Again, thanks for the question. This may sound strange—and I have been very fortunate to be on sidelines and behind benches in minor sport for a number of years, and I have some great friends as a result of participating in sport not because of the players and the parents, but because of the officials.

I was asked on April 1 on the football side of things to speak at their conference in Hamilton at Tim Hortons Field. There were 100-plus officials there, and they’re there to learn more and to get better. They’re there to get better, not because they want to become pro officials or umpires or referees, but because they want to make the game better. They want to give something back to their community.

So when we talk about the time they spent—afterwards I talked to their leadership group. I said, “What is the key problem for you now?” He said, “We’re losing people from age, but we’re also losing young people, especially because of the harassment they’re getting on the sidelines.”

Let me be clear, the culture of sport has to change, and we can all effect it in a positive way, because here’s the statement: Without officials, there are no games.

Obviously we are very much concerned about those kids, and it’s why this government, since coming to office in 2018, has increased the special-education envelope of funding by over $540 million more. As a case study of that investment in this year’s presentation of our funding for school boards, that is going to rise again by $124 million more. That’s going to help families in Windsor and Essex and right across the region, and it’s going to help the school boards have the staff in place to meet the needs of those kids.

When it comes to EAs, education assistants, who principally work with those children, we have 3,200 additional EAs hired under our Progressive Conservative government. We’re proud of that, and we’re going to keep going as we’re hiring 2,000 additional front-line educators, focused on literacy and math, to help kids who are most at risk. We are committed to strengthening the training of our teachers and principals, and we are committed to hiring more staff to support the kids in your region and across Ontario.

So we reflect with great wisdom on the horrid track record of the NDP. We will never go back. We’re going to go forward, and we’re going to continue to build schools. We’re going to continue to modernize education. We’re going to continue to play the challenging function any responsible government will: to demand better for the next generation of this province.

If members opposite are concerned about the interests of public education, then vote today for Bill 98, the Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act. Join this government in standing up for accountability, for the rights of parents and for better outcomes focused on reading, writing and math. We’re going to get back to basics, and we’re going to stand up for Ontario students right across this province.

Nancy will be retiring from the Ontario public service after many decades of public service. Nancy has been a true leader, and everyone looks up to Nancy. We are forever grateful for your legacy in Ontario, and we’re proud to celebrate your service today.

Applause.

My question is to the Premier. Special-education needs within the Greater Essex County District School Board are continuing to grow. An additional 200 students will need special-education supports for the next school year. Their deficit for 2023-24 special-education funding is projected at $10.2 million.

The board has flagged the increasing needs of their special-education programs with the Conservative government multiple times. In December last year, the GECDSB wrote to the Minister of Education calling on the province to address “significant underfunding,” and that the board expects to spend an additional $5.4 million on special education this year.

Speaker, why won’t the Premier adequately fund the special-education programs needed and support the students of Windsor-Essex?

In fact, Speaker, in Lambton-Kent, the province is only funding a quarter of the special-education needs. Toronto District School Board has a $67.6-million shortfall when it comes to special education. As I said, in the Greater Essex County District School Board, their shortfall is projected at $10.2 million. They’ve already said it’s going to cost them $5.4 million for special education this coming school year.

Speaker, students across Ontario with special-education needs, their parents and families deserve a government that is making the necessary investments to see all students thrive. Will the Premier stop shortchanging students with special-education needs and properly fund the special-education programming and supports that all students need to thrive?

My question is for the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. It is encouraging to hear that our government is continuing to focus on initiatives that are providing women with opportunities for greater economic empowerment.

However, there are still areas of concern that need to be addressed. The number of women employed in technology-related careers as well as in the skilled trades occupations are well below their male counterparts. The reality is that women only currently account for 5% of the skilled trades workforce. With more than 100,000 unfilled skilled trades jobs right now, it is critical that our government does all that we can do to attract more women to pursue these in-demand and rewarding careers.

Speaker, can the associate minister please elaborate on how our government is helping women to develop the skills they need to gain financial security?

Mr. Speaker, in the east gallery today, we have the executive director of the Cross-Border Institute of the University of Windsor. She is also a fellow of the internationally renowned Wilson Institute, and she happens to be my younger sister: Marta Leardi.

