I thank my honourable colleague for the question.

Mr. Speaker, it’s only the NDP that don’t seem to understand that we’re in a housing crisis in the province of Ontario, and we don’t know why they don’t, because Ontarians told us this in the last election; they told us this in the last municipal election. Every single person who was running for office was told that housing is a big issue, but somehow it’s not a big issue to the NDP. In fact, they’ll oppose housing all along the way.

Through the one initiative—the outgoing mayor, the incoming mayor, the current mayor have said, “We need homes.” Over 50,000 homes are going to be created as a result of this one initiative, because of the great work of this Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Once again, we’ll be very clear: As the NDP continue to say no to housing, this side of the House—with the members in the middle, who continue to shrink them on the other side—will continue to fight for Ontarians for housing.

Mr. Speaker, I think the minister has actually been very clear on that. The lands chosen, of course, are lands that are either serviced or close to areas that are serviced, and in areas that require housing.

It is no surprise to anybody in the chamber that the NDP are against this. They are against people who build homes because they’re against people owning homes. As the associate minister pointed out, the NDP will never say the words “home ownership.” It’s just not something that they can grasp. This is the same group of people who voted against building long-term care in communities—60,000 new long-term-care beds for 60,000 seniors to get new homes. They voted against it. They voted against the policies that have brought to Ontario the highest number of purpose-built rentals in over 30 years—the highest number. Because of the policies of this Premier, they voted against it. Now, not surprisingly, they are voting against the absolute dream that everybody has when they come to this country or grow up in this country: home ownership. They’re against it.

Again, I thank my colleague for the question.

We’ve been very clear: Unlike the previous government, supported by the NDP along the way, we’re not in the business of pitting people against one another. We’re in the business of working in collaboration with everyone to make sure we build homes. Housing is a priority for us.

Mr. Speaker, you don’t have to take my word for it. I’ll read a quote from an accredited economist. Dr. Gillezeau, who, by the way, is the policy adviser to the future leader of the NDP, had this to say in response to comments on Bill 23: “It’s disappointing but not surprising to see municipalities come out so hard against one of the most effective pieces to lower prices in Ontario’s housing legislation.” He said that the changes introduced to development charges under Bill 23 are excellent policy and should have meaningful price effects.

We agree with experts. We need more housing built—

Thanks for the question. Let me be perfectly clear, as we have been the whole time, talking about this opportunity to build homes for Ontarians: Wetlands are not going anywhere in Ontario. We are going to continue to protect this important part of our province.

We are also going to build 1.5 million homes over 10 years. We are also going to make sure that those homes are protected from flooding and any other natural disasters. We are going to get the job done, Mr. Speaker, both on the home front and on the ecology front, and Ontario is going to be the better for it.

I want to thank my former colleague from the city of Toronto. We spent a lot of time together, and I have a great deal of respect.

Mr. Speaker, you’ve got to look at the total greenbelt. We’ve added 2,000 acres more. Since I’ve taken office, the greenbelt has expanded. But what I suggest to the member from Beaches–East York: Sit down; speak to your colleagues about why you changed it 17 times. You changed it 17 times.

We need housing. There are people in the gallery, there are people right here who are still renting. They’re renting. We need to build homes. We need to build 1.5 million homes. We have 300,000 people showing up every single year. Are we going put them in cardboard boxes? Are we going put them in mud huts? No. They want a home. They want an affordable home—

Interjection.

Interjections.