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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, December 11, 2013 | 6 Christmas is one of the best times of year to dream. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, residents, business operators, arts and community groups of cially began dreaming Thursday night as the Downtown Plan, A Time to Dream, was launched at the Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts. They are not dreaming of the gems and one-of-a-kind gifts, large and small, expensive and affordable, to be found in our crown jewel, the downtown, but of its future. And as Santa well knows, wish lists are best made well ahead of time. They should be well-planned, given much thought, reviewed and then chosen. Such is the Downtown Plan. It has been well researched and resourced to date. Now, as it of cially takes ight, many others are being asked to weigh in. To contribute ideas, to make critical evaluations, to have a say. It makes for a well-rounded plan that has the bene t of many perspectives. "We are glad residents and business owners came to the launch and are taking a prominent role in this Downtown Plan," said the mayor. While several hundred were at its of cial launch, many more will now also start dreaming. "We have big decisions ahead of us; decisions that will shape our future towards becoming Canada's most livable town," said Burton. "These are decisions we will take seriously and carefully; they are decisions we will make together." And as with any dream, it does not turn its back on its own past, history or successes. It aspires to take all that and make it better, to improve it, to rectify what could be better, to simply be better... whether that's bigger, smaller, richer, poorer, grand or demure. Dreams are about being better. Trying to improve. Oakville's downtown is a crown jewel in this town -- from its harbour, shops and restaurants, to its ambience, history, small-town feel, its traditions and its people. There is nothing wrong with the downtown that needs to be xed. But it could always be better, right? The area has come from the horse-and-wagon route of choice in days past, to the town's hub of activity and a quaint attraction for not only local residents, but visitors from far and wide. With foresight, planning, inspiration and investment of dreams by the many who value it, it will continue to evolve as a heartbeat of this town. Enter the Downtown Plan, which has two parts. The Downtown Cultural Hub Study, led by Joe Berridge of Urban Strategies Inc., will explore ways to create a downtown cultural and performing arts space including: a performing arts centre, art gallery, library, outdoor program space, and digital space that will be the cultural, social, and economic heart of the community. The Downtown Transportation and Streetscape Study, headed by Anne McIlroy of BrookMcIlroy, will look at improving downtown streets, pedestrian and cycle ways, and the Towne Square through a cohesive look and feel, connectivity, mobility and accessibility. Join the conversation over the next six months through surveys, discussions forums on the Town's website, and a Jan. 30, 2014 community open house and workshop. Information is available at www.oakville.ca or get on the mailing list at downtownplan@oakville.ca. There is nothing wrong with dreaming, with trying to become better and as we all know, Christmas is the season for dreaming. Time to dream Editorial L I T T L E H E L P E R "Connected to your Community" S 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 51 | Number 147 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS Students and staff at Trafalgar Ridge Montessori School lled 100 shopping bags with food donations and on Friday, handed them over to Food4Kids, which provides a weekend supply of healthy foods to ensure more than 300 at-risk children have access to nutritious meals at home and not just at school. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog Advertising Director DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production Proposed childcare bill has serious flaws On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Ontario Minister of Education Liz Sandals proposed Bill 143, the Child Care Modernization Act 2013. The bill proposes several amendments to the existing Day Nursery Act (DNA), the purpose of which is to establish a system of responsive, safe, high-quality and accessible childcare. There are some excellent points to the bill with regard to cracking down on providers that don't adhere to safety issues and numbers of children in care. However, a key amendment, which will be applicable to private home childcare providers, is the restriction of no more than two children in care under the age of two years. This proposed restriction is going to cause a major reduction in the number of childcare spaces available for toddlers (under aged two). With many licensed daycare centres not accepting children under 18 months, and long waiting lists for those that do, many parents turn to private home childcare providers. These independent providers typically care for children aged one to no more than three or four years of age, when they go to school full-time. Almost all children come to care in or around the age of one year. Providers with vacancies due to children heading off to school or maternity leaves will only be able to replace these children with no Letter to the Editor SANDY PARE MARK DILLS more than two children, even if three or four are leaving their care. The number restriction will also make it challenging to guarantee that a family can return with a second child after a maternity leave, possibly causing parents to switch care providers or have separate care providers for their rst, and second (and third as the case may be) child. The reduction of children allowed in care under age two will force many home childcare providers to have vacant spots and in turn increase their rates, therefore not only will there be fewer spots available for under two year olds, but the rate of care will likely rise signi cantly. Not only that, but it will put many quality home childcare providers out of business as they won't be able to earn a suitable income on caring for only two or three children. This will not be popular with parents who already nd it challenging to nd affordable, quality care. This number limit is a serious aw in the Modernization Act and needs to be amended to at least three children under age two. It is inconsistent to propose that a child care provider that is licensed (which can only currently be achieved by signing on with an agency) will be allowed an additional, or sixth, child. see Most on p.9 MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 467 Speers Rd., Oakville ON, L6K 3S4, or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.