Members of the Bradford West Gwillimbury business community got a chance to ask York-Simcoe MP Scot Davidson a question this week that not everyone gets to ask a politician, although they might be thinking it.
“(They asked) whether I really believe I can get anything done,” Davidson told BradfordToday, with a laugh.
In response, Davidson pointed to a couple examples of projects he has gotten action on since being elected in February: the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund and a citizenship ceremony at Sharon Temple national historic site in East Gwillimbury.
He discussed the projects, as well as participated in a roundtable talk, at the Bradford Board of Trade annual general meeting on June 25.
Earlier this month, the federal Conservatives announced it would reinstate the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund — initially pushed for by former York-Simcoe MP Peter Van Loan — as part of its environmental plan.
“Ensuring that the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund is brought back has been my top priority since being elected,” said Davidson. “That was a big win for me.”
The program previously funded more than 200 community-based projects that restored fish and wildlife populations, planted thousands of new trees, and reduced sewage and waste dumps into watersheds.
As well, Davidson said he approached the immigration minister after hearing about difficulties at Sharon Temple to arrange a citizenship ceremony there, and “all of a sudden, two weeks later they’re starting to plan one.”
Davidson said he also fielded questions about the Highway 400-404 Connecting Link.
Although a provincial issue, not a federal one, he said “the federal government has to play a role in funding these infrastructure projects.”
“I truly believe you can make a difference. I try to focus on the positive,” he added.
Davidson said the roundtable with Bradford Board of Trade members was similar to ones he has with other MPs, where he gets a sense of what the pressing issues are in different communities.
“It’s nice talking to people one on one. You can fric and frac about things,” he said. “I’m not a partisan person. I try to take colour out of it. We’re all on the same team trying to drive Bradford forward.”
Tina Morrison, president of the Bradford Board of Trade, said Davidson understands the “struggles and successes small businesses go through” because he started out as a small-business owner.
Other than the roundtable talk, Morrison said the organization welcomed two new directors: Mark Taylor of Bank of Montreal, and Natasha Leskiw of Personally Yours.
This year, she added, the Bradford Board of Trade will be focusing on updating its image, welcoming more new members, and putting on its annual events such as its free Appreciation Barbecue on July 19 from noon to 2 p.m. at the clocktower.
“The big thing with the Bradford Board of Trade is … we’re trying to build a community within the business community,” she said. “Bradford is growing quickly. We’re excited for our new term.”
