One very quick question?

Second reading debate deemed adjourned.

Thanks to the colleague for the question and that’s good to know about Huron University, as well. This bill will be going to committee, so we would love to have them come to committee and testify that as well.

What this act is here to do is to codify and clarify what a puppy mill is and minimum fines to hold those bad actors to account. We’ve heard, from animal welfare inspectors, concerns about lack of record-keeping. We’ve heard about lack of definition when they’re doing their jobs and laying these charges.

We are clearly laying out: If you are breeding a female dog before a year old, you will face a $10,000 fine. If you’re caught having an animal in bad conditions, where they don’t have proper sanitary, they don’t have the proper diet, you will face a fine—$10,000. If your neglect of an animal causes the death of an animal, you will face a fine of $25,000.

I’m sure the folks from my colleague’s riding would agree that this is a very good thing, and we’re pleased to have the support of the OSPCA and Canadian Kennel Club as well.

This year, the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games, les Jeux d’hiver d’Olympiques spéciaux Canada ont eu lieu à Calgary. These 2024 Winter Games were extra special because seven of the national athletes were from Sudbury and they brought home seven medals. Our Sudbury athletes participated in five-pin bowling and the snowshoeing competitions, and during the games, they demonstrated tenacity, courage and love for the sport. One of our athletes, Mathieu, is currently waiting to see if he will be advancing to the worlds in Italy in 2025.

It wasn’t just their skills that made an impression; Air Canada was so impressed, they asked for a group photo outside their plane with all the athletes in their plaid Team Ontario uniforms.

It was my absolute pleasure to meet with them and their coaches at my local office last week. I love hearing about all their great experiences, and I’d like to take this time to congratulate Eric and Mathieu and Lori and Amanda, Gabriel and Taylor for their achievements.

You’ve all made Sudbury incredibly proud. Félicitations pour toutes vos réussites.

Today I want to talk about above-guideline rent increases. Every week, we talk to residents in buildings who are facing an above-guideline rent increase. When we talk to them, their reaction is fear and worry and confusion, because they already pay rent that is so high, and then they’re getting another rent increase. They’re very worried about it.

A new report just came out showing that it is actually Canada’s biggest and most profitable landlords that are using and abusing the AGI system. They are frequently applying for and getting above-guideline rent increases approved by the Landlord and Tenant Board. Almost all of these companies can easily cover the cost of maintaining their buildings with the millions they collect in rent. They are some of the most profitable companies in Canada. But they are choosing to apply for an above-guideline rent increase because Ontario law lets them get away with it. And it is renters who pay the price.

We have also discovered a very new, worrying trend, which is that once an above-guideline rent increase expires and renters are eligible for a rent reduction, the landlord is failing to tell them about it and not giving them the rent reduction that they are entitled to and deserve.

We raised this issue with the Attorney General. And what was his response? He dismissed it. I think that is a shame.

It is time to bring in strong rent control in Ontario and crack down on AGI abuse. The affordability of our province is at stake.

I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport—not simply as a fellow Ottawa U alumnus, or because of his remarkable athletic achievements, but for his securing of $200 million in the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund, a fund that will invest in new and upgraded sport, recreation and community facilities across the province.

Mr. Speaker, as the parent of a very active teenager, a former community football coach and an elected official, I can definitely say that investment in sport and recreation is paramount to the future of our society.

The lack of sport and recreation facilities is one of the reasons I ran for city council in 2010. With the support of Ottawa’s greatest mayor, Jim Watson, we were able to turn an empty field into the much-heralded François Dupuis Recreation Centre, now one of the focal points of our community. We built 12 new parks in Orléans. We expanded Millennium Park to include a stadium that would rival our local universities. We added a cricket pitch and splash pads and came very close to adding a dome—a dome that our community still needs.

Now more than ever, Millennium Park needs to keep pace and is ready for further investment and expansion. It could include a track and field complex that will benefit many segments of our community, from seniors walking around the track on its grippy surface to avoid falling to helping the future success of track and field athletes and athletes from all sports who will use the facility to train and hone their skills, such as the athletes with Gridiron Academy.

Ottawa is a hotbed of athletics. I’d invite the minister to come to Orléans and meet some of the coaches and athletes who would benefit from this investment.

Starting at sunset next Monday, the Jewish community will begin observing Passover, or Pesach. Passover commemorates the escape of the Jews from 400 years of slavery—the exodus story, the master narrative of the Jewish people.

Even if you do not observe Passover, we can all embrace the broader message it carries: the universal pursuit of freedom, peace and dignity for all people. Passover sets the moral guideposts for the Jewish people: the obligation to care for the stranger, the worship of an abstract deity and the idea that every person is sacred, made in the image of God.

In Judaism, it’s not just about freedom from, it’s also about freedom to—freedom to serve. Jews engage in “tikkun olam,” the work of repairing the world, feeling obligated to empathize with the suffering of others and to do something about it. Jews believe that every person is made in the image of God and is therefore worthy of dignity and respect.

Passover also recalls the shared duty to stand for all those who are unable to stand up for themselves. The universality of Passover’s three-part message of freedom, love and justice for all resonates strongly in 2024. These principles are the foundation of democratic governance in the West and our pluralistic society.

