Three Tory MPPs to discuss growth plan with County Council April 26

By Kate Harries AWARE Simcoe April 14 2011

Three area Tory MPPs – Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North), Jim Wilson (Simcoe Grey) and Julia Munro (York Simcoe) – have accepted an invitation from Warden Cal Patterson to “share with Council their plans for Simcoe County residents,” says a report from CAO Mark Aitken received by the performance management committee today.

The report states that Patterson also invited Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Tim Hudak to attend the April 26 meeting of county council, but he is unable to attend. 

Tiny Mayor Ray Millar questioned why Tim Hudak (who represents Niagara West) was invited, with no similar invitation to other party representatives.

“I believe it was Garfield himself” who invited Hudak, explained committee chair Basil Clarke (Ramara).

“And who runs this house?” asked Millar.

Patterson cut in curtly to say that as Hudak isn’t coming, the matter is not an issue.

Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper asked whether Barrie MPP Aileen Carroll (a Liberal) had been invited.

“She has nothing to do with Simcoe County,” Patterson replied.

Although Aitken’s report states that “Warden Patterson is encouraging members of council to reflect on local issues and use this as an opportunity to have their questions addressed by our provincial representatives,” Patterson today told committee members that he wants the county’s growth plan – stalled because of provincial concerns about too much land being slated for development – to be the sole focus of the discussion with the MPPs.

Midland Mayor Gord Mackay said he is concerned about the growth issue, but would also like to raise the issue of provincial-municipal funding, and waste management. 

Patterson said he thought that would be a bad idea.