For the first time in its 58-year history, the annual convention of the Ontario Numismatic Association (ONA) has been cancelled “after great deliberation with my convention committee and many of our members,” President Scott Douglas told CCN on March 17.
The 58th Annual ONA Convention was slated for May 22-24 in Burlington, Ont., where several cases of COVID-19 had been reported before the cancellation was announced. For more information about Burlington’s response to the pandemic, click here. As of March 18 at 4:40 p.m., there were 10 cases in Halton Region, which includes Burlington (with five cases) plus Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.
“I feel it is the responsible thing to do,” added Douglas, who expects the 2021 ONA Convention “will likely be at the same place and venue next year.”
“This is a first in our 58 years of service to Ontario numismatics and was certainly not a decision that was taken lightly. As the president of your eminent organization, it falls on myself and the executive to make decisions that are not always easy or popular but are necessary.”
Douglas also thanked the people working behind the scenes for the ONA – a “100 per cent volunteer association” – and reiterated he is “enormously proud of the many people that give freely of their time to help make the ONA what it is.”
“In these uncertain times, we cannot put these fine people and their families at risk just as we cannot put our loyal membership and convention attendees at possible public risk.”
WORK BEGUN FOR 2021
The ONA convention committee has begun working on next year’s convention, and more details are forthcoming.
“On behalf of the entire Ontario Numismatic Association executive and all of our members, I would like to wish everyone and their families a safe and healthy path through this field of challenging times,” Douglas added.
For a full roundup of all Canadian show and meeting cancellations and postponements, click here.