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10 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 21, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Candidates discuss Oakville's infrastructure As part of its election coverage, The Oakville Beaver is asking each of the candidates in the Oakville and Halton ridings to respond to a weekly question. The Oakville riding responses are published each Friday and the Halton riding responses are published in the Saturday Weekend edition. This week, we asked each of the candidates, "How will you help your riding's infrastructure system keep pace with continued use and new growth?" Do you have a question for the candidates? Send your question to editor@oakvillebeaver.com for consideration. Kevin Flynn Liberals The previous Tory government simply let infrastructure crumble in our community. The Liberal government has made investments in our roads, bridges, and public transit to help Ontarians spend more time with loved ones and less time on their commute. We have given provincial gas tax funding to municipalities to better public transit, enhance service at our GO staKevin Flynn tions, construct High Occupancy Vehicle lanes, widen lanes along the QEW, and build new bridges at Bronte and 16 Mile creeks. Our $17.5 billion rapid transit plan, Move Ontario, is an unprecedented plan to reduce gridlock and our $30 million plan to restore our infrastructure will enhance our quality of life. With your help, we have struck the right balance in our community that controls urban sprawl and protects our green space. Together, we have saved the ORC lands, established the greenbelt, and created new conservation areas. We have invested in our public institutions, especially our hospitals and our schools. As I advocated on your behalf for a new hospital, I will continue to advocate for construction that is on time and on budget. I will also ensure our schools receive adequate funding for repairs and see through the construction of the new St. Thomas Aquinas. We are working hard to keep up with the demand of our growing neighbourhoods while preserving the amenities that make Oakville home. Together, let's continue moving Oakville forward. Tony Crawford NDP The NDP will reverse four years of McGuinty Liberals weakening Ontario communities and infrastructure by delivering a fair deal to municipalities and today's working families. The NDP plan to support municipal infrastructure will freeze transit fares for two years, ease pressure on rising property taxes and provide increased support for key municipal services that families count on every day. Tony Crawford The McGuinty government refused to pay for its own programs, like transit, court costs and disability assistance. Instead he burdened Ontario's municipal property taxpayers with these costs. The NDP's plan to help municipalities and infrastructure includes: · Two-year transit fare freeze to keep cars off the road and protect transit riders from punishing fare hikes. As of Jan. 1, 2008, the NDP will pay for 50 per cent of public transit operating costs. Municipalities and property taxpayers will see $220 million a year in benefits. · Upload court security costs to provide needed relief for municipalities and property taxpayers. As of Jan. 1, 2008, the provincial government will assume the cost of providing security services in courtrooms. Municipalities and municipal property taxpayers across the province will see $200 million in benefits. · Honour Ontario's cost-sharing and funding agreements and pay the $225 million the McGuinty government has been shortchanging municipalities. · Upload disability assistance and related drug benefit costs. Municipalities and property taxpayers will see $800 million in benefits freeing these funds for infrastructure development as decided by the residents of Oakville and municipalities across the province. Rick Byers Progressive Conservatives I have spent the better part of my career financing public infrastructure projects. I have consulted with the Ontario Government and have helped shape the PC Party platform. I am eager to bring my experience to bear on Oakville's infrastructure issues. John Tory and I have worked together to develop a plan that addresses these Rick Byers needs. 1. Transportation taxes will be dedicated to transit and transportation. The tax paid at the gas pump should go towards improving the roads you drive on and the transit systems you use to get to and from work instead of going into the general fund. 2. Provide catch-up funding for `905' communities and upload social costs. As Oakville's MPP, my commitment to Oakville is that we will get our fair share of this funding. 3. Oakville's schools need stable, long term funding they can count on so they can properly meet the needs of our growing community. John Tory and I will increase funding for public education by $800 million in the first year of our government, increasing it to at least $2.4 billion more in the fourth year. 4. It's not fair that Oakville pays extra taxes to fund Toronto's programs. My commitment to Oakville is to return this $6 million per year to our community. These funds can be applied locally to improve transit, provide additional parking at GO stations, create infrastructure that better attracts tourists and business investors. John Tory and I are the right choice to provide solutions for a growing Oakville. Halton Regional Police & Police Services Board Community Open Houses Halton Regional Police Service 2007-2009 Draft Business Plan Every three years, the Police Services Act requires that Ontario Police Services prepare a business plan. The Halton Regional Police Services Board, in cooperation with the Service, is currently developing the 2007-2009 Business Plan. The Police Services Board is seeking input from community residents. Public feedback and comments are an integral part of this process, and will help shape the final plan. Community Open Houses will be held on: Monday, September 24 Milton/Halton Hills Residents 11 Division Community Room 7:00 ­ 9:00 p.m. 217 Guelph Street Georgetown Tuesday September 25 Burlington/Oakville Residents Headquarters Community Room 7:00 ­ 9:00 p.m. 1151 Bronte Road Oakville If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS Grades 9 to 12 Thomas Merton Catholic Secondary School SIMPLE ELEGANCE HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD ESL/LITERACY SATURDAY PROGRAM FREE! The program will give Secondary students the opportunity to practice and improve their reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills once a week for 4 hours. 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M. Continuous student intake THIS IS NOT A CREDIT COURSE For more information, contact the Halton Regional Police Services Board at (905) 825-4816 or visit the Halton Regional Police Service Website at www.hrps.on.ca OAKVILLE ADULT LEARNING CENTRE 171 Speers Road, Oakville (905)849-7555 Ext. 223 "MASONRY & FIREPLACE DESIGN SPECIALISTS" w w w. c o b b l e s t o n e m b e r s . c a 406 SPEERS RD., OAKVILLE ACROSS FROM RONA LANSING 905.337.2066