 It's now time for members' statements. I recognize the member for Mishkegawak James Bay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The members of Moose Creek First Nations are concerned about a type of backroom deal this government does. On January 30th, the Ministry of Energy Northern Development Mines awarded Nairobi Mental Inc. an exploration permit for drilling and eventually developing a Naiobium mine. The exploration is to take place on the shore of the South Bluff Creek watershed by the North French River in the James Bay area. The area in question plays a critical role in the lives of the Moose Creek for spiritual, cultural and environmental reasons. At the time, and again, they have made it very clear that the opposition to this drilling project. Mr. Speaker, a Moose Creek opposition to this mining exploration development in the era is not new. In 2003, a different company tried to drill in these sensitive wetlands and the community said no. Now the Conservatives are bluntly approving an exploration permit with no serious consultation with Moose Creek Chief and Council. Their right to oppose the drilling must be respected, Mr. Speaker. We are talking about an extremely sensitive ecosystem with one of the very few untouched watersheds in Ontario. People drink directly from the water source. Let me make one thing very clear. The role of the Minister of Energy and Development of Mine is not to issue exploration permit as he pleases. His role is to consult, mediate, fact check, project, especially those that are as sensitive as the South Bluff Creek watershed. Thank you. Thank you. Member Statements. Member for Peterborough Corathon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'd like to talk about an event that we had in Peterborough just a couple of weeks ago. It was held by the Humane Society of Peterborough. It's called the Furball Gala. The Humane Society has started a project to construct a new building for it on seven acres. We're really excited about this because it'll give enough land that it'll be an area for the pets, the dogs, the cats to explore outside. We raised 50,000 at the Furball Gala. One key thing I'd like to talk to you about, though, from that event, we had a specific fundraiser referred to as Snoopy's Balls. They are Christmas ornaments that have been decorated for cats and dogs. And it's named after Sue Dunkley, the organizer of the event. It's named after her dog Snoopy. 82% of women who have a pet that are in a domestic violence situation refuse to leave for fear of what will happen to their pet. Snoopy's Balls, that fundraiser, provides a safe night for the pet of a woman trying to escape domestic violence. I think it's a fabulous fundraiser. I'd like to see more people do those types of things because it does so much for our community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Member Statements, the Member for Oshawa. I stand today in solidarity with teachers, education workers, students and parents who know that our children deserve a quality education in our provincial schools. I was a teacher for over 10 years and was proud to do some of the most rewarding, important work that I will ever do, helping our children reach their full potential. Our educators and education workers love what they do and should be appreciated and supported. Instead, this Premier and his Minister have come out the gate swinging in acts at our public education system, undermining our boards and painting our teachers as incapable. Well, they aren't. Is this government incapable of recognizing the need to invest in our schools and students? We have a $16 billion repair backlog. This government is ripping funding away from families of children with autism who will be funneled from needs-based therapy into our schools without transitions and without support. And this Premier thinks the way to improve is to cut. Here are some constituent thoughts for the Premier. Tracy says, quote, Austerity measures are never an excuse for harming our most vulnerable population, our children. Your proposed changes are inequitable and dangerous. Christina says, with class sizes increasing, online courses being mandatory in the threat of removing university-educated teachers from K-3 that only means one thing for me, my job, which I love is at risk. Melanie says, this isn't what's best for our children. I support low class sizes for all Ontario students and implore you to consult before making such sweeping changes. Stephen invites. I would love if some politicians came into my class to get a firsthand account of education. Tammy says, we can't afford to find efficiencies at the expense of students by taking teachers and support staff out of classrooms and cutting funding for programs that help kids thrive. Our schools are the heart of our communities and of our democracy and must be fully funded now. Speaker, this Premier must stop the cuts to education and start caring about our future. Thank you, Member Statements. Member for Perry Salma School. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to recognize the volunteers who made the Ontario 55 plus winter games happen earlier this month in Huntsville, Muskoka. 898 Ontarians between age 55 and 86 came together in friendly competition to encourage healthy, active lifestyles. They took part in alpine and cross country skiing, skating, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, hockey, curling, bowling and duplicate bridge. Events like this don't come together without a lot of hard work. I want to thank the organizing committee chair, Fran Coleman and General Manager Sherry Renaud for all their work. I also want to thank volunteer co-chairs Wendy McConnell and Ruth Ann Cook, events chair Kelly Haywood, sport technical co-chairs John Cowan and Jonathan Percival, accommodation co-chairs Steve Carr and Jennifer Brockett and medical co-chairs Emma Love and Angie Paulson. The work of these volunteers was supported by local businesses including Gold Sponsor, Drive Muskoka dealerships, Silver Sponsors, Your TV and Hunters Bay Radio Bronze, Sponsors Downtown Huntsville BIA and Lake Abays Brewery and Bullock's Independent Grocer and so many more. Finally, I want to recognize Huntsville Mayor Scott Acheson and Town Council for their vision in applying to host the games for the second time. While Huntsville was host, events took place in Berks Falls, Bracebridge, Gravenhurst as well as in Huntsville. The games were a great success both for the athletes and for the community. The event brought added business to local hotels and resorts, restaurants and stores that are traditionally quiet time of year. Congratulations. Remember for Niagara Falls. Thank you Mr. Speaker. I'd like to rise and talk about Meals on Wheels, Niagara Falls, Niagara and the Lake and Fort Erie. Last Wednesday, I had an incredible opportunity of riding along with them as they did their deliveries. They delivered their food to elderly, to disabled, to veterans, to anyone who needs meals with a dietary restriction. They delivered hot meals, nutritious meals five days a week to those in need. They delivered cold food, run a lunch program, arranged for dining in apartment buildings. Over the course of the year, they delivered, listen to this, 42,000 meals and they need even more than that Mr. Speaker. When they show up at the door of that senior who can't go outside their friendly face, they check on them. They build lasting relationships and they do this all as volunteers. It's a service like this that shows how caring communities work. I want to say thank you to the bottom of my heart to every single volunteer who does this for our community. I want to thank Roger Smith for showing me firsthand what it looks like to build a compassionate society. Lastly, I want to say and this is the most important part and I want my colleagues to listen. They're only able to do this work because of the funding provided by the Ministry of Health. That funding has been frozen for eight years. I can't think of fewer things that provide a better service for our community with provincial tax dollars than supporting volunteer work of Meals on Wheels. So today I'm asking this government to unfreeze and increase this funding. Do it for the elderly, the disabled and the veterans who depend on this friendship and service often by some of our community's most dedicated members. And if you want to keep people in their homes, support Meals on Wheels. Thank you. Member Stevens, the member for Richmond Hill. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thursday, March 21st marks the beginning of spring and a new day for the Iranian and Persian community. I would like to take this opportunity to wish them Neroos Perous. A prosperous New Year. After spending almost the entire month of February attending events celebrating the Chinese New Year I can now look forward to sharing the celebration of the New Year and welcome spring with the Iranian and Persian community. I've already had the privilege of attending three events last week to celebrate Neroos and I was particularly touched by the celebration organised by the Iranian Canadian Teens Club. I want to thank the dedicated parents and leaders for gathering teens and young children to celebrate, perform and learn about the customs and culture. I learned from that too. The Neroos celebration includes the custom of setting the halftime table. I also purchased some Sajid which is dry fruits and representing love and affection. And I also bought a bowl with gold fish which symbolises new life. Well for all Canadians, Neroos provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the tremendous contributions that people of Iranian and Persian heritage have made to this country and rich and diverse heritage. Neroos Perous. Thank you. Thank you. Member Statements, the member for Nicobelt. Thank you. I would like to wish you all a very good Francophonie week. I would like to thank the Legislative Assembly for their support toward my motion to modify the practices of our legislature when we are writing laws in French right now. The masculine is used as a neutral by our redactors and as we've said for a very long time the masculine form is stronger than the feminine. We are trying to modify this practice by having an inclusive language for women. It is a known practice. I would like to thank the clerk for their support with this change. I can't wait to see the first bill talking about the minister and the member as a woman. I would also like to tell you about what's going on in my constitution during this week. I would like to invite everyone at the Collège Boreal for an evening of songs with the artist cooperation of Ontario and he will sing some of my favorite songs. Daniel Bédard is the artistic director. Steph Paquet will be there. It will be quite the party. I would like to invite everyone to Sudbury. I wish you all a very good Francophony week. Thank you very much. Member statements to the member for Mississauga Center. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week my fellow Mississauga members and I had the honour of hosting the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport at the Living Arts Centre. Together we announced more than 2.6 million in grants to organizations across Mississauga through OTF. This funding will go a long way to support a number of initiatives that promote art and culture as well as strengthen our local NGOs. We heard from a number of organizations about how crucial these funds are in sustaining and improving their services aimed at some of our most vulnerable. One of the grand recipients is Interim Place, a shelter and 24-hour crisis centre for women and children fleeing domestic, often sexual violence. The funds Interim Place is receiving will be invested in developing their peer support program. This initiative is a peer-led workshop which will explore harm reduction from the unique lens of women who use substances. Speaker, the work of Interim Place is instrumental to protecting women from abuse and to building inclusive, equitable and diverse community spaces in Mississauga. Their efforts resonate with our government as we move forward in addressing sexual violence in Ontario. That is why I was so honoured when the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services responsible for women's issues called on me to co-chair a provincial task force with her PA, the Member for Cambridge, on combating human trafficking. We are both looking forward to meeting with survivors across this province and listening to their lived experiences. We will be seeking insights from frontline workers such as those working at Interim Place, Hope 24-7 or VoiceFound and other experts in the field. Speaker, our government is committed to supporting our art and cultural communities as well as the most vulnerable members of our society. Thank you. Thank you. Member's statements. The Member for Flamborough, Glenmore. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm thrilled to rise today to recognize the City of Hamilton for being chosen to host the 109th Grey Cup Championship in 2021. The Grey Cup is a national institution and one of the largest sporting events in Canadian television. It will be the first time the iconic Canadian Football League Championship game will be played at the new Tim Horton's field. The last time Hamilton hosted the Grey Cup was the legendary snowball in 1996 when the game was played in a blizzard. Hamilton has a long and storied history of involvement in the Grey Cup. During the early years in the 50s and 60s, the Hamilton Tiger Cats were a steel town dynasty. They went to the Grey Cup 10 times. They were first in the East 13 times. Joe Monford, Ben Zambiasi, Danny McManus and Rocky Di Pietro are just a few of the Tiger Cats inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. And then there are CFL legends, Bernie Filoni and Angelo Mosca, whose Tiger Cat numbers have been retired. Both Filoni and Mosca played in multiple Grey Cup Championship games. The Grey Cup will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Hamilton has to offer, including its world-class restaurants and entertainment venues. Hamilton is beginning to plan the week-long festivities, which will feature gala concerts, parties and fan festivals. And Mr. Speaker, the economic impact is expected to be huge for both Hamilton and the province of Ontario. Thank you. Thank you. That concludes our times for member statements this afternoon. I beg to inform the House that today the clerk received the report on intended appointments, stated March 19, 2019 of the Standing Committee on Government Agencies. According to Standing Order 108 F9, the report is deemed to be adopted by the House. Reports by committees. Introduction of bills. Member for Beaches East York. Thank you, Speaker. I move that leave be given to introduce a bill entitled an act to proclaim a day of remembrance and action on Islamophobia.