 It is now time for member statements. Member from Huron-Bruce? Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I say enough is enough. Now you may think that I'm referencing the liberal smith's management and the financial world that has led to an S&P downgrade, or you may also think of a number of OPP investigations and scandals, but I am not. The fact of the matter is, I'm speaking about the seemingly growing disrespect and carelessness that we are witnessing on our roads. This past summer, Huron-Bruce residents experienced too many needless, tragic, life-changing accidents on the road. I'm using my first statement of this session to appeal to Ontarians to slow down and share the road. I must admit, Speaker, that I became very angry when former neighbours of my parents lost their lives in a senseless accident because someone was rushing to pass a transport truck. I became angry when I learned that a favourite high school teacher was struck by a vehicle when trading for a triathlon, and sadly, Speaker, there were more. And that's when I said enough is enough. At AMO, I spoke to the member from Burlington about her Share the Road legislation, now known as Greg's Law, and I asked for her advice as to how to increase awareness. I have also spoke of sharing the road in my most recent householder. And today, I ask all the members in this House to work together with me to unite in sharing the message that driving is a privilege, not to be taken for granted. Please everyone, slow down and share the road. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In June, the NDP called on the Liberal Government to give Ontarians input on its climate action plan, including their cap and trade program. The only way to move forward on a fair and effective climate change policy is to make it fundamentally transparent and open to public input. Climate change is already costing Ontarians hundreds of millions of dollars from extreme weather damage. The 2013 ice storm alone showed just how profound weather-related disruptions can be. A serious response to the challenge of climate change requires leadership by the government and public support, public trust. We asked before and we ask again that the whole climate change program, including cap and trade, be brought to the legislature for review by an all-party committee and proper public consultation when the plans are introduced. Ontarians new Democrats believe that climate change policy must deliver real, measurable reductions in carbon pollution and must be transparent, allowing everyone to see the costs, the benefits, and the effects. We also believe that low-income and middle-class Ontarians who are already struggling to get by shouldn't bear an unfair burden in our response to climate change. Lacking those key elements, the Liberal's proposed climate action plan and carbon pricing cannot succeed. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'm pleased to rise today and talk about the eventful summer we had in Halton. Now, it's no secret, Mr. Speaker, that the face of Halton is changing. We're one of the most rapidly growing regions in the entire country. And would this growth come exciting new changes? Over the summer, I had the pleasure of attending a number of special community picnics that really showed what makes our region so great. The Italian-Canadian, Tamil, Hindu, Filipino, and Muslim communities, among others, held family picnics all through the summer. Mr. Speaker, it was a pleasure to get out and experience these special cultural celebrations and to see and taste all that Halton has to offer. And Halton has a lot to offer, everything from samosas and spring rolls to fantastic pizza and barbecue chicken. And we had a great local talent, some great local talent, too. Bungra dancers, singers, dragon dancers, and so much more. Each one of these events had their own unique charm. But they all shared a common thread. They all demonstrated the strength of Halton's growing diversity. We have a rapidly growing and changing community. And Halton residents are welcoming others with open arms, sharing their traditions, their food, and their art. Diversity and acceptance are what makes Halton so special. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. For the name of the statement, the member from Elgin, middle sex woman. Thank you, Speaker. Speaker, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder awareness day is marked by the ninth day of the ninth month each year. FASD awareness reminds the world that during the nine months of pregnancy, women are to abstain from alcohol consumption. This important day was first celebrated in 1999. It is estimated that nine of 1,000 babies that are born in Canada suffer from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. FASD awareness day reminds the world about the dangers of drinking during pregnancy. Across the globe, bells are rung at 9.09 AM throughout every time zone. Back home in my constituency of Elgin, middle sex London. In St. Thomas, we have started our own awareness demonstration that occurs every year at City Hall. It's celebrated its past year, its 10th anniversary. And it's been led by a great constituent of mine, Ethel Dilla Buonatter. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ethel and all the dedicated volunteers in my right and across this province for their efforts to raise awareness of this important issue. We need this government to officially recognize the prevalence of FASD so that these individuals are no longer neglected by our health and education system. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you. So, to remember statements from members from Beverlyville Mall. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Today, I rise to raise awareness on the plight of Bapu Surat Singh Khalsa. He's an 82-year-old man who's now entered 243 days of a peaceful hunger strike. He's protesting the unfair treatment of minority communities being detained as political prisoners in India. He is raising awareness on their plights that are being treated disproportionately, unfairly compared to other prisoners. These prisoners have spent considerable time in custody and are eligible to be released under government discretion, however, are being denied this release. On February 26, 2015, Bapu Surat Singh was arrested along with his son, Ravinderjeet, simply for engaging in this peaceful protest to raise awareness of the plight of political prisoners. I call on the international community to stand in solidarity with political prisoners across the world to ensure that they are treated with the dignity, respect, and justice that they deserve. Thank you. A member from... A member statements, the member from Mississauga Street, so... Well, thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, the premier and members of this legislature joined with the GTA's Mexican community to raise the Mexican flag and celebrate the 205th anniversary of Mexican independence on the lawn of the Ontario legislature. Ontario is home to more than 30,000 people of Mexican origin. They're an educated and growing community devoted to building a prosperous Ontario. Mexico's Consul General Mauricio Toussaint has worked with the province to develop many shared opportunities Mexico and Ontario have together as NAFTA partners. The premier has pledged to visit Mexico. Mexico is, of course, a tourism and vacation destination of choice for sun-starved Ontario residents during our long, cold, and gray winter months. Equally importantly, Ontario firms in Mexico are building and expanding that nation's industrial and transportation infrastructure. Ontario's high-value and high-skill businesses, specializing in planning, engineering, finance, consulting, construction, and manufacturing, are helping build challenging and rewarding careers in both Ontario and Mexico as Mexico builds modern cities, airports, roads, and civil infrastructure. Mexico and Ontario have an opportunity to bring Ontario's expertise in electricity generation and transmission to Mexico. Working together, Mexico and Ontario can reduce Mexico's carbon footprint in energy generation and transmission. We can expand and diversify electricity generation and transmission and bring clean, green, sustainable electricity to Mexico's 124 million people. Thank you, Speaker. Thank you for the member standing, the member from Leedscramble. Well, thanks very much, Speaker, and on behalf of the leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party, Patrick Brown, and all of our caucus members, I want to, as well as the honourable member prior, want to extend my warmest congratulations to all Mexican Canadians celebrating Mexico's 205th Independence Day today. I'd also like to join with all members in thanking the Council General of Mexico in Toronto, Mauricio Toussaint, for organizing the wonderful event that we had both in the lawn and in this building as a reception. On September 15th, 1810, Miguel Hidalgo made the cry for Mexico's independence in the town of Dolores. The cry of Dolores is what helped to initiate the movements for Mexico's independence, which culminated in Mexico officially achieving its independence in 1825. Today, we are here to celebrate the 250th year of the cry of Dolores, also known as El Grito de Dolores. Ontarians of Mexican descent have left and continue to leave a historic mark in the province of Ontario. You're welcome contributions, span communities across Ontario, and are reflected in our economic, political, social, and cultural life, for which I think all members extend their thanks. On behalf of my leader, I look forward to working with your community in the years to come as we move towards our shared journey to build a better Ontario. Gracias and have a great independence. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, students and families in Ottawa South and all over the province headed back to school earlier this month. And I can still remember the hope and excitement in our household when our three children were younger, and it was always a very busy time. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take the opportunity to remind parents of the importance of having their children's vision tested. In Ontario, routine eye examinations for children younger than 20, provided by an optometrist or physician, are covered by OHIP. We know that 80% of learning is visual, and vision problems create obstacles for children to achieve their full learning potential. One in six children has a vision problem, yet most children do not get an eye examination before the age of five. Since vision plays an essential part in the child's ability to learn, excellent sight and eye health are critical in their development. I encourage all parents to have their children's vision tested so they can be confident and fully able learners. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to encourage all of my colleagues to use their householders and other communications to share this important information with families in their writings. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. Remember, students and members from Davenport. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to extend my best wishes to all the Guatemalans, Salvadorians, Hondurans, Nicaraguans, Costa Ricans and Chileans as they get set for their Independence Day celebrations. Our province is so fortunate that many of our neighbours from Central America and Chile have called Ontario home for a number of decades now. I'm privileged to represent the great writing of Davenport, which has such an active and engaged Central American and Chilean community, and I am truly humbled that I have the opportunity to recognise them here today in the House. It gives me great pride to know that my first private members bill, which received royal assent on May 5th earlier this year, was to declare October Hispanic Heritage Month. For the first time this October, we as a province will recognise the important contributions that Guatemalan, Salvadoran, Honduran, Nicaraguan, Costa Ricans, Chilean and all Hispanic and Latino Canadians have made and continue to make to our province's social, economic and multicultural fabric through Hispanic Heritage Month. Mr. Speaker, last week I attended Viva Mexico festivities in my riding of Davenport and told them about Hispanic Heritage Month. When I shared with them that next month would be about them, they were proud. Proud not only that Ontario was recognising their contributions to Ontario, but proud to share in the spirit of diversity, multiculturalism and coexistence that personifies this great province of ours. Viva el día de la dependencia. Gracias. I thank all members for their statements. I beg you to inform the House.