I’d like to welcome students from W.H. Morden school in Oakville. They will be performing in a choir and instrumental performance by the grand staircase just after noon.

I hope you’ll enjoy your visit to Queen’s Park.

I encourage everyone here to come and listen to the wonderful singing and music from the Oakville students.

My question is for the Minister of Education.

Recently released EQAO results confirm what parents already know: Children excel when they are in class and are able to participate in school life. Keeping our children in the classroom, as our government has done, is critical. We know that the disruptions of the past few years resulted in learning loss, particularly among our youngest students.

Through you, Speaker, to the Minister of Education: How is our government helping our youngest students recover from disruption to in-class learning?

Studies from leading health experts reveal that mental health issues can start early in our young learners, particularly from the age of 15 onward. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, these students are more likely to experience mental health illness and substance-use disorders than any other group.

We know that mental health education can empower students with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to assist in navigating their own mental health, often saving lives.

Speaker, through you to the Minister of Education: How will our government commit to supporting mental health education in schools?

Speaker, over the past few months, we have had numerous tragic and terrifying incidents in high schools, including a number of incidents in schools across Scarborough.

Students are experiencing immense difficulty, especially after the two and half years of virtual learning. With the lack of extracurricular activities, students, families and teachers are all worried. They’re scared. They’re worried about these students’ mental health; I know the minister just spoke about it. These students are dealing with trauma and anxiety.

We’ve even had stabbings and shootings in our schools, resulting in multiple deaths in Scarborough.

These students don’t want to hear about the Roadmap to Wellness or the numbers—those are great, but we need real action in these schools. They want to know what resources are in place for our youth in schools and in our communities to ensure their safety and well-being.