April 11, 2000 Agenda
COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE - APRIL 11. 2000
Items for Consideration
1. Walter Taylor, Clerk, Township of Uxbridge, with a resolution concerning the safety
aspect of the building of the Canadian Neutron Facility at Chalk River Nuclear Labs.
(ATTACHED)
2. Dutton & Dunwich Chamber of Commerce, with a membership form for the Year
2000. (ATTACHED)
3. The Honourable Helen Johns, Minister of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, inviting
Council to participate in the '2000 Sly Apps Awards of Excellence' program,
recognizing and honouring the youth of the province for their participation in athletics,
community service and leadership. (ATTACHED)
1
83/13/88 23:33:8& EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page 882
MAR-13-00 MON 04:18 PM AMO
FAX NO. 416 971 6191
P. 01
The Corporallon of l.he
Township
of
~ Uxbridge
I~ The- J:köIM.J1 M\\nkiXIllty orDuch.\m
'j'owullw!
51 'lbJ'Onlo ~lrc:d &oulh
PO. Box 190
Uxbrldgc. ON ¡.9P ITl
Tdcphonc (905) 852·9181
(905) 649-19)8
lficslmilc (905) 8n -96<4
Web 1\:/WW,[C'JWII.1JxbIÜ!s(,;,on ~'1I
TO;
FROM:
ALL MUNICIPALITIES IN ONTARIO .
WALTER TAYLOR, CLERK. TOWNSHIP OF UXBRIDGE
The Council of the Township of Uxbridge adopted the following resolution at their meeting of
February 28th, 2000:
RESOLUTION NO. 2000-18
"WHEREAS the National Research Council and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited are proposed
to building the Canadian Neutron Facility at Chalk River Nuclear Labs at an estimated cost of
$400 million, with funding to be provided by the federal government;
WHEREAS the Council of the County of Renfrew where Chalk River Nuclear Labs is located,
has asked municipalities across Ontario to support its call for the government of Canada to
proceed with the Canodion Neutron Facility;
WHEREAS the Canadian Neutron Facility is intended for use primarily by nuclear power
utilities and private industry with some academic research and training also being conducted;
WHEREAS nuclear reactors as currently designed emit radioactive pollution both to air and
water during normal operations, and have a risk of severe accidents that may cause
considerable health and environmental damage;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS FOLLOWS:
1. THAT the Township of Uxbriclge reqüest of the government of Canada that it require
the users of the proposed Canadian Neutron Facility to pay for the construction and
operation costs of the facility, and that the Canadian Neutron Facility be designed to
have zero radiation emissions during normal operation and a full containment system
which will function reliably during any nuclear reactor accident.
2. THAT a copy of this resolution be circulated to the Association of Municipalities of
Ontario with a request that AMO circulate the resolution to all Ontario municipalities,
and that a copy of this resolutian be sent to the federal and provincial members of
Parliament for Pickering/AjoxlUxbridge, the federaL Minister of Natural Resources,
Minister of Industry and Minister of Finance and the Presidents of Atomic Energy of
Canada Limited and the National Research Council."
Walter Taylor
Clerk This material Is provided under contract as a paid service by the originating organization and does notl
necossoriJy rellect the views or positions of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (ÁMO) its i
subsidiary companie.lIj:~ officers, directors or agents. ' ¡
2
DUTTON & DUNWICH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MAR 1 't 2000
';:) ~I"
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2:èVrV1CES
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The Dutton and Dunwich Chamber of Commerce invites you to become a member of our
organization.
Who are we?
We have a strong membership in Dutton and Dunwich. All aspects of the business community
are represented including agricultural, professional, commercial and services.
What does the Chamber of Commerce do?
The Dutton and Dunwich Chamber of Commerce major objective is to encourage and promote
the use of local businesses and services throughout Dutton and Dunwich. The Chamber of
Commerce sponsors several community events throughout the year to support the use of the
entire business community.
Why join the Chamber of Commerce?
The Chamber of Commerce provides a vehicle for members to get together on a regular basis to
share their concerns, learn from each other and deal with issues for the benefit of all members.
Being a member provides you an opportunity to network with other businesses to keep abreast of
what's happening in the community as well as the opportunity to meet future business prospects.
When do we me~t?
The Dutton and Dunwich Chamber of Commerce holds regular business meetings th~ 3fd
Wednesday of every month. Dinner meetings are also arranged throughout the year.
Membership is $40.00 per year. The Chamber of Commerce also has a membership business
display board at the Dutton and Dunwich Town Hall - please feel free to add your business cards.
Fill out the application today and mail it tû:
DuttoníDunwich Chamber of Commerce
Box 547
Dutton, Ontario NOL 1 JO
Business Name:
Contact Name:
Address:
Phone#:
FaX#:
Prime Business Function:
3
.
Ministry of Citizenship,
Culture and Recreation
Minister
Ministère des Affaires civiques,
de la Culture et des Loisirs
Ministre
6e étage
400 avenue University
Toronto ON M7A 2R9
Tél.: (416) 325-6200
Téléc.: (416) 325-6195
l*Æ
-
Ontario
6th Floor
400 University Avenue
Toronto ON M7 A 2R9
Tel.: (416)325-6200
Fax: (416) 325-6195
f+~~) f~~~: ~.~:.::
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March, 2000
MAR 21 2000
ern í"~ .. " r::!~\
Dear Mayor and Members of Council:
Young Ontarians make us proud. They get involved at all levels of our communities. The newly
created Syl Àpps Awards of Excellence aim to recôgnize and celebrate their personal
accomplishments, strength of character and contribution to their community.
Syl Apps was a Canadian pole-vault champion, a proud member of the Canadian Olympic Team, a
star centre and Captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ontario's Athletic Commissioner. He
was a member of the Provincial Legislature for 12 years, working tirelessly to reptesent the
Kingston Region. Serving as Minister of Correctional Services, he took great interest in finding
new ways how young people could make a lasting contribution to their community.
It is with great pleasure that we invite your community to participate in the 2000 Syl Apps Awards
of Excellence program. Each community in Ontario has the opportunity to nominate up to four
young people, one male and one female for each of the two age categories, for the Regional Syl
Apps Awards. It will be a tremendous honour for youth and an exciting opportunity to be
considered for the Provincial Syl Apps Award, part of the Ontario Sports Awards program.
Please find enclosed the Syl Apps Awards of Excellence program criteria and nomination fonns.
Please fOlWard your nominations (note: only 2 female and 2 male) to your local Ministry of
Citizenship, Culture and Recreation, Regional Services Office no later than May 12, 2000. If you
require additional infonnation, please contact Herb Gray, Ontario Awards Co-ordinator at (416)
314-7683 or e-mail addressherb.grav@mczcr.gov.on.ca
Our youth deserve this special recognition for their achievements. By partnering with
communities like yours all across the province, we can honour and highlight examples of
outstanding effort for other young people to emulate.
