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.