It’s a great honour for me to once again introduce this petition, the most signed petition I’ve done in Ottawa Centre. It reads: “I Support Small Ice Cream Shops in Ontario.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas small ice cream shops offer customers a delicious treat”—even in November—“dairy producers valuable clients, and offer staff jobs;

“Whereas the Milk Act prevents small ice cream shops from local wholesaling, even if the source of their dairy ingredients comes from a certified dairy plant. In fact, the Milk Act currently restricts the wholesale of any products made with dairy ingredients, not just ice cream;

“Whereas small ice cream shops that wholesale without their own certified dairy plants are subject to thousands of dollars in fines” and potential arrests;

“Whereas consumers have the right to choose from a variety of safe dairy products, and not just those made by large suppliers;

“We, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to allow small ice cream shops access to local markets for wholesaling, provided all ingredients are fully traceable, and all dairy ingredients come from certified dairy plants in Ontario.”

It’s an honour to sign these many petitions. I’ll be sending it with page Eric to the Clerks’ table.