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Progress made in 2021; more to come in 2022

Regional Coun.
Regional Coun. Gary Zalepa

Last year at this time I reflected on why and how governments needed to align themselves on addressing public policy issues, such as housing affordability, long-term care, homelessness, sustainability in protecting our environment, mental health care, and sustainable government.

To date, some advancements have been made but many issues remain a work in progress. Gains are possible when governments act in partnership with local and both the federal and provincial governments. Here are a couple examples:

Regional council has made investments into housing affordability a priority. Over $30 million has been committed to new affordable housing units and more supportive housing for homelessness. New facilitates open as soon as Jan 2022. The support facility for the homeless was the result of governments collaborating. Niagara Falls had surplus property, the region had expertise in delivering social services, and operating funding, while the province provided funding for capital improvements to make the facility functional. This has been possible due to the alignment of government objectives at all levels and redevelopment of existing public assets. Further progress will come in January, when regional council will consider a housing master plan. This policy document will provide a detailed affordable housing plan by identifying potential lands for development and financial models for future projects. This will serve as a key public policy document that will guide improvements to the affordability of housing for Niagara’s most vulnerable.    

Environmental disasters have filled our news media, especially of late. Municipalities are at the forefront of efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of our environment. Alignment with all levels of governments here has not happened, although progress is occurring. Local governments manage massive, critical pieces of public infrastructure; think about our drinking water systems, waste-water treatment plants, waste collection services and systems, roads and bridges, and natural environmental systems, such as creeks, wood lots and drainage areas. Local governments also manage local planning applications, through tools such as official plans, zoning bylaws, urban design guidelines, and natural heritage system guidelines. Through asset management plans and public planning policies, local governments can greatly impact environmental protection and sustainability. 

Through the region’s asset management plan there are over $7 billion in assets with long-term capital requirements. Council has made adequately funding these requirements a priority, so as to limit the burden of future taxpayers with unfunded liabilities. This is not an easy decision. It requires addressing these funding pressures by providing long-term commitments from tax revenue and allocating that to capital reserves, so funds are available when needed. A prudent decision today, that will be more popular in the future. Too many previous administrations deferred this commitment and now the needs are critical, but we can still avoid a future financial disaster by committing today. Just look at the B.C. lower mainland and the failure to address funding of the levees and dams which led to the recent extreme flooding.

Some infrastructure highlights of the region include 770 kilometres of roads and 130 bridges since 2018; millions of dollars in upgrades to water treatment plants, and waste water treatment plants; regional road infrastructure enhancements for GO Train expansion; waste collection changes have diverted 12,000 tonnes of garbage from landfill sites and increased green bin use by 24 per cent.

On the public planning side, regional council is in the final process of a full update to the regional official plan (ROP), with council endorsement planned for June/July 2022. Contained in that ROP is policy which will add 70,000 hectares of green space in Niagara. Including new natural heritage features protecting 38,000 hectares and policy direction for growth corridors to manage our population growth and employment creation.  All of the above will go a long way to secure a sustainable environment and economy here in Niagara. 

Another matter that has arisen in the past few years has been the concern with safety on our roads. In NOTL, with our predominately rural road structure we are witnessing increased car volumes, pressure on design capacity and unfortunately less than careful drivers, to the point of distracted drivers and those not obeying recommended speed limits. When a location is identified as problematic, regional staff, including professional road engineers and experts in traffic analysis, review data that comes in from various sources and begins to monitor the situation and communicate concerns to the Niagara Regional Police. Recommended actions for correction are developed by regional staff and brought forward through a delegated authority given by council. An example of this is the recent intersection enhancements brought forward for York Road and Concession 6, including improved road markings, speed limit adjustments, and installation of a four-way stop. In reviewing this intersection, driver error including speeding, failing to stop and distracted driving were the leading cause of collisions at this intersection.  We must demand more attention while driving and have cause for consideration of the safety of others. 

As council begins 2022, I plan to bring more attention to opportunities in service delivery efficiencies. Identifying services that can be more effectively delivered by one level of government versus the current two-tier delivery method. Council has some victories already in this area. Niagara is close to integrating the multiple transit systems serving 12 municipalities into one. With economies of scale, improved routes, a single fare box and OnDemand services, we will begin to service residents with improved mobility and transit across all Niagara. Regional council has passed a motion that directs staff to continue investigating opportunities in service delivery review. Opportunities exist for corporate management functions, including human resource management, payroll, legal, asset management and other corporate functions of a municipality.  Other opportunities exist, including 9-1-1 service, EMS and fire dispatch; procurement services, including tendering and contract bidding. 

These suggestions all possess the opportunity to improve service delivery for residents, find efficiencies in resource allocation, and modernize local government. 

Further details on some items mentioned above can be found here:

Council Priorities https://www.niagararegion.ca/priorities/

Regional Services https://www.niagararegion.ca/about/default.aspx