ROSS KIRWIN INTRODUCED TODAY’S GUEST SPEAKER, AND IDENTIFIED HIM AS A MAN WHO HE IS PROUD TO CALL HIS FRIEND.
SCOTT AITCHISON WAS BORN AND RAISED IN PARRY SOUND/MUSKOKA, AND OF COURSE DOES NOT NEED AN INTRODUCTION TO THE MEMBERS ATTENDING TONIGHT’S MEETING.
SCOTT WAS FIRST ELECTED TO TOWN COUNCIL AT THE AGE OF 21, MAKING HIM THE YOUNGEST INDIVIDUAL EVER ELECTED TO HUNTSVILLE TOWN COUNCIL.
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH SCOTT ON THE 2010 ONTARIO YOUTH GAMES AND WATCHING HIM COORDINATE A RAG TAG GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS INTO A VERY SLICK ORGANIZATION WHICH RESULTED IN A VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENT FOR MUSKOKA.
SCOTT WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ORGANIZING THE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR CHRYSALIS HOUSE, AS WELL AS HOSPICE HUNTSVILLE/ALGONQUIN GRACE. THESE ARE BOTH PROJECTS THAT, AS YOU KNOW, ROTARY STRONGLY SUPPORTS.
IT WAS MAYOR AITCHISON WHO HELPED ROTARY GET THE BANDSHELL IN RIVERMILL PARK THROUGH A COUPLE OF HICCUPS.
SCOTT WAS FIRST ELECTED TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN 2019 AFTER SERVING AS MAYOR OF HUNTSVILLE FROM 2014 UNTIL 2019.
WHILE STILL TRYING TO GET HIS FEET WET IN OTTAWA, A PANDEMIC STRUCK AND SCOTT HAS BEEN FORCED TO HANDLE WORKING FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS THROUGH THAT, AND NOW IT IS LOOKING LIKE HE WILL HAVE TO PREPARE FOR ANOTHER ELECTION.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MR SCOTT AITCHISON.
Scott entertained us on many different subjects, summarising his many projects both as ex-Mayor of Huntsville and as MP for Parry Sound and Muskoka. He touched on the fact that there may be a Federal election sometime in the Fall. He equated the transition from being mayor of Huntsville to MP to be a bit like starting out at university; lots of unknowns and many ups and downs... He also found it difficult to transition from being a "boss" to becoming simply a cog in the wheel as he joined the Heritage Committee, dealing with Bill C-10 which is reviewing the broadcasting standards and freedom of speech on line., as well as protecting Canadian content etc... This all created a massive debate which has yet to be resolved. Scott is back living in his riding and, amongst other things, has been working on learning French, taking lessons twice a week. One of the topics that Scott dealt with and was questioned on by several Rotarians was the massive need for housing and the causes on every level. Likewise, connectivity in Muskoka-Parry Sound continues to be an issue that he is very eager to resolve. He is very keen to go back to Ottawa and continue his good work on behalf of our riding.