To: Committee of the Whole Agenda Section: Performance Management Division: CAO, Clerk's and Communications Department: Chief Administrative Officer Item Number: CCW - 18-052 Meeting Date: February 13, 2018 Subject: Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference - 2018 Recommendation That Item CCW 18-052, dated February 13, 2018 regarding the Rural Ontario Municipal Association 2018 Annual Conference, be received. Executive Summary The subject report provides a synopsis of the 2018 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference, outlining discussions and delegations relating to the County of Simcoe, including topics of discussion between Provincial and County officials. Background/Analysis/Options The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference was held in Toronto, Ontario from January 21 to January 23, 2018. The conference is well attended by municipal officials from across the Province of Ontario and provides significant opportunities for education, sharing of common issues and solutions, networking, and opportunities for municipalities to collectively and individually talk to the Province about their undertakings and issues. The 2018 conference program is provided in Schedule 1 to this Item. The County of Simcoe had representation at the conference from County Councillors and staff, as well as many local municipal officials and staff. Each attendee can likely speak to the direct benefit realized through their individual attendance at seminars, workshops and plenary sessions, and any discussions with vendors and peers from across the province. If any Councillor is interested in further information from the noted sessions, staff can research this and provide contact to County officials that attended the session(s) of interest. The conference also included an exhibit area with vendors and other agencies, as well as receptions and networking opportunities for attendees. February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole - CCW 18-052 Page 2 The purpose of this report however, is to provide council with an update on some of the discussions that occurred between County officials and the Province with respect to some of our initiatives and undertakings. SUNDAY: Ministry of Municipal Affairs This delegation was attended by Warden Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Debbie Korolnek. Minister Bill Mauro and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: An update on the County’s Municipal Comprehensive Review Greenbelt Expansion Study Area and Process Development outside urban boundaries by other sectors such as hospitals and school boards - Growth Plan principles for these (sometimes publicly contentious) issues OMB reform - support for new direction; streamlining of the process for affordable housing Provincial Facility Infrastructure coordination through upper tier governments MONDAY: Ministry of Community and Social Services This delegation was attended by Warden Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Greg Bishop. Deputy Minister Janet Menard and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Human Services Integration Provincial and local strategies for addressing the growing proportion of Youth in receipt of Ontario Works Food Security / Insecurity Poverty Reduction Initiatives Ministry Responsible for Early Years and Child Care This delegation was attended by Warden Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Greg Bishop. Minister Indira Naidoo-Harris and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres New 2017 funding: Federal-Ontario ELCC Expansion Funding Operation Grow: Provincial and County funding investments to support this local social enterprise that addresses poverty, food security, employment outcomes and the impacts of trauma for women with lived experience of violence Ministry of Infrastructure February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole - CCW 18-052 Page 3 This delegation was attended by Warden Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Debbie Korolnek. Minister Bob Chiarelli and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Hwy 400 / Line 6 Innisfil Interchange / 400-404 link Water and wastewater servicing in Simcoe County - challenges, opportunities and evolving roles Regional Transit in Simcoe County and tying into existing infrastructure and services Broadband and connectivity infrastructure Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport This delegation was attended by Warden Marshall and GM Debbie Korolnek. Minister Daiene Vernile and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: County Heritage Grant Program progress report Cultural grant programs and leveraging Provincial programs and funding An update on the many Simcoe County Tourism and cultural initiatives Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change This delegation was attended by Deputy Warden Dowdall and Chief Administrative Officer Aitken. Minister Chris Ballard and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Advancement of the Blue Box Program transition to producers Updates on County Organics Processing and Materials Management facility project Streamlining of MOECC approvals and coordinated Provincial supports for municipal infrastructure projects that compliment Provincial initiatives Cap and Trade / Carbon Credits and associated opportunities WOWC Delegation - Ministry of Economic Development and Growth This delegation was attended by a number of Western Ontario Warden’s Caucus representatives whom are leading the various WOWC initiatives, including Warden Marshall as Chair of the WOWC and Chief Administrative Officer Aitken as Secretary of the WOWC. Minister Steven Del Duca and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: The Western Ontario Warden’s Economic Development Initiatives and Strategy An update on the SWIFT Program and current RFP’s for infrastructure High Speed Rail in South Western Ontario Natural Gas and Hydro supply and capacity in regards to Economic Development February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole - CCW 18-052 Page 4 Ministry of Transportation This delegation was attended by Warden Gerry Marshall, Deputy Warden Dowdall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Debbie Korolnek. Minister Kathryn McGarry and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Hwy 400 / Line 6 Innisfil Interchange / 400 to 404 Link Simcoe County Transit update and start-up funding opportunities Support for servicing key employment lands in Simcoe County Innisfil Beach Road grade separation for Metrolinx Overall Transportation Planning and Strategies within Simcoe County Ministry of Economic Development and Growth This delegation was attended by Warden Gerry Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Debbie Korolnek. Minister Steven Del Duca and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Innisfil Heights / OPA 1 Innisfil - Provincially designated employment area; critical mass and servicing initiatives Commitment to infrastructure for provincially designated employment areas throughout the County of Simcoe Major employment opportunities on the Highway 400 corridor Ensuring Provincial Ministry coordination on various initiatives Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration This delegation was attended by Deputy Warden Dowdall and GM Greg Bishop. Minister Laura Albanese and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: The County’s Annual Newcomer Recognition Awards Cultural Competency Training Simcoe County Local Immigration Partnership Initiatives and updates Ministry of Finance This delegation was attended by Warden Gerry Marshall, Chief Administrative Officer Aitken and GM Debbie Korolnek. Mr. Yvan Baker, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Taxation of some farming operations as industrial (such as dairy production) Casino Rama Provincial share funding to County and Township to offset host costs February 13, 2018 Committee of the Whole - CCW 18-052 Page 5 Challenges with Development Charges By-laws that could benefit from Provincial clarity in areas such as Housing and Long Term Care TUESDAY: Ministry of Housing This delegation was attended by Deputy Warden Dowdall and GM Greg Bishop. Minister Peter Milczyn and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: An update on the County’s 10 Year Housing and Homelessness Prevention Strategy Housing stock capital repairs and pressures managing aging Housing stock Region wide Housing First Programs in Simcoe County Various Housing Initiatives and how Simcoe County is investing and coordinating programs and funding Outside the box thinking / opportunities Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs This delegation was attended by Deputy Warden Dowdall, Councillor Ritchie, Minister Jeff Leal and Ministry staff welcomed the group. Topics of discussion included: Taxation of some farming operations as industrial (such as dairy production) Food production and processing challenges (Abattoirs impacted by legislation and OMAFRA) Barriers to Agriculture Industry (hydro costs, natural gas, minimum wage, internet connectivity, Provincial Planning and Growth Legislation / Greenbelt Study) Provincial support and flexibility for agricultural regions within Ontario Other County Official Involvement and Matters of Interest at ROMA With the split last year