Mr. Speaker, our young people in this province are all concerned for their future in this province. I have spoken to so many young people in Scarborough, and here’s what they tell me: Life is unaffordable. They have more student debt than ever, because the Conservatives cut OSAP grants. They don’t make enough to buy food, to pay rent, and pay back their student loan. They cannot move out of their parents’ homes, because the cost of rent is so high and this government has not built affordable housing.

Our young adults deserve to be able to live independent lives, but instead we’re seeing them driven to food banks. We all want a better future for our kids, but they can’t afford to thrive here anymore in Ontario. Many of them are leaving our province, abandoning Ontario because Ontario is abandoning them.

But I want the young people of our province, from Scarborough and beyond, to know I am here to always fight for them. They are our future now, and they are our future generation to come and our leaders for tomorrow.

Today I want to take a moment to acknowledge two amazing women in Ajax that have been an example of leadership and compassion: Pastor Fredrica Walters from Christian Life Outreach Centre and Elaine Gardener from Durham region.

Both of these women, along with others, have continued to devote themselves to ensuring the smooth transition and integration of refugees arriving in Ajax and Durham. Many of us witnessed the plight of refugees on Toronto streets earlier this year. Even though this is still an ongoing concern, these women rallied together and galvanized the community to support these newcomers in Ajax. Their unwavering commitment stems from a profound empathy and understanding of the hardships faced by others fleeing conflict and persecution. With boundless energy and a warm, welcoming spirit, they orchestrated various initiatives aimed at providing essential resources, language assistance, and emotional support for these newcomers to my community.

Many thanks as well to our Ajax welcome centre, and to Hermia and her team, who worked closely with these wonderful ladies to facilitate and support the initiatives. Whether organizing community gatherings to foster connection or spearheading educational workshops, they have been an amazing team—putting together resumés, applying for jobs. They exemplify the true essence of empathy and solidarity, inspiring others in Ajax to join hands in embracing and empowering the newest members of our community.

Thank you for all that you do.

Being inclusive means embracing diversity with open arms, valuing every voice, to foster belonging for people with different abilities. It’s about creating spaces where everyone feels respected, heard and appreciated.

December 3 marks the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Despite a strong job market, in 2022, the employment rate for 16- to 64-year-olds with disabilities was 15 points below those without disabilities.

As we look toward marking this day, I want to emphasize the importance of supporting people with disabilities by removing barriers, by providing equal opportunities, access and support to thrive in their chosen careers. That is why the Ontario government is supporting over 3,700 individuals with disabilities to gain meaningful employment by investing $6.5 million through the SDF. Additionally, government is supporting businesses to champion the cause with the Discover Ability Roadmap, enhancing inclusivity through the EnAbling Change Partnership Program.

In Mississauga-Malton, Jake’s House Employment Training Program is an innovative, adaptable program that supports individuals with disability to enter the workforce in fields like construction and security. Thank you, Jake’s House, and everyone, for working together to build inclusive communities and to make change for the better.

Together, let’s nurture every dream, ensuring inclusivity is not just a buzzword but a cornerstone of success.

Colleagues, yesterday, Sharif Rahman of Owen Sound was honoured as the 2023 recipient of the YMCA Peace Medal. This award recognizes special people who commit time without special resources, community status or money to promote and build a better community for us all.

Sharif is a very deserving winner of this award. Sadly, though, he is receiving this award posthumously. Sharif grew up in Bangladesh, attained a master’s degree at the University of Glasgow, and lived in England before moving to Canada in 2013. He bought The Curry House in downtown Owen Sound in 2015.

Sharif always looked for ways to help others in the community and did so in so many ways, but on August 17, everything changed. Sharif was the victim of an assault outside his restaurant after a dispute with three customers who refused to pay. The assault left him unresponsive and on life support. A week later, he died. He was 44.

The Owen Sound community was deeply impacted by this event. The night before Sharif’s passing, hundreds of people walked silently through the downtown. Many stopped at The Curry House to place flowers and shed tears.

The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce praised Sharif’s “unwavering dedication” to the community and “the genuine warmth with which he touched the lives of everyone he encountered.” Thank you, Sharif, for all you did for others, always thinking of those around you before yourself. May you rest in peace.

Applause.

This morning I have some powerful women in the House today. I have Mohini Datta-Ray, executive director of Planned Parenthood Toronto; Krista MacNeil, executive director of Victim Services of Durham Region; Amanda Black, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Ottawa Hospital and president of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada; and Dr. Elaine Jolly, Research Chair in Women’s Health Research. I would like to welcome them all to the House, and thank you for being such a strong advocate—thank you, Dr. Black.

It’s not every day that we have First Nations leadership here. I’d like to welcome Chief Melanie Boucher, Matachewan; Chief Jennifer Constant, Mattagami; Chief Murray Ray, Flying Post; Chief Anita Stephens, Chapleau Ojibwe; council member Kevin Tangie, Brunswick House; council member Stan Fox, Matachewan; Jason Batise, Wabun Tribal Council; and from Chapleau Ojibwe, Joshua Memegos and Leonard Stephens.

Also, from Hydro One: Matthew Jackson, Sean Tutak, Jessica Maga and Aaron Ward. Meegwetch for coming.

I’m very pleased to introduce the CAO of the beautiful town of Perth, Ontario: Michael Touw and his partner, Janelle Warren.

It’s with great pleasure that I welcome constituent of Thornhill and author of You Don’t Make Friends with Salad, Jessica Gerlock.

I want to welcome the Interfaith Social Assistance Reform Coalition to the Legislature today, and in particular the attendees, Rev. Dr. Susan Eagle, Elin Goulden, Greg deGroot-Maggetti, Alexander Wilson, Ryan Friedman and Natasha Fransblow. Welcome to the Legislature; we look forward to meeting you today.

It’s a beautiful morning, everyone. I’d like to introduce page Henry Hasler. Although he’s from the riding of Hastings–Lennox and Addington, he’s currently residing in beautiful Beaches–East York, where I will have many a conversation with him about great things in our riding.

I, also, would like to introduce the wonderful page captain that we have here, Henry Hasler. We also have his family here—Joel Hasler, Beth Hasler, Maggie and Mary Hasler are here visiting from my riding. We greatly appreciate their being here and Henry’s service today.

And if you’ll bear with me, Speaker, I do have a second introduction. The Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus representatives are here today: warden of Renfrew county, Mr. Peter Emon; warden of Peterborough county, Bonnie Clark, who’s the vice-chair; CAO of Peterborough county, Sheridan Graham; Emmanuel Pinto, executive assistant to the warden in Peterborough county; and Meredith Staveley-Watson, manager of government relations for the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus. I know the EOWC is meeting with many members today. I wish them the best of luck.

Speaker, you’ll appreciate this since you were elected in 1990. I have a friend and colleague who’s worked for our caucus in government, in opposition, even as the third party. Today is her 33rd work anniversary. I want to congratulate Dianne Tominac.

Good morning, colleagues. It is my pleasure to welcome to the Legislature today the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, which are made up of members from right across the province of Ontario. I just want to thank them for their continued and dedicated work year-round in creating a safer, stronger and more inclusive Ontario.

I’d like to introduce and welcome the chiefs and councillors from the Wabun Tribal Council: Jason Batise, executive director from Wabun Tribal Council; Melanie Boucher, Ogimaa from Matachewan First Nation; Jennifer Constant, Ogimaa from Mattagami First Nation; Murray Ray, Ogimaa from Flying Post First Nation; Kevin Tangie, councillor from Brunswick House First Nation; and Anita Stephens, Ogimaa from Chapleau Ojibwe First Nation. I look forward to having discussions with them on their energy and economic opportunities later this afternoon. Welcome to the Legislature.

Point of order, the member for Newmarket–Aurora.

Yes. Speaker, I would like to wish all of our American friends a very happy US Thanksgiving.

I forgot to say “happy US Thanksgiving” to my husband this morning. Happy Thanksgiving to my husband and all my American family.

Good morning. It’s my pleasure to welcome to the chamber this morning David Gale, president of ACTRA Toronto, and Alistair Hepburn, executive director of ACTRA Toronto. ACTRA Toronto is the largest organization of cultural workers in Canada. Welcome to your House.

Will the Premier finally tell all Ontarians the full extent of his involvement in the greenbelt scandal, or do we have to wait for the RCMP to finish their criminal investigation?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce two constituents today—

But anyway, I want to introduce two constituents from the great Kenora–Rainy River riding: Henry Wall is here, the chief administrative officer of the Kenora District Services Board, and my favourite—no offence, Henry—Christy Radbourne, the director of education for the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board. We welcome them to this magnificent place.

As the Leader of the Opposition knows full well, this government has been focused on building homes since day one. The Premier has been very, very clear on that. Since 2018, we’ve brought in housing supply action plans each and every year of our mandate. Because of those positive builds, we have seen housing starts increase to their highest levels in over 15 years, and that includes purpose-built rentals.

With respect to the greenbelt, we have also been clear that we made a public policy decision that was focused on building more homes faster. The policy decision was obviously not supported by the people of the province of Ontario. That is why there is a bill before this House to restore those lands to the greenbelt, but to go even further: to provide an additional layer of protection on the lands, layers of protection that have never been the case ever before. We’re quite proud of that. But at the same time, we will double down and make sure that we build those 1.5 million homes for the people of the province of Ontario.

Having said that, Speaker, we are very focused on building 1.5 million homes, on eliminating the obstacles that have been put in the way by the previous Liberal and NDP coalition in this province, which saw housing starts fall to their lowest in years. On top of that, the policies supported by the Liberals and NDP—high debt, high taxes, red tape and out-of-control spending—have led to an inflation crisis across Canada, which has led to the most rapid increase in interest rates that we’ve ever seen in this country. We are also fighting back on that.

But having said all of that, I am very encouraged. We’re still seeing housing starts remain very, very strong, so the people of the province of Ontario can still share in that dream of getting out of their parents’ basements, where the NDP would like to keep them, and having the dream of home ownership be theirs.

What we are doing is this: We are building a strong Ontario. We have cut taxes and eliminated red tape. We have brought bills before this House to improve home care and long-term care. We are building roads, bridges, hospitals. Employment is at its highest—

Interjections.