in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 6, 20 21 | 8 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 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 Over the past year, we have been working tireless- ly to support Halton's most vulnerable residents through regional pro- grams and services, and by working with our partners in the community. One of the ways we are supporting the community is by investing in local ini- tiatives through the Halton Region Community Invest- ment Fund (HRCIF). I'm pleased to share that we will be investing a total of $3.5 million in 2021 through HRCIF to support vulnerable residents. Programs that are re- ceiving funding continue to address a broad range of needs and priorities, in- cluding initiatives that strengthen the health, safe- ty and well-being of our community. A total of 31 new grants have been approved to date in 2021, including: • $30,000 to the Bob Rum- ball Canadian Centre of Ex- cellence for the Deaf to sup- port active living, educa- tion and inclusion among older adults who are deaf; • $80,480 to the Oak Park Neighbourhood Centre to provide hub based supports for residents in an at-risk community in Oakville; • $30,000 to Halton Wom- en's Place to upgrade the security system at its shel- ter locations; • $26,690 to Christian Horizons to provide work- shops that support inter- net safety for individuals with a developmental disa- bility; • $30,000 to the Syrian Canadian Foundation to provide online education and social connection ses- sions for Arabic speaking newcomer women; • $139,895 to the Housing Help Centre for Hamilton- Wentworth (operating in Halton) to support clients with complex needs to have long-term housing success; and • $107,540 to support the Halton Equity and Diversi- ty Roundtable to implement initiatives to strengthen eq- uity and inclusion. To respond to emergent needs and address the con- tinued impacts of the CO- VID-19 pandemic, we will accept applications for funding through the HRCIF on an ongoing basis until all available funding has been allocated. I en- courage our community partners to learn more about opportunities for funding at halton.ca. Thank you to our com- munity partners for your dedication and commit- ment to supporting the health, safety and well-be- ing of our most vulnerable residents, especially dur- ing the pandemic. By working alongside our partners to provide es- sential services, we keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and re- tire. Gary Carr is regional chair of Halton Region. To contact him, email gary.carr@halton.ca. INVESTING TO SUPPORT YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY'S WELL-BEING, WRITES GARY CARR The financial strategy of Canadians is on a colli- sion course with the finan- cial strategy of the federal government. Over the last decade, Ot- tawa warned that house- hold debt had increased to historically dangerous highs. If interest rates in- creased and/or individuals had reduced earnings, more people would default on their loans. This would slow the economy and re- sult in reduced tax revenue for the federal government. Unfortunately, to pro- mote economic activity to keep the economy strong, the federal government re- lies on consumer spending. So, the feds preached the message of managing household debt, but also lowered interest rates to encourage more consumer spending, which provides the government with high- er tax revenue. Welcome to the Conflict of Interest 2.0. COVID-19 restrictions have curtailed our ability to spend. Savings have sky- rocketed. According to BMO Eco- nomics, Canadians saved $150 billion more than nor- mal in 2020. With increased savings, Canadians can decrease debt and increase invest- ments. Except for that nagging conflict of interest. The fed- eral purse strings are in shambles. When we emerge from the pandemic, the gov- ernment will attempt to re- boot the economy so it can collect tax revenue. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has re- ferred to increased house- hold savings as "preloaded stimulus." It's money available to be spent to create jobs and produce tax revenue. That might be the objective of the government. It does not have to be your objective. Manage your finances in a manner that is best for you and your family. 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. YOU VS. GOVERNMENT: A CONFLICT OF INTEREST PETER WATSON Column FEDS' FINANCIAL OBJECTIVE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE YOURS, WRITES PETER WATSON GARY CARR Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM