Lt. Governor Elizabeth Dowdeswell (center) speaks with MPP John Yakabuski (left) and Renfrew Mayor Tom Sidney (right) on Thursday, February 9th
Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor touched on everything from the Ontario Winter Games to Indigenous relations and our local highways at a recent meeting at Renfrew’s Town Hall.
Elizabeth Dowdeswell had plenty of praise for how Renfrew County has handled the Ontario Winter Games when she met with Mayor Tom Sidney, MPP John Yakabuski, and Renfrew County Warden Peter Emon among others on Thursday, February 9th.
Dowdeswell says the Games are a great way to teach kids competitiveness and while keeping the spirit of collaboration.
She notes that hosting the Games and developing sports, as well as culture and arts, strengthens and builds resilience in communities.
When asked about Indigenous affairs in the province, Dowdeswell says there has been progress in showing respect and acknowledging Indigenous peoples and culture. However, there is still a way to go in terms of change.
She believes people are far more aware of “histories that none of us knew,” and that she has the privilege of touring the province and witnessing them.
Lastly, the topic of local highways the Province’s efforts to expand roads in rural communities came up. Dowdeswell admits there’s still work to be done there as well.
While bad weather forced her to miss the cancelled Opening Ceremonies for the Ontario Winter Games that evening, she credits Renfrew County’s creativity in making a decentralized Games, with events spread out amongst different communities, work.
(written by Kasey Egan)
