By Staff

June 6th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Community Development Halton has been serving the community for more than 30 years. Joey Edwardh, PhD, Executive Director has been a vocal advocate for social change.  She comments on remarks by her colleague David Thornley.

“As I move throughout Halton’s community of social and health agencies, I am aware of the anxiety and sense of vulnerability enveloping the sector. I feel the immense weight on the shoulders of my colleagues as they contemplate increasing need for services from a diverse and growing population combined with deep cuts to the service provided by their agency. They know that people will suffer.

“This Community Dispatch shares David Thornley’s thoughts on how this budget doesn’t have to be this way. David is a colleague who has worked extensively in both government and the non-profit sector and is a policy advisor to the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

Thornley maintains: “Every Ontario budget must be viewed through two lenses: how it invests in the future health and prosperity of its people; and how the political and economic context shaped or limited its choices. Two divergent views have emerged on Premier Doug Ford’s April 11th budget. Some observers see deep cuts and a significant erosion in public services like those under Mike Harris. Others see a largely flat-lined budget unlike Harris’s cuts of 1996. Both views miss that Doug Ford faced much more favourable political realities than those facing Mike Harris in 1995. Ford’s cuts are neither efficient nor necessary in today’s political context and carry potentially disastrous consequences.

“Fiscal context matters. The decade before 1995 was marked by higher income taxes, reduced federal transfers to provinces, and a major economic recession. By the early nineties, debt interest payments were consuming 36% of federal spending. In its 1995 budget, Liberal Finance Minister Paul Martin went all in on what became the blueprint for austerity throughout Canada. The 1995 Ontario budget projected federal cuts of $3.6 billion to Ontario alone by 1997- 98. In 1999-2000, federal transfers to Ontario were still 11% lower than in 1991- 92.

“The Ontario NDP under Bob Rae, combating three years of declining revenues, limited program spending increases to under 1% a year from 1992-93 to 1995-96. With declining revenues and reduced transfers from Ottawa, the 1996 Harris budget saw deeper cuts to public services as the only viable option given its commitment to cut taxes. Elements of the Harris budget simply deepened and extended spending cuts under Rae. Two ministries exempted from cuts by Rae, community and social services and economic development and trade, saw dramatic cuts under Harris, including deep cuts to social assistance.

“The lead-up to Ontario’s 2019 budget was very different: a decade of lower taxes, increased federal transfers, and a strong recovery after the financial crisis of 2008-09. Federally, debt interest payments decreased nearly 50% as a share of spending. In Ontario, repeated tax cuts resulted in only a 33% growth in personal income tax revenues compared to 60% for tax revenues overall. Program spending lagged behind both inflation and population growth.

“Ontario today faces a healthier fiscal situation of increased federal transfers, reduced public debt levels and the capacity to raise revenues after years of personal and corporate tax cuts. Yes, the 2019 Ontario budget is essentially a flat lined budget, but Ontario already has the second-lowest per capita program spending of any province. Most ministries lack the capacity to absorb further cuts without seriously eroding access to services.

“Instead of forward-looking investments, the 2019 budget offers deep cuts (19% or more) in nine ministries with reductions in 11 others. True, a handful of ministries see increases, but the larger pattern mirrors deep cuts under the earlier Harris budget. Worse still, many targeted cuts are neither efficient nor necessary. Health was largely flat-lined, but this masks deep cuts to public health spending, including a reduction of nearly $100 million in Toronto alone. Most of the Ministry of the Attorney General’s cuts come from slashing 29% in legal aid funding including the elimination of Ontario’s funding for immigrants and refugees.

“Both public health and legal aid services reduce inequality, representing foundational aspects in sustaining a fair and just society. Other cuts form part of a larger pattern including: a $670 million cut to student aid, the 50% reduction to Ontario Library Service, reduction of grossly inadequate social assistance rates, abandoning the basic income pilot, the rollback of workplace standards for those in precarious employment, rollback of the planned $15 minimum wage, cuts to Ontario Trillium Foundation, defunding of the Ontario Child Advocate and slashing compensation levels for the victims of crime.

“Together this paints a disturbing picture of a government that demonstrates a callous indifference to basic needs and the community supports essential in maintaining the vitality and social cohesion of cities, towns, and villages across Ontario. Equally disturbing, none of these cuts have anything to do with efficiency. They are an abdication of the public responsibility of any government to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of its residents.

“They are malicious and punishing cuts targeted to the most vulnerable – young people, the poor, recent immigrants, and rural communities. They threaten human health and diminish opportunities to prosper. They offend any sense of collective responsibility and undermine progress in strengthening our communities. Such cuts are unconscionable and completely unnecessary.

“It doesn’t have to be this way. The Ford government’s moves to scrap the $1.7 billion in cap and trade revenues and another $1.7 billion in corporate and other tax changes identified in the October 2018 statement could fully fund all of these cuts.

“These cuts are a calculated political choice, but also a cowardly choice. No political party would dare campaign openly on such a harmful and inhumane agenda.

“These actions don’t strengthen our communities, they hurt them. Hopefully, with this sorry example to draw upon, no political party will ever do so again.”

David Thornley has worked extensively in both government and the not-for-profit sector and is a policy adviser to the Social Planning Network of Ontario.

 

 

 

By Staff

June 6th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Gareth Williams, one of the candidates for ward 3 in the municipal election has decided he wants the Green Party nomination.

In a note on his Facebook page he states:

“I’m excited to announce that I am seeking the nomination to run for the Green Party in the upcoming federal election in Burlington!

“Canadians have become disillusioned with the current government, who promised ‘real change’ in 2015 but have stalled on many issues, including on the threat of climate change. When many were looking for leadership, we were given a pipeline instead.

“Like many I had enough, and sought people committed to real action. I found the Greens were ready.

“This isn’t a decision I’ve made lightly, and I am realistic about my chances, but I believe strongly that 2019 will be the year for a Green breakthrough. Voters have woken up to the fact that when you elect Greens, the established parties take notice. Just witness the success of Greens in BC, PEI, New Brunswick over the past several months. And of course Mike Schreiner right here in Ontario has been invaluable in holding Doug Ford’s government to account and keeping the priorities of ordinary Canadians at the forefront.

“Many who supported the Greens voted strategically in 2015 based on the promise that it would be the last election held under First Past the Post. Those same voters were then disappointed when Justin Trudeau abandoned that promise, then went on to offer half-hearted attempts to address climate change, with approval of projects like the TransMountain pipeline leading many to wonder just who it was they voted for. The prospects for climate action under a Conservative led government are even worse, and Ontarians have seen first hand in recent months what voting Conservative because they don’t like the Liberals gets us. And like many I am uninspired by the NDPs leadership and continuous waffling on the issues.

“I believe Canadians want to send a message to the Liberals, Conservatives, and NDP that addressing climate change, poverty, implementing electoral reform, improving transparency, and co-operation across partisan lines aren’t just talking points– they’re what we demand out of our politicians.

“That’s why voters in Nanaimo chose to send the second Green MP to Ottawa last month. Many of you have told me that you’re similarly upset with how the big three parties take our votes for granted, and I agree, so I made the decision to put my name forward as a positive choice this fall as part of the Greens.

“Right now I’m working through the process of officially becoming a candidate, but if you want to help me secure the nomination, please respond below or send me an e-mail gwgreen2019@gmail.com or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter. The most important goal right now is to recruit new Green members here in Burlington – if you’re interested in signing up, or just learning more about Green policies such as ‘Vision Green’ or ‘Mission Possible’, visit www.green.ca.

“You must be a member before June 15th to vote at the nomination meeting to be held this July.”

Gareth has an excellent mind but is as wooden as a 2×4.  He has yet to learn the art of relaxing, of being folksy with people and putting them at ease.  The Greens have always had a tough time finding a candidate.  We have it on good authority that former Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring is not going to seek the Green nomination.

