Tomorrow is a very exciting day for this province. I want to add to the brilliant answer that the Premier just gave on what this government is doing for the economy here in Ontario. On all fronts, whether it’s $185 billion in infrastructure, in transit, in highways, in health care, in education or the 700,000 jobs that have been created under this government—as noted by the Premier, more than anywhere in the entire North American segment—we’re doing that here in Ontario. We will keep doing it for the benefit of Ontarians, the benefit of our economy, the benefit of Ontario families.

It’s a very quick question. To the member opposite: I’m just reading through the Financial Accountability Office report for labour stats in the last couple of years, and Ontario’s economy posted the largest job gain in the history of the province over the last two years, and that’s continuing now. It’s based on all groups and genders. We’re continuing that with this bill, Madam Speaker. I wanted to ask the member: Does not this tangible support of job growth in Ontario support the work we’re doing and look forward to continuing with this bill?

I thank the member for her comments on the budget. I certainly respect, given her commercial background involvement, the comments she made. The member talked a lot about productivity and how we can make the economy stronger.

I’d point out a number of things in this budget we have done—in particular, the Ontario Made Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit, which is a 10% refundable corporate tax credit for Canadian-controlled private corporations that will get investment in Ontario, increase productivity. There is the Ontario Junior Exploration Program, the savings for small businesses in our reduction of red tape—on and on and on. Those things are attracting huge investments—$16 billion for our automotive sector, in particular. Does not the member think those things do, in fact, enhance productivity in this budget?

My question is for the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. Under the previous Liberal government, rural communities like mine were left behind and neglected when it came to investments that would support our local economy. Time and again, we saw the previous government make announcements that would be supporting investments only in and around the GTA. That’s why I am here to continue to advocate for my constituents and the abilities they have to lead our province.

On that note, I am proud that Grey-Bruce continues to lead the way in female apprenticeships. For the past five years, we’ve had more female students going into the skilled trades than the rest of the province, by a significant margin.

Speaker, what is the Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade doing to help support economic growth in my riding? What is the government doing to tap into the amazing workforce potential we have in our community?