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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, M ay 28 ,2 02 0 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 WHO WE ARE Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Halton Media General Manager Jason Pehora CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at theifp.ca Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail lpolar@miltoncanadianchampion.com or call 905-234-1019. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT THEIFP.CA Since the COVID-19 pan- demic swept the world a few months back, many Ca- nadians have experienced hardship, loss and uncer- tainty of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. As Canadians did back then, we work together and support one another dur- ing this time -- and thank our front-line workers for keeping us safe. As our generation meets this challenge, it is good to reflect on one met by a generation 75 years ago. This month marks the 75th anniversary of the lib- eration of the Netherlands. Canadians played a central role in the liberation of the Dutch. From the fall of 1944 to the spring of 1945, the First Canadian Army led the campaign to liberate the Dutch people from Nazi oc- cupation. Over 7,600 Canadian sol- diers died in the nine months it took to liberate the Netherlands. Those who fought in the liberation of the Nether- lands played a key role in the final push to end the war in Europe. In addition to liberating the Netherlands, Canada also provided refuge in Ot- tawa to Dutch Princess Ju- liana and her family dur- ing the war. After the war, in appre- ciation for the Canadian sanctuary, thousands of tu- lip bulbs were sent to Otta- wa. The gift of tulips has be- come an annual tradition. Every year the Dutch royal family and the Dutch peo- ple send 20,000 bulbs to Canada. Over one million Cana- dians of Dutch origin live in Canada, roughly three per cent of the Canadian population. In Wellington- Halton Hills, many can trace their roots back to the Netherlands. Today, through people and trade the ties that bind Canada and the Nether- lands together are strong and enduring. I have a personal place in my heart for the Cana- dian war veterans who liberated the Nether- lands. Like so many in the local Dutch community, I too have Dutch roots. My Dutch mother and her family lived through the Second World War and were liberated by Canadi- an soldiers. We will never forget the sacrifice Canadians made to liberate my family and the Netherlands. We will remember them. Michael Chong is the MP for Wellington-Halton Hills. Visit him online at michaelchong.ca MARKING A MILESTONE IN CANADIAN HISTORY TIME TO RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR FREEDOM, WRITES MP MICHAEL CHONG I never thought, as may- or, I would ever have to de- clare a state of emergency. But on March 24, I did. As much as we are in trying times, I can't think of a better region or town to live in during this pandem- ic. I give a huge shout-out to all of our health-care workers, police, EMS and fire department. There are so many dedicated employ- ees to make sure we have regular waste pickups, hy- dro, water and sewer ser- vices. I thank the many won- derful volunteers and gen- erous community mem- bers donating to our food banks. Thank you to our town staff working to assist oth- ers in need. Our grocery stores are well stocked; their employees are doing an excellent job, along with our truckers. Kudos to companies like Superior Glove for retooling and making personal pro- tective equipment like face shields, gloves and hand sanitizer. More than 100 or so of you sewed gowns and caps for our essential health-care providers. We are blessed com- pared to other countries or municipalities going through this pandemic. Our town is running as normal as possible under these circumstances. Though Town Hall is closed to the public, we are getting business done. We have issued 100 building permits. I am excited to an- nounce Toromont Cimco is relocating their head office and manufacturing plant to Halton Hills. This will bring in 200-plus jobs. If you want to keep up- to-date on the town's activ- ity during COVID-19, go to our website: haltonhills.ca. We have a dedicated CO- VID-19 page, press re- leases, videos from me and much more. Every Thursday I co- host a virtual town hall meeting with Brent Mar- shall. I give the latest deci- sions, and we have differ- ent town staff giving up- dates from libraries, public works, parks, fire and plan- ning. All meetings are liv- estreamed and archived. Happy retirement to Jane Diamanti. Jane has served our town for the past 17 years as chief librar- ian and commissioner of corporate services. Rick Bonnette is the Mayor of Halton Hills. Follow him on Twitter @RickBonnette1 and In- stagram rick_bonnette1. OH SO MANY PEOPLE TO THANK YOUR COLLECTIVE EFFORTS AND DEDICATION DURING PANDEMIC ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED, WRITES RICK BONNETTE RICK BONNETTE Column SNAPSHOT A chipmunk enjoys a sweet treat in a Georgetown backyard. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. Tony Fortunato photo MICHAEL CHONG Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA