Official Plan is new guide to smart growth over next 30 years

By Casandra Turnbull

It was a steady stream of people pouring in and out of Paris High School Thursday evening as curious residents got a glimpse of the County of Brant’s New Official Plan

Once it’s approved and filed with the province, the Official Plan will be an important policy used to guide both short-term and long-term community development over the next 30 years. It outlines the way the county will maximize the use of land to manage targeted growth until 2051.

According to information shared on one of the many poster boards on display at the open house, there’s more than enough lands for housing and amenities within the settlement areas of Paris, St. George and Burford, so boundary expansions will not be required as the county grows to 59,000 residents by the end of this 30year plan. There’s an emphasis in the plan to focus on the redevelopment of underutilized properties and infrastructure in built-up areas to make up at least 20% of all new development in the county. This move will help preserve natural areas and farmland and is a more efficient use of infrastructure and budgeting

The document also looks at how new development must provide a minimum density of housing and jobs at a rate of 50 residents and jobs per hectare To help achieve this goal, planning officials will examine the structure and design of existing, older neighbourhoods where the population exceeds the current targets in the plan. It’s also recommended a settlement area boundary expansion at 403 Rest Acres Road corridor is necessary to secure more employment lands.

The Official Plan also outlines that higher density doesn’t necessarily mean higher buildings. It can mean mixed uses, more open spaces and a flexible variety of dwelling types for all ages and abilities. Taking this approach will also provide more affordable and equitable housing opportunities for all residents

All this growth can only be supported by extensive plans to enhance the infrastructure to meet the demand. The County will look to be costeffective, sustainable and resilient. Comprehensive work is required for stormwater and watershed management, community energy, and transportation (roadways, bridges,

trails, etc)

The newly updated Master Transportation Plan is incorporated into the Official Plan. There’s a sharp focus on integrated transportation and land use planning to offer active and public transportation, which in turn reduces green house gas emissions in the face of the current climate crisis The county already has plans to develop a Climate Change Action Plan in keeping with the Mayor’s declaration of a climate emergency in the county.

If you missed the in-person meeting on Thursday, there is a virtual session planned for Monday, April 24 from 6 pm to 8 pm on Zoom. The link will be available through the county’s EngageBrant website, and that is where you can find the full, detailed Official Plan document: https://engagebrant.ca/OfficialPlan https://engagebrant.ca/OfficialPlan

Once comments are added and the plan is ratified by Council it goes to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval. Once in place, no public work is to be undertaken, and no by-law passed for any purpose unless it is in conformity with the Official Plan.

It was a good turnout at Thursday night’s Official Plan open house hosted by County of Brant staff at Paris District High School. Residents got a look at how the county will grow over the next 30 years. County staff were on hand to answer questions and a short video played in a separate room. You can catch a virtual Official Plan Open House on Monday from 6 pm to 8 pm via zoom.

GrandBridge Energy employees set to strike tomorrow

Sixty-nine IBEW members reject offer of settlement in failed collective agreement negotiations between the union and the company

GRANDBRIDGE ENERGY - Brantford and Cambridge, ON, (April 20, 2023) – GrandBridge Energy announced today that members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 636, representing 69 GrandBridge Energy employees, voted on April 19, 2023, to reject an Offer of Settlement for a new collective agreement

As a result of the vote, the IBEW Local 636 members will be in a legal position to strike starting at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, April 23, 2023, and have indicated that they will be withdrawing their services at that time. The IBEW represents GrandBridge Energy employees in Operations, Metering, Field Services and the System Control Room

GrandBridge Energy is committed to the negotiation process. The GrandBridge Energy team remains focused on delivering safe and reliable electricity to the communities we serve. During the labour disruption, our priority will be addressing emergencies and restoring power during unplanned outages.

“GrandBridge Energy is eager to continue to work together with members of the IBEW bargaining unit to reach a resolution that is acceptable to the membership and the company,” said Ian Miles, President and CEO, GrandBridge Energy.

“GrandBridge Energy’s top priority is the safety of our employees and the public.”

The GrandBridge Energy and IBEW negotiations began in late 2022. The collective agreement for members of IBEW Local 636 expired on March 31, 2023. On Thursday, April 13, 2023, both parties reached an Offer of Settlement. The offer was presented by the IBEW to its membership on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, followed by a ratification vote. IBEW members voted to reject the offer.

Updates will be provided as the negotiations progress.

IBEW MEDIA RELEASE – On Wednesday, April 19th , 2023 members of IBEW Local 636 Unit 13 rejected an offer from their employer GrandBridge Energy, with 71% of the members voting against the offer. The membership previously voted 95% in favour of strike action at a meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2023.

The parties have a stroke/lockout deadline of Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 12:01 am and we will be withdrawing services and commencing a legal strike At this point there are no talks scheduled.

The parties met 11 days in an effort to reach a deal.