community Church; Barbara Dobrowolski, who is the president of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association; Rev. Brent Hawkes, who is the pastor emeritus from the Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto; of course Rev. Dr. Cheri DiNovo, United Church of Canada; Bishop Andrew Asbil from the Anglican Church of Canada; Rev. Stephen Milton from the United Church of Canada; Rev. Anne Hines from the United Church of Canada; Rev. John Joseph Mastandrea from the United Church of Canada; Ael Spence from the United Church of Canada; Rev. Ralph Wuske from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; Rev. Bob Faris, Presbyterian Church of Canada; Rev. Alexandra Gilmour, United Church of Canada; Rev. Morgan Bell, United Church of Canada; Rev. Maggie Helwig, Anglican Church of Canada; Rev. Michiko Bown-Kai, United Church of Canada; Intern Pastor Victoria Featherstone, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada; Laura Gallagher-Doucette, United Church of Canada; and my wife, Farrah Khan.

It’s a pleasure to welcome to the House Waseem—I call him “Wicky”—Iqbal and Tim Iqbal, both from the beautiful riding of Brampton Centre. Active members of the community for over 15 years, Tim is a past president of the Rotary Club, Sheridan Internationally Trained Professionals Network chairperson, executive director for Extending Seniors Horizons and so much more. Thank you both for coming today to the House.

I’d like to welcome to Queen’s Park Charlene Heckman from Fort Erie, Joy Russell from Fort Erie, Debra Chapman from Fort Erie, Heather Kelley from Ridgeway, Margaret Baskerville from Fort Erie, and Suzanne Hotte from Jordan Station. Welcome to Queen’s Park. I’m looking forward to the press conference at noon.

From the riding of York Centre, I want to welcome the Hernandez family, Danny, Danilo and Dennise; the Dela Cruz family, Genevieve, Adam and Carmela; and an incredible individual who has been the founder and leader of the Taste of Manila, a hallmark in our riding of York Centre, part of representing the largest Filipino diaspora community in Canada, my friend Rolly Mangante. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature.