AMO Conference in Ottawa was held last week

Doug Ford spoke for 22 minutes as a keynote address 

Compiled by Mark Schadenberg

AMO is the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the 400+ communities in the province gathered for their annual convention last week in Ottawa with Premier Doug Ford among the guest speakers.

A link to the full 22-minute speech is below, but I have created a synopsis of sorts.

Mark Critch is among the hosts of the show This Hour Has 22 Minutes, but Ford’s dialogue was timed in at 22:43.  

Doug Ford at AMO on August 17

Ontario’s desire is to raise the strongest economy anywhere in the G7. 

These paragraphs capture his podium time.

There is a million more people working than in recent years, large companies are investing in Ontario and paying taxes, so Ontario has attracted $235 billion in investment since 2018 and good paying jobs in every corner of the province. Ontario had 52,000 new jobs in July.

He did refer to the economy as ‘uncertain times’, but government has created conditions to attract investment.

‘Ring of Fire’ roads are under construction and are ahead of schedule by 5 years. There is $22 billion in economic possibilities in the north.

Priorities also include paved runways to the area -- airports to move people and supplies and mining materials.

Another priority is a pipeline from Alberta to Sarnia for gas production – a pipeline made by Canadian workers with Canadian steel. Northern Shield Energy Corridor is transformational, noted Ford.

The data centre ‘playbook’ was discussed and the importance of keeping Canadian data in Canada. Data sovereignty in our hands, but with our ‘natural competitive advantages’, clean hydro system, world-class workforce, and, but projects must strengthen Ontario and must invest in local infrastructure, strict environment standards including water and noise, cooler climate, available land, and maintain control of our sensitive data.  Safeguarding information, so will rely on cities to help build the future, which will help build municipal facilities and broadband infrastructure, while attracting revenue to the province.

“Ontario will choose only the best projects.” When it comes to data centres.

More hospitals and schools and better transit, and improved roads and bridges– a plan to build with a $236 billion plan. Hospitals’ total is $64 billion for new sites or additions, and $22 billion on larger K-12 schools or new schools, billions on long-term care, and $6.4 billion on colleges and universities. Can’t deliver world-class services without a strong economy.

The $8.8 billion committed to affordable housing is a partnership with the federal government.

Reducing development charges (DCs) up to 50% on the construction of new homes. Woodstock council did this. (Some communities have pledged a number higher than 50%). A detached home under construction in Woodstock previously included a DC of about $25,000 for road expansions, but more importantly recreation and cultural facilities. Townhouses and apartments had a much lower rate.

Buyers of brand new homes could save up to $200,000 along with HST reduction on new homes built, plus reduction in DC charges.

Province is assisting municipalities by building more jail cells, fixing bail system, closing safe injection sites, cleaning up drug quantities available on the street, clearing encampments, cracking down on crime so people are more safe.

Ring Of Fire

Investing in world-class recreation facilities across provinces to build and upgrade arenas, playing fields, and pools as they are community gathering places. It’s the Community Sports and Recreation Fund. Projects are always over applied (over subscribed) so, get your plan into the province now for eligible projects.

Never been more optimistic about this province’s future. He said this despite the on-going tariff issues with the U.S. in various economic sectors. Ford says his talks with U.S. state officials and industry leaders, share his thoughts on worrisome tariff additions due to unstable economic forecasts. ‘Build the most successful economic partnership in the entire world, and create lasting prosperity . . . across North America.”  

Ford mentioned how proud he is of front-line workers battling forest fires and a ‘national fire strategy’ to buy 60 more water bomber planes.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvKHgdlnpG4

My thoughts . . . 

It’s easy to create a capsule of a speech that appears to be all good news, but Ford has had his share of missteps (in my opinion) in recent years, including this list I have compiled. Ford has been the Progressive Conservation - Premier since 2018.

Created a system of ‘Strong Mayor’ powers and the expanded it basically to municipalities with 7 or more elected members on council.

Green belt land swap controversy. 

Paying $28 million for a plane, but then selling it.

Reducing the number of conservation authorities to 9. Less environment accountability.
Changed the locally-based recycling program to a producer-created system

Tunnel under 401 proposed.

Toronto second airport – Billy Bishop to expand or not. Costly consultations and projections before shelved by federal government.

Permitting sale of beer in all variety stores. Cost for the plan was over $1.4 billion

Pouring out Diageo whiskey when Amherstburg bottler was announced to be shuttered. This is on the list as Crown Royal is made in Gimli, Manitoba.

Green belt land swap. (Yes, I'm repeating myself. Precious property (Wetlands and green space) can not be sold to developers or utilized for highway construction.)

Ministerial Zoning Orders to over-step municipal plans for growth and where industry could be built.

Not protecting Indigineous land rights.

Bill 5 passing weakens protections against the environment and wildlife.

Provincial Property Statement on intensification -- building up and not out, but also permitting excessive ARUs in R1 zoned areas.

Woodstock was told that OMAFRA property was deemed surplus and would be sold only for residential only -- not a commercial plaza as an example.

Creating system where Ontario hires managers for regional governments in geography like Waterloo Region and Niagara. Could Oxford be next?

Under funding some services like healthcare (hallway healthcare and not enough front-line health professionals). Doctors, nurses, social workers are all needed.

Is funding for Hart Hubs arriving to each project fast enough during crisis of overdoses?

Province is about 20,000 beds short in its commitment to long-term care facilities.

What changes could occur long-term in school board administration, including elected trustees.

Funding shortfalls to a school system to allow for proper number of educational assistants in the classroom.   Woodstock did receive its highly-anticipated Turtle Island elementary.

Skills Development Fund department money misspent and directed poorly by the cabinet portfolio.

Moving the Ontario Science Centre.

Wellness centre and spa transformation of Ontario Place.

Created camera speed traps and then eliminated program.

Created and encouraged mandatory bike lanes and then eliminated the program.

Reducing the number of weeks that Queen’s Park sits.

Feel free to comment with more to add to the list over the past 8 years

Plus other controversies driven by his cabinet ministers like renting in hotels when they live near Queen’s Park.

Some disputes were in areas I would applaud the provincial legislature including stricter access to ‘freedom of information’, including access to government cell phones. All elected officials, including those on city council, are pressured to often in areas such as transparency by citizens who don't watch council or read the agendas.

Understanding fully the issues at the municipal and county levels

only happens when you follow happenings at Queen's Park

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