Yesterday, I had dropped off cards of reminder for the CSG East that will happen on August 20 to 23. I know that we’re excited to get back into our ridings now, but by August, we might miss each other, and I hope that you all come and join the Speaker and I as co-chairs for this event.

Well, I have a point all the time to call my colleagues and wish them a happy birthday. Unfortunately, we won’t be in the House, but there’s a special birthday coming up on Sunday, June 11, for a true leader within our caucus, one of the best transportation ministers I’ve ever seen. Happy birthday, Caroline.

It’s always difficult to follow [inaudible], but here I go. Speaker, as you know, this year has not been one where I’ve been in the House as much as I had been in the previous 17 years. And I just wanted to say thank you to a couple of people who have made my life easier as I’ve been here, that is, to my assistant Ahmed Mawel. Ahmed Mawel is a Somaliland—a new immigrant to Canada. I actually met him while he was driving me in an Uber. He has such a great mind, a great spirit and a great heart. Being around him has been incredible.

And then my former assistant when I was Minister of Social Services, Jacqueline Bishop, has joined me as well. Her leadership, her dedication and her commitment not only to the government but also to her Caribbean community has been something that has really elevated and lifted me up.

Finally, I know it was been said earlier today by my friend Jill Andrew—and Jill, we do hope your mother finds a great ease as she fights this—Charlie Lyons, who was our chaplain here—unofficially, of course, and probably should be. Charlie has been a tremendous inspiration for many of us who have been around his prayer table, whether we’re religious or not.

On that note, I want to wish all colleagues a good summer, a healthy summer, and one that is filled with not only fun—don’t have too much—but also safety.

With that, I want to say thank you, as well, to you, Speaker.

The ayes are 72; the nays are 28.

An Act to enact two Acts, amend various Acts and revoke various regulations / Loi visant à édicter deux lois, à modifier diverses lois et à abroger divers règlements.

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

An Act to amend various Acts relating to education and child care / Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne l’éducation et la garde d’enfants.

An Act to amend various Acts relating to the justice system, fire protection and prevention and animal welfare / Loi modifiant diverses lois relatives au système judiciaire, à la prévention et à la protection contre l’incendie ainsi qu’au bien-être des animaux.

An Act to provide for the dissolution of The Regional Municipality of Peel / Loi prévoyant la dissolution de la municipalité régionale de Peel.

An Act to revive 2253697 Ontario Inc.

Au nom de Sa Majesté, Son Honneur la lieutenante-gouverneure sanctionne ces projets de loi.

Applause.

On behalf of the citizens of the province, may I sincerely thank you and wish each and every one of you a great summer.

Her Honour was then pleased to retire.

I would like to extend a warm welcome on behalf of the residents of Ontario to His Highness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia. He’s visiting Ontario on an official visit, and he was, yesterday, at the Armenian community centre. Many multi-faith groups welcomed him to Ontario. We wish him welcome.

I would like to take the opportunity to wish Filipino Canadians across the province and across the country a very happy Filipino Heritage Month.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank members of this House who voted for my bill two years ago. This year, we will be celebrating, for the second time in Ontario, Filipino Heritage Month. On June 12, we will be raising the Filipino flag in front of the Ontario Legislature. Thank you very much, and I’m very happy—

Applause.

Christmas is going to be coming up in December, so I think it’s important that we all acknowledge that that’s coming as well.

The member for Mississauga–Erin Mills.

It is now time to say a word of thanks to our legislative pages. Our pages are smart, trustworthy and hard-working. They’re indispensable to the effective functioning of this chamber, and we are indeed fortunate to have had them here.

To our pages, you depart having made many new friends, with a greater understanding of parliamentary democracy and memories that will last a lifetime. Each of you will go home now and continue your studies, and no doubt will contribute to your communities, your province and your country in important ways. We expect great things from all of you. Who knows? Maybe some of you someday will take your seats in this House as members or work here as staff. No matter where your path leads you, we wish you well.

Please join me in thanking this group of legislative pages.

Applause.

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

Bill 98, An Act to amend various Acts relating to education and child care / Projet de loi 98, Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne l’éducation et la garde d’enfants.

The division bells rang from 1216 to 1221.

On June 6, 2023, Mr. Lecce moved third reading of Bill 98, An Act to amend various Acts relating to education and child care.

On June 8, 2023, Mr. Yakabuski moved that the question be now put.

All those in favour of Mr. Yakabuski’s motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Mr. Lecce has moved third reading of Bill 98, An Act to amend various Acts relating to education and child care.

Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? I heard some noes.

All those in favour of the motion will please say “aye.”

All those opposed will please say “nay.”

In my opinion, the ayes have it.

Call in the members. This is a five-minute bell.

The division bells rang from 1225 to 1226.

All those in favour of the motion will please rise one at a time and be recognized by the Clerk.

Be it resolved that the bill do now pass and be entitled as in the motion.

Third reading agreed to.

It is therefore 1 o’clock.

Report deemed adopted.

Mr. Tabuns moved first reading of the following bill:

Bill 130, An Act to amend the Oil, Gas and Salt Resources Act to prohibit hydraulic fracturing and related activities / Projet de loi 130, Loi modifiant la Loi sur les ressources en pétrole, en gaz et en sel en vue d’interdire la fracturation hydraulique et les activités connexes.

First reading agreed to.

Along with my colleagues MPP Begum, MPP Bell and MPP Shaw, this bill is meant to prevent the introduction of fracturing for oil and natural gas in Ontario, a preventive step to reduce the increase in temperature of the world around us that we’re experiencing directly with the smoke and flames of forest fires across Canada.

As we are coming to adjourn, I would like to wish everyone a very happy and joyful summer. This July marks the fifth year that we celebrate Egyptian Heritage Month in Ontario. I would like to take the opportunity to invite all the members to join us here in July for the many events we’ll be doing. Stay tuned. We will email everybody about the activities. And, as well, there’s a big Egyptian festival, on the 25th and 26th of August, in Celebration Square.

Thank you, Speaker. Her Honour awaits.

Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario entered the chamber of the Legislative Assembly and took her seat upon the throne.

That the Standing Committee on Social Policy be authorized to meet on Monday, September 11, 2023, and Tuesday, September 12, 2023; and

That the Standing Committee on the Interior be authorized to meet on Monday, September 11, 2023; and

That the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs be authorized to meet on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, and Wednesday, September 13, 2023; and

That the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy be authorized to meet on Wednesday, September 13, 2023; and

That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy be authorized to meet on Thursday, September 14, 2023.

I’ll be really quick. On Saturday, June 10, my firstborn is turning 19, and I just want to wish him a happy birthday, and be safe.

It’s always a pleasure to stand in this chamber to represent the great constituents of Barrie–Innisfil. I want to take this opportunity to welcome a guest—Laura Weisz is with us today—and also pass a great thank you on behalf of our government to our House leader, who has really guided us through the session. It’s a great pleasure to work with him.

With that, Speaker, as my colleagues celebrate a great House leader, I move adjournment of the House.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Millcroft golf course represents more than 60% of the community’s overall green space, is home to many species of wildlife (some endangered), and acts as a flood management system; and

“Whereas there is currently a proposal to rezone the golf course for residential development;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“That the Legislative Assembly of Ontario call on the city of Burlington, the region of Halton, and the province of Ontario to work together to preserve the Millcroft golf course lands ... for the people of the community and beyond.”

I wholeheartedly endorse this petition, sign it and pass it on to page Halle.

Resuming the debate adjourned on September 1, 2022, on the motion to recognize newly elected members of provincial Parliament.

It’s always an honour to be able to speak. We are in opposition to this motion. I would like to recognize that this motion does allow the committees for estimates to sit; that’s very important.

Starting at a later date, it does eliminate time for question period, and question period is one of the most important parts of our system, so we do rue that. But it is incredibly important to spend time in all our communities, and we recognize that. And—

Interjection.

I would just like to give a plug for the 2023 International Plowing Match. And just where this is—I believe it’s in the health minister’s riding. It is in an area called Bowling Green and Laurel—even the names are beautiful—in the municipalities of Amaranth and Grand Valley. And on behalf of the minister and everyone else who’s working so hard on that—I know it takes thousands of volunteers to pull this off—please take the opportunity and see what rural Ontario has to offer.

We are incredibly opposed to this motion, but very supportive of the plowing match.