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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, Ju ly 1, 20 21 | 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 newspaper 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 Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman 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 On Canada Day, we cele- brate, respect and value the diversity of everyone who calls our nation home. By welcoming diverse backgrounds, religions and traditions, we embrace new perspectives that strengthen our communi- ty, which makes our region and country a beautiful place to live. We also take this time to reflect on Canada's history as we recognize those who have shaped this country -- the Treaty territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Indigenous Peoples who have been connected to these lands for genera- tions. We reflect on those who built the foundations of our communities and helped shape where we live today. We celebrate their contributions to our cul- ture, heritage and distinct national identity. Another important part of Canada Day for me is spending it alongside resi- dents at events throughout Halton. Although festivities will look different again this year, there are many ways to safely join the cele- brations. Here are some helpful ideas for you and your family: • watch virtual Canada Day performances, shows and find activities for peo- ple of all ages on the Cana- dian Heritage's website; • explore some of our parks and conservation ar- eas in Halton with mem- bers of your household. I encourage you to check the local municipality's web- site before heading out; • plan a virtual gather- ing with friends or family; or • create your own at- home celebration with members of your house- hold. Please remember to keep safety a top priority. Even if you've been vacci- nated, please remember to wear a mask and keep a two-metre distance from those outside of your household. For more information on how to protect yourself and others, please visit www.Halton.ca/COVID19. As a reminder, regional 24-hour and essential ser- vices remain available on Canada Day and during long weekends throughout the summer. For more information, please visit www.Halton.ca or use our OneHalton App. On behalf of Regional Council, I wish you and your family a very happy Canada Day. By celebrating Canada Day, we live the values that keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. To contact him, email gary.carr@halton.ca. CELEBRATING CANADA'S DIVERSITY AND CULTURE KEEP SAFETY IN MIND DURING JULY 1 FESTIVITIES, WRITES GARY CARR Your financial success has a new potential obsta- cle to overcome. This obstacle was dis- cussed in a New York Times article earlier this year on languishing. Early research suggests that lan- guishing could result in re- ducing your work effort. Languishing: You are not depressed; you are not highly motivated or fo- cused. You are somewhere in between. As if your senses had been dulled as a result of the many aspects of your life being put on hold for over a year because of the pandemic. Research suggests that languishing could result in reducing your work effort, and subject you to a greater risk of mental illness. Both of these reduced mental states of mind can be harmful for your ability to earn an income. This could strike at the very core of our financial existence. Here's a few recommen- dations. The pandemic has been like a major earthquake that has shaken the foun- dation of how we live. The aftershock might not be easy to observe, but none- theless can be very damag- ing. Be aware that you have the personal risk of not be- ing able to bounce back af- ter our world returns to normal. Perhaps family members and friends are vulnerable to the same risk. For most of us, our con- tinued financial success is dependent on the ability to earn an income. Take care of yourself. If required, consider seeking professional help. 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. LANGUISHING CAN HURT YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES BEWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL DETRIMENT TO BEING FINANCIALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column GARY CARR Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM