 It is now time for Member Statements. Member Statement, the member from Etobicoke Lakeshore. Thank you, Madam Speaker. It's always great to stand and speak about the great things that are happening in Etobicoke Lakeshore. And first of all, I'd like to recognize Pat and Murray Wood, who reside in Tapestry at Village Gate West Retirement Home. And they are recognized for the good work they did to make their home a better place. And it was recognized by the Retirement Homes Regulatory's Authorities 2023 Residence Champion Award. So I just, I had the opportunity to have coffee with Pat and Murray. And what a lovely time it was to learn about their residents and what they do to make everyone's life that much better in our community. So thank you to both of them. I also want to congratulate the team at Mabel Arts. And I had the opportunity to join a seniors chair yoga class. And what a great time that was. And that yoga class was made possible by our own Raymond Cho and our seniors grant. So I want to thank the minister of seniors and accessibility for ensuring that our seniors can be active in their residents. And I had a great time too, and I'm not a senior just yet. And then I walked across the street to see the community center that they're building. It's under construction. But I want to thank our government for almost $200,000 investment into this wonderful place. That's just going to be a meeting place for the community members to have barbecues, to have watch plays, just to get together and have that conversation. Because so many of our seniors out there need that companionship. Lastly, I know Remembrance Day is coming up, and I'd like to take the time to remember and honor those who have fought for our freedoms and continue to keep us safe. May they never be forgotten. Thank you, Member Statement. Member Statement, the member from Thunder Bay Atacoken. Thank you and good morning, Speaker. I rise today to celebrate the recent graduation of ten new recruits to the Thunder Bay Fire Service. These recruits, now qualified firefighters, have gone through an extensive 14 weeks of training and education clocking in over $500 each. I stand with much respect reflecting on their graduation. As the recruits have now stepped into their roles, protecting and serving the residents of Thunder Bay. Speaker, becoming a firefighter is not a job, it is a calling. It is a commitment to protect and serve others, often in the face of great personal danger. It's about providing comfort to someone in their darkest hour, offering a helping hand in times of need, and being a pillar of strength when all is lost. It is a vocation that demands unwavering courage, compassion, and selfless dedication to public safety. Throughout my 21 years as a firefighter, I have experienced a camaraderie, sacrifice, and determination alongside my fellow service members, and I have been blessed with being part of the Fire Service family. Speaker, this province has a long history of supporting our first responders, and I'm proud to say these new firefighters are a valued addition to the family. To the most recent graduates in Thunder Bay, welcome to the noble profession of firefighting. May you return home safely at the end of every shift. Thank you. Thank you. Member Statens, the member for Kiwetno. Good morning, Speaker Manegasheba. Speaker, I was standing here up here this morning to share good news. But the news from the north is sad today. Elena Beardy, age 11, took her own life in my home community of Kingfisher Lake First Nation. At this time, words are not enough. Her family, classmates, and all of Kingfisher Lake and Sachiko Lake are affected. Their grief is unimaginable. I'm going to share what was sent out by her family. Elena was always a happy young lady. Always had a ready smile for everyone. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, especially to her friends that she left behind. We called her Princess Elena, or baby, because that was who she was with us. She loved everyone around her. Princess Elena will be forever missed and will be forever in our hearts, end quote. Her family requests continued prayers for her friends. Miigwech for listening, and if you have a moment today, think of Elena, her family, and friends. Our hearts and prayers are in Kingfisher Lake and Sachiko Lake today. Miigwech. Member Statements. I recognize the member for Kitchener, South Hespler. Thank you, Speaker. I hosted my very first community event last week, which is admittedly a little bit delayed, as I was elected in June of 2022, but it takes me a while to get around to these things. It ended up being absolutely wonderful, and I have a lot of people to thank. We held it at Stecly Farm, which is a beautiful heritage working farm in my area. And I can thank my friend Corey for that idea. For those who are sort of old hat at holding MPP community events, I look forward to the day where I have your outlook. We were doing a pumpkin patch and funnel cakes courtesy of the funnel cloud. And I had some moments of extreme fear where I thought it was just going to be my dog George and I sitting alone on 200 pumpkins eating funnel cakes for an entire community, and no one would come. But that did not happen. We had an absolutely wonderful turnout of people from the community. And I have to give a ton of thanks to a lot of people. My dad, as always, was a huge help