Conservation Halton CEO Hassaan Basit kicks off the days events with a land acknowledgement and a welcome to Pride In Nature
Under the warmth of a bright blue sky, people filed into Area 8 Kelso in Milton to take part in Conservation Halton’s Pride In Nature event.
Activities for the day included live music, dancing, drag queen performances as well as planting of shrubs and wildflowers along with a hike around Kelso Quarry Lake.
Dance, dance, dance!
It was a beautiful day to take in nature and support the Positive Space Network and to welcome everyone I luck g our 2SLGTBQ+ community. CH is committed to making sure we that diversity and inclusion for all is part of the fabric of the organization and community.
Mona Mousa was our emcee for the day and her energy and passion for this is infectious (and she happens to be a dedicated Glen Eden skier in the winter)
Thank you to everyone who attended this special day. Proceeds from ticket sales goes to support the Positive Space Network.
It seems like forever since the last time we met up at Milton Town Hall to celebrate pride month in Milton.
The last two years, for obvious reasons, the flag raising was held virtually and it wasn’t to difficult to see the enthusiasm of the participants this year.
From 2018 Pride Month in Milton.
The Town of Milton began the official flag raising back in 2018 in the the company of a much small but no less dedicated crowd and its grown ever since.
People packed the lobby of town hall to hear he Mayor read out the proclamation declaring June being Pride Month in Milton. We heard from many speakers as well – messages of their desire for acceptance and inclusion in the community they proudly call home.
As we made it outside, the sun began to shine brightly as the organizers of the event made their way to the flag pole to proudly raise the flag.
I was joined by several of my council colleagues (Clr’s Di Lorenzo, Tesser Dersken, Challinor & Best – with others not being able to make it but there in spirit) to hear the cheers from the crowd as the flag made its way up the pole.
As one of the speakers mentioned, this is a hugely proud moment and a symbolic event, but it’s just a start to ensure we all work towards acceptance of the 2SLGTBQ+ community by everyone. Education is key and the Town of Milton has committed to working towards that goal where everyone is and feels welcome in their home town.
Many thanks to Melanie and Austin from the Milton 2SLGTBQ+ community organization for making this such a memorable event for all of us. Happy Pride Month everyone!!!
A heartwarming candlelight ceremony was held this evening by Townsend Smith Foundation at the Italian Cultural Centre of Milton
There were readings and songs throughout the evening as we remember loved ones that are no longer with us and hope for bringing a hospice to North Halton.
Thank you to everyone who came and shared in this wonderful ceremony.
As the Province of Ontario considers extending the Stay-at-Home emergency order beyond May 20, today, Halton’s Mayors and Regional Chair are reiterating our call to safely reopen outdoor activities.
Outdoor activities done safely with physical distancing and masking are a necessary support to physical and mental health, especially during this prolonged period of lockdown.
Keeping people safely connected: Maintaining social connections and outdoor activity are important to our overall physical and mental health. This means allowing small groups of people from different households to meet outside with masking and two-metre distancing. It means keeping playgrounds open and clearly encouraging safe outdoor activities.
As noted by the Science Table:
“Policies that discourage safe outdoor activity will not control COVID-19 and will disproportionately harm children and those who do not have access to their own greenspace, especially those living in crowded conditions.”
While the Halton Mayors and Regional Chair continue to discourage large gatherings in any setting, small groups can be at the same amenity at the same time as long as they are following the health guidelines.
We also stand with our Halton students who are calling for a safe return to sports when health guidance and evidence suggests it is safe to do so. The Halton District School Board’s (HDSB) Student Senate recently passed a motion declaring sports essential in students’ lives and created a Safe Sports sub-committee, co-chaired by two Halton students. The committee seeks to work with the Province to develop a plan for the safe return of sports, beginning with low-contact sports such as track and field, tennis, badminton, and swimming.
You can hear more about the Safe Sports movement here on an edition of Local Matters with Mike Cluett courtesy of YourTV Halton.
https://youtu.be/ZyVJ9R5HrRI
Given that many sporting activities occur in city facilities, the four Halton municipalities stand ready to partner with the Province, school boards and our local fitness providers in planning for a safe restart of sports.
In light of the evidence and advice from the Science Table, we renew our call to the Province to review and reconsider the list of currently prohibited outdoor activities. We further call on the provincial government to consult with school boards and our youth to design a safe return to sports plan, so that low-contact sports can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.
I am extremely disappointed to share today that the Federal Government has ignored the risks to the health and safety of Halton residents by approving CN’s truck-rail hub in Milton. There are many conditions for this approval and the 49 page report released earlier today is being reviewed by Halton Regions legal team that represents Halton Region, The Town of Milton, Town of Oakville, Town of Halton Hills, City of Burlington and Conservation Halton.
There are many unanswered questions about what CN plans to do with the remaining 800 acres after it builds its new 400-acre facility. The Halton Municipalities will review the decision and will continue to work with the community and be their voice on this issue.
There is a lot of misinformation being circulated on social media and Facebook groups and I urge Milton residents to keep the faith that this process isn’t over yet. To learn more about our position on CN’s truck-rail hub, please visit halton.ca/CN
