By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
Haldimand-Norfolk always features prominently in my Queen’s Park world and last week was no exception. Well, if anything, the one exception was the Norfolk County community exhibit featured in a display case on the first floor of the West Wing at the Ontario Legislature.
Titled “Norfolk County Heritage and Culture,” the display pays fitting tribute to those of our county who bravely served Canada with its special focus on the 100th anniversary of The Norfolk War Memorial, Carillon Tower in Simcoe. The tower’s dedication ceremony took place on June 17th 1925. The 100th anniversary celebration will take place on June 17th; I’ll provide more detail as the date gets closer.
Included in the display, which has a beautiful bed of poppies, are photos, a painting, pamphlets, and other interesting historical artifacts. There are cards discussing the meaning and motivation to build the tower. There’s a quote from the 1925 dedication speech that sums it up nicely, “It is hoped the purpose of this memorial will never be forgotten, and that the tower in its beauty and the bells with their music will ever recall to all who pass the sacrifice of our soldiers who left the world behind in answer to the call of duty.” And the card goes on to state that 216 men and one woman “from the small, rural county” made the supreme sacrifice.
And much like today, the community came together to figure out a way to cover costs when construction expenses exceeded the initial budget. Now, Queen’s Park politicians, staff and visitors can look and learn about the sacrifice of our county and the honour we dutifully pay them.
No doubt, the sacrifices of the past have created Haldimand-Norfolk. The place I love and call home, the place for which I want all the best. And that means telling the government what we want and need but also smelling the roses by celebrating our achievements.
I’ll start with what we need. While knocking on doors in the provincial election this past winter, you told me to get an update on the Nanticoke Industrial Park/Empire Homes debacle. So, I used my very first question of the 44th Parliament to ask Premier Ford: “Prior to the Christmas break I asked then Minister of Municipal Affairs whether the application for a MZO (Minister’s Zoning Order) had come across his desk – the answer was no. Recently, I learned Empire Homes applied for the MZO in September 2024. Where does the MZO sit? It has not hit the Environmental Registry…Can the people of Haldimand-Norfolk please receive an update on the status of the MZO?”
I reminded the Chamber the people favour an energy project at the industrial park for many reasons including good paying jobs.
The Minister of Municipal of Affairs and Housing Rob Flack fielded the question by deflecting with the standard government messaging regarding the housing crisis, but he also mentioned transparency and local consultation with the people of Haldimand County. Here’s hoping he does consult with a true cross section of the county and learns how much this proposal is unwanted.
On the celebratory side, last week I stood in the House to tell my colleagues the town of Jarvis was named Canada’s Kindest Community by Coca-Cola Canada. As a worthy charitable promotion, Coca-Cola set out to find, celebrate and then reward the Canadian community that shared the most acts of kindness. Nearly 600 communities, 2,300 entries and thousands of inspiring stories were submitted as the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan Tour travelled coast to coast, but the little town at the crossroads of Highways 3 and 6 stood out among the others.
As I witnessed to my colleagues, Jarvis is indeed a special place where people just come together, set aside their differences and host events like Jarvisfest in August, and the Jarvis Light Up during the Christmas season. Congratulations.
So much to be proud of in Haldimand-Norfolk.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk