In His Majesty’s name, Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor assents to these bills.

Au nom de Sa Majesté, Son Honneur la lieutenante-gouverneure sanctionne ces projets de loi.

I’ve told you before that whenever I walk into this special place, I’m absolutely in awe and very humbled by what it is that we get to do together in the interests of the people of this province. This has been a remarkable journey. It has been the position of a lifetime, and for that I’m grateful. In fact, the word I was thinking about as I walked in this morning was actually one of gratitude.

This is an amazing province. It’s a province with such a proud history. It’s a province that is so full of promise and possibility. The future is so very bright. And I can say that because I’ve been so well received in hundreds and thousands of places around this province. I’ve had conversations, as you suggest, Mr. Speaker, with people who have told me their ambitions, their aspirations for themselves and their families, and they’ve also shared their stories of pain and agony and grief that we’ve all gone through together in the last few years.

But I can also point confidently to the promise of this province because I see the work that all of you do every day. It is a career. It’s a calling that is a daily event in your lives, and the effort you make is noticed. I see at times your creativity, your courage, your compassion and your overall desire to shape this place, this province we live in—to shape it in a way that is going to be better for your constituents and their families.

For me, it has been the privilege of a lifetime. It has been such a great opportunity to represent Their Majesties; to try to provide tradition, continuity, stability under trying times—but, for me, to be able to be a small part in encouraging Ontario to be the very best that it can be, to be a society that is caring and resilient, to be a society that is committed more than ever to the safeguarding of democracy, reconciliation and also sustainability.

Mr. Premier and all members of this House, thank you so much for the respect that you’ve always shown me and the office which I hold. I know that you will continue that with my successor.

So one last time, Mr. Speaker, may I wish each and every one of you continued good health and so much happiness and fulfillment. Be kind to one another. Thank you. Merci. Meegwetch.

Applause.

Applause.

Her Honour was then pleased to retire.