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2006/03/07 Council Information 'for period ended March 7, 2006' *Municipal* 1. Great Wolf Lodge Grand Opening, Thursday, April 13th @ 2:00 p.m. 2. Neighbourhood Info meeting re: Residential Building adjacent to Michael's Inn I \t\orch q 3. Notice: Zoning By-law Amendment for April 3rd, Re: 5720 Dorchester Road, Parking Lot for Church 4. Notice: Zoning By-law Amendment for April 3rd, Re: B & B at 4637 Ellis Street 5. Notice: Zoning By-law Amendment for April3rd, Re: 7-storey, 108 room hotel 6. Notice: Draft Plan of Subdivision for March 20th, Chippawa West Phase II 7. Invite to Provincial Assembly of ant. Secondary School Teachers Federation, March 12-13 8. Staff comment re: Billboard signs 9. E-mail to Vincent Hockton 10. Hamilton Compliance Audit Case 11. Thank you from Adele Kon *Provinciall A.M.O.* 1. OMERS 2. Amendment to Municipal Council Term 3. Municipal Act 4. Good Roads Announcements 5. Forestry Sector 6. Budget Standing Committee -,r *Regional* 1. Joint Board of Management Minutes 2. Best Start Initiative 3. Growth Plan for Golden Horseshoe *Resolutions' 1. Renaming Highway 140 2. TVN Niagara 3. MPAC 4. Provincial Tax Relief 5. Source Water Protection 6. National Child Care Program *Miscellaneous* 1. Small Urban Municipalities Conference 2. Fort Erie Mayor's Cup Hockey Tournament 3. St. John Ambulance -" ,--..- Page 1 of 1 Dean Iorfida - Fwd: RE: Tour of Great Wolf Lodge - March 27, 2006 From: Lydia Waters To: Cathy Crabbe; Dean Iorfida Date: 3/2/2006 10:28 AM Subject: Fwd: RE: - Great Wolf Lodge, --_. Cathy & Dean Official Grand Opening of Great Wolf Lodge, Thursday, April 13, 2006 - details to follow. Please see attached email from Tim Parker. Lydia "'''' _~'_"''"'''._''_._''m'.'._'.'.'"",_."''.m. "'''''.-- Lydia: Can you please pass along to council, Mayor, and all involved of our official opening gala party is Thursday April 13 2006 . Times and more information to follow. Please have people mark this date on there calendar Thanks Tim Parker General Manager Ripley's Niagara Falls, Ontario Canada --"._--...,-,_.".~---,~ Dean, Serge spoke to Tim Parker, the opening ceremonies will probably start around 2 p.m. Lydia . file://C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Administrator\Local%20Settings\ Temp\GW} 0000... 3/7/2006 --. -.-----.-~--~~-~._- "--rr- March 1, 2006 File No. 05220 Dear Neighbour Re: Neighbourhood Information Meeting - March 9, 2006 You are invited to an informal neighbourhood information meeting to be held in Council Chambers at City Hall starting at 7:00pm on March 9, 2006. At the meeting will be representatives of the ORE development company, who plan to build a residential building on property immediately adjacent to Michael's Inn. The property fronts onto Niagara Parkway and extends from Philip St to John St. This meeting is being held to show the proposed development to neighbours. We will have plans of the building on display. Also members ofthe consulting team will be available to answer questions. I hope to see you at the meeting. If you have any questions please contact our project planner Rick Brady at 905371-9764 ext 240. Z:\UEMlProjects\2005 Projects\200 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENn05220 ORE Planninglletterlo neighoursfeh 27, 06.doc ________.___.w_____."."-".--- PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION CITY FILE: AM-0l/2006 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLANNING ACT You are invited to attend a public meeting where City Council will consider an application to amend Zoning By-law No. 79-200. The meeting will be held on: Monday, April 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street. The amendment is requested for two parcels of laud, as shown on Schedule 1. Parcell is known as 5720 Dorchester Road and contains the church. Parcel 2 is known as 6859 High Street and contains a single detached dwelling and an accessory garage. The church proposes to demolish the dwelling on Parcel 2 and to convert the majority of the parcel into a parking area for the church. The existing garage is proposed to be maintained and used as a storage facility for the church. Refer to Schedule 2 for further details. Parcell is zoned Institutional (I). Parcel 2 is zoned Residential Single Family IE Density (RIB). A site specific I zone is requested to be placed over both parcels to allow Parcel 2 to be used in conjunction with the church as proposed and to regulate its future use. The meeting is being held to inform you about the application and to provide you with an opportunity to express your views. Your comments may be given verbally or as a written submission. Written comments should be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6XS prior to March 21, 2006. Please refer to City File AM-01/2006. The comments you provide, as well as the report of City staff, will help Council make a decision on the application. Council may ask for revisions to the proposal or attach conditions to its decision. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed amendment you must make a written request to the Director of Planning & Development. If you disagree with Council's decision on the application, you can appeal it to the Ontario Municipal Board (O.M.B.). However, under the terms of Ontario's Planning Act, if you have not expressed your views at the public meeting or sent in your written comments before the proposed zoning by-law is adopted, the O.M.B. may dismiss all or part of your appeal. ----r------~---.----"---. -- - ~-~----~--.-----.--.------- . ---... --------.------rru ----. -2- A copy of the Planning and Development Division's Recommendation Report on the application will be available after 4:00 p.m. on March 28, 2006. Additional information related to the application and the proposed amendments may be obtained from Planning and Development, second floor, City Hall, between the hours of8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by telephoning 905-356-7521, extension 4232. This notice is dated at Niagara Falls, Ontario this 3rd day of March, 2006. b~- Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development AB:gr Attach. S:IZONINGIAMS\2006IAm.OllNotice.wpd SCHEDULE 1 LOCATION MAP Subject Land ~ J-V ------ I FREDERI ,511 ~:t S)t> ~ // ~ / A l---. I-: A It- ---\ COOK ST :;; ~ = L GARDEN ST 8 --' = T\ l=l '" ~ - '" ~ =0: = OJ - < '" = I r LEEMING ST " - LEE I- ,.--- Parcel I ~ Parcel 2 ~~ - T I ~~ I ~ ~1 11 I - ::..,J \ HIGH ST - - - - R\ .i~ -' - f= = ",'-- ",,.---/t~~ - 0 - 0 ~ ~= / \ - C :J: - ~ I-- - - '" m I ~lTT - ~ ~IT - n m1 \ '-- LUNDY'S LANE \11\\\\\ ,,/1 I I \ r I \ r Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 N Location: 5720 Dorchester Road and 6859 High Street ~ s Applicant: Niagara Orchard Church \:NTS AM-0l/2006 k:\GlS~Requests\2006\Schedules\ZoningAM\AM-Ol\mapping.map January 2006 ------ -"-' SCHEDULE 2 I LEGEND / """"'''"'''' ..1-==:=: k ..:... -I i! I I ' I I : .., , l I ' I ,/., , l'l ' __'...._11" / / ~; r i , l , I , ,..I : I 0 . i !:'_ I I I..... _ ' ....... -, " I. '''_. ._. J 0 ,i ilf:!lIOD'>.RO'SriB.ocK~m I , . I"' 'I .~ I : / I /1 I I ' I g I : ! /' .1 i ! <j-rP <} i 'I -- I I wnou / I I j ~_~ I"' I . w . i . ,.;. I... !' <t' ~....... /. VII 'I I _....... I J " ' __~~ w, : I ~. , r I~.... l .(.l/ I i r i~H ! f I.' - ~. /. ~ loll ! i~~'" 4 .__.~"'!!.~_,.. I ... 1 __ I , J _ ........- ll" I .. i '! ~..r::.:.. l I, "I. " , _ _ '[ d . 1_ _ . ~ . . , . . . ---~,. . ."..,... _. .- . I" . . : I ,I .. .. . I : I /"" ! . .. ~ .L______ I / ' L!-...J .. __ __ __ __ ~ .''''''-n __ ._ , __ 'I .. ~;i;L_____ -_ _ ~,_~ '~r _ _ _ ___ _ _ _ ~. __ _ _ __ _. -. -L' ........ . .,- .. ---------+-- '" 1 ______. {,-- _d_"'--__.__-------'--- I -~- ~~ - - - - - - - - - -,- _.L- __ The CI~ of j~ Niagara Falls Canada ~ ..., ~ PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION CITY FILE: AM-04/2006 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLANNING ACT You are invited to attend a public meeting where City Council will consider an application to amend Zoning By-law No. 79-200. The meeting will be held on: Monday, April 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street. The amendment is requested for the land known as 4637 Ellis Street, as shown on Schedule 1. The amendment is requested to permit the existing dwelling to be used as a tourist home (bed & breakfast) containing up to three (3) bedrooms for tourists. Refer to Schedule 2 for the details of the development. The land is currently zoned Residential Single Family and Two Family Zone (R2). The R2 zoning is requested to be amended site specifically to permit a dwelling on the land to be used as a tourist home containing up to three (3) bedrooms for tourists. The meeting is being held to inform you about the application and to provide you with an opportunity to express your views. Your comments may be given verbally or as a written submission. Written comments should be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara FaIls, Ontario, L2E 6X5 prior to March 21,2006. Please refer to City File AM-04/2006. The comments you provide, as well as the report of City staff, will help Council make a decision on the application. Council may ask for revisions to the proposal or attach conditions to its decision. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed amendment you must make a written request to the Director of Planning & Development. If you disagree with Council's decision on the application, you can appeal it to the Ontario Municipal Board (O.M.B.). However, under the terms of Ontario's Planning Act, if you have not expressed your views at the public meeting or sent in your written comments before the proposed zoning by-law is adopted, the a.M.B. may dismiss all or part of your appeal. ---,------------.----. --..-...-..-......----- --.. - - rr-- _.~-_._-_.._.__.._.- - 2- A copy of the Planning and Development Division's Recommendation Report on the application will be available after 4:00 p.m. on March 28, 2006. Additional information related to the application and the proposed amendments may be obtained from the Planning and Development Division, second floor, City Hall, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by telephoning (905) 356-7521, extension 4246. This notice is dated at Niagara Falls, Ontario this 3m day of March, 2006. 'b~- Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development AD:gd Attach. S:IZONINGlAMS\2006IAm-04\Notice. wpd SCHEDULE 1 LOCATION MAP Subject Land ~ I I - - - - 1 1 c-- ~ f-- f-- MORRISON ST I-- - f-J - n OJ r---- ~ - c - Vl R r ~ m r '" !l! ~ ~ m - ELUS ST II - \ !'l - ~ - '" m Z - -' n m ;I!_.-- ~ ---, m f-- ~ L. SIMCOE ST I I II I I I I Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 N Location: 4637 Ellis Street ~ S Applicant: Hsiao Ching Hsieh I:NTS AM-04/2006 k:\GIS_Requests\2006\Scbedules\ZoningAM\AM-04\mapping.map February 2006 _._~-- .__u_u~___._,._.,._~_.__._._.____.._~___ ..-.---.-.-. ~ r-- - J 0 ~f ~ ~ - V' ] ~1\\i - _\ .. 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'. .{, 6{ ~~ ~E 54. =(\: "1-0(j{~('J'7.~_ ~'hl~~.;J. i U I-:!~ @ ~~ ~~ "'rJ ~5iA H~~-7:~~-.z ~"'~~~'" ~ al ) a~ ~,-". 5\r ~~l{ . ~i~i~l~~ .t~<l\FtJ '1 _ , :?!O . I ? I _... 3 ~ I g~ ~ . ~ 't~" .. ._ " . . I"1....VII'3'll oj. ''''l~''''''~ _ ( <~. f:;:~Q ;;. , "'-::I aeor. '" " ~ '? >'Iv",,) _ .1 ' d?...r'<'bo;l~ $0"1:> .<'''.l''ll o.l.$"Z." <: 1~'~1 . ill .If ~ ..J.+II1(1-,"""'lI. 01",1>0".1 ~:i '> .) -<1 ~ ~ if' ~ .. . j J ("'''",'5\>) \1\,~ vI ..\ "", LS.Zl'I UJ . C"'>.,..\s."" }- ~ . j(""''''~''' o~ ~\l1 ~~o!~ 1 . -:::J{\"'I ~t'I'<1'l.\\Y'Ior{l:..t; . '" u,~ ....1'1';> .J\~,t2: 3 ~ \J . , l~n"~,,'Z::r; K.t=~~..~.o~ - PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT APPLICATION CITY FILE: AM-02/2006 PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE PLANNING ACT You are invited to attend a public meeting where City Council will consider an application to amend Zoning By-law No. 79-200. The meeting will be held on: Monday, April 3, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street. The amendment is requested for the land known as 5525 Victoria Avenue, 4858 Kitchener Street and 5486 and 5492 Union Street, as shown on Schedule 1. The amendment is requested to permit the development of a 7 -storey, 108 room hotel while maintaining a portion of the existing motel, as shown on Schedule 2. The lands are zoned Tourist Commercial (TC) in part, and site specific Tourist Commercial (TS-5) in part. The zoning of the land is requested to be changed to a new site specific TC zone to accommodate the proposed development which is 26.5 metres (87 feet) in height and excludes a dining room, and to recognize the portion of the existing motel that is to be retained. The meeting is being held to inform you about the application and to provide you with an opportunity to express your views. Your comments may be given verbally or as a written submission. Written comments should be submitted to the Director of Planning and Development, City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6X5 prior to March 21, 2006. Please refer to City File AM-02/2006. The comments you provide, as well as the report of City staff, will help Council make a decision on the application. Council may ask for revisions to the proposal or attach conditions to its decision. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed amendment you must make a written request to the Director of Planning & Development. If you disagree with Council's decision on the application, you can appeal it to the Ontario Municipal Board (O.M.B.). However, under the terms of Ontario's Planning Act, if you have not expressed your views at the public meeting or sent in your written comments before the proposed zoning by-law is adopted, the O.M.B. may dismiss all or part of your appeal. ..-.-.-.-..---..T-.----.-.-----.-..---..----~-- --- ----~.------...,.~_......._-..--_._.-------.---.-- -----~- ..- .TT----~--._-. -2- A copy of the Planning and Development Division's Recommendation Report on the application will be available after 4:00 p.m. on March 28, 2006. Additional information related to the application and the proposed amendments may be obtained from the Planning and Development Division, second floor, City Hall, between the hours of8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or by telephoning (905) 356-7521, extension 4232. This notice is dated at Niagara Falls, Ontario this 3rd day of March, 2006. b~- Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development AB:gr Attach. S:IZONINGlAMS\20061AnHl2\Notice.wpd . SCHEDULE 1 LOCATION MAP Subject Land~ Amending Zoning By-law No. 79-200 N Location: 4858 Kitchener St ~ 5486 Union Ave 5492 Union Ave 5525 Victoria Ave s Applicant: 1251435 Ontario Limited and 1397878 Ontario Limited I:NTS AM-02/2006 k:\GlS_Requests\2006\Schedules\ZoningAM\AM-02\mapping.map February 2006 ------_._-------~--_.~_.~,-,---_._, .--.....,......... SCHEDULE 2 c 'I' w .. .. ~ ~ . > iii ;( Ii , II! ,.I iii ~ i ~~ ~~ ~i ~* ~ ~ ~ !j !.I 'I la "I ~I"'"",,"c 5...~t a: !- h~ t~ I , , " i I ..., III , I i I !=Ii _n . :! ; - I" !; I : =', - .....oc I',', .' - . I _ I' I' - "" I 'I h -::-~'~ I I L : I!'-; ---'T i : ~ Ii, I, (~\ Ii ~: " <::'.t I! ' . i lill! "I I ~, " c>.. ! ,II _._ <---T' 'I! - - '-/ - iJ" ...,.... _ I r~ ., il" --~_._- '/,i_~,' I, I , I ;i \ lib ~- tl ,I II, -~= r;r ~ '1 " 'iJ,"','" < :I I --- ,I I I . Q · , I, . ' ~ 1 ! . ~, i (0 , "I III -~-_.- l! c) i i ,~~ ~-----.-;:t-, . ~.,o'l _ <7.m...... " ' " " I' ': I" --'->... I , , I --_.- ill - ,rr: i I ....... - ---- ~ i ~I"I b ! ' 1'1" -'-, I~ II 111,.1, I ---~, li'I' 1 ' It: . i :=--+--= ,I Ii l!tJ 'I i . -0 _ I -~..,'---.- V" , i U ' I I ' 1,I.i 'I ---I I I 1 \'I! 1 ! ! ~ ---~- I ! III IIII~!' i I! ~I , 1< ........---+-. .. ~: · ! -'i"lI I I~ 'I'l I I, ~ if I, II d c<; ~ ~ E~ t~ 1 .::! m =::-c=--r m', I: I I; llll~ih~" I II _ I ~ . -- "I !1. II"I! I! !, II, . I 1.1' · I!, _ Ii -- _~~, , !l ~ hi !;l!:!' I: II ~ ~ ! _=c" 'I I , ',,~- , II ' /' ""- '---' I_U."tLI.,...___~ i. "-, 'I 'Ii III II i ,I ~ , i ! I 1'il ,,~;,I I- I :1- . I . Il~- I. II 'I . . " J, !I I I~ . NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Zoning By-law Amendment Application (File: AM-32/2005) ~ and "Chippawa West Phase II" Draft Plan of Subdivision (Files: 26T-94009 Revised & 26T-1l-2005-01 Revised) The City of Niagara Falls invites you to attend a Public Meeting as required by the Planning Act where Council will consider an application to amend the Zoning By-law and also modifications to an existing draft plan of subdivision and a proposed plan of subdivision. The meeting will be held: Monday, March 20, 2006, 7:00 p.m. Niagara Falls City Hall - Council Chambers 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls The applicant proposes to develop a 43.336 hectare (107.082 acre) site for a residential plan of subdivision containing a mix of dwelling types and a total of 626 units. The property is located on the west side of Sodom Road, north side of Willick Road and southeast of Lyon's Parkway and Lyon's Creek Road (see Schedule 1). The north section of the property was granted draft plan approval in 1996 which is proposed to be modified. A new subdivision application has been submitted for the south portion of the site. The applicant wishes to combine the land into one draft plan of subdivision. Schedule 2 illustrates the revised subdivision layout. The street pattern provides connections to Sodom Road and Willick Road with emergency access from Lyon's Parkway. The overall subdivision proposes 239 lots for single-detached dwellings, 92 lots (184 units) for semi-detached dwellings, 24 blocks (133 units) for on-street townhouses and a block of land for 70 townhouse condominium units. There are 26 lots designed with frontage onto Willick Road. Additional blocks ofland in the plan are proposed for stormwater management, parkland, valleylhazard land, walkways, emergency access and future development. The City's Official Plan designates the majority of the property Residential which permits a variety of housing types. The floodplain of the watercourse on the east part of the site is designated Environmental Protection Area in the Official Plan. The amendments to the Zoning By-law are intended to provide the necessary land use regulations to guide the development of the subdivision and construction of dwellings. The site is currently zoned, in part, Residential Mixed (R3), Residential Mixed - Holding (R3-H), Hazard Land (HL), Open Space (OS) and Neighbourhood Commercial (Ne), through Zoning By-law No. 79-200 as amended by site specific By-law No. 96-242. The applicant has requested the zoning ofthe land be changed to a special Residential Mixed (R3) zone for the single-detached lots, semi-detached lots and on-street townhouse blocks, the Residential Low Density, Grouped Multiple Dwellings (R4) zone for the townhouse condominium block, the Open Space (OS) zone for the park and stormwater management area, the Environmental Protection Area (EP A) zone for the valley land/lloodplain and the Development Holding (DH) zone for the future development block. ----- -rr- . ----- -2- This meeting is being held to inform you about the applications and provide an opportunity to express your views. You may speak at the meeting or send a letter to the City. Written comments should be submitted prior to Wednesday, March 8, 2006 to the Director of Planning & Development, City Hall, P.O. Box 1023,4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6X5. Council will make a decision on the applications after considering all input received from the public and agencies, as well as the report of City staff. The decision of Council can include conditions or revisions. If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the proposed amendment and/or the decision on the subdivision, please make a written request to the Director of Planning & Development. If you disagree with Council's decision, you may file an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. If a person or public body that files an appeal of a decision of Council in respect of the proposed zoning by-law or subdivision does not make oral submissions at a public meeting or make written submissions to Council before the proposed zoning by-law is adopted or the subdivision is approved, the Ontario Municipal Board may dismiss all or part of the appeal. A copy of the Planning & Development Recommendation Report on the zoning amendment and plan of subdivision will be available on Tuesday, March 14,2006 after 4:00 p.m. Additional information regarding this application and the proposed subdivision may be obtained from Planning & Development, City HaIl- 2nd Floor, between the hours of8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, or by telephoning 905-356-7521, extension 4296. This notice is dated at Niagara Falls, Ontario this 2711> day of February, 2006. ~~- Doug Darbyson Director of Planning & Development RW:gd Attach. FILE: S:\ZONlNGIAMS\2005IAM-32\Notice. wpd SCHEDULE 1 Proposed Modifications & New Plan of Subdivision Zoning By-law Amendment Application Chippawa West Phase II 26T-94009 (Revised), 26T-1l-2005-01 (Revised) & AM-32/2005 Location Map --------- Subject Land . Modification to Existing Approval & Rezoning N 26T -94009 (Revised) fE - New Draft Plan of Subdivision & Rezoning 26T -11-2005-01 s I:NTS K:\GIS _ Requests\2005\Schedules\ZoningAM\AM- 32\mapping.apr February 2006 .-_._'_.,.._._'--_._'---'~.__.~-~,.,._~ --. SCHEDULE 2 u Hi! !! !WHim!1 I I I ~ I ~ ~ !lj i i !! lllmm!!l i i.ir::~il: .~ II l!'~ - .'. "lC)Vl" ~ . 11:0 1i'! ! .., , , !. go'" I ~ ' ~, II ~ ~~! .! II !i :i ~ g .d II I" =>.! ., - ,.----.--" ,,' I ",I ' () J W II _ n <( I- G: II !;;: e!i < 01 e"~ ! 0.... ~ I ~ ~r ~ itS. !t/~ ~~ t '! . t.'i · w '='.. 3 'fi 1,.1- I ,*.,,1 -, ,ll' I; OZ ~. I ffi Ii,.; :o:jiu 'iili! ijill,! :nl llllllill I 9 zzl;1 3l51! ,r ,,~i' ~ Ijll ~hmiili:!I'lmml'hN~11 nT" I i_0~lli a. ~ II m ffil'l '2 I Glli "",-11, B '!lOl" I ;'!'!!I' .. Ilia.. II I t; l:>~.i ~ ii: I 1 ~ I ,i:J if' "'I !!l,,!!,.,:i!Ei!.: !,,-,!", !' I!!!!!!!! I" , ~ !:>-1,J ~ ~ _I I 0 _II 5: $ l! ~l! ~ ~ ~ ! ~ H ~ a.. _O~:~ 1,1 - , . II '\ lj I I !I o ~ I '\ i 11 Ii # 'i\\~: I'll '0 ! r-.... : :1 '\ 1 \ "",,--_~:.1 !'.-.~ : I ~ ... , , ~ ____ =~C--::.-~-~<..:== . ,~, ,.;cO ! i .. , - ", , , , , , , , , . ' ~ N () ., Z ..; <( 1")0 N ;; zCfJ 0 01- z CfJO ci CfJ..J z W :5 02 d <( ZW ;; OW '" a:: n~ 0 <( u..~ 0 O. ~ <( ""--lD ::J Z ZN 0 OWULL '\ '\ CfJ-gU ~ 0 > Z I _0<( o(f)>- '\ () :;: =>...11- CJ~O ~~-' :::> ...1 "u.. <( CfJ ....1 0.. cn< ~<(U ...... u......-- 0:::- () o 0 f"'1 Q:: <( Z <z ... r <( :J: Cl::> ~~ II ZOOZ~<(:::; z- - ..... Z5 IUlua I, I '-.... OVO~ HID ~ ~ ~ 0 g I- [;3 ~ ~~ 111111111'11 o D- a.... u UJ 0 n:: (,) wo ItUI1!f!t ,I, ~ V) (1)..;( ...,,"'......~~,,'" .J Office of the Mayor -- Inter-Department Memorandum TO: Dean Iorfida DATE: February 22, 2006 City Clerk FROM: Cathy Crabbe Executive Secretary Ext. 4202 RE: 87th Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly of the Ontario Secondary School Teacher's Federation Dean: The organizers of the above-noted event have ask that we extend an invitation to the Members of Council to attend this event on (1) Sunday March 12 at 11: I 5 a.m. to hear their guest speaker, The Hon. James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario (2) Monday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. to see the presentation of Provincial Awards to local high school students. Thank you for distributing the attached material in the next Council Agenda packages. Cathy _.__._--~,..._--'------_._".-._._-_.,.__.~.- . -"_,_,_,,_-_,__,,,_.._-_.._,,--,'~"_',_._..."-'--'~"" ._.._,'. - - ---,. rr---'- ..-.,..-....-...-.. ...- ~ .~ osrn I FEESO ONTARIO SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS' FEDERATION 60 Mobile Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4A 2P3 87'h ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY Sheraton on the Falls, Niagara Falls March 10 - 13, 2006 TENTATIVE AGENDA NOTE: Items marked with the number sign (#) will be dealt with at the times indicated. * * * * * FRIDAY, MARCH 10,2006 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. Registration and Credentials Upper Fallsview Foyer * * * * * .oo / --- .-"'-.---.---------.-----.--- '~~ [ 2 ] SATURDAY, MARCH 11,2006 I DAY! I 8:00 a.m. Registration Upper Fallsview Foyer Credentials Great Room Foyer 9:00 a.m. # I. Call to Order / National Anthem by Great Room Aly Beswick and Alannah Garrett - The President 2. The Federation Pledge - The General Secretary 3. (a) In Memoriam (b) Announcements of: - Steering Committee - Credentials Committee - Speakers of the House (c) Interim Report of the Credentials Committee [PROC 201] (d) Adoption of the Agenda and Appropriate Procedural Resolutions [PROC 202, 203] (e) Adoption of the Minutes of the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Provincial Assembly [PROC 204] 9:30 a.m. # 4. President's Address: Rhonda KimberJey- Young 5. Annual Action Plan 2006-2007 Report of the Provincial Executive on Federation Annual Action Plan (Clarification and Questions) ... / ._~_.~--_.._._._._.--_._~_.~---_._-~ ..-.......- [ 3 ] SATURDAY - MARCH 11,2006 - Continued 6. Resolutions as recommended by the Steering Committee 11:30a.m. # 7. Report of the General Secretary - Rod Albert 12:15 p.m. 8. Announcements followed by Recess LUNCH 1:30 p.m. 9. Resolutions as recommended by the Steering Committee 3:00 p.m. # 10. Committee to Review Committees - Report and related Resolutions 11. Resolutions as recommended by the Steering Committee 5:00 p.m. # 12. Announcements followed by Recess * * * * * SUNDAY, MARCH 12, 2006 I DAY2 I 8:30 a.m. # 13. (a) Report of the Treasurer Great Room - Sheila Vandenberk (b) Presentation ofInterim Budget (c) Budget Resolutions [BUDG] (d) Report of the Finance Committee 14. Resolutions as recommended by the Steering Committee ... / --~-~._-_.~--- .-------. [ 4 ] SUNDAY, MARCH 12,2006 - Continued 15. Final Report of the Credentials Committee [PROC 205] 10:30 a.m. # 16. Annual Action Plan 2006 - 2007 Related Resolutions 17. Report of the Chairperson of Provincial Council - John Dykes 18. Interim Policy Resolutions [INPO] 11:15 a.m. # 19. Guest Speaker - The Hon. James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario 12:00 noon # 20. [DEADLINE FOR BUDG 201-06 and SUBMISSION OF RESOLUTION WITH COST ESTIMATES] 12:l5p.m. # 21. Announcements followed by Recess LUNCH 1:30 p.m. # 22. Recognition of Committee and Council Chairs Committee!CouncillWork GrOUD ChairDerson Active Retired Members' Council Betty Ann Bushell Benevolent Council David Brohman Certification CouncW Norm Wilkie! Certification Appeal Board Sue Kaufman Collective Bargaining Committee Norm Uhrig Comite des services en langue Fran~aise Carole Dion CommunicationsIPolitical Action Dan Fewings Educational Services Committee Bonnie Cheung Faculty of Education Advisory Work Group Keith Pacey .../ "_.__...._-----~._----'---_...........".-----~ , ----- [ 5 ] Committee/Council/Work GrouD Chairnerson Finance Committee Kimberly Appel Funding & Investment Advisory Work Group Sheila Vandenberk Human Rights Committee Carlos Santander-Maturana Judicial Council Manfred Netzel Mediation Council Lynda Cloutier Parliamentary/Constitution Council Craig Bowie Provincial Council John Dykes Sector Council of Presidents - ESS Ana Misiti Sector Council of Presidents - PSSP Nancy McDougall Sector Council of Presidents - Terry Murphy Teachers/Occasional Teachers Status of Women Committee Chantal Mancini 23. Remaining Resolutions - With Cost Estimates And BUDG Amendments 24. Resolutions as recommended by the Steering Committee 4:00 p.m. # 25. [a] Announcements [b] Deadline for Submission of "Resolutions from the Floor" RECESS 6:00 p.m. 26. RECEPTION Great Room Foyer 27. ANNUAL DINNER Great Room * * * * * MONDAY, MARCH 13,2006 I DAY 3 I 9:00 a.m. # 28. Resolutions - Continued Great Room As recommended by Steering Committee .../ I. ~- . [ 6 ] MONDAY, MARCH 13,2006 - Continued 10:30 a.m. # 29. Provincial A wards Presentation: * Andre Lecuyer Award * Kelly Ann McKenzie Award * Arnie Zone A wards * AmieAward * Arnie Website Award * Wendell Fulton Award * Larry French Award * Status of Women Award * James Forster Award * John McNeil Award * Comite des services en langue fran~aise Award 11:00 a.m. # 30. Guest Speaker - The Honourable Gerard Kennedy Minister of Education, Ontario 1 I :30 a.m. # 131. Presentation of Marion Drysdale Awards I 12:00 noon # 32. Announcements followed by Recess LUNCH 1:30p.m. # 33. Greetings from the Faculty Student Representatives 1:35 p.m. 34. Resolutions - Continued As recommended by the Steering Committee 2:30 p.m. # 35. Report of the Finance Committee Related Resolutions 4:00 p.m. # 36. Announcements ADJOURNMENT February 7, 2006 law-cope 343 ----'~-~._--_._-'--".------~-~-----_.._._._.- Page I of2 Dean lorfida - Fwd: Re: Billboard Signs in Chippawa From: Ken Beaman To: Bob Judge; Dean Iorfida Date: 2/24/2006 10:58 AM Subject: Fwd: Re: Billboard Signs in Chippawa CC: Karen Kelly This matter has been referred to me for reply. The law does not permit the City to exercise its legal powers simply becasue some one complains. In order for the City to take action, there must be some grounds to believe that a a law is being broken or regulation being contravened. The facts alleged by Mr. Bucato do not disclose any evidence of an offence. A permit was issued authorizing the installation of this sign prior to the by-law 2005-215 being enacted. That by-law prohibits staff from issuing any further permits for roof signs in Chippawa after December 12, 2005. The by-law does not prohibit the erection or installation of a roof sign in Chippawa in a case where a permit was issued for that sign prior to the date the by-law was enacted. (December 12, 2005) Of course the City can inspect the sign as it does in the usual course, to ensure that all applicable laws with respect to structure and so on are complied with. Ken >>> Karen Kelly 2{14{2006 11:54 AM >>> Further to my previous. KK . >>> Bob Judge 14-Feb-06 8:20 AM >>> Dean; We received this fax from Mr.Brucato last week, the sign did receive a permit. It was issued in November 2005 and they have just got around to the installation. I have faxed this information to Mr. Brucato and a couple of Alderman, also Ron Waters has spoken with Brucato to explain the situation. Several senior staff are aware of the Brucato fax. Bob >>> "Dean Iorfida" <diorfida@niagarafalls.ca> 2{13{2006 4:25 PM >>> Please find attached a letter from John Brucato. Mr. Brucato has written before regarding the proliferation of signs in Chippawa. This past week another roof top sign when up pn the building on the south west corner of Cummington Square (Movieland, Royal Bank etc.). Bob, did this sign receive a permit? Also, please see the list of Mr. Brucato's inquiries. Assuming this did receive a permit, Karen can you comment on why the municipality can not instruct the contractor to cease erection of the sign. I will bring this to the next Senior Staff but we should be prepared to respond sooner. Thanks file:/ /C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Administrator\Local%20Settings\ Temp\GW} 0000... 