By Pepper Parr
March 26th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
Think through the really important issues – the attempt on the part of the provincial government to tear up the Green belt, the very significant growth the province is expecting the municipal sector to deliver on.
The province has actually asked the municipalities to sign a pledge to deliver a specific number of new homes – for Burlington it is 29,000 by 2031.
Municipalities don’t built homes – the developers do that. What the province wants the municipalities to do is make the process development applications have to go through as easy as possible – easier said than done.
Burlington has a two tier form of government. It is part of the Region of Halton which is made up of Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.
The Region handles Waste Management, water services, police services, public health and social welfare. Some roads are deemed to be Regional Roads – Dundas is an example.
When municipalities have to borrow large sums debentures are issued by the Region on behalf of the municipality.
Halton Regional Council is developing a Strategic Business Plan that will guide the Region’s work over the next four years. To seek input from the public, the Region has prepared a Consultation Document that outlines four key themes with proposed goals, actions and measures. Once approved, the 2023-2026 Plan will set the strategic direction and priorities for the four-year term of office.
Environment and Climate Change
Waste management
Police Services
“From clean drinking water to resilient infrastructure, public health programs, financial assistance and family supports, our services contribute to a high quality of life in the Halton community,” said Gary Carr, Halton Regional Chair. “With Halton expected to grow to 1.1 million residents by 2051, our priorities must reflect the needs of the community to preserve this high quality of life. Public participation in our strategic planning process is important, and I look forward to hearing the priorities from our community.”
Between March 23 and May 4, 2023, Halton Region is asking residents, businesses and stakeholders, as well as Indigenous People, Communities and First Nations, to participate in consultation activities and provide feedback on the Consultation Document. The community can visit halton.ca/strategicplan to:
• take a short online survey; and/or
• attend a virtual public meeting through Zoom or by phone on the following dates:
o Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
o Tuesday, April 25, 2023 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Community input will inform the final version of the 2023-2026 Strategic Business Plan, which will be presented to Regional Council for approval in July.
Get this done. Burlington needs new affordable housing. The Mayor and this activist GREEN COUNCIL has vacillated on the matter and is DIRECTLY responsible for this problem.