Find your Ward here here and your Council Members here | |
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Mayor Burton and Oakville recognized
at municipal conference for getting schools built
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At the annual Ministers’ Forum at AMO, Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, stressed to 2,000 mayors and Council members his new guidelines to motivate municipalities to take a leadership role in getting schools built in the right places and at the right time.
Answering a delegate's question about speeding delivery of new schools, the Minister referred to faster school approvals in Oakville as a result of removing unnecessary steps, saying, “I see we have Mayor Burton with us. We can approve a school in Oakville and open it in two years."
The Minister of Education explained his recent Bill 98, The Better Schools and Student Outcomes Act, which had Royal Assent in June.
One aim of this new act is to give municipalities a leading role in where schools get built.
"This is why I and Ward 7 Council members Scott Xie and Nav Nanda are so optimistic about catching up with our need for new schools," Mayor Rob Burton said.
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Elections Ontario will work with municipalities
to ensure they have the most
current and accurate lists
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During an AMO Conference session, Elections Ontario informed municipal representatives about their plan to create a unified permanent voter register.
This will enable municipalities to promptly send accurate voter information cards, advanced voting details, and election notices.
The new system also grants municipalities the ability and flexibility to address voter turnout and campaign sign regulations more effectively than under the previous system.
Elections Ontario continues to work alongside municipal partners to ensure a smooth transition leading up to the assumption of full responsibility for the voters lists in 2024.
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Provincial Announcement at AMO include incentives for reaching housing targets,
more health care funding and more
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The Province of Ontario gave announcements at AMO that include incentives for reaching housing targets, appointment of regional facilitators, more health care funding and changes to Development Charges Act.
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Housing & Building Faster Fund: Premier Doug Ford introduced a new $1.2 billion Building Faster Fund to incentivize municipalities that reach housing targets. The goal is to accelerate the construction of the projected 1.5 million homes by 2031. Those who meet 80% of their yearly targets qualify for infrastructure project funding, with increased amounts for higher achievements.
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Strong Mayor Powers Expansion: Premier Ford also declared the extension of strong mayor powers, targeting 21 municipalities anticipated to hit a population of 50,000 by 2031, if they pledge to meet targets for new housing.
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Public Health Funding: Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, announced a restoration of $47 million in provincial funding for public health units, reinstating the 75% provincial and 25% municipal cost-share ratio. An additional annual 1% funding increment for the next three years aims to bolster local health units.
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Regional Facilitators for Growth: Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Steve Clark, highlighted the province's intent to appoint regional facilitators in several regions and counties, including Halton. Their primary responsibility will be identifying changes to local governance structures to support faster housing and infrastructural growth.
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Affordable Housing & Development Charges Act: Minister Clark also declared an impending update to the definition of affordable housing, assuring that it will incorporate both local market and income factors. He said the government recognizes”one size won't fit all.”
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Election Reforms: Elections Ontario unveiled plans for a unified permanent voter register. This will make for earlier distribution of accurate voter information cards and election details, so electors have earlier notification of municipal elections . The new system agrants municipalities more ability to encourage voter turnout and improve campaign regulations.
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Homelessness Panel call for more intergovernmental and intragovernmental coordination to address homelessness crisis | |
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Elizabeth McIsaac of the Maytree Foundation stated that municipalities are well positioned as the government closest to people in order to deal with the urgency but need more tools at a housing panel at the AMO conference.
She identified inclusionary zoning and increasing and protecting rental supply as two measures that municipalities can utilize. Oakville Town Council recently passed a rental housing protection bylaw to protect Oakville’s existing rental housing supply. The panel on “Root Causes and Systemic Solutions for Ending Homelessness” included speakers from the Shift, University Health Network and the Maytree Foundation discussed.
Leilani Farha of the Shift, expressed concerned that we're not seeing enough “intergovernmental and intragovernmental coordination to address the phenomenon of homelessness” and “I'm hoping that's what's going to come out of the budget in the fall, the economic statement.”
Mayor Burton and Ontario’s Big City Mayors (OBCM) have committed to addressing the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis facing communities across Ontario. OBCM led the call for action to work towards solutions to address homelessness with its Health and Homelessness strategy.
