The New Acton Library

Last week our Chief Librarian arranged for members of Council to have a tour of how work is progressing on the Acton Library.
The Town had received funding from the Federal and Provincial government under the “Economic Action Plan” to build a new library in Acton.
This project was originally planned for about 2015, the money allowed it to be brought ahead. It truly will be a legacy project and a focal point of the community.
One item of concern I have always had is the March 31st deadline. All of the projects had to originally be completed by that date to receive federal money. It was of great concern to hear senior members of government say that municipalities would be responsible for any funding after that point.
The Federal government then changed that due to continued lobbying by FCM and others to projects being “substantially completed” and last Thursday announced an extension to Oct 31st. While the need to change the deadline only applied to a small percentage of projects. It showed the Federal government was listening.


The new Library has giant windows overlooking the creek and the main entrance off of River Street. The stone walls that greet you off the School Lane entrance is reminiscent of the old “stone school” that used to be located in close proximity to the library. The walkway would be a perfect place for small bistro tables as a quiet place to sit and read. Or inside by the massive fireplace in a comfortable chair.
The building is being constructed to LEED silver which in part means, among other things, all garbage is sorted and recyclable material is removed form the waste stream. The heating is geothermal in partnership with our local hydro and greatly reduces the carbon foot print of the building.
While our old library has served us well. It is time for it to go. Our new one will be easily accessible for those in wheel chairs or other mobility issues, modern with heating and cooling, bright and inviting. Also of a size to fit our community that has changed dramatically since the old one was built as a 1967 Centennial project.


Thank you to the Federal and Provincial Government for the funding, our library board for its vision and Sydney Weaver for reminding us that all kids want to be able to visit the library.

I am...

Thanksgiving in Canada was in October, yesterday my friends in the US celebrated it but to me it is today. Today I am thankful to have a freezer full of food, a well stocked pantry and the ability to add a variety of veggies and items to my lunch, dinner or snacks.

I am thankful to have the means to buy fresh food and have a healthy diet and choice. I am also thankful I was able to participate in the Donated Diet to help me learn and understand. You truly can see the struggles some people go through.

I am also humbled as sometimes I have taken for granted our social safety net, assumed we will always be there to take care of those in our society who need a hand up.

I am mindful of some things that were said the other day. That all of us need to drop our bias’s we may have of why some one is using the food bank or on social assistance and offer help.
I am mindful of the cold today that may have some worried about putting the heat up a few degrees, or about where the money will come from for a winter coat or boots.

I am sorry as I have been guilty of donating close coded items to the food bank. From now on I will add in canned veggies and fruit. Even that would have been a treat!

I am respectful of those who try to be jugglers and provide for them selves and family under the difficult rules of our Social programs. Which first seems to try and rob you of your dignity and self respect.
I am confused as to why we allow something that costs the Canadian economy 72 Billion a year to continue. Governments will focus on cutting deficits but what about our people? All orders of government and all parties are responsible for not getting to work to eliminate poverty.

Finally, I am grateful to have been asked to participate. To be able to advocate on this issue and to try to work with Regional Staff and others to work for solutions.

I am grateful there are social agencies and people out there who spend everyday trying to help people.


I have always felt that the answer is not government but with all orders of government, social agencies, faith based groups and business working together.
We have work to do and need to get started…..NOW!

Who burnt the beans!

The Donated Diet Day 1
Well the day started innocently enough with instant coffee. Been a number of years since I have had instant coffee and forgot how little I enjoy it! I also had cheerio’s for breakfast. Not a big stretch as I do frequently.
I also decided if I have some of the larger items I would use what I had here and not open a box or package when I have one already open. The box I got I will give back to the food bank.
My morning seemed to be spent talking about the results of yesterdays summit and the diet. I talked to a reporter who was interested in hearing more about it.
I also dove into the box to do some menu planning. I noticed something that happens with some food that is donated. It was close coded or expired. Close coded is when the best before date is about to expire, or has expired. Caution always has to be exercised when that happens.
I opened the 3 items and found that they were indeed past. The metallic smell of the pineapple gives it away. I have a safe food handling certificate. What could have happened to someone who didn’t?
Lunch was an adventure. I opened a can of pork and beans. Added in some pepper and turned on the stove. The phone range and before I could get back to them well they were warm and a bit burnt. Keeping in mind trying to see what it was like, I knew some people may not be able to throw them out and open another can. So I ate them. With a can of tomato juice that was in the box.
Not the best meal I have had but with Rolaids it was sufficient.
I stopped this afternoon at St Albans Church in Glen Williams. They are a Tuesday drop off point for “Food for Life”. An organisation that distributes fresh food to a variety of drop off locations within Halton Region.
Walking into St Albans was truly humbling, not by the volume of food they may have given out today, but for the work they all do to assist people to get food who need it.
Today they had distributed food to 56 people when I had arrived. They were getting ready to pack up but they knew a regular had not dropped in and they did not want him to miss out. They also deliver food to people who call in.
Some of the items they had today were red and Spanish onions, peppers, romaine lettuce, ground beef, salmon, sausages and rabbit. They also had pepper squash and Anise.
Father Aaron Orear takes the initiative to find recipes for different vegetables that comes in so people who take them can cook with confidence.
I had heard one of the difficulties facing people who are on “food bank diets” is the type of food tends to be processed, high in starch, carbs, sugar and salt. Imagine if my Doctor said I had to lose weight and cut down blood pressure!
The relief I felt over seeing the meat was it opened up what dinner could be. I had a box of hamburger Helper but no meat. So I substituted ground beef I had at home, added in a pepper and onion and went to cook.
I had Hamburger helper, with onions, peppers and green beans. A snack during the evening was a orange stolen fromt eh poverty summit yesterday.
It will be interesting to step on the scale in the morning after the high fibre starch laden meals today.
So why do we figure someone who goes to a food bank is okay eating past expired food we would not?

The Donated Diet

Tonight for dinner I am having something not unusual for me. I am having a savory roasted Turkey breast with garlic mashed potatoes and gravy. Whole wheat bread and a garden fresh salad with Vidalia Dressing and grated parmesan cheese. Dessert will be apple pie with 4 yr old Cheddar cheese. Sound good? It will be…. Is it the different from what I cook at home most nights? A little bit but not that far from what I have.
I am a foodie… Self confessed person who loves to cook and enjoys the gastronomic delights a kitchen can hold. I grow my own spices in the summer along with garlic onions and tomatoes.
I used to be a Kitchen Manager for a 200 seat Fine dining restaurant, ran a pub and was the Food and Beverage Manager of a couple of golf courses.

But tonight in Halton and across our region will be people who are wondering what they are going to have. Whether they will have enough to afford both food and the hydro bill. Deciding if the few extra bucks will go to the car repair, new winter coat or for dinner.
We were asked today to think of the first thought we had that morning when the alarm went off. Was it about paying your bills, wondering where the next meal is coming from or a the need for a pair of winter boots? Probably not.
One of the items that was raised at the Halton Poverty Summit was the Donated Diet. The donated diet is designed to highlight the fact that a single person in Ontario would be required to live on $585 a month. That is after all assets and savings are exhausted.
WOW.
The idea of the Donated diet is that Community Leaders would be asked to live on 3 days worth of food that would come from a local food bank. The cost of the food would be donated so that no food is taken out of circulation or anyone needing the food would go without.
Doing the diet in Halton with me is; Gillian Tuck Kutarna is the HDSB trustee for Halton Hills and works at the legal clinic as a staff lawyer, Barbara Burton is the CEO of the United Way of Oakville, Brennan Carson is a board member of Food for Life, Dr. Bob Nosal is the Medical Officer of Health, Halton Region, Sheldon Wolfson is the Commissioner, Social and Community Services Department, Halton Region, Michael Bird is the Bishop of Niagara of the Anglican Church of Canada. Bishop Bird grew up in the Kerr St. area of Oakville and Ted Arnott, is the MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills.
It should be interesting. I immediately noticed a huge difference from what given to us. I had bread, coffee, sugar, a squash, flour and salt in my box. While others had ground beef, recipes, fresh fruit and vegetables. That is in addition to macaroni, pasta, box of cereal, pasta sauce, soup and canned fish and meat.
Some boxes looked pretty grim and empty by comparison. One I saw was so empty I was taking items out of mine and adding it to the other one. But all of us were given the addresses of where food agencies will be tomorrow for fresh fruit in our area.
As I was leaving I had someone come over and tell me that the reality would be I would look at the sandwiches and fruit left over. With that in mind I picked up 3 oranges. Dropped one into a box that was skimpy and took the other 2 home.

I will keep you posted as to what I create. My plan is to stick as close to the box as I can. If I need butter, milk or any other ingredients they will be used sparingly. My morning coffee will be from the box, instant. Spices? Not unless I have too. I know I have a lunch this week. My lunch that day will either be brown bagged or will be reminiscent of the contents in my box.

Some have suggested we do it for a month or 2 months to get the feel of it. While 3 days may seem like a small time to do it will provide a window into what some people face each day.
Stay tuned.

Halton Leadership Summit on Poverty Reduction

Today I attended the Poverty Summit. Rather timely after being at FCM meetings last week. The summit was well attended by social, faith, and other community groups. As well as leaders from the United Ways of Halton, Habitat for Humanity, school Boards. But most importantly by people who either are receiving social assistance or who have been recipients in the past. We were reminded the name should be elimination not reduction as reduction says that a level is allowed.

Poverty is estimated to cost the Canadian economy 72 Billion per year according to the Toronto Star editorial on Nov 21st. We have been studying it to death. We have the studies from the “social determinants of Health”; we have the data collected by the Our Kids Networks and the groups like the United Ways. We have the data what we have not had in Halton is the program or the people to push it. Push it big time. Hamilton has done a Roundtable on Poverty Reduction. That is a model I have had phone calls from people in other areas tell me we should do. Or the work of the Toronto City Summit Alliance.
The City of Vancouver has found that the cost of providing housing for someone is about 37,000 a year. But the cost for that same person if they were homeless is over $52,000 a year. The home gives them a base and a place to grow in and feel safe.
I do not think the solutions to Poverty elimination are all government. But business, community groups and all level of government must work together and find the solutions.

My thanks to the organisers for the hard work they did in getting everyone together.

Go Train Returns to Acton!

Go Train
WOW what an exciting announcement out of the blue on Friday. GO Train service will be coming to Kitchener, Guelph and Acton on the Georgetown line. It was expected we could see it about 2013 or 2014 so having it 2 yrs earlier is awesome!
Acton’s long history with the train will be renewed by the ability of people to “Get on the GO” here and head to Toronto, or in the evening to Guelph or Kitchener. We had GO Train service in the early 90’s but the NDP government cut it out as a cost saving measure. Imagine where we would have been if it would have been allowed to develop!
The Town wisely purchased the parking lot by the tracks that was used by the service and it will be pressed into service again for GO with parking and a ticket kiosk as well as shelters.
The announcement was made possible by the twinning of the “Iron bridge” outside of Georgetown which has been a bottleneck for freight and passenger traffic for years. The Federal and Provincial Government have twinned the bridge across the Credit River Valley and the new service is a testament to it.
It was a surprise to come in the house and find a message from CFRB asking for my comments. Anyone who heard me could tell my enthusiasm for the train returning!
Imagine you will be able to work downtown, but hop on the train here. No traffic tie ups on the 401 or parking hassles.

Great News GO Transit and Metrolinx! Hopefully the next one will be all day service to Georgetown!

FCM Advocacy Days

This week, after the Regional Health and Social Services meeting finishes I will be heading to Ottawa. While visiting the nation’s capital is always nice, it will be a work trip on behalf of Towns and Cities form all parts of our great Country.
Each November the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) holds advocacy days. During this time we go out in groups of 3 or 4 (Councillors and Mayors), with FCM staff and have meetings with MP’s and senior staff.
It is a tremendous opportunity for us to advocate on behalf of all Municipalities for items of common interest. Such as the need to tackle the 123 Billion dollar infrastructure deficit facing our communities. Or for services like programs for new immigrants and affordable housing.
The meetings allow the MP’s to find out areas of concern to the Municipalities and also for them to provide input to us. This year it is projected that we will be meeting with 90 MP’s over a 3 day period.
Such meetings helped highlight the need for stimulus programs to be set up and money flowing quickly to the Municipalities during the present economic crisis. In Halton Hills we have had money for the new Acton Library, road projects, recreational facilities at Trafalgar Sports Park and the twinning of the CN tracks allowing GO Train service to return to Acton.
I am always awestruck as I enter into the Government buildings and especially the House of Commons. The majesty and beauty of the building is inspiring. Walking the halls there I am struck by the sense of history and hope for the future.
This year due to meeting schedules I will not be able to attend Question Period. Our MP Michael Chong had presented a motion that called on their to be renewed civility in Question Period and also put a onus on Ministers to actually answer the question.
I frankly find the format now to be a bit of theatre of the absurd. Cheap shots and theatrics for the TV cameras instead of an opportunity for questions to be put the Government about programs and ideas. Let’s hope Mr. Chong’s well received motion can restore the true sense of what Question Period should be.
I look forward to the meetings with the MP’s as well as our regular agenda. The next four days we will deal with items such as international trade, affordable housing, and infrastructure spending and rural affairs. Also on the radar will be to make sure the Municipal message is clear for the next Federal election expected probably in the spring of 2011.

Remembrance Day and Cenotaph Services

“Never in the face of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”
Winston Churchill

Each year I am fortunate to be invited to participate in the Royal Canadian Legion Cenotaph Services. Most years I am asked to march with the Legion members and to lay a wreath. I get a chance to visit with them and enjoy their company over lunch and the social hour that follows.
The Cenotaph services in Acton, Georgetown and Glen Williams are always well attended. There is always a great crowd of people showing their respect to those who paid the supreme sacrifice. Also, to those who have served peace time operations. Or who have served in other wars. We must remember that today, Canadians are still putting there lives at risk for us. Fighting the war in Afghanistan or serving in UN missions around the world.
Over the last few years we have seen a shift in Remembrance Day, we have lost our last World War 1 soldier and we are losing most of our Soldiers who fought in World War 2 and Korea. We are not losing them to a foreign enemy but the one who most of us will lose to eventually, old age.
We have in that time seen great respect and public outpouring for those who are fighting in Afghanistan and serving in our armed Forces. Most cars have a support our troop’s sticker on them, or poppies or other magnets to remind us. People are wearing red on Friday in a show of support.
We as a nation mourn together when news of another young life lost reaches us. People by the thousands stand on bridges and on the side of the Highway of Heroes and watch as a procession brings them home. We close the busiest Highway in the Country to show our respect.
Having family who fought in past conflicts and some that have served in Afghanistan and Iraq brings the procession close to home. Every time I hear of a soldier’s death I silently hope and pray it is not a relative. The first name on the Cenotaph in Georgetown is Air Force F/Lt C N Somerville. Killed in training in 1915. Imagine the Air Force in 1915.


I am fortunate to be able to do the job that I do because of those who came before me. People from all walks of life have fought for this country and the ideals we hold dear. They did not fight for glory they fought for principles.

Tomorrow, as I will do many times over the year, I will pause and say thank you and pay respect to our veterans. Whether it is Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans Day or what ever you observe in our Town, City or Country, you should do the same.

Lest we Forget

Election Wrap up

The elections are over and there going to be new people representing Halton in every Municipality. The face of our school Board has changed as well. First off a thank you to all those who put there name forward and ran for Council or the School Board. Even in defeat they brought forward ideas and fostered discussion and debate.
In Halton Hills we have lost Ward 4 Councillor John Duncan who always brought a businesslike view to Council. In his place we will have Anne Lawlor who is a long time community volunteer, a member of our Hydro Board and a business woman in her own right. She will be a great addition to our team.

Thank you for the vote of confidence. I look forward to continuing to work for you. I also want to continue to represent both Halton Hills, and Halton on the national level.

The changes at Halton Region will be dramatic; we have 2 people in Burlington who will be new and a new Mayor. In Oakville we will have a new Councillor; Milton has new wards and a new Councillor as well. All willhit the ground running and will be eager to get to work.

During the election we all heard from the public as to what they saw as the issues and the expectations they had. In Halton Hills, the citizens were concerned about the prospect of a 8 lane highway cutting through the centre of our rural area. Taxes and services are always a concern, as well as the need for new recreational facilities and parks. The impacts of growth is always an issue. This is not the complete list but a snapshot.

We listen and will take those concerns to our staff and colleagues. They will be raised at our strategic plan sessions and in our committee meetings. We will look at how to implement them and strategies for inclusion in our capital budget.

Due to the town having to purchase the MSB lands our budgets will feel the impact for a number of years. A small town like Halton Hills will have to juggle the budget for the over 1 million we had to spend to purchase it.

There were changes to both the public and catholic school board. At the public side Gillian Kutarna was elected as the sole rep for Halton Hills. She is a capable women who served as Chair for 2 years as well.
At the Catholic Board historian Mark Rowe is the new trustee. He is a retired teacher who has spent many hours as the Chair of Heritage Halton Hills and is a local author.

The MSB issue was divisive almost as much as the short sighted decision to cancel bussing to the High Schools. I have never seen so much public anger towards both school Boards and the arrogance of the staff in dealing with it.
But let’s move on. The Town will need to work with the new trustees to rebuild the relationship with both boards. The Board will need to treat us with respect and understand our limitations. We must always remember that there is only one taxpayer.

My Council colleague’s and I, have been given the sacred trust to represent you and a mandate to continue to build Halton Hills and Halton Region into the best place to live, work and play.
We have challenges ahead of us but as always we will deal with them head on. You expect nothing less and demand something more.

Vote Damnit!

“The Price of Freedom is eternal vigilance.”
Thomas Jefferson
3rd president of US
Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong
Hon John G. Diefenbaker PC, Prime Minister of Canada

All of us here in Canada guard our freedoms, our freedom of speech, our freedom of movement, our freedom to associate with others and of course our freedom of choose in what or whom we wish. Our soldiers have waged war to protect our freedoms and many sacrificed their lives and themselves for us.
One of the things that happen in a free society is elections. All of us at some point in time are asked to make our mark for one candidate or another. Whether it is locally, regionally, provincially or federally we are asked for our opinion as to who is going to assist you in building the towns, schools, Province and the Canada we all want to see. It could be an issue as close as a school closing or as abstract as trade agreements that makes us all participants.

This October 25th the Municipal elections will be held. While in some areas their may not be races for all seats. It is incumbent on all of us to make sure our voices are heard for the races that remain.
The Municipal level of government is one that is often called the “closest to the people”. It has a direct impact into your daily lives, from the moment you turn on a tap to make coffee, shower, drive to work, drop the kids off at school or, know you are protected by Police, Fire and EMS workers.

Municipalities have that impact and the people you choose to send to represent you have the opportunity to decide where a school will be built, what type, the design of the road, where the parks are, bus routes, everything right down to the speed limit by the school.

We often forgot that and can get caught up in the Provincial and Federal races as they occur. They have the flashy ads, TV debates and spend millions trying to sway a vote one way or another.

But consider this, the Region accounts for about 40% of your property tax dollar. The Town about 36% and the School Boards about 24% The total budget for all of them in Halton is over a billion dollars, each year.

Your Municipal candidates are out working to try to make sure you have the material you need to make your choice. When they stop at your door, ask them about the issues important to you. Their contact information can be found on your local municipal websites. Phone, email or try to get to an all candidates meeting to learn who has earned the right to receive your vote.
It has been said that when you don‘t vote you let someone else speak for you. On Election Day make your voice heard!

MSB NOT FOR SALE!

It is too bad that over the last 10 years the citizens of Acton and all of Halton Hills have had to stand up and fight to retain THEIR school field. While the overwhelming majority understood the fundamental wrongness of the Town having to buy land we had already paid for, there are always some who say don’t buy. Well frankly, I do not buy their argument.
The citizens of Acton paid for the land in the late 1950’s for both the Acton High School and the MZ Bennett school site. It was common at that time that the Town ran the schools and bought the land and assisted in the building. Only through the creation of the Halton County School board and later the Halton District School Board (HDSB) did the Town lose control of the lands. In fact we legally had to give the new School Boards all assets with the schools at no charge.
In early 2000 the HDSB decided to declare part of the MSB site as surplus to their needs. With the goal to sell it. As you can imagine the people of Acton were furious and quickly rallied around the site. Petitions were signed, signs posted and people proudly wore the MSB not for sale Buttons.

Our trustee at the time, Board Chair Ethel Gardiner understood the issue and immediately went to work to save the land. She spent many hours on the phone to the residents who had called and even reached out to make sure the Councillors knew what was being worked on. When a former Mayor suggested the Town buy it, she quickly agreed as to “Why, we all ready own it.” She spoke passionately to the Board as to how the High School site is undersized, how High School students use the MSB fields and how the earlier Board decision of joining the 2 schools was not to have an impact on the site. The Board listened to her and the impassioned arguments presented by former trustee Arlene Bruce and then regional Councillor Rick Bonnette. Three busloads of residents filled the chamber and all were ecstatic when the vote came and we had won. Or so we thought.

In January 2009 we found out that they were planning on selling it again. Unlike in 2000 we found out after the board had passed it. We also found out that both Halton Hills trustees supported it. Even more surprising was the Acton trustee professed to have no knowledge or memory of what had happened 9 years earlier.

All of the trustees tried to hide behind the skirt of the then Education Minister Wynne and the directive of the government. Mayor Bonnette asked her about MSB and she indicated that it was not government policy for them to sell off land like MSB. The School Board insisted it was.

