The provincial regional review enters phase two, the request of public input. In Phase one advisors met with elected officials and staff of Halton and the Town of Oakville. The review looks for opportunities to save money if certain resources of Halton and Oakville were combined.
For many Oakville residents the regional review set off alarm bells.
From We Love Oakville - Stop Amalgamation
These residents are extremely concerned that the province has already decided to amalgamate Halton into a city. This would be achieved by dissolving: Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
However, the Ford conservative government indicated that it is not necessarily looking at amalgamation, but is rather looking at each service where cost savings could be realized.
This was stated by the Minister in charge of the regional review, after a question asked by Oakville MPP Stephen Crawford. As part of Crawford's question he expressed the concerns of his constituents.
The Minister did not rule out amalgamation.
Why the concern?
In the 1997 referendum about 75% of voters rejected amalgamating 6 municipalities to create the City of Toronto. The province proceeded against their constituents.
In 1998 the Harris Conservative Government dissolved the 6 municipalities to create the City of Toronto.
Dissolved Municipalities:
- East York
- Etobicoke
- North York
- Scarborough
- York
- Former City of Toronto
Expected amalgamation benefits
- cut spending while maintaining services
- create a city that would be recognized internationally
The results:
- cost savings never occurred
- number of city employees increased
- residents and businesses continue to use the name of their old municipality
- the world continues to think of Downtown Toronto as the City of Toronto
Considering historical precedence, the residents of Oakville are not wrong to be concerned.
Where we are now
Provincial advisors completed the regional review's first phase, interviews with decision makers of 82 upper and lower tier municipalities.
The next phase is public consultation. On March 13th an online form was available for constituents to give input. Everyone can submit a survey.
Public Input Survey
Questions use the term "upper-tier" or "lower-tier" municipality. For us, the upper-tier is Halton Region the lower-tier is the Town of Oakville.
The public input survey is online, but you can also send in your responses. Here is the link to the Public Input online survey.
Public Input questions
General
- How would you describe the performance of the upper-tier municipality in terms of making decisions and delivering services in your community?
- How would you describe the performance of the lower-tier municipality in terms of making decisions and delivering services in your community?
- In general, how might upper- or lower-tier municipalities be improved?
Governance
Municipal councils vary in size and governance structures. For example, in some municipalities, council members can serve on both local and regional council. In others, council members can sit on only the lower-tier or the upper-tier council. All lower-tier municipal mayors sit on the upper-tier council.
- Overall, how well do you feel represented by the current upper-tier council in the municipality? How might better representation be promoted?
- Does the upper-tier council in the municipality achieve the right balance between upper-tier issues and lower-tier issues? Please explain.
Decision-making
- Are decisions in the upper-tier municipality made in a timely and efficient manner? Please explain.
- Are decisions in the upper-tier municipality focused on the right priorities? Please explain.
- Are decisions in the lower-tier municipality made in a timely and efficient manner? Please explain.
- Are decisions in the lower-tier municipality focused on the right priorities? Please explain.
- How might municipal decision-making be improved?
Service delivery
Your municipal services could be delivered by your upper- or lower-tier municipality. The services vary for each municipality. For example, your upper-tier municipality may be responsible for arterial roads, area-wide land use planning, and health and social services. Your lower-tier may provide services for local roads, garbage collection, recreation, and local land use planning.
- Are the services provided by the upper-tier municipality delivered effectively and efficiently? Please explain.
- Are the services provided by the lower-tier municipality delivered effectively and efficiently? Please explain.
- How might the quality of municipal services be improved or be made more cost effective?
- Please share any other feedback or ideas for improvement in the upper- and lower-tier municipalities.
Tell us about yourself
Select all that apply. *
- I live in one of Ontario’s regional municipalities or Simcoe County
- I own a second residence in one of Ontario’s regional municipalities or Simcoe County
- I visit one of Ontario’s regional municipalities or Simcoe County frequently
- I work in one of Ontario’s regional municipalities or Simcoe County
- I am a business owner in an Ontario regional municipality or Simcoe County
- I invest in, or I am a client of, a business in one of Ontario’s regional municipalities or Simcoe County
- I am a member of council in an Ontario regional municipality or Simcoe County, and/or one of their lower-tier municipalities
- I am employed by an Ontario regional municipality or Simcoe County, or one of their lower-tier municipalities
- I am a member of a municipal sector organization
- I am an official of a labour organization serving public-sector employees
Other
Which municipality do you live in?