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Mayor Burton gives statement on
hateful graffiti found on Oakville church
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Mayor Burton gave a statement in response to hateful graffiti found on a church in Oakville.
Police are now investigating after hate-motivated and homophobic graffiti was reportedly discovered on an Oakville church and attached daycare facility on Aug. 20.
Halton police allege the vandalism, which appeared on the property of St. Aidan’s Anglican Church, was carried out between the afternoon of Aug. 19 and the morning of Aug. 20.
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Mayor proclaims August 27
as Veronica Tyrrell Day in Oakville
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Mayor Burton has proclaimed August 27th, 2023 as Veronica Tyrrell Day in the Town of Oakville.
This comes following last year's Veronica Tyrrell Park dedication.
"Whereas, within the Town of Oakville we recognize the contributions of all citizens to a rich history of diversity in shaping our community and we encourage all residents to celebrate our diversity and inclusion;
"Now therefore, I, Rob Burton, Mayor of the Town of Oakville, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM August 27, 2023 as Veronica Tyrrell Day in the Town of Oakville."
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Kite fighting now illegal in Oakville
Kite fighting – a sport where competitors use super-sharp kite line to try to cut each other’s kites out of the sky – is now banned in Oakville.
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It's getting a bit easier to buy a house in Oakville (but not Burlington): Report
Homes in Oakville–and the Halton Region overall–are not generally considered affordable (with some exceptions), but a new report suggests that the Oakville market is less of a sellers’ market now than it was previously.
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Ontario Making Progress on Work to Build at Least 1.5 Million Homes
Today, Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, addressed delegates at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference. He spoke about the progress the government is making on its plan to get at least 1.5 million homes built by 2031 as well as the next steps it is taking to tackle the housing supply crisis in communities across Ontario.
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Catholic teachers latest group in Ontario to plan strike votes
Catholic teachers in Ontario have become the latest group of educators to move one step closer to strike action, as their union announced dates to vote on any potential action.
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Should Ottawa build homes again? 'Conversations' happening, minister says | |
As pressure mounts on the federal government to take a more active role in filling the housing supply gap, the minister in charge of the portfolio is exploring new — and potentially old — approaches to getting homes built. | |
Halifax housing crisis: The struggle of post-secondary students as back-to-school looms | |
Halifax’s housing crisis and the rising cost of living is causing strain among post-secondary students returning to campus next month. | |
Hawaii officials still don't know fate of more than 800 people after Lahaina wildfires
Two weeks after the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century swept through the Maui community of Lahaina, authorities say more than 800 people remain unaccounted for.
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Why China's economy is faltering - and how that might impact Canada
Growing signs of weakness in China’s economy could be “good news” for Canada’s inflation fight, but experts warn it could also mean a steeper downturn domestically this fall.
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Dorval Crossing Civitan Farmer’s Market is the Town of Oakville’s longest running farmer’s market. Our market operates from 8:00 a.m. till 1:30 p.m every Saturday from May until the end of November. All proceeds earned by the market stall rentals are donated to local Oakville charities.
oakvillefarmersmarket.ca oakvillecivitan.ca
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$2,500 Digital Transformation Grants NOW available | |
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Applications are now being accepted for the $2,500 Digital Transformation Grants! Applications will be accepted until September 30, 2023, or until funds are fully exhausted. There are a limited number of grants available, so businesses are encouraged to apply early!
It is free to apply and the process is simple:
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Register your business at digitalmainstreet.ca/ontariogrants/ and complete the digital assessment.
- Pass the pre-qualification quiz, complete the 2.5 hours of online training, and develop your Digital Transformation Plan.
- Apply for a $2,500 grant.
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Food Banks experiencing record demand
Oakville's food banks are in record-breaking demand. If you can donate anything, please do. Your help is needed.
Fareshare Food Bank Oakville:
905-847-3988
[email protected]
Kerr Street Mission
905-845-7485
kerrstreet.com
The Salvation Army Oakville
salvationarmy.ca
Food 4 Kids Halton
food4kidshalton.ca
Oak Park & Neighbourhood Centre Food Bank
opnc.ca
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