HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/06/10 - ProvincialCouncil Information
*for period ended June 8, 2007*
*Provincial/Federal*
1, Passports
2. Good Roads Feedback re: Upcoming Provincial Election
3. Property Assessment
4. Lead Control in Drinking Water
5. COMRIF
6. Municipal Act Changes
7. Blue Box
8. Electricity Market
9. Conservation Fund Renewal
10. Municipal Information & Data Analysis (MPMP & Service Delivery Review)
Conference, June 29, Barrie
11. Municipal Wind Energy Conference, June 19-20, Landon
12. Enbridge Gas Rates
13. Compressor Station
CANOE -- CNEWS -Canada: Ottawa making it easier to renew passports Page 1 of 3
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pFfOtO OF TNT DAY
Ottawa making it easier to renew
passports
OTTAWA (CP) -The federal
government is making it easier to
get and renew passports.
Foreign Affairs Minister Peter
MacKay announced today that
the government is simplifying the
passport application process.
Under the new rules, it will no
longer be necessary to have a
guarantor or to provide proof of
citizenship to renew a passport.
For first-time applicants, the
guarantor process will be
simplified so that most citizens
can act as guarantors.
Currently, only professionals in
certain occupations can do so.
The changes are partly aimed at
easing a huge backlog of passport applications in the wake of new U.S. rules
that require Canadians to have passports to cross the border.
The U.S.has
suspended some of its
requirements for
Americans #ravelling
abroad to deal with a
massive application
backlog there.
E-Mfl IL
TO fl PRINT
Pq GE WRITE
CN
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http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2007/06/08/4245414-cp.html 6/8/2007
,~ ~~ ekegKi~i'~-., SCOC: Collective bargaining protected by charter
N6GJ~:r
Foreign Affairs minister Peter MacKay
looks at people lined up outside a passport
office following a news conference
announcing changes to reapplying for a
Canadian passport, in Ottawa, Friday. {CP
PHOTO/Tom Hanson)
To: Dean Iorfida; Fm:OGRA 20:31 05/08/07 PG 001
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May 8, 2007
t~~~0a leeks Nle~ber Feedbe~k ~n Key Issues
t~ be Relied dc~ring lJp~~rr~Ang E~ec~tie~n
Tlie upcoming provincial election is a welcome opportunity to bring municipal issues forward for
discussion. While local and regional issues will always be discussed during election campaigns,
campaigns are also opportunities to encourage public debate on issues that are of importance to the
municipal sector as a whole.
OGRA has worked consistently to secure a sustainable source of revenue for municipal transportation
infrastructure and it would be very helpful to have the candidates address this issue in the coming
months. OGRA has identified some key issues on which we suggest candidates be asked to comment.
Issues that should be raised include;
• Establishing a sustainable source of revenue for municipalities for expenditure on roads and
bridges. In the many municipalities without transit, roads are transit and the users of roads
include buses, ambulances and school buses, Funds are also required to deal with the on-going
costs of maintaining highways that were downloaded to municipalities, Long-term planning
requires long-term financing.
• Reducing municipal costs. This could include removing the fee for licence plating of municipal
fleets and allowing municipal fleets to use coloured diesel fuel.
• The need for aProvincial/Municipal transportation strategy for the entire province. Only through
an integration strategy that includes both provincial and municipal transportation needs, can we
adequately plan for the future needs of the province and to ensure economic growth and
sustainability.
We are asking members for their feedback on which infrastructure and transportation issues they would
like brought forward as part of OGRA's advocacy efforts during the upcoming election campaign and
beyond. Please submit yaurcomments/suggestions to Diana Summers at 905-795-2555 ar by email:
dianafa?o.~ rcl a,c~rcr.
t71NTA~Rit"~ Gt"~c~C~ RC~~C~~ ~,~~t~c;l~lTIc~AV
6355 KENNEDY RUAU, UNIT #2, MISSISSAUGA, ON L5T 2L5
TEL: (905) 795-2555 FAX: (905) 795-2660 EMAIL: info~N,ogra.org
PREMIER SPONSOR:
~~ ~~..
C NAMPfgN ROAD MACNINEAY ;11LE5
mpac
t~IIFIG. FRtLS CLERKS'i) t t~J ~ f~~1~3~
MUNICIPAL PROPERTY A55ESSME-NT CORPORATION
May 4th, 2007
Mr. Dean Iorfida
Clerk
City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen St
PO Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Dear Mr. Iorfida:
The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) is expanding its property inspection
program for 2007.
This year, we will visit more than 500;000 residential properties across Ontario, bringing the
total number of properties we will have inspected over the past two years to 855,000. This is
close to 20 per cent of all the properties in Ontario. In a typical year, we would inspect about
355,000 properties.
By visiting more properties, we will improve the accuracy of the information we have on file
and, ultimately, the accuracy of assessed values. This was one of the key recommendations
made by the Ombudsman in his report last year.
We will also verify the property classifications for approximately 7,000 commercial and
industrial properties, continuing a very successful program we launched in 2006. Last year, we
validated approximately 18,000 property classes and changed about 1,200 property classes from
commercial to industrial.
With the cancellation of the 2007 assessment update, we have been able to assign more full-time
staff to our inspection and data integrity programs. We are also recruiting about 30 contract
employees to increase the number of property inspections we can complete over the next several
months.
During each inspection, all the data we have on file for the property will be verified. Any
changes since the last inspection will be recorded in our databases and may result in a new value
for the property. In-these cases, we will issue a Supplementary or Omitted Assessment Notice, if
appropriate, and a new 2007 Property AssessmentNotice this fall.
Dne St. Paul Street, PO Box 1270, St. Catharines, Ontario L2R 7A7
T: 905.688.1968 1.877.511.1182 F: 905.688.9929
www.mpac.ca
Farm No. L1a00M
Dean Iorfida
May 4, 2007
Page 2 of 2
All staff will carry MPAC identification and will properly introduce themselves to the property
owners. If property owners are unavailable, information will be left saying that we have
inspected the property. It will explain either that we have verified the information we have about
their property and that no follow-up is required, or outline the information we need to complete
the inspection and ask the property owner to call us at our toll free telephone number.
If you have any questions about the inspection program, please feel free to contact me at
(905) 688-1968 or 1-877-511-1182, extension 262.
Yours truly,.
/1.(.e4.(/In-
Penn Christie
Y
Municipal Relations Representative
r(rr~.l:€I>_zs CLERI:S'07 t 1412
®~ 200 University Ave, Suite 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Tel.: (416) 971-9856 ~ Fax: (416) 971-6191
Association of Municipalities of Ontario E-mail: amo@amo.on.ca
MEMBER COMMUNICATION At_eR-rN~:o7ros~
TO fhe 8ftetlflOt'I Of file C~eCk and COUIICI/ FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
JUtle 7, 2007 Craig Reid; AMO SeniorPolicy Advisor
(416} 971-9856 ext 334
Province Announces New Requirements for
Lead Control In Drinking Water
Issue: The Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment, announced new water
testing and treatment measures today to control lead leaching in older homes.
Announcement:
The Ontario government has taken steps today to respond to the risks of lead leaching into
drinking water through lead water pipes present in some older homes. Municipalities will
have new responsibilities for testing and control programs for lead leaching. A copy of the
announcement is linked to this Alert.
Key elements of the announcement that will impact municipalities include:
• A proposed new regulation to make it mandatory for municipalities. to regularly sample
for lead at a specified number of taps, notify home and facility owners of the results from
their taps and take corrective action in systems with elevated lead levels.
• The Province will provide expert advice to municipalities to adjust water chemistry in
municipal systems to pickup less lead.
• The Province will encourage municipalities to conduct public education campaigns, such
as inserts in water bill mailings.
• The Province will provide best practices for municipalities to help make lead line
replacement more affordable for homeowners, such as on-bill financing.
Proposed new testing and corrosion control requirements for municipalities are posted on
the Environmental Registry at www.ebr.gov.on.ca (EBR posting # 01o-o7a3) for the next 2
weeks.
The testing and measures announced reflect advice given to the government by the Ontario
Drinking Water Advisory Council (ODWAC) (EBR posting # 010-0725} and the United States
Environmental Protection Agency's requirements to deal with the same issue in areas
across the U.S. Based on ODWAC advice, measures to control for lead leaching and
corrosion in drinking water available to municipalities and homeowners include:
• Flushing of pipes for at least five minutes before use
• Adjusting the PH and alkalinity of delivered water to reduce lead leaching
• Certified point of use devices to filter lead
• Replacement of lead distribution and service lines
• Replacement of lead solders in home plumbing
P Association of ~~~
~.2 Munici alities of Ontario
Member Communication
To reduce lead levels in drinking water the Council recommended the government adopt a
two-tier approach to testing and monitoring as well as mandatory corrosion control
requirements. The Council also recommended that the Ministry of the Environment
encourage municipalities to accelerate lead service line replacement and institute a program
to encourage homeowners to replace their part of the service lines.
Implications:
• Municipalities will face requirements for staff time and expertise to test water and
institute corrosion control measures;
• Testing at the tap will measure the lead in delivered water, including lead picked up in
private pipes;
• Testing in the distribution system will continue to measure lead in the water delivered to
the homeowner's property;
• Many municipalities have long-standing lead distribution line replacement programs that
have been directed toward dealing with the issue of lead line replacement and financing.
In some cases, the lead lines owned by the municipality have been replaced while
homeowners have not replaced the privately owned lead pipes that connect to the
municipal system. Such circumstances will add to the complexity of managing corrosion
testing and control programs.
Background:
On May 23`d, 2007, Ontario's Chief Drinking Water Inspector issued orders to 36 Ontario
municipalities to test drinking water at the tap of 20 residences known or likely to have lead
service pipes for lead. In the intervening two weeks those municipalities undertook strong
efforts to deliver their results to the Province by the deadline of June 6, 2007. The tests
showed that 50 per cent of those communities had at least one sample that exceeded
maximum standards for lead. The program announced today was in direct response to the
results of that sampling.
Action:
AMO's advice to the government on this matter has been that this is a complex problem that
requires a considered and balanced approach, focused on safeguarding the health of
residents in our communities. AMO also advised that addressing this problem will require
the combined efforts and resources of the Province, municipalities and property owners.
AMO will review the government's plan in greater detail and keep members informed of
further developments.
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca.
W
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P Association of -~~
2-2 Munici alities of Ontario
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Ass°ciati°n of Municlpalltles of tlntarlo
MEMBER COMMUNICATION
200 University Ave, Suite 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Tel.: (416) 971-9855 ~ Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-mall: amoQamo.on.ca
ALERT N°: 07!032
To fhe affenfion of fhe cierk and Council FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
June 8, 2007 Patricia Swerhone, Senior Policy Advisor
(416) 971-9856 Ext. 323
COMRIF Asset Management Program -Update
Issue:
The "expressions of interest" received from municipalities to participate in the Asset
Management Program (AMP) of the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
(COMRIF) are now under review by the COMRIF Joint Secretariat. Municipalities may have
already been contacted or can expect to be contacted by COMRIF staff in the near future as
the review process is nearing completion.
Background:
In the COMRIF agreement signed November 15, 2004, both Canada and Ontario committed
to invest up to a combined $5:96 million to assist eligible municipalities and Local Services
Boards with asset management planning and capacity building through the "Asset
Management Program (AMP)". Including a %3 municipal matching contribution up to almost
$3 million, the total investment in this program will reach almost $9 million.
Although this funding cannot be expected to fully meet the needs of municipalities, the
Asset Management Program funds will help eligible municipalities improve and increase
their capacity to manage their infrastructure assets. Communities can use this funding in a
variety of ways: to enhance knowledge of their existing infrastructure assets; evaluate life-
cycle costs associated with the infrastructure they own and operate; assess the capacity of
current infrastructure and identify future needs; plan and make infrastructure financing
decisions; and, train municipal staff in long-term infrastructure management.
Municipalities eligible for funding under COMRIF are also eligible for AMP funding. Letters
were sent to eligible municipalities in December 2006 with instructions to complete an
"expression of interest" form. Municipalities are in the process of being contacted by
COMRIF staff as the review of these forms is completed.
Additional information about COMRIF, including the AMP, is available by visiting
www.comrif.ca, or contacting the Joint Secretariat by a-mail at info@comrif.ca or by phone
at 1-866-306-7827.
Action:
For your information.
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca
~~&
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P Association of ~~~
Munici alities of Ontario
in case of Transmission Difficulties, Please Call 416-863-2101 or
1-866-309-3811
Please Deliver To: clerk
rile:,. i:uils c~~xs't~7 C~5~311 ~25
Minister of Munlcipal Affairs
and Hauling
777 Bay SSree[, 1701 Floor
Toronto QN MSG 2E5
Tel. (415) 585-7000
Fax (4Y 6)565-8470
www.mah.aov_anca
Ministee des Affaires municipales
et du Lagement
777, rue Bay, 77° stage
Toronto ON MSG 2E5
T~{. (416) 585.700D pntario
T516c. (478) 585-6470
wunN.mah.eev.on.ca
07-2530
lvlay 22, 2007
All 1leads of Council:
The ,Municipal ,Statute Law ~lmendment.4at, 20p6 received Royal Assen# on December 20, 2006.
It was proclaimed into force, in large part, on January 1, 2007.
With its passage, the revised Municipal Act, 2001 has brought about a new relationship between
the municipal sector and the 1'zovince based on. mutual respect, consultation and co-operation.
However, several sections of sloe Municipal Statute Law Amendment.Rct, 2006 were not
proclaimed on ranuary 1, 2007 including:
Closed meetings investigators (Section 104 of Schedule A)
Adoption of policies (Section 113 of Schedule A)
Many of our stakeholders in the muxicipal sector, including the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario and the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, requested
that the proclamation of these sections be delayed until municipalities had art opportunity to
develop policies and consider their option to appoint a meetings investigator.
T am pleased to announce that January 1, 2008, has been named as the day these sections will be
proclaimed into force. Also proolaixned into force on 7anuary 1, 2008, will be amendt{nents found
in Section 107 in Schedule A, Section 43 in Schedule 1'~, and Section 40 in Schedule C.
This effective date provides time for your tnutaicipality to develop policies such as those required
for notice, the delegation of powers and the sale of land, and to prepare far the upcoming tasks anal
zesp6nsibilities to investigate complaints regarding closed meetings.
With these steps, the government has acted on its goal of strengthening municipalities by
providing them with the appropriate tools and flexifiility to make their own decisions. These
changes also assure the public that their council and local boards remain transparent and
accountable for those decisions.
/2
~azraaros~
-~.-
All Heads of Counoil
Y thank all of Haase partr-ers who have assisted in the implementation of these sections under the
.Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 200G and look forward to working; wi#h you in
innplernenting these important changes. .
Thank ypu.
Sincerely, ,
Gerretseza
Minister
Subscribe to l7PDATEa the miaiatry's electronic ae~vsletter, at www.onlgrio.ealmah-un~g'
Abonne7rvous a ~TpWELLES, le bulletin blectronique du ministirre, ~ www.antari_a.ca/aml-nou'y_e
(6/5/2007) Deari lorfida - 070523a1t Municipal Act Proclamation. df _~_i~ Pagel
~~-
Associationof Munictpalitles of Ontario
Z00 University Ave, Suite 801
Taralto, ON MSH 3C6
Tel : (416) 971.9656 I Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-rreil: arru~amo.on.ca
W
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MEMBER COMMUNICATION nLeRrw~: o~/ozs
To the attention ofthe Clerk and Council FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
May 23, 2007 Craig Reid AMO Senlar Pdicy Advisor
(416) 971.9856 ext 334
Government Sets Date for Closed Meeting Investigators and
Adoption of Policies under the Municipal Act
Issue:
The Province has set January 1St, 2008 as the date on Which Municipal Act requirements for
closed meeting investigators and adoption of policies will come into force.