Respect for each other, for the rule of law and our democratic institutions are what allow us to live together with people of all religious backgrounds and cultural backgrounds. We cannot condone illegal activities like vandalizing homes, businesses or offices; harassing those who think differently; or forcefully shutting down infrastructure, as these undermine our social order.

For Passover, let me confirm that I support our democratic values, our pluralistic society and the belief in freedom, love and justice that underpins them all.

To all those celebrating, Chag Pesach Sameach.

I am delighted to share the resounding success of the 2024 Markham Jazzlicious WinterFest, which just wrapped up recently.

Jazzlicious is a three-month-long event which was generously supported by funding from the Experience Ontario program of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. It brought together gastronomes and music lovers for a night of great food and live jazz in Markham–Unionville. It showcased the amazing musical talent and culinary skills we have right here in Markham–Unionville. It’s also a fantastic celebration of Canadian jazz music and our community’s culinary scene.

I would like to thank Minister Lumsden and his dedicated team for spearheading the impactful Experience Ontario program. Their efforts have not only enriched the fabric of Markham–Unionville but have also given countless local communities opportunities to thrive. By inviting visitors to discover Ontario’s diverse offerings and fostering connections with local experiences, Experience Ontario continues to stimulate tourism spending and promote cultural appreciation across our great province. And Speaker:

Sung to the tune of What a Wonderful World.

I see jazz lovers,

Jazz musicians, too,

And chef-inspired dinners

For Jazzlicious Winterfest,

And I think this combination

Makes a wonderful world.

Earlier this week, constituents in my riding of Mississauga Centre were thrilled to hear that our government has added more than 300 new weekly trips to support two-way, all-day GO. This investment into the Lakeshore West and Milton lines will significantly improve the commute for constituents in my riding, and it demonstrates our government’s commitment to building and investing in Ontario.

Time after time, budget after budget, our government has shown our commitment to building transit faster.

Speaker, I am very proud to inform my constituents about the many ways our government is making life easier and more affordable.

The One Fare policy implemented earlier this year is a prime example, which is saving commuters thousands of dollars annually.

And in last month’s budget, we announced that we are bringing back the Mississauga downtown loop. The Hazel McCallion LRT will now have the downtown loop as part of its official plans, adding a two-kilometre extension looping around Mississauga’s city centre.

This is great news for my constituents, as we continue providing easier and faster access to public transit, right in the heart of our communities.

Mr. Speaker, after years of Liberal indifference, our province was left severely behind other jurisdictions when it came to transit infrastructure.

With the strong leadership of Premier Ford, Minister Sarkaria and Minister Thanigasalam, our government will continue to get it done and keep Mississauga moving.

I’d like to welcome my constituents Maria-Luisa Tonelli and Sergio Tonelli, who are here at Queen’s Park today to see their granddaughter Ruby, the head page for the day. Welcome to Queen’s Park, and I wish you a wonderful day.

Good morning. Thank you very much, Speaker. I have a lot of respect for those who are good at their craft, especially when it comes to craft beer. Tonight, thanks to you, in room 228, join us for the craft beer reception. Speaker, drinks are on you. Thank you.

It’s my pleasure this morning to welcome students from Our Lady of Grace Catholic School in Angus, Ontario. Welcome. Enjoy the session.

I’d like to introduce some of my colleagues from OPSEU/SEFPO who are here: President JP Hornick, Kathleen Arnup, Geoffrey Cain, Sara Fraser and Shannon Morris. I look forward to seeing them and many more of their colleagues next week at the OPSEU convention.

I’d like to welcome Lorna Hudson and Stacy-Ann Dyer-McNish from YES Employment Services in Thunder Bay. Welcome to the Legislature.

From my hometown of Amherstburg in the great riding of Essex, I’d like to welcome Philomena and Larry Elliott. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

I’m delighted to welcome to the Legislature today 60 English students from the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre, the agency where I used to work as executive director before being elected. They’re here to learn about the Legislature. They’re studying for their citizenship and excited to vote one day. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

It’s a real honour today to welcome Young Politicians of Canada, who are here today meeting with members from all sides of the House to talk about how youth can get involved in politics. I’d like to welcome Jaden Segal-Braves, Jake Patrick Medley Barton, Giulia Rachel Di Lollo, Anthony Saiters, Jacqueline Ching Hui Liu and Juan Esteban Loaiza Neira. I look forward to meeting with you this afternoon.

I also want to give a shout-out to the St. Francis Xavier secondary school students from Mississauga who I met with this morning.

I would like to continue the list from my colleague the member from Sudbury and welcome more folks from OPSEU: Casey McGuire, Andrew Ruszczak, Cody Williams, RM Kennedy and Michael Gilmour, who is watching from home.

I’m also pleased to welcome my friend Tricia Jacobs to the Legislature today, and my executive assistant, Heather Lambert-Hillen, is also joining us today. Welcome to Queen’s Park.

The Minister of Long-Term Care.

The member for Sudbury.

I, too, would like to welcome the Young Politicians of Canada, who I met with in the office this morning. They’ll be around Queen’s Park, so when you see them, say hello. They’ve got a lot to say.

As we know, this is National Volunteer Week, and so it’s my pleasure to be able to introduce six students from my community, who are active volunteers in my office: Arthur Chao, Sagan Garg, Armaan Moon, Logan Stitt, Molly Zhang and Emma Wunderlich.