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.

“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.

Mr. Calandra has moved that when the House adjourns today, it stand adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023—

Interjection: Dispense.

The government House leader.

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.

Interjection: On division.

Motion agreed to.

This House stands adjourned until 10:15 a.m. on Monday, September 25, 2023.

The House adjourned at 1247.

Just to briefly say that, as you can tell, if the motion passes, we will be returning on the 25th.

In anticipation of the member opposite, the House leader opposite, I can inform the House that, upon our return on September 25, I will be seeking the unanimous consent of all members of the House, including the opposition, to immediately begin night sittings to allow the government the authority to have night sittings so that we can catch up on the few days that we miss, Speaker. Also, you will note that this allows members, of course, to attend the International Plowing Match without having to separately adjourn the House as well. And again, Mr. Speaker, it does allow us to continue the important process of estimates on the schedule, as was already previously established, but this motion confirms that.