May 30, 2014 Mayor and City Council City of London Re: Response to City of London provincial election survey I have appended the general response to your survey as prepared by the office of Deb Matthews. It goes without saying that I support the efforts of the Liberal Party as outlined in this response. They are broadly consistent with my own views on the subjects and they are a key reason why I was compelled to seek office as a Liberal candidate in. I would like to add a few comments from my own unique perspective, both as a candidate whose riding incorporates several very different municipalities London, St. Thomas, Middlesex and Elgin counties and in light of my work for the Southwest Economic Alliance. While there is a broad range of needs and issues in our riding, at the very core is the need for jobs and economic transformation in Southwestern Ontario. Upon reading the proposed Liberal budget which forms the party platform, I was encouraged by its clear focus on job creation and support for important economic sectors in our economy, especially agriculture and food processing. The $2.5 billion Jobs and Prosperity Fund, $400 million of which is earmarked for food processing investments, clearly speaks to our region s own economic aspirations.
Continuation of the Southwestern Ontario Development Fund and the Rural Economic Development Fund is further evidence that London and region has got the attention of this government. Municipal partners in our region have long called for the tools necessary to attract new investments and build on the successful enterprises already in operation. The announcement of a $14.5 billion transportation infrastructure fund, separate from the fund for the GTHA, is further proof that regional economic development is a key focus of the Liberal Party. The investments that could be made possible through this fund, especially a high frequency, high speed rail service between London and Toronto, will create almost limitless possibilities for long term growth. Regarding quality of life issues, the budget speaks to continued investments in health care, education and aging-in-place strategies. Taken together, I view the investments outlined in the Liberal budget and platform as creating a unique opportunity to build on the economic strengths of our region with London functioning as an important hub of talent, research and infrastructure. If elected, my focus will be to encourage cooperative and partnership thinking among the municipalities surrounding London, demonstrating how each can draw on and leverage the strengths of their neighbours. Sincerely, Liberal candidate for
Fostering Job Creation 1. How will you and your Party work with municipalities to create jobs and support local economic development initiatives? Ontario Liberals are providing municipalities with ongoing support of approximately $3.5 billion an increase of over 200 per cent from 2003 levels. We have invested more in municipal infrastructure than the two previous governments combined. And we have a jobs plan that recognizes the need for investment in our communities and people. The Ontario Liberal Party places a high importance on regional economic development. We launched the South Western Ontario Development Fund (SWODF) in 2012 as the result of the Attracting Investment and Creating Jobs Act. This fund is a regional program to support economic development initiatives to businesses, municipalities and not for profit associations. Since its launch in October 2012, SWODF has committed Ontario support of over $40 million to help create and retain over 12,000 jobs. Key Investments include: Dr. Oetker Cooper-Standard Automotive Canada Limited Brose Canada Natra Chocolate America Inc. Boler Mountain Armo Tool Diamond Aircraft Hanwha L&C Canada Inc. 2. How will you and your Party work with the City of London to support London s Unlocking Prosperity initiative to service new industrial (employment) lands in the vicinity of London s Highway 401 corridor? Ontario Liberals will continue to support strong communities through the Municipal Infrastructure Strategy. The 2014-15 Liberal Budget introduced a new permanent municipal roads and bridges fund of $100 million per year. Had the 2014-15 Budget been adopted, this fund would have
been launched this spring. The new permanent fund for municipal roads and bridges and other infrastructure priorities will continue support for critical projects in communities with challenging fiscal circumstances. The new fund would include application and formula based funding for eligible municipalities, with an objective of transitioning to full formula based funding over time. If re-elected, Liberals will consult with municipalities on an acceptable suite of revenue tools. Careful infrastructure planning in areas such as transit, for example, would allow municipalities to grow their tax base. We appreciate some municipalities would like to discuss specific revenue-generating options and we look forward to hearing from municipalities. 3. How will you and your Party ensure that energy prices in Ontario are competitive with the North American market? Every year, Hydro Quebec compares the monthly electricity costs of 21 major North American cities across various customer classes. Their most recent report shows that prices in cities like Toronto and Ottawa fall in the middle of those studied, and are lower than places like Halifax, Calgary, Boston and New York. Through our current plan, we have demonstrated a commitment to managing electricity costs for Ontario businesses by reducing the total cost of electricity service by $16 billion compared to the 2010 Long-Term Energy Plan over the near-term (2013-2017). Over the longer-term (2013-2032) costs are being reduced by a total of $70 billion largely as a result of: Deferring new nuclear reactors at Darlington that are not required, representing approximately $15 billion in capital investments that are not currently required; Reduced prices for renewable energy generation; Sector efficiencies being implemented at Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One that have yielded savings of approximately $500 million over the past three years alone; New IESO rules that allow for the dispatching of wind generation facilities; And only renegotiating Non-Utility Generator contracts where they offer cost and reliability benefits for Ontario s electricity consumers. Ontario Liberals know energy costs are a big concern for people and businesses. That s why we have introduced and are proposing additional supports for families and small businesses. The Ontario Clean Energy Benefit takes 10% off hydro bills. The Ontario PC Party has committed to immediately terminating this relief.
