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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 13 ,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 Kim Mossman Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Halton Media General Manager Jason Pehora CONTACT US The Independent & Free Press 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 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 What began in a labora- tory as a shot in the dark has miraculously been con- verted into life-saving shots into arms all around the world. The development of safe and effective vaccines to combat COVID-19 repre- sents the most amazing and important scientific breakthrough of our time. The vaccines also cre- ate a foundation for hope that a return to normal for all of us is possible, and may very well be on the horizon. Across Canada, the vac- cine rollout has at times seemed slow and sporadic. There have been supply is- sues, shipments promised that were delayed or weren't delivered in full, and frustrating logistical challenges. But through extraordi- nary effort and organiza- tion, 40 per cent of Onta- rio's adult population has now received at least one dose of vaccine. Ramping up, the Region of Halton de- serves credit for develop- ing the capacity to book 7,200 vaccine appoint- ments a day, assuming there's been consistent and steady supply. As the supply of vac- cines continues to im- prove, the administration of the vaccines will contin- ue to accelerate. In consultation with Halton Public Health, those who need them the most got them first, and we are nearing the point where all adults can regis- ter for their shot. COVID-19 vaccines do not cause a coronavirus in- fection. Instead, they serve to strengthen your im- mune system, enabling you to better fight off the infection if you encounter it. It bears repeating: The best vaccine is the one you can get as soon as you can when it's your turn. Pfizer-Biotech, Moder- na, AstraZeneca and Jans- sen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines have all been ap- proved by Health Canada. We can have firm confi- dence that these vaccines are safe and effective, and will provide good protec- tion against COVID-19. To the extent we all con- tinue to listen to the public health advice we now know so well, the pandem- ic will end sooner. And to the extent we roll up our sleeves to be vacci- nated, we are saying 'yes' to getting our lives back again and, as with wearing a mask, doing our part to keep ourselves and others safe. For more information on vaccine bookings in our community, you can visit www.halton.ca/For-Resi- dents/New-Coronavirus/ COVID-19-Vaccines Ted Arnott is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills. He can be reached at ted.arnott@pc.ola.org. AN AMAZING SCIENTIFIC BREAKTHROUGH COVID-19 VACCINES REPRESENT HOPE FOR US ALL, WRITES TED ARNOTT Today, a case study. A couple has been to- gether for decades, and over the years they have di- vided household tasks. For the purpose of this article, we will assume the man is responsible for household finances, including invest- ments. Sometimes one person takes the lead on financial matters. That is likely how other household tasks have been assumed. On the surface, from a woman's perspective, that is a kind gesture. Her fi- nancial goal could be to maintain their comfort- able lifestyle while avoid- ing the details. There is one problem. Women generally out- live men and for many cou- ples the woman is younger. The end result is she might live the last decade of her life on her own. Suddenly, in the later stage of life, she inherits the responsibility for man- aging finances. The act of kindness of his handling those tasks in the past suddenly becomes an obstacle. Now, financial manage- ment is her responsibility. We have a few recom- mendations. Try and have both of you attend financial meetings. If cash flow projections are part of your service, allow her to see how future cash flows will be available dur- ing her anticipated length of life. Working as a partner- ship allows her to be famil- iar with family finances, which will be important if he predeceases her. We recommend there be a written Investment Poli- cy Statement. This ex- plains the logic behind how their portfolio is managed to be suitable for the cou- ple's objectives and cir- cumstances. A couple's life is a part- nership. We encourage per- sonal finances to also be a partnership. 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. MANAGE FAMILY FINANCES AS A PARTNERSHIP BOTH PARTIES SHOULD BE WELL INFORMED, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column A black squirrel searches for food in a backyard in rural Georgetown. 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 SNAPSHOT TED ARNOTT Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT THEIFP.CA