Council Highlights from the November 20, 2023 meeting

Council advocates for creation of a Provincial lobbyist registry

Council is requesting that the Province create, define and administer a province-wide municipal lobbyist registry. Clarington currently has a code of conduct for Councillors and municipal staff in their interactions with lobbyists; a provincial registry would provide additional clarification, information and accountability.

Council adopted a resolution that calls on Ontario to amend the Municipal Act, 2001, in consultation with the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association of Ontario (AMCTO) and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The Province is asked to create the registry, which would be administered by a Provincial registrar. The resolution has been sent to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, local MPPs, AMCTO and AMO.

Council to review Clarington’s proposed 2024-27 Budget

Council will be reviewing and discussing A Plan for Growth: Clarington’s Proposed 2024-27 Budget, the Municipality’s first multi-year budget and first budget under the new process set out in the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022.

The proposed Budget and the draft Strategic Plan were presented to Council at a special General Government Meeting on November 24, 2023. In addition, external agencies made presentations related to the budget on that date. Amendments proposed by Council were also discussed. On December 4, 2023, a Special Council Meeting will take place to consider the Budget and any further amendments.

Council to provide input on Provincial legislation to restore lands removed from the Greenbelt, including land in Clarington

Council received a staff report on Bill 136, the proposed Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act. This Provincial legislation would return to the Greenbelt the 15 areas across Ontario that had been removed in December 2022. This includes the lands removed at the northeast corner of Nash Road and Hancock Road in Clarington.

In addition, lands that were added to the Greenbelt in 2022 will remain in the Greenbelt. These include expansions to Urban River Valley areas along Wilmot Creek and Soper Creek, and the addition of lands within Darlington Provincial Park.

The Greenbelt encompasses approximately 81 per cent of the total lands in Clarington. This includes part of the Oak Ridges Moraine.

The legislation would, if passed, also ensure that any future boundary adjustments are made through an open and public process.

Council directed staff to submit the report as Clarington’s comments on the proposed legislation.

Clarington to hold public consultations on proposed changes to the Site Alteration By-law

Council directed staff in the Legislative Services and Planning and Infrastructure Departments to consult the public about Clarington’s Site Alteration By-law. The current by-law was enacted in 2008 to prohibit and regulate the grading, filling or dumping, removal of topsoil and rehabilitation of the land.

Effective regulation of the alteration of sites is an extremely important function, especially for a municipality like Clarington that is poised for significant population growth and new development and is an attractive target destination for excess fill from development activities across the Greater Toronto Area. Site alteration regulation can be challenging, and the negative impacts of the importation of illegal and contaminated fill can be significant to the community and environment.

Details of the public consultation process, and opportunities for residents and businesses to participate, will be shared at a future date.

There is a Special Budget Council Meeting on December 4, 2023. The next regular Council Meeting is on December 18, 2023.