On a cold family day in 2009, over 300 people gathered at a rally at the school site, young old, long time residents, new residents and representation from all wards in Halton Hills stood up and told the school board it was wrong. Over 5,000 people signed a petition and the MSB not for sale signs once again appeared in windows around town.
The people felt betrayed and were angry that this had happened again. One Senior told me “I hope it is settled this time as I am too old to fight again.” They were angry that an Acton trustee could say it was “not a big deal is we lost a trustee.”
Despite the assurances of a previous Chair and Board that had MSB being removed from the list, despite the widespread anger of the citizens and over 50% signing a petition opposing the sale. Despite the fact both Acton High School and MSB actively using the site, despite the fact that Acton is green belted and can’t easily add parkland due to provincial legislation. The school Board ploughed ahead and declared it surplus.

We saw a half-hearted effort to save it from the trustee who was supposed to represent Acton. The trustee who was elected to represent Georgetown said she was voting “For Georgetown” when she cast her vote. Where the hell did they think the money was going to come from?

After many months of negotiating last night the Town passed a bylaw to purchase the site, not the 2.64 acres originally offered but over 5 acres, with a licence agreement for 21 years for another portion of the site.

Mayor Bonnette and the whole Council have shown great leadership in purchasing the land but it was not easy. The over $1,000,000 we have to spend was not budgeted for and means we will have to shuffle priorities in future budgets.

But it does mean we have saved the school board from themselves.

This whole exercise of MSB and the fact the school board has shown to me that maybe the Board should not be trusted with public assets. Maybe the land and schools should be owned by the Region or the Town as we treat public land much better.

It also demonstrated to me that our trustees let us down. By not remembering such a lightening rod issue or not thinking people would be upset is wrong. By looking at only voting for your ward is not right. By saying you are acting in the interest of your constituents when you forced the town to spend tax dollars for public land is wrong.

The Board has allowed a public asset like Speyside school to rot. I know of people who asked about buying it. The school board sat silent. They will end up selling it for a lot less as a vacant lot then if they had sold it as a viable building. They stopped using it 20 years ago.

We have elections for the school Board in 4 weeks. Look very carefully at all the candidates. Ask them the questions. Make up your mind. I know I will not be supporting the incumbent who ran in my area the last time.

New EMS Station in Halton

On Friday I was asked to speak in my role as Chair of health and Social Services at the opening of the new EMS station in Southeast Oakville. This new 3,000 sq ft station which came in on budget at 1.3 million is a testament of the commitment Halton region has made to our EMS service.

Believe it or not but Halton EMS has only been around since Aug 2000. Halton set up a service basically from scratch that had about 56 employees at its inception. It now had over 150 employees. All dedicated to our health, safety and well being.

Our EMS service also uses Advance Care Paramedics which provides our citizens with a added level of protection.

Since Halton took over our service has grown not only in employees but we have seen a renewal of our stations. As of the opening of the Georgetown Station, all the old stations have been replaced with the exception of our Burlington one, which was extensively overhauled.

Our EMS workers have been recognised for their work in Haiti, when they responded to the call of a fellow employee after the earthquake, and flew down within days with needed supplies. They took with them the hope of all of Halton for the safety and well being of every Haitian citizen. The most powerful presentation I have ever heard from any group was from our 12 EMS workers when they came to Council to tell us about their experience in earthquake ravaged Haiti. Some of them were off to other countries to assist within weeks of returning from Haiti.

Our EMS staff was instrumental in working with Council to make sure the pubic access defibrillator (PAD) program was a success. It only seems like a few years ago we saw the program as having difficulties in getting traction and Councillors pushed to get them into public buildings.
This year alone from Mid May to the end of Aug PAD machines were used on 7 people in Halton, 6 are still with us to tell the story of their survival.

At Health and Social Services 2 weeks ago we discussed the need to strengthen that program by looking at making sure we set up initiatives that look at CPR, but also Healthy active lifestyles.

Our EMS workers have a strong symbiotic relationship with Halton Region and the Staff. We recognise their hard work and dedication, and they recognise our desire to build a community we can all be safe in and have the highest quality of life.

To our EMS, Fire and Police workers who sometimes deal with people on the worst day of their lives, who run into danger as we run away, who are always working to keep us safe. I can only offer the following,

THANK YOU!

Terry Fox Run

Today, as thousands have done for the last 30 years, we will run, walk, jog and cycle for Terry. We will continue his marathon of Hope for him. We will walk and remember those loved ones of ours, our friends and family members who has fought and beaten cancer. We will with quiet reflection think of those who fought bravely but lost the battle with this disease. A disease that has affected everyone and touched all our lives.

I also look at it as a day to celebrate the life of a Canadian hero. Terry Fox, a man who united us with a run 30 years ago. His dream was to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research. He started in Newfoundland in April, made his way across the Atlantic Provinces, into Quebec and Ontario. He was in Halton Hills for 3 days in July 1980.

Most of us will never run a marathon; most of us will never have to have the courage to face the loss of a limb like Terry did. Losing his leg to cancer at 18. Most of us will know of friends and family members who will take treatment and battle cancer. Some of us will have to face that battle ourselves.

Imagine if you will getting up everyday, getting dressed and hitting the road bright and early. Imagine strapping on an artificial leg and setting out to run over 20 miles. In the cold, the rain, the sun and the early morning fog. Terry averaged 26 miles a day for 143 days, a total of 3,339 miles. Terry loved the early morning peace and tranquility.

I recall the bright sunny morning he came into Acton on July 22nd 1980. My brother Dave and I went down to see him. We stood across from the Cenotaph, a place that now we stand for other events in our Town. Dave has pointed out to his children the photo of us they have there of us in the background as Terry passed by.

My Aunt and Uncle had the great good fortune of having Terry stay at there house when he ran threw Whitby. About 5 years ago my Mother bought at their auction sale one of the original Marathon of Hope t shirts. Which had been stored away at the house and discovered after they had both passed. She donated it to the Terry Fox Foundation office in Toronto.

Halton Hills has a long history of support for the run. Over $650,000 has been raised in Acton over the last 30 years. A true testament to the compassion of the citizens here. The run organisers spend many house and all have a passion for the promotion of the run, but also Terry’s goals. A special tip of the hat to Jon Hurst and the whole Hurst family. They have been tireless in their efforts.
I have been at the Terry Fox Monuments in St. Johns, Thunder Bay, Ottawa and Victoria


Donations can be made online at Terryfox.org or by visiting the local run site. We must remember the words Terry used when he approached the Cancer Society for support as he planned his run
“Somewhere the hurting must stop”

A man who served his community...

The upcoming new term of Council will mark the end of an era in Halton. For the first time in many years. Our Council chambers will not have the sage advice and the learned wisdom of Fred Oliver.
Fred has withdrawn from the election race and announced his retirement. Fred has dedicated his life to public service. He was appointed Police Chief of the former Trafalgar Township in 1948. He also served as Chief of Oakville Police. After the amalgamation of the Police services under Halton Region, he served as its Deputy Chief until 1980.
He switched in 1980 and ran successfully for Oakville and Halton Council. He served until 1994 and returned in the 2000 election. Do the math; he has given over 60 years to public service to this community.
Fred remains the longest serving Police Chief in Ontario’s history and has been honoured for that by the Ontario Police College. Halton Regional Police have recently honoured him with the Community Room at the new Oakville station being named in his honour.

Fred had originally filed to run as a local Councillor in Oakville for this election. He wanted to see the Councillor who had served with him as a local rep run for the seat. He was one who believed in succession planning. In May of this year a illness caused Fred to lose his voice. It has not returned. Knowing the importance of communication to a Councillor he withdrew on Thursday.

