Earlier this week, Mayor Rob Keffer met with the Ministry of Finance to discuss a letter he sent the government last week requesting funding for a number of the town's key infrastructure projects including the Bradford Bypass and Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Facility.
On Jan. 14, Minister of Finance Peter Bethlenfalvy announced the launch of 2022 Budget consultations and encouraged Ontarians to share their ideas for making Ontario the best place to build a career, a family and a future.
“It is clear that while the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet, our government will continue to make decisions that will lay a strong, stable fiscal foundation that Ontario workers, families and entrepreneurs can build on,” said Bethlenfalvy. “We are looking for ideas that will help us continue to build Ontario’s long-term prosperity and create jobs while supporting workers and communities in every corner of our province.”
In the letter addressed to the Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Finance Michael Parsa on Jan. 24, the Mayor Keffer notes how Bradford West Gwillimbury is one of the fastest-growing communities in Ontario and the largest urban centre in the York-Simcoe riding.
"We are proud of what we’ve accomplished but are nonetheless challenged with managing this growth, delivering cost-effective services to our residents and
adapting to ever-changing responsibilities," he wrote.
The letter seeks consideration from the provincial government and funding allocation for the following municipal projects: Bradford Bypass, Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Facility, COVID supports, the BWG Community Centre redevelopment, housing affordability, and the Holland Riverfront Trail.
The mayor calls the Bradford Bypass, a planned 16.2km link between Highways 400 and 404, "critical to the economic vitality of Simcoe County and York Region", and compliments the province on the work done so far on getting the project moving forward. Premier Doug Ford was in Bradford in November and announced the project will be fully funded by the provincial government.
"We know that this new bypass help gets people where they need to go much faster, and we know it will help get goods to the market faster," Ford said at the announcement.
Mayor Keffer asked Parsa for the province's continued support of the project and an expedited construction program following the completion of the required design and mitigation plans.
He also touched on the housing affordability crisis, seeking support for residents and new home buyers looking to invest in the area.
"As experienced in most growing regions across the country, the cost of housing in BWG is becoming increasingly unattainable," noted the mayor, who asked the government for a funding strategy that will assist first-time homebuyers entering the housing market. He also asked for the government's support in stimulating the supply of rental and affordable forms of housing, for investment in municipal servicing to boost the supply of market housing, and for a way to incentivize private-sector investment to develop transit-supportive housing, while delivering a plan to address housing affordability in the long term.
The mayor also emphasized the importance of maintaining COVID supports for those experiencing financial loss due to pandemic restrictions and closures.
"The federal and provincial financial support provided to municipalities has been critical in compensating for increased costs and lost revenues during the pandemic," said the mayor. "As we manage through this latest wave and face the uncertain impacts of future strains of the COVID 19 virus, ongoing financial support will be necessary so that we can continue to deliver affordable municipal services and programs."
In recent months, the Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Facility project has picked up steam across the region and has gained support from local MPPs and councils.
In November 2020, the federal government committed $16M towards the $40M cost of constructing a stormwater treatment facility that will manage phosphorous runoff from Holland Marsh into Lake Simcoe and reduce phosphorus by 40 per cent. It would also cut algae growth in the watershed, preserve fish habitat and protect a major source of drinking water.
"We ask that your government commit to ensuring that this important project proceeds," wrote the mayor.
The BWG Community Centre Redevelopment project is one that has been on town council's radar for the past five years, following an extensive community consultation program.
"Council has endorsed an exciting redevelopment plan for the town’s prized community centre campus located in the heart of Bradford," said Keffer.
The plan for the 18-acre property includes affordable housing, recreational amenities, cultural and community gathering spaces, and centralized administrative facilities that will deliver programs and services to residents.
"We ask that your government commit to delivering grant programs that will greatly assist municipalities with delivering important community investments like the BWG Community Centre Redevelopment project," said Keffer.
In the summer, York-Simcoe MPP and Minister for Transporation Caroline Mulroney announced the government's commitment to the design and construction of the Holland River and Canada Trail System.
"We have been in discussions with MTO’s Bradford By-pass Project Team regarding the trail project and we request that sufficient funding be confirmed such that the formal EA and design process can begin this year," wrote the mayor.
Mayor Keffer concluded his letter by thanking the province for their consideration in helping to fund the town's key projects.
"There are undoubtedly other pressing matters but I am confident that by successfully addressing the six priorities that I have listed, your government will have served this riding exceptionally well," he said.
The mayor has yet to hear back from the Ministry but hopes they will be able to take into consideration his requests on behalf of town council and residents.
The 2022 provincial budget will be delivered by March 31, 2022.
