Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott now holds honorary membership in the Ontario Association of Road Supervisors (AORS).
The association recently recognized Arnott for his contribution to the Certified Road Supervisors (CRS) public works professional accreditation program.
“I’m very grateful to AORS for this acknowledgment,” said Arnott. “It’s definitely an honour to be part of a group of such well regarded professionals.”
As AORS developed during the 1980s and early 1990s, the organization required recognition for its educational programs – something it needed for other agencies to see it as legitimate. That recognition had to come through legislation.
In 1994, AORS President Gary Williamson, of Wellington North Township, contacted Arnott for advice.
Arnott introduce a private member’s bill in the Ontario legislature. His efforts paid off; on April 25, 1996, that bill became law. In his remarks to AORS on June 8, Williamson described a meeting he attended at Queen’s Park with the all-party standing committee on regulations and private members’ bills:
“During the meeting, it became very apparent that the committee members all agreed that if Ted was introducing the bill, then it obviously was important and they needed to give it serious consideration,” said Williamson. “To me, that spoke volumes to the respect that Ted had from his colleagues in the legislature, and that Ted’s support greatly improved the chances of having our bill passed.”
Williamson currently serves as a county councillor, representing Ward 3 in Wellington County.
Arnott complimented Williamson and AORS for their work in contributing to Ontario’s high-quality infrastructure.
“AORS should be very proud of its leadership in public works in Ontario,” said Arnott. “They provide a valuable public service, and they often don’t get the credit they deserve.”
This is the second honorary membership Arnott has received during his current term of office. On Nov. 27, 2009, he received honorary lifetime membership in the Firefighters’ Association of Ontario. The association recognized his continued support for all Ontario firefighters.
“I feel very honoured to be associated with both of these organizations,” he said.