I have sat beside Fred at Regional Council for 7 years. He has always been one to offer his thoughts and opinions. He always has had a straight forward practical common sense way of looking at things. He was one to remind us that sometimes our decisions can affect things that other services like Police have to work with.

He also had a social heart and knew we needed to invest in our community. Fred always had a passion for children and making sure they had the services they needed. A she would say “It is an investment in our future not a cost.” He had a booming voice that made you sit up and listen.

Fred was never one to speak on each item, but when he rose to speak you knew it was because he felt strong about what was being discussed.

I wish Fred and Irma well in his second retirement. I know he will be watching and if he does not agree with what I had done or said, I will get a call!

Fred, thanks for caring about Halton and for helping to build the great Region we have today. You have left a legacy to be proud of.

Georgetown Fall Fair

This weekend, an event is taking place that has many times over the last 164 years. It is the latest edition of the Georgetown Fall Fair.
Fall Fairs serve to remind us of the rich agricultural history we have had here in Halton. For those who decide to check out the animals or the agriculture education tent they can see how our farmers would look forward to these events to not only showcase what they had grown. But also to learn about new innovations and machinery that were coming out to make their lives easier, and the crops more productive.


While some of that may be gone the small group of organisers who put the fair together always make sure that there is a educational and agricultural component to the weekend. On the Friday is the agricultural Education day and hundreds of school children come to the grounds to see and learn more about farming. As our country has become more urbanised, some children do not realise where milk comes from, or how much milk a cow can give. Some of the agricultural events were a rabbit show for 4-H achievement day, milking demonstrations, homecrafts, crop judging, Kids crafts, Heavy Horse Show, truck pull and a kiddie tractor pull.
A popular event is always the demolition derby on Saturday night. It draws thousands of people there for the sheer thrill of smashing metal and driving skill. During the day the main stage has a variety of acts for people of all ages.

We lost a generation in Canada where we forgot about our roots. When we looked to imports for lower price instead of looking for food grown by our neighbours. The difference in flavour and quality is worth it. While people are now recognising the benefits of local food, we need to stay in touch with our rural roots. To try and understand why farming is a tough business, but so beneficial to our economic and social well being. Fall Fairs like Georgetown, Acton, Milton and Erin all help us stay connected.

2 New Fire Hall Opens

Yesterday, the Town along with our Regional and Provincial partners opened not 1 but 2 new Fire stations. One of the stations house a new Halton Region EMS station.
The funding for the station was divided between Halton Hills (6.4 Million), the Province of Ontario (1.9M) and Halton Region (1.1M). Halton Hills Hydro provided funding for the Geothermal system.

Our Chief Brent Marshall acted as the MC and welcomed, Mayor Bonnette, Chair Carr, Ted Arnott MPP and almost all members of Council to this historic event. The Chief of Police, Deputy Chief, members of other Fire and EMS services and of course our retired and Life members of the Fire Department all were in attendence.


The new buildings replace 2 old buildings here in the Town and have our fire department positioned well to the future. The EMS building was in fact the old Fire station on Chapel Street. The Headquarters was the old public works building that the Fire Department moved into almost 30 years ago as a “temporary site”

The Headquarters station built in Georgetown South will give all residents a piece of mind as it is located in the heart of the future growth area in the Town. This station features a “Heritage Room” which has displays of Fire Department memorabilia.as well as a 1942 restored Fire Truck. As is the case of all Fire Departments, that history always plays an important part of the daily lives of all Firefighters. They always acknowledge those who bravely put their lives on the line before them. Firefighter Al Scott deserves credit for doing a lot of research on the Fire Department.

Both the buildings were built to a minimum LEEDS Silver designation using such energy saving features as the geothermal heating, rain water harvesting, recycled materials and construction standards.

One of the highlights of the day was when former Fire Fighter Jimmy Valentine was recognized for his 42 years with the Fire Department in Georgetown. He started with the Georgetown Fire Dept in 1938 and served until 1980. A lane from the rear of the Station has been named “Valentine Lane” in his honour. At 97 Mr Valentine is still active fixing small engines and lawnmowers.


The Chief, Deputy Chiefs and staff deserve credit for working so hard to keep this project on track and budget. We had issues along the way but we have 2 buildings that will serve our community for many years.. Our Fire and Emergency Services Committee Chaired by Councillor Moya Johnson did a tremendous job of working through the problems that came up during the building of 2 stations at the same time.


The public are invited to a Community Open House planned for Sunday Oct 3 2010 from 1 to 4 at the Maple Street Station. It will be the kickoff to Fire Prevention Week.

Life in Iqaluit

As I wrote recently, I was in Iqaluit Nunavut for 6 days. It was truly an eye opening experience. I have had the good fortune to travel and see most of Canada, from a sunset in Tofino BC to seeing a whale off the coast of Newfoundland. The sound of a loon on a foggy lake in Jasper to the majesty of old Quebec City. For the first time in my life I was north of the tree line, north of the 60th parallel and near Canada’s northern coast.

I must admit, even though I knew it was in the Arctic I was completely shocked when I arrived at the airport. After walking off the plane to the small terminal you are immediately greeted by the local Inuit selling carvings. But as with most people arriving you want to get your bag and get to the hotel. But they visit the restaurants and I saw some stunning pieces of art.

You quickly realise you are in a different area as you drive to the hotel. Dirt roads, no stop lights just 4 way signs, ATV’s driving down the road. Also, surprisingly pedestrians have the right of way. Cars and trucks actually stop and let pedestrians cross whether it is at a stop sign or not. Also any Blackberry or cell phone not on the bell network does not work.
The hotel is a centre of activity, a pub, dinging room, pool coffee shop and a cinema. You learn that to get anywhere you walk either on the road or by trails that traverse the tundra. Not formal trails but everyone uses them and they cut threw back yards.

The area looks like Newfoundland without trees. The rock and tough landscape that greeted our first settlers and explorers to the east coast must have looked familiar when they landed here. Robert Frobisher first landed here in 1576.

Iqaluit has one of the fastest and largest tides in the world. The harbour is not a deep water one and when the tide is out, the bottom of the harbour is shown. They use to ground ships, wait for the tide to go out and then unload them by walking it to shore. The fishermen leave their boats and during low tide you see them beached. You can easily walk ashore. Plans are being discussed to build a deep water harbour. That would open up trade as now ship supplies are only able to arrive by boat between roughly mid June to Mid September.
The whole community is self contained as the only road outside of town is the “Road to Nowhere” which goes to the old DEW (Distant Early Warning) line and a quarry. The airport has about 4 daily flights from Ottawa/Montreal and also connects with Yellowknife and points west.
Walking into the grocery store is price shock galore. 18 bucks for a big box of cornflakes, dog food was $96, diapers were almost 1$00. $12 for a watermelon, $5 for a Spanish onion. A family pack of pork chops for $28! Most people receive a monthly food allowance to offset the costs.
Wild blueberries grow everywhere and you see people out picking them on the hill sides. They are a delight as are the blackberries. Arctic Char is served in all the restaurants in a variety of ways, such as fish and chips or grilled. Elk, Caribou and Musk ox still are staples. The hunters make use of all the animals. The coats for fur or leather, the meat is almost all used. The sled dogs are fed the rudiments. Like the way it has been done for hundreds of years.

As you walk the streets everyone who passes nods and says hi. The traffic waits for you and you feel life moves at a slower pace. You realise you have entered a new time zone, northern time.

