Make Your Mark Municipally On November 13th

As of today there are only 46 shopping days left until the November 13th municipal election. It’s time to open the newspapers and tune into the radio before heading to the polls in just over six weeks.

With another two days left until the window closes to file for candidacy, it is shaping up to be an interesting decision for residents across our counties. In Haldimand for instance we have candidates very familiar with the role of Mayor, while in Norfolk, incumbent Rita Kalmbach will be stepping down for a slate of familiar faces. Meantime in Brant County, long-time Mayor Ron Eddy remains (at time of writing) the only candidate to lead the municipality for another four years. And on Six Nations there could be the possibility of a snap election

Equally important as those running for office are the myriad of issues that will help forge the future direction of our three Counties. Needless to say, in the east end of the riding we ask for a resolution of the Caledonia/Six Nations land dispute. In the west we have pressing issue with the wrap up to our tobacco growing legacy and the resulting new directions for local agriculture. Between east and west we have numerous issues our new councils will help tackle including the future of OPG Nanticoke, landfill, farming, taxes, assessments, small business, and the revitalization of downtown.

A month ago, I attended Opposition Leader John Tory’s speech in Ottawa to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Mr. Tory outlined some of the concerns municipal councillors face due to the current regime’s lack of attention to a deteriorating provincial-municipal relationship. Tory highlighted, “the continued unceasing encroachment of provincial government into the municipal domain.”

“I want you to know that I understand how unfair it is for the provincial government to essentially abdicate responsibility for an increasing range of essential services…yet see no problem in dictating new regulations to you without consultation,” Tory said. “This is the pattern we saw in the Clean Water Act – it is unfair for the Province to impose new requirements on municipalities and then refuse to do anything to help pick up the bill.”

As I’ve pointed out in the past, the Clean Water Act is all about permits and regulation and enforcement. Source-water bureaucracies will place regulations on your land – telling you what you can and cannot do on your own property. Those activities include running a normal farming operation, which could become illegal on parts of your land. The regulations will be binding, and will carry penalties for non-compliance. You don’t get a say. And the bulk of the cost will be borne by landowners and municipalities.

This is just one example of the top down mentality of this current government.

As Mr. Tory told the delegates of AMO, “this pattern – dictate, abdicate, and procrastinate – is actively corroding the ability of municipalities to address pressing issues.” Clearly, it’s time for a change.

Only through getting out to vote can anyone help shape the direction of the various levels of government.

On November 13th, I urge all those eligible to step up to the booth and make your mark for the future of Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant Counties – MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD. GET OUT AND VOTE.