Mayor Rob Burton presented his ninth annual Oakville Status Report Monday night. The speech highlighted the town’s milestones over the past year and mapped out the direction for Council’s year ahead.
The Mayor pointed to Oakville’s strong and stable financial position, which was recently highlighted in a new book on municipal finances. Oakville was ranked as number one in fiscal health.
“This is gratifying to see, because we’ve worked hard for the last nine years to make our financial health the best it can be,” said Mayor Burton. “We believe financial strength is critical to our town’s livability.”
The Mayor pointed to the town's need for financial strength to face challenges and opportunities from all levels of government as well as those from international sources. He noted that Oakville’s new sister-city relationship with Huai’an, China, will provide local companies with new business.
Nationally, infrastructure needs and the recent Trans-Pacific-Partnership are on the agenda to be discussed with Canada’s newly elected government. Provincially, a review of the legislation affecting municipalities and possible moves to expand the Greenbelt, both signal possible opportunities.
The Mayor cited the much-anticipated opening of the new, state-of-the-art Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital and indicated it is already driving a boom in economic development.
Mayor Burton noted important questions Council would face in the months ahead. How will Oakville respond to the provincial intent to amalgamate power distribution companies? What form will the Downtown Cultural Hub reflect and what is the future of the world-famous Glen Abbey Golf Course?
Mayor Burton congratulated Council on its continued focus on providing Oakville with the best possible services, programs and decisions.
Mayor Burton closed his status report address by thanking Members of Council, town staff and Oakville residents for their ongoing engagement and contribution to Oakville’s vitality.
"We all contribute to the livability and success we celebrate…Oakville is succeeding because we work together with creativity and imagination,” said Mayor Burton.
Watch the Mayor's annual Oakville Status Report, as delivered at the October 26 Council meeting, on TownTV.