I thank the member for his remarks on this. I was listening to your comments about the challenges that students are facing and certainly understand those challenges. I’ve got three boys. They’re post-school now, but when they were going through it it was a big burden. Frankly, it’s even more challenging these days, arguably, with the housing that you mentioned.

Looking at this bill and seeing that it’s freezing tuition fees for several more years after the benefits that have been there already, including a 10% reduction—I look at those benefits and say that those are very important benefits for students. My question is, really, don’t those benefits allow you to look at this bill and say, “Yes, I’d like to support it and support students as well”?

I thank the member for her comments. I appreciate the thoughts on school boards and a lot of the elements involved in this bill, but I want to comment that our government prioritizes growth and we’ve made significant progress in expanding educational infrastructure, including schools, teachers and child care facilities, to meet the growing needs of our communities. Our track record has been very positive. We’ve generated momentum and created opportunities for students and families in Ontario. This bill, if passed, will further promote growth and provide even more opportunities for students and families across the province.

My question to the member is, will you take these factors into consideration as you consider whether to support this legislation?

Thank you to the minister for her response. Rural and remote regions have struggled for many years to attract the health care professionals their communities need. That’s why our government must ensure that Ontarians, regardless of their community size, receive the required health care support. While the Learn and Stay grant is a very promising program, students and the local health care system in Bruce–Grey–Owen Sound need reassurance that they will receive the necessary support from our government as we move forward.

Can the minister please explain further about this program and how interested students can apply?

I thank the member for his comments, in particular given his role in the past in post-secondary education. So I appreciate that and was listening.

But I will say that given the timing of this bill, Bill 26 will happen right before the holiday break across this province. After the break, students will be returning home, ready to start a new semester in the new year, a semester in which students will either have the protections of Bill 26, if passed, or not. Members opposite can make sure this legislation passes. So I’d ask the member, will you join with us in supporting Bill 26 and giving students this protection they do not have today?

Ontario has some of the best faculty and staff in the world working at college and university campuses across the province.

Interjections.

In fact, in many cases, these institutions are not just home to some of the best and brightest, but they’re also some of the largest employers in our communities.

We know Bill 26 has a strong focus on faculty-on-student sexual violence, but we have heard from the minister and others that this legislation is a welcome addition to the sector.

Can the member elaborate on how Bill 26 is not just good for students, but also for members of the faculty and staff as well?

I thank the member for his remarks. A question to the member: This government has a proven history of creating policies which continually build on previous legislation. Bill 26 is no different. It builds on regulations that the minister put in place earlier this year. So my question to the member is, can you please outline how this legislation will build on previous regulations passed by our government to better support students in post-secondary education?