It’s a privilege to rise today and recognize our government’s recent investment of more than $2.7 million over three years to launch the Superior North Specialized Treatment and Alternative Responders program in Thunder Bay. This innovative new mobile crisis response pilot program is a behavioural health-first response approach to specialized mental health and addictions care in our community, diverting visits to the emergency department and reducing unnecessary police involvement.

With the three-year pilot funding model, our government has once again recognized the value of resilient funding structures. It has been an honour to work closely with chief Shane Muir and superintendent of community paramedicine Andrew Cuglietta of Superior North EMS throughout the proposal process. Because of the work that the EMS leadership, their team and community partners have committed to day after day, chief Shane and superintendent Andrew were well-positioned to submit a purposeful, credible proposal in a very short time frame.

On behalf of our community, we would like to thank Associate Minister Tibollo, his team and Minister Sylvia Jones for their invaluable support in making this crucial service a reality. Speaker, I take this opportunity to also recognize the tremendous work that has already been advanced locally and regionally through existing partnerships and networks that embrace a whole-of-community approach to our collective safety and well-being. We are working together for all our people.

I’d like to welcome representatives from the OAFC here today, in particular Dave Robertson, James Waffle, Bruce Morrison, Jeff Ogden and, from the Thunder Bay fire service, Mr. David Paxton. To all firefighters here in the House today, thank you for your service.