Town of Bracebridge Council Correspondence

TO: Mayor G. Smith and Members of Town Council J. Sisson, Chief Administrative Officer

COPY: Management Team Media

FROM: L. McDonald, Director of Corporate Services/Clerk

DATE: March 7, 2018

CIRCULATION:

Item # Description SECTION “A” – STAFF INFORMATION MEMOS: Memorandum from J. Sisson, CMO, Chief Administrative Officer, dated March 7, 2018, A1 regarding Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act – 2017 Report. Memorandum from M. Medley, Fire Chief, dated March 7, 2018, regarding Proposed Changes A2 to the Fire Prevention and Protection Act, 1997. SECTION “B” – GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE: Resolution from Jennifer Murphy, Warden, County of Renfrew, dated February 28, 2018, B1 regarding a request for a 5 year extension in Section 22.1 of the Endangered Species Act, 2007 instead of the proposed 2 year extension. Correspondence from Dan Stencill, Indigenous and Community Relations Liaison, Eastern B2 Region, Trans Canada, dated March 2, 2018, regarding Station/Mainline Valve (MLV) 116, North Bay to Station 123 Bracebridge, Line 100-1 In-line Inspection. Correspondence from John Klinck, Chair, District of Muskoka, Cathy Still, Reeve, Village of Burk’s Falls, Graydon Smith, Mayor, Town of Bracebridge, and Scott Aitchison, Mayor, Town of B3 Huntsville, to the Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, dated March 2, 2018, regarding Request for Meeting with Muskoka and Area Municipalities. Correspondence from Bill Mauro, Minister, Ministry of Municipal Affairs, dated March 6, 2018, B4 regarding approved reforms to municipal eligible investment authorities. B5 Communication from The Village Square, dated March 2018 – The Village Voice.

Page 1. MEMORANDUM Chief Administrative Officer

TO: Mayor G. Smith and Members of Town Council

FROM: J. Sisson, CMO, Chief Administrative Officer

DATE: March 7, 2018

SUBJECT: Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act – 2017 Report

In accordance with the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996, the Town of Bracebridge annually reports to the Province of Ontario.

The act requires organizations that receive public funding from the Province of Ontario to disclose annually the names, positions, salaries and total taxable benefits of employees paid $100,000 or more in a calendar year.

The act applies to organizations such as the Government of Ontario, Crown Agencies, Municipalities, Hospitals, Boards of Public Health, School Boards, Universities, Colleges and other public sector employers who receive a significant level of funding from the provincial government.

The Provincial Government reports the information submitted in March each year.

The information set out in Appendix “A” attached has been reported for 2017 by the Town of Bracebridge.

Please contact me at (705) 645-5264 Ext. 229 or [email protected] if you have any question regarding this information.

John Sisson, Chief Administrative Officer

CAOM006-18 Page 1. MEMORANDUM Chief Administrative Officer

APPENDIX “A”

Record of Employees’ 2017 Salaries And Benefits

Sector Employer Surname Given Name Position Salary Paid Taxable Benefits

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Kelley Cheryl Director of Planning and Development $129,708.45 $713.15

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge McDonald Lori Jane Director of Corporate Services/Clerk $119,243.36 $655.63

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Medley Murray Fire Chief $103,840.63 $576.86

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge O’Regan Cynthia Director of Recreation $121,127.78 $672.86

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Rettie Stephen W. Director of Finance/Treasurer $131,758.09 $730.40

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Schmid Walter Director of Public Works $131,795.77 $730.40

Municipalities & Services Corporation of the Town of Bracebridge Sisson John R. Chief Administrative Officer $147,437.40 $819.08

CAOM006-18 Page 2. MEMORANDUM Bracebridge Fire Department

TO: Mayor G. Smith and Members of Town Council

FROM: M. Medley, Fire Chief

DATE: March 7, 2018

SUBJECT: Proposed Changes to the Fire Prevention and Protection Act, 1997

Introduction

On January 25, 2018, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) released two proposed regulations under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA). The proposed regulations are related to new requirements for:

1. Mandatory Training and Certification for Firefighters; and

2. Community Risk Assessments.

The new regulations are the result of work started by the Ministry in January 2017 when the Ministry established an advisory Fire Safety Technical Table (the Table) as part of a mandate commitment to provide recommendations to modernize fire service delivery and to address public safety and firefighter safety gaps identified by the Coroner’s Inquests over the last several years.

The Table consists of MCSCS and Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) executive and staff, the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, the Toronto Fire Fighters Association, the Ontario Fire Chiefs Association (OAFC), Fire Chiefs from full-time, composite and volunteer services, Toronto Fire Services, and an AMO staff member and a lower tier CAO to serve as representatives for the municipal government perspective.

The Table met monthly over the course of 2017, offering input to the MCSCS on minimum standards for professional fire service qualifications. Those recommendations were reviewed by the MCSCS and used to develop the draft regulations, for final review by the Minister.

Having heard from the Table, the MCSCS has developed these draft regulations. After receiving responses from this consultation, the ministry will develop recommendations for the MCSCS Minister’s final approval of the regulations. This Minister’s approval is expected later this spring.

The MCSCS is seeking public feedback on both regulations. Comments on the two proposed regulations are due by March 11, 2018.

Background

The Technical Table was established to examine current and emerging fire safety challenges and opportunities, identify priorities for action, and support the development of evidence-based recommendations that will enhance fire safety in Ontario. Its goals are to review new and emerging challenges in fire safety, with a view to identify opportunities to enhance delivery in Ontario, such as:

• Firefighter training and professionalism (e.g. identification of specialized knowledge requirements and core competencies);

• Public education and prevention measures, including community risk assessments;

FDM001-18 Page 1 MEMORANDUM Bracebridge Fire Department

• Provincial standards for fire services, such as fire dispatch; and

• Public reporting of fire service data.

A Memo/Briefing Noted prepared by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) in regard to the draft MCSCS Regulations on Mandatory Certification and Training for Firefighters and Community Risk Assessments by Municipalities is attached as Appendix “A” to this memorandum.

Overview of Proposed Changes

Draft Regulation #1 – Mandatory Training and Certification for Fire Fighters

The MCSCS is proposing to establish mandatory certification requirements set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for all new firefighters employed or appointed to a fire department for the following positions:

• Suppression firefighters; • Fire officers; and

• Pump operators; • Fire educators.

• Technical rescuers;

These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2019, with the exception of technical rescue, which would come into force January 1, 2020. An additional year for technical rescue to achieve certification is being proposed to allow for sufficient time to develop training and certification examination materials.

In addition, The MCSCS is proposing that mandatory certification requirements also set out by the NFPA apply to existing firefighters currently employed or appointed in fire departments across Ontario, including:

• Fire inspectors; • Hazardous materials personnel; and

• Fire investigators; • Fire dispatchers.

• Fire instructors;

It is proposed that these mandatory certification requirements apply to existing firefighters, given these positions are exposed to increased risk, including risk to the individuals performing these roles. These requirements are proposed to come into force January 1, 2020 to give fire departments additional time to train and certify their staff.

Draft Regulation #2 – Mandatory Community Risk Assessments

The MCSCS is proposing that municipalities be required to conduct a standard risk assessment every five years focusing on key profiles in their communities (e.g. demographics, geography, past fire loss and event history, critical infrastructure, building stock profile within the community, etc.). Municipalities would be responsible for reviewing their risk assessment annually to ensure that any significant changes in the mandatory profiles are identified. If there are any significant changes (e.g. addition of retirement homes or care facilities), the municipality will be responsible for updating their assessment.

FDM001-18 Page 2 MEMORANDUM Bracebridge Fire Department

This information will be used to inform decisions about fire protection services in their community. This requirement is proposed to come into force January 1, 2019. More information can be found here on the Ontario Regulatory Registry.

In addition to the Regulatory Changes noted above, the MCSCS, on February 16, 2018, released a third draft regulation:

3. Public Reporting and Fire Department Response Times.

Draft Regulation 3 – Public Reporting and Fire Department Response Times

This proposed new regulation is intended to increase transparency and accountability by requiring all fire departments report to the OFMEM on a number of standard response times (e.g. the amount of time between when a fire truck is on route to an emergency incident and when the fire truck arrives at the scene). Through the proposed regulation, the OFMEM would provide fire departments with calculated response time data, unless fire departments choose to conduct their own calculations.

Every year, OFMEM would be responsible for making these response times public on its website. Fire departments would be required to submit this information to their local municipal council within six months after receiving their calculation. Before it is submitted to the Fire Marshal, the fire department will be required to give the public report to their municipal council, or each municipality in the group of municipalities, if fire protection services are provided.

This requirement is proposed to come into force January 1, 2020.

Bracebridge Fire Department Response/Recommendations

Currently, management and staff at the Bracebridge Fire Department are working to gather information to better understand implications the proposed changes would have to our operations. In particular we have concerns with what we feel are the aggressive time lines and an increase in costs associated with implementing mandated training standards. Currently, the changes are in the form of a consultation draft which are intended to facilitate dialog with stake holders concerning its contents.

Staff from the Bracebridge Fire Department will be working with staff from other area Fire Departments to review the information and we will be working together to formulate comments, concerns and recommendations that will be provided to the OFEM.

