Mayor Ann Lawlor's February 2025 Message

HALTON HILLS, ON – The Halton Hills Town Council meeting for February covered a wide range of subjects, from financial audits and tariffs, to waving the flag, fielding new teams for cricket matches and activities for Family Day fun.

Response to the Trump tariffs was top of mind for council. We are deeply concerned about the impacts of tariffs on our Canadian economy and our municipality is aligned with others throughout the province and across the country on this issue.

As one of the largest corporations in our community, the Town is a major purchaser of goods and services. I have asked that the Town’s procurement policy be reviewed to recognize Canadian suppliers wherever possible.

I hope residents of Halton Hills continue to read labels at the grocery store and buy Canadian products.  And think about shopping local. Consider putting that Amazon account on pause and instead patronize our Halton Hills retailers. We will be doing that as a corporation – I have asked the CAO to ensure that supporting local be a priority, even if convenience is sacrificed.

On a happier note, at the last council meeting, I gave Kevin Reid-Morris the Town’s first Heritage Conservation Award for the restoration of the front porch of his home on Edith Street in Georgetown.  Complete with hand-crafted gingerbread wood trim, the project employed techniques from the last century to replace an out of character porch addition with one that matched the home’s 19th century original front façade. It was a labour of love that now enhances the whole street. Heritage restoration perks up our neighbourhoods!

Planning for summer play was the subject of another council report from the Community Services department and there is a new game in town! Cricket matches have been staged on ball diamonds sporadically over the past year or so by the fledgling Halton Hills Cricket Club. This summer, though, they will be playing on a new pitch in Trafalgar Sports Park. Teams are being formed, and the group will be organizing matches for kids and adults.

The sport group has fundraised to cover the cost of installing the pitch in an area that was anticipated for cricket and other uses when the sports park was first designed several years ago. More information about the club is available on its Instagram page.

The balance of this week is full of local activity, starting with Friday being Valentine’s Day and also a PA Day with special programs offered by our library.

Saturday is Flag Day, and I hope everyone will be wearing a maple leaf pin or flying the Canadian flag to celebrate our country. (We have free maple leaf lapel pins for residents at the Town Hall this week.)

Finally, Monday is Family Day and while most government offices are closed, the library and Recreation and Parks departments have special activities planned that the whole family can enjoy. Check out haltonhills.ca/familyday.

Valentine’s hearts, family fun and group hugs wrapped in the flag are being seen in our town this week. Enjoy!