 Seeing no further introductions, it's therefore time for our Member of Statements, the Member from Huron-Bruce. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the PC Party of Ontario, I'd like to make the following statement. Saturday, November 25th marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Unfortunately, violence is a daily reality for countless of women and girls throughout the world. Sadly, Canada and Ontario are not immune to this fact. Every day, women and children across Ontario and Canada are affected by violence, and it's estimated that one in three women around the world will experience violence in their lifetime. On any given night in Canada, over 3,000 women and their children sleep in shelters because it is not safe at home. This is unacceptable. We as a society need to work together to put an end to this needless violence. The elimination of violence against women is just not a woman's issue. It's a problem that impacts us all. Both men and women must stand united and advocate for change. We must continue to work together to raise awareness of violence against women and shine a light on the abuse and offer support to victims. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women serves as an important reminder to join in on the conversation and stand up against all gender-based violence. I would like to thank all the various organisations and individuals that work tirelessly to raise awareness for this important issue. Let us all stand together and eliminate violence. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you. Through the member statements, the member from Kitchener, Waterloo. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It's an honour to stand up today on the Trans Day of Remembrance about the YMC's Sprott House, Ontario's first LGBTQ and transitional housing program for youth. Last week I visited Sprott House, and it was clear that the staff, including director Kate Miller, worked tirelessly to provide a safe, supportive and welcoming space for LGBTQ youth. Sprott House provides residential living for 25 youth, and it is always at full capacity with a weight list of more than 40. For these youth, this is the first place they have ever lived where they feel safe. LGBTQ youth are disproportionately represented among homeless youth, constituting 40% of all homeless youth. The challenges they face are unique, and trans youth especially are more likely to experience discrimination and violence in shelters. Sprott House gives its residents a safe place to call home and the support they need to continue their education and find a job. With affordable housing and short supply, shelters like Sprott House and the GTA struggle to keep up with demand. For example, the Toronto Transitional Housing Allowance Program, which helped Toronto families pay for their market-set rent, was cancelled because it was so successful that it exhausted its funds. Affordable housing is essential to building a strong economy and an equitable society. To reach their full potential, youth need stable and affordable housing. We need to continue to support groups like the YMCA who work to put a roof over everyone's head. A sincere thank you to the YMCA for leading the way. Clearly, this is a model of transitional housing that needs to be replicated across the province. Thank you. Thank you for your member, Samus, the member from Barrie. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October the 27th, I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of the Barrie Military Heritage Park. The opening had a remarkable turnout of dignitaries, veterans, peacekeepers, and serving members of the Canadian forces and residents of Barrie. Located along the beautiful south shore of Kempenfeld Bay, the park serves as an important commemoration of Barrie's deep military history. It is fitting that this park opened just a few days before Remembrance Day, where we all had a chance to honour the memories of those who have served and those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. The park features 25 Vimy Oak saplings descended from acorns sent back to Canada after the Battle of Vimy Ridge. An obliques commemorates those who have been awarded the Victoria Cross, including Barrie's own honorary Lieutenant Colonel Reverend John Weirfoot. It also features an art installation of three steel panels depicting tulips, signifying the liberation of Holland, poppies, our national symbol of Remembrance and feathers in tribute to the military contributions of indigenous peoples. For years to come, this park will continue to serve as a lasting tribute to Barrie's military heritage, including our very close relationship with CFB Borden and the Gray and Simpkel Foresters. I know that generations of families will enjoy this park and learn about the incredible men and women in uniform who have made this possible. Thank you for your memories, and it's the member from Vimy Oshel. Thank you. There's no person more centrist and inoffensive as Steve Paken. He even wrote a great book on former Premier Bill Davis. Yet Lindsay Shepherd, a teaching assistant at Laurier, has been censured by Wilford Laurier University for showing a clip from Steve Paken's television program, The Agenda, to introduce a lecture in her class. Later, a student complained about the content, and Lindsay was called to a meeting with the two professors. And an official from the university's Diversity and Equity Office. Lindsay is now concerned that the professors will take away her teaching assistant position, which alongside a scholarship is paying for her studies. Speaker, this is not about left versus right. This is about academic freedom. This is about freedom of speech. Speaker, this is about a university targeting a vulnerable teaching assistant, threatening her academic career and her sorts of livelihood. As a result, Lindsay was quoted in a Waterloo Region record feature, saying, I now feel so completely alienated from the university as an institution. On behalf of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Caucus, I express my solidarity with Lindsay Shepherd. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you for the member's statements. The member from Oshawa. Thank you, Speaker. This past weekend, we celebrated a special milestone in Oshawa. The Durham Region Labor Council marked 75 years of activism, advocacy, and impact. Labor councils are the local action organizations under the umbrella of the Canadian Labor Congress. These councils have members from affiliated unions who come together to strengthen our communities. I remember the first meeting I attended as an etfo member with larger-than-life Jim Freeman as president. After hearing from the local affiliates about health and safety issues, about unfair and concerning employer challenges, and about charitable or advocacy campaigns across our community, I was hooked. And, Speaker, I was also proud to later serve for a time as our Labor Council Second Vice President. Labor councils are where workers and community partners recognize our shared values and goals. It's where I really recognize that, regardless of the workplace, we are all workers in Ontario and deserve fairness, respect, and safe work environments. We are all in this together. Jim Freeman always stood up for Labor councils and recognized them to be the boots on the ground of the Labor movement. They are the grassroots of change and advocacy. Durham is fortunate to have a strong community Labor Council with leaders and workers who have come together since 1942 to make change happen. I would like to recognize President John McDonald, the current executive, and long-serving staff, Linda McLaughlin, for their commitment to Oshawa and Durham region. Our Labor Council has been building bridges, making workplaces and community spaces safer and stronger, and has been making our community better for 75 years. Thank you. Thank you for the member statements. The member from Eglinton Lords. Speaker, I'm here today to pass on my comments about the passing of a good friend and a very renowned judge that passed away, November the 2nd, Paul French. Paul was born in Ottawa, went to Ottawa U, and also married a very significant lawyer in Mickey Smith, Michelle Smith. And they have two wonderful children, Michael and Laura, who missed their father greatly. Paul French was the nephew of one of Canada's most renowned criminal lawyers, the Arthur Maloney. And he articleed with his uncle Arthur before he went into practice. He was called to the bar in 1984, practice law. And he also helped establish this framework agreement between judges and the Ontario government, which has been copied across Canada. He was appointed a judge in 2006 and he helped establish the first mental health assistance unit at Metro West Detention. He was very concerned about mental health and how it affects our incarcerated men and women, especially our youth. He also spent a lot of time trying to ensure that our young people were given, especially marginalized youths, were given the attention they needed beyond just being dealt with by the full weight of the law. So I wanna say thank you, Paul, Judge French, for your long life of service. Thank you. Further member Stevens, the member from Perry, Selma, Skolka. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the house today to draw attention to the problem of volunteer firefighter recruitment in rural communities throughout our province. 85% of firefighters in Canada are volunteers in communities smaller than 5,000 people, 99% of firefighters are volunteers. Rural communities rely upon volunteer firefighters to respond to both medical and fire related emergencies. Unfortunately, many rural communities are worried about recruiting enough volunteer firefighters to meet their needs. In my writing, Councillor Shane Baker has reported that the Huntsville Lake Abbey's Fire Department is quote, stretched because of problems with recruitment, especially with regards to remote fire homes. Gravenhurst and Bracebridge are facing similar challenges. Local fire departments are working hard to increase recruitment. In particular, I wish to commend Huntsville Lake Abbey's Fire Department, which ran camp female firefighters in training program this past summer. This was a new program for my writing of Perry, Selma, Skolka. Seven women between the ages of 15 and 18 participated and they learned specialized fire and rescue skills, such as vehicle extraction. I wish to conclude by thanking our volunteer firefighters. These local heroes commit to rigorous training routines that are often the first to arrive and provide life-saving support for their neighbors. One such local hero is District Chief Mike Cook, who recently retired after 40 years as a volunteer firefighter with the Huntsville Lake Abbey's Fire Department. I congratulate him on his retirement and I commend him on his many years of service. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Speaker. And I rise in the House State to congratulate the Toronto Argonauts, with a never-say-die attitude. Right, hey! Full credit to the Saskatchewan Rough Riders on the last gasp display, worthy of a sports movie. But with two minutes and 37 seconds left, Ricky Ray said, and I'm gonna quote Mr. Speaker, we had plenty of time, we weren't in a rush. I'm proud of the Argos for the first time since 2012. The team is headed to the Great Cup, which will be happening this Sunday, November 26th in Ottawa. Toronto's defenders intercepted the ball three times in the opening 30 minutes, no small feat. And heroics from Ricky Ray and Toronto's defense have set up quite a great cup final. The Argos versus the Calgary Stampeders. I look forward to watching these two teams play an intense football game. I know the Argos are coming into the final as an underdog, Mr. Speaker. The Stampeders have the best regular season record in the CFL, but if my boys in blue can survive a last minute onslaught, they can do anything. I'm hoping for a storybook finish to the season for the Argos. Best of luck to the Stampeders, but if the game goes as running back, James Wilder says, they'll be in man, and it worked out just as we prepared. So join me in saying, let's go, Argos. Thank you. Further members, David's the member from Land Ark for our Athletic and Addington. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, I'd like to acknowledge and congratulate Dr. Robin Kenney of Perth, Ontario, who has been awarded the 2017 College of Family Physicians Community Teacher of the Year Award. The award, which will be presented to Dr. Kenney at the OFCP Award Ceremony in Toronto this week on the 23rd, celebrates excellence in community family medicine education and is handed out based on nominations by family medicine students and residents. Dr. Kenney plays a very important role in the Perth community, not only as the Chief of the Perth Hospital Emergency Department, but as an investigating coroner for the region as well. Dr. Kenney is both well respected and highly praised for his invaluable knowledge of rural community medicine by his students at Queen's University, as well as his residents from the University of Ottawa. He has had a profound impact on his residents and students and many apply to work in Perth. Combined with his continued mentorship of former students and residents, he is a model for a healthy work and a life balance and is a model and testament to the value and commitment to rural medicine. I hope everyone will join me in congratulating Dr. Kenney for this well-deserved honor. Thank you. Thank you. I thank all members for their statements. It's therefore now time for reports by committees. Reports.