3/7/2006 -----_.._~-'_.,_._.....~..._._'_.-._._--_.- Hockton's Auto Tune Ltd Page I of2 Dean Iorfida - Re: Fw: 020605 council.doc From: Dean lorfida To: Vi ncent Hockton Date: 3/7/20067:48 PM Subject: Re: Fw: 020605 council.doc CC: Felicetti, Serge Vincent: My sincere apologies for not responding sooner. With regard to your requests: Minutes, Nov. 21st These are attached, although it should be noted that the resolution was contained in my letter to you dated January 15th in which I forwarded Mr. Priamo's response. Our Letter to Greg Priamo as a Result of the November 21st Resolution of Council I have confirmed with Mr. Felicetti, our Director of Business Development, that he did not send a letter to Loblaws but informed them verbally of Council's request. For the record, Serge actually spoke to Mark Van Doorewaard of Loblaws. Etc. I checked again today and can confirm with our Building DEaprtment that no building permits have been applied for by Loblaws for Dorchester Road. Finally, I would just like to reiterate that I provide all of your correspondences, including this one, for Council's information. Sincerely, Dean lorfida, City Clerk Niagara Falls 905-356-7521, Ext. 4271 905-356-9083 (Fax) >>> "Vincent Hockton" <vhockton@cogeco.ca> 3/6/2006 8:55 PM >>> Have not yet received a response to the email originally sent Feb. 7? Have not received a copy of the city's letter to Mr. Priamo or the minutes of the Nov. 21 meeting. Thanks. Vince Hockton ---- Original Message ----- From: Vincent Hockton To: sfeliceltllalniaoarafalls.ca Sent: Monday, February 20, 20062:00 PM Subject: 020605 council.doc Hockton's Auto Tune Ltd. 6815 CROPP STREET, NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO L2E 7E4 (905) 374-7822 file:/ /C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Administrator\Local%20Settings\ Temp\GW} 0000 ... 3/7/2006 --_.._..._--_._-------~.__._------_..~.- -"-----. Hockton's Auto Tune Ltd Page 2 of2 February 7, 2005 Mr. Dean Iorfida City Clerk 4310 Queen Street P.O. Box 1023 Niagara Falls ON L2E 6X5 Dear Dean; 1 hope you and your family had a nice Christmas and New Year. Although you may find the greeting rather late, as a matter of fact, my Christmas gift was to leave you alone for the month of January. re: City's Letter to Mr. Priamo requesting clarification that no works begin until after road improvements take place on Dorchester Road. - Hockton's Auto Tune and Favero Car Wash are not concerned with Loblaw's opening date. - As for impacts on Dorchester Road that currently exist, Vincor's expansion, coupled with road construction, plus the expansion of the former Acres site to facilitate a Loblaws big box store will cause undue inconvenience and financial pressure on our business. - As for Loblaws quote: "The proposed food store and site plan to be substantially complete for proper operation", it appears that Loblaws has every intention on starting construction prior to road construction being complete. This would constitute a "substantially" blatant lie, not only to Dan and myself, but to all the members of council that voted in favour of this amendment, based on Mr. Priamo's promise. If construction begins prior to road construction being complete, I would like to appear before council, in camera, along with Mr. Priamo. Please forward this letter to Mr. Priamo (Loblaws), the Mayor, all Councillors and city staff concerned. Please forward my attached comments from November 21 st Community Services Committee meeting to all members of council and Mr. Priamo. Please send me a copy of the letter the city sentto Mr. Priamo and a copy of the minutes of the Nov. 21 st meeting. Inform me of Building Permits. Sincerely, Vincent Hockton P.S. I will not roll over on this one. file:/ /C :\Documents%20and%20Settings\Administrator\Local%20Settings\ T emp\GW} 0000... 3/7/2006 ._--_.._------~.~----~- Hamilton Spectator - News Page I of6 THE HAMILTON SPEcTAToR~-"~ ... .. -I,.', th .'. ". rr:: .., .'d/. eSf _'~_m__________.__..__.______."_____'__'___________________________~___~______. ___"________.__._____.__.______,_______________,__,._.__w _' Home I News I GO I Sports I Classified I Contact Us I My Subscription I Search q iJ .. " IT tl " " :1 <1 ~i l; . Local News Di Ianni Called to Account . Canada I World . Business Chapman pleased with . Opinions . Discover 'what must have been . Special Reports an incredibly hard . Editorial Cartoon decision' . Today's PDF Pages By Nicole Macintyre The Hamilton Spectator 14-day Search (Mar 7, 2006) L Larry Oi Ianni wiii answer to a ~ judge for breaking election financing rules in his quest to be Hamilton's leader. City council made legai history yesterday, voting 12- 1 to charge Oi Ianni for - violating the Municipal Elections Act. The decision came as vindication for citizen activist Joanna Chapman, who has fought for neariy two years to ",'''''i1 see the election of 2003 scrutinized. "I'm very happy to see they Barry Gray, the Hamilton Spectator were prepared to make what j " must have been an incredibiy ~~f hard decision," she said. "The evidence is compelling ... I'm sure that they will make the right decision in court." 1- In a speech to his solemn j",.>')i" colleagues after the vote, Oi Ianni said he was pleased that the issue is out of the political arena and before the courts to be judged solely on the facts. http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout... 3/7/2006 _._~.-----_.__.._--_....._-~--~_.__. Hamilton Spectator - News Page 2 of6 "I will take my lumps if I have to take my lumps." Council also voted to charge failed candidates Marvin Caplan and John Best. Di Ianni said he felt bad for both, arguing a "political agenda is afoot." "I've been the target here from the beginning and I painted the bull's-eye on myself through the campaign. " Photos by Barry Gray, the Hamilton Spectator The mayor returned nearly $26,000 in illegal donations A vindicated Joanna Chapman, even sold family from his $330,000 mayoral heirlooms to finance a court battle that will see Mayor campaign after his own Larry Oi Ianni answer to a judge for breaking election finance rules to be Hamilton's leader. Oi Ianni told investigation and a court- councillors last night he was pleased that the issue is out ordered audit. He says any of the political arena and before the courts to be judged violations were honest mistakes by a volunteer- driven campaign. An outside legal opinion, debated by councillors behind closed doors for nearly two hou rs yesterday, advised there were reasonable grounds to charge Di Ianni. It countered a report by the city's own legal team, which recommended taking no action. The alleged offences Include failing to return illegal donations as soon as possible and poor bookkeeping of donor information. Under election rules, a corporation or individual can not donate more than $750. If found guilty of violating the act, a candidate can be fined up to $5,000 or kicked out of office. The legal opinion noted in this case that fines would likely range from $500 to $1,500 for more serious offences and $150 for technicalities. The legal opinion forced the http:/ /viIww.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout... 3/7/2006 '--,.y- -,,-,-'~""- Hamilton Spectator - News Page 3 of6 hand of councillors, many who feared taking no action would only lead to judicial review of their decision. Councillor Bill Kelly was the only councillor to vote against charges. Councillors Bernie Morelli and Murray Ferguson, who've been ill, were absent. Flamborough Councillor Margaret McCarthy said it'd be "irresponsible" for council to ignore the legal advice. "It wasn't entered into lightly," said McCarthy. "It's been a difficult day." John Best already plans to plead guilty, after maintaining Dundas Councillor Art Samson said council would have likely been pilloried by some citizens if it had done nothing. He did not believe the move will create a rift between the mayor and his council. "This will hopefully clear the air," said Samson. McCarthy said, however, it remains to be seen whether the move will impact the relationship. "We made a decision to go against a colleague, a high- ranking colleague. Obviously, there's a lot of strain and stress attached to a decision like this," she said. Councillor Terry Whitehead said he had a difficult time supporting the charges, because he felt Chapman's quest was politically motivated. Every candidate should have faced the same scrutiny, he said. A city official will have to formally lay the charges against Di Ianni, Best and Caplan. Council voted to hire an outside lawyer to prosecute the cases for the city. Taxpayers have already shelled out more than $60,000 for the court-ordered audits. Chapman admits she's sad the bill will grow, but said the case can't be weighed on a cost-benefit analysis. "I think you proceed on a case because its the right thing to do," she said, noting the process didn't need to be this long and costly. http:/ /www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamiltonlLayout... 3/7/2006 _____..___________________._____w.___. ,.."l'T"-~~.--...~-.---.-..- Hamilton Spectator - News Page 4 of6 Chapman first came to councii in July 2004 asking for an audit of Di lanni's books and numerous other candidates. She turned to the courts after her request was denied. Her lawyer, Eric Gillespie, noted the case is precedent-setting and will have an impact across the province. "I think it is a bill that is quite appropriate borne by taxpayers because it really does benefit the democratic process." Di Ianni said he wanted to speak to his lawyer before deciding if he will plead gUilty to the charges. But Best already plans to plead guilty. He has always maintained his errors, which the outside lawyer cited as reporting violations and not refunding an i1legai donation in a timely manner were honest mistakes. "I'm ready for the next round," he said, adding he does plan to seek legal advice about how the city handled his case. He believes they were negligent in not going ahead with an audit months ago when he asked. But Caplan, who was cited for not keeping proper eiection records, said he plans to fight the charges. "I am not guilty," he said, questioning if it's even fair that Chapman, who does not live in his ward, can pursue him. Di Ianni has already thrown his hat back in the ring for the fall election. Voters will be the judge, he said. The timing of Di lanni's re-election campaign announcements is "interesting to say the least," said Chapman. "It just seemed to me like extremely strange timing. I don't think it would have been my choice in his shoes." nmacintvret6J.thesoec.com 905-526-3299 THE HISTORY * July 2004: Joanna Chapman asks council to audit Mayor Larry Di lanni's mayorai campaign expenses after she found possible violations. She also fingers councillors Tom Jackson, Bill Kelly, Terry Whitehead and five unsuccessful candidates. Council rejects her request. Chapman announces she is going to court. Di Ianni hires an auditor to examine his books, which are already under review by his team. * December 2004: Complaints against most of the candidates are dropped after they agree to take steps to comply with the Municipal Elections Act. Chapman continues to pursue Di lanni, John Best and Marvin Caplan, who insist they've done nothing wrong. * May 2005: After months of arguments, Justice Timothy Culver makes history by ordering an audit of Di lanni's books. Culver says Chapman had reasonable http:/ /www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout... 3/7/2006 _.,,----.,--- Hamilton Spectator - News Page 5 of6 grounds to believe Di Ianni contravened the Municipal Elections Act. The judge chastises council for failing or refusing to exercise its jurisdiction and not considering the merits of Chapman's case. Di Ianni has returned $19,500 in illegal donations after his own audit and investigation. The violations included companies making multiple donations which put them over the limit. He says any errors were unintentional. * May 2005: Chapman lays charges against 18 companies for overcontributing to Di lanni's campaign and violating the elections act. Spokespersons for three of the companies -- J. Voortman and Associates, the Effort Trust Company and St. Lawrence Cement Inc. -- express surprise at the charges but acknowledge overcontributions. All suggest it resulted from simple errors. * August 2005: Council hires Ken Froese, a chartered accountant with LECG Canada, to audit the books of Di lanni, Best and Caplan. * October 2005: Froese's investigation finds five new violations worth $3,300 beyond those uncovered by Di Ianni. Among the violations are donations from ineligible contributors including a charity, a Quebec-based company, an estate without the supporting will and two unincorporated companies. The auditor noted all contraventions "were appropriateiy addressed by the candidate." He asks to continue his audit to dig deeper. Froese finds three apparent contraventions and one reporting error in Best's books. Caplan can't find his records. * February 2006: Froese reports he's found another $3,100 in illegal donations to Di Ianni. He found three groups of connected companies that exceeded the $750 limit and donations from ineligible companies. In each violation, Froese notes his conclusions "relied on information not otherwise provided to Di Ianni." Caplan's audit finds a violation for not keeping his campaign finance records and two reporting errors. The auditor adds two reporting errors to Best's possible violations. Council hires a Kingston lawyer to advise on whether to charge Di lanni, Best and Caplan. * Yesterday: Council votes to charge Di Ianni after receiving a legal report that says there are grounds to do so. The vote is 12-1. It also votes to charge Best and Caplan. BY THE NUMBERS * $26,000 * $26,000 -- how much Mayor Larry Di Ianni had to repay. * 20 months -- how long this affair has gone on since Dundas bookseller Joanna Chapman appealed to city council for an audit. * 9-1 -- council's vote in July 2004, against Chapman's request to have an audit of the campaign finances of the mayor, three councillors and five unsuccessful candidates. * $329,000 - $330,000 -- how much Di Ianni spent on his 2003 mayoral campaign. * $120,000 -- how much the mayor says he spent on TV, radio and print advertisements. http:/ /www.hamiltonspectator.comlNASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout... 3/7/2006 ----.. '--""TT"""--'---O--'~-'- Hamilton Spectator - News Page 6 of6 * $30,000 -- a line of credit Di Ianni took out from his own bank to finance his run for mayor. * $80,000 - $100,000 -- Di Ianni's campaign debt, erased by an October 2005 fundraiser at liuna Station. * $165,000 -- how much his main challenger, now Hamilton Centre MP David Christopherson, spent on his 2003 mayoral campaign. * $750 -- maximum contribution that can be made by an individual or a group of related companies. * $5,000 -- maximum fine an offender or individual donor faces. Offender can also be removed from office by the courts. * $25,000 -- maximum fine a corporate donor can be fined. * $25,000 -- estimated amount of money Chapman has spent on pursuing this issue. * $20,000 -- raised from an April 2005 fundraiser to help Chapman in her legal fight. She auctioned off some family heirlooms. * $60,000 -- cost by the city to hire auditor Ken Froese last fall to probe contributions to the mayor's campaign. Bill from outside legal firm still to come. * 18 -- number of companies accused of making illegal donations to the mayor's campaign. * 12-1 -- vote by council to charge the mayor with violating provinciallegisiation and have it sent to court to be dealt with by a judge. With files from Dan Nolan 'II View newspaper page (pdf) ~ Printer friendlv Daae Home I News I Go I Sports I Classified I Contact us I My Subscription I Search J:'l~~"'~ t.-:;.;...,~, 1llE IIAMIL'roN SPtX:rAroR Legal Notice: Contents copyright 1991-2006, The Hamilton Spectator. All rights reserved. Distribution, transmission or republication of any material from www.thespec.com is strictly prohibited without the prior written permission of The Hamilton Spectator. For directions on material reuse, website comments, questions or information send email to helliottavthesoec,com. rill torstardigital -- . .- CityMndia v Ill!> http://www.hamiltonspectator.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=hamilton/Layout... 3/7/2006 --_._-~-----_._-,._-_.._-_..._~--- . ------- ---- - -- -.-,...--- ~----' / , , .. In case of Transmission Difficulties, please call 416-863-2101 or 1-866-309-3811 - please Deliver To: Clerk Minister 01 MuniciPll AIIIll,. Mlnltdre du AIIalres mUlllclpales ~ and Housing el du Logement 771 Bay Street, 17" 1=1001" n7. rue Boy, lr6lage Tcronlo ON M5G 2E5 TorontD ON MS<> ~ES Tel. (418) 585-7000 nl. (418) 58&-7000 Ontatlo FIIX (416) 585-6470 T"'" (416) 685-6470 WWW.rnah.aoV.M OIl www.R1ah.aov.on.ca. 06.1553 February 23,2006 Dear Head of Council: RE: An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal Emplovees Retirement Svsrem 2006 I am wxiting to update you on the rapid developments around our legislation that have occurred over the past 24 hours. Bill 206 has received third reading and Royal Assent without any further amendments. We strongly believe we have struck the right balance in our legislation. and we are confident that it will prove to be solid public policy. We are also proposing new legislation that would mandate a futwe review focusing on the actual experience of tIle ucw governaDl,;C mudel in practice. The proposed legislation, if passed, would take effect on or before June 30, 2006 and would provide for the following: "1.1 A commitment for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to undertake, beginning no later than :lO12, a review of the governance model for the OMERS Pension Plan put in place through the devolution process (Bill 206). 1.2 The review would focus on the actual experience of the OMERS governance model in practice, and would include (but not be limited to) the following areas: a) The effectiveness and fairness of the overall governance framework in representing the interests of employees and employers and ensuring efficient governance and accountability of the OMERS pension plan; b) The efficiency and effectiveness of Sponsors Corporation decision-making, including any use of alternative dispute resolution; and c) The effectiveness of the govemance framework in ensuring the overall fairness of the plan and its overall financial stability, including ensuring that cross-subsidization is not occurring between the primaxy pension plan and supplemental plans. /2 -,..-- -...-..--... -2. 1.3 The review would explicitly not include the following: a) Reconsideration of the general principle of transfer of governance responsibility to OMERS SpOnsoIll; and b) Consideration of continuation of any supplemental plans put in place 1.4 The review will be conducted by an independent person mutually acceptable to the Minister and to the employer and employee representative gronps, with collective bargaining and pension expertise. Failing mutual acceptability, to be appointed by the Chief Justice. 15 A report and any associated recommendations will be provided to the Minister and made public within 30 days of the Minister receiving the report. The Minister will give serious consideration to the recommendations contained in the report. 1.6 There would also be provision that after the first full valuation and in any event no later than 2009, the Minister or his or her designate will consult with the employee and employer representative groups to assess prowess in effectively implementinlt the legislation, including governance matters." . We look forward to this future review of the actual practices of the new OMERS governance model. We believe it will confim1 the fairness, accountability and efficiency of our model. Sincerely, J)-SJ: ~- J olm Gerretsen Minister - II In Case of Transmission Difficulties, please call 416-863-2101 or 1-866-309-3811 please Deliver To: Clerk News Release ~ Ontario Communique Ministry of Ministers des Municipal Affairs Affalres munlclpales and Housing et du Logement For Immediate Release February 23, 2006 PROVINCE GIVES CONTROL OF PENSION PLAN TO MEMBERS Model Based On Broad Input TORONTO - The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) is now controlled by its members, Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister John Gerretsen said today. "We have honoured our commitment to come up with a model for OMERS that achieves the right balance," said Gerretsen. "This act puts first the interests ofthose who pay into the pension plan and rely on it for their livelihood upon retirement." The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act, 2006 is now law and gives the more than 355,000 working and retired Ontarians who pay into and benefit from the plan, and their employers, control over their pensions. Previously, the province controlled the pension plan even though it does not pay directly into it or benefit from it. The competing demands of everyone involved were considered as a new model for OMERS was developed. The government took the unusual step of requesting legislative committee hearings at both first and second readings to ensure all groups representing plan participants had input into the final legislation. The new model requires the creation of supplemental benefits plans for police, firefighters and paramedics, and enables it for other employee groups. The act also explicitly protects the main OMERS pension plan that thousands of Ontarians rely on for their livelihood from any costs resulting from supplemental benefits plans. The government is proposing legislation mandating a review ofthe new OMERS governance model by 2012. The review would focus on the faimess, accountability and efficiency of the Sponsors Corporation. To keep the costs associated with the supplemental benefits plan reasonable for employees and employers, the legislation states that only one supplemental benefit can be negotiated every three years. As well, the act does not change the pensions currently being received by retirees. "We are confident the new OMERS model will prove to be solid public policy," added Gerretsen. -30 - Contact: Patti Munce Lisa Alfieri Minister's Office Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (416) 585-6333 (416) 585-6187 Disponible enfran9ais www.mah.gov.on.ca ,. ',:i,,';; OMERS One University Ave. Tel: 416-369-2400 E-mail: c1ient@omers.com Suite 700 Fax: 416-360-0217 Internet: www.omers.com Toronto ON M512P1 Toll-free: 1 -800-387.081 3 tnAG. FflLLS CLERKS '06 03(6 10:54 March 1, 2006 Dean Iorfida Clerk City of Niagara Falls P.O. Box 1023 4310 Queen Street Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Dear Mr. Iorfida, On February 23, 2006, Bill 206 (An Act to revise the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System Act) received Royal Assent. The new OMERS Act is expected to come into force in 2006. The new OMERS Act replaces the government as sponsor by establishing a new OMERS Sponsors Corporation responsible for plan design and contribution rates and continues the OMERS Board as the Administration Corporation, responsible for pension administration and investments. The OMERS plan remains subject to the legal and regulatory framework applicable to registered pension plans. As the current OMERS Board assumes its new role as the Administration Corporation, our focus on managing the Fund's investments and administering the plan will not change. We will also continue with our investment strategy, which earned a return of 16 per cent in 2005. This is important because, over the long term, investment earnings account for approximately 70 per cent of the funding for OMERS pensions. In short, we remain committed to achieving superior returns to fulfill our pension promise and providing industry leading pension services to employers, members and retirees. Nothing in this legislation changes our mandate or obligation to administer the plan in the best interests of the members. OMERS is ready to work with the Sponsors Corporation to implement the new governance model and we are confident that we will all work together in the best interests of OMERS members. We are preparing for the transition and while we do not yet know when Proclamation will occur, we expect that there will be no disruption to our pension service levels and investment business. Pensions are, and will continue to remain, secure. ...over , a II -2- I have enclosed a copy of a special notice that was recently distributed to all OMERS employers, outlining the key provisions of the legislation and what they mean in practical terms. We are also sending similar information to active, retired and deferred plan members so they may be informed on the malter. As always, more information may also be found at our website www.omers.com. We would appreciate you sharing this letter with members of your Council. If you have any questions conceming the new OMERS Act and how it will affect you, please contact Debbie Oakley, Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs at (416) 350-6737. Sincerely, ~ David Kingston OMERS Board Chair _.,~-' OMERS Employer U date The new OMERS Act - What you should know t\lt'\\' structu!'C Bill 206 (An Act to Revise the Ontario Municipal OMERS focus will not change t!lE' Oh'1[ RS, Employees Retirement System Act) was passed We continue to focus on managing the fund's by the Ontario legislature on February 23, 2006. investments and administering the plan. Our See page 4. The Act will take effect upon proclamation, investment strategy, which earned a return of 16% which is expected later this year. This legislation in 200S, will not change as a result of the new establishes a new and independent governance Act. This is important because, over the long term, model for OMERS, gives employers and investment earnings account for approximately employees more control over the OMERS 7(')t)O of the funding for OMERS pensions. pension plan and introduces supplemental plans. The government also announced that Safeguards in place the new governance model will be reviewed Like all registered pension plans, OMERS is subject in 2012 to assess its fairness, accountability to laws that protect the rights of members and set and efficiency. investment limits to minimize risk to the pension "The new OMERS Act adds independent fund. The new OMERS Act does not affect these governance to the solid foundation we have built provisions. over more than 40 years," said David Kingston, OMERS Board Chair. "We're ready to work with Our pension services will not change the Sponsors Corporation in the best interests of In 2005, OMERS met or exceeded every one of OMERS members." our pension industry service standards, and we Here are the key provisions of the new Act, work constantly to improve our performance in highlighting what doesn't change, what does meeting the needs and expectations of members, and when. employers and retirees. OMERS pensions are strong and secure Those who pay for the plan make The current OMERS pension plan continues as a the key plan design decisions defined benefit pension plan, equally funded by Essentially, the new OMERS Act changes the employers and contributing plan members. With plan's sponsor. The Province of Ontario makes the new OMERS Act, current pension benefits no direct contributions to the plan but, until and contribution rates do not change. The plan now, made all final decisions on such things as continues to provide guaranteed retirement plan design, benefit changes and appointments income for life, including inflation protection to the OMERS Board. The new OMERS Act and excellent survivor and disability benefits. replaces the government as sponsor with the after receiving the report) to either accept or reject the Independent governance builds recommendation, again by a two-thirds majority. Otherwise, a on the solid foundation we have 50%-plus-one majority can refer the issue to arbitration and the developed over more than 40 years. arbitrator's decision is binding. The new Act also sets out rules that will apply to the Sponsors Corporation's use of mediation We're ready to work with the and arbitration after the transition period. Sponsors Corporation in the best Equal representation for members and employers interests of OMERS members. Initially, both Boards will have equal numbers of member David Kingston and employer representatives. In the future, the Sponsors Chair, OMERS Board Corporation will determine the composition of both Boards. For details, see page 4. new OMERS Sponsors Corporation, whose Board of Directors will represent the current and former employees who are New OMERS Act removes caps on pension formula members of OMERS, and the municipalities and other The new OMERS Act removes the limits on the OMERS pension organizations that employ them. formula which used to be in the Municipal Act, 2001. Like other In addition to the Sponsors Corporation, the new OMERS registered pension plans, any improvements in the formula Act continues the OMERS Board as the OMERS Administration continue to be subject to maximums under the Income Tax Act. Corporation, responsible for pension administration and Future changes to the pension formula will require Sponsors investments. (See below.) Corporation approval Decision-making protocols Funding reserve required to stabilize rates The Sponsors Corporation will have the final say on important The new OMERS Act includes a new requirement that issues, including plan design and contribution rate changes. contribution rates cannot be reduced, nor plan changes made, These types of decisions will require a two-thirds majority of unless the plan is in a 105% funded position (assets are at least the Sponsors Corporation. If the Sponsors Corporation cannot 5% more than liabilities). This requirement does not apply to agree on a proposed change, the new Act establishes supplemental plans. Also, it does not apply to plan changes transitional rules for the use of mediation and arbitration. that do not increase liabilities by more than 1%, or those During the transition period (that is, until the Sponsors required for legal compliance. Corporation passes a by-law or December 31, 2009, whichever is earlier) the Act specifies additional decision-making rules for Supplemental plans for police, firefighters changes related to plan design, contribution rates, and funding and paramedics reserves. The Sponsors Corporation has 30 days to either accept Under the new OMERS Act, a supplemental plan must be or reject, by a two-thirds majority, changes proposed in writing established within two years for police offices, firefighters by a Sponsors Corporation member. Otherwise, the Sponsors and paramedics. Supplemental pension plans are separately Corporation can, by a 50%-plus-one majority vote, send the funded, stand-alone pension plans that will offer benefits not issue to mediation. available in the current plan. (See page 3.) The mediator then has up to 44 days after being appointed to report on the results of the mediation and make a Who gets supplemental plans? recommendation on the proposed change. The Sponsors An initial supplemental plan must be established within two Corporation then has a further 30 days (from its first meeting years for police officers, firefighters and paramedics. Governance structure: Current Governance structure: New OMERS Act Provincial Sponsors Cabinet Corporation . Plan design' . Plan design' benefit changes benefit changes . Contribution rates . Contribution rates 2 Supplemental plan benefits must be negotiated Additional costs as a result of the new OMERS Act Eligible employers and members would locally bargain their There will be start-up costs related to implementing the new participation and the benefits offered. Only one benefit may governance model (for example, costs associated with be bargained initially. Subsequently, additional benefits can establishing the Sponsors Corporation). At this point, it is be bargained one at a time, at three.year intervals. not certain how these costs will be funded. We are assessing possible funding sources. Do paramedics get the same benefits? There will be ongoing operating costs for the new Sponsors The new OMERS Act treats paramedics the same as police Corporation. The new Act requires the Administration and firefighters. Because it does not change the terms of the Corporation to reimburse the Sponsors Corporation for lawful current plan, however, the new Act does not automatically expenses. The Sponsors Corporation may charge fees to active make paramedics eligible for a normal retirement age of 60. members and employers to cover its remaining expenses. Under the current plan, a normal retirement age of 60 is These fees would be collected by the Administration available only to police officers and firefighters. A Sponsors Corporation. Corporation decision would be required to amend the plan There will also be costs associated with the benefits of to extend this benefit to paramedics. supplemental plans. In 2005, OMERS developed generic Paramedics are still eligible for the other benefits estimated costs for supplemental plan benefits and distributed provided in the police and fire sector supplemental plan, them to stakeholders. Benefit costs for a specific employer with the exception of the ability to retire early without a are difficult to predict since the supplemental plans do not penalty when age plus credited service equals 80. The new yet exist. The Ontario government intends to seek legislative Act clearly states that this benefit is contingent upon a approval to exempt supplemental plans from the solvency member having a normal retirement age of 60. funding requirement in the Pension Benefits Act. This would have the effect of reducing the costs of these plans. Will supplemental plans be offered to other members? The legislation also permits the Sponsors Corporation to What happens next? establish supplemental plans for other OMERS members. The new governance model will be implemented when the legislation comes into effect and the government appoints Only those in supplemental plans pay fo, them the members of both boards. Each supplemental plan will be funded by the contributions of the employers and employees who participate in that More information particular plan, as well as the investment earnings on those Visit www.omers.com and click on Bill 206/0MERS Act (in the contributions. No assets of the current plan may be used to Quick Links section). You'll find an overview of the legislation, fund any benefits or other liabilities of a supplemental plan. FAQs, a link to the complete text of the new OMERS Act, and other information. Supplemental plan benefits for pollee, firefighters and paramedics Supplemental benefit What it provides Current benefit under primary plan 2.33% pension fonnula Ufetime pension plus bridge benefit to Lifetime pension plus bridge benefit to age 6S = age 65 = up to 2.33% x service x eamings 2.00% x service x earnings (Integrated with CPp) 85 Factor Retire with unreduced pension if: 90 Factor for normal retirement age 65 members (available to normal retirement age 65 members) age + service = 85 or more 80 Factor Retire with unreduced pension if: 85 Factor for normal retirement age 60 members (available to normal retirement age 60 members) age + service = 80 or more 3~year average annual earnings Pension calculated on average of 3 years Pension cakulated on annual average of highest of earnings consecutive 60 months of earnings 4-year average annual earnings Pension calculated on average of 4 years Pension calculated on annual average of highest of earnings consecutive 60 months of earnings Notes: . To be eDglble for early retirement factors, members must be within 1 0 years of normal retirement age. . All supplemental benefits apply to service accruals after the supptemental benefit Is Implemented (I.e., all prior service remains under current rules) unleu the past service associated with the particular benefit is paid for by the emptoyer and/or member. . The member has the option to pay for supplemental coverage on all or part of past service. Although not required, employers may pay past service costs for suppiemental plans (with the exception of the higher annual accrual rate). 3 New structure under the OMERS Act* Sponsors Corporation . Responsible tor plan design, benefits and contribution rates (two-thirds majority required) . 14 voting members, initially appointed by the Ontario government for up to 1 year . From the first anniversary until the Sponsors Corporation passes a by-law dealing with its composition, CUPE (Ontario) representative has 3 votes; AMO's 2 representatives have 2 votes each; all other members have 1 vote each . Two Advisory Committees appointed by the Sponsors Corporation: an S-member committee for police/fire/paramedics and a 12-member committee for other members and employers. . Association of Municipalities of Ontario 2 . Canadian Union of Public Employees (Ontario) 1 . City of Toronto 1 . CUPE Local 79 and 416 (rotates between locals) 1 . School Boards (rotates between public and . Police Association of Ontario 1 Catholic Boards) 1 Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association 1 . . Ontario Association of Police Service Boards 1 . Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation 1 . Other employers (rotates among . Other contributing members representatives of other employers) 2 (rotates among other unions and associations) 1 . Members receiving or entitled to a pension (rotates among organizations representing these members) 1 Administration Corporation . Responsible for investment of funds, plan administration and services to plan participants . 14 voting members, initially appointed by the Ontario government, for up to 3 years. Employer Representatives Plan Member Representatives . Association of Municipalities of Ontario 2 . Canadian Union of Public Employees (Ontario) 2 . City of Toronto 1 . Police Association of Ontario 1 . School Boards (rotates between public and . Association of Municipal Managers. Clert<s and Catholic Boards) 1 Treasunon; of Ontario 1 . Ontario Association of Police Service Boards 1 . Ol1tarlo ProfessIonal Fire fightets Association 1 . Other employers (rotates among . Other conlrlbuting members representatives of other employers) 2 (rotates among olhet unions and associations) 1 . Members receiVing or entitled to a pension (fOtates among organizations representing these members) 1 *Transitional composition, subject to Sponso~ Corporation by-laws. (Changes to Board composition can be made by Sponsors Corporation by-law and require a simple majority for changes to the Sponso~ Corporation and a two-thirds majority for changes to the Administration Corporation.) \ Phone IJ Fax Mall E-mail Web 416-369-2444 416-369-9704 ~ One University Ave. ~ employer@omers.com ~ www.omers.com 1-800-387-0813 1-877-369-9704 Suite 700 (en fran~is au anglais) e.access.omers.com Toronto ON M5J 2Pl t>isponil:*l!Ilkan..... PmttsSNl499-lOO7 (OrIineISSNl499-301S) PublicaIiorI$Ma~AgJeementNo.:~10368 4 I'De~.r1IClrtlda:66636~~it<5MERS supple.lller1t~Ii)lans.pdf Page 1 I , Member Communication I ~ (' Association 0 f ,^.. . Municipal~ies 'iI . of Ontario A I t 393 University Averue, SLile 1701 e r Taooto, ON M5G 1E6 Tel: (416) 971-9656 . fax: (416) 971-6191 email: amo@aoo.on,ca To the immediate attention of the Clerk and Council March 3, 2006 - Alert 06/013 OMERS Bill 206 - STATUS OF SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS - By now, you lMluld have received a letter, dated February 27,2006 from CUPE President Patrick (Sid) Ryan to advise that CUPE Ontario is recommending that OMERS supplemental plans be put on the bargaining table in every municipality, SChool board, and children's aid society - backed up by a right to strike. CUPE members will benefit from any improvements made to the OMERS base plan, along with all members ofOMERS. However, CUPE members will only have access to supplemental benefits through local negotiation if the Sponsors body, once establ iShed, decides to create a supplemental benefits plan for employees othe rthan the police, fire and paramedics. To avoid any confusion regarding the status of supplemental plans as of the date of passage February 23, 2006, AMO lMluld like to remind our members ofa few important facls: - Supplemental plans are separately funded, stand-alone plans that will offer enhanced benefits not available in the current OMERS basic plan. - Under the new OMERS legislation, a supplemental plan must be established within t\Ml years of proclamation only for the selecled grouping of oolice officers, firefiahters and oaramedics. Eligible employers and these selected members lMluld locally ba rgain their participation and the benefits ultimately offered. - Only one benefit for this selected grouping may be bargained initially. Subsequenijy, additional benefits can be bargained one ata time, ata local level, within three-year intervals (i.e., there must be at least 36 months between the date that one prescribed supplemental benefit is made available and the date that any subsequent supplemental benefit (by that same employer). - Access to the enhanced benefits for this seiected grouping may D..Qi be accelerated by shortening the terms of collective agreements (e.g., to one year). Although the costs of sup pi em ental benefits lMluld be borne equally byemployer and employee members, anticipated local costs are potentially very high. Municipalities are strongly urged to track the specifiC impacls of this legislation, including suppl ementary plans, on both taxpayers and employees given their own local profiles to ensure the public understands the true legacy of Bill 206. This infamation is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at WWW.amo.on.ca For more Information, contact 416~971-9856: Pat Vaniri, Executive Director, at ext. 316 or Brian Rosborough, DirectOf of Pdicy at exl. 318 .~ IDeanToifida:060:3b3alfUil~ate()riF>roposed :Muni~iilaIAct.Ariiendriient.p~r Page 1 I Member Communlcallon I ~ r-. Association of . ......:1 · Municipalities 't? . . ..' of Ontario A I t 393 UrivElI"sity Aven.Je, Suite 1701 e r Tormo, ON M5G 1E6 Tel: (416) 971-9856 . fax: (416) 971-6191 email:alTlC:i@aroo.on.ca To the immediate attention of the Clerk and Council March 3,2006 - Alert 06/014 Update on ProposedAmendmentto Municipal Council Term Issue: The Province intends to propose four-year terms for local council members and school trustees in time for the 2006 municipal election. AMO has pressed for this change since March 2005. Premier McGuinty announced on February 21 that his government intends to amend the Municipal Elections Act to change the current three-year term of council to a four-year term. This change will represent an amendment to the Act, which the government hopes to inlrodu ce and pass during the spring session of the legislature. Background: AMO firstbroached this issue in September 2004 asa result of resolutions from Toronto and Brampton asking for a fixed election date and a term extension. The AMO Board established an AMO Advisory Committee with the mandate to cons ult with other muniCipal associations and school board associations, develop and distribute a survey to all AMO member municipal councils, undertake analysis, and to prepare a report. The survey generated a strong response from the members and fairly consistent positions on most issues. The results of the survey included: 1. Lengthening the term o/municipal council from three to four years was supportad by 61 % of respondents. The vast majority (91 %) of proponents beiieved this change should be implemented across the province. 2. Almost all members (96%) preferred that school board elections continue to take place at the same time as municipal elections. 3. 59% of respondents favoured maintaining the current date for elections on the second Monda y in November. 4. The members (66%) also wanted municipal elections to occu rata different year than provincial elections. In add ition to the aggregate d response, members v.I'lre also categorized by tier and whether they v.I'lre urban or rural communities. There was no noticeable spiitbetween urban and rural, or 10v.l'lr and upper tier municipaiities on any of the questions. Based on the results o/the comprehensive survey of councils and the advice of the Advisory Committee, the AMO Board recommended a 4-year term amendmen t to the Government of Ontario. ...f2 - -------.----~.-~._.~-_..,.~- ~_rr_-.-.-----r--.----- l[bean.I.o.1i~a.:b663Q~~lt Oi)date~on.Proi>os~d:r';\.uniCiilal'ACi.Aniendrneni.p~f'.' Page2! ~ 2- Impact on Candidates: We are advised that the proposed change in length of term will not have any effect on those that have filed or plan to file to run as candi dates in the 2006 election. Candidates who have already filed their nomination papers will not need to re-fiIe nor will there be any obstacles for those that have filed but now wish to remove their nomination. Action: AMO has congratulated the Premier and Minister Gerretsen for taking action on this issue. The AMO Board believes this action recognizes municipal councillors as equal members in a respected order of government byenabling them to implement their agenda in a similar fashion as both the provincial and federal governments. In addition, a four-year term provides municipalities with an enhanc ad ability to undertake long -term strategi c planning and implementation. AMO will keep its members updated on this and any other proposed amendment to the Municipal Elections Act. This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO vvebsite at WWW.amo.on.ca For more information, contact: Scott Vok~1 Senior Policy hlvisor at 416-971-9856 extension 334. II ~_.__.~-" In case of Transmission Difficulties, please call 416-863-2101 or 1-866-309-3811 Please Deliver To: clerk HIRG. HlLLS CLERKS '06 022310:1 2 Minister 01 MuniCipal Allai'" Ministre des AffBires munlclpales ~ and Housing el du Logemant 777 !!lay Street, 11" Floor 777. rue !Say, 17-'rage Toronto ON M5G 2ES Toronto ON MSG 2E5 Tel. (416) 585-7000 Tel. (416) 565-7000 0lJ1arlo Fax (416) 585-6470 HIe.: (416) 565-6470 WNN.mah.Qov.on.ca \N\fIIIW.mah.oo\f.on.ca 06.1$'7 February 22, 2006 Dear Head of Council: I would like to inform you of some of our govenunent's intentions related to extending the length of the term of office for municipal councillors and school trustees. Yesterday, at the Ontario Good Roads Association-Rural Ontario Municipal Association's annual meeting, Premier Darton McGuinty announced our government's plan to propose legislative changes to the Municipal Elections Act, 1996. If passed, these changes would extend the term of office for municipal councils and school boards to four years from three with a view to strengthening local government. Over the last few years, we have listened to many municipal decision-makers who have advocated for a longer term of office for local government representatives in Ontario. If the proposed legislation passes, municipal leaders and school trustees will be elected for four-year terms. A four-year term would provide municipal councils and school boards with more time to plan and implement their agendas, in a similar fashion to the federal and provincial governments. If the legislation passes, Ontario would be in step with half of the provinces in Canada, including Quebec, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which currently bave four-year tenns. As you know, the election cycle began January 1,2006. If passed, the legislation would make the change effi 've for the 2006 municipal elections, and successful candidates in November's coming elec . ns ould begin their four-year terms on December 1, 2006. IT I'..""....'.'..'....'.."."...."...".......""."".......".."...........".."."".. ..'..;....................,...........,.... i Deanlorfida - 060303fyiMuni~ipal.A.ct Discussions.pdf Page 1 Member Communication ~td. Assodaiion of Municipalities For Your . of Ontario 393UniVllrWtyAVlInLle,sLlltel101 6nformation Toronto,ON M5G 1 E6 Tel:(416)911-985& fax: (416)911-S191 emailllmo@amo.on.C8 To the attention of the Clerk and Council. March 3, 2006 - FYI 06/002 Municipal Act Reform - Update - ISSUE: AMO is continuing its dialogue with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) around the review of the Municipal Act, 2001. MMAH intends to bring forward a Bill to amend the Municipal Acteffective for January 1,2007. BACKGROUND : The current Municipal Act has been in effect since January 1,2003. In 2004 the Premier and Minister Gerretsen both committed to reviewing the Municipal Act with speciai attention to ensuring that the Province was not micro-managing municipalities. In June 2004, MMAH officially launched the review. Over the fall, MMAH compiled all comments received. AMO provided a full submission in October 2004 (Achieving a Mature Relationship ), which was guided by 9 principles for a mature relationship. These principles continue to guide our current IMl rk: 1. Municipalities are responsib Ie and accountable governments. 2. New legislation shall enhance existing municipal po,^",rs. 3. The province shall stop micro-managing municipai governments. 4. Where there is a compelling provincial interest the province shall when regulating municipal government define at the outset that interest. 5. Provincial legislation shall be drafted with the expectat ion of responsible municipal government behaviour and not as a remedial tool. 6. Accountability means mutual respect between municipal government, the province and other public agencies. 7. Resources for municipal governments shall be sustain able and commensurate with the level of responsibilit y. 8. The Municipal Act shall include principles that will protect the Municipal Act and municipal po,^",rs from all provincial legislation. 9. The province shall commit to increasl ng the understanding and awareness of municipal government within all ministries. .../2 .__._~----~--~-_._~ IDe~nlortid~:665363h'LMu6iciilaI6cfDfsc~5sions.il~( .... . . ',,~" Page 21 - 2 - 2005 /2006 Consultotions: AMO continued its1Mlrk with the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers (AMCTO), the Ontario Municipal Administrators Association (OMAA) , the Municipal Law Directors Association of Ontario (MLDAO), and the Municipal Finance Officers Asso ciation of Onta rio (MFOA) to provide input on the Act that truly reflects municipal governments in a respectful and mature manner. In essence, AMO has asked that municipalities be given flexib ility and choice as a responsible and accountable order of government. These are some of the areas that are being discussed: . Maintain the current Municipal Act's structure by modifying itto include new provisions. . Incorporate broad new taxing authority into the Municipal Act consistent with the proposed Toronto Act. . Incorporate Broad Authorities into the Municipal Actbut reduce limitations and exclude any sunset clause for provincial overwrite. . Permit municipalities on discretionary basis to appoint an independent Integrity Commissioner, establish a lobbyist registry, and enact codes of conduct. . Maintain the current division of powers between council and its head. . Incorporate new authorities for Business licensing, Small business programs, Boards, Corporations, and Enforcement present in the proposed Toronto Act into the new Municipal Act. . Repeal prescribed and onerous information and reporting requirements as well as details on providing notice. . Eliminate some of the requirements related to fees and charges. ACTION: AMO will continue to participate and coordinate the municipal sector to ensure that our principles and concerns are incorporated into the new Municipal Act. A more complete synopsis on our recommendations will soon be availabie on the website. This information is avaifable in the Policy Issues section of/he AMO website at www.amo.on.ca Formare Infonnation, contact Pat Vanin;, AMO Executive Director, ext. 316 "-,r- Member Communication ~It:t_ Association of i, Municipalities For Your . of Ontario 393 University Avenue, &lite 1701 6nformation Toronto, ON M5G 1E6 Tel: (416) 971-9656. fax: (416) 971-6191 email: amo@amo.on.ca To the attention of the Clerk and Council. February 22, 2006 - FYI 06/001 2006 OGRAlROMA Combined Conference - Announcements- ISSUE: The Ontario Government made a series of announcements during the OGRA/ ROMA combined conference. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Land Ambulance 50:50 Share of Costs The Government of Ontario has announced a funding commitment to ensure that the Province fully pays its true 50:50 cost sharing of land ambulance services by 2008. Beginning this year, the Province will incrementally spend an estimated $300 million over the next three years toward achieving a true 50:50 sharing of costs with municipalities for land ambulance services. This will equate to revised annual funding allocations as follows: . $280 million in 2005-06; or, $50 million more than the current base allocation . $333 million in 2006-07; or, $100 million more than the current base allocation and, . $385 million in 2007-08; or, $150 million more than the current base allocation AMO Position: Ontario's municipalities have fought hard to convince the Province to pay its fair share of ambulance costs for almost a decade. AMO welcomes Premier McGuinty's long awaited announcement to increase provincial funding to municipalities over the next three years for land ambulance services. We look forward to working with the Province to finalize further details on the process to determine the specific impact of this provincial announcement for local communities across the province. 2. Trilateral Discussions on the Federal/Provincial/Municipal Fiscal Imbalance The Premier announced his intent to pursue a tri-Ievel commission on Federal/ Provincial/ Municipal fiscal issues and to work with AMO to address the current Provincial/Municipal fiscal imbalance. This commitment includes a desire to work toward relieving municipalities of downloaded costs that constitute the current Provincial/Municipal fiscal gap. AMO Position: AMO is very encouraged by the Premier's commitment to work with Ontario's municipalities to address the current unsustainable provincial-municipal fiscal relationship. .../2 ---- -~"----~- I. ..-....-- -2- 3. Municipal Elections Act Amendment Premier McGuinty announced that the Province intends to propose four-year terms for local council members and school trustees, putting local officials on par with their provincial counterparts. If this change were adopted, four-year municipal terms could start this fall. AMO Position: The Province's announcement responds to a request made by AMO based on a 2005 survey of municipal councilors. 4. Line Fences Act Amendment Minister Gerretsen announced that the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) plans to introduce amendments to section 20 of the Line Fences Act, in the spirit of the Caldwell Report's recommendations. The proposed changes would limit fences, for which the abandoned rail rights-of-way (ARROW) owner is 100% responsible for the costs of construction and maintenance, to adjacent farmland (lands that qualify under the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act). All other properties adjacent to ARROWs will be subject to the provisions of sections 3 and 4 of the Line Fences Act. In addition, a new guide to the Line Fences Act that aims to clarify the roles of municipal staff, fence viewers and property owners in resolving line fence disputes will be accessible online this week. AMO/ROMA Position: While limiting fence claims to farm properties is a welcome start to a long overdue overhaul of Section 20, it falls far short of what is needed. Any municipality that owns an ARROW must still absorb all costs related to these fences. While there may be some necessary protection from damage to agricultural properties from trail uses on former railway lands, it is unclear why the municipality should pay 100% of the costs for a fence that was not necessary while an active railway line existed. Municipalities are prepared to pay a fair share for fencing of lands that abut ARROWs where the landowner has a genuine need for fencing due to an existing pastoral livestock operation. AMO believes the costs of fencing (construction and maintenance) should be borne jointly by both abutting landowners. Municipalities are also keenly interested in improving the Trespass Act and developing limits on joint and several liability to ensure that both private landowners and municipalities are protected from property damage and frivolous lawsuits. ACTION: AMO will continue to advocate municipal interests and will keep members informed on all developments. This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amO.on.ca For more information, contact: B. Rosborough, Director of Policy, AMO, at 416-971-9856 ext. 318 -------_.__....~ --... Member CommunIcation ! ~ (' Association of ','.' . Municip~lities ............... "lrt ..... of Ontario A I t 393 University Avenue, Suite 1701 e r Toronto. ON M5G 1 E6 Tel: (416) 971-9856' fax: (416) 971-6191 email: amo@amo.on.ca To the immediate attention of the Clerk and Council February 23, 2006 - Alert 06/012 Province Announces Funding for Forestry Sector Issue: Premier McGuinty announced yesterday three initiatives aimed to buttress Ontario's ailing forestry industry. Background: The government plans to invest $220 million over the next three years to help with the cost of forest access roads and reduce stumpage fees. This funding shall be allocated as follows: . $47 million a year to support the construction and maintenance costs of primary and secondary access roads; . $3 million a year for the next three years by reducing stumpage fees for poplar veneer and white birch; and . $70 million in refunds to the industry as a result of reducing stumpage fees retroactively for 2005-06. These actions are a welcome attempt to address the competitiveness challenges faced by the industry by reducing the cost of delivering wood to processing facilities (the cost of forest industry activities related to supplying wood fibre to processing facilities). The Ministry of Natural Resources estimates that the roads initiative and three-year reduction in timber prices, coupled with the measures already announced, will reduce the cost of wood delivery by $4 per cubic metre on average over the next three years. AMO Position: AMO has consistently argued that a vibrant forestry sector is crucial to the health of many communities in Northern Ontario and the economy of the province on the whole. Ontario's forestry sector supports 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and has annual sales and exports of approximately $27 billion. Working in support of our Northern members, AMO has argued that supportive infrastructure and energy policies need to be in place to ensure Ontario firms can remain competitive with those from other jurisdictions. Action: AMO will continue to monitor the impact of the policy changes on the sector and its host communities and will continue to advocate for necessary support to ensure the industry remains competitive. This information is available in the Policy Issues section of the AMO website at www.amo.on.ca For more information, contact: Scott Vokey, AMO Senior Policy Advisor, at 416-971-9856 extension 334 --'~-~-'~ -- ~ 'Iim:HuaaRt UP.P.} 'Erie-LittaJfn ~ <~~S~22'J (;; / ontario ,.,.:,.: ... "".) ~~,' RECEIVED;'" February 23, 2006 FEB:' " 2006 Niagara Falls.cityCouncil !.ltiVOR'S OFFICE P.O. Bo>{t023, 4310 Queen St. Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5 Dear Mayor Salci and Council, ,"'c ~~r~~~:,:ri:,: As you k~ow, th~ Standing Committee 02 'iiI~~ai'l9 Econpmic Affairs recently held provlnce-wld~cpre-Budget cons~ltatl ~?~ijnfal;i:t,'manyiijOcal municipal ";, .<> ," ~F< k :;". >,'._..,..~.-._./.hrb- ',<.,',.. >:. .. i<f' leaders took th~iF~tp present atim~ ~.: C c. ..". /l2@Qlitl~rl!I~ln Niagara Falls. i,;_:~::_,-:I:ti~'r "...." \., .." .... ..r:-'_-~:-~i::;~;-;~,1~1~' ";r:;~~';~,h :_-_';~6- ::':t1F:;i<,?;:~i?i~:i~1::~"J:::,:- Based..(mcth~J~r:m~ti.~ntcese~t~~~ ~mltlitte~,/"t~~~?~tl1rlfta~pccc Haldirriang-f{crfolk;.B. t' Ie .. ?ti"rdtheiatta~ned rrt. ~'."Jlflihe c..c.....c. .kJ. . P..,. c..~,~., ~Cy.,.!1!'JW8 . c. c. .c c. .c.'. ,......9"'c....1:!.....c . rt1~~ea~id?E~~ff<j":'ie"'ff~i~?:,D.;iQ1~~:~F~$~i~~I. tn<>ti"~aIP1have ~~~..!~~.I~Vi~~o. t~~I~I.~~~clQ.~nge fo~;f1i~r~rning.S~g.ng.~lJdget. :..,i?\/!.~:,..;;H?i'?~~.... .ii<.~~i:;:i<; ... i;',;".;;i..,]: ,,1..;; c. ..; iii: ~~~."PT"""~~";~~~':'~,' ~ ~...... ,. .~ID '$ If' ...:'.~ .1"- W" ~~. '0",' e e U' i' " I S r ie;'. iaus . s. e'iTi" .. f8~'''''' .. ",),!"",~,,,SC:" ."........,:."..,....,, ""0" ..,',ce,,,,,"""'" ."",',:/"""',',,.. .,.'".., 1.ft... ," .'.+,," c',- \ ',', 'iT," .' "" ..',;' 'Mv'. 'El' w~~i.ne-a ,from the pres.e . .. . >~~lo tlWe~~h .....oed jh'IlI'! ..:. "'.. Commj~'~RlePo~., I am eager to co~n,e4ighting.tff ei~sues and 1o'ok' forwar~tP~~~ri<:ldv~on how to move aheao from fietfi!: . Please accept my sincere thanks for your participation in this process. Tim Hudak ~JI /{\OP.j jflIJl/b br ~ MPP Erie-Lincoln . ,..I(,^J~CJf'ioUZ I f\ JJ Fa (Is - . . ' '1l1 ~V ff: ;fVf~#itft;. . . ,nr..l~ r11il1rfj.f1j ~rel rAw flay, ;J 1J ;r(I', . , .,' . 1AiI~k O!fo#vyav ffflfl'lcr it') , {)jt1iJ ,. .. . ~ , .~ Action Cm"": County Fair Mall. 200 Garrison Rd. . Unit 2/ . Fort Eri<, Ontario. L2A 556. uL (905) 994-/-TIM (846) , Fax (905) 994-/140 Qu<ms Park Offiu: Room 347. Ugis/ativ< Bldg. . Quun, Park. Toronto. Ontario M7A /A8. uL (4/6) 325-8454. Fax (4/6) 325-0998 Websitt: www.timhudakmpp.com . E-mail. timhudak@niagara.ntt * ------------ --- --- .