Council

That Gabriel Gebril, resident, City of St. Catharines, BE PERMITTED to appear before Council as a delegate respecting Flag Raising and Niagara Sign Lighting Policy (Minute Item 7.4, Minutes CSC 3-2024 (Agenda Item 11.4)); and That Herb Sawatsky, 50by30Niagara, BE PERMITTED to appear before Council as a delegate respecting the Motion respecting Support for the Decision of the Ontario Energy Board to End the Gas Pipeline Subsidy (Agenda Item 13.2).

That the order of the agenda BE AMENDED to consider the Motion respecting Support for the Decision of the Ontario Energy Board to End the Gas Pipeline Subsidy (Agenda Item 13.2), immediately following the delegation on this matter (Agenda Item 7.2.1).

That Council Agenda CL 4-2023, BE ADOPTED, as amended.

WHEREAS, Niagara's residents are struggling with rising energy costs and require assistance, particularly as they navigate the challenges of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic; WHEREAS, natural gas is no longer the cheapest way to heat homes because of innovations in electric heat pumps which can provide all heating needs even in the cold climates, and result in competitive energy bills relative to gas heating; WHEREAS, natural gas is methane gas, which is a fossil fuel that causes approximately one-third of Ontario's GHG emissions, and must be phased out because it is inconsistent with all climate targets, while heat pumps result in the lowest GHG emissions and are consistent with a zero-carbon future; WHEREAS, the Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”) released a decision that eliminated a subsidy for the installation of gas pipelines in new construction developments as of January 1, 2025, finding that this would lower energy bills for existing gas customers and improve affordability for new homebuyers; WHEREAS on February 22, 2024, the provincial government introduced Bill 165 which, if passed, will effectively overturn the OEB decision; WHEREAS, the OEB decision will help lower energy bills and encourage heating systems that are consistent with climate targets and plans; WHEREAS, the construction of new methane gas pipelines, which have 60-year lifetimes, should not be subsidized because they are inconsistent with the Region’s climate targets and will result in higher carbon emi

That Minutes CL 3-2024 being the Open Session minutes of the Regional Council meeting held on Thursday, February 22, 2024, BE ADOPTED.

That Correspondence Item CL-C 27-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting Appointment of Budget Review Committee of the Whole Chair and Vice Chair for 2025 and 2026 Budget Years, BE RECEIVED; and That Councillor Redekop and Councillor Whalen REMAIN in their positions as Chair and Vice Chair of the Budget Review Committee of the Whole for the 2025 and 2026 budget years.

That Report CSD 18-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting 2025 Budget Planning BE RECEIVED, and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That By-law No. 2019-79 being A By-Law to Define Budget Planning Requirements for the Regional Municipality of Niagara BE AMENDED to allow the Budget Review Committee of the Whole (BRCOTW) Budget Planning meeting to occur in July and the budget timetable to be approved by Council and to undertake some minor housekeeping amendments; and 2. That this report BE CIRCULATED to agencies, boards, and commissions (ABCs) in accordance with By-law 2017-63 “Budget Control”.

That Correspondence Item CL-C 28-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board of Directors Nomination, BE RECEIVED; and the following recommendations BE APPROVED: 1. That Regional Council ENDORSE Councillor Diana Huson as Niagara Region’s representative to stand for election on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) National Board of Directors (Ontario) for the remainder of this term of Council; and 2. That Regional Council CONFIRM it will assume all costs associated with Councillor Huson attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings.

That Correspondence Item CL-C 29-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board of Directors Nomination, BE RECEIVED; and the following recommendation BE APPROVED: 1. That Regional Council NOMINATES Councillor Robert Foster for the position of Director on Regional and Single Tier Caucus, on the Association of Municipalities of Ontario Board of Directors for the 2024- 2026 term.

That Memorandum COTW-C 1-2024, dated March 7, 2024, respecting Niagara Poverty Reduction Strategy and the proposed amendment BE

That Minutes PWC 3-2024 being the Open and Closed Session minutes of the Public Works Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PHSSC 3-2024 being the Open Session minutes of the Public Health & Social Services Committee meeting held on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes CSC 3-2024 being the Open Session minutes of the Corporate Services Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Minutes PEDC 3-2024 being the Open Session minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting held on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

