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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, October 29, 2015 | 4 Oakville in a strong financial position to face the future continued from p.3 Damoff was elected MP of the North-- Burlington riding in the recent federal election. During the meeting Burton confirmed Damoff's vacant council seat would be filled through a by-election. "We congratulate Councillor Pam Damoff on her election as a Member of Parliament," said Burton. "Council's loss is Parliament's gain and it will be an opportunity for another member of our community to run in a by-election to serve on council with us." Other big questions facing council include how it will respond to the Province's determination that Ontario's large and small power distribution companies need to be combined into a handful of larger regional entities over the next three years. What path the Town will take with its downtown cultural facilities is another pressing question. Burton said the change of government following the federal election has increased the chance of federal infrastructure funding for municipalities, but before the Town can ask for such funding it has to settle on a master plan for the site. He said all interested parties need to decide on either a centralized or broad master plan for the project. Some positive change in Oakville includes the development of the new Oakville hospital, scheduled to open in less than 50 days and which Burton says is already driving a boom in economic development. Getting most of the Merton Lands designated as part of Ontario's Greenbelt is another change the mayor says has almost come to fruition. At the Region, Burton said work has been underway to make Halton's political representation more fair noting residents should see a seventh Oakville ward in the 2018 election for Oakville council. Provincially, Burton said the outlook is mostly encouraging. He noted Premier Kathleen Wynne convened summits with the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area mayors in March and October. At these summits participants raised their concerns about economic growth, infrastructure, transit and transportation and presented consensus recommendations. Burton said the premier has committed to respond to those recommendations and also agreed to hold these summits three times a year moving forward. He said he was also happy to see that a l r. M ge aris a D'An g hiv ani Sag We offer full Family Dental Services in our brand new, state-of-the-art office in a calm and relaxing environment. We are a paperless office and use digital x-rays. We welcome kids, teens, adults and seniors. NEW PATIENTS are welcome and we will accommodate your dental emergencies. We will directly bill your insurance company and offer convenient evening and weekend appointments. 2525 Old Bronte Road, Suite #130 Palermo Professional Centre (ground floor) Old Bronte Rd. Bronte Rd. Dundas St. W. Pine Glen Rd. 3rd Line www.reflections-dental.ca 905-827-8700 è N ar o D r. S provincial review of legislation affecting municipalities appears to be leading towards more funding for local transit initiatives and the expansion of the Greenbelt. One challenge, Burton mentioned, is proposed provincial changes to parkland dedication rules significantly reduce the amount of parks allowed in newly developed areas. He said council would oppose this measure. At the global level Burton said the Town is working to strengthen ties with China so local businesses can benefit from that vast market. In an effort to stimulate this process Oakville recently became sister cities with Huai'an, China. Burton also mentioned the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) noting Canadian negotiators had achieved "different" results than what council was hoping for. The mayor pledged council would work with Ford Canada and the rest of the automotive industry to keep the sector competitive. Burton closed his status report address by thanking members of council, Town staff and local residents for their ongoing engagement and contribution to Oakville's vitality. "We all contribute to the livability and success we celebrate...Oakville is succeeding because we work together with creativity and imagination," said Burton. D Can you hear them? Our patients do! FALL IS FOR FAMILY, FRIENDS & FESTIVITIES. SAVE $500 on a pair of our premium products* on a pair of our mid-level products* SPECIAL FALL PRICING W What hat w we eo offer: ffer: SAVE $200 *October 1 - November 30, 2015. See clinic for more details. · High quality hearing aids · Two full-time Professional Audiologists · Hearing tests for all ages · Hearing aid fittings and follow-up · Direct billing- ADP, DVA, WSIB & Greenshield · No referrals necessary Nicole Clark Audiologist *October 1 - November 30, 2015. Winner of BEST Hearing Centre in Oakville -- 8 indetails a Row! SeeYears clinic for more PLATINUM 1235 Trafalgar Rd. Suite 207 Oakville, ON 905.849.5894 www.oakvillehearing.com