Regional Councillor Report

Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4

Date: November 10, 2008

Regional Council - Oct. 29, 2008

Review of Regional Council Composition

The motion that the Region undertake a Regional Council composition review to consider all suitable representation options in 2008, and that such a review be completed by 2010 in order to be effective for the 2014 municipal elections, was defeated on a vote of 18 to 8. This motion was put forward in light of the facts; that a review had not been conducted since the 1996 Regional Restructuring Committee, which recommended a review be done prior to the 2003 elections which was subsequently modified by Regional Council that a review be conducted every six years, that currently Ajax has the highest population per Regional Council member in the Region, that if this matter is not addressed the Town of Ajax will continue to be under represented for the next fifteen years and that other municipalities such as Whitby and Clarington may also have under representation concerns.

Energy From Waste - Environmental and Health Monitoring Best Practices Review

A recommendation was endorsed to retain the services of Jacques Whitford (Durham’s Environmental Assessment consultant for the incinerator project) to conduct a review of best practices of environmental surveillance, which includes environmental monitoring, health surveys and biological monitoring to develop an ongoing environmental monitoring program for Durham. The Medical Officer of Health will participate in the review. In addition, Dr. Lesbia Smith will be retained to assist staff by peer reviewing the proposed environmental surveillance program.

As this was not a process anticipated in the original EA Terms of Reference, it is not covered by the York/Durham agreement of 50/50 funding. Therefore, the entire budget of $240,000 for the review of best practices of environmental surveillance will be funded by Durham until such time as potential funding is secured from York through negotiations.

Provincial Outlook and Fiscal Review for the Region

A report to Finance Committee illustrated the impacts to the Region of the Province’s Fall Economic Statement. The lower growth rate forecast is expected to reduce government revenues by $918 million. As a result, the Minister of Finance projects a $500 million deficit for the 2008-09 fiscal year. The Government intends to honour its commitment through the Investing in Ontario Act whereby the Region expects to receive $53.4 million. The Province has made it clear that there will be no funding increases to transfer payment recipients in fiscal 2009-10 as was originally projected. In establishing the 2009 Regional Property Tax Guideline of 4%, provisions were included in the Base Budget for increases in Provincial Subsidy and grants totaling in the range of $500,000 to $750,000. The 2009 Business Plans and Budgets will be reviewed and these provisions will be deleted. To achieve the 4% Property Tax Guideline, further expenditure reductions in other programs and services will be required to offset the lack of growth in Provincial subsidies.