CO in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ar ch 1 5, 20 18 | NEWS Oakville MP motion intended to strengthen net neutrality in Canada Says matter is vital to preserving an open and democratic society DAVID LEA dlea@oakvillebeaver.com Oakville MP John Oli ver is taking steps to strengthen net neutrality in Canada. The local MP attended Sheridan College on Wednesday, March 7 and spoke to a room of comput er technology students to get their thoughts on a net neutrality motion he has tabled in the House of Com mons. Net neutrality is the concept that all web traffic should be given equal treatment by internet ser vice providers (ISPs). Oliver's motion (Motion M-168) calls on the Govern ment of Canada to include net neutrality as a guiding principle of the upcoming Telecommunications Act and Broadcasting Act re views to enshrine in legis lation an open internet for Canadians. "I strongly believe that it is important that all Cana dians have access to choice and the free exchange of ideas. When it comes down to it, Motion M-168 is about ensuring that Canadians have the freedom to speak without being censored or blocked, and that is a pretty fundamental Canadian right," said Oliver. "Preserving an open in ternet and the free flow of information is vital for our freedom of expression, and for an open and democratic society. I am proud to put forward this motion to en sure that when Canadians log on, their internet ser vice provider can't pick and choose what they see online." Conversations about net neutrality have intensi fied since December when America's Federal Com munications Commission (FCC) voted to repeal Oba- ma-era net neutrality rules. The big telecommunica tions companies had lob bied for these rules to be re pealed arguing they re presented over regulation and discouraged invest ment in broadband net- works. Supporters of net neu trality say the repeal al lows ISPs to do things like block rival apps, slow down competing services or offer faster speeds to companies willing to pay extra. There are also larger fears among net neutrality supporters of ISPs being able to control what people see and do online. The ISPs themselves • See GOVERNMENT, page 16 O A K V ILLE N otice o f P assin g o f D e v e lo p m e n t C h arg es By-law 2018-001 The Town of Oakville Council passed By-law 2018-001 on February 27, 2018, under Section 2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997 to establish development charges generally within the town for the following: services related to a highway, transit, fire protection, municipal parking, parks and recreation, library and general government. By-law 2018-001 came into effect on February 28, 2018. Any person or organization may appeal this by-law to the Ontario Municipal Board under Section 14 of the Act by filing a notice of appeal, setting out the objection to the by-law and reasons supporting the objection, with the Town Clerk, at the address below, no laterthan April 09, 2018. Acopy of the appeal form is available from the Ontario Municipal Board website at www.elto.gov.on.ca, to be accompanied w ith a certified cheque or money order in the amount of $300 payable to the Minister of Finance. Development Charges By-law 2018-001 applies to all lands w ithin the Town of Oakville and as such a key map is not provided for the purpose of this notice. Development Charges By-law 2018-001 and relevant background material is available for review on the town oakviNe.ca website at oakville.ca/townhall/fees-development-charges.html, or in the office of the Town Clerk during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. The schedule o f deve lopm ent charges imposed by By-law 2018-001 is as fo llow s : Residential Non-residential Service Single and semi detached dwelling Apartments - 2 bedrooms + Apartments - bachelor & 1 bedroom Other multiples Special care /special dwelling units (per ft2 of gross floor area) (per m3 of gross floor area) Municipal w ide services: Services related to a highway 17,329 9,313 5,616 12,625 5,280 8.46 91.06 Transit services 655 352 212 477 200 0.29 3.12 Fire protection services 897 482 291 653 273 0.44 4.74 Municipal parking 329 177 107 240 100 0.14 1.51 Parks and recreation 13,019 6,996 4,219 9,485 3,967 0.65 7.00 Library services 924 497 299 673 282 0.05 0.54 General government 535 288 173 390 163 0.24 2.58 Total m unicipal w ide services 33,688 18,105 10,917 24,543 10,265 10.27 110.55 H ydro line c lea rin g a n d c o n s tru c tio n Hydro line clearing and pole construction takes place this year in east Oakville (Zone 3). The town's professional contractor w ill prune trees on behalf of Oakville Hydro to ensure safe clearance around hydro lines and to minimize safety hazards and power outages. Oakville Hydro will also coordinate pole construction w ith the line clearing program in this area. Trees are pruned to the Electrical Safety Authority's (ESA) industry standard of providing a minimum three- metre (10-foot) clearance. In rare instances, trees growing too close to hydro lines may require removal when the clearance standard cannot be achieved using acceptable pruning practices. In some situations, the town must prune or remove privately owned trees if they are growing too close to hydro lines. In cases where hydro lines are located in rear yards, Oakville Hydro has an easement through the property which allows the arborist to access the tree. Be in form ed: To review the progress of Hydro line clearing in your area, visit our interactive map on the tree maintenance page at oakville.ca More information on tree pruning around hydro lines can be found at oakvillehydro.com or oakville.ca. mailto:dlea@oakvillebeaver.com http://www.elto.gov.on.ca Oakville MP motion intended to strengthen net neutrality in Canada OAKVILLE Notice of Passing of Development Charges oakviNe.ca Hydro line clearing and construction