For Immediate
Release
April 23, 2007
MPP DUNLOP: GROWTH
MANAGEMENT OF SIMCOE COUNTY MUST INCLUDE PROVINCIAL
FUNDING
Liberal Ministers must show the County of
Simcoe and the Cities of Barrie and Orillia
the Money
(Queen’s Park) – Today, Simcoe North
MPP, Garfield Dunlop called on the McGuinty Government
to outline the provincial funding program that
will be required by the County of Simcoe for growth
management purposes. MPP Dunlop asked for the
plan prior to a presentation to be made on April
24th by Ministers Caplan and Gerretsen to County
Council.
“It is important to remember that the McGuinty
government has a moral commitment to assist the
County of Simcoe and the Cities of Barrie and
Orillia,” said Dunlop. “It is the
Greenbelt Legislation and the Places to Grow Act
that have caused a leapfrogging of development
in our region. Ministers Gerretsen and Caplan
are fully aware that their legislation will have
an impact that will cost our County and cities
hundred of millions of dollars in infrastructure
investment over the next 25 years.”
“As the County and Cities of Barrie and
Orillia are expected to grow by a minimum 250,000
citizens over the next 25 years, it is vital that
plans be put in place to accommodate the infrastructure
as well as protecting the natural beauty and heritage
of the County of Simcoe,” added Dunlop.
Any Growth Management Plan must include provincial
assistance for the following:
| (a) |
There must be an environmental strategy
that will enhance and protect the Lake Simcoe
and Nottawasaga Valley watersheds. (Note:
the estimated cost to rehabilitate Lake Simcoe
is 163 Million). |
| (b) |
There must be a jobs strategy to employ
those people who move to Simcoe County. |
| (c) |
There must be a plan that will clearly outline
the provincial assistance that will be available
for hospital expansions, long-term care beds,
waste management facilities, provincial and
municipal highways, affordable housing and
the expansion and building of sewer and water
systems, using state-of-the-art technology.
(Note: The cost in 2006 dollars, for the expansion
project at Royal Victoria Hospital is $250
Million to accommodate another 250, 000 people). |
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For further information:
Mr. Dunlop will be available at the announcement
or please contact him at 705-327-4500
|
