Thank you to the member opposite for your presentation this morning.

I realize you noticed what we have made, which is an historic investment for the 5% we addressed for the ODSP. In fact, we’re saying that in the future we will be adjusting that because of the inflation rate.

I would like to hear from the member something that we really highlighted in this budget, which is in highways and transportation—we know that, in the budget, we say that we are going to have $158 billion invested in highways and key infrastructure over the next 10 years, and $20 billion just for 2022 and 2023 alone. Can you give us a comment—why, and what we can do with this investment for the future development of this province?

First of all, I would like to congratulate my colleague from Scarborough–Guildwood for her re-election to this august House.

For 15 years, the Liberals—my colleague was part of that government, as the Minister of Education and other posts or positions—did not plan for the growth of our city or province. The best demonstration is Scarborough—for 15 years, Scarborough has been ignored.

During our government’s last term, we brought so many important infrastructure projects, like subways, building hospitals, community centres, medical centres.

Wouldn’t my colleague support our plans—which will also benefit individuals in Scarborough—to improve the quality of life?

I thank my colleague from Scarborough–Agincourt. We are on the same side, when it comes to fighting for the people of Scarborough–Guildwood. That’s why I was elected nine years ago. Speaker, on August 1, which is Emancipation Day, I was elected by the people of Scarborough to do this very thing, to fight for them.

Scarborough is a community I grew up in—went to high school; went to University of Toronto, Scarborough campus. I know Scarborough needs more infrastructure. In fact, the extension of the subway is something I fought for. I was elected in 2013 as the “subway champion,” to bring that very infrastructure to the people of Scarborough. I continue to fight for the people of Scarborough.

You recently announced a medical school for Scarborough. That was a project that I helped to co-create with the former principal of the University of Toronto Scarborough campus because I noticed that we had a gap in that area. I pushed for that.

Oftentimes, that’s what the people of our province expect—that in successive governments, you will build on the work that has already started for their benefit.

I will always continue to fight for the people of Scarborough and for what they need.

I’m also very proud of the environmental contributions that were driven by the former Liberal government. The closure of coal plants was recognized even by President Obama as the most significant contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases in North America by any jurisdiction, and that was led by a Liberal government.

I’m also proud of how the former Liberal government handled the Great Recession. We remember how precarious everything was. We brought back over 800,000 jobs. All of the jobs that were lost during the Great Recession were brought back under our leadership. That is why I call out this current government in terms of what they are doing—with the lack of vision, the lack of a road map, the lack of a plan in this budget—when we’re facing such precarious economic times.

Of course, on health care, we have some of the most innovative approaches—Cancer Care Ontario—to our health system, in terms of leading the transformation and renewal of our health system.

That form of innovation and leadership is needed today and always. And I give credit to the great people of Ontario for our great education system, and the people who work so hard—

I’d like to refer the bill to the Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas our government was elected on a promise to the people of Ontario to rebuild the economy after the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on our businesses and workers; and

“Whereas the creation of new jobs, new opportunities and bigger paycheques will enable Ontario workers to bring home more money for their families and to their communities; and

“Whereas the Progressive Conservative government is seizing on opportunities in industries and fields that the Liberals and the NDP gave up on; and

“Whereas we are investing $1 billion for critical mineral infrastructure, such as all-season roads to the Ring of Fire and the implementation of our very first Critical Minerals Strategy; and

“Whereas through hard work and good policies building an environment for economic growth we have attracted more than $12 billion in new investment in electric and hybrid vehicles, including Canada’s first full-scale electric vehicle battery plant in Windsor; and

“Whereas our plan for driving economic growth includes building an end-to-end supply chain for electric and hybrid vehicles from mining to processing to manufacturing, all of which will happen right here in Ontario; and

“Whereas our government has delivered an estimated $8.9 billion in cost savings and support for Ontario employers, especially small businesses, who are the backbone of our economy; and

“Whereas the province has created more than 500,000 new jobs since 2018, 500,000 new paycheques and opportunities for families in every corner of the province;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to continue to build on this progress and rebuild Ontario’s economy.”

I thoroughly endorse this petition, will sign my name to it and give it to page Adele.

I, too, want to take the opportunity to welcome the new members to this wonderful House of democracy. I think I speak for all of us that it is a huge privilege and a very humbling responsibility that all of our voters bestowed on us when they voted us into the 43rd Parliament.

But, Speaker, I wanted to ask the member, because she mentioned that it takes her a long time to get here when she commutes to get to Queen’s Park: Bill 2 would see over $158 billion invested in highways and key transit infrastructure over the next 10 years, as well as other critical infrastructure including hospitals, long-term-care homes etc. Could the member across explain why her party does not support these measures to get shovels in the ground as soon as possible to get Ontarians moving and grow Ontario’s economy? We are saying yes on this side of the House, and we’re encouraging members opposite to join us in saying yes to building Ontario.