Council

That Council Agenda CL 14-2023, BE ADOPTED.

That the agenda for the Annual General Meeting of the Niagara Regional Housing Corporation BE ADOPTED.

That the Minutes of the August 25, 2022, Annual General Meeting of the Niagara Regional Housing Corporation, BE ADOPTED.

That the Financial Statements and Auditor's Report for the fiscal period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, as approved by the Board of Directors at their April 21, 2023, meeting, BE CONFIRMED.

That the firm of Deloitte LLP, Chartered Accounts, BE RE-APPOINTED as the Auditor for Niagara Regional Housing for the fiscal year of 2023.

That all acts, contracts, proceedings, appointments, elections, resolutions, special resolutions, by-laws and payments enacted, made, done and taken by the Directors and Officers of the Corporation since the last Annual General Meeting of Niagara Regional Housing on August 25, 2022, up to and including those of September 15, 2023, are hereby RATIFIED and CONFIRMED.

That Regional Council RE-ELECTS those Community Based Directors whose terms expire in 2023, specifically Betty Ann Baker, Betty-Lou Souter, David Mole and Drew Toth, to the Board of Directors for Niagara Regional Housing for a term ending on October 31, 2024.

That the Annual General Meeting of the Niagara Regional Housing Corporation, BE ADJOURNED.

That Minutes CL 13-2023 being the Open and Closed Session minutes of the Regional Council meeting held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, BE ADOPTED.

That Minutes AC 4-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on Monday, September 18, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PWC 10-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PHSSC 10-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Health & Social Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes CSC 10-2023 being the Open and Closed Session minutes of the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PEDC 10-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes BRCOTW 8-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Budget Review Committee of the Whole meeting held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED. The following friendly amendment was accepted by the Regional Chair, and the mover and seconder of the motion: That Minutes BRCOTW 8-2023 being the Open Session minutes of the Budget Review Committee of the Whole meeting held on Thursday, October 12, 2023, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED in principle. The Regional Chair called the vote on the motion, as amended, and declared it,

That the question BE CALLED. Recorded vote: Yes (12): Campion, Craitor, Davies, Diodati, Easton, Foster, Grant, Junkin, Secord, Siscoe, Sorrento, Witteveen. No (15): Bateman, Chiocchio, Heit, Huson, Insinna, Ip, Jordan, Kaiser, Morocco, Redekop, Rigby, Seaborn, Villella, Whalen, Zalepa.

WHEREAS, the Province of Ontario has expressed its commitment to working closely with municipalities to build a stronger Ontario; WHEREAS, Bill 23, enacted on November 28, 2022, has led to substantial revenue losses for municipalities, including the Niagara Region; WHEREAS these revenue losses include an anticipated 20 per cent reduction in development charge rates, resulting in a loss of over $35 million during the five-year life of the Region’s DC by-law; WHEREAS Bill 23 will strip approximately $60 million dollars from the Region’s 10-year capital plan that was earmarked for social housing; Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 14-2023 October 19, 2023 Page 10 WHEREAS Bill 23 has removed the Region’s ability to recoup growth- related studies and land acquisition costs through its Development Charges By-law, resulting in an anticipated loss of $121 million over the next 10 years; WHEREAS the costs related to these items, and others, require payment but will now be shifted on to Niagara’s property taxpayers; WHEREAS offloading these costs to property taxes increases both the affordability of housing and the cost of living; WHEREAS a recent study completed by Regional staff projects that water and wastewater rates may need to increase by more than 7.15%, excluding Bill 23 impacts, therefore, in order to offset the revenue losses created by Bill 23 the estimated increase will be in excess of 7.15%; WHEREAS the Premier of Ontario has said on numerous occasions that if munici

That the following Bills BE NOW READ and DO PASS: Bill 2023-74 A by-law to appoint By-law Enforcement Officers for the purpose of enforcing the Sewer Use By-law No. 27-2014, as amended, and to repeal By-laws 2021-15 and 2022-16. Bill 2023-75 A by-law to remove a portion of highway from the Regional Road System in the City of Welland (Riverside Drive). Bill 2023-76 A by-law to authorize an application for approval to expropriate all right, title and interest (fee simple) in lands required for municipal purposes (Part of Lots 54 & 55, Concession 7, Township of Wainfleet). Bill 2023-77 A by-law for authorization of tile drainage loan for the Town of Niagara-on-the- Lake. Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 14-2023 October 19, 2023 Page 12 Bill 2023-78 A by-law to authorize an application for approval to expropriate all right, title and interest (fee simple) in lands required for municipal purposes (Part of Lot 54, Concession 7, Township of Wainfleet). Bill 2023-79 A by-law to authorize an application for approval to expropriate all right, title and interest (fee simple) in lands required for municipal purposes (Part of Lot 54, Concession 7, Township of Wainfleet). Bill 2023-80 A by-law to adopt, ratify and confirm the actions of Regional Council at its meeting held October 19, 2023.