ON Economic Fundamentals 2009-01

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0109KWCG
House construction starts up this year

Though banks, government, media and many economists are forecasting future doom and gloom, there is the occasional bright spot. According to the latest statistics from the city`s building department, new construction this year in Cambridge will likely meet levels not seen since 2006.

http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news/business/article/157577

 

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0109HAMN (Dundas)
Townhomes proposed for York Road

Rezoning and official plan amendment applications have not yet been made to the City of Hamilton to permit 18 townhouse units on a York Road property currently zoned for public utility use. Steve Robichaud, the city`s manager of development planning, said last week only an informal meeting with the proponent has been held. There`s been no application or follow- up since then.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/157904

 

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0109HAMN (Dundas)
Development opponents seek support

Opponents of a proposed storage facility within the Cootes Paradise ESA are appealing to city councillors to quash recommendations for amendments that would pave the way for development.

http://www.dundasstarnews.com/news/article/157902

 

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0109OKVL
BMO opens new downtown branch

BMO Bank of Montreal opened the doors to a new 9,300 square foot branch at 239 Lakeshore Rd. E., just two blocks east of the branch`s previous location, this week. "We are thrilled to be able to provide our customers with the same high quality service, in our new larger, brighter space," said Julie Petendra, Branch Manager. The branch is equipped to meet the demands of this growing community.

http://www.oakvillebeaver.com/news/business/article/227156

 

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0109HAMN (Stoney Creek)
Stoney Creek businesses could face bleak winter

Stoney Creek businesses are reporting excellent sales through the Holiday season despite a worldwide economic downturn. But that may not last in the New Year. Former Stoney Creek BIA president Bennie Esposto said he has heard through various BIA functions that member businesses are seeing, for the most part, excellent sales, but he warns the worst may be yet to come.

http://www.stoneycreeknews.com/news/business/article/157336

 

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0109TNTO
City`s great, but are we in decline?

A flurry of reports in 2008 ranked Toronto as one of the best cities in the world -- but numbers can be misleading and there is still lots of work to be done, some city councillors warn.

And while the reports have ranked Toronto on many factors such as cultural diversity, public transit and health care availability, half focused on the city`s business and investment climates. The latter is an area for which Toronto deserves a failing grade, according to some of Mayor David Miller`s critics.

http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandg...918666-sun.html

 

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0109CATH
From garbage to growth, Region faces major policy decisions

Hopefully, size matters. Niagara`s 31-member regional council -- one of the largest in Ontario -- has to make some awfully big decisions this year.

Councillors face the largest regional capital spending request in history, $100 million for new police buildings.

They`ll vote on a plan dictating how Niagara`s 12 municipalities will grow for the next quarter-century.

They`ll probably have to sell a budget increase to residents in the midst of a recession and mounting job losses.

http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/Article....aspx?e=1373136

 

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0109BAOR
Severn Township `right on track` for 2009

Like many municipalities in this area, Severn Township spent last year looking to the future, anticipating significant growth that`s expected over the next couple of decades.

The township is "right on track" to accommodate a population increase, said Mayor Phil Sled.

Including its seasonal residents, the township is looking at a population increase of 6,000 -- going from 11,000 to an estimated 17,000 by 2032.

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1372908

 

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0109HAMN
City toughens inspections on idle buildings

The city is launching quarterly inspections of vacant buildings in hopes of preventing future collapses and spurring redevelopment.

"We`re taking a proactive approach," said John Spolnik, director the building services.

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/490043

 

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0109KWCG
School wants to help cities attract workers

WATERLOO

The University of Waterloo school of architecture wants to help midsize cities become interesting places to live, work and play.

Seven municipalities have pledged $30,000 a year in cash or services for a five-year project called Building Design Culture in Midsized Cities.

http://news.therecord.com/News/Local/article/467173

 

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0109KWCG
Landmark Elora building ready to take on a new role

ELORA

Elora`s picturesque beauty is the backbone of the community`s tourism trade, and the transformation of the former Dalby House at 143 Metcalfe St. has the potential to draw more visitors to the town, according to Marty Van Vliet, owner of Mermaid Antiques.

Local merchants like Van Vliet say the 143-year-old flatiron building`s exterior facelift and interior rejuvenation are a vast improvement over its former incarnation.

http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/422996

 

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0109DOSH
Council gears up for a busy 2009

OSHAWA -- It`s been a year packed with controversies and heated meetings at City Hall, and Mayor John Gray says 2009 promises to be more of the same. Many of the big issues expected to land on the council agenda in 2009 will be carry-overs from 2008 -- the mayor said a proposed ethanol plant tops the list.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/oshawa/article/116051

 

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0109DPIK
Looking ahead at Pickering in 2009

PICKERING -- Despite current tough economic conditions across Canada, Mayor Dave Ryan sees good things for Pickering in 2009.

His biggest priority: the expansion of the business community. "That`s always my number-one priority in the City and it will continue to be," he said in an interview.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/pickering/article/116523

 

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0109DUXBA look ahead to 2009

UXBRIDGE -- There`s a lot for Uxbridge residents to look forward to in 2009, said the Township`s regional councillor.

But, there will also be some challenges, he added. Some road reconstruction projects could make life easier for commuters, while others could be a pain for some, said Regional Councillor and deputy mayor Howie Herrema.

http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/uxbridge/article/116245

 

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0109TNTO
Economy may sabotage new land tax

Toronto`s new land transfer tax may have met its revised revenue target of $155 million in 2008, but Mayor David Miller`s staying mum on whether the tax, touted as an answer to the city`s budget woes, will even come close to doing the job this year.

Yesterday, Miller told opposition councillor Michael Thompson, pressing for answers on whether the tax will yield the hoped-for $240 million amid a deteriorating economy, to wait for new projections coming Feb. 10.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/562205

 

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0109ONTR
McGuinty vows to fund job growth

From high-tech firms to cash-strapped automakers, Ontario will lend billions of dollars to promote and protect job growth in harsh economic times, Premier Dalton McGuinty said yesterday.

Eight Ontario high-tech ventures will receive $500,000 each in government loans to promote green job creation, McGuinty announced yesterday at his first news conference of the year.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/562227

 

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0109YORK
City`s Demands Push Price Of Subway To $5B

Toronto`s executive committee yesterday attached a series of non-negotiable conditions to its support for extending the Yonge subway line north into York Region that will effectively double the project`s price tag to about $5-billion.

City councillors demanded an overhaul of the Bloor-Yonge subway station, to boost its capacity; a new rail yard; and TTC control over construction and operation of the new subway, without having to foot the bill for the additional cost.

http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/s...html?id=1146889

 

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0109LNDN
Harbour progress forecast

A Port Stanley environmental activist said yesterday he`s pleased the Ontario Environment Ministry is reviewing the extent of contamination in the village harbour. "I am optimistic she is going to do something," retired Canadian rear-admiral Dan McNeil said after meeting in Port Stanley with Tina Dufresne, the Environment Ministry`s district manager.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/Local/200...928621-sun.html

 

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0109BTFD
Grand Erie boss expects `great` year

With a new elementary school opening in Paris and major updates to high schools in Brantford and Delhi underway, 2009 is shaping up to be a good year for the Grand Erie District School Board.

"We`re looking forward to a great 2009," said director of education Jim Wibberley, in a state-of-the-union address at Monday`s meeting.

The new Paris school, located near Rest Acres Road, is scheduled to open in September. It will replace Bethel and Queen`s Ward schools.

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDi....aspx?e=1374002

 

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0109BAORCity takes action against landlords

Landlords who fail to maintain their buildings can face thousands of dollars in fines and will be assessed the full cost of repairs if the municipality is forced to step in to make repairs, says chief building official Kelly Smith.

"We take complaints very seriously. People deserve a decent place to live."

Under the city`s property standards bylaw there are certain health and safety criteria that all rental properties must meet, Smith said.

Water leaks, mould, doors that don`t lock, screens that are not secure, unsafe balconies etc. are all subject to the bylaw, she said.

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1374307