Latest news with #ProvincialParliament
Ottawa Citizen
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Ottawa Citizen
Provincial bill to kick out misbehaving councillors a good, but flawed start
Experts, Ontario city councillors and a former employee of disgraced ex-councillor Rick Chiarelli told Members of Provincial Parliament on Thursday that Bill 9 is 'long overdue,' but still has its flaws. Article content If passed, Bill 9 would give Ontario municipalities a standard code of conduct with the power to remove council members from office for serious violations. To remove a member, a recommendation from a municipal integrity commissioner, approval from an Ontario integrity commissioner and a unanimous vote by the rest of council would be necessary. Article content Article content Article content This bill comes three years after former Ottawa Coun. Rick Chiarelli refused to resign and was docked a maximum penalty of 450 days of pay for various code of conduct violations. The city's integrity commissioner issued three reports between 2020 and 2022 that condemned Chiarelli's behaviour toward women who were on his staff or had applied to work for him. Article content Article content The Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy met at the Sheraton Hotel in Ottawa from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 17 for public consultations on the bill. Article content Stephanie Dobbs, a former employee of Chiarelli and complainant against him, told the committee that she never saw justice or accountability. Article content After telling the committee to not take her criticism of Bill 9 as a lack of gratitude, Dobbs called it 'ludicrous' to let the decision to remove a member from office rest in the hands of other council members. Article content Article content 'As the legislation currently stands, I'm doubtful of the ability to enact change,' Dobbs said. Article content She added that putting the decision in council's hands turns the situation into a 'political spectacle,' which she later told the Citizen is her biggest concern about the proposed law. Article content Article content Throughout the public consultation, speakers like Coun. Lisa Deacon from the Township of Russell, Robin Jones with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and University of Ottawa emeritus professor Barry Wellar all called for the voting requirement to be changed to a two-thirds supermajority. Article content Many speakers, including Dobbs, think the decision to remove a council member should be a matter decided by the courts. Article content 'My concern is (the committee) dismissing the many voices that have been really pushing today,' Dobbs told the Citizen. 'If they choose not to go with amendments and to make this improvement, they'll be met with a lot of criticism and a lot of unhappy constituents.'
Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Federal and Ontario Governments Boost Peterborough's Public Transit Capacity Français
PETERBOROUGH, ON, July 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Peterborough's public transit capacity is growing with the construction of a new 10,500-square metre transit garage and maintenance facility, following a combined investment of almost $42.9 million from the federal and provincial governments. Announced today by MP Emma Harrison, MPP Dave Smith, and Mayor Jeff Leal, the garage and maintenance facility will house up to 110 buses, offer a range of transit maintenance services, and have amenities and offices for transit employees. Once completed, the facility will support Peterborough Transit into the future, and help ensure the community has access to an efficient and affordable transit service that supports economic growth and connects residents to jobs and housing. This investment helps build a stronger Canadian economy. Expanding public transit infrastructure to meet growing demand supports the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities. Quotes "Public transit infrastructure is essential in creating connected and sustainable communities. Today's announcement is a major milestone for Peterborough's public transit system and will help to meet the demands of this growing city for decades to come." The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure "Transit is key to connecting and creating complete communities. That's why investments like the Peterborough bus garage are vital to meeting our growing housing and infrastructure needs." Emma Harrison, Member of Parliament for Peterborough "Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is investing in the transportation infrastructure municipalities need to connect communities and drive economic growth as we continue to protect Ontario families and business from U.S. tariffs. Today, our investment of nearly $20 million in this critical project demonstrates our work to keep Peterborough moving for years to come." Prabmeet Sarkaria, Ontario's Minister of Transportation "Access to reliable, affordable transit plays a vital role in connecting people in Peterborough to jobs, housing and essential services. Ontario's investment in a new transit garage will help ensure safe, modern transit is available to support our growing community—today and in the years ahead." Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough—Kawartha "This is a major investment in the future of Peterborough - one that will fuel economic growth, improve productivity and better connect people to jobs, training and opportunity. By building this new transit facility, we're laying the groundwork for long-term success, ensuring Peterborough Transit can meet the needs of a growing region." David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumberland—Peterborough South "We're incredibly grateful to both the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada for this significant investment in Peterborough's transit future. The funding for a new transit garage is not only timely, it's essential. Our current facility is aging and no longer meets the needs of a growing city. A new, modern garage will support fleet expansion, improve maintenance capabilities, and prepare us for the future of transit, including the integration of electric and low-emission vehicles. This investment will help us deliver more reliable, efficient, and sustainable transit services for the people of Peterborough." Jeff Leal, Mayor, City of Peterborough Quick Facts The federal government is investing up to $23,400,000 through the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program to support this project. The Government of Ontario is investing up to $19,498,050. Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable. In 2021, the government announced significant public transit funding that includes billions in support for zero emission buses, rural transit solutions, active transportation, and support for major projects to accelerate the expansion of large urban transit systems that many Canadians depend on every day. The new Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF) will provide an average of $3 billion a year of permanent funding to respond to local transit needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities. The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments in three streams: Metro Region Agreements, Baseline Funding, and Targeted Funding. Visit the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada website for more information. Ontario is investing nearly $70 billion over the next decade to build public transit. The City of Peterborough will receive $1.7 million in funding through the 2024-25 Gas Tax program. The Gas Tax program provides Ontario municipalities with a stable source of dedicated funding that can be used to increase public transit service, purchase new vehicles and improve accessibility to increase transit ridership. Public Transit Infrastructure Stream Housing and Infrastructure Project Map Strengthened Climate Plan 2024-25 Gas Tax Funding by Municipality Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Cision Canada
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Peterborough/ Français
PETERBOROUGH, ON, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Emma Harrison Hill, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, and Jeff Leal, Mayor, City of Peterborough. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
Cision Canada
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Media Advisory: Infrastructure Announcement in Peterborough Français
PETERBOROUGH, ON, July 9, 2025 /CNW/ - Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with the Emma Harrison Hill, Member of Parliament for Peterborough, Dave Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament for Peterborough-Kawartha, and Jeff Leal, Mayor, City of Peterborough. Follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
WCED accused of spinning infrastructure woes into a success story
The WCED announced an infrastructure rollout to meet growing learner demand, but critics cite teacher cuts and inequality. Image: File THE 19% enrolment growth in public schools between 2015 and 2024 placed pressure on school infrastructure and staffing resources, says the Western Cape Education Department (WCED). To address the demand driven partly by in-migration from other provinces, the WCED said it was ramping up infrastructure investment. Speaking during a meeting of the Provincial Parliament's Standing Committee on Education this week, WCED officials said the province recorded a 2.3% average increase of enrolment in public schools annually. The department currently serves more than 1.3 million learners across 1,887 schools. In response to infrastructure demand, the WCED has launched its Rapid School Build Programme, with a hope to deliver 26 new school projects over the next three years. According to the department, a further 290 new classrooms and 21 Grade R classrooms are also planned for the same period. The department said 59 school maintenance projects are currently under construction for the 2025/26 financial year, with an additional 26 projects in planning. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Leon van Wyk, DA Western Cape spokesperson on education, said the department had maintained discipline in budget allocation despite rising costs. 'From 2022 to 2025, the WCED has kept employee compensation at a sustainable 71% to 72% of its budget — the lowest among major provinces,' said Van Wyk. 'This has allowed us to invest more in critical services like textbooks, learner transport, nutrition programmes, and infrastructure.' Van Wyk contrasted this with other provinces, stating that KwaZulu-Natal had spent over 83% of its education budget on salaries over four consecutive years, leaving less for other education needs. 'To ensure every learner has a seat in a safe, functional classroom, we must continue to prioritise infrastructure spending. It's not optional — it's essential.' However, ANC Western Cape leader of the opposition, Khalid Sayed, said the DA's narrative 'attempts to spin the Western Cape Education Department's infrastructure crisis into a success story'. In a statement, Sayed said: 'The WCED has had more than enough time to plan for the enrollment increase. Instead, what we have seen is delayed school builds, under-resourced township and rural schools, and an overreliance on rapid or modular builds.' Social service and educational organisation, Ilitha Labantu, also raised concerns about staffing reductions. The organisation cited figures from the WCED indicating that 2,407 teacher posts had been cut across the province as of January. These cuts took place in the context of a R3.8 billion projected shortfall in the education budget over the next three years. According to Ilitha Labantu, nearly 70% of the schools affected by the staff reductions were no-fee schools that serve township and vulnerable communities, meaning. Schools in areas such as Khayelitsha and Mitchells Plain reported class sizes exceeding 50 learners per teacher. In a statement, Ilitha Labantu said: 'While the department promotes LED lighting, fencing upgrades, and solar installations at some schools, learners in township communities continue to endure unsafe, overcrowded, and dilapidated school infrastructure.' Ilitha Labantu cited recent incidents, including the abduction and rape of a 14-year-old learner in Langa, and the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old learner from Samora Machel while walking to school, as examples of the vulnerability learners face. Both the ANC and Ilitha Labantu called for the WCED to release a detailed breakdown of infrastructure and staffing backlogs by district. CAPE TIMES
