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Check that you have the right coverage and are getting benefits like these: • CAA MyPace™, Canada's only pay-as-you-go auto insurance payment program for those who drive less than 12,000 km/year • Forgive and Forget® plan to protect your rate/good driving record after your first at-fault accident • CAA Members save up to 20%2 on our competitive auto insurance rates You don't have to be a CAA Member to get a complimentary policy review. HAL JOHNSON & JOANNE MCLEOD A HEALTHIER YOU - CHANGE YOUR HABITS, CHANGE YOUR LIFE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22ND AT 2:30 PM This is a virtual lecture. To register please visit Delmanor.com The Canadian fitness icons will provide simple strategies to live a healthier lifestyle. 1459 NOTTINGHILL GATE, OAKVILLE 905-469-3232 Halton, is struggling to find a bigger place that meets her budget and al- lows her young daughter to continue school within its district next year. "My concern at this point is that housing costs are going to continue to rise, and I will be stuck in a cramped, small one-bed- room for a long period of time where my daughter and I share a bedroom," she said in a Facebook in- terview. According to longtime housing advocate Garth Brown, the housing crisis impacts a wide cross sec- tion of society: individuals, families and senior- s. "Home affordability, whether ownership or rental, is a vital issue," he said. Although the Halton Region has made inroads in providing more afford- able housing options by building more homes, ac- quiring properties and converting for-profit enti- ties, he said, there are still more than 3,500 applicants on the region's housing wait list. The Oakville resident has been involved in creat- ing sustainable and digni- fied housing for homeless and others in need, in the greater Halton area. Brown is championing the construction of secondary suites -- which he said is legal in Halton -- for rental to meet the burgeoning de- mand, while encouraging the community to be part of the solution. "It takes a community to make a difference," he said. On the campaign prom- ise by the government to build 1.5 million homes, across Ontario during the next 10 years, Brown hopes to see follow through. He also calls for all levels of government to provide fi- nancial incentives for homeowners who want to create secondary suites along with other supports. For first-time voter Hi- bah Shaikh, the impacts of COVID-19 on the financial stability of young people like herself weigh heavily on her mind. "Prices are increasing, yet the income of people is remaining the same," Shaikh said. "And as a stu- dent, that's worrying when you're trying to study, but also cover tuition." The 18-year-old from north Halton recently completed her first year of university with a major in civil engineering. From talking to her peers and knocking on doors as a get- out-the-vote volunteer with the Canadian Muslim Vote, she said there was a lot of angst about life after post-secondary. "It's already hard enough to find a job be- cause of the competitive market. But not being able to be financially secure even after graduating is a new fear that's developed and has kind of escalated because of COVID," Shaikh said. Her hope is for the government to provide more social assistance, which includes mental health support, and better access to meaningful in- ternships and work oppor- tunities for students. Within the business community, although a sense of normalcy is gradu- ally taking shape, the rip- ple effect of inflation may put a dampener on such re- coveries, said Scott McCammon, president and CEO of the Milton Chamber of Commerce. To build on the momen- tum, he said businesses -- big and small -- look to the government to formulate thoughtful regulations, foster economic growth, provide strategic invest- ments and implement pol- icies that help build com- panies, as well as possibly sourcing new markets. To that end, McCam- mon said the next govern- ment should take a lead role in getting rid of inter- provincial trade barri- ers. "It's been going on for way too long," he said. Improving labour mo- bility should also be in the cards, as access to employ- ees, particularly in north Halton, remains a major challenge. "Any barriers or any of the red tape that exists need to be investigated and eliminated," said McCam- mon. STORY BEHIND THE STORY: With the PCs se- curing another majority victory, we wanted to take a look at what issues and concerns were most impor- tant among Halton resi- dents moving forward. NEWS ACTION NEEDED ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING: ADVOCATE Continued from front SCAN THIS CODE for more local news. "Prices are increasing, yet the income of people is remaining the same." - first-time voter Hibah Shaikh