City of Brampton Briefing Materials Prepared for the AMO Annual Conference August 16 19, 2009 Ottawa, Ontario
About the City of Brampton The City of Brampton is a municipality within the Region of Peel, Province of Ontario. It is the second fastest growing, and 11th largest city in Canada. Home to 450,000-plus residents who represent more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds and speak over 70 different languages, Brampton has positioned itself as a global economic contender. Brampton enjoys a successful and well-diversified economy, is home to more than 8,000 businesses and the City continues to enjoy a Triple A credit rating by Standard & Poor for the third consecutive year, reflecting its debt-free position, exceptional liquidity levels and excellent economy. Brampton is the first city in the Greater Toronto Area and one of only 10 in North America to be designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization. Offering more than 6,000 acres of parkland, Brampton takes pride in being the Flower City of Canada and holds the Communities in Bloom international title. People from around the world have come together to live, work, and play in Canada s Flower City. Brampton at a glance 2nd fastest growing and 11th largest city in Canada 2006 census population: 433,806; 2007 estimated population: 452,000; 2011 projected population: 506,171 Population represents people from more than 175 distinct ethnic backgrounds who speak over 70 different languages Land area: 266.71 square km Open space/parks: 6,000 acres 3rd largest local economy within the GTA regional centre (140,892 employees - 2006) Median household income of $87,855 (6th among Canada s largest 40 cities) The City of Brampton's 2009 operating budget is $400.8 million and approved funding for its overall capital program stands at $700 million. Immediately adjacent to Canada s largest international airport Pearson International
Brampton s Provincial Ridings and MPPs Linda Jeffrey, MPP (Brampton--Springdale) Current Parliamentary Roles Member, Standing Committee on General Government Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation Party Ontario Liberal Party Kuldip Kular, MPP (Bramalea--Gore--Malton) Current Parliamentary Roles Member, Standing Committee on General Government Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Party Ontario Liberal Party Vic Dhillon, MPP (Brampton West) Current Parliamentary Roles Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Social Policy Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour Party Ontario Liberal Party Amrit Mangat, MPP (Mississauga--Brampton South) Current Parliamentary Roles Member, Standing Committee on Estimates Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister Responsible for Seniors Party Ontario Liberal Party
Brampton s Current Economic Climate Like municipalities across the country Brampton is feeling the effects of the current economic downturn. Unemployment in Peel At 11.4%, the unemployment rate in Peel reached a new high in July 2009. This is compared to Ontario s unemployment of 9.3% and the National rate of 8.6%. The high rates in Peel are mainly attributable to the full-time job losses in manufacturing, construction and transportation/warehousing in Brampton and Mississauga. While unofficial, it appears that Chrysler plans to modernize key components of the Assembly Plant, including the paint shop, easing fears of further job losses and showing once again that Brampton is a good place to invest. Major investment intentions in the Queen Street corridor have proceeded despite the recessionary period, including: the Park Place Condo Project; the Rythym Condo Project; the Renaissance Condo Project; Chapelview and the major investment in the Bramalea City Centre. Housing Starts by Intended Market in Brampton (2008 2009) Housing starts represent new residential construction Housing starts in Brampton were down by 1,296 units or 72% on a year-over-year basis. This compares to a year-over-year decline in GTA-wide Housing Starts of 44%. Decline of development/building is linked to revenues and Tax Assessment. Economic Positives Despite the current economic situation, Brampton has many positive indicators that leave it well poised to take advantage of economic recovery. The housing resale market has rebounded this spring, seeing a year over year growth rate of almost 30%. Brampton is among the top new construction markets in Southern Ontario and Canada. Home prices have edged upward in the past few months, both on the resale and new home market Brampton has introduced a development charge rate schedule that is reasonable, including a 0% increase in the industrial-commercial charge. This is part of an ongoing effort to support the manufacturing and professional business services market.
Brampton s Prudent Financial Management Brampton is a high growth city that practices sustainable growth management with fiscal responsibility. While experiencing the second highest rate of growth in Canada, Brampton has successfully maintained its Triple A credit rating from Standard and Poor. Brampton is a debt-free municipality. Brampton s 2009 current budget is $400.8 million and has an approved capital program of more than $700 million. Brampton s Infrastructure Deficit Municipalities across Canada are responsible for more than 50% of Canada s public infrastructure. Managing and maintaining aging infrastructure is especially challenging when limited to the Property Tax base as the only predictable source of revenue. The City of Brampton s infrastructure deficit stands at approximately $380 million. Brampton, along with other Ontario Municipalities, is looking to long term, predictable, sustainable funding to properly plan the necessary infrastructure to manage growth, properly develop public transit systems, and protect the environment. Provincial-Municipal Fiscal and Service Delivery Review In 2006, the Provincial Government announced a review of how municipal services are funded and delivered in Ontario. This review was led by a panel made up of members from the Province of Ontario, AMO, and the City of Toronto. On October 31, 2008, the province announced an agreement based on the panel s work. The municipal tax savings that result from this agreement (outlined below) will accumulate to the Region of Peel in our two-tier system. Ontario Works benefits costs (including employment assistance) will be fully uploaded beginning in 2010-2018. This is in addition to the already announced upload of Ontario Drug Benefits and the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The cost of court security, including prisoner transfer, will also be uploaded to the Province, starting in 2012 to a maximum of $125 million a year by 2018. When all these uploads are completed, the Review will result in a net benefit to municipalities of more than $1.5 billion a year compared to 2007. The report from the panel also identified three key issues: It re-affirmed the principle that social service and income redistribution programs should not be funded from the property tax base It quantified Ontario s municipal infrastructure deficit at an estimated $6 billion a year in additional infrastructure investment needed over the next 10 years to close the gap That affordable housing is a national issue and requires a long-term financial commitment from the federal government Following the release of the report, AMO, in collaboration with the province, established seven working groups to implement these changes. This work is on-going. Brampton Mayor Susan Fennell advocates Brampton s infrastructure needs at the national level as a member of the National Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the FCM Big City Mayor s Caucus.
Brampton s Funding Partnerships Infrastructure Stimulus Fund (ISF) Funding from all three levels of government of more than $47 million dollars will be invested into Brampton to revitalize Chinguacousy Park and to develop the Mount Pleasant Transit Hub. Mount Pleasant Transit Hub The total cost of the Mount Pleasant Transit Hub is $23 million, two-thirds of which will be funded by the provincial and federal governments through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. The City of Brampton will fund the remaining $7.6 million. Revitalization of Chinguacousy Park The total cost of Chinguacousy Park s renewal is $24.5 million, and the City of Brampton will be responsible for providing one-third of the project costs, or $8.1 million. RInC and REC Funds In June 2009, Brampton received funding for nine (9) projects through the RInC and REC program in the amount of $9.36 million from the provincial and federal governments The City of Brampton will provide an additional $4.67 million for a total investment of more than $14 million dollars to revitalize Brampton s recreation infrastructure. Projects designated for funding include: 1. Brampton Curling Club 2. Brampton Lawn Bowling Club 3. Brampton Soccer Centre 4. Chris Gibson Recreation Centre 5. Ebenezer Community Centre 6. Greenbriar Recreation Centre 7. Memorial Arena 8. Snelgrove Community Centre 9. South Fletcher s Sportsplex
Provincial and Federal Gas Tax In 2004 Brampton began to receive a share of provincial gas tax revenue. In six years Brampton has received more than $26 million from the province through this program and $21 million from the federal government s gas tax agreement. Money received through the Gas tax is allocated to transit initiatives. Ontario Bus Replacement Program The Ontario Bus Replacement Program was created in 2007 to improve public transit service, increase ridership and accessibility. The Program provides long-term, sustainable transit funding that municipalities such as Brampton can use to replace conventional and specialized transit buses. To date Brampton has received $2 million dollars through this program with an additional $1.5 million to be received this year. Provincial Municipal Transit Capital Brampton received $4.1 million in one-time funding in 2008 from the province to be used for municipal transit capital expenditures. Metrolinx BikeLinx Program In 2008 Brampton received $430,000 from Metrolinx to install Bike Racks on Brampton Transit buses and create secure bicycle parking at transit hubs. GTA Farecard System & Farebox Replacement A one-time investment of $3.5 million for municipal transit systems involved in the GTA Farecard Project (known as Presto) to cover up to 1/3 of the capital cost of implementing the GTA farecard system and farebox replacement costs.
MIII Grant The Ontario Government Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative (MIII) supports communities efforts to restore and revitalize their public infrastructure. This grant is a one-time, $450-million program to help municipalities provide safe and reliable local infrastructure. Brampton s share of the MIII grant is approximately $3 million. Municipal Road and Bridge Infrastructure Investment Announced as part of the 2008 Provincial budget, Brampton received $5.9 million. These funds were allocated to rehabilitate Brampton s road and bridge infrastructure. Investing in Ontario The Investing in Ontario Act allows the provincial government to use a portion of any unanticipated year-end surplus to address priority public needs and reduce the province's accumulated deficit. In 2008, Brampton received more than $16 million from the province through this legislation. These fund were allocated through the 2009 budget process and are earmarked for a variety of projects including: Downtown Revitalization Corporate Indoor Asset Replacement Accessibility Programs Replacement of the Fire Training Tower Heritage Program Century Gardens - Outdoor Program
Sustainable Planning Places to Grow Brampton is developing Official Plan Amendments to bring Brampton s Official Plan into conformity with the Province s Places to Grow legislation. Key policy directions in the Official Plan Amendments will include policies that: Guide development in the City s Urban Growth Centre Focus areas for intensification in the Central Area (i.e. around mobility hubs and the central corridor supported by high order transit) Ensure sufficient growth is directed to lands within the built boundary Ensure Greenfield development is planned to achieve a minimum density of 50 persons and jobs per hectare Provide sufficient employment lands to meet future needs for employment growth The draft Official Plan Amendment is scheduled to go to Council in September recommending that a public open house and public meeting be held to receive stakeholder and public comments. Following Public input, Brampton Council will decide on the changes to the Official Plan to implement the Growth Plan in December 2009. Growth Management Program In addition to working toward conformity to the Provincial Growth Plan, Brampton has implemented a response to challenges and opportunities arising from high rates of growth through its Growth Management Plan (GMP). The GMP allows Brampton to ensure that growth occurs at a pace that does not exceed infrastructure requirements. The GMP includes a number of key program elements including: Development Outlook Development Allocation Block Planning Process
Brampton s Commitment to Public Transportation: As a designated Urban Growth Centre with high targets for intensification, public transportation plays an increasing role in creating a quality community. Brampton is making steady and consistent investment in public transit and these investments are paying off through increased levels of ridership. Züm In 2010, Brampton will launch Phase 1 of its Bus Rapid Transit service, known as Züm (pronounced zoom). Phase 1of Züm will run through the heart of Brampton s Urban Growth Centre to complement desired intensification in the area. Phases 2 & 3 are scheduled to launch in 2011 and 2012 respectively. $95 million from each level of government has been committed to the Züm service for a combined investment of $285 million in Brampton s Transit infrastructure. Hurontario High Order Transit Study Brampton and Mississauga are also currently working to complete a higher order transit study for Hurontario. The study will examine how rapid transit can be introduced along Hurontario/Main Street between Port Credit and downtown Brampton; develop appropriate land use and urban design policies and initiatives that will support rapid transit service; and identify potential social, economic, and environmental impacts of various rapid transit routes and technologies. This study is targeted for completion by the end of 2009.
AcceleRide Phase 1 (to 2012) and Phase 2 (2013+)