Mayor's Message - August 2021

Halton Hills Council was very pleased to have received a $45,000 Digital Services Squad grant from the Ontario Government to assist local businesses. This is an integral part of the Economic Recovery and Resiliency Plan to support local businesses.  COVID-19 has caused significant hardship for our small businesses. Enhanced online tools are critical to assisting our businesses in interacting with their customers and to generate and maintain much needed revenue. Last year’s funding enabled the Town to support nearly 70 small businesses in advancing their e-commerce efforts.

The summer Olympics in Tokyo are over. Our Canadian athletes received a record for medals (24) in any non-boycotted Olympics.  We had some great performances. Penny Oleksiak setting records for medals is definitely a highlight along with so many individual performances like Mitchell, De Grasse and many others. The Canadian Women’s soccer game was so exciting to watch Canada down Sweden 3-2 in a shootout. I will never forget Canadian keeper Stephanie Labbé smiling at her opponents in the shootout. 

We can also be hometown proud of Georgetown swimmer Tessa Cieplucha who also competed in the Olympics.

Speaking of local people doing great, it is great to see Toronto DJ and producer Ryan Shepherd, who grew up in Georgetown, reaching the high notes in his music career. There is a huge billboard in downtown Toronto with his picture advertising his Summer Sessions on Amazon Music.

The Helson Gallery has been re-opened with a maximum of 25 people. This is a great way for Halton Hills residents to reconnect with art in our community. There are two new exhibits at the Cultural Centre. The Halton Black History Awareness Society’s "Annual Emancipation Art" exhibition located in the Sisnett Lobby will be there until September 4. In the Helson Gallery “New Acquisitions” there is a showcase of 50 works of art donated to the Town in 2020.

Lastly, there are two important annual charity events coming up. The 41 Terry Fox Run will be virtual again this year on Sunday, September 19 and the Georgetown Hospital Walk is on Sunday, September 26. Both need our support now more than ever. To learn more about these events please go to: terryfox.org and  www.ghfwalkrun.ca.