M I N U T E S  IRAC-2012-4

The Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee (IRAC) met on September 6, 2012, at 11:10 a.m. in the Council Chamber, 5th Floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

Members Present:		S. Hames; E. Kolb; E. Moore; R. Paterak; P Saito¨; J. Sanderson; R. Starr; A. Thompson; J. Tovey
Members Absent:		B. Crombie; C. Fonseca, due to other municipal business
Other Regional Councillors Present:
Also Present:		D. Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer; S. VanOfwegen, Acting Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services; D. Labrecque, Commissioner of Public Works; J. Menard, Commissioner of Human Services; J. Smith, Commissioner of Health Services; K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk; D. Arbuckle, Manager, Public Policy and Government Relations; L. Rubin-Vaughan, Senior Advisor, Government Relations; C. Thomson, Committee Clerk

Chaired by Councillor A. Thompson.

1. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST - Nil

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION IRAC-8-2012:

That the agenda for the September 6, 2012 Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

3. DELEGATIONS

a) Brad Butt, Member of Parliament, Mississauga-Streetsville, Regarding Opportunities for Collaboration on Issues within the Mississauga-Streetsville Riding

Received

Brad Butt, Member of Parliament, Mississauga-Streetsville, congratulated the Council of the Region of Peel for establishing an Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee, stating that he appreciates knowing the Region of Peel is interested in positive dialogue and helping to advocate for issues, such as affordable housing.

Brad Butt advised that he is a member of the Federal standing committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and Status of Persons with Disabilities which deals with housing issues and that traditionally, the federal government has provided block funding to provinces, through individual agreements that enable the provinces to have flexibility in how the funding is utilized. He noted that Ontario is unique in that in the 1990’s, the province chose to download direct housing costs to municipalities. He suggested that the Region of Peel encourage the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to ensure this flexibility is continued in the new agreements for 2014 and beyond.

In response to a question from Councillor Thompson, Brad Butt committed to determine if funds available through the federal infrastructure initiative may be spent on housing infrastructure.

Councillor Tovey inquired if the federal government would be able to assist affordable housing providers in securing loans at lower interest rates, noting that over the last 9 years, the Region of Peel has spent $157 million on interest associated with affordable housing loans.

Brad Butt stated that Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation charges interest based on current rates at the time the loan is made. Many of the loans were initiated when interest rates were significantly higher than today’s rates. He noted that the federal government is looking into how it can facilitate the re-mortgaging of loans, similar to the option available in the private sector, where a penalty is charged. He noted however, that any re-financing would have to be at no cost to the taxpayers.

Brad Butt thanked the Committee for the opportunity to attend and offered his assistance, as well as his office staff, in facilitating the Region’s Advocacy Meetings in Ottawa.

Regional Chair Kolb invited Brad Butt to attend the opening of the Peel Art Gallery Museum and Archives (PAMA) scheduled for September 30, 2012.

4. REPORTS

a) 2012 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual Conference Update (Oral)

Discussion led by Allan Thompson, Chair, Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee

Received

See also Item 4b

Councillor Thompson thanked the members of the Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee, Regional staff and Marolyn Morrison, Mayor, Town of Caledon, for attending AMO’s 2012 Annual Conference, noting that positive discussions were held with Ministers and other provincial leaders.

Councillor Tovey extended his appreciation to David Arbuckle, Manager, Public Policy and Government Relations and Lowell Rubin-Vaughan, Senior Advisor, Government Relations, for the excellent support provided to the Region’s representatives at the conference.

Councillor Thompson congratulated Councillor Hames who was elected to AMO’s Large Urban Caucus.

b) Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) 2012 Annual Conference

Received

See also Item 4a

Councillor Thompson noted that the report titled “Association of Municipalities of Ontario’s (AMO) 2012 Annual Conference” would be amended by staff to note that Councillor Starr attended the meeting with the Leader of Ontario’s Progressive Conservative Party.

a) Federal News
b) Provincial News
c) Local News

Received

Councillor Sanderson noted concerns regarding the revisions to federal ridings which has divided downtown Brampton.

Councillor Tovey requested that the Commissioner of Employee and Business Services report to a future meeting of Regional Council on the implications related to the sustainability of public sector pensions, in light of planned reforms by the provincial government.

Councillor Saito left at 11:45 a.m. due to other municipal business

Regional Chair Kolb noted that Fred Biro, Executive Director, Peel Police Services Board, was elected to the OMERS Board of Directors, on behalf of AMO, and suggested that he be invited to a future meeting of the Committee to present an update on proposed changes to OMERS.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

a) Draft Fall 2012 MP/MPP Advocacy Update

Received

7. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil

8. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil

9. NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Intergovernmental Relations Advisory Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., Council Chamber, 5th floor, Regional Administrative Headquarters, Suite A, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton, Ontario.

Please forward regrets to Christine Thomson, Committee Clerk, (905) 791-7800, ext. 4582 or at christine.thomson@peelregion.ca.

10. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 11:50 p.m.