Background:
The Municipal Statute Law Amendment Act, 2006, which came into force on January 1St,
2007, left sections regarding the appointment and powers of closed meeting investigators
and adoption of policies unproclaimed to give municipalities an opportunity to develop
policies and consider options for the appointment of investigators .
On May 22"d, 2007, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing wrote to all Heads of
Council to advise that the government has set the date of January 151,2008 for proclamation
of these sections ofthe Act.
Municipalities will have to have policies develope d and investigators appointed by the date
of proclamation. AMO's Local Authority Services (LAS) issued a survey to members on April
30 "', 2007 to explore interest in the establishment by LAS ofa shared investigative resource
which would fulfill the requirements ofthe Act. Members are asked to respond by May 28'",
2007. If member interest warrants, LAS will begin to develop a proposal for establishment of
an investigative team to be available to investigate members' closed meeting complaints.
Action: Please respond to the LAS survey by May 28th, 2007.
This information is available in the Policylssues section ofthe AMOwebsife at
www.amo.on.ca .
~ Association of ~~•
1-1 Muni lilies ofOntat~ f";~
(615/2007)bean lorfida - 070523a1t KPMG Best Practices Re ort.pdf _, ~~ Page 1
•
=~=
Assodationof Minn ci fpalities of Ontario Z00 University Ave. Suite 801
Taantc, ON M5H 3C8
Tel.: (416) 971-9856 ~ Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-rreil: amo(a~ann.on.ca
MEMBER CQMMUNICATION a,LeRTtv~: oTrozs ~ ^ t
To the attention of the Cterk and Council
May 23, 2007 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Iv9lena Avramovic, AMO Sonia Policy Advisor
(476)971-9856 ext 342 iii
Draft Final Reports on Blue Box Best Practices Assessment
Project
Issue: AMO is requesting staff comments on the Draft Final Reports on Blue Box Best
Practices Assessment Project, led by KPMG, Wnich is posted on the Waste Diversion
Ontario website.
Background:
On December 22, 2003, former Environment Minister Leona Dombrowsky approved the
Blue Box Program Plan (BBPP) and atthe same time requested WDO undertake a cost
containment plan. WDO submitted a Cost Containment Plan to the Minister in July 2004,
which called for, among other matters, the determination of Blue Box system cost to be
based on best practices in 2010. On December 30, 2004, the Minister approved WDO's
Cost Containment Plan but requested an acce lerated implementation schedule. The Blue
Box system costs based on the Best Practices are to be implemented in 2008. To adhere to
this new timeframe, in July of 2008, the Municipal-Indust ry Program Committee (MIPC), a
committee of WD O, initiated the Blue Box Program Enhancement and Best Practices
Assessment Project, hiring KPMG with support from RW Beck, Entec Environmental and
municipal and industry secondees. The deliverable ofthis project was to determine a list of
best practice activities that municipal waste management programs could implement, and to
determine a net system cost under Best Practices.
MIPC is currently reviewing the Draft Final Reports on Blue Box Best Practices Assessment
Project, led by KPMG. MIPC is to provide final comment on the Draft Final reports by the
next MIPC meeting on June 12, 2007:
• Volume 1 describes the project methodology, defines 'best practices' (for the
purposes of the project) and outlines fundamental, conditional and other best
practices
• Volume 2 describes the cost model
Action
To assist the municipal representatives on MIPC to make an informed submission on these
2 reports atthe next MIPC meeting, AMO is asking municipa I waste management staff to
carefully review antl provide comments on the Draft Final reports posted on the WDO web
site as this could have an impact on municipal Blue Box funding. Please send your
comments to Lisamaria Akeson, Policy/Project Co-ordinator at lisamaria.akeson anvork.ca
no later than Friday June 15u 2007.
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website of www.amo.on.ca.
Association of
1-1 Municipalities of Ontario ~~
~~1ri
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
MEMBER COMMUNICATION
200 University Ave, Suite 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Tel.: (416) 971-9856 I Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-mail: amo@amo.on.ca
FYI N°: 07-009
To the attention of the Clerk and Council FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
June 5, 2007 Craig Reid, AMO Senior Policy Advisor
(416) 971-9856 exi 334
Transitioning Municipalities to the Electricity Market
As you may know, in April 2008 municipalities will no longer pay the regulated price for
electricity. When the Regulated Price Plan (RPP) ceases t0 apply to municipalities, municipal
organizations will pay the hourly market rate for electricity.
In preparation for the move to the hourly market by municipalities, the Independent Electricity
System Operator (IESO) would like to help municipalities understand what this means for
their operations.
To aid in this effort, AMO is working with the IESO to address municipalities' specific needs.
The IESO will be developing information products for municipalities to increase awareness
about the end of the RPP in the sector as well as offering workshops this autumn. Information
offered will help Ontario municipalities to better manage their energy needs in the electricity
market and to better and more quickly adapt to this new environment.
To ensure municipalities have the best information possible, IESO will be commissioning
research to better understand information needs in the municipal sector. To do this, IESO's
partner, Navigator Ltd., will be contacting several municipalities, asking them to participate in
research (likely web based) and/or focus group exercises. The information gathered will be
directly applied in creating focused products to ease the transition to the electricity market for
municipalities in Ontario. If contacted, members are encouraged to participate.
