Maggie Chi

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Firefighters' National Memorial Day, which falls yearly on the second Sunday of September. Across Canada, more than 1,000 firefighters have died in the line of duty, including 367 Toronto firefighters. They shall not be forgotten. Last week, I had the honour of attending the annual memorial ceremony hosted by Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto Professional Fire Fighters Association, honouring the 14 fallen firefighters whose names were added to the memorial honour roll. I want to take this occasion to acknowledge the dedicated women and men in the fire stations across Don Valley North, who I had the pleasure of partnering with throughout the summer. I thank them and firefighters across Canada for their professionalism and their commitment to keeping us safe. Every day, they stand ready to run into danger to save lives and livelihoods. We owe firefighters and their families an enduring debt of gratitude. We thank them for their service and unwavering dedication to safeguarding Canadians across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep sadness to advise the House that Constable Marc Pinizzotto of the Toronto Police Service emergency task force was killed in the line of duty. For 18 years, Constable Pinizzotto served with courage and commitment, putting himself in harm's way to make Toronto a safer place. Constable Pinizzotto was doing what police officers do every day, and these tragedies remind us of the danger that they face. As Constable Pinizzotto's family and colleagues across the service carry an unimaginable loss, we honour the memory of a hero in life, a police officer who dedicated nearly two decades in service to his community. I extend my deepest condolences to the Pinizzotto family, the Toronto Police Service and all members of the policing community. May his loved ones find strength in one another in the difficult days ahead, and may we honour him as a hero in service to others.

Mr. Speaker, it was 47 years ago that The Log Driver's Waltz was first screened and won a best animated film award at an international film festival in France. The Log Driver's Waltz is a Canadian folk song originally written by Wade Hemsworth and performed by The Mountain City Four. Most of us will instantly associate the tune with the iconic vignette of the timeless tale of a young girl, who, to please both her parents, had to give way and dance with the doctors and merchants and lawyers as the log driver “goes birling down and down white water”. Directed by John Weldon, the film celebrates the lads as they work on the river and has captured the imagination of generations of Canadians and generations to come, I am sure, because “That's where the log driver learns to step lightly”.

Mr. Speaker, as the member knows, the minister has answered this question many times in question period and many times during committee work. We have been very open and transparent. Infoway has dismissed the CEO. We supported that decision. We are also reviewing the Infoway mandate to make sure it aligns with opening up health data for Canadians. The funding decision will be made after the review.