 Members' statements. The member for Ms. Giga-Wakcham Spade. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to bring attention to the new bait management in Ontario. An important issue for the resident and outfitters of my writing and MAP Mantas' writing as well. This new regulation is completely nonsensical for the regions that are affected by this regulation. Let us be clear, I'm completely in agreement that we have to protect our lakes from species. But it's not realistic in the geography of the north. For example, a resident from Hurst can purchase bait in Hurst at the only bait seller in town in the green bait management zone. But cannot bring this, the purchase bait in the Fushimi Lake 30 minutes from the same bait management zone. Because he must cross the orange bait management zone at some point to come back to the green bait management zone, which is allowed to use the purchase bait. This new regulation puts residents subject to fines and is also, if they're stopped by MNR, but is also detrimental to business, to the outfitters' business. Mr. President. Speaker, it's completely ridiculous. We've mentioned these issues to the government. We've issued recommendations with fishing and season at our doors. This issue is even more pressing. The urgency of this issue and to work with the affected communities to find a solution that makes sense. Thank you, Speaker. Member statements, the member for Markham Union Bill. Today I'm happy to share about the long-term care investment that this government has been making in my writing of Markham Union Bill. Last Friday, I joined Minister Kalendra and my colleagues in announcing the building of three new long-term care homes and 640 new beds in Markham and Witchchurch Stovell. Such investments are crucial to ensuring our seniors get the care they deserve, especially considering the previous Liberal government only built 611 new beds from 2011 to 2018 while leaving a waitlist of 40,500 people. I'm especially proud of the Mengxiang and Langyi homes being built in Markham Union Bill, which will bring 576 long-term care beds to my writing. However, the investment in our seniors don't stop there. I'm also excited to share that Markham Union Bill homes will receive $2.5 million to increase starving levels and improve care. I'm proud to be a part of a government that takes long-term care seriously, and I look forward to seeing how these investments improve the lives of Markham Union Bill's senior citizens. Thank you, Mr Speaker. Member Statements. The Member for Ottawa Centre. Thank you very much, Speaker. One of the best moments of my time in this building was March 4, 2021, when all parties of this House agreed to pass Foolish Law, which was a clear message, and my friend, the Minister Raymond Show, is here today. He was there and we worked closely with his office to send a clear message to care home operators across Ontario that is unlawful and unkind to issue trespass orders to family caregivers or guests of people in care homes when there are reasonable complaints about the living conditions of loved ones in care homes. What is unfortunate news since then is that more of these incidents have happened in Ontario Speaker. Yesterday, thanks to our leader, Andrew Horvath, who allowed me to head out to Peterborough yesterday morning, take a break from legislative duties here, I met with Diane Tamblin. Diane Tamblin is a daughter to a dad who is in a long-term care home that has been cited for three serious infractions by the Ministry of Long-Term Care. And that home has written a trespass to Property Act notice to Diane telling her that she is only allowed to go into the home between certain hours and she is not allowed to go to the Family Council meeting. Speaker, Family Councils are the bodies that are supposed to be there to adjudicate disputes, mediate conflicts. And this home operator, which has a bad reputation, sadly, in the city of Peterborough, has taken this extreme step. I was there with Diane yesterday to defy that trespass act order, to go into that Family Council meeting. I encourage the minister responsible, I encourage the government to get the parties back to the table and to uphold the important principle of Woolislaw. Member Statements, the member for Oakville North, Burlington. Thank you, Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to mark 201 years of independence of Greece. In 1821, the people of Greece rose up against the tyranny of the Ottoman Empire and re-established Greece as a free and independent country. Greece is a land of philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, writers such as Homer and Herodotus, and leaders who shook the world such as Alexander. Greek emigrants have settled in countries around the world, first in settlements around the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, and now in nations on every continent. In Ukraine, where Greeks have lived for thousands of years, in 1814, patriots founded the Filiki Eteria, the Society of Friends in Odessa to plan the liberation of Greece. In Odessa, the Society raised funds and enlisted supporters who joined in the uprising of 1821. They fought for freedom as patriots of Ukraine do today. Hellenic Canadians are the children of the same diaspora, excelling in many fields, business, education, medicine, politics, sport, and many more. The freedom of Greece was the long cause of Hellenes and Phil Hellenes from many nations. It's a freedom that has often been threatened, one that people have had to fight for over the ages. It's not a battle that is won once. It's an ongoing battle in defense of the right of people to be free, to choose their own leaders, and to live in peace. The patriots of 1821 fought for this freedom, for Greece and their spirit inspires us. Today, the same spirit and the same heritage drives the struggle for a free Ukraine. Long live Greece, Zito Yelada, and Slava Ukraniy. Thank you. Member Statements, the Member for Thunder Bay Atacocan. Thank you, Speaker. As we near the end of this session, I want to say it has been a privilege and honour to represent the people of Thunder Bay Atacocan. This work often takes us away from our loved ones. You miss birthdays, special occasions, you're often preoccupied, and COVID put us in isolation many times. I am blessed with three wonderful children, a son and two daughters. They have excellent partners in life who I feel are my children as well. I have two grandchildren who are growing up far too fast. We all come to this work with our experience. And being a mother and grandmother is the most valuable experience I have found. The grounding and reminder of what is really important in life is due to the love and support of my family. They allow me to do this work with encouragement and support. They take care of my pets, water my plants, help me move and give me advice and perspective. I would not want to do this work without them. I thank them from the bottom of my heart. I also need to acknowledge the people in my riding working to help Ukraine and its people. My parents lived through the Second World War and I am reminded of them so clearly when I see the devastation of the families in Ukraine. I think of their bravery and how it must have felt to have children to protect during that time. I am so grateful for my children and that my children are safe and thriving. And I commit to continuing to do this work to make the world a better place. Thank you very much. Member statements. Member for Ottawa, Vanny. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, for Ontarians who always had a place to live, it can be hard to imagine what it feels like to be homeless. Whatever the reason may be for somebody to find themselves without a home, no one should have to sleep on the street or seek refuge in a shelter for any length of time. Relying on shelters for food and a roof is not a way of living and crowding in a motel room waiting for subsidized housing is not a way for families to raise children. Everyone should have a chance to a fresh start and having a place to call home can be the most powerful tool to motivate people to fully integrate the society and contribute to our economy. We know that the shelter model is no longer sustainable and that real help has to come from supportive housing because what people need is assistance. We know that we need more affordable housing to avoid having more people and families end up on the street. That's why I have led an affordable housing and homeless task force with my municipal colleagues for the last two years. And what I've heard, Mr. Speaker, and what I have found out during research and consultation with experts from here and abroad is that we only need political will and political action to change the actual situation. I will be bringing forward a private member's will that captures the results and the recommendations that have emerged from this extensive exercise. I hope the government will take notice and I am also hoping that the government will be delivering more concrete measure to address this urgent issue. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Member Statements. Member for Mississauga, Erin Mills. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate the Backstani Canadian community with the 82 Backstand Resolution Day. It has been my pleasure to welcome the Minister of Seniors and Accessibility to my writing of Mississauga, Erin Mills, in two recent occasions. We met with many elder constituents and visited retirement residencies such as the village of Erin Mills and Ivan Franco Homes. Speaker, when Ontario seniors have a problem, they come to us to help. They know that our government is working hard to make life easier for them. That's why our government provided support for retirement homes to improve sanitation and hire more workers during this pandemic. We also announced last month that we will distribute $100 million through the Seniors Community Grant Program. This finding will support more than 250 organizations. In Mississauga, this investment will allow the Schwab Helping Hands organization to host weekly workshops for seniors. The Church of St. Mary and St. Athanasius to help those who have been struggling with isolation. And the Fugana Seniors Association to teach new immigrants Tai Chi. Additionally, our government is working to make life more accessible. We are updating standards to improve the accessibility of public space and we introduced the temporary seniors home safety tax credit to make the home of elderly safe and accessible. Ontario elderly are most vulnerable. Most vulnerable can trust that we are got their backs. Thank you. Thank you. I ask the House to come to order. Member for Hamilton East and Caster Dundas. Speaker, underfunding in health care and a massive staffing shortage has left our home care system in crisis. We all know seniors and people living with disabilities who would like to receive care at home instead of in a hospital or in institutional long-term care. They want to live in their own homes longer, supported and respected. But too often, the services that should be available to them are no longer there. This crisis is felt acutely by the one quarter of a million Ontarians and their families that live with Alzheimer's and dementia. I recently met with Mary Burnett, the executive director of the Alzheimer's Society, Brandt Haldeman, Norfolk, Hamilton and Halton. I also spoke with Phyllis Fair, who was living with early onset dementia. Phyllis described her determination to stay at home, described the toll it is taking on her family. This is an all too common struggle. Care partners and family members are unsung heroes. A staggering 70% of home care is provided by family care partners. The Alzheimer's Society has made a reasonable request to this government to support individuals with dementia and their families by investing in at-home services. Recently, the Premier said no to our Opposition Day motion to make much-needed changes in investments in home care It's hard to fathom why this government is turning their backs on investments in care that would keep our loved ones with us in the comfort and the dignity of their own home. Families, health care, seniors and people with disabilities are all doing their very best. It's time for this government to do the same, step up and do their part. It is time to help those that help others. Thank you, Speaker. Member Statements, the member for Niagara West. Speaker for many commuters across the GTHA, reporting a train at a local GO train station is just a routine part of the day. And as many employees return to in-person work, access to reliable GO transit rail service is more important than ever. It's why I was very happy to announce last week that Metrolinx, with support from Infrastructure Ontario, has completed an initial business case in partnership with the Niagara Region Town of Lincoln and a third party partner for a proposed GO train station in Beansville. The release of the IBC is the first step in the planning process to build a new station in my riding of Niagara West and it's good news for local commuters. The proposed station will help connect people to jobs, education, health and community services while reducing traffic congestion and enhancing air quality while reducing emissions. Expanded rail service in our region is key to local economic development and smart regional planning as more and more people call Niagara home. The station will improve access to businesses, housing jobs and destinations in and around the town of Lincoln, attracting between 7,000 and 8,000 tourists to our region per year and complementing the proposed Grimsby station and the existing St. Catherine station. As our local regional chair and former member of this house noted, a future GO station in Beansville will help drive our economy, connect our communities and enable Ontario's growth well into the future. This is just another example of how our government continues to build Ontario, creating economic opportunities for everyone across the province, including here in Niagara. Thank you very much. That concludes our member's statements for this morning.