Iqaluit is the capital of Nunavut and has a population of about 7500. There is plenty of government services. Recently diamonds were discovered about 100 KM north and it is expected it could lead to a boom in the town. Some projections are it may grow to 20,000 in 16 years. Hopefully the idyllic lifestyle will remain and the infrastructure can keep pace.
After a few days I realised why people were drawn here , the 16 hours of daylight, the people, the fresh air, the calm water. The silence when you leave the town area by only a ½ mile, the northern lights.
Iqaluit is a city that is looking at a Sustainability plan for the next 100 years. They are dependent on almost all their food and supplies. All their hydro is from diesel generators, food and supplies are brought in mainly before the freeze up. Climate change is going to affect the city as it is built on permafrost. As it melts the land is boggy underneath. The homes are built for cold, not heat. The arena has partially sunk die to the permafrost melting.

I may never get back to the Arctic but hope to. It is truly an eye opening experience. One of those parts of Canada where you plan to go and do not end up their as a accidental tourist. I am fortunate to have been able to go.

Eye See Eye Learn

Wow! Today at Health and Social Services we learned about a exciting new program that has come to our community. An important new program has been launched in Halton with the Ontario Association of Optometrists.

The program is called Eye See Eye Learn and reminds us of the importance of vision care for people of all ages. Its objectives are to detect, diagnose and treat children with vision problems so they can see and learn to the best of their ability. They also provide free eye glasses to any child participating in the program who needs them.

The program is launching with Junior Kindergarten students and in Halton here is the breakdown
69 public schools
40 Catholic Schools
68 Optometrists in Halton Region
More then 4,000 JK students are eligible

The examinations are covered by OHIP and the participating OAO Member Optometrists are waiving the fees when dispensing eyeglasses. The eye glasses have been donated and come with a 2 year warranty!

When a vision problem goes undetected the child is frustrated and can learn at a slower rate. Some suffer from negative self image and there has been cases of discipline issues, drop out and the need for special education.

I know from wearing glasses that at first I wrote off the headaches to stress, too much to read, poor lighting. Now that I have reading glasses I wonder how long before I went to the Doctor did I actually need them. Now I make the trip every second year to get my eyes tested for glasses but also for other diseases.

We had a great discussion at our Health and Social Services meeting about this program and also difficulty sometimes faced with children with hearing problems. It is great to see the OAO step up and offer such a great service here in Halton. The kids will be bringing home information about the program in the next week or so.

If you want further information you can checkout their website

http://www.optom.on.ca/students_and_educators/eye_see_eye_learn/what_is_eye_see_eye_learn

FCM meetings follow up

I have written before about my involvement with FCM and how we advocate for Cities, Towns and citizens across Canada. We also do a lot of good work internationally helping municipalities build capacity in a variety of areas such as governance. We are recognised as a world leader in Municipal organisation.
Last week our meetings were held in Iqaluit. I know to some it may seem strange that 120 or so of us would travel up for 4 days of meetings but it truly has merit as we get to learn about the history and culture of an area and how some issues can be really divergent from coast to coast to coast.

Our September Board meeting sets the priorities for the next year. It will be a busy year. We have some priorities on a number of fronts. First and foremost for us will be to work with Ottawa so they consider the impacts some legislation may have on us. We all want to try and reflect our communities’ needs and to help build our country as a whole.
For example, the long form census is one we will keep working with. Also, new federal waste water regulations will cost local municipalities billions of dollars to meet the standards set. The total for Vancouver, Halifax, Victoria and Montreal was going to be over 2 billion alone. In some parts of the country it may be a choice for fresh clean water, or wastewater.
Our group is actively involved with the government in the area of International trade and how it affects municipalities. This is the direct result of the stand Halton Hills started against the Buy American protectionist legislation. The Minister has agreed to a working group that works with FCM and its members to keep us informed.
FCM has a Quality of Life reporting system. Halton region is active on the group. One thing that has been found is that our social safety net in Canada is fraying. In the days of Federal and Provincial downloading it has meant the services they provided have shifted onto your tax bill.
We had a great meeting discussing social issues and I had the honour of chairing it.
Next March, the billions of dollars advanced through stimulus projects will have to be finished in order for the federal money to be paid. Recently, Saskatchewan was granted an extension as they have had major floods that were preventing projects from being done. Consideration must be made for other parts of the country as well.
Halton Region was one of the first to respond to the crisis in Haiti after the earthquake. We had our EMS workers head down to help a colleague who was there. I was asked to sit on a task force that looks at what can be coordinated by a joint municipal response to international disasters.


We need to work with all orders of government to make sure that as record deficits are tackled they do not end up on our property taxes. Nor do we want to see a spike in taxes or that our most vulnerable citizens are not impacted.
The work is not done and some of the issues we discuss today may not seem important now. But, for us as leaders we need to learn from the mistakes of yesterday, and plan for our collective vision of the community of tomorrow.

FCM part 2

Some regular readers to the Blog and newspapers will know that I have the good fortune to sit on a group called FCM. FCM is short for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, a group that is the Municipal voice on national and international issues. FCM represents over 90% of the Canadian population and is members are the Municipalities. The Board members are elected each year at the annual conference and some organisations have appointed members. For example the City of Toronto by virtue of its size as our largest city has 2 members appointed.
The photo above is me doing a International Press Conference with past President Jean Perrault after FCM passed the halton HIlls Buy American resolution.

The elections are held at the AGM and Board members like me are elected by fellow Mayors and Councillors. We sit on a variety of committees and try to make sure that the voices of the cities, town, villages, rural and remote areas of the country are heard in Ottawa and with Federal agencies.

For example I have sat on the Municipal Infrastructure and Transportation Policy, International Relations committee, Rural Forum, and Conference Planning. I have worked with the Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Arrangements when Halton Hills was fighting, along with FCM, the Provinces and everyone who understood the issue, on the “Buy American/Fair Trade” issue.

At the past conference I helped with other members of the Increasing women’s participation in Municipal government committee to raise awareness of a scholarship FCM offers to young women who may be interested in a career in politics. We managed to raise over $3400 to the scholarship.

This year I have the good fortune to be appointed by President Hans Cunningham (BC) to be the Vice Chair of the Social Economic Development Committee. The Committee will be Chaired by Councillor Ben Henderson (Edmonton) and Jocelyne Guertin, Conseillère, Ville de Laval, QC will be the other Vice Chair.
What does the committee do? From the Policy guide this is what it says the committee is charged with.

FCM Policies and Strategies
• Community infrastructure
• Affordable housing
• Homelessness
• Immigration
• Diversity, culture, and heritage
• Healthy communities and child care
• Municipal-Aboriginal relations
• FCM’s Quality of Life Reporting System

Here is more on the SED committee
http://www.fcm.ca//CMFiles/SEDPolicyStatement20101KFJ-762010-3696.pdf

We have heard the use of the term Infrastructure deficit. It describes how funding from all orders (especially Provincial and Federal) have resulted in Canada having a 123 BILLION dollar shortfall in what is needed to get our roads, bridges, rail and waterways up to today’s standard.

We also face a Social Infrastructure Deficit, which is the drop off or reduction of social services to those most vulnerable in our society. The Federal and Provincial Governments were for many years building affordable housing for those that can’t afford to buy or who live below the poverty line. One of our key policies is that the delivery of Social Services should be at the Federal and Provincial level instead of on the backs of homeowners via the property tax.
One thing that happens is the Municipal governments across the country step in to provide services that ultimately should be provided by the other orders of government.
FCM has released a Comprehensive Housing Strategy that has been received and like Haltons is award winning, also strategies and policies on Poverty, homeless, immigration and inclusiveness. Halton region is expected to double in size the next 20 years and we need to be planning and making sure we have the services here we need and our citizens require.
FCM will continue to advocate for the social fabric of our country. By working with the Federal Government we can continue to advocate for all our citizens. We can build a much better country. I look forward to working with my colleagues from across the country on the great work this committee does.

