Perth-Wellington MP John Nater says 2020 was extremely challenging for people and businesses in his riding, but he was impressed with the resolve shown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nater says people did extraordinary things to help lessen the blow brought on by the virus.
"Small businesses who've been able to adapt and change how they do business and the challenges of 2020. I've been so impressed with community organizations and individuals stepping up and helping their neighbours and communities get through this. I've been really impressed with the municipalities, as well, going above and beyond."
Nater says there were some great achievements locally, as well, including the launch of the new PC Connects transit service and Wellington Ride Well programs.
"It's been great to see Perth County Connects get up and running, connecting our communities together with the transit system that hasn't existed beforehand. So helping businesses, helping employees get to their jobs and helping seniors and those without a car get to medical appointments. So that's been great to see."
Municipalities were also challenged in many ways, and despite that, Nater says they were still able to find ways to function and get tons of work done.
"It's been great to see municipalities go forward with a number of their infrastructure projects that have got off the ground running and making those things happen. Despite the pandemic and COVID-19, municipalities are still out there serving their communities."
In terms of his personal work, Nater says 2020 definitely affected that in the "year of Zoom" as Nater phrased it. He says it was tough not being able to function like he normally would have in the riding.
"Before, where I'd be able to go to community events, meet with people, hear their concerns, have meetings with them, now it's all being done online. So there's a bit of a disconnect there, where you're looking at them through a computer screen and you don't have that face-to-face contact, but we certainly made it work as best we can."
With 2021 now underway, Nater says he is hopeful that we will all enjoy a much better bounce back year.
