Today in Halton Hills we had the pleasure of having The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario visit the Helson Gallery. In attendence among public servants and community leaders was Fred Helson himself who the gallery is named after. (Pictured below)
The Lieutenant Governor met with the Mayor and select members of the community to discuss environmental sustainability, climate change and more in a closed roundtable session. After the roundtable, community leaders and media were able to come in for a formal presentation, as well as a chance to eat food and talk further with the Lieutenant Governor. (Pictured below, Hon. Lt. Gov meeting Coun. Jon Hurst)The Town of Halton Hills released the following press statement...
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TOWN OF HALTON HILLS HOSTS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
HALTON HILLS, ON – The Town of Halton Hills welcomed Ontario's Lieutenant Governor, The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell on April 10. The visit was part of Her Honour’s initiative to hear first-hand, about local issues and initiatives regarding environmental sustainability, recognizing Her Honour’s focus on United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Halton Hills marks Her Honour’s 61st official civic visit during her term.
The visit included a closed roundtable session with Mayor Rick Bonnette and members of the public. “I was delighted to have this opportunity to meet with the Lieutenant Governor,” he said. “Our Town has made great strides in sustainability and climate change and I know that this theme and the stories that we have been able to share resonated with Her Honour and strike a common chord amongst all Ontarians.”
During an introductory chat with the Lieutenant Governor, the Mayor noted that Halton Hills’ accomplishments had been recognized internationally through his invitation to attend the Chicago-based Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and the jointly-held sustainability forum in Wenjiang China. International support for climate change efforts is not new to the municipality; in 2015, Councillor Clark Somerville as a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities joined the Canadian delegation to participate in the COP21 climate conference in Paris.
“As a municipality we would not have been able to advance the sustainability agenda had it not been for Council’s endorsement of this portfolio and the tremendous work performed by staff and the public,” said the Mayor, adding “These moments remind me of how very proud I am to be the elected leader of this wonderful community.”
*************************************************************************************************************************************************Halton Hills Public Library's Chief Librarian Geoff Cannon, as well as their Marketing and Communications Specialist Suzy Mackie, presented The Lieutenant Governer with their new sustainable Library cards, made of Nordic Birch harvested from sustainably managed forests as opposed to the old plastic ones which contain harmful PVC. The library cards were presented "the Minister's Award for Innovation" for being a successful new approach that demonstrates a positive impact in a community, and are of continued value to public libraries." (Pictured above)
Among the many things mentioned, the Lt. Gov boasted how proud she was of Halton Hills showing their solidarity with the Humboldt Broncos by flying their flag half mast and wearing green ribbons. The Lt. Gov originates from Belfast Ireland, but later settled in rural Saskatchewan herself.
You can check out Acton UP's full video footage of the media scrum and formal session as well as interviews with Mayor Rick Bonnette, Councillor Clark Somerville, Councillor Michael Albano and the Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell below.
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