~ - Niagara'9Ilf Region PROVINCIAL OFFENCES COURT ADMINISTRATION 4635 Queen Street, P.O. Box 840 Niagara Falls ON L2E 6V6 Telephone: 905-371-8988 Toll Free: 1-866-278-8303 Fax: 905-371-9855 www.regional.niagara.on.ea February 27,2006 Mr. Dean lorfida City of Niagara Falls 4310 Queen Street Niagara Falls, Ontario L2E 6X5 Re: Joint Board of Manaqement Minutes Enclosed you will find the February 21, 2006 meeting minutes of the Joint Board of Management, Niagara Region Courts which will be included in the Region's Corporate Service Committee agenda for March 15, 2006. The Joint Board of Management, Niagara Region Courts is an oversight body whose mandate is to provide guidance and direction to the Provincial Offences Court operation. Meeting on a quarterly basis, the seven member Joint Board is composed of four permanent members (Niagara Falls, Weiland, St. Catharines and the Region). The remaining three seats on the Board are reserved for area municipalities who serve on a one year rotational basis, thus ensuring that all municipalities are represented over a three year term. ~ Recently we have received indications that the minutes of the Joint Board of Manageme! Niagara Region Courts may not be receiving broad enough circulation within its member municipa . ies. With the Board facing many challenges and opportunities in the near future it is important to b aden the level of understanding of those challenges and opportunities amongst area municipal stakelflders. (J) It would greatly assist and enhance the Board's mandate if you would circulate the min~s of the Joint Board to your municipal council, your Chief Administrative Officer and your Treasu:m for their information. In receiving these minutes, area municipal decision makers will hav a better understanding of the issues and challenges facing the POA operation in the near future. ,...... ,...... ,:>. ....;] Yours very truly 06~ ~ Bill Bernard "" - . Manager, Court Services f.: ? and r-- Secretary, '" i Joint Board of Management C ()")' 0 :;.,.;, Building Community. Building Uves. W ..... .... ~ ----------~--_._-_._----~---_._-'--_._..._-~---. THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA JOINT BOARD OF MANAGEMENT NIAGARA AREA COURTS REPORT 1-2006 Minutes of a meeting of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts held in Committee Room 2, Regional Municipal Building, Thorold, Ontario, on Tuesday, February 21,2006, commencing at 2:00 p.m. ATTENDANCE Joint Board Members: Ms. Poulin, City of St. Catha rines, Chair; Messrs. Banks, City of Weiland; Boncori, Township of West Lincoln; Luey, Township of Wainfleet; Ms. Gilroy, Regional Clerk; Ms. Labatte, City of Thorold Staff: Mr. Bernard, Secretary, Joint Board of Management; Mr. Kyne, Director, Legal Services; Ms. Staines, Legislative Assistant. NEW BOARD MEMBERS 1. Acknowledae and Welcome New Board Members The Chair, Ms. Poulin, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the new members. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 2. Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Ms. Labatte That the agenda be approved and adopted as presented. Carried. - JBM 1 -,,--- -_.~.- Joint Board of Management February 21, 2006 APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3. Report 4-2005 Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Mr. Boncori That in the minutes of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts November 22 meeting, the Motion be amended to read "That Messrs. Kyne and Bernard prepare a report for circulation to the Joint Board of Management representatives, for further consideration and discussion at the next meeting, before submission to Area Municipal and Regiona/ Councils to seek direction and recommendations for the delivery of POA Services in the longer term. (Item 39, Page 21) Carried Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Mr. Boncori That Report No. 4-2005, minutes of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts (November 22, 2005) meeting be approved as amended. Carried. 4. 2005 Variance Report Mr. Bernard provided background information respecting the source of variances in the report. Moved by Mr. Luey Seconded by Ms. Labatte That the 2005 Variance Report for the month ended December 2005 be received. Carried. Mr. Bernard distributed further background documents including: . Operating Statement, Year to Date As Of December 31, 2005 for Cost Centre 1611, POA Court . 2005 Budgeted and Actual POA Distribution to Municipalities Mr. Bernard noted that the Region will recover overpayments to the municipalities through deductions from the first scheduled payment in 2006 and that area municipal treasurers have been so advised. To avoid future overpayments, the payments to area municipalities will reflect actual receipts for the quarter and will not exceed the budgeted amount for the period. JBM 2 Joint Board of Management February 21, 2006 - 5. 2005 Year End Report for Provincial Offences Court Operations CSD 33-2006 Mr. Bernard provided highlights of the report and outlined his ongoing concern over the declining trend in the number of tickets filed with the court, the lack of judicial resources, the cancellations of scheduled court time and the cumulative negative effect of these issues on POA revenue. On the collections front, Mr. Bernard acknowledged the continuing efforts of Ms. Jaram, Collections Co-ordinator, and collections staff in pursuing and collecting delinquent fines revenue. The Board was advised of the increase in the number of prosecutions being undertaken on behalf of area municipalities and decided to re-visit this matter at its next scheduled meeting. Mr. Bernard distributed a further background document: . New Offences NRP vs. OPP Moved by Mr. Banks -- Seconded by Ms. Labatte That Report CSD 33-2006, February 21,2006, respecting the 2005 Year End Report for Provincial Offences Court Operations, be approved. Carried. 6. 2006 Budoet Update & Revenue Distribution Mr. Bernard distributed the 2006 POA Budget which has been approved by the Budget Review Committee and will be going to Committee of the Whole and Council for approval on March 2nd. Area Treasurers have been advised of the $500,000 gross revenue reduction to the 2006 budget. Mr. Bernard distributed a document outlining the 2006 net revenue budget distribution of $750,000.. Moved by Ms. Gilroy Seconded by Mr. Luey That the report respecting the 2006 Budget Update and Revenue Distribution, dated January 3, 2006, be received. Carried. .- JBM 3 ''''-- .- Joint Board of Management February 21, 2006 7. Criminal Records Check Policv Ms. Poulin cautioned that permission for a Criminal Records Check should be received from candidates before a conditional offer is presented as this could become a human rights issue if a position is denied based on the Criminal Records Check. Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Mr. Luey That the Niagara Region Corporate Policy No. C3.C18 respecting Criminal Record Check Policy be received for information; and That POA Bulletin # POA-1 B-044, February 8, 2005, respecting Guidelines to Criminal Background Checks for Prospective POA Municipal Employees, be received for information. Carried. 8. POA Reportino Re-alianment Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Mr. Boncori That the oral report by Mr. Bernard, Manager, Provincial Offences Court, respecting the POA Reporting Re-alignment, be received. Carried. 9. Election of Chair and Vice-Chair Ms. Poulin, Board Chair, outlined the process for the election of Chair and Vice-Chair of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts and called for nominations for the position of Chair. Ms. Poulin nominated George Banks. Mr. Banks declined the nomination. Ms. Poulin nominated Karen Kelly. Ms. Poulin asked for further nominations and, there being none, closed nominations. Ms. Poulin will advise Ms. Kelly that she was acclaimed as Chair of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts, for a one-year period. Ms. Poulin then called for nominations for the position of Vice-Chair. JBM 4 Joint Board of Management February 21, 2006 Mr. Banks nominated Ms. Poulin. Ms. Poulin asked for further nominations and, there being none, closed nominations. Ms. Poulin was asked if she would consent to stand. Ms. Poulin consented to stand. Ms. Poulin was acclaimed as Vice-Chair of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts, for a one-year period. 10. Other Business Mr. Kyne requested that the use of Prosecutors be added to the next agenda. Mr. Bernard provided information on the Contingency Plan in place to be used in case of a strike by CUPE 1287 respecting Bill 206. He advised that court services will be maintained with limited counter service provided. 11. Next Meetino Date At the call of the Chair. ADJOURNMENT The Joint Board of Management adjourned at 3:10 p.m. to meet again at the call of the Chair. ~ Annette Poulin Betty Staines Chair Legislative Assistant Bill Bernard Secretary, Joint Board of Management JBM 5 ..'''-- THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF NIAGARA JOINT BOARD OF MANAGEMENT NIAGARA AREA COURTS REPORT 4-2005 Minutes of a meeting of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts held in Committee Room 3, Regional Municipal Building, Thorold, Ontario, on Tuesday, November 22, 2005, commencing at 1 :35 p.m. ATTENDANCE Joint Board Members: Ms. Poulin, City of St. Catharines, Chair; Messrs. Banks, City of Weiland; Berg, Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake; Ms. Gilroy, Regional Clerk; Ms. Kelly, City of Niagara Falls; Messrs. Kolasa, Town of Lincoln; Schonewille, Town of Grimsby. Staff: Mr. Bernard, Secretary, Joint Board of Management; Ms. Jaram, Collections Co-ordinator; Mr. Kyne, Director, Legal Services; Ms. Middleton, Administrative Assistant. ADOPTION OF AGENDA 27. Moved by Ms. Kelly Seconded by Mr. Schonewille That the agenda be approved and adopted. Carried. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 28. Reoort 3-2005 Moved by Mr. Schonewille Seconded by Mr. Banks That Report 3-2005, being the minutes of the July 19, 2005 meeting of the Joint Board of Management Niagara Area Courts, be approved. Carried. JBM 17 . JBM 4-2005 November 22, 2005 29. 2005 Third Quarter Collections Report Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Ms. Kelly That this report be received for information and; That amendments to the collection model outlined in this report be implemented effective January 2006 and; That staff be directed to cease collection activity for the 574 cases valued at $78,093 as noted in this report Carried. 30. 2005 Third Quarter Variance Report Mr. Bernard provided an overview of the Statement of Expenditures and Revenues for the month ended September 2005 commenting that the report indicates that gross expenditures are 1.6% over budget and that it's ,_... unlikely that budgeted net revenue estimates for 2005 will be achieved. Moved by Mr. Berg Seconded by Mr. Schonewille That the 2005 Third Quarter Variance Report, be received. Carried. 31. Access to Justice (Report JBM 2-2005) Moved by Ms. Gilroy Seconded by Mr. Schonewille That this report be received and; That this report be circulated to all area municipal councils for their information. Carried. .- JBM 18 I. JBM 4-2005 November 22, 2005 32. Prosecution Reauest - Ministrv of Aariculture, Food & Rural Affairs Moved by Ms. Kelly Seconded by Mr. Berg That this letter be received for consideration Carried Ms. Poulin asked that the following motion be moved: That a prosecution fee, that is reflective of our costs, at $125 an hour would be implemented for prosecution services in cases where someone pleads not guilty. This motion is subject to a yearly review as well as termination at our discretion. Carried CLOSED SESSION 33. Moved by Mr. Schonewille Seconded by Mr. Berg That this Committee do now meet in Closed Session for purposes of receiving information of a confidential nature relating to confidential matters. 34. Audit Results Mr. Bernard provided an overview of the Audit results and responded to questions from Committee members. Moved by Ms. Kelly Seconded by Mr. Kolassa That the letter from KPMG, Chartered Accountants, providing an Audit Report, be received. Carried. 35. Report PWA 146-2005 License Agreement with Ministry Partial Use of Facilitv - P.OA Court Moved by Ms. Kelly Seconded by Mr. Kolassa That Report PWA 146-2005 License Agreement with Ministry Partial use of Facility - P.OA Court August 23, 2005, be received for information. JBM 19 JBM 4-2005 November 22, 2005 .- Carried. 36. PWA 158-2005 Lease Extension Niagara Falls P.OA Court 4635 Queen Street Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Ms. Kelly That the report PWA 158-2005 Lease Extension Niagara Falls P.OA Court 4635 Queen Street, be received for information. Carried 37. PWA 194-2005 Per Diem License Agreement with Her Majesty the Queen P.OA Court - 4635 Queen Street City of Niaaara Falls Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Ms. Kelly That the report PWA 194-2005 Per Diem License Agreement with Her Majesty the Queen P.O.A Court - 4635 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, be received for information. Carried 38. Moved by Mr. Schonewille Seconded by Mr. Berg That this Committee do now rise with report. Carried 39. Court Accommodation Committee discussed the special meeting of the Board held on July 19, 2005 to review the current status of POA court accommodations and to receive input from all stakeholders as to the level of service that is important to the area municipalities. Committee members discussed the feasibility of reducing the number of POA offices, and the challenges associated with recommending a potential centralized location. It was suggested that a financial analysis be undertaken and provided to Area Municipal Councils with a request for _. direction and expectations in the longer term. Current challenges were highlighted and included the decreasing revenues, increasing costs of operation, and the impact of pending court closures in 2006 caused by a shortage of Justices of the Peace. It was felt that the Area Municipal JBM 20 -,r- ~,._- JBM 4-2005 November 22, 2005 Councils needed this information to understand the challenges of achieving optimal efficiencies in the delivery of service and the administration of justice. Following discussion, it was: Moved by Mr. Schonewille Seconded by Mr. Kolassa That Messrs. Kyne and Bernard prepare a report for submission to the Area Municipal Councils to seek direction and recommendations for the delivery of POA Services in the longer term. Carried. 40. POA Reportina Re-alianment Mr. Kyne, Director, Legal Services, distributed copies of organization charts showing the proposed re-alignment of POA reporting in the Regional Corporation, as well as the Schedule A from the Inter-Municipal Agreement. He explained that the changes were being suggested as part of an organizational re-design, and would result in the POA Manager and staff reporting to the Director, Legal Services, rather than the Regional Clerk. Concerns were expressed that this recommendation had been suggested and declined at a previous Board meeting, in particular because it did not represent the reporting relationship identified in the original agreement. The original agreement had required the continued separation of POA administration and prosecution. It was suggested that Regional Council should not have approved this recommendation prior to any discussion with the Area Municipal partners. Mr. Kyne assured Committee that the day-to-day operation would not change and pointed out that the prosecutors currently had a reporting relationship to Legal Services, and that the POA Manager would continue to exercise autonomy over the administration of the POA services Following considerable discussion, it was: Moved by Ms. Kelly Seconded by Mr. Banks That the members of the POA Board request approval of their respective Councils for the change in the reporting re-alignment from the original Memorandum of Understanding to the current recommendation. Carried. JBM 21 JBM 4-2005 November 22, 2005 .... Moved by Mr. Banks Seconded by Ms. Kelly That the proposed amendment in reporting re-alignment of the POA Manager and staff from the Regional Clerk to the Director of Legal Services, be approved, and That the Manager, Court Services, be directed to provide a letter to the Area Municipal partners requesting approval of the said amendment. Carried. 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II 4U >.. - g ~ illl!8:Ei:!i!1!;li~,E EZ:::; illl!8:Ei:!i!1!'CJ:>,E EZ:::; "'CI 11011 "'O-JII1f__ .:t.. ..O..w..8....1..'li!~- ~ c( DJt:O 0:=1:: E u~.c_ en.! ~ . DJt:Oc:=t:E ~.c-UJS .!!o...~~oi5,EO'ii~~o :i.f~~~~~5~l3~.2 za..Cf') u.. -JZa.. .... ~~"'~..."'2S....lXlmo~'" ~~"''''C5:g2S....l!l2l0~''' 00 00 000........... 000 0 ......... ....00 000000000 i=Oooooooooooo li li II CSD-33-2006 February 21 , 2006 Niagara IIfT/If Region REPORT TO: Joint Board of Management, Niagara Region Courts SUBJECT: 2005 Year End Report for Provincial Offences Court Operations RECOMMENDATION That this Board recommend to Corporate Services Committee that: This report be received for information; and This report be circulated to local area municipal councils for their information. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . 2005 was the third consecutive year that the number of tickets filed with the POA Court declined. The number of new offence tickets filed has declined 18% since 2002. . Although the reductions in tickets filed and available court time resulted in a 4.7% decrease in charges set for trial, scheduled trials have increased 39% since 2002. . The chronic lack of judicial resources resulted in a loss of 53 scheduled court days or 14% of available court time. This trend is expected to worsen in 2006 as 84 scheduled court days (22% of available time) have already been cancelled. This will have a significant adverse effect on POA revenues. . While post-transfer delinquent fine revenue increased by 9% in 2005, pre-transfer delinquent fine collections decreased by approximately 38% reflecting the increasing difficulty in collecting these aged accounts. . In 2005, gross revenue decreased by approximately $1 million (or 17%) and net revenue declined by $765,000 (or 37%). This resulted in an over distribution of $88,000 to the area municipalities which will be recovered from 2006 distributions. Also, the 2006 budget revenues have been reduced by $500,000 to reflect declines in tickets filed and court time. -1- CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS As outlined in this report, reductions in judicial resources, available court time and the number of tickets filed resulted in a significant decrease in revenues and distributions in 2005. These trends are expected to continue in 2006 such that budget revenues have been reduced by $500,000 and anticipated distributions will be adjusted accordingly. PURPOSE The purpose of this report is to update the Joint Board of Management, Niagara Region Courts, Regional Council and local area municipal councils on the administration of the POA courts for the year 2005. BACKGROUND Pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Local Side Agreement (LSA) and the Inter-Municipal Agreement, the Regional Municipality of Niagara acts as agent on behalf of the twelve local area municipalities and operates POA courts in Fort Erie, Weiland, Niagara Falls and St. Catharines. - POA courts address a high volume of minor traffic violations related to the Highway Traffic Act, minor federal offences, municipal by-laws and more serious matters such as charges relating to the Compulsory Automobile Insurance Act, the Environmental Protection Act, the Fire Prevention and Protection Act and the Alcohol and Gaming Control Act, to name a few. REPORT POA Court Administration On a daily basis, POA staff in three pennanent court sites (Niagara Falls, Weiland and St. Catharines) and one satellite location (Fort Erie) work diligently to address a high volume workload. The table below provides a statistical summary of selected services provided to the public for the period of 2002 (the first full year of operation) to 2005. .- -2- II CSD-33-2006 February 21,2006 POA - Quick Facts Number of: 2002 2003 2004 2005 Net Change Customers 38,946 45,345 44,348 44,089 - .6% served Payments 33,639 35,265 34,383 32,821 - 4.5% received Suspensions N/A 5,165 4,946 3,915 - 20.8 % Applications N/A 1,573 1,874 1,867 -.4 % for Extensions Appeal 196 353 370 457 + 23.5 % applications Re-openings 23 194 222 164 - 26.6 % ( May - Dee) Transcript 210 172 214 186 -13 % requests (4,331 pages) (3,733 pages) (4,724 pages) (3,285 pages) When comparing 2005 with 2004, the number of customers served at our counters and the number of applications for extensions remained relatively static. It is worth noting that staff continue to monitor approximately three hundred (300) extensions which have been granted by the judiciary. Double digit decreases are noted in transcript requests (likely due to court closures and the inability to schedule long trials due to the judicial shortages), suspensions and re- openings. Appeal applications increased significantly likely due to the insurance implications of a conviction. For the third consecutive year the number of Provincial Offence tickets filed with the POA court declined. Tickets filed with the court can be considered a measure of local enforcement levels and directly impacts the revenue stream. In 2005, there were 33,485 tickets filed with the court, a reduction of 1,273 tickets (3.7%) when compared with 2004 statistics. When compared with the year 2002 (our first full year of operation) there is a reduction of 7,350 tickets (18%). The chart below illustrates the number of Provincial Offence tickets filed with the court for the period from 2001 (a partial year of operation) to 2005. - 3- CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 Provincial Offence Tickets Filed* (2001-2005) 45000 40835 ~nno~ o 34758 4000U<< ......<> 33485 35000((>< 30000 ut< ...... .......... .......Ui 25000 UI> > 20000 ......(<< ><> <(( 15000 <<<>> ......< << <<>.< ......< 10000i(U<tU 5000 ........<<< <) .........>> o ' 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 'Source: ICON Customer Service Enhancements Effective October 1, 2005 POA staff assumed responsibility for all data entry of new offence information into the Integrated Court Offence Network (ICON) system. The ability to fully assume these responsibilities is a direct result of having a full complement of staff. This customer service enhancement increases our level of service by providing for timelier encoding of new offence information, reduces the cost of contracted third party services and also reduces the cost of private courier services. Cost savings will exceed $ 9,000 annually. Staff undertook an examination of digital court recording technology to replace aging and obsolete court recording equipment. In order to evaluate the features of this equipment staff attended a demonstration of digital recording devices and had the opportunity to test this technology to determine its suitability for Niagara's courts. A site visit to Durham Region allowed staff to observe use of the equipment in a court setting and discuss system benefits, the quality of the recordings and the ease of transcript production. Given the age, condition and obsolete nature of our current courtroom recording devices staff will be including funding for this new digital recording technology in the 2007 budget requests. Introduction of digital technology will result in a more reliable recording devices, higher quality recordings and reduced transcription time for staff. POA staff collaborated on documenting processes and flow charts to support the development of new computer software to assist with the collection of defaulted fines and also to manage POA court applications such as extensions, appeals, re-openings, disclosure and motions. -4- ~-'---rr-- CSD-33-2006 February 21,2006 This new software will provide a mechanism to enhance more efficient processes, tracking and reporting functions within the POA unit. The new software system is already in operation in the collections unit. Testing is underway on the court applications side and the program should be in use in all of our administration offices by mid February, 2006. The benefits of this new program include improved customer service through more enhanced search capability for offender information and a single data base linking administration and collections which results in greater staff efficiencies. A further benefit will be the easy capture and retrieval of previously unobtainable information. Working Within the Community to Build Relationships In support of the Paytickets e-commerce initiative which was introduced in 2004, POA continued to engage the services of a local community living organization which serves Niagara residents with intellectual disabilities to apply stickers to the Provincial Offence Notices (tickets). This activity will continue on as needed basis to allow us to stay ahead of the supply of tickets on hand to meet the needs of the enforcement agencies. The community living organization involved in the project was Niagara Support Services, Niagara Falls. This partnership is most welcome by the organization, provides a cost effective and timely method to complete the project and allows the community organization to continue its contact with the public sector. Staff continued to support partnerships with Niagara College through the placement of co- op students from their various co-op programs. These placements provided valuable experience for students and allowed opportunities to provide cross training for staff while maintaining the volume of work. Several students were temporarily employed and this allowed permanent staff to assist in an in-depth review and analysis of certain processes. POA staff supported the Christmas "Adopt a Family Program" efforts of Community Access in 2005 by adopting a family of four and providing them with a memorable Christmas. In addition, POA staff sponsored seven community based seniors and provided Christmas gift baskets containing food, toiletries and personal gifts. Intergovernmental Collaboration & Partnerships Staff enhanced and promoted POA interests through their continued participation in provincial associations including the Municipal Court Managers Association of Ontario (MCMA), the Prosecutors Association of Ontario (PAO) and the Municipal Finance Officers Association (MFOA). The Manager, Court Services continued in his second (2 year) term as the Central West Region representative to the Board of Directors where he serves as Treasurer and sits as a member of the Executive Committee of the MCMA. The Supervisor, Court Services continued her role as Co-chair of the MCMA Forms Sub- Committee and will be a key player in the upcoming tendering and evaluation process on -5- CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 -- behalf of the MCMA. Past efforts in this regard have resulted in cost savings to participating municipalities. The Collections Co-ordinator continued her active involvement with the MFOA/POA Collection Committee and served as a member of the legislative amendments working group. The working group submitted a number of recommendations and suggestions for legislative change which, if adopted by the province, will enhance and strengthen collection efforts. POA Prosecution Activities In 2005 there was a 4.7% decrease in the number of charges set for trial in Niagara's POA courts. The decrease reflects reductions in the number of tickets filed and the increased number of court closures. Notwithstanding the decrease in 2005, the total number of charges set for trial in 2005 represents a 39% increase when compared against 2002, the first full year of POA operations. Charaes Set for Trial Jurisdiction 2002 2003 2004 2005 Net Change 51. Catharines 2717 3550 3848 3979 +3.4% NF Well FE 2540 3091 3837 3344 -12.8 % - Totals 5257 6641 7685 7323 -4.7% In 2005, the number of charges completed though trial process decreased by 17%. A charge screening process implemented in 2003 has resulted in a decrease in the number of matters going to trial. This process operates within guidelines and allows the POA Prosecutor and the defendant to negotiate a mutually agreeable resolution to certain matters. This process upholds the integrity of the judicial system, makes more efficient use of valuable court time and reduces costs related to enforcement officer and witness attendance. Charaes Completed Throuah Trial Process. Jurisdiction 2002 2003 2004 2005 Net Change 51. Catharines 245 364 305 268 -12% NF Well FE 198 197 214 165 -22.8% Totals 443 561 519 433 -17% *Matters not resolved by plea negotiation and resulting in evidence heard and a verdict rendered. In Niagara South, there was a 70% increase in the number of municipal trials involving our POA Prosecutor. Such trials are more complex than a "simple" traffic trial with each one hour municipal trial requiring a minimum of two to three hours preparation time. ,-, The increase in the number of municipal prosecutions has resulted in the need to set specific court dates for those prosecutions, a task that is rendered more difficult due to -6 - II CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 the current shortage of Justices of the Peace. As of the writing of this report thirty six (36) fire code charges were ongoing in Niagara Falls. Municipal Prosecutions Completed Jurisdiction 2003 2004 2005 Net chanae I NF Well FE 29 41 70 +70% I Appeals heard at the appellant court decreased by 12%. This is due to a reduction in time allotted for POA matters at the Ontario Court of Justice. Appeals are heard in duty court which tends to be very busy with criminal matters which take priority over POA matters. In an attempt to increase efficiency and elevate the profile of POA matters, prosecutors continue to seek a designated day for the hearing of POA appeals Appeals Heard at the Appellant Court 2002 2003 2004 2005 Net Change 130 176 204 180 -12% Pursuant to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and common law, the prosecutor is obligated to provide the defendant the details of all of evidence in the prosecutor's possession that is relevant to the case. There has been a 65% increase in the number of completed disclosures. It is likely that this increase is due to a more aggressive approach on the part of defendants who challenge even minor charges in the hopes of avoiding the insurance implications of a conviction. Prosecutors, administrative staff, and enforcement agencies spend a great deal of time in responding to disclosure requests. The large increase in requests resulted in a review of our disclosure processes and procedures. As a result of the review, procedures were amended and additional administrative support to assist the prosecutors was identified and provided. The allocation of additional administrative support has resulted in reduced turnaround time for compliance with disclosure obligations, thereby decreasing the opportunity for a defendant to bring an application to stay their charges for lack of timely disclosure. Completed Disclosure Jurisdiction 2004 2005 Net Change St. Catharines 642 960 50% NF Well FE 421 783 86% Totals 1063 1743 65% -7 - I CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 - Judicial Resources For the past several years, the Joint Board of Management, Niagara Area Courts, Regional Council and local area municipal councils have been updated on the chronic shortage of judicial resources and its impact on Niagara's POA Courts. This shortage has resulted in trial scheduling challenges for POA staff including difficulty in finding available court time to schedule lengthy trials. Staff closely monitored