Politicians can work together Our national election now concluded, we look to the future with a renewed sense of hope. The acrimony, the hyperbole, and the negative attacks back and forth can now be set aside. The election is over, and a new Parliament must accept its mandate to lead. The public interest must come to the fore. Canadians deserve nothing less, and they rightly expect that the House of Commons should now put partisan politics on the back burner. Locally, our Member of Parliament Michael Chong received a very strong endorsement on May 2 to continue his effective work on our behalf. Congratulations Michael, to you, your staff, and all your supporters. ··· While our parliamentary system seems designed to promote a conflicting clash of ideas and ideology, there are occasions when Members of the Ontario Legislature reach across the aisle to work together. It was in the spirit of non-partisan co-operation that I introduced the very first Private Member's Bill in Ontario's history that was co-sponsored by an MPP from another party. The bill was symbolic. It recognized August 1 as Emancipation Day in Ontario, the day when slavery was abolished in the British Empire in 1834. Passed into law, it showed that MPPs from different parties could successfully work together on legislation. 7 Independent & Free Press, Thursday, May 12, 2011 Explore Europe with your family and Save! TIME WITH YOUR KIDS IS PRICELESS! Ted Arnott Recently, my colleague Elizabeth Witmer introduced a bill to acknowledge the significant contribution of Dutch immigrants to Canada. Mrs. Witmer's bill, proposing that the month of May be known as "Dutch Heritage Month," was jointly sponsored by Liberal and NDP MPPs. It received second and third reading on the same day-- a very rare occurrence-- and was passed into law. Last Thursday, MPPs from all three parties stood on the lawn at Queen's Park with a large gathering of proud Dutch-Canadians. We watched with anticipation as the flag of the Kingdom of the Netherlands was raised at the Ontario Legislature for the first time ever. We shared their pride, and implicitly we shared the spirit of co-operation that led to the recognition of their outstanding contributions to our Province. -- Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington Halton Hills. He can be reached at 1-800-265-2366. His website address is www.tedarnottmpp.com But travelling with them can be expensive... We can help! Kids fly free! Magic & Make Believe- 9 Days Paris & London- July 7 Gladiators, Gondolas & Gold- 11 Days Italy- Aug. 4 European Wonderland- 14 Days Europe- July 27 Kids 50 % off Cruise! 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He developed software for newspaper and image applications that is used by Knowledge Ontario and helps researchers and students around the world to find out information about communities. It is a collaborative software that connects small libraries, historical societies, archives, museums and individual collectors with historical content. Celebrating 30 Years! Summers Here! ·Arch Support · Waterproof ·Comfort ·Durability 5 4 20 1 months credits Apply Today! new friends awesome experience ...all in a sandal! Halton's Community Environmental Leadership Program INFORMATION NIGHTS BCP (Gr. 11/12) Thurs. May 19th Trailhead (Gr. 10) Thurs. June 2nd 6:30pm Sidrabene Site 5100 Appleby Line TrailheadProgram.org for Grade 10 BronteCreekProject.org for Grade 11/12