Simcoe North's MPP is inviting her constituents to come celebrate the new year with her this Sunday.
Jill Dunlop will be hosting a New Year’s Levee on Jan. 6, between 1 and 3 p.m. The free event will be held at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 270, located at 2 Michael Anne Dr., Coldwater.
“It's open to everyone and anyone in our area,” said Dunlop, about her first levee as MPP of the area. “It's a constituency event. It's a nice way to celebrate the new year.”
The event, which is typically held the weekend following New Year's Day, is a chance for riding residents to come out and get some one-on-one time with Dunlop.
“It's still the holidays, too,” she said. “Everybody is in the spirit of celebrating.”
The levee is a drop-in event that includes a light lunch and music.
“It's also a chance to drop by and visit and check out Coldwater,” said Dunlop, adding the village is chosen because it's, geographically, about the centre of the riding.
“That makes it easier to access,” she noted.
Bruce Stanton, MP for Simcoe North, usually stops by in addition to municipal councillors, said Dunlop.
“It's a good chance to meet with my staff, too,” she said. “They’re kind of like my frontline workers. If anyone doesn’t get a chance to meet with me, they can talk to my staff and leave a message and I will definitely get to them as soon as I can.”
Dunlop said she is expecting around 200 people to come out, as they have done so in the past.
But the pressure is on to keep up with the success of the past events, formerly held by her father, Garfield Dunlop, the long-time MPP who stepped aside prior to the last election.
“This will be my first (levee),” said Dunlop. “Knowing that there's been a good turnout in the past, I have to keep up with that and do a bit better," she said with a laugh.
"So come on out. It's free. It's a nice afternoon and it's a chance to come meet me," she said.
For more information on the levee, visit Dunlop’s Facebook page.
