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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 27 ,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 insidehalton@metroland.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeav @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional General Manager Jason Pehora Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Directors of Advertising Cindi Campbell and Ryan Maraj CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 905-845-3824 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Advertising: 289-293-0620 Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. Letters to the editor Send letters to insidehalton@metroland.com. 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 insidehalton.com OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM Investing in public tran- sit is one of the smartest things we can do. Replac- ing diesel buses with zero emission battery-electric buses will reduce opera- tion and maintenance costs, as well as provide quieter bus operations in the community and reduce the fleet's carbon footprint. Earlier this month, I was proud to join my col- leagues to announce fund- ing for 14 projects that will modernize Oakville's tran- sit system and create a more sustainable commu- nity. A total investment of $66 million in Oakville Transit infrastructure will see the federal government invest over $26.5 million, the pro- vincial government more than $22.1 million, while the Town of Oakville will contribute over $17.6 mil- lion. This investment repre- sents the largest govern- ment investment in Oak- ville Transit's history. Projects include the re- placement of 57 diesel bus- es over the next six years with zero-emission bat- tery-electric buses, plus 16 new electric buses to ex- pand the fleet. In addition, 32 charging stations will be installed to support battery charging for the electric buses. These investments will lower Oakville Transit's operation and mainte- nance costs, and reduce the fleet's impact on the envi- ronment. Several projects will modernize the transit ex- perience for users. Wi-Fi will be installed on 107 con- ventional and 20 paratran- sit buses so riders can easi- ly connect to the internet from their mobile devices. Users will be able to track their bus location and arrival times with a new internet and smart- phone application, while a new real-time trip manage- ment mobile app will also be available for paratransit users. Approximately 249 bus stops in Oakville will be upgraded to ensure full ac- cessibility for riders, with landing pads, walkways, ramps and curbs. These upgrades will improve safety and comfort for all transit users. When I was a member of Oakville Town Council in 2011, Council took the steps necessary to support the electrification of transit buses by approving a new bus garage and service centre which features a heightened roof and crane necessary for servicing electric buses. Investments in safe, en- vironmentally friendly public transit projects are critical to supporting a healthy, sustainable, inclu- sive and accessible com- munity. Stay tuned for a funding announcement for Bur- lington Transit in the com- ing weeks. Pam Damoff is the MP for Oakville North-Bur- lington and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services. She can be reached at Pam.da- moff@parl.gc.ca or www.mpdamoff.ca. MANY BENEFITS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT INVESTMENT MAJOR FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT FOR OAKVILLE TRANSIT WILL HELP TOWN BECOME MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY, WRITES PAM DAMOFF Our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs just taught us a lesson about diversifica- tion. Since the last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup in 1967, fans have been hop- ing for another triumphant hockey season. The long wait continues. Again, their attempt at greatness failed, and as the playoffs continue, the Leafs are on the sidelines wondering what went wrong this year. The Leafs are my favou- rite team, and I always want them to win. All my hockey focus is tied up in just one team. Forget the idea of diversification with the hope of other Canadian teams winning. That's right, all my hockey eggs are in one basket in an all- or-nothing wishful think- ing. No harm done. It is only a sport and the outcome does not affect my overall well-being. The all-or-nothing men- tality works fine when the outcome has no significant consequences. When it comes to invest- ing, things are drastically different, however. My opinion is that it's much more appropriate to own a well-diversified port- folio of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Do not concentrate your portfolio in one or just a few investments. You will never hit a "home run" like those who owned Apple stock. Fortunately, you will never strikeout like those that had a concentrated po- sition in Nortel before the high-flying Canadian tech giant virtually evaporated to just pennies a share. Most investors want a reasonable return. The strategy to achieve that is to own a diversified portfo- lio that spreads the risk. Diversification is the key, and is an investor's chance to be proactive at managing normal invest- ment risk. My suggestion is to look at your portfolio and ask yourself the simple ques- tion: "Are you well diversi- fied?" Diversify your portfolio. And go, Leafs, go! 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. LEAFS' WOES OFFER LESSON ABOUT DIVERSIFICATION CHEERING FOR JUST ONE TEAM IS FINE, BUT OWNING JUST ONE INVESTMENT AND HOPING FOR SUCCESS IS DANGEROUS, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column SNAPSHOT The morning sky offers some unusual shades recently over Glen Abbey Golf Club. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. Joe Brandt photo PAM DAMOFF Column