Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the 35th anniversary celebration of the Sunrise Montessori School in my riding of Markham–Thornhill. This milestone marks over three decades of commitment to nurturing young minds and shaping our community’s future. Driven by their motto, “Education for Life,” Sunrise Montessori School excels with attentive teachers, full French immersion and significant parent involvement, providing a holistic and inclusive educational experience.

Speaker, as you know, children are our future. Schools like Sunrise play a crucial role in laying a strong foundation, ensuring our youth are equipped with the tools and knowledge to succeed in an ever-changing world.

I would like to thank the outstanding work of principal Grace Koo as well as her daughter Ivy and her father—three generations whose leadership has been pivotal to the school’s success. Additionally, the dedication and passion of the entire staff at Sunrise Montessori School deserve our heartfelt appreciation.

Sunrise Montessori School sets a high standard for early childhood education. Their tireless efforts to serve the diverse children under their care continue to make a profound difference in the future of our society.

Good morning. Let us pray.

Prayers.

The closure of the Chippawa library branch is a significant loss for our community. The building is in desperate need of massive repairs, and the costs have largely fallen on the shoulders of our community. This is not a burden we should bear alone.

The library board is working hard to keep some services available in Chippawa by moving them to the local arena. While we appreciate these efforts, it won’t be the same. A library is more than just a place to borrow books—it’s a community hub, a place of learning and a safe space for all.

The burden on local municipalities and library boards has grown significantly. This is largely because public library operating grants have not been increased for over 25 years. This Conservative government hasn’t done anything to help libraries in six years. We shouldn’t be surprised. This government doesn’t believe in public services. They believe in privatization and making the rich richer.

Our libraries are being neglected, and our communities are suffering because of it. Libraries are the heart of many communities, and this Conservative government doesn’t seem to care about that. We deserve a government that understands the value of libraries and public services and invests in them.

This closure is a slap in the face of every person that believes in investing in public services. We urge this Conservative government to step up, actually help the people of this province and increase library funding.

This isn’t just about books, my friends; it’s about the future of our communities right across the province of Ontario.

Just over a week ago, I joined Premier Ford along with the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade on the banks of the Welland Canal in Port Colborne as our government welcomed one of the largest private sector investments in Niagara’s history. Asahi Kasei Corp.’s investment of approximately $1.6 billion to build an electric vehicle battery separator plant in Port Colborne is a game-changer for our region and this province. It’s going to be an industrial anchor job creator in Niagara. I know more exciting investments like this one are on the horizon.

From mining critical minerals to building cars and batteries, Ontario’s businesses and workers are attracting historic investments to help secure and create good jobs, grow the economy and reduce pollution.

Speaker, what’s even more exciting is that Niagara is right at the heart of this impressive economic growth. From building new hospitals in Grimsby and Niagara Falls to twinning the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines; from refurbishing the Sir Adam Beck hydroelectric power station in Niagara Falls to expanding the Peach King Centre in Grimsby, Premier Ford and this government are making historic investments in Niagara that are strengthening our economy and building a better Ontario.

As I like to say, the world doesn’t end at the Burlington Skyway. With our government’s support for this region and the good news of a new battery component plant, Niagara’s future has never looked brighter.

I want to recognize Jerry Moskotaywenene and Jack McKay for their decades of service with the Ontario Provincial Police. Jerry’s career began on April 26, 1993, and he officially retired November 30, 2023, after 30.5 years of service. Jack began his career with the First Nations Policing Bureau on October 10, 1982. He joined the OPP on January 29, 1989, and retired December 31, 2019, after 36 years of service with the OPP.

Both men dedicated many years of their time and energy to providing safety and security in First Nations, towns and cities in northern Ontario at the cost of traumatic experiences which they were left to process without adequate mental health supports. First Nations responders working in Kiiwetinoong bear witness to tragedies and events unimaginable to many, and responding to such incidents takes a toll on one’s mental health. PTSD is not uncommon. It is vital that the first responders and police serving in northern First Nations are provided with appropriate channels to process the traumas they experience. Everyone should go and watch my recent video based on Jerry’s story.

Despite their years of service and the sacrifices that came along with it, Jerry and Jack received almost no recognition upon their retirement from the OPP. To this day, Jerry is still fighting to receive his retirement badge and warrant card.

Today, it is an honour for me to commend you both for your contributions to protecting the people of Ontario. Meegwetch, Jack and Jerry, for your service, and congratulations on your retirement.

On the 50th anniversary of the Mullivaikkal massacre, the Tamil community gathered at Albert Campbell Square to remember the victims and call on Canada and the international community to bring the perpetrators of the Tamil genocide to justice and fight against denialism.

It was my honour attending the commemoration and extending solidarity with the Tamil community to hold the culprits of these heinous crimes responsible for their sins against innocent Tamil civilians. By doing so, we heal the wounds of the victims and the survivors. Kudos to the National Council of Canadian Tamils for keeping the memory of the victims alive and sensitizing the public and future generations about the scourge of genocide.

It was also a delight reconnecting with former citizenship judges Nancy Siew and Rafiq Rokerya at the Toronto Railway Museum to celebrate Asian Heritage Month and preside over a Canadian citizenship reaffirmation ceremony. This Asian Heritage Month event also had a photo exhibition with contributions from survivors of the Chinese Exclusion Act from 1923 to 1947. More than 70 photos from the survivors of the exclusion were on display. Furthermore, the celebration promoted the ideal of “One Heart, One Canada,” where everyone lives in a harmonious, inclusive and respectful country.

Thank you to the Tribute to Early Chinese Immigrants Canada Foundation, the Toronto Railway Museum and Nancy Siew for organizing this poignant celebration.

After seven and a half months of heartbreak, of horror and tragedy for Palestinian and Israeli communities, I’m going to ask a question, Speaker: Does anybody in this House or in our country or around the world feel safer? I certainly don’t feel safer. I didn’t feel safer when I woke up this morning to learn that 45 people were killed in a refugee camp: people living in tents, women and children.

Do I think a new generation of orphans is going to lead to peace? No, I don’t.

Do I think shooting up a Jewish elementary school in the middle of the night in this city of Toronto is going to lead to peace? No, I don’t.

Do I believe the UN’s special rapporteur on the right to adequate housing, Dr. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, who recently said that concerted global action is needed right now to stop the government of Israel in pursuing its relentless bombing campaign, a bombing campaign which is continuing despite the International Court of Justice telling Israel that we need an immediate ceasefire?

I want to tip my hat to the students across this country. The students and faculty and staff have been our moral conscience, and I want to call upon the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa—all of the campuses—to work with those people of conscience so Canada speaks for peace and tell every single person in the Middle East that Canada wants a Good Friday Agreement in Israel. That happened 35 years ago for the Irish, and it can happen for Palestinians and Israelis if we’re prepared to fight for it.

Today I’m going to talk about the incredible growth in Ontario’s auto sector, and to make my point I’m going to be quoting Professor Dimitry Anastakis. He’s a professor of Canadian business history at the University of Toronto. This is what Professor Anastakis has to say:

“The scale of Honda’s EV commitment and its intention to build a comprehensive vehicle chain within Ontario (from minerals to final assembly) makes a bold statement, given the company’s past successes.”

Professor Anastakis also says it “secures Ontario as the only jurisdiction on the planet boasting six major auto manufacturers.”

Finally, the professor says, “Ontario has become an EV powerhouse.”

Speaker, this PC government has now secured over $43 billion in automotive investment, working hard to get this automobile investment. We’d like to thank the Premier and the Minister of Economic Development for the efforts that they have made.

Whether you’re in Essex county or St. Thomas or Oakville, we’re securing better jobs and bigger paycheques for auto workers in Ontario.

C’est avec un très grand plaisir ce matin que je veux profiter de l’occasion pour souligner et féliciter le Centre des services communautaires Vanier dans ma circonscription. Le CSC Vanier est un organisme francophone qui se démarque par son travail exceptionnel dans son offre de services mais aussi par son—

Interjections.

It’s my pleasure to welcome James Colliver to the House today. He’s the chair of the Owen Sound transportation corp. Thanks for your great work in the community, and welcome.

La semaine dernière, du 19 au 25 mai, était la semaine nationale des paramédics, monsieur le Président. J’aimerais prendre cette opportunité pour rendre hommage à ces hommes et ces femmes qui sont parmi les premiers répondants qui sont toujours prêts à offrir des services d’urgence à nos citoyens.

Il y a une cérémonie qui aura lieu ce soir au Musée royal de l’Ontario. Son Honneur l’honorable Edith Dumont, lieutenante-gouverneure de l’Ontario, et la ministre de la Santé, Sylvia Jones, remettront des médailles de bravoure à certains paramédics de notre province.

Trois paramédics de ma circonscription, du service de paramédics des comtés unis de Prescott et Russell, recevront cette médaille ce soir, monsieur le Président.

Je serai présent ce soir pour les féliciter—pour féliciter M. Yan Bellefeuille, M. Stéphane Huppé et M. Christian Larochelle.

Le 11 mai 2023 a été une journée que nous ne sommes pas prêts à oublier, monsieur le Président. Le sergent Eric Mueller du détachement de Russell de la Police provinciale de l’Ontario a perdu la vie lors d’une fusillade en répondant à un appel à une résidence dans le petit village de Bourget dans ma circonscription. Deux autres de ses collègues policiers ont aussi été blessés.

Ces trois paramédics ont été les premiers répondants lors de cette tragédie. Ils ont risqué leurs vies pour venir en aide à leurs collègues officiers.

En mon nom et aux noms des résidents de la circonscription de Glengarry–Prescott–Russell, je tiens à les remercier pour leur travail incroyable. Ils mettent leurs vies en danger pour sauver des vies à chaque jour. Ils sont vraiment des héros. Merci.

It is a special honour today to welcome back to Queen’s Park Nathan Skoufis and his mom, Sophie, from my riding in Guelph. Nathan is a master in martial arts, a fifth-degree black belt, a member of Team Canada and a 23-time world champion in martial arts.

Minister Lumsden and I will be honouring Nathan with a certificate right after question period on the grand staircase. Members are welcome to join us for a photo.

I would like to introduce some members of team acro-gymnastics Ontario. Recently at the Grizzly Classic in BC, all four partnerships in Team Ontario won gold. I would like to welcome the athletes—they’re right over there—Naiya Cornelisz-Guerrero, Ethan Fu, Lila Lawson, Gabby Biesenthal, Ava Cornelisz-Guerrero, Malika Ismaeil, Claudia Tarzwell, Jaxxon Ruggi; their trainers, Sarah Morin and Stephanie Dovigi; and the Team Ontario manager, whom I know personally, Suzie Owen. She’s a champion for Ontario.

Team Ontario will be competing at the national competition in Gatineau, Quebec, and so we wish them all the best and thank their families for supporting those little athletes.

I’m very proud to welcome to the House the Grain Farmers of Ontario. We have President Jeff Harrison and the team from GFO: Crosby Devitt, Debra Conlon and Allison Hessels. Welcome to the House.

I’d like to welcome Katy Commisso from the Ontario Bar Association, the newly elected second vice-president and in two years’ time will become the president—the first time in 50 years the association has been led by a lawyer from northwestern Ontario. Welcome to Queen’s Park. We’re glad you’re here.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Monsieur le Président, c’est vraiment un grand plaisir pour moi de profiter de l’occasion ce matin pour souligner et féliciter le Centre des services communautaires Vanier, dans ma circonscription.

Le CSC Vanier est un organisme francophone qui se démarque par son travail exceptionnel dans son offre de services, mais aussi par son ingéniosité à s’associer des partenaires qui augmentent efficacement leur offre de services. Et ces services, monsieur le Président, sont essentiels pour assurer la vitalité de notre communauté.

Que ce soit des services d’aide juridique, d’aide à la recherche d’emploi, ou de façon très importante, de banque alimentaire, le CSC Vanier répond à la demande.

Avec une centaine d’employés et plus de 130 bénévoles impliqués, c’est 14 468 personnes qui ont bénéficié de plus de 25 programmes et services communautaires pour les résidents de Vanier, les nouveaux arrivants, les jeunes et les familles en 2023.

Récemment, le CSC Vanier a remporté le laurier organisme de l’année de la 24^e édition des prix Bernard Grandmaître, après avoir été nominé par le bureau du maire d’Ottawa.

Le CSC Vanier mérite très certainement ce prestigieux prix de reconnaissance, grâce au leadership remarquable d’Andrée-Anne Martel et de son équipe, mais il mérite surtout la profonde reconnaissance et gratitude de toute notre communauté.

It is a pleasure to rise today to recognize the amazing accomplishments of one of my constituents in Perth–Wellington. Earlier this month, Corbyn Smith from Monkton, Ontario, along with his teammates on Canada’s para hockey team, took home the gold medal in the World Para Hockey Championship in Calgary. Team Canada had an amazing performance, going 5 and 0 in the tournament, and would wind up beating the United States 2-1 in the finals.

Corbyn had a great showing at the tournament, finishing with two goals and six points.

This year’s gold medal win is Team Canada’s first world title since 2017, in South Korea.

Speaker, Corbyn was on that Team Canada para hockey team as well, making this the second gold medal he has won for this great country.

What makes his accomplishment even more impressive, colleagues, is that during the 2021-22 season, Corbyn was let go because of concussion issues. Despite these challenges, he focused on his health and was able to return to the game he loves so much and, in his words, “makes moments like these that much more special.”

What also made this tournament extra special was that over 19 family members and friends were able to join him on the trip to Calgary to cheer him on and Team Canada.

Congratulations, Corbyn and Team Canada. Monkton and Ontario are proud of what you have accomplished again on the ice.

Excuse me. The member for Ottawa–Vanier, I’m sorry; I have to interrupt.

Would the House please come to order so I can hear the member who has the floor? Thank you.

The member for Ottawa–Vanier has the floor.

Today we have with us a delegation from the county of Renfrew. As you know, the county of Renfrew has been innovative in its programs, including the birthplace of community paramedicine and the virtual triage and assessment centre. Today they’re here to talk about the Mesa program, which is about housing.

Joining us today is Warden Peter Emon and council members Anne Giardini, James Brose and Glenn Doncaster, as well as the CAO of the county, Craig Kelley; Jason Davis, the director of development and property; Michael Nolan, chief of paramedic services; Andrea Patrick, director of community services; and Taylor Hanrath, manager of capital infrastructure. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and great luck with your meetings today.

Good morning. I am so pleased today that we are being joined by representatives—presidents—representing teachers’ federations all across this country. I want to specifically welcome to this House Anne Vinet-Roy of l’association des enseignantes et des enseignants de l’Ontario; Karen Brown of the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario; René Jansen in de Wal, from the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association; and Karen Littlewood of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. Welcome to your House.