Yesterday, I was named Early Years and Childcare; Economic Development, Employment; and Research and Innovation Critic for the NDP Caucus. I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that these new critic portfolios bring, and know that my colleague MPP John Vanthof will do a fantastic job holding the government to account in his new role as Critic for Finance and Treasury Board.
I welcome the return to childcare, a file that inspired my political activism and lead to my running for the position of Member of Provincial Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo in 2012. Tomorrow evening I will be attending the government’s early years and childcare consultation in Kitchener-Waterloo; a first step in my work for families in this new role. Much work has to be done before affordable, safe and accessible childcare is a reality for all in the province of Ontario.
I am immensely proud of my riding of Kitchener-Waterloo, which has a global reputation as a hub of innovation. The spirit of collaboration, creativity and mentorship that allows KW businesses to flourish can be a model for the province. I look forward to meeting with business and community leaders across Ontario to hear more of their ideas for what we can do for Economic Development in Ontario and how we can translate their priorities into action at Queen’s Park.