To ensure that the residents of St. Catharines are kept informed on issues affecting the city of St. Catharines, as well as the events, and progress of the St. Catharines Federal
Liberal riding this blog will be updated and used as a means of communication.
Please feel free to comment on the blog posts, we value the feedback of our community.
Niagara could do more to attract industry and boost the economy if its industrial tax rates were lower, say St. Catharines councillors, calling on Niagara Region and the province to give businesses a break.
A report from David Oakes, the city’s economic development officer, says industrial businesses in St. Catharines and other Niagara municipalities pay more property tax than their counterparts in other areas.
The 2009 industrial tax rate in St. Catharines was 6%, compared to 4.8% in the rest of the province on average.
In cities with “red hot economies,” such as Kitchener and Barrie, the tax rates are even lower, said St. Andrew’s Coun. Andrew Gill, who asked for the report.
He said he wants Niagara to take a serious look at making industry more competitive by reducing the tax ratios for industry, and by asking the province to do the same for education taxes.
Councillors endorsed Gill’s motion at a recent St. Catharines council meeting.
The Federal Government has recently announced that it was scrapping the mandatory long-form census. The decision would make Canada the only country in the world with a voluntary census. This decision is wrong and it hurts St. Catharines. Voluntary census responses lead to fewer responses and inaccurate information will lead to groups being underrepresented. Our city requires accurate census information to make important decisions on infrastructure, social programs and long-term planning. Whether it is determining opportunities for economic growth, the needs of schools or community centres, or providing fundamental city services, we need this information to help our residents.
As a city councillor, I have seen firsthand the effects of this economic downturn. In this economy St. Catharines is facing hard times. In the face of people struggling, government must be able to help those who need it most. Incorrect information will lead to people and programs falling through the cracks.
How can we fight poverty, crime, disease and protect our seniors if we don’t know where they are, and where to target programs? Cities and nations change over time and accurate information can only strengthen St. Catharines. A mandatory census is accurate and reliable. Statistics Canada is a model agency for the rest of the world that guarantees the privacy of citizens’ information. The importance of an accurate census goes beyond our city and it is encouraging to see a broad group of organizations come to its defense – the Catholic Church, the United Church, Anti-Poverty Groups, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons and the Bank of Canada (to name a few).
Though our residents may disagree on the size and role of government in our society, we can all agree that whatever form government takes, it should be effective. Government can only be effective with reliable and accurate information.
I have attached a link to a video of Ralph Goodale that I believe every Canadian should see. MP Goodale, who is a very well respected Member of Parliament,clearly and articulately spells out the current governments agenda.
On Saturday July 24th I was able to take part in the 2010 Dragon Boat Races on Martindale Pond in Port Dalhousie. This is a great event which helps raise money for two great causes- the St. Catharines Museum and Wellspring Niagara. As well, all proceeds from the events food sales benefit the local Out of the Cold Program. Our group included City Councillor’s Mark Elliott and Peter Secord as well as members of the St. Catharines Museum and a local landscape company. The picture attached was taken right after our boat scored a great first race victory-unfortunately our remaining races did not go that well-but we had a great time! Many thanks to the organizers and many volunteers that make this event such a success!
I am pleased to announce that on Friday July 30th Michael Ignatieff and the Liberal Express will be stopping in St. Catharines for a tour of our historic Welland Canals as well as for an old fashioned Town Hall Meeting. The Town Hall Meeting will be held in the historic Old MerrittonTown Hall, located at 343 Merritt St, and will begin at 2PM with Mr. Ignatieff taking any and all questions that St. Catharines residents have. This event is open to everyone and there is no charge to attend this event. This is a great opportunity to meet and speak directly to the Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
I drove by the new hospital site the other day and was amazed with the progress that has been made on this fantastic project that will serve our residents well by delivering the state of the art medical treatment they so deserve. The regional cancer centre will also relieve a huge burden for Niagara families that are currently forced to travel to Hamilton or Toronto for treatment. As a member of Council I was very proud to have played a part in the building of this new facility both with the quick approval of the required funding (our local share) and by appointing the City’s Director of Planning as an “Expeditor” to ensure the project moved through City Hall quickly and seamlessly. The Mayor and Council have also worked hard to ensure we maximize the economic benefit of this new facility and to that end we have rezoned 44 acres adjacent to the hospital as “Prestige Industrial” which will allow for the creation of hundreds of new jobs in our community. From talking with the City’s Director of Economic Development we are already receiving lots of interest from the pharmaceutical and green technology sectors.
This project is creating jobs now and in the future- a great example of a Provincial/Municipal project moving forward quickly!
Today is Friday and I’m working day shift at the fire hall. One of the traditions that my fellow firefighters and I have had since our Canadian Soldiers entered into the war in Afghanistan is to show our support for our troops and wear red on Fridays. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who have served our Country, those currently serving our Country, and those who have been injured or lost their life serving our great Country. We shall never forget the sacrifices our soldiers have made for the freedom we enjoy.
This past Saturday I had the pleasure to attend the Seniors Month Kick Off Dinner at the West St. Catharines Seniors Centre with my good friends Councillor Joe Kushner, MPP Jim Bradley and Mayor Brian McMullan. This is a great night where the politicians serve a wonderfully prepared dinner to our friends at the centre.
Joe, I and the Mayor have forged a very strong relationship with the Seniors from this centre and in fact just after the last municipal election the three off us worked very closely with the Seniors Executive to fight plans to close the centre due to the heavy mold found in the building. After a year of hard work we were not only able to keep the open but we were able to get the building completely renovated. Every time I drive by the centre I get a great sense of pride knowing that this important community hub is open and thriving!
From: Andrew Gill, St. Catharines Liberal MP Candidate
Accountability – Taxpayers are in Agreement.
The recent news that Members of Parliament would not agree to Auditor General Sheila Fraser’s request to examine their expenses has created much discontent amongst Canadians. Taxpayers have had enough of not getting straight answers to simple questions, starting with … How are you spending my tax dollars? As a St. Catharines City Councillor, all of my expenses are detailed in a public report and I welcome the opportunity to share this information. Today, I am declaring that I will follow the lead of Scarborough Liberal MP Michelle Simson, who has been the only MP to post her expenses on her website, and do the same if elected a Member of Parliament.
The taxpayers have spoken, it’s time elected representatives start listening. There’s no reason an MP should be reluctant to report their public expenses and taxpayers should expect no less.
Today is Friday and I’m working day shift at the fire hall. One of the traditions that my fellow firefighters and I have had since our Canadian Soldiers entered into the war in Afghanistan is to show our support for our troops and wear red on Fridays. I have the utmost respect for the men and women who have served our Country, those currently serving our Country, and those who have been injured or lost their life serving our great Country. We shall never forget the sacrifices our soldiers have made for the freedom we enjoy.