and identified opportunities for improvements in scheduling, suggested court closure locations to address trial backlogs and accessibility issues, moved work from site to site to achieve optimum court coverage and responded to customer concems regarding judicial unavailability. In order to ensure that matters were not dismissed due to undue delay in going to trial, administration staff increased the number of matters on each court tier to a new maximum allowed by the Regional Senior Justice of the Peace. The net result of judicial shortages was an increased focus on caseload management and greater emphasis and reliance on plea negotiations as a means of resolving matters before the court. Time to trial for most POA matters in Niagara is typically 6 months. This time frame is acceptable to the local judiciary and does not jeopardize the matter (for delay of process) before the court. Prior to their dissolution in mid 2005, time to trial for OPP Ranger matters was 8 months due largely to officer scheduling and availability. In 2005, staff received judicial permission to hold several "blitz" courts in order to ensure that matters were not lost due to delay of process. These 'blitz" courts allowed prosecutors to proceed on a large volume of charges thus making maximum use of available court time. On average, close to 100 charges were disposed of during each session. This proactive and innovative approach resulted in Regional prosecutors seeing very few applications under section 11 (b) of the Charter for delay of process. Lack of judicial resources resulted in the cancellation of fifty three (53) scheduled court sitting days. This represented a loss of fourteen (14) percent of available court time and made it almost impossible to set longer trials requiring more than one day of court time. As a direct result of the shortage of judicial resources, a prosecution under the Region's tree by-law was stayed by the court for delay of process. As of the writing of this report, we have been advised by the Regional Senior Justice of the Peace that eighty four (84) regularly scheduled court days have been cancelled for 2006 due to the lack of judicial resources. This represents a loss of 22% of available court time. This loss of available court time will have a marked negative impact on the revenue generating capacity of the POA operation and places pressure on Regional Prosecutors to negotiate deals or risk the matter being stayed by the court for delay of process. -, -8- "-'-_._----~-~----~- CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 Prosecution Leadership and Expertise Niagara's prosecutors continue to be recognized by their peers throughout the province as leaders. Both prosecutors continued to expand their areas of expertise, especially in regard to prosecutions under the Fire Code and the Region's by-law concerning smoking. In July 2005, the Senior Prosecutor assigned to our St. Catharines court was appointed to the bench and now sits as a Justice of the Peace. Following a period several months training His Worship will be assigned to the Weiland court. In a minor restructuring move, the position of Senior Prosecutor was eliminated in favor of a Prosecutor position for the St. Catharines court. The POA Prosecutor continues to serve on the Board of Directors of the Prosecutor's Association of Ontario and also serves as a member of the association's education committee. She prepared and presented papers for the Prosecutor's Association of Ontario, the Ontario Fire Marshals annual conference and the Municipal Law Enforcement Officers conference. Through the efforts of the POA Prosecutor, the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the City of Niagara Falls hosted 2005 spring workshop for the Prosecutors' Association of Ontario. The workshop was a great success and was well received by the attendees. POA Collection Issues Since assuming responsibility for administration of the POA courts, the Region has received 96,137 delinquent cases with a total dollar value exceeding $35 million. POA collection staff have successfully completed and/or deemed inactive 71% of the caseload (67,816 cases). On average, 736 new delinquent cases are added to the delinquent fines portfolio each month. Total Delinauent Fines Portfolio Number % $ Value % of Cases Total Delinquent Cases 96,137 100% $35,033,160 100% Received Completed and/or 67,816 71% $16,996,241 48.5% Deemed Inactive Cases -9 - CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 .... Current Delinauent Fines Portfolio Year endina Number of cases. $ Value (Millions) 2002 50,278 $20.2 2003 49,586 $22.3 2004 49,102 $ 22.4 2005 28,321 $18.0 "Excludes municipal by-law cases which are a local municipal responsibility, Enforcement Staff collection efforts include the use of demand notices, suspension of driver's licenses, negotiated payment plans, use of third party collection agencies and civil enforcement. When arrangements for payment can not be negotiated, the use of civil enforcement in Small Claims/Superior Court is initiated by POA staff to enforce payment. Civil enforcement includes the use of judgment debtor examinations which are arranged and conducted in court to obtain disclosure of the offender's assets and to determine the offender's ability to pay. In many cases, payment plans are negotiated in court and a consent order for payment is endorsed by the court. When an agreement to pay cannot be reached in court, enforcement by way of garnishment of wages, gamishment of bank accounts or Writs of Execution are undertaken by POA staff. At the end of 2005 staff were pursuing 5811 cases through civil enforcement methods. This represents an increase of 1021 cases (21%) over 2004. Negotiated payment plans and civil enforcement are, by their very nature, long term arrangements and thus contribute to the increasing dollar value of the receivables. The two biggest challenges staff face are locating the offenders to initiate enforcement and the large number of offenders currently on social assistance, which precludes gamishment. Civil enforcement will continue to be the primary focus for staff in 2006 and beyond. The table below provides an overview of Niagara's delinquent fines revenue for the years 2002-2005: -, -10- I -,r- _.-- CSD-33-2006 February 21,2006 Delinauent Fines Revenue Collected YEAR PRE TRANSFER POST TRANSFER ENDING (Sentence date before transfer (Sentence date after transfer TOTAL January 29, 2001) January 29, 2001) 2002 $525,872 $851,285 $1,377,157 2003 $723,183 $1,271,821 $1,995,004 2004 $609,377 $1,369,019 $1,978,396 2005 $379,843 $1,492,150 $1,871,993 TOTAL $2,238,275 $4,984,275 $7,222,550 Pre-transfer delinquent fines revenue collected in 2005 declined dramatically. A major contributing factor to this reduction in revenue is the decreased ability to collect money as cases age. Given the age of these accounts we expect that revenue from this source will continue to decrease in 2006 and beyond. Notwithstanding the 2005 figures, it must be noted that POA collections staff have had good success in collecting these aged accounts. Based on the age of our portfolio industry experts estimated a 1-5% recovery rate for pre-transfer delinquent fines. POA collection staff have been successful in collecting approximately 14% of the inherited pre transfer portfolio. Post transfer delinquent fine revenue in 2005 totaled $ 1,492,150, the highest amount ever collected. This represented an increase of $ 123,131 (9%) over the prior year results. Based on recoveries over the past three years, staff anticipates that post-transfer delinquent fine revenue should remain constant. The total delinquent fine revenue collected in 2005 was $ 1,871,993. This total was approximately $ 88,000 below budget projections and can be attributed to the steep decline in pre-transfer delinquent account revenue. The increase in the number of court ordered extensions of time to pay is being flagged as a concem. The extension process is legislated and POA collection staff have neither control nor input into the judicial decision making process. When a motion for an extension of time to pay is granted by a Justice of the Peace, staff must cease all collection activity and the fine is no longer considered to be in default. These cases are considered inactive for the purposes of further collection activity. In 2005 there were 770 cases (762 cases in 2004) with a value exceeding $1.59 million ($ 1.3 million in 2004) currently on collection "hold" as a result of court ordered extensions of time to pay. Should the number of extensions continue to increase this will have a negative impact on post-transfer revenue. -11- CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 A second contributing factor impacting anticipated revenue is the number of repeat offenders, that is. those individuals with multiple, large dollar fines who have no means to pay and no seizable assets. Niagara's POA collection model and operating procedures have been cited by Ministry of the Attorney General's audit staff as a leader in the field of POA collections. Comments received from the private sector and other POA collection sites are equally positive and also note Niagara as a leader in the field of POA collections. Niagara's staff continue to share collections expertise with their peers. In 2005, staff from Elgin County, Lambton County, Haldimand County, Guelph, Halton Region, Caledon, Muskoka and Kawartha Lakes attended our office to observe our operations and gain further insight into Niagara's collection processes, procedures and software system. Revenue As per the Inter-Municipal Agreement, any net revenue resulting from the operation of POA courts is shared between the twelve local area municipalities and the Region on a 50/50 basis. The share for each local area municipality is based on prior year total assessment values. POA Revenue & Expenditure Summarv (2000 - 2005) .m 2000 2001" 2002 2003 2004 2005 Total Gross $2,923.212 $7,308,947 $5,721,625 $5,982,658 Revenue $6,488,591 $ 5,442,594 Total Gross $1,923,212 $5,734,942 $4,554,625 $4,835,376 Expenditure $5,402,411 $ 4,780,521 Net $1,000,000 $1,574,005 $1,167,000 $1,147,282 $1,086,180 $ 662,073 Revenue" . 2001 figures include one-time additional dollars from Provincial distribution of 1998/199912000 surpluses. "Amount shown was paid to local area municipalities with an equal share to the Region The 2005 gross revenue of $ 5,442,594 was 12% under budget and was the lowest recorded gross revenue total since the Region assumed responsibility for the POA courts. Gross revenue expectations were negatively impacted by an unbudgeted one time payment to the Province, a 3.7% reduction in the number of tickets filed with the court, a shortfall in pre-transfer delinquent fine collections, quashing of Provincial Offence tickets due to technical error, a 4.5% reduction in payments received, a 23.5% increase in the number of appeal applications and a 14% reduction in available court time due to judicial shortages. These factors contributed to a net revenue shortfall of $ 765,000, making the net revenue distribution in 2005 the lowest distribution ever. By the end of the third quarter of 2005, -12 - --rr-- __n CSD-33-2006 February 21, 2006 $ 750,000 had been distributed to area municipalities with an equal share to the Region. Actual 2005 net revenue figures indicate a distribution share for area municipalities and the Region of $ 662,073. This represents a 36.8% reduction in net revenue figures when compared to the 2005 budget estimate of $ 1,047,997. An overpayment in the 2005 net revenue distribution of approximately $ 88,000 has occurred. This overpayment will be recovered from the 2006 payment distribution. Given the declining trend in tickets filed and the loss of available court time, The Joint Board and the Region's Budget Review Committee agreed that a $ 500,000 reduction in the gross revenue budget was appropriate. Net revenue payments to area municipalities and the Region for the first three quarterly payments will be reduced from $ 250,000 to $ 175,000. As usual, the final payment for 2006 (if any) will depend on the year end net revenue results. Gross expenditures in 2005 totaled $ 4,118,448 or .12% over budget. Submitted by: Approved by: ord Lockyer ~:.ff::~ Acting Commissione of Corporate Services Chief Administrative Officer This report was prepared by Bill Bemard, Manager, Court Services, with input from Anne Rose, Supervisor, Court Administration, Jackie Jarram, Collections Co-ordinator and Nancy MacDonald, POA Prosecutor, and has been reviewed by Michael Kyne, Director Legal Services. -13 - .., ,,0 ~ on .... .,0 0 ;F. ;F. ;F. ;F. 0 0 .-' 'ON ID ~ ~ <D 0 N 0" .; .... ":' M , M N .... cO> + , , -> 0 .., on 0 .., 0 .... .... .... ID N en on .... ~ 0 .... 0 ID '" co 0 N N .... 0 .... VI N 0> '" N N .... N .... '" GI U C') N r::: 0 0 ~ 0 N N en C') ,0 "0 3= .,0 ;F. ;F. ;F. ~ ~ ON 0 0 Gl N C') 0" ID <D ~ N ~ Z 0 .., ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ .., C ., , , , , , 0 N -> ll. N 0 ll. .... c.. 0 , on ~ c.. co 0 ... ~ N 0 0 0 N N .... 0 .., N ID .... ~ co 0 .... 0 .... .., ~ .., ID N .... 0 N ~ .., '" .... . N ~ 0> 0 ..,. .... N '" '" en C> C> C> 0 1I. .., ~ 1I. o ;.., > 0 0 0 ~ ~ 0 0 C> 0 0 0 0 I c.. N . 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"" .!!o.,J.c~o"l:.EoQj~~ '0 oC\l III N W ZQ..U)I- ILC)....IZQ.. l- . o~C') DIIlC "':"":CO('tJ OlD...., - NIAGARA - .1 CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY MANUAL l~j!~!'g'~,;~j.~m;W! :.1!j1i'l\Oli~i't~il~lj~lf~1JI~~tii,I~~J~~JI~il~!~imt~lF~~~I~ ~illrllll~ll~i~illl!m!fl~l!j!;~!!~~rl~ ' ~.~ "-"~"I~N",,'il' -. ;;!i;'~""t~f" J!i'~ - ~ Iil"fum";jl" (;i1"Wli )<\. ]. ,-~. j' :~ll~~ii~~~~!ij~~lHil;i~li~ ,~~~~:f;j~j~lJr~mMl;'1- \~..jI'~m.;i~!~~~~ I~~~~~'~!f.~~ -~~!~; .ml " ';;Q -' -~- - 1;' -D. de..' '~~f"'4;1~:;,!~li,l;;tiiil;~';ilZil~.,~i.'~.. ~!~,'i:,:m~:.."-,!"!gM,.,,,,,,,I~;'~lii ';'f,;!~~;:~:'lh::~~~~~:~,'-~~:;i~i~~;;~I~~hb"!I!i;!'~',,~,, DEVELOPED BY, HUMAN RESOURCES APPROVED BY: CORPORATE MANAGEMENT TEAM DATE: October B. 2005 EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1. 2006 REVISED DATE: POUCY STATEMENT: The purpose of the Criminal Records Check Policy is to minimize the risk in ""feguarding the Regional Municipality of Niagara's employeas. clienta, residents and assets. The CorporaUon may require. as the result of Legislative/Regulatory or Ministerial policy compliance. safety and security measures, or bona fide occupational Job requirements, criminal records checks of Individuals acting in their capacity with the Regional Municipality of Niagara a,s employees. It is therefore the policy of the Regional Municipality of Niagara to require individuals to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submft a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate 10 the Regional Municlpality of Niagara as a condition of any offer of employment In a designated position, where ft has been establiahed that the criminal records check is a bona fide occupational requirement. Employees occupytng a designated position with the Regional Municipality of Niagara, where the requirement to undergo a Criminal Records Check- and submft a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate was an onglnai condiUon of employment or transfer, may be required on a random basis to renew their check and In - addition thase employees shall be subject to annual declarations of being conviction free In the preceding tweive month penod as established by the hiring Department or as reqUired by LegislalivelRegulalory or Ministerial policy compliance, The practice of conducting a Criminal Records Check Involves accessing the Information made available ' through the Canadian Police Information Computer (ePIC) system regarding a person's 'conviction of a aiminal offence for which a pardon has not been granted. 1. POUCY OBJECTIVES To establish a process and procedures for Criminal Records Checks where ft has been establlshedlhat the cnminal records check is a bona fide occ:upational requirement of the Regional Municipality of Niagara. To ensure the criminal records check of an employee is conducted in a discreet and confidential Page 1 of. 7 ...._._.'~-_..._'-,._.. '^.'~' - . . ,..___......__....__..._.__ _.. ,__.~. .~_ . - ,_,____.__..__.,_.__.____.~___'___..__._._..__....._ _._..._.-., '__"'_'_U_' .---.----,.r-- ---. --- NIAGARA .,1/ CORPORATE AOMINISTRATIVE POLICY MANUAL lii~miwi~1;#if!mJ 11.'li~~II~II'II~~~~~!!I~~I!~l~IIiI~1!~~!~~ !1111~1~~!~{~II~~II~~,jllll!il'I~lil,~!rl!II~~ manner. in the interest of the Corporation. and the public safety and security of the community served by the Corporation, 2. APPLICATION This policy applies to employees and job applicants applying to designated positions at the Regional Municipality of Niagara. inclUding: . Employees (full time, part time. casual. temporary, contract and students); . Spacial employment program participants (i.e. Ontario Works Program); . Persons hired through temporary employment services. This policy is intended to apply to employees as defined above. If a Criminal Records Check and Canadian Police Clearance CertifICate is required for volunteers then ~ shall be the responsibility of the Department employing the volunteers to develop an established protocol. Effectlve'Oate of ADalleatlon A- NewHlres Effective January 1, 2006. extemal candidates who are offered a position that requires them to undergo a Criminat Records Check and submission of a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate shall be subject to !/lis policy. B. Internal Realonal Emalovees - Transfers from a Poslllon not Reaulrina a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate to a Poslllon Reaulnna a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate Effective January 1. 2006, an Intemal regional employee who transfers (from a pos~lon net requiring a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate) Into a pos~lon that requires them to undergo a Criminal Records Check and subm~ a Canadian Poice Clearance Certificate shall be subject to this policy, C. Internal Realonal EmDlovees - Currentlv In a Position ReQulrina a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate Page 2 of. 7 .....-..---".~_.._---- .-.... ..-_....-...- .- .~-,--_.,._----....._-,_.._.~..__..~-, ---'--~-'-'-' -"'.-....-------..---.-.---... -.--. ._.-_--~._-_..'_. --- NIAGARA .- 91 CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY MANUAL I;Wl,:::;~~~q,~~!i1i!;('1 !1,f~il~I'III'~i~[I~!rliil~~111ill; ifll~I~llj;'~~I~t~~'i~li~!~m~~~!}~~~jj~l!l: Effective January 1, 2006. if an internal regional employee Is currently in a position that requires a Criminal Records Check and submISsion of a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate shall not be subject to this policy since such employees are considered grandfalhered, D. Internal Realonal EmDlovee - Currentlv Grandfathered In a Position Reauirina a Canadian Pollee Clearance Certificate and Transfers to Another Position /Within th. Same Division) Reaulrina a Canadian Police Clearance Certiflcete Effective January 1. 2006. if an internal regional employee who is currently grandfathered in a position requinng a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate and transfers to another position within the same divisIon that raquires a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate shall not be subject to this policy since such employees are considered grandfathered. For example, a Skilled Labourer In Plant A who was grandfathered (not required to submll a Canadian Police Clearance Certificats) transfers to a Senior Operator posltlon in Plant B is considered grandfathered under this policy (since the transfer is within the same division) and therefore not required to undergo a Criminal Records Check. ,- The ",!me would apply to a Health Care Aide in Home A who was grandfathered and transfers to a Dietary Aide posllion in Home B. However. if the Skilled Labourer In Piant A who was grandfathered transfers to a BuDding Maintenance Position tl1en the individual must undergo a Cominal Records Check since the tranafer is not wfthln the same division. 3. GENERAL PROVISIONS The responsibillly for prOViding the Criminal Records Check falls to the selected candidate, The candidate upon being requested to do so shall lake the necessary ,steps to obtain the document and to provide it to the Human Resources depariment. Page 3 of, 7 .., .._..."..._...._.__1...'.___....'_.._'...__._;._._..'__._'.....__._-~._--,_.....'. ...--...,--.---..---..----.., -'--...--.- ,- I -- II -, NIAGARA .,. CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY MANUAL l:iii,!W~;,~:1"gj;:j!i1 !1~i~:~~~it~.~~~~:~.~!~I.;!it~~~mf~r!i:i!~~~i!~~~:$1~~~~~i~Fi~~~lk~~i:~jt\jfllji~l~~ 1~1~~'~~l~'I~li~ll~,\1[ll,\11fijlj~!!~I!ij!!~:1 ,~j;i1@'!~I~~I'~!"'i':i!h;lill!jill,"".,M~m~~l'''!lii'~' '!!~i!"ill!"liW"i ;~f:~~~~d~[i9M~~~:.:~~:::itl.m. :,f,i~~I~fl~~t~!~l.ij!!~li~ii~J~1~~~jWr A Review Tribunal shall be established when a candidate se~ declares or the Canadian Police Clearance Certificate Is returned showing any of the following: . criminal conviction . pending criminal code charges . outstanding conditional or absolute discharge. Such criminal records cheel< will be reviewed and dea~ with on a case-by-case basiS. The Review Tribunal shall be comprised of three of the following corporate representatives: 1. Hiring Manager, 2. Hiring Department Director or designate 3. Director. Corporate Health Services & Employee Relations or designate Departments, In conjunction with the Human Resources Department are responsible for determining which positions require a Criminal Records Check, In some departments, where there is a bona fide occupational requirement or compliance with legislative/regulatory requirements or Ministerial policy requiring a Criminal Records Check, the responsibility shall rest with the department to establish the frequency with which employee's criminal status will be reassessed (i.e, whether the department will require a yearly declaratlon). Each department shall ensure that Canadian Police Clearance Certificates are updated in five year increments as a minimum corporate standard. Therefore. individuals In such positions are to undergo a Criminal Records Check and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certijicate In fIVe year increments. The cost of a Criminals Record Check and renewals Is the responsibility of the applicant or employee. It Is the intent of the Corporation to utilize the Type 1 Criminal Records Check as a corporate standard unless circumstances warrant. In which case, a Type 2 Criminal Records Check will be requested, The Type 1 check can be completed in most cases within forty-elght (48) hours whereas the Type 2 check requires six (6) weeks to be completed. Effective March 1, 2001 Bill C-7 amended the Criminal Records Act to permll the disclosure of pardoned sex offences in certain circumstances. Organizations employing persons for full-time, part-time or volunteer posllions, working with children or vulnerable persons may therefore receive infonnation regarding criminal code convictions regarding sexual offences if the Type 2 check is requested. Page 4 of. 7 ........,........,.'-.--1."... .., n _ ._ .n_ _ .__._........_..._._..._.__________.n.___._.______.__.._.__...__._..... ___ ....__.._.._____.__.___ -- NIAGARA 91 CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POUCY MANUAL I!j(::j,"~;81:tHI~';:1 ....",.~".",',_.",."'_.,<.,,,."', ,: ~:~~~~~~1~),~~t~j~~*1~Ji~Ht~t~~J~!!l~~i~~m!i~~{~~~~~~XiIj~?~~!!]~~iti~~J.iii:~n~l~~i@i; !1~f{(,~I:~~~rlwIJ['~~WI~I~t!tlilll~lil{~'~l!i~~II~: ~!%~m'~"(~~~~~~2l~~li~~"!~::~;i'1';;~[~hm~~~lli:~mlilW'"""I~ij~~~!~~r,1'''~~1 mt:~}~t~~~i;~: ;~1~;q~~~~~:~tli.~~~m~!,i~IJ~l4~iU!if!~~~I~f~1~~~~~~~t~~:li~~~~l In the event that a department wishes to request a Type 2 check, approval must be obtained by the Director. Corporate Health Services & Employee Relations or designate, Since Type 1 Criminal Records Check only take lorty...ight (48) hou", to oblain, no indMdual shall be placed. transferred or commence worK in the position until the cnmlnal Records Check Is submitted by the Individual. Failure by a Job applicant to undergo a Criminal Records Check and provide a Canadian Pollee Clearance Certificate for a designated poslllon shall result in their disqualification from the competition or placement process Including removal or dismissal from the position, 4. RESPONSIBilITIES Hiring ManagerslDepartmenlli shall be responsible for: . Identifying positions which require a Criminal Records Check as a bona fide occupational requirement, in consultation wit~ the Human Resources Department. . Ensuring that a Criminal Records Check is conducted lor designated posftions. regarding a competition andlor placement opportunity; . Notifying snd consulting wnh the Human Resources Department as to any new position requiring a Criminal Records Check; . Confirming during the interview the declaration made by the applicant on their Regional Application for Employment fonn whether they have criminal convictlona for which a pardon has not been granted: . Confirming during the interview invoMng an existing employee whether they have Climlnal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted: . Advising the candidate during \he interview that they ara required to undergo a Criminal Records Check and that a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate must be submitted to Human Resources confinnlng their criminal ,record status condftional at the time an offer of empioyment or offer 01 position has been made: Page 5 of. 7 .........'-.....-'....,-'......' .,.. -..,.. '.........__._,-,,_.. .. -.....-..........---,-.. - ..-,-..-..-..---,...-.-..-.----. .. -. ,... , , '--'--- ,-' TT -, -- - NIAGARA .,1 CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POUCY MANUAL lilH'!ilgf~~~~~lmm i;~~~~:~~1~~m~~i~~11~~!f~~~l~~~j!~~~~i~~~~~!~lf~[~~I~j1i~~~j~~~~tii~ lilll'I~II~~i~~I~jl~ml~m~lljll!II!~II!I~llllli :,~t~~i~~~!~i!~I~~~if,~~!~~r!~~f;~~~~1~~~~~~~~~:I!~~~~~m~w.~~'~J~h~!J.Jt~~~f.i!!P~i~it '~;~J;9~L~~,~t~)?~1',~;[i~I1g" :!i~~~~~!j1~f._ ffi~~~ff.H~~~~M~r(!~~~~~t! . Conducting random Criminal Records Checks by the manager. legislative/regulatory or ministerial policy compliance, if deemed necessary. . Obtaining on a yeariy basis an Annual Offence Declaration Form that the employee has not received a criminal convielion in the preceding twelve month period, n deemed necessary. Employees or Job applicants applying for a designated position at the Regional Municipality of Niagara shall be responsible for: . Obtaining a Climinal Records Check by visiting one of the Niagara Regional Police Service locations: . Incurring all associated costs in obtaining a Climinal Records Check and the Canadian Poice Clearance Certificate: . Submitling the original Canadian Police Clearance Certificate to the Human Resources Department for consideration: . Renewing their Canadian Police Clearance Certificata if requested by their manager, legislative/regulatory or mlnistarial policy compliance. . Providing on a yeariy basis. n required, an Annual Offense Declaration Form that the employee has not received a criminal convielion in the preceding twelve month period and submitling such certificate their managar, Human Resources Oeparbnant shan be responsIble for: . Assisting departments in Idantifying positions which requlra a Climinal Records Check as a bona fida occupational requirement . Advising the hiling managar of the results of the Canadian Police Clearance Certificate; . Photocopying and filing tha Canadian Police Clearance Certificate and forwarding the oliglnal certificate back to the individual. . Coordinating the Review TlibunaL Page 6 of, 7 ......--.....-...-.-...." '1-" . ...-_....--...__..._....._----~.__.-..._------.__._-._---.-.-------.------ ..-.....------ "'-1 NIAGARA 4F1J CORPORATE ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY MANUAL li'j];~,:~~;~~~:ilii'i:1 'll~~II~I~~~,ltl~~I~rl~IIJ!II,lijifl~i~~~I!!illlllf,~lrt1~~~i~~~$,!III!I~!~~I~~I~llil~\lilll Review Tribunal shall be responsible for: 0 Conducting a confidential investigation regarding the self-declaration or when the Canadian Police Clearance Certificate is -not clear" for a candidate; 0 Ensuring that due diligence is exercised to gather all of the facts on a case-by-case basis; 0 Recommending a course of action to the managerlhiring manager, on a case.by-case basis. 0 Confirming the criminal conviction Is Job related. and Is therefore a bona fide occ:upational requirement. when the Police Clearance Certificate is -not clear", -. Pago 7 of. 7 .--.----.----"..1'.....---.--.--..-. ~- .. ~ ...._..on__.........._.___._....___ .nr--' ..~_.,~..._- -. "- ~--_..:... ..-..----.--...... . ,"w.. ._..__.__...._w...__.._........_....m~.__.____. - , II -~._.- APPENDIX "A" - Definitions The following definitions are provided for clarification In the context of this policy 2!Jti: Bona fide occuD.tional reauirement IBFORl: A BFOR Is a requIrement or qualification of a position. necessitated by the safe. efficient and reliable performance of the essential duties of the Job or the functioning of the organiZation, Bona fide iustificatlon IBFJI: A BFJ is a Justification for denying employment to an applicant based on a bona fide occupational requirement. A service may be refused to a person when it cannot be offered without undue costs. Canadian Police Clearance Certificate: A Canadian Police Certificate is e document issued to the applicant when a criminal records check has been completed and the results show that the applicant either does or does not have a criminal record and/or outstanding criminal charges recorded in their name In Canada. (a) Clear - Canadian Police Clearance CertJflcate: A Canadian Police Clearance Certificate that Indicates no criminal convictions. no pending criminal code charges or no conditional or absolute discharges. In other words. -no known criminal records on file.' (b) Not Clear - Canadian Police Clearance Certificate: A Canadian Police Clearance Certificate that indicates a criminal convlction(s) or a pending criminal code charge(s) or a conditional or absolute discharge(s), Criminal Records Check: Is a process conducted by the Niagara Regional Police Service or any other police authorities, which confirms that an applicant does or does not have a criminal record and/or outstanding criminal charges recorded in their name In Canada. There are two.types of Criminal Records Check as described as follows: (a) TVDG 1 Criminal Records Check This criminal referenc.8 check is available at a nominal cost and Is usually completed within forty- eight (46) hours tima. There are fova areas disclosed on this check as noted below: 1. Criminal Convictions - on file with Nlegara Regional Police Service 2. Criminal Records - known to exist In ,other jurisdictions _n..___......,.. '," "" .".._.._._...._...........,.... ____., ,...,... ".., ..,_.._..________...__...._. ,...,.._,_..,._,_ .