Normally, when we get up and do members’ statements, we talk a little bit about something that’s happening in our ridings. But gosh darn it, Speaker, I am so excited, I just can’t hide it—the World Cup is coming November 20, on Sunday. I am a huge football, or soccer, fan. Believe it or not—for everybody here in the House—I have two children and one of them has the middle name Chelsea, after Chelsea Football Club, and one of them has the middle name Robben, after the Dutch footballer Arjen Robben. I’m very excited and I’m really looking forward to seeing, for the first time since 1986, Canada playing in the World Cup.

I will say, I’m a little partial to the German team. We normally fly the German flag outside our house during the World Cup, but this year it’s going to be a little bit different; we’ll make sure that the Canadian flag is on top.

I encourage everybody, if you have an opportunity—it’s a little bit different with it being in Qatar this session; the games are going to be on at different times. It’s going to be a little weird. They start on the 20th. If you have an opportunity, please tune in and support Canada.

I know we have some athletes from Team Ontario here today. Welcome to the Ontario Legislature. Maybe one day they’ll have an opportunity to play in the World Cup as well.