Williams is quite right; their is wind in thee sail of the Green boat.  The public may well have become fed up with a lot of what has happened in the past four years – and Climate Change is top of mind for everyone.

Just chill a bit Gareth and try not to make the mistake of changing your image in the middle of an election.

All four national political parties either have named their candidates or have people actively seeking the nomination.  Their may be some independents.

 

By Staff

January 5th, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Regional Councillor Rory Nisan was elected to the Board of Directors, Ontario Caucus for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), at their Annual General Meeting in Québec City.

FCM has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901 and plays an important role in advocating to ensure the needs of municipalities are reflected in federal policies and programs.

“On behalf of Regional Council, I would like to congratulate Councillor Nisan on his election to the FCM Board of Directors,” said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. “Rory will be a strong advocate for Halton Region at the federal level. He is consensus builder who will represent Halton with the same passion and dedication he demonstrates as a local councillor for Burlington and regional councillor for Halton.”

By Pepper Parr

June 3rd, 2019

BURLINGTON, ON

 

They may not have known each other all that well when they were appointed but both men said yes just as soon as they were asked by the Minister of Housing and Municipalities if they would serve as Special Advisors and do the grunt work for the Provincial Review called for by Premier Doug Ford.

The choice turned out to be close to brilliant: the two men, Michael Fenn and Ken Seiling were respected in their fields, municipal government – but were significantly different: Seiling was an elected politician while Fenn was an appointed bureaucrat.

The Gazette got to watch the two when they were in Halton doing the last of the nine area meetings hearing delegations on what the two advisors should and shouldn’t include in their report.

For Burlingtonians, the issue was a possible amalgamation of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills.

It became clear that Fenn and Seiling were looking for something different from the delegations.

Ken Seiling began his political career as a councillor for the Township of Woolwich; became Mayor several years later and then moved on to become the the Regional Chair where he served for 33 years.

A man of simple tastes, Seiling plays the organ, listens carefully and takes the position that “ the job was never about him”. He and his wife have lived in Elmira all his life where they raised their five children and now spends time with his nine grandchildren.

Ken is well known for his active support of community groups across the Region and is respected both locally and provincially. Ken has directed choirs and played in many churches across the Region. Seiling would never be described as the loudest one in the room. “That’s just not my style,” said Seiling. He long ago earned a reputation as an approachable, modest politician who did his work without burning any bridges along the way.

“If you alienate people, if you make them angry with you, at the end of the day your ability to do things is pretty limited,” he said.

“I’ve never thought the job was about me. The job was about doing things for the community, for other people. I never really worried if I had the profile or not. I was quite happy to go to an event and sit in the back row.”

Seiling is one of those prudent, small c conservative politicians who once served the province very very well.

Looking after people by improving affordable and supportive housing, increased child care, and services for seniors. This requires work with non-profit groups, the private sector and the Province to forge stronger partnerships and leverage funding.

Good financial planning which keeps taxes around inflation, maintaining an AAA credit rating which was achieved through good financial management, and work to create jobs and investment through more co-ordinated efforts at economic development.

In an age of bombastic politicians and divisive, overheated politics, Seiling has never needed to be front and centre – he’s an old-school advocate for civility and quiet diplomacy.

The issues for Seiling as a politician were managing growth, investing in infrastructure and encouraging investment and jobs to keep communities livable.

He’s especially proud of policies that have protected farmland and preserved some of the region’s rural character as it grew — an approach that early in his career drew some criticism.

“I was never anti-development. I was looking for balance,” he said. “We can’t stop the clock. We’re going to grow and we need to have economic growth … But at the same time we need to maintain the things that are really important to the community.”

Seiling works to create “ strong community rooted in good values and good people and good organizations. They need to continue to work together to continue to reinforce that,” he said.

Michael Fenn is at the same table as Seiling but not in the same position.

He has served on the administrative side – focused on policy and solid management.

