Innisfil residents should keep talking about growth
A political point of view
Warden Tony Guergis

Tony Guergis Warden, County of Simcoe

It's wonderful to hear Simcoe County residents talking about growth in our communities. Recent media stories have highlighted this important issue, spurring conversations in local homes, coffee shops and other meeting places across our region.

What will Simcoe County look like in 25 years? Where will the expected influx of new residents live and work? How will Innisfil's designated industrial area along Highway 400 be developed? How will roads and other forms of transportation support the population boom?

These are all great questions being pondered by residents and they are a just few of the many issues facing the County of Simcoe Growth Process Steering Committee as an area-wide growth plan is developed to determine the future urban structure of the county and the policies to guide growth and development.

We know the timeliness and importance of addressing these issues now and working with all our municipal partners. So does the Province of Ontario and that's why the province came directly to the County of Simcoe and asked the county to lead this process for this entire region. A task that we know we can effectively deliver upon. The county has even hosted two provincial cabinet ministers who have personally visited county council to share that message: Work together, build local solutions.

Local newspapers have published many stories and editorials recently about the boundary discussions between Barrie and Innisfil. Many people are speculating what will happen now that the two municipalities have ended their negotiations. While it's unfortunate that a resolution could not be forged, the County of Simcoe is pleased to continue working with Innisfil to find a local solution to growth issues affecting the area. We also would like Barrie to join us at the table, so we can work with all of our municipal partners to make decisions in the best interest of all Simcoe County residents. The invitation to Barrie city council to join our Growth Management Steering Committee stands and I hope that the two seats available to city representatives will be occupied at future meetings.

While boundary negotiations have been in the local spotlight, growth is about so much more than drawing political boundaries. Growth management in Simcoe County is about people, communities, healthy lifestyles and other issues that traverse our municipal borders.

When I talk about the growth plan, I'm talking about the very future of Simcoe County, of your home and your community. The county is carving the path that future generations will follow and this exciting endeavour needs input from you, the residents of Innisfil.

A series of public meetings including a session at the Thornton Arena last fall brought individuals together to hear about the growth issues and share ideas with county politicians and staff. These tremendously beneficial meetings provided a friendly forum for residents to tell us what their visions are for this region. We heard your concerns about preserving agricultural land, enhancing efforts to improve our environment and maintaining the small town flavour of the many communities, hamlets and villages in Simcoe County.

Residents want an enhanced system of walking trails for recreation, active farmland providing local produce, a blend of urban, rural and agricultural communities, a healthy Lake Simcoe and a focus on family life. The county believes in these principles.

We are working hard to reflect the views expressed by the people of Simcoe County.

I want to thank everyone who has already taken the time to share their ideas with us and I remind you that it's not too late to become involved in the growth process. What a tremendous opportunity and responsibility for all of us to be deciding how our communities will look for our children and grandchildren.

At the County of Simcoe, we are excited to be leading this process and we want to include your ideas. The Growth Process Steering Committee needs to hear from people who live and work in this region. I encourage every one of you to take the time to tell us what you like about living here and what would make Simcoe County an even better place to live?

Identified as one of the fastest growing areas of the province, Simcoe County is the obvious destination as populations in the GTA push outwards. We need to embrace these challenges that lie ahead and work together as residents and political leaders from all member municipalities finding global solutions that fit for this region.

So keep talking about growth and remember to include your County of Simcoe representatives, mayor Brian Jackson and deputy mayor Gord Wauchope, in the conversation.

Or you can tell me your ideas directly. To find out more visit growth.simcoe.ca and share your thoughts by completing an online comment form.