I rise today to commemorate a hero in my community. Gerry Saxton passed away suddenly last week in his 18th year of service with the St. Catharines fire department. Sadly, Gerry succumbed to injuries he received in the line of duty.

Gerry was a husband, a father, a neighbour, a first responder, and he was also my dear friend. As I would tell anyone that asked, Gerry was a true Merrittonian. He must have coached soccer and played street hockey with half the kids in Merritton. He had an incredible work ethic. Everyone that met him instantly loved him.

As much as Gerry was devoted to his community, he loved his family the most. He was a loving husband of 29 years to Lorraine and a proud father of four.

A special thank-you to the St. Catharines fire department and the professional firefighters’ association, IAFF Local 485. Thank you to all the firefighters that came from across Ontario to celebrate Gerry’s life last week.

I will always remember Gerry as the best part of my community, that person who always encouraged others to do the things that they found difficult. I will miss him, and I know everyone he touched feels the same way.

Thank you, Gerry. You were a phenomenal firefighter. We honour you, and we will forever show our gratitude for our time we spent with you.

I would like to welcome all Cambridge firefighters here today, who I’ll be meeting with at 1 o’clock, and I’d also like to welcome John Holman here today.

I’d like to give a very warm welcome to my legislative assistant, Jeremy Istead; his wife, Marian Kelly; and his parents, Diane and Paul Istead. Welcome to the Legislature.

I would also like to welcome the Toronto Professional Firefighters to the House today, and a special shout-out to John Blair, John Maclachlan and James Wenger.

I’d like to welcome Ayrton Potter and the Kingston Professional Firefighters Association to the Ontario Legislature today.

I too would like to welcome all the firefighters here at Queen’s Park today, with a special shout-out to Colin Hunter and Chris Boehmer from the Guelph Professional Fire Fighters Association. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I want to welcome John Maclachlan, James Wenger and Tori Goulart, who I’ll be meeting this afternoon from the Toronto firefighters’ association.

I just wanted to say, to the Toronto Professional Firefighters, thank you very much for your work. You run in when most of us would run out. Thank you for your work.

I’d like to welcome all of the members of the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters representing 32,600 firms and 773,000 employees across Ontario.

I would also like to welcome Paul Auger from the North Bay Professional Firefighters.

I’d like to welcome a couple of people from the Peterborough firefighters’ association, Mikaela McGill and Captain Jim Woodley.

I too would like to welcome all the firefighters to Queen’s Park today, as well as a good friend, Jim Corcoran, who’s here from Northumberland–Peterborough South.

I would like to introduce the Barrie firefighters Eric Webster and Joey Baker. Welcome and thank you.

I want to welcome to the House the Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

Also, Ryan Morrison and Steven D’Aloisio from the professional firefighters’ association. I’m looking forward to meeting you later this afternoon.

Page Max Weatherhead is a page captain today and his parents, Sharon Navarro and Brian Weatherhead, are in the audience today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Also Mike Tucker, Bob Brandon and John Hanlan from the Whitby Professional Firefighters: Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome, from the Sarnia professional firefighters today, Matt Madere.

I would like to welcome, from my riding, Pete Dyson, Nathan Langille, Brad Whittle and Cory Devereaux, who are here today on behalf of the Oshawa Professional Firefighters Association Local 465. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome the members of the Thunder Bay firefighters’ association to Queen’s Park today. I look forward to meeting with you this afternoon, and thank you to all the firefighters for the tremendous work you do in our province.

I’d like to give a warm welcome to Wayne Currie and Kris Matton of the Windsor Professional Firefighters Association today.