I’m proud that our government is supporting Ontario-made innovation, with an investment of more than $198 million in research projects at colleges, universities and research hospitals. Speaker, we know, as we continue to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 across all sectors, how important it is to foster research and innovation to help boost our economic development in areas like Whitby and other parts of the region of Durham. That’s why I’m pleased that Durham College in Whitby has received approximately $788,000 to create a resource for Ontario’s small and medium-sized enterprises to evaluate, develop and deploy cybersecurity systems, helping them to detect, prevent and respond to cyberattacks more efficiently.

These Ontario research funds will add new infrastructure to the Centre for Cybersecurity Innovation at Durham College, giving them access to the technology and equipment necessary to make them absolute leaders of innovation. This also ensures that hard-working students from across the region of Durham have access to the research and innovation that supports them to remain competitive and to advance in today’s job market.

Yes, we would like to refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy.