HALDIMAND—All six of Haldimand’s ward councillors joined Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady at this year’s Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) conference in Ottawa from August 17 to 20.
Brady took part in all six County delegations at the conference:
- Ministry of Health – more support needed for the development of an age-friendly Haldimand
- Ministry of Energy and Mines – opportunities to support Ontario’s clean energy goals
- Ministry of Economic Development and Job Creation – infrastructure needs for the employment lands in Nanticoke and Caledonia
- Ministry of Indigenous Affairs – the need for provincial direction in developing a meaningful, legally and culturally appropriate Indigenous consultation framework
- Ministry of Long Term Care – the expansion of Edgewater Gardens and the critical need for more LTC options
- Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services – the need for funding to address social service gaps in rural and Indigenous communities
Bentley said, “Attending AMO is an important opportunity to connect with provincial leaders and advocate for the needs and priorities of our residents. … Direct, face-to-face meetings help us build relationships, highlight important local issues, and work toward solutions that will improve the quality of life for everyone who calls Haldimand home.”
In a message to The Press afterwards, Brady said, “We were able to reiterate our desperation on having shovels in the ground at Edgewater Gardens and attempt to pinpoint why the project is not moving forward. Mayor Bentley and I were also able to sit down with Energy Minister Stephen Lecce to discuss the desire for an energy project in Nanticoke.”
She described an impromptu meeting with Minister of Transportation Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria where she, Bentley, and Ward 1 Councillor Deb McKeen told Sarkaria they would not back down on the need for new traffic lights at the intersection of Haldibrook Rd./Highway 6 in Caledonia, nor the replacement of the Argyle St. bridge.
“Original MTO plans were to rectify this dangerous intersection by 2028 – it cannot wait that long as we are seeing accidents at least once or twice a week right now,” said Brady on Haldibrook/Highway 6. “It is unacceptable. The Ministry, on the heels of AMO, sent me a letter stating they were posting a Notice of Study Commencement for the Preliminary Design and Class Environmental Assessment for the intersection. My office has asked the Minister’s office how long this study might take.”
Brady said that while several conversations were had at AMO, “I am always concerned with the amount of taxpayer monies being used to have local politicians attend when these issues are not new to the Minister or Parliamentary Assistant. I understand it’s an opportunity for people to network, but I wonder if there is a more cost-effective way of doing this.”
Ward 2 Councillor John Metcalfe also ran into Sarkaria, taking the opportunity to inform him of a recent, serious collision at the Caledonia intersection.
“Overall the delegations were well attended by council members,” said Metcalfe. “Hopefully our delegations were well received and productive.”
Ward 3 Councillor Dan Lawrence shared, “A highlight for me was having a by chance, one on one conversation with the Minister of Energy and Mines, Stephen Lecce. I had an opportunity to promote the Nanticoke lands as a future site for an energy producing facility directly to him,” noting he left the conversation feeling optimistic about a potential nuclear energy facility in Nanticoke.
Ward 4 Councillor Brad Adams had a positive experience for his first trip to AMO, noting he learned a “great deal” in the delegations and conversations he took part in.
Adams sat in on most County delegations, hoping to get a feel for how the meetings play out and to be better prepared for future AMO conferences.
“You have to be concise and dynamic and make an impression. Plant the seed for follow up,” he said.
“I think it’s important when paid to be at conferences that you gain as much knowledge as possible so I can represent my constituents to the best of my abilities,” said Adams. “I personally assisted the mayor in our delegation with the Ministry of Children Community and Social Services.”
Adams also spoke on behalf of Victim Services of HN and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, asking for $250,000 to contribute to the opening of the Bilaabiidaa Safe House and Healing Lodge.
“This location has amenities and facilities that could be enjoyed by all communities, and I look forward to building stronger bonds and partnerships with our Indigenous neighbours. I’ve been to the property a couple of times and see great potential here with us working together on this,” Adams said.
“I found Minister Parsa to be engaging and receptive and left the delegation feeling good. I’ve been asked by seniors in my community to help them with an indoor pool in the winter for aquatics activities. A partnership here could lead to this being a reality,” said Adams.
Ward 5 Councillor Rob Shirton noted it was his first trip to AMO.
“I’ve always thought there was more of a benefit of going to ROMA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association), which is more geared towards rural municipalities, whereas AMO is for municipalities for all of Ontario. They’re big and small there,” said Shirton.
“I thought some of the sessions were better at ROMA than they were at AMO. That was my take.”
However, Shirton did do some networking while there.
“What I found is there is a shared thought out there on strong mayor powers and unfortunately what you can and can’t do. There are quite a few other municipalities that are frustrated with it.”
On the proposed nuclear site in Nanticoke, Shirton said, “They’re exploring that project currently, but the rollout time is 10-15 years to get everything built, approvals, pass all the environmental stuff…. The announcement could happen a little before that, but that’s what we’re looking at.”
