My question is for the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. The COVID-19 pandemic has left many families across Ontario dealing with many challenges. Sadly, the pandemic has increased the frequency and severity of domestic violence for many women in our province.

According to the Ontario Association of Interval and Transition Houses, there have been 43 femicides in Ontario within the past year.

Living a life free from violence is a fundamental human right, but gender-based violence continues to be a significant barrier to achieving gender equality in Ontario. Can the minister update this House on our government’s work to end gender-based violence?

Can the associate minister please share further details on how the Investing in Women’s Futures program expansion will proceed?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted gaps in our health care system caused by the neglect and indifference of the previous Liberal government. We cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of the past. We must ensure that people in our province can access the health care services they need when they need them.

We know that internationally educated nurses in every community are eager to work, but have expressed concern over the lengthy registration process. Can the Minister of Health update this House on what our government is doing to make it easier for internationally educated nurses to work here in Ontario?

It is great to hear that changes are being made to have internationally educated nurses work in Ontario much sooner, but as a government, we must do more.

Speaker, retired nurses in my riding of Don Valley North want to return to work and assist those in need once again, but unfortunately, they have faced barriers in applying for reinstatement. Our government must act now to find a solution to bring these nurses and others with medical expertise back into practice.

Speaker, can the minister provide more details on what else our government is doing to expand our health care workforce?