There is news today that some of the hostages held by Hamas for 46 days may be released in an exchange, and I pray that those who will be released—I pray some will be released, but I hope that those who will be released include the babies and children who are being held up until this point in time, and especially the niece, Ofer, 10 years old, and nephews, Yuval, eight, and Oria, four, of a constituent in my riding.

Last week, students at a Jewish elementary school in Toronto were evacuated due to a bomb threat, and regular customers of a Starbucks location in my riding found the store windows covered with anti-Semitic graffiti. This is not normal, and it cannot become normal. Each of us has a responsibility to condemn anti-Semitism and all the acts of hate within our province.

The Toronto Police Service has been an invaluable partner in responding to these incidents and others, and my office continues to receive messages expressing thanks for their protection and the government’s introduction of mandatory Holocaust education in the Ontario curriculum, as well as our recognition of Israel’s right to defend itself and the right of Jewish Ontarians to live without fear in this province.

Since the terrible events of October 7, my office has received countless emails from constituents concerning a common theme: “I am deeply concerned for the safety of my family and our community.”

I reiterate that these events are not normal. They cannot become normal. To live in a province where these displays of intolerance occur unopposed and become commonplace is unthinkable. Today, tomorrow and always, we must condemn anti-Semitism whenever and wherever it happens.

Applause.

It’s my honour to welcome housing advocates from across the province for our National Housing Day: Bradley Palmer, Mariana Cortes, Aishatu Ahmed, Ibrahim Elnaghi, Godfrey Benjamin, Keneisha Brown, Colleen Lamond, Soraya Naim and Gautam Mukherjee. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize legislative page Harris Elahi, as well as his grandparents who are visiting today: Parveen Elahi and Hazoor Elahi. Thank you for your service these past two weeks. All the best.

I have two groups I’d like to introduce today, so if members can hold their applause till the end, that would be appreciated.

As parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health, I’d like to introduce Bev Moir, Ron Foreman, Winky Yau, and Julia Kulczyski of Lung Cancer Canada to the Legislature.

As well, I am pleased to recognize and introduce members of the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs who are with us today: Michael Sanderson, president, city of Hamilton chief; Neal Roberts, past president, Middlesex county chief; Mike Nolan, first vice-president, Renfrew county chief; Jean Carriere, secretary, Cochrane district chief; Gale Chevalier, zone director, Frontenac county chief; Greg Sage, second vice-president, region of Halton chief; Travis Mellema, zone director, Lanark county chief; and Paul Charbonneau, executive director.

Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’d like to welcome, from Niagara Health Coalition and Fort Erie Healthcare SOS, Deb Tveit, Natalie Mehra, Heather Kelley, Sue Hotte, Julia Lucas, Julia Blusak, Cheryl Grell, George Ashton and Amy Tian. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Good Roads representatives are here today. They’re going to be having an awesome reception tonight. This morning I had the privilege of meeting up with Paul Schoppmann, past president of Good Roads; Councillor Kristin Murray from Timmins; Scott Butler, the executive director of Good Roads, and the very excellent mayor out of Hornepayne, Mayor Cheryl Fort. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

Good morning, colleagues. It’s a pleasure to welcome to the Legislature today students and staff from Weston Memorial, from the riding of York South–Weston.

I also want to introduce as well, again, Chief Mike Nolan from the Renfrew county paramedics, here with the Ontario Association of Paramedic Chiefs; and also Liana Sullivan and Allison Kenney, who are here today with MacKay Manor in Renfrew for National Housing Day. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I will continue with introduction of visitors, unless there’s an objection.

I also would like to invite some folks who are here today for National Housing Day: Savhanna Wilson, Peter Martin, Daniella Leacock, Tracy Murdoch, Leslie R. Gash, Steve Lurie, Dicle Han, Harmy Mendoza, Eric Mariglia and Floret Williams. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’m always excited when somebody comes from eastern Ontario. I’d like to welcome the mayor of Cornwall, Justin Towndale, who’s here for Good Roads.

Good morning, Speaker. I’m also very proud to rise in the House today to welcome a number of housing advocates. They’ve travelled from across Ontario. I’d like to welcome Genna Ross, Jenna Yuill, Brian Harris, Beth Edwards, Bobbie Gunn, Cynthia Meshorer, Laura Paley, Sameer Butt, Shannan Humphreys and Dr. Siu Mee Cheng from Street Haven.

I’d like to welcome to the House today a great barrister in the province of Ontario who has appeared in every level of court up to the Supreme Court of Canada, and a great friend, Paul McDonald.

I’d also like to welcome Tony Stolk, a great resident of Durham region and a great community activist.

I also welcome Travis Mellema, chief of Lanark county paramedics, along with Mike Nolan—champions for the community paramedic program.

It’s my pleasure to also welcome housing advocates: Kenneth Duru, Mary Ziraba, Shenikah Solomon, Marlene Coffey, Kizito Musabimana and Tabitha Gachoka. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

On behalf of our Associate Minister of Housing, he has asked me to please extend, and I’d like to extend my welcome, to Neal Roberts, the chief of the Middlesex London Paramedic Service, who is here to join us today at Queen’s Park.

Je voudrais aussi souhaiter la bienvenue aux personnes qui sont ici pour National Housing Day : Nicola Andrews, Aishwarya Minocha, Naima Badru, Bee Lee Soh, Vee Gandhi, Talisa Beaudoin, Belinda Marchese, Kegan Harris and Helen Armstrong. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I want to announce that Martel Spracklin from grade 8 is a page captain today. He’s from my riding, the best riding in Ontario, Etobicoke Centre.

I have several individuals here today to celebrate National Housing Day: Shulan Tien, Jennifer Stone, Gracie Robbin, Rachel Seaward, Marlene Ham, Frederick Cox, Glen Hutzul, Chanel St. Pierre, Reihona Abduli, Shannon Hirsch, Silvia Samsa, Andrea Hatala, Victor Willis, Kevin Thomas, Karen Mitton, Bailee, Melissa Bosman, and Hayley Wine. Welcome to your House.