In my riding, I see first-hand how harmful Ontario’s labour shortage truly is for small businesses. Employers and businesses want to do more, but simply cannot because of the limited supply of workers. The skilled and semi-skilled labour shortage remains one of the main factors limiting business growth. Jobs are waiting to be filled and paycheques are waiting to be collected.

Speaker, my question is straightforward: Will the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development please explain to this Legislature what our government is doing to address Ontario’s historic labour shortage issue?

Thank you, Minister, for that reassuring response.

Speaker, about one in five new jobs in Ontario over the next five years will be related to skilled trades. To tackle the labour shortage, we must address the skills gap and continue promoting the skilled trades. The skilled trades can provide young people access to these incredible, meaningful careers that will keep many of our local industries thriving.

Once again to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development: What is our government doing to promote the skilled trades in Ontario?