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Thursday, O ctober 22, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 3To book an Appointment, please call: 905-877-7958 or www.hassellautomotive.com As our thank-you to all of our great customers, regulars and new, please accept from us: 45 MOUNTAINV IEW RD. N . , GEORGETOWN AUTOMOTIVE SALES & SERVICE • Change engine oil & filter, lubricate (5 L max., excluding synthetic) • Rotate & balance tires as necessary • Install snow tires that are on rims • Check all fluid levels • Check brakes, steering, suspension, exhaust & fuel system • Check vehicle for tune-up • Scan computer for codes • 12-pack of Pop • $5. Tim Horton's gift card • Jug of Windshield Washer Fluid Our 16th AnnualOur 16th Annual .hassellautomotive.com Our 16th AnnualOur 16th AnnualNOW ON! NEWS Chong went on to say, "Canadians have decided that we will serve as her majesty's loyal Official Opposition, and that's exactly what we will do. We will hold the Liberal government to account on their promises and also on their fiscal plan. They have promised to take Canada deep into struc- tural deficits at a time when interest rates are starting to rise. They promised a whole raft of new spending programs for which they have no plan to pay for them. We, as the opposition, will be there as a capable, ready opposition to hold the government accountable on these is- sues." In an interview with The Independent & Free Press, Chong said he looks forward to once again representing local resi- dents and ensuring their voice and views are heard loud and clear in Ottawa. "The other thing I'm going to continue to press on is further reform of the House of Commons and its committees," he said. "I think the Reform Act was a good first step, but we need to move forward on other par- liamentary reforms." Chong was first elected to Parliament in 2004 and re-elected in 2006, 2008 and 2011. As cabinet minister, Chong served as President of the Queen's Privy Council, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister for Sport. He resigned his cabinet post after Harper gave Quebecers distinct status without consulting him. This past term, he finally managed to get approval for his Private Member's Bill-- The Reform Act bill-- which gives local MPs greater ability to represent their constituents' views and rules on better de- corum in the House of Commons. Wellington-Halton Hills Liberals con- ceded they couldn't move a mountain, but they certainly tried. "We did very well," said Liberal candi- date Don Trant in his concession speech to about 50 cheering supporters at the Acton Town Hall at 11:05 p.m. "Because look where we started. We had to move a mountain here in Welling- ton-Halton Hills. It is one of the safest Con- servative ridings in Canada… but I hope it won't be after this night." The local Liberals celebrated the dent into the "mountain" by reducing Chong's vote margin of 26,000 in the 2011 election to 9,203 votes Monday night. "We can be very proud of what we have done," said Trant, adding he was proud of the Liberal campaign in the riding, saying there were tireless workers right across the large, spread-out riding. NDP candidate Anne Gajerski-Cauley said while the local New Democratic cam- paign drew record levels of volunteers and donations, the party experienced a six per cent decrease in support in the riding, dropping from 14 per cent in the last elec- tion to eight per cent. "I don't think this was a reflection at all on the quality and hard work of our cam- paign. There was a very strong desire to get rid of this government, and I think people heard that," she said. "People so wanted to get rid of Stephen Harper that they strategi- cally voted for the Liberals." It was Gajerski-Cauley's first time run- ning for office. She said she had a fabulous time throughout the campaign and is look- ing forward to returning to normal life with her four children. "It was such a learning experience," she said. "I'm very grateful for the people in Wellington-Halton Hills who supported the NDP." The Wellington-Halton Hills Green Par- ty's longtime candidate Brent Bouteiller, who took home four per cent of the vote, released a statement Tuesday afternoon congratulating Chong on his win and thanking the other local candidates. "I'd also like to extend my gratitude to all the volunteers who helped their candidates, includ- ing our hard-working crew. Their above- and-beyond service to democracy is to be applauded," he said. "A special thank you goes to my family for their support throughout the campaign." He said it was a pleasure to meet the di- verse citizens of the riding throughout the election campaign. "The Greens look forward to the next election and the promise of proportional representation when every elector's vote will count." Canadian Action Party contender Har- vey Anstey, who joined the race late and received 0.3 per cent of the vote, accepted his loss graciously when he spoke with The Independent & Free Press Tuesday morning. "It was a great experience, and now we have results we can build on for the next time. We've got a lot of great ideals; it's just a matter of getting the word out there," he said. "I'd like to congratulate Michael Chong. He ran a good campaign." Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette exchanges gifts with Gefei Su, Governor of Changning County in China, follow- ing a presentation to the visiting contingent from Asia Monday morning in Council Chambers. Local officials came bearing presents of Inniskillin ice wine and a coffee table book about Halton Hills, while the visitors brought gifts of tea that came from native trees that are hundreds of years old. Photo by Eamonn Maher The Town of Halton Hills hosted a six-person delega- tion from China on Monday, during which a presen- tation was made to the visitors focusing on economic development, planning and infrastructure in this municipality. Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette and Town Coun- cil welcomed the Governor of Changning County, Gefei Su, and the Secretary General of Baoshan City in the contingent, just three weeks after local govern- ment officials visited cities such as Shanghai and oth- ers in China. The Chinese delegation moved on to Niagara Falls Monday afternoon before continuing their visit south of the border. Town hosts Chinese delegation Continued from page 1 Federal Election 2015 Liberals couldn't move a 'mountain' DON TRANT LIBERALS HARVEY ANSTEY CANADIAN ACTION PARTY BRENT BOUTEILLER GREEN ANNE GAJERSKI-CAULEY NDP