The Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee met on February 13, 2003, at 8:26 a.m. in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

A quorum of voting members was not present within 30 minutes after the appointed time as published, and in accordance with section III-4(c.) of the Region's Procedural By-law 54-1999, as amended by By-law 61-2001, the meeting stood adjourned. Pursuant with Section III-4(f.) of the subject By-law, the Committee continued to receive submissions for information and subject to Section iii-4(e) the items of business listed on the agenda as published, and which were not dealt with, shall be placed on the agenda of the General Committee meeting to be held on February 27, 2003.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda for the February 13, 2003, Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee meeting be amended to include an update on the Smart Growth Workshop held on February 6, 2003 by Nick Tunnacliffe, Commissioner of Planning.

3. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

4. REPORTS

a. Status Report on the Regional Official Plan Strategic Update (ROPSU)

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be dealt with at the February 27, 2003 General Committee Meeting

b. Report of the Peer Review Consultant on Population, Household, and Employment Forecasts

Due to lack of quorum, this item will be dealt with at the February 27, 2003 General Committee Meeting

Tom McCormack of the Centre for Spatial Economics stated his firm had been requested to review the assumptions used in making the forecasts and review their usefulness. Upon the conclusion of the review, he was satisfied with the updated projections but noted that he is concerned with using the projections beyond 2021 because they are less reliable. He noted that the GTA vision has not been implemented so he questions the ability of the GTA to reach its target of 7.4 million people.

Councillor Whitehead noted that he believes Peel will reach its projection before 2021. He stated that building has commenced sooner than projected dates and we know at the time projections are made that they will be reached early. For this reason, the Official Plan is not always used when planning for infrastructure. He stated that in a market-driven economy the Official Plan should be amended to reflect reality.

Chair Kolb stated that in his opinion, growth will occur in accordance with immigration factors and he would like a better understanding of how immigration factors are applied to the projections. He also noted that national security will also be a factor as world happenings have an impact on growth. Chair Kolb noted that a greater focus should be placed on human services as these are the services that people want.

Chair Kolb asked what the growth rate would be if immigration was not a factor. Mr. McCormack responded that the growth rate would be relatively small at approximately 2,000 people per year. He noted that the projections, made by Hemson Consulting and reviewed by his firm, are based on immigration assumptions. The GTA, because of its unique location, is the favourite place for new businesses to be established. The flow of goods and services is increasingly concentrated in the GTA and the Golden Horseshoe and the resulting job creation attracts people not only from other countries but also from the Prairie Provinces, Atlantic Canada and other parts of Ontario. The job creating capacity of the GTA is the key to its future and in the next five years, we need immigration levels to increase. It the GTA can accommodate growth, it could grow to 7 or 8 million people. The inability of our infrastructure to handle the capacity could result in more people moving to the Hamilton area because the infrastructure there can handle it. He stated that Canada is not producing enough people to fill jobs and if immigration were to stop, our population would begin to decline within five years.

Chair Kolb noted that 60 per cent of men using Peel's shelters have jobs but cannot afford a place to live. This type of information should be included in the report so that federal and provincial politicians know that they need to come to the table with respect to these issues.

Mr. McCormack noted that he agreed with Chair Kolb's comments and that the federal and provincial governments do not seem to recognize the importance of Toronto and the GTA in the human services areas.

Councillor Whitehead noted that our population increases as a result of chaos in the rest of the world.

Councillor Whitehead advised that Caledon already has planned growth, by way of approved plans of subdivision, for 23,000 people whereas the charts provided indicate the projected growth as being 16,000. He noted that Caledon is growing by 1,000 people per year from granted severances alone. Councillor Whitehead requested that these targets be revisited as we need actual forecasts, not ones that are limited to the Official Plan. He noted that the report is a precursor to development charge calculations and will be used as evidence on appeals. He indicated that the report might be acceptable with the current text as long as it stipulates that some areas, such as soft services, are not detailed enough and we need to re-look at the fact that growth is easier in Peel because we do not have infrastructure constraints. Councillor Whitehead noted that more and more people in Bolton are home from work within 15 minutes making it a employment contributor now rather than a commuter contributor. Councillor Whitehead stated that if the report requires approval, it needs to include disclaimers.

Commissioner Tunnacliffe advised that the GTA Planning Group will be working on GTA-wide projections which may provide opportunity to deal with the points raised by Councillor Whitehead noting that we need to move forward with the report.

Councillor Whitehead indicated that he does not object to the approval of the report provided that disclaimers are included and that the report is not used for Development Charge calculations.

Councillor Sinclair asked what transit/transportation people do with these numbers and what they mean for goods movement, noting that we need basic worksheets and discussions relating to the next steps.
Commissioner Tunnacliffe noted that these issues would be addressed through the transportation portion of the Official Plan update and that studies have already commenced with the area municipalities which will come together for a plan for Peel.

5. COMMUNICATIONS

6. IN CAMERA MATTERS

7. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting date of the Inter-Municipal Planning Subcommittee is scheduled for Thursday, March 6, 2003 at 8:00 a.m., Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

Please forward regrets to Carol Lawrence, Legislative Assistant, 905-791-7800, extension 4818.

8. OTHER BUSINESS

Commissioner Tunnacliffe advised that the Region of Peel had sponsored a Smart Growth Workshop on February 6, 2003 at which there were 120 attendees. He advised he will present a report at the March 20, 2003 General Committee about the workshop.

Discussion concluded at 9:14 a.m.