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John Yakabuski

  • MPP
  • Member of Provincial Parliament
  • Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke
  • Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
  • Ontario
  • The Victoria Center Unit 6 84 Isabella St. Pembroke, ON K8A 5S5 John.Yakabuskico@pc.ola.org
  • tel: 613-735-6627
  • fax: 613-735-6692
  • John.Yakabuski@pc.ola.org

  • Government Page
  • Jun/1/23 9:10:00 a.m.
  • Re: Bill 97 

I want to thank the member for her question. It’s a little out of the realm of this particular piece of legislation, but in fairness I know we had this conversation when I was actually in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry as well. I would suggest that you continue to have those conversations. I don’t think there’s a feeling that opposes that kind of thing, because we want to see more growth, more development.

It’s interesting for me when the member speaks—and I do have to say, you had a chance to support our Mining Act, which is going to bring more prosperity to the north and bring more opportunities for those people to own properties and live in the north while they work in the north. We want to see the north prosper and grow. Stand with us on some of these things and continue to have those conversations with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, and if you and I want to have a chat after, I’m more than happy to do that.

I don’t think there could be a government—I know there’s not a government, and I know there’s not a Premier or a minister that has done more to make people feel more welcome to come to Ontario. Look at the bills we’ve passed. Look at the bill that is before the Legislature today. You will not find a more proactive government that recognizes the reality out there, that is doing more so that those people can have a home right here in Ontario, the best place to live, work and raise a family.

But I do want to say to the member, this is what governing is all about. That’s why it’s so tough, because you also have to be willing to say, “Was there some confusion or some misunderstanding on something that we talked about?” It’s not directly in the bill, but what is now out there and absolutely clear is that we’re going to continue with that consultation process until August 4—I believe the date is August 4—which is going to give everybody another opportunity to voice their views on what seems to be spreading out there.

As the Premier said, the agricultural community, one thing they also have said, there’s been no government ever that has been better suited and has done more for the agriculture industry in the history of Ontario than this government right here. I know I can give you some comfort in saying: watch, listen and learn; August 4, you’re going to be clapping.

A case in point: the 413—you want to plan for the future? The 413, and they railed against the 413: “Don’t do it. It’s crazy. It’s the worst thing you could ever do.” I asked the members of the NDP from Brampton to tell us how that worked—oh, I’m sorry, there are no MPP members from Brampton because the people of Brampton said, “You people are losing it. We need the 413 if we’re going to prosper, and we’re going to have a better future for our families and our children.” The 413 is important. There are going to be cars on the road. Maybe they won’t be powered by gasoline, but there’s going to be—

574 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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