Sincerely,
Helen Jo
Minister
10-107
4
2000 SYL APPS AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Charles Joseph Sylvanus Apps, known by all
as Syl Apps, was a Canadian and
Commonwealth Games pole-vault champion,
a proud member of the Canadian Olympic
team, a star centre and Captain of the
Toronto Maple Leafs and Ontario's Athletic
Commissioner.
He was also a Member of the Ontario
Legislature for 12 years, working tirelessly to
represent the Kingston Region. Serving as
Minister of Correctional. Services, he took a
great interest in finding new ways for young
people to make lasting contributions to their
community.
PURPOSE OF THE SYL APPS
AWARDS PROGRAM
Young Ontarians make us proud. Many
work tirelessly in their chosen fields of
endeavour as volunteers, sport participants
and community leaders. Like Syl Apps, the
Award created in his name aims to recognise
young people who show strong participation
in athletics, community service and
leadership. The Award celebrates
accomplishment, and highlights those who
demonstrate strength of character and are
worthy of emulation by other young people.
Nomination for the Award is open to
individuals who were actively involved in
their community prior to December 31. 1999.
WHO IS ELIGIDLE?
There will be two age categories for the Syl
Apps Awards program:
Junior (up to age 15, no age minimum)
Senior (age 15 to 18, nominee must be no
older than 18 on January 1, 2000)
Each must be a resident of Ontario; and have
made a significant contribution in all ofthe
following categories:
· at a high level of athletic achievement
and/or athletic participation in their
community, region or school
· as a volunteer in their community (e.g
good samaritan, helped older adults,
volunteered at a special event)
· demonstrated leadership abilities (e.g.
team captain or assistant, group leader,
member of student council, youth club,
place of worship or a special community
volunteer project)
HOW ARE THE AWARD RECIPIENTS
SELECTED?
Each municipal council will select four
youth, one male and one female for each 'of
the two age categories as its community
nominees. Six Regional Selection
Committees (North West, North East, South
East, Central, Toronto and South West) will
then select one male and one female in each
age category, a total of four youth, as
regional Award recipients. The City of
Toronto, as the sixth region, will select eight
youth, two males and two females in each
age category, as award recipients. Regional
Selection Committees will be appointed in
April. The 28 regional Award recipients will
each receive their Award at a community
ceremony. The Regional Award recipients
will be considered by the Ontario Sports
Awards Selection Committee which will
select one male and one female recipient in
each age category for the Provincial Syl
Apps Awards.
5
WHEN WILL THE A WARDS BE
PRESENTED?
The 28 regional Syl Apps Award recipients
will be honoured at a ceremony held in their
community.
The 4 Provincial Syl Apps Award recipients
will be invited to attend and will receive the
Provincial Syl Apps Award of Excellence at
the Ontario Sports Awards ceremony in
Toronto in the Fall of2000.
The Awards will be presented by the
Minister of Citizenship, Culture and
Recreation and the Provincial Co-ordinator
for the Office of Community Sport and
Recreation Development.
WHEN IS THE DEADLINE?
Municipal Councils may nominate 2 male
and 2 female candidates by completing the
attached nomination form for each nominee
and forwarding it to the 10caLRegional
Services Office of the Ministry of
Citizenship, Culture and Recreation,
addressed below, no later than Mav 12.
2000.
Photocopies of the form are acceptable. If
you require additional information please call
the local Ministry Regional Services Office.
· North West Region
Suite 334, 435 S James Street
Thunder Bay, ON P7E 6E3
Tel: 1-800-465-6861
Tel: (807) 475-1683
,Fax: (807) 475-1297
· North East Region
Ontario Government Complex
Hwy 101 E, P.O. Box 3085
South Porcupine, ON PON IHO
Tel: 1-800-305-4442
Tel: (705) 235-1550
Fax: (705) 235-1553
· South East Region
1'" Floor, 530 Tremblay Road
Ottawa, ON KIG 6B7
Tel: 1-800-267-9340
Tel: (613) 742-3360
Fax: (613) 742-5300
· Central Region
400 University Avenue, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2R9
Tel: 1-877-395-4105
Tel: (416) 314-6685
Fax: (416) 314-6686
· Toronto Region
400 University Avenue, 5th Floor
Toronto, ON M7A 2R9
Tel: (416) 314-6044
Fax: (416) 314-4486
· South West Region
4th Floor, Suite 405, 30 Duke St. W.
Kitchener, ON N2H 3W5
Tel: 1-800-265-2189
Fax: (519) 578-1632
6
2000 5YL Apps AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
Nomination form for the year of 1999
Personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Minish)' of Citizenship
and Culture Act. R.S.O. 1990, c.M.18, s.4 and will be used to determine eligibility and notify
recipients of the Syl Apps Award of Excellence. For further information, please contact Herb
Gra at 416 314-7683 or b e-mail herb.ramczcr.ov.on.ca
(Please type or print clearly and complete in full)
NAME OF NOMINEE:
Last Name
First Name
Street & Number
Apt
Cityrrown
Postal Code
Telephone: ( )
Date of Birth (dImly)
Fax: (
Age _ Male
Female
NOMINATED BY:
Last Name
First Name
Municipality
ADDRESS:
Street & Number
Apt
Cityrrown
Postal Code
Telephone: ( )
Fax: (
On separate sheet, attach:
· Sport (s) the nominee participates in and at what level (house league, representative
community andlor school team)
· In what activities has the nominee volunteered in your community, school or region.
(200 words or less)
· How has the nominee demonstrated leadership abilities
(200 words or less)
· Additional material can be included
Written testimonials from two persons or organizations
Additional material to support the nomination
(e. g. thank you letters, media stories, other awards)
7
Le2end
. MCzCR Regional
Offices
N
W+E 0 100 200
kilometrcs
S
1,~t",'''''1 Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation
CP
..
.
Regional Boundaries for Syl Apps Awards
COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE - APRIL 11. 2000
Items for Information - (Consent Aqenda)
1. Robert A. Richards, President & Chief Administrative Officer, Ontario Property
Assessment Corporation, concerning the OPAC-OPSEU ongoing negotiafions.
(ATTACHED)
2. AMO Member Communication 1) Land Ambulance Implementation Update
(ATTACHED) 2) AMO's Honour Roll
3) Results of the AMO Board of Directors Meeting
4) Municipalities Continue to Look for Stability and
Predictability in LSRlCRF
5) AMO and MFOA Announce New Way of Doing
Business
3. Ken Bee, Chairman, Ontario Soybean Growers, copy of correspondence to the
Ministry of Transportation concerning the dredging of Port Stanley Harbour.
(ATTACHED)
4. Steve Peters, M.P.P., Elgin-Middlesex-London: 1) copy of correspondence to the
Minister of Transportation re: closure of St. Thomas Driver Examination Centre; 2)
copy of correspondence to the Minister of Health and Long Term Care concerning the
funding of the St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital; 3) correspondence to the Warden
and Council in response to the OMAFRA closures and reconfirming the Liberal
Party's commitment to farming programs; 4) copy of correspondence concerning the
'Fewer Municipal Politicians Act, 1999. (ATTACHED)
5. Greg Grondin, Chair, St. Thomas Public Library Board, with City Library Board
resolutions concerning the non-funding of the City Library by the County.
