This morning, I am dedicating my member’s statement to the life and service of Fire Chief Ian Laing of Central York Fire Services, who passed away last week.

After serving more than 34 years of service with Mississauga Fire and Emergency Services, Chief Laing joined Central York Fire Services in 2009 and was the fire chief right up to his very last day on this earth. For 48 years, the chief worked for the safety and well-being of our Newmarket and Aurora communities.

I met Chief Laing in 2018. He always had that big smile—and what a sense of humour. I recall chatting with the chief on a tour of the new headquarters in Aurora shortly after its opening in 2022. He told me, “Back in the day, we did not have all the equipment they have today, Dawn.” That always stuck with me as I thought of the chief as a brave firefighter, a well-respected leader.

He fostered a culture of courage and camaraderie among the firefighters. During the service recognition and recruit ceremonies, he would look upon each of the firefighters with great pride, like a father would for his child.

I extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Deb. Thank you for sharing your firefighter with our community members. Without your support, Deb, the chief would not have been able to make the difference he made in serving Ontarians for a near half century.

To the entire Central York Fire Services family: My condolences go out to each and every one of you. I believe his spirit will live on with you all.

Chief, thank you for your service.

My question is to the Minister of Health. After Niagara lost access to two of their urgent care centres after 8 p.m., I looked at the ER wait times at St. Catharines general. It was five hours—the longest wait times across all Niagara, Hamilton and Brant. With Niagara’s significant senior population, chronic conditions, doctor shortages and staffing crises worsening with Bill 124, it is deeply problematic to see continual defence of regional service cuts reported by the Ontario Health Coalition.

Minster, you hold the purse strings to adequately fund hospitals. Why not put a stop to these closures and increase funding to hospitals for the seniors in Niagara that need them the most, right now?