Senator Doug Finley, who represents Ontario South Coast in the Canadian Senate, will address the Port Dover Board of Trade’s Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 25 at the Port Dover Harbour Museum.

This will be Senator Finley’s first major speech in the area since his appointment by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to the Senate.

Senator Finley is quoted as saying he will use his experience and knowledge to help improve this part of Canada. The senator is expected to outline his views on the country and Ontario South Coast region.

As well as being Senator for Ontario South Coast, Mr. Finley is the National Campaign Director for the Conservative Party of Canada.

Paul Morris, President of the Port Dover Board of Trade, says “we are very pleased that Senator Finley has taken an interest in Port Dover and this entire region” noting that the Senator has said improving the local economy is one of his top priorities.

On Remembrance Day, Senator Finley laid the Government of Canada wreath at the cenotaph in Port Dover. During the Senator’s first speech in the Senate Chamber, he talked about the beauty of this area and invited all Senators to visit Port Dover on the next Friday the 13th.

Senator Finley is married to Haldimand Norfolk Member of Parliament the Hon. Diane Finley, Canada’s Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. The couple is believed to be the first in Canada or the United Kingdom to have one spouse a member of the House of Commons and the other spouse a member of the Senate at the same time.

The Port Dover Board of Trade’s annual general meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. on February 25 and is open to the public. Port Dover Harbour Museum is located on Harbour Street. For more information, call Port Dover Board of Trade Information Centre at 519-583-1314. - February 10, 2010