Town backs FCM infrastructure proposal

With the federal government wrapping up nearly six months of consultations on its long-term infrastructure plan, the Town of Halton Hills is backing the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) proposal that says Canada needs a 20-year plan with predictable funding to fix its crumbling infrastructure.

That’s the message delivered by the FCM recently as it released its recommendations on the Government of Canada’s long-term infrastructure plan.

“A long-term federal funding commitment that reflects the life-cycles of the infrastructure it is meant to fix is needed to allow municipalities to invest wisely and strategically in priority areas over decades, not just years,” said FCM president, Councillor Karen Leibovici. “It also means breaking away from budgets built on application forms and providing a predictable funding envelope for all municipalities.”

“The Town of Halton Hills has benefited from programs such as the Federal Gas Tax Fund and one time programs such as the Economic Action Plan,” said Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette. “With increasingly tightened budgets and rising costs, we need all levels of Government to work together on infrastructure programs. Long term stable funding will allow us to plan our projects and save our taxpayers money.”

The Federation says the inefficiencies and uncertainty resulting from application-based programs is even more acute for smaller and rural communities that do not have the staff resources of larger municipalities.

“As an FCM Board Member it was an honour to work on the Long Term Infrastructure Plan with my colleagues from across Canada,” said Halton Hills Councillor Clark Somerville, FCM Board Member for Halton. “We developed a Plan that recognizes the challenges smaller communities face with replacing our aging infrastructure. It can be difficult to meet the Program requirements due to a lack of staff resources, tight time frames or budget capacity. We must remember that municipalities receive only 8 cents of the Canadian tax dollar but are responsible for over 60% of its infrastructure.”

The FCM proposals also call for an increase in annual federal investments dedicated to municipal infrastructure from $3.25 billion to $5.75 billion to bring it in line, as a percentage of GDP, with historical levels from the 1950s to the mid-1970s that allowed proper infrastructure maintenance and growth.

The money would build roads, bridges, trails, recreation facilities, reduce gridlock and improve quality of life.

The FCM identified in 2007 that the infrastructure deficit in Canada was $123 billion. The Town of Halton Hills has estimated the deficit here at about $153 million.

FCM is proposing maintaining the existing permanent gas tax transfer, but with a cost-of-living indexation to protect its buying power. It is also proposing creating a number of new federal programs designed to efficiently leverage matching investments from municipalities and provinces with a minimum of red tape and bureaucratic costs.

Federation of Canadian Municipalities announces that Regional Councillor Somerville re-elected as Vice Chair of the Rural Forum

Press release from Halton Region on my re election as FCM Rural Forum Vice Chair

Release Date: Sep 10, 2012

The president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), Karen Leibovici, has announced that Regional Councillor Clark Somerville of FCM’s Board of Directors has been re-elected as Vice Chair of the Rural Forum. The standing committee advises FCM’s 75-member Board of Directors on the national issues facing Canada’s rural communities.

“I am pleased to have Clark play a key role in our team, and I look forward to working together in the year ahead to advance the interest of local governments,” said FCM president Karen Leibovici.

“Clark has a passion for Rural Canada and has been a strong advocate for it. We have worked well together and I know, with our colleagues in the Rural Forum, we can tackle the challenges we will face in the next year,” added newly reelected Chair David Marit who is also the President of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of Canada’s municipalities, speaking for almost 2000 cities and communities representing 90 per cent of Canada’s population. Its national Board is comprised of municipal leaders from across Canada, and meets quarterly to set policy priorities.

“I am truly honoured to have received support from my Rural Colleagues in my reelection. FCM always tries to have a rural lens on all our work and I look forward to trying to bring a Halton perspective to the national picture,” added Somerville. “The need for all our towns and cities to speak with one voice has never been stronger then what it is now. As Governments balance their books we have to make sure it is not on the backs of local municipal taxpayers”

Councillor Somerville has served as a Board member for FCM for 4 years. He is one of 11 elected to serve Ontario. In addition to the Rural Forum he also serves on the committees dealing with Infrastructure, Finance and Intergovernmental relations. He is also Chair of Halton Region’s Health and Social Services Committee.

“Advocating to promote and protect Halton’s rural communities is important to Halton Regional Council,” said Regional Chair Gary Carr. “The Citizens’ Priorities, Halton’ Region’s 2011-2014 Action Plan, contains several rural priorities and I am pleased that Councillor Somerville can continue to advance these issues in his role on the Rural Forum with FCM.”

