I also would like to welcome the members of the OPSEU corrections officers team here to the House, more specifically Bill Hayes, Mike Lundy and Janet Laverty, who I had the chance to meet with this morning. Thank you so much, and welcome to the House.

I want to thank the member for Scarborough–Rouge Park for this very important question. Ontario’s paramedics and ambulance communication officers are truly heroes in our health care system. They are innovative and always willing to take on new roles to support our government in building a more comprehensive and connected health care system.

Our government created a stand-alone committee under section 21 of the Occupational Health and Safety Act to develop resources that address unique health and safety risks that these front-line heroes face every single day serving our families and our communities. This new paramedic services committee will complement the existing first responder committees for fire and police services while providing a focused channel for recommendations from experts, employers and workers. Both labour leaders and chiefs and all paramedics have been calling for this committee now for more than 20 years and, under the leadership of our Premier, our government is getting it done for them.

Our government was pleased to address this long-outstanding request, as our government recognizes and supports the important work of this sector in our health care system. This announcement demonstrates that our government listened to unions, including Unifor, CUPE, SEIU and OPSEU, representing front-line paramedics and ambulance communication officers, as well as the strong advocacy from paramedic chiefs and the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs, which represents every paramedic service across our province.

This committee is a great opportunity for paramedics, ambulance communication officers and paramedic chiefs to make important recommendations and provide practical guidance for employers and workers. The creation of this committee is a vital investment in the physical, emotional and psychological well-being of our paramedics and ambulance communication officers.

Our government, Mr. Speaker, is working for workers and building a stronger Ontario that leaves no one behind.