I really want to thank the great member from Burlington for her question.

Just like we believe that people deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, we think that animals should be treated with dignity and respect too. All animals, Mr. Speaker, deserve to be kept in safe conditions and live without distress and abuse.

Animal welfare is of crucial importance to our government, and that’s why, in 2019, the Ontario government passed the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, PAWS Act, to develop a robust, transparent and accountable system to protect animals. This was the first of its kind in Canada, and the PAWS Act helps ensure that animals are protected and treated in a humane manner.

I want to assure this Legislature and the people of Ontario that the PAWS Act is enforced by very dedicated provincial inspectors.

Monsieur le Président, c’est un honneur d’assurer la protection des animaux de notre province. Pour moi, c’est personnel.