Province eases financial pressures on St. Thomas, Aylmer and property taxpayers

Ontario government to upload social assistance benefit costs from municipalities

ST. THOMAS – Local municipalities can expect to see the costs of Ontario Works benefits and court security paid by the province when the elements in a new report are fully implemented in 2018.

Currently, municipalities pay for certain social assistance benefit program costs, including a portion of Ontario Works benefits, from property taxes. This will no longer be the case as a result of an agreement reached by the provincial government, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the City of Toronto.
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Ontario Proposes Ban on Cell Phones While Driving

Association of
Municipalities of Ontario

Issue: Legislation introduced October 29 will ban the use of hand held electronic
communications devices by drivers if passed by the Ontario legislature.
Background:
The proposed Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act,
2008, introduced into the legislature today by the Minister of Transportation, Jim Bradley will
ban the use of cell phones and other hand-held electronic communications devices by
drivers on Ontario’s roads. Devices such as portable video games, DVD players and GPS
are also included.

National Do Not Call List – Implications for municipal candidates in Ontario

The Do Not Call List and associated regulations will limit Ontario municipal candidates in their ability to
legally solicit voter support by telephone.

Background:
Effective September 30, 2008, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC) launched the National Do Not Call List (DNCL). Canadians may register
on the List to reduce the number of telemarketing calls they receive. Businesses, organisations
and individuals wishing to make telemarketing calls are required to verify the numbers called do
not appear on the List and must comply with other restrictions. Exemptions from this restriction
apply for a municipal election but only if the calls are made on behalf of a registered political
party under provincial law.

Time to work together on future

“During the economic downturn we are experiencing, it is important that our citizens realize what council can do to alleviate the situation, particularly for the people at Sterling and Local 1001.”

Thus began Mayor Cliff Barwick’s impromptu economic state of the union address Monday, following a deputation by CAW Local 1001 seeking council’s support to secure the future of the Sterling Truck plant.

While grim-faced union members packed the gallery, Barwick offered little more than platitudes and an assurance, “My office will continually be available to you.”