September Update from Ted Arnott, M.P.P.

The Ontario Legislature resumed sitting on September 14th, and MPPs picked up where we’d left off before the summer recess.

Many of the issues haven’t changed, but our Official Opposition Caucus has been energized and renewed with the arrival in the House of our new Leader, Patrick Brown.

Mr. Brown was elected in a by-election in Simcoe North earlier this month.

He has hit the ground running by announcing a less partisan approach to the public debate and more free votes for our MPPs in the House. 

His questions to the Government have been direct, precise, and incisive. 

His assignment of new Critic responsibilities for our Caucus has reinvigorated all of us.

As the new Critic to the Minister of Labour, it will be my job to track the Government’s policies, hold the Minister accountable for mistakes, point out the flaws and drawbacks of their labour policies, try to keep them honest, and present constructive alternatives. I look forward to this new challenge.

I’m also pleased to be continuing my role as a Presiding Officer (assistant Speaker) of the Legislature.

But, as always, my first priority continues to be the concerns of my constituents in Wellington-Halton Hills.

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September is probably the busiest month of the year in and around our Riding.

Countless volunteers work hard to organize our local fall fairs, to help us celebrate agriculture and our rural heritage.

This year, I was able to be part of the Aberfoyle, Georgetown, Acton and Fergus Fairs. I’m looking forward to the Erin Fair on Thanksgiving Weekend.

I was also glad to attend the Terry Fox runs in Acton, Erin and Georgetown this year. Again, the enthusiasm and dedication of our volunteers, carrying on Terry’s vision of fundraising to find better treatment and cures for cancer, is an inspiration.

My thanks go out to everyone who helped and participated.

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The longest federal election campaign in memory is in its final weeks. 

When it’s all said and done, on October 19th, we will elect a person to represent our area in the House of Commons and Parliament of Canada.

Please make a plan to vote.

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Twenty-five years ago this month, I was first elected to the Ontario Legislature. 

It’s been an enormous honour and privilege for me to have had the chance to serve people in Wellington County and the Regions of Waterloo and Halton.

To mark the occasion, I wrote a new mission statement for our Riding Office, rededicating my staff and I to the service of our constituents.

I want to express my thanks to my family and friends, my outstanding staff, and all who have supported us through the years. 

Working together, we make progress.

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Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott welcomes your comments. He can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. His website address is www.tedarnottmpp.com.