The Canadien Champion, Tuesday, October 14, 1997-19 Uq t eo 1 MPP Chudlei*gh: Goverument wil By BRAD REAUME The Champion Tbe provincial goverfiment will flot waver in its municipal restructuring plans, according to Halton Nortb MPP Ted Cbudieigb. Halton Cbair Joyce Savoline recently asked tbe Tory govemnment to back off, aaying tbeir initiatives will not make for simple, smaller, more accountable and less costly govemment. Halton is spending $100,000 in an ad campaign attacking tbe provincial strategy. Ms Savoline bas called tbe proposed new ayatem unworkable. Mr. Cbudleigb took a different position. "If we came up wilb the existing system (of dividing responsibility between tbe provincial govemment and municipalities) people would say it's unworkable," said Mr. Cbudleigb. "And lbey'd be rigbt. Tbe current systemn is a mess." Mr. Cbudleigb said bis govemment's plan is only a first step in a long road of reform to put responsibility for services wbere il belongs. Adjustments wiil corne He said tbe government wîll not likely gel it al] rigbt tbe first time, making adjust- ments necessary. He acknowledged the lack of financial intormation makes the process difficuit but added municipalities usually receive tbeir provincial grants laie in'the faîl. "I equate Ibis proceas 10 trying to pass a big truck in a slusb stormn," bie said. "As you pass the truck you can't see, but you know tbal if you gel 10 feet abead, it will al] be clear. t tbink Ibis present uncertainty is wortb tbe goal of gelting abead." He said tbe province is flot going to give municipalilies a blank cbeque to make reformi a break-even deal locally. Municipalities are going to bave tc reassess tbeir spending and sbow tbey arc being efficient before any money will lx fortbcoming. "I baven'l seen a lot of attempts bý municipalities to do that," bie said, addini tbal it applies in Hallon and across tb( province. Mr. Cbudleigb made tbe point tbat loca councils baven't downsized. He addee tbat, wbile tbe relative savings are smnal for sucb a move, tbe unwillingness tg cbange demonsîrates a lack of regard tg cost efficiency. He said counicils bave to look at ever segment of tbeir operations and determin wbat tbey really need, from polilicians tl trucks. In Cbatbam-Kent road maintenanc was privatized, be said, and il bas worke well. They ail think that 1993 but bas responded overwhelmingly since 1995, due in large part to bis govem- menl's policies. One too many Mr. Cbudleigb said Ontario does flot need two tiers of municipal govemment. "We don'l need two levels," bie aaid. "I'm tighting to keep the lower tier (Milton counicil, as opposed to Halton Region). 1 see the Greater Toronto Services Board (GTSB) as a body fromn which local gov- emments; could purchase services." 'Me GTSB is flot dead, according to the Hallon North MPP. Legisîstion to set up the board should be îabled before mid- He said Halton stili has an option té pull"" out of the GTA, but discouraged that, flot- L ing it is better to be at the negotiating; table. W U1IeRIYSotIu* ifidition---- "AIl municipalilies tbink tbey are tbe best managed municipality in Ontario," said Mr. Cbudleigb. "Scbool boards said tbe same tbing. Metbinks they dotb prolest too mucb." He encouraged people 10 vote in upcom- ing municipal elections for candidates witb a.good management record, cither as part of govemnment or in some otber area. Ms Savoline bas said the Ontario gov- emnment is caugbl belween two promises, one nol do anytbiiig 10 increase property taxes, and tbe otber to reduce the provin- cial income tax by 30 per cent. Mr. Cbudleigb disagreed, poinling 10 recent provincial accounling wbicb sug- gesta thal increased economie aclivity bas financed tbe incomne tax cut. "Tbe income lax cul is self-finaning wbicb we said il would be," bie said. "h uptum in tbe economy is producing more lax dollars." Mr. Cbudleigb said Ontario did not par- ficipate in an improveti overaîl econorny in 3.1 litre VO engine, 4sOt4tmd#i<t trnsmissIon with overdrive, 4-wheei MMS, dUMs oMW* q ~i-security er door locica, PASS-lCyO Il theft-doerrsft system, air conditionlng, AM/FM stereo with cassette, remote keyioe entry, power windows, power A 1 -t. we k reinse. J ngin., 4-speed automatie trai*SiOfl" At oèsve , 4-wheel ABS, dueal fÉm air Ibfflo itlIdecurity door locica, side-guard door beame, air condltiOning, AMIPM sterso with cassette, eight passenger seating, front high b::k reclining seats, deluxe chrome A T Y 0 U R 0 N T A P 1 0 C H E V R 0 L E T / 0 L D S M 0 B 1 L E D E A L E R S 1 oor