(ATTACHED)
6. The Honourable Ernie Eves, Minister of Finance and The Honourable Tony Clement,
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, with an update on the Community
Reinvestment Fund (CRF). (ATTACHED)
7. The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, advising
that the 'Capital Budgeting Handbook' is now available and training sessions
sponsored by AMCTO and MFOA will be available in the spring. (ATTACHED)
~
9
OPAC
SOEF
Ontario Property Assessment Corporation
Société ontarienne d'évaluation foncière
Office of the President & Chief Administrative Officer
1305 Pickering Parkway, Pickering ON LlV 3P2
Tel: (905) 837-6150 Fax: (905) 831-0040
~
~'íi
MAR 14 2000
COUNn; OF ELGIN
S-ERVTGES
March 10, 2000
To: All Ontario Municipalities
You may be aware that the Ontario Property Assessment Corporation and the Ontario Public
Service Employees Union (OPSEU) are in collective agreement negotiations. OPSEU was
certified as the employees' representative in August 1999, and first contract negotiations started
last November. The parties are currently in the conciliation phase of the bargaining process. I
am writing at this time to update you on the status of negotiations, and to let you know how it
might affect your organization.
OPAC's objectives in these negotiations are to ensure that we have a collective agreement which
recognizes the needs of our customers, as well as the interests of our employees. To this end, we
are negotiating for provisions in the agreement which will give us the flexibility to meet your
needs for timely, accurate and complete property assessments at a reasonable cost. At the same
time, we are trying to provide our employees with a contract which will encourage them to be
both productive and customer focused. Negotiations to date have been professionally handled
and fruitful. We are, however, approaching the final stages of negotiations, at which time we
will have to deal with the more difficult issues.
OPSEU recently asked its members for more support, stating that its bargaining power lies in its
ability to disrupt the current province-wide reassessment and the preparation of the preliminary
voters' lists. OPSEU also stated that it is prepared to take its issues directly to municipalities.
We know that the vast majority of our employees believe in OPAC and our goals, and are
committed to helping the Corporation become more efficient and effective in tenns of serving its
customers. They recognize that the business environment has changed and that their own long-
tenn interests are best served by ensuring the success of the organization. OPSEU, however,
may decide to use more traditional union bargaining tattics, and it may follow through on its
threats to disrupt service to our customers.
...2
1 Q
All Ontario Municipalities
March 10, 2000
Page 2
OP AC will continue its effort to reach a successful settlement. If there are any union actions
which disrupt our service, I want to assure you that OP AC will do everything it can to eliminate
or mitigate any negati ve impacts on its customers.
You may receive communications from OPSEU which attempt to advance its interests and which
put OPAC's position in the least favourable light. If you do receive such communications, we
encourage you to contact us and allow us to give you OPAC's perspective on the issues. If you
have any other questions or concerns, I would be very pleased to discuss them with you.
Yours truly,
øR~
Robert A. Richards
President & Chief Administrative Officer
1 1
83/18/B8 23:27:25 EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page BB2
MAR-l0-00 FRl 05:06 PM AMO
FAX NO, 416 971 6191
P. 01/01
Member Communication
£lt1J. Association of
Municipalities
i of Ontario
For Your
6nformation
J@
}-"I;I ""Ç-
393 Univet'Sity Avonue, Suite 1701
Toronlc. ON M5G lEa
Tel: (416) 971-9866' fax: (416) 97H191
emall: amo@amo.munlcom.com
To the attention of the Clerk and Council.
For Immediate Attention
March 10, 2000 - FYI· 00/007
LAND AMBULANCE IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE
Issue: Status of the work of the Joint AMO/Ministry of Health and Long Term Care Land
Ambulance Implementation Steering Committee (LAISC).
Background: The purpose of the Committee is to identify and provide advice to the Minister on issues
related to the transfer of Ambulance services, The Committee is made up of elected officials and
senior staff from municipalities and the provincial government. In addition, sub-committees have been
established to work on specific issues such as provincial funding, dispatch, human resources and
purchasing.
The Committee has raised and helped resolve numerous issues including the following:
. the extension of the transfer date from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2001;
the reiease of the 1996-1998 ambulance call data, and 1998 detailed budget information; and
keeping the Judson Street Stores and the Ontario Government Pharmacy open for municipal
purchasing of ambulance vehicles, supplies and equipment.
There are several issues that LAISC has recommended to the Minister which are awaiting Provincial
action. These issues include:
. funding the municipal cost of delivering land ambulance services, including transition costs, service
enhancements for meeting the 1996 legislated standard and developing consistent service levels
within and between communities;
placing paramedics in an Essential Service Agreement bargaining environment in those
municipalities that were downloaded the service under the LSR arrangement;
setting up municipally managed dispatch pilot projects where municipalities desire this; and
the release of the 1999 call data.
AMO will continue to update members on these issues and how they are being resolved. If you have
any questions regarding this or any other ambulance issue, call Jeff Fisher, AMO Policy Advisor, at
(416) 971.9856 ext 315.
This information is avaiiable througl1 AMO's MUNICOM network al www.munícom.com
For more Information contact: PatVanini, Dircc!or of Policy and Government Relations at (416) 971·9856 exL
31 G or Jeff Fisher, Policy Advisor at ex!. 315.
For transmission problems: call Brenda Harvey (416) 971-9856 ex\. 326
~ 1 2
83/13/88 23:24:84 EST: ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERH-EIgin Co
Page 883
MAR-13-00 MON 02:40 PM AMO
FAX NO, 416 971 6191
p, 02
Member Communication
£lhf. Association of
. Municipalities
it of Ontario
For Your
6nformation
393 University Avenue, Sult~ 1701
Toronto, ON M5G 1 E8
Tol: (416) 971-<1858· fox: (418) 971~191
emaíl: amo@Bmo.municom.com
To tIJe attention of the Clerk and Council.
Please ensure that copies of this are distributed to all Members of Council
For Immediate Attention
March 13, 2000
FYI - 00/009
AMO's Honour Roll
Issue:
AMO is calling for nominations to its Annual Honour Roll. Individuals who have made an
outstanding contribution to the municipal sector will be honoured at the annual AMO
conference in August.
Facts:
In 1999, tho AMO Board of Directors formally recognized a number of municipai officials for
outstanding contributions to AMO and the municipal sector. These individuals were honoured during
a special ceremony held at the annual conference in August, 1999.
Given the overwhelming success of the special ceremony, the Board has authorized the creation of
an "AMO Honour Roll." Each year, a limited number of individuals will be selected and formally
recognized at the annual AMO conference. The 2000 AMO conference will be held in Ottawa from
August 13-16.