The following are links to the proposed legislation changes: http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/showAttachment.do?postingId=26546&attachmentId=36764

http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/showAttachment.do?postingId=26546&attachmentId=36765

http://www.ontariocanada.com/registry/showAttachment.do?postingId=26806&attachmentId=37024

M. Medley, Fire Chief

FDM001-18 Page 3 MEMORANDUM Bracebridge Fire Department

APPENDIX “A”

AMO Memo/Briefing Note on Draft MCSCS Regulations on

Mandatory Certification and Training for Firefighters and

Community Risk Assessments by Municipalities

FDM001-18 Page 4

MEMO

January 30, 2018 Revised March 7, 2018

Draft MCSCS Regulations on Mandatory Certification and Training for Firefighters and Community Risk Assessments by Municipalities- Briefing Note

ISSUE: On January 25, 2018, The Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) released draft regulations under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act (FPPA) regarding:

1) Mandatory Certification and Training for Firefighters; and 2) Community Risk Assessments by Municipalities.

Responses to these draft regulations are due March 11, 2018.

The draft regulation on Public Reporting on Fire Responses by Municipalities has not been shared for review or consultation. We understand that it is to be released shortly and will also be due March 11, 2018.

This briefing note has been prepared to assist AMO members in the development of their municipal responses to the draft MCSCS fire regulations. Please work with your Fire Chief and fire services to develop a comprehensive response for your municipality. BACKGROUND: WHAT: • In January 2017, the MCSCS established an advisory Fire Safety Technical Table (the Table) as part of a mandate commitment to provide recommendations to modernize fire service delivery. • The Table consists of MCSCS and Ontario Fire Marshal (OFM) executive and staff, the Ontario Professional Fire Fighters Association, the Toronto Fire Fighters Association, the Ontario Fire Chiefs Association (OAFC), Fire Chiefs from full-time, composite and volunteer services, Toronto Fire Services, and for the municipal government perspective- an AMO staff member and a lower tier CAO representative. • The Table was established to review new and emerging challenges in fire safety with a view to identifying opportunities to enhance delivery in Ontario, such as:

o Firefighter training and professionalism (e.g., identification of specialized knowledge requirements and core competencies); o Public education and prevention measures, including community risk assessments; o Provincial standards for fire services, such as fire service dispatch; and o Public reporting of fire service data. • It must be emphasized that the Table has only been advisory. MCSCS, as informed by the Table, will develop recommendations for the MCSCS Minister’s final approval.

1 • Municipal governments under the FPPA are required to: Municipal responsibilities 2. (1) Every municipality shall, (a) establish a program in the municipality which must include public education with respect to fire safety and certain components of fire prevention; and (b) provide such other fire protection services as it determines may be necessary in accordance with its needs and circumstances. Methods of providing services (2) In discharging its responsibilities under subsection (1), a municipality shall, (a) appoint a community fire safety officer or a community fire safety team; or (b) establish a fire department WHY: • The Fire Safety Technical Table was established to address public safety and firefighter safety gaps identified by the Coroner’s Inquests over the last several years. • The Table has had active discussions on modernizing fire standards for firefighters’ training and certification, community risk assessment, and public reporting on fire responses. • Third party training for technical rescues, such as the tragic ice-training incident in SW Ontario that was the subject of a 2017 Coroner’s inquest, is not addressed in these draft regulations. • There appears to be a past informal agreement made around 2012 between MCSCS, OFM, the OAFC, and fire services that Ontario would use the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards going forward. Neither AMO nor its members were part of this discussion or decision. • The National Fire Protection Association is a United States trade association, with some international members, that creates and maintains private, copyrighted standards and codes for usage and adoption by local governments. • One of the most notable features about NFPA’s code development process is that it is open and consensus-based. That means anybody can participate in the development of these important documents. More than 9,000 volunteer committee members with a wide range of professional expertise periodically review all NFPA codes and standards.

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THE REGULATIONS:

1. The draft Mandatory Certification and Training for Firefighters and Other Persons Providing Fire Protection Services includes: • Every municipality, and in unorganized areas where the Province is responsible for certification and training, must make sure that its fire service is responsible for compliance. • Mandatory certification is to occur for those firefighters who are performing the fire protection service: fire suppression exterior and interior attack (if provided), pump operations, fire suppression supervision, fire public education, fire prevention, fire instruction, fire dispatch, fire investigation, technical rescue, and hazardous materials to respective NFPA standards. • Existing firefighters can be grandfathered if they can demonstrate that they have met the standard by an alternate/previous means. Grandfathering requirements are outlined in a Fire Marshal guideline (link is below). Fire chiefs are responsible for ensuring that their Firefighters have achieved the standard by courses/exams or alternate means. • It is proposed that these standards are to be achieved by January 1, 2019 except for the following that come into force on January 1, 2020 – fire inspection, fire instruction, fire dispatch, fire investigation, hazardous materials, and technical rescue. • Fire dispatch certification currently is only for fire services who do dispatch themselves. It does not include 3rd party dispatch at this time. • The OFM is updating its educational offerings and approach so that all required courses and exams can be accessed online 24/7 in 2018 free of charge. Practical exams will still need to be done in person under the direction of a certified fire instructor in each area of competence.

