September 19, 2023

Yesterday, Oxford County reached out to the office of The Honourable Paul Calandra, Ontario’s new Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, to affirm Oxford’s intention to play a key role in addressing the need for affordable housing. We also shared our position on how we can best support this critical work.

Local councils are elected by their communities to serve, govern, guide and advocate. Municipal councils and staff know best how governance models, land use policy, and partnerships can be applied to meet the specific needs of their communities.

That is why Oxford County Council passed a resolution on August 9 stating its position that “Strong Mayor” powers represent decisions for the whole of councils to decide, and that Oxford does not require municipal restructuring under the Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act to support provincial housing strategy or to advance our own goal of being 100% Housed. For these reasons, Oxford County does not wish to be considered for Strong Mayor powers.

Oxford is supportive of the Province’s commitment to prioritizing housing—this is front and centre for all levels of government. In Oxford County, we have “100% Housed” as the first goal of our Strategic Plan and the Master Housing Strategy and 10-Year Shelter Plan as our roadmap. We welcome the opportunity to work together to provide housing for all.

 

Issued by: 

Warden Marcus Ryan, Oxford County

 

Att. (below)

Letter to The Hon. Paul Calandra  
County Council resolution re Strong Mayor powers, August 9, 2023

 

About Oxford County

Located in the heart of southwestern Ontario at the crossroads of Highways 401 and 403, Oxford County has a population of approximately 130,000 people across eight area municipalities that are “growing stronger together.” As a partnership-oriented, two-tier municipal government, Oxford County is emerging as a leader in sustainable growth through the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan and County Council’s commitment to achieving 100% renewable energy, becoming a zero waste community, and working towards zero poverty and being 100% housed. Situated in one of Ontario’s richest areas for farmland, agriculture is a key industry that serves as a springboard for some of the sustainable industries that are steadily diversifying the local economy. Oxford County offers a thriving local arts, culture and culinary community, as well as conservation parks, natural areas and more than 100 kilometres of scenic trails. The Oxford County Administration Building is located in Woodstock, Ontario. Visit www.oxfordcounty.ca or follow our social media sites at www.oxfordcounty.ca/social. Oxford County’s Strategic Plan is at oxfordcounty.ca/strategicplan.

 

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Marcus Ryan   
Warden, Oxford County 
21 Reeve Street, PO Box 1614 
Woodstock, Ontario 
N4S 7Y3
 
September 13, 2023
 
Hon. Paul Calandra 
Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing 
College Park, 17^th Floor – 777 Bay Street, Toronto

 

Dear Minister Calandra:

On behalf of Oxford County Council, congratulations on your recent appointment as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. There are several areas of jurisdiction within your new portfolio that are critical to the well-being and resiliency of Ontario’s communities and residents; in Oxford, we are most notably focused on the issues of housing and regional governance structure.

In one of your first acts as Minister you requested that the Legislature’s Standing Committee on Heritage, Infrastructure and Cultural Policy take over the work originally proposed to be carried out by previously announced “regional facilitators.” Oxford County appreciates this step, as we believe it is a better way to provide the stability, transparency, and continuity local governments need to deliver the homes our residents need.

Specifically, you have asked the Standing Committee to report on two-tier structures, division of services, and governance structure. 

Oxford and its area municipal councils were elected by residents to make decisions, and we have continued to demonstrate that we are a “responsible and accountable government” per the Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. Our local councils and staff know what is best for governance and land use in Oxford. What we need to best tackle the housing crisis are partners in both the Provincial and Federal governments to deliver that housing. 

Oxford and its local service providers are already addressing the housing crisis in creative ways that suit our communities. As one success story, in 2019, Zorra Township bought and sold an unused industrial property conditional on a certain price and type of development. By the end of 2030 this will have delivered over 1,000 residential units, a combination of single-family homes, townhomes, and apartments units. By the end of 2024, the Township will have net profited Zorra residents $4 million. Yes, we are building over 1,000 homes-- a 20% increase for Zorra-- and netting a profit that council can then use to reduce tax pressure, maintain infrastructure, or increase services.

Oxford County is a demonstrated leader in ensuring the long-term sustainability of its communities, from the moment we became the first municipality in Ontario to commit to 100% renewable energy through to our strategies to attain zero waste and, more recently, to be “100% Housed.”

• Oxford has an aggressive Master Housing Strategy to deliver a comprehensive and outcome-based plan that addresses housing needs. However, it is 68% funded by property taxes, with Oxford property taxes paying more than double the Provincial and Federal governments combined allocation for affordable housing units in our community.
• Over the past year alone, the County has brought three new affordable housing projects online, adding 136 new units with 92 of those earmarked as affordable.
• Oxford County Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan includes as a core principle, “Housing for all.” This commitment focuses on innovative solutions to addressing housing supply and affordability, including working with community partners and other levels of government to achieve the “100% Housed” goal.
• Oxford submitted a progressive Official Plan Amendment for its agricultural reserve for approval over a year ago and has yet to hear back from the Ministry. This is not helping build more homes in Oxford.

While your office has not asked Oxford for a housing target, we are prepared to provide one. We are confident that our two-tier structure (with a single Official Plan), and our unique understanding of Oxford (as exemplified by the above-mentioned Zorra project), put us in a strong position to deliver on that target. However, continued uncertainty about our Official Plan and future governance will not help to deliver much needed homes in Oxford.

I have attached our Council resolution regarding the “Strong Mayor powers” as well as the details of our delegation meeting with your Ministry at the AMO conference earlier this year, which highlights the role your government can play in delivering housing in Oxford County.

I look forward to a conversation about how Oxford and your government can work together to deliver the units our community needs.

 

Sincerely, 
Marcus Ryan  
Warden, Oxford County
 
cc:       Hon. Rob Flack, Associate Minister of Housing  
            Ernie Hardeman, Oxford MPP   
            Oxford County Council

 

Municipal Council of the County of Oxford

Council Meeting - Oxford County
 
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
 
Moved By:            Brian Petrie
Seconded By:      Bernia Wheaton

 

Whereas Oxford is a responsible and accountable government with respect to matters within its jurisdiction; and,

Whereas powers being transferred from the whole of Council to the Head of Council should be viewed as a matter within its jurisdiction; and,

Whereas service delivery should be viewed as a matter within its jurisdiction;

Therefore be it resolved that Oxford does not wish to be considered for the implementation of either “Strong Mayor” powers per the “Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, 2022, S.O. 2022, c. 18 - Bill 3”, or any restructuring that is not requested by Oxford with its area municipal partners; and,

That this resolution be forwarded to all Oxford area municipalities requesting resolutions of support so that the future governance of Oxford is in the hands of its residents; and,

That this resolution, and all resolutions of support from Oxford’s area municipal partners, be forwarded to the Oxford MPP, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and the Premier of Ontario.

 

DISPOSITION: Motion Carried