Thank you, Speaker. I appreciate that.

It’s an honour to rise in the Legislature today to announce another important investment in Sarnia–Lambton by the government of Ontario. Recently, I was pleased to share the good news with a number of different organizations in Sarnia–Lambton that our government is investing nearly $550,000 in five different community festivals through the 2022 Reconnect Ontario program.

The Bluewater Health Foundation Block Party, the South Western International Film Festival, the Victoria Playhouse Petrolia, the Bluewater BorderFest Music Festival, and the Revelree Music Festival have all been selected by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport as local Sarnia–Lambton recipients of the Reconnect Ontario program grants that support entertainment and jobs in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors.

In total, your Ontario government is investing more than $48 million across this great province through the Reconnect Ontario program to help create amazing staycation experiences and boost local economic growth.

By investing more than $500,000 in Sarnia–Lambton, in these festivals and events, our government is delivering much-needed support for local businesses in our community as it continues to recover from the effects of the pandemic. This is great news from the government of Ontario—to ensure that Ontario is making a positive difference in my community.