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Home , Brampton, Vic Dhillon

City of Briefing Materials

Prepared for the AMO Annual Conference August 16 – 19, 2009 , About the City of Brampton The City of Brampton is a municipality within the Region of Peel, Province of Ontario. It is the second fastest growing, and 11th largest city in Canada. Home to 450,000-plus residents who represent more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds and speak over 70 different languages, Brampton has positioned itself as a global economic contender.

Brampton enjoys a successful and well-diversified economy, is home to more than 8,000 businesses and the City continues to enjoy a Triple ‘A’ credit rating by Standard & Poor for the third consecutive year, reflecting its debt-free position, exceptional liquidity levels and excellent economy. Brampton is the first city in the Greater Area and one of only 10 in North America to be designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization. Offering more than 6,000 acres of parkland, Brampton takes pride in being the Flower City of Canada and holds the Communities in Bloom international title. People from around the world have come together to live, work, and play in Canada’s Flower City.

Brampton at a glance • 2nd fastest growing and 11th largest city in Canada • 2006 census population: 433,806; 2007 estimated population: 452,000; 2011 projected population: 506,171 • Population represents people from more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak over 70 different languages • Land area: 266.71 square km • Open space/parks: 6,000 acres • 3rd largest local economy within the GTA regional centre (140,892 employees - 2006) • Median household income of $87,855 (6th among Canada’s largest 40 cities) • The City of Brampton's 2009 operating budget is $400.8 million and approved funding for its overall capital program stands at $700 million. • Immediately adjacent to Canada’s largest international airport – Pearson International Brampton’s Provincial Ridings and MPPs , Kuldip Kular, MPP (Brampton--Springdale) MPP (Bramalea--Gore--Malton) Current Parliamentary Roles Current Parliamentary Roles Member, Standing Committee on General Member, Standing Committee on Government General Government Parliamentary Assistant to the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Minister of Transportation of Health and Long-Term Care Party Party Ontario Liberal Party

Vic Dhillon, Amrit Mangat, MPP () MPP (--) Current Parliamentary Roles Current Parliamentary Roles Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Member, Standing Committee on Estimates Social Policy Parliamentary Assistant to the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Seniors Minister of Labour Party Party Ontario Liberal Party Ontario Liberal Party • While unofficial, it appears that plans to Brampton’s Current Economic modernize key components of the Assembly Plant, including the paint shop, easing fears of further Climate job losses and showing once again that Brampton is a good place to invest. Like municipalities across the country Brampton is feeling • Major investment intentions in the Queen Street the effects of the current economic downturn. corridor have proceeded despite the recessionary period, including: the Park Place Condo Project; the Unemployment in Peel Rythym Condo Project; the Renaissance Condo • At 11.4%, the unemployment rate in Peel reached Project; Chapelview and the major investment in a new high in July 2009. This is compared to Ontario’s the . unemployment of 9.3% and the National rate of 8.6%. • The high rates in Peel are mainly attributable to the full-time job losses in manufacturing, construction and transportation/warehousing in Brampton and Mississauga.

Housing Starts by Intended Market in Brampton (2008 – 2009) • Housing starts represent new residential construction • Housing starts in Brampton were down by 1,296 units or 72% on a year-over-year basis. • This compares to a year-over-year decline in GTA-wide Housing Starts of 44%. • Decline of development/building is linked to revenues and Tax Assessment.

Economic Positives Despite the current economic situation, Brampton has many positive indicators that leave it well poised to take advantage of economic recovery.

• The housing resale market has rebounded this spring, seeing a year over year growth rate of almost 30%. • Brampton is among the top new construction markets in Southern Ontario and Canada. • Home prices have edged upward in the past few months, both on the resale and new home market • Brampton has introduced a development charge rate schedule that is reasonable, including a 0% increase in the industrial-commercial charge. This is part of an ongoing effort to support the manufacturing and professional business services market. Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Brampton’s Prudent Financial Delivery Review • In 2006, the Provincial Government announced a review Management of how municipal services are funded and delivered in Ontario. This review was led by a panel made up of • Brampton is a high growth city that practices members from the Province of Ontario, AMO, and sustainable growth management with fiscal responsibility. the City of Toronto. • While experiencing the second highest rate of growth • On October 31, 2008, the province announced an in Canada, Brampton has successfully maintained its agreement based on the panel’s work. The municipal Triple “A” credit rating from Standard and Poor. tax savings that result from this agreement • Brampton is a debt-free municipality. (outlined below) will accumulate to the Region of Peel • Brampton’s 2009 current budget is $400.8 million in our two-tier system. and has an approved capital program of more than • Ontario Works benefits costs (including employment $700 million. assistance) will be fully uploaded beginning in 2010-2018. This is in addition to the already announced upload of Ontario Drug Benefits and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). • The cost of court security, including prisoner transfer, will also be uploaded to the Province, starting in 2012 to a maximum of $125 million a year by 2018. • When all these uploads are completed, the Review will result in a net benefit to municipalities of more than $1.5 billion a year compared to 2007. • The report from the panel also identified three key issues: • It re-affirmed the principle that social service and income redistribution programs should not be funded from the property tax base • It quantified Ontario’s municipal infrastructure Brampton’s Infrastructure Deficit deficit at an estimated $6 billion a year in • Municipalities across Canada are responsible for more additional infrastructure investment needed than 50% of Canada’s public infrastructure. over the next 10 years to close the gap • Managing and maintaining aging infrastructure is • That affordable housing is a national issue especially challenging when limited to the Property Tax and requires a long-term financial commitment base as the only predictable source of revenue. from the federal government • The City of Brampton’s infrastructure deficit stands at • Following the release of the report, AMO, in approximately $380 million. collaboration with the province, established seven • Brampton, along with other Ontario Municipalities, working groups to implement these changes. This work is looking to long term, predictable, sustainable funding is on-going. to properly plan the necessary infrastructure to manage growth, properly develop public transit systems, and protect the environment.

Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell advocates Brampton’s infrastructure needs at the national level as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the FCM Big City Mayor’s Caucus. Brampton’s Funding Partnerships

Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) • Funding from all three levels of government of more than $47 million dollars will be invested into Brampton to revitalize Chinguacousy Park and to develop the Mount Pleasant Transit Hub.

Mount Pleasant Transit Hub • The total cost of the Mount Pleasant Transit Hub is $23 million, two-thirds of which will be funded by the provincial and federal governments through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The City of Brampton will fund the remaining $7.6 million.

Revitalization of Chinguacousy Park • The total cost of Chinguacousy Park’s renewal is $24.5 million, and the City of Brampton will be responsible for providing one-third of the project costs, or $8.1 million.

RInC and REC Funds • In June 2009, Brampton received funding for nine (9) projects through the RInC and REC program in the amount of $9.36 million from the provincial and federal governments • The City of Brampton will provide an additional $4.67 million for a total investment of more than $14 million dollars to revitalize Brampton’s recreation infrastructure. • Projects designated for funding include:

1. Brampton Club 2. Brampton Lawn Bowling Club 3. 4. Chris Gibson Recreation Centre 5. Ebenezer Community Centre 6. Greenbriar Recreation Centre 7. Memorial Arena 8. Snelgrove Community Centre 9. South Fletcher’s Sportsplex Provincial and Federal Gas Tax • In 2004 Brampton began to receive a share of provincial gas tax revenue. • In six years Brampton has received more than $26 million from the province through this program and $21 million from the federal government’s gas tax agreement. • Money received through the Gas tax is allocated to transit initiatives.

Ontario Bus Replacement Program • The Ontario Bus Replacement Program was created in 2007 to improve public transit service, increase ridership and accessibility. • The Program provides long-term, sustainable transit funding that municipalities such as Brampton can use to replace conventional and specialized transit buses. • To date Brampton has received $2 million dollars through this program with an additional $1.5 million to be received this year.

