I just wanted to give an introduction to Dr. David Jacobs, who is here today, and thank him for all the incredible work he does as a medical professional and for everyone across this province. Thank you for joining us.

Deferred vote on the motion for third reading of the following bill:

Bill 51, An Act to amend the Legislative Assembly Act / Projet de loi 51, Loi modifiant la Loi sur l’Assemblée législative.

The following are the titles of the bills to which Your Honour’s assent is prayed:

An Act to amend various Acts in respect of post-secondary education / Loi modifiant diverses lois en ce qui concerne l’éducation postsecondaire.

An Act to implement Budget measures and to enact and amend various statutes / Loi visant à mettre en oeuvre les mesures budgétaires et à édicter et à modifier diverses lois.

An Act to amend the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Municipal Act, 2001 and to enact the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve Repeal Act, 2022 / Loi visant à modifier la Loi de 2006 sur la cité de Toronto et la Loi de 2001 sur les municipalités et à édicter la Loi de 2022 abrogeant la Loi sur la Réserve agricole de Duffins-Rouge.

An Act to amend the Legislative Assembly Act / Loi modifiant la Loi sur l’Assemblée législative.

An Act to revive 405456 Ontario Limited.

An Act to revive 1204755 Ontario Limited.

An Act to revive Quadcard Entertainment Ltd.

An Act to revive H.B. Arndt & Associates Ltd.

An Act to revive Nextblock Inc.

An Act to revive Welberne Holding Corp.

Au nom de Sa Majesté, Son Honneur la lieutenante-gouverneure sanctionne ces projets de loi.

But one of the things that we have also seen are lessons that have been learned during Ontario’s experience during COVID, and that is what gives me hope and optimism. There are lessons about collaboration. There are lessons about how important it is to have the contribution of science and evidence for decision-making. We’ve learned about our interdependencies, globally and among sectors—social and economic sectors—here in this province. And we’ve learned about the inequities that we all face.

Every time I get invited into this chamber, I walk in with a sense of awe, but I also—and maybe it’s particularly this year—feel a heavy weight: the weight of obligation, the weight of opportunity to protect and nurture something that we all hold so precious, and that’s our democracy. We see a fragility in democracies around the world, and Canada is no different. And yet, we are looked to around the world for the strength of our democracy.

“Democracy” is an interesting word. It’s so much more than a vote; it really is about how we choose to live our lives together in community. Everyone has a role to play in democracy, whether it be the media, the judiciary, civil society and all orders of government.

But there’s something so very special about this place. This is a place where the visions and the voices of Ontarians must be heard. This is a place where thoughtful deliberation of issues that matter is held. This is a place where respectful dialogue is the norm. And this is what Ontarians expect.

As you head home to the embrace and warmth of your family and friends, particularly at this time of year, I hope that you will be able to spare some moments for reflection about the very special privilege that each of us has to protect the democracy that we hold dear. I hope you come back with renewed energy to do that.

Meanwhile, I wish you joy, peace and much good health. Thank you. Merci. Meegwetch.

Her Honour was then pleased to retire.