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NEWS GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY THE GOAL, SAYS BURTON = # Continued from page 1 z help determine whether how the two-tier gov- g ernment is able to efficient- gly address the challeng eS g facing Ontarians today, 2 particularly when. it comes. to building homes, and what steps need to be taken in order to ensure the two- tier government is im- proved. and made efficient. ision to appoint resloncl facilitators Ce just months after the prov- ince announced its intent to dissolve the Regional Mu- nicipality of Peel and make the municipalities of Mis- sissauga, Brampton and Caledon independent. Ina press release issued May 18 Clark said the Peel dissolution would help en- sure the continuation of high-quality services for taxpayers while improving the efficiency of local gov- ernments as they prepare for future growth. When asked if a similar dissolution was in Halton's future, Spezowka did not rule out the possibility. Halton officials had plenty tos say about the min- ter's announcement. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton said that because the goal of efficient and ef- fective municipal services is mentioned three times in the Municipal Act, he ex- pects the facilitator review will be in that light. Halton Regional Chair ary Carr provided this statement: "Our focus con- tinues to be on providing high quality, essential ser- vices to Halton residents and businesses. Similar to the Regional review in 2019, we welcome the opportuni- ty to work with the appoint- ed facilitators, which the Province has indicated will begin in the coming weeks. collaboratively with our local and pro cial partners and we "are committed to continuing that strong working rela- tionship." ‘lington Mayor Mari- anne Meed Ward said that while bere cone t predict whether sessment ‘com ultimately lead to some' e dissolution of the Regional Municipality of Halton, she noted some kind of change is definitely co1 "We're very ” happy they're moving forward with getting the faciltators in place,” said Meed W: "We will be ready to share ith said Burlington council is open to a conver- sation with the regional fa- cilitator so long as any pro- posed changes enable bet- ter services for the commu- nity and help the city enable more housing. Burlington mayor pointed out that transpor- tation planning, heritage planning, economic devel- opment planning and plan- ning for parks are a few ex- Mayor's office photo Oakville Mayor Rob Burton will be among those meeting with the regional facilitator. amples of work that occurs at both the regional and municij level, which council believes the city is ready to take on solo. Meed Ward says she also wants to talk to the facilita- tor about the potential for a GTHA-wide transit system. Milton Mayor Go! Krantz said the town looks forward to working with the regional facilitators as the town is committed to providing efficient and ef- fective local governance. Krantz noted that dur- ing his 58 years asa public servant he has bee ness to several forms of gov- ernance models locally and provincially. “As public servants, we have a responsibility to the ongoing review or gover: nance as our C and legislation “evolve s e," he said. "It is not Possible to fore- the future model, but rather our focus s should be on our contributions to this w to ensure Milton is adequately represented now andi in the future." mn Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor said that while she welcomes the opportunity “We have heard from a number of municipalities about the importance of linkages across jurisdictions, especially when it comes to housing-enabling infrastructure such as water and wastewater.” - Conrad Spezowka, ministry spokesperson to discuss possible efficien- with the facilitator, she questions whether large changes to the region's gov- ernance structure are nec essary. "In my experience, Hal- ton Region is a very effec- tive organization. It has a great track record as far as cial management. It is excellent at delivering pro- health and social service programs. It good police force,” Lawlor. "As far as homes and _ infrastruc- ture...it has very good mechanisms and capacity for building w: raste- water and road rctworks Those are key when it comes to building commu- nities." has a said building She went on to say that the Town of Halton Hills would be very hard-pressed ifit had to suddenly assume the management of those services. “We would have to ex- pand and grow our civil ser- vice in a huge way very quickly in order to come close to what the region is currently doing. thatisn't broken," said Law- lor. "If our goal is more home building, I think continua- tion of many of the func- tions of the Region of Hal- ton in their current form is probably a good thing." Meed Ward said it is im- portant to remember that regardless of what changes occur the services current- ly provided by the region and the people who provide those services will still be required. "It's really about gover- nance structures. It's not about the services and not fe need those people and we need those services, but we do need to have a conversation around how best those services are de- livered." US ON PRIME HYDRATION DRINKS FREE $34. DELIVERY #= amy) DELIVERY with 2U4Unow.com Delivered by Metroland Parcel Services INSTAGRAM FOR GREAT OFFERS @2U4UNOW PER CASE OF 12 10% Coconut Water | Low Calorie | Caffeine Free | Antioxidants | Electrolytes FAST. EASY. STRAIGHT TO YOUR DOOR. ns apply insidehalton.com