Dozens of Simcoe North residents spent Sunday afternoon socializing with their local member of provincial parliament.
“I came out today to just keep up-to-date about what’s going on and support Jill (Dunlop),” said Tim Bumstead, who was at the MPP’s New Year’s Levee held at the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Coldwater.
“Today, I don’t really talk politics with her,” added the Tay Township resident. “This isn’t the time to do that. It’s a social.”
Bumstead said if he has any concerns, he simply sends an email to Dunlop, but, so far, he hasn’t had the need to do so.
Some advice he would give to her, he said, would be to be honest and work with the people.
“Don’t let ambition interfere with productivity in the local riding,” Bumstead said.
Others were in a bit more of a political mood.
“I’m a backer of Jill and I really believe we need to keep the Progressive Conservatives (PCs) in power and in government in the province,” said Paul Gillett.
The Severn Township resident said he was really disappointed with the way the previous government handled things, citing, as an example, its cancellation of a billion-dollar hydro plant.
“Also, the way they made our water undrinkable so we have to buy bottled water doesn’t sit well with me,” said Gillett, who has a honey-production business.
“I’m not happy with the current government’s steps against the environment,” he said. “They want to turn the greenbelt into development, and I have a beef with that," he said. "That’s our farmland, the future food for our future children.”
Another attendee said he had come out to wish Dunlop well and pass along his concerns about accountability in governance.
“Don’t spend more than you bring in,” urged Dwight Evans, of Oro-Medonte, who noted some of the overspending mistakes made by the previous Liberal government are being corrected now.
Dunlop was taking it all in, moving from one table to another, talking to everyone who had turned up at the event.
“We had a great turnout,” she said. “It’s a beautiful day. I was afraid if it might be too nice, people might want to do other things.”
Dunlop said most of her conversations at the levee were of a social nature, just catching up with people she hadn’t seen since being elected.
But she did explain to them that she is working on Bill 66, Restoring Ontario’s Competitiveness Act.
“It was recently introduced just before we adjourned,” she said. “It’s a bill that aims at reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.”
Dunlop said she also received positive feedback from those attending about her work related to enhancing skilled trades in the riding.
“I’ve heard a lot of compliments for my interest in the skilled trades,” she said. “They’re waiting to hear about the new reforms we’re working on.”
Among other achievements, Dunlop also shared with her supporters the news about a tax credit for low-income individuals and families, which was introduced for Jan. 1.
The rookie MPP also said her government has worked on reducing wasteful green programs and has returned authority to municipalities letting them decide which green initiatives they want to participate in.
One of the biggest achievements, Dunlop touted, was the freezing of the fishing licence fee and introduction of two new family fishing weekends.
“That was exciting for our area, especially because it was announced right here in Orillia at Trombly’s Tacklebox," she said.
Dunlop said her time at Queen’s Park has been exciting with new learning every day.
“There’s never a dull moment,” she said. “It truly is an honour representing my area.”
