Mayor Burton informed us that the Proposed Budget is now published with a 2.1% increase and other options that could take it to 2.2% or as low as 1.1%. In November there is community feedback and in December the budget will be finalized. There is a new budget program called Performance Based Program Based Budgetting (PB2). We are the only town in Ontario to use it. It gives citizens a clearer picture of dollars allocated by program/service. In the past the budget was by department.

The town is in discussion with the Methadone clinic that wants to be at 143 Kerr St. There are other places that the clinic can operate that will not affect residents. The Mayor believes they may choose to relocate.

Power Plant

There was a lengthy discussion of power plant. Of particular note is that if the Interim Control Bylaw is upheld, the Mayor believes one option that TransCanada may have is to purchase one of the other sites. It was noted that the ‘Inverenergy site” on Avonhead of the remaining 3 sites from the RFP process would be most likely as Trans Canada might be able to use the Peel waste water system for its water cooling system.

The Mayor addressed a question regarding challenging the province on a centralized energy system versus a distributed energy program which would provide much smaller gas power plants. The Mayor responded that the town was not looking into this as the contract has been assigned and they are focused on dealing with the direct concern of Trans Canada.

JCRA asked the Mayor his view on the need for fundraising to support the fight against the power plant. He stated that the town and their legal team has met with C4CA. If there is legal action we want the town to take he suggests it be brought to the town. The town is prepared to take legal actions. Before assuming the town won’t do something, why not check first in case there is no need to raise funds for it? He personally will not donate to C4CA fundraising as they do not have accountability for the funds they raise.

He estimates that the property tax value of a TransCanada plant would be $400,000 AND the Town is NOT concerned with getting that tax revenue.

He emphasized that the Interim Control By law requires that the Town act in “good faith’ and cannot be upheld if it is only a blatant obstruction of the plant hence the Town’s position is that the proper location for power plants in Oakville is yet to be determined and needs to be evidence-based. The Town must provide a ‘place for everything’ in its plans in accordance with Provincial requirements.

Mayor Burton stated the Town is looking to MP Young to address with Environment Canada the issue of the toxicity of the particulate matter (PM2.5) and with Transport Canada for the situating of a power plant so close to a rail system.

He noted that Amir Shalaby of the OPA wrote the Supply plan for the province but it has not been approved. If we wish to learn more about the plan it is available to the public. He believes it over-states demand trends.

The Town will continue to express its concerns about the TransCanada plant and to seek information and evidence. The entire Council is united on the goal of assuring that no harm comes to the community.

The Mayor stated that the Premier told him that he is convinced there is a need for the plant and continues to convey that he will not back down, but will make good on his promise of cleaner air and state of the art pollution controls and recognizes that there is doubt or skepticism in the community that he will really be able to make that happen. The Mayor asked the Premier to take time to give the Green Energy Act and Demand Management (conservation) to work before rushing into a $1.2 billion dollar project.

JCRA asked if a Judicial review had been considered regarding the conflict of issue concern with the Chair of the OPA . The Mayor stated while we morally see the conflict as apparent and he personally would not do what the OPA Chair is doing. Unfortunately the Town’s legal counsel says the issue would be viewed as legal under Ontario’s laws.

JCRA asked the Mayor about the Mississauga recycling plant planned for east of Winston Churchill on Lakeshore by the Peel Waste Water plant. The Mayor agreed to take carriage of the issue noting that there is a need for Mississauga to consult with Oakville when it is close to the border. Discussion regarding the potential impact of heavy traffic on Winston Churchill occurred including how to ensure trucks are routed to Southdown if the plant proceeded

Bronte Residents Association asked if the Town could help the resident groups get a column in the local paper to communicate resident issues. They asked if other resident groups would support this initiative and to take a column in rotation. Mayor Burton suggested a regular column that included something from each group whenever they had news to convey may be better so the frequency of communication might work better. The Mayor said he’d be glad to help and to develop such space in other outlets, too.