www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 9, 2016 | 4 Oakville to gain more reps at Regional council table by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville and Milton are one step closer to having more representation at the Regional level in 2018. A public meeting held in Regional Council Chambers Wednesday (Sept. 7) saw no objection to changing the size and composition of Halton Regional council to allow two more seats for Milton and one more for Oakville Regional council decision Sept. 14 A bylaw to make the changes will now go before Regional council Sept. 14 for approval. Residents who would like to have their say on the matter can register to speak as a delegate by contacting the Regional clerk through email at regionalclerk@halton.ca. If the plan goes ahead, Regional council will be comprised of 24 members -- the Regional chair, eight councillors from Oakville, seven from Burlington, five from Milton and three from Halton Hills. The last time the size and composition of Regional council was reviewed was in 1996 when Halton had a population of 340,000, according to a related Regional report. The current population is 530,900. "According to the best planning estimates for the Region, adopted by Regional council on July 13, 2011, the population of the Region is estimated to grow to 556,200 inhabitants in 2016 and to 624,000 inhabitants in 2021," the report stated. "The majority of this growth in the Region has occurred and will continue to occur in the Town of Milton and the Town of Oakville. The current size and composition of Regional council does not account for the past or expected growth in these municipalities." Milton mayor says move is positive During a brief discussion, Milton Mayor Gord Krantz said he's had little, if any feedback other than positive with regards to changing representation at the Regional level. He asked staff whether they received any public input. No public feedback to date There has been no feedback, Mark Meneray, commissioner of Legislative & Planning Services responded. "I would take that as being supportive of the proposal going forward," said Meneray, noting the public meeting was advertised twice in local newspapers since July. "I think the large majority of the community is supportive of what is evolving here," said Krantz. However, not all councillors were in favour of changing the size and composition of Halton Regional council. Burlington councillors not convinced In November of last year, it was heavily discussed with a number of Burlington councillors opposed to Oakville getting an additional seat based on the best planning estimates. Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring argued the best planning estimates don't reflect where Burlington is headed, especially when it shows Burlington won't be growing. He suggested real data from the upcoming 2017 census should be considered. Council voted 14-4 in favour of changing Regional council to allow more representation for Oakville and Milton. Notice given to provincial government In June, council was notified of Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing enacting a regulation to allow it to proceed and make the changes to happen. A bylaw to change the size and composition of Halton Regional council must be supported by a majority of Regional council on Sept. 14. It also must be supported by a majority in at least three of the four local municipal councils in Halton and a majority of the total number of councillors from all four municipalities must also support it. Meneray said if and when the matter is being discussed at each of the local municipal councils, members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input as well, if they wish to. inside today's Editorial Artscene Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Holland Park Garden Gallery Jenkins Agency Real Estate RE/MAX Escarpment Realty TG Appliances 6 29 Sports Classified 35 39 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com Birnie CurrentSAFE is in your neighbourhood performing electrical inspections Like your neighbours did and protect your home from an electrical fire. ARE YOU AT RISK? If you own an older home If your home has aluminum wiring If your home's had multiple homeowners and renovations These are the electrical hazards we find in homes like yours: Book a FREE ASSESSMENT WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WARNING SIGNS OF AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD? Lights that flicker or dim Fuses blow / breakers trip Outlets and switches that are warm to the touch Light fixtures crackle or buzz Light bulbs burn out A burning plastic-y smell Dr. Marisa D'Angelo Dr. Shivani Saggar We offer full Family Dental Services in our new modern 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. Visit ismyhomesafe.ca or call 1-855-569-1818 CO Book your FREE appointment today and receive a FREE CO alarm, that's a $50 value! 2525 Old Bronte Road, Suite #130 Palermo Professional Centre (ground floor) www.reflections-dental.ca 905-827-8700 Jet Peel - Facial of the Future Natural, Effective, Gentle & Painless · Removes Sun Damages & Pigmentations · Reduces Wrinkles & Rejuvenates · Deep Cleanses & Exfoliates Jameson Glas D. Kevin Haxell Buying? Selling? Re-financing? Call us for a quote at 905-845-0767 ext. 222/223 www.beautyinstituteandspa.com 361 Cornwall Rd., Oakville GOLD Personal Professional Service at Competitive Rates 1276 Cornwall Road, Unit C, Oakville Ontario, L6J 7W5 289.291.0168 T: 905-845-0767 · F: 905-845-5552 · www.haxelllaw.com · lawyers@haxelllaw.com