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Kawartha Lakes – Kawartha Lakes sent a delegation to the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) 2024 Conference held in Toronto from January 21 to 23, 2024. Representatives included Mayor Elmslie, Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald, Councillor Ashmore, Councillor Joyce, Councillor Richardson, Councillor Smeaton and Ron Taylor, CAO.
“This year’s ROMA Conference was very productive. We were able to speak with a number of Ministers and parliamentary staff to ensure local priorities are being heard. I look forward to hearing back on a number of issues. The Councillors who attended felt the sessions and networking were valuable to the work they do on behalf of constituents,” commented Doug Elmslie, Mayor.
Kawartha Lakes discusses investments needed from the province to support local growth
Mayor Elmslie met with the Parliamentary Assistant of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Matthew Rae, to discuss the Housing Pledge of 6,500 homes by 2031, within the City’s planned growth. The majority of the additional 10,500 units approved through Ministerial Zoning Orders (MZOs) fall outside of urban boundaries and servicing areas. Kawartha Lakes is committed to accommodating these units by 2051, however, will require significant infrastructure support. The Mayor discussed supports such as water and sanitary systems, stormwater management, roads and bridges. Provincial support is also needed for regional GO Transit connections, widening of portions of Highway 35 and investment in health care and education to support a rapidly growing community.
Mayor Elmslie secured a follow up delegation directly with Minister Calandra. The Minister congratulated the City for achieving 84 percent of the provincially-imposed 2023 housing target, and confirmed that further information on the Building Faster Fund is on its way.
Addressing the dire need for social assistance and licensed child care spaces in Kawartha Lakes
Mayor Elmslie met with Charmaine Williams, Associate Minister of Women’s Social and Economic Opportunity and Parliamentary Assistant Patrice Barnes from the Ministry of Education. The discussion focused on the need to increase Ontario Works payments as financial rates have been frozen since 2018. The recommendation made to the Ministry is to double the current Ontario Works rates and commit to annual cost of living increases. This would provide a single person with $1,466 per month or $17,592 annually, making housing and life stability a reality, so that sustainable employment can follow.
There are currently 645 children on the waitlist for licensed child care in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton. This equates to a 5.8 year wait. At the meeting, Mayor Elmslie recommended increasing the income thresholds for fee subsidy to $31,131 (current minimum wage levels) and providing capital funding to expand current child care facilities in Kawartha Lakes and Halliburton. A parent with young children wanting to get back to work and/or retrain for new employment is deprived of this opportunity, as they cannot find care for their children.
Kawartha Lakes advocates alongside the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus (EOWC)
Mayor Elmslie, as a member of the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus (EOWC), met with provincial Ministers, Members of Provincial Parliament, and the Ontario New Democratic and Liberal opposition parties to discuss critical priorities.
Affordable and Attainable Housing discussions with Hon. Paul Calandra, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing covered the following:
- EOWC is encouraged that the Ontario Government thinks differently when it comes to putting money away for rural projects. Fairly small provincial investment can make a big difference in rural communities and contribute significantly to their economy, well-being and vibrancy. Provincial programs need to be reviewed with a rural perspective and funding should be earmarked accordingly.
- The delegation thanked the Ontario Government for their investment through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) to support water and wastewater systems, announced at the ROMA Conference. This is a strong start to building the infrastructure required across the region.
- Delegates requested the Ontario Government work with the Federal Government to reach an agreement that will reinstate a grant-based, multi-year funding program so that municipalities can plan for and execute their asset management plans.
Long-Term Care priorities
Mayor Elmslie attended this meeting with the EOWC, advocating that the Ministry of Long-Term Care change the CMI (Case Mix Index) model to a per bed funding model as it would free up 1,064 registered nursing staff to provide direct resident care.
EOWC thanked the Ministry for the recent investment in the Local Priorities Fund and the Equipment and Training Fund that will enable complex care and diagnostic testing to be done directly at long-term care homes.
For the priorities package or more information, visit the EOWC website at www.eowc.org.
About ROMA: ROMA takes pride in promoting, supporting and enhancing strong and effective rural governments. About 270 of Ontario’s 444 municipalities have populations of less than 10,000, while scores more are rural in character. The rural arm of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, ROMA advocates for policies and programs that will help build thriving rural Ontario communities.
Photos:
ROMA Delegates from Kawartha Lakes Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald, Councillors Richardson and Joyce
Mayor Elmslie and Matthew Rae,Parliamentary Assistant, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing
Mayor Elmslie and the EOWC meet with the Ministry of Long-Term Care
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