The Love, Scarborough campaign was launched in January to draw attention to the health inequities in Scarborough and to change the statistics that although Scarborough has 25% of Toronto’s population, its hospitals receive only 1% of donations. Thanks to the support of donors, and spurred by our historic investments in Scarborough’s infrastructure and health care, the campaign has been incredibly successful. As a result, the Scarborough Health Network—SHN—Foundation, has now raised the original $100-million goal to $200 million. To date, over $130 million has been raised. The funds will help meet a number of needs within the SHN, including the redevelopment of its emergency departments, facilities and programs for people with chronic kidney disease; improved mental health care; and the new Northpine diagnostic imaging department at SHN General.

As a result of the successful fundraising, the SHN Foundation is planning the next phase of the campaign. It will include investment in teaching and research, establishing centres of excellence throughout the SHN, and raising local support towards the redevelopment of the Birchmount Hospital.

Our government announced over $1 billion in support of the Birchmount project in April.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Premier Ford for his ongoing support of SHN and helping us secure a donation of $75 million from the Orlando group.

Mr. Speaker, I stand committed to unequivocally support Birchmount/Grace hospital and SHN to deliver the exceptional and compassionate care they continue to provide to residents of Scarborough–Agincourt.

I urge everyone to join this worthy initiative and help Scarborough residents get the care they deserve.

I would also like to mention the contributions of my colleagues Minister Raymond Cho, MPP Vijay Thanigasalam and MPP David Smith for their hard work on behalf of the residents of Scarborough.

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanza, happy Thai Pongal, and happy lunar new year, the year of the rabbit, to all residents of Scarborough.

With winter upon us, more people will depend on our public transit systems for safe and reliable travel.

Public transit is a vital service for individuals and families in many regions of our province. While we know that our government has made significant transit investments, many of my constituents are looking for assurance that our government will continue to support our transit system during this period of economic uncertainty.

Can the Associate Minister of Transportation please explain what our government is doing to support our transit agencies as we ensure their continued operation?

Our government’s recent funding and historic multi-billion dollar transit expansion plan will continue to assist transit riders across our province.

Our transit system must continue to be responsive to our communities’ needs, now and in the future.

Can the Associate Minister of Transportation please explain what ongoing support our government is providing to our transit agencies?