in that. And also my friend Corey and her husband Todd, who brought all the pumpkins and my volunteers. Benita, Monica, Jerry, Marie, Angie, Megan, and Steph. It was wonderful to see people from the community come out. We had Fauza from Cambridge Muslim Women, and with Sam from the Coalition of Muslim Women. And it's just lovely to see people that I've spoken to coming to my event. So anyway, thank you so much to everybody that helped me put it on and make it such a success. Member Statements, the Member for Parkdale High Park. Thank you, Speaker. We're all deeply saddened and horrified by the recent tragedy in Sault Ste. Marie. Angie Sweeney and her three children were killed in a case of intimate partner violence. The sad reality is that such tragedies happen far too often. Last year in Ontario, 52 women, which is nearly one per week, were killed at the hands of their intimate partners. And by September of this year, there were already 46 similar cases. Shelters and support organisations are overwhelmed by the demand for help. And these numbers are not going down. They are on the rise. Over 30 municipalities in the province have already declared intimate partner violence and epidemic. The Renfrew County Ingress last year made 86 recommendations. And the first recommendation was for Ontario to formally declare intimate partner violence and epidemic. Which this government has refused, arguing that intimate partner violence isn't an epidemic because it's not an infectious disease that spreads from person to person. This kind of petty debate over language in the face of such tragedy is ridiculous. Declaring intimate partner violence and epidemic is important because it means the government acknowledges the urgency of the problem and is committed through resources to address a very real threat facing women and families. I urge this government, show some leadership, declare intimate partner violence and epidemic. We don't have time to waste. Thank you. Thank you. Member Statements, the member for Perth Wellington. Thank you, Speaker. Perth Wellington is a place of vibrant energy growth. And today, I want to celebrate an incredible success story of one of our small businesses. Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening of Grit Engineering's brand new expanded location in Stratford. Grit Engineering, founded and led by Montana Wilson, is a shining example of what small businesses can achieve when they combine determination, dedication, and vision. They offer a wide array of high quality services, including geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, surveying, and environmental services. It's no exaggeration to say that Grit Engineering plays a vital role in building our great province. It was wonderful to walk through their state-of-the-art facility, witness the cutting-edge technology they employ, and meet some of their dedicated team. What's even more remarkable is that Grit Engineering is one of the few female-led consulting engineering firms in Ontario. The company also provides 24 individuals in our local community with well-paying jobs and with the majority of employees being under the age of 40. They're not just building infrastructure, Speaker. They're building careers and opportunities in Perth, Wellington. Montana's recent recognition as the recipient of Ontario Home Builders Association's inaugural service professional of the Year Award is a testament to the outstanding professionalism and integrity that she brings to everything she does. She is truly a role model for young women everywhere. Speaker, it's great to see continued success of small businesses in our rural community. I want to wish Montana and Nick and their whole team much success. Thank you. Thank you. Member Statements, the member for Oshawa. Thank you, Speaker. Mental health matters and it is my honour to recognize a member of our community in Durham Region who is making an immeasurable difference in the lives and futures of young people across this country. Mike Sherman was living an active life as an athlete, coach, and paddleboard instructor with plans and a bright and unfolding future. He was struck suddenly in 2018, however, with a rare neurological condition called Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, which left him with permanent nerve damage on his right side, struggling and with a heavy prognosis of never being able to paddleboard again. He had to relearn the basics of walking and functioning. Imagine the news, the shock and the depths of emotional challenge that comes with a life change like that. Mike's mental health was dealt a very heavy blow and yet because of the support he had and the ultimate personal power that wasn't ready to give up, Mike began his climb back onto his paddleboard and slowly his climb out of despair and into hope. He worked hard to get back on the paddleboard and regain his footing. He went from relearning to remarkable. Mike undertook the challenge of paddling across all five Great Lakes and with his remarkable inspiring support team they did it. Mike Sherman became the first person with a disability to cross all five Great Lakes. On World Mental Health Day at Ontario Shores, I joined Mike and community members for the screening of his feature length film When Hope Breaks Through. Sharing the journey was about sharing the pain and the hope with youth who might