Analysis: • Although a complete gap analysis of firefighters who meet the NFPA standards and/or can be grandfathered was requested throughout this exercise and MCSCS surveys were attempted, the full impact of the mandatory training and certification regulation will not be known until the regulation is consulted on and/or goes into force. • We understand that under the proposed mandatory training and certification regulation, the minimum certification/training requirements for five categories will be for new hires only as of January 1, 2019 (for Suppression Firefighters (external/interior); Pump Operators; Fire Officers; and Fire Educators). • The draft regulation requires only those firefighters, in the five categories noted above, hired after January 1, 2019 to be certified. However, there is concern that municipal governments will still have a significant risk of potential liability if they simply follow the proposed regulatory approach being suggested – grandfather those that can be and make sure that any new hires are certified at the specific NFPA level.

o The magnitude of the number of fire service staff who will be able to be grandfathered is unknown.

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o If municipal fire services do not make sure that everyone is certified to the new mandatory standard for all categories of fire operations, there remains a great liability risk if anything unfortunate occurs. o Stated more clearly, no municipality is likely to want to state in a Coroner’s inquest or legal suit that a firefighter was not certified to the standard despite the provisions in the regulation without indemnification from the province. o This is a Catch-22 for municipal fire services. Municipalities essentially will need to make sure everyone is trained and certificated to the certification standard for all firefighters in the service despite the go-forward approach in the regulation. o Although there is protection from personal liability and indemnification provisions in the FPPA (see s. 74, 75, 76), it is only for those working in fire services (municipal or provincial) and not for municipal corporations. • It will be helpful to municipal fire services that the Fire College curriculum and testing will all be online for 2018 free of charge. • That said, municipalities will still have unfunded staff costs for those who need to take the training and for the required testing to achieve certification. This will result in staff time costs for these required training hours. Municipalities may not have provided for the now needed training costs in their 2018 budget. • We understand that MCSCS will consider if there is provincial funding available for implementation of this regulation, once final, however no decisions have been made to date. • It has been said at the Table that there has been significant training over the years to these standards so this should reduce the risk exposure. This needs to be validated. • It should be noted that not all these proposed standards can be grandfathered – only those identified in the January 2014 OFM communique can be grandfathered. • Subject to discussions with the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) and ProBoard to re-open the previous grandfathering program, Fire inspectors (NFPA 1031) and Fire instructors (NFPA 1041) would have an opportunity to be grandfathered along with Firefighters performing suppression activities (NFPA 1001), Fire officers (NFPA 1021) and Fire educators (NFPA 1035). [Revised March 7, 2018] • In rural and northern Ontario, there are many other non-fire services that provide fire dispatch services for the fire services (e.g. consolidated fire dispatch that does many departments’ dispatch, police dispatch, answering services, taxi dispatch). The full extent of different types of fire dispatch and where it occurs is not known at this time by MCSCS or OFM. • Only fire services that do their own dispatch will be captured by this draft regulation; however, MCSCS is looking to include other fire dispatch service providers in a future regulation. Properly trained fire dispatchers is a critical area of public safety that will be pursued by the Province as inquests have, or will, identify this as a current vulnerability for the public. • During this draft regulation consultation, municipal fire services will need to identify clearly how achievable the mandatory certification will be for all identified positions and the additional training costs that will be necessary. The value of any additional training (number of staff per position, training time needed and associated costs) should be outlined in your response.

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2. The draft Community Risk Assessment by Municipalities includes:

• The process to identify, analyze, evaluate and prioritize public safety risks to inform the municipal decision-making on the provision of fire protection services, fire safety education and fire prevention programs as required by the FPPA. • This risk assessment must be done within five years of the regulation coming into force and at then each year thereafter. • The draft regulation outlines the mandatory profiles of community attributes that must be considered in the development of the risk assessment. • A copy of the Community Risk Assessment must done in the form as set out by the OFM and be filed with them once completed. Analysis: • The Table did work well to get the draft Community Risk Assessment regulation as balanced and flexible as possible – and that the assessment is focused on the needs and circumstances of each community. • We understand that this standardization is similar to the voluntary simplified risk assessment from the OFM that municipalities have been using to date. • We understand that the OFM will be providing support and assistance for small rural and northern municipalities in completing these Community Risk Assessments. • As municipal councils have up to five years to implement this regulation, a change in the date of the regulation coming into force does not need to be requested.

