Latest news with #BasilClarke
CTV News
7 days ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Decision to downsize County of Simcoe council deferred to province
County of Simcoe council will leave whether to cut its size nearly in half up to the province. Simcoe County councillors have had months of debate over whether to cut its council size nearly in half with that decision now landing at Queen's Park, with council voting to ask the province to intervene on the contentious issue. The motion for the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to intervene was passed in Tuesday's meeting with councillors divided in favour and against the idea of downsizing. 'If it's not done by the province, it would be status quo. There would be no change in governance at all,' said Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe warden. The County council's current composition is a mayor and deputy mayor from each municipality for a total of 32 members, plus a part-time warden from within. The proposed change would see only the mayors remaining, along with a full-time warden, reducing council to a total of 17 members. 'The House is almost unanimous that we did want a full-time warden,' added Clarke. 'But what they've decided is, and I can agree with that, 33 is almost too many.' It is a contentious issue that has been hotly discussed since the spring, which included a protest by some councillors in late March. Municipalities within the County had until the end of June to vote, resulting in a tie with eight in favour of downsizing and eight against. 'The process says that a tie vote is a no-vote,' said Brian Smith, Wasaga Beach mayor, who is among those opposed. 'If we make bad decisions because we have too much on our plate and we don't have a good debate, you know, does that end up costing us more or doesn't it?' Bill Gordon, Midland's mayor, supported the change. 'We can get the same work done with a smaller, more nimble, agile group of councillors,' said Gordon. 'We all do the same work anyway. We have to read the same reports, we bring the same experience. More is not always more. Less is more.' Mike Burkett, Severn Township's mayor, called for an equal vote instead of a weighted vote. 'I just wanted the weighted vote removed so that we're all equal sitting on that floor. So that each member had one vote.' Council also needed a triple majority to change its composition but only got two of the three requirements, hence the need for the province to step in. Warden Clarke and County staff are expected to deliver their letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing by the end of the week.
CTV News
06-08-2025
- Health
- CTV News
RVH celebrates opening of new live-in addictions treatment centre
Third from right: Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe Warden, Fourth from right: Doug Downey, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte MPP, Fifth from right: Gail Hunt, RVH President and CEO, Sixth from right: Andrea Khanjin, Barrie—Innisfil MPP, Seventh from right: Mina Fayez-Bahgat, County of Simcoe, Eighth from right: Brandon Lewicki, RVH Mental Health and Addictions Program Director and other dignitaries celebrate the opening of the new RVH live-in addictions treatment centre in Barrie, Ont. on Wed., Aug. 6, 2025. (CTV News/ Chris Garry) The Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) celebrated the official opening of its new live-in addictions treatment centre on Wednesday, which officials say will be a big step forward in providing care for the region's most vulnerable. 'Recovery and stability are possible when care is local, integrated, and rooted in trust,' said Brandon Lewicki, RVH mental health and addictions program director, of its vision. The hospital and the County of Simcoe were among the main partners teaming up to offer better support for those facing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges through the program. 'We all have the same vision in helping people and this is going to be a great success,' said Basil Clarke, County of Simcoe Warden. Through the new live-in addiction treatment centre in Barrie, 12 clients at-a-time go through a 21-day program, receiving important mental health and addictions treatment that includes therapy, counselling, and recreational activities. Each client gets their own bedroom and bathroom. 'The hope is to provide people with the skills and the tools to be able to thrive and be successful once you're discharged back into the community,' added Lewicki. The new program falls under the county's Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment model (HART) and is designed to be the first stage in a client's road to recovery. 'It's customized services for each individual based on their needs,' said Mina Fayez-Bahgat, County of Simcoe social and community services manager. 'The idea is to serve them until they're ready to move into their next stage, which would be the longer-term supportive housing model.' The County requested funding from the Ford government last August and the province responded in January with a $529 million funding announcement to support 27 HART hubs across Ontario. 'That is lightspeed in terms of government cooperation, coordination,' said Doug Downey, Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte MPP. 'I'm just thrilled for the individuals that are going to come through this program.' Hospital and county officials say the first round of patients has already been through the new live-in facility. Their second cohort is almost full and is expected in the coming weeks.