We are pleased to ask for nominations for AMO's 2000 Honour Roll. If your municipality wishes to
summit a nominee for consideration, please forward:
1. Name
2. Position (elected or appointed official)
3. Brief summary of the candidates accomplishments and biographical information
Nominees will be accepted untii June 2, 2000, at the following address:
Association of Municipalities of Ontario
393 University Avenue, Suite 1701
Toronto, ON M5G 1 E6
Attention: Honour Roll Selection Committee
For further info: Please contact Pat Moyle, AMO Executive Director at 416-971-9856 ext. 306
For transmission problems, contact: (416) 971-9856
1~
83/17/88 23:38:45 EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
MAR-17-00 FRI 04:10 PM AMO
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page 8B2
Member Communication
FAX NO, 416 971 6191 P. 01
.4.\. I~(~ Municipalities
~1I-~~ ofOntartO
For Your
(}nformation
393 unlv9mUy Avenuo, Sullo 1701
Toronto, ON MsG '56
Tol: (418) 971-98543· fax: (4'18) 671-6191
amB!!: amo@amo.mul"llcom,com
To the attention of the Clerk and Council.
Please ensure that copies of this are distributed to all Members of Council
For Immediate Attention
March 17, 2000 . FYI- 00/0'10
RESULTS OF THE AMO BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Issue:
On Friday, February 251h, the AMO Board of Directors met in Toronto.
Facts:
At the meeting, the AMO Board heard from three delegations, including the Deputy Minister of
Finance, Dr. Bryne Purchase. Dr. Purchase outlined Ontario's positive fiscal forecast. Board
members raised several municipal concerns including:
· the exit strategy for Bill 79 tax capping;
· the need for municipalities to know how much new infrastructure money will be available through
the Superbuild program;
· the need for municipal. rural and northern representation on the Superbuild Board;
the need for federal infrastructure dollars to be invested in tripartite programs;
the continuation of the CFR and SCF grants; and
the frozen assessment roll (and communications of this issue to property taxpayers).
Eleanor R. Clitheroe, President and CEO of Ontario Hydro Services Company Inc.. also attended
the meeting. She outlined Ontario Hydro's Business Plan, and discussed the Province's restructuring
of the electricity sector. The impact on municipal utilities was also addressed.
TI1c final delegation was from the Hicl<s. Morley, Hamilton, Stewart, Storie law firm which has been
retained by AMO to review important labour issues which are impacting the municipal sector. They
include:
I nterest Arbitration;
Regulation 10/99 and seniority rights of provincial employees transferred to municipalities;
. volunteer fire fighters;
the collective bargaining framework for paramedics;
Alternative Service Delivery in the fire and police sectors; and
. utilizing Boards of Conciliation more frequently.
At the Board meeting, it was agreed that the Municipal Finance Officers' Association (MFOA) will
provide tax assessment and policy advice to AMO for the next year. It was agreed that AMO would
partner with the Ontario Municipal Management Institute (OMMI) to develop Councillor Training
Workshops after the November municipal elections. AMO will also be seeking funding from tho
Ministry of Mu nicipal Affairs and Housing for the workshops. In addition, AMO is seeking closer ties
with the Ontario Municipal Social Services Association (OMSSA). Recently, a joint AMOIOMSSA
survey on the impacls of the recent provincial announcement on child care was sent out to Ontario
municipalities.
.../2
14
83/17/88 23:31:38 EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
MAR-17-00 FRI 04:11 PM AMO
Member Communication - FYI:
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page 8B3
FAX NO, 416 971 6191
KesultS at U1~ f'\LVIU UVCI........· .....".....~~......- .....
p, 02
Several resolutions were pCJssed as well - including the City of london Resolution that would allow
employee public transit commuting expenses to become a tax-free benefit. The Board agreed to
present this to the Transportation Roundtable on Greenhouse Gases and forward the resolution to
the Federal Government. The Board also agreed to raise the need for infrastructure funding for
Conservation Authorities with the provincial government.
The Board of Directors dealt with several policy matters. The AMO Retirement Home Working Group
developed several municipal principles for dealing with retirement homes. These were supported by
the Board and will be communicated to the Province, The AMO/Ministry of Health and Long Term
Care land Ambulance Implementation Steering Committee and its Dispatch Sub-committee
developed several principles for the municipal management of dispatch (including the continuation
of 100% provincial funding for dispatch). The Board supported these principles and they have been
forwarded to the Minister of Health and Long Term Care.
AMO President, Michael Power, also discussed his activities which included moving forward AMO's
agenda to fundamentally renew the relationship between the Provincial Government and Ontario's
municipalities. President Power has met with the media, municipal Councils, senior provincial staff,
the Leader of the Opposition, and Ministers to advance this important issue.
This relationship is beginning to change in a positive way. The Minister of Community and Social
Services, the Honourable John Baird, has committed to AMO that he will meetwith the Association's
Social Assistance Task Force quarterly to facilitate government to government discussions pertaining
to Ontario Works.
President Power also attended the very successful ROMNOGRA February Joint Conference. The
August 13111 _ 16'h AMO conference is also proving to be very popular. Most of the room blocks have
been sold out. It is recommended that intefested delegCJtes book their hotels as soon as possible.
Delegates can contact Margot Rayburn at the Ottawa Tourism and Convention Authority at 1-800-
363-4465 ex\. 126 for further information regarding accommodation.
AMO will also be launching a media campaign to educate the public on the responsibilities and need
for municipal government, how it operates, and the role of municipal Councils in this post "Who Does
What" era. Councillor David Stewart (County of Renfrew), Councillor Howard Moscoe (City of
Toronto), Mayor Ann Mulvale (Town of Oakville), CounciHor Jay Aspin (City of North Bay), Jim Pine
(CAO of Quinte West), and Michael Smither (Municipal World magazine) have agreed to form a
Working Group to develop the communications campaign.
AMO will also be striking a Task Force to examine possible changes to the AMO Board structure due
to the restructuring of the Regions of Sudbury, Ottawa-Carleton, Hamilton-Wentworth, and
Haldimand-Norfolk.
It was also agreed that AMO should send a delegation, made up of President Power, Deputy Mayor
Fran Coleman Crown of Huntsville), and Councillor Kay Manderville (City of Belleville), to the Ontario
Medical Association to discuss allowing foreign trained doctors to practice in Ontario. It is clear that
doctor shortage is no longer just impacting Northern Ontario.
The AMO Board will meet again on April 28ll1.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the AMO offices at (416) 971-9856. We can
also be reached by fax at (416) 971-6191, and e-mail at amo@amo:municom.com."
,~
__ 1!'1
r~ JIIIO""""
83/29/8623:12:3& EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page 882
MAR-29-00 WED 06:02 PM
AMO
FAX NO.
416 971 6191
/ r¥r'
P. 01
Association of
Municipalities
of Ontario
Member Communication
AI~rt
393 University Avenu.. Suit. 1701
Toronto, ON M5G 1E8
Tel: (416) 971-9956' lax; (416) 971-6191
f!lmall: amo@amo.munlc:orn.com
To the attention of the Clerk and Council
Please ensure that copies of this are distributed to all Members of Council
For Immediate Action
March 29, 2000 - Alert· 001006
Municipalities Continue to Look for Stability and Predictability in LSRlCIRF
Issue:
Changes announced to Community Reinvestment Fund
Background and Analysis:
· Ministers Eves and Clement announced to municipalities today that provincial actual costs ofLSR
services delivered by the Province but billed to municipalities are significantly less than their
projection.
