 It is now time for member statements. I recognize the member for Windsor to Kempsey. Speaker, T.S. Elliott started the wasteland, one of his most famous poems, with, April is the cruelest month. But for the past 55 years, April has been recognized as National Poetry Month in Canada. This year's theme, as announced by the League of Canadian Poets, is resilience. What is resilience? Well, Speaker, we meet resilience in every corner we've been backed into, every hardship that we endure. Resilience is geographical, spiritual, historical. It's a fight against climate change, the inner battle with mental health, the outcry for human rights and an end to systemic racism. Resilience is the backbone of generations of trauma, the silence at the dinner table, the bow to culture's violin. Resilience is the courage to start each day anew. Speaker the League of Canadian Poets says this National Poetry Month, 2021, we should celebrate, reflect on and respect the resilience that has made us who we are. Perhaps, Speaker, this month, we in this chamber can set aside some time, if you will, to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. And why we're here, respect the resilience that has made us who we are, and perhaps pick up a book of poetry or read some poetry, maybe even write a few lines of poetry. It's easy to do for MPPs like me and you, don't be meek, do it just for fun, Speaker. I see my allotted speaking time is done. Statements, I recognize the member for Flamborough, Glambrough. Thank you, Madam Speaker. I want to take this morning to recognize a true pandemic hero in my writing of Flamborough, Glambrough. Her name is Rebecca Fernyay. Rebecca is the care coordinator at St. Elizabeth's retirement residence in Hamilton. She treats her residents and her staff as extended members of her family. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rebecca was willing to live at St. Elizabeth's in an effort to keep her residents and staff protected against the spread of the virus. Rebecca is a single mother. She has two children at home. Her children stayed with her parents during the time that she actually moved in and lived at the retirement home. Rebecca was willing to sacrifice time with her family for months in an effort to protect the lives of her most vulnerable residents. She even gave up her personal time when St. Elizabeth's was dealing directly with a COVID outbreak. Rebecca's co-workers say she is a leader, a solid role model, someone who inspires others to go above and beyond. She's willing to work long hours. They say she's always positive. She's always available when her residents need her. Rebecca is an example of how to make a positive difference in this world. She's one of the many thousands of people in Ontario who have been working to keep our most vulnerable residents safe, who have been making a positive difference in the world. Rebecca and all of these frontline workers represent the best of humanity, and I want to sincerely thank them for their sacrifice. Statements. I recognize the member for Humber River Black Creek. Thank you, Speaker. We must have an equitable vaccine rollout so that those who are most at risk are prioritizing getting vaccinated. My community of Humber River Black Creek has been one of the hardest hit during this pandemic due to the socioeconomic barriers faced by so many living there. A couple weeks back, in under rising pressure, when the Premier announced that those 18 plus and hotspot communities would be vaccinated, we thought we were finally heard. But when we realized that this announcement was made without a plan, details, a timeline or a dedicated vaccine supply, we had to quickly take matters into our own hands. We formed a team to quickly plan and distribute a large number of vaccinations within Black Creek to get some of the provinces most at risk individuals and families. Their first dose of vaccine as soon as possible. I joined a team of incredible and tireless health care providers and organizers, including Black Creek Community Health Centre, Humber River Hospital, the University Health Network, Michael Garen Hospital, Lough, Toronto Community Housing, the Santa Manoway Revitalization Association in Greenwood, and our Councillor Anthony Peruzza. Together we organized a series of pop-up mobile vaccinations at Jane and Finch, and we were able to administer over 12,000 vaccines to Humber River Black Creek residents since this past weekend. Our work isn't over yet, and we continue to work hard at establishing new mobile vaccination clinics here in Humber River Black Creek. I thank those who lined up and braved the weather, rather than waiting untold weeks or months so that they could get a vaccine elsewhere. The government must secure more vaccine supply and vaccinate all of those most at risk as soon as possible. The vaccine rollout must be equitable, and we must prioritize all hotspots. Thank you. Thank you. The next member's statement to the member for Peterborough, Corio. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This second doesn't seem like it's enough time to really reach out and thank all of the volunteers that have done so much in our communities. But one in particular I want to talk about, and that's back on April 10th, the event was called Porch Pirates for Good, and it was a Peterborough-wide food drive, hosted by Corf of Food Share. The Porch Pirates Food Drive volunteers and Corf of Food Share turned the phrase Porch Pirate into something that was good. And in fact, it was the largest fundraiser in Corf of Food Share's history, collecting over 51,000 pounds of food and over $4,000 from community members in just a couple of hours. They also had a collection from 20 local businesses on the day before, collecting 2,000 pounds of food. With 70 volunteer pirates, each covering a neighborhood in the city, they distributed flyers beforehand. People left the food donations in bags on their porch, and those volunteers went out and picked it up. There were 10 captain volunteers back at Corf of Food Share, and it would not have been possible if it wasn't for those head madies, Megan Murphy, Ashley Akin, Lois Tuffin, and Susan Dunkley. This collection will be a great help in getting Peterborough Corf of Through the Spring when they typically see a lull in donations. In the spirit of giving my community, it never ceases to amaze me. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you. The next member's statement, member for Hamilton West and Caster Dundas. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is Earth Day, an important day to celebrate our environment and act to protect our natural heritage. It's important to acknowledge also that today, April 22nd, 2021, here in Ontario, we are at the height of a third wave COVID crisis. Sadly, we are experiencing the disastrous results of the government scrambling too late in a crisis. We're also facing a climate crisis. Experts are warning us that the time to take urgent action to avoid the devastating impacts of the climate change is now. I want to recognize Indigenous women, water protectors who fight to ensure our water is protected. Kristin Villabran, Makasha Looking Horse, Autumn Palaeche, and the late Josephine Mandaman have all taken action to protect our water, and all of us in this house could learn a lesson of leadership from them. In my writing, people care very deeply about natural spaces like Coots Paradise. This weekend was the 50th anniversary of the Dundas Valley School of Art Auction. So many of the works were tributes to Coots Paradise, including a very special watercolor by the founder of the DVSA, Marion Farnin. Our love of Coots Paradise runs deep in Hamilton. Mr. Speaker, I'm also extremely proud of our plan, our party's plan, for the environment, climate, jobs, and justice. It's the boldest climate plan Ontario has ever had, has ever seen. We are facing the devastating impact of a government facing a crisis unprepared. It is also unthinkable that Ontario does not have a credible climate plan. So please, stop being silent on the climate crisis. The time to act is now. Thank you. Member Stevens. The Member for Niagara West. Speaker, door knocking in the last provincial election. I remember meeting Anne, a resident of Beamsville, my riding of Niagara West, and Anne was in her 80s. Her husband had recently passed away. Visiting Anne at the Little White Bungalow that she and her husband had built together in the 1960s, she told me about her desire to stay in their home as long as she could. But Anne's children had moved out of the area and she worried about having an accident or not being able to get the support that she needed. Speaking with seniors like Anne in Niagara West over the past few years, Speaker, I've heard a great deal about the importance of aging in place. Of course, this aging needs to be safe. Many seniors in my riding want to be able to stay at home as long as possible, as long as they can know that they are safe and supported in their environment. Speaker, our government agrees and is taking action to support seniors with the care they need. A couple of weeks ago, I was joined by Kevin Smith, the chief of Niagara EMS, Marvin Junkin, the mayor of the town of Pelham and Jim Bradley, the chair of the region of Niagara and former longtime member of this legislature to announce an expanded community paramedicine program across Niagara. The significant investment of over $8.2 million in the community paramedicine program on behalf of the minister of long-term care is a great step to providing the care that seniors such as Anne deserve. Provide seniors who are waiting for placement in a long-term care home or who are soon to be eligible for long-term care to safely keep seniors in their home for as long as possible. The program offers access to health services 24-7 through in-home and remote methods such as online or virtual supports, non-emergency home visits and in-home testing procedures, as well as ongoing monitoring of changing or escalating conditions. Speaker, this is just one more step to provide health care in Ontario and support seniors in Niagara West. Member statements, the member for Brampton Centre. Thank you, Speaker. I want to take an opportunity today to thank the amazing youth that are a part of the Brampton Centre Youth Council. Members like Evan, Omar, Jasmine, Gia and Erica, who have been providing their insights and sharing their thoughts and perspectives about the challenges that young people are facing during these uncertain times. Many of them are concerned about what's happening in education. They're worried about the health and safety of their families and their educators. Many of them felt that our classrooms were unsafe and many shared concerns about mental health access to resources throughout this pandemic. Many are worried about what the future has in store, Speaker, will they be able to find stable employment? Will they be able to attend their graduation or even hug their loved ones? They're also worried that