NEWS RELEASE
DOUG SHIPLEY, MP FOR BARRIE-SPRINGWATER-ORO-MEDONTE
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MP Doug Shipley is disheartened to announce the cancellation of his planned Canada Day drive-thru event on July 1, after he was informed by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that approval for the event would not be issued based on current Provincial regulations.
“Unfortunately, I was informed by the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit that approval for this physically distanced drive-thru event could not be issued under Step 1 of the Roadmap to Reopening framework,” said MP Doug Shipley. “I am, of course, disappointed and was looking forward to safely celebrating Canada Day with our community at the drive-thru as I had last year.”
MP Shipley had planned to hand out ice cream, cupcakes, Canada Day flags and loot bags for kids.
He was looking forward to being joined by the Barrie Native Friendship Centre, Barrie police, Barrie Fire and Emergency Services, and Ontario Provincial Police, with music from 93.1 Fresh Radio. MP Shipley thanks the Barrie Legion 147 for kindly providing their parking lot as a space for the now-cancelled event.
Local mascot friends including Charlie Horse (Barrie Colts), Cool Cat Junior (Barrie Baycats) and Sparky (Barrie Fire and Emergency Services) were also set to attend and greet attendees from a distance as they proceeded through the drive-thru.
“The event would have been something fun to look forward to on Canada Day, which I think we could have all used this year. But I know we’ll be together next year – we are almost through this pandemic and will keep looking forward to the future,” said MP Shipley.
“While I am disappointed, I understand and appreciate the Health Unit’s difficult position. Everyone at the Health Unit has been working very hard to keep our community safe and healthy throughout this pandemic, and I thank them for their dedication to our community.”
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