I rise today to celebrate the recent graduation of 10 new recruits to the Thunder Bay fire service. These recruits, now qualified firefighters, have gone through an extensive 14 weeks of training and education, clocking in over 500 hours each. I stand with much respect reflecting on their graduation, as the recruits have now stepped into their roles protecting and serving the residents of Thunder Bay.

Speaker, becoming a firefighter is not a job; it is a calling. It is a commitment to protect and serve others, often in the face of great personal danger. It’s about providing comfort to someone in their darkest hour, offering a helping hand in times of need and being a pillar of strength when all is lost. It is a vocation that demands unwavering courage, compassion and selfless dedication to public safety.

Throughout my 21 years as a firefighter, I have experienced the camaraderie, sacrifice and determination alongside my fellow service members, and I have been blessed with being part of the fire service family.

This province has a long history of supporting our first responders, and I’m proud to say that these new firefighters are a valued addition to the family. To the most recent graduates in Thunder Bay, welcome to the noble profession of firefighting. May you return home safely at the end of every shift.

Last weekend, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association organized a charity youth run in Mississauga to raise funds for the Trillium Health Partners cancer research program. These enthusiastic youths are making a difference in our community—an example of the amazing things that Ontario’s youth can offer, and it reminds us that it continues to be our responsibility, as leaders of this province, to show them our full support.

I recently joined the Minister of Education and the member from Brampton West for the grand opening of a new daycare campus in Peel—the largest child care centre in Canada. Lullaboo child care is just one of the many organizations that are supporting our children in Mississauga and across Ontario. Our government has cut child care fees by 50%, and our investments are continuing to support children and families. I thank the minister for his dedication to this important cause.

I was honoured to be joined in my riding on October 27 by the Minister of Long-Term Care for the groundbreaking of a new long-term-care project. Ivan Franko Homes long-term care’s new campus on Winston Churchill Boulevard, with 160 modern beds, will provide seniors with convenient and culturally connected care. This plan was over six years in the making, and now it’s finally under way. This is a great success for Mississauga–Erin Mills and a success for all of Ontario—yet another promise made, promise kept.

My community of Sault Ste. Marie has endured quite a lot over the course of the last six weeks or so—as many of you know, recent events. It has been a very, very difficult and trying time.

On September 5 of this year, Constable Orrette Robinson, a Soo police officer, was killed in a traffic accident.

The very next day, on September 6, Mikayla Ouellet was involved in a traffic accident. She was 27 years old. She passed, along with her unborn child.

On September 7, the very next day, a horrific stabbing incident occurred. An individual took the life of 22-year-old Taylor Marshall in a horrible stabbing incident, and then he proceeded to our boardwalk, where he attempted to murder another.

The community as a whole did not know how things could get any harder. We are a small city of just about 75,000 people. Those three days felt like the worst three days we could have imagined.

Then, October 23 happened: Angie Sweeney was murdered—41 years old. Then, the individual proceeded to the residence of his ex-partner, where he proceeded to shoot her and shoot his three children and then himself. We held a vigil last week on Friday. We had about 1,000 people arrive, including Angie’s father. Our community is mourning. Our community needs to heal. Our community did an exceptional job of coming together in solidarity to attempt to heal. I want to thank everyone here for all of their kind words that I’ve received to date. We appreciate that you’ve been thinking about us. It’s something that has been helpful.

I know I’m over time here, Mr. Speaker, but I want to quote the words of Shirley Marshall. She had me read a letter. She was the mother of Taylor. She said, “Sault Ste. Marie: small city, big heart.” We really are that community. Then, the father of Angie Sweeney spoke at the event and said that in times like this, it’s everybody’s love that’s making it easier to get through. So please share that love. Continue to share that love. It doesn’t cost a thing. It’s free.

Applause.

Perth–Wellington is a place of vibrant energy and growth, and today, I want to celebrate an incredible success story of one of our small businesses.

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of GRIT Engineering’s brand new, expanded location in Stratford. GRIT Engineering, founded and led by Montana Wilson, is a shining example of what small businesses can achieve when they combine determination, dedication and vision. They offer a wide array of high-quality services, including geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, surveying and environmental services.

It’s no exaggeration to say that GRIT Engineering plays a vital role in building our great province. It was wonderful to walk through their state-of-the-art facility, witness the cutting-edge technology they employ and meet some of their dedicated team. What’s even more remarkable is that GRIT Engineering is one of the few female-led consulting engineering firms in Ontario. The company also provides 24 individuals in our local community with well-paying jobs, with the majority of employees being under the age of 40. They’re not just building infrastructure, Speaker; they’re building careers and opportunities in Perth–Wellington.

Montana’s recent recognition as the recipient of the Ontario Home Builders’ Association inaugural Service Professional of the Year award is a testament to the outstanding professionalism and integrity that she brings to everything she does. She is truly a role model for young women everywhere.

Speaker, it’s great to see the continued success of small businesses in our rural community. I want to wish Montana, Nick and their whole team much success.

Mental health matters, and it is my honour to recognize a member of our community in Durham region who is making an immeasurable difference in the lives and futures of young people across this country.

Mike Shoreman was living an active life as an athlete, coach and paddleboard instructor, with plans and a bright and unfolding future. He was struck suddenly in 2018, however, with a rare neurological condition called Ramsay Hunt syndrome, which left him with permanent nerve damage on his right side. Struggling, and with the heavy prognosis of never being able to paddleboard again, he had to relearn the basics of walking and functioning. Imagine the news, the shock and the depth of emotional challenge that comes with a life change like that.

Mike’s mental health was dealt a very heavy blow, and yet, because of the support he had and the ultimate personal power that wasn’t ready to give up, Mike began his climb back onto his paddleboard and, slowly, his climb out of despair and into hope. He worked hard to get back on the paddleboard and regain his footing. He went from relearning to remarkable.

Mike undertook the challenge of paddling across all five Great Lakes, and with his remarkable, inspiring support team, they did it: Mike Shoreman became the first person with a disability to cross all five Great Lakes.

On World Mental Health Day at Ontario Shores, I joined Mike and community members for the screening of his feature-length film When Hope Breaks Through. Sharing the journey was about sharing the pain and the hope with youth who might also be struggling with mental health and also struggling to stay afloat.

Mike has been raising money and working tirelessly to bring awareness to the need for systems of support for youth mental health. Mike Shoreman is awesome, and I hope that everyone will watch and share When Hope Breaks Through. Thank you, Mike.

I’d like to say a few words of congratulations to an important organization in Ottawa South, Perley Health, formerly known as Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre.

Perley Health is a unique long-term-care and independent-living home that is home to more than 600 seniors and veterans. They’re a leading advocate for improving the well-being and quality of care for the senior population through education, clinical innovation and research. With over 800 employees and 400 volunteers, they work hard every day to improve the lives of the seniors they serve. Through the Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care, they provide a space for future caregivers to learn through hands-on experiences.

Today, I’d like to highlight their wonderful achievement of completing their $10-million campaign, Answering the Call. It is their largest fundraising campaign ever, and it aims to foster innovation and excellence in Ottawa and across Canada. On November 20, they will be honouring those who have answered the call to highlight their important contributions to improving the everyday lives of the seniors and veterans at Perley Health and, indeed, in Ontario and across Canada.

To everyone at Perley Health: Thank you for caring for the people we care for most.

I am seeking unanimous consent to wear this blue ribbon in support of Special Constable Hannah Demik, a 34-year-old woman who died suddenly one year ago today. Hannah was the youngest-ever member of Hamilton Police Service to be promoted to the position of supervisor.

Up in the Speaker’s gallery, we have two of my constituency staff, Sally Carson and Andrea Dodsworth. In the members’ gallery, we have Halle Kunjah, C.J. Carson, Jonah Mamers and Leif Wilson. And today, we have 42 Trent University political science students here. I won’t name them all, but Dr. Devin Penner is the professor.

I just want to welcome to the House Michael Mesure, who’s the executive director of FLAP Canada; Brendan Samuels, who’s the research coordinator of FLAP Canada; and earlier today, we had Dr. Robert Phillips, who’s also known as Elder Bob. They were speaking about bird-safe windows. They’re going to be having a rally in front of Queen’s Park at 12:30. All members are welcome to come out and join us.

I am honoured to welcome two of my constituents who are in the Members’ Gallery, Derrick Rutherford and Julio Rodriguez from Valentini Hair Design. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

It’s my tremendous privilege to recognize the Munim family. We’ve got Purvin Girish Kumar Munim, Hiral Purvin Munim, Pearl Munim and—I apologize for my pronunciation—Pahel Munim. They’re the great family who operate the AutoCity Hamburgers and Poutine on Ouellette Avenue in downtown Windsor. Such a delight to welcome them here today. Thank you for being here.

I want to join the associate minister in welcoming the Ontario Public Transit Association to Queen’s Park—in particular, Matthew Wolstenholme, who’s here from OC Transpo. Thank you, Matthew, for your service.

Today, I would like to welcome all the representatives from the Ontario Public Transit Association to Queen’s Park.

I just wanted to recognize my friend Adina Isenberg who is here. She’s a breast cancer advocate.

I’d like to welcome a number of guests from the Association of Power Producers of Ontario: the wily veteran David Butters, Grant Berry, David Timm, Stephen Somerville, Lynn Wizniak, Pat Dalzell, Charles Conrad, Safouh Soufi and Nick Best. They have a reception this evening in room 230 between 5 and 7. I encourage all members to attend. Welcome, everyone.

I’d like to welcome Caroline Lidstone-Jones, who is the CEO, and Allie Kinnaird, the director of policy from the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council. Meegwetch for coming.

I’d like to introduce a good friend of mine Salman Sima to the Ontario Legislature today.

I also would like to make a quick point of order.

Halfway through our peaceful rally, which we had a permit for, we were told by police that we had to wrap it up because there was a counter-protest of 4,000 people coming our way and they couldn’t guarantee our safety. So I just wanted to stress how—

The member for Carleton is asking to do a point of order.

I recognize the member for Carleton.

Speaker, we have been doing that, really, since the beginning. Since 2018, we’ve brought in a number of measures to improve housing supply across the province of Ontario. At the same time, we set out almost immediately to eliminate red tape—useless red tape—across the province of Ontario. We brought in additional measures to help support our small, medium and large job creators, and the impact of that has been significant, Speaker.

Look, we’ve seen the creation of 700,000 jobs because of the policies that we have brought in place. That is 700,000 people who have the dignity of a job today that didn’t when we took office. We’re seeing $28 billion worth of investments in our economy. We have over 300,000 jobs that need to be filled. Our housing starts are at their highest level in over 30 years. Our purpose-built rental starts are at their highest level in over 30 years. We’re on the right track, Mr. Speaker, and we’re going to continue that progress for the people of the province of Ontario.