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)

REGIONAL COUNCILLOR CLARK SOMERVILLE JOINS MUNICIPAL LEADERS FROM ACROSS CANADA TO MEET WITH FEDERAL COUNTERPARTS TO BUILD AND EXPAND PARTNERSHIP

(Halton Hills) - This past week Regional Councillor Clark Somerville joined more than a 100 other municipal leaders in Ottawa for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) annual meetings on Parliament Hill. FCM met with more than 100 Members of Parliament, including party leaders and cabinet ministers, to build practical partnership and protect core investments in Halton Hills and Halton Region as well as municipalities across Canada.
“As a local and regional Councillor as well as Halton Regions representative at FCM it is important that I present the challenges we are facing here,” said Somerville. “I am honoured to be asked by the President to sit on the Municipal Infrastructure Forum and the International Trade Working groups. Both groups will work closely with the Federal Government on these important issues. I thank Chair Carr and Mayor Bonnette for their continued support as well as the support I receive from all my Council colleagues and staff that allows me to work as a Board member with the FCM. Whether it is rural, housing, transit, policing or other issues I try to provide the Halton snapshot.”

The week’s most significant achievement was the launch of the Government of Canada’s new infrastructure planning process. The plan promises to stop the decline in our municipal infrastructure and build the roads, bridges, water and transit systems we need to support our families, businesses and economic growth.
In recent years, the federal government has worked with Halton Region and other municipalities to repair aging infrastructure, but 40 % of federal-municipal funding is set to expire by 2014. The new, long-term plan promised by the government will protect essential investments and reduce the burden on local property taxpayers in the years ahead.

The federal government laid out a clear timetable to take stock of recent investments in cities and communities, identify where investments need to be made in the future, and replace soon to expire programs with a new generation of long-term infrastructure investments.
"In the last few years, federal and municipal governments have worked more closely than ever to fight the economic crisis and rebuild Canada's aging roads, bridges, and water systems," said FCM President Berry Vrbanovic. "Together, we can tear down the silos that prevent us from serving taxpayers in the best way possible. Together, we can build a stronger, safer Canada."
Municipal leaders also received a report about FCM’s meeting this week with the Prime Minister. FCM representatives talked with the Prime Minister about how federal and municipal governments have worked together to fight the recession and how they can continue working together to keep Canada's economic foundations secure.
Municipal leaders also heard Liberal Leader Bob Rae and NDP leader Nicole Turmel discuss what their parties are doing to strengthen the economy, support communities, and protect property taxpayers from offloading by other governments.
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Why I wear a poppy…

At this time of year we start to see people wearing poppies in remembrance of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. I wear one to say thanks:
For those who died defending our liberties and stopping tyranny and the abuses of our fellow man;
For those who returned home, scarred by the injuries they suffered that were both visible and the ones that were hidden;
For those who left the comforts of their home, trained and travelled to lands far off and who received the eternal thanks of liberated people as they marched;
To those cut down in their youth who will never see the hope and promise the free nations became;
To those who in peace keeping missions tried to preserve tenuous peace treaties and to assist oppressed citizens;
To those who believed that our freedoms were rightly worth dying for and the price of freedom really is “eternal vigilance”;
For the members of my family who fought and perished and those that returned home safely;
For my family members who still serve today whether it is with the Princess Pats, the US Marines, Navy, the Royal Air Force or the reserves;
For the families of those who have served and whose hearts skip a beat when news of a fallen Canadian reaches us;
For all those who gather in solemn remembrance in the cold clear days of November and watch the procession of dignitaries and veterans pause after laying a wreath at cenotaphs;
To remind me that the life I have has been paid for by generations of brave men and women and my freedom and ability was on their sacrifices;
To the greatest country in the world who has given me the opportunity I enjoy.

It is always an honour to be able to walk beside the Legionnaires, and active members as we make our way to the Cenotaph. To be able to participate and to pause and lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

My family is not any different then most peoples in Canada who will reflect the next few days of the freedoms we have won and the price we have all paid.

Wear the poppy with pride, humility and peaceful reflection.
We will Remember them…


An uncle, Major Somerville was the aide de Camp for President Roosevelt in WW2

My Dad in Acton in the Masales Dairy truck on the spontaneous parade that happened after WW2 ended.

Buy American 2.0 UPDATE!

Anyone who has read the local papers and followed anything in Canadian Politics will be familiar with the fight Halton Hills started against the US on protectionist measures.
In April 2009 Halton Hills was the first Municipality that passed a resolution opposing the US and its protectionist measures contained in stimulus bills.
In June FCM passed after much discussion unanimously a motion opposing the Buy American provisions and supported free and fair trade. The contentious part was on not purchasing from countries that did not support our principles.

In August the Premiers of the country came on board and started to push the Feds to take action. Canada was literally bleeding jobs over it.
In September the Feds under Former Minister Day started pressing the US. It took until February to get an agreement but we did!
It was a long tough process and taught me more about international trade then I ever knew!

The bad part is its back! A recent bill put before the house has provisions that require any material used in Municipal projects that receive Federal money to be made in the US. At first blush it may sound innocuous but it is dangerous! With the NAFTA deal parts during process go back and forth across the border as components are added. Final assembly may be here but the pieces may have been made in the US. Or visa versa. That is the idea behind free and fair trade.

The imposition of protectionist measures is politically an easy one. If you were a leader in a economically depressed area in the US it becomes a Motherhood statement. The constituencies may think that it is a way to greater jobs and economic prosperity. But in a global economy our companies compete and can compete on the world stage.

The US economy is in deep trouble still. With elections coming next year they are looking for ways to get it kick started. But the President, the House, Senate and the leaders need to pay heed to the history of the depression befor embarking on more protectionist measures.

In Canada labour union groups and left wing groups that from for them have been pushing Buy Canadian policies. It is a dangerous fools game to enter.
The big push they have is to have material handed out locally espousing fear and unsubstantiated material that like Chicken Little has “the sky is falling.”
In Halton Hills it is interesting as we do not get contacted by them, nor do they send the material to us. But neighbouring towns do!
I guess it is because we can look past the rhetoric and see the reality behind the screen!
It is a shame that yesterdaay CBC News reported that the US Ambassador isaid that Canada will not recieve an exemption under the Buy American provisions.
We have a tenuous world economy. The US is hurting and elections seem to forever loom on the horizon. But why would they risk plunging the world into a deeper recession or a deppresion?
It seems they simply are looking at the immediate and not focusing on what may need to be done down the road.
I have always like Obama and thought he may bring change to the US. I must admit I am disapointed that he would persue the protectionist route.

I was assisting this weekend both in Acton and in Erin in a program that to me is a great endeavour, the MasoniCHiP program which during the Leathertown Festival is being held at Peek a Boo Daycare 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. Sometimes it is sponsored like yesterday. Other times people make a voluntary doantion.Yesterday in Erin this one little girl, who obviously was not cameraa shy, came back to ask if I could take a pictur eof her face painting. A unicorn across her face! How could someone say no!
The total for Wellington District is close to a 1,000 kits over the last couple of years. The total in Ontario is over 33,000. Just think over 32,000 children have kits that can be used if they are needed. The next clinic in this area is in Erin on Thanksgiving weekend. I am not sure yet but will keep you posted if there is more 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”