2007/09/28 - ResolutionsCouncil Information
*for period ended September 28, 2007*
*Resolutions*
1. Arson prevention
2. 9-1-1 Advisory Board
3. Family Physicians
4. Water Bottling
5. Taxation
6. Downloading
7. Public Health Grant
8. Poverty
9. Disaster Relief
10. Lead Sampling
~QC~artttiop of
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07-15
Ms. Pam Gilroy, Regional Clerk
Regional Municipality of Niagara
2201 St. David's Road
P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, Ontario L2V 4T7
Dear Ms. Gilroy:
September 17, 2007
At its meeting of September 11, 2007, Welland City Council passed the
following resolution:
"THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND accepts as
information report No. F&ES 2007-03, entitled, "The Arson Prevention
Program for Children in Niagara Region"; and further
THAT Welland City Council adopts The Arson Prevention Program for
Children (TAPP-C) as part of the Welland Fire & Emergency Services
Department core fire educational mandate, in order to properly meet a
recognized risk and need in the community; and further
THAT Welland City Council agrees to participate in the Niagara
Region TAPP-C program; and further
THAT Welland City Council directs the Mayor to communica#e with
Regional Council requesting that the Region review and comment on
its responsibility to assist the various Local Municipality fire
departments with funding for the fire education component of the
TAPP-C program in Niagara; such comment to be returned to Welland
before the end of October 2007; and further
THAT Welland City Council directs the Clerk to request the support of
the other Local Municipalities in requesting the Region to provide
funding for TAPP-C."
THE CORPORATION OF
THE CITY OF WELLAND ~ '~ '`
Office of the General Manager, Communications,
Council and Legislative ServiceslCity Clerk
60 East Main Street
Welland ON L36 3X4
Phone: 905-735-1700 Fax: 905-732-1919
Website: www.welland.ca
E-mail: craig.stirtzinger(a~welland.ca
...2
Page 2
September 17, 2007
A copy of report No. F&ES 2007-03 is enclosed for your information.
Yours truly,
~-
l ~~
CAS/tb CRl~fG A. STIRTZINGER,
Enclosure ; ~ General Manager, Communications,
~` Council and Legislative Services/City Clerk
c.c. -Area Municipalities
- D. Prevost, Chief, Fire and Emergency Services
- Mayor Damian Goulbourne
- Contact Niagara, 23 Hannover Drive, Unit 8, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2W 1A3
-Ministry of Children & Youth Services, Youth Justice Services, 301 St. Paul Street,
St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 7R4
- Nadine Wallace, Youth Justice Coordinator, Niagara Regional Police, 68 Church Street,
St. Catharines
-Niagara Child & Youth Services, 243 Church Street, St. Catharines, Ontario, L2R 3E8
- Family & Children's Services Niagara, 82 Hannover Drive, St. Catharines, Ontario,
L2W 1 A4
-Family & Children's Services Niagara, 4635 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2W 1A4
-Family & Children's Services Niagara, 654 South Pelham Road, Welland, Ontario, L3C 3C8
- Centre de saute communautaire Hamilton/Niagara, 1 Vanier Drive, Welland, Ontario,
L36 1 Al
~` ' V .~
GENERAL COMMITTEE
FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
4 "i 'fTt l Y'C' '1
G.Aff.~~STIFiT~ZIU1U~CFdi, Cihty`tv`lerk
!slTl \{ U~ Yi~L. L. ~. Yi{V ~j
~ _ ~_
REPORT: F8~ES 2007-03
DATE: September 11, 2007
~~e~~
SUBJECT:
AUTHOR 8~
APPROVING G.M.:
RECOMMENDATIONS:
THE ARSON PREVENTION PROGRAM for CHILDREN
(TAPP-C) in NIAGARA REGION
DENYS PREVOST, P.ENG, CFO, CFSA
CHIEF, FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICE
DEPARTMENT ~ 1,`>_`-
,.~-~
THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND accepts as information report No.
F&ES 2007-03, entitled, "The Arson Prevention Program for Children in Niagara
Region; "and further,
THAT Welland City Council adopts The Arson Prevention Program for Children
(TAPP-C) as part of the Welland Fire & Emergency Services Department core fire
educational mandate, in order to properly meet a recognized risk and need in the
community; and further,
THAT Welland City Council agrees to participate in the Niagara Region TAPP-C
program; and further,
THAT Welland City Council directs the Mayor to communicate with Regional Council
requesting that the Region review and comment on its responsibility to assist the various
Local Municipality fire departments with funding for the fire education component of the
TAPP-C program in Niagara; such comment to be returned to Welland before the end of
October 2007; and further,
THAT Welland City Council directs the Clerk to request the support of the other Local
Municipalities in requesting the Region to provide funding for TAPP-C.
ORIGIN AND BACKGROUND:
The Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 mandates communities to establish and
maintain public education programs with respect to fire safety and certain components of
fire prevention. Furthermore, the Legislation specifically requires that municipalities do a
risk assessment in their communities and develop and implement programs to address
the fire safety risks identified.
An abnormally high incidence of inappropriate juvenile fire-setting behaviour has been
identified in Welland and the Region.
32
Welland Fire & Emergency Services Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 2 of 7
The Niagara Picture
In 2006, Niagara Child and Youth Services' (NCYS) received 124 youth referrals across
Niagara Region of which 35 were for inappropriate juvenile fire setting behaviour. Of the
35 fire-setters, 14 referrals were from persons or agencies who deal with youth and 21
were referrals from parents and family. Of the 35 referrals, 74% were children between
the ages of 12 and 15 years old. Some of the incidents were relatively minor while some
were very serious including self harm.
The Welland Picture
According to NCYS statistics, of the 35 youth referrals for fire setting that NCYS received
in year 2006, 11 of the incidents occurred in Welland, which was tied with St. Catharines
for the highest number of annual incidents in the Region. On aper-capita basis in 2006
Welland had the highest rate of TAPP-C referrals in Niagara Region at a rate of 0.22
children per 1,000 population. The average rate for the Region is 0.08 children per 1,000
population, i.e. about one-third that of Welland.
According to statistics of the Welland Fire & Emergency Services, during the years 2001
to 2005 inclusive, 68 of 191 arson fires were known to have been set by children or
youths2 between the ages of 2-17. This means that during this period in Welland 36% of
all fires identified as arson were caused by juveniles. According to the Ontario Fire
Marshal, the Provincial average for child fire setters is about 30% of arson fires, making
Welland above the provincial average.
Based on the above comparison (30% vs. 36%) Welland does not appear too much
higher than the rest of the Province. However, in this same period the provincial average
for arson fires was 17% of all fires, while in Welland arson represents an average of over
26% of all fires. When the statistics are combined this indicates that the overall juvenile
arson rate is approaching twice the Provincial rate.
Arson fires are expensive. The 68 juvenile arson fires in Welland caused an estimated
$270,000 in fire damages and losses during that 6 year period. During the same period
in Welland there were an additional 123 arson incidents causing an additional $630,000
in fire losses. What is also of note is that of the 123 additional arson fires where it is not
confirmed that children were involved, it is likely that a significant proportion of these
fires also were set by children or youths.
The Provincial Picture
In 2005, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) published their latest study
in the series "The Mental Health and Well-Being of Ontario Students." The study is
based on surveys of students in grades 7-12 in Ontario. More than 7,700 students
participated in the survey. One of the survey areas included "fire setting." According to
the survey, provincially 27% of students reported setting something on fire (that they
weren't supposed to) at least once during the 12 months before the survey. In the
"Central-South" region3 (which includes Niagara) the number was substantially higher at
40.4%.
NCYS refers TAPP-C cases to its "High Risk Services" division. NCYS statistics do not
necessarily include fire incidents that the fire services are aware of.
z 60 incidents involved youths 12 to 17 years of age and 8 involved children under 12.
s Central-South Region includes Niagara, Hamilton/Wentworth, Brant, Haldimand and Norfolk.
~~ 3
Welland Fire & Emergency Services Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 3 of 7
Responding to need, in 1991 the Toronto Fire Department and CAMH, jointly developed
a program to assess and educate children between the ages of 2 and 17 who exhibit
inappropriate fire setting behaviour. The success of this program led to it being officially
adopted by the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal and is now called "The Arson
Prevention Program for Children", or "TAPP-C" for short.
There are now TAPP-C sites in every corner of the Province. The OFM and the Fire
Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council provide annual funding to support Provincial
expansion of the program. In fact, proceeds from the "Alarmed for Life" program
exclusively support TAPP-C. These funds are used for materials and provider training.
In 2003, the new Youth Criminal Justice Act was introduced and permitted police
services and the courts to channel youth offenders into remedial programs. For arson
offences this usually means a structured program of counseling by fire service and
mental health professionals. This change in legislation has increased demand for
suitable programs.
In June of 2006, Fire Prevention Officer Donna Gill of St. Catharines issued a call to
other fire departments in Niagara Region to participate in developing a coordinated
approach to implementing aTAPP-C program in Niagara. Up to this time such programs
had been done on an ad hoc basis or through limited local arrangements between fire
departments and mental health professionals.
In the space of a year a coalition of core services has developed a protocol for the
implementation and operation of a TAPP-C program in Niagara. The core group includes
,~ ~,, all local fire services in Niagara Region, Contact Niagara, Niagara Regional Police,
Niagara Youth Justice Service, Niagara Family and Childrens' Services, Niagara Child
and Youth Services, Centre de Sante Communautaire Hamilton/Niagara. A copy of the
Protocol is attached to this report.
COMMENTS AND ANALYSIS
The fire problem
Adoption and implementation of the Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) is
needed in Welland. As described in the Background portion of this report,
• according to 2001-2005 fire statistics Welland experiences a rate of juvenile
arson that is about twice the norm in Ontario, and
• according to NCYS 2006 youth referral statistics Welland has a problem fire-
setting referral rate that is nearly 3 times the Niagara Region average, and
• according to the 2005 study4 on "The Mental Health and Well-Being of Ontario
Students" the self-reported inappropriate youth fire-setting rate in Niagara Region
is approximately 1 and 1/2 times the Ontario norm.
It seems clear that by all indicators there is a significant risk and problem in the
community with inappropriate fire-setting behaviours by children under age 17, and in
particular with the ages between 12 and 17. We are obligated through Legislation to
develop and implement effective programs to address this risk.
a Centre for Addiction and Mental Health pertorms this study periodically.
Welland Fire & Emergency Services ~ ~~ Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 4 of 7
In consequence of the wider recognition of this same risk across Niagara Region, a
partnership of stakeholders has been formed and has developed a Regional approach
and Protocol to apply the TAPP-C program in the Region. This partnership includes all
Niagara Fire Chiefs, Contact Niagara, Niagara Regional Police, Niagara Youth Justice
Service, Niagara Family and Childress' Services, Niagara Child and Youth Services, and
Centre de Sante Communautaire Hamilton/Niagara.
Future participation is expected in the partnership by the District School Board of
Niagara, The Niagara Catholic District School Board, Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health, and the Ontario Office of the Fire Marshal.
WhV TAPP-C?
Fortunately, the introduction of The Arson Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C) in
Ontario gives hope to children and families that suffer from inappropriate fire setting
behaviours. TAPP-C has been the most successful child fire-setting intervention
program ever. It has a reported success rate of over 70%. The success of this program
has been recognized in many other jurisdictions in Canada and the USA where similar
programs have since been instituted.
"Many children have a fascination with fire. It is important to understand that while
curiosity about fire is natural, playing with fire can be dangerous and can be a sign of
other problems in a child's life5." Unchecked destructive fire setting behaviour can lead to
more serious problem later in life for the individual. The TAPP-C program helps to
determine why a particular child is involved in fire setting and depending upon the
assessment, provides the appropriate treatment and follow-up.
Children involved with fire are referred to the TAPP-C program by parents or caregivers,
local fire or police departments, schools, mental health centres, probation offices, crown
attorneys, judges, or any other concerned individuals or agencies. Often parents will
refer their own children if there is a concern about their behaviour with fire.
Once a child is referred to the TAPP-C program, the local participating fire department
will immediately schedule a "Home Fire Safety Check" and fire safety education
sessions with the child and family. The child is also referred by the Program
administrators to local mental health professionals for assessment. The child is
assessed using a protocol developed specifically by the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry for
the TAPP-C program. This assessment is intended to determine why a particular child is
involved in fire setting and whether mental health treatment is required.
TAPP-C In Niagara and Welland
Contact Niagara will be the administrators of the program for all of Niagara, and will be
the admission point. The fire services will provide the fire safety education component.
Niagara Child and Youth Services (NCYS) and/or the Centre de Sante Communautaire
(CSC) Hamilton/Niagara will provide the mental health assessment and counseling, as
well as provide referrals to other health services providers where needed.
The additional cost of this program for the fire department is expected to be minimal at
current case loads. Despite very limited staff time availability Fire Prevention Officers in
Welland have been delivering some form of child focused fire prevention intervention for
many years in response to the clear need to deal with children who have had fire setting
e CAMH, 2004 Media Release, www.camh.net
r
3,?
Welland Fire & Emergency Services Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 5 of 7
behaviour problems. As part of this new and structured regional TAPP-C program the
existing fire service resources will need to be prioritized to encompass this core service
requirement.
Welland Fire Prevention staff training will be required. The TAPP-C training program and
associated resources such as manuals and program materials are funded by the
Province.
Program delivery involves staff time, with an estimate average of 5-6 hours of trained
Fire Prevention staff time committed per child. With 11 children referred in year 2006, for
example, this would translate into approximately 55-65 staff hours annually, plus
coordination time.
The mental health assessment and treatment component of TAPP-C will be provided by
trained professionals from NCYS and CSC and/or other health professionals. The
mental health professionals are trained through the TAPP-C Provincial program also,
and their staff time is provided through their Provincial funding resources.
At this time there is no funding proposed for this program at the Regional level. There
might be a case to be made that many of the root causes of inappropriate child setting
behaviour is founded in social and health issues in the community; for which issues the
Region carries a mandate through their Community Services and/or Health
Departments. This aspect needs to be explored through Regional Council.
Historically the TAPP-C program has been a locally driven initiative, in partnership with
the Office of the Fire Marshal of Ontario. This occurs because the local municipality has
a mandated responsibility under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act to identify,
assess, and address local fire safety risks. In all other jurisdictions that we are aware of
TAPP-C has been supported as a coalition of Provincially funded mental health
professional organizations, a Provincially funded TAPP-C training and resource
program, and locally funded municipal fire services. This is now the case in Niagara
Region too.
In conformance with provincial Legislation that requires municipalities to identify and
address fire risks in the community, staff have identified inappropriate juvenile fire-
setting behaviour as a serious risk in the community. Furthermore, it is recognized that
the new regional TAPP-C program is the best tool available to address this risk.
It is highly recommended that the Council of the City of Welland formally adopt TAPP-C
as a core fire prevention program. In order to apply the program the Welland Fire and
Emergency Services Department needs to adopt the Niagara Region TAPP-C protocol.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
The additional cost of this program for the Fire and Emergency Services Department is
expected to be minimal at current case loads. Despite very limited staff time availability
Welland Fire Prevention Officers have been delivering some form of child focused fire
prevention intervention for many years.
TREASURER'S CERTIFIC/~~
FINANCIAL IMPACTS EXAMINE=
pATE:s~~ El "7
3
Welland Fire & Emergency Services Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 6 of 7
The possibility of achieving Regional support for this program through partial funding will
be pursued.
STRATEGIC PRIORITY
Focus 6 -Healthy Communities -provide for a healthy, safe and enjoyable community.
OTHER DEPARTMENT IMPLICATFONS:
There are no inter-departmental implications for the City.
This report was prepared with the assistance of the following persons:
• Tom Nenadovich, Fire Prevention Officer, Welland Fire & Emergency Services
• Donna Gill, Public Fire Safety Technician, St Catharines Fire Services
• Nadine Wallace, Niagara Regional Police Services
• Kevin Raveling, Manager High Risk and Outreach Services, NCYS
• Arthur Martin, Resource Coordinator, Contact Niagara
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION:
Welland experiences a much higher rate of child fire-setting than is the norm in Ontario.
Welland Fire & Emergency Services, in partnership with the other regional fire
departments, Contact Niagara, and other community stakeholders have developed a
Strategy to implement a juvenile fire-setters intervention program called The Arson
Prevention Program for Children (TAPP-C).
The local TAPP-C steering committee has created a program protocol for the Niagara
Region. The TAPP-C program is managed by the local steering committee in partnership
with aprovince-wide initiative of the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council and the
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. There is no cost to the youth or their family.
The purpose of TAPP-C is to help reduce the number of fires, injuries and loss of life
and property that is caused by child/youth fire-setters. More specifically;
• To help identify children who may be at risk and to make appropriate education
and counseling available to them on a voluntary basis.
• With the mental health assessment, the program will be able to distinguish
between fire-setters who exhibit a normal curiosity about fire and those who may
have a serious mental health/behavioural problem of which setting fires is a
symptom.
To ensure that children needing ongoing mental health counseling receive
continuing treatment.
To ensure that all children in the program receive appropriate fire safety
education to help reduce child fire-setting and to establish a safer home
environment.
Statistically the rate of recidivism (repeat offenders) is very low when counseling and fire
education is received after a child's involvement with fire. The TAPP-C program has a
record of success in other jurisdictions and should prove the same for Niagara.
N
3'~
Welland Fire & Emergency Services Report No. F&ES 07-03
Page 7 of 7
Welland needs to adopt TAPP-C as a core program to address this identified risk in
Welland.
ATTACHMENTS
- Draft Protocol, Niagara Region TAPP-C program.
~4rpnrttfinp of
fie! tttn~
07-4
THE CORPORATION OF
THE CITY OF WELLAND ;- , ' ~,:I i
Office of the General Manager, Communications,
Council and Legislative Services/City Clerk
60 East Main Street
Welland ON L3B 3X4
Phone: 905-735-1700 Fax: 905-732-1919
Website: www.welland.ca
E-mail: craig.stirtzinger(c~welland.ca
Ontario 9-1-1 Advisory Board
c/o Peel Regional Police Telecommunications
7750 Hurontario Street
Brampton, ON L6V 3Wf
Attention: Mr Dan Van Londersele Chair
Dear Mr. Van Londersele:
°.~ 3 r~~ ~s~ ~`~
f`,§ ! ! i
September 24, 2007
At its meeting of September 18, 2007, Welland City Council passed the following
resolution:
"THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND receives
the letter from the Ontario 9-1-1 Advisory Board requesting
financial assistance in order to continue as the technical and
information authority respecting the implementation and
operation of 9-1-1 Emergency Number systems in Ontario
and authorizes the contribution of $100.00, representing
$20.00 per 10,000 population."
Yours truly,
1~~,~~-.~t_-~~it~o--
.~)
CRA~ A. STIRTZINGER,
CAS/tb
General Manager, Communications,
Council and Legislative Services/City Clerk
c.c. -Area Municipalities
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario, 200 University Avenue, Suite 801, Toronto,
Ontario, M5H 3C6
~~~~~..~
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~k~'I~cre Ships C;lim~~ The Iv~iountain...
September 6, 2007
: <.
<' .
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1 Al
The Honourabie George Smitherman,
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
Suite M1-57, Macdonald Block
900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1 R3
Dear Premier McGuinty and Minister Smitherman:
Re: Incentives to Family Physicians
Please be advised that Thorold City Council, at its September 4, 2007 meeting, adopted the following
resolution:
THAT the resolution adopted by the City of Kawartha Lakes, of ifs regular council meeting held on
June 26, 2007, whereby they request the Honourable George Smitherman, Minister of Health and
Long Term Care to review the trend to recruit physicians from established family practices to work
in salaried positions in local hospitals, and to offer effective incentives to family physicians in Ontario
to continue fo practice comprehensive, community-based family medicine, be received and
supported.
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario,
George Smitherman, Minister of Health and Long Term Care, John Maloney M.P., Welland Riding,
Peter Kormos, M.P.P., Niagara Centre Riding, Kim Craifor, M.P.P., Niagara Falls Riding, City of
Kawartha Lakes, Regional Municipality of Niagara and area municipalities.
Yours truly,
•;'
9 /
Susan Danie s, AMCT
Deputy City Clerk
SMD:hhm
cc: J. Maloney, M.P., Welland Riding
K. Craitor, M.P.P., Niagara Falls Riding
P. Kormos, M.P.P., Niagara Centre Riding
City of Kawartha Lakes
The Regional Municipality of Niagara
Area Municipalities
em: M. Weir, Chief Administrative Officer
J.K. Bice, City Clerk
City of Tho~ot
P.0.13ox 1044® 3540 Schmon Pa~ku~ay, Tho~old, Onta~lo L2~ 4A7
u~uvv~ fft~,~®B~ C®~p
Tel: 905n227-0013
t
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~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
1~~(iere S(~.il~s C'(im.(~ Tlu Mountain...
September 6, 2007
The Honourable Dalton McGuinty, Premier of Ontario
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1 Al
The Honourable Laurel Broten,
Minister of the Environment
12"' Floor, 135 St. Clair Avenue West
Toronto, Ontario M4V 1 P5
Dear Premier McGuinty and Minister Broten:
Re: Commercial Water Bottling
Please be advised that Thorold City Council, at its September 4, 2007 meeting, adopted the following
resolution:
THAT the resolution adopted by the Town of Erin, at its regular council meeting held on May 22, 2007,
whereby they petition The Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment, to place a
moratorium on issuing any new permits-to-take-water for commercial water bottling companies until
such time as a meaningful levy royalty, payable to the local municipality, is put into place that will
allow for infrastructure development to safeguard involved source water areas, be received and
supported.
AND FURTHER THAT a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dalton McGuinty, Premierof Ontario,
Laurel Broten, Minister of the Environment, John Maloney, M.P., Welland Riding, Peter Kormos,
M.P.P., Niagara Centre Riding, Kim Craitor, M.P.P., Niagara Falls Riding, Town of Erin, Regional
Municipality of Niagara and area municipalities.
Yours trul .,
rtF,,
•!
Susan Daniels, AMCT
Deputy City Clerk
SMD:hhm
cc: J. Maloney, M.P., Welland Riding
K. Craitor, M.P.P., Niagara Falls Riding
P. Kormos, M.P.P., Niagara Centre Riding
Town of Erin
The Regional Municipality of Niagara
Area Municipalities
em: M. Weir, Chief Administrative Officer
J.K. Bice, City Clerk
T. Doherty, Director of Operations
City ®t Th~r~l~
p Q. Oox 1644, 3540 Schm®n Parkway, Tf~olrol0, 0flstarilo 1.2i! 4~7
~~~ tf~~~®l~f ~~~~
Tal: 905-22~-6613
www.cityofkingston.ca
City
of Kingston
216 Ontario Street
Kingston, Ontario
Canada K7L 2Z3
where history and innovation thrive
2007-08-30
TO: ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN ONTARIO WITH A POPULATION OVER 50,000
RE: MOTION (1} -AUGUST 14, 2007 MEETING OF KINGSTON CITY COUNCIL -
STUDENT LEVY
I would confirm that at the regular meeting of Kingston City Council, held on August 14, 2007, the
following Motion (1) was approved and as indicated in the Motion, the council of the Corporation of the
City of Kingston is requesting that tSl`iO pursue this matte:- with the Province of Ontario:
(1) Moved by Councillor Foster
Seconded by Councillor Glover
WHEREAS land owned, used and occupied solely by public education institutions, as defined in the Education Act, are
exempt from paying municipal property taxation; and,
WHEREAS universities, colleges, and community colleges are included in the defined exempt properties; and,
WHEREAS the universities, colleges, and community colleges attract students to attend their institutions because of the
quality of education offered, learning experiences and municipal amenities to enhance the experience; and,
WHEREAS municipalities provide services to the public education institutions and to the students; and,
WHEREAS the province recognizes that these services are provided to the institutions and that the institutions merit
partial support by the community; and,
WHEREAS the province permits municipalities to levy a maximum $75 for each full time student at each public education
institution as a payment-in-lieu of taxes, per Section 323 of the Municipal Act, 2001; and,
WHEREAS the payment-in-lieu of tax levy has not been increased since 1987 when it was raised from $50 fo $75; and,
WHEREAS student populations have increased dramatically since 2000; and,
WHEREAS, in Kingston, the maximum payment-in-lieu of tax for 2007 is $1,544,400 (20,592 students @ $75 ea), which
represents just under 25% of the amount of faxes that would be levied ($6,288,319) if the property had been classified
and taxed pursuant to its use; and,
WHEREAS other properties that similarly support the community and Thus also provide payments-in-lieu of taxation pay
full taxes calculated by multiplying the appropriate tax rate and assessment; and,
WHEREAS the City's primary source of revenue is limited to property taxes and provincial grants; and,
.WHEREAS the province, in its-role of setting policies that affect municipalities, must make an effort to not constrain or
arbitrarily reduce revenues that are derived from the assessment of property;
N01~4' THEREFORE BE tT RESOLVED THAT the Province of Ontario be requested to increase the per student levy at
rated public educational institutions each year, pursuant to Section 323 of the Municipal Act, 2001, beginning in 2008 to
an amount equivalent to the taxes that would be levied if the property was taxable;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT this resolution be forwarded to all Ontario municipalities that are fortunate to
have universities, and colleges of applied arts and technology within their municipality as well as to the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for support and AMD be requested to pursue this matter with the Province on Council's
behalf.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Yours truly,
,.--_ _..
~:
Carolyn Downs
City Clerk
File No. C12
City Clerk's Department
Corporate Services
Phone: (613) 546-4291 ext. 1247 Fax: (613) 546-5232 cdowns@cityofkingston.ca
September 18, 2007
Mr. Pat Vanini, Executive Director
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
200 University Avenue, Suite 801
Toronto, Ontario M5H 3C6
Dear Mr. Vanini:
At their meeting of September 17, 2007 Council of the Corporation of the Town of Smiths Falls passed
the following resolution that we would like circulated to all municipalities requesting their support on this
important issue:
WHEREAS the Province announced certain reforms of the assessment system during the
curren# re-assessment freeze;
AND WHEREAS these reforms did not include a re-vamping of the actual system of taxation;
AND WHEREAS it has recen#ly been reported that the intent may be to apply the current
commerciaUrndustrial/mufti-residential capping system fo residential rate payers when the
freeze is over,
AND WHEREAS it is commonly recognized that the capping system has numerous flaws that
result in numerous unfair situations;
AND WHEREAS applying the capping to residential rate payers may benefit those whose
assessment has increased dramatically it could potentially have a detrimental affect on a far
larger number of rate payers if it forces Council to raise the municipal tax rate which affects
everyone, not just those whose assessment has increased.
NOW THEREFORE BE lT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Town of Smiths Falls urges
the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to fake a much more active role in this situation and
exhort the Province to re-vamp the property tax system in a fair and equitable manner.
AND FURTHER THAT this resolution be senf to fhe Associafion of Municipalities of Ontario
for circulation to elf Ontario municipalities, fhe Premier of Ontario, the Minister of Finance, the
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and M.P.P. Norm Sterling.
(Resolution 2007-09-249)
(t was requested at this meeting that this resolution also be forward to Mr. Howard Hampton, Leader of
the Ontario New Democratic Party and Mr. John Tory, Leader of the Ontario PC Party & Leader of the
Official Opposition. If you require further information please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours v ry truly,
Ke ry C ello
Town Cierk
cc: Premier of Ontario
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Minister of Finance
M.P.P. Norm Sterling
Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party
Leader of the Ontario PC Party & Leader of the OfFcial Opposition
Box 695, 77 Beckwith St. N., Smiths Falls, Ontario K7A 4T6
Phone: 613-283-4124 Fax; 613-283-4764 Website at www.smithsfalls.ca
Se~t~zt
Cor~n~`wal
RESOLUTION
The Corporation of the City of Cornwall
Resolution Number: NB3-13-08-07
Date: August 13, 2007
Mover: Councillor Elaine MacDonald
Seconder: Councillor Andre Rivette
COST OF DOWNLOADING
PROVINCIALLY MANDATED PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, when 20% of the cost of programs such as Social Assistance, ODSP, Ontario Drug
Benefits, child care services and facilities were downloaded from the Province and where
Municipalities were informed that the process was supposed to be revenue-neutral, and which has
not been todate; and
WHEREAS as provincially mandated programs, these should be provincially funded programs not
municipally funded by taxes.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Cornwall request the Province of Ontario
to assume 100% of the Court Security costs; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Cornwall further request the Province of
Ontario re-assume 100% of the cost of all provincially mandated programs such as Social
Assistance, ODSP, Ontario Drug benefits, child care services and facilities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be sent to our local M.P.P., Mr. Jim Brownell,
A.M.O., AMCTO, and all municipalities in Ontario for Support.
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
Bureau de la Secretaire Municipale
P.O. Box / C.P. 877
360 rue Pitt Street
Cornwall, Ontario K6H 5T9
Phone (613) 932-6252
Fax (613) 932-1860
Denise Labelle-Gelinas
(613) 930-2787 ext. 2537
Fax (613) 932-8145
E-Mail dgelinas(a~cornwall.ca
Icol IetteCa~cornwall.ca
~orpurutiop ~~.