we will create a Home Electricity Assistance Program to help make electricity more affordable for low-income families. We are committed to ending the Debt Retirement Charge (DRC) which was placed on every Ontarian s electricity bill by the previous PC Government. This charge will be permanently removed from residential bills by the end of next year. The Ontario Energy & Property Tax Credit provides annual tax relief to millions of Ontarians; many of them in Rural and Northern Ontario. Low-moderate income Ontarians who own or rent a home are eligible to receive up to $970, while seniors may claim up to $1,100 in relief each year to help with both their energy costs and property tax. With respect to Ontario s industry, the Liberal government introduced a number of energy initiatives to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of large industrial consumers as well as protect jobs and strengthen our economic foundations across the province: The Industrial Conservation Initiative provides a strong incentive for large electricity consumers to shift their electricity consumption away from peak hours to save on average 15 to 20 per cent on their energy bills. We will expand the program to include eligible businesses with monthly peak demand greater than three megawatts, down from the current threshold of five megawatts. This would open participation to hundreds of additional medium-sized electricity consuming businesses so that they may take advantage of these significant savings as well. The Industrial Electricity Incentive offers companies that invest in Ontario reduced electricity rates for setting up a new facility or expanding their operations in Ontario and create jobs. Starting this year, we will provide broader eligibility for new applications for 10-year contracts under the IEI program to allow for participation from a wider range of companies. By choosing to locate, expand, and create jobs in Ontario, companies are eligible for some of the lowest electricity prices in North America. Ontario Liberals know that the least expensive energy is the energy we don t use. That is why we are committed to initiating a Five-Point Business Energy Savings plan that enhances the successful saveonenergy program to increase conservation incentives and funding. It also introduces on-bill financing for small businesses to finance upgrades and retrofits which save money in perpetuity and provides access to roving energy managers. Finally, to ensure conservation incentives continue to be available for small businesses, we are committed to another six years of conservation funding through the new Conservation First Framework (2015-2020). Targeted programs for small businesses are a requirement under the new framework.
The Ontario Liberal plan clearly lays out for Ontarians the investments that need to be made over the next 20 years to modernize our electricity system, why these investments in infrastructure are essential to Ontario s future, and the cost of these investments over time. Collectively, these measures ensure electricity is not a competitive disadvantage for companies looking to invest in our economy, expand their operations and create more Ontario jobs. They also represent a markedly superior level of support for investment than the regressive, irresponsible policies being suggested by the PCs and NDP. Providing Municipal Governments Fiscal Room to Invest Locally 4. How will you and your Party support the scheduled uploading of funding from municipalities to the province as implemented through the Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review (PMFSDR) as a measure to restore the provincial-municipal financial imbalance in a fair and sustainable manner? We have entered into landmark agreements with municipalities that have resulted in $2 billion in service costs uploaded off the back of municipal taxpayers. We have seen municipal support increase every year since 2003. By 2018, when the uploading of costs are fully absorbed, we will have increased support by more than 270 per cent. In 2014, the municipality of London will benefit from $57,930,800 in combined municipal supports and benefit uploads. Unlike the Hudak PCs and the NDP, Ontario Liberals are committed to uploading services outlined in the PMFSDR. The 2014 Liberal Budget, which the other parties did not support, built in room to upload the remaining services including court security. 5. Will you and your Party commit to further upload service funding that more properly falls under provincial responsibility such as Public Health, Social Services and Land Ambulance? Ontario Liberals have a strong record of supporting and working with municipalities. In 2014 we will provide municipalities with ongoing support of approximately $3.5 B an increase of more than 200 per cent over 2003, when the Harris-Eaves Conservative government starved municipalities for adequate funding to support their devastating tax cuts cuts that the Hudak Conservatives want to repeat. In the 2014 budget, the Ontario Liberal government has reiterated its support for continued implementation of the PMFSDR until 2018.
While an Ontario Liberal government is always prepared to discuss service delivery with its municipal partners, any decision regarding further uploads would need to be made in the context of our commitment to balance the budget by 2017-18 and to make responsible spending decisions to support balancing the budget. 6. Recognizing that the current interest arbitration system for emergency services is broken and requires a complete overhaul, will you and your Party change the interest arbitration system in a way that favours the taxpayers, considers the economic health of the community in arbitration decisions and provides transparent and accountable decisions? The Ontario Liberal Party shares with municipalities the belief that the best agreements are achieved at the bargaining table, and have heard clearly the concerns of municipalities that these costs are rising. We have been doing the hard work necessary to bring the parties together. We re proud that the Liberal government brought together municipal and emergency services negotiators in closed-door, independently facilitated sessions to attempt to see where the parties could find common ground in improving the system. We would re-engage with both sides directly to determine the future for arbitration. The Liberal government introduced technical reforms to the system that would have ensured timeliness, transparency, and accountability, and shown all sides how the system works. Unfortunately, those reforms were defeated by the NDP and the PCs for perceived short-term political gain. Any changes to the system must be constitutional unlike those proposed by the PC Party, which would lead to lengthy and unsuccessful court battles. Tim Hudak's proposals would leave municipalities in an extended state of massive cost uncertainty, followed by a huge bill to pay for years of back wages. Only Ontario Liberals are committed to a balanced and fair system for both municipalities and first responders. 7. Will you and your Party work to revise the Development Charges Act to remove barriers to full funding of growth related costs and to explicitly ensure that municipal taxpayers benefit from new sources of revenue? Ontario Liberals recognize the concerns that municipalities have in regards to growth related costs. We are committed to making the Development Charges Act responsive to the changing needs of Ontarians and recently undertook a review of the Development Charges system to make sure it is still responsive to the changing needs of our communities.
We are focused on creating a balance between ensuring housing remains affordable and empowering municipalities to make needed investments in infrastructure. If re-elected, an Ontario Liberal government will introduce legislation to remove the 10% discount on transit development charges and work with municipalities to determine a progressive, forward-looking formula for calculating transit development charges. We will also work with municipalities to review other development charges formulas and make it easier to make adjustments by creating regulation making authority. Improving Economic Competitiveness by Investing in Strategic Infrastructure 8. What are you and your Party prepared to do to support and enhance sustained and long-term provincial and federal investment in municipal infrastructure? 9. How will you and your Party ensure that the province commits to a fair distribution of provincial and federal infrastructure investments? 10. How will you and your Party support public transit? i.e. Do you and your Party support the continued dedication of Provincial Gas Tax funding for transit? Do you support the application of new revenue tools as outlined in the Metrolinx report to regions outside the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area? 11. How will you or your Party work with London to support Bus Rapid Transit and London s Transportation Master Plan? 12. How will you and your Party work with London and other corridor communities to support moving forward with frequent High Speed Rail service between London, Kitchener-Waterloo, Pearson and Toronto? Since October 2003, the Liberal government has committed over $110 million for highway infrastructure in the City of London, over $50 million in City of London to support of municipal roads and bridges and over $30 million in the Investing in Ontario Act to improve roads and bridges, expand public transit and build other municipal projects. In addition, since 2003, we have committed $110 million in Gas Tax funding in the City of London to support public transit. Ontario Liberal party will invest $130 billion in infrastructure over the next 10 years to support roads, bridges and transit. Ontario municipalities will benefit from this commitment. We will also
work with you to ask the federal government to put forward their fair share of infrastructure funding. Dedicated funds for public transit and transportation infrastructure would be supported by: Dedicating proceeds from 7.5 cents of the existing provincial gasoline tax to public transit and transportation infrastructure priorities Dedicating proceeds from the following proposed targeted revenue measures to public transit, transportation infrastructure and other priority projects: o Restricting large corporations from claiming the small business deduction; o Restricting the fuel tax exemption for road building machines o Phasing in an increase of four cents per litre to the tax rate on aviation fuel over four years. Repurposing revenues from the existing HST charged on the current provincial taxes on gasoline and road diesel across the province towards public transit, transportation infrastructure and other key infrastructure priorities. The dedicated funds would also be supplemented by: Leveraging provincial borrowing, when needed, and including proceeds from green bonds to help finance transit and other environmentally friendly infrastructure projects across the province. Allocating net revenue gains from certain asset sales through the proposed Trillium Trust, a special fund to be dedicated to Ontario s key infrastructure. Working with the federal government to secure federal funding through the Building Canada Plan for key transportation related projects throughout the province. Dedicating net revenue gains from high-occupancy toll lanes when they become available Liberals will continue to work with municipalities to improve local infrastructure, including transit. Liberals have been pressing the federal government for a national transit strategy for years. We welcome the support of communities to apply additional pressure on the federal government to help build important infrastructure and transportation infrastructure for Ontario communities.
Only Ontario Liberals have plans for a high speed rail (HSR) line that would connect London and Waterloo Region to Toronto to improve travel options, reduce travel times and support economic development in southwest Ontario. Liberals have undertaken preliminary study work on HSR and have committed to start work on a business case and environmental assessment for the line by fall 2014. This includes identifying the most appropriate route and examining state-of-the-art transportation technology options to better connect residents and businesses between London and Toronto. Addressing Housing Needs 13. Will you and your Party work with the City of London to develop a long term sustainable federal-provincial-municipal solution to address the housing needs of low income households, those households requiring support services (i.e. mental illness, addictions, victims of domestic violence), and the housing needs of Aboriginal households? Ontario Liberals know that affordable and secure housing provides the stability needed to raise families and build futures. That is why we have invested more toward housing than any previous government. To date, we have committed nearly $3 billion for repairs, new construction and rent supplements. Since 2003, the Ontario Liberals have committed almost $110 million in assistance for affordable housing in the greater London area, including 904 new affordable rental units. Our Long-Term Affordable Housing Strategy, a key component of our Poverty Reduction Strategy, is the first of its kind in Ontario. It addresses the need for affordable housing and homelessness prevention. Recently, we created the Community Homelessness Prevention Initiative (CHPI), a 100 per cent provincially funded investment. If re-elected, we are committed to enhancing annual funding for the CHPI by $42 million starting in 2014-15, to a total of $294 million. By consolidating five homelessness-related programs into one program, we have provided greater flexibility to Service Managers to address local needs. We will also extend the jointly funded federal provincial Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) program for another five years.
Our road to success has not been easy. Ontario s housing supply was put into a catastrophic state by the previous PC government. When in power, the PCs cancelled the creation of 17,000 new units following their first Cabinet meeting in 1995 and downloaded the entire housing portfolio onto the backs of local governments. They provided no funds to repair an aging system or to meet future demands. Meanwhile, the NDP does not have a concrete housing plan and has time and time again stood against our strategic investments that have helped increase our housing stock in Ontario. Ontario Liberals have always been committed to ensuring that Ontario families have safe and affordable housing options. We are proud of this commitment and if re-elected, we will continue to build upon our track record of success to meet the affordable housing needs of Ontario. However, we cannot go it alone. Ensuring that Ontario families have a safe, secure and affordable place to call home requires strong partnerships from all orders of government. Although we welcome the federal government s commitment to extend funding in the short-term, the fact remains that its contribution to affordable housing will evaporate over the next 20 years. We continue to urge municipalities, other provinces, and other parties, to join us in asking the federal government to commit to stable and permanent funding for affordable housing. Working together with our housing partners and other levels of government, we will continue shifting Ontarians out of poverty. 14. How will you and your Party address the shortfall in capital reserve contributions for non-profit and cooperative housing as well as the funding shortfall for public housing capital repairs at transfer of social housing to municipalities? How will you and your Party address the reduction in the number of rent-geared-to-income units caused by the termination of federal funding due to the Expiring Social Housing Operating Agreements? Will you and your Party support a change to Social Housing social assistance rents to the maximum shelter allowance used in the private sector rather than legislated rent scales to reduce the subsidy required from the local property taxpayer? Ontario Liberals have been removing funding responsibilities from municipal governments to provide more budgetary flexibility for municipalities to invest in other services. We understand municipal costs for social housing are rising because the federal government is reducing social housing transfers to zero over the next 15 years. Ontario Liberals have called on the federal government to maintain social housing transfers at existing levels to help regenerate existing stock and provide opportunities for redevelopment.
We have also worked with Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to allow hundreds of social housing providers access to IO s low interest loan program. To date, IO has committed to the financing of over $6 billion in infrastructure, helping clients improve the quality of life in communities across Ontario. Healthy Communities 15. How will you and your Party improve mental health and addictions services so that people can be supported effectively and not discharged to homeless shelters without any support? What will you and your Party do to ensure a "housing first" approach is taken for Ontario s most vulnerable mental health and addictions population? Ontario Liberals are committed to strong, inclusive and accessible care for those suffering from mental health and addiction challenges. In 2011, our government introduced Open Minds, Healthy Minds, Ontario s 10-year Comprehensive Mental Health and Addictions Strategy. An estimated 35,000 more children are benefitting from the supports and services delivered in the first three years of the Strategy. As part of this, our government invested in more than 80 new mental health and addictions workers who are helping almost 4,000 children and youth get better access to culturally appropriate services. We have also enhanced tele-mental health services, helping to provide culturally-appropriate services across the province. Ontario Liberals believe that stable and appropriate housing is one of the most effective ways to help those suffering from mental illness to recover. If re-elected, the second phase of our mental health and addictions strategy will have a particular focus on housing, and we would invest in additional supportive housing through rent supplements and supportive services as part of this effort. I m pleased to let you know that if re-elected, we plan to create a Local Poverty Reduction Fund investing $50 million over five years to help municipalities develop local community driven solutions to poverty.
Everyone deserves a roof over their heads and support in their home if they need it. That s why our government supported At Home/Chez Soi, a program based on the home first approach, which provides housing units and support services to 240 people living with mental illness. But we know that there is much more to do to achieve this.