Honourable senators, I’ve risen on various occasions in this chamber to discuss the importance of rural fairs, exhibitions and local festivals. They give our communities an opportunity to showcase our agricultural and artisan products, and local traditions. They bring urban dwellers to rural communities, they provide jobs for students and youth, and they boost our local economy.

As you can imagine, and as I’ve mentioned before, agricultural societies and fairs are going through a very tough time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most fairs in Ontario and across the country have been cancelled, and the communities now have to worry about the future of their fairs. The Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions has estimated that 1 in 10 Canadian fairs will not be able to continue after this year due to the financial impacts of this crisis.

However, this challenging time is allowing communities to innovate and think outside of the box. I was on a call last evening with Ontario Fair District 7 and heard many examples of new and exciting out-of-the-box thinking and idea they are undertaking. Rather than accepting defeat, agricultural societies are taking their festivities online. They are sharing information about their communities and photos on social media. Some are hosting photo competitions on Facebook.

Others, like in Lindsay, Ontario, will have food trucks that people can enjoy while social distancing. In Uxbridge, Ontario, there are plans to provide a map for people to drive around town to see various signs and displays set up. Wellesley-North Easthope Agricultural Society will have a community-wide parade, and Erin Agricultural Society has and will continue to host drive-in chicken dinner nights as fundraisers.

As towns and communities start to open up, other ag societies may be able to hold a few smaller events with strict social distancing and health guidelines, rather than their usual big event.

One event that I’m personally quite disappointed that won’t be going forward this year is the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Those who have heard me speak about it in this chamber in past years or who have seen pictures of me in my kilt on social media will know that this festival is quite important to me and those in the community of Fergus, Ontario. It’s a particularly tough pill to swallow because this year is the seventy-fifth anniversary.

However, we all have to do our part to flatten the curve, which we’ve done quite well in the country, and that means sacrificing some things that we enjoy for the greater good. In the case of the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games, the seventy-fifth anniversary will be postponed to 2021, and I want to assure you that it will be worth the wait.

I am hopeful that our fairs, agricultural and community festivals will be able to recover and get back on track next year. As I said, they’re important — an important part of rural life and to our communities — and we won’t let them go without a fight.

Honourable senators, if your community or one nearby is offering different fair or festival activities this year, whether online or in person, I urge you to participate. If you want our traditions to continue, we have to keep supporting them. Finally, remember, shop local. It is important. Thank you, meegwetch.