A promise kept, a dream realized
Bevilacqua welcomes City of Vaughan seniors to Ottawa

It’s not every day that an excursion of this magnitude is organized, but with the help of Vaughan MP Maurizio Bevilacqua, 500 seniors from the City of Vaughan made a trip to Ottawa where they explored the beauty of the city and the history of the House of Commons.

“The Seniors Association of Vaughan Initiative is a group of active seniors in our community.  Headed by Isabella Ferrara, they organize an annual summer picnic attended by over 1,500 people,” said Bevilacqua.  “While speaking with seniors at the picnic last summer, I learned that many of them had never visited Ottawa, but there was a great desire to go there - so I promised I would help make it happen.  Now that dream of a trip to Ottawa is a reality.”

The group arrived in Ottawa with a great deal of anticipation and excitement.  Waiting near the eternal flame at the Parliament Hill entrance was Bevilacqua who greeted the smiling seniors as they exited their busses.   Equipped with walking shoes, a map and keen curiosity, the seniors enjoyed the many tourist attractions Ottawa has to offer which, of course, included a tour of the House of Commons and its spectacular architecture.

“We are all absolutely thrilled with the outcome,” said Bevilacqua, who was born in Sulmona, Italy and arrived in Canada when he was 10.  “I have a deep connection to Vaughan seniors, not only because like me, most were not born in Canada, but because we chose to make this country our home and we truly love and appreciate it.  These seniors have made sacrifices that have helped to build this country and they represent the very best of what it truly means to be Canadian.   After dedicating years of their lives to building this great country of ours, it made their experience that much more significant.  I feel very fortunate to have been a part of all of this,” concluded Bevilacqua.

This trip was the single largest Vaughan excursion to the nation’s capital.  It will be interesting to see where the seniors will go next!