 Therefore, it's time for Member Stevens, the Member from Nipissima. Thank you and good afternoon, Speaker. Municipal support is building in my riding and across the province for a fairer system between municipalities and railroads. Municipalities believe the government should implement a new system of municipal property assessment for railroad right-of-way properties based on utilizing a per tonne-mile concept. The town of Chisholm and the township of Bonfield, both in my riding, have submitted resolutions calling on the Minister of Finance to take action. The number of municipalities passing similar resolutions is growing. The resolutions call for revisions that would address what they describe as an inequity in property taxation on railroad right-of-ways, collected by Ontario municipalities. Speaker, municipalities have been asking the government for years to address this issue, but the government continues to ignore their requests. The government continues to show a lack of respect and willingness to cooperate with municipalities. They continue to make promises but don't deliver on the commitments that have been made, and this is one speaker that can easily be addressed. Thank you. Thank you. Further Member Stevens, the Member from Windsor to come see. Thank you, Speaker. I lost a couple of good buddies in recent weeks. Both were veterans of the Second World War and both were in the Navy. Tommy Simpson was 95. I met him about 40 years ago, but he was a border guard and president of their local union in Windsor. How well I remember him, every remembrance day, on parade, laying a reef and speaker still wearing the uniform that he wore in World War II. He was a radar operator. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, one of only 114 given out for service in that war. In later years, he organized and ran a number of sporting leagues for seniors. He was a hell of a dancer. He liked to have a drink. He was a bit of a rascal and a great friend. He will miss his humor and his friendship. Speaker, my other buddy was Larry Costello. He was 92. Larry was well known in the military circles in the Windsor area. He had a chest full of ribbons, service, legion. He was the official custodian of our downtown Santa Taft and a strong voice for all veterans. Larry lied about his age and signed up for service when he was just 16. He spent 25 years in the Navy. He was a longtime volunteer at our downtown mission and at the Windsor Historical Society. He was instrumental in the Veterans Memories Project. Speaker, Larry didn't drink, and despite his many years in the Navy, he still couldn't swim a stroke. So we're all going to miss Larry Condolences, the Goldie, and the family from all of us here at Queen's Park. Nice tribute with a little dash of unparliamentary language. Speaker, the member statements, the member from Beaches East York. Well, thank you, Speaker, and I rise today to remember and salute Ari Nerman, a long-time resident and community leader in Beaches East York. He died last week, and I was honored to attend his memorial at the Beaches Synagogue. Now, Ari was the heart and soul of the Beaches Hebrew Institute, and he'd been part of the Institute for over 40 years, and that commitment was recognized a few years ago by naming the downstairs of the synagogue the Army Nerman Social Hall. The Beaches Hebrew Institute is one of the true hidden gems of Toronto. Many Beaches may be unaware that the Institute exists, yet it has been part of the fabric for the past since 1920. In its early years, it endured periods of anti-Semitism, particularly during the 30s, and for many years, and after the Second World War, they chose to keep a low profile. But the resilience of its members and the work of men and women like Ari helped the Institute preserve and thrive, and he played a key role in bringing the Institute to the attention of the broader Beaches community. He was the founder of the Beaches Interfaith Community Outreach Group, which included representatives from Presbyterian Anglican United, Roman Catholic, Mennonite, and Baptist Churches, whose primary initiative was a drop-in program for the less fortunate, and he was a leader whose actions reinforced a spirit of inclusiveness and mutual respect through interfaith engagement. He was recognized for his commitment to the community by being named Beaches citizen of the year twice, in 2005 and 2013, and he also was awarded the Queen's Medal, Jubilee Medal. In times like these, it's important to recognize and celebrate and emulate great valuable people like Ari Nerman, and by all accounts, he embodied what it means to embrace and build an inclusive and engaged society, and I wish I had the opportunity to spend more time with him. It was a real pleasure, and I'm pleased to be able to share his story with you today and all of Ontario. May he rest in peace. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to stand in the house today to recognize a very important anniversary that just passed. On February 20th of this year, Mr. Larry Garrett of Petroa, Ontario, officially began his 50th year of employment with the town of Petroa. Today, Mr. Garrett serves the residents of the town of Petroa as a public works foreman. As a resident of Petroa myself and someone who has known Larry for many years, I would like to say how lucky we are in Petroa to have such a long-standing, knowledgeable employee of the town. Despite long since earning the chance to kick off his work boots, Larry refuses to slow down. In fact, Mr. Garrett was hard at work this week on behalf of the town of Petroa just a few blocks from here at the Ontario Good Roads Association Conference. I want to join all of my colleagues at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, the residents of the town of Petroa, and congratulating Mr. Larry Garrett on his impressive accomplishment and thank him for his many years of service. There's no doubt in my mind that Mr. Garrett's contributions are a major reason why Petroa, Ontario, has come to be known as the greatest town on earth. Thank you, Larry, and here's to the next 50. Thank you, Larry. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Member of State, Mr. Members from Algoma Manitoulin. