An important mssage from Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson…
Tomorrow’s meeting of Peel Regional Council may be the most important since the formation of Regional Government in Peel.
It’s important that you as residents understand the impacts and potential risks to Caledon should there be changes to our representation at Peel Regional Council.
Since the Region was formed in 1974 Caledon has had five Regional Councillors. The Government of the day recognized the need for effective rural representation. Historically, representation is determined in two ways, for communities over 150,000 a representation by population method is used, for communities under 150,000 representation by area is used. That way both urban and rural issues are fairly represented.
In 2013 Brampton Council brought the issue of fair representation to Regional Council given the tremendous amount of growth over the last decade, that began a process which has led to the report being considered tomorrow. It’s important to know that we are supportive of increasing Brampton’s representation at the Regional Council table.
The City of Mississauga recently released their strategic plan which indicates that they are expected to grow by another 300,000 residents; again Caledon is not opposed to adequate urban representation to accommodate that growth.
Caledon’s five regional seats represent the rural, growing small urban, agricultural, environmentally sensitive, and conservation voice of the Region. It is no more and no less important than the large urban voice.
For more than 40 years Caledon has worked collaboratively with the Cities of Mississauga and Brampton respecting their individuality and urban challenges and in turn they have respected our uniqueness and rural/near urban challenges. We may not always agree, but we had always respected each other.
The risk tomorrow is that Caledon could lose seats at a time in our history when we will are in need of critical infrastructure for the sustainability of our community and decisions on our future will be made by those who may not fully understand, share or appreciate our local vision and values.
I said at the beginning that this may be the most important meeting in the history of Regional Government, I will stand firm in fighting for the our voice at the Region.
The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 9:30am in the Peel Region Council Chambers 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A 5th Floor.
Fast Facts:
Caledon is 56% of the land mass in Peel
We are responsible for the preservation and stewardship of the majority of Peel’s watershed, greenspace and natural heritage in compliance with four pieces of provincially protective legislation; Greenbelt, Niagara Escarpment, Places to grow and Oak Ridge’s Moraine
Caledon’s Whitebelt area and urban communities will experience growth over the next 30 years
Caledon has over 3,400 kilometers of roads and 205 bridges
Caledon has been a strong and supportive partner in Regional Government since it began in 1974
I am not sure how wise it was for Ms Innis to do this. It only alienates the municipalities more. It should not matter land mass. That would mean federal and provincial MPs should increase since some of the northern land masses are massive. And if Innis is conservative, why would she chose an option (it was not her motion … But an option presented in the report) that increases government? It’s right that Caledon gives up their seats to give to Brampton – this would create an alliance. But no one seems to be playing politics and what’s best for us in Caledon. It’s all about egos. Egos in Caledon. Egos in Mississauga. And egos in Brampton. Why not ask the voters what we want? We don’t want to increase government. It’s not quantity of representation but the quality. And if Caledon gives up two, that means there’s more opportunity for the three left to have more staff at the Town to assist in constituency concerns.
Truthfully it’s upsetting that regional government spent time discussing this when Mississauaga can just have the last word.
Work together Caledon – or be prepared to be split up to Vaughan, Duffein and Halton Hills.
The region should say ok Caledon – you have 56% of the land mass – then pay your fair share of roads. Is anyone not afraid that the two larger cities will band together and tell us to pay more? Pay per use?! Or are we all (council included) kidding ourselves?
Since the former regional chair from Caledon left, does outlet council think we will be treated with white gloves? No. We’re being treated like a big boy and going head to head. So our council should act like it.
Instead, our council cries and walks away. That’s not where my tax dollars should be going.
Caledon, we need to smarten up. Not one person understand politics. Not one person on our council is a representative. It’s all about one up-ping one another to see who will oust Thompson in the next election.