My question is for the Associate Minister of Housing.

Like many provinces, Ontario is in a housing supply crisis, which has been decades in the making. One of the key areas we need to see improvement in is purpose-built rental housing. Due to excessive red tape and high construction costs, fewer rental units have been built over the past 40 years. In fact, over 80% of Ontario’s purpose-built rental units were built before 1980. That’s why our government must continue to take action to ensure we are improving rental housing construction across the province.

Speaker, can the minister please update the House on the progress our government has made on purpose-built rental housing?

My constituents were pleased to hear that we are committed to building 120,000 new homes in Mississauga as part of our plan to build 1.5 million homes by 2031. But, Speaker, we know that the former mayor failed to address the housing supply crisis in the city. Under Bonnie Crombie’s tenure, Mississauga only hit 27% of its 10-year target—one of the worst records in Ontario. The people of Mississauga deserved stronger leadership to help them achieve their dreams of home ownership.

Speaker, can the minister tell the House how Bonnie Crombie’s anti-housing agenda has made it harder to build homes in—

My question is for the Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity. We know that supporting more women in the workforce benefits Ontario’s economy, especially in in-demand sectors such as the skilled trades.

At the present time, the number of women employed in the skilled trades is well below their male counterparts. In 2022, women accounted for only 8.1% of the labour force in trades, transport and related occupations in Ontario. That’s why it is critical for our government to continue to invest in programs that break down barriers for women so that they have the tools they need to join the workforce.

Speaker, can the associate minister highlight some of the ways our government is expanding opportunities for women to find good work and good pay in the skilled trades?

Speaker, Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation. With thousands of jobs going unfilled in the skilled trades, it’s critical that we provide supports for women to pursue fulfilling and good-paying careers in these sectors. Can the associate minister share with the House how our government is expanding and increasing training opportunities for women?