After a busy two days in Essex-County and Chatham-Kent, Ontario's Lieutenant Governor had some high praise for the people of the area.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdeswell addressed a crowd of local politicians Wednesday afternoon in Leamington.
Beforehand, she spent the morning getting a tour at Aphria's cannabis greenhouse, and a first-hand look at the work that goes into it.
"The modern technology [used], unless you're actually there, and get to see it, you have no conception of what it really means," Dowdeswell said.
Afterwards, Dowdeswell participated in a roundtable talk with employees and community leaders to discuss the greenhouse industry in Essex County. She also took time to ask the residents a little bit about the community of Leamington itself.
"You couldn't help but come away with how proud people are of where they live," she said. "That's what I ask people at a roundtable, 'what are you proud of here? What do you want me to know about your community? Why do you live here?' Of course, there are always challenges that come out, but the members of the roundtable were really able to exemplify that."
She also praised the town for its resilience and ability to bounce back from tough times, referring to the closure of the Heinz plant and its rebirth as Highbury Canco.
"You've had to go through several transitions, and those continue. But the way in which you're able to link, not only economic prosperity and environmental stewardship, but to really focus on what makes a socially and culturally cohesive community as well."