Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month this October, we are reminded of the incredible impact women have made and continue to make in our economy and our communities. The theme, “Women at Work: Economic Growth Past, Present and Future”, beautifully highlights this ongoing journey.
Today we celebrate incredible local leaders in my riding, like Monique Dennison from the Richmond Hill Board of Trade and Sandra Ferri from the Aurora Chamber of Commerce, who are working every day to support businesses. We celebrate entrepreneurs like Tanya Lindsay, small business owners like Deborah Clarke and Jaclyn Zhang, women in real estate like Heidi Kreiner-Ley, young women like Paris Johnson, and many other women who are so vital to the small- and medium-sized businesses in our communities.
Over the last 40 years, women have powered one-third of Canada's economic growth, and there is still so much potential ahead. Our government not only celebrates women's history but also believes in their future. We will always support women and protect their rights, unlike the official opposition and its leader.