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4- The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 28, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com SIMPLY Provincial budget applauded by municipal politicians Continued from page 1 ELEGANT Purple and citron dendrobium orchids beautifully arranged in a white glass vase $75.00 905-829-9400 www.flowerworks.ca for delivery only the second largest item in the region's budget, following police services. However, last week the budget tabled by the provincial Liberals announced an immediate contribution drop to 2004 levels. Regional Chair Gary Carr said that will result in a savings of somewhere between $2 and $6 million to the region this year. "We don't yet have the actual number," said Carr, who noted that staff is awaiting written direction from the province on exactly how the formula will be applied. "That was one of the problems with the pooling ­ it was never predictable." "This is great news for our residents and our communities," said Carr. "I applaud the Ontario government for listening to the advocacy efforts of myself, our four mayors as well as regional and local councillors by taking steps to eliminate GTA pooling." Carr noted that through the recently launched Fairness for Halton campaign, regional council has strongly urged the Province to make funding models fair for communities. "I am pleased that we are one step further to ensuring fairness for Halton," Carr said. "It is important now to get the funding commitments we need to ensure that growth pays for itself and that the cost of growth is not on the backs of our current residents." Mayor Rob Burton said he expects Halton regional staff to provide a detailed report outlining the full impact of the provincial changes to regional council today. While he said it is premature to talk about reopening the regional budget to return cash to residents, Burton added, "We shouldn't tax people for more than we need." Burton also noted that some of the extra cash could possibly be used to increase social service payments in Halton, which actually lag behind the level of payments in Toronto. Along with the elimination of GTA pooling, town officials also applauded the budget's plan to reform the property tax system and make investments in post-secondary education institutions like Sheridan College. Burton particularly thanked local Liberal MPP Kevin Flynn for his role in advocating for the changes. As a municipal and regional councillor, Flynn argued strongly against the downloading of social services to the property tax base in the late 1990s. Municipal politicians have long argued that income redistribution programs like welfare should be paid for through income taxes, which truly reflect a taxpayer's ability to contribute, rather than through the more regressive property tax system. During Monday's press conference, Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar pounced on the next change he'd like to see for the town's finances. "Pooling is coming off property taxes," he said. "Growth costs need to be next. The Development Charges Act needs to be changed to make growth pay for growth, and we look forward to working with MPP Flynn to make that happen." nual An 15th Hall 5, 6900 Airport Rd. at Derry Rd. Mississauga, Ontario Good Food Festival & Market April 27, 28, 29, 2007 International Centre FREE PARKING! HOURS: Fri: 12 noon-8:00 pm Sat: 10:00 am-8:00 pm, Sun: 10:00 am-5:00 pm Savour hundreds of FREE food & drink samples · Discover thousands of new foods and related products Enjoy 150+ FREE cooking shows, hands-on lessons, nutrition talks and delicious tastings on 5 non-stop stages! INFO: www.goodfoodfestival.net · Natural & Organic Foods, Wellness & Health ing! Bak ning! g! Lear ookin C · Enter Canada's Best Butter Tart Contest. · Canadian Living Live! Visit website! · Food Network Get Cooking Stage! ADMISSION: (including taxes) · Adults: $12.00 · Seniors (65+): $11.00 · Kids under 12 free! (when accompanied by an adult) SPONSORED BY: