Region Weighs in on Potential Possibility of Halton Becoming One City

Published March 29, 2019 at 8:55 pm

The Town of Oakville, the City of Burlington, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Halton Hills have all weighed in on the potential possibility of the Halton Region becoming one big city. 

The Town of Oakville, the City of Burlington, the Town of Milton, and the Town of Halton Hills have all weighed in on the potential possibility of the Halton Region becoming one big city. 

Now, the region as a whole has weighed in.

At a recent council meeting, Halton Regional council endorsed a resolution that will be sent to the provincial government. This resolution states that the current two-tier municipal government in the region is effective.

The resolution notes that any changes to the region’s current government structure would be disruptive and wasteful. 

The Halton Region works to provide adequate programs and services to its residents. This, according to a recent press release, is something the region is achieving.  

“Our record demonstrates that the region and local municipalities are working together in an efficient and responsible manner—98 per cent of residents in Halton rate their quality of life as high and 97 per cent are satisfied with the quality of regional services,” Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr, said in the release.

The potential possibility of the Halton Region becoming one big city, also referred to as amalgamation, has been a hot topic ever since the provincial government announced that it will be reviewing the governance, decision-making, and service delivery functions of eight regional municipalities, and Simcoe County. 

This review includes the Halton Region.

The province says the goal of the review is to ensure that the municipalities are working efficiently, effectively, and can continue to provide critical services communities depend on. 

Following the provincial government’s announcement, there have been concerns and speculations regarding the possibility of amalgamation of the region. As some may recall, the modern-day City of Toronto is the product of a major amalgamation that took place in the 90s. 

Despite the provincial government not promising anything as drastic as amalgamation quite yet, the potential possibility has still left many people concerned.

However, as mentioned, Chair Carr and the four Halton mayors are all in favour of the region’s current government structure.

Back in February, Chair Carr, Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette, Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, Milton Mayor Gord Krantz, and Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward met with the special advisors (who are overseeing the review), Ken Seiling and Michael Fenn. 

The release notes that during this meeting, and in a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Chair Carr and the four mayors voiced support for the current government structure in Halton, highlighting many of region’s recent achievements.

Do you think Halton should become one big city?

Cover photo is courtesy of the Region of Halton’s Twitter page.

insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising