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Growth talk not being taken seriously
by Chris Simon

Growth is something that affects everyone, yet nobody seems to care.

For the last few months, Simcoe County has been hosting several growth related public forums across the region, giving residents an opportunity to learn the basics about population increases being planned for this area over the next 25 years.

In that time, the county's total population is expected to climb by several hundred thousand people, reaching about 667,400 residents by 2031. It's a lot of people that are going to be coming into the area, and much of that increase is going to be taking place in Innisfil and the South Simcoe area.

Innisfil's population is expected to increase to 47,900, while Barrie's will jump to 175,000. Every single municipality in the county will experience population growth, and consultants project over 100,000 new residential units will be needed to handle the increase.

While these numbers may seem overwhelming to many, it's important people understand the impact these figures will have on their lives. But despite the best efforts of the county to get residents involved in the process - the county's communications department has consistently advertised on radio and in print media - few people seem to care. Over the last few weeks, county staff and consultants have hosted two information sessions in this area. Innisfil's council chambers and the Thornton Arena played host to the sessions, which were supposed to provide the public with information on the anticipated growth, while also gathering community consensus. Ample seating was available at the council chamber presentation, while about 60 people attended the Thornton meeting. The county even cancelled a meeting that was scheduled to take place at their chambers in Midhurst, citing a lack of developer interest.

Even several local politicians either failed to show up at the Thornton meeting, or simply popped in briefly. These people are supposed to act as the community's voice on county council, but it's hard to gain consensus when nobody, including the politicians, show up to these meetings.

The apathy is both telling and disturbing.

Residents are the first to complain they're not being consulted when developers propose largescale subdivisions and urban development in their neighbourhoods, but never seem to want to become involved in shaping the policies that could streamline those projects. Developers spend a lot of money hiring consultants and laying out plans for construction projects, and, for the most part, try to conform to bylaws and policies set by various levels of government. Those developers come into conflict with residents once their plans have already been set, leading to messy court or Ontario Municipal Board battles that delay necessary construction projects and wear down both sides.

Aside from the housing and construction projects, social services like health and longterm care, and the recreational needs of residents will be addressed through this growth management process.

But if residents became more involved in the process now, by educating themselves and giving valuable input on how growth should be managed in the area, they just might help shape policies that will directly affect them. Growth is coming, but figuring out the best way to handle it is the key.