~ s
met larva
07-6
Regional Municipality of Niagara
2201 St. Davids Road
P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, ON L2V 4T7
Attention: Mrs. Pam Gilroy, Regional Clerk
Dear Mrs. Gilroy:
September 26, 2007
At its meeting of September 18, 2007, Welland City Council passed the following
resolution:
"THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND supports the elimination of
poverty in the City of Welland and the municipalities of the Regional Municipality
of Niagara as a starting point for the larger provincial, national, and global targets
for a world wide elimination of poverty; and further
THAT Welland City Council, through implementation of its Strategic Plan,
commits to the creation and maintenance of healthy communities and to
improving the quality of life for all citizens of the City of Welland; and further
THAT Welland City Council supports and commends community efforts which
focus on the elimination of poverty both locally and/or globally; and further
THAT Welland City Council directs that this "Proclamation For the Elimination of
„
Poverty be approved and posted on the City of Welland website, and circulated
to the Regional Municipality of Niagara and the lower-tier municipalities for
similar endorsement."
Enclosed for your information is a copy of the Proclamation For the Elimination of
Poverty.
Yours truly,
c
~~~~
CAS/tb CRA A. STIRTZINGER,
Enclosure General Manager, Communications,
Council and Legislative Services/City Clerk
c.c. -Area Municipalities
- Association of Municipalities of Ontario, 200 University Avenue, Suite 801, Toronto,
Ontario, M5H 3C6
- B. Silvestri, General Manager, Financial and Corporate Services/Treasurer
- S. Barnes, Manager, Information Systems/Network Administrator
THE CORPORATION OF
THE CITY OF WELLAND ,,<< ~ ~ 3 ~ S 3 ~ ;:E ~ ~ ' ~:, J ~' ; `. ° _s-1
Office of the General Manager, Communications,
Council and Legislative SenriceslCity Clerk
60 East Main Street
Welland ON L36 3X4
Phone: 905-735-1700 Fax: 905-732-1919
Website: www.welland.ca
E-mail: craia.stirtzinger welland.ca
APPENDIX I CCLS-2007-17
Page 3
"Proclamation For the Elimination of Poverty"
WHEREAS more than a billion of our fellow men, women, and children are currently subjected to the
abject and dehumanizing conditions of extreme poverty, and that the best way to participate in a global
effort to eliminate these conditions is through a local grassroots initiative to eliminate poverty locally;
and
WHEREAS in 2001 20% of children in Niagara lived in poverty with an overall poverty rate of 17%,
equaling 68,000 people; and
WHEREAS it is estimated that the poverty rate in the Niagara Region will reach 20-25% in coming
years; and
WHEREAS the average household income in Welland is more than $10,000 below the average of the
Niagara Region, and yet in -terms of generosity to social causes Wetland's citizens are leaders in giving;
and
WHEREAS the City of Welland recognizes that cooperation with the other 11 lower-tier municipalities
and the Regional Municipality of Niagara, is of the utmost importance to the success of a campaign to
alleviate local poverty; and
WHEREAS poverty is defined as a lack of access to, or control of, resources, basic infrastructure, and
services, a feeling of powerlessness, voicelessness, dependency and social humility, and the
experience of barriers to maintaining cultural identity; and
WHEREAS the four key areas of poverty reduction are (1) affordable housing; (2) living wages; (3)
mental and physical health; and (4) public education; and
WHEREAS those facing particularly severe challenges locally include unemployed youth between 16
and~.24 years of age, single-parent low-income families, workers of 45 years and older, people with
mental' and physical disabilities, and recent immigrants who are underemployed and underutilized as a
result of complicated and expensive accreditation processes; and
WHEREAS the City of Welland recognizes and appreciates the poverty alleviation efforts of other
municipalities across Ontario, Canada, and the world, as well as the tireless efforts of local groups,
schools, and churches, and services such as the Hope Centre, Open Arms Mission, Salvation Army,
Tanguay Place, kNOw Poverty, Social Justice Committee, and Habitat for Humanity; and
WHEREAS the City of Welland accepts as a core value to foster a sense of belonging for all individuals
and groups in our community, to enhance the well-being of all individuals and families through
economic development that is considerate of the needs of the poor and disadvantaged, and to be both
fiscally and socially responsible in all efforts and actions.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WELLAND supports
the elimination of poverty in the City of Welland and the municipalities of the Regional Municipality of
Niagara as a starting point for the larger provincial, national, and global targets for a world wide
elimination of poverty; and further
THAT Welland City Council, through implementation of its Strategic Plan, commits to the creation and
maintenance of healthy communities and to improving the quality of life for all citizens of the City of
Welland; and further
THAT Welland City Council supports and commends community efforts which focus on the elimination
of poverty both locally and/or globally; and further
THAT Welland City Council directs that this "Proclamation For the Elimination of Poverty" be approved
and posted on the City of Welland website, and circulated to the Regional Municipality of Niagara and
the lower-tier municipalities for similar endorsement.
C~~
P.O. BOX 40, STIRLING, ONTARIO
~~
KOK 3E0 TEL • (613)395-3380 FAX • (613)395-0864
The Council of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon at a meeting held on September 4, 2007
adopted the following resolution:
"WHEREAS taxpayers suffer severe undue hardships as a result of catastrophic natural
events;
AND WHEREAS taxpayers lives are in a state of disbelief, confusion, and financial upset
as a result of catastrophic natural events;
AND WHEREAS it is recognized that assistance is available through personal insurance
as well as provincial aid through the Ontario Disaster Relief Assistance Program,
however, such avenues do not provide for immediate assistance /aid to victims of
catastrophic natural events;
THEREFORE be it resolved that the Council of the Township of Stirling-Rawdon request
that the governments at the federal and provincial level seek to develop a program that
will provide prompt assistance to residents who are dealing with the aftermath and
repercussions of a catastrophic natural event
AND FURTHER copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister of Canada,
Premier of the Province of Ontario, the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional
Services, local members of parliament, local candidates running in the provincial election
and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario for circulation to all municipalities in
Ontario asking for their support. " Carried.
Kevin Heath
Clerk-Administrator (Acting)
234 North Street, Box 40
Stirling, Ontario KOK 3E0
e-mail: cao(astirlin~-rawdon.com
phone: 613-395-3380
fax: 613-395-0864
-~~~ZoiL1~~>' - l ~P~//~ n 1,QO1~It~ ~P/~>G- ~~-C~i>Yf~f%'t.LQ~/i~~>~ (C-'vYt,/:l~tr~. - n LCD?/9/Il. ~%' 1,~~~`!~
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``NAI'IpN '` '
~_~ --- CORPORATION OF
THE NATION
MUNICIPALITY
CORPORATION DE
LAMUNICIPALITEDE Date: Sept. 17, 2007
Resolution No.: 629-2007
LA NATION Propose par /Moved by: Franpois St.Amour
Appuye par /Seconded by: YvonBourgeois
ECHANTILLONNAGE DE PLOMB DANS LES
MAISONS PRIVEES
Attendu que le Reglement de ('Ontario 399/07
(modifiant Regl. de ('Ont. 170/03 sous la Loi sue la
salubrite de ('eau potable) exige que I'autorite
municipale operationnelle echantillonne et analyse
la tuyauterie des maisons privees en vue d'y
detecter le plomb;
Et attendu que le coot de ce procede est aux frais
de tous les utilisateurs du systeme;
Et attendu que le gouvernement provincial n'a
fourni aucune source de fonds aux municipalites
pour defrayer le Gout de ces echantillonnages et
ces analyses;
Et attendu que le Conseil de la municipalite de La
Nation croft que le Bureau de saute de Pest de
('Ontario devrait prendre en charge ('application de
ce procede;
Par consequent, qu'il soft resolu que le Conseil de
la Corporation de la municipalite de La Nation
enjoigne son autorite operationnelle, I'Agence
ontarienne des eaux, de retenir tout
echantillonnage et analyse de plomb dans les
maisons privees jusqu'a nouvel ordre;
Qu'il soft egalement resolu que la greffiere
demande au Ministere de I'Environnement de
transferee la responsabilite desdits
echantillonnages et analyses au Bureau de saute
de Pest de ('Ontario et qu'une copie de cette
resolution soft envoyee au Premier ministre de
('Ontario, au Ministre de I'Environnement, au
depute provincial, a ('Association des municipalites
de ('Ontario et a toutes les municipalites de
('Ontario.
LEAD SAMPLING IN PRIVATE HOMES
Whereas O.Reg. 399/07 (amending O.Reg. 170/03
made under the Safe Drinking Water Act) requires
that a municipal operating authority sample and
test the plumbing in private homes for lead;
And whereas the cost of this procedure must be
paid by the users of the whole system;
And whereas the Provincial Government has not
provided any funding sources to municipalities for
paying the cost of this sampling and testing;
And whereas the Council of The Nation
Municipality feels that the Eastern Ontario Health
Unit should be the authority in charge of this
procedure;
Therefore, be it resolved that the Council of the
Corporation of The Nation Municipality hereby
instructs its operating authority, the Ontario Clean
Water Agency, to withhold any sampling and
testing for lead in private homes until further
notice;
Be it further resolved that the Clerk petition the
Ministry of the Environment to change the
responsibility for said sampling and testing to the
Eastern Ontario Health Unit and that a copy of this
resolution be sent to: Premier of Ontario, Minister
of the Environment, MPP, Association of
Municipalities of Ontario and all municipalities of
Ontario.
VOTE:
Pour /For Contre /Against
Y.B. M.L.
F.S R.L.
D.P.
Cette resolution est:
This resolution is:
Adoptee /Carried: D.P.
Defeated: _
Modifiee /Amended:
DECLARATION D' INTERET / DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST
Nom /Name:
a (out) declare ses (leur) interets, laisse son (leur) siege(s) et quitte la salle du Conseil.
Disclosed his (hers, their) interests, vacated his (hers, their) seat(s) and left Council chambers.
Marielle Dupuis
Greffiere adjointe/Deputy-Clerk