About Clark Somerville

Growing up on a farm just outside of Acton, Clark saw first-hand the value that agricultural and rural areas play in the vitality of our communities.  Clark has served as a Halton Hills Local Councillor and Halton Regional Councillor for over 17 years His ward encompasses both urban and rural areas, and as a result Clark has continuously advocated for protected the countryside and the Niagara Escarpment from being designated for future highway corridors and growth areas.

Municipally, Clark has served as a member of the Halton Regional Police Services Board, Chair of Halton’s Health and Social Services Committee, Vice President of the Halton Community Housing Corporation and a variety of other committees.

Clark has worked with various community groups such as Poverty Free Halton, and has been an advocate for accessible and affordable housing.  He has supported transit passes for low income earners as well as worked to ensure that all official plans include inclusive neighbourhoods and affordable housing options

During his 5 years working on FCM, Clark has served as the Vice Chair of the Social Economic Development Committee as well as the Rural Forum.  He also served as Chair of the Housing Committee and has been a member of the Municipal Finance and Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Municipal Infrastructure and Transportation, International Relations and the Corrections Canada Working Group along with the DFAIT Working group on trade issues.  He was instrumental in founding the “Men4Women” Group that annually raises money for the Mayor Andree Boucher Memorial Scholarship.  Clark also led a fundraiser for the Angel Street Women’s Shelter, in Iqaluit, which brought much needed supplies to the residents of that area.

“I feel my background and unique perspective provides me with the valuable tools to be the 3^rd Vice President of the FCM, “ said Clark Somerville .  “As a Local and Regional Councillor, I understand the issues facing our communities, whether its immigration services, affordable housing, transit or other services that matter to our residents. There is a need for us to continue to work in partnership with the Provincial, Territorial and  Federal government to ensure our communities are sustainable.”

It’s important  that whoever is elected, understand  the uniqueness of all the areas of our country.  Canada’s rural communities have huge housing challenges as well as infrastructure needs that could cripple their ability to pay.  As our natural resource sectors grow its essential to ensure that the rural communities have the necessary services in place.

“I have the experience and the balance as a Councillor who represents a largely rural and urban area, in the fast growing Greater Toronto Area, to understand and work with all areas of the country.  I believe in being open and approachable and always welcome feedback on all the issues,” commented Clark Somerville “I look forward to and appreciate your support.”

À propos de Clark Somerville

 Ayant grandi sur une ferme juste à l'extérieur de Acton, Clark a vu de première main la valeur que les zones agricoles et rurales jouent dans la vitalité de nos communautés. Clark a servi de Halton Hills Conseiller local et régional pour plus de 17 ans sa paroisse englobe à la fois les zones urbaines et rurales, et en conséquence Clark a toujours pousser en faveur de la protection de la nature et de l'escarpement du Niagara d'être désigné pour corridors routiers futurs et les zones de croissance.

Localement, Clark a servi en tant que membre de la Commission des services de police régional de Halton, présidente du comité des services sociaux et de santé de Halton et, vice-président de la Société de logement communautaire de Halton et une variété d'autres comités.

Clark a travaillé avec divers groupes communautaires tels que la pauvreté gratuite Halton, et a été un défenseur de logements accessibles et abordables. Il a soutenu les titres de transport pour les personnes à faible revenu ainsi que veillé à ce que tous les plans officiels comprennent quartiers inclusifs et des options de logements abordables.

Au cours de ses cinq années de travail de la FCM, Clark a servi comme vice-président du Comité de développement socio-économique ainsi que le Forum rural. Il a également servi en tant que président du Comité du logement et a été membre du comité des finances municipales et le Comité intergouvernemental sur les relations, les infrastructures municipales et transports, relations internationales et le Groupe de travail sur les services correctionnels du Canada avec le groupe de travail du MAECI sur les questions commerciales. Il a contribué à la fondation du groupe "Men4Women" qui soulève chaque année des fonds pour la Bourse d'études pour la maire Andrée Boucher.  Clark a également mené une collecte de fonds pour le refuge de l'Ange, rue des femmes, à Iqaluit, qui a apporté des fournitures indispensables pour les habitants de cette région.

Je croie que ma jeunesse et mes expériences et la perspective unique me fournit les outils précieux pour le 3ème vice-président de la FCM », a déclaré Clark Somerville. «En tant que conseillère municipale et régionale, je comprends les problèmes auxquels font face nos communautés, qu'il s'agisse de ses services en matière d'immigration, le logement abordable, de transit ou d'autres services qui comptent pour nos résidents. Il est nécessaire pour nous de continuer à travailler en partenariat avec les gouvernements provinciaux, territoriaux et fédéral pour que nos collectivités soient durables ".

 Il est important que celui qui est élu, comprenne le caractère unique de toutes les régions de notre pays. Collectivités rurales du Canada ont des problèmes de logement énormes ainsi que les besoins d'infrastructure qui pourrait paralyser leur capacité de payer. Comme nos secteurs des ressources naturelles poussent il est essentiel de s'assurer que les communautés rurales aient les services nécessaires en place.

«J'ai l'expérience et de l'équilibre comme un conseiller qui représente une zone essentiellement rurale et urbaine, dans la région du Grand Toronto et sa rapide croissance, de comprendre et de travailler avec toutes les régions du pays. Je crois qu'il faut être ouvert et accessible et toujours recevoir des commentaires sur toutes les questions », a commenté Clark Somerville" J'ai hâte de vous entendre et je vous remercie de votre soutien. "

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.