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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 16, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Fairness for Halton wants to pressure Province By Melanie hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Halton Region is looking to take the next step in its Fairness for Halton campaign, this time by putting pressure on the Province to address the Strong Canadian Dollar Brings Down Costs at Voted #1 Furniture Store $ 38800 needs of municipalities in the upcoming throne speech and pre-budget consultations. The Region's administration and finance committee supported a lengthy motion on the issue Wednesday afternoon following a presentation from CAO Patrick Moyle on Halton's infrastructure deficit. "Despite the fact we are a well-run and well-financed organization, we have some significant infrastructure challenges," Moyle said, pointing to the estimated $300-million infrastructure deficit facing the Region. This staggering figure has been highlighted over the past several months in the Fairness for Halton campaign -- an initiative designed to tell the Ontario government that the region can't accommodate the thousands of residents called for in the Province's Places to Grow plan without some hefty funding for things like infrastructure. A game plan to move the campaign forward was laid out in the motion moved by Burlington Mayor Cam Jackson and endorsed by the committee. The proposed efforts include having: · Regional Chair Gary Carr ask the local municipalities to participate in a coordinated communication strategy that focuses on the provincial requirement to fulfill the local and regional needs set out in the Fairness campaign · The four mayors and Carr immediately write to Premier Dalton McGuinty expressing their view that the needs of municipalities should be clearly identified and supported in the Nov. 29 throne speech · The chair and mayors advise the provincial ministers of public infrastructure renewal and finance that they wish to meet to discuss the Fairness campaign as part of the 2008 provincial pre-budget consultations · Regional staff work with local municipal staff to develop and co-ordinate a common communications plan to be included in the next municipal tax bill · Regional staff organize a GTA/Hamilton summit with local municipal partners to develop a common strategy to assist in attracting both federal and provincial funds for municipal infrastructure and to discuss a `new deal' for municipal financing. Moyle spoke to the need for the federal government to get on board and recognize municipal responsibilities and the need for infrastructure funding. "Federal investment in municipal infrastructure is necessary to maintain the quality of life for citizens and businesses," he said. But Burlington Councillor John Taylor begged to differ. "We (municipalities) are creatures of the Province," he contended. "We need to look to the Province for leadership rather than the federal government." New Leather Storage Ottoman We'll get you to and through work. Solid Maple Bedroom Sets By Styles: New Town · Monaco · Louisiana Solid Birch Dining Sets By Sofas By All Styles Available · Black leather with rubber outsole · Full-length layer of Abzorb® cushioning · Removable VelocorTM footbed with stability cradle Two locations to serve you better 1029 Speers Rd., Oakville 905.842.3739 Speers Rd. & 4th Line (Main Location) 5 Oakville . W E. Q. 9 8 403 TH TH E LIN E LIN 2342 Lakeshore Rd. W. 905.469.9876 Bronte Village, Oakville LE IDD ER M AST UPPROAD E Upper Middle Rd E & 8th Line 905.337.9393 www.newbalanceoakville.ca WWW.JOSHUACREEKFURNITURE.COM The largest selection of New Balance apparel, accessories and footwear in multiple widths.