AMO 2020 Virtual Conference: Halton Region Delegation Meets with Ministers

FCM-AMO
Written By

A major part of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) annual conference is getting the chance to meet with the Province's ministers and speak to them about the issues particular to your municipality and seek assistance from the provincial government wherever possible.Even though this year the conference went virtual, things were no different as we still had the opportunity to meet with ministers via Zoom.In addition to meeting several ministers as part of the City of Burlington delegation, I was also part of the Halton Region delegation that included Halton's chair and mayors. Below is a brief synopsis of the meetings and those who attended.The following one-pagers were also presented at each meeting:

Monday, Aug. 17, 2020Finance Minister Rod PhillipsAttendees:

  • Province: Minister Philips, MPP Jane McKenna, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Joshua, Tabasum, Erik Weber, Taylor Jackson, Nancy F, Robert Thompson from MPP Gill's office
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Meed Ward, Mayor Burton, Councillor Best, Jane MacCaskill, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton Requests:

  • Allocation based funding and the immediate delivery of municipal allocations of the Safe Restart Agreement funding.
  • A commitment that relief funding will continue to be provided to municipalities beyond the duration of the Safe Restart Agreement if needed, to support ongoing recovery efforts, particularly if a second wave emerges.

Next steps:

Long-term Care Minister Merillee FuellertonAttendees:

  • Province: Minister Fullerton, Tushna Mehta, Alexandra, Blair Harris, Brian Pollard, MPP Jane McKenna, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Robert Thompson from MPP Gill's office
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Bonnette, Councillor Best, Jane MacCaskill, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton Requests:

  • Additional long-term care beds in Halton to meet the growing needs of our aging residents and underserviced communities.
  • Increased care, service and supports to those seniors whose needs cannot be safely or effectively managed with current service levels.
  • Participation and the ability to provide input into the transformation of the long-term care system, including the Independent Commission.
  • Assistance and support with ongoing long-term care resourcing including human resources and staffing, personal protective equipment and financial supports.

Next Steps:

Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Steve ClarkAttendees:

  • Province: Minister Clark, Alex Beduz, MPP Ted Arnott, MPP Jane McKenna, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Robert Thompson from MPP Gill's office, DM Kaey Munson, Cordelia Clarke, Peter, Alex Ba, Jonathan, Kristin, Hannah, Aly Alibhai
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Meed Ward, Mayor Bonnette, Councillor Best, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton Requests:

  • Allocation based funding and the immediate delivery of municipal allocations of the Safe Restart Agreement funding.
  • A commitment that relief funding will continue to be provided to municipalities beyond the duration of the Safe Restart Agreement if needed, to support ongoing recovery efforts, particularly if a second wave emerges.
  • Audit and Accountability Fund
    • Thank you for the funding
  • Proposed CN Truck Rail Hub in Milton
    • Update on the issue and process

Next Steps:

Transportation Minister Caroline MulroneyAttendees:

  • Province: Minister Mulroney, John Manning, Andreea Iorga, MPP Jane McKenna, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Robert Thompson from MPP Gill's office, Minister Surma, PA Thanig, James Nolan, Becca Lane, Rob Elliott, Eric Doigle
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Meed Ward, Mayor Bonnette, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton requests:

  • A coordinated, multi-year, multi-ministry provincial infrastructure investment plan and funding connected to the Growth Plan for the delivery of schools, hospitals, transit, highways and housing, including:
    • A commitment to timing and delivery of all day, two-way GO service to Milton and Georgetown to support significant planned population growth.
    • A commitment to timing and delivery of a new GO station at Trafalgar and Highway 401 which is a key mobility hub in Halton’s Mobility Plan.
    • A commitment to highway improvements to the 401 and QEW.

Next steps:

Overall next steps:

  • Develop a growth pays for growth one pager
  • Letter from Chair Carr to request a meeting with MMAH, TB, MOF, (MOH and LTC) re meeting in fall (October)
  • Reach out to appropriate Ministry staff as a follow up to the letter from Chair Carr

Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020Education Minister Stephen LecceAttendees:

  • Province: Minister Lecce, MPP Arnott, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, Justin DeMarchi, Deetum Proulx, J Brennan
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Bonnette, Mayor Meed Ward, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton requests:

  • Continued discussion on a coordinated, multi-year, multi-ministry provincial infrastructure investment plan and funding connected to the Growth Plan for the delivery of schools, hospitals, transit, highways and housing including the approval and development of schools in high growth areas within Halton.

Next steps:

Associate Minister Michael Tibollo - Ministry of Mental Health and AddictionsAttendees:

  • Province: Associate Minister Tibolo, MPP Ted Arnott, MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, David Lancaster, Evan Holt from MPP Gill's office, Matthew McGregor, Ashlee Babcock, Ramona, Sarnia Moledina, Jenna Amalani, Vinessa Redford
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Meed Ward, Mayor Bonnette, Councillor Best, Jane MacCaskill, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton requests:

  • Increased funding for mental health services to support people in the early stages of mental health journey to adequately manage their needs and prevent mental health crisis.

Next Steps:

Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, MPP Randy PettapieceAttendees:

  • Province: Parliamentary Assistant Pettapiece, Scott Duff, Meaghan Martin, Laurel Davis,  Evan Holt from MPP Gill's office, David Lancaster, staff to MPP Effie Triantafilopoulos, MPP Ted Arnott, Caitlin Kelly
  • Halton: Chair Carr, Mayor Burton, Mayor Meed Ward, Mayor Bonnette, Councillor Best, Lynne Simons, Mabel Watt

Halton requests:

  • Increase the eligibility of rural Halton Region to all and any funding programs.
  • Approve applications to Improving Connectivity for Ontario (ICON) program for rural Halton.
  • That the Province continue to incentivize and encourage investments, partnerships and innovation for broadband deployment in Halton.
  • Coordinate broadband funding and enhancements with the Federal Government.

Overall next steps:

  • Develop a growth pays for growth one pager
  • Letter from Chair Carr to request a meeting with MMAH, TB, MOF, (MOH and LTC) re meeting in fall (October)
  • Reach out to appropriate Ministry staff as a follow up to the letter from Chair Carr
  • Follow-up thank you letter from Regional Chair Carr: AMO_OMAFRA_Halton Region Thank You_September 3 2020

RELATED LINKS:

Previous

AMO 2020 Virtual Conference: New Board Members Elected, Acclaimed for 2-Year Term
Next

City of Burlington Fall Recreation Programs Re-Launching in September