“Seeds Sown for a Social Services Network”

April 30^th, 2014 - News Release

Over seventy people participated in a very successful one day workshop focusing on social issues in Halton Hills.  The event was held on April 25 at St. Andrew’s United Church.  Participants included representatives from Halton Region, the Town of Halton Hills, a wide range of “not for profit” groups and organizations, as well as church groups and private citizens.

Mayor Rick Bonnette’s address illustrated how the social component is an integral part of the Integrated Community Sustainability Strategy (ICSS), which was recently adopted by Council.  Damian Szybalski, Manager of Sustainability, Town of Halton Hills gave a presentation outlining the overall framework of the ICSS, and highlighted the contents of the Social component of the Strategy. The other three parts of the Strategy are the Economy, Culture, and the Environment.

Regional Councillor Clark Somerville explained the important role that Halton Region plays in the delivery of many social services in Halton Hills, including child care subsidies, subsidized housing, employment skills, managing the Ontario Works program, services for seniors, and mental health programs.

Keynote speaker, Dr. Joey Edwardh, Executive Director of Community Development Halton, gave the audience a snapshot of the demographic and social dimensions of Halton Hills as a community of communities.  She emphasized that social services enhance the quality of life of the entire community, and the importance of neighbourhoods as the core mechanism for people to look after each other. 

Beatrice Sharkey used the evolution of   the Cultural Roundtable as gave an example of how a small group of people can build an effective network to share information, improve cooperation and partnership, and increase the effective use of resources. She emphasized how the social services sector could benefit from such a mechanism locally.

Small group discussions tackling issues in the social services sector were animated and productive, and a key outcome was strong support for the concept of creating a structured ongoing network in the social services sector. Volunteers will be following up to make this concept a reality.

Event organizers David Clayton and Nancy Heinmiller, (who were the original co-Chairs of the Social component of the ICSS) said: “Our objective was to emphasize that the social services sector is as important as the other three components of the Sustainability Strategy, and to sow the seeds for a network that would bring greater cohesion and effectiveness to the social services sector in Halton Hills. We are pleased that we went some distance in achieving these goals, and greatly appreciate the help of the team who helped organize the event, and the enthusiastic participation of those who attended”.

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FCM speech

It was a great weekend at FCM and I am humbled by the support I have recieved.  Here is my speech I gave that morning to the delegates.

Good Morning Everyone, Bienevue

I am Clark Somerville, a Local and Regional Councillor for Halton Region, and I am a asking for your vote for 3^rd Vice President. 

I share your passion for strong local government.  I believe that municipalities are the true keepers of democracy in Canada as we ARE the order of government closest to the people. We listen, we work together and we respond.  But we can’t do it alone.

My Council role, like being 3^rd Vice President, requires balance. I deal with issues like poverty reduction, housing, public transit as well as the vitality and sustainability of our agricultural communities.  I deal with places that have high as well as no growth. I am someone who will meet YOU on the level.

I am willing to learn to improve myself and serve you.

We don’t know what the next 5 years will bring, but I feel I have the VISION to lead us as we move forward. I AM committed to FCM and to serving you and your communities.

Increasingly a rural /urban divide is being felt and we must remember that all of us have a tremendous amount to contribute to the agenda and WE AS AN ORGANISATION must strive to reach that,  we need to build bridges, not of steel and concrete, but of understanding between our large urban centers and our smallest rural areas. 

We need to find ways to keep OUR members engaged through  innovative ideas like  webstreamed meetings,  and pooling travel rewards programs to assist smaller communities in attending.  Let’s have the discussion.

We have made great strides with the Federal government but we can’t rest on our laurels.  We need to advance OUR municipal agenda and lay the ground work to build 22^nd century Canada.

Infrastructure means different things to different people.  Transit is not just roads but includes active transportation and public transit.  It must include our hospitals, recreational, senior and youth centres and a host of other projects we fund off our property tax base.  We need to make sure that ALL infrastructure is discussed.

We need to get aggressive on items that may be falling behind. 

We all know we need a better financial deal.

We need to enhance our partnership on trade issues as ALL trade and economic growth in Canada begins on Main Street.  We ARE the front line.

Canada is only as healthy as our cities, towns, regions and rural areas.

We must take EVERY opportunity to remind the Federal government of our needs. 

Together let’s make our voices heard.    Together, elect the candidate with vision, passion and commitment to advance your needs as your future President.  Together elect Clark Somerville as your 3^rd Vice President.

Je vous demande d’élire Clark Somerville pour le TROI-ZI-M  vice-président de la FCM.

Remember Click on Clark 

Clique Sur Clark

I ask for your vote.

Why I am running for FCM 3rd VP

I’m Clark Somerville a Local/Regional Councillor for the Town of Halton Hills and Halton Region. I’m also a candidate for 3^rd Vice President of FCM.

I have served on the Board of Directors and the Ontario Caucus of FCM for the last 4 years on various committees.  I am currently the Vice Chair of the Rural Forum and have served as the Chair of the Housing Subcommittee and Vice Chair of the Social Economic Development Committee.  I have actively participated in the annual Advocacy Days and other FCM events, such as the Sustainable Communities conference.

All of us who run for municipal government have a passion to serve our constituents, to make our communities better and to help plan and guide them into the future.  I share that passion.  We know we need to collaborate, build consensus and listen to our citizens.  We need to be willing to adapt to, and  listen and learn as new items come forward.  The one constant we know, is change.

I feel my background provides me with a unique perspective and balance to represent you as 3^rd Vice President.  My community, while on the edge of the Greater Toronto Area, is both urban and rural.  I see daily the challenges and conflicts that happen as our cities and towns grow and the pressures that it places on our rural and agricultural communities.  As Chair of the Halton Health and Social Services Committee, I see the need for affordable housing and other social programs that assist those in our communities who may be on the lowest spoke of life’s wheel. 

All of us are facing challenges with our infrastructure deficits and tightening budgets. We need to ensure that when we talk about building much needed infrastructure, that it’s not only roads and bridges but also the social infrastructure our communities need.

Over the last few years FCM has made tremendous gains with the Federal Government and we need to capitalize on this and ensure that our voices continue to be heard.  We need to listen to the concerns of our communities and act on them. 

It’s important that all FCM members are able to participate and we must explore innovative ways to engage them.

Municipalities have a role to play in the economic development and the strength of our nation.  Whether it is manufacturing, agricultural, resource based, or tourism, municipalities must be recognised for the role they play in building our nation.  All trade travels on Main Street and we should be treated as partners.

FCM is a dynamic organisation and its 3^rd Vice President should be someone who will work and help advance our agenda.  FCM needs someone who will work to bridge the rural/urban divide that is felt increasingly as Canada grows.  It needs someone with a vision and passion for municipalities.

On June 2^nd Vote Clark Somerville for 3^rd VP of FCM.

Please contact me if you have any questions or comments.  My email is clarks@haltonhills.ca or phone at 905-703-6388.  Visit clarksomerville.com

The Hospital funding Question

Haltom Hills Council has been asked to participate in the funding of an expanded Emergency room and a CT scanner at Georgetown hospital. The total cost of this project is 12 million dollars. The Town is being asked to provide 4.54 million.
The biggest question is “Why are out tax dollars being used to fund a hospital? Should it not be Provincial money?”

To me the answer to that one is yes, it should be, however, the Province now requires that for any new hospital construction that there is a Municipal share. It is Provincial policy that we contribute.
I have always had difficulty and am philosophically opposed to us having to fund hospitals. Our budgets get stretched as it is!
For each tax dollar raised in Canada the Federal government gets 50 cents, the Provincial gets 42 cents and the Municipalities get 8 cents. Divided up among the Region and Town for all services we deliver.
Health care in Canada is under the Canada Health Care Act and paid for by the Federal government and the Province. But it is up to the Province to deliver the service.
Hospitals are meant to provide a “regional" type service. If I get sick and go to the local hospital I may be transferred to one in another community that may have the expertise or staff that can assist me. They do not turn me away because I live out of Town. Instead the staff treats me, make me well and send me home.
That is how it is supposed to work.
If there is funding out of a tax base it should be looked at as a Region. I plan to pursue that one a bit more. Though it is unl;ikely as we had a report the last term that left it at the local level.
However, I support funding our Georgetown Hospital. Here is why.
Seven years ago we fought like hell to keep our hospital from losing obstetrics and starting the slow long painful road to closing. We face the same thing today. If we go the route of trying to get funding for the CT scanner and expansion, it could be 7 to 10 years. In the mean time our hospital will fall farther behind in equipment, then staff.
Doctors and Nurses will stop coming to Georgetown as we do not have the equipment available for them to diagnose. People will stop using it as they know for a simple procedure of standard equipment like the CT scan; it can mean a 6 hour trip to Milton or Oakville.
We, as a community stood up and said how important our hospital is. Not just to our health and well being, but also as a tool for attracting businesses to locate here.
In the last week I, as have other members of Council received numerous comments, emails and questions on the funding of the hospital. The vast majority are in favour. Some are opposed to it on principal, some on reasons that do not follow the course of normal logic.
But we as Civic leaders must do our duty and find out what the cost will be. We also must listen to each side and make sure that we understand the reasons for those opposed.
We also need to make sure that if we do this that safe guards are in place for the money put in by the Town.
However we also have to recognize the value the hospital has, how it is up to all of us to support it and make sure it is “healthy.”
Because if we do not, it will surely wither and slowly die.

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.