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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, Ju ly 16 ,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 The Town of Halton Hills Council was the first in Halton Region to pass a mandatory mask bylaw. Originally, we didn't have the authority to issue such a bylaw. The first week of July the premier stated that municipalities can do so. We now have the endorsement from the Re- gional Medical Officer of Health, along with other doctors. There are exemptions for health reasons or chil- dren under five. If a front- line health worker can wear a mask for eight to 10 hours, surely you can wear a mask for 20 minutes while shopping. During the pandemic, council has made deci- sions to keep our town safe, and will continue to do so. The success of Halton Hills' businesses is key to the municipality's ability to deliver services that are critical to the well-being of our community. To that end, the Town im- plemented several new CO- VID-specific economic sup- ports, and advanced and modified other important initiatives already under- way. All of this has ensured that Halton Hills has re- mained open for business. The Town continues to implement over 20 new and modified initiatives to po- sition Halton Hills for an expedited economic recov- ery, as well as to remain competitive and 'open for business'. These initiatives are part of the Economic Recovery Action Plan and follow the announcement that allowed Halton Region to move to Stage Two of the Province's reopening framework. We launched the "Al Fresco in the Hills", an out- door dining initiative de- signed to support local res- taurants, bars and other food and drink establish- ments. Developed by the Town, in collaboration with the Economic Support and Re- covery Task Force, Al Fres- co in the Hills provides eli- gible establishments the opportunity to create addi- tional temporary outdoor dining capacity while oper- ations are adjusted in re- sponse to COVID-19 to keep public health as the top pri- ority. A new, streamlined and expedited process has been put in place to implement Al Fresco in the Hills. In- terested businesses are en- couraged to apply. Further information can be found at investhal- tonhills.com and halton- hills.ca. Rick Bonnette is the Mayor of Halton Hills. Follow him on Twitter @RickBonnette1 and In- stagram rick_bonnette1. KEEPING OUR RESIDENTS SAFE WEARING A FACE MASK WHILE SHOPPING SHOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH TO ASK, WRITES RICK BONNETTE RICK BONNETTE Column SNAPSHOT A fox relaxes in Georgetown Park. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. Diane Cuthbert photo Young children will start learning financial planning at school. This is an excellent life skill and, in my opinion, an educa- tional upgrade. One of the foundations an individual carries through life is a strong edu- cation. Reports over the years show a correlation to higher education and high- er earnings. Maintaining a desired standard of living requires earning an income, but it also requires the skill of managing your money. That is the role of financial planning. The Ontario govern- ment announced a new curriculum that starts in September. All elementary grades will have financial literacy. CBC reported students from Grades 1 to 8 will learn about the value of coins, cash, calculations of interest rates, how to use customer loyalty programs and general issues of long- term financial planning. Other aspects of math education will also change. This is based on the in- creasing frustration with the existing Ontario cur- riculum that has not been upgraded in 15 years. Standardized math scores in recent years of Ontario students in Grades 3 and 6 are disappointing. Premier Doug Ford cam- paigned on upgrading the math education. The inclusion of finan- cial literacy will help stu- dents succeed as financial- ly self-sufficient adults, and will also help the gov- ernment. The pressure on govern- ments to provide financial assistance in the form of di- rect payments or services is a tremendous strain on its finances. The more our educational system can as- sist individuals in being stronger financially, the less support they might need from the government. Education is critical. Math is recognized as an important subject that will benefit those with math ability and our country. Ontario has made a good decision that will have positive impacts for decades ahead. Peter Watson is regis- tered with Aligned Capital Partners Inc. (ACPI) to provide investment advice. Investment products are provided by ACPI. ACPI is a member of the Invest- ment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of ACPI. Peter Watson provides wealth management ser- vices through Watson In- vestments. A GREAT ADDITION TO OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY TO YOUNG STUDENTS WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH AN ESSENTIAL LIFE SKILL, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA