Regional Council June 2023 Highlights: Halton to Oppose Quarry Expansion; Declares Intimate Partner Violence a Crisis; Invests in Supportive Housing; & more

Halton Regional Council
Written By

Halton Region Council Highlights -- June 2023The June 2023 edition of Council Highlights includes key public information, messages and marketing materials on significant program updates related to this month’s regular meeting of Regional Council.June Content

  • Road Safety and Active Transportation Initiatives
  • S&P AAA Credit Rating
  • Assisted Housing Portfolio
  • Nelson Quarry Expansion Application Update
  • Motions
    • Declaration of Intimate Partner Domestic Abuse Crisis in Halton
    • Improving Indoor Air Quality
    • Support for Ukrainian Newcomers

Road Safety and Active Transportation InitiativesBackground

  • Regional Council directed staff to report back on opportunities and benefits of accelerating Road Safety and Active Transportation projects within the 10-year program.

Highlights – Road Safety and Active Transportation Initiatives

  • All elements of the transportation system are interconnected and play a role in supporting active lifestyles and a safe and healthy community.
  • Halton Region is advancing designs for active transportation initiatives to address safety, gaps and keep continuity in the overall transportation network over the next two to three years.
  • Halton Region is continuing efforts to accelerate active transportation improvements to Regional roads, like intersection treatments and gaps in sidewalks and multi use paths.

Please use the links below to access additional information about Road Safety and Active Transportation Initiatives and related documents.

S&P AAA Credit Rating Background

  • Halton Region has maintained top credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings (AAA) since 2002 and Moody’s Investors Service (Aaa) since 1989.
  • These top credit rating have preserved Halton Region’s strong long-term financial position.

Highlights – S&P AAA Credit Rating

  • On June 8, 2023, S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed Halton Region’s AAA credit rating for the 21st consecutive year.
  • Achieving a top credit rating:
    • unlocks the lowest possible financing rates, which helps public funds go further;
    • minimizes the long-term costs of large-scale construction; and
    • allows the Region to deliver maximum value for tax and rate payers when investing in major public works projects.
  • S&P’s report praises Halton Region’s growing and diversified economy, very strong budget performance, prudent fiscal management practices and solid economic base.
  • The Region’s rating outlook is stable. This reflects S&P’s confidence in Halton’s ability to uphold this standing into the future despite the risks stemming from macroeconomic headwinds.

Please use the links below to access additional information about the S&P AAA Credit Rating and related documents.

Assisted Housing PortfolioBackground

  • As part of Halton’s Comprehensive Housing Strategy, in November, 2021 Regional Council approved an Assisted Housing Portfolio which commits to create up to 600 new assisted housing units by 2031 with dedicated investment from the provincial and federal governments.
  • New housing opportunities are created by partnering with local municipalities, private, non-profit and cooperative housing developers, development of units on lands owned by Halton Region and Halton Community Housing Corporation (HCHC), and purchase of units, buildings and land.
  • Several Regionally owned sites identified for assisted housing development purposes are currently undergoing predevelopment activities to ready them for construction and potential investment from Provincial and Federal Governments.

Highlights – Assisted Housing Portfolio

  • Halton Region is creating up to 600 new assisted housing units by 2031 through its Assisted Housing Portfolio. Some new initiatives include:
    • A new 52-unit seniors’ supportive housing property at 263 Kerr Street in Oakville. Construction will start shortly and will include ground floor community space for a community hub, and all units will house Halton seniors from the Region’s assisted housing list.
      • This is a $45.4 million project. $21.3 million will be contributed from the Provincial and Federal Governments and $24.1 million will be invested by Halton Region.
    • 14 additional supportive housing units for seniors at 1258 Rebecca Street in Oakville.
      • $6M in funding has been allocated from the Federal and Provincial Governments towards this project. Halton Region will invest $4.3M to this project which when complete, will house low income Halton seniors.
    • Undertaking initial pre-development due diligence to ready 363 Margaret Drive in Oakville for new assisted housing.
      • Halton Region will invest $600,000 for the project, increasing the total regional commitment to $1M. Increased funding will be used to advance this project by retaining a professional design team to complete construction tender drawings and documents to position the project for potential senior government investment.
    • Additional Assisted Housing Portfolio approvals are anticipated over the coming months.

Please use the links below to access additional information about the Assisted Housing Portfolio and related documents.

