It is my pleasure to inform this House that in my riding of Durham, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and thriving. I’ve had the pleasure to attend some grand openings and reopenings for small businesses over the past few months.

In Port Perry, I had the opportunity to meet with Stacey Burns and her team for the grand reopening of Ocala Winery.

In Bowmanville, I proudly joined Amanda Green in cutting the red ribbon to open her dream business, Exquisite Lashing Co. Amanda acknowledges our government’s cutting of red tape and regulations helped make her business dream a reality.

One block west of my office in downtown Bowmanville, Carmela and George Mangos just opened Sugar Dust Sweets and Cafe, delighting their customers with elegant cakes, sweet treats and delicious lunches.

Earlier this month, one of the youngest franchisees for Firehouse Subs, Jasmine Nellis, opened her second franchise in west Courtice, to a sellout crowd.

Like many successful entrepreneurs across Ontario, my constituents are expanding their businesses and creating jobs, because our government is getting it done by reducing red tape and regulation, and creating an environment for growth and prosperity.

On behalf of all members of this House, I want to congratulate all the small businesses of Durham. Keep up the great work. Let’s grow together. Let’s make Ontario strong.