Michael Fenn has been an Ontario Deputy Minister under three Premiers, municipal chief administrator in Hamilton and Burlington, and the founding CEO of both Toronto / Hamilton regional transportation authority Metrolinx and GTA regional health authority Mississauga Halton LHIN.

He is also Board Director with the C$85+ billion OMERS AC pension fund, chairing its Technology Committee, and with the Toronto Board of Education’s realty arm, the Toronto Lands Corporation.

He has served for several years as jointly appointed Facilitator for discussions between the Mushkegowuk Tribal Council of First Nations and the Ontario Government. He is a certified board director, having attained the C.Dir. designation in 2014.

He has policy written all over him.

Fenn researches and writes extensively on infrastructure and public policy. Topics of his recent major publications include: the impact of megatrends on rural infrastructure; reducing the regulatory burdens facing local business; an evaluation of public-private partnerships in building Ontario infrastructure; the role of technology committees in board governance; the evolution of the city manager position in municipal government; reform of Ontario’s water and wastewater system; and, the influence of megatrends on infrastructure investment.
Fenn is the founding CEO of the regional transportation authority Metrolinx, as well as the regional health authority Mississauga Halton LHIN.

He helped restructure Burlington’s city hall, crafted Hamilton’s amalgamation, and worked on early iterations of Ontario’s Greenbelt and Places to Grow initiatives, according to a Hamilton Spectator profile in 2008.

He researches and writes extensively on infrastructure and public policy and is now a management consultant specializing in the public sector and healthcare.

“I’m a lifelong public servant; I’m used to working with political leadership,” Fenn said.

“I understand that the elected representatives of the people have a right to give broad direction in terms of our public policy and I think that’s entirely legitimate and appropriate. I am just an advisor. Obviously, I have my point-of-view, my professional credibility and my conscience, so those things would also be engaged.”

Before taking on the task of being one of two Special Advisors for the Provincial Review Doug Ford wanted done as part of his personal drive for smaller government Fenn was a retired public service executive, providing project-based consulting for governmental, non-profit, private-sector and First Nations organizations and serving as Board Director.

What was impressive was the way the two men handled the Halton delegations. They were seldom any more than a degree or two apart – neither brought as much as a hint of political affiliation – Seiling is on record as saying he has never been a member of any political party.

The people attending the hearing on Halton did have a key concern and that was would the two Advisors release the content of their report. Both pointed out that the report was not theirs to release to the public. They were engaged as Special Advisors to the Minister and it is the Minister that will get the report.

The handing over of the document from the Advisors to the Minister is when it will take on a political hue.

Seiling says change is part of government. “My experience has been…that no government should be static, there is always change because times change,” he said. “You can’t stay frozen in time” and added that he had no preconception of what the review should conclude.
“I am going into this with an open mind. All of the regions have some nuances, some differences, so we want to hear from everybody.”

Fenn said: “It’s important work, and I’m optimistic that we will produce some results that people are going to be pleased with”.

The review will examine Ontario’s eight regional municipalities (Halton, York, Durham, Waterloo, Niagara, Peel, Muskoka District, and Oxford County), the County of Simcoe, and their lower-tier municipalities.

What can be expected from the Review?

Harry Kitchen, professor emeritus, Trent University, who has worked closely with them. said: “Neither man is the type to bend to political pressure.

“I don’t know if the premier has a preconceived notion of what needs to be done, but if he does, he’s picked the wrong two guys,” said Kitchen.

“They’re honest, thorough, fair, I’ve never seen them in a position where they got pushed around in any political manner. I don’t expect it now.”

“He has a vast knowledge of municipal affairs,” he said of Fenn.

Fenn and Seiling have been tasked with consulting municipal leaders and staff, municipal and business stakeholders, members of the public and communities and organizations if necessary, and then deliver advice to the minister of municipal affairs and housing based on their expertise and assessment of the feedback.

Seiling said the government is expecting some results by early summer. Fenn said he didn’t think the tight deadline would be a problem.

“We have been involved in and around these issues for decades. We don’t need a whole lot of background or getting up to speed.”