Nelson Quarry Expansion Application  Background

  • The Burlington Quarry is located to the west of the hamlet of Mount Nemo in the City of Burlington.
  • On May 14, 2020, Halton Region received an application from Nelson Aggregates to amend the Regional Official Plan to expand the Burlington Quarry by extending the license and extraction areas to the south and west of the existing quarry lands.
  • In August 2022, Nelson Aggregates appealed Halton Regional Council’s and the City of Burlington’s non-decision on its Regional and Local Official Plan Amendment applications to the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Highlights – Nelson Quarry Expansion Application

  • As with any quarry application in Halton, a comprehensive technical review of the application and Nelson’s submitted studies has been underway through the Joint Agency Review Team (JART) framework. This review included the participation of the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Halton Region, City of Burlington, and Conservation Halton.
  • JART concluded its review in June 2023 and released the final Technical Summary Report to the public. Regional Council received an update that included the Technical Summary Report on June 14, 2023.
  • The Technical Summary Report (JART Report) concludes that there are significant potential environmental impacts that have not been satisfactorily addressed by the quarry proposal including; impacts on groundwater, impacts on private wells, impacts on natural heritage, and impacts on the Medad Valley, among other issues.
  • Halton Region will participate in the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing as an objector to Nelson’s Aggregate Resources Act application (a link to the Region’s Objection Letter can be found here).
  • The first Case Management Conference of the Tribunal hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 29 and will deal with procedural matters only. Information and updates on the Tribunal process can be found here.

Please use the links below to access additional information about the Nelson Quarry Expansion Application and related documents.

MotionsDeclaration of Intimate Partner Domestic Abuse Crisis in HaltonBackground

  • Every six days in Canada a woman is killed by her intimate partner, and on any given night over 6,000 women and children sleep in shelters because it is not safe for them at home.
  • The Renfrew Inquest issued 86 recommendations to the Province of Ontario on Intimate Partner Violence. The first recommendation was for the Province to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic.
  • Over the past year in Ontario, 52 women were victims of femicide.

Highlights – Declaration of Intimate Partner Domestic Abuse Crisis in Halton

  • Halton Regional Council declares that Intimate Partner Violence and Violence Against Women are epidemic.
  • Halton Region recognizes the issues of violence against women and girls in Halton as serious to the health and wellness of local families.
  • Halton Region is committed to engaging with community partners to educate and support our residents about the seriousness and long-term danger of violence in our community.
  • ­Halton Region will ask the Province to declare Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic as per the recommendations of the 2022 Renfrew County Inquest.

Please use the links below to access additional information about the Declaration of Intimate Partner Domestic Abuse Crisis in Halton and related documents.

Improving Indoor Air QualityBackground

  • Air quality is of increasing concern due to wildfire smoke and ongoing transmission of airborne viruses, including COVID-19.
  • Canada’s Chief Science Advisor recommends that owners and operators of indoor public facilities “scale-up and monitor effective prevention interventions, such as improving ventilation in schools, workplaces and public places as part of a first line of prevention of SARS-CoV2 infection and other respiratory/airborne pathogens.”

Highlights – Improving Indoor Air Quality

  • Protecting public health is a priority for Halton Regional Council. We continue to advocate for improved air quality in public spaces to prevent the spread of airborne diseases.
  • Regional Council requests the:
    • Government of Canada to consider the funding of various interventions to improve the air quality in public places. This can help reduce the spread of diseases in indoor air.
    • Province of Ontario to take action based on evidence to protect the residents of Ontario through changes to the Building Code.

Please use the links below to access additional information about Improving Indoor Air Quality and related documents.

Support for Ukrainian NewcomersBackground

  • Millions of Ukrainians have fled and sought safety in countries around the world due to the ongoing war on Ukraine.
  • Ukrainians began arriving in Canada in February 2022, many with plans to stay with friends or family on a temporary basis.
  • Since then, many Ukrainians are arriving in Canada without supports.
  • The federal government has classified Ukrainian arrivals as “visitors” making them ineligible for federally/provincially funded housing supports.
  • Dedicated funding from senior levels of government is required along with policy change.

Highlights – Support for Ukrainian Newcomers

  • Halton Region continues to provide housing services and supports to Ukrainian arrivals.
  • In June 2022, the Region established a temporary transitional housing program to support Ukrainian arrivals with the highest need in Halton. The Region has partnered with Halton Multicultural Council to deliver the program which has assisted 57 Ukrainian families to date.
  • Regional Council supported the extension of this housing program until August 31, 2024.
  • Halton’s Ukrainian community, led by Hearts4Ukraine, has also played an instrumental role supporting Ukrainian settlement in Halton.
  • Halton Region continues to advocate to the Federal Government:
    • to provide dedicated funding to Halton Region to continue to provide housing services and support to Ukrainian arrivals and other populations fleeing conflict including full reimbursement of costs incurred to date;
    • for a policy change to re-classify Ukrainian arrivals to ensure they can access the same programs, services and supports as other newcomer populations upon arrival into Canada; and
    • to improve coordination, communication and transparency with municipalities working to resettle Ukrainian arrivals and other populations to ensure we are equipped and financially resourced to help newcomers integrate into the community.

Please use the links below to access additional information about Support for Ukrainian Newcomers and related documents.

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