Advocating for a Strong Halton

Halton Region shares the Provincial Government’s goal of reducing regulatory burdens to create an environment where businesses and residents thrive.

Municipalities create a vision and framework for their communities that is consistent with provincial plans and policies. Final planning decisions should rest with municipalities that are conforming to provincial legislation rather than with the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). The LPAT adds significant cost and delays to the delivery of affordable housing through expensive, time consuming hearings, contrary to the intent of the More Homes, More Choice Act, 2019.

Halton requests:

• Changes to the LPAT:
  • In the short-term, restore the amendments to the Planning Act that mandated evaluation of appeals based on consistency and conformity with provincial polices and plans; and,
  • In the long-term, eliminate the LPAT entirely.

Transportation and infrastructure continue to be priority issues of concern for Halton residents. Investments in infrastructure make Halton Region a strong economy and a desirable place to live and do business.

Halton Region is committed to creating complete communities that ensure a high quality of life for residents and a competitive economy. Investments in infrastructure support a strong economy and a desirable place to live and do business. Making significant investments in infrastructure is a priority for Regional Council. While Halton Region is appreciative of the Federal Government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan, our 10-year capital infrastructure program totals $4.3 billion, including $2.1 billion to fund the state of good repair. Federal Gas Tax funding is $0.2 billion. Funding for necessary infrastructure with outdated funding tools, that do not provide long-term sustainable funding, continues to be a challenge for our growing community.

Halton requests:

• Permanently double the Gas Tax transfer to support local infrastructure
• Provide long-term sustainable infrastructure funding and investments to support the movement of goods and people.

Halton Region is committed to responding to climate change by reducing the impacts to the environment, ensuring its infrastructure and services are resilient, and that risks associated with severe weather events are mitigated. Halton has committed $85 million to flood mitigation strategies and continues to make this a priority as well as reducing our carbon footprint.

Halton requests:

• Provide sustainable funding and climate change mitigation support to enable municipalities to deliver resilient communities.

The provision of safe, affordable, accessible housing is a critical component of fostering healthy communities. For many residents, affordable homeownership remains out of reach.

Halton Region is investing $107 million in our social infrastructure through the 10-year Comprehensive Housing Strategy (2014-2024). This Strategy provides government-assisted housing options to low income residents. Long-term sustainable investments allow for the planning and delivery of, and access to, safe, affordable, and accessible housing which improves the lives of residents and strengthens communities.

By the end of 2019, Halton will have created a total of 1,701 government-assisted housing opportunities, since 2008. Halton is projecting to have 1,752 government-assisted housing opportunities by the end of 2020.

Halton requests:

• Deliver predictable long-term, sustainable federal/provincial funding to match the Region’s commitment, in affordable and assisted housing.
• The anticipated timeline to deliver long-term assisted housing funding to municipalities.

CN Rail has declared its intention to proceed with a new truck-rail development in the Town of Milton that would operate seven days a week, 24 hours a day and add at least 1,600 truck trips a day on regional roads located in close proximity to 34,000 existing and planned residents. CN Rail has declared that the Province of Ontario and the Halton Municipalities have no regulatory role with respect to the proposed truck-rail development.

While Halton recognizes the economic importance of the railway system, our experts have identified significant concerns related to the proposed truck-rail hub in Milton that impact the community including: health and safety issues; proximity to residents, schools, long-term care homes, and a hospital; traffic congestion; impacts on Regional natural heritage; and, approximately 1,370 less jobs than we had planned for the site.

Halton requests:

• Continue to support and take action to address Halton Region’s concerns as they relate to the proposed truck-rail hub in Milton.

Universal access to broadband internet enables small businesses to access high-speed internet to effectively compete in a digital world. It is essential that the Federal Government partner with municipalities, the Provincial Government and service providers, to ensure that universal access to broadband internet is available. This will support Halton in maintaining a high-quality of life, while ensuring that our local businesses can thrive in a competitive digital economy.

Halton has advocated for universal access to broadband internet for several years. In the 2019 Federal Budget, it was announced that all Canadians will have access to broadband by 2030. This commitment is welcomed news, but it is too far in the distant future.

Halton requests:

• Provide funding and access to universal rural broadband internet, regardless of proximity to urban communities, within the next four years.