If you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Provincial Constable Grzegorz “Greg” Pierzchala of the Ontario Provincial Police who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2022, in Hagersville, Ontario.

Good morning, everyone. It’s lovely to see you and be back here with you, and I’m looking forward to building a better Ontario with you. Hope you had a great break.

Today, I would like to introduce some more crusaders for the vital greenbelt, and I don’t have all their names, but I have their ridings, so that you are well aware of who’s here, because they’re your lovely constituents. They’re from the wonderful ridings of Kitchener Centre, Wellington–Halton Hills, Guelph, Cambridge, Parkdale–High Park, Mississauga Centre, Kitchener–Conestoga, Don Valley North, Don Valley East, Willowdale, St. Catharines, Dufferin–Caledon, Oakville North–Burlington, Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry and beautiful Beaches–East York.

Also in the chamber is a former Liberal MP for King-Vaughan, Deb Schulte. She was also a cabinet minister and Greenbelt Task Force member.

I’d like to welcome Karen Littlewood, president of the OSSTF, along with Dan Earl, Kaitlyn Reed and Munib Sajjad, ainsi que nos amis de l’AEFO, Anne Vinet-Roy et Émile Maheu. Bienvenue.

I’d like to welcome members from the architectural conservancy: Richard Longley, Diane Dent, Kae Elgie, Diane Chin, Shannon Kyles, Mary Walton, Susan Ratcliffe, Alysson Storey, Alison Creba, Charlotte Mickie, Deb Crawford, Catherine Nasmith, Doug Evans, Paul Farrelly, Marlee Robinson, Michelle Bullough, Zoe Goluch, Justine Tenzer and, finally, Kanika Kaushal.

Before I do my introductions, I’d like to share with the House that today is Losar, Tibetan new year, and I’d like to wish Tibetans in Ontario and across the world a very happy new year. Losar Tashi Delek.

Speaker, in the galleries I have my OLIP intern, Téah U-Ming; placement student from University of Toronto, Alex Boross-Harmer; and my new constituency assistant, Margarita Tsetsekas.

We have a few guests for the Chronic Disease Awareness Day, starting with Sarah Hobbs, who is the chief executive officer of Alliance for Healthier Communities, as well as Kim Fraser, the chief executive officer for Davenport-Perth Neighbourhood and Community Health Centre.

Also from Alliance for Healthier Communities, we have Marie-Lauren Gregoire Drummond. She is the director of communications. We have Zakaria Abdulle, who is the government relations and policy lead, as well as Sanya Budhiraja, who is the communications and event planner. I also want to wish Angela Preocanin, first vice-president of ONA, a welcome to Queen’s Park.

Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker, and it’s good to see everyone again.

I would like to take the opportunity to welcome a constituent of my riding, Mrs. Pam Spence. Pam is a stroke survivor whose passion and dedication for stroke and cardiac rehabilitation programs have made her a leader within the community. In December, Mrs. Spence received the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee award for her work. Thank you to her and her husband, Dave, for being here today.

I’d like to welcome the executive from the OFL and OSSTF, and I’d like to give a special welcome to Ronnie Blackburn who is an intern in my office and has been doing some great research work for us.

I’d just like to introduce my new staff, Wendy Wei. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

J’aimerais souhaiter la bienvenue à ma fille aînée de 18 ans, Vanessa Sarrazin, qui est ici avec ma ravissante conjointe, Chantal. Vanessa profite du congé de relâche pour venir me visiter à Queen’s Park, puis explorer la ville de Toronto. Donc, bienvenue à Queen’s Park.

I want to welcome François Aubin and Adam Hoerdt who are here with the AED Foundation and CARE reception, as well. But when you’re at the reception, ask Adam about his ride across Canada on a bicycle to raise awareness for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, ARVC.

I want to just join everyone in welcoming those who are here from the Greenbelt Promise. We certainly stand with you.

I’d also like to welcome the members of the Ontario Federation of Labour who are here, as well. I know that Rob Halpin is here.

Also, I see my very good friend Karen Littlewood from the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Welcome all to Queen’s Park today.

I see Laura Stone back in the press gallery. Welcome back, Laura.

I’d like to welcome Heart and Stroke delegates to Queen’s Park. They will be meeting with MPPs throughout the day to discuss their policy recommendations and will be hosting a dinner reception at the legislative dining room from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Welcome.

I’d like to introduce my new executive assistant, Jenna DePaiva. Today is her very first day here in the chamber.

Unless there’s an objection, I’ll continue with introduction of visitors.

The Attorney General.

Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

The member for Scarborough Southwest is seeking the unanimous consent of the House for a moment of silence for the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye. Agreed? Agreed. Members will please rise.

The House observed a moment’s silence.

I recognize the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition.

I seek unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Türkiye.

It is an honour to rise and to pay tribute to the Honourable David Onley. David Onley served as Ontario’s 28th Lieutenant Governor from 2007 to 2014. Named to the Order of Canada in 2017, he was a symbol of dignity and an inspiration to many throughout his years of service.

It would be impossible to overstate the influence that he has had in Ontario. Raised in Scarborough, David Onley had a long career as a television newscaster, starting with Citytv in 1984, where he was a science and a weather specialist. He was also a newscaster for Cable Pulse 24, CP24. Even then, as a broadcaster, he appeared on camera in his mobility device. He was an advocate on disability issues just by doing his job.

For David Onley, accessibility was “that which enables people to achieve their full potential.” I couldn’t agree more. So it is of particular significance that David used his status as the province’s first Lieutenant Governor with a physical disability to raise awareness and help break down barriers facing other Ontarians with disabilities. He blazed a trail that all could access. Leading by example, he helped all Ontarians to see beyond physical limitations to see ability everywhere. He was a man who lived his personal motto: “Through adversity to the heights.”

A tireless advocate for a more inclusive society, David Onley was devoted to the service of people in a way that set him apart and set examples for all. He made Ontario and Canada a more welcoming place, and the legacy of his efforts and advocacy for improved access to employment and opportunities for people with disabilities will indeed be lasting.

David was someone that I worked with at Queen’s Park when I was first elected in 2013, and he is very well-known as a graduate and champion of the University of Toronto Scarborough campus, where, following his tenure as Lieutenant Governor, he returned to teach and to develop courses on the role of the crown in the Canadian political system and on the politics of disability in Canada.

On behalf of the residents of Scarborough–Guildwood, I want to thank him for his service. To his family: Thank you for sharing him with us. My deepest condolences to his wife Ruth Ann; to their sons, Jonathan, Robert and Michael; and to their extended families.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Honourable David C. Onley. His contributions will always be remembered with a deep degree of gratitude, and it is my hope that we will all do our best to honour his legacy of accessibility through the kinds of service and action that he modelled so well for all of us.