First of all, we are building infrastructure. And first of all, I have to thank the Minister of Education for being in my riding on Friday to announce a new public school for our growing community. In that area where we’re growing and building, we’re building another 825 student spaces and another 88 child care spaces, which is just huge for families. Thank you again to the Minister of Education for this infrastructure build.

Also, what we’re looking for in some of our communities is—we have aging infrastructure when it comes to community centres, and we need that extra little help. We see a lot of our malls are changing. A lot of our seniors would walk around the malls, but our malls are being redeveloped into townhouses and different types of housing—affordable housing—because of our initiatives from our government. Once again, thank you to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for helping us build more housing, but for that we need some help with some community space.

I’m asking the parliamentary assistant, if you can help me: Explain what’s in the budget to help with community space for our growing communities.

My question this morning is for the Premier.

Over the coming decade, Ontario is expected to grow by more than two million people, and many of those people want to call the beautiful riding of Etobicoke–Lakeshore home. But as Ontario’s population continues to grow, housing construction has historically not kept pace.

Now, like much of Canada, Ontario is facing a housing crisis that is freezing individuals and families out of the dream of home ownership. With each year that passes, we know that thousands of newcomers to Canada will settle in Ontario, and many are skilled workers looking to potentially buy or rent a home. Simply put, Ontario needs to build a lot more homes to meet the rapidly growing population.

Can the Premier please explain how our government is taking action to increase the pace of new home construction?

But, Speaker, more can be done and should be done when it comes to addressing our province’s housing crisis and the affordability crisis that’s affecting all regions of Ontario. For too many Ontarians, including young people, newcomers and seniors, finding the right home is still too challenging. It is essential that our government implements measures so that local interests and demand for housing are considered when it comes to building housing to accommodate community and region-specific needs.

Can the Premier please explain how our government is promoting collaboration and partnerships in responding to diverse housing needs?

“To the Legislative Assembly of Ontario:

“Whereas to address the new funding that has been provided to support Ontario’s long-term-care homes, the government is investing $5.5 million in 2023-24 to build new behavioural specialized units in long-term-care homes, including approximately 70 new specialized beds, to expand care for individuals with complex needs; and

“Whereas Ontario is providing $1.2 million to the Ontario Personal Support Workers Association to help with recruitment efforts by promoting the personal support worker profession in the long-term-care sector; and

“Whereas Ontario continues to make progress on its plan to build modern, safe and comfortable long-term-care homes for senior residents:

“—through planned investments that total a historic $6.4 billion since 2019;

“—Ontario is on track to build more than 31,000 new and over 28,000 upgraded beds across the province by 2028; and

“Whereas the government is helping to increase long-term-care capacity in communities across the province by providing development loans and loan guarantees to select non-municipal not-for-profit homes;

“Therefore we, the undersigned, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as follows:

“To urge all members of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to support the passage of the Ontario budget bill, Bill 85, Building a Strong Ontario Act.”

I can’t think of a better place to sign my name. Thank you very much.

I’m so glad to be back in the House today. During our time away, I had many opportunities to reach out to my constituents and enjoy the many community events while connecting with the residents of Etobicoke–Lakeshore.

Speaker, there has been plenty of good news to share. The long-awaited construction of not one but two Etobicoke–Lakeshore schools has begun. Thanks to the parents, the faculty and, of course, the Minister of Education for helping to make this happen.

St. Leo Catholic elementary school has broken ground, supported by an investment of $22.7 million, which includes additional funding of $10.3 million. The redevelopment will also include the renovation of the school’s heritage piece, which allows the students to learn what happened in the past. The new school will include 500 student spaces, three new child care rooms and one new EarlyON Child and Family Centre.

Our second school that broke ground is Holy Angels Catholic School. It’s being rebuilt and is supported by a government investment of $22.5 million, and it will include 600 student spaces, five child care rooms and 88 child care spaces.

Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to fill my schedule with meetings with constituents and going to many community events such as the Long Branch Tree Fest, the 15th anniversary of the conferment of the US Congressional Gold Medal on Tibet’s Dalai Lama—the Building Up training centre.

And this weekend I was at the Mimico market, where I picked up these earrings.

Please make sure to support your local markets this Christmastime and pick up those extra gifts. Support local, and have a great time in your communities.