New Acton Library... Believe It!

One of the exciting projects underway right now here in Halton Hills is the new branch of the Acton Library. The new branch is being built beside the old one on a scenic site nestled amongst the trees at River Street and main Street North. A site we heard from the people that they wanted to see the library remain. I agree.

The Acton library branch was built as a centennial project in commemoration of Canada’s 100 Birthday in 1967. Like a lot of buildings at the time it was built with a entrance way and then 2 sets of stairs going up and down. This design of building is difficult for us to renovate and to make accessible for people with accessibility issues.

We had a girl from Acton come to our Council meeting and plead with us to make sure we made the building fully accessible. Sidney Weaver, who is an ambassador for the March of Dimes asked us to consider not only her needs with accessibility, but also young Moms with strollers, seniors and everyone in the community. She wanted the library to be fully accessible. Council listened and the Acton Library will be in compliance with the OADA (Ontarians with Disability Act) as well as it will be a place of civic pride and distinctive here in town.

The funding came from the Stimulus Fund set up by the Federal and Provincial Governments to help keep Canada working during the economic recession that started in 2008. Originally the funding was 1/3 for each partner with the Towns share being 1.8 Million for a 4.1 Million dollar project. Our share is a bit more then 1/3 as we had to incorporate the OADA requirements as well as some work for the conservation authorities with a retaining wall. This library will also be built to a LEEDS Silver and will be using a geothermal heat and cooling system.


The library has a banner across the door stating “New Acton Library…Believe it” I talked to a retired library worker and she said “I never thought I would see it in my lifetime..” The branch was originally scheduled to be replaced in around 2013 but with the Georgetown branch and the need for arenas it probably would have been pushed back.

leathertown Fest/MasoniCHiP

The 19th Leathertown Festival was held yesterday turning downtown Acton into the “Big easy”. The theme this year was “New Orleans”. Mill Street was renamed “Bourbon Street” Beads and masks were seen everywhere to go with the face painting, street magicians and music.
Hats off to the group of volunteers who put it all together. The Acton BIA has worked hard on the festival and it is great fun! A little rain did not dampen our spirits! Here is a great shot of Mayor Rick and Councillor Jon Hurst at the opening ceremonies.
I was assisting in a program that to me is a great endeavour, the MasoniCHiP program which was held at the Salvation Army Thrift Store sponsored by Dr Chan.
The MasoniCHiP program has been in Ontario for a few years after having been in the US. It is a Child ID kit that includes, photos, movie clip, a bite plate, DNA general description and biometric fingerprints. All on a CD that if needed can be uploaded in minutes. The only record kept is the permission slip. All of the information is returned to the parent or the guardian.
It is unfortunate that nowadays we need to protect our children this way. The innocent days of my youth when kids could play outside and wander around from breakfast to dinner seem long gone.
The Grand Lodge of Ontario has endorsed and asked the various districts to host clinics where we can have the kits done for the parents. There is a lot of preparation goes into each event. Form the location, advertising, set up with power and of course ensuring the confidentiality of each child who comes in. Every person working the clinic has received a Police Clearance and everyone carries the letters with them in case they are asked for by any parent or guardian.
The children are weighed; there height taken and then they head in to see a Dentist who has donated his or her time to help out. A bite plate is done and is placed with the kit. For the young ones a DNA cheek swab is done.
Next the volunteers input all the information including any special instructions and identifying marks. The kids always love the fingerprints especially as it does not involve ink! Then the photos and a video is made asking a set of questions the Police can use if need be.
The parents review the information and it is then uploaded onto a CD. Dated with the child’s name and then, the computer wipe out all the information. The parents are reminded to keep the CD in a safe place at home. If it is ever needed every minute counts. The only cost ever asked for is a voluntary donation or in the case yesterday it was sponsored.
Yesterday we did kits for 87 kids, the total for Wellington District is 788 over the last couple of years. The total in Ontario is 32,662. Just think over 32,000 children have kits that can be used if they are needed. The next clinic in this area is in Milton in late September, we have done one each year at the Erin Fall fair. I am not sure yet but will keep you posted. The photo is of gavin WHite on the scales as Dad does the paperwork.
As the slogan says “Masons helping you protect the ones you love”

A Crisis in farming

I wrote yesterday about the agricultural community and how it could be impacted by a new provincial highway in Halton Hills. The highway would start at about Tremaine, cross Regional Road 25 and work its way across the south of Halton Hills and cross into Peel at about Winston Churchill and 10 SR.
An 8 lane 400 series highway would be devastating to this area. Not just to the farming community but to the rural residents as well. Tremendous strain would be put on any and all the farmers who are still working the land to sell to developers. The developers would argue that with a road like that there they should be building houses, commercial areas and urban services. The Town would be under pressure to rezone and change the classification of the land. One thing that people can do is ask for there land use to change. If it does not meet the current rules an amendment to the present uses can be applied for and dealt with publicly.
The public process will involve public meetings where everyone is allowed to state their thoughts or concerns with what is planned. All questions have to be addressed. No matter which way we decide, those in favour or those opposed can appeal our decision to the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board). The OMB will look at it and decide on the merits of whether the plans meet “good planning”.

The whole of agriculture has been under stress in the GTA. Halton Hills has worked with the agricultural community to try and make sure their industry remains vibrant and sustainable. We have for the last 4 years hosted Farm meetings where we present what is going on in the Town, but more importantly listen to what is on there minds and how we can assist. We gather anything additional information we may need and report back to the agricultural community.
Farming has been under pressure here as the average age of farmers has increased to about 55. Add to that the next generation is frequently looking for work off the farm. Also with fewer farmers the infrastructure they require starts leaving, such as equipment and tractor dealers, Mobile vets, seed stores and corn dryers. Add in the speculators who look to buy up land and hope they can grow houses, the increased traffic on our rural roads and a disconnect with a populace that will buy any food item not even thinking as to its origin. It doesn’t help when a dozen years ago the Ministry of Agriculture closed the Georgetown office and moved to Guelph.
I was born on a farm, My Dad studied agriculture in college and we had a dairy herd, pigs and cash crops. My Grandfather had a fruit farm just outside of Brookville and grew a variety of fresh berries and vegetables he took to market.
I am proud to sit on 3 organisations that work on rural issues. As a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Rural Forum I deal with issues on a national scale affecting all aspects of rural Canadian life. We have repeatedly asked for a Rural Secretariat at the federal Cabinet so there is always a champion at the Cabinet table.

I also sit as a alternate on the Greater Toronto Area Agriculture Action Committee (GTAAAC). This group was formed out of the Green belt decision and the Province started to recognise the difficulties that farming was having in a near urban setting. We have just finished our studies and are starting to prioritize our goals. We also remind people that local food is available here all year round and to look for local first. http://www.gtalocalfood.ca/
At Halton Region I am a member of the Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee, this group is composed of farmers from across the region and represent a variety of different groups such as the cattlemen’s association, Pork producers, Junior farmers, Halton Federation of Agriculture and many more. This group is an advisory group to Council and assists Halton Region with policy directions. We review every planning application in the rural area and provide feedback and comments. Halton Region on the request of HAAC worked with them to became the first Region to use “Local Food Plus” in our facilities.