Prelimina¡y Analysis; Reduced cost to tax payers is a shared goal. Given the savings that have
accrued, the Province needs to share how this has happened and build up the municipal
confidence on the accuracy of the numbers.
· Today's announcement brings yet more changes to the structure and amount of off-setting
funding. On a province-wide basis, the CRF Base is $37 million less than last year, the 1999
CRF Bonus ($21 million) remains and there is a new assessment needs fund ($40 million). While
the 1999 Northem Transitional Assistance Fund and Special Circumstance Fund and have
ended, the Province has decided not to clawback any 1999 CRF overpayments and will be
making adjustments to CRF where actual LSR eligible costs are greater than the projected.
Preliminary Analysis: The scope of the impact and the effect on municipal operations, which is
already in the second quarter of the municipal fiscal year, cannot be fully appreciated until the
individual municipal numbers are released. A/lowing municipalities to retain any 1999 CRF
overpayment is positive. However, municipalities counting on the special funds to help manage
thß service transfer will be impacted, but some may see this impact mitigated if they are identified
by the Province as qualifying for the assessment needs assistance. This information is not
immediately available. The 2000 municipal budget process cannot be completed until this
informatIon is released and confirmed as accurate.
· The CRF and other ofF-selting funds were designed to fill the difference between the residential
education tax and the cost of the service transfer where the service costs were greater. Many
of the transferred services are growth services, responding to changing demographics and
requiring additional capital and operating expenditures. For example, in many parts of Ontario,
there is a growing need for additional ambulance vehicles to meet provincial standard, which also
Ðttmctinsumnce and PST when delivered at the municipal level- costs which are not accounted
for in the LSRICRF formula. Social housing transition will also bring costs which will further
constrain the flexibility that the tax room is to provide.
Prolimina¡y Analysis: There are still a number of transition and cost impact issues that have not
been seWed and we need to resolve these matters in a timely and effective manner if there are
to be no unintended impacts for either the PrQvince or ftficipalities.
. '" .../2
83/29/88 23:13:29 EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERH-Elgin Co
Page 883
MAR-29-00 WED 06:03 PM AMO
Member Communication - Alert:
FAX NO, 416 971 6191 p, 02
Municipalities Continue to Look for Stability and Predictability in LSR/CRF
. The Province is setting out several administrative requirements for the CRF for both 2000 and
1999 funds. The provincial message is that the CRF must be used to reduce in-year costs to
taxpayers and not be put into non-specific reserves while increasing taxes.
Preliminary Analysis: The introduction of reporting requirements and provincial review is a
significant departure from previous years. This detracts from the role of democraticaffy elected
municipal councils, charged with managing the affairs of their communities, recognizing local
priorities and needs. This reaction should not surprise the Province.
AMO Action:
AMO will be considering the Ministers' request that the Association take a role in coordinating the
municipal contribution to the review ofthe CRF grant structure and is seeking additional information
on the expectations, anticipated process, and timing.
AMO is encouraged that the government is willing to look at better ways of managing the provinGial-
municipal financial relationship. Clearly the Province agrees with the sector that we need to find
ways of doing better business together - to get stability and predictability in funding, and a more
effective relationship.
Inviting municipal involvement in the design of options for a more responsive financing structure is
an acknowledgment of the critical relationship that exists between the two orders of governmant.
Sorting this out on the financial front is as important as clarifying respective roles in a new Municipal
Act.
In the meantime, AMO, like its members await the release of the LSR and CRF numbers..
This Information is available through AMO's MUNICOM network at www.municom.com.
For more information contact: Pat Vanini, Director of Policy and Government Relations, 416-971-9856
ex!. 316
Transmission problems:
Lorna Ruder at 416-971-9856 ex!. 300
17
84/83/88 22:27:58 EST; ASSOCIATION OF?-)
1 519 &33 7&&1 CLERK-Elgin Co
Page 882
APR-03-00 MON 04:16 PM AMO
FAX NO, 416 971 6191 P. 01101
£~_ Association of
.' Munic¡p~lities
1It of Ontario
Member Communication
For Your
On formation
393 UnlV&f1I.lty Avunuo. SuIte 17D1
Toranto, ON M5G 1 E6
Tel: (418) 971..s8S6· fwç (416) B71REl191
am.U: amoC_mo.munlcoM.cam
To the attention of the Clerk and Council.
Please ensure that copies of this are distributed to all Members of Council
For Immediate Attention
April 3, 2000
FYI" 001012
AMO and MFOA Announce a New Way of Doing Business
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Municipal Finance Officers Association is
pleased to announce that AMO will be utilizing the expert technical staff of the Municipal Finance
Officers Association to support its municipal policy interests in property assessment and taxation.
This new way of doing business, appfoved by the Associations' respective Committees will
strengthen the policy and advocacy work of both organizations. A stfong, united voice is critical
when it comes to affecting change.
What does this new relationship mean?
For AMO, it means that the Association will still have access to expert advice on property
assessment and taxation policy issues and, at the same time extend our existing resources to help
deal with the many other municipal priorities. It means that AMO will continue to develop policy
positions on taxation and assessment mattefS and that the AMO voice will still be made heard at the
provincial and federal levels, It means that the Board of Directors will continue to receive timely
information and advice.
MFOA will enjoy a broader base of support for its policy initiatives and advice. The new relationship
means that its policy advice will benefit from input from different perspectives brought by AMO staff
and members. The AMO Board of Directors will provide an important forum to vet MFOA policy
proposals and will provide an important source of support in dealing with the Province on critical
property tax and assessment issues affecting the municipal order of government.
So what does it mean for the fespective members of the Associations? It means business as usual.
AMO members should still forwafd to the AMO office their taxation and assessment issues so that
we can coordinate the work, achieve our priorities and meet the requirements of the new business
arrangement. Both Associations remain focused on meeting the needs of their members.
This information Is av¡¡ilable through AMO's MUNICOM network at www.municom.com and MFOA's Website
at www.mfo~,~
For transmission problems, contact: (416) 971-9856
1 6
180 Riverview Drive~ P.O. Box 1199~ Chatham~ Ontario Canada N7M 5L8
Phone: 519-352-7730 . Fax 519-352-8983 . E-mail: cansoy@soybean.on.ca
March 15, 2000
The Honourable David M. Collenette
Minister of Transportation
Place de Ville Tower "c" 29th Floor
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA ON5
MAR 20 2000
¡:::¡AIM
"'"~.'«-"~-, ~
Sr:RV~CES
Dear Minister,
The efficient transportation of Ontario grains and oilseeds continues to be an issue of
vital importance to the Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG), especially with the current farm
income crisis being experienced by all farmers throughout the province. Consequently,
the OSG requests your immediate action on the outstanding transportation issue dealing
with the dredging of Port Stanley Harbour.
In our letter to you on July 19, 1999 we expressed the importance of this harbour as a
delivery and export terminal for Ontario soybeans and urged your ministry to take the
necessary measures needed to restore it to full operation. In your letter of response on
August 18, 1999 you indicated that the extent ofthis problem was larger than originally
anticipated and that Transport Canada was developing cost estimates and reviewing
implementation options. A decision on these options was expected in the following
several weeks.
It is now several months later, our growers are about to embark on another growing
season and, to the best of our knowledge, the issue of dredging the Port Stanley Harbour
has not been resolved. Therefore, since Transport Canada is currently responsible for the
maintenance of this harbour, the Ontario Soybean Growers request that immediate action
be taken by your ministry to ensure that the dredging of Port Stanley Harbour be
completed as soon as possible.
Your prompt resolution of this issue will help prevent any further unnecessary negative
pressure to Ontario's already depressed commodity prices.
Sincerely,
THE ONTARIO SOYBEAN GROWERS
~
Ken Bee
Chairman
~
1 ~
March 15,2000
Letter to the Hon. D. M. Collenette, Minister of Transportation
-2-
c.c. The Honourable Lyle V anclief - Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Mr. Terry Gibson - Regional Director General, Programs Branch, Federal
Department of Transport.
Mr. Gar Knutson - Member of Parliament, Elgin-Middlesex-London.
Administrator I Clerk - The County of Elgin
20
Room 331
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A4
lIÆ
~
Ontario
Constituency Office:
542 Talbot Street
SI. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 1C4
Tel: (519) 631-0666
Fax: (519) 631-9478
Toll Free: 1-800-265-7638
E-mail: steve_peters-mpp-co
@ontla.ola.org
Tel: (416)325-7250
Fax: (416)325-7262
Email: steve_peters-mpp
@ontla.ola.org
STEVE PETERS, M.P.P.
ELGIN - MIDDLESEX - LONDON
March 18, 2000
W~R 21 21)1)(j
(\t"t', n\~T~,f 0,17 EL~.~\N..
u>,''''o' 0 - ~A' "i"¡::~
Sl:,~\ \J~~J ...'-~.¡¡
Honourable David Turnbull
Minister of Transportation
3'd Floor, Ferguson Block
77 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario
M7A IZ8
Dear Minister Turnbull,
I am in receipt of correspondence, which deals with your Ministry's recent decision to close the
St. Thomas Driver Examination Centre.
I must agree with the letter written by Sandra Hefrren, the Deputy County Clerk of Elgin County.
Due to the rural population of Elgin County, the service standards ofthe Ministry of
Transportation have not been maintained. This is evident by the attached letter written by one of
my constituents Jay Futcher. It seems that your Ministry is not following its own guidelines. As
noted in Ms. HefITen's letter the combined population of St. Thomas and Elgin County is well
above the minimum number of 50, 000 people needed to operate a Driver's Examination Centre.
The constituents of my riding have been placed at an unacceptable disadvantage.
Minister, I am asking you to intervene on behalf of the people of St. Thomas and Elgin County to
re-open the St. Thomas Driver Examination Centre. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
~~L
Steve Peters M.P.P.
Elgin-Middlesex-London
c.c. Ms. Sandra HefITen Deputy County Clerk
Elgin County
SP/:pwa
21
Room 331
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A4
yj
~
Ontario
Constituency Office:
542 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 1 C4
Tel: (416)325-7250
Fax: (416)325-7262
Email: steve_peters-mpp
@ontla.ola.org
STEVE PETERS, M.P.P.
ELGIN - MIDDLESEX - LONDON
<Ø Çß0b V0~~t:~)
"""'."Á'.' "\.~ÌI .. _. \.~\i
1~~;1 k~ '\"-"", ~.
\~'¡)¡;ø~<
Tel: (519) 631-0666
Fax: (519) 631-9478
Toll Free: 1-800-265-7638
E-mail: steve_peters-mpp-co
@ontla.ola.or9
March 18, 2000
<>1 ?.'iJ';¡f?;,
Wir>.R '"
~\~\"\
\.",¿"'":.~~ ,. - ~'"
ç;ft:.'ì1~<\1~,CB~
";'t¿¡ ~ -'
Hon. Elizabeth Witmer,
Minister of Health and Long Tenn Care
lOth Floor, Hepblli'11 Blozk, .
80 Grosvenor St,
Toronto, Ontario.
M7 A 2C4
Dear Minister:
I have taken the opportunity to forward to your attention a motion passed by the County of Elgin
at a meeting on February 15,2000.
The resolution was adopted by the Council in response to correspondence received trom the
County's representative on the StThomas-Elgin General Hospital Board. It is their intention to
have your Ministry reinstate hospital funding to its 1994/95 level.
Health care is of high importance for the vast majority of Ontarians. I hope you will gave this
resolution high priority. I look forward to your timely response.
Y -0urs truly,
Çt,~k
Steve Peters, M.P.P.
Elgin-Middlesex-London
CC: County of Elgin COlmciI
Lyn McLeod, Critic to Health and Long-Tern Care
22
Room 331
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A4
yj
~
Ontario
Constituency Office:
542 Talbot Street
St. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 1C4
Tel: (519) 631-0666
Fax: (519) 631-9478
Toll Free: 1-800-265-7638
E-mail: steveyeters-mpp-co
@ontla.ola.or9
Tel: (416)325-7250
Fax: (416)325-7262
Email: steve_peters-mpp
@ontla.ola.org
STEVE PETERS, M.P.P.
ELGIN - MIDDLESEX - LONDON
Marcb 18,2000
MAR 21 2000
ELGIN
·-"'_'P¡;.",').,¡i.~r..:Q:
"'~ i'-' i-~'(' \, ., ~, !:ì
'0ó='~" ,<,,¡,«o'
Warden D.J. McPhail
County of Elgin, 450 Sunset Drive
St. ThomaB, Ontario
N5R WI
Dear Warden McPhail,
Thank you for your recent letter expressing your deep concern about the Hanis Government's closure of the
agriculture field offices across Ontario. As you are aware, the announcement came following weeks of
speculation and denials by Ministry personnel.
The Ontario Liberal Caucus published a campaign document prior to the laBt election called 20/20 Plan for
Rural Ontario. Our policy recognized the importance of the OMAFRA field office and guaranteed that no
further closures would take place, along with the promise that we would ensure that a separate Minister and
Ministry of Agriculture is maintained.
The Ontario Liberal Party maintains a strong commitment to agriculture and our rural caucus members are
currently undertaking a tour of fann communities around Ontario, so that we may bring the true concerns
of fanners to Mr. Hardeman when the Legislature resumes. Though Mr. Hardeman is conducting his own
tour, most fanners have experience of the Harris government's last "round table discussions n with the fann
community and remember the outcome. Shortly after those discussions, the assault on agriculture, rural
schools and rural hospitals in Ontario proceeded in earnest.
Yon Célú be assured that the Ontario Liberal ,Pa..rty is cGmmitt~d to proteCting fa.'TII progranLrnes_and
ensuring that Ontario fanners get a " fair share ITom allleve/s of government.
Sincerely,
~~
Steve Peters M.P.P.
