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2- The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 29, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com Your Halton Connection www.halton.ca January 2008 Fairness for Halton: Working for a "New Deal" for Municipalities by Regional Chair Gary Carr At Halton Region, we work hard to ensure taxpayers get the most for their money. We deliver Regional services and programs in the most costeffective manner possible with the tools we have at our disposal. The AAA credit rating we've maintained for 18 years is proof of this. In all we do, we work to protect and enhance Halton's prosperity and quality of life. Part of maintaining quality of life is the creation and maintenance of infrastructure-- including hospitals, schools, roads and bridges, water and sewage plants, parks, and recreation centres. Across the country, municipalities have increasing responsibility for infrastructure, but lack the financial tools to meet these responsibilities. The result is a massive infrastructure deficit. In Halton, that infrastructure deficit is nearly $300 million, and it's unfair to place that burden on taxpayers. Municipal governments receive only 8% of existing tax revenues, and the Region receives only 32% of the total property tax bill. Provincial and Territorial Governments 42% Municipal Governments 8% Provincial and Federal governments to address the needs of municipalities. The resolution calls for several actions to urge the Provincial government to fulfill the Local and Regional needs set out in the Fairness for Halton Campaign, including a GTA/Hamilton summit with Local Municipal Fairness for partners to Halton Campaign develop a common strategy to assist Successes in attracting · GTA Pooling exit Federal and strategy announced by Provincial funds Provincial government for municipal in March 2007 infrastructure and to discuss a "new · Ontario Disability Supdeal" for municipal port Payments program financing. Federal support for municipal infrastructure · But much more needs is long overdue. to be done! Municipalities are Canada's economic engines and infrastructure is the key to continued prosperity. Halton has done its part, but municipalities need sustainable funding for infrastructure. Federal investment in municipal infrastructure is necessary to maintain the quality of life for citizens and businesses. In Halton, we will continue to raise awareness of this serious issue, advocate for partnership and dialogue with other levels of government, and press political representatives to commit to providing sustainable funding for municipal infrastructure. Planning our future Sustainable Halton is a process Halton Region is undertaking in response to the Provincial Places to Grow Plan. It is a "made in Halton" growth management strategy that will determine how Halton will accommodate growth. According to the Provincial Growth Plan, Halton needs to plan for up to 780,000 people and 390,000 jobs Plan plans for growth to 2021 and for a population of 628,900 people and 340,000 jobs. In January, Halton is holding a series of public meetings to update you on the Sustainable Halton process and receive feedback on the principles for moving ahead. All open houses are from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., with a presentation at 7:00 p.m. Burlington: Tues., Jan. 15 ­ Central Recreation Arena, 519 Drury Lane Oakville: Wed., Jan. 16 ­ Halton Regional Administration Centre, 1151 Bronte Road (Auditorium) Halton Hills: Thurs., Jan 24 ­ Mold-Masters SportsPlex, 221 Guelph St. (Hwy #7), Georgetown Milton: Wed., Jan. 30 ­ Milton Sports Centre, 605 Santa Maria Boulevard We are also hosting an afternoon drop-in session (no formal presentation). Open house is from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Oakville: Thurs., Jan. 31 ­ Halton Regional Administration Centre, 1151 Bronte Road (Auditorium) Let us know your comments by calling our dedicated voicemail at 905-825-6000 ext. 7455 (toll free 1-866442-5866) or by emailing us at sustainable@halton.ca. (ODSP) phase-out plan announced in August 2007 Federal Government 50% This issue is at the heart of the Fairness for Halton Campaign, a campaign to address the fact that Halton Region cannot accommodate the growth targets specified in the Province's Places to Grow Plan (see sidebar) unless the Ontario government commits to providing the necessary financial tools and funding commitments to address municipal infrastructure and social service needs. As part of the Fairness for Halton Campaign, Halton Regional Council recently adopted a resolution to apply more pressure to the What can you do to help? Visit our website at www.halton.ca, to learn more about the Fairness for Halton Campaign and the issues facing Halton. Your support will help us make sure Halton stays a strong, healthy and prosperous community. January Meetings and Closures at Halton Region Headquarters January 1 January 8, 9:30 a.m. January 9, 9:30 a.m. January 9, 1:30 p.m. January 16, 9:30 a.m. January 29, 9:30 a.m. January 30, 9:30 a.m. January 30, 1:30 p.m. Offices closed for the holiday Health & Social Services Committee Planning & Public Works Committee Administration & Finance Committee Regional Council Meeting Health & Social Services Committee Planning & Public Works Committee Administration & Finance Committee We welcome your feedback. Contact Access Halton at accesshalton@halton.ca 905-825-6000 · Toll free: 1-866-442-5866 · TTY: 905-827-9833 · www.halton.ca The Regional Municipality of Halton · 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers.