Holiday Greetings from Mayor McGarry: Please Celebrate Responsibly

As we enter the holiday season, which is usually a time to come together to celebrate with our closest friends and family, I want to acknowledge the phenomenal resilience of this community.

COVID-19 has certainly challenged us in more ways than one this year. We all deserve a time to recharge and reset, but the fight against this virus is not over.

I strongly, strongly urge residents to mark the holidays in a responsible way, so we do not see a spike in cases of COVID-19, and further strain on our healthcare system.

Despite the pandemic, the spirit of the season is not lost.  The sense of caring our community has shown, whether you are calling neighbours who might be isolated, celebrating with friends virtually, giving what you can to toy and food drives, or even clearing the snow from a neighbour’s sidewalk, Cambridge remains a community that cares.   

As we all stay distant, I am very pleased and a little bit relieved to learn that Premier Doug Ford this week officially deemed Santa Claus, the elves and his reindeer an essential service. My understanding is that Santa and his reindeer will make every effort to keep to a regular schedule, but they might not be able to visit every single home or deliver quite as many gifts to the children of Ontario as usual due to the ongoing pandemic. I know he will make every precaution travelling from the North Pole and that he will be wearing his mask as he makes his rounds.  

This year has been a tough one for families, children and our business community. We will spend the holidays apart so when we gather next year, everyone is there to celebrate.

I hope you take the time to relax and find a creative way to celebrate the season. We have so much to be grateful for here in Cambridge.

Happy holidays. Stay safe.

- Mayor Kathryn McGarry