Mr. Speaker, along with the member for Barrie—Innisfil, I am proud and pleased to announce that Hockey Night in Barrie is happening again this year at the Barrie Molson Centre on August 9.
Over the past 11 years, Hockey Night in Barrie has raised over $2 million. In the past, the money has gone directly to the RVH in Barrie, and to other great hospitals around the region. The money has been used for cancer care and the Hearts & Minds campaign.
This year, the money will be used for the prenatal and postnatal intensive care units at the RVH, Easter Seals, the Canadian Mental Health Association, and the Barrie Colts Community Fund. These charities do tremendous work in our community, and we are very happy to be supporting them.
Every year, Hockey Night in Barrie gets bigger and better, and this year will be no exception. Over the next few weeks we will be announcing another all-star lineup.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who make this event such a success. As well, I would like to thank Patrick Brown, who started this 11 years ago and has turned Hockey Night in Barrie into one of the premier charity events in the country.
We are looking forward to another sold-out game, and we hope to see everyone there.