SGT AT ARMS: Al Finnigan
ACE OF SPADES:
Rhonda picked ticket #276 and Dave Penney got yet another chance at the pot. Lucky for us, he picked the 4 of Clubs. The pot grows.
HAPPY BUCKS: (So many happy folks!)
Al F. Happy to see the return of Buck Martinez as commentator for the Blue Jays. Also, happy for the good golf weather.
Dave A. Glad to have both Rhonda and Alex joining us.
Shashi Happy to see Rhonda and happy that Ulzaa is now a member and Bev will soon be.
Amber is now a homeowner!
Bev Fiddler is happy to be here!
Alex D. Thanks for the invitation. This is her first Rotary meeting.
Rhonda K Excited for Amber’s new home.
Bob K. Patti is doing well. Her hip surgery only took 58 minutes!
Robert K. Welcomed Ulzaa
Linda B. Loved being able to attend this very exciting meeting.
Ted M. After 30+ years in the club, he is very happy to announce he does NOT know everyone in the room! He also reported a clean bill of health at his last checkup.
SPEAKER: Member of Parliament for Oshawa, Rhonda Kirkland.
Dave A welcomed Rhonda (and Alex) to our meeting. Every year our club invites civic leaders to help us understand our community and Rhonda kicks off these talks tonight. Rhonda was elected to the House of Commons in April 2025 and is a member of the House Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security. In her warm and genuine talk, Rhonda spoke of her commitment to the Oshawa community and our values. She thanked Alex Down for helping to smooth her transition from community leader to Member of Parliament. For Rhonda politics is about the people and not necessarily the just following the party-line. As a Rotarian, Rhonda learned about service and a sense of community. This prepared her for her new role in the House of Commons representing Oshawa. In fact, on her bench in the House, Rhonda placed a reminder that reads “This seat belongs to Oshawa.” When speaking of her highlights of the first 4 months as our representative, Rhonda experienced the pomp and circumstance of the formal opening, meeting King Charles, and surviving the rigors of new member training. She spoke for the first time in the House on June 3. Her holistic approach to government includes collaborating, watching, learning, listening, and waiting before jumping into an issue. As a ‘scrappy Oshawa girl’ Rhonda frames her legislative work with this statement, “if it is good for Oshawa and Canada I will vote for it.”
She answered questions on the difference of governing as a woman, the importance of supporting the people of Oshawa, the future of Canada Post, and retraining(?) postal workers.
Bev Fiddler thanked Rhonda.