FCM’s successful advocacy with the federal government has brought significant benefits to Halton Region over the past five years. From the GST refund to the permanent federal gas tax fund, and now the federal government’s new, long-term infrastructure plan to build the roads, bridges, water and transportation systems Canada needs to support its families, businesses, and national economy.

Beat the heat!

I stole this right from Mayor Ricks Blog! Not plagerism but flattery!

Too Hot? – Town of Halton Hills has Cooling Centres The Town of Halton Hills wishes to remind residents that in the event the Region of Halton issues a “Heat Alert” or if you are suffering from the heat, the Town has designated cooling centres throughout Halton Hills for your relief. Please see attached for details. “We want our residents to know that they have cool, safe places to go to escape from the heat.” says Mayor Rick Bonnette. “We have been in touch with community service providers to inform them of the Towns’ Cooling Centres as they deal first-hand with the people who may be most vulnerable”. During periods of hot weather conditions, particularly when humidity levels are high, the body works extra hard just to maintain a normal temperature. Some medical conditions that can result from exposure to high temperatures include: Heat Cramps These are painful spasms usually in the leg and stomach muscles and usually accompanied by heavy sweating. They can be alleviated by moving to a cooler place and lightly massaging and stretching the affected muscles. People experiencing heat cramps should also sip up to half a glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Heat Exhaustion During heat exhaustion, a person may be sweating heavily, but their skin may be cool, pale or flushed. Other symptoms are a weak pulse, fainting, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, exhaustion and headaches. Body temperature may be normal but it will likely rise. People suffering from heat exhaustion should lie down in a cool place, loosen or remove clothing and put on cool wet clothes. They should sip water slowly, about half a glass every 15 minutes. Water should be discontinued if they are nauseated. They should seek immediate medical attention if vomiting occurs. Heat Stroke (also called Sun Stroke) This is a severe medical. Body temperature is high (103° F or 39.4° C) as opposed to normal body temperature of 98.5° F or 37° C, the pulse is strong and rapid, and breathing is shallow and rapid. The person suffering heat stroke may be experiencing throbbing headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, have red, hot and dry skin (not sweating), and may become unconscious. This person should be taken to a hospital as quickly as possible. Delay can be fatal. En route, keep the person as cool as possible by removing clothing and sponging with cool water. Heat can also aggravate other conditions such as: • Heart disease, especially high blood pressure • Kidney disorders • Psychiatric disorders During a heat wave, everyone is at risk, but some groups are more vulnerable than others. Those most at risk include older adults (65+), infants and young children, and the chronically ill, including people with asthma. The public is advised to "Beat the Heat" by taking these precautions: • Drink lots of water and natural fruit juices • Stay out of the blazing sun or heat. UV rays are strongest between the hours of 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. • Avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors, including gardening and lawn maintenance • Go to places that are air conditioned, including shopping malls, libraries, community centres and movie theatres • The temperature inside of a car is even higher than the temperatures outside. Never leave children, older adults or pets unattended in a car, even for a short period of time If you experience symptoms of heat-induced illness, such as cramping in your arms, legs or stomach, rapid breathing, weakness or fainting, headache and/or confusion, seek medical attention right away. Also, check with your pharmacist to see if your medication has any side effects during extreme heat. During a heat alert, please take a moment to call or visit family and neighbours who may be at risk. We need to ensure the safety of all residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable to the extreme weather. TOWN OF HALTON HILLS – COOLING CETNRES Residents who do not have air conditioning can find relief in Town facilities, such as recreation centres or either branch of the Halton Hills Public Library. During periods of declared heat alert, these facilities will be open during their standard business hours as places of refuge for persons to seek relief from the heat. Please call the facility for their operating hours: Mold-Masters SportsPlex – 221 Guelph Street, Georgetown, 905-877-8488 Acton Arena & Community Centre – 415 Queen Street, Acton, 519-853-0020 Halton Hills Cultural Centre & Library (Georgetown Branch) – 224 Maple Avenue, Georgetown, 905-873-2681 Halton Hills Public Library (Acton Branch) – 17 River Street, Acton, 519-853-0301 Halton Hills Civic Centre – 1 Halton Hills Drive, Georgetown, 905-873-2601 Gellert Community Centre – 10241 8th Line, Georgetown, 905-877-4244 Aquatic Facilities - Daily Recreational Swimming Acton Indoor Pool* (519) 853-3140 Gellert Community Centre* (905) 877-4244 *Admission fees apply. For recreational swimming schedules please call the pool of your choice: Splash Pads - Open daily 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gellert Park (10241 Eighth Line) Dominion Gardens (135 Maple Avenue)

Superior Glove (Prospect Park 30 Park Avenue)