Background
The IESO is anot-for-profit entity established by the government of Ontario to manage the
province's power system so that Ontarians receive power when and where they need it. Their
customer education programs provide:
^ Information about how Ontario's electricity market works
^ Tips on how to save money on electricity bills
^ Resources to help make the most of energy investments
For more information about the IESO, visit their website at www.ieso.ca/business.
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca.
P Association of .~•
1-1 Munici alities of Ontario
® it
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
MEMBER COMMUNICATION
200 University Ave, Suite 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Tel.: (416) 971-9856 ~ Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-mail: amo@amo.on.ca
FYI N°: 07-008
To the attention of the Clerk and Council FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
June 1, 2007 Craig Reid, AMO Senior Policy Advisor
(416) 971-9856 ext 334
The Ministry of Energy Announces Conservation
Fund Renewal
The Ministry of Energy has renewed the Community Conservation Initiatives (CCI) fund for
2007/2008. Funding, doubled to $1.5M this year, is available for local not-for-profit initiatives,
including community group and municipal partnerships, which promote energy conservation.
The CCI program supports incorporated not-for-profit organizations that deliver innovative
energy conservation initiatives to their local community. CCI is intended to help raise
awareness about energy conservation, engage energy consumers to undertake conservation
actions, and foster long-term behavioural change toward energy conservation. Priority is
given to projects that enhance the capacity of individuals or communities to conserve -
and/or promote small-scale ("behind the meter") renewable energy.
The 2006/2007 CCI program supported twenty-four projects in communities across Ontario,
including eleven residential outreach projects, seven school-based projects and six
renewable energy education projects.
The application deadline for the 2007/2008 CCI program is June 29, 2007 and the maximum
for individual projects is $50,000. All projects supported by the CCI program must be
completed by March 21, 2008.
For more information please visit:
h ttp://www. enerpy.gov. on. ca/index. cfm?fuseaction=conservation. community
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca.
p Association of ~~•
1-1 Munici alities of Ontario
FW: Invitation to a MMAH Workshop -Thursday June 28, 2007 Page I of 1
Dean Iortida - FW: Invitation to a MMAH Workshop -Thursday June 28, 2007
From: "Melia, Marco (MAH)" <Marco.Melia@ontario.ca>
To: "Melia, Marco (MAH)" <Marco.Melia@ontario.ca>
Date: 5/7/2007 9:32 AM
Subject: FW: Invitation to a MMAH Workshop -Thursday June 28, 2007
Attachments: MPMP SDR Central Flyer Revised with MIDAS.rtf; MPMP_SDR CentralRegistration
Form FINAL.doc
Good afternoon,
On behalf of the Central Municipal Services Office, I would like to invite you to participate in
the Thursday June 29, 2007, Municipal Performance Measures Program and Service Delivery
Review -Making It Work For You Workshop being held in the City of Barrie, City Hall.
This day long workshop will be held from 9:00 am - 4:15 pm and includes municipal, AMO and
Ministry guest speakers, lunch, refreshments, workshop materials, a resource guide, an
introduction to the Municipal Information & Data Analysis System (MIDAS) and all-day
parking. MIDAS is a web-based tool that allows municipal staff to query, view and analyse
MPMP and FIR data and run comparative reports between groups of municipalities.
A detailed flyer, and registration form are attached. A detailed map and parking pass will be
sent to you following receipt of your registration form.
Registration costs are $25.00 per person and is limited to 40 participants.
We hope that you can join us for this informative workshop on "Improving Your Services;
Making the Municipal Performance Measurement Program and Service Delivery Review Work
for You!"
We look forward to seeing you,
Larry Clay Tom Gutfreund Marco Melia
Regional Director Local Government Manager Municipal Advisor
«MPMP SDR Central Flyer Revised with MIDAS.rtf» «MPMP_SDR CentralRegistration Form FINAL.doc»
file://C:\Documents and Settings\di202\Local Settings\Temp\XPgrpwise\463EF22BDomai... 5/17/2007
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing invites you to a local workshop on:
Improving Your Services
Putting t1 e ~lunic~~ll'e~ rmdnce ~leasuremerltProg~rdm
~na'~SerrnceI>el~ryReviewto ~rkforYou/
Guest Speaker(s)
Tony Prevedel, Chief Admuustrative Officer, Municipalityof Cavan Monaghan,
Past President, Ontario Good Roads Association,
Former Public Works Director, Town of Whitby
Meg W2St Manager of Strategic Initiatives, Town of Markham
Deborah Hannah, Business Systems Analyst, Association of Municipalities of Ontario
I~i~ring t1~zs session you ~vill.•
- hear how your regional municipal leaders are using the NIl'MP and SDR programs to
improve community services
- work through real municipal examples
- have an oppornuutyto engage in conversations with peers and subject matter experts
- see a demonstration of the new Municipal Information & Data Analysis
System (MIDAS), aweb-based tool developed in a partnership between AMO and
the Province that allows municipal staff to query, view and analyse their MPMP and
PIR data and run comparative reports between groups of municipalities
Learn how to.•
- analyze and interpret MPMP information
- evaluate and share tools and techniques
- apply the SDR process to create innprovements in your municipal operations
- create reports that are meaningful and relevant to your community
- use a team approach to integrate MPNIl' information into your service planning, decision
making, and service deliveryreviews
- improve services and get better value for your dollar
ICI o ~Shoula'flttena'.~
Chief Administrative Officers
Clerks and Treasurers
Heads of Department and Senior Staff who oversee service delivery
Councillors maybe interested as well
I~~a't zs' incl2la'ed .• Refreshments, lunch, workshop materials, a resource guide and all day
narking nrnvirlarl Fnr mnrP infnrmatinn call T~ianP Plncc at the C'Pntral Mnnirinal ~PWICPC (~ffire
®-~'
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
MEMBER COMMUNICATION
200 UniversityAve, Suite 801
Toronto, ON M5H 3C6
Tel.: (416) 971-9856 ~ Fax: (416) 971-6191
E-mail: amo@amo.on.ca
FYI N°: 07/007
To the attention of the Clerk and Council FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
May 24, 2007 Craig Reld, AMO Senior Policy Advisor
(416) 971-9856 ext 334
Municipal Wind Energy Conference
The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) is hosting a wind energy conference for
municipalities on June 19th and 20th, 2007 in London, Ontario.
