Good morning. We know communities across Ontario are experiencing challenges with our housing supply. Our government is taking bold, decisive action to build more housing faster and improve quality of life for everyone. I’m so proud of my community for working together and demonstrating leadership, because Chatham-Kent, just like our legendary MLB hall of famer Fergie Jenkins, literally hit it out of the park, exceeding our housing target by 554% last year.

On Friday, I was honoured to be joined by Minister Rob Flack and Chatham-Kent mayor, Darrin Canniff, to celebrate our 522 new housing starts last year, which unlocked $440,000 in funding through the Building Faster Fund. Our success is a direct result of the hard work and dedication of our home builders, trades professionals, realtors and Chatham-Kent municipal officials, who, together, are building a wide range of homes for families and individuals across Chatham-Kent. We’re thrilled with our progress to date and excited for the future.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone involved, and a special thanks to the team at Maple City Homes for hosting us on Friday at their beautiful show home.

Fortunately, Speaker, this is just the beginning, and I’m grateful to be part of a government that will continue to create the conditions for success in home building, business, industry and agriculture.

I move that, pursuant to standing order 7(c), the House shall continue to meet past the ordinary hour of adjournment until midnight on the following dates: Monday, May 6; Tuesday, May 7; Wednesday, May 8; Thursday, May 9; Monday, May 13; Tuesday, May 14; Wednesday, May 15; Thursday, May 16; Monday, May 27; Tuesday, May 28; Wednesday, May 29; Thursday, May 30; Monday, June 3; Tuesday, June 4; Wednesday, June 5; Thursday, June 6; Monday, June 10; Tuesday, June 11; Wednesday, June 12; and Thursday, June 13, 2024.