I do want to thank the member for Stormont–Dundas–South Glengarry for his advocacy as a father and a fighter for affordable child care in this province.

We recognize that, under the former Liberals for over 15 years, child care became totally inaccessible and unattainable. It increased by 400% for an average family in the province. We knew when we came to power, under our Premier’s leadership, that we had to act to make life more affordable for working parents. We signed a deal—a better deal—with the federal government, and I’m proud, Speaker, to confirm that, as of January 1 of this year, child care fees have been reduced by 50%, on average, saving anywhere between $6,000 to $12,000 a year per child. That is a massive step forward to the affordability program and agenda our government has undertaken for the coming year. We know there’s more to do; it’s why we continue to provide relief.

Mr. Speaker, we’re going to increase spaces while we decrease costs and help families across this province.

Our government undertook a plan, which we’ve implemented, to make fees much more affordable—a 50% reduction to date as of January 1—with a commitment to build spaces. We’ve announced, together with the Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity, a plan to build 53,000 net new spaces. That’s going to mean, in Peel, 7,000 more spaces; in Simcoe, 3,000 more spaces; in the member’s riding, another 465 for Cornwall; another 827 for Hastings; and 715 for Brantford. We are making this a reality by building spaces and reducing fees, helping families across this province.