The conference will focus on providing information on wind energy issues that will help
municipal governments plan and integrate wind energy projects into their communities.
Conference sessions will cover such topics as:
Wind Energy and Ontario's Energy Future
Project Development, Permitting and Approvals
Addressing Commonly Raised Concerns About Wind Energy
Wind Energy Setbacks in Ontario
• Case Studies of Wind Energy Development
A Tour of the Erie Shores Wind Farm
The conference will be of interest to municipal staff and elected officials. Registration is $200.
For more information, please visit: http://www.canwea.ca/conference and events.cfm
This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca.
P Association of -~~
1-1 Munici alities of Ontario
500 Consumers Road Lorraine Chiasson
North York, Ontario M2T 1P8 Regulatory Coordinator
PO Box 650 Regulatory Affairs
Scarborough ON M1K SE3 phone: (416) 495-5962
fax: (416) 495-6072
Email: lorraine.chiasson@enbridge.com
May 28, 2007
VIA COURIER
~NBR/DCrE
To: The Clerks of the Municipalities in which Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. Supplies
Natural Gas
Re: EB-2007-0615 -Enbridge Gas Distribution 2008 Rates,
Notice of Application l"Notice"1 dated Mav 25 2007
,As directed by the Ontario Energy Board ("Board") in its Letter of Direction to Enbridge
Gas Distribution, attached hereto is a copy of the Notice in both the English and French
versions, together with a copy of the Application filed by Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.
on May 11, 2007.
Yours truly,
~-
Lorraine Chiasson
Regulatory Coordinator
cc: Ms. Helen Newland, Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP
Ms. T. Persad, Enbridge Gas Distribution (w/o attach.)
Attach.
EB-2ti~7-0ti1 ti
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD
tN TF~tE MATTER OF the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, S.O.
1998, c. 15, Schad. B, as amended;
AND IN THE MATTER OF an Application by Enbridge Gas
Distribution Inc. for an Order or Orders approving or fixing rates
for the sate, distribution, transmission, ar-d storage of gas effective
January 1, 2008.
~PP~,ICA iQN
1 • The Applicant, Enbridgs C~as Distrlbution inc. (`Enbr~klge Cis DistrPturticn" or Etta
"Corrtpatty"), is an Ontario cor~roraticn with ~ head ufrioe in th® ~y of Torarrto. It carries on
the business of selttng, distrtbuting, transmitting and stoeing natural gas within Ontario.
2• Enbridge Gas Distribution hereby apptt®s to the Ontario Energy Board (the
"Board"), pursuant to section 38 of the Orrtarlo Energy Board Ad, f998 as amended fthe "Ad"),
for an Order or Orders approving or fixing just and reasonable rates far the sate, distribution,
transmission, end storag® of gas commendng January 1, 20618.
3. For the purpt~sas of sut>ss~ion 36(3) of the Act, Enbrldge C3as DisMtxRian inc.
does not a request, at this time, for the method or technique first the Board uas to
approve or fix jus# and reaeranattie rates: Ertbridge C3as Distribution viii provide a specific
request of ttte method ar technique sit the time it flies its written evidence,
4. Enbridge Qas Distrituurtion is apptying for th® continuation of Main deferral
atxounts, el~ecflve January 't, 2008. The name and nature of the deferral aceourtts for which
continuatkarl is sought wr~i be provi in the writt~t evkiartce.
5. to the event first a final rate Order in this..proc~ding rnriq not be in place on
January 1, 2008, the 6;omp~any requests that interim rates be sat stet ltnpiemented as
January 1,2008.
g• Enbridge Gas Distribution therefore applies to the Board for such final and
interim Orders, accounting orders and def®rral and variance accounts as may be necessary In
relation to the approving or fixing of just and reasonable rates for the sale, distribution,
transmission, and storage of gas effective January 1, 2008.
7• The Company further srppiies to the Boats pursuant to the provisions of the Act
and the Board's Rules of Practke and procedure for such final and interim Orders and
directions as may be necessary in relation to the Application and the proper conduct of this
proceeding.
8. This apptlcatfon will be supported by written and oral evidence. The written
evidence will be pre-filed and. may be amended from time to time as circumstances may require.