- APPENDIX "A" - Definitions (continued) 3, Pending Criminal Code Charges - presently before the courts 4, No known Criminal records on file with any agency 5, Other - conditional or absolute discharge. This means a finding of guilt with a conditional or absolute discharge by the Judge. Since 1992. conditional discharges will continue to be on an indlvldual's record for 3 years from the date of the Judge's decision and then removed from the individual's record. Absolute discharge since 1992, will continue to be on an individual's record for 1 year from the date of the judge's decision and then removed from the individual's record. Conditional or absolute discharges prior to 1992 will continue to show on the indiVidual's record unless the individual seeks a pardon. (b) Tvoe 2 Criminal Record Check Thts criminal reference check Is avaUable at a nominal cost and takes approximately six (6) weeks to complete. PoOce Services recommend that a Type 21s used when emplOYing and/or VOlunteering individuals who Will be WOrking/volunteering with wlnerable person(s) and children, The check not only Includes the above noted five pieces of information found under Type 1 checks but also includes detailed Information regarding incident reports on file with Niagara Regional Police Services. These include. any reports on file for which the Individuai was a victim. witness, accused, suspect or missing person, The checks further Includes any criminal record for a sexual offence for which a pardon has been granted or denied, Offence Declaration "Offence declaration- means a written declaration signed by an individual. listing all of the individual's conVictions for offences under the Criminal Code (Canada) up 10 the dete of the declaration, - OJ that are not Included in a criminal records check collected by the Regional Municipality of Niagara when first hired by the Corporation. or In the last criminal records check collected by the Regional MunlcJpalllyof Niagara as the res~1I of legislative and/or Regulatory change. transfer to a position deemed to require public safety and security concems. or positions with bona fida occupationel requirements respecting Ihe collection of such personal Information, and ~Q for which a pardon under Section 4.1 of the Criminal Records Act (Canada) has not been ISsued or granted, and ~Ii) a conViction under the crlmlnel code of Canada relating to a sexual offance for which a pardon has been granted un Section 4.1 of the Cl1mlnal Recoi'ds Act (Canada) but where the person is employed in a position where they provide any services to chndren or vulnerable persons. "-.~_._....-.,...-.-_.---:-..,..._._,....:...._-_..~---.....-~--"-.,--...---t.---....--.----------~-~------""-------'--.-"------. _ I. APPENDIX "A" - Definitions (continued) (a) Clear - Offence Declaration Form: An Annual OffencaDeclaration Fonn (Regional Form) whereby the individual sail declares that they have no convictions under the Criminal Code of Canada since the la.t time Criminal Record. Check conducted or since tha last time tha Annual Offence Declaration Fonn was given by the individual. (b) Not Clear - Offence Declaration Form An Annuel Offence Declaration Form (Regional Fonn) whareby the individual self declares that they have a conviction(.) under the Criminal Coda of Canada since tho last time Criminal Record. Chack conductad or since the last time tha Annual Offence Declaration Fonn was given by the individuaL -~- '---.--.------. ..-.1----.-..-- ".-.-,., ,.~,_._.._-_._--.-- .-. .0.._...., ........-...... -... --'-".' 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E ~~ ~.!!l .. ~ " -ro 'C " .~ E H ~ z ro o~ " ~ ~ ro'- .oc .. 0 s _ 'C "'E ,s co ~ 0" t8 '" c 5g ~ :5 ;> " "Q) .. i " ~'" l>i U ;c C ..~ W .Q 'ffi~ 'Cro .. '" .DQ) (; .. "" .lI.<5 c 0 "'"0 l5 :c 0. Q).D .. B :ll =0 'e .!! ,s= :J :;; i1iH :;;0 " J!! =~ = .. :! lJ ~ f5 .. ro j w n I c~~i .. " l! ~~JjE " ro W" ::I E " w .. U 0 ~ a. ..; Niagara.1I Region APPENDIX "C" ANNUAL OFFENCE DECLARATION FORM Please Print: Surname First Name Postlionllocation Employee No, I declare that sInce the last Criminal Records Check submitted by me to the Regton of Niagara or since the last Annual Offence Declaration Fonn given by me to the Region. that D I have NOT been found guilty of any criminal offence up to and Including the date of this declaration for which a pardon has not been Issued or granted under the Criminal Records i>d. (Canada). OR D I have the following convictions for offences which a pardon under the Crtmlnsl Records i>d. (Canada) has not been Issued or granted List of Offences 1. Conviction: Court Location: Date of Conviction: 2. Conviction: ,..- Court location: , Date of Conviction: 3. ConVIction: Court location: Date of ConVICtion: I hereby certify that all the above information provided Is complete and correct and that any misrepresentation of facts made by me on this declaration form shall result in further Investigation and where warranted result in dlsclplnary action up to and including termination. Dated at thIS day 01 .20_ Signature November 2005 ..-....__..._-_._~-_..._-,,:-...,..,-_. .. ....-.-.--..-.--.-...... ...._..._~._~_._~_..~ .'!"._._~--.-_.._._-_..__...__.__:.....--_..,_.._.~_.--_.._--.----.--...:......-- - , II --_.._._~." . POA -IB -044 POA Info Bulletin "i:!~r:l~i% ~killl"' POA - IB - 044 Yj'(f~*' To: POA Municipal Partners Date: February 8, 2005 Re: Guidelines to Criminal Background Checks for Prospective POA Municipal Employees Municipal Partners: This Information Bulletin is intended to provide Municipal POA Partners with recommended guidelines for the use of criminal background checks when hiring new employees. While human resource policies and procedures are under the sole direction of the municipal partner, because of the nature of court operations, the Ministry of the Attorney General recommends that Municipal Partners conduct a criminal record security check as a condition of employment for prospective employees. It is also recommended that this check only be conducted on the successful candidate and only after a conditional offer of employment has been made. All information collected as part of the criminal record security check should be maintained in strictest confidence and according to the law. A criminal record security check usually consists of a name check that may be conducted with the agreement of a local police agency. The check should be conducted through the Canadian Polic~ Information Centre (CPIC) in order to obtain information on criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted. Municipal Partner HR policy should set out what steps are to be taken once the CPIC information has been provided. A copy of the Ministry of the Attorney General Disclosure/Security Check Form is attached to this Information Bulletin (POAIB - 044 - Attach 1) as an example. Municipal Partners may want to use this form as a guide in the creation of a local form. Thank you for your continued support. Sandra Wain Director Corporate Planning Branch Court Services Division , .. 2 .. . POA-/B - 044 -- BULLETIN CONTACT INFORMATION For more information concerning this bulletin, please contact; George Bazios Business Analyst POA Unit 700 Bay Street, gth Floor Toronto, Ontario M6G 1Z6 e-mail: george,bazios@jus.gov,on,ca voice: (416) 326-3818 fax: (416) 326-2592 .- - II . ~II~ . COMMUNITY SERVICES Nla ara ......1.1 Re Ion Children's Services g g 3340 Schmon Parkway, P.O. Box 344, Thorold, ON L2V 3Z3 Tel: 905-984-6900 Fax: 905-984-4463 www.reglonal.niagara.on.ca February 27, 2006 TO: Community Partners Children's Services & Early Years Services SUBJECT: Best Start Initiative - Niagara Update - Communique #7 Work in progress, particularly related to communication efforts are as follows: Child Care Sites Significant milestones have been achieved since the last communique, most notably the identification of expanded licensed child care sites. Much time and effort went into the process of determining suitable locations for growth. The Ministry of Children & Youth Services announced that all programs newly licensed since April, 2005 untii March 31, 2006 would be inciuded in the required number of expanded spaces. For Niagara, this represents 179 spaces. To ensure stabilization for those spaces, Children's Services has determined that those programs will receive wage subsidy, as well as all new school based Best Start licensed child care spaces, contingent on the federal government honouring its commitment to the multi-lateral agreement with Ontario. Child Care Niagara's process inciuded a five (5) member panel that reviewed Site/Service established criteria, Members included Jacquie Taylor, Vaino Raun, Phil Selection Process Thomas, Joan Fallis, and Jocelyne Blais-Breton. (See Communique 6 for more detail on criteria used). Following two meetings with a good deal of thought and review, the panel recommended communities for expansion, along with turning the next stages over to Children's Services and the School Boards for fine tuning. Additional meetings were held where criteria was reviewed and site visits to proposed locations resulted in decisions on iocation being made on January 24,2006 for Year 1 (end of March, 2006) and part of Year 2. The next phase of the process entailed: . Follow up site visits to determine required changes to the premises . Service provider training for submission of Business Process for potential operator selection To fulfill Best Start Chiid Care expansion requirements additional work in progress includes Francophone planning, site reviews for potential expansion in the Francophone communities and work with the Aboriginal groups to address needs for services of the population. Eligibility of Service It should be noted for Service Providers to be eligible for Best Start wage Providers enhancement; expansion must be part of the Best Start Plan. Resources are limited and must be aligned with specific targets as set out in the Child .-~.- Care Plan, which has now been released in both English and French, It has been determined that an executive summary will not be completed for this plan as 500 copies of the full plan were printed. Niagara's Best Start If you have not received a copy of the Plan, additional copies are available Plan: The Early through Children's Services or the Early Childhood Community Learning & Child Development Centre (ECCDC). It can also be found on the Region's Care Plan 2005-2008 website by going to: hUD :/Iwww.reaional.niaaara.on.ca/livina/child ren/CCD 2005-2008/default.aSDX Federal Changes Children's Services sent out a memo on February 131h outlinin~ our response to recent political changes. We were notified on February 24 h that the Multi-Lateral Agreement between the Federal government and Province of Ontario will be terminated March 31, 2007. While this is disheartening news, we are hopeful that the upcoming year will allow for time to re- negotiate terms and conditions for future early childhood and care services, particularly in light of fact that the agreement Children's Services is obliged to uphold is between the CMSM and the Province. We encourage you to stay informed and keep parents central to the discussions of this important turn of events, Final Thoughts Niagara's Best Start Team comprised of Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders, Suzanne McPetrie and Sandra Noel has "officially" completed their task of delivering the necessary requirements of Best Start. Thank you to each one of them for their commitment Thank you also to Susan Speck and Kathryn O'Hagan-Todd, consultants hired to help guide us through the requirements. You will continue to see Kathryn involved with service provider training and support for Best Start sites. This will be the last communique from Children's Services regarding Best Start, as we move back to our more comprehensive updates on the entire child care system. Future communication about Best Start in the broadest sense for all services for children under six years of age will be provided by the newly formed Niagara Children's Planning Council, of which we are a member and wish great success to. There is much work ahead - Children's Services will be working closely with the newly formed Children's Planning Council, as the capital expansion is part of the Councils' newly created plan for children under six (6) years of age. We look forward to continuing to work with you to grow Niagara's Child Care system, with an emphasis on high quality affordable services. "How wonderlul it is that nobody need to wait a single moment before starting to Improve the world." Anne Frank Sincerely, --Ia;C)(~ Pat Heidebrecht Director, Children's Services c Karen Calligan, Patti Moore, Program Supervisor, MCYS Brian Hutchings, Commissioner, Community Services Child Care Sector - Eleanor Dolan Niagara Children's Planning Council Co-Chairs - Margaret Andrewes, Dr. R. Williams Page 2 of 2 -~ - flliI_ um s. W.tkln . City Clerk City Clerk'. Office S....tarlol Tel: 416-392.7032 MsrilvnToft Fax: 416.392.2980 Council Secretariat Support a-mail: mtoftfiltoronto.ca City Hall, 12" Floor, Wast 100 Queen Street We.t web: www.toronto.ca T oranto, Ontlrio M5H 2N2 In reply please quote: Ref.: 06-Pf#1(4) February 6, 2006 REGIONAL CHAIRS, MAYORS AND HEADS OF COUNCll.,S IN THE GREATER GOLDEN HORSESHOE: Subjed: Planning and Transportation Committee Report 1, Clause 4 The Proposed Growth Plan for the GreatEr Golden Horseshoe City Council on January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006, considered this Clause, and directed that a copy of Mayor David Miller's letter to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal, Proviilce of Ontario, together with a copy of this report be shared with other Mayors and Chairs in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. ~~ for City Clerk M Toft/gc Attachment Sent to: Mayor David R. Miller Chief Planner and Executive Director, City PlAnning Regional Chairs, Mayors and Heads of Councils in the Greater Golden Horseshoe % ~ ;il r- '" '"' f;; 7.;j r;. ~ ::t. I'0 t...:! II . . DAVID MILLER February 7,2006 The Honourable David Caplan, M.P.P. Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal GovenunentofOnUuio 6th Floor, Frost Building South 7 Queen's Park Crescent Toronto, ON M7 A 1 Y7 , D=~\1-J , The Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe On behalf of Toronto City Council, I'm writing to commend you for continuing to develop the Growth Plan. This plan will curb urban sprawl and form a basis for integrating land use planning, infrastructure and protection of valuable natural and cultural heritage in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The future of this whole region growth is incredibly important to, the future of the City of Toronto. We support the proposed Plan, but would request some modifications needed to address issues of particular conCern for the City of Toronto. The successful implementation of this Plan will require that the Province take the lead on the provision of infrastructure needed to support the proposed growth. Providing infrastructure is crucially inJ.pqrtant. We urge the Provincial Government to develop a complementary and comprehensive infrastructure strategy as soon as possible to support the effective implementation of the Plan. In particular, this strategy should focus on the phasing and funding of transit improvements. City Council has requested the following modifications to the proposed Plan: (i) provide for the regular review and refinement of the employment forecasts in Schedule 3 as part of the proposed sub-area regional economic assessment; (ii) support downtown Toronto's role as a prime office centre for Canada, supported and strengthened through infrastructure investments, and that the Toronto Financial District be identified as a provincially significant designated employment area; (iii) revise the definition of 'major office' to 'freestanding office buildings of 25,000 square feet of greater,' consistent with regulations under the Assessment Act; iii TORONlO City Hall 0100 Queen Street West .2nd Floor . Toronto , Ontario MSH 2N2 Telephone: 416.397.CITY "Fax: 416.696.3687 "E-mail: mayocmiller@toronto.ca -...-- ~._~-- "'...--...- "- (iv) revise the definition of 'municipal comprehensive review' to specifically include consideration of population and growth projections, alternative directions for growth, and how best to accommodate this growth, consistent with the definition in the Provincial Policy Statement; (v) provide more explicitly that provincial investment will be linked to municipal policies and strategies for intensification and contingent on progress in achieving intensification; (vi) revise Policy 2.2.5.1 to provide greater flexibility for intensification around major transit stations, so as to distinguish between regional intensification corridors and local intensification corridors such as the Avenues in the City of Toronto's new Official Plan, or if they are located in Employment Districts where residential development may not be desired; (vii) provide for the assessment of development potential in urban growth centres and along inter-regional transit corridors and an increase in their density target if warranted; (viii) revise Policy 2.2.8.2 to provide that the review of the need for and amount of additional designated Greenfield area should be done at the sub-area level; (ix) modify Policy 3.2.2.5 to include Provincial support for the implementation of Transportation Demand Managemft (TDM) policies by the upper- and single tier municipalities; , (x) revise Policy 4.2.1.4 to require p4uming authorities to identify locally significant natural areas that link and au~Athe natural system and develop policies for its protection; ~ , (xi) expand the policies in Section 4.2. (Culture of Conservation) to acknowledge a role for the Province and to include an design standards that encourage and support .. , water conservation and integrated : te management; (xii) ssments to: a) of growth and the provision of b) - d) provide for a comprehensive strategy, including setting investment priorities, for the funding and phasing of transit and other infrastructure; (xiii) indicate that the Province will monitor and evaluate the impacts of growth and urban development in the Greater Golden Horseshoe on the environment, the economy and quality of life, as input to the IO-year review of the Plan required by the Places to ,Grow Act. We would also like the Province to assist municipalities by developing guidelines for implementing the Plan, some of which may involve more specific targets; for example, guidelines and/or targets for, waste diversion, air quality, modal share splits based on the Plan's intensification and density targets, and community design. There are also a range of complementary actions, some of which are already underway, that would assist in the City's ability to effectively implement the Plan, and accommodate this important growth as follows: (i) Revising the Development Charge:; Act to enable municipalities to recover the full cost of growth related infrastructure, to base charges for transit on an approved transit plan rather than average service cOsts over the past ten years, and to charge for all municipal services required to support complete communities; (ii) Revising the Planning Act, and o~r appropriate tools to give municipalities greater authority to protect and enhance thefatural heritage system; (iii) , Providing fiscal policies and too~direct market demand to achieve the objectives of the Growth Plan; . , , (iv) EliIninating the differential in the f ucation portion of the property tax between the City and the rest of the region; r (v) Revising the Environmental Asses ent Act to significantly strearnline approval for transit projects and other infrastrn e projects that have been identified in Official Plans or in the Growth Plan and hich implement the growth objectives of the proposed Growth Plan; (vi) Providing inclusionary zoning po s to ensure that affordable housing may be included in residl rial or rni d-use velopments; ~ 5 =~-~~: . ;. ""'1> vi . ," ,.,. pro ._~e.arr ,......_ .._~~' -- I ..:p~ . . '''-rr-- Please let me know if there is anything we can do to assist you and your staff to refine and further develop the Plan. Again, please accept my congratulations on the work so far and in particular on the way you have involved the City and other stakeholders in the Plan's development. I await with interest the final version of the Plan. Yours truly, vQlZ/ Bwa Mayor David Miller City of Toronto cc. Hon, John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Hon. Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment Regional Chairs, Mayors and Heads of Councils in the Greater Golden Horseshoe Carol Layton, Deputy Minister, MinistrY of Public Infrastructure Renewal i , I I .;"... :a .....- -"'. . .' c._, , ,~ ~r 1 i. ;.~~": . , j\ '. " . "'.'""""""""",, . /ii\t/<II_ CITY CLERK Consolidated Clause in Planning and Transportation Committee Report 1, which was considered by City Council on January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006. 4 The Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe City Council on January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006, adopted this Clause without amendment. Council also considered additional material, which is noted at the end of this Clause. The Planning and Transportation Committee recommends that City Council adopt the staff recommendations in the Recommendations Section of the report (December 16, 2005) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, subject to amending Recommendation (1)(d){vii) to read: "(I){d){vh') provide for the assessment of development potential in urban growth centres and along inter-regional transit corridors, and an increase in their density target if warranted;". The Planning and Transportation submits the report (December 16, 2005) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning: Puroose: To summarize the proposed Growth Plan and advise Council of its implications for the City and the region. A copy of the proposed Plan is attached. Financial Imolications and Imoact Statement: There are no immediate financial implications for the City, though in the long run, the implementation of the growth plan could result in the City recovering significant funding support for infrastructure in the City and increases in the City's assessment base. Staffwill report further when these financial implications become clearer. The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and concurs with the financial impact statement. -'",-- Toronto City Council 2 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Recommendations: It is recommended that: (1) The Mayor write to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal to: (a) commend the Minister for continuing to develop the Growth Plan as a starting point for curbing urban sprawl and as a basis for integrating land use planning, provision of infrastructure and protection of valuable natural and cultural heritage in the GGH; (b) indicate Council's support for the proposed Growth Plan, contingent on the Plan being modified as recommended in this report, and on the Province developing a satisfactory phasing and funding strategy for the transit and other infrastructure improvements necessary to support the Plan's implementation; (c) urge the Minister to develop a comprehensive infrastructure strategy as soon as possible to support the effective implementation of the Growth Plan; (d) request that the Minister modify the proposed Growth Plan to: (i) provide for the review and refinement of the employment forecasts in Schedule 3 as part of the proposed sub-area regional economic assessment; (ii) revise Policy 2.2.6.2 to indicate that downtown Toronto's role as the prime office centre for Canada will be supported and strengthened through investments in transit and other services, and that the Financial District will be identified as a provincially significant designated employment area; (iii) revise the definition of 'major office' to 'freestanding office buildings of 25,000 square feet or greater,' consistent with regulations under the Assessment Act; (iv) revise the definition of 'municipal comprehensive review' to specifically include consideration of population and growth projections, alternative directions for growth, and how best to accommodate this growth, consistent with the definition in the Provincial Policy Statement; (v) provide more explicitly that provincial investment will be linked to municipal policies and strategies for intensification and contingent on progress in achieving intensification; Toronto City Council 3 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2. 2006 Report 1. Clause 4 (vi) revise Policy 2.2.5.1 to provide greater flexibility for intensification around major transit stations, particularly if they are located in intensification corridors such as the Avenues in the City of Toronto's new Official Plan, or if they are located in Employment Districts where residential development may not be desired; (vii) provide for the assessment of development potential in urban growth centres and an increase in their density target if warranted; (viii) revise Policy 2.2.8.2 to provide that the review of the need for and amount of additional designated Greenfield area should be done at the sub-area level; (ix) modify Policy 3.2.2.5 to include Provincial support for the implementation of Transportation Demand Management (TDM) policies by the upper- and single tier municipalities; (x) revise Policy 4.2,1.4 to require planning authorities to identify locally significant natural areas that link and augment the natural system and develop policies for its protection; (xi) expand the policies in Section 4.2.4. (Culture of Conservation) to acknowledge a role for the Province and to include urban design standards that encourage and support water conservation and integrated waste management; (xii) expand the scope of the sub-area assessments to: (a) consider together the distribution of growth and the provision of infrastructure; (b) facilitate a collaborative approach among municipal governments, the Province and the private sector to manage waste in the GGH, focusing on reduction, diversion and disposal; (c) provide for the modification of the distribution of growth shown in the forecasts in Schedule 3 to reflect 'best solutiops' for infrastructure provision; and . (d) provide for a comprehensive strategy, including setting investment priorities, for the funding and phasing of transit and other infrastructure; and (xiii) indicate that the Province will monitor and evaluate the impacts of growth and urban development in the GGH on the environment, the economy and quality of life, as input to the lO-year review of the Plan required by the Places to Grow Act; I II Toronto City Council 4 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1 , Clause 4 (2) request the Province to assist municipalities by developing guidelines for implementing the Plan, some of which may involve more specific targets; for example, guidelines and/or targets for waste diversion, air quality, modal share splits based on the Plan's intensification and density targets, and community design; (3) re-iterate previous requests that the Minister co-ordinate with other ministries to facilitate the Plan's effective implementation, including: (a) revisious to the Development Charges Act to enable municipalities to recover the full cost of growth related infrastructure, to base charges for transit on an approved transit plan rather than average service costs over the past ten years, and to charge for all municipal services required to support complete communities; (b) revisions to the Planning Act, and other appropriate tools to give municipalities greater authority to protect and enhance the natural heritage system; (c) fiscal policies and tools to direct market demand to achieve the objectives of the GGH Growth Plan; (d) eliminating the differential in the education portion of the property tax between the City and the rest of the region; (e) revisions to the Environmental Assessment Act to significantly streamline approval for transit projects and other infrastructure projects that have been identified in Official Plans or in the Growth Plan and which implement the growth objectives of the proposed Growth Plan; (f) inclusionary zoning powers to ensure that affordable housing may be included in residential or mixed-use developments; (4) this report be sent to the Province to support the Mayor's letter; (5) the Mayor's letter and this report be shared with other Mayors and Chairs in the GGH; and (6) the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto. Toronto City Council 5 Planning and Transportation committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Background: The Provincial Government has released a proposed growth plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (GGH). The extent of the GGH is shown on the map below. The proposed plan is available on the government's website at http://www.pir.gov.on.ca. The Province is seeking public feedback on the proposed plan by January 27th 2006. I have informed provincial officials that Council will be unable to meet that deadline. The Proposed Plan is a further step in the Province's development of its 'Places to Grow' initiative for managing growth in the GGH. Earlier steps included: 1. June 2004 - release of a Discussion Paper, upon which the City commented in September 2004; 2. February 2005 - release of a Draft Growth Plan for the GGH, upon which the City commented in April 2005; and 3. June 2005 - Passage of the Places to Grow Act, which provides the legislative authority to for the proposed Growth Plan. The Places to Grow initiative is part of a bigger package of provincial initiatives addressing planning and growth management in the Province and in the GGH, Other components include the long-awaited Greater Toronto Transportation Authority, a GGH Transportation Strategy, the Greenbelt Plan, source water protection initiatives, and Planning Act and OMB reforms. This report has been prepared in consultation with the CAO's Office and Works Technical Services, Toronto Water, Solid Waste Management Services, Parks, Recreation and Forestry, Economic Development, the Affordable Housing Office, Social Development Division, Public Health and Finance. '''''- Toronto City Council 6 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Comments: What is in the Proposed Plan? The Plan is a framework for managing growth in the GGH to 2031. It has three major elements: 1. Where and how to grow - provides direction for municipal land use planning for intensification areas, employment lands, greenfields and rural areas. 