Good morning. Let us pray.

Prières / Prayers.

The House recessed from 0901 to 1015.

I wish to take a moment to address the House on a matter of some importance.

On April 12, I received a letter from the leader of His Majesty’s loyal opposition. Since her letter to me has apparently been released to the media, I will not read it now, but I will instead summarize the request that she made of me. She asked that I permit the wearing of the kaffiyeh in the assembly.

I replied in writing to the Leader of the Opposition on April 16, and I hope she has seen my reply, but I have placed a copy on her desk in the event that she has not.

I will take a moment now to reiterate one of the points in my letter.

As always, any member may seek the unanimous consent of the House to wear clothing, buttons, ribbons etc. which may fall outside the established rules or customs of the House. If a member sought unanimous consent to wear a kaffiyeh, and if the House were to grant such consent, I would obviously accept the decision of the House.

Since I sent that reply, the leader of the Green Party has made a similar request to me in writing—that I permit the wearing of the kaffiyeh in the assembly. And last night, the Premier and the leader of the Liberal Party both made the same public request via social media, addressed to me.

As Speaker, I am the servant of this House. While I made my decision in this regard after considerable research and reflection, if the House believes that the wearing of the kaffiyeh in this House at the present time is not a political statement, I would certainly and unequivocally accept the express will of the House, with no ifs, ands or buts. Again, I would be willing to entertain such a point of order at any time and put the question to the House forthwith.

The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order.

To reply, the Minister of Energy.

Minister of Energy.

The parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health.

Members will please take their seats.

The parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Health.

The Minister of Transportation.

Supplementary question. The member for University–Rosedale.

The government House leader.

The supplementary question.

The next question.

Next question.

Supplementary question.

Supplementary question.

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

The member for Kingston and the Islands has a point of order.

There being no further business this morning and no deferred votes, this House stands in recess until 1 p.m.

The House recessed from 1142 to 1300.

Report deemed adopted.

First reading agreed to.

Further debate?

The member for Mississauga–Malton.

Motion agreed to.

Questions to the member for Don Valley East? The member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington.

I recognize the member for Mississauga Centre.

Questions, now, to the members who just spoke?

Next, the member for Hastings–Lennox and Addington.

Questions?

Questions to the member for Toronto Centre?

I recognize the member for Chatham-Kent–Leamington under standing order 59.

Questions to the member for Ottawa South?

Further debate? Further debate?

Mr. Kerzner has moved second reading of Bill 159, An Act to amend the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019. Is it the pleasure of the House that the motion carry? Carried.

Second reading agreed to.

Orders of the day? I recognize the member for Chatham-Kent–Leamington.

It is therefore 6 p.m.

Report continues in volume B.