Defining the Issues: Durham election

NRU
April 23, 2014
By Leah Wong

As staff report a decline in both population and household growth in Durham Region over the past year, it is clear that keeping the region competitive and open for business will be the defining issue in the October 27th municipal elections.

Candidates for mayor and regional chair say that the economic well-being of individual municipalities and the region as a whole are interrelated and will continue to be talking points throughout the campaign.

“The success of each municipality is contingent on the success of every municipality,” Michael Deegan, the lone registered candidate for regional chair, told NRU.

This is the first time Durham Region voters will elect the regional chair, a position which had previously been appointed by the other members of regional council. Current chair Roger Anderson was first appointed to the position in 1997 and has not yet announced whether he will stand for
election this time round.

A February 2014 report from Planning and Economic Development commissioner Alex Georgieff on growth trends attributes the decline to economic uncertainty in the region.

Sure to be front and centre, economic issues are already on the minds of candidates, local experts and activists.

“It’s important to understand that the regional economy is dependent on the health of the region as a whole,” Oshawa mayor John Henry told NRU. “The real difficult thing for the next regional chair and council will be getting the message out that we’re here and it’s not just about the City of Toronto.”

To keep the region competitive, BILD Durham chair Frank Filippo told NRU, that development charges and the parkland dedication fee are topics on which the development industry is keeping a close watch.

He said that it is important to ensure that appropriate limits are being set for both, as it will ensure that homes within the region remain affordable. Filippo says BILD also wants municipalities to support the existence of the Ontario Municipal Board, which he considers to be essential.

Continued investment in infrastructure and transportation will also allow residential development to continue.

There are also a number of developments on the horizon, which will dictate the region’s future. This includes the proposed Pickering Airport, which continues to be an area of concern for many local residents. Last June, former finance minister Jim Flaherty announced that plans for the airport were being revived, bringing the issue back onto the public agenda.

The proposed Pickering Airport has been an election issue for all levels of government in Pickering and surrounding area since 1972, Land Over Landings chair Mary Delaney told NRU. The citizens’ group works to promote the preservation of prime agricultural land and says it’s determined to keep the airport on candidates’ radar.

“The region as a whole has come out strongly in favour of agriculture,” says Delaney. Agriculture is one of the leading revenue creators and job generators in Durham. “Whoever is the next [regional] chair must recognize the importance of agriculture.”

For Land Over Landings it’s important that candidates not only oppose the airport, but also have an alternative vision for the use of the agricultural lands.

“The business case is for the protection of farmland. We cannot afford to lose anymore,” says Delaney. The airport isn’t the only contentious issue in the Pickering election. At its April 22 meeting, council will be deciding if Pickering electors will be voting on whether or not they want a casino within the city as a referendum question on the municipal ballot. Developers for Durham Live, a hotel convention centre and entertainment complex, have submitted a proposal to the city.

Oshawa voters will also have a referendum question on the ballot this year. It will ask voters if they would rather have a ward system and vote for a ward-specific representative instead of electing councillors at large.

All of the incumbent mayors across the region have signaled their intent to seek re-election except Uxbridge mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor, who has yet to announce whether she will be seeking re-election. Ajax mayor Steve Parish, Brock mayor Terry Clayton, Clarington mayor Adrian Foster, Pickering mayor Dave Ryan, Whitby mayor Pat Perkins and Scugog mayor Chuck Mercier have all registered as candidates in municipal elections. Oshawa mayor John Henry has confirmed he will be running again, but has not yet decided when he will officially enter the race.