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Thursday, M ay 7, 2015 - The IFP - H alton H ills - w w w .theifp.ca Page 39 HaltonHighlights May2015 This page has been donated by this newspaper to communicate important information to Halton residents at no cost to taxpayers. Meetings at Halton Region 1151 Bronte Rd., Oakville, L6M 3L1 Visit halton.ca/meetings for full schedule. Please contact us as soon as possible if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. Keeping you informed by highlighting what makes Halton a great place to live. Gary Carr, Regional Chair May18 Offices closed forVictoria Day May19 9:30 a.m. Health & Social Services Committee May20 9:30 a.m. Planning & PublicWorks Committee May20 1:30p.m. Administration & Finance Committee May27 9:30 a.m. Regional Council FromMay 3 to 9, Halton Region is celebrating Emergency Preparedness Week in collaboration with the Halton Regional Police Service, Halton Paramedic Services, local fire departments and emergency management professionals. This year's theme - I am Ready. We are Ready. - serves as a great reminder that emergency preparedness is everyone's responsibility. Emergencies can happen at any time and this national awareness initiative helps encourage residents to take the necessary steps to be prepared for a range of emergencies. Step 1: Know the risks and hazards in your area; Step 2: Make a plan to protect your family in the event of an emergency; and Step 3: Get a Family Emergency Go-Kit so that you and your family are self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Emergency Preparedness Week I am ready. We are ready. Planning Healthy, Complete Communities with the Halton Region Strategic Action Plan 2015 - 2018 The provincial Places to Grow Actmandates that Halton Region be capable of supporting 780,000 residents by 2031. The Region's Official Plan outlines how we will approach growth. The Strategic Action Plan supports Halton residents by creating complete, active, healthy communities served by high quality infrastructure. Over the next four years, we plan to: • Improve the Region's transportation network; • Advance Halton's distinct approach to managing responsible growth; and • Develop policies and deliver infrastructure that support growth in the existing urban areas. To learn more about planning healthy, complete communities in Halton, please visit halton.ca/ actionplan. 2014 Economic Review: A healthy outlook for Halton Region's economy Halton's economic outlook is strong, according to the recently published Halton Region's 2014 Economic Review. Halton Region had Ontario's lowest average unemployment rate (4.4 per cent) and Canada's strongest labour force participation rate at 73.6 per cent (i.e., those employed or actively seeking employment). Other highlights include: • Over $1.5 billion invested in new construction and expansions across the region-- a two per cent increase over the previous year and up 14 per cent since 2011. • Highest per capita construction value across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) in 2014, topping the chart at just over $3,000 in construction value per resident. • Ninety-two per cent of Halton-based businesses indicate that economic conditions in Halton will improve or remain the same over the next 12 months. To read more about the Region's economic accomplishments and what makes Halton a great place to work and run a business, please visit halton.ca/ economicresources or dial 311. HALTON REGION Economic Review 2014 During the week, emergency preparedness displays are posted throughout the Region. To learn more about dates and times of displays, or to find out more about what you can do to prepare for emergencies, please visit halton.ca/beprepared.