9. The persons sffesated by this Appiieattion are the custanrers of Enbr~ge Gas
Qistribution. Et ~ impractical to se't taut the names and of the raratonters because they
are too nunaus.
'l0• Enfarfcfgs Gas f]IafribulfCan requests that a Dopy of all documents 4i~c! with the
Board ray eft party to this proo~tllt~ be serves! crrr the Ap~ic~t and the Applicant's counsel
as fellows:
Mr. Ratrlt~c Moey
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Enbridge Gee Distribution tnc.
Address far personal seNice:
Mailing addr:
Tabphane:
Fax::
E-mail:
The AppiFcattt's counsel:
Ms. Herien t~tewiand
l=reset Mltttvr Ce~ra~in i1P
Address for personal service
800 Consumers Road
llllfiiowdele, Ontario M2J 1 P8
R.Q. Box 8S0
Sc~rboraugh, Ontario M1K SE3
47#98-85f35
4t$~5.072
paitiok.hoey~enbridge.com
Suite 3900
and mailing address:
TelepFtone:
Rex:
E-mail:
DATED May 11"', 2007 at Taranto, Ontario.
1 First Canadian Rtace
100 King Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5x 1 B2
495-863-4471
416-863-1818
Ftn.ne~rlan4ic8tfrnor. cam
ENBRIDGE GAS DiSTRtt3UTtON ttdC.
Per: ~,~ ~. ~-~t~^~-~--w~t
Ontario Energy Commission de I'~nergle
Board de 1'Ontario
Ontario
EB-2007-0606 / EB-2007-0615
NOTICE OF APPLICATIONS AND COMBINED PROCEEDING
ENBRIDGE GAS DISTRIBUTION INC. AND UNION GAS LIMITED
RATES FOR 2008
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc. ("Enbridge") filed an Application on May 11, 2007 with
the Ontario Energy Board (the "Board") under section 36 of the Ontario Energy Board
Acf, 1998, S.O. c.15, Sched. B, as amended, for an order of the Board approving or
fixing rates for the distribution, transmission and storage of natural gas, effective
January 1, 2008.
Union Gas Limited ("Union") filed an Application on May 11, 2007 under section 36 of
the Onfario Energy Board Act, 1998, S.O. c.15, Sched. B, as amended, for an order of
the Board approving amulti-year incentive rate mechanism to determine rates for the
regulated distribution, transmission and storage of natural gas, effective January 1,
2008.
The Board's decision on these Applications may have an affect on all of Union's and
Enbridge's customers. Specifically, it is possible that the applications will result in
higher delivery rates.
The .Board will combine the two Applications into one proceeding pursuant to section
21(5) of the Ontario Energy Board Act, 1998, S.O. c.15, Sched. B.
Union and Enbridge will be filing written evidence in support of their Applications in due
course.
Copies of the evidence supporting the two Applications will be available for inspection at
the Board's office located in Toronto. A copy of Enbridge's evidence will be available at
-2-
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD
Enbridge's office and a copy of Union's evidence will be available at Union's office at
the respective address indicated below. Copies of the Applications themselves are
currently available for review at these locations.
Participation
You may participate in this proceeding in one of three ways:
1. You may send the Board a letter of comment. Your letter should include any request
to make an oral presentation to the Board.
2. You may request observer status in order to receive documents issued by the Board
in the proceeding. Your request must be made by letter received by the Board no
later than 10 days from the publication date of this notice.
3. You may request intervenor status if you wish to actively participate in the
proceeding.. Your request must be made by letter of intervention received no later
than 10 days from the publication date of this notice. Your letter of intervention must
include a description of how you are, or may be, affected by the proceeding; and if
you represent a group, a description of the group and its membership. The Board
may choose to hold a written or an oral hearing. The Board will not hold a written
hearing if a party satisfies the Board that there is good reason for holding an oral
hearing. Your letter of intervention should indicate your preference for a written or
oral hearing, and the reasons far that preference. The Board may order costs in this
proceeding. You must indicate in your letter of intervention whether you expect to
seek costs from Enbridge and/or Union and the grounds for your eligibility for costs.
You must provide a copy of your letter of intervention to the Board with copies to
both Enbridge and Union at the following addresses:
•
-3-
Enbridge Gas Distribution Inc.
500 Consumers Road
Toronto, Ontario M2J 1 P8
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 650
Scarborough, ON M1K 5E3
Attn: Patrick Hoey
Director, Regulatory Affairs
~"el: 446-495-5555
Fax: 416-495-6072
Email: patrick.hoey@enbridge.com
Need more information?
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD
Union Gas Limited
P.O. Box 2001
50 Keil Drive North
Chatham, ON N7M 5M1
Attn: Mike Packer
Director, Regulatory Affairs
Tel: 519-436-4538
Fax: 519-436-4641
Email: mpacker@uniong~s.com
Further information on how to participate may be obtained by visiting the Board's Web
site at www.oeb.gov.on.ca or by calling our Consumer Relations Centre at 1-877-632-
2727.
How to contact us
In responding to this notice please reference Board file number EB-2007-0606/EB-
2007-0615. It is also important that you provide your name and postal address
and, If available, an e-mail address. All communications should be directed to the
attention of the Board Secretary at the address below, and be received no later than
4:45 p.m. on the required date.
For your convenience, the Board accepts letters of comments by either post or a-mail.
