ROMA PROVIDES INPUT ON FARM SAFETY REGULATIONS
ROMA supported measures by the Ontario Government to help secure safety on farms, while respecting people’s rights to express their views. Now, it is providing the Province with input on the regulation under the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act. ROMA is advocating for clear definitions and rules that minimize red tape to achieve the Act’s goals. Peaceful protests should also ensure the safety of farms, farm families and their staff, and our food supply.
BLUE BOX & FULL PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY: A RURAL LENS
The Ontario Ministry of Environment, Parks and Conservation has shared proposed regulations to guide shifting the Blue Box to full producer responsibility. On the Blue Box, many ROMA municipalities deserve thanks for passing Council resolutions that helped ensure servicing for communities with populations less than 5,000 people, parks and public spaces is part of the province’s plan. Under the draft regulation, producers will either provide the service directly to the public or they can negotiate commercial terms with a municipality to provide services on their behalf.
Municipalities will have to decide if they want to stay in the business of recycling. For many, that decision will be informed by negotiations with producers and/or their representative organizations on providing the service. This will drive some of the financial implications of opting in or out of service delivery.
Having good data on the cost of current programs – and making those programs as strong resilient and sustainable as possible – will help rural municipal governments navigate these decisions, according to Cathie Green, Public Works Assistant for Drummond/North Elmsley. Cathie has worked on both rural curbside and depot recycling programs. Green said that cost calculations needs to include hidden costs like finance, legal, customer service, maintenance, overhead and Clerk’s Office resources.
Green noted that strengthening local programs now will put municipalities in a good position as the program transitions between 2023 and 2025. The most important thing is that by making the shift, producers and packagers will have a stronger financial incentive to make better packaging choices – which helps both the planet and residents. AMO is reviewing the draft regulation in detail and will be providing feedback by the December 3 deadline. Learn more.
A PATH TO BETTER CONNECTIVITY: ROMA LAUNCHES MUNICIPAL BROADBAND RESOURCES
ROMA has created two comprehensive broadband resources, to support Ontario’s rural municipalities as they consider what role they could play in improving local broadband and mobile (cellular) services. In the 21st century, connectivity has become almost as vital to a community’s economic prosperity and quality of life as traditional infrastructure, such as clean drinking water, electricity, and well-maintained roads.
Municipal governments, including elected officials and staff, know first-hand how critical connectivity is for students, families, businesses, and seniors in their communities. Global health and financial crises brought on by the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) have made connectivity even more important. This has only exacerbated the “digital divide” between individuals that can access and afford reliable broadband, and those who still struggle to get online. This is a familiar concept to municipal leaders across Ontario. That is because while rural, remote, and northern communities are disproportionately affected by gaps in connectivity, it is not just a rural issue. Across the province pockets of urban and suburban centres face similar connectivity challenges of availability, reliability, and affordability.
Connectivity is not considered a core municipal service as telecommunications is largely dictated by the regulatory and funding landscapes at the federal and provincial levels. That said, municipal councils across Ontario are facing increased pressure from their communities to put connectivity needs on the agenda. As a result, many municipal governments are considering a possible role in telecommunications, while also advocating for action by the federal and provincial governments. What is clear is that no one government can solve this challenge alone. It will take a collective effort to find solutions.