During this Legislative session, MPPs enjoyed presentations from the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers and the Niagara Wineries, all reminding us of the superior quality of our home-grown products. They also made the point we all should buy Ontario products. I agree and encourage every one of you to look for Ontario grown products when shopping. If the products are not clearly marked as grown or made in Ontario, ask the merchant to bring Ontario products to the front of the store and clearly mark them.

At this time of year, we have many farmers' markets open and Ontario produce for sale, so you have buying options.

I encourage you to make a point of buying Ontario, not only for farm products, but whenever possible. Look for Made in Ontario or Made in Canada on everything you buy and ask retailers for these products.

The NDP has proposed a Buy Ontario program. Ontario has suffered staggering losses of more than 200,000 manufacturing jobs over the last few years, most noticeably in the auto and auto-related sectors, including steel. I believe each of us must make a concerted effort to support our workers by buying Ontario.

Many governments throughout the world have very effective "buy local" policies. If we had this policy in Ontario, the many orders for transit vehicles would be filled by Ontario workers and contribute to Ontario's economy.

For example, the Ontario/Canadian content required by the Toronto Transit Commission for streetcar purchases is only 25 per cent. Our Buy Ontario program calls for specific domestic content levels designated for Ontario and Canada for transit and other categories of public spending, such as health and education. Our tax dollars should be used to support high Ontario content in the products our government buys.

It only makes sense that Ontario institute a policy to protect and support our manufacturing sector and that we take responsibility to support Ontario products whenever we can.

Stoney Creek shootings

I was saddened to hear of the shootings on June 24. My thoughts are with the young victims and their families during this difficult time.

This is a very unusual situation in our community and I commend the swift actions of Hamilton Police. However, if it is found that those involved in this shooting are at-risk youth, to ensure that we do not become a community suffering crimes, like gun violence, I will propose to the provincial government that it increase investment in local social, recreation and education programmes and youth employment opportunities - particularly for at-risk youth.

I encourage anyone who has any information about these shootings, to bring it to the attention of the police. Any little tip could lead to a break in solving this crime.

I wish all of you a safe, happy and fun-filled summer.