Our a-mail address is Boardsec(a~oeb aav on c~ Please include the file reference
numbers in the subject line of your a-mail
-4-
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD
Ontario Energy Board
P.O. Box 2319
2300 Yonge Street, 27th Floor
Toronto ON M4P 1 E4
Attn: Kirsten Walli
Board Secretary
Tel: 1-888-632-6273 (Toll free)
Fax: 416-440-7656
IF YOU DO NOT FILE A LETTER STATING YOUR WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS
PROCEEDING, THE BOARD MAY PROCEED WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION
AND YOU WILL NOT BE ENTITLED TO FURTHER NOTICE OF THE PROCEEDING.
Ce document est disponible en frangais.
DATED at Toronto, May 25, 2007
ONTARIO ENERGY BOARD
Origins! signed by
Peter H. O'Dell
Assistant Board Secretary .
r~>~:,, f~t.s ci.E~KS °C~7 G51 -
TransCanada
!n business to deliver
May 9, 2007
Dean lorFida, Clerk
City of Niagara Falls
City Hall
P.O. Box 1023, 4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6X5
RE: TransCanada's Douglastown Compressor Station
Project -Update
TransCanada Pipelines Limited
450 - 1st Street S.W.
Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2P 5H1
tel 403.920.6633
fax 403.920.2387
email john_riley@transcanada.com
web www.transcanada.com
As a follow up from our 2005 notifications, ads and open house, TransCanada has been given approval by
the National Energy Board (NEB) to add one 11 megawatt (MW) solar gas-driven centrifugal gas
compressor to its existing Douglastown Compressor Station site also known as Station 1703.
TransCanada's station is located on Bossert Road in the City of Niagara Falls (former Willoughby
Township) between Chippawa and Fort Erie. It currently contains two 10.4 megawatt (MW) GE gas-driven
centrifugal gas compressors. The additional compression is required to maintain the reliability of the
TransCanada pipeline system and to meet increased demand for natural gas within the North Eastern
United States. Construction of the facility is tentatively scheduled to commence in May 2008, with a
planned construction completion date of December 2008.
A slight increase in noise may be experienced during construction, including some additional traffic
primarily along Bossert Road; this will be restricted to normal daylight hours. Consideration will be given
to all community concerns and we will work closely with the City to ensure that all requirements are met.
TransCanada is committed to health, safety and quality.
Community awareness is vitally important to us at TransCanada and is a key component of our business.
TransCanada will continue to provide project updates as required.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns about the project, please contact myself, Rick Farmer,
Land Representative (905) 376-2647 or Janice Badgley, Aboriginal and Community Relations Liaison,
TransCanada (905) 832-7333 or toll free at 1-800-827-5094.
Yours truly,
`~
.~-- may----
John Riley
Project Manager, Compression Projects
TransCanada (403) 920-6633 or toll free at 1-800-661-3805
Encl. Project Fact Sheet
TransCanada's Douglastown Compressor Station Expansion
Road Use
Access roads in the area will experience additional traffic during construction.
TransCanada will work with the City to ensure that their requirements are
met. As well, we will be instructing our contractors to meet all municipal road
use requirements. This includes adherence to speed limits, speed reductions,
signage, load restrictions, haul routes, bus routes and courtesy to neighbouring
residents.
Safety Considerations
The safety of TransCanada's employees and the public is a top priority at
TransCanada. The expansion will be designed, built and operated in a safe and
environmentally responsible manner. In the unlikely event of an emergency,
TransCanada's comprehensive Emergency Response Program will be activated.
We train our staff to know exactly what to do in the event of an emergency
during construction, or during ongoing operations. We also communicate
regularly with local community officials and emergency responders to ensure
that any response to an emergency at any of our facilities is managed safely
and effectively, in a coordinated fashion.
Construction
TransCanada is committed to minimizing disruptions during the construction
phase of this project. We recognize that these activities may affect you and
we are committed to working with you to address these issues. Construction
activities will be closely monitored by TransCanada inspectors (construction and
environmental) to ensure TransCanada's construction and quality standards are
met and that the NEB's regulations are adhered to.
Douglastown -May 2007
TransCanada
!n business to deliver
~rojeci 1Fiighlights:
• One new 11 MW solar gas-driven centrifugal gas compressor.
• Construction tentatively scheduled to begin May 2008
Environmental Considerations
As part of our application to the NEB, we have undertaken an Environmental
Impact Assessment to determine potential environmental impacts as a result
of constructing the expansion. We have considered all potential environmental
impacts. Mitigation measures have been designed to avoid or minimize any
potential impacts.
Douglastown -May 2007
The station will be designed so that facility noise
emissions under normal operating conditions do
not exceed the applicable regulatory requirements.
Noise levels at the site can be expected to
increase temporarily due to construction activity.
TransCanada's noise management plan ensures
that heavy equipment and other construction
vehicles are equipped with proper functioning
mufflers. Noise-generating construction is confined
to daytime hours whenever possible.
The primary sources for emissions such as carbon
monoxide and nitrogen oxides are from
construction equipment and the compression unit.
TransCanada complies with national and applicable
provincial ambient air quality objectives, permit or
license conditions and has a proactive program for
monitoring and managing methane fugitive
(greenhouse gas) emissions from its facilities
during operation.
TransCanada
In business to deliver