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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, A ug us t 5, 20 21 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 70 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca insidehalton@metroland.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeav @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Director of Content Lee Ann Waterman Regional General Manager Jason Pehora Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Directors of Advertising Cindi Campbell and Ryan Maraj CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 905-845-3824 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Advertising: 289-293-0620 Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. Letters to the editor Send letters to insidehalton@metroland.com. All letters must be fewer than 320 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Published letters will appear in print and/or online at insidehalton.com OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM Halton Region's Budget Directions Report lays out the foundation for keeping taxes low in 2022, while in- vesting in key priorities for our community. The report was ap- proved by regional council on July 14, and it directs Halton staff to maintain property tax rate increases at or below the rate of infla- tion (2.0 per cent) while supporting our ongoing re- sponse to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report identifies priorities for regional in- vestments in 2022, to en- sure residents have access to essential services while providing for critical pro- gram enhancements to ad- dress community growth. It will also ensure next year's Budget and Business Plan aligns with the strate- gic themes, objectives and outcomes outlined in the 2019-2022 Strategic Busi- ness Plan. Halton Region has a long history of prudent fi- nancial planning that al- lows us to provide reliable, high-quality programs, services and infrastruc- ture for residents and busi- nesses. By closely monitor- ing current and potential fiscal impacts, we have been able to reallocate re- sources to priority areas and efficiently address program pressures throughout the pandemic. Our budgetary plan- ning and performance de- pends on our Triple-A cred- it ratings, which were up- held by Moody's Investors Service (January) and S&P Global Ratings (June) re- spectively. S&P's assess- ment confirmed a stable outlook for the region, rec- ognizing Halton's prudent financial management practices and exceptional liquidity. By maintaining our top credit rating, Halton and its local municipalities have continued access to the best capital financing rates available. This minimizes long- term infrastructure capi- tal financing costs, allow- ing public funds to go fur- ther when invested in re- gional works that help im- prove our community, such as road, water and waste- water projects. Investments in our high-quality programs al- low Halton to meet the needs of our community, now and into the future. The 2022 council budget meeting is scheduled for Dec. 8, and the 2022 Budget and Business Plan is sched- uled to be considered for approval by regional coun- cil on Dec. 15. To read the report or learn more about regional financial plan- ning, visit halton.ca. Gary Carr is the region- al chair of Halton Region. He can be reached at gary.carr@halton.ca. WORKING TO KEEP YOUR TAXES LOW REGIONAL STAFF DIRECTED TO MAINTAIN PROPERTY TAX RATE AT OR BELOW INFLATION, WRITES GARY CARR When we think of real es- tate, our focus tends to be on home ownership and esca- lating prices due to supply and demand realities. More people want to buy a house than the available supply. The result is escalating prices. This same supply and demand pressure is providing upward pres- sure on rental rates. "We're having an afford- ability crisis across the country," explains Ricardo Tranjan, a political econo- mist at the Canadian Cen- tre for Policy Alternatives. COVID-19 put a tempo- rary dampening effect on the residential rental mar- ket. But as we start to re- turn to normalcy, strong demand is having upward pressure on rental rates. Some have sold their house and entered the rent- al market. Immigration will return to pre-pandem- ic levels, and they will need a place to live. University students are getting ready to return to school. They too need accommodation. The job market is strong and many, including re- cent graduates, migrate to Toronto. That pushes rent- al rates higher and has a ripple effect on smaller communities in the GTA. You might be well qual- ified, eager to work and very employable. What happens if you can't afford the rent being charged on accommodation close to your place of employment? What happens if you cannot find accommoda- tion? Canada has a housing problem. Finding a rental unit can be difficult. Being able to afford it might be more than your personal budget can afford. Ontario prides itself as "a place to grow." What many people need right now is a place to live. Those who rent depend on a reasonable supply of affordable options. Peter Watson, of Watson Investments MBA, CFP®, R.F.P., CIM®, FCSI offers a weekly financial planning column, Dollars & Sense. He can be contacted through watsoninvestments.com. RENTALS PUTTING STRAIN ON PERSONAL FINANCES RATES ARE GETTING TOO EXPENSIVE FOR MANY CANADIANS, WRITES PETER WATSON PETER WATSON Column GARY CARR Column SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM