My question is for the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Our province is currently experiencing a labour shortage in every sector of our economy. Across Ontario, jobs are going unfilled every day, costing our economy billions in lost productivity. One of the most critical areas where we are missing talent is in the skilled trades. With so many job vacancies needing to be filled, people need to be provided with the opportunity to launch into these well-paying and lifelong careers.

To help build a stronger Ontario, our government must do all that we can do to help more people get into the skilled trades.

Can the minister please explain how our government is supporting people in gaining the skills they need to address our province’s overwhelming demand for skilled tradespeople?

When speaking about getting more people into the skilled trades and that the labour shortage is hurting Ontario’s economic potential, our government must focus on implementing solutions that will have a real impact on the future prosperity of our province. We need to remove barriers as well as provide opportunities and pathways to employment in the skilled trades for those who don’t currently have jobs but who want to work.

Can the minister please elaborate on how our government is supporting Ontarians in securing rewarding careers in the skilled trades?