COMMENTARY:

• The nature of the magnitude of how many firefighters need to be trained, certified and/or grandfathered is not known by the OFM. • The full nature of the risk or financial exposure for municipal governments and their fire services is not known at this time from these draft FPPA regulations. • To date, no additional provincial funding has been offered by the Province to help manage the costs of mandatory training and certification. • There is no commitment from MCSCS/provincial government to provide municipal governments with protection from litigation as part of the entire package surrounding these regulations as discussed by the Table as a quid pro quo for mandatory certification. The Province of Quebec government provided this protection to local governments in a similar mandatory training and certification situation. • Municipal governments will have the on-going pressure to determine the level and nature of fire services in their communities through these regulations. The level of fire services is a local decision under the FPPA (s. 2(1), 2(2)) as only fire safety education and fire prevention programs that must be provided by each municipal government.

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• 2018 is a municipal election year. As consistent with prudent planning and municipal election legislation, all municipal councils need to assume that as of July 2018 they may have a Lame Duck period. Given this and that the proposed draft regulation is to come into force by January 1, 2019, there may not be enough time before July 2018 or at the initial council meeting on or after December 1st, 2018, to make decisions (e.g. training funding) to ensure full implementation of the Mandatory Training and Certification regulation. For this reason, a later effective date is needed.

Suggested Recommendations for Municipal Responses:

• That the provincial government provide liability indemnification for all municipal governments who comply with these new regulations at least 12 months before the training and certification regulation comes into force.

o If they do not provide this liability indemnification, it will be necessary for the province to provide the new funding that would be required to train and certify all firefighters to achieve the standards before the mandatory training and certification regulation comes into force. • Municipal fire services will need to identify clearly how achievable the mandatory certification will be and the additional training costs that will be necessary. The value of any additional training (both time and costs) should be outlined in your response.

o If the province does not provide liability indemnification, MCSCS should make the required training funding available to municipal fire services for all the identified NFPA professional qualifications at least at least 12 months before the training and certification regulation comes into force o If the province does provide liability indemnification to accompany these regulations, the province should provide sufficient funding to municipalities to cover the new training and certification costs for those designated positions at least at least 12 months before the training and certification regulation comes into force for those positions. o If sufficient provincial funding is not provided to municipal governments, the province will be knowingly creating a new unfunded mandate on municipalities.

• That the Mandatory Training and Certification regulation not come into force until at least July 1, 2019, preferably January 1, 2020, to allow municipal councils and their fire services to make all the necessary training funding decisions. It will also enable the provincial government to provide the necessary funding for training and liability indemnification 12 months prior to the regulations coming into force.

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MEMORANDUM Bracebridge Fire Department

APPENDIX “B”

AMO Comments on Draft MCSCS Regulation on

Public Reporting for Fire Department Response Times

On February 16, 2018 the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) released the proposed Public Reporting for Fire Department Response Times Regulation under the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 (FPPA).

Comments on the draft Public Reporting regulation are due on March 18, 2018. We encourage all municipal councils with fire services to work with your Fire Chief and fire services to develop a comprehensive response for your municipality on all three regulations.

What does the Public Reporting Regulation say?

• As of January 1, 2020, public reporting on fire responses will be required according to a series of reporting criteria, depending on the type of fire service the department provides (e.g. full- time/”non-volunteer”, composite or volunteer).

• The proposed reporting standards are based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a United States trade association, with some international members, that creates and maintains private, copyrighted standards and codes for usage and adoption by local governments.

• The NFPA 1710 standard is for full-time fire services and the NFPA 1720 standard is for volunteer fire services. Composite fire services by their nature will need to use both standards in separate zones under the service where appropriate.

• Response time calculations for each fire department will be supplied by the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management, unless departments have sufficient resources to do the calculations internally.

• Fire departments will have to submit their public report to the Fire Marshal within six (6) months after receiving their calculation.

• Before it is submitted to the Fire Marshal, the fire department will be required to give the public report to their local municipal Council, or each municipality in the group of municipalities if fire protection services are provided.

It is suggested that municipal responses to the draft Public Reporting regulation focus on:

• It is not clear on what would happen if the municipal council disagrees or raises concerns with the fire department’s public report on response times. This raises concerns with principles of good governance and accountability as the draft regulation has the fire department providing the public report to the Fire Marshal directly.

• It is problematic that a municipal council does not appear have a decision-making role in the proposed reporting process.

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• There is concern on how the proposed regulation is drafted with respect to composite fire services:

o As currently written, if a first emergency response unit doesn’t have a volunteer firefighter on it, the standard for the reporting would be for a full-time service (NFPA 1710).

o However a composite service may have the second, third and other units responding to the event to be composed of volunteers.

o This could have the effect of having those zones where it is primarily volunteers but with some full-time firefighters being categorized as a full-time service for reporting which may not reflect the reality of the fire service and its composition.

• It is critically important that this draft regulation does not establish service levels that are not required by the 1720 standard for a volunteer fire service or that zone of a composite fire services that is primarily volunteer:

o The NFPA 1720 volunteer standard does not set out a defined numerical performance level.

o The NFPA 1720 standard is locally determined depending on the population, densities and distances to cover.

o Specifically the Schedule 2(1) 1 should not require a 90%, or any other defined performance level as response times depends on the population, densities and distances to cover.

