mike cluett

Today is September 30^th … Truth And Reconciliation Day in Canada, also known to many as Orange Shirt Day. 

I would like to acknowledge that the land we gather on is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

We recognize the traditional territory of the Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people.

We also acknowledge the First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who live on these lands today.

We stand as allies with the First Nations as stewards of these lands.

This past June, the federal government passed legislation to formerly acknowledge this day across Canada, something that was long overdue.

As we mark the first year of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the Town of Milton is conducting the following activities:

* Statement by the Mayor acknowledging the day and purpose, and outlining Council and the Town’s efforts for cultivating stronger relationships with our Indigenous community over this past year,

* Our town staff will be participating in education and awareness through resource sharing,

* Encouraging Council and staff to wear orange for Orange Shirt Day,

* Posting social media about local events taking place that our Milton community may participate in which includes Walk of Remembrance hosted by Grandmother’s Voice at Country Heritage Park from 3-5 p.m.

* And encouraging residents to book a visit to Crawford Lake to tour the Longhouses and learn about the Iroquoian community.

We were unable to facilitate a public event this year. Most Indigenous communities or Nations were already committed or focusing within their own communities on a day of remembrance and supports.

We will continue to pursue an event in an effort to continue the conversation and reflection, before year-end. We will ensure that moving forward, as per Council’s resolution, the Town will facilitate a public event on September 30, annually.

As a reminder, this day is focused on commemorating and honouring victims and survivors of residential schools. It is a day to learn, reflect, support and grow. A day that we individualize reconciliation.

I just wanted to finish this quick video with a quote from Chief R. Stacey LaForme, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation.

“The loss of our children is a pain felt by all Canadians.

This is the moment to stand together.  Let this tragedy be a light that guides us to a better path.

We will never forget.

I don’t have to know you to love you.”

Thank you Milton for taking part in Truth and Reconciliation Day.  Let me know on social media or by commenting on this post how you and your family will be reflecting today.

Thank you all for watching … Miigwech

Yesterday I joined my fellow Halton Region councillors from all 4 municipalities to call for an end of protests at hospitals and the hateful and harmful messages and harassment of our medical professionals, health care workers and the ones who have taken care of us during the last 18 plus months of dealing with COVID19 in our community.

The protests continue in all areas of this country and we stood together and called for an end to it. Yes you have the right to protest and you can do so from a safe zone, but do NOT hinder our healthcare workers while they are doing their job. You don’t know who is going to get hurt, delayed for treatments as they enter the hospitals.

Here is the statement.

It is good timing because on a recent edition of Local Matters with Mike Cluett, both Councillor Clark Somerville and I discussed this very issue and how appalled we were at that behaviour. Here is a clip from that program.

Update: 120pm

Sums it up here.

“Our governments — yes, plural, not just provincial — have been messing things up, opposition critics have been stirring things up, and the media have been mixing things up.” Reg Cohn

https://www.thestar.com/politics/political-opinion/2021/04/17/our-battle-with-covid-19-could-do-without-the-finger-pointing.html

Throughout the first half of this pandemic many of us were so surprised when we noticed all of our political leaders were working together daily to get things done and look out for our best interests.

NOW…it’s a back and forth. And before anyone says anything…aim tossing all parties under the bus here. Federal … provincial … government or opposition. It’s become a game now of finger pointing. No one is doing a stellar job no matter what the speaking notes might say. We have announcements from the federal government saying with excitement “we’ve got millions of does coming … in June. Great but it’s April and people are getting sick and people are still dying. Stop patting yourself on the back.

Same goes provincially. Day after day that thousands of people are being vaccinated and restriction after restriction being laid down. Still cases are going up and people are flooding our ICUs … stop patting yourself on the back.

Get to work. Get us the vaccines as soon as you can. Get the vaccines to the provinces in the amounts they need. Then let’s get them the the public health units so we can get people vaccinated, not just once but twice so we can get back to our lives. So our kids in school can have a graduation .. a birthday party … a sleep over … so they can go to a movie with their friends.

Lets all get back to work and get things done.

Like many residents I have some strong concerns about yesterday’s announcement by the Province. We ARE in dire situation and strong action must be taken. We as residents also play a role in public safety and we will continue to ask everyone to follow the basics.

Wash hands. Stay 2m apart. Wear a mask in public. Stay home if you don’t have to go out.

We also urge that you do go outside with your family to exercise and get fresh air wherever possible. Stay within your household.

The Town of Milton is reviewing the announcement made and will have a release soon on how this will impact our municipal services.

I do want to say I am thankful to Chief Tanner & Halton Police for making a clear statement about how they won’t be doing “random enforcement”. The province has given police services the authority to approach anyone on foot or pull over people randomly and ask why they aren’t at home or where they are going. We all know what kind of a messy situation that can bring up so I’ll just leave it with this. Thank you for your leadership.

There will be more information sent out of the coming hours and days about these changes. I urge all residents to help by doing their part in keeping safe and we will be doing what we can at the municipal level to ensure public safety. #MiltonON

No one likes this changes least of all me. It’s frustrating to everyone and it brings up more questions than answers. One week golf is ok and the next it’s closed. These owners made preparations, hired staff and now have to close up just as quickly as they opened.

Same with restaurants the other week…they bought food l, hired staff and now have to lay many of them off.

Same with personal care workers who were told they could open April 12th and then a week later after they rehired staff and got supplies for shut down.

These are just a few of the examples in our business community. No wonder a group of frustrated small business owners took to the streets last week to say #EnoughIsEnough

What about people? It’s ok to go outside and exercise and walk in our parks. Now it’s closing them … truly confusing.

Stay tuned for more.

There are now options for residents to book vaccines through local pharmacies in Milton for those 55+ years old. Follow the link to the Ontario Government website for more details on locations here in town or surrounding areas in Halton.

https://covid-19.ontario.ca/vaccine-locations

You must make the appointments through the pharmacies directly and not through the Halton COVID Vaccine website or using 311. Unlike the Halton vaccination program, you will be responsible for transportation to and from the pharmacies.

Must be 55+ in the year 2021 and have valid Health Card