also be struggling with mental health and also struggling to stay afloat. Mike has been raising money and working tirelessly to bring awareness to the need for systems of support for youth mental health. Mike Sherman is awesome and I hope that everyone will watch and share when hope breaks through. Thank you, Mike. Thank you. Member Statements, the member for Ottawa South. Thank you very much, Speaker. I'd like to say a few words of congratulations to an important organization in Ottawa South, Purly Health. Formerly known as Purly Redo Veterans Health Centre, Purly Health is a unique long-term care and independent living home that is home to more than 600 seniors and veterans. They're a leading advocate for improving the well-being and quality of care for the senior population through education, clinical innovation and research. With over 800 employees and 400 volunteers, they work hard every day to improve the lives of the seniors that they serve. Through the Centre of Excellence in Frailty Informed Care, they provide a space for future caregivers to learn through hands-on experiences. Today I'd like to highlight their wonderful achievement of completing their $10 million dollar campaign answering the call. It is their largest fundraising campaign ever and it aims to foster innovation and excellence in Ottawa and across Canada. On November 20th, they will be honoring those who have answered the call to highlight their important contributions to improving the everyday lives of the seniors and veterans at Purly Health and indeed in Ontario and across Canada. To everyone at Purly Health, thank you for caring for the people we care for most. Thank you. Member Statements. The Member for Mississauga, Erin Mills. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Last weekend, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association organized a charity youth run in Mississauga to raise funds for Trillium Health Partner Cancer Research Program. This enthusiastic youth are making a difference in our community. An example of amazing things that Ontario Youth can offer and it reminds us that it continues to be our responsibility as leaders of this province to show them our full support. I recently joined the Minister of Education and member of Brampton West for the grand opening of a new daycare campus in Peel, the largest child care centre in Canada. Lulebu Child Care is just one of many organizations that are supporting our children in Mississauga and across Ontario. Our government has cut children care fees by 50% and our investments are continuing to support children and families. I thank the minister for his dedication to this important cause. I was honored to be joined by in my writing on October 27th by minister of long-term care for groundbreaking of a new long-term care project. The Ivan Franco Homes Long-term care new campus in Winston Churchill Brevard was 160 modern beds will provide seniors with convenient and culturally connected care. This plan was over six years in the making and now it's finally underway. This is a great success for Mississauga Erin Mills and a success for all of Ontario. Yet another promise made, promise kept. Thank you. Thank you very much. Member statements. The member for Sault Ste. Marie. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Thank you everyone. The my community of Sault Ste. Marie has endured quite a lot over the course the last six weeks or so. As many of you know recent events but it's been a long it's been a very very difficult and trying time. On September 5th of this year constable Orette Robinson su-police officer was killed in a traffic accident. The very next day on September 6th, Mikaela Ouellette was involved in a traffic accident. She was 27 years old. She passed along with her unborn child. On September 7th the very next day a horrific stabbing incident occurred. An individual took the life of 22 year old Taylor Marshall in a horrible stabbing incident then he proceeded off to our boardwalk where he attempted to murder another. The community as a whole did not know how things could get any harder. We are a small city of just about 75,000 people. Those three days felt like the worst three days we could have imagined. Then October 23rd happened. Angela Sweeney was murdered 41 years old. Then the individual proceeded to the residence of his ex-partner where he proceeded to shoot her and shoot his three children and then himself. We held a vigil last week on Friday. We had about a thousand people arrived including Angela's father. Our community is mourning. Our community needs to heal and our community did an exceptional job of coming together in solidarity to attempt to heal and I want to thank everyone here for all of their kind words that I've received to date. We appreciate that you've been thinking about us and it's uh it's something that it's been it's been helpful. I want to quote I know I'm over time here Mr. Speaker but the words of Shirley Marshall she had me read a letter. She was the mother of Taylor. She said Sault Ste. Marie, small city big heart and we really are that community and then the father of Angela Sweeney spoke at the event and said at times like this it's everybody's love that's making it easier to get through. So please share that love, continue to share that love. It doesn't cost a thing, it's free. Thank you. Thank you very much.