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Supporting the transition to zero-emission public transit Français
COUNTY OF SIMCOE, ON, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, Basil Clarke, Warden of the County of Simcoe and Mayor of the Township of Ramara, and Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), announced a combined investment of $221,116 for the development of a strategy to transition to zero emission transit technology in the County of Simcoe. This investment will help the County of Simcoe in identifying the economic, technological, and environmental considerations associated with fleet electrification, and plan accordingly. Quotes "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with the County of Simcoe and CUTRIC to support the transition to a zero emission transit strategy. This is an important step in ensuring a more sustainable public transit system for the County of Simcoe for decades to come." The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada "The County of Simcoe has been working hard to lessen our environmental impact across all of our sectors, and we're set to now shift the focus to reducing emissions produced by our transit system with the help of the Government of Canada. By taking these first steps in trying to achieve a net zero emission strategy, we're paving the way for a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come." Basil Clarke, Warden of the County of Simcoe "Partnering with the County of Simcoe and the Government of Canada marks an important step in evolving our approach to public transit. Together, we are driving forward the future of cleaner, more sustainable transportation systems. I'm confident our shared dedication to reducing emissions and enhancing economic sustainability will help create a greener future for Simcoe residents." Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) Quick Facts The Government of Canada is contributing $176,893 to this project through the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF). The County of Simcoe is contributing $22,113 and $22,110 comes from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund. The ZETF helps communities transition to zero emission transit and school buses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Through an agreement with CUTRIC, the Government of Canada is investing $10 million over five years to help transit bus operators to complete planning work and increase their level of readiness to transition to zero emission bus fleets. CUTRIC's mission is to support the commercialization of technologies through industry-led collaborative research, development, demonstration, and integration projects that bring innovative design to Canada's zero emission smart mobility ecosystem. Zero Emission Transit Fund Federal infrastructure investments The Federation of Canadian Municipalities - Green Municipal Fund Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New HART Hub supports addiction and homelessness across Simcoe County
Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County. Basil Clarke, Warden of Simcoe County, said the collaboration between the partners will have a greater impact on people who use the programs. 'This is our first big step and coordinating all these groups to come together so we can have many people focus on one person,' said Clarke. 'It's all about treating individuals and getting them through the system and back into their lives.' The partners will provide eight different pathways including outreach, withdrawal management, live-in addiction treatment and pre-treatment, mental health treatment, crisis support, employment and social supports, housing, and Indigenous-specific services. HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) An end-to-end service – helping people create new lives. Mina Fayez-Bahgat, general manager of social and community services for the County of Simcoe, said the pathways will provide specific programs for each individual case. 'When you independently look at different programs and how they're funded, they often just treat one component of a much more complex issue,' said Fayez-Bahgat. 'Here, we're having an opportunity for someone to be treated in a customized way that addresses all the issues.' HART Hubs have been put in place throughout Ontario. Simcoe County is a unique program with services and supports across various locations – including Orillia and Midland, referred to as spokes. The region will be the only hub with mobile services instead of a central location. Sarah Banbury, CEO of the Canadian Mental Health Association with the Simcoe County Branch, said there are many benefits to having a mobile hub. 'Rather than having people come to us, we need to go to them, and we need to explain to them what their choices and options are, and the services that can be provided for them.' Katie Drake, Manager of the HART Hub, said each partner will offer programs so everyone can have a program to suit their needs. 'RVH is offering bed treatments. CMHA is offering community-based treatment,' said Drake. 'We can't really define what's going to work for somebody else.' HART Hub Organizations from around the region have partnered up to help those in need by offering a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment Support (HART) hub right here in Simcoe County on June 26, 2025. (CTV News/ Luke Simard) RVH announced a 21-day co-ed live-in addiction program in partnership with HART. Brian Irving, manager of addictions programs at RVH, said the program will provide a wide range of services. 'We're providing everything from individual counseling, group counseling, recreational therapy, life skills education, and composite discharge planning.' The HART Hub of Simcoe County is a three-year pilot project which has already begun to intake individuals who need assistance. Community wellness clinics will be hosted by the County of Simcoe's Community Paramedicine and the HART of Simcoe County navigation team. The clinics are intended for people experiencing homelessness, at risk of homelessness, or seeking mental health and addiction support. Dates and locations for these clinics can be found here.
