I would. Thank you very much, Speaker, for the opportunity.

The bill enacts the Intimate Partner Violence Epidemic Act, 2024. The act requires the government of Ontario to recognize that intimate partner violence is an epidemic in Ontario. The Renfrew county inquest into the deaths of Carol Culleton, Anastasia Kuzyk and Nathalie Warmerdam at the hands of intimate partner violence yielded 76 recommendations. This bill would enact the first recommendation of the inquest and formally declare that intimate partner violence is an epidemic in Ontario.

The tragic deaths of the Renfrew county women should not be in vain. This bill is dedicated to them and all Ontarians who have experienced intimate partner violence, and to those working tirelessly to end it.

I would like to read this petition to the House.

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas the Haliburton Highlands Health Services board of directors has, without consultation with the affected stakeholders, closed the emergency department located in the municipality of Minden Hills, Ontario, on June 1, 2023;

“Whereas the loss of service is jeopardizing the lives of residents in the community;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to direct the Minister of Health to use her powers under section 9.1 of the Public Hospitals Act to immediately reopen the Minden emergency department.”

This petition is signed by 10,797 residents. I’m happy to affix my signature to the petition and to return it to the table with page Kian.