WHEREAS, Canada is experiencing record population growth, having welcomed 1.25 million new Canadians last year alone; WHEREAS, according to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) we need to build at least 3.5 million additional homes by 2030, and municipalities need to build or expand the infrastructure to accommodate this growth; WHEREAS, FCM has estimated that the cost of the municipal infrastructure required to support housing development is, on average, in the range of $107,000 per unit; WHEREAS, according to Statistics Canada the cost of upgrade existing municipal infrastructure so that it is in a state of good repair is in the range of $170 billion; WHEREAS, non-residential construction price inflation has risen by 29% since the end of 2020 and municipalities are facing soaring costs for infrastructure project without a corresponding growth in revenue; WHEREAS, unlike federal and provincial revenue, municipal tax revenue has not increased in recent years along with inflation, economic growth or population growth; Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 4-2024 March 21, 2024 Page 12 WHEREAS, municipalities are facing a gap in federal infrastructure funding as the 10-year Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program has come to an end, the Canada Community-Building Fund is being renegotiated and the Permanent Public Transit Fund is set to start in 2026; and WHEREAS, the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), which was formerly known as the federal Gas Tax Fund,

That in accordance with 2.4 of Niagara Region’s Procedural By-law, the rules of procedure, specifically subsection 18.2 “Notices of Motion” of the Procedural By- law, BE SUSPENDED to permit Council to consider a motion respecting Workplace Harassment and the Display of Signage. Two-thirds majority having been achieved, the Chair declared the vote,

WHEREAS Niagara Regional Council supported recommendations by the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to strengthen Codes of Conduct to protect municipal staff from workplace harassment; and WHEREAS Niagara Regional Council’s own Code of Conduct speaks to how Members of Council shall conduct themselves in relation to staff; and WHEREAS staff of Niagara Region should never be the target of abusive behaviour, whether through public or private communications, from Councillors, co-workers, or the public; and WHEREAS, on September 21, 2023, Niagara Regional Council also passed a motion affirming equity, diversity, and inclusion and recognizing the damaging impacts of hate and intolerance directed at Members of Council. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: 1. That Niagara Regional Council REAFFIRMS its position that neither Councillors nor staff should be targets of harassment or other abusive behaviour from Members of Council, co-workers, or the public; and 2. That staff PROVIDE a report for consideration by the Procedural By- law Review Committee that includes draft wording to amend the Procedural By-law to address the display of signage in Council/Committee meetings that is contrary to Council’s position on and Niagara Region’s policies addressing Workplace Harassment and Violence, and best practices for addressing their removal. Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 4-2024 March 21, 2024 Page 14 Recorded vote: Yes (23): Bateman, Chiocchio, Davies, Diodati, Foster, Ganann

That Council DO NOW MOVE into closed session for the purposes of receiving information of a confidential nature respecting: A Matter of Litigation and Advice that is Subject to Solicitor Client Privilege pursuant to s. 239(2)(e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001- Update regarding Regional Development Charge By-law Appeals further to Mediation

That Confidential Report CSD 13-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting A Matter of Litigation and Advice that is Subject to Solicitor Client Privilege pursuant to s. 239(2)(e) and (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001- Update regarding Regional Development Charge By-law Appeals further to Mediation, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Confidential Report PDS 11-2024, dated March 21, 2024, respecting A Matter of Litigation Affecting the Municipality under s. 239(2)(e) of the Municipal Act, 2001 – Ontario Land Tribunal Partial Settlement of Appeal of West Lincoln OPA 63, BE RECEIVED and the recommendations contained therein BE APPROVED.

That Confidential Report CHR 2-2024 REVISED, dated March 21, 2024, respecting Personal Matters about an Identifiable Individual and Labour Relations or Employee Negotiations under Section 239 (2) of the Municipal Act, 2001 - Contract Extension for the Chief Administrative Officer, BE RECEIVED; and That the Regional Chair BE AUTHORIZED to proceed as outlined in Confidential CHR 2-2024 REVISED.

That the following Bills BE NOW READ and DO PASS: Bill 2024-18 A by-law to set and levy the rate of taxation for regional general and special purposes for the year 2024. Bill 2024-19 A by-law to set tax ratios and tax rate reductions for prescribed property subclasses for regional purposes and area municipal purposes for the year 2024. Bill 2024-20 A by-law to amend By-law 89-2000 being a by-law to provide for the regulation of traffic on Regional Highways - All-way stop designation Regional Road 3 (Lakeshore Road) at Brawn Road/Augustine Road in the Township of Wainfleet. Bill 2024-21 A by-law to amend By-law 89-2000 being a By-law to Provide for the Regulation of Traffic on Regional Highways - All Way Stop Designation Regional Road 101 (Portage Road) at Regional Road 101 (Mountain Road) in the City of Niagara Falls. Bill 2024-22 A by-law to amend By-law 2019-79 being a By-law to define Budget Planning Requirements for The Regional Municipality of Niagara. Regional Council Open Session Minutes CL 4-2024 March 21, 2024 Page 17 Bill 2024-23 A by-law to adopt ratify and confirm the actions of Council at its meeting held March 21, 2024.