As you can see, there are significant fiscal, risk management, timing and technical aspects that require local consideration and comment. Further information from AMO on the draft regulation will be available in in early March.

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t March 2, 2018 TransCanada Station 116 Various Municipalities (MLV 116-123) 3965 - Highway 11 North Ontario, Canada North Bay, Ontario P1B 8G3

tel 705.840.7456 fax 705.497.3739 email [email protected] web www.transcanada.com

Re: Station / Mainline Valve (MLV) 116, North Bay to Station 123 Bracebridge, Line 100-1 In-line Inspection

Attention Municipal Clerks, CAO, and Fire Chiefs:

Please be advised that TransCanada will be completing routine maintenance of its’ natural gas pipeline facilities from Station / Mainline Valve (MLV) 116 in the City of North Bay, District of Nipissing and continuing south through the Municipalities of East Ferris, Callander, Powassan, Townships of Machar, Strong, Armour, and Perry, within the District of Parry Sound, and through the Town of Huntsville and ending at Station 123 in Bracebridge, within the District of Muskoka. Please see attached map for details.

The pipeline maintenance activity that will be completed is an in-line inspection (internal) of TransCanada’s pipeline (Line 100-1). This activity will involve some short periods of excessive noise as the various tools are loaded and unloaded from the pipeline launcher (Station 116) and receiver (Station 123). The data gathered from the in-line inspection is analyzed, and if required, further maintenance activities are planned. This maintenance activity is currently scheduled to be completed during the week of March 2nd to 9th.

A fact sheet entitled ‘In-line Inspection’ is attached for further information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly by telephone or e-mail.

Sincerely,

Dan Stencill Indigenous and Community Relations Liaison Eastern Region TransCanada

/dks cc: Calvin Hagel – Land Representative, Shadi Shenouda – Land Representative, & Sheshi Epur – Project Manager TransCanada hires a company to track the pigs. They install temporary above-ground markers every two to five kilometres (one to three miles) along in-line the pipeline that are triggered when the pig passes beneath them. The trackers monitor the speed of inspection the pigs and the above-ground markers determine the progress of the pigs at road crossings.

The length of the pipeline being inspected may require the pigging operation to go through the night. If this is the case, landowners may notice vehicles from the tracking companies parked with their flashers on at the pipeline/road crossing. Once the pig has passed, the tracker leaves for the next monitoring site.

After the pig run is complete and the data is TransCanada is committed to the health and safety of our neighbours, analyzed, landowners will be contacted if the communities, employees and the environment. We have a comprehensive pipeline requires investigative digs, repairs or Pipeline Maintenance Program in place to help us meet this commitment. replacements. A key part of our Pipeline Maintenance Program is a procedure called in- During TransCanada’s in-line inspection activities, line inspection, also referred to as “pigging.” During this procedure we please do not move or disturb the above-ground look for locations where corrosion may have occurred on our pipeline. markers or the survey stakes used to mark their Specialized internal inspection devices called “smart pigs” travel through exact location. the pipeline collecting data that is then analyzed to determine if there are areas of concern requiring further investigation. If you have any questions or require further information, please contact your local In-line inspection involves the passage of three different “pigs” through TransCanada representative. the piece of the pipeline scheduled for inspection. These pigs pass through the pipeline neither disrupting the flow of the natural gas nor the land through which these pipelines pass. 450 First Street S.W. Calgary, Alberta T2P 5H1 1.800.661.3805 The first pig cleans out any debris that may have accumulated in the www.transcanada.com pipe. The second pig is a sizing tool that ensures the next pig – the “smart pig” – will be able to travel through the pipeline without being January 2005 damaged or becoming stuck.

The smart pig then measures the wall thickness of the distance of pipeline being inspected. The data collected by the smart pig is then analyzed. If there is a problem with the pipe, TransCanada will locate the problem and repair or replace the affected section of pipe. des repères temporaires dans le sol à tous les deux à cinq kilomètres (un à trois milles) le long de la canalisation qui sont déclenchés lorsque le racleur passe sous eux. Le personnel sur place inspection surveille la vitesse des racleurs et les repères dans le sol pour déterminer le progrès des interne racleurs à la croisée des routes.

Selon la longueur du tronçon inspecté, il est possible que les opérations se déroulent tout au long de la nuit. Si c’est le cas, les propriétaires fonciers pourraient remarquer la présence de véhicules appartenant à la société chargée d'assurer le contrôle des racleurs. Lorsque le racleur franchit un repère, le personnel sur place se rend au prochain point de contrôle.

