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Regional Councillor Report
Nov. 14, 2005
Region of Durham Employment Needs Analysis
The report conducted by C.N. Watson studied the long term need for employment lands in Durham covering a planning horizon from early 2005 to mid 2031. The study indicated that Durham is well positioned to capture a significant share of employment growth however the realization of key elements such as the easterly extension of highway 407 across the Region, the completion of other highway improvements (widening of 401 and improvement/completion of planned interchanges) establishment of the Pickering Airport and continued expansion of
U.O.I.T. are essential for Durham to achieve its full potential in terms of population and employment growth. In the short term (next 10 years), delays of planned infrastructure combined with a lack of readily available serviced employment lands will likely translate into slower growth than is predicted in the Growth Outlook for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The Region’s total activity rate
(ie. employment per population) is expected to be 38% by 2031, which represents a moderate increase from the current level of 34%.
Pickering, Ajax, Whitby Oshawa and Uxbridge are expected to have shortages of employment lands by 2031. The Region’s large urban centres are expected to experience employment land constraints well before this time period.
The study concluded that without an adequate supply of designated employment lands the Region will not achieve the forecasted 38% employment activity ratio which is well below the Region’s long term economic development goal of a 50% ratio.
Transfer of Federal Gas Tax Revenues - AMO Municipal Funding Agreement
Regional council authorized the Region to enter into the municipal funding agreement with the Association of Municipalities in order to facilitate the immediate transfer of gas tax revenues from the federal government to the Region. Council also authorized the establishment of a Federal Gas Tax Reserve Fund for the purpose of receipt, maintenance and disbursement of the federal gas tax revenues.
The total amount of federal gas tax transferred to the Region and local municipalities is expected to be about $9.8 million with 50% ($4.9 million) specifically allocated to the Region. In 2006 it is expected to be $4.9million, $6.0 million in 2007, $8.2 million in 2008 and $16.4 million in 2009.
AMO is administering the funding on behalf of the Federal Government for all Ontario municipalities with the exception of Toronto.
The federal government guidelines for the monies are that they be directed to environmentally sustainable municipal projects including public transit, water, wastewater, solid waste, community energy systems, local roads, bridges and tunnels. Municipalities with populations over 500,000 such as the Region of Durham can not invest in local roads and bridges.
The revenue must result in increased infrastructure investments as municipalities are required to not reduce other infrastructure funding sources, displace capital investment or use the revenue to reduce municipal property taxes.
T.R.C.A. - Oct. 28, 2005
York Durham Sanitary Sewer Projects
The Board approved recommendations that in the opinion of the TRCA the Environmental Management Plan and detailed work plans for the Phase II
Y..D. project are being effectively implemented by York Region and their contractors; that staff will continue to review the monitoring and mitigation reports and conduct field inspections; and continue working with York Region, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Ontario Ministries of Environment and Natural Resources to ensure that environmental impacts associated with the planning design and construction of all other York Durham Sanitary Sewer Projects in TRCA’s jurisdiction are minimized. TRCA staff will report back to the Sustainable Committees board in December 2005 to provide a presentation regarding planning, design and construction status of all other
Y.D. sewer projects in TRCA’s jurisdiction and report in 2006 regarding mechanisms for implementing net environmental gain practices in York region’s planning and development process.
Climate Change Impacts & Adaptation Workshop - T.R.C.A. - Nov. 3, 2005
Presenters provided information regarding climate change, the potential impacts on infrastructure planning, the monumental costs of claims to the insurance industry and T.R.C.A.’s and other government bodies work regarding these issues.
Don MacIver, Environment Canada provided information on climate models that have been developed. He advised municipalities to review the predictions for change in their own area as the predicted impacts are very different across the Province. Maps and information can be viewed at www.ccsn.ca. Information can also be found at www.hazards.ca
Mr. Maciver cautioned that Kyoto measures will only delay warming impacts. Municipalities need to adapt and plan their infrastructure by analyzing the predicted climate changes for their own individual communities. For example we have traditionally used Hurricane Hazel as the marker when in fact in recent years there have been four storms that were in excess of Hurricane Hazel. Predictions are that more intense weather will become more frequent.
Other speakers articulated the need to change our design thresholds, educate the public as to their responsibilities and the opportunity of incorporating climate change information into water source protection plans.
The TRCA highlighted work done on the Rouge River watershed where they are incorporating climate change modelling and analysis. Their goal is to expand their work to other watersheds in their jurisdiction. The T.R.C.A.’s specific analysis of the Aug. 19th event should be available in Feb. 2006.
Representatives from town of Ajax staff and Regional staff were also in attendance at the workshop.
Presenters information will be posted on the T.R.C.A’s website at www.trca.on.ca
Colleen Jordan
Regional Councillor
Wards 3 & 4
Res: (905) 427-5084
Town:
Fax:
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