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Halton demands province change Development Charges Act by Bob Mitchell Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, July 30, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Province must amend its Development Charges Act (DCA), says Halton Region. Without changes, Halton can't accommodate growth, Regional councillors said earlier this month. "We are asking the Province to amend the DCA so that municipalities can recover the full costs of growth," said Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr. "For too long we have been limited in what we can recover for growth-related infrastructure, resulting in a shortfall that amounted to more than $148 million within the last 15 years. Protecting our taxpayers from the financial impact of growth is our No. 1 priority." The Province is currently reviewing the DCA, and Regional council, on July 15, unanimously endorsed a resolution presented by Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette calling for the Province to make changes to it in order to protect taxpayers from the financial impacts of growth. "It is unrealistic to think municipalities can meet the provincial growth targets without the changes we are recommending in the resolution," Bonnette told council. "I echo Chair Carr in saying we will not place the cost of growth on existing taxpayers." Halton's funding shortfall for growth-related infrastructure will grow to $339 million by 2031 unless necessary changes are made, councillors were told. To prevent this, the Region wants the Province to include all growth-related services funded by municipalities to be paid by development charges and to remove the 10 per cent discount for all services. Also, the Region is seeking the replace- ment of the 10-year average historical service level limits with forward-looking service levels. It also wants all mandatory exemptions removed while still providing maximum flexibility to use alternate funding tools to finance significant growth-related infrastructure in order to meet the Places to Grow Act requirements. Under the Provincial Places to Grow Act, Halton's population is projected to grow by 50 per cent from 550,000 to 780,000 people, by 2031. Regional council was told the provincial see Growth p. 16 up TO 60% OFF RENOVATION CLEARANCE SALE Sat., August 8th · 9am - 5pm Huge inventory of NEW 2014 gas fires with venting and fire backs $1,000 Absolute lowest prices on outdoor fire pits and hand made wrought iron furniture All floor models of gas & dimplex electric fireplaces. Great Family DininG For over 40 years! Visit our new location today! 2420 Lakeshore rd., W., Oakville Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner 905-337-2066 | www.cobblestonembers.ca 406 Speers Rd., Oakville 905-827-4851 Mon. - Sat. 8am - 9pm Sun. 8am - 3pm all new 2015 MEDIA PARTNER: 905.338.5721 ce Auto Servi Auto Body ruS A uSed 0c d 0 An p From $2,0 www.jnbautocenter.com · Scheduled Maintenance · Fuel Injection · Computer Diagnostics · Transmission & Clutches Accredited Test · Front & Rear End Work & Repair Facility · Electrical · Windshield Repair/Replacement · Shocks & Struts QEW · Air-Conditioning · Brakes Wyecroft · Tune-Ups JNB · Engines · Tires · Wheel Alignments · Oil & Fluid Changes Weller Ct. Insurance Claims Collision Repair Auto Body & Paint MILTON FAIRGROUNDS July 31 - Aug 3 Flying Cortes Family UNDER THE BIG TOP orld The World Famous allendas Wallendas Dorval Dr. *Acts subject to change. BUY 2 FOR THE PRICE OF 1 SPECTACULAR CULAR MOMENTS ARE JUST A CLICK CLIC AWAY... www.shrine-circus.com DISCOUNT TICKETS WITH PROMO CODE: FUN 294 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Monday-Friday 8-5 Saturday 8-1 NOTICE - DUE TO FACTORS BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE CIRCUS, ITS PRODUCER, PRESENTER AND SALES AGENTS; PERFORmERS AND ACTS IN THE SHOW mAY DIFFER FROm THOSE PORTRAYED OR REPRESENTED AND THEREFORE WE ASSUmE NO LIABILITY FOR SUCH CHANGES.*