MPP Arnott Congratulates County of Wellington in Ontario Legislature

Waterloo-Wellington MPP Ted Arnott spoke in the Ontario Legislature on June 10, 2004 about the County of Wellington’s 150th anniversary. He said the following:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to inform the House of a very special celebration taking place in 2004 – that being the County of Wellington’s 150th anniversary. To mark this occasion, our County came up with a fabulous idea – as a lasting green legacy, 150,000 trees would be planted in Wellington.

Over a two-week period, school classes, municipalities, service clubs and private landowners took part, planting trees throughout our scenic and beautiful County.

Other key partners in the Project included the Grand River Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Wellington County Stewardship Council, and both of Wellington County’s school boards. For their part in planting this living and lasting legacy that will improve the environment in Wellington County for future generations, they all deserve enormous credit.

I’m very glad to support this initiative. We all know the importance of planting trees, and if greenhouse gases and excess carbon dioxide are a problem, humankind around the world should respond by planting hundreds of thousands, even millions of trees. Wellington County has shown the way.

I want to thank and acknowledge Wellington County Warden Lynda White who planted a sugar maple - tree number 150,000 - a few days ago, as well as County Council for their leadership that has improved the environment for our children and grandchildren. Chief Administrative Officer Scott Wilson and County staff also deserve congratulations on a job well done and for a program that should be adopted by other municipalities throughout the province.