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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, Ja nu ar y 14 ,2 02 1 | 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 70 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 Each year, the Merriam- Webster dictionary selects a Word of the Year. Unsurprisingly, the word of the year for 2020 was "pandemic." The dictionary compil- ers define pandemic as "an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geo- graphic area and typically affects a significant propor- tion of the population." According to Merriam- Webster, there was a 115,806 per cent increase in search- es for the definition of that word on the day the World Health Organization de- clared the COVID-19 pan- demic. While it was no doubt a popular word, as we reflect on the year that was, 2020 was also defined by so much more. We all know how diffi- cult 2020 was for each of us personally -- and collec- tively as a society -- as we grappled with many new challenges and deep-rooted issues here in Canada, and around the world. As we enter 2021, there are a few words that I am certain will define us: pa- tience, hope, community and gratitude. We continue to bear wit- ness to (and every one of us is a part of) an extraordi- nary response to COVID-19. This year we continue to follow public health re- minders by washing our hands thoroughly and fre- quently, staying home whenever we can, wearing a mask when we must be out, giving others at least two metres of space and lis- tening to the advice of our trustworthy public-health officials. Our front-line health- care workers have been tire- less and courageous as the pandemic has dragged on. Our small businesses have creatively pivoted to adapt to a constantly chang- ing business environment. Our long-term care homes have been particu- larly challenged, but have adopted new infection con- trol procedures to protect residents. Our teachers, education workers, parents and stu- dents have focused on mak- ing schools safe, and quick- ly setting up engaging on- line learning spaces. Our mental-health pro- fessionals have given us suggestions on how to maintain a positive outlook and attitude to get through these anxious days. Our public-health units and hospitals have started to administer safe and effec- tive vaccines, starting with health care workers and our most vulnerable popu- lations. Patience, hope, commu- nity and gratitude. Words to live by in 2021. Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington- Halton Hills. He can be reached at ted.arnott@pc.ola.org. OBVIOUS PICK FOR WORD OF THE YEAR BUT 2020 SHOULD BE DEFINED BY MORE THAN JUST THE PANDEMIC, WRITES TED ARNOTT COVID-19 has perma- nently changed life for mil- lions of Canadians. Indi- viduals are encouraged to embrace innovation as their new path forward. The pandemic is the worst thing to hit our coun- try since the Second World War. Individuals, families and businesses have en- dured much pain. This ar- ticle of optimism in no way takes away from that cruel reality. Every year we face ad- versity, but 2020 contained a decade-plus of hardship and adjustments. The world is different and that presents a signif- icant opportunity. Last January who had heard of Zoom? Now millions of us use it regularly. In some areas the world has advanced many times faster than if we had anoth- er normal year. The key for many is innovation. Innovation is your friend. Now there is an oppor- tunity to harness your skills and hard work into a new business idea. Suddenly your employ- ment downgrade in the number of hours you work provided you the opportu- nity to become an entrepre- neur -- perhaps even the necessity to become an en- trepreneur. What are your strengths? What are your interests? What are the business opportunities that you can explore? Recently, I heard of two friends of someone I know who both had their employ- ment hours chopped. They both developed their own sideline business and are making more money now working part-time with their own business than with their original job. With change comes op- portunity. Capitalize on that change. Be creative in your thinking. Explore new op- portunities. Embrace innovation. Peter Watson, of Watson Investments MBA, CFP®, R.F.P., CIM®, FCSI offers a weekly financial plan- ning column, Dollars & Sense. He can be contacted through www.watsonin- vestments.com. INNOVATION PRESENTS WORLD OF OPPORTUNITY EMBRACING CHANGE CAN BE A PATHWAY TO SUCCESS, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column An opossum stops by a No. 5 Sideroad home for a New Year's drink. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. Peter Slykhuis photo SNAPSHOT TED ARNOTT Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA