I rise today with a heavy heart to pay tribute to a remarkable woman, an amazing public servant and a long-time neighbour and friend, Councillor Jaye Robinson, who represented ward 15, Don Valley West, at Toronto city council for almost 14 years. Jaye exemplified spirited leadership and served with distinction in roles such as chair of the Toronto Transit Commission. Prior to being elected, she served as director of events for the city of Toronto, where her spirit for fun and community service shone through as she led efforts to create beloved traditions like Nuit Blanche and Summerlicious.

Jaye’s resilience and commitment to public service were truly inspirational, especially as she courageously battled breast cancer during recent years while continuing to serve our community with the utmost dedication. When she could not be physically present at events, she made sure her presence and support were there virtually or through her amazing staff. She was a great municipal partner to me since I was elected as MPP, and while she was non-partisan, she gave me good advice when I sought her counsel before deciding to run.

We remember Jaye for her profound dedication to public service, her ability to inspire those around her and her fierce and fun spirit. As we honour her legacy, we extend our deepest sympathies to her family: her beloved husband, Billy; her sons, Jake, Sam and Will; mother Shirley; siblings Elizabeth “Brandy,” Robin, Kelly and John; and daughter-in-law Brooke; her colleagues, friends, church family and all who will miss her.

Jaye’s legacy is a lifetime of public service, ongoing, enriching and fun events for the city of Toronto, and community dedication that will continue to inspire all who were privileged to know her.

Thank you, Speaker. A point of order: I am seeking unanimous consent to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Toronto city councillor Jaye Robinson, who sadly passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Jaye served Toronto and ward 15, our community of Don Valley West, with such dedication. Throughout her 14 years on Toronto city council, she was a tireless public servant and champion for public transit, arts and community engagement. She enhanced our city through visionary city-building projects like Summerlicious, Nuit Blanche and her famous Moose in the City project. She will be deeply missed by friends like me and many across Don Valley West, her colleagues and, of course, her family and her colleagues at Toronto city council.

In 2018, the Premier ran a tough-talking campaign aimed at convincing Ontarians the previous government was wasting taxpayer money. He spoke about the growing sunshine list of public sector employees earning over $100,000. One would think he was some kind of Robin Hood figure who was going to take from the rich and give to the poor. His record in office proves otherwise.

Speaker, this government has made many mistakes: Bill 124, axing workers’ rights, the greenbelt scandal, to name just a few. But now, the government has a mistake right in the Premier’s office. The Premier has added so many new sunshine-list employees to his staff that it’s costing taxpayers more than double what it did under any previous government.

My question to the Premier: Is he ready to admit that he is running a government that is full of friends, insiders and fat cats, to use his own words, and to clean up the bloated mess in his office?