2. Infrastructure to support growth - directions for planning and provision of transportation and water infrastructure, as well as 'community' infrastructure, including priority for provincial infrastructure investments that support the Plan's policies. Toronto City Council 7 Planning and Transportation Commitlae January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 3. Protecting what is valuable - uatural heritage, agriculture, non-renewable resources, a culture of conservation. Key to the Plan's implementation is the integration of all three elements, particularly aligning new development with infrastructure. The implication is that provincial and municipal infrastructure planning and spending would align with the location and nature of new development, which will generally be provided for in municipal official plans. Other key elements of the Plan include: - requiring that 40 percent of all residential development after 2015 be in the existing built-up area; - identifying 25 urban growth centres, including 5 in Toronto, and setting density targets for their development; - requiring that all future Greenfield development be at a density of at least 50 residents and jobs per hectare; - requiring provincial approval for an increase in the amount of designated Greenfield area in an upper- or single- tier municipality; and - identifying the general location of future transit lines and improvements, and future goods movement corridors in the GGH. How has the Plan Changed Since the Previous Draft? The overall direction and broad objectives found in the draft plan released in February 2005 have changed very little. There are, however, some significant changes in the specific details of many policies, along with some minor reorganization of the plan to provide greater clarity. The most important changes include: 1. A section called "Managing Growth" (2.2,2) has been added to give more explicit policy direction to the basic principles and goals of the plan. 2. The density targets for Urban Growth Centres have been changed from a single target of 200 people and jobs per hectare for all 25 centres to 3 sets of targets: - 400 people and jobs per hectare for the centres in Toronto; - 200 people and jobs per hectare for the centres in the inner ring and Waterloo Region; and - 150 people and jobs per hectare for the other centres (in the outer ring). 3. The Plan now specifically identifies 'major transit station areas' as targets for intensification. 4. A policy has been added recognizing the downtown Toronto office core as the primary centre for international finance and commerce of the GGH. II --... Toronto City Council 8 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 5. "Prime industrial lands" is a new tenn, though not defined. The Plan specifies that they may not be converted to non-employment or major retail uses, whereas it allows some municipal leeway to decide if other lands in designated employment areas may be converted 'through a municipal comprehensive review.' A subsequent ' sub-area assessment' will identify these prime industrial lands and other provincially significant employment areas. 6. An 'infrastructure planning' section has been added. It commits the province to 'multi-year infrastructure planning' and to giving priority to provincial investment that supports the Plan. 7. The water infrastructure section has been expanded, to provide clearer direction for the expansion of water systems. 8. The Plan now encourages watershed plans to guide water and wastewater servicing decisions. 9. A community infrastructure section has been added. 10. The Plan now requires a housing strategy for each upper / single tier municipality. II. The Plan no longer provides for the development of sub-area strategies (SAGS). Instead, 'sub-area assessments' will be used 'to refine the policies in the plan at a regional scale.' 12. The requirement to ensure alignment between projected growth and size and location of intensification areas, employment areas and designated growth areas has been deleted. 13. The plan now requires municipalities to develop and implement policies and strategies to support the couservation of water, energy and cultural heritage, to protect air quality and to integrate waste management 14. The discussion of transportation has dropped all reference to the proposed Greater Golden Horseshoe Transportation Strategy. How did the Province Respond to the City's Comments on the Draft Plan? Mayor Miller sent Council's response in a letter to the Hon. David Caplan, Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal. The major recommendations and the Provincial response are set out below. Further comments and follow-up recommendations are developed later in the report in the discussion of major issues and areas of comment. Council's comments and recommendations were: 1. Council's support for the Plan was contingent upon transit improvements and adequate sources of funding for infrastructure priorities being identified in the promised 10-year Infrastructure Strategy for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Provincial Response: The IO-year Infrastructure Strategy has not yet been released and is not mentioned in the proposed plan. Toronto City Council 9 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 2. Include policies disallowing the possibility of expansion of settlement areas into lands south of the Greenbelt Plan area prior to 2026. Provincial Response: not done. 3. Include policies directing population and employment growth and commensurate infrastructure investments to major cities in general, in addition to designated Centres and corridors and away from areas beyond the built boundary of all municipalities in the GGH. Provincial Response: The plan has not singled out major cities as targets for growth; the forecasted distribution of population and employment growth has not been changed; the intensification target of 40% of residential growth within the built-up area after 2015 has not been changed; the Greenfield density target of 50 residents and jobs per hectare has not been changed (except that it now applies to Outer Ring areas, which had a 40 residents and jobs per hectare target in the draft plan). 4. Include policies requiring that concentrations of office employment be distinguished from other forms of employment as means of prioritizing transit infrastructure investments. Provincial Response: The Policy directing major office development to areas with higher order transit services hlis been modified to specify 'urban growth centres, major transit station areas, or other areas with existing frequent transit service (not defined) or existing or planned higher order transit service.' The definition of major office has been changed, however, to raise the threshold from 1,850 m2 (20,000 sq. ft.) to include only office buildings of over 10,000 m2 (about 107,000 sq. ft.) or over 500 jobs. 5. Include policies addressing the social infrastructure needs and funding that will come with substantial population growth generally, and the specific needs that will be more pronounced within the City of Toronto in particular. Provincial Response: The proposed plan includes a new section (3.2.6) dealing with 'Community Infrastructure' which essentially sets out requirements normally part of good planning - that community infrastructure and land use planning should be coordinated, and appropriate infrastructure provided to meet needs of a changing population, etc. Funding is not discussed, nor are the special needs of Toronto. 6. Revise the proposed employment forecast for the City of Toronto to 1,835,000 jobs for the year 2031. Provincial Response: The forecast has not been changed. 7. Clarify within the final Growth Plan the intent, force and effect of the population, household and employment forecasts for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. And, further, that the forecasts be regarded as targets providing guidance for infrastructure and other planning purposes. Provincial Response: The policy now states that the forecasts 'will be used as the basis for planning and managing growth in the GGH.' Provincial staff advise that they are not targets. --rT""""" Toronto City Council 10 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1. Clause 4 8. Strengthen the natural system and conservation policies and in particular revise them to: (a) explicitly recognize the invaluable role that natural heritage plays in contributing to human health and well being, strong communities and a competitive economy; Provincial Response: not included in the policies, but there is a statement in the context ('The GGH is blessed with a broad array of unique natural and cultural heritage features and sites, and valuable natural and non-renewable resources that are essential for the long-term economic prosperity, quality of life, and environmental health of the region. '). (b) require planning authorities to adopt policies to protect and enhance the natural system within their jurisdiction; Provincial Response: No specific policy. The Provincial Policy Statement requires that natural features and areas shall be protected for the long term, and where possible, improved. This PPS policy will continue to apply in the GGH. (c) state that the criteria for identifying natural heritage features and areas, groundwater features and surface water features include the contribution that these features make to the local and regional landscape and require policies for protecting the natural system to be incorporated into municipal Official Plans; Provincial Response: no explicit policy regarding the features' contribution to the landscape, though the definition of natural heritage features, which is the same as that used in the PPS, includes features and areas 'which are important for their environmental and social values as a legacy of the natural landscapes of an area.' There is no requirement for policies in municipal Official Plans, although as noted above, the PPS will continue to apply in the GGH. (d) state that the natural system will recognize and include where possible the linkages between and among natural heritage features and areas; and Provincial Response: The Plan defines the natural system to 'include natural heritage features and areas and linkages between and among these features and with natural systems outside the GGH and inside the Greenbelt Area' (policy 4.2.1.2). (e) encourage municipalities to consider the design of new urban developments for energy conservation and waste diversion as well as for water conservation. Provincial Response: Policy 4.2.4.1 b) iv) includes 'urban design standards' as an item in a required strategy that addresses conservation including energy conservation, but there are no specific policies relating waste diversion or water conservation to urban design standards. Major Issues and Areas of Comment: The Plan's Content Economic Policy and Employment Forecasts - Although the Plan provides strong protection for Toronto's employment lands, (especially in tandem with the recent announcement that council decisions to refuse conversion applications cannot be appealed to the OMB), other policies need strengthening, particularly those that address office employment. The plan contains four key policies for Toronto's office sector: Toronto City Council 11 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2. 2006 Report 1 , Clause 4 2.2.6.2: The Downtown Toronto office core will continue to be the primary centre for international finance and commerce of the GGH. 2.2.6.3: Major office and appropriate major institutional development will be located in urban growth centres, major transit station areas, or other areas with existing frequent transit service, or existing or planned higher order transit service. 3.2.3.1: Public transit will be the first priority for transportation infrastructure planning and major transportation investments. 3.2.3.2: All decisions on transit planning and investment will be made according to the following criteria: (a) Using transit infrastructure to shape growth; (b) Placing priority on increasing capacity on existing transit systems to support intensification areas; and (c) - (f) (various other criteria). In addition, Schedule 3 shows Toronto's employment growing from 1,440,000 to 1,640,000 between 2001 and 2031. The forecast employment growth is about half that shown in the new Official Plan. In approving the new OP, the Minister modified the OP to include a specific target of 1,835,000 jobs in Toronto by 2031. The Growth Plan forecast is based on 'The Growth Outlook for the Greater Golden Horseshoe' prepared by Hemson Consulting following the 2001 Census. The new Official Plan's target is based on forecasts prepared after the 1996 Census. The Hemson forecasts show little change in jobs on Toronto's Employment Lands between 2001 and 2031, and population-related employment growth commensurate with the expected population growth in the City. The reduced overall forecast can, therefore, be ascribed largely to a more pessimistic view of Toronto's office prospects, and a lower overall jobs to population level in the City. This would appear to be at odds with the three key policies listed above, which would lead to the expectation of transit investment supporting extensive office development in Toronto, especially since a key criterion for transit investment is to place 'priority on increasing capacity on existing transit systems to support intensification areas.' Investment in Toronto's transit system offers the most cost effective (dollars per new job) means of supporting office development in intensification areas. The proposed sub-area regional economic assessment (see Sections 2.2.6. and 5.1.2 of the Proposed Plan) could, if amended, offer an opportunity to revisit and refine the employment forecast for Toronto and the rest of the GTA-Hamilton. The Plan should be changed to specifically provide for refinement of the employment forecast through the proposed sub-area assessments. Furthermore, the employment forecast should be reviewed at the same time as the sub-area assessment to refine and phase the proposed transportation network, so that transit provision and office development go hand-in-hand. II --".- Toronto City Council 12 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 To support this, the other policies noted above also need strengthening. Downtown - The policy dealing with Downtown Toronto should be revised to recognize the downtown as the prime office centre of Canada and to state that it will be supported and strengthened through investments in transit and other services. In addition, through sub-area assessment, provincially significant designated employment areas will be identified. It would be appropriate for Downtown Toronto to be identified as such an area. Definition of Major Office - The policy addressing office location is key to the plan because transit only works if large numbers of trip destinations are reasonably clustered together, and offices are the most effective vehicle for providing a high density of destinations. The definition of 'major office' needs to be changed from 'freestanding office buildings of 10,000 m2 or greater, or with 500 jobs or more' to 'freestanding office buildings of 25,000 square feet or more.' The present definition would allow too many office jobs to be located in areas that do not support transit (e.g., Meadowvale and the 401, or Highway 404 and Highway 7). About 25 percent of the office s~ace and 60 percent of the office buildings built in the GT A are in buildings between 2,00Om and 10,00Om2. The 25,000 sq. ft. criterion is based on the definition of office buildings used for Assessment Purposes to identify office buildings not eligible for the deferral on assessment increases that strip retail received (O.Reg. 282/98). Tax policy should be consistent with growth policy, as City Council has done with its recent tax policy decisions to encourage employment growth in the City. Employment land conversions - The policy dealing with conversion of employment lands to non-employment or major retail uses has been modified. Conversions are only permitted through a municipal comprehensive review where it has been demonstrated that the lands are not required over the long term for the employment purposes for which they have been designated. This is similar to the PPS policy, except that the Growth Plan addresses conversion to major retail uses. The Growth Plan also goes further than the PPS by specifying that conversions are only permitted where the review has demonstrated that the 'lands do not comprise 'prime industrial lands,' which will be identified through the sub-area economic assessment. The Growth Plan's definition of 'municipal comprehensive review' could be problematical. It is, "an official plan review, or an official plan amendment, initiated by a municipality that comprehensively applies the policies and schedules of this Plan." 'Comprehensively applying the plan' is somewhat vague. The definition would be improved by specifically including consideration of population and growth projections, alternative directions for growth, and how best to accommodate this growth, which are listed in the PPS definition of a comprehensive review. This would also then be consistent with the proposed amendments to the Planning Act (Bill 51). Major Transit Station Areas - The plan identifies major transit station areas as 'the area including and around any existing or planned higher order transit station ....' (i.e. a subway or RT station). They will be 'planned to serve as locations for large office and commercial development and achieve residential and employment densities that support existing and planned transit service levels.' Toronto's experience suggests that not all transit station areas should be required to perform all these functions. For example, 'large office and commercial development' may be out of place around some of the subway stations on the Bloor-Danforth line, although the new Official Plan's identification of the area along Bloor and Danforth as an Avenue generally Toronto City Council 13 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 achieves the same objective. Similarly, some stations may be located in Employment Districts (e.g. Ellesmere and Midland) where residential development may not be desired. So some fine tuning of this policy is in order. Revised Density Targets for Urban Growth Centres - Generally, the higher target of 400 residents and jobs per hectare is supported for Toronto's centres. Parts of Downtown and Yonge-Eglinton already exceed that target, while Scarborough, North York and Etobicoke have the potential to achieve it, but only if they can attract significant office development (one job requires about half the amount offloorspace as one resident). Strong enforcement of the policy restricting the location of major office development throughout the GGH, coupled with appropriate transit investment, will greatly assist achieving this objective. A higher density target may also be appropriate for some centres outside Toronto. Hamilton and Mississauga spring to mind. The plan should be revised to provide that when the scope and scale of the centres are refined, their development potential will also be assessed, and their density target increased if warranted. Settlement Area Boundary Expansion - The City's comment on the draft plan requested a freeze on the settlement area boundary south of the Oak Ridges Moraine until 2026. The plan does not do this. It does, however, effectively require provincial approval to increase the amount of designated greenfield area required to accommodate the growth forecasts, although determining the location of any new designated settlement area remains a municipal responsibility. Housing Strategy - The plan now requires that upper and single tier municipalities (including Toronto) develop a housing strategy that will address the need for affordable housing and support the intensification and density targets. Toronto's new Official Plan, in conjunction with the proposed Municipal Housing Statement / housing strategy being developed under the leadership of the Affordable Housing Office, will meet the City's obligations under this policy. Natural Heritage - Given the stress that intense urbanization in the GGH is placing on the natural systems, Policy 4.2.4 should be revised as follows: "Planning authorities are required to identify locally significant natural areas that link and augment the natural system and develop policies for its protection." The proposed plan 'encourages' municipalities to identify such areas and is silent on the need for policy to protect or enhance them. In addition, authority under the Planning Act and other tools to implement such policies remain inadequate. Tools should address natural heritage as a system, and enable municipalities to mitigate impacts rather than simply prohibiting any development. The City's earlier request for such tools should be repeated. Culture of Conservation - This section requires municipalities to adopt Official Plan policies and other strategies in support of conservation objectives. It is addressed only to municipalities. The Province also has a role to play here, and the Plan should explicitly acknowledge it. These policies should be expanded to include urban design standards that encourage and support water conservation and integrated waste management, in addition to energy conservation. II Toronto City Council 14 Planning and Transportation Commtttee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1 , Clause 4 Major Issues and Areas of Comment: Implementing the Plan The plan is a good starting point (with the caveats discussed above). As the Plan itself says, however, 'key to the success of the Plan is its effective implementation.' Its eventual success remains to be proven. The Plan itself contains clear direction for some elements of its implementation, particularly those that are municipal responsibilities. On the other hand, the Plan commits the Provincial government to very little, particularly when it comes to infrastructure investment (we are still waiting for the Transportation Strategy for the GGH). Additional mapping - The Plan commits the Province to work with upper- and single- tier municipalities to clearly define the boundary of the built-up urban area, the scope and scale of urban growth centres and the amount of designated Greenfield area required for future growth. These are important 'technical' components needed to implement some of the Plan's key policies: that 40 percent of new development after 2015 should be in the built-up urban area; that growth should be focused on urban growth centres; and that further greenfield development should be tightly controlled. Toronto will only playa minor role in this activity. Toronto is wholly within the built-up area, which means that all of its development is 'intensification,' and that it has no greenfields. The City's Centres are well-defined in the new Official Plan, although some work may be needed to define the parts of the Downtown to which the Growth Plan's policies will apply (especially the density target). Toronto also has an interest in the amount of designated greenfield in the rest of the GTA-Hamilton sub-area. With the elimination of the Sub-Area Growth Strategies (see below), however, it will not now be part of the process for determining the amount or location of designated settlement area. The review of the need for and amount of additional designated Greenfield area (policy 2.2.8.2) should be done at the sub-area level. Achieving intensification - The Plan provides for the implementation of its intensification target by requiring upper- and single-tier municipalities to adopt official plan policies and 'outline a strategy' to achieve the target, and also to use the phasing of greenfield development to achieve the intensification target. This approach relies on planning controls. The Plan also directs the Province and municipalities to use infrastructure investment and other implementation tools and mechanisms to facilitate intensification. Many of these tools require further development (see the discussion below of 'related tools'). This policy could be modified to more explicitly provide that provincial investment will be linked to municipal policies and strategies and contingent on progress in achieving intensification. Sub-area Assessment - The draft plan relied heavily on Sub-Area Growth Strategies (SAGS) as an important element of the Plan's implementation. The notion of a comprehensive strategy to implement the Plan in the GTA-Hamilton sub-area has been eliminated, and replaced with separate sub-area assessments of major implementation components: economic competitiveness, transportation and water infrastructure, and protection of natural heritage and agricultural land. These sub-area assessments may inform 'implementation strategies.' Implementation analysis and policy development that had previously been a component of the SAGS is now a more direct responsibility of upper- and single- tier municipalities or of the Province, in consultation with the municipalities. Toronto City Council 15 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Although the SAGS may have been too comprehensive, the revised approach is also problematical. The policies for the sub-area assessments of economic competitiveness and water infrastructure should be modified to more specifically indicate that the research will lead to new or refined policies, strategies, priority-setting and phasing, and other actions. In addition the policy for the transportation sub-area assessments should clearly indicate that they will identify priorities for investment. The draft Plan directed that the SAGS would be used to address waste management in the GGH. The proposed Plan, through its Culture of Conservation policies, requires municipalities to address waste management. Waste management is a pressing issue, one that should be addressed at the sub-area level, and with provincial and private sector participation. The Plan should be amended to reflect this. Sub-area assessment should consider together the distribution of growth with the provision of infrastructure. It should not simply be a matter of providing infrastructure to support the distribution of growth shown in the forecasts, which are based partly on recent patterns of employment sprawl across the greenfields in the GTA. The planned distribution of growth should also be modified, if necessary, to reflect the best 'infrastructure solutions' as they are developed through sub-area assessments. Such modifications may also result in changes to local intensification targets and density targets. Infrastructure Provision - Toronto City Council's previous support for the Growth Plan was contingent on 'transit improvements and adequate sources of funding for infrastructure priorities being identified in the promised 10-year infrastructure strategy for the GGH.' The lO-year strategy has not been released, and there is no sign of it on the horizon. The Plan now refers to 'multi-year infrastructure planning' (policy 3.2.1.3). The detailed phasing and funding of infrastructure remains crucial to the Plan's success. The sub-area assessments provide for 'refinement and phasing of the proposed transportation network' and 'analysis of water/wastewater capacity and requirements to serve projected growth.' These would be key inputs to the lO-year strategy, so they should be completed as soon as possible to support the strategy, and to begin the effective implementation of the Plan. AB noted above, however, they should, where necessary, be complimented by a broader sub-area assessment and refinement of the Plan's policies; and they should more explicitly identify priorities for investment. Transportation - Developing a strategy for funding transit expansion throughout the region is probably the single most important part of the Growth Plan's implementation. In addition, the role of the proposed GTTA needs to be agreed upon and defined. AB the City's earlier comments on the Places to Grow initiative have noted, the Province should give greater support to transportation demand management (TDM) strategies by, for example, partnering with the GTA municipalities in support of the Smart Commute Association initiative. r. Toronto City Council 16 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Community infrastructure - The new section on Community Infrastructure partly addresses the City's earlier concerns over the Plan's silence in this area. It does not, however, deal with funding issues for the infrastructure or for services such as immigrant settlement services. These should also be considered as part of the lO-year infrastructure strategy, which should also address major services partly funded by the Province such as universities, hospitals and schools. Air Quality - hnproving air quality and slowing climate change is one of the key rationales for the intensification - transit nexus of the Growth Plan's policies. Yet this receives only passing mention in the contextual information in the Plan. The Plan needs to be much more explicit about the links between improving air quality and the Plan's emphasis on intensification and transit. The proposed Plan adopts a suggestion from the City's staff report on the draft Plan to address a wider range of air quality issues than those associated with energy conservation and transportation demand management. It now requires municipalities to develop and implement official plan policies and strategies that support reduction in emissions from municipal and residential sources. This is an area where municipalities may not have adequate resources or expertise, and where similar solutions will apply to most places in the GGH. It would be appropriate for the Province to assist municipalities with research and policy development, guidelines, and possibly a statement in the PPS. Monitoring - The Plan commits the Province and requires municipalities to monitor the implementation of the Plan. But it needs to go further, by committing to monitor the impacts of growth and urban development in the GGH on the environment, the economy and quality oflife. This monitoring should result in evaluations of the Plan and its policies that will be important inputs to the lO-year review of the Plan required by the Places to Grow Act. hnplementation Assistance for Municipalities - The Plan is a 'high level' plan, with few specific details or targets. It leaves it up to municipalities and the Province itself to develop greater precision as the plan is implemented. Many of the policies, strategies and other implementation solutions will apply to most places in the GGH. This is another area where the Province could provide valuable assistance to municipalities - particularly through the development of guidelines, some of which may involve more specific targets. Examples include guidelines and/or targets for waste diversion, air quality (see comment above), modal share splits based on the Plan's intensification and density targets, and community design. Related tools - Previous comments on the Places to Grow initiative have identified the need for other tools to support the growth plan's implementation. These are still important, especially: Development Charges Act Reform - municipalities should be able to recover the full cost of growth-related infrastructure, to base charges for transit on an approved tnuisit development strategy rather than average service costs over the past ten years, and to charge for all municipal services to support complete communities. The Province should move forward with a review of the Development Charges Act as soon as possible to support the implementation of the Plan. Toronto City Council 17 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report 1, Clause 4 Fiscal Tools - there is a wide range of fiscal tools such as Tax Increment Financing, or tax policies that can be used to encourage more compact development and transit use, and to discourage auto use and low density sprawl by ensuring they pay their full costs. The Province should pursue these tools and policies to support the Growth Plan. For example, Council's action on tax policy supports the City's new Official Plan and this Growth Plan, but for these policies to be fully effective the Province must change its policy so that Toronto businesses have the same tax rate for the education portion of the property tax as businesses in the rest of the GT A. Environmental Assessment Act Reform - the environmental assessment process can be very costly and cause major delays in the implementation of the transit and other infrastructure needed to support the growth plan's implementation. The Environmental Assessment Act should be revised to streamline the approval of transit projects, and other projects, that have been identified in Official Plans or in the Growth Plan itself. Inclusionary Zoning - The Growth Plan requires that municipalities develop strategies for the provision of affordable housing. An important tool for achieving this objective is engaging the private sector in constructing affordable housing. Inclusionary zoning, which requires that affordable housing be a component of residential or mixed use development, is a necessary tool for achieving this important provincial objective. Conclusions: The Proposed Growth Plan is the starting point for a new era of managing growth in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Council should support its overall direction. It is consistent with the City's approach in its new Official Plan, with its emphasis on intensification, transit, centres, competitiveness, integrating land use planning with infrastructure planning, and protecting valuable cultural and natural heritage. It is only a starting point, however. Its implementation will be key to its success, particularly a clear strategy for funding and phasing transit and other infrastructure. Municipalities and other stakeholders have been closely and influentially involved in the Plan's development. It will only be implemented successfully if the Province continues to work with them as partners. 