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I rise on behalf of the good people of Algoma Manitoulin, who once again were suffering and were affected by road closures in my writing. Just again, a couple of weeks ago, Highway 17, our trans-Canada Highway, the artery across this country was shut down for an extended period of time. That happens repeatedly and too many times. People don't have any options, like the small community of Duberville who if that road shuts down, they're isolated. They can't get to, can't get from, and they can't get their kids to school, can't get to doctor's appointments. This is happening across Northern Ontario, not just in my writing. Just an example from the group from the report, the Northern and Eastern Ontario Rail Network, highlighted some of these issues that have happened. Highway 11 on November 24th was shut down for 24 hours. Highway 17 was closed repeatedly for four day periods because of snowstorms. Shutdowns at 16 separate occasions just had happened. The answer to this, Mr. Speaker, is looking at secondary routes, looking at emergency routes. But let's make sure that rail is part of that discussion. This government has shut down rail in Northern Ontario. And if we are going to diversify and look at real transportation and providing the economies and getting our people to and from and getting the product to flow across this country, rail has to be part of that discussion, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much. Same as the member from Ottawa South. Thank you very much, Speaker. Speaker, tomorrow, Thursday, March 2nd, Canadian Blood Services holding a blood donor clinic at the Mosque of Mercy in my riding of Ottawa South. Speaker, there is an increased need now for blood donations to replenish blood supplies as winter weather often disrupts blood donor collections across the country. Half of Canadians will need blood or know someone that will need blood at some point in their lives, yet only 4% of us donate blood. Blood donations are a critical part of everyday medical care that is used in major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatment and managing disease. Less than an hour of your time can make an incredible difference in a person's life. I encourage everyone in Ottawa South to drop by the Mosque of Mercy on Han Club Road tomorrow between 12.30 and 3.30 or 5 to 7 p.m. to donate. I'll be here in Toronto tomorrow because I have to be here for debate so I'm sorry that I can't be there. But I want to thank the Mosque of Mercy and Canadian Blood Services volunteers for hosting the blood donor clinic. That's something they do five times a year as neighbours and community members. It's important to look after each other and our needs and donating blood is a way of doing that. Thank you very much. Thank you for their member statements. The member from Renfrew, Nipissing Pembroke. Thank you very much Speaker. This past Saturday I was thrilled to join over 300 walkers and volunteers for the opening of Renfrew County's coldest night of the year Walk for Homelessness in Pembroke. 42 teams assembled at the Legion before heading out to raise funds for homelessness in Renfrew County. It was truly gratifying to see and feel the enthusiasm among the people as they got ready to hit the streets. When organisers joined the national campaign they set a goal of 40,000 dollars. Of 115 communities participating country-wide Renfrew County was the first to reach its goal. The announced total was a whopping 68,449 dollars which didn't take into account money's raised that day. Committee Chair Day Studham stated that they were the first to reach their goal beating out Montreal, Ottawa, Edmonton and Calgary. Congratulations to Chair Studham and his entire team of volunteers. I particularly want to mention OPP officer Jerry Novak who has been a driving force in supporting youth and the homeless in Renfrew County. I also want to thank Jimmy Lapointe of Petawawa Toyota for giving the campaign a real boost by making a $6,000 donation. The funds will go to the Grind Emergency Refuge and the Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth. The Safe Shelter for Youth assists young people aged 16 to 21 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. And the Grind Emergency Refuge is a three-bed shelter that provides temporary accommodation to assist adults who are homeless or who are at risk of homelessness. But of course the biggest thank you goes to those people who walked and or sponsored walkers to raise this amazing total. The one thing that never shocks me is the size of the hearts of the people in my communities. They have once again shown that with their amazing generosity. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to the member's famous, the member from Ajax Pickering. Carol. Thank you Mr. Speaker. Virtually everyone in this House annually honors all places of worship including Tamil, Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Ismaili observances. Just to name a few and including ceremonies of Taipongo, Ramadan Eid, El Fidr, the end of Ramadan, time fasting for Muslims and Holy Endewalli, Yonkipper, Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Christians will celebrate Easter season, the faithful observance which is celebrated worldwide by almost 2.2 billion Christians. This religious observance is preceded by Lent which began today on Ash Wednesday for a period of six weeks leading up to Easter. I attended Ash Wednesday service today as you may have noticed the black ashes on my forehead. April 14th marks Good Friday and commemorates crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calabary with Mother Mary at his feet as he died. Good Friday represents the sacrifices and suffering in Jesus' life and the selfless acts from a man free from sin to save sinners. They placed a crown of thorns on his head causing further pain and also piercing his side with a lance ensuring his death. Crucifixion was the culmination of a number of events in Holy Week including the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday, April 16th, two days following the crucifixion and his ascension into heaven 40 days later. Easter Sunday is the celebration of our Lord from the dead improving once and for all that he is the Son of God. Holy Week including the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ is observed by Christians and Catholics in Ontario alone that will be praying in some 30 languages at Easter. Thank you everyone. Thank you. For the member states. The member from Stormont Dundas in South Glengarry. Thank you Speaker. Businesses and entrepreneurs are the lifeblood of a thriving economy and in Cornwall and the counties of Stormont Dundas in Glengarry we know how to celebrate our achievements. This past Saturday the Cornwall Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Business Excellence Awards banquet. The winners are each in each category are as follows. Business of the year to Lamacor under the President Guy Robichaux. Small business of the year to Ruben Breweries and the owners Andy and Karen Rohrbeck. Rohrbeck. The entrepreneur of the year went to Joss Castleman for the owner of Kings and Little Winds. Baster of the year for raising Cornwall's profile to Lars O. Harrelson. Tourism Excellence Award to the annual Zappels and Arts Tour. Economic impact to Morbran Industries and the above and beyond award went to the hidden secret of the area the NAVSEN. The Breakthrough Award to the Shorty Jenkins classic curling competition and the two major awards Lifetime Achievement of the Year for long-term success, community involvement and being a role model went to Tom and Bill Kinnib. In addition to the very successful businesses and providing employment to generations of local residents they have always dedicated their time and resources to the benefit Cornwall and area. The Citizen of the Year was awarded to the very deserving Dr. Rachel Namineland. She started out with a small backyard fundraiser and it has involved into a passion that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that benefits young children locally and around the world. On behalf of the residents of Stormont Dundas in South Hungary, well done. Thank you. Thank all members for their statements. Pursuit