Thank you to the hard-working member from Peterborough–Kawartha for asking such an important question. Our government is committed to removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities and connecting job-seekers and employers.

Mr. Speaker, October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month, also known as NDEAM. People with disabilities represent a large talent pool of skilled workers, and they are ready to make a difference in Ontario’s workplaces.

Thank you for another good question.

Our government is dedicated to helping create a society that is more inclusive for everyone, especially people with disabilities and older Ontarians, like me.

The Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development has invested an additional $90 million into the Skills Development Fund. This fund supports projects that prepare jobseekers for meaningful careers.

We will continue to engage with employers and partners to promote the benefits of hiring people with disabilities, to improve the culture of employment in Ontario.

A commitment to accessibility awareness doesn’t just stop with recognizing the importance of National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

People in my riding want good-paying jobs regardless of their backgrounds, and when employers focus on an individual’s strength first, they can find great employees.

Speaker, could the minister please tell the House what our government is doing to support employment opportunities for people with disabilities in my riding of Peterborough–Kawartha and across Ontario, and how is our government making investments that will help create inclusive opportunities for all Ontarians?