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The Canadian Chamnion Tundnu Fpbrunrv 26 200R - R1 GRAHAM PAINE / CANADIAN CHAMPION GRAND OPENING: Above, Halton MPP Ted Chudleigh (second from right) and Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr join five-year-old Kindergarten student Alisha Bailey and centre supervisor Cait Smithers in adding items to the treasure chest at the official opening of Bruce Trail Early Learning and Child Care Centre. At right, Ward 4 Councillor Wendy Schau checks out some artwork of four-year-old Kindergarten student Liberty-Zoe Bruce-Muller. New child care centre celebrates opening Bruce Trail offers day care and before and after school spaces By Stephanie Hounsell CANADIAN CHAMPION STAFF Amid children crafting valentines, an official opening ceremony recently took place for a new - and much- needed - childcare centre. Politicians and representatives of various partners gathered February 13 to officially welcome the Bruce Trait Early Leaming and Child Care Centre, which has been open since November. The new centre, located at Bruce Trail Elementary School on Costigan Road, offers 59 licensed childcare spaces for kids aged 18 months to five years, as well as 25 before and after school spaces. The facility is funded through the provincial Best Start strategy and oper- ated by the Milton Community Resource Centre (MCRC). Visitors were given a tour of the facility, which has a room for toddlers, pre-school kids and kindergarteners. On the walls were photos of kids hav- ing fun at the new centre. On hand for the ceremony, which included a cake cutting, was Regional Chair Gary Carr, who spoke about the importance of quality care for young children. "A good start for young people is a big determinate in what happens later on," he said, adding, "This is a fantastic facility, but really what makes it is the people." Milton has experienced a 163 per cent increase in the number of children from zero to six vears old, according to the 2006 census. This makes Milton the largest growth comnunity in all of Canada for young children, Carr said. "Our challenge is to keep adding so we can keep up with programs," he said. Best Start was originally introduced in 2004 by the provincial government as an ongoing program to address childcare needs in municipalities across Ontario. However, alter the federal-provincial childcare agreements were terminated effective April 1, 2007, the future of Best Start has become uncertain. Funding is set to expire in 2010, Carr said, adding a solution needs to be found. MPP Ted Chudleigh emphasized that children are the future, and that education - beginning with programs such as these - is what helps ensure a successful future. Wendy Schau, who was acting as mayor and is a member of the MCRC board, said quality, affordable childcare is vital. "The importance of early learning and quality child care is something l'm very passionate about," she said. Wayne Joudrie, Halton District School Boards director of education, said the location of the centre within a school ensures a seamless day of learn- ng. MCRC board chair Karen Pantaleo added the seamless day is "a brand new concept." The location was selected by Halton Region and the Our Kids Network (the Best Start planning committec) based on population growth, childcare capac- ity and community needs. For more information on Best Start planning in Halton, Haltons Integrated Early Leaming and Child Care Plan 2006-2010 and the Our Kids Network, visit www.ourkidsnetwork.ca or www.halton.ca/scs/cs. Stephanie Hounsell can be reached ai sthiessen@miltonicanadianchanpioi.com. NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Development Charges By-law n April 2007, Halton Region began a consultation process for the 2008 development charges update. A Background Study now has been prepared to propose a by-law that will replace the Region's existing region-wide residential and non-residential roads and general services development charges in By-law No. 99-04, region-wide residential and non-residential water and wastewater development charges in By-law No. 57-04, and area specific non-residential water and wastewater development charges in By-law No. 102-03. The "2008 Halton Development Charge Background Study" for the Region's Development Charges By-law was made available to the public on Wednesday February 27, 2008, and can be obtained at the office of the Regional Clerk at 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6M 3L1. Public Meeting The Development Charges Act, 1997 requires that at least one public meeting be held prior to the passing of a development charges by-law. The purpose of this public meeting is to present the 2008 Halton Development Charge Background Study and proposed by-law and to allow persons to make representations relating to the proposed by-law. The public meeting will be held by the Regional Administration and Finance Committee as follows: Date: Time: Place: Wednesday, March 19,2008 9:30 a.m. Council Chambers, Halton Regional Centre, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario All interested persons are invited to attend the public meeting and to make representations. Interested persons should note that the development charge proposals might change as a resuit of the meeting and any further staff reports. The final proposal and by-law will be presented to the Administration and Finance Committee at its regular meeting of Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 1:30 p.m. in the Halton Room. The final by-law will be presented to Council for approval on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, at 9:30 a.m. in Council Chambers. For Further Information Any questions should be directed to Paula Kobli at 825-6000, ext. 7184, Toll Free 1-866-442-5866, Regional Municipality of Halton, Corporate Services Department, 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario, L6M 3L1. If you wish to appear as a delegation at any of the meetings, including the public meeting, please call Ms. Sue Lathan, Deputy Clerk at 905-825-6000, ext. 7254. Monica Wallenfels Regional Clerk