As we all know, June is Aboriginal History Month, and it is my pleasure to rise in the House today and talk about an amazing event that will be happening in my riding of Brantford–Brant, from July 21 to 23: the 43rd annual Champion of Champions powwow.

This event began as an idea back in 1979, when a group of dancers who had been performing at powwows throughout Ontario thought how wonderful it would be to be able to have their very own competition at home. In 1980, with tremendous support from the community, the first-ever Champion of Champions powwow was held on the Six Nations of the Grand River territory.

Over the years, the powwow has become a major tourist attraction locally, nationally and internationally. With over 30 categories to compete in, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Not only can you be treated to exceptional traditional dancing and drumming, but you can also find over 100 craft vendors selling jewellery, moccasins, shirts and many other unique items only found in this region.

The best path to true reconciliation with Ontario’s First Nations is to spend time sharing in the cultural experience and warmth of the Haudenosaunee people. So if you are looking for a family-friendly, engaging activity, head over to 1987 Chiefswood Road, Ohsweken, from July 21 to 23. You will love it.

I really do want to thank the member from Brantford–Brant for this great question. Speaker, we are undertaking thoughtful, impactful actions to address housing affordability and supply for all Ontarians. Our latest action plan allows our government to boost construction while supporting current and future homeowners and renters. It is this government that is protecting tenants from unfair practices. We’re reducing red tape, and we’re assisting first-time buyers, something the NDP once again voted against.

We’ve laid the foundation to increase the supply of market housing so that affordability is within reach for every single community across this province. And, Speaker, I’ve been to Ottawa, Perth county, Wellington and London—right across many communities—and we’ve heard the same about the need and the appreciation for the bold measures our government is taking to combat the housing supply right across this province.

My question is for the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery. Ontario is welcoming a record number of newcomers from around the world, including to my riding of Brantford–Brant. It is important that these individuals and families have access to the services they need as they settle into communities across our province.

I hear about concerns from individuals who are arriving, particularly those from Ukraine, as they have difficulty navigating the registration process for critical government programs. The challenges that they are experiencing are due to the limited services that certain local centres can provide.

Everyone deserves to have convenient and seamless access to government services. Can the minister please explain how our government is ensuring access to government services for all Ontarians?

Across our province, the demand for different types of services varies according to each community’s needs and population. Whether it’s long wait times or having the necessary requirements to obtain a service, we know that this can lead to frustration and delays.

Ontarians should be able to resolve their issues and concerns at their first point of interaction with the government. The people of Ontario expect that our government will find solutions to fix the problems and challenges that they encounter.

Can the minister please elaborate on the specific actions that our government is taking to improve the delivery of government services for the people of Ontario?

I thank the member from Brantford–Brant for his question. I’m pleased to share with him that on June 14 we are launching the new health card transaction harmonization pilot project to enhance the Ontario experience by better aligning public and private service centres.

Speaker, ServiceOntario is focusing on delivering essential government services for not only refugees and newcomers from Ukraine, but also residents returning to the province and the homeless population, who currently cannot be registered at our local private service provider locations.

This ServiceOntario pilot project launching in our great member’s riding of Brantford–Brant will provide, through appointments, outreach services that meet the demands of new OHIP registrants and ensure that residents are able to access the services they need conveniently and accessibly.

In addition to the harmonization of services at existing service centres, my ministry is establishing ServiceOntario express locations to provide accessible core services and build a more sustainable in-person presence, with streamlined processing and minimized wait times. The health card transaction harmonization project is already supporting approximately 26,000 people through seven private service centres for health card services for international agri-food workers.

With the help of great members like the one from Brantford–Brant, who advocate for their communities, we are not stopping the work to make a trip to ServiceOntario easy, accessible and, of course, quick.