I know we can’t wave a magic wand and provide all the assistance the farming community will ask for. But I do know that at Halton Hills Council we have always tried to work with the farming groups and understand there needs. We have tried to listen and we have advocated on their behalf. By working together we can hope to achieve a permanent sustainable and vibrant agricultural area in Halton.

The road to hell…

is paved with good intentions…
I have updated this posting as the GTA West is getting closer to having comments filed with the MTO.
The MTO has picked the worst possible solution and have ignored reality and obvious ones.
They have ignored that they could build out 401 from Tremaine over to Winston Churchill with 12 lanes by going to a urban cross section instead of a rural cross section. That means they need no more road width and can build it in there present road allowance.
They have also ignored the fact that GO will be coming to Kitchener and have not provided for increased rail traffic.
It is the same old "paving paradise".

While the land in that area is under tremendous pressure from developers. It is still productive farmland. It will be under more pressure if it is near a major highway and the developers will push for housing.
My vision is for crops of wheat, corn or beans not houses!

A year ago they had 2 options for us to cinsider. What they did was pick them both!
At Council we voted the other night to adamantly oppose the 4-3 option. The 4-2 can bring a needed bypass to Norval.
The 4-3 may end up bringing some economic development to Halton HIlls but at what price?

My vision is for a sustainable agricultural area in Halton HIlls, not freeways or more then likely toll roads across our remainging farm land.


What it means to Halton HIlls is that our farmland south of 10 SR will be effectively frozen for 3 to 5 years. Also all the houses and businesses in this area will have to have MTO approval for any application they wish to file. How would you feel if it was your land?

We wil be out with post cards preaddressed to the Minsiter, Look for us around town th enext few weeks.
Here was the original posting.

Over the last couple of years the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) has been looking at options to move goods, people and services across the gridlock that is southern Ontario. A variety of areas were looked at and it was focused down on a couple. One that will have an impact on us will be the GTA West Corridor study.


The GTA west study has looked at a variety of options that impact us here in Halton Hills from a northern route across the of the GTA to connect basically, Kitchener with the 400. This first option would be located north of Acton and would be a 8 lane 400 series highways. It would traverse the Niagara Escarpment, the Greenbelt and the Oak Ridges Moraine. There have been a lot of concerns from Guelph Eramosa mayor Chris White as it would wipe out a large swath of the best farmland in the area and could have a detrimental effect on the greenbelted farmers. The study is not recommending it go forward.
Two options are going going forward and I will summarize them below. The first one would start at the 401/407 (option 4-2) and then head north and cross into Brampton around 10 SR. This is a study area that is similar to what has been looked at by a separate study called HPBATS or the Halton peel Border Area Transportation Study. This study came out of the regions Official Plan as Peel and Brampton had appealed it as we did not agree with there vision of solving traffic from the rapid growth was to dump it into our area.
I was one of the first at Council to object to how they were advertising in our papers requesting the area east of Trafalgar south of Georgetown be frozen while they figured it out. Even a meeting with the Peel Regional Chair showed there desire to ram this threw. Peel would not even talk about the Norval bypass but they finally saw the light! I am glad all of Council showed the same concern and we have taken a long time to get to today’s MOU of working together. This route may have a great benefit to Halton Hills as we could have greater exposure on a 400 series highway for our industrial area. Mayor Rick and I have attended a multitude of meetings and open houses on this one and will keep working on it. It has a price tag of over 600 million. Not one cent has been assigned.
The one with the most dramatic impact on us would start around the 401 at Tremaine Road across the bottom of Halton Hills, cross into Brampton and connect north in a area around Mayfield. This is the option 4-3 written about in the local papers. http://www.insidehalton.com/community/haltonhills/article/853565
This route would cut across all of our agriculture area and would be the deathknell of our farming community in the south part of Halton Hills. A 400 series highway would put tremendous pressure for the area to be urbanised. To have the straight rows of corn and soybeans to be replaced by rows of houses, cars and big box stores. The area would be lost forever and our rich history of farming would be lost. There are some who would benefit as they could flip there land to other speculators. The land owners of today would not as this would be a 20 to 30 year plan.
Our Council is sending a strong message of opposition to this plan to the MTO and the Ontario government. We need to hear from you and your thoughts. Some people have taken the time to write us and the papers about it. Comments and concerns can be sent to any of us and also should be sent to the study team. More information can be found at http://www.gta-west.com My fear as it relieves a choke point at tremaine on the 401 is that the staff at the Province will think it is a wonderful thing to have 12 lanes of traffic there.
I will have more on agriculture tomorrow.

That’s a load of garbage!

One thing Halton region does is provide waste services to the residents of Halton In Halton Hills our urban areas receive full waste, big pick up green cart and blue box service. Our rural areas receive Blue Box and green Cart service. Recently we asked Halton to look at what the cost would be to provide full garbage service to our rural area. They are looking at the cost s and we will go out to the residents with that information and develop a survey so we know what they would like to see. On average a home in Halton pays about $140 a year for the service.

The landfill site is located in Milton and cost many millions to plan, develop and build. It has a finite life and we will have to start looking at a new one in not too many years. The present one took well over a dozen years to get online. All of the initiatives like Blue Box and green cart work to enhance the life of our landfill. Why have items that can be recycled going to be buried in landfill?

Halton Region has a landfill site that is recognised for being a world class facility and frequently gets tours from people around the world seeing how we manage waste here.

Halton Hills was one of the first to pass a resolution asking for the province to bring in deposits for LCBO bottles and cans. When it came in it dropped the amount of material going into the Blue Box by 1%. It was over 12 million bottles the first year alone diverted from landfill.
Here are some numbers for Halton region for 2009 vs 2008
Waste Landfilled 2009 2008
Residential Garbage 61,952 71,071
Multi-Unit Front End Garbage 9,317 4,989
Front End Garbage Collected - Schools 2,896 -
Container Station: Garbage 11,092 11,633
Recycling & Organics Transfer Residual Waste 596 380
Organics Processing Residual Waste 1,923 1,071
Recycling Processing Residual Waste 3,756 2,882
Total Waste Landfilled 92,401 92,775
Total Material Collected 216,814 213,975
Diversion Rate 57.4% 56.6%

One of the ways we divert garbage is on the “Big pick up days” These days are popular and lead to a lot of items placed out for pick up being reused. As a matter of fact it is close to 50% of the items placed out for big pick up are gathered by others before the trucks arrive! With the high price of scrap metal, people will drive looking for old BBQ’s, chairs etc. I have seen antique tables, chairs and cupboards out for pick up. Bravo to these people for helping out! It is funny as I had my neice place a stroller at the end of my laneway for the big pick up. Someone swapped theres for the old one and left it behind!
The Greencart and Blue Box program has helped extend the life of our site. I had asked and pushed for household batteries to be dropped off at Town facilities and we are collecting about a tonne of them a year in Halton Hills.


If we all try and reduce what we throw out , recycle what we can and reuse items we can make a better environment for all of us. I know as a Councillor who sits on the joint waste management committee, we are always looking at ways to decrease the amount we have going into our landfill.
The Take it Back program that has people returning plastic bags to retailers is an example of the Region working with businesses to reduce landfill.
But we can’t do it alone and will need all of us to work together.