their friends are dying by suicide because they weren't able to get the help and supports that they needed in our community. Speaker, Peel has an average wait time of 790 days for mental health services for young people and this has only gotten worse with COVID-19. We need urgent investments in our mental health services so children in our province aren't waiting far too long for the supports that they need. And Speaker, this pandemic has been difficult on all of us and the long-term impacts have yet to be seen for future generations. So I just want to take an opportunity and say to young people at home that it's okay to not be okay. It's okay to be upset. It's okay to be sad and it's okay to be mad and that you are not alone. So please reach out if you need help. Thank you. Thank you very much. The next member statement, the member for York Center. Thank you Speaker. I submit that the government has lost legitimacy to govern. Let's review. A quarter million surgeries postponed. One million cancer screenings that did not take place. A mandatory directive yesterday to cancer all non-emergency surgeries, including cancer surgeries. Children out of school for the third time. A mental health catastrophe with youth suicide attempt skyrocketing and only 14% increase in ICU beds available during pandemic. A $30 billion deficit with nothing to show for. A new $20 billion structural deficit remaining for years to come after the pandemic is gone. A $400 billion debt, a 24% increase or more than $76 billion higher than they inherited from the liberals. Outdoor recreational activities closed for absolutely no reason. And then last Friday, predicated on political advice, martial law, the unthinkable, the unconscionable, the unlawful, the undemocratic, an attempt to create a police state in Ontario thwarted by the police itself. Shame on them. Speaker, they have shown utter incompetence. They've shown disregard for the rule of law. They do not represent Ontario. They do not represent their voters. They do not represent their party. They lost legitimacy to govern. You've lost the mandate to govern and you should govern yourselves accordingly. And I'll remind the members to make the comments directly through the chair out across the floor. The next order, order. The next member for York's center will come to order. The next member statement, the member for Hall of the Menorfolk. Well, thank you, Speaker. And since the start of the pandemic, one of our government's top priorities is to guard against the spread of COVID-19 in agri-food workplaces and to ensure that Ontario's food supply remains strong and responsive. Yesterday, Ag Minister Hardiman announced that our government is investing $22 million in a brand new program designed to drive the adoption of technology and agri-food workplaces and to enhance the health and safety of our workforce. Known as the Agrotech Innovation Program, this new initiative will help our farmers and agribusinesses adopt unique and innovative technologies and to improve efficiency and productivity. This plan is the second stage of the agri-food prevention and control innovation program, which was announced in the 2020 budget. Speaker, the Agrotech Innovation Program will not only better protect agriculture workers and farm employees, but it will also help drive the agriculture industry's success and growth and improve resilience in the years ahead. Examples of this program could support include Don Farm automation, robotics, and to assist with things like production, harvesting, and so many other functions. More details on the Agrotech Innovation Program will be available at the Elmafra website. And I sincerely thank Minister Hardiman for his commitment and his investment in Ontario's farms and our agri-food business. Thank you. Thank you, Member Statements. The Member for Willowdale. Thank you very much, Speaker. I rise this morning to mark a sad and difficult day for my neighborhood. Tomorrow will be the third anniversary of the Toronto Van attack that took the lives of 10 and left a deep, lasting scar on our city and on my community of Willowdale. On April 23rd, 2018, a beautiful, warm spring day, a terrorist driven by misogyny and hatred used a rented van as a weapon by driving onto the sidewalk of one of our city's busiest streets, killing 10 people, most of them women and injuring 16 others. This senseless act of evil had a profound effect on my community, and we were scared and shaken to our core. We had been attacked in our home, on the streets where we, our families, our friends, walked every day. But Speaker, through this tragedy there was also an outpouring of kindness, of love, and of hope. From everyday heroes on the streets who ran towards danger to help victims, to those who laid flowers, led prayers, hugged neighbors, and brought the community together to mourn and to heal, Willowdale has found light in the darkest of moments. And Speaker, that light shines just as bright today as our community continues to heal, continues to support each other, and remember those we lost. Tomorrow night, Willowdale will gather virtually for a community dinner organized by We Love Willowdale, a group of neighbors that formed in the wake of the tragedy to look after one another. This event will give our community a chance to reflect, to remember, to grieve our loss, but also to give thanks for an incredible community and the kindness of our neighbors who call Willowdale home. Thank you. That concludes our member statements this morning.