By Pepper Parr
October 21st, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
What do they do at Regional Council meetings?
The tend to zip through their agenda pretty quickly.
Their were items on the agenda that were not discussed.
– no one asked any questions or made a comment.
Chair Carr, reading from the Agenda :
Next one is item three is – the Fall debenture issue. Any questions or comments? Seeing none Chair Carr moves on
The Region had just approved the borrowing of $20 million on behalf of the city of Burlington at an interest rate of 5.4% over 1-15 years.
The Region does the borrowing for the four municipalities.
The chart sets out the amount the Region has the authority to negotiate the interest rate and the terms of a debenture. It sets out what was actually borrowed during the Spring and Fall debt that was issued. Burlington borrowed $54,740,000
In the Staff report that didn’t get discussed the comment was:,
Bond yields have moved sharply higher (more than 100 basis points since April), increasing the attractiveness of bond investments. In this context, there was solid investor interest for the Region’s serial debenture issue. The Region’s last debenture issue was completed in May 2023 for a 1- 15 year serial debenture at an average net borrowing cost of 3.954%.
Apparently – no one from Burlington wanted to comment on the debt they racked up – letting taxpayers carry that one.
As long as we have been involved in Halton and Burlington politics we have tried hard to get media to report on significant issues that affect the health safety and democratic rights of those who pay for services provided. Self interest of media and politicians alike have seen us repeatedly fail to make any difference.
What the Gazette is reporting on is the Region status quo since Anne’s first run for MP, Burlington Mayor and then Halton Chair in 1997. Regardless of media reporting on her registration for the position of Chair she was never called to the lectern to present her credentials etc – only Savoline was given that opportunity. The same media who had reported Marsden was nunning for Chair failed to report the Region failed to follow the Legislative requirements for the election of the Chair by the newly elected Council.
The responsibility for the status quo the Gazette is ereporting on – no questions asked jjust a rubber stamp Council – belongs firmly with those who refuse to report on evidenced facts,i I.e. our councils, both level 1 and 2 tier, have been permitted to evolve into self interest groups and not what the legislation requires, a democratic process serving the best interests of an engaged community.
We are hoping we get the opportunity to present our well evidenced position to the Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy Legislative Committee that in Halton services provided by Burlington, at a minimum and Halton do not meet the Legislative standards, rather both are two elected self interest groups. Our provincial government is responsible for setting municipal administration law but does a terrible job of enforcing such. The 90 plus deaths from an infectious outbreak in 2006 – 2007 is just one outcome of the Province (at that time with a Liberal gov) fully informed on the Region failing to uphold Legislative requirements after having the evidence reported to them that there was a bacterial infectious killer disease in place at a Region hospital beginning April 2006.
This is not a recent problem it has been with us for decades but can and should be fixed by the present government doing its job and representing familes who foot the bills.