I want to thank the member from Windsor–Tecumseh for that question and all the work he’s doing to bring the concerns of the people of Windsor to Queen’s Park.

Auto workers are the backbone of Windsor and Ontario’s economy. These are good-paying union jobs, with pensions and benefits. These are jobs where you can buy a home with a two-car garage, raise your family and take your kids to hockey practice at the end of your shift.

Speaker, when our automotive industry suffers, we all suffer. Last week, I joined the member for Essex in standing shoulder to shoulder with Unifor Local 444 president, Dave Cassidy, in Windsor. Together, we announced more than $550,000 for employment action centres to support more than 800 auto workers and their families. We’re leaving no one behind.

I’ll share more in our supplemental.

To build a stronger Ontario that works for everyone, labour, business and government must work together. That’s why I was honoured to stand with our partners to announce employment action centres for their workers. Working with Unifor Local 444 and Local 195, our action centres are supporting affected workers by hosting job-searching sessions, organizing individually tailored career planning, providing one-to-one peer counselling and mental health supports, and supporting resumé and cover letter writing. All of these services are focused on helping workers to re-enter the workforce quickly.

Mr. Speaker, it’s this government, under the leadership of Premier Ford, that has the backs of our auto workers. We’re helping them find new good jobs today and preparing them for better jobs and bigger paycheques tomorrow.

To build Ontario, we need all hands on deck.

My question is to Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The sacrifice, hard work and dedication of the Ontario worker has made our province economically sound, prosperous and strong. Unfortunately, Ontario is not immune to the impacts that geopolitical instability, high inflation and supply chain disruptions continue to cause to the global economy.

In my communities of Windsor and Tecumseh, ongoing economic challenges are adversely affecting our business and manufacturing sectors. It’s imperative that our government continue to stand in support with the Ontario worker during these uncertain times.

Speaker, what is our government doing to support those whose jobs have been affected, and what programs do we have in place to assist them?

With roughly 13,000 jobs unfilled in our region, including Windsor and Sarnia, skilled trades jobs are in high demand and favourably looked upon. Our government must continue to show leadership in advancing the vital importance of skilled trades and manufacturing job opportunities in our province.

Speaker, my question is once again to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: What is our government doing to invest in our employment services to help our highly skilled workers?