Provincial Municipal Transit Capital • Brampton received $4.1 million in one-time funding in 2008 from the province to be used for municipal transit capital expenditures.

Metrolinx BikeLinx Program • In 2008 Brampton received $430,000 from to install Bike Racks on buses and create secure bicycle parking at transit hubs.

GTA Farecard System & Farebox Replacement • A one-time investment of $3.5 million for municipal transit systems involved in the GTA Farecard Project (known as Presto) to cover up to 1/3 of the capital cost of implementing the GTA farecard system and farebox replacement costs. MIII Grant

• The Ontario Government Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) supports communities’ efforts to restore and revitalize their public infrastructure. • This grant is a one-time, $450-million program to help municipalities provide safe and reliable local infrastructure. • Brampton’s share of the MIII grant is approximately $3 million.

Municipal Road and Bridge Infrastructure Investment • Announced as part of the 2008 Provincial budget, Brampton received $5.9 million. • These funds were allocated to rehabilitate Brampton’s road and bridge infrastructure.

Investing in Ontario • The Investing in Ontario Act allows the provincial government to use a portion of any unanticipated year-end surplus to address priority public needs and reduce the province's accumulated deficit. • In 2008, Brampton received more than $16 million from the province through this legislation. • These fund were allocated through the 2009 budget process and are earmarked for a variety of projects including: • Downtown Revitalization • Corporate Indoor Asset Replacement • Accessibility Programs • Replacement of the Fire Training Tower • Heritage Program • Century Gardens - Outdoor Program Sustainable Planning Places to Grow • Brampton is developing Official Plan Amendments to bring Brampton’s Official Plan into conformity with the Province’s Places to Grow legislation. • Key policy directions in the Official Plan Amendments will include policies that: • Guide development in the City’s Urban Growth Centre • Focus areas for intensification in the Central Area (i.e. around mobility hubs and the central corridor supported by high order transit) • Ensure sufficient growth is directed to lands within the built boundary • Ensure Greenfield development is planned to achieve a minimum density of 50 persons and jobs per hectare • Provide sufficient employment lands to meet future needs for employment growth • The draft Official Plan Amendment is scheduled to go to Council in September recommending that a public open house and public meeting be held to receive stakeholder and public comments. • Following Public input, Brampton Council will decide on the changes to the Official Plan to implement the Growth Plan in December 2009.

Growth Management Program • In addition to working toward conformity to the Provincial Growth Plan, Brampton has implemented a response to challenges and opportunities arising from high rates of growth through its Growth Management Plan (GMP). • The GMP allows Brampton to ensure that growth occurs at a pace that does not exceed infrastructure requirements. • The GMP includes a number of key program elements including: • Development Outlook • Development Allocation • Block Planning Process Brampton’s Commitment to Public Transportation:

As a designated Urban Growth Centre with high targets for intensification, public transportation plays an increasing role in creating a quality community. Brampton is making steady and consistent investment in public transit and these investments are paying off through increased levels of ridership.

Züm • In 2010, Brampton will launch Phase 1 of its Bus Rapid Transit service, known as Züm (pronounced zoom). • Phase 1of Züm will run through the heart of Brampton’s Urban Growth Centre to complement desired intensification in the area. • Phases 2 & 3 are scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012 respectively. • $95 million from each level of government has been committed to the Züm service for a combined investment of $285 million in Brampton’s Transit infrastructure.

Hurontario High Order Transit Study • Brampton and Mississauga are also currently working to complete a higher order transit study for Hurontario. • The study will examine how rapid transit can be introduced along Hurontario/Main Street between Port Credit and downtown Brampton; develop appropriate land use and urban design policies and initiatives that will support rapid transit service; and identify potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of various rapid transit routes and technologies. This study is targeted for completion by the end of 2009. AcceleRide Phase 1 (to 2012) and Phase 2 (2013+)