Brian Saunderson

Happy Holidays everyone! On behalf of Collingwood Town Council and staff, I want to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and best wishes for the holiday season. It has been a different and challenging year, one which has tested our community in many ways. I am so proud of the way we have worked together to support each other in the face of the pandemic. I want to extend a huge thank you to our frontline workers in the health care sector, our long ...term care homes, our first responders and the administrative and support staff. Similarly, I want to thank our front line workers in the retail and service sectors, in our grocery stores and other businesses who continue to serve our community tirelessly during this difficult time. Thank you to our faith community, our service clubs and the countless volunteers whose dedication and generosity is unsurpassed. And of course, thank you to all citizens for adhering to the many health and safety regulations put in front of us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The spirit of Collingwood is undaunted and on display for all to see. It is in the Christmas decorations that light up our homes and our historic downtown. It is in the way we are shopping locally and supporting our businesses, restaurants and service providers. Together, we have demonstrated the resolve, commitment and compassion that makes Collingwood such a remarkable and powerful community. Looking forward, I am confident that 2021 will be the year we beat the COVID pandemic and reclaim the routine of our daily lives. To make that happen, we must continue to work together for the health and well-being of our community. Stay safe, be well and together we will make 2021 a much better year.

I was a guest on CBC Toronto's Here and Now radio program on Friday afternoon (December 18th). We were asking the Province to consider steps to keep people from Grey/Lockdown zones from travelling here. https://soundcloud.com/user/saunderson-cbc-hereandnow-dec18

I am happy and honoured to chair the Canadian component of a binational committee to focus on Great Lakes issues. The committee is a key component of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative and will focus on the state of shorelines in light of ongoing record high water levels. Collingwood has been a charter member of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Cities Initiative since 2003. www.talkingsouthgeorgianbay.ca

It is easy to catch that Holiday Spirit on our beautifully decorated downtown streets ... be safe everybody!

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas in Collingwood! Thank you and congratulations to the BIA board and committee members for their hard work making the downtown look so fantastic. The first Outdoor Market was a great success last night with stores open until 8pm, pop up stores and young dancers performing in store windows. It will be back for the next 2 Fridays, so be sure to check it out.