Speaker, if you seek it, you will find unanimous consent for the House to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of Nobel laureate, master of the contemporary short story and Ontarian, Alice Munro, who was the 13th woman to receive the Nobel Prize in literature, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award, winner of the Trillium Book Award, winner of the Man Booker International Prize for lifetime achievement, and recipient of many other honours and awards, who sadly passed away on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Port Hope, Ontario.

It is a privilege to rise in this House today to pay tribute to the late Julia Munro. As the longest-serving female MPP in Ontario’s history, Julia truly was a trailblazer for so many of us sitting in this Legislature today, but she was also a friend and a mentor.

Beloved in her community of York–Simcoe and adored by her husband, John, and daughter, Genevieve, Julia’s dedication to public service touched so many, and she continues today to be nothing short of an inspiration for men and women alike.

Julia entered the political arena at a time when it wasn’t always easy for women to do so. And as a new politician, I can tell you that she encouraged me as a female politician in so many ways.

Julia was always herself. She was fierce, but she was always elegant and poised, and that’s why she was referred to as Lady Munro here at Queen’s Park but also across York–Simcoe.

Julia battled cancer, but she kept working. She was elected six times and represented the various iterations of York–Simcoe for 23 years.

There is little doubt that Julia’s work and advocacy has made a lasting impact for generations. The Bradford Bypass, which is a project that our government is moving forward with, was championed by Julia for 23 years. She recognized the need for this connecting link because of the growth in our communities, and she was right. It was her work that got the first environmental assessment done in 2002. That is a significant milestone for this project. And to this day, people across our riding are supportive of this project. Our government will get it done, and I know that Julia would be pleased and her family should be proud.

Before entering politics, Julia was a teacher for more than two decades, and in this role she had a lasting impact on the lives of so many residents of York–Simcoe. It was always so lovely when I got the chance to see her interact with one of her former students, which happened quite often as we travelled around the riding together. They would hug her, they would share a memory with her, and they would always thank her for being a wonderful and inspiring teacher to them. They never forgot her. They looked up to her, and how could they not? As a teacher, Julia understood the importance of protecting the interests of the next generation.

Julia also understood the importance of our history and the fundamental democratic principles that define us as Canadians, which she demonstrated by introducing the Magna Carta Day Act in 2014. The principles of the Magna Carta set the foundations of the English system of common law and are reflected in our Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. When King John proclaimed the Magna Carta in 1215, he proclaimed the principles of our democracy: that no one, not even the crown, is above the law.

I’m so pleased that former MPP from Burlington Jane McKenna is here today, because it was under Jane’s leadership that we reintroduced Julia’s PMB, and our government was so proud that we were able to make that a reality and that this PMB was passed unanimously in 2020.

It’s not just in the Legislature that Julia promoted democratic values, it was everywhere she went, including on the road. Her licence plate frame proudly displayed the motto, “Democracy: Don’t wear it out,” and as Minister of Transportation, I have a great appreciation for this. In fact, I even asked her if I could take over that licence plate cover, and she said I’d have to earn it.

Through her unapologetic stance on key issues, Julia went on to introduce six bills in the Legislature and managed to garner respect across party lines. She was a fierce advocate for her constituents at Queen’s Park, and she never took that privilege for granted. Her commitment to her core values and beliefs helped create a legacy that will continue to shine brightly for generations.

Thank you to John and Genevieve for sharing her with us for so many years and for supporting her and encouraging her. I can tell you that Julia is deeply missed in her former riding, but her legacy is long-lasting and will live on. As the MPP for York–Simcoe, I am humbled to be continuing much of the important work that Julia started many years ago.

Applause.