Regional Councillor Report

Submitted by: Colleen Jordan, Regional Councillor Wards 3 & 4
Date: Sept.13, 2004

Association Municipalities of Ontario - A.M.O. Conference - Aug. 22, 23, 24

Delegates and representatives from municipalities across     Ontario attended the conference held in Ottawa. Premier  Dalton McGuinty and John Gerretsen, Minister Municipal Affairs as well as a number of other notable speakers addressed the attendees.  Mr. McGuinty and Mr. Gerretsen both spoke of their government's commitment for a new spirit
of cooperation to work together with all levels of government to strengthen Ontario communities.  Minister Gerretsen on behalf of the government and Ann Mulvale, now Past President of A.M.O., signed an agreement that would give municipalities a voice in federal provincial negotiations on issues that directly impact on municipalities. Legislation in the spring sitting of the Legislature if passed will enshrine the Memorandum of Understanding in the Municipal Act, 2001.

Roger Anderson, Chair Durham Region was elected by delegates to represent them as President of A.M.O.

Speakers at the conference included Steve Paikin author, journalist and broadcaster who addressed the gathering on the opportunities and challenges ahead, and Professor Janice Gross Stein who discussed her recent work on the understanding of the emphasis on accountability and
the restraints to risk taking by governments.

An expert panel discussed the changes to legislation, as conservation becomes a focus and strategy of the provincial government and how this will effect municipalities in their role as shareholders of distribution companies and as well as consumers.  An expert panel also discussed the changes affecting the planning regime in Ontario. A wide range of topics was available to attendees covering many matters of pertinence to municipalities. 

Speakers notes are available on A.M.O.'s website at www.amo.on.ca under 'What's New' section.

Health & Social Services - Aug. 25

Presentation Alex Connor, Manager, Environmental Health Re: Food Safety

Mr. Connor provided a presentation showing things that a Public Health Inspector would examine on a routine food inspection.  The process for charging an offender, protocols and new initiatives for placing results of inspections in local newspapers was also reviewed.  In response to committee member's queries as to comparisons of how other municipalities handled disclosures of food premise's inspections, they were advised that the Health Department is presently reviewing different models and would report back to the Committee.

Information Reports

The report from Mr. Justice Roland Haines, Farm to Fork: A Strategy for Meat Safety in Ontario regarding the regulation and inspection of meat was received by committee.  On July 22, the Minister of Agriculture and Food announced that the provincial government will enhance food safety by implementing the recommendations in the Haines Report.  It is
estimated that there is over 300,000 cases of food borne illness in Ontario with over 60,000 of those related to the consumption of meat and poultry.

The  reports "West Nile Virus Preparedness and Prevention Plan" and the "Ontario Health Pandemic Influenza Plan".  were also received from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care.

In addition  the committee received information on the  Ontario Health Protection Plan which is a three year plan announced by the Ontario government to make comprehensive changes to the public health system. These include establishing an Ontario Health Protection and Promotion Agency, increasing the independence of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, establishing a Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee while  increasing the numbers of medical and scientific personnel as well as establishing new surveillance, communications and IT capability.

Regional Council - Sept. 8, 2004

Presentation - Mark Holland M.P. Ajax/Pickering

Mark Holland M.P. Ajax/Pickering addressed Regional Council regarding federal/municipal relations.  Mr. Holland advised that he had been appointed to the Caucus Committee on Cities and Communities. He reaffirmed the Martin government commitments on the rebate of the G.S.T., infrastructure funding, sharing of the gas tax and $1.5 billion
for housing over the next five years.

Mr. Holland was questioned by Regional Councillors as to when the money would flow and urged to expedite the process.  He was also urged to support the exemption of the GST instead of the rebate process.   Mr. Holland was also asked to press the federal government to legislate any changes and provide the ability for municipalities to levy the gas tax.
Mr. Holland expressed the view that it was unlikely that gas taxing powers would be provided to municipalities.

Health & Social Services

Childcare
Recommendations were approved to accept the new Provincial Multilateral child care funding, totaling $1,910,805 which will expand the child care program by adding 162 subsidized spaces (waiting list 1100) with priority given to children under the age of 6.  This also includes minor capital funding to address expansion,  address health and safety issues,
as well as, temporary administration staffing costs to implement the additional spaces.

Hostel Per Diems

In June the Provincial government announced a 3% increase to the maximum hostel per diem rate to $39.15 per day and personal needs allowance to $3.80.  While the increase will provide additional revenue to hostel operators it still falls short of the actual cost per day which is in the range of $47.00 to $73.00 per day.
 

Red Light Cameras

 Council was advised that a consultant has been retained by the Region who will provide a report to the Works Committee in Oct. or Nov. regarding the use of red light cameras.