With Christmas quickly approaching, it’s a good time to reflect on the past year as we look forward to a new one.
Looking back on 2016, there are many fond memories of meetings and events with people across Wellington County and Halton Hills. It was enjoyable to have the opportunity to listen to your feedback and make sure that your voices were heard in Ottawa.
As a member of the Official Opposition, we spent 2016 fulfilling our constitutional role of opposing the Liberal government and holding them to account. To this end, we have had many successes. We successfully pressured the government to vote in favour of our motion to bring Yazidi refugees, a religious minority that has been brutalized by the Islamic State (IS), to Canada. We also successfully made the case that the government must hold a referendum on electoral reform, and we opposed the government’s plan to increase income taxes.
As we move into 2017, we will continue to work hard on your behalf in Ottawa as the Official Opposition.
Locally, the Christmas season is an important time for the Christian community to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ some 2,000 years ago. It is also a time to give back to our community, a time to give to friends and family, and to neighbours in need of a helping hand to make it through the holidays.
As we gather around for Christmas celebrations and dinners, please think of those across Wellington County and Halton Hills who would benefit from your generosity during this season.
As you shop for your holiday meals, please consider donating food to your local food bank. For a complete list of needed items, please contact your nearest foodbank: Centre Wellington Food Bank (www.cwfoodbank.org or 519-787-1401), Erin Food Bank (www.eastwellingtoncommunityservices.com or 519-833-9696), Rockwood Food Bank (www.eastwellingtoncommunityservices.com or 519-856-2113), Acton Foodshare (www.actonfoodshare.com or 519-853-0457) and Georgetown Bread Basket (www.georgetownbreadbasket.ca or 905-873-3368).
Whether you choose to donate food, clothes or gifts to local causes, your contribution will make the holidays merrier for those who are in need.
During this Christmas season, I – along with Carrie and our three boys, William, Alistair and Cameron – would like to wish you and your family all the best for the holidays and the New Year! I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2017.