Une fois le passage du racleur terminé et les données analysées, on communiquera avec les TransCanada s’engage à assurer la santé et la sécurité de ses voisins, propriétaires fonciers s’il faut effectuer des des communautés où elle exerce ses activités et de ses employés ainsi travaux d’excavation ou encore réparer ou qu’à protéger l’environnement. Notre vaste programme de remplacer des tuyaux. maintenance des installations nous aide à respecter cet engagement. Durant les travaux d’inspection interne de L’un des principaux éléments de notre programme de maintenance est TransCanada, veuillez ne pas déplacer ni un procédé d’inspection interne des canalisations. Ce procédé permet perturber les repères en surface ou les piquets de déterminer la présence de corrosion sur les parois de nos d’arpentage qui servent à indiquer des canalisations. Des outils spécialisés d’inspection interne appelés emplacements exacts. « racleurs intelligents » sont entraînés dans les canalisations pour recueillir des données qui sont ensuite analysées afin de déterminer s'il Pour toute question ou demande d’information faut faire un examen plus poussé. complémentaire, s’adresser au représentant régional de TransCanada. Une inspection interne comprend le passage de trois racleurs différents dans le tronçon inspecté. Le passage des racleurs dans la canalisation ne perturbe pas l'écoulement du gaz naturel ni le terrain où se trouve 450 First Street S.W., Calgary (Alberta) T2P 5H1 la canalisation. 1.800.661.3805 Le premier racleur nettoie les débris qui peuvent s'accumuler dans la www.transcanada.com canalisation. Le deuxième racleur est un calibreur qui assure que le Janvier 2005 racleur suivant - le « racleur intelligent » - pourra se déplacer dans la canalisation sans être endommagé ni coincé.

Le racleur intelligent mesure alors l’épaisseur de la paroi du tronçon inspecté. Les données recueillies par le racleur intelligent sont ensuite analysées. Si un problème est détecté, TransCanada en déterminera l’emplacement et le tronçon visé sera réparé ou remplacé.

TransCanada fait appel aux services d’une société de l’extérieur pour assurer le contrôle des racleurs. Les employés de cette société installent

March 2, 2018

The Honourable Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Hepburn Block 10th Floor, 80 Grosvenor St, Toronto, ON M7A 2C4

Dear Minister Jaczek,

Subject: Request for Meeting with Muskoka and Area Municipalities

Congratulations on your recent appointment as Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. Your previous service as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care and as Minister in several other portfolios will serve you well in your new and challenging role.

In accordance with the approval provided by the Capital Planning Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) MAHC has now initiated Stage 1 Proposal planning, as required under the Ministry's capital planning process.

To this end, the MAHC Board of Directors has formed a Capital Plan Development Task Force to guide the planning process. The Task Force has been established with broad representation including members of the MAHC Board, administration, medical staff, hospital foundations and auxiliaries; primary care physicians and nurses; municipal representatives from the District of Muskoka, North and South Muskoka and East Parry Sound; representatives from the Muskoka and Area Health System Transformation (MAHST) project and the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN; and other stakeholders from the greater Muskoka community.

In accordance with the MAHC’s Planning Agreement with the MOHLTC, the Task Force is overseeing an extensive community consultation program and a thorough review process, leading to the development of a Stage 1 plan that will be submitted to the MAHC Board of Directors and ultimately the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network.

Through on-going discussions at the Task Force, it is evident that there is broad support for the redesign of Muskoka’s health care system as a person-centred, integrated, efficient and equitable model of care consistent with the Patients First action plan for health care. Additionally, it is evident that the maintenance of a multi-site hospital configuration for MAHC, with acute care facilities in the towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville, remains a priority for the people of Muskoka and area.

Recently, the District of Muskoka heard a request from the MAHC Board to consider an additional tax levy to help contribute to the “local share” that will be required for hospital redevelopment. MAHC estimates set that number at greater than $100,000,000 when equipment and other project costs not covered by the Province are included. This escalates the “local share” amount to more than 20%, which is well beyond the 10% share initially contemplated for new hospital construction. As I’m sure you are aware, municipalities are already significantly burdened with infrastructure and operating challenges for a variety of services we directly fund, and the estimate by MAHC is very concerning to area municipalities, to say the least. District Councillors were challenged by the scope of the request by MAHC and, without detailed information regarding the future acute care delivery model, the location of hospital facilities and other important parameters; it was not possible to provide an immediate response to MAHC.

Letter to Minister of Health and Long-Term Care March 2, 2018

It was clear from discussion at the District that there are serious questions regarding the capacity of either municipal governments, or the community as a whole to provide funding in the magnitude requested by MAHC. Nevertheless, the District is aware that current needs are significant and committed. As a result, an additional $200,000 was approved for a special hospital funding levy, bringing the total annual amount provided by the District to address MAHC’s existing facility needs to approximately $600,000.

As recently communicated to the former Minister of Health and Long-Term Care via a letter and a ROMA Briefing Note from the Town of Bracebridge, MAHC continues to be challenged by the lack of sustainable operating funding to support the continued delivery of emergency health care services and inpatient care at the two acute care sites in Huntsville and Bracebridge. Nobody wishes to see an erosion of services in Muskoka.

Please accept this letter as a formal request, on behalf of the municipalities in Muskoka and East Parry Sound, to meet with you to discuss several matters of concern regarding acute care services and health system transformation in Muskoka and area. A delegation composed of municipal representatives can be quickly established to meet with you at your convenience.

We look forward to meeting with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

John Klinck, Chair Cathy Still, Reeve District of Muskoka Village of Burk’s Falls

Graydon Smith, Mayor Scott Aitchison, Mayor Town of Bracebridge Town of Huntsville

cc District of Muskoka Muskoka Municipalities Almaguin Municipalities Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare North Simcoe Muskoka - Local Health Integration Network

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March 2018 THE VILLAGE VOICE COMMUNITY EVENTS AT THE VILLAGE SQUARE 1198 VANKOUGHNET ROAD Layout Audrey Ley: 705-646-1492 Bracebridge, P1L1X1 705-645-7548 E-mail: [email protected]

Vankoughnet Cup Our deepest sympathy Update goes out to Carol Even though Mother Patchett Conway and Nature did not cooperate again this families as Carol’s son year, a great time was had by all. Shawn passed away recently. There were 9 teams participating Our thoughts and prayers are having to turn in their skates for running shoes, as we turned with you and your families during the pickleball court into a ball hockey this very difficult time. court for the day. “And later,” The first- From all your friends & neighbours time entry, captained by Travis Burke, is a family affair with Brandon Burke, Jordan Burke, Joey Barbosa and Nick Barbosa teamed as the North Muskoka Wild were the winners of the 2018 Congratulation! Vankoughnet Cup, and the winner of To Edna & Murray Longson his first “Shoot-Out” was Jake Baranik. as they recently celebrated We wish to thank Mike Sturgeon and their 60th Wedding Anniversary. all the many volunteers (too many to list) for another well-organized event. Best Wishes Always from all your friends & neighbours.

N.I.A (Non-Impact Aerobics) for Seniors with Paula McIsaac Starting on Monday, April 9th, 10:30am - 11:30am Vankoughnet Village Square 1198 Vankoughnet Road Josh and Sherri Campbell 1447 Peterson Rd, Bracebridge *Classes run for 10 weeks, excluding 705-646-1081 or 705-205-1050 public holidays Registration opens on [email protected] Monday, March 5th at 8:30am www.sweetwatermaple.ca Free to anyone 55+ Register

Sweetwater Maple Syrup Supplies & 705-645-2100 ext.199 Sugarbush is a family owned and www.seniorsinmuskoka.ca operated Supply Store and Sugarbush LADIES QUILTING with approximately 2000 taps. We Is cancelled until the produce maple syrup in a traditional Renovations are completed. wood fired evaporator. Stop by and For more information contact: watch the sap boil and enjoy the Jackie Anderson at 705-645-5649 or sweet aroma in the air. Helen Thompson at 705-645-4966 Activities:

• Outdoor pancake breakfast from Ladies Coffee 9am to 1pm CANCELLED • Syrup tasting and learn how maple Until further notice due to village square syrup is made renovations. • Maple Taffy

• Self-guided tours of the sugarbush Bid Euchre to view buckets or pipeline CANCELLED Until further notice due to village square renovations. For more information, contact Carolyn at 705- 645-9767

Walking Club

The walkers have decided to forego any further walks until better weather in the Spring. If you need more information, please call Carolyn at 705-645-9767.

Progressive Euchre Pickle Ball Play is cancelled until the At the Village Square Spring. You may wish to continue Cancelled until further notice for developing your skills in either Village Square renovations. For further Bracebridge or Gravenhurst. info. Contact Hilda: 705-645-2939. For more information or should you wish an emailed copy of the contact list with Yoga Classes phone numbers, please contact Carolyn at:[email protected]. Continuing every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in Muskoka's Best Cleaning Gwen's home which is 1039 Miriam Dr. Too tired and no time to clean? Please call 705 645 5284 for further Let us do the work! info. and to confirm attendance. Serving Cottages and Homes

In the area since 2001 Vankoughnet Call Cheryl 705-394-6621 Photography Club Cancelled until further notice for village square renovations.

PING PONG At the Village Square Cancelled until further notice for village square renovations For more info, call or text Jeff at Treats Now Available at 705-205-3437 Northern Necessities

Support worker needed for private care in Vankoughnet area, for morning and night, no experience necessary will train. Call Al or Lorraine at 705-645-9950 or cell 905-960-9921

Goodale’s Snow Removal

For a Free Quote contact Adam at: 705-641-9981 [email protected]