Elgin-Middlesex-London
CC; Hon. Ernie Hardeman
SP/:pwa
23
Room 331
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto, Ontario
M7A 1A4
lei
~
Ontario
Constituency Office:
542 Talbot Street
SI. Thomas, Ontario
N5P 1 C4
Tel: (416) 325-7250
Fax: (416)325-7262
Email: steve_peters-mpp
@ontla.ola.org
STEVE PETERS, M.P.P.
ELGIN - MIDDLESEX - LONDON
Tel: (519) 631-0666
Fax: (519) 631-9478
Toll Free: 1-800-265-7638
E-mail: steve_peters-mpp-co
@ontla..ola.or9
MAR 27 20011
March 22, 2000
COUNTY OF ELGIN
The County of Elgin
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas, ON, N5R 5V1
Dear Sir or Madam:
Please find enclosed a copy of the response to our office from the Minister of Municipal Affairs
and Housing regarding a provision under the Fewer Municipal Politician Act, 1999 to appoint
restructuring commissions in municipal areas at the request of the electors.
The Honourable Tony Clement assures us in his letter that commissions will not be appointed
solely on the basis of a petition.
We anticipate that this issue will be debated during the spring session of the Legislature.
Sincerely Yours
~Q~
Steve Peters, M.P.P,..
Elgin-Middlesex-London
SJP:eh:encl.
24
i7. ¡..:¡: ') ') Lf"!(1r"'lf'
~ ,--:J 0... '- uuJ
Ministry of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
Office of the Minister
Ministère des
Affaires municipales
et du Logement
~
-
Ontario
Bureau du ministre
777 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
Tel (416) 585-7000
777 rue Bay
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
Tél (416) 585-7000
J~1!~.MPP
Elgin-Middlesex-London
Room 331
Main Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7~4 .
· N-U ·
Dear M/ Peters:
Tharu40u for your recent letter regarding a provision under the Fewer Municipal
Politicians Act. 1999 (Bill 25) which pennits electors of a municipality to request that the
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing appoint a restructuring commission in their .
area.
The intent of the provision was not to overturn municipal restructuring that has already
taken place, but to provide an avenue to initiate restructuring discussIons where none
have occurred.
Concerns were raised about this approach and brought to my attention. Although the
timetables of the Legislature did not pennit an opportunity to make amendments to the
Bill while it was being debated, I would like to see this section reconsidered at the next
appropriate opportunity. In the meantime, I continue to encourage municipalities to
consider the benefits of local restructuring, and I have committed to not implementing a
commission solely on the basis of a petition.
Again, thank you for sharing your views with me on this matter.
Tony Clement
Minister
25
. -- ""-"".-, ,.,.., .-.~
ST. THOMAS PUBLIC LIBRARY
153 Curtis Street, ST. THOMAS. Ontario N5P 3Z7 (519) 631-6050
Carolyn Kneeshaw, Chief Executive Officer
March 20, 2000
Duncan McPhail, Warden and County Council
County of Elgin
450 Sunset Drive
St. Thomas, Ontario N5R 5Vl
\>!.!J.R 22 2.\)1)1)
qG\¡"¡
"J.""'"
Dear Warden McPhail and Council:
The St. Thomas Public Library Board is in receipt of your letter of January 25, 2000 denying the
Board's request for funding on behalf of county residents who use the St. Thomas Public
Library. As noted in your letter, the Board could charge non-resident fees to County residents.
The Board discussed this action, as recorded in the minutes of the February 24,2000 meeting:
00-12 Moved byM. vanWeert, seconded byR. Pargeterthat the St. Thomas Public Library
institute a user fee for non resident regular users. K. Buczkowski expressed concern that
fees would hurt the families who could least afford the latest information technology in
their homes.
00-13 Moved by M. van Weert, seconded by R. Pargeter that the Board request county residents
to consider a donation to offset the cost of providing library service to them. The
question of cost versus revenue was raised. It was also noted that many county residents
support the library through donations and service to the Friends of St. Thomas Public
Library.
These two motions were defeated. The Board then passed the following motions at its March
15,2000 meeting:
00-22 Moved by R. Pargeter, seconded by M. vanWeert that a letter be sent to the County
stating that the Board will make another request in 2000 for funding for the 2001 budget.
Carried
00-23 Moved byM. vanWeert, seconded byR. Parks that the two defeated resolutions, 00-12
and 00-13, in the February 24, 2000 minutes be included in the letter. Carried.
00-24 Moved by M. van Weert, seconded by R. Pargeter that the Board express its
disappointment in the County's decision to abrogate its responsibility. Carried.
Yours sincer~ly,
/1J/~
Greg Grondin, Chair
8t. Thomas Public Library Board
26
In Case of Transmission Difficulties, Please Call 416-863-2101
Please Deliver To: The County of Elgin
Minister of Finance
7 Queen's Park Crescent
Toronto, ON
M7A 1Y7
MinIster of Municipal Affairs and Housing
777 Bay Street
Toronto, ON
M5G 2E5
[tj
""""',
March 29,2000
Dear Head of Council:
On behalf of the provincial government, we are pleased to provide you with an update
on the Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF) and communicate to you the province's
ongoing measures to assist municipalities.
When the Local Services Realignment (LSR) became effective in 1998, the provincial
and municipal levels of government set out to streamline service delivery, and make
that delivery more accountable to taxpayers. To achieve these objectives, the province
provided municipalities with additional property tax revenue, in the form of residential
education tax room, in exchange for more predictable services. The CRF was made
available to smooth the transition to the new service responsibilities.
To further assist in the transition, the province provided additional temporary funds to
assist municipalities beyond the CRF commitment. The Special Circumstances Fund
(SCF) provided a total of $180 million over two years to municipalities in transitional
financial support, first in 1998, then again in 1999 to assist those municipalities that had
not yet fully changed their business practices, Further, we provided the Northern
Transitional Assistance and the Municipal Restructuring Fund with $87 million. plus
another $556 million for the Municipal Capital and Operating Restructuring Fund
(MCORF).
Through municipal and provincial efforts, and as a result of the design of the LSR
initiative, costs are continuing to decrease. The province is pleased to announce that
LSR costs have decreased since 1998. Last March, the province estimated that 1999
LSR costs would be $390 million less than the initial forecast released in March 1998.
For 1999, total eligible LSR costs have decreased by a furthef $80 million for a total
decline since March 1998 of $470 million.
We applaud the efforts of municipalities in working with us to achieve these results. It is
imperative however that both the province and municipalities ensure that these savings
continue to be passed through to property taxpayers.
.../2
27
Page 2
March 29, 2000
1999 Year End Reconciliation
The province is currently completing a year-end reconciliation of LSR eligible costs.
Although overall costs have decreased across the province, some adjustments will be
made to individual municipalities where net LSR costs are higher than forecast.
Municipalities who received CRF, and who experienced increased LSR eligible costs
over the original 1999 estimates, will have their final CRF amount for 1999 adjusted to
reflect the net increase in actual eligible LSR costs.
Where municipalities experience final 1999 LSR eligible costs that are below the March
LSR forecast, they may retain that CRF overpayment, provided that taxpayers receive a
direct benefit from these funds in this fiscal year. Municipalities will be fequired to
provide a plan to the province on how they will utilize these overpayments which create
a net benefit to the municipality. If the province finds that a municipality has not passed
on the benefit of the 1999 CRF surplus payment to the taxpayer this year, the
municipality's final year-end CRF payment will be adjusted by the amount of the CRF
overpayment.
2000 CRF Package
There are three components that make up the 2000 CRF package of $519 million. This
total amount includes $61 million beyond the province's base CRF commitment under
the LSR agreement. Details of your specific municipal allocation under the CRF
package will be communicated to your staff shortly by the Deputy Ministers of Finance
and Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The first part of the package is the base CRF allocation, which in 2000 will continue to
be based on LSR-eligible costs. Given the significant reduction in LSR costs for 1999,
the CRF base for 2000 is estimated to total $458 million.
In addition to our commitment to provide base CRF to eligible municipalities, we will
also continue to provide the $21 million 1999 CRF Bonus in 2000. By providing
municipalities with the same bonus that was paid in 1999, all taxpayers will continue to
benefit from the province's decision to cover 50% of municipal costs for land ambulance
and public health. This CRF Bonus will no doubt assist municipalities in planning for
land ambulance delivery responsibilities in 2000/2001.
The province recognizes the challenges faced by some municipalities with varying
assessment mixes, including a low ratio of commercial and industrial to residential
properties, or a high number of managed forest or farmland properties. To assist these
..J3
28
Page 3
March 29, 2000
municipalities as they evaluate various options for the future, including plans for
restructuring, we will pfovide an additional $40 million, to be allocated on a weighted
assessment formula.
The CRF package is intended to meet the province's ongoing commitment to
municipalities under LSR. Municipalities are expected to apply all CRF package
allocations to the current year operational costs, and pass the benefit of those funds
directly to the taxpayer. This means the CRF funds should not be put into reserves for
future use, but used to decrease the municipal levy requirement in this tax year or be
used for taxpayer supported initiatives. Should a situation arise where a municipality
applies its CRF allocation in a manner that does not pass the benefit through to the
taxpayer, the province will adjust a municipality's allocation accordingly, and reallocate
these amounts to municipalities deemed to be in greater need.
Because municipalities have been successful in finding efficiencies, just as the province
has, we anticipate many more municipalities will be delivering budgets with tax
decreases, or at minimum, no incfeases.
Municipal Information Requirements
We know that municipalities and the province share the objective of providing high
quality services at the best price possible. However, it is important to know that all
taxpayers are benefiting equally. As a result, we are asking municipalities to tell us how
taxpayers are being better served by the LSR exchange. .
Municipalities provide consolidated financial information to the province in the form of
the Financial Information Return (FIR), an important financial tool which assists the
province in its policy setting activities. However, the annual reporting schedule of the
FIR does not always pfovide us with timely information for particular situations, such as
the LSR initiative. To assist the province in assessing the effectiveness of the CRF,
municipalities will provide certain information to the province by separate form. The
information we will need has already been compiled by municipalities for their own
purposes, and should not create an additional administrative burden for you.
Specifically, municipalities will be required to provide annual financial and tax rate data
to the province during the second quarter of this year. Further, municipalities will be
asked to provide a report to the province on how the 1999 CRF funding was used, as
well as a resolution of Council on pfoposed use for the 2000 CRF allocation. For
municipalities receiving the benefit of a CRF overpayment from 1999, the resolution of
council will also address how the municipality intends to pass on the benefit of the
overpayment through to the taxpayers.
.../4
29
Page 4
March 29, 2000
In the next two weeks, you will receive detailed information on your municipality's
specific CRF allocation, details of the financial and tax rate information that is required
to be filed, and the estimated 2000 LSR billings. You will also receive confirmation of
the initial CRF payment for 2000.
Municipal Consultation
As we enter into the third year of the LSR exchange, a number of changes have
occurred from the time the system was designed. As a result, the province feels the
time has come for the parties to feview the LSR and CRF process, and explore possible
enhancements Of improvements to the current approach.
Therefore, the province is pleased to invite the Association of Municipalities of Ontario
(AMO) to assist us in coordinating the municipal participation in developing various
design options for the CRF starting in 2001 and beyond. We feel confident that with the
input of our key stakeholders, we can find ways to make the grant structure more
responsive to the future needs of both the province and municipalities. We look forward
to receiving the results of this review prior to the summer months.
We trust this information, and the details that will follow shortly from the Deputy
Ministers of Finance and Municipal Affairs and Housing, will provide you with the
necessary information to complete your budgets.
Sincerely,
M
~....:... G- -J.
Ernie Eves, QC
Minister of Finance
Tony Clement
Minister of Municipal Affairs
and Housing
30
Ministry of
Municipal Affairs
and Housing
Office of the Minister
Ministère des
Affaires mumcipales .------
et du Logement
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Bureau du ministre
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777 Bay Street
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
Tel (416) 585-7000
777 rue Bay
Toronto ON M5G 2E5
Tel (416) 585-7000
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March 22, 2000
Heads of Council
I am pleased to advise you that the inaugural edition of the Capital Budgeting Handbook
is now available for municipalities across the province. This handbook with
accompanying software is designed to assist you in developing a structured approach to
capital budgeting and planning within your municipality.
The handbook and software are the result of a unique, joint project developed by a
committee with representatives from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
including staff from the Municipal Finance Branch, the Municipal Support Services
Branch as well as various Municipal Services Offices. Also included on the committee
were representatives from several municipalities, as well as representatives from the
Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO), the
Municipal Finance Officers' Association of Ontario (MFOA) and the Canadian Institute
of Chartered Accountants (CICA).
We are committed to helping municipalities to be efficient, effective, and accountable to
the taxpayer. I believe the Capital Budgeting Handbook serves this purpose well, as it
was developed to assist municipalities in determining their capital requirements. With
the realignment of local services, capital budgeting is becoming an increasingly
important component of planning, financing and managing municipal capital
infrastructure. We recognize that some of you may already have developed your own
capital budgeting systems and that it can be difficult to initiate these processes, especially
in smaller and mid-sized municipalities where there are comp.eting demands. The
handbook and software were designed with this in mind. We welcome your feedback
and will work collectively with AMCTO and MFOA to continually enhance the tool.
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Heads of Council
Training sessions will be sponsored by AMCTO and the MFOA in the spring to help you
use this handbook and produce capital budgeting documents for both short and long-term
purposes. Infonnation on these sessions can be obtained from the AMCTO and MFOA
web sites: <www.amcto.com> and <www.mfoa.on.ca>. In addition, ministry staff from
our Municipal Services Offices will provide any additional help you may need.
The Capital Budgeting Handbook can be found on our website: <www.mah.¡¡:ov.on.ca>.
Copies will also be available during the training sessions and from Municipal Services
Offices.
I certainly hope you find this handbook useful in helping you to plan for the continued
success and growth of your municipality.
c: CAOSrrreasurers
Municipal Clerks
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