11| O akville B eaver | T hursday,June 14,2018 insidehalton.com Vania arrived in Canada from Cuba with little more than a few dollars in her pocket. Knowing only a bit of English, a trustingManager recognized her work ethic and passion and gave Vania her first job at Tims. Grateful for this chance, she worked her way from the kitchen to the cash, and all the way up to General Manager. Now Vania looks to hire new Canadians at her restaurant, giving them the same life-changing opportunity she received 17 years ago. Thank you, Vania. And thanks to all those whomake our community stronger. "This experience changed my life. Now it'smy duty to pay it forward." Vania, TeamMember from Burlington, ON © Tim Hortons, 2018 servant for the next four years," said Crawford. "This came from a lot of hard work, a great team of people and people in Oakville and Ontario just wanting change." Crawford said residents could expect from him someone who would be a leader for the commu- nity, who would work hard and listen to their concerns and bring those concerns to the gov- ernment. "I'm feeling fantastic," he said as supporters chanted, "Ste- phen, Stephen, Stephen." The local businessperson has called Oakville home since 2009. He previously stated he want- ed to be MPP because he loves the province and the Oakville community. As Crawford celebrated he called for a round of applause for Flynn. "At the end of the day we are going to help get Ontario back on track," said Crawford. "Ontario used to be the engine of Canada. We used to be the first province. The one everyone looked up to. Now today we are ranked 10th out of 10 provinces in economic growth. That's just not acceptable. We need to get this province back on track. We need to bring hydro relief. Get more affordable hydro for families and businesses. When I see Quebec with lower unemployment and lower debt per capita, that's just not acceptable to me. When I hear the government say, 'We're doing OK in Ontario' that's just not acceptable. We can do better and we are." The mood was more solemn at Flynn's campaign headquarters, which was set up at the Deerfield Golf Club clubhouse for the eve- ning. Several Flynn supporters were anxious before the polls even closed and greeted news of the PC majority with grim resig- nation. Following Crawford's victory Flynn made his concession speech before his supporters. "It's been incredible what we've been able to do for this community and yeah, it is a little bit sad. We knew we were going into a very tough election and I think we pulled off a campaign that was second to none," said Flynn. "You've got to respect obvious- ly when the people of Oakville speak. It is a wonderful commu- nity. We've got some incredible people here and they have decid- ed they want to go in a different direction. That's what elections are always about." Flynn said he was as prepared to win as he was to lose. "We knew the reality of what was happening out there. We knew there was a mood of change that was sweeping through the province," said Flynn. He listed the new Oakville hospital, the protection of the Deerfield Golf Course green- space and the improvements to the GO Train as some of the things his government had done for the people of Oakville.for the people of Oakville.f He thanked his supporters for their hard work and said follow- ing his speech he would be call- ing Crawford to wish him well as Oakville's new MPP. "I'll tell him what a privilege he has just earned and what an exciting life he has ahead of him," said Flynn. "I'll tell him to get rid of any notion of a social life at least for the next four years, but also I'll wish him well and offer him all my assistance in the transition he'll be making to becoming the next MPP of Oakville." While she didn't become Oak- ville's next MPP, Sprague count- ed the evening a victory nonethe- less noting the NDP had its best showing in Oakville in more than 30 years. "I'm thrilled," she said. Sprague said she would con- tinue to work to keep Ontario's health-care system and educa- tion system in good order no matter what the new govern- ment does. To Crawford she offered the following message:following message:f "I hope he takes the interests of all of the people of Oakville to heart and that he tries to under- stand what is going on beyond the business community," she said. "I wish him the best." NEWS Flynn knew Ontario voters wanted a change of direction lContinued from page 10 "I'm pleased. I'm happy the people of Oakville have made their choice. I'm honoured that they have chosen me to be their humble servant for the next four years." Oakville Progressive Conservative -MPP Stephen Crawford