© BOPINION “QUEEN'S CONNECTION Thursday, September & MEMBERS OF 2 CANADIAN ARMED FORCES HAD GREAT ADMIRATION FOR HER, WRITES ANITA ANAND ve ANITA ANAND Column I join Canadians in mourning profoundly the loss of Her Majesty Gugen Elizabeth II, Queen ada and commander in, chief of the Canadian Arm Her Majesty the Queen had a deep and meaningful ith Tess I Jeadership. ville is proud to host Queen Elizabeth I on two occasions in 1970 ans 2002. In the spirit of our great admiration for Her Majes- ty, I was proud to bestow the Queen's Platinum Jubi- lee award to members of our Oakville community who carry her same sense of duty. During her 22 official visits to © Canada, Her Maj- esty reaffirmed her close oo ionahin with several nadian military units, as well as numerous regi- ments and branches that bear Royal ean With the € steadfastness that ct charac- 8 terized her decades on the throne, the Queen stood with our Armed Forces as ey. TO OUR MILITARY “FONDLY REMEMBERED postwar operations in Can- ada and abroad. The ties that bind our military to the Crown are seen and felt in everything we do. In 1945, Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxil- itorial Service, the women's branch of the British army, and becai the first woman in the Roy- al Family to actively serve in the military. Her Majesty held anum- ber of honorary appoint- ments in the Canadian Forces. She was ded- captain general, colonel-in- chief and air commodore- in-chief of many Canadian units and branches. Our hearts are > heavy with sorrow at the loss of Her Majesty, and we cher- ish her decades of service and the sense of stability she brought to an ever- nging world. Every member of the Canadian Forces swears an allegiance to the monarch. In most of our lifetimes that has been the jueen, and now it will ex- tend to King Charles III. On behalf of the Canadi- in Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence, I extend our most sincere and heartfelt con- dolences to members of the Fami Canadians are invited to share their messages of sympathy for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the online book of condolenc- es: canada.ca/en/canadi- an-heritage/commemora- tion-her-majesty-the- queen/book.html. Anita Anand is the MP for Oakville and the Min- ister of National Defence. She can be reached at an- ita. gc.ca. TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM SNAPSHOT Joe Brandt photo Liatris Blazing Star perennials in a Glen Abbey area backyard garden have been a magnet for monarch butterflies. Do you have a great local photo you'd like to share? Send it to sleblanc@metroland.com, along with a brief description. INTEREST RATES RISE AGAIN PERSONAL FINANCES JUST GOT HARDER, WRITES PETER WATSON Another significant in- terest rate hike was recent- ¥ announced by the Bank da (BOC). The most eceat rate increase was three quarters of 1 per cent. The BOC is determined to reduce the annual infla- tion rate to the target of 2 per cent. This is the fifth consecutive rate increase, and the BOC said further increases are anticipated. This increase is signifi- cant for two reasons. First, the interest rate on loans will increase. you have locked in an inter- est rate for the length of your mortgage, then your current rate will continue. Some homeowners have a PETER WATSON Column variable rate mortgage, which means the interest rate can be adjusted up- wards. The second consider- ation of higher interest rates is that many Canadi- ans are struggling to make ends meet because of infla- tion. Most things cost more, and some things cost alot more. Add in a higher cost yn borrowing, an eople may face fi- nancial hardship. Increasing rates to control infla' part of the normal econom- ic cycle. That, in no way, makes it easier for individ- uals cope with higher Joan rayments suggestion is to spent time looking at your personal finances. Which are necessary, and which can be eliminated or re- duced? ter Watson is regis- es with Aligned « ad Partners Inc. (ACP! provide investment 2 dice Investment products are provided by ACPI. ACPI is amember of the Investment Industry Regulatory Orga- nization of Canada. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of ACPI. Only investment-related products and services are offered through Watson Securities of ACPI. Watson provides wealth manage- ment services through Wat- baile Investments. He can be ed at www.watsonin- vestments. com. This newspaper, published very Thursday, isa is so of pli, a brite ‘owned iene of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family mprised publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the pate NewsMedia Council. omplainants are urged to bring ther concerns to the attention of a r= = z es OF IN MAW 2H2. insidehalton@metroland.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeav @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE a and Operations Dana Rol Regional Genera Manager Jason Pehor Director of Sontot Lee Ann Waterm: Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor faen Miceli leped or Distributior Charlen Circulation | Manager Kim Mossman rectors of Advertising Cindi Campbell and Graeme Macintosh Director Creative Services Katherine Porcheron CONTACT US Oakville negtd 901 Guelp! Burlington, ON. LR 3N8 Phone: 905-845-3824 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Advertising: 289-293-0620 am ait delivery inquiries, please lossman@metroland.com or all 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. 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