Mayor and Councillor Meet with Prime Minister Trudeau, Minister Tassi and MP Adam van Koeverden

HALTON HILLS, ON – Halton Hills Mayor Ann Lawlor and Councillor Jason Brass shared local issues at meetings with Prime Minister Trudeau, FedDev Ontario Minister Filomena Tassi and Milton MP Adam van Koeverden earlier this week. The PM was in the region for several local stops and the discussions occurred at van Koeverden’s Milton constituency office as well as in Georgetown.

MP van Koeverden noted, “It’s tremendously important to hear from local leaders. They are so connected to their communities and understand what actions our residents need. The Prime Minister, Minister Tassi and I were ready to listen.”

“The highest priority item in our Town that the federal government can help with is housing,” explained Mayor Lawlor. “The private market is not delivering the kind of housing that is needed and we hope the national government can step in.”

“I asked the Prime Minister and MP van Koeverden to particularly support construction of purpose-built rental homes to accommodate seniors, singles and young families,” continued the Mayor. “In Halton Hills, we don’t need federal incentives to build million-dollar single-family dwellings.”

The Region of Halton just published a State of Housing Report which highlights the shortfall in attainable and affordable housing in this area. The problem is not unique. The Prime Minister recently chaired a Cabinet retreat with housing issues in every province as the top subject for discussion.

Later that day, a visit to Terra Cotta Cookies in Georgetown by Minister of Economic Development for Southern Ontario Filomena Tassi, allowed Councillor Brass to discuss federal economic development initiatives.

The Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) headed by Minister Tassi, delivers programs and services to support innovation and economic growth in southern Ontario—Canada's most populous region.

“As a former Chamber of Commerce board member, I know that federal government support can make a real difference in our community,” said Brass.

“I was pleased to tour the plant with our members of parliament. They were genuinely interested in seeing how federal small business programs could help boost production capacity and grow local small business and industry.”

Mayor Lawlor and Councillor Brass jumped at the opportunity to bring local concerns to the federal leaders. While Halton Hills is a small urban and rural community, the interests of its residents need to be known in Ottawa.

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto.  The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.