Mr. Speaker, with the advance of superstorm Sandy through the United States and into Canada, our thoughts and prayers go to the communities being battered by this storm and to the families of victims. Unfortunately, the deadly effects of superstorm Sandy have reached into Toronto. Tens of thousands lost power, trees were knocked down, property was damaged and tragically, a woman was killed last night by flying debris in a commercial plaza at Keele and St. Clair West in my riding of York South—Weston. On behalf of this place, I would like to offer our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of this victim.
As well, I would like to pay tribute to all the front-line responders: our police, firefighters, paramedics, hydro workers, municipal employees and health care professionals, all of whom are members of unions, who worked through the night to keep our communities safe and secure. On behalf of my colleagues in the NDP official opposition and I, I would like to say a big thanks for their work.