Optimist International Midwestern Ontario District 27 Annual Convention

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL MIDWESTERN ONTARIO
DISTRICT 27 ANNUAL CONVENTION
OPENING CEREMONY
GUELPH, ONTARIO
Remarks by Ted Arnott, MPP
Wellington-Halton Hills
August 16 , 2013

Good evening Optimists!

It’s great to be here, and great to see all of you.

And I’m honoured, as MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills, to
join with my colleagues in elected public service, to bring
you greetings at this, your 27th annual Midwestern
Ontario District convention.

I want to thank Governor Jim Dandy for inviting me here
tonight. I know that Gov. Jim has done an outstanding job
providing leadership for the Optimists in Midwestern
District, and working together, you’ve accomplished a
great deal. I also wish to acknowledge First Lady
Catherine Dandy, as we know that the passion of
community service is strengthened by a supportive spouse.
In addition I must congratulate Governor-Elect Karen
Scott, as she begins her term, and I wish her all the best.

My message to you tonight is short and simple:

“Carry on.”

Our communities, our Province, our Country and the
wider world need the beliefs and values, and the positive
attitude you espouse now, more than ever before.

We live in a time of great anxiety and uncertainty, and
sometimes it seems that negativity is all around us.
Believe me, I work at Queen’s Park!

But in the face of this, the way you look at life, as
exemplified by the Optimist Creed, is an inspiration.

I wish the Optimist Creed was chiseled into the wall at
Queen’s Park, such that MPPs would have to read it every
day before walking into the Legislature!

And your Optimist International mission statement is
reflected in all that you do:

“By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring
out the best in kids.”

I’m glad to tell you that when I was a teenager, I think I
was 15, I was awarded a plaque from the Arthur Optimist
Club, and today it hangs in my Queen’s Park office, serving
as an inspiration to anyone who comes in and sees it.

On behalf of the Province of Ontario, thank you very much
for all that you do to inspire young people, all that you do
to inspire a positive attitudes, and all that you do to inspire
a better Ontario.

Have a great conference!

Thank you very much.