We can confirm that under this Progressive Conservative government we are actually increasing the amount of staff in this province by 3,000 more for this coming September—more custodians, more EAs, more ECEs and educators who make a difference in our schools. That is part of our vision for a more normal and, frankly, a much more stable September for these kids—yes, with more people in the schools.

In addition to more dollars, we’re asking for and expecting a higher standard for our kids. We need these children to be immersed in learning with a stable environment that keeps them there from September right to June in a normal, fulsome experience that includes the sports, the extracurriculars and clubs that produce the well-rounded leaders we all want.

Mr. Speaker, our intention for September is to ensure that these kids get back on track—with a learning recovery plan that invests over 650 million more dollars for this September, to ensure these kids are well supported and get back on track.

The member didn’t even ask the question setting the priority of keeping kids in school, which ought to be the priority of every MPP in this place. Mr. Speaker, our priority is ensuring stability for children. The question should focus on our kids. It’s about time the opposition starts to get on track with that imperative of stability for kids.

That’s why we’ve ensured more money is in place for September. It’s why we’ve been negotiating in good faith to land a fair deal for the workers but a good deal for our families. The principle that we’re going to communicate to the union, to the board of trustees and the people of the province is: We’ll stand up for stability for your children.

I want to thank the member for the question.

We do agree; these children should have access to the practitioners they need wherever they are. That’s why, two years ago, working with the Minister of Finance, under the Premier’s leadership, we actually doubled the number of public health nurses who work in our schools—640 public health nurses working in schools—

Interjection: Where are they? Name one.

At a time when front-line workers are making a difference in our schools and our communities, we should be grateful for their contributions to our kids and to our communities. It’s precisely why we more than doubled the allocation. It’s why we increased investments overall for special education by an additional $90 million for this year. It is now at the highest levels ever recorded in the history of this province, because we want those kids to get the services they deserve.

Mr. Speaker, we’re going to continue to increase investments, increase access to staff and practitioners, and work with the Minister of Health across ministries to improve the services for the kids of this province.