1bis report's recommendations are generally aimed at improving the likelihood of successful implementation, particularly in building on the economic strengths of the City. Contact: Barbara Leonhardt Director, Policy and Research City Planning Division Tel: 392-8148 Fax: 392-3821 Email: bleonha@toronto.ca II Toronto City Council 18 Planning and Transportation Committee January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Report I, Clause 4 (Copies of the Attachment - Proposed Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (November 2005), referred to in the foregoing report, were forwarded to all Members of Council with the January 9, 2006 agenda of the Planning and Transportation Committee, and copies thereof are also on file in the Office of the City Clerk.) City Council- January 31, February 1 and 2, 2006 Council also considered the following: Communication: - (January 23, 2006) from Martha A. Pettit, Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk, Town of Ajax [Communication 16(a)j. 03/01/2006 WED 11:07 FAX 9059573219 Twp West Lincoln ~ 0021003 TOWNSHIP OF WEST LINCOLN 31 a Canborough Street P.O. Box 400 Smlthville, Ontario Corporate Services Department LOR 2AO Phone: (905) 957-3346 Fax: (905) 957-3219 February 28, 2006 The Honourable Harinder Takhar Minister of Transportation 3rd Floor, Ferguson Block 77 Wellesley Street West Toronto, ON M7A lZ8 Dear Honourable TakhaT: Re: RenAminl! of Hil!hwav 140 as Hil!hwav 406 This is to eonfinn that on Monday, February 27, 2006, We8t Lincoln Township CoWleil adopted the following resolution, from the February 20, 2006 Public W orkslRecreationl Arena Committee Meeting: ITEM PW33-06 That, the correspondence received from the City of Port Colborne, dated January 31, 2006, requesting support of the following resolution regarding the renaming of Highway 140 as Highway 406: (1) "WHEREAS the Ministry of Transportation made an annoWlcement on JWle 9, 2005 on the widening of Highway 406 from south ofBcaverdams Road to Port Robinson Road and tbat planning, property acquisition and environmental assessments are Wlderway for the remaining portion to East Main Street in We1land; (2) AND WHEREAS the Ministry proposes that the future extension of Highway 406 into Port Colborne would be on a westerly route through Weiland to connect up with Highway 58; (3) AND WHEREAS Mayor's and senior staff of the cities of Port Colborne and Weiland met with the Ministry of Transportation on January 4th, 2006 to discuss the routing of Highway 406 into Port Colbornc by using Highway 140; .(4) , NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Corporation of the City of Port Colborne resolves .~.,,--- to ask that the Ministry ofTransporation rename Highway 140 to Highway 406 and include the Highway 140 route for the Highway 406 extension in the Environmental Assessment that is to be done for the Niagara to OTA Conidor, (5) That a eopy of this resolution be fOlWarded to the City of Weiland and other Area Municipalities, the Regional Mwlicipality of Niagara and T. Hudak, M.P.P. for support." be received and supported. iurs:I::;~ ae~ie Thrower ' Confidential Secretary . I. -.- . ,''Ie ,. OFFICE OF THE: MAYOR ~~; CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER CLERK .";,,,'~!r DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES THE CORPORATION OF THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TOWN OF PELHAM TEL (90S) 892-2607 DIRECTOR OF PLANNING SERVICES DIRECTOR OF BUILDING & ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FAX (90S) 892.5055 POST OFFICE BOX 400 PELHAM MUNICIPAL BUilDING, 20 PELHAM TOWN SQUARE FONTHILL, ONTARIO LOS lED February 21, 2006 THE HONOURABLE HARINDER TAKHAR MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION 3RD FLOOR, FERGUSON BLOCK 77 WELLESLEY STREET WEST TORONTO ON M7A lZ8 Dear Honourable Takhar: This is to advise that Council of the Town of Pelham, at its regular meeting held on Monday, February 20,2006, resolved to enact the following resolution: "THAT Council of the Town of Pelham endorse and support the resolution enacted by the City of Port Colbome at their meeting held January 24, 2006 whereby they request that the Ministry of Transportation rename Highway 140 to Highway 406 and to include the Highway 140 route for the Highway 406 extension in the Environmental Assessment that is to be done for the Niagara to GT A Corridor; AND THAT a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Ministry of Transportation, local MPP's, Regional Municipality of Niagara; City of Port Colbome and area municipalities." Yours very truly, % TOWN OF PELHAM - f; ~V'.N.J-~- "" ~ Cheryl Mic ette, AMCT i Town Clerk . s<: Cc: Local MPP's ~ Regional Municipality of Niagara @ ,::. ...... City of Port Colbome Area Municipalities ,-- II 02124/06 10:03 FAX 9058714022 TOWN FORT ER1E Illi 0021002 - Office of the Clerk FebruaIy 15, 2006 File #120204 Janet Beckett, City Clerk City of Port Colborne 66 Charlotte Street Port Colbome, ON L3K 3C8 Dear Ms. Beckett: Re: Request Region to Co-Challenge 'l'VN Niagara's application to the CRTC In response to your communication regarding the above matter, the following resolution was passed by the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its meeting of Februaxy 13, 2006: THAT: The Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie hereby supports the resolution of the City of Port Colbome to request the Regional Municipality of Niagara to investigate a eo-<:hallenge in the courts, under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and in the interests of all citizens in the Region, of the Canadian Radio Television and Telecommunication's decision on November 18, 2005 10 deny the applica~on of TVN Niagara Inc. for license to operate a television programming IJndertaking to serve the Niagara Region. Trusting this meets with your requirements. Carolyn J. Kett, A.M.C.T.. To'\VI1 Clerk ckgf1(QJforteri.e.on.ca CJK/dlk e_c. Pam Gilroy, Clerk, Regional Municipality or Niagara - VIA FAX 905-685-6243 J. MBloncy, M.P. Weiland.. VIA FAX 1..90~188..0071 T. H.udak, M.P.P. Erie-Uncoln - VIA FAX 905-994-1140 W. Wilkes, lVN Niagara Inc. - VIA EMAlL D_ Martin, Regional Councillor Area Munidpalities - VIA. FAX Malling Address; The CoIponlion of Ihe Town of Fort Brie Municipal Centre. 1 Municipal Cen"" Drive Fort Erie. Oowio. Canada UA 186 Office Hours 8:30 a.m. to 5;00 p.",- Phone (90S) 811-1600 F.. CIOS)871-4022 Wcb--.si[e: www.foncricTon.C8. I. ---_.- I Deal1lCl,rfida- ,Res.ClllJtiClI1~Ka'NadhaLakes,.3J@Feb27.lldf . Pagell City of The Corporation of the ~WART City of Kawartha Lakes P,O, Box 9000, 26 Frands St, Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5R8 Tel: (705) 324-9411 exl 320, 1 888-822-2225 Fax: (705) 324-8110 Catch the Kawartha sPirit bkeJ/v(fj)c itv.kawarthalake S.on.ca Barbara A. Kelly, Mayor February 27, 2006 Premier Dalton McGuinty Premier of Ontario 99 VIIOlesley Street \M1itney Block, 6th Floor Toronto ON M7A 1WJ Dear Premier McGLinty: Re: Municipal Property Assessment Corporation PI the Council meeting of February 7. 2006 the COl<1CiI of the City of Kawartha Lakes passed the following resolution: Moved by Councillor R. McGee, seconded by Councillor Marsh, WI-IE REAS the Provincial Government originally was financially res~ible for the provision of ~ Assessment in Ontario: AND WHEREAS this cost to Ontario municipalities creates hardship for municipal taxpayers; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Goverrvnent of Ontario immediately assume responsi!>lity for fLlI cost of MPAC (MLJ1idpal Property Assessment CoIporation) and fheir services; AND THAT tlls resolution be c;rculated fhrough AMO to all Octano muric;palnies and MPPs, CARRIED CHR2006-30 This resolution was passed along personally to yoor Ministry of Finance staff at the recent OGRAlROMA Conference held in Toronto. It was again also suggested that, if municipalitie s are to contil'lJe to be responsi!>e fLl~ for the costs, then we shOOd also be allowed to 'opt out of MPAC' to consider our awn solutions to providing this service. VI/e look faward to hearing back from yCY.S Government en His matter. Yours truly, ~ <? ~-4 Mayor Barbara Kelly City of Kawartha Lakes BKph c.c. PMO MPP's I. ----.---- I. bearl,.lorfia,a.~.Resolu!i~n:~a\yaritiCl.~~kesL2666Fe~1,.4.'fldf Page 11 City of The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes ~WART P,O, Box 9000, 26 Franas St, Lindsay, Ontario K9V 5R8 Tel: (705)324-9411 exl 320,1888-822-2225 Fax: (705) 324-8110 C..ateh the Kawartha spirit bkelMii>citv.kawarlhalake s,on.ca Barbara A. Kelly, Mayor February 14,2006 Premier Dalton r/d3uinty Premier ofOnlario 99 \'\tlllesley Street, \^.ot1itney Blod<, 6th Floor ToronlO ONM7A 1VV3 Dear Premier McGuinty: Re: Provincial Relief At the City ofKawartha Lakes Council meeting of February 7 ,2006, the following resolution 'NaS approved: Moved by Mayor Kelly, seconded by CounclHor VHlemalre, RECOMMEND THAT VllHEREAS municipal governmen1s j n Ontario are required to subsidize p revinda1 health and social services programs, like \Nelfare and employment services, disability benefits, drug benefits, sodal housing, d'lild care, homes for the aged, public health and ambulance serviceS; AND V\lHEREAS rrany young families and seniors in Ontario are finding the municipal property tax tl be a financial hardship; AND V\lHEREAS other housing oosls sum as hydro rates, natural gas rates and cosls for water and sewer treatment and virtually all oosts of running a home are increasing sharply; AND VVHEREAS the inoomes ofworking families and seniors have not kept pace Vvflt1 these escalating oosts; AND VVHEREAS due to increases i n municipal property tax and other housing oosts many working families and seniors may be forced out of their homes and the oonmunities t hat they love; NOW THEREFORE BElT RESOLVED THAT the resolution from the City of Port Colborne be supported, specifically the following: THAT t he Province of Ontario be requemd tl provide relief and remedy for working families and seniors who are hardest hit by unacx:eptable spikes in the oost ofliving and by1tle likely property tax increases to oome; a nd THAT t he Province of Ontario be requested tl end ils dO'Mlloading of provincal programs and the use ofmunicipaf property tax dollars for the subsidization 0 fprovincial heal1h and social services programs; and THATt he Province of Ontario be urged to workw ith the Association 0 fMunicipalitie sof Ontario to develop a plan to begin the irrmediate uploading ofprovindal program oosts b ad< to w here they belong to be funded through Provincial revenues. lHATt his resolution of support be forwarded to the Prenier of Ontario, T he Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, The Minister ot Finance, and The Association ofMunidpalitie sot Ontario, along with Laurie Scott, MPP for support CARRIED CHR2006-19 'We are enoouraged by your recent announcement that you are looking seriously at the fiscal irrtlalances between our levels of Government through a tri-Ievel commission. However, t here is a need to address 1hese matters as quickly as possible i n order to respond to the pressures on \o\Orking famlies and seniors. We look forward to your serious and immediate review of this m aller. Yours truly, ~ t1~4 Mayor Barbara Kelly City ofKawartha Lakes BK:ph John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Mairs & Housing DMght Duncan, Minister of Finance M10 Ulurie Scott, MPP -~ -----.- ILbeanlClrfida:ReSClllJliClrl" Ka~arthalakes?job6i=eb27.pdf" Page 11 City of The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes IQ\WART P,O, Box 9000, 26 Franas St., Lindsay. Ontario KSV 5R8 Tel: (705)324-9411 ext 320. 1 888-822-2225 Fax: (705) 324-8110 Catch the Kawartha s/Jirit bkel/y@.cfly.kawarthalake s,on. ca Barbara A. Kelly, Mayor February Z7, 2000 Premier Dalton McGLinty Premier of Ontario 99 Wellesley Street \M1itney Block, 6th Floor Toronto ON M7A 1W3 Re: Source Water Protection Dear Premier McGLinty: N. the Febru!V}' 7, 2000 City of Kawartha Lakes Coun eil Meeting. the following resolution was approved: Kf-IEREAS the Government of Ontario recognizes and concludes that "Water Knows No Jurisdiction" ; AND WHEREAS water is one of Ontario's primary natural resources; AND WHEREAS the Government is vested with responsibility for the management of Ontario's natural resources through the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR); THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THATtJ/fJ Government of Ontario be requeSfI!d to take the necessary action to place Source Wlter Protection with the MNR; and THAT this be sent to the Association of Munlclpalitie 5 of Ontario for circulation to all Ontario municipalities and all M.P.P. 's. CARRIED CR20Q6.109 As discussed with various Ministries over the last 'Nee!<: at the Rural Ontario MlJ1icipalities Association Conference, the affordability cn:t sustainability of water legislation, including Source Water Protection is certairiy in question. As part of cons idering responsibility for this natlJ"al resOll"Ce, it is respectfuly requested that the financial responsibility of all water-related matters also be assL.med by the Province, Yours truly, z5'~ t?~~ Maya Barbara Kelly City of Kawartha Lakes BKph Minster of the Environment Minster of MlJ1idpal Affairs & Housing Lauie Scoll. MPP fWlO ~----_..- ,. ----- WORD. UIIi S, Watkiss CitvC~ City Clerk', Offlce Tel: (416) 392-8016 City Hall, 12th Floor West Fax: (416) 392-2980 100 Queen Street West clerk@toronto.ca Toronto, Ontario MSH 2N2 ht1pi/www,toronto,ca Ref: 2006-03-J(2) February 17, 2006 ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN ONTARIO: City Council on February 14, 2006, adopted, without amendment, the following Motion: J(2) Request to Federal and Provincial Governments to Preserve the National Child Care Program - Protect IDgh Quality Accessible Child Care in Toronto Moved by Councillor Davis. seconded by Mayor Miller "WHEREAS Toronto City Council endorsed the following six-point action plan for building a national Early Learning and Child Care program at its meeting on November 30, December 1 and 2, 2004: (i) moving from the current user pay and subsidy system to publicly funded programs, as in Quebec and other OECD countries; (ii) introducing standards that guarantee quality, universally accessible, developmental, inclusive programming like the Canada Health Act, the principles of child care needs to be enshrined in legislation; (iii) maintaining existing federal commitments (Canada Social Transfer, Early Childhood Development Initiative and Multilateral Framework Agreement funding); (iv) dedicating a separate adequate designated funding stream for a new, long-tenn federal transfer to provinces and territories; (v) agreeing that all expansion takes place through public and/or not for profit delivery; existing for-profit programs may be grand-parented; and (vi) including provincial and territorial accountability, tied to five-year plans that include goals and objectives, timelines and targets, review and evaluation as they build new Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) systems; and WHEREAS the City of Toronto received $46 million for child care in 2005 and will receive $80 million in 2006 from the federal Early Learning and Child Care funding, which will add 2,275 new child care spaces in Toronto; and ...2/ II -2- WHEREAS under the existing federal program, the City of Toronto would have received an additional $236 million over the life of the five-year program and added a total of5,855 licensed and subsidized child care spaces in the City of Toronto; and WHEREAS the cancellation of the federal Early Leaming and Child Care program by the new Conservative Government puts the City of Toronto's child care system and those new spaces in jeopardy; and WHEREAS the lost funding will leave many children in the City of Toronto without quality accessible child care; and WHEREAS the Conservative Government's proposed child care income support for families is a valid policy goal but is not a substitute for public investment in high quality early learning and child care programs; and WHEREAS less than $100.00 a month, after taxes, comes nowhere close to covering the cost of high quality child care, and tax credits for employers will not create sustainable, equitable child care programs; and WHEREAS without a national child care program, there will be no choice in child care for parents; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Mayor Miller, on behalf of Council and the residents of the City of Toronto, work with the federal and provincial governments to preserve the national child care program and the Ontario federal-provincial child care agreement; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto work with families, child care programs, and child care advocacy groups to ensure that the federal government fulfils its five-year funding commitment to build a national early learning and child care system in Toronto and Canada; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this motion be circulated to the other municipalities in Ontario." ~;?/-' .' for City Cler M. Toft/cd Sent to: Mayor David Miller All Municipalities in Ontario c. General Manager, Children's Services 02123/06 17:18 FAX 9058714022 TOWN OF FORT ERIE IiiJ 0021004 -' -- Office of the Clerk FebrulllY 23,2006 File #230404 The Honourable Dwight Duncan The Honourable John Gerretsen Minister of Finance Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing Frost Building South 777 Bay Street 7 Queen's Park Cr. Toronto, ON M5G 2W5 Toronto, ON M7A 1Y7 Honourable and Dear Sirs: Re: Ontario PartneJ:smp Fund Alloc:ations for 2006 In response to your commwrication regarding the above matter, the following resolution was passed by the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie at its meeting of February 13, 2006: WHEREAS the provincial government has announced an extension of funding for the Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund ("OMPF")to 2006 and an extension of the phaslHlul.lCalegyto 2010, and WHEREAS the provincial government is increasing 2006 allocations under the program by ~51 million (7.7%) to $707 million, and WHEREAS the OMPF was designed to address a number of problems inherent in the former Community Reinstatement Fund, which the current provincial govemment slates was inequitable, onerously complex and left muni"ipalities with similar cilCUmslances receiving different I........ of funding, and WHEREAS the OMPF I. supposed to be a transparent system of grants that ensures equitable funding among municipalities In similar circumstances. and WHEREAS the provincial govemment states that K is committed to working in partnership with municipalKies, and WHEREAS OMPF allocations will be used by munlcipalKies lo supplement their general tax levy, and WHEREAS there is no apparent justification for the vast disparity In allocations from the OMPF to tha various communities, and WHEREAS the residents of the Town of Fort Ere are entitled to fair traatment and equity from the provincial government, and WHEREAS the Town of Fort Erie has been allocated $88,000 under the 2006 OMPF, as in 2005, whereas all but one other municipality in NiagaJ8, (Pelham) will continue to receive signifICantly grealer funding. and WHEREAS circumstances in Fort Erie are similar to those of other municipalities In Niagara; NOW THEREFOI'lE BE IT RESOLVED by the Municipal Council of the Town of Fort Erie that it elCpress disappointment and dissatisfaction with the continued inequity in the implementation of the 2006 OMPF allocations, and ../2 Mailing Address: The Corponuion of dJt Town of Port Erie Municipal CcdiEre, I Municipal CeDlIC Dri'le Fen Erie. Ontario, Canida L2A 2S6 Office Ho"", 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m, Phone (90S) 87 I-J 600 Fa. (9051 871-40:12 Web-site: W\VW.forteric_on_CR I" 02123/06 17:18 FAX 9058714022 TOWN OF FORT ERIE ~ 003/004 The Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance The Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing February 23, 2006 Page Two THAT: The Minister of Finance review its calculations end methodology for arriving at the OMPF allocations to ensure that the Town of Fort Erie receives a fair and equitable allocation of funding for 2006. and further THAT: The Minister of Finance be respectfully requested to meet with the Mayor and Town staff to review the Fort Erie 2006 OMPF allocation and disparities in Niagara, and further THAT: The appropriate persons be so notified ofthis action. By way of background, His Worship Mayor Wayne Redekop introduced the above resolution and explained the purpose of the creation of the OMPF was "designed to address a number of problems inherent in the former CRF" as stated in your letter of January 27, 2006. In addition, you indicate in the letter "by contrast, the OMPF consists of a transparent system of grants and ensures municipalities in similar circumstances are provided with similar amounts of funding." The Town of Fort Erie is of the view the OMPF continues to be inequitable and is not based on fair funding criteria. At one time, the Town of Pelham was the only municipality in the Niagara Region that didn't receive any funding. Now Fort Erie receives $88,000 and Pelham receives $26,000. Mayor Redekop emphasized the objective of his resolution is not to take money away from other municipalities in Niagara but to highlight to the Province the disparate funding amongst the Niagara municipalities from a high of $3.3 million to a low of $26,000. It is hard to imagine equity in that sense. Despite the calculation method, there must be some better explanation than the calculation you have used. In addition, it appears the Provincial Government has not considered the implications of the designation of provincially significant wetlands by the Ministry of Natural Resources. For example, there are approximately 2100 hectares of provincially significant wetland and 96 hectares of locally significant wetland in Fort Erie, rendering these lands undevelopable. Our Director of Finance, Mrs. Margaret Neubauer, indicated at the meeting that what is driving these grants is adherence to the 1997-1998 formula. She advised she visited the Province at that time and it was explained that municipalities that were primarily residential did not receive much in the way of funding. Those municipalities with higher commercial development received higher levels of funding. We respectfully await notice from your office respecting a suitable date to meet with Mayor Redekop and Town staff. Your office can contact Ms. Diana Kelley, Executive Assistant Mayor/Clerk at ext. 204 to schedule the meeting. .../3 02123/06 17:19 FAX 9058714022 TOWN OF FORT E~IE I4i 0041004 _.~-- The Honourable Dwight Duncan, Minister of Finance The Honourable John Gerretsen, Minister of Municipal Affairs &. Housing February 23, 2006 Page Three Thanking you for your attention to this matter. Carolyn J. Kett, A.M.C.T., Town Clerk ck.et1f@forte.rie.on.ca CJK(dIk cc: T, Hudak, M.P.P. Erie-Lincoln - V1A FAX 905-994-1140 K. Craitor, M.P.P. Niagara Fall. - V1A FAX 905-357-9456 D. Martin, Regional Councillor P. Gilroy, Clerk, Reg;.onal Municipality of Niagara - V1A FAX 905-685-6243 Area Municipalities - VIA FAX H. Schlange, Chief J\.dministrative Officer M. Neubauer, Director of Corporate Services I. ~ I ONTARIO SMALL URBAN MUNICIPALITIES . ASSOCIATION OF MUNICIPALITIES OF ONTARIO Office of the 57 West Street Administrative Officer: Goderich, Ontario N7 A 2K5 Tel: (519) 524-8344 Fax: (519) 524-7209 Email:lmccabe@goderich.ca February 21,2006 Dear Head of Council and Members of Council: RE: 2006 OSUM Conference & Trade Show Please join us in the Municipality of Leamington for the OSUM 53n1 Annual Conference and Trade Show from May 3n1_5lh, 2006. Further Conference and Trade Show information can be found on The Municipality of Leamington website at www.1eamimrton.ca. Registration, accommodation and program information has already been distributed by the Municipality of Leamington and general inquiries may be directed to Rochelle Emery- Luckett at 519-326-5761 ext. 206 or rluckett@leamington.ca. Cheques fQr registration fees should be made payable to the Corporation of the Municipality of Leamington. For those interested with the OSUM Executive Committee, a nomination form is enclosed and will be received by the undersigned until April 14. 2006. The Conference Program has a wide variety of topics and allows for opportunity for delegate participation. Please plan on attending the Conference to obtain current information on municipal issues. .~..,<~'\-';:.._~:., .~-; .~~, A/', '.. \ '\. ~..,l._"_""""" ;' 1 ,.,~ ;~ <>' .... '" <( .. !rlECEIVED ~ FEB 2 ;;; 2006 Encl. MAVOR'SOFACE ._-_._~ From: Information Niagara 905-682-6611; FAX. 905-682-4314 Date: 3/6/06 TIme: 10:31:44 PM Page lof1 THE HEAD INJURY ASSOCIATION OF FORT ERIE (HIAFE) is HOSTING a FUNDRAISER THE 4TH ANNUAL MAYOR'S CUP FRIDAY MARCH 31, 2006 CHALLENGE HOCKEY GAME - between Canada Customs and the Mayor's team 4pm to 5:30 pm SILENT AUCTION - 5 pm to 8 pm DINNER - 6:30 pm DANCE To-MORE BAD NEWS AND THE HORNS FROM HELL 9pmtolam at FORT ERIE LEISUREPLEX ARENA AND BANQUET HALL Tickets available from HIAFE 905-871-7789 or Town of Fort Erie 905-871-1600 Ex!. 204 $30.00 each Proceeds: Head Injury Association of Fort Erie and the Children of the Gulf Coastal Relief . ~_.- .. --..- , Page I of2 Dean Iorfida - Peter F. Drucker Awards 2006 From: "Kai T Bucht" <stjanfbr@cogeco.net> To: "Sue@Niagarafallschamber.Com" <sue@niagarafallschamber.com>, "Sergio Bollito" <sergio.bollito@redcross.ca>, "Rich Gark" <rgark@cogeco.ca>, "Rev Dean Willich" <yorick@cogeco.ca>, "Paul Herbert" <prherbert@cogeco.ca>, "Patricia Marcella" <epjmar@niagara.com>, "Pat Gray" <pat.gray@thewirelessage.com>, "Niagara News" <niagaranews@cogeco.net>, "Mike Hill" <mhill526@hotmail.com>, "Marilyn Chase" <monroe35@hotmail.com>, "Ken Burden" <kburden@city.niagarafalls.on.ca>, "Heather (Business Banking) Matthews" <heather.matthews@rbc.com>, "Harvey Freel" <harveyfreel@hotmail.com>, "Bill Delaney" <william.delaney@sympatico.ca>, "Calan Boyle" <cboyle@niagaracommunitynewspapers.com>, "Carol Stewart-Kirkby" <carolsk@caninet.com>, "Craitor _ Kim- MPP-CO" <kcraitor.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org>, "Darryl Freel" <darryIJreel@hotmail.com>, "Dean Iorfida" <diorfida@city.niagarafalls.on.ca>, "Garry & Mary-Ann Cartwright" <gcartwright@cogeco.ca>, "Gill Tucker" <gilsyt@hotmail.com>, "Gord Chase" <guschase@hotmail.com>, "Jim Davey" <jimd@nfalls.crawfordss.com>, "Jim Shields at Business Link Niagara" <info@businesslinkniagara.com>, "Nancy D Haywood" <nancy.haywood@sympatico.ca>, "Terry Librock" <tlibrock@niagaratransit.com>, "Jackie work Zufelt" <ncav@cogeco.net>, "Jenn Dyck" <jdyckl_@excite.com>, "Lydia at home Tarasiuk" <Iydialily@sympatico.ca>, "Rhean Ongcangco" <rheanongcangco@hotmail.com>, "Pete Corfield" <pcorfield@cogeco.ca>, "Jeff Cairns" <jeffcairns@cogeco.net>, "Joyce Monteith" <jlmonteith@sympatico.ca>, "Carol Newman" <c1jones@bellnet.ca>, "Mark Newman" <mnewman5@cogeco.ca>, "Ray Anderson" <bertl@cogeco.ca>, "Carl Thomas" <ThomasEnterprises@cogeco.ca>, "Anita Mackenzie" <amackenzie26@cogeco.ca> Date: 3/3/2006 I :03 PM Subject: Peter F. Drucker Awards 2006 CC: "Alaric Woodrow" <awoodrow@on.sja.ca>, "Colleen Greer" <cgreer@on.sja.ca> I am pleased to announce that St John Ambulance Niagara Falls Branch won the Peter F, Drucker Award for Operational Efficiency for 2006, The criteria for the award was: Ql!erational Efficiency It could be the result of a new approach to administrative practices, an innovative way to use technology or a holistic approach that encompasses these tactics and more. Uitimately Operational Efficiency saves time, energy and money, allowing an organization to focus on its real business: delivering services and achieving its mission, Key indicators were: . Tools and tactics in place designed to improve organizational performance: improve service delivery, expand service options, increase efficiencies, refine operational practices, . May be advances in technology, operations or administration resulting in streamlined procedures or service delivery, While they said great things about staff, they also said great things about our Board, members and community partners, Your commitment to the organization, the community services we provide, and the community we serve, Congratulations to each and every person who has made a difference in the way we operate, the progress we have made, the challenges and diversities we have faced together. I hope this community recognition will revitalize us as we prepare to launch new initiatives and meet the ever growing and changing needs of those in our community, Thank you to each one, Your efforts are appreciated and recognized, Sincerely, Kai T Bucht file:/ /C:\Documents%20and%20Settings\Administrator\Local%20Settings\ Temp\GW} 0000... 3/7/2006 ~ I.