Yesterday was a wonderful, wonderful day in Brampton North. I spent the afternoon down at Loafer’s Lake. If you haven’t had a chance to walk around Loafer’s Lake on a sunny day, Mr. Speaker, you really ought to try it.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of showing off Loafer’s Lake to Ontario’s terrific Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. We were joined by Brampton’s mayor and city council, as well as a ton of local community groups, namely the People Against Littering, the Brampton Environmental Alliance, Heart Lake Happenings, the Guru Nanak Mission Centre and, of course, the legendary Heart Lake Turtle Troopers.

We were happy to see the minister and even happier when she brought a big cheque with her. I’m pleased to report to the House that the Ontario government is investing in Loafer’s Lake and the surrounding wetlands through a wetland preservation grant to a total of $2.5 million. This money will be used for a few purposes: restoring the Loafer’s Lake shoreline, combatting invasive species, enhancing the natural flood mitigation around Etobicoke Creek, planting 6,500 trees up near Conservation Drive and more. All of this work will happen by the end of 2024.

Speaker, restoring the Loafer’s Lake shoreline is a task I’ve been seized with for literally a year and a half. I’m thrilled we’re getting it done this early in my term. Yesterday was a wonderful, wonderful day.